Wokingham and Bracknell Lifestyle Dec 2019 - Jan 2020
The fantastic festive issue is here, packed with local events, Christmas fun, delicious recipes, chef Michael Caines plus travel to Oman and advice on buying a new home.
The fantastic festive issue is here, packed with local events, Christmas fun, delicious recipes, chef Michael Caines plus travel to Oman and advice on buying a new home.
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Contents<br />
A Note<br />
from the editor<br />
A Culinary puddings Journey through without a<br />
24Christmas sultana Northern in Irel<strong>and</strong> sight<br />
Chef Michael<br />
Caines<br />
IN THIS ISSUE...<br />
04 What’s On<br />
We are in full festive mode with a diary<br />
full of events over Christmas <strong>and</strong> into<br />
the New Year<br />
12 Magical Munich<br />
We explore the best of Munich during<br />
the festive season, including their<br />
world-famous Christmas markets<br />
17 Michael Caines<br />
We catch up with the West Country<br />
chef, on his quest for a second<br />
Michelin star at Lympstone Manor<br />
19 Christmas Crackers<br />
Five pages of beautiful puddings to<br />
help you savour every second of the<br />
festive season<br />
26 Amazing Oman<br />
17<br />
We take in the mountain passes <strong>and</strong><br />
the breathtaking s<strong>and</strong> dunes in this<br />
diverse country<br />
30 Homebuying Guide<br />
If the festive period shines a light on<br />
your desire to move, we have tips on<br />
the process<br />
Beautiful<br />
Oman<br />
26<br />
32<br />
Creating the<br />
perfect guestroom<br />
Editor Katie Thomson<br />
e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk<br />
Key Account Manager Sam S<strong>and</strong>ers<br />
e samuel@minervapublications.co.uk<br />
dd 01225 308112<br />
twitter: @WokingBrackLife<br />
w www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk<br />
Sleigh bells ring, are you listening -<br />
Christmas’s here, your heart quickening?<br />
With gifts still to buy, <strong>and</strong> cards left to write<br />
- holy heck there’s still so much to do!<br />
That’s how the song goes right? Like it<br />
or loathe it, we are well into the festive<br />
preamble (what number tin of Quality Street<br />
are you on? I count three...). It’s time to get<br />
serious about your festive salutations <strong>and</strong><br />
batten down the hatches - the guests will<br />
be here before you can say ‘figgy pudding’!<br />
This issue aims to highlight the best of the<br />
festive season, with a packed events guide<br />
<strong>and</strong> lots of festive fun. I’ve been extra<br />
selfish this issue <strong>and</strong> curated a section<br />
especially for the Christmas pariahs among<br />
us - those that hate festive puddings! Try<br />
as I might, I can’t st<strong>and</strong> Christmas Pudding,<br />
Cake, mince pies - anything with the spiced<br />
fruits combo - I’m out.<br />
I reckon I’m not alone (though perhaps<br />
you’ve not outed yourself yet, just<br />
pretending you’re full up when a bowl is<br />
proffered in your direction), so for my fellow<br />
outcasts, please enjoy a bumper batch<br />
of celebratory puds which are perfect for<br />
the big day, without a sultana in sight.<br />
We also caught up with one of the UK’s<br />
most famous <strong>and</strong> decorated chefs, Michael<br />
Caines on his passions outside of cooking<br />
(he’s one charitable guy!)<br />
That’s all for now - we will see you again in<br />
February, when we will be recovering from<br />
post Christmas food comas <strong>and</strong> thinking<br />
about moving a bit more <strong>and</strong> maybe eating<br />
a little less.<br />
In the meantime, we wish you the happiest,<br />
healthiest New Year. Now, pass the Quality<br />
Street please.<br />
Publisher Sally Thomson<br />
Contributors Rebecca Williams, Kate O’Connell, Lucy Saunders, Angela Cave, Pete<br />
Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Amara.com<br />
MINERVA PUBLICATIONS<br />
County Gate, County Way<br />
Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7FJ<br />
t 01225 308128<br />
w www.minervapublications.co.uk<br />
visit our website www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk<br />
Katie<br />
Katie<br />
Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an<br />
advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions <strong>and</strong><br />
misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the<br />
publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers.<br />
www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 3
EVENTS<br />
GUIDE<br />
Winter is here <strong>and</strong> yes it’s chilly, however there<br />
is plenty going on to keep everyone entertained<br />
throughout the winter months...<br />
Basildon Park<br />
Lower Basildon, Reading RG8 9NR<br />
0118 984 3040<br />
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/basildon-park<br />
Throughout <strong>Dec</strong>ember until Monday 6<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>adence - Christmas at Basildon<br />
Park<br />
Witness Basildon Park dripping in opulent<br />
Christmas decor <strong>and</strong> feel the glow of<br />
thous<strong>and</strong>s of tree lights as they do<br />
Christmas the Victorian way.<br />
Wednesday 1 - Friday 31 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Winter Walks<br />
Walk through the crisp winter woodl<strong>and</strong><br />
followed by a warming cup of hot<br />
chocolate in the tea room.<br />
New Victoria Theatre<br />
The Peacocks Centre, Woking, GU21 1GQ<br />
01483 545900<br />
www.atgtickets.com/venues/new-victoriatheatre/<br />
Friday 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Aladdin<br />
Packed with all of the traditional pantomime<br />
ingredients New Victoria audiences expect,<br />
Aladdin will feature a lamp-load of comedy,<br />
jaw-dropping special effects, sensational<br />
song <strong>and</strong> dance <strong>and</strong> plenty of boos <strong>and</strong><br />
hisses the whole family will enjoy.<br />
Wednesday 8 - Saturday 11 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Shen Yun<br />
Featuring one of the world’s oldest art<br />
forms - classical Chinese dance - along<br />
with patented scenographical effects <strong>and</strong><br />
all-original orchestral works, Shen Yun<br />
opens a portal to a civilisation of enchanting<br />
beauty <strong>and</strong> enlightening wisdom.<br />
Sunday 12 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
You Win Again - Celebrating the<br />
Music of The Bee Gees<br />
The magical music of the Gibbs’ brothers<br />
takes you on a journey like no other, from<br />
‘Idea’ album, right through to ‘Spirits<br />
Having Flown’, with all the incredible hits<br />
they wrote for Celine Dion, Diana Ross <strong>and</strong><br />
Dolly Parton in between to soothe your<br />
taste buds!<br />
Monday 13 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
McCartney - The Songbook<br />
Starring Peter John Jackson (Let It Be,<br />
4 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk<br />
The Sessions At Abbey Road, That’ll Be<br />
The Day), this fantastic production tells the<br />
story of Sir Paul’s career from the early<br />
beginnings with the Fab Four, the Wings<br />
days <strong>and</strong> his prolific solo career with tales<br />
of life on the road <strong>and</strong> flashbacks to life in<br />
Liverpool.<br />
Tuesday 14 - Saturday 18 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Peter Pan Goes Wrong<br />
Following their multi award-winning<br />
success with The Play That Goes Wrong<br />
<strong>and</strong> The Comedy About A Bank Robbery,<br />
Mischief Theatre return with their riotous<br />
spin on a timeless classic, the West End<br />
smash hit Peter Pan Goes Wrong.<br />
Tuesday 28 <strong>Jan</strong>uary - Saturday 1<br />
February<br />
Ghost Stories<br />
There’s something dark lurking in the<br />
theatre. Enter a nightmarish world, full of<br />
thrilling twists <strong>and</strong> turns, where all your<br />
deepest fears <strong>and</strong> disturbing thoughts are<br />
imagined live on stage. A fully sensory <strong>and</strong><br />
electrifying encounter, Ghost Stories is the<br />
ultimate twisted love-letter to horror <strong>and</strong> an<br />
edge-of-your-seat theatrical experience like<br />
no other.<br />
RHS Garden Wisley<br />
Wisley Lane, Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB<br />
01483 224234<br />
www.rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley<br />
Friday 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Enchanted Botanical Christmas in<br />
the Glasshouse<br />
Enter the Glasshouse at RHS Garden<br />
Wisley to view a display of festive<br />
plants <strong>and</strong> magical animals with a hint<br />
of steampunk. Watch the enchanted<br />
poinsettia production line grow these<br />
colourful Christmas presents.<br />
Saturday 7 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary, 4pm -8pm (not 24-26 <strong>Dec</strong>ember)<br />
Glow <strong>2019</strong><br />
Go on a magical adventure with fantastical<br />
flowers to light your way. W<strong>and</strong>er the<br />
enchanting trail to see spectacular light<br />
installations <strong>and</strong> a selection of Wisley’s<br />
iconic trees illuminated. Pre-booking is<br />
essential.<br />
Friday 10 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Winter Walk <strong>and</strong> Talk<br />
Not everything in the garden is sleeping<br />
in winter. Join RHS Garden Wisley’s<br />
enthusiastic Curatorial Team on a walk <strong>and</strong><br />
talk around the garden. Learn about the<br />
plants that put on a show at this time of<br />
year <strong>and</strong> what to look out for in the coming<br />
months.<br />
Saturday 25 <strong>Jan</strong>uary - Sunday 1 March<br />
Giant Houseplant Takeover<br />
Step into a house reclaimed by its plants<br />
long after its human inhabitants have<br />
left. Visitors to RHS Garden Wisley’s<br />
Glasshouse will find a banana plant has<br />
pushed through the roof, carnivorous<br />
plants feasting in the dining room <strong>and</strong> cacti<br />
playing chess. You may also spot a few<br />
plants have grown rather too large <strong>and</strong> now<br />
tower over their relatives.<br />
South Hill Park Arts<br />
Centre<br />
Wilde Theatre, <strong>Bracknell</strong> RG12 7PA<br />
01344 484 123<br />
www.southhillpark.org.uk<br />
Running until Saturday 4 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Aladdin - <strong>2019</strong> Christmas Panto<br />
From the highly acclaimed creative team<br />
who brought you Dick Whittington <strong>and</strong><br />
his Cat comes South Hill Park’s mystical<br />
re-imagining of Aladdin.<br />
Will Aladdin <strong>and</strong> his magical lamp defeat<br />
the forces of evil? Will the princess <strong>and</strong><br />
Aladdin find true love?<br />
An award-worthy pantomime!<br />
Tuesday 3 - Wednesday 4 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Milton Jones -Milton Impossible<br />
One man. One Mission. Is it possible? No,<br />
not really.<br />
Milton reveals the truth about being an<br />
international spy, before being given a<br />
disappointing new identity which forced<br />
him to appear on Mock the Week <strong>and</strong> Live<br />
at the Apollo.<br />
Tuesday 10 - Wednesday 11 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Platinum’s Christmas Show<br />
Platinum provide an incredible tribute to<br />
one of the greatest music acts of all time.<br />
Their breathtaking show has to be seen to<br />
be believed. More than just a tribute, with<br />
stunning musicianship, their meticulously<br />
crafted, electrifying performance this show<br />
will appeal to all ages. This stunning, LIVE<br />
show promises an unforgettable evening of<br />
singing <strong>and</strong> dancing!<br />
continued
Wednesday 11 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 8pm<br />
Apache Kites -<br />
Sixties Christmas Party<br />
This <strong>Bracknell</strong>-based trio of experienced<br />
musicians play rousing covers of 60s<br />
classics. The b<strong>and</strong> includes ex-members<br />
of Sham 69, Moonboot Oz <strong>and</strong> The Magic<br />
Mushroom B<strong>and</strong>, bringing their respective<br />
influences together to form their unique<br />
‘paisley punk’ sound with an engaging<br />
stage presence. A chance to dance the<br />
night away!<br />
Wednesday 18 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.45pm<br />
Blake - Christmas Classics<br />
The BRIT award-winning trio will be<br />
performing timeless Christmas songs<br />
including Have Yourself a Merry Little<br />
Christmas, Let it Snow <strong>and</strong> White<br />
Christmas with the warmth that only<br />
their rich vocal harmonies can deliver. A<br />
spectacular evening is in store with great<br />
music, funny stories <strong>and</strong> a ‘virtual duet’<br />
with Dame Shirley Bassey.<br />
The Anvil<br />
Churchill Way, Basingstoke RG21 7QR<br />
01256 844244<br />
www.anvilarts.org.uk<br />
Thursday 12 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Aladdin<br />
Make Anvil Arts’ spectacular pantomime<br />
one of your three wishes this Christmas.<br />
Jump aboard the magic carpet <strong>and</strong> follow<br />
Aladdin, his hapless brother, <strong>and</strong> of<br />
course his mother Widow Twankey, on a<br />
fearless quest to stop the evil Abanazar<br />
from ruling the world.<br />
The Haymarket<br />
Wote Street, Basingstoke RG21 7NW<br />
01256 844244<br />
www.anvilarts.org.uk<br />
Thursday 5 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
The Chicago Blues Brothers<br />
Celebrate Christmas with this tinsel-tastic<br />
party show, featuring a festive feast of<br />
Christmas music, blues, soul <strong>and</strong> Motown<br />
hits performed in the show-stopping style<br />
that only The Chicago Blues Brothers can<br />
deliver.<br />
Wednesday 18 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
Night Terrors<br />
Spine-tingling tales of the supernatural<br />
from E.F. Benson’s brilliant collection of<br />
ghost stories, Night Terrors. Masterful<br />
storytelling from Gerard Logan, who from<br />
the deceptive comfort of an easy chair will<br />
transport you to a darker, more sinister<br />
world where the unexpected <strong>and</strong> the<br />
unexplainable will intrigue <strong>and</strong> disturb.<br />
Sunday 22 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
The Rat Pack Swinging Christmas<br />
Show<br />
Swing into the Christmas season with<br />
the music of The Rat Pack in this special<br />
Christmas concert.<br />
Including all the great hits such as My<br />
Way, Mr Bojangles, New York New York,<br />
Amore, Fly Me To The Moon <strong>and</strong> seasonal<br />
favourites such as Winter Wonderl<strong>and</strong>, Let<br />
It Snow <strong>and</strong> of course, White Christmas.<br />
The Hexagon Theatre<br />
Queens Walk, Reading RG1 7UA<br />
0118 960 6060<br />
www.readingarts.com/thehexagon<br />
Saturday 7 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Christmas Panto <strong>2019</strong> - Cinderella<br />
Starring Justin Fletcher <strong>and</strong> Paul Morse<br />
Join in for another fabulous family festive<br />
treat!<br />
Will the Wicked Stepsisters succeed in<br />
ruining Cinderella’s dreams of happiness<br />
or will her Fairy Godmother <strong>and</strong> loyal<br />
friend Buttons be able to thwart their<br />
wicked plans? Go <strong>and</strong> join them at the<br />
ball <strong>and</strong> find out!<br />
Sunday 19 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 7.30pm<br />
American Four Tops<br />
Direct from the USA, Soul Satisfaction’s<br />
American Four Tops Motown Show has<br />
been travelling internationally, bringing<br />
all the sweet soul music <strong>and</strong> the Motown<br />
magic to their audiences.<br />
Wednesday 22 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Sleeping Beauty<br />
Every child’s favourite fairy tale, this is<br />
the classic story of love <strong>and</strong> innocence,<br />
mystery <strong>and</strong> magic set to Tchaikovsky’s<br />
sublime score.<br />
Friday 24 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 7.30pm<br />
Lost In Music - One Night at the<br />
Disco<br />
Get ready to recreate the Magical 70’s<br />
<strong>and</strong> be taken on a musical journey straight<br />
to the heart of Disco!<br />
Relive some of the greatest songs of all<br />
time from Artists such as Donna Summer,<br />
Gloria Gaynor, Earth, Wind & Fire, Sister<br />
Sledge <strong>and</strong> Chic.<br />
The Mill Theatre<br />
Sonning Eye, Reading RG4 6TY<br />
0118 969 6039<br />
www.millatsonning.com<br />
1,2 & 8, 9 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
The Rat Pack at Christmas<br />
For an evening of festive classics,<br />
including White Christmas, Jingle Bells,<br />
The Christmas Song <strong>and</strong> Let It Snow,<br />
plus all- time favourites including I’ve Got<br />
You Under My Skin, That’s Amore, Mr<br />
Bojangles <strong>and</strong> New York, New York.<br />
Featuring The Definitive Rat Pack <strong>and</strong><br />
the internationally- renowned Manhattan<br />
Swing Orchestra, this is one Christmas<br />
party not to miss!<br />
Sunday 5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 8.15pm<br />
The Rod Stewart Experience<br />
Garry Pease not only looks like Rod<br />
Stewart he sounds like him too! In an<br />
all action, non-stop tribute show, Garry<br />
performs all of the favourites from<br />
Rod Stewart’s vast portfolio of songs<br />
- everything from the early Faces days<br />
through to the Old American Songbook.<br />
Sunday 12 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 8.15pm<br />
‘Oh Carol’ - A Neil Sedaka Show<br />
Packed full of hits such as Calendar Girl,<br />
Happy Birthday Sweet Sixteen, Breaking<br />
Up is Hard To Do, Amarillo, Stupid, The<br />
Diary, Laughter in the Rain, of course, Oh<br />
Carol.<br />
Sunday 19 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 8.15pm<br />
The Johnny Cash Roadshow<br />
Featuring Clive John as the man in black.<br />
The show features many of the artist’s<br />
classic tracks including The Ring of Fire,<br />
Boy Named Sue, Folsom Prison Blues,<br />
Man in Black, One Piece At a Time <strong>and</strong><br />
many more.<br />
Sunday 26 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 8.15pm<br />
Two of Us - The Lennon &<br />
McCartney Songbook<br />
Many of The Beatles classic songs<br />
were written by John Lennon <strong>and</strong> Paul<br />
McCartney on two acoustic guitars, often<br />
in hotel rooms or on the road when The<br />
Beatles were on tour. The intricate chords,<br />
beautiful melodies <strong>and</strong> close harmonies<br />
were then recorded by the b<strong>and</strong> at Abbey<br />
Road studios. Two Of Us brings you the<br />
very best of The Beatles including some of<br />
the rare gems from their 13 studio albums.<br />
Theatre Royal Windsor<br />
32 Thames Street, Windsor SL4 1PS<br />
01753 853888<br />
www.theatreroyalwindsor.co.uk<br />
Throughout <strong>Dec</strong>ember until Sunday 5<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Aladdin<br />
Make your wishes come true <strong>and</strong> join them<br />
on this magical carpet ride of a show. With<br />
a sprinkle of magic <strong>and</strong> dazzling dancers,<br />
colourful costumes <strong>and</strong> a glittering star<br />
cast. A treasure of a show you won’t want<br />
to miss!<br />
Wednesday 15 - Saturday 25 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
The Cat <strong>and</strong> the Canary<br />
Twenty years after the death of Mr. West,<br />
his descendants gather at a remote<br />
mansion to learn who will inherit his vast<br />
wealth <strong>and</strong> the hidden family jewels. When<br />
the heir is revealed, the heritage hunters<br />
turn to prey <strong>and</strong> a chain of macabre events<br />
is set in motion.<br />
Sunday 19 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Jimmy Carr - Terribly Funny<br />
Jimmy’s br<strong>and</strong> new show contains jokes<br />
about all kinds of terrible things. Terrible<br />
things that might have affected you or<br />
people you know <strong>and</strong> love. But they’re<br />
just jokes they are not the terrible things.<br />
Having political correctness at a comedy<br />
show is like having health <strong>and</strong> safety at a<br />
rodeo.<br />
We take great care in compiling the<br />
listings, however, we recommend that<br />
you contact the venue in advance as<br />
events <strong>and</strong> activities may be subject to<br />
change<br />
6 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
What’s on:<br />
Fairy Tales<br />
from not so far away<br />
More than just books<br />
Meet Little Red Reading Hood <strong>and</strong> her friends<br />
at your local library for a theatre performance by Creative Eye.<br />
Little Red Reading Hood<br />
7th <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, Birch HiII<br />
Snow White<br />
14th <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, Harmans Water<br />
Robin Hood<br />
20th <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, Great Holl<strong>and</strong>s<br />
Alice in Wonderl<strong>and</strong><br />
21st <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, <strong>Bracknell</strong><br />
Cinderella<br />
27th <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, Whitegrove<br />
Gruffalo<br />
28th <strong>Dec</strong>ember <strong>2019</strong>, Crowthorne<br />
Peter Pan<br />
4th <strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2020</strong>, S<strong>and</strong>hurst<br />
Beauty <strong>and</strong> the Beast<br />
11th <strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2020</strong>, Ascot Heath<br />
Sleeping Beauty<br />
18th <strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2020</strong>, Binfield<br />
£3 per person. For further details please visit:<br />
f bracknell.library<br />
l bracknell_lib www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 7
Upwrapping christmas ... the rhs has plenty of ideas<br />
Unwrap Christmas this year in the RHS<br />
Wisley gift shop <strong>and</strong> plant centre. You’ll find<br />
festive foods, treats, gifts <strong>and</strong> decorations in<br />
their shop - everything needed to deck your<br />
halls properly this Christmas. Their plant<br />
centre is home to some fantastic specimans<br />
that include houseplants, flowers <strong>and</strong> trees<br />
to see you through Christmas. Available is<br />
a fabulous range of UK grown Christmas<br />
trees in various sizes.<br />
And throughout the festive season there<br />
are numerous events running in the<br />
shop - from how to decorate your tree<br />
to demonstrations about creating show<br />
stopping seasonal centrepieces. Of course,<br />
the little ones have not been forgotten!<br />
Over two weekends they’ll have the chance<br />
to get a bit messy <strong>and</strong> create beautiful<br />
decorations using foraged finds <strong>and</strong> festive<br />
florals.<br />
Here are a couple of examples of fabulous<br />
gift ideas. The RHS exclusive Beetles range<br />
showcases illustrations of British Beetles,<br />
held at the RHS Lindley Library. The<br />
beautiful prints are translated across high<br />
quality watering cans, secateurs, trowels,<br />
bags, tinned twine, mugs <strong>and</strong> more. Perfect<br />
for Christmas gifting <strong>and</strong> at pocket friendly<br />
prices this is ideal for the gardener in your life.<br />
Keep <strong>2020</strong> in order with an RHS exclusive<br />
diary or calendar. Featuring fabulous<br />
illustrations also inspired by collections from<br />
the Library. The range of <strong>2020</strong> calendars are<br />
perfect for gifting with month-to-view pages<br />
showcasing stunning horticultural images<br />
to inspire throughout the year. Diaries are<br />
available in both large <strong>and</strong> pocket sized<br />
formats <strong>and</strong> are the ideal way to keep not<br />
only your life but also your allotment or<br />
garden on schedule!<br />
If you cannot get to the RHS Garden you<br />
can shop online on www.rhsshop.co.uk<br />
10 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
Magical<br />
Munich<br />
When you need a break <strong>and</strong> time is short - a long weekend away will recharge the batteries.<br />
Here Sally Thomson’s reminisces about her 3 day visit to Munich…<br />
For many Munich means Oktoberfest,<br />
the famous FC Bayern Munich <strong>and</strong> the<br />
Christmas Market, but it has much more to<br />
deliver. We travelled there in early <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
last year for a few days.<br />
Winter in Germany is a very special time<br />
especially with its Christmas markets,<br />
exhilarating winter sports, or visits to<br />
fairytale towns <strong>and</strong> villages. Winter also<br />
means ‘Gemutlichkeit’ - a cosy time spent<br />
with friends <strong>and</strong> family over good food <strong>and</strong><br />
drink – or even wrapped up well, enjoying a<br />
Glühwein outdoors!<br />
From the age of 18 months I had the good<br />
fortune to visit Germany every summer.<br />
We would visit my mother’s family in the<br />
beautiful Harz mountains, which are in<br />
northern Germany. However, last year I<br />
travelled with my husb<strong>and</strong> to Munich for<br />
the first time, where we discovered how<br />
much there was to see <strong>and</strong> do in this<br />
cosmopolitan city. And yes, the Christmas<br />
Market, ‘Weihnachtsmarkt’ was to be the<br />
main event.<br />
Our home for the three nights was The<br />
Charles Hotel, part of the Rocco Forte<br />
group. The hotel is centrally yet quietly<br />
12 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk<br />
located between the Karls Gate <strong>and</strong><br />
Königsplatz. It is one of the finest hotels<br />
we have ever had the pleasure of staying<br />
in. The staff are extremely courteous <strong>and</strong>,<br />
as you would expect in Germany, ultraefficient.<br />
We were fortunate enough to<br />
be upgraded to one of their suites, which<br />
overlooked the Old Botanical Garden. The<br />
room was sumptuous with all mod-cons<br />
<strong>and</strong> had a separate living area, a huge<br />
bathroom <strong>and</strong> as already mentioned a<br />
spectacular view.<br />
After a quick wash up after our flight <strong>and</strong><br />
a cup of coffee in the hotel’s elegant foyer,<br />
that had been beautifully decorated for<br />
Christmas, we decided to adventure out.<br />
Just 300 metres down the road is the main<br />
station with underground connections<br />
throughout the city <strong>and</strong> again is incredibly<br />
well organised, clean <strong>and</strong> on time. Also,<br />
there is the fun of riding on the tram to get<br />
around.<br />
So where do we go first? We decided<br />
to stroll through the many pedestrian<br />
walkways that included walking past<br />
the famous 15th century Frauenkirche<br />
(Cathedral of Our Dear Lady), which also<br />
happens to be the symbol of Munich.<br />
There are many creepy legends about the<br />
devil <strong>and</strong> his footprint which appears at the<br />
entrance of the church - you can find out<br />
more by visiting www.muenchen.de.<br />
In the same vicinity is the Neues Rathhaus<br />
(New City Hall), which is located at<br />
the Marienplatz with its spectacular<br />
ornamented neo-Gothic façade. Here you<br />
can enjoy the sound of the Glockenspiel<br />
twice a day. From the tower of the Alten<br />
Peter (Peterskirche), which is Munich′s<br />
oldest parish church, we had to climb<br />
continued
almost 300 steps to get to the top, but its<br />
worth it for the wonderful view of the city<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Alps. All around the centre are the<br />
most stunning buildings <strong>and</strong> statues, all<br />
breath-takingly beautiful.<br />
Not far away is the Viktualienmarkt (Victuals<br />
Market), which is the oldest market in the<br />
city. Here we found a vast variety of cheese<br />
<strong>and</strong> salivated as we passed the bakeries<br />
with the mouth-watering aromas of bread,<br />
cakes <strong>and</strong> pastries. Further along there<br />
was the heady scent of herbals <strong>and</strong> flowers<br />
being sold in abundance.<br />
Having spent the morning on our feet we<br />
decided that we needed to take a break<br />
<strong>and</strong> have some lunch. There are many<br />
restaurants to choose from, however we<br />
discovered Zum Dürnbräu, which happens<br />
to be one of Munich’s oldest restaurants.<br />
It has been serving traditional Bavarian<br />
food since 1487. My husb<strong>and</strong> drooled on<br />
Wiener schnitzel, <strong>and</strong> me, being a lover of<br />
red cabbage, had the dish served with duck<br />
<strong>and</strong> it was mouth-watering.<br />
After lunch we continued to browse<br />
through the market <strong>and</strong> partook of a jug of<br />
Glühwein. Well, we had to didn’t we? You<br />
cannot visit a Christmas market without<br />
drinking something to warm you up.<br />
As the weather was pretty chilly - 3º we<br />
decided to return to the hotel for a night<br />
cap. We found a cosy corner in Sophia’s<br />
Bar where we were tempted by the menu,<br />
so we booked in for the following evening<br />
where I enjoyed the Bouillabaisse, roasted<br />
baguette & sauce Rouille <strong>and</strong> my husb<strong>and</strong><br />
tucked into Beef tenderloin, beans, onion<br />
mayonnaise & potato crisps. Both dishes<br />
were extremely tasty.<br />
The next day we set out to revisit the<br />
Christmas market where we discovered<br />
the ice rink. Not for us with our lack of coordination,<br />
but it was evident that fun was<br />
being had by all.<br />
Feeling rather chilly we w<strong>and</strong>ered around<br />
Marienplatz in search of somewhere to<br />
warm up <strong>and</strong> found the most wonderful<br />
inn just around the corner - the Augstiner<br />
Klosterwirt. Here we sampled their beer.<br />
The beer is actually brewed on the<br />
premises, a 670-year-old brewery which<br />
was founded on the site of a monastery.<br />
Through a solid glass floor you can watch<br />
through the kegs of beer being wafted<br />
gently upwards towards the bar. It is<br />
actually quite a theatrical sight to see this<br />
process. Its arrival is announced by the<br />
ringing of a bell.<br />
Sadly, our 3 days had come to an end but<br />
we thoroughly enjoyed the wonders of this<br />
exceptional city <strong>and</strong> our taste buds were<br />
certainly whetted. We decided that you<br />
cannot say you’ve been to Munich without<br />
having attended the Oktoberfest - we’ll<br />
have to book our tickets for next year.<br />
PS Whoever said you could do it in 3 days?<br />
Pictured clockwise, a Glühwein stall, the<br />
cosy Sophie’s Bar, one of the stunning<br />
suites in The Charles Hotel, two litres<br />
of Augustiner beer, a stall offering the<br />
most delicious süßigkeiten (German for<br />
sweets).<br />
More on Munich<br />
If you are tempted to visit this fantastic<br />
Christmas market you still have time. The<br />
market closes on 24 <strong>Dec</strong>ember. You will<br />
be happy that you did.<br />
Some of the travel websites have some<br />
fantastic offers.<br />
One recommendation, if you do fly into<br />
Munich, do not take a cab to get into<br />
the city, use the train. It will take just 40<br />
minutes. With the cab it took over <strong>and</strong><br />
hour <strong>and</strong> a bill of over 100 Euros!<br />
Places we missed but will definitely visit<br />
next time.<br />
The Pinakotheken - It is one of the<br />
oldest galleries in the world <strong>and</strong> houses<br />
a significant collection of Old Master<br />
paintings.<br />
The Deutsches Museum - the largest<br />
scientific <strong>and</strong> technical museum in<br />
Europe.<br />
Nymphenburg Castle - the Royal<br />
Residence, which is located in the heart<br />
of the old town of Munich, had been<br />
the residence <strong>and</strong> the centre of power<br />
of Bavarian dukes, prince’s elector <strong>and</strong><br />
kings for half a millennium.<br />
Bayerische Staatsoper <strong>and</strong><br />
Prinzregententheater - where ballet<br />
<strong>and</strong> opera are presented by famous<br />
performers from all over the world.<br />
Staying There:<br />
Rocco Forte The Charles Hotel is a<br />
wonderful base from which to explore<br />
the city. Its relaxed feeling <strong>and</strong> great food<br />
make it the perfect place to unwind after<br />
a day of exploring. It has a lovely piano<br />
bar <strong>and</strong> a fantastic restaurant; you might<br />
have to tear yourself away to explore the<br />
rest of the city. And if you have time, do<br />
try the spa which is superb.<br />
Please visit the website for room <strong>and</strong><br />
dining details www.roccofortehotels.com<br />
www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 13
THE HAIRY BIKERS<br />
Easy Eats<br />
The following recipes have been taken from Si <strong>and</strong> Dave’s<br />
new cookbook based around one-pot recipes. The hearty<br />
meals featured in their book are delicious <strong>and</strong> nutritious <strong>and</strong><br />
hopefully there will be no fighting about who will be doing the<br />
washing up. Just right for Christmas...<br />
Turkey <strong>and</strong><br />
ham<br />
C hristmas Casserole<br />
This is a great way to use up any leftover<br />
turkey <strong>and</strong> ham at Christmas, or you can<br />
substitute chicken at any other time of<br />
year. The topping is made from stuffing<br />
ingredients <strong>and</strong> turns out beautifully crunchy<br />
<strong>and</strong> tasty - of course, many of us think the<br />
stuffing is the best part of Christmas dinner.<br />
A fab festive feast. Serves 4<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
50g butter<br />
3 leeks, cut into rounds<br />
30g plain flour<br />
100ml white wine<br />
500ml chicken stock<br />
100ml double cream<br />
400g cooked turkey (or chicken), diced<br />
150g ham, diced<br />
2 tarragon sprigs, leaves finely chopped<br />
100g peas, defrosted<br />
6 cubes of frozen spinach, defrosted<br />
salt <strong>and</strong> black pepper<br />
Stuffing crust<br />
100g breadcrumbs<br />
1 small onion, grated<br />
100g chestnuts, grated<br />
50g dried cranberries, soaked in warm<br />
water (optional)<br />
2 tsp dried sage<br />
small bunch of parsley, finely chopped<br />
large knob of butter<br />
METHOD<br />
First make the filling. Heat the butter in a<br />
large flameproof casserole dish. When it<br />
has melted, add the leeks with plenty of<br />
seasoning <strong>and</strong> turn down the heat.<br />
Cover the dish with a lid <strong>and</strong> leave the leeks<br />
to cook gently until tender. Stir regularly<br />
<strong>and</strong> try not to let them take on any colour.<br />
Stir the flour into the dish to form a roux<br />
around the leeks. Add the wine <strong>and</strong> stir<br />
vigorously - it will thicken considerably.<br />
Gradually add the stock, stirring constantly,<br />
until you have incorporated it all, then add<br />
the cream. Fold in the turkey or chicken,<br />
ham, tarragon <strong>and</strong> peas. Squeeze any<br />
excess water from the spinach, then stir the<br />
spinach into the dish. Taste for seasoning<br />
<strong>and</strong> add salt <strong>and</strong> pepper as needed.<br />
To make the topping, mix the breadcrumbs,<br />
onion, chestnuts, drained cranberries <strong>and</strong><br />
the herbs, then season with plenty of salt<br />
<strong>and</strong> pepper. Sprinkle this mixture over the<br />
top of the filling, then dot with butter. Bake<br />
in the oven for 25-30 minutes until the filling<br />
is bubbling <strong>and</strong> breaking through the crisp,<br />
golden-brown topping.<br />
Veggie chilli<br />
with cornmeal<br />
dumplings<br />
We do like a dumpling <strong>and</strong> these sweetcorn<br />
ones are just right with our veggie chilli.<br />
There are lots of great flavours here <strong>and</strong><br />
this is a good filling feast for hungry hordes.<br />
Serves 4<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
2 tbsp olive oil<br />
1 large onion, diced<br />
1 green pepper, diced<br />
1 red pepper, diced<br />
2 celery sticks, diced<br />
2 jalepeño chillies, finely diced<br />
4 garlic cloves, crushed<br />
2 bay leaves<br />
1 tbsp ground cumin<br />
25g red lentils, well rinsed<br />
750ml vegetable stock<br />
400ml coconut milk<br />
1 head of baby spring greens, shredded<br />
2 x 400g cans of black or pinto beans,<br />
drained <strong>and</strong> rinsed<br />
juice of 1 lime<br />
salt <strong>and</strong> black pepper<br />
Cornmeal dumplings<br />
150g self-raising flour<br />
75g chilled butter, diced<br />
125g fine cornmeal<br />
125g sweetcorn, defrosted if frozen<br />
50ml buttermilk<br />
1 egg<br />
100g vegetarian Cheddar cheese, grated<br />
chopped fresh cori<strong>and</strong>er<br />
METHOD<br />
Heat the oil in a large flameproof casserole<br />
dish with a lid <strong>and</strong> add the onion, peppers,<br />
celery <strong>and</strong> chillies. Cook over a medium<br />
heat until the vegetables have started to<br />
soften, then stir in the garlic, bay leaves,<br />
cumin <strong>and</strong> red lentils. Season generously<br />
with salt <strong>and</strong> pepper, then pour in the<br />
vegetable stock.<br />
Bring to the boil <strong>and</strong> leave for 5 minutes,<br />
then turn down the heat <strong>and</strong> continue to<br />
simmer until the red lentils have softened.<br />
Add the coconut milk, spring greens <strong>and</strong><br />
beans <strong>and</strong> cook until the spring greens are<br />
tender <strong>and</strong> the lentils have collapsed <strong>and</strong><br />
thickened the sauce. Taste for seasoning<br />
<strong>and</strong> add the lime juice.<br />
To make the dumplings, put the flour into<br />
a bowl with a pinch of salt. Rub in the<br />
butter until the mixture resembles fine<br />
breadcrumbs, then mix in the cornmeal,<br />
sweetcorn, buttermilk <strong>and</strong> egg. Bring<br />
everything together into a firm dough, then<br />
divide into 12 pieces. Roll them into balls.<br />
Arrange the dumplings over the chilli <strong>and</strong><br />
cover. Cook over a medium heat for about<br />
25 minutes until the dumplings are well<br />
risen <strong>and</strong> glossy. Serve the chilli with grated<br />
cheese <strong>and</strong> plenty of chopped cori<strong>and</strong>er.<br />
14 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
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Our wood fired, Stone Baked Mobile Pizza Oven.<br />
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We bring delicious, authentic <strong>and</strong> healthy pizzas to<br />
you, once you have eaten a Graham’s Hog Roast<br />
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www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 15
MIRACLE SELF-SAUCING<br />
Black Forest Gateau<br />
Self-saucing puddings like this are little<br />
miracles. You bung everything in the baking<br />
dish <strong>and</strong> it magically separates into moist<br />
sponge <strong>and</strong> gooey sauce. We like to add a<br />
drop of the hard stuff, but if you don’t fancy<br />
it, leave it out <strong>and</strong> the pud is still fab. The<br />
simplest Black Forest gateau you’ve ever<br />
seen. Serves 4–6<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
butter, for greasing<br />
400g frozen black cherries, defrosted<br />
Sponge<br />
125g self-raising flour<br />
200g light soft brown sugar<br />
50g cocoa powder<br />
pinch of salt<br />
125ml milk<br />
60ml vegetable oil<br />
Sauce<br />
50g cocoa powder<br />
100g muscovado sugar<br />
150ml just-boiled water<br />
25ml Kirsch or rum (optional)<br />
To serve<br />
double cream<br />
METHOD<br />
Preheat the oven to 180°C/Fan 160°C/<br />
Gas 4. Butter a 2-litre pudding dish, then<br />
tip in the cherries – no need to strain them.<br />
Give the dish a shake so they are evenly<br />
distributed.<br />
For the sponge, mix the<br />
self-raising flour with the<br />
light soft brown sugar, cocoa<br />
powder <strong>and</strong> a generous<br />
pinch of salt. Whisk the milk<br />
<strong>and</strong> vegetable oil together<br />
<strong>and</strong> then pour them over the<br />
dry ingredients. Mix until you<br />
have a smooth batter, then<br />
spoon this over the cherries.<br />
For the sauce, mix the cocoa<br />
with the muscovado sugar<br />
<strong>and</strong> sprinkle this evenly over<br />
the batter. Pour over the<br />
water <strong>and</strong> Kirsch, if using.<br />
Bake the pudding in the oven for 30–35<br />
minutes. The top will turn into a cracked<br />
chocolate sponge <strong>and</strong> the bottom will<br />
have a rich, chocolatey sauce around the<br />
cherries. If the sponge is still wet in the<br />
middle, continue to cook for a few more<br />
minutes. If it looks black around the edges,<br />
don’t worry, it won’t be burnt.<br />
Serve hot or at room temperature (the<br />
sauce will thicken as it cools) with cream.<br />
The Hairy Bikers’ One Pot Wonders by Si<br />
King <strong>and</strong> Dave Myers is published by Seven<br />
Dials in hardback at £22, photography by<br />
Andrew Hayes-Watkins<br />
16 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
NOTES<br />
from the pass<br />
Michael Caines MBE, chef/patron of Lympstone<br />
Manor, is one of Britain’s most decorated <strong>and</strong><br />
well-known chefs. Sally Thomson caught up with<br />
him to discuss his ventures in wine, his passion<br />
for teaching <strong>and</strong> his need for speed...<br />
When we last met you were at<br />
Kentisbury Grange, <strong>and</strong> I note that you<br />
received some awards for that?<br />
Yes, the Small Hotel of the Year <strong>and</strong><br />
Restaurant of the Year. It’s great!<br />
Kentisbury Grange is owned by my old<br />
school friend Mark Cushway. Mark asked<br />
me to get involved <strong>and</strong> help him with<br />
his project, which I did, <strong>and</strong> it’s great to<br />
see that over the years we’ve managed<br />
to acquire many awards which is a<br />
tribute to the team. The chef there at the<br />
moment is James Checkley <strong>and</strong> he is<br />
doing a great job, <strong>and</strong> we just continue<br />
to advance <strong>and</strong> improve. There are<br />
challenges being in North Devon that are<br />
different to being located in South Devon,<br />
unfortunately places in North Devon can<br />
get overlooked on the culinary map, so<br />
it’s nice to be able to contribute to the<br />
North Devon economy by creating a<br />
lovely venue, <strong>and</strong> to see it do well.<br />
When we last spoke you mentioned that<br />
your pride <strong>and</strong> joy was Lympstone Manor.<br />
You are now nearly into its third year…<br />
It’s incredible to think that when we last<br />
met, it was just in its infancy. We won a<br />
Michelin Star within six months, <strong>and</strong> we<br />
are very pleased to announce that we<br />
have been given five rosettes this year,<br />
so it is great progress <strong>and</strong> we just look to<br />
the Michelin gods that we might advance<br />
to two! But the main thing is that since<br />
we spoke we planted a vineyard <strong>and</strong> the<br />
whole property has settled <strong>and</strong> matured.<br />
It really is the best of me <strong>and</strong> everything<br />
that I have achieved in my career<br />
combined into this wonderful place.<br />
Do you draw back the curtains <strong>and</strong> pinch<br />
yourself to remember that it’s yours?<br />
Every day! When I walk into that<br />
"Lympstone Manor<br />
really is the best of<br />
me, <strong>and</strong> everything<br />
that I have achieved in<br />
my career combined<br />
into this wonderful<br />
place."<br />
property <strong>and</strong> I look<br />
at that view…I do pinch myself! But<br />
I also recognise that it has been a<br />
huge amount of hard work <strong>and</strong> it still<br />
continues to take a lot of commitment.<br />
So about your vineyard! The harvest<br />
in 2018 was good wasn’t it?<br />
The harvest in the UK in 2018 was<br />
brilliant, it was the best harvests in the<br />
history of English wine making, it’s been<br />
incredible. We planted our vineyard in<br />
2018, <strong>and</strong> in its second year it will<br />
produce grapes that we can harvest<br />
(next year), those grapes will then be<br />
vinified <strong>and</strong> we will be releasing our first<br />
wine in 2024. So it takes three years for<br />
the vineyard to establish. We are now in<br />
our second year. We planted, in eleven<br />
acres, 17,500 vines, of which 50%<br />
are Pinot Noir, 20% Meunier <strong>and</strong> 30%<br />
are Chardonnay. They are the classic<br />
champagne varietals, so we are looking<br />
forward to producing some wonderful<br />
English sparkling wine. Hopefully they will<br />
have their own story to tell, alongside the<br />
story of Lympstone Manor.<br />
I’ve been watching Jason Atherton<br />
in The Chef’s Brigade, <strong>and</strong> what I<br />
hadn’t really realised is the interaction<br />
between each person in the kitchen<br />
<strong>and</strong> how it can affect the cuisine. I<br />
work in an office, <strong>and</strong> each person<br />
does their own thing, whereas in a<br />
kitchen, the relationship between each<br />
person is quite a complex one!<br />
In all honesty it’s not that different! Similar<br />
to what you described with your office,<br />
everyone has different disciplines. The<br />
editor brings into the magazine all those<br />
different skills that contribute into a great<br />
publication. In a kitchen it is similar, it’s<br />
like an orchestra, <strong>and</strong> we conduct that<br />
orchestra, but we edit it <strong>and</strong> so we are<br />
the curators but it requires an individual<br />
team working alongside each other <strong>and</strong><br />
communicating. Our deadlines however<br />
are very immediate! It requires massive<br />
amounts of effort <strong>and</strong> discipline, <strong>and</strong><br />
that discipline is not self-indulgent,<br />
it’s selfless, as it is a requirement. It is<br />
a very tough environment. We are all<br />
interconnected <strong>and</strong> intertwined, but it’s<br />
also like the analogy of a swan, where on<br />
the surface to the customer we appear<br />
very calm, but underneath there’s two<br />
legs paddling! But we’ve got more than<br />
two legs on the team, <strong>and</strong> those legs are<br />
components, all working together. It’s<br />
fascinating <strong>and</strong> it’s a good insight into<br />
what goes on behind the scenes.<br />
17
On a completely different note, did<br />
you go to Silverstone this year? If so,<br />
how many Gr<strong>and</strong> Prix’s did you get to<br />
attend?<br />
I did go this year, it was great! I’ve seen<br />
four this year, sometimes it’s five. But I<br />
did three Europeans <strong>and</strong> one fly-away,<br />
<strong>and</strong> so we send a chef out to all the<br />
Europeans to support ROKiT Williams<br />
Racing, <strong>and</strong> I go to Monaco, British,<br />
Monza <strong>and</strong> America. Sometimes I do Abu<br />
Dhabi <strong>and</strong> I might try <strong>and</strong> do Singapore<br />
next year. I do as many or as few as I<br />
want, but no less than three.<br />
What’s your favourite?<br />
Monaco is amazing but the racing is<br />
dull. Monza is the fastest track. Italy, I<br />
love Italy. But I love Silverstone for pure<br />
racing, it’s a great track. It’s a fascinating<br />
sport, <strong>and</strong> I think as much as we criticise<br />
it, one minute you can have a dull race<br />
<strong>and</strong> the next minute you can have the<br />
most exciting race.<br />
I know you are very involved with<br />
charities, <strong>and</strong> you have the Michael<br />
Caines Academy at Exeter College?<br />
It’s probably more of an educational<br />
programme at Exeter College where we<br />
take sixteen students through two years<br />
of training <strong>and</strong> they then graduate as<br />
a Michael Caines Academy student. In<br />
that time they have a slightly shortened<br />
curriculum where they spend six weeks<br />
in work experience <strong>and</strong> they have do<br />
one ‘experience day’ a week, which are<br />
cooking demonstrations, visits to the<br />
industry etc. After these two years when<br />
they graduate they are very sought after,<br />
because of the experience they have<br />
gained. So the academy is very important<br />
<strong>and</strong> it’s doing a great job supplying the<br />
industry with some much needed talent.<br />
They are all like-minded <strong>and</strong> are fabulous<br />
kids, <strong>and</strong> now in its eighth year we’ve had<br />
sixty cohorts going through, <strong>and</strong> we will<br />
continue to develop. We might increase<br />
the cohort, <strong>and</strong> we might exp<strong>and</strong> the<br />
academy within other colleges. But in<br />
terms of the charity work I do, I work with<br />
seven different charities. I’m patron of<br />
Families for Children which is an adoption<br />
charity, I’m the president of the wonderful<br />
charity Farms for City Children, I’m on the<br />
board for the Exeter Chiefs Foundation,<br />
which is the charity for the Exeter Rugby<br />
team which do a fantastic job. I’m also<br />
an ambassador <strong>and</strong> advisor to the board<br />
of the Calvert Trust, <strong>and</strong> I also work<br />
alongside Damon Hill’s Charity who<br />
support people with Down’s Syndrome.<br />
So it’s lots of different charities! But it<br />
increases public awareness, <strong>and</strong> I’m<br />
particularly proud to have been made<br />
a deputy lieutenant to the lieutenant of<br />
Devon, because through this position<br />
I am able to work on improving the<br />
network of charities in Devon, <strong>and</strong> get<br />
them working together.<br />
In terms of the success of the Exeter<br />
Chiefs, <strong>and</strong> the work that they do – we<br />
support seventeen charities every<br />
year, but alongside that we donate<br />
undesignated funds to a huge amount of<br />
different charities. What we are seeing<br />
is a way in which we can help charities<br />
with capital projects, <strong>and</strong> last year we<br />
got together with the Property Ball.<br />
They raised £55,000 last year towards<br />
charities, <strong>and</strong> we chose to match fund<br />
"If you are a public<br />
figure...then I<br />
think you have a<br />
duty of care to do<br />
something <strong>and</strong><br />
put back in the<br />
community"<br />
that, <strong>and</strong> so between the two charities<br />
we raised £110,000 to refit Devon<br />
Hospice in Exeter, which was a wellworthy<br />
cause <strong>and</strong> an incredible thing<br />
to do. But it’s things like that, that are<br />
about the community, that inspire you<br />
to get involved. If you are a public figure<br />
or you are someone who is perceived<br />
to be a celebrity or you are successful<br />
then I think you have a duty of care<br />
to do something <strong>and</strong> put back in the<br />
community. Not everybody does it but I<br />
think it is important.<br />
You can find out more about Michael<br />
Caines at michaelcaines.com<br />
<strong>and</strong> Lympstone Manor at<br />
lympstonemanor.co.uk<br />
18
C hristmas<br />
MINI CHOCOLATE &<br />
RASPBERRY TARTS<br />
So, you're not a fan of mince meat <strong>and</strong><br />
dried fruit? Christmas is a challenging<br />
time then. Just as well to have<br />
these delicious Christmas pudding<br />
alternatives for the big day. Recipes<br />
from egg experts Clarence Court<br />
Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 30 mins to 1 hour<br />
Serves 6<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
For the pastry:<br />
150g (5oz) plain flour<br />
4 level tbsp icing sugar<br />
Pinch of salt<br />
100g (3½ oz) unsalted butter<br />
1 Burford Brown egg yolk<br />
For the filling:<br />
4 tbsp raspberry conserve<br />
284ml carton whipping cream<br />
2 tbsp liquid glucose<br />
200g bar dark chocolate<br />
50g (1¾ oz) unsalted butter<br />
Few drops of vanilla extract<br />
Fresh raspberries <strong>and</strong> chocolate curls or<br />
fans, to serve<br />
Icing sugar, to dust<br />
METHOD<br />
Pre heat the oven to 180°C (350°F, gas mark 4).<br />
Pour flour, icing sugar <strong>and</strong> salt into a bowl <strong>and</strong> stir.<br />
Cut the butter into smaller pieces before adding it to<br />
the flour <strong>and</strong> rubbing together.<br />
Add the Burford Brown egg yolk <strong>and</strong> bind together<br />
(if required, add 1-2tbsp of water to get the desired<br />
consistency). Wrap the pastry in cling film <strong>and</strong> leave<br />
to chill it for around 15 mins.<br />
Roll the pastry <strong>and</strong> use it to line the tins. Prick<br />
the bottom of the pastry <strong>and</strong> line with backing<br />
parchment <strong>and</strong> baking beans before putting it in the<br />
oven to bake for 12-15 minutes.<br />
Remove the baking parchment <strong>and</strong> baking beans<br />
then return to the oven to bake for a further 3-5<br />
minutes or until the pastry is cooked through.<br />
Take out of the oven <strong>and</strong> leave to cool. Remove the<br />
pastry from the tin <strong>and</strong> cover the bases with jam.<br />
For the chocolate filling, carefully bring cream to the<br />
boil <strong>and</strong> remove from the heat. Stir in liquid glucose<br />
<strong>and</strong> pour over the chocolate, stirring until it's<br />
melted. Add butter <strong>and</strong> vanilla extract <strong>and</strong> stir until<br />
melted. Pour the chocolate into the cases. Chill until<br />
filling has set. <strong>Dec</strong>orate with raspberries to finish.<br />
THESE HEAVENLY CHOCOLATE<br />
TARTS ARE NOT ONLY A<br />
MOUTHFUL OF CHOCOLATE<br />
RASPBERRY HEAVEN, BUT THEY<br />
ARE ALSO SO EASY TO MAKE.<br />
19
WINTER FRUIT<br />
& NUT PAVLOVA<br />
Prep: 30 mins | Cook: 1 hour 20 mins<br />
Serves: 6-8<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
6 large Clarence Court Burford Brown egg<br />
whites (keep the yolks in the fridge for<br />
another day or make eggnog)<br />
300g caster sugar<br />
Pinch sea salt<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
2 tablespoon icing sugar<br />
50g pecans<br />
300ml double cream<br />
1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste<br />
4 figs<br />
200g mixed berries (red currants,<br />
raspberries)<br />
1 clementine or tangerine, peeled into<br />
segments<br />
4 tablespoons sweetened chestnut puree<br />
Ground cinnamon<br />
METHOD<br />
Pre-heat the oven to 120°C. Line a baking<br />
sheet with greaseproof paper <strong>and</strong> draw a<br />
30cm circle on it as a template.<br />
IT’S A GOOD IDEA TO MAKE<br />
ONE ONCE YOU'RE NEARLY<br />
DONE WITH THE OVEN AFTER<br />
A DAY OF BAKING AND<br />
ROASTING. ONCE COOKED,<br />
TURN OFF THE OVEN AND<br />
ALLOW THE MERINGUE TO<br />
COOL IN THERE UNTIL THE<br />
NEXT DAY.<br />
Place the egg whites in a large, spotlessly<br />
clean mixing bowl <strong>and</strong> whisk with a h<strong>and</strong> held<br />
or freest<strong>and</strong>ing electric mixer until stiff peaks<br />
have formed. Add the caster sugar a spoonful<br />
at a time, whisking the whole time then add<br />
the sea salt <strong>and</strong> vanilla extract. Continue<br />
to whisk for around 8 minutes or until all<br />
the sugar has dissolved <strong>and</strong> the mixture is<br />
smooth. To test this take a pinch of mixture<br />
between your finger <strong>and</strong> thumb <strong>and</strong> rub<br />
together. If it’s a little gritty, continue mixing.<br />
Spoon the mixture on to the lined baking<br />
sheet using the back of the spoon to create<br />
peaks. Place the pavlova in the oven for<br />
around 1 hour <strong>and</strong> 20 minutes or until set<br />
<strong>and</strong> crisp. Once baked switch off the oven<br />
<strong>and</strong> allow the oven to cool down completely.<br />
Once cooled you can keep the pavlova in<br />
an air tight box for around 3 days in a cool<br />
dark place.<br />
About 30 minutes before you’re ready to<br />
serve remove the pavlova from the oven <strong>and</strong><br />
pre-heat to 200°C. Line a small roasting tin<br />
or baking sheet with grease proof paper.<br />
Rinse the pecans under cold water in a sieve<br />
<strong>and</strong> tip into a roasting tin whilst wet, sprinkle<br />
over 1 tablespoon icing sugar, toss together<br />
<strong>and</strong> bake in the oven for around 15 minutes<br />
until toasted <strong>and</strong> crunchy.<br />
Meanwhile pour the cream into a large mixing<br />
bowl with the remaining 1 tablespoons icing<br />
sugar <strong>and</strong> vanilla bean paste. Whisk to soft<br />
peaks <strong>and</strong> place to one side.<br />
Wash fruits, quarter the figs. Place the<br />
pavlova on a serving plate or board <strong>and</strong><br />
spoon over the cream, spoon the chestnut<br />
puree on top <strong>and</strong> arrange over the fruit.<br />
Scatter over the caramelised pecans <strong>and</strong><br />
dust over a little ground cinnamon.<br />
20
FLOURLESS<br />
CHOCOLATE<br />
CAKE<br />
Prep: 30 minutes<br />
Cook: 1 hour | Serves: 8-10<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
6 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs,<br />
separated<br />
200g unsalted butter<br />
200g dark chocolate<br />
Finely grated zest of one orange (cut the<br />
orange itself into thin slices for serving<br />
with the cake)<br />
1 tablespoon cold espresso<br />
250g caster sugar<br />
70g cocoa powder<br />
Créme frâiche (or salted caramel sauce)<br />
for serving<br />
Pecan nuts (optional)<br />
METHOD<br />
Preheat the oven to 160°C/gas mark 3.<br />
Grease a 23cm springform cake tin, <strong>and</strong><br />
line with baking parchment.<br />
Place a heatproof bowl over a saucepan<br />
of simmering water. Add the butter,<br />
chocolate <strong>and</strong> orange zest to the bowl,<br />
<strong>and</strong>, stirring occasionally, allow to melt<br />
until smooth. Stir in the espresso. Take<br />
the bowl off the heat <strong>and</strong> place to one<br />
side to cool a little.<br />
In a mixing bowl, whisk the sugar <strong>and</strong> egg<br />
yolks until they’re pale <strong>and</strong> fluffy. Sift in<br />
the cocoa powder <strong>and</strong> fold through, then<br />
sprinkle in a pinch of salt. In a separate<br />
mixing bowl, whip the egg whites into soft<br />
peaks using an electric h<strong>and</strong> whisk. Stir<br />
the melted chocolate mixture into the egg<br />
yolk mixture, then gently fold through the<br />
egg whites until just combined.<br />
Carefully pour the cake mix into the lined<br />
cake tin <strong>and</strong> place in the oven for around<br />
one hour. Test the dense cake after an<br />
hour by inserting a skewer into the centre:<br />
if it comes out nearly clean, it’s ready.<br />
Remove the cake from the oven <strong>and</strong> allow<br />
it to cool on a rack before removing it<br />
from the tin.<br />
Serve with the blood orange slices <strong>and</strong><br />
créme frâiche, <strong>and</strong>/or the salted caramel<br />
sauce, with a h<strong>and</strong>ful of pecans (optional).<br />
FUDGY, MOUSSEY AND RICH.<br />
WHAT’S NOT TO LOVE? A<br />
PERFECT CAKE TO SERVE AS A<br />
GLUTEN-FREE TREAT, THAT’S<br />
SO DELICIOUS EVERYONE WILL<br />
WANT SOME. EGGS ARE THE<br />
KEY TO THIS CAKE, GIVING IT<br />
BODY AND RISE.<br />
21
PEAR &<br />
BLACKBERRY<br />
FRANGIPANE<br />
TART<br />
Prep: 1 hour | Cook: 1 hour<br />
Serves: 8<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
Plain flour<br />
1 500g pack shortcrust pastry<br />
160g unsalted butter, softened<br />
160g caster sugar<br />
2 Clarence Court Burford Brown<br />
eggs<br />
160g ground almonds<br />
2 tablespoons plain flour<br />
1 teaspoon almond extract<br />
50g blackberry jam<br />
100g blackberries<br />
3 pears<br />
Icing sugar<br />
METHOD<br />
Roll the pastry to 3mm thick on<br />
a lightly floured work surface.<br />
Carefully line a 22cm, round, fluted<br />
tart tin allowing for a little overhang.<br />
Prick the base all over <strong>and</strong> place the<br />
lined tin in the freezer for 1 hour.<br />
Meanwhile place the butter, sugar,<br />
egg, almonds <strong>and</strong> extract in a large<br />
mixing bowl. Whisk together until<br />
smooth <strong>and</strong> place to one side. Peel<br />
one of the pears, core <strong>and</strong> chop<br />
then place to one side.<br />
Pre-heat the oven to 180c/350f/<br />
gas mark 4. Fill the chilled case with<br />
baking beans <strong>and</strong> blind bake for 15<br />
minutes. Remove the baking beans<br />
<strong>and</strong> return the case to the oven <strong>and</strong><br />
bake for a further 5 minutes or until<br />
golden.<br />
Once baked, remove the tart case<br />
from the oven <strong>and</strong> spoon the jam<br />
into the bottom of the case. Scatter<br />
over the chopped pear. Fold half of<br />
the berries into the frangipane <strong>and</strong><br />
spoon over the jam <strong>and</strong> chopped<br />
pear. Smooth over with a spatula.<br />
Halve, core <strong>and</strong> slice the remaining<br />
2 pears. Arrange the slices over the<br />
frangipane <strong>and</strong> dot the remaining<br />
blackberries around. Place the tart<br />
on an oven tray <strong>and</strong> bake for 30<br />
minutes or until just risen <strong>and</strong> set.<br />
Allow to cool for a few minutes<br />
before removing from the tin <strong>and</strong><br />
allow to cool on a wire rack. Serve<br />
warm with creme fraiche <strong>and</strong><br />
berries or allow to cool completely.<br />
Dust with icing sugar <strong>and</strong> serve.<br />
QUICK HOMEMADE<br />
FRANGIPANE IS THE PERFECT<br />
CARRIER FOR ALL TYPES<br />
OF FRUIT. CRANBERRIES<br />
AND CITRUS FRUITS ARE<br />
ALSO GREAT CHOICES FOR<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
22
EGGCELLENT EGGNOG<br />
Prep: 10 mins (plus chilling) | Cook: 10 mins<br />
Serves 6<br />
INGREDIENTS<br />
565ml (1 pint) milk<br />
200ml double cream<br />
1 vanilla pod, halved, seeds scraped out (or 1 tablespoon<br />
vanilla bean paste)<br />
Half a whole nutmeg, grated (plus a little extra for serving)<br />
2 sticks cinnamon<br />
2 whole cloves<br />
4 Burford brown eggs separated<br />
100g golden caster sugar<br />
130ml Cockspur fine rum<br />
3 tablespoons demerara sugar<br />
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon<br />
METHOD<br />
Pour the milk <strong>and</strong> cream in to a saucepan. Add the spices<br />
(including the empty vanilla pod) <strong>and</strong> place on a medium<br />
heat. Bring to a simmer (but not boiling) <strong>and</strong> allow to cool for<br />
5 minutes to allow the flavours to infuse.<br />
Meanwhile place the egg yolks <strong>and</strong> sugar in a large mixing<br />
bowl. Whisk well until light <strong>and</strong> thickened. Strain the warm milk<br />
into a jug through a sieve. Pour the spiced milk into the bowl of<br />
egg yolks in a steady stream whisking well. Stir in the rum.<br />
You can either place the mixture in a cooled sterilised bottle<br />
with a tight fitting lid <strong>and</strong> allow the flavours to develop in the<br />
fridge. If you decide to do this you can freeze the egg whites<br />
in a s<strong>and</strong>wich bag until you’re ready to use. Then defrost<br />
them in the fridge before whisking.<br />
If you would like to serve straight away. Place the egg whites<br />
in a large mixing bowl <strong>and</strong> whisk the whites to soft peaks.<br />
Mix the demerara sugar <strong>and</strong> ground cinnamon on a plate.<br />
Have a small bowl of rum or water ready.<br />
Fold the egg whites in to the eggnog mix then pour into a<br />
serving jug. Dip the rims of serving glasses into the rum or<br />
water <strong>and</strong> then dip straight into the sugar <strong>and</strong> cinnamon mix.<br />
Divide the eggnog between glasses <strong>and</strong> finish with a grating<br />
of nutmeg.<br />
Images Courtesy David Loftus<br />
23
OWLEEZ<br />
Interactive Owleez<br />
responds to your<br />
touch, movement<br />
<strong>and</strong> care – it has<br />
over 100 sounds<br />
<strong>and</strong> movements<br />
<strong>and</strong> can even fly!<br />
£44.99, amazon.<br />
co.uk<br />
MY PARTNER PIKACHU<br />
3 touch sensors let you <strong>and</strong><br />
Pikachu communicate in a<br />
new <strong>and</strong> fun way. £17.99,<br />
smythstoys.com<br />
24<br />
PET POOKI<br />
The interactive pet! With<br />
over an hour of content,<br />
movement <strong>and</strong> sounds<br />
Pooki will respond<br />
differently to your child's<br />
interaction. Pooki will<br />
look for you when you<br />
call her name, don't shout<br />
though she gets scared.<br />
£49, argos.co.uk<br />
NEON MARL<br />
Fun <strong>and</strong> bright<br />
sweatshirts <strong>and</strong><br />
hoodies for her,<br />
the kids plus<br />
festive designs.<br />
From £30,<br />
neonmarl.co.uk<br />
SUEDE SLIPPERS<br />
Beautiful, soft h<strong>and</strong>made<br />
Moroccan slippers with<br />
padding inside that moulds<br />
to the feet. Grey <strong>and</strong> Tan<br />
Brown available. £16 with<br />
free P&P, hauslife.co.uk<br />
FLORIS REED<br />
DIFFUSER<br />
Fill your home with the warming fragrance of<br />
Ginger & S<strong>and</strong>alwood from luxury scent makers<br />
Floris. £70, florislondon.com<br />
PERFORMANCE<br />
GYM BALL<br />
Help support fitness<br />
goals at home with<br />
this sturdy 65cm ball<br />
<strong>and</strong> pump. £21.99,<br />
1000mile.co.uk<br />
SNEAK V TRAINERS<br />
Sustainable, vegan lace up sneaker in breathable <strong>and</strong><br />
soft (yet hard-wearing) alternative to leather, featuring<br />
perforated Po-Zu butterfly<br />
logo detail. £99,<br />
po-zu.com<br />
PICTIONARY AIR<br />
A fun take on a classic.<br />
Just download the free<br />
Pictionary Air app <strong>and</strong><br />
take turns drawing<br />
clues in the air while<br />
your teammates<br />
guess the images<br />
that appear on the<br />
screen! £19.99,<br />
amazon.co.uk<br />
HER<br />
KIDS<br />
THE VERY MERRY<br />
CHRISTMAS BOARDGAME<br />
Move around the board<br />
collecting presents (present<br />
cards) to put in your stocking.<br />
Presents have a value<br />
depending on whether they’re<br />
nice… or naff! £20, Debenhams<br />
<strong>and</strong> Amazon<br />
LONG DACHSHUND MATCHES<br />
At 29cm these long matches are a<br />
joy to behold as well as being ideal<br />
for lighting hard-to-reach c<strong>and</strong>les or<br />
lanterns. They come in a beautifully<br />
letter press-printed box.<br />
£10, noblemacmillan.com<br />
HARRY POTTER GAMES<br />
Know your OWLS from your<br />
NEWTS? Test your HP knowledge<br />
with word game Lex-GO or<br />
get quizing with Top Trumps<br />
with a twist. Lex-GO, £14.99,<br />
Waterstones <strong>and</strong> Top Trumps,<br />
£9.99, amazon.co.uk<br />
CACAO & VANILLA CANDLE<br />
Get a chocolate hit without<br />
the calories with this sublimely<br />
scented c<strong>and</strong>le from Hotel<br />
Chocolat, made with natural<br />
soy, coconut <strong>and</strong> beeswax<br />
for a cleaner burn. £28,<br />
hotelchocolat.com<br />
LEATHER POUCH<br />
Beautiful, buttery soft leather<br />
pouches with sublime<br />
tassels - make yours pop<br />
with your initial too! Leather<br />
Pouch, £99 <strong>and</strong> Alphabet<br />
Keyring, £40,<br />
noblemacmillan.<br />
com
FLEX DELUXE MICRO SCOOTER<br />
A premium scooter with a wood <strong>and</strong><br />
fibreglass deck that flexes to absorb<br />
bumps <strong>and</strong> large 200mm wheels that<br />
glide serenely over any terrain. Matt<br />
Black Flex Deluxe, £179.95,<br />
micro-scooters.co.uk<br />
HIM<br />
MOSHI PORTO Q 5K<br />
A Qi Wireless battery<br />
which will have you<br />
charging on the go without<br />
worrying about cables.<br />
£79.95, moshi.com<br />
MOSHI WORLD<br />
TRAVEL ADAPTER<br />
This international<br />
power adapter<br />
features US/EU/<br />
UK/AU power plugs<br />
to cover over 150<br />
countries. Charge up<br />
to six devices at the<br />
same time with the<br />
AC socket, USB-C<br />
port, <strong>and</strong> four USB<br />
ports. £54.95,<br />
moshi.com<br />
MYZONE MZ3<br />
The Myzone MZ3 tracks heart rate with<br />
99.6% accuracy <strong>and</strong> provides live workout<br />
feedback on your phone. £129, amazon.<br />
co.uk or myzone.org<br />
STM DAPPER<br />
WRAPPER<br />
Great for those that travel<br />
with tech, this h<strong>and</strong>y rollup<br />
wrapper keeps cables<br />
tidy <strong>and</strong> all in one place.<br />
£24.95, stmgoods.com<br />
TINCUP AMERICAN WHISKEY<br />
A bourbon style profile with a bold<br />
<strong>and</strong> spicy finish. £30, asda.com<br />
SALTED CARAMEL HAMPER<br />
Complete with truffles, vodka,<br />
nut spread, shortbread <strong>and</strong><br />
decadent hot chocolate. £27.50,<br />
hotelchocolat.com<br />
CHOCOLATE<br />
SLABS<br />
Hotel Chocolat has<br />
perfect bits for the<br />
whole family - we<br />
love the no alcohol<br />
Winter Puddings<br />
Sleekster Luxe<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Chocolate<br />
Slabs with cheery<br />
faces. Sleekster<br />
£35.95 <strong>and</strong> Slab<br />
£8,hotelchocolat.com<br />
ITALICUS<br />
A perfect festive botanical aperitivo to<br />
add to sparkling wine - not to mention a<br />
beautiful bottle for the drinks cabinet.<br />
£29.99, masterofmalt.com<br />
PRESTAT<br />
The ideal chocolate for gifting,<br />
we love their beautiful packaging,<br />
especially on the Mini Truffles<br />
Bauble. £12, prestat.co.uk<br />
BLACK COW VODKA<br />
FOOD<br />
& DRINK<br />
The only vodka made<br />
entirely from whey from<br />
grass-grazed cow’s milk<br />
left over from the<br />
cheese-making<br />
process. £28,<br />
blackcowvodka.<br />
co.uk<br />
CAPUCANA CACHACA<br />
Brazilian fire water! Capucana<br />
combines nine varieties of<br />
sugar cane distillate which<br />
gives its bright golden<br />
colour <strong>and</strong> its stewed fruit<br />
<strong>and</strong> grassy character. £36,<br />
masterofmalt.com<br />
BETTY'S<br />
CHOCOLATE<br />
DESIRES<br />
12 h<strong>and</strong>-piped<br />
chocolate discs<br />
topped with fruit <strong>and</strong><br />
nuts. £12.75,<br />
bettys.co.uk<br />
PORTER’S<br />
TROPICAL<br />
OLD TOM GIN<br />
A classic juniper<br />
based gin lifted<br />
by exotic notes<br />
of passion fruit,<br />
guava <strong>and</strong> white<br />
tea. £34.67,<br />
masterofmalt.<br />
com<br />
25
magical<br />
OMAN<br />
Katie Thomson journeys to the mountains <strong>and</strong> dunes of Oman to<br />
discover unrivalled l<strong>and</strong>scapes <strong>and</strong> classic Arabian hospitality<br />
26
The name Oman is a particularly evocative one. It<br />
speaks of the shifting s<strong>and</strong>s of dunes <strong>and</strong> deserts, the<br />
intricate mastery of wood carving, interiors bedecked in<br />
jewel-toned fabrics reflected in shining brasswork <strong>and</strong><br />
of millennia-old traditions <strong>and</strong> classic Arabic hospitality.<br />
It is also a country of contrasts - high mountain passes<br />
with spectacular valleys <strong>and</strong> picture postcard famous backdrops of<br />
s<strong>and</strong> dunes.<br />
You might not think mountains when you think of Oman, but the<br />
country has some of the most spectacular l<strong>and</strong>scapes <strong>and</strong> vistas<br />
anywhere in the Middle East. Indeed, many nationals from the UAE<br />
or Saudi head to the Omani mountains for their holidays, preferring<br />
the milder climate in the summer months.<br />
Sitting atop a peak in Jabel Al Akhdar is the Sahab Resort <strong>and</strong> Spa,<br />
the latest hotel offering from the Omani Al Nahda group. Known for<br />
their strong commitment to service <strong>and</strong> luxurious settings, this hotel<br />
seeks to offer a mountain getaway where guests can truly relax. The<br />
hotel is of course centred around the views - spectacular vistas of<br />
gorges, waterfalls <strong>and</strong> stone cut ridges. The designers have been<br />
keen to ground the hotel in its location through a series of careful<br />
touches - the million year-old fossils found in the valley are visible<br />
throughout all of the grounds <strong>and</strong> the local rosewater scents the<br />
halls.<br />
Sahab offers 27 rooms in three different categories - Studio rooms,<br />
Suite rooms & Family Suites. The decor is influenced by rich Omani<br />
culture, equipped with all the modern amenities <strong>and</strong> offering a<br />
magnificent view of the Jabal Al Akhdar mountain range. It was<br />
special indeed to sip my morning coffee whilst gazing out across<br />
the vastness of the surroundings, watching as the sun stretched <strong>and</strong><br />
touched each mountainous ridge in turn.<br />
There are lots of excursion options from the hotel - some abseiling<br />
<strong>and</strong> mountain climbing for adrenaline-seekers, alongside more<br />
sedate tours of local villages, the rose garden or even star gazing. I<br />
opted for the village tour, taking in the local waterfall <strong>and</strong> getting a<br />
sense of the unique challenges of living in somewhere so remote.<br />
After days of soaking up the endless views by the pool, it was time<br />
to move on to a more archetypal Middle Eastern experience in the<br />
s<strong>and</strong> dunes.<br />
Mirage-like <strong>and</strong> utterly majestic, the Dunes by Al Nahda resort sits<br />
amongst the undulating s<strong>and</strong> dunes of Wadi Al Abyad. Only 40<br />
minutes from Muscat, it’s a world away from city life, creating an<br />
authentic taste of the Omani experience. The hotel is made up of<br />
a series of static ivory one or two bedroom Bedouin tents, each<br />
luxuriously furnished with dark woods, richly patterned fabrics <strong>and</strong><br />
ultra-comfortable beds. For a truly majestic stay, <strong>and</strong> this resort<br />
does host royalty, there are the Royal Suites. The size of almost<br />
four tents together, each is capacious at 139 square meters <strong>and</strong><br />
equipped with separate bedrooms, a living room <strong>and</strong> a private patio.<br />
Dunes Resort <strong>and</strong> Spa<br />
“IT IS ALSO A COUNTRY<br />
OF CONTRASTS - HIGH<br />
MOUNTAIN PASSES WITH<br />
SPECTACULAR VALLEYS AND<br />
PICTURE POSTCARD FAMOUS<br />
BACKDROPS OF SAND DUNES.”<br />
27
“IT WAS SPECIAL<br />
INDEED TO SIP MY<br />
MORNING COFFEE<br />
WHILST GAZING<br />
OUT ACROSS THE<br />
VASTNESS OF THE<br />
SURROUNDINGS”<br />
Other than the opulent accommodation, what makes<br />
Dunes unique is the swimming pool - unlike many desert<br />
camps, Dunes is unique in having a spectacular infinity<br />
pool, with views stretching out for miles over undulating<br />
terrain. This immersion in the l<strong>and</strong>scape is important, <strong>and</strong><br />
it is emphasised at every opportunity - each tent enjoys<br />
similarly spectacular view of the dunes or the distant Al<br />
Hajar mountains, so, if like me you have a little jet lag, you<br />
can watch the sunrise over the s<strong>and</strong>s from your bed!<br />
The resort offers a whole host of amazing experiences<br />
- from riding on Abdul the resident camel, guided quad<br />
biking on the dunes <strong>and</strong> even a most spectacular Arabian<br />
feast served under the stars. Just as in Sahab, Dunes<br />
prides itself on an excellent menu of Indian <strong>and</strong> Omani<br />
dishes. These are served in the Fleur Restaurant, open<br />
on all sides to the panoramic mountain views. Fleur’s<br />
head chef is somewhat of a local celebrity, having won<br />
the Omani equivalent of MasterChef. He was also a part<br />
of Rick Stein’s series on India - showing the calibre of the<br />
cookery on offer.<br />
It is clear with both resorts that the work is collaborative<br />
<strong>and</strong> dependent upon excellent staff. The chefs, both<br />
Indian, are adept <strong>and</strong> dexterous in the kitchen, creating<br />
different takes on classic Omani dishes <strong>and</strong> elevating<br />
them to fine dining - of course with some spice <strong>and</strong> curry<br />
flavours thrown in. The spas too are what the group are<br />
known for; Dr Mary Ann is one of those brought in at the<br />
conception of the hotel group, with the owners seeking<br />
out her health <strong>and</strong> wellbeing expertise to set up the<br />
medi-spa in the original Al Nadha Hotel. Her ethos <strong>and</strong><br />
whole-body approach to wellbeing is echoed in each<br />
resort <strong>and</strong> she has designed a treatment menu for each<br />
that reflects its setting.<br />
In Sahab, perched as it is high in the mountains, the<br />
signature scent is called ‘Clouds’ - an uplifting fragrance<br />
which pairs with the Signature massage. In Dunes, the<br />
scent is a more musky ‘Arabian Nights’ <strong>and</strong> the signature<br />
treatment is quite extraordinary. Called the ‘S<strong>and</strong> Spa’,<br />
clients take to an open air treatment room are immersed<br />
in s<strong>and</strong> which has been heated by the sun. It is said that<br />
a s<strong>and</strong> bath provides relief for people suffering from a<br />
range of muscular disorders as well as helping to ease<br />
the symptoms <strong>and</strong> heal various skin conditions too -<br />
the gentle heat is also supremely relaxing, bringing a<br />
soothing warmth to the body without becoming overly<br />
hot. After the s<strong>and</strong>, which exfoliates the skin too, a<br />
moisturising coating of natural yoghurt is applied to the<br />
skin. Quite unique <strong>and</strong> almost elemental in its approach,<br />
this is a treatment unlike any you might find elsewhere.<br />
28<br />
Dr Mary, originally from Scotl<strong>and</strong>, was certain she would<br />
return home after setting up the spas - but she fell in
Images, clockwise from top left: Bedrooms at<br />
Sahab; amazing views from the Sahab pool<br />
area; the infinity pool at Dunes; Dunes tent<br />
interior; Abdul, Dunes' resident camel<br />
with Oman <strong>and</strong> moved permanently. I asked<br />
her about her thoughts on the way the modern<br />
world is changing what is ostensibly a traditionled<br />
country “the country is not virgin anymore,<br />
in the respect of technology <strong>and</strong> infrastructure,<br />
she is newly married though - growing a little,<br />
finding her way, experiencing new things <strong>and</strong><br />
of course changing - but ultimately Oman is<br />
not so changed from its core <strong>and</strong> that is what<br />
makes it so magical.”<br />
It is amazing that a country can have as peaceful<br />
an existence as this, often called upon to be<br />
the mediator of other political conflicts. The<br />
Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said plays a part<br />
in this prosperity, <strong>and</strong> his particular penchant<br />
for aesthetically pleasing architecture has<br />
seen Oman, <strong>and</strong> Muscat in particular, grow<br />
gracefully <strong>and</strong> with tradition at its heart - you<br />
won’t see the skyscrapers of Dubai here as all<br />
buildings are limited to four storeys. There are<br />
lots of excursions available from Dunes which<br />
take in some of the city’s best sights - you can<br />
me<strong>and</strong>er through the nearby Matrah Souk or<br />
visit the city’s architectural gem - Sultan Qaboo’s<br />
Mosque. This mosque can accommodate<br />
over 7,000 worshippers inside it’s cool marble<br />
prayer rooms <strong>and</strong> at its heart it houses the<br />
most dazzling ch<strong>and</strong>elier I have ever seen - all 8<br />
tonnes of it.<br />
I have travelled fairly extensively in the Middle<br />
East, but something about Oman really did<br />
capture my imagination. It offers so much<br />
to the traveller - world-class scenery, lots of<br />
cultural sights, <strong>and</strong> of course that wonderful<br />
Omani hospitality.<br />
The Al Nahda Group too make the most of these<br />
elements, amplifying them in their hotels to give<br />
guests an authentic, but relaxing experience<br />
<strong>and</strong> surely fond memories of a holiday filled with<br />
adventure <strong>and</strong> discovery.<br />
TRAVEL TIPS:<br />
• 4 nights at Sahab <strong>and</strong> then three nights at Dunes, private transfers <strong>and</strong><br />
return flights with Oman Air<br />
• Cox & Kings (0203 642 0861, cox<strong>and</strong>kings.co.uk) offers 4 nights at Sahab<br />
Resort & Spa on a full board basis <strong>and</strong> 3 nights at Dunes by Al Nahda on a<br />
half board basis from £2,395 per person (two sharing) including all private<br />
transfers <strong>and</strong> return economy international flights with Oman Air.<br />
• The currency is the Omani Rial - 2 rials is approximately £1<br />
• The national language is Arabic - h<strong>and</strong>y phrases include 'Shukraan' - thank<br />
you, 'Salam Alaikum' - hello or peace be with you to which the response is<br />
'Wa-Alaikum-Salaam' - <strong>and</strong> peace with you also<br />
29
THE HOMEBUYER'S<br />
Thinking about moving or buying your first home? Read on...<br />
If you are beginning the process of buying<br />
your first home, selling to buy a bigger<br />
property or even downsizing once the<br />
kids have flown the nest, you may find<br />
that the property market is an unknown<br />
entity, full of potential pitfalls, doubts<br />
<strong>and</strong> unexpected costs. Couple that with<br />
the looming uncertainty of BREXIT, <strong>and</strong><br />
you have a complicated set of hoops to<br />
jump through. In this guide, we aim to<br />
demystify homebuying <strong>and</strong> give useful<br />
advice for each stage of the process.<br />
BREXIT BLUES?<br />
UK house price growth remains subdued<br />
as uncertainty about the direction <strong>and</strong><br />
shape of Brexit continues to weigh on the<br />
market.<br />
The latest figures from Nationwide show<br />
UK house prices rose by 0.4% on the year,<br />
the 11th month in a row that annual price<br />
growth remained below 1%.<br />
City A.M. says the latest modest rises<br />
“underline concerns over a slowdown<br />
in activity in the UK’s housing market,<br />
particularly in London <strong>and</strong> the South,<br />
despite a recent improvement in earnings<br />
<strong>and</strong> employment”.<br />
“It’s hard to see the market emerging from<br />
this sub-one per cent annual growth rut<br />
until there is clarity on Brexit,” said David<br />
Westgate, chief executive of Andrews<br />
Property group, adding “the sheer level of<br />
political uncertainty has left the property<br />
market in a protracted limbo”.<br />
Which? magazine says: “Whether you’re<br />
a staunch remainer or avid Brexiteer,<br />
there’s no denying that the uncertainty<br />
around when the UK will leave the EU, <strong>and</strong><br />
the terms under which it may happen, is<br />
causing property market jitters.”<br />
What has the impact of Brexit been so far?<br />
“The economic uncertainty caused by<br />
Brexit has undoubtedly affected the<br />
market, with house price growth slowing<br />
year-on-year <strong>and</strong> the number of sales<br />
taking a dramatic dip in recent months,”<br />
says Which?.<br />
Nationwide’s chief economist Robert<br />
Gardner said this week that average<br />
prices rose by £800 over the last 12<br />
months, a sharp slowing compared with<br />
the year to October 2016, just after the<br />
Brexit referendum, when prices jumped<br />
by £9,100.<br />
Data released by Rightmove earlier this<br />
month found that the price of property<br />
coming to market has endured its weakest<br />
month-on-month rise at this time of year in<br />
over a decade.<br />
Prospective home buyers have been<br />
undeterred by the approaching Brexit<br />
deadline, while sellers have been put off<br />
by ongoing uncertainty over UK house<br />
prices, according to the real estate<br />
platform.<br />
While the latest Brexit extension has<br />
pushed back the imminent threat of a nodeal<br />
Brexit, investors <strong>and</strong> market experts<br />
have expressed concern about the<br />
potential consequences given it remains<br />
the default position if an agreement<br />
cannot be ratified by Parliament by 31<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary <strong>2020</strong>.<br />
Information from theweek.co.uk<br />
FIRST-TIME BUYERS<br />
So, you’re about to make the biggest<br />
investment of your life so far. Scary, right?<br />
There’s a lot to think about, <strong>and</strong> a lot of<br />
costs you will not have even considered<br />
until the process has started. Your<br />
mortgage is the first thing you should<br />
think about, because until you have your<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ision in Principle, you will not know<br />
what you can afford to buy. By going to<br />
an independent mortgage advisor, you<br />
will have the choice of many different<br />
banks <strong>and</strong> building societies, so you<br />
can assess options like the term of your<br />
mortgage, fixing interest rates <strong>and</strong> any<br />
cash back offered.<br />
Viewing Houses<br />
This is probably the most fun bit of<br />
the process, because you get to know<br />
your tastes <strong>and</strong> can have a look around<br />
some lovely properties in the process.<br />
Rightmove is a great resource, as is<br />
Zoopla for comparing prices in an area.<br />
As well as relying on these sites, it is<br />
vital that you make yourself known to<br />
lots of different local agents. Let them<br />
know in as much detail as possible what<br />
requirements you have (location, number<br />
of bedrooms, garden, garage etc) <strong>and</strong><br />
your upper price limit. A good agent will<br />
let you know about properties about to<br />
come to the market, helping you get a<br />
head start on other buyers.<br />
Viewing Tip - When viewing houses,<br />
try to take some pictures (with the estate<br />
agent’s permission) on your phone as<br />
an aide memoir <strong>and</strong> if you have furniture<br />
from renting to fit in, take a tape measure<br />
<strong>and</strong> see if it would fit in the space.<br />
CONVEYANCING<br />
So, once you’ve found the property you<br />
want, you will need to instruct a solicitor<br />
to do the conveyancing for you. Before<br />
deciding on one, we recommend emailing<br />
or calling around for some quotes to<br />
make sure you get a competitive rate.<br />
30
GUIDE<br />
CHARTERED SURVEY<br />
Unless the property you are buying is less<br />
than 10 years old, it really does make good<br />
sense to have a survey. Most surveyors<br />
offer a choice between a RICS Homebuyer<br />
Report or a Building Survey. Send over<br />
the property details you have <strong>and</strong> they<br />
will help you decide on the best survey for<br />
peace of mind. Once again, it does pay to<br />
enquire with a few different firms to keep<br />
prices competitive <strong>and</strong> to find the right<br />
surveyor for the type of property you buy.<br />
Surveying Tip - If you are buying a<br />
flat, it can be difficult to know whether<br />
you need to have a full building survey<br />
(formerly called a structural survey). If<br />
you are buying a flat in a listed or older<br />
building, talk to your surveyor about<br />
whether they can offer a special package<br />
for you.<br />
SELLING<br />
Over the past few years, the property<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scape really has become a seller’s<br />
market. With a high dem<strong>and</strong> for property,<br />
estate agents are having to be creative<br />
in the way they compete for instructions.<br />
This is great news if you are selling, as<br />
you can ask them to be competitive in the<br />
rates they offer.<br />
Surveying Tips - It is likely that you<br />
will need to provide certificates or<br />
documentation of any major work you<br />
have had done on your home in the last<br />
10 years, primarily electrics. De-clutter<br />
before the estate agent comes to take<br />
photos. Your home needs to be a blank<br />
canvas, so the potential buyer can imagine<br />
their possessions there, without yours<br />
dominating their vision.<br />
MOVING<br />
So, you’ve accumulated a lot of stuff eh?<br />
Here are our top tips to make moving easier:<br />
• Start packing the areas of your<br />
home that you use the least. Pack<br />
essentials last.<br />
• At least 8 weeks before the date,<br />
notify change of address for any<br />
subscriptions.<br />
• Pack early if you are using the<br />
services of a moving company. Also<br />
be sure to label clearly <strong>and</strong> keep<br />
heavy boxes double taped.<br />
• Recycle anything you don’t love<br />
anymore. Start this process early,<br />
using a skip for unsellable items <strong>and</strong><br />
send other bits to the charity shop.<br />
Removals companies sometimes<br />
charge by volume, so reducing the<br />
amount you take with you cuts costs.<br />
Help to Buy?<br />
The Help to Buy scheme offers an equity<br />
loan where the government lends firsttime<br />
buyers <strong>and</strong> existing homeowners<br />
money to buy a newly-built home.<br />
The purchase price must be no more<br />
than £600,000. Under this scheme, you<br />
can borrow 20% of the purchase price<br />
interest-free for the first five years as<br />
long as you have at least a 5% deposit.<br />
If you live in London, you can borrow up<br />
to 40% of the purchase price.<br />
The Government has confirmed it will<br />
extend its Help to Buy equity loan<br />
scheme from 2021 to 2023. However, this<br />
extension will be restricted to first-time<br />
buyers purchasing newly built homes.<br />
From 2021, there will also be new<br />
regional price caps which could reduce<br />
the maximum value of homes that can be<br />
bought through the Equity Loan Scheme.<br />
Help to Buy: Equity loans<br />
How they work<br />
• You need at least 5% of the sale<br />
price of your new-build flat or<br />
house as a deposit.<br />
• The government lends you up to<br />
20%, or 40% if you live in London,<br />
of the sale price.<br />
• You borrow the rest (up to 75%, or<br />
55% if you live in London) from a<br />
mortgage lender, on a repayment<br />
basis.<br />
• The equity loan must be repaid<br />
after 25 years, or earlier if you sell<br />
your home.<br />
• You must repay the same<br />
percentage of the proceeds of the<br />
sale as the initial equity loan (i.e.<br />
if you received an equity loan for<br />
20% of the purchase price of your<br />
home, you must repay 20% of the<br />
proceeds of the future sale).<br />
• You don’t pay any interest or fees<br />
on the government’s equity loan for<br />
the first five years. In the sixth year,<br />
you’ll be charged 1.75%.<br />
• After then, the fee rises by inflation<br />
based on the Retail Prices Index<br />
(RPI) plus 1% each year.<br />
• RPI figures are put together by the<br />
Office for National Statistics.<br />
Help to Buy: Shared<br />
Ownership<br />
If you can’t quite afford the mortgage on<br />
100% of a home, Help to Buy: Shared<br />
Ownership offers you the chance to buy<br />
a share of your home (between 25% <strong>and</strong><br />
75% of the home’s value) <strong>and</strong> pay rent<br />
on the remaining share. Later on, you<br />
could buy bigger shares when you can<br />
afford to.<br />
You could buy a home through Help to<br />
Buy: Shared Ownership in Engl<strong>and</strong> if:<br />
• Your household earns £80,000 a<br />
year or less outside London, or<br />
your household earns £90,000 a<br />
year or less in London<br />
• You are a first-time buyer, you used<br />
to own a home but can’t afford<br />
to buy one now or are an existing<br />
shared owner looking to move.<br />
With Help to Buy: Shared Ownership you<br />
can buy a newly built home or an existing<br />
one through resale programmes from<br />
housing associations. You’ll need to take<br />
out a mortgage to pay for your share of<br />
the home’s purchase price, or fund this<br />
through your savings. Shared Ownership<br />
properties are always leasehold.<br />
You can get help from another home<br />
ownership scheme called Older People’s<br />
Shared Ownership if you’re aged 55 or<br />
over. It works in the same way as the<br />
general Shared Ownership scheme, but<br />
you can only buy up to 75% of your<br />
home. Once you own 75% you won’t<br />
have to pay rent on the remaining share.<br />
31
Left, Blinds from<br />
englishblinds.co.uk<br />
Below, Lamp, £79,<br />
atkin<strong>and</strong>thyme.co.uk<br />
HOW TO MAKE YOUR GUEST BEDROOM<br />
Easy updates to make your<br />
guest room more inviting<br />
feel like home<br />
Whilst it can feel like another job to add<br />
to the list, preparing the guest bedroom<br />
to receive guests can actually be quite<br />
relaxing - making a space comfortable<br />
<strong>and</strong> inviting really does something good<br />
for the soul.<br />
When you start to plan your guest room,<br />
think about what you’d expect to find<br />
in a lovely hotel <strong>and</strong> try to make your<br />
room measure up to that st<strong>and</strong>ard. Your<br />
budget may not be enough to create a<br />
getaway oasis, but you can clear the<br />
decks, lay out all the necessities, <strong>and</strong><br />
provide a quiet place to relax.<br />
PROVIDE A COMFORTABLE BED<br />
Don’t give your guests the oldest,<br />
saggiest mattress you have. Try sleeping<br />
in the room yourself <strong>and</strong> assess the<br />
quality of your sleep on that mattress - it<br />
may be time to invest in a new one. If<br />
you can’t afford a new bed, think about<br />
getting a quality air mattress.<br />
UPGRADE YOUR BEDDING<br />
Beyond clean, crisp bedding, think<br />
about adding luxurious bed linens <strong>and</strong><br />
comfort items supplied by fine B&Bs: a<br />
featherbed or wool mattress topper, a<br />
choice of pillows, a cosy down quilt or<br />
thick throw, extra blankets <strong>and</strong> freshly<br />
ironed pillowcases.<br />
SUPPLY EXTRA LINENS<br />
Always have an extra set of bed <strong>and</strong> bath<br />
linens available for your guests. Accidents<br />
do happen! Or you may have one of those<br />
wonderful guests who insists on changing<br />
the sheets when they leave. Let them do<br />
it, <strong>and</strong> thank them profusely.<br />
MAKE ROOM FOR A SUITCASE<br />
Clear a space to put a luggage rack or<br />
provide a small table or bench to set down<br />
a suitcase. No one likes to have to stoop<br />
over to the floor to pull out a clean pair of<br />
socks. Even a chair is better than nothing.<br />
– more space, more comfortable, <strong>and</strong><br />
more welcoming. Get rid of anything you<br />
would not find in a hotel room. Keep only<br />
the most useful items in the room, like a<br />
clock <strong>and</strong> calendar.<br />
BRIGHTEN THINGS UP<br />
One of the biggest hotel decor missteps<br />
is when an otherwise nice room has no<br />
light to read by. It’s always helpful to<br />
have a light control near the bed so your<br />
guest won’t have to stumble around in<br />
the dark just to turn a light on. If nothing<br />
else, provide a good reading light near a<br />
chair or over the bed. Another fixture or<br />
lamp near a desk would be great. A small<br />
night light is helpful, <strong>and</strong> a lit magnifying<br />
makeup mirror is a real luxury.<br />
CLEAN THE WARDROBE<br />
If your guest room shares space with<br />
a home office, clear at least a foot or<br />
two of pole space in the cupboard. Or<br />
purchase an inexpensive over-the-door<br />
hook that can accommodate some<br />
hanging clothes. It’s likely that guests<br />
will have items they’d like to hang. Don’t<br />
forget a supply of six to eight hangers.<br />
A simple hook on the wall or behind a<br />
wardrobe door can hold a coat or bag.<br />
DON'T FORGET SIMPLE BASICS<br />
A lighted clock next to the bed is a great<br />
amenity, <strong>and</strong> an alarm clock or clock/radio<br />
is even better. Provide paper <strong>and</strong> pens,<br />
scissors, tape, tissue, <strong>and</strong> a hairdryer to<br />
have all the bases covered. If you can,<br />
provide somewhere to sit in front of a<br />
mirror so guests can do make up or style<br />
their hair. If you don’t have an extra iron<br />
<strong>and</strong> ironing board to offer, be sure to tell<br />
your guest where they can find yours.<br />
PROVIDE PRIVACY<br />
You might know that the big willow tree<br />
just outside<br />
the<br />
window camouflages everything going<br />
on, but your guests won’t. Choose<br />
window coverings that add to the<br />
character of the room <strong>and</strong> also provide<br />
privacy <strong>and</strong> light control. If you need to<br />
keep it simple, blinds work great. You<br />
can always add a beautiful valance or<br />
side panels later.<br />
ADD SOME PERSONALITY<br />
Guest rooms can suffer from being<br />
personality vacuums - try to let some<br />
of your personal style infuse the space,<br />
or try out some decorative ideas that<br />
inspire you. We love spaces that mix<br />
mid-century modern furniture with boho<br />
soft furnishings, or fabulous colour on<br />
a single wall with dramatic wallpaper or<br />
artwork. Maybe dare to go<br />
dark with dark navy on the<br />
walls <strong>and</strong> gold detailing.<br />
FINISHING TOUCHES<br />
Add some lovely<br />
finishing touches to<br />
the room - a reed<br />
diffuser to fill it with<br />
delicious fragrance<br />
<strong>and</strong> pop some throw<br />
pillows on the bed<br />
or chair. If you like<br />
them, add some cut<br />
flowers to a dresser<br />
or move some<br />
of your existing<br />
houseplants into<br />
the space for<br />
some greenery. If<br />
you don’t use your<br />
room much during the<br />
year, be sure to open<br />
the windows for a few<br />
hours before guests<br />
arrive to<br />
help air it<br />
out.<br />
T<br />
32<br />
CLEAR THE DECKS<br />
Resist the temptation to put your<br />
beautiful collection of dolls on the dresser<br />
or fill the closet with out-of-season<br />
clothes. In a guest room, less is more<br />
Extra large Cotton Throw £59,<br />
<strong>and</strong> Mudcloth Pillow, £56,<br />
hauslife.co.uk; Navy Pillow, £50,<br />
Soho House; Fish Lamp, £90,<br />
Dar Lighting; Moorish Mirror,<br />
£75, thefarthing.co.uk<br />
4
Baby it's cold outside<br />
The garden is bare, the leaves have fallen <strong>and</strong> now is the opportunity to take stock of what you would<br />
like to see during the wintertime. It’s also the time to plan for the spring <strong>and</strong> summer. Perhaps you<br />
have a sunny patch where you could lay some decking or an attractive terrace, create an arch or a rose<br />
garden are just a few examples. Here are some ideas of making your winter garden attractive <strong>and</strong><br />
planning for next year...including getting rid of that shed that’s on its last legs!<br />
Gardeners in the UK have plenty of reasons to get cold feet about<br />
winter. Plants are at rest <strong>and</strong> their bright colours have gone. And with<br />
very little to plant, those of you who love their gardens might think<br />
there are few winter l<strong>and</strong>scaping tips - or to dos.<br />
In fact, careful planning in spring, summer, <strong>and</strong> autumn - plus a few<br />
easy accents during winter - can lead to a beautiful <strong>and</strong> pleasing<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scape.<br />
Here are six winter l<strong>and</strong>scaping tips to<br />
help make you love your garden during<br />
this season <strong>and</strong> in the future.<br />
1. Focus on bark <strong>Dec</strong>iduous trees do<br />
lose their leaves in wintertime, leaving<br />
their branches <strong>and</strong> trunks in focus.<br />
It is a good idea to look out for<br />
interesting ornamental trees that<br />
have really visually distinctive<br />
bark, which will add winter<br />
interest. Many of those trees <strong>and</strong><br />
some shrubs are smaller, meaning<br />
they’re easier to find spots for in the<br />
winter l<strong>and</strong>scape. Dogwoods <strong>and</strong> birch<br />
trees are particularly good examples.<br />
2. Include berries Many trees <strong>and</strong> shrubs<br />
have berries they hold onto during autumn<br />
<strong>and</strong> winter, <strong>and</strong> not only look attractive but<br />
also provide food for birds. Crab apples, holly<br />
<strong>and</strong> firethorn are very attractive.<br />
3. Remember evergreens Evergreens are great at this time of year.<br />
Firstly, there’s colour: Evergreens are not just green; they’re available<br />
in yellow, such as Gold Thread False Cypress, <strong>and</strong> blues, the Dwarf<br />
Blue Spruce, <strong>and</strong> all colours in between. When you are planting a<br />
new border, try to have at least one evergreen.<br />
4. Check out your hard l<strong>and</strong>scaping Winter is a good time to<br />
critically assess the layout of your garden, figuring out where<br />
it’s missing focal points. The solution to enhancing your winter<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scaping might not be a plant at all. Winter is the best time to<br />
consider the bare bones of the garden. You may wish to place a<br />
trellis, a bench, an arbour, <strong>and</strong> if you can run to it, a garden sculpture<br />
which will add another dimension. Perhaps plan to put in a small or<br />
indeed large fountain for sound…the possibilities are endless.<br />
5. Make use of your summertime containers Window boxes,<br />
hanging baskets, winter-hardy containers are perfect for winter<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scaping. They will still need to be watered during dry periods.<br />
You can plant up winter primroses <strong>and</strong> pansies, trailing hedera,<br />
colourful cyclamen with their delicate flowers <strong>and</strong> leaves. Also<br />
consider adding some spring flowering bulbs to bring colour into the<br />
early part of the year.<br />
6. Try these four-season perennials Some perennials have<br />
evergreen foliage - ornamental grasses, hellebores, - dianthus with<br />
its beautiful low-creeping foliage - making them great for winter<br />
l<strong>and</strong>scaping,<br />
Happy gardening!<br />
COME AND VISIT<br />
OUR SHOWROOMS<br />
www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 33
ADVICE ON buyING a new<br />
home In <strong>2020</strong><br />
If you are planning to buy a new home in <strong>2020</strong> here are some<br />
useful tips to help you secure the perfect property...<br />
With the nights drawing in, <strong>and</strong> as the<br />
summer holidays are a distant memory,<br />
your thoughts may be turning to the New<br />
Year. If getting on the housing ladder or<br />
moving home are on your list of goals for<br />
<strong>2020</strong>, it is a good idea to start planning now.<br />
While many people are waiting to see what<br />
happens with Brexit, there are advantages<br />
to moving house now if you’re a buyer.<br />
Many sellers are open to lower offers as the<br />
market slows. The same applies for new<br />
build homes too. Volume house builders<br />
have been busy building but have seen a<br />
drop off in dem<strong>and</strong>. So there are deals to<br />
be done on shiny new build homes across<br />
the country.<br />
We’ve asked Paula Higgins, Chief Executive<br />
of the Home Owners Alliance, to explain<br />
what you need to know before you buy a<br />
new build home in the current economic<br />
climate.<br />
Research, research, research!<br />
This is one of your biggest financial<br />
investments, so don’t just rely on glossy<br />
promotional materials. Read around about<br />
the developer of your new build home,<br />
search for online reviews <strong>and</strong> forums, <strong>and</strong><br />
visit homes they’ve built on other sites<br />
Get your finances in order<br />
Developers work to tight timescales <strong>and</strong><br />
once you’ve put down a deposit you may<br />
have only 28 days to exchange. Speak to<br />
a fee-free broker to find the right mortgage<br />
for you. For more information see new build<br />
homes <strong>and</strong> getting a mortgage (www.hoa.<br />
org.uk/advice/guides-for-homeowners/iam-buying/new-build-homes-<strong>and</strong>-gettinga-mortgage-top-tips/)<br />
Get your conveyancing solicitor lined up<br />
Try to find a conveyancer with experience<br />
of new build developments. They will need<br />
to check planning permissions, restrictive<br />
covenants <strong>and</strong> - importantly - the terms of<br />
any lease if you are buying a leasehold flat.<br />
Negotiate!<br />
With the slowing down of new build sales<br />
developers need to boost sales figures.<br />
That doubled with Brexit uncertainty <strong>and</strong><br />
a slowing market means there is no better<br />
time to negotiate. Be bold <strong>and</strong> see what<br />
else can be added into the mix, such as<br />
upgraded finishes <strong>and</strong> appliances could be<br />
part of the negotiation process.<br />
Getting a survey<br />
Many builders won’t allow you to view<br />
the property until the day of completion.<br />
If this is the case you want to very quickly<br />
get an independent snagging inspector to<br />
identify <strong>and</strong> report on any defects or errors<br />
(from cosmetic to structural). You can read<br />
more about whether you need a snagging<br />
survey (www.hoa.org.uk/services/snaggingsurvey/)<br />
The HomeOwners Alliance www.hoa.org.<br />
uk offers expert advice <strong>and</strong> services for<br />
every step of your home buying <strong>and</strong> selling<br />
journey.<br />
34 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
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NO call out charge <strong>and</strong> fast response, your plumbing<br />
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· No hidden charges.<br />
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· Boiler <strong>and</strong> heating experts.<br />
· Taps, toilets <strong>and</strong> showers repaired.<br />
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Tel: 01344 409092 Web: www.abspb.co.uk<br />
Email: abs@abspb.co.uk<br />
Welcome home...<br />
www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 35
Keep the Weather at<br />
Bay with Evolution<br />
Storm Windows<br />
The British weather often causes havoc<br />
with the outside of our homes...<br />
Rain, wind, salt spray, frost <strong>and</strong> snow frequently come to do<br />
battle with our windows throughout the autumn <strong>and</strong> winter<br />
season. Old windows may rattle <strong>and</strong> the paint can start to<br />
crack <strong>and</strong> peel. Even much-needed rays of sunshine can cause<br />
traditional, white paintwork to yellow.<br />
Evolution Windows have created a solution to this problem with<br />
their next generation Storm Windows: beautifully designed, highly<br />
energy efficient, incredibly secure <strong>and</strong> virtually maintenance free.<br />
Storm windows have been designed to endure our changeable<br />
weather conditions. Evolution’s PVCu timber alternative finish<br />
emulates the richness <strong>and</strong> depth of real timber, but without the<br />
regular upkeep needed for wooden windows. Instead of timeconsuming<br />
s<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>and</strong> painting, they only require an occasional<br />
quick wipe down to keep them clean.<br />
Particularly important in winter, Storm windows offer exceptional<br />
thermal performance with an outst<strong>and</strong>ing A+13 energy rating <strong>and</strong><br />
a U value of 1.3, which will help save on energy bills. For even<br />
more exceptional energy efficiency, it’s possible to upgrade to<br />
triple glazing.<br />
Evolution has chosen the paint used for Storm Windows to<br />
ensure remarkable longevity <strong>and</strong> exceptional resistance. With<br />
added protection against salt <strong>and</strong> UV light, their paint supplier<br />
has upped the ante against the elements <strong>and</strong> has created a<br />
product that is more environmentally friendly, yet will never yellow<br />
with age.<br />
Evolution’s Storm windows have been carefully designed to<br />
recreate the appearance of timber windows. Intricate, period<br />
detailing <strong>and</strong> innovative technology combine to create this<br />
unique window with beautiful aesthetic appeal. And because their<br />
windows are bespoke, they can be customized to truly suit your<br />
property.<br />
Not only will your home feel warmer <strong>and</strong> look beautiful, but<br />
Storm windows will also keep you safe <strong>and</strong> secure on winter<br />
evenings. An array of innovative security features, as well as easy<br />
escape egress hinges, have been tested to British <strong>and</strong> European<br />
St<strong>and</strong>ards <strong>and</strong> cleverly incorporated into the design.<br />
For further information visit www.evolutionwindows.com or call<br />
0800 773 4045.<br />
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Illustrations available from Etsy:<br />
‘IllustrationsByLucyJ’<br />
i@lucyjaneillustrations<br />
Use code:<br />
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for 20% off<br />
your first order<br />
36 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
Sherborne are pleased to introduce a window system in a league of its own.<br />
The Evolution range of products is where tradition meets technology.<br />
With intricate, period detailing <strong>and</strong> innovative technology these unique windows can be customized to<br />
truly suit your property.<br />
Please feel free to visit one of the Sherborne showrooms to see the quality first h<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> let the journey to<br />
the perfect solution to your home begin.
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NEW YEAR<br />
sustainable me<br />
With the swirling pressure<br />
of making New Year’s<br />
resolutions, it can be<br />
easy to get a little too<br />
introspective - most of the<br />
time, these resolutions<br />
centre on self improvement<br />
(or sometimes self<br />
flagellation disguised as<br />
self improvement!) but<br />
what if this year, instead of<br />
looking in, you looked out?<br />
We are all aware of the impact, both<br />
positive <strong>and</strong> negative, that we can have<br />
on the environment - so this year, we<br />
are investigating the ways we can be<br />
more sustainable in our daily choices<br />
<strong>and</strong> lifestyle. Information overload is a<br />
real threat though, pushing those with<br />
the best intentions into an environmental<br />
existential spin - to keep it simple, we’ve<br />
summed up a few small changes that<br />
could have a big impact that are easy to<br />
adopt into every day life.<br />
Home Energy Saving<br />
Our homes are big energy guzzlers.<br />
Both the emissions made by our central<br />
heating <strong>and</strong> the greenhouse gases<br />
created in electricity production are huge<br />
contributors to our carbon footprint.<br />
But lots of changes can be made in<br />
the home, which also have the added<br />
benefit of being money savers too…<br />
The UK’s leading price comparison<br />
website, MoneySuperMarket, reveals<br />
the costs <strong>and</strong> savings associated with<br />
the most readily available renewable<br />
energy sources <strong>and</strong> efficiencyimprovers<br />
around the home.<br />
Renewable energy, defined as an energy<br />
source that is not depleted when used,<br />
offers the greatest monthly savings<br />
at £28.33 on average a month. On<br />
the other h<strong>and</strong>, efficiency measures,<br />
including energy-saving lightbulbs <strong>and</strong><br />
reduced-water showerheads, offer an<br />
average of £6.92 in savings each month.<br />
• Energy-saving light-bulbs: Changing<br />
the light bulbs around your house to<br />
energy-saving would cost you around<br />
£51.80 which could result in a financial<br />
saving of £27 a month. Generating<br />
significantly less carbon dioxide whilst<br />
last much longer than a traditional<br />
lightbulb this investment would pay for<br />
itself in a month.<br />
• Cavity wall<br />
insulation:<br />
With an<br />
installation fee<br />
of £466, you’ll begin to<br />
see a return on your investment after<br />
three years <strong>and</strong> seven months. Not<br />
only does cavity wall reduce the cost<br />
of your energy bill, it also keeps your<br />
home warmer for longer <strong>and</strong> therefore<br />
reducing your carbon footprint.<br />
• Rooftop Solar Panel: Solar panels can<br />
provide electricity to your house using<br />
the light of the sun. Although installing<br />
them could cost you up to £8,0000, you<br />
could see saving up to £36.09 a month.<br />
However, solar panel benefits aren’t<br />
just about money. Solar panels don’t<br />
produce carbon emissions as they work<br />
so they can significantly reduce your<br />
home’s impact on the environment.<br />
Other small changes include turning<br />
power off at the switch, adding<br />
insulation to windows, doors <strong>and</strong> the<br />
loft, reduce the temperature of your<br />
washing machine <strong>and</strong> fix broken/<br />
leaking taps.<br />
Greener Cleaning<br />
How often do we think of the chemicals<br />
we are using in the home? And worse,<br />
that end up in the water system. Green<br />
cleaners have a bit of a bad rep, but<br />
an amazing selection of products from<br />
Microbz might provide the answer -<br />
these clever cleaners are probiotic <strong>and</strong><br />
restore the balance of positive microbes<br />
in your home, which naturally protects<br />
against pathogens - this means<br />
they continue to clean the surface<br />
long after they’ve been applied. The<br />
250ml concentrate bottle is extremely<br />
economical <strong>and</strong> makes 50, 500ml<br />
diluted spray bottles. See the full range<br />
<strong>and</strong> find out more about the science at<br />
microbz.co.uk<br />
Clockwise from left. Microbz Power Cleaner,<br />
250ml Concentrate £14.95, microbz.co.uk;<br />
Todds Coir Scrubs, £5 for two,<br />
hauslife.co.uk; Net Bag set, £1.95,<br />
rexlondon.com;<br />
Muslin Bag set, £15.99, amazon.co.uk<br />
On the topic of cleaning, did you<br />
know that every synthetic sponge you<br />
use ends up in a l<strong>and</strong>fill <strong>and</strong> takes<br />
up to 52,000 years to decompose?<br />
Enter another natural solution, Todd’s<br />
coconut coir scrubs - these little natural<br />
pads replace conventional scourers<br />
<strong>and</strong> sponges <strong>and</strong> are 100% eco<br />
friendly, 100% bio-degradable, retain<br />
less water <strong>and</strong> are more hygienic than<br />
synthetic sponges - plus, they support<br />
local communities in Sri Lanka where<br />
they are made. hauslife.co.uk are the<br />
exclusive UK stockists.<br />
Quick Tips:<br />
• Shop locally <strong>and</strong> support local farmers<br />
where you can<br />
• Reusable everything - use reusable<br />
bags plus try to buy glass containers<br />
that can be refilled<br />
• Reduce household waste by using a<br />
compost bin<br />
• Unsubscribe to letters/catalogues you<br />
don’t wish to receive<br />
• Dry laundry on a line<br />
• Use cloth instead of paper to clean<br />
your kitchen<br />
• Switch to cloth nappies – or at least<br />
combine with disposables (even one<br />
cloth nappy per day means 365 fewer<br />
disposables in the l<strong>and</strong>fill annually)<br />
• Use menstrual cups or menstrual<br />
underwear like ModiBodi to reduce<br />
l<strong>and</strong>fill<br />
• Ditch cling film <strong>and</strong> plastic bags<br />
for vegetables <strong>and</strong> use breathable,<br />
reusable bags <strong>and</strong> beeswax food wraps<br />
• Walk <strong>and</strong> cycle where you can. If you<br />
use the car, try to reduce trips <strong>and</strong><br />
avoid aggressive driving<br />
www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk | 39
talk Money, Talk Pensions<br />
Why talking about finances could help<br />
with your money worries<br />
Talking about money remains one of the<br />
biggest taboos for us as a nation. In fact,<br />
research shows that people would rather<br />
speak to their loved ones about politics or<br />
religion than money problems, according to<br />
the Money <strong>and</strong> Pensions Service.<br />
Although it can feel uncomfortable at first,<br />
these are conversations worth having as<br />
people who talk about their finances report<br />
feeling less stressed <strong>and</strong> more in control.<br />
Opening up can be the first step towards<br />
getting help.<br />
Retirement can seem a long time away, but<br />
it’s important to think about your future <strong>and</strong><br />
what kind of lifestyle you would like. Money<br />
<strong>and</strong> Pensions Service figures show that<br />
56% of working-age adults have not done<br />
very much or anything at all to plan their<br />
finances for retirement, so many of us need<br />
to think more about saving for later life.<br />
If you have a partner, talk to them about<br />
how you want to live in retirement. Couples<br />
can have widely contrasting views about<br />
their finances so it’s important to discuss<br />
your goals to avoid arguments!<br />
The first step is to work out your options in<br />
retirement, <strong>and</strong> then come up with a plan.<br />
You should look at your current pension<br />
savings to work out how much more you<br />
will need to save. Tools are available to help<br />
you estimate your income in retirement,<br />
such as the pensions calculator on the<br />
Money Advice Service website.<br />
Whatever the situation, sharing decisions<br />
about spending <strong>and</strong> saving, <strong>and</strong> discussing<br />
money openly, will help avoid arguments<br />
<strong>and</strong> tension.<br />
Do get in touch to get chatting about your<br />
finances <strong>and</strong> make sure you are on track<br />
for the future you want. For any questions<br />
about pensions you can contact the Money<br />
<strong>and</strong> Pensions Service by phone on 0800<br />
011 3797.<br />
40 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
Caring for the elderly members of your family<br />
Over Christmas you may have spent some time with the family <strong>and</strong> perhaps more time with<br />
the elderly members <strong>and</strong> you become concerned about their health?<br />
Here we list 8 warning signs to assess if they need help <strong>and</strong> what to<br />
do if they do. You may wish to consider the following questions:<br />
1. Is the person (persons) able to take care of themselves?<br />
Pay attention to their appearance. Failure to keep up with daily<br />
routines - such as bathing <strong>and</strong> tooth brushing - could indicate<br />
dementia, depression or other physical impairments.Also pay<br />
attention to their home. Are the lights working? Is the heat on? Is the<br />
garden overgrown? Any changes in the way things are being done<br />
around the house could provide clues to their health. For example,<br />
scorched pots could mean they are forgetting about food cooking<br />
on the stove. Neglected housework could be a sign of depression,<br />
dementia or other concerns.<br />
2. Are they experiencing memory loss?<br />
Everyone forgets things from time to time. Modest memory<br />
problems are a fairly common part of ageing, <strong>and</strong> sometimes<br />
medication side effects or underlying conditions contribute to<br />
memory loss. There’s a difference, though, between normal<br />
Changes in memory <strong>and</strong> the type of memory loss associated with<br />
Alzheimer’s disease <strong>and</strong> other types of dementia. Are the memory<br />
changes limited to misplaced glasses or an occasionally forgotten<br />
appointment - or are the changes more concerning, such as<br />
forgetting common words when speaking, getting lost in familiar<br />
neighbourhoods or being unable to follow directions?<br />
3. Are they safe in their home?<br />
Take a look around their home, keeping an eye out for any<br />
problems. Could their be a difficulty navigating a narrow stairway?<br />
Are they able to read directions on medication containers? When<br />
asked, do they say they feel safe at home?<br />
4. Are they safe on the road?<br />
Driving can be challenging for older adults. Do they become<br />
confused while driving or are you concerned about their ability to<br />
drive safely, it might be time to stop driving. They could be a danger<br />
to others.<br />
5. Have they lost weight?<br />
Losing weight without trying could be a sign that something’s<br />
wrong. Weight loss could be related to many factors, including:<br />
• Difficulty cooking.<br />
• Loss of taste or smell.<br />
• Underlying conditions - indicating ill health.<br />
6. Is the person (persons) in good spirits?<br />
Note their moods <strong>and</strong> ask how they’re feeling. A drastically different<br />
mood could be a sign of depression or other health concerns.<br />
7. Are they still social?<br />
Talk to them about their activities. Are they connecting with friends?<br />
Have they maintained interest in hobbies <strong>and</strong> other daily activities?<br />
Are they involved in organisations or clubs? Have they given up on<br />
being with others, it could be a sign of a problem.<br />
8. Is the person (persons) able to get around?<br />
Pay attention to how they are walking. Are they reluctant or unable<br />
to walk usual distances? Have they fallen recently? Is knee or hip<br />
arthritis making it difficult to get around the house? Would they<br />
benefit from a cane or walker? Issues such as muscle weakness<br />
<strong>and</strong> joint pain can make it difficult to move around as well. If<br />
someone is unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk of falling - a<br />
major cause of disability among older adults.<br />
Taking action<br />
There are many steps you can take to ensure the person/persons’<br />
health <strong>and</strong> well-being, even if you don’t live nearby. Share your<br />
concerns with them. Your concerns might motivate them to see a<br />
doctor or make other changes.<br />
Encourage regular medical check-ups<br />
If you’re worried about weight loss, depressed mood, memory<br />
loss or other signs <strong>and</strong> symptoms,encourage them to schedule a<br />
doctor’s visit.<br />
You might offer to schedule the visit or to accompany them to the<br />
doctor - or find someone else to attend the visit. Ask about<br />
follow-up visits as well.<br />
Address safety issues<br />
Point out any potential safety issues you have observed - then make<br />
a plan to address the problems. For example, the person (persons)<br />
concerned might benefit from using assistive devices to help them<br />
reach items on high shelves. A higher toilet seat or h<strong>and</strong>rails in the<br />
bathroom might help prevent falls. If they are no longer able to drive<br />
safely, suggest other transportation options -such as taking the bus<br />
or using a taxi.<br />
Consider home care services<br />
Particularly if they are having trouble taking care of themselves, you<br />
could hire someone to clean the house <strong>and</strong> run err<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> help<br />
with daily activities, such as bathing. To ensure good nutrition Meals<br />
on Wheels is also an option.<br />
And finally<br />
It would be a good idea to secure an Enduring Power of<br />
Attorney to ensure that if things get worse you can step in<br />
without having to involve the Court of Protection. Your<br />
solicitor will be able to give you good advice on this.<br />
42 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
the homecare<br />
people<br />
Most of us want to remain<br />
independent at home for as long as<br />
we can, yet there is a common belief<br />
that a care home is the next option.<br />
However for most people Home Care<br />
can support them for years. That’s<br />
what the Homecare people do.<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
One of the difficulties is recognising when you need care, often<br />
it starts with simple jobs that become a frustration, sometimes<br />
it’s very personal issues you don’t want to discuss with family.<br />
Sometimes its full time care <strong>and</strong> knowing there is always<br />
support available.<br />
Graham Wilson, MD said “We all share a passion to provide<br />
the best care we can. This starts with selecting the right people<br />
as your carers which is a combination of Training, experience,<br />
attitude <strong>and</strong> manner. It’s also about paying a fair rate for the<br />
positive effect they have on our clients <strong>and</strong> their family’s lives.”<br />
Spencer Markham the Care manager said “Home Care shouldn’t<br />
be rushed, so our visits are typically for an hour. This involves<br />
working with an agreed schedule of tasks to support your health<br />
<strong>and</strong> wellbeing which may involve personal support yet allows for<br />
that all important time just to have a chat <strong>and</strong> really get to know<br />
you <strong>and</strong> how you are.”<br />
Services range from simple support, to dressing, bathing,<br />
continence care <strong>and</strong> helping with medicines or help with<br />
preparing a nutritious meal. We also provide complex care, live<br />
in care <strong>and</strong> end of life care.<br />
Call us on 0118 997 7499, or visit our office at 59 Peach<br />
Street, <strong>Wokingham</strong> www.thehomecarepeople.co.uk<br />
At some point we will all need a<br />
little care support or more<br />
It’s hard to know when that will be, for some it’s the simple<br />
things like making the beds or making a nice meal that<br />
become difficult or perhaps more personal care needs, all<br />
a level of frustration <strong>and</strong> risk we can do without.<br />
We look after people at home helping with the little things<br />
or more complicated care <strong>and</strong> live in care<br />
Call us for a chat.<br />
44 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk<br />
The Homecare People<br />
Love to care<br />
0118 997 7499<br />
www.thehomecarepeople.co.uk
Time to Veg Out!<br />
The growing popularity of<br />
vegetarian <strong>and</strong> veganism is<br />
not something confined to<br />
the young...<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
For both ethical <strong>and</strong> health reasons, more people in Britain are<br />
now reducing their meat consumption, choosing more vegetarian<br />
<strong>and</strong> vegan diet options, making them more popular than they<br />
have ever been. To support that societal shift, a charity was<br />
founded in 2008 to support vegetarians <strong>and</strong> vegans who came to<br />
this choice later in life. Vegetarians for Life (VfL) was established<br />
to promote the fact that no-one should be forced to give up on<br />
their dietary preferences or needs just because they are older or<br />
go in to care.<br />
Astbury Manor Care Home in <strong>Bracknell</strong>, operated by Avery<br />
Healthcare, is proud to be a member of VfL’s directory, a 1,300<br />
strong list of veggie-friendly organisations. Three of Avery’s<br />
chefs were recently crowned as winners in VfL’s <strong>2019</strong> Awards for<br />
Excellence in Vegetarian Care Catering; they scooped Vegetarian<br />
Chef of the Year, Vegetarian/Vegan Dish of the Year <strong>and</strong> were<br />
Runners Up for the Special Recognition Award. The Astbury<br />
Manor chefs also work to this st<strong>and</strong>ard, providing first-class<br />
vegetarian <strong>and</strong> vegan options, taking into account religious <strong>and</strong><br />
cultural dietary needs as well as resident dining preferences.<br />
Am<strong>and</strong>a Woodvine, VfL chief executive, said: “Approaching<br />
500,000 people over 65 live in care homes <strong>and</strong> the number of<br />
vegetarians <strong>and</strong> vegans among them has trebled in five years.<br />
They <strong>and</strong> their families have underst<strong>and</strong>able concerns about their<br />
dietary needs <strong>and</strong> preferences being met, with food prepared<br />
separately to meat products by a chef who takes the time to<br />
underst<strong>and</strong> their needs <strong>and</strong> ensure a good variety of nutritious<br />
<strong>and</strong> tasty foods are available to them. I am pleased to see Avery<br />
fully supporting this.”<br />
For more call 01344 359100 or Search ‘Astbury Manor Care’<br />
online or on Facebook.<br />
TVWS - Power of<br />
Attorney experts<br />
TVWS explains the importance of an LPA<br />
WHY do I need an LPA?<br />
If you become mentally unable to manage your own affairs, no-one<br />
else has the automatic right to do this on your behalf (unless they<br />
have been nominated in an LPA).<br />
WHO is involved in an LPA?<br />
The DONOR is the person granting the power to one or more<br />
ATTORNEYS who may have to act together or be allowed to act<br />
individually. There may also be people the donor wishes to be<br />
notified when the LPA is registered. Every LPA must be registered<br />
with the Office of the Public Guardian (OPG) <strong>and</strong> stamped by them<br />
before it can be used.<br />
WHEN must I have an LPA prepared?<br />
The sooner the better. Like insurance, no-one wants to have to use<br />
it, but just as applying for insurance once the damage has been done<br />
is too late, no-one knows when illness or accident will strike <strong>and</strong> if it<br />
does it is then too late to prepare LPAs. Unlike most insurances, they<br />
do not have to be renewed each year.<br />
WHEN will it come into force?<br />
An LPA is valid <strong>and</strong> ready for use as soon as the registration process<br />
has been completed. Once registered, an LPA HW can only be used<br />
when the donor does not have mental capacity to make the decision,<br />
but an LPA PFA may be used at any time.<br />
WHAT do I need to do now?<br />
Phone THAMES VALLEY WILL SERVICES on 01344 641885 or<br />
e-mail them at tvwills@yahoo.co.uk to arrange a free no-obligation<br />
consultation at your home or for more information.<br />
Thames Valley Will Services<br />
• PROFESSIONAL HOME VISIT SERVICE<br />
• FREE NO-OBLIGATION CONSULTATION<br />
• Wills<br />
• Lasting Powers of Attorney<br />
• Pre paid Funeral plans<br />
• Executor & Probate Service.<br />
• Daytime evening or weekend<br />
appointments<br />
• Fees set out in advance<br />
• Member of the Society of Will Writers<br />
• Approved by Trading St<strong>and</strong>ards -see<br />
www.buywithconfidence.com<br />
• 10% discount for readers of this<br />
publication<br />
4 Dunley Villas, Forest Road, Binfield RG42 4HE<br />
01344 641885<br />
tvwills@yahoo.co.uk | www.tvwills.com<br />
46 | www.wokinghamlifestyle.co.uk
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