Wealden Times | WT185 | July 2017 | Interiors supplement inside

interiors Supplement inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes 

PRICELESS 

JULY 2017

Designers and makers of handmade kitchens 

The difference is in the detail

Please call for a brochure or visit our showrooms 

Unit 9, Chart Farm, Seal Chart 

Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES 

Tel: 01732 762682 

81 Calverley Road 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY 

Tel: 01892 520730 

www.rencraft.co.uk

BEST PRICES 

GUARANTEED 

DON’T MISS OUT 

SALE SALE 

everything is reduced! 


SALE SALE 



PRICE 

MATCH 

PROMISE 

We We are are so so confident 

that that our our extensive 

range range of of furniture 

represents the the 

very very best best value value for for 

money. money. That That in the in the 

unlikely unlikely event event of of 

finding finding an an identical 

product product elsewhere 

at a at lower a lower price price we we 

promise promise to match, to match, or or 

better better any any deal deal on a on a 

like-for-like basis basis at at 

the the point point of order... of order... 

even even internet internet offers. offers. 

the ultimate the ultimate recliner recliner

SALE NOW ON 

to75% OFF 

up up 

SALE SALE 



SALE SALE 



Free delivery 

and and up up to to 

33 years 

0% 0% APR 

free credit 

www. 

interiors.co.uk 

Where quality & service cost less! 

Wells Bedding and and Interiors | 44 | 44 High Street, Tunbridge Wells TN1 TN1 1XF 1XF | | 01892 272353

S 

S 

U 

U 

M 

M 

M 

M 

E 

E 

R 

R 

K 

K 

I 

I 

TC 

TC 

H 

H 

E 

E 

N 

N 

P 

P 

R 

R 

O 

O 

M 

M 

O 

O 

T 

T 

I 

I 

O 

O 

N 

N 

N 

N 

OW 

OW 

O 

O 

N 

N

KITCHEN 

DINING 

BATHROOM 

Our Limehouse kitchen is is sleek and and minimal 

and and is is our our most technically advanced kitchen, 

taking 30 30 processes to to complete a a single door. It It 

stands true to to our our DNA and and uses only natural 

materials and and traditional craftsmanship, and and 

sleek as as it it is, is, the the finish is is still still hand-painted and and 

carries with it that that beautifully tactile nature. It's It's 

contemporary in in style and and thought. 

Come and discuss your new kitchen 

with us us today! 

neptune.com 

Neptune Tonbridge, 1-2 1-2 Tannery 

Road, TN9 TN9 1RF, 1RF, 01732 351866, 

info@neptunetonbridge.com 

Neptune Canterbury, Wincheap, 

CT1 CT1 3TY, 3TY, 01227 209300, 

info@neptunecanterbury.com

Chippy Oak Framed Garage Kits now 

available from just £2,395 

www.roundwood.com

OAK OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS | QUALITY | DECKING & CLADDING 

& OAK OAK & WALNUT & FLOORING | HOME | & GARDEN & FEATURES 

Tel: Tel: 01435 867 867072 

072 

Round Round Wood Wood | Newick | Newick Lane Lane | Mayfield | Mayfield | East | East Sussex Sussex | TN20 | TN20 6RG 6RG

01580 291221 jminteriorsuk.uk Biddenden Showroom

MINTERIORS 

JFine hand crafted kitchens and bespoke furniture

5 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EB 

01580 715144 

Email: cranbrook@kingsfords.net www.kingsfords-solicitors.com 

We offer an excellent, swift and friendly service. 

Conveyancing - Wills & Estates - Commercial Law - 

Matrimonial Law - Prenuptial Agreements - Litigation - 

Employment Law - Family Law - French Property 

Conveyancing Services from £550.00+VAT 

Wills from £215.00+VAT / Mirror Wills from £295.00+VAT 

Lasting Power Of Attorney (LPA's) from £250.00+VAT 

(Initial fixed-fee appointments also available at our Cranbrook offices) 

Litigation Solicitor from £200.00+VAT 

Matrimonial Solicitor from £150.00+VAT 

We will always try and match any quotation 

Kingsfords Solicitors Limited registered office address 2 Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD 

Regulated by the Solicitors regulation Authority 621466 

KingsfordSolicitorsWT183.indd 1 19/04/2017 12:00 

Dude and Arnette are a fourth family generation family 

business. Our team specialises in restoring and repairing 

cowls – the distinctive chimneys on the top of Oast houses. 

est 

DUDE & 

ARNETTE 

OAST COWL CONSTRUCTION 

We are the UK’s leading restorer and repairer of traditional Kent hop kilns. 

From royalty to businesses and regular homeowners, we have been the 

go-to Oast house repair company for over seven decades. 

Why not call us today for a discussion about your oast cowl: 

01622 725 898 / 07973 332 790 or info@dudeandarnette.co.uk 

wealdentimes.co.uk 

10 

Dude&ArnetteWT174.indd 1 15/07/2016 12:22

Contents 

July 2017 

58 

110 

86 

26 

28 

51 

58 

83 

86 

109 

ALL IN THE DETAIL 

Maggie Alderson’s homes 

for downsizers 

WEALDEN TIMES 

SUMMER PARTY 

A review of our 

advertisers evening 

JULY NOTEBOOK 

Fill your diary with handpicked 

events going on 

around the Weald 

GRAND DESIGN 

Explore Karen Hahnel’s striking 

St. Leonards apartment 

GET THE LOOK 

Style your home monochrome 

MONOLITHIC MAGIC 

Marta Nowicka’s converted 

St John Ambulance station 

GET THE LOOK 

Perfect products to 

recreate Marta’s look 

110 

123 

127 

128 

131 

132 

140 

GARDEN PARTY 

Relaxed summer fashion 

BEACH BEAUTY 

Josephine Fairley’s tips 

for beach chic 

SAVOUR THE SUMMER 

This month’s bitesize 

health news 

NEVER TOO LATE! 

Sarah Maxwell’s tips for 

building an exercise routine 

THE POWER OF 

THE MIND 

Julie Simpson looks at research 

into cognitive decline 

BEAUTIFUL EATING 

Madeleine Shaw’s recipes 

for a healthy body 

JUST ADD WATER 

Our pick of in-ground 

swimming pools 

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©. The views of the advertisers and contributors are not 

necessarily those of JPS Media Ltd. 

145 

149 

154 

156 

161 

162 

THE MAKINGS OF A GARDEN 

Sue Whigham describes the evolution 

of her own outside space 

SECOND OUT, ROUND TWO 

Jo Arnell’s late summer veg 

EXTRA HELP 

Susan Elkin looks into tutoring 

WHAT’S ON? 

Find out... 

COMPETITION 

Win 20L of Autentico paint 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s meadow success story 

INTERIORS 

SUPPLEMENT 

14 pages of 

colourful 

inspiration for 

your home. 

After page 84. 

Interiors 

A Wealden Times Supplement 

View the new Interiors Directory online at wealdentimes.co.uk 

11 

Sponsored by 

03WT185Supplement.indd 1 20/06/2017 16:40

Guide price: £875,000 

Queen Street 

A detached 1930’s family house in a semi–rural position 

4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, 3 reception rooms. Gardens with paved terrace, swimming pool, summer house, wooded area and pond. EPC: F. 

In all about 1.44 acres. 

Guide price: £1,950,000 

Marden Thorn 

A substantial American oast in a rural position with immaculate gardens 

6 bedrooms, 5 / 7 bathrooms, 6 reception rooms. Landscaped gardens with tennis court and swimming pool. Quadruple garage with games 

room, plant room and store rooms. In all about 5.34 acres. EPC: C.

Our understanding of the 

ever-changing market enables us 

to price your property accurately. 

And with our local knowledge 

and extensive network of London 

offices, you can rely on Knight 

Frank to get you moving. 

Call us today on 01892 310700 to 

discuss your property search or to 

arrange a free market valuation. 

Guide price: £950,000 

Hawkhurst 

An attractive Grade II Listed family house in need of refurbishment 

6 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 4 reception rooms. Swimming pool, former lawned tennis court, 

greenhouse, garden store, off-road parking. In all about 2.92 acres. 

@KF_TWells 

KnightFrank.co.uk 

Guide price: £2,500,000 

Staplehurst 

A compact Grade II Listed country estate in a quiet and peaceful setting surrounded by its own land 

6 bedrooms, 4 bathrooms, 5 reception rooms. Separate 2 bed cottage. Separate 3 bed bungalow. Double garage, triple garage, stabling and 

studio. Tennis court. In all approximately 93 acres.

‘Our Focus ‘Our Determines Focus Determines Your Reality’ Your Reality’ 

harpers and hurlingham 

RURAL TENTERDEN £1,650,000 

An impressive attached Grade II listed Country House which sits in a tranquil rural setting with 2.5 acres landscaped 

gardens and 13 acres of land offering wonderful woodland walks, a bluebell wood and far reaching views. 

This stunning property is set well away from any road and offers substantial family accommodation over three floors. 

Main House: Drawing Room, Sitting Room, Family Room, Billiard Room • Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Conservatory 

• Utility Room, Cloakroom • Large Cellar • Master Bedroom Suite, Guest Bedroom Ensuite • Two Further 

Bedrooms, Family Bathroom, Shower Room. Attached Annexe: Sitting Room, Kitchen/Breakfast Room, Two 

Bedrooms, Bathroom. Gardens/Ground: Tennis Court, Swimming Pool, Garage, Workshop. 

Harpers&Hurlingham 

The Cornerhouse, Stone Street, Cranbrook 

01580 715400 

www.harpersandhurlingham.com 

London offiCe: KenSingTon 020 7938 2311 

Lettings Team 

Sales Team 

Charles Janey Chez Jane Cathy Sarah Debbie Jane A Debbie S Caroline Dawn 

Dianne

LUXURY APARTMENTS, MEWS HOUSES 

AND DETACHED FAMILY HOMES WITH 

BREATHTAKING VIEWS. MAYFIELD LANE, 

WADHURST, EAST SUSSEX 

PRICES FROM £550,000 

TO BOOK YOUR PRIVATE VIEWING CONTACT: 

CALL 020 7205 2795 

EMAIL TUNBRIDGEWELLSRDS@SAVILLS.COM 

LUXURY APARTMENTS, MEWS HOUSES LUXURY APARTMENTS, MEWS HOUSES 

AND 

WWW.NEWCOURT.CO.UK 

DETACHED FAMILY HOMES WITH AND DETACHED FAMILY HOMES WITH 

BREATHTAKING VIEWS. MAYFIELD LANE, BREATHTAKING VIEWS. MAYFIELD LANE, 






LUXURY APARTMENTS, MEWS HOUSES 

CALL 020 7205 2795 

AND DETACHED FAMILY HOMES 


WITH BREATHTAKING WWW.NEWCOURT.CO.UK 

VIEWS. MAYFIELD 

LANE, WADHURST, EAST SUSSEX 


CALL 020 7205 2795 

Show h ome 

Launching JuL y 


WWW.NEWCOURT.CO.UK 


BeautifuL deS ign, excL u S ive L ocationS 


CALL 020 7205 2804 


WWW.NEWCOURT.CO.UK

Broad Oak, Nr. Rye, East Sussex - £795,000 

Period detached house in beautiful cottage gardens. Living 

room, dining room, kitchen/breakfast room, four bedrooms. 

Annexe with home office and gym. Double garage with store 

and shower over. Parking. Stunning garden. EPC E 

Playden, Nr. Rye, East Sussex - £850,000 

Detached country cottage with views on the edge of Rye. 

Sitting room, dining room, orangery, family room, kitchen/ 

breakfast room, master bedroom with en-suite, 2 further 

bedrooms. Roof terrace. Garden. Home office/studio. 

Garage. Parking. EPC D 

Beckley, East Sussex - £695,000 

Spacious detached house in quiet edge of village location. 

Large sitting room, dining room, study, kitchen/breakfast 

room, utility, master bedroom suite, three further bedrooms. 

Single garage. Parking. Front and rear gardens. EPC D 

New Romney, Kent - £395,000 

Grade II Listed period house with double fronted shop. Living 

room, study, kitchen/breakfast room, 1st floor drawing 

room, 3 bedrooms, double fronted shop. 2 substantial 

outbuildings. Off road parking. Part walled garden. Detached 

Grade II listed unconverted bake house available separately. 

Rye, East Sussex - £535,000 

Detached split level family house in elevated position close 

to the town with far reaching views. Living room with access 

to sun terrace, dining room, kitchen, 3 bedrooms, family 

room/bedroom 4, study/bedroom 5, terrace front garden, 

70’ Rear garden, Off road parking for several vehicles. EPC F 

Beckley, East Sussex - £650,000 

Detached single storey building situated on the edge of the 

village within lovely landscaped gardens of approximately 0.6 

of an acre. Living room, family room, kitchen/dining room, 

utility, 4 bedrooms. Detached office/studio. Garden. Garage. 

EPC D 

RYE OFFICE 01797 227338 

MAYFAIR OFFICE 0870 112 7099 

phillipsandstubbs.co.uk

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 

For a free appraisal call 0843 557 4080 

www.maximisemyland.co.uk 

sales@countryhousehomes.co.uk 

“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

NOW SELLING 

Set in the heart of the historic Wildernesse Estate, this development includes the restoration of 

the main house, together with a series of 8 newly built mews houses available for sale this summer. 

These two-bedroom houses benefit from access to all that’s on offer across the estate, from the spa 

and lounge to the restaurant and extensive landscaped grounds. 

Mews house prices from £735,000 

To book an appointment or find out more, call or visit: 

01732 789 740 

sevenoaksnewhomes@savills.com 

wildernessehouse.co.uk 

Retirement livin 

g, 

but not as you know it

SALES / LETTINGS / MANAGEMENT 

VISIT US AT HUNTERS.COM 

HERE TO GET you THERE 

Tenterden £725,000 

Attractive detached Georgian style family home with the additional 

benefit of a one bedroom self-contained annexe 

Five Bedrooms • Cloakroom • Conservatory • EPC TBC • Desirable Cul De Sac 

Smarden £750,000 

A deceptively spacious detached family home built in 1991 by the current 

owners. Situated in an idyllic rural location and set in a 1.2 acre plot 

Five Bedrooms • Two Cloakrooms • Three Reception Rooms • EPC D 

Tenterden £350,000 

A deceptively spacious end of terrace family home with a wealth of period 

features, situated just off the desirable tree lined High Street 

Three Bedrooms • En Suite & Shower Room • Period Features • EPC E 

Wittersham £525,000 

Striking double fronted Victorian attached home with a wealth of period 

features in the desirable village of Wittersham 

Four Bedrooms • Two Reception Rooms • Great Views • EPC E 

Meet your local Tenterden Team! 

Branch Partner, Andrew Barker has been in the estate agency business since 2000. 

Andrew has comprehensive local knowledge, having worked in Tenterden and the surrounding villages throughout his career. 

Over 150 independently owned branches across the UK. 

Myself, Laura & Jake are highly motivated in offering our customers a fi rst class service, 

“we’re here to get you there” 

TENTERDEN 01580 763 278 

ASHFORD 01233 613 613 

Over 180 independently owned branches across the UK. 

HYTHE 01303 261 557 

FOLKESTONE 01303 210 335

ight 

r 

g 

Downsizing? 

If you’re thinking of downsizing to make 

the most of your retirement, Ticehurst is 

the right place to do it. 

It’s a beautiful and vibrant Sussex village with a community feel, 

an exceptional range of individual shops and pubs, and good 

transport links. 

You’ll also love our spacious, secure apartments complete with 

parking and on-site property manager. They start at £325,000 

with a low service charge – so the price is right too! 

If you’d like to arrange a no pressure visit, call 01892 507 005 

THE COACHWORKS 

TICEHURST VILLAGE 

High Street, Ticehurst, East Sussex TN5 7EX 

01892 507 005 

www.coachworksticehurst.co.uk 

TunbridgeWellsRDS@savills.com

sJd – developing potential 

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 development potential 

SJD-Half 190x133.indd 1 09/04/2017 18:25 

SJDprojectsWT184.indd 1 02/05/2017 15:57 

Computer generated image 

R E S E R V A T I O N S B E I N G T A K E N 

THE MULBERRY, THE OLD ORCHARD, CHARTWAY STREET, SUTTON VALENCE ME17 3JA 

Two stylish 3 bedroom semi detached new homes. Ready for occupation winter 2017. 

Priced at £465,000 | T: 01622 673086 | E: enquiries@sibleypares.co.uk 

Follow us for updates: @MillwoodDHomes millwooddhomes MillwoodDesignerHomes 

www.millwooddesignerhomes.co.uk 

23 wealdentimes.co.uk 

SibleyParesWT184.indd 1 22/05/2017 17:06

“ 

With just a 

5% deposit, 

now’s our chance 

to live here. 

” 

HELP TO BUY 

at Knights Wood 

Owning your first home in Royal Tunbridge Wells should feel like 

a dream come true, which is why Dandara is delighted to offer 

Help to Buy at Knights Wood. 

About the scheme 

Help to Buy is available to all new 

homebuyers, not just first time 

buyers.* You only need a 5% deposit 

to qualify 

You will only need to secure up to 

a 75% mortgage from a bank or 

building society 

The Government will lend you up 

to 20% of the value of your property 

through an equity loan 

The loan can be repaid at any time 

or on the sale of your home and is 

interest free for the first 5 years 

Help to Buy equity loan scheme 

means you can move with just a 

5% deposit and is available for 

both first time buyers and existing 

home owners. 

Dandara is delighted to offer Help to Buy, 

making ownership of a stylish home at 

Knights Wood a reality for you. 

Our marketing suite is open daily from 

10am to 5pm, so come and visit us to see 

how Help to Buy will get you the home 

you want for less. 

5% DEPOSIT 

75% MORTGAGE 

20% GOVERNMENT LOAN 

Example of a Victoria two bedroom house 

priced at £341,000 

5% Deposit £17,050 

20% Loan £68,200 

75% Mortgage £255,750 

SHOW HOMES 

now open to view 

Two, three and four bedroom 

homes available with Help to 

Buy from £341,000 to £599,000 

01892 800 580 

knightswood.co.uk 

*Help to Buy is not available to assist buy-to-let investors or those 

who will own any property other than their Help to Buy property after 

completing their purchase. For further information speak to one of 

our sales representatives or visit helptobuy.gov.uk

COMING SOON 

CHARACTER 2, 3, 4 AND 5 BEDROOM HOMES 

DESIGNED FOR MODERN LIVING 

HELP TO BUY AVAILABLE 

REGISTER YOUR INTEREST TODAY 

01892 800580 

churchview-tenterden.co.uk

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

1. 

All in the Detail 

Maggie Alderson explores homes for downsizers 

When I helped my mum move house three years ago she had four full services of 

Staffordshire bone china. The grandest design featured real gold rims, which 

meant they had to be washed by hand. Such fun. (Not.) As well as twelve 

settings of four sizes of plates, plus half-moon salad plates and soup set she had no fewer 

than twenty-two cups and saucers. That’s a big bridge party. And with all that to choose 

from, on what did she eat all her meals? Plain white pottery plates and bowls from Dunelm. 

So at her own insistence, when she moved into her beautiful brand new 

apartment in a complex specially designed for the over 70s, it was the Dunelm 

she took with her. She says she likes their simplicity. She doesn’t miss the posh 

china at all. It was just a load of stuff that lived in her cupboards for years. 

But while she was happy to unload that, she didn’t get rid of everything. 

She has all her paintings, her favourite pieces of furniture and her good 

whisky glasses, from which she enjoys a dram most evenings. 

This is the reality of ‘downsizing’ and we really do need to think of a 

better word for it. Done right, with a move to one of the new generation 

of mid-life (55 up) and retirement homes where every detail has been 

thought of and done beautifully, there’s nothing down about it at all. 

In her light-filled one-bedroom apartment – where she still has post and milk 

delivered to her front door – my mum finds life not at all lessened without her 

collections of small pieces of wrapping paper that might possibly fit something 

one day, carrier bags too nice to re-use and possibly useful elastic bands. 

In fact she feels enormously freed from it all and takes daily pleasure in 

windows which open and close by pressing a button, glow-in-the-dark light 

switches at elbow height and the sheer freshness of a brand new home. 

With a move into an expertly designed, purpose-built property, with 

all mod cons on the site, moving on from the family home can be more 

freestyling than downsizing. Take a look at these developments, which 

show just how great twenty-first century retirement living can be. 

1. 

1. 

1. Wildernesse House 

Where? Wildernesse House is 

surrounded by acres of rolling Kent 

countryside in its own extensive grounds, 

rich in mature woodland and specimen 

trees, right by the village of Seal and two 

miles from central Sevenoaks, plus a 40 

minute rail link to Charing Cross and 

proximity to the M25, M26 and M20. 

What? A superb conversion of a jawdropping 

grand house with historical 

links back to the 14th century (the oak 

trees planted for Henry VIII’s visit are still 

there) into a selection of 23 one- and twobed 

apartments, plus eight two-bedroom 

mews houses in the newly built stable 

block, exclusively for people over 60. 

While floorplans vary all the homes are 

light and spacious with open-plan living, 

dining and kitchen areas. Some have an 

additional study or dressing room. The 

development is fully staffed and has superb 

shared spaces, including a library, a spa and 

a restaurant, plus features in the grounds 

such as a croquet lawn and a folly. 

How much? Apartments in the 

main house start at £940,000 and the 

mews houses from £735,000. See more 

on the website wildernessehouse.co.uk, 

or ring 01732 510150. Sales are via 

Savills, Sevenoaks, call 01732 789700. 


26

2. 

3. 

4. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

2. Terlingham Gardens 

3. Regal Gate 

4. The Coachworks 

Where? Terlingham Gardens is 

situated in the village of Hawkinge, 

which sits in countryside on top of 

the North Downs at 508ft above sea 

level, with stunning views of nearby 

Cheriton and Folkestone. An excellent 

connection to the M20 makes it just 

twenty minutes to Ashford International 

station, with its fast rail link to St Pancras. 

Folkestone is under ten minutes’ drive. 

What? A gated community of 20 two 

and two/three bedroom semi-detached 

bungalows and chalet bungalows, 

aimed at the over 55s, with landscaped 

communal gardens and step-free access. 

Maintenance and care packages are 

available to residents, offering services 

from window cleaning to personal care. 

Those buying at early stages can have 

house details tailored to individual 

needs, as well as choosing from a range 

of designer kitchen, bathroom, flooring 

and decorating finishes. The first 

phase of a larger development, which 

will include family homes, it would 

be a great opportunity for different 

generations of one family to live nearby. 

How much? Bungalows start 

from £329,995. For more information 

call 01303 893080. You can look at 

the properties on rightmove.co.uk 

Where? Bang in the middle of 

Tunbridge Wells, with all its amenities, 

so close to Hoopers you could 

practically walk there blindfolded. 

The station with its one hour link 

to Charing Cross, is similarly close 

and The Pantiles area, with all 

its lovely shops and restaurants a 

mere saunter away. A walk up the 

hill takes you to theatres, Fenwick 

and Royal Victoria Place shopping 

centre, urban living at its best. 

What? While not specifically 

designed for the retirement market, 

these four apartments (three onebedders 

and one two-bedroom) would 

be a great choice for downsizers wanting 

to trade the big family home on the 

outskirts, for a beautifully fitted out 

modern pad right in the thick of things. 

How much? The guide price 

is £200,000. Telephone 01732 

450184 for more information and 

look on the website regalpoint.co.uk 

Where? The Coachworks is located 

in the heart of the lovely Wealden 

village of Ticehurst, surrounded by 

beautiful countryside, with trains to 

London from nearby Stonegate and 

the A21 five minutes away. Wadhurst 

is the next village along and it’s 20 

minutes to Tunbridge Wells. 

What? A new development of 

25 luxury two-bedroom apartments 

and penthouses for those aged over 

65, built in red brick in the local 

vernacular style. The apartments are 

light and airy, with kitchens adjoining 

the sitting areas. Ideal for downsizers 

looking for stress free living and 

peace of mind, the development 

features a concierge service, gardens, 

parking and lift to all floors. 

How much? Prices start at 

£340,000, with sales via Savills, 

Tunbridge Wells 01892 507005, 

or look up The Coackworks on 

their website, savills.co.uk 

Please note: because these are new developments and conversions still in progress, some 

of the images used are computer-generated representations of the finished properties. 

27 wealdentimes.co.uk

Wealden Times 

Summer Party 

Businesses from across Kent and 

Sussex gathered together at Saint 

Ronan’s School in Hawkhurst 

for Wealden Times Advertisers Party. 

Under the beautiful painted ceilings of 

the ballroom – known by pupils as ‘The 

Great Space’ – representatives of companies 

that celebrate all that’s wonderful in the 

Weald had the chance to chat to familiar 

faces and make new connections. 

We enjoyed crisp Chapel Down wine 

and delicious canapés by Tenterden-based 

Plum Tree Catering, whilst listening to piano 

pieces expertly played by Casper Holloway. 

The party provided a great opportunity 

for the Wealden Times team to meet new 

advertisers face-to-face and catch up with 

some who have been with us from the very 

beginning! Thank you all for coming. We 

hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. 


28


Had enough with 

being overweight? 

Special offers 

for July 

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

Hands up all those 

who feel they’re in 

a constant battle to 

achieve a healthy 

and sustainable body 

weight. How many 

diets have you tried 

and failed, feeling 

totally frustrated and 

not knowing what to 

do next? 

Having had a weight problem for 35 

years, Rachel was desperate to find a 

way of being able to lose weight once 

and for all. ‘I had just about resigned 

myself to the fact that I would be 

overweight for the rest of my life, Rachel Ricketts, Weight Loss Consultant 

when I came across the principles of 

the Metabolic Weight Loss Programme. I followed these and to my 

amazement, I lost 3 stone in just over 3 months and then went on 

to successfully maintain my weight. The relief was enormous to 

have found something that finally worked for me.’ 

Recent success 

“I was desperate to lose 

weight and you really were 

my last resort. Thanks 

to you and your team’s 

wonderful support I lost 

3 stone. I no longer get 

out of breath and can 

now run around after my 

grandchildren! My blood 

pressure and cholesterol are 

finally in a normal range. 

My doctor is delighted with 

my health improvement and 

so am I! I would recommend 

the Metabolic Weight 

Programme to anyone.” 

Christine from Hampshire 

‘This isn’t an open-ended slimming club,’ says Rachel. ‘We set your 

target weight at the beginning and then get on with the business 

of helping you lose the weight, addressing any difficulties along the 

way, then we concentrate on keeping it off – for good!’ 

Rachel became passionate about wanting to help as many people 

as possible with their weight problems, which led her to become a 

qualified weight loss consultant. In the last 13 years, she has helped 

over 4,000 clients from all walks of life to help bring their dieting 

days to an end once and for all. ‘My clients’ ages range from from 8 

to 90 years old, so there is hope for everyone!’ 

One of the popular aspects of the Metabolic Weight Loss 

Programme is there’s nothing faddish about it. There are no 

meal replacements, diet shakes or diet pills. All the foods on 

the programme are easily obtainable. Clients frequently say 

just how easy it is to follow, they don’t feel hungry and are not 

having to constantly battle with cravings. The four stages of the 

programme are tailored as necessary to provide the maximum 

results for each client. 

Rachel and her team give weekly one-to-one consultations, guiding 

you through the programme with personalised support, lots of 

empathy and total conviction in the success of the programme. 

Email support is available in between consultations. 

For those who are not able to visit, a very successful remote support 

service is provided throughout the UK - distance is no object! 

Clients often comment on how impressed their doctors are with 

their results. ‘My doctor is very happy– I’ve been able to come off 

blood pressure and cholesterol medication,’ says one. Another 

doctor said, ‘All my lady patients on thyroid medication are 

struggling to lose weight, but you’ve lost 2 ½ stone despite being 

on thyroxin – well done!’ 

With an average weight loss of 7-14lb a month for clients and 

hundreds of hand written testimonials, Rachel’s results speak for 

themselves. ‘I see real results daily, time after time I see people’s 

lives change in front of me.’ 

Call now for a free consultation. 

01342 327396 

Email rachel@rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk 

www.rachelrickettsweightloss.co.uk

FREE WORKTOP 

WITH ANY KITCHEN PURCHASED IN JULY* 

www.tunbridge-wells.home-design.schmidt 

*Terms and conditions apply, see in store for details

Simply Go Gardening

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 

All 

areas 

covered 

We come to 

you 

External front and back doors 

supplied and fitted from £310 

MMBaxterS30-1.indd 1 28/03/2017 11:27 

Cottage Door 

From £495 

Fitted 

Price includes Door, Glass, Letter Plate, Hinges, Lock & Fitting. Staining and Painting Service Available 

5 Lever 

deadlocks 

£39 fitted 

1 

2 

Internal Doors 

supplied and fitted 

from £85 price includes: Door, 

Latch, Handles, Hinges & Fitting 

6 

3 

4 

5 

1. Security hinges 

2. 3 way multi-point 

locking system 

3. Vectis locking 

system 

4. Stormguard trimline 

5. Weather bar / rain 

deflector 

6. Optional letter plate 

Wide 

range of 

internal 

doors 

Stable Doors 

supplied & fitted. 

Price includes: Door, Latch, 

Handles, Hinges & Fitting 

NIGHT 

LATCH 

5 LEVER 

DEADLOCK 

Wide 

range of 

ironmongery 

available 

White 

Moulded 

From £95 

Classique 2 

Panel from 

£95 

Oak 

Suffolk 

from £185 

Oak 

Worcester 

from £175 

DOOR-TO-DOOR HARDWOOD DOOR SPECIALIST FOR FREE ADVICE & ESTIMATES 

TEL 01580 240423 or 07850 906271 email: info.door2door@btinternet.com 

Oak 

Shaker 

from £205 


34 

DoorToDoorWT183.indd 1 24/04/2017 11:42

White’s The Jewellers is Under New Family Ownership 

Gold, Diamond Jewellery & 

Prestigious Watches Purchased For Cash 

Pre-owned Antique Timeless 

Family Owned 

96 High St, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6JB 

Telephone 01580 763 155 

www.whitesjewellers.co.uk 

info@whitesjewellers.co.uk 

35 St Leonards Rd, Bexhill-on-Sea TH40 1HP 

Telephone 01424 211 835 

www.thomasfrenchjewellers.com 

thomas.frenchjewellers@gmail.com

www.elliottreid.co.uk

Imagine comfort 

Our Summer sale is the perfect time to give in to the absolute 

comfort of a Stressless ® recliner. Because as well as irresistible 

sale savings, you’ll also enjoy a free upgrade to our most 

luxurious leathers. Come and discover your ideal Stressless ® 

today. Let us inspire you at stressless.co.uk. 

For extra comfort, every Stressless ® recliner includes: 

• The Stressless ® Glide-system that automatically adjusts to your weight. 

• Patented Plus-system for perfect support in any position. 

• 10 year guarantee for complete peace of mind. 

• A choice of 3 sizes for tailored comfort. 

Summer 

Sale 

plus 

Free Leather Upgrade * 

Retailer Name 

Foster Road 

00 Street Name, City city, NNN 

Ashford 

NNN 

T: xxxx xxxxxx 

Kent TN24 0SJ 

Phone: 01233 502220 

retailerwebsite.co.uk 

www.ashburyfurniture.co.uk 

Please follow us on 

Facebook and Twitter 

*Terms and conditions apply. Offer cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotion, stocked item or clearance models. Choice of leather colours may vary. Our bestselling leather grades which you can 

upgrade to are Cori and Paloma. Offer excludes Noblesse leather grade. Offer applies to all applicable Stressless ® orders at participating retailers between 1st July and 31st August 2017.

- INGREDIENTS - 

YOU DECIDE 

THE ORDER 

Scioche ® , sliced in half 

Fresh Raspberry & 

Rhubarb Compote 

Friends & Champagne 

- PROCESS - 

Spread the desired amount of 

raspberry & rhubarb compote 

onto slightly warm Scioche ® . 

Gather friends together 

pour the Champagne into 

glasses to complete your 

afternoon tea party! 

COMING 

SOON TO A 

FINE FOOD 

EMPORIUM 

NEAR YOU! 

PURVEYORS OF 

FROZEN ARTISAN BREADS 

• THAW & ADORE 

• 

Available from: Dobbies (Ashford & Gillingham) 

Jempsons (Peasmarsh) & Macknades (Faversham) 

www.bakersbicycle.co.uk

The Kitchen is the Heart of Your Home 

See how we can transform your home today www.stellisonsinteriors.co.uk j.stevens@bentonskitchens.co.uk 

Showroom: 18 Maynard Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3RH Telephone: 01227 767576 07866 939815

BEAUTIFULLY CRAFTED FURNITURE 

WARDROBES . KITCHENS . BOOKCASES 

Kent / Sussex 01732 462565 nonsuchandknole.co.uk

Balconies 

Fairfield Church in the Mist 

JUST TEN GALLERY 

RYE 

LIMITED EDITION FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY 

BY CLIVE SAWYER 

103a High Street, Rye, East Sussex TN31 7JN 

www.just-ten.gallery clive@just-ten.gallery 

M: 07738 715354 T: 01797 222213

SUMMER 

HIGHLIGHTS 

Mon 3 – Sat 8 Jul 

SHIRLEY 

VALENTINE 

Willy Russell’s heartwarming 

comedy, now 

on its 30th anniversary 

Wed 19 Jul 

RHYTHM OF 

THE DANCE 

This incredible live 

show is rated as one of 

the most popular and 

successful Irish Step 

Dance shows on tour 

Fri 21 – Sun 23 Jul 

THE TIGER 

WHO CAME 

TO TEA 

A stunning stage 

adaptation of the classic 

tale of teatime mayhem-- 

expect to be surprised! 

Sat 5 Aug 

TWIST AND 

SHOUT 

The greatest musical era 

of the 20th century comes 

alive. This show will leave 

you on your feet and 

dancing in the aisles! 

Sat 12 Aug 

THAT’LL BE 

THE DAY 

The UK’s premier Rock 

& Roll production That’ll 

Be The Day returns with 

another brand new show 

Thu 24 Aug 

HAIRY 

MACLARY 

With music, singing and 

several of your favourite 

Hairy Maclary stories, 

this show is a must for 

the whole family. 

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk | 01892 530613 

/ AssemblyHallTheatre / ahttw #yourlocaltheatre AssemblyHallTheatre

WWW.HANDMADERUGS.CO.UK 

104, HIGH STREET, TENTERDEN, KENT, TN30 6HT 

Tel 01580 762524 

Tuesday to Saturday 10 to 5 

30-31, HIGH STREET, BATTLE, E. SUSSEX, TN33 0EA 

Tel 01424 772944 

Monday to Saturday 9.30 to 5 

Modern and Traditional Handmade Rugs 

Furniture and Accessories 

WWW.MOREBYDESIGN.COM 

Rug: One of our collection of traditional antique Serapi designs . H-1 141950 363x269. 

A range of ther sizes is available from stock or to order. 

Wingback Chair: upholstered in our Sarkoy kelim : one of a range of chair and kelim designs 

History In The Making 

A traditional hand-knotted rug is truly a work of art: thousands of hand-tied knots are woven in intricate 

designs, one knot at a time by skilled craftsmen. Memories become woven into them as they slowly absorb 

your family history and become family heirlooms. Making a home is about collecting pieces that you will want 

to keep forever, pieces that one day your children or grandchildren will be proud to own.

York Handmade Brick are an award winning UK based manufacturer of genuine handmade 

York 

clay 

York Handmade 

bricks, pavers, 

Brick Brick 

special 

are are an an 

shapes 

award winning 

and terracotta 

UK UK based floor 

manufacturer 

tiles, perfect 

of 

for 

of genuine 

recreating handmade 

building 

clay 

tradition 

clay York bricks, Handmade in 

pavers, 

a modern Brick special environment. 

are shapes an award and and winning terracotta UK floor based floor tiles, manufacturer tiles, perfect for of for recreating genuine handmade building 

tradition clay York bricks, Handmade in in a modern a pavers, Brick special environment. 

are an shapes award and winning terracotta UK based floor manufacturer tiles, perfect of for genuine recreating handmade building 

T: tradition clay 01347 bricks, 838881 in a pavers, modern | E: special environment. 

sales@yorkhandmade.co.uk shapes and terracotta floor | tiles, W: www.yorkhandmade.co.uk 

perfect for recreating building 

T: T: 01347 838881 | E: | E: sales@yorkhandmade.co.uk | W: | W: www.yorkhandmade.co.uk 

tradition in a modern environment. 

T: 01347 York 838881 Handmade | E: sales@yorkhandmade.co.uk Brick Ltd @yorkhmadebrick 

| W: www.yorkhandmade.co.uk 

York Handmade Brick Ltd Ltd @yorkhmadebrick 

T: 01347 838881 | E: sales@yorkhandmade.co.uk | W: www.yorkhandmade.co.uk 

York Handmade Brick Ltd @yorkhmadebrick 

York Handmade Brick Ltd @yorkhmadebrick

Affordable, 

Simple and Safe: 

Motorised Blinds 

FREE 

NO OBLIGATION 

NO OBLIGATION 

HOME VISIT, 

HOME VISIT, 

QUOTATION AND 

QUOTATION AND 

FITTING 

FITTING 

For For the 

the ultimate 

ultimate in 

in timeless 

timeless elegance 

elegance look look 

no no 

further further than 

than 

Blind Blind 

Blind Design’s Design’s 

Design’s range range 

range of blinds, of 

of shutters shutters and 

and and blinds. 

blinds. curtains. 

Call Freephone 

0800 988 1071 

For Your Free Home Visit 

Unit 6, Harvington Business Park, Brampton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 9AF 

Unit 6, Harvington Business Park, Brampton Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, BN22 9AF 

Mon Fri 9am 5pm, Sat 9am 2pm 

Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm, Sat 9am - 2pm 

Telephone 01323 509 661 Freephone 0800 988 1071 

Telephone 01323 509 661 Freephone 0800 988 1071 

www.blind-design.co.uk 

www.blind-design.co.uk

At Love Blinds we offer a wide 

range of beautifully made 

plantation shutters, blinds and 

window coverings. 

We specialize in the shutter business, 

combining years of experience with the best 

quality products available on the market to 

provide an unbeatable price and service. 

Exclusive offers when quoting Wealden Times 

Fully guaranteed 

Free fitting & measuring 

LoveBlindsWT184.indd 1 22/05/2017 10:25 


CatherineBerkeleyWT178.indd 1 08/11/2016 12:53

THE HEAD SAYS 

YES 

THE HEART SAYS 

DEFINITELY, YES 

MASERATI GHIBLI. STARTING FROM £50,175 

The Maserati Ghibli is powered by a range of advanced 3.0 Litre V6 engines with 8-speed 

ZF automatic transmission including, a V6 turbodiesel engine. 

Please call us to arrange your test drive. 

MOTORLINE MASERATI MAIDSTONE 

BIRCHOLT ROAD, MAIDSTONE, ME15 9XY 

Phone: 01622 616 291 | www.motorline.co.uk/maserati 

Official fuel consumption figures for Maserati Ghibli MY17 range in mpg (l/100km): Urban 20.5 (13.8) – 36.7 (7.7), Extra Urban 39.8 

(7.1) – 57.6 (4.9), Combined 29.4 (9.6) – 47.9 (5.9). CO 2 emissions 223 – 158 g/km. Fuel consumption and CO 2 figures are based on 

standard EU tests for comparative purposes and may not reflect real driving results. Model shown is a Maserati Ghibli Diesel MY17 

at £53,040 On The Road including optional mica paint at £660 and 20 inch machine polished Urano alloy wheels at £2,205.

Sleek, German engineering 

at direct from the factory prices! 

Why choose Kutchenhaus? As the Largest retailer of quality German engineered kitchens in the UK we deliver 

pre-built luxury kitchens manufactured in Germany at direct from the factory prices. View your dream kitchen 

in the luxurious surroundings of the largest kitchen showrooms in the UK whilst benefiting from: 

Free Designs Free Quotations All Kitchens delivered Pre-built 

*terms and conditions apply sale is for a limited time only 

Visit our website or our showroom in Tunbridge Wells 

1st floor, 319 St John’s Road (above Majestic Wine), Southborough, Tunbridge Wells TN4 9XE 

01892 289070 

Tunbridge Wells . Sutton Coldfield . Manchester . York . Brentwood . Beverley . Farnborough

The Oak Glasshouse Company 

We design & build oak sunrooms, oak kitchen 

extensions, oak orangeries and garden offices. 

Please phone or email to request a brochure, 

07522 544158, email info@theoakglasshouse.co.uk 

www.theoakglasshouse.co.uk

July Joust... 

Hever Castle’s annual Summer Joust is on the horizon, and 

the noble knights of Royal England are riding in with high 

hopes of being named this year’s champion. The tournament 

opens on Saturday 15 with a Royal procession from Henry 

VIII and Anne Boleyn. Visit the castle throughout the rest of 

July to get in on the action, with Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 

also seeing extra historical entertainment with a Knights and 

Princesses School, plus lots of family friendly activities. Call 

01732 865224 or visit hevercastle.co.uk for details and booking. 

July 

notebook 

Exhibitions & events 

near you this month... 

Pub Culture... 

The Bell in Ticehurst has two great events lined 

up this month. Pop over to this quirky pub 

in the heart of Ticehurst on Thursday 6 July 

to see award-winning comedian, Tom Allen 

performing in The Big Room. Tickets are £22 

followed by an optional supper for £8. Then 

on Sunday 16 July, a free Music Festival will 

be staged in the garden with a chilled out vibe, 

street food and local beers. Go to bellinticehurst. 

com or call 01580 200300 for more information. 

Castle Concert... 

On Saturday 8 July, Aled Jones is set to 

host a spectacular evening of classical music 

in Leeds Castle’s natural amphitheatre. Sip 

Champagne or tuck in to a luxurious picnic 

and watch as the Patriot Girls perform old 

classics, a 1940s spitfire takes to the skies and 

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra delivers a 

programme directed by John Rigby. For more 

details and booking visit leedscastleconcert.co.uk 

JAM on Coast... 

From Thursday 6 to Sunday16 July, JAM on the 

Marsh festival hosts a line up of 32 events including 

a BBC Singers world premiere for Radio 3, jazz 

with The David Rees Williams Trio, the London 

Mozart Players, Latin-American groove, an openair 

performance of Shakespeare’s Hamlet, poetry 

recitals, superb art and photography exhibitions 

and a one-day mini festival for children packed 

with fun music, art, theatre and bugs! Full details 

and tickets are available at jamconcert.org 

Shuck it up... 

The iconic Whitstable Oyster Festival is relocating 

to the beautiful Tankerton Slopes this year. The 

classic Landing of the Oysters on Saturday 22 

July will be followed by a seafront procession 

and oyster eating challenge. Throughout the rest 

of the festival there will be the ‘Mud Tug’ tug 

of war, oyster food fair, and a grand finale on 

Monday 24 July’s Children’s Day with picnicking, 

kite flying and building ‘grotters’ lanterns from 

oyster shells. For more details call 020 3598 

5940 or visit whitstableoysterfestival.co.uk. 

Up in the Air... 

Commemorating one of the most pivotal 

battles of the Second World War, The Battle 

of Britain Air Show has recruited spitfires and 

hurricanes as well as a Tiger Moth to take part 

in a display held at Headcorn Aerodrome on 

Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 July. There will also 

be an opportunity to get your picture taken 

with the aircraft or book a passenger flight. Visit 

headcornevents.co.uk for more information. 

Kitchen Garden... 

This month, explore Pashley Manor’s Kitchen 

Garden in a week dedicated to home-grown 

produce. The manor’s Victorian-style garden 

feeds the house and café with a plentiful supply 

of tasty goodies and from Saturday 8 to Sat 

15 July the gardeners behind it all will be 

available to give advice and answer questions. 

Copies of From the Garden, a new recipe book 

based on the Manor, will also be on sale. Visit 

pashleymanorgardens.com for further details. 



Bank of Mum and Dad 

Average property prices 

have increased over the 

last few years and therefore 

banks and building societies are 

demanding sizeable deposits 

before granting a mortgage. As 

a result, many first-time buyers 

are turning to their parents for 

financial help. Stephen Horscroft, 

a private client lawyer at Cripps, 

looks at some of the issues that 

arise when first-time buyers step 

onto the property ladder with help 

from the “Bank of Mum and Dad”. 

Parents who are in a position to 

help have a choice of lending 

money (with or without interest), 

gifting money or taking a 

beneficial interest in the property 

through a Declaration of Trust. 

If parents charge interest on a loan, 

the interest will need to be declared 

for income tax. In the event of death, 

any amount outstanding will form 

part of the assets in their estate, 

which could cause complications 

if the borrower is not the sole 

beneficiary. If the money is a gift, it 

will remain part of their estate for 

inheritance tax purposes (IHT) for 

seven years. This will increase the 

tax on the rest of their estate if they 

die before the seven years are up 

so they may need to change their 

wills to ensure the overall effect 

treats all their heirs fairly. In certain 

circumstances, life assurance 

can be used to even things up. 

Parents may also want to ensure 

gifts do not end up benefiting 

their child’s partner should they 

subsequently divorce. One option 

is to lend the money via a family 

trust structure, which can also prove 

useful for IHT planning. Although 

there will be a cost to set up a trust, 

if no interest is payable, the running 

costs would be minimal. However, 

this is not a straightforward option 

as divorce courts can treat an 

interest in a trust as a resource of the 

divorcing party if they are listed as 

a potential beneficiary of the trust. 

A further complication with loans 

from parents (or a trust) is they can 

make lenders uneasy about giving 

the borrower a mortgage to cover 

the rest of the cost of the property. 

They generally want confirmation 

that any balance of funding is from 

the borrower and no one else. In the 

past it was possible to use parental 

guarantees but lenders are less 

keen on them now. A loan from a 

parent is a debt that needs to be 

declared as part of the mortgage 

application. The lender may require 

additional assurances before they 

will agree to grant the mortgage. 

If parents take a beneficial interest 

in the property via a Declaration of 

Trust they will receive a share in 

any increase in the property value 

on sale (although this increase will 

be subject to Capital Gains Tax). 

Since the introduction of new rules 

in April 2016, a Stamp Duty Land Tax 

surcharge of three per cent will be 

triggered on the whole purchase 

price if the parents have an interest 

in any other property (as is nearly 

always the case). This has made 

the option of taking a beneficial 

interest in the property less attractive 

and resulted in loan agreements 

becoming more popular with parents 

who do not wish to make a gift. 

The Bank of Mum and Dad 

may seem an easy solution for 

someone trying to get on the 

property ladder but there are 

complexities to consider. A 

solicitor with expertise in this 

area can advise on the best 

option in your circumstances. 

However, strict rules regarding 

conflicts of interest mean that 

the solicitor will not be able to 

act for all parties when advising 

on and implementing the 

arrangements. A good solicitor 

will also help you find a reliable 

independent mortgage adviser 

for unbiased advice about a 

range of lenders’ products. 

If you would like more information 

Stephen can be contacted on 

01892 506341 or email 

Stephen.horscroft@cripps.co.uk 

Cripps is a key regional law firm serving clients 

nationally and internationally from offices in 

Kent and London. Recognised countrywide for 

both its commercial and private client work, 

the firm focuses on the real estate sector, 

entrepreneurial businesses and wealthier families. 

www.cripps.co.uk @crippslaw This article gives examples and is intended for general guidance only

PATSY MCARTHUR 

Editor’s 

Letter 

We’ve been lucky enough to make two (well, 

very nearly!) visits to the coast this month. 

The first to photograph the amazing interior 

created by Karen Hahnel in St. Leonards (one of my 

absolute favourites), the second to interior architect Marta 

Nowicka’s strikingly contemporary St. John Ambulance 

Station conversion in Rye. Read the stories behind 

each recently completed project from page 58. 

If our houses get you in the mood to try something a 

little different with your interior, we’ve spent the last few 

weeks researching and collecting fabrics, paints and papers 

to create specially themed mood boards for our Interiors 

Supplement. Forest, Desert and Tropical take centre stage 

this month along with beautiful glass lighting and accessories 

and scented candle picks from Pale & Interesting’s Atlanta 

Bartlett and Dave Coote. Explore for yourself after page 84. 

Following her appearance at June’s Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair, Madeleine Shaw’s wonderfully 

body-kind recipes are a delicious way to feed your 

family and friends this summer – we especially 

love her Oregano Potato Salad (page 132). 

Continuing the healthy eating vibe, Jo Arnell’s article focuses 

in on getting the most out of your veg garden, even in late 

summer, proving that it’s never too late to grow your own. 

Plus, Helen Barton styles a laid-back summer wardrobe and 

Jo Fairley explains how to prep for the beach – instantly! 

Summer Exhibition 

Opens 24 June 

Enjoy your Wealden Times! 

Wealden Times Team 

Editor ............................................................................................ Lucy Fleming 

Editorial Assistant ........................................................................Rebecca Cuffe 

Design .........................................................................................Powerful Pierre 

Design Team ..............................................................................Anthony Boxall 

Rob Cursons 

Phoebe Gilbert 

Tanya Goldsmith 

Managing Director ........................................................................ Julie Simpson 

Commercial Director ............................................................... Colin Wilkinson 

Sales Team ................................................................................ Hayley Biddulph 

Sarah Norwood 

Nick Robinson 

Distribution ....................................................................................... Kate Watts 

Wealden Times Events Team 

Sales Director ..................................................................................... Joy Adams 

Show Director ................................................................................. Flo Simpson 

Original Art For Your Future 

McALLISTER THOMAS 

117 High Street 

Godalming 

Surrey GU7 1AQ 

T: 01483 860591 

www.mcallisterthomasfineart.co.uk 


McAllisterThomasFineArtWT185.indd Half Page - Kent.indd 1 1 16/06/2017 11:11 13:07

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

+44 (0)1892 619721 www.krieder.com

where to find your copy… 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

Wealden Times or to have your free copy delivered for 

12 months for just £22 postage 

Distribution of Wealden Times 

published in Cranbrook for Kent & Sussex 

Orpington 

www.homeleighgroup.co.uk 

Timber & Sheet 

Materials 

TRADING 

FOR OVER 

HOMELEIGH TIMBER & BUILDING SUPPLIES 

YEARS 

ESTABLISHED 1966 

Building Materials 

Bricks & Blocks 

Sevenoaks 

Maidstone 

Canterbury 

Edenbridge 

Tonbridge 

Royal 

Tunbridge 

Wells 

Crowborough 

Cranbrook 

Tenterden 

Ashford 

Hythe 

Uckfield 

Rye 

Hailsham 

Eastbourne 

Battle 

Hastings 

Fencing & 

Landscaping 

Plumbing 

& Drainage 

You can get your copy at most railway stations, newsagents 

and prestige stores throughout the Weald. The following 

are our major distribution points and you can also 

visit wealdentimes.co.uk for a complete listing 

Ashford 

• Perry Court 

Farm 

Battle 

• British Design 

British Made 

• Jempson’s 

Benenden 

• Village Shop 

Biddenden 

• Bloomsburys 

• Cost Cutters 

Bluewater 

• John Lewis 

Food Hall 

Boughton Aluph 

• Perry Court 

Farmshop 

Burwash 

• Londis 

Canterbury 

• Fenwick 

• The Goods 

Shed 

• White Friars 

Shopping 

Centre 

Charing 

• Post Office 

Chilham 

• Bagham Barn 

Antiques 

Cranbrook 

• Ashwal Garage 

• Cocolicious 

• Gastronomia 

• Hartley Coffee 

House 

• Hartley Dyke 

Farmshop 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Kingsfords 

Solicitors 

• Pages 

Crowborough 

• Costa Coffee 

Eastbourne 

• Waterstones 

Eridge 

• Fuller’s Farm 

Shop 

Etchingham 

• Etchingham 

Food & Deli 

Faversham 

• Macknade 

Fine Foods 

Goudhurst 

• Goudhurst 

Newsagents 

• Hamerton 

+ Jones 

Hastings 

• Judges Bakery 

• Respire Living 

• Wellington 

Centre 

Haywards 

Heath 

• Cook 

Headcorn 

• Sainsbury’s 

Heathfield 

• Cuculo Deli 

• Tinker & Toad 

Horsham 

• Cook 


Hurst Green 

• Eggs to Apples 

• Merriments 

Garden Centre 

Lenham 

• Corner House 

Antiques 

Lewes 

• Riverside 

Shopping Hall 

Maidstone 

• House of Fraser 


Marden 

• Village Store 

Mayfield 

• Mace 

Northiam 

• Jempson’s Local 

Peasmarsh 


Pluckley 

• Pluckley 

Farm Shop 

Robertsbridge 

• Vinehall 

School 

Rolvenden 

• KM & JM 

Linklater 

Rushlake Green 

• The Stores 

Rye 

• Adams of Rye 


• The Rye 

Retreat 

Sandhurst 

• Nigel Collison 

Fuels 

Sevenoaks 

• Cook 

• M&S Foodhall 

Sheffield Green 

• Trading 

Boundaries 

Sissinghurst 

• TN17 Food 

& Wine 

Staplehurst 

• Millbrook 

Garden Centre 

St. Leonardson-Sea 

• Shop 

• Who’s Wearing 

What 

Tenterden 

• Hunters Estate 

Agents 

• Leisure Centre 

• London 

Beach Hotel 

• Rising Star 


• White Lion 

Ticehurst 

• Londis 

Tonbridge 

• M & S 

Food Hall 

Tunbridge Wells 

• Fenwick 

• Hoopers 

• M & S Food 

Halls, Royal 

Victoria Place 

and Fountains 

Retail Park 

• Notcutts 

• Royal Victoria 

Place 

• Shrager’s 

Patisserie 

Wadhurst 


West Malling 

• The Swan 

STATIONS: 

• Ashford 

• Canterbury 

West 

• Crowborough 

• Eastbourne 

• East Grinstead 

• Hildenborough 

• Maidstone East 

• Orpington 

• Paddock Wood 

• Sevenoaks 

• Staplehurst 

• Tonbridge 

• Tunbridge 

Wells 

• Wadhurst 

• West Malling 

Also available in: 

• Edenbridge 

• Uckfield 

PEFC/16-33-795 

The mark of responsible forestry 

SGS-COC-006108 

© 1996 Forest Stewardship Council A.C. 

Painting & 

Decorating 

Ironmongery 

DIY, Aggregates & 

Gardening Products 

Insulation 

Get Your Home Ready 

For The New Season! 

01622 791111 Hall Road, Maidstone 

01580 892733 Maidstone Road, Staplehurst 

01580 892037 Station Road, Staplehurst 

01233 850075 Ashford Road, High Halden 


HomeleighWT185.indd 1 08/06/2017 12:22


58

Grand Design 

Karen Hahnel’s St Leonards apartment is a stunning example of how 

to successfully employ proportion and scale. She has cleverly combined 

design classics with online finds to create an enviably stylish seaside home 

Words: Maggie Alderson 

photographs: David Merewether 

Styling: Lucy Fleming 


The Albero range 

by Venjakob 

Made in Germany. Exclusively in 

East Sussex at David Salmon 

Venjakob ranges are available at our Cross in Hand store. 

Please call or come and see us for further details 

Beautiful furniture in East Sussex 

Wealden House, Cross In Hand 01435 863921 116 South Street, Eastbourne 01323 722921 

www.davidsalmon.co.uk

Previous pages: Striped tins that once held soap are 

arranged on the console table in the spare bedroom. 

The candlesticks alongside them were found in the 

antique emporia around St Leonards’ Norman Road 

Above: The striking drawing room features wonderfully 

large windows which span the full length from floor 

to ceiling Right: Boris the wild boar head is mounted 

on the wall above a French army folding table 

From the moment you walk into Karen Hahnel’s 

ground floor St Leonards apartment your face 

changes – and with every step further inside it gets 

more pronounced. Your eyes widen, your eyebrows travel 

progressively up your head and your mouth drops open. 

Wow. Wow. Wow. It’s the wow factor writ large – very large. 

Not just in the fabulous proportions of the main room, 

with its three metre plus ceilings (with original mouldings) 

and dramatic dark red marble fireplace, which was once in 

a reception room in a major Victorian house. Nor even the 

huge window, right down to the floor giving onto a sea view. 

Although all of these are ticks on the dream home wish 

list, what makes Karen’s flat so impressive is the way she’s 

taken on the massive scale of the place – and run with it. 

So there’s no pussyfooting around here with mimsy inperiod 

chandeliers, instead the ceiling light is a huge 1950s 

 


Above: The sitting room has a wonderfully restrained palette of white and ecru, 

a perfect backdrop for Karen’s gorgeous cockerpoo, Mabel 

asymmetric piece by French designer Serge Mouille. No fussy 

wall of fanciful French-hung artworks, but a huge drawing on 

one side and a supersized decorative hanging on the other. 

And then on the back wall something even 

more amazing: a human-scale wire sculpture of an 

angel, her wings threaded with Swarovski crystals, 

looking down on all within. It’s magical. 

A quick scan makes it immediately clear that even beyond 

her ease with large scale, Karen is a very confident decorator. 

The sitting room has a wonderfully restrained palette 

of white and ecru (a perfect backdrop for her gorgeous 

cockerpoo Mabel, who is exactly the same colours) with 

no temptation to reach for splashes of feature colour. 

Her confidence is also gloriously apparent in her fearless 

decision to paint every surface in the apartment the same 

shade of dark grey. Walls and ceilings are all finished in 

Fired Earth’s Mercury, which wonderfully enhances the 

sense of flow between the rooms, bringing it all together 

and making the flat seem bigger at the same time. 

But there is one good reason she feels comfortable 

decorating such a space… she moved to it from 

an almost identical property in Richmond. 

“I had a flat there in a similar era building, with similar 

proportions and I just transported everything down to 

this one,” she says. “The only difference is that there 

everything was painted white and here it felt right to go 

for this rich dark grey with a tiny bit of warmth in it.” 

And it’s no happy accident that this two-bedroom 

flat is so similar in style to her one-bedroom London 

one – it was that extra bedroom that she was looking 

for when she moved, not a new style of home. 

So unlike most DFL (Down From London) decampers 

to St Leonards, Karen wasn’t looking to trade in a tiny 

flat in the smoke for a huge mansion; she transplanted 

 


62

LESS 

CLEANING 

MORE 

ME TIME 

Harvey Water keeps your 

home cleaner for longer, so 

you have more time to relax 

A Harvey Water Softener eliminates limescale 

from your home. As well as giving you more 

time to yourself, it will: 

Reduce your gas bills and improve the efficiency of your boiler 

Prolong the lifespan of appliances 

Give you softer skin and shinier hair 

Fit easily under your kitchen sink 

95% of customers keep Harvey Water 

after experiencing our 3 month trial! 

BOOK A SURVEY 

OR GET A QUOTE 

01483 670 499 

HARVEY.CO.UK 

WATER SOFTENER 

No.1 on review centre

from 

19 Aug 

to 

3 Sept 

Telephone 01273 479597 www.gallery16.co.uk 

Farncombe House, 16 Market Street, 

Lewes, East Sussex BN7 2NB 

OliveTreeWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 Gallery16-WT185.indd 16:25 

1 19/06/2017 12:34 

21 June - 27 August 2017 

some kind of simple paradise 

jillian eldridge 

open Wed - Sat 11 - 5.30 Sun 11 - 4 

one one six 

116 High Street Tenterden Kent TN30 6HT 

tel 01580 761196 email oneonesix@tiscali.co.uk 

www.jennymilleroneonesix.com 


64 

OneOneSixWT185.indd 1 06/06/2017 11:24

Above left and below right: Karen has framed a postcard of a 

work by a Egon Schiele in an ornate frame on the mantelpiece 

Above right: A collection of coral, feathers and candles is 

gathered together in a tray on top of a buttoned pouffe by 

George Smith 

herself from one splendid Victorian flat to another, 

which had that extra bedroom and the sea view. 

“In Richmond I couldn’t afford to upgrade to a two 

bedroom,” she says. “It was going to be an extra £500,000 

for another room and I didn’t want to move to a less 

lovely part of London to get it. Then I was chatting to 

my hairdresser, who told me she and her partner had 

just been looking at property in St Leonards. 

“I hadn’t even heard of it, but I started looking and two 

days later I put an offer in on this flat. It all felt meant to 

be. Once I came down and started looking I was really 

specific – I quickly knew it could only be one of the 25 

houses in this terrace, on the ground or first floor. 

“I looked at seven or eight of them, but the moment I 

saw this one online I knew immediately. It needed a lot of 

love, it had broken windows, it hadn’t been looked after 

for a long time, but it was definitely the right one.” 

The work to be done on the flat was mostly putting right this 

lack of care – overseen by Project Manager Carl Ross – there 

were no walls to knock down or move around. The layout, 

with the kitchen very cleverly arranged along one side of the 

long wide hall the front door opens onto, was already in place. 

“I only had to paint it and put up shelves,” says Karen, 

“but I gutted the bathroom and started again.” 

 


The wire angel is by French artist Marie Cristophe, bought on a trip to Paris. 

“She does a lot of work for the big fashion houses,” says Karen. “I saw the 

angel in a gallery and knew I had to have her in my home.” 

 


66

Maidstone Office 

NOW OPEN! 

We’re expanding into the business 

capital of Kent. It’s business as usual 

for FAS. Delivering first class financial 

planning in your area. 

Pensions & Retirement 

Investments & Savings 

Tax Affairs 

Mortgages & Protection 

Divorce Planning 

Trustee Investments 

Long Term Care 

Business Advice 

Employee Benefits 

It , s our business 

to think ahead... 

Celebrating 25 years as a professional 

firm of Chartered Independent Financial 

Advisers, whose bespoke approach to 

unbiased, ethical financial planning is 

widely recognised and endorsed across 

Kent. 

So if you are looking for personal service 

matched by technical expertise and 

experience, please do give us a call. 

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk 

www.financial-advice.co.uk 

Maidstone Office 

Telephone: 01622 238 230 

5 Tolherst Court East Turkey Mill Ashford Road Maidstone Kent ME14 5SF 

Folkestone Office 

Telephone: 01303 273 273 

Sterling House Concept Court Shearway Business Park Follkestone Kent CT19 4RG 

Regulated & Authorised by The Financial Conduct Authority

Established 25 Years, Family Business 

01622 851400 07973 669590 

Visit Our Showroom - 4 Ashmill Business Park, Ashford Road (A20), Lenham ME17 2GQ 

Bi-fold Doors Roof Lanterns Composite Doors 

ksehome.co.uk 

Kibblewhite WT Half Page Ad Oct'15 V2_Kibblewhite WT half page ad CMYK (185 x 130) 29/10/2015 09:41 Page 1 

KSEHomeImprovementsWT183.indd 1 21/04/2017 17:52 

Exquisite 

gardens 

designed 

around you 

With over 50 years of experience, we are the garden design and landscaping 

specialists of choice for properties throughout Kent & East Sussex. Friendly 

and professional, we pay meticulous attention to detail and take pride in creating 

the gardens of our clients’ dreams. Get in touch with our dedicated team to start 

visualising your own Eden, today. 

Quality garden design and landscaping since 1963 

Call: 01580 850394 Or Visit: www.kibblewhitegardens.co.uk 


68 

KibblewhiteWT167.indd 2 27/11/2015 12:46

Above: The beautiful bird cage on the sideboard in the drawing room was from Lille 

Now featuring a deep contemporary oval bath with 

a central hand shower, star design floor tiles on the 

characteristic bold scale, plus a basin atop a black painted 

unit, the bathroom, while relatively small, packs just 

as much dramatic punch as the rest of the flat. 

And it turns out that one of its standout features 

– the tasselled light cord pull – was another of the 

treasures Karen brought with her to her new home, 

although this one pre-dates even the Richmond flat. 

“It’s a curtain tie back I’ve had for 25 years and never 

done anything with. I bought it in the Conran Shop when I 

first moved to the UK from Australia. I saw it and thought 

‘I’ve got to have that, I’ll find somewhere for it…’ I’ve had 

it all those years and not used it and it turns out this was 

the place,” which is another example of her decorating 

confidence – the light pull might be from one of the country’s 

most respected interior shops, but the designer-looking 

bath was bought from an online bathroom supply store. 

This juxtaposition of elite brands and clever finds is found 

all over the flat. In the drawing room – it’s far too grand 


This page: The free-standing kitchen is very cleverly 

arranged along one side of the long wide hall which 

spans the front to the back of the apartment. There’s 

even space for a stylish chrome washing machine and 

dishwasher in a little alcove by the bathroom 

to be called anything else – on one end of the mantelpiece 

is a design classic, the Tizio desk lamp by Artemede. 

Suitably impressed, I ask where the smaller lamp on 

the side table next to the sofa is from – presuming it 

will be another treasure fit for the Design Museum. 

Karen laughs as she replies: “IKEA! The sofa is from 

there too – the covers are washable, which is great.” 

But the round buttoned pouffe, upholstered in cream 

linen, next to the IKEA sofa is from George Smith. 

The high/low trick happens again when I enquire 

about a beautiful small drawing which sits in a frame 

on the mantelpiece, assuming it will be a find from a 

gallery in one of the many European cities Karen visits 

frequently for her job with a large software company. 

It turns out it is a work by a major Austrian artist – 

Egon Schiele – but it’s a postcard, which she popped into 

a frame, the wide mount adding to the posh effect. 

 


70

Furniture Commission Painting | New and used 

furniture in stock | Bespoke Furniture to order 

102 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 0PW 

01892 458021 | chestsanddrawerstw@hotmail.com 

Wealden Times Ads 1-4 (August 2016)_D&S 1/4 page 12/08/2016 10:58 Page 

ChestandDrawersWT185.indd 1 20/06/2017 HamletBuildingsWT169.indd 17:14 

1 29/01/2016 14:20 

monarchoak 

Oak Frame Buildings 

Over 50 years’ experience making oak frame buildings 

• Garages 

• Garden Rooms 

• Complexes 

• Gazebos 

• Bespoke Buildings 

01323 765410 Quality in its finest form 

www.monarchoak.co.uk 

We create striking interior and exterior doors in the finest solid oak, ranging from 

simple planked doors to intricately carved panels finished in moulded framework 

modelled on the styles and design of the 17th century. 

+44 (0)1580 243331 

www.deaconandsandys.co.uk 


MonarchOakWT147.indd 1 15/04/2014 DeaconSandyWT184.indd 15:06 

3 09/05/2017 12:58

Design & Planning 

Restoration 

New Build 

Barn Conversions 

Extensions 

Joinery 

Cox Developments (Charing) Limited 

www.coxrestorations.co.uk 

For a free consultation please contact: 01233 714950 

www.coxrestorations.co.uk 

Established 1986

Above left: In keeping with the grand, rich feeling of the whole apartment, Karen’s cooking utensils and cutlery are kept in a 

collection of pressed glass jugs and vases Above right: The long hallway is lined on one side with round mirrors of assorted sizes 

But while sources may vary from seriously grand 

to canny bargains, one theme that weaves through all 

Karen’s treasures is her love for European style. 

The formerly mentioned wire angel is by French artist 

Marie Cristophe, bought on a trip to Paris. “She does a lot 

of work for the big fashion houses,” says Karen. “I saw the 

angel in a gallery and knew I had to have her in my home.” 

The industrial-style dining table at the windowend 

of the room is also French, inspired by a 

Paris trip, although not bought there. 

“It’s a French army folding table. I saw one at Merci in 

Paris, then searched on line until I found one. It weighs 80 

kilos! I don’t know how it was ever thought of as portable…” 

The chairs round it, though, are modern design classics: 

Danish designer Verner Panton’s cantilevered plastic chair, 

designed in 1960, bought by Karen from The Conran Shop. 

The stuffed wild boar head – called Boris – mounted 

over the table, was a find at the famous annual Braderie 

flea market in Lille. He was wearing a bowler on the day of 

our visit, but, says Karen “…he changes his hat often.” 

The beautiful bird cage on the sideboard was also 

from Lille: “I brought it back on Eurostar.” 

The large armoire at the back of the room is more 

genuine French Provincial – but sourced in the very 

British West Sussex town of Arundel, an hour and a half 

to the west of St Leonards, in an emporium specialising in 

antiques from across the Channel, called French Loft. 

Another, even bigger, armoire from there is one of 

the major features of Karen’s bedroom. It’s so huge, I 

wonder how they got it in there. Karen explains: 

“Large antique French furniture like this can be 

dismantled and put back together again, flat pack 

 


Walls and ceilings are all 

finished in Fired Earth’s 

Mercury, which wonderfully 

enhances the sense of 

flow between the rooms, 

bringing it all together 

and making the flat seem 

bigger at the same time. 

This page: Karen’s flare for scale 

is evident in the master bedroom 

where an Old Master painting has 

been blown up to a magnificent 

size. The armchair was found on the 

online antiques site The Hoarde 

style, because they used to take it from their town 

house to the country house, so it came in pieces which 

could be put together and taken apart as needed.” 

This room also hosts another example of Karen’s flair 

for scale, in the detail from an Old Master painting, 

blown up to a magnificent size, from Surface View, setting 

the atmosphere from the moment you walk through 

the door of this otherwise downplayed scheme. 

Featuring the same restrained, calm colour scheme as 

the drawing room, there is just a simple grey linen padded 

headboard by Paola Navone and an armchair of great 

character, which Karen found on the online antiques 

site The Hoarde, upholstered in plain ecru canvas. 

The only other standout features in this haven of tranquillity 

are the lights: a very decorative chandelier which was already 

in the house and a bedside lamp of delightful whimsy, from 

Designers Guild, so pretty against sheer white curtains. 

The bedroom is one place in the house where 

Karen did undertake some construction, taking 

advantage of the ceiling height to put in some large 

storage areas, which disappear into the walls. 

Walking out of this room and through the vestibule to 

the kitchen takes you past another example of Karen’s bold 

flair in a wall papered with a bold design featuring the 

pressed tin ceilings found in houses in her native Melbourne, 

dating from a similar period to this St Leonards one. 

There’s more feature wallpaper in the spare bedroom 

at the back of the flat, featuring old books stacked in 

bookshelves. The room has rather theatrical lighting, 

quite dark as you step in from the door, but with sun 

pooling in from the window on one side to the rear. 

This makes the perfect setting for Karen’s mix of 

 


74

DESIGN & PLANNING | RESTORATION | NEW BUILD | BARN CONVERSIONS | EXTENSIONS | JOINERY 

For a brochure or home consultation call 01797 366895 

www.anthony-hicks.co.uk

CATCHPOLE & RYE 

KENT ENGLAND 

EXCLUSIVE LUXURY BATHROOMS 

LONDON • TUNBRIDGE WELLS • ASHFORD 

T. 01892 526 996 www.catchpoleandrye.com

Left: The master bed’s grey linen padded headboard 

is by Paola Navone Below left: The huge armoire 

was a find from French Loft in Arundel Below 

right: A beautiful twig-like metal floor lamp 

with a beaded shade acts as a bedside light 

light and dark, with the deep paint and wallpaper, 

contrasting a light floor, emphasised by the black 

and white striped rug, another IKEA bargain. The 

draping grey velvet curtains were also from there. 

This room is richly accessorised with treasures 

from Karen’s trips to France, notably the gold mirror 

with a leaf surround. “I dragged it back from a Paris 

flea market – and it cost me more in physiotherapy 

to recover from that than I paid to buy it!” 

The two striped tins on the console table, which 

add to the ‘Hollywood Regency’ feel of the room, 

once held soap and were another find from the Lille 

Braderie, while the candlesticks alongside them were 

found closer to her new home, in one of the more junky 

antique emporia around St Leonards’ Norman Road. 

Heading from this room back out into the kitchen, 

your eye is caught by another of Karen’s very original 

ideas. In keeping with the grand, rich feeling of the 

whole apartment, her cooking utensils and cutlery 

are not kept in anything as prosaic as kitchenalia – 

but in a collection of pressed glass jugs and vases,

Featuring a deep contemporary oval bath with a central hand shower, star design floor tiles 

on the characteristic bold scale, plus a basin atop a black painted unit, the bathroom, while 

relatively small, packs just as much dramatic punch as the rest of the flat. 

 


78

NCG MKTG soUTH easT se275 dover adverT 

Bespoke Hardwood Floors 

Our product range includes Solid Oak, 

Engineered Oak, Walnut and Luxury Vinyl Tiles 

Woodshaq Studio 

Telephone: 01580 831829 email: info@woodshaqstudio.com 

Unit 7, Quarry Farm Business Centre, Bodiam, East Sussex TN32 5RA 

Design, Extension, Renovation, Conversion, New Build, 

Maintenance from a blocked gutter to a new roof. 

All work carried out by our team of experienced craftsmen. 

T: 01797 225950 / 01892 891874 

www.jonraybuilding.co.uk M: 07778 808 950 

WillowTilesLtdWT184.indd 1 23/05/2017 JonRayWT149.indd 17:32 

1 23/06/2014 12:19 

peasaNT 

LiFe 

sat 29 – sun 30 July 

10am – 5pm 

experience the gruesome 

side of medieval england at 

a frighteningly fun day out. 

Dover, Kent CT16 1HU 

The English Heritage Trust is a charity, no. 1140351, and a company, no. 07447221, registered in England. 


DoverCastleWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 13:48

THE 

SUMMER SALE 

UP TO 30% OFF 

Eras 

Antiques 

of stylE 

9000 SQ FT OF ANTIQUES 

AND VINTAGE INTERIORS 

BEST PRICES PAID, HOUSE 

CLEARANCES UNDERTAKEN 

Plus “Coffee in Style” 

Vintage themed 

coffee lounge 

serving Tea Coffee 

Homemade Cake 

and light Lunches 

We are open 

Monday to Saturday 

9am – 5pm 

nominated 

antiques shop 

of the year 

The Old Station Stores, 

Bexhill West Station, Terminus Road, 

Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex TN39 3LR 

01622 753073 | clarkesfurnishers.co.uk 

Visit us at Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF 

Phone 01424 217640 

Mobile 07974 178760 

info@erasofstyle.com 

www.erasofstyle.com 


80 

LenleysWT185.indd 1 08/06/2017 ErasOfStyleWT184.indd 14:26 

1 04/05/2017 14:40

This page: The wallpaper in the spare bedroom 

at the back of the flat features old books stacked 

in bookshelves. This room is richly accessorised 

with treasures from Karen’s trips to France, 

such as a gold mirror with a leaf surround 

making the kitchen worktop as elegant as the 

rest of the flat, with downlighters under the 

shelves throwing them into bold relief. 

Glamorous, dramatic and wonderfully 

confident, this apartment is as grand as 

the splendid house it is a part of. 

Address Book: 

Carl Ross Project Manager 07952 468176 

Artimede artemide.com 

The Conran Shop 0844 848 

4000 conranshop.co.uk 

designers Guild 020 7351 

5775 designersguild.com 

fired earth 0845 366 0400 firedearth.com 

french Loft, Arundel 01903 882725 frenchloft.com 

George Smith London 020 7384 1004 georgesmith.com 

The Hoarde thehoarde.com 

Marie Christophe +33 6 03 22 

77 48 mariechristophe.com 

Merci Paris +33 1 42 77 00 33 merci-merci.com 

Serge Mouille sergemouille.com 

Surface view 0118 922 1327 surfaceview.co.uk 


Chateau 

Lou Casteou 

Body Tonic 

Luxury Fitness 

and Dance Retreat 

September 20th-24th 2017 

Enrol now to book your place 

Lose weight and improve your Fitness Level 

Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, 

minutes from the sea, this luxurious fitness retreat 

provides the perfect balance of energetic fitness 

classes, Latin dance sessions outdoor activities 

including coastal and mountain treks, aqua-gym, 

circuit training, sea kayaking, gourmet meals and 

pampered luxury to help guests improve their fitness 

level or kick start a fitness regime. 

5 days luxury accommodation in the chateau in 

en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views. 

Fabulous nutritious, low carbohydrate meals and 

elegant 3 course dinners with wine. 

Please contact Morag@Loucasteou.com 

with questions and for reservations. 

www.loucasteou.com 

Employed Skilled Workforce | Renovations & Extensions 

Conversions & Alterations | Design & Build 

MMBaxterS30-2.indd 1 28/03/2017 15:51 

A.T. Palmer Ltd 

RestoRation specialists est.1949 


T: 01233 770077 

Smarden Business Estate, TN27 8QL 

82 

atpalmer.co.uk 

ATPalmerWT176.indd 1 09/09/2016 11:44

Loire Wardrobe, 

£999, Time4Sleep 

time4sleep.co.uk 

Metal Winter Branch 

In Antique Silver 

£106, Artisanti 

artisanti.com 

Skinny Mimi White 

Chandelier, £145 

The French Bedroom Co 

frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 

Get 

the 

Look 

Funky Circles Mirror, £137 

Decorative Mirrors Online 

decorativemirrorsonline.co.uk 

Scintilla Pattern Vintage 

Floor Tiles, £29.95 

Walls and Floors Ltd 

wallsandfloors.co.uk 

Golden Feather 

Wall Mirror, £90 

The Farthing 

thefarthing.co.uk 

Mary Framed Print By 

Vanilla Sky, £29.95 

ARBOL house, 

ovohome.co.uk 

Large Clear Glass 

Candlestick, £14, 

Sophie Allport 

sophieallport.com 

Medium Doric Glass 

Candlestick, £70 

Sweetpea & Willow 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Golden Turtle, £18 

MiaFleur 

miafleur.com 

Stone Effect Horse Head 

Bookends, £26.95 

Melody Maison 

melodymaison.co.uk 

Gold Brass 

Moroccan 

Lantern, £79.95 

Ibossim Edit 

ibossimedit.co.uk 


THE SUMMER SALE 

WITH INTEREST FREE CREDIT 

Visit us at Sandling Road, Maidstone, ME14 2RF | 01622 753073 | www.clarkesfurnishers.co.uk



Sponsored by

Upholstered Furniture, Dining Furniture, 

Beds & Bedroom Furniture 

Open: Monday to Saturday, 9am–5pm 

Bank Holiday opening times: 10am–4pm 

Searching for quality furniture 

in Sussex, at competitive 

prices? Looking for a Bed 

in Sussex, backed by true 

customer service? Then look no 

further than Hailsham’s premier 

furniture and beds store 

Summer Sale Now On 

Your local independent retailer, with a massive display 

of quality fabric or leather suites, dining and bedroom 

furniture, beds, sofabeds and recliner chairs. 

Thorndale Furnishers, Unit 1, Burfield Park, South Road, Hailsham BN27 3JL 

T: 01323 847759 www.thorndale-furnishers.co.uk

WT Interiors Supplement 

Sand Storm, page 7 

Devain Bespoke Curtains 

Contents 

4 Cool Forest 

Our woodland-inspired 

mood board 

7 Sand Storm 

Beach and desert chic 

8 Hot Tropics 

A taste of the exotic 

11 Pure Form 

Accessorise with 

beautiful glass 

12 Scented Candles 

Through the Seasons 

A year of perfumed 

interiors with Atlanta 

Bartlett and Dave Coote 

14 Get the Look 

Purple velvet cushions 

14 Directory 

The interiors A-Z 

Traditional & Contemporary 

Full Measuring, Making & Fitting Service Available 

 

West Malling 

info@devainbespokecurtains.co.uk 

Telephone: 07974 006146 

www.devainbespokecurtains.co.uk 

 

DevainBespokeCurtainsWT185.indd 1 06/06/2017 14:31 

Editor’s Letter 

The WT editorial team love getting creative, and this 

Interiors Supplement provided the ideal opportunity 

to get hands-on creating our mood boards. From 

the shade of the forest to the burned ochre tones of the 

desert, we’ve got a comprehensive selection of fabrics, 

wallpapers, paints and trimmings. Turn to page 11 for glass 

accessories and find out how Pale & Interesting’s Atlanta 

Bartlett and Dave Coote scent their home all year round. 

‘Our philosophy is to inspire and create 

beautiful and unique interiors which are a 

reflection of your unique style and personality’ 

Pure Form, page 11 

lulu klein interiors 

07553 078500 info@lulukleininteriors.com 

www.lulukleininteriors.com 

3 


LuluKleinWT183.indd 1 24/04/2017 10:57

Vert Anglais Chalk Paint, 100ml 

Sample Pot, £5.95, Autentico 

autentico-paint.com 

Lock Keeper No.18 Paint 

Sample Pot, Marble Matt 

Water Based Emulsion 

Paint Sample Pot, £4.25, 

Mylands mylands.co.uk 

Aged Paper Chalk Paint 

100ml Sample Pot, £5.95, 

Autentico 


Pebble Moon Wool- Multi 

Check, available for use in 

a variety of made to order 

furniture pieces, Arlo & 

Jacob arloandjacob.com 

Seaweed Soft Wool Mix, 

available for use in a 

variety of made to order 



Cool Forest 

Harness a woodland palette with our pick of 

paints, fabrics, wallpapers and flooring 

Harriet Emerald Green by 

Aqua Clean (84123538), 

available for use in a variety of 

made to order furniture pieces, 

John Lewis johnlewis.com 

Woodland Chorus Wallpaper 

in Sky Blue/Multi (215706) by 

Sanderson, £61/10.05m roll, 

Bell House Fabrics & Interiors 

bellhousefabrics.co.uk

Botanical Wallpaper Nostalgia, 

£85/10m roll, Woodchip & Magnolia 

woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk 

Series Woods Professional 

Harbour Oak Laminate Flooring, 

£27.01/m2, UK Flooring Direct 

ukflooringdirect.co.uk 

Fern c.1960 in 

Green, £74/10.05m 

roll, Little Greene 

littlegreene.com

EnsorInteriorDesignWT185.indd 1 19/06/2017 14:13 

Whether you are embarking 

on a creative venture, home or 

commercial building endeavour, 

Autentico will always provide 

a quality, honest and versatile 

product to suit your aspirations. 

Pop in 9am-5pm Monday to 

Friday for workshops, colour 

consultations, shop and more! 

4 The Glenmore Centre, 

Moat Way, Ashford, 

Kent TN24 0TL 

AutenticoPaint 

01233 878303 



6 

AutenticoWT183.indd 1 31/03/2017 11:19

Anais Sunflower Fabric by 

Prêt à Vivre, £44.90/m, 

Jenny Blanc jennyblanc.com 

Sand Storm 


Transform your interior with a sunkissed golden 

glow reminiscent of beach and desert holidays 

Japonica Fabric in Saffron 

(PON-52), £49.50/m, 

Vanessa Arbuthnott 

vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk 

Bonnet Shell Fringe 

in Pearl by Samuel & 

Sons, £50/m, 

Jenny Blanc 

jennyblanc.com 

Celtic Stripe in Natural by 

Marsons, £27.50/m, Bell House 

Fabrics & Interiors 

bellhousefabrics.co.uk 

Draycott Terrace 

(143) Marble 

Matt Water Based 

Emulsion Paint 

1 Litre Pot, £23, 

Mylands 

mylands.co.uk 

Rope Washed Cotton, 

available for use in 

a variety of made to 

order furniture pieces, 

Loaf loaf.com 

Rose Gold Metallic 

Luxe Fabric Lighting 

Cable 8 AMP, £3.79/m, 

Dowsing & Reynolds 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

Rose Theatre 

(249) Marble 

Matt Water Based 

Emulsion Paint 

Sample Pot, 

£4.25, Mylands 

mylands.co.uk 

Little Greene Paint 

& Paper Colour 

Chart, Bell House 

Fabrics & Interiors 


Home Choice Engineered 

European Oak Flooring 

in Cappuccino Lacquered, 

£54.55/m2, UK Flooring 

Direct ukflooringdirect.co.uk 

Landscape Plains 

Wallpaper in Pebble 

(106/2019), £75/10m 

roll, Cole & Son 

cole-and-son.com 

Bark c.1961 in Tundra 

(0281 BATUNDR), 

£55/10.05m roll, Little 

Greene littlegreene.com 

Ardmore Wallpaper, 

Senso Spot (109/6030), 

Simple Ticking 

£65/10m roll, 

Ground in Pigeon 

Cole & Son 

(Ground-19), £48/m, 

cole-and-son.com 

Vanessa Arbuthnott 

7 

vanessaarbuthnott.co.uk 

wealdentimes.co.uk


Wild Jungle by Chivasso 

(CH2814/070), 

£79.90/m, Jenny Blanc, 


Kravet 25703, 

£65/m, Jenny 

Blanc 


Bright Turquoise Chalk 

Paint, 100ml Sample Pot, 

£5.95, Autentico 


Echeveria in 

ceramic pot, £10, 

Happy & Glorious 

happyglorious.co.uk 

Zesty Green Smooth 

Satin Sheen Fabric 

Lighting Cable 8 

AMP, £3.79/m, 



Peony Soft Velvet fabric, 

available for use in a 

variety of made to order 



Brazilian Bird Chalk Paint, 

100ml Sample Pot, £5.95, 

Autentico 


Fern Chalk Paint, 100ml 

Sample Pot, £5.95, 

Autentico 


Raspberry Brushed 

Cotton, available for use 

in a variety of furniture 

pieces, Loaf loaf.com 

Sunshine Yellow 

Smooth Satin Sheen 

Fabric Lighting Cable 

8 AMP, £3.79/m, 



Monstera Wallpaper, 

£99/10m roll, 

Woodchip & Magnolia 

woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk 

Hot Tropics 


Live the lush life with paints, papers and fabric 8 

that recreate zesty summer vibes 

Green Pina Colada Fabric, 

£85/m, Penelope Hope 

penelopehope.com

£100 VOUCHER 

FOR EVERY £500 SPENT 

WE BELIEVE 

in making decisions easier 

Sometimes it’s the little things that make you say ‘yes’. So, until 

30th July, we’ll give you a £100 Neptune voucher for every £500 spent 

on our entire garden collection. Make the most of it in any of our 

beautiful stores or online at neptune.com 

neptune.com 

Concepts, 8 Market Street, Rye, TN31 7LA 

Neptune Tonbridge, 1-2 Tannery Road, TN9 1RF 

For full terms please visit: neptune.com/garden2017 

ConceptsWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 13:37 

WealdenTimes_Concept_Rye_GARDENPROMO_90x130_OS_JULY_2017.indd 1 15/06/2017 17:10:44 

STUNNING HANDLES FOR DOORS & DRAWERS 

www.theseplease.co.uk 

• A simply stunning range of over 800 gorgeous glass and 

ceramic 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 • 


RespireLivingWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 ThesePleaseWT185.indd 14:06 

1 19/06/2017 14:37

FrenchDepot 

The largest French furniture 

warehouse in the South. 

5000sq.ft. of French furniture 

and effects including 

over 200 French beds. 

Telephone Hastings 

01424 423703 

www.thefrenchdepot.com 

BellHouseInteriorsWT184.indd 1 17/05/2017 FrenchDepotWT160.indd 16:43 

1 11/05/2015 17:07 

John, Erin & Noah. Camberwell, London. 

John chose the size, Erin chose the style and 

Noah (aged 5) picked his favourite colour. 

It’s your story. 

So it’s tailored to you. 

Summer 

Sale 

Doodle large sofa in Napoli Cotton Velvet, £1,712 

Just £53.50 a month over 2 years. 0% APR. 25% deposit. 

Let’s design together 

The Estate Yard, Eridge, Nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9JR 

Call us on 01892 572 309 or visit sofasandstuff.com 


10 

SofasAndStuffWT185.indd 1 07/06/2017 12:24


Reef Shoal, 

available in Blue 

Teal (pictured), 

Sea Pink or Aqua, 

£445, Jo Downs 

jodowns.com 

Juliette 9 Light 

Cluster Pendant 

Multi/Polished 

Chrome, £216, Där 

Lighting Group, 

darlighting.co.uk 

Handmade glass 

coasters, from £9, 

Coastal Home, 

coastalhome.co.uk 

Rope Trellis 

Glass Bottles, 

£13.99, Gisela 

Graham London, 

giselagraham.co.uk 

Gemma pendant, £870, 

Elstead Lighting 

elsteadlighting.com 

Olsson & Jensen Votive 

in turquoise frosted glass, 

£18, Ensor Interior Design 

ensorinteriordesign.co.uk 

Mosaic Glass Winter Tree 

Wall Art (70x90cm), £324, 

Element One House, 

elementonehouse.com 

Pure Form 

WT shines the spotlight on beautiful glass pieces 

Coloured multifaceted 

glass 

cupboard knobs, 

from £3.50 each, 

These Please 

theseplease.co.uk 

Stockholm table 

lamp, £279, 

BoConcept 

boconcept.com 

Antique 1920s 

blue twist vase, 

£450, Jenny Blanc 


‘Puffin’ by Simon 

Bruntnell, £195, Sandra 

Young Glass Sculptures 

firecreation.co.uk 

Orb lamp base, 

£180, shade, 

£102, Elstead 

Lighting 


Handblown 

glass sea turtle 

sculpture, from 

£40, Jenny Blanc 


Chandon chandelier, £954, 

Elstead Lighting 


11 

wealdentimes.co.uk


Atlanta Bartlett and 

Dave Coote, the 

husband and wife team 

behind the Pale & 

Interesting brand, share 

their perfumed candle 

picks to fragrance your 

home all year round 

“We just love scented 

candles and how they 

change the mood to suit the 

seasons. Like fresh flowers, 

they bring a room to life 

and make a house a home. 

Scented candles are 

wonderful gifts and add 

another rich layer to the 

textures in your home – 

from Cire Trudon, who 

have been making candles 

in France since 1643 and 

indeed famously made 

candles for Louis XIV 

and Napoleon, to Bella 

Freud, the UK’s own iconic 

Brit knitwear designer. 

We currently stock a 

range of candles at Pale & 

Interesting and in our shop 

in Rye are building up a 

‘library of scented candles’ 

giving you our handpicked 

selection of the best smells 

available on the market. 

Here, we have tried 

and tested the range to 

handpick four candles: 

one for each season.” 

Visit the Pale & Interesting 

shop at 21 Mermaid Street, 

Rye, 01797 344077. For more 

info. see paleandinteresting.com 

/ paleandinterestingholidays.com 

Scented candles 

through the seasons 

Spring 

Cire Trudon - Manon £70 

“This luxurious scented candle blends notes of linen, orange and 

lavender to fill your home with a refreshing and lighthearted 

scent. We love this candle – it make us think of fresh spring 

mornings, of new beginnings, and could even inspire a bit of 

spring cleaning! It’s so energizing and refreshing!” trudon.com 

Autumn 

Summer 

Annick Goutal - Fleur de Tiaré €47 

“This candle is one of the best summer scented candles 

around. We love the sun-kissed glow it gives – full of 

rich floral notes of frangipani, ylangylang, neroli and 

tiaré flower. It reminds us of heady flowers and long 

sunny summer days and sultry nights.” annickgoutal.com 

Bella Freud - Signature Candle £40 

“Autumn is all about preparing for winter. Stacking up logs, tidying 

up the garden, making bonfires and the smell of smoking leaves. 

For warmth and woody smokiness, we like Bella Freud’s Signature 

Candle in a stylish black glass container with her dog motif. Blended 

in the UK, this hand poured natural wax candle has a warming, 

woody scent which combines smoked incense from Morocco with 

cedarwood and rich resins of amber and myrrh.” bellafreud.com 

Winter 

Azzi Glasser - Black Moss £49 

“The award-winning perfumer Azzi Glasser has launched her 

five-piece candle range following the success of her fragrance 

range ‘The Perfumer’s Story’ – we think they are amazing: deep, 

complex and truly beautiful. Her Black Moss candle is rich, 

luxurious and sensual, giving warmth in its scent and glow. It’s all 

about wrapping up in thick, warm blankets and cuddling up. The 

depth of black oak moss with notes of smoky oudh, is based on 

an earthy accord of patchouli and musk. It’s the most welcoming 

and memorable fragrance to the entrance of your home. We stock 

all five of Azzi Glasser’s scented candles at Pale & Interesting.” 


12

Interiors.Designed.Built 

• Interior Architecture 

• Interior Design 

• Project Management 

• Bespoke Joinery 

• Soft Furnishings 

• Curtains and Blinds 

• Upholstery 

• Carpets and Flooring 

We will take you from concept to completion 

using our highly skilled teams and our extensive 

experience. Please give us a call to find out more 

Beth Barker & Jo Frank 

Blenheim Studios, London Road, 

Forest Row, Sussex, RH18 5EZ 

01342 826600 

www.barkerandfrank.co.uk 

Forest Row Showroom Now Open 

BarkerAndFrankWT184.indd 1 17/05/2017 15:31 

Distinctive Interiors & Design. Specialists in handmade curtains, blinds, shutters, upholstery and soft furnishings 

Situated just off the High Street www.skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk 

6 Castle Street, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1XJ Tel: 01892 532003 

Email: sarah@skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk 


SkinnersWT185.indd 1 13/06/2017 11:49


Get the look... purple velvet cushions 

Emulate our cover image from The Kula, Hastings (wealdentimes.co.uk /house/wt177b) 

with our pick of three tactile velvet cushions 

From top to bottom: Arabella pom pom cushion, £30, Ragged Rose raggedrose.com; 

Aubergine cushion, £35, Eclect Design eclectdesign.co.uk; Napoleon bee cushion, £108, Rume rume.co.uk 



Directory 

ABS Blinds 

Tenterden 01580 765169 

absblinds.co.uk 

Autentico Paint 

Ashford 01233 878303 


Barker & Frank 

Forest Row 01342 826600 

barkerandfrank.co.uk 

Bell House Fabrics 

Cranbrook 01580 712555 


Closs & Hamblin 

Tunbridge Wells 

candh.co.uk 

Clarkes Furnishers 

Maidstone 01622 753073 

clarkesfurnishers.co.uk 

Devain Bespoke Curtains 

West Malling 07974 006146 

devainbespokecurtains.co.uk 

Ensor Interior Design 

Frant & Cuckfield 

ensorinteriordesign.co.uk 

The French Depot 

Hastings 01424 423703 

thefrenchdepot.com 

Lulu Klein Interiors 

07553 078500 

lulukleininteriors.com 

Neptune 

Tonbridge 01732 351866 

neptune.com 

Respire Living 

Hastings 01424 433000 

respireliving.com 

Skinners of Tunbridge Wells 

01892 532003 

skinnersoftunbridgewells.co.uk 

Sofas & Stuff 

Eridge 01892 572309 

sofasandstuff.com 

These Please 

01435 817153 

theseplease.co.uk 

Thorndale Furnishers Ltd 

Hailsham 01323 847759 

thorndale-furnishers.co.uk 


14

Only the name has changed 

The quality products, 

service and friendly 

staff remain the same 

at THE specialist home 

and haberdashery 

department store. 

For FREE measuring 

service and advice in 

the home, please call us 

on 01892 522618 ext. 50 

• Custom made 

shutters & blinds 

• Bespoke curtains 

• Tracks & poles 

• Nets 

• Ready made curtains 

• Bedding 

• Cushions & throws 

candh.co.uk 

113-115 Mount Pleasant Road, 

Tunbridge Wells TN1 1QS 

Extend your Living Space this summer with a 

Markilux Awning from ABS Blinds Of Tenterden 

CandHFabricsWT185.indd 1 15/06/2017 15:23 

GET READY FOR SUMMER 

• Self Cleaning 

Fabrics 

• Remote Control 

• Heaters 

• Motion Sensors 

• Call into our 

showroom and 

have a look 

Tel: 01580 765169 www.absblinds.co.uk 

8 The Fairings, Tenterden • Mon-Fri 9am-5pm • Sat 9am-3pm 


ABSBlindsWT184.indd 1 18/05/2017 16:36

Monolithic 

Magic 

When a former St. John Ambulance station in Rye came up 

for sale, it took interior architect Marta Nowicka only three 

hours to decide to take on its renovation. After removing 

endless partitioning and flattening a 1970s extension, she has 

redesigned it as a unique and spacious family home 


86

Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Lucy Fleming 


15 

Molland Antique 

Mirrors 

blue bowl and plants 

_by Stephen Robson 

Rye Art Gallery 

107 High Street Rye 

Tn31 7JE www.ryeartgallery.co.uk 

31 Hollybush Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3TJ 

Tel: 01732 452909 Mobile: 07774 226042 

www.mollandantiquemirrors.co.uk 

RobinsonWaters 

RyeArtGalleryWT185.indd 1 09/06/2017 MediterraneanStudioWT185.indd 14:21 

1 15/06/2017 10:26 

Kitchen 

Lintel 

ARCHITECTS 

new build? 

renovation? 

extension? 

54 

Cloakroom. 

UP. 

Entrance Hall 

Entrance 

Lobby 

Photo courtesy of www.goodnestone.com 

ARCHITECTURE 

steel beam. 

Innovative and practical 

Personal and professional 

Sustainable and affordable 

Contemporary and traditional 

studios: 

Sitting Room 


sevenoaks 

hawkhurst 

Study 

Lintel 

Lintel 

2373 

58 

ea of the Ground Floor 121.4 sq. metres. 

11 

8 

Lintel 

Finished Level Ground Floor 100.250 

3263 

architects@robinsonwaters.co.uk 

Tel: 01580 754806 

www.robinsonwaters.co.uk 

hastings 

88 

Rectory Interiors 

FABRIC & WALLPAPER SHOWROOM 

www.rectoryinteriors.co.uk 

The Old Forge 24 Wish Street Tuesday - Friday 9.30 - 16.00 

Rye TN31 7DA 01797 222511 Saturday 10.00 - 16.00 

RobinsonWatersWT156.indd 1 12/01/2015 RectoryInteriorsWT182.indd 11:39 

1 13/03/2017 16:23

Previous pages & above: Marta wanted to use the original St. John Ambulance station doors, but they didn’t 

meet building regulations, so are used on an internal wall instead as decoration and to reference the historical 

use. A new set of functional doors have been made in the same style. The double sided wood burning stove and 

adjacent log pile are housed on a huge concrete plinth, creating a focal point, whether the fire is lit or not 

They say that home is where the heart is, but if you 

spend half the year in one place and the other in 

a completely different space, you must have to 

have two hearts (make that two sets of everything), in 

order to feel at home. Award-winning Interior Architect 

Marta Nowicka appears to manage two-heartedness 

brilliantly, living for half the year at her home in London 

and the rest of the time at her home in Rye, letting out 

whichever house she’s not living in. “It’s all a bit Mapp 

and Lucia!” Marta laughs when we meet at the former St 

John’s ambulance station in Rye Citadel. Rye may have 

been the setting for the most recent TV adaptation of EF 

Benson’s Mapp and Lucia books (in which the occupants 

regularly swap their homes about) but as I look around this 

stunning contemporary conversion, it is definitely where 

the similarity ends. Tilling this isn’t. When Marta first 

came across the property she was (half) living in nearby 

Camber, in an old coastguard’s cottage. “It began to feel a 

bit remote there,” she says. “I wanted to be in Rye for the 

ease of access, the shops. It feels like there’s more life here.” 

“My assistant came across the building first, but it 

was in the middle of a sealed bids race. I didn’t have 

time to see it and by the time I contacted the agent 

they said, ‘sorry, it’s been sold.’ I asked them to let 


Above: A central feature of the open plan kitchen/dining/living area is a huge dining table, which has been designed 

to be reconfigurable – it can be a square or a rectangle, depending on how many are coming for dinner 

me know if anything changed, and six months later the 

buyer pulled out – there was so much to be done: rewiring, 

re-plumbing, you name it. The agents put the 

property back online at 9am one morning. By 9.30am 

I had seen it and by midday I’d purchased it.” 

Marta explains that the building took a long time to 

get planning permission, as it is in Rye’s conservation 

area. “Rye is very medieval. The wall in the front is listed 

and the other wall behind the property is part of Rye 

Citadel. My style is quite monolithic, which works well 

with the medieval wall. There is also a feeling of medieval 

hall house going on in here, so this was the inspiration 

for the plan. The fire had to be central so that people 

can gather in the middle of the room.” The double sided 

wood burning stove and adjacent log pile are housed on a 

huge concrete plinth. It is a focal point, whether the fire 

is lit or not. Another central feature is the huge dining 

table, which has been designed to be reconfigurable, so 

that it can be a large square or a rectangle, depending 

on how many are coming for dinner. The open plan 


90

Official Distributor of 

The New England Shutter Company 

The Interior Shutter Company 

T: 01580 754064 M: 07905 118994 

E: james@interiorshutter.co.uk 

Kent Peg Tiling & 

Listed Building Specialists 

conservation and renovation 

specialists § high quality work 

by experienced craftsman 

Proud winners of 

both the Heritage and 

Double Lap Tiling awards at the 

UK Roofing Awards 2016 

01797 270268 or visit www.kentpegs.com 

InteriorShutterCompanyWT163.indd 1 10/08/2015 KarlTerryWT172.indd 15:54 

1 16/05/2016 16:59 

ISC TNESC AD V1.indd 1 03/06/2015 09:54:55 


JosephMcCarthyWT185.indd 1 08/06/2017 GrahamClarkeWT185.indd 15:16 

1 15/06/2017 15:27

Back From Black 

Beam Renovation Ltd 

Renovating Beams Since 1997 

All beams renovated without mess 

A unique system - No blasting 

No damage to the wood 

Tel: 01797 458508 www.beam-renovation.co.uk 

BackfromBlackWT162.indd 1 15/07/2015 12:20 

the home of world furniture 

ART DECO 

RECLAIMED TEAK 

CHAIR £235.00 

CUSHIONS 

FROM £13.50 

trading boundaries 

sheffield green, nr fletching, east sussex tn22 3rb 

01825 790200 - tradingboundaries.com 


92 

TradingBoundariesWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 16:02

Above: The entrance hall windows look out onto a beautiful old brick wall which is illuminated at night 

living area is ideal for entertaining. “It’s magical with 

candles in the evening and with the fire,” adds Marta. 

The rest of the plan flowed from the hall house idea, 

with hints at the building’s previous incarnations as both 

coach house to the adjacent Georgian property and, more 

recently, the St John Ambulance station. Marta wanted to 

use the original ambulance station doors, but they didn’t 

meet building regulations, so are used on an internal wall 

instead as decoration and to reference the historical use. 

They mirror the new functional doors that have been made 

in the same style. There are other nods to the building’s 

recent history with medical and industrial inspired pieces, 

such as the nurse’s trolley in the upstairs bathroom and a 

sleek brushed stainless steel island unit in the kitchen. 

The property has had several lives then, transitioning 

from coach house to ambulance station to stunning 

contemporary home. Marta explains, “The original coach 

house building was demolished in the war and rebuilt 

to the same design, being made into an ambulance 

station to help with the war effort. Then St John 

Ambulance took it over, housing two ambulances and 

making a warren of rooms, some for training and for 

use as public spaces, others for admin and office space.” 

Marta knocked down the 1970s addition at the back 


Quote 

This page: A concrete plinth has been cast at the base of the 

stairs. Marta has weaved rope through the metal handrail. Rather 

than hanging from the ceiling, a huge glass orb has been set down 

in one corner to provide illumination 

of the building and extended it to make a downstairs 

bedroom, bathroom and generous reception area. 

Upstairs “it was the worst of the worst,” she laughs, 

describing the flattened ceilings and endless partitioning. 

“It was a warren of little rooms, fluorescent lights and 

magnolia paint.” Marta’s builder Pat Gill, from Kent, with 

whom she’s worked for over 20 years, demolished all of that 

and together they completely reconfigured the building. 

Now the only traces of the ambulance station are the 

large doors and a paper sign that is taped onto the front 

window. “I’ve redesigned it to be a family home with as 

many bedrooms as possible. The bedrooms are deliberately 

small as they’re only used for sleeping – and it’s all about 

being together. It’s great for weekend gatherings.” She 

adds: “The large space downstairs had been made into 

two rooms by St John Ambulance, so I put that back into 

one large space. I love space, my remit is to have space.” 

That feeling of space has been made by physically moving 

walls and taking down partitions, but also through Marta’s 

clever ideas and design skills. On the ground floor the 

whole area is unified by the limited palette of materials. 

The wide limed oak floorboards continue, in narrower 

form, to clad the central walls, fusing floor with wall, 


94

Highest quality 

Tennis surfaces 

Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses 

and elevated platforms. 

Commercial & International commissions welcomed 

and all weather garden play areas 

MG Contracts is a family business with over 35 years’ 

experience in building tennis courts and sport areas. 

The company provides free surveys & quotations. 

All courts are constructed to high specifications 

and are supported with a long guarantee. 

Please contact us for further information: 

The Whym, Manchester Rd, Ninfield, East Sussex TN33 9JX 

01424 892265 07831 643835 mgsc@btconnect.com 

www.martingurrtennissurfaces.co.uk 

MG Contracts 

TEL: +44 (0)1403 732452 

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk 

MsgsportsWT185.indd 1 20/06/2017 CheekyMonkeyWT173.indd 16:12 

1 13/06/2016 17:13 

ThomasHaywood 

Specialist Family Solicitors 

Tunbridge Wells - Maidstone - London 

Sarah Haywood : 01892 765013 

www.thomashaywoodsolicitors.com 


ThomasHaywoodSolicitorsWT175.indd 1 11/08/2016 14:56

The International Tile Store Tunbridge Wells 

The Warehouse, Tunnel Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2BT 

T : 01892 514004 | W : www.tilematesgroup.com 

n Experienced & professional 

n Extensive showroom over two floors 

n Easy parking 

March 2016 Wealden Times.indd 1 16/06/2017 15:22 

TilematesWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 16:14 

traditional handmade furniture 

Kitchens 

Bedrooms 

Studies 

Showroom: 78 London Road, Southborough 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent. TN4 0PP 

Tel: 01892 533273 

Web: Woodworkkitchens.co.uk 


96 

WoodworkWT185.indd 1 02/06/2017 12:11

Above & above right: A family bathroom neatly slots into a 

space under the sloping roof upstairs Right: Wide limed oak 

floorboards line the staircase. “I see the staircase running through 

the centre of the building like a spine,” Marta says 

as if the staircase is rising up through the middle of the house, like a 

monolith. “I see the staircase running through the centre of the building 

like a spine,” she says, and then adds intriguingly, “I love the spaces 

that other people overlook or want to hide – the awkward gaps and 

places under the stairs. I expose them and use them to make interesting 

spaces.” Having no need for under-stairs cupboards – or much storage 

at all from what I can see, also opens up the rooms and enhances the 

feeling of light and space. There is no need for storage, it would appear, 

because there is not much to store. Marta travels light, which I guess, is 

a necessity if you are often between two properties and renting out one 

of them each time. Home is wherever she lays her laptop then. “Yes, I 

keep my life in my bag,” she laughs. The key to a streamlined home, 

as Marta stylishly demonstrates, is not more storage, it’s less stuff. I 

suddenly feel the need to rush home and have a massive clear out. 

As we move through the house, each area informs the next, anchored 

by the central staircase. Exposed brickwork, concrete plinths and 

the steel beam in the living area contrast with the highly finished, 

sleek timber cladding and floorboards, and the clean, sharp lines of 

the slightly industrial furnishings. It is this well judged juxtaposition 

that makes everything in the building come together so seamlessly. 

It wasn’t all smooth progress, but Marta and Pat the builder were 

able to overcome most of the obstacles. Marta points to the cast 

concrete plinth at the base of the stairs. It went wrong, apparently. 


Above: Marta’s son Lucas’s room has been designed with friends 

staying in mind Right: The spare bedrooms 

“It was supposed to be smooth and monolithic, but 

these pock marks and craters appeared in it. Now I like 

it, but at the time I wasn’t happy.” There is a definite 

seaside or rockpool feel to the finish, but anyone would 

think it had taken ages to deliberately get the effect. 

An old wall dominates the view from a fantastic double 

height window at this end of the building – a vista that 

can be seen from the other end, as it is all one big space, 

just divided into zones. A similar thing happens upstairs. 

The old bricks continue to echo through the house, 

giving little pointers to its origins, to the ancient town 

and to each stage of change and regeneration. This is 

clearly evident in Marta’s son Lucas’s room, which is at 

the end of the original part of the building and features 

an old wall that has been pared back to the brick of its 

first incarnation – with remnants of the ancient paint still 

clinging on in patches. Lucas’s room has been designed 

to function as both a sleeping room – for him and his 

friends, and also as a study or games room. This is achieved 

through the ingenious use of partition doors that open 

out, or give privacy, depending on requirements. 

The master bedroom features an amazing triangular 


98

KITCHENS 

FOR REAL COOKS 

It’s time for a new kitchen, the 

one you’ve always wanted. 

SPECIALIST PLANNING ADVICE 

Craftsmanship modern & ancient 

www.hammertons.co.uk 

01435 868611 

Sunset Farm • Heathfield Road 

Cross in Hand • TN21 0UJ 

Helping to Unlock 

the Potential of Your 

Land, Buildings & Assets 

CRANBROOK 

01580 201888 

01580 715378 

office@therpp.co.uk 

Residential Development 

and Extensions 

Listed Buildings 

Equestrian 

Permitted Development 

Planning Appeals 

Agri Business 

Renewable Energy 

Certificate of Lawfulness 

Rural Buildings 

Objections 

Local Plan Submission 

www.therpp.co.uk 

CIRENCESTER 

01285 719568 

This drawing is for illustration purposes only - © Copyright Peter Huf 

HammertonsWT176.indd 4 05/09/2016 15:54 Geoff & Marion Down 

RuralPlanningPracticeWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 Architect: 09:46Peter Huf M 

Nimrod Farm, Ongley Lane, Sissinghurst Road, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8HP 

Project: 

Model: ART 

For all your bespoke glass needs 

• Shower Screens • Bath Screens 

• Coloured glass splashbacks 

• Toughened Glass • Glass balustrades 

• Glass fl oors • Double/triple glazed 

sealed units • Shelves • Roof panels 

• Glass for woodburning stoves 

• Glass furniture made to your design 

• Well tops • Antique/standard mirror 

stocked - cut to shape/size 

• Offi ce Partitions • Horticultural glass 

• (Supply only) Bi-fold doors, composite 

doors, uPVC windows, doors 

& conservatories 

Trade enquiries welcome 

01233 626045 

www.cpglassandwindows.co.uk 

info@cpglassandwindows.co.uk 


100 

CPGlassWT181.indd 1 15/02/2017 10:20

This page: Throughout the house, exposed brickwork contrasts 

with the highly finished, sleek timber cladding and floorboards. 

Son Lucas’s room has been designed to function as both a 

sleeping and study or games room. This is achieved through the 

use of partition doors that open out, or give privacy, depending 

on requirements 

window that spans between the twin gables of the roof 

from which there are wonderful views of the tiled roofs of 

the surrounding buildings and the countryside beyond. A 

bathroom has been cleverly tucked behind the bed. It’s a 

very creative use of space – more of an en-bed, than en suite 

facility. And the wonderful ‘Citadel’ window at the other 

end of the building can be seen directly from this bedroom. 

Marta clearly enjoys the whole process of designing, and 

then making, living spaces out of unloved commercial, or 

slightly industrial buildings. She has several other properties 

in Sussex and London, including a development of five 

apartments created from the building that was once the 

old Labour Party headquarters in Hoxton. She has recently 

decided to stop designing for clients and focus on her own 

property portfolio, letting out spaces – her own and other 

stylish and interesting homes. The company is called DOM, 

a Polish word for home, which references her Polish roots 


This page: On both floors there are hints to the building’s former use as an ambulance station in 

the form of medical and industrial inspired pieces of furniture – a steel and glass cabinet housing 

towels on the landing, and stripped back metal chairs in the master bedroom 

and the company’s ethos. “I want DOM to be the go-to 

site for people wanting to rent unusual and contemporary 

spaces to live in or holiday in, or even to buy.” She has a 

tagline that sums up the service: ‘DOM stay and live.’ 

“It can take ages to trawl through Airbnb to find the 

right place. DOM will cut through all that. There will be 

a range of spaces to suit everyone – small and cosy, big 

and industrial, by the sea, in the city… I want it to be the 

go-to platform for people wanting to live in a beautiful 

place in England or abroad.” As the website grows she 

plans to take on other properties around the globe – 

already there’s a fabulous place in Warsaw signed up. 

It takes determination, creative vision and a huge amount 

of steely pragmatism to achieve such a breathtaking 

transformation in a building. Constructing a family 

home from a tired old industrial or municipal space is 

no easy feat. Marta has achieved it by celebrating the raw 

materials of its construction – the bricks, concrete, 


102

01227 696111 

sales@ot-buildings.com 

www.olsontimberbuildings.com 

"Handcrafted, bespoke made 

timber buildings to suit your 

unique requirements." 

CARRIAGE HOUSES WORKSHOPS STABLES MOBILES GARAGES FIELD SHELTERS 

Orlestone Oak 

OlsonTimberBuildingsWT185.indd 1 14/06/2017 14:55 

Tailor-made Oak Joinery and Oak Flooring 

OAK 

ORLESTONE 

OAK 

ORLESTONE 

ORLESTO 

OAK 

SOLID OAK fLOORING 

PRE-fINISHED & DISTRESSED fLOORS 

NEW SHOWROOM DISPLAYS 

OAK STAIRCASES & WINDOWS 

OAK DOORS AND PORCHES 

OAK DECKING & BEAMS 

www.orlestoneoak.co.uk 01233 732179 

SHOWROOm Open mOnday tO FRiday 9am-5pm, SatuRday 9am-12pm 


OrlestoneOakWT167.indd 1 02/12/2015 11:42

01227 767576 www.stellisonselectrical.co.uk 

Visit our 10,000 square foot Electrical Superstore in Canterbury 

Not only have Miele won Which? 

for three years running, but with 

the only manufacturer who offer 

Not only have Miele won Which? Best Home Appliance Brand of the Year 

for three years running, but with the WDD030 Washing Machine, we are 

the only manufacturer who offer a fully inclusive 10 year warranty. 

Not only have Miele won Which? Best Home Appliance Brand of of the Year 

for for three years running, but with the WDD030 Washing Machine, we are 

the only manufacturer who offer a a fully inclusive 10 10 year warranty. 

Miele. For everything you really love. 

Miele. For everything you really love. 

Wincheap Industrial Estate, 17 Maynard Road, Canterbury, Kent CT1 3RH 

Monday - Saturday 9:00am-6:00pm Sunday 10:00am-4:00pm 

miele-banner.indd 1 15/06/2017 09:50

Best Home Appliance Brand of the Year 

the WDD030 Washing Machine, we are 

a fully inclusive 10 year warranty. 

“I’ve redesigned it to be a family home with as many bedrooms as possible,” says Marta. 

“The bedrooms are deliberately small as they’re only used for sleeping – and it’s all about 

being together. It’s great for weekend gatherings.” 

 


Woodstoves • Fireplaces • Interiors • AGA • Gas Fires 

Free Monthly 

Magnet Media Limited, PO Box 287, Uckfield, East Sussex, TN22 9ED 

Telephone: 0845 872 2885 or 01825 873254 - Fax: 01825 508309 - Email: kim@magnetpublications.com 

ADVERTISING PROOF 

VAT No. 929 7920 74 

COMPANY: Sussex Stone and Ceramic Ltd 

DATE: 17 May 2017 

Aga authorised showroom 

PROOF TO: Laura Ive 

FROM: Kim 

ISSUE: June 2017 

PLEASE CHECK AND ADVISE ANY CORRECTIONS TO THIS COPY BY 22 MAY. 

If we do not hear from you we will assume copy is correct and will publish the 

Aga advertisement cookshop as in shown. store 

31 Wincheap, Canterbury CT1 3RX • 01227 457643 • www.heatdesignkent.co.uk • dthomas@heatdesignkent.co.uk 

HeatDesignWT185.indd 1 20/06/2017 15:31 

NOW OFFERING 

0% FINANCE 

subject to status 

and terms 

Unit 1 Croft Works 

Diplocks Industrial Estate 

Hailsham East Sussex BN27 3JF 

Email: sales@sussexstone-ceramic.co.uk 

www.sussexstone-ceramic.co.uk 

Open Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm Sat 9am-3pm 


Bespoke worktops in 

Granite, quartz, marble and Dekton 

Architectural and monumental masonry 

Large selection of natural tiles and mosaics 

Waterjet cutting service on various materials 

Glass tops and splash backs 

Sussex Stone & Ceramic Ltd acts as a credit broker for Divido who are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

106 

SussexStoneWT184.indd 1 22/05/2017 10:40 

Terms are strictly 20 days from date of invoice. All artwork, colour matches and scans are done as a free of charge service, so no credits can be given for

Above: The master bedroom features an amazing triangular window that spans between the twin gables of the roof from which there 

are wonderful views of the surrounding buildings and the countryside beyond 

wood and steel. Through these elements she has managed 

to pay tribute to the origins of this building – the 

medieval setting, the former lives of both coach house 

and ambulance station, and has used them as a bridge 

into the present. The principles and the materials may 

be Brutalist, but the pared down, sleek and simple lines 

of the interior serve to create something more refined. 

She has created an optimistic, welcoming and light filled 

space. Truly a home for people to live, stay and relax in. 

Address Book: 

Find out more about the properties available to stay and live 

in through doM at domstayandlive.com 

For information on Marta’s design studio, 

Marta nowicka & Co, and the projects she and her team 

work on, see martanowicka.com 

pat Gill Court Developments 07836 331317 


Bring your wellies 

and wander around 

our beautiful farm, 

savouring the delights 

of the unspoilt Kent 

countryside. 

Signature Menu 

Canapé 

~ 

Salt baked heritage carrot, crispy chicken skin. 

~ 

Rabbit loin, leg terrine, new season peas, wild onions, jus of rabbit. 

~ 

Blood orange cured sea trout, golden beetroots, smoked mackerel pate. 

~ 

Crab ravioli, lobster bisque, baked cod, orange oil. 

~ 

Crispy pork jowl, barbequed cheek, potato emulsion, 

hispi cabbage, charred leeks, Robert sauce. 

~ 

Lemon, poppy seed, olive oil. 

~ 

Strawberry, vanilla, elderflower, meringue. 

£35 for 4 courses and £65 for 7 courses. 

KENTISH TO THE CORE... 

My day starts with a coffee and two sugars followed by my meat and fish 

deliveries, the difference is now... this is my own kitchen. My name is 

Robert Bryant and I have just taken the plunge into my first head chef role 

at the amazing Frasers 2 AA Rosette Hotel and Restaurant in Egerton. 

The last 11 years have been dedicated to the culinary cause! I have 

been , and I use the word lightly, ‘lucky’ to have worked with some 

extremely talented and ambitious chefs, the likes of Michael Caines, 

Daniel Clifford and Tom Carr. This experience has enabled me to 

develop my own style of cooking and I now have the opportunity to 

produce my own dishes which are an expression of my personality. 

I was born in Devon, very close to the sea, and hence have always 

had a love of fish and seafood. However, moving to Kent has 

given me an opportunity to use a diverse range of locally sourced 

meat and game as well as a bountiful supply of local fish. 

I am two weeks into my new role and all my new ‘toys’ have 

arrived and am now just putting the finishing touches to my 

debut taster menu! In my opinion, the two outstanding dishes 

are the rabbit and the strawberry, I am undecided whether it is 

the perfectly cooked herb rolled loin, the rabbit terrine or the 

delicious rabbit sauce. As for the strawberry, a heavenly blend of 

strawberry, vanilla, elderflower, meringue need I say more! 

Come, relax 

and while away a few 

hours at Frasers. 

The quality of the locally sourced and seasonal produce in Kent 

is quite possibly the most delicious that I have ever tasted. 

I am excited about my future here at Frasers, and am so 

looking forward to cooking for all my new customers. 

Robert 

From brunch through lunch to Lunch menu 

afternoon tea and dinner, here at To Start 

Frasers the only limit is your imagination. 

Ham hock and duck liver terrine, green bean and truffle salad. 

~ 

Crab ravioli, samphire, shellfish bisque, orange oil. 

Sunday Lunch Menu 

2 courses for £22.95, 3 courses for £26.95 

Followed By 

Barbequed shoulder of lamb, salt baked Jersey royals, asparagus and peas. 

~ 

Baked cod, saffron potatoes, razor clam and mussel casserole. 

Afternoon teas from £17.00 per person 

And to finish 

Chocolate tart, honeycomb, tonka bean ice cream. 

~ 

Lemon parfait, blood orange granite, yoghurt sorbet. 

5 Course £20.17 tasting for 2 courses menu and £25.17 for £45.00 

3 courses. 

Terrace Menu dishes from £10.50 

Available for Lunch Tuesday- Saturday 

7 Course tasting menu £55.00 

Tables must be booked in advance. 

Please don’t hesitate to contact us 

to make your reservation

Scatter Cushion 

in Soothing Grey 

Vintage Velvet, £40 

Loaf, loaf.com 

Industrial Vintage 

Medical Cabinet, £1695 

The Old Cinema 

theoldcinema.co.uk 

Woodsman Industrial Reclaimed 

Wood Dining Table, £1645 

Alexander & Pearl 

alexanderandpearl.co.uk 

Clear Glass Hurricane 

Candle Lantern, £33 

Oli & Grace 

oliandgrace.co.uk 

Grey Sullivan Right Hand 

Corner Sofa, £1049 

MADE, made.com 

Get the Look 

Large Attractive Wrought 

Iron Log Holder, £110 

The Farthing, 

thefarthing.co.uk 

Cowhide Rugs in 

Exotic Dark, £389 

therugseller.co.uk 

Antique Brass Triple Batten 

Holder with Hat, £252 

Alexander & Pearl 

alexanderandpearl.co.uk 

Chicago Tripod Floor 

Lamp in Muted Grey 

And Brass PR01, £189 

MADE, made.com 

Lille Armchair 

Oatmeal, £349 

Swoon Editions 

swooneditions.com 


Rosemunde silk dress, £125 

Odyl, Cranbrook odyldesign.com; 

jewellery, model’s own 


110

Garden 

Party 

Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Helen Barton 

Model: Heide Photographed on location at Blue Hen Flowers 


0 % OFF 

UP TO 

WOMEN’S FASHION, MENSWEAR 

ACCESSORIES AND HOMEWARES 

NOW ON 

Sale ends Sunday 23 July 2017 

Royal Victoria Place Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 2SR | 01892 516716 | www.fenwick.co.uk

Second Female dress, £129, Odyl, Cranbrook odyldesign.com; jewellery, model’s own 


Linda Pope 

Opticians 

Shersby 

FINE JEWELLERS 

Put your face in a 

FACEAFACE 

facebook.com/LindaPopeOpticians 

Rye Road • Hawkhurst 

Telephone. 01580 753744 

George Cottage, High Street, Cranbrook 

Cranbrook has free car parking 

www.shersbyjewellers.co.uk Telephone: 01580 720003 

shersbyjewellers@aol.com Find us on Facebook 

LindapopeWT185.indd 1 08/06/2017 ShersbyJewellersWT184.indd 11:42 

1 12/05/2017 16:27 

Come and see 

Oscar nominated 

Bafta winning 

Shuna at her shop 

in Heathfield 

Market 

Men’s and women’s 

vintage clothing 

and accessories 

Tuesday mornings and by appointment 

01435 883394 or 07831 258582 

shuna 

¹ @btinternet.com 

1920s–1960s items always wanted. Also Vintage 

Chinese embroidered clothes, Ossie Clark, Biba. 

Swattenden Lane | Cranbrook | TN17 3PS 

01580 713189 

www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk 


114 

ShunasVintageClothesWT185.indd 1 07/06/2017 CharityFarmWT185.indd 16:15 

1 07/06/2017 16:58

White Stuff shirt, £65, 

pink skinny jeans, £49.95, 

Seasalt hat, £25, Charity Farm 

Countrystore, Cranbrook 

charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk; 



Embroidered cotton kaftan, £35, The Prial, Farnham theprialnightwear.co.uk; 



116

LOVELL & VIE 

lingerie swimwear 

Aubade 

PrimaDonna 

Empreinte 

Marie Jo 

Wacoal 

b.tempt'd 

Chantelle 

Passionata 

Fantasie 

Hanro 

Yawn 

PJ Salvage 

Vanilla 

Huit8 

DKNY 

Moontide 

Watercult 

Hanky Panky 

46 Holly Bush Lane, Sevenoaks TN13 3TL 

01732 454445 www.lovellandvie.co.uk 

SMEWconsultingWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 LovellAndVieWT185.indd 12:51 

1 07/06/2017 17:05 

cashmere and silk knitwear 

Mid-Summer 

Moutaki blouse £75 

available at Cashara 

Come and browse our new 

Spring/Summer Collections 

23 High Street, Tenterden TN30 6BJ 

Telephone 01580 761222 Email sales@cashara.co.uk 

Shop online at www.cashara.co.uk 

SALE 

In Store & Online 

S T A R T S M I D - J U L Y 

Tel: 01797 224271 

16 Lion Street, Rye, E.Sussex TN31 7LB 

e: shop@thegoldenfleece.co.uk 

w: www.thegoldenfleece.co.uk 

@goldenfleecerye 


CasharaWT185.indd 1 13/06/2017 GoldenFleeceWT185.indd 12:07 

1 19/06/2017 11:52

County Clothes Menswear 

Quality & Personal Service 

www.countyclothesmenswear.co.uk 

Linen Shirt 

Whether you require a casual 

daytime look or a switch to a 

formal evening style, a versatile 

and light weight linen shirt is a 

must have. Keeping you cool 

and fresh is a bonus! 

Weekend Bag 

With plenty of 

room for all the 

essentials, a 

holdall such as this 

is the perfect bag for 

any dream weekend getaway. 

IMAGE 

Canterbury Tenterden Reigate Sevenoaks 

TRAVEL ESSENTIALS 

Folding Panama 

Handwoven in Equador, this Panama hat makes for 

a classic, timeless look. Folding for easy packing, the 

hat simply pops back into shape when you arrive 

at your destination. 

IMAGE 

Travel Trousers 

Deck Shoes 

A staple for every summer wardrobe, 

deck shoes are practical, stylish and 

comfortable to boot! 

Meyer have a secret to their travel trousers. 

An extra piece of elastic in the waistband gives you flexibility 

and comfort while you travel, relax or soak up the local culture. 

19 St Margaret’s Street 

Canterbury 

Kent, CT1 2TH 

2 East Cross 

Tenterden 

Kent, TN30 6AD 

01580 765159 

6 High Street 

Reigate 

Surrey, RH2 9AY 

14 Bank Street 

Sevenoaks 

Kent, TN13 1UW 

01227 765294 01737 249224 01732 454068 

@countyclothescanterbury @countyclothestenterden @countyclothesreigate @countyclothessevenoaks 

10% 

CountyClothesWT185.indd 1 12/06/2017 11:59 

OFF 

all summer leather 

handbags! 

Come and get 

dressed at 

Melody 

by Empreinte 

We have some GREAT ideas for holiday clothes 

For all 

SHAPES 

and sizes in linens, silks & cotton 

Marie Jo, 

Prima Donna, 

Felina, 

Aubade, 

Wacoal 

Lise Charmel 

Hanro 

With a w i d e range of accessories and 

wraps to go with them, as well as something a 

little more dressy for drinks on the patio! 

Opening Hours: Tuesday—Friday 10.30am—5pm 

Saturday 10.30am—3.30pm 

44 High Street, Charing, Kent TN27 0HX 01233 714689 

96 High Street, Rye 

01797 224116 

SirenandPearl 


118 

Elizabeth44WT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 SirenAndPearlWT185.indd 10:25 

1 15/06/2017 10:40

Luisa Cerano dress, £335, Eves, 

West Malling evesofwestmalling.com; 

jewellery, model’s own

Offers a wide range of fashionable 

branded bags, scarves and accessories 

dressing undeniable beauty 

www.odyl.co.uk 

01580 714907 

39 HIGH STREET WEST MALLING KENT ME19 6QH 

01732 841625 

number39.net 

Number39-WT185.indd 1 14/06/2017 OdylWT185.indd 17:19 1 21/06/2017 11:24 

SURREY’S 

PREMIER 

CONDICI 

STOCKIST 

Leading The Way For Mothers Of The Bride and Groom 

www.melitaboutique.co.uk 

57 High Street, Chobham, Surrey GU24 8AF 

Tel: 01276 856308 

NEW SPRING SUMMER 

COLLECTION NOW IN 

Exquisite Top Designer 

Clothing, Shoes & Accessories 

at up to 80% OFF! 

£10 OFF if you mention this advert 

22 High Street, Cranbrook 

Open from 10am 6 days a week 

Telephone 07841 374952 


120 

MelitaOfChobhamS33.indd 1 19/06/2017 EmmaPoveyWT181.indd 15:38 

1 16/02/2017 11:48

White Stuff dress, 

£65, Charity Farm 

Countrystore, Cranbrook 

charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk; 

Sol Sana heels, £135, Odyl, 

Cranbrook odyldesign.com 

WT would like to thank 

Blue Hen Flowers for 

allowing us to photograph 

in their beautiful garden 

in Benenden, Kent, 

where they grow scented 

flowers, herbs, and foliage 

for special occasions and 

events. Find out more 

at bluehenflowers.com 


Concept 

Hair 

salon 

purely beauty 

Beauty Salon Hawkhurst 

Highly Skilled Therapists using the 

Best Quality Products in everything we do. 

50 High Street, Tenterden 01580 762 564 

Book online at www.williamcharleshair.co.uk 

or through our facebook page 

LoveLength... LoveVolume... LoveLift 

July Special Offer 

Offer 1: LVL Lashes for only £40 (Saving £5) 

OR 

Offer 2: O.P.I Gel polish Fingers or Toes 

& 

LVL Lashes for only £60 (Saving £10) 

Offer Valid Until July 31st. Please state Wealden Times offer when booking 

Call 01580 753383 

Book Online at www.purenique.co.uk 

Hawkhurst, TN18 4JU 

London has arrived 

in the Weald... 

WilliamCharlesWT174.indd 2 05/07/2016 PureniqueWT185.indd 12:49 

1 15/06/2017 15:18 

Private Care Service 

at Bedtimes 

Gillian Spooner, a senior Sassoon trained 

stylist currently working at the Josh Wood 

Atelier in London, is now based in your area. 

Gillian’s superb level of expertise in cutting 

and styling for ladies can be brought to you 

by private appointment, with the benefit of a 

free, no-obligation consultation beforehand. 

For more information visit 

www.gshair.co.uk or call to arrange a 

free full consultation on 01622-862735 

GS Spooner 

Gillian 

Our Private Care Service carers can come to 

your house and assist you first thing in the 

morning and / or last thing at night. This 

help can form part of a tailored package of 

care that could help you stay in your own 

home for longer, rather than going into a 

care home before its really needed. We can 

assist those who need help due to frailty, 

disability or illness to live as independently 

as possible, with comfort and dignity, in 

their own home. Overnight Sleep-in Care 

is also available from 10pm to 7am. 

www.townandcountryhomecare.co.uk 

Domestic 

Care 

£9.77 

per hour 

For a free assessment 

of your care needs or to 

receive your brochure 

Call us on 01580 762244 

Town & Country Homecare Limited 

102a High Street, Tenterden, Kent TN30 6HT 


122 

SteveCarmoWT140.indd 1 18/09/2013 TownCountryHomecareWT133.indd 14:50 

3 04/02/2013 16:20

Beach 

Beauty 

Josephine Fairley shares her essential cheats 

for an instant summer body 

I’m sure I’m not the only person whose heart sinks at 

the sight of yet another ‘Get Yourself Beach-Ready’ 

magazine article. My idea of being ‘beach-ready’ is 

ensuring there’s enough sandwiches, potato salad and 

soft drinks to keep the family happy. (And quite often, 

making sure we’ve got macs and a windbreak.) 

That doesn’t mean we don’t want to look good for summer 

– but it’s not all about prepping for two weeks in a swimsuit, is 

it? One of the glories of living in these isles is taking advantage 

of these precious few months of warmth and sunshine: all 

the more special because they don’t last year-round. If you’re 

anything like me, that means you’re outdoors as much as 

possible – on walks, in the garden, at barbecues with friends. 

Yes, we all want to look and feel our best – but why waste 

precious time in the bathroom when we could be taking 

advantage of the great outdoors? So: I’ve focused here on 

great ‘cheats’, which will minimise your time getting ready 

for the beach – and maximise your actual time on it. 

STep one: buff with an oil-based scrub. These are, in my 

book, just about the most body-transformative products 

out there. They slough away dead, dull skin cells (and can 

actually revive a tan, as a result), while leaving skin veiled in 

nourishing oils. Any fake tan will go on more smoothly if 

you use an oil-based scrub first. I prefer sugar-based scrubs as 

salt can sting if you’ve any nicks and cuts (as a gardener, that 

invariably means me). Top of the scrubs for me are VOYA 

Effervescence Nourishing Scrub, £34 for 259g (it features 

plenty of hand-harvested seaweed in a base of almond oil, 

sunflower oil and seaweed oil – and who knew there was 

such a thing?), and the perennially fabulous, deliciously 

rose-scented REN Moroccan Rose Shea Sugar Body Polish, 

£33 for 330ml. Both leave skin gleaming and nourished 

and are so enjoyable to use – well, you’ll use them. And 

at the end of the day that is the key, with all products. 

STep TWo: fake a tan. Who wants a body that’s pastrypale 

on the first day of a vacation? Dita Von Teese, and that’s 

about it, I reckon. There’s no need to go anywhere near a UV 

tanning salon – the health risks of which become more and 

more evident – with all the fabulous fake tans there are around. 

My advice isn’t to go for a deep instant tan, but to apply a 

gradual tanner a couple of evenings in a row, before you leave 

for holiday. That’s all it takes to build up really quite a fabulous 

skin tint, and it’ll look more realistic than one dark coat. Bathe 

and exfoliate first, pat skin dry, and smooth body butter into 

any dry zones such as heels, knees and elbows. These areas go 

carrot-y because the dry cells take up more of the self-tanning 

ingredient; if they’re well-nourished, that won’t happen. 

Over the past few years I’ve slathered my way through 

plenty, with three that I return to time and again. First off, 

from an oddly-named brand called Eco by Sonya (available 

from lovelula.com). Their Winter Skin, £25 for 200ml is 

deliciously ‘slippy’, like a gel-cream – and is incredibly easy 

to spread. ESPA Gradual Tan Body Moisturiser, £34 for 

200ml, has an almost identical texture – and I can honestly 

say I’ve never had better results from a fake tan. If you really, 

really have a bare-leg emergency on Day One, nothing 

fixes that faster than This Works Perfect Legs Skin Protector 

SPF30, £40 for 100ml, which is a perfecting and blurring 

product for legs that minimises imperfections and improves 

appearance in a flash, with mica and natural caramel evening 

out skintone – and with that SPF30, it protects while it gilds. 

STep THRee: protect your face before you hit the beach. 

I walked along the sands in Dubai back in January literally 

aghast at how almost every woman was lying there with her 

face turned to the sun, in the midday heat. You know why they 

call it ‘tanning’? Because skin turns to leather. L-e-a-t-h-e-r. I 

honestly cannot counsel anything less than an SPF30 on the 

face, beneath a hat, and preferably with your head in the shade, 

too. I rely on another product from This Works, the fantastic, 

weightless In Transit Skin Defence SPF30, £29 for 40ml, 

for facial protection – and am delighted it’s about to become 

available in an SPF45. Also brilliant for sun-sensitive skins 

like mine is Green People Scent-Free Facial Sun Cream SPF30, 

£16.50 for 50ml, which not only protects against UVA and 


Become the person you really are 

We provide you with safe, effective and proven treatments 

in a caring, confi dential & professional environment, using 

the most advanced aesthetic medical equipment. 

Treatments for your hair & skin: 

• IPL to reduce unwanted body hair. 

• Fractional laser skin resurfacing to reduce 

wrinkles, sun damage & scarring. 

• Facial & leg thread vein removal. 

• Laser rejuvenation for even skin tone. 

• Botulinum wrinkle relaxing. 

• HIFU skin tightening / face & neck lifting. 

• Chemical skin peels & Microdermabrasion 

to remove blemishes & smooth skin. 

• PDO thread lifts to soften the signs 

of ageing in the face & neck. 

Treatments for body shaping 

& excess fat removal: 

• Dermal fi llers to fi ll out wrinkles 

& creases in the skin. 

• Lip & cheek enhancement for 

your facial appearance. 

• 3D lipo body shaping & cellulite 

treatment to remove fat & tighten skin. 

• Mesotherapy to promote the 

loss of fat & cellulite. 

• Cryo fat freezing & removal to 

reshape body contours. 

British College of Aesthetic Medicine 

Dr Deborah McManners 

Skin & Laser Clinic 

For appointments 01227 701080 

www.drdeborahmcmanners.com 

BMI The Chaucer Hospital, Nackington Rd, Canterbury CT4 7AR 

reception@drdeborahmcmanners.com 

DrDeborahMcMannersWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 16:39 

LASER TATTOO REMOVAL 

FREE CONSULTATION AND PATCH TEST 

SEMI PERMANENT MAKE-UP 

FREE CONSULTATION 

EYEBROWS / MICRO-BLADING 

LIP / EYE LINER 

TATTOO CORRECTION / COVER UP 

FINE ART TATTOOS 

Telephone 01233 714106 improvement.enquiries@outlook.com 

The Old Bakery, 21 High Street, Charing, Kent TN27 0HU 


124 

ImprovementStudioWT185.indd 1 23/05/2017 10:07

UVB but firms and moisturises, 

boosted by botanicals including 

green tea and avocado. 

STEP FOUR: reach for an 

SPF lip balm. You may notice 

here that I’ve fast-forwarded 

without talking about body 

suncare. That’s because I think 

it’s a matter of personal choice 

whether you want to fry yourself 

dark bronze (with all the sun 

damage that goes along with that) – or do as I do and slowly 

build a lovely golden glow from the shade of my umbrella. And 

I’ve a hunch you’re going to go ahead and either buy an SPF10 

or something way up in the SPF stratosphere – and not much 

any expert is going to say will change your strategy. What I will 

say is that there are some terrific sunscreens out there, in textures 

that are more skin-compatible and pleasurable to use than ever; 

ranges I like include Clarins, Clinique, Lancaster and (at the 

affordable end) the Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration range. 

But what you do need to pack (which you might not have 

thought about) is that SPF lip tint – because the lips are supervulnerable 

(it’s the way they’re angled to the sun), and through 

a combo of sea breezes and salt can become incredibly dry. 

I’m a massive fan of Lanolips Tinted Balm SPF30, £7.99 for 

12.5g (the SPF30 version, as opposed to the widely available 

SPF15, is at feelunique.com); it slicks lips with a sheen of sheer 

colour – and my favourite shade is Rhubarb, which would 

frankly flatter any complexion. Protection and glamour, in one. 

STEP FIVE: stow your favourite, richest hair mask 

or conditioner in your beach basket. Make a ritual of 

slathering generously onto wet hair straight after a dip; 

you can shower it out later, but the sooner you put back 

what seawater and chlorine take out of hair, the better. 

And honestly, this is all you need to think about. Anything 

else you choose to do will be because it’s actually part of your 

psychological preparation towards switching off. Yes, you’ll 

want to get waxed, or at least shave your legs, depending on 

how sprout-y your body hair is. By all means book yourself 

a manicure and a pedicure: there’s something wonderfully 

satisfying about lounging with a book and catching an 

occasional glimpse of glossy red or mermaid-sparkly toenails. 

But summer is short. Holidays 

even shorter. So my advice 

is to not to spend one more 

minute than you really, 

really have to on holiday 

‘prepping’ – but to get out 

there and make hay/whoopee/ 

cocktails, while (everything 

crossed) the sun shines. 

Check out Jo Fairley’s 

website beautybible.com – 

for all things healthy and 

beautiful. 

Want a Career Change? 

Take That Next Step & 

learn the skills of Beauty Therapy at 

Eden Beauty Therapy Institute 

We offer GTI accredited courses in Beauty Therapy 

Visit our website to find out more 

www.edenbeautytherapy.co.uk 

or call 

01732 862224 

EdenBeautyTherapyWT182.indd 1 16/03/2017 13:07 

“FREEZEME50” 

50% DISCOUNT INTRODUCTORY OFFER! 

Come and experience the power of the cold, if it’s a bikini 

body you want, pain relief, general wellbeing or weight loss. 

We have a treatment for everyone. 

Valid for the following treatments with this voucher: 

CRYO WHOLE BODY 

Rejuvenating whole body 

Cryotherapy. Trigger powerful 

natural defence mechanisms. 

Increase metabolism & energy. 

CRYO FACIAL 

Radiance & skin tightening. 

GIFT VOUCHERS 

Double your spend! 

CRYO LIPO FAT BURNING 

Destroy stubborn fat cells – 

abdominal fat, love handles, 

muffin tops, hips, innerlegs, 

thighs, arms and back rolls. 

CRYO LOCAL 

Specific injury or chronic 

problem area. 

Call us on 01732 449411 to make your booking 

or email bookings@cryojuvenate.com 

54 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent. TN13 1JG 

@CryojuvenateUK Cryojuvenateuk cryojuvenateuk 

Terms & Conditions Apply: 50% Discount applies only on production of this advert, purchased 

services, valid for 6 months after sale, not valid with any other offer. Expires end-Aug-17. 


CryojuvenateWT185.indd 1 19/06/2017 15:18

Bring your world back 

into focus with immediate, 

effective and safe cataract 

treatment. 

Seeing clearly again is wonderful, 

we can remove cataracts and with 

specialist lenses reduce your 

dependence on glasses. 

There is no need to sit at home waiting 

for treatment for a minute longer, contact 

Benenden Hospital. 

We’re thrilled! 

We’re rated 

Outstanding 

by the CQC 

Ask 

your GP 

or Optician 

to refer 

you 

Call us on 01580 242 521 quote WT 

www.benendenhospital.org.uk 

The Benenden Hospital Trust is a company limited by guarantee. Reg in England 3454120. Reg charity 1065995. 

Reg office, The Benenden Hospital Trust,Goddard’s Green Road, Benenden, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4AX

Savour the summer 

Wealden Times talks to Katherine Slater from Bee Potion 

Health & Beauty 

Do you have a beauty 

regime? As I approach my 

50th year, my beauty regime 

starts in the morning by 

looking in the bathroom 

mirror and thanking my life, 

that way I feel more beautiful 

with age! I have devised my 

own natural honey bee, twostep 

beauty ritual. First, I apply 

my honey, seaweed and aloe 

facial cleanser wash and, if my 

face is feeling particularly tired, 

I use it as a face pack too. I 

follow this with my face and 

body balm which is natural 

and nourishing both night 

and day. The two products 

together are all I need, 

Do you have a particular 

product you couldn’t 

live without? My face 

feels lost without my face 

balm (also known as BEE 

NOURISHED) as it’s so 

versatile and nourishing. I 

made a handy travel size 

so I can take it everywhere. 

Regarding make-up, I find less 

is more but mascara is the key 

for me. I love Kevyn Aucoin 

mascara from Space NK. It’s 

light, does not smudge or 

flake and is easy to remove. 

What’s your ultimate 

pampering treat? I lived 

and worked in Bali for a year 

and massages and pedicures 

were so cheap that you had 

them every week so they no 

longer felt like a treat. To 

feel truly indulged, I need to 

receive the pampering from 

someone I am fond of! So, a 

foot massage after a long day 

from my partner is great and 

so is a facial treatment from 

my friend Rachel Heavens 

who I run pampering 

workshops with. In our 

workshops I demonstrate 

how to make natural skin 

care products while Rachel 

teaches the facial part. It’s 

pampering on another level. 

Who’s your style icon? Style 

icons for me don’t only look 

good, they create good. My 

top two icons would be the 

painter Georgia O’Keeffe 

and installation artist Louise 

Bourgois. Like all female 

artists who have challenged 

the idea of conventional 

style or beauty through their 

art, they both leave a legacy 

in terms of femininity and 

identity which is timeless. 

Bee Potion creates skincare 

products using honey from 

their own bees. To find out 

more about the range and 

Bee Potion’s workshops, 

visit bee-potion.com 

Sulphur, the 

beauty mineral 

Sulphur, which is found in 

the ocean, is known for its 

ability to support collagen 

production, promote 

circulation and decrease 

inflammation. A new range 

of body scrubs from The 

Salt Parlour, a Kent based 

company, harnesses the 

power of organic sulphur 

with Dead Sea salts, 

minerals and cold-pressed 

oils to exfoliate the skin and 

leave it soft and nourished. 

There are six different salts 

to choose from and we tried 

their ‘Jasmine and Matcha 

Green Tea for Repair’ scrub. 

We loved it for its subtle 

scent, gentle exfoliation 

and for making our rough 

post-winter limbs beachready. 

The scrubs retail at 

£15 and are natural, vegan, 

earth friendly and cruelty 

free. Visit thesaltparlour. 

co.uk f or more details. 

Credit: FreeImages.com/Martyn E Jones 

Mediterranean magic 

As we move into high summer, 

deliciously sweet, flavoursome 

English tomatoes are in the 

shops and soon they’ll be 

ripening in the garden. While 

they’re plentiful, and relatively 

cheap, it’s worth remembering 

the health benefits of cooking 

tomatoes: they’re a great source 

of the antioxidant lycopene, 

which helps protect against 

cancer and heart disease. 

Scientists have discovered that 

when tomatoes are eaten raw, 

very little lycopene is absorbed 

but when cooked with a good 

quality oil, the antioxidant is 

much more readily available. 

This successful combination 

of tomatoes and olive oil helps 

explain the health benefits 

of the Mediterranean diet. 


Beauty 

Never too late! 

We asked fitness guru and personal trainer Sarah Maxwell for 

her advice on building an exercise routine later in life … 

1 

IS IT EVER TOO LATE TO START? 

I believe it’s never too late to start exercising. 

The positives are huge for the over 60s, there 

are diverse improvements ranging from increases 

in strength and flexibility to improvements in 

circulation and bone density. I run a variety of exercise 

classes and have many people over sixty involved. 

I encourage everyone of all ages and levels to go at their 

own pace and enjoy themselves whilst doing it. 

2 

SUGGESTED ACTIVITIES 

There are a wide range of classes, as close as your local 

leisure centre or village hall. Gyms aren’t for everyone 

but this doesn’t mean there aren’t many other ways to exercise. 

Some great things to try for beginners are: 

. Yoga 

. Tai Chi . Walking 

. Zumba . Water Fitness dance classes 

. Pilates 

. Ballet Barre 

groups 

. Ballroom 

It’s a great time to try new things and find out what 

works best for you. Classes are great because you can go 

along on your own or take a friend for support. Start 

with a beginners’ class and let the teacher know you’re 

new to exercise so they can help, encourage and get you 

on the right track safely and effectively. Exercising with 

others is proven to be the most effective way to maintain 

a routine and encouragement plays an important role. 

3 

HOW MANY TIMES A WEEK? 

I would suggest a minimum of two sessions 

a week to get results. Start out gently and 

build up gradually so you improve consistently and 

prevent injury. Space the classes a couple of days 

apart so your body gets a chance to recover between 

sessions. Try to fit in some regular cardiovascular 

exercise between classes such as walking or swimming. 

As your fitness improves you’ll notice that you have more 

energy and confidence and are more active in everyday tasks. 

4WHAT BENEFITS CAN 

I EXPECT TO SEE 

FROM EXERCISING? 

Regular exercise will tone your 

body, increase your metabolism 

and make you feel great on the inside and 

outside. It also has many benefits for your health 

and wellbeing in general: research shows that 

physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, 

sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing 

your risk of stress, depression, dementia and 

Alzheimer’s disease. The best medicine you can 

give your body and mind is a regular exercise routine, 

even one that just involves walking and moving more. 

5MOTIVATION 

Getting started with exercise is one thing, 

keeping it up is another. I advise my clients to 

set short term goals that are easy to stick to. People are 

motivated when they start but without goals they find it 

difficult. Planning sessions ahead in your diary is a great 

motivator. Teaming up with someone in your class or a 

friend can also help enormously. Fun is the name of the 

game. If you dread going along to your class it’s time to 

change and try something new. Make a list of all of the 

classes/activities you would like to try and give them a go. 

Sarah Maxwell is a professional 

PT and group exercise 

instructor based in 

Cranbrook. She is HAB 

personal trainer 

of the year. Visit 

sarahmaxwell. 

co.uk or call 

07973 233668. 

Credit: FreeImages.com/Michael Lorenzo, Moi Cody 


128

Put back pain 

behind you 

Slipped Disc or Sciatica? 

Get a Back Pain 

Assessment 

£25 

usually £45 

Quote “WT25” 

If you are on a merry-go round of GP visits and painkillers, 

get your life back with The IDD Therapy Disc Programme. 

Suitable for ‘Slipped’ or herniated discs 

Sciatica and nerve pain Chronic back and neck pain 

Why choose IDD Therapy? 

IDD Therapy decompresses targeted spinal segments safely 

and gently. The non-invasive treatment eases pressure on nerves, 

relieves pain and helps to restore mobility as part of a programme 

for lasting recovery. SUITABLE FOR ADULTS OF ALL AGES. 

Don’t live with your pain, get help today. 

Wealden Osteopaths & Spine Centre 

Risebridge Health & Sports Club, 

Ranters Lane, Goudhurst, Kent, TN17 1HN 

01580 212833 

wealdenosteopaths.co.uk


Award winning bespoke psychological therapies 

We fit the box to you, not you to the box 

Hear I Am specialise in a range of bespoke 

psychological therapies, including the treatment of; 

• Stress 

• Trauma & PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) 

• Adrenal Fatigue, Fibromyalgia, ME/Chronic 

Fatigue syndrome 

• Eating distress and addictions 

• Significant others issues (relationships, boundaries 

and self care) 

• Relationship issues 

• For adults & children, individuals, couples, 

families and teams 

If you are looking to quickly access a high class quality bespoke service of excellence, we would love to help. 

Start your journey here www.heariam.co.uk 

Hear I Am 

Kent based multi award winning 

psychological therapies. Getting people better, 

gently, powerfully and quickly 

Belinda Simpson & Jenny Sutherland are unique in 

their approach. Combining 50 years of experience 

with a proven track record of success to quickly and 

effectively help change lives. Driven, passionate, powerful and 

professional, this service is delivered with integrity and 

outstanding clinical results. 

Providing bespoke and personal packages tailored to unique 

needs for adults, individuals, couples, families and teams. 

“Belinda is a unique charismatic individual who is 

fully focused on delivering exceptional high quality 

mental health across the spectrum; from mild anxiety to 

psychological trauma care and Post Traumatic Stress 

Disorder being an area of outstanding clinical expertise. 

She has passion for military veterans’ mental health and 

has been the recipient of the Lord Lieutenants Award 

for her service to the veterans’ cause.” 

Major (Ret’d) CF DOYLE ARRC 

BSc Nursing Dip HE Mental Health RMN CPN 

Director – Veterans Affairs The Bridge Charity 

“If I needed someone to walk alongside me while I 

sorted out an aspect of my life, I’d turn to Belinda.” 

Colin Brett PCC, BA(Hons), MA, MSc, MA, MAPPCP 

Coaching Development and Coaching Changes 

“An exceptional presence in the world of psychological 

therapies. Highly skilled, emotionally intelligent, huge 

compassion, a holistic vision which goes beyond our 

usual definitions of mental health. Imagination, 

creativity, clinical rigour and long experience make 

Belinda the safest pair of hands I know.” 

Joy Rosendale 

Accredited Psychosexual Therapist 

Marylebone Centre for Psychological Therapies 

www.heariam.co.uk

Health 

The power 

of the mind 

Julie Simpson looks at new research 

showing that lifestyle changes can 

reverse cognitive decline 

istockphoto.com/jacoblund 

All the older women in my family 

– my mother, her mother and 

both her sisters – suffered from 

dementia in their last years. They were all 

in their 80s and 90s before the symptoms 

showed, but it is a cruel illness however 

long and good your life has been. 

So, as a sixty-year-old with a lot of 

dementia in my family, it’s great to hear 

of any progress in the battle to fight 

this horrible disease which affects 30 

million people globally and is expected 

to rise to 160 million by 2050. 

Drugs take a long time to develop 

and dementia is a complex nut to crack 

as it’s now thought to have a variety 

of causes. So, while we wait and hope 

for a magic pill to stem the tide, some 

recent research showing that lifestyle 

changes can reverse cognitive decline 

feels like a breakthrough. Even better, 

if the research is correct, then making 

the changes used by the researchers 

could prevent the brain changes that 

bring about serious problems later. 

Admittedly, the trail was small: the 

Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research 

and Buck Institute for Research on 

Aging at the University of California 

put ten patients exhibiting memory 

loss due to Alzheimer’s or dementia 

on a holistic therapeutic programme. 

After 3-6 months nine of them 

showed significant improvements in 

memory – and astonishingly, six of 

the nine were able to return to work. 

The programme was built around 

four things: optimising diet, getting 

plenty of exercise, having 8 hours 

sleep a night and reducing stress. 

Patients taking part in the research 

also had their diet supplemented 

with vitamins and minerals and were 

screened for heavy metal toxicity but, 

for the process of prevention, these 

four ingredients – sleep, exercise, stress 

reduction and stress management 

– seem like a good place to start. 

This is how it was done 

Sleep: patients were told to get 7-8 

hours sleep which is needed to repair the 

body and restore the mind. Researchers 

included a 12-hour food fast at night, 

with supper being eaten three hours 

before bedtime, to reduce insulin levels. 

Diet: patients were put on plant-based 

diets, eliminating carbohydrates, gluten 

and processed food. They ate non-farmed 

fish and avoided ‘inflammatory’ foods 

like red meat, coffee, alcohol and dairy. 

Stress: patients did stress busting 

techniques comprising a daily meditation 

or mindfulness practice plus yoga classes. 

Exercise: optimum exercise 

involved fast walking, swimming 

or cycling for 30-60 minutes a 

day, four to six days a week. 

As a blueprint for a healthy life it’s 

all good common sense and – aside 

from some dietary challenges - pretty 

straightforward to put into place. It’s 

also cheaper than taking a pill and 

has far fewer side effects. According 

to Dale Bredesen, who authored the 

research, it is noteworthy that the 

major side effect of this therapeutic 

system is improved health and 

optimal BMI (body mass index). 

I think I can live with that. 

To read Dale Bredesen’s reasearch visit 

aging-us.com/article/100690/text 


Beautiful 

Eating 

Recipes: Madeleine Shaw 

Photographs: Martin Poole 


132

Food 

Following her appearance at Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair last month, bestselling 

food writer and nutritional health coach 

Madeleine Shaw shares wholesome, flavourful 

recipes supercharged with all the vitamins 

and minerals your body needs to keep 

you glowing with health all year round. 

Oregano-Infused Potato Salad 

with Fennel and Leeks 

Potatoes have had a bad rep over the years. Sure, they 

are a bit carby, but cold potatoes are rather spectacular. 

You see, cold potatoes contain lots of starch... which is 

amazing for your gut. And a healthy gut means clear 

skin, so let’s get munching on those spuds – yum! 

Serves 4 Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: 25 mins 

• 2 leeks, trimmed 

• 1 tbsp avocado 

oil or butter 

• salt and freshly ground 

black pepper, to taste 

• 400g Jersey Royals 

• 50ml veggie or chicken 

stock, just boiled 

• sprig of fresh 

oregano, leaves 

picked and chopped 

• 100g rocket 

• 1 fennel bulb 

• 2 spring onions 

• 30g walnuts, 

roughly chopped 

• 2 tbsp chopped 

fresh parsley 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

1. Finely chop the leeks into thin slivers. Heat 

the oil in a large pan and sauté the leeks 

with a pinch of salt and pepper for 20 

minutes, until golden and caramelised. 

2. While the leeks are cooking, boil the potatoes in a 

pot of simmering salted water for 20-25 minutes 

until tender. Drain them and slice in half, then put 

back into the same pot you cooked them in. Pour 

over the hot stock and add the oregano and a pinch 

of salt. Leave while you prep the rest of the salad. 

3. Place the rocket in a bowl. Thinly slice the fennel 

with a mandolin into fine ribbons and add to the 

rocket, then tip in the cooked leeks and potatoes. 

4. Finely chop the spring onions and throw them 

over the salad, along with the nuts, parsley, a big 

pinch of salt and the olive oil. Toss and serve. 


The New, 

Stylish and Portable 

Stone Baked Pizza Oven 

Authentic stone baked pizzas 

direct from the pizza oven 

Sizzling steaks and vegetables 

on the hot lavastone 

Perfect BBQ foods 

on the griddle and skillet 

www.thefirepod.com 

The George Inn 

FirepodWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 17:23 

High Street, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5AW 

01580 880315 www.thegeorgerobertsbridge.co.uk 

Bar, Restaurant & Rooms 

Tuesday—Saturday, 12pm—2.30pm & Dinner 6.30pm—9pm. Food now served Sunday, 12pm—7pm 


134 

GeorgeInnRobertsbridgeWT185.indd 1 12/06/2017 16:40

Food 

Chicken Ramen 

Serves 4 Prep time: 15 mins 

Cooking time: 25 mins 

This is my take on one of our 

Japanese favourites. Ramen has 

totally exploded in popularity 

in recent years, but what many 

people don’t realise is that it’s 

so easy to make at home when 

you want a warming meal. 

Chicken stock is great when 

you’re feeling run-down because 

it contains immune-boosting 

minerals such as calcium, 

magnesium, phosphorus, silicon 

and sulphur, which makes ramen 

such fantastic comfort food. 

• 1 tbsp coconut oil 

or butter 

• 1 tsp freshly grated ginger 

• 1 garlic clove, crushed 

• 500ml chicken stock 

• 200g button mushrooms 

• 1 red chilli, deseeded 

and finely chopped 

• 1 tbsp tamari or soy sauce 

• 2 chicken breasts or 

thighs, cut into strips 

• 100g rice noodles 

• 2 eggs 

• salt, to taste 

• 2 carrots, julienned 

• juice of ½ lime 

• 2 spring onions, 

finely chopped 

• 1 tbsp toasted 

sesame seeds 

1. Heat the oil in a large pan, add the ginger and garlic and sauté for 30 seconds. Next 

add the stock, mushrooms, chilli, tamari and chicken pieces. Cook for 20 minutes. 

2. Meanwhile, cook your rice noodles as per the packet instructions in a 

separate pot. In another pot, boil the eggs in plenty of water for 4 minutes, 

until the whites are cooked but the yolk is still runny. Once cool enough 

to handle, peel and slice the eggs in half and sprinkle on a little salt. 

3. Just before serving, throw the carrots and cooked noodles into the 

soup and squeeze in the lime juice. Top with the boiled egg halves, 

spring onions and sesame seeds, then serve immediately. 

 


Food 

Summer Lovin’ Bowl 

My favourite film of all time is Grease... so you can see where 

the name comes from. This is basically a combination of all the 

things I love about summer. It’s a real mixture of things, but 

it really packs a punch. Say hello to flavour and goodbye to 

soggy lettuce in Tupperware, and take this to work instead! 

Serves 2 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 40 mins 

• 2 large beetroots 

• 1 tbsp avocado oil or 

melted coconut oil 

• salt and freshly ground 

black pepper, to taste 

• 100g buckwheat 

• 1 cucumber, chopped into 

1cm chunks 

• 1 mango, peeled, stoned and 

chopped into 1cm chunks 

• juice of 1 lime 

• 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander 

• 1 jalapeño chilli, deseeded 

• 4 tbsp hummus 

• 1 tbsp chopped walnuts 

For the dressing 

• 2 tbsp almond butter 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 1 tbsp lemon juice 

• 1 tsp nutritional yeast 

(if you can find it) 

• 1 tsp tamari 

• pinch of chilli powder 

• pinch of smoked paprika 

• 1 tbsp cold water 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/400°F/ 

gas mark 6. Peel and cut the beetroots 

into 2½cm chunks. Put in a roasting 

tray and mix with the oil and a big 

pinch of salt and pepper. Roast for 

30-40 minutes until cooked through. 

2. While the beetroots are cooking, cook 

the buckwheat and make the dressing. 

First rinse the buckwheat in warm 

water, then place in a pot with 250ml 

of cold water and a pinch of salt. 

Bring to the boil and simmer for 12 

minutes until cooked through and all 

the water has been absorbed. Whisk 

the dressing ingredients together. 

3. Mix the cucumber, mango and lime 

juice together with the coriander and 

jalapeño. Plate up the roasted beets with 

the cooked buckwheat, hummus and 

walnuts, plus the cucumber and mango 

salad. Drizzle over the dressing.

Tours and Tastings 

at Hush Heath Estate 

Enjoy a fantastic day at Hush Heath Estate & Winery, 

the home of award-winning Balfour Brut Rosé. Now 

open 7 days a week, including Bank Holidays, from 

11am-5pm for visitors and wine-lovers to experience 

FREE Self-Guided tours and tastings. No need to book. 

New for 2017 – Free Guided Tours on selected dates 

Enjoy a free guided tour by one of our winery experts, 2½ 

hours including: A full Estate tour and winery tour followed 

by a tutored tasting of our award winning wines and ciders. 

Sun 27 th August 11.30am 

Please note there are limited places so please call 

01622 832794 to book your place 

hush heath estate, five oak lane, staplehurst, kent tn12 0ht 

01622 832794 www.hushheath.com 

HushHeathWineryWT185.indd 1 06/06/2017 12:54 

VISIT OUR 

HUSH HEATH 

WINERY 

NO NEED TO BOOK 

7days a week 

11am-5pm 

FREE 

Refreshingly Hush Heath. Passionately Local. 

Hush Heath Estate owns two fabulous local pubs that offer great food along with 

beautiful boutique hotel rooms, with gardens and dining terraces, all within a few 

miles of the Winery. All day dining available. 

CRANBROOK ROAD – GOUDHURST 

KENT – TN17 1DX 

01580 211 451 

www.goudhurstinn.com 

LOWER ROAD – WEST FARLEIGH 

KENT – ME15 0PE 

01622 814 717 

www.thetickledtrout.com 

PASSIONATELY PLAYING OUR PART AS CHAMPIONS OF GLORIOUSLY REFRESHING ENGLISH WINES AND CIDERS HUSHHEATH.COM 


GoudhurstInnWT180.indd 1 19/01/2017 10:12

AWARD WINNING GIN FROM THE SILENT POOL IN SURREY 

Now available at Majestic and Waitrose stores nationwide. 

www.silentpooldistillers.com

Food 

Madeleines 

It’s not a coincidence that I love 

madeleines. My love for these 

soft shell-shaped sponges 

blossomed at a young age, but I also 

lived in France for a brief time when 

I returned from Australia. I’d just set 

up my blog, and was experimenting 

with how to make some of my 

favourite treats gluten, dairy and 

refined sugar free. Well, I finally did 

it with the madeleines, but I have to 

say I’m yet to crack the croissant! 

Makes 16, serves 6-8 

Prep time: 20 mins Cooking time: 10 mins 

• 50g coconut oil, melted, 

plus extra for greasing 

• 60ml almond milk 

• 85g maple syrup or honey 

• grated zest of 1 lemon 

• 1 egg, beaten 

• 1 tsp vanilla extract 

• 120g buckwheat or 

white spelt flour 

• 1 tsp baking powder 

• ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda 

For the strawberry chia jam 

• 400g strawberries 

• 4 tsp chia seeds 

• 3 tbsp maple syrup 

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/375°F/ 

gas mark 5 and brush a madeleine 

tray with melted coconut oil. 

2. Make the jam by blending the 

strawberries, chia seeds and 

maple syrup until smooth. 

Leave on the side – the chia 

seeds will soak up the liquid 

and the mixture will become 

gelatinous after 10 minutes. 

3. To make the madeleines, whisk the 

coconut oil, almond milk, maple 

syrup, lemon zest, egg and vanilla 

together in a large bowl. Sift in the 

flour, baking powder and bicarb 

and stir to mix. Pour the batter 

into the madeleine moulds and 

bake in the oven for 10 minutes. 

4. Serve the madeleines with a 

dollop of jam. They are also 

great dipped in chocolate. 

These recipes are taken from A Year of 

Beautiful Eating by Madeleine Shaw, 

published by Trapeze in hardback and 

eBook, priced £20/£10.99 

wealdentimes.co.uk

Just add 

water 

If you have the space for one, a swimming pool 

can become a beautiful year-round garden feature 

and offers an ideal solution to keeping the whole 

family active. Once you’ve decided where to site 

your pool, there are a plethora of design options 

and combinations to choose from. We take a look 

at some of the best in-ground pools available 

The Covered Pool: 

“Our clients tell us that having a 

pool at home has changed how 

they spend their leisure time. 

Not only is it fun but also 

improves the family’s health. 

No need for the bank holiday 

weekends away with the chaos that 

seems to be part and parcel of air travel 

today or those stress-inducing trafficjam 

trips to the coast on weekends 

and in the school holidays. It also 

provides a new focus for entertaining 

at home. Add an enclosure and 

your family and friends can enjoy 

swimming and entertaining any 

time of year, any time of the day.” 

Arch Enclosures and Swimming Pools 

01444 411411 archenclosures.co.uk 


140

Multi Award Winning Company 

SPATA Pool Contractor of the Year 2015 

Specialists in indoor and outdoor swimming pools, 

servicing, maintenance and improvements. 

XL Pools Ltd, The Parlour, Saracens Dairy, 

Pluckley Road, Pluckley, TN27 0SA 

Telephone: 0845 20 60 420 

Email: enquiries@xlpools.com 

www.xlpools.com

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION VISIT 

www.leisurespasandpools.co.uk 

email: info@leisurespasandpools.co.uk 

Tel: 07484 248522 




Tel: 07484 248522 

n REFURBISHMENT 


n CLEANING 

n CLEANING 

n MAINTENANCE • CLEANING 

n MAINTENANCE 

n REPAIR 

n REPAIR 

• REFURBISHMENT 

• MAINTENANCE 

• REPAIR 

• SUPPLY OF SPA AND POOL CHEMICALS 

A RANGE OF CANOPIES DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY 

TO ADD STYLE AND PRACTICALITY TO YOUR HOME. 

Durable and attractive aluminium structures are available with 

a range of glazing or fabric covers, allowing you to choose the 

perfect structure for your setting and budget. 


n CLEANING 


n MAINTENANCE 


n REPAIR 


Tel: 07484 248522 

0800 0742 721 sbiproductsltd.co.uk 

If you’re looking for a swimming experience with 

a difference, why not consider a salt water pool? 

Swimming in salt water is known 

to be helpful for a number 

of physical ailments, as well as 

aiding emotional wellbeing. 

Salt water pools are still cleaned 

using chlorine, but it is naturally 

produced by a process of 

electrolysis. This means that the 

level of chlorine within the pool 

remains stable, and the harsh effects 

of chemical chlorine can be avoided. 

The water in salt water swimming 

pools is known to be rich in 

essential elements including 

mineral salts, vitamins and amino 

acids. These can act as a natural 

cleansing and exfoliating agent 

for the skin. Swimming in a salt 

water pool can help to boost 

your body’s immune system too. 

The water is said to open the 

pores, allowing the absorption of 


LeisureSpasAndPoolsWT185.indd 1 21/06/2017 SBIWT185.indd 14:36 1 21/06/2017 11:52 

minerals and aiding in the expulsion 

of toxins. The concentration 

of minerals in the water is 

also known to improve blood 

circulation, and can help conditions 

such as arthritis and general 

muscular and joint problems. 

If you already have a home 

swimming pool which is chlorinated, 

it is possible to convert this to a 

salt water pool if you wish to do so. 

Call XL Pools for advice if you’re 

thinking of building a new pool or 

converting an existing pool to a salt 

water swimming pool and we will 

gladly help you through the process. 

XL Pools Ltd. The Parlour, 

Saracens Dairy, Pluckley Road, 

Pluckley TN27 0SA 

Telephone 0845 20 60 420 

www.xlpools.com 


142 

XLPoolsWT185b.indd 1 20/06/2017 17:22

The Swimming 

Pool Garden: 

“We integrated a tiled 

swimming pool with a 

bamboo decking area for 

sun loungers. Generous 

seating areas have been 

created using New Riven 

York Stone defined with 

herringbone brick pathways. 

Herbaceous planting beds 

soften the hard landscaping 

and table top London Plane 

trees create vertical interest. 

Away from the house a fire 

pit, wildflower meadow 

and raised vegetable 

garden have been created 

with new Rolawn lawns 

putting the finishing 

touches to this project!” 

Graduate Landscapes, 

01428 724080 

graduatelandscapes.co.uk 

The Show Pool: 

“This pool is used as our personal home swimming pool, 

as well as being a show pool to demonstrate and promote 

to potential customers. We chose a Compass XL Trainer 

72 one piece ceramic pool. This is a small pool, but very 

well positioned within the garden. It incorporates a swim 

jet, impressive adjustable mood lighting, decorative water 

feature jets from the coping stones, is operated by remote 

control, and has a solar slatted cover system. The pool 

also features the new Beachline, a black granite bench just 

under the water level, which houses the solar cover.” 

XL Pools 01233 840336 xlpools.com 


Plunge into... 

... an affordable 

Dream 

Garden Pools 

Add a pool to your garden, sink it into 

the ground or have it free standing. 

Delivered with pump, filter, lights, 

covers, heating and many other options. 

Delivered to your site to DIY install 

with full instructions or use our 

install service. 

Available in many shapes and sizes 

from 4m long plunge pools to 25m long 

lap pools. 

Pool enclosures 

A pool enclosure ensures you can swim all 

year round, all day every day. Freestanding 

or attached to an existing wall. Fixed or 

telescopic designs. Advanced designs 

that are energy efficient. All the side 

windows slide up into the roof to provide 

unimpeded access from the pool to the 

garden. 10 year guarantee. Low level 

telescopic models also available. 

See the photo gallery at 

www.Archenclosures.co.uk 

One piece pools 

Why are one piece composite pools better? 

One piece construction has no seams 

or joints to fail, therefore leak proof, with 

a hygienic with ultra smooth finish in a 

choice of colours. Built in internal steps, 

safety rails and integrated automatic 

safety covers. 

● Pools are delivered fully fitted and 

installed in days with little disruption 

to the garden 

● A choice of sizes and shapes from 

4.5m patio models to large 12.5m 

family models. 

● Lifetime structural guarantee 

www.swimpools.co.uk 

Website: www.swimpools.co.uk Email: enquiries@swimpools.co.uk 

For detailed information and brochures, please contact Easy Pools Group. 

Telephone: 01444 411411 and 01444 411376

Garden 

The makings 

of a garden 

Sue Whigham talks about the evolution of her own 

garden and perfect plant combinations 

It was 1996 when we first saw the garden, and it 

was love at first sight. There was a paddock for our 

donkeys and an orchard behind the house with old 

lichen covered apple trees. And many of them are still here, 

looking a little elderly and some of which have become 

climbing frames for roses. We’re eternally grateful to Miss 

Richards who planted the orchard in 1952 and who left 

us a now very faded hand written plan of her trees. What 

wonderful varieties she sourced. A row of Peasgood’s 

Nonsuch is still standing as well as the old Yorkshire 

variety, Ribston Pippin, grown since the 18th Century, 

and one of my favourites, the robust and delicious cooker, 

M. ‘Arthur Turner’, still laden with fruit every autumn. 

We’re trying to remember what we did first apart 

from taking down some of the hurdles around the 

orchard which housed a few pet sheep here and there 

and rather foolishly buying a few tiny grass and ghost 

carp to control the water lilies that had become triffid 

like in the dew pond to the east of the house. 

We think it must have been some of the 

climbing and rambling roses that went in first. 

One mistake was to plant a couple of climbers 

up two of the Peasgood’s Nonsuch and whilst 

they are still very much there, their nature 

doesn’t really suit being trained up trees. We 

didn’t really know then that ramblers are so 

much better suited for the job whilst climbers 

have a rather more complicated pruning regime 

which is so difficult to carry out when they are 

clambering around in their host’s branches. 

We’d been reading Robin Lane Fox’s book, 

Better Gardening, which we think might have 

been the only gardening book we had then. 

So taking his advice and reading what he said about Rosa 

‘Blairii No. 2’ we started with that, seduced by his description 

of a rose whose petals are so ‘tightly packed that the scent, 

too, is doubled, like the fruit of a sweet white German 

wine’. And it is true except that much of the bloom is now 

too high to do anything but admire from ground level. 

Rosa ‘Paul Transon’ was another early arrival and we can’t 

“We’d been 

reading Robin 

Lane Fox’s book, 

Better Gardening, 

which we think 

might have been 

the only gardening 

book we had then” 

Hypericum and ‘Fox and Cubs’ 

recommend it more. We’d worked out by then that a rambler 

was more suitable for the trees so this went in. It’s a repeat 

flowerer, a rich salmon with ‘coppery overtones’ but the best 

thing about it is its unusual and rich scent. 

And then there were ramblers like Rosa 

‘Phyllis Bide’ first spotted whilst on a bus 

driving through Odiham, R. ‘Rambling 

Rector’, too vigorous for its host, but showy, 

and the delicate R. ‘Cecile Brunner’ which is 

just coming out now and which uses a rather 

decrepit old prunus as a climbing frame, the 

soft pink of the rose combining with the 

purple foliage. Later additions include R. 

‘Wedding Day’ and two less vigorous roses, 

R. ‘Apple Blossom’ and R. ‘Open Arms’, 

both charming. Then Peter Beales sent us 

a few shrub roses with delectable names 

and these went in between the apple trees. R. ‘Madame 

Hardy’ is lovely; white with a green eye but alas, no scent. 

A few trees arrived, perhaps two or three a year, from Robert 

Vernon’s Bluebell Nursery. These were bought as small plants 

but soon grew on and we had few fatalities. I think it is a 

good idea to start small if you feel you have the time to wait. 

The trunk of the beautiful birch, B. ermanii split and 

 


Was Your Property Built Before 1900? 

Do you have a lost well? An experienced water 

diviner / dowser may be able to locate it 

Garden Perfection 

City Escapes provide domestic & commercial garden solutions 

call John Baker 

on 01322 525975 

johnh2obaker.co.uk 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Regular Maintenance 

Design & Construction 

Small one off works 

Turf care management 

Problem area Solutions 

■ 

■ 

■ 

■ 

Seasonal Bedding plant displays 

Approved pesticide/ 

herbicides operators 

Habitat Management 

RHS qualified gardeners 

Tel: 01435 868211 | M: 07831 302107 | E: damian@cityescapes.co.uk 

www.cityescapes.co.uk 

JohnBakerH2oWaterDivinerWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 CityEscapesWT166.indd 11:15 

1 30/10/2015 12:07 

In the Heart of our Designs are 

Beautiful Gardens 

www.op 

T 

As a leading firm of passionate and talented garden designers,we design and build beautiful bespoke garden spaces for our clients. 

Our dedicated team of qualified professionals provide the very best standards of craftmanship throughout every aspect of our project. 

www.openviewlandscapes.co.uk Tel: 01580 764 090 


146 

OpenviewLandscapesWT185.indd 1 14/06/2017 14:30

Garden 

R. ‘Open Arms’ 

hornets feasted on the sap. It had to be bandaged with the 

remains of an old sheet but made a remarkable recovery. One 

of the slowest trees to establish, a beautiful lime introduced 

by Ernest Wilson from the wilds of China, Tilia henryana, 

is now romping away and maybe one day soon it will start 

to produce its autumn flowers. Look out for this one. It has 

huge ovate leaves which are toothed and so very striking. 

Clematis were planted here and there. Some have 

thrived but in this last dry spell, two or three seem to have 

disappeared. The soft pink C. ‘Duchess of Albany’ has gone 

in this year with the idea of it providing late summer interest 

through a grey leaved Elaeagnus ‘Quicksilver’. I love the late 

flowering clematis. Their bell-like flowers appear when you 

are least expecting them. The house and sheds are 

smothered with C. montana ‘Wilsonii’. Many of 

the plants have self seeded and combined with 

a Persian ivy which arrived as a cutting from a 

friend’s plant in Benenden. C. ‘Wilsonii’ is a 

good doer and its fragrant white flowers come 

a little later than many of the other montanas. 

Gravel in the garden has proved to be 

a fantastic growing medium as there is 

always something new popping up and 

there are now interesting combinations 

of self sown hypericums and the prolific burnt orange 

flowers of ‘Fox and Cubs’ which came from a Winchelsea 

garden open under the National Garden Scheme and 

a low growing Euphorbia cyparissias ‘Fens Ruby’. 

Borders were dug and filled with a mixture of shrubs and 

perennials. One border proved to be too ambitious and the 

soil baked hard in the summer. As its nutritional value didn’t 

seem to improve despite the addition of copious amounts 

of compost and grit, we’ve abandoned ship and a third of it 

has now been sown with a wild flower and grass mix from 

Emorsgate Seeds. It’s a huge success this year although a 

few less ox eye daisies in the mix would have been better. 

What survivors these are. I have never known anything to 

proliferate quite as much! The other parts of the border are 

“It took years to 

take out a huge 

and exceedingly 

geriatric privet 

hedge from 

round the little 

vegetable patch” 

R. ‘Blairi No.2’ in the trees 

waiting for attention and meanwhile the teasels and purple 

fennel have taken up residence and look very happy too. 

It took years to take out a huge and exceedingly 

geriatric privet hedge from round the little vegetable 

patch, apparently highly prolific in our predecessors’ day. 

Getting rid of this and replacing it with a picket fence 

now planted up with a cultivated blackberry, boysenberries 

and that really decorative Japanese Rubus 

phoenicolasius is a great improvement and 

it’s much more fun to see a few dahlias 

and salvias growing together through the 

kitchen window rather than the hedge. 

A giant purple fennel has appeared and 

reaches great heights by the end of the season 

too and provides a good backdrop to Salvia 

‘Amistad’ and that lovely variety, Salvia 

confertiflora. Both of these need to be lifted at 

the end of the year and a few cuttings taken but 

they strike easily and are worth the effort. S. ‘Amistad’ starts 

flowering in July – earlier if it has been kept in a greenhouse 

– and its dark purple flowers are still going in November. 

And so each year things change – a little. Some 

plants start to outgrow their space and have to be hard 

pruned; the apples need attention each winter and 

gradually need replacing. Moss seems to take over the 

lawn but by early June everything is looking rosy. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 07810 457948 for 

gardening advice and help in the sourcing and supply of 

interesting garden plants. 


email: production@indexmagazine.co.uk 

Below is a proof of your ad to be published Positions in the in the maga 

tel: 01892 517320 

PLEASE NOTE The content of the advertisment it will be taken that this ad 

WEST is KENT the responsibiluty MAY edition of the Index Magazine. positions tel: PLEASE NOTE are agreed 0189 The co 

PLEASEadvertiser NOTE The – content the publisher of the advertisment cannot email: accept production@indexmagazine.co.uk 

is responsibility the responsibiluty for any of inaccuracies. 

the every detail email: 

advertiser and will PLEASE – be the 

prod 

pub NO 

WEST KENT 

advertiser 

MAY 

Positions – the publisher in the magazine cannot cannot accept be guaranteed 

We trust 

except 

this is 

where 

as you 

special 

wish your advertisement 

to our proof Positions to 

reading. 

the mag 

PLEASE 

responsibility 

NOTE The appear content 

for 

– of 

any 

please the 

inaccuracies. 

advertisment let us know is the if not. responsibiluty However, of the advertiser 

Positions positions in the magazine are agreed cannot in writing be and on payment of a Special Position Fee. 

positions are agreed 

advertiser guaranteed – the publisher except where cannot accept special responsibility for any inaccuracies. PLEASE NOTE 

please note that if no response Please is received remember by this Positions The co in 

positions are agreed in writing and Positions on payment in the office magazine of a Special by 

cannot Position be guaranteed Fee. except where special advertiser 

positions to – the check pub 

a 

positions are agreed in writing and on payment of a Special Position 

Drive down our leafy e-mail lane address, Positions Fee. 

& web in the addres go mag 

0724 

THURSDAY 17 APRIL BEFORE 9AM positions are agreed 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, tiles, bricks, slates, tel: stone, 01892 fireplaces, 517320 antique 

it will be taken that this advert is acceptable in 

every detail and will be published email: as seen, production@ind 

subject 

Drive 

Drive 

down 

down 

our 

our 

Drive leafy 

leafy 

down lane 

lane 

our & leafy 

& 

go 

go 

back lane 

back 

& 100 go 

100 

back years 

years 

100 years 

to our proof reading. 

PLEASE NOTE The content of the adverti 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, tiles, bricks, slates, stone, fireplaces, Delve antique through furniture, centuries garden old oak antiques beams, & tiles, much bricks, more... slates, stone, fireplaces, antiqu 

advertiser – the publisher cannot accept 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, 

Delve 

tiles, 

through 

bricks, slates, 

centuries 

stone, 

old oak 

fireplaces, 

beams, tiles, 

antique 

bricks, slates, 

furniture, 

stone, 

garden 

fireplaces, 

antiques Please 

furniture, 

& remember much 

garden 

more... to check 

antiques 

your 

& 

Positions phone 

much 

in number, 

more... 

the magazine cannot be gua 

Delve through centuries old 

e-mail 

oak 

address, 

beams, 

web 

tiles, 

address 

bricks, 

etc... positions slates, are agreed stone, in writing fireplaces and on p 

alvage Ltd. 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, tiles, bricks, slates, stone, fireplaces, antiqu 

tel: 01892 517320 

email: production@indexmagazine.co.uk 

PLEASE NOTE The content of the advertisment is the responsibiluty of the 

Drive down our leafy lane & go back 

advertiser – the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any inaccuracies. 

Positions in the magazine cannot be guaranteed except where special 

ral Salvage Specialists 

positions are agreed in writing and on payment of a Special Position Fee. 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, tiles, bricks, slates, stone, fireplaces, antique furniture, garde 

Drive down our leafy lane & go back 100 years 

, Pluckley Road, 

Delve through centuries old oak beams, tiles, bricks, slates, stone, fireplaces, antique furniture, garden antiques & much more... 

Garden Design and Landscaping 

, Kent TN26 3DD 

01233 820724 

01233 820724 

Symonds Salvage Ltd. 


Architectural Salvage Specialists 

01233 820724 

Colts Yard, Pluckley Road, Architectural 01233 820724 Salvage Specialists 

01233 820724 

Bethersden, Kent TN26 3DD Colts Yard, Pluckley Road, 


Bethersden, Symonds Salvage Kent TN26 Ltd. 

www.symondssalvage.co.uk 

3DD 

dssalvage.co.uk 

Symonds Architectural Salvage Ltd. Salvage Specialists 

Architectural Salvage Specialists 

symondssalvage@aol.com 

Architectural Colts Yard, Salvage Pluckley Specialists Road, 


01233 Colts Yard, 820724 Pluckley Road, Architectural Salvage Specialist 


Colts Bethersden, Yard, Pluckley Kent Road, TN26 3DD 

01233 Bethersden, Kent TN26 3DD 

01233 820724 Symonds 820724 Salvage Ltd. 

Bethersden, Kent TN26 3DD 


Symonds Architectural Salvage Ltd. 

Symonds Salvage Ltd. www.symondssalvage.co.uk Salvage Specialists 

Unique garden consultations. 

Symonds 

Architectural Salvage Architectural Specialists 

Specialists 



Colts symondssalvage@aol.com 

Yard, 

Salvage 

Pluckley 

Ltd. 

Understand the possibilities Colts Yard, Pluckley Colts Road, Yard, Pluckley Architectural Road, 

Architectural Road, Salvage Specialist 


Bethersden, 

Bethersden, Kent TN26 Bethersden, 3DD Architectural Kent Salvage TN26 Specialists 

Kent TN26 3DDSalvage 3DD Specialist 

01797 260 451 07831 868 848 Colts Yard, Pluckley Road, 




info@gardeneye.co.uk | www.gardeneye.co.uk Bethersden, symondssalvage@aol.com Kent TN26 3DD Architectural Salvage Specialist 

Architectu 



vage@aol.com 

magazine 

Creating Beautiful Gardens 

Drive down our leafy lane & go 

Drive 

Drive down 

down 

our 

our 

leafy 

leafy 

lane 

lane 

& go 

& 

GardenEyeWT185.indd 1 19/06/2017 SymondsSalvageWT147.indd 13:04 

1 17/04/2014 10:24 

email: 

For Brilliant Year Round Results 

Wealden Country Landcraft 


Wealden Country Landcraft 

For all your design, construction and maintenance requirements, contact: 

Adam Sutton BSc (Hons) Environmental Science | Tim Playfoot BA (Hons) Garden Design 

Tel:01892 722699| Adam:07979 362241 | Tim:07990 751353 | www.playfootgardendesign.co.uk 

148 

WCLandcraftWT181.indd 1 07/02/2017 17:19

Garden 

Second out, round two! 

Jo Arnell explains that it’s never too late to get the most out of your veg garden over the summer months 

I’m all for trying again when I don’t succeed, for never 

saying die and persisting in the face of unsurmountable 

odds; in another life I might be climbing mountains or 

swimming the channel. In this one I’m attempting to grow 

vegetables. It would be easy, if it weren’t for a myriad of 

factors that conspire against me (my own nature probably 

being one). There’s the weather – it is either too cold, too 

windy, too hot or too many things in rapid succession; there 

are pests galore helping themselves left and right, from above 

and below. And then there are mysterious problems linked 

to the soil, or the general health of the plants. Let’s not even 

mention the events in life and work that take us far away 

from thoughts of vegetable growing. It can be easy to lose 

the plot. If you’ve been lucky, or very diligent, you may have 

managed to avoid most pitfalls and already have harvested and 

cleared a space. On the other hand (mine’s a grubby, blistered 

one) one, or all of the above setbacks may have occurred; 

the weather, the pests, or just life in general, have prevented 

a harvest of any kind. In either scenario, this is the moment 

to jump back in and start again. There is still time (you’ll be 

glad to hear) to sow some vegetables from scratch this year. 

Catch-up Crops 

The weather and the soil have warmed and anything 

sown now will be faster to germinate, in fact 

some crops will grow so quickly that they almost 

catch up with those sown earlier in the year. 

Choose fast maturing vegetables and those that 

don’t take long from sowing to harvest: 

Radishes are so quick that they can even be grown in 

between rows of slower growing vegetables, as they’ll be 

harvested before their companions need the space. 

Baby beetroot can be nearly as fast, with the added bonus 

that you can harvest the young leaves for salads too. 

 


ED422 HURST GREEN V2.qxp_Layout 1 17/03/2017 14:36 Page 1 

LET’S GET 

GARDENING 

With Ernest Doe Power 

WE HAVE 1000’s OF PRODUCTS TO HELP YOU 

CREATE & ENJOY THE PERFECT GARDEN 

For Gardens 

of Distinction 

There’s so much more in your local country store... 

We’re online too: ernestdoeshop.com 

The Foundry, Hurst Green, 

Etchingham TN19 7QP 

Tel: 01580 860495 

www.chilstone.com 

01892 740866 

Victoria Park, Fordcombe Road, Langton 

Green, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0RD 


150 

ErnestDoe&SonsWT182.indd 1 17/03/2017 ChilstoneWT185.indd 15:30 

1 21/06/2017 14:03

Garden 

Summer crops can be prone to bolting – that is, 

running to seed before you have a chance to harvest 

them. Make sure that they get adequate water and sow 

bolt proof varieties of things like beetroot, coriander 

and spinach. 

Fast maturing vegetables will give you a harvest 

in just a few weeks, but this is also a good time for 

sowing crops to harvest in the autumn and winter. 

Salads, mange tout peas, baby carrots and dwarf beans 

are quick croppers, while a row or two of kale, Swiss 

chard, broccoli or spring cabbage will provide a harvest 

during the colder months. 

Pests can increase to plague proportions in the 

summer months and decimate crops, so make sure that 

you protect them with fine netting or fleece. Grow 

carrots in raised containers to keep out carrot fly. 

Tender plants like beans and courgettes must be 

harvested before the first frosts arrive and need about 

10-12 weeks from sowing to cropping. 

Peas are useful to grow in succession – there’s a fast 

one, aptly called ‘Meteor’ and then there are mange 

tout varieties, which are eaten as young pods. 

Dwarf beans are faster than climbing beans because they 

don’t have to make a giant beanstalk before starting to 

flower and form pods. Sowing to harvest time should be 

around 10 weeks. Make sure that beans are well watered 

in dry spells, especially when they’re forming their pods. 

You should just get away with a sowing of courgettes 

now too. Remember that courgettes and beans are 

tender, so the latest you can sow for a harvest before 

the frosts is probably July. Some years it stays mild until 

December, but frosts can come as early as September… 

July is generally the last month to sow carrots for an autumn 

crop. Choose smaller varieties – there are quite a few stubby 

ones around – ‘Chantenay’ is quite a good one, or a quick 

growing variety such as ‘Amsterdam Forcing’. There are 

even tiny round carrots, almost like orange radishes. Small 

carrots can be eaten whole and don’t need peeling either. 

Credit: FreeImages.com/ Beverly llyod, Rico Jensen 

Salad days 

Lettuce needs cool, light conditions in which to germinate. 

They will grow in partial shade, which may be a better 

place to sow it in summer, as lettuce is prone to bolting 

in hot, dry conditions. Sow in succession if you eat a 

lot – a pinch of seed every four weeks or so. Loose leaf 

varieties like Salad Bowl, Lollo Rosso, or salad mixes 

that contain a combination of leaves are useful, as you 

can treat them as cut-and-come-again crops – just cut 

and more leaves will grow from the base of the plant. 

Rocket does what its name suggests, but may bolt 

(run to seed) in very hot conditions, so might be 

better sown towards the end of the month. 

 


KITCHEN 

GARDEN 

WEEK 

 

The Summer Holidays are coming! 

Get 10% off Play Area certified Sand, Bark and Woodchip 

delivered throughout July when quoting “Wealden Times” 

Topsoils Composts Barks Aggregates 

Small Bags, Bulk Bags or Loose Loads 

Delivered or Collected 

www.gardenscapedirect.co.uk 

Freephone 0800 854663 

The Wharf, Rye Road, Newenden, TN18 5QG 

Celebration of the kitchen garden; ‘From The 

Garden’ cookery book, based on Pashley, on sale 

Also… lilies & herbaceous borders in bloom 

Ticehurst TN5 7HE 01580 200888 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

The finest of British 

Country Outbuildings 

GardenscapeWT185.indd 1 15/06/2017 PashleyManorWT185.indd 15:32 

1 16/06/2017 13:55 

"The Garage was perfect for our situation. 

Help and advice was given all along the way. 

It was delivered on time and erected perfectly 

by your excellent team." 

Mr T. Cambridgeshire 

Oak fronted Carriage Houses, Open Barns, 

Free standing Timber Garages 

Above: Our versatile range of Carriage Houses. Right: Traditional Double Garage, Open Barn. 

www.passmores.co.uk 

Rochester, Kent ME2 4DR Telephone: 01634 290033 

Passmores Est.1909, Kent’s best manufacturer, FSC certified, erecting service, tiling service 

planning service available, nationwide delivery, large showground, full colour brochure. 


152 

PassmoresWT175.indd 1 11/04/2016 10:54

Garden 

Herbs, especially annuals like Coriander, Chervil, Dill and 

Parsley (a biennial) are very easy to sow and grow. Depending 

on how much you need, sow small quantities right through 

the growing season. Coriander is prone to running to seed 

almost before it grows any leaves, so grow a leafy variety like 

Cilantro, which is less annoying and has the same flavour. 

Planning ahead 

This is a good time to start thinking about sowing crops for 

the autumn and winter such as Swiss chard, perpetual spinach 

and kale. These leafy stalwarts will provide harvests right 

through the winter and into the early spring. Protect kale from 

caterpillars in the summer, and pesky pigeons in the winter. 

Oriental greens like pak choi, tatsoi and mustards like 

mizuna (I also grow a pretty dark leaved one called ‘Red 

Frills’) can be sown towards the end of the month. These 

are best grown either side of the summer – so in the spring 

or at the end of the summer. They are good and reliably 

fast (pak choi may need a little watering, so that the base 

swells – and it can get attacked by caterpillars). Sometimes 

the leaves of oriental greens become peppered with tiny 

holes, which are made by flea beetles. A really fine net or 

fleece will protect them and ensure a supply of perfect 

stir fries and spicy salads right through the autumn. 

The rush of early season growth may be over, but the 

soil is warm and welcoming and conditions are less prone 

to extremes than they were back in the spring and early 

summer. Watering may be an issue (let’s all wish for warm 

dry days and rain at night…) and the pests are still as 

hungry as vegetarian micro-wolves, but if you provide some 

protection for the vulnerable crops and water judiciously 

– when and where needed, you will soon be harvesting 

some (more?) wonderful, home grown vegetables. So, if it 

all went wrong back in the spring, or if you’re twiddling 

your thumbs and looking at a nice empty space on your 

plot, or even if you are finally getting round to thinking 

about it, this is a very good time to get growing again, 

in fact there’s no time to waste. Let’s get out there. 

Contact Jo for gardening courses,border planting and 

advice: 01233 861149 jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

Kate Ball 

Garden Design & Planting Plans 

Individual and bespoke garden spaces 

07870 627145 

www.kateballgardendesign.co.uk 

TREE SURGERY 

Professional Tree Care Service 

KateBallWT185.indd 1 15/06/2017 11:04 

Fully Qualified & Insured Team 

Felling and Stump Removal 

Storm Damage Cleanups 

Crown Thinning, Lifting and Reduction 

Hedgecutting 

Get in Touch for Free Consultation and Advice 

T: 01342 851 385 M: 07808 645 800 

W: www.katsuragardens.co.uk 

E: philip@katsuragardens.co.uk 


KatsuraGardensWT183.indd 1 20/04/2017 14:16

Education 

Extra Help 

Susan Elkin explores the demand for unqualified tutors 

Credit: FreeImages.com/Picaland 

Tutoring is a mixed blessing. In my time I’ve done 

plenty of it – teaching all day in school and then 

coaching children privately from other schools 

in the evening because I had a young family and there 

was never enough money. And of course many parents 

buy extra help for their children because they are not 

satisfied with what happens in schools especially when 

there are entrance tests or public examinations at stake. 

But what about tutors employed by schools? It seems to 

be quite widespread. Earlier this year I saw, at Southwark 

Playhouse, School Play by young playwright Alex MacKeith 

whom I also interviewed. The play, now published by 

Oberon, is inspired by Alex’s experience of being employed 

as a new graduate, to tutor groups of primary school 

pupils. The aim is to get the SATS results to the right 

level so that the school qualifies for the level of funding 

it needs. He was so fascinated by the dynamic of teachers 

and tutors (and he knows lots of others) working alongside 

each other in schools that he wrote a play about it. 

Then, the other day, I found myself sitting at a family meal 

next to a distant, by-marriage relation on her gap year. She’s 

due to start a bio-chemistry degree at a prestigious university in 

September. Meanwhile she’s working in three secondary schools 

tutoring small maths and English groups to boost GCSE results. 

“They’re not interested in science because it’s the maths and 

English which affects the statistics,” she told me ruefully. 

I find this both intriguing and worrying. The concern seems 

to be driven entirely by figures, tables, the status of schools 

and the future of the people who are working in them. 

I’m surprised, too, that the teaching unions aren’t jumping 

up and down, furious that their members are being “sidelined 

by unqualified teenagers”. My dinner companion tells me, 

incidentally, that she is paid even less than a teaching assistant 

so it’s a good bargain for the school. She works in the north of 

England and is paid partly by the schools she’s in and partly 

by the local authority. She is, of course, one of dozens. 

There’s nothing new in education. Both my maternal 

grandmother and my mother trained as teachers through 

the “pupil teacher” route. In-school tutoring seems similar 

except that I doubt most of today’s tutors will go on to be 

teachers. And isn’t the underlying question – to which I 

don’t know the answer – that if these youngsters can teach 

effectively why do we bother to train teachers expensively 

for three years? Perhaps it’s time for some radical thinking. 

DAY & BOARDING SCHOOL FOR GIRLS & BOYS AGED 2-13 

H A P P Y 

V E R Y 

V E R Y 

H A P P Y 

AN OUTSTANDING EDUCATION IN AN IDYLLIC SETTING 

Twenty one scholarships awarded to Vinehall pupils so far by senior schools, 

including Academic, Sport, Music, Art, Drama and Design Technology. 

For further information and a prospectus please contact Karen Cooper 

on 01580 883090 or at admissions@vinehallschool.com. 

www.vinehallschool.com 

ROBERTSBRIDGE, EAST SUSSEX 


154 

VinehallSchoolWT184.indd 1 19/05/2017 11:32

THE PERFECT SUMMER HOLIDAY TREAT 

HHHHH 

‘ 

AS LIGHT 

AND BOUNCY 

AS A BUBBLE 

OF GUM! ’ 

The Observer 

‘ 

THE 

ULTIMATE 

FEEL-GOOD 

SHOW ’ 

The Guardian

What’s On In July 

Art 

perfect scene to transport you back in 

amusements for children, and 

to explore its gardens and terrace 

time with archery, crafts, music and 

showcases from masterful makers. 

equipped with a bouncy castle and 

Sat 1 July – Sat 23 Sept 

story telling. 

Entry: Day passes £35, Entrance only 

home spun candy floss, then classic 

Artichoke Gallery, Church Street, 

Info: 01903 882173 / arundelcastle.org 

£5, Under 14s free 

afternoon tea served at 3pm. 

Ticehurst, East Sussex TN5 7AE 

Info: wealdenliteraryfestival.co.uk 

Entry: Adults £25, Children £12.50 

ACROSS THE WATER 

Festivals & Shows 

Info: 01892 320749 / hotelduvin.com 

Paintings, Sculpture, Ceramics, and 

Food 

Jewellery taking inspiration from 

Sat 1 July 12-5pm 

Music 

Rivers, Seascapes and Foreign Lands 

51 Church Street, Boughton 

Sat 8 – Sun 9 July 10am-5pm 

including beautiful bold work from 

Monchelsea, Maidstone, Kent 

King John’s Nursery and Garden, 

Saturday 1 July 7.30pm 

Susan Moxley and lovely handcrafted 

ME17 4HN 

Sheepstreet Lane, Etchingham 

St. George’s Church, Church Street, 

jewellery from Wendy Penrose. 

Boughton Monchelsea 

TN19 7AZ 

Gravesend, Kent DA11 0DJ 

Entry: Free 

Village Fete & Dog Show 

The Cobnut Food Fair 

An Evening with 

Info: 01580 200905 / 

Trade stands, arena events, BBQs, 

Pack your picnic basket and visit 

Gravesham Choral 

artichokegallery@gmail.com 

a farmers’ market, the grand classic 

this charming nursery which will 

Society 

artichokegallery.co.uk 

car show, it’s all going on at the 

be decked out with over 40 stalls, 

Gravesham Choral Society will be 

Boughton Village Fete, even a dog 

demonstrating the best of Wealden 

conducted by Alan Vincent, with 

Mon 24 July - Mon 7 Aug, Mon - 

show with classes for any four legged 

food and drink. There will be cookery 

Eloise Irving as soprano and Malcolm 

Weds 9am-6pm, Thurs 9am-8pm, 

friends to get in on the fun! 

demonstrations and delicious tasters 

Riley on organ. The programme 

Fri 9am-6pm, Sat 9am-5pm 

Info: Hannah Jane Tripp (Organiser): 

for all as well as a field of children’s 

includes Handel’s Little Organ Mass, 

Kaleidoscope Gallery & Library, 

07703 162585 / facebook.com/ 

activities to keep little ones amused. 

Mozart’s Exsultate Jubilate and 

Buckhurst Lane, Sevenoaks 

BoughtonMonchelseaVillageFete 

Entry: Free 

Duruflé’s Requiem. Tickets available 

TN13 14Q 

Info: kingjohnsnursery.co.uk 

from the box office, choir members 

Textile Studio Exhibition 

Thurs 6 – Sun 16 July 

themselves or on the door. 

An exhibition of contemporary 

Various locations in Romney Marsh 

Sat 8 – Sun 9 July 11am-6pm 

Entry: £12, students £5 

textiles and mixed media by artists 

JAM on the Marsh 

Stade Open Space, Hastings Old 

Info: 01474 816684 

based in Kent. 

JAM on the Marsh, brings Kent’s 

Town, High Street, Hastings, Kent 

Entry: Free 

Romney Marsh to life as locations 

Fish Festival 

Sat 8 July 

Info: 01634 714477 

dotted around the 15 mile marshland, 

Learn to expertly prepare and cook 

Leeds Castle, Penfold Hill (B2163), 

including its beautiful medieval 

fish and seafood, try your hand at 

Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RG 

Children & Family 

churches, host a line up of 32 free 

sea themed craft activities and enjoy 

Leeds Castle Classical 

and low priced events in a spectrum 

live music from artists including The 

Concert 

Sat 15 July – Sun 3 September and 

of music and art which embraces all 

Kytes and Violet Jive. 

The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra 

Sat 9 – Sun 10 September 

Info: jamconcert.org 

Entry: £1 advance, £2 on the gate, 

is set to deliver another masterful 

Penshurst Place, Penshurst, 

Under 18s free (tickets cover both days) 

programme hosted by Aled Jones. Sip 

Tonbridge TN11 8DG 

Fri 7 – Sun 9 July 

Info: hastingsfestivals.com/fishfestival 

your champagne and watch as John 

Summer Maize Maze 

Kent Showground, Detling, 

Rigby conducts the orchestra, the 

Looking for something to do over the 

Maidstone, Kent ME14 3JF 

Garden 

Patriot Girls perform old classics and 

summer holidays? This amazing maize 

Kent County Show 

a 1940s spitfire takes to the skies. 

maze is great fun for children and 

A typical country showcase 

Sat 8 – Sat 15 July 

Info: 01622 767865 / 

adults. It has been designed with a 

celebrating rural farm life by 

Pashley Manor Gardens, Pashley 

leedscastleconcert.co.uk 

literary theme by Mazescape, and has 

combining the best of Kentish 

Road, Ticehurst, Wadhurst 

clues and riddles hidden throughout 

animals, food and entertainment to 

TN5 7HE 

Sat 29 July 6pm 

its mysterious depths, all leading you 

bring you a wonderful family day out 

Kitchen Garden Week 

All Saints Church, Waldron, East 

to discover the Maize Maze message. 

with over 400 exhibitors and trade 

July sees the Kitchen Garden of 

Sussex, TN21 0RA 

Info: 01892 870307 / 

stands and over 300 competitions, 

Pashley Manor ripe and ready to 

Musical Evening 

penshurstplace.com 

activities and displays. 

enjoy. During Kitchen and Garden 

Enjoy an evening of beautiful music 

Info: kentshowground.co.uk 

Week, the gardeners behind this 

with soprano Katherine Adams and 

Tues 25 – Sun 30 July 

re-creation of the manor’s garden will 

the Waldron Handbell Ringers. 

Arundel Castle, Arundel, West 

Sat 15 – Sun 16 July 

give advice and answer questions. 

Entry: £12 (including a glass of wine 

Sussex BN18 9AB 

Boldshaves Garden, Woodchurch, 

Entry: £10, HHA members free 

or soft drink and canapés). 

Jousting & Medieval 

Kent TN26 3RA 

Info: 01580 200888 / 

Info: julwheatley@aol.com 

Tournament 2017 

Wealden Literary Festival 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

This renowned international jousting 

A literary festival which centres 

Summer Activities 

competition gathers together proud 

itself around nature in the 

Sat 8 July 2pm 

knights, hailing from across the 

enchanting Boldshaves Garden 

Hotel Du Vin, Crescent Road, 

Tues 4 July 10am-8pm 

globe, clad in full plate armour, 

with its surrounding fields and wild 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2LY 

Nutley Antiques, Libra House, High 

and sat astride their noble steeds, to 

woods. In addition to its host of 

20th Birthday Summer 

St, Nutley, Uckfield TN22 3NF 

demonstrate their outstanding skill 

engaging speakers, book-signings, 

Garden Party 

Nutley Antiques’ Summer 

and chivalry. An authentic medieval 

and Sevenoaks bookshop, the fair 

A lovely way to enjoy a British 

Party 

style encampment in the grounds of 

will also include Clare Smith as 

summer, with a guided tour of the 

Returning after great success at last 

the glorious Arundel Castle, sets the 

artist in residence, nature activities, 

hotel and its wine cellars, a chance 

year’s re-launch celebration, Nutley 

 


156

A UNIQUE TWO-DAY EVENT 

EXPLORING ALL THAT IS AVAILABLE 

FOR A HEALTHY & HAPPY LIFESTYLE 

22-23 September 2017 

MABLEDON 

Tunbridge wells 

EXPERT TALKS 

Wellbeing Workshops 

Live Kitchen 

THERAPY SPA 

Fitness Station 

Family Health 

NATURAL BEAUTY 

Food Market 

JOIN OUR MAILING LIST ONLINE FOR 

EXCLUSIVE EARLY ACCESS TO TICKETS! 

@healthandwellbeinglive 

@healthlive2017 

WWW.HEALTHANDWELLBEINGLIVE.CO.UK 

HealthAndWellbeingLiveWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 11:47 


EventUmbrellaWT185.indd 1 19/06/2017 14:22

CHD-WT185.indd 1 14/06/2017 10:11 

*THIS WAS A SELL-OUT LAST YEAR* 

EARLY BOOKING RECOMMENDED 

PRE-BOOK YOUR TICKETS 

NEW FOR 2017 

MEET THE 

DINOSAURS 

NIFTY FEET 

‘MUST-DO’ SUMMER DANCE CAMP 

MONDAY 14TH – FRIDAY 18TH AUGUST 2017 

BENENDEN VILLAGE HALL 

BOOK NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE ON THIS 

POP-UP SCHOOL OF SPECTACULAR HIP HOP, 

STREET AND CONTEMPORARY DANCE WITH 

LEADING GLOBAL CHOREOGRAPHER LYNNE 

PAGE. 

JUNIORS (8-12 YRS OLD) 10.30AM – 4PM £45 PER DAY 

TEENAGERS (13–16 YRS OLD) 4PM – 6PM £15 PER SESSION 

BOOK NOW AT WWW.NIFTYFEET.CO.UK 

7,8,9 JULY 

www.kentshow.co.uk 01622 633060 

Kent Showground, Maidstone ME14 3JF 

kentcountyshow 

kentcountyshow 

NiftyFeetWT185.indd 1 13/06/2017 KentShowgroundWT183.indd 14:35 

1 24/04/2017 14:58 

A YEAR OF 

ENTERTAINMENT 

ONCEVISIT 

PAY 

AGAIN 

& AGAIN 

TICKET VALID 

FOR A YEAR 


158

Antiques is equipped with fresh stock, 

plenty of Pimm’s and some yummy 

nibbles for you to enjoy. 

Entry: Free 

Info: 01825 713220 / 

facebook.com/Nutleyantiques 

Tues 4 – Thurs 6, Tues 11 – Thurs 

13, and Tues 18 – Thurs 20 July 

Spa Valley Railway, Tunbridge Wells 

West Station, Royal Tunbridge 

Wells, Kent TN2 5QY 

Kent and Sussex Railway 

Discounted Rail Travel 

for the young at heart 

Travel by steam train in beautifully 

restored carriages and over sixties save 

£5 on return journeys. The railway’s 

facilities have been carefully designed 

with disabled, elderly and less mobile 

visitors in mind. On-train catering is 

available and you can save 10% when 

booking on the previous day. 

Info: 01580 765155 / kesr.org.uk 

Mon 24 July – Fri 18 August, 

9.15am-4.15pm 

The Grange, Rectory Lane, 

Bookham KT23 4DZ 

Summer Fun Respite Care 

Days 

Summer Fun offers activities for 

adults with learning disabilities at 

the beautiful Grange care centre in 

Bookham. They are CQC rated good, 

and this is a great opportunity to try 

new things, make friends and have 

some fun over the summer! 

Info: 01372 455229 / 

vikki.schadenberg@grangecentre.org.uk / 

grangecentre.org.uk 

Theatre 

Sat 22 July 

Leeds Castle, Maidstone ME17 1PL 

Open Air Theatre: Romeo 

and Juliet 

What better setting for Shakespeare’s 

great romantic tragedy than the 

world’s loveliest castle? This timeless 

tale of death-marked love will be 

played by the Royal Navy Theatre 

Association on the Pavilion Lawn, the 

which if you with patient ears attend, 

what here shall miss, their toil shall 

strive to mend. 

Entry: Adults £12, Concession £10, 

Under 4s Free 

Info: 01622 767865 / leeds-castle.com 

Thurs 27 – Sat 29 July 

Haslemere Museum, 78 High St, 

Haslemere GU27 2LA 

The Guildburys Theatre 

Company – Nell Gwynn 

The Guildburys Theatre Company 

are delighted to be performing Jessica 

Swale’s award-winning comedy. This 

warm hearted production tells the 

story of an unlikely heroine, the 

lowly orange seller who won the 

adoration of the public and the heart 

of the King. The beautiful grounds 

of Haslemere Museum provide the 

perfect setting for outdoor open-air 

theatre, so grab a picnic, uncork the 

wine and head to the lawns for a 

highly entertaining evening. 

Info: guildburys.com 

Workshops 

Sun 16 July 10.30am-4pm 

Belmont House and Gardens, 

Belmont, Belmont Park, Throwley, 

Kent ME13 0HH 

Spoon Carving 

For any readers looking to learn a 

new skill, book now to get yourself 

into this fantastic workshop with 

limited spaces. Badger Bushcraft’s Phil 

will be demonstrating and instructing 

on how to make your own spoon 

safely and expertly. The suggested age 

range is 13 and up, and lunch and 

refreshments will be provided. 

Entry: £40 

Info: 01795 890228 / 

events@belmont-house.org / 

belmont-house.org 

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 Wealden 

Times 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 August issue is 14 July 2017. 

What’s On In July 

Ibbett Mosely 

AuctIoneers & VAluers 

Limited Liability Partnership 

The Auctioneer's Next Sale Will Be On 

Wednesday 12th July 2017 

Commencing at 12.30pm | Viewing 10.00am - 12.30pm 

At Ibbett Mosely Auction Rooms, Argyle Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HJ 

Valuation Day - Wednesday 20th September 2017 11am to 4pm 

At Ibbett Mosely Auction Rooms, Argyle Rd, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1HJ 

Tel: 01732 456731 Web: www.ibbettmosely.co.uk 

125 High St, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1UT 

Registered in England No. 0C341637 Regulated by RICS Registered at the Sevenoaks office as Ibbett Mosely Surveyors LLP 

Health without Medicine! 

IbbettMoselyWT185.indd 1 06/06/2017 14:46 

All you need to know on one website, based 

on thirty years experience in natural health 

promotion and therapy. This site offers you 

information on body, diet, stress & breathing. 

Equally useful for patients or doctors who 

want to give their patients more than just 

“A Pill for Every Ill”. Tel: 01580 752 852 

Visit: www.TotalHealthMatters.co.uk 

St.Bridgets, Rye Road, Hawkhurst, Kent. TN18 5DA 

ButeykoWT185.indd 1 20/06/2017 11:47 

p 


GodintonHouseWT185.indd 1 19/06/2017 10:06

Home & Interiors 

Gardens 

Wealden Wealden Times Times - Bazaar - Classified 

DECORATIVE & COUNTRY 

FURNITURE OPEN DAY SALE 

SATURDAY 1st JULY 10am - 4pm 

UNIT 10 MIDICY OAST, BODIAM BUSINESS PARK 

www.atkinsantiques.com 

01580 830681 - 07754427194 

1/4 mile down from the Curlew restaurant towards 

Cripps Corner on B2244 

AtkinsAntiquesWT185.indd 1 16/06/2017 BattleMowersWT184.indd 13:40 

1 03/05/2017 16:14 

www.dhallcabinetmaker.co.uk 

Clare Langdon 

INTERIORS 

David Hall 

Cabinet Maker 

& 

Antique Restorer 

* High Quality Bespoke Furniture 

* Antique Restoration of all types 

* Carving and Copy Carving 

* Polishing 

NO VAT 

Phone 01797 270761 

Email: hallcrocket@aol.com 

Battle Mowers Ltd 

Main dealer for 

THE ESSENCE OF FINE 

BRITISH LAWNS 

For further information please phone 01424 773096 

or-email: battlemowers@btconnect.com www.battlemowers.co.uk 

visit our showroom at The Granary, Station Rd, Battle. TN33 0DE 

Pop-up Shop Now Open 

Ockley Road, Hawkhurst TN18 4DP 

bespoke ironwork for home & garden 

07765 344298 

www.cranbrookiron.com 

Open: Wednesday - Saturday 

Creating gardens 

of distinction 

CranbrookIronWT177.indd 1 25/10/2016 15:41 

DavidHallWT108.indd 1 14/01/2011 15:27 

Made to measure 

curtains & blinds 

Tracks & poles 

Measuring & fitting service 

Home consultation 

Fabrics & design advice 

Telephone 01233 850829 

clarelangdoninteriors.co.uk 

Probably the most experienced, established 

& qualified contractor in the area 

Geoff Tiltman 

City & Guilds in Horticulture N.C.T 

FREE QUOTATIONS, CALL 

SMARDEN 01233 770777 or 07775 694963 

Marquee Hire 

All Garden Construction & 

Maintenance • Drives 

Paving • Walling • Fencing 

Untidy Gardens Made 

Tidy • Grass Cutting 

GeoffTiltmanWT168.indd 1 18/01/2016 15:41 

ClareLangdonWT184.indd 1 12/05/2017 16:19 

A pet portrait makes a wonderful gift 

Professional Oil Paintings & Drawings 

Visit www.dianewilks.weebly.com or 

Email for examples: wdiane93@aol.com 

Diane 01580 212327 

The complete kitchen service... 

...from a hinge to a complete makeover 

The supply & replacement of 

drawers, doors, worktops, 

hinges, all fitted kitchen 

components/appliances, door 

renovation & polishing, bedroom 

doors & bespoke cabinets. 

Please call 

01689 850000 

www.thekitchendoctor.com 

Serving London & the South-East since 1984 

InPartyTentsCo 

Stylish & Unique Marquees for weddings & parties 

www.inpartytentsco.com 07917457820 / 01424 753147 

inpartytentsco@aol.com 


160 

DianeWilksWT144.indd 3 20/01/2014 KitchenDoctorWT145.indd 14:32 

1 28/01/2014 InPartyTentCoWT169.indd 10:12 

1 11/02/2016 12:44

Competition 

Win 20 litres of 

Autentico paint 

Autentico manufacture their own line of 

furniture and wall paints, combining 

technology with tradition and creativity with 

professionalism. Whether you are embarking on 

a creative venture or a home building endeavour, 

Autentico Paint will always provide a quality, versatile 

and honest product to suit your aspirations. 

Autentico’s paints contain the highest level 

of chalk and lime, are low in VOC’s and many 

of their core paint products are completely 

child safe (EN71-3). With an unrivalled palette 

encompassing over 150 deep and rich colours, 

Autentico truly are in a league of their own. 

The brand’s Velvet wall paint is a versatile and 

superior interior paint designed to withstand daily 

life within the home, but if you need a paint with 

extra durability to fit in your busy family home, 

Autentico Versante Matt* for washable walls may 

be your answer! Rich in colour and matt to the 

touch, there is a shade to suit every setting. 

Autentico Paint is based in Ashford, Kent, and is 

open to the public 9am-5pm Monday to Friday, so 

why not pop in and browse the collections and find 

out more about their workshops. For more information 

call 01233 878303 or see autentico-paint.com. 

How to enter: Autentico are 

offering one lucky reader 20 litres 

of Autentico Velvet wall paint or 

Autentico Versante Matt* paint 

in a colour of their choice. For 

your chance to win just answer the 

following question: In which town 

is Autentico Paint based? Enter 

your answer with your contact 

details** in the online form at 

wealdentimes.co.uk/competition 

or post to: The Autentico Paint 

Competition, Wealden Times, 

21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent 

TN17 3HF by 21 July. There is 

no cash alternative and the prize 

must be taken before 1 November 

2017. *Versante Matt is available 

at a supplement of £7.95 per 

2.5L.**All entrants’ details will be 

passed on to Autentico Paint and 

Wealden Times Events. Please 

let us know if you do not wish 

your details to be passed on. 

Congratulations to Lynn Kitchen who wins our June competition for a Neptune Suffolk Chopping Block 


Jane Howard’s 

Fables from the Farm 

Jane is thrilled to see that her wildflower meadow is a blooming success at last 

Summer has at last arrived. Everyone 

who is going to give birth has 

done so, the sheep and cattle 

are all happily grazing outside and the 

grass is not yet high enough to make 

hay. So it’s a time of relative peace and 

calm and our focus has turned to our 

six- rather than four-legged friends. 

I have written before about the flower 

meadow we painstakingly planted two 

years ago. Quite a performance, for first 

we had to kill off five acres of grass – no 

mean feat, three times we sprayed it and 

twice it bounced straight back – and then 

we had to rip up the 

dead thatch to reveal bare 

soil. Then we sowed a 

typical Weald assortment 

– including the now 

quite rare Ragged Robin, 

Yellow Rattle and Corn 

Cockle – and while we 

were thrilled when the 

bare brown earth turned green, the first 

year was mainly common annuals such 

as poppies, daisies and cornflowers. 

This year however, I am happy to 

report, the meadow looks much more like 

the meadow I imagined, a kaleidoscope 

of delicate flowers against a backdrop of 

green leaf and red sorrel. Lovely. Even 

better news, while last year there was 

a definite lack of insect life, this year 

it is positively humming with a huge 

variety of bees, beetles and butterflies. 

This is great to see, as here at Coopers 

Farm our thoughts are turning more 

“There are more 

than 2,500 

different moths 

native to the UK” 

and more to encouraging pollinators. 

And while we have five beehives in 

another part of the farm, honey bees 

account for a surprisingly small fraction 

of pollination. Wild bees, and a huge 

variety of bumbles, hoverflies, moths 

and butterflies do most of the work! 

To encourage butterflies we have been 

busy cutting glades into a woodland 

along a fence line where it meets the field. 

Every few hundred metres, ideally near a 

pussy willow if we can find one, we have 

chopped down some trees and saplings to 

make small clearings that are south facing 

and open to the sky 

but entered on an eastfacing 

edge. It’s called a 

scalloped margin. Once 

the sun gets in it will 

only take one season 

for dormant seeds on 

the woodland floor to 

burst into life providing 

a varied habitat. But our property 

developments don’t stop there and we are 

also making bee ‘hotels’ – oak logs drilled 

with 5mm and 6mm holes for solitary 

bees to crawl in, lay eggs and hibernate. 

Needless to say, to achieve these 

new habitats and to make sure our 

endeavours are as des res as they can 

possibly be we have had a lot of help 

from Laurie, our local expert from the 

charity Buglife. And very excitingly she 

turned up one evening last week to carry 

out our first nocturnal moth audit. 

This is quite a palaver but, full of 

anticipation of what we might find, 

we filled our Thermos (and hip) flasks 

and set off about nine o’clock into the 

woods. The moth trap is rather like a 

sawn-off dustbin, placed on a white 

sheet, filled with egg boxes and topped 

with a clear dome holding a bright 

light bulb to draw in the moths. 

And hey presto, along they came. 

There are more than 2,500 different 

moths native to the UK, so you can 

appreciate the English names get 

quite weird and wacky at times. The 

Common Wave (as opposed to a royal 

one?), the Puss moth, Triple Lines, 

Carpets, there’s even a Tunbridge Wells 

Gem out there, but not that night 

in our Sussex fields. Some of them 

have adorable fluffy faces like kittens, 

others look like dead tough hockey 

goalies. Some are plain like the Straw 

Dots, while others were marvellously 

patterned like the Marbled Carpet. 

A whole new journey of discovery! 

On the night, we trapped (and 

released) more than 30 different 

moths. Only 2,470 to go! 

Follow Jane Howard – and the farm 

– on Instagram @coopersfarm 

Credit: FreeImages.com/Eva Schuster, Vincent Kilpatrick 


162

Think you need 

a strong partner 

when your 

marriage ends? 

I do. 

You’ll want 

Rupi Rai as yours. 

Rupi, part of the award winning 

Divorce and Family Team at Slater and 

Gordon, London, is one of the most 

accomplished lawyers in her field. 

Her cases often involve international issues 

and she frequently acts for clients with 

complex financial arrangements, 

including business, trusts, third party 

interests and foreign property. She also 

boasts a wealth of experience advising on 

pensions, helping you start your next 

chapter with everything you’re entitled to. 

Call us on 0203 319 2685 

slatergordon.co.uk 

Offices in London, Watford, Cambridge, 

Milton Keynes and throughout the UK 

Please call for a brochure or visit our showrooms 

Unit 9, Chart Farm, Seal Chart 

Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES 

81 Calverley Road 

Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY 

Tel: 01732 762682 Family | Employment Tel: 01892 | Estate 520730 Planning | Wills and Probate | Property | Business Legal Services 

www.rencraft.co.uk 

Slater and Gordon (UK) LLP is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority.

JOHN SANKEY 

AT 

20% OFF ALL ORDERS 

PLACED DURING JULY AND AUGUST 

1 5-17 Sayers Lane | TENTERDEN | KENT | TN30 6BW 

0 1580 761 008 

w ww.WoodcocksInteriors.co.uk

Wealden Times | WT185 | July 2017 | Interiors supplement inside

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

Delete template?

Save as template?