EDITOR MARK KEBBLE
ART DIRECTOR
PAWEL KUBA
SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE ROBERTS SUZETTE SCOBLE
MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM
JUNIOR DESIGNER KAI NICHOLLS
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 ALEXANDRA HUNTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT
Iowe some of my ex-colleagues an apology. Probably around a decade ago, I truly hated working on any festive issues. A quirk of the publishing world meant we were discussing turkey and trimmings, and parties and presents, in September – so when Christmas actually came around, I felt I had already lived it. So every time the Christmas issue planning meeting was called, I was a right old Scrooge and know I killed the good vibes. You live and learn. A lot has happened in the ten years since – especially the last couple of years, in particular – that anything that is designed to put a smile on your face should really do just that. Even though this isn't the actual Christmas issue, we have produced a special section looking at the early events in November to kick off the festive season in the county. You see, I love it so much I do two festive issues now.
Elsewhere, we have more good vibes to share. Victoria Rush is making a name for herself with her doc, No Woman No Try, so we go and find out what inspired the Berkshire-born creative. We visit Ascot to find out what makes the area so great, and have a mini weddings special to ensure your big day goes smoothly. Cheers!
This Frida Kahlo planter will appeal to lovers of monochrome and lovers of Frida alike. Which is probably most people. £15 sassandbelle.co.uk
There's a lot of monochrome at Koibird for AW22, and of course it's not what you might expect. Knitwear comes in the form of feathered mini skirts, for instance, with matching cardigans. koibird.com
BY PENDLE HARTE
Think monochrome, but make it sparkle, and you have these fabulous heels by Sebastian Milano. sebastianmilano.com
Showcasing a curated collection of mono Dalmatian illustrations by award winning fashion illustrator Emma Cowlam, Just Add Style's sophisticated 'Fashion Hounds’ skinny scarf is the perfect fashion accessory. £50 just-add-style.com
We're draping tactile throws over everything in preparation for winter, and this monochrome stripe one is a favourite. £65 coxandcox.co.uk
From the Yoko Classic Collection these natural black Tahitian pearls are set in 18ct white gold and are designed to last through the generations. £395 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
Time is just time. It's what you do with it that counts. bremont.com
Conceptual shapes and playful volumes make up the look for Cos this winter – and fans of monochrome will appreciate that there are lots of stylish black pieces. cos.com
We absolutely love this Chopard 18ct White Gold Happy Hearts black onyx and Diamond Pendant from Berry's. Puts a smile on our face every time. £2,280 berrysjewellers.co.uk
This reversible silk fringed scarf features intricate monochrome illustrations on one side and a punchy pattern on the other. £270 pierrelouismascia.com
12 NOVEMBER MANSION SPACES, BRACKNELL
Artists will be heading to Berkshire from around the country to show and sell their fabulous art and hand-crafted items made with pearls, glass, ceramics, silver, wire, wood, paints, candles and much more – expect thousands of beautiful, unique gift ideas and festive wares. Take a look around the beautiful mansion, enjoy some festive entertainment, and visit their purpose built silversmithing, ceramics and printmaking studios.
southhillpark.org.uk
4 November MK GALLERY
MK Gallery is hosting another one of its LATES evenings on Friday 4 November. Rather than lights out at 5pm, the Gallery will be open and lit up until 10pm. The café/bar will be serving chilled weekendstarts-here drinks. Local DJs will be curating smooth sound sets. Tables will be turned into paper ‘canvases’, and with pens to hand, drawing can commence. mkgallery.org
Throughout November MAP STORES
At Map Stores they bring a curated edit of products to Harpenden High Street. Inspired by Scandinavian design to give you a calm sense of contemporary in your home, now go and see their new addition to the store launching in November; the hybrid space of modern design, meets flexible workspace for community and connection. mapstores.co.uk
On Sunday 20 November, a fantastic selection of hand-picked stallholders will be set up in the lovely listed walled garden of the Stubbings Estate, situated between Maidenhead and Henley. For one day only, you can visit local artisan suppliers and producers, including local handmade gifts and jewellery, delicious food and drink, and arts & crafts. No visit is complete without a trip to the Stubbings Christmas Boutique where you can browse a selection of lights and decorations. stubbingsnursery.co.uk
The acclaimed musical Blood Brothers tells the captivating and moving tale of twins who, separated at birth, grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again with fateful consequences. The superb score includes Bright New Day, Marilyn Monroe and the emotionally charged hit Tell Me It’s Not True. atgtickets.com/Aylesbury
Celebrate the release of the Matilda the Musical movie and head to the Roald Dahl Museum in Great Missenden. Pull your best power pose by the Museum’s very own Matilda throughout November, then join in with the celebrations which o cially kick o on 3 December. Look out for Matilda storytelling, trails, Crunchem Hall playground games, Bogtrotter cake competitions and more. roalddahl.com/museum
The Woolwich Contemporary Print Fair is the UK’s largest art fair dedicated to highly collectible print works. Expect the very best of contemporary print including a curated selection of independent artists chosen through an international open call, many well-known names, and specialist gallery booths at London’s historic Royal Arsenal.
New this year, the Prints & Multiples department at Bonhams auction house will present a showroom at the fair for the first time. They will showcase a selection of works by renowned contemporary artists including The Connor Brothers, Harland Miller, David Shrigley and Tracy Emin and many more. Additionally, Jealous Gallery, a stalwart of the London print market, will be releasing a brand-new David Shrigley print, exclusive to the Fair.
Meanwhile the Living With Art booth o ers an exclusive free 20-minute one-to-one consultation with Fair Curator, Lizzie Glendinning, who specialises in curating art in the home. This personalised interior service will review your current art collection, introduce you to new pieces within the Fair, and look to develop innovative, bold and exciting ways to engage with them in your home. Email info@woolwichprintfair. com to book your free and exclusive consultation. woolwichprintfair.com
Growing up, I was only allowed to participate in female specific sports. I wasn’t particularly welcome to play football at break times and lunch times with boys in the school, I was always pushed towards typically female sports. When I started going to the gym at 17 to lift weights and get stronger it was frowned upon by those around me and I was told "that type of exercise wasn’t for girls".
I felt that I had to look a certain way, but I can only do that by exercising in a way that society told me I had to. Sport and exercise became a very di cult space to be in without feeling judged, but in many ways I was there to make myself fitter so I wasn’t judged for the way I looked. It really was a vicious cycle.
All the traditional barriers are still there for women in sports, depending on the sport they increase exponentially. Women’s football has a much better platform than
many other sports. The Euros are a big sign of that. The Hundred has been a fantastic platform in cricket and hopefully the women’s Rugby World Cup will help to bring down some of these barriers for women in rugby, even more so when it’s on home soil in 2025. The RFU’s plan to fill Twickenham for women’s rugby is their ambition and so exciting for the game.
But the reality is they all face the same problems: access, visibility and funding. There is very little access to sport for women and girls which means many leave it by the age of 14 –this is four times the rate of boys!
Although the visibility of female athletes has increased a lot recently, many women in their mid-20s never believed that sport was a genuine career for them when they were o the pitch. Ultimately, without funding the sports can't provide access or visibility for these players as it is not a potential career option for them. If they don’t have the coaches, the platform and access to the sport from a young age – a lot of these things boys already
have – unfortunately this will continue. I always wanted to work on a creative film, but it was never really something I thought I would do. No Woman No Try was created because I wanted to tell the story rather than because I wanted to make a film. It’s just been a fantastic combination of everything I’ve ever done with my life from marketing to theatre when I was a teenager, to rugby and sport growing up, so it really just brought everything together full circle.
No Woman No Try took 14 months from when we started filming to release, which is really a small space of time. When you consider it was a side of the desk hobby rather than a full-time job and that’s down to the fantastic people involved in making a film, putting everything into it, and every minute of spare time in every day o into building No Woman No Try.
The filming process was my favourite part, I had the privilege to spend time with incredible women and men in the film and I will forever be grateful for those experiences. They gave their time, they believed in the vision and the benefits of the
Berkshire-born Victoria Rush has caused quite the stir with her documentary No Woman No Try. Here she writes about her sporting experiences, launching #IAmEnough and heading out on tour
film too, not just for rugby but women in sport in general. I look back on it with incredibly fond memories and I’m honestly sad that it’s over. I'd love to do it all over again!
I am so proud of No Woman No Try. I cannot believe it became as huge as it did, considering it was, what I considered, just a small idea I had during lockdown. We created an inspirational film at the perfect time for sport. It has been seen across the world and is what I always hoped it could be, an inspiration and a catalyst for change. I still can't believe it happened.
The #IAmEnough campaign I look back on as very similar to No Woman No Try. It was an idea at the time to help more women and girls not to have to feel the same way I did when I was growing up. It started out of necessity for change.
From there, this grew into something much bigger, a much greater aspiration and source of inspiration. Again, I can’t believe it was as big as it was; the fact that players all over the world, from international athletes to broadcasters, were talking about this campaign for me was incredible. I started it just to help other women to feel a bit better about themselves and the way it took o was mind blowing. I am forever grateful for everyone who believed in the campaign and made it their own.
I’m surprised by how both the campaign and the film took o . That's because I can’t believe I did it. But in many ways it sadly doesn’t surprise me that so many women resonated with the feeling whether in rugby or not. Every woman I know has been made to feel out of place or not welcome – whether that is in sport or at work or in a boardroom – and that has to change! Movements like #IAmEnough are a huge part of that change; helping more
women know they’re not alone and discovering what is possible when we all come together.
We are about to start the November leg of my tour which covers Scotland, the Midlands and south-east of England. Every time I’m inspired by the people that show up to the events from players, kids, male coaches, RFU committee members, we’ve had such an incredible group of people come to listen and share their stories and experiences and to learn from each other. The community of rugby deserves to know that they’re not alone, and that we can all learn from each other. The love and support and happiness at each and every event makes it so worth it!
I want to continue to help grow the profile of female athletes however that may be. I want to make more women’s sport documentaries for all sports. If anyone works in sport and wants to make one, message me… The future is women in sports and it’s about time we realised it.
Follow Victoria’s story and find tour details on social media @victoriarush. No Woman No Try can be found on Amazon Prime
warm welcome. A scent of mince pies. The roar of the fire. The pop of champagne. The ultimate festive stay.
Park.
Experience the next chapter at Newbury Racecourse and jump into the festive season with the all-new Coral Gold Cup.
That’s right, it’s the same but di erent as Newbury introduce The Coral Gold Cup Meeting on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 November. What they can promise you is two days of brilliant racing action including the prestigious £250,000 Coral Gold Cup, formerly known as the Hennessy Gold Cup for almost 60 years and for the last five years as The Ladbrokes Trophy.
Get your friends together to kick o the festive season in style. With signature cocktails and an afterparty for the grownups, you won’t want to miss this event.
Kicking o on Friday 25 November with the feature race, the Grade 2 Coral Long
Distance Hurdle, it is often one of the first chances to see some of the three-mile champions in action, with recent winners including Paisley Park and Thyme Hill.
Then the comes big one comes! Join them for a party to remember at the social event of the season on Saturday 26 November. Enjoy festive menus, mulled wine and winter cocktails for the Coral Gold Cup Day. The perfect excuse to don your finest glad rags, get together with friends and loved ones, and welcome Christmas in style.
You can expect top-class action on the course, while watching one of the most historical chases in the country. Buy tickets now at the best price at newburyracecourse. co.uk, and tickets include exclusive access into The Great Christmas Carnival. The Christmas countdown starts now.
Newbury Racecourse gets us into the festive spirit with two days of action and events that truly get the party started
“With signature cocktails and an afterparty, you won't want to miss this”
The thunder of hooves, the cheering crowds, and the sartorial statements – it doesn’t get more quintessentially British than Royal Ascot.It’s one of the highlights of the sporting and social calendar and a place to be seen.
Every year in June 300,000 fabulously well-heeled racegoers descend upon this quaint, pretty town in Berkshire, located six miles from its regal neighbour, Windsor.
Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, who declared this area of East Cote “ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch”. Royal Ascot, the crowning jewel in Ascot’s racing calendar, which first took place in 1768, has been attended by British monarchs since its inception. The Ascot summer race meeting o cially became a Royal week in 1911.
As for the garb, there’s simply no room for a fashion faux pas. Each Royal Ascot enclosure has varying dress codes; in the Windsor enclosure ladies are advised to adorn smart finery with a hat or fascinator, while men sport jackets, collared shirts, and full-length trousers.
By NATALIE LIThey mean business in The Royal Enclosure – obviously invitation only –where the strict dress code stipulates that dresses and skirts should be of modest length falling just above the knee or longer. You can forget strutting around in strapless, halter-neck, o -the-shoulder numbers here. Fascinators are a no-no –only hats can be worn. Gentlemen wear either black, grey, or navy morning dress. which must include a waistcoat and tie.
racegoers at Ascot to the elegance and serenity of Coworth Park, there is something for the most resolute sybarites in this Berkshire pocketWOVEN AT COWORTH PARK ROYAL ASCOT
Tickets for Royal Ascot go on sale in November, with prices ranging from £15 for standing room on the heath to around £80 for seats in the stands. If the pomp and pageantry of Royal Ascot seems daunting, fear not. Races at Ascot Racecourse run regularly throughout the year if you fancy a flutter.
If all this equine activity has left you as hungry as a horse, it’s only a short drive to Coworth Park, near Sunningdale, for afternoon tea or fine dining. Once a grand mansion house for William Shepheard, a prosperous East India merchant, it opened as a Dorchester Collection hotel in 2010 after an extensive restoration.
Complete with its own polo field, once visited by Prince William and Harry, the estate sits in 240 acres of picturesque parkland. There’s no escaping horses – the theme is reflected in the art and design of the hotel.
Relaxation is the name of the game here with the option of picnicking in the wildflower meadow, indulging in treatments at the luxury spa or dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant. Run by executive chef, Adam Smith, the dining experience o ers modern British fayre, based on the classics, highlighting the best of British ingredients.
Fancy a round of golf? There are three golf courses located less than five miles from Ascot – Berkshire Golf Club, Sunningdale Golf Club and Mill Ride Golf Club. Sunningdale remains a highly regarded course, with American pro golfer Arnold Palmer declaring it “one of the great golf courses in Europe”.
Sunningdale, which borders Surrey and neighbours to Ascot and Sunninghill, features the Parish Church of Holy Trinity, with its elegant spire. Inside is the tomb of the exiled sculptor Prince Victor of Hohenlohe-Langenburg, who died in 1891 and is best known for his colossal statue of King Alfred at Wantage in Oxfordshire.
Sunningdale and Sunninghill, once home to musicians John Lennon and Yoko Ono who lived in the country estate, Tittenhurst Park, are peaceful spots where keen walkers can explore.
Starting from Sunningdale, a circular walk passing through the exclusive areas of Wentworth and the polo fields of Coworth Park gives amblers a glimpse of how the other half live. A mixture of grass paths, private estates and woodland tracks o er a leisurely walk heading up to Virginia Water, once a picnic spot for Queen Victoria.
Those wanting to trek further afield can venture to Windsor Castle and The Savill Garden, an enclosed part of Windsor Great Park, which features stunning woodland and beautifully designed gardens. A majestic end to a jaunt in this exclusive part of Berkshire.
Traders o er local seasonally produced food, drinks, and artisan crafts every third Sunday of the month. On-site parking available for a stress-free, relaxed shopping experience
•
Want to see some future racing stars? The November Racing weekend (19-20) o ers the chance to watch promising novice hurdlers and chasers. Alongside the track excitement, expect a glimpse into what it’s like to own an equine star. Presenter Frankie Foster will host a series of talks and visitors can try out a Virtual Reality Ownership Experience. There is also an opportunity to meet a syndicate ex-racehorse up close and learn more about them.
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 £3,500 for a 2 bed, £4,410 for a 3 bed and £4,840 for a 4 bed for 7 nights.
Find out more:
GLENEAGLES.COM/GLENMOR +44 (0)1764 694321 OWN@GLENEAGLES.COM
TheOn Monday 10 October, fashionistas headed to Scamp & Dude’s Marlow boutique on the high street for a very special event that featured a Q&A with Sophie Ellis-Bextor.
The ticketed event, with proceeds going to Borne, was to celebrate the launch of the ‘We’ve Got Your Back’ collection, where customers were invited into the Marlow store for a live Q&A between Scamp & Dude founder, Jo Tutchener-Sharp, and Sophie Ellis-Bextor. The talk was centred around Sophie’s sweatshirt that she designed as part of the collection, and also her chosen charity Borne, who fund research to advance their knowledge of pregnancy and childbirth with a mission to help end premature birth.
Customers were then o ered the chance to shop the latest collections in store, and the whole event was one wonderful ball of colour, indicative of Scamp & Dude’s designs. The ‘We’ve Got Your Back Collection’ consists of four inspiring women, four stunning designs and four incredible charities. Billie Piper, Shaznay Lewis, Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Vicky McClure have worked with Jo to design an item of loungewear with profits going to their chosen charities Borne, Our Dementia Choir, Refuge and WONDER Foundation.
Scamp & Dude have always enjoyed bringing joy to your wardrobe through moodboosting colours, vibrant prints and flattering fits to make you feel, as well as look good. Feel good fashion is what they do best.
scampanddude.com
All photos courtesy of kathrynfellphotography.co.uk
Christmas starts early in the county and in this special section we look at some of the events to get into the festive spirit, such as a whole host of reasons to visit Waddesdon.
Want to get into the festive spirit early? There’s plenty around the county to inspire this month, from buying unique gifts to seeing local landmarks in a whole new light
By MARK KEBBLE
It’s back and better than it’s ever ‘bean’ –Corn Exchange Newbury have announced the cast for this year’s Christmas pantomime opening on 25 November, following their Special Recognition for Innovation win and Best Pantomime (Digital) nomination for Cinderella at the Pantomime Awards 2022. Helmed by returning comedy writing team Plested, Brown and Wilsher, Jack and the Beanstalk takes audiences on another epic adventure, where you can expect all of the traditional Corn Exchange pantomime fun.
Sev Keoshgerian (The Rocky Horror Show, European Tour; Little Women, Park Theatre; Little Miss Sunshine, Arcola Theatre) will play the title role of Jack, playing opposite Hannah Fairclough (Frozen, West End; Hairspray, UK Tour; The Boy in the Dress, The RSC) as Jill. Returning to the Corn Exchange after his award-winning performance in last year’s Cinderella, Justin Brett (Showstopper! The Improvised Musical, West End/UK Tour; Million Dollar Quartet, West End) is back as Dame Trott, alongside Georgia McIntyre (Aladdin, Exchange Theatre Twickenham) and Emma Thornett (Are You As Nervous as I Am?, Greenwich Theatre; Bedknobs and Broomsticks, UK Tour) as The Hot and Spicy Chicks. Matthew Cavendish (The Play That Goes Wrong, West End and Broadway; Showstopper! The Improvised Musical,
West End/Edinburgh) will give audiences plenty of opportunities to boo and hiss as he plays Fleshcreep, and Will Beckerleg (Madagascar, UK Tour; Summer Holiday, UK Tour) returns to the Corn Exchange as he steps into the role of Fairy Fabulous. Then for something a little di erent this Christmas, head to the Watermill Theatre for Rapunzel – but not as you know it! A lively adventure with music, magic pigs and plenty of surprises. Rapunzel runs from Friday 18 November to Sunday 1 January. Tickets from £12. cornexchangenew.com / watermill.org.uk
Enjoy a magical evening with family and friends as Windsor Great Park Illuminated returns for a highly anticipated second year to light up the festive season bigger, better and more dazzling than ever with a brand new trail design and spectacularly re-imagined installations. Follow a path through woodland awash with colour as sparkles of fireflies, luminous beacons and dancing fairies blaze the way, the lake alive with flood-lit fountains and glimmering reflections.
At a cosy rest spot, enjoy mouthwateringly good food, mulled wine and hot chocolate or toast marshmallows at one of the fire pits. Windsor Great Park Illuminated promises to be more magical than ever,
the perfect evening out where longlasting festive memories will be made. windsorilluminated.com
Stubbings have just announced their festive plans for this year and we are delighted to see the return of “Breakfast with Santa” in the run up to Christmas. Bring your little ones for a very special treat that they won’t forget. This event sells out very quickly so book your tickets to avoid disappointment. For grownups visiting this Berkshire hidden gem, indulge in a delicious Festive Afternoon Tea this November and December.
Stubbings are also holding a Festive
“It will be better than ever with a dazzling new trail”WINDSOR
Winter Market, showcasing produce and wares from over 30 local businesses.
It is free to enter and a great way to soak up some early festive cheer and get some gifts bagged early.
Don’t forget to visit Stubbings in early December to select from the region’s best range of Christmas trees, all sustainably sourced, in both cut and pot grown formats. You’ll be sure to find the perfect accompaniment for your home, safe in the knowledge that for every tree bought, at least one is replanted. No visit is complete without a trip to the Stubbings Christmas Boutique – a real festive treasure trove. stubbingsnursery.co.uk
Opening on 12 November, Christmas at Waddesdon – the much-loved festive extravaganza in Buckinghamshire –returns with magical lights and music, the gardens aglow and more for visitors to enjoy than ever for its 20th year. And there’s lots of special elements to make this year extra special.
The Manor is back! Admire sparkling decorations and themed displays inside the house for the first time since 2019. A new route around the house takes visitors through the magnificent Red Drawing Room, Dining Room and Conservatory, all magically transformed for the first time at Christmas. See Waddesdon’s spectacular landscape brought to life as the longest-ever illuminated light trail winds through the grounds. Immersive light installations to captivate the senses create a new familyfriendly exhibition at the Coach House Gallery. And enjoy unique seasonal shopping as Waddesdon’s traditional Christmas Fair returns from 12 November–18 December.
Elsewhere, Da odil Valley will be transformed with over 5,000 orbs adorning the hillside to create a glittering blanket of lights, which turns into a sea of animation set to music. For keen Instagrammers, a new ‘WADDESDON’ selfie spot – with a huge sign of illuminated letters – is also sure to be a hit.
At the Stables, visitors will encounter a giant 22ft Christmas tree composed of over 10,000 colour-changing pixels
creating festive imagery. Inside the Coach House Gallery, a new immersive light experience of installations exploring colour, patterns and reflections in light and sound will deliver a captivating sensory experience for all the family. waddesdon.org.uk
Hobbs of Henley have all your gift ideas and Christmas get togethers wrapped up for you this festive season. If you’re looking for something a little di erent to do with friends or family this Christmas then why not jump on board one of Hobbs of Henley’s finest passenger vessels for a Christmas Cruise.
For family fun, set sail to see Santa on one of their Santa Cruises aboard their flagship vessel, ‘The New Orleans’. Be entertained by the hilarious Bertie Slippers with his magic, balloons and puppets, whilst Santa will be in his grotto bearing gifts for all the children plus there will be mulled wine for the adults. A truly fun, festive event for all the family.
“Admire sparkling decorations and themed displays inside the house for the first time”CHRISTMAS AT WADDESDON, MANOR ILLUMINATIONS © WADDESDON, A ROTHSCHILD HOUSE & GARDENS, PHOTO CHRIS LACEY
Or for that Christmas night out, party in style on one of their Christmas Party Cruises perfect for smaller groups to have a shared Christmas do. This year they've also added a Christmas Lunch Cruise and a Christmas Festive Afternoon Tea Cruise.
If it is gifts you are looking for then gin-gle all the way into yuletide with their Mr Hobbs Gin festive o erings; award winning Mr Hobbs Gin, Spiced Plum, Rhubarb & Ginger, and Raspberry & Elderflower gin liqueurs, perfectly paired with fizz for the party season, delectable handmade milk chocolate and fresh cream ganache tru es infused with orange oil and their very own Mr Hobbs Gin.
Another fantastic gift idea this Christmas is their new clothing line ‘Henley 1870’. Gorgeously soft hoodies and T-shirts made from 100% organic cotton and from recycled materials make for the perfect present this Christmas, and with £1 from every garment sold going to River Thames Society, a charity whose aim is to protect the natural beauty of the River Thames, they make for a guilt free purchase. hobbsofhenley.com
The Royal Albert Hall has been the home of Christmas in London for 150 years. This December the London venue will open its doors once more to share the magic of the festive season. The 2022 Christmas programme features over 40 performances across 24 days, filling the Hall’s auditorium with countless incredible performances.
Birmingham Royal Ballet return after three years away with The Nutcracker. Created exclusively for the Hall, Birmingham Royal Ballet’s world-class dancers bring the wondrous tale to life, accompanied by the Royal Ballet Sinfonia. Gorgeous period costumes, stunning lighting, and dazzling projections by Tony Award-winning 59 Productions will transport audiences to the magical kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. Running for seven performances only from 28 to 31 December.
For a quintessential Christmas experience, head to the finest singalong carol concerts in the capital. Presented by Greg Beardsell, the 2022 Royal Albert Hall Christmas Carols will be the biggest in recent years and will feature the British Imperial Military Band and soloist Vanessa Haynes. royalalberthall.com
Enjoy a unique Christmas boutiquestyle shopping experience at the Henley Christmas Fair from 24-27 November. Set on the front lawn of the very picturesque Stonor Park Manor House, beautifully styled wooden chalets and heated indoor marquees await filled with a diverse range of festive eats, treats and gifts creating a truly one-of-a-kind Christmas
shopping experience and day out.
Over 120 artisan stalls await bursting with beautiful hand-crafted Christmas decorations, bespoke gifts, clothing, ceramics, soft furnishings, glassware, art, home accessories or culinary delights and mouth-watering beverages to enjoy over the festive season.
Not just festive shopping – you can eat, drink and be merry at the Henley Christmas Fair. Delicious seasonal festive food and refreshments will add that extra Christmas sparkle to your shopping experience, so make sure you try out their specially selected caterers and enjoy a cheeky tipple or two.
thecraftshows.co.uk/henleyxmas/
With the festive months soon upon us, Silent Pool has a range of gifts for all budgets. Whether it is Silent Pool’s Gin Copa Glass Gift Box for the one you love, serving a pre-dinner drink using their Luxury Gift Tin or gifting the ultimate secret Santa gift, the Citrus Gin G&T Pack – there’s something to suit all occasions. We take a closer look at the options…
The perfect stocking filler. This gift pack contains a Silent Pool Gin/Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin Copa Glass, a miniature Silent Pool Gin/Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin and a Fever Tree Indian Tonic Can to serve up the perfect double Silent Pool Gin & Tonic.
Silent Pool Gin G&T Pack / Silent Pool Rare Citrus Gin G&T Pack is available for RRP £15.
Scented candles each inspired by botanicals found in Silent Pool’s gin. Housed in used Silent Pool Gin bottles as a part of their upcycling scheme, which gives the gorgeous bottles a second time to shine. Filled with 100% natural essential oils and environmentally friendly soy wax. The best way to decorate your Christmas dinner table.
Available in four scents: Rose, Elderflower & Honey; Bergamot & LavenderJuniper & Cassia Bark; Orange, Mandarin & Bergamot. Silent Pool Gin Upcycled Botanical Candles are available for RRP £24 from Silent Pool Distillers.
Luxury handcrafted gin made from 24 botanicals with the aim of capturing the essence of the Surrey Hills. A contemporary London Dry gin with floral top notes, perfectly served in a G&T with Indian tonic, garnished with an orange slice.
Silent Pool Gin Luxury Gift Tin is available for RRP £40 from Silent Pool Distillers.
A remarkable gift box that includes a bottle of Silent Pool Gin with a pair of premium Silent Pool Gin Copa Glasses. A great gift for your G&T fan.
Available in the classic Silent Pool taste or citrus-infused. Silent Pool Gin & Copa Glass Gift Box is available for RRP £68 through Silent Pool Distillers.
Silent Pool Gin and Dartington Crystal have collaborated to create an eight-litre one-of-a-kind Dartington Crystal bottle of gin and glassware. It is the world’s most exclusive gin in a crystal bottle and glass set.
The hand-blown, bespoke Dartington Crystal bottle and the eight glasses that go with it took master craftsmen more than 80 hours to etch by hand. The leather case for the bottle and glasses was designed and built by luxury trunk makers Franck Tressens of Ephtee. Available for RRP £25,000 at Silent Pool Distillers.
Find out more about all at silentpooldistillers.com
Silent Pool are well-known for their gin, but it’s their Christmas range that is getting us talkingCHRISTMAS COCKTAIL? DON'T MIND IF WE DO SILENT POOL'S CHRISTMAS GIFT SET THE CHRISTMAS
Enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before heading in for a delicious three course meal. After dinner, our DJ and disco will have you up on the dance floor
the night away.
Price per person: £40.00
Meet up with family and friends and enjoy
of the
with a
Price per person: £25.00
for a
SADLER'S WELLS
Matthew Bourne's Sleeping Beauty celebrates 10 years since its premier at Sadler's Wells. Enter a wondrous world of magical fairies and vampires, where the timeless tale of good vs evil is turned upside-down, creating a supernatural love story that even the passage of time itself cannot hinder. Will Princess Aurora ever find her true love again? 29 November-15 January sadlerswells.com
BARBICAN THEATRE
This enchanting coming-of-age story follows one extraordinary summer in the lives of sisters Satsuki and Mei as they are swept up in exciting adventures with their new neighbours – transported to a long-forgotten realm of spirits, sprites, and natural wonder. This landmark new adaptation of the celebrated 1988 animated film by Hayao Miyazaki is brought to you by its original composer Joe Hisaishi and written by playwright Tom Morton-Smith for the RSC. Until 21 January 2023 barbican.org.uk
With stunning scenery, lavish costumes and a super talented cast including the much-loved pantomime dame, what more do you need for festive fun this season?
Join Dick on his fantastical adventures, meet Tommy, the Cat with attitude, Idle Jack, Sarah the Cook and the very worst Captain and ship mate that ever set sail. 15 December-8 January epsomplayhouse.co.uk
WOKING NEW VICTORIA THEATRE
The Northern Ballet's magical Nutcracker is an essential part of Christmas. Share in Clara’s adventures as she is swept away by her Nutcracker Prince into an enchanting winter wonderland. Don’t miss dazzling dancing snowflakes, the famous Sugar Plum Fairy and the notorious Mouse King in the ultimate festive entertainment. 10-12 November northernballet.com
PLAYHOUSE THEATRE Cabaret takes place in a dingy German burlesque club where English dancer Sally Bowles and American writer Cli Bradshaw start an unlikely relationship. Outside, the Nazi Party is taking over the streets of Berlin, putting the rights of all under threat. A new cast includes Callum Scott Howells as Emcee, Madeline Brewer as Sally Bowles, Sid Sagar as Cli Bradshaw, Vivien Parry as Fraulein Schneider and Richard Katz as Herr Schultz. Booking until December 2023 playhouse.londontheatres.co.uk
In case you wanted to venture out of the county for festive fun...
Christmas is a joyful time for most, but for children whose parents are separated, this can mean dividing their time between two di erent homes. If both parents can put their children first and plan ahead to agree what time their children will spend with each parent over the holidays, this should avoid di cult disputes...
It is important that both parents communicate, although this can be
challenging if separation has taken place recently and emotions are still quite raw. Communicating through email is an option – but each response should be measured and not be sent in anger.If you do receive a message which upsets you, take time before responding.Before pressing “send” think about the potential impact of your words. Try to be constructive and pragmatic in both tone and content and always consider what is best for your child.
Often di culties blocking an agreement arise out of fear or a misunderstanding,
which face to face communication can help overcome. This also has the benefit of children seeing their parents talking together and should enable them to feel more comfortable around each parent.
Start discussing arrangements early, as preparations for the festive period can be stressful enough without this additional issue. If an agreement is reached this is one less worry and if, regrettably, that is not possible, planning early will allow enough time to seek legal advice and, if needed, to seek the court’s help. It’s important that once arrangements have been agreed, both parents stick to them. Children will feel more secure knowing where they’ll be. This will also demonstrate to them that you respect their time with their other parent.
A family lawyer will, based upon their experience, suggest possibilities you might not have thought about and explore other options to help reach an agreement. They can also communicate with the other parent and record an agreement in writing. You could also consider a mediator or relationship counsellor. Involving the courts should be the last resort because it is always in a child’s best interests to have parents who are, or at least appear to be, in agreement. No matter what parents think about each other, those feelings should be kept away from children. Moreover, the court process can be very slow and it is important to remember that in many cases, no-one knows the children better than their parents, and so who better to make decisions for and about them?
If you would like advice regarding child arrangements, please get in touch with Sue Andrews on 01753 279046 or email sue.andrews@bpcollins.co.uk
suggests how
season
Newly released Rare Rosé Millésime 2012 expertly balances three distinct families of sensations: floral, fruity, and spiced. Combining aromas and freshness, this third vintage rosé from Rare Champagne adds a new dimension to the Maison’s style. Inside we have some recipe pairings to make the most of this launch. rare-champagne.com
Casa De Santar Tito, Dão 2019
This likely oaked wine is soft with lots of ripe jammy red fruit, and rich chocolate and finishes with notes of spice. Complex and well structured, it is elegant and balanced with some fine, velvety tannins.
Bojador Talha Tinto, Alentejo 2020
£25.75
This wine is grippy, fresh and juicy with a hint of a savoury, chalky minerality. Packed with fragrant red cherry, plumb and earthy dusty notes, it would pair brilliantly with beef, lamb, veal or poultry.
Churchill’s Estate Grande Reserva, Douro 2013
£34.00
This wine is powerful but elegant, with a juicy middle palate and a long and complex finish. It has a rich combination of floral and herbal aromas with cedarwood and resinous undertones.
The FESTA Bottle Shop is home to the UK’s biggest range of Portuguese wines from the broadest selection of producers. With over 150 wines, it offers something for everyone, from newcomers to connoisseurs.
Celebrate the festive season at The Ivy Marlow Garden, where the brasserie will be serving an array of joyful treats, including delicious a la carte dishes, afternoon tea and exclusive set menus designed for larger parties. Diners can enjoy a seasonal twist on The Ivy’s iconic Shepherd’s Pie (£18.95) with confit goose and turkey, pigs in blankets and cranberry sauce, while starters include a Venison Tartare (£11.95) - seared and hand-cut venison loin with pickled beetroot, hazelnut mayonnaise and granary toast.
PAEONIA
Paeonia, the place where the great British tradition of afternoon tea gets a revolutionary, bubbly twist, has just celebrated its first birthday and Absolutely went along to join the fun. Whether you're on a shopping spree or just admiring the stunning Windsor Castle, you can’t help but feel indulged by their signature bubble tea and handcrafted snacks. paeoniacafe.co.uk
The Hand and Flowers, Tom Kerridge’s two Michelinstarred pub in Marlow, has launched a special Monday night package for guests who want to kick o their week in style. The Monday package is £575 for two people and includes a one-night stay, a three-course à la carte dinner (inclusive of service and excluding drinks) and breakfast at The Hand and Flowers in the morning. thehandandflowers.co.uk
Founded in Reading in July 2017 as a street food and catering business, a er successfully building a following at local markets and events, Vegivores went on to launch their first restaurant in Caversham in October 2019 – and it’s been a real hit. wearevegivores.com
REAL
“I just wanted to create a place where the customers would know, categorically, that they could eat with confidence, where their bodies would thank them and where it would bring a smile to their faces,” says Rafia Willmott, founder of Eliane. Mission accomplished. elianesmiles.com
The Oarsman, a contemporary bistro pub and wine bar in the heart of Marlow, will showcase the rich spoils of game season with the launch of their Sunday lunch. Head Chef Scott Smith will be curating a menu that reflects the very best of British game and local produce. With game season in full swing, guests will be invited to feast on a series of evolving Sunday lunch menus throughout November. Working closely with Braehead in Scotland and Maxwell and Webb in Cookham, Scott will bring his experience at esteemed UK institutions to the table. theoarsman.co.uk
With friends, family, work colleagues, solo diners or neighbours, Fego is the café for everyone. With several locations across the county, you can indulge in a healthy breakfast, brunch or lunch, while taking in a friendly and warm atmosphere. hellofego.com
REAL, the makers of Naturally Fermented Sparkling Tea, has launched the UK’s first sustainable, non-alcoholic state of the art fermentery on the Waddesdon Estate. REAL's tea is the real alternative to Champagne and Sparkling Wine.
and in previous years have supported or been present at various community events.
Q When do you start preparing for Christmas?
Q Has your ethos remained the same since Roger Troutt started the business in 1965?
A Absolutely! We still strongly believe you need to make the shopping experience something special, and we set out to make our customers feel that they have had a pleasurable time when visiting us, as well as availability of top-quality products. We pride ourselves on our personalised service whilst o ering top quality produce to our community.
Q Today, what makes you stand out?
A We have made a name for ourselves by providing only the very best quality produce, and we will prepare everything to meet our customers’ requests. If our clients need something that little bit di erent, perhaps a specific cut, then we will ensure that we can meet their needs.
Q What kind of experience do you look to o er in your two shops?
A All our members of the Troutt family have excellent knowledge on all of our produce and can advise customers on best cooking methods, accompaniments and new ideas. We have a great relationship with our customers and want to ensure that everyone that enters our doors feels welcome and important.
Q Do you get the sense the community sees you as a key part of local life?
A We were very fortunate to be open through the pandemic and it was a great honour to be there for our customers, some may not have seen or spoken to anyone else that day and we made the time to check they were ok and coping. We added in a home delivery service, which went down a storm,
A We have been preparing for Christmas for months now. The country has seen the closure of a number of turkey farms over recent times and we have been securing our sources in advance to ensure we are ahead of that curve and can supply our customers with what they will require for the festive season. This has included sourcing new suppliers, or perhaps di erent products from existing suppliers – we are striving to deliver the needs of our community at this time. The one key thing to take from this is that it is looking very likely that there will be discrepancy between supply and demand this year for the traditional Christmas fare and for this we urge you to place your orders in advance to secure the products you need.
Q What will you be o ering this Christmas?
A Along with traditional turkeys – be that crowns, full birds or stu ed – we will have an array of options: bird within a bird, loins of beef, top quality lamb along with the traditional trimming of stu ng options, home made pigs in blankets. If you have a special request, just ask us we will do our best to cover that too!
Aberdeen House, Hazlemere, 01494 711803 Tudor House, West Wycombe, 01494 526880
rstrouttbutchers.co.uk
RS Troutt has been a key part of local life in West Wycombe and Halzemere since 1965. Richard Troutt tells us more
Join Chalk Restaurant for our 2nd year of Christmas Celebrations with a complimentary chilled glass of Pommery Brut Champagne with every festive menu
FESTIVE LUNCHES
Glass of Champagne Three Course Menu Festive Music Christmas Decorations
Monday – Wednesday Champagne and Two Course Menu £19.95 per person
Champagne and Three Course Menu £25.95 per person
Thursday – Saturday Champagne and Two Course Menu £22.95 per person
Champagne and Three Course Menu £27.95 per person
FESTIVE DINNERS
Glass of Champagne Three Course Menu Festive Music Playlist Christmas Decorations Tea, Coffee and Mince Pies
Monday – Wednesday Champagne and Two Course Menu £29.95 per person
Champagne and Three Course Menu £35.95 per person
Thursday – Saturday Champagne and Two Course Menu £32.95 per person
Champagne and Three Course Menu £37.95 per person
Festive lunch menu is served all week, starting from 26th November. Our festive a la carte menu is also available for parties of six or less.
To book please call us direct on 01189 798 805 or email us at enquiries@chalkrestaurants.com Chalk Restaurant, 31 Broad Street, Wokingham, RG40 1AU
INGREDIENTS
• Breton lobster
• Yellow, pink and red beetroot
• Beetroot curry
• Beetroot sorbet
• Lime
• Sumac
• Espelette pepper
1 Boil the lobster in a court-bouillon for four minutes. Shell the lobster and cut it into thin pieces.
2 On a plate, alternate cuts of lobster with slices of raw beetroot until a beautiful circle has been made.
3 Dress with olive oil and lime zest, then season with fleur de sel, sumac and Espelette pepper.
4 Add a little beetroot curry and a quenelle of beetroot sorbet at the centre.
INGREDIENTS
• Red cabbage
• Avocado
• Lime
• Coriander
• Olive Oil
• Curly endive
• Pomegranate
• Radish
PREPARATION
1 Blend a red cabbage. In the blender, mix the red cabbage juice with a tablespoon of mayonnaise, a tablespoon of red wine vinegar and gluten-free whole wheat bread.
2 Prepare the guacamole by crushing a ripe avocado with a fork. Add olive oil, lime juice, and fresh, finely cut coriander. Season.
3 Garnish the bottom of the plate with guacamole. On top, add Frisée salad, pomegranate seeds, slices of radish and chopped coriander.
4 Pour the gazpacho all around the plate.
• Lamb shank
• Red radish
• Blue meat radish
• Red meat radish
• Pruneaux d'Agens, stones removed
• Roasted almonds
• Olive oil
• Grated parmesan
1 Colour the lamb shanks in a frying pan, then slow-cook in an oven with lamb broth, spices and citrus zest.
2 Prepare the radish greens pesto, blending the washed greens and mixing with olive oil, roasted almonds and ground parmesan.
3 Finely slice the various colours of radishes into di erent shapes.
See more at rare-champagne.com
In 1999, Patek Philippe responded to the expectations of a young, dynamic generation with the ladies Twenty~4 collection. Its unusual name reflects the fact that it is a perfect companion for any time of day or night, the Twenty~4 epitomizes timeless feminine elegance and is designed to fit in with every moment of life.
View the collection at Berry’s Boutique in Windsor and online at berrysjewellers.co.uk
Stocks are based in Marlow and Henley, and are run by a mother and daughter in law team. We catch up with the latter, Lise Harrow
Interview MARK KEBBLE
Q You’re a mother and daughter in law team. When did you first discuss the possibility of going into business together?
A We decided around Christmas time 2016 as we felt Henley had the potential to attract customers looking for a good independent boutique with not just gifts, but a mix of great quality clothing and greeting cards. I had recently returned to the UK from a long period in Hong Kong, and Sandie has several years’ experience running and owning her own gift shops in Cambridgeshire.
Q Was it tough to launch the business?
A We were lucky to quickly find a broad range of brands so it was not too hard – it was actually lots of fun choosing which items we felt would be the right mix of products.
Q Why did you choose Henley and Marlow as the two locations for your shops?
A Henley was the natural first location as Sandie lives there and we have spent a lot of time visiting the high street. When we decided to open a shop in Marlow, it was mainly as we felt it lacked a good independent boutique o ering a more unique and individual mix of gifts and clothes.
Q What do you love about being based in Marlow?
A We love the vibe in Marlow and its great
selection of restaurants, cafes and shops, plus the riverside location. There’s always a nice atmosphere on the high street and I think people like to visit as it has a lot to o er. We are lucky to be amongst many great independent boutiques as well as some good high street chains such as Sweaty Betty.
A We wanted to o er a really individual, good quality mix of gifts, greeting cards and ladies’ clothes. I am Danish and I love many of the Scandi brands that are very popular at the moment as they are well priced, on trend and well made. We also wanted to bring brands that are both sustainable and fair trade as it’s so important to support these brands who are working hard on doing something good for the environment and/or supporting local communities. For example, our plastic shoppers are made from recycled plastic bottles and woven by women in Vietnam. We also stock hand woven laundry baskets from
West Africa, which send a part of their proceeds to fund school buses in their local area. Our cashmere brand Van Kukil, another sustainable business, is committed to the preservation of their local environment in Kashmir and the preservation of grasslands.
A We are very proud of our range of cashmere brands, it’s such a lovely, luxurious and still timeless piece of clothing that can be worn almost all year round as even in the summer, evenings get can get chilly. We also carry several brands that o er clothing for everyday – dresses that can be dressed up for an event and worn more casually for every day. Silk shirts, lace tops for layering, and great premium jeans. Many of our fashion brands are from Scandinavia and our gift brands are sourced in both London and Paris. We stock lovely candles and di users from Sicily, tableware from Denmark, and jewellery brands from both London, Paris and Copenhagen.
A It’s really hard to say. Some people come looking for an outfit to wear to an occasion, and other people love to treat themselves to new knitwear – especially this time of year.
A It was super hard at first, but we were lucky to be able to take advantage of the furlough scheme and keep all our team with us – we are like a family. Our suppliers were also very helpful and flexible with deliveries. We also managed to improve and upgrade our website and added many more products to the online o ering. We o ered free delivery and click-collect service.
A Atterley has really helped us reach customers all over the UK and internationally as well. It has been so easy working with Atterley as our website works in partnership with theirs – once we add new products online, they appear instantly on Atterley.com. Brexit made it harder for us to sell outside the UK, but Atterley has helped us still reach customers all over the world.
A We hope to continue to grow the business, both in our stores in Marlow and Henley, as well as online. We always focus on finding new brands and our sta are here to help find that perfect outfit – or gift!
BAKER BROTHERS DIAMONDS
Double Oval Link Rose and White Gold 7.5” Bracelet, £750 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
DAVID YURMAN
Pavé Chain Necklace in 18-Karat White Gold, £27,750 davidyurman.com
DIOR
Color Dior Earrings in Pink Gold, £13,200 dior.com
Unity Recycled Gold Chain Necklace, £1,695 kimai.com
PDPAOLA
Signature Chain Earrings, £124 pdpaola.com
YVONNE LÉON
18-Karat Yellow & White Gold Diamond Ring, £1,640 net-a-porter.com
STONE AND STRAND
Sparkle Chain 10-Karat Gold Diamond Earrings, £400 net-a-porter.com
POMELLATO
Necklace Iconica in Rose Gold, £29,300 pomellato.com
BAKER BROTHERS DIAMONDS
Contemporary 7.75” Yellow Gold Elongated Open Link Bracelet, £450 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com
from
byAlice Temperley, found at John Lewis Reading and High Wycombe, is
from the office
Since founding her business in 2016, Emma Dodi has designed unique cakes and handpainted macarons that are both luxurious and visually spectacular. emmadodicakes.com
These 'something blues' may bring a little luck to your wedding day
The Celebration Collection by luxury childrenswear designer, Pepa & Co, has been designed for life’s most memorable moments. The line features a selection of timeless styles alongside a range of complementary accessories. pepaandcompany.com
The ‘Thea’ dress by Benveniste Couture is a full-skirted dress made in a luxurious cotton satin. The soft romantic print and elegant cut make it the perfect outfit for a garden ceremony, £5,300. bnvcouture.com
Dune’s Wedding Collection offers an exquisite range of beautifully crafted bridal shoes and accessories. The 'Daliah Satin Ankle Tie Wedding Shoes' have a luxurious satin tie that wraps elegantly around the ankle, and if you look underneath, you may find a little something blue, £155. dunelondon.com
Azazie knows that no two bridesmaids are alike, which is why their range of bodyinclusive dresses has been designed with easy alteration in mind and is available in a variety of colours and fabrics. azazie.com
Lavender Green Flowers has built a reputation as one of London’s most trusted florists and have been commissioned by some of the country's top historic houses. Their expert team of florists and designers has been bringing brides' visions to life for nearly three decades. lavendergreen.co.uk
These exquisite drop earrings feature the winged silhouettes of doves, the talismanic symbols of love. Each pearl represents purity and hope, whereas the tranquil aquamarines not only embody vitality and loyalty but mark the age-old tradition of something blue, £9,900. annoushka.com
The ruched Gabbi bag is this season’s chicest wedding companion, £75. jwpei.co.uk
This stylish blue silk nightdress has the power to make you feel dressed up even as you wind down, £60. leocecouture.com
This bespoke ring by London-based designer Michelle Oh is made of recycled white-gold and conflict-free stones, £POA. michelle-oh.com
From sharp tailoring to short glamour, crystal detailing and lavish silk gowns, here are six runway looks we love for the season to come
We're delighted to see a new crop of sharp separates in the mix for the season ahead – perfect for less formal or two-event celebrations and for brides who prefer to stride down the aisle in... strides. Isabel Sanchis, as ever, gets the look spot on with this long-line white blazer and form-flattering trousers. We love the edgy safety-pin fastening, a discreet nod to the punk-bride spirit.
isabelsanchis.com
There are plenty of ballgown and regal styles in the mix for the season to come, and some of our favourites have a 1950s vibe. This Hollywood-worthy number from Pronovias taps into that trend. It channels this season's focus on big sleeves – many, like these, are detachable for a quick change of style. It also introduces a welcome pop of glitter on the bodice and is created from rich silk in soft pastel pink.
pronovias.com
There are plenty of cool bridal looks for the resort or high-summer celebrations among the new season designer collections, but this shift dress caught our eye for its wearability and throw-on elegance. With a subtle hi-low hemline to show o your wedding heels, it has a gorgeous cutout lace panel to add interest and highlight that tan. Pockets add a laidback vibe to a dress that would earn its keep on honeymoon too.
jesuspeiro.com
The Barcelona Bridal Week runway glittered during couturier Vestal's runway show, with some deliciously detailed gowns in the mix. This one tapped into an ongoing trend for regal gowns. The elegant highneck, half-sleeve bodice studded with flower embellishment is paired to a shimmering full skirt with more trailing flowers to emphasise the waist. The soft silvery hue of the gown adds to the showstopping e ect – definitely a gown fit for a princess.
@vestal_o cial
Lush high-shine silks are a strong fashion story for new-season bridal, and Rosa Clará's new collection features some beautiful gowns cut to show o the potential of this wonderful fabric. This gown channels an almost 1930s film-star vibe with its long sleeves and neat cu s. But the plunge neck and on-trend cutaway detail around the midri are relaxed elements that make it a great choice for glamorous destination brides. rosaclara.es
A new name on the runway at Barcelona Bridal Fashion Week, Nicolas Montenegro is one to watch. Trained in Milan, he worked at a top design house (dressing Beyoncé and Kylie Minogue) and started his eponymous brand in his home village outside Seville in 2020. We just love his collection with its hallmarks of superb tailoring, clever details and form-flattering lines. This was one of our favourites for its flattering sleek cut, three-quarter sleeves and oversized buttons. nicolasmontenegro.com
Set in 240 acres of idyllic parkland and just 45 minutes from London, Coworth Park o ers the ultimate bespoke weddings in the English countryside. Coworth Park is ideally suited to those seeking a truly memorable and romantic setting for their special day, with its beautiful wildflower meadow providing an especially breathtaking backdrop for ceremonies and wedding photography, Coworth Park can accommodate any size of party, from a small intimate gathering to a lavish reception for 100 people. For those couples looking for an additional level of privacy, or wanting to host a larger celebration, exclusive hire is also an option.
For smaller ceremonies, guests can wed in The Dower House, the private house situated on Coworth's estate. The Dower House has its own dining room, sitting room, kitchen and a secluded
garden overlooking the lake that is home to Coworth Park’s family of swans.
From walking down an aisle of wildflowers outdoors, to a grand celebration in the magnificent Oval Room, there’s something charming and unique available to create the perfect countryside wedding for every couple. There are a number of beautiful churches in close proximity to Coworth Park, allowing couples to have options for a traditional church ceremony.
The eco-luxury Spa at Coworth Park guarantees that the bride and her bridal party look radiant on their special day, while the groom and ushers can calm their nerves with a jog around the sprawling estate, a swim in the indoor pool or even a quick round of golf at neighbouring Wentworth.
Flowers are integral to any wedding ceremony and only the best are provided at Coworth Park. From the initial brief to the special day, Lavender Green work with the couple to ensure their ideas are brought to life in the most spectacular way.
Whether it’s a small or large ceremony, or a lavish or paired-back reception, Coworth Park o ers a remarkable setting for couples to begin their journey into married life.
Blacknest Road, Ascot Berkshire SL5 7SE
dorchestercollection.com
Mike Taylor, the master goldsmith behind Taylor & Co, is championing lab grown diamonds, which are good for the planet and your wallet
By MARK KEBBLE
Q Can you give us an overview of your career in jewellery?
A My love of metal work at school inspired me to want to pursue a career in the jewellery industry. Following school, I attended the Sir John Cass School of Art from which I was scouted by the Queens Goldsmith who then o ered me an apprenticeship. I trained with the Queens Goldsmith from 1976–1980, at which point my love for the jewellery industry was further ignited. From the apprenticeship I then established a trade repair company working with 20-30 di erent retailers in the local area.
Q When did you open Taylor & Co and why was Crowthorne perfect?
A I opened in September 1989. I felt that Crowthorne was the perfect area to establish the business as there were no other retail goldsmiths in the area, which enabled us to monopolise. I was also fortunate to acquire the premises as a freehold which helped to mitigate against the threat of spiralling rent costs.
Q What kind of experience are you looking to o er at the boutique?
A As a family-run business, building relationships with our clients and o ering a personalised and inclusive experience is at the heart of everything we do. With over 40 years of industry experience, our on-site goldsmiths and watchmakers are experts at what they do. We also pride ourselves on keeping up to date with the latest industry trends.
Q When did you first start working with lab grown diamonds?
A As was the case for many people, during lockdown I found myself with more time on my hands and took the opportunity to dive deep into researching lab grown diamonds. The more I learned about this innovative product, the more excited I got at the prospect of o ering it to our discerning clientele. I was absolutely staggered by the sales figures as lab grown diamonds were gaining significant momentum and establishing a larger proportion of the market share. I then launched my exclusive lab grown diamond range in December 2021.
Q Why did this way of working resonate with you?
A I was inspired by the ethical benefits that lab grown diamonds presented. They are kinder to the planet and use up to 50% less energy to create than mined diamonds. They are also guaranteed conflict free and are created in a controlled environment.
As a big advocate for sustainability and minimising our negative impact on the planet, the benefits of lab grown diamonds greatly align with my personal ethics.
Q How are they created?
A They are created in a controlled laboratory environment using one of two processes.
The original process is called High Pressure, High Temperature (HPHT), which involves exposing a diamond seed to extreme heat and pressure to transform it into a diamond. The newer process is called Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) and involves placing a diamond seed in a vacuum chamber which is filled with carbon rich gases and extremely high temperatures to grow the diamond.
Q What is the impact on cost for the consumer and on the environment?
A One of the greatest benefits of lab grown diamonds for the consumer is that they
are 40–50% less to buy than their identical mined equivalents. They are also a more sustainable option and use less water, require less energy and release significantly lower emissions than their mined counterparts.
Q Are there any misconceptions about lab grown diamonds?
A One of the biggest misconceptions is that people assume that lab grown diamonds are ‘fake’. However, they are in fact chemically, optically and physically identical to their mined ancestors.
Q What are the latest creations available to buy now?
A We currently carry two exciting ranges of lab grown diamonds in our Crowthorne boutique. We are the proud stockists of a range of curated pieces from the Hayes & Lake collection as well as the exclusive suppliers of the Mike Taylor collection. Our bespoke appointments are also extremely popular during which our clients meet with a master goldsmith to create an exclusive piece of jewellery based on their requirements.
The interest we have seen from our clients for lab grown diamonds has been phenomenal. It is a product that appeals to the millennial consumers due to its ethical benefits. However, our lab grown diamond sales are not limited to only this demographic, we have sold lab grown diamond products to clients from the ages of 18 through to 80+. In 2022 our turnover has increased by over 50% largely due to the demand for lab grown diamonds.
mastergoldsmiths.co.uk
An American beauty giant has finally arrived on UK shores. As of last month, what used to be feelunique.com has officially become sephora.co.uk. This exciting online launch will be accompanied by the opening of the country's first in-person store in the spring of 2023. sephora.co.uk
Summer doesn’t seem that long ago, but thoughts are already quickly turning to Christmas, so what better time to start thinking about dusting o that little black dress and getting yourself ready for party season?
Whether it’s a cocktail dress, a strapless gown or the fail-safe black trousers and top, we all want to look and feel gorgeous on a special night out. But more often than not there is something about the way we look that just isn’t quite right. How many times have you heard “Does my bum look big in this?” or “Is my tummy sticking out?” or “Are my bingo wings on show?” Well, if you’d love to shimmy your way on to the dance floor this party season, but could do with a little to help to feel fabulous, then CoolSculpting is the perfect solution to permanently reduce those stubborn areas of fat. And with results visible from three weeks, now is the perfect time to start getting ready for Christmas.
A With over 10 million treatments carried out globally, CoolSculpting is the world’s number one non-surgical, permanent fatreduction treatment. It is the only FDAapproved cryolipolysis (AKA fat-freezing) treatment that e ectively and permanently removes diet- and exercise-resistant fat. Almost two decades ago, scientists at Harvard University observed that a number of children who ate ice-lollies got dimples in their cheeks caused by the lollies freezing and eliminating small pockets of fat on the inside of the mouth. And so, the idea that cold could target fat cells without damaging the skin on surrounding tissue came to light.
A Fat freezing treatments work by delivering controlled cooling to gently and e ectively target the fat cells underneath the skin, while leaving the skin itself una ected. The treated fat cells are cooled to -11 degrees centigrade, resulting in them being permanently destroyed. Over the next few weeks, the body naturally processes the destroyed fat cells through the lymphatic system, leaving a slimmer,
more shapely body. The great news is that unlike other cells, fat cells do not regenerate, so once they’re gone, they’re gone for good, meaning the results are permanent.
Q How long does a treatment take?
A One application takes just 35 minutes. CoolSculpting has just released the CoolSculpting Elite, the latest in cryolipolisis technology, which now o ers the ability to dual sculpt with two applicators on the machine, meaning more fat can be treated in half the amount of time.
Q What areas can be treated?
A CoolSculpting is ideal for both male and female patients, and can treat the tummy, love handles, waist, male chest, inner and outer thighs, bingo wings, back fat and even small areas like the chin, knees and the area around the bra.
Q What happens after the treatment?
A As CoolSculpting is non-surgical, there is minimal downtime and patients can go about their daily lives immediately following treatment. Patients see their practitioner for a treatment review at six-weeks and 12-weeks post treatment.
Q Where can you go for CoolSculpting?
A Aspire Clinic is an award-winning, nurseled, family-run clinic based at the Select Car Leasing Stadium in Reading, and is the number one clinic for CoolSculpting in the South of England. Aspire has just launched the first CoolSculpting Centre
of Excellence in Berkshire, which o ers a dedicated treatment centre, where patients can relax during treatment with refreshments, films and free Wi-Fi, whilst being treated by a highly experienced and qualified CoolSculpting team, whose expertise and patient care is second to none. The team is headed up by Sarah Archer, who has been named as one of the top three CoolSculpting practitioners in the UK.
Book your complimentary consultation, virtually or in clinic, today by calling 0118 931 3575 or email info@aspireclinic.com
“Unlike other cells, fat cells do not regenerate, so once they're gone, they're gone for good”
By RACHEL HOGG
Sisley is adding another shadow to their popular range of multi-use, versatile eye products. The new Ombre Éclat Liquide collection is a range of six liquid eyeshadows, with a rich and easily blendable texture. They can be worn alone for a subtle wash of colour, or layered to build up to your desired intensity, £38. sisley-paris.com
The latest collection of lipsticks by La Perla was inspired by the luxurious lingerie the brand is most known for, and they are almost too beautiful to use. Available in six essential shades and finishes, each lipstick is etched with an intricate lace design and housed in a refillable rose gold case, £47. beautybylaperla.com
Gabrielle Chanel’s tweed creations first entered women’s wardrobes nearly a century ago, and now Chanel’s makeup studio has drawn inspiration from this emblematic fabric for its newest collection. Les
4 Ombres Tweed is a limited edition re-imagining of the brand’s iconic eyeshadow quad and is available in four unique colour harmonies, £67. chanel.com
Alittle-known fact is that 18 October is World Menopause day. Fifty per cent of the population will go through this phenomenon at some point in their life, yet little is known about it and even less done to mitigate the problems it causes. Menopause is the cessation of a woman’s natural monthly menstrual cycle at an average age is 51. However, it’s not just periods that stop, lots of other symptoms and complications can occur. It is known that after the menopause women are more at risk of osteoporosis, diabetes, heart disease and several other major conditions. An all-party parliamentary group (APPG) has launched an investigation into the diagnosis and management of the menopause, which remains a postcode lottery. Women are su ering horrendous symptoms and have no access to diagnosis let alone treatment (which may include hormone replacement therapy - HRT). Modern HRT is easy, convenient and very safe to take, yet it is still surrounded by many misconceptions. The APPG have advised that: “The NHS must implement a health check for all women at the age of 45, in a similar way to cervical cancer smears.” However, this remains some way o .
If you’d like a well woman check which will include a discussion around menopause and HRT then book an appointment at drsuhailhussain.com/privategp-services/health-screeningwell-man-well-woman/
This absorbent microfibre towel is the perfect Pilates companion. Designed for all forms of activity, you can use it to towel off during a sweaty workout or post-shower, £20. lululemon.co.uk
Keep your hair out of your face during your workout with this headband. Made from Sweaty Betty’s power fabric, it is sweat-wicking and super stretchy, £10. sweatybetty.com
The practice of Pilates is low intensity, low impact and inclusive. It’s focused on spinal alignment and the tiny muscles that support your musculoskeletal system. A lifetime of poor posture can lead the muscles in your back to become weak and strained, leading to joint and disc issues.
targeted, specific exercises will support the spinal column, in e ect future-proofing your body.
As Joseph Pilates himself said: 'If your spine is inflexibly sti at 30, you are old; if it is completely flexible at 60, you are young.'
around the joints, meaning you are less likely to injure yourself.
These sleek ankle and wrist weights will add just the right amount of resistance to your next workout and the elastic fasteners allow for a perfect fit every time, £49.95. net-a-porter.com
Pilates concentrates on strengthening the deep postural muscles, raising awareness of how one stands and the general alignment of hips, spine and head. This awareness alone can go a long way to improving posture, but the strength built with highly
The practise also focuses on supporting the muscles around your spine – your core, the glutes, as well as ensuring the other joints are supporting by strong local muscles, reducing the chance of injury and relieving pain, especially back pain. As well as developing core strength and improving posture, mobility, strength and flexibility, Pilates also helps with recovery from injury and indeed injury prevention, by strengthening the local muscles
It's a form of exercise that can be done into old age without any negative impact on the body and joints, and helps maintain cognitive ability, balance, bone density as well as spinal health. The combination of mindful breathing, plus feeling stronger and fitter with better energy levels, is proven to have a positive impact on mental health and self-esteem.
Pilates can be as hard or easy as you want it, and once you have mastered the basic principles and started building strength and endurance, there are some really challenging workouts to have fun and get fit with.
BEN HEATH
Ben Heath – previously named Tables and Chairs – was established in 1999 originally sourcing fine quality dining sets and furniture from Britain and Europe. In 2002 they expanded into UK handmade sofas and interior design. In 2007 Ben expanded the business into kitchens and the very first kitchen was the Chichester from Neptune. Read more about them on page 96.
NEATSMITH
Neatsmith creates and installs luxury bespoke wardrobes, designed and cra ed in London. Your Neatsmith wardrobe will be completely bespoke, created to work with your life and the storage features you require to maximise your storage neatsmith.co.uk
Sculpd's new painting kit is designed to make painting fully accessible and show thatanyone can create a piece of artwork to be proud of. Inside the canvas painting kit are all the tools, paints and a large collapsible canvas. £60 sculpd.co.uk
Atelier Ellis's new Waving and Smiling collection comprises 12 new colours that encourage us to connect and celebrate individual choice. These are palettes and stories that liberate us into shaping a personally rare and fulfilling life. atelierellis.co.uk
Bergs Potter's new Hoff series is carefully selected for an airy home where all objects appears like displays of art pieces. The earthy colours of the pots and how they act in contrast to the beautiful coloured glazings will complement any plant. bergspotter.com
TAI PING
Tai Ping has launched a new range of cra ed rugs under its new prêt-à-porter label, Studio by Tai Ping, 10 designs are available in set sizes, in carefully considered colour palettes and yarn combinations to make them versatile and timeless. taipingcarpets.com
nce the birthplace of renowned TV gardener Percy Thrower, the historic Grade-II listed Manor House at idyllic countryside hotel Horwood House recently unveiled three fully refurbished Manor Suites. The latest milestone in an extensive £6 million, 18-month redevelopment programme, the new look suites draw on the rich horticultural heritage of the 110-year-old property, which is set within 38 acres
Oof stunning gardens and grounds. Originally a farmhouse (some 300 years ago), the Manor House was upgraded in the early 1900s by Frederick Denny, and his original commission design played an integral part in the refurbishment. Lovingly restored to showcase and celebrate the building’s original features, the three master suites are all located on the Manor’s top floor. After ascending the original and fully restored feature staircase – complete with a showstopping three-tier custom made chandelier, inspired by the traditional 19th century heritage lighting found in many stately homes – guests will be greeted by features from the original Manor House such as reconditioned vaulted ceilings,
Absolutely visits Buckinghamshire’s Horwood House to discover the new Manor Suites in the Grade II listed Manor HouseTHE STUNNING HORWOOD HOUSE
original stonework and grand bay windows synonymous with the Jacobethan era, which were originally designed by well-known architect Detmar Blow over 100 years ago.
The Denny family alongside their Head Gardener (Percy Thrower’s father) took immense pride in rebuilding the gardens to the glorious scenes present today. When designing the rooms, it was of utmost importance that the breath-taking grounds took centre stage, with views of the glorious tree-lined drive and the
picturesque lily pond (created by Percy Thrower himself) forming integral parts of each scheme. Both vistas are lit up at night to ensure views at every time of day. Carefully decorated to ensure guests enjoy a luxurious yet comfortable stay, the suites have each been individually designed but all feature a lounge, a bathroom and a spacious bedroom with luxury king-size beds complete with Art Deco inspired headboards. Plush bay window seating – a perfect spot to enjoy an hour or two of reading – and richly textured soft furnishings are in a colour-scheme selected to complement the hotel’s horticultural setting and o er serenity to those staying
– expect light greys, deep greens, subtle teals and warm terracotta hues.
The bathrooms feature eye-catching grey scallop tiles and either a walk-in rainfall shower or bath with gold accents. No amenity or detail has been overlooked, with each suite also featuring a dining table, mini fridge, air-conditioning throughout, complimentary Wi-Fi and a Nespresso co ee machine. Throughout the suites and into the ground floor of the Manor House, guests will see artwork that explores 1911, the year in which the Manor House was built and the landmark events that mark the period, such as the coronation of King George V and Queen Mary, along with the publication of “The Secret Garden” and works by the celebrated poet, D.H. Lawrence.
And that’s not all – the ground floor bar, lounge and ceremony spaces have also been refurbished and o er the perfect backdrop for an early evening drink, afternoon tea with friends or a lavish dinner party in the private Manor library room with carefully curated menus, full of the finest seasonal ingredients, from the hotel’s Executive Chef Will Dimartino.
Looking for a historic, horticultural stay full of rural opulence? The Manor Suites are available to book now. See more at reservations.horwoodhouse.co.uk
“It was of the utmost importance that the grounds took centre stage”
Ben Heath – previously named Tables and Chairs – was established in 1999 originally sourcing fine quality dining sets and furniture from Britain and Europe. In 2002 they expanded into UK handmade sofas and interior design, and in 2007 Ben expanded the business into
kitchens and the very first kitchen was the Chichester from Neptune. One of the major challenges became a lack of UK and European furniture suppliers as more and more closed down due to Chinese imports. In 2012, mainly due to frustration of not finding the right quality or flexibility, Ben took the opportunity to make and design his own bespoke kitchens and furniture. The first workshop started o in a small barn located in Hungerford, Berkshire, but with high demand for their bespoke kitchens and furniture they moved and expanded the workshop in 2015 to a new unit, only 400 yards from their showroom. Being able to control the entire supply chain including having an in-house installations team places Ben Heath in a position to be able to o er first class quality and service. Today, they have an inspiring showroom, highlighting contemporary and classic kitchens with stateof-the-art appliances plus all the
accessories to make your space your own. They have room sets for you to fall in love with, where they showcase all their hand-made furniture, with soft lighting, flooring, fabrics, and luxurious soft furnishings, everything to enable you to imagine the setting in your home. Plus, they are champions of finding exclusive artists, such as Swin Edmonds, who is not only a local artist, but also an ex-colleague of theirs.
The showroom has an experienced team to assist customers with making the right choices on design, whether it be for a brand new kitchen, redesign of the living room, or a beautiful bespoke original piece of furniture to finish o a favourite space.
With a wealth of knowledge and 20-plus years of experience in bespoke furniture design and interiors, they know how to create beautiful homes. Whether you are renovating your entire home, upgrading your soft furnishings or starting afresh with your favourite room, their designer and installers will work with you to transform your existing space into the environment of your dreams. They look forward to turning your dreams into reality.
Charting the evolution of Ben Heath, from sourcing fine furniture to creating the kitchen of your dreams and more
We head inside a unique and characterful, spacious family home in Frieth and talk to the current owners about living in a part of history
By MARK KEBBLE
A We moved to Barlows in October 2010, so 12 years ago. We were living in a smaller cottage and were looking for something a little bigger as we had two children by then. It is the kind of house you fall in love with – the charm of the brick and flint style, the fabulous big kitchen, perfect location in the middle of the village yet with the most amazing garden, which we pictured our two boys playing and growing up in. It is also a minute or two walk from the village school, which we had planned for the boys to go to, and has two pubs in striking distance!
A The lady who lived at Barlows before us was an architectural historian, so we are fortunate to have the background she compiled on the house. Barlows is the name of the family that lived here for at least 400 years and there is a framed family tree, which we’ll leave with the
house. Sarah Barlows’ bible also remains with the house with a sweet ancient love letter tucked inside. The front wall onto the street has the date 1753 marked out in brick, possibly commemorating Richard Barlows’ birth that year.
During the 19th century, it was a beer house called the Royal Oak and the barrel hatch door still remains. There is gra ti carving in the inglenook fireplace probably from inn customers. The last spinster landlady, Ellen Barlow, left the house to the church and they then sold it to an architect.
He apparently made many alterations from 1929, including joining the Victorian barn and stables at the back to the cottage at the front with a connecting hallway, making it into the much bigger house it is today. Many improvements have been made over the years, but taking great care to preserve the history of the house. For example, lime mortar and plaster were used for redecorating and historical skirting boards were encased rather than removed so as to
preserve the walls. The owners before us built a fabulous timber framed kitchen and double garage and completely repaired the roof of the entire house, fully insulating it.
The electrics were completely overhauled, and extensive new exterior drainage installed around the house. Much of the roof water drains into either the traditional style well at the front of the house or a Victorian water storage ‘flask’ at the rear – an extremely useful source of garden water in a drought.
A Yes, lots of historical elements are visible. For example, the hallway and downstairs bedroom feature exposed flint walls on the inside, which make a wonderful feature. The oak cupboard door beneath the stairs in the original cottage is in a typical 1920s ‘mock-Tudor’ style. There are exposed timber beams in the ceilings in the playroom and original bedrooms and the old bricks in the fireplace.
A One of the first things we did was create a solar field at the bottom end of the garden out of sight. It was installed just in time to qualify for the government buy back scheme, which we are very glad of now with escalating energy costs. The garden is south-facing so it gets a lot of sun and we installed a 30kWh system consisting of 125 panels. It produces approximately 24,000 kW, which pays about £12,000 pa RPI linked and it reduces our electricity/energy bills by an estimated 30-40%. Because of this we installed electric under-floor heating in the big lounge and spare bedroom, so the house is lovely and warm through winter.
We built a second storey to the old barn part of the house to create a master bedroom suite, which has an amazing view down the length of the garden to the wild flower meadow. We put in a greenhouse and created a herb and rose garden with espalier fruit trees near the kitchen. We extended and updated the kitchen and utility with bespoke handmade units. We installed two log burners as we have a supply of logs from the garden – they’re super-e cient and the house is so cosy in winter, but lovely and cool in summer thanks to the thick walls.
In lockdown we also insulated the double garage in the garden, so it doubles as a games room for the kids and a gym. We installed a Swedish hot tub and built an outdoor seated circle – another lockdown project when the only way of seeing people was outside! We’ve done a lot of work in the garden – planting bulbs and late flowering plants in the borders so there’s a sea of colour from early spring through to late autumn. We extended the York paving outside the kitchen to create a great outdoor dining area with views of the garden and built a brick barbecue there too.
There is so much more that could be done with the garden and outbuildings if a new buyer wanted. For example, there’s room for a swimming pool and/or tennis courts. There used to be a tennis court so there’s a perfect flat space for it – we even have the old net up in the loft.
A It really is a great location with the best of both worlds – in the midst of the Chiltern Hills with gorgeous countryside for cycling, walking etc; but also within easy reach of the beautiful towns of Marlow and Henley and an easy commute into London – circa 45 to 50 minutes by car or half an hour by train from High Wycombe. Being in a village is
great – it’s a friendly and fun community with two great pubs, The Yew Tree is famous for its Sunday roasts. The Hambleden valley is on our doorstep and is so picturesque that the villages are often chosen as film locations for their quintessential English charm.
A The kitchen is big and opens onto a courtyard, which then connects to the outdoor dining area with the garden beyond. It makes a great space in summer for having people over.
The big lounge has lots of space so when we have lots of family, at Christmas for example, there’s plenty of room for us all to
hang out comfortably there, and with all the extra sleeping space in the annex and the log cabin people can stay very comfortably. Our teenage boys use the games room, hot tub and garden for having their friends over for parties and sleepovers. The outdoor circle is a gorgeous place to sit for drinks and food, especially with the great summer we just had, lighting the chimenea later into the evening. We installed an outdoor lighting scheme and it looks beautiful with the planting at night.
Q How would you sum up the look, feel and size of the bedrooms?
A The bedrooms are all a really good size, easily fitting double or king beds. We’ve gone for quite a contemporary style, but in keeping with the history of the house. The new master bedroom suite in particular is very modern. It has lots of wonderful natural light thanks to the large dormer and apex windows, as well as skylights. The en-suite has a big frameless glass shower, Brazilian slate, Mandarin stone basin, brushed nickel fittings. My eldest son has a great eye for design and has gone for a clean minimalist look for his room.
A I have three favourite rooms: the kitchen because it’s surrounded by gardens and spacious enough to entertain in; the big lounge because it is so comfortable and has double doors onto the garden; and our bedroom – the bed is strategically placed to look right down the garden so it’s my sanctuary for a weekend lie-in.
A The garden is an amazing tranquil space. In spring and summer the wild flower meadow murmurs with the sounds of nature – crickets, bees and birds all love
it. I love to sit on the day bed or the bench by the pond and listen to all the wildlife.
Q What are you currently using the annexe for?
A The lady who originally came to live with us as an au pair went on to become a vet and still lives there – she’s one of the family, so it’s lovely for us to still have her around.
Q There’s also a well and underground water tank too? How does it collect water and what do you use it for?
A Yes, the house has a lot of roof area and most of the rainwater drains into either the well at the front or the water tank at the back. We have a small pump which allows us to use this rainwater when we need to – particularly handy given the recent drought and hose pipe ban.
Q What will you miss most about the property when you leave?
A Lots! The garden is pretty unbeatable with so much outdoor space literally on the doorstep. Also, the peace and quiet –there’s very little tra c noise so we hear owls and other birds, see squirrels and pheasant, red kite. Our neighbours and friends in the village – there is such a nice community in Frieth. Although we’re not going far and will definitely keep in touch, I worry it won’t be quite the same.
To find out more about the property, contact Savills Henley on 01491 843 001
When you come to Ripples Newbury, our talented bathroom designers will work with you to create your dream bathroom right down to the smallest details. You just tell us what makes you happy and what turns you off. Show us your ideas, your colour palettes, your Pinterest boards, and your favourite ‘likes’ on Instagram. We’ll then blend all of our thoughts and ideas to deliver something truly exceptional.
From the moment you step into our showroom to the moment you step into your new bathroom, we make the whole process as smooth and stress-free as possible. It’s as easy as that. It’s the Ripples effect.
Get in touch. Let’s get the ideas flowing.
There’s a lot that goes into your bathroom before you do.
By SARAH BARCLAY
With the holiday season approaching, we start to think about how we’re going to decorate our homes. This can be a little daunting to some, particularly if like us, you’re going to be on trend and opting for a timeless look. The traditional red and green festive tones are a great place to start. Add elements of this to your home through oversized garlands wrapped around the staircases and make sure your external doors each have a big beautiful wreath hanging on them, using red, gold and silver decoration to embellish both the garlands and wreaths. This sets the tone on entry to your home and carries it through to your hallways. In the living room, think about adding in cushions, throws, ornaments and potentially some artwork, perhaps from a young upcoming artist, in further tones of red and green to continue the story. Flourishes of ribbons, stars and tassels in gold will finish o this traditional look.
If you’re after a a Winter Wonderland look that’s a little more subtle than our first suggestion, look to incorporate neutral tones and textures inspired by nature. On your co ee table, fill a large wooden bowl with pine cones, which will deliver a beautiful subtle scent in addition to adding visual texture to your room in muted tones. For your winter throws and cushions, place a woven wicker basket next to your sofas for a stylish and functional storage solution. Decorate your
fireplace with found branches that you can hang decorations o . Finish o with scented plants, such as eucalyptus, rosemary or heather placed in wooden vessels.
Create a festive atmosphere with multiple candles placed around the rooms you’ll be using this winter. From votives, to pillar and tapered candles, you can use di erent types that cast di erent types of light across the room. Consider the bulbs in your lamps, make sure they are warm light and not cool, the warm light will create a cosy and festive atmosphere – perfect for when hosting guests or snuggling up on your sofa.
Our final design tip is to use odd numbers and multiple sized items grouped together when styling up, this is an age old interior stylists trick and it creates visual interest and draws attention to the work you have done.
As you start to plan your holiday decorations for the end of the year, keeping these tips in mind will help you create a festive atmosphere while maintaining a timeless appeal.
SARAH BARCLAY is the founder of Barclay Interiors based in Ascot –for more information, visit barclay-interiors.com
“The traditional red and green festive tones are a great place to start your Christmas decorating”
It’s the most wonderful time of the year... but it can be challenging. Christmas seems to get more complicated and stressful every year, so we have laid out a few digital tricks to help your day run a little smoother.
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are two of the biggest shopping events of the year. People generally fall into two camps when it comes to these discountcrazy days – they either love scanning their favourite shops for deals, or hate the days and everything about them. The end of November might seem a bit early to be buying Christmas presents, but for the forward-thinkers it’s a great time
to snap up discounted presents for the family. Just make sure you can keep them hidden for a month! Speaking of which...
OPEN SOME PRESENTS EARLY We are not suggesting you tear through the wrapping paper and ruin the fun of Christmas morning, but some gifts can benefit from a bit of advanced planning. Have you bought a new laptop for your mum? Or maybe a PlayStation is sitting under the tree, waiting for the kids.
This kind of tech takes a while to set up, so rather than dealing with the little ones moaning all morning while the right games download, or struggling to cook Christmas dinner while simultaneously helping set up the new laptop, open them a few days early and do the set ups. You’ll thank us when you’re enjoying a relaxed Christmas morning in peace.
There’s no getting away from it, 25 December is a busy day. What should be a day of relaxation is usually packed with cooking, tidying up wrapping paper, watching Christmas TV and... maybe a little bit of champagne. It's the same for almost everyone, and it can seriously mess up those happy yuletide phone calls – especially if you’re calling someone who lives in a di erent time zone.
It might sound neurotic, but getting a schedule sorted in advance can make things much easier. Drop people a text or email a few days earlier letting them know you’re going to call them at a certain time to make sure you can actually get hold of them.
There’s no better time to see just how much your home would benefit from lightning-fast fibre broadband than the festive season. Worried about bu ering during your Christmas films binge or the internet slowing down when all the relatives join your Wi-Fi network? You can avoid it all by upgrading to Full Fibre broadband from Swish.
Swish's 10,000Mbps-capable broadband (*speed test taken on 28 May 2021. See SwishFibre.com for full details) is the fastest available in the UK – and to help you through the Christmas period, you can get the first six months for free when you take out an 18 month contract.
Make sure nothing slows your Christmas down this year. Join the world of Full Fibre and super-fast broadband by visiting SwishFibre.com
Over the last year we have been easing into the vogue for homes designed around our comfort, spaces created to make us calm, relaxed and content – while ticking o the good-looking box too. The contemporary home says ‘come on in’, ‘sit here,’ or ‘just do nothing for a moment’. We want our rooms to be deeply saturated with cosiness and comfort. Conjuring this mood becomes all the more challenging-yet-important in the depths of winter, the dark nights having a noticeably negative e ect on how we feel.
The key to a welcoming atmosphere is lighting. Imagine walking in from a long, cold day into a room lit with warm, rich, inviting brightness and it’s easy to envisage the e ect: shoulders dropping and spirits soaring.
The lighting designs shepherding us through the lengthening nights are based around simplicity and linearity, pendants made from elegant, slimline forms that range from the calligraphic – twisting and turning in mid-air – to the steadfastly straightened. Such considered minimalism creates a gentle glow, not the main source of light, but the finishing touch adding ambiance and setting the tone.
The Oneline pendant by artist Kasper Friis Kjeldgaard for Fritz Hansen is a sleek slash of brightness which rotates 360 degrees to cast light in any direction. “Creating something that appears simple is always the most complex,” says Kasper. At the other end of the linear spectrum is Cattelan Italia’s Nahun lamp by Studio Kronos, which seems almost typographical in its form. Its outer LED strip alight with an inconspicuous, di used glow ideal for a subtle dash of brightness. Lodes’s Elara pendant by Nika Zupanc is a pair of ultra-delicate rings, the loops silently interacting with and orbiting each other, while the Gravity Chandelier
by Paul Cocksedge for Moooi is made up of elegant flexible arms which fall naturally in flowing curves, the shapes defined by where its glass shades are positioned, the most modern and minimal of chandeliers.
Turned o , these contemporary pieces enrich spaces with their ornamental beauty, but it’s when switches are flicked that the true power is revealed. A room gently draped in an enriching, warm radiance is an invitation to hang up your coat, take your shoes o , and exhale. The right lighting soothes the soul, forming instant feelings of cosiness and turning the entire home into a luminous anti-winter den.
For the latest in lighting, visit chaplins.co.uk
“Imagine walking in from a long, cold day into a room lit with warm, rich brightness”
The Era Chandelier is an elegant statement lamp inspired by the clear lines and geometric shapes of the Art Deco movement.
With three opal glass globes resting effortlessly on a light, powder-coated iron structure, the chandelier has a feminine feel. £588 royaldesign.co.uk
The characterful Kufu lamp is made from recycled leather and comes in two neutral shades. It's set to so en with age and cast a warm, organic light. ligne-roset.com
Handcra ed from sustainably sourced FSC oak or walnut wood, the Semper Pendant features a centralised, cylindrical wooden frame secured by a solid brass axis and two rotating outer timber layers. £345 tomraffield.com
Alma is a collaboration between Original BTC and Swedish interior designer Beata Heuman. This beautiful china pendant features hand-painted detail and creates an ambient glow. £489 originalbtc.com
Simplicity and minimalism combine in the Stockholm pendant lamp. Designed with hand-coloured glass and a heavy marble base, add warmth to your dining table. £729 boconcept.com
By PENDLE HARTE
Through dedicated facilities with a decidedly senior school feel, access to flexi-boarding which provides the opportunity to establish whether boarding might fit at senior school and a cutting-edge Pre-Senior Baccalaureate (PSB) learning framework, Year 7 and 8 at St George’s School Windsor Castle provides the ultimate transition from prep to senior school, offering individualised support in a nurturing environment. stgwindsor.org
Are you taking the Veg Pledge this month? You may or may not know that Veg Pledge is an initiative founded by Cancer Research UK to invite you to ditch meat for a month. Not only is it a way to help raise funds for the charity, but also to educate and remind us of the importance of vegetables and fruit for our health, as well as helping the environment.
Whilst some of you reading this will already have vegetarian or vegan diets, some families may be interested in taking part in Veg Pledge. For others, it may not be suitable or recommended – or it may not be something with which you wish to participate. Whichever group you and your family might fall into, it is a good reminder of how important it is for our children to enjoy not only eating vegetables, but also to be involved in growing and cooking them – and, indeed, taking part in family mealtimes.
Children love to see things grow. Most families will have had experience of their small children growing cress seeds on cotton wool or blotting paper and seeing how quickly it grows. Even three-year-olds can harvest their crop of cress and eat the results of their labours in a sandwich.
As children grow older, why not provide a small patch in the garden, a window box or even an old bucket and let them buy a few packets of vegetable seeds. Such a seemingly simple task can bring joy, reward and also a sense of responsibility. If you don’t look after your seedlings or forget to water them, you quickly learn what happens! A couple of Christmases ago, I was given a wonderful surprise present of a beautiful wooden herb “theatre”, three tiered shelves with accompanying pots on which to grow herbs. I also shared the childlike joy of looking after my array of herbs and, sadly, learned what happens if you forget them for a few days.
If you want to bypass the growing phase, another idea is to go to the supermarket with your children and find a new and interesting vegetable each week. When our youngest child was little, that is exactly what we did. It is amazing how many weird, wonderful and interesting fruits and vegetables lurk in supermarket racks that often go unnoticed – some were delicious, some not so delicious – and for others, we had to research how to cook them. It was a short, but fun phase and we both learned about all sorts of unusual fruit and vegetables.
And then, of course, comes the cooking and the eating. If you can find time,
An initiative by Cancer Research UK aims to get us all eating more vegetables - and here’s how you and your family can enjoy the process too
even occasionally, to involve your young children in helping to prepare a meal (or, as they get older, cook an entire meal for the family), it is surprisingly rewarding – and educational – for all involved.
As we all know, eating together as a family, whatever the age of our children, is an important time together. Even though they are all grown up now, our increasingly
rare, family dinners are a highlight for us all. The dinners may be more sophisticated, the palates more discerning and certainly the glasses are filled with wine now, but those times are always special for Family Laidlaw.
So, take a few minutes to consider your Veg Pledge, not only for such an important cause, but also for the health benefits, the learning and the fun that it can bring to your family.
Sue Laidlaw is founder of Laidlaw Education LLP. Sue and her team o er educational advice, lessons and courses for children of all ages through their centres, including Laidlaw Hall supporting children with special needs, and the Laidlaw Virtual Academy. Find out more at laidlaweducation.co.uk or call 020 8487 9517
“Children love to see things grow”
The experience of boarding has been transformed over the past 20 years or so.
Boarding houses used to be austere; now they are very much homes-from-home: soft furnishings, cosy dorms, open social spaces, and modern kitchens are par for the course. They also used to be very hierarchical, with little interaction between year groups; now, senior pupils are trained as mentors for younger pupils, talking to them, helping them, keeping an eye on them, and also nurturing them just as elder siblings might do.
Sometimes the path to boarding can be paved with pragmatism, from considering the value of reduced commutes, to being able to participate more fully in cocurricular activities after school, there are many pros and cons to consider.
Of course, some parents and children will also have their reservations about moving from day to boarding.
For some pupils, the idea of boarding is daunting and something they would ordinarily avoid, but sometimes a fun-filled overnight taster experience can change perceptions or at least give pupils food for thought. It is worth spending some
time away from home before enrolling full time into a boarding school as this may help alleviate any preconceptions around what it is like to board. There is also a misconception that every child is an experienced boarder, which is rarely the case. Just recently we welcomed 15 new girls into our Year 7 cohort and only one of them had boarded before. It is often the case that pupils who choose to board at our main entry points (11+, 13+ and 16+) are completely new to boarding. They will have simply made the bold and brave decision to board, even though many of their friends will have progressed onto a day school.
Feeling nervous is understandable and for pupils this will involve an element of facing fears. Yet this is all part of the boarding process, and it is entirely natural for some pupils to have a bit of a wobble after a few days in their new environment – this is
From day to boarding: the Deputy Head of Downe House School on facing up to common fears
“Feeling nervous is understandable and for pupils this will involve an element of facing fears”
when supportive House Sta come into their own. In most cases, the busy schedule of the school day means that pupils will be naturally tired by the evening, and their adrenaline will have run a bit low. What is wonderful to see is how, with the right support, they soon pick themselves up again and how they also love supporting and helping one another. The spirit of team and camaraderie is all part of what makes boarding schools such special places.
The truth is, in the first few weeks, it
is inevitable that parents will worry about how their child is getting on in their boarding house. In most cases it is parents who will worry more than their child. One of the Year 8 boarders at Downe House who used to feel anxious from time to time, once shared some wise words from her father with me. “My dad gave me some good advice,” she said.
“He told me not to spend more than five minutes worrying about something that will not a ect me in five years’ time.”
downehouse.net
What does your school offer?
Its commitment to and delivery of a truly global education that allows young women to be the best versions of themselves within an immensely supportive, compassionate but no less aspirational community.
The school believes that all pupils should be international and global citizens. To that end, we have a rich and exciting global programme including opportunities for pupils to spend time overseas, as well as experiencing and learning about other countries and cultures as part of their education. In Year 8 all pupils have the opportunity to spend a term at Downe House Sauveterre in France, where they learn the language and culture of France, whilst in Year 10 and Year 12, there are opportunities to visit one of our partner schools across the globe for anything from five days to five weeks as part of our Global Schools’ Exchange Programme.
The Downe House DNA (Eight characteristics that are at the core of our education – collaboration, creativity, resilience, compassion, communication, aspiration, outwardlooking and digital competency) underpin our broad and balanced curriculum and education. Pupils will be expected to develop skills in the classroom as well as outside it. They will learn to communicate their ideas both orally and in writing; they will work collaboratively; they will be given the opportunity to lead as well as work as part of a team; they will be competent digitally (the school is a Microso Showcase School) and much more. Knowledge is also delivered both inside and outside the classroom through lessons, clubs, societies, a culture of reading, academic enrichment and other activities. Tutors and Housestaff monitor this regularly and pupils review their own acquisition of skills and knowledge regularly and take ownership of their development and assess and record their progress on the platform, Unifrog.
not come so easily, an independent school is likely to identify where they would benefit from support and also have the resources to help them achieve their full potential.
Each year, around half of Year 7 pupils join Pangbourne College from state primary schools. So why do so many parents choose a fee-paying school for their child’s senior education? To begin with, there are many practical benefits for busy working families used to juggling school runs with mealtimes, after-school lessons and clubs. Independent schools generally o er a longer day fi lled with co-curricular activities, alongside academic learning. Boarding schools with day pupils o er even longer days – with the option of having all meals provided, plus the opportunity to stay overnight on an occasional basis.
It’s generally acknowledged that independents can o er a far greater range of non-academic activities. At Pangbourne there are opportunities to
try things such as rowing, horse riding, clay pigeon shooting and yoga. There are also organised visits to interesting places – from London’s V&A Museum to the Nabugabo Learning Centre in Uganda.
If a child has a particular interest in, say, sport, music, drama or art it can be challenging for state schools to find the resources to nurture their enthusiasm. Independents are likely to have specialist teachers and facilities that ensure that children can both discover and develop their talents. Most importantly for some parents, an independent education can lead to better academic results. Class sizes are usually much smaller, which means that teachers can spend more time with individual pupils. Children who have the potential to achieve top grades are more likely to receive the stretch they need. Conversely, for students who find that academic achievement does
With a combination of academic results and opportunities to pursue interests, independently educated children are also encouraged to develop ‘soft skills’, including resilience, adaptability and leadership. These skills set them in good stead for life after school. There’s usually a strong alumni network to call upon for support and guidance on next steps. These networks and connections can be invaluable in helping to choose and build a career path. Another key benefit is the strong social ties that are built up over the five to seven years that a child is at an independent senior school. These are valued by parents and teachers alike and enrich the whole school and wider community. At Pangbourne, our parents’ association organises social events such as dog walks, an annual ball and the Christmas Market. Our boarding house structure o ers many more opportunities for families to come together at dinners, barbecues and at our College Sundays.
At the end of the day, an independent education is a significant investment in a child’s future. The key is to consider all the elements important to you and find the school which is the right fit for your child and for your family life. If you find a school which o ers all these benefits, it will be a very good investment indeed.
The Deputy Head of Pangbourne College considers why so many parents opt for an independent school for their child’s senior years
SAMANTHA GREENWOOD
Deputy Head, Pangbourne College
“There are practical benefits – independent schools o er a longer day fi lled with co-curricular activities”
Local independent boarding school for girls, Downe House, has celebrated 100 years at its woodland campus in Cold Ash with a special Founder’s Weekend Festival where pupils, staff, alumnae and 100 members of the local community came together to enjoy exquisite theatrical and musical performances, sporting events, beautiful art displays and a special centenary exhibition. Adorned with colourful festival flags, the school campus welcomed its largest ever community gathering for a spectacular weekend of talent. The weekend was designed to celebrate and champion the extraordinary accomplishments of the school’s talented young women as well as to bring neighbours from the local community together for the first time, many of whom were able to enjoy a Moving Memories performance where pupils brought to life key moments from the school’s rich history through a stunning dance showcase. Visitors also enjoyed a stunning display of artwork along with a history tour of the campus and the Centenary Exhibition – finished off with a sumptuous a ernoon tea. downehouse.net
As part of its annual harvest celebration, St George’s School Windsor Castle collected more than 30 bags of packaged foods to give to local charity, Windsor Foodshare, to help tackle food poverty in the local area this winter. Donated by parents and staff over a period of weeks, the consignment was delivered to the charity during the October half term holiday by Emma Adriano, the school’s deputy head and head of pre-prep. In parallel, numerous donations were also collected for Battersea Old Windsor, including dog treats and food. “Harvest is a time to reflect on and give thanks for what we have, as well as to share with others who are not as fortunate
Autumn is a magnificent season and one that is filled with wonder for young children. It provides a whole host of learning opportunities which Jubilee takes full advantage of! The Jubilee name has become synonymous with high quality outdoor learning while providing a caring, safe learning environment where your child will be happy, nurtured and encouraged to develop and achieve their potential. They enjoy getting out and about whatever the weather and are passionate about outdoor play and learning. They are fortunate to have 60 acres of open countryside, private woodland and their own working farm for the children to enjoy. Their ethos of ‘learning by doing’ – both inside and out, every day – is evident through all that they do! To order a prospectus or book a visit, please contact: Jubilee Day (full-time) 0118 970 1600, jubileedaynursery.co.uk Jubilee Gems (term-time) 0118 983 4018, jubileegems.co.uk
as we are,” Emma says. “Given the current economic climate, we are especially grateful to our school community for giving so generously this year.”
stgwindsor.org
Marlow Film Studios has a vision and clear ambition to provide and operate land for the purposes of public outdoor recreation, as part of its proposal to deliver a worldleading, state-of-the-art film studio.
The planning application for the 89-acre site has been submitted to Buckinghamshire Council and allows for a quarter of the whole site to be dedicated to recreation or wildlife – with the aim of securing community benefits for the long-term.
The proposed studio will be located on the former landfill site which sits alongside the A404 Westhorpe Junction in Little Marlow, and within this transformed landscape will be a richly biodiverse, safe, and well-maintained recreational space for the whole community to enjoy.
There will be an enhanced lakeside pathway alongside the fishing lakes to the south of the site, which will continue to be enjoyed by the local angling communities. There are proposals for a new step-free cycle and pedestrian path alongside the A404 from the A4155 to the Volvo Bridge and, with the agreement of the third-party landowner, to Fieldhouse Lane, which will connect into Marlow Town Centre and on to the Thames Path to the south.
There will be a building dedicated to community use as well as a new café on the right of way which currently runs through the site, which will be resurfaced. Low level lighting across the whole site will aid safety and security and is an important factor for local people.
Mark Skoyles, chair of Marlow Living Streets, a charity organisation of volunteers committed to promoting local walking,
active travel and transport infrastructure that prioritises the movement of people safely and sustainably, says of the proposal: “Active travel, the benefits of it and encouraging safe alternatives is a key priority of Marlow Living Streets and support from neighbouring landowners who share a vision of connecting up accesses in order to realise the benefits for the wider community is really beneficial.
“A bettercycling route between Marlow and Bourne End which is away from busy tra c and can be used without the need to dismount is great news. As an alternative to car travel, this would reduce tra c on already busy main roads like the A4155 and also be much less dangerous. This route is about delivering more sustainable, attractive choices for our community.”
If you would like further information about Marlow Film Studios visit marlow.film
We take a more detailed look at what the proposed Marlow Film Studios is set to bring to the county
why everyone is talking about…
