Wealden Times | WT204 | February 2019 | Wedding supplement inside

WEDDING SUPPLEMENT inside

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

PRICELESS

FEBRUARY 2019

Designed to stand the test of time

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

MINTERIORS

JFine hand crafted kitchens and bespoke furniture

01580 291221 jminteriorsuk.uk

Please call to arrange an appointment at our Biddenden showroom

Tunbridge Wells

Fountains Park, TN2 3FB

01892 337 330

Maidstone

Aylesford Park, ME20 7TP

01622 231420

Orpington

Springvale Park, BR5 3SG

01689 414878

Eastbourne

Lottbridge Drove, BN22 7SG

01323 660003

Kitchen price is for kitchen units, cook’s table, range cooker & extractor, quartz & solid oak worktops, sink, tap and handles.

Price checked on 21/12/2018 Interest free credit provided subject to application and status. Minimum spend – £5,000 for five years

(Infinity Plus kitchens only). Total kitchen price £11,739.49, 10% deposit of £1173.95 and then 60 monthly payments of £176.09 at 0% APR.

Total amount payable £11,739.49. Interest free credit is available on all kitchen projects and Wren Installation services.

Full details are available at wrenkitchens.com/finance

DANISH DESIGN SINCE 1952 | BOCONCEPT.COM

BOCONCEPT CANTERBURY . 4-5 ORANGE STREET . CANTERBURY . CT1 2JA

01227 455585 CANTERBURY@BOCONCEPT.CO.UK

WE LOVE TO HELP

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DESIGN

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A shade of velvet. The shape of a chair.

We know what we love in a heartbeat.

Understanding how to combine them can be less instinctive.

Thankfully, we can help. From a little advice on colours,

to a full home restyle, our friendly Interior Designers will

guide The Marlowe you to make a home you’ll love. You’ll receive a

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consultation in-store and at home, plus

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collection at BoConcept Canterbury and remember to

ask about our Free Interior Design Service in store.

Finance options available in store.

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SHOWROOM DISPLAY

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Bathrooms, Kitchens & Interiors

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Kent’s largest kitchen and bathroom showroom

Kiln Barn Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6BQ

Open 9 am to 5 pm Tuesday to Saturday

Free on-site parking

5 High Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3EB

01580 715144

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

We offer an excellent, swift and friendly service.

Conveyancing - Wills & Estates - Commercial Law -

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Litigation Solicitor from £200.00+VAT

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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

8 luxury family homes set in the countryside close to Ashford, Kent - NOW RESERVING

KingsfordSolicitorsWT186.indd 1 24/07/2017 16:55

RESERVE NOW FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR

4 and 5 bed homes £699,000 - £749,000

Marketing

Suite Open

10am – 4pm

Friday – Monday

info@jarvisnewhomes.co.uk

For further information call:

01233 630999

SHADOXHURST • KENT • TN26 1LD

www.chequersgreen.com

jarvisnewhomes.co.uk

wealdentimes.co.uk

JarvisNewHomesWT204.indd 1 09/01/2019 10:51

Contents

February 2019

CENTRE COURTS

Maggie Alderson’s pick of the

houses on the Wealden market

107

CLEAR AS GLASS

Rebecca Cuffe talks to

four windows experts

134

118

WHAT’S ON

Your guide to all the best

events this month

101

103

NOTEBOOK

Our top picks of February events

MATERIAL WORLD

Explore a Kentish paradise filled

with history and character

GET THE LOOK

Products that will help you

steal the ‘Material world’ look

ELEGANT IMPERFECTION

A three bedroom flat decked

out with cool antique flair

GET THE LOOK

A page for those looking

to add some ‘Elegant

Imperfection’ to their homes

THE BEAUTY OF OAK

We talk to three experts in

timber-framed buildings

111

115

116

118

125

131

SIMPLY RED

Josephine Fairley’s expert

guide to the ultimate red lip

THE LAW OF ENERGY

Eminé Rushton shares

advice to improve sleep

NATURAL WISDOM

Advice from a chief chocolate

maker, recommended

reading and floral remedies

GALENTINE’S DAY

Celebrate Galentine’s

with fun nibbles

STEALING A MARCH

Jo Arnell looks ahead to

the new gardening year

TRAVELLING HOPEFULLY

When it comes to education it’s

the journey not the destination

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street,

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@wealdentimes.co.uk

the advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd.

139

140

COMPETITION

Win a spa day for two and £100 of

products from The Granary Spa,

FABLES FROM THE FARM

Jane Howard tells us about

calving time at the farm

WEDDING

SUPPLEMENT

36 pages of

engagement rings,

wedding venues

and bridal beauty

After page 110.

Weddings

A Wealden Times Supplement

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

Beautiful dresses

● Perfect photos ● Dazzling rings ● Historic venues

OPEN DAY

2 ND FEBRUARY

4 & 5 BEDROOM HOMES

FROM £700,000

New countryside living.

All images are computer generated for illustration only,

external finishes and features may vary.

Located on the outskirts of the thriving village of

Staplehurst and surrounded by the beautiful

Kent countryside, Woodford Park’s private gated

community blends rural Kentish life with a connected

modern lifestyle.

Comprising three, four and five bedroom family

homes which are elegantly located around a pond, the

nine properties are designed to accommodate today’s

varied and demanding lifestyles, while providing

luxurious comfort both inside and out.

Open plan and multi-use areas in the kitchens and

dining rooms, spacious living rooms opening up

onto private patios and generous landscaped gardens,

as well as studies, home offices and utility rooms

included in many of the properties, enable elegant

modern living to be seamlessly blended with rural calm.

Each property has been individually designed,

constructed using traditional Kentish style features

including classic colour brickwork, vertically hung

tiling and white timber beams. Combined with

generous heritage style uPVC windows that bathe

the rooms with ample natural light, the latest ultrafast

broadband and state of the art appliances, these

contemporary homes allow both home-working and

family life to effortlessly come together.

Upstairs, each bedroom is designed with privacy

and comfort in mind to give family members a

space to personalise and make their own. Large light

rooms with integral storage, wardrobes or walk-in

closets, and en suite bathrooms that adjoin all master

bedrooms, provide spacious, comfortable and calm

sanctuaries to relax and unwind in at the end of the day.

Woodford Park is located close to schools, transport

links and local amenities, yet still offers the tranquility

and appeal of countryside living. Staplehurst is a

flourishing village with a quiet community which

makes it an ideal location for growing families,

mature couples and London commuters alike.

Conveniently situated close to a wealth of recreational

pastimes including local golf courses, walking and

cycling routes, Staplehurst is also well placed to keep

you connected to wherever you want to go. Rail

services connect you to London Bridge in as little as

51 minutes and there are many coastal towns within

reach by car in under an hour. Ashford International

station is also only 22 minutes by train.

Woodford Park is a culmination of Kentish heritage

and quality craftsmanship from Capworth Homes.

Open to the public on the 2nd February between

10am and 3pm, viewings are by appointment only

and may be made by contacting Savills at the details

shown below.

The development is located at Woodford Park,

Staplehurst, Tonbridge, Kent TN12 0RH

Kent & Sussex

kentsussex@humberts.com

Canterbury Team

01227 452780

Tenterden Team

01580 230281

Chichester Team

01243 531010

Sevenoaks Team

01732 741212

Kent & Sussex

kentsussex@humberts.com

01580 230281

humberts.com

MOVING YOU SINCE 1842

NEW HOMES

NEW HOMES TENTERDEN – A

Prices from £525,00

Furnace Lane, Horsmonden SOLD £450,000

Fairseat, Kent FOR SALE £995,000

Tenterden, Kent FOR SALE prices from £495,000

PRICE REDUCED

Horsmonden SOLD STC £450,000

A brand new one bedroom family home of over 1,300sq.ft.

with contemporary open-plan living finished to an

Heathfield Road, Sevenoaks FOR SALE £450,000

exceptionally high specification on an exclusive gated

Harbledown, Canterbury FOR SALE £1,200,000 Tenterden, Kent FOR SALE £215,000

development.

of u

its o

cou

We are no ordinary estate agent, we don’t just focus on the property itself but on

making it the perfect home. We can help with...

◆PLANNING ◆

ADVICE

◆ARCHITECTURAL ◆

DRAWINGS

◆GARDENING

◆

◆CLEANING

◆

◆PREPARING ◆

YOUR HOME FOR SALE

◆PROPERTY ◆

FINDING

◆CONVEYANCING

◆

◆MORTGAGES

◆

◆PROJECT ◆ MANAGEMENT

◆BUILDING ◆

WORK

◆HOUSE ◆ CLEARANCE

◆PLUMBING

◆

◆REMOVALS

◆

“We recently employed Humberts to market the last remaining plot at one of our sites after being

on with 2 other agencies previously and I couldn’t recommend them enough. Emma’s attention to

detail and genuine passion for her role secured us a buyer within a week of marketing and followed it

through to completion in just 7 weeks. From organising for the garden to be tidied up for us, to sorting

out removal of the furniture into storage, Emma handled every aspect of the transition from start to

finish, nothing was too much to ask, she even hoovered up after the removals company to ensure it was

perfect for the buyer to move into. Humberts is unlike any agent I have worked with before and we are

definitely looking to use them again in the near future.”

Mr L, Tenterden, Kent

MORE INFORMATION OR TO

LOCAL PROPERTY CONSULTANT AND

ARRANGE A CLIENT MEETING

FIND OUT HOW WE CAN HELP YOU

Emma Tighe,

Property Consultant,

Tenterden,

07395790033

Martin Jordan,

Senior Property

Consultant,

Canterbury,

07796338345

Lizzie Jordan,

Property Consultant,

Canterbury,

07891654996

William Bankes,

Regional Manager,

Kent and Sussex,

07810715892

Glynn Amos,

Property Consultant,

Sevenoaks,

07734555545

Leila Himm,

Base Camp Team,

01732741212

Tracey Jackson,

Base Camp Team,

01732741212

Matthew Jolin,

Property Consultant

Chichester,

07976276428

Stuart Hutchinson,

Senior Property

Consultant

Chichester,

07395790035

Connecting people

& property, perfectly.

Biddenden TN27

A detached Georgian style property within the

Cranbrook School Catchment Area. EPC: F.

Guide price £1,495,000

Gun Hill TN21

A handsome late Victorian country house, set within beautiful gardens and grounds.

Guide price £2,500,000

8 3

Horsmonden TN12

The major portion of a 15th century Grade II

listed farmhouse in 2.37 acres.

Guide price £1,300,000

Hawkhurst TN18

An elegant Grade II listed farmhouse in a

sought after position with wonderful views.

Guide price £1,250,000

Sandhurst TN18

An early Victorian detached farmhouse in the

Cranbrook School Catchment Area. EPC: F.

Guide price £875,000

High Halden TN26

A most impressive detached Grade II listed Georgian property in the heart of the

village yet approximately 3 miles from Tenterden.

Guide price £850,000

4 3

Call the Tunbridge Wells team on 01892 310700, we'd love to help you.

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

Pett Level, East Sussex- £470,000

A former Coastguard s cottage in an elevated position with

coastal and inland countryside views. Kitchen, living/dining

room, 2/3 bedrooms, study/bedroom3. Garage/studio.

Parking. Garden EPC E.

Appledore, Kent - £495,000

Impressive Grade II listed period property in village. Well

proportioned living/dining room, kitchen, master bedroom,

shower room, 2 further bedrooms, bathroom. Front terrace

with seating area. Leasehold garage.

Winchelsea, East Sussex - £650,000

Grade II Listed period house with far reaching views,

currently run as successful guest house. Kitchen, living

room, dining room, 7 bedrooms. Parking. Additional

annexes available by separate negotiation.

Camber, East Sussex - £299,950

DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY currently a detached

chalet style property set down a sought after unmade

lane close to the sandy beach, now in need of complete

redevelopment, subject to planning.

Beckley, East Sussex - £795,000

Stunning Grade II Listed cottage with later additions and

generous gardens. Living room, study, kitchen, garden

room, dining room, 4 bedrooms. Double garage. Approx.

1.2 acres of garden, paddock and orchard.

Nr. Rye, East Sussex - £399,950

Detached single storey period cottage off a quiet no

through road. Open plan living/dining room, kitchen, 2

double bedrooms, bathroom. Single garage/studio. Off road

parking. Cottage gardens. EPC D.

RYE OFFICE 01797 227338

MAYFAIR OFFICE 0870 112 7099

phillipsandstubbs.co.uk

‘Our Focus Determines Your Reality’

HARPERS AND HURLINGHAM

CRANBROOK £1,195,000

STRIKING DETACHED FARMHOUSE WITH

VIEWS Entrance hall · Four reception rooms ·

Kitchen/breakfast room · Utility room · Cloakroom

· Six bedrooms (three ensuite) · Enclosed garden ·

Outbuilding · Garaging · EPC: D

Cranbrook School Catchment Area

STAPLEHURST £1,125,000

SPACIOUS FAMILY HOME WITH ANNEXE

Sitting room · Kitchen/dining/family room · Utility

room · Four bedrooms (one ensuite) · One bedroom

annexe · Garaging · Swimming pool and pool house ·

Extensive gardens · EPC: D

Cranbrook School Catchment Area

HORSMONDEN £995,000

STUNNING GRADE II LISTED BARN

Newly converted · Four reception rooms · Kitchen/

breakfast room · Utility room · Four bedrooms

(two ensuite) · Family bathroom · Garaging · Garden

with terrace · EPC: n/a

Additional land available by separate negotiation

HORSMONDEN OIEO £895,000

STUNNING VICTORIAN FAMILY HOME

Two reception rooms · Kitchen/dining room · Utility

room · Four bedrooms (one ensuite) · Garden and

grounds approx. 1.5 acres · Detached office · Garaging ·

EPC: F

Convenient yet rural location

Sales & Lettings Team

Harpers&Hurlingham

The Cornerhouse, Stone Street, Cranbrook

01580 715400

www.harpersandhurlingham.com

LONDON OFFICE: KENSINGTON 020 7938 2311

Jane Emilie Chez Cathy Sara Debbie Clare Jane A Debbie S Caroline Dianne Caroline J

Because we understand

that it’s so much more than

bricks and mortar

+44 (0) 1580 713825 | fionapenny.com

Property Search in Kent and East Sussex

Find your new

Westerhill Home in Coxheath

A very special development of 3, 4 and 5 bedroom

homes in the heart of the popular, rural village of

Coxheath, Kent.

Help to Buy and Easy Move available

Find out more by visiting our show home

Open daily 10am - 5pm

Call 01622 244054 for further details

Or visit our website www.westerhillhomes.co.uk

01622 244054

maidstone@connells.co.uk

www.westerhillhomes.co.uk

Internal image of Linden Meadows show home.

DEVELOPING POTENTIAL

DO YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY YOU WANT TO SELL OFF MARKET?

Commercial properties – strategic land – land and property with or without planning – structurally impaired properties – rural land and buildings

Contact Stephen Donnelly 01892 579937 or 07739 514350 – steve@sjd-projects.com – www.sjd-projects.com

SJDprojectsWT203.indd 1 06/12/2018 15:18

Newenden, Kent

Beautifully appointed 5 bedroom home with wonderful southerly views, impressive 45 ft kitchen/breakfast/family room, flexible contemporary

outbuilding/office, garden and adjoining field, approximately 1.4 acres, about 12.5 miles from the coast, EPC = D

Guide £1.05 million | Freehold

Duncan Petrie

Savills Cranbrook

01580 720161

dpetrie@savills.com

savills.co.uk | Follow us on

what can we do for you?

wealdentimes.co.uk

SavillsWT204Half.indd 1 22/01/2019 15:51

WHAT BETTER WAY TO START THE YEAR THAN WITH A NEW HOME!

LAST FEW REMAINING

Completions ready January-March 2019

Hawkhurst, TN18 5DA

• Stamp Duty paid* • £1,500 contribution towards legal fees*

Four fantastic plots remain in this bespoke development of

just 17 private homes, some with countryside views.

Built by prestigious developer Riverdale Developments, homes

at The Grove will be built to an impeccable standard with

modern family living in mind. Features include spacious interiors,

underfloor heating, bathrooms with fully fitted Roca

sanitaryware, a garage to all plots and landscaped rear gardens

with some offering open countryside views.

Please contact 01892 547 966 / 07734 045 202 or email tunbridgewells@connells.co.uk

to make arrangements to view our stunning show home and to look at the available plots

*Subject to developer terms and conditions, stamp duty allowance on completion & equivalent of liability for person owning one property

RiverdaleWT204.indd 1 10/01/2019 14:28

AMBERSEY

G R E E N

LAUNCHING SOON

Latimer are proud to announce the forthcoming

launch of Ambersey Green; a traditional

collection of 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes near

the market town of Hailsham.

To join us for the launch of our brand new

Show Home and Marketing Suite,

sales@amberseygreen.com | 01323 459 744

www.amberseygreen.com

Computer generated image of Ambersey Green

and is indicative only.

25 wealdentimes.co.uk

10854_007_Ambersey Green_WealdonTimes_W185xH130mm_AW.indd 1 10/01/2019 14:00

FourCommunicationsWT204.indd 1 11/01/2019 15:01

House

Month

of the

£2,900,000

Centre courts

Maggie Alderson picks her favourite homes on the market

Spilsill Court

The dream: Available for the first

time in 50 years, this is a country

house of architectural and historic

interest. With an original building

on the site from the late 13th

century, the house dates from the

16th century with 19th and 20th

century additions,0 adding layers of

character to the rambling plan. As

well as the main residence there is

a three-bedroom cottage (available

as a separate lot), a bungalow and a

17th century barn and oast with a

kitchen, loos and recreation room,

which has been used as a theatre. The

house interior is deliciously ready for a

refreshed decorative scheme.

Where: At the end of a long private

drive, just outside Staplehurst.

Setting: Farmland.

Postcode: TN12 0DJ

Beds: 13 Baths: 4, plus a wet room.

Special features: Beams, panelling and

a glorious parquet in the music room.

Pleasing details: A knot garden, laid

in a fleur de lys pattern.

Outside: Outstanding landscaped

gardens and grounds, featuring

ornamental ponds, a roundel

summerhouse, a chapel and something

marvellous called ‘Bert’s Shed’.

Time to town: Just over an hour

from Staplehurst on the Charing

Cross/Cannon Street line.

Agent: Savills, Cranbrook

01580 72016 savills.co.uk

wealdentimes.co.uk

Little Boy Court

£1,650,000

The dream: A lovely half weatherboarded

L-shaped house, with a

kitchen/breakfast room and dining

room opening onto the conservatory.

With a self-contained oast annexe,

a detached studio and a period barn

perfect for conversion it would be

ideal for extended family community

living, or holiday letting.

Where: On thirty acres at the end of

a no-through lane on the outskirts of

Headcorn.

Setting: Glorious rural landscape.

Postcode: TN27 9LA

Beds: 5 Baths: 2

Special features: The triple-aspect

drawing room.

Pleasing details: Lovely glazed

cabinets in the dining room.

Outside: Mature gardens with

splendid trees, a heated pool.

Time to town: Just under an hour

from Headcorn station.

Agent: Jackson-Stops, Cranbrook

01580 720000 jackson-stops.co.uk

Moor Court

£3,999,999

The dream: A newly-built house

of serious stature, with a Victorian

Tudor-revival exterior and a groovy

contemporary interior with a beamed

and vaulted dream kitchen and a tripleheight

entrance hall.

Where: A mile south of Crowborough.

Setting: In 11 acres of its own grounds.

Postcode: TN6 1UD

Beds: 6 Baths: 6, plus one of each in

the staff flat.

Special features: The ‘Leisure Suite’,

with a mosaic swimming pool, large gym,

sauna, steamroom and a cinema room

with tiered seating, opening out onto a

paved terrace with barbecue area.

Pleasing details: A bespoke curved

marble staircase with mahogany handrails.

Outside: Sweeping lawns down to an

ornamental pond with a lake beyond,

with a jetty.

Time to town: About an hour to London

Bridge from Crowborough.

Agent: Savills, Tunbridge Wells

01892 507000 savills.co.uk

27 wealdentimes.co.uk

FURNITURE FOR MODERN LIVING

VISIT OUR

FLAGSHIP

STORE

TODAY

IN KENT

GET THIS LOOK

TODAY FROM

£16,000

examples at

www.krieder.com

SHOP NOW

ONLINE

For dining tables,

chairs, sofas and

media units

CALL TODAY

FOR A FREE

DESIGN

CONSULTATION

01892 619721

MINIMAL

SIMPICITY

MODERN DESIGNER KITCHENS FULL OF BRIGHT IDEAS

KITCHENS WARDROBES MEDIA UNITS LIVING APPLIANCES

René Lalique and the Art of the Mascot

It seems rather extraordinary to us nowadays that

the owner of an expensive vehicle would remove

the manufacturer’s badge and replace it with

an ornament. But that is exactly what happened

with luxury cars in the 1920’s and 30’s. Cars of

this period were built with their radiator caps on

the bonnet, providing a natural perch for display.

Coinciding with the rise in popularity of Art Deco

glass ornaments, especially those designed

by the French glass master, René Lalique, car

‘mascots’, with their iconic engraved signatures,

became an essential symbol of wealth and status.

birds, animals, insects and female nudes and

were produced mainly in clear, but also satin,

frosted and opalescent glass and in a variety of

tints and colours. The rarest mascot is the fox,

of which few survive, the most infamous the

eagle’s head (as they were often fitted to Nazi

officers’ staff cars). Such was their popularity

here, Lalique commissioned the Breves Gallery

in Knightsbridge to supply them to British

customers. Breves manufactured bespoke

metal mounts so that the mascots could be

displayed both on and off the vehicle.

These included mounts that enabled the

illumination of the mascot, with an assortment

of coloured filters and in some cases a dynamo

to vary the light intensity as the car gathered

speed! The effect of this startling display on

both the driver of the vehicle and oncoming

traffic can only be imagined and few were

used on a regular basis. In fact, many mascot

owners probably only displayed them on

special occasions due to their fragility.

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

commanding a premium. As a result many

pieces have ended up in private collections

and the appearance at auction of genuine

mascots is now far less frequent. When they do,

as in Gorringe’s recent sale of a single owner

collection, the prices achieved can range from

a few hundred pounds each to £5,000 or more.

By Jane Anderson, Gorringe’s Tunbridge Wells

The first Lalique mascot, the ‘Cinq Chevaux’

[Five Horses], was commissioned by Citroën

for the model 501 in 1925 and was followed by

twenty-seven further designs. These included

The actual number of Lalique mascots produced

is unknown and no doubt many succumbed

to damage caused by stone chips flying up

from road surfaces or careless owners flinging

open their bonnets without due attention. In

the decades following their production they

often turned up at auction, making varying

amounts depending on the level of damage

and/or repair, with those in perfect condition

THE LEADING AUCTIONEERS IN THE SOUTH EAST

www.gorringesauctions.co.uk 01892 556 860

Grosvenor House, Grosvenor Park, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 2BF

A Chinese jadeite and coral mounted silver-gilt trinket box,

H 9cm W 10.1cm D 10.1cm SOLD FOR £1,600

• Regular selected sales including

Fine Art, Asian Art, Jewellery, Silver,

Clocks, Medals, Watches, Wines

and Furniture

• Weekly sales of antiques, collectables

and general items from £50 to £1,000

(Payment made in two working days)

• Free internet listing for all sales

• THE Free LEADING auction estimates AUCTIONEERS IN THE SOUTH EAST

• Valuations for Insurance

and Probate

GorringesEditorialWT204.indd 1 21/01/2019 09:49

• Regular selected sales including

Fine Art, Asian Art, Jewellery, Silver,

Clocks, Medals, Watches, Wines

and Furniture

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5068-Gorringes (WT) (Feb2019) 130x185 Final.indd 1

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

2019 The Year to Restore

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As a result of childbirth, and the natural

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Notebook

Take notes

It’s time to get finances in order for the new year.

Arranged to give you the knowledge to develop a

successful financial strategy in these challenging times,

Burfields House Wealth Management Ltd holds two

exclusive seminars, one at Hole Park in Rolvenden

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Hotel in Battle on Thursday 21 February. The events

cover everything from investments to full tax planning,

and also give you the chance to meet advisers in

person. Email Susan.Cole@sjpp.co.uk or call 01580

211211 to register attendance. burfieldshousewm.co.uk

Birds and the bees

On Saturday 9 February, enjoy a threecourse

meal (insects optional) and ‘insect

roulette’, followed by a talk by the Natural

History Museum’s Dr Erica McAlister,

all in the cosy Blooming Green shed.

Dr McAlister will be sharing her love of

insects as well as the science of how they

love each other. bloominggreenflowers.co.uk

Notebook

Exhibitions

Adelina Iliev & Red Squirrel Architects

events near you

this month

Build it

A whole weekend of inspiration and

expert guidance for anyone wanting

to build their own home or add space

and value to a current home. Expect

workshops and seminars, face-to-face

expert consultations, a land zone to

help you find your dream plot, a Find

a Builder stand, over 100 innovative

suppliers, and thousands of products.

Build It Live 2019 will be at the Kent

Event Centre on Saturday 9 and

Sunday 10 February. builditlive.co.uk

Winter walk

Discover a late winter walk through

drifts of snowdrops at Hever Castle from

Saturday 9 February. Follow the floral

pathways as 80,000 snowdrops bloom

in varieties including the yellow tipped

‘Wendy’s Gold’, a giant 9inch Galanthus

called ‘Colossus’ and the green tipped

Galanthus ‘Green Brush’. hevercastle.co.uk

Travelling trail

This February half term, Penshurst

Place marks 500 years since

Ferdinand Magellan began his voyage

circumnavigating the globe. From

Saturday 16 to Sunday 24 February

try a trail around the gardens to discover

some famous world landmarks and the

secrets they hold. penshurstplace.com

Mythical magic

The Mythical Beasts are back by

popular demand at Chatham Dockyard

for just eight days from Saturday

16 to Sunday 24 February. There’ll

be plenty of activities to enjoy with

crafts, storytelling and some fantastic

mythical beasts to discover on site.

thedockyard.co.uk

41 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Editor’s

Letter

There are always lots of things I feel excited about in

each issue of the magazine, but this one has something

that particularly tickles me.

Instead of going down the so well-trodden path of Valentine’s

Day, we’re suggesting celebrating February 13th instead, with Jo

Arnell’s great recipes – and wine matches from the Kent Wine

School – for a Galentine’s Day girls’ night in with your gal pals.

Gal.... get it? Cheers!

Romance is by no means dead, though, as you will see from

our Weddings supplement, with a beautiful shoot of wedding

dresses – and wedding not-dresses – with refreshingly clean

contemporary lines.

Fashion editor Kate Watts set the pictures in the striking

industrial interiors of the Historic Dockyard Chatham, which

have a wonderful patinated romance all of their own.

In a similar rugged mood we have a very interesting practical

feature about the very special appeal of oak-framed buildings –

and, of course, two inspiring houses.

Enjoy your Wealden Times!

luxury

bed sale

EXTRA 5% OFF SALE

PRICES ON ALL BEDS

In the feature about Lisa Evan’s beautiful Frant house in our last

issue we put an incorrect contact for her builder. It should be:

Neil Griffin of Griffin General Building 01580 201739

Wealden Times Team

Editor ....................................................................................... Maggie Alderson

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

Digital Editor ...................................................................................Emily Pavey

Fashion Editor ................................................................................... Kate Watts

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

Design Director ..........................................................................Anthony Boxall

Design Team .................................................................................... Freya Bruce

Ryan Huggins

Tanya Goldsmith

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

Sales Manager ................................................................................... Jen Shearer

Media Sales.................................................................................Sarah Norwood

Cinnamon Lacey

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

Wealden Times Events Team

Sales Account Manager ...................................................................... Joy Adams

Jude Brown

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

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Where to find your copy of

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Distribution of Wealden Times published in Cranbrook for Kent & Sussex.

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ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

New Year’s Resolution?

How about Alternative Dispute Resolution

Bringing a professional

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You may have gone through the

rigmarole of bringing a claim

to trial, but you are likely to be

walking away with much less

money than you need to rectify

the problem. This is just one

reason why the Jackson Reforms

have caused so much debate,

particularly on the issue of access

to justice. The problem is that

once your legal fees have been

accounted for, you can end up

with much less than you lost. This

cost implication inevitably puts

people off bringing professional

negligence claims.

However, litigation is not the only

way to resolve a professional

negligence dispute, and indeed

the courts actively encourage

those locked in a dispute to find

alternative options. Resolving

a dispute at a sensible cost is

part and parcel of a litigation

lawyer’s role. This is usually

done by way of an informal round

table meeting, or a more formal

mediation, which involves the

joint appointment of a mediator

to engage with and listen to both

sides, shuttle between them and

endeavour to help them reach a

settlement.

However, in April 2018 The Pre-

Action Protocol for Professional

Negligence introduced a new

method of dispute resolution

known as adjudication. This is a

type of dispute resolution known

formally as an Alternative Dispute

Resolution (ADR). Importantly, it

can save massively on legal costs,

mitigating the time and stress of a

professional negligence claim.

Adjudication involves jointly

appointing an adjudicator at

an early stage in the dispute;

the adjudicator will make a

decision on the claim based on

the information provided by

each party, and the decision of

the adjudicator will be binding

on the parties. This is a new

string to the ADR bow. We at

Cripps, incorporating Pemberton

Greenish, are skilled in settling

disputes for proportionate

cost; the vast majority of our

professional negligence claims

settle before reaching the

litigation stage, and adjudication

provides us with yet another tool

to allow us to settle your claim

at the earliest possible stage,

mitigating costs and saving on

time.

We specialise in all forms of ADR,

and continue to enjoy success in

adopting ADR for our clients to

get them to exactly where they

need to be, at a reasonable cost

and with as little stress and hassle

as possible. If you are involved in,

or are contemplating bringing, a

professional negligence dispute,

but have been put off by the

prospect of a protracted and

expensive court process, make

your New Year’s Resolution an

Alternative Dispute Resolution,

and discuss with one of our

professional negligence solicitors

today if ADR is suitable for your

claim.

If you would like more

information about dispute

resolution contact Tristam Razzell

on 01892 765428, email

tristam.razzell@crippspg.co.uk

or visit www.cripps.co.uk

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

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Material world

Mix a touch of medieval with a helping of Georgian – and throw in some thoroughly

modern touches... The result? A unique family home perfect for 21st century living.

Photographs: David Merewether Words and Styling: Karena Callen

51 wealdentimes.co.uk

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Previous pages, left: In Gerry’s study, the model ships were bought by the couple on their

honeymoon. The globe is from Florida Previous pages, right: Julia bought the doll’s house in

an antique shop and painted it in Farrow & Ball Railings Above: All the cushions in the sitting

room are covered in fabrics designed by Julia for her business (see address book)

Tucked away in a pretty Kentish village, The Den

has been home to textile designer, Julia Brendel, her

husband Gerry Lee, their children, Alex and Mia, and

dogs, Bruno and Gucio, since 2011.

You wouldn’t guess from the exterior, but their spacious,

light-filled farmhouse is a bit of a hybrid. The original

Tudor building, dating to around 1520, was extended in the

Georgian era.

‘They literally “glued” the new part of the house to the

front of the original medieval building in 1768,’ Julia says.

‘We know the exact date as it was carved into the attic rafters.’

To the side of the Georgian wing is a newer addition, built

in the 1970s. ‘Luckily, it was sympathetically done – the

house is Grade II listed – and it doesn’t detract from the

original architecture.’

The Den oozes history and character. As well as being the

original farmhouse to the neighbouring manor house which

dates back to medieval times, in the early 1900s, it had a

short life as a girls’ school.

The sprawling property comprises the main two-storey

building, a detached one-bedroomed coach house, a studio

which houses Julia’s textiles business and a miniature thatched

cottage, previously the farm’s dairy.

The couple moved to Kent from Putney. ‘We upped sticks

from London in search of peace and quiet, as the house there

was near a main road and in the Heathrow flight path.’

The charming Edwardian house they were leaving behind,

while noisy was full of character and original features, so the

hunt for a home with stacks of soul, plenty of space, and

the non-negotiable prerequisite of peace and quiet began

in earnest. The couple stumbled upon The Den by chance

when another viewing was cancelled.

53 wealdentimes.co.uk

The main draw of the house was that it had what Julia describes as a ‘big personality’

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Previous page: Julia bought the chest of drawers and French clock in Poland Above: The kitchen trolley is from Ikea and the bowls

from The Living Lounge in Canterbury

‘We half-heartedly printed out details without taking too

much notice. The online pictures certainly didn’t have the

‘wow’ factor we were looking for. But as we drove up to the

house, we pretty much knew it was right - even before we

stepped over the threshold!’

The house itself had masses of space, then there were the

outbuildings, over an acre of land, with a vegetable garden

and an orchard, plus an annexe – and a dairy. ‘What more

could we have asked for?’ laughs Julia. ‘It was almost too good

to be true.’

The main draw wasn’t just that it had oodles of room,

but that it had all the soul they were craving, and what Julia

describes as a ‘big personality’. Both Julia and Gerry love the

fact that the house has so much architectural history and is

essentially rather quirky.

‘You can really appreciate the craft and skill used to build

both the original Tudor and Georgian parts of the house, as

there is so much exposed woodwork and brickwork on show,’

says Julia.

‘We love features like the beautifully crafted wooden

staircase, and the monumental medieval beams that support

the roof. It feels solid – and safe. Another bonus is that the

thick Tudor walls keep the house warm in the winter and cool

in the summer – perfect.’

The character of the house also created the perfect setting

for the couple’s belongings. Polish-born Julia has travelled the

world through her work as a textile designer, bringing back

beautiful fabrics, ornaments and decorative pieces from as

far afield as China and Gerry, who grew up in the States and

Europe, also has a collector’s eye.

The entrance hall sets the tone for the rest of the house; an

eclectic marriage of antique and exotic, with a sprinkling

57 wealdentimes.co.uk

Julia’s preference is for a natural palette, as it allows her to introduce

colour and pattern with her own collection of textiles

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Previous page: Bruno the dog appreciates the window seat cushion

covered in Julia’s fabric Memory Stripe Above: The kitchen dining

table is made from 17th century oak and the chairs are from

Wayfair Left: The book-lined passage from the back hallway to the

sitting room

of utilitarian and contemporary items that keep the house familyfriendly

and anchored in the 21st century. The beautiful brickwork

floor, a remnant of the original medieval house gives the house

solidity, while milky white walls keep things light and bright.

Julia’s preference is for a neutral palette when it comes to

decorating schemes, as it allows her to introduce colour and pattern

with her own collection of textiles and the couple’s many treasured

possessions. On the wall, a display of hats brought back from

China accompanies a sturdy Hungarian country bench from one of

the couple’s favourite local haunts, Barrow’s Antiques in Faversham.

The bench cushion is covered in Julia’s Memory Stripe fabric.

At the end of the hallway is a beautiful glazed arched window.

‘The wooden arch was part of the Tudor building and is one of our

favourite features,’ reveals Julia.

‘The glass is a modern addition by the previous owners and we

love the fact that it provides the perfect transition between the

Georgian and Tudor parts of the house in a very contemporary

way. We can also see into the formal dining room – even though

we don’t use it that often.’

61 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: The Hungarian bench in the brick-floored hall is from Barrow’s Antiques in Faversham. Julia brought the hats back from

China. The fabric on the bench is her Memory Stripe in red

That’s because the open-plan kitchen and dining room

allows for plenty of socialising while the family cook and

eat. A modern floor-to-ceiling window is a recent addition,

allowing light to cascade in. The slate flooring benefits from

underfloor heating and continues throughout this part of the

house.

‘Slate flooring is also very practical when you have dogs and

kids,’ laughs Julia. ‘It’s easy to sweep clean.’

Contemporary Ikea Kallax shelves and a retro-style Ikea

chrome lamp sit perfectly alongside period furniture and are

the ideal place for Julia to store her fabric lookbooks and to

display collections of china and glassware.

‘The sieve on the wall is from Norton Cross Antiques in

Teynham, near Sittingbourne. I bought the cow prints from

an antique shop in Surrey and had them framed by Rachel

Barrow in Faversham.’

Perfect for family dinners, the large circular table is made

from 17th century oak from a French oak stable door and

was a present to Gerry from L & E Kreckovic, an antique

dealer and friend of his parents in London’s King’s Road. The

comfy faux leather-upholstered dining chairs look vintage but

are actually a clever purchase from Wayfair.com.

The blue and white ceramic Chinese bowl was picked

up in an antique shop in Hampton Court. ‘It’s a modern

reproduction, not an antique, but I love it,’ says Julia. The

contemporary eau-de-nil kitchen units, inherited from the

previous owners, keep things practical, while the glass handles

add a touch of glamour.

Julia is a keen cook and grows her own fruits and vegetables

in the garden, so when she is not in her studio, she loves

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Left: In the ‘Traveller’s Room’ the

patchwork bed canopy is made from

remnants of Julia’s fabrics.The bedspread

is Moroccan and the cushion covers were

inspired by the traditional Polish craft of

paper cutouts. The walls are painted in

Farrow & Ball Downpipe.

Below: Julia has dressed the tailor’s

dummy in a vintage Polish folk shirt, a

Moroccan belt as a sash and a Chinese hat

to be in the kitchen. ‘It’s a light, bright space,’ she enthuses.

The Ikea Udden kitchen trolley is the perfect mobile store

for Julia’s favourite herbs and spices, oils and vinegars and

her prized collection of bowls from The Living Lounge, in

Canterbury.

The window seat sports a cushion in Julia’s Memory Stripe

fabric in Red which was made by Jo Ellis from Mabel and Me

Interiors.

At the end of the entrance hallway, a passageway lined to

one side with bookshelves, leads to an elegant sitting room

with dividing doors to a music room, home to the family’s

grand piano. These rooms have an air of colonial grandeur.

The ceilings are higher in this part of the house, which dates

to the Georgian period, and as a result, it feels airier.

The sitting room is furnished with a clever mix of vintage

and antique shop finds, all of which are in keeping with

the grand scale. Comfy sofas and squashy armchairs - one

of Julia’s favourite pieces is a blush pink velvet armchair she

bought from Barrow’s Antiques in Faversham - are perfect for

relaxed evenings with friends and family.

The couple’s passion for the exotic is illustrated by

decorative pieces like the Indian serving tray on the low,

antique table. ‘I bought it recently in Provence when we were

on holiday – a bargain at just 20 euros,’ reveals Julia.

She also likes to mix things up by combining classics with

a bit of contemporary. A glass Vittsjo coffee table from Ikea

displays Gerry’s prized collection of ornamental elephants and

the oval ‘negative-space’ central lampshade was a steal from

Homebase.

The dining room is one of the most formal rooms with

varnished oak floorboards that complement the antique

furniture, much of it, including a stately dining table,

purchased from auctions in Lots Road, London. Julia hunted

down dining chairs to match on Ebay. ‘They are early 20th

century copies of Regency rope-twist back dining chairs

upholstered in my Hungarica fabric.’

65 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: The master bedroom is painted in Farrow & Ball Railings. The foxed, gilt-framed mirror is from Peter Barrow Antiques in

Faversham and the painting over the bed is by Kira Speiser

The glass chandelier above the table is from L’Image, an

antique shop in nearby Whitstable. Pride of place is a gigantic

doll’s house. Julia opens the doors to reveal an interior that

houses ceramics and glassware rather than dolls and furniture.

‘I bought it in an antique shop in Gillingham that has long

since closed and repainted it in Farrow & Ball Railings which

matches the wall above the fireplace.

Gerry’s study, painted in Farrow & Ball Castle Grey and

fitted with bookcases, is reminiscent of an elegant gentlemen’s

club and is kept cosy by a wood burning stove. Some of his

favourite ornaments, including a model ship bought by the

couple in Mauritius on their honeymoon, are displayed on

the mantelpiece.

A grand, sweeping staircase leads upstairs to five bedrooms,

a spacious family bathroom and an en suite adjoining the

master bedroom, which is a haven of tranquillity. Elegant

panelled walls in the Georgian style have been painted in

Farrow & Ball’s Downpipe - one of Julia’s favourite colours -

and fitted wardrobes keep things neat and orderly.

A floor-to-ceiling foxed, gilt-framed mirror from Peter

Barrow Antiques in Faversham reflects soft light into

the room, furnished with finds from antique shops and

auctions. The generous Valencia bed is fom John Lewis and

has a headboard upholstered in Julia’s Hungarica fabric in

Gunmetal. The eye-catching painting above the bed - a

contemporary work by artist Kira Speiser - combines the

palette of greys, golds and blues.

In the spacious guest room overlooking the garden, the bed

has been reupholstered in Julia’s Medallions fabric. Puttycoloured

walls offset exposed beams and newly laid wood

flooring.

The children’s bedrooms are furnished with the same mix of

old finds and contemporary buys, as practicality is something

Julia values in a family home. Her teenage son’s Ikea storage

bed can be extended to make extra room when friends come

to stay. His vintage desk was bought in an antique shop in

Fulham, and is partnered with a Charles Eames-style Eiffel

chair. The rug, from Habitat, adds cosiness. The blinds,

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The foxed mirror reflects soft light into the bedroom, furnished

with finds from antique shops and auctions

69 wealdentimes.co.uk

Previous page: The headboard in the master bedroom is

upholstered in Julia’s Hungarica fabric Above: The fabric

on the headboard in the Pink Guest Bedroom is Julia’s

pattern Medallions in Cerise, the Roman blind is Nostalgia

in Cranberry and the throw is Tribes in the Earth colourway.

The bag is Memory Floral in Natural Left: The bathroom

cushions and throws are all made with Julia’s fabrics.

When it comes to the family bathroom, once again

Julia has effortlessly combined ultra-modern with

historical. The original Tudor beams are juxtaposed with

modern ceramic tiles and a generously proportioned bath

that would look at home in any spa. A vintage painted

cabinet with a chicken-wire front is ideal for storing

towels and linen and a modern wooden bench is the

perfect perching place to indulge in a bit of pre or postbathtime

pampering.

One of Julia’s favourite rooms (and I have to say, the

room that I am most in love with) is the aptly named

‘Traveller’s Room.’ Inspired by her travels to Morocco

(where she stayed in a Berber tent in the desert) and to

China to visit her sister, the room is the embodiment of

globalism.

The walls, painted in her favourite Farrow & Ball

shade, Downpipe, are the perfect backdrop to her

collection of objets which are showcased alongside her

own Polish and Hungarian-inspired fabric designs.

‘One of my favourite things is the Chinese dowry

cupboard bought from an antique shop in Bath - a

present from Gerry when we got engaged.’ A 1950s

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Above: In their son’s bedroom the Ikea bed is covered in Julia’s fabric Arabica. The cushions on the bed are covered in Kurpie and the

bolster in Hungarica. The chair is in the Charles Eames ‘Eiffel’ style

ebonised chair has been reupholstered in Julia’s Africana

fabric to give it a new lease of life.

Theatrical ‘props’ contribute to the character of this

room which is very much a melting pot of Julia’s design

influences, including a Balinese puppet which hangs by

the bed and a French tailor’s dummy which Julia has

dressed in a vintage folk Polish shirt, a sash made from a

woven Moroccan belt, topped by a Chinese hat.

The bed displays super-sized cushions inspired by

Polish cut-outs, the throw is Moroccan. The piece de

resistance is the beautiful patchwork canopy that hangs

over the bed, made from multi-coloured remnants of

Julia’s fabrics.

It’s this mix of eras and cultures, along with the

harmonious blend of ancient and modern, and the wealth

of historic features partnered with all the mod cons, that

really sums up The Den’s uniqueness as a family home.

‘It’s difficult to explain,’ says Julia, ‘but as soon as we

moved in, we felt that we belonged here. It never felt

strange or new.’ Sometimes, it seems, houses and people

are just meant to be together.

Address Book:

Julia Brendel Limited Fabric by the metre, soft

furnishing accessories and scarves juliabrendel.com

or by appointment 01795 599840

Barrow’s Antiques 113 West Street, Faversham

07966 375572 @barrows_antiques

The Living Lounge Gorgeous home accessories,

natural materials, minimalist-Scandinavian in

Canterbury thelivinglounge.uk

Queen Bee Home Sweet shabby chic shop in

Canterbury with imaginative gifts and home

accessories and a café queenbeehome.co.uk

Kira Speiser kiraspeiser.com

Like to see more?

Discover countless beautiful homes

wealdentimes.co.uk/interiors

73 wealdentimes.co.uk

MEDIA PARTNERS:

MEDIA

Get the

Look

6 7

10 12

1 Mysterious Teal paint from £15.52 Dulux dulux.co.uk 2 Horatio lantern £1,325 Besselink & Jones

besselink.com 3 Abstract painting £500 Abstract House abstracthouse.com 4 Pair of antique ‘coolie’

hats £553.18 1stdibs 1stdibs.co.uk 5 Peacock chair £295 Out There Interiors outthereinteriors.com

6 Weber Costello globe £225 The Old Cinema theoldcinema.co.uk 7 Columbus skeleton clock £374

Artisanti artisanti.com 8 Model boat £120 The Nautical Company thenauticalcompany.com 9 Luxury

fabrics by the metre from £40/m Julia Brendel juliabrendel.com 10 Abiola basket £240 Sweetpea &

Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com 11 India cushion £130 Julia Brendel juliabrendel.com 12 Antique

mahogany table £550 The Old Cinema theoldcinema.co.uk 13 Bronze buddha £225 Shimu shimu.co.uk

6th, 7th & 8th June 2019

HOLE PARK Rolvenden TN17 4JB

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

Ticket Hotline: 01580 236071

wealdentimes.co.uk/events

Pre-book

discounted

tickets online

now!

Using this code

WT1

HOME

& GARDEN

Homes & Gardens are close to our hearts here at

Wealden Times and where better to find inspiring

interiors, glorious plants and outdoor accessories

than in the ‘Garden of England’ amongst the

formal borders of the Hole Park Estate?

& FOOD DRINK

Watch the world go by with a cup of coffee or a

glass of something bubbly, or choose lunch from

the fantastic range of street-food vendors. Foodies

will also love the independent producers in the

food avenue.

Sponsored by

BURFIELDS HOUSE

WEALTH MANAGEMENT LTD

www.burfieldshousewm.co.uk

WIN A PAIR OF

DIAMOND STUDS

NFU Mutual Ashford, Tenterden & Whitfield

Agency are sponsoring the Home and Garden

Hub again this summer. Enter their competition

to win a stunning set of 18K

White Gold Diamond Earrings

worth £795!

Ashford & Tenterden

Open Mornings

Nursery and Reception Friday 8th February

Whole School Tuesday 5th March

Contact Georgie, our Registrar for details

registrar@dulwichprepcranbrook.org

We delight and surprise

As well as some old favourites we’ve got a great selection of brand

new exhibitors selling everything from food to fabulous fashion!

See wealdentimes.co.uk/events for the full exhibitor list.

TICKETS

ON SALE

ONLINE

wealdentimes.

co.uk/events

thebbqproject.co.uk

NEW

EXHIBITOR

mountfieldwinery.com

NEW

EXHIBITOR

allorashop.com

regandbob.com

NEW

EXHIBITOR

NEW

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waffleon.net

NEW

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smallstories.co.uk

finchandcrane.com

birdie.london

Wealden Times Midsummer Fair 6th, 7th & 8th June 2019

Elegant imperfection

A textile conservator and an antique

dealer combined to create a home

where patina is prized

wealdentimes.co.uk

Photographs: David Merewether Words: Antonia Methuen

Styling: Anna Richardson

81 wealdentimes.co.uk

Hand knotted C18th Tabriz Design #142

2.74 x 1.83 (9’ x 6’). Other sizes available

Visit us in Tenterden to discover a huge range of hand-made rugs and kelims in all styles and

sizes including over-size which can be viewed in our new barn showroom.

We have a bespoke design service: re-colour or resize one of our designs or we will work with

you to develop your own.

Previous page: The sofas are reissues of a 1960s Robin Day design. The painting of a girl was bought from a student at Brighton Art

College and the red abstract is French Above: The mirrored coffee table and pair of dog statues are for sale

There is cold – as in chilly – and then there is cool.

The Tunbridge Wells home of textile conservator

Charlotte Casadéjus is definitely the latter.

Whether it’s the fortuitous aspect of this wonderful

Tunbridge Wells home, or the fabulous vintage French

linens that Charlotte, who has been collecting and

working with them since her 20s, has used throughout

the three-bedroom flat she shares with her partner

Streett Marburg and her teenage son, the effect is

one of lightness and an elegant tranquillity.

Located on the ground floor of a former Admiral’s

home on a wide and leafy avenue, Charlotte moved

into what was formerly her partner’s bachelor pad eight

years ago. The pair had met at the Decorative Antiques

and Textiles Fair in Battersea, where Tunbridge Wellsbased

Streett had been dealing fine English antiques.

Then calling London home, Charlotte was showing

her vintage French linens, which she re-appropriates into

stunning cushions and bolsters. Was it love at first sight?

“No! He came over and asked me who on earth would buy

French linen cushions when they could buy wonderful

English antiques from him? I had to put him right of course

and did a roaring trade for the duration of the show!”

But love did eventually blossom and Charlotte,

who had been based in the beating heart of

London in Borough, was suddenly thrust into an

entirely new life in leafy Tunbridge Wells.

“There was quite a change around here when I turned

83 wealdentimes.co.uk

A veritable sweet shop of unique furniture and accessories

wealdentimes.co.uk

20% Discount on all new rug

purchases, cleaning and restoration

from 1st February 2019 to 1st May 2019

Re-opening in Reigate mid-January

we invite you to visit our new shop

The Rug Centre @

29 Bell Street

First Floor

Reigate

RH2 7AR

29/11/2016 14:05

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Repairs & Renovation I Building Maintenance

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This page: The linen cupboard is a French antique and the

refurbished German station clock was from Russell Callow. The

chairs are 1960s Danish and Charlotte made the curtains from a

French cotton piqué bed cover

up. Firstly, Streett threw out most of my London furniture,

only allowing some key vintage French cupboards and

accessories to survive. In turn, I removed all of his dark rust

coloured carpets and the heavy English country-house style

curtains, which were all swags and tails. His dark leather

furniture that had been acquired over the years also went.”

Luckily for Charlotte and Streett it was a coming

together of two aesthetic sensibilities that immediately

clicked. As well as creating a fabulous home, so good was

the chemistry between them that the couple decided to

combine their professional lives as well. They now work

together on their business Streett Marburg (streettmarburg.

co.uk) sourcing fabulous decorative furniture and accessories

from around Europe, whilst Charlotte also works on the

conservation of the antique textiles that the company sells.

Charlotte explains that her coming into the

business marked a change in style and focus for

Streett, who up to that point had made a name for

himself as a specialist in fine English antiques.

“People don’t really want to buy a £50,000 English

dining table any more,” explains Charlotte, “however

87 wealdentimes.co.uk

Above: In Streett’s study, decorated by Charlotte, the George III marble-topped table and rococo mirror are from Streett’s collection.

Charlotte added the 1970s French pineapple lamps. The chair is a Windsor Goldsmith, from circa 1890

spectacular the provenance. The trend has shifted. We

all want to change the ‘look’ of our homes every few

years, so the focus since I joined the business has been

sourcing decorative antiques, which appeal to a faster

and younger market, and more affordable too.

“I love quirky design and that sense of imperfection. For

Streett, who is all about the intellectual side of antiques,

it was quite a transition, but he has done it brilliantly.”

Just like their business, Streett and Charlotte’s home reflects

this shift in interior trends. Each room has been beautifully

curated to offer an entire picture, with pieces from the

seventeenth to the twentieth century sitting happily side by

side, artfully placed to bring out the best in each other.

One of the few pieces left from Streett’s former

collection is a stunning George III marble-topped table

dating from c1780 and a rococo mirror that both still

sit in his office. Charlotte has styled them with a pair of

20th century pineapple lamps and accessories sourced

from the couple’s other favourite place – France.

France is a theme that runs throughout their home.

Charlotte had lived in France with her ex-husband and

son for many years, and speaks fluent French, so it was

no surprise that when she met Streett, they continued

to visit and it is where they still source a large amount

of their stock, even today. I asked Charlotte why she

loved French vintage furniture and accessories so much,

and why it is so different to the English look?

“For me,” she says, “the English love to varnish and

wax everything within an inch of its life, they don’t like

imperfections, they like everything looking perfect and

finished, whereas the French pieces that we find are living

pieces of history. Their patina and the lives that have

lived in and around them make each piece so special

and authentic, it’s something that draws us both back

again and again. I love pieces for their imperfections.”

Charlotte takes me on a tour of her flat, telling

me about the wonderful pieces the couple have

acquired, some of which are from their private

collection and others that are from their business.

“I think it’s important to understand how pieces of

wealdentimes.co.uk

The Riva Bedrock table is on show at our Cross In Hand store.

Riva are one of Italy's pre-eminent designers and makers of fine furniture.

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

www.davidsalmon.co.uk

Designer bathrooms supplied, designed

& installed by your local Kent showroom

townsbathrooms.co.uk

showroom@townsbathrooms.co.uk

01732 350911

FREE PARKING

Sanderson Way, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1QG

Monday to Friday: 9am - 5pm

Saturday: 9am - 4pm

Left: Charlotte made the Roman blinds in

the bedroom out of linen from her collection

furniture work in a home, if you are hoping to sell that idea to

other people. We love everything we buy and so it’s a treat to

be able to see how it fits into a contemporary family home.”

In their sitting room are two life-size dog statues, either

side of the French doors. A pair of cast iron Napoleon III

stools sit by the fireplace. Next to them is a rather fabulous

mirrored coffee table, all of which are available to purchase.

Having a veritable sweet shop of unique furniture and

accessories must be like heaven. I ask Charlotte if it is

not also a pleasure tinged with sadness as she has to say

goodbye to treasured items as each piece goes off to a

new home. She smiles as we look at a stunning antique

Chinese cabinet that will soon, no doubt, depart for a new

life. Perhaps it’s not so bad. Business is business, after all,

and as one piece goes another item can take its place.

I look lovingly at a wooden relief panel that sits above

one of the sofas and ask Charlotte what sort of price it

would fetch. “Now that is definitely not for sale, as much

as everyone always asks me. There are some things that I

just can’t let go.” Did she find it in France? “No, it was sixty

pounds and I bought it in England. It was such a steal perhaps

that is why I just can’t bear to part company with it.”

Throughout the apartment Charlotte and Streett have

opted for a muted colour palette of whites and greys, again

inspired by France. For Charlotte, especially, the look is all

about texture and detail and less about bright colours.

Whether the fluffy tactile Icelandic sheepskin upholstery

on a pair of Steiner chairs in the guest bedroom or the

Venini glass chandelier in the living room or the tiny

alabaster flowers in the sitting room, there is something

to arrest the eye throughout the couple’s stylish home.

Some of the very few pops of colour can be found in

their collection of contemporary art. But just as with their

furniture, modern pieces of abstract art are allowed to sit

alongside more classical pieces – and it all just seems to work.

Back in the large north-facing sitting room, which

overlooks the flat’s green and abundant garden, Charlotte’s

clever understanding of colour and texture is employed once

again to pull as much light as possible into the room.

The white painted floorboards and tonal grey

and white walls and windows play host to two 20th

century white leather sofas – a Robin Day design for

Habitat. Chrome lights from the 1960s bounce all

available light around the room to wonderful effect.

It’s bright, tranquil and feels incredibly spacious.

In Charlotte and Streett’s bedroom, on the other

91 wealdentimes.co.uk

Each room has been beautifully curated to offer an entire picture, with

pieces from the 17th to the 20th century sitting happily side by side

wealdentimes.co.uk

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●

It’s your story. So it’s tailored to you.

Winter

SALE

BESPOKE SOFAS | CHAIRS | BEDS | MATTRESSES

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

01892 572 309 www.sofasandstuff.com

Featured: Haresfield Snuggler in Portland Velvet Brass £1,852, Camden Bed in Portland Brass & Pampas Saffron £1,156

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BUY DIRECT FROM

DESIGNER-MAKERS

By appointment only: 01233 840847

www.huutt.com

wealdentimes.co.uk

TraditionalBespokeFurnitureWT204.indd 1 09/01/2019 HUUTT-WT202.indd 12:14

1 20/11/2018 09:56

Previous page: An arrangement of French objects in the hallway Above: The pair of Steiner chairs in the spare bedroom have been

upholstered with Icelandic sheepskin. The vintage bedcovers are from Boutique de Francine, in L’Isle Sur La Sorgue in Provençe

side of the apartment, the wonderful high ceilings of the

original building are exaggerated yet further by a triple bay

window which overlooks the building’s leafy front garden.

Flooded with light, Charlotte has used her crisp vintage

French linen collection in Roman blinds that she hand-made

for the window dressing – a technique she has repeated

throughout the house, wherever she required blinds.

The upholstered bed by Loaf is decorated with more of

Charlotte’s cushions, giving a sense of continuation but

also of delicacy. On the wall is a piece of contemporary

art that Streett gave Charlotte for her birthday by

artist Andrew Douglas-Forbes and on the floor are two

large panels, abstract portraits from the 1960s.

Above the bed is a French mortuaire – a beaded

funeral wreath. “I know it’s macabre but I love

it. Time moves on and for me, these pieces are

just beautiful sculptures,” says Charlotte.

The guest room is also a delight. The bed, an original

Louis XVI piece, has been reupholstered in antique linen

and is also available to buy. The couple made a choice not

to re-paint it, letting over two hundred years of use reveal

itself. Forget counting sheep, guests can simply count

the many lives that have lived between the wooden foot

and head panels of this remarkable piece of social history

and wonder what might have passed before them.

Streett and Charlotte have managed to create a home that is

stylish and airy, with their intelligent use of light and space but

also with their innate sense of detail and character. This feeling

of an oasis, right in the centre of town, is continued through

into their magical garden which, although surrounded by

neighbours on all sides, has managed to remain secluded and

private, surrounded by high walls of greenery on all sides.

“Streett wanted a secret garden,” explains Charlotte,

“which is why we try and keep the evergreens all year

round to keep that sense of being in a hideaway.”

As with the rest of the house, so too within the garden,

pieces of period furniture have been beautifully curated.

Side-by-side, sitting casually by the French doors, are a

95 wealdentimes.co.uk

Modern pieces are allowed to sit alongside more classical

pieces - and it all just seems to work

wealdentimes.co.uk

L O N D O N

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KITCHENS

FOR REAL COOKS

01797 270268 or visit www.kentpegs.com

It’s time for the kitchen you’ve always wanted

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wealdentimes.co.uk

KarlTerryWT170.indd 1 11/03/2016 HammertonsWT198.indd 10:54

2 29/06/2018 10:33

Previous page: The 1920s chair is upholstered in French linen. The

Uten Silo wall storage unit is a 1960s original Above: Charlotte’s

garden office

pair of utterly beautiful 19th century Arras cast iron benches.

At the far end of the garden, Charlotte has her office in

a contemporary garden studio, where she works on textile

conservation. “It’s quite an amazing space, you feel like

you are deep in the countryside, even though it’s just a few

minutes walk to the centre of Tunbridge Wells. I really feel

like we have managed to create the best of all worlds here.”

And she is right. The combination of Streett’s eye for

historical detail and Charlotte’s for colour, texture and quirky

design, has come together in a family home that is an oasis

of elegance and somewhere we could all dream of spending

a long lazy Sunday lunch, thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

Address Book:

Streett Marburg, 297 Lillie Road, London SW6 streettmarburg.co.uk

Insta @streett_marburg @charlotte_casadejus

La Boutique de Francine, L’Isle sur la Sorgue, France

laboutiquedefrancine.fr

99 wealdentimes.co.uk

RobinsonWaters

Lintel

ARCHITECTS

SPECIALIST PLANNING ADVICE

www.therpp.co.uk

CRANBROOK

01580 201888

office@therpp.co.uk

Residential Development

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01285 323200

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4 Yard Skip £192 inc Vat

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wealdentimes.co.uk

100

GreenBoxRecyclingWT195.indd 1 23/04/2018 12:56

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LOOK

1 Vitra uten silo storage £255 John Lewis johnlewis.com 2 Antique style mirror £145 The French Bedroom Co

frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 3 Silver table lamp £115 The French Bedroom Co frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk

4 Coral table lamp £178 Hurn & Hurn hurnandhurn.com 5 Glass candlestick £18 (set of two) Beaumonde

beaumonde.co.uk 6 ‘Red Noise’ by Filip Pavlík £620.13 Artfinder artfinder.com 7 Triad metal floor lamp

£129 Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com 8 Wedding cabinet £1,995 Shimu shimu.co.uk 9 Bronze whippet

sculpture £124 Artisanti artisanti.com 10 Mona three seater leather sofa £1,999 Danetti danetti.com

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

The beauty

of oak

Three experts in timber-framed

buildings tell us what makes this

traditional British building style so

special – for historic restoration

and contemporary projects

Anthony Hicks Ltd

Gary Kelly, company director

During our 30 plus years in this sector, we have been

fortunate enough to help with the restoration of

many historical and listed buildings. We have worked

throughout Kent, Sussex, Surrey and beyond and there are

lots of buildings that have received our personal touch.

We also design and build new oak-frame buildings and we

have noticed an increase in demand for these, especially with the

popularity of home improvement TV shows. In fact, Phil was

recently singing the praises of a property that we have added an

oak frame extension to on ‘Phil & Kirsty’s Love it or Leave it’.

Families now are living together for a longer time and this

has increased the demand for extending living areas and the

opportunity to add new buildings or adapt outbuildings

for separate living accommodation. A traditional oakframe

extension ticks this box, adding long-term value

and certainly providing the wow factor. The appeal

we have to our clients is the bespoke approach that we

take to ensure we fulfil these requirements, from initial

enquiry to design, through to the complete build.

We specialise in oak-frame buildings and have specialist

oak-framing teams that work on both restoration and newbuild

projects. It tends to be a pretty even split between

the two, but barn conversions and the restoration of

unused buildings are always in high demand, especially

with the additional tax benefits that can be applied to

particular projects that meet with certain criteria.

Oak frames have always been a popular choice and apart

from being a fundamental part of our building heritage

in England, they have great character and a traditional or

contemporary oak frame both look amazing in the right setting.

The popularity of new oak-frame buildings has also

increased the number of companies who provide this service,

and there are obviously lots of good and bad to be found

in every sector. Thankfully the information is available

today to enable people to make an informed choice.

A new oak-frame or restoration project can be a big

commitment and we invite our customers to ask questions.

We are genuinely interested in every new project as they

are all different and have their own unique characteristics.

anthony-hicks.co.uk

01797 366895

103 wealdentimes.co.uk

James Ransley, founder and owner

The Oak Glasshouse Company

Oak is a specifically English traditional building material

and there is more and more demand for it. When we

started 12 years ago, we were mainly doing garden offices,

but even in the first month someone said: ‘I want that on the

back of my house…’

It was four years before we did the first extension – and now

they are 95 per cent of our buildings, with the majority of them

for kitchens. People want space and light. They say to us: ‘The

windows are too small and the house is dark...’ So we put on a

light-filled extension and everyone lives in one big room, spending

most of their time there, with direct access to the outside.

There’s been a complete change in the British lifestyle. Thirty

years ago we didn’t have restaurants with tables outside in this

country, but we’ve all gone on holiday and realised we like

spending time outside. So now people want to be able to see out

to the garden and have that inside/outside feeling.

Up to 10 years ago, oak was considered appropriate for an

old farmhouse, but now we are doing a lot more contemporary

stuff in London and Surrey. We will do any kind of buildings – a

historic house with a moat round it, or it can be clean and straight

lines with the glass.

Part of the appeal for people is the great tradition of British

oak. Most of the houses in this country that are 500 years old are

built from oak – and people love buying into that history.There

are also environmental issues which make it appealing. Most of

the wood comes from France – not halfway round the world.

For each project we do heat loss calculations, worked out to the

individual requirements. An oak extension is a great luxury, but

other building costs have gone up so much, relatively we are not

so expensive, the gap is closing.

theoakglasshouse.co.uk

07522 544158

Zac Soudain, Managing Director

Roundwood of Mayfield

Oak frames are consistently popular and

Roundwood’s workshop has been busy since it

began manufacturing frames over 25 years ago.

One area where there has been a big increase in

demand is whole houses. Until the last two years or so,

these tended to be less frequent, but now we are involved

in one every three to four months, all of significant

scale. Oak-framed houses are really eye-catching and

increasingly desirable.

For many customers, the biggest appeal of an oak

frame is the aesthetic. They offer a traditional and

sympathetic look that other types of structure simply

cannot match. Oak is stunning new or weathered and

blends into any setting.

Customers have always been keen for exposed features

within residential or utility buildings (such as garden

rooms and home offices). These include exposed rafters

and trusses. This ensures the beauty of oak is seen both

inside and out.

Oak also gives the buildings the durability that is

so important to homeowners making a significant

investment. As green oak dries out, it actually tightens a

structure, ensuring stability for years to come.

Other key factors are ease of build - we can

assemble smaller garage frames in under two days -

and environmental credentials. Oak is well known

for its sustainability. All other timbers we use are also

sustainably sourced.

As well as our bespoke houses and extensions, Oakframed

garages are a staple product for us – we supply

and/or build 10 to 20 of them a month and have

done for over a decade. We have a dedicated website

(oakframedgarages.co.uk) for our standard range of garage

frames, ranging from one to four bays.

This is very effective as it is so simple to use, whether

you are simply looking for information and a starting

point, or actually want to buy a garage ‘off the shelf’, as

these are often supplied as kits. We build approximately

half of the frames we sell, but they are also suitable for

assembly by others given how well they are manufactured.

roundwood.com

01435 867 072

wealdentimes.co.uk

104

monarchoak

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Please visit our website oak-designs.co.uk to see further

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105 wealdentimes.co.uk

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

Traditional Craftsmanship

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Call for a quote 01959 447477

Filston Farm, Filston Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 5JU

Using revolutionary 10mm thick

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ChartwellOakBuildingsWT195.indd 1 11/04/2018 SashWindowHeritageWT187.indd 17:17

1 15/08/2017 15:18

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wealdentimes.co.uk

106

RichmondOakWT204.indd 1 18/01/2019 11:00

Clear as glass

Windows can be a pain – we ask four experts to give us their insights

Elwyns

Chris Blanks

What are the most popular types of

windows available?

People are always looking to save energy

these days, but also complement the

house style so traditional windows are

making a big come-back. Art deco metal

frames and Victorian or Georgian style

timber are particularly popular at the

moment. But the uPVC market has

noticed this and now mimicks the timber

designs with very close wood grains and

period design features.

What kind of windows would

you choose for yourself?

Timber alternative, it combines

low maintenance with stylish

aesthetics, and you can get

a saving of around 30%

compared to timber. It’s the

best of both worlds. They also

don’t need to be repainted so you

save on renovation costs too. The only

general maintenance needed is oiling the

moving parts. I would recommend using

U-value

A measure

of heat transfer

through a window.

The lower the score

the better the

window.

graphite for hinges and

handles once a year to

prolong the longevity

of the window.

What are the pros and cons

of the various frame materials?

In terms of functionality, they all have

to comply with a thermal rating for

insulation so there isn’t much in it. All

windows and doors are now energy rated

in the same way that a fridge freezer or

washing machine is, which means they

have to be under a certain U-value.

Are there any new technologies or

developments to keep an eye out for?

Lift and slide aluminium bi-folding

doors are quite nice. They are like

traditional sliding patio doors but are

up to 3m wide and 3m high per pane.

They really open up the back of the

house and provide an unrestricted

view which you don’t get with other

bi-folding doors.

Do you have any advice for someone

looking for new windows?

There are a lot of products on the

market, do your research and look for

long established installation companies

and reputable brands. Try to see the

windows in a showroom. You’ll see the

full range of options in person, and once

you get into it you can really tailor your

windows to exactly what you want.

02086 472268 elwyns.com

Sash Window Heritage

Malcolm Mew

You specialise in retro-fitting, can you

explain the process?

The window is taken out and the timber

frame kept. The old single glaze glass is

removed and the rebates (where the glass

sits) deepened to fit a 12mm state-ofthe-art

double glazed unit.

What makes retro-fit double glazing

worth investing in?

Some houses are in conservation areas

which means you have to retain the

timber. But even if you don’t live in a

conservation area, the only alternative is

replacement which can affect the look of

the property and reduce the value.

How can you tell when your windows

are at the point they need looking at?

There may be soft areas of timber,

rattling, a draught, or they may suffer

from condensation.

How long do they last?

As long as they are kept well painted (this

should be re-done every 5–7 years) which

seals them up and protects them.

Why is it your philosophy that

replacement is the last option?

It’s best to keep old window timber as

it will have been cut and left to season

over time which makes it superior to

new rapidly kiln-dried versions. Plus it

has usually been in place for a long time,

and moved with the building and you

can never quite replicate that kind of fit.

Can you give me any idea of the cost?

It greatly depends on the window but we

are always happy to give advice over the

phone, provide a free quotation, or carry

out an on-site survey.

0800 772 3148 sashwindowheritage.co.uk

107

Everest Ltd.

Chris Willmott

What are the signs that your windows

need some attention?

Discolouration of the PVCu – a lot

of windows these days are recycled

PVCu which doesn’t last as long and

will discolour much more than virgin

glazed (completely new). If lower quality

materials are used there may also be a

draught, as the seal goes flat and hard.

How long do your windows usually last?

Our windows have a lifetime guarantee

on sealed units. Our quality drainage

system and materials mean the seal won’t

cause rot, the paint won’t yellow and

the stainless steel elements won’t rust or

deteriorate.

How long does it take to install them?

One window should take up to three

hours of installation if it’s done properly.

The product is only as good as the fitter,

it’s like with hairdressers, they could have

all the right equipment but if they are

not skilled and trained you won’t get the

results you’re hoping for.

What are the potential effects of low

quality materials?

Some companies use cheaper and quicker

ways of making windows, because they

can make poorer quality windows and

Triple

glazing

Like double

glazing but with an

extra layer which

means a better

The Window Sanctuary

Oliver Dolan

How does secondary glazing

compare to window replacement?

For us secondary glazing is mainly

for listed buildings in which it is

not possible to put in a whole new

window. For a grade I or II listed

property you have to pre-apply with

your local council and if you are

only adding secondary glazing that

can be quicker and easier.

What is the best place to start?

We begin with a free no-obligation

site consultation. People usually

U-value know you will

need to buy a whole

new one again sooner.

You need to look at the quality of the

materials, and not just the obvious visible

parts but also the bits you can’t see. You’ll

be grateful in the long run that you’ve

paid for a product with a longer lifetime.

What maintenance would you

recommend?

The moving parts can wear out quicker

but with stainless steel they can last

around 20 years. Spraying a little grease

around contacting parts, such as hinges,

twice a year will help slow this.

Do you know if it increases the value of

the house and how much by?

They will always help with selling

because they make the house feel warmer

and look better, but in terms of adding

value to a new buyer it all comes down to

the guarantee. Windows have to have a

10 year guarantee by law but if you have

a transferable guarantee then you are also

giving a buyer peace of mind that they

aren’t going to have to spend more on

the windows for some time. With Everest

the original customer gets a lifetime

guarantee and then if the property is sold

the new owner will get a guarantee for 20

years from the date of installation.

07930 375070

everestwindowssussex.co.uk

look at our website and

make an enquiry, then

one of us will contact

them to get a feel for

what is required. We often have

a look at the location on Google

Earth to help too. We can then

go to the property with samples

to show them the products next

to the property, and we can see in

person what we are working with

and lend advice.

Can you recommend any trends?

The trend of grey windows is

still there in modern properties,

however we also see a lot of purists

for timber who want a like-for-like

replacement. I usually recommend

classic colours like grey, black or

white, which will stand the test of

time. If you’re getting a long-lasting

product you want to still like it

when trends have passed.

How do window replacements

affect noise pollution?

A standard double glaze will reduce

noise, but there are other types

which can help more if that is

a particular problem. We might

recommend triple glazed windows,

noise reduction glass, thicker glass,

or acoustic type glass to reduce

sound pollution.

What types of glass do you offer?

Pilkington offers a self-cleaning

glass for windows that will be hard

to reach and clean. Laminate type

glass is more secure because it is

thicker and very hard to break. Solar

reflective or anti-sun reduces heat

transfer and will keep a room cooler

on a hot day and warmer in winter.

Is there a kind of window which

you would usually recommend?

Aluminium can be 20% more

expensive but has a lot of benefits

that are well worth that. All you

have to do is wipe them down with

hot water to clean them, the colour

stays true for their lifetime and they

don’t bend and contract with cold

and heat as much as timber or PVC.

That is usually my recommendation

unless you are particularly set on

timber to maintain the original look

of your property.

01959 565343

thewindowsanctuary.com

wealdentimes.co.uk

108

Specialists in Traditional Timber, Aluminium & Composite Windows & Doors

CALL 01959 565343

www.thewindowsanctuary.com

WindowSanctuaryWT204.indd 1 08/01/2019 10:28

109 wealdentimes.co.uk

CustomCarpetsWT204.indd 1 04/01/2019 11:17

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Creative yoga

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Portugal

JUNE

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Join us for 5 days on a journey of self

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To Begin

After breakfast, take a refreshing stroll

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gather pieces of nature that may later inspire

us in the creative workshop.

Morning yoga practice

By sensing yourself in the moment with Justine

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expression. A spotlight on particular areas of

the body to help creative juices to fl ow. No

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Creative afternoon sessions with Illustrator

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Join Harriet as she gently guides you through

the processes of Botanical illustration using

Indian ink, mark making techniques for paper

cut pictures and various other print-making

processes.

Printmaker, Louise Body

Join Louise in the print studio for an

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time creating a design and learning how to

turn your design into a pattern repeat. Louise

will then show you how to transfer and carve

your design onto a lino block. When you

have your finished lino you will then be ready

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Evenings

Rita will be preparing her signature veggie

meals during your stay, fresh seasonal

produce straight from the kitchen garden

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crackle of the log fire and a glass of vino in

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What else...

Amazing inspiring views, fresh air and the

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We welcome you and your untapped creative

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What’s included

• Airport transfers (from/to Porto airport)

• 5 nights accommodation at Latas

Country House

• All meals, wine, tea, coffee and water

• Daily yoga

• 4 afternoon creative workshops

• All materials and equipment

• A few special extras

Dates

Arrive Saturday, February 23rd, Depart

Thursday, February 28th

(Coach transfer from Porto airport to LCH will

depart at 16.30pm. Coach transfer from LCH

to Porto airport will depart at 06.00am to

arrive at Porto for 08.00am)

Arrive Saturday, March 23rd, Depart

Thursday, March 28th

(Coach transfer from Porto airport to LCH will

depart at 16.30pm. Coach transfer from LCH

to Porto airport will depart at 06.00am to

arrive at Porto for 08.00am)

Arrive Thursday, May 16th, Depart Tuesday,

May 21st

(Coach transfer from Porto airport to LCH will

depart at 16.30pm. Coach transfer from LCH

to Porto airport will depart at 05.00am to

arrive at Porto for 07.00am)

Arrive Saturday, June 22nd, Depart

Thursday, June 27th

(Coach transfer from Porto airport to LCH will

depart at 16.30pm. Coach transfer from LCH

to Porto airport will depart at 05.00am to

arrive at Porto for 07.00am)

Prices

The retreat prices are as follows, in euros, per

person:

King room with en-suite shower room €1,050

Queen room with en-suite shower room

€1,025

Twin room with shared bathroom €790

Queen with shared bathroom €925

Double with shared bathroom €890

We require payment in full to secure your

place...we accept payment by Paypal or bank

transfer.

With just 1 month to go until the first retreat

with Harriet Popham, we’ve set up an offline

wait list for rooms. If you’re interested,

please enquire below or email Rita at info@

latascountryhouse.com to check availability.

Simple pleasures for all to enjoy... Happy new you!!!

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Contents

4 ROMANCE REFINED

Glorious bridal fashion styled by Kate Watts

Beautiful bespoke shop in a gorgeous setting. Full with quirky

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17 SNAP CHAT

How to get the most out of photographs to

remember that special day by

21 PUT A RING ON IT

Rebecca Cuffe’s pick of engagement rings that you just

couldn’t say no to

23 CALL IN THE PROFESSIONALS

We talk to two experts in bridal hair and make up

to find how to achieve the best in bridal beauty

27 MAKE HISTORY

Emily Pavey explores vintage venues

33 SOFT TOUCH

Kate Watts styles lingerie by Tara Deighton

34 EMBRACE LACE

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Romance

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Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Kate Watts

Model: Jade Harris, Fresh Agents Make Up: Emily Moss Flowers: Sue Davies Flowers and Garden

WT Wedding Supplement

Previous page: Bespoke hand embroidered French chantilly lace & silk

chiffon dress £POA, Maristani London; diamond earrings £1850, Rosie

Odette This page: Luna by Suzanne Neville £2595, The Pantiles Bride;

warrior statuesque earrings £175, champagne diamond & emerald 18 carat

gold ring (worn throughout) £3000, Rosie Odette

7 wealdentimes.co.uk

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1 03/01/2019 14:15

Betsy skirt £895, Luna

Top £395, Kaley art deco

belt £259, Story of My

Dress; warrior chain and

arrow earrings £110,

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9 wealdentimes.co.uk

Chartres by Charlie Brear £2245,

The Pantiles Bride; chain & bar

earrings £65, Rosie Odette

WT Wedding Supplement

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Top: Leather ankle boot with mother of pearl & sterling silver star heel £575, Freya Rose; Marley gold leaf

headpiece £249 & Blake halo headpiece £140, Story of My Dress Bottom left: Aurora mirrored court

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13 wealdentimes.co.uk

Bespoke nostalgic crepe satin jumpsuit

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Address Book:

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Rosie Odette: rosieodette.com, rosie@rosieodette.com

Sue Davies Flowers and Garden, suedaviesflowers.com

07703 413522

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A special thank you to The Historic Dockyard

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or call 07703 413522.

WT Wedding Supplement

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melanie@laslettengland.com

+44 (0) 1424 532 484

CordeliaJamesWT204.indd 1 09/01/2019 LaslettEnglandWT204.indd 09:39

1 04/01/2019 16:00

The Robing Room

Bespoke Service

Beautiful handcrafted garments designed

and made to measure ‘just for you’....

Bespoke Service

Adults & Children

Beautiful handcrafted garments designed

and made to measure ‘just for you’....

Adults & Children

Prices start www.therobingroom.co.uk

from £500 for wedding dresses,

£85 for lingerie and £150 for Bridesmaids

T: 01303 487230

www.therobingroom.co.uk

Casual

doesn’t

have to

be boring

Swattenden Lane | Cranbrook | TN17 3PS

01580 713189

www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk

15 wealdentimes.co.uk

RobingRoomWT198-QRT.indd 1 23/07/2018 CharityFarmWT204.indd 11:22

1 07/01/2019 14:08

The Robing Room

D E S I G N | S T Y L E | H I R E

SueDaviesFlowersWT204.indd 1 11/01/2019 HireLoveWT204.indd 12:26

1 23/01/2019 11:20

Bespoke cosmetic treatments

tailored to every clients needs

Combining smile and facial

enhancement

complimentary consultation with

Dr. Russell Blanchard

01580 752202 info@stonerock.co.uk www.stonerockdentalcare.com

WT Wedding Supplement

StonerockDentalPracticeWT194.indd 1 16/03/2018 13:00

Snap chat

Wedding and event photographer Mark Gray offers advice on how to get the

best out of the photographs of your special day, so you can enjoy them for years

to come (and not cringe a million cringes…)

What is the one most important piece of advice

you would give a newly-engaged couple? Book

your photographer as soon as you’ve booked your

venue. I’ve already got 39 bookings in for 2020

and quite a few for 2021.

What’s the best way to find the right

photographer for you? Look at photographers’

images on their websites, Facebook pages and

Instagram feeds, to find what fits with your style.

Online is great for that because you can see the

pictures - and read comments and reviews from

brides.

How do you work with clients, to put them at

their ease? I like to meet the clients in advance,

to talk about what their requirements are and

how much coverage they want. Do they want the

bride prep and the groom prep, for example?

Looking at albums together is a great way to

see what they like and to show them how images

taken throughout the day make up the story.

Often they will say they don’t want the prep pics,

but when you show them albums that have them,

they want them.

It’s also important to discuss the price, to make

sure everyone is happy with that from the outset.

What prep do you do? If I haven’t shot at the

venue before I like to visit it in advance to meet

the people who are going to be running it on the

day. Sometimes I also meet the bride and groom

at the venue. They might have picked it because

they have a particular image in mind, so we can

talk about it and build a picture in advance, like

a story board, of how the day is going to unfold

and what they want from it.

What is your key piece of advice to clients? Put

enough time aside for photographs. They will

often say ‘We don’t want to spend ages doing the

photos…’ but when you talk to them, they want

the family group shots, because they become so

precious over time and those take time to set up.

It’s worth it.

Most people now want reportage type pictures

and some couples say that’s all they want,

but when you show them albums with lovely

bride and groom shots and family shots, they

understand those don’t just happen, there has to

be a bit of preparation.

17 wealdentimes.co.uk

Are there any trends in wedding photography?

What’s more important is the colour scheme of the

wedding, which comes through in the pictures. If the

photography itself is ‘out there’ it doesn’t stand the test

of time, whereas traditional photographs will always look

great. There was a trend recently for black and white with

colour in it and it already looks dated.

Black and white photos are stunning, but I normally do

a mixture. In black and white all weddings can look the

same: a man in a dark suit and a woman in a white dress…

Are there any other photographic options people might

not know about? I offer all couples an engagement or

pre-wedding shoot. It’s helpful for me to see how they

act together - also they’re not models and they might not

be happy in front of the camera, so if they’ve had that

experience of professional photography, they will be better

prepared to do the wedding shots.

Some couples use those photos as save-the-date cards,

before they send out the invitations, or for their thank you

cards. Or they might have one printed on canvas and all

the guests at the wedding can sign it.

Another option is a pre-wedding family portrait shoot,

instead of doing it on the day,- and that gives me a chance

to meet children who might be bridesmaids, ushers,

page boys.

What format do couples receive their pictures in? It’s all

cloud-based now. The couples can give people the link and

they can choose what they want. Some people order prints

and I will construct albums for people. For me, it feels like

you’ve done half the job until it’s printed.

Mark Gray 07841 262962

weddingandevent.photography

Instagram @weddingevent.photography

● Do meet your photographer before the wedding.

● Do leave enough time for photographs.

● Do look for ideas on Pinterest.

DON’T

● Don’t just book a photographer on price.

● Don’t book a member of the family, or a friend

to do pictures. They can take their own shots as

well, but it’s not fair on them to make it the main

photography.

● Don’t go for novelty ‘trends’ in your wedding

photography style. They will date very quickly.

WT Wedding Supplement

Florist

“Everyone commented

on our flowers”

bloominggreenflowers.co.uk

Butterflies&BowsWT204.indd 1 23/01/2019 BloomingGreenWT204.indd 12:55

1 22/01/2019 11:31

19 wealdentimes.co.uk

CountyMedicalHealthcareWT204.indd 1 23/01/2019 15:48

1 2

Put a

ring

on it

Think outside the

box with coloured

stones and unique

ring designs

1 European cut diamond halo £3,780 Brilliant Earth brilliantearth.com 2 Boucheron pink-gold and rhodolite garnet £1,580 Selfridges selfridges.com

3 De Beers rose-gold, diamond and mother-of-pearl £2,475 Selfridges selfridges.com 4 Rose gold diamond snake £2,859 Oliver Twist

olivertwistdesigns.com 5 Art Nouveau chevron band and diamond £1,350 (setting only) Brilliant Earth brilliantearth.com 6 Yellow gold diamond

solitaire £1,859 Oliver Twist olivertwistdesigns.com 7 Yellow gold garnet and yellow diamond £2,865 Baroque baroquejewellery.com 8 Platinum

Scarselli pink oval with diamond baguettes $615,000 1stdibbs 1stdibs.co.uk 9 Two colour gold and diamond three-stone £8,750 Beaverbrooks

beaverbrooks.co.uk 10 Yellow sapphire and diamond white gold £11,616 1stdibbs 1stdibs.co.uk 11 Bucherer Fine Jewellery rose-gold diamond

ring £6,800 Selfridges selfridges.com 12 Rose gold cushion cut halo £3,500 Beaverbrooks beaverbrooks.co.uk 13 White gold multi stone diamond

halo £1,750 Goldsmiths goldsmiths.co.uk 14 Yellow gold rose and thorn white diamond £2,800 Baroque baroquejewellery.com 15 Ernest Jones

Vera Wang white gold sapphire halo £3,499 Bentalls bentallcentre.co.uk

21 wealdentimes.co.uk

Put your best

face

forward

CHD-WT198.indd 1 03/07/2018 12:35

Dr Christine Or is an Award-winning Aesthetic Doctor, a member of B.C.A.M.

& trained in Harley street. She offers a range of treatments, including:

• Advanced Wrinkle Relaxing Injections

• Dermal Filler Treatments • 8 Point Lift

• Lip Enhancement • Treatment of Excessive Sweating

www.drchristine.co.uk

07928 971683

christine@drchristine.co.uk

17 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1UT

BESPOKE AESTHETIC

TREATMENTS WITH A

WHOLE FACE APPROACH

Aesthetic Practitioner of the

Year 2016

WT Wedding Supplement

DrChristineWT204.indd 1 22/01/2019 12:31

Call in the professionals

On this day more than any other you want to look your very best – so don’t try

and go it alone, book professionals for your hair and makeup. We asked two to give

us their expert advice

Hair

Amie Coombes, stylist

at Tic Toc Hair, Pett

In advance: As soon as you’ve booked

the venue, book the hair and arrange

to have a trial run, with the dress,

closer to when you are getting married.

To find a hairdresser who seems

right for you look on Instagram and

Facebook – and ask friends. Word of

mouth is always a great way to find

someone.

Once a bride has chosen the dress,

ideas for hair start to form. Most

people have Pinterest boards of what

they like, but don’t know what will

work with their hair. A professional

hairdresser can advise on that.

In terms of styles, at the moment

people want a looser look with waves

and twists, like you get after braids

have been taken out. At my own

wedding I’m going to have a soft low

bun, like it’s about to fall down.

On the day: It depends on the hair

and the style, but you need to set

aside at least an hour and a half for

the hair, we don’t want to rush. That’s

just for the bride, if it’s the mum and

bridesmaids as well, you’ll need more

time and if it’s a big wedding party,

we’d send a couple of people, instead

of just one.

It doesn’t matter which order you do

makeup and hair – although I would

advise to do makeup first, because you

can touch that up more easily.

Amie Coombes,

stylist at Tic Toc Hair, Pett

01424 814554 | 07523 943979

Tips and Tricks

Wash your hair the day before, not on the

morning of the wedding because it will make it

too slippery and flyaway. A bit of dirt makes it

easier to style.

Once it’s up it shouldn’t go anywhere, but to

be on the safe side, nominate a bridesmaid to

carry hairspray and grips for you.

If you want to hold on to the style for a lunch

the next day, put a silk scarf round your hair at

bedtime, or use a silk pillow slip. The silk stops

your hair fluffing on the pillow.

23 wealdentimes.co.uk

Tips and Tricks

If you’re going to have a fake tan

before the wedding, have one before

the makeup trial as well.

At the trial, decide which lipstick the

makeup artist is going to use, so you can

buy one to touch up during the day.

Makeup

Alexandra Bates

If you use a professional makeup artist you

don’t have to worry about it on the day – and

you don’t need to buy products, or work out

how much time you will need to do it.

In advance: Just like a venue, hairdresser,

bands, the best makeup artists get booked up

very quickly, so booking your makeup artist is

one of the first things you will want to do.

Word of mouth is the best way to find the

right makeup artist for you. When you’ve got

some names, you can look on Facebook and

Instagram to see their style.

Once you’ve found someone who seems

right, meet up with them in advance – you

really want to make sure you have a good

rapport with someone who is going to be part

of your big day. Show them things you like

– it’s great if there is lots of communication,

emailing and sharing pictures.

As with your hair, you should have a

makeup trial six weeks or less, before the

wedding day – not longer than that, because

your skin and hair might change. Three weeks

is ideal. Try and wear your hair the way you

are going to have it on the day, so you have a

picture of the whole look.

Timing has to be thought through. The

makeup process takes an hour and a half and

you need time to make sure you’re happy with

it and do any adjustments. If there is more

than one person to do, you have to allow time

for that too. If the bride wants to have photos

taken before going to the venue, the makeup

will need to start earlier.

Alexandra Bates 07828 419309

@AlexandraB.eautymua

Have a trusted bridesmaid to look after

your kit – blotting paper, concealer,

waterproof mascara, lipstick. It’s

a long day and you want to keep

looking fresh and your best.

Avoid current trends – you will be looking

at the photos 20 years down the line

and it will look so dated. Keep it very

natural looking and not heavy, you want

to enhance yourself, not change yourself.

Your wedding day is not the day to

experiment, you want something natural

and classic – but if a statement lip or

winged eyeliner is your thing, incorporate

it into your look, because that’s you.

Discuss the fee and expenses. If there’s a

lot of travel to the venue, you will have

to pay for that as well as the fee itself.

WT Wedding Supplement

Concept

Hair

salon

50 High Street, Tenterden 01580 762 564

Book online at www.williamcharleshair.co.uk or through our facebook page

SpectacularWeddings

3 magnificant oak beamed function rooms,

self contained with their own bar and toilets.

3 magnificant oak beamed function rooms,

self contained Licenced for with Civil their Ceremonies. own bar and toilets.

Off-peak discounts Licenced available. for Civil Ample Ceremonies. Free parking.

3 magnificant Unique photo oak Off-peak beamed opportunities discounts function in available. the rooms, High Rocks Ample National Free parking. Monument.

self contained Unique 2am licence

with their

photo for opportunities drinking

own bar

and

in dancing.

toilets.

the High No Rocks venue National hire charge. Monument

Licenced for Civil Ceremonies.

2am licence for drinking and dancing. No venue hire charge.

Off-peak discounts available. Ample Free parking.

Unique photo opportunities in the High Rocks National Monument.

2am licence for drinking and dancing. No venue hire charge.

Call us now 01892 515 532 to arrange a viewing

HIR0099_HR_Wedding_Advert_A4_DESIGN_4.indd 1

Call us now 01892 515 532 to arrange a viewing

or visit www.highrocks.co.uk

The High Rocks | Tunbridge Wells | Kent TN3 9JJ

Make

history!

Start as you mean to go on, by choosing a

venue that has weathered the centuries to

create an unforgettable backdrop for your day

Credit: Paul Fletcher

Hever Castle

The atmospheric childhood home of Anne

Boleyn is steeped in history, with the original

medieval castle dating back to 1270.

The castle, with its double moat, sits

within glorious gardens and grounds

stretching over 125 acres, including a lake.

There is a choice of three styles of

wedding in three separate parts of the

estate: the formal grandeur of the castle,

the country house atmosphere of the Astor

Wing or the beautiful lakeside location of

the Italian Garden.

Named Best Wedding Venue at the 2018

National Venue Awards the team at Hever

Castle cater for everything from intimate

ceremonies to lavish celebrations. The

Winter Garden Lawn allows for a marquee

for up to 600 guests and there are several

five-star bedrooms in the castle.

03/01/2019 11:52

01732 861800

weddings@hevercastle.co.uk

03/01/2019 11:52

27 wealdentimes.co.uk

Eastwell Manor

The grand grey stone Eastwell Manor

and it’s beautiful gardens provides a perfect

romantic backdrop for your big day.

Built 450 years ago, one of the men

employed to build the estate was the

bricklayer Richard Plantagenet, who

claimed to be an illegitimate son of

Richard III.

Former residents include Prince Alfred,

son of Queen Victoria. The monarch

herself was a frequent visitor and is said

to have ice skated on the lake.

Several different packages are offered

– including exclusive hire, meaning

you would have the whole house to

yourselves for the day.

There is a wedding showcase at

Eastwell Manor on February 24th,

featuring dress designers, cake makers,

jewellers and all the suppliers you need

to make your day perfect. Find more

information on the website.

01233 213020

events@eastwellmanor.co.uk

Old Kent Barn

Winner of the Wedding Industry Awards South East Venue of

the Year 2019, spectacular Old Kent Barn is set in an idyllic rural

location in beautiful Kent countryside.

You’ll find a dramatic purpose-built 110ft oak-framed barn

and the original barn built over 225 years ago, which is available

as accomodation. In the immaculate gardens there is a rose and

wisteria covered aisle, with a canopy to shelter up to 150 guests.

Old Kent Barn is holding an open afternoon on Sunday

February 24. Check the website for more information.

01303 844270

theoldkentbarn.co.uk

WT Wedding Supplement

YOUR UNIQUE

WEDDING VENUE

Bewl Water, An Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,

surrounded by 800 acres of stunning, rustic woodland and

unparalleled views of the reservoir.

Licensed to hold both ceremony and reception means that

couples can choose to marry with the backdrop of the

South Easts largest stretch of open water.

WEDDING OPEN DAY

9th March, 9am-12pm

RSVP to leisuremarketing@markerstudy.com

www.bewlwater.co.uk 01892 890000 info@bewlwater.co.uk

Bewl Water, Bewlbridge Lane, Lamberhurst, Kent, TN3 8JH

MarkerStudyWT204-Bewl.indd 1 23/01/2019 14:29

St Julians Club

THE PERFECT VENUE FOR YOUR WEDDING

Tucked away behind Knole Park, Sevenoaks, St Julians is a beautiful

19th Century house and gardens with spectacular views across the valley.

At St Julians, we believe that your wedding day is uniquely special, and

we aim to make it unforgettable for you and your guests. Our friendly

staff can assist you in every aspect of planning your wedding, and are

always on hand to ensure that your day runs perfectly.

A UNIQUE VENUE

BESPOKE PLANNING & EXCEPTIONAL SERVICE

IN AN UNPARALLELED SETTING

01732 458261 • INFO@STJULIANS.CO.UK • WWW.STJULIANS.CO.UK

29 wealdentimes.co.uk

StJuliansClubWT204.indd 1 15/01/2019 11:25

Leeds Castle

With 900 year origins as a Norman

stronghold and former residents

including Henry VIII, breathtaking

Leeds Castle is as historic as it gets.

There is a choice of wedding venues,

including the main castle itself,

with the wedding breakfast served

in Henry VIII’s banqueting hall.

The Maiden’s Tower is an exclusive

self-contained venue adjacent to the

castle, dating from the 16th century.

Battel Hall, the castle’s newly restored

exclusive-hire venue, has an oak-panelled

Ceremony Room, with private lawns

where you can make your vows under

a romantic, old English bower.

If that wasn’t enough, at any

of the venues you can have your

rings delivered by an owl, courtesty

of the castle’s falconers...

Leeds Castle is holding a wedding

showcase on March 16 and 17.

01622 767877

leeds-castle.co.uk

Saltcote

Place-Rye

WEDDINGS &

ANNIVERSARIES

THE EXCLUSIVE

USE WEDDING VENUE

Your Wedding, Your Way.

Early Arrival, Late Departure.

With an enviable reputation

for outstanding hospitality our

experienced team will help you

deliver the perfect wedding.

You are not simply with us for

your wedding day, you will

come to feel part of the family.

SaltcoteWeddings.co.uk

celebrate@saltcote.co.uk

01797 222220

WT Wedding Supplement

SalcotePlaceWT204.indd 1 22/01/2019 15:47

Say “I do”

IN THE GARDEN OF ENGLAND

YOUR BESPOKE KENT COUNTRYSIDE WEDDING

AT EASTWELL MANOR

Choose from our grand oak panelled manor house or whimsical walled garden to host your civil ceremony and reception.

With sublime cuisine and the finest selection of wines, elegant bedrooms, a Champneys spa for the ultimate pre-wedding

pamper and stunning grounds for a picture perfect backdrop, Eastwell Manor is more than a breath-taking setting;

it’s a place where dreams are made.

EASTWELL MANOR WEDDING SHOWCASE

SUNDAY 24TH FEBRUARY | 10AM – 4PM | ENTRY FREE OF CHARGE

For more details and to register online visit Eastwellmanor.co.uk/weddings-at-eastwell-manor

FAIRY TALE

WINTER WEDDINGS

SPRING & SUMMER

WEDDINGS

EXCLUSIVE

HIRE

from £7,780 from £9,950 from £25,000

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SPEAK TO A MEMBER OF OUR WEDDING TEAM

PLEASE CALL 01233 213020 OR VISIT EASTWELLMANOR.CO.UK

Welcome to Borders Restaurant

Whatever the occasion – a business lunch, a romantic dinner for two, a night out with friends or a family celebration, Borders

Restaurant is the ideal venue for you. Situated on the Kent & Sussex borders in a tranquil country setting with lovely garden views,

yet only a few minutes from Tunbridge Wells town centre. Ample free parking.

Choose from either our Set Menu or our full a la Carte menu, both offering a tempting selection of dishes at excellent value.

SET MENU: 3 COURSES £23.00 – 2 COURSES £18.00

Includes Canapes on arrival and Bread basket with the meal

SMOOTH CHICKEN

LIVER PATÉ

with toasted brioche and red onion relish

DEEP FRIED

CALAMARI RINGS

dusted with paprika & rice flour, served with

Tartare sauce (gf )

LASAGNE

layers of home made pasta with Bolognese,

tomato & cheese sauce with parmesan

ASSORTED MUSHROOMS

sautéed with olive oil, garlic, parsley & tomato,

served with grilled polenta

(v, vg, gf, df )

TOMATO & BASIL SOUP

(v, vg, gf, df )

CASSOLETTE OF POACHED SALMON

on a bed of spinach with a gratinated cheesy Mornay sauce,

served with fresh vegetables & potatoes (gf )

BREAST OF CHICKEN

in a cream & white wine sauce with smoked crispy

pancetta & sliced mushrooms, served with fresh vegetables

& potatoes (gf )

FILLET OF BEEF STROGANOFF

strips of Fillet cooked with cream, paprika, white wine,

lemon, gherkins & mushrooms, served on a bed of Rice (gf )

SLICED ROAST LOIN OF LAMB

in a Rich red wine & rosemary sauce, served with fresh

vegetables & potatoes. (gf )

PROVENCAL RISOTTO

tomato Risotto with spicy ratatouille, served with grilled

polenta wedges. (v)(vg)(gf )(df )

SUNDAY ROAST

Prime roast beef with Yorkshire pudding & gravy.

Served with roast potatoes & vegetables of the day

CRÈME BRULEE

with caramelised sugar topping. (gf )

POACHED PEAR

with mulled wine syrup and vanilla ice cream.

(gf )

GOLDEN SYRUP & SULTANA

SPONGE PUDDING

served with custard. (gf )

CHOCOLATE TORTE

chocolate mousse on a chocolate sponge base

with raspberries & fruit coulis. (gf )

MERINGUE NEST

filled with soft fruits, whipped cream & vanilla

ice cream on a crème Anglaise sauce drizzled

with mango & blackcurrant sauces. (gf )

LIMONCELLO

PANNA COTTA

with limoncello syrup and fresh raspberries. (gf)

(v) = Vegetarian (vg) = Vegan (gf ) = Gluten free (df ) = Dairy Free

Set menu to change from time to time

For bookings, please contact us: T: +44 (0)1892 518514 E: info@bordersrestaurant.co.uk W: www.bordersrestaurant.co.uk

Soft touch

Stay feeling gorgeous after the big event in lingerie so glorious

it would be wrong to cover it up...

Left: Delta bra in Liberty print with button

£78, Delta tie side knickers in Liberty print £32,

Tara Deighton Middle: Anais French knickers

£75, vintage kimono from £105, Tara Deighton

Right: Delta bra in silk £89, Delta tie side

knickers in silk £35, Tara Deighton

Address Book:

Fresh Agents: freshagents.co.uk

Model: Jade Harris, Fresh Agents

Tara Deighton: taradeighton.co.uk,

hello@taradeighton.co.uk

33 wealdentimes.co.uk

Embrace

Feel beautiful from

the inside out,

with lovely lacey

lingerie under

your dress

lace

1 Blush pink tulle and lace garter £53.80 Wedding Garter Co weddinggarterco.com 2 White corded lace up detail bra £30 Wolf

and Whistle wolfandwhistle.co.uk 3 Dolce & Gabbana lace-trimmed silk-blend satin shorts £177 Net-a-Porter net-a-porter.com

4 Lace halter neck body £38 Bluebella bluebella.com 5 Bluebella embroidered floral suspender £24 Figleaves figleaves.com

6 Eres stretch-lace and silk-blend satin bra £330 Net-a-Porter net-a-porter.com 7 Eyelash lace thong £16 Bluebella bluebella.com

8 NK Mode silk-satin chemise £163 Selfridges selfridges.com 9 Silk cotton voile French knickers £49.95 La Perla laperla.com

10 Crystal and pearl tulle garter £49.80 Wedding Garter Co weddinggarterco.com 11 Floral lace bodysuit £307 La Perla

laperla.com 12 Wonderbra strapless bra £41 Figleaves figleaves.com

WT Wedding Supplement

Over 45 years’ experience

specialising in coats of arms

With over 10,000 coats of arms, crests &

monograms seal engraved since 1970

18 carat

signet ring

seal engraved

Professional Firework Displays by

AJ Pyrotechnics Ltd

Whatever the occasion AJ Pyrotechnics can light up your night!

We offer professional, fully insured, high impact display packages and can

tailor our displays to accommodate most budgets. We pride ourselves on the

content, design and value for money that all our displays bring.

WEDDINGS • BONFIRE NIGHT • ALL YEAR CELEBRATIONS • RETAIL FIREWORKS

Tel: 07826 658996 or 07733 159499

or 01303 867011

www.ajpyrotechnics.co.uk

9 carat white

gold cufflink,

3D engraved

coat of arms

Rodney J Rigby F.I.P.G

Goldsmith & Designer

Hand & seal engraver

Handmade signet rings, cufflinks

& bespoke 3D blazer buttons

in gold, silver & platinum

T: 01892 724951 www.rodneyjrigby.com

info@rodneyjrigby.com

AJPyrotechnicsWT203.indd 1 12/12/2018 RJRigbyLtdWT195.indd 17:27

1 22/01/2019 15:06

Friendly, professional help to look and

feel fabulous after 50

Find the look that fl atters your shape, refl ects

your personality, and is perfect for this

special occasion

Confi dence-boosting style that gets you

noticed for all the right reasons

35 wealdentimes.co.uk

JackieDedmanWT204.indd 1 16/01/2019 LegliciousWT204.indd 10:02

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Do you have any foot or ankle issues?

The Foot and Ankle Centre Tunbridge Wells is a specialist

centre, unique in Kent and East Sussex, dedicated to the

treatment of all aspects of foot and ankle problems in

children and adults.

It uses the most modern technologies to diagnose and

treat the full range of foot conditions from flat feet,

in-growing toenails and heel pain to sports injuries,

fractures, bunions and arthritis.

The Centre offers a fully integrated, multi-disciplinary

approach with experts including Consultant Orthopaedic

Surgeon Mr James Ritchie, Podiatrist Mrs Alison

Pettican and specialist physiotherapists. They are highly

experienced in the most up to date forms of treatment

including biomechanics, gait management and minimally

invasive surgery.

For more information contact:

01892 740990

info@thefootandanklecentre.com

Mr James Ritchie

Consultant Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Surgeon

WT Wedding Supplement

SpireWT204.indd 1 23/01/2019 09:48

Cosmetics a la

Carte Travel Lip

Brush, £22

Simply red

An instant feelgood boost in a wind-up tube,

Josephine Fairley picks the best red lipsticks

Revlon

Superlustrous

Live Boldly

Lipstick Fire

and Ice, £7.99

Bourjois Rouge

Edition Velvet

Liquid Lipstick

15 Red-Volution,

£8.49

Red lipstick is a make-up classic.

But sometimes, it has a fashion

‘moment’ and right now is

one of those times – partly because

of all the frankly show-stopping,

smile-making reds out there, with a

perfect texture for every red-lover.

Cherry and damson and scarlet and

pillarbox all look great with full makeup

– but where I think red lipstick really

scores is that you can swipe

on a scarlet mouth (and a

touch of mascara, in my

case, in order that my eyes

don’t disappear entirely) and

hey, presto, presentable. It’s

a nipping-out-for-a-pintof-milk-when-you-don’twant-the-neighbours-tosee-you-barefaced

go-to.

However, if you don’t

shop wisely, you can kiss

a few frogs on the red

lipstick hunt. (Leaving quite a lipprint,

while you’re at it.) So before I

launch into my run-down of the reds,

there are some basics to consider.

Are you a cool or a warm red? Different

complexion undertones look better with

specific reds and you can figure out

which one you are in one of two ways:

a make-up artist or sales consultant

in-store can advise you – or you can

try a little trick I picked up at Chanel

make-up school (yes, there is such a thing

and I once got to spend a day there).

You need a mid-pink rose and a

peach or apricot, for this particular

trick. Look in the mirror and first

“If you don’t

shop wisely, you

can kiss a few

frogs on the red

lipstick hunt

(leaving quite a

lip-print, while

you’re at it)”

111

hold up the fruit. Remove it, then

hold up the rose. Which makes your

skin look more radiant and ‘alive’?

If it’s the peach, you almost certainly

have a warm skintone and will look

better with slightly orange-y, coral reds.

If it’s the pink rose, chances are you’ve

a cool complexion and more blue-reds

will work better. (This is a much rarer

category, just one in 10 people.) If you

don’t see a difference, you

can get away with either.

Try before you buy.

Do not buy red lipstick

online! Go shopping. You

know how you’re always

advised (often by me) to

try fragrances on for size

before you splash out?

Same applies to lipstick.

Interestingly, the pads

of your fingertips are

the lipstick equivalent of

perfume blotters: where you try stuff out

before applying to your lips. This is an

old tip I picked up from superstar makeup

artist Mary Greenwell – the skin on

the fingerpads is very similar in colour

to our lips, so you get a way better idea

of what a shade actually looks like than

trying it on the back of your hand.

But nothing beats actually

applying to your lips, once

you’ve whittled down

the list of possibilities. I

recommend smoothing

them with a lip balm

before you go lipstickshopping

and – with

Christian

Louboutin

Silky Satin Lip

Colour Rouge

Louboutin,

£65

Beauty

Chanel Rouge

Allure Ink

Matte Liquid

Lip Colour 150

Luxuriant, £31

Bobbi Brown

Retractable Lip

Brush, £23.50

the help of the people on the counter

- trying one or two reds that have

passed the ‘fingertip test’, completely

removing each colour, in between.

Nowadays all reputable make-up

counters clean lipsticks between use

and will often offer a disposable lip

brush for trialling a shade. Apply

the lipstick (or ask them to do it

for you), look in the mirror – but

then also stand back. How a lipstick

looks from five paces is just as

important as how it looks up close.

Now find your red… These

are all glorious – and there’s a

shade for absolutely everyone, I

promise. But these true classics

are a great place to start.

NARS Lipstick Jungle Red. £22. As

bold as red gets, and enough to convert

even die-hard nude lipstick-wearers

into someone who rocks a red lippie.

Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet Liquid

Lipstick 15 Red-Volution, £8.49.

Absolutely budget-proof, this glides

on like a liquid and then sets on the

lips for amazingly long-wear colour.

If you wrote off long-lasting lipsticks

years ago as uncomfortable, time to

think again – this is so lightweight

you’ll barely know it’s there. At this

price, it’s a great ‘entry point’ red for

the unsure. A classic deep scarlet.

Chanel Rouge Allure Ink Matte Liquid

Lip Colour 150 Luxuriant, £31. My

own current favourite red – a deep

cherry – I wear this two ways. For day

to day, I smoosh on a lip balm and add

a fine layer of this, blending into lips

with a finger. It makes for a strong but

not over-red lip that lasts for absolutely

ages – greatly perkifying for a winterwan

face. And then when I want to

ramp up the glam factor, I layer on a

couple of coats of the same product

(it’s not called ‘ink’ for nothing – it’s

really pretty indelible), then gently

smack my lips together for a lipstick

effect that’s still ready to party long,

long after I’m ready to go home.

Revlon Superlustrous Live Boldly

Lipstick Fire and Ice, £7.99. Revlon has

offered this pure Hollywood shade of

red ever since 1952, reincarnating it

occasionally with a new texture – here,

a wonderfully sheen-y, almost glossy

finish. (That doesn’t last forever, but

the colour itself is a good lip-clinger.)

Christian Louboutin Silky Satin Lip

Colour Rouge Louboutin, £65. The

shoe designer has now translated his

famous red soles into a shade of lipstick

– in some of the sexiest packaging

you’ll ever see. (Price-wise, it is to

Revlon what Louboutin shoes are to

Clarks.) The one to brandish at the

nightclub table and watch everyone

else’s lips turn green with envy.

Guerlain Kiss Kiss Creamy Satin

Finish Lipstick Sexy Coral, £28. Creamy

and as comfortable to wear as a slanket

– yet a gorgeous, traffic-stopping

coral-red, for warmer skintones.

(There’s a whole lot of red action going

on in Guerlain’s Kiss Kiss portfolio.)

And last but not least, invest in

a lip brush. After years of lip stains

and just-been-kissed blurred edges,

a sharper lip line is now quite the

thing again. That calls for a lip liner –

always matched to the natural colour

of your lips, in a good browny-rose

nude, not to your actual lipstick –

and a lip brush, for application.

It is the law that this should be

retractable, with its own lid, in order

to avoid the inside of your makeup

bag soon resembling a scene

from a horror movie. My all-time

fave is Cosmetics a la Carte Travel

Lip Brush, £22 (cosmeticsalacarte.

com), or check out Bobbi Brown

Retractable Lip Brush, £23.50.

Mwah, mwah, darlings.

Find all the results of the 2019

Beauty Bible Awards online at

beautybible.com –

real products

trialled by real

women, for

the inside track

on what really

works.

Guerlain Kiss

Kiss Creamy Satin

Finish Lipstick

Sexy Coral, £28

wealdentimes.co.uk

112

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wealdentimes.co.uk

114

HBMedicalWT202.indd 1 21/11/2018 09:53

Wellbeing

A Year of Wellness

It’s not as simple as ‘sleep more’ – when it comes to energy, there’s a lot

going on beneath the surface. Eminé Rushton looks into the sapping effect

of stress and how we can help ourselves restore the spring into our steps

February: The laws of energy

Gosh, you look tired.” But I am

not. Not on paper. I’ve had a

full night’s sleep and I’ve been

eating well. Yet… This story seems to

be playing out all around me – in spite

of doing ‘all the right things’, people

feeling not just lacking in energy, but

bone-deep depleted. So what is going

on? And why is a good night’s sleep not

necessarily the answer?

“There is a common misconception

that energy ‘in’ automatically equals

energy ‘out’,” says Henrietta Norton,

a nutritional therapist, co-founder of

Wild Nutrition and leading

women’s wellbeing expert

“But we need to look

beyond this to limit

negative effects, such as

stress, that can lead to

a reduction in energy.

Supporting our adrenal

glands and nervous system

will help and we can do this

through optimising our lifestyle and

nutrition habits,” says Norton.

Top of the list is plenty of restorative

time. All too often we race through

our days only to collapse on the nearest

sofa, phone or tablet in hand, television

on, mind still racing.

We’ve lost the delicate art of slowing

to savour gentle things just for the joy

of them. A warm hearth and cup of

tea, feet up and the wireless on in the

background – salve for the tired soul.

By resting our adrenal glands

and nervous systems, we noticeably

replenish our energy stores and this is

something we need to

build into our everbusier

modern

day lives.

For people who seek to boost their

energy levels by exercising more,

there is an important distinction to

be made. If you are already adrenallyfatigued

and depleted (i.e. you have

been running on adrenaline and stress

has been rife in your life for a while)

a high intensity high impact workout

– circuits, spinning, boxing, intense

cardio, competitive explosive sports

– can further tax your systems.

By all means exercise, but look for

naturally restorative, slower and gentler

modes of movement: yoga, swimming

or walking. Don’t

“We’ve lost the

delicate art of

slowing to savour

gentle things for

the joy of them”

push yourself

hard when you

are already low on

energy.

First, consider

how you can top

up your essential

vitamin and mineral

stores.

“Alongside magnesium, B vitamins

are essential for energy production, for

the normal functioning of the nervous

system, and vitamin B5 in particular,”

says Norton. “Good sources include

whole grains, eggs, beans and lentils,

a wide range of vegetables and good

quality or organic fish and meats.”

Supplements can be an important

boost at times of heightened stress,

tiredness and depletion and I’ve long

been an advocate for organic, raw,

food-grown, synthetic-free supplements.

The Wild Nutrition Food-Grown B

Complex Plus, £22 (wildnutrition.

com) combines B vitamins, minerals,

coenzyme Q10 and stress-reducing

adaptogen ashwagandha, to promote

efficient energy release.

It’s also time to face up to the ways

in which you are looking to boost your

energy – which, for many of us, begins

and ends with a cup of strong coffee.

“Caffeine also stimulates the adrenals

and makes them work even harder,

making the situation worse in the long

run,” says Norton. “Even decaffeinated

versions should be avoided.

“Try reducing caffeine – green tea

can be a good option as it contains

less caffeine and tannins, along with

L-theanine, which is a wonderful stress

reliever too.”

If low energy levels have been an

ongoing problem and positive lifestyle

changes have had little impact, it

may be worth seeking out a registered

nutritionist or nutritional therapist,

who can carry out some functional

tests, too.

For some people, heightened stress

hormones (our old friend cortisol…)

can prevent the thyroid from converting

hormones into their active form, which

can dramatically impact energy levels.

“Vitamin C is another nutrient

that is vital for the manufacture of

adrenal hormones. Best sources include

peppers, kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts,

watercress and red cabbage – rather

than oranges, which have far less in

comparison,” says Norton.

From quieter evenings where you

completely switch off,

to better supporting

your busy body with

its daily nutritional

needs, it really is slow

and steady that

wins the

energy

race.

Eminé Rushton is Wellbeing Director-at-Large at Psychologies magazine, and

co-founder of the conscious living blog, The Balance Plan, balanceplan.co.uk

Wellbeing

Natural wisdom

Lea Tierney is co-founder and chief maker at Rosemary & Robert

Chocolate, producing artisanal products from highest grade cacao, wrapped

without plastic and sold only in small independent outlets and online

What one piece of seasonal wisdom

helps you in winter? I think what we

see in nature reflects best what we most

need in the changing seasons. I tend

to feel the cold and suffer with SAD

(Seasonal Affective Disorder) during the

darker months but building fires, sitting

and drinking hot chocolate next to them

and eating lots of spiced foods really

helps me cope with the transition into

winter.

What one self-care ritual do you

never skimp on? Cacao –I eat it every

day. Whether that’s in my smoothies,

product testing or cooking with cacao

butter, chocolate plays a huge role in

my self-care. Chocolate has become

pretty essential to my wellbeing as the

nutrients it possesses help me maintain

balance during my cycle making it a

lovely meditative and mindful process

that helps ground me. Every month

(usually with a New or Full Moon

depending on how I’m feeling) I’ll light

some candles, mix up some ceremonial

hot cacao and set some intentions for

the month ahead.

What’s cooking in your kitchen this

month? A lovely comforting favourite

of mine has been a spiced squash and

sweet potato soup with ginger for

added warmth and white beans for

added creaminess. I often get soup-forbreakfast

cravings during autumn and

winter, so I tend to make double the

quantity I need. On busier days I get the

soup maker going in the morning and

pour it out into a stainless steel Stanley

flask for a quick, no fuss lunch.

What always brings a smile to your

face? Our rescue cockapoo puppy

Georgie always brings a smile to my

face. There’s a good reason he’s Chief

Happiness Officer at Rosemary &

Robert. He’s a little ray of sunshine

and he simply loves life. Even on the

gloomier days he’s sure to make us

appreciate the outside more with his

exuberance during walks and his ecstasy

in damp grass and muddy puddles.

Plus, getting back from a walk to a

steaming cup of tea, a cuddle with

the dog and a good book is just

heaven.

What are the best treatments you’ve

had locally? I booked in for an hour’s

flotation pod therapy at Simply Float

in Tunbridge Wells simplyfloat.co.uk

which was so relaxing and reminded

me how much I need to spend time

in and around water to feel peaceful.

That was followed by my first ever

Reflexology session with Jane De La

Haye at Neal’s Yard in Tunbridge

Wells nealsyardremedies.com and I felt

so much relief after that treatment

it was amazing. I had brunch at The

Plant Base in between treatments so

it was a proper all-round treat of a

morning theplantbase.co.uk.

rosemaryandrobert.com

Shelf Help

I have so enjoyed reading Buddhist Monk

Haemin Sunim’s Love for Imperfect Things,

£9.99 (Penguin Life), which is filled with

the simplest ideas to spark better self-care

and get us thinking of ourselves as just as

important as all of the other loved ones

in our lives. These lines, from a Korean

saying counselling against thinking and

worrying too much before doing something:,

stuck out for me: ‘Lengthy deliberation often leads to a

terrible decision. Your boat goes to the mountain instead of

the ocean.’ Note to self: don’t overthink it!

Health and beauty tips

Discover a wealth of wellbeing advice

wealdentimes.co.uk/wellbeing

This month

Eminé is trying:

Flower Remedies

Bach’s Rescue Remedy was a

staple remedy of mine as a child

– particularly during exam time

and as I’ve grown, I have become

increasingly interested in flower

essences and remedies. I now try to

support smaller producers and love

to learn the back story of the flowers

used. I particularly like Alexis Smart

Flower Remedies (now in Liberty;

libertylondon.co.uk) and Wildflower

English Flower Essences (based in Surrey,

wildfloweressences.co.uk).

World leading

fertility care

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Food

Happy Galentine’s

Totally

Headline

over corny old Valentine’s Day? Celebrate February’s fun alternative instead

Recipes & Styling: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether Wine Pairings: Kent Wine School

Intro for the food pages

Words: xxxxxxxxxxx Photographs: Xxxxxxxxxxxxx

wealdentimes.co.uk

118

Food

Day!

First invented by a character in the sit com Parks and Recreation, Galentine’s is

a fun take on Valentine’s Day, without any of the pressure. Falling on 13th

February – i.e. the day before – it’s not a substitute for romance, more a witty

way to appreciate the important gals in your life.

So this mid-Feb, whether you are happily attached, contentedly single, or keenly

browsing Tinder, gather some of your favourite chick flicks, open a bottle of pink fizz

and celebrate your female friends with a Galentine’s night in.

Tiny tacos

Makes 12 mini tacos. Prep time: 35 minutes. Cooking time: 25 minutes.

Spice up the girls’ night with these bite-sized tacos. I’m not sure whether these are

less messy to eat than the bigger version. I guess it depends how big your mouth is…

Wine+

These may be tiny but they are

packed with flavour. A red would be too

much so we’ve gone for a Chardonnay

from Chile – as near as we can get to Mexico.

Montes Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2015

from Majestics would be a good

choice (£9.99). Wonderful fresh, aromatic

fruit flavours coupled with just a hint of

well-balanced oak will match the

weight of the dish and pair well

with the fresh salsa.

• 1 pack small tortilla wraps

• 250g lean minced beef (or vegetarian

substitute mince)

• 20g (approx) taco seasoning - cheat

by buying a taco spice mix, or make

your own using:

• 1 tsp hot chilli powder

• ½ tsp garlic powder

• ½ tsp ground cumin

• ½ tsp ground oregano

• ¼ tsp freshly ground black pepper

• 1 tsp paprika

• 1½ tsp onion granules

• ½ tsp sea salt

• ½ tsp cayenne pepper (or to taste)

• ½ tsp chilli flakes (to taste)

Salsa

• 3-4 tomatoes, peeled and finely

chopped

• ½ red onion, finely chopped

• 1 garlic clove, very finely chopped

• 2 tsps white wine vinegar

• ½ lime, juice only

• ½ bunch coriander, roughly chopped

Serve with soured cream and/or grated

cheese

1Make mini taco shells from the tortillas

by cutting them into rounds with a

pastry cutter. Gently squish the tortilla

rounds into a mini muffin tin and bake for

5 minutes at 150°c until crisp. Set to one

side. Prepare the salsa; loosen tomato skin

prior to chopping by blanching in boiling

water, mix chopped tomato, onion, garlic

together, then add in the other ingredients.

2Fry the mince in a pan for 15 minutes

until thoroughly cooked. Sprinkle on

the taco mix, turn the heat to low and

continue to cook for another few minutes.

3Carefully spoon mince into taco shells,

top with salsa, soured cream/grated

cheese and serve.

119 wealdentimes.co.uk

Why not spoil that special someone this Valentine’s Day

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95 Bidborough Ridge, Bidborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 0XB

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No ordinary restaurant,

no ordinary food!

BellinTicehurstWT204.indd 1 10/01/2019 KentishHareWT204.indd 16:28

1 16/01/2019 16:11

New

tasting

menu’s available

now on our website

KATHTON

HOUSE

Kathton House is an English fine dining restaurant serving locally produced food

in elegant surroundings. The bright & classy interior is complimented by tasteful

décor, and a wonderful cottage garden for those warmer days. The menu offers a

selection of modern English & European dishes, and changes every four weeks

for dinner and every week for lunch service.

OPENING

TIMES

Monday:

Closed

Tuesday - Saturday:

Lunch

12pm – 2pm

(Last orders)

Dinner

7pm – 9pm

(Last orders)

Sunday:

Lunch only

12pm – 4pm

(Last orders)

NOW TAKING VALENTINE’S DAY GALA DINNER BOOKINGS - SEE THE MENU ON OUR WEBSITE

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6 High Street, Sturry, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 0BD 01227 719999

wealdentimes.co.uk

120

KathtonHouseWT204.indd 1 23/01/2019 11:55

Wine+

Prawns have a subtle sweetness and

pair beautifully with rosé wines. We’ve

gone for a sparkling pink fizz from the

Loire Valley in France. The Society’s Saumur

Rosé Brut NV is excellent value at £11.50

from The Wine Society. Made from the

Cabernet France grape, its packed full of

fresh strawberry, raspberry and redcurrant

flavours. The acidity will balance

the prawns and creaminess of

the dressing perfectly.

Food

Wine+

This is a lovely, fresh, creamy dip

so we need something light that won’t fight

the flavour. We’ve headed to Italy for our fizz.

You could opt for a Prosecco but why not

try something different? The north of Italy

produces a fizz called Franciacorta – hugely

popular over there but rather ignored here,

much to our loss! The Secret Cellar does

a lovely version Riva di Franciacorta Brut

DOCG at £18.00.

thesecretcellar.co.uk

Prawn Shot-tails

Pea dip

Makes 6 Prep time: 25 minutes.

Dainty prawn cocktails served in shot glasses.

You can be polite and use a fork to eat them,

or down in one...

Serves 6 Prep time: 15 minutes.

This is a great ‘emergency’ dip that’s easy to rustle up in a

hurry using defrosted frozen peas – think green houmous. It

can also be made with cream cheese or soured cream.

• 150g large prawns

• 1 baby gem lettuce

• 1 avocado

Dressing

• 1small dill pickle, finely

chopped

• 1 tbs red onion, minced

• 100g mayonnaise

• 1 tbs tomato ketchup

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• ½ tsp garlic, minced

• 2 drops Tabasco sauce

• salt and pepper, to taste

(or cheat and use bottled

Thousand Island dressing).

1Mix all but 6 prawns

into dressing.

Shred the lettuce and

2 line each shot glass with

a tiny handful.

Carefully spoon prawns

3 on top of lettuce, then

top with a large prawn and a

few slices of avocado.

• 200g frozen peas,

defrosted

• 75g fat-free natural yogurt

• juice 1 lemon

• 1 tbsp mint leaves, finely

chopped

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 small red chilli, finely

chopped (to taste)

• 4 pitta breads, sliced into

fingers

• 2 carrots, cut into batons

• ½ red pepper, cut into

strips

1Mash the peas with a stick

blender – do not whizz

them to a complete puree, but

leave with a little texture.

Mix in the other

2 ingredients, decant into a

dip bowl and serve with sliced

pitta and vegetable fingers.

121 wealdentimes.co.uk

Food

Mini margarita cheesecakes

Wine+

Rich and creamy desserts need sweet

wines combined with high acidity to cut

through the richness. We’d recommend

a pudding wine from the Vouvray in the

Loire Valley such as Chateau Gaudrelle

Vouvray Reserve Speciale from Waitrose

Cellar (£10.99). Its full-bodied and

smooth character is delicious and the

acidity will balance this rich

pudding perfectly.

Makes 12 Prep time: 15 minutes. Cooking time: 30 minutes.

Any excuse to serve up a cheesecake, but compulsory for

a girls’ gathering, especially when baked New York style.

These are tiny, so are extra slimming. Ahem. I used a loosebottomed

mini-cheesecake pan, but they can also be made in

a mini-muffin tin, or even in cupcake cases.

For the base:

• 100g digestive biscuits

• 50g melted butter

For the filling:

• 300g cream cheese

• 120g caster sugar

• 1 egg

• 100ml soured cream

• ½ tsp vanilla extract

For the topping

• 100g strawberries

• 50ml tequila (2 shots)

• 2 tsp lime juice

• 1 tbsp granulated sugar

1Preheat the oven to gas 4

(180°c). Prepare biscuit

base by crushing biscuits (in a

food processor, or use a pestle

and mortar). Combine with

the melted butter and then

press a heaped teaspoon of the

biscuit mix into each section

of the mini cheesecake pan/

muffin tin and set to one side

(or refrigerate).

2Beat cream cheese,

egg, ¼ tsp vanilla essence

and 100g of the sugar

together until smooth. Add

2-3 tsps to the top of each

biscuit base and bake in the

oven for 20 minutes. Mix

soured cream with remaining

20g sugar and ¼ tsp of vanilla

essence.

3Remove cheesecakes

from the oven and add a

teaspoon of the soured cream

mixture to the top of each

one. Turn the oven down

to gas 3 (160°c) and return

cheesecakes to the oven for 10

minutes. Cool and refrigerate.

4Chop strawberries and

combine with other

topping ingredients, mashing

some slightly to release the

juice.

5Remove cheesecakes from

tin and carefully spoon a

little topping onto each one.

For a non-alcoholic version,

add 30ml water and 20ml

lemon juice instead of tequila

and lime.

Kent Wine School is an independent wine education company offering funfilled

wine tastings and courses in Tunbridge Wells with everyone offered

a chance to taste and learn in a relaxed setting, to improve wine buying

confidence and make new discoveries and friends, along the way.

kentwineschool.com 01892 322066 info@kentwineschool.com

Fabulous food

More recipes to make your mouth water

wealdentimes.co.uk/recipes

123

Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses

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Seasonal Bedding plant displays

Approved pesticide/

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RHS qualified gardeners

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www.cityescapes.co.uk

We’ve got designs

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CheekyMonkeyS40.indd 1 25/01/2018 CityEscapesWT204.indd 15:42

1 24/01/2019 10:40

Traditional or contemporary, large or small, the team at Gardenproud can help

you create a garden you’ll be proud of. Established 2007, we design, build and

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General domestic cleaning

Plus: Ironing, oven cleaning,

fridge & freezer organising,

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end of tenancy or pre-sale clean.

One off or regular visits.

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wealdentimes.co.uk

124

GardenproudWT204.indd 1 08/01/2019 Prue DrewNeatGardeningWT203.indd 16:30

Quarter Page Ad Wealden 1 Times AW.indd 1 04/12/2018 05/12/2018 17:09 10:45

Winter’s promise

The days are lengthening and Jo Arnell is getting excited for the new gardening year

The light is slowly streaming back and I’m beginning

to get excited for the spring. It’s usually false

spring, as one warm day in February is often

followed by weeks of freezing weather, but I can’t help

clutching at anything that speeds the winter along. A few

brave buds and bulbs are quietly stealing a march; look

closely and you’ll find tiny, but hopeful awakenings to

celebrate. There are some wonderful plants to enjoy in

the late winter garden and, if you’re as impatient as I am,

there are several tasks that we can get started with too.

Buds, blossom and bulbs

Winter blossoms aren’t show offs, but, like some of us, they

make up for their shyness in other ways. They are delicate,

usually white, or pale colours that will show up in the wan

winter light and in shady places, but the best thing is that

nearly all of them are scented. The fragrance will be strongest

at dusk and dawn, when it is pumped out by the flowers in

the hope of luring pollinating insects like moths, flies and

beetles. A few bees may bumble sleepily among them too

and even the odd butterfly on sunny days. It is still too early

for most creatures - they will be hibernating in log piles

and insect hotels - but for the insomniacs and early risers

these plants help to provide a life-saving source of nectar.

Grow a winter-scented plant somewhere near to the house -

by the front or back door, near a path or gate, where you will

be able to walk past regularly, inhaling as you go. Don’t forget

to cut a few twigs to bring inside too - nature’s own diffuser.

Spring preparations

It’s all going to kick off shortly and some timely pruning will

ensure that stems grow in the right direction. Don’t go mad

and prune everything; many flowering shrubs need to be

pruned after they have flowered (prune them now and you

won’t get any), but this is the perfect time to prune shrub

roses, and Hydrangeas and to cut back ornamental grasses.

Here’s the low-down on those that can be tackled now:

Roses

Prune to the shape of a vase - the books will tell you ‘an

open, goblet shape’. This is to encourage air to circulate

through the plant, as roses are prone to fungal diseases

that thrive in airless environments. Cut stems to just

above knee height to an outward-facing bud - I know,

there is never a well-placed outward-facing bud, so

just cut a sloping cut with sharp secateurs in roughly

the right place if you can’t locate a sensible bud.

Hydrangeas

Just to confuse everyone, there are several varieties of

Hydrangea, but thankfully only two main ways to prune

them. If you grow the paniculata types (those with long

racemes, a bit like Lilac on steroids) or Hydrangea ‘Annabelle’

(huge white pom-poms), you can be brutal and cut back to

a framework. This will stiffen up the stems and encourage

fewer, but bigger bracts (the showy outer part of the flower).

Old fashioned ‘mop head’ types do not like hard pruning,

unless they have become too big for their boots. These should

just be dead-headed, as they form their flower buds during

the previous year and pruning will cut off the flowers.

Buddleias

These flower in late summer on new wood and tend to get

unattractively leggy when left, so need a good hard prune now

to encourage flowers at a height where you can enjoy them.

Group 3 clematis

These should be pruned hard in late winter/early spring.

The trick to knowing which group your clematis is in is to

remember when it flowers. Group 3 are late flowering, so

flower on the current season’s growth, which is why you can

cut the old growth back to the ground - new shoots will soon

spring up and stop the plant from getting leggy and top heavy.

Above left: Hellebores brighten up shady corners and look great in winter containers Above right: Cyclamen coum in a spreading

carpet beneath a tree

125 wealdentimes.co.uk

“Don’t forget to cut a few twigs to bring

inside too - nature’s own diffuser.”

Deciduous grasses

These should be cut right back to the base to allow

fresh new foliage to come through. Do not cut

back evergreens like Stipa though. This is best just

combed through to remove the dead leaves.

Awakenings

Dahlia tubers and other tender exotics like Cannas and

Agapanthus can be slowly brought out of hibernation. If you

grow them in containers, pot them up into fresh compost and

water to start them into growth. Remember that these are not

frost hardy and will need to be kept somewhere fairly warm

until later in the spring when the danger of frost is past.

Early sowings

Many seeds can be sown now, but apart from the hardiest,

they should be sown under cover. It is still too early for most

things to germinate directly into the soil. Half hardy annuals

like Cosmos, Nicotiana, Cleome, Tithonia and other longflowering,

but frost-tender plants can be sown now, but only

if you keep them under cover until the weather warms up.

Early vegetables like broad beans, peas and leeks can be

started now too. If sowing directly, warm the soil with a

mulch or frame, especially if you are gardening on clay,

which can be slow to warm. If you have a greenhouse

start sowing tomatoes, peppers and other annual crops

and annual flowers that need a longer growing season.

It won’t be long now until the glorious tide of proper

spring rushes in. Make the most of these first days and

the small, but joyous signs that winter is nearly over.

A few fabulous

February plants

Prunus subhirtella autumnalis;

a small, delicate cherry tree

that flowers intermittently

all through the winter.

Daphne odora ‘Aureomarginata’

is the ultimate winter plant;

beautiful, evergreen and

highly scented. They are

a bit temperamental in

their requirements - think

botanical Goldilocks.

Viburnum bodnantense

‘Dawn’ - tiny pink blossoms

on bare stems, but with incredible fragrance.

Sarcococca confusa, which luckily also goes by

the easier name of Christmas Box. It is not an

exciting plant to look at - in fact most people

don’t notice it at all, so I tend to plant it behind

something unscented but good looking.

Clematis cirrhosa var. balearica is a dainty

looking, but tough little clematis that flowers

all through the winter. Each cream coloured

bell is speckled reddish brown, releasing

a citrus scent on sunny winter days.

Hamamelis x intermedia ‘Pallida’ (Witch

Hazel) has scented flowers that climb its bare

branches like little yellow spiders. It also has

good autumn foliage, which helps to redeem

the other eight months of dull green leaf.

Helleborus niger is the earliest of the Hellebores

- often called the Christmas rose, but probably at

its best in late January and February. Hellebores

naturalise well and mix beautifully with other early

spring flowering plants and bulbs. They prefer

moist, woodland-style conditions, but can spend

many a dry, shady summer lurking between shrubs

and trees without coming to too much harm.

Join Jo on her monthly gardening course

01233 861149 jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk

Help and advice

For all your gardening needs

wealdentimes.co.uk/gardens

Top left: Helleborus argutifolius with architectural evergreen

leaves and lime green bracts Top right: Scented, spidery flowers

of Witch Hazel (Hamemelis mollis) glinting in the winter

sunlight. Above: Primulas are cheerful early bedding plants

wealdentimes.co.uk

126

Professional and award-winning garden designers

specialising in the installation of instant mature gardens

for large domestic and commercial projects.

Telephone 01580 852315 or 07507 877685

www.mcgeachygardendesign.co.uk

info@mcgeachygardendesign.co.uk

10% discount on all

SOIL CONDITIONERS

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Topsoils Composts Barks Aggregates

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Freephone 0800 854663

The Wharf, Rye Road, Newenden, TN18 5QG

Kate Ball

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Individual and bespoke garden spaces

07870 627145

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The Traditional Verandah Company

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Enjoy your outside space all year round

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wealdentimes.co.uk

128

TraditionalVerandahCoWT200.indd 1 07/09/2018 14:53

Urban Grow Pod

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At times we all need a place to think, a space for ideas to

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offering more than the following.

- Free site survey

- Foundations + Electrics included

- Highest specification on the market

- Outstanding value

- Under floor heated for all year use

- Customisable design

- Thick eco Sheep’s wool insulation

- Low maintenance + 10yrs guarantee

Our website and brochure provides

more information along with details of

where to experience our show POD.

urbangrowpod.com

01892 315 123

Creating Beautiful Gardens

UrbanGrowPodWT204.indd 1 21/01/2019 10:13

For Brilliant Year Round Results

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

129 wealdentimes.co.uk

WCLandcraftWT199.indd 1 09/08/2018 16:34

Apply now for

September 2019 entry.

SCHOLARSHIP PLACES AVAILABLE NOW

We are now taking scholarship applications for Years 3-7 in Academics, Sport, Music,

Art and Drama.

Join our community, where academic innovation is leading exciting curriculum

changes throughout the school. Means-tested bursary support is also available.

Find out more at www.vinehallschool.com/scholarships-2019/

admissions@vinehallschool.com

01580 883090 /www.vinehallschool.com

Vinehall

CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY, BOARDING SCHOOL

& NURSERY, FOR CHILDREN AGED 2-13

Highest quality

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Gardening Courses 2019

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Gift vouchers for courses - the gift that grows...

and all weather garden play areas

Martin Gurr Tennis Courts 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

Martin Gurr Tennis Courts

Join Jo Arnell at her garden in

Woodchurch and learn how to get the best

from your garden through the seasons.

No experience needed.

Contact Jo 01233 861149

hornbrookmanor.co.uk

wealdentimes.co.uk

130

MsgsportsWT204.indd 1 14/01/2019 HornbrookManorWT202.indd 16:45

1 21/11/2018 16:28

Education

Travelling hopefully

What children gain from the journey of education is far more

important than results says Hilary Wilce

primary school in Rotherham has turned

itself around by putting music at the heart

of its curriculum. Not long ago, Inspectors

put the school into special measures because the

education it was providing was so substandard.

Now it’s one of the top schools in the country for

accelerating pupils’ progress in English and maths.

Children there learn rhyming games, play instruments,

sing together and study all kinds of subjects through

the gateway of music. And they are flying!

So since it works so well, why don’t all schools do it?

Well, education is a complex, people-based matter and what

works with one set of teachers and pupils, in one environment,

won’t necessarily translate to a different

setting. And there are all kinds of ways

that schools can help children do better.

Some schools have started to teach

mindfulness meditation to help pupils

learn how to be quiet and reflective,

while others are using specially-trained

petting dogs to encourage their

more fragile pupils to grow calmer and more confident.

Some swear by handing out iPads and putting technology

at the heart of all learning, while others are turning their

back on technology in the belief that an undiluted diet of

old-fashioned pupil-teacher interactions is a better way

to go. Forest schools take children outside in all weathers,

while a growing number of schools swear that regular daily

exercise is the key to unlocking their pupils’ potential.

All these schools are right up to a point. Their approaches

to schooling work for them, even if what they are doing is a

world away from what other schools swear works. There is

obviously no single answer to what makes a good school.

However, all these different schools almost certainly have

“Some schools are using

petting dogs to encourage

fragile pupils to grow more

confident”

many things in common. Whatever they are doing, they are

doing it because they genuinely care about the happiness

and success of their pupils. They will have thought long

and hard about what they believe will help pupils do better

and will have implemented it with rigour and care.

They are also likely to be schools with strong leadership

and good management structures and the self-confidence

to go against the mainstream flow of schooling.

In turn, their pupils will automatically sense that

their school is a place where they are respected and

cared for, and where people are working hard to

encourage and support them. Almost any approach to

education can get results if brought in in this way.

On the other hand, innovations

brought in as only trendy fads

are likely to be little more than

superficial gimmicks.

So in many ways the important

thing is not what a school is doing –

but the spirit in which it is doing it.

Having said that, though, there is one

approach to education that is almost certain to make pupils

unhappy and to deliver only short-term gains: focussing entirely

on exam results and not on the pupils doing the exams.

This may manage to get good results on paper, but teaching

to the test, drilling information into children, leaving no room

for enquiry, exploration and individual growth practically

guarantees a school will be turning out anxious and stunted

young people. Their results might look good for now, but

those educational underpinnings will turn out to be far

too flimsy and inadequate for the demands of later life.

So when looking around for good schools for our children,

we parents should always be looking not only at what individual

schools are achieving, but also at how they are going about it.

131 wealdentimes.co.uk

Where children experience a

world of opportunities

‘A great place to

grow’ for boys and

girls aged 2 to 11

years

Open Morning

Saturday 2nd March - 9.30am-12.30pm

Northbourne Park School, Betteshanger, Deal, Kent, CT14 0NW

Tel: 01304 611215

www.northbournepark.com

Visit, Explore

& Discover

Spring Grove School, Harville Road, Wye TN25 5EZ

NorthbourneParkSchoolWT204.indd 1 14/01/2019 SpringGroveSchoolWT204.indd 12:33

1 14/01/2019 16:57

OPEN MORNING

Tuesday 22 nd January

9:30-11:30

For boys and girls aged 2 to 13

September 2019 Scholarships available

Scholarship Assessment Week

4th February - 8th February

Call us on 01825 830 234 or visit

www.skippershill.com to book

Five Ashes, Mayfield, East Sussex, TN20 6HR

Listed in Sunday Times Top 100 Schools Guide 2018

wealdentimes.co.uk

132

SkippersHillWT204.indd 1 14/01/2019 14:19

Individual Focus.

Team Spirit.

OPEN MORNING

FRIDAY 1st MARCH, 9.30-11.30am

Pre-register online or contact Emma Houchin for further details

01580 753555 / registrar@marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk

MARLBOROUGH

HOUSE

SCHOOL

Valuing self and others

Boys and Girls, Nursery-13 years. Day and Flexi Boarding

Hawkhurst, Cranbrook, Kent TN18 4PY marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk

What’s On in February

Art

Sat 12 Jan – Thu 21 Mar

Sissinghurst Castle Garden,

Biddenden Road, Cranbrook

TN17 2AB

International Garden

Photographer of the

Year exhibition

A collection of winning images

from the International Garden

Photographer of the Year

competition. From portrait to

panorama, quirky to outright

wondrous, these photographs

reflect the everlasting appeal of

the garden and vividly showcase

images of a green planet.

nationaltrust.org.uk

Children & Families

Sat 16 – Sun 25 Feb

Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent

ME17 1PL

Half Term Hunters

Throw on your wellies and

become first-class junior hunters.

Venture through the estate,

explore a special trail with an

exciting activity booklet and hunt

for special clues and hints to help

complete the challenge and earn a

chocolate prize.

01622 765400 / leeds-castle.com

Thu 21 Feb

Brogdale Collections, Brogdale

Farm, Brogdale Road, Faversham

ME13 8XZ

Half Term Beastie Days

A day to discover bugs and minibeasts,

explore the orchards and

just have fun being kids. Children

will get to hunt and collect bugs,

learn all about them and even

meet some amazing mega bugs.

Entry: Adult & child £9.50, extra

adults or children £7.50 each

brogdalecollections.org

Entertainment

Sat 9 Feb 7pm

Port Lympne, Aldington Road,

Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LR

Murder Mystery Dinner

Themed around a dysfunctional

holiday camp, ‘Hi De Die’, will

test your sleuthing skills, as you

attempt to uncover the perpetrator

of the dastardly deed! Comedic

suspects will unravel the clues

over a delicious three course meal,

served in the spacious Aspinall

Suite. The evening is suitable for

adults and children over 12 years.

01303 264647 /

info@aspinallfoundation.org /

aspinallfoundation.org

Thu 21 – Sun 24 Feb

Various locations in Faversham

Faversham Literary

Festival

With Jo Brand, Will Self, Lionel

Shriver and Jenni Murray,

Faversham’s literary festival totals

more than 30 events covering

everything from fiction to history.

Expect talks, tours, workshops,

competitions, and all things to

excite those who love curling up

with a good book.

favershamliteraryfestival.org

Until Fri 31 March

Hush Heath Estate, Five

Oak Lane, Staplehurst,

Tonbridge, Kent TN12 0HT

Winter Winery

Tour & Tasting

Guided tours of Hush Heath’s

state-of-the-art winery are two

for one for just a few more

weeks. After the process of still

and sparkling winemaking is

explained on the tour there will

be a tutored tasting of six awardwinning

wines and ciders.

Entry: Usually £20pp, two for

one to be taken in February

hushheath.com

Garden

16 – 24 Feb 10.30am until dusk

Penshurst Place & Gardens,

Penshurst Place, Penshurst,

Tonbridge TN11 8DG

Travel Around The

World garden trail

This February half term,

Penshurst Place marks 500

Blackland Farm

Outdoor Activity Centre

Kayaking

Canoeing

Bungee trampolining

Rock climbing

Archery

Crate challenge

Zip wire

Abseiling

Aeroball...

...and many more!

Come and join us for

fun-filled activity days.

Why not have your

birthday party here too?

01342 810493

blackland@girlguiding.org.uk

www.blacklandfarm.org.uk

Blackland Farm

Visit kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/events to book

wealdentimes.co.uk

134

BlacklandFarmWT201.indd 1 11/10/2018 KentWildlifeTrustWT204.indd 15:52

1 07/01/2019 12:20

BE WISE

WHEN YOU ADVERTISE

Everyone wants to get what they paid for. Wealden Times is independently

verified by ABC, because we want our advertisers to know they’re getting the

exposure they’ve been promised.

ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.

Brighten up your winter with the

International Garden Photographer of

the Year exhibition.

Sissinghurst Castle Garden

12 January- 21 March 2019

TN17 2AB / 01580 710700

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/Sissinghurst-Castle-Garden

www.abc.org.uk

2018_be wise when you advertise_full A4.indd 2 08/11/2018 11:31:31

ABC.indd 1 12/12/2018 SissinghurstCastleWT203.indd 17:15

1 10/12/2018 15:37

135 wealdentimes.co.uk

IghthamMoteWT204.indd 1 22/01/2019 16:45

Sounds of the 60 s with Tony Blackburn

UB40

Saturday 30 March

Think Floyd

Tuesday 2 April

The King is Back

Featuring acclaimed Elvis

artist Ben Portsmouth

Friday 5 April

Saturday 6 April

Book online:

whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Ticket Office: 01424 462288

White Rock, Hastings TN34 1JX

WhiteRockTheatre

@The_White_Rock

@white_rock_theatre

Spring into a Season

AT THE

of Great Entertainment

AT THE

WhiteRockTheatreWT204.indd 1 23/01/2019 13:02

THE AWARD WINNING

MUSICAL

MON 1 –

SAT 6

APRIL

ZIPPOS PRESENTS

FERN BRITTON ANNA-JANE CASEY

SARA CROWE K AREN DUNBAR RUTH MADOC

TUE 5 – SAT 16 MARCH

REBECCA STORM DENISE WELCH

with a fabulous company of 20

REAL CIRCUS MADE FOR THEATRE

WED 20 – SUN 24 MARCH

THU 18 – MON 22 APRIL

FRANCIS

ROSSI

I TALK TOO

MUCH

MON 29 APRIL

STARRING

SAMANTHA

WOMACK

TUE 7 – SAT 11 MAY

MON 13 –

SAT 18 MAY

SUN 19

MAY

/The Orchard Theatre @OrchardTheatre theorchardtheatre

TICKET OFFICE 01322 220000

wealdentimes.co.uk

136

OrchardTheatreWT204.indd 1 04/01/2019 09:39

years since Ferdinand Magellan

began circumnavigating the

globe with a trail around the

gardens to discover some

famous world landmarks.

penshurstplace.com

Sun 17 Feb 11am-3pm

Jeffery Harrison Visitor

Centre, Bradbourne Vale Road,

Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 3DH

Bird Box Building

It’s national nest box week, so

Kent Wildlife Trust are helping

you build and decorate a bird box,

make your own bird feeder and go

on an expert-guided bird walk..

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk

Sat 23 Feb

Godinton House and

Gardens, Godinton Lane,

Ashford, Kent TN23 3BP

Wildlife Gardening

Join Head Gardener, Viv Hunt,

to learn how to make your own

garden a wildlife haven without

compromising on a beautiful

garden, discovering small changes

that can make your garden a more

welcoming place for wildlife no

matter what space you have.

Entry: £35

godintonhouse.co.uk

Music & Theatre

Sun 17 Feb 2.30 pm

Music School, Sutton Valence

School, North Street, Sutton

Valence, Maidstone ME17 3HL

Sarah Beth Briggs

Pianist Sarah Beth Briggs is a

leading recitalist, concerto soloist

and chamber musician. At the

age of eleven she became the

then youngest ever finalist in the

BBC Young Musician of the Year

competition. She will play Bach,

Mozart, Beethoven and Brahms.

Entry: £12.50 at door which

includes afternoon tea.

01622 843325

Thu 28 Feb 7.30pm

EMF Theatre, The Box

Office, High Street Entrance,

Tonbridge TN9 1JP

Clare Teal and her trio

- Swing’s the thing

Award winning Jazz vocalist

and Radio 2 presenter Clare

Teal performs a celebration

of popular music from the

golden age of song.

Entry: £22 students £18

emftheatre.com

Seminars

and Talks

Thu 7 Feb 6.30-8pm

Broadview Gardens &

Garden Centre, Hadlow

College, Tonbridge Road,

Hadlow TN11 0AL

An Evening with

Graham Clarke and

Rosemary Shrager:

the “Decibel Duo”

Enjoy amusing anecdotes from

Rosemary and Graham’s careers,

learn about the synergy between

art and professional cookery and

discover more about the painstaking

process that Graham uses

to create his famous etchings.

Signed copies of Rosemary’s

latest book and Graham’s

etchings will be available.

Entry: £20 (proceeds go to

the Children of Yirgaalem

Appeal charity.)

broadviewgardens.co.uk

Valentine’s day

Thu 14 Feb & Sat 16 Feb

The Spa Hotel, Mount

Ephraim, Royal Tunbridge

Wells, Kent TN4 8XJ

Valentine’s at the Spa

With a glass of fizz on arrival,

three exquisite courses and

live music from Jessica Louisa,

treat the one you love to a

romantic dinner at the Spa

Hotel this Valentine’s.

Entry: £49.50pp

spahotel.co.uk

Thu 14 Feb 6-9.30pm

Bodiam Castle, Bodiam,

Robertsbridge TN32 5UA

Valentine’s Dinner

Treat a loved one to a

romantic three-course dinner

in the stunning setting of a

medieval castle. The tickets

What’s On in February

also include a glass of bubbly

and an exclusive after-hours

tour of the floodlit castle.

Entry: £45

nationaltrust.org.uk

Thu 14 Feb

Canterbury Cathedral Lodge,

Canterbury Cathedral,

The Precincts, Canterbury,

Kent CT1 2EH

Valentine’s Dinner

Enjoy a superb 4-course

Valentine’s dinner with coffee in

one of the most romantic

locations in Canterbury,

the Cathedral’s delightful

restaurant which overlooks a

pretty courtyard terrace.

Entry: £37.95pp

canterburycathedrallodge.org

Weddings

Sun 17 Feb 10am-4pm

Friday Street Farm, East

Sutton, Kent, ME17 3DD

Rustic Kent

Wedding Fair

Perfect for all Kent and East

Sussex couples, this fair offers

inspiration and help planning the

perfect outdoor ‘barn farm’ rustic

styled wedding with a wonderful

array of friendly local Kent

vendors including photographers,

cake makers, florists, jewellery,

lighting, hair stylists, celebrants,

favours and more.

Entry: Free

homegurrown.co.uk

Sun 24 Feb 10.30am-3pm

The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood,

Maidstone Road, Paddock

Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY

Hop Farm

Wedding Show

Discover the magnificent

surroundings of The Hop

Farm, a unique wedding venue

right in the heart of the Kent

countryside, (so lovely we picked

it ourselves for our Midwinter

Fair). This event brings together

a fabulous range of creative and

inspirational suppliers covering all

aspects of planning a wedding.

Entry: Free

thehopfarm.co.uk

Workshops

Wed 13 Feb 7.30-9.30pm

Curious House, Gauntlets,

Battenhurst Road, Stonegate,

East Sussex TN5 7DU

Men only Flowers

An opportunity for all the

men out there searching for

a meaningful and original

Valentine’s gift. Nicky Gaffney

will lead this one day course,

designed to teach you to embrace

your romantic side and create

your own unique bouquet for

someone you love this Valentine’s.

No previous experience required.

Entry: £35, plus £30 for materials

01435 884806 /

curioushouse.net

Sat 23 Feb 10.30am-1pm

Knole, Sevenoaks,

Kent, TN15 0RP

Modern calligraphy

for beginners

All those brides and grooms

looking to save a little on savethe-dates,

invites, place cards

etc. can learn to use a dip pen

and ink and develop a modern

lettering style in this beginners

workshop with calligraphy expert

Judy Broad, at the lovely Knole.

Entry: £65

01732 462100 /

nationaltrust.org.uk

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+VAT! 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+VAT. Deadline for the

March issue is 11 February 2019.

137 wealdentimes.co.uk

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138

Competition

WIN A SPA DAY FOR TWO WORTH OVER

£400 AND £100 OF SPA PRODUCTS

Set in a converted Victorian barn in the calming countryside, The Granary Spa

offers a wide range of holistic and beauty therapies with a personalised plan for

each guest. Therapies include the traditional manicure, pedicure and waxing but

also the newly launched Zone Lift facial (an alternative to Botox ), sports massage,

reflexology and hot lava shell massage. Guests can relax in a beautiful lounge before

and after treatments with complimentary refreshments. The owner, Clare, explains that

“people spend most of their waking hours rushing from this to that and never allow time

to just ‘be’- no phone, no computers, no stress. This is what we provide at The Granary

Spa.” One of the most important elements of the spa is the team. With fifteen staff,

training and development is essential, which is why the spa closes twice a year to hold

well-being events for the staff and frequent training ensures that guests really do have a

calm and enjoyable experience. Clare explains that the concept behind this spa is a ‘trio

approach’, comprising hands on therapy, Pukka Herbs to balance the body internally and

Made for Life organic products to support the skin and body externally. This way, when

guests leave, they are able to continue their spa journeys at home. thegranaryspa.co.uk

HOW TO ENTER: For your

chance to win two indulgent

pamper days at The Granary

Spa worth over £400 and £100

of spa products, just answer the

following question: How many

staff do The Granary Spa have

within their team? Enter your

answer with your contact details in

the online form at wealdentimes.

co.uk/competition by 28 February

2019. There is no cash alternative

and the prize must be taken by

31 January 2020. You must be

over the age of 18 to enter.

Congratulations to Catherine Gunton who wins our December competition for a £500 two night stay at Grayshott Spa

139 wealdentimes.co.uk

Jane Howard’s

Fables from

the Farm

It’s calving time and while Jane is up in

the night with deliveries, she’s thinking

about the global picture

alving starts in earnest early in February and for

about six weeks it will be full on. Late nights,

eventful deliveries and hopefully a shed full of new

arrivals at the end of it, but despite all the excitement, with

all the changes afoot in the world these young cattle will be

arriving into a far from certain world for a beef cow.

As well as all the uncertainty caused by the subject

beginning with the letter B that everyone is heartily sick of

hearing about (Brexit – I promise I won’t mention it again!),

the other issue affecting livestock farmers will be the growing

belief that if you want to save the world and reduce climate

change you need to stop eating meat. Veganism has rocketed

in the UK over the past couple of years from an estimated

half a million people in 2016 to well over three million today.

It is a fact that ruminants are poor converters of grain to

meat and the intensive and inefficient use of large quantities

of cereals – often grown in what was

once the Amazon rainforest – is doing

great harm to the environment and is not

sustainable for the globe.

But it doesn’t have to be such a

black and white issue as meat – or

no meat. For years now I have been

saying to anyone who will listen that

we should all eat less meat, avoid cheap meat and seek

out grass-fed meat. And calls for us to switch our diet

entirely to plant-based foods also ignore one of the greatest

Britain grows the best grass

in the world

“It doesn’t have to

be such a black and

white issue as meat

– or no meat”

tools we have to mitigate climate change – grassland.

Thanks to our rainfall, soil and landscape, Great

Britain grows the best grass in the

world. Today about two-thirds of

our farmland is covered by grass,

grazed by sheep and cattle.

Switch to 100% plant-based

agriculture and we would have to

plough up this grassland and replace

it with crops that need high inputs of

fertiliser, fungicides, pesticides and herbicides. This would

also do great harm to the environment and is not sustainable.

There is as much carbon in the world’s soils as there is

in all the biomass, forestry, atmosphere and surface of the

oceans combined. In the UK most of this carbon is held

as organic matter in the soil of permanent pasture. If you

plough up this soil it will lose at least half its organic matter

straight away and more and more as each year passes.

Letting arable land lie fallow and returning it to periods

of grazed pasture, as farmers used to before artificial

fertilisers made continuous cropping possible, is the only

way to reverse the process and restore its organic matter

which is in effect nature’s own method of carbon capture.

So livestock, grazed on permanent pasture and

convalescing arable land can actually contribute to

reducing carbon emissions – and just maybe those

new calves now arriving in the shed may be part

of the answer and not part of the problem.

Follow Jane Howard – and the farm – on Instagram @coopersfarm

wealdentimes.co.uk

140

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Wealden Times | WT204 | February 2019 | Wedding supplement inside

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