Velvet Magazine December 2016

Take Me I’m Free 

Dec 2016 

over 

local products, 

eats, events and people 

Festive Feast 

Creative Celebrations 

healthy 

holidays 

Eau 

Christmas 

Tree 

Alpine Chic 

Twinkle 

Toes 

What’s On This Christmas 

a royal 

opening 

Christmas Cooked to Perfection 

New Year, 

New Home 

Deck 

The Halls 

The top free 

monthly from the 

award-winning 

publishers Cubiqdesign

Cubiqdesign is a multi award-winning design agency. 

No jargon... Just great ideas and stunning designs... 

info@cubiqdesign.co.uk | 01638 666432 

www.cubiqdesign.co.uk 

Follow Cubiqdesign on twitter twitter.com/cubiqdesign

Welcome 

We’re always looking to support businesses. 

Please email your press releases and information on anything 

new and exciting, which you feel our readers need to know! 

info@velvetmag.co.uk 

My month 

Can’t believe... we were carving pumpkins on 

Negril Beach... Excited for... our annual staycay to 

Centre Parcs... Wishing for... the Dino collection by 

Coach... Anticipating... the Christmas indulgence... 

Hurry up... end of school term! 

from the 

editor 

in pictures 

Happy Christmas! Yes I love saying that! The first person 

who said this to me was in mid-October whilst queuing up in 

Waitrose. Although this action was ever so polite, I did deem 

it a little too early to be wished a Merry Christmas. Christmas 

in our house starts on December 1st. Casper who is four is 

currently counting down the days and is beyond excited. It’s 

his first year that he is really understanding the excitement 

of the festive period and enjoying the build up. My diary is 

bursting with Christmas activities, from the Cambridge North 

Pole, to Newmarket’s very own Winter Wonderland and of 

course, the pantomime at the Theatre Royal in 

Bury St Edmunds. 

With Christmas comes the foodie indulgence. Luckily, at 

Velvet HQ the chocolates and mince pies from clients and 

suppliers roll in on a daily basis. Apparently the average person 

will pile on 6 lbs in December but don’t fret, as in our Health 

and Fitness section we have provided lots of advice on how to 

keep the pounds at bay. So here’s to a very happy and 

healthy Christmas! 

Gemma 

Follow me on Instagram @gemmatreby 

Keep up to date with the latest local lifestyle news and 

amazing offers by joining our newsletter! 

www.velvetmag.co.uk 

Velvet Magazine | December 2016 7

Featuring in this 

month’s velvet 

Contents 

Brandy Panna Cotta p27 

Joanne King 

“We hope 2017 will see 

us become everyone’s first 

choice for curtains 

and blinds.” 

Deck The Halls p83 

Madeleine Shaw 

“We’re all working harder, 

longer hours which is a huge 

block for healthy eating.” 

Check our website for more information 

from Velvet Magazine and our advertisers. 

01638 666432 www.velvetmag.co.uk 

Editor Gemma Treby 

Editorial Sammi Nice, Pete 

Townshend, Rachel Cracknell, Elyssa 

Fagan, Ashleigh Kerr, Josh Tait, Ludy Gee 

Design & Layout John Treby, Adam 

Blythe, Rachael Savory, Elliot Littlefield, 

Steve Parr, Eugene Hector, Matt 

Cockerton, James Willcox 

Advertising & Sales Becca Plaxton 

Special Thanks to Marion Treby 

Printed in the UK by The Magazine Print 

Company PLC. www.magprint.co.uk 

Cover image courtesy of Dorothy Perkins 

Food, Drink & Entertainment 

14. Morning, Noon & Night 

The much-anticipated Northgate 

is now open 

18. A Taste of The Tack Room 

Reviewing Newmarket’s latest 

dining spot 

21. Christmas Cooked to Perfection 

Top tips for your festive feast 

25. Season’s Eatings 

Explore our pick of local festive 

recipes 

34. History, Horseracing & Heritage 

A round up of Newmarket’s We Are 

350 celebrations 

Health, Fashion & Beauty 

53. Festive Fashion 

Let Ludy inpsire your festive outfits 

57. Christmas Jumper Day 

Rock your festive knit for charity 

59. Berry Christmas 

Must-have autumnal liquid lipsticks 

59. What a Cracker 

Beauty crackers make for 

great stocking fillers 

74. It’s All About Balance 

Let Rev Fitness help keep you 

on track 

Nest 

81. Decks Galore 

At Blackthorpe Barn 

84. Divine Designs 

Design Republic’s latest 

showroom 

87. Rocking Around The 

Christmas Tree 

Baubles to buy now 

motoring 

98. What a Treat 

A new car could be the 

perfect present 


Velvet’s monthly views and reviews on all things edible, palatable and enjoyable 

Waitrose Christmas Pudding p17 

Creative Celebrations p29 

One to Remember p31

Food 

by Sammi Nice 

Our 

KitchenArticle 

Alternative Christmas Menus 

Dining out over the festive period doesn’t just have 

to be about roast turkey with all the trimmings and 

Christmas pudding… 

1. Giggling Squid 

From the Festive Squid to the Jolly or Merry Squid… Thai 

favourite, Giggling Squid are offering a Christmas lunch tapas set 

menu as well as a set 3-course menu in the evening too. 

Giggling Squid, Bury St Edmunds, www.gigglingsquid.com 

2. Las Iguanas 

How about a South American feast this Christmas? They’ve got 

something for everyone, whether that’s a family lunch with little 

ones or even your Christmas party. Be sure to try their Christmas 

Sangria Punch… 

Las Iguanas, Cambridge, www.iguanas.co.uk 

3. Thai Street CafÉ 

It’s all about sharing at the Thai Street Café this Christmas! Take 

your pick from their range of sharing dishes and be sure to sample 

their special festive desserts. 

Thai Street Café, Newmarket, www.thaistreetcafe.co.uk 

4. El Guaca Mexican Grill 

Why not head out to Newmarket’s latest Mexican. From fajitas, 

burritos and chilli to nachos,and more, this will definitely make a 

change from your festive roast. 

El Guaca Mexican Grill, Newmarket, www.elguaca.co.uk 

12 

Velvet Magazine | December 2016

Food 

Festive Feast 

December is finally here which means 

it’s high time to start thinking about 

our festive feast. Elveden Estate have 

it all covered. How about a bottle of 

Joseph Perrier NV Champagne to sip on 

Christmas morning? Be sure to save some 

for pre-luncheon nibbles though! 

When it comes to sourcing your turkey, all 

of theirs are Norfolk Bronze free-range 

from Elmwood Farm in Bury St Edmunds. 

Foraging in grass paddocks and a spacious 

barn to shelter, they’re all plump tasty 

birds. Goose and game are also available 

from the butchery counter, but all will go 

down well with succulent Rosso Passo 

(Sangiovese/Merlot) from Veneto. 

Or, if white is preferred, try 

Wente’s ‘Morning Fog’ Californian 

Chardonnay. 

Don’t forget the seasonal 

trimmings, your Christmas 

pud and that all important 

cheeseboard which is great 

with Elveden’s Graham’s 10- 

year old Tawny Port. Enjoy! 

Elveden Estate 

London Road, Elveden, 

Thetford, IP24 3TQ 

Tel: 01842 898068 

www.elvedencourtyard.com 

Join the team at Co. for a healthy festive 

‘roast.’ Just in time for the holiday season, 

the session will focus on Christmas recipes 

with a twist including a light nut loaf, parsnip 

mash, mushroom gravy, cranberry orange 

relish, guilt-free mulled wine, nut nog and 

chocolate truffles! 

Co. 

15 High Street, Cherry Hinton, 

Cambridge, CB1 9HX 

Tel: 01223 778080 

www.cofifteen.co.uk 

The Chestnut Ginstitute 

The Chestnut Group, the award-winning team behind The Packhorse Inn, The White Horse, 

The Rupert Brooke and the recently-opened, The Northgate, are hosting a series of tasting 

events to educate and spread their love of gin. Held by their renowned 

mixologist Ashley Briggs, each of these ‘gincredible’ events will include three 

different gins from all over the world, including 

‘The Perfect Martini’. Each will be accompanied 

by carefully-picked canapés, and there will 

also be the chance to purchase bottles of the 

featured gins you have sampled. 

www.chestnutginstitute.com 

The Packhorse Inn - Monday 12th December 

The Northgate - Monday 19th December 

The White Horse - Thursday 5th January 


Hospitality 

Morning, Noon & Night 

From casual breakfasts, light bites and contemporary cocktails to tasting menus, 

fine dining and luxury stay overs, The Northgate has crafted a truly unique home 

from home experience where the door is always open 

Located a short walk from Bury St 

Edmund’s picturesque town centre, The 

Northgate is the Chestnut Group’s fourth 

venture. After a serious renovation, the 

characteristic property now houses a 

boutique restaurant, a chef’s table dining 

experience, private dining and meeting 

room facility, an elegant cocktail bar and 10 

unique bedrooms. The main vision of The 

Northgate was to create an open-house 

where anything goes. 

With staff dressed in Converse and denim, 

a business meeting happening in one corner 

and perhaps someone coming down for 

breakfast in the other, the Chestnut Group 

wants everyone to feel welcome in their 

home. Think Soho House… 

Since their establishment in 2012, the 

award-winning Chestnut Group has been 

going from strength to strength. Following 

the success of The Packhorse Inn, which 

has rightly earned 3 AA Rosettes, The 

Rupert Brooke in Grantchester and more 

recently, The White Horse in Easton, the 

group has firmly made its mark in East 

Anglia. Renowned for offering quality 

hospitality experiences and exceptional 

dining, Bury St Edmunds seemed an 

obvious choice for their latest opening. 

“The town is hugely affluent and is rapidly 

increasing in all aspects. Our aim is to 

establish The Northgate as a place that 

the local community is proud of and a 

destination of choice for the growing 

number of visitors to the area each year. We 

really want to showcase the best food and 

hospitality that Suffolk has to offer, whether 

enjoying dinner with friends or staying with 

us for a leisurely weekend break,” Philip 

Turner, Managing Director at the Chestnut 

Group, said. 

When it comes to dining, The Northgate is 

open from 7am right through until 9:30pm. 

Whether you’re looking for simple food 

done well or perhaps something a little more 

extravagant, their menu really has mastered 

the art of refined yet relaxed dining. Their 

morning menu alone offers everything from 

14 


Hospitality 

The Northgate 

Northgate Street, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1HP 

Tel: 01284 339604 

www.thenorthgate.com 

a full Suffolk breakfast, poached haddock, 

smoked salmon, grilled avocado, hen’s eggs 

or Canadian pancakes, to an abundance 

of other sweet and savoury eats. When it 

comes to lunch, there are sharing boards, 

open sourdough sandwiches, salads and 

more hearty delights. If you just fancy a 

coffee, a slice of cake or perhaps even 

a homemade smoothie… that also goes. 

Lamb, halibut, black bream, venison, duck 

and chateaubriand are just some of the 

dishes to grace the evening menu. Using 

only the best local produce, renowned 

Head Chef, Dan Grigg, has thought of 

every detail. Intense flavours, contrasting 

textures and pure quality are at the heart of 

his menu, and this certainly shines through. 

The chef’s table, in the heart of the buzzing 

kitchen offers a truly unique experience 

where diners can enjoy an 8-course tasting 

menu. 

Not looking to dine at The Northgate? Be 

sure to make the most of its contemporary 

cocktail bar. Boasting a team consisting 

of the country’s best mixologists and 

sommeliers, the bar’s adventurous cocktail 

menu certainly won’t disappoint. Centred 

upon offering a theatrical display, surprising 

flavour and locally-sourced ingredients, 

this screams sophisticated weekend drinks. 

Leading wines, fine ales and spirits, and 

organic soft drinks also fill the exclusive 

menu. The heated terrace also offers 

another dynamic space for both drinks and 

dining. 

Coming from slightly further afield? There 

are 10 individual French-styled bedrooms 

which have been filled with luxury chic 

furnishings and charming period features. 

The open fireplaces and free-standing, 

over-sized baths are a welcome touch and 

reflect the atmosphere perfectly. 

Just in time for Christmas, The Northgate 

will be a popular choice for festive 

celebrations of all kinds. If you’re looking for 

a quick coffee, relaxed brunch, a 3-course 

dinner or perhaps just a glass of wine one 

evening, its door are now open! 


Our 

This month’s recipe courtesy of Waitrose 

A traditional pudding recipe with a 

delicious twist - crushed amaretti biscuits 

for a lovely almondy flavour 

Ingredients: 

• 175g amaretti biscuits 

• 250g stoned soft dates, chopped 

• 250g dried soft figs, chopped 

• 750g mixed dried fruit 

• 75g dark brown muscovado sugar 

• 75g breadcrumbs 

• 2 medium eggs, beaten 

• 50g firm slightly salted butter 

• 200ml strong ale 

• Caster sugar, to sprinkle 

Amaretti Christmas Pudding 

1. Grease a 1.7-litre pudding basin and line 

the base with a circle of greaseproof paper. 

Put the amaretti biscuits in a polythene bag 

and crush with a rolling pin until fairly finely 

ground. Tip into a large bowl. Add the dates, 

figs, mixed dried fruit, sugar, breadcrumbs 

and beaten egg and mix well. 

2. Grate the butter into the bowl, mixing 

it in frequently as you grate, so the butter 

doesn’t lump together. Add the ale. Give the 

ingredients a good stir, then cover and leave 

to stand in the fridge for a couple of hours. 

3. Pack the mixture into the basin. Cover 

with a large circle of greaseproof paper, 

securing it under the rim with string. Cover 

the greaseproof with foil, tucking it firmly 

over the paper to create a moisture-proof lid. 

Serves 12 

Prep 25 mins 

Cook 3 hours 

4. Place an upturned saucer or piece of 

crumpled foil in the base of a large saucepan 

and rest the basin on top. Pour in enough 

boiling water to come halfway up the side of 

the basin. Cover with a lid and steam gently.

Food 

A Taste Of 

A few months on from its 

opening, we sampled the 

delights of Newmarket’s latest 

dining spot 

If you aren’t already aware, The Tack Room is located in the 

courtyard of the recently opened National Heritage Centre. 

Their name was inspired from the original use of the building 

when Bruce Hobbs used it as the flagship home to the training of 

Racecourses in the 1980s. 

The Tack Room is run by the team behind the much-loved Pantry, 

which includes their head chef Adam who has grown within the 

business. It is accessible to all, not just ticket holders for the 

museum. They’re open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, seven days a 

week, so they really have got it all covered. 

In-house, they can seat over 60 guests, with further outside tables 

during the warmer months. King’s Yard once stabled Charles II’s 

horses, but is now home to a picturesque statue of legendary 

racehorse Frankel. The unique setting also houses a bakery selling 

homemade cakes, breads and other deli delights which are made 

fresh on-site each day. There’s even sandwiches and soups to go. 

You may also be interested to hear 

“Its ethos is 

entirely focused 

on offering 

seasonal, local 

produce.” 

The Tack Room cater for vegetarian 

and vegan customers, as well as 

those who are gluten and dairy 

intolerant. 

After a successful and busy few 

weeks for the team, we called in to 

sample its evening menu. 

This is jam-packed with modern 

British food, and its ethos is entirely focused on offering seasonal, 

local produce, much like The Pantry. Having eaten there on 

numerous occasions, we knew we weren’t going to be disappointed. 

As the rush of breakfast and lunch visitors quietens down, The Tack 

Room by night is an elegant restaurant with an extensive wine and 

cocktail list, and a focus on fresh fish and seafood. 

We were welcomed by restaurant manger, Jonathan, who seated 

us promptly with a drink and began talking us through the menu. 

“Although we still use and support our fantastic local suppliers 

we have deliberately made the menu different from The Pantry 

18 


Food 

The Tack Room 

Kings Yard, Palace Street 

Newmarket, CB8 8EP 

Tel: 01638 666390 

www.thetackroomblog.com 

Article by Sammi Nice 

Opening Hours 

Monday - Saturday 

8am – 11pm 

Sunday 

10am – 5pm 

as we wanted to offer an additional dining 

choice for the people of Newmarket.” 

Jonathan told us. “Everything on the entire 

menu is made fresh on-site and most of 

our ingredients are sourced from across 

East Anglia. We also change the menu 

approximately every six weeks to ensure all 

of our produce is at the very best it can be 

for the season. This makes a real difference 

to the quality of food we are serving,” he 

continued. 

After placing our order, we were given an 

amuse-bouche of beetroot purée with 

goat’s cheese snow on a bruschetta crisp. 

As expected, it really set the tone as to 

what was going to follow. As lovers of 

seafood, we couldn’t resist the pan-fried 

scallops to start, as well as the ham hock. 

The scallops were served with celeriac 

purée, bacon and apple. The textures were 

incredible and the apple and bacon really 

complimented the tender scallops. The 

succulent ham hock was served with pickled 

vegetables and caper terrine, which again, 

worked really nicely together. Both were 

very pleasing on the eye and the vibrant 

colours were reflected in the rich taste. 

For the main event, we were recommended 

the fillet of sea bass and the tagliatelle. 

The sea bass itself was insanely flavoursome. 

It was cooked to perfection, and was served 

with baby fennel, samphire and baby squid. 

The presentation was immaculate and was 

a really appetising dish. The samphire and 

fennel were a fantastic choice, and gave a 

sweet and fragrant crunch to the dish. 

The tarragon-infused tagliatelle is a great 

choice if you love creamy mushroom 

and truffle oil. You could certainly tell the 

tagliatelle was homemade. To finish, we 

opted for the black treacle tart with orange 

sorbet and the Newmarket honey-infused 

panna cotta. The orange sorbet and dusting 

of nutty chocolate crunch made for the 

perfect addition to the warm treacle tart, 

and the honey in the panna cotta came 

through really well. It was served with 

honeycomb, which gave for a sweet crunch 

against the cream. 

All in all, the food was faultless. If you’re a 

lover of exquisite British food with an added 

twist, I’d certainly recommend a visit. I’ll 

certainly be heading back around Christmas 

to take full advantage of the wine list! 

Oh, and if you’re still looking for something 

to do to see in the New Year... they’re 

offering a 6-course dinner! 


AUTHENTIC 

MEXICAN 

ESTABLISHED 

2005 

Lunchtime Mexican & Traditional Menu 

Tuesday-Saturday 12-2pm 

Mexican Restaurant 

Tuesday-Saturday 6.30-9pm 

Loyalty card available in the restaurant 

Fresh Seafood Specials | Six Real Ales 

Great Range of Tequilas | Party Bookings 

Thursday Lunchtime 2 course special 

Great British Roast & Dessert 

ONLY £8 for 2 courses! 

(Follow us on Facebook for weekly details 

/thefox.burwell) 

The Fox Burwell 

01638 741267 

2 North Street, Burwell, Cambs CB25 OBA 

www.thefoxburwell.co.uk 

10 Miles from Cambridge 

3 Miles from Newmarket 

Booking is advisable

Christmas 

Christmas Cooked To 

Perfection 

We’ve rounded up some top tips from 

local experts to make sure your Christmas 

dinner is a hit this year 

Turkey 

“First things first... stay calm! It is 

surprisingly easy to cook a turkey. If you 

start off with good ingredients then you’re 

much more likely to serve up a good meal. 

Try to get the best turkey you can afford. 

I know I would say that as I am a turkey 

farmer, but there is science behind it. The 

best turkeys that anyone can get, such as 

our KellyBronze, are grown to full maturity, 

dry plucked, and hung to develop their 

flavour. Mature birds cook in half the time 

of normal turkeys.” 

Marcus Bradford, The Gog, Cambridge 

www.thegog.com 

Sprouts 

“Wash the sprouts and place in 

boiling water with a pinch of salt. 

Remove them and chill quickly in 

a bowl of ice water to help retain 

the flavour and freshness. Once 

chilled, dry them off and pack them 

tightly into a baking dish creating 

just one layer of sprouts. Pour over 

a good quality double cream until 

the sprouts are covered. Bury small 

pieces of diced brie throughout for a 

rich and creamy dish. Finish the top 

with a strong, hard grated cheese 

and finely chopped pancetta. Bake 

in the oven at 180°C for 12 minutes 

until golden brown. Grate chestnuts 

and chopped parsley to the top and 

leave to stand for 10 minutes. This 

bake is something a bit different and 

your sprouts will never have tasted 

so good!” 

Lee Bye, Tuddenham Mill 

www.tuddenhammill.co.uk 

Dos and dont’s 

• Don’t cover your turkey with foil. It 

won’t go cold and the crispy skin will 

go soggy! 

• Don’t stuff your turkey. By the time 

the middle is done the meat will 

overcook! 

• Do cook your turkey breast side 

down - the tasty leg juices will baste 

the rest. 

• Do allow your turkey to warm up 

before cooking - to prevent the little 

red marks forming by the bones. 

• Always, always, always leave your 

turkey to rest before carving. I 

suggest between 45 mins and an 

hour. I promise you it will still be hot. 

Method 

1. Take the turkey out of the fridge (or 

garage!) for 2 hours and allow to get to 

room temperature. 

2. Preheat your oven to 180°C 

3. Place breast side down, add a pint of tap 

water, some stock veggies to the pan along 

with the giblets… don’t cook the blue bag. 

Season well. 

4. Turn over halfway through 

recommended cooking time and season 

again. 

5. Use a meat thermometer (good 

quality birds will have one included) in the 

thickest, most ‘meaty’ bit. 

6. Take the turkey out of the oven as soon 

as it hits 60°C. It will keep cooking while it 

rests so don’t be tempted to cover it. 


Butchery and Deli 

Artisan butchers and farmers- 

-We make our own sausages, 

-We cook our own hams 

Locally sourced & expertly prepared meats and poultry

Stuffing 

Method 

Try this recipe for the perfect stuffing! 

Gently cook the chopped onion with 

the chestnuts in a pan with a little butter 

until they start to soften. Leave to cool. 

Place the sausage meat, red onion 

jam, cranberries and mustard into a 

mixing bowl and mix together. Add the 

onions and chestnuts, along with the 

sage and finally the breadcrumbs until 

all ingredients are well mixed together. 

Place the stuffing into a non-stick loaf 

tin and bake at 180°C for approximately 

30-35 minutes. When the stuffing is 

cooked, turn out of the baking tin and 

cut to the desired portion size. 

Leftover stuffing is delicious served cold 

with cold meats and makes a really good 

sandwich filling. Here at The Bull Inn, 

we use sausage meat from Edis of Ely as 

their meat has a unique and really tasty 

flavour that would be very hard to beat! 

The Bull Inn, Barton Mills 

www.bullinn-bartonmills.com 

Roast 

Potatoes 

Ingredients 

• 1lb of sausage meat 

• 150g of chopped chestnuts 

• 1 table spoon of red onion jam 

• 1 teaspoon of whole grain 

mustard 

• 75g of dried cranberries 

• 100g breadcrumbs 

• 1 small onion 

• 30g fresh sage 

Method 

12 potatoes to serve 8 

“For the best roast potatoes use 

Red Albert Bartlett potatoes. Start 

by peeling and cutting in half for a 

good sized potato. Then part-cook 

them for 10 minutes on a low boil. 

Drain and then leave to dry out. Add 

a little oil to the potatoes and toss in 

the colander. Season with a dry mix 

(made beforehand to include: 100g 

plain flour, 100g semolina, 2 tbsp 

stock powder, salt and pepper) evenly 

over the potatoes. Place on a baking 

sheet with a good amount of goose 

fat and place into a preheated oven 

at 190°C. Make sure when the goose 

fat is hot, it’s a good 1/2cm deep, 

then carefully place the potatoes 

onto the baking tray and roast until 

golden brown, turning occasionally.” 

Dean Foster of Baileys 2, 

Bury St Edmunds. 

www.baileys2.co.uk 

Gravy 

Method 

Christmas 

“Firstly, heat a deep-sided stock pan or 

pressure cooker and add 3 tablespoons of 

extra-virgin olive oil. Remove the giblets 

from inside the turkey and chop up bones 

from a previously cooked chicken or turkey. 

Add the giblets and bones to the pan once 

the oil is hot and fry until the giblets are 

golden brown. Drain off the excess oil and 

add chopped vegetables such as carrots, 

celery, onion and garlic. Dice bacon and add 

to the pan. Cook for a further 5 minutes 

until they begin to soften. Add 150ml of 

Madeira and 150ml of white. Cook for 3 

minutes before adding 2 litres of chicken 

or turkey stock, bay leaves, rosemary, sage 

and parsley. Bring to the boil, skim any 

surface fats and simmer for 3-4 hours. If 

you’re using a pressure cooker, seal the lid 

and cook for 1.5 hours. Continue to skim 

the liquid to remove any excess fats and 

pass the liquid through a fine sieve or muslin 

cloth. Finally, season to taste and thin down 

to preferred consistency.” 

Jeremy Medley, ICE, Bury St Edmunds 

www.icecookschool.co.uk 

Top Tips 

• Pre-plan and start prepping 2 days 

before to reduce the pressure on the 

day. 

• If making your own Christmas 

pudding, marinade all the fruits in 

liqueur 6 months before. 

• Cook the turkey with streaky bacon 

over it as the fat content will keep it 

moist. 

• Keep the juices from the turkey to 

make your gravy. 

• Oh... and don’t panic you can always 

order a take away! 

Sean Melville, 

Executive Head Chef at 

Bedford Lodge Hotel & Spa 

www.bedfordlodgehotel.co.uk 


Season’s Eatings 

Both recipes courtesy of the Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Cookbooks 

Food 

The Anchor Inn 

Dates in bacon with mustard 

cream sauce 

www.anchor-inn-restaurant.co.uk 

Ingredients: 

• 12 rashers smoked 

streaky bacon 

• 24 stoneless dates 

For the sauce: 

• Large knob unsalted 

butter 

• 1 clove garlic & 1 large 

shallot, 

finely chopped 

• 150ml dry white wine 

• 284ml carton 

whipping cream 

• 2 tsp grain mustard 

• Salt and freshly ground 

pepper 

• Chopped parsley to 

garnish (optional) 

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 230°c. Stretch 

each rasher of bacon. This helps make 

the bacon crispier when cooked. Cut 

each rasher in half and roll one half 

around each date. Refrigerate while 

you make the sauce. Melt the butter 

in a frying pan, add the garlic and 

shallot and sweat for about 5 minutes 

until soft. Add the wine, turn up the 

heat and boil until the liquid is reduced 

by a half. Strain the mixture through 

a sieve and return to the pan. Add the 

cream and mustard, bring to a rolling 

boil and boil for 30 seconds. Divide 

the mustard cream between four 

10-12cm diameter gratin dishes. Add 

six dates to each dish. Bake for 8-10 

minutes until sauce is bubbling and 

the bacon browning. Hot grill to crisp 

the bacon. 

The Suffolk and Cambridgeshire Cookbook, £14.95 each, www.mezepublishing.co.uk 

Ingredients: 

• A loin of pork (2.5kg) 

• 2 tsp Aspall white wine 

vinegar 

• A bunch of fresh 

thyme 

• A few bay leaves 

• Pink, white and black 

peppercorns 

• Maldon sea salt 

For the apple ketchup: 

• 400g cooking apples, 

peeled and cored 

• 1 whole vanilla pod 

• 200g caster sugar 

• Juice of 1 lemon 

• 175ml Aspall white 

wine vinegar 

Method: 

Preheat the oven to 220°C. Score 

the pork skin with a sharp knife. Make 

straight cuts just though the skin, in 

the same direction you will be carving, 

but be careful not to cut all the way 

through the skin. Massage vinegar 

into the skin, before rubbing in sea salt 

and the leaves from the fresh thyme, 

bay leaves and peppercorns. Roast for 

25 minutes, before turning down the 

temperature to 190°C and continue 

cooking for a further 2.5 hours. Let 

the pork rest for at least 40 minutes 

before carving. To make the ketchup, 

place sliced apples in a saucepan. Slice 

the vanilla pod in half lengthways and 

scrape out the seeds. Add to the pan 

with the sugar, lemon juice and vinegar. 

Bring to the boil for 10 minutes. 

Once soft, strain the liquid into a 

jug and place the apple mix into a blender. Begin blending until a thick 

purée. Gradually add the reserved liquid until the mixture is smooth and 

spreadable. Refrigerate before serving. 

jimmy’s farm 

Roast pork with crackling 

and apple ketchup 

www.jimmysfarm.com 


Recipe 

Brandy Panna Cotta 

with confit orange, fruit cake ice cream, brandy snap & honeycomb 

Panna Cotta 

• 400ml double cream 

• 100ml full fat milk 

• 120g white sugar 

• 2 gelatine leaves 

(soaked) 

• Brandy (to taste) 

Bring the milk, double 

cream and sugar to 

the boil, whisking to 

ensure all the sugar is 

combined. Squeeze 

the excess water from 

the gelatine leaves 

and add to the mix. 

Add brandy to desired 

taste. Pour into moulds 

and allow to set in the 

fridge (approximately 

12 hours). When ready 

to serve, turn out from 

moulds. 

Recipe courtesy of 1921 

19-21 Angel Hill 

Bury St Edmunds IP33 1UZ 

Tel: 01284 704870 

www.nineteen-twentyone.co.uk 

Confit Orange 

• 100ml water 


• 20g glucose syrup 

• 1 orange 

Boil water, sugar and 

glucose, whisking 

throughout to ensure 

all the sugar has melted. 

Finely slice the orange. 

Pour syrup over orange 

slices. Place the orange 

slices in an oven-proof 

dish, cover with baking 

parchment and cook at 

110°C for 50 minutes. 

Honeycomb 


• 30g glucose syrup 

• 5g bicarbonate of 

soda 

In a saucepan, bring 

sugar and glucose up to 

170°C before whisking 

in bicarbonate of soda 

and pouring onto a lined 

baking tray to set. Once 

cool, break into small 

pieces. 

Brandy Snap 

• 40g unsalted butter 

• 40g honey 


• 40g plain flour 

• 1 tsp brandy 

Cream butter and sugar 

until smooth. Add the 

honey. When fully 

combined, refrigerate 

for 20 minutes. Pour 

mixture out onto a 

silicone mat to about 

1-2mm thick. Cook at 

170°C for 7-8 minutes 

until golden brown. 

Leave to cool. 

Ice Cream 

• ½ cup for each of 

the following: dried 

cherries, apricots, 

raisins, candied ginger 

• ¾ cup of golden rum 

• 6 egg yolks 

• ¾ cup of dark brown 

sugar 

• ¾ tsp allspice 

• ¼ tsp cloves 

• 2 cups of cream 

• 1 cup of full fat milk 

• Zest of 1 orange 

• 1 tsp salt 

• ½ cup of toasted 

pecans 

• ½ cup of toasted 

walnuts 

Soak the dried fruit 

in rum at room 

temperature for 24 

hours. Make the ice 

cream base with the 

spice included. Pass the 

mix through muslin, add 

orange zest and then 

salt and rum to taste. 

Drain off fruit and chill in 

freezer with nuts. Churn 

ice cream base. Fold in 

fruit and nut mix, and 

place in freezer to set. 


New Year’s Eve 

creative 

Celebrations 

Images: Waitrose 

Choosing to stay in this 

New Year’s Eve? We’ve rounded up 

a few at-home ideas to make 2016 

go out with a bang! 

Cocktail Class 

Mint Cobbler 

Image: The Northgate 

“A contemporary twist 

on the classic mojito 

- substituting garden 

mint for peppermint to 

attack the tastebuds in 

a different way. Here 

at The Northgate bar, 

we have added Cherry 

Marnier and Mozart 

chocolate liqueur 

alongside chocolate 

wine. This gives it a huge 

depth of flavour and 

works great alongside 

this Mexican rum. To 

give the drink its special 

edge, we have crafted a 

syrup with peppermint, 

Manuka honey and 

cider vinegar. This 

gives a subtle acidity 

to the finish and helps 

carry the complex 

and rich flavours 

through. Perfect 

for all occasions, 

especially after dinner 

and certainly a crowd 

pleaser for New Year’s 

Eve celebrations.” 

Ash Briggs, Bar 

Manager at The 

Northgate. 

www.thenorthgate.com 

Fancy Food 

A party isn’t a party without a great selection of food. Whether 

you’re planning a seated dinner for a few family members and 

friends, or perhaps a selection of canapés and party food for a 

larger crowd, head over to Waitrose for some delicious recipes. 

We love the look of these smoked trout and cucumber bites and 

chicken and chorizo skewers! 

www.waitrose.com 

DIY Decorations 

Images: Pinterest 

Ensure your home is party-ready by adding a touch of sparkle. 

If you’re holding a dinner party, be sure to dress your table with 

candles, runners, and other glittery delights. If you’re feeling 

extra creative, make your own bunting and other NYE-themed 

decorations to really set the scene. You’d be surprised what 

you can do with some spray paint and glitter! Struggling for 

inspiration? Pinterest has it covered. 

www.pinterest.com 



The Bone White China girls give you 

the low-down on what’s going on this 


One To 

remember 

Hooray for the festive season and that much-anticipated New 

Year! With kids in tow, the prospect of New Year’s Eve means that 

if you’re going to invest in a babysitter you want the night out to be 

nothing short of amazing. From foodie indulgences to fancy dress 

escapades, we’ve got the very best options for you. 

If you want to treat yourself to some exquisite fine dining, 

Alimentum is hosting its traditional New Year’s Eve dinner. 

The evening will begin with champagne cocktails on arrival, followed 

by a delicious 10-course tasting menu. Celebrate with an evening 

of live music and, at midnight, toast the New Year with a glass of 

Champagne. If you enjoy Michelin-star food and great wine, the 

last night of the year spent here will surely be a memorable one. 

Or how about a dinner dance? The Willow Tree, Bourn are offering 

a 6-course Italian Venetian dining experience followed by a live 

five-piece band, dancing and drinks. The dress code is Masquerade 

Ball so if you like getting dressed up, this one is a great choice. 

If you’re all about the music, Relevant Records’ big charity record 

bash would be our recommendation. Dance away in the vinyl 

basement and drink some of the best independent beers, whilst 

raising money for a worthy cause. 

If you really want to party, NOVI is holding a prohibition New Year’s 

Eve with a speakeasy-style welcome cocktail, live music, roulette 

and blackjack on the first floor. There’s also a DJ late into the night. 

This would be our top choice for making the babysitter count. How 

often do you get to have a big blow out, dressed up like the Great 

Gatsby, spend pretend money and dance until 3am! Just make sure 

the police don’t catch you drinking gin out of a tea pot! 

Wherever you end up this New Year’s Eve, make sure you have an 

amazing one. Thank you for reading our little column this year and 

we look forward to writing for you all again next year. 

@BoneWhiteChina 

@AlexHiggsBWC @SianBWC 


Retreat 

Nestle in a nook 

If you haven’t already experienced a luxury stay at Tuddenham Mill, exploring one 

of their stylish new nooks could be your perfect opportunity 

Tuddenham Mill 

High Street, Tuddenham, IP28 6SQ 

Tel: 01638 713552 

www.tuddenhammill.co.uk 

Currently renowned for its awardwinning 

restaurant and luxury loft and 

mill stream rooms, Tuddenham Mill has 

added five unique ‘nooks’ to its idyllic 

grounds. Set in the rural meadows, 

adjacent to the mill stream, these 

new one-bedroom nooks offer a cosy 

getaway, perfect all year round. With 

understated chic interior and picturesque 

views, they are best suited to those 

seeking a truly rustic retreat. 

With a divine king-size bed and 

feather duvet, underfloor 

heating and a wood-fired 

hot tub, what more could 

you want from a local 

winter retreat? Heated 

by a wood fire, these 

private, fresh-water 

hot tubs are handcrafted 

from red cedar 

wood and are ideal 

for sipping a glass of 

bubbles under the 

night sky. Each nook 

has its own en-suite 

with walk-in shower 

and, as if that wasn’t 

enough, there are 

even Missoni dressing 

gowns and ESPA goodies. 

Alongside these new nooks, Tuddenham 

Mill has also welcomed a new minispa 

treatment room where guests can 

enjoy a variety of tailored treatments in 

tranquil surroundings. From full body 

and head massages to facials, manicures, 

pedicures and more, you can even 

request to have the treatment in the 

comfort of your own room. 

“The nooks will provide the property, and 

our team with a feeling of natural growth, 

and will bring an exciting new concept of 

accommodation for our guests to enjoy. 

By definition, the rooms will be cosier in 

comparison to our existing bedrooms. 

However, due to their meadow 

positioning and countryside vistas, they 

will certainly offer an overriding feeling 

of space. I am also delighted to confirm 

that all the little details that make a stay 

at Tuddenham Mill so special will also 

feature in our new nooks,” Malcolm 

Wyse, General Manager at Tuddenham 

Mill, told us. 

Be sure to book a table in the Mill’s 

highly-acclaimed restaurant and enjoy 

an exquisite menu of locally-sourced, 

seasonal produce to really make the 

most of your stay. 


Racing 

History, 

Horseracing 

& Heritage 

Some have dubbed 2016 a year of controversy and dismay, but 

here at the Home of Horseracing, we’ve had one monumental 

year celebrating the beginnings of the Sport of Kings! 

Let us take you on a journey back to 1660. King Charles II has just 

returned to Britain after nine years of exile in France and is back to 

restore the monarchy. 

Charles’ court was known to be lively and hedonistic, but the 

general public were also relieved by the return to normality and the 

Restoration, which led to the adoption of his nickname, the ‘Merrie 

Monarch’. Charles was a lover of the arts, sciences and sport, and 

had a great enthusiasm for horseracing. 

Returning to his boyhood haunts on the Heath in March of 1666, 

Charles opened the Round Course 

“A king 

created the 

roots that 

would grow 

into modern 

competitive 

horseracing 

as we know it 

today.” 

beyond the Ditch, from which the 

Newmarket Racecourse Adnams July 

Course is descended. King Charles II’s 

return also marked the emergence of 

proper racing records, and the rules of 

horseracing were actually written down 

upon Charles’ request. A king created 

the roots that would grow into modern 

competitive horseracing as we know 

it today. 

Fast forward to the present day, 

and we’re coming to the end of 

what marked a huge anniversary for 

Newmarket, but the year was full of 

fun, surprises and even a royal visit! Let’s take a look at this year’s 

350th anniversary celebrations in Newmarket. 

Kicking off the season, the three-day Craven Meeting in early April 

saw free entry on Tuesday 12th for all CB8 postcode holders. The 

first 350 bookers with CB8 postcodes were also added to a free 

Discover Newmarket tour ahead of racing on the Tuesday too, an 

incentive so popular they had to operate a waiting list. The highlight 

of the spring season on the Rowley Mile is the QIPCO Guineas 

Festival, which marked the 

King Charles II 

official launch of 350 years of 

making history. 

Taking place on 30th April and 

1st May, the QIPCO Guineas 

Festival welcomed over 32,000 

racegoers to the racecourse, 

where visitors were treated to 

a tandem Spitfire flypast, as a 

mark of respect for racing at 

Newmarket continuing through 

the two World Wars. Families 

were treated to entertainment in 

line with May Day celebrations, 

and the official 350 Time 

Capsule was debuted. 

The Town Plate is Newmarket 

Racecourses’ oldest race, dating 

from at least 1720 (and probably 

well before) and is run on some 

of the very same ‘Round Course’ used by King Charles II over 350 

years ago. This year, the Plate took place on Thursday 7th July, 

the first day of the Moët & Chandon July Festival. The Town Plate 

proved to be an excellent showcase of the 350 celebrations with 

a member of Qatar royalty, Shiekh Fahad Al Thani, winning this 

historic race. After taking first place, Shiekh Fahad helped unveil 

a specially commissioned statue of King Charles II to the public, 

alongside three of the monarch’s direct descendants, Lord Fitzroy, 

the Duke of Grafton and Lady Claire Euston. Newmarket’s summer 

highlight, the Moët & Chandon July Festival saw record numbers 

in attendance and featured some of the best style that summer 

has to offer, alongside some of the best-quality horseracing, all 

34 


Racing 

#WeAre350 

www.weare350.co.uk 

www.newmarket.thejockeyclub.co.uk 

at the picturesque Adnams July Course. 

The Style Awards, sponsored by the Spa at 

Bedford Lodge Hotel, a much-anticipated 

fashion competition that takes place across 

the Festival, saw an impressive turn out, 

with Best Dressed Lady, Gentleman and 

Couple all being crowned by the end of the 

weekend. 

Returning to the Rowley Mile for the 

autumn season in September, the 

Newmarket Open Weekend arrived with a 

regional Food and Drink Festival, featuring 

an all-new demonstration kitchen, on 

the 17th and 18th September. Attracting 

visitors from far and wide, Newmarket 

Open Weekend provided a fantastic 

opportunity to access behind the scenes of 

the Home of Horseracing and experience 

racing on Saturday 17th. Tinted with the 

theme of 350, visitors were exposed to 

the importance Newmarket has had in the 

development of this fascinating industry, 

and the public was able to experience the 

opening of Newmarket’s National Heritage 

Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art 

for the first time. 

22nd to 24th September saw another key 

event, The Cambridgeshire Meeting, delight 

racegoers, with world class racing at the 

Rowley Mile, alongside a beer festival and a 

Shetland Pony race to launch Shadwell Day, 

the second day of the three day meeting. 

Newmarket’s autumn highlight was Dubai 

Future Champions Festival, taking place on 

7th and 8th October. 

This momentous meeting also marked 

the official closing ceremony of the 350 

celebrations, the closing of the Time 

Capsule, an aerial display and a giant 350 

photograph, made with the help of 600 

Newmarket Academy students. The image 

was taken to celebrate the 350th year 

of horseracing at Newmarket, as well as 

to thank the Vice President and Prime 

Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, 

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin 

Rashid Al Maktoum. 

November in Newmarket was also an 

exciting time. Whilst the racing season 

had finished, the town was a-buzz with 

anticipation, as Her Majesty The Queen 

was coming to visit. Arriving by helicopter 

on 4th November, the Queen landed at the 

Rowley Mile, and made a brief appearance 

to unveil a bronze statue of herself on 

Birdcage Walk. She then continued on a 

parade down the High Street to formally 

open the National Heritage Centre for 

Horseracing and Sporting Art, marking an 

apt end to the 350 celebrations. 


Racing 

A Royal Opening 

The National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art was officially opened 

by Her Majesty The Queen last month. We visited the Centre to discover the 

fantastic exhibitions and features of the new Museum. 

National Horseracing Museum 

At the heart of the five-acre site is the new National Horseracing 

Museum, which features five fascinating galleries. The galleries 

take visitors through a journey of discovery, heritage and 

theatrical presentation of the last 350 years of horseracing. 

The first gallery introduces visitors to the origins of horseracing 

and how it has grown to be one of the top spectator sports in the 

world, with Newmarket as its home. From here, you will learn 

“The galleries take 

visitors through 

a journey of 

discovery, heritage 

and theatrical 

presentation.” 

about the anatomy of 

the thoroughbred horse, 

discovering the secrets of 

what makes the racehorse 

such a supreme and unique 

equine athlete. 

The final galleries will take 

you through the progressive 

domestic organisation 

of racing from the 18th 

century to the prestigious sport it is today. 

You will learn about the important royal connection with racing, 

racing heroes and some of the key political and social influences 

that have impacted on the sport. 


Racing 

Palace House Newmarket 

The National Heritage Centre For Horseracing and Sporting Art 

Palace Street, Newmarket Suffolk, CB8 8EP 

Tel: 01638 667314. 

www.palacehousenewmarket.co.uk 

Open daily from 10.00am to 5.00pm 

The Fred Packard Gallery 

of Sporting Art 

Palace House, the remaining building of 

King Charles II’s racing palace, is the new 

home for the British Sporting Art Trust. 

The world-class venue showcases three 

floors of stunning artwork from traditional 

17th century paintings to modern day 

interpretations of sporting art. 

Artists whose work feature in the 

exhibition include George Stubbs, Sir 

Alfred Munnings, John Singer Sargent and 

John Wootton. 

The Rothschild Yard 

The most interactive part of the Museum 

is The Rothschild Yard, the new flagship 

yard for the charity Retraining of 

Racehorses. The original yard was built by 

Leopold de Rothschild in 1903, and the 

Heritage Centre team have restored the 

area to its former glory to stable retrained 

racehorses. 

Visitors will have the chance to 

meet former racehorses and see 

demonstrations, at least twice a day, 

to understand the difference between 

training a horse for the racetrack and 

training it effectively for a second career 

either, in events such as dressage and polo 

or purely for the pleasure of riding. 

Gift Shop 

No museum would be complete without 

the opportunity for visitors to take 

home memorabilia from the visit, and 

the Heritage Centre Museum doesn’t 

disappoint. Featuring Vanity Fair prints, 

exclusive Emma Bridgewater mugs, a 

specially created Newmarket Monopoly 

Board and plenty of beautiful homeware 

and stationery pieces for gifts, the shop is 

a wonderful addition to the Museum. 

Delicious Treats 

Finally, if you’re in need of some rest and 

recuperation after visiting the various 

exhibitions, The Tack Room restaurant 

café and The Pantry Bakery are perfect 

spots for a treat. Discover more about this 

delicious venue by reading our review on 

page 18. 


What’s On 

What’s On 

Christmassy things to do in and around Suffolk and Cambridgeshire this month 

We Are Sound 

Cheese and Wine Tasting 

A Christmas Ghost Story 

Inflatable 5k Santa Run 

Grab your hats and hold on 

to your sacks as you pit your 

wits against ten giant inflatable 

obstacles. Full Santa kits 

available. 

3rd December 

Trinity Park, Felixstowe Road, 

Ipswich, IP3 8UH 

£35pp 

Newmarket Town Band 

Concert 

An evening of your Christmas 

favourites including wellknown 

songs and carols. 


St Mary’s Church, Church Lane, 

Newmarket, CB8 0HP 

19:30 

£10 

Cheese and Wine for 

Christmas 

Learn to pair wine with cheese 

at this special pre-Christmas 

tasting where you’ll sample 

7 wines and 7 cheeses from 

around the world. 

8th December 

Royal Cambridge Hotel, 

Cambridge, CB2 1PY 

19:00-21:00 

£35pp 

Wimpole’s Wednesday 

Walk 

Learn about the interesting 

features of the landscape, 

wildlife and the history of 

Wimpole from your Walk 

Leader. Walks range from 

2.5-4.5 miles. 

7th, 14th, 21st December 

Wimpole Estate, Arrington, 

SG8 0BW 

11:00-13:00 

FREE 

A Brief History of 

Christmas 

A whistle-stop tour of our 

midwinter festivities, starting in 

the Middle Ages, is followed by 

a thrilling retelling of Dickens’ 

A Christmas Carol. With 

songs, tunes and carols. 


Stapleford Granary, Bury Road, 

Stapleford, CB22 5BP 

19:30 

£15 (£8 child) 

Christmas Cocktail 

Get into the Christmas 

spirit with the vocalists and 

instrumentalists of We Are 

Sound, as they rework music 

by Noah and the Whale, Vance 

Joy, Paloma Faith and The 

Pussycat Dolls. 


Cambridge Corn Exchange, 

Wheeler Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 3QE 

19:45 

£21.25 

M R James Ghost 

Stories 

Hear Lost Hearts & Number 

13 read by the Victorian 

Gentleman, with an interval for 

a seasonal snack and a glass of 

something festive. 

11th December, 14:00 & 13th 

December, 18:30 

Moyses’ Hall Museum, Bury St 

Edmunds, IP33 1DX 

£10 

Boo Hewerdine’s 

Christmas Show 

A festive mix of words and 

music from by accomplished 

live performer and hit 

songwriter Boo Hewerdine, 

with special guests Scottish 

singer/songwriter Eddie Reader 

and journalist/broadcaster 

Andrew Marr. 


The Maltings, Ship Lane, Ely, 

CB7 4BB 

19:30 

£22 

40 


What’s On 

Flatford Ramble 

Greenery Gathering Walk 

Christmas Carols 

Robin Hood 

The Nutcracker 

Greenery Gathering 

Walk 

On these special greenerygathering 

walks, collect a 

variety of Christmas greenery, 

including holly and ivy, to take 

home. Please bring secateurs 

and gardening gloves. Booking 

essential. 

13th, 15th, 19th 20th & 21st 

December 

Ickworth House, Horringer, Bury 

St Edmunds, IP29 5QE 

11:00-12:30 

£5 members, £9 non-members 

(includes admission charge) 

The Magical Christmas 

Tree Tour 

Pete Morton, Emily Sanders 

and Chris Parkinson present an 

evening of beautiful old carols 

and stunning instrumentals, 

with musical items picked by 

the audience from the scrolls 

on the tree. 


Cambridge Folk Club, The 

Golden Hind, Milton Road, 

Cambridge, CB4 1SP 

20:00 

From £11 

Robin Hood 

Join That’s Entertainment 

Productions for another star 

quality panto, featuring Sue 

Hodge from the classic BBC 

TV series `Allo `Allo. Will Robin 

Hood defeat the wicked Sheriff 

and win the heart of Maid 

Marian? 

20th - 24th & 27th - 30th 

December 

Haverhill Arts Centre, High 

Street, Haverhill, CB9 8AR 

Various times 

From £12 

Flatford Ramble - 

Christmas Caper 

Meet at picturesque Bridge 

Cottage, Flatford, to enjoy a 

2.5 mile guided ramble through 

the beautiful landscape of 

Dedham Vale, following 

ancient footpaths and lanes. 


Flatford, East Bergholt, Suffolk, 

CO7 6UL 

10:30-13:00 

£6.50 

The Nutcracker 

Christmas at Haughley 

Park 

Go crackers at this evening 

of festive food and drink; 

mulled wine and seasonal 

food at 18:30, followed 

by entertainment from 

Conservatoire East at 19:30. 


Haughley Park Barn, Haughley 

Park, Stowmarket, Suffolk, 

IP14 3JY 

From £20 

Orchestral Carols 

West Road Church presents 

a free concert of Christmas 

Carols. There will be a retiring 

collection for St Nicholas 

Hospice 


The Apex, Charter Square, 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 3FD 

18:00-20:00 

FREE 

Father Christmas Needs 

a Wee 

Stopping at the tenth house on 

his rounds, Father Christmas 

realises there’s something he 

should have done before he 

left! A magical, musical show 

for little ones. 


The Apex, Charter Square, Bury 

St Edmunds, IP33 3FD 

11:30 & 14:00 

£12 adult, £10 child, £38 family 

You’ll be captivated by the 

well-known music, spectacular 

design and talented dancers 

in Saint Petersburg Classic 

Ballet’s production of the 

festive tale about Clara’s 

magical adventures with her 

Nutcracker Prince. 

30th December, 14:30 & 19:30 

and 31st December, 14:30 

Cambridge Corn Exchange, 

Wheeler Street, Cambridge, 

CB2 3QE 

From £17.75 


Entertainment 

the stage 

Four Events 

Coming Up... 

Article by Marion Treby 

Plan your entertainment and read 

the latest reviews 

Cambridge Arts Theatre, 

23rd - 28th January 2017, 

19:45 plus matinees. Tickets 

from £18. Tel: 01223 503333. 

www.cambridgeartstheatre.com 

The Full Monty 

Rory Bremner: Partly Political 

With Trump, Boris and Brexit dominating the media, Britain’s best-known 

satirical impressionist is on a mission to make sense (and nonsense) of it all. 

Best known for the political satire show Bremner, Bird and Fortune which 

was broadcast on Channel 4 for nearly 20 years, Rory’s also won backto-back 

BAFTAs for Britain’s Top Comedy Performances, three Royal 

Television Society and two British Comedy Awards. Rory has appeared on 

Spitting Image (ITV), Whose Line is it Anyway (Channel 4), Have I Got 

News for You and QI (BBC1), Mock the Week (BBC2), The News Quiz 

and The Now Show (BBC R4). This is his only date in East Anglia - 

don’t miss it! 

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 8th February, 20:00. Tickets £18.50. 

Tel: 01284 758000. www.theapex.co.uk 

Based on the 1997 smash hit film, described by The 

Guardian as ‘The best British sit-com for years’, The Full 

Monty tells the hilarious, yet heartfelt story of six out 

of work Sheffield steel workers attempting to launch 

a striptease act to earn some much-needed cash. 

However, these friends, played by Gary Lucy, Anthony 

Lewis, Andrew Dunn, Louis Emerick, Chris Fountain and 

Kai Owen, are a far cry from the exotic dancers they try 

to copy. Adapted for the stage by Oscar-winning writer 

Simon Beaufoy, with songs by Donna Summer, Hot 

Chocolate and Tom Jones, this production’s fairytale 

ending will not disappoint… 

The Chicago Blues Brothers 

Travel back to 1980 with The Chicago Blues Brothers to finish the concert 

at the Palace Ballroom Hotel. With over 40 hits performed live on stage, 

this high-octane, adrenaline-pumping musical mash-up continues the 

legacy of Jake and Elwood, presenting the best material from the original 

Blues Brothers movies. Enjoy numbers by Aretha Franklin, James Brown, 

Otis Redding, Ray Charles and Tina Turner plus other blues, soul, Motown 

and funk classics. Infectious, dazzling, riotous, exuberant and spirited, this 

spectacular show captures the sound, energy and persona that gave the 

original film its cult status. 

The Apex, Bury St Edmunds, 22nd Jan, 19:30. Tickets: £24.50. 

Tel: 01284 758000. www.theapex.co.uk 

Music: Showstopper, 

The Improvised Musical 

21st January, 19:30, 

from £8.50, Theatre 

Royal, Bury St Edmunds 

Music: The Classic Rock 

Show, 31st January, 

19:30, from £26.25, 

Cambridge Corn 

Exchange 

Theatre: Shakespeare’s 

The Winter’s Tale, 

31st Jan - 4th Feb, 

various times, from £18, 

Cambridge Arts Theatre 

Comedy: Sue Perkins 

Live! in Spectacles 

16th February 19:30, 

£26.25, Cambridge 

Corn Exchange 


Entertainment 

look out 

Article by Josh Tait 

Keep your eyes peeled for our line up of must-see films, 

up-and-coming musicians and the next big thing... 

The Great Wall 

Director: Yimou Zhang 

Stars: Matt Damon, Pedro Pascal, Willem Dafoe 

Release Date: February 2017 

The title of this upcoming epic hints at many things, but an all out 

action packed monster movie is not one of them. Controversy over 

alleged whitewashing has dogged Chinese director Zhang Yimou’s 

latest feature, but few would disagree that its subject matter is less 

serious business. Plot details are, so far, few and far between, a fact 

that may also remain the case after the film’s February release. Matt 

Damon stars, and will no doubt see himself pitted against 

an array of beasties amid the gorgeous local scenery. 

planet earth 2 

Stars: David Attenborough 

Release Date: 5th December 

It seems hard to believe that it has been 

10 years since the original Planet Earth 

blew minds across the world. As David 

Attenborough himself reminds us in 

the first episode though, the planet has 

changed immeasurably in that time. Planet 

Earth was the first natural documentary to 

be made in HD, and it’s easy to see why, as 

this sequel takes its visual splendour across 

islands, mountains, jungles, deserts, 

grasslands and cities. 

Top Four 

Cinema 

Picks 

2nd Dec 

Blue & Lonesome 

In this day and age 

it might seem a little 

over the top to get 

excited about a covers 

album, much less one 

performed by a quartet 

of OAPs. 

These aren’t your 

average pensioners 

though, and if one of 

the most celebrated 

groups of rock 

musicians in history 

isn’t enough, Eric 

Clapton appears on 

this collection of blues 

covers (the clue is in 

the title) contributing 

to a couple of tracks. 

It is perhaps surprising 

that the Rolling Stones 

have waited until their 

25th L.P to release an 

all-covers album, and 

if anything this will add 

to the anticipation for 

their first release in 

over a decade. 

Bleed For This 

2nd December 

Moana 

2nd December 

Coming to a 

screen near 

you... 

Snowden 


Passengers 

21st December 


Velvet’s one-stop shop for all your health, fashion and beauty desires 

Collections From Cabana p55 

Gift Ideas for the Fitness Fanatic p69 

Heavenly Hair p67

Handbook 

Fashion 

Written by Sammi Nice 

The 

Festive Gifts for 

the Fashionista 

Looking to gift a lover of fashion? Take a look at just some 

of the items you should be popping in their stocking 

1. Not just for Christmas, a classic black 

leather bag will be greatly welcomed by all. 

Vivienne Westwood Opio Saffiano Bag, 

£380, Javelin, Bury St Edmunds 

2. Looking to make that grand gesture 

this year? Look no further… Tag Heuer 

‘Aquaracer’ Analog Watch, £3,367, 

Giulio, Cambridge 

3. A delicate lace lingerie set makes for 

a seriously thoughtful gift. Somerset 

by Alice Temperley Mia Triangle Lace 

Bra and Brief Set, £40, John Lewis, 

Cambridge 

4. The perfect finishing touch to any 

winter outfit, this fur collar is a timeless 

winner. Woolrich Fur Ring, £159, Anna, 

Saffron Walden 

5. Practical and on-trend… everyone is 

rocking a bobble hat this winter. Bobbl 

Merino Wool Hats from £50 and Bobbl 

Detachable Bobbles, from £22, both 

available from Golding, Newmarket 

6. Nothing says Christmas quite like 

a new set of silk pyjamas. Rosie for 

Autograph Pure Silk Revere Collar 

Pyjamas, £99, Marks and Spencer, Bury 

St Edmunds 

48 


Handbook 

Balenciaga 

Christmas Jumper Day 

Rock your festive knit on Friday 16th December and help to raise funds for the Save 

the Children Fund. For more information, visit www.christmasjumperday.org 

Puffed to 

Perfection 

When it comes to outerwear 

this winter, the motto is most 

definitely ‘big is best’. From 

oversized bombers to quilted 

puffa jackets, be sure to 

experiment with both colour 

and texture. 

1. Festive Christmas Jumper, £14, Primark, Cambridge 

2. Snowflake and Reindeer Knitted Jumper, £15, www.boohoo.com 

3. Novelty Rudolf Crew Neck Jumper, £15, Matalan, Bury St Edmunds 

Short Anorak with 

Hidden Hood, £69.99 

Zara, Cambridge 

Short Sports Top 

£24.99, H&M 

Bury St Edmunds 

EA7 Emporio Armani 

Watch This Space 

Renowned for having one of the 

finest watch portfolios in the 

country, Winsor Bishop is finally 

opening in Cambridge’s Trinity 

Street. They stock an enviable 

portfolio of brands such as Patek 

Philippe, Rolex, Cartier, TAG 

Heuer and Omega to name just a 

few. Be sure to pop in and take a 

look for yourself. 

29-30 Trinity Street, Cambridge 

Tel 01603 620638 

www.winsorbishop.co.uk 

Mountain Top 

Seamless Ski Base 

Layer, £60, Sweaty 

Betty, Cambridge 

Marni Zip Front 

Ski Sweater, £660 


Alpine Chic 

From retro knits to funky prints and zipped 

sweaters, be sure to rock the best skiwear on the 

slopes this winter. 


twinkle toes 

Take a look at our top picks to ensure you’re the life and sole of every party 

Fashion 

Red Velvet Tie Up Heeled Sandals 

£24.99, New Look, Cambridge 

Lucy Choi Amasova Heels 

£225, Anna, Bury St Edmunds 

Moda In Pele Luna Shoes 

£100, Javelin, Bury St Edmunds 

Velvet 

Fave! 

Ombré High Heel Shoes 

£45.99, Zara, Cambridge 

Reese Feathered Heeled Sandals 

£50, Topshop, Cambridge 

Burgundy Velour Court Shoes 

£135, Nicola Sexton, Bury St Edmunds 

Ravel Omak Lace Up Heeled Sandals 

£37.50, Shoehorne, Newmarket 

Athena Stiletto Heeled Court Shoes 

£80, Dune, Cambridge 

Marco De Vincenzo ‘Dahlia’ Sandals 

£726, Giulio, Cambridge 


Fashion 

pre- christmas 

drinks 

christmas day 

with family 

boxing day 

with friends 

festive 

dining out 

P.A.R.O.S.H. 

P.A.R.O.S.H. 

Lingua Franca 

Marte Frisnes 

YSL 

Topshop 

Gas Bijoux 

P.A.R.O.S.H. 

Stella McCartney 

Pinko 

Aquazzura 

Self Portrait 

Gucci 

Gucci 

Jimmy Choo 

Festive Fashion 

Let Ludy inspire your festive occasion wardrobe 

Placate that sudden rush of ‘festive phobia’ and dedicate yourself a mindful moment to create 

your slick festive outfits, thus cunningly resolving any last minute cold sweat panic ‘dans le dressing 

room’. All social escapades will be catered for smuggishly ahead of time. Given that, we have spent 

the last 12 months toying around with all sorts of embellished madness, cuban ruffles, flowery 

sew-on patches and never-ending fringes. Finally December is here and favouring a more lady-like 

approach, and I am loving it. Harness the grown-up appeal and opt for super-luxe knitwear, a myriad 

of beautiful faux fur and possibly ditch the bare leg for a much classier ‘mat-gazillion-denier’ collant. 

Now, raise your coupé, cosmic order any last minute spontaneous provocation and embrace a sharp 

sense of style as you grace the cinnamon-scented rooms this Christmas. 

www.ludy.co.uk 

@ludy.co.uk 

Oscar Tiye 


Fashion 

Collections from 

Cabana 

Stunning Sportswear 

From chic lingerie sets to 

their new sportswear range, 

take a look at Cabana’s 

best seasonal picks... 

Björn Borg 

Owner, Jackie Over, is pleased to announce the introduction of 

sportswear into store. Stocking both Björn Borg and Seafolly, 

you’re bound to have the most enviable new gym kit just in time 

for January. Seafolly’s activewear will be available from mid 

December, whilst Bjorn Borg will arrive in January. Seafolly’s 

luxurious, lightweight fabrics offer insane comfort, whilst their 

striking patterns make for a seriously chic look. Björn Borg have also 

achieved the perfect balance between functionality, fit and style 

with their hydro-pro fabrics and on-trend colours. 

Björn Borg 

Seafolly 

Sophisticated Silks 

Luxury Lingerie 

Silk nightwear - a welcome gift this Christmas. Edged with black 

lace, this matching night dress and kimono make an elegant 

choice. With hidden support, adjustable straps and a wide range 

of sizing, feel comfortable yet stylish. 

Available just in time for Christmas, these matching lace pieces 

were crafted by fashion designer Monsieur Christian Lacroix. 

The flirty lace detailing makes for another thoughtful gift this 

Christmas. Opt for classic black or perhaps the brighter hot pink. 

Aubade Christian Lacroix 

Prima Donna By Night 

Cabana 

26 Hatter Street 

Bury St Edmunds, IP33 1NE 

Tel: 01284 700204 

www.cabana-uk.com 

Cabana’s new online store coming soon! 


Fashion 

Keaton Wrap 

Coat, £550 

Whistles 

Cambridge 

Oakwood Steffy 

Leather Jacket, £375 

blue, Saffron Walden 

Valentino 

MSGM 

Lanvin 

winter 

warmers 

Reversible Sheepskin 

Gilet, £530, Whistles 

Cambridge 

From leather and faux fur to tailored and 

belted, we look at this season’s top outerwear 

Moncler ‘Tinuviel’ 

Padded Coat, £1,185 


MaxMara Harlem 

Coat, £485, Anna 


Sylvie Schimmel 

‘Camill Bonde’ 

Jacket, £1,900 


Lebek Fur Hooded 

Jacket, £206, Martha V 

Newmarket 

Bonded Faux Fur 

Coat, £89, Topshop 



Beauty 

Article by Sammi Nice 

Notebook 

Beauty 

Winter Skin Saviour 

Cold weather and central heating can play havoc 

with our skin, not to mention stress, tiredness and 

environmental factors! Keep your skin looking 

and feeling its best with a facial moisturiser as 

recommended by some of our local experts. 

1. ESPA 24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser, £43, C&B Beautiful, 

Bury St Edmunds. “My skin is fairly dry and can get very dehydrated 

in the colder weather when the heating goes on. I use ESPA’s 

24-Hour Replenishing Moisturiser. I love it because it moisturises 

and rehydrates my skin; plus, it helps delay the early signs of ageing, 

which is always a bonus!” Caroline Grimes of C&B Beautiful, 

Bury St Edmunds explains. 

2 & 3. MONU Moisture Rich Collagen Cream, £25. MONU 

Professional Skincare RENU Nourishing Treatment Oil, £26, both 

available from Envy Beauty, Newmarket 

“For the cold winter months, I would recommend using MONU’s 

Moisture Rich Collagen Cream. Dryness is instantly relieved, skin is 

naturally protected and the natural barrier and lipid content of the 

skin is improved. For a real skin pick up, I would highly recommend 

using a facial oil at night under your usual moisturiser. Facial oils 

intensively nourish and firm the skin. I would recommend RENU 

Skin Nourishing Treatment Oil,” says Amy Drummond of Envy 

Beauty, Newmarket. 

4. Guinot Cleanse & Comfort Christmas Gift Set, £45, 

Finn Jordan, Cambridge. “Winter is notorious for drying out your 

skin, so for me a good hydrating moisturiser is a must. 

The Nutrition Comfort range from Guinot provides just that. 

Including a nourishing moisturiser, moisturising serum and beautiful 

mask full of essential oils, it is the perfect winter rescue for dry 

skin. The brilliant Guinot Cleanse & Comfort Christmas gift set 

contains these products and allows you to start using the range in 

one simple, affordable purchase. I’d definitely recommend giving it a 

go!” Sarah Jordan of Finn Jordan, Cambridge, tells us. 

Tried & Tested 

“I’ve been mixing two drops of 

Dermalogica’s Skin Hydrating 

Booster into my usual moisturiser 

both day and night for an added 

moisture boost. It makes my usual 

moisturiser feel more hydrating, 

which is perfect now the weather 

has turned.” - Sammi Nice. 

Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster, 

£49, Essential Therapy, Barnham. 

58 


Beauty 

KissKiss 

Under the 

Mistletoe 

Launched this Christmas, Guerlain’s 

latest KissKiss lipstick is enriched 

with hyaluronic acid spheres for 

fullness and commiphora oil for 

softness, meaning it will quite literally 

leave your lips looking and feeling 

utterly kissable. 

Guerlain Christmas KissKiss in Rose 

Indian, £27, www.guerlain.com 

Berry Christmas! 

What A Cracker! 

Decléor Surprise Cracker 

Skincare Gift Set, £12.50 

John Lewis, Cambridge 

Max Mara Bottega Veneta Marni 

Blurring the lines between 

a lipstick and a lipgloss, 

liquid lipsticks have been 

taking the beauty world by 

storm and we can certainly 

see why. They glide on 

effortlessly, offer dense, 

high coverage and last a 

lifetime. We love the deep 

berry shades... 

beauty 

bargain 

1. Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Colour Bold Liquid Lipstick in Daring Beige, £18, Boots 

Bury St Edmunds | 2. MAC Retro Matte Liquid Lipcolour in Dance With Me, £17.50 

MAC Cosmetics, Cambridge | 3. NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Unspeakable, £22, NARS 

www.narscosmetics.co.uk | 4. Yves Saint Laurent Vernis À Lèvres Vinyl Cream Liquid 

Lipstick in Rouge Vinyle, £26, Debenhams, Cambridge | 5. H&M Liquid Lipstick in 

Dare Me, £6.99, H&M, Bury St Edmunds 

Rimmel Christmas Cracker 

£12, www.feelunique.com 

Eau Christmas Tree! 

Jo Malone’s latest scent 

is a blend of Omumbiri 

Myrrh, Tonka and 

Lavendar. In the 

words of Mathilde 

Bijaoui, master 

perfumer, it’s 

“captivating and 

mesmerising.” 

Cowshed Wreath 

Cracker, £10 

www.cowshedonline.com 

Jo Malone Myrrh 

& Tonka Cologne 

Intense, £105, Jo 

Malone, Cambridge 



GHD Platinum Styler 

L’Oréal Mythic Oil 

Beauty Bible: 

Party Prep 

We talk to some local beauty experts about their 

top beauty tips and trends for the party season 

Redken One 

United Multi 

Benefit 

Treatment 

MAC Pro 

Longwear Paint 

Pot in ‘Painterly’ 

Boots Time 

Delay Radiance Booster 

Urban Decay 

‘All Nighter’ 

Healthy Hair 

“Colour-wise, blonde highlights and ash tones are still on-trend. This time 

of the year we see more richer warmer browns and coppers added into 

highlights for a more autumnal feel. With the heating now on full whack 

you will notice your hair becomes much drier, so it’s important to keep 

moisture in the hair. I love L’Oréal’s Mythic Oil as it’s great for all hair 

types and adds moisture to the hair without a heavy greasy feeling. 

GHD tongs are amazing to create those party curls and I do a lot of 

curling and up-dos over the festive period. When using heat styling 

products, don’t forget to use heat protection to help keep your hair 

healthy. I love Redken’s One United Multi-Benefit Treatment. 

It’s got 25 benefits and is an amazing heat protector and all-rounder!” 

Stacey Cruickshank from Hairkandi, Newmarket. 

Makeup Must-Haves 

“One of my favourite looks for New Year’s Eve is Hollywood glamour with 

gold eyeshadows, black eyeliner, voluminous lashes and striking red lips. 

Match some deep browns, greys or black with a touch of sparkle. You can 

adapt the smokey look with subtle shades or go for the more dramatic look. 

My absolute must-haves are Boots Time Delay Radiance 

Booster. It’s the perfect primer under makeup. I always 

use MAC’s Pro Longwear Paint Pot in ‘Painterly’ on 

top of the eyelids. This product creates the perfect 

base for your eyeshadow to hold onto meaning there 

will be no creasing or smudging. To finish your look, use 

Urban Decay ‘All Nighter’. This setting mist will make 

your makeup stay on all night. My final tip would be to 

allow enough time to do your makeup. Don’t be in a rush to 

get it done!” Kelly Mackay, The Beauty Bar, Cambridge 


Health & Beauty 

Meeting Madeleine 

We caught up with Nutritional Health Coach, Madeleine 

Shaw, at Origins’ new store in Rose Crescent, Cambridge 

Following the success of her first book, 

Madeleine has recently released her second 

book; Ready, Steady Glow. We were 

fortunate enough to attend her exclusive 

book signing and launch of Origins’ new 

RitualiTea range, where we learnt a little 

more about her plans for the New Year, how 

she stays on track over the festive period 

and ultimately, how she ‘gets the glow’. 

Q. You say that healthy eating should be a 

way of life and not just a phase. Was there 

a defining moment in your career which 

helped you to realise this? 

A. I think at school I’d always thought that 

being healthy was about depriving yourself 

and calorie restricting. When I was living 

in Australia and learning about nutrition, I 

realised it was far more about nourishing 

your body and feeling good, and that’s 

the message I really want to get across. A 

lot of people think it’s a battle but it really 

shouldn’t be. 

Q. At the beginning of your journey, who 

were your main inspirations? 

A. I really like Sarah Wilson, who you may 

know as the author of ‘I Quit Sugar’. She 

has a really nice writing style and she’s 

really honest and realistic about it. Melissa 

Ambrosini is also a really good friend of 

mine and she’s really focused on female 

empowerment. 

Q. If you could suggest one lifestyle change 

to someone looking to embark on a health 

journey, what would it be? 

A. It would definitely be to protein pack 

your breakfast. People often skip breakfast 

or just have a piece of toast, and the 

problem is this doesn’t fill you up. You 

end up having something else a few hours 

later. It’s good to have eggs, or have seeds 

and nuts in your porridge, or perhaps 

some protein powder in your smoothie. 

This will keep you full until lunchtime and 

avoid those mid-morning cravings. 

Q. Do you ever snack? 

A. Yes I do snack. I usually have something 

about 4pm, but that’s very dependent on 

the day and what I am doing. If I do, it’s 

usually an energy ball or some nuts, or a 

smoothie or juice. 

Q. Following the success of your first book 

‘Get the Glow’, what was the inspiration 

behind writing a second? 

A. All of my readers were saying they 

wanted to be healthy but were struggling to 

find the time, so this was was a real focus 

for me. We’re all working harder, longer 

hours and commuting more, which is a huge 

block for healthy eating. I wanted to create 

really simple recipes which were quick for 

those short on time. 

Q. What are your best tips for beating 

sugar cravings? 

A. Definitely adding protein to meals. 

Sprinkling cinnamon onto dishes also helps 

to regulate sugar levels. Keeping hydrated 

is also key, as we often think 

we’re hungry but in fact, we’re 

just thirsty. 

Q. What is the biggest 

nutritional myth you hear and 

where do you find most people 

go wrong? 

A. That low fat yoghurt is the 


way to go when actually you would be far 

better with a pot of good quality Greek 

yoghurt. People think fat is going to equal 

fat onto your body, but it’s not as simple 

as that. We need to reeducate ourselves 

around good fats. 

Q. Favourite Friday night dish? 

A. Ooo... probably steak with parsnip chips. 

But I’d always go for something that feels 

nice with a glass of wine! 

Q. The second half of your book is based on 

show-stopping weekend meals... If you were 

to have a dinner party, who would you most 

love to cook for? 

A. I would probably invite Will Smith 

because he would be really fun. I would 

also invite the Queen and then Mr Bean, 

because he was my ultimate crush when I 

was younger! 

Q. What does an ideal weekend for you 

look like? 

A. An ideal weekend for me would be 

sleeping in, going out for brunch and maybe 

wandering around a food market or going 

62 


Health & Beauty 

shopping. In the evening, maybe cooking 

in or going out for dinner. I like slow-paced 

weekends where I haven’t got much on. 

Q. Where is your favourite place to eat? 

A. I’d probably have to say my boyfriend’s 

restaurant, Boma. He’s just opened his 

third one. It’s not a health café, but they 

use seasonal produce and all of the meat 

is organic and grass fed. They have quinoa 

salads but they also have burgers, meaning 

whoever you are, you can find something! 

Q. What other forms of exercise do 

you enjoy? 

A. I do HIIT workouts maybe twice a week 

but I am mainly a yoga girl. I do a lot of 

walking but I don’t spend that much time in 

the gym. 

Q. How do you keep on track and not 

give in to temptations over the Christmas 

period? 

A. I think eating a lot of goodness helps and 

I’m a real believer in balance. I don’t think 

it’s about completely cutting out bad things, 

as if you restrict yourself too much you end 

up binging. Having things in small quantities 

is fine. 

Q. Is it even temptation for you or are you 

at the stage where you don’t really crave 

bad things? 

A. I go through stages. For the first two 

years when I really started being healthy 

and understanding nutrition, I had no 

temptations at all. In the last year, I’ve 

become much more tempted than I used to 

be. I’m a lot freer now and I will have a piece 

of cake if I fancy it, and if I want to eat out 

I will. I hear of people who won’t eat out in 

case it’s not been cooked in coconut oil for 

example! 

Q. What is your New Year’s resolution and 

plans for 2017? 

A. I haven’t thought about my New Year’s 

resolution as yet, but I would probably say 

it would be to rest more because I work too 

much. I had six weeks where I didn’t have a 

day off. I often work all weekend so I plan 

on factoring in more rest. I can’t reveal too 

much about my plans for 2017 but there’s 

lots of cool stuff in the pipeline... 

Q. How does what we eat affect the 

appearance of our skin? What changes did 

you see when you first started learning 

about nutrition? 

A. For me, my skin was quite dry and 

lifeless so for me that’s why my books and 

catchphrases have been about ‘getting the 

glow’. When I started to eat well, I used to 

get a lot of comments about how my skin 

looked like it was glowing. I really think that 

when you eat well it does make a difference. 

My skin is far more hydrated and vibrant. 

When it comes to nutrition and how that 

affects the skin’s appearance, everyone is 

different. Some people find cutting out 

dairy works for them, some people find 

cutting sugar works. You have 

to figure out what works 

for you and also factor in 

hormones. 

Q. Day to day, what does your 

skincare regime look like? 

A. In the morning, I cleanse once, 

apply a serum and then a tinted 

moisturiser with an SPF in it. In 

the evening, I use the Origins Mega 

Mushroom Micellar Cleanser to 

wipe off any make up. I then use the 

Origins Checks and Balance Cleanser 

twice because living in London leaves 

my skin feeling very dirty. I then apply a 

serum and a facial oil instead of a creamy 

moisturiser. 

Q. Origins adopts a very minimalistic 

approach to skincare. Other than this, why 

else do you love their products? 

A. I love Origins’ products because 

there are no nasties in there. They’re 

paraben and fragrance free. They’re really 

gentle on the skin, but they’re also full 

of goodness. I love their catchphrase, 

‘powered by plants’, and the fact their 

products are full of foods and different 

nutrients. There’s so much 

power in food. 

Q. How long have you been using their 

products and what would be your hero 

product? 

A. I’ve been using Origins’ products since 

I was about 11. My hero product would be 

their Super Spot Remover... it’s so good! 

It tingles and that’s when you know it’s 

really working. It always saves the day. 

Q. Origins’ new RitualiTea range is based 

on the power of tea and how it can 

transform your skin. Which one is best 

suited to your skin? 

A. The Oolong-La mask. I have quite an 

oily t-zone so I usually use this once a week 

just on my t-zone and it really helps. I also 

love the Feeling Rosy mask as it smells like 

Turkish delight! 

For more about Madeleine, her book 

and some delicious recipes, visit 

www.madeleineshaw.com 

Origins, Cambridge are giving Velvet 

readers 2 x 30ml deluxe samples 

worth £13* with the purchase of any 

Christmas gift set. To claim, simply 

pop into store showing this page 

of the magazine. *Offer valid until 

stocks last and limited to one per 

customer. Worth value calculated on 

basis of full-size product. 

Origins 

17 Rose Crescent, Cambridge 

CB2 3LL. www.origins.co.uk 


3D LIPO TREATMENTS 

* 

50% OFF 

COURSE BOOKING 

* 

PLUS FREE 

CONSULTATION 

• Fat Removal (Cavitation) • Fat Removal (Fat freezing) • Skin tightening (RF) 

• Cellulite reduction (Dermology FR) • Cryofuse Mesotherapy (body only) 

MESOTHERAPY TREATMENT 

NOW AVAILABLE AT OUR SALON! 

Mesotherapy provides the skin with a special cocktail 

of nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, vitamins, 

minerals and amino-acids to boost its appearance 

significantly. As a result, your face regains its natural 

elasticity, shape and glow. 

We have different cocktails to use, such as firming, 

lightening, anti-ageing, facelift, anti-stretch mark, hair 

restorer, fat reduction and cellulite reduction! 

The Little Beauty Box, 16 Crown Walk, Newmarket CB8 8NG 

T: 01638 428980

Beauty 

Transformational Treatments 

From fat-freezing, fat removal and skin tightening to their latest 

dermocosmetic facial treatments, we find out a little more about 

the extensive offerings at The Little Beauty Box 

When it comes to fat removal, there 

are now many ways to achieve 

results which don’t involve going 

under the knife. We caught up with 

Jurgita, owner at The Little Beauty 

Box to hear more. “I’ve been using 

the award-winning and renowned 

3D-Lipomed brand for four years 

now and it has been becoming 

more and more popular with my 

clients,” she tells us. For those of 

you who don’t know, 3D-Lipo 

is an advanced treatment 

which targets fat reduction 

and combats cellulite. It is 

also used for tightening 

the skin. Fat reduction 

adopts two approaches; fat 

freezing which quite literally 

freezes fat cells at -6°, 

and cavitation which uses 

ultrasound vibrations to 

break cells down. Both 

promote natural fat loss 

but they vary in terms 

of how frequent the 

treatment can be applied 

and the results which are 

given. “There’s no need for 

anaesthetic, there is no discomfort 

during the treatment, you’re not left with 

any scars and there’s no recovery time, 

so you can certainly see why it’s a popular 

treatment,” Jurgita continues. “We’ve had 

some fantastic results which are usually 

visible anywhere between three week and 

three months. 

With all of our targeted body treatments 

we suggest undertaking a course of 

multiple treatments but this is very 

dependent on the client and the result 

we’re trying to achieve.” Jurgita also offers 

skin tightening which is great for reducing 

the appearance of cellulite and improving 

the appearance of our skin, and Cryofuse 

Mesotherapy which is a no-needle 

treatment that helps to enhance your 

complexion. 

As if that wasn’t enough... The Little 

Beauty Box are also introducing a range 

of dermocosmetic treatments which 

are starting this month. These will target 

specific skin concerns such as acne, 

pigmentation including age spots and 

birthmarks and signs of ageing like lack 

of elasticity and firmness. It doesn’t 

stop there... also new to their extensive 

treatment list will be a treatment which 

helps promote hair growth to increase 

thickness, volume and overall health. 

It works by revitalising the follicles and 

augmenting the blood flow to improve 

nutrition and flow of oxygen to the hair 

roots. To find out more about their existing 

or new treatments, pop in or give Jurgita 

and the team a call. 

The Little Beauty Box 

16 Crown Walk, 

Newmarket, CB8 8NG 

Tel: 01638 428980 

www.thelittlebeautybox.co.uk 


Simply Hair 

OFFERING 10% OFF JANUARY APPOINTMENTS 

if booked before end of December 

Beautiful boutique salon based in Exning high 

street, free allocated salon parking. All aspects of 

hairdressing Matrix and Balmain products used. 

01638 578334 

14 Oxford St, Exning, Newmarket CB8 7EW

Heavenly Hair 

We talk Balmain fill-in extensions with hair guru Charlotte Howe from Simply Hair 

Beauty 

It’s no surprise to learn that hair 

extensions are becoming more and 

more popular as we’re all seeking 

those luscious long locks. When it 

comes to getting hair extensions, 

the options are better than ever. 

From clip-ins to tape-ins, to 

bonded and micro-loop, how do 

you know where to start! We called 

in to Exning’s Simply Hair to hear 

from owner, Charlotte Howe, 

about a set of bonded extensions 

she's recently applied. 

“Here in the salon we use the wellknown 

and award-winning Balmain 

brand,” she explains. “Today, I 

applied fill-in extensions which are 

bonded with glue. We also offer 

micro ring and tape application, 

depending on what the customer is 

looking for,” Charlotte continues. 

“What’s great about Balmain is that 

all of their extensions are 100% 

human hair and they’re applied to 

the client’s natural hair. They all 

come with a six-month guarantee, 

and all of the methods we use are 

reusable so they can be reapplied 

as the natural hair grows out. 

These fill-in options are extremely 

popular, as they are professionally 

fused to your own hair and they 

stay in for up to three months with 

little maintenance.” 

“They all come with a six-month guarantee, 

and all of the methods we use are 

reusable so they can be reapplied.” 

A full set starts from just 

£250 but be sure to give 

Charlotte and the girls a call 

to book a consultation. 

Simply Hair 

14 Oxford Street, Exning, 

Newmarket, CB8 7EW 

Tel: 01638 578334 


Health 

Hot list 

Gift Ideas for 

the Fitness 

Fanatic 

1 


Powerbeats3 

Wireless Earphones 

Go wireless with these sweat and water resistant 

headphones which are designed for even the most 

strenuous of workouts. They will even connect to 

your Apple Watch or iPhone and last up to 12 hours! 

£169.95, Apple, Cambridge 

Here are some of our top picks if you’re 

looking to gift the fitness fanatic... 

Bobble 

2 Infuse Bottle 

Struggle to drink enough water? How about this 

multi-functional Bobble bottle which allows you to 

infuse your water with whatever you fancy! 

£14.99, Steamer Trading Cookshop, 


3 

Nike Free RN 

Shield 

Run more naturally with these revolutionary Nike 

soles that expand, flex and contract with your foot. 

Why not make it personal and customise them too... 

£125, www.nike.com 

sweaty betty 

4 Reversible Leggings 

You’ll be getting two presents in one with these 

patterned reversible leggings from Sweaty Betty. 

They’re also full opaque for safe downward dogs... 

£70, Sweaty Betty, Cambridge 


GREAT 

VALUE 

SWIM LESSONS 

START 

AT 

BOTTISHAM 

SPORTS CENTRE 

£20 

PER 

MONTH 

facebook.com/BottishamSportsCentre 

For more information call 01223 811121 

or e-mail: sportscentre@bottishamvc.org 

Bottisham 

Sports Centre

Health 

Rude Not To 

We love the latest addition to Rude 

Health’s snack range. These sweet 

potato and cacao bars are made 

with dates, cashew nuts, sunflower 

seeds, sweet potato, cacao powder, 

cacao butter and vanilla, meaning 

they’re completely guilt-free. 

What’s even better... they’re 

perfect for banishing any sugar 

cravings, thanks to their sweet and 

nutty taste! 

Sweet Potato & Cacao Bar, 

£1.19 each, available from 

Waitrose, Sainsburys, Tesco or 

Holland & Barrett 

Pinterest 

Festive Food Swaps 

Cut calories without 

missing out this Christmas 

1. Offer olives and vegetable dipping 

platters instead of other more calorieheavy 

snacks like sausage rolls and crisps. 

2. Swap your mulled wine for red wine, 

champagne for prosecco and stick 

with gin or vodka. Reduce the calories 

even further with a sllim-line tonic in 

your G&T! 

3. Serve your cheeseboard with celery 

and grapes and be sure to fill up on these. 

4. Try making your own filo mince 

pie parcels instead of shop-bought 

mince pies. 

Read All About It! 

Instagram famous, Kayla Itsines has finally 

written a book packed with over 200 

recipes and a 4-week workout plan. This 

one is perfect for fuelling that January 

health kick. 

Release Date: 29th Dec 

The Bikini Body 28-Day Healthy Eating 

& Lifestyle Guide, available from 

www.amazon.co.uk 

Stay Strong 

Pop to The 

Playground 

From 10am-12pm on Saturday 17th 

December, The Playground is offering 

half price play for both adults and children 

to tackle the 25 obstacles. You will also 

get the chance to race Santa and Rudolf 

around the course! 

Adults (18+) £10 and juniors (aged 8-17) 

£6. The Playground, Barrow, IP29 5AX 

www.theplaygrounduk.com 

We caught up with Newmarket-based personal trainer, 

Warren Reddick of Warren’s Fitness & Wellbeing, ahead of 

the festive period to hear how he stays on track. 

“My best tip would be to not skip your workouts over 

Christmas. I often hear people saying they’ll get back in the 

gym in January but Christmas is only one day. 

Most gyms are open even on Christmas Eve so there really 

is no excuse. Keep it up throughout December and it won’t 

be such a struggle in January. I know my bootcamp sessions 

will still be going strong!” 

For more information about Warren’s weekly bootcamp sessions in 

Cheveley, as well as his 1-1 personal training, be sure to give him a 

call on 07975 853103 or check out his facebook page. 


Health 

Charlie Wall, of 

Cambridge Bootcamps, 

gives us her top tips on 

staying focused this 

Christmas 

1 

Water, Water, Water! 

Start your day with a large glass of water or a cup of hot water with lemon and apple 

cyder vinegar. Apple cyder vinegar helps to re-alkalise your system after you’ve been 

asleep, which in turn helps to keep inflammation and tiredness at bay. It has been known 

to help balance your blood sugar and decrease your appetite, which is great for this time 

of year. It also contains amino acids, potassium and enzymes! 

2 

Boost Your Happy Hormones 

You can help increase serotonin (our happy hormone!) levels by eating tryptophanrich 

foods. This is an essential amino acid that is a precursor to serotonin which in turn 

regulates appetite, sleep patterns and your mood. Did you know serotonin and its 

derivatives regulate hunger, thirst, mood, breathing, sleep, confidence, perspective, selfesteem, 

empathy, attitude and more? Some examples of tryptophan-rich foods include 

chicken, turkey, tuna, salmon, eggs, lentils, chickpeas, spinach and asparagus, just to 

name a few! 

3 

Cambridge Bootcamps 

Tel: 07545 284928 

www.cambridgebootcamps.com 

More Magnesium 

Many of us are completely deficient in magnesium and a lot of this is to do with our 

daily stressors and changes in agriculture and diet. One of the easiest ways to give your 

magnesium levels a boost is to soak in a bath of Epsom salts. Alternatively you can just 

soak your feet. Magnesium is known as one of the best minerals to aid relaxation as well 

as having heaps of other benefits. So light some candles, lock the door and soak yourself 

into oblivion. 

4 

Beat The Hangover 

Now who isn’t going to indulge in a drink or two this Christmas...? I know I will! There 

are some things that you can do which will help that dreaded hangover. Try to intersperse 

each alcoholic drink with a glass of water or coconut water with lime if possible. Make 

sure you have a good protein-based meal beforehand, and some bananas at the ready 

for the morning after. Alcohol intake can eliminate the body’s supply of potassium, 

so bananas are a quick and easy way to refuel. Honey is also rich in potassium and 

antioxidants. 

5 

Get Some Fresh Air 

Wrap up and get outside for a walk this winter. If you’re feeling really energetic, try 

going for a morning run. Fresh air is great for digestion and getting out and about will improve 

your blood pressure and heart rate. You will certainly feel more energised and less sluggish! 

Have a lovely Christmas. I hope you’ve found that useful! 


Health 

It’s All About 

balance 

Drop that white flag, December doesn’t have to 

be as detrimental to your health or waistline 

as you think. Adam Prescott tells us how... 

Every year people say “Oooh December must be a quiet month 

for you guys,” but it is in fact by far the toughest month of my 

year. If there’s one thing you should have taken from my previous 

articles, it’s that people’s happiness and self-worth directly 

correlates with their health. But here it is... December - a month 

of festive parties, alcohol, Christmas chocolates and an ‘I’ll 

get back on track in January’ attitude. You’re smiling right now 

because you know it’s true. 

As much as we want to engulf ourselves in the enjoyment of 

the Christmas period, we psychologically struggle to deal with 

the very real physiological aftermath of so many food-focused 

celebrations. The average daily consumption of toxic-sugary 

treats creeps up considerably because ‘Jane’ in the office has 

brought in yet another box of Quality Street! 

Now imagine, actually we’ve all experienced it, so think back to 

what a long month of excess consumption does to the body. 

Yes, we gain some extra inches, but what other effects do we 

commonly see? The same as we would do any other time of year 

from poor food consumption and lack of nourishment. 

To name a few: 

• Afternoon energy dips 

• Increased waistline 

• Drop in self-confidence (particularly towards the end 

of December) 

• Drop in performance and drive! 

As you can imagine, offering a service that gives our members 

their own Nutrition and Support Coach via text and call 24/7 (yes, 

literally 24/7) keeps me and the Rev Fitness team firmly glued to 

our phones! 

On average, people gain 5lbs over the Christmas month, and 

evidence from the National Institute of Child Health and Human 

Development suggests that we haven’t lost the Christmas weight 

by the following September. Nine months later, and on average 

people still haven’t lost 5lbs! We have members who lose that 

much within the first 2 weeks! 

So how do we nutritionally and physiologically deal 

with December’s dirty dealings? 

First off, even the most socially-active Velvet readers aren’t 

socialising seven days a week! In fact, due to the intensity of 

December’s social calendar, you’ll find that most of us are only 

out two nights a week in the run up towards Christmas. That 

leaves five days and five nights where we don’t need to neglect 

what we are consuming. Try these really simple rules to help you 

stay on track. 

1 

Buy a juicer. Juice up some fruit and veg (mostly veg) every 

day. This tasty little cup of nutrients will keep you hydrated 

and awake, and is an excellent hangover cure. There are so many 

juicing combinations out there. Try 1 apple, 1 stick of celery, fresh 

ginger, 2 carrots, a couple of inches of cucumber, a wedge of lime 

and 3 heaped handfuls of spinach. 

2 

Plan and prepare your meals. Not only should your meals 

fill you up, they should also satisfy you. If I gave you a 

huge bowl of broccoli to eat, of course it would fill you up. 

However, it would leave you wanting a sugary little something 

extra afterwards. Plan your meals and play around with herbs and 

spices. This will keep your taste buds satisfied in an office full 

of sugar. 

3 

Add something raw to each meal. We are the only species 

on the planet that cooks its food. The more you cook 

something, the more it lowers its nutritional content. With every 

meal, add something raw to the plate. If I have an omelette, I’ll add 

half of the filling ingredients (red onion, peppers, spinach etc.,) 

to the pan, and the other half l put straight on the plate. This will 

bolster each meal’s nutritional content without any extra work. 

The greater our nutrient intake, the better we perform and the 

lower our cravings. 

4 

Drink plenty of water. Did you know we should all be 

drinking 15ml per pound of body weight? 

74 


Health 

As I’ve said before, our health directly links 

to our self-confidence. If we feel rubbish 

about ourselves, we are less likely to eat 

well and have less energy. From there, 

it can become a downward spiral very 

quickly. As well as applying the tips above 

to reduce the effect of Christmas on our 

waistline, we can also prep our heads a 

little more too. 

If you choose to indulge over Christmas 

or go through the bottles of bubbly each 

week, don’t be surprised when you display 

the symptoms we discussed above, or if 

you suddenly can’t fit into your jeans any 

more. The exact same thing would happen 

at any other time of the year, the god 

of weight gain doesn’t have a Christmas 

spirit, unfortunately. The more rubbish 

you eat, the more rubbish you’ll want to 

eat. Understand the side effects of poor 

nutrition and put a plan in place to reverse 

or prevent them all together, whether it’s 

the tips I have given you above or some of 

your own. 

If you choose to stay strong this 

Christmas, sure you’ll feel smug when still 

feeling firm and confident come January, 

but make sure you don’t feel as though 

you’ve missed out on the festive fun. It’s all 

about balance. 

So, how do we deal with the mental 

side effect of those squidgy bits? 

Accept them or prevent them? Either 

way, remember weight loss isn’t a mythical 

beast you have to pray to. Have a plan 

in place to get your health back on track 

and your jeans back on. Visit Rev-Fitness. 

co.uk for more info. You may also want 

to try our new Revolution Fitness Online 

Nutrition programme which launches 

in January. 

Whats my advice? I would advise 

everyone to enjoy December and 

its festive activities, but not to 

overindulge for the sake of it. Yes, 

enjoy Christmas and the festive 

feasts that naturally follow, I know I will! I 

LOVE Christmas, but I won’t be grabbing 

a chocolate every time I walk past the 

Celebrations and I won’t be excessively 

drinking at every Christmas party I go 

to. It’s all about balance, and although 

December may be slightly more out of 

balance than a normal month, I won’t be 

giving up on my body’s nutritional needs. 

I will still be applying the same tips, and a 

few more, as I suggested above, ensuring 

I consume all of the nutrients without an 

excess of food (particularly on the nonparty 

days and nights). I need to feel sharp 

and good about myself. 

From myself and everyone at Revolution 

Fitness, have a Merry Christmas and a 

Happy New Year! See you all in January. 

In the meantime, feel free to email me at 

info@rev-fitness.co.uk if you have any 

questions you’d like answering! 

Revolution Fitness Academy 

Unit One Gym, Kempson Way 

Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7AR 

Tel: 01284 625155 

www.rev-fitness.co.uk 


NOTHING TO PAY UNTIL FEBRUARY

Health 

www.acleisure.com/skyliner 

Say Hello To 

Skyliner Sports Centre 

Opening Hours 

Whilst the festive period is in full swing, 

we wouldn’t usually start thinking about 

gym memberships and clean eating until 

the New Year… but how about getting 

the ball rolling now and signing up to 

Skyliner Sports Centre? 

Abbeycroft Leisure has been going 

from strength to strength this year, with 

renovations at its current sites as well as 

opening new fitness centres too. 

Last month, we introduced the new 

facility Trumpington Sport, but for 

those of you working or living around 

Bury St Edmunds, you’ll be pleased to 

hear about their latest project which is 

taking place on Moreton Hall. 

Skyliner Sports Centre will be a part 

of the new Sybil Andrews Academy 

School and will be open as of the 

end of January. The new gym will 

have 45 stations including the 

latest cardiovascular, resistance and 

functional training equipment as well as 

a large free weights area. The Centre 

will also house two studios which will run 

the much-loved Les Mills classes. 

The timetable is already available for 

you to view online, so be sure to check 

it out. Classes will run seven days a 

week and Abbeycroft Leisure will also 

be offering virtual classes too. These 

are a great way of ensuring you can still 

attend your favourite classes, even if 

the others are fully booked. The new 

site will also have badminton, basketball, 

volleyball and netball courts in the main 

hall, as well as an all-weather outside 

pitch. What’s more… memberships start 

at just £19.99, which is certainly not to 

be sniffed at! 

Monday - Friday 

6am – 10pm 

Saturday / Sunday 

8am – 6pm 

Skyliner Sports Centre 

Sybil Andrews Academy 

Rougham Tower Avenue 

Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7QB 


nest 

The 

Velvet’s monthly property and interiors exclusive 

contents 

Beautifully Engineered 

We talk to Klöeber about their 

first class service and products 

Open Up Your World 

Visit the newest branch of 

renowned Curtain Exchange 

New Year, New Home 

Niall Keogh gives us his top 

tips on selling your home 

By Candlelight p80

Interiors 

Your 

Written by Ashleigh Kerr 

HubVelvet brings you 

the latest home and 

interior trends 

Touch of Sparkle 

Make your dining room sparkle with tableware 

and accessories. Perfect for parties and for 

entertaining the family on Christmas day. 

1. White Snowflake Beaded Coasters, £15 | 2. Silver Christmas Tree Candle, £12 | 3. White 

Snowflake Placemats, £20 | All available from Laura Ashley, Bury St Edmunds 

By Candlelight 

Accessorise your tables 

with these simple but 

effective candle holders. 

Varying in size, they can 

take several different size 

candles. Add some festive 

spirit with fresh holly, 

ivy and pine cones and 

transform them again in 

summer with fresh flowers. 

Aspley Candle Holders 

£6 - £35, The White 

Company, Cambridge 

Festive 

Spruce 

Up 

Is your Christmas tree looking a 

bit tired? Or perhaps a little bare? 

Rejuvenate the centre of your 

festive decorations with a new 

spruce. 

A high quality artificial tree will last 

for years and will happily take pride 

of place on the big day. 

7ft Brunswick Spruce Tree, £195, 

John Lewis, Cambridge 

80 


Interiors 

Stylish 

Storage 

Keep your home organised and tidy 

away any unwanted clutter which is 

lying around. This leather accessory is 

great for keeping your newspapers and 

magazines in one place. 

Aberdare Leather Magazine Basket, 

£265, OKA, Saffron Walden 

Dare to Chair 

Take a risk with your dining space. This 

Chinese-inspired chair with 100% goat hair seat 

will work wonders in most dining rooms. 

Paired with four natural chairs, they make an 

exciting feature for the heads of the table. 

Murciana Goat Hair Chair, Fawn, 

£545, OKA, Saffron Walden 

A Little Rugged 

Funky, fresh and on-trend, this 

geometric patterned rug will work 

wonders in any living space. 

Wave Rug 

from £100, Next 


Decks 

Galore 

Head to the biggest pop-up 

decoration shop in the area 

With free admission and a vast array of all 

things Christmas, the Country 

Christmas Shop at Blackthorpe Barn is 

not to be missed. 

Country Christmas Shop 

28th October – 22nd December, 

Blackthorpe Barn, Bury St Edmunds 


Three White & Silver 

Baubles, £4, IKEA 

Interiors 

Silver Double Sheepskin Rug 

£120, Oliver Bonas, Cambridge 

Neptune 

Red Berry Table Centre, £19.50 

Marks & Spencer, Bury St Edmunds 

Kate Spade Tableware 

from £15, John Lewis 

Cambridge 

Ostravia Pinecone Garland 

£20, John Lewis, Cambridge 

deck the halls 

Pine Cone Wreath, £76 

OKA, Saffron Walden 

Fill your home with festive greenery, faux 

fur, warm lighting and simple Scandi-style 

accessories this Christmas 

Cloche LED Feature 

Lights, Set of Two, £45 

Next, Bury St Edmunds 

Scented Candle in Glass Holder 

£7.99, H&M, Bury St Edmunds 

Faux Tree On Stand 

£39, Angela Reed 


Neptune 

Berry Tea Light Holder, £20.99 

Glasswells, Bury St Edmunds 


Interiors 

Divine 

Designs 

Design Republic has opened a brand new kitchen showroom, 

showcasing the very best of Italian style from renowned designer Scavolini. 

We catch up with owner, Max Spenser-Morris, to find out more. 

Design Republic first opened its doors 

back in 2003 with a mission to provide the 

very best in kitchen and bathroom design. 

The idea was originally borne out of a 

perfect combination of Max’s skills. 

“The family business was property 

development, but my background is in 

design” explains Max. “It was a perfect 

fit for me to pull together my interest in 

creating aesthetically interesting projects 

with my knowledge of the building trade.” 

Since then it has won numerous awards 

for its amazing bespoke creations. “I’ve 

been very lucky to have been the recipient 

of Industry Kitchen & Bathroom Design 

Awards for a number of projects. Winning 

the first award at KBB was a special 

memory,” says Max. 

“I was also asked to be a 

Judge at the prestigious 

Designer Magazine 

Awards 2014, which 

introduced me to 

some very respected figures in the design 

industry,” he continues. Both of these 

experiences rank with some of the biggest 

highlights of Max’s time in business, along 

with the opening of Design Republic’s 

brand new showroom, a milestone that he 

is particularly excited about. “We have not 

one, but two fully working kitchens from 

Sub Zero & Wolf and Siemens Studioline, 

where we will show invited clients the very 

latest in cooking technology,” he explains. 

Scavolini Foodshelf 

And that’s not all - there are also two more 

full kitchen sets displaying everything the 

company can do, and a little bit more: 

“The additional displays include the latest 

in porcelain and quartz worktops, unique 

wall finishes, advanced lighting design, the 

latest boiling water tap technology and 

some magical extraction!” adds Max. 

The new showroom will showcase designs 

from renowned Italian designer, Scavolini, 

which has been creating top-quality 

kitchens for over 50 years. 

Since its humble beginnings in a 

small Pesaro workshop in 1961, 

the company has developed and 

evolved with the market, 

keeping up with changing trends 

and establishing itself as a 

market leader. 

“We have always leant more 

towards the Italian nature of 

design. It is more than capable of 

supplying the fashionable, bread 

and butter handleless kitchens 

but it has so much more up its 

sleeve,” says Max. “The designs 

stand out and have the ability to 

SubZero 

84 


Interiors 

Design Republic 

Unit A4 Risby Business Park 

Newmarket Road, Risby 

Bury St Edmunds, IP28 6RD 

Tel: 01284 812590 

www.design-republic.net 

Flux Swing Range 

KWC Zoe 

inject real soul into a kitchen space. We 

partnered with Scavolini, who are Europe’s 

best-selling kitchen company, to bring the 

very best in unique modern-day kitchens.” 

Along with the obvious quality and 

reputation of the company, the Italian 

passion inherent in Scavolini’s designs was 

one of the main reasons that Max chose to 

partner with the brand; he recognised its 

stand-out quality, and its ability to inject 

real soul into a kitchen space. 

Visitors can experience a variety of 

different Scavolini lines in the new 

showroom. One of which is the Flux Swing 

range, by Guigiaro Design. This clean-cut, 

modern-style kitchen merges cutting 

edge design with excellent functionality. 

“Flux Swing has the perfect balance of a 

kitchen that pushes the design envelope 

without sacrificing practicality. It is very 

modern but still very accessible,” says 

Max, who also loves the unusual and 

innovative Foodshelf range. Designed 

by Ora-Ito, this line aims to make the 

kitchen and living area become more ‘fluid’ 

and multifunctional, centring on a series 

of woodlock shelves that run the entire 

length of the kitchen. “Foodshelf is a 

retrospective but youthful and fresh design 

which brings real character to a kitchen,” 

he continues. 

Whichever range you choose, Design 

Republic prides itself on its customerfocused 

approach and fully bespoke 

service which ensures that you can achieve 

your dream kitchen without any hassle. 

Not only does it supply and install your 

kitchen, it can also provide architectural 

design, bespoke joinery design and 

installation, project management services 

including planning applications, along with 

specialist lighting and home automation 

systems. This holistic approach gives you 

the peace of mind that you are in expert 

hands, from start to finish. 

The opening of the new showroom marks 

a fantastic new era for Design Republic, 

something Max is very proud of. “It is a 

real heart and soul project and I hope that 

it will be as enjoyable for those visiting it 

as it is for me producing it” he says, and 

when asked about the new year, Max 

can’t wait to bring the very best in Italian 

design to homes across Suffolk, saying, 

“I’m just looking forward to making as 

many customers as happy with their new 

Scavolini kitchens as we are with ours!” 


Interiors 

George Home Glitter 

Holly Bauble, £2, ASDA 

Mercury-etched 

Christmas Bauble, £4 

The White Company 

Wilko Festive Foliage 

Bauble, £1, Wilko 

Ruskin House Frosted 

Chestnut Bauble 

£7.50, John Lewis 

Gold Effect 

Diamanté Bauble 

Set of 4, £10, Next 

Betty Glass 

Bauble, Set of 6 

£33, Neptune 

Nordic Red & White 

Bird Christmas 

Bauble £6.50, Tesco 

Shangri-La Fishscale 

Bauble, £4, John Lewis 

Gold Jewelled 

Christmas Bauble, £8 

Fortnum & Mason 

rocking around 

the CHRISTMAS TREE 

Individual Glass 

Letter Bauble, £4 

Marks and Spencer 


Home 

Beautifully 

Engineered Products 

We speak to award-winning glazing solution specialist, 

Klöeber to discover more about a project that sets their first 

class service and product above the rest 

Klöeber UK Ltd started business from 

a small stand at the Grand Designs 

Exhibition in Birmingham in 2006, and 

since then, the business has gone from 

strength to strength. They’ve won an 

enviable set of awards including winner of 

the ‘Best Joinery Product 2016’ for the 

FunkyFront timber entrance door systems 

at the Build It Awards. They were the 

first company to hold Secured by Design 

Accreditation for timber bifold doors and 

they’ve recently opened an innovative 

new showroom in Huntingdon, which 

showcases the business’ high-end product 

range. With the business celebrating its 

10-year anniversary, we take a look at one 

of Klöeber’s most fascinating projects from 

the year. 

88 


Home 

Case Study: 

Klöeber 

St Margaret’s Way 

Huntingdon, PE29 6EU 

Tel: 01487 740044 

www.kloeber.co.uk 

Homeowners Johnny & Jane 

Homeowners, Johnny & Jane were introduced to Kloeber by PJT 

Custombuild Solutions for their oak-framed barn build. 

To bring Johnny and Jane’s design ideas to life, the team worked 

very closely with all contractors that were involved with the project 

- the architectural designer, the project management team, the oak 

frame supplier and the direct fixed glazing specialist. 

For the team at Klöeber, partnership and collaboration is a key 

aspect to all projects, no matter how big or small the development. 

Long before the project began on site, the team worked closely with 

architectural designer, Pete Tonks, on the specification of the doors 

and windows, to ensure they were satisfying planning restrictions, 

the design brief and of course, the customers’ expectations. 

Following a number of meetings to discuss specifications, Klöeber’s 

team worked round the clock to ensure the best design outcome 

for Johnny and Jane. 

Once all the technical details were confirmed, the installation 

began. To successfully install aluminium frames directly in to oak, 

the fitting team used adjustable fixings. To seal up and make the 

installation completely weather 

tight, a Passivhaus standard sealing 

“The Klöeber 

team provided 

a first-class 

service with 

first class 

products.” 

method was used through expanding 

insulation tapes and foam, which will 

flex and move with the oak over time. 

The ‘Kustomslide mono’ sliding doors 

on this project had huge pieces of 

glass, which meant strong cooperative 

working between all teams to make 

sure they were carefully lifted by hand 

in to place once on site. 

The frame was set back to allow for 

the agreed cladding detail and the job was complete with a jet black 

Hamburg style ‘FunkyFront’ door, which looked fantastic. 

Delays to any project can cost clients thousands, so it’s important 

all work gets delivered within the agreed timeframe. This job was 

delivered on time and we have to say, it looks amazing! 

Homeowner Johnny said, “The Klöeber team provided a first 

class service with first class products. The attention to detail 

was matched equally by the quality of their work and speed of 

installation. It was a pleasure to have them on site and the end 

result is stunning.” 

Klöeber’s beautifully engineered timber products all have 

Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification. The company 

also invests in forests and communities most impacted by 

climate change to reduce their carbon footprint. 

Matt Higgs, Sales Director 

and Co-owner, accepting 

the Build It Award 


Interiors 

open up Your World 

With the newest branch of the renowned Curtain Exchange now 

open in Moulton, we couldn’t wait to pay them a visit! 

It all began with two friends, £500 each, 

a small Suffolk shop and a big idea. In the 

25 years since, The Curtain Exchange 

has firmly established itself as one of the 

premier window dressers in the country. 

From its flagship office in London, to 

Suffolk, Essex and Yorkshire, the retailer 

has a list of branches across England, the 

newest of which has recently opened in the 

picturesque village of Moulton, just outside 

Newmarket. 

The business offers a wide selection 

of second-hand curtains, along with 

handmade, lined and interlined curtains 

in silk, linen and cotton from its own 

range, and a wide selection of designers. 

It’s not just curtains; you can also find 

Roman blinds, poles and a wide variety of 

accessories to add those all-important 

finishing touches. 

The business prides itself on superior quality 

at an affordable price. Its unique selling 

position means that it can sell at below cost 

price, but it maintains the highest levels 

of customer service. “Beautiful interlined 

curtains cost on average a third of the 

original price,” says Joanne King, one of the 

owners of the Moulton branch. “If they’re 

unsure, customers can try the curtains at 

home before they buy,” she continues. 

In fact, every aspect of the business is 

built around creating the best possible 

customer experience. After all, your choice 

of curtains is a huge aspect of your home’s 

interior design, and therefore needs to be a 

stress-free process! “The Curtain Exchange 

has a shop full of curtains hanging and 

ready to go, so customers can see volume 

and judge how a fabric looks when made 

up,” says Joanne. “We also provide a 

made-to-measure service for curtains and 

Roman blinds.” 

Even the Moulton location was chosen with 

the customer in mind. “By not being in a 

high street location, we have free parking 

outside the shop at all times, which is handy 

when a lot of our curtains are very heavy to 

carry any distance,” Joanne explains. 

“We hope 2017 will see the business 

grow and The Curtain Exchange become 

everyone’s first choice when looking for 

curtains and blinds,” adds Joanne. And with 

top-class fabrics, market-leading designers 

and made-to-measure service all at a third 

of the original price, it sounds like a 

no-brainer to us! 

The Curtain Exchange 

Unit 3, Griffiths Yard, Gazeley Road 

Moulton, Newmarket, CB8 8SR 

Tel: 01638 751429 

www.thecurtainexchange.co.uk 


Interiors 

Interior designer, Niall Keogh, gives his 

top tips on preparing your home if you’re 

looking to sell in the New Year 

New Year, 

New Home? 

Welcoming a New Year is always 

associated with making resolutions and 

thinking about a fresh start. For many, this 

often means thinking about moving house 

or perhaps even renovating or redecorating 

your existing property. If you’re looking to 

move, now is the ideal time to start getting 

your home looking its best for potential 

buyers in the New Year. 

When it comes to selling your home, it 

really needs to shine and stand out from 

any competition. As an interior designer, 

I can really understand the importance of 

maximising your home’s potential when 

looking to sell and move on. 

The first issue which is often overlooked 

when people put their homes on the 

market is clutter. Heaps of ‘stuff’ 

everywhere can be extremely off-putting 

to prospective buyers. First impressions 

are essential, so be sure to sort through 

any mess. A tidy hallway is a great way of 

giving a welcoming start to the rest of your 

home. Sorting through your clutter now 

will clear space and ease your move into 

a new property, whilst a car boot will also 

give you some extra cash! 

Secondly, each room in your home should 

have a purpose. It’s very common for us 

to have rooms in our homes which we 

don’t fully utilise… be that your spare 

room or perhaps an office or dining room. 

This is no reason to fill them with clutter. 

Prospective buyers will see greater value 

in your property if rooms are seen as 

usable space. Be sure to give each 

of your rooms a definition and 

purpose. 

In my experience as an interior 

designer over the years, I have 

helped many clients to get their 

homes ready for sale by tackling 

any problem areas. An initial 

hour-long visit is usually enough 

to then be able to compile a 

short report for the home owner, 

detailing things which can help. 

My hourly rate is just £30, which 

is an inexpensive way to get things 

on the move. A good interior 

designer should also be able to 

source products and services for 

you at very competitive prices to 

help in the transformation and 

give you a finished interior ready 

for the market. 

The New Year has always been 

a time to take advantage of the 

discounts and sales that retailers 

offer, which are ideal when you’re 

seeking a fresh new interior. My 

belief is that good, professional 

advice should be affordable to 

everyone. Your home is the 

biggest asset you will ever own 

and sell when you want to make 

the next move. If I could only 

offer one piece of advice, whether 

you’re buying or selling, it would 

be that first impressions count! 

Niall Keogh Interior Design 

Tel: 01638 750687 

www.niall-keogh-interiors.co.uk 


otoring MOur motoring section is full of the latest models, reviews and gadgets 

contents 

Built for Comfort & Speed 

We test the V40, Volvo’s 

solution to that age old 

conundrum 

What a Treat! 

Newmarket Motor Company 

are talking about the ultimate 

Christmas present... 

Built for Comfort AND Speed p96

Motoring 

Pete Townshend tests the V40, Volvo’s solution to that 

age-old conundrum: practicality or pleasure? 

Buying a family hatchback can be a process dominated by 

compromise. More often than not you find yourself making that 

heart-breaking, but inevitable decision to sacrifice excitement for 

safety, style for comfort and speed for efficiency. 

And quite rightly so, even the biggest boy racers among us will 

agree that, in everyday life, secure sprogs and hassle-free weekly 

shops rank far higher than sporty looks and stiffened springs. 

And I won’t even mention the excruciating challenge of loading 

toddlers on booster seats in and out of a three-door sporty saloon... 

What do you do? Take that hit and poodle off the forecourt in a 

middle-of-the-road, mundane MPV with all the personality of a 

paint pot on wheels? No, you check out Volvo’s V40. 

For a long time there was a big family hatchback-sized hole in the 

Volvo range that swallowed up an enormous potential market. 

So, how to plug this hole, in a class dominated by a never-ending 

and frankly quite boring supply of usual suspects? In rolls the Volvo 

V40. And what a way to enter the market! It’s got the looks and 

the performance to please your inner petrolhead, but ticks enough 

of the sensible boxes to keep even my Grandma happy, let alone 

my wife! 

STYLING 

The first thing I noticed when I saw the V40 was its strong, sporty 

looks - this car certainly cuts a sleek and striking figure. High, 

strong shoulders at the rear sweep beautifully down over a bulging 

bonnet to a wonderfully low nose and menacing headlights. 

This ‘I mean business’ look was all the more amplified by the razorsharp 

18-inch alloy wheels included on the R-Design Pro model 

that I was driving. 

Moving inside, I sat down to be cradled by a supremely comfortable 

driving seat with enough adjustments to please even the fussiest of 

occupants. In general, the interior projected the feeling of a much 

more expensive car, with stitched leather, metal trim and highdefinition 

display. 

TECH 

The V40 includes all the media technology that you would expect: 

digital radio, navigation, wireless connectivity and the high quality 

stereo for which Volvo has become renowned. However, the real 

cleverness begins when you start exploring the safety tech that 

is included. Volvo as a brand is built around safety. It has a hardearned 

reputation for producing some of the most protective 

cars in the world through constant innovation, and the V40 is no 

exception with the IntelliSafe system. 

First of all, do you remember that wonderfully low nose I mentioned 

above? It is actually the lowest in its class and the reason for this is 

all down to the inclusion of an ingenious exterior pedestrian airbag. 

Safety standards require the front end of certain cars to be a 

particular height to minimise damage in the event of a collision. 

With the airbag alleviating this risk, the V40 is not only a life-saver, 

but is able to look seriously good doing it! 

In addition to this there are a number of other features to keep you 

and those around you out of harm’s way. In slow-moving city traffic, 

if the V40 thinks you’re not in control, it automatically brakes for 

you to avoid a collision with the vehicle in front at speeds of up 

to 31 mph. 

There is also an optional Adaptive Cruise Control feature that keeps 

your vehicle at a set speed and distance from the car in front, and a 

handy radar option not only alerts you if a vehicle enters your blind 

spot, but also if something approaches too quickly from behind. 

96 


Motoring 

DRIVE 

I was driving the V40 D2 whose Volvodesigned 

2.0-Litre, four-cylinder diesel 

engine was surprisingly quiet when ticking 

over. In fact, it remained quiet even when 

using the more-than-capable 118bhp to 

negotiate busy roundabouts and slip roads 

confidently. 

The V40’s chassis is based on the renowned 

Ford Focus which makes for great handling 

and a responsive drive. The suspension is 

beautifully engineered to find the perfect 

balance between comfort and agility and 

creates as great a performer in the confines 

of the city as it does on the open road. 

Combine the above with its compact 

and manoeuvrable body and you have a 

fantastic all-rounder that will deliver high 

performance in any situation. 

EFFICIENCY 

So, we’ve ticked all the right boxes, but 

where’s the catch? Certainly not in 

efficiency, that’s for sure! The V40 D2 

manual is a market leader, averaging an 

amazing 78.5mpg and emitting just 94g/km 

CO2. This makes it not only cheap to run, 

but also tax-free! 

VERDICT 

When considering its target market, it is 

difficult to find any real negatives with the 

V40. The distinctive, sporty styling and a 

variety of great performance engines allow 

you to hold on to that big kid in you, but 

the unrivalled safety and useful practicality 

means that you can still look out for the 

little kids by your side. 

The V40 is a fantastic all-rounder that gives 

you all the excitement you could need, 

wrapped up in a perfectly justifiable 

family-friendly package. 

Cecil & Larter Ltd 

Wentworth House, Mildenhall Road 

Bury St Edmunds, IP32 6EN 

Tel: 01284 778899 

www.volvocarsburystedmunds.co.uk 

Volvo V40 D2 

0-62mph (s) 10.5 

CO2 (g/km) 89 

Combined (mpg) 84.1 


Motoring 

Well here we are again, rushing around 

to get ready for the Christmas festivities. 

Personally, I love this time of year, as it’s so 

magical in many ways. One of the challenges 

I have every year is deciding what to buy as 

presents. If you are thinking of buying a really 

special gift for someone this year or perhaps 

even for yourself… a new car might just be 

the answer. December is a great time to buy 

a car too. Christmas is an expensive time to 

say the least, so try and make that special 

present a little more affordable. If you buy a 

car from Newmarket Motor Company this 

December with no deposit, you won’t have 

to pay anything until 2017. This gives you 

a chance to recover from the Christmas 

frenzy! 

Whether you are thinking of a special present 

or just need to change your car, come and 

see us and have a completely, obligation-free 

chat with Graham, our finance manager. 

Graham is really rather good at finance 

and there is absolutely no need to make an 

appointment. There are lots of myths about 

buying cars on finance, but Graham will give 

you a clear guide through all the various 

options to ensure you get that dream car in 

time for Christmas. With nothing to pay until 

at least the end of January, what have you 

got to lose! Not only that, but we have some 

really fabulous cars in stock at the moment, 

so do come and see for yourself. 

All cars sold to Velvet magazine readers in 

December will come with chocolates and a 

bottle of bubbles, so come and see us and 

make 2016 a really special Christmas. Be 

sure to drop in to our showroom and have a 

chat with Graham over a festive mince pie 

and coffee. 

From all of us at Newmarket Motor 

Company we would like to say a huge thank 

you to our customers and suppliers for their 

support this year. We hope you have a great 

Christmas and a very happy New Year. We 

would also like to wish our Velvet readers a 

very Merry Christmas and if we haven’t met 

you in 2016 we look forward to meeting you 

in 2017. Do come and say hello! 

what a treat! 

December is here and Newmarket Motor Company are 

talking about the ultimate Christmas present... 

Article by Chloe Gimblett of Newmarket Motor Company 

Newmarket Motor Company 

Exning Road, Newmarket, CB8 0EA 

Tel: 01638 666404 

www.newmarketmotorcompany.co.uk 

98

Velvet Magazine December 2016

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