Surrey Homes | SH30 | April 2017 |Gardens supplement inside

PRICELESS
APRIL 2017
GARDENS SUPPLEMENT inside inside
Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

94 HIGH STREET
GUILDFORD GU1 3HE
T: 01483 454 091
PRESTONSDIAMONDS.CO.UK

DIAMOND JEWELLERY
FROM PRESTONS
Prestons carries a vast array of beautiful jewellery,
from exceptional and distinctive bespoke designs
to the classic diamond ear studs and tennis bracelets.
Every diamond is picked with care, love and attention.
We ensure quality, value, and that every stone is chosen
by people who truly understand the world of diamonds.

LUXURY INTERIOR DESIGN FOR
DISCERNING PRIVATE AND
COMMERCIAL CLIENTS
THE OLD PARLOUR, UNIT 6, OCKLEY COURT FARM, COLES LANE, OCKLEY, SURREY RH5 5LS, UK
www.iggi.co.uk | T: 01306 712262 | E: info@iggi.co.uk

GERMAN ENGINEERED KITCHENS
MODEL SHOWN
WHITE AND AND GREY LACQUERED LAMINATE DOORS, WHITE QUARTZ & & MARBLE WORKTOP, SIEMENS APPLIANCES – – £18,793*
KRIEDER SHOWROOM – 3 – 3 Chapel Place, Tunbridge Wells, Kent Kent TN1 TN1 1YQ 1YQ – – 01892 619721 – – info@krieder.com – – www.krieder.com
* Price * Price includes delivery, cabinet furniture, appliances, worktops and and VAT VAT

WE BELIEVE
That change is as good as a rest
Believe it or not, our Henley oak kitchen used to be seen as our most traditional, our most classic,
and our most refined collection.
But we knew it had hidden depths. So we took it apart and looked at all of the pieces from the inside-out
and from the outside-in. Then we added new ones. To those of you who knew it before, it might look familiar,
but it’s an entirely new era of design.
It’s Henley, redefined. Now available in both oak and painted.
neptune.com
Neptune Tonbridge, 1-2 Tannery Road, TN9 1RF, 01732 351866, info@neptunetonbridge.com
Neptune Weybridge, 10 Church Street, KT13 8DX, 01932 901234, info@neptuneweybridge.com

Contents
April 2017
JACK FRAME
18
21
48
GARDEN QUEST
Maggie Alderson goes
in search of ideal
locations for egg hunts
APRIL NOTEBOOK
Fill your diary with hand
picked events going on
around the Weald
CALL TO ALMS
A milliner’s retreat
48 124
117
121
123
FRESHEN UP
Josephine Fairley tackles
problematic teenage skin
ACTIVE APRIL
This month’s bitesize
health news
THE BIG MIND &
BODY SPRING CLEAN
How to tidy up
your regime
CORNUCOPIA
21 April - 2 May
69
GET THE LOOK
Emulate the
Cheyneys style
124
EASTER FEAST
Rosemary Shrager’s
Easter goodies
80
90
107
IN HOUSE
Rebecca Cuffe edits her
favourite interior trends
TRUE ORIGINS
Jennifer Stuart-Smith
explores a beautiful
Wealden farmhouse
FLOOR PLAN
Chic floor coverings
133
135
139
NUMBER
CRUNCHERS
Susan Elkin analyses
performance targets
WHAT’S ON?
Find out
COMPETITION
Win a Firepod pizza
oven worth £445
110
GET READY
TO PARTY!
Colourful childrenswear
for girls and boys
140
FABLES FROM
THE FARM
Jane Howard deals
with the repercussions
of the bird flu scare
Full Colour Exhibition Catalogue
Available From The Gallery
Gardens
A Surrey Homes Supplement
McALLISTER THOMAS
GARDENS SUPPLEMENT
Take inspiration from our 28 page
special for a super stylish outdoors.
After page 132
View the new Garden Directory online at wealdentimes.co.uk
Sponsored by
117 High Street
Godalming
Surrey GU7 1AQ
T: 01483 860591
www.mcallisterthomasfineart.co.uk
06SH30Garden Su plement.in d 1 28/03/2017 1:59
Published by JPS Media Ltd, Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street,
Cranbrook, Kent. TN17 3HF. Tel: 01580 714705 Fax: 01580 715983.
Email info@wealdentimes.co.uk wealdentimes.co.uk
copyright JPS Media Ltd 2017©
7 wealdentimes.co.uk
McAllisterThomasFineArtS30-V.indd Half Page - Surrey.indd 1 1 16/03/2017 10:36 11:23

DREAMING OF A BEAUTIFUL HOME
IN THE COUNTRYSIDE TO COME
HOME TO EVERY DAY?
WITH A JOURNEY TIME OF JUST OVER AN HOUR FROM WATERLOO,
DREAMS COULD BECOME REALITY WITH A HOME AT FROYLE PARK.
Coming home to Froyle Park situated in the
charming village of Upper Froyle, is a real
pleasure. Set in its own beautiful mature
grounds, this exclusive development by
Linden Homes is less than a five minute
drive from the station and nestles on
the edge of the North Downs, in the
picturesque Hampshire countryside.
Here you’ll find a delightful collection
of new, luxury 4, 5 & 6 bedroom homes
with all the style you expect in a superior
country home. For those looking for
something a little smaller, a collection
of skilfully designed and refurbished
3 & 4 bedroom homes sit within the period
splendour of Burnham House, offering
buyers a stylish alternative to the larger
detached homes.
With beautiful countryside views and
landscaped communal parkland grounds,
these desirable homes offer a gentler
pace of life, without compromising on
the modern lifestyles and technological
conveniences we have come to expect.
The village setting, close to the village
shop, with a choice of excellent schools
and a short drive from Farnham and the
A31, is full of character.
With prices between £635,000 and
£1.495 million, these homes really are
everything one dreams of. And because
they are by Linden Homes, winner of the
London Evening Standard Award 2015 for
Best Home Out of London and Best Family
Home, you can be assured of the finest
quality and attention to detail throughout.
A range of special offers is available at
Froyle Park to help speed up your move
to this rural retreat. If you have a property
to sell first, Part Exchange † or Linden
Homes’ Assisted Move † are available
to save you money and help you move
hassle free.
These beautiful homes really must be
seen to be believed and with newly
finished homes ready to move into
now, these are opportunities not to be
missed. The Show Homes and Marketing
Suite at Froyle Park are open between
10am and 5pm daily. For your personal
appointment telephone 01420 384 192
or visit lindenhomes.co.uk/froylepark
† Terms and conditions apply. Available on selected plots only,
not in conjunction with any other offer.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Your city escape. Only an hour away
• In the heart of this picturesque
conservation village with rail links to
London Waterloo in just over an hour *
• Stuck in a chain? We’ll buy your home
at full market value with Part Exchange †
• Move into your brand new home
for summer 2017
Discover our newly finished homes.
Three Show Homes available to view
UPPER FROYLE
Ryebridge Lane, Hampshire GU34 4LA
A luxury collection of brand new
and restored 3, 4, 5 & 6 bedroom homes
from £635,000 to £1.495m
Marketing Suite and Show Homes open
open daily 10am – 5pm
01420 384 192
lindenhomes.co.uk/froylepark
* From Bentley station. 3.2 miles from the development. Journey time approximate. Source: National Rail Enquiries and Google Maps. †On selected homes only. Subject to status, terms and conditions apply. Not available in conjunction with any other offer.
Photograph shows typical Linden homes at Froyle Park. Prices and details correct at time of going to press.

E N Q U I R I E S : 0 1 8 8 3 6 2 2 2 5 8 E X C L U S I V E T O C L I E N T S O V E R 5 5
UNLOCK A NEW WAY OF LIVING
CONTEMPORARY APARTMENTS BY LUCAS HOMES
LIGHT &
SPACIOUS
Just 15 unique beautifully
appointed 1 & 2 bedroom
apartments are available at the
new landmark development by
award winning LUCAS HOMES.
FINISHED TO
PERFECTION
Each apartment has an array of
luxurious features, a full
specification can be provided on
request, or a visit to the
marketing suite arranged.
VILLAGE
LOCATION
Located in the heart of
Warlingham - a beautiful village
close to Greenbelt countryside
offering easy access to London &
transport links.
CONCIERGE SERVICE
Reclaim Your Free Time
FIR TREE COURT has its very own concierge service,
offering hotel style convenience on a daily basis.
The concierge will assist you by booking appointments,
restaurant reservations, helping with daily errands and
taking deliveries. They will also manage bookings for
the guest suite, available to residents for visiting friends
and family.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT RAYNERS
TOWN & COUNTRY ON 01883 622258
www.raynerstc.com

I N D E P E N D E N T P R O P E R T Y A G E N T S
Perfectly positioned off an exclusive private road on the edge of the delightful village of
Walton-on-the-Hill, Sandlewood Grange is a select development of two magnificent five
bedroom family homes in one of Surrey’s most sought after locations.
Both new houses have been individually designed to reflect the local vernacular and built with
hand-made materials, while inside every detail has been considered carefully to maximize
quality and style. From the magnificent sweeping staircases in the grand hallways to the
CAT 6 cabling and Miele appliances, these homes combine superlative craftsmanship,
thoughtful design and a high level of specification.
Priced £1,950,000
Showhome open 10am-4pm all weekends in April
01372 469 279
www.brookworth.com
01737 817 718
T: 01737 817718 E: info@kennedys-ipa.co.uk www.kennedys-ipa.co.uk
For further details of our sites visit

MAXIMISE THE VALUE
OF YOUR LAND
Have you got a large
garden or plot of land?
We are experts at working
with owners to maximise
the full value of their land
Industry leading experts
We take care of the planning permission!
The risk-free way to maximise your land
Zero cost to you!
Planning laws are changing
Act now before its too late!
What our clients say…
"The team had a huge amount of
knowledge and every step was handled
in a professional manner. Their excellent
relationship with the local planning
department helped achieve a fantastic
result for us. We would have no
hesitation in recommending them to
anyone who wants to achieve planning".
Amanda and Robert Petch
June 2016
"The cost involved to try and
get planning on our land
were just not feasible for us.
Working with Country House
meant we didn’t have to risk
our money as they took care
of everything"
Mr C Partridge (Loose, Kent)
September 2016
“Guy and team at CHH did a
fantastic job securing planning
permission on our rear garden plot.
Although a fairly problematic
application (which took over 18
months), they kept us informed
throughout the entire process.
I would certainly use them again”
David J (Oxted, Surrey)
January 2017
For a free appraisal call 0843 557 4080
www.maximisemyland.co.uk

Show Home Launching Soon
Ideally situated on a quiet cul-de-sac, Regent Walk is a collection
of 13 stylish 4 bedroom family homes.
• Finished to a high specification • Off-street parking • Professionally designed kitchens • Walking distance to the high street
Register your interest today
Please call 01483 564660
10
YEAR
INSURANCE BACKED
NEW HOME WARRANTY
shanlyhomes.com
Computer generated image of Regent Walk.
Internal images of previous Shanly Homes development.

Where every day feels like a holiday…
Call in
for a coffee
and find out more about life
at Elmbridge Village
Marketing Suite open seven days a week
10.30am to 5pm
Sunny days are
just around the corner…
Wake up to the sound of your lawn being mowed; the sun streaming
through your patio doors knowing that all you have to do that day is have
coffee with friends in your private clubhouse lounge; followed by a fun
game of croquet then a long, lazy lunch…
Arrange a visit to see how you could enjoy an active and independent
retirement at Elmbridge Village.
• Part exchange options available.
• Properties from £375,000 *
Call our selling agent
on 01483 268555.
*Other charges apply and leases are subject to an assignment fee. Please ask for details.
Elmbridge Village
Essex Drive, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8TR
Call: 01483 676100 visit: www.elmbridgevillage.co.uk or email: elmbridgesales@retirementvillages.co.uk

open-plan
perfection

Visit Our Showroom
4 Ashmill Business Park, Ashford Road (A20), Lenham ME17 2GQ
Bi-folds Doors Roof Lanterns
Composite Doors
WEALTH MANAGEMENT
EXECUTED BEAUTIFULLY
Established 25 Years, Family Business
01622 851400 07973 669590
With more than 45 years experience, we pride ourselves on
our ability to provide independent, sophisticated and bespoke
financial advice.
Aissela, 46 High Street, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9QY
T: 01372 471550 | E: mail@pmw.co.uk
www.pmw.co.uk
sJd – developing potential
KSEHomeImprovementsWT178.indd 1 14/11/2016 PMWS30.indd 12:53 1 28/03/2017 17:02
If you think your property
could be developed, why not
give us a call without obligation
and in confidence.
Many of our clients retain our
services and, in the majority of
cases, pay our fees saving property
owners significant costs.
Call us now
for regular updates, visit us at twitter.com/projects
Contact Stephen Donnelly on
07739 514350 or 0845 456 8969
web: sjd-projects.com • email: steve@sjd-projects.com
We are alWays on the lookout for property With developmental potential
15 wealdentimes.co.uk
SJDprojectsS30.indd 1 14/03/2017 13:00

STAPLA NDS
MANOR
SHOW HOME OPEN
Staplands manor is a gated development
of six luxurious, three storey townhouses finished
to the highest standard. Conveniently located for
Weybridge town centre, mainline station
and ‘outstanding’ local schools.
Staplands Manor, Oatlands Chase,
Weybridge KT13 9RW
01932 221867
Show Home open
Thursday to Monday, 10am - 5pm
staplandsmanor@vanderbilthomes.co.uk
www.staplandsmanor.com
Internal and external photography of Staplands Manor Show Home.
01932 821160

60%
NOW RESERVED
LAST CHANCE
TO BUY
This collection of 16, beautifully designed
contemporary apartments come with
terraces and secure underground parking,
within the centre of Chichester.
Computer generated image indicative only.
VISIT OUR MARKETING SUITE AT
THE NOVIUM MUSEUM, TOWER STREET, CHICHESTER
OPEN TUESDAY TO SATURDAY
10AM TO 5PM.
www.vanderbilthomes.co.uk
sales@vanderbilthomes.co.uk
01243 781682
Internal photography of previous Vanderbilt Show Home.
chichester@jackson-stops.co.uk
01243 786316

HOUSE OF THE MONTH
1. 1.
Garden Quest
Maggie Alderson hunts down the best hiding places for Easter eggs
Like many great British annual traditions, we imported the Easter Bunny from
America. That great nation of marketing geniuses has long done a fine trade in
converting slightly creepy figures of ancient European folklore into adorable
cuddly characters perfect for flogging product while cheering everyone up. Win win.
It was in this spirt that Santa Claus as we know and love him – jolly,
tubby, red of cheek – was invented by Coca-Cola in the 1930s. Earlier
Christmas present deliverers Saint Nicholas, the Nordic god Wotan
and Britain’s original Father Christmas, weren’t nearly so affable.
The Easter Bunny in its original European incarnation of an egg-hiding
mammal fertility symbol was actually a hare, an animal perfect for conveying
the idea of spring’s fecundity, because lady hares can actually get pregnant
again while they are still carrying a litter. It’s an impressive feat of breeding (if
a nightmarish prospect…), but bunnies won, because they’re cuter and have
fluffy tails and we’ve all cuddled one. There’s a reason Beatrix Potter wrote Peter
Rabbit rather than Harold Hare. The Easter Hare is also a less attractive prospect
to the modern child, because on his arrival in America with 18th century
German immigrants to Pennsylvania, he hid real eggs, albeit painted ones.
As the fluffy egg-concealing white rabbit took on across the United States
the eggs became chocolate, which required attractive baskets to be collected in
and the Easter Egg Hunt as we now know it had arrived. And what a lovely
thing it is, to watch over-excited children – some of them nearly of university
age, in my experience – running around a garden searching for tiny foilcoloured
treats, with a larger chocolate rabbit or chicken the ultimate prize.
Also fun for parents, is the concealing of the eggs, while a grandparent
distracts the small ones inside – nearly as thrilling as tiptoeing in with
a Christmas stocking. The key thing is to have the right garden to
do it in, with lots of different areas for hiding and hunting.
1. White Ladyes
Where? White Ladyes is situated
on a gated private road on the Clare
Hill private estate, with a golf course
on either side, just a short walk from
Esher High Street. The station, with
its 30 minute connection to Waterloo
is 5 minutes drive. Kingston and
Guildford are 20 minutes. The house
has splendid views to the south.
What? A classic 1930s family house
by renowned architect Blair Imrie, it has
a lovely, spacious flow of oak-floored
rooms with multiple doors out to the
garden from the large drawing room,
library, formal dining room and kitchen/
breakfast room, with views over the
manicured gardens. Upstairs the master
suite has an adjoining bathroom and his
and hers dressing room, plus a balcony
with spectacular views. There are five
further bedrooms, two further bathrooms
and a games room/seventh bedroom on
this level. The rear garden is well planted
with lawns, mature trees and plants, as
well as a large pond and patio area.
How much? White Ladyes is on the
market with Knight Frank, Esher, with
a guide price of £2,650,000. Call 01372
464496 or look at knightfrank.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
18

2.
3.
4.
2.
3.
4.
2. Crow Clump
Where? Crow Clump commands
an elevated position within the
renowned St. George’s Hill private
estate, with panoramic views. It’s five
minutes drive to Weybridge station
with its fast service to Waterloo.
What? The property, which covers
5,904 sq ft, is the major portion of Grade
II listed Walter Tarrant mansion of great
style and character. The principal rooms
are accessed from a splendid period
staircase and landing, overlooked by
feature stained glass windows. Arranged
over three floors, there is a large reception
hall with a verandah, kitchen/breakfast
room, dining room and a further
reception room. Going up there are
three beds and two baths and the master
en suite, with dressing room. Up again
to three more beds, two baths, a study,
sitting room and laundry room. There’s a
further attic room. Outside there’s a pool
with a pool house and immaculate tiered
gardens, perfect for egg concealment.
How much? Crow Clump is listed
with John D Wood, Weybridge, with a
guide price of £3,000,000. Call 01932
842323 or look at johndwood.co.uk
3. Osbrooks
Where? Osbrooks sits in in a rural
position just to the south of Capel
village, surrounded by woodland and
arable fields. Dorking and Horsham
are each 15 minutes via the A24
with excellent rail links to London.
Gatwick is just 25 minutes and
Heathrow 45 minutes, making this
an ideal home for a globetrotter.
What? The stuff of dreams. A Grade
II Listed timber-framed Manor House.
The first house on the site dates back
to 1282, the current one mostly from
the 17th century. The ground floor has
everything you’d expect – large kitchen/
breakfast room, drawing and dining
rooms, family room, games room, utility,
staff bedroom and bath, all tastefully
updated. Upstairs seven bedrooms, four
baths. Big cellars and an outbuilding
with a gym and workshop. Then
there’s the garden. Not just any garden
– a Gertrude Jekyll garden of utter
gorgeousness, extending out to wooded
areas with a lake, about 14 acres in all.
The Easter Bunny would hop with joy.
How much? Osbrooks is
listed with Sotheby’s International
Realty, Cobham with a guide price
of £2,750,000. Call them on 01932
860537, or browse sothebysrealty.co.uk
4. Brackendene House
Where? Brackendene House sits
between Chertsey and Weybridge,
with its excellent rail link to Waterloo,
and is very handy for the M25.
What? A classic Victorian family home
with light and airy rooms on a lovely scale.
The ground floor has a double aspect
drawing room open to the dining room –
both with French windows onto the lawn.
The large kitchen/breakfast room also has
doors to the garden. Upstairs the master
bedroom has a dressing room/sitting room
as well as a bathroom. There are four
further double bedrooms and a family
bathroom. Outside the substantial gardens
are principally laid to lawn with deep, wellstocked
herbaceous borders and hedging,
perfect for egg seeking. All those French
windows would add greatly to the fun.
How much? Brackendene
House is on the market with John
D Wood in Weybridge, guide price
£1,250,000. Contact them on 01932
842323 or browse johndwood.co.uk
19 wealdentimes.co.uk

Speak with
us about our
late
availability
offers!
THE ALTONWOOD GROUP
Venues
Three idyllic locations
along the Surrey
Kent border offering
exceptional cuisine,
first class service
and endless photo
opportunities!
Surrey National Golf Club
Chaldon, Surrey
01883 344 555
surreynational.co.uk
Woldingham Golf Club
Woldingham, Surrey
01883 653 501
woldinghamgc.co.uk
Westerham Golf Club
Westerham, Kent
01959 567 100
westerhamgc.co.uk

True Blue...
Take a breathtaking display of bluebells, add a healthy
dose of Cadbury chocolate and a new natural play area
and you have a recipe for a picture perfect Easter at
Winkworth Arboretum. This Easter the arboretum should
be blossoming into a classically British blue backdrop
for their spectacular Cadbury egg hunt. While you’re
there, explore the new woodland adventure for little ones,
Arbor tea room and famous boathouse. Find out more
by calling 01483 208477 or visit nationaltrust.org.uk
April
notebook
Exhibitions & events
near you this month...
Doodle Do...
To celebrate the year of the rooster, ShedArt are
taking inspiration from the Dorking Cockerel
to create twelve unique canvas paintings.
These will be available for purchase alongside
over a hundred affordable art works, so if
you’re looking for a truly individual gift or
souvenir make sure you visit their exhibition
early in the week to reserve one of these one
of a kind pieces. Open Monday to Sunday,
10 to 16 April 2017, at Denbies Wine Estate,
Dorking. For further details visit shedart.co.uk
Pretty Crafty...
One of the most popular contemporary craft events
in the UK returns to RHS Wisley on Thursday
27 April to Monday 1 May. Craft In Focus
showcases the finest makers, carefully selected for
individuality, innovation and contemporary design.
Visit craftinfocus.com or call 01622 747325.
Call of the Wild...
Make your Easter Holidays a little bit wilder
with free family fun at Surrey Wildlife Trust’s
Bay Pond nature reserve in Godstone. Have a go
at pond-dipping, minibeast hunting, woodland
crafts and even meet some real owls at the spring
open day on Saturday 1 April from 11am-4pm.
Entry is free but donations are welcome and
there will be a small charge for some activities.
For information visit surreywildlifetrust.org
Grape Escape..
On Friday 7 April, at Farnham Maltings, the
Vantage Point Wine Festival will showcase over
100 international wines including Champagne
and premium wines. Local wines and producers
will also feature with their own special section
to celebrate the strength and diversity of wine
production in Surrey. Find all this plus experts
and producers, music, entertainment, concessions,
food, money off vouchers and a blind wine
tasting in aid of Oakleaf and Shooting Star
Chase. The event is for adults aged eighteen and
over and more information is available online at
vantagepointevents.co.uk
Crafty Kids...
A fun and creative way to keep the kids amused
this easter, The Lightbox’s spring children’s
workshops offer afternoons creating great
pieces such as Easter Bonnets or pen and ink
caricatures. There are three bookable workshops
on Tuesday 4, Thursday 6, and Tuesday 11
April at £8 per child. There are also drop in
sessions on Wednesday 5, Wednesday 12 and
Thursday 13 April, for children aged four and
up, with free entry (though a donation of £2 is
suggested). For more information and booking
visit thelightbox.org.uk or call 01483 737800.
Fine Tuning...
The main event of the Leith Hill Music
Festival, the Festival Concert will run each
evening at Dorking Halls from Thursday 6
to Saturday 8 April. Various musical events
and competitions run alongside the festival,
which is full of life, and packed with works
of various periods and styles so there is
something to suit all tastes. Plus, the festival
is proud to announce Jonathan Wilcocks as
the event’s sixth conductor. For further details
visit lhmf.org.uk or call 01403 240093.
21 wealdentimes.co.uk

Award Winning Care Homes
Sussex Healthcare is an award winning
group of care homes providing over 30 years
of healthcare in Sussex. The Group operates
20 homes, predominantly in the West
Sussex area, providing over 600 placements,
incorporating specialist care provision as
well as care for older people.
Care for older people:
Clemsfold House Horsham 01403 790312
Forest Lodge Nutley 01825 712514
Horncastle House Sharpthorne 01342 810219
Kingsmead Care Centre Horsham 01403 265335
Longfield Manor Billingshurst 01403 786832
Rapkyns Care Home Horsham 01403 265096
Upper Mead Henfield 01273 492870
Care homes for people with learning and/or physical
disabilities, neurological conditions, acquired brain
injury and autism:
Beechcroft Care Centre
and Hazel Lodge East Grinstead 01342 300499
Beech Lodge
and Oak Lodge Horsham 01403 791725
The Granary Horsham 01403 327500
Horncastle Care Centre Sharpthorne 01342 813910
Kingsmead Care Centre Horsham 01403 265335
Kingsmead Lodge Horsham 01403 211790
Norfolk Lodge Horsham 01403 218876
Orchard Lodge
and Boldings Lodge Horsham 01403 242278
Rapkyns Care Centre
(The Grange) Horsham 01403 276756
The Laurels Horsham 01403 220770
Rapkyns Care Home Horsham 01403 265096
Sycamore Lodge Horsham 01403 240066
White Lodge Croydon 02087 632586
Wisteria Lodge
and Stable Lodge Nutley 01825 713082
Woodhurst Lodge Crawley 01444 401228
STOP PRESS: Brand new purpose built facilities now available to
view for anyone wishing to arrange a visit. The service provisions
include specialist care facilities for people with acquired brain
injury, profound learning and physical disabilities and residential
services for people with Autism.
Great care starts with great people – are you one of them?
Due to expansion, Sussex Healthcare has fantastic
opportunities to become part of a leading healthcare
company that provides exemplary care to the service
users in a positive and friendly environment.
To find out more about our homes and the services we offer,
contact: Corrine Wallace Director of Operations
01403 217 338
enquiries@sussexhealthcare.co.uk | www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk
If you are thinking of a career in care please visit our
website www.sussexhealthcare.co.uk and submit your CV to
recruit@sussexhealthcare.co.uk stating the position you are
interested in working in.

The Audi A4
Avant quattro.
Take it out on the road
from £28,480 at Epsom Audi.
Audi Vorsprung durch Technik
Epsom Audi
Reigate Road, Epsom, Surrey KT17 3LA
01737 365365
@DriftBridge
/DriftBridgeGroup
www.driftbridge.co.uk
The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the A4 quattro 2.0 TFSI are: Urban 35.8 (7.9). Extra Urban 50.4 (5.6
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Editor’s
Letter
Isn’t it fantastic to have some glorious sunshine? Even
just the slightest peek of blue sky is enough to lift the
winter blues in anticipation of unleashing the summer
wardrobe. Let’s hope it sticks around for a while!
This issue is home to our annual Gardens Supplement
– possibly my favourite of the year. Alongside our regular
contributors, we’ve interviewed TV favourites Danny Clarke
and Mark Lane ahead of their appearances in the brand
new Garden Hub at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair
this June. We can’t wait to see them in action – you can
get a preview of all that’s on offer at the Fair from page
71, or look online at wealdentimes.co.uk/events where you’ll
find a full exhibitor list. We hope to see you there.
We’ve photographed two beautifully contrasting interiors this
month – a quirky revamped almshouse and a quintessentially
traditional Wealden farmhouse. See how the owners have
preserved the integrity of the buildings on pages 48 and 90.
In the spirit of Easter, we visit Rosemary Shrager’s Cookery
School in Tunbridge Wells to photograph a three-course
celebratory lunch that she created in collaboration with her
apprentices. Try out her special recipes at home from page 124.
Enjoy your Surrey Homes!
Surrey Homes Team
Editor ..............................................................................................Lucy Fleming
Editorial Assistant ........................................................................Rebecca Cuffe
Design ...........................................................................................Powerful Pierre
Design Team ................................................................................Anthony Boxall
Rob Cursons
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Tanya Goldsmith
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Call to Alms
Words: Maggie Alderson Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Lucy Fleming
wealdentimes.co.uk
48

Originally built to house the poor in the
nineteenth century, Cheyneys Almshouse is
now home to Fortnum & Mason in-house
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Sven. After stumbling across it in The
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49 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Previous pages: The main feature of the spacious new kitchen is a huge classic kitchen dresser, which Adrian’s parents bought at an
auction in Rye Above: Under the kitchen’s central work table there’s a Fortnum & Mason crate, full of more china treasures which are
in everyday use. Adrian made the tea cosy out of old ties
The first impression of Cheyneys Almshouse is
of a neat Dutch-gabled cottage of great charm
and character, but as you reach the front door
it becomes clear that this might not be the modest little
country home it appears to be from the outside.
Stopping to admire the two elegant stone dogs on either side
of the front step, you notice that the multiple pairs of boots and
shoes scattered around it, as if just discarded after a walk, are all
planted with the tiny hardy succulents known as houseleeks.
Once owners Adrian Howard and his partner Sven
welcome you in – and a very warm welcome it is – your
eyes and brain go into overdrive, trying to take everything
in. Interesting objects and visual puns abound.
The vestibule is pretty much filled by a huge chair like a
carved wooden throne. There’s an equally outsized Venetian
glass mirror in a very small sitting room to the left. Above is a
lampshade made from a straw boater. Stepping through into
the kitchen extension, you are met by a male shop window
dummy dressed in a guard’s uniform and a crash helmet, next
to a station map from a Jubilee Line underground station.
Hanging from the tiny mounted horns of African
game animals are rows of exquisite hats. In the
kitchen itself, there’s a lady mannequin wearing a
chic red cloche hat, her torso covered in postage
stamps… (I later find out her name is Gladys.)
Like the Tardis crossed with Gringotts, Cheyneys
Almshouse is much bigger than it looks and a secret
repository for a treasure trove of fascinating stuff, all of
which has been sourced, scavenged and sought out by
Adrian and Sven, who are Olympic standard bargain
hunters, scouting the legendary boot fairs of nearby
Icklesham village and the many antique emporiums of
Hastings Old Town, among more obscure sources.
They clearly have the ‘eye’, that particular talent
of spotting diamonds in the rough – and the house
itself was just such a find. “It was in the ‘Wreck of the
Week’ feature in The Guardian,” says Adrian, laughing,
showing me the original press cutting, which they
51 wealdentimes.co.uk

have proudly framed in the downstairs loo.
The fact that the boarded-up property was so derelict and
rat infested the estate agent refused to step through the door
and they had to make their first inspection by torchlight
did nothing to put them off. “It was love at first sight,” says
Adrian. “It took us ten years to do it up on a very strict
budget, but it was so much fun. It was an adventure.”
The main structural work was to add a new two-storey
extension at the back to create the large kitchen/breakfast
room and two extra bedrooms and two bathrooms upstairs.
“The original 1842 building, put up by an alms trust which
was created in 1611 to provide housing for the poor, was
built as two tiny houses with a shared staircase,” says Adrian.
“When we took it on, it was still set up as two dwellings, with
a flat-roofed 70s single storey extension at the back containing
two miniature kitchens and a bathroom. Luckily, the front is
listed but the ugly extension wasn’t so it was fine to knock that
down and start again. Although the outside loo is listed…”
The main feature of the lovely spacious new kitchen,
with French doors out onto the garden, is a huge
classic kitchen dresser, which Adrian’s parents bought
at an auction in Rye. “It was so big we had to have
it cut down to fit in the space,” says Sven.
Left: Gladys the mannequin stands in one corner of the kitchen
wearing a chic red cloche hat, made by Adrian Below: Major
Lynch – a male shop window dummy dressed in a guard’s uniform
and a crash helmet – stands next to a station map from a Jubilee
Line underground station. The Jubilee line station sign was bought
as a tribute to Her Majesty the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee
wealdentimes.co.uk
52

Alicia Dubnyckyj
Art For Your Future
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Pictured - Above Westminster IX, London - 100 x 122 cm

And it needs to be that size to showcase just a tiny
fraction of their collection of china. The day we visited
Sven had it dressed ready for Easter with figurines of Peter
Rabbit, Jemima Puddleduck and various sheep, decorative
eggs in egg cups and a whole set of china resplendent
with running bunnies, alongside at least four other china
services – and that’s just the tip of the porcelain iceberg.
Adrian opens one of the cupboards and takes out a plate
which he holds up to the light of the French window, revealing
the head of a geisha painted on the underside. “It’s Japanese,”
he says, “I got the whole set at Elm Tree boot fair…”
Under the kitchen’s central work table there’s a
glorious Fortnum & Mason crate, full of more
“When we lived in Germany,” Adrian
explains, “I had a shop called ‘Brit Bits’
selling bric-a-brac I would bring over from
England. I used to get bored sitting in
there, so I got a sewing machine and started
making cushions. That led on to door
sausages and aprons and then I made some
tea cosies out of bits and pieces I had lying
around. People would always put them on
their heads, so I started making hats...”

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Showroom: 73 High Street, Reigate, Surrey RH2 9AE
Email: sales@woodstockshuttercompany.co.uk

schmidt-kitchens.com
schmidt-kitchens.com
Here at Schmidt Dorking, we have a
passion to exceed expectations and
fulfill our customer’s wishes - our
design team will always strive to
make your dream kitchen a reality.
We believe that we can offer a
different, personalised and memorable
service. Our kitchens now have
a 10 year guarantee on all of the
furniture and an amazing 25 years
on hinges and drawer runners.
Our showroom based on the wellknown
‘West Street’ in Dorking
boasts a range of colours, ranges
and styles. We have seven display
kitchens to view, as well as living
room furniture and storage.
Our team of designers will be more
than happy to talk you through the
product to ensure you understand
exactly how brilliant Schmidt is.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
KITCHENS
AND INTERIOR
SOLUTIONS
KITCHENS
AND INTERIOR
SOLUTIONS
NOT A SINGLE INCH OF WASTED SPACE
The new Perfect Fit solution from Schmidt allows the units to adapt perfectly to any space in the room.
NOT A SINGLE INCH OF WASTED SPACE
The new Perfect Fit solution from Schmidt allows the units to adapt perfectly to any space in the room.
40 WEST STREET
DORKING RH4 1BU
01306 735 735
dorking.schmidt-kitchens.com
A4_NOTORIETE_COULEUR_HORIZ.indd 1 20/01/2015 14:32
A4_NOTORIETE_COULEUR_HORIZ.indd 1 20/01/2015 14:32

Above left: The walls of the downstairs loo are covered
with framed photographs, prints, cards and letters with
personal meaning Above right and below: The original
1842 building was built as two tiny houses with a shared
staircase. On the landing two small runs of stairs face each
other – one original and the other copied for the extension
china treasures which are in everyday use – and the
provenance of both the crate and the table are keys to
the very interesting life Adrian and Sven have shared.
Sven is German and they spent six years living there, in the
city of Halle, twenty miles from Leipzig, while he was finishing
his studies. The kitchen table came from there. “We found it
on the street,” says Sven, laughing. “In Germany we have this
thing called Sperrmüll [NB capped first letter is correct for
nouns in Deutsch, jawoll, bitte] where large waste objects can
be left out on the street one day a month and we found this.”
“It’s fantastic,” adds Adrian. “You can get a calendar
from the council to tell you when it will be in each
neighbourhood and I would tour them…”
Sven shows me that the wooden table has a large drawer with
two large enamel basins set in it. “Once this would have been
the kitchen sink,” he says. “Now it’s perfect for preparing food.
When your friends arrive and you don’t want them to see the
mess, you just scrape it in to the bowls and close the drawers.”
Adding to the interest in this one piece of furniture – and
we still have the whole house to see at this stage – Adrian
57 wealdentimes.co.uk

This page: Adrian made the bedspread and cushions in the
master bedroom out of an old curtain of his mother’s
then explains the provenance of the slab of slate on top of
it.“My father found it in a wood near our house where I
grew up in Sidcup and it was just too good to leave there,
so every time we went for a walk he would drag it a few
more metres until finally he could collect it in the car. He
kept it for years and now it’s just perfect on top of this.”
And remember the Fortnum & Mason crate sitting
underneath the table? That’s a hint to Adrian’s current
life – he’s the in-house milliner in that most fabulous
of London retail institutions, the first they’ve had
working on the floor of the store since 1958.
Then taking it on again – a key to how he came to
have such an extraordinary job is sitting on top of the
slate worktop: a tea cosy made out of old ties.
“When we lived in Germany,” he explains, “I had a shop
called ‘Brit Bits’ selling bric-a-brac I would bring over from
England. I used to get bored sitting in there, so I got a sewing
machine and started making cushions. That led on to door
sausages and aprons and then I made some tea cosies out
of bits and pieces I had lying around. People would always
put them on their heads, so I started making hats…
“When I began to see people walking round the town
in them I thought maybe it was something I should follow
up… Really, it was a hobby which spiralled out of control.”
When Sven finished at university – he’s now the head of a
school languages department – they moved back to the UK
and Adrian enrolled to train as a milliner. When he’d finished
the course he went to see Philip Somerville, the Queen’s
milliner, to ask if he could do work experience with him.
wealdentimes.co.uk
58

NATUZZI.CO.UK
Unveiling
the new
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Elwyns, supplying beautiful windows
and doors for over 53 years
Come and see our extensive range of high security, energy saving casement windows, sash windows and
doors in a choice of traditional timber, durable PVC-U and the exclusive timber alternative.
Quality products combined with a comprehensive choice of colours, styles and finishes and covered by a
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Choose Elwyns your reputable local double glazing supplier and installer that has been assessed and
endorsed as a Which? Trusted Trader.
Buy with confidence.
For more information visit www.elwyns.com or call us on 020 8647 2268.
Showrooms:
9 The Crescent, Station Road, Woldingham, Surrey CR3 7DB
90 High St, Carshalton, Surrey SM5 3AE

This page: One of the spare rooms is home to another
mannequin, called Charlie (above). It’s their family tradition for
everyone to dress up for Christmas dinner. A pale blue 1930s
bell boy’s suit, with the traditional chin strap hat, which Adrian
wore a couple of years ago, hangs on the end of the bed.
“He gave me three weeks and I stayed five years,” says
Adrian. “It was wonderful. One of my jobs was dropping
the hats off to Buckingham Palace for the Queen.”
“Philip was a very good friend and mentor. Until he
died two and a half years ago, I would have tea with
him once a week and he kept giving me guidance.”
Indeed Mr Somerville’s presence pops up around
the house in the form of a lovely Parker Knoll chair
in the kitchen and a beautiful purple shamrock plant
with its borscht-red leaves cascading down a jardinière
upstairs, which were both presents from him.
But perhaps the Royal milliner’s greatest gift to Adrian
was his professional finesse which is gloriously apparent on a
table in the area between the kitchen and the sitting rooms.
Presided over by the male mannequin spotted on the
way in (whom I’m told is called Major Lynch, after the
father of a friend whose uniform he wears) is an array of
Adrian’s amazing hats and the tools of his trade – hat
61 wealdentimes.co.uk

This page: The bathroom features an amazing bright blue 1920s
washbasin – not actually plumbed in, but too beautiful to leave
in the second-hand yard in Hastings Old Town. Its vibrant
colour is matched by a pair of pale blue grosgrain mule slippers
Adrian couldn’t resist from Fortnum & Mason
blocks, feathers, rolls of special textiles. These are works in
progress which he brings down from London to work on.
“I thought about arranging it ready for the photographer,”
says Adrian, “then decided to just leave them…”
He was right, that tablescape couldn’t have looked more
enticing if a stylist had laboured over the arrangement for
hours. I try on a Jackie O style pillbox and immediately feel
I could mingle convincingly at a royal wedding. “That style
is very good for ladies who travel,” says Adrian, adjusting
it to fit perfectly on my head, “because they can put it in
a cake tin in their luggage and it won’t get squashed…”
Tearing ourselves away from that bounty, we head
upstairs, my head swivelling to look at all the interesting
things – not least their many collections, of egg cups,
cruet sets, German bottle stoppers and the biggest,
wealdentimes.co.uk
62

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KENT ENGLAND
EXCLUSIVE LUXURY BATHROOMS
LONDON • TUNBRIDGE WELLS • ASHFORD
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EXPERIENCE A
REAL DIFFERENCE
Upper High Street
Heathfield
East Sussex
TN21 8NB
01435 866435
info@jonesbritain.co.uk
Visit our new website
jonesbritain.co.uk

Above: The two guest rooms, in the original south side of the house, are packed with more found treasures. In the pink bedroom,
hat pins, hat boxes, Victorian laced boots, tiaras and bow ties share space on top of a chest of drawers
Adrian’s ongoing collection of silver nail buffers.
With the second storey of the extension there are
now four bedrooms, each with its own special character.
Adrian and Sven’s room has a genteel Edwardian feel
with a suite of furniture from that period and a quilted
bedspread Adrian – one of life’s natural makers –
created from some old curtains of his mother’s.
One of the spare rooms – home to another mannequin,
called Charlie, the first Adrian acquired – is used to store
their large collection of fancy dress outfits. It’s their family
tradition for everyone to dress up for Christmas dinner
and they spend the whole year thinking about it.
A pale blue 1930s bell boy’s suit, with the traditional
chin strap hat, which Adrian wore a couple of years ago,
hangs on the end of the bed. It looks like something
from the Grand Budapest Hotel, but he found it in a
vintage clothing shop in Norman Road, St Leonards.
The bathroom opposite is packed with more finds, including
an amazing bright blue 1920s washbasin – not actually
plumbed in, they had a working basin already, but too beautiful
to leave in the second-hand yard in Hastings Old Town. Its
vibrant colour is matched by a pair of pale blue grosgrain
mule slippers Adrian couldn’t resist from Fortnum & Mason.
On the landing outside two small runs of stairs face
each other. The one to the south was the original and they
copied it for the extension. Adrian made the stair runners
himself, using scraps of old carpet. “It all cost about £80.”
The other two guest rooms, in the original south side
of the house, are packed with more found treasures too
numerous to mention. In the pink bedroom, hat pins,
hat boxes, Victorian laced boots, tiaras, bow ties, Klaus
the bear, and in the green bedroom, a Fortnum & Mason
biscuit tin showing a cross section of the store, which
includes Adrian at his millinery table on the second floor
(where his professional name is Adrian Phillip Howard).
The floor plan – and equally fascinating contents – is
repeated in the two original reception rooms below. The
sitting room on the right is a pale primrose yellow, the snug
on the left is a slightly deeper pink than the room upstairs.
The wall colours throughout the house are beautifully
subtle in this way, but unlike the litany of Farrow & Ball
paint names most of us spout, Adrian and Sven can’t
remember what any of them are. “Our decorator came
with some paint charts and we chose them all in twenty
minutes,” says Adrian. “I think they were mostly Dulux.
Then I added a bit of extra white here and there…”
65 wealdentimes.co.uk

35 Woodbridge Hill, Guildford GU2 9AA
www.cplbathrooms.co.uk ● 01483 537131
Showroom Open Monday - Saturday 9.00 - 17.00
Suppliers of Villeroy & Boch, Hansgrohe, Keuco, Matki, Victoria & Albert and many more.
CPLBathroomsS24.indd 1 29/09/2016 16:08
Discover lovely things for you and your home in our amazing lifestyle store.
An inspiring selection of home furnishings, fashion and accessories sourced from around
the world offers something for everyone in your life. Park outside the door, shop, then
relax and enjoy brunch, lunch or afternoon tea in our own café.
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wealdentimes.co.uk
66
LavenderGooseS30.indd 1 24/03/2017 16:11

Above left: Adrian and Sven bought the light fitting in the
sitting room from an antiques shop in Bruges Below left: Adrian
embellished the vintage wig stand with hundreds of crystals,
sequins and buttons. He had the trumpet as a boy Above right:
The snug. Adrian made the straw boater into a lampshade. He
found the Venetian glass mirror on the street in London
This is what you can do when you are naturally blessed
with an aesthete’s eye, which, in Adrian and Sven’s case, are
starting to roam… With this project lovingly complete,
their fancy has turned to a new wreck and there can be no
doubt that even if it’s infested with vermin and hot and
cold running damp, it will end up a treasure of wonders.
Address Book:
Adrian phillip Howard, fortnum & Mason, London
ap.howard@yahoo.co.uk / fortnumandmason.com
20th Century funking Junk, Courthouse Street, Hastings Old Town
elm tree and robin Hood Boot fairs, Icklesham
(Sunday mornings from Easter onwards, weather depen ding)
Harborough nurseries Guestling, Hastings TN35 4LU
01424 814220
Kaisen Antiques Rochester 01634 814132 kaizenantiques.co.uk
robert’s rummage, High Street, Hastings Old Town
the yard, Courthouse Street, Hastings Old Town
67 wealdentimes.co.uk

IMAGINE LIVING
HERE…
Two showhomes ready to view
•
Perfectly located opposite Twickenham Station
with just a 23 minute train journey to Waterloo
•
Set within exclusive gated mews
•
Close to a number of outstanding schools
•
An ideal environment for busy families
•
Open plan designer kitchens with
expansive folding doors
•
Secluded gardens and private balconies
•
Luxurious bathrooms
•
Two private off-street parking spaces
PRICES FROM
£1,550,000
READY TO MOVE IN NOW
BOOK TO VIEW
THE DEVELOPMENT
020 3883 6140
Sales and Marketing Suite, 20 Brewery Lane
Twickenham, TW1 1AW
Opening hours 10am – 6pm daily. *
Actual photography from Brewery Gate. Prices correct at
time of going to print. Travel times have been taken from TfL.
*
Late night appointments available upon request.
www.brewery-gate.co.uk

Get the look
A silk Khotan rug, Chinese
Turkestan, circa 1920, 243 x
160cm, £1950, Joshua Lumley
joshualumley.com
Mogg Hubertus
‘antler’ coat hooks,
£110, Go Modern
gomodern.co.uk
Lene Bjerre Lucca
Chandelier, £845,
Sweet Pea and Willow
sweetpeaandwillow.com
Swaggamuffin
chair, £945, Loaf
loaf.com
Edwin Jagger 3 piece
shaving set ivory colour,
£77, Annabel James
annabeljames.co.uk
Bell jar table lamp,
£20, Kikkerlandeu
kikkerlandeu.com
Personalised Map, £50,
Maps International
mapsinternational.co.uk
Courteenhall mirror,
£195, The Chandelier
& Mirror Company Ltd
chandeliersandmirrors.co.uk
Rackety sideboard,
£495, Loaf, loaf.com
Jordana Blue And
White Ceramic
Lamp, £202,
Artisanti
artisanti.com
Lab Bottle Candle,
£22.50, Alchemy
and Thistle
alchemyandthistle.
etsy.com
Venetian Orchid
Mirror, £225, French
Bedroom Company
frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
69 wealdentimes.co.uk

Curating Living offers a unique collection of luxury and
handcrafted homeware and gifts. Blending genuine vintage finds
with beautiful contemporary pieces, all sourced from around
the globe, we bring you a range of curated items that are as
unique as you. From furniture, lighting, clocks, home décor,
bath and body collections, handmade scarves, jewellery and
handbags, and one-of-a-kind designer pieces.
Visit our showroom
Stevenson House, St Christophers Green,
Weyhill, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 1BY
t: 01428 870 050 e: info@curatedliving.co.uk
Open Monday to Friday 9am-5:30pm,
Saturday 10-4pm
above COOK, parking available
Visit our online shop
www.curatedliving.co.uk
Quote SH0417 for 10% discount (expires 31.05.17)
CuratedLivingS30.indd 1 28/03/2017 11:14
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TEL 01959 533433 - LONDON ROAD, HALSTEAD, SEVENOAKS, KENT TN14 7AA
FARNINGHAM OAK BRANCH - TEL 01322 863230 - HIGH STREET, FARNINGHAM, KENT DA4 0DG
wealdentimes.co.uk
70
FarninghamPineOakWT176.indd 1 21/09/2016 09:41

Pre-book
discounted
tickets online
now!
Using this code
SH1
Featuring the Healthy Living Festival & Garden Hub
HOLE PARK, Rolvenden, TN17 4JB
8th, 9th & 10th June 2017
See online for ticket details & special offers
BOOK ONLINE: wealdentimes.co.uk/events
TICKET HOTLINE: 01580 713915
TICKETS: On the gate: £9.50
Sponsored by
HARPERS AND HURLINGHAM
Garden Hub & Healthy Living Festival Sponsored by
CANTERBURY & TONBRIDGE
TONBRIDGE

Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 8th -10th June 2017
Danny Clarke
Garden Designer
Mark Lane
Garden Designer
Whitney
Hedges
Head Gardener,
Fairlight Hall
Quentin
Stark
Head Gardener,
Hole Park
Gardening
Visit the Garden Hub sponsored by Neptune
Canterbury & Tonbridge for three days of talks
and workshops. Whether you have a courtyard
or couple of acres, our experts will have plenty
of gardening tips to inform and inspire.
Hole Park
This is one of the best known gardens in Kent, a worthy winner of
Visit Kent’s Garden of the Year award in 2016. Four generations
of the Barham family have created a wonderful 16 acre garden in a
magical parkland setting that must be everyone’s dream. Extensive
yew hedges and herbaceous borders should be at their best for our
opening, with meadow and woodland gardens to explore as well.
The colourful gardens enjoy far reaching views over the hills,
woods and fields of the picturesque Kentish Weald. They are
a skilful mix of formal design and more naturalised planting,
giving colour throughout the seasons. The Weald in the
Garden of England offers a wide variety of gardens, large and
small, to interest and captivate gardeners and non-gardeners
alike. Hole Park Gardens hold their own against the more
well-known gardens of Sissinghurst and Great Dixter.
wealdentimes.co.uk
72

Tickets on sale now
Ticket Hotline: 01580 713915
wealdentimes.co.uk/events
Liz Lark
Yoga,
Supremo
Anissa
Germain
Pilates director,
Bora
Healthy
living
Madeleine Shaw
will be in the Healthy
Living Theatre on
Thursday 8th June
Meet the expert
Madeleine Shaw
Madeleine Shaw is a nutritional health
coach, qualified yoga instructor,
bestselling cookery writer & creator
of the Glow Guides App.
Diet and exercise lie at the heart of a healthy life.
We’ve brought together a team of experts from the
worlds of nutrition, exercise and health who will be
speaking in the Healthy Living Theatre sponsored by
Benenden Hospital over the three days of the fair.
What inspired you to do this book?
I think the easiest way to get
healthy, nutritious and fresh food
is from locally grown produce.
Seasonal food is amazing - it tastes better
and is healthier on your bank balance!
Davina
McCall
TV personality &
Healthy Living
guru
Sarah
Jane Holt
Nutritionist &
personal trainer
What are your top 5 store cupboard/
fridge essentials for a healthy diet?
Leafy Greens - kale, spinach, rocket etc.
Free-range Eggs
Avocado Oil
Berries
Lentils
When and why did you start practising
yoga? I moved to Australia when I was 18
and a friend took me to a class. I fell in
love with it immediately. The movement,
the meditation and the way
it makes you feel, it’s a way of life.
Madeleine Shaw’s A YEAR
OF BEAUTIFUL EATING is
published by Orion Books in
hardback & eBook on 20 April
2017, priced £20/£10.99
73 wealdentimes.co.uk

Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 8th -10th June 2017
Wyse London
WYSE Maddy
Large Star, £170
wyselondon.com
yuniont
Modern Kaftan
Neck T-shirt, £45
yuniont.com
Burrow and
Hide
Sterling Silver Horse
Shoe Necklace, £40
burrowandhide.com
Bella Jane
Jewellery
Gold stack
£120
bellajanejewellery.
co.uk
Fashion
My twirl
Zoe, £53
mytwirl.co.uk
&
Accessories
At Wealden Times we have a passion for fashion and can’t wait
Amulette
to browse amongst the handpicked exhibitors selling clothes Labyrinth rings,
and jewellery at this summer’s fair. We’re looking forward to from £95, Labyrinth
visiting regular stands as well as meeting up with first time ring charms, from
exhibitors. Here are some of the products which will be
£22.50
available at Hole Park in June.
amulette.co.uk
Bush Bells
Kikoy towel, £32
bushbells.com
ridley London
Margot Liberty silk
maxi dress, £369
ridleylondon.com
possum Merino
Two tone poncho,
£110
possummerino.co.uk

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Ticket Hotline: 01580 713915
wealdentimes.co.uk/events
isabelle fox
Jean mini dress,
£325
isabellefox.com
tea and
tequila
Holbox Flamingo
clutch, £95
teaandtequilatrading.
com
Meet the maker
Amulette
Awarded Best Collection 2017 at the Company
of Master Jewellers Awards, Amulette is
British jewellery designed and created by Lisa
Harris from precious metals set with unique,
handpicked gemstones and diamonds.
What do your customers tell you they like about your
products? The pieces are personal and unique, and
my customers love the fact that they can create their
own piece. The Labyrinth rings are individual to you,
simply select your charms and slide them onto your
base ring, change and rearrange whenever it suits you!
romney
Marsh Wools
Lambs wool Scarf,
£45
romneymarshwools.
co.uk
Have you always been creative? I carry a
sketchbook and a camera everywhere. I am a
country girl and constantly inspired by nature
- hence the themes of insects, flowers and bees
which run through all my collections.
please tell us about the journey from design process
to market place Everything begins with a sketch and
notes, then once I have a final sketch I sculpt the pieces
into wax. Once I’ve chosen the precious metals and
gemstones, a new fabulous piece of Amulette is born!
Millie Manu
Lola-Rose playsuit,
£59
milliemanu.com
What are your proudest moments so far? My very
first Labyrinth ring was an amazing moment! Amulette
won the Great British Design Competition sponsored
by the UKTI in 2016 and now we are finalists in
this year’s UK Jewellery Awards - fingers crossed!
What can we look forward to from Amulette
at the Wealden times Midsummer fair? I
have designed a new collection including some
new charms for the Labyrinth rings, so it’s an
opportunity for a first look at those. I’m looking
forward to seeing customers, both new and old.
wealdentimes.co.uk

Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 8th -10th June 2017
The Great
Garden crafts
V29 Swag Vase £138.
base £35, sub base £46
garden-crafts.co.uk
Outdoors
Where better to find glorious plants and outdoor accessories
than in the ‘garden of England’ amongst the formal borders
of the Hole Park Estate? Everything the keen garden could
possible wish for will be on display, from shrubs and
herbaceous plants to garden furniture and statuary...
Roundwood
Corten Steel Fire Pit
from £65
roundwood.com
Elham Valley
Shepherd’s Huts
Shepherd’s Hut
£14,500
elhamvalleyshepherdhuts.
com
Neptune
Aloe Succulent, £8
neptune.com
Cat and Mouse
Landscapes
Baltimore Summerhouse,
from £5500
catandmouselandscapes.com
Oarsum
Deck chair, £95
oarsum.co.uk
Beech Bridge
Plants
Verbascum ‘Apricot
Pixie’, £6.50
beechbridgeplants.
co.uk
Granddad Rob
Designs
Epsom eight nest, £1,031
granddadrobdesigns.co.uk

TICKETS ON SALE NOW
Ticket Hotline: 01580 713915
wealdentimes.co.uk/events
Beech Bridge
Plants
Iris ‘jane phillips’ £7
beechbridgeplants.co.uk
Firepod
The Firepod, £445
thefirepod.com
TeePea
Teepeas, £140
facebook.com/
myteepea
Roundwood
Clayfibre Chelsea
Trough Planter,
from £21
roundwood.com
Meet the maker
Mark Casswell
The Barefoot Welder specialises in high quality
bespoke metal work. He accepts commissions and
works under the watchful eyes of his security team
Frank & Ernie (two miniature Dachshunds!)
What do your customers tell you
they like about your work?
That everything is hand made by me in my workshop
in Marden and not in a factory. I remain small enough
to give the personal touches, ensuring my pieces
match my client’s personality and vision, but big
enough to push myself and overcome challenges.
Please tell us about the journey from
design process to market place?
People ask where my inspiration comes from and,
honestly, it just pops in to my head! Being dyslexic I’m
lucky I can visualise a new piece easily, then I make
sure it’s eye-catching, high quality and will last for years
to come. I began making chimeneas using miniature
cardboard versions of my unique shape: then it was just
a case of working out how to make them happen.
With commissions, I’ll meet a client, sketch some designs
and, once they’re agreed, I’m in the workshop with my
welder in hand doing my thing, playing with metal.
What is your proudest moment so far?
My first client commission had an industrial feel, with
towering RSJ columns, treads back-filled with polished
concrete to match the flooring and finished with beeswax
to give a satin finish. It was a huge challenge,
partly due to its enormous scale, but it helped me to
realise I can do anything when I put my mind to it.
What can we look forward to from The
Barefoot Welder at the Midsummer Fair?
Other than my bare feet?! I have some new, exciting
products tucked up my sleeve and if the visitors are lucky
the security team may even make an appearance!
wealdentimes.co.uk

Mezzo sofa sofa and and Imola Imola chair chair
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Interiors
In House
Between textures, colours and prints, there is a lot to consider when embarking on a room project, but a wellresearched
approach can have the power to transform a room with intrigue, personality and drama. Over the
next few pages, we’ve taken five themes to liven up your rooms with tactile fabrics and desirable accessories...
1.
2.
10.
3.
9.
Fine
Lines
4.
8.
5.
7.
6.
1. Valbonella Alchemilla fabric, £103/m, Designer’s Guild, designersguild.com 2. Tessella BP 3605 wallpaper, £86/roll, Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com
3. Genevieve Bennett Spot Lattice fabric in Indigo, £35/m John Lewis, johnlewis.com 4. Colours Scandi Triangles Wallpaper in Soft Lemon, £12/roll, B&Q,
diy.com 5. Shouchikubai 4501 wallpaper, £112/roll, Farrow & Ball, farrow-ball.com 6. Chevron fabric in Mineral, £15/m RRP, Studio G, studiog.uk.com
7. Diamond Dot fabric in Wedgwood Blue, £65/m, Lewis & Wood, lewisandwood.co.uk, 8. Luxor (105/1005) wallpaper, £80/10m, Cole and Son
cole-and-son.com 9. Lattice wallpaper, Clarke & Clarke, clarke-clarke.co.uk 10. Puzzle (105/ 2008) wallpaper, £110/10m, Cole & Son, cole-and-son.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
80

Eclectic Living
Interiors
Hong Kong
Hexagon Rug in
Blue Grey, £49.99,
The Rug Seller
therugseller.co.uk.
Geometric Wall painted in French Grey Scandinavian blue,
and antique rose, all £39.50 for 2.5L. Chair in Scandinavian
Blue Versante Eggshell, £50.95 for 2.5L, all Autentico,
Ashford 01233 878303 autentico-chalk-paint.co.uk
Geometric
Living...
CK095 Chalk White Round
Crackle knob, £3.50, These
Please 01435 817153
theseplease.co.uk
Artisan Footstool in Grade A
Fabric, £395, Lenleys, Canterbury
01227 766655 lenleys.co.uk
Retro Skandi Chair with
Natural Wood Leg, £99.99,
Sue Ryder, sueryder.org/shops
Tweedmill Jigsaw
yellow throw, £59.95,
Black By Design
black-by-design.co.uk
City Lights Linear
Chandelier,
£834, Elstead
Lighting, Alton
01420 590510
elsteadlighting.com
Set of 3 Hexagon
Tealight Holders, £5,
B&Q, diy.com
Geo Metallic Cushion, £39,
Lenleys, Canterbury 01227
766655 lenleys.co.uk
Lena Coffee
Table, £149,
Marks & Spencer
marksandspencer.com
81 wealdentimes.co.uk

Botanical
Bedroom...
Wallpapers and fabrics from top to
bottom: 1. Sanderson Magnolia &
Blossom Wallpaper, £215 per panel,
Lenleys, Canterbury 01227 766655
lenleys.co.uk 2. Renovated main
bedroom in a rural Georgian residence,
featuring Fleming by Larsen Velvet
Curtains and Adam’s Eden by Lewis &
Wood Wallpaper and Blinds. Project
by Skinners of Tunbridge Wells 01892
532003 skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk
3. Sanderson Wisteria Falls Wallpaper
£215/panel, Lenleys, as before
4. Saverne Viola Fabric, £79/m
Designers Guild, designersguild.com
Interiors 1.
2.
Delphinium Cushion,
£14.99, Dobbies
dobbies.com
Diversity Accent
Chair, £399,
Furniture Village
furniturevillage.co.uk
Floral Bedset,
£40, Next
next.co.uk
Wisteria Floral
Embroidered Duck
Egg Cushion,
£50, Laura Ashley
lauraashley.com
3.
Rose Garden
Easter wreath, £45,
The Contemporary
Home tch.net
4.
Teal Leaves Table
Lamp base, £165,
and shade, £60, both
Elstead Lighting,
Alton 01420 590510
elsteadlighting.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
Sunflower mirror, £59,
Marks & Spencer
marksandspencer.com
82

LIGHTING
Get a fresh look
VISIT OUR SHOWROOM FOR QUALITY DESIGNER LIGHTING
Open 9:00am - 5:30pm Monday - Saturday • Tel: 01420 590510 • www.elsteadlighting.com
Elstead Lighting Ltd, Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QJ

Daisy Side
Plate, £6, M&S
marksandspencer.com
Interiors
Roberts DAB
Revival Gloss
Radio, £199, Very,
very.co.uk
This is the Life wood print,
£28 Next, next.co.uk
Franklin Green
Pendant, £114
Elstead Lighting,
Alton 01420 590510
elsteadlighting.com
Aqua/Raspberry and Summer
Colourway including Batik, Kediri
Nusa, Amba, and Maduraall £15/m,
Studio G, studiog.uk.com
Vibrant
Kitchen...
Farm Forest, £180 (above)
and Black Dandelion,
£200 (below) Stools,
Izzi Rainey izzirainey.com
Aranami BP 4604
wallpaper, £97,
Farrow & Ball
farrow-ball.com
Derby Adjustable
Stool, £235,
Clarkes, Maidstone
01622 753073
clarkesfurnishers.co.uk
Shutters, £230-
£400, The Interior
Shutter Company
01580 754064
interiorshutter.co.uk
Orchidea
Schiaparelli cotton
satin, £62/m,
Designers Guild
designersguild.com
CK279 Orange Zest Polka
Dot knob, £3.50, These Please
01435 817153 theseplease.co.uk
Ananas Tropical cotton,
£14.99/m Prestigious
Textiles prestigious.co.uk
At home with Ashley
Thomas White ‘Sunshine
On A Cloudy Day’ slogan
print tray, £10, Debenhams
debenhams.com
wealdentimes.co.uk

luxury home projects
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Colours Zara
Silver Stripe Glitter
Wallpaper, £18,
B&Q, diy.com
Laterza Ivory
Wallpaper, £59/roll,
Designers Guild
designersguild.com
Cosmos Wallpaper from the
Zaniah Collection by Today
Interiors, £274/roll, Lime Lace
limelace.co.uk
Isabella 3 light Solid
Brass Bathroom Light
£399, Elstead Lighting,
Alton 01420 590510
elsteadlighting.com
Metallic
Bathroom...
Junipa Leaf Antique
Emboss Small Vase,
£70, House of Fraser
houseoffraser.co.uk
Whimsical Woods and Stars
Wallpaper, £78, Cole & Son
cole-and-son.com
Pewter Soap dispenser, £73,
Tenterden House Interiors,
Tenterden 01580 764481
tenterdenhouseinteriors.co.uk
Maze Mirror
£275, Lenleys,
Canterbury
01227 766655
lenleys.co.uk
The Nickel Bateau, £4,500
plus VAT, Catchpole & Rye,
Tunbridge Wells 01892 526996,
catchpoleandrye.com
Putney bathroom
spot satin nickel,
£40, Garden Trading
gardentrading.co.uk
Leon in teal J905F-01,
£95/m Jane Churchill
janechurchill.com
Copper Bull Skull Wall
Hanging, £225, Alexander &
Pearl, alexanderandpearl.co.uk
Dorado, Oyster J159W-01,
£89/m, and Zander,
Copper J164W-04, £60/m,
Wallpapers both Colefax &
Fowler colefax.com
87 wealdentimes.co.uk

STUNNING HANDLES FOR DOORS & DRAWERS
www.theseplease.co.uk
• A simply stunning range of over 600 gorgeous handpainted
cupboard knobs, mortice handles and hooks •
• Our original designs. Mix and match styles. Transform
kitchens. Upscale furniture •
• Online store www.theseplease.co.uk 01435 817153 •
• Trade accounts www.thesepleasetrade.co.uk •
TWO FLOORS OF INDOOR AND OUTDOOR LIVING
CUSTOMER CAR PARK AT REAR OF STORE
44 Portsmouth Road Cobham Surrey KT11 1HY
01932 865505 · www.no44.furniture · info@no44.furniture
The world’s
finest linen
and towelling
from King of
Cotton
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Email: banstead@kingofcotton.co.uk
Tel: 020 8394 1112
Modal 650 gsm towelling and premium quality waffle weave towelling bathrobe.
www.kingofcotton.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
88
KingOfCottonS28.indd 1 18/01/2017 12:05

Authentic Models
Dragon Globe,
£187.50, Houseology
houseology.com
Interiors
Aldsworth Narrow
Shelf Ladder, £165,
Garden Trading,
gardentrading.co.uk
Hanson Leather Paper Tray,
£44, and Pen Pot, £17,
Neptune, Tonbridge 01732
351866 neptune.com
Gold Crochet Cushion,
£30, The French
Bedroom Company
frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk
Newton Sideboard,
£699, Atkin & Thyme
atkinandthyme.co.uk
Delyth Sheepskin
Rug, £79, Neptune,
Tonbridge 01732
351866 neptune.com
A Study in Texture...
Balzac Zinc fabric,
£89/m, Designers Guild
designersguild.com
Large Office Desk
£1,215, Lenleys,
Canterbury 01227
766655 lenleys.co.uk
Laroche Platinum
fabric, £83/m
Designers Guild
designersguild.com
Harris Tweed Braemar
Chair, £1,483, Lenleys,
Canterbury 01227
766655 lenleys.co.uk
UMBRA Madera wall
clock in black/walnut,
£50, Black By Design
black-by-design.co.uk
Caledonia Collection
Hamilton 101/3014
wallpaper, £1,600/10m,
Cole & Son cole-and-son.com
Rigging Table Lamp
£225, Elstead Lighting,
Alton 01420 590510
elsteadlighting.com
89

True Origins
Words: Jennifer Stuart-Smith Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Lucy Fleming
wealdentimes.co.uk
90

Immersed within three acres of glorious gardens, Peter and
Jane’s historic family home, a stunning Wealden farmhouse, is
tantalisingly full of mystery and intrigue.
91 wealdentimes.co.uk

Previous pages: The front reception room is on the
eastern end of the house and features a sunken fireplace
This page: The garden is a dreamy combination of
mature lawns, magnificent topiary and intimate spaces
divided by box hedging and moss-covered walls
Anyone who has ever read The Secret Garden by Frances
Hodgson Burnett will understand the magic and
intrigue that can be conjured up by a sprawling, ancient
building surrounded by an equally fantastical garden... For
many of us, visiting such a place, whether it is a National Trust
property, or a special family home, awakens our childhood
curiosity and imagination in a way that few other things do.
The family home of Jane and Peter, a former hall house in the
heart of the High Weald, is just such a place – and one that
is certain to pique the curiosity of adults and children alike.
“This has been the perfect house for us, and our children,”
says Jane, who moved here with her husband in 1984. “Our
children adore the place, and now we have four grandchildren
and two more on the way...”. The house, when they bought it,
was in need of some serious modernisation but this did not deter
the couple who clearly have an affinity for tricky, timber-framed
buildings. “We had moved from another former hall house, near
Headcorn,” says Jane, “so we knew what we were taking on.”
“Lots of people told us that it was known as the coldest
house in Kent,” adds Peter. “But I’m sure there are lots of
houses they say that about! Plus it had small leaks in lots of
places.” So, it was not exactly everyone’s idea of a cosy family
home. However, once the essentials were dealt with (rewiring,
heating installed, secondary glazing fitted and leaks fixed) the
couple were able to start making this historic building into a
family home – a process that has continued until the present
day. Jane and Peter have only recently added a beautiful
kitchen extension, with a huge south-facing window.
wealdentimes.co.uk
92

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93 wealdentimes.co.uk
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wealdentimes.co.uk
94
AmericanShuttersS28.indd 1 26/01/2017 13:04

This page: The new kitchen extension was built by Hurstway
Construction. The lamps on the sideboard (above) came from
one of the Wealden Times Fairs and the trough/planter in the
middle of the windowsill is from Capital to Coast in Cranbrook
“Every generation thinks that what it is putting in
or adding, is an improvement,” says Peter, “though the
following generations sometimes disagree. Either way, our
home has evolved with us as a family.” The stunning new
extension, built from reclaimed timbers and featuring a
vaulted ceiling, is a seamless addition. “A lot of this was
because of the grandchildren,” says Peter. “We realised,
once everyone was married, that we didn’t have enough
room for everyone to sit down and have breakfast together
or Christmas lunch.” As well as providing essential space,
it is also the perfect spot from which to view the garden.
The garden, though hard to do justice in words, is a
dreamy combination of mature lawns, magnificent topiary
and intimate spaces divided by box hedging and mosscovered
walls. It is clearly a labour of love, though Jane makes
light of this: “The topiary only really needs cutting once a
year,” she says. There is a pool area, protected by a low wall
and manicured hedge as well as a selection of timber-clad
outbuildings, with Kent peg title roofs. It’s the kind of garden
that just cries out to be explored – and it’s easy to imagine their
grandchildren running along the paths, squirting one another
with hose pipes and jumping into the swimming pool.
“We have done a lot of work on the garden,” says Jane.
“Although we had a few yew and beech hedges when we
arrived, we have planted many more. It’s been great fun
trying to put in some structure.” A love of gardening is
something the couple share with one another, but it is
95 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: The dining room is in fact the oldest in the
house Right: A corner of the downstairs bathroom
also something they like to share with others, through their
work with local charity, the Gardening for Disabled Trust.
“We get so much pleasure from gardening ourselves it makes
you realise how awful it must be if you can’t do it anymore,”
says Jane. “Through the charity, we try to inspire people to
do what they can with whatever financial support we can
give them.” The Trust, which was formed 48 years ago, is a
voluntary organisation, based in the Weald of Kent, which
gives grants to people all over the United Kingdom to help
them continue to garden, despite disability or advancing
illness. Jane has just sent out invitations for the plant fair they
are hosting at the end of this month [April], where about 20
specialist growers are expected to attend and visitors get a rare
glimpse of this very special garden. “It’s a lot of fun – and it
helps that we have masses of space for parking,” says Jane.
But, less about the garden, and back to the magnificent house
which, despite its complex history gives the outward impression
of never having changed. “It’s good to hear that, from the front,
it’s as if it has always looked like this. Planning restrictions and
guidelines on a house like this are very strict, so we’ve had to
work within them,” says Jane. Viewed from the front, their
home is an impressive brick, timber and tile-hung Wealden
farmhouse, symmetrical, with two storeys plus attic rooms.
The house dates from the 15th century and was a hall house
in origin, though the original house was destroyed by fire and
rebuilt in the 17th century, when it was pivoted on its axis to
wealdentimes.co.uk
96

Adaptations
Kitchens by
T: 01932 584940 www.adaptations.uk.com
T: 01932 584940 www.adaptations.uk.com
53-57 High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3DP
53-57 High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3DP

Above: The front reception room’s sunken fireplace was
apparently the only warm place to sit. “My theory is, that the
man who did all the work in the 1930s raised the floor – making
the fireplace appear sunken,” says Jane. Left: The hall curtains
were made from fabric bought from Bell House Fabrics &
Interiors in Cranbrook and sewn by LilyMatthews
face north. The building was then divided in the 19th century to
create two cottages but turned back into a single dwelling in the
1930s. Today it is much larger than the hall house it replaced.
When Jane and Peter bought the house in 1984, much of the
work that had been carried out in the 1930s remained, as some
of it does today: “It had been radically altered; they built a lot of
walls and dug out ponds and did all sorts of things. But overall,
they gave it a lot of love.” It featured in Country Life during
the 1930s, which would suggest that the restoration and work
on the garden was of some note, though not all of the work
was to Jane and Peter’s taste, however: “He built on an awful
kitchen wing, which we have since knocked down,” says Jane.
In its place, they built an extension which is now home
to a living-room-cum-snug on the ground floor with a huge
spare bedroom overhead. As with the kitchen extension,
the living room and upstairs bedroom join seamlessly
with the older structure: “We got nice old bricks from
Symonds Salvage at Bethersden – and the floor over there
is made from the ceiling of a railway station,” says Jane,
pointing to their old dining area, next to the kitchen.
Despite being such an old house, and in some ways a typical
Wealden timber-framed building, it is surprisingly light
inside with large rooms and relatively high ceilings. “It’s quite
surprising, isn’t is?” says Jane. “Friends say it has a slightly
Tuscan feel about it.” I am eager to see more, and Jane has
promised to show us the oldest room in the house – the only
part of the house that survived the fire in the 17th century.
The room – next to the open-plan kitchen, dining room
and living room area – acts as a formal dining room and
wealdentimes.co.uk
98

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No.1 on review centre

Left: The gun above the fireplace is from Saudi Arabia, it’s a
Bedouin Tribal Rifle
was painted in a striking pillarbox red by Jane’s father. It
is smaller, darker and with a lower ceiling than the other
rooms and, despite Jane’s assurance that the house does not
have any unusual spirits, the room is strikingly cold. Perhaps
my childish imagination is getting the better of me?
We proceed to the front of the house, where the couple
have created an unusual but effective downstairs washroom.
“This wall here,” says Jane, “would have been part of the
‘solar’ in the original hall house, with sliding screens that
opened into the main hall and cooking / social area.” You
can still see where the sliding doors would have fitted.
Typically, a Wealden hall house, or yeoman farmer’s house,
would have had four bays with the two central ones forming
the main hall, open to the roof, with the hearth in the middle.
There would also have been two doors to the outside, at one
end, forming a cross passage. The open hearth would later
have been moved towards the cross passage and become a
fireplace with chimney. The fact that this house was spun on
its axis in the 17th century, makes it all the more curious.
Jane has her theories about various rooms, including their
current reception room, on the eastern end of the house...
“This sunken fireplace is an interesting thing. My theory
is, that the man who did all the work in the 1930s raised
the floor – making the fireplace appear sunken. It’s believed
that this room had a loom in it. It wouldn’t fit a loom
101 wealdentimes.co.uk

Left: A first floor bathroom Below: A large spare bedroom is on
the top of the former kitchen wing
in it now, but it would if you took the floor down to the
original level.” The farmhouse also, at one time, included a
dairy – reflecting the changing industries over the years.
Upstairs, Jane and Peter’s home now has six bedrooms
and three bathrooms – a far cry from the original hall house
structure: “It’s funny, the children, despite being grown
up all still have rooms they call their own,” says Jane. The
attic contains one enormous bedroom, with wonderful
old beams plus a smaller bedroom with bunk beds for the
grandchildren. “We stack ’em high in there,” jokes Jane. The
larger bedroom has only recently been vacated by her youngest
daughter: “But I have a feeling there will be people to stay
very soon.” The house almost seems larger upstairs, with
long landings that twist and turn around gnarled beams.
“This is our room,” says Jane, showing us into a large,
double-aspect room, with a beamed ceiling and warm,
pinkish walls. “We took the black staining off the old beams
and left the plaster bare, rather than painting it as it’s such a
glorious colour.” A striking, almost-black carved cupboard
takes pride of place next to the bed. “I’m very fond of that
wealdentimes.co.uk
102

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103 wealdentimes.co.uk
TJBathroomsS28.indd 1 13/01/2017 13:18

this page: The master bedroom features stripped dark beams
and bare plaster
piece,” says Jane. “It’s a linen cupboard, which I got from
Cindy over in Rolvenden. It gives me joy every time I think
about it and how it’s ended up in a spot where it’s completely
perfect.” Light streams in through the leaded windows on
both sides of the room, completing the tranquil scene.
From outside the bedroom window comes the sound of
running water– a stream that, with the help of a couple of
dams, has been turned into two rustic fish ponds. “There
was talk that this was some sort of monastic property at one
time and that the pond had a particular variety of leech in it,
that was used for medical purposes,” says Jane. It seems that
the curious history of this place goes on and on... My, what
lucky children, who get to run amok around this fabulous
house and garden, uncovering secrets and tales at every turn.
Address Book:
For more information on the Gardening for
disabled trust plant fair on 27th April, see
gardeningfordisabledtrust.org.uk/events-and-news/
Bell House fabrics & interiors Cranbrook
01580 712555 bellhousefabrics.co.uk
Cindy’s Antiques, Regent Street, Rolvenden
LilyMatthews 01580 241614 lilymatthews.co.uk
Symonds Salvage Bethersden 01233
820724 symondssalvage.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
104

milnersinashtead
MilnersAshtead
Surrey’s largest
Amtico One Range
Milners is Surrey’s exclusive Amtico One Retail Partner. Their comprehensive
service is available 7 days a week, offering Surrey’s largest selection of
flooring, soft furnishing and rugs. All Amtico flooring has a Lifetime Fitting
Guarantee with a Price Matching Guarantee for peace of mind.
To view our latest customer journey film please visit us online
AT YOUR SERVICE FOR OVER 25 YEARS
*
OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK
PRICE PROMISE
GUARANTEE
CARPETS - WOOD FLOORING - VINYLS - KARNDEAN - AMTICO - CURTAINS & BLINDS - RUGS
FLOORING
40 The Street, Ashtead,
Surrey KT21 2AH
Tel: 01372 271 871
www.milners.com
SOFT FURNISHING
11 The Street, Ashtead,
Surrey KT21 2AH
Tel: 01372 271711
*SOFT FURNISHING SHOWROOM CLOSED SUNDAY

www.woodandstonefloors.co.uk
Design Studio 1a,
Linton Hill, Maidstone,
Kent, ME17 4AL
01622 74 33 99
The Pheasantry, The
Green, Westerham,
Kent, TN16 1FY
01959 56 56 57
Quality
hardwood floors
supplied & fitted
by craftsmen
WoodandStoneFloorsS19.indd 1 21/04/2016 15:17
Showroom: The Barn, Main Road, Sundridge, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 6EE
For a free no obligation estimate call us on 01959 563063
visit our website: www.dbwf.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
106
DavidBrownS30.indd 1 23/03/2017 16:34

Anatolian
kilim handknotted
flatweave from India,
from £330 (180x120cm),
Milners, Ashtead
01372 271871
milners.com
Interiors
Floor Plan
SH tracks down the finest flooring
from beautiful hand-weaved rugs to super smooth tiles
Simple, colourful or the ultimate in luxury, choosing
the right flooring can make or break an interior
scheme. Go back to basics when embarking
on a new project and don’t be afraid to experiment
with colour, pattern and texture, just as you would
with the room’s paint, paper or soft funishings.
Could you opt for a warm, grained wood and accessorise
with an antique or contemporary rug? Or spruce up
existing boards with a fresh coat of floor paint? Think about
room traffic – will certain areas require a durable surface,
like stone or tile? Here are a few of our favourites...
carpets & rugs
Fine ikat
silk handknotted
from India, from £965
(180x120cm), Milners,
Ashtead
01372 271871
milners.com
Bessarabian
kilim, from Romania
or Moldova circa. 1920
(220x170cm), £1,450, Joshua
Lumley Ltd 01233 756072 /
07900 901756
joshualumley.com
A rare Spanish carpet,
probably Cuenca, circa.
1950 (292x209cm), £3,300,
Joshua Lumley Ltd 01233
756072 / 07900 901756
joshualumley.com

• CARPETS • VINYLS • WOODS
• NEXT DAY FITTING • COLLECT SAME DAY
• HUNDREDS OF PRODUCTS IN STOCK
FREE ESTIMATES AND MOBILE SHOWROOM AVAILABLE
Opening Times: Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm; Saturday 9am – 1pm
Guildford Flooring Co Limited, One Acre, Aldershot Road, Guildford, Surrey, GU3 3HQ
01483 232 640 www.guildfordflooring.co.uk
Tile_Emporium_Half Page Advert_V2_ 210Wx148H_Saleonad.qxp_08122015 08/12/2015 17:56 Page 1
What we do...
GuildfordFlooringS24.indd 1 14/09/2016 17:04
Natural stone, Porcelain, Ceramic, Glass, Mosaics,
Victorian and Encaustic designs, Underfloor Heating,
Porcelanosa and Villeroy & Boch stockists,
Full installation service available.
Visit our new showroom to view our collection
THE TILE EMPORIUM
31a Bell Street, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7AD Tel: 01737 210125 Email: sales@thestonetileemporium.com Web: www.thestonetileemporium.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
108
TheTileEmporiumS19.indd 1 13/04/2016 15:17

ceramic, stone & wood
Interiors
Charterhouse
tumbled limestone,
£83.94 per m, The
Tile Emporium, Reigate
01737 223922
thestonetileemporium.
com
Chalet
Porcelwood tiles,
£59.94 per m, The
Tile Emporium, Reigate
01737 223922
thestonetileemporium.
com
Bespoke French
Versailles Galet Parquet
Panel finished with reactive
stain and oil. Prices start from
£180 per m², David Brown
Wood Floors Ltd, Sevenoaks
01959 563063
dbwf.co.uk
Moiety
Monochrome
floor tiles,
£29.95m², Walls &
Floors Ltd.
wallsandfloors.
co.uk
Product, £price
Company
website
Pure
Waterproof Flooring
in Grey Ash, £102
per pack (2.21m²), Pure
Bathroom Collection,
purebathroomcollection.
co.uk
Patchwork
multi-colour
Encaustic tiles, £89.70
per m, The Tile Emporium,
Reigate 01737 223922
thestonetileemporium.
com
wealdentimes.co.uk

Get ready
to Party!
Liven up your little one’s wardrobe with fun, vibrant and playful pieces
Photos: David Merewether
Styling: Helen Barton
Left: ‘Isabelle’ dress, £58 Right: ‘Amelia’
dress, £58, both My Twirl mytwirl.co.uk
See My Twirl at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair,
8-10 June at Hole Park, Rolvenden wealdentimes.co.uk/events
111 wealdentimes.co.uk

For amazing designer and bespoke
hats and fascinators as well as seasonal
hats, umbrellas and pashminas.
We also stock Rainbow shoes which can
be dyed to any colour imaginable.
Specialise in
and other
fabulous labels
www.serendipityfashions.co.uk
Tel: 01483 577475 Tues to Sat 10am to 5pm
52 New Road | Chilworth | Guildford | Surrey | GU4 8LU
THE MAD HATTER
12 Castle Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3UW
01483 566845
www.themadhattermillinery.com
SerendipityFashionsS29.indd 1 24/02/2017 TheMadHatterS25.indd 10:43
1 31/10/2016 17:21
Spring Summer
2017
Telephone 01737 226569
69 High Street, Reigate, Surrey RH2 9AE
Our online store is now open
www.thelingerieboutiquereigate.co.uk
Riani
Luisa Cerano
Mala Alisha
Nicole Miller
Missoni
One Season
Juliet Dunn
Charlotte Sparre
Intropia
Cacharel
Velvet
Gardel By Moore
DL1961 jeans
360 sweater
Tissa Fonteneda
Castaner
Kanna
5/6 Angel Gate
Guildford
01483 452825
www.courtyarduk.co.uk
Open seven days a week
wealdentimes.co.uk
112
TheLingerieBoutiqueS30.indd 1 27/03/2017 CourtyardS30.indd 14:27
1 23/03/2017 17:11

Joules check shirt, £30.95, Joules
dino rucksack, £24.95, Charity Farm
Countrystore, Cranbrook 01580
713189 charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk;
Geox flick in green, £40, The
Golden Boot, Maidstone 01622
752349 thegoldenboot.co.uk

QUALITY CLOTHING AND A PERSONAL SERVICE
Leading The Way For Mothers Of The Bride and Groom
www.melitaboutique.co.uk
57 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AF
Tel: 01276 856308
MEYER-HOSEN, established
in 1960 in Germany, are
producers of high quality
formal and casual trousers
of European manufacture.
Using some of the finest
fabrics , and only cottons
bearing the Fair Trade
Certification Mark MEYER
trousers are renowned for their
Quality, Comfort, Style and Fit.
This Spring/Summer season’s
ranges comprise ultra lightweight
wool blends, sand washed cotton,
pima cottons and kapok, in a bright
colour palette, with two-tone
and over-dyed fabrics, contrasted
by trims and summery linings.
MEYER ensures QUALITY that its CLOTHING products AND of showing A PERSONAL you the new SERVICE MEYER
have a high-quality of finish, a collection, together with the
good fit throughout all sizes other ranges of exciting summer
and are comfortable to wear. clothing we have to offer.
19 St. Margarets St,
Canterbury,
Kent CT1 2TH
Tel: 01227 765294
Follow us
• New store opening April in Sevenoaks
• Celebrating 40 years trading in Kent
CountyClothes
We are pleased to offer a
comprehensive range of MEYER
trousers in all three of our stores,
with sizes from 32 to 46 waist in
many ranges, and very much look
forward to having the opportunity
2 East Cross,
Tenterden,
Kent TN30 6AD
Tel: 01580 765159
6 High St,
Reigate,
Surrey RH2 9AY
Tel: 01737 249224
MelitaOfChobhamS30.indd 1 22/03/2017 CountyClothesS30.indd 10:33
1 23/03/2017 11:20
The home of contemporary and luxury
footwear direct from the heart of Europe
Always one step ahead, they have established themselves
on their quality and first-rate service
Blue Velvet
Call 020 7376 7442
Visit them at: 174 Kings Road SW3 4UP
Buy Online: www.bluevelvetshoes.com
wealdentimes.co.uk
114
BlueVelvetS30.indd 1 23/03/2017 14:55

Georgina dress, £65, Milliemanu 020 8878 7863 milliemanu.com
See Milliemanu at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair, 8-10 June at Hole Park, Rolvenden wealdentimes.co.uk/events
115 wealdentimes.co.uk

April
At the Clinic
LONDON PARIS SOUTH OF FRANCE
GOODBYE
to bad
hair days
Hair is like the weather. The way it
looks fi rst thing in the morning dictates
what kind of day we will have
Over the last
few years,
techniques
have developed
B
ut unfortunately, for most, this usually
means a bad hair day because it’s
estimated that around six million
women in the UK are affected by thinning,
lifeless hair…or worse…baldness!
Hair loss is far from an exclusively male
problem. Women have 40 per cent chance
of developing thinning hair and hair loss in
their lifetimes and, like men, genetics is
the main culprit. But there are many other
factors that affect hair health including stress,
a poor diet and physical damage to the
follicles from excessive styling or harsh
chemical treatments. Throw
menopause into the mix, and you
are also looking at breakage, frizz,
dryness and dull, lacklustre colour.
First course of action is to see
your doctor for assessment
and to rule out any underlying
medical conditions. Then come and see us
in the Clinic because for general thinning hair
there are now a number of treatments from
surgery…to helping boost regrowth.
For instance, PRP Hair Boosting Therapy,
a new treatment which uses platelet rich
plasma from your own blood which is then
mixed with growth factors and injected into
the scalp to help stimulate hair follicles. A
course of 3 treatments is recommended to
restore health and hair.
Or you could try Hair Surgery. Figures show
that more and more women are having hair
restoration surgery to address patchy hair
loss. Over the last few years, techniques have
developed enormously and hair grafts have
become increasingly smaller and refi ned and
new technologies also mean it is virtually
impossible to tell when someone has had
treatment. Under local anaesthetic, hair is
taken from the donor area at the back of the
head and transferred into the areas of hair
loss. Once repositioned the hair rests for up
to 16 weeks and then starts its natural growth
cycle – around nine months later there will be
a great improvement in the density of hair.
Come and see us, and say
goodbye to bad hair days.
A COURSE
OF 3 PRP
SESSIONS
£1,950
(USUAL PRICE £2,270)
OFFER ENDS 30/4/17
T: 01737 247246
For further information T: 01737 247246
reigate@harleystreetskinclinic.com 16 Bell Street Reigate RH2 7BG
WWW.HARLEYSTREETSKINCLINIC.COM

Freshen
Up
Beauty
Josephine Fairley tames
unpredictable teenage skin
In the age of the ‘selfie’, I’ve discovered that teenagers
fret more about skin than ever. Notwithstanding
the fact that they can download filters which blur
spots and redness, make skin look radiant and lips
bigger, there seems to be more pressure than ever to
look ‘perfect’. Therefore, skin woes – in particular, spots
– seem to be even more anxiety-inducing in 2017.
No question: spots and breakouts can seriously
zap confidence and self-esteem, though; I have many
a young woman in my ‘circle’ who have been badly
affected, not wanting to meet with friends, rock up
for family get-togethers or take those ‘selfies’ – and
generally feeling very isolated despite this being an
incredibly common problem. Some of the rules for
caring for acne/blackhead-prone complexions remain
the same as they ever did. But there are, happily, some
innovative products and gizmos which are worth trying
on teen and troubled skin. The skincare world has
truly woken up to the challenges young
“The most
important step is
cleansing. End.
Of. Removing
bacteria and the
sebum that clogs
skin is really
important.”
women (and boys) face – and is offering
an increasingly wide range of solutions.
The most important step is cleansing.
End. Of. Removing bacteria and the
sebum that clogs skin is really important.
But this doesn’t mean blitzing skin
with ultra-strong products; it means
taking a softly-softly approach. First
off: no cleansing wipes. (Or only if
the alternative is quite simply going
to bed with make-up on; these are a
for-emergencies-only solution.) My
go-to cleansing recommendation remains Liz Earle
Cleanse & Polish, £15.50 for 100ml starter kit – but
other great choices include Cetaphil Gentle Skin
Cleanser, £8.99 for 236ml, and Derma E Purifying
Gel Cleanser, £15 for 175ml. (The whole Derma E
Purifying range is just brilliant for problem skins – see
my recommendation for a great moisturiser, below);
you can find both these ranges at victoriahealth.
com – and I quote their founder Shabir Daya on
acne, below. For an occasional deeper treatment, try
the Amie Radiant Dawn Exfoliating Wash, £4.95 for
150ml. The bottom line is that learning to cleanse
scrupulously is the best possible foundation for a
lifetime’s regime. One important tip, though: always,
always wash hands thoroughly before cleansing your
face, to avoid transferring dirt and bacteria to the skin.
Try a cleansing gizmo. Technology can prove a boon
to problem skins – in the form of some of the new deep-
cleansing ‘gadgets’ that have hit the market. I’ve
had great reports from teens who’ve used the Foreo
Luna, , £85 (a birthday-pressie price), which has soft
silicone ‘nodules’ and works in roughly the same
way as a sonic toothbrush, with micro-vibrations
loosening dirt – along with sebum and general gunk.
Ditch the toner. I once tried an experiment with
a Very Famous Toner because I’d heard that it could
take off nail varnish. It did. Many toners targeted
at teen skins are just way, way too harsh. If you
want a feeling of freshness after cleansing, switch to
good old-fashioned rosewater – which does the job
beautifully, gently (and smells delicious). Neal’s Yard
Rehydrating Rose Toner, £16 for 200ml, is honestly
as good as it gets (and was formerly known as ‘rose
water’ – so I’m not contradicting myself, here!).
Every skin needs moisturiser. Oil and water are
different – and for healthy cell communication,
moisturiser is a must. (It ensures skin
feels comfortable, too – and makeup,
which I’ll come onto, glides on
smoothly.) Choose one specifically
for oily or combination skins: The
Ordinary Natural Moisturizing
Factors + HA, £4.90 for 30ml,
Cetaphil Moisturising Cream,
£9.99 for 100g, from that greatfor-tricky-skins
range, or Derma
E Very Clear Moisturizing Cream,
£18.95 for 56g. Liz Earle Skin Repair
Light, £20.25 for 50ml pump,
is another perennially great choice. (I’ve
always liked that Liz Earle offers a travel/
trial size of much of their range – a good way
to check out whether your skin gets on with
something; a 15ml tube will set you back £8.)
Don’t trowel on the slap. It’s so, so tempting
to cover up every blemish – but skin needs
to breathe. A lighter coverage, with perhaps
an extra dot of concealer where there are
breakouts, will ultimately do your skin more
favours than applying a full-coverage base. As a
new handbag must-have for problem skins, I’d
thoroughly recommend Bioderma Sébium Global
Intensive Purifying Care, £14 for 30ml, which sets
out to control sebum with a one-shade-suits-all,
lightly tinted cream featuring AHA-esters said to
‘biologically treat’ the causes and consequences
of blemishes. It’s matte without being at all flat-
117 wealdentimes.co.uk

Give them the confidence to
smile as teenagers
and beyond...
Nia, 15 – Fixed Brace Treatment
0208 390 1839
myorthodontist.co.uk
The best time to take your child to see a Specialist Orthodontist
is between ages 8 and 9. Get in touch with your treatment
coordinator Barbara today to book a consultation.
barbara@myorthodontist.co.uk
15 St Leonards Rd, Thames Ditton, KT7 0RJ
Want to be fit, healthy, strong and sexy
with the body of your dreams… even
if you’re over 40? Take action today,
download my FREE 7 Day Plan, find
out how to easily kick-start your
fat loss. I’ve been there, done
it… so can you!
Get yours here:
www.pureformfi tness.co.uk
#believeyoucanandyouarehalfwaythere
WalpoleS30.indd 1 28/03/2017 PureFormFitnessS29.indd 11:11
1 24/02/2017 16:13
VIDEO GAIT ANALYSIS
Problems with your shoes
or does your body hurt more
than you think it should?
Pop in and we can check your gait to
make sure everything is working properly.
Find us on:
Chapel Street
Guildford
www.fitstuff.net
wealdentimes.co.uk
118
FitStuffS30.indd 1 29/03/2017 JulieWattsS28.indd 17:26
1 31/01/2017 11:36

Beauty
thinkaction
Surrey
Help is always nearby
If you’re feeling stressed, anxious, low or sad,
Thinkaction Surrey can help. We provide a wide
range of confidential talking therapies,
on behalf of the NHS.
looking (actually, too-matte accentuates the lumpiness of
breakouts), and it’s a great make-up base if someone doesn’t
feel this is enough coverage. You flip open the lid to reveal a
green-tinted balm which calms the redness of a blemish while
delivering its antibacterial cargo of ingredients. For more coverage
for acne-prone skins, one of the best is Clinique Anti-Blemish
Solutions Liquid Makeup, £25 for 10ml, along with Tarte Water
Foundation, £30 for 30ml (tartecosmetics.com), and (affordably)
Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation, £5.99 for 30ml.
Follow lifestyle advice, too. For wellbeing wisdom, I generally
turn to pharmacist Shabir Daya of the authoritative beauty
and health website victoriahealth.com. As Shabir notes: “The
look of your skin is a direct reflection of your overall health.
Taking simple but essential measures will reap rewards not just
in the look of your skin, but also in your overall confidence.”
He says it is worth noting the following. (Much of which is
probably what any mother would tell her teen – but it may
be more authoritative coming from outside the family!)
Grains and sugars. Elimination, whilst difficult,
even for a few weeks will most likely result in a
major improvement in the look of your skin.
Water. Drink plenty of water. Hydrating your body
will help with the elimination of waste, improve
skin tone and facilitate regeneration of cells.
Sleep. A good night’s sleep will help to reduce stress levels and
lead to a clearer skin. Your body’s healing processes on the
whole take place at night and that includes your skin. (It’s good
advice to try to get a teenager to ban mobile devices from the
bedroom, since these are now known to keep us awake.)
exercise. Exercise encourages circulation and helps support
the greater excretion of toxins through the pores.
Balance of bacteria. This is especially important if you
have been using antibiotics for skin problems since
these destroy the beneficial bacteria within the gut that
are involved in the breakdown of foods, removal of
toxins within the gut as well as enhancing the digestive
process. There are many probiotic supplements on the
market so ensure that you use a high quality one.
To which I can only add: remember, there’s
more to life than ‘selfies’. Listen to music. Spend
time with friends. Get out in the fresh air. And
the skin challenges which seem so overwhelming
when staring at the screen of an iPhone (or in the
mirror) may not seem so all-important, after all.
Visit Jo Fairley and Sarah Stacey’s beautybible.com
for the latest health and beauty news and product reviews.
I feel alone
Give us a call to book your first appointment on
0300 012 0012 or text TALK to 82085.
For more information about Thinkaction visit
www.thinkaction.org.uk
Are you
happy with
your teeth
and smile?
All of our treatments are
NHS funded programmes.
I can’t cope
AddactionS28.indd 1 26/01/2017 14:54
The experienced and friendly team of dentists at
Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic in Farnham can help
with an extensive range of cosmetic dental treatments
l Teeth straightening l Teeth whitening l White fillings
l Porcelain crowns and veneers l Gum contouring, cosmetic
bonding and teeth reshaping l Solutions for missing teeth
To book, call 01252 713797 or email
info@elmsleighhouse.co.uk
Elmsleigh House Dental Clinic
A private practice offering clinical excellence
6 Station Hill, Farnham, Surrey GU9 8AA
www.elmsleighhouse.co.uk
119 wealdentimes.co.uk
ElmsleighHouseS30.indd 1 16/03/2017 10:22

It’s not stupid to do something to
improve your outlook on life
My tummy affected the way I dressed, and the
way I felt about myself. I wanted to be able to
wake up in the morning and think “I like being
me” and actually mean it.
Jane’s Story
Age 46, Essex
Tummy Tuck Surgery
I chose to have a tummy tuck because I was extremely self
conscious about the way my tummy looked. After three
pregnancies and having my appendix out, I had a nasty
scar, lax muscles and loose skin that no amount of dieting or
exercise would restore my pre-baby belly.
I’ve been married for 20 years with 3 children, and we have
recently adopted triplets, who are all autistic. I love all of
my children but it can be quite isolating and I wanted to do
something for me, which would boost my confidence and help
me feel good about myself again.
Amir and the Bella Vou team were absolutely fantastic and
they’ve completely understood where I’m coming from.
Bella Vou really stood out to me in every way. Although
some people can be judgemental about cosmetic surgery,
I’d encourage people to do what they think is best for
themselves. It’s not stupid to do something to improve your
outlook on life.
(left to right) Before Jane’s surgery and six months after
Tummy Tuck Surgery
I didn’t realise how young I’d look! The results are absolutely
fantastic. My stomach is tight and flat again, the way it was
before I had my babies. It looks like it did when I was 19. It’s
been a massive change for me. The first time I went shopping
I bought myself a bikini which was a big thing for me. It was
nice to be able to buy the correct size clothing for my body,
rather than buying bigger sizes for my belly. It’s a fantastic
feeling to be able to wear whatever I want, rather than
having to put things back on the hanger because they don’t
suit me.
Amir and all the wonderful team made my procedure so
enjoyable and lot easier than I’d imagined it would be. I felt
safe from the beginning, and they gave me an exceptional
result.
UKAAPS
UK Association of Aesthetic
Plastic Surgeons
The Royal College of Surgeons of England
Featured surgeon on
‘Facelifts & Fillers’
Mr Amir Nakhdjevani
MBBS, MRCS, FRCS (Plast.)
Consultant Plastic & Hair Transplant Surgeon
British Association of Plastic
Reconstructive & Aesthetic Surgeons
Watch Jane’s video story now at
www.bellavou.co.uk/patient-stories
Copyright © 2017. Before you consider any procedure you should consult with a physician to check your medical suitability. The above information is only a brief overview and typical of most patients’ experiences. Errors and omissions excepted.
01737 860 608
Text 07800 007 028
www.bellavou.co.uk

Health & Beauty
Active April
Surrey Homes talks to personal trainer and nutrit ionist Sarah-Jane Holt...
Do you have a beauty
regime? I cleanse and
moisturise but that’s as
complicated as it gets. I use
natural organic products as
much as possible. Caudalie
foaming face wash is a
god-send as it’s quick and
easy to use in the shower.
Beyond products I drink
two litres of water a day
and focus on including a
wide variety of vegetables
in my diet. Being hydrated
and making sure you are
eating enough vitamins and
minerals really will make
such a difference to the skin.
Beauty does come from
within in more ways than
one and what you put into
your body will reflect itself
in the way you feel and look.
Do you have a particular
product you couldn’t
live without? Mascara, no
matter how I feel a bit of
mascara will always make
me feel a bit better!
What’s your ultimate
pampering treat? A back
That essential Easter icon, the
hen’s egg, is nature’s perfect
convenience food. With
an abundance of essential
vitamins, minerals and a highprotein
content (they contain
all eight essential amino
acids) eggs make a delicious,
affordable and versatile
contribution to a healthy diet.
In the past, cholesterol
levels in eggs were
considered a health risk and
recommendations were made
that they should be limited to
four a week. These findings
massage! Training a lot
throughout the week
can really affect muscle
tension and tightness and
a good deep tissue massage
can certainly make a big
difference, plus it’s super
relaxing so a win all round!
Who’s your style icon? I
don’t really have a style icon
but someone who I really
look up to in more ways
than just their look is Jessica
Ennis. Her ability, power
and talent is incredibly
inspiring, beyond that she is
Go to work on an egg...
have now been over-turned
by new research which shows
that cholesterol in food has a
much smaller effect on blood
levels of total cholesterol, and
harmful LDL cholesterol,
than was previously thought.
With a clean bill of health,
all major organisations
– including the British
Heart Foundation and the
Department for Health –
now recommend eggs as
part of a healthy diet.
Their high protein content
makes eggs a great breakfast
a great ambassador for sport
and fitness and I think a
role model for all women.
Having previously trained
and worked as an actress,
Sarah-Jane now works
as a personal trainer and
nutritionist with Matt
Roberts in London and
with private clients in Kent.
Sarah-Jane will be speaking
in the Healthy Living
Theatre at Wealden
Times Midsummer Fair
on Healthy Habits
for Busy Mums.
if you’re looking to lose
weight: they’ll make you feel
fuller for longer and there
are only 78 calories in every
egg. A word of advice, boiled,
poached and scrambled are
best, avoid a fatty fry-up -
that would be egg-sessive!
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the formulas are a blend of
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calendula that are safe to use
on a baby’s delicate skin. WT
testers especially loved the
Water Resistant Sunscreen
SPF 30 which provided an
effective barrier against the
sun’s damaging rays without
a whole host of chemical
nasties that pop up in other
sun protection lotions. The
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121 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Health
The Big Mind &
Body Spring Clean
Our bodies are pre-programmed to spring clean themselves if we let them, as Julie Simpson explains...
It’s April, and time for a clear out. In the rush to
throw open the windows and defrost the fridge,
don’t forget to put aside some time for a self
spring clean to re-energise your mind and body.
This isn’t as hard as you think, in fact it’s really simple!
Nature designed our bodies with a built-in elimination
system to get rid of toxins and make way for the fuel we
need for perfect health. The message is, look after your
elimination system and it’ll look after you. All you need to
do is to move out of its way and let it get on with its job ...
Here are four easy ways to give yourself a spring clean in April
EAT HEALTHILY
Give your digestive system a rest so the main digestive
elimination organs – the liver and kidneys – can do their
job. Use whole foods and prepare meals from scratch. Eat
mainly plant foods (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans)
with small amounts of good quality protein (free-range
meat and poultry, fish and eggs) and cut out processed
foods. Eat your last meal of the day early to allow a
13-hour fast between supper and breakfast. This gives
your body time to process food and your cells to renew.
A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP
7-8 hours sleep a night allows the brain to process the day’s
information, detoxing the mind while the body rests and
repairs. For a good night’s sleep, cut out caffeine and alcohol
( a nightcap may help you drop off but you’ll be up again at
3am); create a ‘sleeping space’ (soft lighting, comfy bedding and
ban the telly and mobile phone); establish a sleep routine and
rituals (a warm bath, lavender oil on the pillow) and avoid all
screen time for at least a couple of hours before you turn in.
STAY HYDRATED
Our bodies are between 50-75% water and it’s vital to drink
to stay hydrated. The kidneys filter 120-150 quarts of fluid
daily and need water to do their job. Flush out your system
with plenty of water and cut the bad boys caffeine and
alcohol because, as well as overburdening the liver, they are
also dehydrating. The jury’s out on the exact amount we
should drink each day but feeling thirsty and passing dark,
strong smelling urine are both signs of de-hydration. The
government recommends eight glasses a day, and, for the
purposes of loving your elimination system, make these water.
BREATHE
The lungs are one of the largest organs in the body, and,
with each inhalation they supply the body with the oxygen
it needs while the exhalation carries away the stale air. For
the full benefits, aim for good steady breathing with each
breath starting in the abdomen, then filling the lungs and
rising to the top lobes, just below the collarbone, aiming for
a slightly longer exhalation than inhalation. Seek out green
spaces away from traffic pollution – trees are natural air
filters – or walk along the beach so your lungs can take in
good quality air, and exhale the stale stuff you don’t need.
So, by all means sign up to a boot camp or fully fledged fast if
that suits your purse and personality but don’t underestimate the
power of the body to cleanse itself. All you have to do is allow
it a little space and kindness and get out of its way for a while.

wealdentimes.co.uk
124

Food
Feast
Easter
Fresh from the kitchen of her Cookery School in Tunbridge Wells
Rosemary Shrager and her apprenticeship team share three exceedingly delicious
Easter recipes that are bound to impress this Bank Holiday weekend...
Photographs: David Merewether
Smoked haddock Scotch egg
Makes 16 eggs Prep time: 3 hours (inc. cooking eggs & potatoes & cooling) Cooking time: 4 minutes
• 16 quail’s eggs or 6
medium eggs
• 2 large baking potatoes
• 500g smoked haddock
(undyed) skinned and
lightly poached in milk
• handful of chives and
parsley, very finely cut
• zest of one lemon
• salt
• pinch cayenne
for the coating
• 50g plain flour
• 3 eggs well beaten
• 250g panko breadcrumbs
• salt
• pinch cayenne
for the curry mayonnaise
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 tsp Dijon mustard
• 300ml sunflower oil
• juice of one lemon
• salt and pepper
• 20g curry powder
• 2g turmeric
• 2 tbsp sweet chilli sauce
1. To make the Scotch eggs, first cook
the quail’s eggs in boiling water for
2 minutes (large for 4 minutes) then
put straight into iced water. Allow
to cool before removing the shell.
2. Put the potatoes into an oven at 180˚C
and cook for about an hour until soft.
Leave in longer if needed. Remove and
allow to cool, scoop out the potato from
the skin and put through a ricer or sieve.
3. Chop the smoked haddock finely, put
into a bowl and add the chives and
parsley, cayenne and zest and mix well.
4. Add the potato to the mixture (not
all at once, it’s just to bind the whole
thing together). Season well.
5. Peel the eggs carefully, they will be
delicate being soft. Take a small ball
of the haddock, enough to cover the
egg. Flatten it so it wraps around
the egg. Repeat with the rest of the
eggs, put onto a floured tray and
place in the fridge for an hour.
6. Once the egg has rested, roll in flour
then egg, then panko breadcrumbs
with a pinch of salt and cayenne added.
When finished, put into the fridge again
for another hour to rest, if possible.
7. Heat up the sunflower oil in a deep fat
fryer to 180˚C and cook the eggs for
approx. 4 minutes, turning until golden.
8. To make the mayonnaise, put the egg
yolk and mustard into a bowl and whisk.
Add the oil, drop by drop, until it
becomes thick. You can now start adding
the oil a little faster. When finished, add
the lemon and curry powder, turmeric
and chilli sauce, check for seasoning.
125 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Food
navarin of Lamb
Serves: 6-8 Prep time: 30 mins Cooking time: 1½ hours
For the lamb
• 1 whole shoulder of
lamb, cut into 4cm
squares
• 1 large onion
• 60g butter
• 4 cloves garlic,
chopped
• 8 medium turnips,
peeled and quartered
• ½ bottle of red wine
• 4 sprigs thyme
• 4 bay leaves
• 2 tbsps tomato purée
• 800ml stock
• 1 tbsp plain flour
• 1 dsp dark brown
sugar
For the garnish
• 24 shallots, peeled but
kept whole, stalk on
• 450g button
mushrooms
• 30g butter
• 1 tbsp caster sugar
• 8 rashers dry-cured
back bacon, sliced into
strips
• 2 tbsps parsley, finely
chopped
• 400ml stock (lamb or
chicken)
• 2 tbsps finely chopped
parsley
• 32 baby potatoes
1. Using a large frying pan, soften the onions in olive oil
and put them into a heavy ovenproof casserole dish.
2. Sear the meat in batches in hot oil and add
them to the onions. Add the butter and let it
melt over the meat and onions, sprinkle on the
flour and the sugar, turning it all together.
3. Now add the garlic to the frying pan, cook it briefly
then deglaze the pan with the red wine. Let it bubble
for a minute and pour it into the casserole, followed
by the stock, the tomato purée and the thyme.
4. Add the turnips to the casserole, bring the whole
thing to simmering point and then put into the oven
for about an hour and a half. Test to see if the meat
is tender and allow it to cool until you need it. It
will happily stay in the fridge for a day or two.
5. To prepare the vegetables, simmer the shallots in stock
for about five minutes, remove with a slotted spoon,
then add the mushrooms and simmer them for 5
minutes. Strain them, reserving the stock. Melt the butter
in a frying pan and stir in the sugar. Put the cooked
mushrooms and shallots into this, turning them to make
them slightly caramelised. Add 2 tablespoons of the
reserved stock, stirring it all together (save the rest of
the stock for soup). Allow it to cool until you are ready
to serve. Fry the bacon in a little oil until it is crisps.
6. Now boil the potatoes until just cooked, add to the meat
with the shallot and mushrooms, fold in gently.
127 wealdentimes.co.uk

Food
Simnel Battenberg cake
Serves: 6 Prep time: 30 mins
Cooking time: 25-30 mins
To make perfect Battenberg squares, Rosemary
recommends using a special Battenberg Tin. She
uses a Silverwood tin, available at Lakeland
lakeland.co.uk/70952/Silverwood-Battenberg-Tin
• 175g unsalted
butter, softened
• 175g golden caster
sugar
• 3 large eggs
• 1tsp vanilla paste
• 175g self-raising
flour
• pink colouring
paste
• 4tbsp raspberry jam
• 350g marzipan
1. Cream the butter and sugar until very pale
and fluffy, then beat in the eggs, vanilla
paste and flour until you have a smooth
batter. Divide the batter exactly in half,
and put into two bowls. In one bowl add
a small amount of pink colouring paste,
folding until completely combined.
2. Divide the mixture between the sections of
the tin – two sections per batter colour.
3. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a
skewer inserted into the centre comes
out clean. Allow to cool and remove
the cake pieces from the tin.
4. Paint the jam over the long sides of the cake
and put one of each side by side, then put the
other two pieces on top, alternating the colour
to achieve that classic chequerboard pattern.
Paint the remaining long sides with the jam.
5. In icing sugar, roll out 290g of the marzipan
and wrap the cake completely. Put the cake
seam-side-down to hide the rough edge.
Trim the edges with a sharp knife dipped in
hot water, weigh 6x10g balls of marzipan to
place on top and then gently blowtorch.
wealdentimes.co.uk
128

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Food
clockwise
from left:
Rosemary and
apprentice Lauren-
Louise present the Lamb
Navarin; Lauren-Louise
and tutor, Shenley
Moore
Main Course
Rosemary Shrager talks to Lucy Fleming about the new apprenticeships
on offer at her Cookery School in Tunbridge Wells
Why did you decide to offer apprenticeships?
Rosemary: “I came down to Tunbridge Wells to set up
the Cookery School with the intention of eventually
offering apprenticeships. When I was learning to cook,
I was desperate for a mentor – I kept books and wrote
about food – and ending up putting myself through
apprenticeships that I organised myself. I learned on the
job, searching out the relevant expertise for each area that
I wanted to find out more about. For me, to give back
what I truly loved myself was the most important thing.
I love to see students develop. It’s a wonderful
way to begin. An apprenticeship scheme in the
catering industry is one of the most logical ways
of starting out as you’re learning on the job.
Before, we didn’t have the infrastructure to do the
marketing to let people know that we were offering
apprenticeships, so I decided a year ago that I needed to
find a partner who was able to fulfil the side that I couldn’t.
And that’s when I found Hadlow – through a bit of a stroke
of luck. We were at the Kent Choices for You Careers Fair
at Detling and Mark Lumsdon-Taylor, Hadlow’s Deputy
Group Principal and Deputy CEO happened to be there.
Mark came to see me and I explained our situation and he
decided that there was a future in us working together.
Months later, we’re now in partnership with the Hadlow
group. It’s the best partnership, as they are able to deliver
what we haven’t got – the marketing side, the apprenticeship
side, the funding side. I am absolutely over the moon with it.
I honestly do believe that they can offer us as much as we can
offer them. Here we have a high-end catering side whereas
at Hadlow they don’t – we can deliver an introduction into
live shows, work experience, getting apprentices into top
restaurants. I have had students here working on set on
a TV show – now that’s experience! They have also been
invited to Abu Dhabi and Dubai and we’re doing exchanges
with universities in the Scottish Highlands and Ireland,
too. I’ve even got them into the Royal Tent at Buckingham
Palace where they’ve met the Royals. I’ve been able to
introduce them to a world that they wouldn’t necessarily
have had the opportunity to become involved in before.”
How do apprentices apply?
Shenley Moore, Tutor: “We take apprentices from 16 years
of age, working on NVQ 2, 3 & 4. There is space for up
to 40 here. To apply, prospective apprentices would either
phone the Cookery School or Hadlow College and come
in for an interview to talk through their skills, before being
enrolled. You can apply at any time throughout the year.”
What’s the response been like?
Rosemary: “It’s just beginning, it’s brilliant! We’ve got more
and more students coming on board. We’ve got interviews –
there’s lots going on. Lauren’s been with us for nearly three
years, she absolutely loves it!”
Lauren-Louise Nicholson, apprentice: “I did my level 2, went
travelling for a year and I’ve come back to do my level three.”
Rosemary: “It’s perfect – I love it! I’m so lucky. I
have some wonderful people working here and
teaching – they’re incredible, they really are.”
To enquire about an apprenticeship, email
ABCGroup@hadlowgroup.ac.uk, call 01892 372888 or
fill out the online application form at rosemaryshrager.
com/the-cookery-school/apprenticeships/.
131 wealdentimes.co.uk

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WT Garden Supplement
Vegetables with meals in mind, page 6
April treats, page 17
Contents
fresh Air, , page 15
6 Vegetables with meals
in mind
Jo Arnell’s tasty picks
10 Made to Measure
TV presenter and
writer, Mark Lane talks
us through his love of
the outdoors
13 The Instant Gardener
BBC presenter Danny
Clarke explains what
drew him into the
world of horticulture
15 Fresh Air
Brilliant garden ideas
17 April Treats
Sue Whigham’s spring
goodies
23 The Forgotten Harvest
Michael White gets
cooking with weeds
26 Coursework
Book onto a learning
experience near you
26 Make a scarecrow
Get your child’s
school involved
in Harpers
& Hurlingham’s charity
competition
Editor’s Letter
The instant Gardener, page 13
I
love getting out in the garden and, after a mammoth weed
clear, (wrongly timed, seasonally speaking) hedge attack
and plant cleansing session over the last few weekends,
I think we’re starting to be able to see light at the end of a
tunnel of winter neglect! If you’re raring to get gardening,
this month’s supplement is positively packed with perfect
expert tips, trend advice, shopping inspiration and plenty of
how-tos for a heavenly horticultural spring and summer.
Enjoy your
Garden Supplement
The forgotten Harvest, page 23
5
wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Garden Supplement
Vegetables
with meals in mind
Dish up your home-grown feasts with pride by following Jo Arnell’s tips for growing success
wealdentimes.co.uk
6

WT Garden Supplement
The soil is warming and it’s time
to sow some vegetables. This
year I’m trying to tailor the
crops I grow to what – and how much
– we actually eat. I’m sure that I’m
not alone in suffering from the ‘grow
it and throw it’ regime which comes
from sowing too many plants, or from
growing prolific crops like courgettes
that never seem to stop. It’s not always
easy to judge how much is enough. For
the time-pressed, crops that are quick
and easy to grow, harvest and prepare
are also a must. Vegetables that are
used in favourite recipes, crops that
taste much better than shop bought
– that are worth the effort – should
go onto the list too. Deciding what
to grow, and when, can be a bit of a
minefield, but with a little thought at
the beginning of the season (let’s not
make a meal of that bit) we can grow
“If you are short of time,
but still want to grow
something, then salad
leaves are wonderfully
quick and simple”
some useful ingredients, save money
and eat fresh and healthy vegetables.
Plot for portion size
This won’t work for everyone, or for
every crop, but I have found that
dividing your plot up into ‘meal sized’
sections can help with planning out
how much of some things you will
need. The dividing lines don’t need
to be permanent and the size of crop
will depend on how many are in your
household. I’ve found it successful for
peas and beans (dwarf and broad),
for salad crops, beetroot, spinach,
broccoli and herbs like coriander
and flat-leaved parsley. Some of these
can be sown in succession so that (in
theory) the beds can be used several
times during the growing season.
Salad days
If you are short of time, but still want
to grow something, then salad leaves are
wonderfully quick and simple to grow
from scratch. Scatter a pinch of seeds
straight from the packet (remember
portion sizes – it’s easy to sow too much)
and within a few weeks – earlier if you
like baby leaves – they will be ready to
harvest. You can make up your own mix
of seeds, or buy ready mixed packets of
salad seed. Rocket, mustard and stir-fry
mixes of oriental leaves tend to bolt (run
to seed) when grown in hot weather, so
are best sown in the spring and autumn.
Once you get into the habit of sowing
a few leafy crops, you will discover how
easy it is – and how much cheaper and
fresher your salads will be. Most will
keep growing as you cut them too –
hence the ‘cut and come again’ idea.
Convenience food
Some vegetables are tricky. They can be
tricky to grow, a magnet for pests and
Credit: FreeImages.com/John Byer
7 wealdentimes.co.uk

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WT Garden Supplement
diseases and all in all
can put you off growing
your own completely. If you
are not able to check on your plot
every day, then you’ll need to grow
reliable, hardy and pest resistant crops
that won’t mind if you miss a few days
of tending. Root crops like beetroot
and potatoes are good, chard seems to
be indestructible and I find leeks and
kale to be resistant to the worst of the
weather, and not especially attacked by
pests (if kale is prone to whitefly and
caterpillars, sow later in the summer).
These hardy crops will sit out there
in the soil, patiently waiting to be
harvested all through the winter.
Herbs
Herbs can be grown in the smallest
of spaces and will even thrive in
containers or on a sunny windowsill.
They do need a sunny spot and
free draining conditions, as most of
them are native to the sun-baked
Mediterranean. Depending on what
you grow, a little will go a long way,
so you should only need one rosemary
bush (it may need to be kept pruned)
and a few chive, thyme and oregano
(or marjoram) plants. Watch out for
mint plants; you may find these are
best grown in a pot, as they spread
about rampantly if left unchecked. If
you have a bigger space available, then
a designated herb garden in a sunny
place, preferably near to the house,
will be as pretty as it is productive.
Back door bounty
If your vegetable patch is at the very
bottom of the garden, or if you don’t
Grow some ingredients
have room for a dedicated space in
which to grow vegetables, then some
containers by the back door will easily
keep you supplied with salads and herbs
through the season. The big advantage
here is that you can just lean out of
the door and pick herbs for cooking
and fresh salad ingredients, without
having to put on your coat and wellies
and go trudging out to your patch.
Slow but sure
The seeds of some root crops – potatoes,
parsnips and large carrots take quite
a long time from sowing to harvest.
Onions and leeks need to be sown
early in the season because they take so
long to bulk up. Once they’re planted
out (grow them in a pot first, because
the seedlings are like tiny blades of
grass) you can forget about them until
the winter. If you want long white
shanks on leeks, either dig them up
and replant them into a deeper hole, or
earth up around the base of the plants.
Harvests and holidays
It’s worth looking on the back of the
Leeks - great to grow in the winter and versatile: use
in soups, casseroles, risotto and quiche.
Courgettes - a prolific summer crop, easy to incorporate
into lots of dishes: fritters, in Ratatouille, or even cake.
tomatoes - home grown have more flavour. Grow big, beefsteak ones
to stuff and make sauce, smaller varieties for snacking, salads and tarts.
At the end of the season the less ripe make wonderful chutney.
Garlic and herbs - easy to grow and use in small quantities, herbs will
also benefit from regular cutting to keep them tidy and fresh looking.
seed packets (there are also useful
charts online) to find out what the
approximate sowing to harvest times
are for certain crops; this will give you
an idea of what to expect, and help you
to plan when, and how much, to sow.
Annoyingly the harvest may fall while
you’re on holiday, and hopefully it’s
not too late this year to do something
about it (or you will just be encouraging
friends and family to enjoy the bounty
while you’re away…), so make a note
to sow crops like beans, lettuce and
courgettes, which need regular picking,
either late or early, so that you stand
a chance of catching the harvest.
The plot to plate journey should
be uncomplicated, and, if possible,
easier and cheaper than going to the
supermarket. If you are short of time,
or limited in terms of space, choose
carefully. I have a few stalwarts that
I tend to grow each year and then
other crops come and go, depending
on the time and space available. It
makes sense to get the best from the
vegetables we grow, so keep the mantra
of quality and versatility in your mind
as you peruse the catalogues and racks
of seeds at the garden centre. It is
time to get sowing now, so let’s open
those packets and get out there.
Jo Arnell will be running a new
gardening course in her garden. Gain
some practical skills and a year of
gardening inspiration. Book now on
hornbrookmanor.co.uk 01233 861149
Credit: FreeImages.com/Mohamed Aly, Cory Lievers
9 wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Garden Supplement
Made to
Measure
Garden designer, TV presenter and
writer, Mark Lane talks us through
his love of the outdoors
for those that don’t know, how did
you get into gardening? Both sets of my
grandparents were very keen gardeners.
My paternal grandparents had a large
garden and I would spend hours following
my grandfather around. He taught me
how to sow seeds, how to divide plants,
how to put colours together and more
importantly close my eyes and listen to
the garden. I remember to this day lying
on my back in the middle of the main
lawn on a very hot summer’s day with my
eyes closed and smelling the roses as their
scent was carried along on the breeze. I
cherish all of these memories, although
it was not until much later when my
partner and I bought our first house in
London, and then in Pluckley, Kent, and
now in a small village on the outskirts of
Canterbury that I really started gardening.
With each move we acquired a larger
plot and when I became a landscape
designer and BBC gardening presenter I
started to look at plants, gardening and
horticulture in a much broader sense.
How has gardening helped you? Without
gardening I would be a completely
different person today. I was born with
spina bifida and several years ago I was in
a car crash which resulted in me being a
wheelchair user full-time. I was very lucky
to have spent some of my rehabilitation at
the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital
in Stanmore where I was introduced
to horticultural therapy. I was already
gardening by this point but through
slight adjustments to posture, pacing my
gardening activities and being introduced
to alternative ways of doing gardening
my rehabilitation took an upward turn,
and I have not looked back since. I love
every aspect of gardening, from sowing a
seed and watching it grow, to composting,
pruning and even weeding. I spend hours
outside gardening and every stress of
modern day life seems to disappear and
my breathing slows down. I also love my
job as a landscape designer, and being in a
wheelchair has not stopped me, nor has it
hindered me with site surveys, designing
and managing projects. Gardening is
good, both physically and mentally, for
my health and wellbeing. I am living
proof. This is why I am honoured to
be the first Health, Wellbeing and
Community Ambassador for Groundwork
and an Ambassador for Thrive.
When planning a garden that is
wheelchair friendly, where do you begin?
The first thing to consider is the person in
the wheelchair. Do they use a wheelchair
all of the time? What is their condition or
disability? How far can the person reach?
Can they twist their body, lean forward
or use their hands? I suppose what I am
saying is that every wheelchair user is
different, and every wheelchair is different.
There are regulations that stipulate how
wide a path needs to be, for example,
but depending on the size of the garden
adjustments may have to be made in order
to work specifically for an individual. In
most cases, the hard landscaping must
be firm, stable and level. There needs to
be enough traction to a surface to stop a
wheelchair sliding, but too much traction
can make it very difficult for someone
who self-propels their wheelchair.
Regulations aside, a big aspect of designing
or planning a garden for a wheelchair user
is their viewpoint. People in wheelchairs
see a garden from a much lower position
so a focal point in a garden may have to
be tweaked slightly. Planting feels taller
to a wheelchair user, so the right use of
plants needs to be taken into account
and lighting needs to assist and not
blind. So, there are many considerations,
too many to write about now.
What’s the most valuable piece of
gardening advice you’ve ever been given?
Have a go, have patience, enjoy yourself
and not to be disappointed if a plant dies.
What’s been your biggest gard ening
challenge to date? As a landscape designer
I think it is about to start, but I cannot
say what it is for. As a gardener in my own
garden, nervously opening for the first
time this year for the National Garden
Scheme. I know the garden has to look
its best from May to September, so a lot
of preparation in March and April.
What are you working
on at the moment?
Filming for BBC Gardeners’ World,
acting in my Ambassadorial roles,
writing for magazines and currently
designing and managing ten projects.
Mark Lane will be talking in The Garden
Hub at Wealden Times Midsummer
Fair on Saturday 10 June 2017. For more
information see wealdentimes.co.uk/events
wealdentimes.co.uk
10

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WT Garden Supplement
The Instant
Gardener
BBC presenter Danny Clarke explains what drew
him into the world of horticulture
Why gardening? I think the bug
for gardening was as a result of my
parents asking me as a child to tidy
their outside space. I remember toiling
for what seemed like ages cutting the
grass with a pair of shears and a push
mower. I can’t say that I enjoyed it
because it seemed like a chore. But years
later when I owned my first property
I found that working on my patch of
land evoked childhood memories of
the scent of roses, the beauty of the
nodding daffodils in the wind, and
the smell of the grass during its first
cut after its winter dormancy. Before
I knew it I was hooked and the seeds
for my future career were sown.
What was your favourite part
about being on BBC One’s the
instant Gardener? For me the best
part about being on The Instant
Gardener was the camaraderie among
everyone on the show, from the
bosses at 12 Yard who produced the
show right through to the runners.
I have forged some great friendships
which I’m sure will last a lifetime.
What’s your favourite local garden?
Great Dixter in Sussex which used to be
owned by the late Christopher Lloyd has
given me so much inspiration. I just love
his relaxed style of planting as well as the
man’s willingness to push boundaries.
Out of all the great gardens this is the
one I probably visit the most. There is
certainly a little bit of Great Dixter in
many of The Instant Gardener projects.
What’s the most valuable piece of
gardening advice you’ve ever been
given? My very first client was a lady
called Jo Bryant. She had the most
amazing larger than life personality
along with the most beautiful garden
which was the love of her life. What she
didn’t know about gardening you could
write on the back of a postage stamp. A
fantastic teacher, I knew her for three
years until her untimely death. I suppose
it wasn’t the advice she gave me that
was so valuable but the way she would
alter my state of mind. For example, if
I arrived at her property and it was a
cold rainy day, she would greet me with
that booming smile of hers and the first
thing she would say is “Danny, how
lovely to see you, what a dramatic day.”
What she was saying is there is no such
thing as a bad day and there’s a beauty in
everything if you choose to look for it.
What’s your biggest
gardening challenge
to date? That’s an easy
one. The first garden
I ever designed and built. It could
have been an absolute nightmare
because the client was very testing. I
remember thinking. “If this is what
this job’s all about then I’m going to
find an office job.” I’m glad I didn’t!
What are you working on at the
moment? I’ve been spending my time
adjusting a friend’s garden in Romney
Marsh. It’s a lovely property which
doesn’t really need my input. The job
has involved opening up the views
into the surrounding countryside by
cutting back shrubs and re shaping
trees on its boundaries, installing raised
beds in the vegetable garden, returfing
some areas and doing a general tidy.
There’s been lots of clearing and
burning which I really enjoy. You just
can’t beat the smell of wood smoke.
Danny Clarke will be talking in
The Garden Hub at Wealden
Times Midsummer Fair on Friday
9 June 2017. For more information
see wealdentimes.co.uk/events
13 wealdentimes.co.uk

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WT Garden Supplement
April Treats
Sue Whigham selects some beautiful spring
goodies to bring your garden to life
Whilst March is the month when things start
tentatively unfurling and lifting their heads
above the parapet, only to flinch as another
stormy day approaches, April really is the time when
spring flowers start bursting into life. And of course it’s
the month when bulbs really come into their own.
Then there is the blossom on the crab apples, the
pears and the dramatic appearance of magnolia flowers
while in the woods the iconic bluebells carpet the
ground before the deciduous leaf canopy grows over
and they lose much of the light. It is interesting how so
many spring blooming plants are shade lovers or partial
shade lovers and of course for the same reason.
Wood anemones carpet the ground in shady areas early in
the month. A. nemorosa (AGM) is one of the earliest of spring
flowers and its star-shaped white flowers are so refreshing
after a long winter. Once they have finished flowering, their
foliage disappears until next year. They take a very long
time to spread and you may want to grow A. blanda instead
which self sows rapidly. There are blue and white forms of
Anemone blanda. A choice wood anemone is A. nemorosa
‘Robinsoniana’ (AGM), named after William Robinson, which
is a pale blue and which looks wonderful with cowslips.
My mother, now in her ninety-third year, remembers
clouds of cowslips growing wild in her youth and just ready
for the picking. These are our native primulas, P. veris,
and their lemony yellow flowers last right through until
May. They are just lovely and wow, they spread rapidly so
that we too can have a sea of them although perhaps not
on the verges and in the meadows as they used to be.
One of my favourite groups of plants in April are the
Credit: FreeImages.com/helenhumphrey
“...in the woods the
iconic bluebells carpet
the ground before the
deciduous leaf canopy
grows over and they lose
much of the light”
17 wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Garden Supplement
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pulmonarias or lungworts. Every garden should have them.
They just seem to get on with it and now come in the most
fantastic forms. They too are best in dappled shade and
most thrive where other plants find conditions difficult.
They are native to Europe and the UK hence their ability
to do well here. They look great with early flowering plants
such as the hellebores and the brunneras. I notice that
the pure white flowers of P. ‘Sissinghurst’ are beginning
to flower now. They come in blues, pinks and red as well
as a combination of colours which change as they mature.
I’m very taken with P. officinalis ‘Blue Mist’ with its large
pale blue flowers and spotted leaves and P. ‘Blue Ensign’
which has rich blue flowers which combine beautifully
with the mauve flowers of its neighbour, a cardamine that
has been dormant all summer, reappearing in March,
the clump spreading out a bit more each year. Some of
the pulmonarias have wonderful long silver leaves like P.
longifolia ‘Majeste’. Another treasure is P. ‘Opal’, again with
silvery leaves and opalescent flowers of the palest blue.
Another group of April lovelies are the epimediums,
also known as Bishop’s Hat and, more appropriately, Fairy
Wings. I think actually that I would have them at the top
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fantastic ground coverers. At Great Dixter a venerable old
crab apple, M. floribunda, growing near the oast, appears to
rise from a carpet of E. pinnatum subsp. colchicum (AGM).
I love Christopher Lloyd’s description of Euphorbia
palustris’s lime green ‘flowers’ as literally sparkling perhaps
with ‘a tiny crystal of nectar in the centre of each flower’.
It is a particularly nice euphorbia with a good spread and
an average height of a couple of feet as well as lime green
inflorescences. Perfect for giving a dramatic backdrop to
bright tulips. Another spurge that takes itself here and there
and then flowers in April is E. amygdaloides var. robbiae. It’s
not a rich and rare plant and it pops up usually where you
haven’t planted it but it produces loose limey ‘flowers’ from
rosettes of dark evergreen leaves which are just great with
bright spring bulbs. Have a look at the Cottage Garden
at Sissinghurst in April to see the first of the euphorbia
flowering. Each spring I admire Euphorbia polychroma
there and mean to grow it. Greenish yellow flower heads
last for weeks, are SO cheerful and are perfect for the front
of a border. I haven’t grown it myself but it might be an
idea as I usually go for huge plants like E. mellifera and
E. stygiana which grow into completely unruly giants.
And finally, the hellebores, most of which started
flowering long before April, are treats in the spring garden.
One that is completely different from the hellebore hybrids
we grow and collect is the Corsican hellebore, Helleborus
argutifolius. I saw a clump in full flower yesterday and it
is a very dramatic, beautiful thing. The combination of
big bold trifoliate leaves, distinctively veined and many
bunches of apple green flowers is very striking. I couldn’t
help noticing that seedlings were coming up merrily in
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AndrewsLandscapingS21.indd 1 30/06/2016 11:39

WT Garden Supplement
dandelion
The Forgotten
Harvest
Expert forager Michael White
explains there’s more use
for garden invaders than
just compost fodder as he
explores edible weeds
Freeimages.com/AdrianaHerbut
chickweed
Productivity is everything in the
vegetable garden and to that end
every square inch and no end of
loving labour is employed to conjure
a good yield from the precious loam.
But what of the forgotten harvest,
the unbidden crop which appears
in the absence of work and care?
Weeds are easy to write off with a one
way ticket to the compost, but in fact
many are perfectly edible and can bring
a whole new dimension to cropping
the veg plot. At this time of year the
weed harvest is even more precious,
as it supplies fresh salad leaves and
greens, at a time when many cultivated
crops haven’t even germinated.
At the top of my tasty weed list
is chickweed stellaria media, a great
coloniser of cultivated ground which
forms tangled mats during the winter
months. To me it’s the iceberg lettuce
of the foraging world, mild and
sweet with a superb crunchy texture.
Select the young growth and use it
as a bulk salad ingredient or lightly
steamed for a delicate vegetable dish.
The dandelion taraxacum officinale
needs no introduction and despite
traditional beliefs, will not
23 wealdentimes.co.uk

WT Garden Supplement
hairy bittercress
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have you wetting the bed if you eat it. Try using the
young shoots sparingly to add a little chicory-esque
piquancy to a warm salad of duck confit - the results
are stunning! Also the effort taken in digging out the
long roots will be well rewarded if, after a quick scrub
they are baked until black and brittle, then ground
to make a caffeine free alternative to fresh coffee.
Though there are many more to choose from, hairy
bittercress cardamine hirsuta (the name belies its edible
qualities) completes my gourmet trinity of spring weeds.
They pop up just about anywhere on bare ground and
produce distinctive florets of cress shaped leaves. The
young growth has a wonderfully peppery tang, almost
identical to the cultivated cress of windowsill fame.
Fresh or cooked, bittercress will give a wild kick to all
sorts of dishes including salads, tarts and pasta dishes.
Welcome then to the enlightened world of
weeding, where with the prospect of a good meal
every pull is a pleasure, every dig delight!
Please remember that the correct identification
of edible plants is vital! Use a decent field guide,
or search the web using a plant’s Latin name, for
information and images from reputable web sites.
Michael White is a foraging and self sufficiency
expert who heads the business ‘Rural Courses’.
To contact him, or to find out more about the
courses he runs please visit ruralcourses.co.uk
wealdentimes.co.uk
JustFasciasS17.indd 1 02/03/2016 18:28
24

The Dog Cottage Company
Beautiful, bespoke cottages for your best friend
Our British made, bespoke dog cottages are constructed from the finest quality
materials. Each one comes complete with a stunning cedar shingle or natural slate roof
and is fully insulated, heated and lit, designed to make your four-legged friend’s life as
comfortable as yours, whatever the weather.
www.thedogcottagecompany.com Tel: 0800 975 7360
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WT Garden Supplement
Course Work
The newest member of the WT team,
Rebecca Cuffe, tracks down a handful of
the best gardening tutorials around
For all you readers out there oohing
and ahhing over the gorgeous images
in our gardening supplement this
month before quickly sinking into a sigh
over the daunting prospect of how to recreate
something like that for yourself, you are
not alone. Like gardens themselves, often a
gardener needs a little nourishment before
their real talent blooms into life. Whether
you’re an experienced gardener interested in
learning something new or a complete novice
who just wants to know where to begin,
there are options out there for everyone.
Wisley Gardens in Surrey (rhs.org.uk/
gardens/wisley) have myriad options for all
skill sets, interests and levels of expertise with
courses and tutorials covering everything
from photosynthesis to botanical cocktails.
These courses are often run by the RHS team
but others feature guests and experts such as
the gardens’ curator, Matthew Pottage, and
renowned plantsman Noel Kingsbury. Claire
Brown will also be tutoring on The Perpetual
Herb Garden in October, and runs talks
and workshops herself through her business,
Plant Passion (plantpassion.co.uk), which
focuses on locally grown flowers. This is
a great option for those who love local
and are interested in arranging bouquets
for their homes or as gifts to others.
Meanwhile, Kew Gardens (kew.org)
and Painshill in Surrey (painshill.co.uk)
both have a number of courses and
lectures which you may find helpful if
you’re interested in capturing the beauty
of the garden in photography or illustration,
as well as their courses on gardening itself.
Jo Arnell’s comprehensive year long
course at Hornbook Manor in Woodchurch,
Kent (pictured) (hornbrookmanor.co.uk), is
run in small, informal groups, so there’s
plenty of chances to ask Jo any questions
you may have over some homemade cake.
The course lasts a full year but you can
also book an individual course if there’s
a particular field you’re interested in.
Godinton House is also well worth a visit,
as they run gardening events throughout the
year (gardeningworkshops.co.uk/godintonhouse.
co.uk). You may have noticed in our own
April Notebook that they are holding a
topiary workshop this month, but there
is more to learn with head gardener Viv
Hunt, who has combined forces
with professional gardener Fiona Abrahams
in monthly workshops since November.
For the foodies of the Weald there are some
invaluable learning opportunities at Brogdale
Collections (brogdalecollections.org). As the
home of the national fruit collection, there
are few better places than Brogdale to learn
about fruit, food and foraging in the British
countryside, with courses on grafting, pruning,
orchard design or cider making, to name a few.
One last tutor worth a try is Steve Edney,
who is head gardener at The Salutation
in Sandwich (the-salutation.com) and runs
classes limited to only eight people. These
courses include light lunch and refreshments
in their £80 price as well as demonstrations,
practical work, tours and invaluable advice.
Make a Scarecrow Competition
Take part in Harpers & Hurlingham’s charity competition at
Wealden Times Midsummer Fair for the chance to win £250 for your child’s school
Harpers & Hurlingham in Cranbrook
are inviting schools and children’s
organizations to take part in ‘Making a
Scarecrow’ competition. All entrants will be
displayed in the Harpers & Hurlingham stand
at Wealden Times Midsummer Fair at Hole
Park, Rolvenden on 8, 9 & 10 June 2017.
The general public will be invited to judge the
winner, whilst at the same time raising money
for Breakthrough Breast Cancer. The winning
school/organization will also receive £250. To
participate please call Jane at Harpers and
Hurlingham on 01580 715400 and join in
the fun! The competition is open to children
aged 10 and below, who must enter as part
of a school or children’s organisation, rather
than as individuals.
how to make a scarecrow
• Build the frame. Begin by centring a 5 foot
(1.5 m) stick near the top of a 6 to 8 foot (1.8
to 2.4 m) stick, rake handle or garden pole.
This creates the shoulders of the scarecrow.
Fasten the shorter stick in place using a
screwdriver and screw, some twine, or hot glue.
• Put the shirt on. Button up the front,
then tie the arm ends and bottom
of the shirt using twine or wire.
• Stuff the shirt with straw, hay, leaves,
grass clippings, wood chips and rags.
• Put the overalls on. Make a hole in
the seat of the overalls for the vertical
stick to pass through. Stuff the legs.
• Give him hands.
• Give him feet.
• Make the head using burlap or a pillowcase
• Give your scarecrow facial features. Ideas
include using a pen to draw them on, cutting
out felt shapes, using buttons for eyes, nose
and mouth, and
bits of black
plastic or pipe
cleaner to make
eyebrows.
• Give your scarecrow
some hair.
• Accessorise. You can personalise your scarecrow
by accessorising it any way you like. His most
important accessory, however, is a straw hat.
Use any old hat you have lying around and
secure to his head with hot glue. Here are
some other (optional) accessorising ideas:
- Tie a red bandana around his collar, or
leave a bright handkerchief peeking out of his
pocket.
- Jazz up his hat using some brightly coloured
plastic flowers.
- Stick an old pipe in his mouth.
- Tie reflective or shiny ribbon to your
scarecrow to add movement and reflect light.
wealdentimes.co.uk
26

For Gardens of Distinction
www.chilstone.com
01892 740866
Victoria Park, Fordcombe Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD

HURSTPIERPOINT COLLEGE

Education
Number Crunchers
“
W
hat counts can’t be counted and what can
be counted doesn’t count.” No one knows
whether Einstein really said it but whoever
came up with the observation, I agree with it totally.
The ‘counting’ which dogs education these days – from
league tables to SATS performance targets and all the rest
of it – has killed learning for its own sake. And I strongly
suspect it has taken the love of learning
with it in far too many schools.
When, many years ago, I was choosing
my A Level options I desperately wanted
to do zoology because I was fascinated
by biology and craved more. Now, I am
no scientist. I’d long since thankfully
abandoned physics and chemistry. Most of the students
opting for zoology were high fliers doing an all science
programme with a view to medical school, research
science and the like. So I was a bit of a maverick.
To her eternal credit and my profound gratitude, the head
of science allowed me to do it, knowing that I wouldn’t do
well in the exam. I adored the subject and that was enough
Susan Elkin looks at school performance targets and statistics
“My interest counted
for something more
important than
examination statistics”
for her. My interest counted for something more important
than examination statistics. I had a wonderful time for two
whole years and the learning has stayed with me for life.
Well, we all know that would never happen today. Schools
have to get the best results they can in everything – results which
should be a marginal end product have turned into the tail
which wags the dog. Everything has to be ruthlessly quantified.
I meet far too many teachers and heads
who tell me, for example, that there’s
no time for drama, music or free-range
reading because all the focus is on passing
exams. They miss the point, of course, that
wider learning and experiences enhance
progress in all subjects. Achievement
is mysteriously transferable. The child who does well, say
in the school play or develops skills in painting, is quite
likely to be making good progress in maths as well.
Susan Elkin is the author of Encouraging Reading (Continuum,
2008) and Unlocking the Reader in Every Child (Ransom, 2011).
Sometimes our
children get into
a tangle solving
tricky problems
And that’s fine by us
Space Challenge
Open Day
Prep School Saturday 6 May
9:15 am -12:00 noon
(Headmaster’s Talk at 9:30 am)
T:01372 372311
www.downsend.co.uk
You have to get it wrong to get it right.
That’s why the initiatives we set in
Science, Technology, Engineering, Art
and Maths (STEAM) champion active
learning. Come and find out how we
do this at our Space Challenge Open
Morning where you can take part in an
interactive mornIng of problem solving
and creating.
Activities are designed for boys
and girls aged 6-11 years. Email
office@downsend.co.uk before
2nd May to secure a place.
Leatherhead • Ashtead • Epsom
An independent prep school for
boys and girls aged 2-13
133 wealdentimes.co.uk
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loucasteou.com
Lets Salsa
LUXURY LATIN DANCE AND FITNESS RETREAT
Chateau Lou Casteou, Cote d’Azur, France
Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea,
this luxurious dance retreat provides the perfect balance of focussed dance
classes led by skilled dancing professionals, Latino and water aerobics, coastal
treks and a visit to a Provencal vineyard, gourmet meals and pampered luxury
to help guests improve and develop their Latin Dance Skills and fitness levels.
4 days luxury accommodation in the chateau in
en‐suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views.
October 5th-8th 2017
Please register your interest ASAP to guarantee a place
Contact: morag@loucasteou.com
The Contemporary
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Craft & Design Fair
wealdentimes.co.uk
RHS Garden
WISLEY
Purchase
direct from
190 of the very
best makers
in the UK
27 April - 1 May
9am – 6pm Thursday to Sunday
9am – 5pm Monday
The UK’s most
popular Craft Fair
Admission to Garden
also gives admission to
Craft Fair • GU23 6QB
Held in floored marquees
Free Garden entry for
RHS Members • Last entry
1 hour before closing •
Garden open until 6pm daily
www.craftinfocus.com T: 01622 747325
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What’s On In April
Art
Sat 15 April – Sun 28 May
The Lightbox, Chobham
Road, Woking GU21 4AA
The Art of Sidney Sime:
Artist and Philosopher
An exhibition exploring the
life of Sidney Sime, one of
the greatest imaginative artists
since Blake, renowned for his
fantastical and satirical style of
book and magazine illustrations.
Entry: Free, donations welcome
Info: 01483 737800 /
thelightbox.org
Sat 29 April – Sat 17 June
New Ashgate Gallery Trust,
Waggon Yard, Farnham
GU9 7PS
Emma Dunbar:
Journeys aFar and
Back in the Kitchen
Emma Dunbar is welcomed back
with her much anticipated new
solo exhibition, featuring works
of her signature colourful style
featuring blocks of flat colour and
scratching through surfaces to reveal
pre-laid colours underneath.
Entry: Free
Info: 01252 713208 /
newashgate.org.uk
Sat 29 Apr – Mon 1 May
Beechworth Village Hall, Station
Road, Betchworth RH3 7DF
The Dorking Group
of Artists Spring
Exhibition
The Dorking Group of Artists hold
their annual Spring Exhibition,
with over 250 pieces of new and
original artwork. There is something
for everyone with wide varieties
of prices, media, and styles.
Entry: Free
Info: 01372 375123 / dga.org.uk
Sun 30 April – Sun 4
June 10am-5pm
Birtley House, Birtley Rd,
Bramley, Guildford GU5 0LB
Surrey Hills
Sculpture Garden
Featuring a wide range of sculptures
from across the UK, this is the
largest temporary sculpture
exhibition in Surrey. All sculptures
will be for sale, with proceeds going
to the Surrey Hills Trust Fund. There
will also be artists demonstrating
their skills and workshops from
the renowned Simon Keeley.
Entry: Adults £5, Under 16s
Free, including a catalogue
and unlimited re-entry
Info: surreyhills.org
children & Families
Sat 1 – Thurs 13 April 10am-5pm
Hatchlands Park, East Clandon,
Guildford, Surrey GU4 7RT
Mole’s Springtime
Stroll
From messing about on the river
to the battle of Toad Hall, play
out the elements of Wind in
the Willows across this beautiful
parkland, just as Lord Rendel’s
grandchildren did in 1908.
Entry: Normal admission prices
Info: 01483 222482 /
nationaltrust.org
Sat 1 – Mon 17 April
Osterley Park, Jersey Road,
Isleworth, Middlesex, TW7
4RB (sat nav TW7 4RD)
Jurassic Kingdom
A fantastical family treat launches its
UK tour in Osterley Park for Easter.
Over 30 life-sized animatronic
dinosaurs will take over the park,
including Pachycephalosaurus,
Triceratops, Diplodocus,
and of course Tyrannosaurus
Rex. And for any budding
archaeologists, an excavation
scene awaits with a skeleton
lurking just under the surface.
Info: jurassickingdom.
uk / eventbrite.co.uk
Sat 15 April 12-4pm
The Children’s Trust,
Tadworth KT20 5RU
The Children’s
Trust Easter Fair
Entertainment for the whole family,
with attractions including Peppa
Pig, DJ, water zorbing, Easter
shopping market, fairground rides,
hot food and refreshments, and
an Easter egg hunt with an extra
prize for finding the golden egg.
Entry: Adult £3, under 16s Free
Info: 01737 364303 / cbevington@
thechildrenstrust.org.uk/easterfair
/ thechildrenstrust.org.uk
Sun 23 April 11am-12.30pm
and 1.30-3pm
Painshill, Portsmouth Road,
Cobham, Surrey KT11 1JE
Wings & Wonder
Painshill hosts two delightful falconry
displays, offering talks and handling
sessions and a variety of beautiful
birds including owls, falcons, hawks,
an eagle, a vulture and a raven.
Entry: Standard admission
Info: 01932 868113 / info@
painshill.co.uk / painshill.co.uk
Tues 25 April 1pm
G Live, London Rd,
Guildford GU1 2AA
Mr Bloom’s Nursery Live
Mr Bloom is preparing for a visit
from a Royal Family member and
needs some help to get ready in
time! Get your toddlers inspired by
nature with CBeebies Mr Bloom
and the Veggies on their first ever
live tour. Suitable for ages 2-7.
Entry: £17.50, G Live Friends
£15, Group 4+ £15pp,
Group 8+ £12.50pp
Info: 01483 369350 / glive.co.uk
Easter
Sat 1 – Mon 17 April
RHS Garden Wisley,
Woking GU23 6QB
Bunny Detectives
Become a bunny detective and hop
through the garden on the trail of
the Lindt Gold Bunny, following the
clues to lead you to a delicious treat!
Info: 01483 224234 / rhs.org.uk
Sat 1 – Mon 17 April
Godstone Farm, Tilburstow Hill
Road, Godstone RH9 8LX
Easter Fun
Join Bubbles the Bunny and all
the baby animals for a day of fun
with face painting, a hog’stacle
course, the capture the carrot quiz
and free sunflower painting.
Info: godstonefarm.co.uk
Tues 11 April 10.30am-1pm
Haslemere Educational Museum,
78 High Street, Haslemere
GU27 2LA
Easter Egg-citement
Easter at the Museum promises
to be lots of fun with a great
range of Easter arts and crafts
activities for your little ones and
a special Easter garden trail with
chocolate treats for any children
who can find the characters
hidden throughout the gardens.
Entry: Members £2, Non Members £4
Info: 01428 642112 /
haslemeremuseum.co.uk
Fri 14 – Mon 17 April
Deepdene Ave, Dorking
RH4 1SS
The Deepdene Trail
Easter Egg Adventure
The new app-guided walking
tour that reveals glimpses of the
landscape as it was in the early 1800s
celebrates Easter with an Easter
Egg Adventure. Collect clues along
the trail to crack Coady the lion’s
code to get your chocolate prize.
Info: molevalley.gov.uk
Sat 15 April 10am-3pm
Grayswood Village Hall,
Grayswood GU27 2DJ
Home & Vintage
Easter Fair
A typically English country
village sale with all you need to
get homes and gardens summerready.
Plus tearoom, terrace,
Easter treats and playground
for kids, and treats for dogs.
Entry: £1, Free for under 10s
Info: 07719 718730 /
homeandvintage@gmail.com /
homeandvintagebrocantes.co.uk
exhibitions, festivals,
fairs & shows
Thurs 20-Sun 23 April
The Lightbox, Chobham
Road, Woking GU21 4AA
The Lightbox
Literary Festival
Marking its 10th anniversary,
the anniversary of Shakespeare’s
death, and world book night, the
Lightbox is holding a spectacular
Literary Festival which is not to
be missed. This exciting event
features children’s activities, an
Austen themed feast and film,
a book launch, and bestselling
historian Alison Weir revealing the
story behind her next book ‘Anne
Boleyn: A King’s Obsession’.
Info: 01483 737800 /
thelightbox.org.uk
135 wealdentimes.co.uk

ShedArt
Easter Exhibition
10 th to 16 th April 2017
ShedArt celebrates Year of the
Rooster and the Dorking Cockerel
Twelve unique Cockerel paintings on canvas by each
of our Artists are available for purchase. We are also
exhibiting over a hundred affordable Art works.
Raffle will be drawn
on Easter Sunday.
Easter
Egg
Raffle
See us at Denbies Wine Estate, London Road,
Dorking, Surrey RH5 6AA www.denbies.co.uk
www.shedart.co.uk
info@shedart.org
T: 07851 741395
Easter Egg
Adventure
14 – 17 April
The Deepdene Trail, Dorking
Come and crack the clues Coady the lion has left
along The Trail! Adventure leaflets available at
main Trail entrance and online. Successful code
breakers can pick up their chocolate prize from
Dorking Halls.
deepdenetrail.co.uk 01306 885 001
thedeepdenetrail@molevalley.gov.uk
#Deepdenetrail
West Kent Shooting School
30% OFF
JUNIOR LESSONS
Penshurst VINTAGE
& Antiques Fair
Penshurst Village Hall TN11 8BP
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1 16/03/2017 11:38
westkentshooting.co.uk
PRACTICE FACILITIES
ENGLISH SPORTING
& SKEET
Ideal setting for Corporate
Entertainment
New Hay Farm, Old Hay
(off Pearsons Green Road)
Brenchley TN12 7DG
T: 01892 83 4306
TASTER SESSION
30 MIN “HAVE A GO” SESSIONS
ONLY £35
PRE-BOOKED ONLY
GIFT VOUCHERS
AVAILABLE FOR ALL
OCCASIONS
50% OFF LESSONS
30 MAY– 2 JUNE
BOOK EARLY
Monday to Friday
10am to 5pm
15 th , 16 th , 17 th April
Trade entry Saturday 9.30am
Public 10.30am–5pm
Entrance £2.00
Come and find fashionable vintage,
French brocante & antique treasures in
charming Penshurst. Enjoy delicious
cakes and tea by Rose & Olive.
Being opened by Fixing Dad
on Saturday 10.30am
In association with the BBC and Prudential Ride London
wealdentimes.co.uk
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What’s On In April
Thurs 27 April – Mon 1 May
RHS Garden Wisley, Wisley
Lane, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB
Craft in Focus
One of the most popular
contemporary craft events in
the UK returns. This annual
craft and design fair showcases
the finest of the UK’s craft
makers, carefully selected for
individuality, innovation and
contemporary design.
Info: 01622 747325 /
craftinfocus.com
Food & Drink
Sat 8 April 10am-4pm
Oxted Community Hall, 53
Church Lane, Oxted RH8 9NB
Oxted Chocolate Fair
Spend the day sampling chocolate
and feel good about yourself for
it – you’re promoting ethical
chocolate and small businesses!
For the fourth year, chocolate
lovers unite to showcase the
best of handmade, premium,
and ethical chocolates.
Entry: Free
Info: 01342 892588 /
discovercacao.com
Fri 12 April 7-11pm, Sat 13
May 12-4pm and 7-11pm
Guildford Cathedral, Stag
Hill, Guildford GU2 7UP
Vantage Point
Wine Festival
Showcasing over 100 international
wines including Champagne and
premium wines. Local wines and
producers will have their own
section to celebrate the strength
and diversity of Surrey wine
production. Plus experts and
producers, music, entertainment,
food, money off vouchers and a
blind wine tasting in aid of Oakleaf
and Shooting Star Chase. 18+
Entry: Advance £10, Advance
with wine tokens £25
Info: 01483 678930 / info@
vantagepointevents.co.uk /
vantagepointevents.co.uk
Sat 29 April
Monument Green,
Weybridge KT13 8QW
The Great Weybridge
Cake Off
With three categories including
Celebration Cake, Family Cake and
Half-Dozen Small Bakes, and prizes
in each for children up to twelve
and teens to adults, all presented
by Loose Women’s Ruth Langsford,
this event is a real showstopper.
Entry: £2 per Cake (Category)
Info: allaboutweybridge.co.uk
Gardening
Mon 3 – Thurs 13
April Weekdays
Squires, Littlewick Road,
Horsell, Woking GU21 4XR
Create and Grow
Easter Holidays
Use Easter decorations and
lovely plants to create an Easter
Container to take home and
try out the bunny hunt to
win a chocolate bunny.
Entry: Easter Container Planting
£5.50, Bunny Hunt £2
Info: 01276 858446 /
squiresgardencentres.co.uk
Sat 22 April 10.30am-12 noon
Stoke Park, Nightingale Road
entrance, Guildford, Surrey
GU1 1ER
Memory Meadow
This special event invites you
to hear inspiring readings and
choir song in the beautiful
Phyllis Tuckwell Memory
Meadow, in tribute to the lives
of loved ones who have been
lost but never forgotten. Make
a dedication on the virtual
memory meadow by Friday 7
April to have it included in the
Book of Remembrance which all
visitors will receive a copy of.
Entry: Free but donations to
Phyllis Tuckwell Hospice Care
are greatly appreciated.
Info: 01252 729446 / pth.org.uk
golf
Sat 8 – Sun 9 April 10am-4pm
Bramley Golf Club, Links Road,
Bramley, Guildford, Surrey
GU5 0AL
Open Weekend
An open invitation for anyone
interested in golf, beginner
or expert. There will be free
group and individual coaching
sessions, competitions, prizes
and membership offers for all
the family. Booking is advisable
for coaching sessions.
Entry: Free
Info: 01483 892696 /
bramleygolfclub.co.uk
Music & Theatre
Sat 1 April 2pm
Cranleigh Arts Centre, 1 High
Street, Cranleigh, Surrey,
GU6 8AS
Opera Mouse
The enchanting story of Tilly,
the mouse that lives under
an opera house. A story of
imagination, determination
and friendship which CBC
Radio says “kids will love”.
Entry: Adults £8.80, Children £5.50
Info: 01483 278000 /
cranleighartscentre.org
Thurs 6 – Sat 8 April
Dorking Halls, Reigate
Rd, Dorking RH4 1SG
Leith Hill Musical
Festival
Having opened in March, the main
festival will take place in April. This
event will include competitions
and concerts and is the highlight
of the LHMF year. This festival is
full of life, with musical works of
different periods and styles and the
new addition of Jonathan Wilcocks
as the event’s sixth conductor.
Info: 01403 240093 / lhmf.org.uk
Sat 15 April 12 noon and 2.30pm
High Street, Guildford
The Passion of Jesus
in Guildford
The Wintershall cast of players
and animals turn Guildford
high street into the stage of one
of the greatest stories ever told.
Parental guidance advised.
Entry: Free
Info: 01483 892167 /
wintershall-estate.com
Workshops
April – July, 10am to 5pm
The Old Rectory, Sandy Lane,
Brewer Street, Bletchingley,
Surrey RH1 4QW
HAND-BLOCK PRINTING
WORKSHOPS
Learn to hand-block print and
make either a lampshade, silk scarf
or fine cotton table runner during
the day in a beautiful Georgian
manor house and garden. Tuition
and lunch/refreshments included.
Entry: £120
Info: yateleypapers.co.uk
Sun 16 April 10am-3pm
Brooklands Museum, Brooklands
Rd, Weybridge KT13 0QN
Car Photography
Professional photographer Jason
Dodd covers how to compose
and light a variety of classic and
modern sports cars against the
museum’s atmospheric backdrops.
Entry: £150 including museum
admission, lunch and refreshments
Info: 07732 106192 /
jdoddphotography@btinternet.com
Tues 18 – Fri 21 April 10am-4pm
Grayshot Pottery, School Rd,
Grayshott, Hindhead GU26 6LR
Pottery Throwing for
Children and Adults
A fun chance to learn how to
throw a piece of pottery on a
traditional potter’s wheel, which
will be glazed and fired and
available to collect at a later date.
Entry: £12.50 per person,
per twenty minute slot
Info: 01428 604404 /
info@grayshottpottery.com
/ grayshottpottery.com
Listings are correct at time of going to
press but may be subject to change.
Readers are advised to check with
venues before making arrangements.
We can list your event in the next issue
of Surrey Homes for only £15! Please
supply up to 50 words that should
include date, time, venue, and any
entry price to whatson@wealdentimes.
co.uk or send with payment (cheques
payable to JPS Media) to What’s On,
Wealden Times, Kettle Chambers, 21
Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17
3HF. Wealden Times reserves the
right to edit text to fit space allocated.
If you would like your event listing
to be accompanied by a full colour
reproduction (42.5 x 62.5mm) of a
poster or other pictorial image, the
total charge will be £95. Deadline for
the May issue is 10 April 2017.
137 wealdentimes.co.uk

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1 29/03/2017 12:37
Keith Money. ‘Lester Piggott on Dahlia’, oil on board.
Est: £1,000-1,500
Decorative Arts: 27 April
Contemporary Art: 27 April
Mary Wondrausch Collection: 28 April
Garden Furniture & Statuary: 11 May
Asian Art: 18 May
Vintage Fashion, Textiles & Sewing: 18 May
wealdentimes.co.uk
138
EwbanksS30.indd 1 28/03/2017 14:54

See Firepod at
Wealden Times
Midsummer
Fair this June
Competition
Win A firepod Pizza
oven worth £445
Several years ago David Coward returned from working in the
Italian Alps wishing he could cook pizzas like the ones he had been
enjoying out there. After speaking to his business partner, Tim, the
pair endeavoured to find a suitable product, however they wanted it to
be hassle-free to use, portable and affordable. Eventually David and Tim
realised that the only way to get exactly what they wanted was to design
their own, so, after much research they appointed Jedco of Weybridge
to help with the design process. After over three years of testing and
perfecting, they are now manufacturing their first batch of Firepods.
The Firepod is a portable outdoor pizza oven which converts to a
griddle BBQ and heater for Lava Stones for ‘hot rock’ cooking at your
table. With the special pizza stones in place and the lid on, The Firepod
is a fantastic pizza oven – very quick to reach cooking temperature and
only a few minutes to cook your perfect authentic pizzas. For Hot Lava
Stone Cooking simply replace the pizza stones with the Lava Stone, heat
it up in your Firepod, lift the stone out and place on the board, then
take to your table for cooking ‘Hot Rock’ style, indoors or out. Replace
the lava stones with the reversible griddle – ridged on one side flat on
the other – and you are ready to cook in the Firepod’s third function!
The Firepod is currently available at thefirepod.com.
How to enter: For your chance to win
one Firepod, in a colour of your choice, just
answer the following question: Who helped
David and Tim with the design process? Enter
your answer with your contact details* in the
online form at wealdentimes.co.uk/competition
or post to: The Firepod Competition, Wealden
Times, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent
TN17 3HF by Friday 18 April 2017. Prize
comprises 1 x Firepod, 2 x Cordierite pizza
stones, 4 x Short oak legs, 1 x Oak stand
(Quadpod), 1 x Pizza peel, 2 x Heat-resistant
gloves, 1 Gas pipe and clip on regulator. Lava
Stones and Griddle available to purchase
separately. There is no cash alternative and
the prize must be taken before July 2017. *All
entrants’ details will be passed on to Firepod
and Wealden Times Events. Please let us know
if you do not wish your details to be passed on.
Congratulations to Kim Bates who wins our March competition for a beauty day spa for two at Grayshott Spa
139 wealdentimes.co.uk

Jane Howard’s
Fables from the Farm
Jane’s frustrated flock ride out their confinement in the wake of a bird flu outbreak
Easter is quite late this year. It’s
not easy to work out when
it will come but if you’re
interested it’s always the first Sunday
after the first full moon after the
spring equinox on 21 March. Phew!
In pagan times, chickens and eggs
were seen as signs of fertility and new
life and so were used around the spring
equinox. When the early Christians
came along they copied this symbolism
as it helped them remember the
Resurrection and, to this day, chickens
and eggs still feature large at Easter.
But this year all is
not completely well in
the chicken world. Our
“backyard flock” – as Defra
now refer to a few hens
kept in a garden – consists
of half a dozen Buff and
Speckeld Sussex hens and
Phil the cockerel. They have
spent years wandering round the farm,
looking wonderful but rather annoyingly
making dust baths in the flower beds and
wrecking neat seed drills in the veg patch
by scratching around and messing it all up.
This year however they are penned
up in their run because a severe strain of
Avian Influenza (bird flu), H5N8, has
been found in wild and captive birds in
the UK. So now, all us backyard poultry
keepers (must e-mail Defra to tell them
I have a garden not a backyard) are
required to take action to reduce the risk
of the disease spreading. The chickens
“this might be
the first year I
get straight lines
of lettuce, radish
and rocket”
now have to be confined to a pen and
beaks are most definitely out of joint.
When they had the run of the farm
they might deign to use the nest-box
attached to the hen house to lay eggs
most of the year but as soon as they
felt broodiness approaching they would
wander off to find the most secretive
nook and cranny in which to lay their
eggs and hatch a brood of chicks.
If you don’t know about how the
chicken and egg thing works here’s a
short guide. An old fashioned hen (as
opposed to a modern commercial one
who lays every day and
never goes broody) will
lay an egg most days
from about February
to October and if she is
running with a cockerel
the eggs will be fertile
and for about three weeks
capable of developing into
a chick. However this development will
only commence once, and if, the egg is
kept consistently warm for 24 hours in
an incubator or under a broody hen.
Becoming broody for a hen is a
hormonal thing and as soon as her
temperature starts to rise she will seek
out a special place to lay her eggs. Once
she has a good enough number, usually
around 14, she becomes truly broody,
plucks the feathers from her breast – skinto-shell
contact being warmer with feathers
out the way – and sits tight. And there she
stays for 21 days. She generally foregoes
food and drink – unless you pick her up
and make her leave the nest – and also
ceases to give off any smell so that in the
wild any passing fox won’t find her. Clever.
And then on day 20 the chicks begin
to cheep inside their shells. This is the
signal to the hen to turn off broody
mode and turn on maternal mode.
As all the chicks hatch she becomes a
protective mother and will carefully raise
them for about twelve weeks before she
loses interest and the little ones have to
take their chance as part of the flock.
This year’s enforced incarceration
will however result in a couple of useful
spin-offs. The broodies can’t slink off
to lay a clutch in a far flung corner and
if I can catch them in time there’s a
chance of putting them off motherhood
altogether, but more importantly this
might be the first year I get straight
lines of lettuce, radish and rocket
in the veg patch. Happy Easter.
Follow Jane Howard – and the farm
– on Instagram @coopersfarm
wealdentimes.co.uk
140

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