Absolutely West Essex September 2021 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

WEST ESSEX

West Essex SEPTEMBER 2021

PLUS GABRIELLA RYAN

The local model with a surprising side •

CRATE EXPECTATIONS SEPTEMBER 2021

Meet some of the stars at Loughton's creative hub •

SPECIAL News and views from all the best schools

DESIGN THROUGH THE DECADES

Celebrating 50 years of Epping's Lathams

Back in

ABSOLUTELY-WESTESSEX.CO.UK

TIME Camilla turns back the clock at Loughton's Zee & Co

ST YLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT ABS_West Essex_September21_COVER_MK.indd 3

27/08/2021 14:02

INFO@RKSIGNATURELIVING.COM 020 8532 5959

RK JOINERY DPS_V1.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:47

NEW BUILDS, EXTENSIONS, COMPLETE RE-MODELS & INTERIOR DESIGN. From initial architectural design through to completion.

RKSIGNATURELIVING.COM

RK JOINERY DPS_V1.indd 2

27/08/2021 10:47

RICKY PAUL.indd 1

26/08/2021 13:21

ABSOLUTELY

Contents SEPTEMBER 2021

94 14

C U LT U R E AGENDA

FOOD & DRINK 54 FOOD NOTES

GABRIELLA RYAN

56 THE GALLERY

The best events in September

The West Essex model to watch

The best places to dine or drink out

South Woodford's popular bar and brasserie

24 CRATE LOUGHTON

60 RECIPES

FA S H I O N & B E AU T Y 30 ANOUSKA GEORGIA

INTERIORS 92 LATHAMS HOME

36 THE SHOOT

48 MAYA AESTHETICS

101 SHEER GLASS

Visiting the area's creative hub

The latest from the fashion houses

Camilla at Loughton's Zee & Co

The community midwife with big plans

Dishes from The Social Pantry

Celebrating 50 years in Epping

BEDROOMS Top trends for your comfort zone

Add some shine to your dining room

A B S O L U T E LYW E S T E S S E X .C O. U K The online guide to inspirational living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes. O N T H E C OV E R Courtesy of Camilla (camilla.com)

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_CONTENTS.indd 5

27/08/2021 14:06

The Creek is a multi award winning family run restaurant and bar owned by Terence and Caroline Howard and offering classical British dishes with a European influence using only the best locally sourced ingredients

EDITOR MARK KEBBLE DIGITAL EDITOR LAYLA TURNER ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNER MIKE ROBERTS SAMANTHA SCOTT MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MEDIA CONSULTANTS TANIA BOHRN, CLAIRE YATES 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

HAPPY HOUR 2 Cocktails For £10 Wednesday - Friday 6pm - 7pm

For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07968 757 129 or email: tania@zest-media.com

Autumn & Winter plans coming soon! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date on what’s happening, new dishes, booking availability & more. We look forward to welcoming you with a smile.

Studio G06, Wenlock Studios, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU; 020 7704 0588 Zest Media Publications Ltd. cannot accept responsibility for unsolicited submissions, manuscripts and photographs. While every care is taken, prices and details are subject to change and Zest Media Publications Ltd. take no responsibility for omissions or errors. We reserve the right to publish and edit any letters. All rights reserved. Social icon

Circle Only use blue and/or white. For more details check out our Brand Guidelines.

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYWESTESSEX T wi t t e r @ABSOLUTELYWESTE In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELYWESTESSEX

The Creek

We b si t e

Flag Hill • Greta Bentley • Colchester • Essex - CO7 8RE

absolutely-westessex.co.uk

Tel: 01206 586435 or 01255 317950 thecreekgreatbentley.co.uk

THE CREEK HALF PAGE.indd 1

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_FLANNEL.indd 6

27/08/2021 10:09

27/08/2021 16:40

Editor’s

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S September issue highlights

The Gallery

Dining out at South Woodford's bar and brasserie

t was 20 years ago that Zoolander, the fashion send up comedy starring Ben Stiller, came out. I loved it. I always thought the fashion industry was a little bonkers and this film hit all the right notes in making me realise why (although I didn't care too much for the sequel). The film popped into my head again when I was interviewing West Essex model, Gabriella Ryan. Not because of anything to do with her being silly or stupid – she was the complete opposite – but more because of the other side to the industry that I have heard about in the past, the darker side, the side where models are treated badly and then cast aside when a brand decides their face doesn't quite fit any more. But Gabriella Ryan is a sane voice and I really enjoyed talking to her. She admits that it's a tough industry, but given her enthusiasm for it, and the fact she is excitedly looking into other avenues to do with fashion, suggests it has looked after her rather well. I reckon she's one to keep an eye on in the future. I hope you love our rather striking cover image this month, too. It comes courtesy of the brand Camilla, who we have seen on the rails at Zee & Co in Loughton. It's out there, just as we like it – and I can just imagine Derek Zoolander sporting some of their clothes too on the catwalk. I hope you enjoy the issue.

Mark Kebble MARK KEBBLE EDITOR

Education Special

G eorge Bullard Goes exploring in Epping Forest

Touch of glass

Make your kitchen and dining room shine

Gabriella Ryan

The West Essex model with many strings to her bow

Including a debate about the relevance of exams

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_EDS LETTER_MK (Conflicted copy from LAPTOP-56RU4N19 on 2021-08-27).indd 7

27/08/2021 15:13

Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love COMPILED BY

L I L AC TIME

Aspiga's mission is to work responsibly towards a more socially and environmentally conscious future, putting people and the planet first. That’s why they only partner with ethical suppliers, using the best sustainable materials to design beautiful, contemporary and stylish pieces that are intended to last, such as this Carella embroidered organic cotton midi dress. £135 aspiga.com

PURPLE HAZE

The Tadi Blouse by Christian Wijnants comes in a classic check pattern, printed on a summer-ready lightweight fabric cut to a loose fit. It’s finished with a stand-up collar and tie-up details at the cuffs. £410 couvertureandthegarbstore.com

EDITOR’S PICK

U LT R A V I O L E T

G O W I T H T H E F LOW 'Henley 1870' is a new design that incapsulates Henley, the River and Hobbs. All hoodies and t-shirts are made from recycled materials. hobbsofhenley.com

Urbanears' Luma wireless headphones not only sound great and connect seamlessly, but they come in a wide range of unusual hues. Our favourite is this ultra violet. £79.99 urbanears.com

PENDLE HARTE

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_Wishlist_MK.indd 8

27/08/2021 00:11

ABSOLUTELY • LOVES

C O L O U R WAY British designer Jessica Russell Flint creates vibrant, entirely unique hand-illustrated prints, with luxury products ranging across accessories, clothing, sleepwear and homeware. Inspired by life’s eccentricities and with a love for colour and texture, Russell Flint transforms the ordinary into designs like you've never seen before. jessicarussellflint.co.uk

S TA R Q U A L I T Y

French brand Louisa Bracq is new to the fold at Amelie's Follies with its range of stylish shapes in all cup sizes ameliesfollies.co.uk

D R ES S TO IMPRESS

This stunning dress ring is crafted in 18ct white gold and features a beautiful marquise cut amethyst with a partial diamond set rub-over surround. £595 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

LOCK D OW N

T WO TO N E

The new shade in Mustard's colourful locker collection is lilac. Here's the Lowdown in lilac. £249 mustardmade.com

Bella Freud's new Baby Blue jumper in merino wool with two colour jacquard is high on our autumn wishlist. £295 bellafreud.com

WRITE ON

The new collection reinvents Caran d'Ache's iconic 849 ballpoint pen with an array of new shades including this stylish violet. £39.99 papersmiths.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_Wishlist_MK.indd 9

27/08/2021 00:11

STN.indd 1

27/08/2021 11:12

C U LT U R E

TOP DOG QUEEN VIC CRUFTS, 4 SEPTEMBER

After the success of last year's online Queen Vic Crufts, the Theydon Bois favourite is bringing it back bigger and better than before whilst raising money for a great cause. Starting at 1pm, this is a doggy fun-day to raise money for the Love for Libby campaign and the Anthony Nolan charity, as they team up with local dog trainer Rachel, from Rach's Rambles, and local groomer Georgia from G's Grooming. Coppice Row, Theydon Bois, Epping CM16 7ES

Agenda 14 • Gabriella Ryan 16 • Crate Loughton 24 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_CULTURE OPENER_MK.indd 11

27/08/2021 00:08

CULTURE • COLUMN

RAISE A GLASS

This month Haifa Live celebrates the great British pub, with one in particular in West Essex catching her eye

T HAIFA’S

Top Tips for September

Best Outdoor Space

The Merry Fiddlers, Epping Best Unique Private Hire

The Crate, Loughton

THE RAILWAY BAR & GRILL

he humble public house is very much a part of British culture. It’s a place to bring friends and family together, support local and upcoming talent, and here in West Essex we have plenty to choose from. Sadly, the restrictions and lockdowns have left some in a very difficult situation having to find or create outdoor space to host guests and come up with creative solutions to get through the last 18 months. In true British fashion I shall touch briefly on the weather and say it has given the entertainment industry another point of contention to deal with, to say the least. I do not think an event has passed that we haven’t used a marquee… However, just as the cream rises to the top, I also happened upon this quote that I think resonates with our wonderful entertainment business: “It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive, but those who can best manage change.” And change is exactly what this venue I am introducing some of you to has done. Since purchasing what is now The Railway Bar & Grill back in 2015, publican Denis Young has truly turned this pub around. What was your typical “old school boozer” has now become one of the best live music hubs within the local area. Complete with a full in-house sound system to enable up and coming artists to turn up, plug in and play at ease, they are a real supporter of live music acts, DJs and weekly and monthly showcases,

it has also become the perfect place to hire for any private event or celebration. Lockdown did not stop Denis from investing in the outside space, which now has a stretch canopy, heaters, outside speakers and a children’s play area. I am always speaking to locals and the resounding feedback is “there is nowhere to go to dance, meet new people and have a good night out”, so here is your chance to try a local venue that has put real effort into creating a space for exactly that. Check them out at therailwaybarandgrill. com – I am always on the lookout for new venues so, my lovely readers, if you think there are places worth putting on the map do get in touch. CATC H H A I FA L I V E

Melin Chigwell accompanied by live sax for Haifa’s only residency in Essex, every Thursday. Booking line 0208 506 0382 Sunday 5 September - tickets to the Haifa Live Boat party are now available to buy at skiddle.com, where Haifa will be performing club classics on a stunning yacht over two floors from 2-6pm Sunday 26 September – My Soul Sunday, all day event with Haifa plus special guests, venue to be announced @haifalive and @singitevents

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_HAIFA COLUMN_MK.indd 12

27/08/2021 14:10

TG.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:59

The Agenda

S E PT E M B E R ' S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

EV E N T

Beekeeper for a day 12 September COPPED HALL Eric Beaumont is an experienced beekeeper, who manages 40 colonies and is currently chairman of Epping Forest Beekeepers Association. This workshop will take you inside working beehives to discover the world of the honeybee and its management, demonstrate equipment required by a bee-keeper and give an overview of the bee-keeping year. coppedhalltrust.org.uk

EV E N T

Wanstead Vintage WA NSTE A D U NI TE D R E FO R M C HU RCH • 4 SEPTEMBER

Following on from their succesful event back in June, the team behind Wanstead Vintage return with another glamorous event at the start of September. Expect two halls ﬁlled with genuine, affordable vintage fashion and accessories, alongside furniture, homewares, collectables, haberdashery, vinyl and brocante items. wansteadvintage.com

F I L M

Nightflix 13 September-3 October C O LC H E ST E R Grab your pretzels, biersteins and Lederhosen! NightFlix Drive-in cinema is bringing a taste of Germany to its Colchester site with its ﬁrst Oktoberfest festival. As part of the week-long festivities, the venue will be showing beloved 80s classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, famous for its German parade scene set to Twist and Shout by the Beatles. nightﬂix.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_September2021_Culture_Agenda_EM.indd 14

27/08/2021 14:13

CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

EV E N T

Ongar Market 5 September H I G H S T R E E T, O N G A R Ongar Town Forum have announced the revival of the tradition going back to Saxon times of a market in Ongar. Following a successful initial launch in August, the market will continue on the ﬁrst Sunday of the month. A variety of stalls will be in the Pleasance car park - next to Chipping Ongar Library in the High Street - from 10am until 2pm. A proper market for locals and visitors alike. visiteppingforest.org

PAST LIVES The pick of Essex events during Heritage Open Days

CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL

On this virtual tour, the Dean of Chelmsford will give us a real insight into the history of the building and its purpose from medieval times to the present day. The tour ﬁnishes at the highest point of the cathdral, the spire, so it's sure to be one to remember. chelmsfordcathedral.org.uk

EV E N T

HAVEN HOUSE AUTUMN BALL

This Month’s Must See

29 September LO N D O N M A R R I OT T H OT E L TV stars Mark Wright and Rochelle Humes will be among a string of famous faces to attend Haven House Children Hospice’s annual Autumn Ball. The auction will take centre stage with prized lots including a one-week stay for 10 guests at the magniﬁcent Azzurra Castle on Grenada in the West Indies. havenhouse.org.uk

CHELMSFORD CATHEDRAL

ALL SAINTS CHURCH

Explore this beautiful Tudor church in Brentwood, with wonderful views out over the surrounding countryside. A relaxed and informal open day, offering the opportunity to ﬁnd out more about some of the fascinating stories in All Saints' past. all-saints-east-horndon. co.uk/index.asp

W H E R E TO BE L ONG 9 S E PTEMBER • HARLOW PLAYHOUSE

his is the tender, moving autobiographical story of artist and performer Victor Esses’ journey to ﬁnd home. Esses is Jewish-Lebanese, Brazilian, and gay; this is an exploration of how to ﬁnd your place in a rich and complex world of identities. What actually is home? If we had to leave where we live today, where would we go and what would we take? Expect a powerful performance. harlowplayhouse.co.uk

BOURNE MILL

This ﬁlm, specially made for Heritage Open Days, takes you on a guided tour of this remarkable building, Colchester's only National Trust property. It is presented by local historian Peter Evans. Bourne Mill was originally built as a ﬁshing lodge by Thomas Lucas in 1591. nationaltrust.org.uk/bournemill

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_September2021_Culture_Agenda_EM.indd 15

27/08/2021 14:13

PAUL PHULL PHOTOGRAPHY

“It's a blessing and a curse to be a model. There are two sides to it”

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sept21_LEAD PROFILE_MK.indd 16

27/08/2021 00:17

CULTURE • INTERVIEW

M O D E L

PROFESSIONAL Whether it’s due to her catwalk work, stage credits or TV presenting, West Essex’s Gabriella Ryan is a name to remember By

MARK KEBBLE

ooking at the resume of Gabriella Ryan, it’s pretty difficult to know where to start. Maybe we can touch upon her experience as a dancer, or an expert at physical theatre, then again interviewing and working as a TV presenter is probably something interesting to bring up. She’s also a skilled athlete, gymnast, horse rider, runner, and is even a dab hand at kickboxing. If that’s not enough you can throw balloon modelling, stilt walking and DJing into the mix too. “Any skills from when you are younger can carry you through,” she says modestly, “because you never know when you are going to need them for a job.” Brentwood local Ryan is certainly keeping her options open, but to date is well-known for her extensive modelling work. Discussing her break in the industry, Ryan suggests it was not always a given

she would hit the catwalk. “For me, as a model, there were two points,” she says. “There was getting scouted as a child, and then there was the age that I decided to do this as profession, which for me was at around 17. When I was in my early teens at school, I was very much not into modelling, I didn’t think it was cool. I wanted to hang out with my friends. I went through that phase. But then, at 17, I decided I could make a career out of it and just threw myself in the deep end. It was around 18 when - I don’t like to say big break about myself – but I started getting nice gigs. And it all took off from there.” For the last few years, Ryan has worked with some of the leading brands in the industry, but is quick to point out it hasn’t all been straight-forward. “It’s a blessing and a curse to be a model,” she says. “There’s two sides to it. Rejection is absolutely brutal and it does make you question everything about yourself and

your life, which isn’t great. I have done so many other jobs that people haven’t seen along the way. I have dressed up as a princess at children’s birthday parties because the money wasn’t coming in from modelling. But then there’s the amazing side, having the most wonderful experiences where you are treated so well. It is a double-edged sword.” Has she always been a natural in front of the camera? “When I was young, I loved being in front of a camera,” she smiles. “I was a free spirit as a kid, I loved dressing up, but as I have got older I do still get paranoid, scared about angles. It actually gets more like that the longer you have been doing it, because your standards go up as well. I am probably my own biggest critic! “The best advice I can give anybody doing [modelling] is to know yourself,” she says on others starting out in the business. “You have to have a thick skin, but at the same time never take anything A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sept21_LEAD PROFILE_MK.indd 17

27/08/2021 00:18

241 cocktails • Happy hour on selected cocktails every Wednesday - Friday • 17:00 - 20:00

I T’S T IM E TO B RUNCH Every Wednesday & Thursday • 17:00 - 21:00 Every Saturday • 12:00 - 15:30 Main Course + 90 minutes of bottomless prosecco £28.50. Per Person • Upgrade to cocktails £35.50

PRI VATE D IN ING UP TO 16 GUESTS • EXCLUSIVE MENU • AVAILABLE WEDNESDAY - SUNDAY BOOK YOUR TABLE TODAY RESERVATIONS@THEGALLERYBARANDBRASSERIE.CO.UK 020 3976 7118 | 159-161 HIGH ROAD | SOUTH WOODFORD | LONDON | E18 2PA WWW.THEGALLERYBARANDBRASSERIE.CO.UK

TG.indd 1

23/07/2021 14:19

CULTURE • INTERVIEW KICKBOXING IS JUST ONE OF HER SKILLS

SHE LOVES LOCAL WALKS

“Be yourself and never change for anyone or any job” personally because half the time it isn’t personal. Be yourself and never change yourself for anyone or any job. If you keep that in mind, then it’s the best job ever.” If any of this sounds like Ryan has moved on from modelling, think again. It’s still very much a part of her career, she’s just tapping more into those multitude of skills she has banked in the past. “My focus right now is TV, more specifically presenting,” she explains. “A downside to modelling is you don’t get to show your personality very much. Now I am a bit older I would love to be able to do that – I love to chat, I love to just relax and be myself. I’d love to present fashion segments and lifestyle, anything for young people as that’s a big thing for me. With the work I have done, I have been through the pressures of growing up.” Like all of us, Ryan has had a period of reflection thanks to the many lockdowns, SHE CALLS BRENTWOOD HOME

but says she has learnt from that time. “The biggest thing for me was taking a step back,” she says, unsurprisingly given the many plates she spins. “I think anyone who is self-employed can relate to that. I realised I never gave myself a minute off and that I had not been looking after myself properly. I had been so busy people pleasing I just had not been prioritising myself, and I noticed so many changes to how I was feeling in my body, in my skin, my overall health and it was really good for me [to take a step back]. I am trying to carry that into my working routine now.” Which is important as she explains she is “super busy” once again, with a current role involving one of those aforementioned skills. “The job I am learning to DJ for is Bingo Loco,” she laughs. “It’s basically a bingo rave party, it’s the best fun ever and I am now learning to DJ, which has been a challenge. I never settle, I am always looking for new brands and people to work with.” Who knows where Gabriella Ryan may pop up in the future, but it will be fun finding out. See bingo-loco.com for more on Gabriella Ryan’s latest adventure

Gabriella Ryan's LO C A L LOV E S

How long have you lived in Brentwood? I have lived here for two years. I moved to Brentwood from London, and I absolutely love the balance of it. I love we have got some countryside, but we are close to the city for work. I don’t miss living in London particularly. For me, I grew up in North Norfolk, so I really grew up in the country, so having these walks we have around Brentwood is great. And the community feel as well, where everyone helps everyone out, and that’s something that really drew me to it. Do you have favourite spots in the area? My favourite places genuinely are some of the walks. Two of my favourites are Thorndon Country Park and the Merrymeads Country Park. I spent lots of time down there, doing shoots, taking walks, because I am a country girl at heart and they are some of my favourite places to go. There’s a little café, too, Woodland Café, which is one my favourites as well. It’s really beautiful there.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sept21_LEAD PROFILE_MK.indd 19

27/08/2021 00:19

GEORGE BULLARD PHOTOGRAPHED IN EPPING FOREST

G Get to know…

GEORGE BULLARD CATC H I N G U P W I T H T H E E X P LO R E R I N E P P I N G F O R E ST, A B S O LU T E LY W E ST E S S E X F I N D S O U T A B O U T SW I M M I N G T H E C H A N N E L , K AYA K I N G AC R O S S A N O C E A N A N D T R E K K I N G T H E A R C T I C B y K AT I E T R A X T O N

eorge Bullard, explorer. The world may not know his name (yet), but he certainly knows the world and could, most recently, be spotted exploring our small corner of it, in the form of Epping Forest. The question I’m most often asked when I mention Bullard is whether explorers still exist, and, if so, what it is they’re still discovering in 2021? At only 32 years of age, George is as ‘millennial’ as they come – he even has an enrapt and thriving community on Instagram (@georgebullardexplorer) – yet his adventures tell a timeless story of endurance, determination and revelation. This world-record breaking explorer states his ‘purpose’ as ‘rewilding humans’. Not quite at one with the best of TOWIE. Or is it? Rewilding is more than a physical state, it encompasses mindfulness, selfawareness and discovery of who you are. At a time when we’ve all been struck by lockdown lightning, the mental health pandemic is as prevalent as the world’s best-known virus, and Bullard would argue that in the sprawling green and blue of Epping Forest, we have unbound therapy on our doorsteps. But where do we start on our journey of outdoors enlightenment?

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN: SWIMMING THE CHANNEL

“My parents gave me the confidence to say yes to challenges and adventures, which most people would have said no to because of a fear of failure or of risking too much, including their life. “It really started with being given the opportunity at the age of 14 to join a team of six that swam across the English Channel. It was a daunting task even undertaken together. It took real gumption to take the

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_LOCAL PROFILE_George Bullard_MK.indd 20

27/08/2021 14:17

CULTURE • PROFILE

“WE SET OUT TO WALK JUST UNDER 1,500 MILES OVER 113 DAYS WHEN I WAS 19-YEARS-OLD”

A POLAR ADVENTURE WAS THE MAKING OF BULLARD

first stroke towards France and then to stick at it for another 10 hours and 49 minutes. “Off the back of the success of that trip, we had the confidence to go on and do other swims like it, around Barbados, around Manhattan Island, New York and around Lake Geneva, all of which we attempted before we’d left school. “Those swims were inspired by our swimming coach who’s still a friend today. Hats off to him, he really led from the middle – there wasn’t a single training session he set that he wasn’t prepared to do himself.”

INTO THE UNKNOWN: TREKKING ACROSS THE ARCTIC

SWIMMING IN SLIGHTLY WARMER CLIMES

“I left school with a belief in myself that whatever opportunity came my way I would be able to give it my best shot. However impossible an opportunity may seem at first, ‘leaving nothing in the

changing room’ may sound like a glib phrase, but it’s very true. If you do fail at least you know you gave it everything you had and you can be happy with that. “So when a guy said to me, ‘Do you want to come and break the world record for the longest fully unsupported polar journey?’ without really thinking about it, or indeed asking his name, I said ‘yes’. We set out to walk just under 1,500 miles over 113 days when I was 19-years-old. Our record in the Arctic still stands today. It was a pivotal adventure for me that carved my personality. “My dad said that the expedition would change me and that I would come back a different human and he was absolutely right. Maybe because on Day 104 when we hadn’t seen another human being, hadn’t seen the colour green, nor sat down on a chair – we were either lying, kneeling or walking pulling kit behind us in a sledge A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_LOCAL PROFILE_George Bullard_MK.indd 21

27/08/2021 00:44

THE STUNNING AZORES

– we ran out of food. We lived for the last nine days of the expedition off fat, butter effectively and whatever remaining scraps of oats we could find in the bottom of our sledges – what you feed the birds in winter. “That situation is one that it’s hard to comprehend. If you extrapolate the situation at the start of the pandemic, imagine walking into a supermarket and not being able to find any food. Suddenly, your existence and survival seems in doubt. That mental and physical journey over the Arctic ice cap was pretty formative and changed my perspective on life on this planet. It made me much more grateful for every plate of food, each shower, and having a bed to sleep in.”

JOIN THE JOURNEY: TOURS FOR TRAVELLERS

“Inspired by what the outdoors has done for me, I got involved in IGO adventures (igoadventures.com), creating and coordinating unique adventure holidays with purpose. We shape original itineraries off the beaten track around the world for individuals and groups including families.

“THERE WAS AN OVERWHELMING FEELING OF VULNERABILITY, OF BEING EXPOSED WITH SO MUCH BEYOND OUR CONTROL” “One trip we ran was to the Azores archipelago. It blends sea sailing and kayaking with climbing and hiking the highest mountain on Portuguese soil – a volcano. Everyone also learns about and gets involved in conservation efforts to protect indigenous birdlife and monitor whale migration. “Our vision to rewild humans isn’t about telling people what’s out there. It isn’t even about showing them the world. We want them to own their experience. It comes back to the Italian proverb: ‘Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach him how to fish and you feed him for his lifetime.’ We don’t want to give people the holiday of a lifetime in the wild, we want to introduce them to a wide world of unknowns set for discovery over the course of that lifetime.”

MISSION POSSIBLE: KAYAKING THE NORTH SEA

“The book Searching for Finland by Norman Rogers documents the arrival of a Finnman in a kayak in 1728 in Aberdeen. Three days after arriving he died. It remains a mystery how or why he came to make this epic trip. “You can still visit his kayak today and interestingly it’s actually a traditional Greenlandic, not Finnish, kayak, carrying traditional Greenlandic hunting implements. So, inspired by his journey, a friend and I decided to retrace what we believed to be his path and spent six weeks kayaking 1,200 nautical miles from Greenland to Scotland in 2016. “Over the last year, as we all face the challenges to what we previously knew as our daily routine, I’ve reflected a lot on what this expedition taught me.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_LOCAL PROFILE_George Bullard_MK.indd 22

27/08/2021 00:44

CULTURE • PROFILE

KAYAKING ACROSS THE NORTH ATLANTIC OCEAN WAS PHYSICALLY AND MENTALLY DRAINING

There was an overwhelming feeling of vulnerability, of being exposed with so much beyond our control. “The two of us were alone in a 26foot long kayak paddling towards the horizon crossing the North Atlantic Ocean with thousands of nautical miles ahead of us and no support boat. We found solace and strength in always putting ourselves right back into the moment and focused on what we had to be grateful for – the kayak was still afloat, we had water, we had food and shelter.”

SHARING SECRETS: CITY CAMPING FOR ALL THE FAMILY

“With cabin fever rife from the pandemic, and all of us ready for our next adventure but bound by ongoing travel restrictions, a friend and I decided to take things into our own hands and launch City Camping (city-camping.co.uk). We wanted to bring a taste of adventure to urban environments, so that people could experience the wild in a safe and secure environment without needing to take a flight.

“Our first pop up campsite appeared in Gunnersbury Park this July, with tents for guests as well as a large wigwam-esque ‘village hall’ in the centre where everyone could gather together. The response was brilliant. It’s incredibly fulfilling to see the journey of discovery people go on when they try even the simplest and smallest of new things. It reminds me how I feel when I’m in their shoes and exploring new environments. It sparks curiosity and a desire to understand more. “City Camping was designed for all ages and for new or experienced campers. Top of my task list is planning the next destination – all suggestions are welcome (although I must say I’m secretly hoping to get to come back to Epping Forest…) Get in touch and keep an eye on what we’re up to. I’d love to meet you there.” Katie Traxton is the founder Good Vibes Only Talent. Images of George Bullard by Andrew Hone, director of photography at Good Vibes Only Talent; goodvibesonlytalent.com IG: @goodvibesonlytalent

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_LOCAL PROFILE_George Bullard_MK.indd 23

27/08/2021 14:18

FULL OF

SURPRISES It’s too early to talk about Christmas, but CRATE Loughton is like a real-life advent calendar, with a treat behind every door of this creative hub. Absolutely West Essex ﬁnds out more about six of the inhabitants

FRAME - CRATE 01 & 02 Frame is a contemporary hair salon founded by Fiona Donovan. “I worked in the West End for 17 years and decided to bring my passion and experience of hairdressing to my own salon and CRATE gave me the opportunity to do so,” she says. “I started the salon in one unit with four chairs, but due to the business going from strength to strength in the space of 18 months, I made the decision to expand into two units with eight chairs and a larger backwash area. We now have an amazing team of four carefully hand-picked stylists, an apprentice and a receptionist. “Being at CRATE was the most perfect start-up opportunity for me. We work amongst lots of other creative and independent businesses, as if we are one big team. Due to the other businesses being independent, I feel it creates a great community spirit, which you might not get on a high street. Starting at CRATE gives people the opportunity and confidence to start up their own business.”

DOCTORS RELOCATE - CRATE 18 Established in 2020, Doctors Relocate are a boutique medical recruitment agency who specialise in providing experienced healthcare professionals to the NHS on a permanent basis. By working alongside healthcare organisations across the UK in recruiting to their ‘hard to fill’ medical positions, they aim to increase the quantity of permanent doctors in the NHS, thus helping to reduce the UK healthcare staffing shortage and reliance on expensive, short term, temporary staff. “Doctors Relocate moved into CRATE in July,” explains Harry Saxon, the co-founder alongside Oliver Hunt “Having been based in central London for the majority of our careers to date, we wanted to find a fun and exciting location for our office to be situated in, without the need to commute into the city each day. CRATE offers exactly that and, although we have only recently moved into our unit, we already feel a great sense of community amongst the other businesses. “The variety of businesses that are based at CRATE generate an excellent atmosphere and vibrant working environment. We’re delighted with our unit and are extremely excited to continue growing our business.”

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_AREA FEATURE_MK.indd 24

27/08/2021 00:32

CULTURE • AREA FOCUS

ARYA YOGA STUDIO CRATE 25 Arya Yoga Studio opened in September 2020 and is a space where yoga is taught and practiced authentically whilst embodying the philosophical elements of the practice. Founder Nikita Desai began her yoga journey after a back injury in a skydive and decided to heal herself through the practice physically and mentally. Her success on her personal healing journey is what gave her the courage to help others on theirs. “Whilst opening in the midst of the pandemic served its challenges, our vision is to hold space for people who wish to heal their mind, body and soul and transform their lives,” she says. “Mental health is a priority for us and the space offers daily yoga and mindfulness classes that the local community attend regularly to practice self-care and boost their mental wellbeing. At Arya Yoga, we explore all aspects of this sacred practice, not only through physical postures, but through ancient yogic teachings in our classes and in our workshops. “CRATE Loughton is a vibrant and inviting space where small local businesses have come together to share their expertise; the perfect place for any start-up company.”

LITTLE FLICKERS - CRATE 22 Through their vegan, eco-friendly and handcrafted bespoke candles, Lucie Hopley and her team at Little Flickers London create sensory experiences to enjoy at home. Lucie is passionate about the therapeutic qualities of aromas to bring calm, positive energy and joy to your life. She spends the time at her CRATE studio to explore fragrances and wax combinations to create a stunning range of candles, wax melts, reed diffusers, linen and room sprays to suit every occasion, event and room. The candles are visually stunning. In addition to aromas that envelope your space, Lucie has introduced an infusion of crystals and petals, each of which she carefully selects to each scent to enhance the wellbeing and feel-good qualities of each candle, amplifying your experience. All candles are created from natural, clean burning coconut and soy wax, which as well as the environmental and cruelty-free benefits also creates a longer lasting candle with a more intense and purer aroma. At her studio at CRATE customers can choose from a range of ready to go candles or work with Lucie to create something truly bespoke. A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_AREA FEATURE_MK.indd 25

27/08/2021 00:32

CELEBRATING THE LIFE & SONGS OF GEORGE MICHAEL WEDNESDAY 29TH SEPTEMBER

£15 PER TICKET Performance 7:30pm & Bar Open 4pm Purchase tickets via Event Brite: www.seasonsbar.co.uk Or scan QR code

0208 506 6419 15 The Broadway, Woodford, Woodford Green IG8 0HL

SEASONS.indd 1

27/08/2021 11:02

@Haslers

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 1

Haslers

@HaslersUk

FR V

HaslersUk

27/08/2021 11:44

CULTURE • AREA FOCUS ESSEX CRYO CLINIC 15A2 (BUILDING LOCATED WITHIN THE SITE) Essex Cryo Clinic is the only cryotherapy clinic in Loughton. The process of whole-body cryotherapy is to stand in a chamber that is made very cold with the use of liquid nitrogen. The temperature of the chamber gets to below -120c and when the body is exposed to such an uncommonly low temperature it activates the bodies anti-inflammatory response, releasing endorphins and resulting in super charged blood flowing back around the body as it warms up. The benefits of cryotherapy are too many to mention. Primarily it’s good for reducing pain and inflammation in the body, supporting exercise recovery and performance. “As a personal trainer I was determined to make cryotherapy accessible to all, not just elite sports people,” says founder Claire Robinson. “Premier league football clubs and top end sports professionals have been using cryotherapy for years, but I believe I have found a way to make it affordable for everyone. “CRATE really is a hidden gem, it has so many interesting businesses within it, many of which complement each other.”

“CRATE really is a hidden gem, it has so many interesting businesses within it, many of which complement each other”

THE NAIL ROOM BY DANAE - CRATE 08 With its birthday round the corner The Nail Room by Danae Gooch will be celebrating its first year of opening at CRATE Loughton. The once mobile nail technician and now salon owner promotes natural nail health and a welcoming homely environment. She and her girls only ‘hand prep’ using Navy Pro Tools and preform clean classic gel manicures using bio sculpture gel. The team are addicted to making manicures not just ‘gel nails’, but a luxury treatment. They focus on the health of the natural nails and also your skin.

C R AT E LO U G H TO N Find out who else is based at CRATE Loughton at crateloughton.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_AREA FEATURE_MK.indd 27

27/08/2021 14:20

ar.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:30

FA S H I O N

ASK ALEXA

MULBERRY X ALEXA CHUNG

Mulberry has launched an exciting new design collaboration with a long-time friend of the house and the woman who inspired one of its most iconic bags: Alexa Chung. Mulberry x Alexa Chung is the latest chapter in Mulberry Editions, in which collaborators make their mark on the house’s design DNA. mulberry.com

Anouska Georgia 30 • Trends 32 • The Shoot 36 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Fashion Opener_PH.indd 29

27/08/2021 00:53

ANOUSKA GEORGIA

PINK SATIN JACKET, ZARA

BLACK RUFFLED DRESS, RIVER ISLAND

Forward

THINKING With the AW21 fashion season upon us, Anouska Georgia offers a sneak peek at what to expect from the top brands

o it’s September and 2021 is flying by – and what a year it has been, with so much change, progress and hopefully more positive times ahead. It’s time to look at what AW21 has to offer: September is the month of wardrobe transition, not quite winter coat weather and not quite summer dresses either, so what to wear? The high street is still in between seasons, so there is still some summer attire on the rails and online, but the new collections are waiting in the wings and slowly, but surely, will be appearing over the upcoming months. I’ve had a sneak peek at some of the high street AW21 collections, including a fabulous H&M collaboration that launches on 2 September, and which will feature womenswear, menswear, bags and accessories. The TOGA ARCHIVES x H&M collaboration features Toga, a Tokyo-based independent label founded in 1997. The brand is loved for its fusion of Western style with traditional Japanese style. The collections have a vintage vibe with sleek, modern shapes to create statement prints and styles for both men and women. Also on my radar is River Island, who are teasing us with peeks of their new collections. There is no official launch date given at the time of press, but keep a look out for whimsical and couture

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_September21_WEST ESSEX_ANOUSKA COLUMN_MK.indd 30

27/08/2021 00:27

FASHION • COLUMN

A N O U S K A’ S

Must Haves

SANITISER HOLDER With sanitiser now a staple in our handbags, let’s try and style it up. I love these sanitiser holders by Oliver Bonas, which come in an array of colours and clip onto any bag so can be easily moved. £9.50, oliverbonas.com

FLORAL BLACK DRESS, H&M X TOGA

“Jewel colours and satins feature heavily, so get ready to glam up” level designs, including the fabulous ruffled black dress I’ve featured. As mentioned, it’s not quite winter coat weather, but let’s take inspiration from style icon Audrey Hepburn and invest in a car coat. Renowned for their practicality and for offering warmth and comfort with class, these coats are making a comeback. M&S offer a great version that also has a hood, making it perfect for the school run. Choose a beige tone for a coat that will complement every outfit for years to come. Zara is still very much in its early days of showcasing exactly what they are going to dazzle us with for AW21, but I’ve had a little preview and there are some stunning statement pieces. Jewel colours, satins and embellishments feature

heavily, so get ready to glam up. Let’s not forget our feet, which have been enjoying the freedom of sandals the last few months. They are not quite ready for boots, but mules are a great alternative to a sandal. JW Anderson have lead the way this summer with their now signature chain embellished leather mule slippers. However, if you don’t have £550 to spare, then check out dunelondon. com and kurtgeiger.com, both of whom are offering their own versions as well as some fabulous alternatives. Do keep an eye on the high street over the next few weeks as it’s best to buy your AW21 pieces as soon as they arrive as experience dictates the best bits go quick!

EMBROIDERED MULES Year after year these make an appearance and they continue to shine. These fun yet stylish leather mules are great to replace sandals right now before boots make a comeback. £139, kurtgeiger.com

T R U E L OV E R I N G This design has taken Instagram by storm and has been ﬂying out since its launch last month. With its ﬂoating heart design and available in both gold and silver, it’s most certainly a must have! £12, anouskageorgialondon.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_September21_WEST ESSEX_ANOUSKA COLUMN_MK.indd 31

27/08/2021 00:28

NICE AND KNIT How the new season is all about dreamy doubles and classic knits By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

OLIVER BONAS Pink ombre knit tank, £45 oliverbonas.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September2021_Fashion_Trends_MK.indd 32

27/08/2021 00:55

FASHION • TREND GANNI Stretch stripe trousers in phantom, £195 ganni.com

GANNI Stretch stripe jacket in phantom, £325 ganni.com

SHRIMPS Milton vest in hazelnut, £250 shrimps.com

PRIMARK

eptember is by far one of the best months for fashion. It’s a time of transition, and 2021 is looking into the fashion archives and bringing back all the nostalgic classics we’ve been craving. Plenty of designers have made a case to create a more emphasised look when it comes to pairing pieces together: this month prepare to be invested in some classic co-ord pieces, with Ganni’s take on tailored two pieces, and Baum Und Pferdgarten’s denim on denim aesthetic. The vintage knit has also made a return this season, but not in the traditional classic ‘grandpa’ sense. Designers such as Stine Goya, Simone Rocha and Molly Goddard give us knitwear with a nostalgic twist, playing on colour, tone and size. Fashion will always look back to the past to give us the present, but this September in West Essex, we are encouraged to embrace the combination of the old and the new.

Blue wave crop-top, £12 primark.com

BAUM UND PFERGARTEN

EDITOR’S PICK

Clariette sweater, £159 baumundpferdgarten.com

BAUM UND PFERGARTEN Camia trousers, £179 baumundpferdgarten.com

RIXO Rebecca floral sleeveless crochet dress, £325 rixo.co.uk

SIMONE ROCHA Sculpted vest with back button detail, £495 simonerocha.com

MONSOON Anastasia floral midi dress blue, £99 monsoon.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September2021_Fashion_Trends_MK.indd 33

27/08/2021 00:56

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Heavy Hardware

It's the season of chains, larger than life bangles and chunky rings By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

BAKER BROTHERS DIAMONDS

EDGE OF EMBER

TOHUM DESIGN

Marco Bicego 18ct yellow gold double lunaria drop earrings, £1,250, bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Veneto chunky chain bracelet, £175 edgeofember.com

Dunya Sumba ring, £188, tohumdesign.com

CHLOBO

SANDRA ALEXANDRA

PHINE

Sacred Earth oval bead ﬁre bracelet - gold, £162 the-dressingroom.com

Chilli earrings, £150, sandraalexandra.com

Spike ear cuff, £99, phone.london

BAKER BROTHERS DIAMONDS

TADA & TOY

ALIGHIERI

Marco Bicego 18ct yellow gold & diamond lunaria necklet - 0.67ct, £4,500 bakerbrothersdiamonds.com

Celestial hoops, £125, tadaandtoy.com

The Flashback ring, £195, alighieri.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_JEWELLERY_EM.indd 34

27/08/2021 00:58

CW.indd 1

23/07/2021 13:30

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 36

27/08/2021 09:44

TIME t r a v e ll e r

The latest collection from Camilla, stocked at Loughton’s Zee & Co, takes inspiration from some of history’s glamorous periods CAMILLA .COM / ZEEANDCO.CO.UK

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 37

27/08/2021 09:47

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 38

27/08/2021 09:47

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 39

27/08/2021 09:47

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 40

27/08/2021 09:48

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_SHOOT_MK.indd 41

27/08/2021 09:48

HAR.indd 1

27/08/2021 09:30

HEALTH & BEAUTY

LIP SERVICE BITE BEAUTY Sought after beauty brand Bite has launched in the UK to give skin minimalism a whole new aesthetic. It's a clean, highperforming beauty range fuelled by superfood ingredients to provide all the things our skin craves. bitebeauty.com

Beauty Notes 45 • Maya Aesthetics 48 • Fitness Notes 51 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Health+Beauty_OPENER_PH.indd 43

27/08/2021 00:59

TIKADI.indd 1

21/05/2021 13:40

HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury makeup and skincare By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

FOCUS

PERFECT

EDITOR’S PICK

Blend

Tria Woman on offering much-needed support

p l s LO N D O N ™

B y M A R I A N N E GAU T I E R

September is the perfect time for a hair transformation, and it has never been easier with the help of plsLONDON™. The brand stocks Russian Remy cuticle hair – the finest hair extensions on the market, for a seamless and smooth finish that effortlessly blends in with your own hair.

plshair.co.uk

Smile Wide C R OW N WO O D D E N TA L

Change your life with a new smile. CrownWood Dental will be holding a Dental Implant Open Day on 2 October. Here you will be able to have a free 30 minute consultation and meet their team. It’s the permanent solution for missing teeth so you can eat, smile and laugh with confidence. crownwooddental.co.uk

EYE C O N TAC T CHANEL

The art of self-expression is encouraged with Chanel’s 2021 edition of The Eye Collection, by way of ultra-resistant, longwearing products. Highlighting our eyes is a way of enhancing our natural beauty, keeping things simple with the skin and asserting your personality on the eye.

SHARE THE LOAD eptember again… another school year is upon us and for those of us with children, getting back into a routine can seem like such a relief after a long summer of ﬁnding ways to keep the kids entertained! However, for some, the reality of the back to school routine can feel like a merry-go-round of school drop offs, after school clubs, birthday parties, play dates (and that list goes on), which all have to be navigated alongside the usual routines of housework, shopping, cooking and work. All this pressure can lead to feelings of being overwhelmed and not being good enough, especially when, at the end of the day, we are winding down with a glass or two of wine in front of the TV, only to start the next day with industrial strength coffee in order to get going once again. A lot of this behaviour can contribute to feelings of anxiety, which is one of the most common problems that women will come to see me about. Women will often state that they have too much on their plate and this is causing them to spread themselves too thinly – leading to feeling guilty that they “should” do better, or more or both. But there are many ways that we can alleviate our anxiety and make our busy lives more manageable and less overwhelming - come and speak to us and we will support you with whatever life has thrown your way.

TRIA WOMAN

The Stables, Penn Street, Amersham, Bucks, HP7 0PP, 07792 972943 marianne@triawoman.com triawoman.com

chanel.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_BEAUTY_NOTES_M_PH.indd 45

27/08/2021 12:10

RLSS UK National Pool Lifeguard Qualification Next Course: October Half Term Monday 25th October 2021 - Friday 29th October 2021 Times: 9.00am-5.30pm each day Course Cost: £280.00 (£50 deposit required) For more information, please contact: Sylvestrian Leisure Centre, Forest School, College Place, London, E17 3PY

SYLVESTRIAN.indd 1

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 2

T: 020 8509 6526 E: enquiries@sylvestrian-leisure.co.uk W: www.sylvestrian-leisure.co.uk

27/08/2021 11:08

27/08/2021 11:44

HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOCUS

“Harrods is taking retail renovation to new heights”

Devotion to

BEAUTY

Why Harrods’ new opening at Lakeside Shopping Centre is revolutionising the way we shop all things beauty By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

e’ve all seen the luxury that is a department store beauty hall, but Harrods has given this a whole new meaning. H beauty at Lakeside Shopping Centre is a 23,000sq ft space that provides an open plan, expansive space for customers to experience the finest in beauty. Here, you’ll find the super brands alongside the pioneers of the new generation. From the legacy bands such as Chanel, Dior, Charlotte Tilbury and Creed; to pioneering, new generation beauty brands such as Huda Beauty, Kylie Cosmetics and The Ordinary. In an attempt to re-energise the high street store experience, H beauty has created an experiential shopping environment, where the store gives an interactive and 360-degree adventure. The way in which we

shop for our favourite skincare and beauty bag essentials has never looked so different. Browsing now has a new lease of life, giving consumers an experience where you have the opportunity to walk around and engage with the shelf to shopping cart journey. Along your journey, you will come across the Skincare Station, where customers have the opportunity to be treated to facials from the foremost skincare brands. ‘Magic Mirrors’ allows customers to virtually try on a host of different make-up products and colours, explore their creativity and to simply have a little play around in this adult-sized beauty fun fair. Next up is ‘The Playtables’, which offers access to dry hair styling and endless demos and consultations for all those looking to revamp their look. If providing all of the above doesn’t make your heart throb with excitement, Harrods also wants to make your shopping experience a whole lot easier. Aside from the beauty phenomenon that is H beauty, a click and collect service is also available for customers who shop online at harrods.com, and you can receive and try on their goods in the changing rooms. It’s pretty obvious that H beauty is every Instagrammer’s dream, so it’s only fitting that the new Champagne Bar is an Instagram worthy space to sit, sip and celebrate with friends in between shopping. Harrods is taking retail renovation to new heights, using their authority in the beauty sphere to change the way we shop, for the better. H B E AU T Y Level 1 (Ground Floor Intu Lakeside Shopping Centre), West Thurrock, Grays RM20 2ZP. harrods.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_ESSEX_September21_ADV_HARRODS_MK.indd 47

27/08/2021 01:03

LIPSON IS AN EXPERIENCED MEDICAL INJECTOR PRESCRIBER

BEAUTY WITHIN

West Essex local Maya Lipson discusses her valuable work as a community midwife and her plans for own aesthetics business By MARK KEBBLE

Q Have you always wanted to work in the beauty industry? A The love of beauty and my work within the beauty industry has always been there since I was a child. I've always had an eye for art and beautiful things, I love makeup and the fact that you can create a completely different face just through using cosmetics. I look at beauty as art – the face is my blank canvas. I decided four years ago to combine my love of art, beauty and medicine and learn about non-cosmetic aesthetic treatments. I also recently completed and qualified in non-medical prescribing, which was a tremendous challenge for me. This means I am able to prescribe any medication within the British National Formulary within my scope of practice.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_H&B PROFILE_MK.indd 48

27/08/2021 14:40

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PROFILE

SHE LOVES HER WORK AS A COMMUNITY MIDWIFE

Q How long have you been a community midwife at Whipps Cross Hospital? A I started working at Whipps Cross University Hospital three years ago as a community midwife. Before this I was part of a pilot scheme at Neighbourhood Midwives working as an independent midwife, and prior to this role I was a community midwife at Queens and King George hospitals. I have loved all of my midwifery roles, they have been challenging at times as well, there is always something new to learn about and each placement I have worked in has encouraged my practice of self-learning, my growth in my medical knowledge and experience and confidence, and keeping up to date with everything that I practice. Q What do you love about the role? A I love the fact that I see women right from the very start of their pregnancies. I get to know these women and their families and watch them grow into parents. Sometimes I will bump into my ladies whilst out shopping or with my family and

it’s lovely that they still remember me. You can really tell the impact that I’ve had on some of these families’ lives. I remember a few years ago I looked after a woman during her pregnancy and following the delivery of her baby she developed postnatal depression. I followed this woman up daily and made sure she was safe and well and received the help that she needed. When I discharged her, she was like a completely different woman. Confident, happy and excited about bringing up her baby. She wrote me the most beautiful letter a few months later to thank me for helping her out of the dark place she was in after having her baby. I keep this letter in my keepsake folder, and every now and again when I’m having a bad day I will look at it and remember why I love this job so much. Q Tell us about your work as an aesthetician and prescriber – what kind of things do you offer? A This part of my role is a passion of mine. I offer treatments ranging from dermal filler injectable treatments, skin boosters, anti-wrinkle injections, fat dissolving injections, skinny jabs or weight loss injections, topical skin treatments and vitamin injections. I also offer prescribing services to other aestheticians (medical only) that require a prescriber so that they can carry out their treatments using

“YOU CAN REALLY TELL THE IMPACT I HAVE HAD ON SOME OF THESE FAMILIES' LIVES” MAYA LIPSON

prescription only medications even though they are not prescribers, and in addition to this I offer support to them and if they wish to complete the prescribing course, I also offer the support for this too. Q What are the long term plans for the business? A At the moment I work from home in a room I have set up as a clinic and I do monthly pop up clinics with a couple of beauty salons in Essex. The ultimate dream is to have my own little salon shop where I can carry out my treatments, but also to mentor other medical practitioners getting into the field of aesthetics and maybe run a small academy teaching them my skills. In my mind I have already planned the layout and the décor! I would love to launch my own brand of something, maybe an anti-aging skin program or something along those lines. I would definitely like to continue my learning and upgrade my skills continually and learn new procedures. Vaginal rejuvenation, cellulite treatment and non-surgical bum lifts are a few treatments that I have in mind that I would like to start with. Q Finally Maya, tell us about where you live… A I live in the village of Stapleford Abbotts. I have always lived in Essex and love it here. I’ve lived here since 2012 and before this I lived in Chigwell. I live with my husband, two children and three dogs. We love to take walks through the public footpaths here. It’s beautiful, we get to see a lot of the wild deer, badgers, hare etc. There are also some really lovely pubs and restaurants within the proximity of where I live and I love the fact it is quiet, yet a short drive away from the busy towns like Romford or Loughton. We get a lot of cyclists and horse riders riding through the area. We are surrounded by farms and it's very green and peaceful here. I love it. Find out more on Instagram @aestheticsmaya A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_H&B PROFILE_MK.indd 49

27/08/2021 14:40

FS.indd 1

27/08/2021 09:25

HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

FITNESS

TOP

PICKS YOUR NEXT WORKOUT FIX

NOTES

By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

P I L AT E S Hollie Grant, award-winning Pilates instructor and founder of Pilates PT, has shared some of the theory behind the key aspects of Pilates that is extremely useful for beginners to understand. Absolutely recommends checking out all the do’s and don'ts on her website. pilatespt.co.uk

R E S I S TA N C E T R A I N I N G Tash Lankester, PT & Peach for the Beach trainer at FLEX Chelsea in London, explains that there are huge benefits to resistance training: “It builds strength, muscle and increases bone density. Strength leads to improvements in posture, reduces the risk of injuries and aids in pain management in older age." flexchelsea.com

CYCLE WIT H SO UL Five reasons why you should try a spin class LOW IMPACT, HIGH INTENSITY

BARRE Inspired by the elements of ballet, yoga and Pilates, barre focuses on low-impact, high-intensity movements designed to strengthen the body in ways that workouts neglect. West Essex is blessed with choice of venues to enjoy this, but we recommend CS Pilates & Barre. cspilatesbarre.co.uk

Spinning is the ideal physical remedy if you are recovering from an injury/surgery, or just like to take things a little more gently. A dance class on a bike is the best description to attach to spinning, working both your upper body, arms and core, while forgetting you’re doing all the hard work that the latter brings.

STRESS RELIEF If you affected by stress, it can in some cases by relayed into our muscles. Exercise has been

scientifically proven to reduce stress, focusing both your mind and body, helping you to focus on just one thing – or in some cases, nothing – and to just let go of everything. With some fun dance moves on the bike and some rhythmic tunes, spinning really does beat the stress out of the room.

PUSH YOURSELF With spinning, you set your own pace and are encouraged to push your limits at your own pace. There is no hierarchy of expertise in spin, it’s a ‘who wants to work out and

have fun’ expectation. No intimidation and no levels.

MUSCLE DEFINITION There are many advantages to spin, but one of the main ones is the increase in muscle definition in your legs and core. Every part of your body is on the move throughout a spin class; legs, arms, core all engaging with one another. If you’re wanting to tone up your legs/core, but really do not want to go near the weight section, spin and a healthy diet is your alternative.

HAVE FUN The aim in spin is to simply put the fun back into exercising. You know it’s great when you finish the ride wondering where the time went. You will feel that serotonin rush flooding through you while you cycle – and have a singalong to boot, too. A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_FITNESS%20NOTES_EM_PH.indd 51

27/08/2021 12:11

ILVINO.indd 1

24/05/2021 10:24

FOOD & DRINK

TAKE YOUR PICK EFEZADE RESTAURANT

We are not short on grill specialists in West Essex, so you have to do something pretty special to stand out from the crowd. Efezade is one venue that does just that: a great ambience, top staff and a menu that is full of choice, which on our trips has always left us more than satisfied. We find out more about this local gem on page 59. efezademezzegrill.co.uk

Food Notes 54 • The Gallery 56 • Destination Dining 59 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST_ESSEX_September21_FOOD OPENER.indd 53

27/08/2021 15:14

WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

The latest food news and most exciting openings this month By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

By IL VINO

Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2018, Bolgheri, Tuscany  £58 Characterised by a lively ruby red colour, Le Serre Nuove dell’Ornellaia 2018 is a wine of great aromatic complexity. In the glass, aromas of berries, blackberry, raspberry and red cherry are accompanied by ﬂoral hints of wild rose and spicy notes of pink pepper and liquorice.

Guidalberto 2018, Bolgheri, Tuscany  £45 An impressive release that speaks volume of the pedigree of Tenuta San Guido’s wines. Guidalberto is a blend of 60% Cabernet Sauvignon and 40% Merlot. A voluptuous nose charged with blackcurrant, black cherries, damson notes is reined in by mineral, almost balsamic hints of black olive, mint, tomato leaf and fresh black pepper.

Il Bruchiato 2019, Bolgheri, Tuscany  £29 Il Bruciato 2019 is intensely ruby red in colour. Its nose expresses notes of small dark fruit, sweet spices and tobacco. Its well-structured palate is harmonious and very pleasant to drink. Fresh fruity notes dominate the ﬁnish giving the wine a lush, sweet character.

Il Vino is the premier independent wine merchant in West Essex, offering a selection of outstanding wines, champagnes and cognacs and cigars from around the world. Il Vino will also soon be offering customers private tasting events at the shop in Buckhurst Hill.

ilvino.co.uk

Pure theatre C H U R C H ST R E E T TAV E R N

Church Street Tavern is open for delicious pre- and posttheatre drinks and dining. The lunch and dinner menu features steamed mussels, Caeser salad and more substantial dishes like Highﬁeld’s Farm Duck Breast and steak aged for a minimum of 45 days and from rare breed animals. Vegetarians will enjoy dishes like Roast Crown Squash, Mushroom Orzo, Kale and Chestnut Pesto, and a vegan menu is available too. churchstreettavern.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_west essex_September21_FOOD_NOTES_.indd 54

27/08/2021 15:18

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

MEAT YOUR MATCH Enjoy the best burgers in town

TASTE OF SPAIN T H E D U K E WA N S T E A D

Disco fever KING'S OAK

The Duke is Wanstead's neighbourhood pub and dining room, voted in 2016 as TimeOut's favourite pub for Leyton, Leytonstone and Wanstead. Their Fat Boy Burger – bacon, beef fat mayo, secret onions, pickles, mature cheddar – is to die for. thedukewanstead.com

The King's Oak in Epping Forest kept us going over the last 18 months with their fabulous pods, but now the party is moving indoors. From 4 September, they will be launching their Disco Dinners, which features a two-course meal and a glass of bubbly for £35 per person, with a DJ then keeping the spirits up late into the night. Best get moving. kingsoakhotel.com

DAYGUSTATION

Summer holidays may not be quite back to normal, but luckily we have the likes of Daygustation who stock a range of products from Spanish specialist Brindisa including Torres Truffle Crisps, Perello Olives and the king of hams – acorn fed Brindisa Jamon Iberico. Look out for their fabulous range of alcoholic and nonalcoholic offerings too. daygustationwines.com

T H E FA R M H O U S E With its crowd-pleasing menu, sharing feasts and Sunday roasts, and a shop filled with local specialities, The Farmhouse Restaurant Essex offers something for everyone. The menu is a crowd pleaser, and we do love The Farmhouse: hand pressed double beef patty & house sauce with crispy lettuce. thefarmhouseessex.com

D R I N K I N G

LOCAL

Balance the budget SORTEDFOOD

SORTEDfood is a social media movement dedicated to cooking, and the perfect option for students in search of tasty, easy to cook meals on a budget. They have the mission to empower people with the passion, knowledge, skills and tools so that they can conﬁdently cook with whatever they have available. sorted.club

PIG & WHISTLE

L OA D E D B U R G E R S As the name suggests, this restaurant in Loughton does not shirk on portions, nor does it on the sheer choice of burgers. Take your pick from Beefy, the Codfather, Big Bird, Ribiculous, Beefy and, our favourite, the Fully Loaded (and that's only scratching the surface). loadedburgers.co.uk

The Pig & Whistle has recently transformed their drinks menu to include Chelmsford based wine, gin and vodka as well as Essex based soft drinks. Handy considering they're Essex’s newest wedding venue, receiving their license just before the ﬁrst lockdown. pigandwhistlechelmsford.uk A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_west essex_September21_FOOD_NOTES_.indd 55

27/08/2021 15:19

One size

FITS ALL

Absolutely West Essex chats to Craig Spooner, managing director of The Gallery Bar & Brasserie in South Woodford, about an offering that covers all bases By MARK KEBBLE

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_F&D Profile_MK.indd 56

27/08/2021 09:38

• XXXXX FOOD & XXXXXXXX DRINK • INTERVIEW

Q When you opened in 2018, what

were you looking to offer?

A We felt the area was lacking in a high-

quality venue offering great food, great drinks and a great atmosphere. The idea was to bring parts of London slightly closer to a local audience, so people didn’t have to travel as far to enjoy a dining experience that you may find familiar in central London. Q Why was South Woodford the

perfect place for such a venue?

A We were looking in the area for a venue

that would suit our vision, and this one in South Woodford became available at the perfect time. It had already established itself as a destination venue for dining, so people were already familiar with it – we just changed the concept to fit our vision. Q How tough were the various

lockdowns for you?

A Lockdown was tough, it was hard to

see months of hard work unravel in front of your eyes and have no control over it. We are used to being able to fix problems and very hands on, however this was something that was out of our control. That said we have been fortunate enough to come out the other side of it, where many haven’t, so we are are grateful for that. Q How busy have you been

since re-opening?

A Since re-opening we have been busier

than we could have hoped for. That said we are looking to take the business to the next stages in terms of our offering.

“As far as needing everything for a night out under one roof, we feel we have it all” Q Would you say you have built up

quite a loyal local following? A I would say so, we have lots of regular faces that we see week in week out, the restaurant has been here for some time now, albeit changed hands on occasions. That said we’ve made a great success of the venue and all being well we will keep going from strength to strength. Q How would you sum up

your a la carte menu?

A Fresh, vibrant, seasonal, a selection that

we think caters for most. With anything it’s important to have an identity which we try and stick too. We feel that too many places try and cover too much of what people like, and in turn lose their identity in trying to do so. We like to stick to our concept and deliver that as best we can. Q What dishes are proving

to be the most popular?

A Our menu isn’t especially big,

so everything sells really well, but my stand out dishes are the pork tenderloin and the Dover sole. Q Is your private dining

experience popular and why did you want to offer that? A This room is without a doubt the most popular arm to this business, now that friends and families can get back together

and enjoy celebrations in large groups. People are desperate to catch up on missed opportunities to see their nearest and dearest. It’s a room where we can seat up to 18 people, and it offers a perfect private space, with your own waiter and bartender to look after you for the evening. Q Do you see yourself as a one-stop-

shop venue with the Champagne & Cocktail Bar upstairs? A We do, as far as needing everything for a night out under one roof, we feel we have it all. The majority are always keen to dine in the restaurant then reserve their space for the cocktail lounge afterwards. People can also enjoy a cocktail before their meal if they wish. Q What kind of events do you

have planned for September?

A We have a lot of exciting things planned

for September. We’re introducing our chef’s table again, another great private dining experience, we’re having another small champagne bar built downstairs, along with multiple brunches booked in and new seasonal additions to the menu. T H E GA L L E RY B A R & B R A S S E R I E 159 High Road, South Woodford, E18 2PA 020 3976 7118 thegallerybarandbrasserie.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_F&D Profile_MK.indd 57

27/08/2021 09:38

154 High Road | Loughton | Essex T: 0208 508 0526 E: info@tngtapas.co.uk www.tngtapas.co.uk @loughtontapasbar TG.indd 1

23/06/2021 14:27

Restaurant overview

Number of covers

 The Efezade Mezze Grill is located in the heart of Debden, close to Epping Forest and the Debden Camping site. The restaurant offers a pleasant environment for lunch and dinner. Outside and inside seating areas are well decorated for a fabulous dining experience, with a variety of excellent cocktails. It’s the perfect location for meeting friends, dining with family, and parties. They also offer a delivery service up to a three mile radius.

 The restaurant has a dining area for up to 80 people and an outside seating area for up to 20 people too. In addition to this, there is a bar for up to six people for those interested in pre- or post-dinner drinks. The restaurant is open Sunday to Thursday midday-10pm and Friday to Saturday midday-11pm.

The menu  The restaurant offers the best quality ingredients with 30 years of cooking experience in Mediterranean food and mezze. There is a full selection of kebabs, veg dishes, mezze, and fish dishes.

Popular dishes  The menu is very diverse and all dishes are popular, but the

grilled fish salmon, seabass, and tiger prawns are particularly amazing, all served with rice/ couscous and salad.

Special offers  There is a lunch menu which offers the same portions of regular food with a soft drink at just under £10.

Quirky facts  They are the most famous restaurant, mezze, and cocktail bar in Debden, and this will only grow as they will soon host live music too.

D ESTINATI O N DINING

FOOD & DRINK • PROFILE

THE EFEZADE MEZZE GRILL DEBDEN

Take advantage of the best in Mediterranean food in the heart of Debden

12-14 The Broadway, Debden, Loughton, IG10 3ST 020 8508 8811 info@efezademezzegrill.co.uk efezademezzegrill.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_West Essex_Sep21_DESTINATION DINING_MK.indd 59

27/08/2021 14:42

Serving

ST Y LE Alex Head from The Social Pantry's recipes for Falcon Enamelware Wo r d s A L E X H E A D

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_ESSEX_Sep21_RECIPES_PH.indd 60

27/08/2021 01:09

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

Brussel Sprout Taco with Smokey Chipotle Serves 6

INGREDIENTS • 400g Brussel sprouts, prepped and cut in half • 2 tsp chipotle chilli paste • 3 tbsp soured cream • ½ red onion • 100ml white wine vinegar • 50ml water • 25g sugar • 1 lime, cut into wedges • 1 tsp honey • 1-2 green chilli, thinly sliced • 1 bunch coriander, chopped • 25g roasted peanuts, roughly chopped • 6 small tortilla wraps • Light olive oil • Sea salt

METHOD 1 To make the pickling liquor, combine the vinegar, water and sugar in a small pan. Heat gently to dissolve the sugar before turning the heat up. When the pickling liquor comes to a simmer, remove from the heat. 2 Slice the red onion thinly from root to tip, place in a heatproof bowl and pour over the still warm liquor. Allow to cool at room temp. 3 To make the chipotle soured cream, mix 1 tsp of the chipotle paste into the soured cream and set aside. 4 In a non-stick frying pan, heat 2 tbsp oil on a medium-high heat and fry the brussels sprouts until golden, after 3-5 minutes add in a splash of water, 1 tsp chipotle paste and the honey. Mix well on the heat for another minute, then season well with sea salt. 5 Warm the tacos in a dry pan and drain the pickled red onion. 6 Build the tacos by layering up chipotle soured cream, sprouts, green chilli, red onion, coriander and ﬁnish with a squeeze of lime and chopped peanuts. 7 Enjoy!

METHOD

Roasted Broccoli Steak

with Zero Waste Herb Stem Chimichurri Serves 8 – 10

INGREDIENTS • 2 heads of broccoli • 1 banana shallot, finely diced • 2 green chilli, finely diced • 1 bunch parsley, chopped • 1 tsp red wine vinegar • 3 tsp olive oil for the dressing, plus extra to cook the broccoli • Maldon salt • 25g toasted sunflower seeds, roughly chopped • 50g fresh spinach leaves

1 Cut each broccoli in half directly through the stalk. Then cut down the side to trim off excess florets so that the steak sits flat as a piece. Keep the trimmings and set aside. 2 Mix together the shallot, green chilli, parsley and sunflower seeds, season with lemon zest, juice, red wine vinegar, olive oil and salt. Set aside. 3 Preheat the oven to 160C fan and heat up a griddle pan until it is really hot. 4 Cook the broccoli trimmings in a little veg stock until soft, drain (reserving the liquid) and blend with the spinach to keep it a bright green. Season and place in a bowl over ice to cool down as quickly as possible. 5 Once the grill is hot, drizzle the broccoli with a little oil and salt and chargrill the broccoli steaks until they have deep black lines on either side. Place on a baking tray on baking paper and cook in the oven for 8-10 minutes. 6 To serve the broccoli steaks, spoon on some broccoli puree, and chimichurri and garnish.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_ESSEX_Sep21_RECIPES_PH.indd 61

27/08/2021 01:09

Come join us on our terrace , per fec t for summer time dining with a retracting roof. And of course give our mouth watering menu a tr y along with our wide range of fine cut me ats and delicious cocktails/mockatils and Sunday roast dinners.

L O C AT I O N

HOURS

C O N TA C T

L o k k u m , Wo o d f o r d N e w Ro a d , S o u t h Wo o d f o r d , E 18 2 Q D

M o n d a y - Th u r s d a y 12 p m - 11 p m Friday 12 p m - 12 a m Saturday 12 p m - 12 a m Sunday 12 p m - 11 p m

Te l e p h o n e 0 2 0 82 2 01018 Email info@lokkum.co.uk Booking bookings@lokkum.co.uk

On-site car park available

LOKKUM.indd 1

w w w. l o k ku m . c o . u k

27/08/2021 10:59

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

INGREDIENTS

Wild Rice with Sautéed Leeks, Green Beans, Summer Pea and Pesto (salad) Serves 8 – 10

• 2 cups wild rice • 6 cups of water • Maldon salt • 1 large leek • 250g green beans • 1 pack, frozen peas • 1 tub green pesto • 1 bag rocket

METHOD 1 Firstly, rinse the rice under cold running water until the water runs completely clear. Place the rice and cover with 3x as much water and 1 tsp salt; using cups is an easy way to measure. 2 Cover with a lid and place on a medium-high heat, bring to a

simmer and cook for 40-45 minutes. 3 Meanwhile, slice the leek and sauté slowly in a pan with olive oil and salt until soft 15-20 minutes. Set aside to cool. 4 Prepare a bowl of iced water. 5 Put a pan of salted water onto the boil, prep the green beans and asparagus tips, and blanch for 2 minutes. Add the frozen peas right at the end for 30 seconds and drain. Refresh in the iced water. 6 When ready to mix the salad, coat the wild rice in the pesto, mix in the cooked, cooled veg. 7 Add rocket and serve.

falconenamelware.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_ESSEX_Sep21_RECIPES_PH.indd 63

27/08/2021 01:10

DAYGUST.indd 4

11/08/2021 15:03

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET What to drink this month By PENDLE HARTE

REVIEW

KEY NOTES N O. 3 G I N No.3 Gin’s refreshing balance of juniper, citrus and spice makes it the perfect addition to this season’s drinking occasions. As the only gin to have been awarded World’s Best Gin four times, No.3 promises a superior taste experience, every time. From garden parties to sundowners, these crisp cocktails are bursting with ﬂavour, simple to make, and sure to impress.

£36; no3gin.com

FRENCH SPRITZ ST G E R M A I N Known as the 'barman's ketchup' for its versatility, St Germain is said to improve any cocktail. This elegant elderﬂower liqueur contains as many as 1,000 elderﬂowers per bottle and it makes a mean spritz.

Cocktail o’clock

The Mayfair Townhouse x Acqua dei Parma By ELLIE-MAE HAMMOND

he super stylish Dandy Bar in The Mayfair Townhouse is mixing cocktails inspired by a new partnership between Möet Hennessey and Acqua di Parma. Named for the dandy characters of Mayfair’s past and present, the enigmatic yet intimately cosy atmosphere of the Dandy Bar is an exceptional space that is certainly worth the journey in from Essex. Effervescent Italian bar manager Pierpaolo Monaco has carefully created a selection of new cocktails inspired by the summer fragrances of Acqua di Parma's Blu Mediterraneo range and the liqueurs and champagnes of Möet Hennessy, including the Amalﬁ (paired with Fico di Amalﬁ), Calabria (paired with Bergamotto di Calabria), and Capri (paired with Arancia di Capri). You will also receive a complimentary sample of each fragrance and an invitation for a complimentary fragrance consultation at the Acqua di Parma Barbershop at Selfridges, complete with a special gift.

AMALFI COCKTAIL RECIPE

£25.99; stgermain.fr

CAUSE A STIR

LO C K D OW N L I Q U O R New to Lockdown Liquor's fold of smallbatch, premium blended cocktails is the delicious lychee Martini - silky, not too sweet nor too strong, it's a joy to sip. Add a whole lychee for the full effect.

£25 for 500ml; lockdown-liquor.com

Pour the below ingredients: - 30ml Sabatini Gin - 25ml Mancino Amaranto - 25ml Fig Liquor (Brand from Ischia Island) - 4 Drops of Coffee Bean • Top off with soda. • Serve in a champagne coupe and enjoy.

THE MAYFAIR TOWNHOUSE 27-41 Half Moon Street, W1 themayfairtownhouse.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_ESSEX_September21_DRINKS_PH.indd 65

27/08/2021 01:11

School fees insurance will help cover future costs should you or your spouse die or suffer a terminal illness

School fees insurance from less than £21 per month

Get a quote today www.sfs-group.co.uk A4 ADVERT.indd 1

Keep your promise of private education should the worst happen 23/07/2021 11:52

SPECI A L

Inside this section O P E N D AY T I P S p 7 0 F U T U R E TA L E N T p 7 2 N E W S A N D V I E W S p74 D O F E AWA R D p 8 0 EXAMS EXAMINED p83

A L L T HE Y N E ED CO LC H E ST E R H I G H S C H O O L

Opening this education special, Colchester High School has engaged in the Edtech revolution to give their pupils the best chance in the 21st century workplace. It’s yet another example of how this Essex school is ahead of the curve.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST_ESSEX_September21_EDUCATION SPECIAL_OPENER_MK.indd 67

27/08/2021 14:44

EDUCATION • COLUMN

ST I C K IN G

TOGETHER The school holidays were tough for many, writes Hayley Smith, but the return to ‘normality’ will bring even more challenges

A SUMMER MEANT SPENDING TIME VISITING LANDMARKS WITH HER DAUGHTERS

s the children return to school, I reflect on the summer holidays and I am sure I am not alone when I say that I started the six-week break with a mild panic feeling; work and school holidays simply do not easily co-exist. School holidays might seem like the perfect opportunity for parents to spend time with their children. Yet, many parents are still working, have to attend meetings and meet deadlines, and this can cause unneeded pressure and stress. It's a reprieve, of sorts, having the children at home. Lieins, no rushing around in the mornings, no uniforms to iron, no lunchboxes to prepare; however it does feel that ‘normal’ life goes on hold whilst we entertain and look after the children. The immense pressure to fill their days is quite frankly a nightmare for many working parents. I am fortunate that I can catch up on work in the evenings and can work from my phone remotely, but I have friends whose jobs are not as flexible and they have felt much guilt in sending their children off to camps every day or had to leave them with child minders. With so much uncertainty surrounding foreign travel this summer, like many others we decided not to go abroad; I organised additional days of my football camp and I had to become super organised to fill the weeks in between for my own children. I am blessed with the support of good mum friends; we have all helped each other out. With restrictions being lifted, parents prepare themselves for the equally exhausting return to school and a full on rota; after school activities, fundraising events, non-uniform days, school trips, birthday parties and the daily school run returns, all on top of making sure we are fostering

HAYLEY SMITH

the children’s resilience, watching out for anxiety, stalking their phones, managing homework, making sure they are developing a healthy body image, and are enjoying their childhood (we have to feed and clothe them too right?). Looking back to when I was at school, my mum came on the occasional day trip and attended parents’ evening, she worked and I understood this and never did my sister and I feel unsupported and we did fine at school. So why do we today feel so much pressure to be ever present and involved in their school activities? Despite the fact that most part-time employees are much more productive when working flexible hours, finding a job that offers work during the elusive school hours and having the option to work remotely during school holidays is no easy task. If any business owners are reading this, on behalf of mothers in West Essex, I ask you be as compassionate as you can – the struggle is real. Hayley Smith’s Campioni Soccer Academy will be holding its next camp from 25-29 October. Find out more at campioni.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_HAYLEY SMITH COLUMN_MK.indd 68

27/08/2021 09:36

OT.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:02

Judgement DAYS

With real life open days back on, here’s some valuable advice about the dos and don’ts when parents are invited in past the school gates B y S U E L A I D L AW

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_EDUCATION_OPEN_DAYS_MK.indd 70

27/08/2021 09:58

EDUCATION • OPEN DAYS

“One well-known personality, dressed in a scarlet suit and full of rather loud questions, made us realise it wasn't the school for us”

ou’ve done your homework: looked at websites, made a rather long shortlist and, where required, booked your places for the round of Autumn Term Open Day events. So how can you maximise the opportunities afforded by visiting school open days? Although a few schools will grant an individual visit, most of them, particularly during the Autumn Term, will be large en masse events. Be prepared for the fact that you may well be shown around in a relatively large group where there may be limited time to talk to the present pupils. Some schools will adopt a more flexible approach to the visit, where you are given a map and are free to wander at will amongst the well organised classrooms. When you arrive you will be greeted by a member of staff and some pupils. If you are to have a guide for your visit, this will be a (well chosen) pupil who will, hopefully, be a good ambassador

for the school. Having said that, try not to be too influenced by that one specific pupil; try to speak to a few. Many a parent has left a school feeling enormously impressed or, alternatively, taken aback and rather demoralised by the child who has shown them round. It goes without saying that every school will showcase the best of what they do – carefully chosen exercise books, wonderful choirs and gym displays, and cookery demonstrations all impress parents and show what can be achieved. Try to look beyond the obvious. If possible, poke your nose through the window of a classroom that is not on display, and look at the displays on the walls of the unadorned classrooms. Another interesting and worthwhile observation is to look and listen to other fellow parent visitors. Are they the sort of people that could become your friends? With three children and a long teaching career behind me, I have been involved in scores of open days. On one very telling moment, when visiting a prospective school for one of our daughters, I was instantly struck

by the group of parents in which we were amassed. One well-known personality, dressed in a scarlet suit and full of rather loud and confident questions, was amongst the group – wonderful school as it is, it wasn’t the school for our family and this particular situation seemed to be the embodiment of all our thoughts! Invariably, if you are comfortable in the school environment, your children and family are likely to feel the same way. Trust your instinct and the small voice inside your head. Open Days provide a wonderful opportunity to explore facilities, meet staff and pupils and get a sense of a school. What is most important is to be wise about finding the most appropriate environment for your child – one in which to thrive, grow and enjoy.

Sue Laidlaw is founder of Laidlaw Education LLP, who offer educational advice, lessons and courses for children of all ages through their centres and the Laidlaw Virtual Academy. Find out more at laidlaweducation. co.uk or call 020 8487 9517

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_EDUCATION_OPEN_DAYS_MK.indd 71

27/08/2021 09:59

EDUCATION • TALENT

“The achievement I am most proud of is playing a year up regularly at Leyton Orient” CHARLIE PLEDGER

FUTSAL WAS A GOOD GROUNDING

Feet FIRST

A Woodford Green Prep pupil writes about how the school is continuing to develop his love for football By CHARLIE PLEDGER

first started playing football regularly at the age of four. When I was six I joined Ole futsal, which I loved as it is a fast paced game and helped me to develop my technical skills and ball mastery. It was from here I was selected to join a local grassroots team. I continued this for two years whilst also training with other academies. I love everything about football. It’s fun, exciting and skilful. It can be very physical at times, but this has really improved my confidence and strength both physically and mentally. Football is a great team sport and I feel a sense of pride playing for my team. I’ve had a great teacher at Woodford Green Prep, Ray, who has influenced me and provided support and guidance. He encourages me to be the best I can be in all sports. I enjoy his football for fun sessions at school where I get to spend extra time playing with my friends, away

from the intensity of academy football. I’ve always represented Woodford Green Prep in matches and tournaments. As well as the football, I enjoy all aspects of school, in particular maths. I obviously love anything sport related, especially cross country which I excel at. My teachers have always been really supportive and I have always been happy at Woodford Green Prep. I especially love my current teacher as not only does he make learning fun, but we also share a passion for football. I signed with Leyton Orient two years ago when I was eight-years-old. Currently we train twice a week with weekly matches, which can take us all over the country. Before Covid we were meant to be travelling abroad to play tournaments too. I’m still very young, but the achievement I’m most proud of so far is playing up a year regularly at Orient . I definitely hope to have a career in football. I can’t imagine not playing football, but I know how tough it is to make it professionally. All I can do is try to keep improving. WO O D F O R D G R E E N PREP SCHOOL Glengall Road, Woodford Green, Essex, IG8 0BZ 020 8504 5045 • wgprep.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_BYT_MK.indd 72

27/08/2021 09:29

ACM.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:36

EDUCATION • NEWS

ROL L CALL

HASLERS F O U N DAT I O N

Braeside School

News and information from schools around the county

Braeside School in Buckhurst Hill is celebrating a great set of GCSE results this year: 100% of grades achieved were at grade 5 or above and 66% of grades were 7-9. Once again, the pupils achieved superbly in sciences with 100% passes. braesideschool.co.uk

By MARK KEBBLE

BANCROFT’S

More local organisations have benefitted from a spree of charitable donations from the Haslers Foundation. One such cause to recently benefit from its support is The Dream Factory, a charity set up to grant wishes and dreams to children and young people from the ages of three to 25 years with life-limiting conditions. Oak View School in Loughton also benefited from the generosity of the Foundation for World Autism Awareness Day (WAAD) by matching donations from pupils at their non-uniform day, helping to reach a grand total of £1,392.04.

“More local organisations have beneﬁtted from donations by the Haslers Foundation”

Although football is not a major sport at Bancroft’s School, two Bancroftians are making great progress in the sport. Kieran Petrie has recently swapped Woodford for Wales to follow his football career with Swansea City Academy. Emilia Nygaard Parsons, previously with West Ham Ladies U19s in the WSL Academy League, has recently signed for QPR Women and the attacker already found her way onto the score sheet. bancrofts.org

Forest S chool At Forest in Snaresbrook, they are delighted that their pupils have been awarded excellent A-level and GCSE grades. It is worth clarifying the nature of these grades and the context within which they have been awarded because teachers and the Leadership Team have worked hard to provide fair grades. forest.org.uk

“Ability may get you to the top but it’s character that keeps you there” ST EV I E WO N D E R

SOMETHING THEY SAID

“I don’t like speaking about the female side of it but I hope it inspires and helps girls if they want to continue in sport or go down this road” R AC H A E L B L AC K M O R E

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_Education_News_MK.indd 74

27/08/2021 15:24

Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate An Excellent rated (ISI) school welcoming children aged 3 months to 19 years. Find out how we can help support your child to achieve their aspirations in our unique prep, middle and senior four-school model. Call to arrange a private tour or join us at our next open day on 2 October 2021. www.qe.org

Shortlisted for Independent School of the Year for Performing Arts and Independent Prep School of the Year.

“To be the best that I can, with the gifts that I have.” www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS

QE.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:37

URSULINE.indd 1

24/08/2021 13:33

EDUCATION • CREATIVE

“Start your journey towards a career in the creative industries”

Musical YOUTH

The Academy of Contemporary Music offers courses for creatives of all types

re you musical? Or maybe creative in another way? There’s a college that can teach you how to earn a living from doing something that you love. Start your journey towards a career in the creative industries at the place where all creativity matters. The last 18 months have demonstrated the importance of the arts. While the pandemic restricted the lives of millions, we found solace in our favourite music, performances and video games. The live music industry is the fifth biggest economy in the UK and the gaming industry is projected to be worth some £7 billion by 2024, so all creativity matters. ACM is a place where creativity is nurtured and celebrated. Building on a 26year history, ACM provides a place where

musicians, technicians, engineers and game developers can be taught by industry professionals. With courses in performance, artistry, songwriting, business, technical services, music production, game development and more, they have study options at both Diploma and Degree level, making it a great alternative to attending a traditional College or University. With campuses in Guildford, London and Birmingham, ACM is also home to Europe’s largest recording facility, Metropolis Studios. With artists such as Queen, Amy Winehouse and Michael Jackson having made Metropolis their workplace over the years gone by, and a current client list that includes Stormzy, Drake, Clean Bandit, Elton John, Adele, Madonna, Kylie Minogue and Beyonce, ACM’s students can work in the very studio environments in which their favourite tracks have been recorded, and learn from the same Grammy award-winning team that have helped produce them. It’s not just all about the music, though. This September, they launched the ACM Games Academy, working with pioneers like Supermassive Games, Alienware, UKIE, TIGA and more. The ACM Games Academy is the perfect place to start your career as a game designer, programmer or project manager. AC M acm.ac.uk/open-days

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

_ABS_WEST ESSEX_Sep21_ACADEMY CONTEMPORARY MUSIC_PH.indd 77

27/08/2021 09:55

Enterprising HURST COLLEGE A look at Hurst College’s recent successes By EVE HERBERT

urst College’s Young Enterprise team, Plants with Purpose (PwP), won the Sustainability Award at the regional Young Enterprise final. As event winners of the overall county title and the Digital Skills Award, PwP went forward to the regional competition against six schools from Kent, Surrey and Hampshire, three of whom won awards. As well as winning the Sustainability Award, PwP only just missed out on going through to the national finals. The Hurst team also made the final of the JA (Junior Achievement) competition, the European version of YE, as one of only five UK teams selected to take part. Earlier in the year, PwP took part in a Dragons’ Den event and won the Business Plan Award and the Dragons’ Den Award. The

dragons praised PwP for having the best produced video, a standout logo, impressive website, good market research, cohesive brand identity/packaging/channel marketing as well as a professional business plan and presentation. PwP’s product was a range of herb planting kits packaged in a reusable fabric bag, with a choice of Thyme, Lavender, Mint, Chamomile and Rosemary. “This is a phenomenal achievement. Covid made the whole process of building and running a viable business more difficult than usual. PwP have achieved financial success and been recognised by Young Enterprise, JA Europe and Dragons’ Den for the quality of their product and the exemplary way they have managed their company,” says Jan Leeper, head of careers, Hurst College. In other news, Hurst College’s director of diversity and inclusion, Jami Edwards-Clarke, won the

“Hurst's team went forward to the regional competition against six other schools”

EDUCATION • FOCUS

Outstanding INDEX (Inclusion and Diversity Excellence) Leadership Award at the Boarding Schools’ Association Awards 2021. Jami was appointed last year, alongside her responsibilities as a boarding housemistress and PE teacher. Under Jami’s leadership, the support from staff and pupils to drive the movement forward has been overwhelming. She created pupil and staff D&I platforms to share and develop initiatives under the mantra #Be#Yourself@Hurst; and led the team in organising support for the numerous D&I events including Black History Month, Disability Awareness Week and Pride History Month involving pupils, staff and their families. The judges said: “Jami has shown exemplary leadership and management. These results are visible in the impact of her strategies and the clear emphasis placed on stakeholder voices.” In response Jami said: “Pupils and staff have been the engine throughout. Despite a global pandemic what has been achieved is more than impressive. This award isn’t about me, it’s about the College, with everyone embracing the challenge. The journey isn’t over, but we can be really proud of what we have achieved.” H U R ST C O L L E G E College Lane, Hurstpierpoint, West Sussex, BR6 hppc.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_HURST PIERPOINT_PH.indd 78

27/08/2021 09:53

White Rabbit Maintenance

is a property solutions & maintenance company who works with Estate Agents servicing their lettings departments

· Electrics · Plumbing · Heating · Carpentry Decorating · Painting, & Refurbishment

Are you missing the mark with your marketing? To make your marketing more effective, you need to understand your market, your target audience, which channels are the best and what problems you’re solving for them. And that’s all before you start creating great content, with messages that catch their attention.

Our work covers London & West Essex Call us 020 3597 5333

Get in touch today, to stop wasting more money on marketing that doesn’t work. Contact Sally: 07970 483 026 sally@marketingdoneinaday.com www.marketingdoneinaday.com

whiterabbitmaintenance.com

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 3

27/08/2021 13:16

Lasting

LEGACY Among the many touching tributes to HRH The Duke of Edinburgh was the outpouring of warmth about the DofE Award scheme, which began life in 1956 and continues to change lives By LIBBY NORMAN

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_DofE_PH.indd 80

27/08/2021 09:56

EDUCATION • ROOTS LEFT DofE Award students, including at Gordon’s School, Surrey. Also shown, the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh visiting Gordon’s

he Duke of Edinburgh's Award (or the DofE as it is almost universally known) is a life-changing journey for many young people. The outpouring of warmth from its fans – many of whom had been on the DofE Award journey themselves – made it clear what a huge legacy Prince Philip leaves behind in this regard. The statistics bear this out, with over 6.7 million participants and 3.1 million awards achieved in the UK since its inception. DofE has global reach now, with programmes run in more than 130 countries and territories worldwide. Internationally, there were around 1,800 young people embarking on their DofE journey every day in 2017, and with something like 1.3 million worldwide participants in that year. In some places, it is known by different names, but the general framework has stood the test of time and works for young people in all settings and circumstances. It started small, although the ambition was big. The Duke of Edinburgh's Award began life in 1956, with the challenge to young people to: "attain standards of achievement and endeavour in a wide variety of active interests". A less formal description of the DofE's overarching aim, given somewhat later by HRH himself, puts it rather more succinctly and rather well: "It's what I like to describe as a do-it-yourself growing up kit". The Duke of Edinburgh was influenced in the idea by Kurt Hahn, a German-Jewish emigre to the UK, pioneering educator and founder of Gordenstoun. (Hahn, incidentally, was also one of instigators of Outward Bound.) As a former pupil at Gordenstoun, and one who had thrived in an environment

where students were encouraged to test and challenge themselves, Prince Philip could see the benefits of encouraging physical activity, service and leadership training. Lord John Hunt – the Army colonel who had led the first successful ascent of Everest in 1953 – was the first Director tasked with designing and bringing the programme to life. The original design consisted of four sections: rescue & public service, expeditions, pursuits & projects and fitness. Initially, it was known as the 'DofE for boys', but within a year it was announced that girls would be invited to participate. Three years on, the scheme became a charitable trust and the International DofE Award was established in 1988. Over the years, DofE has become a mainstay within independent schools across the land, with universal appreciation of both its testing nature and its ability to bring out the best in all young people and build their confidence for life. And here the focus is on 'all' because the elements that make up the scheme play to different strengths. The athletically minded may love the expeditions and physical challenges, but equal value is placed on volunteering and building skills. It is also incredibly adaptable to suit the individual.

Today DofE Awards schemes in state schools and academies outnumber those in the independent sector. Schemes are run by employers and endorsed by many more – including Google, Burberry and ITV – as a marker of a young person's transferable 'soft skills'. Schemes have been tailored to suit young people with disabilities – in 2014 ao.com employee Melissa Dempsey became the first person from a business running the scheme to complete the Expedition section using a wheelchair. Over 725,000 young people from disadvantaged backgrounds did their DofE in 2019/20. Notably, the scheme has been made available to those in Young Offenders' Institutions, enabling young people who have lost their way to develop skills and self-confidence – and take back control over the direction of their life. After the announcement of The Duke of Edinburgh's death, DofE participants and Award holders from across the UK helped launch a new fund in his memory. The Living Legacy Fund is designed to give a million more young people the opportunity to achieve a DofE Award. CEO of the Duke of Edinburgh's Award Ruth Marvel explains it thus: “We are also focused on engaging those young people who face greater disadvantage as our impact research shows these young people have most to gain from a DofE experience.” Find out more about The Duke of Edinburgh's Award's Living Legacy Fund at dofe.org

“IT'S WHAT I LIKE TO DESCRIBE AS A DO-IT-YOURSELF GROWING UP KIT” HRH THE DUKE OF EDINBURGH

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_DofE_PH.indd 81

27/08/2021 09:56

OPEN MORNING

Wednesday 13th October 9.00am - 11.00am Head’s talk at 9.15am

To book your place, please email registrar@ahsprep.co.uk

AH.indd 1

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 4

23/07/2021 14:43

27/08/2021 11:44

X X / X X X POINT XXX • TALKING EDUCATIONX X

Are exams ﬁt for

PURPOSE? Like the ﬁrst cuckoo of spring, debate about public exams signals summer. But the past year has raised even more questions. We get perspectives from experts on the education front line

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_ARE EXAMS FIT FOR PURPOSE_PH.indd 83

27/08/2021 10:01

Nurture

Curiosity

Creativity

Excellence

Independent Co-educational Day School For 3 - 11 Years

Join us at our September Open Event Find out what all the noise is about! Register interest via - www.wgprep.co.uk

bravely fortiter

faithfully fideliter

Tel: 0208 504 5045

Email: admissions@wgprep.co.uk www.wgprep.co.uk

happily feliciter

St. Aubyn’s School Open Morning Saturday, 2 October from 10 am – 12 pm Headmaster’s introduction at 10:15am

Full tour of the School 3+ 7+ 11+

co-educational independent ages 3-13 central line Woodford

For further information please contact the Admissions Registrar registrar@staubyns.com 020 8504 1577 Bunces Lane Woodford Green Essex IG8 9DU www.staubyns.com Registered Charity No: 270143

STA.indd 1

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 5

27/08/2021 11:39

27/08/2021 11:44

EDUCATION • TALKING POINT

“The change that does need to happen is that GCSE, A level and BTEC should become separate from Government interference” JESSE ELZINGA

HEADMASTER, SEVENOAKS SCHOOL

Sevenoaks School adopted the IB Diploma over 40 years ago, going exclusively IB post-16 some 15 years ago

ummer means that perennial topic raises its head again – public examinations. Parents and teachers everywhere are forced to consider, sometimes wearily, the debate over how we’re testing, why we’re testing and whether the results current tests produce are worth the paper they’re written on. The past year has thrown up even more issues – and a much broader debate – since Covid stopped normal assessment processes at 16 and 18. What is certain is that this debate has some way to run, but in the meantime we asked three school insiders to give their perspectives on the current public examinations landscape.

“My view is that qualifications are fit for purpose in the UK. The chaos of the public exam debacle of 2020 brought into sharp relief the difficulty of trying to find a fair way of awarding grades in the absence of externally marked assessment, be that examination or coursework. The arrangements for 2021 remain very complicated and difficult, putting even more pressure on schools. My overarching view is that external awarding bodies serve a valid purpose; they offer high-quality qualifications that are marked anonymously and objectively, and are not subject to parental pressure or teacher assessment. It is true that there are, from time to time, inconsistencies in the marking of public exams in this country. However, exam boards do have the hierarchy of markers, with senior examiners checking work and overseeing appeals, and I think mechanisms for reviewing marking are effective overall. In the vast majority of cases, I know that most schools think a fair grade was awarded. One of the biggest challenges for GCSE, A level, BTEC and other qualifications overseen by the UK Government is that these qualifications are too often tampered, particularly when there is a change of Government or a new Secretary of State for Education who wants to make their own mark. Michael Gove’s reforms, in his time as Secretary of State for Education, were

far too radical and ambitious, and left the sector reeling for several years with further amendments since. Ideally, the Department of Education would be a separate branch of Government that is apolitical, where the people in charge are specialists in education rather than Government ministers who, by definition, have a limited tenure. Changes are too often motivated by politics or pressure from the press, rather than what is good for education. The significant advantage of the IB Diploma Programme is that it is run by a non-profit external body, the IBO, and is not subject to the whims of Government. On the contrary, it is taught in more than 150 countries and has changed very little since it was first established more than 50 years ago. Of course, during the pandemic and in the absence of exams, the IBO has also had to think quickly about how to award qualifications and have had their own challenges. The qualifications of GSCE, A level and IB that are offered across the UK are all very well respected by universities and employers. They offer a fair benchmark at these age points and are passports for the next stage of education. We have learned in the pandemic of the difficulty of awarding fair grades in a transparent process without public exams, and for many people in education a return to normality in the next academic year will be a great relief. I do not think it is the time to throw out any qualifications. The change that does need to happen is that GCSE, A level and BTEC should become separate from Government interference in the same way the IB Diploma is.” A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_ARE EXAMS FIT FOR PURPOSE_PH.indd 85

27/08/2021 10:01

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 6

27/08/2021 11:44

EDUCATION • TALKING POINT

“The advantage of the UK system is that it provides for both breadth and specialism, and also for students to change their pathway”

LEFT A pupil at Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate

KEVIN STANNARD

RIGHT Jesse Elzinga, Headmaster at Sevenoaks School

DIRECTOR OF INNOVATION & LEARNING, GDST

Dr Kevin Stannard of the Girls’ Day School Trust previously worked with Cambridge University’s international exams board “The debate about A levels and its alternatives is fundamentally different from that about GCSEs. It makes sense to have some sort of school-leaving qualification, externally verified, that signals a young person’s readiness to progress to the next stage. The problem with A level is that it is being made to serve two very different – even conflicting – functions: as a general schoolleaving certificate for some young people; and as a sorting mechanism for entry to selective universities. Maybe these should be separated, with the sorting (and the attendant need for slicing and dicing in terms of grades) left to the universities themselves. One anomaly of A level is its timing – with results coming after university application and hence the need to issue conditional offers. The move to post-qualification application should be a priority, for the sake of fairness and fitness for purpose. Another anomaly (compared with other countries) is A level’s reductiveness – forcing most students to narrow down to three subjects at an unusually early age. This connects it with the problem with GCSE: without the need to jettison subjects at 16, there would be no need for high-stakes exams in those subjects at that point. GCSE exists because many students once left school at 16. The schoolleaving age is now higher, and this battery of high-stakes tests remains as a relic of past times. Not only does it not serve a useful purpose, it actually forces education out of shape. Time that could be spent teaching is taken up with testing; teaching itself is

focused on test-prep rather than expansive exploration; and the vast amount spent on administering the exam system diverts funds from resourcing schools properly. The cancellation of exams last year revealed the GCSE system as resembling the emperor’s new clothes: GCSEs were awarded on the basis of teachers’ judgements, and it arguably made next to no difference to students’ trajectories.”

DAN MACHIN

ACTING PRINCIPAL, QUEEN ETHELBURGA’S COLLEGIATE

QE offers its students both A levels and BTEC exam options “A levels remain one of the world’s leading qualifications for pre-university study. Nationally and internationally, they are recognised by universities and employers as a high-quality, reliable opportunity for students to show what they are capable of achieving. As they are administered and assessed independently by examination boards, the results continue to retain a high level of integrity. In my view, BTECs also provide outstanding preparation

for university, as well as for future employment. Key to their success is their ability to offer an academically rigorous alternative at the same time as developing practical, real-world skills. Not all students are able to demonstrate their abilities and strengths through end-of-course examinations alone. GCSEs provide structure and focus for students who would otherwise be very inexperienced in the demands of public examinations. They allow students to demonstrate ability across a wide range of subjects and at different levels, and the recent move to introduce Grades 7-9 allows for greater differentiation of ability. Where GCSEs would benefit from future review is in the range of options available in English, mathematics, and the sciences to broaden choice. The UK system provides for both breadth and specialism, and also for students to change their pathway. For some, the ability to specialise early is of great advantage in today’s competitive university and jobs markets. For others, the flexibility of the UK education system allows for experimentation, choice and wide-ranging skills development.” A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_ARE EXAMS FIT FOR PURPOSE_PH.indd 87

27/08/2021 10:02

HOI.indd 1

23/07/2021 13:46

INTERIORS

H OT DESK J O N AT H A N A D L E R

Working from home is no reason to give up on style, as Jonathan Adler's Channing Desk shows. The name says it all: a reference to Margo Channing, Bette Davis's character in All About Eve. The sleek silhouette is fabulous for a small space. £1,950. jonathanadler.com

Interior News 90 • Lathams 92 • Bedrooms 94 A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_INTERIORS OPENER_PH.indd 89

27/08/2021 10:03

INTERIORS NOT E S Ideas, designs and styles for your home By PENDLE HARTE

SILK CUT BEAUVAMP

BeauVamp is an independent, British lighting brand specialising in traditional hand stitched, silk lampshades, combining traditional sewing techniques with vintage-inspired design and contemporary style. Founder Alice offers a completely new take on the old fashioned lampshade, drawing and designing her own shapes into humble, hand-sewn lampshades of the early 1900s. beauvamp.com

MAN OF PARTS

The Man of Parts collection is intended to reflect a contemporary way of living, rather than a single aesthetic and features products by a selection of the world's leading designers including Yabu Pushelberg, whose Via del Corso chair is a mix of soft curves and lightness on floating feet. manofparts.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_Notes_PH.indd 90

27/08/2021 12:26

INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E FIVE Cutlery sets CIELSHOP Gold cutlery place set, £25 cielshopinteriors.com

WA R M UP

SHINE ON ORIGINAL BTC

Pebble is a new statement pendant handcrafted in Stoke on Trent from the finest bone china. Combining centuries-old manufacturing techniques with the latest in technology, this is an intricate and intriguing piece. £1,499 originalbtc.com

CASTRADS

There's no more stylish heater than Castrads' Mercury 4 Column radiator in beaten brass with Windsor valves and Whitworth wall stays. Though there are lots of equally stylish colours and finishes to choose from too. castrads.com

HOUSE DOCTOR Ox titanium cutlery, from £8 quinceandcook.co.uk

CULT FURNITURE Four piece cutlery set in copper, £39 cultfurniture.com

COX & COX Cutlery set in gold, £65 coxandcox.co.uk

IN THE LEAD WATT WATT

REBECCA UDALL Four piece bamboo handle cutlery set, £68 rebeccaudall.com

Sick of ugly extension leads? We all are. The solution come from Wattwatt, who have designed a range of colourful, pretty ones in endless combinations. Chunky cloth braided cables and premium plugs will look good even tangled. From £36. watt-watt.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_Notes_PH.indd 91

27/08/2021 12:26

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

F A B U L O U S A T 5 0 Absolutely West Essex interviews Sarah and Liz Hellmers about the evolution of Lathams Home and ﬁve decades in Epping By MARK KEBBLE Q What did your father, Peter Hellmers, want to offer back in the 70s? A Sarah: The Lathams story began five decades ago in 1971 when our dad, architect Peter Hellmers, indulged his love for home design by launching the homes and gardens store in the market town of Epping. Liz: Pre-dating chain stores such as Homebase, and at a time when people were becoming interested in adding personality to their homes, ‘Epping Homes and Gardens’ was ground-breaking in offering beautiful kitchens, wallpaper, paint, homewares and plants, all under one roof. Q What spurred the launch of ‘Epping Galleries’ as Lathams was known in the 1980s? A Sarah: Evolving tastes in the home style

market inspired dad to start the Galleries. He had always been a keen antique dealer himself so it was a natural progression. He sectioned the ground floor, which became a hub for local antique dealers and creative people, to come together under one roof to sell their individual crafts and wares, with the addition of the weekly ‘Flea Market’ in the cobbled yard of the beautiful 19th century building. Q Was the business always going to stay in the family? A Liz: Over the last 50 years the ‘family’ business just naturally developed with three generations of the Hellmers family now working alongside our dad to bring a combined wealth of experience in fashion, textile design and interior decorating.

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_INTERIORS_FEATURE_MK.indd 92

27/08/2021 00:40

INTERIORS • FEATURE

“Coming out of the shadow of the pandemic, we are stronger and more determined” SARAH AND LIZ HELLMERS

Q How have you evolved in the years since? A Sarah: During the Gallery years we

started to sell pine furniture and homewares on the first floor and gradually expanded back into the entire building as the home style market changed again. Taking on our great grandmother’s maiden name, this was the birth of the ‘Lathams Home’ you recognise today. From then we have defined what has become our unique house style; a classic/contemporary twist

PETER HELLMERS WITH ANNE ASTON ON LAUNCH DAY

with a considered use of pattern and texture, and a hint of the unexpected, all mixed up with a lot of Lathams love. Liz: Always looking to expand our brand, we design in house, our own label furniture ‘Lathams with Love’ and ‘Lathams Luxury’ and our signature cushion collection, all manufactured with love in the UK. We also source beautiful products from around the world, but love to buy British and support local business as much as possible. Our showroom displays feature gorgeous furniture collections with seasonally stocked design led textiles, cushions, floral displays, artwork, books and gifts, to inspire customers looking to add a touch of Lathams luxury to their homes. Our online shop, still in its infancy, offers a carefully curated selection of our home accessories and cushions for those who can’t make it into store. Q Why did you launch your

interior design studio? A Sarah: Our interior design service was introduced 15 years ago at the demand of our customers and has grown year upon year ever since. Now with over 150 projects in our portfolio, we have expanded our team, to help with the growing demand and are booked up over a year in advance, with new enquiries coming in daily. Q What happens here? A Liz: Referencing our long history of

experience in the industry and embracing modern styles and technology, we recreate the Lathams style and atmosphere, tailoring it to our clients’ lifestyles and homes. We are passionate about home interiors and how they reflect, and effect, our moods and our lives.

Q You have been based in Epping since

the start. The perfect place to be?

A Liz: We have always aimed to offer all

our lovely customers a very personal shopping experience as we believe this encourages people to shop local and support our High Street. Lathams has remained in the same building since our launch in 1971 and we are looking forward to being a part of this wonderful community for many more years to come!

Q What does the future hold for Lathams? A Sarah: Coming out of the shadow

of the pandemic, we are stronger and more determined than ever. We will be busy expanding our brand and our online presence, mindful of our environmental responsibilities and finding ways of reducing our carbon footprint, evolving as we always have done. Forever on a mission to spread some Lathams love, our Epping High Street store will always offer a warm and friendly welcome from our talented sales team who share our traditional values and love of interior design.

If you don’t live nearby, check out lathamsstore.com for a handpicked selection of their favourite cushions and accessories, and follow them on @lathamshome for inspiration from their current collections and beautiful interiors projects. Lathams Home 64-66 High Street, Epping, Essex, CM16 4AE 01992 573 023, lathamshome.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_INTERIORS_FEATURE_MK.indd 93

27/08/2021 00:41

S L E E P

T I G H T

Your bedroom should be your sanctuary and a place where you can unwind. Here’s how you can make it a welcome respite By MARK KEBBLE

Sleep easy CA R PE DIEM BEDS

 Carpe Diem Beds’ Sandö is the perfect combination of sleep innovation and beautiful design. Its three spring systems – including the patented Contour Pocket System developed together with the Spinal Unit at Sahlgrenska University Hospital – form perfectly to your body, providing you with completely weightless sleep, while their Swedish handcraftsmanship and multitude of design options give a truly customisable, unique design to your bed. carpediembeds.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_BEDROOMS_MK.indd 94

27/08/2021 10:05

INTERIORS • TREND

Natural wellbeing TEER & CO

 These beautiful 2D and 3D Wall Panels bring warmth and nature into any bedroom and interior. Shown here is the Pyramid model from the 3D Edge Series. Pyramid presents an equilateral triangle profile with no symmetry and the surface is refracted at three different angles. The natural character and specific form of these stunning wall panels brings the outdoors in whilst improving the microclimate and the acoustic properties of interiors. teerandco.com

Top drawer L OA F

 You can never have too much storage, particularly when you have children and/or pets causing havoc in your bedroom. This Dinkum under bed storage in washed oak from Loaf is perfect to hide away toys and other messy paraphernalia without impacting on your bedroom's design and look. Created on wheels, it's simple to use, so no frantic pulling and pushing to complete the clean living look. loaf.com

Add va va voom

T H E F R E N C H B E D R O O M C O M PA N Y

 With smart tapered legs and beautiful ornate carving, the Provencal pretty white bedside table from The French Bedroom Company has two handy drawers for storing all of your bedside articles. Hand-carved from mahogany, this French bedside cabinet is finished in antique white, co-ordinating with all of their Provencal furniture and mirrors. frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_BEDROOMS_MK.indd 95

27/08/2021 10:05

The magic of Anti Ageing and Relaxation

20% OFF

of for the month of September for all absolutely readers

Strawbrook Hill Little Leighs, Chelmsford Essex, CM3 1LX

01245 363889 enquire@brookside-aesthetics.com www.brookside-aesthetics.com

BA.indd 1

27/08/2021 09:49

The best EcoDesign woodburning stoves and gas ﬁreplaces on display

OH.indd 1

• HALVES QUARTERS_USE.indd 7

26/08/2021 18:32

27/08/2021 11:44

INTERIORS • TREND

Best of British

T H E PA I N T E D F U R N I T U R E C O

 Conceived, designed, engineered, manufactured, painted and finished entirely in the UK, the Oxford Painted Bedroom Furniture collection is a modern interpretation of classic British design, beautiful to behold and exceptionally well made. The collection is available in a wide choice of standard pieces with bespoke sizes available on request, and may be finished in a beautiful selection of contemporary colours. paintedfurnitureco.co.uk

Fall in love READING BEDDING

 The Kiss Me is a stunning new addition to the Hestia® Upholstered Bedframe collection, available at Reading Bedding. The Hestia Upholstered Bedframe collection offers stunning handmade bedframes, as well as stools, ottomans, chaise longues, bedroom chairs and bedside tables to act as the perfect complement to your luxurious Furmanac bed frame. reading-bedding.co.uk

Hex appeal AT K I N & T H Y M E

 Keep it simple with a black stained mango wood unit featuring a contrasting brass finish for a hint of utility chic. A fantastic option for master bedrooms as well as guest rooms or teen spaces, Atkin & Thyme's Hex Bedside Drawers are a classically understated design that will complement any interior style. atkinandthyme.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_BEDROOMS_MK.indd 97

27/08/2021 10:05

SPECIALISTS IN INTERIOR AND EXTERIOR SHADING Contact us to arrange a showroom or home appointment

Awnings

Blinds

Curtains

Design

Electric

Shutters

POSNERS.indd 1

24/05/2021 10:32

INTERIORS • TREND

Soft centred TEXTURED LIVES

 Inspired by nature and following Textured Lives' ethos of creating designer bedding for comfort and easy living in the home, this beautiful fern embroidery has a relaxed aesthetic whilst being on trend for today’s interiors. It is produced in a neutral colour palette that can suit most soft pastel bedrooms for that calming ambience we all need at home. texturedlives.co.uk

Grey days SHARPS

 This Shaker Slate Grey wardrobe from Sharps covers all the bases you need in a bedroom, all wrapped up in a wonderful to look at design. Featuring a clothes rail, drawers for fold up clothing, and plenty of shelves to use for whatever your heart desires, all bedrooms need something this eye-catching and compact. sharps.co.uk

Coast to coast DUNELM

 Dunelm's AW21 Coastal Global Bedroom will get you dreaming of the sea. The bedroom collection includes a Seagrass mirror, Giselle five drawer chest, a Wolston three light cluster fitting, Coastal ceramic vase lines, Jax Global duvet, Wicker headboard, Joseph dining bench oak effect, Jonah denim mix rug, Ecomix ball shaped table lamp, and Jax embroidered cushion. dunelm.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Interiors_BEDROOMS_MK.indd 99

27/08/2021 10:06

INTERIORS • TREND THE VINTAGE LIST Champagne saucers with fern design, £79 for six thevintagelist.co.uk

KAYU HOME Yala hammered wine glass, set of four, £36.95 kayuhome.co.uk

NATALIA WILLMOTT Pair of red cut glasses, £56 nataliawillmott.co.uk

POLKRA Set of six handblown coloured glass tumblers, £42 polkra.com

PASOLUNA Pink recycled glass handmade wine glass, set of two, £19.95 pasoluna.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

TOM DIXON Puck coupe glass, £70 for two tomdixon.net

FERM LIVING Ripple champagne saucers, set of two, £39 utilitydesign.co.uk

SIR/MADAM Rialto glass coupe set of two, £60 iamfy.co

RAISE THE BAR All the loveliest glasses for sipping from

EDITOR’S PICK

By P E N D L E H A R T E

HAY Tint tumblers, set of two, £25 hay.dk

SUNDAY LIVING Rose cocktail glass, £12.50 sundayliving.co.uk

BROSTE Smoke white wine glass set of four, £44 silvermushroom.com

100

CASA CELVA Murano shot glass, £38 for four casacelva.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Products_GLASSES_PH.indd 100

27/08/2021 16:23

TSPACE.indd 1

27/08/2021 11:15

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

C A B I N F E V E R Are garden offices the future for the UK workforce? By B R O O K E M AC D O N A L D

hen it comes to our work life, the COVID-19 pandemic impacted all our lives in one way or another. For those in occupations where working from home is possible, this became the new norm in 2020 and still continues in 2021. But as we see life gradually return to normal, many of us are keen to get back to the office and away from the confines of our home. With this said, reports suggest that the

102

pandemic has shown many businesses that having employees work from home comes with many financial and physical benefits attached, raising the question of if remote working will be the new norm in the future. Garden offices, also referred to as garden rooms, are a separate building detached from your main home and are designed to create a comfortable and professional space for work. Other than helping to create a divide between your home and office life, garden rooms can be transformed into a quiet and tranquil place to escape to. Recent search data collected between April 2020 and April 2021 finds that garden

office-related terms have dramatically increased in popularity. The term ‘garden office shed’ increased by 200 per cent, proving many people have taken an interest in the garden room trend. It’s a given that working from your garden saves both money and time on commuting. No one likes spending time stuck in traffic or dedicating an unnecessary amount of money towards fuel every month, so with home working both of these can be avoided. It even benefits the environment too. Although jobs should always be set as a priority, garden offices allow us to be more flexible when it comes to balancing work life with home life. For those with children especially, spending as much time with them as you can and being part of their everyday life is something every parent wants. Anyone who has worked in an office environment before will know that sometimes it can be difficult to concentrate on a task with numerous other conversations going on around you. With garden offices, however, all of this can be avoided, helping you do each task to the highest of quality in a shorter amount of time. Now, the question is, where do I start?

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WE_Sep21_GARDEN OFFICES_PH.indd 102

27/08/2021 15:14

INTERIORS • WORK

Data suggests that one question on a lot of people’s minds is how much it will cost, with the search term ‘garden office cost’ increasing by 200 per cent between April 2020 and April 2021. To answer this question, the average cost to create a garden office can vary between £5,000 and £25,000. Although this is quite a hefty sum of money to spend on a space, in the long run, this can add an incredible amount of value to your home – between five and seven per cent to be exact. So, if you’re in need of some garden office inspiration, take notes of these top tips on how to save money in the process. For those who have a family member or friend who is in the building trade or knows someone who is, shopping local for a construction business can not only help support local businesses, but save you money too. As for the basic materials that are needed at this stage, such as concrete plates, bricks, and other materials for the frame of the structure, make sure to have a look around for the most cost-effective suppliers. The likes of Gumtree and Facebook marketplace are a good place to start. This is where the fun part begins. When it comes to designing your garden office so that it never gets boring to look at, now is the time to get creative. Firstly, decide on a theme. Since it is your own personal space, think about what kind of things make you happy and use that as the catalyst behind some interior inspiration. Perhaps you have an eye for bright and vibrant furniture pieces, or maybe you have an interest in knitting your own throws or cushion covers. Alternatively, you could

“GARDEN OFFICES ALLOW US TO BE MORE FLEXIBLE WHEN BALANCING HOME AND WORK”

opt for a particular sport-theme you enjoy – whatever it is, pick a theme and add a personalised twist to your garden room. Since this is the most creative aspect of the process, there is one main activity that can help you cut costs in the design stage: DIY. Platforms such as YouTube are full of easy-to-follow guides on how to DIY everything from building a bed frame to making an entirely new room. Of course, some work might require the help of a professional depending on what it is, but assessing what could be done yourself helps to cut costs. After the main interior work is done, the final finishing touches need to be added. Other than the additional home décor that you choose to buy or make yourself, the exteriors of your garden office can also be enhanced with some creative flair and make it the centrepiece of your entire garden. What better time to invest in some

gardening work than after building a garden room? Framing your garden room with an array of vibrant flowers and plants can help bring your space to life. Moreover, you could also purchase a variety of solar-powered lights suitable for outdoor use and create a cosy night-time setting to relax in after work. This can be a relatively inexpensive task too. All you need is a few garden tools and some seeds for your chosen flowers and shrubs. Compost Direct have a handy soil calculator, to help you figure out much soil you’ll need for the borders around you garden room. The future of working from home remains unclear. However, one thing we do know is that garden offices continue to be an interest the nation shares, and they don’t seem to be going anywhere anytime soon. Brooke Macdonald compostdirect.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WE_Sep21_GARDEN OFFICES_PH.indd 103

103

27/08/2021 15:14

INTERIORS • TREND ERCOL Forli chaise, £3,185 ercol.com

HEAVENLY HOMES & GARDENS Orange cotton runner, £62 heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk

COSY COCO Khatim rug, £396 cosycoco.com

MADE BY HAND One-off Penguin Books jug, £45 madebyhandonline.com

MADE TO LAST Hipster pendant light, £190 made-to-last.co.uk

THE HAPPY BLOSSOMS Origami vase, £33 thehappyblossoms.com

EDITOR’S PICK

AUDENZA Lola curvaceous velvet armchair, £657 audenza.com

HK LIVING Ceramic 70s noodle bowl, £11 folkinteriors.co.uk

HUBSCH Orange and black glass bowl, £19 fiveanddime-interiors.com

EDITOR’S PICK

BURNT ORANGE

LIGNE ROSET Pukka lounge chair, £1,605 chaplins.co.uk

The shade of the moment By P E N D L E H A R T E

THE RUG RETAILER Oh So Sisco Burnt Orange by Matthew Williamson, £645 therugretailer.co.uk

LIVING IT UP Arthur bed, £989 livingitup.co.uk

ROOM FOR ROOTS Bohemian hanging planter, £11 roomforroots.co.uk

BOMBAY DUCK Picado Embroidered Cushion £58 orangefrogboutique.com

104

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_Products_ORANGE_PH.indd 104

27/08/2021 10:13

ML.indd 1

27/08/2021 11:00

Eversure are leading the electric vehicle charging revolution!

Eversure will plant a tree for every myenergi zappi charger installed in accordance with the national trust

And we want you to join us in leading the pack. Eversure Charging is a London based organisation in Woodford Green, that is looking to help address the environmental low emissions challenge. Eversure provide Electric Vehicle Charging units based on the following:  Purchase and Installation of premium UK manufactured market leading products by Myenergi  Provide an Electric Vehicle Charging Service ﬁnance solution that spreads the costs across a multi year term, including annual maintenance, quality checks, performance checks and 24/7 support.

Our services include: Consultancy, surveys, installation, maintenance & support, and project management. Eversure is an OLEV (office for low emission vehicles) authorised installer, NICEIC certified, and a tier 1 charging partner. The Eversure team have extensive electrical, property, digital and vehicle management experience. Eversure are focused on professionalism, quality and employ local, highly qualified people, helping our clients by providing an agile, flexible, cost effective, electric vehicle charging as a service.

We are specialists in the installation, distribution and maintenance of electric vehicle chargers, providing our clients with award winning, UK designed, manufactured and best in class electric vehicle chargers.

City low, ultra-low & zero emission zone charging is happening in London: The ULEZ daily charge of £12.50 commenced in april 2019; in October 2021 the extension of the zone will cover north & south circular roads.

sales@eversurecharging.com

eversurecharging.com

0203 998 2298

EVERSURE CHARGING.indd 1

Why Eversure?  Eversure provide electric vehicle charging as a service (EVCaaS) with a range of care packages, based on your requirements  Help you generate signiﬁcant revenue from your chargers  Help you with scheduled charging in-line with cheap electricity and power availability  Harness the power of solar energy with Myenergi products providing free power, to charge your electric vehicle and get the best return on your investment

19 Mill Lane, Woodford Green, Essex, England IG8 0UN

27/08/2021 09:19

PROPERTY

HALL LANE RM14

£2,500,000 GUIDE PRICE

his gorgeous, six-bedroom Georgian country home retains original features including wooden beams and high ceilings combined with tasteful, modern finishing throughout. Set over three floors and boasting an approx. 4,300sqft on a 1-acre plot, the property offers a secluded, countryside feel whilst still offering convenient access for the M25 and local town centre.

BALGORES UPMINSTER

01708 259539 sales@balgoresupminster.com

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_Essex_Sep21_PFC_MK.indd 107

107

27/08/2021 12:29

Knighton Lane, Buckhurst Hill

£1,050,000 Detached | Four bedrooms | Superb location

Situated in one of Buckhurst Hill’s most sought after turnings is this beautifully presented four bedroom detached property. With accommodation arranged over three floors, an excellent garden, and being ideally placed for St John’s Primary School, Queens Road and the Central Line, this house looks perfect for any young family.

Princes Road, Buckhurst Hill

£450,000

Character conversion | Period features | Own garden

Rare to the market in the heart of Buckhurst Hill is this delightful first floor conversion apartment with own garden. Features include a stunning lounge/dining room with period features, a modern fitted kitchen, two bedrooms and own garden to the rear with an allocated parking space.

FARR O'NEILS TEMPLATE.indd 1

27/08/2021 09:24

• XXXXX PROPERTY XXXXXXXX• INSIGHT

IS THE PRICE RIGHT?

Hayley Hunt, of Hunt Property Services, analyses recent market reports and has a tip for sellers

hat a crazy summer to date, with Zoopla predicting a record 1.5m property transactions this year – that’s up 45% on last year! The unexpected consequences of the pandemic and the stamp duty concession following right on the heels of that Brexit-related stalling industry pushed the market into a frenzy. You may recall recently Nationwide reported a whopping 13.4% annual rise in house prices. Well according to the more conservative Halifax, who reported a 9.6% annual increase in May, the monthly figure actually fell 0.5% last month – leading to a slight reduction in the annual rate of growth. This is probably good as things, including the

“To prospective sellers, make sure you act decisively”

property market, start to return to normal. But the frenzy, where 38% of properties sold over the asking price, is far from over yet and we are as busy as ever, as people realise that you can actually lead the lifestyle you want without being chained to the office. Demand is still very high and there is a race for space, especially for properties with gardens and room to work from home. One of the problems this frenzy caused was gazumping, where a seller accepts a higher offer from a second buyer prior to exchange of contracts, even though they have already agreed terms with someone else. Although this is unlawful in many countries, it’s not in the UK and, according to comparethemarket.com, 39% of buyers in the last 12 months admitted they had successfully secured their home by outbidding another buyer whose offer had already been accepted. That means over a third of arranged sales fell through for disappointed buyers. We certainly don’t encourage gazumping, and, as the market begins to settle down, would urge

our sellers to avoid the temptation to upset an arranged sale in most instances. In terms of the rental market, according to Goodlord, average annual rents have risen by about 8% this year, quickly reflecting the rise in house prices. They say that the average void period between tenancies in England is now 16 days, down from 22 days a year ago, although in many cases we find this is only a day or two. So that’s great news for property investors. So the main message this month is, once again, to prospective sellers. If that’s you, then do act decisively here. This market simply cannot last forever. It won’t be long before we say goodbye to this extraordinary summer, perhaps interest rates could rise a bit to keep check on inflation, along with potentially higher levels of unemployment – there could be some redundancies announced, not only as furlough comes to an end, but also as the real effects of Brexit are felt across the economy. If you think that you might want to move house in the next couple of years, ideally bring it forward if you can. And if you need to get a feel for what your property might be worth right now, please do call us without any obligation – you might be pleasantly surprised!

H AY L E Y H U N T Is the founder of Hunt Property Services based in Woodford Green huntpropertyservices.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY COLUMN_MK.indd 109

109

27/08/2021 00:46

Hunt Property Services is an independent boutique estate agency with a portfolio of luxury properties for sale and rent in London and Essex.

We are also the agent for Repton Park, an exclusive gated development in Woodford Green, where founder and Director Hayley Hunt has been a resident for over 20 years. Our award winning team of experts will provide you with an outstanding bespoke service to guide you through every aspect of buying or selling a property. We have also been recognised for providing excellence in property renovations, proudly winning Woman in Build Award two years running. The Hunt team are available for consultations, market appraisals and viewings seven days a week.

ETON HEIGHTS Hunt are proud to present to the market this immaculate two bed apartment within the exclusive Eton Heights development with underground parking, concierge, private gym and pool.

Guide Price £650,000

Hunt_10.indd 1

27/08/2021 10:58

pacious luxury apartment set on the second floor of the Eton Heights development. This particular property offers an over sized lounge diner incorporating an open plan fully integrated kitchen with breakfast bar and Siemens appliances , this room also boasts bifold doors to the terrace. Two double bedrooms, master with en suite with walk in wet room and bath tub. Separate contemporary family bathroom.Gas underfloor heating throughout. Glorious

Hunt_10.indd 2

communal gardens which are beautifully maintained with an imposing porcelain entrance hallway and a charming meeting area on the Galleria landing. This beautiful apartment also benefits from secure underground parking, concierge services in the daytime and access to a private swimming pool and gym and sauna in lower ground floor. This luxury development benefits a two minute walk to the forest and Woodford golf course. Chain free. Sole Agent.

27/08/2021 10:58

Sales, Lettings, Land & New Homes

The Ridgeway, Chingford E4 Guide Price £1,250,000 – £1,350,000

Epping Way, Chingford E4 Guide Price £550,000 – £575,000

Falmouth Avenue, Chingford E4 £1,350 pcm

6 Bedrooms | 3 Receptions | 3 Bathrooms

3 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 1 Bathroom

2 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 1 Bathroom

An impressive, six-bedroom family home, set behind gates in a prestigious North Chingford location. Rear garden in excess of 80ft with detached gym/summer house to rear. Excellent access to highly regarded local schools, transport and Epping Forest.

Located in the highly desirable Drysdale district of North Chingford, Butler & Stag are delighted to offer for sale this three bedroom, semidetached, Art Deco family home that is ideally located for access to local schools and the open spaces of Epping Forest. **Chain free**

A modern, two double bedroom, split level apartment close to local facilities and with Highams Park Station within a half mile. In excellent condition throughout and with parking and communal gardens on site.

Sunset Avenue, Chingford E4 Guide Price £700,000 – £725,000 3 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 2 Bathrooms Located on a very popular, yet very quiet tree lined turning in North Chingford, a beautifully appointed, three bedroom loft converted bungalow.

Neil Leahy

Tony Game

Chris Marsh

Milo O’Neill

Amanda Schiavi

Bradley Gale

Katy Morton

Director, Land & New Homes

Head Of West Essex Sales

Assistant Manager

Chingford Manager

Company Sales Progressor

Senior Property Consultant

Office Co-ordinator & Property Business Development Consultant

BS.indd 20

Charlie Parsons

27/08/2021 13:03

London & Home Counties Land & New Homes

West Essex Sales & Lettings

Chingford Sales & Lettings

London Sales & Lettings

020 4542 2999 enquiries@butlerandstag.com

01992 667 666 westessex@butlerandstag.com

020 8524 3333 chingford@butlerandstag.com

020 8102 1236 london@butlerandstag.com

butlerandstag.uk

Crown Hill, Waltham Abbey EN9 £950,000 4 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 4 Bathrooms Positioned in the heart of Upshire is this outstanding four bedroom semi-detached family home spanning circa 2700 sq ft of living accommodation and offering far reaching views over parts of Epping Forest.

Chestnut Avenue, Buckhurst Hill IG9 Guide Price £675,000 – £700,000 4 Bedrooms | 2 Receptions | 2 Bathrooms A beautifully presented 1930s mid terraced family home, positioned on a sought after road in Buckhurst Hill.

St Helens Mews, Ongar CM5 Guide Price £475,000 – £500,000

Green Glade, Epping CM16 £1,700 pcm

Land & New Homes Prices from £625,000 – £1,050,000

4 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 1 Bathroom

3 Bedrooms | 1 Reception | 1 Bathroom

Abbotts Way, Stapleford Abbotts RM4

A simply stunning four bedroom end of terraced house in aboutique gated mews development situated in the heart of Ongar High Street.

A substantial four bedroom family home which has been extended and refurbished to a very high standard throughout, located in a quiet turning within the Village and close to sought after schools and local amenities.

– 6 Semi-detached houses – 2 Detached houses – Set within a gated development

BS.indd 21

27/08/2021 13:03

PROPERTY • FEATURE

114

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY IN FOCUS_MK.indd 114

27/08/2021 00:49

PROPERTY • FEATURE

Chigwell CHARMER Absolutely West Essex heads inside a stunning six-bedroom detached home set within an executive residence

et within the highly exclusive gated development of Chigwell Grange, this six-bedroom detached home has been designed to the highest of standards and sets the bar truly high for all contemporary homes. The 6,465 sq ft internal accommodation is arranged over four floors with the ground floor starting with a welcoming luxurious entrance hall. To the left of the entrance hall there is a good sized study and a further reception room offering bifolding doors onto the rear garden patio. The main feature of the ground floor accommodation is the beautifully designed open plan kitchen which includes fitted appliances, family area and newly built dining room. The kitchen offers the perfect space for entertaining guests and is truly the hub of this versatile home. There is also a utility room with A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY IN FOCUS_MK.indd 115

115

27/08/2021 00:49

PROPERTY • FEATURE

“THERE IS A MODERN AND SPACIOUS GYM TOGETHER WITH CHANGING ROOMS, SAUNA, BATHROOM AND WET BAR” internal doors leading to a double garage, creating easy access for further storage if required alongside a cloakroom. Leading down from the entrance hall stairs you will find the lower ground floor hallway giving access to the modern and spacious gymnasium together with changing rooms, sauna, bathroom, second utility room and large entertainment room with a wet bar. Upon entrance to the first floor, you are welcomed by an expansive landing, which provides access to four of the six bedrooms and, most notably, the master bedroom, which has a dressing room, balcony and en-suite bathroom. The further two bedrooms are doubles with balcony and en-suite bathrooms, with the final room currently being used for a further dress area. The second floor comprises

116

of two spacious double bedrooms, both providing wonderful en-suites. The rear garden has been beautifully landscaped to include patio and decking entertainment areas, planted borders and laid to lawn. To the front of the property there is large block paved driveway providing parking for numerous cars. High Road is located close to all the amenities that Chigwell offers, including good transport links for anyone who needs to get into Central London fast. Quite simply, this property has it all.

High Road, Chigwell, IG7 is on the market for £2,750,000 with Butler & Stag Theydon Bois. For more information call 01992 667 666 or visit butlerandstag.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY IN FOCUS_MK.indd 116

27/08/2021 00:49

Fiat/Ford Chausson Range

Peugeot/Fiat/Mercedes Autosleeper Range

SIMPSONS.indd 20

New for 2022 BURSTNER RANGE

Peugeot/Fiat/Elddis Range

Fiat Rapido Range

Fiat Auto-Trail Range

23/07/2021 11:30

3D WALKTHROUGH

Spring Grove, Loughton

Asking price £2,100,000

Located on one of Loughton’s most sought after roads this spacious six bedroom, four bathroom family residence has far reaching views over Loughton and is within walking distance to the High Road, excellent private and public schools, Epping Forest, the Central Line Underground Station and M25. The south facing private rear 120ft garden has planted mature borders, laid to lawn, outside lighting, shed, green house, large patio which is ideal for entertaining with the added benefit of a 30ft heated swimming pool with retractable roof. To the front of the property the carriage driveway and 20ft garage offers ample off-street parking.

EJ.indd 1

27/08/2021 11:48

3D WALKTHROUGH

Pudding Lane, Chigwell

£3,350,000

This splendid Victorian five/six bedroom detached family home is set within in the heart of Chigwell. Nestled behind electric iron gates within the gorgeous Essex countryside, this property comes complete with 1.2 acres of beautifully manicured grounds and incredible views. Olantigh also features an incredible detached garage spacious enough for up to 4 cars and additional storage. It has a large studio above with fully functioning kitchen and shower room which is perfect for a home office away from the main family residence.

0208 0165 333 | 165 High Road, Loughton IG IO 4LF www.ejpr.co.uk |

EJ.indd 2

27/08/2021 11:48

3D WALKTHROUGH

Kensington Drive, Woodford Green

£675,000

Newly launched to the market is this spacious four-bedroom semi-detached family home situated in a highly sought after road. Externally to the front there is a blocked paved driveway providing off street parking for at least two cars and a shared driveway providing access to the detached garage. To the rear there is a paved patio area for summer entertaining and a grass area with planted borders. Kensington Drive is ideally located for transport links as South Woodford Central Line Station is within short distance providing easy access into London. Roding Valley Park is a stone’s throw away for walking the dog or going for a weekend bike ride.

EJ.indd 3

27/08/2021 11:48

Final luxury apartment remaining in development

Montgomerie Lodge, Chigwell

£925,000

Montgomerie Lodge is a state-of-the-art development located on the edge of Chigwell Golf Course featuring beautiful panoramic golf course views. Chigwell Central Line Station is just a short walk from the development as is Brook Parade with its selection of social and fashion amenities. Flat 2 Montgomerie Lodge is located on the ground floor and boasts an expansive living area of 1,206 sq ft. The apartment includes entrance lobby, en-suite master bedroom, two further bedrooms, bathroom and central open-plan living /dining /kitchen space with glass doors leading to a private garden. This apartment benefits from two dedicated parking bays with additional parking bays for visitors.

0208 0165 333 | 165 High Road, Loughton IG IO 4LF www.ejpr.co.uk |

EJ.indd 4

27/08/2021 11:48

3D WALKTHROUGH

Wellfields, Loughton £1,100,000 • • • • •

3D WALKTHROUGH

Charteris Road, Woodford Green

EJ.indd 5

Semi-detached property Four bedrooms Fantastic 150 foot garden Great location Garage

Highwood Lane, Loughton

£995 per month

£1,500 per month

• • • • •

Next to station Available now Ideal location Modern Studio apartment

Newly refurbished throughout Three bedrooms Private garden Near Central Line station Gas central heating

27/08/2021 11:48

AT T H E T O P O F O U R G A M E

ANNABEL KABEL

ELLIOTT LAWLOR

FRANKIE FAULKNER-WILD

FREDERICK CASSFORD

GRACE PERRY

HEIDI FOSTER

JAMES LAWLOR

REBECCA HAWES

ROBERT GUNN

WAYNE COHEN

Prime Marketing Of All Sales and Lettings Properties CALL TO ARRANGE YOUR MARKET APPRAISAL

3D WALKTHROUGH

Princes Road, Buckhurst Hill

Hazel Lane, Chigwell

£1,800 per month

£3,500 per month

• • • • •

Two bedroom house Heart of Buckhurst Hill Charming Original features Garden

Five bedrooms Available now Unfurnished Secure gated development Garage

0208 0165 333 | 165 High Road, Loughton IG IO 4LF www.ejpr.co.uk |

EJ.indd 6

27/08/2021 11:48

Drive for

LUXURY

Heading inside a new and exclusive residence comprising of a collection of ﬁve beautiful apartments

124

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY EJPR_MK.indd 124

27/08/2021 00:51

PROPERTY • FOCUS

amara Court is where timeless design meets the height of contemporary living on one of Chigwell’s most desirable roads – Stradbroke Drive. In a place renowned for its high expectations and sense of style, the arrival of Tamara Court sets a striking new standard. Every detail of this remarkable new property has been carefully chosen to create the ultimate setting for luxurious living and entertaining. Each of the apartments at Tamara Court offers beautifully designed interiors, impressively grand proportions and opulent finishing touches. The apartments each benefit from their own private terrace or gardens (ground floor only), with access to communal landscaped gardens, a residents’ gym, secure underground parking and private storage spaces. The lower-ground floor of the residence is home to a fully-equipped, private gym

for the ultimate in at-home luxury and convenience. A private underground car park offers the highest level of security, dedicated storage areas for each apartment and direct lift access to all floors. Tamara Court is in a prime location in the heart of Chigwell. It is positioned moments from sprawling parks and the picturesque countryside. The highly regarded Chigwell Golf Club and Epping Forest are both local to this luxurious development. A variety of popular restaurants, cafés, hairdressers, nail salons and boutiques are also within easy reach. This unique residence is well connected for fast and easy access to the City and Central London being conveniently situated on the Central Line. Whether it be for business or pleasure, the vibrant centre of London can be reached within 30 minutes. Then again, given what is on offer at Tamara Court, perhaps you won’t need to leave that often. For more information, contact Elliott James Prime Residential on 020 8016 5333 or visit ejpr.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY m a g a z i n e s

ABS_WEST ESSEX_September21_PROPERTY EJPR_MK.indd 125

125

27/08/2021 00:51

balgoresproperty.com WHAT SETS US APART FROM OUR COMPETITORS AND PROVIDES ONGOING SUCCESS FOR OUR CUSTOMERS IS OUR ENDURING PASSION FOR BEAUTIFUL PRESENTATION.

ost importantly, we truly believe in the power of stunning professional photography to promote and sell your property.

Whether you are selling or renting a small studio apartment, a two bedroom cottage or a large detached family home, we will make sure your home is meticulously photographed. Not only do we make sure that the outside of your home is shot beautifully, we take the same care photographing the interiors and pay special attention to all of the lovely details that set your property apart. We don’t stop there. All of our photography goes through a rigorous selection and quality control process where we make sure we have selected the very best shots. We think you’ll appreciate the difference so if you’re looking to showcase your property in the best light to potential buyers, Balgores are here to help. Get in touch with us today.

4.6 out 5 | Rated Excellent

Basildon t: 01268 271 110

BALGORES.indd 20

Brentwood t: 01277 216 800

Chelmsford t: 01245 492 424

Dagenham t: 0208 592 1038

Gravesend t: 01474 369 955

Hornchurch t: 01708 470 756

27/08/2021 15:07

Sandon Place, Ongar Recently constructed in 2018, this contemporary style, 5 bedroom home offers spacious and flexible accomodation with state of the art communication facilities and is offered with no onward chain.

Balgores Ongar | Guide Price £1,100,000

Regents Drive, Repton Park

Moreton Gate, Pedlars End, Ongar

Set within a prestigious private gated development is this six bedroom luxury home, boasting approx. 3,088 sqft of living accommodation and a spacious garden. This stunning property has an extensive feature list and is sure to impress.

This stunning detached home, set on a delightful grounds of some 2.3 acres, offers 4 bedrooms set over 2,776sqft of living accomodation. With vaulted ceilings, en-suite to the master bedroom and fantastic views all year round, this home is a must see!

Balgores Loughton | Asking Price £1,950,000

Balgores Ongar | Asking Price £1,675,000

Loughton t: 0208 502 1559

BALGORES.indd 21

Ongar t: 01277 369 925

Romford t: 01708 755 507

South Woodham Ferrers t: 01245 323 729

Upminster t: 01708 259 539

Wickford t: 01268 763 477

27/08/2021 15:07

AAH.indd 20

27/08/2021 12:06

AAH.indd 21

27/08/2021 12:07

USCO.indd 1

25/06/2021 12:50

1 O 0% FF *

✃ L U N C H  D I N N E R  C O C KTA I L S Come join us and dine in style either in our stunning restaurant or outside eating area. We offer a mouth watering range of fine cut meats and seafood. We also offer a delicious selection of Cocktails/Mocktails

B O O K Y O U R T A B L E T O D AY

CO N TACT

HOURS

Te l e p h o n e 0208 508 8811

Sunday - Monday 12:00 - 22:00 Friday - Saturday 12:00 - 23:00

Address 12-14 The Broadway Loughton IG10 3ST

efezademezzegrill.co.uk EMG.indd 1

*Valid until November 1st 2021, accepted Sunday to Thursday, excludes Friday and Saturday

27/08/2021 09:09

MOJO.indd 1

23/07/2021 13:59