Guildford Living Dec - Jan 2020 10.29.04

Contents 

A Note 

from the editor 

A Culinary puddings Journey through without a 

24Christmas sultana Northern in Ireland sight 

Chef Michael 

Caines 

IN THIS ISSUE... 

06 What’s On 

12 Education 

22 Michael Caines 

24 Christmas Crackers 

26 Sustainability 

22 

We are in full festive mode with a diary 

full of events over Christmas and into 

the New Year 

The Boarding Schools Association 

give their advice and clear up 

misconceptions about boarding 

We catch up with the West Country 

chef, on his quest for a second 

Michelin star at Lympstone Manor 

Pages of beautiful puddings to help 

you savour every second of the festive 

season 

We look ahead to positive changes 

we can make in the New Year for a 

greener life 

32 Homebuying Guide 

If the festive period shines a light on 

your desire to move, we have tips on 

the process 

Sustainability 

focus 

26 

31 

Creating the 

perfect guestroom 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Contributors Rebecca Williams, Peter Thomson, Dan Weston, Kate O’Connell, 

Lucy Saunders, Angela Cave, Pete Lawrence. 

Key Account Manager Sam Sanders 

e samuel@minervapublications.co.uk 

dd 01225 308112 

w www.guildfordliving.co.uk 

Sleigh bells ring, are you listening - 

Christmas’s here, your heart quickening? 

With gifts still to buy, and cards left to write 

- holy heck there’s still so much to do! 

That’s how the song goes right? Like it 

or loathe it, we are well into the festive 

preamble (what number tin of Quality Street 

are you on? I count three...). It’s time to get 

serious about your festive salutations and 

batten down the hatches - the guests will 

be here before you can say ‘figgy pudding’! 

This issue aims to highlight the best of the 

festive season, with a packed events guide 

and lots of festive fun. I’ve been extra 

selfish this issue and curated a section 

especially for the Christmas pariahs among 

us - those that hate festive puddings! Try 

as I might, I can’t stand Christmas Pudding, 

Cake, mince pies - anything with the spiced 

fruits combo - I’m out. 

I reckon I’m not alone (though perhaps 

you’ve not outed yourself yet, just 

pretending you’re full up when a bowl is 

proffered in your direction), so for my fellow 

outcasts, please enjoy a bumper batch 

of celebratory puds which are perfect for 

the big day, without a sultana in sight. 

We also caught up with one of the UK’s 

most famous and decorated chefs, Michael 

Caines on his passions outside of cooking 

(he’s one charitable guy!) 

That’s all for now - we will see you again in 

February, when we will be recovering from 

post Christmas food comas and thinking 

about moving a bit more and maybe eating 

a little less. 

In the meantime, we wish you the happiest, 

healthiest New Year. Now, pass the Quality 

Street please. 

Front cover: From Flikr - Chaz Folkes 

Katie 

Katie 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

County Gate, County Way 

Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7FJ 

t 01225 308128 

w www.minervapublications.co.uk 

Advertise now on our website www.guildfordliving.co.uk 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

4 | www.guildfordliving.co.uk

EVENTS 

GUIDE 

Winter is here and yes it’s chilly, however there 

is plenty going on to keep everyone entertained 

throughout the winter months... 

Bocketts Farm Park 

Young Street, Fetcham, Leatherhead KT22 

9BS 

01372 363764 

www.bockettsfarm.co.uk 

Running until Tuesday 24 December 

Visit Father Christmas 

Meet Father Christmas in his magical 

workshop. There will be a fun Christmas 

trail. Experience a ‘white Christmas’ in the 

giant snowglobe. Gorgeous baby lambs 

to see, plus there will be hundreds of 

Christmas trees on sale. Heated indoor 

play. Full programme of farm activities. 

Cranleigh Arts Centre 

1 High Street, Cranleigh GU6 8AS 

01483 278000 

www.theartssocietycranleigh.org 

Wednesday 11 December 

Christmas Lunch at Waverley 

Abbey House 

A perfect opportunity to celebrate their 25th 

Anniversary (originally Cranleigh DFAS and 

now The Arts Society Cranleigh). 

Wednesday 22 January, 2pm & 7.30pm 

Franz Schubert the Piano and the 

Power of Friends 

Surrounded by a brilliant circle of artists, 

poets and musicians whose talents and 

kindness fed his creativity, Schubert 

composed many masterpieces, some of 

which will be performed by the speaker, Dr 

Graham Griffiths. 

G Live 

London Road, Guildford 

01483 369350 

www.glive.co.uk 

Friday 6 December 

Tropicana Nights 

If you are looking for a fun filled evening of 

pure 80s music and dancing for the over 

25s, then look no further! Go and indulge 

yourselves in pure 80s heaven. 

Monday 9 December 

Adam Ant - Friend or Foe 

For the first time, pop icon Adam Ant, will 

play his landmark solo album, Friend or Foe 

live, in its entirety as well as classic charttopping 

singles and personal favourites. 

Wednesday 11 December 

Rob Beckett - Wallop 

Rob Beckett is back on tour with a brand 

new stand up show. It’s been a busy few 

6 | www.guildfordliving.co.uk 

years for the Mouth of the South and he’s 

coming to see you, to fill you in and make 

you laugh. 

Thursday 12 - Saturday 14 December 

The Christmas Extravaganza 

Including a fantastic three course menu, 

stunning entertainers, live music from The 

Beat Freaks, resident DJs and an incredible 

themed venue, you’ll want to take your 

dancing shoes and get ready to rock 

around the Christmas tree at a festive party 

night that’s not to be missed. 

Tuesday 17 December 

The Overtones Xmas 2019 

With their innate charm and adherence to 

vintage-modernist style, and a devotion 

to the timeless appeal of male vocal 

harmonies, The Overtones are a bridge 

between pre-rock’n’roll classicism and 

lively 21st Century entertainment. 


Party of the Decade 

The fabulous New Year’s Eve Gala is 

always the talk of the town. A stunning 

three-course gala menu followed by live 

music from The Beat Freaks, amazing 

entertainers and the resident DJ. 

Saturday 11 January 

The Ronnie Scott’s All Stars 

Hosted and performed by the awardwinning 

Ronnie Scott’s All Stars, this is a 

unique evening celebrating the music and 

history of Ronnie Scott’s and is a must for 

any music fan. 

Saturday 25 January 

Sounds of the 60s LIVE with Tony 

Blackburn 

Hosted by DJ royalty Tony Blackburn, the 

show features songs, stories and memories 

from the golden decade of pop with music 

performed live by the Sounds Of The 60s 

All Star Band & Singers. 

Guildford Cathedral 

Stag Hill, Guildford GU2 7UP 

www.guildford-cathedral.org 

Saturday 14 December, 7.30pm 

Christmas Crackers 

An evening of festive entertainment with 

The Lay Clerks featuring music from their 

recent album. Seasonal refreshments will 

be available. 

Wednesday 15 - Saturday 18 January 

Star of Wonder 

Experience this stunning and immersive 

light and sound show inside the Cathedral. 

Celebrate the twelve days of Christmas and 

enjoy a spectacular light and sound show 

that takes you on the journey of the Magi 

where you will walk through stunning starry 

skies and be enveloped with beautiful light 

and sound. 

Hatchlands Park 

East Clandon, Guildford GU4 7RT 

01483 222482 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hatchlands-park 

Saturday 14 - Sunday 15 December 

Visit Mrs Christmas 

Meet Mrs Christmas in her cosy sitting 

room. Each child will meet Mrs Christmas 

and receive a wrapped present from her. 

Sunday 15 December, 12 noon -1pm and 

2pm - 3pm 

Family Christmas Carols 

Enjoy an informal, fun family sing-along. 

Join them for Christmas carols, songs and 

readings in the Music Room and sing along 

to all of your festive favourites. 

Loseley Park 

Guildford GU3 1HS 

01483 304440 

www.loseleypark.co.uk 

Sunday 8 December, 9am 

Hogs Back Road Race 

The Hogs Back Road Race is an 11.4 km 

Guildford & Godalming Athletic road run 

around the Loseley Park Estate and over 

the Hogs Back in Surrey. The race leads 

you out of the Estate along roads (and a 

tiny section of gravel track) into Guildford 

and back. 

New Victoria Theatre 

Woking GU21 1GQ 

01483 545900 

www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoria-theatre/ 

Friday 6 December - Sunday 5 January 

Aladdin 

Packed with all of the traditional pantomime 

ingredients New Victoria audiences expect, 

Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of comedy, 

jaw-dropping special effects, sensational 

song and dance and plenty of boos and 

hisses the whole family will enjoy. 

Wednesday 8 - Saturday 11 January 

Shen Yun 

Featuring one of the world’s oldest art 

forms - classical Chinese dance - along 

continued

www.guildfordliving.co.uk | 7

with patented scenographical effects and 

all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun 

opens a portal to a civilisation of enchanting 

beauty and enlightening wisdom. 

Sunday 12 January 

You Win Again - Celebrating the 

Music of The Bee Gees 

The magical music of the Gibbs’ brothers 

takes you on a journey like no other, from 

‘Idea’ album, right through to ‘Spirits 

Having Flown’, with all the incredible hits 

they wrote for Celine Dion, Diana Ross and 

Dolly Parton. 

Monday 13 January 

McCartney - The Songbook 

Starring Peter John Jackson (Let It Be, 

The Sessions At Abbey Road, That’ll Be 

The Day), this fantastic production tells the 

story of Sir Paul’s career from the early 

beginnings with the Fab Four, the Wings 

days and his prolific solo career with tales 

of life on the road and flashbacks to life in 

Liverpool. 

Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 January 

Peter Pan Goes Wrong 

Following their multi award-winning 

success with The Play That Goes Wrong 

and The Comedy About A Bank Robbery, 

Mischief Theatre return with their riotous 

spin on a timeless classic, the West End 

smash hit Peter Pan Goes Wrong. 

Tuesday 28 January - Saturday 1 

February 

Ghost Stories 

There’s something dark lurking in the 

theatre. Enter a nightmarish world, full of 

thrilling twists and turns, where all your 

deepest fears and disturbing thoughts are 

imagined live on stage. A fully sensory and 

electrifying encounter, Ghost Stories is the 

ultimate twisted love-letter to horror and an 

edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience like 

no other. 

RHS Garden Wisley 

Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB 

01483 224234 

www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley 


Enchanted Botanical Christmas in 

the Glasshouse 

Enter the Glasshouse at RHS Garden 

Wisley to view a display of festive 

plants and magical animals with a hint 

of steampunk. Watch the enchanted 

poinsettia production line grow these 

colourful Christmas presents. 

Saturday 7 December - Sunday 5 

January, 4pm -8pm (not 24-26 December) 

Glow 2019 

Go on a magical adventure with fantastical 

flowers to light your way. Wander the 

enchanting trail to see spectacular light 

installations and a selection of Wisley’s 

iconic trees illuminated. Pre-booking required. 

Friday 10 January 

Winter Walk and Talk - Familiar 

Favourite 

Not everything in the garden is sleeping 

in winter. Join RHS Garden Wisley’s 

enthusiastic Curatorial Team on a walk and 

talk around the garden. Learn about the 

plants that put on a show at this time of 

year and what to look out for next year. 


Saturday 25 January - Sunday 1 March 

Giant Houseplant Takeover 

Step into a house reclaimed by its plants 

long after its human inhabitants have 

left. Visitors to RHS Garden Wisley’s 

Glasshouse will find a banana plant has 

pushed through the roof, carnivorous 

plants feasting in the dining room and cacti 

playing chess. You may also spot a few 

plants have grown rather too large and now 

tower over their relatives. 

The Mill Studio @ 

Yvonne Arnaud 

Theatre 

Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX 

01483 44 00 77 

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk/whats-on 


Arthur From a Boy to a King 

“Who so pulleth out this sword from this 

stone, is the right wise King born of all 

England.” 

The King Arthur legends are stories that 

have been told, and re-told, for centuries. 

Full of adventure and excitement, this new 

musical adaptation brings to life the legend 

of how it all began. 


The Gift of the Magi & Other Stories 

The Gift of the Magi, one of America’s most 

beloved Christmas stories is brought to 

life in this new adaptation along with other 

heart-warming winter stories by the prolific 

short story writer O. Henry. 

Saturday 21 - Thursday 26 December, 

except Christmas day 

The Night Before Christmas 

On the night before Christmas, Emma 

stares out of the window, hugs her teddy 

and waits excitedly for the morning, while in 

the corner a little mouse called Eddie can’t 

understand why only humans are allowed 

to celebrate and get presents. So he sets 

off in search of Father Christmas to find out 

for himself. 

Yvonne Arnaud 

Theatre 

Millbrook, Guildford GU1 3UX 

01483 440077 

www.yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 


Sleeping Beauty 

When evil fairy, Carabosse doesn’t receive 

an invitation to Princess Aurora’s christening, 

she casts a curse on her. Can the Good Fairy 

and Muddles protect Aurora? Will the Prince 

save the day? 

This year’s Sleeping Beauty is a must-see for 

all the family. 

Thursday 9 January, 7.45pm 

Sir Ranulph Fiennes - 

Living Dangerously 

Sir Ranulph’s many ambitious endeavours 

have pushed his endurance levels to 

the very limits, inspiring generations and 

making him a pioneer of exploration with an 

unparalleled story to tell. 

Friday 10 January, 7.30pm 

Songs from the Shows 

Enjoy high-octane ensemble numbers, 

vocal solos and vibrant orchestral music 

that has lit up theatres across the world, 

including Stephen Sondheim and Cole 

Porter favourites and the classic film scores 

of John Williams and Ron Goodwin. 

Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 January 

God of Carnage 

Downton Abbey favourite Elizabeth 

McGovern stars in this Olivier and Tony 

award-winning play. This ruthlessly comic 

study of middle class parenting by the 

author of Art, is one of the most successful 

plays ever in the history of the West End. 

Tuesday 28 January - Saturday 1 

February 

Jane Eyre 

Don’t miss Blackeyed Theatre’s brand new 

stage adaptation of one of the greatest 

works of English fiction. Captivating, 

brooding and intensely powerful, Jane Eyre 

is a moving and unforgettable portrayal 

of one woman’s quest for equality and 

freedom, and lives as one of the great 

triumphs of storytelling. 

The Electric Theatre 

Onslow Street, Guildford GU1 4SZ 

01483 501 200 

www.electric.theatre 

Friday 6 December 

Never Mind The Baubles, Here’s 

The Dirty Carols 

Join The Dirty Carols for an evening of 

ridiculous rudeness and (mostly) heavenly 

harmonies. Elizabeth, Lorna, Louise 

and Sandrine welcome you into their 

metaphorical bosom to warm your cockles 

with two sets of their own funny, irreverent 

take on songs you know and love. 

Saturday 7 December 

Surrey Mozart Players 

If you love Rodrigo’s Guitar Concerto, 

here’s your chance to hear it played by 

wonderful young guitarist, Giacomo Susani 

accompanied by the Surrey Mozart Players 

as the centrepiece of this Concert. 

Sunday 8 December 

Santa’s Christmas Countdown 

Join Father Christmas and his friends for a 

magical, musical, festive adventure - and 

remember to take your Christmas letter to 

post in Santa’s special post box, HO-HO-HO! 

Saturday 14 December 

Let’s All Dance - The Nutcracker 

Stunning dancing, lavish costumes, much 

loved music and crystal clear story-telling 

makes this sparkling show a Christmas 

treat for everyone! 


ScripTease - The Bishop’s Wife 

A romantic comedy Christmas classic 

about an angel, a bishop and the bishop’s 

wife. As Christmas approaches, newlyappointed 

young bishop Henry Brougham 

prays for guidance when he needs funds 

to build his dream cathedral. What he 

gets is down-to-earth angel Dudley, who 

announces himself as the bishop’s new 

assistant. Everyone loves Dudley, especially 

the bishop’s wife... 

We take great care in compiling the listings, 

however, we recommend that you contact the 

venue in advance as events and activities can be 

subject to change

wellers of guilford 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Have you ever wondered if there are auction houses selling 

more than just jewellery, paintings and antiques? 

At Wellers of Guildford we have so much more with weekly 

General Auctions every Monday where you will find that we 

auction various items ranging from homeware, kitchenware, 

furniture, clothing and accessories, electronics such as laptops, 

tablets and mobile phones as well as sporting and garden 

equipment and tools for all your DIY jobs all at a fraction of the 

retail price! 

Their products are from a variety of sources such as customer 

returns, end of line stock, items from self-storage units, lost 

property, unclaimed baggage and undelivered parcels from 

massive online retailers. Which is why they are able to offer their 

customers such good value for money. 

Wellers also holds monthly specialist auctions of jewellery, 

antiques & collectables where you can pick up anything from 

antique and contemporary jewellery from private sellers, as well 

as high street and premium watches, rings, earrings, bracelets, 

necklaces and costume jewellery. 

When it comes to antiques and collectables you can find 

signed memorabilia, antique furniture, limited edition and rare 

collectables, an example of which saw a pair of Sevres Porcelain 

tea cups sell at auction last year for over £40,000! 

or wear and that take up space at home then why not take 

these items along to one of their free valuation days – you have 

nothing to lose! 

All of their auctions are free to attend and preview, and there 

is no obligation to bid once registered. If of course there is 

anything you see that you like, you can place commission bids 

which they will try to win on your behalf where possible if you 

are unable to bid in the room or online on the day. 

Wellers are proud to be one of the region’s most diverse auction 

houses, why not make your money go further this summer and 

pay Wellers a visit! Find them opposite the Odeon Cinema in 

Guildford where they have viewing every Saturday morning 

9:30 – 12:30 and free valuations available Tuesday to Thursday 

10:00 – 14:00. 

Like it, Bid for it, Win it! 

For more information please contact: 

Telephone: 01483 802280 

Email: guilford@wellersofguilford.com 

www.wellersofguilford.com 

There are also items of china, silver, coins, stamps and loads 

more. So if you are holding onto items that you no longer use 



Volvo XC90 

Plug in Hybrid 

Motoring journalist Sue Cooke test drives 

the all new Volvo XC90 plug in hybrid 

A car powered by an all-electric motor is 

an alien to me, even though I have driven 

several around the streets of Birmingham. 

The City environment is where electric 

cars are at their best, but it is not a future 

I easily embrace. 

Electrification is being introduced across 

the whole range of Volvo Cars and in the 

next few years, Volvo says it will have five 

fully electric cars with a decent expected 

range of 250 miles. “These times are 

exciting for manufacturers” said Iain 

Howat, Head of Product and Pricing for 

Volvo UK and the XC40 SUV will be the 

first electric car to arrive in 2020. 

Personally, I prefer a safer step at a time, 

so would buy a hybrid and if the battery 

runs out, you have fuel back up. Volvo 

expects to sell one million plug-in hybrid 

cars by 2025, where you drive up to 30 

miles in battery mode, before the engine 

automatically kicks in. With less CO2 

emissions you pay less road tax, or none 

at all. 

the high-voltage battery’s capacity 

from 10.4 to 11.8 kilowatt hours. This 

increases the car’s electric-only driving 

range to a maximum of 28.6 miles – 

more than enough for an all-electric 

urban commuting journey. A new 

automatic gearbox brings improved fuel 

efficiency and slick gearshifts and I found 

acceleration from standstill is sharp. 

The 2020 seven-seater model, on sale 

now, has exterior design changes which 

include a new grille and lower front 

bumper. The air intakes have a fresh look 

and new alloy wheel designs have been 

introduced. Integrated roof rails have 

been added and dual integrated exhaust 

tailpipes are standard. 

As with all Volvos, there is a range 

of fantastic gadgets which I enjoy 

discovering. There is a new feature which 

is particularly useful for me when I forget 

which car I’m driving, let alone where 

I’ve parked. You can flash the lights and 

sound the horn to help you find your car! 

Brilliant. 

FACTS AT A GLANCE 

Model: Volvo XC90 AWD R-Design 

Automatic 

Basic Price: £66,645 otr 

Engine: T8 Twin engine petrol plug in 

hybrid 

Performance: 0-62mph in 5.8 seconds 

and on to a top speed of 140 mph 

CO2 emissions: 52 g/km 

Combined fuel consumption: 

90.7-113mpg (WLTP) 

happen. Other equipment includes a 

Sensus nine-inch multimedia touchscreen 

with voice-activated control, navigation 

system and access to the Volvo On 

Call connected services platform. As 

standard, there are LED headlights, a 

rear parking camera, keyless entry and 

start and when your arms are loaded 

with bags, there is a very useful poweroperated 

tailgate. 

Safety has always been a top priority for 

the Swedish manufacturer and in another 

innovative move, Volvo has announced 

that from 2020, all new cars will have the 

top speed limited to 112mph. This is a 

major step when currently on this model 

the top speed is 140mph. 

The new luxury Volvo XC90 has a revised 

T8 Twin Engine petrol-electric plug-in 

hybrid powertrain with an increase in 

City Safety warns of and helps avoid 

many common accident risks and 

provides protection if a collision does 

The XC90 will be the first to offer Volvo’s 

new mild hybrid engine, powered by a 

2 litre 235hp diesel B5 engine with a 48 

volt battery. Volvo says that this engine is 

more efficient than a petrol. The system 

improves fuel economy – by up to 15 per 

cent in real-world driving – and produces 

lower NOx emissions than the outgoing 

D5 it replaces. 

The world of motoring is an exciting one 

which is changing rapidly. From hybrid 

to electric and in early 2020, Volvo says 

it will launch its first autonomous driving 

car. I guess it’s something that I will just 

have to get used to and may even learn 

to embrace. 


Image courtesy Cottesmore Prep School 

TOP TIPS FOR CHOOSING A 

BOARDING SCHOOL 

The unique educational experience 

provided by a British boarding school offers 

busy families a top-quality education with 

built-in flexibility. And although academic 

achievement is important, it is the ‘extras’ 

that really make a boarding school 

experience count. 

Boarding fosters meaningful relationships 

with peers and house staff, enabling pupils 

to gain independence and experience 

a breadth of opportunities. But with so 

many institutions offering so many different 

experiences, choosing the right school for 

your child can seem daunting. Below are 

our top tips to consider when choosing a 

boarding school. 

1. Narrow your search 

Single sex or co-ed? Country or city? Faith 

school or not? Some schools will say they 

take children of all faiths and none, and they 

do, but sometimes a family finds the overall 

ethos and ‘climate’ of a faith school to 

their taste, regardless of their own religious 

views. 

2. Study the detail 

Every child is different - a rower will want a 

school near a river, a rugby player a good 

record of the sport in the school and a 

violinist great music rooms. Many families 

nowadays consider location first - can you 

get there to watch a game or a play, or even 

in an emergency? 

3. Do your research 

Boarding schools are like universities - you 

don’t have to be local, nor to take a month 

touring the country. The modern wouldbe 

applicant goes online and drills into 

individual websites which can tell you a lot 

in what schools don’t say or in how they say 

what they do. 

4. Visit 

Visit several schools. Get the feel. Is 

lunchtime a noisy scrum? Are corridors 

orderly between lessons? Do pupils look 

you in the eye? All these give you a flavour 

of the school over and above the publicity, 

the motto, the official words. Eyes open, 

compare notes. 

5. Ask for a pupil tour 

This is partly for you to see all parts of the 

school, but more to ask questions. Is the 

food really as good as they say? How much 

is there to do at weekends? 

6. Check out the weekend 

programme 

You may want a school which offers weekly 

boarding, but if a school has a large number 

of weekly boarders, the numbers staying 

at weekends can reduce dramatically, and 

that makes providing a wide enough range 

of activities difficult. If you want your child to 

be at school at weekends, ask for details of 

what was done in the last couple of weeks, 

and exactly how many boarders were on 

the premises. 

7. Talk to staff 

And not just the Head. House staff, 

matrons, tutors, cleaners and caretakers – 

these are the people at the sharp end of 

your child’s care. Do you like them? Would 

you trust them with your child? If you’re 

worried and email them, will they reply and 

when? 

8. Involve your child 

Whatever the final decision, your child will 

have to live it. This school will be his or her 

home for several years. Here, he or she 

will make friends for life and forge bonds 

that will sustain them through their whole 

lives. They have to feel it is right for them. 

Trust your child’s gut reaction. Becoming a 

boarder is a growing-up kind of decision - 

let them have a major say in the final choice. 

For further information and boarding school 

searches, please visit www.boarding.org.uk. 

Robin Fletcher 

Chief Executive 

Boarding Schools’ Association 


A busy co-curricular 

life and boarding go 

hand in hand 

We want children at Freemen’s to learn, 

to lead and to make a difference... 


This is our mission statement and one that we live by in 

everything that we do at Freemen’s. Learning is of course our 

bread and butter as an academically selective school, and it 

takes place in the classroom, on the sports fields and in cocurricular 

activities. 

Any good independent school will offer an enormous range 

of activities outside of the curriculum to develop new skills – 

anything from basketball to digital art. It is our job to ensure that 

our pupils not only pass exams, but develop into interesting 

young people, and a strong co-curricular programme supports 

that. At Freemen’s we believe we go one step further, bringing 

our academic excellence and co-curricular variety together 

to develop a programme that enables pupils to develop 

career-related passions and we are particularly proud of our 

career based clubs and societies, which range from Biological 

Sciences and Dissection, through to Scriptwriting, Debating 

and Community Action. These are the clubs in which pupils 

are going to develop the skills and abilities they will need for 

the future careers, and their university interviews. The question 

is, when they have lessons, homework, families and friends to 

contend with as well, how do they fit it all in? 

One possible answer; roll it all into one neat package called 

boarding. When our students board, homework is structured, 

supervised and guided with teachers, support staff and peers to 

assist. Friends are on hand at all times. With clubs and activities 

scheduled before school and after school, our boarding students 

certainly benefit from our enhanced wraparound offering, despite 

some living less than 10 miles away from School. With its intimate 

setting, the boarding house is more like a boarding home to 

Freemen’s students, many of whom stay on a weekly or flexible 

basis, allowing them the time to fulfil their potential. Freemen’s 

students not only excel academically, they develop into rounded 

young people, who leave the school fully equipped for a bright 

future, along with outstanding GCSE and A level results. 

City of London Freemen’s School, Ashtead is a co-educational 

school day and boarding students, aged 7-18. Situated in 57 

acres of stunning Surrey parkland, Freemen’s is just 35 minutes 

by train from London and conveniently located at Junction 9 of 

the M25. 

Jemima Edney is Head of Boarding and Co-Curricular at 

City of London Freemen’s School 

01372 822423 | admissions@freemens.org 

www.freemens.org 



the spirit of adventure 

Frensham Heights is a highly distinctive 

day and boarding school nestled in the 

beautiful Surrey Hills welcoming students 

from the age of 3 to 18... 

The Boarding Experience 

With what is fondly referred to as 

“Hagrid’s Hut” nestled in the woods, 

it’s hard not to imagine you’re off to 

Hogwarts. The view is phenomenal and 

the 100-acre site is stunning. Within this 

beautiful environment, Frensham Heights 

is able to offer the perfect natural balance 

of home and structure. 

During the day, boarders are 

indistinguishable from day students, 

sharing the same classrooms, day 

houses and lunchroom, but as the day 

ends they head to one of three boarding 

houses. Hamilton House - more like a 

family home than a dormitory - provides 

a cosy base for the youngest boarders 

in Years 7 to 9; the elegant Main House, 

with its sweeping lawn and aweinspiring 

views, offers more grownup 

accommodation for the Year 10 and 11 

boarders; and finally, Roberts House, the 

Sixth Form hub, brings together boarding 

rooms, day studies and social spaces for 

all Sixth Form students. 

Each house has its own dedicated 

residential team and, as the children 

grow up through the school, there is 

a natural progression of increased 

freedom matched with increased 

responsibility. Boarding at Frensham, 

like the whole school, is built on a very 

firm basis of mutual respect. Students 

are probably given more freedom than 

in other schools, but with that comes 

greater responsibility and ultimately a 

better understanding of how to live and 

behave beyond the school and home 

environments. 

All three boarding houses are 

coeducational. In each house the boys 

and girls have separate dormitories with 

shared social areas. Tech and WIFI are 

monitored and phones are stored away 

at night. Prep time is set and a huge 

range of activities are organised from 

basketball to cooking plus shopping and 

cinema trips. Weekends, in particular, 

follow the flow and pattern that is family 

life with busier Saturdays and lazier 

Sundays. Throughout all there is a natural 

progression of what is expected from 

the youngest through to the oldest – a 

sliding scale of structure, freedom and 

responsibility. 

The Spirit of Adventure 

Outdoor education is an intrinsic part 

of the Frensham curriculum from Forest 

Class for the Junior School through to 

very challenging adventures for the older 

students. 

The programme for all activities begins 

with learning the skill set to prepare 

them for the experiential learning – the 

real adventures. As their practical skills 

develop and the experiences widen, 

the students develop massively in 

confidence, empathy, resilience and 

communication – soft skills that are 

gaining press now, but which have been 

part of Frensham since it was founded 

in 1925. This is a real chance for those 

children whose courage may not come 

through in the classroom to really shine. 

The onsite facilities are impressive – 

high-ropes, zipwire, climbing wall, bike 

trails and Jacob’s ladder to name a few. 

All activities and expeditions are run by 

staff who are constantly training and 

gaining further qualifications. It’s a real 

passion for students and staff alike with 

Frensham being the only school in the UK 

to hold the Gold Standard accreditation 

from The Association of Heads of 

Outdoor Education Centres. Students 

can also choose to complete the Duke 

of Edinburgh Award through to the Gold 

Award. 

In addition, each year the entire Year 9 

travels to Knoydart, on the west coast 

of Scotland, for ten days. This trip is 

unique and beneficial in so many ways 

and not just for the challenging outdoor 

pursuits. The children step outside their 

comfort zone, leave home comforts 

and teenage stresses behind and really 

learn to appreciate the beauty of their 

environment and the relationships they 

have with friends and teachers. 

Kayaking, orienteering, climbing, biking, 

camping – the list is almost endless. 

Frensham truly aims to embed a spirit 

of adventure into their students from 

an early age. To let them develop the 

courage to take on risks and step out of 

their comfort zone as well as the skills, 

maturity and confidence to do it capably, 

wisely and kindly. 

01252 792 561 

hello@frensham.org 


The importance of extra-curricular 

activities for children 

In team based sports they will learn how to 

work well in a team and they also build a lot 

of endurance. Every sport has something 

good to offer your child, whether they are 

played in teams or individually. 

Your child has spent a long day at school, 

however their first port of call when they 

home will probably be their X Box or 

something on the TV. 

However, we suggest that they will benefit 

greatly from a non-academic activity that 

they have an interest in. They can choose 

from sports, chess clubs, dance clubs, 

book clubs, and music clubs and so on… 

your child is bound to find something to like. 

There are many options for after-school 

activities for kids. Talk to your child about 

their interests and see what she may be 

interested in. High energy children may 

prefer sports or dance, while children 

who are quieter tend to prefer the calmer 

activities like book clubs, cooking class or 

perhaps pottery. 

Here are some extra-curricular activities 

that your child might enjoy. 

1. Music 

Some children learn to play instruments, 

while others prefer to sing. There are some 

who are good at doing both. There are so 

many instruments to choose from that you 

are bound to find something that they will 

enjoy playing. 

There is a certain freedom in music, and 

a lot of children find joy in it. Children also 

tend to learn a lot about history and culture 

while learning something such as a musical 

instrument or song. 

2. Sports 

Sports such as football, basketball, cricket 

and softball require teamwork and a lot 

of energy, but if this type of sport doesn’t 

sound like it suits your child, there are other 

options such as tennis, badminton and golf 

that your child can try. 


3. Dance 

Even among dance, there are so many 

types to choose from that your child is sure 

to find the perfect fit. Be it ballet, tap or 

modern dance is something that will help 

your child develop physically and mentally 

as most forms of dance require discipline 

and a strong body and it keeps them active 

as nowadays there is very little physical 

activity at school. 

4. Painting and Sketching 

Perhaps your child is a blossoming artist. 

Playing with colours is a lot of fun and 

creating different works of art may be 

something your child would prefer over 

other more boisterous activities. 

Your child will improve creative skills as 

the brain will begin to develop the areas 

associated with creativity. Painting and 

drawing can also help develop problemsolving 

skills. 

5. Crafts, Pottery and Sculpting 

Working with clay and creating something 

with their hands can give a child a sense of 

satisfaction that is not found through just 

any activity. Clay can have a therapeutic 

effect and is capable of keeping your child 

occupied for hours. 

Your child is going to develop sensory 

and motor skills through creative works. 

Children learn about shapes, the threedimensional 

world and even need to have a 

form of discipline, especially when working 

with clay. 

6. Martial Arts 

Though the varied styles of mixed martial 

arts like judo, Tae Kwan do, karate and 

others may make one think of violence, 

what these really teach is discipline and 

how to control strength rather than wielding 

it for violence. 

Martial Arts teach self-control and selfdiscipline. 

They also help in socialization 

skills and physical development in your 

child. 

7. Sewing Classes 

Sewing may not be something that 

crosses very many people’s minds for an 

extracurricular activity, but it is a skill that 

is very handy indeed. Many children grow 

up with a passion for fashion, and this may 

be a very handy first step for them for their 

futures. 

Sewing is as creative a field as painting or 

sculpting, and it is to be noted that it can 

be very educational for those children who 

want to be future designers. 

8. Book Club 

Book clubs are a great way for little 

bookworms to have their fun and socialise 

with other book lovers. 

Many things can be gained from a book 

club. Not only will the literature itself teach 

your child a lot about the world, the way it 

works and so much more, but it will also 

help them to develop their reading skills, 

which will have a tremendous impact on 

their writing skills. 

9. Cooking Class 

Cooking classes are great for children 

as they are not only an essential skill but 

another area where they can express their 

creativity. 

There are quite a few benefits to this as 

cooking food is something that will help 

your child develop focus, creativity and will 

also teach your children useful skills like 

how to handle sharp knives. It also teaches 

them about different ingredients and how 

to prepare healthy and balanced meals, all 

with the company of others their age. 

10. Drama Club 

Your little drama kings and queens will love 

this one as it is a fun and productive way to 

use up their dramatic energies. 

Drama club helps your child to develop 

physical, artistic, social and public speaking 

skills. It also helps to improve a their 

memory and improvisation skills. Often, 

shy children who have a talent for acting 

become more confident and social through 

drama club. 

When you have a general idea of what your 

child wants, you can do some research 

to see who provides these classes in your 

area and then take the time to take your 

child to visit the place while a class is in 

session and see if is a stimulating and 

comfortable environment.


A FRIENDLY 

HOME-FROM-HOME 

ENVIRONMENT 

“For me, boarding at St Catherine’s provides 

the most brilliant opportunities to have access 

to amazing facilities on site 24/7, and also 

to make the greatest friendships you could 

imagine.” - St Catherine’s Boarder 

St Catherine’s boarders enjoy living in a collegiate and friendly 

home-from-home environment where they are at the centre 

of the action! With all four boarding houses on-site, girls have 

unparalleled access to first-class facilities for music, sport, 

art and drama. Boarders often remark on how much time they 

save every day in not having to travel to after-school clubs and 

classes. The boarding housemistresses and their resident staff 

are all qualified teachers, representing a full gamut of academic 

subjects, enabling them to support the girls with prep from Year 

7 through to Year 13. 

Each evening, there is discrete time allocated to extra-curricular 

activities; visitors arriving after 4.00 pm will find St Catherine’s 

busy and purposeful; so many girls are engaged in music and 

drama rehearsals, dance classes, team practices or academic 

clubs before enjoying supper together in the Dining Room. 

Boarders acquire essential organisational skills, while still 

benefiting from structured support. They understand the need 

to ‘work smart’, learning to balance time and commitments - 

something St Catherine’s parents report on positively when their 

daughters are at home. Extensive research over the years has 

demonstrated too, that St Catherine’s boarders exceed their 

initial expected GCSE and A Level grades. 

Living in a vibrant community comprising approximately 15 

countries, our boarders develop a broader world-view. They 

enjoy celebrating national days including opportunities to try 

new foods and learn about others’ traditions and cultures. Their 

friendship network reaches further which girls appreciate as they 

enter the world of work. Tolerance, kindness and consideration 

for others develop quite naturally in the boarding community. 

St Catherine’s simply offers an outstanding, unforgettable boarding 

education, offering a raft of benefits to professional families. Given 

our outstanding facilities and examination results, parents are 

pleasantly surprised at the affordability of St Catherine’s fees; when 

after school childcare or live-in help is factored into the financial 

equation, boarding compares very favourably. 

Contact Details: 

01483 899609 

St Catherine’s School, Station Road, 

Bramley, Guildford, Surrey GU5 0DF 




music matters 

Music is an emotive subject and its impact 

on children’s spiritual, social and intellectual 

development is widely researched and 

discussed. Here at St Catherine’s we champion 

its benefits. 

Studying music is an imaginative pastime, requiring mental 

imagery and creativity to interpret emotion and style. A 

physical discipline, the rhythm gained during music-making 

develops sensory awareness. A social endeavour, participation 

in ensembles is a cooperative, collaborative and creative 

experience; all skills highly sought after in our classrooms. 

A mathematical manuscript, the understanding of musical 

notation, manual dexterity, coordination, precision and visuospatial 

processing are super-food for our brain. A library of 

poetry, language, rhyme and rhythm, lyric songs are key for 

speech development, pattern recognition and cultural heritage. 

In a world of targets and tests, where there is a growing pressure 

to conform and achieve amidst increasing diagnoses of mental 

health disorders in children, subjects such as music become 

crucially important. Whilst some believe that music serves a 

lesser purpose within schools than the core academic subjects, 

governments, schools and parents should campaign for music 

to play a more integral role within primary schools. 

“A recent refurbishment project to 

the Music Room at St Catherine’s 

Preparatory School highlights the value 

we place on music within school life.” 

A recent refurbishment project to the Music Room at St 

Catherine’s Preparatory School highlights the value we place 

on music within school life. The new space is visually uplifting, 

with a vibrantly coloured orchestra painted on the ceiling, 

rainbow-hued wobble stools lining the wall, jungle drums, 

Boomwhackers and chime bars creating splashes of brightness 

throughout. The main focus is on engaging children with handson 

experiences - a magnetic wall with musical notation provides 

a concrete platform to play with notes, stools for seating double 

up as drums, instruments are accessible at a primary-friendly 

height, ‘teacher talk’ is delivered with an iPad, increasing the 

technological dialogue between pupil and teaching content. 

Lessons are now much more interactive and physical. The 

simple addition of recording equipment and an iPad has made 

music production accessible to pupils as young as 5, and the 

platform has increased the confidence of those who may have 

performance anxiety. 

The project undertaken at St Catherine’s was funded by 

donations from the parent community, who recognised the 

need and have seen the immediate benefits to their daughters. 

The very definition of community spirit from conception to 

completion, the aptly named Soundscape Room will also enable 

sharing of musical opportunities within the local community. 

Mr Matthew Blunt, Director of Music 

St Catherine’s Prep School 


THE HAIRY BIKERS 

Easy Eats 

The following recipes have been taken from Si and Dave’s 

new cookbook based around one-pot recipes. The hearty 

meals featured in their book are delicious and nutritious and 

hopefully there will be no fighting about who will be doing the 

washing up. Just right for Christmas... 

Turkey and ham 

C hristmas Casserole 

This is a great way to use up any leftover 

turkey and ham at Christmas, or you can 

substitute chicken at any other time of 

year. The topping is made from stuffing 

ingredients and turns out beautifully crunchy 

and tasty - of course, many of us think the 

stuffing is the best part of Christmas dinner. 

A fab festive feast. Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS 

50g butter 

3 leeks, cut into rounds 

30g plain flour 

100ml white wine 

500ml chicken stock 

100ml double cream 

400g cooked turkey (or chicken), diced 

150g ham, diced 

2 tarragon sprigs, leaves finely chopped 

100g peas, defrosted 

6 cubes of frozen spinach, defrosted 

salt and black pepper 

Stuffing crust 

100g breadcrumbs 

1 small onion, grated 

100g chestnuts, grated 

50g dried cranberries, soaked in warm 

water (optional) 

2 tsp dried sage 

small bunch of parsley, finely chopped 

large knob of butter 


METHOD 

First make the filling. Heat the butter in a 

large flameproof casserole dish. When it 

has melted, add the leeks with plenty of 

seasoning and turn down the heat. 

Cover the dish with a lid and leave the leeks 

to cook gently until tender. Stir regularly 

and try not to let them take on any colour. 

Stir the flour into the dish to form a roux 

around the leeks. Add the wine and stir 

vigorously - it will thicken considerably. 

Gradually add the stock, stirring constantly, 

until you have incorporated it all, then add 

the cream. Fold in the turkey or chicken, 

ham, tarragon and peas. Squeeze any 

excess water from the spinach, then stir the 

spinach into the dish. Taste for seasoning 

and add salt and pepper as needed. 

To make the topping, mix the breadcrumbs, 

onion, chestnuts, drained cranberries and 

the herbs, then season with plenty of salt 

and pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the 

top of the filling, then dot with butter. Bake 

in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the filling 

is bubbling and breaking through the crisp, 

golden-brown topping. 

Veggie chilli 

with cornmeal dumplings 

We do like a dumpling and these sweetcorn 

ones are just right with our veggie chilli. 

There are lots of great flavours here and 

this is a good filling feast for hungry hordes. 

Serves 4 

INGREDIENTS 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 large onion, diced 

1 green pepper, diced 

1 red pepper, diced 

2 celery sticks, diced 

2 jalepeño chillies, finely diced 

4 garlic cloves, crushed 

2 bay leaves 

1 tbsp ground cumin 

25g red lentils, well rinsed 

750ml vegetable stock 

400ml coconut milk 

1 head of baby spring greens, shredded 

2 x 400g cans of black or pinto beans, 

drained and rinsed 

juice of 1 lime 

salt and black pepper 

Cornmeal dumplings 

150g self-raising flour 

75g chilled butter, diced 

125g fine cornmeal 

125g sweetcorn, defrosted if frozen 

50ml buttermilk 

1 egg 

100g vegetarian Cheddar cheese, grated 

chopped fresh coriander 

METHOD 

Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole 

dish with a lid and add the onion, peppers, 

celery and chillies. Cook over a medium 

heat until the vegetables have started to 

soften, then stir in the garlic, bay leaves, 

cumin and red lentils. Season generously 

with salt and pepper, then pour in the 

vegetable stock. 

Bring to the boil and leave for 5 minutes, 

then turn down the heat and continue to 

simmer until the red lentils have softened. 

Add the coconut milk, spring greens and 

beans and cook until the spring greens are 

tender and the lentils have collapsed and 

thickened the sauce. Taste for seasoning 

and add the lime juice. 

To make the dumplings, put the flour into 

a bowl with a pinch of salt. Rub in the 

butter until the mixture resembles fine 

breadcrumbs, then mix in the cornmeal, 

sweetcorn, buttermilk and egg. Bring 

everything together into a firm dough, then 

divide into 12 pieces. Roll them into balls. 

Arrange the dumplings over the chilli and 

cover. Cook over a medium heat for about 

25 minutes until the dumplings are well 

risen and glossy. Serve the chilli with grated 

cheese and plenty of chopped coriander. 

The Hairy 

Bikers’ One 

Pot Wonders 

by Si King 

and Dave 

Myers is 

published by 

Seven Dials 

in hardback 

at £22, 

photography 

by Andrew 

Hayes- 

Watkins


NOTES 

from the pass 

Michael Caines MBE, chef/patron of Lympstone 

Manor, is one of Britain’s most decorated and 

well-known chefs. Sally Thomson caught up with 

him to discuss his ventures in wine, his passion 

for teaching and his need for speed... 

When we last met you were at 

Kentisbury Grange, and I note that you 

received some awards for that? 

Yes, the Small Hotel of the Year and 

Restaurant of the Year. It’s great! 

Kentisbury Grange is owned by my old 

school friend Mark Cushway. Mark asked 

me to get involved and help him with 

his project, which I did, and it’s great to 

see that over the years we’ve managed 

to acquire many awards which is a 

tribute to the team. The chef there at the 

moment is James Checkley and he is 

doing a great job, and we just continue 

to advance and improve. There are 

challenges being in North Devon that are 

different to being located in South Devon, 

unfortunately places in North Devon can 

get overlooked on the culinary map, so 

it’s nice to be able to contribute to the 

North Devon economy by creating a 

lovely venue, and to see it do well. 

When we last spoke you mentioned that 

your pride and joy was Lympstone Manor. 

You are now nearly into its third year… 

It’s incredible to think that when we last 

met, it was just in its infancy. We won a 

Michelin Star within six months, and we 

are very pleased to announce that we 

have been given five rosettes this year, 

so it is great progress and we just look to 

the Michelin gods that we might advance 

to two! But the main thing is that since 

we spoke we planted a vineyard and the 

whole property has settled and matured. 

It really is the best of me and everything 

that I have achieved in my career 

combined into this wonderful place. 

Do you draw back the curtains and pinch 

yourself to remember that it’s yours? 

Every day! When I walk into that 

"Lympstone Manor 

really is the best of 

me, and everything 

that I have achieved in 

my career combined 

into this wonderful 

place." 

property and I look 

at that view…I do pinch myself! But 

I also recognise that it has been a 

huge amount of hard work and it still 

continues to take a lot of commitment. 

So about your vineyard! The harvest 

in 2018 was a good one wasn’t it? 

The harvest in the UK in 2018 was 

brilliant, it was the best harvests in the 

history of English wine making, it’s been 

incredible. We planted our vineyard in 

2018, and in its second year it will 

produce grapes that we can harvest 

(next year), those grapes will then be 

vinified and we will be releasing our first 

wine in 2024. So it takes three years for 

the vineyard to establish. We are now in 

our second year. We planted, in eleven 

acres, 17,500 vines, of which 50% 

are Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier and 30% 

are Chardonnay. They are the classic 

champagne varietals, so we are looking 

forward to producing some wonderful 

English sparkling wine. Hopefully they will 

have their own story to tell, alongside the 

story of Lympstone Manor. 

I’ve been watching Jason Atherton 

in The Chef’s Brigade, and what I 

hadn’t really realised is the interaction 

between each person in the kitchen 

and how it can affect the cuisine. I 

work in an office, and each person 

does their own thing, whereas in a 

kitchen, the relationship between each 

person is quite a complex one! 

In all honesty it’s not that different! Similar 

to what you described with your office, 

everyone has different disciplines. The 

editor brings into the magazine all those 

different skills that contribute into a great 

publication. In a kitchen it is similar, it’s 

like an orchestra, and we conduct that 

orchestra, but we edit it and so we are 

the curators but it requires an individual 

team working alongside each other and 

communicating. Our deadlines however 

are very immediate! It requires massive 

amounts of effort and discipline, and 

that discipline is not self-indulgent, 

it’s selfless, as it is a requirement. It is 

a very tough environment. We are all 

interconnected and intertwined, but it’s 

also like the analogy of a swan, where on 

the surface to the customer we appear 

very calm, but underneath there’s two 

legs paddling! But we’ve got more than 

two legs on the team, and those legs are 

components, all working together. It’s 

fascinating and it’s a good insight into 

what goes on behind the scenes. 


On a completely different note, did 

you go to Silverstone this year? If so, 

how many Grand Prix’s did you get to 

attend? 

I did go this year, it was great! I’ve seen 

four this year, sometimes it’s five. But I 

did three Europeans and one fly-away, 

and so we send a chef out to all the 

Europeans to support ROKiT Williams 

Racing, and I go to Monaco, British, 

Monza and America. Sometimes I do Abu 

Dhabi and I might try and do Singapore 

next year. I do as many or as few as I 

want, but no less than three. 

What’s your favourite? 

Monaco is amazing but the racing is 

dull. Monza is the fastest track. Italy, I 

love Italy. But I love Silverstone for pure 

racing, it’s a great track. It’s a fascinating 

sport, and I think as much as we criticise 

it, one minute you can have a dull race 

and the next minute you can have the 

most exciting race. 

I know you are very involved with 

charities, and you have the Michael 

Caines Academy at Exeter College? 

It’s probably more of an educational 

programme at Exeter College where we 

take sixteen students through two years 

of training and they then graduate as 

a Michael Caines Academy student. In 

that time they have a slightly shortened 

curriculum where they spend six weeks 

in work experience and they have do 

one ‘experience day’ a week, which are 

cooking demonstrations, visits to the 

industry etc. After these two years when 

they graduate they are very sought after, 

because of the experience they have 

gained. So the academy is very important 

and it’s doing a great job supplying the 

industry with some much needed talent. 

They are all like-minded and are fabulous 

kids, and now in its eighth year we’ve had 

sixty cohorts going through, and we will 

continue to develop. We might increase 

the cohort, and we might expand the 

academy within other colleges. But in 

terms of the charity work I do, I work with 

seven different charities. I’m patron of 

Families for Children which is an adoption 

charity, I’m the president of the wonderful 

charity Farms for City Children, I’m on the 

board for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation, 

which is the charity for the Exeter Rugby 

team which do a fantastic job. I’m also 

an ambassador and advisor to the board 

of the Calvert Trust, and I also work 

alongside Damon Hill’s Charity who 

support people with Down’s Syndrome. 

So it’s lots of different charities! But it 

increases public awareness, and I’m 

particularly proud to have been made 

a deputy lieutenant to the lieutenant of 

Devon, because through this position 

I am able to work on improving the 

network of charities in Devon, and get 

them working together. 

In terms of the success of the Exeter 

Chiefs, and the work that they do – we 

support seventeen charities every 

year, but alongside that we donate 

undesignated funds to a huge amount of 

different charities. What we are seeing 

is a way in which we can help charities 

with capital projects, and last year we 

got together with the Property Ball. 

They raised £55,000 last year towards 

charities, and we chose to match fund 

"If you are a public 

figure...then I 

think you have a 

duty of care to do 

something and 

put back in the 

community" 

that, and so between the two charities 

we raised £110,000 to refit Devon 

Hospice in Exeter, which was a wellworthy 

cause and an incredible thing 

to do. But it’s things like that, that are 

about the community, that inspire you 

to get involved. If you are a public figure 

or you are someone who is perceived 

to be a celebrity or you are successful 

then I think you have a duty of care 

to do something and put back in the 

community. Not everybody does it but I 

think it is important. 

You can find out more about Michael 

Caines at michaelcaines.com 

and Lympstone Manor at 

lympstonemanor.co.uk 


C hristmas 

MINI CHOCOLATE & 

RASPBERRY TARTS 

So, you're not a fan of mince meat and 

dried fruit? Christmas is a challenging 

time then. Just as well to have 

these delicious Christmas pudding 

alternatives for the big day. Recipes 

from egg experts Clarence Court 

Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 30 mins to 1 hour 

Serves 6 

INGREDIENTS 

For the pastry: 

150g (5oz) plain flour 

4 level tbsp icing sugar 

Pinch of salt 

100g (3½ oz) unsalted butter 

1 Burford Brown egg yolk 

For the filling: 

4 tbsp raspberry conserve 

284ml carton whipping cream 

2 tbsp liquid glucose 

200g bar dark chocolate 

50g (1¾ oz) unsalted butter 

Few drops of vanilla extract 

Fresh raspberries and chocolate curls or 

fans, to serve 

Icing sugar, to dust 

METHOD 

Pre heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4). 

Pour flour, icing sugar and salt into a bowl and stir. 

Cut the butter into smaller pieces before adding it to 

the flour and rubbing together. 

Add the Burford Brown egg yolk and bind together 

(if required, add 1-2tbsp of water to get the desired 

consistency). Wrap the pastry in cling film and leave 

to chill it for around 15 mins. 

Roll the pastry and use it to line the tins. Prick 

the bottom of the pastry and line with backing 

parchment and baking beans before putting it in the 

oven to bake for 12-15 minutes. 

Remove the baking parchment and baking beans 

then return to the oven to bake for a further 3-5 

minutes or until the pastry is cooked through. 

Take out of the oven and leave to cool. Remove the 

pastry from the tin and cover the bases with jam. 

For the chocolate filling, carefully bring cream to the 

boil and remove from the heat. Stir in liquid glucose 

and pour over the chocolate, stirring until it's 

melted. Add butter and vanilla extract and stir until 

melted. Pour the chocolate into the cases. Chill until 

filling has set. Decorate with raspberries to finish. 

THESE HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE 

TARTS ARE NOT ONLY A 

MOUTHFUL OF CHOCOLATE 

RASPBERRY HEAVEN, BUT THEY 

ARE ALSO SO EASY TO MAKE. 


PEAR & 

BLACKBERRY 

FRANGIPANE 

TART 

Prep: 1 hour | Cook: 1 hour 

Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

Plain flour 

1 500g pack shortcrust pastry 

160g unsalted butter, softened 

160g caster sugar 

2 Clarence Court Burford Brown 

eggs 

160g ground almonds 

2 tablespoons plain flour 

1 teaspoon almond extract 

50g blackberry jam 

100g blackberries 

3 pears 

Icing sugar 

METHOD 

Roll the pastry to 3mm thick on 

a lightly floured work surface. 

Carefully line a 22cm, round, fluted 

tart tin allowing for a little overhang. 

Prick the base all over and place the 

lined tin in the freezer for 1 hour. 

Meanwhile place the butter, sugar, 

egg, almonds and extract in a large 

mixing bowl. Whisk together until 

smooth and place to one side. Peel 

one of the pears, core and chop 

then place to one side. 

Pre-heat the oven to 180c/350f/ 

gas mark 4. Fill the chilled case with 

baking beans and blind bake for 15 

minutes. Remove the baking beans 

and return the case to the oven and 

bake for a further 5 minutes or until 

golden. 

Once baked, remove the tart case 

from the oven and spoon the jam 

into the bottom of the case. Scatter 

over the chopped pear. Fold half of 

the berries into the frangipane and 

spoon over the jam and chopped 

pear. Smooth over with a spatula. 

Halve, core and slice the remaining 

2 pears. Arrange the slices over the 

frangipane and dot the remaining 

blackberries around. Place the tart 

on an oven tray and bake for 30 

minutes or until just risen and set. 

Allow to cool for a few minutes 

before removing from the tin and 

allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve 

warm with creme fraiche and 

berries or allow to cool completely. 

Dust with icing sugar and serve. 

QUICK HOMEMADE 

FRANGIPANE IS THE PERFECT 

CARRIER FOR ALL TYPES 

OF FRUIT. CRANBERRIES 

AND CITRUS FRUITS ARE 

ALSO GREAT CHOICES FOR 

CHRISTMAS 


NEW YEAR 

sustainable me 

With the swirling pressure 

of making New Year’s 

resolutions, it can be 

easy to get a little too 

introspective - most of the 

time, these resolutions 

centre on self improvement 

(or sometimes self 

flagellation disguised as 

self improvement!) but 

what if this year, instead of 

looking in, you looked out? 

We are all aware of the impact, both 

positive and negative, that we can have 

on the environment - so this year, we 

are investigating the ways we can be 

more sustainable in our daily choices 

and lifestyle. Information overload is a 

real threat though, pushing those with 

the best intentions into an environmental 

existential spin - to keep it simple, we’ve 

summed up a few small changes that 

could have a big impact that are easy to 

adopt into every day life. 

Home Energy Saving 

Our homes are big energy guzzlers. 

Both the emissions made by our central 

heating and the greenhouse gases 

created in electricity production are huge 

contributors to our carbon footprint. 

But lots of changes can be made in 

the home, which also have the added 

benefit of being money savers too… 

The UK’s leading price comparison 

website, MoneySuperMarket, reveals 

the costs and savings associated with 

the most readily available renewable 

energy sources and efficiencyimprovers 

around the home. 

Renewable energy, defined as an energy 

source that is not depleted when used, 

offers the greatest monthly savings 

at £28.33 on average a month. On 

the other hand, efficiency measures, 

including energy-saving lightbulbs and 

reduced-water showerheads, offer an 

average of £6.92 in savings each month. 

• Energy-saving light-bulbs: Changing 

the light bulbs around your house to 

energy-saving would cost you around 

£51.80 which could result in a financial 

saving of £27 a month. Generating 

significantly less carbon dioxide whilst 

last much longer than a traditional 

lightbulb this investment would pay for 

itself in a month. 

• Cavity wall 

insulation: 

With an 

installation fee 

of £466, you’ll begin to 

see a return on your investment after 

three years and seven months. Not 

only does cavity wall reduce the cost 

of your energy bill, it also keeps your 

home warmer for longer and therefore 

reducing your carbon footprint. 

• Rooftop Solar Panel: Solar panels can 

provide electricity to your house using 

the light of the sun. Although installing 

them could cost you up to £8,0000, you 

could see saving up to £36.09 a month. 

However, solar panel benefits aren’t 

just about money. Solar panels don’t 

produce carbon emissions as they work 

so they can significantly reduce your 

home’s impact on the environment. 

Other small changes include turning 

power off at the switch, adding 

insulation to windows, doors and the 

loft, reduce the temperature of your 

washing machine and fix broken/ 

leaking taps. 

Greener Cleaning 

How often do we think of the chemicals 

we are using in the home? And worse, 

that end up in the water system. Green 

cleaners have a bit of a bad rep, but 

an amazing selection of products from 

Microbz might provide the answer - 

these clever cleaners are probiotic and 

restore the balance of positive microbes 

in your home, which naturally protects 

against pathogens - this means 

they continue to clean the surface 

long after they’ve been applied. The 

250ml concentrate bottle is extremely 

economical and makes 50, 500ml 

diluted spray bottles. See the full range 

and find out more about the science at 

microbz.co.uk 

Clockwise from left. Microbz Power Cleaner, 

250ml Concentrate £14.95, microbz.co.uk; 

Todds Coir Scrubs, £5 for two, 

hauslife.co.uk; Net Bag set, £1.95, 

rexlondon.com; 

Muslin Bag set, £15.99, amazon.co.uk 

On the topic of cleaning, did you 

know that every synthetic sponge you 

use ends up in a landfill and takes 

up to 52,000 years to decompose? 

Enter another natural solution, Todd’s 

coconut coir scrubs - these little natural 

pads replace conventional scourers 

and sponges and are 100% eco 

friendly, 100% bio-degradable, retain 

less water and are more hygienic than 

synthetic sponges - plus, they support 

local communities in Sri Lanka where 

they are made. hauslife.co.uk are the 

exclusive UK stockists. 

Quick Tips: 

• Shop locally and support local farmers 

where you can 

• Reusable everything - use reusable 

bags plus try to buy glass containers 

that can be refilled 

• Reduce household waste by using a 

compost bin 

• Unsubscribe to letters/catalogues you 

don’t wish to receive 

• Dry laundry on a line 

• Use cloth instead of paper to clean 

your kitchen 

• Switch to cloth nappies – or at least 

combine with disposables (even one 

cloth nappy per day means 365 fewer 

disposables in the landfill annually) 

• Use menstrual cups or menstrual 

underwear like ModiBodi to reduce 

landfill 

• Ditch cling film and plastic bags 

for vegetables and use breathable, 

reusable bags and beeswax food wraps 

• Walk and cycle where you can. If you 

use the car, try to reduce trips and 

avoid aggressive driving 


leading the way 

in sustainable 

food shopping 

Sustainability and reducing our 

carbon footprint are key goals for 

Secretts as a business. 


We are really pleased to see how a consumer led revolution is 

leading the way in reducing the use of single use plastics. With 

food retailing that’s sometimes really difficult but we actively 

encourage our customers to bring their own containers to our 

deli and produce areas. Where a lot of other retailers have just 

moved to self-serve areas in their shops, we have always had 

this. Our herb and spice area has always been a help yourself 

area and we have just installed more options for nuts, grains, 

pulses and cereals. We are proud to have removed all plastic 

bags from our produce area and replaced these with paper. We 

are constantly on the look out for ways in which we can improve 

in this area. 

Fresh produce that we grow on our farm is never pre-wrapped 

apart from our baby leaves, but we do offer a self-serve option 

there too. Next year we are going to run a campaign to promote 

our whole head lettuce, which offer more robust flavour and 

texture to a salad. They also have a much longer shelf life than 

baby leaves which bruise easily. Research shows that we waste 

salad leaves in bags by the ton so going forward it’s a great 

way to reduce plastic use. We grow a number of varieties of 

traditional lettuce on the farm, which we know, our customers 

love and you will never find one in a plastic bag. 

Our company mantra is ‘Love food as much as we do’ and we 

are passionate about providing the produce and ingredients that 

our customers need to cook from scratch. On our social media 

platforms we share recipes, tips and ingredients information 

to share with our community. We also produce recipe cards to 

pick up in store. We have regular events where we introduce 

you to our producers many of whom are local. We have a great 

relationship with a local preserve producer who makes jams 

for us using our home- grown fruit, we sell honey from bees 

kept on our farm and work hard towards forming great working 

relationships with our suppliers. We like to think that for a lot of 

our products its food metres not miles. 

Secretts, Hurst Farm, Chapel Lane, Milford, Surrey GU8 8HU 

www.secretts.co.uk 


food for thought... 

Sustainability is high on the radar at Food 

For Thought. We want to be able to offer 

quality goods, friendly service, knowledgeable 

advice and all with an eye on how we can 

deliver it in a viable and ethical way. 

From fresh produce, always organic, in season, local when 

available and free from plastic packaging, through to lifestyle and 

household essentials. A natural safe toxic free kettle descaler 

from BonPom, Bamboo tissues and toilet rolls from Cheeky Panda, 

bulk refill station from Sodasan and Faith In Nature, all with the aim 

of delivering a green message to our customers. 

We collaborate with companies such as Viridian to give customers 

a 25p refund on empty bottles they return to us, against a repeat 

purchase, sending out a great recycling message. 

We also support new companies such as Stroodles, manufacturer 

of Pasta Straws. Stroodles are a great replacement for paper or 

plastic and kind to the environment. Local companies too, such 

as Norse and Mr Mullans, both makers of great high-quality men’s 

shaving, skincare and beard products. Locally made with a green 

message and vegan too! 

Our in-store experts are always on hand and happy to share 

tips, recipes ideas or offer nutritional advise to help you get the 

most from shopping with us. We know what our customers want 

because it is the same things we want. 

For that special occasion, we have some gorgeous organic, vegan 

low or no added sulphite wines from producers here in the UK, 


Europe and the New world, all crafted with an eye on traditional 

and sustainable production. Cheers, we can all drink to that! 

Food For Thought - serving the people of Guildford for over 30 

years! We have branches in Kingston and Kew (Oliver’s) too, so we 

have Surrey covered! The 

one stop shop for fresh 

produce, chilled food, 

vegetarian and vegan, 

natural skin products, 

make up and more. 

Organic, vegan wines, 

dairy and non-dairy 

cheese selections, artisan 

pasta and pasta sauces, 

we have something for 

everyone. Visit Food For 

Thought Guildford today, 

it’s worth the trip! 

www.foodforthoughtuk.com 

CITY TO SEA 

News about climate breakdown and the ecological 

emergency we’re facing can be really overwhelming... 


Over the last two years we’ve heard how bad things are getting – 

from losing half the world’s wildlife, to only having 10 years (from 

2020) to avoid irreversible climate breakdown. 

Yikes. It’s no wonder many of us turn the other way, feeling 

slightly guilty on the surface but deep down, a bit powerless. 

But what if even something seemingly trivial, like switching to a 

bamboo toothbrush, actually changed the world? Well, it does! 

And here’s why. Individual action is the most powerful thing 

you’ve got. We’re social creatures and we like to fit in - when we 

see more of our peers are carrying reusables bottles, or growing 

veg, or choosing a staycation, we shift our behaviour too. That 

creates a trend, trends drive demand, and demand drives 

investment. We’ve seen this happen again and again through our 

not-for-profit campaign group, City to Sea. 

I set it up in 2015, and we’ve since seen supermarkets change 

whole product lines (we got nine major UK retailers to switch to 

paper cotton buds) and now, big brands like Tampax bringing out 

a reusable menstrual cup, and Colgate launching their bamboo 

toothbrushes. 

My new book, How to Save the World for Free, is packed full of 

differences we can all make in our day to day lives – from food 

to travel, sex to banking – as well as giving us ways to influence 

governments and corporations to pull their fingers out. And if 

plastic’s your pet peeve, sign up to get City to Sea’s monthly 

‘Plastic-free Journal’ delivered 

to your inbox at citytosea.org. 

uk. Can we make 2020 the 

year we turn things around for 

this magical blue planet we 

call home? 

With the UK reaching for net 

zero carbon emissions by 

2030, I think we can answer 

that question with a big, green, 

YES. 

For more tips please visit: www.theaa.com 

Natalie Fee is an award-winning 

campaigner and founder of the national 

campaign group, City to Sea. Her new book, 

How to Save the World for Free, is available 

from all good bookshops or from 

nataliefee.com/books 


Dump the Pump and Switch 

to Electric Driving 


There has never been a better time to opt for an electric car and positively 

contribute to reducing pollution in your local area and towards slowing 

down global warming by fuelling your day to day driving with electricity 

from renewable sources... 

Not only are there environmental benefits to driving an 

electric vehicle but their manufacturers are also striving to 

reduce the carbon footprints of their models. 

Nissan began the electric car revolution in the UK with the 

launch of the Leaf in 2011. The Leaf comes in a number 

of specifications with ranges from 80 to 240 miles. But 

whilst Nissan’s vision of a more sustainable future starts 

with their zero emission vehicles, they are also shaping the 

idea of smart cities running on clean energy, vehicle 2 grid 

technology and more. 

The BMW i3 is an all-embracing sustainability concept 

with its interior of renewable and recycled materials and 

the vehicle assembly plant running 100% on renewable 

energy, making a genuine contribution to environmental 

protection. 

Renault see electric power as a breakthrough solution for 

countering climate change because even when factoring 

CO2 emissions produced by generating the electricity 

needed to charge an EV, the carbon balance is much better 

than for an equivalent internal-combustion model. 

Virtually silent, instant acceleration and a low centre of gravity 

mean electric cars are terrific to drive and easy to operate. 

Electric cars are significantly cheaper to power than their diesel 

and petrol counterparts and cheaper to tax and use in cities too. 

They have fewer moving parts and lower maintenance costs. 

In the UK there are now more EV charge points than petrol 

stations, with extra units being rolled out every day. But how 

much cheaper is an electric car to fuel? The Energy Saving Trust 

suggest that charging an electric car at home for 100 miles of 

range will cost £4-£6 whilst driving 100 miles in a petrol or diesel 

car costs £13-£16. Cost savings can be even greater if you have 

access to an off-peak overnight electricity tariff. 

Whether you are inspired by the environmental benefits and 

reduced carbon footprint, or just want to reduce your annual fuel 

and maintenance costs, EV Experts can advise which electric 

car fits your lifestyle. We are independent specialists with a 

range of models in stock ready to test drive. We also organise 

the installation of home EV chargepoints. 

Take a look at our website www.evexperts.co.uk or give us a 

call for more information 01483 667744. 


Left, Blinds from 

englishblinds.co.uk 

Below, Lamp, £79, 

atkinandthyme.co.uk 

HOW TO MAKE YOUR GUEST BEDROOM 

Easy updates to make your 

guest room more inviting 

feel like home 

Whilst it can feel like another job to add 

to the list, preparing the guest bedroom 

to receive guests can actually be quite 

relaxing - making a space comfortable 

and inviting really does something good 

for the soul. 

When you start to plan your guest room, 

think about what you’d expect to find 

in a lovely hotel and try to make your 

room measure up to that standard. Your 

budget may not be enough to create a 

getaway oasis, but you can clear the 

decks, lay out all the necessities, and 

provide a quiet place to relax. 

PROVIDE A COMFORTABLE BED 

Don’t give your guests the oldest, 

saggiest mattress you have. Try sleeping 

in the room yourself and assess the 

quality of your sleep on that mattress - it 

may be time to invest in a new one. If 

you can’t afford a new bed, think about 

getting a quality air mattress. 

UPGRADE YOUR BEDDING 

Beyond clean, crisp bedding, think 

about adding luxurious bed linens and 

comfort items supplied by fine B&Bs: a 

featherbed or wool mattress topper, a 

choice of pillows, a cosy down quilt or 

thick throw, extra blankets and freshly 

ironed pillowcases. 

SUPPLY EXTRA LINENS 

Always have an extra set of bed and bath 

linens available for your guests. Accidents 

do happen! Or you may have one of those 

wonderful guests who insists on changing 

the sheets when they leave. Let them do 

it, and thank them profusely. 

MAKE ROOM FOR A SUITCASE 

Clear a space to put a luggage rack or 

provide a small table or bench to set down 

a suitcase. No one likes to have to stoop 

over to the floor to pull out a clean pair of 

socks. Even a chair is better than nothing. 

– more space, more comfortable, and 

more welcoming. Get rid of anything you 

would not find in a hotel room. Keep only 

the most useful items in the room, like a 

clock and calendar. 

BRIGHTEN THINGS UP 

One of the biggest hotel decor missteps 

is when an otherwise nice room has no 

light to read by. It’s always helpful to 

have a light control near the bed so your 

guest won’t have to stumble around in 

the dark just to turn a light on. If nothing 

else, provide a good reading light near a 

chair or over the bed. Another fixture or 

lamp near a desk would be great. A small 

night light is helpful, and a lit magnifying 

makeup mirror is a real luxury. 

CLEAN THE WARDROBE 

If your guest room shares space with 

a home office, clear at least a foot or 

two of pole space in the cupboard. Or 

purchase an inexpensive over-the-door 

hook that can accommodate some 

hanging clothes. It’s likely that guests 

will have items they’d like to hang. Don’t 

forget a supply of six to eight hangers. 

A simple hook on the wall or behind a 

wardrobe door can hold a coat or bag. 

DON'T FORGET SIMPLE BASICS 

A lighted clock next to the bed is a great 

amenity, and an alarm clock or clock/radio 

is even better. Provide paper and pens, 

scissors, tape, tissue, and a hairdryer to 

have all the bases covered. If you can, 

provide somewhere to sit in front of a 

mirror so guests can do make up or style 

their hair. If you don’t have an extra iron 

and ironing board to offer, be sure to tell 

your guest where they can find yours. 

PROVIDE PRIVACY 

You might know that the big willow tree 

just outside 

the 

window camouflages everything going 

on, but your guests won’t. Choose 

window coverings that add to the 

character of the room and also provide 

privacy and light control. If you need to 

keep it simple, blinds work great. You 

can always add a beautiful valance or 

side panels later. 

ADD SOME PERSONALITY 

Guest rooms can suffer from being 

personality vacuums - try to let some 

of your personal style infuse the space, 

or try out some decorative ideas that 

inspire you. We love spaces that mix 

mid-century modern furniture with boho 

soft furnishings, or fabulous colour on 

a single wall with dramatic wallpaper or 

artwork. Maybe dare to go 

dark with dark navy on the 

walls and gold detailing. 

FINISHING TOUCHES 

Add some lovely 

finishing touches to 

the room - a reed 

diffuser to fill it with 

delicious fragrance 

and pop some throw 

pillows on the bed 

or chair. If you like 

them, add some cut 

flowers to a dresser 

or move some 

of your existing 

houseplants into 

the space for 

some greenery. If 

you don’t use your 

room much during the 

year, be sure to open 

the windows for a few 

hours before guests 

arrive to 

help air it 

out. 

T 

CLEAR THE DECKS 

Resist the temptation to put your 

beautiful collection of dolls on the dresser 

or fill the closet with out-of-season 

clothes. In a guest room, less is more 

Extra large Cotton Throw £59, 

and Mudcloth Pillow, £56, 

hauslife.co.uk; Navy Pillow, £50, 

Soho House; Fish Lamp, £90, 

Dar Lighting; Moorish Mirror, 

£75, thefarthing.co.uk 

4 


THE HOMEBUYER'S GUIDE 

Thinking about moving or buying your first home? Read on... 

If you are beginning the process of buying 

your first home, selling to buy a bigger 

property or even downsizing once the 

kids have flown the nest, you may find 

that the property market is an unknown 

entity, full of potential pitfalls, doubts 

and unexpected costs. Couple that with 

the looming uncertainty of BREXIT, and 

you have a complicated set of hoops to 

jump through. In this guide, we aim to 

demystify homebuying and give useful 

advice for each stage of the process. 

FIRST-TIME BUYERS 

So, you’re about to make the biggest 

investment of your life so far. Scary, 

right? There’s a lot to think about, 

and a lot of costs you will not have 

even considered until the process has 

started. Your mortgage is the first thing 

you should think about, because until 

you have your Decision in Principle, 

you will not know what you can afford 

to buy. By going to an independent 

mortgage advisor, you will have the 

choice of many different banks and 

building societies, so you can assess 

options like the term of your mortgage, 

fixing interest rates and any cash back 

offered. 

Viewing Houses 

This is probably the most fun bit of 

the process, because you get to know 

your tastes and can have a look around 

some lovely properties in the process. 

Rightmove is a great resource, as is 

Zoopla for comparing prices in an area. 

As well as relying on these sites, it is 

vital that you make yourself known to 

lots of different local agents. Let them 

know in as much detail as possible what 

requirements you have (location, number 

of bedrooms, garden, garage etc) and 

your upper price limit. A good agent will 

let you know about properties about to 

come to the market, helping you get a 

head start on other buyers. 

Viewing Tip - When viewing houses, 

try to take some pictures (with the estate 

agent’s permission) on your phone as 

an aide memoir and if you have furniture 

from renting to fit in, take a tape measure 

and see if it would fit in the space. 

CONVEYANCING 

So, once you’ve found the property you 

want, you will need to instruct a solicitor 

to do the conveyancing for you. Before 

deciding on one, we recommend emailing 

or calling around for some quotes to 

make sure you get a competitive rate. 

CHARTERED SURVEY 

Unless the property you are buying is 

less than 10 years old, it really does 

make good sense to have a survey. Most 

surveyors offer a choice between a RICS 

Homebuyer Report or a Building Survey. 

Send over the property details you have 

and they will help you decide on the best 

survey for peace of mind. Once again, it 

does pay to enquire with a few different 

firms to keep prices competitive and 

to find the right surveyor for the type of 

property you buy. 

Surveying Tip - If you are buying a 

flat, it can be difficult to know whether 

you need to have a full building survey 

(formerly called a structural survey). If 

you are buying a flat in a listed or older 

building, talk to your surveyor about 

whether they can offer a special package 

for you. 

SELLING 

Over the past few years, the property 

landscape really has become a seller’s 

market. With a high demand for property, 

estate agents are having to be creative 

in the way they compete for instructions. 

This is great news if you are selling, as 

you can ask them to be competitive in the 

rates they offer. 

Surveying Tips - It is likely that you 

will need to provide certificates or 

documentation of any major work you 

have had done on your home in the last 

10 years, primarily electrics. De-clutter 

before the estate agent comes to take 

photos. Your home needs to be a blank 

canvas, so the potential buyer can 

imagine their possessions there, without 

yours dominating their vision. 

MOVING 

So, you’ve accumulated quite a lot of 

stuff eh? Here are our top tips to make 

moving easier: 

• Start packing the areas of your home that 

you use the least. Pack essentials last. 

• At least 8 weeks before the date, notify 

change of address for any subscriptions. 

• Pack early if you are using the services 

of a moving company. Also be sure 

to label clearly and keep heavy boxes 

double taped so they don’t collapse. 

• Bin anything you don’t love anymore. 

Start this process early, using a skip 

for unsellable items and recycle others. 

Removals companies sometimes charge 

by volume, so reducing the amount you 

take with you cuts costs. 


NEW YEAR NEW HOME 

2020 is nearly here, and it is a good time to start looking for your new home. 

We take a look at the best local developments in and around Guildford. 

With the nights drawing in, and as the 

summer holidays are a distant memory, 

your thoughts may be turning to the New 

Year. If getting on the housing ladder or 

moving home are on your list of goals for 

2020, it is a good idea to start planning 

now. 

While many people are waiting to see what 

happens with Brexit, there are advantages 

to moving house now if you’re a buyer. 

Many sellers are open to lower offers 

as the market slows. The same applies 

for new build homes too. Volume house 

builders have been busy building but 

have seen a drop off in demand. So there 

are deals to be done on shiny new build 

homes across the country. 

We’ve asked Paula Higgins, Chief 

Executive of the Home Owners Alliance, 

to explain what you need to know before 

you buy a new build home in the current 

economic climate. 

Research, research, research! 

This is one of your biggest financial 

investments, so don’t just rely on glossy 

promotional materials. Read around about 

the developer of your new build home, 

search for online reviews and forums, and 

visit homes they’ve built on other sites 

Get your finances in order 

Developers work to tight timescales and 

once you’ve put down a deposit you may 

have only 28 days to exchange. Speak to 

a fee-free broker to find the right mortgage 

for you. For more information see new 

build homes and getting a mortgage 

(www.hoa.org.uk/advice/guides-forhomeowners/i-am-buying/new-buildhomes-and-getting-a-mortgage-top-tips/) 

Get your conveyancing solicitor lined up 

Try to find a conveyancer with experience 

of new build developments. They will need 

to check planning permissions, restrictive 

covenants and - importantly - the terms of 

any lease if you are buying a leasehold flat. 

Negotiate! 

With the slowing down of new build sales 

developers need to boost sales figures. 

That doubled with Brexit uncertainty and 

a slowing market means there is no better 

time to negotiate. Be bold and see what 

else can be added into the mix, such as 

upgraded finishes and appliances could 

be part of the negotiation process. 

Getting a survey 

Many builders won’t allow you to view 

the property until the day of completion. 

If this is the case you want to very quickly 

get an independent snagging inspector 

to identify and report on any defects or 

errors (from cosmetic to structural). You 

can read more about whether you need 

a snagging survey (www.hoa.org.uk/ 

services/snagging-survey/) 

The HomeOwners Alliance www.hoa. 

org.uk offers expert advice and services 

for every step of your home buying and 

selling journey. 


COUNTRY COMFORT MEETS 

CITY STYLE: new homes by Latimer in Cranleigh. 

There’s something undeniably special 

about village living; from a relaxing 

ramble over the quintessential rolling 

hills, to a hearty dinner and drink at 

the charming local pub - it’s all about a 

slower pace of life that feels good for the 

soul, and Cranleigh has it all. Now, this 

sought-after rural idyll is also home to 

Latimer’s newest address - ‘Willowbrook’. 

Latimer are proud to present this 

characterful collection of just fifty-four 

2, 3 and 4 bedroom homes that are 

designed to become a seamless addition 

to Cranleigh’s established and close knit 

village community. 

Nestled amongst mature planting, the 

homes at Willowbrook are positioned 

on tree-lined streets or the borders of 

uninterrupted open green space. Each 

design is architecturally mindful of 

Cranleigh’s rural charm thanks to the 

traditional clay hanging tiles, wooden 

porches and rustic brickwork, presenting 

an exceptional opportunity to own a home 

that offers a timeless appeal without the 

high-maintenance commitment that many 

older properties bring. 

Internally, each home is carefully 

designed to reflect the demands of 

modern day living, with a range of 

functional and flexible-yet homelylayouts, 

and an exceptional level of 

attention to detail in the ‘finishing 

touches’. Whether it’s the quality 

integrated appliances in the 

contemporary designed kitchens, the 

stylish but sophisticated bathroom suites, 

the quality floor finishes as standard 

throughout or the innovative energysaving 

technologies, you’re sure to fall in 

love with the details that make a Latimer 

home so special. 

Stepping outside of the development, 

Cranleigh offers a range of local 

amenities. From independent boutique 

shops and cafes to larger high-street 

names, the gentle hum of the village 

high street will perfectly cater for your 

everyday needs. 

However, there’s no need to sacrifice 

the buzz of the ‘urban good life’ - with 

the desirable towns of Guildford and 

Horsham and their onwards links to 

London both within a 25-minute drive, 

there’s no end of further opportunities for 

work, rest and play on your metaphorical 

doorstep! 

With prices at Willowbrook starting 

at £400,000 for a 2-bedroom home 

and £480,00 for a 3-bedroom home, a 

number of purchasers will be able to 

utilise the Help to Buy scheme, meaning 

they can secure their very own home with 

just a 5% mortgage deposit*. 

Megan Davies, Sales Manager at 

Willowbrook, notes: “At Latimer we strive 

to deliver quality homes, and create 

a legacy that everyone can be proud 

of. We are delighted to share what we 

have created at Willowbrook, and with 

a diverse range of 2, 3 and 4 bedroom 

homes, people are sure to find their 

perfect home here with Latimer”. 

www.willowbrook-cranleigh.co.uk for 

more information. 

“Latimer are proud to present this characterful 

collection of just fifty-four 2, 3 and 4 bedroom 

homes that are designed to become a seamless 

addition to Cranleigh’s established and close knit 

village community.” 


THINKING OF A NEW HOME? 

New family homes in Dunsfold and Ash Green 

offer a great village lifestyle close to Guildford 

Award-winning Vanderbilt Homes, one of 

the leading independent housebuilders 

in the Home Counties, creates beautifully 

crafted homes in desirable locations. Its 

two newest developments, Gratton Chase 

in Dunsfold and Willow Meadows in Ash 

Green, are perfect for buyers seeking a 

quintessential Surrey lifestyle in beautiful 

countryside, within easy reach of Guildford 

and with good commuter links. 

Gratton Chase, in the picturesque village 

of Dunsfold, combines village living 

with stylish contemporary designed 

homes. This superb collection of just 25 

two, three and four-bedroom houses is 

perfectly positioned against a backdrop 

of rolling hills and countryside, close to 

Cranleigh and Godalming, and just ten 

miles from Guildford. 

The three-bedroom detached showhome 

showcases the high quality of the homes 

at Gratton Chase. The sitting room and 

kitchen/dining area run the full depth of 

each side of the house; both have French 

doors leading to the garden, flooding the 

house with natural light. The classically 

styled kitchen features a range of 

integrated appliances. 

The master bedroom also spans the 

depth of the house and benefits from 

fitted wardrobes and a large en-suite 

shower room. The second and third 

bedrooms are almost equally sized and 

are served by a family bathroom. 

Dunsfold has a strong sense of 

community and busy calendar of village 

activities. On the village green is a 

community-run village shop for dayto-day 

necessities and The Sun Inn, a 

traditional 17th century pub. The village 

also has its own nursery school. From 

Godalming station, 15 minutes’ drive 

away, trains to London Waterloo take 

around 45 minutes. 

Homes at Gratton Chase have prices 

ranging from £400,000 to £750,000, with 

Help to Buy available. 

The new homes at Willow Meadows in 

Ash Green, an easy nine-mile drive from 

Guildford along the A31, also enjoy a 

rural Surrey village setting. 

This attractive development offers a 

choice of three, four and five-bedroom 

detached homes across a range of eight 

different house styles. The beautiful 

design and impressive specification of 

the homes is highlighted by the new fourbedroom 

showhome, a two-storey red 

brick family house. 

There is plenty of flexible space, perfect 

for day-to-day family living. The open-plan 

kitchen and dining room extends the full 

width of the home and provides ample 

room for a large dining table. French 

doors open out from the kitchen area 

on to the patio and garden, and there 

is also a utility room. A separate sitting 

“There is plenty of flexible space, perfect 

for day-to-day family living. The openplan 

kitchen and dining room extends 

the full width of the home” 

room, complete with a fireplace and wood 

burner, is a peaceful place to relax. There 

is a study for home working which could, if 

preferred, be used as a playroom. 

The spacious master bedroom suite 

features its own shower room and a walkin 

wardrobe. The second bedroom also 

includes an en suite shower room, while 

the remaining two bedrooms are served 

by a main bathroom. 

Ash Green is a great place to live, with 

plenty of opportunities to get outdoors 

and enjoy the Surrey countryside. Ash 

station is just a few minutes away by car 

and trains to London Waterloo take less 

than an hour. 

Prices at Willow Meadows start from 

£529,995 for a three-bedroom detached 

house. 

To find out more about Gratton Chase, 

please contact the Vanderbilt Homes 

sales team on 01483 200548 and for more 

information about Willow Meadows, please 

contact the Vanderbilt Homes sales team 

on 01483 947811 or visit vanderbilthomes. 

co.uk. The sales and marketing suites, at 

both developments, are open Thursday to 

Monday from 10am to 5pm. 

Finally, don’t miss out on a fantastic 

offer from Vanderbilt Homes. If you’re 

not looking for a new home, but know 

someone who is, recommend them 

to Gratton Chase or Willow Meadows 

and they could receive £2,000 off their 

purchase while you would receive £2,000 

in John Lewis vouchers – subject to the 

homebuyer’s completion. If you are looking 

to buy, why not ask a friend to recommend 

you – it works both ways. Contact the sales 

team for more information. 


Images featured are from Willow Meadows. 

The Vanderbilt Homes ‘Pass It On’ scheme is a true win-win situation! 

Friends, family members, in fact anyone you recommend to buy a brand new home at 

Gratton Chase in Dunsfold, or Willow Meadows in Ash Green, will get £2000 off their new home* 

and you’ll receive vouchers worth £2000 from John Lewis. * 

Of course, if you are looking to buy, why not ask a friend to recommend you - it works both ways. 

● Each development enjoys a highly desirable and peaceful Surrey village location ● 2, 3, 4 & 5 bedroom homes, 

each include a private garden, most with a garage, or off street parking ● High specification, build quality and 

detailing throughout ● Convenient for commuters - close to mainline stations for London destinations 

● Part Exchange and Help To Buy options also available on selected plots - subject to criteria 

● Prices are from £400,000 ● Show Homes open Thursday to Monday 10am to 5pm. 

Gratton Chase 

Dunsfold village, Surrey 

01483 200548 

grattonchase@vanderbilthomes.co.uk 

Willow Meadows 

Ash Green, Surrey 

01483 947811 

willowmeadows@vanderbilthomes.co.uk 

vanderbilthomes.co.uk 

Speak to the Sales Consultant at the development of your choice to complete the form. 

GRATTON CHASE, OFF DUNSFOLD COMMON ROAD, DUNSFOLD, SURREY GU8 4NW 

WILLOW MEADOWS, WHITE LANE, ASH GREEN, SURREY GU12 6HW 

*Home buyer details must appear on the form handed to the sales consultant at reservation, a £2000 price reduction will be given at legal completion. 

Recommending person details must appear on the same form to receive their John Lewis vouchers after the home buyer’s legal completion. 

Only one form can be submitted per property purchase. Multiple referrers of the same buyer do not qualify. Full details available on request.

Baby it's cold outside 

The garden is bare, the leaves have fallen and now is the opportunity to take stock of what you would 

like to see during the wintertime. It’s also the time to plan for the spring and summer. Perhaps you 

have a sunny patch where you could lay some decking or an attractive terrace, create an arch or a rose 

garden are just a few examples. Here are some ideas of making your winter garden attractive and 

planning for next year...including getting rid of that shed that’s on its last legs! 

Gardeners in the UK have plenty of reasons to get cold feet about 

winter. Plants are at rest and their bright colours have gone. And with 

very little to plant, those of you who love their gardens might think 

there are few winter landscaping tips - or to dos. 

In fact, careful planning in spring, summer, and autumn - plus a few 

easy accents during winter - can lead to a beautiful and pleasing 

landscape. 

Here are six winter landscaping tips to 

help make you love your garden during 

this season and in the future. 

1. Focus on bark Deciduous trees do 

lose their leaves in wintertime, leaving 

their branches and trunks in focus. 

It is a good idea to look out for 

interesting ornamental trees that 

have really visually distinctive 

bark, which will add winter 

interest. Many of those trees and 

some shrubs are smaller, meaning 

they’re easier to find spots for in the 

winter landscape. Dogwoods and birch 

trees are particularly good examples. 

2. Include berries Many trees and shrubs 

have berries they hold onto during autumn 

and winter, and not only look attractive but 

also provide food for birds. Crab apples, holly 

and firethorn are very attractive. 

3. Remember evergreens Evergreens are great at this time of year. 

Firstly, there’s colour: Evergreens are not just green; they’re available 

in yellow, such as Gold Thread False Cypress, and blues, the Dwarf 

Blue Spruce, and all colours in between. When you are planting a 

new border, try to have at least one evergreen. 

4. Check out your hard landscaping Winter is a good time to 

critically assess the layout of your garden, figuring out where 

it’s missing focal points. The solution to enhancing your winter 

landscaping might not be a plant at all. Winter is the best time to 

consider the bare bones of the garden. You may wish to place a 

trellis, a bench, an arbour, and if you can run to it, a garden sculpture 

which will add another dimension. Perhaps plan to put in a small or 

indeed large fountain for sound…the possibilities are endless. 

5. Make use of your summertime containers Window boxes, 

hanging baskets, winter-hardy containers are perfect for winter 

landscaping. They will still need to be watered during dry periods. 

You can plant up winter primroses and pansies, trailing hedera, 

colourful cyclamen with their delicate flowers and leaves. Also 

consider adding some spring flowering bulbs to bring colour into the 

early part of the year. 

6. Try these four-season perennials Some perennials have 

evergreen foliage - ornamental grasses, hellebores, - dianthus with 

its beautiful low-creeping foliage - making them great for winter 

landscaping, 

Happy gardening! 

CALA HELPS BUYERS ACROSS 

SURREY MOVE INTO A BRAND 

NEW HOME FOR CHRISTMAS 

Purchasers who think they may have left it too late 

to celebrate the festive season in a new home should 

hurry along to one of CALA Homes’ developments 

in Surrey, where a selection of homes are available 

to move into before Christmas. 

CALA Homes has three stunning developments in Surrey – Amlets 

Place in Cranleigh, Sweeters Field in Alfold and Arun Fields in 

Horsham. With prices starting from £380,000 for a three-bedroom 

semi-detached home, house hunters can now take advantage of a 

range of incentives to help make a move just in time for Christmas. 

Help to Buy: 

The Government-based Help to Buy Equity Loan scheme is ideal 

for first time buyers or second-steppers, allowing purchases to 

secure a new build home priced at £600,000 or under with as little 

as a 5% deposit, which also means that they can access lower 

interest rates on a 75% mortgage loan. 

Part Exchange: 

For those with a home to sell, buyers can take advantage of 

CALA’s popular up to 100% Part Exchange Service, which allows 

CALA to effectively act as a cash buyer, saving time, hassle and 

money, with no agents fees to pay, and offering the peace of mind 

of being chain-free and in your new home in time for Christmas. 

Assisted Move: 

Alternatively, CALA’s new “Assisted Move” service* makes moving 


easy with CALA advising you on the list price of your home, 

managing the selected selling agents and then pay your selling 

agent’s fees and home buyer report costs (where applicable). 

The housebuilder goes one step further and will hold your dream 

CALA home for an agreed timescale and will contribute £1,000 

toward your removal fees. 

Nicki Dennis, sales and marketing director for CALA Homes 

(South Home Counties), comments: “With autumn upon us 

already, people often think that there isn’t enough time to 

move into a new home before Christmas, but by reserving now 

purchasers can be settled into their dream home in a matter of 

weeks. Surrey continues to prove to be a really popular location 

for discerning purchasers looking for a brand new house to call 

a home and with a range of properties available to suit a wide all 

types of buyers, CALA really does have something on offer for 

everyone.” 

For further information on the homes currently available 

at Amlets Place, Sweeters Field and Arun Fields, visit the 

showhomes open daily from 10am to 5pm or visit 

www.cala.co.uk. 


PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD 

We are used to trends in the beauty world - from snail slime to acid peels, 

there are few things we won’t try in the pursuit of perfect skin. In amongst 

all the noise though and let’s face it, beauty confusion, is a treatment so 

popular and effective that one is performed worldwide every 13 seconds 

Enter the HydraFacial - an invigorating 

medical-grade treatment that not only 

immediately boosts your glow, but also 

offers long-lasting skin health. So with 

that in mind, we sent Katie Thomson to 

try it out… 

I’ve had a lot of facials and beauty 

treatments, but the HydraFacial was 

intriguing, not least because of its 

popularity and tribe of loyal fans. The 

treatment can cover a range of issues but 

in the main it helps to reduce fine lines, 

wrinkles and skin pigmentation, increase 

the firmness of skin, even skin tone and 

help with oily, congested or enlarged pores. 

The facial itself has six steps, each 

designed to gently but thoroughly cleanse 

and exfoliate the skin. As with any normal 

facial, you start with a thorough cleanse, 

then you have a lymphatic massage to 

drain some of the fluid from the face. 

The next stage involves simultaneous 

cleansing and exfoliating. Dead skin cells 

are buffed away, while a combination of 

lactic acid and glucosamine are pushed 

before and afters 

into pores to aid the exfoliation and boost 

hydration deep down. 

Then it was onto the acid peel - the 

process uses a powerful but gentle mix 

of glycolic and salicylic acids to help 

loosen and dissolve any leftover debris 

and brighten the complexion. Then 

followed the supremely satisfying bit - the 

extraction. The spiral tip spins and draws 

out blackheads and other impurities from 

the pores and you can actually see the 

results in the extraction cup. It feels even 

more gentle than tan manual exfoliation, 

but it is far more powerful. 

After this, a cocktail of customised 

hyaluronic acid, peptides, and 

antioxidants are funnelled into the pores 

to plump, hydrate, and repair the skin, 

even temporarily filling out fine lines. The 

moisturising effects of a HydraFacial could 

last up to one week at a time. 

The last (optional) part of the facial 

involves targeted LED light—blue to kill 

acne bacteria and/or red to reduce any 

residual redness and help boost collagen. 

Your specialist will determine what’s 

necessary post-treatment. The cocktail of 

ingredients can be tailored to your skin to 

help you with your specific concerns - be 

they city pollution, acne flair ups or sun 

damage. 

The results were amazing and I’m a 

HydraFacial convert - joining the ranks of 

superfans. It’s the perfect pick me up post 

party season or a great treatment if you 

need glowing skin for a special event. 

Find your nearest provider at 

hydrafacial.co.uk 

“The cocktail of 

ingredients can be 

tailored to your skin 

to help you with your 

specific concerns - be they 

city pollution, acne flair 

ups or sun damage”. 


Book a consultation for a Hydrafacial treatment at Beauty 

Secrets and allow us to create a bespoke treatment for you from 

our extensive list of aesthetic treatments; to get the absolute 

best results for your skin. 

Innovative and luxurious, award-winning salon and spa group 

Beauty Secrets with three salons based in Godalming, Horsham 

and Hove, has over 30 years industry experience. Beauty Secrets 

is the only salon in the area that offers four-world class skincare 

houses under one roof – Decleor, Carita, Guinot and Elemis, in 

total offering well over 300 treatments for you. 

Some of the aesthetic treatments combined with Hydrafacial to 

enhance your results include radio frequency skin tightening; 

micro current facial contour lift; IPL laser skin rejuvenation and 

pigmentation corrector; Dermapen skin 

Microneedling and Plasma Elite fibroblast stimulation treatment, the Hollywood 

Carbon facial plus many more. 

Benefit from the extensive knowledge of our advanced Aesthetic Therapists 

and let us create the perfect aesthetic treatment for you. 

47 Bridge Street, Godalming, Surrey GU7 1HL 

T: 01483 416438 E: Godalming@beautysecretsspa.co.uk 

www.beautysecretsspa.co.uk 

Our new hydrafacial 

WHAT IS IT? 

HydraFacial is so much more than just another facial. 

It’s an experience. A pleasure. A feeling. 

And a confidence booster. 

It focuses on the unique philosophy of ‘Skin Health for Life’. 

But, it’s also about much more than 

just great looking, healthy skin. 

When our skin looks good and feels good, 

we feel good too. 

That’s the difference you get with a HydraFacial. 

HydraFacial uses advanced, patented vortex technology to deeply 

cleanse the skin and effectively deliver botanical ingredients 

containing nutrients such as hyaluronic acid, horse chestnut seed 

extract, red algae extract, copper, zinc and magnesium peptides 

to where they do the most good. In addition, HydraFacial also 

delivers powerful antioxidants to counteract damage by free 

radicals – from pollution, sun and stress – which can degrade the 

skin and accelerate the ageing process.

talk Money, Talk Pensions 

Why talking about finances could help 

with your money worries 

Talking about money remains one of the 

biggest taboos for us as a nation. In fact, 

research shows that people would rather 

speak to their loved ones about politics or 

religion than money problems, according to 

the Money and Pensions Service. 

Although it can feel uncomfortable at first, 

these are conversations worth having as 

people who talk about their finances report 

feeling less stressed and more in control. 

Opening up can be the first step towards 

getting help. 

Retirement can seem a long time away, but 

it’s important to think about your future and 

what kind of lifestyle you would like. Money 

and Pensions Service figures show that 

56% of working-age adults have not done 

very much or anything at all to plan their 

finances for retirement, so many of us need 

to think more about saving for later life. 

If you have a partner, talk to them about 

how you want to live in retirement. Couples 

can have widely contrasting views about 

their finances so it’s important to discuss 

your goals to avoid arguments! 

The first step is to work out your options in 

retirement, and then come up with a plan. 

You should look at your current pension 

savings to work out how much more you 

will need to save. Tools are available to help 

you estimate your income in retirement, 

such as the pensions calculator on the 

Money Advice Service website. 

Whatever the situation, sharing decisions 

about spending and saving, and discussing 

money openly, will help avoid arguments 

and tension. 

Do get in touch to get chatting about your 

finances and make sure you are on track 

for the future you want. For any questions 

about pensions you can contact the Money 

and Pensions Service by phone on 0800 

011 3797. 


Preparing for Christmas for those with dementia 

Preparation for the festive season 

can be stressful and tiring even 

under the best of circumstances. For 

families and carers of people with 

dementia it can be extra difficult. 

Here we look at how carers, with 

some planning and considerations, 

can still enjoy this time of year. 

Christmas can be a problematic time of year 

but there are ways you can prepare yourself 

and the person with dementia to enjoy the 

celebration and your time together. 

Traditional festive activities, which your 

family has enjoyed throughout the years, 

may have to be changed to some degree. 

When preparing for Christmas, make sure 

you set your limits early, stick to them and 

be clear about them with others. You do not 

have to live up to the expectations of friends 

or relatives. 

It is very normal for carers to feel overwhelmed 

in their effort to maintain the 

Christmas traditions, as well as, caring for 

a person with dementia. They often feel 

hesitant to engage in traditional celebrations 

for fear that others will react negatively to 

the changed behaviour of the person with 

dementia. 

If you’re feeling guilty, angry, frustrated, 

or trapped before, during or after holiday 

celebrations, it may help to know that these 

feelings are normal and that you’re not alone. 

Here are some suggestions that may help to 

ease the burden of being a carer and make 

your Christmas a happy and memorable 

occasion. 

Try celebrating over a lunch or brunch, 

rather than an evening meal. For some 

people with dementia, afternoons and 

evenings can be a very restless period, 

which will only be exacerbated if there are 

many people around or if the person with 

dementia is in an unfamiliar environment. 

Leading up to Christmas you may find 

yourself rather stressed. You may choose 

to arrange additional days at a respite 

centre or for someone to provide in-home 

care for your loved one. This will allow you 

to complete your shopping or tasks, as 

well as, give you a chance to relax before 

Christmas day. 

Do not do everything yourself. Arrange to 

celebrate at a different house or, ask guests 

to bring a plate of food. Remember, taking 

on too many tasks will only cause stress, 

fatigue and frustration, for yourself and your 

loved one. 

Give yourself a balance between solitude 

with sociability. Solitude can renew your 

strength. Being with people you care about 

can be equally important. 

Set aside ‘letting go’ time. Christmas often 

brings about a mourning period where you 

reflect on the things you no longer have. 

Acknowledge your grief and loss, it’s natural 

and normal. Reflect on the life you once 

had, as well as, the positive experiences yet 

to come. 

Talk about dementia with family and friends 

who will often be reluctant to mention the 

changes in your loved one because they 

do not know how to raise the subject and/ 

or they don’t want you to get upset. It is 

important that people understand your 

role, your life and what is happening to the 

person with dementia. Break the ice by 

bringing it up yourself. 

Unexpected gatherings and celebrations 

can be overwhelming for people with 

dementia and can cause increased 

frustration and agitation. Therefore, it 

is important to include the person with 

dementia in safe, manageable activities to 

help prepare them for Christmas. 

Involve your them in preparing food, 

selecting wrapping paper, wrapping gifts, 

hanging decorations or setting the table. 

Where possible, maintain the person’s 

normal routine so that Christmas planning 

does not become disruptive or confusing. 

Try to find a balance between daily 

activities, Christmas tasks and adequate 

rest so that neither of you do not end up 

exhausted. 

It is important to remember that large 

gatherings can often be a trigger for people 

with dementia and lead to increased 

confusion, frustration and agitation. The 

person with dementia may not be able to 

tell you they are overwhelmed or need a rest 

so, the frustration they are experiencing is 

often exhibited through other behaviours. 

Make guests aware the person has 

dementia. Let guests know of the situation 

as early as possible to avoid challenging 

conversations on the day of the event. 

Explain that memory loss is a result of 

the condition and it is not intentional or 

personal. Emphasise to your guests that 

what is important is the meaningfulness of 

the moment spent together and not what 

the person remembers. 

Reiterate to guests that your loved one still 

needs and enjoys conversation, laughter, 

physical touch and eye contact, even if 

the person with dementia is unable to 

communicate. 

For further information and advice visit 

alzheimers.org.uk or call the National 

Dementia Helpline 0300 222 1122. 


Caring for the elderly members of your family 

Over Christmas you may have spent some time with the family and perhaps more time with 

the elderly members and you become concerned about their health? 

Here we list 8 warning signs to assess if they need help and what to 

do if they do. You may wish to consider the following questions: 

1. Is the person (persons) able to take care of themselves? 

Pay attention to their appearance. Failure to keep up with daily 

routines - such as bathing and tooth brushing - could indicate 

dementia, depression or other physical impairments.Also pay 

attention to their home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Is the 

garden overgrown? Any changes in the way things are being done 

around the house could provide clues to their health. For example, 

scorched pots could mean they are forgetting about food cooking 

on the stove. Neglected housework could be a sign of depression, 

dementia or other concerns. 

2. Are they experiencing memory loss? 

Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory 

problems are a fairly common part of ageing, and sometimes 

medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to 

memory loss. There’s a difference, though, between normal 

Changes in memory and the type of memory loss associated with 

Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia. Are the memory 

changes limited to misplaced glasses or an occasionally forgotten 

appointment - or are the changes more concerning, such as 

forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in familiar 

neighbourhoods or being unable to follow directions? 

3. Are they safe in their home? 

Take a look around their home, keeping an eye out for any 

problems. Could their be a difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? 

Are they able to read directions on medication containers? When 

asked, do they say they feel safe at home? 

4. Are they safe on the road? 

Driving can be challenging for older adults. Do they become 

confused while driving or are you concerned about their ability to 

drive safely, it might be time to stop driving. They could be a danger 

to others. 

5. Have they lost weight? 

Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something’s 

wrong. Weight loss could be related to many factors, including: 

• Difficulty cooking. 

• Loss of taste or smell. 

• Underlying conditions - indicating ill health. 

6. Is the person (persons) in good spirits? 

Note their moods and ask how they’re feeling. A drastically different 

mood could be a sign of depression or other health concerns. 

7. Are they still social? 

Talk to them about their activities. Are they connecting with friends? 

Have they maintained interest in hobbies and other daily activities? 

Are they involved in organisations or clubs? Have they given up on 

being with others, it could be a sign of a problem. 

8. Is the person (persons) able to get around? 

Pay attention to how they are walking. Are they reluctant or unable 

to walk usual distances? Have they fallen recently? Is knee or hip 

arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Would they 

benefit from a cane or walker? Issues such as muscle weakness 

and joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well. If 

someone is unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling - a 

major cause of disability among older adults. 

Taking action 

There are many steps you can take to ensure the person/persons’ 

health and well-being, even if you don’t live nearby. Share your 

concerns with them. Your concerns might motivate them to see a 

doctor or make other changes. 

Encourage regular medical check-ups 

If you’re worried about weight loss, depressed mood, memory 

loss or other signs and symptoms,encourage them to schedule a 

doctor’s visit. 

You might offer to schedule the visit or to accompany them to the 

doctor - or find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about 

follow-up visits as well. 

Address safety issues 

Point out any potential safety issues you have observed - then make 

a plan to address the problems. For example, the person (persons) 

concerned might benefit from using assistive devices to help them 

reach items on high shelves. A higher toilet seat or handrails in the 

bathroom might help prevent falls. If they are no longer able to drive 

safely, suggest other transportation options -such as taking the bus 

or using a taxi. 

Consider home care services 

Particularly if they are having trouble taking care of themselves, you 

could hire someone to clean the house and run errands and help 

with daily activities, such as bathing. To ensure good nutrition Meals 

on Wheels is also an option. 

And finally 

It would be a good idea to secure an Enduring Power of 

Attorney to ensure that if things get worse you can step in 

without having to involve the Court of Protection. Your 

solicitor will be able to give you good advice on this. 



Time to Veg Out! 

The growing popularity of 

vegetarian and veganism is 

not something confined to 

the young... 


For both ethical and health reasons, more people in Britain are 

now reducing their meat consumption, choosing more vegetarian 

and vegan diet options, making them more popular than they 

have ever been. To support that societal shift, a charity was 

founded in 2008 to support vegetarians and vegans who came to 

this choice later in life. Vegetarians for Life (VfL) was established 

to promote the fact that no-one should be forced to give up on 

their dietary preferences or needs just because they are older or 

go in to care. 

Silvermere Care Home in Cobham, operated by Avery Healthcare, 

is proud to be a member of VfL’s directory, a 1,300 strong list 

of veggie-friendly organisations. Three of Avery’s chefs were 

recently crowned as winners in VfL’s 2019 Awards for Excellence 

in Vegetarian Care Catering; they scooped Vegetarian Chef of 

the Year, Vegetarian/Vegan Dish of the Year and were Runners 

Up for the Special Recognition Award. The Silvermere chefs also 

work to this standard, providing first-class vegetarian and vegan 

options, taking into account religious and cultural dietary needs 

as well as resident dining preferences. 

Amanda Woodvine, VfL chief executive, said: “Approaching 

500,000 people over 65 live in care homes and the number of 

vegetarians and vegans among them has trebled in five years. 

They and their families have understandable concerns about their 

dietary needs and preferences being met, with food prepared 

separately to meat products by a chef who takes the time to 

understand their needs and ensure a good variety of nutritious 

and tasty foods are available to them. I am pleased to see Avery 

fully supporting this.” 

For more call 01932 576650 or Search ‘Silvermere Care’ online 

or on Facebook. 

FOR ALL 

YOUR EVERYDAY 

NEEDS... 

OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK 

Monday to Saturday - 8am to 7pm 

Sunday - 8am to 1pm 

Making it Easy! 

01483 422373 

20 Farncombe Street 

GU7 3LH Godalming

Guildford Living Dec - Jan 2020 10.29.04

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