DJALILI
Having his say in Essex
DINING DIFFERENCE Why Stark is a restaurant like no other • WARM WELCOME
Meet the new headteachers of Bancroft's and Coopersale Hall
EXPLORING THE
Inspirational gift ideas for all the family
Discover the ultimate in luxury aesthetics at Dr Nyla Medispa with the exclusive Transformation Facelift™, designed to make you look 10 years younger in just six weeks. This revolutionary, non-invasive treatment combines advanced anti-ageing solutions with zero downtime, offering a natural, refreshed look. Also available is the cutting-edge NeoGen Nitrogen Plasma Skin Regeneration, which tightens and rejuvenates your skin from within, delivering long-lasting results. Experience firmer, glowing skin with minimised wrinkles, acne scars, and pores.
EDITOR
MARK KEBBLE
ART DIRECTOR
PAWEL KUBA
SENIOR DESIGNERS
MIKE ROBERTS
SUZETTE SCOBLE
MIDWEIGHT DESIGNER
CARMEN GRAHAM
DESIGNER
MARIANA SUZUKI
PRODUCTION MANAGER
DANICA BRODIE
GROUP SALES MANAGER - SOUTH ABIGAIL GARDNER
MEDIA CONSULTANT
CLAIRE YATES
FINANCIAL DIRECTOR
JERRIE KOLECI
CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID
DIRECTORS
CRAIG DAVIES
JAMES FUSCHILLO
NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER
MANAGING DIRECTOR
SHERIF SHALTOUT
For editorial enquiries please email: mark@zest-media.com or please call 07861 994764 or email: claire@zest-media.com
124 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX, 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.
Follow Us On
Facebook @ABSOLUTELYESSEX
@ABSOLUTELYWESTESSEX
Twitter @ESSEXABSOLUTELY
@ABSOLUTELYWESTE
Instagram @ABSOLUTELYESSEX
@ABSOLUTELYWESTESSEX
Website absolutelymagazines.com
Six-star ultra-luxury cruises on Europe’s most beautiful rivers take you to fascinating destinations with a choice of beautifully crafted itineraries from 3 to 22 nights. Enjoy a premium all-inclusive lifestyle, all-suite accommodation with exclusive butler service, spa & wellness and plenty of space for enjoyment. For more info or to book, contact Abbotts Travel, 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA on 020 8989 9445 | email info@abbottstravel.com | www.abbottstravel.com
ABSOLUTELY’S November issue highlights
Ah, Christmas starts here. Those who know me well probably will think, 'oh here comes The Grinch'. Admittedly, I have had my moments when a good rant about how it starts earlier every year always cheers me up, but I think my problem is the lack of inspiration for what to do and ask for on the big day itself. 'What do you want for Christmas, Mark?' 'Umm... New pants and socks?' Not exactly thrilling. All I needed, though, was a little nudge in the right direction from our good friends at Visit Essex. Opening our very special Christmas section this month, they have played a blinder with a round up of iconic Essex festive treats to enjoy. A visit to the 'big three'? I will have some of that (and you will need to read the feature to know what that refers to). A market that has been running since the 12th century for some gift inspiration? Yes please. And embrace the child in me with a nostalgic train trip? That will do the trick.
4
So I feel less The Grinch, and more the bearer of Good Tidings in 2024. It's a pretty dark time globally, so we all need a little festive cheer in our lives right now
MARK KEBBLE EDITOR
3 2Christmas
Contemporary brand ILA has reimagined the classic silhouette, creating versatile styles perfect for any occasion with a variety of shapes, lengths, and materials, offering effortless transitions from day to night. ilao cial.com
Loquet offers a wide selection of the cutest charms. To complete the look, there are beaded chains, precious rows of cut lapis lazuli, garnet, rose quartz and chrysoprase with a double clasp design to attach your favourite locket. loquetlondon.com
Dyson has always experimented with colour and the newest colourway is strawberry bronze and blush pink, inspired by the natural hues found at Dyson’s farming sites. The Airwrap, Supersonic dryer and straighteners all come in the striking new shade. dyson.com
This crew neck is made from superfi ne lambswool in vibrant red and a classic fairisle pattern. It's an understated jumper in a recognisable print with a Really Wild take. reallywildclothing.com
The Pretty Ballerinas AW24 collection has arrived, featuring modern designs and a new glossy material. These pieces combine bold fabrics, distinctive styles, and vibrant colours. prettyballerinas.co.uk
Labeca's sophisticated and versatile looks are suitable for every place and every season. labecalondon.com
Bella Freud's new collection is full of slogans, ranging from simply 'Martin' to 'Slave to Love', to our favourite, 'Star Man'. bellafreud.com
For a year-round selection of swimwear in all shapes and sizes, it's hard to beat Amelie's Follies. ameliesfollies.co.uk
Birkenstock's 1774 collection
brings back the iconic Arizona and Milano in bright new shades and textures. birkenstock.com
The brand Mud Australia is loved by Yotam Ottolenghi and Nigella Lawson for its bright and breezy Aussieinspired colour palette and sustainable practices. mudaustralia.com
Your Christmas begins at .....
Real Christmas Trees from a Real Christmas Tree Farm, Essex
OPEN to the general public from MID-NOVEMBER andTHROUGHOUT
DECEMBER from 9am to 5pm Weekdays & 8am to 6pm Weekends forthe sale of real fresh Christmas Trees
Family fun with thousands of the finest, freshly grown Real Christmas Trees to choose from, including needle retaining, ‘non-drop’ & traditional varieties. Get your Christmas trees DIRECT FROM THE GROWER at Hurleys Farm.
Christmas Trees at the best prices around from 3/4ft up to 15ft for this year at our Hurleys Christmas Tree Farm, Battlesbridge.
21 NOVEMBER, CLIFFS PAVILION
Anton Du Beke, one of the country’s bestloved and most accomplished entertainers, iscontinuing his hugely popular nationwide tour this autumn. Showman – An Evening with Anton du Beke is choreographed by Olivier Awardwinning choreographer Bill Deamer, and Anton is joined by singer Lance Ellington, as well as a live band and a company of dancers to create an evening filled with song, dance and a lot of laughter. trafalgartickets.com
9 NOVEMBER• MARY'S CHURCH, PRITTLEWELL
Come join multi-award-winning tenor Russell Watson accompanied by world renowned pianist/arranger/writer Mike Moran in the magnificent setting of St Mary's Church, Southend-on-Sea. The acclaimed tenor will be performing a special show with classic songs old and new, together with a selection of hits from his illustrious career. A truly spectacular concert experience is in the o ering in the heart of Essex.
russellwatson.com
9 November
COLCHESTER ARTS CENTRE
Frank Sinatra had too few regrets to mention, but Lucy Porter’s got hundreds, and she’s prepared to go into graphic detail about all of them. Disastrous dates, professional calamities, ruined friendships and parenting fails.
‘No Regrets’ sees Lucy reveal all the mistakes she’s made.
colchesterartscentre.com
27 November
CHARTER HALL
Simon Reeve is one of the world’s most adventurous travellers. His journeys have taken him to more than 130 countries, across jungles, deserts, mountains and oceans, and to some of the most beautiful, dangerous and remote regions of the world. On his new tour Simon will o er stories, surprises, thrills and hearty laughs.
colchester-events.co.uk
16 November-9 February, 2025
BEECROFT ART GALLERY
The 60th Essex Open is open to any artist, over the age of 16 living or working in Essex. Beecroft Art Gallery has a permanent collection of over 2,000 works, ranging from 17th-century Dutch paintings to contemporary works, and has a programme of ever-changing temporary exhibitions and displays presenting pieces from the permanent collection on rotation - and the Essex Open is one particular highlight. southendmuseums.co.uk/beecroft
Noble & Webster have created a remarkable group of anti-monuments in their 24-year career, mixing the strategies of modern sculpture and the attitude of punk to make art from anti-art. Their work derives much of its power from its fusion of opposites, form and anti-form, high culture and anti-culture, male and female, craft and rubbish, sex and violence.
In this presentation, seven light sculptures by Noble & Webster illuminate areas of the Firstsite building with pops of glimmering colour. firstsite.uk
Braintree Village’s ice rink returns just in time for the festive build up
Braintree Village’s ice rink will once again o er guests a truly magical skating experience for a second year. The 550 metre undercover ice rink will open to the public on Thursday 7 November for over eight weeks. Featuring real ice, and designed and installed by Icescape, the custom-built ice rink will be located adjacent to the top of the North Car Park and will provide skaters with a captivating festive atmosphere for anyone looking to enjoy Christmas shopping.
In this election year – with the country in turmoil –there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further… Nish Kumar – one of The Guardian and The Telegraph’s 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century – is back on tour with his brand new politically-charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe. Expect jokes about climate collapse and income inequality over 80 minutes of sweet, sweet vibe killing. trafalgartickets.com
O ering guests the perfect activity come rain, snow or shine, the rink will be open throughout the Christmas period, including Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day until Sunday 5 January, with pre-bookable 45-minute sessions and skate hire included.
Josef O’Sullivan, Centre Director of Braintree Village, says: “The ice rink was tremendously popular last Christmas with guests, both those who came especially to ice skate and those who added it onto their day out Christmas shopping. After the success of the ice rink’s first year, and the overwhelming demand for its return from our guests, it was a no-brainer that it should return for 2024. Our ice rink will be extra special this year as Braintree Village is celebrating its 25th anniversary. Watch this space for some exciting events to add a touch of festive sparkle to outlet shopping here.”
braintree-village.com
Omid Djalili is heading to Essex to attempt to right the wrongs of the world, including anger, cancel culture, and his early days in stand up
By MARK WAREHAM
Omid Djalili has never been more serious about his stand-up. As he takes to the road with his new show Namaste, where the Ipswich local will be hopping over the county border, he talks to Absolutely about putting a funny spin on the state of the world and how being cancelled post-9/11 makes him the perfect comedy ambassador for these tumultuous times.
Q Can you explain a bit about the new show Namaste?
A Well, I’ve always tried to be nice about people, but this time I can’t. The world is in such a terrible state. At the end of the day the whole purpose of comedy is not just making people laugh. That’s not the end game. When you talk about the means to an end, the means is comedy, but the end is to actually make sense of what’s going on. And because I’m from the Middle East, I feel I do have some answers. People come to me as some kind of bridge, like a cultural stopgap, as someone to spread light on things. People don’t get what’s going on. They don’t get the
connection between Iran and what’s going on in Gaza, they don’t get what’s going on with Joe Biden attacking Syria and Iraq. It’s me trying to use comedy to make it more palatable for a British audience to understand what’s going on. So I’ve put my hat in the ring.
Q So it’s a more considered, rational response, rather than a Mr Angry approach?
A Yeah, the tour poster is a picture of me with steam coming out of my ears. I’m angry, but it’s a controlled anger and it’s considered. Audiences are really appreciative of that. So many people want to hang around afterwards. They say ‘thank you’, not ‘oh mate, that was hilarious’. It’s making sense of things. You give them a glimmer so people have some sort of handle on the situation.
Q Do the cancel culture warriors need to be on high alert for this tour?
A Cancel culture is a real thing. We’re always on the edge of being cancelled. We’re one joke away from having a TV series taken away or being kicked o a film. But I feel I’m old enough not to care anymore. I’ve been watching people like Seann Walsh and Louis CK and I kind of wish that I was cancelled because they reach
a level in their comedy where they just don’t care. Seann Walsh was this wide-eyed young guy doing Strictly and didn’t realise he was going to be so pilloried in the press. It’s given him a kind of ‘I don’t care anymore’ attitude. It’s a release. Nothing can get worse and you’ve nothing to lose. And that’s when people are at their funniest. So you either do that by getting cancelled or just by getting old. In my case, I’m just too old to care.
Q It’s almost 30 years since your debut. Do you feel your material has changed a lot in that time?
A I was terrible back then. I look back at myself and it was appalling. I didn’t really want to do it. All my friends used to say, you’re funny you should get up there and do it. So I thought I’d give it a shot, but I didn’t really care much about it. It was only when 9/11 happened and I thought this is something serious I could have a voice about. I worked with Whoopi Goldberg 20 years ago when we did a sitcom together in America. I did some shows in New York and people were saying he’s good, but he’s not quite top level. And Whoopi said, ‘Yeah, that’s what they said about Richard Pryor.’ And she made this connection between me and Pryor, and I said I’m not having that. But she said, ‘No. For your people,’ – and we’re talking about a whole gamut of countries and cultures from the Arab States, Iran, Pakistan, India – ‘for brown people, you are the first.’ So, like Richard Pryor, you do stu that is geared towards white, middle America or middle England, and they will love you for it, but you won’t get really good until you become authentic. That’s what she was saying. As you get older that authentic voice will emerge. So she made me promise not to stop doing stand-up. And she said soon you’ll see others being inspired by
“Unless it's funny, I am not going to bother”
you. And I thought, really? But I have seen people come through like Guz Khan, Romesh Ranganathan, who’ve told me I gave them the confidence to do it. So if I have inspired people that’s great. But Omid Djalili in the 1990s is definitely not my cup of tea. I looked a mess. I didn’t know how to dress, wore the wrong colour boots with the suit, I just looked like a fat, mentally ill person, but I was at least trying to write recognisably good stand-up. So I try and forgive myself, but I’m much happier with what I’m doing now.
Q Do you feel, intrinsically, because of who you are, it’s impossible for your act not to be political?
A Yeah, it’s impossible. People would just be disappointed. I love Tim Vine. I went to see his show and he made me laugh from beginning to end. But if I did that to my fans I’d be hanged from a lamppost. They’d say, ‘What are you doing? There’s all this stu going on. Are you seriously not going to mention the Woman, Life, Freedom movement? Are you seriously not going to make fun of this regime?’ So I do feel obligated, yes. For someone in my position and from my background, it would be remiss not to.
Q But the trick is you’ve still got to make it funny…
A Well, I was talking to Sean Lock about this before he died and he said if I do have
a political thing to say, I’ll make it funny. But I’m not going to stand there and do slogans. And there’s a bunch of us who’ve always felt that. Unless it’s funny, I’m not even going to bother. I’ve got reams and reams of notes of things that have outraged me, but if there’s no joke there then I won’t inflict it on the audience.
Q You had to cancel a show in Shropshire last year, just after the 7 October attacks, are you worried about any repeats of that?
A Who would have thought that calling for a ceasefire and calling for peace would get you cancelled. Some people had written to the venue saying we’d like to speak to Mr Djalili about his stance on Israel. And they cancelled it, I didn’t ask them to cancel it. I could have handled it, but if you feel there’s a security risk then that’s not good. But it doesn’t stop me, it was the venue’s decision. I would never cancel a show.
Catch Omid Djalili at South Mills Arts Centre, Bishops Stortford, on 6 November, and the Arts Centre Colchester on 7-8 November. See more at omidnoagenda.com
Brentwood Arches offers a safe and supportive environment where residents can flourish, make new friends, maintain contact with their local communities and live a life of possibility.
Nutritionally balanced seasonal menus
Spacious, beautifully decorated bedrooms
Stimulating schedule of daily activities and entertainment
Highly trained staff teams
Residential, nursing, dementia, and respite care
Jason Donovan is set to thrill theatre audiences as he tours with The Rocky Horror Show. He tells us what we can expect to see
By RICHARD BARBER
Jason Donovan is making a much anticipated return to one of his most famous roles, playing Frank-NFurter in Richard O’Brien’s anarchic musical, The Rocky Horror Show. So, the question has to be: why? “In a nutshell,” he says, “I’m a fan. I love the show; I love the music; I love the character. I was touring my own show about five years ago and included Sweet Transvestite from Rocky as a key moment in my musical career. It went down a storm.”
He subsequently emailed producer Howard Panter saying that he’d read there was to be a 50th anniversary production of Rocky Horror and he’d love to be involved. And so it came to pass: first in Sydney and Melbourne and now via an extensive UK tour.
The Rocky Horror Show is a musical with music, lyrics and book by Richard O'Brien. A humorous tribute to various B movies associated with the science fiction and horror genres from the 1930s to the early 1960s, the musical tells the story of a newly engaged, clean-cut couple getting caught in a storm and coming to the home of a mad transvestite scientist, Dr Frank-N-Furter, unveiling his
new creation, Rocky, a Frankenstein-style monster in the form of an artificially-made, fully-grown, physically perfect muscle man complete with blond hair and a tan.
The show was produced and directed by Jim Sharman. The original London production premièred at the Royal Court Theatre (Upstairs) on 19 June 1973. It later moved to several other locations in London and closed on 13 September 1980. The show ran for a total of 2,960 performances. On the 50th anniversary of the musical in 2023, it is said the production had been performed in 20 di erent languages and seen by 30 million people globally.
Jason has graduated from small-screen fame as Scott in the long-running Australian soap, Neighbours, to chart-topping pop stardom and now, among much else, as a stalwart of musical and straight theatre in a diverse number of productions.
He played Joseph in the original production of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s Joseph and his Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (returning as Pharaoh in the 2019 revival and subsequently on tour). He was in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang as eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts, has had two stabs at playing drag artist
Mitzi in Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He also played music mogul Sam Phillips in Million Dollar Quartet, the demon barber of Fleet Street himself in Sweeney Todd and Lionel Logue in The King’s Speech. It’s quite the CV.
But it is Dr Frank-N-Furter who occupies a special place in his heart. “One of the reasons I love Rocky is because it’s a short show,” he says – and nor is he joking. “It says everything it needs to say and nothing more. There’s no unnecessary padding. It means nobody gets bored and you leave them wanting more.”
Touring at any age is demanding and Jason is about to embark on a fairly punishing schedule, but he makes light of it. “On tour, I wake up a little later; there are no domestic chores to tackle – no trimming the ivy or doing the washing. And I’m a seasoned professional when it comes to locating any M&S or Waitrose.
“I’ve reached a point of great contentment,” he adds . “As long as I have my family and my health, as long as I have a good life/ work balance, I’m happy. I like to think I work to live, not the other way around.”
The Rocky Horror Show is touring across the country now. For tickets, visit rockyhorror.co.uk/tour-dates
Crystal-clear waters, elephants and temples in the Land of Smiles, Thailand
Words and photos by CRYSTAL MCCLORY
Itake a flight to Bangkok, snoozing in a Drowsy eye mask packed in a Radley backpack, then fly to my favourite airport, Koh Samui. Fisherman’s Village, Bophut is a walking street at night and its weekly market is worth a visit. At Coco Tam’s we sit on bean bags to watch an incredible fire show wow the audience. Sea, boats and midnight sky act as a backdrop for flaming spirals as the music beats. We hitch a colourful Songthaew shared taxi truck around the island. Pass songbirds in bamboo (not gilded) cages and Durian fruit – apparently they taste great if you can get past the smell! For good vibrations, visit Big Buddha Temple and climb the stairs to ring reverberating bells for good luck.
Lily pads flower amongst tropical foliage at Santiburi resort. Chill in hammocks swinging beneath palm trees on the white sandy beach. Golf buggies take you to your contemporary Thai suite. At Sala Thai restaurant, we devour duck wontons and delicious red curry lobster while listening to frogs, and a Thai melody plays on the string instrument ‘Kim’.
Mr Ung’s Jungle Safari Tour is a fantastic way to see the island’s temples. Retro jeeps stop at Wat Plai Laem, Grandfather and Grandmother Rocks, Guan Yu Shrine, Mummified Monk, and Na Muang Waterfall. An adventurous drive up the mountaintop for mesmerising views and a rooftop lunch for the best ever Thai curry! The Secret Garden has moss stone statues. We see a green whip snake and cobra, elephants, dragons, and reclining Buddha… statues. A highlight in the heat is a water fight with the other jeeps, which made this day trip so much fun!
Head to Amari in Chaweng to be closer to the action. Red parasols, blue sky, and white sand beckon invitingly. Mynah birds strut past, frangipani scatter the grass. We stay in a lovely pool-view room in the new Garden wing. From the balcony, I hear birds whistle, coots coo and grasshoppers tick. Butterflies dance as dragonflies bounce on the pool surface, and there’s happy hour at the pool bar.
A gecko darts up a tree as the fountain tinkles on the pool by the beach. Sun loungers wait expectantly, the triangles of parasols echoing the hill on the horizon. It’s humid as we relax on the warmth of sun-baked towels. The beach is tranquil, and we happily haggle with a hawker who makes us bespoke shell jewellery. You can’t beat getting your vitamin D from sunshine and I pack Innisfree Vitamin C Serum (it amplifies your sunscreen) and Rituals sun protection face cream. Thai massages are amazing. After a ‘Serene’ mood massage at Amari’s Breeze Spa, I came out feeling exactly that!
Happiness is rice and noodles – we loved dining on the beach, tables set with white tablecloths under the stars. I recommend Thai red/green curry – ask for farang (foreigner) spicy rather than Thai spicy! Fire jugglers walk amongst enthralled diners, twirling flames around their heads to their delight/ terror. Golf buggies whizz guests around. The main road is busy, but Amari is an oasis of tranquillity with its beautifully planted gardens. At night, the lights of the squid fishing boats glow green to lure plankton. Walk down the beach for a peaceful stroll until you reach the allure of the Elephant Beach Club. Music pumps and radiant sparks shower from the fire show. The Ark bar plays tunes – perfect for drinks and a dance. Walk down the main street for a more hectic, fun experience. Book excursions at the tour desk to the Elephant Spa or Sanctuary. Feeding elephants and washing them in a river was a special moment! Ang Thong National Marine Park is worth a day boat trip to the archipelago in azure waters. Snorkel in crystal-clear waters at this tropical paradise. To infinity pools and beyond… for five-star luxury retreats, escape to Melati, Cape Fahn Hotel or Banyan Tree. A sign read ‘May the wind blow you back again’ on my last Samui visit and I’m so pleased it did. Thailand truly is The Land of Smiles.
To book contact Abbotts Travel 134 George Lane, South Woodford, E18 1BA on 020 8989 9445 or email info@abbottstravel.com
Haslers celebrate a remarkable success story with their charity partners
On Friday 20 September, Haslers Chartered Accountants marked a significant milestone with a celebratory breakfast at their headquarters in Loughton. The event commemorated the Haslers Foundation’s remarkable achievement of donating £250,000 to local charities across Essex and East London. The milestone reflects the foundation’s dedication to supporting community causes since its inception in 2008. The celebration was graced by representatives from several local charities, including The Dream Factory, Snap Charity, 3food4u, St Clare Hospice, Haven House, Chess Homeless, and Accuro. Deputy Town Mayor of Loughton, Councillor
Les House, also attended, adding a touch of civic pride to the occasion. Guests enjoyed co ees and delicious refreshments provided by Molens. The event highlighted the foundation’s long-standing commitment to charitable work, with Chairman Jon O’Shea expressing immense pride in the foundation’s achievements. “Reaching this milestone is a testament to the generosity of our supporters, the hard work of the Haslers team, and the great working relationships we have with our charity partners,” he said. Since its launch, the Haslers Foundation has supported over 140 causes and made more than 450 monetary donations. The foundation directs 1% of all profits annually into its fund, supplemented by additional fundraising e orts from sta and the wider network. Activities such as
marathons, mud runs and quiz nights have all contributed to the foundation’s success.
Looking ahead, the Haslers Foundation remains committed to expanding its reach and supporting new causes. Recent initiatives include a construction project with The Avenue Lawn Tennis Club, providing specialist palliative care equipment for St Luke’s Hospice, and supporting Freedom2, a charity focused on the safety of women and girls in London.
The foundation’s future fundraising activities promise to be just as dynamic, with plans for skydiving, wing walking, the 3 Peaks Challenge, and the annual Haslers Foundation Quiz Night.
For more information about the Haslers Foundation and to download their grant application form, visit haslers.com/foundation
Celebrate this Christmas with us at San Carlo, where you can experience a menu as spectacular as the memories, you’re sure to make.
Dive into the celebrations & let the festivities commence!
Enjoy an iconic Christmas across the county, thanks to these suggestions from Visit Essex
Top visits to see Santa, trips to the panto, memorable shopping experiences, and the top attractions to visit this festive season, from Colchester Castle to Southend Pier… Here’s a lowdown on the best things to do this Christmas.
It is o cial: Colchester Zoo, Southend Pier and RHS Garden Hyde Hall are the top three most visited paid-for attractions in East Anglia. If you have never visited them – or want to go again – this Christmas is the perfect time.
RHS Garden Hyde Hall is home to a range of striking gardens and a wide variety of plant species. In December, The Winter Garden is the place to visit; explore texture, shape, and colour as you wander through the grounds. Glow, a lighting spectacular, will also return to RHS Garden Hyde Hall from 22 November.
Southend Pier is the longest pleasure pier in the world. Take a trip on the train to the end of the pier this Christmas and enjoy the festive decorations.
Colchester Zoo is top of many people’s wish list and its elephants and gira es have
become much-loved attractions. In the run-up to Christmas, head to the zoo to see over 180 species in a range of habitats and enjoy the ‘Magic of Christmas’. The zoo will be alive with festive activities, see if you can spot Santa’s elves or find his reindeers. Visitors can also take part in ‘The Santa Experience’ and meet Father Christmas in a magical wonderland. Tickets are priced £16 for the meet and greet.
Get that festive feeling by heading to the county’s town centres and historic markets for some Christmas shopping. Bond Street in Chelmsford is the perfect destination to find the ideal present. Home to the first John Lewis shop in Essex, its range of big brand stores and independent boutiques make it easy to find something special for loved ones. For trinkets and more personalised gifts, Sa ron Walden market, set in the middle of the town, is the perfect place to go. The market has run since 1141 and is beautifully decorated for Christmas each year. Fairy lights are hung above bustling shoppers as they look for ideal gifts. A full range of stalls are available at the market, including fine food, pottery plus other arts and crafts.
Sa ron Walden is steeped in history and, when you visit the market, you do not have to travel far for a cosy pub lunch, such as the 16th century pub, The Eight Bells. It o ers a festive set menu including a Christmassy three-course roast with turkey, roast potatoes, and cranberry sauce. Another historic, timber-framed pub is The Cricketers in Clavering. From 20 November, enjoy a delicious roast, or treat yourself to a festive stay.
Colchester Castle is the iconic landmark at the end of the city’s High Street. This Christmas, Santa will be treating children to special festive gifts in his enchanting grotto – a meeting with Santa is priced £10 per child. Santa is also heading over to Audley End House and Gardens in Sa ron Walden to spread more festive cheer. This Christmas visitors to the stately home can enjoy festive activities, which take place from 30 November. Children will be awe-inspired as they listen to storytelling, music and enjoy a meet and greet with Father Christmas.
Make a date for Christmas drinks. Greyfriars in Colchester o ers first-rate champagne and martini cocktails in its Baroque Bar and Lounges. Or for a more boho feel, book a table at the Market House in the Market Square in Sa ron Walden. If you are looking for fun, head to Boom Battle Bar in Chelmsford. Try your hand at axe-throwing before heading into the private karaoke bar with a cocktail or two – cheers!
can!
Treat your family to a memorable visit to the panto. Colchester’s Mercury Theatre is performing The New Adventures of Peter Pan. The panto is directed by and stars ‘the best pantomime dame in the country’ (British Theatre), Antony Stuart-Hicks. Or head over to Southend Cli s Pavilion for The Giant Pantomime Spectacular where Essex’s own Rylan will be starring in Jack and the Beanstalk.
Enjoy a Boxing Day Walk with all the family. Essex is blessed with a stunning 350-mile coastline. Work o your Christmas dinner by taking a stroll by one of its beaches. Walk along the prom at Walton-on-the-Naze, and be cheered by the pretty, colourful beach huts. Due to the crumbling cli s, at low tide, visitors can uncover fossils on the sea shore. Treat the family to a fun trip to the coast and see what you can uncover this winter. If you are treated to a camera this Christmas, make sure you head over to Tollesbury. The red lightship stands tall amongst the saltmarshes and brings ‘colour’ to a stunning landscape. The swirling saltmarshes were featured in Dickens’ novels and have more recently featured in hit TV series The Essex Serpent starring Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes.
Christmas is a magical time, so why not head back into yesteryear and enjoy a trip with Santa onboard a special train. Epping Ongar Railway will be whisking visitors on a special Christmas adventure, which departs Epping Underground Station onboard a vintage double decker bus. Families will journey over to North Weald Station where they will listen to the sounds of a brass band. Onboard the special Santa train, children will be treated to a visit and gift by Father Christmas.
Essex is home to the famous jam producers Wilkin and Sons, who have been making quality preserves and spreads since 1885. Meet up with family and friends and enjoy an afternoon tea with a festive atmosphere. Craft lovers will also enjoy a Christmas wreath making workshop at the tearoom in Tiptree on 7-8 December.
Looking to treat that certain someone? Consider buying an experience for a fun day out in 2025. Thrill seekers will love a day out at the Lee Valley White Water Centre. With a range of activities, from white water rafting to kayaking, you will be sure to bag an adrenaline-filled gift that is perfect for making memories.
For more iconically festive things to do in Essex, head to visitessex.com
TASTE OF TALBOOTH MENU
Delicious ve-course tasting menu through December; available evenings from Monday 2nd to Saturday 21st December. An optional wine ight* can be enjoyed to accompany the menu and enhance each dish.
*additional charge applies
BOXING DAY LUNCH
Enjoy a delicious Boxing Day lunch at Talbooth Restaurant as you relax in style beside the river Stour.
This Dedham restaurant is a dining highlight of East Anglia and you’ll be greeted with prosecco on arrival, followed by a four-course lunch with coffee and chocolates.
Choose from six sumptuous options for your starter, main course and dessert, with two delectable savoury tart options to complete the menu.
WEAVERS PRIVATE DINING
Lunch or dinner on the rst oor at the Talbooth Restaurant takes some beating – it’s the perfect room for smaller parties for families, friends, and business (up to 34*).
Available to book Monday to Saturday for lunch or dinner throughout December, or on a Sunday for lunch only.
*£200 room hire
LUXURIOUS TASTE OF TALBOOTH STAY
Enjoy the fabulous ve-course Taste of Talbooth dinner, and stay overnight at Talbooth House & Spa, plus enjoy a spa treatment. This stay includes:
- Five-course Taste of Talbooth menu with glass of Champagne
- 25-minute treatment at Talbooth Spa, and use of the spa facilities from 2pm
- Overnight stay in one of our 12 bedrooms at Talbooth House & Spa with breakfast in your room, or at the brilliant buffet breakfast at milsoms, Dedham.
By PENDLE HARTE
HUSH PUPPIES
Jade Slippers, £75 hushpuppies.co.uk
The Tube 160 Wallace Sewell Scarf from London Transport Museum was made in collaboration with London textile studio, Wallace Sewell, to celebrate the Underground and its influence on the city. The contemporary design weaves together the colours of the iconic Tube map into a striking geometric pattern making it instantly recognisable, yet subtle enough to be worn by anyone. Made in the UK from pure wool, it’s the ideal scarf to keep warm this winter while adding a pop of colour to any outfit to brighten up the cold and darker days, £70. ltmuseumshop.co.uk
Mittens, £36 blackandbeech.com EDITOR’S
TILLY SVEAAS
Jewelled T-Bar Gold
Earrings, £100 tillysveaas.co.uk
DOM PÉRIGNON
Vintage 2015 Special Edition Tribute to Jean-Michel Basquiat, £220 selfridges.com
WILLOW CROSSLEY
Rainbow Filligrana Vase, £155 willowcrossley.com
GREY WOLFE
As a transformative meditation tool, journalling can guide you onto a journey of genuine self-reflection and healing. Grey Wolfe’s Moments that Heal, luxury Guided Journal is the perfect gi , enhancing traditional journalling through a lens of creativity. The gi set includes a minimalist instax camera and 10 films, alongside a carefully curated journal, designed to spark creativity through prompts and ideas that’ll inspire authentic moments of self-discovery, £288. greywolfe.co.uk
This gi -ready selection box features a delicious combination of superfood dental sticks and healthy bite-sized pieces of festive joy in the award-winning British brand's best-selling flavour combination: Cranberry & Sweet Potato with added natural flaxseed for happy tummies. Grain-free, with nothing artificial added, low calorie, hypoallergenic, and 100% plant-based ingredients – they're a 'pawsome' Christmas gi your pooch will love, £6.99. soopapets.com
By EVE HERBERT
The eco-friendly gas-powered Diavolo oven will see you turn out perfect pizzas in just 60 seconds. Think crisp bases, bubbling cheese and bountiful toppings, £249. delivita.com
The Beast Blender is meticulously engineered with industryleading technology, resulting in a machine that is the ultimate in preparing nutrient-rich smoothies and infusions, £185. selfridges.com
The We. HEAR pro is designed for eco-conscious effi ciency. The speaker encourages the use of any USB-C power source for charging, doubling as a durable power bank for your devices on the go, £249. loewe.tv 1 3 4 5 2 2 1 4
The dinky Wonder Oven looks like a child's toy, but is in fact a sophisticated and stylish appliance that can that can air fry, bake, roast, grill, reheat, and toast, £195. fromourplace.co.uk
La Pavoni is the last word in covetable manual espresso machines for connoisseurs and the Mini Cellini in stainless steel is the perfect gi for the coffee geek in your life, £999. selfridges.com
CONNETIX
ROCKAHULA KIDS
Clara Cat
Sleep Mask, £8 rockahulakids.com
ADOPT AN ORCA
Orca gi adoption, from £6 a month whales.org/adopt
The interactive and action-packed Connetix 106 Piece Pastel Ball Run Pack features a range of exclusively designed clear fluted tubes including an “X” shape to re-direct the action, double entry bowls to race and play, plus special effect staircases – helping children discover concepts such as gravity, motion, force, engineering, magnetism, balance and more, £89. connetixtiles.com
YOUNG SOLES
Rosie T Bar Shoes, £69 youngsoles.com
MOPPET SHOP
Moppet's multi-award-winning wool tapestries are meticulously hand-embroidered in tiny batches where no two pieces are the same. Not forgetting Moppet’s all-natural, sustainable materials and ethical practices, making this heirloom gi a planet-friendly choice too. Hand-embroidered ABC wall-hanging tapestry, ‘Sumbal’ £185. moppetshop.co.uk
By CARLY GLENDINNING
Initial Flower Bag Gi Box, £43 stychaccessories.com
cottontwist.co.uk
ORCHARD TOYS
Children will love matching the dogs’ heads and tails and pretending to wag their tail in the hilarious matching game Doggy Doggy Woof Woof! Meanwhile, Don’t Wake Mr. McGregor is perfect for fans of Peter Rabbit™ where children will creep around the board collecting vegetables and trying not to wake Mr. McGregor! orchardtoys.com
LACOSTE
By PENDLE HARTE
Lacoste X Clot Socks, £40 lacoste.com FACON JACMIN
Alia Bag, £260 koibird.com
COPAS
Decadent Turkey Selection Box, £525 copasfarmshop.co.uk
SELFRIDGES
The Boxing Day hamper, £250 selfridges.com
DELLI
Grand Food Only hamper, £150 delli.market
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
Figgy Pudding hamper, £39.50 ashmolean.org
FARHI
Deluxe bestsellers hamper, £250 farhi.co.uk
ASHMOLEAN MUSEUM
Sweet Tooth hamper, £39.50 ashmolean.org
By PENDLE HARTE
SELFRIDGES The Christmas Treats gi box, £60 selfridges.com
BISCUITEERS
Nativity Biscuit Tin, £39.95 biscuiteers.com
ARTFULY WALLS
Pressed Flower Rainbow Trout by Ayla Graham, framed print from £172 artfullywalls.com
ANTHROPOLOGIE
OTTOLENGHI
Comfort Cookbook, £30 penguin.co.uk
MEGAN'S
Treat your loved ones to the gi of Megan's Mediterranean magic this festive season with their gi cards & experiences. Megan’s is the ultimate setting for a magical Christmas celebration, whisking you away to sunny places all year around with their Eastern Mediterranean inspired menu & twinkly interiors. This Christmas, feast on hot honey pigs in blankets, their famous Christmas kebab & sticky date pudding, all in a magical, fairy lit setting. Gi cards available from £10. megans.co.uk
By PENDLE HARTE
BORDALLO PINHEIRO
Lobster appetiser plate, £375 koibird.com
TIM SPECTOR
The Food for Life Cookbook, £28 penguin.co.uk
ACQUA DI PARMA
FARHI
Pannettone Candle, £75 selfridges.com
Handmade Bonboniere with Chocolate-Covered Coffee Beans, £20 farhi.co.uk
Pauline Cocktail Shaker, £52 anthropologie.com ENGLISH TEA COMPANY
Holiday Collection Tea Gi Tin, £11.99 wholefoodsmarket.co.uk
BY GREEN PAN 11 Piece Aluminium Pan and Lid set, £699 .95 johnlewis.com
ORIN SWIFT
Mannequin Chardonnay 2022, £50 majestic.co.uk
DOWN HALL Garden Gin, £45 essexspiritsco.com
THE OXTON LIQUEUR COMPANY
Personalised bottles of liqueurs, £55 oxtonliqueurs.co.uk
CHAMPAGNE BOLLINGER Goldfi nger 007 limited edition anniversary set 2015 vintage magnum in a Globetrotter case , £3,500 007store.com
SIRDAVIS American whisky, £88 harveynichols.com
TRING BREWERY
Tring Brewery ‘Golden Toad’ membership is the perfect gi for the beer fanatic in your life! Recipients enjoy 12-litres of locally-made draught beer throughout the year, along with access to one Saturday a ernoon brewery tour (with a plus one) and two member’s evenings featuring open-tap beer and BBQ food (with a plus one). tringbrewery.co.uk
By PENDLE HARTE
BRUNO PAILLARD
Blanc de Blancs Grand Cru MV, £75 hedonism.co.uk
VEUVE CLICQUOT La Grande Dame Rose 2015, £205 laithwaites.co.uk
818 Eight Reserve Tequila, £250 selfridges.com
BOTIVO
Botivo botanical aperitivo and gi ing tube, £32.50 botivodrinks.com
At The Windmill, we understand the significance of your wedding day, and we take pride in offering a space that complements the beauty and intimacy of the occasion. Surrounded by the natural tranquillity of Chatham Green, enjoy stunningrural views with a peaceful, picturesque backdrop that will make every moment of your day feel magical.
For the happy couple, The Windmill also offers two individually designed luxury ensuite bedrooms. These rooms provide a luxurious and comfortable place to get ready for the big day and then unwind after your celebrations, ensuring that every aspect of your stay is as special as the day itself.
SAN CARLO
San Carlo’s new seasonal menu features comforting, rich flavours that are sure to please your taste buds. Begin your meal with the homemade Chicken Liver Pâté accompanied by sourdough and Chianti dressing. For your main course, savour the Pappardelle all’Anatra served with duck ragu. Conclude your dining experience with Frangipane alla Pesca, a delightful peach and almond cake, or enjoy the Torta Caprese, a luscious almond and chocolate cake, served with ice cream. sancarlo.co.uk
Stark caused a stir in Kent and now Mersea Island can see what the fuss is all about. Absolutely digs in
After making waves in Kent with their Michelin star restaurant Stark, Chef Ben and Sophie Crittenden have relocated the unique dining experience to Mersea Island. The husband and wife duo’s long-term dream has always been to settle in the idyllic Essex coastal area where Sophie grew up, and the new restaurant o ers nearly twice the covers of the previous, 12 seat restaurant.
Stark broke the mould of traditional Michelin restaurants – there is loud music, dark walls, no white table clothes or frills and, famously, chef Ben works alone in the kitchen of the intimate venue, meticulously crafting the frequently changing, seasonal six-course tasting menus.
It started life as a tiny sandwich shop on an inconspicuous street in Broadstairs, which Ben and Sophie transformed into a destination dining spot. Ben won The
“IF IT'S NOT IN SEASON, IT HAS NO FLAVOUR AND NO RIGHT TO BE ON THE PLATE”
Good Food Guide’s Chef to Watch award in Stark’s second year, and it became the only Michelin star restaurant in Thanet by its third year, which they retained since 2019.
Described as “dazzling” by Good Food Guide editor, Elizabeth Carter, and “the real deal” in a glowing Guardian review by one of Britain’s most revered critics, Marina O’Loughlin, Stark has become a Mecca for foodies over the past eight years. Their motto is “good food, laid bare” and the new restaurant o ers the same pared back decor and skilled flavour combinations using seasonal ingredients, as Ben says: “If it’s not in season, it has no flavour and no right to be on the plate.”
Expect £90 set menus featuring two meat dishes, like the duck liver parfait, confit leg, ginger bread, hazelnut and apricot; two fish courses, like mackerel, cucumber dashi, lardo and borage; and two desserts, like the clean and fresh goat’s curd, pistachio sorbet, lemon puree and
grape. Guests can accompany this with an optional wine flight for £55 from natural wine aficionados, Les Caves de Pyrène.
Before opening Stark, Ben worked at Michelin star restaurant The West House, Kent, where he cut his teeth working with rockstar-turned-Michelin-chef Graham Garrett, before competing in MasterChef: The Professionals in 2014.
He almost left the restaurant business in 2015 due to a bout of depression, which he discusses unflinchingly in his must-read book, Stark – an important insight into mental health and che ng with gorgeous recipes.
But the 2016 launch of the original Stark saved him, allowing Ben to continue his passion for food, while having a better work/life balance for him and Sophie with their three young children, which now continues in Mersea Island.
starkfood.co.uk
Join San Carlo this holiday season, where you can experience authentic Italian hospitality and indulge in exquisite Italian food
This holiday season promises to be the most extraordinary Christmas yet at San Carlo, showcasing exciting installations that will captivate you and leave you eager to return time and again. Their Christmas Fayre menu is available for groups of six or more, ensuring that your Christmas party is truly unforgettable. With a variety of Private Dining Spaces available at their locations, they provide the ideal setting for your festive celebration this year. They’re even open on Christmas Day at a select few of their locations. Their new seasonal menu, bursting with warm and hearty flavours, is designed to
delight your palate. Start your meal with the Tartare di Manzo, a delicious beef tartare accompanied by a zesty mustard dressing. For your main course, consider the Ravioli Porcini, handmade mushroom ravioli enveloped in a rich and creamy porcini sauce. Cap o your dining experience in style by indulging in the Torta Caprese, an exquisite almond and chocolate cake.
The cocktail menu showcases a delightful selection of beloved classics, featuring San Carlo favourites such as the smooth and creamy Croccante, made with Campari, Ratafia, Coconut Cream, and Lime. You might also enjoy the Champs-Élysées, a lively and energetic drink crafted from Hennessy Fine, Champagne, and Caramel.
San Carlo are eagerly looking forward to seeing you this December as they celebrate
Christmas the Italian way! Whether you’re coming for a cosy date night, a family get-together, or organising your Christmas party, they are prepared to ensure your celebration is truly unforgettable. Their talented chefs have crafted a special menu featuring traditional Italian holiday dishes with a modern twist, guaranteed to delight your taste buds. Picture yourself savouring rich pasta dishes, succulent meats, and decadent desserts, all paired with exquisite wines from the finest vineyards of Italy. Don’t forget to make your reservation soon, as spots are filling up quickly. They can’t wait to celebrate this special time of year with you and create memories that will last a lifetime. Buon Natale!
sancarlo.co.uk
Owned by husband and wife Victor and Ines, Ivy Jewellers offers exquisite engagement rings, wedding bands, and fi ne jewellery from their Hatton Garden atelier. With over fi ve decades of experience, they use traditional methods and handmade techniques to create pieces as unique as you. YOUR HANDMADE
For Dior's autumnwinter 2024-2025 ready-to-wear collection, Maria Grazia Chiuri's shapes and vivid colours suggest a (re)found freedom sparked by Miss Dior –the ready-to-wear line dreamed up in 1967 by Marc Bohan and Philippe Guibourgé. dior.com
Q In a nutshell, what do you o er with Seamless Styling?
A I provide personalised styling services for both men and women, whether they’re getting ready for a special occasion or looking to revamp their wardrobe. From private shopping sessions in a dedicated suite at Fenwick, to a full wardrobe overhaul or convenient online personal shopping, I tailor each experience to fit your unique style needs.
Emma Cattermole on how her fashion business can make you look and feel your best
In addition to one-on-one services, I’ve also created a unique experience for small groups – an intimate evening where friends can come together to explore colour theories and draping techniques to determine which shades of red, blue, green, and more suit them best. From my experience, this has become a fun and fashionable new way for women to gather with their girlfriends. Picture an evening of wine, grazing boards, and discovering the perfect colours that enhance their natural beauty – all while sharing plenty of belly laughs. It’s truly a night to remember.
When styling my clients, I always begin with a personal consultation, whether in person, over the phone, or via email – whatever works best for them. This catch-up is essential to understanding their reasons for wanting a wardrobe update. Many express that they’ve lost touch with their personal style and don’t know where to begin, which is completely normal. As we grow and evolve, so does our sense of style. I o er a variety of services, from wardrobe reviews and personal shopping to colour analysis and more.
Q Who comes to you for your expertise?
A My schedule is often filled with appointments for women of all shapes and sizes, but I’d love to see more men take time for themselves and explore their personal style if they’re uncertain. One of the great things about this business is the flexibility I o er – clients can be as hands-on or hands-o as they’d like. If they’re busy, I can shop for them or refresh their wardrobe without their direct involvement; it’s entirely up to them.
I’ve had the pleasure of working with both men and women who have recently lost weight and are unsure of what to wear. They’re ready to move on from baggy clothes and embrace their new body with confidence, and I’m here to help them make that transition e ortlessly.
Q Could you give us a case study that really shows what you are about?
A I met a couple, let’s call them Jess and Will, who were attending a wedding abroad. Jess came to me first. Knowing she had
“It's heartwarming to read how both men and women have found renewed confidence”
a wedding to attend, I pulled together a selection of stunning dresses that screamed “best-dressed guest”. When Jess arrived, however, she immediately said: “I don’t wear dresses, and I only wear blue.”
I knew I had to think on my feet, so I selected a beige pair of trousers with a burgundy stripe down the side and paired them with a matching burgundy blouse. I also picked a few blue options for her to try. The moment Jess slipped into the burgundy outfit, her eyes lit up – she loved it, but wasn’t sure it was "her".
We continued trying on blue outfits, but none of them resonated with her like the burgundy set. She tried it on again and confessed that what bothered her wasn’t the colour, but her arms, which she referred to as her “bat wings”. I thought she looked fantastic, and her husband agreed, but I found her a shawl as she requested. It didn’t quite work. Then suddenly, Jess looked at herself in the mirror and said, “I don’t care about my bat wings. I look great.” And she truly did.
The next day, her husband Will booked a session with me, saying he had lost weight and needed a new wardrobe. While he didn’t verbalise how great he felt, I could tell from the way he carried himself that the clothes were making a positive impact. Seeing both of them feel more confident and happy in their own skin was incredibly rewarding.
Q How would you like to develop Seamless Styling in the future?
A As I wind down in the evening, I often find myself reflecting while scrolling through emails, messages, and reviews. It’s heartwarming to read how both men and women have found renewed confidence – whether from discovering their colours or selecting outfits that flatter their body shapes and fit seamlessly into their wardrobes. Some have even realised they don’t always need to buy new clothes; they simply need to rediscover the potential of what they already own. I truly believe that when you understand how you want to present yourself to the world, everything else falls into place. Whether we’re working through their existing wardrobe or shopping for new pieces, my clients often tell me they feel lighter, more at ease, and empowered. My vision for Seamless Styling is to continue helping people create wardrobes that not only reflect their personalities, but also support how they want to show up in the world. One of my key goals is to further integrate styling into the wellness space, highlighting how dressing for yourself can be a therapeutic practice. In many ways, it can feel like a form of meditation – excited to share your unique style with the world.
Find out more by visiting seamlessstyling.com
• BTX Neck
• BTX Underarm
• Cheek Fillers
• Fluid Faceli
• Lip Filler
• Pro ilo
• Neofound
• Under Eye
Smoothing Injection
Brow PDO readli (including BTX in eye area)
£295.00
BTX in 3 areas
£195.00
THE GROVE
The Grove in Hertfordshire is delighted to announce an exclusive Christmas partnership with fragrance and lifestyle brand, Jo Malone London. From 22 November, the British fragrance house will take over The Grove’s historic mansion with a series of scented experiences in celebration of the festive season. Make sure to leave time to visit The Grove's spa too.
Dr Nyla Raja of Dr Nyla Medispa London explains how to protect your skin this winter
Keeping your complexion on point throughout the winter months can be challenging.
Founder and Medical
Director of award-winning Doctor Nyla Medispa, Dr Nyla Raja, explains: “Winter is a magical time of year, with seasonal celebrations filling our social calendars. However, a combination of seasonal stress, over-indulgence, and cold weather conditions can a ect our skin health leaving us with skin that’s dull, dehydrated, and irritated. It’s therefore important to protect skin throughout the winter months so that the skin barrier is maintained, enabling the skin to retain its natural glow.
“One of the best things you can do for your skin throughout this period is to increase the skin’s hydration. This not only means drinking more water, but also adjusting the products you use to suit the needs of the season. Switching up your moisturiser to one that’s more oil based is beneficial as it increases hydration levels and counteracts dehydrating e ects such as lack of humidity, indoor heating, and bathing in hot water. SPF is also essential.
Not just for summer, wearing SPF daily is just as crucial throughout the winter months when UV damage can still occur.
“Using active ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, ceramides and peptides that maximise hydration, protect the skin barrier and reduce inflammation is key as they help to nourish the skin throughout winter when it’s often at its most sensitive. This is especially relevant for individuals with inflammatory skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis who naturally have drier skin and may need to use their emollients more regularly at this time of year.”
A highly respected and much sought after cosmetic dermatology GP, considered to be one of the top cosmetic doctors in the country, Dr Nyla has practiced medicine for 20+ years and has personally delivered over 200,000 treatments with exceptional results.
A firm favourite with TV personalities, well-known celebrity figures and the media, her London clinic is home to some of the most sophisticated medical aesthetic technologies that the industry has to o er.
Dr Nyla continues: “In addition to good skincare practices, advanced skincare treatments can also help to manage the e ects of winter and get the skin glowing in advance of the festive season. It’s ideal to start as far ahead as possible as many require a course of treatments for the most e ective outcomes. Some of my favourite treatments to super-charge your winter glow up include:
Targeting a whole range of skin concerns, including hyperpigmentation, fine lines, wrinkles, and acne, theENVY facialis a stateof-the-art skin resurfacing treatment available at our London clinic. It can be tailored to the individual and is designed to use specific techniques to enable exfoliation, extraction and the infusion of enriching serums.
One of the most revolutionary laser treatments available in the world, the Lumenis M22 provides next-generation, gold standard skin rejuvenation therapy to address a variety of skin conditions (such as acne and rosacea) whilst simultaneously addressing the visible signs of ageing and boosting a radiant complexion.
Rejuvenate skin with this globally renowned treatment that e ectively addresses issues relating to the tone and texture of the skin. Results can be seen instantly.
Essential for ensuring optimal skin recovery and results, Dr Nyla Skincare is a luxurious collection of seven refillable, cuttingedge skincare using scientifically proven, consciously sourced ingredients that have been meticulously chosen to deliver powerful, targeted results. Each glow-giving, restorative skin treat has been formulated with some of beauty’s most powerful active ingredients. Available exclusively from doctornyla.com, this is luxury skincare that works.
is located at 32 Dover Street, Mayfair, London, W1S 4NE. Call 0162 552 3307 / 0800 009 6661 to book a complementary consultation. doctornyla.com
DERMAROLLER
Intensive Hyaluronic Intensive Mask, 10 pcs, £72 dermaroller-uk.com
subtleenergies.com.au
ROSALIQUE
CHANTECAILLE
24K Gold Cream Intense, £398 chantecaille.co.uk
Rosalique 3 in 1 Balm Cleanser, £29.99 rosalique.co.uk
ANTIPODES
Glory Vitamin C Triple-Action Glow Toner 100ml, £22 antipodesnature.com
Flush Cheek By Lashify Labs, £28 lashify.com
FACETHEORY
Glow-C Daily Moisturiser, £18 facetheory.com
ULTRA VIOLETTE
Queen Screen SPF 50
Super Glow DropsIlluminating, £33 ultraviolette.co.uk
By CARLY GLENDINNING
BUBBLE So Launch Hydrating Cream Cleanser, £16 boots.com
CIATÉ LONDON
Brazilian Glow Dewy Gloss, £18 ciatelondon.com
By CARLY GLENDINNING
Made from recycled materials and with UPF protection, this top from Fabletics' new collection has a built in bra for extra support when you hit the treadmill. I love the pretty twist detail at the back too, £64. fabletics.co.uk
I don't think I've ever tried a pair of running shoes that feel as comfortable as Lululemon's Beyondfeel trainers. Lightweight and super supportive, the upper mesh provides plenty of air circulation too, £148. lululemon.co.uk
ECO KIT
I love that these leggings are made using dope dyeing technology that uses less water, energy and chemicals. The fit is like a second skin, and figure-contouring shading is super flattering, £45. gymshark.com
Keen runner Carly Glendinning tries the high-tech Peloton Tread
Reaching peak popularity during the pandemic, Peloton is known for bringing spinning classes into the home with its Bike+. But I'm at the premium fitness brand’s swish HQ in London’s Covent Garden to try the 'Tread'. The Tread is a dream machine for serious runners like me. With a 23.8" HD touchscreen (that tilts so that you can do classes on and o the treadmill), it also has front and rear-facing studio-quality speakers. I've used the Peloton Bike+ before, so I already have an account and am able to login and see all of my training metrics
to-date. Peloton is constantly pushing the boundaries when it comes to innovative content, so I’m excited to start with a ‘Lanebreak’ class – which aims to gamify running. I follow a spinning wheel around a running track on the screen, adjusting the incline and speed dials in order to hit the targets. I'm not a gamer myself, but I can definitely see how it could get additive (in the best possible way). Next up, is a 20 minute HIIT Run with the upbeat Jess Sims. This is similar to the interval training that I usually do in the gym, and I really enjoy this class. As I pick up the pace, I notice how quiet the running belt is compared to other treadmills.
I finish with a cool down run with Jermaine Johnson. The soundtrack features lots of feel-good tracks, and I'm able to save my favourites to the playlist on my profile for later. Most impressive though is the ‘Pace Targets’ feature, which allows you to personalise your running training by selecting from 10 levels at the start of the class. It suggests speed and incline ranges for you as you run, which makes me want to push myself. I might have only scratched the surface of what the Tread is capable of, but I leave definitely wanting more.
The Peloton Tread starts at £3,345. onepeloton.com
HILL GROUP
Discover mortgage rates below 1.49% on new Hill homes with the Own New Rate Reducer. Available across Essex and Cambridge, this scheme gives homebuyers access to lower mortgage rates from lenders, reducing monthly repayments by up to £985*. Read more on page 94 and visit hill.co.uk
From the timeless elegance of classic, period styling, through to the clean lines and artless use of colour found in contemporary design, there is an abundance of ways to create your dream living room. Here are some of the living room trends heading our way this autumn, and Gisela Lancaster, Head of Buying at Sofology, explains a little more about what to expect.
Sofology Thurrock
pick out six of the best looks for the living room this winter
Inspired by the warming colours of autumn, such as rust, cinnamon and ochre, this elegant scheme pairs semiformal upholstery with bespoke cabinetry and artisan lighting, to create a look that delivers elegance and sophistication whilst feeling honed and homely.
“Settle in for cosy nights ahead and reimagine a classic autumnal aesthetic, with a mix of rust, cinnamon, ochre and terracotta shades to achieve a smarter and more structured living room style,” Gina adds on the look. “Work with a terracotta palate in an imaginative way, layering a tonal scheme so that deep rich hues play o lighter and fresher colours to provide contrast.”
This season, the dopamine trend gets a grown up makeover. Tactile leather sofas, paired with layers of beautiful dark wood and smart fitted window dressings, are framed against a cosy peach and apricot backdrop. Hints of cobalt blue bring the feel-good factor.
“Standout accent chairs often allow us to be playful, and when paired with di erent styles of upholstery, provide a chic and designer feel,” Gina says. “Look for more subtle shades that deliver a similar feel-good vibe, such as cosy peach decor framing a gallery wall with layers of dark wood.”
Our homes often cry out for a more cosseting approach and curvaceous, sculptural designs are the perfect solution. Root yourself into an immersive and emotive colour experience on a sofa with personality.
“Luxe hotel-inspired decor continues to be a popular trend,” Gina says, “and getting it right is about bold design, colour and curves. Luxamalism is a concise, less-ismore approach to elevating a living space, using standout furniture pieces to achieve a chic scheme. Consider armchairs in unusual shapes that deliver cosseting comfort and designer lines. These bold silhouettes can
carry through to a curved sofa, statement table, and contemporary lighting.
“Opt for rich colours in sumptuous and tactile fabrics,” she adds, “such as plush velvets, boucle or even faux fur, to o er a touch of luxury. Design elements, such as curves and fluting, can also maximise comfort whilst making an impact visually, enhancing the ambiance of a space and injecting individuality into the room.”
An evolution of the boho style and perfect for more modern spaces, robust shapes meet rich colour and patterns, generating a perfect balance of style and comfort. “The secret to open plan living is ensuring that each space retains its own character, whilst the overall design feels connected and coherent,” Gina says. “Removing walls is no longer the only option when it comes to opening up our living spaces. Internal crittall doors and look throughs into other spaces are a clever way to create cosy spaces in a bigger footprint. Design a relaxed flow through the home with a boho style that can be woven into a modern kitchen and living space, with comfortable upholstery and carefully selected accessories and prints.”
Conventional delineation of our living spaces has changed markedly over the last few years. Finding a work-life balance can be quite the conundrum. Internal glazing o ers a stylish way to divide a room, whilst a statement sofa facing away from your home o ce o ers a comforting escape at the end of the day.
“Zoning with the placement of a statement sofa to create two distinct areas is easy for most people to try, whilst internal glazing o ers a stylish way to divide any room,” Gina suggests. “Allowing as much light into a busy room also helps to maximise space, with layered lighting in darker months further underpinning the di erent functions of each area, and spotlighting a comforting escape at the end of each day.”
Stave o the winter blues with a stylish nod to the lush vegetation and alluring landscapes of far-flung lands. Textural upholstery, in uplifting Prussian blue velvet and lush fern green woven chenille, spark moments of joy alongside zingy lighting fixtures, woollen Welsh blankets and artwork.
“Combat winter blues with an injection of botanical therapy and elevate the space with a contemporary mix of furniture styles that collectively invite and individually inspire,” Gina adds. “Mismatched footstools, sofas and chairs in a range of textures that speak the same language allow us the freedom to be bold in our choices.”
sofology.co.uk
Curating spaces that reflect your personality, tastes, and lifestyle. We provide a seamless three-step process, as we embark on a collaborative journey, making your dream home more accessible and more bespoke than ever. Together, we’ll gather ideas, gure out what colours and concepts, layouts and lighting, fabric and furniture makes you happiest, and edit down inspiration to create a scheme that’s suits you.
22-24 Station Road Upminster, Essex RM14 2UB 01708 255300 www.roomes.co.uk
Investing in an indoor swimming pool from Origin o ers many benefits, making it a perfect choice for homeowners seeking both luxury and practicality. From year-round enjoyment and increased property value to customisable designs and health benefits, an indoor pool provides a versatile addition to your home. As you consider whether an indoor pool is a good investment, it’s essential to understand how it can impact your home’s value and the potential return on investment (ROI). One of the most compelling advantages of an indoor pool is the ability to enjoy it throughout the year, regardless of weather conditions. Unlike outdoor pools, which are limited by seasonal use, indoor pools provide a dedicated space for exercise, relaxation and family fun all year long. Regular swimming enhances cardiovascular health, builds muscle strength, reduces stress and contributes to overall mental and physical well-being, making it a valuable addition to your lifestyle.
Origin o ers bespoke indoor pool designs tailored to your specific preferences. This customisation ensures that your pool meets your functional needs and complements your home’s aesthetics – whether as an extension of your home or as a standalone structure in your garden. Indoor pools o er greater privacy and security than outdoor options, as they are protected from public view and weather-related damage, reducing maintenance e orts and costs.
An indoor pool can significantly enhance your home’s property value. A well-designed pool house adds functional space for recreation and relaxation, making your home more appealing to potential buyers. This exclusive feature can di erentiate your property in the market, attracting buyers seeking high-end amenities, potentially leading to a higher resale value and increased speed of sale.
The return on investment for an indoor swimming pool varies but can be substantial. When assessing ROI, consider the potential increase in property value and the long-term benefits of having a year-round recreational space. The ability to utilise the pool throughout the year adds immense value to your family’s lifestyle, o ering countless health benefits and enjoyment, ensuring a secure and long-lasting return on your investment.
While an indoor swimming pool is a significant investment, the rewards to your home and lifestyle far outweigh the initial costs. The health advantages are substantial, transforming your daily routine.
By PENDLE HARTE
Buckhurst Hill0208 505 7051
Chingford 0208 529 1530
Walthamstow0208 520 4166
haroldwhitefunerals.co.uk
How Colours of Arley is bringing their signature stripes to a variety of projects
By EVE HERBERT
Colours of Arley and journalist and designer Jess Alavi-Ellis first teamed up in 2023 following their shared love for colour, vintage charm and sustainable materials to create the hugely successful Vintage Drop. The collection gave time-worn furniture a new lease of stripey life. The debut ‘Drop’ was in high demand with the first pieces selling within minutes of going live. Returning to vintage markets, antique sellers and trawling auctions, they sourced five pieces to restore and expertly reupholster in Colours of Arley signature stripes. The second installment, Vintage Drop 2.0, launched with a set of bar stools, a play chair, a sofa, a pet bed and an armchair. Not only does the collection give new life to preloved furniture, but the pieces are all upholstered in Colours of Arley signature recycled fabrics, which are made from bottles that have been diverted from landfill.
Bringing the South of France to East London, Colours of Arley teamed up with French design studio Mattina Moderna, to create a capsule collection of beautiful striped ‘La Petite Boîte’ lamps. The home of Mattina Moderna designer and co-founder, Clémentine Poncin, was the source of inspiration for this joint venture which celebrates the best of
the French Riviera. Reflecting the tones of the sand, sun and sea, as well as olive trees, lemon groves and the iconic, Villa Ephrussi, the chosen stripes of the lamps are reminiscent of Clementine’s treasured sundrenched coast. Mattina Moderna was founded in 2020 by a mother-daughter duo who weave together art and design into their creations. Clémentine Says: “Mattina Moderna is a slow design studio, and for us, that means creating a limited series of products that are made with heart, extreme care and are hand assembled in Nice by my mother. We are passionate about creating products that are timeless and humble, rooted in tradition and have a shared past. Collaborating with Colours of Arley felt very natural and the perfect fit for us. From the custom o ering, to limited series, love for colour combinations, and of course the story behind the stripes, our collection of lamps share a story of Nice.”
Colours of Arley’s Louisa Tratalos explains: “The cubic shape of ‘La Petite Boîte’ lamp lends itself beautifully to our signature stripes and each colour combination tells a story of the Cote D’Azur. Timeless and e ortless, the lamps will add a playful element to any room.” Combining character and sustainability, the fabric is made from 100% recycled plastic bottles.
coloursofarley.com
Small classes | Academic Achievement | Co-curricular Clubs
Personalised Learning | Beautiful Campus | Wellbeing Hub
Open Events (booking essential) | Personal Tours Available Key Stage 3 Assessment Day, 16th Nov | Tues 26th Nov, 5.30pm
Independent Co-Ed Day and Boarding School | 11-18 year olds
STOKE COLLEGE
Stoke College offers an exceptional education for students aged 11-18, with small classes, personalised learning, and excellent pastoral care, all set in Suffolk’s beautiful countryside. Visit their next Open Evening (all years of entry) on Tuesday 26 November, 5.30pm. stokecollege.co.uk
Alex Frazer is the new Headteacher at Bancroft’s in Woodford Green. He tells Absolutely what we can expect to see at the school
Q Pre-Bancroft’s, can you give us a potted history of your career in education?
A I’ve spent most of my career in independent schools across London. I started as a Modern Languages teacher, which was my real passion. Over the years, I’ve worn many hats – form tutor, Head of Department, Deputy Head, and eventually Head. Alongside teaching, I’ve always been deeply involved in co-curricular activities, particularly trips and cricket. Each role has brought new challenges and joys, shaping my approach to education.
Q When did you join Bancroft’s and what attracted you to the school?
A I joined Bancroft’s in September this year. The school’s values – positive ambition, academic endeavour, cultural diversity, and mutual respect – resonate strongly with me. Bancroft’s has a remarkable tradition of excellence, and the chance to build on that and continue its legacy was an o er I couldn’t refuse.
Q In a nutshell, what does Bancroft’s o er?
A Bancroft’s o ers a first-rate, all-round education. We are academically ambitious, but we also place great emphasis on personal development. We want our pupils to enjoy their time at school, explore their talents, be curious about
the world, and grow into well-rounded, confident individuals empowered to thrive in their young adult lives.
Q Is there anything you believe makes Bancroft’s rather unique?
A Bancroft’s is special because of its vibrant, inclusive community. There’s a genuine sense of mutual respect here – between sta , pupils, and families. We encourage students to take risks, learn from their
experiences, and develop a lifelong love of learning. That’s what makes us stand out.
Q What kind of thing would we see in a typical classroom?
A You’d see engagement, collaboration, and a real buzz for learning. Our teachers are not just experts in their subjects; they’re passionate about bringing those subjects to life. Whether it’s a lively debate in History or a hands-on
experiment in Science, our classrooms are places of curiosity and discovery.
Q How would you say the teaching evolves through the years?
A We tailor our approach as students progress. In the early years, it’s about sparking curiosity and laying down solid foundations. As they move up through the school, we encourage independent thought, deeper analysis, and a more sophisticated understanding of their subjects. By Sixth Form, they’re ready for university-level discussions, honing skills that will serve them, whichever next steps they choose to pursue.
Q What do you see as the benefits of being co-educational?
A Real-world experience. Life is coeducational, after all. Learning
alongside each other allows our students to gain di erent perspectives, build mutual respect, and develop strong, balanced friendships and working relationships. It prepares them for the diverse environments they’ll encounter beyond school.
Q Do you o er plenty outside of the classroom too?
A Absolutely! Co-curricular activities are a vital part of life here. Whether it’s sport, drama, music, or one of our many clubs and societies, there’s something for everyone, there are around 240 activities happening every week. We also have a strong tradition of trips, both locally and internationally, which o er our students invaluable experiences and lasting memories. I’m delighted that I shall be leading a
Bancroft’s trip myself in February halfterm – taking 12 Sixth Formers to teach English in a primary school in Morocco.
Q When students leave Bancroft’s, what do you believe they are prepared for?
A They leave ready for whatever the world has in store. Bancroft’s students are confident, articulate, and open-minded. They’ve learned how to think critically, work collaboratively, and engage with the world around them. We don’t just prepare them to excel in their studies; we prepare them to thrive in their lives.
Join Bancroft’s at one of their upcoming open events or arrange a private tour at your convenience. To learn more contact admissions@bancrofts.org or visit bancrofts.org/admissions/open-days
There is a new Head at Coopersale Hall School, Paul Wilson. Absolutely heads o to Epping Forest to meet him
Q Could you give us a potted history of your career in education so far?
A I started my teaching career working in a number of state schools across Essex, teaching the subject I still love, English. I moved into independent education 16 years ago, joining Saint Nicholas School in Harlow, where I spent many years on the senior leadership team, ending up as the Deputy Head.
Q What was the thing that struck you about the school when you first visited?
A The pupils are so engaging, welcoming and ebullient that I instantly felt part of the very special community at Coopersale Hall. Sitting down to eat with the pupils during my interview day, a Year 1 pupil asked me what my life goals were, as he
had been learning about this in class! That is an example of the pupils’ inquisitive and confident nature and I think it is wonderful.
Q Do you have any changes you are planning to make?
A The most exciting change will be becoming a through school, taking pupils from 2 to 16, which will bring many benefits such as a seamless transition from primary to secondary phase, a deeper understanding of pupils’ academic and pastoral needs and, of course, saving parents the stress of looking for another school! With a sta that are extremely experienced and passionate, and supportive parents who are fully invested in the school community, it is important that planning for the future of the school is a collaborative process.
We have already started that work and I look forward to a future full of exciting new opportunities for our pupils.
Q What do you make of the school’s setting?
A John Clare, the poet, said of Epping Forest, ‘How sweet to be thus nestling deep in boughs’ and Coopersale Hall is certainly a little oasis, nestled on the edge of Epping Forest. The site is beautiful and historic, and the pupils really enjoy making the most of our outdoor education, with the ‘Woodland and Wellies’ lessons being a highlight of the week for Kindergarten.
Q Do you have a particular teaching ethos?
A I do not subscribe to any one particular teaching approach, as I believe that
education should not be ‘one size fits all’, but should be tailored to the individual needs of our children. In education, teaching approaches come in and out of fashion, and old methods are often rebranded and reanimated. I want teachers at Coopersale Hall School to be ‘brave teachers’ who are prepared to challenge their own teaching practice and risk trying out di erent methodologies. We all have teaching approaches that we are drawn to like a comfort blanket, but the best teachers look at the pupils they have in front of them each week and work out what approaches work for the individuals in their class.
Q What do you like to see in a typical classroom?
A When I was an English teacher, I wanted pupils to leave my lessons feeling
“Lessons should have those amazing lightbulb moments for children”
that they had really achieved something, so the lessons were challenging and aspirational yet designed to be engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking. I want the same thing for the pupils at Coopersale. Lessons should challenge pupils’ thinking, should contain those lightbulb moments when children make amazing discoveries for themselves, and should be entertaining and enjoyable.
Q How have things gone in the new school year so far?
A It has been extremely positive. In my first week we had a summer festival, which had been postponed from last academic year due to bad weather. Starting the autumn term with a large celebratory event that brought the whole school community together was a great way to begin the new school year. I had the chance to meet many of the parents and see the warm relationships they have with the sta ; that is one of the things that makes Coopersale Hall School so special. It really is one big family.
coopersalehallschool.co.uk
Q How long have you been Head of St. Mary’s Hare Park and what originally attracted you to working at the school?
A This is my fifth year as Head of St. Mary’s Hare Park, and I feel incredibly privileged to be part of such a vibrant and nurturing community. What originally attracted me to the school was its strong sense of family, deeply rooted in Catholic values. From the moment I first visited, I was struck by the warmth and unity that permeates every aspect of school life. The commitment to supporting and guiding each child, not only academically but also spiritually and emotionally, truly resonated with me.
Q How does the Catholic faith shape what is o ered at the school?
A The Catholic faith is at the very heart of everything we do at St. Mary’s Hare Park, shaping not only the curriculum but the entire ethos of the school. Our faith provides a strong foundation for the values we instil in our children – compassion, respect, integrity, and service to others. These values guide how we interact as a community and how we nurture the personal development of each child, ensuring they grow into thoughtful, caring individuals. Importantly, we welcome pupils from all faiths and backgrounds, creating an inclusive environment where diverse perspectives enrich our community.
In practical terms, our Catholic identity is reflected in daily prayers, regular Masses, and celebrations of key liturgical events throughout the year. These spiritual practices provide our pupils with a sense of purpose and belonging, helping them to understand their place in the world and their responsibility to contribute positively to it.
Q What would we find in a typical classroom?
A In a typical classroom at St. Mary’s Hare Park, you’ll find a lively and engaging atmosphere where learning comes to life. There’s a mix of laughter and focused activity, with children enthusiastically participating in lessons. The classroom itself
maintains a traditional charm, with old-style wooden desks, complete with lids, evoking a sense of history and heritage. Yet, sitting atop those classic desks, you’ll often find iPads – a seamless blend of tradition and modernity.
The walls are filled with colour, showcasing students’ work and encouraging creativity. Teachers foster an environment where students are encouraged to speak boldly and confidently, sharing their ideas and asking questions. It’s a place where learning is not only about acquiring knowledge, but also about developing the confidence to express it, preparing students for a future where they can thrive.
Q Does much happen outside the classroom walls too?
LUDOVIC BERNARD
A Absolutely, much of the learning at St. Mary’s Hare Park extends beyond the classroom walls. Outdoor learning is a key part of our approach, with pupils frequently engaging in activities like wildlife studies, gardening, and exploring local ecosystems. They eagerly embrace our natural surroundings, transforming them into an open-air classroom.
Sports lessons also take full advantage of the outside space, offering children a chance to develop physical skills, teamwork, and resilience. Beyond the school grounds, a wide range of school trips add further depth to the students’
learning experience. With London on their doorstep, children have the opportunity to visit museums, historical landmarks and exciting new experiences such as visits to the Sky Studios, enriching their education with hands-on exploration of the city’s educational treasures.
Drama and music have long been at the heart of our school’s culture and tradition. For generations, these creative arts have played a key role in shaping the experiences of our pupils, fostering both talent and confidence. In recent years, we’ve been incredibly proud to have four of our pupils perform in six West End productions, including Matilda, Les Miserables, and Frozen
Q How do your fees stack up against similar schools across Essex?
A At St. Mary’s Hare Park, we take great pride in o ering an exceptional education that delivers outstanding academic results, all while ensuring our fees remain competitive. When compared to similar independent schools in Essex, our nearest competitor charges almost 20% more, and some schools in the area have fees that are nearly double ours.
We are conscious of the sacrifices parents make to provide their children with the best possible start in their education, and we are committed to o ering outstanding value for money. By keeping our fees accessible, we ensure that families can benefit from our
high academic standards, dedicated pastoral care, and rich extra-curricular opportunities without compromising on the quality of education their children receive.
Q What else do you think makes your school stand out?
A What truly makes St. Mary’s Hare Park stand out is its close-knit, family feel. We proudly call ourselves “the small school with a big heart”, and it’s that personal touch that sets us apart. As Head, I have the privilege of getting to know all the children and their families personally, fostering strong relationships that create a warm and supportive environment.
Though small, our school is dynamic and exciting, o ering a rich variety of experiences that engage and inspire students every day. From our nurturing atmosphere to our innovative learning approaches, St. Mary’s is a place where children feel valued and empowered to succeed. Children leave our school with outstanding academic results. We had a 100% pass rate in the 11+ exams this September providing our pupils with an excellent platform to some of the most prestigous selective schools in the county.
Q What are your pupils prepared for when they leave you?
A When pupils leave St. Mary’s Hare Park, they are fully prepared to make a positive
di erence in the world. Grounded in our Catholic values, they leave us with a strong sense of purpose, ready to be leaders who inspire and influence change. We nurture in them the courage to speak their minds, to stand up for what they believe is right, and to approach challenges with resilience and confidence.
Our goal is to help each child grow into the best version of themselves, reflecting the unique potential they carry as individuals made in God’s image. Armed with this foundation, they are not only academically well-prepared, but also spiritually and morally equipped to contribute meaningfully to society and live lives of integrity, compassion, and service.
stmarysharepark.co.uk
At Framlingham College we are committed to ensuring that our educational provision continually evolves to reflect the future adult world of our current pupils. We are a school that believes that its academic results are a byproduct of the education that a young person receives, not the end in itself. This doesn’t mean they are not important, and it doesn’t mean that we are not challenging and stretching each young person intellectually, setting high expectations and holding them to account, because we are. At the same time, however, we believe it’s important to challenge the blinkered view, promoted by league tables, that top grades are the only measure of a good
education. And this is because an education at Framlingham College is about far more than a set of stellar academic results. We want these, but we are about developing good human beings, something that requires a set of key skills that will complement the academic results that they achieve. According to the World Economic Forum, the skills that employers need the most from their workforce are:
• Creative and analytical thinking;
• Technological literacy;
• Curiosity and lifelong learning;
• Resilience, flexibility and agility;
• Systems thinking;
• AI and big data;
• Motivation and self-awareness;
• Talent management;
• Service orientation and customer service.
“Pupils are encouraged to pursue their dreams”
Many of these are skills and traits we are already working to embed at Framlingham. Our pupils are encouraged to be creative, resilient, ambitious, to think outside the box and to pursue their dreams. The list above simply reflects that how we learn, what we learn and why we learn it, is changing rapidly.
Teachers are no longer omniscient beings at the front of the class imparting knowledge. Our young people can access all the knowledge and information they need by touching a screen. And AI will only hasten this process. As educators, our role is increasingly to teach how to acquire those skills the future world requires; how to channel attention on what is useful and relevant; how to find meaning, context and connection.
I also question whether the current system allows us to measure what we value, and in turn do we value what we measure? At Framlingham we are reviewing our entire curriculum because we believe that no child should be defined by their examination results alone.
We all aspire to achieve as highly as possible, but looking ahead to the future adult world, surely it is time to check in with ourselves as a nation as to how and when we judge academic potential. Either way, Framlingham College will continue to be part of this conversation and we will always ensure that our educational provision remains connected and relevant to the world into which our young people will go.
NORTH
Find out more about Framlingham College and book a forthcoming Open Morning at framlinghamcollege.co.uk/openmornings
At St Cedd’s School in Chelmsford, they believe that education is not just about academic success, but about fostering the holistic development of each child. With a reputation for high academic standards and strong 11+ grammar school entry and independent school scholarship results, their most recent Excellent rating in both academic achievement and personal development (ISI Inspection, March 2022) underscores their commitment to ensuring that all children leave them as well-rounded individuals, ready for the next stage of their educational journey, no matter the destination.
To complement this academic rigour, they have introduced their EnrichEd curriculum – a groundbreaking initiative designed to unlock hidden talents and develop key life skills outside of the traditional classroom setting. Through EnrichEd, children from Year 1 to Year 6 embark on activities across
Unlocking
five distinct strands: We are Leaders, We are Innovators, We are Artists, We are Wellness Champions and We are Citizens of the World. These engaging, hands-on activities –ranging from leadership workshops, creative arts and cooking to mindfulness sessions, Forest School and general knowledge –o er children the chance to explore areas beyond their standard curriculum, providing opportunities for personal growth and selfdiscovery. Whether working collaboratively in a team, tackling innovation challenges or embracing their artistic side, the EnrichEd curriculum helps children recognise and celebrate skills they may not have discovered before. This approach ensures that every child at St Cedd’s School develops both intellectually and emotionally, preparing them for life beyond the school gates. They have already seen a noticeable impact on the children’s confidence and enthusiasm for learning as they embrace new experiences. Through this holistic approach, they are not only achieving
academic success, but also developing leadership qualities, emotional resilience and an appreciation for the world around them.
For over 90 years, St Cedd’s School has been nurturing life-long learners, and they continue to evolve to meet the needs of today’s children. The EnrichEd curriculum is one such initiative that they are particularly proud of, reflecting their belief that a child’s time at St Cedd’s School should provide far more than academic success. By integrating holistic development into their education programme, they ensure that every child leaves them prepared to excel in both academic and personal challenges. If you are considering an education that celebrates the whole child and fosters a lifelong love of learning, St Cedd’s School invites you to visit and discover how they can help your child achieve their individual best.
Open Mornings are being held on 21 November, 14 January and 20 March. Find out more at stcedds.org.uk
WHITEDITCH LANE, SAFFRON WALDEN
£2,300,000
This is a spacious and versatile detached family home which sits within its delightful mature, landscaped grounds of about 1.4 acres. The property provides extremely spacious accommodation with a number of ground floor guest suites and four first floor bedrooms including an impressive principal suite. There is also useful annexe accommodation and a detached indoor pool.
Unlock your dream home sooner with lower mortgage rates with The Hill Group
Own New Rate Reducer, a pioneering scheme endorsed by awardwinning housebuilder
The Hill Group, o ers exclusive access to lower mortgage rates, making it easier and cheaper to secure your dream home. With mortgage rates as low as 1.49% through Own New Rate Reducer*, you can reduce monthly payments for the first two years and unlock your new Hill home sooner than expected.
As mortgage rates continue to fluctuate, the market can feel out of reach for many. Hill aims to change that. Designed to ease the burden for those looking to purchase a new home, the Own New Rate Reducer scheme can lower mortgage costs by giving you access to lower interest rates from lenders. Customers can thereby save up to £985 per month* on mortgage payments through Own New.
This innovative o er applies to a selection of Hill’s premium homes in sought-after locations, including flagship developments across Essex and Cambridge.
Located in the charming village of Newport, Essex – Hollymead Square is the largest Zero Bills™ development in the UK to date and has been designed in partnership with Octopus Energy. This ground-breaking collection of energy-e cient homes, comprising two, three, four and five-bedroom houses and two-bedroom bungalows, transforms the way we consume energy and means residents are guaranteed no energy bills for at least five years**. With selected homes o ering views overlooking green space and positioned only a six-minute walk to Newport Station, which provides exceptional transport links to both London and Cambridge, these homes are not to be missed.
Nearby in Great Chesterford, Chesterford Meadows is situated in the centre of a coveted, picturesque village. These idyllic three, four and five-bedroom homes o er an aspirational lifestyle. Surrounded by stunning open green spaces and woodland that promote biodiversity, they provide a unique living experience. Blending the serenity of village life with the convenience of
being close to the charming medieval town of Sa ron Walden and the worldrenowned City of Cambridge, residents here also enjoy superb commuter links. Great Chesterford station, just a 10-minute walk away, o ers transport links to the centre of Cambridge in just 15 minutes and London Liverpool Street in just over an hour.
Beyond Essex, the Own New Rate Reducer also applies to flagship developments in Cambridge, where house prices have soared by 80% since 2007, creating challenges for those looking to move or take a step onto the property ladder. The scheme aims to support buyers here, easing the financial burden in one of the UK’s most competitive housing markets. Marleigh is a thriving community that perfectly blends modern living with a wealth of amenities right on your doorstep. This flourishing neighbourhood o ers a beautifully curated selection of houses and apartments, thoughtfully designed to integrate seamlessly with the surrounding environment. Everyday living is elevated with convenient
features like a Co-op supermarket for essentials, the R3FORM Pilates studio for health and wellness, and a charming restaurant o ering a taste of local flavours. Families are well catered for with the on-site Marleigh Primary Academy, ensuring excellent education within walking distance, and the Monkey Puzzle nursery which provides nurturing care for younger children. Marleigh is also a haven for pedestrians and cyclists, with expansive cycleways and scenic walkways weaving through generous green spaces, including Gregory Park, The Titch, and several sports pitches. Marleigh embodies the perfect balance of convenience, comfort, and community, creating a truly exceptional place to call home.
For more details on Own New and starting prices for all Hill developments, visit hill.co.uk/own-new or call 020 8527 1400
A wonderfully presented period property which is stylishly presented to the market. This family home offers a spacious lounge /dining room, modern kitchen/breakfast room, three double bedrooms,three bathrooms, parking and a low maintenance rear garden - all just a short walk from the Central Line Station, Queens Road and excellent State & Independent schools.
Situated right in the heart of Buckhurst Hill, just off Queens Road itself, is this wonderfully spacious and stylish conversion flat with accommodation arranged over three floors. There are two bedrooms, a loft room (which could be more formally converted), large lounge/dining room, kitchen, utility room, bathroom, roof terrace and shared garden.
James Hunt, co-founder of Durden & Hunt, takes a closer look at the current rental market
There’s no doubt we are navigating an evolving landscape within the rental market and the release of Labour’s budget this autumn is bound to have an impact.
Rightmove research suggests 40% of full-time workers are now unable to purchase an average-priced two or three-bedroom home in Great Britain. This reality has made renting the more accessible option for many and with the current stamp duty relief expected to end in spring 2025, unless the budget changes this, it may remain this way for some time.
While the number of homes available for rent is rising, it’s also worth highlighting that there are still 25% fewer rental properties available in 2024 compared to 2019 (Zoopla). Further, rental inflation has slowed to 5.4%, marking the lowest level in nearly three years (Zoopla). The slowdown in rent rises could imply that at least for now the market is showing signs of stabilising.
Looking into 2025, the anticipated Renters (Reform) Bill is expected to introduce changes. This will likely touch every element of the market, from tenant
rights to rental agreements; which means it is more important than ever for both landlord and renters to stay informed.
Remember, if you’re navigating the rental landscape, whether as a tenant seeking a new home or a landlord wanting to optimise your property portfolio, my team and I are here to help. We can provide insights on the proposed reforms and help guide you toward the best path for your situation; no two circumstances are the same and receiving tailored advice could help you to stay ahead of the curve.
A stunning four bedroom home in Epping Forest
Stapleford Abbotts
Durden and Hunt welcome to the market this exceptionally charming detached home of over 2,000sq . The property offers a flexible layout downstairs with multiple reception rooms, a kitchen with separate utility room and a bathroom, whilst upstairs four bedrooms are complemented by two bathrooms, one being en-suite. Externally the property boasts a swimming pool, a tranquil pond and a spacious carriage driveway.
Offers In Excess Of £1,000,000 durdenandhunt.co.uk
JAMES HUNT
why everyone is talking about…
Amazing illuminations will be lighting your way on this spectacular trail in Chelmsford
As darkness falls, journey through RHS Hyde Hall as it’s filled with hundreds of lights that transform it into a magical festive experience like no other – this year with even more ‘wow’ than ever before as you’ll find lots of sparkling new features to enjoy.
From 22 November, you can go on an enchanting journey around the garden and see areas awash with colour against the dark night sky. There’s a Field of Fire with 200 flicker flame lamps, a Carpet of Colour providing a vibrant tapestry of light, a Floating Fountain that’s an exquisite fusion of water and light, and Floating Mirror balls adding irresistible sparkle and reflection. You also find a number of bamboo and pyramid lanterns!
As you head down the hill, take a moment to admire breathtaking views of the illuminated garden below. Then wander through the Winter Garden and be wowed by the living willow sculptures immersed in festive colour and cheer. It’s a perfect backdrop for catching up with family, friends and loved ones at this special time of year. You can also feast on a tempting range of foodie delights and pick up a present or two in the Garden Centre before heading home. Take a pit stop along the trail and enjoy hot food, seasonal treats and warming drinks. Clover Café will be open for winter warmers and snacks as you head in
and out of the garden. Then find some Christmas magic in the RHS Hyde Hall Garden Centre. Shop a treasure trove of traditional and quirky decorations, gifts for gardeners and loved ones, and stocking fillers to light up faces. Add a sprinkling of festive houseplants, wreaths and UK-grown Christmas trees to fulfil your Christmas wishlist. It’s a great night, so gather friends and family and make RHS Glow your new much-loved Christmas tradition.
rhs.org.uk
