PLUS FOR ALL THE FAMILY
The best cultural days out across the county
•
ON LOCATION
The Warfield home wowing local photographers
•
ANIMAL MAGIC
Inside a futuristic vets' building in Reading
SPECIAL
Over 40 pages of inspiration and insight
ALL CHANGE AS BERKSHIRE WELCOMES THE LATEST IN SPRING FASHION
The ultimate luxury is taking time to unwind in a bed so comfortable that you never want to leave
Bed: Sandö I Fabric: Designer´s Guild Rothesay Zinc I Carpet: Soft Greige I Bed Linen: Storm Shell I Bedside table: Holme I Headboard: Rivö I Bed legs: Reling MADE BESPOKE WITH FABRICS FROM AND
Discover original and distinctive furniture designs with the latest Scandinavian styles. Customise our furniture to suit your lifestyle with the help of our interior designers and find the perfect fit for your home. Change the size, colour, finishes, configurations and more. Book your free interior design consultation in-store or in the comfort of your own home. For further inspiration, explore our full collection online and in-store.
EDITOR
MARK KEBBLE
ART DIRECTOR
PAWEL KUBA
SENIOR DESIGNERS
MIKE ROBERTS
SUZETTE SCOBLE
MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER
CARMEN GRAHAM
JUNIOR DESIGNER
JOE MUNSEY
PRODUCTION MANAGER
DANICA BRODIE
GROUP SALES MANAGER - SOUTH
ABIGAIL GARDNER
MEDIA CONSULTANTS
LOUISE PEARSON, STELLA ADAMS
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
JERRIE KOLECI
CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER
ALEXANDRA HVID
DIRECTORS
CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
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MANAGING DIRECTOR
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SHERIF SHALTOUT Follow
ABSOLUTELY’S March issue highlights
As 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 to the house we now call home. It's amazing how much has changed. We have been in the property 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. For those sick of being indoors, never fear as we mark the return of spring with a special feature on the best cultural days out for all the family. It will certainly get you away from that iPad looking at property prices.
Make full use of Pantone's colour of the year (p111)
Benji Lewis
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
Gucci G-Timeless Mystic Cat is a 27mm watch with a pink motherof-pearl dial, water resistant to 50 metres and complemented with a steel bracelet that has contrasting brushed and polished fi nished links, £950. bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
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
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
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
These Yoko London Classic pink freshwater pearl stud earrings are fi nished with 18ct white gold post and butterfl y fittings, £180. bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
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
For the ultimate in lingerie, visit Amelie's Follies for the fi nest in delicate pink pieces and more. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Instantly fi ll your home with the luxurious and elegant scent of hundreds of Turkish roses with Ostens' Illumination candle, £65. ostens.com
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
Turn heads in the bestselling Panarea Swimsuit in Fuchsia by beachwear designer Melissa Odabash, available at Odette Lingerie. odettelingerie.co.uk
27 JUNE–1 JULY
Celebrating its 21st anniversary this year and often described as "one of the highlights of the summer social season", The Boodles has made a habit of attracting some of the biggest names in tennis, while offering guests the unique chance of an opportunity to get up close and personal with the players whilst enjoying world class hospitality.
It is hosted within Stoke Park's stunning 300-acre estate in the Buckinghamshire countryside, perhaps the most pictureperfect setting in the English tennis scene.
It also has an intimate purpose built stadium of only 2,000 with no seat further than ten metres from the grass court, meaning The Boodles allows you to be breathtakingly close to the action. theboodles.com
19-30 MARCH, MILTON KEYNES THEATRE
Get set for a big night out. Pretty Woman: The Musical is Hollywood’s ultimate rom-com, live on stage. Once upon a time in the late 80s, Vivian met Edward and her life changed forever. Be swept up in their romance in this dazzlingly theatrical take on a love story for the ages – and get to know these iconic characters in a whole new way.
atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes
1-2 March
THE HEXAGON
Will the recycling be put out on the right day? Who is going to smooth over the top of the margarine? How many lights are on upstairs when everybody is downstairs? Watch Jon Richardson pretend that these aren't his foremost concerns as he leaves home on his first tour since the last one. whatsonreading.com
4-5 March
MISSENDEN ABBEY
Join Haunted Rooms for an unforgettable evening of ghost hunting at one of Buckinghamshire's oldest and most haunted locations. Countless ghosts are said to haunt the halls and rooms of the almost 900-year-old Missenden Abbey, including several black monks, grey ladies, and child spirits. From £119 per person, this includes a night investigating with a Haunted Rooms team member, three-course meal, and a room based on two sharing. hauntedrooms.co.uk
FILM
3 March
ODEON BRACKNELL
After dominating the boxing world, Adonis Creed (Michael B. Jordan) has been thriving in both his career and family life. When a childhood friend and former boxing prodigy, Damian (Jonathan Majors), resurfaces after serving a long sentence in prison, he is eager to prove that he deserves his shot in the ring. The face-o between former friends is more than just a fight. To settle the score, Adonis must put his future on the line to battle Damian – a fighter who has nothing to lose. odeon.co.uk
16-18 March
CORN EXCHANGE, NEWBURY
Circus meets theatre in Around the World in 80 Days, a brand-new adaptation of Jules Verne’s iconic story. Join a rag-tag band of travelling circus performers as they embark on their most daring feat yet: to recreate Phileas Fogg’s race around the world. Audiences can watch as skilled performers traverse the globe, embracing Jules Verne’s original characters as they hop, skip, and jump between di erent modes of transport. Join the Ringmaster, the Acrobat, the Clown, the Trick Rider and the Knife Thrower on a madcap journey. cornexchangenew.com
12 MARCH, HIGH WYCOMBE PARK
Rennie Grove’s popular Da odil Walk will return to West Wycombe Park. The family day out includes something for everyone – from a leisurely stroll through the da odils to children’s entertainment and guided tours of the historic 18th century landscaped parklands. With exclusive access to the grounds of West Wycombe Park, participants can enjoy the stunning displays of da odils at their own pace. Tickets for the da odil walk cost £5 per adult and £3 for under-16s.
renniegrove.org/da odilwalk
Celebrated for its unexpected take on the traditional art fair experience, The Other Art Fair returns to The Truman Brewery this month, o ering switched-on art lovers the chance to buy artwork directly from over 150 rising international art stars. Coinciding with International Women’s Day, the Fair boasts an impressive 61% female line-up, championing some of the most exciting emerging female talents working today. Expect an impressive entrance installation created by Glastonbury’s female space The Sistxrhood, and
drop-in workshops throughout the weekend hosted by Collage Club. There’ll be the chance to have your portrait taken by Rankin, and London figurative painter Rod Kitson will be painting live portraits in real time as part of his ongoing portraiture project, Where Are We Now. Each sitting will take two hours and by the close of the weekend he will have created a mini gallery of portraits of visitors.
The Other Art Fair, 9-12 March, The Truman Brewery, E1, theotherartfair.com
By RACHEL HOGG
With the right family membership, your family will never be short of a weekend activity. These passes promise unlimited days spent learning and exploring, whether that be roaming through open fields, visiting castles or getting to know some of the UK’s most interesting museums. They can be a smart buy if you live close to a particular museum or stately home,
encouraging repeat visits, but are also a good way to inspire family days out much further afield. Many memberships also come with benefits – from priority entry and members' events, to access to spaces where you can escape the crowds. And, good to know, when you buy a family membership, you help to support work to preserve our heritage for generations to come. We've shortlisted some favourites, from London museums large and small, to memberships that open the door to exploration right across the county.
NHM.AC.UK
The Natural History Museum in South Kensington has billions of years of history tucked away in every corner of its vast temple-like spaces, and an annual pass promises endless opportunities to explore its collection of over 80 million objects. Not only will you get guaranteed entry without the need to queue or book in advance, but there's free unlimited entry to all ticketed exhibitions, as well as access to exclusive members-only events and spaces (including its Anning members' dining and lounging areas). Membership for a one-adult family costs £68, and £87 for a two-adult family. Each membership includes up to four children under the age of 17 and unnamed guests can be added for an additional fee.
EXTRA BENEFITS: There's a members' magazine, plus one for children with a family membership. You'll also find discounts at museum shops,
cafés and cloakrooms. Access to the museum's digital hub, The Hive, could be useful for school projects.
ARTFUND.ORG
You can get your fill of culture with the National Art Pass, an annual membership offering free and reduced-priced entry to museums, galleries and fascinating places around the country. This includes big names in London – HMS Belfast, Imperial War Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Jewish Museum London, Chiswick House & Gardens, Old Royal Naval College, Cutty Sark and the National Gallery. While these discounts are welcome, it's also valid for brilliant museums and attractions across the capital and the whole of the UK. A National Art Pass also means 50% off major exhibitions, plus discounts in shops and cafés. An adult membership costs £73 a year for individuals over 30,
and £110 for two adults. For an extra £10 ‘Plus Kids’ allows you to take along children under 16 in your family.
EXTRA BENEFITS: The guidebook offers away-day inspiration, with 800+ places where you can use the pass. There's a glossy quarterly members' magazine and you'll get regular updates about exciting happenings and special offers at museums across the UK
ENGLISH-HERITAGE.ORG.UK
Your children will be able to take role play to the next level with an English Heritage Membership. They could be a princess trapped in a turret, a dragon on the rampage or a knight jousting in a tournament. For a single annual fee, you can enjoy as many visits to the charity’s 400+ historic sites as you’d like, plus free or reduced entry to the many events that take place at its properties across the
“BUY A NATIONAL ART PASS AND YOU GET FREE OR DISCOUNTED ENTRY TO SOME OF OUR FINEST MUSEUMS, AS WELL AS INSPIRATION FOR YOUR NEXT BIG AWAY DAY”NATIONAL ART PASS CAN TAKE YOU TO TOP SPOTS ACROSS THE UK
Poggenpohl has 17 points of sale throughout the UK & Ireland · uk@poggenpohl.com
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year. You are spoilt for choice when it comes to landmarks to visit, from Eltham Palace and Gardens and Kenwood in London to Dover Castle, Hadrian's Wall, Stonehenge and Chester Roman Fort & Museum. Membership costs £66 for one adult, or £115 for two adults – each member can take up to six children under the age of 18 into a site for free.
EXTRA BENEFITS: The handbook and magazine are packed with ideas for trip and event planning. The Members' Rewards scheme has deals and o ers –everything from travel to wine – from over 60 partner organisations.
HOBBSOFHENLEY.COM
Easter traditionally marks the start of the boating season on the River Thames and at Hobbs of Henley they o er families the ideal way to discover the river. They will be operating a 1 hour return river trip every day over the Easter holidays at 12pm, 2.30pm and 3.45pm.
These river trips travel along the Royal Regatta course and feature an informative commentary. Adults are £13, Seniors £11, Children (3-16) are £8.50. Children under 3 are free. These tickets can be booked in advance online up to midnight the day before your visit so you can even plan around the weather!
EXTRA BENEFITS : For the more adventurous why not drive a boat yourself? Hire a four-seater self drive boat for as little as £55 per hour. Lifejackets available and no license required.
If you want to make more of a day out then hire a boat for the day and explore the River Thames further than just Henley. These boats can be booked online and there is one to suit each family's budget, the perfect family fun day out this Easter.
SCIENCEMUSEUM.ORG.UK
If your child isn’t already interested in
science, annual membership to the Science Museum's popular Wonderlab should change that. The immersive interactive gallery has been a family favourite since it opened in 2016 and is home to more than 50 unique exhibits across seven zones. Young people can explore fascinating topics as diverse as sound, forces, light, electricity, maths, matter and space. Annual passes cost £16 for adults (17+) or £14 for children (4–16 years). Family annual pass for 3–5 visitors with no more than two adults are also available for a small discount.
EXTRA BENEFITS: The live science shows and demos are the crowd puller,
offering brilliant and informative entertainment, so keep an eye on the museum calendar so you can book your Wonderlab admission tickets, along with museum entry, well in advance.
HRP.ORG.UK
This collection of incredible Royal properties offers truly regal days out – and with extras such as magnificent grounds and family-friendly themed days. Highlights are centred around London, with unlimited entry to the iconic Tower of London, Kensington Palace and Hampton Court Palace. Mighty Hillsborough Castle and Gardens in Northern Ireland is well worth a visit, as is Banqueting House in Whitehall, with its jaw-dropping painted ceiling by Rubens. A family membership costs £82 for one adult, and £122 for two adults
with up to six named children (aged 5-15).
EXTRA BENEFITS: Expect early booking for special exhibitions, access to membersonly events and discounts in shops, cafés and restaurants. There's also a members' magazine, plus partner discounts. You get reduced-price entry to Kew Gardens, where HRP's Kew Palace is located.
NATIONALTRUST.ORG.UK
Perfect for discovering the great outdoors, National Trust membership gives you unlimited entry to over 500 places. These span the length and breadth of the country – from Lundy Island in Devon and Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland to Pin Mill in Suffolk and Winkworth Arboretum in Surrey. When the weather turns, there are plenty of historic buildings offering spectacular architecture and artworks. A family pass costs £83.40 a year for
one adult, and £133.80 for two adults at the same address, and their children or grandchildren. Under 5s go free.
EXTRA BENEFITS: There's a useful handbook, a members' magazine and an online area with behind-the-scenes and 'first look' information across properties. Sign up by direct debit to receive a gift card valid in National Trust shops and cafés.
POSTALMUSEUM.ORG
Tucked away in Phoenix Place, W1, this fascinating museum delves into Britain’s postal heritage. There are hands-on exhibitions, interactive and learning activities. You can design your own postage stamp, try your hand at sorting mail or take a ride through the tunnels underneath London on the Mail Rail –an unmissable piece of hidden history. Family membership costs £70 a year and gives unlimited entry for up to two adults and three children. Join online or via the booking office before your visit.
EXTRA BENEFITS: You get priority booking for events and exhibitions, and one free ride for each member on Mail Rail. You also receive ten tickets to Sorted! the play space for younger visitors, plus discounts at the shops and café and on birthday parties booked at the museum.
“HISTORIC ROYAL PALACES' MEMBERSHIP OFFERS TRULY REGAL DAYS OUT, WITH THEMED AND MEMBERS' ONLY EVENTS”
Q What inspired you to launch Nomadic?
A I used to work in transactional real estate. I worked for eight years in London looking for and analysing property deals for real estate sites, but became very disillusioned with it, so left and went and studied for an MBA at London Business School with a view of starting my own business. There is a Japanese concept called ikigai, which is essentially where passion meets opportunity. I’ve certainly always been passionate about the natural world and enjoyed both eating and cooking, and then I saw there was an opportunity to bring people together. Nature and food are a great catalyst in order to facilitate that. Our original idea was to create a hidden hotel in the middle of the woods, but unfortunately we weren’t given planning permission by the local authority, so instead we operate as a pop-up woodland dining experience.
Q Explain the ‘restaurant without walls’ concept?
A We began hosting our woodland feasts in May 2018 as a natural alternative to the formulaic dining experience. We hosted our first woodland feast for friends and family after finding an abandoned clearing in the forest, which forms part of the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty [and is part of an estate previously owned by Dame Bridget D'Oyly Carte, heiress to The Savoy Hotel Group]. We located a craftsman to create a huge table out of a fallen tree and invited a local chef, who scoured the land for wild ingredients and gathered fallen wood to cook over.
Our aim as a business is to use food and nature to reconnect our guests with the world around them and our restaurant-withoutwalls has no boundaries. Food is a universal language and through it, we aim to tell the story of the ancient bluebell woodland and the wild ingredients you can find within it through the dishes we serve our guests.
Q What can guests expect from a visit to Nomadic?
A When guests arrive, they are welcomed with a seasonally-inspired cocktail before they head o on a guided foraging tour around the forest to collect wild ingredients to be incorporated into their meal. We then take them to a stunning glade in the middle of the woods, which is surrounded by ancient forestry, wild fauna and roaming animals such as deer, rabbits and badgers. They sit around a large table, which has been carved out of a birch tree, whilst their four-course meal is cooked on an open fire made from wood gathered from the forest. After the meal we gather around the fire, toast marshmallows and drink hand-picked herbal tea.
Q What sort of wild ingredients do you help guests forage for?
A It varies because we trace the edible landscape through the seasons, so what you’ll pick in the spring will be things like wild garlic, gorse or cress and that will form quite a large composition of your meal, as opposed to in autumn when it will be predominantly di erent types of mushrooms.
Q Nomadic featured on Gordon Ramsay’s Future Food Stars, what was that like?
A I got a phone call out of the blue from someone at the BBC who had previously produced The Apprentice and was exploring a new concept which involved 12 food and drink entrepreneurs taking part in a series of di erent challenges to win a £150,000 investment from Gordon Ramsay. Twelve months later, we had a BBC film crew and about 200 people turn up to the woods. The contestants were tasked with curating a menu to cook on our open wood fires but, despite us o ering some advice, what they came up with didn’t lend itself particularly well to open fire cooking, although it did make good TV of course!
It was a great experience. I only got to speak with Gordon for about five minutes, but he seemed very nice and was very complimentary about what we were doing – that’s got to be one of the highlights of the past few years.
Q What local people help to create the Nomadic experience?
A A local tree surgeon helped us build out all the tablescapes, we work with The Badgers Garden, a no dig vegetable garden just five minutes away to supply our veg, and Ash Claydon, at The Nagundo Tree, grows fresh flowers and helps us with our decorations.
We’ve also partnered with Treeapp, which supports brands to o set their carbon footprint by planting trees where they’re most needed, and have managed to plant hundreds of trees around the world thanks to donations from our guests. Wanting to own a business which has a force for good both by supporting local people and from an ecological standpoint is really important to me.
Q Where are your favourite places locally?
A I grew up just down the road in Rickmansworth so I love spending time in Chorleywood Common and I really like visiting Chenie Manor with my three young children. We’re really friendly with the team at Rowan Garden Centre, just down the road, and they have been really supportive, and we always encourage our guests to go and visit Chiltern Open Air Museum, which is right next door and, funnily enough, my mum volunteered at when I was growing up.
experiencenomadic.com
VIPs were out in force for the new Cirque du Soleil show, KURIOS, which we covered in these pages back in January. The show premiere at the Royal Albert Hall welcomed the likes of Sir Brian May, Sir David Jason, Dame Kelly Holmes, Elizabeth Hurley, Anita Dobson, Anthea Turner, Ferne McCann, Fred Sirieix, Freddie Fox, Jeremy Irons, Greg Wise, Lee Mack, Leigh Francis and many more.
KURIOS is a show that really celebrates the imagination. It follows the journey of a scientist, who believes that a hidden, invisible world exists. Set in the second half of the 19th century during the industrial revolution, the show takes aesthetic inspiration from this era. It’s about the capacity to invent and dream, and people will leave the show feeling like anything is possible.
As the VIPs witnessed, there are acts in this show that can’t be seen anywhere else in the world. Acro-Net, which was built up in our January preview, lived up to the billing. A team of six acrobats propel another performer 45ft up in the air, which was a thrill to watch and a huge crowd pleaser.
It was an act that, much like the show, shows that just because something doesn’t exist yet, it doesn’t mean it can’t be dreamt up and made a reality. KURIOS is truly a dazzling show that’s well worth heading into London for.
cirquedusoleil.com
The Gleneagles experience is one of a kind – you can now enjoy it from the comfort of a Glenmor luxury holiday home, located in the heart of Gleneagles. On your stay you can enjoy complimentary golf for one person, plus access to all of the leisure, dining and pursuits of the 5 star estate. We have 2, 3 and 4 bedroom properties available, perfect for all the family With prices starting from £3,680 for a 2 bed, £4,630 for a 3 bed and £5,080 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.
Find out more: GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR + 44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM
The Timeshare, Holiday Products, Resale and Exchange Contracts Regulation 2010 requires Gleneaglesto provide you with certain key information in relation to the proposed seasonal ownership contract. A standard information form which contains this key information in relation to that contract may beobtained by contacted us via the above methods.
As Absolutely covered in our last issue, celebrated chef Chris Wheeler has returned to Buckinghamshire to delight customers with his new venture.
Chris Wheeler, former Executive Chef of Stoke Park in Buckinghamshire for nearly 20 years, has taken over The Crown Inn at Farnham Common, and Absolutely joined the official opening on Saturday 4 February. The newly named Chris Wheeler at The Crown Inn will have something for everyone on the new menu – from bar snacks and small plates to classic British dishes and fine dining experiences. This venue was chosen for the new venture as it allows the mix of personal and business to smoothly fuse.
Chris is co-owner alongside local businessman Russell Allen. Both hope that his return to the Buckinghamshire food scene will be a triumphant one, and that The Crown Inn will become the beating heart of food in the local area. The Crown Inn aspires to be a hub for foodies, business meetings, private functions and weddings. An events calendar will be coming soon and will feature set menus, themed nights and a farmers' market.
The opening event suggests their target will be met. Local VIPs were delighted to sample some of Chris’s cooking, which as expected was of the highest quality. Special guests included Rosemary Shrager, Dame Denise Lewis, and chef Jean-Christophe Novelli. We look forward to returning to properly tuck into Chris’s menu.
crown-inn.co.uk
Membership
Have you ever wondered about the benefits of joining an exclusive private members club? If so why not take advantage.
COURT
SUNDAY 2ND APRIL
12 – 4pm
Come and look around the Club and see our facilities.
Bars, Restaurants, Hotel, Fitness Centre, Sports Facilities, Interest Groups, Regatta, Moorings & Worldwide Reciprocal Clubs
For further info contact: membership@phylliscourt.co.uk or call 01491 570 500
Marlow Road, Henley on Thames, RG9 2HT phylliscourt.co.uk
01635 46044
Known as the Olympics of horseracing, it is no surprise that it ‘takes a village’ to get the equine athletes to the start line during Cheltenham Festival. From 14-17 March, more than 150 horses will perform on one of sport's greatest stages.
The thrill of horseracing has long captured our nation, in fact it’s our second biggest spectator sport. Cheltenham Festival itself hosts some of racing’s most talented animals and one of jump racing’s most famed races, the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which dates back to 1924. It is made clear by the racegoer’s legendary ‘Cheltenham roar’ when a horse crosses the winning line what an exhilarating and heart-warming sport horseracing is.
But the high-octane thrill of the raceday is a far cry from the calmer day-to-day life of these
spectacular athletes. Whether it’s a morning run on the gallops, taking a restorative swim in a state-of-the-art equine swimming pool or a physiotherapy session to ease away any aching muscles, there’s a huge team involved in keeping a racehorse fit and healthy.
Like all athletes, racehorses have tailored training programmes to suit their individual needs and it takes an extraordinary partnership between a racehorse and those that support it to understand what works best.
Typically, a racehorse will have a team of at least six core people involved in the 365 days of care and raceday preparation. The core team is made up of a trainer, yard staff, work rider, farrier, vet and physio not to mention the wider dedicated team members such as the secretary, jockey, nutritionist, chiropractor, travelling team and equine dentist.
Yard staff spend the most time with the horse and have a vital role to play in a racehorse’s day-to-day care that contributes to their performance on a raceday. Each horse will be tended to by a member of yard staff who will feed them, wash them down after exercise, ensure the horse is the right temperature and often travel with the horse when racing for familiarity. It is also their duty to make sure the space in and around the yard is well-kept to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere each day. As well as the current equine stars of the sport, Cheltenham Festival hosts parades from former racehorses who have gone on to new careers in dressage, show jumping or eventing, as well as those who have turned their foot to a slower pace of life.
• 12,320 yards of running rails surround the track;
• 5,000 bundles of birch are used every season to make the jumps;
• Racecourses across Britain, including Cheltenham, have changed jump fences from orange to white to improve equine vision and safety;
• There are 28 jump races run during Cheltenham Festival;
• 22 fences are jumped during the Cheltenham Gold Cup;
• The Gold Cup dates back to 1924 when Red Splash ridden by Dick Rees won;
• The shortest distance raced is two miles;
• On average 65,000 people attend the festival each day.
Visit greatbritishracing.com to find out more. Cheltenham Festival will air live on ITV Racing 14-17 March
Recognising
biggest cheerleaders who play a part in bringing racehorses to the track
ESCAPE WITH A LUXURY FOODIE BREAK AT THE HAND & FLOWERS
Tom Kerridge’s The Hand & Flowers is the only two-Michelin starred pub in the UK. With 15 beautiful rooms, guests can enjoy a selection of in-room treats, king size beds, luxury freestanding roll top baths, whilst some have Jacuzzis and terraces, all are individually designed with a cosy, country feel.
A RANGE OF OVERNIGHT PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE FROM A MONDAY NIGHT STAY, A MID-WEEK BREAK AND EVEN A GASTRONOMIC GETAWAY FOR FOODIES, THERE IS SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE.
AN INCREDIBLE SET LUNCH MENU IS ALSO AVAILABLE WITH TWO-COURSES FOR £39 AND THREE-COURSES FOR £46.50.
The Hand and Flowers
126 West Street, Marlow, SL7 2BP contact@thehandandflowers.co.uk | 01628 482277
www.thehandandflowers.co.uk
THE VINEYARD
Step through the front doors of luxury hotel, The Vineyard in Newbury, and you’ll be greeted by a floor-to-ceiling glass vault full of iconic wines, an award-winning spa, and unmissable dining experiences. Sunday lunchtime feasts, classic afternoon teas, and wine trees accompanied by small plates - whatever the inner foodie in you is longing for, you'll find it at The Vineyard. pobhotels.com/hotel/the-vineyard
Sherry Cask Blended
Malt Scotch Whisky
£40
Enticingly dark in appearance, the Sherry Cask is invitingly seductive, and the bouquet has classic dark Sherry and prunelike notes. The palate gives sweet, well-balanced fruit on a Sherry bed, with a long, satisfying finish.
Islay Blended
Malt Scotch Whisky
£40
The Islay Cask encapsulates the powerful Islay style with tarry, peaty and oceanic notes bound in a blanket of honey and yellow fruits. The fruitiness works excellently to di use the peaty and smoky influencers, carrying them on a creamy textured wave into the long finish.
Speyside Blended
Malt Scotch Whisky
£40
The Speyside Cask delivers the essence of the region in a playful yet complex way. There is much fruitiness, mingled with fresh grassiness and honey sweetness which binds the flavours as they swell. Every element is balanced.
BERRY BROS. & RUDD
Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's. bbr.com
latest food and drink news from across the county
By MARK KEBBLETHE VINEYARD
PoB Hotels has launched as a collection of carefully curated rooms, the finest restaurants and spas, and the most authentic regional experiences across the British Isles. Formerly known as Pride of Britain Hotels, the new PoB Hotels marks a shift towards an entirely new brand, personality and ethos under CEO Kalindi Juneja, and features The Vineyard in Newbury within its portfolio.
pobhotels.com
The ethos at The Lazy Pig in the Pantry in Chesham is simple. They’re 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 evening meal or hiring their private dining space, they aim to go above and beyond every time you visit. Look out for their new menu this spring. thelazypiginthepantry.com
The eclectic dining choices at Coworth Park – from private dining to picturesque alfresco options –make sure there’s always something fresh to dazzle your appetite, as well as making mum’s visit extra special. dorchestercollection.com
There are some fabulous o erings from Atul Kochhar’s restaurants this month. Riwaz in Beaconsfield serves sensational Indian cuisine inspired by the history, cultural practices and rustic charm of the Indian states. In the gourmet town of Marlow, Vaasu stays true to Kochhar’s passion for gastronomical discovery, with a focus on Pan-Indian cuisine. And over in Amersham at The Crown Inn Hotel, Hawkyns is o ering a three course menu for £32. atulkochhar.com
THE COCONUT TREE
Available now, children can eat for free at the authentic Sri Lankan restaurant group, The Coconut Tree. The o er will run across all nine Coconut Tree restaurants, including Reading, and finishes on 31 March, 2023. Kids can choose from a child-friendly menu full of lovingly prepared dishes that cater for all, which take authentic Sri Lankan classics and gives them a child’s spin.
thecoconut-tree.com
On Mother’s Day, Horwood House will be hosting a grand A ernoon Tea event in their Drawing Room in the Manor House. Mums and their guests can enjoy a delicious array of tasty treats, a celebratory glass of fizz, relaxing live music and a gi from Horwood House. horwoodhouse.co.uk
THE HAND & FLOWERS
Enjoy a beautiful day out at Waddesdon this Mother’s Day weekend. Make your visit even more special with an indulgent a ernoon tea in the Manor Restaurant, or why not treat your mum to a special gin tasting in the cellars. waddesdon.org.uk
The Hand & Flowers, the two Michelin-starred pub in Marlow from Tom Kerridge, has collaborated with Hampshire based family-owned winery, Hattingley Valley, to produce a limited-edition brut non-vintage English sparkling wine that pairs exceptionally well with food. The unique ‘Hand & Flowers’ wine combines notes of orchard fruits, nougat and buttered toast. Naturally rich with a complex finish, with hints of honey and nuts stemming from the 10-year-old bottle aged Chardonnay, it pairs well with a wide range of dishes. tomkerridge.com
Buckinghamshire-based Clare Andrews is behind the hugely popular Instagram page @AirFryerUK - and now she has released a cookbook. We find out more…
By MARK KEBBLE
Q When did an air fryer first come into your life and what did you know about them at the time?
A My first air fryer was a gift in lockdown from my mum. Honestly, when I first opened the box and turned it on I had absolutely no idea what to cook in it! I started doing research on what to cook, I found that there were not many healthy recipes out there, it was mainly beige food like chips and wedges. So I took myself on a journey to find out what else I could cook and create in my new air fryer. Some ideas worked, some not so much. I decided to document it all on Instagram. I didn’t in a million years foresee it growing to nearly 80k followers! It seems that so many people were feeling the same as I was, a tad lost with their air fryer.
Q What was the first thing you cooked in it?
A I had half a baguette left over from lunch (I don’t like to waste food), so I made garlic bread. The second was bacon… Wow, bacon in the air fryer was an absolute game changer! I never cook it any other way now.
Q How soon were you won over by it?
A Straight away! The food tasted so crispy and fresh, the vegetables kept their vibrant colours and all recipes took less time than turning on the oven.
Q What are the benefits of an air fryer?
A So many. For me it was the fact you don’t need to use much oil, if any at all. Some of my recipes I’d add olive oil, but you really don’t need to. With the current cost of living, air fryers really are a cheaper alternative to putting your oven on. I know I’m conscious of what I cook in my oven now. If I must put my oven on, I will make sure I do some batch cooking at the same time, maybe like a big bolognese or a curry.
Q When did you start creating recipes to share?
A It was straight away really, but it was more for my reference to begin with. The more I posted, the more popular my account became, and I started to realise that I wasn’t alone on my journey.
Q What was the reaction like on Instagram?
A So incredibly positive! I know social media has its dark side, but I have found the food community in particular to be such a positive space. Everyone has been so supportive and if you need any advice or help, there’s always someone there to help you out.
Q Was a cookbook always the ultimate goal?
A To have a cookbook published is an absolute dream, but it was never the intention. The more my followers increased, the more I saw a need for one. So I kept on posting and creating more recipes and in September last year Penguin Michael Joseph contacted me with an exciting proposal.
“Bacon in the air fryer was a game changer. I never cook it any other way now”IRRESISTIBLE COOKIE BITES
Q Did you enjoy putting together
The Ultimate Air Fryer Cookbook?
A I absolutely loved every single minute! I didn’t want it to stop. Creating new content and recipes everyday was just fantastic. It wasn’t easy, we had a tight deadline, but every step of the way thankfully I had such amazing support by the team at Penguin Michael Joseph. To work with such a creative and supportive network of people has been a dream.
Q What kind of recipes will we find inside?
A You will find all kinds of recipes. My main objective was to create recipes with ingredients we can all access. Simple and easy to follow instructions and above all a ordable ingredients. In some of my recipes I often use
up leftovers. To not always have to rush out and buy more food, especially for a recipe, to use what we have. My recipes can be changed up a bit too. If you don’t have sweet potatoes, use normal potatoes. If you don’t like coriander, don’t put it in! It’s important to me for you to enjoy creating your own dishes and be creative with the flavours.
Q What do you hope readers get from the cookbook?
A I hope my readers find the recipes easy to follow and above all delicious too and maybe after using their air fryer a little more, they can gain more confidence to start creating their own dishes. I’m sure they will love the stunning photographs that really bring the food to life.
Q Do you know what comes next?
A I have no idea, I will take each day as it comes, be thankful for the journey and enjoy every single minute.
Q How long have you lived in Shabbington and what do you love about it?
A I have lived in Shabbington for about six years now. The village has such a wonderful community spirit, we all look out for one another and support each other too. For me that’s what village life is all about and I love it. There’s always something going on, be it an open mic session at the local pub or a co ee morning in the hut at the end of our road!
Q On the nights when you leave the air fryer behind, where would you go to eat?
A My son and I just love food, so eating out is a real treat for us. We love a roast in our local pub and on the weekends to head into Oxford and enjoy a pizza or some sushi for lunch.
Quick, Healthy, Low-Energy Recipes for Every Occasion by Clare Andrews (Penguin Michael Joseph, £20)
“My main objective was to create recipes with ingredients we can all access”TURKISH-STYLE STUFFED AUBERGINE WITH SAFFRON & YOGHURT DIP PHOTOS: MIRIAM SMITH FOR AUTHOR PHOTO / DANIELLE WOODS FOR RECIPE PHOTOS
Tom Kerridge introduces a trio of recipes from his acclaimed Marlow institutions: The Hand & Flowers, The Butcher’s Tap & Grill and The Coach
Words TOM KERRIDGE
Photographs CRISTIAN BARNETT
Serves 4
A delicate, beautiful omelette is one of those pure dishes that makes you realise great food does not have to be about hundreds of ingredients on a plate. It’s about allowing a simple product to sing. I learnt that lesson back in the day when I worked for Gary Rhodes and we used to do a lobster omelette, which showcased the chef’s technique rather than putting a load of fancy things on the plate.
• 1 side of smoked haddock, 600g, skin and pin bones removed
• 600ml whole milk
METHOD
1 Check the smoked haddock for any tiny pin bones.
2 Bring the milk to the boil in a wide-based saucepan.
3 Carefully lay the smoked haddock in the pan, ensuring it is covered by the milk. Place a lid on the pan, turn off the heat and leave the fish to poach in the residual heat for about 10 minutes.
4 Once the haddock is cooked, remove it from the milk and gently flake the fish into a tray lined with greaseproof paper. Cover the tray with cling film and place in the fridge until ready to serve.
5 Pass the milk through a fine chinois into a clean saucepan and keep to one side.
• 250ml smoked haddock poaching liquor
• 15g unsalted butter
• 15g plain flour
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
METHOD
1 Bring the smoked haddock poaching liquor to a gentle simmer.
2 In a separate pan over a medium-low heat, melt the butter. Stir in the flour to make a roux and cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Gradually ladle in the warm
poaching liquor, stirring as you do so to keep the sauce smooth.
3 Cook gently over a very low heat for 20 minutes.
4 Pass the sauce through a fine chinois and cover the surface with a piece of baking parchment or cling film to prevent a skin forming. Set aside until needed.
OMELETTE GLAZE
INGREDIENTS
• 4 tbsp warm smoked haddock béchamel
• 4 tbsp hollandaise sauce
• 4 medium free-range egg yolks
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
METHOD
1 Gently warm the béchamel in a saucepan then pour into a bowl and whisk in the hollandaise and egg yolks.
2 Season with salt and pepper to taste and pass through a chinois into a warm jug or bowl. Keep warm to stop the glaze from splitting.
SMOKED HADDOCK
OMELETTE
To assemble & cook the omelette
INGREDIENTS
• 12 medium free-range eggs
• 4 tbsp unsalted butter
• 100g aged Parmesan, finely grated
• Sea salt and freshly ground pepper
1 Crack the eggs into a jug blender and blend briefly to combine. Pass through a chinois into a measuring jug.
2 Place 4 individual omelette pans (we use Staub) over a low heat.
3 Take the smoked haddock from the fridge, remove the cling film and lay on a grill tray. Warm under the salamander or grill.
4 To each omelette pan, add 1 tbsp butter and heat until melted and foaming. Pour the blended egg into the pans, dividing it equally.
5 Using a spatula, gently move the egg around in the pans until they start to firm up. Remove from the heat; you want the eggs to be slightly loose, as they will continue to cook off the heat.
6 Season the omelettes with salt and pepper and sprinkle the grated Parmesan over their surfaces.
7 Divide the flaked smoked haddock between the omelettes, then spoon on the glaze to cover the fish and extend to the edge of the pans. If the glaze spills over the side of the pan, wipe it away, as this will burn on the side when blowtorching.
8 To finish, wave a cook’s blowtorch over the surface of the omelettes to caramelise the glaze. Allow the glaze to become quite dark, as the bitterness will balance out the richness of all the other ingredients.
Serves 4
These hot dogs are based on everyone’s favourite Christmas side: pigs in blankets. Like Christmas trees, hot dogs are thought to originate in Germany, so I’ve added a bit of curry powder, German mustard and Bavarian cheese as a nod to that. The Butcher’s Tap & Grill is the place to get great hot dogs and bacon from to make this at home.
BARBECUE BURNT ONIONS
INGREDIENTS
• 2 large onions, finely sliced
• 3 tbsp vegetable oil
PIGS IN BLANKETS
INGREDIENTS
• 4 jumbo sausages
• 2 heaped tsp mild curry powder
• 12 rashers of streaky bacon
GERMAN MUSTARD MAYO
INGREDIENTS
• 100g thick mayonnaise
• 40g German mustard
• 3 tsp finely chopped shallot
• 10 cornichons, finely sliced
• 2 tbsp finely chopped dill
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
TO ASSEMBLE
• 4 long hot dog rolls
• 8 thick slices of smoked
Bavarian cheese
• 8 large slices of dill pickle
• A bunch of spring onions, green part only, finely sliced
1 To cook the onions, place a cast-iron pan on the hot barbecue and add the oil. When it is hot, add the onions with a generous pinch of salt. Stir well and cook for about 20 minutes until softened, dark and caramelised.
2 Meanwhile, prepare the sausages. Poke a metal skewer through the length of each sausage and lay the skewers on a tray. Season with the curry powder, trying to get an even coating all over the sausages. Wrap each one in bacon, using 3 rashers per sausage, and secure the bacon with a couple of cocktail sticks.
3 Lay the bacon-wrapped sausages on the hot barbecue and cook for about 10 minutes, turning every minute or two. While they are on the barbecue, mix the German mustard mayo ingredients together in a bowl, seasoning with salt and pepper to taste; set aside until needed.
4 Once the sausages are cooked through, lift them off the barbecue and place on a tray. Remove the cocktail sticks and metal skewers.
5 To build the hot dogs, slit the rolls open through the top and lay the cheese slices in them. Add the bacon-wrapped sausages and top with plenty of caramelised onions and the pickle slices.
6 Place the hot dogs on a sturdy baking tray on the barbecue, put the lid on and leave for a minute or two so that the cheese becomes all gooey and melted. Transfer the hot dogs to plates and spoon on the German mayo. Scatter over the spring onions for freshness and serve.
Serves 6
There isn’t a grain of rice in sight in this tasty ‘risotto’, which is made using two different kinds of mushrooms instead. The process is relatively simple, we combine finely diced king oyster mushrooms with a creamy mushroom puree. Parmesan and fresh chives finish it beautifully.
• 500g king oyster mushrooms, finely chopped (approx. 4mm)
• 315g button mushrooms, washed and finely chopped
• 140ml double cream
• 12g fine salt
• 40g button mushrooms, washed and finely chopped (additional to finish)
• 40g diced Mozzarella cheese
• 10g chives, finely chopped
• 25g best-quality Parmesan cheese, finely grated
METHOD
1 Place the finely chopped king oyster mushrooms in a pan along with 100ml water. Cover with a lid and cook for 10 minutes. Drain and set aside.
2 Place the finely chopped button mushrooms into a medium pan along with the cream and salt.
3 Cover with a lid and cook over medium heat until the mushrooms are tender. Transfer this mixture to a blender and blend to a smooth puree.
4 Place equal amounts of the cooked king oyster mushrooms and mushroom puree into a pan over a medium heat to warm through.
5 Stir through the additional 40g finely chopped button mushrooms, then add the diced mozzarella about 30 seconds later.
6 Finish with the chopped chives and grated Parmesan before serving.
For more recipes and details about Tom Kerridge’s restaurants, visit tomkerridge.com
A fresh vision. A personal approach. A respect for nature’s calendar. A passion for stories. A sense of nostalgia.
1
BEAN COUNT
2 4
COFFEE
Established in Kobe in 1933, Ueshima Coffee Company has dedicated itself to the pursuit of coffee perfection. Japan’s number one coffee is now available in the UK too – and they offer a variety of subscriptions and beans. ueshimacoff eecompany.com
Sign up for 30 compostible Nespresso-compatible pods a month with Grind and you'll get a lovely pink tin, carbon positive delivery and very delicious coffee for just £13.50. grind.co.uk
With Batch, you'll get a box containing two 200g bags of the best speciality coffee from around the world. Sourced from different independent UK roasters, you're guaranteed excellent coffee as o en as you choose. batchcoff ee.co.uk
Unlike the majority of coffee brands, Tambia owns its farms. They don’t scour the world for the very best coffee, they grow it – so they are able to offer the best tasting and freshest coffee, while supporting the environment and communities. tambiacoff ee.com
BERRY’S JEWELLERS
The Offspring jewellery collection, created by Jacqueline Rabun for Georg Jensen, includes a number of innovative pieces crafted from sterling silver and 18ct gold – all of which tell a story of the unbreakable bond and everlasting love between mother and child. Perfect for Mother’s Day, the earrings, rings, necklaces and bracelets in this striking collection are meticulously designed and the imperfect shape demands attention. Explore the collection at Berry’s Windsor and berrysjewellers.co.uk
CAROLINA BUCCI
Rainbow Pavé Cuore Ring
18k Yellow Gold, £8,700 carolinabucci.com
MARLO LAZ
14k Yellow Gold Spiked Heart Pavé Necklace, £11,000 marlolaz.com
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
MELISSA KAYE
18k Yellow Gold Lenox Bracelet with Hot Pink Sapphires, £5,300 melissakayejewelry.com
SUZANNE KALAN
Yellow Gold and Diamond Ivy Eternity Band, £2,124 harrods.com
BAKER BROTHERS DIAMONDS
FOPE Rose Gold and Diamond Flex’it Panorama, £14,500 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
DEBORAH PAGANI
8k Gold and Diamond Honey Huggies, £2,100 deborahpagani.com
LOQUET LONDON
Diamond Baguette Amour Locket, £8,000 loquetlondon.com
Banish those winter blues and get ready for the new season with the SS23 Little Mistress collection, found at Next across the county
The Buckinghamshire hotel is offering the Mum-entous Escape package this month in partnership with Bicester Village. It includes an overnight stay in a Deluxe room with bottle of prosecco on arrival, use of spa facilities from midday until check out, a 25-minute spa treatment, two course lunch in the spa, spa gift, £26 per person dinner allowance, breakfast in the morning, plus reserved parking at Bicester Village and a 10% saving in participating boutiques. See more at horwoodhouse.co.uk
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.
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.
“Clinic
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 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.
Please scan QR code to book complimentary consultation
Winner of the prestigious “BTL Face of the year” award.
The largest Skin Tightening clinic in the United Kingdom.
The largest Ultracel Clinic outside of London.
The only Diamond Premiere Coolsculpting clinic outside London and the second largest Coolsculpting clinic in Europe
of the year 2019/20” at the safety in Beauty Awards.
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-effective light exercises that may help you to fall asleep easier this winter, leaving your finances and health in tip-top condition.
Yoga is a gentle, effective 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 affects your parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which controls your body’s rest function, making it easier to switch off. 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.
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 off 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.
Many of us have a bike stuffed 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.
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 off left-over energy and releases feel-good endorphins that reduce stress and provide a calming effect that helps you fall and stay asleep. Light techniques, such as breaststroke, are an effective 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 off.
Aerobics is another cost-effective way to get some exercise before heading to bed. Regular aerobic exercise can improve sleep quality and reduce excessive daytime sleepiness for those who suffer 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”
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Suddenly losing your mobility is frightening: as well as preventing you from staying active, everyday life becomes a challenge and it feels like your independence is slipping away. It can also plunge you into uncertainty. What caused it? Will you regain mobility? Will you have to change your lifestyle, or stop doing the activities you love?
Margaret’s story
Thousands of people are living with mobility issues every day. Among them is Margaret, 73, who woke up one morning in January with a searing pain in her right hip. An active lady who loves and prides herself on her independence, Margaret suddenly had to rely on two walking sticks and was in constant pain.
Margaret popped into PEMFiT Reading in West Berkshire for a free consultation to
determine whether PEMF could help her. After taking some time to really understand her situation, studio manager Nick Elvery explained that she would need at least ten sessions to get her back on her feet –something Margaret was happy to commit to.
“I’m fiercely independent, so losing my mobility was terrifying,” she says. “I was scared I was going to be like this for the rest of my life. I felt a di erence after just one session! I love going for PEMF therapy. It’s so relaxing and leaves me feeling amazing.”
Margaret continued to see progress after every session. As her pain reduced, her confidence grew, and little by little she regained her ability to walk without sticks.
“I feel 20 years younger!” she exclaims.
“I have my independence back and am walking again. Thank you PEMFiT!”
As an added bonus, Margaret’s sleep and energy levels improved after just one PEMF session.
What is PEMF?
PEMF is a safe, non-invasive and powerful modality that can dramatically reduce chronic pain, sti ness, injury recovery time, fatigue and brain fog.
It’s also very relaxing: with a comfortable contoured bed in a peaceful private room overlooking the grounds of a beautiful Grade II listed building, most clients fall asleep during their sessions.
The PEMFiT Reading studio uses premium technology favoured by NASA astronauts and elite athletes in the US. The studio is based in Swallowfield, ten minutes from the M4 junction 11, and has lift accessibility and ample free parking. Call Nick today to book your consultation. Spaces are limited, so please only call if you’re in urgent need and ready to commit.
07885 979 166
Email: nick@pemfit.co.uk pemfit.co.uk
The picturesque parkland. The sense of serenity. A glamorous getaway. A moment of bliss. The Spa at Coworth Park.
ASCOT
#DCmoments
HERLUM
A British brand with Brazilian heritage, Herlum ‘s range of body care and candles is ecoconscious luxury at its best. The brand works with a UK based laboratory, using upcycled fragrance ingredients of the highest quality. herlum.co.uk
EDITOR’S PICK
Founded by a female duo (one of whom is a homeopath), Nóttnuit’s range of clean skincare taps into Scandi beauty secrets. The brand’s VOW Barrier Repair Overnight Mask soothes and hydrates the skin and is packed with hardworking ingredients such as bilberry seed oil and jojoba esters, £92. nottnuit.com
RAHUA
Rahua, the 100% natural, plantbased and sulphate and silicone-free haircare brand, has launched a new glossing oil mist. Delivering serious shine, the formulation also enhances colour – brightening natural and colour-treated hair, £58. rahua.uk
Ithink most people are guilty of neglecting their feet during winter. Mine tend to get quite dry, so the extra effort involved in taking care of them often falls to the bottom of my priority list when I’m in boots instead of sandals. That being said, if I don’t keep up my routine, I tend to suffer from cracked heels and calluses. So I’m always on the lookout for low-effort products that actually deliver. Callen Olive’s Foot Sole and Heel Saviour Balm definitely falls into this category. A lightweight cream that isn’t greasy, it absorbs quickly and leaves your skin feeling instantly moisturised. It’s made from 96% naturally derived ingredients, containing hydrogenated castor oil and provitamin B5 to protect and nourish the skin. The range is the brainchild of Maggie Trevillion, founder of multi-award winning podiatry clinic ‘Walk This Way Podiatry’. After a chat with Trevillion’s expert team, I am advised to exfoliate my feet first to get rid of the dryness and cracked skin. Then, after a shower or bath, to massage the balm into all areas of my foot. I’ve been using it for several weeks now and I’m finding I need to use my foot file less and less. My feet feel much more hydrated, the skin is softer and seems to be more resilient to cracking. I couldn’t recommend this balm more, and I can already tell it’s going to become a must-have in my year-round foot care routine.
CALLEN OLIVE
Foot Sole and Heel Saviour Balm, £47 callenolive.com
WASH LESS
UP activewear uses an eco-friendly, anti-odour technology, allowing you to wear it more and wash it less. Top, £40. up.clothing
REUSE, RECYCLE
Perfect for training outside in colder weather, this thermal base layer from ARKET is made using recycled polyester, £59. arket.com
We meet author and wellness expert Katia Narain, and nutritionist and author Michael Isted, co-founders of Phyto Nectars
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
Sustainable workoutwear brand SILVERWIND tackle overproduction by keeping their inventory low. HeyCloud Leggings, £47.40. mysilverwind.com
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.
LATEST LAUNCHES p80
BERKSHIRE REAL HOME p82
NATIONAL TRUST WALLPAPERS p88
PANTONE COLOUR OF THE YEAR p111
STOVAX
Transform your living space into a tranquil oasis with the Ecodesign Riva2 woodburning fire range from Stovax. With its sleek design, ecocredentials and impressive heat output, it effortlessly combines functionality without compromising on style – the perfect addition to your home. With its easy-to-use controls and innovative technology, the Riva2 brings designer flair and high performance heat in four different sizes, to suit a range of installations. stovax.com
By PENDLE HARTE
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
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
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
CREATIVE TOPS
Dri Storage Jar, £16 kitchencra .co.uk
CURATED PIECES
Bamboo Storage Canister Set, £29.99 curatedpieces.com
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
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
Absolutely goes behind the scenes of a stunning property near Ascot, which is generating plenty of interest
Words MARK KEBBLE
Having been privy to a fair few photoshoots in my time in journalism, location is everything. Yes, you can work in a studio and control things a little more, but there is nothing quite like getting out on patch and finding somewhere stunning that perfectly fits the bill for what you had in mind – and that’s exactly the thought that crossed Claire Macdonald’s mind.
“We have received so many lovely compliments from people walking past the house and from family and friends that I really wanted to do something with it,” she smiles. “A friend introduced me to Styled home studios, which gave me the idea of renting the property to creatives and photographers for their brand and film shoots.”
But let’s rewind. It was back in 2014 when Claire and her family moved back to the UK from Australia and purchased the Berkshire property. “The thing we fell in love with was the location of the property and the garden,” Claire explains. “The property is situated on a quiet lane in Warfield, near Ascot. I remember the first time we came to look at the house, walking down the garden and seeing the gorgeous stream and views over the fields. We fell in love with it.”
They always had an inkling that it would be a future project, which started in earnest in 2019. “Having grown up in Bournemouth and lived in Australia for several years, I was keen to bring that style and design to Berkshire,” Claire explains. “I really love open plan
living, much like you get in the houses in Australia. Having a young family, it was important to create space we can all live in and use together. The houses in Bournemouth are very similar in style to Australia, very modern, lots of glass to let light in, and some even have the living space on the first floor to be able to catch views of the harbour. Space, light and height were at the forefront of our design.”
Once work had started, problems started to rear their head, however. “The winter of 2019 was a very wet one,” Claire recalls. “We were asked to dig footings of 2.7m, which was more than double what we had budgeted for. As the builders were digging the footings, they were just filling with water which had to be pumped out. This added time and money to the project. Shortly after the weather improved in spring 2020, Covid hit. The UK went into lockdown and our builders stopped working. Supply issues started and materials became more and more difficult to get hold of.”
They battled through, though, and the finished article is stunning. Simply stepping through the front door is an experience, with a double height entrance hall featuring an eye-catching light and a cantilevered staircase greeting you. “We always wanted a grand entrance and hallway,” Claire smiles. “My husband is 6ft6 so height for us is very important. Inspired by the glass features we’d seen in Australian homes we
“Space, light and height were at the forefront of our design”THERE’S PLENTY OF SPACE TO ENTERTAIN
took to websites such as domaine.com.au, and we drove around areas in Bournemouth and Alderley Edge, where my husband grew up. There are so many beautiful houses with this sort of style. We love the floor to ceiling glass in the entrance and we knew we needed a statement piece to light it up.
“We found inspiration for the staircase on places like Pinterest and Houzz,” she adds. “Our builder then helped us locate a company in London who specialises in this type of stairway. We had to have the stair wall reinforced during the build to hold the weight of the cantilevered steps. It was much more involved than we’d originally thought. It was well worth it though and certainly adds a great feature to the hallway.”
Lighting design appears a key feature to the renovation. “Absolutely,” Claire nods, “lighting is fundamental in our design, it can make or break it. We’ve got some beautiful lights in various rooms of the house, all slightly unusual and modern in taste. We have lighting under the cantilever stairs, which creates a lovely ambiance, especially at night when it is all lit up. All our lighting runs on Lutron, which allows you to program various modes for evening, day and party etc.”
There are four double bedrooms, all en-suite, and open plan living throughout. The kitchen, though, really catches my eye. “We are a family of foodies and I love to cook, so the kitchen and appliances were very important to us,” Claire says. “We visited the Miele experience centre in Oxford and were sold. We went for a double oven and a steam oven, which I absolutely love, there’s nothing you can’t cook in it. There are two large warming drawers, great for hosting as you can
keep food warm, heat plates and even slow cook in them. Both of us are coffee drinkers so it was important to include a coffee machine and the all-important wine fridge. We also created a bespoke pantry to house all the food items.”
Claire says the latter is arguably the family’s favourite space in the house, but does she have a personal pick too? “I personally really love our lounge room. It is contemporary in style with a little mix of tradition as we have a log burner in there. I love to escape there at the end of a busy day with a glass of wine and a good book or film and just relax. In summer though we are always in the family room, and I love it in there just as much.”
Now it’s time for others to enjoy the Macdonalds’ hard work. “Since listing the property and creating my own Instagram page @styled_location, I have received lots of positive interest, from local photographers to magazines,” Claire says. “The design and build of our house was a real labour of love and for the house to now be paying for itself as a secondary form of income is quite appealing. I also think it’s great for my children to meet all different kinds of creative people at the house and hopefully inspire them for the future.”
Find
“We are a family of foodies, so the kitchen was very important”CLAIRE WITH A CONTENT MEMBER OF THE FAMILY A ROMANTIC SETTING AT THE BOTTOM OF THE GARDEN THE STUNNING KITCHEN
Adding a pool to your home can have long lasting benefits, from your health to the property’s value, but you need the right company to help achieve the right results
Transforming your home with a bespoke pool house is the ultimate in home improvement. It allows you to create a place of relaxation, well-being and fun, all in the comfort of your own home.
Origin knows that a swimming pool not only adds value to your home, but to your home life as well. Attention to detail and precise planning is crucial when designing a successful swimming pool and pool house as the process is quite unlike any other building project and requires more than just finding a competent builder.
It’s important to understand that indoor pools require specialist design in three major areas: the pool chamber, the building structure and the management of the pool building environment (heating, dehumidification and ventilation). All of these specialisms should be integrated into a consolidated design from the start.
This is where Origin excels above the rest. Simply put, they do it all. With over 40 years of indoor swimming pool design and construction experience, their specialist team are ideally positioned to guide you through the entire process. Every element can be customised to your individual requirements, style and specification to create your luxury swimming pool. Origin works closely with you to create a swimming pool design to suit your lifestyle, home and budget. After all, swimming pool design is about creating harmony between your home and pool room, so it’s essential an indoor pool not only looks stunning, but also becomes a seamless addition to your living environment. Swimming remains one of the most popular activities across the country, with
its physical and mental health benefits exceeding expectations. In fact, a recent SwimEngland study found that those who swim regularly felt on average 12 years younger than those who don’t. Swimming can also improve your quality of sleep and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Origin believes owning a pool is about more than the pool itself: by adding a spa, sauna, steam room or yoga area, your swimming pool and pool house could be transformed into a centre of relaxation and well-being. The calming nature of these spaces provides stress relief by relaxing your muscles, reducing tension and improving circulation. If you’re looking to increase family time, your pool house could become a new social hub for everyone to enjoy by adding a gym, lounge area, games room or even a bar. These added elements are what make your space unique and Origin offers a bespoke process so your swimming pool and pool house can be completely tailored to your wants and needs.
Whether you’re looking to create a sanctuary in your home or somewhere to just have fun, Origin have experienced it all and are available to help you bring your dream pool to life, managing every stage from start to finish, giving you the confidence and freedom to enjoy finally swimming in your own home. Origin’s experts can discuss requirements, guide you through the options and produce a fully costed proposal and design allowing you to undertake the ultimate home improvement so you can finally achieve the perfect work-life balance.
Speak to the experts at Origin today as limited building slots for 2023 remain. Call 01895 453996 now or visit originpools.co.uk for more information and to subscribe to their newsletter. Their Instagram page @originpoolsuk is always bursting with the latest pool inspiration
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
Words EVE HERBERT
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
Mauritius 2 Seater Sofa with Rectangle
Coffee Table and 2 Armchairs
“Waterside or countryside, our Mauritius sofa set has chilled-out vibes written all over it.”
Sprawl on the sofa or sink into the armchairs. With its versatile mix of seating, this contemporary set is perfect for laid back morning coffee or chilled evening sundowners.
Full collection available at Daniel of Windsor, shop in-store & online: www.danielstores.co.uk
01753 801 000
By EVE HERBERT
One of the most impactful ways of incorporating orange hues into your interior is by going bold and investing in a statement piece of furniture. Adding a pop of sunset colour into any space can instantly add warmth, and by choosing a standout furniture piece to feature the hue, you can ensure a showstopping display.
Sam Baldry, Head of Design at Swoon, comments: “When you find a colour you truly adore, it is very easy to go all out and plaster your interior with it. However, it is often more impactful to choose one statement piece of furniture to feature the tone, and then work your accessories to complement and emphasise it. In a living space, I love the idea of a burnt orange sofa, complete with orange-toned pillows and a matching throw blanket, paired with brown and brass furniture and accessories. The delicate contrast between the bright
orange, neutral brown and muted brass allows the sofa to become a centrepiece of the space, creating visual interest without overwhelming the senses.”
So, when choosing your showstopper ‘statement’, consider which furniture pieces stand out in your space. Beds, sofas, desk chairs, and even feature walls created with vibrant orange paint are all great examples.
If bold displays of affection for the nation’s current favourite colour seems a little too theatrical for your liking, there are more subtle ways to show off pumpkin hues in your home. Consider using small pops of the tone to feature in lesser-used areas, such as hallways, landings, and bathrooms. Being selective can create a cohesive aesthetic throughout your abode, without overpowering your entire interior.
Sam Baldry says: “A great way to add lashings of orange into your abode without overdoing it is to select refined spaces such as hallways, conservatories, and downstairs lavatories to subtly embellish. I love the idea
of recurring accents of orange paint on selected walls around the home – this thoughtful feature truly ties the entire interior design together for a well composed finish.
“For a renter-friendly way to integrate sunset tones into your home, hanging wall art and mindfully placing accessories are great, less permanent alternatives to painting surfaces. Curating a collection of vases, candles, rugs, and hardware in orange and golden tones to disperse into a space such as a hallway creates a chic, monotonal vibe that will be sure to impress guests as they first enter your home. One of my favourite ways to integrate colour artfully is by replacing unin-
teresting or tired chrome hardware such as door and drawer handles with beautifully bold substitutes.”
If you're not ready to commit to an all-out orange aesthetic, updating your soft furnishings is an ideal alternative. This way, as each season rolls around, you can simply switch out your throws, cushions, curtains and bedding for a more seasonally appropriate replacement, and store the old one away for its return later in the year. “Reinventing your interior style doesn’t have to come with a 12-month minimum commitment contract. To easily achieve a consistently seasonally appropriate home, simply rotate your soft furnishings a few times a year. During the summer months, keep your furnishings light and breezy using materials such as linen and cotton. When the weather begins to cool down, heavier fabrics such as velvet and boucle will help to transform your current interior to form a cosy space for the colder months.
“Consider updating your bedding to a chic burnt orange and crisp white combination, adding texture and pattern through decorative pillows and throws. Combine this with co-ordinating curtains, which will help to keep the heat in, and a sunset-toned rug to keep your feet warm and comfortable – and just like that, you’ve created a wonderfully seasonal and weather appropriate boudoir space.”
“Consider using small pops of orange to feature in lesser-used areas”
Is your home packed with new tech?
You might be enjoying a new Peloton Bike along with a fancy Ring doorbell system, but might have also noticed Netfl ix is buffering more than usual. And perhaps the quality of those work calls is getting worse by the day.
So, what’s going on? The problem might be that your new gadgets are competing with each other for bandwidth, and your current broadband isn’t able to support all this extra demand.
The average UK home now has nine devices connected to the internet at once. Along with phones, TVs and laptops, more people are splurging on Alexas, smart speakers, exercise equipment and security devices. But many households aren’t taking the crucial step in ensuring their broadband is fast enough to make all this new technology work properly.
An essential component of smart home living is a Full Fibre broadband connection. Whereas most broadband providers promote their broadband as ‘fibre’, many will only connect your street to their fibre network, completing the connection to your home with old copper cables which severely reduces your broadband speeds. Real Full Fibre means the fibre optic cables will reach right up to your home, giving you a reliable connection.
The incredible bandwidth Full Fibre broadband is capable of means it will easily support your home’s internet needs, whether you’ve got 10, 20 or 30 devices connected at once. Good fibre optic networks are also future-proof, so no matter how fast internet speeds get in the coming years, or how much bandwidth your devices require, you won’t have to upgrade.
Before upgrading your broadband, it’s important to make sure you’re going with the right provider and have selected the right package. Be sure to choose a Full Fibre broadband that offers the speeds and reliability your home needs, especially if you have a lot of tech or work from home.
And remember, as technology continues to advance, Full Fibre broadband will become more essential than ever for a modern home. Ten years ago most people didn't have multiple streaming devices and Alexas in their homes – who knows what sort of internet-using technology we’ll have in our homes a decade from now?
There’s a reason why people are starting to call broadband ‘the fourth utility’. It really is becoming as crucial as electricity, gas and water to make your home function properly.
Visit swishfibre.com/absolutely to see how Full Fibre broadband can support the technological needs of your home
Looking to revamp your home? We have asked Buckinghamshire design expert, Benji Lewis, for his top tips
AFTERWhen it comes to interiors for 2023, this year is about bold colours, 70s glamour and an opportunity to bring personal style and vigour to your space. Whether it’s a renovation or a refresh, interior designer Benji Lewis predicts the home décor trends for 2023 to give your kitchen, bedroom or living room that picture-perfect look.
1 Deep jewel colours – amethyst, blue, jade and lapis for example – used in an immaculately tailored fashion are looking good.
2 Pattern is contained to include just a simple geometric or stripe.
3 Mid-century eclectica is going to be strong, but used in a chic pared back fashion in a blend of textures rather than anything cluttered. For example, a lacquered sideboard with a statement ceramic lamp with linen shade and a single good piece of glass will pack way more of a punch rather than multiple baubles and trinkets.
4 The wardrobe Kate Middleton took with her to the US provides a good indication of where some interior trends might lie. The super fitted grey and black houndstooth check dress with understated brass buckled belt she wore was particularly good, the controlled nature of the pattern being used in such a flattering manner.
5 Glamour is back in all its 70s smokey glass fashion. Think low seated lounge sofas, with built-in acrylic end tables, and sumptuous leafy woven fabrics in mid-brown shades with forest green and gold.
6 Lighting is one that we just want to get better and better at. Blend wall lighting with a statement table lamp, consider a wash of light being cast over the floor with skirting height recessed wall lights, but absolutely do not think a single pendant light (however beautiful) will cut the mustard on its own when it comes to providing a strong ambient feel to your space – because it won’t.
7 We’ve all got the memo about upcycling, it’s now hardwired into our thinking and certainly won’t be on the wane in 2023.
8 Look at incorporating architectural detail like panelling in your room schemes, but referencing the Savoir office in Emily in Paris, have it painted in the same colour as the walls so the whole room blends as one.
benjilewisdesign.co.uk
In three words it is possible to enclose all the essence of this collection. Eight different shades of colour, from the most subtle and delicate such as Ivory and Powder to the stronger and more decisive ones like Blue and Jade.
A varied palette that will allow you to give the right style to each of your projects. Complete with four decorations and three 3D structures, Ludo gives you the opportunity to make it unique to every environment, customizing it as you like. A trendy series that will guarantee you that extra touch of colour.
Many homeowners are attracted to a bright and exciting colour scheme when researching their new kitchen, but then decide to opt for a safe neutral when making a final choice.
A soft neutral colour scheme can work well in a kitchen, but with so many options available, a second colour can be introduced as a subtle complement or a bold contrast.
We often work with two different colours, choosing a woodgrain or a metallic to add warmth in a modern kitchen. In a more traditional setting we may select two shades of blue or green, for a painted shaker style. For those with bolder design aspirations, a bright pink island can really make a statement.
If two colours prove too much, then keeping to one and using your appliances to add a burst of colour can work well. Manufacturers are offering a great selection of colours alongside the stainless steel or black that we have become used to. Alternatively, keep your appliances traditional and add your colour with your accessories such as blinds, splashbacks and lamps.
Grey, blue and green continue to be the most popular colours in our showroom. They are very adaptable and work well in modern, traditional and classic settings.
A dark rich blue or almost grey graphite can create a striking look for a kitchen. Clever lighting and the introduction of contrasting white or metallic accessories can avoid a dark design feeling claustrophobic. Alternatively, a seaside blue can create the feel of a coastal kitchen, whilst a pale blue can reflect more of a Scandi vibe.
Green can be a calming colour choice and ideal for the kitchen as we often associate it with nature and freshness. From bold and bright lime greens to more subtle sage greens, there is plenty of scope to be creative. Dark emerald green can work well with a painted shaker style, whereas a jade green can be more modern with a flat door, especially when teamed with some trendy silver mosaic tiles.
We have a wide selection of colours on display in our showroom, as well as a huge range of sample doors, visit us soon and let us help you find the perfect colour scheme. 01494 677727
Gardens give us space to relax outdoors. Studies have shown that gardens, and outdoor spaces, improve our mood and wellbeing, and a great garden can lift our spirits. We have seen this more than ever in recent years, as many of us have learned to appreciate the simple pleasure our gardens can give us.
Here are a few ideas on how you can make the most of your outdoor space, from Practicality Brown, experts in horticulture since the 1980s.
Spending time outdoors can help alleviate stress, as well as improving mental wellbeing and mood. A garden can bring all the benefits of spending time in nature into the comfort of your own home.
Dividing your garden into areas can really maximise the feel and use of your outdoor space; even relatively small gardens can be made to feel much larger. Using trees or hedges will help create garden rooms, whether you want to create a relaxed outdoor lounge area with sofas, rugs and lighting or a dining area sheltered from the elements.
You can create privacy in your garden by planting mature hedging to give you instant screening. Buying pre-grown hedges, such as Practical Instant Hedge™, ensures that you have a solution to create a private, secure garden without waiting for small plants to grow into a hedge.
An evergreen hedge isn’t just one colour, these ready grown hedges come in many different varieties to suit your individual taste. If you like bright modern colours, then the apple green leaves of Griselinia could be your favourite. If shiny leaves, which look great in the sunshine, are more your thing, then take a look at Common Laurel. For classic elegance, nothing can really beat the traditional Yew. Or if subtle greys will give your garden the look it needs, Elaeagnus would be perfect. There are many more varieties of instant hedge that will help make your garden the perfect individual and personal space.
Find more out at pracbrown.co.uk
WILD KITCHEN GARDEN BY ANN TRENEMAN AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW 2022 POLLYANNA WILKINSON’S NATURECRAFT LIFESTYLE GARDEN AT RHS HAMPTON COURT 2019
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 MalvernGarden 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.
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 Buckingham
Buckingham Garden Centre, Buckingham, MK18 4AE, 01280 823300 buckingham@malverngb.co.uk
Malvern Berkshire Ladds Garden Village, Berkshire, RG10 9SB 0118 338 4515
berkshire@malverngb.co.uk
malverngardenbuildings.co.uk
Made from solid brass in Birmingham, all Armac Martin products are finished by hand. The MIX Cabinet Knob with Backplate brings a striking industrial look to interior cabinetry, £70.80. armacmartin.co.uk
This premium metal tissue box can be either freestanding or wall hung and is available in 6 on trend, sublime finishes to co-ordinate with your bathroom brassware, £64.99. ukbathrooms.com
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We are totally loving this aquamarine/coral coloured metal basin mixer with pushopen waste set, from £533.93, available from Ripples. ripplesbathrooms.com
Add interest to a high contrast interior with toggle switches. Each switch is unique, and you can personalise them further with a choice of toggle finishes, from £39. dowsingandreynolds.com
From sleek and modern to timelessly traditional, Wodar has a tap to suit. Having instant boiling water, alongside filtered cold and warm water – all from a single tap – is convenient and prevents water waste. wodar.com
SWITCHES, KNOBS AND TAPS MAKE ALL THE DIFFERENCE
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
Carefully curate a more individual style in your home with our breathtakingly beautiful Bert & May tiles We offer expert product knowledge & personalised visits to our boutique showroom or simply buy online
ROCKETT
GISELA GRAHAM
giselagraham.co.uk
WHAT
GO
L.ERCOLANI
How brown became a style statement
By PENDLE HARTE
KATE
fiveanddime-interiors.com
LIGHT & LIVING Izeda Vasel, £40 naken.co.uk
BOCONCEPT
Cupeertino Desk, £POA boconcept.com
When it comes to Scandinavian design, one word immediately comes to mind - Hygge. Hygge, a Danish concept that embodies cosiness and contentment, is at the heart of BoConcept, the leading Danish design furniture brand. With a commitment to exceptional design and quality, BoConcept has been synonymous for over 70 years with great design. With over 300 stores worldwide, including Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Fenwick Brent Cross, Bentalls Kingston, Guildford and St Albans, each is a state-of-the-art store that provides customers with a one-of-a-kind shopping experience, allowing you to
interact with BoConcept’s stunning collection and find the perfect pieces to suit your taste and needs.
BoConcept offers an array of elegant and functional furniture pieces that embody the latest Scandinavian styles. BoConcept’s modern furniture designs are specifically designed for urban life, so whether you have a big or small home, you can customise their furniture to suit your lifestyle, and their range is big enough for you to find your own personal interior style.
Their collection includes custom wall units and designer bookcases, a wide range of extendable dining tables, stylish Scandinavian armchairs, and designer sofas in fabric and leather – everything you need to furnish a whole home or simply add some Danish style to your existing home furniture.
At the heart of BoConcept is a commitment to great design, which includes collaborating with some of the most renowned designers in Denmark and around the world. Morten Georgsen, Henrik Pedersen, ARDE, Anders Norgaard, Frans Schrofer, Oki Sato, and Karim Rashid are among the featured designers. These talented individuals bring a fresh perspective to their designs, ensuring that each piece is not only functional and high-quality, but also visually stunning. Their quality is more than aesthetic, though. They stand for craftsmanship, uncompromising attention to detail, and exceptional materials. Their reputation and global footprint let them handpick the best experts from around the globe. And they do it, remembering the well-being of animals, workers, and our planet.
When browsing through their furniture range, you might fall in love with a design, but it isn’t quite right. Don’t worry! With BoConcept, you’re not just buying off-the-shelf furniture, there are endless possibilities behind everything you see.
Embracing the Scandinavian idea of Hygge, BoConcept believes its designs should never compromise the individuality or lifestyle of its customers. Approximately 90% of BoConcept’s designs can be customised for size, colour, material, configurations, and much more to meet your specific requirements. This customisability enables customers to create a completely coordinated style throughout their entire home, even complementing what you already have, making BoConcept’s designs versatile, functional, and easy to fit seamlessly into any home.
Though the customisation options are vast, BoConcept’s approach ensures a consistent look throughout the home. They take a holistic approach to the development and design of their products, enabling a coordinated look where design, colours and materials always match. In this way, you can choose from the exact same materials across categories and designs, ensuring a unification of your décor.
All this choice can be daunting, sometimes we need guidance, but BoConcept have that covered too. One of the unique things about BoConcept is that the company provides its own comprehensive interior design service to customers for free. All interior designers are in-store and work exclusively for BoConcept. They delve into the customer’s specific requirements and lifestyle, take measurements, and create detailed 3D plans in-store or at your home. This service is an invaluable tool for customers looking to restyle their home. The company’s expert in-house interior designers and design professionals are always on hand to offer free, noobligation styling advice.
So whether you’re looking for a complete home makeover or just a small update, BoConcept has everything you need to create an extraordinary space.
Stores located at Battersea Reach, Harrods, Finchley Road, Notting Hill, Tottenham Court Road, Westfield London, Fenwick Brent Cross, Bentalls Kingston, Guildford and St Albans. Get inspired at boconcept.com
Establish harmony in your home décor… Combine soft colours and textiles with wicker and ceramics to challenge the character of a room and bring it together, something that Søstrene Grene’s latest collection will help you achieve with aplomb.
There is nothing quite like the feeling of entering a beautiful hotel room after a day of travels and sight-seeing and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere, the luxurious serenity, and taking the time to unwind. Why not recreate this feeling at home?
With Søstrene Grene’s new collection, you are invited to create a harmonious setting for everyday life with the season’s gentle colours, interesting ceramics, wicker details, and soft textiles.
In the selection, you will find novelties for the kitchen, bedroom, and living room to make each space a peaceful oasis in the home. You will also find completely new product additions as Søstrene Grene introduces designs such as their light curtains.
Through responsible conduct – from when a product idea is conceived until the final product is presented to consumers – Søstrene Grene aspires to make a significant difference for people, wildlife
and the environment. This also extends to their pricing philosophy, which means great design is not a pipe dream.
At Søstrene Grene, they focus on the natural joy and aesthetics of the little things in life. In their stores, you will always find a wide range of products – many of which they have designed themselves with inspiration from their Nordic origins. They believe that aesthetics are in the detail and are therefore always mindful of the importance of the choice of materials and colours. They firmly believe that being surrounded by high aesthetic quality will bring you joy in your daily life – and Absolutely couldn’t agree more.
Parkway Shopping Centre, Newbury sostrenegrene.com
Søstrene Grene show how you can give your interior design a luxurious makeoverat an affordable price, too
Due to open in 2024, Wellington College’s new Sixth Form Centre is a three-storey building with cafeteria and social space on the ground floor, spilling out onto a new courtyard. On the first floor, pods for small group study and individual work space will give Sixth Formers somewhere to study beyond the library and their rooms, and the first and second floors will bring together Careers, Universities and Higher Education departments. Find out more about Wellington College Sixth Form entry at wellingtoncollege.org.uk/16
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 offers 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 office (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 offer an outlet of our thoughts and emotions, offer different 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 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 – 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 offer 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
Why it’s important to allow children to express themselves through the arts - and also why we shouldn’t deter them from being inventive
Aatif Hassan of Cavendish Education on the unique gifts that its schools celebrate and nurture to ensure children who ‘think differently’ will succeed
Rudyard Kipling talked of treating the ‘two imposters’ of triumph and disaster ‘just the same’. During my time at school, as a dyslexic, I learnt this was not as clear cut or as easily achievable as the poet had suggested. On the one hand, I vividly remember struggling to read aloud in Latin whilst contending with the ridicule of peers and classmates (reading in English was challenging enough in those days). Equally, if you
put me on the rugby pitch or gave me a complex military-style command task, I was able to see the gaps, angles and solutions, unlike many others.
What is clear today is that dyslexia is most definitely a superpower that has propelled my career, as it has done for many others, including famous actors, musicians, entrepreneurs, inventors, sporting celebrities and scientists. What is sad though is that we have failed to dispel the stigma attached to dyslexia and ‘thinking di erently’.
When I see reference made to people ‘su ering’ from dyslexia’ (though I clearly understand the challenges that it presents) I disagree – preferring to think of it as a ‘blessing’. While the education sector refers to ‘special educational needs’, we prefer to say that our pupils have ‘unique learning profiles’. It’s perhaps ironic that another term often used to describe dyslexia is ‘word blindness’, yet it is the use of positive words and language that is the first step to start to change the mindset and allow people to ‘see’ what a gift it can be.
Being dyslexic means that you have a
nervous system that works di erently and there are remarkable advantages to having a brain that works in this way. As the founder of Cavendish Education – a rapidly growing family of 12 schools for pupils with unique learning profiles – I see a vital part of my role as trying to re-address these misconceptions in our society. Our mission is that all of our pupils will progress on into further or higher education or into employment and so far, since inception in 2013, we have been able to achieve this.
I see no reason why any of our pupils cannot maintain this fabulous outcome. This is what we call the 4Cs. We start early and equip our young people with bags of ‘confidence’ in a ‘creative’ way so that they leave us as ‘competent’ individuals who are full of ‘character’. It is no surprise that we are seeing record applications for places at our schools.
The educational pathway for our pupils may not be linear and equally, the gifts that our pupils have are also unique. For Einstein, it was physics; for Disney, it was art; for Branson, it was business. As such, what we do know is that the narrow and
straight-jacketed mainstream education system does not work for our pupils.
At Cavendish Education, we are passionate in the belief that learning di erences should not be a barrier to our pupils’ success or to their future careers. Our unique schools carefully provide an academic and pastoral experience in a mainstream-style setting, but with specialist support to enable young people to succeed.
The extraordinary stories of our pupils speak for themselves. I am constantly blown away by what these young people can do; they are so talented and we are just giving them a window to show the world how much they can achieve. Every day they inspire me and my sta . They are blessed with the ability to ‘think di erently’ and we are blessed to work with them.
cavendisheducation.com
AATIF HASSAN Founder and Chairman
Cavendish
Education– a family of day and boarding specialist schools for young people between the ages of 5-21+ years.
“Our mission is that all of our pupils will progress on into further or higher education or into employment and so far, we have been able to achieve this”
ith exam season just around the corner Wellington College’s Director of the Easter Revision Course and the school’s Senior Master, Matt Oakman, gives us his top tips on how to revise effectively.
It is essential to have a plan for revision over the Easter break. With advanced information now clear for all subject areas at GCSE and A-level, this should provide the framework for any planning built around working through the syllabus and specification points in a coherent and clear fashion.
Whilst many students do focus on a certain amount of hours of revision every day, this can be daunting and lead to time spent at a desk which might not be as productive as hoped. Much better to take a task orientated
Wapproach to revision; there is nothing more fulfilling than having accomplished a number of different tasks during the course of the day.
Allow time for regular breaks to ensure that the time spent revising is productive and efficient. Make sure that you get outside during the course of the day for fresh air and exercise. Try to work out when you are at your most effective during the day and build your revision schedule around that.
Make sure that your desk is ready for work and you have sufficient light and the right ambience. With so many potential distractions, make sure that you have disabled social media alerts and put your phone away whilst working so that the time you spend revising is of high quality.
Working through past papers and exam style questions (which can often be found in exam
board produced books) is a key ingredient for success. Once the material has been learnt, it is vital to put this into practice to enable a better understanding of how to structure answers, which will in turn inform further revision that needs to be done.
Want to learn more? Then join Matt and his team of subject specialists at Wellington College for the Easter Revision Course. Open to all schools, this course helps enable students to perform to the best of their ability when it comes to their final examinations. Exams are a potentially stressful experience for all students and that is especially the case at the moment given the considerable amount of lost learning that many students have suffered during the course of the pandemic. Whilst this list of tips and techniques is not meant to be exhaustive, hopefully it provides a framework that can guide the revision process.
Wellington College Easter Revision Course 2-6 April. Find out more at wellingtoncollege.org.uk/easterrevision
With exams on the horizon, we head to Wellington College for some top tips on how to revise effectively
Renowned Princes Risboroughbased sustainable bed manufacturer Hypnos, in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council and Earthwatch Europe, with funding from the Forestry Commission, is continuing its programme of community support by sponsoring a new Tiny Forest at Princes Risborough School. This has been developed in response to children at the school becoming more interested in combating climate change and mitigating biodiversity loss.
Aiming to educate, engage and inspire the community in Buckinghamshire, the project, which has been part-funded through the Local Authority Treescapes Fund, saw 10 colleagues from Hypnos Beds join up to 120 pupils and teachers at the school to plant 600 trees to create the Tiny Forest.
Tiny Forest is an initiative championed in the UK by environmental charity Earthwatch Europe. The forests are created by planting 600 native trees in the space roughly the size of a tennis court. These intensively planted trees grow quickly and create nature-rich habitats to support wildlife. earthwatch.org.uk/getinvolved/tiny-forest
St George’s School Windsor Castle has been rated ‘excellent’ in all areas by the Independent Schools Inspectorate (ISI), following an inspection visit at the end of November 2022. The ISI’s official report confirms the school’s full compliance with the Independent School Standards, in addition to judgements relating to the school’s educational quality, focusing on the key outcomes of student achievement and personal development, with the school achieving the highest rating of ‘excellent’ in all areas. Commentary provided in support of the findings included that students demonstrate ‘excellent levels of academic achievement as a result of teachers’ high expectations and nurturing pastoral
Logiscool, a brand-new coding school for kids and teenagers, has opened on Marlow High Street. This cutting-edge learning school is set to become a hive of innovative learning, which will teach children to become competent, confident and prepared for the digital future. A team of trained tutors will use a combination of play and theory to inspire students to be ahead of the game when it comes to coding and digital literacy and creation. With a global reputation for digital excellence and an advanced learning platform, Logiscool offers a range of courses, holiday camps, workshops and special events, and 3D design, app creation, digital illustration and programming are all on the Logiscool curriculum. Combining theory with play and practice, students gain a range of skills, or hone existing ones, while building their confidence to embrace the digital world and all it has to offer.
logiscool.com
care’, as well as ‘extremely high levels of self confidence and self-awareness’. ‘The knowledge, skills and understanding of pupils develop extremely well as they progress through the school, benefiting from high quality resources, a challenging and engaging curriculum, and passionate teaching,’ the report adds. stgwindsor.org
To celebrate the opening of their new state-of-the-art veterinary practice, Vet’s Klinic in Reading is hoping to inspire the next generation of budding veterinary surgeons and nurses.
According to the British Veterinary Association, 46% of vets decided they wanted to pursue this career at primary school and 65% knew before they were 13-years-old. Vet’s Klinic is keen to engage with these enthusiastic young vets of the future.
As part of the Klinic’s public launch day on 4 February, families and their children were invited to bring along a favourite cuddly toy pet and take part in Vet’s Klinic’s “Pet School”. On the day, they had guided tours of the new practice and the opportunity to meet the vets and nurses and ask them questions about their jobs. There was also a chance to learn about caring for their toy pet including how to bandage minor cuts and scrapes, and they left with a Vet’s Klinic certificate.
Stephanie Catt, Head Veterinary Nurse at Vet’s Klinic, believes nobody is too young to start learning about a career with animals. “I knew I wanted to be a veterinary nurse from a very young age and that desire never changed,” she says. “Working at a veterinary practice is challenging, but also very rewarding so this is a great opportunity to show the younger generation what it’s really like day-to-day, and their new-found skills may come in handy one day.”
Laura Shears, Managing Director at Vet’s Klinic, adds: “Vet’s Klinic’s philosophy is driven by a passion to deliver gold
standard care not only for pets, but also for pet owners by offering stateof-the-art care at affordable prices – all with the goal of helping more pets enjoy long-term health and happiness.”
Vet’s Klinic opened the largest, single-site first opinion veterinary practice in Swindon in 2012 and now this revolutionary world of pet care is extending its reach with a new clinic opening in Woodley, Reading. From the glass-fronted prep room where owners can watch the veterinary staff caring for their pets, to the interactive website system that enables owners to view their pet’s medical records online and even book and pay for appointments, Vet’s Klinic is an entirely new kind of veterinary experience that puts pets and their owners at the heart of the practice.
vetsklinic.co.uk/reading
why everyone is talking about…THE FACILITIES ARE STATE-OF-THE-ART STEPHANIE CATT, THE HEAD VETERINARY NURSE
