Newmarket and Ely Living 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 />
10 Education<br />
Extra curricular activities are an important<br />
part of any child’s development - it’s all<br />
about finding the right one<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 />
Magical<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 Simeon Wynn<br />
e simeon@minervapublications.co.uk<br />
dd 01225 613 515<br />
twitter: @<strong>Ely</strong><strong>Living</strong><br />
w www.newmarketliving.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 />
Katie<br />
Katie<br />
Contributors Rebecca Williams, Peter Thomson, Dan Weston, Angela Cave, Pete<br />
Lawrence, Kate O’Connell <strong>and</strong> Lucy Saunders. Front cover: Clarence Court Eggs<br />
Web Account Manager Louise Thomson<br />
d/l 01225 308 101<br />
MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ<br />
County Gate, County Way, Trowbridge,<br />
Wiltshire BA14 7FJ t 01225 308128<br />
visit our website www.newmarketliving.co.uk<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.newmarketliving.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 />
Anglesey Abbey<br />
Quy Road, Lode, Cambridge CB25 9EJ<br />
01223 810080<br />
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/anglesey-abbey<br />
29, 30 November <strong>and</strong> 1, 5 - 8, 12 - 15<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Anglesey Abbey Winter Lights<br />
Combining a magical mix of light, colour,<br />
sound <strong>and</strong> nature, Anglesey Abbey Winter<br />
Lights is back with another breathtaking<br />
experience.<br />
Perfect to share with family <strong>and</strong> friends,<br />
Winter Lights returns for its ninth year.<br />
Between Saturday 30 November - Sunday<br />
5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Tinsel <strong>and</strong> Tweed<br />
Step back in time to the 1960s, as Anglesey<br />
Abbey invites you to help create Christmas.<br />
Revel in festive smells <strong>and</strong> glitzy vintage<br />
decorations throughout the Domestic Wing<br />
whilst the rest of the house will be dressedto-impress<br />
for his Lordship’s Christmas<br />
celebrations.<br />
Blackthorpe Barn<br />
Rougham, Bury St Edmunds IP30 9LZ<br />
01359 270880<br />
events@blackthorpebarn.com<br />
Runs until Monday 23 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas - Yule’ll love it!<br />
Every year, for many years, the heavy oak<br />
doors of Blackthorpe Barn, in the heart of<br />
Suffolk, are drawn back during the winter<br />
season to unveil a truly magical <strong>and</strong> unique<br />
Christmas experience for all to enjoy.<br />
This year the Country Christmas Shop is<br />
bigger <strong>and</strong> better, as it suggests, a haven<br />
for everything Christmassy from special<br />
gifts, baubles <strong>and</strong> decorations to lighting<br />
<strong>and</strong> gift wrap.<br />
There will be Festive Nights (late night<br />
shopping) Fridays 6, 13 & 20 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
till 7pm.<br />
Church Farm Stow<br />
Bardolph<br />
Nr Downham Market PE34 3HT<br />
01366 382162<br />
www.churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk<br />
Monday 9 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Wreath Workshop<br />
Enjoy a relaxed, festive workshop using<br />
spruce, forest floor pine cones, hedgerow<br />
teasels completed with cinnamon sticks<br />
<strong>and</strong> dried fruit slices. Create a gorgeous,<br />
natural, seasonally scented Christmas<br />
4 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk<br />
wreath to take home.<br />
Tuesday 24 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 3pm<br />
Crib Service at Church Farm<br />
This is a children’s service telling the<br />
Christmas story with lots of carols.<br />
The service is about 25 minutes long.<br />
Everyone will be seated in the barn on a<br />
bed of straw.<br />
It is the most magical <strong>and</strong> wonderful way to<br />
start your Christmas celebrations.<br />
<strong>Ely</strong> Cathedral<br />
Chapter House, The College, <strong>Ely</strong> CB7 4DL<br />
01353 660349<br />
www.elycathedral.org<br />
Sunday 8 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 5.15pm<br />
The Big Christmas Tree Light<br />
Switch -On Service<br />
Go <strong>and</strong> see the biggest, most spectacular<br />
Christmas tree in <strong>Ely</strong> as we countdown to<br />
the switching on of the lights.<br />
This popular event designed for young<br />
children <strong>and</strong> families celebrates the festive<br />
season in song <strong>and</strong> prayer, concluding<br />
with the blessing of the magnificent tree<br />
complete with fairy dust!<br />
Thursday 12 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 10.30am<br />
Christmas Story <strong>and</strong> Song Time<br />
A very special service recommended for<br />
younger children re-telling the Christmas<br />
Story in the wonderful setting of <strong>Ely</strong><br />
Cathedral. This short service will include<br />
storytelling, delicious snacks plus songs<br />
<strong>and</strong> prayers in preparation for Christmas.<br />
Friday 13 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
A Christmas Carol -<br />
Charles Dickens<br />
A Christmas Carol is brought to life in<br />
a traditional production, complete with<br />
beautiful period costumes, song, dance,<br />
<strong>and</strong> a generous helping of festive spirit.<br />
Saturday 14 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 2pm<br />
Community Christmas Carol Singa-Long<br />
Forget the Christmas shopping for an hour!<br />
Go <strong>and</strong> sing-a-long to your favourite<br />
carols with Christmas music, readings <strong>and</strong><br />
prayers. Free admission, all welcome.<br />
Sunday 15 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 1.30pm<br />
Royal Papworth Hospital Charity’s<br />
Annual Christmas Carol Service<br />
The carol service provides the perfect<br />
opportunity for festive cheer with traditional<br />
carols <strong>and</strong> readings whilst raising vital<br />
funds for Royal Papworth Hospital.<br />
Saturday 21 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
Hark! The Herald - Carol Concert<br />
Hark! The Herald is a memorable evening<br />
of traditional Christmas carols <strong>and</strong><br />
seasonal music in the magical setting of <strong>Ely</strong><br />
Cathedral.<br />
Sunday 29 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 4pm<br />
Service of Readings <strong>and</strong> Carols<br />
This service will be supported by members<br />
of the <strong>Ely</strong> Cathedral Octagon Singers along<br />
with local singers, their guests <strong>and</strong> by any<br />
other singers who find themselves in <strong>Ely</strong><br />
on the day.<br />
Monday 30 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Carrot Productions present<br />
“The Snowman”<br />
Immerse yourself in the irresistible animated<br />
film of The Snowman this Christmas,<br />
accompanied by a live orchestra. A heartwarming<br />
experience that brings more than<br />
a snowman to life - <strong>and</strong> featuring the muchloved<br />
classic ‘Walking in the Air’ - a festive<br />
favourite for the whole family.<br />
Haverhill Arts Centre<br />
High Street, Haverhill CB9 8AR<br />
01440 714140<br />
www.haverhillartscentre.co.uk<br />
Monday 2 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 1.30pm<br />
Neil S<strong>and</strong>s’ Christmas Memories<br />
You are invited to take a festive trip back<br />
down Memory Lane. This unforgettable<br />
afternoon of nonstop nostalgia, filled<br />
with more songs & carols more stunning<br />
costumes <strong>and</strong> more festive fun than ever<br />
before!<br />
Tuesday 10 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7pm<br />
Coppelia<br />
Ninette de Valois’ charming <strong>and</strong> funny story<br />
of love, mischief <strong>and</strong> mechanical dolls. The<br />
intricate choreography is set to Delibes’<br />
score while Osbert Lancaster’s designs<br />
bring a colourful storybook world to<br />
life. A Christmas treat for the whole family.<br />
Friday 20 - Monday 30 <strong>Dec</strong>ember (Not<br />
25, 26)<br />
Snow White <strong>and</strong> the Seven Dwarfs<br />
pantomime<br />
With a brilliant cast including ITV’s hilarious<br />
Britain’s Got Talent finalist <strong>and</strong> Judge<br />
Rinder star, Drew Cameron as Muddles,<br />
a villainous Wicked Queen, a h<strong>and</strong>some<br />
Prince <strong>and</strong> the beautiful Snow White, plus<br />
the funniest <strong>and</strong> cutest Seven Dwarfs, <strong>and</strong><br />
a very clever Magic Mirror.<br />
continued
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 5
Saturday 4 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 7pm<br />
André Rieu - 70 years Young<br />
Charlotte Hawkins welcomes cinema<br />
audiences from around the world to<br />
Andre’s castle in Maastricht for a birthday<br />
celebration.<br />
Sunday 5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 2pm<br />
The Nutcracker<br />
The Royal Ballet recorded broadcast.<br />
The classical Christmas ballet. A treat for<br />
all the family.<br />
Ickworth National<br />
Trust<br />
Horringer, Bury St Edmunds IP29 5QE<br />
0344 800 1895<br />
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ickworth<br />
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 & 22 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Family Christmas Sparkle <strong>2019</strong><br />
Make Christmas decorations <strong>and</strong> crafts,<br />
sit next to the Christmas tree with stories<br />
<strong>and</strong> gifts from Father Christmas, visit the<br />
kitchen so your little ones can decorate<br />
their own biscuit <strong>and</strong> for the adults - warm<br />
up with a cup of mulled wine or apple <strong>and</strong><br />
a tasty treat.<br />
1, 7, 8, 14, 15, 19, 20, 21 & 22 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Children’s Crafts - Christmas is<br />
Coming<br />
Celebrate the festive season with some<br />
Christmas themed crafts!<br />
Monday 2 - Friday 6 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Ickworth’s Light Nights<br />
This winter, visit Ickworth’s Italianate<br />
garden that glows. Awaken your senses<br />
with a sound <strong>and</strong> light based trail capturing<br />
the magic of a Gothic Victorian Stumpery<br />
<strong>and</strong> the Gardener’s modern additions.<br />
Moyse’s Hall Museum<br />
Cornhill, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1DX<br />
01284 706183<br />
www.moyseshall.org<br />
Sunday 8, 2.30pm <strong>and</strong> Tuesday 10<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember, 6.30pm<br />
Ghost Stories of M.R. James<br />
The Victorian Gentleman returns to present<br />
the Christmas M.R. James Ghost Stories.<br />
Moyse’s Hall is holding an afternoon<br />
reading of two classic stories from the pen<br />
of the master story teller Monty James.<br />
Saturday 14 <strong>and</strong> Sunday 15 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Meet Father Christmas<br />
Pay a visit to see Father Christmas, tell<br />
him your wishes for Christmas, <strong>and</strong> have<br />
a photo taken by one of his friendly elves<br />
before he heads off for his busiest day of<br />
the year! Children will receive a free gift <strong>and</strong><br />
photo with Father Christmas.<br />
Oliver Cromwell’s<br />
House<br />
29 St Mary’s Street, <strong>Ely</strong> CB7 4HF<br />
01353 662062<br />
www.olivercromwellshouse.co.uk<br />
Friday 27 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Eel Walk<br />
Why not discover the Eel Trade <strong>and</strong> enjoy<br />
this post Christmas Day walk around the<br />
wonderful Eel Trail. Marvel at the artworks<br />
connected to the Eel Heritage <strong>and</strong> learn<br />
so much from expert guides. Walks are<br />
approximately 1 mile <strong>and</strong> usually take 1<br />
hour 30 minutes.<br />
6 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk<br />
Saturday 28 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas City Walk<br />
What better way of discovering the history<br />
of this magnificent city than being guided<br />
around its splendid array of medieval<br />
streets <strong>and</strong> paths. Embrace this post<br />
Christmas Day walk <strong>and</strong> discover the<br />
origins of the Cathedral <strong>and</strong> the importance<br />
of trade in this former Isle of Eels<br />
Sunday 29 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Christmas Riverside Walk<br />
This wintery tour takes in the city centre as<br />
well as the stunning riverside. Learn about<br />
the draining of the fens, the life of the Fen<br />
Folk <strong>and</strong> how the river serves visitors <strong>and</strong><br />
residents today.<br />
Prickwillow Engine<br />
Museum<br />
Main Street, Prickwillow CB7 4UN<br />
01353 720737<br />
www.prickwillowmuseum.com<br />
Sunday 8 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 11am - 4pm<br />
Christmas Special<br />
Get into the Christmas spirit with the sights,<br />
sounds <strong>and</strong> tastes of the festive season. e.<br />
Activities including making a festive<br />
decoration <strong>and</strong> decorating a fairy cake.<br />
Plenty of beautiful crafts to browse for<br />
Christmas gifts.<br />
The Apex<br />
Charter Square, Bury St Edmunds IP33 3FD<br />
01284 758000<br />
www.theapex.co.uk<br />
Wednesday 4 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
One Night of Elvis -<br />
Lee Memphis King<br />
Lee Memphis King, Europe’s most<br />
successful Elvis Presley tribute artist,<br />
recreates the essence of the King<br />
with consummate ease <strong>and</strong> an almost<br />
unbelievable combination of stunningly<br />
accurate vocals <strong>and</strong> incredible passion in<br />
every performance.<br />
Wednesday 18 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7.30pm<br />
Jazz at the Movies -<br />
A Swinging Christmas <strong>2019</strong><br />
This joyous show gets jazzy with a<br />
stocking-full of 20th century holiday<br />
classics <strong>and</strong> curiosities.<br />
Expect vivid music, deep repertoire <strong>and</strong><br />
droll presentation, Jazz at the Movies <strong>and</strong><br />
A Swinging Christmas is the perfect way to<br />
begin the festivities.<br />
Saturday 21 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 7pm<br />
The Fillers (The Killers Tribute)<br />
Formed in late 2006 in Bury St. Edmunds,<br />
The Fillers are the world’s first <strong>and</strong> official<br />
tribute to The Killers. They’ve captured the<br />
sound, look <strong>and</strong> feel of the Vegas quartet,<br />
performing tracks from ‘Hot Fuss’, ‘Sam’s<br />
Town’, ‘Sawdust’, ‘Day <strong>and</strong> Age’ <strong>and</strong><br />
‘Battleborn’.<br />
Monday 30 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Saturday 4<br />
<strong>Jan</strong>uary (no performance 1 <strong>Jan</strong>uary)<br />
Lionel Bart’s Oliver!<br />
The streets of Victorian Engl<strong>and</strong> come<br />
to life as Oliver, a malnourished orphan<br />
in a workhouse, becomes the neglected<br />
apprentice of an undertaker...Oliver<br />
escapes to London <strong>and</strong> finds acceptance<br />
amongst a group of petty thieves <strong>and</strong><br />
pickpockets led by the elderly Fagin.<br />
Friday 17 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 7.30pm<br />
Buble Meets Sinatra -<br />
The Showdown<br />
Michael Buble <strong>and</strong> Frank Sinatra fans<br />
will experience the closest thing to the<br />
superstars themselves in this exhilarating<br />
tribute musical.<br />
Tuesday 28 <strong>Jan</strong>uary, 7.30pm<br />
Dance to the Music<br />
Dance to the Music is a sumptuously beautiful<br />
<strong>and</strong> glamorous dance show, created, directed<br />
<strong>and</strong> choreographed by ex Strictly Come<br />
Dancing professional, Kristina Rihanoff.<br />
The Fitzwilliam<br />
Museum<br />
Trumpington Street, Cambridge CB2 1RB<br />
01223 332900<br />
reception@fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk<br />
Saturday 7 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 2pm - 4pm<br />
Family First Saturday<br />
Drop-in on the first Saturday of the month<br />
<strong>and</strong> join them for activities <strong>and</strong> art-making<br />
on the theme of festive fun.<br />
The Maltings<br />
Ship Lane, <strong>Ely</strong> CB7 4BB<br />
01353 662633<br />
www.themaltingsely.org.uk<br />
Friday 13 <strong>Dec</strong>ember - Sunday 5 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Dick Whittington<br />
Dick Whittington is off to London to seek<br />
his fortune <strong>and</strong> find the streets that are<br />
paved with gold. Along with his new found<br />
feline companion, Dick Whittington may<br />
just be the answer to everyone’s problems.<br />
Is he the one to save the day from Queen<br />
Rat’s quest to take over London?<br />
The Theatre Royal<br />
Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds IP33 1QR<br />
01284 769505<br />
www.theatreroyal.org<br />
Friday 29 November - Sunday 19 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Peter Pan<br />
Everything changes on the dull, dreary day<br />
Wendy Darling meets a strange young boy<br />
called Peter Pan. He takes her to Neverl<strong>and</strong><br />
filled with fiendish pirates, funky mermaids<br />
<strong>and</strong> an incredibly hungry crocodile. Join<br />
Peter, Wendy <strong>and</strong> the outrageous Tiger Lily<br />
as they face the most fearful pantomime<br />
villain of all Captain Hook.<br />
Thursday 12 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Call My Festive Bluff<br />
Test your knowledge of wine against the wit<br />
<strong>and</strong> expertise of a panel of bluffers as they<br />
bluff, <strong>and</strong> double bluff, as you guess <strong>and</strong><br />
quaff! Enjoy a riotous evening of laughs, fun<br />
<strong>and</strong> fine wine, hosted by Nethergate Wines.<br />
Friday 24 - Saturday 25 <strong>Jan</strong>uary<br />
Showstopper! The Improvised<br />
Musical<br />
The Showstoppers create a br<strong>and</strong> new<br />
musical comedy from scratch at each<br />
performance of this award-winning show<br />
as audience suggestions are transformed<br />
on the spot into all-singing, all-dancing<br />
productions with hilarious results.<br />
We take great care in compiling the<br />
listings however, we recommend that you<br />
contact the venue in advance as events<br />
<strong>and</strong> activities may change
Celebrate Christmas<br />
at the Holiday Inn Cambridge<br />
Party Nights<br />
starting from £36.95 per person<br />
Please call 01223 582408 for more details or<br />
email events@hicambridge.co.uk<br />
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 7
Thetford grammar school<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
Offering a wide range of extra-curricular activities because<br />
we know that well-rounded young people are best equipped to<br />
thrive academically <strong>and</strong> socially...<br />
Thetford Grammar School is an independent boarding school<br />
for pupils aged 3 – 19 years. Here at TGS we believe in the<br />
importance of a small school setting where a detailed picture of<br />
each pupil – their strengths, their needs, their hopes – is known<br />
by all staff. This means we are able to set challenges appropriate<br />
to our pupils’ ability levels, ensuring that they are always being<br />
stretched to achieve the very best of which they are capable.<br />
We offer a wide range of extra-curricular activities because we<br />
know that well-rounded young people are best equipped to thrive<br />
academically <strong>and</strong> socially. Our pupils have many opportunities<br />
to develop artistic, sporting, musical <strong>and</strong> linguistic skills through<br />
additional classes, clubs <strong>and</strong> activities. Our pupils achieve<br />
outst<strong>and</strong>ing results at GCSE <strong>and</strong> A level, with the majority of our<br />
Sixth Form going on to study at universities in the top tier of UK<br />
<strong>and</strong> global rankings including Oxford <strong>and</strong> Cambridge.<br />
Respect, Responsibility, Resilience<br />
The Three Rs are a commitment to provide everyone in our<br />
school with the opportunity <strong>and</strong> instruction necessary to develop<br />
these core values everyday. The Three Rs form a statement<br />
encompassing everything the school advocates <strong>and</strong> celebrates.<br />
By extension, they also outline behaviours <strong>and</strong> actions that the<br />
school will robustly but supportively challenge. Our goal is to<br />
inspire respectful, responsible, resilient young people capable of<br />
achieving their very best in school <strong>and</strong> in the global community<br />
beyond.<br />
We aim:<br />
• To provide a unique, personalised education for all pupils aged<br />
3-19 years;<br />
• To celebrate <strong>and</strong> support each child as an individual, finding<br />
their strengths <strong>and</strong> challenging them to achieve <strong>and</strong> to grow;<br />
• To provide a stimulating curriculum <strong>and</strong> excellent levels<br />
of pastoral care that enable the highest possible academic<br />
achievement <strong>and</strong> personal development of each pupil;<br />
• To cultivate in our pupils an international outlook that prepares<br />
them for success beyond school <strong>and</strong> inspires them to contribute<br />
positively as global citizens.<br />
It would be our privilege to have an opportunity to show you<br />
all that TGS has to offer <strong>and</strong> warmly welcome you to visit the<br />
school. For more information please contact our admissions<br />
team at: admissions@thetgram.norfolk.sch.uk<br />
8 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk
The importance of extra-curricular<br />
activities for children<br />
In team based sports they will learn how to<br />
work well in a team <strong>and</strong> they also build a lot<br />
of endurance. Every sport has something<br />
good to offer your child, whether they are<br />
played in teams or individually.<br />
Your child has spent a long day at school,<br />
however their first port of call when they<br />
home will probably be their X Box or<br />
something on the TV.<br />
However, we suggest that they will benefit<br />
greatly from a non-academic activity that<br />
they have an interest in. They can choose<br />
from sports, chess clubs, dance clubs,<br />
book clubs, <strong>and</strong> music clubs <strong>and</strong> so on…<br />
your child is bound to find something to like.<br />
There are many options for after-school<br />
activities for kids. Talk to your child about<br />
their interests <strong>and</strong> see what she may be<br />
interested in. High energy children may<br />
prefer sports or dance, while children<br />
who are quieter tend to prefer the calmer<br />
activities like book clubs, cooking class or<br />
perhaps pottery.<br />
Here are some extra-curricular activities<br />
that your child might enjoy.<br />
1. Music<br />
Some children learn to play instruments,<br />
while others prefer to sing. There are some<br />
who are good at doing both. There are so<br />
many instruments to choose from that you<br />
are bound to find something that they will<br />
enjoy playing.<br />
There is a certain freedom in music, <strong>and</strong><br />
a lot of children find joy in it. Children also<br />
tend to learn a lot about history <strong>and</strong> culture<br />
while learning something such as a musical<br />
instrument or song.<br />
2. Sports<br />
Sports such as football, basketball, cricket<br />
<strong>and</strong> softball require teamwork <strong>and</strong> a lot<br />
of energy, but if this type of sport doesn’t<br />
sound like it suits your child, there are other<br />
options such as tennis, badminton <strong>and</strong> golf<br />
that your child can try.<br />
10 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk<br />
3. Dance<br />
Even among dance, there are so many<br />
types to choose from that your child is sure<br />
to find the perfect fit. Be it ballet, tap or<br />
modern dance is something that will help<br />
your child develop physically <strong>and</strong> mentally<br />
as most forms of dance require discipline<br />
<strong>and</strong> a strong body <strong>and</strong> it keeps them active<br />
as nowadays there is very little physical<br />
activity at school.<br />
4. Painting <strong>and</strong> Sketching<br />
Perhaps your child is a blossoming artist.<br />
Playing with colours is a lot of fun <strong>and</strong><br />
creating different works of art may be<br />
something your child would prefer over<br />
other more boisterous activities.<br />
Your child will improve creative skills as<br />
the brain will begin to develop the areas<br />
associated with creativity. Painting <strong>and</strong><br />
drawing can also help develop problemsolving<br />
skills.<br />
5. Crafts, Pottery <strong>and</strong> Sculpting<br />
Working with clay <strong>and</strong> creating something<br />
with their h<strong>and</strong>s can give a child a sense of<br />
satisfaction that is not found through just<br />
any activity. Clay can have a therapeutic<br />
effect <strong>and</strong> is capable of keeping your child<br />
occupied for hours.<br />
Your child is going to develop sensory<br />
<strong>and</strong> motor skills through creative works.<br />
Children learn about shapes, the threedimensional<br />
world <strong>and</strong> even need to have a<br />
form of discipline, especially when working<br />
with clay.<br />
6. Martial Arts<br />
Though the varied styles of mixed martial<br />
arts like judo, Tae Kwan do, karate <strong>and</strong><br />
others may make one think of violence,<br />
what these really teach is discipline <strong>and</strong><br />
how to control strength rather than wielding<br />
it for violence.<br />
Martial Arts teach self-control <strong>and</strong> selfdiscipline.<br />
They also help in socialization<br />
skills <strong>and</strong> physical development in your<br />
child.<br />
7. Sewing Classes<br />
Sewing may not be something that<br />
crosses very many people’s minds for an<br />
extracurricular activity, but it is a skill that<br />
is very h<strong>and</strong>y indeed. Many children grow<br />
up with a passion for fashion, <strong>and</strong> this may<br />
be a very h<strong>and</strong>y first step for them for their<br />
futures.<br />
Sewing is as creative a field as painting or<br />
sculpting, <strong>and</strong> it is to be noted that it can<br />
be very educational for those children who<br />
want to be future designers.<br />
8. Book Club<br />
Book clubs are a great way for little<br />
bookworms to have their fun <strong>and</strong> socialise<br />
with other book lovers.<br />
Many things can be gained from a book<br />
club. Not only will the literature itself teach<br />
your child a lot about the world, the way it<br />
works <strong>and</strong> so much more, but it will also<br />
help them to develop their reading skills,<br />
which will have a tremendous impact on<br />
their writing skills.<br />
9. Cooking Class<br />
Cooking classes are great for children<br />
as they are not only an essential skill but<br />
another area where they can express their<br />
creativity.<br />
There are quite a few benefits to this as<br />
cooking food is something that will help<br />
your child develop focus, creativity <strong>and</strong> will<br />
also teach your children useful skills like<br />
how to h<strong>and</strong>le sharp knives. It also teaches<br />
them about different ingredients <strong>and</strong> how<br />
to prepare healthy <strong>and</strong> balanced meals, all<br />
with the company of others their age.<br />
10. Drama Club<br />
Your little drama kings <strong>and</strong> queens will love<br />
this one as it is a fun <strong>and</strong> productive way to<br />
use up their dramatic energies.<br />
Drama club helps your child to develop<br />
physical, artistic, social <strong>and</strong> public speaking<br />
skills. It also helps to improve a their<br />
memory <strong>and</strong> improvisation skills. Often,<br />
shy children who have a talent for acting<br />
become more confident <strong>and</strong> social through<br />
drama club.<br />
When you have a general idea of what your<br />
child wants, you can do some research<br />
to see who provides these classes in your<br />
area <strong>and</strong> then take the time to take your<br />
child to visit the place while a class is in<br />
session <strong>and</strong> see if is a stimulating <strong>and</strong><br />
comfortable environment.
SOUTH LEE<br />
SCHOol<br />
Ruth O’Sullivan, Headmistress at<br />
South Lee School speaks about the<br />
access their pupils have in all extracurricular<br />
programmes....<br />
Academic rigors <strong>and</strong> pursuits such as complex problem solving<br />
<strong>and</strong> critical thinking activities go far to strengthen the mind, but<br />
excellent extra-curricular activities will take this brain training<br />
even further.<br />
By offering activities involving learning <strong>and</strong> skills that the<br />
classroom alone cannot always facilitate, the children are<br />
exposed to a rich plethora of exciting, fun activities in which to<br />
immerse themselves.<br />
For example, a debating club can provide an opportunity to<br />
do more public speaking, a Greek club can enable children to<br />
experience life in Ancient Greece, <strong>and</strong> sport fosters strong team<br />
building skills along with healthy competition.<br />
Access to the Arts should be a given in all extra-curricular<br />
programmes. Today’s children are growing up in a very<br />
academically driven society, so they are under a huge amount of<br />
pressure to perform well in exams.<br />
By exposing our pupils to a rich, diverse <strong>and</strong> full extra-curricular<br />
program, we are allowing them to explore new things <strong>and</strong> to learn<br />
about themselves <strong>and</strong> what<br />
their future interests might<br />
be. Access to fun activities<br />
outside of the classroom<br />
is so important for mental<br />
health, providing a much<br />
needed space away from the<br />
pressures of academia.<br />
Ruth O’Sullivan,<br />
Headmistress, South Lee School in Bury St. Edmunds<br />
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
Contact:<br />
South Lee School, Nowton Road, Bury St Edmunds, IP33 2BT<br />
01284 754654<br />
office@southlee.co.uk<br />
www.southlee.co.uk<br />
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 11
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
the leys cambridge<br />
“A successful education is not only to be<br />
measured in examination grades, in the<br />
same way that no person should ever be<br />
defined by those grades.” Mr William Earl,<br />
Director of the Wider Curriculum at<br />
The Leys School, Cambridge.<br />
An education at The Leys is built on 3<br />
foundation stones; the academic, the<br />
pastoral <strong>and</strong> the wider curriculum. Wider<br />
Curricular activities form an integral<br />
part of the school week for all pupils<br />
with a significant amount of time in the<br />
afternoons <strong>and</strong> early evenings devoted<br />
to it. This is why, here at The Leys, we<br />
refer we the Wider Curriculum rather<br />
than the Extra Curriculum; education<br />
extends beyond the classroom allowing<br />
pupils to benefit from the breadth of<br />
skills, personal qualities, experiences<br />
<strong>and</strong> attitudes that are developed<br />
through performance, participation <strong>and</strong><br />
engagement. These skills are transferable<br />
to the working life of the pupils <strong>and</strong><br />
therefore huge benefits can be derived<br />
from undertaking them. Pupils at The<br />
Leys experience how hard work can yield<br />
excellent results <strong>and</strong> the programme<br />
of over 100 weekly activities, clubs<br />
<strong>and</strong> societies actively encourages a<br />
healthy, active lifestyle that supports their<br />
physical <strong>and</strong> emotional wellbeing.<br />
Everyone takes part in sports three times<br />
a week, whether as a member of a team<br />
in the major sports of hockey, cricket,<br />
netball, rugby <strong>and</strong> tennis or individually<br />
in areas such as rowing, squash,<br />
water polo, sailing, athletics, dance<br />
or badminton. The Sports Academy<br />
supports the school’s top sportsmen <strong>and</strong><br />
women by monitoring <strong>and</strong> enhancing<br />
their performance, setting goals,<br />
improving fitness <strong>and</strong> developing links<br />
with clubs. Many pupils play at County,<br />
Divisional <strong>and</strong> National levels. The school<br />
takes considerable pride in pupils’<br />
sporting successes <strong>and</strong> achievements<br />
<strong>and</strong> is equally proud of those who<br />
may not be at the ‘elite’ level but still<br />
contribute to sporting life.<br />
In Year 9 pupils start working on the Duke<br />
of Edinburgh’s Bronze award, progressing<br />
to Silver <strong>and</strong> Gold in Year 10 <strong>and</strong><br />
beyond. As part of the school’s Personal<br />
Development <strong>and</strong> Leadership Scheme,<br />
pupils from Year 10 – Lower Sixth take<br />
part in the army <strong>and</strong> navy CCF syllabus<br />
as well as providing volunteering services<br />
to the local community.<br />
Musical enrichment opportunities are<br />
vast; pupils can choose to participate in<br />
10 different musical ensembles <strong>and</strong> there<br />
are numerous options when it comes<br />
to live performance including overseas<br />
“Pupils at The Leys experience how hard work<br />
can yield excellent results <strong>and</strong> the programme<br />
of over 100 weekly activities, clubs <strong>and</strong> societies<br />
actively encourages a healthy, active lifestyle that<br />
supports their physical <strong>and</strong> emotional wellbeing.”<br />
tours (Croatia, Slovenia <strong>and</strong> Malta most<br />
recently) <strong>and</strong> the Chapel Choir who<br />
regularly join forces with choirs from the<br />
University’s College Choirs at Evensong.<br />
This year they were delighted to sing at<br />
St. Paul’s Cathedral <strong>and</strong> a number of<br />
concerts take place at the school every<br />
term culminating in the End of Year<br />
Concert at Saffron Hall in Saffron Walden.<br />
In addition to this over 200 individual<br />
instrumental lessons take place each<br />
week.<br />
The school’s Great Hall plays host to<br />
numerous dramatic performances, at<br />
least five major productions each year<br />
<strong>and</strong>, for those who prefer time out of<br />
the spotlight, the Backstage Theatre<br />
Company offers opportunities for helping<br />
with the ‘behind the scenes’ work such<br />
as theatrical makeup, sound <strong>and</strong> lighting<br />
<strong>and</strong> set-building. The Leys’ strong<br />
connections with the Charing Cross<br />
Theatre in London also enables pupils to<br />
train <strong>and</strong> perform away from the school<br />
environment.<br />
Whether physical, artistic, cultural<br />
or practical, the Wider Curricular<br />
opportunities are enormous <strong>and</strong> their<br />
benefits cannot be over-estimated.<br />
For more information or to visit The<br />
Leys contact the admissions team<br />
admissions@theleys.net or telephone<br />
01223 508904. We look forward to<br />
meeting you.<br />
12 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk
There’s a lot happening at <strong>Ely</strong> Markets this Christmas...<br />
<strong>Ely</strong> Markets will be hosting a wonderful selection of events in the run<br />
up to Christmas – including a Vegan Christmas Fair <strong>and</strong> traditional<br />
festive food <strong>and</strong> gift markets.<br />
At <strong>Ely</strong> Markets you’ll find all the local produce you need for a traditional<br />
Christmas celebration, plus a wonderful selection of crafts, gifts <strong>and</strong> vintage finds.<br />
Choose a h<strong>and</strong>made wreath for your front door, try some of <strong>Ely</strong> Gin’s famous<br />
Sloe <strong>and</strong> Cherry tipple or hunt down the perfect stocking filler.<br />
Whether you’re after last-minute gifts, local produce or some laid-back street<br />
food, make <strong>Ely</strong> Markets your festive destination this <strong>Dec</strong>ember.<br />
Vegan Christmas Fair<br />
Sun 15 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 10am – 4pm<br />
Festive Mini Markets<br />
Mon 16, Tues 17, Wed 18, Fri 20<br />
<strong>Dec</strong>ember, 10 – 3pm<br />
Last Charter Market before Christmas<br />
Thurs 19 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 8.30am – 3.30pm<br />
<strong>Ely</strong> Markets Diary:<br />
Christmas Eve Mini-Market: 10am – 3pm<br />
Markets as usual from Sat 28 <strong>Dec</strong>ember<br />
Craft, Food & Vintage Market<br />
Sat 21 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 8.30am – 3.30pm<br />
Sunday Market<br />
22 <strong>Dec</strong>ember, 10am – 4pm<br />
Special Christmas & Farmers Market<br />
Mon 23 <strong>Dec</strong>ember,<br />
8.30am – 3.30pm<br />
ELY MARKET PLACE Cambridgeshire CB7 4NT<br />
www.elymarkets.co.uk | fli @<strong>Ely</strong>Markets
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> 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 />
16 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk<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 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 />
The Hairy<br />
Bikers’ One<br />
Pot Wonders<br />
by Si King<br />
<strong>and</strong> Dave<br />
Myers is<br />
published by<br />
Seven Dials<br />
in hardback<br />
at £22,<br />
photography<br />
by Andrew<br />
Hayes-<br />
Watkins
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
HOW TO BUY A NEW<br />
HOME IN <strong>2020</strong><br />
If you are planning to buy a new home in <strong>2020</strong> here are<br />
some useful tips to get you on the property ladder...<br />
The continuing uncertainty around Brexit actually means there are<br />
delays to be done on new build homes across the country.<br />
We’ve asked Paula Higgins, Chief Executive of the Home Owners<br />
Alliance, to explain what you need to know before you buy a new<br />
build home in the current economic climate.<br />
Research, research, research!<br />
This is one of your biggest financial investments, so don’t just rely<br />
on glossy promotional materials. Read around about the developer<br />
of your new build home, 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> once you’ve put down a<br />
deposit you may have only 28 days to exchange. Speak to a feefree<br />
broker to find the right mortgage for you. For more information<br />
see New build homes <strong>and</strong> getting a mortgage (www.hoa.org.uk/<br />
advice/guides-for-homeowners/i-am-buying/new-build-homes-<strong>and</strong>getting-a-mortgage-top-tips/)<br />
Get your conveyancing solicitor lined up<br />
Try to find a conveyancer with experience of new build<br />
developments. They will need to check planning permissions,<br />
restrictive covenants <strong>and</strong> - importantly - the terms of any lease if you<br />
are buying a leasehold flat.<br />
Negotiate!<br />
With the slowing down of new build sales developers need to boost<br />
sales figures. That doubled with Brexit uncertainty <strong>and</strong> a slowing<br />
market means there is no better time to negotiate.<br />
be bold <strong>and</strong> see what else can be added into the mix – upgraded<br />
finishes <strong>and</strong> appliances are part of the negotiation process.<br />
Getting a survey<br />
Many builders won’t allow you to view the property until the day<br />
of completion. If this is the case you want to very quickly get an<br />
independent snagging inspector to identify <strong>and</strong> report on any<br />
defects or errors (from cosmetic to structural). You can read more<br />
about whether you need a snagging survey (www.hoa.org.uk/<br />
services/snagging-survey/)<br />
The HomeOwners Alliance www.hoa.org.uk offers expert advice <strong>and</strong><br />
services for every step of your home buying <strong>and</strong> selling journey.<br />
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 35
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
Owning a Property Jointly<br />
– What do I need to Know?<br />
By Carla Tirrell, Associate Licenced<br />
Conveyancer at Fraser Dawbarns LLP<br />
Solicitors...<br />
With the cost of property rising at a<br />
faster rate than incomes, many people<br />
are choosing to buy a house together<br />
in order to help them on to the property<br />
ladder. When two or more people co-own<br />
property they can either be joint tenants<br />
or tenants in common. These terms are<br />
a little old-fashioned because they come<br />
from an act that was passed nearly 100<br />
years ago.<br />
Although a lot has changed since The<br />
Law of Property Act 1925, the concept<br />
of establishing different ways of owning<br />
a home is still very useful today, perhaps<br />
even more so than it was then. So what<br />
are the differences?<br />
Joint Tenancy<br />
If nobody requests the alternative, a<br />
joint tenancy is the legal default position.<br />
Under a joint tenancy, the property can’t<br />
be divided up <strong>and</strong> all owners have equal<br />
rights to the property. If one party wants<br />
out, the other owners have no choice to<br />
agree <strong>and</strong> must either sell the property<br />
or buy the co-owner out. If one owner<br />
dies, the other owners will retain equal<br />
ownership of the entire property. If there<br />
were two joint tenants, the other will<br />
become the sole owner. A married or<br />
cohabiting couple are likely to be joint<br />
tenants of a property.<br />
Tenancy in Common<br />
Here each owner has a separate share<br />
of the property <strong>and</strong> can do with it as<br />
they wish. By default, ownership is split<br />
equally but if the parties have agreed a<br />
different ratio, that will apply. As with a<br />
joint tenancy, if one party wants out, the<br />
others must allow them to sell their share<br />
or buy them out themselves. If one owner<br />
dies, their share is distributed as set out<br />
in their Will (or according to intestacy<br />
rules if they have not made a Will).<br />
Friends or business partners buying a<br />
property as an investment will very likely<br />
be tenants in common.<br />
Changing Types of Ownership<br />
It is possible to change from joint tenants<br />
to tenants in common or vice versa by<br />
applying to the L<strong>and</strong> Registry. It is also<br />
“Although a lot has changed since The Law of<br />
Property Act 1925, the concept of establishing<br />
different ways of owning a home is still very<br />
useful today...”<br />
36 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk<br />
possible to change from sole ownership<br />
to either joint tenancy or tenancy in<br />
common, this is called transferring<br />
ownership.<br />
How Many People Can Own a<br />
Property?<br />
No more than four people can be legal<br />
owners of a property. However through<br />
use of a Trust, it is possible to have any<br />
number of owners. In this circumstance,<br />
the legal owners hold the property as<br />
trustees on behalf of the additional<br />
owners who are beneficiaries of the Trust.<br />
In this circumstance it is possible for<br />
both trustees <strong>and</strong> beneficiaries to be true<br />
owners of the property. A Trust would<br />
be necessary in the case of inheritance,<br />
where more than 4 people st<strong>and</strong> to inherit<br />
a share of the property.<br />
If you would like any more information on<br />
joint ownership of a property or on any<br />
other legal matter, please contact us at<br />
info@fraserdawbarns.com or telephone<br />
any of our offices:<br />
<strong>Ely</strong> 01353 383483<br />
March 01354 602880<br />
Downham Market 01366 383171<br />
Wisbech 01945 461456<br />
King’s Lynn 01553 666600
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.newmarketliving.co.uk | 41
BEST FACE FORWARD<br />
We are used to trends in the beauty world - from<br />
snail slime to acid peels, there are few things we<br />
won’t try in the pursuit of perfect skin. In amongst<br />
all the noise though <strong>and</strong> let’s face it, beauty confusion,<br />
is a treatment so popular <strong>and</strong> effective that<br />
one is performed worldwide 13 seconds.<br />
Enter the HydraFacial - an invigorating medical-grade treatment<br />
that not only immediately boosts your glow, but also offers longlasting<br />
skin health. So with that in mind, we sent Katie Thomson to<br />
try it out…<br />
I’ve had a lot of facials <strong>and</strong> beauty treatments, but the HydraFacial<br />
was intriguing, not least because of its popularity <strong>and</strong> tribe of loyal<br />
fans. The treatment can cover a range of issues but in the main it<br />
helps to reduce fine lines, wrinkles <strong>and</strong> skin pigmentation, increase<br />
the firmness of skin, even skin tone <strong>and</strong> help with oily, congested<br />
or enlarged pores.<br />
The facial itself has six steps, each designed to gently but<br />
thoroughly cleanse <strong>and</strong> exfoliate the skin. As with any normal<br />
facial, you start with a thorough cleanse, then you have a<br />
lymphatic massage to drain some of the fluid from the face. The<br />
next stage involves simultaneous cleansing <strong>and</strong> exfoliating. Dead<br />
skin cells are buffed away, while a combination of lactic acid <strong>and</strong><br />
glucosamine are pushed into pores to aid the exfoliation <strong>and</strong> boost<br />
hydration deep down.<br />
Then it was onto the acid peel - the process uses a powerful<br />
but gentle mix of glycolic <strong>and</strong> salicylic acids to help loosen <strong>and</strong><br />
dissolve any leftover debris <strong>and</strong> brighten the complexion. Then<br />
followed the supremely satisfying bit - the extraction. The spiral<br />
tip spins <strong>and</strong> draws out blackheads <strong>and</strong> other impurities from the<br />
pores <strong>and</strong> you can actually see the results in the extraction cup.<br />
It feels even more gentle than tan manual exfoliation, but it is far<br />
more powerful.<br />
After this, a cocktail of customised hyaluronic acid, peptides,<br />
<strong>and</strong> antioxidants are funnelled into the pores to plump, hydrate,<br />
<strong>and</strong> repair the skin, even temporarily filling out fine lines. The<br />
moisturising effects of a HydraFacial could last up to one week at<br />
a time.<br />
The last (optional) part of the facial involves targeted LED light—<br />
blue to kill acne bacteria <strong>and</strong>/or red to reduce any residual redness<br />
<strong>and</strong> help boost collagen. Your specialist will determine what’s<br />
necessary post-treatment. The cocktail of ingredients can be<br />
tailored to your skin to help you with your specific concerns - be<br />
they city pollution, acne flair ups or sun damage.<br />
The results were amazing <strong>and</strong> I’m a HydraFacial convert - joining<br />
the ranks of superfans. It’s the perfect pick me up post party<br />
season or a great treatment if you need glowing skin for a special<br />
event. Find your nearest provider at hydrafacial.co.uk<br />
health <strong>and</strong> beauty salon<br />
All Over Beauty is your local approved HydraFacial<br />
Clinic, offering a range of options to suit your<br />
individual skincare needs<br />
With prices starting from just £85, you can experience<br />
this celebrity favourite treatment from the USA, with a<br />
variety of tailored upgrade options available<br />
01284 706692<br />
email@alloverbeauty.com<br />
www.alloverbeauty.com<br />
All Over Beauty, 48 - 50 West Road, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP33 3EJ<br />
42 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk
Silver Sun Jewellery<br />
A family run business based in the beautiful market<br />
town of Woodbridge, we are retailers of quality<br />
Sterling Silver, precious & semi precious<br />
gem stone Jewellery.<br />
Est. 1990, built on reputation &<br />
delivering the highest st<strong>and</strong>ards of<br />
dry cleaning & laundry<br />
Bridal wear cleaning & preservation<br />
Repairs & Alterations<br />
Suede & Leather Specialists<br />
Curtains, rugs & removable covers<br />
Full domestic laundry cleaning<br />
Same day cleaning service available on<br />
specific garments<br />
53a The Thoroughfare, Woodbridge IP12 1DB<br />
Telephone: 01394 382114<br />
Email: Silversunjewellery@gmail.com<br />
Open: Monday - Saturday 10am(ish) - 5pm(ish)<br />
Sundays - Please phone in advance<br />
On site<br />
tailor<br />
Available for<br />
repairs &<br />
alterations<br />
5c Wellington Street, <strong>Newmarket</strong>. 01638 560610<br />
17 Whiting Street, Bury St Edmunds. 01284 701060<br />
143 Milton Road, Cambridge. 01223 755 180<br />
info@farthingscambridge.co.uk<br />
www.farthingsdrycleaners.co.uk<br />
#<br />
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 43
44 | www.newmarketliving.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 />
www.newmarketliving.co.uk | 45
ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />
Subaru Levorg<br />
Motoring Journalist Sue Cooke test drives<br />
the new Subaru Levorg....<br />
Time spent with my family is a rare treat<br />
so I’m looking forward to Christmas this<br />
year. My other half builds up holidays at<br />
work <strong>and</strong> when we finally agree the week<br />
that suits both our hectic schedules <strong>and</strong><br />
the school holidays, the thought of the<br />
usual frantic preparations are off-putting.<br />
The biggest frustration is getting the kids<br />
ready on time <strong>and</strong> then trying to cram<br />
everything into the boot of whichever car<br />
I am road testing.<br />
Luckily for us the week we chose for our<br />
holiday with relatives up North, was the<br />
week that Subaru delivered their latest<br />
family tourer. The refreshed <strong>2019</strong> Levorg,<br />
is a sporty but practical estate car. I<br />
enjoy the prestige of driving a br<strong>and</strong> like<br />
Subaru. But when I take my family away,<br />
then I want to know I am driving a safe<br />
car <strong>and</strong> Subaru has been voted Best<br />
Manufacturer for Safety Features in the<br />
<strong>2019</strong> Driver Power Survey.<br />
The Levorg has Symmetrical All-Wheel<br />
Drive technology. Other manufacturers<br />
will boast four-wheel drive but only<br />
Subaru has a system which delivers<br />
power to all four wheels, at all times. This<br />
provides instant <strong>and</strong> better traction on<br />
wet <strong>and</strong> slippery roads. Combined with<br />
the Boxer engine, which sits centrally,<br />
deeper in the engine bay, the Levorg has<br />
a more stable <strong>and</strong> safer ride, perfect for<br />
the flooding we encountered.<br />
The Levorg is also very comfortable,<br />
so much so that my partner who was<br />
supposed to help with the kids wants <strong>and</strong><br />
needs, while I drove, slept throughout the<br />
journey. The kids said how comfortable<br />
the ride is in the rear <strong>and</strong> the driver’s seat<br />
has power adjustable lumbar support,<br />
but I was quietly happy to experience the<br />
sheer driving enjoyment that Subaru has<br />
always been able to deliver.<br />
The exterior front face has been<br />
revamped with a more refined front<br />
bumper, a sharper front grille <strong>and</strong><br />
refreshed LED steering responsive<br />
headlights which provided good visibility<br />
as the light dimmed. There are enhanced<br />
fog light designs <strong>and</strong> newly styled 18”<br />
alloy wheels.<br />
In the quality cabin, there has been<br />
a variety of discreet upgrades to the<br />
instrument panel, door trim <strong>and</strong> switches.<br />
Rear seat <strong>and</strong> boot space usability has<br />
been enhanced with a new 40/20/40 split<br />
folding rear seat configuration that is<br />
particularly suited to loading long items<br />
with two passengers seated in the rear.<br />
Levorg features all of the infotainment<br />
<strong>and</strong> audio offerings you would expect<br />
in a family tourer. The intuitive 7”<br />
multifunction colour touchscreen is easy<br />
to use <strong>and</strong> contains Apple CarPlay <strong>and</strong><br />
Android Auto, DAB radio, Bluetooth®<br />
connectivity <strong>and</strong> satellite navigation.<br />
For <strong>2019</strong>, there is a new 2 litre naturally<br />
aspirated petrol engine combined with<br />
Subaru’s Lineartronic CVT transmission.<br />
Safety features include EyeSight driver<br />
assistance with adaptive cruise control,<br />
pre-collision braking <strong>and</strong> lane departure<br />
warning. Previous technologies included<br />
blind spot monitoring <strong>and</strong> a reversing<br />
camera <strong>and</strong> for <strong>2019</strong>, there is a front<br />
view camera <strong>and</strong> smart rear-view mirror<br />
to improve visibility in areas that would<br />
ordinarily be obstructed from view.<br />
Comfortable <strong>and</strong> capable around town,<br />
effortless on the motorway <strong>and</strong> with<br />
exhilarating h<strong>and</strong>ling on a coastal road,<br />
the refreshed Subaru Levorg was our<br />
perfect family tourer.<br />
Facts at a Glance<br />
Model: Subaru Levorg GT Lineartronic<br />
Price: £ 30,995otr<br />
Engine: 2.0i litre Boxer<br />
Performance: 0-62mph in 11.7 seconds<br />
<strong>and</strong> on to a top speed of 121mph<br />
Combined fuel consumption: 22.03-<br />
32.62mpg (WLTP)<br />
CO2 emissions: 167g/km<br />
46 | www.newmarketliving.co.uk
(BETTER where it MATTERS)<br />
THE NEW SUBARU LEVORG.<br />
DRIVING VERSATILITY.<br />
Estate car practicality, Sports Tourer<br />
comfort <strong>and</strong> h<strong>and</strong>ling with<br />
always-on All-Wheel Drive confidence.<br />
Subaru Levorg 2.0i GT Lineartronic<br />
FROM<br />
ONLY £30,995<br />
DISCOVER MORE AT<br />
Cambridge Subaru 01223 633706<br />
www.cambridge-subaru.co.uk<br />
158 Shelford Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire CB2 9NE<br />
SUBARU LEVORG fuel economy <strong>and</strong> CO2 results (WLTP): Combined 32.62mpg, CO2 emissions 167g/km. Fuel consumption figures are<br />
determined according to the WLTP test cycle. Mpg figures are official EU test figures for comparative purposes & may not reflect real<br />
driving results. CO2 figure shown is based on the outgoing NEDC test cycle & will be used to calculate vehicle tax on first registration.<br />
Only compare fuel consumption & CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical st<strong>and</strong>ard. Fuel consumption achieved<br />
in real life conditions & CO2 produced depends on a number of factors including accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in<br />
weather, driving styles & vehicle load.<br />
†Every vehicle marketed by Subaru (UK) Ltd, excluding WRX STI, is covered by a 5 Year/100,000 mile (whichever comes sooner) Limited<br />
Warranty which comprises of a st<strong>and</strong>ard 3 Year/60,000 mile (whichever is sooner) Manufacturer’s Warranty (bumper to bumper,<br />
excluding clutch driven plate) <strong>and</strong> an Extended Warranty (applies to powertrain only) provided by the importer. Vehicle shown is a<br />
Subaru Levorg 2.0i GT Lineartronic with optional special paint finish (£550). OTR price of £31,545.00. OTR price incl. VAT, delivery,<br />
number plates, 12 months road fund licence <strong>and</strong> first registration fee. Prices correct at time of going to print. Please consult your local<br />
Subaru dealer for exact quotation.