Absolutely Yorkshire September 2022 by ABSOLUTELY Magazines

Yorkshire SEPTEMBER 2022 / £3.95 STYLISH / INTELLIGENT / ELEGANT Animal MAGIC Behind the scenes at Cannon Hall Farm in Barnsley Coastal CHIC 21 reasons to head to the sea MURPHY Siobhan News and views from the best Yorkshire schools SPECIAL The East Yorkshire artist who impressed the Queen ROYAL APPROVAL INSIDE THE BOLD AND BEAUTIFUL YORKSHIRE HOME OF THE MAXIMALIST INTERIOR DESIGNER

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6 ABSOLUTELY magazines CONTE CULTURE 14 AGENDA Our pick of the best events across the county in September 16 AMBER DOIG-THORNE The York inﬂuencer on why acting is still the name of the game 28 YORKSHIRE COAST Four pages of the best places to enjoy the sea OUTDOORS 36 THE CONISTON Why they have launched new experiences to enjoy the landscape 40 RIEVAULX ABBEY A new exhibition casts light on this historic landmark 42 PETS We pick out the 10 best places to walk your dog FOOD & DRINK 46 TASTING NOTES Tuck into what's on the county's plate this month 48 FISH&FOREST Dining out at York's latest must visit restaurant 52 RECIPES Bringing a touch of Sri Lanka into the kitchen FASHION & BEAUTY 60 YORK FASHION WEEK We interview model Kat Atkinson about returning to the catwalk 64 THE SHOOT Get set for autumn with the latest looks from Marc-Cain 70 THE LEVESON CENTRE Behind the scenes at the new cancer care hub 64 16 14 124 SEPTEMBER 2022

7ABSOLUTELY magazines NTS 89 Picks EDITOR'S EDUCATION SPECIAL 20 pages of the finest schools in Yorkshire, plus we speak to experts in the know (p89) AMSTERDAM Opening a new travel section for Absolutely Yorkshire, we head off for two days in the 'dam (p80) ELEANOR TOMLINSON We meet the East Yorkshire artist who went viral during The Queen's Platinum Jubilee (p24) INTERIORS 118 INTERIORS NEWS Rounding up all you need to know for the home 120 SIOBHAN MURPHY Entering the colourful world of our cover star 124 RICHARD GRAFTON Exploring how his business has evolved over the years 131 TREND Red has always be signposted as the colour to light passion, so how do you bring it into the home? PROPERTY 140 INSIDE STORY Hopkinsons invite us into a home with wonderful views of Harrogate 148 MONEY CAN BUY Converted farm buildings in the idyllic Upper Cumberworth 151 PROPERTY FOCUS An original sustainable development in the heart of Leeds 157 PARK LIFE Exploring the many benefits of purchasing a home at Elvington Residential Park ABSOLUTELYYORKSHIRE.CO.UK The online guide to inspirational local living. ON THE COVER Siobhan Murphy, photo by Pique Portraits

EDITOR MARK KEBBLE ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNERS MIKE SUZETTEROBERTSSCOBLE MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER CARMEN GRAHAM JUNIOR DESIGNER KAI NICHOLLS MEDIA CONSULTANTS AMANDA KEY, MELANIE HARDCASTLE, RACHEL STEAD, BECKY BAIRD 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 Follow Us On Facebook @ABSOLUTELYYORKSHIRE Twitter @ABSYORKSHIRE Instagram @ABSOLUTELYYORKSHIRE Website absolutelyyorkshire.co.uk For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 07818 690 386 or email: craig@zest-media.com 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. 9.94/10 Average Score 01757 602 justshutters.co.uk459 T3000 JS AUG 2022 Absolutely Yorkshire 93x270.indd 1 18/08/2022 10:10

• Getting back into a healthy routine of yoga and meditation with incredible yogi Emel Duﬀ at Yogabomb, York.

As autumn comes around, Lisa Byrne prepares for all manner of weird, wonderful and wacky events

• Stocking up on JSHealth Vitamins before the winter kicks in.

hen I was a child growing up in Yorkshire in what seems like many centuries ago, September was a month of post-holiday blues, getting uniform and stationary ready before heading back to convent school.

Although I really enjoyed reuniting with old friends at the Bar Convent after a long summer break, September didn’t hold much excitement. It was rather a barren month before the frightening, ghastly fun of Halloween and the magical lead up to Christmas. But move forward a few decades and September in Yorkshire is awash with incredible events being held across the county. There’s the Saltaire Festival (from 9-18 September), which celebrates the community’s unique history, especially in the world of arts. I ﬁrst stumbled across Saltaire while travelling on the Leeds to Liverpool LISA BYRNE

YORK'S NIGHT SKY WILL BE FILLED WITH HOT AIR BALLOONS THIS MONTH SALTAIRE 9ABSOLUTELY magazines ABSOLUTELY • THIS MONTH

My highlights for the month of September… Planning a much-needed break with Sixth Form College friends at the luxury Middleton Lodge Estate in Middleton Tyas, Richmondshire.

Yorkshire YATTER

I loved the Salts Mill, a converted cloth mill built in 1853, and the incredible story of how pioneer Sir Titus Salt created a utopian vision of living away from the smog ﬁlled cities of Leeds and Bradford. He had a model village built next to the mill for his workers, which included a school and hospital. Today the mill is a stunning place for art, in particular works by renowned local artist David Hockney.

• Gazing in awe at the stunning York Balloon Fiesta. canal, and what an enchanting village it is.

If you fancy visiting the coast, Scarborough hosts a Jazz Festival (23-25 September), while down the road in Bridlington is the crazy Soap Box Challenge where brave racers hurtle down ramps in bizarre and colourful boxes (11 September). And in the glorious Holme Valley, the stunning town of Holmfirth hosts its popular Food and Drink Festival on 17-18 September. Over in York, a firm Byrne family favourite is the city’s iconic Balloon Fiesta (23-25 September), where over three days around 50 hot air balloons take to the skies above the Knavesmire. It’s di cult to imagine York looking more magical than it already does, but this extravaganza with balloons glowing in the night sky followed by fireworks and a laser show is so special and unique. Plus, there’s an amazing music line up including Scouting for Girls and my very own hugely talented cousin-in-law Craig Charles playing a fantastic DJ set. Email lisabyrneyork@gmail.com with launches, events etc, and follow on Instagram lisabyrnepr and Twitter LisaByrnePR

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ABSOLUTELY • LOVES POWERFLOWER For fl oral arrangements that exceed expectations, we love Blooming Haus's visionary approach and instincitve fl air. bloominghaus.com UNDER COVER Designed by women for women, Nudea's lingerie is comfortable, stylish and practical. CHINA BRIGHT Coralina is a beautiful tableware collection based on the genius of one of the most highly reputed designers of haute couture in the entire world, Oscar de la Renta. vistaalegre.com RING MY BELL This Eivissa Orange Enamel ring in gold vermeil adds a stylish band of colour and looks great stacked with other colours too. £60 carrieelizabeth.co.uk BLOSSOMORANGE Diptyque's Eau de Sens is the ultimate orange blossom fragrance – fresh, fl oral and captivating all day and in all seasons. £107 diptyqueparis.com ABSOLUTELY magazines 11 nudea.comENGLISH ROSE Exton Park's English sparkling Rosé is delicate and dry, with notes of white peach and a captivating English rose colour. £39 extonparkvineyard.com

Agenda 14 • Amber Doig-Thorne 16 • Cannon Hall Farm 21 CULTURE HERITAGE FESTIVAL Throughout September, HALIFAX This year’s Heritage Festival has so many wonderful opportunities to explore the historic sites of Halifax and discover some of the people, stories and achievements that make the town so unique. The event has an exciting theme in 2022, with many of the participating venues celebrating the revolutionary inventions and innovations that have shaped our lives today. discoverhalifax.co.uk 13ABSOLUTELY magazines

22 September HARROGATE Independent luxury fashion retailer Jules B is opening a new womenswear store in Harrogate this month. The beautiful two-storey retail space will showcase must-have clothing, shoes, accessories and gifts from big name brands and emerging labels. Discover everyday staples like denim and knitwear alongside elegant evening dresses, luxury bags and everything in-between. julesb.co.uk EVENT

Jules B ART

CatherineTerry

MUSIC EVENTS NOT TO MISS IN YORKSHIRE The

The Tiger WhoCame to Tea yorkcastlemuseum.org.uk

10 SEPTEMBER-6 NOVEMBER, YORK CASTLE MUSEUM

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Created by Seven Stories and the National Centre for Children’s Books, The Tiger Who Came to Tea exhibition features high quality facsimiles of Judith Kerr’s original illustrations from the Seven Stories collection and promises to bring this delightful book to life for a new generation of family audiences. Alongside original artwork, notes and sketches, children will enjoy stepping into Sophie’s kitchen to have tea with a life-size tiger.

3 September EAST RIDINGBEVERLEYTHEATRE, East Yorkshire meets the West End stage as Catherine Terry, whose stage credits include Cats, 42nd Street, Me & My Girl and Follies, and talented accompanist, Jay Taylor, take the audience on an enchanting journey of songs from the world of musical theatre, sprinkled with entertaining stories from the world of showbiz. eastridingtheatre.co.uk Agenda

Byland Abbey Museum and Guided Tours COXWOLD, NORTH YORKSHIRE, YO61 4BD Join Byland Abbey over HODs to explore their on-site museum and immerse yourself in the picturesque ruins with one of their expert tour guides. They are extending their opening days and o er at Byland over HODs, so go and explore the fascinating ruins with the expert guides.

Beverley Minster MINSTER YARD NORTH, BEVERLEY, EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE, HU17 0DP One of the greatest Gothic buildings, there's always something else to ﬁnd at the Minster (pictured above). The roots of Beverley Minster go back to the 8th century when John, Bishop of York, founded a monastery for monks and, in a later source, also nuns, under Abbess Polfrida. John died in the year 721 and was buried in his church.

St Saviour’s Stained Glass Windows Centenary HUDDERSFIELD ROAD, DEWSBURY, WEST YORKSHIRE, WF13 3JR Go and see the stunning preRaphaelite glass windows designed by a leading ﬁgure of early 20th century design, James Eadie Reid, now in their 100th year. The main East window depicts Christ in glory with the company of heaven. Their window depicts John's description of the glorious fulﬁlment of life in Christ at the end of time. For a full list of Yorkshire events, visit heritageopendays.org.uk Heritage Open Days returns this month: here are three not to miss in Yorkshire Past LIVES

yorkbarbican.co.uk COMEDY Katherine Ryan

29 September YORK BARBICAN Creator and star of Netﬂix smash hit The Duchess, comedian Katherine Ryan makes a hugely welcome return to the stage with her brandnew live show, Missus. Having previously denounced partnership, Katherine has since married her ﬁrst love - accidentally. A lot has changed for everyone and we can look forward to hearing her hilarious new perspectives on life, love, and what it means to be Missus.

15 CULTURE • DIARY ABSOLUTELY magazines 17 SEPTEMBER-23 OCTOBER, YORKSHIRE SCULPTURE PARKMonth’sThis SeeMust Yorkshire Sculpture Park (YSP) presents a new exhibition by designer and illustrator Samantha Bryan. Known for creating distinctive ﬁgures, the artist has gained a worldwide cult following. For two decades she has been making humorous yet industrious fairy-like creatures; adorned with items from her eclectic hoard of buttons, spotted feathers, seed pods, dyed leathers, and contraptions. ysp.org.uk SAMANTHA BRYAN MUCH ABOUTADONOTHING THEATRE 9-24 September CRUCIBLE THEATRE, SHEFFIELD Besotted young couple Claudio and Hero have fallen in love fast and are quickly engaged. Not everyone finds romance so straightforward – Benedick balks at the very thought of it and Beatrice agrees with him, on that if nothing else. But somewhere in this world, there’s someone for everyone, even if they’re right under your nose. sheffieldtheatres.co.uk

Multi-talented

16 ABSOLUTELY magazines Iused to think I was pretty organised when it came to planning my career – and then I met Amber DoigThorne. “From the age of 18 I had a masterplan,” the York local says nonchalantly. “I wanted to have a ‘plan B’ just in case acting didn’t work out, so I went to university and graduated with a BSc degree in theoretical physics. My back up plan was to become an FX trader if the acting didn’t take o . When I graduated, I started working on student movies and short ﬁlms, as well as enrolling on short courses at as many institutions as I could.” Despite all of this, it was actually social media that introduced us to the world of Amber Doig-Thorne. She started posting hilarious comedy sketches that instantly touched a nerve. “It was really a case of being in the right place at the right time,” she says modestly. “My sketches were based on relatable day to day situations we’d all face in life. At the time that I started, I can probably name on two hands the amount of other female comedy creators that were making waves, so there was certainly a gap in the market. I still don’t think there’s enough women in comedy, but our representation is improving by the day.”

CREDIT

Amber Doig-Thorne on her social media break, interviewing acting greats and why York is just perfect

As her online popularity grew, people started to sit up and take notice. “Within a couple of months of my Facebook page hitting one million followers, Warner Bros reached out to me and asked if I’d like to interview Nina Dobrev for one of her new ﬁlms,” she explains how the presenting side of her career came about. “I’d grown up watching The Vampire Diaries, so this was a huge deal for me! The whole experience was just wonderful, and people seemed to really enjoy the video I posted.”

IT'S

It soon led to Amber presenting for a host of brands, including Cineworld, 4Music and the National Lottery, meeting a whole host of superstars in the process. “Keanu Reeves, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Helen Mirren, Henry Cavill, Emily Blunt, John Krasinski, Simon Pegg, John Cena, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Jessica Chastain, Josh Brolin, Robert Rodriguez, and Al Gore,” she says breathlessly about some of her favourite interviewees. “The actors and ﬁlmmakers are always such a pleasure to speak to, and it’s so lovely having the opportunity to speak to such incredibly talented individuals, some of whom have been childhood heroes of mine.”

Somehow, Amber has also found the time to rack up acting credits on around 100 productions. “Acting has, and always will be, my main passion,” she says. She has played the lead role in 23 independent features, and one to come is certainly causing a stir online. As the name suggests, Winnie The Pooh: Blood and Honey, isn’t quite what you’d expect to see on screen, with the beloved characters created by AA Milne now set to cause a

By MARK KEBBLE WHERE DUE

“Acting has, and always will be, my main passion”

ABSOLUTELY magazines 17

With so much going on, it’s barely believable that Amber actually has any downtime, but when she does much of it is spent in York. “I was born and raised there,” she says proudly, “it’s my favourite city in the world. I spend my time between London and York, and it’s always a pleasure to return to York after some time in the Big Smoke.”

How about her favourite spots in York itself? “There are so many places in Yorkshire I recommend to people if they’re visiting. In York speciﬁcally, my favourite places to visit are the Museum Gardens, our famous gardens in the middle of the city which include original ruins from Roman buildings; The Shambles, an alleyway of shops so close together you can shake hands with someone on the opposite side of the street from the ﬁrst storey windows;

If she has the time to continue to enjoy these over the coming years is something else entirely. Amber Doig-Thorne has come far since sketching that masterplan at 18, but she is not ready to leave things at that. “I’m so grateful to have worked on so many incredible projects already, and if I didn’t work on another film again, I would be perfectly content with what I’ve achieved so far. But,” she breaks into a wide grin, “I’m an ambitious women – so I do have a one-year, five-year and ten-year plan. I’d love to break through to Hollywood level productions – whether that be on a TV show or feature films. There are always so many fantastic productions shooting in Yorkshire, too, so fingers crossed you’ll see me on the big screen or on Netflix sometime soon.”

What does she feel makes our county so special? “I love how relaxed everyone is – the energy feels quite di erent in Yorkshire,” she smiles. “People seem calmer, it’s certainly a slower pace of life. I love that people have more time to talk to each other and make conversation, and there’s so many beautiful cities and hidden gems in Yorkshire that a lot of people don’t know about, which I love exploring.”

CULTURE • INTERVIEW 18 ABSOLUTELY magazines AMBER WAS BORN AND RAISED IN YORK THE SHAMBLES MUSEUM GARDENS few nightmares. “I had a wonderful time filming that,” Amber grins. “It’s been trending worldwide since the film was announced a couple of months ago. “I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work on a plethora of films,” she continues. “The first feature length film I worked on, The Seven, will always hold a special place in my heart – not only because it was my first lead role, but because it was my first experience of working with such an amazing cast and crew, which became like a big family. I’m currently in pre-production for another five independent feature length films, which will start production over the next couple of months. Later this year, I’m also starting production on a new series of comedy sketches, which I am incredibly and The Minster, our famous cathedral.”

amberdoigthorne.com excited to share across my social media channels. Keep an eye out for those!”

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ROBERT AND DAVE NICHOLSON

A ROBERT From the moment I could walk, I always wanted to be out there with my dad. It’s all about working closely with animals, nature, and family, and appreciating what’s around us for me. I’m so grateful for keeping farming in the family. DAVE Every day I enjoy what I do. When I’m left to farm, that’s when I’m happy.

Farmers and TV personalities at Cannon Hall Farm

A ROBERT We’re a farming family through and through. We both grew up on the small Barnsley farm that was mostly about sheep, beef, and we grew a few cereals. The 80s were tough for us ﬁnancially and we struggled to make a living and to stay on the farm, with the bank wanting us to sell. So, we hatched a plan to open up to the public and thankfully people came from the minute we opened the doors.

Q How did Cannon Hall Farm come about?

A ROBERT Really, our mum and dad just wanted to be able to sustainably provide work on the family farm for us and our other brother Richard. No one really saw what was coming for farming, then, in that you needed to get bigger, more intensive or you’ve got to get closer to the end consumer by ﬁnding a way of selling your story. We’ve ended up ﬁnding a way of helping people to make happy family memories in Yorkshire and cherished days on our farm. They’ll look back at photographs and smile, remember good times in Barnsley and that makes us feel good – it’s a nice legacy.

Q You’re part of the TV show Springtime On the Farm and run an award-winning open farm, but where did farming begin for you?

By BETHAN ANDREWS

ROBERT AND DAVE NICHOLSON

Get to know…

ABSOLUTELY magazines 21 CULTURE • PROFILE

Q What does farming mean to you?

A DAVE We kind of just borrowed a Shire Horse o my cousin, some goats o a friend and a few Shetland Ponies! We got together a nice mini display of animals and it’s grown ever since. From my dad employing one handyman to now having 150 employees from butchers to bakers, we’ve won the Best Farmshop in England Award. We like to do things properly, but we never saw it being what it is today.

HOLMFIRTH IS A YORKSHIRE FAVOURITE

A DAVE We were recently nominated for a TV Choice Award and to have viewers vote for us themselves is really nice as it shows we’re doing something right. I hope we make the shortlist!

Q You’ve spoken about how you like to showcase the varied landscape and life around Barnsley, why is this important to you?

Q When you’re not on the farm, where do you like to go to escape in Yorkshire?

FISHING IN WHITBY IS A TREAT GETTING BEHIND THE CAMERA THEY HAVE CAST A JOYFUL LIGHT ON BARNSLEY

A ROBERT I tend to head to Helmsley for a day or two. It’s in striking distance of the Yorkshire Coast, the Moors and the lovely walks around the town itself.

A ROBERT I hope that we portray Barnsley in a positive light. We’ve been a Barnsley family for many, many generations and both the people and the countryside are so rich, colourful and interesting.

A DAVE I like to go to Holmﬁrth. It’s just about appreciating what’s around you in Yorkshire for me. cannonhallfarm.co.uk

Q What do you love about TV and how has it helped showcase your love for Yorkshire?

I think that’s what makes Yorkshire so special, you can have such varied landscape from coast, mountains to moorland and lowland all within an hour’s drive of each other. We’ve got a little boat and like to go ﬁshing in Whitby, too.

A DAVE We started five years ago now, which is crazy! We were the host farm where all the presenters were based, but it was nearly cancelled because of Covid-19. We managed to keep it going by filming it ourselves though and sending it o to the editors. We’ve filmed 52 episodes now.

“Both countrysidepeopleBarnsleyandthearesointeresting”

So many people come to the farm now because we did a live broadcast every day all the way through lockdown – it really showed people how special it is.

Q When did Springtime on the Farm come about?

A ROBERT It raises awareness of farming, which is nice. I like that we can shine a light on the hard work that farmers do in Yorkshire. I never thought in my lifetime that farming would be fashionable, but it appears to be becoming a reality. I think farmers are more appreciated now and the programmes show that we work hard and, if farmers can make a living, it means they can do nice things for the environment such as building new habitats. I think the work that our production company has done has meant that Yorkshire is becoming more of a tourist destination too, which is great.

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A DAVE It’s just such a great place and I feel so lucky to live here. With Yorkshire countryside, you’ve got mountains, you’ve got coastal scenery, moorland, lowland, wonderful arable land – you’ve got the whole spectrum here. When people think of Barnsley, they think of the industrial north as opposed to farming. But it’s not just that! We are surrounded by lovely countryside, wildlife, and wildﬂower meadows.

24 ABSOLUTELY magazines By BETHAN ANDREWS Ever since she was six-years-old, East Yorkshire artist Eleanor Tomlinson’s illustration career seems to have been written in the stars A Natural CALLING

25ABSOLUTELY magazines a trade site, by the time I left university, I could go full-time with my business. It’s felt like a really natural, organic journey.”

“I went down south to Cambridge initially, but you can take the lass out of Yorkshire, but not Yorkshire out of the lass, and I realised quickly that I wanted to be back at home, doing my own art,” she says. “I transferred back to York St John and I thought, I’ve got three years while studying illustration to create a business from my hobby. Thankfully, through lots of weekends at events, time invested in social media and on my website and building up

“The Jubilee reaction has been a complete shock”

CULTURE • ARTS

BIG GARDEN BIRD WATCH

Naturally, Eleanor ended up with thousands of requests for prints and copies, the ﬁrst limited release of which went in with my primary school on their Christmas cards. So, maybe the writing was on the wall back then! I won another competition when I was 13 in support of a local charity for osteoporosis and got to go to an event where they were selling them, and it gave me the conﬁdence to think maybe I could sell my art as a career.”

Ever since 2019, Eleanor has worked with incredible brands such as Joules, has commissions rolling in, and is living her artistic Yorkshire countryside dream. And no time more so than the last few months. “It’s been quite a time!” she laughs. “The Jubilee reaction has been a complete shock, as the art I posted was only meant to bring some joy to my existing followers. I was away at the time, but when I sat down and watched Party in the Palace, I instantly had this vision of drawing the Queen from the back. I just got my pencils out while watching the TV and then posted it on social media. It started blowing up instantly, but ﬁrst just with my existing follower base. I woke up to it having gone viral, and it was just amazing. I thought it would be yesterday’s news by the end of the week, but it wasn’t and celebrities were still sharing it. It’s the stu of dreams for an artist, but I don’t think you even dream it because you don’t think it would happen to you. I think I’ve been in shock ever since!”

From there, Eleanor created a little hobby business alongside her studies before going on to study illustration. It’s interesting talking to her, though, to hear that she still thought that she’d maybe have to go into a career in a design agency or something art-related rather than being a full-time artist with her own business. It’s because of this that Eleanor is passionate about telling people that it is possible and that you should chase your dreams.

For 24-year-old East Yorkshirebased artist Eleanor Tomlinson, the last few months have been a complete whirlwind with an incredible light having been shone on her work worldwide. After a casual social media post of a quick illustration for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee went viral, Eleanor has had messages, requests for work, and interest coming in from all corners of the globe. But, as an award-winning artist already, it isn’t the ﬁrst time she has reached the soaring heights of seeing her dreams play out in reality, so where did it all start for the humble rural Yorkshire artist? “I’ve always loved art and it’s always been something that I’ve been drawn to naturally. It’s safe to say that I’ve had a natural ﬂair from a young age, but I put in a lot of time and e ort from early on. I won a card competition when I was six with a local company that collaborated HER WORK ON A WEEKLY PLANNER

THE ARTWORK THAT IMPRESSED DURING THE QUEEN'S PLATINUM JUBILEE

“There's a wealth of inspiration and subject matter in Yorkshire” who might look to Eleanor for inspiration, she feels that Yorkshire is incredibly nurturing of its up and coming artistic talent. “There is lots going on in York, Leeds or Harrogate,” she says. “There’s a wealth of inspiration and subject matter and we’ve got so many fabulous galleries and museums, too. Just look at the amount of amazing creators we have from the area as well. Find your niche and you’ll ﬁnd some events to visit to advertise yourself.”

So, after a crazy few months, what has Eleanor got planned for the rest of the year? It seems she’s just very, very busy and soaking up the excitement from this year. “The chances of something like this year happening is so small, I’m so grateful,” she smiles. “I’m still speechless. I feel like I’ve got time before the Jubilee, like BC and AD – everything feels like it’s changed!”

CULTURE • ARTS under 50 minutes. Actor Hugh Bonneville even requested a copy and Tim Peake, Geri Halliwell and Claire Balding shared it. Before her work went viral, Eleanor had already created what she calls her “planned Jubilee piece” of which she sent an original copy o to the Queen. To her complete surprise, she received a thank you letter back from Her Majesty’s Lady-in-Waiting. “It was a really lovely personal letter, so it will be getting framed for my studio!” she smiles. Given that a lot of her work is made up of natural themes, wildlife and landscape, in terms of inspiration, it’s perhaps unsurprising that Eleanor turns to her beloved Yorkshire surroundings when choosing what to create. And, she tells me, it’s always been this way. “Everything that’s on my doorstep inspires me,” she smiles. “I’ve grown up next to a farm and I remember having mice dashing around the kitchen and families of squirrels living in our attic! We always spend family holidays in the North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales, or go to the Ryedale Show and other agricultural shows, too. That rural life, the wildlife and what’s around me, is what I’ve taken a natural interest in.” It’s lovely talking to Eleanor, as she oozes such a natural joy, love and warmth for East Yorkshire. “I just love that you’ve got a bit of everything,” she beams. “I don’t know any other place where you get gorgeous rolling hills, the dramatic coastline and within a day you can be in the Dales or the Moors, as well as having so many gorgeous market towns, as well.”

eleanortomlinsonart.co.uk CREATING ANOTHER MASTERPIECE 26 ABSOLUTELY magazines

Luckily for other budding young artists

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28 ABSOLUTELY magazines COAST TO COAST With the Great British Beach Clean taking place this month, we delve into the history of our Yorkshire coastline By BETHAN ANDREWS RUNSWICK BAY

29ABSOLUTELY magazines coast. It’s often linked to Captain Cook, too, who was born in nearby Marton and spent a lot of his time in the quaint port. Whitby is, of course, steeped in history, with its Dracula links and Benedictine abbey, and Scarborough, thought to be founded by the Vikings, was Britain’s ﬁrst seaside resort.

With 60 miles of heritage coast, Yorkshire’s coastline has a diverse past. The northern section stretches 36 miles from Saltburn-by-the-Sea to Scalby, and this area is known as Yorkshire’s Jurassic Coast. You can ﬁnd rocks dating back 150-200 million years, many of which are exposed on the sea shore and cli s. Ammonites can be found and there have, at times, been bones from large marine reptiles and dinosaurs found, too. Another section of heritage coast is around the chalk cli s of the Flamborough headland, north of Bridlington, where there is one of the most important colonies of nesting seabirds in Europe. When it comes to really understanding the history of the Yorkshire Coast, the Old Coastguard Station in Robin Hoods Bay is a great place to start. For those who want to experience fossilised fun, Runswick Bay sits at the heart of the action. Voted previously as the Sunday Times Beach of the Year, it’s one of the most picturesque and quaint areas of the Yorkshire coastline, set within a sheltered bay between the cli s. Once a popular ﬁshing port, it’s now a family favourite for rockpooling, fossil hunting and coastal walks. In fact, the fossil remains of a Plesiosaurus, estimated to be 180 million years old, and an Ichthyosaurus, a large predator which was similar to a dolphin in shape, were found a century ago and are now on display at The Whitby Museum.

INTRIGUING INDUSTRIES Historically, parts of the Yorkshire coast were also a huge cog in the wheel of the textiles industry when, in the 16th century, alum was extracted from the coastline as a ﬁxative for dyes. According to the National Trust: “There are many sites along the Yorkshire coastlines have long been synonymous with rugged beauty and a biting North Sea breeze, but there’s so much more to many of the towns dotted along the Yorkshire coast than their stormy sands. There’s a real resilient charm to the historic inhabitations, and many of the places have transformed themselves in recent years and are hip, happening, and charming.

AWASH WITH HISTORY Showing o the rich Victorian history of the Yorkshire coast, Saltburn has the UK’s oldest water-balanced cli lift and the last remaining 600ft Victorian pier in the county. Moving south, Staithes was established in the 15th century as a small shellfishing village and, by the 16th century, was the largest fishing port on the east Yorkshire Coast which bear evidence of the alum industry. The Ravenscar Alum Works, which are well preserved, enable visitors to visualise the processes which took place.” Speaking of textiles, Saltburn can proudly boast to being the home town of the infamous ‘Yarnbombers' who regularly make national news with their fabulous and inspired knitted creations that mysteriously appear during the night. Industrialisation also forms a huge part of the history of this precious part of Yorkshire, and you’ll find remnants of it and museums dedicated to it dotted all along the coastline. The Cleveland Ironstone

CULTURE • AREA FEATURE SALTBURN WHITBY ABBEY THE STAR INN

CULTURAL COAST While we’re on the topic of brilliant museums, culture is something that is Inn at Harome, long wished to open a restaurant in his hometown and to celebrate the ingredients he grew up surrounded by. Fast forward to today and he’s got himself another award-winning restaurant that celebrates local coastal ingredients.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT You can’t talk about the Yorkshire coast without discussing some of the incredible independent and brilliant eateries that have had people ﬂocking to try the fare from the North Sea. More than simply ﬁsh and chips, many of the restaurants are brilliant at supporting a sustainable and local approach to food.

thriving on the north coast. Whitby, of course, set the area o and put it on the cultural map of Britain through its links to Bram Stoker’s Dracula, with the Gothic abbey providing inspiration for the famous tale. In Whitby, you can visit the abbey itself, pay a trip to the Dracula Experience or head to The Whitby Museum for an insight into Victorian life on the coast.

The Star Inn The Harbour at Whitby is a prime example of a place doing just this. Andrew Pern, whose name is synonymous with his Michelin-starred pub, The Star Mining Museum was founded in 1983 by a group of volunteers acutely aware that the remains of the ironstone mining industry, which had once formed the basis of Cleveland's growth and prosperity, were rapidly being lost, forgotten or destroyed. Currently closed for expansion, a new museum is set to open later this year. The £2.3 million redevelopment project is set to bring expansion, employment and tourism to Skinningrove’s Iron Valley. Another huge industry to thrive on the Yorkshire coast was and still is Whitby Jet. The semi precious organic gemstone was formed over millions of years from the fossilised remains of the modern day Monkey Puzzle. The stone is taken directly from the cli s of Whitby, worked on from rough form, cut, polished and set into sterling silver and gold mounts to create the world-famous Whitby Jet jewellery you see today. You can visit the Whitby Jet Heritage Centre to discover more about the history and the process, as well as what the industry looks like today.

To learn more about the area’s local naval history, visit the RNLI Lifeboat Station in Runswick Bay, which was in use until the 1970s. Here, you’ll ﬁnd some spectacular views across the bay and it’s the perfect place for a picnic, too. For a bit of further culture and history, explore the quaint Methodist chapel, which was impressively built in 1829 by the hardworking women of the village.

A bit around the bay and Raithwaite Sandsend is all about showcasing the finest local produce, with seasonal, sustainable dishes and perennial favourites that highlight the very best of the Yorkshire coast. Downcli e House Hotel in Filey Bay provides the perfect fish supper, all supplied locally from fishmongers such as HG Lovitt, so you know everything is sea-fresh.

STAITHES ROTUNDA

ROBIN

One of the most iconic places to uncover the stories of the dinosaurs is The Rotunda Museum in Scarborough. Known for its fascinating collection of fossils, you’ll be able to come face to face with some of the many creatures that once roamed the Yorkshire coast. For stories of everyday life on the Yorkshire coastline, explore rural life at Ryedale Folk Museum or discover the history of life by the sea at the Scarborough Maritime Heritage Centre.

In Saltburn, Shanti Vegetarian Cafe has brought vegan and vegetarian food to the seaside town, while Signals is a trendy spot, serving brunch, lunch, home-baked cakes and pastries using locally-sourced ingredients. They make their own co ee, and on weekend evenings there are cocktails, specially selected wines, local HOODS BAY MUSEUM

“At Saltwick Bay, there is a

Tour of Britain Redcar to Helmsley 7 September Welcome some of the world’s top cyclists in an unforgiving uphill route in the Tour of Britain, which is returning to the county for the ﬁrst time in 13 years for stage 4 of the route.

Whitby Fish and Ships Festival 24-25 September Explore everything that’s special about the Yorkshire coast’s magniﬁcent maritime culture and food, from the building of its boats to its multi award-winning ﬁsh restaurants.

shipwreck to explore, millions of fossils and incredible rockpools” music and good vibes. For something else hip and happening, the Moon and the Sixpence, which sits right on the harbourside in Whitby, is a sophisticated place to while away an evening.

RAW BEAUTY With so much going for the coastline, it’s easy to forget that one of the simplest reasons people just can’t keep away is due to the raw and rugged beauty of the landscape. In Runswick Bay, for example, it’s the charming higgledy piggledy red-roofed cottages that climb their way up the cli that have made such a name for the area. And some of the best beaches along the coastline? Saltwick Bay is a hidden treasure, often overshadowed by Whitby, which has a shipwreck to explore, millions of fossils and incredible rockpools. Cayton Bay has a wide, sweeping sandy beach and is a perfect spot for family trips and all-day set-ups, similar to Filey Bay, which is also brilliant for being a beach that stretches for miles. The lovely ﬁshing village of Sandsend has a picturesque beach, with a stream that runs into the sea making for a perfect spot for people with young children to play. North Landing is something very special, with sparkling waters, thriving birdlife and chalk rock formations jutting out the sea, and it’s a pretty wonderful place for snorkelling, swimming and kayaking or paddleboarding. Want to know more about the Yorkshire coast and some of the places mentioned? Head to discoveryorkshirecoast.com and yorkshire.com

31ABSOLUTELY magazines

Filey Kite Festival, 17-18 September Throughout the day you will see some of the world’s largest kites, including the record-breaking teddy bear Oscar, along with assorted animals and other fabulous creations.

Scarborough Jazz Festival 23-25 September The 19th Scarborough Jazz Festival will be taking place at Scarborough Spa and is one not to miss.

SCARBOROUGH

SALTWICK BAY WHAT’S ON SEPTEMBERIN

The Yorkshire Fossil Festival 16-18 September The Yorkshire Fossil Festival returns to Scarborough at The Rotunda Museum and Stephen Joseph Theatre this September, with a weekend of activities and events for all the family, for both enthusiasts and professionals.

So, if you are starting to consider your options in later life, contact us today and ﬁnd out more about how we can help. www.westwardcare.co.ukTwitter@WestwardCareFacebookWestwardCareCall 0113 331 4830 At Westward Care we believe in providing care and support options in later life that are individual to you. That is why we offer a variety of options across our Leeds locations. Nursing Care and Residential Care Apartments with Care and Support Respite Care and Holiday Stays Apartments with Care and Support Respite Care and Holiday Stays Residential ApartmentsCarewith Care and Support Respite Care and Holiday Stays Lettakeuscare of you

EBRU HARROGATEEVRIMOPENING

hen yoga guru Ebru Evrim took on the former Laura ﬁtnessinJamespremisesAshleyonStreetHarrogate,enthusiasts watched in eager anticipation as the building was transformed into an impressive three-storey wellness venue. After toughing out the challenges thrown up by the 4,000 sq ft refurbishment, a grand launch party was held to celebrate the opening just as the company also received news of success in two award programmes. Ebru Evrim Ltd. was announced as a ﬁnalist in the Health & Beauty Entrepreneur category of the Great British Entrepreneur Awards just days after being declared a winner in the Yorkshire Prestige Awards. Ebru says: “It’s fantastic news for the whole team who’ve worked really hard to turn my vision into reality. To have two independent panels of judges endorse what we have achieved is really rewarding.”

The launch of the Harrogate branch studio follows the success of Ebru’s first venue in Skipton. On the ground floor shopfront, Ebru’s own branded boutique fitness clothing is on sale, featuring quality leggings, vests, hoodies and bras designed to be ‘Activewear for Anywhere’, with a healthy-living café area coming soon.

On the second ﬂoor, state-of-the-art Pilates reformer apparatus is in place alongside space for working with clients requiring specialist therapy for conditions such as lower back, scoliosis, arthritis and osteoporosis.

The airy third floor provides space for yoga and Pilates classes with 30 mats and underfloor heating perfect for Savasana in comfort. ebruevrim.com (Photos by Heidi Marfitt)

33 CULTURE • SOCIALS ABSOLUTELY ATTENDS

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OUTDOORS The Coniston 36 • Rievaulx Abbey 40 • Top Dog Walks 42 There surely isn't a better county than Yorkshire when it comes to fabulous scenery to walk your beloved furry friend. Inside this month's section, the experts at PetsPyjamas have tried and tested different dog walks in Yorkshire and picked their top ten, which covers everything from Yorkshire Sculpture Park to the Aysgarth Falls. Turn to page 42 for more. TIME WALKIESFOR 35ABSOLUTELY magazines

Nick Bannister, Director of The Coniston in Skipton, on keeping it in the family, making full use of their grounds and why they have launched a unique experience to explore Yorkshire

Green & pleasant LAND

By MARK KEBBLE

36 ABSOLUTELY magazines

THE NEW EXPERIENCE WILL TAKE IN YORKSHIRE'S BREATHTAKING LANDSCAPE NICK BANNISTER OUTDOORS • INTERVIEW

Q Do you always encourage guests to make the most of Yorkshire’s countryside?

Q Why the evolution from a local farm shop to a destination hotel?

ENJOYING THE CONISTON'S GROUNDS

A For us it is very important, it is the foundation and ethos of the whole business. We try to make every guest and colleague feel part of our family, and it is this stance that we believe sets us apart, keeps customers returning and our sta retention rate something we are proud of.

Q How important do you think it is the fact The Coniston is family-run?

Q How do you make use of the 1,400 acres of grounds?

A If you love the great outdoors as much as we do, then The Coniston is the perfect place to visit, as we make the most of our estate and countryside location with an array of activities. From clay pigeon shooting and cycling to air riﬂes and archery, you can even while away a day

Q Can you give us a potted history of The Coniston…

A The Coniston is nestled in a 1,400 acre estate which has been home to my father, Michael Bannister, and our family since 1969. Having started life as a farm shop selling produce from the estate, we have grown to become one of North Yorkshire’s premium destinations, where friendly, personal service is at the heart of everything we do. Having won accolades such as Welcome to Yorkshire’s ‘Large Hotel of the Year’, Yorkshire Post’s ‘Best Hotel Restaurant’ and Professional Beauty’s ‘Best Boutique Spa’, we are extremely proud of our o ering and success throughout the years, and now boast a 70-bedroom hotel, two luxury holiday cottages, three dining outlets, an award-winning spa, beautiful function spaces for weddings and groups, and an array of outdoor activities – something for everyone.

37ABSOLUTELY magazines Centre, which was an added attraction for our guests. Through further investment phases, we expanded the hotel rooms to 70 and opened a dedicated spa in 2015. The pandemic was a very di cult time for hospitality, however we took the opportunity to use lockdowns wisely to reassess our o ering and reinvest in the future. We spent over £1million on key projects, thus strengthening our overall o er, and keeping customers coming back time and time again as well as enticing new visitors.

ﬁshing on our 24-acre lake or spend hours exploring our many miles of walking trails with a freshly prepared picnic in hand.

A Absolutely, we are so incredibly lucky to be based in such a beautiful part of the world and really do encourage guests to explore what’s on our doorstep. From tackling one of the Yorkshire Three Peaks and soaking up the magniﬁcent scenery of Malham Cove, to conquering Skipton

A My mother and brother set up the farm shop in the 1980s as a ﬁrst step to diversify the estate away from solely farming and secure its future for years to come. From that success a tea room was developed out of the estate barn, followed by a hotel in 1998. We already had activities such as a Shooting Ground and an O -Roading “We are so incredibly lucky to be based in such a beautiful part of the world”

Q When and why did you introduce Land Rover Experiences? A The Coniston has o ered o -roading experiences on site for over 20 years, however in June 2021, we were delighted to welcome back Land Rover Experience to the estate. Land Rover Experience o er expert-led driving experiences in their brand new Land Rover and Range Rover ﬂeet, giving guests the opportunity to take to the tracks to try out Yorkshire's famously rugged landscape ﬁrst hand, from grassy hills to rock crawls and even water crossings – all with breathtaking views. Our fantastic track set-up combined with our highly-trained, o -road experts, makes us the perfect choice for driving experiences, family days out, corporate team-building and more.

Q What do you o er at the shooting ground?

GUESTS

Q What can we expect with the new Land Rover Experience tours? A Earlier this year we launched a series of dedicated Land Rover Escorted Tours, with the aim to expertly showcase the Yorkshire Dales in sophisticated style. Our Escorted Tours are expert-led and see guests sit back, relax and let us take them to some of the most magniﬁcent landscapes and locations in our local area – all from the comfort of a brand-new Land Rover or Range Rover. From our Picnics & Prosecco tour that shows o spectacular scenery to our Pies & Pints experience that showcases some of the very best watering holes our county is home to. We have even put together a Land Rovers & Love proposal package for those that want to pop the question in a truly special and unique way!

A Our estate is home to one of the best shooting grounds in the whole of the UK, and has even been awarded Premier Plus Ground status from The Clay Pigeon Shooting Association. Welcoming both beginners and more advanced shooters, as well as those simply looking for a fun outdoor activity to try, our shooting ground is home to a variety of di erent stands and traps for clay pigeon shooting, as well as archery and an air riﬂe range, all set within spectacular surrounds. We o er lessons, tailored to individuals, and delight in hosting larger sessions for corporate, hen and stag groups. There’s even a well-stocked shop and superb café on site to really enhance a great day out.

OUTDOORS • INTERVIEW

38 ABSOLUTELY magazines Castle and basking in the beauty of Bolton Abbey, we’re passionate about our home county and everything it o ers.

Yorkshire fade, the estate see shades of red, amber and gold start to glow, creating the most spectacular seasonal scenes. This year, we’re set for an amazing autumn as we launch new menus for our three dining outlets – The View Restaurant, Macleod’s Bar & Lounge and Blossom Kitchen – including a dedicated game menu that really showcases the fantastic local produce on our doorstep. We will also be launching a new signature treatment for our award-winning Five Bubble rated spa in September, which ties in perfectly with the changing of seasons. Our new treatment will make use of Aromatherapy Associates ‘Forest Therapy’ products, which promote reconnecting with your roots and nature to help ease stress and relax, and will be exclusively available at our Nàdarra Spa. Here at The Coniston, we are always looking at ways which we can continuously improve our o ering, and over the past few years we have refurbished our main restaurant, introduced new walks and picnic areas, enhanced our bar, as well as completely redeveloped our spa, and are delighted to share we will be working on our next project this autumn. In November, we will start work on improving the Bannister Suite – one of our large function spaces – and will fully redecorate the room, add an impressive centrepiece new bar and upgrade our outdoor area. We are excited to see the results and the positive impact this will have on weddings and groups. theconistonhotel.com

Q What’s to come from The Coniston as we head into autumn? A Autumn on the estate is a truly special time of year. As the greens of summer in AT THE SHOOTING GROUND

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40 ABSOLUTELY magazines St Swithin’s Day (15 July) marked the opening of a new exhibition at Rievaulx Abbey called Rye Valley Abbey. Legend has it that if rain falls on this day, it will be wet for 40 days thereafter and if it’s sunny, fair weather will follow for the rest of the British summer. It was an apt day to launch an exhibition relating to water in the beautiful Rye Valley (after which Rievaulx Abbey is named). Through images and artefacts, Rye Valley Abbey explores the importance of the river to the founding monks, and how it continues to support incredible biodiversity today. Working with the Ryevitalise Landscape Partnership Scheme, it is the first time the relationship between the monastery and the River Rye has been shared with the public in this way. Many of the objects will be displayed for the first time – including brass taps in the shape of a serpent and a cockerel, a block of stone from the toilets gra tied by monks with a drawing of the Holy Spirit, and even monastic fishing hooks and weights. The exhibition and accompanying site trail also show the ingenious engineering solutions to supply the monastery with water for daily living, sacred use and industry. Rye Valley Abbey is open now at Rievaulx Abbey. Search English Heritage Rievaulx Abbey for more information. english-heritage.org.uk THE STORY BEHIND... RIEVAULXABBEY

41ABSOLUTELY magazines OUTDOORS • LANDMARK

42 ABSOLUTELY magazines TAKE THE LEAD “THERE ARE PLENTY OF GORGEOUS WALKS FOR YOU AND YOUR DOG TO CHOOSE FROM” The experts at PetsPyjamas pick out their top ten dog walks in Yorkshire By CHARLOTTE PRITCHARD NORTH YORK MOORS

YORKSHIRE

RIVELIN VALLEY NATURE TRAIL

One of the very best coastal dog walks in Yorkshire is Runswick Bay perched at the top of a fabulous sweeping sandy bay. The views are spectacular and you can do a spot of fossil hunting too. Take the two-mile walk along the cli top of Runswick Bay with wonderful views over Mulgrave and Runswick Bay following the Cleveland Way National Trail. The bay itself has plenty of space for your dog to play o lead and to splash in the sea – the village itself is charming and also worth a visit.

There are a myriad of walking routes to explore at Hardcastle Crags – with 400 acres of countryside with streams, meadows and giant awe inspiring trees, it’s the perfect walk for you. Take the Railway trail – venture to the top of the valley and take this threemile walk along the streams and dams with fabulous views along the way. Dogs are welcome in both the café and mill.

43ABSOLUTELY magazines circular walk so depending on when you turn back it can be a one-mile or four-mile walk.

The Yorkshire Sculpture Park is located just outside Wakeﬁeld and is a deﬁnite must-see featuring amazing outdoor sculptures dotted around the grounds. Cultured dogs will love walking around the grounds with over 500 acres of gorgeous parkland to explore and lots of cafes along the way. Almost everywhere is dog-friendly except the indoor exhibitions and the area around the Upper Lake or the Menagerie Wood to protect livestock and wildlife.

HAWES TO HARDRAW The birthplace for Wensleydale cheese, the delightful market town is on Hawes and is a wonderful place to go for a dog walk. From here we suggest walking to Hardraw Falls, which is the largest single drop waterfall in the UK. Tuesday is market day so you would be able to pick up some delicious Wensleydale cheese. If you feel like a longer walk you could walk the Buttertubs Pass, a 5.5 mile stretch which crosses high moorland.

RUNSWICK

The Rivelin Valley Nature Trail was recently voted one of She eld’s top walks and features mostly ﬂat trails that include gorgeous woodland walks and streams along the way – ideal for o lead frolics especially for those dogs who love to paddle. It has a lovely dog-friendly café, the Rivelin Park café, serving freshly ground co ee and homemade cakes.

OUTDOORS • PETS AYSGARTH

HARDCASTLE CRAGS

NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK

SCULPTUREYORKSHIRE PARK

RUNSWICK BAY

CRABTREE LANE AND HAREWOOD HOUSE Park your car the corner of Crabtree Lane and Harewood House before crossing the public footpath to begin your walk, which takes you through gorgeous countryside towards the river. Take the footbridge to cross the river and continue on and take the right fork in the direction of Trip Lane and Woodhall Hotel and Spa. This is not a

Situated in the Howardian Hills, an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Castle Howard Arboretum is near Malton in North Yorkshire – featuring 120 acres of trees from around the world, lakes and ponds.

There are two trails you can follow, one taking an hour and the other two hours.

AYSGARTH FALLS Your four-legged friend will love Aysgarth Falls! It is truly spectacular with a series of waterfalls that create a gorgeous backdrop to a scenic walk with your dog. There are plenty of di erent trails to try through the village and beyond with a lovely woodland walk through the lower falls. After your walk enjoy lunch at the Wheatsheaf – a delightful dog-friendly country inn. The Aysgarth Falls were immortalised in the Robin Hood Prince of Thieves ﬁlm.

PETSPYJAMAS PetsPyjamas oﬀers exclusive dog-friendly holiday packages where dogs stay free with almost all bookings. With just one booking, customers become members of PetsPyjamas’ Priority Paws loyalty programme, with beneﬁts to the value of over £1,200. To discover the best in dog-friendly holidays, visit PetsPyjamas.com FALLS SCULPTURE PARK BAY

The North York Moors National Park includes coastal strolls, moorland, walks as well as the 109-mile Cleveland Way National trail. There are plenty of gorgeous walks for you and your dog to choose from including May and Beck and Falling Foss, an amazing woodland waterfall walk that we think your dog will love.

CASTLE ARBORETUMHOWARD

WESSENDEN VALLEY WALK

The Wessenden Valley Walk is a fabulous dog-friendly walk that takes you through a moorland valley and crosses through Marsden Village in West Yorkshire. This eight-mile walk allows you to explore the gorgeous valley and discover four reservoirs along the way.

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Food News 46 • Fish&Forest 48 • Recipes 52 DRINK&FOOD SPANISH GASTRONOMY MONTH Premium Spanish beer brand Estrella Galicia has announced that, following a sell-out success in 2021, its Gastronomy Month is returning this September for an even bigger and better second year. In Leeds, experience an exclusive masterclass at Iberica. Throughout this event, enjoy a range of Spanish charcuterie perfectly paired with an Estrella Galicia. Brand ambassador Pete Johnston will guide you through the story, flavours and inspirations behind each beer. gastronomymonthestrellagaliciabeer.co.uk/ ESPANAVIVA 45ABSOLUTELY magazines

This delightful sparkler is the perfect autumn treat. It is made from an exclusive selection of Glera grapes, is ﬂoral on the nose and delicately fruity on the palate. This is a wellstructured, slightly sweet treat that Prosecco lovers will adore. coop.co.uk Corte Molino North-EasternProsecco,Italy  £7.50

This is one bubble we don’t mind being a part of. Rosa’s Thai was opened in London in 2008 by chef Saiphin Moore, who brought dishes from her native Thailand to the UK via Hong Kong, and their York outlet is a perfect destination, whatever the occasion. They o er an unfussy and relaxed dining experience that is authentically Thai – and they have also recently launched a new bubble tea menu. rosasthaicafe.com

In a bubble

TOWHATDRINK GRAPE news

46 ABSOLUTELY magazines By MARK KEBBLE The latest launches and news from across Yorkshire NOTES TASTING

popping

ROSA’S THAI

Della Vite is launching its first vintage Prosecco Rosé - and just in time for the new season. This wine has an aromatic nose of crushed wild berries and rhubarb, that gives way to a bright, fresh palate of delicate fruit flavours. dellavite.com Della Vite Rosé Prosecco, North-Eastern Italy  £24.95 This stylish Prosecco is perfect for any occasion. As distinctive as it is delicious, it has the lively e ervescence of ripe lemon, with hints of green apple and grapefruit. With a light and fresh finish, this wine would pair perfectly with shellfish, light meats or desserts. waitrose.com Freixenet North-EasternProsecco,Italy  £10 This month we're open Prosecco

FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

YORKSHIRE

Feeling fruity ROSEBUD PRESERVES Rosebud Preserves has been making its jams, marmalades, chutneys and jellies at Masham since 1989. The company was started by Elspeth Biltoft and her founding principles - to source local produce whenever possible, to cook traditional recipes, and practice time honoured techniques, without the use of additives, preservatives or pectin - remain the same today. Their latest launch is Greengage Fruit Cheese. rosebudpreserves.co.uk

FILEY BAY Filey Bay, Yorkshire's ﬁrst single malt whisky, is made with 100% homegrown barley from the distillery’s farm, and sets a new standard in terms of quality and sustainability in English and world whisky making. Light, fruity and creamy, it is beautifully rounded and showcases the distillery’s unique style of whisky. Perfect for connoisseurs and novices alike, and ideal for any drinks cabinet.

This kit is full of fun for adults and children alike. It includes six beautiful, pumpkin-shaped biscuits, baked to the traditional, family recipe, with all the taste and ﬂavour you would expect from Lottie Shaw’s.

MERCURE SHEFFIELD KENWOOD HALL Kenwood Hall’s new lakeview outdoor dining spaces are now open for business, demonstrating the versatility of the venue after signiﬁcant investment in this area. And to help guests visualise how their wedding, Christmas party or birthday event might take shape, a luxury Tipi by Katachiefs will be erected in the grounds, dressed especially for the occasion. With their food o ering already a winner, this just adds to the perfect celebration recipe. vinehotels.co.uk

SEPTEMBER FLAVOURS Here’s a selection of Lottie’s Shaw’s autumn treats, to suit any taste or budget

YORKSHIRE PARKIN No autumn celebration would be complete without Lottie Shaw’s traditional, seriously good Yorkshire Parkin. This sticky, authentic ginger cake is a Yorkshire delicacy and Lottie’s Shaw’s signature treat, baked to the original family recipe, dating back over a century.

YORKSHIRE PARKIN BISCUIT BOX These authentic Yorkshire Parkin Biscuits are baked with oatmeal, ginger and treacle, to Lottie Shaw’s original family recipe. It’s all the taste of Lottie Shaw’s signature Yorkshire Parkin, wrapped up in a large, crunchy biscuit. All available at lottieshaws.co.uk

SPIRIT OF spiritofyorkshire.com

SPICE THINGS UP GO INDIAN SPICE

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DECORATINGGINGERBREADPUMPKINKIT

Al attractionfresco

When Dave Singh and Lucky Kaur ran out of their usual curry spice and bought one from a supermarket, it sparked a creative idea. Frustrated with the lack of authentic curry spices on o er, they decided to make their own and Go Indian Spice was born. They have created four delicious blends that are perfect for meat, ﬁsh and vegetarian dishes. goindianspice.com

48 ABSOLUTELY magazines “The dining scene in York is getting better and better. I really wanted to be a part of it”

Looking at the Fish&Forest menu, he’s certainly come far, with dishes like monkﬁsh, venison croquette and Skrei cod leaping o the page. Self-trained – “It wasn’t really a choice of mine, I fell into the kitchen later on when I was around 23/24” – Stephen initially moved from front of house to being a chef at York bar 1331, before leaving to go travelling and cooking in some of the most exciting kitchens in Sydney, Australia.

ABSOLUTEL Y magazines

By MARK KEBBLE Fish&Forest is a small, sustainably focused, low-waste restaurant in York that is wowing the critics. We meet the chef behind it & SEA

FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW

Fish&Forest launched in March 2019 at Spark, York’s space for food & drink and creative start-ups. “If I never opened my unit at Spark there would be no Fish&Forest today,” Stephen says. “It was hard work, a lot of graft and long days with some challenges, but what I got out of it far outweighs the negatives. My overall memories of Spark are pure happiness and pride. It was a great place to start.”

Land

Again, like his time at Spark, Stephen’s popularity grew swiftly and just over a year after Fish&Forest ﬁrst impressed diners, they opened their own space atIwas a ridiculously fussy eater as a child –there was a rather lengthy period where all I would eat was macaroni cheese from a tin – but chatting to Stephen Andrews, the man behind Fish&Forest in York, I feel that maybe there is some hope for me yet. “There was once a time when I was a super fussy eater too,” he grins. “I didn’t like much at all, so my culinary skills were limited to beans on toast.”

When he returned to York, he decided it was time to strike out alone. “I was at the point in my life where I had all the knowledge and pedigree I needed to open my own business,” he says. “It was always a dream of mine to own a restaurant before I turned 30, so it was more a case of now or never for Fish&Forest.” And there was no doubt in his mind that York had to be the destination for his venture. “York has always been home – this is where I live and where I grew up,” he says warmly. “The food scene here is getting better and better year on year, and I wanted to be a part of it.”

Word quickly spread about Stephen’s o ering and, just three months after opening, he was approached by the team at the Gillygate pub, who o ered him the opportunity to use their underused front room as a new base for Fish&Forest. “Like Spark the Gillygate were taking a risk on me, but the opportunity they a orded me cannot be forgotten,” Stephen says. “They allowed me to have a space to trial my restaurant before I took the leap to landing a spot of my own. The freedom I had gave me the ﬁnal push I needed to create my own identity and really solidify myself as a great up-and-coming restaurant and chef.”

110

with years of experience in hospitality and who curates a well-balanced and diverse wine list. The ethos behind the food o ering, Stephen states, remains just “the same” as when he ﬁrst started out at Spark. “We want to bring good quality ﬁsh and game dishes to York, something that people may not have tried before,” he says. “We strive to be sustainable and our ethos is if something doesn’t happen straight away, we keep pushing ourselves to be better at it.”

“Sometimes you need to just believe in what you do and take the leap” a Grenobloise. We have torched mackerel with dashi and courgette kimchi. We also have very traditional rabbit and boar rillette.” Are there any dishes that are particularly exciting him? “At the moment I’m really enjoying cooking ﬁsh over the Konro Grill,” he enthuses, “so anything that involves that is exciting really.”

one

front of house team

FOOD & DRINK • INTERVIEW FISH&FOREST 110 Micklegate, York, YO1 6JX 01904 220587 • ﬁshandforestrestaurant.com

2020 – during lockdown.

dining establishments.

The menu changes frequently, evolving with the seasons, and you can sense the excitement in Stephen’s voice when he chats about what’s available right now.

York locals and those who have travelled from further afield have only great things to say about Fish&Forest, and clearly a lot of work has gone into creating the right ambience. “We are a bistro, but we like to say we are a neighbourhood bistro because we want our guests to be relaxed and feel at home whilst being served fresh, high-quality dishes that are cooked with a lot of passion and soul,” Stephen says. He’s certainly come far since those beans on toast days, but recounting his earliest memory about food, perhaps this was always inside him. “That would be the first time I tried my gran’s bramble pie,” he smiles. “I can remember just being impressed that something that looked so nice was made from so few ingredients.” It perfectly encapsulates the cooking at Fish&Forest, which last year was recognised in the Michelin Guide for its ‘Commitment to Sustainable Gastronomy’. This is one restaurant that’s certainly worth making a fuss about. Micklegate in April “It’s never a good time to take a big risk,” he shrugs at the timing, “and will always find an excuse why not to do something. Sometimes need to just believe in what do and take the leap – so that’s what we did!” the space of Fish&Forest has become of York’s finest Stephen is supported by a young and welcoming led by Yohan Barthelemy, a French native

you

two years,

“Currently we have plaice on the bone to be ﬁlleted by the customer at the table with a sauce that has some similarities to

you

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Spice GIRL Recipes and stories celebrating authentic Sri Lankan cooking Words CYNTHIA SHANMUGALINGAM 52 ABSOLUTELY magazines

•

METHOD 1 Pour

4 Stir in coconut milk and kale and allow to simmer gently for 2–3 minutes until the kale is bright green. Take out a little kale to try; it shouldn’t taste raw, but should be soft with a ﬁrm bite. Remove from the heat and transfer to your serving bowl.

2 In a bowl, whisk the eggs together with the salt and turmeric until frothy. Set aside.

3 Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a frying pan around 20–25cm wide over a medium heat. Add the onion (or spring onions), green chillies, garlic and curry leaves. Allow to cook, stirring occasionally, for 4–5 minutes, so that the onion softens; don’t allow it to crisp, and don’t cook past the point that the chillies and curry leaves are still bright green.

5 In a small frying pan, make the temper. Heat the oil over a mediumhigh heat (careful, it will splutter a little). When hot, add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally for 3–5 minutes until it starts to turn golden brown. Add the curry leaves, mustard seeds and cumin seeds and cook for a couple of minutes until the curry leaves are bright green. Be careful not to burn the spices!

INGREDIENTS

under

•

• ½

Continue this motion of pulling the edges in and tilting all around the pan, until the omelette is almost set, which will take around 2–3 minutes.

then

•

• 1–2 green chillies, sliced • 1 garlic clove, peeled and sliced • 7 or 8 fresh curry leaves METHOD 1 For the pepper-cumin salt, toast the cumin seeds and peppercorns in a small dry frying pan over a medium heat for 1–2 minutes until fragrant. Transfer to a bowl to cool, then blitz in a spice grinder or mini food processor until ﬁne, and keep aside for later.

5 Fold in half and serve, dusting generously with peppercumin and a little extra salt.

•

and

Coconut dal with kale Serves 4 In war or other times of national crisis, dal is rationed out by the Sri Lankan government as one of life’s essentials. Cooked with lemongrass and, if you can get it, pandan leaf (which adds a warm, vanilla ﬂavour) as well as coconut milk, turmeric, curry leaves, garlic and lime, this dal is distinctively light and restorative, and is worlds away from its Indian counterparts like black dal makhani made with cream, or tarka dal made with butter. There is no other dal quite like it, and I encourage you to try adding roasted squash or pumpkin or roasted sweet potato. This one is one of the ways my mum would cook it when she was too short on time to make a separate kale curry. She’d simply stir the leaves in very close to the end of cooking so they retained their bright green ﬂavour and nutrients.

•

into a

INGREDIENTS For the dal 300g red split lentils or toor lentils 3 garlic cloves, peeled and halved lengthways 1 lemongrass stalk, bruised • 1½ tsp salt, or to taste ½ tsp SL curry powder Optional: 4cm piece of pandan leaf 1 tsp ground turmeric 100ml coconut milk 3–4 small handfuls of kale (approx. 200g) ½ lime Optional: 1 tsp chilli ﬂakes For the temper 1 tbsp coconut or vegetable small red onion, peeled and ﬁnely sliced 10 fresh curry leaves tsp mustard seeds tsp cumin seeds the lentils saucepan rinse loosely the tap drain Cover the lentils with water until they’re submerged by about 5cm. Add the garlic, lemongrass, salt, SL curry powder and pandan leaf, if using. Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat. Skim o any scum and turn the heat down, so the lentils are simmering. Add the turmeric and simmer for 12–15 minutes until the SriturmericLankanomelette Serves 1-2 lentils are tender. There’s no need to stir here, you can basically forget about them except to check they’re not bubbling too vigorously.

•

• A pinch of cumin seeds • A pinch of black peppercorns • 3 large organic or free-range eggs • 1 tsp salt, or to taste, plus more to serve • ¾ tsp ground turmeric • 2 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil • ½ red onion, peeled and finely sliced (or a nice alternative is 2–3 spring onions, chopped into 2cm pieces)

•

oil • 1

well.

•

3 Drain o about 80 per cent of the liquid. You don’t want it to be too wet and soupy because you’re adding coconut milk.

4 Add the remaining tablespoon of oil to the pan, wait 30 seconds for the oil to get hot, and then pour in the eggs. Keep cooking over a medium heat and use a spatula to pull the edges in as they set, tilting the pan to spread the uncooked egg around.

• ½

53 FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES ABSOLUTELY magazines

•

6 Pour the whole temper, oil included, onto the cooked dal. Squeeze lime over it and sprinkle over the chilli ﬂakes, if using, just before serving, and black pepper. This is a favourite breakfast dish; one my mum cooks when she’s taking orders for breakfast at the weekends from her grandson, Thierry, who may be only six but knows what’s up. You can have it on its own with something fresh like a little dill, lime and watercress salad, perhaps with some so white bread, too. It’s very easy and quick: just so ened onions, a little garlic, curry leaves, turmeric and green chillies. Don’t skimp on seasoning, with plenty of salt, black pepper and cumin – an amazing mix called milagai seeraham in Tamil.

METHOD

FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES so

Extract taken from Rambutan by Cynthia Shanmugalingam, £26, Bloomsbury

3 Brew the co ee and pour it into a large jug. Allow to cool for a minute or two, then stir in the 125g coconut oil and let it melt. Then mix in the kithul jaggery syrup. Slowly pour the coconut co ee into the well you made in the ﬂour mixture and whisk together until everything is combined.

1 Preheat your oven to 180C/ fan 160C/Gas mark 4. Grease two 20cm sandwich tins with coconut oil and line the bottoms with greaseproof paper.

Ravana cake Serves 10-12 54 ABSOLUTELY magazines

INGREDIENTS For

• 125g

4 Add the lightly beaten eggs a little at a time, whisking until it’s all used up and you have a thin batter.

6 Bake for 25-30 minutes, until a skewer inserted into the middle comes out clean. Remove from the oven and place on a cooling rack still in their tins.

I love chocolate devil’s food cake and for a Sri Lankan chocolate cake, I didn’t just want a devil like any other. I wanted the King. Ruler of Ancient Lanka, the demon-king Ravana wasn’t just a garden variety devil with a red trident and fire, hopping from foot to foot like he needed the toilet. Ravana was the kind of hot demon your husband is stressing out about you meeting for lunch. He did have ten heads which is a little freaky I’ll concede – but he was also a magnificent musician, a warrior, a scholar and, by the rhapsodical account of ancient Tamil poet Kamban, a very good-looking guy with a lot of cool statement jewellery. Ravana wrote: Eating beef causes to infect ninety-eight new diseases to human beings’ and if this bit of 2000 BC veganism wasn’t ahead of its time, I don’t know what was. King Ravana was a lover and a fighter, most famous for kidnapping the beautiful married Princess Sita (under the pretext of asking her for lunch) and keeping her in Sri Lanka trying to persuade her to cheat on her husband. And

2 Put the ﬂour, sugar, cocoa powder, salt, baking powder and bicarbonate into a large bowl and whisk to combine and add air to the dry ingredients. Make a well in the middle.

• 500g icing sugar • 250g fresh strawberries, green tops removed, halved • 150g coconut ﬂakes

9 To assemble, spread just less than a quarter of the coconut icing on top of one of the cakes. Cover in fresh strawberry halves. Place the other cake on top and spread with a layer of icing then cover the sides as well. Coat with coconut flakes. this recipe is an imagining of a devil’s food cake with Ravana’s kind of irresistible sexiness, the kind designed to tempt the most loyal of wives. Strawberries for passion, chocolate for hotness, coffee for the late night musician and coconut for an island boy environmentalist with a love of plants. the cakes coconut oil, plus extra for greasing • 250g plain flour • 225g caster sugar • 50g cocoa powder • 1 tsp salt • 1 tsp baking powder • 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda • 350ml freshly brewed strong co ee • 2 tsp kithul jaggery syrup (or maple syrup if you can’t find it) • 2 large organic or free-range eggs, lightly beaten For the icing and filling • 250g coconut butter or coconut ‘bliss’

7 While the cakes are cooking, make the icing. Beat the coconut butter until softened and then whisk in half the icing sugar. When smooth, add the rest of the icing sugar and whisk again, until all the sugar is combined and it’s nice and thick and smooth. Add a little more icing sugar if it’s too loose or a little more coconut butter if it’s too thick for your liking.

8 When the cakes have cooled completely, carefully turn them out of their tins and peel o the paper.

5 Divide the batter between the two cake tins. Although this feels weird, drop the tin a couple of times onto your kitchen counter from a height of about 30cm. It forces the air in the mixture to come to the surface.

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FOOD & DRINKS • DRINKS

THE BEE HIVE box-maker has eliminated the need for all plastic packing materials when shipping from the distillery. Any material they do use is made from waste cardboard. Spent gin botanicals are composted on site or sent to a local bakery (Haxby Bakehouse) to be upcycled into delicious breads. Spent barley from the whisky mash is fed to a local farmer’s cattle. All other waste is either recycled or sent to a nearby waste-to-energy plant which generates power for Yorkshire homes. Their clear vision, love of ﬂavour and sustainable ethos has generated exponential growth in demand for their products since launching their ﬁrst gin in 2018. They’re engaged in collaborative projects with chefs Tommy Banks at the Black Swan and Roots and Neil Bentinck at Skosh; they supply Booths, Fenwick, Ocado, Selfridges, English Heritage, Harvey Nichols and the Natural History Museum; they’ve won a raft of international awards for their spirits; and they achieve regular national press coverage, including being named ‘Indy Best’ in the Independent’s Best Eco-Friendly Drinks. cooperkingdistillery.co.uk

Cooper King Distillery are making waves in the drinks industry with their great tasting products that look after the globe too partnership. They’ve planted 20,000m2 of woodland in the last three years, which promotes biodiversity, reduces flooding, sequesters carbon and creates beautiful outdoor spaces for communities to enjoy. The distillery has been powered by 100% renewable energy from day one. It’s more expensive, but hugely reduces the environmental impact of operations and supports Britain’s energy independence. In 2018 they introduced a pioneering gin refill scheme, whereby customers bring their empty bottles back to the distillery for a refill, saving them £6 o a new bottle. This ‘bottle-for-life’ reduces landfill and helps raise awareness of the reduce, reuse, recycle mantra. They’ve seen a 40% uptake in 2021 vs 2020. All barley and wheat used in their spirits is 100% Yorkshire grown on local farms. They source all their lavender from the Yorkshire Lavender Farm and raspberries from nearby Spilmans Farm. Closer still is the raw honey, lemongrass and basil that they use, which are harvested from their on-site bee hives and polytunnel.

ooper King Distillery is a self-built, crowd-funded distillery near York. Producing goodasthesustainableflavour-drivendrinksisatcoreofwhattheydo,theybelievedrinkingspiritsneedn’tcost the Earth. Part of Circular Yorkshire, they strive to stop waste, improve e ciency, and look after people and the planet. Operating sustainably is a mindset. It’s about understanding our impact and exploring ways to mitigate it with bold, decisive action. All bottles of their Dry or Herb Gin remove 1kg more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit, making them England’s first and only carbon-negative gins. They were the first in Europe to achieve 1% for the Planet accreditation, meaning they donate 1% of gross gin sales to their partner charity – the Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) – which is spent on planting Yorkshire woodland. They far exceed this, instead donating over 2.5%. One square metre of native Yorkshire woodland is planted for every bottle of gin sold thanks to the YDMT charitable

A clever, origami-style, recycled cardboard box developed with a local

Sustained SUCCESS

A TREE PLANTING DONATION

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Kat Atkinson 60 • Jewellery 63 • The Shoot 64 FASHION OUTLOOKSPARKLING Berry’s BERRY’S JEWELLERS Created by a woman for women, Messika jewellery creations are a subtle balance between strength, elegance and determination. Founder Valérie Messika has a simple goal: “I want diamonds to accompany women every day and also during the most beautiful moments of their lives. I encourage them to become who they actually are – brilliant, free, sensual, dazzling, audacious, glamorous, classic, strong, elegant... without limit.” Browse the Messika range at Berry’s Leeds or berrysjewellers.co.uk 59ABSOLUTELY magazines

60 ABSOLUTELY magazines York born and bred Kat Atkinson talks all things fashion and explains why she’s gearing up to return for October’s York Fashion Week By MARK KEBBLE LIFE ON THE CATWALK Q & A KAT ATKINSON BEHIND THE SCENES AT YORK FASHION WEEK KAT HAS HAD A SUCCESSFUL CAREER IN MODELLING

ABSOLUTELY magazines 61 and L’Oreal for shoots. I also worked for the Leeds-brand ‘Each to their Own’ with my face appearing on printed T-shirts that were worn by a couple of guys on the TV programme Geordie Shore

Q Was it an easy industry to get into?

Q Are you looking forward to modelling again?

A To begin with, it was tough. I had to attend lots of arty fashion shoots before I got the opportunity to take part in catwalk shows. It wasn’t until I managed to get on the books with a Manchester agency that things began to take o . Here, I was catwalk trained and got signed up by Wella

FASHION • Q&A

Q How did you get into lecturing?

York Fashion Week returns from 6-10 October. For more details please visit yorkfashionweek.com

Q Why did you become an ambassador for York Fashion Week?

A Oddly enough, it wasn’t as a model. I’d set up an Instagram account – Wearsitatkat – posting images of my outﬁts as a way to inspire others. Not only did it become a creative outlet but, during the breakup of a relationship, it was a lifesaver. Despite how bad I felt internally, my community of followers kept me going. I had no choice but to appear like I was ‘bossing life’. Then, in 2018 came the big break. I was headhunted by ASOS to become part of the Insider Programme – one of 20 creatives handpicked from across the globe. I couldn’t believe my luck. I was being paid to have my own ASOS Instagram account and had an allowance to choose clothes from the website each week in exchange for posting details about my outﬁts to my 64,000 followers.

A It’s been years since I hit the catwalk and never thought I would make a return. Nicky Hayer, who is the founder and director at York Fashion Week, is very persuasive! I’ve put on weight since my modelling days and am far more body conscious, but you know what – I thought sometimes it’s good to push yourself and step out of your comfort zone. When I attended the runway shows at YFW back in April, it was clear that the event was all about inclusivity, positivity and empowerment. They used ‘real life’ models – people from all walks of life, which made me feel like I could be part of that community too.

A I’ve always loved reading and writing and did English Language at A-level, so decided to combine this with fashion and studied for a degree in Fashion Marketing at Leeds Beckett University as a mature student. After graduating, I was invited to guest lecture in styling and fashion forecasting and have since secured a permanent role lecturing on fashion trend analysis and fashion writing – my dream job!

Q How did you get into modelling? A I’ve always been interested in fashion. In my late teens, I developed my own style, which was far from mainstream – I lived in branded T-shirts, skinny jeans and skate clothes. I guess some would’ve called me a mosher. At the age of 17, I was scouted by a modelling agency in Top Shop in Glasgow – thankfully they saw beyond my dreadful hairstyle and questionable fashion sense. When they detected my Yorkshire accent, it wasn’t meant to be, but the experience sparked an interest, even though modelling had never been on my radar. When I returned to York, I created my portfolio and found a social media site for freelance models.

Q How did you hit the big time with ASOS?

A In addition to the Instagram account, I got the chance to model for some of the ASOS brands so attended some fantastic parties and events in London. When I worked for Ralph Lauren, I was treated to a VIP breakfast at the HQ in London before being whisked o to Wimbledon in a Bentley to watch Serena Williams on Centre Court. That was pretty special!

A I drill into my students that the key to a successful career in fashion is to network, network and network some more. York Fashion Week (YFW) o ers this in abundance. It’s a place that brings established and aspiring creatives together to embrace and celebrate all things fashion. It’s a trailblazer for home grown designers and fashion’s new generation. The team behind York Fashion Week is so passionate about working in collaboration with ﬂedgling brands and designers. They are helping to put Yorkshire on the map.

Q What was your ASOS highlight?

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FASHION • JEWELLERY ABSOLUTELY magazines 63

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BIKO Elle Pearl Collar in Gold, £386 wolfandbadger.com

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Marc-Cain’s AW22 collection, found at Morgan Clare and Olivia Grace, is full of colour and vivid combinations to ensure you head into autumn with a ﬂourish MARC-CAIN.COM EXPRESS YOURSELF

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The Leveson Centre 70 • Beauty Notes 73 • Products 75 BEAUTY&HEALTH SLEEPBEAUTY SLIP X ALICE + OLIVIA You’ll have the most luxurious sleep of your life thanks to this whimsical collaboration between Slip Silk and Alice + Olivia. Some of the beauty brand’s multi-award-winning products, including the eye mask, a hair wrap, scrunchies, and a pillowcase, have been decked out in the designer's Spring Paisley print, from £39. slipsilkpillowcase.co.uk 69ABSOLUTELY magazines

70 ABSOLUTELY magazines MEDICAL MARVEL The Leveson Centre in York is set to revolutionise cancer care in the county. Here's the story behind It By JESS VALENGHI PROFESSOR STEVE LEVESON, JULIE RUSSELL (CEO OF YORK AGAINST CANCER), IAN YEOWART (CHAIRMAN OF YORK AGAINST CANCER)

The opening of The Leveson Centre marks a key stage in the growth of the charity. The Leveson Centre will not only introduce a markable increase in cancer support services for York, but will also be available for patients from across the region, therefore increasing cancer support services nationally, which is of huge importance to the charity. At The Leveson Centre there will be a timetable of services suitable for all cancertypes and personal needs, the timetable will be available within the centre and online when it opens. The services will include but are not limited to: benefits and financial advice, 'Look Good Feel Better', complementary therapy, psychological support and counselling, will writing and health and wellbeing activities. The Leveson Centre will also be open daily for ‘drop-ins’ to provide a safe space for people living with cancer to come and meet others and have a hot drink and a chat, or find a quiet corner to read a book and relax. You can expect a ‘home-from-home’ environment. The architects and interior designers have taken care to design a space

The charity’s initial aim was to help introduce standardised treatment protocols and communication techniques between doctors, nurses and cancer patients and their families. The first major activity was to recruit the first oncology nurse at York Hospital. She was trained to deliver treatments as well as co-ordinate activities between patients and clinical sta to provide a road map of their cancer journey. From that first recruit, the charity went on to recruit further nurses and from there on to provide funding and support into the key areas of research, care, and education around cancer. The charity has evolved over the years and exceeded all expectations that the board had for it at inception. Now in its 35th year, the charity has raised over £20 million that has all gone back into supporting cancer care, research, and education across the region.

As you walk in, the core of the space will be an open kitchen table area known as “The Heart”, where visitors can help themselves to a cup of co ee and sit around the table, either on their own or with a volunteer supporter. From this central space there will be o -shoot areas including a lounge and library and a group seating area. For more private consultation services there is a family room as well as two treatment rooms. Outside there will be a garden area. The Leveson Centre’s main aim is to ensure that everyone that visits leaves having gained something, whether that means they leave with the promise of a follow-up call, a new friend, information, a class booking, or invaluable support regarding ﬁnances or will planning. We believe the Centre will become more than just a place to visit for a speciﬁc service – it will become a community for both people living with cancer as well as friends and families whose lives have been touched by the disease.

71ABSOLUTELY magazines

THE LEVESON CENTRE is due to open later in the autumn. For updates yorkagainstcancer.org.uk

HEALTH & BEAUTY • PROFILE LOUNGE AND LIBRARY OUTDOOR SEATING AREA

“It's a space that will not feel clinical, but will be warm welcoming”and I n 1985, Professor Steve Leveson moved to York from St. James’s University Hospital, joining York Hospital as a Consultant General Surgeon. One of the main reasons for coming to York was that he had identiﬁed the city as a place to develop as a Centre for Excellence. The ambition was to link York hospital with the University laboratories, to create a research centre for cancer and to ultimately create a better level of patient care for the region. After arriving in York, however, what became apparent was that whilst cancer services were available, they were not well joined up. In addition to this, Steve found that funding into research was limited and with an ambitious plan and a desire to help people and the region to create a more proﬁcient level of cancer research and care, he decided, along with two colleagues, Professor Colin Garner and John Craven, that they would create a charity to raise the funds themselves: they founded York Against Cancer in 1987. that will not feel clinical; instead, it will very much feel like a warm, welcoming, place where you can relax and unwind.

It’s why we’re one of the leading independent healthcare providers in the world. Kindness, compassion, empathy… and knowing what matters most to our patients. These things are ingrained. It’s what we call “ People caring for people”. So from our quality private hospitals to our specialist consultants, delivering exceptional patient care remains at the heart of everything we do. For fast access to treatment contact 01904 211 667 or visit cliftonparkhospital.co.uk inSpecialistsboneandjointcare

CHANEL Chanel’s newest nail collection includes six exclusive shades of polish, in a range of vibrant pastel shades. They are being launched alongside two new additions to Chanel’s nail-care product range, designed to nourish and fortify your nails, so you can make the most of these summer colours, from £25. chanel.com NARS Two of the brand’s most iconic shades, Orgasm and Laguna, have met in a moment of pure passion. This limited edition palette of the much-loved blush and bronzer duo has been launched just in time for summer, but with its irresistibly so and blendable application, you’ll still be glowing well a er the season ends, £37. narscosmetics.co.uk

Perfect Pairing With the rate that taketoolshigh-qualitychanges,technologybuyinghaircanreallyitstollon your wallet and on the environment. Sometimes a product may only be state-of-the-art for a matter of months before something newer and more exciting comes on the market. So for those wanting to keep up with the latest in styling, but also wanting to keep their budget and environmental impact in mind, Cloud 9’s recently launched subscription service may be the perfect solution. For as little as £4.99 a month, you will have access to the brand’s award-winning styling tools, all you need to do is select the device that works best for you and pay a single annual fee. You can choose from Cloud 9’s core collection, which includes favourites such as the Touch Iron, Original Iron, Wide Iron, Airshot and Curling Wand. The device is shipped straight to your door and should a newer version ever catch your eye, you will be given the option to switch or upgrade after two years. You won’t need to feel guilty about wastage, either, because Cloud 9 will either recycle or refurbish the products that are returned at the end of their life. FACE HALO Leave wipes ﬁrmly in your past, there’s a whole The new ‘Face Glow Skin Set’ by Face Halo will rejuvenate your skin in a few simple steps. It includes three tools: a makeup remover, a deep cleanser and an exfoliator, which work together to thoroughly cleanse and exfoliate your skin, £20. facehalo.com

face

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

CLOUD 9 Subscription fees start at £59.99 per year cloudninehair.com Conservation is at the core of Cloud 9’s new subscription service

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ABSOLUTELY magazines 75 HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND These products will have your skin looking summerholiday ready in no time BRONZEBOTTLE CHANEL Les Beiges Illuminating Oil, £70 chanel.com EDITOR’SPICK JAMES READ Click & Glow Gradual Tan Drops, £25 jamesreadtan.com BY TERRY Tea to Tan Face and Body Bronzer, £59 byterry.com OSKIA Adaptive Tan Mist, £57 oskiaskincare.com FENTY BEAUTY Body Lava Body Luminizer in Who Needs Clothes?!, £46 fentybeauty.com JAMES READ jamesreadtan.com NARS Laguna Bronzing Creme in Laguna 2, £32.50 narscosmetics.co.uk SKINNY TAN Wonder Serum Gradual Tanner, £24.99 skinnytan.co.uk DR. HAUSCHKA BronzingTranslucentTint, £20 drhauschka.co.uk

Visit fitness-superstore.co.uk or call 01604 673000 Code expires 9th October 2022. Prices may vary, see website for current price. † Subject to age and status. *Subscription required. LIST PRICE £1,599 OUR PRICE£799 800IC INDOORCYCLE ABYORK0922 Try Before You Buy Expert In-Store Advice Never Beaten on Price 0% Finance Available † SHEFFIELD MANCHESTER Unit L, Meadowhall Retail Park, Sheffield, S9 2YZ BEYOND, Trafford Way, Trafford Quays Leisure Village, M41 7JA sheffield@fitness-superstore.co.uk 0114 553 5884 manchester@fitness-superstore.co.uk 0161 820 5921

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FITNESS

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TOP PICKS A 'shortlist' activewearof POCKETSPORT

Nothing makes exercising easy quite like the promise of a Thispost-workoutdeliciouscocktail.seasontheglobal ﬁtness phenomenon, Barry’s UK, is heading to Ibiza for a ﬁrst-ofits-kind pop-up in partnership with the Pacha Group. Their trademark workouts have arrived at the Destino Pacha Resort for a six-week residency, ending on 3 September. Barry’s members will be able to work up a sweat in front of a sea view, with a series of daily those wishing to unwind poolside after class. For Barry’s clients staying closer to home, you will still be able to experience a taste of Ibiza in Yorkshire. To celebrate the residency, Barry’s and Destino Pacha Resort will be collaborating on a series of events and parties across Barry’s UK studios throughout the summer, including weekly themed classes. So make sure to pack your activewear, and in the words of Barry’s coowner, James Macaskill, “bring on the tan lines and the inclines”. barrys.com classes featuring Barry's signature HIIT workout. For those looking to swap cocktails for protein shakes, HERMOSA, Barry’s protein powder of choice, will also be residing at Destino Pacha with a pop-up Fuel Bar to aid your post-workout recovery. Other exclusive perks will be on o er to Barry’s clients heading to the White Isle, including a special room rate for those wanting to train and stay. Day visitors will also be treated to complimentary access to the hotel’s Day Club, including sunbeds and towels for

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By RACHEL HOGG

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THEROUNDHILLESTATE Imaginebeingsurroundedbythebuzzofnature,thegentlebabbleoffreshwater tricklinginfromthehillside,brightbirdsong,inhalingthesweetthickpinewood& eucalyptustreebreezeandfeelingtotallyatpeace. WelcometoTheRoundhillEstate,anoasisofcalmnestledwithinthecharming DalesofYorkshire.Weareanewlyopened,lovinglyrenovated,17thcentury,grade twolistedluxurypropertysatamongst40acresofprivatewoodland.Weare availableforwellnessretreats,romanticgetaways,familygatherings,weekly bookings,weddingcelebrations,shootingparty’sandsomuchmore. FormoreinformationvisitourInstagrampage@the_r.h_estate&bookyourstay viaourwonderfulagents:www.yorkshirehideaways.co.uk Beautifulphotocreditsthanksto@tracykiddphotography RELAX•RESTORE•NURTURE•BREATHE•ESCAPE

TRAVEL Europe: Amsterdam 80 • Greece 83 • UK Staycations 84 DREAMSCANAL AMSTERDAM Everybody loves an Amsterdam citybreak, especially when they're staying at the beautiful canalside Pulitzer Hotel. Absolutely visits. pulitzeramsterdam.com 79ABSOLUTELY magazines

80 ABSOLUTELY magazines TWO DAYS IN THE DAM What's everyone's favourite weekend destination? Surely it's Amsterdam. Absolutely visits By PENDLE HARTE

Everybody loves Amsterdam. Whether it's your first visit or your hundredth, there's always something new to discover and revisiting old haunts never gets boring. There's no better use of a weekend than renting bikes and cycling along the canals, visiting museums and stopping at everything that catches your eye. And now that we've discovered The Pulitzer there's even more reason to return. The Pulitzer is a large hotel with a cosy feel, thanks to its unique makeup of 25 17th century canalhouses around a block spread over Prinzengracht and Keizersgracht, knocked together to create a maze-like single building with lots of character. It's the oldest five-star hotel in Amsterdam, dating back to 1960 when Peter Pulitzer (grandson of Pulitzer Prize founder, Joseph) bought 12 run-down canalhouses with a view to restoring them and creating a worldclass hotel. Over the years he acquired neighbouring houses and the hotel grew, becoming known for its annual floating Other museums range from the worldfamous (Rijksmuseum, Van Gogh, Stedelijk) to the little-known and obscure: there's a museum for everything in Amsterdam, however niche. There's a Houseboat Museum (on a houseboat), a Torture Museum, a Sex Museum, a Cheese Museum, a Hash Museum and, of course, the Heineken Brewery tour. We enjoyed a popup exhibition space dedicated to sustainable fashion, bought some curious vintage ceramics in an antiques arcade and visited the headquarters of Tony's Chocoloney in the Westerpark before heading to the Noordermarkt for the cafe with the famed apple pie and a browse of the market. Food at the Pulitzer is excellent, naturally – particularly the breakfast bu et, which attracts non-residents for its mix of cheese, fish, meat and eggs, plus fruit, wa es, pancakes and excellent co ee. Dinner at the Jansz is informal yet high class, and cocktails at the Pulitzer's Bar are as good as any the city can o er. Prepare to be charmed.

81ABSOLUTELY magazines concerts and its sprawling site. Then in 2017, the traditional hotel reopened with an entirely new look, a contemporary redesign that combines serious luxury with a contemporary, design-led feel. Now the interior feels very modern Dutch, in that it's unafraid to combine quirky detail with traditional comfort. There's lots of art and books, for instance, and a loose grey and yellow colour theme that recurs in everything from bedding to notepaper, but without making everything into a slavish scheme. In all, it's a colourful place with lots of small visual details to take pleasure in, from the Delft tiles at the reception desk to the single outsize armchair in the lobby, the former apothecary that's celebrated in the restaurant and the beautiful green courtyard garden with swing chairs. In the bedrooms, everything has been considered. There's an umbrella in our room, for instance – invaluable for the inevitable Amsterdam shower – and a welcome bottle of Prosecco, and comfortable slippers for everyone. Shower gel is the insanely addictive Debaser by DS & Durga, and there's lots of velvet upholstery in bright pinks and blues, gilt-framed old masters and old master pastiches. An Art Deco bar unit houses the television, and the queen sized beds are impossibly comfortable. Our bathroom is vast by any standards and particularly by Amsterdam's (visitors to the Pulitzer might not be aware that Amsterdam's tightly packed housing doesn't on the whole allow for spacious bathrooms and that many people live without bathtubs in this city). So from a well-located base at the Pulitzer, exploring the city is easy. Set out on foot and discover De Nejen Straatjes –the nine streets that criss-cross the four main canal arteries – with their mix of stylish boutiques, cafes and bars, or leave the hotel and turn right for the ﬁve-minute walk that takes you to Westermarkt and the ever-popular Anne Frank museum (don't expect to turn up without a booking. The museum used to be known for its long queues; now it's known to be sold out months in advance. But it's worth the wait for its tribute to 20th century history). #

“THERE'S A MUSEUM FOR EVERYTHING IN HOWEVERAMSTERDAM,NICHE”

PULITZER AMSTERDAM Prinsengracht 323, 1016GZ Amsterdam Rooms from £256 per night pulitzeramsterdam.com

TRAVEL • EUROPE

Go Island Hopping, Go Olympic call 020 8492 6840 visit olympicholidays.com/island-hopping One island is never enough Tailor-made island hopping with Olympic Holidays. Use code ISLAND200 to save £200pp* This is our specialiststhebestexperiencehome;theofGreecewithislandhopping Every Greek Island has its own unique personality, so sometimes one just isn’t enough. And because no one knows the islands quite like we do, you can expect a little more from an Olympic Holiday. Tailor-made island hopping  Family-owned, arranging holidays to Greece and the Greek islands for more than half-century  Flights from 26 UK airports  Choice of accommodation,islands,length of stay and more  Low cost to luxury, simple to special occasion  British Travel Awards winner for nineconsecutive years,with votes submitted by the public Terms & Conditions: ISLAND200. Save an extra £200 per person on all new Island-Hopping holidays for two people or more with no minimum spend. Can only be booked through the call centre and cannot be used in conjunction code must be added at time of booking and cannot be added post transaction.

HALKI HARBOUR

Skopelos, known for its starring role in the ﬁlm Mamma Mia and its breath-taking scenery, is adored by artists, walkers and hikers. With a more laid-back atmosphere and beautiful architecture, Skopelos has over 100 tiny chapels that are dotted around Skopelos Town. Combine Skiathos and Skopelos for a holiday that reﬂects the contrasting characteristics of Greece. These pairings of island hops are just a taster of what is on o er when booking an island-hopping holiday.

• SKIATHOS & SKOPELOS A 7-night Island Hop package starts from £755pp* including return ﬂights with baggage, accommodation, all ferries and private car transfers between the ferry ports

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SKOPELOS ISLAND

There are so many island combinations to choose from and Olympic Holidays can help create that perfect contrast; tailor-made to suit your needs.

THE ACROPOLIS OF RHODES

RHODES & HALKI A 7-night Island Hop package starts from £639pp* including return ﬂights with baggage, accommodation, all ferries and private car transfers between the ferry ports

*Terms and conditions apply

• olympicholidays.com

Get Going Olympic Holidays have an awardwinning, dedicated island-hopping team to plan your trip

Exploring Olympic Holidays islandhopping trips, from Rhodes to Halki, and Skiathos to Skopelos

Skiathos boasts more than 50 sun-kissed sandy beaches which are among the best in Greece. The charming capital of Skiathos Town has chic nightlife, a lovely old town with charming shops in a maze of alleyways and a beautiful waterfront o ering an array of bars, boutiques, and restaurants.

hen it comes to Greece and its islands, it can sometimes be di cult to decide where to spend well-deservedthat break. Although some islands might be similar in many aspects, there are also those that di er signiﬁcantly in terms of size, atmosphere, popularity, and scenery. Maybe it’s an action-packed itinerary with the wild nightlife you are after, or perhaps a quest for authenticity, hidden gems, and deserted beaches for a more relaxing retreat. Olympic Holidays can provide fantastic bespoke island-hopping itineraries that showcase the contrasting characteristics of the Greek islands. Rhodes is the largest of the Dodecanese Islands. A luxurious, cosmopolitan feel engulfs the island while it still stays true to its fascinating history with a multitude of cultural attractions and a mesmerising UNESCO-protected Old Town. As one of the most popular Greek islands, there are plenty of great restaurants selling the freshest local and international cuisine and resorts with a buzzing nightlife. Halki promises a little more peace and relaxation and is where time really has stood still, a place to discover “authentic Greece” and where friendly locals welcome visitors like long-lost friends. With a few beaches and minimal transport, Halki is perfect for those looking for an insight into the Greek way of life. Rhodes and Halki make for the perfect pair on an islandhopping holiday, ideal for those wanting to experience two di erent sides of Greece.

TRAVEL • PARTNERSHIP

THEDOUBLEFUN

84 ABSOLUTELY magazines COUNTRY A look at some of the UK’s ﬁnest staycation spots life BRACKEN

KITTISFORD BARTON AM BATHACH BRACKEN

Bracken DORCHESTER • SLEEPS 6 dorsethideaways.co.uk Situated in a beautiful and rural area of North Dorset on a working farm, with extensive views of Bulbarrow and The Blackmore Vale, Bracken is one of three unique, detached eco retreats, constructed to an exceptionally high standard in 2020. The light and spacious, open-plan accommodation is all on the ground floor with cosy under-floor heating throughout, courtesy of the ground source heat pump. Sleeping up to six guests in three bedrooms, Bracken is an ideal choice. Outside, the terrace and garden enjoy breath-taking, far-reaching rural views, not to mention the decadent hot tub. With the Wessex Ridgeway on your doorstep, walking opportunities are endless. In the nearby village of Ansty you will find a charming farm shop, post o ce and good local pub.

WorkingFarms

“LIGHT UP THE OUTDOOR FIREPIT AND MARSHMALLOWS,TOASTORCOOKOVERTHEFLAMES”

BartonKittisford SOMERSET, SLEEPS 6 glampinghideaways.co.uk Surrounded by beautiful countryside and yet close to many fun days out and transport links, Kittisford Barton glamping site is the best of both worlds. Set on a working organic farm with over 260 acres of ponds, woodland, fields and trails, it has a real sense of peace and tranquillity. Spacious safari tents comfortably sleep up to six people, with three separate bedrooms. There’s a gas-powered shower and WC, so no need to stumble across the site during the night. Sit and eat at your own inside wooden table and chairs, or relax on the comfortable sofas. There’s also a fully equipped kitchen area, complete with double gas hob and working sink plus a wood-burning stove, which also has space to cook on. Light up the outdoor firepit and toast marshmallows, or cook yourself an evening meal over the flames. The tents even have the option of a wood-fired hot tub. It’s the perfect combination of modern comfort and the great outdoors, and you’re bound to leave feeling relaxed and rejuvenated. There is no electricity at the site, making this an ideal opportunity to switch o and spend quality time with the people you love.

Am Bathach SCOTLAND, SLEEPS 2 ruralretreats.co.uk Am Bathach is part of a traditional working croft where Hebridean Sheep can be seen grazing and running on the surrounding hills of heather. The cottage is part of an extensive refurbishment carried out on the original cow barn using traditional stonework and cedar logs from Pioneer Log Homes of Canada. Tastefully decorated using local tweeds and traditional furnishings complemented by modern appliances used in a contemporary way. The area is world renowned for its stunning scenery, wildlife, food and drink and friendly local communities. Not so well known is the low rainfall and mild climate due to the Atlantic Gulf Stream, with glorious summers and beautiful long sunsets throughout the year. The dark sky is a stunning sight with the stars clearly visible, particularly here in Altass. The cottage is situated in the small hamlet of Rosehall which is surrounded by magniﬁcent salmon ﬁshing rivers and trout lochs, woodland walks and a welcoming local hotel serving delicious food. A perfect base for touring, being based midway between west, north and east coasts, where the varied coastline is a magnet for wildlife and birdwatching.

85ABSOLUTELY magazines TRAVEL • STAYCATION

Y Gorlan WALES, SLEEPS 2 glampinghideaways.co.uk Set on a beautiful farm in the heart of the scenic countryside,CarmarthenshireYGorlanis a pretty little hideaway perfect for two. Fitted with all things luxuriouseven underfloor heating, this shepherds hut is a very comfortable escape. Y Gorlan was crafted in Wales to a high standard with wonderful oak doors and insulated with sheep wool. In the summer evenings enjoy a glass of wine al fresco, or even a barbecue in the outdoor seating area with views over the rolling hills. In chillier evenings cosy up inside the hut with the wood burning stove, a good book or a card game, or wrap up and have a hot choccy under the vast starry sky. The little hut is stocked with everything you could possibly need. There is electric lighting and power throughout as well as underfloor heating and a beautiful wood burning stove. You will also find a fully equipped kitchen with hot and cold water as well as an en-suite. Enjoy walking or cycling in the local area with panoramic rural views and wonderful scenery, or just a short drive away are plenty of beaches and coastal walks to choose from.

“THE RE-IMAGINEDWAGONRAILWAYFORMERGOODHASBEENASTHEPERFECTROMANTICRETREATFORTWO” GOOSE RUN COTTAGE BRACKEN

Propertiesfor2…

CarriagetheVictoriaRailway NORFOLK, SLEEPS 2 glampinghideaways.co.uk Nestled peacefully in beautiful Waveney Valley, Victoria is a fabulous converted railway goods wagon that has been lovingly and eco-sensitively restored to provide a fantastic o -grid glamping experience, without compromising on luxury or heritage. Originally built during the age of steam, Victoria is part of the train that once delivered milk from the dairy to London and has been re-imagined as the perfect romantic retreat for two. Original timbers have been lovingly preserved while the industrial ironwork has been restored and bu ed to a soft sheen. The generous west-facing deck is a gorgeous spot for a sun-downer. Relax and watch the barn owls or try your hand at cooking alfresco – the ﬁrepit is the perfect place to experiment with some fabulous local produce. Dogs are welcome and for two couples, Victoria’s companion, Edward is also available to book.

TRAVEL • STAYCATION

Shepherd’sRetreatWoodland Hut

SUFFOLK. SLEEPS 2 su olkhideaways.co.uk Situated in a peaceful and picturesque wood, Woodland Retreat Shepherd’s Hut is a perfectly formed bespoke shepherd’s hut ideal for couples wanting to escape everyday life. This compact and cosy shepherd’s hut may be small but has everything for a luxurious short break for two – and horses are welcome too. If it’s seclusion and peace you are looking for and a desire to return to nature, escape to this wonderful sanctuary and truly relax. Fridge, freezer and electric cooker all available.

9AMOCTOBERSATURDAY1ST–1PM REGISTER FOR OUR OPEN DAY TODAY wake eldgrammarschools.org At our Open Day, you’ll see how our three schools enable boys and girls from ages 3 to 18, to be who they want to be. Big futures start here. To give your child the values, skills and knowledge to lead happily through life, register now. YOU’LL LIKE THE WAY OUR OPENOPENSDAYMINDS AND OPENS DOORS

September comes around fast, but most parents will have been thinking about the first day back to school for some time. Whether it's the first steps on the journey at nursery, or your child taking the large leap to big school, or even your little grown up heading off to university, it's understandable to be anxious. Over the page, one expert suggests it will all be OK on the day... FEELING FINE SPECIAL In this section BACK TO SCHOOL p90 TALKING HEAD p93 SPORT IN SCHOOLS p96 POST-EXAMS p101 SPEECH & LANGUAGE p102 EDUCATION NEWS p107 ABSOLUTELY magazines 89

MEMORY TEST

The ﬁrst day of a new academic year means di erent things to parents all across the county – but you are not alone

SUE LAIDLAW 90 ABSOLUTELY magazines

ABSOLUTELY magazines 91

My youngest daughter finally graduated this week (it was delayed one year due to the pandemic), but this graduation proved to be a significant milestone. Our little girl properly launched into the real adult world. Reflecting on this moment, I realised, with a degree of surprise that, as parents, we have had a full stretch of over 80 terms of school years non-stop. As young parents, people always said to us, and no doubt have said to you too, “enjoy the moment – it will go in a flash”. We accepted the comment, but perhaps didn’t really believe as we carried on wrangling our tired and squabbling children or wiping yet another runny nose. Realistically it is obviously di cult to enjoy every single moment. The moments when you say to each other that one day we will look back and laugh at this, but actually this really has proved to be true. I ran the film of the last 26 years through my mind as each graduate walked across the impressive stage. I saw our first daughter standing at the front door, school bag in hand, ready to go to big school; I saw again the moments when our children constantly surprised us – the solo singing that we didn’t know about until the Carol Service; the day that one of them mentioned that she had told the Ofsted lady what she thought of her school (I hope it was complimentary); the little 10-year-old who was always running around like a headless chicken and then we saw her standing on the start line at the borough sports day in the middle of the pitch in Twickenham Stadium. It’s not just about successes, there are plenty of big learning curves, nights pondering and worrying that starred in my memory film too! But now, with the wisdom of hindsight, I feel able to reassure the many parents that we speak to each week at Laidlaw Education. However di cult, joyful, successful, stressful things may seem at the time, they really do work out. Loving parents find a way. It is rather like looking out of an aeroplane window over the patchwork of fields that we see coming into Gatwick. Everything meshes together and, oh what a ride it is! Reflecting this week, I have felt a little melancholy –how lovely it would be to do it all again.

So, at the start of another academic year, I, too, will whisper in your ear, whatever stage of education your child might have reached – starting Nursery, o to Senior School, Sixth Form or stepping in to University life – fasten your seatbelt and enjoy the ride. Even the bits that are di cult, worrying or where you simply don’t know what to do for the best, when you look back, you will see a bigger picture – and you probably wouldn’t want to change too much, after all. Have a wonderful new term, combine the work and the play – and enjoy all the small and precious moments that you will share with your children.

Sue Laidlaw is founder of Laidlaw Education LLP, and her team o er educational advice, lessons and courses for children of all ages through their centres, including Laidlaw Hall supporting children with special needs, and the Laidlaw Virtual Academy. Book courses and ﬁnd out more by calling 020 8487 9517 or visit laidlaweducation.co.uk “However di cult things may seem, they really do work out”

EDUCATION • FEATURE

September is here again! A new academic year, and new changes of class, of school and even of family routine. There is excitement, apprehension and that feeling of another new start. New academic years have been like punctuation marks throughout my life – school days, university days, teaching days, days on the school run and teaching days again – and so it all keeps turning. Throughout the past decades, I have written countless articles about the return to school in September. There have been articles about new starts, settling your children into their new routine, embracing new opportunities, letting them go and so much more – but this year is di erent. For this new academic year, it’s time to write as a parent who has probably felt every emotion that every parent reading this will have felt or will feel in the future. This time, it’s time to share my reﬂections.

ABSOLUTELY magazines 93

EDUCATION • TALKING HEAD

Q What do you love most about your job?

We meet Anton Maree, Headmaster of Ackworth School, to see how their Quaker ethos inﬂuences their 21st century approach to education

A It is impossible not to. The buildings date back to the 1750s when they were used as a foundling hospital and are built from local sandstone. Living on the school

campus is a privilege because I have access to our country surroundings. Our grounds extend over 300 acres of land in rural West Yorkshire and are complete with the Went River, an arboretum with 54 indigenous trees, and excellent sporting facilities.

Q Do you make the most of your wonderful setting?

Q What does Ackworth School o er? A Ackworth School is an integrated and selfdisciplined community, with an international dimension and well-developed awareness of the Quaker values: simplicity, truth, equality, peace, and sustainability. The school is noted for its observance of kindness, inclusivity and respect for one another and for those less fortunate than ourselves. We help all of our pupils progress at a pace appropriate to their age, aptitude, interests and ability, to achieve the best external examination results of which they are capable, and to leave school equipped to lead a full and responsible life in the adult world. Ackworth is an all-through, coeducational, day and boarding school with pupils from the age of 2½-18 and what makes us unique is that we also have a dedicated Autism Resource that gives pupils access to mainstream education. We are proud of our ability to uphold the traditions and ethos upon which the school was founded, but we are mindful of the need to be forward looking in our approach. We are well-known for our table tennis and squash academies, which achieve national honours on a frequent basis with several former scholars achieving great distinction. Football, hockey and netball are our main school sports. There is a very long tradition of football at our school. Ackworth’s first footballer, John Fryer, was often heard to state that he was the first Ackworth boy to kick a football. Close to us in South Yorkshire the world’s first football club, She eld Football Club, was founded in 1857.

Setting THE SCENE

ANTON MAREE

A The opportunity to make a di erence for the pupils and families that attend Ackworth, our neighbouring community, and the 30 state primary schools we work with as educational partners in West Yorkshire.

The benefits of technology have propelled education at our school and we use Apple devices to enable access to wider resources. Our teachers are adept at ‘flipping’ learning to develop awareness and confidence and are able to improve learning outcomes because of their ability to encourage engagement. We use advanced tracking methods to provide evidence upon which our teachers can act and pupils react positively to their advice.

A Academic success and the willingness to learn are important along with personal wellbeing and an enjoyment of schooling. Being an independent school, we are lucky to adapt and change our curriculum to move with the times in an ever-changing world. We o er our version of the National Curriculum and then a broad and traditional choice of subjects at GCSE and A-level. For many of our parents, securing a place at university is the main goal. This requires a focus on teaching key skills like problem solving and adaptability. As an all-through school we can inﬂuence our pupils over a longer period of time and build conﬁdence and leadership into our curriculum. In addition to the taught curriculum, we o er access to opportunities and experiences beyond the classroom and our pupils can choose to be whatever and whoever they want to be. We acknowledge that our pupils have to learn how to collaborate, think creatively and take responsibility. They are all encouraged to do the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, which is fantastic for o ering new challenges.

A There are now only six independent Quaker schools in the country. Our Quaker ethos makes us distinctive. We o er an exceptional non-selective education where the focus is on the child. Children grow through being here and are all known to their teachers who play an active part in their progress. Our ethos makes it possible for us to host boarders from all over the world as well as providing a mainstream educational experience for 20 pupils with autism.

Q What curriculum do you follow?

Q What are you looking forward to ahead of the new school year?

A Dare I say this, but the holidays are too long. The school is a place of learning and it is best when it is ﬁlled with children. ackworthschool.com

“The purpose of education is to make our pupils ready for life beyond school”

Q Is there one thing you believe makes you stand out from other schools?

A The purpose of education is to make our pupils ready for life beyond school. A visitor to our school would be impressed with the eloquence, conﬁdence and ability of our pupils. They demonstrate mature learning behaviours, taking ownership of their learning whilst displaying perseverance.

94 ABSOLUTELY magazines I love the resolve our pupils display to make a personal and collective di erence to the world. They certainly take the lead when it comes to climate change and are unwavering in their desire to have an impact. Being the Head of an all-through school where inclusivity and excellence in education matter and beneﬁts the entire community is a privilege. My pupils and sta are welcoming and engage readily in conversation, it feels wonderful to be recognised by everyone and to know that I am making a di erence.

Q Can you describe a typical classroom scene?

01423admissions@cundallmanor.org.ukcundallmanorschool.com360200Enquiretodayaboutoneofthenorth’sleadingindependentschoolsforboysandgirlsaged2to16. We are happy. We are sucessful. We are Cundall Manor School. an unforgettable journey

Independent schools go way beyond the classic team sports, to bring on the champions, and also help every pupil ﬁnd their sporting spirit Fantastic GAMES By LIBBY NORMAN 96 ABSOLUTELY magazines BRIGHTON COLLEGE STUDENTS PLAY BEACH VOLLEYBALL ON SUSSEX'S MOST FAMOUS SEAFRONT

ABSOLUTELY magazines 97 EDUCATION • FEATURE

The tendency still when we talk about school sport is to think of the classic team games – rugby, hockey, netball, cricket, and so on. While these remain core, the menu of sports opportunities in independent schools is far richer and broader, and ultimately feeds into success at national and international events. Sports directors recognise that not everyone is a natural for mainstream team games, and it could be the individual tests and endurance challenges – or the less usual team sports – that ignite a student's enthusiasm. A drive for excellence is really important here, but so too the fun factor. For instance, Brighton College makes full use of its beach access by hosting the annual Independent School Beach Volleyball Competition. O season, the school hones team skills in its double-height sports hall, but once the summer comes, students head down to Sussex’s most famous seafront for proper play. Brighton is deadly serious in its endeavours – the school is current Independent School champion. The College also has highly active sports clubs in fencing (one female pupil was recently selected for the U17 GB squad in Cade Sabre) and in water polo, where it regularly competes in tournaments.

n the foreword to the 2014 Ofsted report ‘Going the extra mile: Excellence in competitive school sport’, the then Chief Inspector of Schools Sir Michael Wilshaw namechecked Alan Wilkinson, PE teacher to a keen would-be footballer called Mo Farah. Wilshaw noted that it was Wilkinson who steered the Olympic legend away from the beautiful game based on a hunch that the lad would go much further on the running track. No-one can have any doubt of the positive inﬂuence that a steer in the right direction has on potential elite sportsmen and sportswomen, but the Ofsted report was highlighting the broad opportunities independent schools o er, how this impacts whole-school culture as well as sporting success – and also considering how all schools might improve sporting achievement.

Dulwich College may not be on the waterfront, but its students also love water polo. Boys are introduced to it as a lunchtime club in Years 5 and 6 – provided they can swim well in deep water – and it’s become a really popular sport, with six friendlies against local opponents each year. When they get to senior school, there’s the opportunity to compete in all age groups within the

MERCHISTON OFFERS A RICH CHOICE OF SPORTS, INCLUDING SHOOTING Schools League and the English Schools Swimming Association national event. Teams are coached by former international competitors and have been on overseas tours. As it happens, Team GB remains one of the most successful competitors in Olympic Water Polo historically, but the last time we carried home gold was 1920, so there’s plenty for young people to play for. Like Brighton College, Dulwich also has form in fencing. Recently, it celebrated

the achievements of Old Alleynian Oliver Lam-Watson, who was part of the silver and bronze-medal winning GB wheelchair fencing teams at the Tokyo Paralympics.

Merchiston has a great tradition in another Scottish sporting invention, with a highly regarded Golf Academy that enables talented players to pursue their sport without compromising on their education. The school approach is broad – it has a winning reputation in many individual and team sports – and with a clear focus on bringing on all the talents. It is fortunate in its facilities and location, so sailing (at a club on the Firth of Forth) and shooting on its own range and within the grounds are both popular. These are two sports in which Team GB has an excellent track record at international events.

Merchiston Castle School in Edinburgh honoured a win in the Olympic arena even more recently. Merchistonians Hammy McMillan and Grant Hardie won silver for curling at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Notably, the women’s curling team led by Eve Muirhead (alumna of the independent

Morrison’s Academy in Crie ) brought home gold. These were the only two medals for the nation from Beijing, and so all the more likely to generate interest and enthusiasm for the sport of curling among young people over the next few years.

WATER POLO IS A DULWICH COLLEGE STRENGTH

Sports sta at Merchiston and every school work hard to bring on the most able and rightly celebrate each win by a student or former student, but it’s a lesser, albeit vital, part of their remit. All research points to the same thing – if students leave school with an enjoyment of physical activity, they are more likely to stay active into middle and later life. Medals apart, this is why the rich diet of sports and the quest for excellence in many competitive arenas is a positive thing. After all, most young people hang up their rugby boots and hockey stick when they leave school. But a spot of sailing or beach volleyball on holiday or a round of golf or clay pigeon shooting at the weekend is there to be enjoyed for many years to come “O season, Brighton College hones team skills in its double-height sports hall, but once the sun comes out, students head down to Sussex’s most famous seafront”

98 ABSOLUTELY magazines EDUCATION • FEATURE

FENCING AT BRIGHTON COLLEGE

PREPARATORYHEATHFIELDSCHOOLANDScholarships&Bursariesavailable Flexi BoardingWeekly&available Rishworth is a vibrant independent, co-educational, boarding and day school set in 140 acres of stunning rural countryside. With its own Preparatory School, Heathfield, it offers a continuous education for children from age 3 to 18. As well as specified Open Day events, we are welcoming families to visit us for pre-booked personal tours conducted at your convenience. To find out more or to book an appointment, please call 01422 822 217 or admissions@rishworth-school.co.ukemail WHATWILLYOU DISCOVER? Rishworth, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom HX6 4QA. E: Visitadmissions@rishworth-school.co.ukusatwww.rishworth-school.co.uk or call 01422 822 217 OPENEVENT Saturday 8th October 2022 (Rishworth and Heathfield Open Morning) View virtualourtour

dayWelcomingstudentsfrom 3 months to 19 years andfromboardersYear3 “To be the best that I can, with the gi s that I have.” www.qe.org | admissions@qe.org | 01423 333330 | York YO26 9SS Queen Ethelburga’s Collegiate Set in more than 220 acres of beautiful NorthcountrysideYorkshire Over 80% of our students go on to their rst choice university | Rated ‘Excellent’ by ISI 2019 81% A*/A achieved at A Level Call arrangeto a private tour or join us at our next Open Day on 1st October

By JOSH BLACKBURN GAME and loss of extra teaching support. Most important is their mental wellbeing and that they’ve got what they need to move to the next stage of their academic lives.

Students have the option to retake exams if they don’t meet their grade requirements, and many schools and colleges allow you to retake GCSEs alongside A-levels. Maths and English retakes are compulsory if your child hasn’t achieved a pass (grade 4). Students can ask their destination college if they can continue studying these subjects with their A-levels to avoid delaying sixth form life. Although a specific date hasn’t been announced yet, there will be an opportunity to sit an exam in the autumn or the summer of 2022. Your child will have other education obligations at this time, so it’s a good idea to only retake the most important exams – this should not be a vanity exercise. Private resits are also an option, but you’ll need to arrange these on behalf of your child and then encourage out-of-school GCSE revision. We estimate 5-10 hours of tutoring would be enough to help a student get over the pass mark if they were on the cusp of achieving a grade 4, so you may need to sacrifice other commitments to fit this in.

There are programmes and extra teaching support available to children who haven’t passed core subjects or who have missed out on lessons this year. If you ask the school, your child could receive extra support via one of the government’s pandemic programmes, which could help support them with retakes in autumn. Ultimately, it’s about getting over the line and moving onwards and upwards.

EDUCATION • EXAMS

RESITS ARE AN OPTION

If you feel that your child has received unfair grading, there is the option to appeal. It may be worth providing the college/sixth form with examples of work where your child has achieved higher grades, to demonstrate their ability to achieve on their desired course. We have previously done this on behalf of a student who was on the borderline of a grade 4, enabling them to resit their exams in November while at college.

ADDITIONAL SUPPORT

“If your child does not open an envelope to straight grade 9s, it's not the end of the world”

LOOKING AT THE EVIDENCE

ABSOLUTELY magazines 101 TLC LIVE Josh Blackburn is education specialist at online tutoring ﬁrm TLC Live. tlclive.com

t the time of writing, GCSE results day is here once again, so here is some advice on what you can do if your child doesn’t quite get the results they/you had expected.

DON’T STRESS! This year students will receive a Teacher Assessed Grade which will be based on assessments and mock exams taken throughout the year. Although this grade is determined by teacher judgement, every e ort has been made to ensure that this is a true reﬂection of your child’s ability, with further moderations taking place with exam boards. If your child does not open an envelope to straight grade 9s, it's important to consider that this is not the end of the world. This year is like no other, students have been under added pressure from missing lessons, a lack of peer interaction GCSE results are imminent... but what to do if your child doesn't get the grades?

NUMBERS

Speech DELAY

102 ABSOLUTELY magazines

Speech therapist Amy Loxley, a Lead Speech & Language Advisor for the children’s communication charity I CAN, believes lockdown deprived children of many of the usual routes for developing communication. “Even that requirement to stay close to home and have limited contact with others has deprived children of a range of social experiences,” she says. “This is the range of experiences you have in early life where you’re exposed to new words.”

But on top of existing concerns about the impact of screen use in early years, now we have nearly two years of intermittent lockdowns to contend with. This is raising concerns among experts as well as parents about speech, language and communication skills – especially for our youngest learners.

Parents often wonder if their child’s development is on track, but one of the most problematic areas is speech and language. ﬁnd out about sources of support

There isn’t a parent on the planet who doesn’t worry at some point if their child is on track.

Milestones are monitored and alarm bells ring when other children appear to have key skills your child is struggling with. Children do, of course, develop at di erent paces.

There’s now some evidence to support the idea that this has led to an increase in speech and language issues. “I CAN undertook some research last year, published in a report called

I CAN develops intervention programmes used in mainstream schools, as well as running two specialist schools for children with complex language di culties. A lot of their work with mainstream schools centres on Developmental Language Delay (DLD). This is a condition unconnected with any other conditions that can cause lifelong issues speaking and understanding others. “It a ects 7.6% of children, so is actually quite common,” says Amy. The other key group that I CAN works with is children who have language di culties due to environmental factors – in other words, the setting they are in. This group is much larger in areas of disadvantage. “One in ten children across the UK has a di culty with speech and language, but that can rise to one in four in areas of disadvantage,” says Amy.

For more guidance and support about speech, language and communication, visit I CAN’s talking point for parents at ican.org.uk

“Parents don’t always have to read all the words in the book. They can even just talk about the pictures and about what the child is interested in,” says Amy. “Relate things in the book back to their experiences – it’s all about drawing those connections for your child.”

ABSOLUTELY magazines 103

‘Speaking up for the COVID generation’. We found in that research that there are 1.5m children in the UK who are at risk of not being able to speak and understand language at an age-appropriate level,” says Amy. Certainly, referrals for communication di culties have increased – noted by both the Department for Education and speech therapists.

Chatting and playing are vital, says Amy, and also a really good way to spot potential issues. Taking time and choosing the right language level are vital, which means choosing simple, age-appropriate words and keeping things light and open. “It’s about talking with children rather than talking to them – you’re trying to get them into a back-and-forth interaction,” says Amy. As to screen time, expert guidance suggests that the less children have in early years the better. TV (or other devices) is never a substitute for the learning provided by good old-fashioned play and interaction. That said, children love screen time, and so watching an age-appropriate programme with your child and discussing what’s going on with them is a way to make this an active experience that builds communication skills. The other great route that helps children get into speaking and understanding language is books, using the same sharing approach.

GETTING SUPPORT If parents are worried and believe they may need expert support, the team at I CAN can explain the steps for getting a speech therapy referral via the NHS or privately. Usually, the ﬁrst recommended step is approaches to try at home. They include going a bit slower when you are talking and making comments rather than asking questions – a technique to open up dialogue without putting undue pressure on a child. “Children do pick up on that feeling when parents are particularly anxious or worried and are trying to get them to do something,” adds Amy. Although lockdown hasn’t helped any of our children, the good news is that parents can make a real di erence to build both speech and understanding.

EDUCATION • COMMUNICATION

A FIRST PRACTICAL STEP FOR PARENTS CONCERNED ABOUT SPEECH DELAY CAN BE TO TRY SOME SIMPLE TECHNIQUES AT HOME

WARNING SIGNS One of the big questions for parents is: do I need to seek help? While no-one wants a label on their child, the fundamental building blocks need to be in place. “Language skills underly all skills, so even when children learn to read and write, that’s based on them understanding and using spoken language,” says Amy. I CAN runs a free phone advice service where parents can talk to a speech and language therapist. Typically, parents ring for advice because they have noticed that their child uses less words or simpler words and sentences than their peers. It could be that a child’s speech sounds jumbled or muddled up, so that it’s hard to understand. Less commonly, parents may recognise their child is having trouble understanding what is said to them – often this isn’t spotted so early. It might be trouble following an instruction, for instance, or a teacher reporting that the child doesn’t listen in class or isn’t getting work done when asked. The issue here can become complicated by how adults view this failure to do what’s asked. “Sometimes that’s interpreted as something else – people think it’s a behaviour problem, when it’s actually the child not understanding language.”

At Huddersfield Grammar School, ‘the whole child is the whole point’ and nurturing children to become well-rounded, multifaceted individuals is key. Set in beautiful woodland grounds, our leading independent school provides a future-facing curriculum for girls and boys aged 3-16, offering a rich variety of experiences both within and beyond the classroom. Get in touch now... t: 01484 424549 e: admissions@huddersfield-grammar.co.uk w: www.huddersfield-grammar.co.uk to request a prospectus or arrange a tour of the school at our Open Week. Follow us on Huddersfield Grammar School, Royds Mount, Luck Lane, Marsh, Huddersfield, HD1 4QX TOP 50 PREP SCHOOL ISA Awards 2019 Winner GrammarHuddersfieldSchool Monday 3rd - Friday 7th October 2022Open Week

EDUCATION • FOCUS

The bigger PICTURE How the extra-curricular at Huddersfield Grammar School can assist with developing the ‘whole child’ involves children engaging with others in a social setting. Being part of a group or team provides a sense of belonging and gives students a chance to develop their social skills, meet new friends and become confident communicators. In turn, this aids self-esteem and confidence when succeeding in something they enjoy. Ultimately, Further Education applications await, and providers love to see evidence that a prospective student is willing to go above and beyond to develop new skills. Listing extra-curricular activities on an application shows they have varied interests and a curiosity to learn beyond the traditional classroom. Even in the busy world that we live in, taking the time to benefit from the opportunities that extra-curricular activities have to o er is a must for every student. huddersfield-grammar.co.uk

t Huddersfield Grammar School, they know that undertaking extracurricular activities has far-ranging benefits to a child’s development. By definition, extra-curricular activities are “pursued in addition to the normal course of study”. Depending on a child’s interests, they may provide a chance to get outside and exercise, socialise, pursue a hobby, or simply de-stress and refresh the mind. Learning new skills is always beneficial and extra-curricular activities provide the opportunity to learn things that could stay with a child for a lifetime. Beyond that, extra-curricular activities instil key skills and new views that can be helpful in many walks of life. They can also help students to broaden their perspective of the world, particularly those involved in volunteering and community service programs. Many activities are key to developing teamwork, leadership, and problem-solving skills. For example, a musical instrument requires perseverance, hand-eye coordination, and above all, creativity. Learning requires solid problem-solving skills, good memory, creativity, and critical thinking. Studies on the relationship between extra-curricular activities and academic performance show that students who participate in additional activities typically achieve higher grades, have a more positive attitude towards school and higher academic aspirations. Furthermore, participating in activities that they are passionate about can increase brain function, improve concentration, and assist with time management, all of which contribute to higher grades. While many students’ social skills have been impacted by the pandemic, the nature of many extra-curricular activities

ABSOLUTELY magazines 105

Whatlookssuccesslike

Openingdoors

partdramawithmeetlearningWakeﬁeldPre-PreparatoryGrammarSchool,Girls’andQEGS–onSaturday1OctoberfortheirOpenMorning.Thethreeschoolswillbeopeningmindswithapackeddiaryofeventsshowcasingtheiruniqueenvironmentswithafullschooltourwithastudent,opportunitiestoHeadsofSchoolsandstaﬀ,aswellasvisitingalldepartmentsandchattingteachersandstudents.Classrooms,artstudios,theatresandlabswillallbeopenwithexcitingactivitiesforvisitorstotakein.Youcanalsodiscovertheirbespoke95+Extra-curricularandPathwaysToSuccessProgrammesandsamplesomeoftheschool’sdeliciousandhealthyschoolcatering. Book the trend

EDUCATION NEWS

wgsf.org.uk

The latest from schools across Yorkshire

As the Association of School and College Leaders Union warned that urgent action is needed to ‘stop the spiral of decline’ in the popularity of English Literature A-levels, students at Sheffield Girls’ have proved that passion for the subject is alive and well. Some 14% of this year’s Y13 cohort at the school chose English Literature as one of their A-level subjects and pupils, parents and staff alike are celebrating this week as the same pupils have achieved outstanding grades in such unprecedented times. Katherine Wilkinson, Amy Simpson, Alex Lam and Ella Ducker were amongst the students who achieved the top A* grades in English Literature and will be continuing with the subject at degree level. sheffieldhighschool.org.uk

As Ashville College in Harrogate celebrates its best ever A-level examination results, it is also preparing for its next Open Morning on 24 September. This event will provide a good overview of what Ashville oﬀers across Acorns Pre-Prep, Prep School, Senior School, and Sixth Form, including curriculum, sports, performing and creative arts, academic and pastoral support, and boarding options. There will be pupil-led tours of the facilities, speeches from the Senior Leadership Team, opportunities to meet specialist subject teachers, and refreshments aplenty, including a buﬀet lunch.

107ABSOLUTELY magazines EDUCATION • NEWS

It’s an exciting time to grow up. Join the Wakeﬁeld Grammar Schools –Wakeﬁeld

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absolutely-mama.co.uk SPECIAL ISSUE 109 MYLEENEKLASS On her latest album release • TRIED TESTED& Newreviewedproducts • TOT GEAR The latestlaunchesparenting In this section: COLOURPLAY Toning with your mini is made easy with fresh new colour block pieces at Zara. We love this checked girls dress from the brand’s Join Life collection, with its oversized collar, crossover front and gathered detailing. zara.com@zara ABSOLUTELY magazines

110 ABSOLUTELY magazines MUSICKLASS Absolutely Mama chats with Myleene Klass about her new album My Lullabies: Motown Interview CARLY GLENDINNING

Q Congratulations on the launch of your new album, My Lullabies: Motown. Could you tell us a little bit about it?

DAUGHTERS MYLEENE'S DAUGHTER

A In lockdown, myself and my children did something called Myleene’s Music Klass and we put together lessons that we taught online for free. They were so successful we added to the curriculum, which was just staggering, and we had schools adding them to links, so we decided to take it a bit further.

NCT groups got cancelled and mum and baby groups got cancelled and one of my friends said she was really lonely. So every Wednesday after that, in addition to the classes we were doing, I then started doing lullaby sessions. So I’d pick the genre or the theme of the music and we just did them live and my daughters would man the iPad and shout out whatever the requests were. So I’d say: “Let’s do David Bowie lullabies – I want Life on Mars!” Or “I want Sir Elton John!” To the '80s – “I want Duran Duran”… And then when we got to Motown it just absolutely blew up.

MYLEENE WITH

Q And your daughter, Ava, is following in your musical footsteps. You must be very proud of her joining The Royal Academy of Music?

ABSOLUTELY magazines 111

Q What was it like recording with your daughters for the ﬁrst time?

relive it all again. I’m just going to make restaurant bookings now under Dr Klass!

Q So did you choose the tracks for the album based on the most popular songs that had been requested?

Q Are there any other tracks on the album that are particularly special to you?

Q We can’t not talk about your honorary doctorate. Huge congratulations! A I can’t even begin to put it into words. I feel like I should’ve been more present in the day because I was so blown away and it felt so special that I’d like to go and HER HERO

A Yes that’s exactly what we did, except there’s one on there that’s very close to my heart. It’s the second track, What Becomes of the Broken Hearted, which is the one for the angel baby mums. When I recorded it I was so glad that I sat with my back to the studio because there were just tears rolling down my face. It was not from a mourning point of view, it was from a quite cathartic point of view, like there’s still something for us to mark them. Because I think what’s so hurtful is that it all gets lost in the sands of time and it’s really important to still mark that they were here. I didn’t want it to be really uncomfortable, I just wanted to give people a bit of light and peace and my daughters know the story behind it and they love it. We can talk about it, it sounds beautiful, it’s just a lovely memory and what a beautiful way to remember people through music.

mama PROFILE

A It’s just gone from third gear to ﬁfth gear, she’s just suddenly really found her stride. She’ll be joining The Royal Academy of Music from September and she’s just passed her diploma with distinction. Most people, if they even do a diploma, will do it at 18 or 19 years old. She’s 14 and she’s also been doing her school exams, so I’m just blown away. She’s about to do her second diploma in piano in the next few months, so she’s just on another level. She’s so dedicated and so determined, and I’m her biggest cheerleader.

A It was so much fun, but it was quite funny as well because you’re not just there in a recording capacity, you’re still mum. So even though you’re like ‘right let’s do this amazing recording’ and Ava brought her cello and Hero brought her trumpet and Hero played piano and we’re doing all the normal work stu that you’d expect, and then halfway through you’re back into mum mode again because someone is hungry or someone has a mum question. It’s quite a funny dynamic in the studio. It was so lovely, what a privilege to be able to record with your daughters, who are at the standard that can record it.

slinky.to/MyLullabiesMotown

Myleene Klass’s new album My Lullabies: Motown is available at Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music as well as other leading streaming services.

Q You’re now campaigning to help women going through miscarriage… A There is light at the end of the tunnel because I’m now trying to get a bill passed in parliament that’s going to look after women. I spend a lot of time in parliament at the moment and I’m working alongside Olivia Blake MP and Tommy’s and we’re trying to get a new bill passed, which means that women who’ve experienced miscarriage will have it added to their medical record (at the moment it’s a postcode lottery). So women won’t have to wait for three miscarriages, but will have treatment after the the ﬁrst miscarriage and also get 24/7 support via a charity they can call and they’ll actually be able to speak to doctors.

A It was just a real labour of love. I love Baby Love – at the very beginning of the track it’s Hero playing piano, it’s not me. So that’s her recording debut. It’s my baby playing Baby Love and I absolutely love that. And The Tracks of My Tears – that’s Hero and Ava on trumpet – so these all mean something because they are done by my girls. And My Cherie Amour was also another favourite because I don’t think I really appreciated just how technically di cult the chords are in Motown, they’re quite elaborate. It’s not until you start recording that you really get into the intricacies of Motown.

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Reviewed by CARLY GLENDINNING is also very clever and we’ve used it to record Nana singing lullabies. We packed our toniebox on our recent holiday and it was great for moments when we’d usually reach for the tablet. We also used it to play white noise at bedtime. What I love most about it though is it’s one of those toys that my daughter won’t get bored of and it’s something she can hopefully enjoy for years to come. £79.99; tonies.com magazines setStarter Set

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Aregular ﬁ xture on popular toys lists, the toniebox is a genius alternative to screen time. The audio player allows little ones to listen to stories and songs and can also be used to record your own audio. It’s suitable for little ones to use on their own from age 36 months, but can be enjoyed by younger children with adult supervision. My daughter is 15 months, so we’ve been listening to our toniebox together. The Starter Set includes one ‘creative tonie’ preloaded with one hour of songs and stories and you can purchase additional tonie characters to add to your collection. We found it pretty easy to set up, once we’d downloaded the app and powered it up on the charging station. My daughter loves the tonie characters and gets excited when we put a new tonies

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On fi rst inspection, the The Block Set from Lovevery looks like a simple shape sorter. But open up the box and you’ll fi nd a 70+ piece set of joyfully coloured bricks, beads, wheels, and connectors that can be played with in endless ways. Crafted with sustainably sourced, FSC-certified wood and using non-toxic fi nishes, our fi rst impression was how beautifully made the set is. Not just designed to look good though, it was created by child development experts and is designed to grow with your child from toddler stage to school age and beyond. My daughter is 15 months and we’ve already found lots of di erent ways to use it that test her problem solving, fi ne motor skills and spatial awareness. It comes with a simpleto-follow activity guide and so far we’ve built towers, used it as a shape sorter and post box, made it into a car, threaded beads, and built a house. The best bit though, is that we’ve only just scratched the surface of what you can do with it, so we’re looking forward to many more hours of discovering what this clever box can do. £80; lovevery.co.uk

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LATESTTHEOF KITPARENTING mama REVIEWS 115

TheLoveveryBlock Set

For modern li ving I t shou l d a l wa y s be Rodger s Fabric and leather sofas & chairs, beds & bedroomfurniture, diningfurniture, flooring,ng , g, softfurnishings and lighting. Take a break in the Rodgers Tea Room for morning coffee, light lunches and afternoon tea. Monks Cross, York, YO32 9JR Tel: 01904 610570 Email: sales@rodgersofyork.co.uk Web: www.rodgersofyork.co.uk

INTERIORS Interior News 118 • Siobhan Murphy 120 • Trend 131 LIMITSOUTER YORKSHIRE PERGOLAS Summer can be endless and extending those golden days into autumn is effortless with a pergola. Rain or shine you can enjoy your outdoor space whether it's a late barbecue on a sunny day or a lazy autumn day a pergola means you can enjoy the outdoors for longer. yorkshirepergolas.co.uk 117ABSOLUTELY magazines

By PENDLE HARTE

SOMETHING TALK

JOHN LEWIS HOME

118 ABSOLUTELY magazines NOTES INTERIORS Ideas, designs and styles for your home

This stylish Trestle Table (£599) has a central, pedestal base made with spindle rods, giving the table a tactile edge and adding a sense of light. The Motion dining chairs are sleek, with a streamlined metal frame and a curved back rest that's shapely and supportive; the back rest and seat are upholstered in corduroy velvet for a tactile ﬁnish. Set of 2, £199. johnlewis.com

The new UK Home Living online store oﬀers customers a vast selection of furniture, home accessories and more. From on-trend collections to timeless classics, this online store has something for everyone's interior style and design preferences. In addition, shoppers can enjoy free shipping on all orders within the UK. ukhomeliving.com

TABLENEW

UK HOME LIVING

119ABSOLUTELY magazines RIPON INTERIORS Smooth, round edges, subtle palettes, marble and heavier woods create an atmosphere of sensuous luxury, mixing forms, fi nishes and colours. Result? A delightfully harmonious bathroom environment that defi es convention. Villeroy and Boch Artis in Sage Green available from Ripon Interiors, HG4 1UE. 01765 694729, riponinteriors.co.uk REFRESH & REIMAGINE Carafes TAKEFIVE MIMMO STUDIOS Recycled Glass Carafe, £22 mimmostudios.com DIPTYQUE Designed to cleanse, degrease and descale, this versatile solution delivers a thorough clean while enveloping your space with the French Maison’s delicate perfume. Combining effectiveness with a respect for nature, it’s housed in a refillable glass bottle. £32 libertylondon.com JUST SHUTTERS With over 30 years of experience in interior shutters, Just Shutters are experts in their field. Stunning plantation shutters are all they do: they are their specialism and, furthermore, their passion. justshutters.co.uk FANCYFRESH PASSION PROJECT TRUFFLE TABLESCAPES Emerald Dappled Carafe, £90 truffl etablescapes.co.uk INTERIORS • NOTES ROSE & GREY TortoiseshellCarafe,Glass£32 roseandgrey.co.uk SOFT STORE CO Green Tortoise Jug, £32.99 so store.co JOHN LEWIS ANYDAY Colour Pop Glass Carafe, £12 johnlewis.com

PHOTOGRAPHYSTUDIOSCMPHOTO:

From here, Siobhan found herself going home and changing her entire house, experimenting with colour and artwork. It was the perfect stepping stone to buying her infamous art deco house, where she has been for three years and has documented her creative interior design journey to her 110,000 followers on Instagram. It was also her route on to TV. “I just thought, this is a

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BEAUTIFUL BRIGHT &

or Siobhan Murphy, the Castleford-based finalist of Interior Design Masters and the woman who has become widely known for her maximalist approach to interiors, it’s been something of a crazy few years. From getting to the finals in the popular TV programme to growing a huge social media following and fanbase, today Siobhan has entirely left her corporate career in the NHS behind her and is now designing full-time. It’s not surprising to find out that Siobhan has a background studying fashion and art at Leeds College of Art, given that so much of her interiors style relies on a careful curation of this. A woman of many talents, she’s also a trained milliner and jewellery maker. “Throughout everything, I’ve always had this passion for fashion. But, in the last few years, I started getting into interiors,” she explains. “I got Abigail Ahern’s book and I booked onto her one-day course talking about their interior design journey and hints and tips. I came away with lots of inspiration, but the biggest thing was to do my own thing and to not follow the rules.”

As interior designer and maximalist extraordinaire Siobhan Murphy releases her new book, we sit down to chat all things bold

By BETHAN ANDREWS

PORTRAITSPIQUEPHOTO:

4. Take a look around your home and see if you can use pieces from other rooms in the new space that you’re designing. You might ﬁnd that it works better in another room and helps you to layer.

Siobhan’s TipsMaximalistTop&Tricks

5. Look to the internet for inspiration!

1. People think that maximalism is about throwing everything at a room, but it’s not a jumble, to get a maximalist look right it’s harder than minimalism. So, ﬁrst of all, do a moodboard and pull your ideas together!

121ABSOLUTELY magazines house that I can go wild in with my creative side,” she smiles. “It was around this time that I had a message from the casting people on Interior Design Masters. I got the call to say I’d be one of ten designers on the show, which was just crazy.” Siobhan is grateful for the “thrown-inat-the-deep-end” experience that the show o ered her and how many doors it opened for her afterwards. “Being on the show gave me lots of conﬁdence and experience,” she smiles. “I’ve never looked back!” Siobhan is going from strength to strength, with her approaches to design only a ording her a bigger, brighter and more beautiful future. Her career now varies between interior design for clients and people’s homes, styling jobs, brand and marketing work with companies on Instagram, and even working on TV, too. Siobhan designed the o ces for Steph’s Packed Lunch in Leeds, where she does a regular interiors presenting slot on the show, too. Currently, she’s designing her own wallpaper range, and she’s been approached to design a collection with Freemans, which will be a 50-piece collection of products designed from scratch. “It’s so exciting to think that products I design will be able to be seen in people’s homes,” she says. Clearly, she’s loving being kept busy. “It never really feels like work despite working more hours now than I did for the NHS,” smiles Siobhan. “I love it and it just feels exactly like what I should be doing. I’m a bit of a rule breaker, so it’s much better now that I work for myself and it feels really freeing. It’s been exciting saying yes to things that are out of your comfort zone and it’s brought me a lot more conﬁdence and helped me to grow as a person.”

PORTRAITSPIQUEPHOTO:

2. It’s all about layering. Layer colours, patterns and textures.

INTERIORS • INTERVIEW

3. Keep a cohesive theme or colour palette to ground your design. Choose three or four colours that are really harmonious together, but then layer with diﬀerent patterns.

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Speaking of rule breaking, Siobhan has really pioneered an interiors world that negates the play-it-safe, neutral aesthetic that dominates Instagram. “I’m a real believer with going with your gut, decorating with your heart and not worrying about what other people are going to think,” she says. “If it makes you happy, that’s the most important thing, so be bolder and braver. Take a step back and think about what colours, patterns and prints you are really drawn to and look at your wardrobe for help with this.”

Naturally, Siobhan’s debut book is all about this. The book, called More is More Decor, is out this month and is a celebration of all things maximalist, colourful and joyful in interiors. “The book itself is split up into di erent chapters talking about things such as colour and how you can use them in your home and the symbolism behind patterns, too,” she explains. “I also look at maximalists of the past, so people that have really inspired me, and also maximalists from today. I call it a handbook for maximalists, but it’s really for anyone who is into interior design.”

I wonder if Siobhan feels her success is helping to champion a design industry in the north. “I often get messages to say that it’s quite refreshing to see a successful interior designer from Yorkshire who is relatable and normal,” she smiles. “People think you’ve got to be really posh to hire an interior designer. I don’t use big fancy words or make out that everything is costing millions of pounds. I’m realistic and I’m happy to go to the charity shop, the car boot sale and to upcycle pieces.”

INTERIORS • INTERVIEW More is More Décor by Siobhan Murphy is out now RRP £25 (Studio Press) PHOTOGRAPHYSTUDIOSCMPHOTO: PHOTOGRAPHYSTUDIOSCMPHOTO: LIGHTANDINKPHOTO:

And, when it comes to the north, where does Siobhan tend to head for design inspiration? “I’m always going to Redbrick Mills, it’s a really great place for gorgeous furniture and beautiful lighting,” she says. “The surrounding areas in Yorkshire and the beautiful natural colour palettes that surround the buildings here are inspiring to reﬂect in designs. I take inspiration from the Yorkshire countryside, so the browns, greens, mustards and the leaves. We’ve got so much beautiful countryside. It’s always nice to bring those colours into the interiors.”

124 ABSOLUTELY magazines TEAM WORK THE WETHERBY SHOWROOM

“With our ability to o er all services and products under one roof, we’ve enjoyed an extremely busy 18 months as increasing numbers of people have turned to us to manage their home renovation projects, large and small,” explains Richard Grafton. “We’ve seen a move to more project-led work with a growth in demand for our bespoke cabinetry and bathroom installations in particular as we have become better known for this type of turnkey work.

IS STOCKED BY RICHARD GRAFTON INTERIORS • FEATURE

THE BUSINESS

“By investing in expanding the team now, the company will be in a solid position to support future growth. There are major plans in the pipeline that we hope to launch in early 2023, aimed at opening up a new target market.”

AND SOFT FURNISHINGS RICHARD GRAFTON JAMES

stablished in 2012, Richard Grafton Interiors’ team are able to o er everything from planning the space in one room to a whole-house redesign. They are experienced at making handmade kitchens, bathrooms and cabinetry together with bespoke interiors that enables them to bring your vision to life, with showrooms in Harrogate, Ilkley and Wetherby. They are also continuing to expand with more recruits joining the team as it marks a decade in business.

Yorkshire’s Richard Grafton Interiors continues to expand with its growing roster of experts. We take a closer look HAS EVOLVED FROM PROVIDING FABRICS HARE

“The architectural design arm of the business is growing with the appointment of Laura Baxter as a Junior Designer and Chris Greenwood as a Site Coordinator,” says Charlotte Grafton, Brand Director. “Laura is the second architectural designer to join the Harrogate team recently and will work alongside our talented in-house designer Ben Bingham to deliver kitchens, bathrooms and cabinetry as part of the RGI o er. Chris is joining us from CBRE Global Workplace Solutions where he spent 6 years and brings a wealth of experience to our architectural team as well as vital on-site support to our Project Manager Jessica Baeza. Anna Martola will also be joining the Harrogate team as Retail & Design assistant, having worked in education and design across various sectors, most recently in local art galleries. With further growth expected, she will support the business’ Retail Director and be responsible for assisting the Interior Designers in the fulﬁlment of their projects,” adds Charlotte.

“The showrooms also remain very popular and, with the addition of our successful e-commerce platform, we now need to invest in people to ensure we have the right team in place to support our designers and front-of-house advisers and to facilitate our next phase of growth.”

Charlotte, who is working closely with Richard to drive business strategy, adds: “We’re targeting 20 per cent year on year growth and, as we continue to expand, it’s vital that we have the necessary infrastructure in place for the business to operate more e ciently while also delivering the high quality of service our customers have come to expect.

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Based at the Richard Grafton Interiors showroom in The Ginnel, Harrogate, the business has evolved from providing fabrics and soft furnishings from Yorkshire-based James Hare, to o ering a complete service with its team of designers, spatial planners and installers providing full architectural design and project management. Since launching in March 2012, the business has grown from seven sta to a 25-strong team. richardgraftoninteriors.com

INTERIORS • FOCUS

Browse their ranges at beautifullyshaded.co.uk or yorkshirepergolas.co.uk, or call Charlie on 07939 121987 and he'll be happy to answer any questions

ABSOLUTELY magazines 127

BEAUTIFULLY SHADED/ YORKSHIRE PERGOLAS

A range of accessories that make the most of the ﬁne autumn days in comfort and style from glazing and zip blinds to heating and lighting, your summer can extend well into those last golden days. Whether you want to be able to enjoy using a hot tub and hold family barbecues, their pergolas become a space to enjoy whatever the British weather throws at us, from shading from the sun to sheltering from a sudden shower. Their ranges across both Beautifully Shaded and Yorkshire Pergolas represent some of the best outdoor shading solutions on the market from top European suppliers, emphasising both style and quality. With both standard and custom colours to choose from, they can be made truly individual. They install to the highest standards and their rigorous survey and installation process means perfect results every time. Their ranges include other shading options such as awnings, sail blinds and Sunbreaker sliding screens, providing one of the biggest and best ranges of outdoor shading solutions on the market. Beautifully designed and perfectly installed, they are the ultimate in outdoor shading. SUMMER

With the last days of summer creeping up on us, we want to make the most of those warmer days and nights and enjoy the first golden days of autumn. At Beautifully Shaded and Yorkshire Pergolas, their outdoor shading ranges extend the number of days you can enjoy your outdoor space well into the autumn and even winter. From the first golden days of September to the fireworks on Guy Fawkes night, their pergolas provide you with a comfortable place to make the most of being outdoors at all times of the year. From small spaces to very large, they have something to suit each outdoor and stylish with good resistance to the elements, providing the perfect way to enjoy even less than clement weather!

Why the shorter days need not mean less time enjoying your garden, thanks to Yorkshire Pergolas and Beautifully Shaded space, from balconies to large terraces and from the home to commercial spaces. Their energy pergola is the ﬁrst ever bioclimatic pergola with an integrated photovoltaic system in the blades. A single product combines the comfort and shelter provided by the bioclimatic pergolas with the possibility of using sunlight as a source of energy production. Their stylish Tarasola range on Yorkshire Pergolas has a range of pergolas that suit every kind of outdoor space from the small to the very large with options to make it completely individual to you. Whether you want to shade the balcony of a holiday home or to welcome customers to a restaurant in all weathers, their pergolas are the perfect transformation for your outdoor space. The modular design is both durable

ENDLESS

An outstanding range of stoves, fires and fireplaces. Call 01904 400525 focusfireplacesyork.co.uk 187932 OPEN MON-SAT Mon - Fri: 9am - 5pm Saturday: 10am - 4pm Closed Sunday & Bank Holidays 5 mins from A64 Monk’s Cross Roundabout (NEXT TO DEANS) The Bull Commercial Centre Stockton Lane, York Y032 9LE “The latest onnovative electric fires, media walls, and wood-burning stoves. Visit Focus, we’ve been trusted in York for over 30 years - with two stunning showrooms, knowledgeable staff and in-house registered fitters.” STOVES & LIVING

EDITOR’S By PENDLE HARTE ON COUCHTHE All the best sofas for sinking in to INTERIORS • TREND MINDTHEGAP Truman Sofa in Monterey£2,500Plaid, mindtheg.com LOAF Truﬄ e sofa in Jam Sandwich clever velvet, £1745 loaf.com SNUG The Cloud Sundae in Midnight Blue, £1599 snugsofa.com PENNY MORRISON Sofa, footstool and cushions in Penny Morrison fabrics pennymorrison.com ROSE & GREY Jessica Pebble Linen Two Seater Sofa, £875 roseandgrey.co.uk SWYFT Model 05 Linen 3 Seater Sofa, £1195 swy home.com BRIDGMAN Sunbury Chaise Corner Sofa, £4459 bridgman.co.uk SWEETPEA & WILLOW Casper Sofa, £1070 sweetpeaandwillow.com MINDTHEGAP Abigail Sofa in Newport Stripes, £2,500 mindtheg.com

Visit our showroom Mon–Fri 9:30am–4:30pm Saturday by appointment Unit3,TheBusinessCentre, Snaygill Industrial Estate, Keighley Rd, Skipton, BD23 2QR Request your FREE home design visit or brochure on 01904 936146 or 01756 700471 www.hartleysbedrooms.co.uk    Fittedbedrooms • Homestudies • Atticconversions • Multi-Purposerooms FITTING FURNITURE FOR YOU HARTLEYS

131ABSOLUTELY magazines By PENDLE HARTE INREDTHE Homewares in crimson, scarlet and cherry INTERIORS • TREND MINDTHEGAP Woodstock Anatolia Red Wool Kilim, £1,870 mindtheg.com THE WISTERIA TREE Glass Candle Holder, £14 thewisteriatree.co.uk EDITOR’SPICK CUCKOOLAND New York Metal Kids Bed, £245 cuckooland.com RODGERS The Burnham armchair from Wood Bros, £1,559 View the full range at Rodgers, Monks Cross, York, 01904 rodgersofyork.co.uk610570 BEAUMONDE Recycled Cotton Throw, £26.99 beaumonde.co.uk NATALIA WILLMOTT Zulu Bowl, £20 nataliawillmott.co.uk UK HOME LIVING Spiral Red Circular Rug, £183.81 ukhomeliving.com FY Rialto Tumblers, £70 iamfy.co POOKY Dangly Wall Fitting with Red Silk Shade, £96 pooky.com FY Woven Round Placemats, £57 iamfy.co

It’s time to upgrade your garage door to a Garolla electric door. Not only are they strong and secure, they are also thermally insulated. So if you’re transforming the garage into a home gym, o ce or even a garden bar, Garolla is perfect for you. Give us a call today and we’ll come and measure up FREE of charge. TWO REMOTE CONTROLS ACOUSTIC & THERMAL INSULATION FREE DISPOSAL OF YOUR OLD DOOR AVAILABLE IN 21 COLOURS CALL US TODAY FREE ON: 0800 135 7495 MOBILE: 0753 7 149128 www.garolla.co.uk Quality Doors. Great Service. Free Fitting. Example shown: • 3.6m wide opening • 77” Anthracite grey slats Only £1,990 Price on this door style can range from £1,440 - £2,740 depending on the width of door opening. 01904 788 777 stleonardshospice.org.uk ScarcroftLayerthorpeEasingwoldColliergateAcombFossgateFulfordHaxbyRoadSelbyTangHallpatientsupportfindspre-lovedQualitytocare St Leonard’s Hospice Shops St. Leonard’s Hospice York, is a registered charity, no. 509294 and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales, no. 01451533

METAL WORK SCP From Maarten Baas' Aligned collection, these dining armchairs put a childlike twist on the conventional metal frame with slats design by mimicking roughly drawn lines. scp.co.uk LAID OUT JOHN LEWIS Create a beautiful summery tablescape with John Lewis's outdoor dining collection in colourful melamine. johnlewis.com SIMPLE STYLE CARL HANSEN Børge Mogensen conceived the Deck Chair Series of functional outdoor furniture in the late 1960s. Simple, slatted lines and solid teak construction provide durable functionality. carlhansen.com COOK OUT GARDENCHESSINGTONCENTRE The innovative, unique barbecue and smoker range at Chessington Garden Centre oﬀers solutions for outdoor dining, whether you prefer cooking on gas or something more traditional. chessingtongardencentre.co.uk HOUSE PROUD HARTLEY BOTANIC A Hartley Glasshouse allows gardeners to spend time savouring their plants. But in its role as a garden room, gardeners can curate the space – to indulge in a hobby, enjoy al fresco dining, practice yoga, or simply relax. hartley-botanic.co.uk 1 3 4 5 1 2 3 2 4 5 INT E RIORS • GARDENS ABSOLUTELY magazines 133 PREPARE YOUR GARDEN FOR AN INDIAN SUMMER OUTDOORLIVING

N.E.S.S. GATES & GARAGE DOORS A family business that will take your ideas to design, fabricate and install a system that suits your home and needs. Bespoke stylish secure automated gates and garage doors ■ Main Of ce: Red Oaks, Cayton Low Road, Scarborough, North Yorkshire YO11 3BY 01723 351133 ■ www.harrogateelectricgates.co.uk LARGE ENOUGH TO COPE SMALL ENOUGH TO CARE A family business that will take your ideas to design, fabricate and install a system that suits your home and needs. espoke stylish secure automated gates and garage doors ain fﬁce ed aks, ayton ow oad, carborough, orth orkshire 01723 351133 • www.harrogateelectricgates.co.uk NESS_HP_ABS_MAY22.indd 1 13/04/2022 12:14 Unit 10 – Acaster Estates, Cowper Lane, Acaster Malbis, York YO23 2TX, England Yorkbeds.com │ 01904 777 070 York TheCompanyBed Delivery available throughout the UK and Europe Mattresses-Bed Sets-Divans-Head Boards ● Traditional Quality ● Made to Measure Our new premium Handstitched Vegan Calico Pocket mattress supports your body and conscience. Materials are ethically sourced and chemicalHandfree.making beds for over 40 years

RODGERS The Poppy from Alstons, a tartan fabric 2-seater sofa, £999 Rodgers, Monks Cross, York, 01904 610570, rodgersofyork.co.uk 135ABSOLUTELY magazines By PENDLE HARTE CHECKCROSS Gingham, tartan and other squares INTERIORS • TREND WEAVER GREEN Madras Check Pink Throw, £55 weavergreen.com GABRIELLA JAMES Ella Chair upholstered in Chubby Check by Kit Kemp, £845 gabriellajames.co.uk DIBOR Gingham Table Cloth, £42 dibor.co.uk TRUFFLE TABLESCAPES Gingham Ruﬄ e Placemat, £20 truﬄ etablescapes.co.uk ERCOL Marino Armchair in Forest Green Check, £1,650 ercol.com TORI MURPHY Woodhouse Check Frilly Cushion, £75 torimurphy.com TARTAN BLANKET CO Lambswool Blanket in Seagrass Cottage Check, £135 tartanblanketco.com EDITOR’SPICK TORI MURPHY Woodhouse Check Bow, £48 torimurphy.com SECRET LINEN STORE Magnus 100 Linen, from £22 secretlinenstore.com

SHOWHOMENOWOPEN To make an appointment to view, or to discuss your individual requirements in detail, please talk to our Sales Adviser on 07925 138483. Kneeton Lane, Middleton Tyas, North Yorkshire DL10 6SF. sales@wynyard-homes.co.uk wynyard-homes.co.uk MIDDLETON TYAS Wynyard Homes has cra ed a collection of 25 homes set in over 11 acres of private parkland consisting of 3, 4, and 5 bedroom properties, each carefully designed with a balance of contemporary and traditional elements providing unrivalled comfort and luxury. Quality features including porticos and sash windows, echo the classic familiarity and charm of the local surroundings. Generously speci ed with premium appliances and quality ttings, every property is assured to exceed expectations.

ABSOLUTELY magazines 137 O ered to market is this splendid four-bedroom detached home situated in the heart of Alwoodley. This wonderful home is set in south facing grounds of approximately half an acre and is beautifully presented throughout. The fantastic family home is ideally situated for a whole host of local amenities and the Grammar School. FINE & COUNTRY LEEDS 0113 2034939 sales@ﬁneandcountryleeds.com PROPERTY WIGTON LANE £1,600,000 LS17 OFFERS OVER

140 ABSOLUTELY magazines GRAND Absolutely Yorkshire takes a tour of a handsome detached home with a self-contained annexe that stands in a generous plot with far-reaching Nidderdale views By MARK KEBBLE DESIGNS

“There are views over the beyondcountrysideNidderdaleandtoHarrogate”

141ABSOLUTELY magazines

arrogate is one of Yorkshire’s ﬁnest areas, and as such properties that become available in or close to it are always popular. It’s even better if you can purchase a home that also overlooks the beautiful scenery – and Thornton Grove House is just that. This is a spacious family home that o ers the added advantage of a self-contained one-bedroom annexe that could provide useful rental income or dependent relative accommodation. What’s abundantly clear on visiting is that there’s plenty of space to grow into this home. The main house, whilst requiring some updating and modernisation, o ers lots of space for a growing family. Its largest room is a delightful family room that currently o ers space for table tennis, snooker, darts, and a TV area with an open ﬁre.

PROPERTY • FEATURE

It's rare that such a property comes to market, so we wanted to discover a little more, so spoke to the current vendors, Malcolm and Rhoda, about the ﬁner details. Turn over for the interview...

The property additionally o ers a ground ﬂoor level reception hall, guest cloakroom/WC, lounge, dining room, study, breakfast kitchen, and utility room. A doorway opens out and leads into the aforementioned one-bedroom self-contained annex with an en-suite bathroom and living/kitchen area.

On the first floor of the main house, there is a generous landing approach from a wide return staircase. Two bedrooms connect to a Jack and Jill bathroom, and there is a further guest bedroom with an en-suite shower room. There are two further double bedrooms and a house bathroom and separate shower room. On the second floor and into the attic there is a storeroom that leads through to a room that was previously used as a bedroom. Outside at the rear of the property, there is a secure sliding electric gate that leads into a spacious gravel driveway with ample parking. There is also a useful carport. Around the property, some walkways lead to the front, which opens up onto a front paved terrace from where beyond there are well-kept generous family gardens. There are flowerbed borders, specimen trees, plants and shrubs that provide a beautiful family garden with views over Nidderdale countryside and beyond to Harrogate.

Bishop Thornton, Harrogate, HG3 3JW is on the market with Hopkinsons for £1,600,000. For more information, call 01423 501 201 or visit hopkinsons.net

Q Why is the property perfect for a family?

A There are actually two family rooms. The main lounge is perfect, especially at Christmas, but there is also a snooker/games room, which again would be adaptable for a games/gym/cinema room.

A There is a lovely garden to the rear of the property overlooking Harrogate. There’s a laid to lawn for ﬂower beds and shrubs with an original Ha Ha surrounding the garden, which contains many fruit trees/bushes.

A At this time the annexe has been used as a onebedroom ﬂat with separate access, but it could also be adapted as an o ce or a garage. “It's perfect for a family as it's possible to intrusions”outspreadwithno

Q What design touches really stand out for you?

Q What does the annexe o er?

A It’s perfect for a family (as we have found) as it’s possible to spread out with no intrusions and there are many options as to how it is lived in to accommodate every need. The lay out lends itself perfectly to use one end of the house for general everyday living, whilst at the same time all the other areas are very good for general use.

A There are six bedrooms, but the accommodation could be adapted to bedroom/dressing room, bedroom/study… It’s very adaptable for many uses.

Q Is the family room a stand out feature?

PROPERTY • FEATURE

THORNTON GROVE HOUSE

A The unique rooms with carved wooden ﬁreplaces and wonderful character features throughout, including the main staircase and the homely ambiance of the property overall. Perfect for family living.

A There is one main bathroom, two cloakrooms upstairs and downstairs, a Jack and Jill bathroom and an en-suite bathroom for the main guest room.

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Q What can you tell us about the location?

Q What is the ﬁrst thing that catches your eye?

Q What bathrooms are there?

A It’s a great location with uninterrupted views over Harrogate. It is close to a school and local pub and ﬁve miles from Harrogate town.

Q How many bedrooms are there and what kind of space do they o er?

Q What do you make of the outdoor space?

A It’s a character property that was once the main residence for the village of Bishop Thornton. The etched doors showing each season of the year is prominent when you enter the entrance hall. These doors were purchased from the architectural warehouse (Thorntons of Elland) and were originally in a French chateau. This gives the living areas a very light feeling throughout the downstairs living areas.

finestproperties.co.uk Specialists in the marketing of distinctive property SCAN ME 0330 111 2266 | contact@finestgroup.co.uk HAWTHORN | SEAHAM | COUNTY DURHAM Keeper’s Cottage 6.76 ACRES | EPC RATING E | GUIDE PRICE £950,000 Exquisite Country Cottage | Outstanding Specification | Stunning & Elegant Décor | Wonderful Formal Gardens Extensive Private Woodland | Magnificent Countryside & Coast | Detached Double Garage A gorgeous country cottage with exceptional interior and extensive grounds situated in a private and peaceful coastal location 3 22

“The hotel has brought so much happiness into our lives,” says Alex. “It’s given us the freedom to spend time with family and friends, to raise our children and travel all over the world.”

S ituated in one of the most popular destinations that North Yorkshire has to offer, this award-winning hotel has been run by husband-and-wife team Alex and Julie for over twenty years.

AtHome | FINEST PROPERTIES “Someone can now step in and do a lot more, or less if they wish.”

For sale through Finest Properties, the hotel offers eight elegant bedrooms for guests along with comfortable residential accommodation for the owners. Excellent repeat business results from the great natural atmosphere and also the superb quality of the accommodation, combined with the fabulous position close to the sea, town centre and a host of attractions.

For further information, contact Finest Properties. Home Alex and Julie have set a glorious scene for this award-winning hotel's next chapter.

“The hotel is an open book now,” says Julie. “With all the changes to people's working patterns, it would be feasible to run the business alongside an existing career that accommodates working from home. The opportunities are endless.”

ADVERTISEMENT 0330 111 2266 | contact@finestgroup.co.uk | finestproperties.co.uk STORIES from FINEST PROPERTIES “Taking six months off a year has given us an incredible sense of freedom.” COMMERCIAL EPC RATING C | GUIDE PRICE £600,000 10 410 SCARBOROUGH | NORTH YORKSHIRE Award Winning Hotel

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PRICE O ers around £500,000 SELLING AGENT Simon Blyth Contact Fiona Campbell at the Kirkburton o ce on 01484 603399, or by email ﬁona.campbell@simonblyth.co.uk

MONEY CAN BUY…

A beautiful barn conversion in the much desired rural village of Upper Cumberworth

INSIDE To the ground floor the accommodation o ers a well appointed kitchen-diner full of character with the feel of a fabulous farmhouse kitchen with bespoke fitted units, an island, Aga, exposed beams and feature exposed stone wall and slate tiled floor, lounge with cast iron gas fire set in attractive stone fireplace and timber beams, downstairs w/c and cloaks cupboard. To the first floor are three bedrooms all having characterful beams and a neutral modern décor throughout and a fabulous house bathroom with freestanding claw foot bath and separate shower with wet room style tiled floor and the benefit of underfloor heating.

WHERE The Hayloft, Park Lane, Upper Cumberworth HD8 8NP WHAT Stone built converted farm building in an idyllic location brimming with character and nestled in a delightful hamlet of other similar properties. It o ers a rural village setting with far reaching views over fields and open countryside, but o ering great commutability to Huddersfield, Wakefield and Leeds.

OUTSIDE Externally, there is a driveway providing o street parking for two vehicles in tandem, which leads to the attached garage. The gardens are well manicured and feature a lawn area and flagged patio, enclosed within attractive dry stone wall boundaries. The gardens are beautifully manicured in typical cottage garden style with lawn and flower borders o ering an array of stunning blooms and having a sun terrace to enjoy al fresco dining whilst taking in the rural views over the fields and countryside.

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The Grange, Tenter Hill, New Mill, Holmfirth Offers around: £1,450,000 STANDING IN SUBSTANTIAL GARDENS, THIS REMARKABLY PRIVATE DETACHED FAMILY HOME ENJOYS ACCOMMODATION THAT IS BOTH SUBSTANTIAL AND IMPRESSIVE, WITH A FABULOUS DINING/LIVING/KITCHEN OF 37’ X 17’, AND WITH A WHOLE HOST OF OTHER ENTERTAINING SPACE. THIS 5-BEDROOMED FAMILY HOME, WITH TWO EN-SUITES AND DETACHED COACH HOUSE INCLUDING HOME OFFICE STUDIO AND THREE-CAR GARAGE, REALLY MUST BE VIEWED BY THOSE WHO APPRECIATE A DELIGHTFUL AND CONVENIENT LOCATION BETWEEN NEW MILL AND HOLMFIRTH WITH EASY ACCESS TO THE LOCAL FACILITIES INCLUDING PLAYING FIELDS. THE STYLE AND QUALITY OF BUILD WILL BECOME APPARENT WHEN THIS HOME IS VIEWED. IT BRIEFLY COMPRISES: Impressive hallway, sitting room, dining/living/kitchen, second sitting room, study, family room, cinema room/playroom, downstairs w.c., utility room, library/sitting area to the first-floor landing, five bedrooms, bedroom one with large en-suite and dressing room, and bedroom two having an en-suite, house bathroom, and all approached down a quiet, private, driveway and enjoying a remarkable out-of-the-way location and with high specification throughout. 0148401226BARNSLEY731730HOLMFIRTH689689 HUDDERSFIELD01484651878PENISTONE01226762400 011401422HALIFAX417000SHEFFIELD3216590 0192401484KIRKBURTON603399WAKEFIELD361631 www.simonblyth.co.uk

Like no other PLACE

Absolutely Yorkshire takes a closer look at the sustainable Kirkstall Place in the heart of Leeds

Kirkstall Place is a newly launched contemporary urban development in Kirkstall, Leeds. Situated only 2.5 miles from Leeds City Centre, a 2-minute walk to Headingley train station and immediately adjacent to several cycle routes into Leeds, Kirkstall Place is truly a sustainable place to balance your work and life. Kirkstall Place has a total of 263 homes with a selection of one, two and three bedroom apartments as well as two, three and four bedroom townhouses, and are built with the modern consumer in mind and to a high speciﬁcation. All homes have superfast broadband so that you can work from home as well as stream the latest TV content. Most homes will be provided with a dedicated car parking space either on-street or via secure under croft parking, which is accessed via electronic remote control and accessible to residents only. Carefully designed homes are built with quality in mind. They are surrounded by themed garden spaces with careful attention given to landscaping and ecology to promote wildlife by including sustainable drainage

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systems and high-quality landscaping features throughout the development.

Pocket parks, communal seating areas and shared allotments give Kirkstall Place a real community feel. It has been designed to be an open, inviting and welcoming place that promotes health and wellbeing for everyone.

The developer, Artisan Real Estate, are an award-winning, low carbon, sustainable developer who are passionate about the environment and sustainability, and every decision they take is centred around reducing energy. Every home at Kirkstall Place has been designed from the ground up with the primary focus to lower energy consumption, saving money and helping to reduce carbon that their homes produce. Artisan are a zero fossil fuel home builder, so you won’t ﬁnd any gas appliances. Each home is built by local tradesmen and utilise the latest technology, best materials and built to the highest standards to improve ventilation and airtightness. This carefully planned balance makes the running costs unrivalled. All properties on the development boast an ‘A’ rating for energy consumption. They install the latest Air Source Heat Pump technology, which will become compulsory for all house builders in 2025, as well as the latest water saving technology. The very latest in thermal insulation means that annual running costs are between £268 and £433 per year. So new occupiers are not only making huge ﬁnancial savings, but you are also helping save the planet at the same time. EV charging is also available on the development. So, if you are looking for something contemporary in the housing market with an environmental twist then look no further than Kirkstall Place. kirkstallplace.co.uk

One of the most prestigious addresses in York Moreby Hall, York Ideally located just 3 miles to the south of York, Phase one of Moreby Hall has been painstakingly converted into 9 exceptional, individually designed houses and apartments which form part of this impressive, Grade II* Listed Jacobean style country property, set within 10 acres of parkland and grounds, together with extensive river Ouse frontage. Viewing strictly by appointment only | Prices from £395,000

Anne Haggas Head of Yorkshire New Homes 01904 617832 anne.haggas@savills.comYorkRDS@savills.com savills savills.co.uk

Fully furnished new homes Part exchange available Bespoke options Elvington Residential Park is an exclusive development of brand-new park homes in the picturesque countryside of York. Situated on the outskirts of a quaint Yorkshire village and only 5 miles from the City of York, our park is perfectly located for those looking for a rural setting with the luxury of modern city living. Spanning over approximately 3 acres of private grounds, this setting is perfect for outdoor lovers with access to unlimited countryside walks, a series of woodland trails and passage to the River Derwent. Our homes are contemporary and practical, allowing residents to enjoy the perks of a low maintenance home with all the modern luxuries. We want you to feel right at home with everything you need in one place as part of your new lifestyle and with thoughtful storage solutions, you don’t need to worry about downsizing. A higher quality of living near the city of York for the over 50’s Elvington Lane, Elvington, City of York, England, UK, YO41 4AX 01904 395157 • info@elvingtonresidentialpark.co.uk ELVINGTON RESIDENTIALPARK

Park home ownership just keeps on growing in popularity. When you couple desirable locations with low maintenance homes, you can see what the attraction is. Elvington Residential Park is an exclusive development of brand new park homes in the picturesque countryside of York. Situated on the outskirts of a quaint Yorkshire village and only ﬁve miles from the City of York, Elvington Residential Park is perfectly located for those looking for a rural setting with the luxury of modern city living. Spanning over approximately three acres of private grounds, this LIFE Exploring the many beneﬁts of purchasing a home at Elvington Residential Park “Elvington Residential Park is perfectly located for those looking for a rural setting with the luxury of modern city living”

elvingtonresidentialpark.co.uk

PARK

setting is perfect for outdoor lovers with access to unlimited countryside walks, a series of woodland trails and passage to the River Derwent. The homes here are contemporary and practical, allowing residents to enjoy the perks of a low maintenance home with all the modern luxuries. They want you to feel right at home with everything you need in one place as part of your new lifestyle, and with thoughtful storage solutions, you don’t need to worry about downsizing. Fully furnished new homes are available, as is part exchange, and there are bespoke options too. Park homes provide a stylish, low maintenance option with all your creature comforts and the option to release equity from the sale of your home to enjoy your retirement. These homes can be designed to your speciﬁcation o ering fantastic value for money and the opportunity to create your dream home. Rest assured the homes are built to residential BS3632 speciﬁcation, which means they are secure, energy e cient and long-lasting. Experience a community of like-minded people who have also chosen to invest in a new lifestyle with privacy and security there when you need it most. Create new friendships, explore the countryside and thrive in a comfortable environment.

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The Red House, 41 Palace Road, Ripon HG4 1FA *Valid on reservations before 31st December 2022. PAYBUYNOWANDNOMONTHLYFEEFOR1YEAR* • Just minutes from the centre of Ripon • Luxurious properties with elegant interiors, built to a premium speciﬁcation • Excellent social amenities including restaurant, bar, gym, salon and guest suite • Acres of landscaped gardens • 24-hour on-site sta • Gated setting

The Red House o ers independent retirement living in a beautiful, leafy setting, with maintenance provided and the support of village sta . Elegant one and two bedroom properties are available to buy or rent. Call today to ﬁnd out more. Call 01765 540053 or visit redhouseripon.co.uk ENTERPRISE RETIREMENT LIVING REDTHE HOUSE communitypartBecomeofavibrant

“The area truly is a hot spot for buyers all over the country, so sticking to the outdated ways and only employing a local marketing campaign just doesn’t have the full impact, we’re selling hundreds of millions of pounds worth of properties and buyers are coming from far and wide to live in our area, so they need to be reached with informative and impactful marketing that excites them,” he says.

Throwing the “old-fashioned” ways out the window, Dales & Peaks was re-imagined in 2017, promising proactive marketing and presentation, through every aspect of the company, like no other. Since then, Tom boasts in excess of £300m worth of sales under his belt, the monopoly of the region’s prime homes, an awards cabinet some agents can only dream of and a business that has seen growth and a marketing reach untouched by any competitor.

Open n a ne Dore for Dales and Peaks Estate Agents

“The industry has a stigma for being full of old men with tweed jackets,” Tom continues. “We’re championing young, passionate people, we’re bringing equality into the forefront of what we do, we have 20 staff of which 17 are females, we have 4 valuers fronting the company of which 3 are females and they’re absolutely thriving after being held back in other companies. We plan to continue breaking the mould, we plan to continue thinking ahead and we can’t wait to showcase what we do in West Sheffield.”

Cut from a different cloth, multi award winning Estate Agent, Dales & Peaks, headed up by business owner Tom Currey, has a track record of achieving impressive results for owners of some of the most beautiful homes across the Derbyshire Dales & The Peak Districtand now brings its forward-thinking concept to West Sheffield, with their recent shop launch in Dore.

“We can all take nice photos, we can all make a house look impressive, but it’s what we do with that content that sets us apart. Rightmove, as important as it is to our industry, is a completely reactive system and does nothing more than wait for buyer to search specific homes, whereas channels like social media help us launch homes with huge impact, target a range of demographics and can see some homes reach tens of thousands of viewers in just a matter of days. We’re the most followed and most viewed independent estate agent in the area and since bringing this fresh and proactive marketing into our standard day-to-day marketing, we’ve seen results that smash the old ways.

£215,000 You have a choice of Home Styles from leading Manufacturers Stately-Albion and Omar We have Show Homes on site ready to view and available for immediate occupation. We also have a some availability on vacant plots for you to choose what style home suits you best. So please come down and experience our beautiful setting and explore the stunning Homes on oﬀer. Either drop into our Marketing Suite, Open Monday to Saturday with appointments available on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

NEWCASTLE I YORK LEEDS HULL I NOTTINGHAM I WINDSOR www.berrysjewellers.co.uk