Absolutely North & East February 2020

NORTH & EAST

North & East FEBRUARY 2020 / £3.95

Flip Out Preparing for Pancake Day

Education SPECIAL More than 40 pages filled with schools' news and views

FEBRUARY 2020

SHE'S A

GEM

Ruth Tomlinson's romantic jewellery

Colour

SCHEME FRE SH SHADE S FOR FEBRUARY

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Mayfield AN INDEPENDE NT BOARDI NG AND DAY SCHOOL FOR GI RL S AGE D 1 1 TO 1 8

“THE

QUALITY OF THE PUPILS’ ACADEMIC AND OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS IS EXCELLENT”

“ONE OF THE FINEST SCHOOLS IN THE LAND”

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE

COUNTRY LIFE

SET IN THE BEAUTIFUL AND EASILY ACCESSIBLE SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE

Open Mornings FRIDAY 20 TH MARCH 2020 TUESDAY 21 ST APRIL 2020

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A MAYFIELD EDUCATION COMBINES ACADEMIC RIGOUR, BREADTH OF OPPORTUNITY AND A STRONG SENSE OF COMMUNITY. The School has an excellent academic record, exceptional pastoral care and an extensive co-curricular programme. Every girl is encouraged and supported to find her strengths and develop them in an inspiring learning environment, which encourages independent critical thinking, determination and resilience. Mayfield girls develop a lifelong love of learning, a range of transferable skills that will prepare them for their futures and friendships that will last a lifetime.

Mayfield’s ethos reflects its Catholic foundation and encourages integrity, initiative, respect and a desire to be the best you can be within a vibrant and inclusive community. For the past 150 years, Mayfield has nurtured generations of enterprising, purposeful young women with the skills and confidence to make a positive difference in the world.

To experience all that is special about Mayfield, visit us on an Open Morning. To reserve a place or to book an individual visit, please email registrar@mayfieldgirls.org.

We look forward to welcoming you.

FACILITIES INCLUDE • Equestrian Centre on-site with facilities for up to 28 horses • Olympic sized indoor and outdoor sand schools • Heated indoor swimming pool • Tennis Academy • Fitness Suite and Dance Studio • Concert Hall • State-of-the-art Sixth Form Centre • Weekly bus service to and from Central London • Close proximity to London airports

TO ARRANGE A VISIT PLEASE CONTACT OUR REGISTRAR, MRS SHIRLEY COPPARD, REGISTRAR@MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG WWW.MAYFIELDGIRLS.ORG

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INTRODUCING OUR NEW COLLECTION OF LUXURY CURTAINS AND ROMAN BLINDS Working with Harlequin, renowned for their bold use of colour, pattern and design, we have curated a stunning collection of curtains and romans, available with our bespoke service.

Book your in-home design consultation: 0800 688 8118 or visit thomas-sanderson.co.uk

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ABSOLUTELY

Contents FEBRUARY 2020

42

98 C U LT U R E

10 ABSOLUTELY LOVES

10 things we’re coveting this month

12 AGENDA Diary dates for February

53 PIERCING POWER London's best piercing studios

H E A LT H & B E A U T Y 59 BEAUTY CONFIDENTIAL This month's best beauty buys

14 KIMONO CLUB

Focus on Japanese dress at the V&A

61 TREATMENT REVIEWS

FOOD & DRINK 24 KITCHEN CONFIDENTIAL

INTERIORS 76 BATHROOM STORY

32 RECIPES

86 COLLECT 2020

News from the industry

Green recipes from Melissa Hemsley

38 DOWN UNDER

A visit to the UK's largest wine vault

FA S H I O N

42 DIAMOND LIFE

In the Hatton Garden studio with jeweller Ruth Tomlinson

23

New hair and beauty treatments tested

New styles for your next project

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N The online guide to inspirational London living that helps you stay one step ahead of the crowd and gives you the chance to win exclusive prizes.

Previewing the craft fair

T R AV E L 98 FINDING ISTANBUL Tips for a weekend in Turkey

E D U C AT I O N 103 SPECIAL SECTION

ON THE COVER Spring/Summer 20 Collection

by Taller Marmo tallermarmo.com

40 pages of schools' news and views A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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EDITOR IN CHIEF PENDLE HARTE DIGITAL EDITOR ABBIE SCHOFIELD EDITORIAL ASSISTANT ZOE DELMER-BEST MEDIA CONSULTANTS ANABELA KOLECI, JEMMA HAYES, NAVINDER LALL EDUCATION SPECIALIST ANDY MABBITT ART DIRECTOR PAWEL KUBA SENIOR DESIGNER MIKE ROBERTS MID-WEIGHT DESIGNER REBECCA NOONAN MARKETING MANAGER LUCIE PEARCE FINANCIAL DIRECTOR JERRIE KOLECI CREDIT CONTROL MANAGER ALEXANDRA HVID DIRECTORS CRAIG DAVIES, LEAH DAY, JAMES FUSCHILLO NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ALEXANDRA HUNTER MANAGING DIRECTOR SHERIF SHALTOUT PA TO DIRECTORS ESRA KANBUR

For editorial enquiries please email: pendle@zest-media.com For advertising enquiries please call 020 3981 7187 or email: craig@zest-media.com

Studio G06, Wenlock Studios, 50-52 Wharf Road, London N1 7EU; 020 7704 0588 zest.london 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.

Fo l l ow Us O n Fa c e b o o k @ABSOLUTELYMAGAZINES T wi t t e r & In s t a g ra m @ABSOLUTELY_MAGS We b si t e

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Editor’s

KIMONO: KYOTO TO CATWALK

The V&A's major new show celebrates the kimono

LETTER ABSOLUTELY’S February issue highlights

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F

ebruary is a month of contradictions.

For many of us, it's the bleakest month, its only redeeming feature its relative briefness. But in the grey winter misery there's the optimism of Valentine's Day, with its promise of romance, or at least chocolate, and a flurry of flowers and colourful fripperies. And soon afterwards there's pancake day, which lifts the mood while leading almost into March. February, therefore, is often not as bad as you think it's going to be. And for Absolutely, February brings with it our Education special, timed for parents who are beginning to consider the next steps for their children. Whether you have just come out of the intensity that is eleven plus, or your tots are considering nursery, or your teen is facing GCSEs, our 40-page section contains information designed to simplify and enlighten on these complex issues. Also in this issue we meet dreamy jewellery designer Ruth Tomlinson, we learn how to tie a beautiful floral bouquet, we debate over tiles and new colours for the home, and I visit the UK's largest underground wine vault.

Alongside trips to the Bahamas and the Cotswolds, it's all proof that February needn't be bleak at all.

BE MY VALENTINE

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COLLECT 2020

London's major craft fair returns

All the most romantic gifts

PENDLE HARTE EDITOR

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JANE PACKER'S FLOWER COURSE

How to tie a flat bouquet

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RUTH TOMLINSON

Beautiful and unusual jewellery designed and made in London

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Wish LIST 10 things we Absolutely love

H ELL FO R LEATH ER Keep it stylish with this striking reimagined leather jacket. A classic shape re-worked in soft nappa leather, the Lorenzo Leather Jacket can be worn as an outer layer or under a coat as a modern alternative to workwear. Beautifully constructed, this single-breast jacket features a one-button closure and simple flap pockets. £1,195; joseph-fashion.com

S WAT H E D IN SILK Sleep easy in these sophisticated navy silk pyjamas. The clean-cut and classic design features a niched collar, pockets and elegant mother of pearl buttons. £265.00; gingerlily.co.uk

LIFE’S A BLUR

J OT I T D OW N Make sure you don’t miss a thing with this beautiful notebook from ArletteEss. Made with offcuts from silk scarf production, these stylish notebooks are created in an ethical, familyowned facility run in the UK and India. £22; arlette-ess.com

With its dreamy abstract motif and simple colour combination, this plate from Faye Toogood makes the perfect addition to your tableware collection. The unusual paint feature occurs when the piece's slip coating and pigment do not fully blend. £25; matchesfashion.com

COMPILED BY

ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

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EDITOR’S PICK

ABSOLUTELY • LOVES S PLEN DI D O PU LENCE We love these extravagant earrings from the new Aisha Baker collection, Frozen in Time. Emblazoned with the meaningful symbol of the peony which means happiness, these earrings are the ultimate good luck charm. £POA; thehouseofluxury.com

IT'S TIME Add some astrological flare with this sun and moon watch from Thomas Sabo. With its zodiac emblems, this is the perfect mystic timepiece £237; thomassabo.com

I N T H E BAG IT’S A WRAP Snuggle under a cosy, soft, chic blanket this month. The Fine Merino Blanket from TEKLA is made from high-quality, soft and durable merino wool. €335; teklafabrics.com

Mulberry has launched its first 100% sustainable leather bag, the Portobello Tote. Made entirely in the UK at Mulberry’s carbon-neutral Somerset factories, the bag uses heavy grain leather which is a byproduct of food production. £795; mulberry.com

WA N D E R E V E R Y W H E R E Slip into these beautiful mules from Wandler. Featuring a silver sparkly heel and embellished brooch detailing these regency-esque shoes boast over the top glamour and glitz. Pair with a slouchy shirt and boyfriend jean combo for understated refinement. £420; harveynichols.com

SITTING PRETTY Relax in the beautiful Dixi love seat from Loaf with a good book and a glass of wine. With its timeless design and sumptuous rich tones, you’ll want every day to be a lazy day. £1245; loaf.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The magnificent Tower of London, spectacular and truly unique events hrp.org.uk/hire 020 3166 6226

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C U LT U R E PORTRAIT OF DEVIL, SAKI&BITCHES, FROM EVERYBODY'S WELCOME AT ATOM GALLERY, HACKNEY

What's on 12 • Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk at the V&A 14 • Theatre review 18 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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The Agenda

LO N D O N ’S H OT T E ST H A P P E N I N G S

RED DEVIL BY SAKI&BITCHES

A RT

Everybody’s Welcome

8-29 February AT O M G A L L E R Y Japan-born but London-based SAKI is showcasing her tongue-in-cheek, vibrant portraits. SAKI is known for her celebration of the sensual female body, and in this show she combines Japanese culture and religious imagery with a cartoonish feel to depict beautiful yet devilish creatures.

127 Green Lanes, N16 9DA; atomgallery.co.uk

T H E AT R E

I THINK W E A R E A LO N E F ROM 25 F E B RUA RY • TH E ATR E ROYAL STRATFORD EAST

Award-winning theatre company Frantic Assembly’s new play, written by Sally Abbott, is coming to Stratford as part of its UK tour. I Think We Are Alone is a heartbreaking, funny tale about two sisters, a grieving mother and a lonely man - they all long for human connection, but can they grasp it?

Gerry Raffles Square, E15 1BN; franticassembly.co.uk

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THE HAYSTACK

T H E AT R E

The Haystack From 31 January H A M P S T E A D T H E AT R E This new espionage thriller examines the world of GCHQ via two computer whizzes, who also happen to be the UK’s National Defence Information Security Team. They have high IQs, a love of Netflix and unrestricted access to the world’s data. But when they discover more than they are supposed to, their loyalty and ethics are tested.

Eton Avenue, NW3 3EU; hampsteadtheatre.com

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CULTURE • TALKING TOPICS

F I L M

Samson Kambalu

From 24 January PEER Ten new film projections by UK-based Malawian artist Samson Kambalu will be shown in Postcards from the Last Century at PEER, Hoxton. The 45 yearold’s recent works are often just a few seconds long with an old-cinema style, and were shot during his research trip to the Bavarian Black Forest.

97-99 Hoxton Street, N1 6QL; peeruk.org

IMMERSIVE experiences T H E AT R E

THE INVITATION From 28 January The Secret Theatre Project’s latest immersive show combines dinner with theatre as guests are transported to a dark and dangerous masquerade party in Bethnal Green’s Town Hall Hotel. Audiences participate in the murderous narrative right from the ticket purchase to prepare them for a wonderfully mysterious and gripping evening. designmynight.com

F I L M

LOST GIRL

This Month’s Must See

From 13 January T H E A R C A D E AT B U S H H O U S E Named after the D.H. Lawrence novel, The Lost Girl is an immersive film installation

by Kate McMillan. It explores climate change and humanity’s impact on the Earth’s geology and ecosystems through a fictional cave-dwelling girl trying to piece together her existence via the debris washed up on the beach.

South Wing, King’s College, WC2B 4PJ; kcl.ac.uk/cultural

THE INVITATION

V IRTUAL

JEFF WAYNE’S WAR OF THE WORLDS

BLOOD BROTHERS

W

11- 15 F E BRUARY • RICHMON D THEATRE

illy Russell’s legendary play, affectionately christened the “standing ovation musical” is coming to Richmond Theatre, telling the captivating and moving tale of twins separated at birth who grow up on opposite sides of the tracks, only to meet again - with tragic consequences.

Ongoing Jeff Wayne’s masterful score retells the epic H.G. Wells story War of the Worlds; this family-friendly sci-fi adventure immerses you in the fictional alien invasion using VR, AR, holograms and live actors, all to Jeff Wayne’s atmospheric soundtrack. dotdot.london-the-experience

GA M E

THE MIND PALACE Ongoing Sherlock: The Official Live Game is an 100-minute escape room that will test the inner workings of your mind.

Inspired by the book series and hit TV show, step into the shoes of the iconic detective and see if you have the wit, logic and determination it takes to solve the puzzle. thegameisnow.com

Little Green, TW9 1QJ; atgtickets.com/shows/bloodbrothers/richmond-theatre

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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I T ’ S A W R A P The V&A’s new exhibition focuses on the kimono from 1660 to the present day Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T

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CULTURE • PREVIEW 02 01 Christian Dior, Haute Couture Spring-Summer 2007 © Getty Images 02 'Kaidan' ( staircase) by Kobayakawa Kiyoshi (18991948), hanging scroll, ink and colours on paper 03 Standing Rock Cyalume © TAKAHASHIHIROKO INC 04 Belted wrap coat, designed

by Duro Olowu, Autumn/ Winter 2015, England. © Duro Olowu

S

tunning 17th-century Japanese garments, international haute couture and costumes from Star Wars come together in a major V&A exhibition on kimono fashion. Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk is Europe’s first major exhibition on kimono, which as the ultimate symbol of Japan, is often perceived as traditional, timeless and unchanging. The exhibition is set to counter this conception, presenting the garment as a dynamic and constantly evolving icon of fashion.

The exhibition will reveal the sartorial and social significance of the kimono from the 1660s to the present day, both in Japan and in the rest of the world.

Rare 17th and 18th century kimono will be displayed for the first time in the UK, together with fashions by major designers and iconic film and performance costumes.

The kimono’s recent reinvention on the streets of Japan will also be explored through work by an exciting new wave of contemporary designers and stylists.

Highlights of the exhibition include a kimono created by Living National Treasure Kunihiko Moriguchi, the dress designed for Björk by Alexander McQueen and worn on the album cover Homogenic, and original Star Wars costumes modelled on kimono

by John Mollo and Trisha Biggar. Designs

by Yves Saint Laurent, Rei Kawakubo and John Galliano will reveal the kimono’s role as a constant source of inspiration for fashion designers. Paintings, prints, film, dress accessories and other objects will feature throughout the exhibition, providing additional context to the fascinating story

“The kimono is a constant source of inspiration for fashion designers”

05 Thom Browne, menswear Spring-Summer 2016, Image Courtesy of Getty Images

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of the style, appeal and influence of the kimono. Over 315 works will be featured, including kimono especially made for the show, half drawn from the V&A’s superlative collections and the rest generously lent by museums and private collections in Britain, Europe, America and Japan.

Kimono: Kyoto to Catwalk begins in the mid-17th century when a vibrant fashion culture emerged in Japan. The increasingly wealthy merchant classes demanded the latest styles to express their affluence, confidence and taste, while leading actors and famous courtesans were the trend-setters of the day. The simple structure of the kimono focussed attention on the surface, allowing for the creation of sumptuous patterns using sophisticated techniques. The first section of the exhibition will explore these designs and shine a light on a fashion-conscious society not dissimilar to today’s, in which desire for the latest look was fed by a cult of celebrity and encouraged by makers, sellers and publishers.

Kimono were first exported to Europe in the mid-17th century, where they had an immediate impact on clothing styles. Foreign fabrics were also brought to Japan and incorporated into kimono. Rare

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CULTURE • PREVIEW

“The kimono continues to inspire fashion designers around the world”

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survivors from this early period of cultural exchange, including garments made in Japan for the Dutch and kimono tailored from French brocade and Indian chintz, will be displayed to reveal the fluid fashion relationship between East and West that resulted from the global trade network.

The late 19th century saw a world-wide craze for Japanese art and design. Kimono bought from department stores such as Liberty & Co. in London were worn by those wishing to express their artistic flair. Japan responded by making boldly embroidered ‘kimono for foreigners’, while the domestic market was transformed by the use of European textile technology and chemical dyes. The kimono’s KIMONO: biggest impact on western K YOTO TO fashion came in the early 20th CAT WA L K century, when designers such Gallery 39 and North Court, V&A as Paul Poiret, Mariano Fortuny 29 February – 21 June 2020 vam.ac.uk/kimono

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and Madeleine Vionnet abandoned tightly-corseted styles in favour of loose layers of fabric that draped the body.

The final section of the exhibition will show how the kimono has continued to inspire fashion designers around the world. The potential of the garment to be translated and transformed is seen in designs by Thom Browne, Duro Olowu and Yohji Yamamoto. The kimono’s timeless, universal quality has also made it the ideal costume for film and performance.

The display will include Oscar-winning costumes from Memoirs of a Geisha and the Jean Paul Gautier ensemble worn

by Madonna in her video Nothing Really Matters. Japan is currently witnessing a resurgence of interest in kimono.

Jotaro Saito designs kimono couture for the catwalk, Hiroko Takahashi seeks to bridge the divide between art and fashion, and more casual styles are created by small, independent studios such as Rumi Rock and Modern Antenna.

Exchibition curator Anna Jackson says: ‘The kimono has a fascinating place within the story of fashion.’

06 Madonna, Nothing Really Matters video, 1999. Photo

by Frank Micelotta © Getty Images 07 Outer-kimono for a young woman. Probably Kyoto, 18001830.Image Courtesy of the Joshibi Art Museum 08 Kimono Times, Akira Times, 2017. © Akira Times

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ABSOLUTELY reviews…

PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRINKHOFF MOEGENBURG

“Conversation shifts between justice and bodily fluids”

The WELKIN

A new play by Lucy Kirkwood at the Lyttleton

By PENDLE HARTE

D

espite its setting in mid-18th century rural Suffolk, The Welkin feels contemporary in many ways. Issues of democracy and majority rule, of #MeToo, housework and women's bodies all feel relevant. This play is by turns comedic and harrowing, in a fundamentally female way.

Conversation that switches seamlessly between bodily fluids, concepts of justice and whether or not to open the window is somehow characteristically feminine.

The striking opening scene is captioned 'housework'; the curtain rises to reveal a live tableau of women performing the mundane maintenance tasks that make up daily life in the 1750s. A baby is crying,

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movements are repetitive and the scene is backlit with a stylised and rhythmic feel.

This is their world. Next we see Maxine Peake as midwife Elizabeth Luke, churning butter as she is called upon to take part in a jury of matrons, a tradition dating back to medieval times in which 12 married women with experience of childbirth are required to make a collective decision as to whether a woman claiming to be pregant is telling the truth. Sally Poppy has been sentenced to hang for the brutal murder of a child, but 'pleading her belly' means that she'll be 'transferred' to America instead. But how to tell if she's lying?

The jury is locked in a room to decide. Ria Zmitrowicz as Sally Poppy is brilliantly angry and unlikeable; the women bitch, bicker and gossip; Elizabeth

Luke knows most of them through having delivered their babies and their stories intertwine. The launguage is sweary, the rural accents possibly a little overdone, and secrets are revealed.

Bunny Christie's beautiful set and costumes look like a painting, with a cleverly positioned square of light at the back of the stage creating a sense of perspective.

Muted shades and linen dresses create a strong look and a collective rendition of Kate Bush's Running Up that Hill is a surprising moment, moving and apt.

VERDICT

Beautifully staged, gripping drama ★★★★★ THE WELKIN CONTINUES UNTIL 23 MAY AND WILL BE BROADCAST TO OVER 700 CINEMAS ON 21 MAY AS PART OF NT LIVE

nationaltheatre.org.uk

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CULTURE • THEATRE

ROUND UP

Best in SHOW Get the most out of London’s theatre scene with our top stage picks for the month

MUST SEE

By A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

UNCLE VANYA

UNCLE VANYA

From 13 February

From 23 January

PICCADILLY THEATRE

HAROLD PINTER THEATRE

One of the greatest romantic comedies of all time is hitting the West End starring Danny Mac as Edward, who hires escort Vivian and gets more than he bargained for. Directed and choreographed

by Jerry Mitchell, this feel-good show includes original music and lyrics by Grammy award-winner Bryan Adams and Jim Vallance.

Denman Street, London W1D 7DY; prettywomanthemusical.com

Olivier award-winning Conor Mcpherson's adaptation of Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya boasts a starstudded cast including Toby Jones, Richard Armitage and Ciarán Hind. It tells the story of Sonya and her uncle who are spending their summer on an old country estate. But then Sonya’s father shows up with his new wife and hopes of selling the mansion - tensions rise, and there are devastating consequences.

Panton Street, SW1Y 4DN; unclevanyaplay.com

THE UPSTART CROW

FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN

Previews from 7 February

Until 22 February

GIELGUD THEATRE

LYRIC HAMMERSMITH

David Mitchell stars in The Upstart Crow, Ben Elton’s stage adaption of the popular BBC sitcom. The original comedy show marked the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death, and depicts the playwright’s struggle to make it in the theatre world after Measure for Measure and All’s Well That Ends Well fail to become hits.

Gielgud Theatre, W1D 6AR; upstartcrowthecomedy.com

This production draws on the myths of Faustus from the likes of Marlowe and Goethe with an added twist: the lead character is a woman, Johanna Faustus, who gave up her soul 400 years ago and has had to witness humanity’s decline since. Like the original Elizabethan story, it examines the price of legacy and greatness in a chilling and compelling way.

Lyric Square, King Street, W6 0QL; lyric.co.uk

FAR AWAY From 6 February DONMAR WAREHOUSE

PRETTY WOMAN

FAR AWAY FAUSTUS: THAT DAMNED WOMAN

Caryl Churchill’s Far Away, a striking dystopian play about atrocity, war and fear, has been reimagined by Lyndsey Turner in this new production with a cast including BAFTA-winning actor Jessica Hynes, Aisling Loftus and Simon Manyonda. The Donmar has collaborated with the London College of Fashion, UAL for the famous parade scene, with hats designed by Costume Design for Performance students.

41 Earlham Street, WC2H 9LX; donmarwarehouse.com

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ABBEY ROAD

FRAMING

Picture Frames, Mirrors, Prints, Cards & Gifts

020 7328 6915

67 Abbey Road St John’s Wood London NW8 0AE

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FOOD & DRINK

BELLA ITALIA LINA STORES

Joining the likes of foodie favourites Caravan, Dishoom and Granger & Co, Lina Stores has opened another site in King's Cross serving scrumptious Italian small plates within perfect pistachio interiors.

20 Stable Street, N1C 4DR; linastores.co.uk

Food notes 24 • Food review 27 • Recipes 32 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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WHAT TO DRINK

GRAPE news Wine recommendations for the month

TASTING NOTES

London’s food news and most exciting openings this February

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

By BERRY BROS. & RUDD

2017 Berry Bros. & Rudd Zinfandel by Ridge Vineyards (00.5%)  £32.95 We are delighted to be collaborating with Ridge Vineyards on our first own-label Californian Zinfandel. Made with grapes sourced from the Sonoma County AVA, the wine displays bright red-berried fruit of wild strawberries and cherries.

2018 Roero Arneis, Cornarea, Canale, Piedmont, Italy (00.5%)  £18.50 Fresh and sunny, this wine offers notes of white peach and honey, bay leaf and lime flower; it has lots of ripe fruit, texture and body. With good acidity and a mineral spine (from the magnesium-rich soils), there is a white-stone salinity on the finish.

2017 Berry Bros. & Rudd Chilean Cabernet Sauvignon by De Martino (00.5%) This is surprisingly restrained, a nod to Bordeaux evident in its lean, focused character and fine, grainy tannins.

However, it is still full of fresh blackberry fruit with sweet black cherries completing the long yet refreshing finish.

BERRY BROS. & RUDD Berry Bros. & Rudd is Britain's oldest wine and spirit merchant, having traded from the same shop since 1698. Today the company also has offices in Japan, Singapore and Hong Kong, a Wine School and an exclusive fine wine and dining venue in St James's.

bbr.com

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Chop chat chill CHUKU’S

Brother-sister duo Ifeyinwa and Emeka Frederick are behind the world’s first Nigerian tapas pop-up that will open the doors to its permanent restaurant in Tottenham this month. Going by the slogan 'chop (Nigerian pidgin for eat), chat, chill', Chuku’s will be serving up authentic Nigerian dishes with a twist, with small plates such as jollof quinoa and vegan eba and egusi on the menu.

274 High Road, N15 4AJ; chukuslondon.co.uk

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FOOD & DRINK• NOTES

DATE NIGHT Our Picks For Valentine’s Day

L A U N C E S T O N P L AC E

Let’s brunch LINA STORES

This intimate and romantic restaurant is offering a special tasting menu for the 14th, featuring a six-course feast with wine pairings. Dishes include stone bass with Jerusalem artichoke, plus a cocktail menu inspired by Roja Parfums' new cologne to take your supper to new sensuous heights.

1a Launceston Place, W8 5RL; launcestonplace-restaurant.co.uk

Italian restaurant and delicatessen Lina Stores has expanded to King’s Cross and its fantastic brunch menu is not to be missed. Until 11am, sample delights such as bomboloni (Nutella filled doughnuts) and our personal favourite, polenta with roasted mushrooms and Parmigiano. Plus, the mint green and marble decor is seriously Instagrammable.

20 Stable Street, N1C 4DR; linastores.co.uk

TA ST E O F NAPLES ZIA LUCIA

Outside of Italy, when it comes to pizza it doesn't get much better than Zia Lucia. Renowned for its slowfermented doughs and high-quality fresh toppings, the independent pizzeria’s fourth site has opened in Aldgate East, complete with a huge handcrafted pizza oven from Naples.

12A Piazza Walk, E1 8ZH; zialucia.com

LO N D O N S H E L L CO. There’s nothing more romantic than a picturesque view of Regents Canal whilst enjoying top-quality seafood.

Take your date aboard London Shell Co.’s floating restaurant for a sixcourse menu featuring scallop and mackerel tartare, angel hair fries and blood orange salad with sorbet.

Sheldon Square, W2 6PY; londonshellco.com

MAKE DOUGH OFFICINA 00

Sri Lankan feast HOPPERS

Hoppers is opening its third and largest London site with a menu featuring old classics alongside new exclusive dishes like black pepper curry leaf prawn skewers. Hoppers King’s Cross will have beautiful new interiors inspired by the Sri Lankan coast, whilst the cuisine will stay true to the family-style feasting the lively restaurant is known for.

Unit 3, Building 4, Pancras Square, NIC 4AG; hopperslondon.com

E L L A C A N TA Ella Canta are hosting a night of Mexican Seduction inspired by 'El Dia del Amor y la Amistad' when Mexican towns are painted red and scattered with hearts and flowers throughout the month of February. On the menu are aphrodisiac oysters, tender beef fillet and sweet chocolate tamales.

1 Hamilton Pl, Park Lane, W1J 7QY; ellacanta.com

Old Street pasta restaurant and workshop Officina 00 will be hosting weekly masterclasses where you can learn to hand make fresh pasta. After rolling the dough and cooking your pasta, you can sit down for lunch to sample your creations along with delicious sauces and a complimentary glass of wine. Buon appetito!

156 Old Street, EC1V 9BW; officina00.co.uk A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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FOOD & DRINK • REVIEW

ABSOLUTELY eats out…

“The halloumi sagnaki is so tasty we consider ordering it again”

BARBOUN The new Shoreditch restaurant serving rich Levantine flavours

FOOD Fire-cooked dishes designed to share

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

T

he newly opened Hart Shoreditch hotel houses Barboun, a restaurant that hopes to become a destination in itself with a menu focusing on live firecooking by Turkish-Cypriot head chef Fez Ozalgan. The restaurant is large and impressive, and a plush Persian rug warms the floor of the entrance, setting the scene for our eastern Mediterranean feast.

We begin with a refreshing gül pembe, a cocktail which consists of aromatised rosé with fragrant rose water and tonic, and meze dishes to share. The halloumi sagnaki comes

slathered in honey with crunchy chopped walnuts and sweet apricots; the salty cheese with the sticky syrup is so tasty that we consider ordering it again, but knowing the feast we have ahead of us, we refrain.

Right on cue, the beef manti arrives. The little dumplings look like black stars in a night sky of deep burgundy, oak-smoked paprika sauce, and a dollop of garlic yoghurt is the perfect accompaniment to the rich tomato - we end up scraping the bowl. The borek, parcels of filo pastry with feta, walnut and mint, are less memorable but the dolma makes up for it. The vine leaves are stuffed with sun-dried aubergine, sour

DECOR Deep reds and coppers

PRICE Small plates from £8

VERDICT Stand-out starters

cherry and bulgur, with more garlic yoghurt on the side (addictive stuff).

For mains, we opt for the lamb rump which lies on a bed of smoked aubergine and tomato, drizzled in lemon and yoghurt, and the beef short rib. The tender meat comes in the same iskender sauce that accompanied the delicious manti, sitting on top of a pita with yet more garlic yoghurt. There’s fish and chicken on the menu too, like mackerel with coal-roasted beetroot borani and baby chicken with charred corn and tahini sauce. Vegetarians don’t have much choice, but can order celeriac with begendi, salted almonds and dates or girolle flatbread.

For dessert, we order the classic baklava, sticky pastry parcels which aren’t pistachio-stuffed like I expect, but made with walnuts.

Finally, the kanafeh arrives, a sweet cheese baked with shreds of angel hair pastry and soaked in syrup, topped with pistachios and clotted cream. Indulgent and slightly excessive after so much yoghurt and halloumi, perhaps.

But delicious? Most definitely.

BARBOUN 61-67 Great Eastern Street, EC2A 3HU;

barboun.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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AWARDED DOUBLE GOLD AT THE SAN FRANCISCO WORLD SPIRITS COMPETITION 2018 marylebonegin

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On the

MENU

Guy Awford of The Guildford Arms swoons over beetroot borani Wo r d s G U Y AW F O R D

B

ased on the classic Iranian dish beetroot borani is brightly coloured and full of flavour; a real treat for the senses.

Its success lies in perfectly balancing the ingredients. Raw garlic can easily dominate, so add with restraint. I love the intense aniseed notes that the dill brings but like garlic, a little goes a long way. The dish is bought alive with a sharp hit of red wine vinegar.

A dip this delectable demands great bread to do it justice, and you can’t beat homemade flatbread, freshly cooked and served hot from the griddle. This might sound like a lot of work but it’s actually quite simple. Whisk a teaspoon of dried yeast and a pinch of sugar into 500ml of warm water. Pour into a mixing bowl and add 900g of strong flour, a teaspoon of salt and 50ml

CHEF-PATRON GUY AWFORD

of olive oil. Mix to form a dough and then knead for 10 minutes. Cover and leave in a warm spot for an hour.

Divide the dough into 100g balls, dust with flour and roll into thin circles (about 3mm thick). Throw onto the hot griddle and cook on both sides until lightly charred. Drizzle over a little olive oil and sprinkle on a pinch of coarse salt. Serve the bread immediately, whilst it’s still hot.

Making your own flatbread sounds like a lot of work but is actually quite simple

FOOD & DRINK • COLUMN

Beetroot borani, feta, dill, onion seeds and flatbread Serves 6 Cooking time 2 hours Preparation time 45 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 800g raw beetroot • 1⁄2 clove of garlic – smashed with a little salt & chopped into a fine puree • 4 tablespoons olive oil • 5 tablespoons Greek yogurt • 2 tablespoons chopped dill • 2 tablespoons good quality red wine vinegar • Pinch of sugar • 50g feta crumbled • A few pinches of black onion seeds

METHOD 1 Wash the beetroot and place in an oven tray with a few cups of water to stop it drying out. Cover tightly and bake for about 2 hours at 170C. It’s ready when a skewer can be pushed through with no resistance.

2 Process to a rough purée but don’t over-blend; you want some texture.

3 Stir in the garlic puree, dill, yogurt and vinegar.

Season with salt to taste.

4 Spread out on a serving plate and sprinkle over the feta, onion seeds and a little more dill.

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FOOD & DRINK • NOTES

DRINKS CABINET

Botanical spirits we’re enjoying this month B y N ATA S H A PAT E L

REVIEW

CRISP AND DRY

Shaman

Absolutely explores the trend for no-alcohol bars

G I N N O. 3 From Berry Bros & Rudd comes Gin No.3, a blend of juniper, citrus and spice celebrating traditional dry gin. Named the world’s best gin three times as well as winning the Supreme Champion Spirit award, the perfect balance of the three flavours took over two months to perfect and is the product of extensive research

by Master Distillers and mixologists.

£35 for 700ml; no3gin.com

TASTE OF THE EAST ST R A N G E R & S O N S Stranger & Sons is the brainchild of three gin-lovers who wanted to put their home country on the distilling map. The result is a spiced Indian gin with an earthy, sweet aftertaste with ingredients grown and picked from the fertile farmlands of Goa and Kerala.

£34.95 for 70cl; strangerandsons.com

GIVING BACK CA N A Ï M A G I N

Canaïma Gin is an ethically-sourced gin that gives back to the local community who helped make it. The small batch spirit is made up of 19 botanicals, ten of which are sourced from the Amazon, to result in a uniquely crafted gin with a sweeter flavour with notes of açai berry, grapefruit, orange and passion fruit.

£37.50 for 70cl; canaimagin.com

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

E

nvision after-work drinks in the city and a dimly lit, boozy bar probably springs to mind. But new no-alcohol bar Shaman is disrupting London nightlife by only serving no or low-ABV drinks.

Located within the Leman Locke hotel in Aldgate, Shaman aims to appeal to the one quarter of 16-24 year olds in the UK that classify themselves as non-drinkers. But giving up on alcohol doesn’t mean giving up on socialising, and Shaman provides a bright, stylish space to meet friends or colleagues - and avoiding a dreaded hangover.

Alongside low-ABV spirits and beers, tee-total experiences have also been growing in popularity.

Redemption Bar in Seven Dials market was one of the first of its kind to serve booze-free cocktails and Peckham restaurant Near & Far recently launched a dry bottomless brunch which swaps prosecco for non-alcoholic cocktails.

Shaman's drinks menu focuses on healthy juices with recipes speciallydesigned to support wellbeing. For example, the ‘Skin Glow’ with apple, carrot and lemon is full of vitamins and metabolism-boosting ginger, whilst ‘Beat the Bloat’ contains activated charcoal which binds to toxins, forcing them to exit the body.

Whether you’re a fan of gin or juice, it’s clear that Shaman are part of a growing sober movement set to last far beyond Dry January.

SHAMAN 15-17 Leman Street, E1 8EN;

shaman-coffee.com

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Eat

GREEN Recipes for a healthier and more sustainable kitchen Recipes MELISSA HEMSLEY

32

Squash and Lentil Curry with Thai Gremolata The f lavour bomb comes from the topping, which is inspired by Italian gremolata, but here it’s made Thaistyle with lime, basil and coriander.

Don’t skip it!

Serves 6 Time: 40 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 1 tbsp ground cumin or 1 tsp seeds • 1 tbsp ground coriander or 1 tsp seeds

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

• 1 tsp ground turmeric •2 tbsp ghee or oil • 1 large butternut squash (about 1.2kg) •4 00g split red lentils, rinsed • 1 ×400ml tin of full-fat coconut milk • 1 .5 litres vegetable stock or bone broth • 1 1/2 tbsp tamari • 1 tbsp fish sauce or extra tamari •S ea salt Curry paste •4 garlic cloves •2 onions, halved, or 3 shallots • 1 lemongrass stalk or peel from 1/2 lemon (no white pith) • 1 –2 fresh chillies or chilli flakes, to taste • 1 thumb of ginger, roughly chopped ThaI gremolata • 1 handful of peanuts or cashews •2 garlic cloves • J uice and zest of 2 limes • 1 –2 fresh chillies, to taste, seeds included if you like •4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 big handful of fresh coriander, leaves and stems • 1 big handful of fresh basil or Thai basil, leaves and stems, plus a little mint if you like (leaves only)

METHOD 1 Toast the peanuts or cashews for the gremolata for a minute in a large, deepsided saucepan until golden and set aside.

Make the curry paste by blitzing the garlic, onion, lemongrass, chilli and ginger in a food processor – it doesn’t need to be totally smooth. 2 Add the spices to the pan you used for the nuts and let them toast for a minute, then add the curry paste and the ghee or oil and fry gently for 5 minutes. 3 Meanwhile chop the squash into 2cm chunks. I don’t bother peeling it, just remove the seeds. 4 Add the squash and lentils to the pan with the coconut milk and stock or broth. Give it a stir, then pop a lid on and let simmer over a medium heat for about 25 minutes or until the squash is tender. Stir every 5 minutes or so, watching out so the lentils don’t catch on the bottom of the pan, and adding more liquid if it looks dry or if you like it soupier. Season with tamari, fish sauce or a little salt. 5 While the curry is cooking, make the gremolata.

Add the toasted nuts to the food processor (no need to wash it out from earlier) with all the other ingredients and pulse until just chopped – it should be drier and chunkier than a pesto and full of flavour and tang.

Serve the curry with a good dollop of gremolata on top.

Tahini Choc Chip Cookies

• 100g good-quality dark chocolate, broken up into squares (or chips) • 30g black and/or white sesame seeds • A pinch of sea salt

METHOD Store these cakey cookies in an airtight container for 5 days. You could warm them brief ly in the oven to give them a little crispening boost.

Makes 16 cookies Time: 25 minutes

INGREDIENTS • 2 eggs •2 tsp baking powder •4 tbsp maple syrup •2 tsp vanilla extract • 1 50g light tahini • 1 10g smooth nut butter

1 Preheat the oven to fan 170°C/gas mark 5.

Line a large baking tray with reusable baking paper 2 In a large mixing bowl, whisk the eggs then mix in the baking powder, maple syrup and vanilla extract. Add the tahini and nut butter and mix together until very well combined. 3 Roughly chop the chocolate and fold through the batter along with the sesame seeds. 4 Measure out 16 balls of the cookie batter, roughly 1 tablespoon each, and bake for 10–15 minutes on the lined baking tray (making sure to leave a little room between each one) until the cookies are just set. 5 Remove from the oven, sprinkle with a little sea salt and allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.

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0208 340 6162 | 07956 854707 email: info@rugmaster.uk website: www.rugmaster.uk

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FOOD & DRINK • RECIPES

METHOD

Quinoa Cakes with Chimichurri Yoghurt These are a great way to use up leftover quinoa, but if you want you can make them from scratch. Just remember to cool the quinoa right down, don’t try to cook these with hot quinoa. Serve with a refreshing green or tomato salad.

Serves 4 Time: 40minutes

INGREDIENTS • 1 small onion or 4 spring onions, finely chopped •3 garlic cloves, finely chopped 1 big handful of fresh coriander, parsley or basil, leaves

and stems finely chopped separately • 2–3 tbsp butter • A pinch of chilli flakes • 2 eggs • 50g flour, such as chickpea (gram) • 540g cooked quinoa (which is 200g uncooked quinoa, rinsed well and drained – ideally soaked first) • 100g feta, crumbled, or a hard cheese like Parmesan or Cheddar, grated • Sea salt and black pepper Chimichurri yoghurt • 100ml full-fat natural yoghurt • 1 big handful of chopped fresh coriander, leaves and stems • 1 big handful of chopped chives, spring onions or onion • 1 big handful of chopped fresh parsley, leaves and stems • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar or lemon juice • 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil • 1 fat garlic clove • 1 tsp dried oregano or thyme chilli flakes, to taste

1 In a wide frying pan, fry the onion, garlic and herb stems over a medium heat in 1 tablespoon of the butter with a good pinch of salt (less if your leftover quinoa has already been seasoned), pepper and chilli for 5 minutes, stirring from time to time. 2 Meanwhile, whisk the eggs in a large bowl, then mix in the flour, followed by the cold quinoa and crumbled feta. Add the garlic, onion and herb mix to the bowl with the herb leaves. Mix well and shape into 12 cakes (or 24 bite-size), about 1cm thick. The easiest way to do this is to split the mix into two, and then keep dividing. If you’re finding it tricky to form them, try adding a touch more flour. 3 If the cakes feel firm, then go ahead and start frying them. If not, pop them onto a plate and into the fridge to firm up for 15 minutes. Use this time to make the chimi- churri yoghurt by combining all the ingredients with some salt and pepper and blitz- ing in a food processor. Or you can chop all the ingredients, then thin it out with a few tablespoons of water if you like it saucier. 4 Heat 1 tablespoon of butter in the original pan then, once hot, add however many cakes you can fit into a single layer – I could fit four in my pan. You don’t want them to be touching or they’ll steam instead of fry. Let them sizzle for about 3 minutes on each side to get nice and golden and hot throughout. Then repeat for the rest of the batch. I turn the heat up as I add the cakes, then lower to a medium heat to fry. Put your cooked cakes in a low oven to keep warm while you finish the rest.

EXTRACTED FROM EAT GREEN

BY MELISSA HEMSLEY (EBURY PRESS, £22)

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Monica Galetti, chef

C R E A T I N G

B E A U T I F U L

K I T C H E N S

S I N C E

1 9 8 1

Call 020 7486 1248 to make an appointment at your nearest showroom 120 Wigmore Street, London W1U 3RU 509 Uxbridge Road, Pinner HA5 4JS 77-79 Wycombe End, Beaconsfield HP9 1LX

www.halcyon-interiors.co.uk | info@halcyon-interiors.co.uk HALCYON.indd 1

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FOOD & DRINK • FOCUS

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F L I P P I N G F A B U L O U S PANCAKE DAY ESSENTIALS

1

F L AT O U T CUISINART

Cuisinart's nifty Griddle & Grill has a flat plate that's perfect for pancakes and super easy to use.

You'll be stacking perfect pancakes in no time. £100; cuisinart.co.uk

2

S TO R E C U P OA R D MADE

Made's stylish Ramus storage jars keep your flours and sugars tidy while maintaining a stylish kitchen.

Just remember to fill them up in time for 25 February. £14; made.com

2

G O L D E N B R OW N S TAU B

Staub's cast iron pancake pans are the professional choice: the enamelled surface give pancakes a beautiful, crisp golden colour and the shallow design produces waferthin pancakes. £89.95; staub-online.com

2 3

4

IRON WILL

GARDEN TR ADING

Garden Trading's affordable Coalbrook cast iron crepe pan produces impressive results and even improves with age. £10; coxandcox.co.uk

5

SHAKE IT OFF YELLO OCTOPUS

Can't remember the recipe? This glass pancake shaker makes things simple: just fill to the line, shake and go. Brilliant for visual thinkers, small children and pancake novices. yellowoctopus.com.au

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GILES BURKE-GAFFNEY OF JUSTERINI & BROOKS

Liquid

GOLDMINE Wine storage might not be the most exciting subject for grape enthusiasts, but a visit to the UK’s largest underground wine store is a rare treat

By PENDLE HARTE

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D

escending 150 steps doesn’t sound like a big enough deal to require a self-rescuer. (What even is a selfrescuer?) But here we are, descending this long, straight slope slowly and carefully in single file, each of us obediently carrying a mandatory self-rescuer. You can’t be too careful, 100 feet below ground. Next to us is a railway track; the feeling is part theme-park ride, part post-apocalyptic survival situation, part disused tube station. We’re entering a Wiltshire mine, but the bounty here is wine, not the area’s original stone. For more than 30 years, the million square foot Octavian Vaults in Corsham, 10 miles northeast of Bath, have been home to around two billion pounds’ worth of the world’s finest

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FOOD & DRINK • WINE

wines, owned by a secretive mix of global collectors and wine dealers. We have come, as the collectors do, to visit the wine.

The UK’s biggest wine store is a littleknown entity, shrouded in mystery and unremarkable at street level. Entrance is heavily restricted (unless of course you are visiting your own wine) because of the security concerns connected with the super rich, and the potential risk of bottle-smashing. Wine collecting is a serious business – and while it’s relatively easy to get excited about the grapes, the chateaux and the drinking, the issue of wine storage is not something that generally sparks much joy. But wine storage is a very big deal and much rides on it – because the risks are potentially enormous. Who’d risk spoiling a fine wine through fluctuating temperatures or too much humidity?

Wine needs the right conditions in order to age well – plus, in order for bottles to retain their value as well as their quality, there needs to be proof that they have been stored properly. With a constant temperature of 13 degrees and a humidity rating of 80%, these mine conditions are, happily, perfect for wine. Huge fans maintain the temperature so there is very little fluctuation. Careful lighting is pitched not to contribute to ageing the wine, and any vibrations are kept to an absolute minimum so as not to disturb it.

We pass whole pallets stacked with crates of Petrus. There’s a mind-bending quantity of wine here and it’s susceptible to trends – 10 years ago it was Bordeaux, then came Burgundy, then Italian and Champagne. Now whisky is on the rise.

Wine comes down the slope in a railway cart and is ferried around in electric vehicles, because the space is vast.

Corridors beyond corridors extend into the distance; the fear of getting lost is real, as is the fear of a powercut – though of course there are generators, and staff here know their way around. Security is tight (being caught with a corkscrew is a disciplinary offence) but the biggest risk here is fire (lighters are banned too). Mine regulations apply here and plans for rescuing stock

“Two billion pounds worth of the world's finest wines are stored in a Wiltshire bunker”

if the worst happens are extensive.

Somewhere in these underground vaults is a single bottle of whisky worth £1.5m, and insurance is vital, at market values, which need to be assessed regularly. Giles Burke-Gaffney, buying director for Justerini & Brooks, is passionate about wine (he claims to have tasted more than 30,000 wines in the last five years) and mostly he is busy looking for the next big thing, but he’s keen on storage too. Because “great wines have nuance, which can very easily be lost”. For him, the most important thing when buying wine and storing it is to make sure your name is on the case. Which may sound obvious, he says, but some dealers might simply have an allocation of 20 cases of something and maintain a list, somewhere, of their 20 owners. This is not the same as having an actual case of wine with your name on it. What happens when one bottle in those 20 cases is dropped and smashed? Whose bottle was it? Or if a wine dealer goes bust and the cases aren’t named, who knows they’re yours? When

wine is bought and sold without ever leaving the warehouse, things can get complicated.

Administratively, labelling cases is laborious, but for serious collectors, it’s reassuring to know that your wine is really your wine. (However, it’s unlikely that an individual’s collection will be stored together. Wine is stored in zones by dealer; Justerini & Brooks, for example, has 120,000 cases here).

The quarry has an interesting past – as a source of Bath Stone, its output was the beautiful golden stone that built the city of Bath (as well as, more surprisingly, the town hall in Cape Town). In the 1930s, ownership transferred to the War Office and since then, it has been used variously for MOD munitions and Navy spares storage, attempted mushroom cultivation and as a bunker. During the 1960s, there was an (unsuccessful and bizarre) attempt to sell nuclear bunker timeshares here. The mine has often been used as a film location and traces of the Guns of Navarone remain today in the form of a sentry box and a notice, in German, requiring passports to be shown.

Walking around for a couple of hours, we have still barely seen anything of the enormous mine, which is about as big as ten Wembley pitches. There are more than a million cases of wine here and it’s an intriguing place to visit. But unless you open an account, there’s little chance of being allowed in for a snoop.

O C TAV I A N VAU LT S octavian.co.uk justerinis.com

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77 Portobello Rd, London W11 2QB 020 7018 2373 www.silkandcashmere.com

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FA S H I O N

WINTER SUN AMELIE'S FOLLIES

If you're jetting off to escape the cold, Amelie's Follies is the go-to for stylish swimwear.

We love Marie Jo Swim's Brigitte bikini - supportive, comfy and you can't go wrong with flattering black. ameliesfollies.co.uk

Jewellery 45 • The shoot: Stella McCartney 46 • Valentine's gifts 55 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Ruth Tomlinson’s romantic jewellery is inspired by historical pieces and by nature.

Absolutely visits her studio

I

'm not very good at symmetry," says Ruth Tomlinson. What she means is that she's not very keen on it, because one of the first things you notice about her pieces is that nothing is symmetrical. Her sparkling precious stones are set in clusters of varying sizes, creating a feel of what she calls 'humanness', an uneven and organic texture. Tomlinson's rings are a world away from the standard single set stone ring and her hand-crafted jewellery is unique and delicate, reminiscent of museum pieces but with a contemporary sensibility.

Tomlinson works in Hatton Garden, where she is both part of the large jewellery community and separate from it because of her non-traditional approach. People like to come and have an informal browse and discuss ideas before commissioning a bespoke piece or choosing from the collections. While much contemporary jewellery is shiny and geometric, her lines

are softer and her tones are muted. "My Encrustations collection is based on the idea of found treasures from the bottom of the sea," she says. "It's supposed to look like it's been sat on the seabed for hundreds of years." In this collection, multi-coloured sapphires in lots of different tones are fused together in the metal to "look like they've grown together in a natural way rather than being separate entities." Small golden barnacles add to the natural seabed feel and each design is unique. As a designer/maker/ craftsperson, Tomlinson is inspired by the materials and often starts with a stone and then debates how to use it. "Things come alive at the bench," she says.

Tomlinson started making jewellery when she was about 14 and sold pieces at "local hippy shops" before going to Manchester to study 3D Design. She didn't immediately gravitate towards jewellery however, working in wood, metal, glass and ceramics before specialising in ceramics.

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FASHION • PROFILE

“These rings are supposed to look like they’ve been sat on the seabed for hundreds of years” "I really liked the immediacy of ceramics and the hand touch and feel," she says – and she made large scale pieces( "like the size of a person") but felt more comfortable with the scale of jewellery, and soon began to make small porcelain pieces. "We still make our jewellery in wax, and I like that sort of touch." She went on to do and MA in jewellery design at the Royal College of Art, where she found her creative home. "I like the challenge of making tiny elements and the magic of things that draw you closer into the jewel. Also, the relation to the human being, from making a piece to wearing it and reusing it, retaining a sense of the person who might have worn it."

The sense of the past is a recurring theme throughout Tomlinson's work – she has always sourced inspiration from historical jewellery. "I love the V&A and the British Museum – I love the sense of history and preciousness. I'm not a fashion designer – my work has always had the same base in history and in nature." Using a mixture of new and antique stones is important for her aesthetic.

One big part of the business is the alternative engagement ring. "People are looking for alternatives to the standard solitaire shiny band. We're thinking of new ways to work with diamonds, sapphires and rubies, but setting them in new ways, in asymmetrical clusters. I like making gold look like it's been buried in the ground for years, looking like it's had a bit of wear and almost in its natural state – we use textures and fingerprints to echo the raw gold."

This love of raw materials is central to Tomlinson's work – she loves raw diamonds for their natural brown glow – "literally how they come out of the ground". Before they're cut, diamonds have what she describes as an 'internal glow'.

The making process is important for Tomlinson's pieces, because that's when things come alive. She'll do initial sketches,, but prefers to work in 3D, looking at stones from all angles. "I think it should work from every angle, not just the front, You should always consider the back of the pendant too - you can do all those aspects when you're making it but I don't think about them beforehand. It happens when you're creating it." This organic approach is what appeals to her returning clients, many of whom have been loyal for years. "Some people have got engaged, married and had babies, all marked by our jewellery. You feel like you're part of people's major life celebrations," says Ruth.

This year, she's got lots of plans. She's going to Munich for a gem trade fair, then she's involved in a bridal showcase with Tomfoolery, before heading to Melbourne for an exhibition on alternative diamonds, for which she'll be making some unique pieces from raw diamonds. She's also designing more new work for a wholesale show in New York, for her US stockists, so it's a busy time. And her warm, down-toearth approach makes her just as likeable as her sparkly rings.

R U T H TO M L I N S O N ruthtomlinson.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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STORY Capture the unique facets of your story with a one-off bespoke engagement ring

www.hkjewellery.co.uk Hertfordshire Jewellery Centre +44 (0)1462 790 565 hertfordshire@hkjewellery.co.uk North Barn, Fairclough Hall Farm, Halls Green, Herts, SG4 7DP

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Cambridge Studio & Shop +44 (0)1223 461 333 cambridge@hkjewellery.co.uk 6/7 Green Street, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB2 3JU

London Studio & Shop +44 (0)203 886 0757 primrosehill@hkjewellery.co.uk 69 Regent’s Park Road, Primrose Hill, London, NW1 8UY

14/08/2018 14:10

FASHION • JEWELLERY

Pharaoh Fix Channel your inner Cleopatra

NOOR FARES

AMANDA MARCUCCI

ASTLEY CLARKE

Emerald Crystal Earrings, £1,850; noorfares.com

Goddess Wadjet Snake Loop Earrings, £450; amandamarcucci.com

Mini Evil Eye Biography Pendant Necklace, £75; astleyclarke.com

MEADOWLARK

C.J.M AT WOLF & BADGER

JOANNE BOWLES

Inez Gold-Plated Sapphire Ring, £255; net-a-porter.com

Green Star Huggie Earrings, £48; wolfandbadger.com

Lapis Lazuli Earrings, £120; joannebowles.co.uk

MOTLEY X EMILY ROBSON

OLE LYNGGARD

RACHEL JACKSON

Baller Jackal Earrings in Gold Vermeil, £200; motley-london.com

Snakes Bracelet £5,500; olelynggaard.com

Wings of Freedom Earrings, £125; racheljacksonlondon.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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REVEALING STELLA MCCARTNEY'S BOLD LOOKS FOR SPRING 2020 S T E L L A M C C A R T N E Y. C O M

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FASHION • JEWELLERY

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S TO N E LOV E L A R K A N D B E R RY

P I E R C I N G P A R L O U R LONDON'S BEST PLACES FOR LUXE EAR PIERCING

Lark and Berry's range of fine piercing jewellery is vast, with delicate and pretty ruby, sapphire and diamond studs in the George Street store. larkandberry.co.uk

2

NO LIE

L I A R S A N D L OV E R S

A more affordable alternative to Maria Tash, Liars and Lovers' Carnaby Street store offers professional needle piercing with threaded studs and a luxe vibe. liarsandlovers.com

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2

HULA HOOP DINNY HALL

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Dinny Hall hosts luxe ear piercing events at her Covent Garden Store; the next date is 20 February. Choose from a special selection of studs and hoops made especially for ear piercing. dinnyhall.com

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SCANDI ST YLE M A R I A B L AC K

Maria Black's new Selfridges store has the same open, welcoming and social environment as her Scandinavian flagships, encouraging customers to browse, hang out and curate their own personal looks. selfridges.com

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5

B O DY A R T SAC R E D G O L D

Sacred Gold's piercers specialise in ear jewellery curation and also offer a wide variety of other piercing services, applying their expertise and love of the craft to all body adornment. sacredgoldpiercing.com

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SPRING AUCTION CALENDAR Modern & Contemporary British Art Tuesday 11 February Design: Decorative Arts 1860 to the Present Day Tuesday 3 March Jewellery & Watches Tuesday 24 March Old Masters, 18th & 19th Century Pictures Wednesday 25 March Fine & Decorative Thursday 26 March Islamic Art & Manuscripts Friday 3 April Traditional & Modern Home Saturday 25 April Prints & Multiples Tuesday 5 May Chinese, Japanese & South East Asian Art Tuesday 19 May

Visit our website to view the auction calendar and catalogues.

Contact us for a complimentary valuation. www.roseberys.co.uk Fine Art Auctioneers & Valuers

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70/76 Knights Hill, London SE27 0JD | +44 (0) 20 8761 2522

24/01/2020 15:00

Antique Fireplaces

Grate Expectations Antique Fireplaces have procured a huge collection of beautifully unique original fireplaces of many years through our sister company Grate Expectations Fireplaces.

Each of our fireplaces has been restored to their full former glory in an extremely careful manor.

ANTIQUE VICTORIAN AND GEORGIAN FIREPLACES IN OUR NEW SHOWROOM AND SALVAGE YARD

333 Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW19 8JX 020 8540 8387 sales@grateantiquefireplaces.co.uk grateantiquefireplaces.co.uk

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FASHION • VALENTINE'S

COCO DE MER Anthurium bodysuit, £295; coco-de-mer.com

JOHNNY LOVES ROSIE Layla Love hair clip, £12; johnny-loves-rosie.com

AMELIE’S FOLLIES Rudolph set by Marie Jo, bra £75, brief £33; ameliesfollies.co.uk

PIERRE MARCOLINI + CARINE GILSON Les Couers box of 25, £39; eu.marcolini.com

EDITOR’S PICK

CHAPEL DOWN Pinot Noir gin, £29; waitrosecellar.com

POUR LES FEMMES Fleur de Lys cotton pyjamas, £240; matchesfashion.com

BELLA FREUD Candle, £50; bellafreud.com

LE CHOCOLAT ALAIN DUCASSE Praline Heart, £32; lechocolat-alainducasse.com

BAILEYS Red Velvet Cupcake, £16; baileys.com

BE MY

CAMDEN WATCH COMPANY

valentine

No.24 Mesh, Rose Gold; £109; camdenwatchcompany.com

Gifts to give (or drop hints about) on February 14th

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

LAURA LEE SELFRIDGES Croc-effect leather notebook, £170; selfridges.com

Pink tourmaline earrings; £1,650; lauraleejewellery.com

JO MALONE

BYREDO Unnamed fragrance; £170; byredo.com

English Pear & Freesia diffuser, £67; jomalone.co.uk

RASPBERRY BLOSSOM Cards, £3 each; raspberryblossom.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY IN ASSOCIATION WITH

NATURAL BEAUTY INNER SENSES

Multi award-winning, eco-luxe skincare and wellbeing products from Inner Senses are crueltyfree, vegan-friendly and free from synthetic ingredients. The range is lovingly and expertly handcrafted in small batches by artisans using nature’s finest ingredients. innersenses.co.uk

Beauty notes 59 • New perfumes to covet 63 • Fitness 69 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • NOTES

BEAUTY NOTES

The latest in luxury beauty and fragrance

Review

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

The switch to sulfatefree shampoo

Pencil IT IN

B y EVE HERBERT

W

CHANEL

The new Chance Pencil Perfumes have a retractable tip so you can apply the fragrance directly on the skin, perfect for scenting on the go. Unlike most dull-looking rollerballs, they come in pretty pastel packaging and there are four scents to choose from.

4 for £65; chanel.com

EDITOR’S PICK

ISLE OF GOLD J O M A LO N E

Madagascar provides the inspiration for Jo Malone's new Cologne Intense, Vetiver and Golden Vanilla. Top notes of cardamom and fresh grapefruit tea are combined with deeper notes of warm vetiver and sweet vanilla, creating a scent which, according to Head of Global Fragrance, Celine Roux, is "glowing and bountiful, like Madagascar itself". £122 for 100ml; jomalone.co.uk

SUPER SOAK O LV E R U M

Transform your bath water into a fragrant, therapeutic haven with this cult bath oil from Olverum. The bathroom must-have contains ten essential oils including eucalyptus, lavender and geranium, leaving your mind and muscles relaxed whilst skin is silky-soft and non-greasy. £23.50 for 125ml; olverum.com

hen it comes to skin, I do a weekly mask, spend unmentionable amounts of money on treatments and, thanks to my job, am lucky enough to be able to try the latest luxury products. When it comes to my hair, I’m less fussy. I pick what’s on special offer, or what smells good, or sometimes what my hairdresser recommends.

But convenience has always trumped quality - until now.

I recently had a keratin blow dry, a non-chemical treatment that reduces frizz and repairs damaged hair. The stylist said that in order for it to last, I had to use sulfate-free shampoo.

So my quest to find the perfect hair products began.

Most drugstore shampoos contain sulfates, which create a lathering effect to remove dirt and grease from your locks.

However, they also strip hair of its natural oils and proteins.

Sulfate-free shampoos, on the other hand, help retain your hair’s natural essential oils whilst still doing a good job of cleaning. My favourite sulfate-free shampoo is The Pure Shampoo

by The One Atelier Fekkai (£28, urbanretreat.co.uk). It’s silicone, paraben, phthalate and sulfate free, and 95% of its ingredients are naturally derived. It smells gorgeous, but not overpowering, and leaves my thick, wavy hair hydrated but not greasy. Thanks to my keratin blow dry, I don’t need a conditioner either.

I assure you: once you go sulfate-free, you won’t go back.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Some of London's finest beauty spots, reviewed by the Absolutely team

TO P T R E AT M E N T S

HEALTH & BEAUTY • REVIEWS

AGUA LONDON

SKIN MATTERS

ADVANCED VITAMIN FACIAL

S

Wo r d s A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

THE HERBAL HAMMAM

AGUA LONDON HERBAL HAMMAM

Wo r d s ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E S T

A

rriving at Agua on a Friday evening after a busy week of work, I'm not sure what to expect. I’ve never had a Hammam treatment before but I have a vague idea of what it entails: getting very, very clean. My presumptions aren't far off and over the course of the next 60 minutes, I become the cleanest I have ever been in my entire life. As I lie almost entirely naked on a marble treatment table (feeling a little like a sacrificial lamb) my whole body is scrubbed and soaked, exfoliated and rubbed until my skin is squeaky clean and glowing.

Like almost all Hamman treatments, my experience follows the traditional process of opening pores with a steam bath, lathering and exfoliating the body in a black and sticky olive oil-based soap and then being scrubbed with a kessa glove to remove dead skin, before finally being gently rubbed all over with moisture locking oils. What makes this Hamman different from all the others on offer in London is the use of raw and organic ingredients sourced directly from the UAE. Herbs such as sumac, nigella seeds, dates and za’atar, to name a few, are slathed in luxurious concoctions all over the body, leaving you feeling butter soft for weeks.

kin Matters, by leading skin expert Joanne Evans, is warm and homely, unlike your average stark spa, and the bespoke vitamin facial promises to deeply nourish the dermis.

A mask is applied and sound waves are massaged via a probe across my face, allowing the active ingredients to reach 4,000 times deeper into the skin. I feel a light ringing in my ears totally normal, I am assured, but slightly startling nonetheless. A cooling, sticky mask is then applied over my face, and my eyes too. It feels a bit odd to be cocooned in, unable to open my lids - not for the claustrophobic - but I settle in and find it very relaxing. Once the mask solidifies, wires are clipped on and a gentle electrical current pulses through in order to sculpt the face and seal in the vitamins. By the time the session’s over, my face has gone through some high tech stuff - sound waves and electrical currents don’t happen in your average facial - and I enjoy the appearance of my soft, bright and glowy skin over the next few days. £165; skin-matters.co.uk

£135; seacontainerslondon.com

SKIN-MATTERS

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND MALIN + GOETZ

SUNSPEL

Leather eau de parfum, £75; malinandgoetz.com

Oak Wood Eau de Parfum; £90; sunspel.com

JO MALONE LONDON Vetiver & Golden Vanilla Cologne Intense; £122; jomalone.co.uk

L'OCCITANE Herbae par L'Occitane L'eau; £50; loccitane.com

DIPTYQUE Do Son Eau de Parfum; £120; diptyqueparis.com

EDITOR’S PICK

ACQUA DI PARMA Noti di Colonia V; £150; harrods.com

FRESCOBOL CARIOCA 1 Parfum; £85; frescobolcarioca.co.uk

EXPERIMENTAL PERFUME CLUB Layers for bespoke fragrance blending; £95; experimentalperfumeclub.com

FINE Fragrance

KNGDOM SCOTLAND Metamorphic eau de parfum; £110; kingdomscotland.com

Romantic scents for Valentine's Day B y PENDLE HARTE

JULIETTE HAS A GUN

MAISON REBATCHI Bois d'enfants/Rose Rebatchi; £87.50; lessenteurs.com

SYLVAINE DELACOURTE

Not a Perfume; £85; selfridges.com

Oscarine; £60; lessenteurs.com

TAUER Les Annees 25 Bis; £138; lessenteurs.com

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MORE TH AN JUST COCKTAILS & NAILS! POPUL AR TREATMENTS INCLUDE Deep Cleansing Galvanic Facial (60 minutes) £60 LVL Lash Lift & Tinting (60 minutes) £70 Nouveau Lash Extensions (from 90 minutes) £130

• Galvanic Facials •

• Murad Facials •

• Eyelash extensions •

•LVL lash lifts •

Book your complimentary consultation today

0207 243 1113 bookings@coconailbar.com @coconailbarlondon

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • FOCUS

M I D N I G H T

OIL

How Lisa Basso of Inner Senses found herself living at one with nature Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T

T

he story of Inner Senses began over 25 years ago when founder and awardwinning Aromatherapy author and practitioner Lisa Basso found herself living at one with nature.

She says: ‘I’ve always read a lot. It’s how I shut down at the end of a hectic day, it’s my mindful moment alone.

One day my curious nature brought me to a book at the local library, it was a book on the ancient tradition of Aromatherapy. This book changed my life forever. I completed an advanced diploma in Aromatherapy before going on to study how alternative treatments can positively impact your wellbeing.

I taught Aromatherapy on the white shores of Barbados. Living on a farm I embraced nature, attending the jasmine plants and aloe vera that grew in its grounds.

I developed an intimate relationship with these ingredients and their provenance’.

Inner Senses is much more than pure provenance. Lisa uses her evidential and clinical expertise to source nature’s finest ingredients, embracing everything they have to offer. ‘I want our customers to experience the journey of our ingredients to help them escape their everyday stresses and chaos.

‘Ensuring that we honour precious apothecary traditions is very important to me.

Our holistic approach uses pure, organic and natural oils, which are hand blended to deliver therapeutic benefits and skin-beautifying

results’. Inner Senses oils go further than skin deep: they help create a truly sensorial experience, instilling a sense of calm and wellbeing whilst nourishing your skin.

Lisa says: 'My ‘desert island’ skincare product is Reset Vibrancy Facial Elixir. City living surrounds me with pollutants. It’s decadent yet simple, carefully blended with powerful antioxidants such as prickly pear and Moringa oil, which allow my skin to resist the environmental stresses. I use it every night before bed: I find it plumping and nourishing on my skin and it smells divinely warm.

'In the morning, I try to start my day with a little meditation. As part of my ritual I use our award-winning Awakening Meditative Body Oil. I adore the fresh and crisp aroma. It nourishes and moisturises my skin, and Frankincense, Rosewood and Rose otto oil which are renowned for their use in mindfulness practices, are incredibly spiritually uplifting for me.’

What’s next? 'We will continue innovating.

Our passion for knowledge will continue to stay strong and we will source more innovative and ethical ingredients to instil a sense of wellbeing through Inner Senses.'

For 15% OFF DISCOUNT on first orders until 31 March, use promo code LONDON15 at innersenses.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • TREND NYX Away We Glow strobing cream, £15; nyxcosmetics.com

GLOSSIER Cloud Paint, £15 each; glossier.com

NAZAN SCHNAPP Renewing Rose Quartz mask, £68; nazanschnapp.com

CHARLOTTE TILBURY Instant Look palette in Gorgeous, Glowing Beauty, £49; charlottetilbury.com

HOURGLASS

LIFE’S A PEACH

Ambient Lighting Edit Ghost, £60; cultbeauty.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

Our favourite eye and cheek products for a natural-looking rosy flush MANASI 7 Strobelighter in Elsian, €47; manasi7.com

3INA Glowing Face palette, £19.95; 3ina.com

B y ZO Ë D E L M E R - B E ST

FARSALI Unicorn Essence, 10ml for £20; cultbeauty.co.uk

BEAUTANIQ BEAUTY Lip and cheek balm in Cocoa Rose, $16; beautaniqbeauty.com

BECCA Champagne Pop palette, £29; spacenk.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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LOND ON’S LE ADING BOUTIQUE BARRE CL ASSES “Most effective and enjoyable exercise I have ever done.”

— Barrecore Client

Get in the best shape of your life with the Barrecore Method and see incredible results fast: Feel amazing Reduce body fat Increase muscle definition Improve your posture Energise your body & mind

TA K E A C L A S S , O N U S !

Contact hello@barrecore.co.uk to redeem a complimentary intro class at any London Barrecore studio (worth £28) and quote ‘Absolutely Feb’.*

barrecore.com *New clients only. Valid until 31st March 2020.

C H E L S E A C H I S W I C K H A M P S T E A D I S L I N GTO N K E N S I N GTO N M AY FA I R M O O R G AT E N OT T I N G H I L L WA N D S W O R T H W I M B L E D O N V I L L A G E

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HEALTH & BEAUTY • ACTIVE

FITNESS

OUR PICKS

NOTES

FROM NET-A-PORTER’S NEW SPORTER CAMPAIGN

By A B B I E S C H O F I E L D

V E JA Over half of the materials for this sustainable trainer comes from natural or recyclable materials.

Sneakers, £130;

GIRLFRIEND COLLECTIVE This high-waisted legging and sports bra combo comes in feel-good colours, like this perky coral.

Leggings, £62; Sports bra, £35;

S AV E T H E D AT E Fitness events for your diary N AG N ATA Nagnata's zero-waste shorts are made from a breathable compression cotton for ultimate comfort.

Shorts, £185;

A D I DA S X S T E L L A MCCARTNEY This sleek and roomy bag will take you from the office to the gym.

Bag, £85; net-a-porter.com

PSYCLE

P

sycle isn’t just for spinning: the sleek studio also runs yoga, barre and strength classes, and for the very first time are hosting a series of experiential workshops. A monthly calendar of exciting events has been announced featuring wellness experts and influencers, focusing on holistic health rather than sweating it out in a HIIT class. A Chakra Cleansing Therapy workshop is happening on 8 February with Gemma Soul where she will help clear your seven energy centres; whether you’re a chakra cynic or not, the workshop is set to be an uplifting day of yoga postures, breathwork and meditation. Other upcoming

Psycle workshops are an Introduction to Meditation with Annie Clarke (known online as Mind Body Bowl) and Transformational Breathwork: The Simple Science to your State of Being with Richie Bostock (The Breath Guy). psyclelondon.com

WELLNESS SUMMIT

M

iss Jones & CW PA Club are launching a brand new wellness summit happening on 29 February in Canary Wharf. The event will combine fitness, beauty and relaxation under one roof with some of the biggest names in the wellness world. Ticket holders can build their own personalised schedule of fitness classes with the likes of Barry’s Bootcamp and Third Space, attend meditation classes throughout the day, listen to panel discussions on mindfulness and health and attend breathing workshops.

VIP ticket holders will also get goody bags worth £120 and the opportunity to book a beauty treatment with Blow ltd, Le Salon, Essential Therapie or Blink Brow Bar. For those wanting to get creative, there will also be craft workshops by plant-based food start-up Pollen & Grace, Brown’s Florist and more. Tickets available at eventbrite.co.uk. wellnesssummit2020.sched.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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INTERIORS

RO O M SERV I CE TITMAN DESIGN

Titman Design is a small designbased practice working in Blackheath, Greenwich that specialises in providing affordable, modern designs that are in keeping with traditional values and materials; a design approach they call contemporary-traditional. marktitman.com

Interior inspirations 72 • Bathroom design 76 • Craft at Collect 84 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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

By PENDLE HARTE

SLEEP TA L K HYPNOS BEDS

The Hypnos Origins Collection uses responsibly sourced materials, including sustainable cotton and 100% British wool that’s traceable back to Red Tractor assured farms. Pictured is the Hypnos Cotton Origins 6 mattress with a shallow firm edge sprung divan and a shallow Emily headboard, Prices start from £2,913 for a king size full bed set. hypnosbeds.com

IN THE SHADE CROWN PAINTS

This colour scheme from Crown Paints is called Rethink and colour consultant Neville Knott says: "It creates the perfect backdrop for light, refined furniture to sit as manmade sculptures in its footprint.” crownpaints.co.uk

72

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

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INTERIORS • NOTES

TA K E FIVE Stylish lamps COX & COX Deco single globe lamp, £97.50; coxandcox.co.uk

FA B R I C LOV E KD LOVES X BETHIE TRICKS

KDLoves, the online interiors destination by Kelling Designs, has launched a collaboration with up-and-coming fabric designer Bethie Tricks, featuring elegant furniture, soft accessories and lampshades in a beautiful array of bright and colourful fabrics. kdloves.com

ESTABLISHED & SONS Filigrana table lamp, £251; andlight.com

PAT T E R N P OT IAN SNOW

These terrazzo planters, handmade using traditional methods by Italian artisans, come in pink and white. £20 iansnow.com

DYBERG LARSEN Ocean table lamp, £84; limelace.co.uk

SWEETPEA & WILLOW Maya table lamp, £175; sweetpeaandwillow.com

DAR LIGHTING Olka table lamp, £99.50 wtlighting.co.uk

MULTI COLOUR FLOOR STORY

Featuring some of our most popular rug designs and designers, the Floor Story colouring book offers an entertaining insight into the rug-making process and allows you to create your own rug. sofasandstuff.com

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Chelsea Cross 247 Fulham Rd, Chelsea, London SW3 6HY Wimbledon Village 38 High Street Wimbledon, London SW19 5BY 020 3397 7295 | info@castrads.com www.castrads.com

Drab radiator?

Use discount code Absolutely2020 for a 10% discount online or in person R a d i a t o r / ˈ r e ɪ . d i . e ɪ . t ə r/ ( n o u n ) : t h a t b o r i n g , u n i n s p i r i n g , w h i t e rectangle on yours and all your friends’ walls.

FAB RADIATOR!

C a s t r a d s R a d i a t o r / k a s t . r a d s/ / ˈ r e ɪ . d i . e ɪ . t ə r/ ( n o u n ) : a b e s p o k e cast iron radiator handmade in England, exquisitely designed to be unique in your home.

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INTERIORS • TREND

ORIGINAL STYLE Odyssey Grande Quatrefoil, £POA tilesahead.co.uk

BERT & MAY Green octagon tile, £6 each bertandmay.com

THE BAKED TILE CO

INDIGENOUS

Creative Geometrics, £78 m2 bakedtiles.co.uk

Fusion wall tiles, from £280 m2 indigenous.com

HARVEY MARIA Squares, £45.60 m2 harveymaria.com

STONE AND CERAMIC

EDITOR’S PICK

TILE MOUNTAIN

TILE COUNSEL

Hoxton pale pink tiles, £88m2 sacw.co.uk

Glaze over at these stylish tiles for walls and floors

Hexagonal tiles, £24.99 m2 tilemountain.co.uk

By P E N D L E H A R T E WALLS AND FLOORS Scintilla Black Star Pattern Tiles, £24.95 m2 wallsandfloors.co.uk

OTTO TILES Babboo blue tile, £2.20 each ottotiles.co.uk

TONS OF TILES Nolla geometric tile, £29.99 m2 Country patchwork tile, £49.99 m2 tonsoftiles.co.uk

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TRUE LOVE DAY TRUE

With a unique and holistic approach to life and design, Day True creates and curates living spaces that are distinctively different. Driven by the fundamental belief that good design should be available to everyone, Day True combines a desire for enhancing lives with decades of knowledge and industry-leading products to deliver exceptional interiors solutions. daytrue.com

Bath TIME

Ready for an upgrade to your wetroom? Here's some inspiration

By PENDLE HARTE

BACK TO BLACK BURLINGTON

Burlington's new Jet collection encapsulates the deepest blackness and high gloss qualities of the Whitby Jet Stone. High-shine chrome brassware, matching black indices and dark, glossy accessories, including customisable baths and furniture make for an impressive bathroom look. burlingtonbathrooms.com

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INTERIORS • BATHROOMS EDITOR’S PICK

LIGHT UP DAVEY LIGHTING

It's important to get bathroom lighting right. Bathrooms need brightness and clarity, but definitely not unflattering overhead. Dimmers are perfect for switching between applying A slim and compact linear LED wall light, inspired by an original cabin light designed by Davey Lighting in the 1930's. Available in three sizes and three finishes. Sold with a frosted glass diffuser. hollowaysofludlow.com

STEP UP

BAT H M AT S Three of the best bathmats

BLURRED LINES ABODE LIVING

This Berber style cotton bathmat has a black diamond pattern printed onto a natural cotton base. The underneath has a non-slip coating. £26 abodeliving.co.uk

CLEAN FUN

BATHROOM TAKEAWAY

The Aria range is a simple, stylish and affordable bathroom collection that suits a variety of configurations. Baths come in several sizes, vanity units can be floor-standing or wall-hung and delivery is speedy. bathroomtakeaway.com

TASSEL TIME ALBERT & MOO

A monochrome colourway with a pop of bright mustard yellow, this Scandi Geo rug is made from a gorgeous thick weave cotton. £17.50 albertandmoo.com

Retro STYLE FRONTLINE BATHROOMS

With its classic 1950s influence offset by candy pop hues, Kompass is a collection of bright and cheerful furniture saturated with vintage modern style. Consisting of wallmounted units, plus optional basin and cabinet extras, it allows you to get creative with your organisation, producing a stunning bathroom look that's refreshingly retro. frontlinebathrooms.co.uk

SOFT TOUCH MADE

The Fes handwoven cotton bathmat comes in a fetching rose pink, as well as a mist grey and a midnight blue. £15 made.com

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How to tie a classic flat bouquet, from Jane Packer's Flower Course Words JA N E PAC K E R • Photography PAU L M A S S E Y

This hand-tied arrangement is an updated version of the traditional “flat” bouquet. The flower stems are left long, so the flowers can either be displayed as they come, or may be rearranged by the recipient. Flat bouquets are the ideal gift for friends who enjoy arranging flowers.

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Extract taken from Jane Packer's Flower Course: Easy Techniques for Fabulous Flower Arranging, published by Ryland Peters & Small

INGREDIENTS

STEP 1

• 9 x stems alliums • 3 x stems salvia leucantha • 3 x stems eucalyptus • 8 x stems Cool Water roses, stripped of their lower leaves • 3 x ornamental cabbage heads • 2 x purple-tinged hydrangea heads reel/spool of twine

Begin by taking three stems of allium and grouping them together so the heads are staggered in height.

Cut a length of twine and tie them together two-thirds of the way down the stems. This forms the backbone for the bouquet, so it’s important to choose flowers with strong stems.

STEP 2

Add three stems each of salvia and eucalyptus to the bunch of alliums, placing the salvias on one side and the eucalyptus on the other. Make sure the foliage curves away from the centre. Tie together, two-thirds of the way down the stems.

STEP 3

Place the roses and the remaining alliums on top of the hand-tied bunch, with five roses on one side of the bouquet and three on the other. With a flat bouquet, the idea is to display the flowers rather than arranging them, so the taller pieces should be at the back and the shorter, larger-headed pieces at the front.

Take the ornamental cabbages and gently open out the leaves for a more rounded, flower-like effect.

STEP 4

Now place the ornamental cabbages on top of the other flowers, toward the centre. Finally, add the hydrangea heads, placing them just below the cabbages. Now grasp the stems tightly toward the bottom and tie them all securely in place. Neatly trim the ends into a “wheatsheaf” shape (the ends should be about a third of the total length of the arrangement).

The bouquet is now complete.

OPPOSITE Flat bouquets began to lose popularity when the handtied posy arrived on the scene in the 1980s. In the bad old days, I remember seeing dreadful flat bouquets containing all the odds and ends from the florists’ shop. Fortunately, things have moved on since then, and this luscious arrangement reinvents the flat bouquet’s old-fashioned image.

Absolutely magazine readers can buy a copy of Jane Packer’s Flower Course for the special price of £12.00 (RRP £16.99) with free UK P&P. To order go to rylandpeters.com and use code JPABSOLUTELY at the checkout. Offer valid until 1 April 2020

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INTERIORS • DESIGN LUMO CONCEPT

Designers from Hungary are making a big impression in the design world now, as Absolutely discovers Wo r d s P E A R L B OY D

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ungary has a strong history of bringing incredible design to the world, from the emergence of the Bauhaus movement to critically acclaimed creatives such as Sándor Bortnyik and Marcell Breuer. Already being recognised worldwide as a top 10 leader in production and a top five rising leader in craft, Hungary is a global authority in creativity and the Hungarian Fashion and Design Agency (HFDA) is now bringing a new generation of talent to the world stage.

Following the success of their debut at last year’s London Design Festival, the first Budapest Select exhibition at Maison & Objet showcased designers who have a strong mindset of sustainability and responsible design, with installation concepts being based on environmental awareness and practicality. Brands featured at the exhibition cover a wide range of design disciplines, from lamp makers to architects studios. The harmony of the objects being presented will convey the atmosphere of the vibrant and contemporary Hungarian design community.

The HFDA strives to help the Hungarian design industry thrive by connecting creative makers with both Hungarian and international professional organisations and educational institutes. By working closely A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Energy Efficient, Timber Window and Door Specialists Beautiful timber windows and doors, manufactured in the UK, with the benefits of double glazing, while preserving the character of your home.

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CURTAIN CALL

INSPIRED INTERIORS

Our redesigned and extended showroom is now open, incorporating a large Luxaflex design studio showing the latest motorised blinds, nestled alongside nearly new curtains and a huge choice of fabrics to be made to measure as curtains and blinds

Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm • Sat 10am-6pm Evenings by appointment 52 Friars Stile Road, Richmond, Surrey TW10 6NQ 020 8332 6250 • curtaincall@blueyonder.co.uk

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HEALTH INTERIORS & BEAUTY• •DESIGN NOTES

with designers, enabling them to collaborate with manufacturers and by organising branding and marketing workshops, the HFDA gives up-and-coming talents the opportunity to make a living from their craft.

Founded by ceramic artist and designer Ábel Lakatos, Danubo aims to revive traditional ceramic craftsmanship with crisp but quiet pieces. To produce his work, all moulds are manually crafted by the designer, resulting in modern shapes that feel organic to the touch.

Danubo is committed to socially sensitive, sustainable ceramic design, so each set is carefully handmade in Hungary to order.

Viaplant is an independent brand that attributes high importance to appreciating nature’s beauty and diversity through introducing more elements of nature into our homes. Having created a material which contains the renewable parts of the plant, the application is wide and varied from fashion design and tiles to lights and furniture.

A second key aspect of Viaplant’s design approach is the renewal of urban green waste: the brand finds beauty in plants PLYDESIGN LTD

“Up-and-coming talents are given the opportunity to make a living from their craft” usually considered weeds or invasive which communities often try to get rid of e.g. ragweed and goldenrod. Barnabás comments “Using real plants creates texture and appearance rich in colour and artistic details, moreover it emits a wholly unique, never seen before atmosphere once light shines through. For us, it is of the upmost importance to bring more nature into our homes and also upcycle useless plants, weeds and green waste.”

The ethos of Anna Regős’ textile designs is not to keep up with the latest trends, but to express her sense of life and style, with the need to create long-lasting materials. This is what she believes is one of the fundamental pillars of environmental awareness. This belief is supported by Regős’ commitment to using only natural materials and working exclusively with Hungarian manufacturers.

When designing the Geometric Pattern collection, Regős combined traditional patterns with space issues and took inspiration from op-art and the works of world-famous Hungarian artist Victor Vasarely.

POSITION COLLECTIVE

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RED XIPI GLASS JAR, JI HUANG, ALVESTON FINE ARTS

LOUIS THOMPSON, LONDON GLASSBLOWING, OCEAN HOURGLASS

The of

A R T C R A

As Collect 2020 comes to Somerset House, Absolutely previews the craft fair’s highlights Words P E A R L B OY D

DAVID BIELANDER, GALLERY SO CARDBOARD RING

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ondon’s popular craft fair returns for the 16th time, with a new home in Somerset House. Collect has been instrumental over the years in defining and growing the market for contemporary craft; more than 400 artists are set to display their work, with galleries from all over the globe attracted to this large-scale event. Half the exhibitors come from outside the UK, with an impressive spread of European galleries as well an increased range of galleries from Asia.

The Crafts Council founded Collect in 2004 with the aim to build the profile and sales for collectable craft and to promote the very best galleries and artists in the field. It continues to be the only gallery-presented art fair dedicated to modern craft and design.

For 2020, Collect is moving to Somerset House and taking over a large number of beautiful rooms, presenting a new environment for Collect exhibitors to contextualise and curate modern craft. Collect will occupy the large gallery wings, overlooking the Edmond J. Safra Fountain Court.

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INTERIORS • CRAFTS

KAZUHITO TAKADOI, JAGGEDART, HAYASHI 5WOODLAND 5

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The Fireplace Specialists & Consultants

Grate Expectations A Family run business established for over 30 years The UK’s leading suppliers of luxury gas fireplaces, wood burning stoves and bioethanol fires manufactured by DRU, Spartherm, Ebios, Dik Guerts, Gazco, Stovax and many more.

1-3 Station Buildings, Kingston Road, Wimbledon Chase, SW20 8JT 020 8540 8387 | sales@grateexpectations.com | grateexpectations.com

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INTERIORS • CRAFTS

COLLECT 2020 26 February - 1 March, Somerset House collect2020.org.uk

PETER LAYTON, LONDON GLASSBLOWING, MOUNTAIN WITH CLOUDS

Well-positioned at the start of the international cultural calendar, Collect presents an opportunity to discover and invest in exceptional work produced in the last five years by living artists, much of which is made especially for the fair.

Isobel Dennis, Collect Fair Director, said: “The appetite for contemporary craft continues to increase as seen by the number of new galleries emerging.

The Fair’s new London home, Somerset House is an exciting development in the life of Collect allowing exhibitors to contextualise and curate modern craft and design against a backdrop of 18th century architecture, high ceilings and picture windows looking out onto the Thames”.

Bound by the terms of the fair, all participating galleries commit to most of their stand showing works made in the last five years. All galleries are encouraged to reveal new works for Collect, while returning galleries are encouraged to introduce new artists.

A quarter of galleries participating in Collect 2020 do so for the first time, including the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, which celebrates its 30th anniversary with a curated display of British craft scholars.

The heritage of Collect has always had the alignment of European and Asian applied arts at its core. The 16th year is no exception, welcoming new galleries including The Gallery by SOIL from Hong Kong, Gallery SP, Gallery Sklo and Lloyd Choi Gallery all from South Korea, and Han Collection, a UK gallery showing a special display of South Korean ceramics in partnership with Icheon City.

Leading Japanese expert Katie Jones Japan will continue to show objects for the connoisseur including pieces from Masters shown at the first Collect in 2004, as well as new collaboration Savoir-faire des Takumi which will showcase the results of selected artists from France and Japan making works inspired by each other’s techniques and skills.

The selection of specialist glass galleries for Collect 2020 is the best yet, with renowned galleries London Glassblowing, Vessel Gallery and Bullseye Projects, North Lands Creative, Galerie Kuzebauch joined by new gallery Gallery Sklo.

Collect Open returns to showcase 12 ambitious craft-led installations with four artist collaborations. Installations cover a range of topics from climate change to dementia.

KLÁRA HORÁČKOVÁ, GALERIE KUZEBAUCH, KILNCAST GLASS PHOTO©TOMÁŠ SLAVÍK

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Treat your walls to Earthborn Our luxurious eco paint helps your walls breathe. So you can create beautiful spaces that are healthier for you and your home.

Come and find out more at earthbornpaints.co.uk

 Colour shown: Hobgoblin

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INTERIORS • TREND MODISH LIVING Rattan Gaze Pendant Light, £229; modishliving.co.uk

HEMMING & WILLS Maha Handcrafted Pendant Light by Moom, £195; hemmingandwills.co.uk

FIL A FIL Duvet Cover Set , from £110; habitat.co.uk

ROSE & GREY Teak Rattan Lounge Chair, £445; roseandgrey.co.uk

MELODY MAISON Boho Beautiful Collection; melodymaison.co.uk

GARDEN TRADING Castello Bottle in Stone, £9; gardentrading.co.uk

THE DEN & NOW

EARTH MOTHER

Mustard Kilim Boho Cushion, £59; thedenandnow.co.uk

Natural tones and textures are a huge trend for 2020

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

THE FRENCH BEDROOM CO. Retro Rattan Console Table, £499; frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

EDITOR’S PICK

LOAF Willow Rattan Chest of Drawers, £795; loaf.com

ROCKETT ST GEORGE Wine Red Marble Table Lamp, £270; rockettstgeorge.co.uk

MOHAN Reversible Flatweave Runner, £100; habitat.co.uk

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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TRAVEL

DEEP WATER THE ATLANTIS, BAHAMAS

On page 92, Absolutely visits the turquoise waters of Paradise Island, home to the luxury Atlantis resort.

Bahamas 92 A weekend in Istanbul 96 UK getaway 101 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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“Pig Beach is one of the Bahamas' most famous tourist attractions”

Paradise

ISLAND Six months after Hurrican Dorian, Absolutely explores the Bahamas' Paradise Island

By ABBIE SCHOFIELD

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TRAVEL • BAHAMAS THE STRIKING ATLANTIS RESORT

FISH BY MICHELINSTARRED CHEF JOSÉ ANDRÉS

PIG BEACH BIG MAJOR CAY

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on’t turn your back on the pigs or they’ll bite your ass!” warns Diego, our Bahamian guide. We turn fearfully towards the pigs, splaying our hands wide to show we aren't secreting any food.

The pigs rush back to Diego and follow him as he walks deeper into the sea, until eventually, their trotters start paddling. Yes, the pigs are swimming, motivated by the carrot Diego is dangling in front of their glistening snouts. We aren't in a petting zoo from hell - in fact, we're in paradise.

Big Major Cay in the Exumas, Bahamas is also known as Pig Beach because of its pot-bellied inhabitants. They were first brought to the idyllic beach as an emergency food supply for the residents of Nassau, the Bahamas' capital and most-inhabited island. The pigs were well-fed and taken care of, and began to associate the boats coming to the island with dinner time. So, keen to get their grub, they learned to swim out to the boats, and now, Pig Beach is one of the Bahamas' most famous tourist attractions.

We are taken to Pig Beach by Pieces of Eight, a family-run tour operator who organises day trips around the Bahamas. As our speedboat charges across the sea, we witness the ocean turn 50 shades of blue, from deep navy to glistening azure. It’s no surprise that astronaut Bill Anders called the Bahamas “a turquoise jewel that you could see all the way to the moon. It was like an illuminated piece of opal.”

The Cove AT L A N T I S

The Atlantis is the Bahamas' prize resort, boasting five separate hotels from the iconic Royal to the familyfriendly and more affordable Reef. But it’s The Cove that offers the ultimate luxury Caribbean experience.

Like the rest of the Atlantis, the Cove has an underwater theme and its design marries innovative architecture with natural elements. The lobby is openair, and the entire ground floor feels like an outside space; sea views, water features and foliage merge the hotel with the breathtaking nature surrounding it. The suites are full of nautical blues and earthy neutrals, and generous balconies mean the incredible ocean view is the centrepiece of the room, like a work of art.

On the 22nd floor is The Cove Club, reserved for the most exclusive of guests. With floor-to-ceiling windows providing panoramic views of the resort, the club offers a gourmet buffet breakfast in the morning and signature cocktails in the evening, as well as a dedicated concierge service.

The Cove may be luxurious, but the Atlantis is all about a five-star experience alongside Bahamian warmth and hospitality - it isn’t pretentious.

Around every corner is a smiling member of staff, genuinely keen to know how you are, and each request is met with enthusiasm and kindness.

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Feature walls for stunning interiors Designed | Sourced | Handcrafted | in Norfolk River Bespoke specialise in the design and manufacture of beautiful, handcrafted and bespoke shelves appealing to individuals that appreciate sophisticated simplicity and beauty. We pride ourselves on quality and exceptional service delivering striking and unique feature walls that work with your vision, aspirations and tastes.

riverbespoke.com

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@riverbespoke

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TRAVEL • BAHAMAS

THE EXCLUSIVE COVE POOL

AFTER DORIAN Despite the sensational hotels on offer, tourism in the Bahamas is far from booming. In August 2019, Hurricane Dorian ravaged the islands of Grand Bahama and Abaco. Homes and businesses were destroyed, and 70 people were found dead, with a further 282 missing. The Bahamas has just 390,000 residents, and the tight-knit community was devastated.

Dorian’s impact on tourism was swift.

50% of the Bahamian economy relies on the holiday industry, and with the rest of the world assuming the Bahamas wasn’t safe, visitor numbers dropped instantly.

“I have an Airbnb and my bookings are the lowest they’ve been in years,” a local woman tells me.

But what people don’t realise is that out of the 16 inhabited islands, 14 were unaffected by Hurricane Dorian. For example, Paradise Island, where the Atlantis is located (just a 30 minute drive from Nassau airport) remains untouched.

Hotels like the Atlantis have been instrumental in the post-hurricane recovery. The resort has 7,500 staff, most of them locals, and is the second largest employer after the government - with that comes social responsibility. The Atlantis has pledged $3 million to help with relief efforts alongside the Bahamas Red Cross and Chef José Andrés’ World Central Kitchen to provide food to those affected.

AZURE SUITE AT THE COVE

“Of the 16 inhabited islands, 14 were unaffected by Hurricane Dorian” FOOD Despite the tragedy of the past year, the Bahamians' cheer and warmth remains.

One way of showcasing their zest for life is through food, and the Atlantis has plenty of it. My first taste of authentic Bahamian cuisine comes during our day trip with Pieces of Eight. They take us to Lorraine’s Café, a small shack five miles south of Pig Beach, which serves Caribbean soul food, buffet-style. I pile my plate high with fried plantain, peas and rice, spicy chicken, mac and cheese, coleslaw and sticky ribs.

Back at the Atlantis, there are a huge number of restaurants, from casual snack bars to exquisite high-end cuisine. On the ground floor of The Cove is Fish by Michelin-starred chef José Andrés, serving sustainably-sourced local seafood with a Bahamian twist. We also visit Nobu, located right next to the Atlantis’ bustling casino.

The chef treats us to a special bespoke tasting menu - highlights are the flambé wagyu beef and a homemade sake infused with Caribbean pineapple. There’s also Café Martinique, a fine dining restaurant that celebrates plant-based food, championing local spices, ingredients and tradesmen. At the Atlantis, every day of the week offers a new phenomenal dining experience.

THINGS TO DO When it comes to lounging at the pool, The Cove does it like no other. You can hire your own private cabana, complete with stunning beachfront views and access to the exclusive Cove pool. A VIP butler brings you cocktails and Bahamian dishes from Sip Sip, one of the most talked-about Caribbean restaurants originating from Harbour Island. You can even have a beachside massage from the hotel’s Mandarin Spa, which combines ancient Balinese methods with natural elements indigenous to the Bahamas.

The Atlantis’ family offering is equally impressive. Aquaventure is an 141-acre waterscape with dramatic slides, a two mile-long lazy river, multiple swimming pools and rides (adults love it, too), plus there's a kids' club with fully-trained childcare staff.

The hotel is also home to marine life, and guests can swim with dolphins and sea lions, snorkel among tropical fish and visit the resort's large aquariums. The Atlantis invests a lot of resources into protecting the natural habitat - many of the creatures in the resort are rescue animals - and the hotel has its own fish hospital (yes, really).

Despite the sheer vastness of the resort, there is still a distinct island feel to the Atlantis.

It has everything you could possibly want, without losing its Bahamian charm. Perhaps this is the reason why guests return year upon year, bringing their children who, years later, bring their own families. The Atlantis is paradise. Just watch out for the pigs.

T H E C OV E AT L A N T I S From £267 per night for an Ocean Suite One Casino Drive, Paradise Island, Bahamas +1 242 363 3000; atlantisbahamas.com

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Tu r k i s h

DELIGHT A weekend guide of culture, culinary traditions, mosques and museums for first-time travellers to Istanbul By

S

traddling Asia and Europe, Turkey has been the threshold between the continents for centuries.

Formed from a captivating mix of cultures, it’s a land scattered with busy cities, Ottoman palaces, ancient Greek ruins, chic resort towns and, of course, Istanbul.

Cleaved in two by the Bosphorous, the city has historically been a crucial gateway between east and west with an unceasing number of enormous vessels making their way up the river towards Russia. Even today, it remains just as important geographically, while being a colourful blur of bazaars, ornate mosques, and trendy modern hangouts (there’s even a Soho House).

A city at the centre of the world, Istanbul’s skyline is crowded with domes and minarets, skyscrapers and elegant bridges. Draped over hills and shorelines, it’s a flurry of motion, art and good food, but despite this twinkling modernity, Istanbul loves tradition - Turkish coffee, Friday prayer and a visit to the hammam.

Each day spent wandering the streets is busy, fast-moving, but around every corner is an unexpected reminder of the past - the cornerstone of a Roman temple laid into the foundation of

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a mosque or a fragmented Byzantine mosaic peeking out from stucco. And beyond that, a glittering skyline of TV towers and glasshouses.

Each new layer is built onto the one before.

Close to two decades of investment has overhauled the city’s infrastructure and brought a sea of changes in the hospitality and retail sectors. Gone are most of the backpacker hostels and in their place, a vast array of four and five-star hotels, including the exceptionally-well placed Ajwa Hotel Sultanahmet. Positioned in the heart of the city’s historic peninsula, it’s the perfect base for exploring some of the number one heritage sites, as well as a handful of top restaurants.

This five-star stay has the air of a grand mansion.

Blending the best of Seljuk and Ottoman architecture, Ajwa presents a design inspired by Istanbul’s storied and bejewelled past. It’s jaw-droppingly decadent, a beacon of the city’s historic and continued grandeur, highlighted by the mother of pearlencrusted furniture, silk Tabriz carpets, original artwork, gleaming marble frescos, hand-painted ceilings and specially commissioned tiles that are everywhere in the 61 rooms, suites and public areas.

The Afiya Spa, complete with luxurious hammam, indoor pool, gym, steam room, sauna and snow fountain (yes, really), is where guests can truly lap up the lavishness of it all. The hammam or Turkish

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

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TRAVEL • ISTANBUL

“Istanbul's skyline is crowded with domes and minarets, skyscrapers and elegant bridges”

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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TRAVEL • ISTANBUL

THE LOBBY

bath was an important part of daily life during the Ottoman era and it’s a tradition that remains today. There is no cleaner feeling than returning to your room post-hammam, having been scrubbed and soaped to within an inch of your life, while sprawled on a hot marble slab.

Eating out in Istanbul can be as diverse as the city’s heritage with today’s culinary gamut running from sushi to kebab. Locals take it very seriously, so join them at a smoky grill house or under the shaded terrace of a coffee shop, though a visit to Ajwa’s Zeferan restaurant is a must.

Azerbaijani fare is the order of the day (by virtue of the Azerbaijani chef) and diners are spoilt with panoramic views over the city and harbour (spot the Blue Mosque).

Out in town, Turkish dining doesn’t get more authentic than at Pandeli, the oldest restaurant in Istanbul. The restaurant has had a chequered century, opening and closing like nobody’s business, but today it enjoys a bustling lunchtime trade from its spot on the second floor of the Egyptian Spice Bazaar. Pandeli’s kofte remains unparalleled and the famous oven-baked

“At the hammam you are scrubbed and soaped within an inch of your life”

ROOMS AT THE AJWA HOTEL

quince, slathered with thick syrup and clotted cream, is a necessity for any diner.

From here, you’re not far from the Grand Bazaar, an incredibly impressive albeit overwhelming market, stretching across tens of thousands of square meters. Colourful and chaotic, yes.

Relaxing, absolutely not. But you’re guaranteed to bag a bargain on all manner of carpets and crockery, leather goods, fake handbags, Turkish tea, dried fruit, shoes, spices, sweets and perfumes.

Other touristy tick boxes are the Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and Hagia Sophia.

Currently undergoing restoration, the Hagia Sophia - originally a Greek Orthodox church, then an Islamic mosque and now a museum - reflects the shift in Istanbul’s civilisation over the ages in a way that is quite extraordinary. Visitors can see

ISTANBUL'S FAMED ARCHITECTURE

ceiling panels where an Islamic geometric design has been superimposed over a faded Christian cross, and where four decorative winged angels have had their faces covered with star-shaped metallic lids to conform with Islam. The Topkapi Palace is a beautifully preserved edifice in marble and gold built in the 15th century as the main residence for the Ottoman sultans.

It also boasts a strategic passage, known as the Golden Road, a narrow corridor of honey-coloured stone which leads from the harem to the Sultan’s private quarters.

The Blue Mosque is Istanbul’s most photographic building. It’s exterior is an impressive cascade of domes and slender minarets, while the interiors are adorned by the blue iznik tiles that give the building its unofficial but commonly used name.

Each of these monuments are within walking distance of each other, and among them are carts selling orange juice and corn on the cob, carpet shops and jewellers, bazaars full of spices, lamps, Turkish delight and handbags.

With such an abundance of historical sightseeing to squeeze in, a cruise on the Bosphorus is probably one of the most overlooked tourist attractions, but do set a few hours aside to take a tour. Viewing the city from the water offers arguably the finest panorama of this amazing city, showcasing Istanbul in all its glory.

A J WA H OT E L S U LTA N A H M E T

THE HAMMAM

Rates start from £197 per night based on two people sharing a double room on a B&B basis. +90 212 638 22 00 ajwa.com.tr

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Set in the charming heart of Dorking, nestled between the North Downs and gentle slopes of the Denbies Estate and Vineyards, The White Horse stands as one of England’s most storied coaching inns, with a history dating back as far as 1278.

The property has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and overhaul of both the public spaces, dining concept, and 56 bedrooms. Offering stylish accommodation, a destination restaurant, as well as an all-new bar and deli concept, The Dozen, specialising in local Surrey produce.

In other words, plenty to get your teeth into‌

01306 881138 The White Horse Hotel, High Street, Dorking, Surrey, United Kingdom RH4 1BE info@whitehorsedorking.com | www.whitehorsedorking.com

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e loved the ample supply of 100 Acres bath products, the GHD hairdryer and the cosy bathrobes. On arrival there’s a breakfast hamper (so you don’t need to head for the shop in the morning) and the coffee machine is stocked with beans.

There’s a table tennis table and lots of board games; the bedlinen is insanely soft and kitchen cupboards contain everything from cake tins to a Nutribullet.

THE AREA

T

his is ultimate chocolatebox Cotswolds.

Wherever you look is a scene of bucolic beauty – gently rolling hills, well-tended fields, dreamy villages with dinky cottages in creamy Cotswold stone. No wonder there are tourist buses fighting for parking space in Bibury, described by William Morris as ‘the most beautiful village in England’ and now counting as one of the world’s most instagrammable villages, apparently. It’s an undeniably charming spot, and Bibury Farm Barns are a 10 minute walk outside town, quietly yet very conveniently located.

THE BARNS

T

here are five barns on this recently converted site, each of them differently styled. Ours is the Bull Pen, positioned around a large private garden. Inside, it’s pretty spectacular.

Spacious and luxurious,

this is the work of designer Pippa Paton, who cleverly combines the rustic and the contemporary to create spaces that ooze comfort and calm.

There are three bedrooms, each with vast beds and stylish bathrooms, and a kitchen that’s far better equipped than most homes (though this means that everything requires an instruction manual). Sofas are super soft; the television is enormous; underfloor heating is set to perfection.

WHAT TO DO

I

f you can bear to leave the barn, there are countless pretty towns to explore – starting with Bibury. Visit the trout farm where you can feed the fish and then buy them (the smoked trout pate is particularly good). The Plough Inn in nearby Langford is Giles Coren’s favourite pub and definitely worth a visit (if you can get a table: booking ahead is necessary).

weekend

THE DETAILS

D ESTINATI O N S

TRAVEL • UK GETAWAY

BIBURY FARM BARNS GLOUCESTERSHIRE

By P E N D L E H A RT E

Stylish barn conversions in an idyllic location PRICES FROM £1400 FOR A 2 NIGHT WEEKEND STAY £1575 for 3 nights (there is a short stay surcharge on 1 or 2 night stays) Bibury Farm Barns, Bibury, Gloucestershire GL7 5PB biburyfarm.com

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Open Morning Saturday 14 March 2020 09.30 -12.00 Learn about our creative and nurturing ethos Meet our dedicated and passionate staff Explore our two wonderful sites near Wimbledon Common Wilberforce House Camp Road SW19 4UN 020 8947 6969 www.thestudyprep.co.uk Registered Charity No. 271012

We welcome enquires about our scheme of assistance with fees for girls aged 7+ Additional bursary available for entry into Year 1 or Year 2 from September 2020

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KIDS &EDUCATION

YOUNG MINDS The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon, is a leading prep for girls aged 4-11. Its highly creative and nurturing ethos instills a love of learning and leads to excellent academic results at 11+. The annual Open Morning takes place on Saturday 14th March 2020. thestudyprep.co.uk.

The Study Preparatory School, Wimbledon

Schools news 109 Performing Arts Schools 118 Generation Greta 132 A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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KIDS & EDUCATION • NOTES THE REVIEW

SLOPE STYLE N E T-A- P O R T E R

Net-A-Porter's capsule ski collection for kids includes brands such as Burberry, Fendi, Perfect Moment, Brunello Cucinelli, Yves Salomon, Sorel, Moon Boots, Sophia Webster, Golden Goose Deluxe Brand, Johnston’s of Elgin, The Elder Statesman and Alanu. net-a-porter.com

SMALLS MERINO

SMALL TALK Here's hoping for snow – a sledge, winter warmers and ski chic

SNOW DAY

EDITOR’S PICK

SMALLABLE

There's nothing better than a tradional wooden sledge, even if it is set to spend most of its life in the loft. Here's hoping for a snow day this month. Sirch sledge, £90, smallable.com

A SOCK IN IT

B

aselayers are arguably the most important part of your ski kit – but a good baselayer isn't just for the slopes, it's an everyday essential too.

Merino wool is the superior choice for adults and tots, thanks to its durable nature and high performance. Merino not only looks and feels good, but it keeps you warm (though never sweaty), it's easy to wash (though you hardly ever need to) and it's hypoallergenic. Smalls' merino collection is all derived from fully traceable New Zealand and Australian merino and comes in lots of shapes and colours for children and adults. We are living in our long-sleeve tee, which is thin enough not to add bulk while keeping us toasty all day. It's as useful on a ski trip as for a day at school because it's a miraculous temperature regulator. It's good to sleep in too.

Best Long Sleeve Tee, £44.50, smallsmerino.co.uk

GOGGLE BOX

MOCCIS

IZIPIZI

Moccis' new Scandinavian wool slipper socks are supersoft and cosy with slip-proof leather soles and absorbant wool socks.

Sizes range from baby to adult, so the whole family can lounge in style together. ;£35-£49

Izipizi's matching ski and snowboard masks for adults and tots come in a range of colours, all of them promising 100% UV protection and an anti-fog double screen. From £45;

 moccis.co.uk

 uk.izipizi.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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KIDS & EDUCATION • WELLBEING

Skin DEEP

Child behaviourist Richard Daniel Curtis advises how to deal with problem skin

Wo r d s E V E H E R B E R T

A

ccording to the British Association of Dermatologists, skin diseases represent 34% of disease in children, and 20% of children in the UK have eczema.

Whilst the physical impact on children is often clear, the emotional side effects of living with a skin condition can sometimes be harder to spot. From struggling with treatment to overcoming the touch barrier, child behaviourist Richard Daniel Curtis shares his advice on supporting your child or loved one through problem skin.

Q What impact can dry or eczema-prone skin have on my child’s behaviour and emotions?

A Suffering with eczema can be incredibly frustrating, particularly for very young children unable to express the discomfort they are in. This means young children may scratch and pull at their skin, which can be very upsetting and they may cry until the eczema is calmed or soothed.

“The biggest issue can be having to apply cream and ointments, as small children can see this as annoying and disruptive, for

Oilatum has both an adult and a junior range specially developed to soothe and moisturise dry and eczema-prone skin conditions. oilatum.co.uk

example when the cream is cold, or rubbing off on their clothes and belongings. Eczema can also affect their self-esteem and confidence, due to the appearance of the skin and resulting sore patches.

Q What are the emotional effects of living with dry or eczema-prone skin and what can I do to help?

A As a parent, it can be upsetting and worrying to see your child in distress and discomfort when they are suffering from eczema. For the child, it can be like living with a permanent frustrating itch or worse.

This can be incredibly upsetting for children, particularly when they are young and have not yet learned to use coping mechanisms to relieve the irritation or distract themselves from it. As a parent, you can reassure them, show empathy, and try to alleviate the symptoms as best you can.

Q How I help my child understand and cope with their dry or eczema-prone skin?

A The important thing is that you foster a range of coping strategies in your young child. It can be very hard for just one strategy to work consistently so it helps to be able to try different ways of coping. Resilience and coping strategies are key. For young children and babies, you will need to provide them. During childhood, as a child sees and experiences you emotionally regulate them, they learn to regulate themselves. The more

consistently you help to regulate their emotions during infancy, toddlerhood and young childhood, the more they will pick up or develop their own internal strategies for coping with emotions. You could try praising them, distracting them, and bathing or showering them to see what helps.

Q Do you have any advice on how best to incorporate treatment into a child’s routine?

A Ultimately, by the time children mature, we want them to be taking responsibility for treating their own eczema, whether this is using the right emollients, bath products or shampoos. Moisturising should be an automatic thing for them and you want it to be a habit rather than a chore. Nurture and develop these routines from early ages, so it is second nature to them. Proactive, routinedriven moisturising is far better than them (or you) trying to manage a sudden flare up.

Q What is your advice for bonding with a child if touch is a barrier?

A Touch is only one aspect of the bonding process. Skin-to-skin contact, eye and face contact, feeding and emotional regulation are just a few other aspects of the attachment and bonding process. It is upsetting if we have a child who we can see in pain or discomfort, and for them we need to leave aside our anxieties and focus on being an emotional rock for them.

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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EDUCATION • NEWS

Schools

NEWS Sucess stories from the world of education

By ZOË DELMER-BE ST

In The Know Yellowbird Education have announced plans to extend their popular holiday workshops across London with new locations including W11. Their workshops offer children the chance to develop skills in creative writing, handwriting, english exam preparation, interview skills and much more.

PLENTIFUL S PAC E At Beaudesert Park School in the Cotswolds, children joining Nursery and Reception this school year were in for a surprise. Nursery has added its own outdoor classroom and a creative room.

Meanwhile, children in the two Reception classes now have free-flow classroom and outdoor learning zones.

TO P N OT E Tonbridge School music scholar Sherman Yip has gained the highest mark in the world following his IGCSE Music exams in 2019. To mark his feat, he received a Cambridge Top in the World award. This prestigious accolade is made by examining board CAIE (Cambridge Assessment International Education) to those learners who achieved the highest standard mark in the world for a single subject.

I N V E ST I N G GREEN Slindon College is using money raised from its festive fundraiser to create an outdoor classroom and sanctuary for its pupils. The Sensory Garden Project will offer pupils the therapeutic benefits of nature and is designed as a transformative educational space.

Best Ever

“What we learn with pleasure we never forget.”

Pangbourne College received an ‘excellent’ across all Educational Quality judgements after a full ISI inspection. Headmaster Thomas Garnier said: “These are our best ever inspection results.

We have worked tirelessly to improve all areas of the College and I am delighted that the inspectors recognised this".

ALFRED MERCIER

“All children love to learn, but many have a hard time with education” SIR KEN ROBINSON

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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15/08/2019 16:12

Children learning piano perform better academically in school We want to help you give your child the advantage

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EDUCATION • NEWS

High Accolade

March On

Highgate School has been shortlisted for four TES Awards: State School Partnership of the Year, Student Initiative of the Year, Whole School Community Initiative of the Year and Senior School of the Year.

The school, renowned for its progressive ethos and philanthropic work, cofounded the free sixth form The London Academy of Excellence, Tottenham (LAET).

Whitehall was brought to a standstill as some 250 students from Gordon’s School, together with their Pipes and Drums, marched to the General Gordon statue on the banks of the Thames.

“As always, we were honoured to be able to uphold our tradition, which is a much anticipated event for the whole school. General Gordon himself would have been proud”.

CA R I N G N AT U R E Quainton Hall School has been chosen for the Diabetes UK ‘Good Diabetes Care in School Award’. Headmaster Simon Ford said: “We are delighted to receive this award - it’s not only recognition of how seriously we take Type 1 diabetes in our school, but also of our commitment to ensure all children have access to the same opportunities".

“As always, we were honoured to be able to uphold our tradition"

“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest ”

Cumnor House Event Cumnor House School Sussex, located in Ashdown Forest, is hosting an event for families considering a move to the country on March 24 from 7pm at Fortnum & Mason. There will be talks from relocation and education specialists. Register at cumnor.co.uk/events or email events@cumnor.co.uk

To p St o r y

B E N JA M I N F RA N K L I N

H E A LT H Y E AT I N G Babington House School Early Years staff and children achieved their Bronze Healthy Early Years London Award. Tim Lello, Headmaster, said “I am thrilled we have achieved this prestigious award which reflects our commitment and enthusiasm for healthy eating and a healthy lifestyle.”

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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King Street London W6 9LR www.latymer-upper.org

To find out how to apply, please look at our website or contact our Admissions team.

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EDUCATION • OPINION

Affordability

TEST

The Headmaster of Millfield School believes it's time to reassess school fees B y G AV I N H O R G A N

I

n the decade to September 2018 the cost of private education in Britain rose on average by 49 per cent. This rise was 19 per cent above the rate of inflation over the same period. Put another way, 15 years ago, average independent school fees were affordable in households with one higher earner in the house. Now, to afford such fees requires two higher earners and even then it’s a stretch.

Independent schools are doing more than they have ever done to support transformative, means-tested bursaries and it is right that they do. Last year schools provided £422m in means tested bursaries, up by a staggering £162m since 2011. The press rarely quotes this figure preferring instead to focus on headline fees and maybe it is right that they do as there are two quite separate issues at play here. One is the fundamental affordability of full fees at independent schools and the other is the capacity of such schools to transform lives through the provision of big bursaries.

“In 2018, Millfield provided £5.7 million in scholarships and bursaries” Millfield has provided transformational bursaries for pupils since its foundation in 1935. Boss Meyer, founder of the school, had a Robin Hood ethos whereby those who could afford to pay did, which in turn helped local children who couldn’t access outstanding education. This was groundbreaking – social mobility in modern education in its infancy – and the ‘Millfield Mix’, a principle of diversity and inclusion,

MILLFIELD STUDENTS

was born. Fast forward to 2018, Millfield provided £5.7 million in scholarships and bursaries benefiting 834 pupils.

That is not enough because it does not address the affordability of our fees to hardworking parents who do not qualify for a bursary. That is why we announced last year that we would cut fees by 5-10% in the coming years, and why we hope others will do the same. We have made the commitment because we believe that it is right and we are lucky that we are in a position to be able to do so.

Fee reduction is not straightforward: the ever-rising costs faced by schools on every front are eyewatering. Add to that the way in which a 40% rise to the employer’s contribution to Teachers' Pensions Scheme arrived and the spectre of loss of rates relief and the need for Heads and Governing Bodies to be a combination of entrepreneur, accountant and magician has never been greater. It is time for schools to be more entrepreneurial and bolder in business.

There are many forms of independent education in the UK and that is as true on

fees as it is on school roll, culture, ethos or specialism. There is a desire in the press to homogenise the representation of independent schools. Parents need to be wary of that and schools need to do all that they can and more than ever before to emphasise their distinctive differences.

It is possible to find independent schools charging very modest fees and it is, of course, possible to find the opposite. My core assertion still remains though: our fees have risen by too much for too long and we need to work hard to reverse that.

G AV I N H O R G A N Headmaster Millfield A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Lyndhurst House preparatory school

Open Morning: Tuesday 11th February (Doors open 9.30am) We look forward to welcoming you.

(2021)

24 Lyndhurst Gardens, Hampstead, London NW3 5NW Telephone: 0207 435 4936 Email: office@lyndhursthouse.co.uk www.lyndhursthouse.co.uk

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EDUCATION • OPINION

CREATIVE OUTLET

The Head of Mayfield School says it's vital to encourage arts and music at secondary level, not just to bring on talent, but also as an outlet for relaxation

By ANTONIA BEARY

W

e live in a world where our children are under constant pressure to achieve academic excellence in the face of constantly moving goalposts and expectations. They are bombarded with advertising messages that impact their body image and self-esteem, not to mention seeming permanently connected to online interactions that prevent them from 'switching off' from the stresses and strains of their young lives (so much so that even they are beginning to worry!). It is hardly surprising that the value of music and the arts in a child’s education is often ignored, and its role in providing an antidote frequently overlooked.

“Creative arts have an extremely positive impact on physical and mental well-being, building confidence and allowing students to relax while they learn” The Creative and Performing Arts have an extremely positive impact on the physical and mental well-being of many students, building confidence and allowing them to relax while they learn by becoming truly absorbed in something that inspires and challenges them. Whether a student intends to pursue Music, Drama, Textiles, Ceramics or Art as a career, or whether it is just for fun and relaxation, it is vital these subjects are available to students at secondary level, and that they are encouraged to take part.

At Mayfield School we encourage everyone

to become involved in the arts, whether they appear to have a natural ability or not.

They are frequently surprised by the results.

The benefits of singing, playing music or performing on stage, no matter how nervewracking it may seem initially, are vast: from boosting self-confidence (if you can sing solo in front of an audience, you can do anything) to teaching the discipline that is required to learn lines or music.

A large number of our girls also enjoy Art, Ceramics and Textiles, although not all necessarily choose to study these subjects at A level and beyond. Those who do often combine them with maths and the sciences, our most popular subject choices. Five years ago, we appointed an Artist in Residence, not only to support arts graduates in developing their own work, but also to provide additional inspiration to our students, and promote creativity in the wider community.

The pleasure and satisfaction girls derive from planning, experimenting with and creating artwork or garments is considerable – as is the sense of achievement gained from seeing the creation exhibited. Again, creativity and imagination – but also commitment, attention to detail, critical analysis and patience – are required to succeed. These skills are eminently transferable, and crosscurricular links between the arts and those subjects considered more traditionally academic are hugely valuable, not least contextual detail and background information to enrich learning.

The value of the fruits of these creative labours is not purely aesthetic. An individual response needs to be cultivated and should be informed by an understanding of others’ perspectives; different cultures; experiences other than your own. In the world in which we live, and increasingly in the future, surely this sort of understanding needs to be championed?

A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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EDUCATION • OPINION SUBJECT CLINICS HELP STUDENTS GET ACADEMIC SUPPORT

QUESTION TIME

Kevin Oldershaw, Head of College at Queen Ethelburga’s, gives his advice to students getting ready for exams

I

t is never too early to prepare for examinations and the sooner students begin to study the more likely they are to do well. Planning to study all day, every day for the weeks leading up to the exams won’t help anyones mental or physical health. It’s important students leave plenty of time to relax and destress. At QE, we encourage our students to continue to take part in the many activities on offer – go to the gym, make use of the other sports facilities, use the music practice rooms or attend drama activities.

One of the most valuable methods of revising and preparing for examinations is to use practice papers. The application of knowledge and understanding is a real challenge and a higher order skill that is required to access the higher

grades. We always encourage students to use techniques such as flash cards to check their knowledge, or use mind maps to understand the links between different aspects of the course, and even writing and rewriting notes to log things in the short term memory, but the use of practice papers and then subsequent use of mark schemes is invaluable for helping students to ensure their learning can be applied to what is required in the examination.

Throughout the year, but particularly in the examination period, students are encouraged to access online revision tools such as MyMaths, Educake and BBC Bitesize – all helping to develop their independent learning skills.

Students are also offered subject clinics, running at lunch times and after school. Students are thus able to get academic support

“We help students build their independence, responsibility and resilience – all skills for sucess”

PREPARATION IS KEY

at any time of year to consolidate or boost their learning. During the examination period, these clinics can become more focused on examination techniques or skills required to achieve highly.

At QE, students receive specific lessons on revision skills and techniques. By providing students with a clear toolkit of methods available to them they can make informed and practiced decisions on what will be the most successful for their study preferences.

What has also been particularly popular and useful is our sessions for parents, passing on advice on how they can best support their child with revising and studying.

Getting the best from our students At QE we have high expectations of our students and encourage them to aspire to reach their goals.

The stability, advice, and support throughout a students time with us helps them to build their independence, responsibility and resilience – all valuable skills for a student to succeed.

Academically, the regular and detailed marking and feedback, and time for students to engage with this, is vital for academic development, and the experience of regular testing and examinations such as all students sitting AS examinations in year 12 in preparation for the full A-level in year 13, is proven to improve outcomes.

K E V I N O L D E R S H AW Head of College Queen Ethelburga’s A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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I STA R S

ELMHURST BALLET SCHOOL

Performing

While many schools across the country offer exceptional teaching in music and drama, an elite band raise the bar still higher, with alumni lists that read like who’s who. So what does it take to study at a top performing arts school?

By BERNADETTE JOHN

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f a Christmas trip to The Nutcracker or a show has left your child longing for a career in the spotlight, you may want to do your homework on schools for performing arts.

First thing to note, your child needs to be resilient: there is stiff competition to get in (only one in 10 will get through the audition stage at some schools). There can be some weeding out mid-school – particularly in the ballet schools, when a change in physique or anything below top-level performance can result in the child being asked to leave.

Apart from aptitude and resilience, the biggest consideration is the depth of yearning your son or daughter shows for dance, drama or music.

The regime is punishing. They must fit in GCSE studies alongside several hours of tuition and practice each day, and they need to be highly disciplined and single-minded. If it’s a hobby rather than a compulsion, they may be better placed at a mainstream school with a strong performing

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

“The curriculum is designed to give them several hours to indulge their passion each day” arts department, or a good halfway house between mainstream and truly specialist – such as Bede’s, with its in-house Legat dance school. With all those caveats, if you have a star waiting to come out of the wings, they will be in their element in a place where the curriculum is designed to give them several hours to indulge their passion each day and with exceptional tuition and opportunities.

Unsurprisingly, this comes at a cost. Fees at elite performing arts schools will take your breath away, as they cover intensive coaching on top of academic tuition and, due to location, most children need to board. Children at some specialist schools qualify for the Department for Education’s Music and Dance Scheme, which provides means-tested grants to encourage homegrown talent. A similar scheme, Dance and Drama awards, provides assistance for pupils aged 16+.

Added to this, most schools offer scholarship and bursary schemes.

a stage school, however casting directors do regularly come-acalling when seeking new talent.

Every year there are around 250 applications for 75 places. Gaining entry is all about potential and passion – academically, it is nonselective. Pupils in years 7 to 11 specialise in either dance or drama (although they will be taught both).

Once in, there are long days to fit in both academic and vocational work – younger pupils stay until 5.30pm a couple of days per week, while sixth formers – who are taking arts-based A levels and BTECs – have a late finish every day. Most go on to further vocational training after sixth form, although a few will go straight on to professional careers.

Entry: Fees are between £16,080£16,990. Means-tested bursaries are offered and there are eight full-fees scholarships for sixth formers. Arts Ed offers day school only, although a few sixth formers board with host families.

Elmhurst Ballet School

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Birmingham elmhurstdance.co.uk

t’s really exciting when we meet young people who have only recently discovered ballet and have raw talent which can be developed when they join the school,” says Elmhurst’s principal Jessica Wheeler. While raw talent is there, usually children applying will have several years of dance experience. Around 400 children audition each year; staff are looking for ‘physical ability, musicality and passion’, and only about one in 10 will make it through.

The school offers day and boarding places to boys and girls aged from 11 to 18, and trains them in classical ballet, as well as jazz, tap, contemporary dance and choreography. Pupils up to year 11

ARTSED

Arts Ed

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London artsed.co.uk

or Arts Ed pupil Thomas Dennis, it was a short hop from sixth form to playing Christopher Boone in the National Theatre’s Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, and then on to another lead role in War Horse. Another former pupil Ella Balinska stars in the recently released film Charlie’s Angels, and Samantha Barks will play Elsa in Frozen: The Musical this year.

So there’s a well-trodden path to the limelight with an exceptional alumni list of talent on stage and screen. Arts Ed is clear that it is not A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Marine Biologist Trumpeter Hockey Player KITTY, AGE 15

Millfield and Millfield Prep’s next Open Day is Saturday 29 February

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24/01/2020 08/01/2020 14:50 14:04

EDUCATION • FOCUS

Italia Conti Academy of Theatre Arts London italiaconti.co.uk

T spend one-third of their time dancing, and the remainder studying an average of eight GCSEs. It is is twothirds dancing in sixth form, as they work towards a National Diploma in Professional Dance.

The academic side is not neglected – one-third of the school’s GCSE entries last year achieved top grades.

Competition is harsh too for that future in dance; there are formal assessments in years 9 and 11, when those who are not on track to make it to the top are asked to leave. A place at Elmhurst gives children a true taste of a career in dance – as does the opportunity to perform regularly with Birmingham Royal Ballet and in the school’s many productions.

Entry: Register early in the autumn term of the year preceding entry for the two-stage audition process. Fees range from £19,503 to £26,949.

“Staff are looking for ‘physical ability, musicality and passion’”

The Hammond Chester thehammondschool.co.uk

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boarding school which is doable from London – two hours by train – The Hammond is most certainly worth adding to your list of schools for a talented child.

It offers an all-through education, from prep joiners at age seven, to a degree course in Musical Theatre and Performance at 18+.

Success in the dance audition is the foremost requirement. Around 30 per cent of applicants make it through.

Prep school children get an allround grounding in performing arts, then from years 7 to 11 pupils opt to specialise in dance, drama or music.

This leads on to a choice in sixth form – a three-year National Diploma in Dance or Musical Theatre, a two-year BTEC Diploma Level 3 in Performing Arts and optional A Levels.

Entry: Apply a year ahead of entry.

Auditions run from November to March.

Fees range from £11,781 to £28,152.

ake a casual look at the roll-call of past pupils here and it’s clear they reach the top in a multitude of disciplines – alumni include Daniel Mays, Leona Lewis, Martine McCutcheon, Russell Brand and Naomi Campbell, to name a few.

This is an opportunity-rich setting, as Italia Conti also has its own agency, which puts pupils in front of casting directors and producers The Theatre Arts School for ages 10 to 16 teaches up to 10 GCSEs. These are studied alongside training in acting and voice, ballet, tap, jazz and modern dance, plus singing and musical theatre. After GCSEs pupils can stay on to take a threeyear diploma in musical theatre and work up to degree level with a BA in acting. Virtually all graduates gain employment in the industry.

Entry: The entrance audition involves three types of dance, two drama pieces and one song. Prior training is highly recommended. Fees range from £12,975 to £15,990.

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An ‘Excellent’ rated, vibrant and supportive school community, set in 220 acres of

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We welcome day

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

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EDUCATION • FOCUS

THE ROYAL BALLET SCHOOL

The Royal Ballet School London royalballetschool.org.uk

The Purcell School Bushey, Hertfordshire purcell-school.org

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he bar is set high at The Purcell School, with a daily timetable that usually involves two hours of music lessons and three to five hours of practice, with individual instrument lessons and GCSE/A level studies on top. Children can study here from age 10, although most are older when they join – almost half of the pupils are in the sixth form. The school is non-selective academically, as long as children can cope with the curriculum.

The school offers superb opportunities, with teaching from distinguished visiting music staff who are all performers. This sits alongside exceptional music facilities and regular opportunities to perform

in full symphony orchestras and chamber ensembles at major London venues. Large numbers head after school to the Royal Academy of Music, Royal College of Music and Guildhall School of Music and Drama.

Former pupils include BAFTAnominated film composer Mica Levi, BBC Young Musician of the Year 2014 Martin James Bartlett, Leader of the ENO Orchestra Janice Graham, and twice Grammy Awardwinning Jazz pianist Jacob Collier.

Entry: The deadline for applications is at the end of March. There are initial auditions followed by panel interviews.

Pupils need to show a commitment to a career in music, which is more important than having already achieved the highest grades in music. Fees range between £26,748 and £34,152.

“Distinguished visiting music staff are all themselves performers”

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ollow in the en pointe footsteps of Darcey Bussell and current Royal Ballet principals Lauren Cuthbertson, Francesca Hayward, Steven McRae and Edward Watson, who all trained here. The school takes boys and girls aged from 11 to 19. Years 7-11 are based in Richmond Park, and the older pupils are located in Covent Garden.

Virtually all pupils are boarders.

There’s ballet for two hours of every school day, plus more classes and rehearsals during evenings and on Saturday mornings. Pupils also sit for a full range of GCSEs. Year 11 pupils must audition again for the upper school, where pupils take A levels and a three-year BA in classical ballet and dance performance.

Entry: Children must demonstrate outstanding talent and commitment; your child’s ballet teacher should be able to advise whether they are in with a prospect of succeeding in the audition process. Apply in September for the following year. Fees range from £19,500 to £34,500.

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DISCOVERMORE

Embracing an innovative, modern approach whilst keeping traditional values at its core, Kew House School takes an exciting stance on 21st century education. With state-of-the-art facilities, a broad curriculum and excellent pastoral care, Kew House is a place where you would want to be – a place of learning and discovery, laughter and friendship.

Open Open Events Days

February 12th (9:45am) November 1st/7th (9.30am/ 9.30am) February 25th (9:45am) November 15th/21st (7.00pm/ 9.30am) March 4th (9:45am) March 19th (9:45am) November 29th (9.30am) April 27th (9:45am) Book your place online:

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T: 0208 742 2038 E: info@kewhouseschool.com W: www.kewhouseschool.com An independent co-educational senior school for students aged 11-18 in West London

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16/01/2020 10:33

EDUCATION • FOCUS

DAY in the LIFE

Clodagh and Ali, joint School Captains at Latymer Upper School, talk us through a day in their lives

or prefect duty. A personal favourite is Latin Jazz Band, despite my lack of rhythm.

16:00

Back to the sports hall for netball training or a match – hopefully the shooting practise helped. After that, back on my bike for a cold, wet cycle home.

18:00

CLODAGH 06:30

Definitely still fast asleep. I’ve got my get-up-and-out-of-the-house routine down to the minimum, so I’m on my bike 20 minutes after my alarm goes off.

08:25

Somehow between 18:00 and 21:00 I try to shower, procrastinate, work, play cello, eat, procrastinate, and get ready for the next day before an early night.

21:00

Clearly I never get all that done, but by then I usually give up on my ambitious evening plan and listen to a podcast or watch some Netflix in bed before going to sleep.

Food! By now I’m pretty hungry, so I head straight to the canteen and catch up with friends. With a full stomach, I normally go to a meeting, talk, society, orchestra practise,

If the songs worked and I’ve had a good breakfast then I usually try and get some work done in form time. If it was one of those borrow-a-quid-off-sara days then I get some sleep in form time, might have a bit of tired small talk.

11:10

Catch up with my friends or go and play on pitch (commonly known as peesh – a word derived from the academic linguist Bosky).

13:10

16:00

If there isn’t a school council meeting or football training or a play rehearsal then I try to get home ASAP to get work done by 6pm.

11:10

13:10

08:25

Lunch depends on my card balance.

It can mean the difference between a Tesco meal deal or Raf’s. After I eat I usually have something on, such as drama club or a prefect duty.

Instead of form-time, I’m often making announcements in various assemblies.

Otherwise, I’m first in line for a free coffee when our school cafe opens at 8:30am – possibly the most appreciated perk that comes with being ‘School Captain’.

Break is usually spent in the sports hall practising my netball shooting, and helping the younger students with theirs. As goal shooter for the 1st VII I need all the practise I can get…

Army or the Rocky soundtrack. If this works then it gives me time to whip up a peng breakfast; if it doesn’t work then I ask my sister if she has a quid and get breakfast on the way to school.

18:00

ALI 06:30

Wake up, but don’t get up. Lie in bed for a while and then usually have to play a cliché song to get me up, like Seven Nation

I never get work done by 6pm. So have dinner and aim to work till about 8pm.

21:00

Usually still working. Then, have a shower, get the Rocky soundtrack ready for the next morning and then sleep.

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FAMILY TREASURE In a world where young and old seem increasingly distanced, Our Stories Now reconnects children with their elders through storytelling. Absolutely Education speaks to its founder Cosima Shaw

By LIBBY NORMAN

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n a mobile society, the links between generations are often fractured, and the problem with family ‘glue’ – those stories and memories that bind families together – is that they are very rarely written down. Enter Our Stories Now, a pioneering initiative that aims to reconnect children with their elders through the simple process of story collecting and recording, while there’s still time.

Our Stories Now’s founder and project co-ordinator Cosima Shaw says it has been a “labour of love”, running it on a voluntary basis. The idea emerged from her own personal history. Born in Berlin to an American father and a German mother, her family story already spanned continents.

She says: “Our family didn’t talk about the past – and with the German side of our history, they didn’t want to talk”. Her grandfathers died before she was born and both grandmothers had passed away by the time she was in her early 20s. It was after the birth of her own daughter that

As an actress (credits include Dr Who and Zen), and a mother, now she had some time to carry forward an idea. Behind her initiative was a deep conviction that all children could benefit hugely from tapping into the histories of their grandparents and great grandparents.

The project idea she developed and began taking into schools was deceptively simple.

She designed it as something that schools could fit around their schedule and their curriculum. It has been run over weeks, condensed into short sessions and linked to specific school events, such as book or history weeks. Each time the project is run with a school, the feedback just gets better.

Schools take ownership, not just of the way the storytelling project runs, but of the results that are produced. These are physical and tangible – a book containing a story from each participating pupil is produced by Cosima. But children are in the driving seat as the history recorders, working with their chosen grandparent or great grandparent.

Sometimes an uncle or aunt may step in

“There is so much wisdom to draw on, and this gives children the opportunity to engage while their family member is still around.”

Cosima began to think more about her family’s past. One thing that put gaps in her own knowledge into sharp relief was the different approach of her husband’s family.

“My husband is from Greece, and there the tradition is to tell family stories,” she says.

Narratives and yarns were repeated every time family got together, told so often everyone almost knew them by heart – but still her Greek family would rework them to keep them alive. “My daughter’s great grandfather had three or four stock stories he’d tell every time with a glint in his eye.

At first it seemed strange to me to have the same stories repeated. But what struck me after a while was how my daughter relished hearing him tell them again, and how they then stuck in her own memory.”

It was in 2014, when her daughter was in Year 2, that Cosima began to consider how family stories could best be preserved.

if grandparents are no longer around or a family is divided by location or circumstance.

Cosima says making children the historians is vital to Our Stories Now. Getting them to sit down with an elder from their family and ask the questions, find out a story and record it, opens up the past and becomes a gateway to sharing more. “There is a so much wisdom to draw on, and this gives children the opportunity to engage while their family member is still around.”

At present Cosima works mostly with children in Year 4 and Year 5. She has worked with younger age groups and would love to see the project happen in secondary schools. What is important at the outset is gaining the understanding of children and the support of parents or guardians – the latter is usually done via a letter sent with homework to explain the purpose of the project.

The base children start off with is a simple interview format – where were you born, what languages did you speak and what clothes did you wear? This can move on to toys, schooling and a whole host of other questions. The focus is on gathering one story that can ideally be encapsulated in a side of A4 paper to form one ‘chapter’ of the class book that is the final outcome.

What happens during the process can be surprising. Cosima says children take their responsibilities very seriously. Some will make an official ‘appointment’ with their grandparent, while for others it becomes a whole-family get together with other members of the family jumping in to listen, maybe provide more background.

An important aspect of the project is that children reflect on the differences between their own lives and the lives of family who went before them. Sometimes the A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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IBROADEN MY MIND Openness to the outside world. The readiness to see other points of view. These are qualities we help students develop to broaden their minds while excelling at their academic studies.

Places for 2020 entry are understandably strictly limited.

Apply today at southbank.org/applynow

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EDUCATION • FOCUS STUDENTS GET THE CHANCE TO CONNECT WITH OLDER GENERATIONS

FAMILY BONDING

“There might be classes where different children tell two sides of a story of conflict in Europe or further afield” differences are stark – the child describing a grandparent who was in charge of donkeys at more or less the same age they are attending full-time school or the retelling of a family’s miraculous survival through the last days of wartime. Cosima says that sometimes you can almost feel the pain and anguish in a story that a child has gathered.

Stories spark debate and, she says, sometimes the teacher may need to help fill gaps in children’s knowledge of history or geography. Stories span the world – there might be classes where different children tell two sides of a story of conflict in Europe, in the Middle East or further afield. She says she has heard amazing stories of seismic times in history that she believes have never been revealed before – one reason she would love there to be a permanent repository for this living-history narrative and a wider pool of volunteers to take the idea forward on a bigger scale.

For now, there are the books that every class produces, each story accompanied

by a photo of the child and their elder and often with artworks in the mix. Sometimes videos are added to the class activities.

The juxtaposition between the big stories that recall known world events and the little ones – an idyllic and secluded childhood in the countryside perhaps – are of equal value in the book, part of a shared narrative and a permanent memento for the children who have each preserved a moment in time from their family history.

At the heart of Our Stories Now you have the opportunity for an elder to share –communicate a story of love or loss or place that may have been buried in their own memory for years. But what is most important as far as Cosima is concerned is the coming together of the generations. “There is a double dynamic. The story that mattered enough to be told by the grandparent becomes precious to the child.”

CHILDREN LEARN THEOUGH STORYTELLING

Find out more about Our Stories Now at ourstoriesnow.com A B S O L U T E LY. L O N D O N

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Future THINKING

In a time of rapid change, the Headmaster of St Benedict’s outlines how young people can thrive, at school and in the future

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t’s sometimes said that education is what is left when you have forgotten what you were taught. That the core value of education is not so much the acquisition of knowledge as the ability to think. At every stage, education should encourage us to reason, to be curious, to be sceptical and to ask questions.

We need to teach our students how to distinguish between what is true and what is fake, and to think for themselves when evaluating complex issues such as war, euthanasia and nuclear arms. Philosophy has a vital place in this information age, with Socrates and Aristotle teaching us to think logically and make reasoned arguments in the face of oversimplification, obfuscation, and downright lies.

As do good research skills, using

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libraries – digital and paper – in the most effective way.

The future of work is arguably more uncertain now than it has ever been, with the exponential rise of artificial intelligence and machine learning. Our children will be employed in jobs that don’t yet exist, and they may well have more leisure time at their disposal, which raises the question of how they’ll spend it. Schools therefore need to equip young people not only to find the kind of employment that best suits their talents, but also to understand that learning can be life-long and fulfilling, not just a means to an end.

In the many careers talks given by alumni and other outside speakers at St Benedict’s the same powerful message invariably comes through: future success often defies a plan, requires tenacity, and depends upon an individual’s

Learning can be life-long and fulfilling, not just a means to an end

EDUCATION • FOCUS

growth mindset: not on initially being the ‘best’, but on constantly learning, developing and being a person that people want to work with. To return to the quote: it’s not what you know, it’s how resilient, adaptable and creative you are.

As technology occupies an ever-increasing part of our lives, it is the human qualities that will matter more: imagination, empathy, reliability, compassion, perseverance – these are the qualities that will hopefully remain when students have forgotten what they’ve learned for their exams.

So it is vital that, as well as following an academic curriculum, we help children to develop these human qualities in the first place.

The role of co-curricular activities is crucial, not subsidiary, in helping pupils to be resilient. It takes self-discipline and independence to practise a musical instrument, or to learn the lines of a play.

In sport, when you’re 4-0 down with 10 minutes to go, it takes gritty determination to keep going to the end; and if you can encourage your team-mates along the way, so much the better.

Good study skills and the acquisition of knowledge certainly have their place, but they are really only the beginning. It is determination which will see them through in the face of adversity and uncertainty. Stellar exam results alone are really only just the beginning. We also need to develop to the full all that makes us human and unique.

ANDREW JOHNSON Headmaster St Benedict’s School, Ealing stbenedicts.org.uk

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‘ Enjoying childhood and realising our imagination.’

“My favourite thing about Dallington School is that the teachers and students are very friendly and positive, there is a brilliant atmosphere in the classroom” - Johan “I think Dallington teaches you in a way no other school does and I really enjoy that” - Alex Dallington is a family-run co-educational independent school, with a nursery, in the heart of London.

Personal tours each day of the week, except Wednesday.

Next Open Evening: Thursday 14th May 2020 from 6 to 8 pm

Headteacher: Maria Blake Proprietor: Abigail Hercules Founder: Evan & Mogg Hercules MBE Email: hercules@dallingtonschool.co.uk Phone: 020 7251 2284 www.dallingtonschool.co.uk

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l o er o N p h de ou sc gar gr th s 4 the ol o iN ch s

New seNior school opeNiNg september 2020 A co-educational independent school for 11-18 year olds

“Maida Vale School will be modern and innovative yet reflect many of the traditions and values established over twenty-five years at our schools.”

- Gardener Schools Group

book an open event to visit us at www.maidavaleschool.com/openevents Thurs 30th Jan 2020 • Tues 11th Feb 2020 • Thurs 27th Feb 2020 Tues 17th Mar 2020 • Thurs 26th Mar 2020 (from 9.30am)

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e. admissions@maidavaleschool.com

Maida Vale School, 18 Saltram Crescent, London W9 3HR

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12/11/2019 09:51