EPICURE Winter Issue 2020/21

EPICURE 

SOUTH EAST 

WHERE GREAT TASTE BEGINS 

WINTER 2020/21 

£4.50 WHERE SOLD 

THE 

FESTIVE 

EDITION 

HEALTH 

INSIDE OUT 

WE LOOK AT 

GUT HEALTH 

AND MOVING 

WITH 

PURPOSE 

+ 

ARTS 

HEALTH 

FOOD & 

DRINK 

MOTORING 

HOME 

GIFTS PERFECT PRESENTS FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR LIST 

INTERIORS MAKING THE BEST OF WORKING FROM HOME 

ALAN TITCHMARSH WE INTERVIEW THE NATIONAL TREASURE

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CONTENTS 

44 

71 

ON THE COVER 

08 GIFTS GALORE 

Our roundup of some of the best gifts out there 

for the festive season - everyone on your list 

should be ticked off at the end! 

35 WFH WINS 

Ways to transform your work from home space 

to make it more productive and comfortable 

39 ALAN TITCHMARSH 

We interview the gardening legend about his love 

for writing poetry 

4 EPICURE | Winter 2020/21

EPICURE 

SOUTH EAST 

51 

HEALTH & STYLE 

51 ANCIENT WONDER 

We catch up with Qigong specialist Arron 

Collins-Thomas on this self-healing technique 

54 THE GUT STUFF 

We chat to the twins behind 'The Gut Stuff ' 

and listen to their advice on gut health 

54 

THE BEST OF THE REST 

19 FESTIVE FOOD 

Lovely recipes to add some Christmas sparkle 

into your proceedings 

25 EDUCATION 

We find out more about the PSB plus what 

COVID has meant for primary schools 

44 SCANDI CHRISTMAS 

The laid-back Christmas style that sings to our 

desire for a simpler life 

19 

62 PROF JUNE ANDREWS 

COVID-related advice on care homes from the 

dementia expert 

EPICURE | Winter 2020/21 5

LUXE LOUNGE 

I know I haven't been the 

only one spending my days 

in activewear. I've upgraded 

though to these amazing NKD 

leggings from Ryderwear. 

I think they make a nice 

upgrade from the PJ bottoms 

I have that my dog chewed a 

hole in! uk.ryderwear.com 

EDITOR’S 

PICKS 

A NOTE FROM THE 

EDITOR 

PUBLISHING EDITOR: 

KATIE THOMSON 

katie@epicuremag.uk 

FOR ADVERTISING: 

INTERIM ACCOUNT MANAGER 

Louise: studio@minervapublications.co.uk 

PRE-PRESS MANAGER: 

KATE O’CONNELL 

CONTRIBUTORS: 

SALLY THOMSON, PROF JUNE ANDREWS, 

LUCY SAUNDERS, DANIEL WESTON, SUE 

COOKE, DARREN WILLMOTT 

Cover image: lights4fun.co.uk 

EPICURE Magazine is published by Minerva 

Publications. Registered Office: Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB. Printed on sustainably sourced 

paper. Please recycle this copy or pass it along when you 

are finished. ISSN: 2632-4938 

epicuremagazine.co.uk 

TOP TREATS 

So far during 

lockdown I've 

left no carb 

behind. All 

hail bread with 

every meal! I've 

discovered the 

UNBELIEVABLY 

delicious 

goodies from the English Cheesecake 

Company. Try the honeycomb number. 

You'll never look back. Use code 

WELCOME10 for 10% off your first order too! 

englishcheesecake.com 

MEET THE 

EPICUREANS 

It's been a hot minute hasn't it! Hi from (nearly) the 

other side. Our beautiful baby EPICURE has been 

laying dormant - a bit like me - since the spring, but baby, we are back! Yes, a little 

skinnier than usual - not like me - but we are so glad to be producing this special 

magazine again - we hope you're pleased to see it again too! I hope this period hasn't 

been too trying for you and that you and your loved ones have come out of the other 

side healthy and happy. We are all, naturally, feeling a little reflective, so here's a little 

pause for thought and summary of what has been, and what's yet to come. 

1. KINDNESS REALLY IS EVERYTHING - in all this doom and gloom, hasn't it been 

wonderful to witness the power of simple acts of kindness? Whether we've been 

shopping for the vulnerable or recognising local heroes, it has restored my faith 

in humanity. 

2. REDISCOVERING OUR COMMUNITIES - I've met more neighbours in the last six 

months than in the previous four years. I'm shopping at my local zero waste 

shop and this year I've vowed that none of my gift purchases will come from 

Amazon - indie shops have taken a bashing, so we can all help them hang 

around by directing our £££'s their way. 

3. HAVE A SIMPLE CHRISTMAS - how lovely is the thought that, instead of the usual 

crazy materialistic binge, most of us just want to be able to see, and hold, our 

loved ones this year. Isn't that what it's all really about! My home too will be 

much more pared back - I've been loving more Scandi-style decorations like the 

pampas-filled baubles above (get yours from hauslife.co.uk). 

All that's left is to wish you the merriest of Christmases, and a bright and positive 

2021 - let's carry these lessons and be hopeful for what's to come. 

Katie Thomson, PUBLISHING EDITOR 

INSTAGRAM @epicure.magazine / @katietravel 

The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an advertisement to appear, or 

any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and misprints. No part of this publication may be 

reproduced without prior permission from the publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily 

those of the publishers. 

By submitting material to EPICURE magazine, Minerva Publications is automatically granted the royalty-free, 

perpetual, irrevocable right and license to use, reproduce, edit, distribute and display such material, in whole 

or in part, and/or to incorporate it in other works in any form, media, or technology now known or later 

developed for the full term of any rights that may exist in such content. The contributor agrees not to submit 

material where they do not own the copyright or do not have the necessary licenses or approval from the 

owner. Prices and details of products, services and events are believed to be correct at the time of print but 

may be subject to change. 


Christmas 

with the RHS 

Discover exclusive gift 

ideas, beautiful books 

and festive treats as 

well as everything you 

need to deck your halls 

with this Christmas. 

rhsshop.co.uk 

Your purchase supports our 

charitable work. Thank you! 

RHS Registered Charity No. 222879/SC038262

FESTIVE 

FAVOURITES 

STAY FIT, LOOK SHARP 

Even gym closures didn't stop lots of us from getting active. 

And lord knows there was no harder transition post Lockdown 

1.0 than having to get back into jeans after months of only 

wearing leggings. We love Aussie brand Ryderwear - their 

NKD range are dupes for the much price-ier lululemon Aligns 

and they make a range of stylish pieces for every session (even 

if that session is just lounging on the sofa) uk.ryderwear.com 

SCANDI CHRISTMAS 

1 

WILD STYLE 

The only flat boots you need to stomp into the new year - 

bring on 2021! Berkley boots, £160, duoboots.com 

We've long looked to Scandinavia for style inspiration, but their 

Christmas decorations seem to strike a chord with the more 

paired-back, less materialistic festive season ahead. We love Haus's 

collection of glass baubles filled from dried grasses and feathers, 

brass hangings and wooden garlands. From £3, hauslife.co.uk 

3 

20 PERFECT PRESENTS 

FOR EVERYONE ON YOUR 

LIST - AND NOT A PAIR OF 

SOCKS IN SIGHT... 


4 

2 

ALL THE CURLY GIRLS 

White shimmery crocodile clips 

perfect for clipping your curls in place, 

or for fixing a curly up do. These 

smooth acetate clips slide in and out 

of your hair without getting tangled! 

£8 for pack of two, onlycurls.com 

EASY AS ABC 

Perfect alphabet 

intial makeup bags 

in a rainbow of 

colours. £5 each, 

marksandspencer.com 

FLYING LESSONS 

Give someone a really exciting 

Christmas present this year - A 

flying lesson! Different types of 

aircraft available from £90. Visit 

wlac.co.uk or call 01628 823272 to 

discuss options 

KITCHEN DISCO 

The Christmas party might not 

happen, but the we will be the 

best-dressed in the kitchen disco 

for sure. After all, six months 

in PJs is enough to make you 

want to get up. This 

year it's about easy but glam 

pieces, styled to the max with 

shimmering accessories. We 

adore this classic wrap - 

Black Sleeveless Varley Dress 

£79, neverfullydressed.co.uk5 

6 

7 


Elevate 

Your Shine 

This Christmas Time 

1 

Fine jewellery for 

discerning women. 

www.aureliean.com

8 

ADULT LEARNING 

Surrey Adult Learning courses and 

workshops made great gifts, especially 

as so many are now online. From 

dancing to baking, photography to 

programming, you're sure to find the 

perfect course. Visit surreycc.gov.uk/ 

adultlearning or call 0300 200 1044. 

9 

MAGIC MASKS 

Looks like masks are here to stay, so 

you might as well make yours a fashion 

statement. We love this one with delicate stars, £9 

neverfullydressed.co.uk 

PUMPED UP 

KICKS 

Make sure you're putting your best foot 

forward in a pair of these bad boys. We love 

the classic red star on white design, but you 

can also pick up these beauties in blush pink 

and muted gold, all white or the rocking 

black on gold. Whichever colourway you 

choose, these will definitely put a spring 

in your step in these tough times. Hoxton 

Trainers, from £95, cocoroselondon.com10 

SUPREME SCENTS 

2FOR MUSIC LOVERS 

Deck your halls with something different this 

year with theis fabulous selection of giant 3D 

vintage pin badges by Tony Dennis aka Tape 

Deck. 

The Wey Gallery is also a fantastic hub for 

artworks, for a truly special Christmas gift. 

Follow on Instagram and Facebook @ 

theweygalleryhub or visit theweygallery.com. 

The Wey Gallery,44 Bridge Street, Godalming, 

Surrey, GU7 1HL 

Divine scented candles with a perfume that 

really lasts - this aromatherapy collection 

caters for every mood. Perfect for pressies, 

but we wouldn't blame you if you kept one 

for yourself once you get to take in those 

11heady scents. £34, hauslife.co.uk 


EPICURE festive 

ARE YOU 

A CURIOUS 

Explorer? 

During these very extraordinary times, we all need things to 

look forward to! At the Weald & Downland Living Museum we 

have put extra measures in place so you can feel safe and 

secure whilst enjoying the sights and sounds of the past. 

Open daily 10:30am-4pm, admission by pre-booked 

tickets only. We are dog friendly, making us an ideal 

place for the whole family. 

Visit wealddown.co.uk 

to book your tickets. 



THE CLASSIC COAT 

13 

A coat that goes with anything? Yes 

it's possible - this lovely, classicshaped 

camel coat looks great dressed 

up or down. Camel 55 Jacket, £89, 

neverfullydressed.co.uk 

GLORIOUS JEWELLERY 

Choose something extra special this 

Christmas with a set of hand-crafted stacking 

rings from fine jewellery Aurelian. 18ct gold 

and diamond stacking rings £2,400, aureliean.com14 

15 

TREATS FOR PETS 

ALL TIED UP 

From neon leopard 

to cool metallics, 

Lottie Loves hair 

ties make amazing 

stocking fillers - let's 

face it, if you've got 

long hair you always 

need hair ties - the 

bonus is these are 

beautiful! From £5, 

lottie-loves.com 

17 

This Christmas at Natural Instinct, 

your deserving dog or cat can enjoy 

the delights of a traditional turkey 

meal, with all the trimmings! Plus 

The Natural Instinct Christmas 

Cracker is the perfect gift for the special pooch in your life this 

festive season! Why not let your pets join in with the festivities 

with their very own Christmas Cracker filled with delicious treats 

and a toy! The two treats included in the festive cracker are Mini 

Beef Sausages and Lamb lites! Also included is a surprise toy in 

each cracker suitable for your dog or cat. naturalinstinct.com 

COLLECTOR'S ITEMS 

How special it would be to 

receive an original artowrk 

for Christmas. A Winters 

Collection at McAllister 

Thomas features original 

paintings and sculpture 

by gallery artists, the 

exhibition runs until late 

January 2021. Jo Vollers, 

Yellow Dahlias (Acrylic on 

Canvas, 80 x 80 cm), £950 

16 



18 

A LITTLE SPARKLE 

Lovely sterling silver or 

gold vermeil pieces with 

semi precious stones, from 

£12 hauslife.co.uk 

ADORABLE OUTFITS 

We LOVE children's brand Frugi 

- from its adorable prints to its 

softer than soft organic cotton, all 

the little people on your list will 

be catered for here. There are lots 

of options for personalisation too! 

These Parsnip Dungarees allow room 

for growth spurts too! 

£24, welovefrugi.com 

19 

LUXURY SKINCARE 

If the lady in your life is 

serious about her skincare 

regime, then she needs 

this. Use the side with 

silicone bristles to gently 

deep cleanse your skin 

while stimulating collagen 

production; then turn the 

device around to use the side with the 

heated Silver or Gold massage plates to 

open the pores and help your skincare 

products penetrate deeper into the skin 

PMD Clean PRO 

Gold (£225) and 

20 

PMD Clean PRO 

Silver (£179), 

uk.pmdbeauty.com 


EPICURE home 

IT’S A 

DOGS LIFE 

Natural Instinct is passionate about happy 

healthy pets. We understand that a healthy diet 

plays a huge role in your pet’s life and are solely 

dedicated to providing customers and their 

furry friends with balanced and complete raw 

pet food of the highest quality... 

What is a raw food diet and why is it beneficial to the health 

of our pets? 

Natural Instinct raw pet food is Biologically Appropriate 

Raw Food (“BARF”) for dogs and cats providing a balanced 

nutritional and delicious diet. 

Here is a list of just some of the health benefits that our 

customers tell us come from feeding a raw diet: 

• Lots of energy 

• Shiny coat 

• Healthy digestion and bowels 

• Healthy skin 

• Fresher breath 

• Dense muscle structure 

• Strong bones, teeth and joints 

• More resilient immune system 

• Stools reduced & easier to clean up 

How are Natural Instinct products made? 

Natural Instinct food is made using 100% British meats and 

the freshest fruit and vegetables full of goodness and high 

value nutrients. We believe raw food for both dogs and cats is 

the best natural option for them, feeding as nature intended, 

free from artificial additives, colours, preservatives and 

fillers. That is exactly what we produce for your pets – the 

most scrumptious, natural, complete frozen meals full of 

goodness and high value nutrients. We offer the no stress, 

no mess way to feed raw! Our food is delivered to your door 

frozen, all you need to do is to defrost, serve and watch your 

pet enjoy their mealtimes! 

Are bones dangerous for pets to consume? 

Bones can be the ultimate special treat for dogs to get their 

teeth into but are also one of the most common concerns for 

owners wanting to raw feed their dog. It’s important to have 

the correct knowledge on how to feed raw bones to your 

pooch and to remember that bones are a fantastic source of 

minerals, providing a natural source of nutrition for dogs. 

We recommend following the simple three ‘S’s’ when feeding 

bones: 

• Supervise - ensure that your dog is always supervised 

• Separate - in multi pet households ensure that pets are 

separated to avoid conflict 

• Size- You may initially have to teach your dog to eat 

bones. Start with a bone larger than the size of your pet’s 

head to ensure it can’t be swallowed whole. 

How do you transition a pet to a raw diet? 

The ideal for all dogs and cats, is to do a gradual transition 

over 7-10 days. 

Day 1 - This is the exciting part! 

Take a spoon, the size of which will depend on the size of 

your dog or cat. For example, a teaspoon is recommended 

for a toy breed and a tablespoon for a large breed. Taking 

that spoon, replace a spoonful of your dog or cat’s current 

food with a spoonful of raw at each mealtime. 

Day 2 – Following on from day 1, continue to gradually 

increase the amount of spoonful’s of raw and decrease the 

amount of current food until your pet’s feeding bowl is full of 

yummy raw food! 

What about treats? 

For any dog or cat that has never eaten raw before, we 

recommend allowing a month to adjust to their new Natural 

Instinct diet before introducing any additional bones. 

The reason for this is to allow the gut to stabilise and adapt to 

handling the breakdown of bone in their new raw meat and 

bone diet. 

For any further advice, contact our friendly Customer Sales 

and Support Team on 01276 608 500 or email us at 

hello@naturalinstinct.com 


EPICURE food & drink 

LET’S GO BACK 

TO OUR ROOTS 

We’re becoming more and more connected 

with the rest of the world all of the time. It’s 

getting so much easier to spend time thinking 

global - when really, sometimes we should be 

paying more attention to things closer to home 

So, with that in mind, let’s take a look at our small, local 

businesses. There are so many passionate people doing 

wonderful things within our local community. There 

are projects that dedicate their time to help other people, 

animals and our environment, and businesses that put 

people and the planet before profit. If the past few months 

have taught us anything, it’s the importance of community. 

Those we have depended on to go the extra mile are the 

smaller businesses and individuals who have strived to make 

the lives of others in their community better. They know 

that the biggest impact we can make is to start at the bottom 

and work upwards - like an acorn starts by growing its roots 

before focusing on becoming an Oak tree. And look at what 

impact that Oak can have on its surroundings - purifying the 

air, acting as shelter for birds, a food source for Jays, insects 

and squirrels, as well as providing shelter from the rain. 

We like to think that we are one of those businesses. We’re 

a small, family-run business whose sole focus is to supply 

ethically produced fresh produce to our community in a way 

where no-one along the supply chain misses out. We’d like to 

take this opportunity to thank our customers who order our 

boxes and come to our markets for supporting us over the 

last twenty five years as we have grown. We’re by no means 

an Oak tree yet, but with your help, one day we will be. 

www.greenergreens.com 


FESTIVE 

PERFECT RECIPES TO ADD THAT 

TOUCH OF SPARKLE TO CHRISTMAS 

CELEBRATIONS. IMAGES AND RECIPES 

COURTESY OF WAITROSE 

sparkle 

RED VELVET 

MARTINI 

Inspired by the famous red velvet 

cake, this striking ruby red cocktail is 

flavoured with vanilla vodka. Makes: 1 

INGREDIENTS 

50ml vanilla vodka (or 45ml vodka and 

1 tsp vanilla extract) 

30ml grenadine 

15ml red vermouth 

Few drops red food colouring 

Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Shimmer 

Sugar to garnish 

METHOD 

Moisten the rim of a martini glass then 

dip in the shimmer sugar and set aside. 

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add the 

vodka, grenadine, vermouth and food 

colouring then shake vigorously for 30 

seconds. Fine strain into the prepared 

glass and serve. 




SMOKED SALMON 

& CRÈME FRAÎCHE 

BLINIS 

Preparation time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 10 minutes 

Makes: 20 

INGREDIENTS 

125g self-raising wholemeal flour 

Pinch salt 

1 medium egg, separated 

150ml semi-skimmed milk 

200ml pot full fat crème fraîche 

1-2 tsp vegetable oil, for frying 

1 ruby grapefruit 

1 tsp hot horseradish sauce 

½ x 20g pack fresh dill, chopped 

1 pack Waitrose & Partners Christmas 

Citrus Smoked Scottish Salmon, cut into 

20 strips 

METHOD 

Put the flour and a good pinch of salt in 

a large bowl. Make a well, then drop in 

the egg yolk. Follow with the milk and 1 

tbsp of the crème fraîche, then whisk to a 

thick batter. 

Using a clean whisk, whip the egg white 

to medium peaks, then fold carefully into 

the batter using a metal spoon. 

Put ½ tsp oil in a non-stick frying pan 

over a medium heat. Drop 1 tbsp of the 

batter into the pan, giving it room to 

spread to about 5cm across. Repeat until 

the pan is full. Cook for 1 minute, then fl 

ip with a fish slice and cook for 1 minute 

more, until puffed up and golden on both 

sides. Lift onto a plate lined with kitchen 

paper. Repeat to make 20 blinis. 

Segment the grapefruit, allowing the juice 

to drop into a separate bowl, and roughly 

chop the flesh. Stir the horseradish 

and most of the dill into the remaining 

crème fraîche, season, then fold in the 

grapefruit. 

Serve on top of the cooled blinis, with a 

twist of salmon, a sprinkle more dill and a 

grinding of black pepper. 

ORGANIC HONEY- 

R O A S T E D 

VEGETABLES 

Preparation time: 15 minutes | Cooking 

time: 50 minutes 

Serves: 4-6 

INGREDIENTS 

300g small organic potatoes, halved 

300g organic butternut squash, cut into 

1cm slices 

4 organic red onions, halved 

1 organic garlic bulb, halved horizontally 

2 tbsp organic extra virgin olive oil 

2 tbsp Rowse Organic Honey 

¼ organic lemon, trimmed and sliced 

thinly 

250g organic cooked beetroot, drained 

and cut into wedges 

2 tbsp organic half fat crème fraîche 

½ tsp organic cider vinegar 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. 

Toss the potatoes, squash, red onions 

and garlic in a bowl with 1½ tbsp oil 

and 1 tbsp honey; season. Spread over a 

large parchment-lined roasting tray and 

roast for 20 minutes. Toss the vegetables, 

adding the sliced lemon, and roast for 

another 20 minutes. 

Toss the beetroot wedges with the 

remaining ½ tbsp oil and add to the 

roasting tray. Drizzle the remaining 1 

tbsp honey over the vegetables and roast 

for a final 10 minutes. 

Remove the tray from the oven and take 

out the garlic. Squeeze the cloves into a 

bowl and mash with the back of a fork. 

Stir in the crème fraîche, vinegar and 1-2 

tsp water to make a loose dressing; season. 

Arrange the roasted vegetables on a platter 

and serve with the garlic crème fraîche. 

COOK’S TIP 

Add a bag of Duchy Organic Baby Leaf & 

Rocket Salad to the roasted vegetables to 

create a lovely, substantial side salad that 

can be served with Christmas cold cuts or 

Boxing Day ham. 

EPICURE | Winter 2020/21 21


FESTIVE SPICED 

LATTE CAKE 

Preparation time: 25 minutes 

Cooking time: 50 minutes | Serves: 10-12 

INGREDIENTS 

250g unsalted butter, melted 

300g self-raising white flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

250g Billington’s Light Brown Soft Sugar 

½ tsp ground nutmeg, plus a pinch more 

¼ tsp salt 

1 tbsp instant coffee powder, plus 1 tsp 

75ml whole milk 

275g low-fat fresh vanilla custard 

3 medium British Blacktail Free Range Eggs, beaten 

4 tbsp Billington’s Golden Caster Sugar 

2 tbsp dark rum 

200ml whipping cream 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4. Use a little of the 

butter to grease a 23cm springform tin, then line the base. 

Sift the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the 

light brown soft sugar, a pinch of nutmeg and the salt. Mix 

well with your hands to smooth any lumps in the sugar, 

then make a well in the middle. 

In a cup, mix 1 tbsp coffee with 1 tbsp hot water. Stir into 

the melted butter with the milk, 175g custard and the eggs; 

whisk into the dry ingredients until smooth. Pour into 

the tin and bake for 50 minutes, until risen, golden and a 

skewer inserted into the centre comes out clean. While the 

cake bakes, mix 1 tsp coffee with 2 tbsp caster sugar, 1 tbsp 

water and 1 tbsp rum to make a syrup; set aside. 

Place the cake, in its tin, on a wire rack to cool. After 30 

minutes, poke lots of holes into the top using a cocktail 

stick and brush with the coffee syrup. Once cooled 

completely, remove from the tin and put on a plate. 

Make a frothy topping by whipping the cream with the 

remaining 2 tbsp caster sugar and 1 tbsp rum until very 

thick, then fold into the remaining 100g custard. Spoon 

and spread the topping onto the cake, then use a fine sieve 

or tea strainer to dust with the remaining ½ tsp nutmeg. 

COOK’S TIP 

Making the cake ahead of time? You can keep the cake 

in an airtight container for a couple of days. When ready 

to serve, make and add the topping as per step 4 of the 

method (above). 



BEST FACE FORWARD 

Photographer Baz Seal launches Clique, a personal branding service for the modern and 

discerning businesswoman 

COVID has changed many aspects of our lives and behaviour, 

not least it has made many people re-examine their working 

life and consider taking the leap to start a business venture, 

or to look at ways of reshaping their project to expand their 

offering and increase their market share. 

Personal branding is a huge facet of this too - as consumers, our 

buying habits have changed dramatically in these six months, 

making us more likely to spend our money with independent 

businesses and wanting to know more about the person at 

the helm of them. Buying from people, rather than faceless 

organisations. 

International photographer Baz Seal knows the importance 

of this all too well - he has seen first hand how a portfolio of 

engaging lifestyle images have elevated the businesses of an 

array of clients across different fields. We caught up with him to 

discuss his latest venture, Clique. 

Can you tell us a little more about yourself and why you 

decided to launch Clique? 

As a photographer, my work has covered Red Carpet/ 

Celebrity(BAFTA) and Fashion (Fashion Week) and over the past 

few years I have been privileged to be invited to cover Women in 

Business events. This led me wanting to create something special 

and unique - specifically aimed at female entrepreneurs. Head 

shots are one thing, but they don’t tell the full story of the brand 

and they won’t achieve that all-important engagement across 

social media and in print. I wanted to provide my clients with a 

media-ready selection of images that made them feel empowered 

and showed potential customers their authentic self. 

Personal branding is incredibly important – how do you 

empower clients to tell the story of their business through 

photography? 

Personal Branding is what people say about you when you 

are not in the room. Personal Branding Photography is a 

very powerful business tool and will provide you with a 

library of images that can help elevate you and your brand. 

Social Media dominates all aspects of our personal and 

business lives today. How you are immediately perceived is 

vital to telling your story. 

What is the ‘Clique’ experience? 

It starts with an initial chat - or consultation. This can be via 

Zoom, telephone call or over a coffee. We discuss ‘you’ - your 

goals etc.. We then get into wardrobe and location options, 

somewhere with meaning to your businesses - I travel 

internationally for clients too. We can even look at seasonal 

shoots so you have images to use throughout the year. 

The actual shoot is the fun part! I am very aware of the 

trepidation surrounding personal photography but once we 

get shooting, its a blast! I can coax even the most camera-shy 

into having fun and relaxing into the process - and dare I say, 

enjoying it! 

Do clients have access to a range of shots to use for their 

own branding? 

Yes. Subject to the package they choose, they will have a media 

ready range of professional images at their disposal. 

Have clients found an uplift in their business from using your 

service? 

Most definitely! You will see from the testimonials on my website 

that the images we create together are having a great impact. For 

example.. “My personal and business brands have sky rocketed as 

a result of Baz’s work.” - Raimonda Jankunaite 

Where can we find out more? 

My website is live clique.international - from there you can 

see lots of examples of my work, plus some accounts from 

the amazing businesswomen I’ve been fortunate enough to 

photograph. You can also find Clique on Instrgram: 

@beyourclique 


Languages Dance, Exercise & Mindfulness 

Humanities & Social Sciences 

Craft, Design & Textiles 

Art & Photography 

Computing & IT 

Cookery 

Skills for Work 

English & Maths 

General Studies 

Get 2021 off 

to a flying start! 

Surrey 

Adult Learning 

Develop new interests or learn skills 

with a Surrey Adult Learning course. 

Hundreds of courses available with 

many online. 

So, you can explore your potential, 

whatever happens! 

BOOK ONLINE TODAY 

www.surreycc.gov.uk/adultlearning 

Customer services: 0300 200 1044


EDUCATION 

LEARNING AFTER COVID FROM THE INDEPENDENT ASSOCIATION OF PREP SCHOOLS 

WHAT IS THE PSB SCHEME // LEARNING WITH HEART AND HEAD 


Image courtesy of Edgeborough School 


WHAT IS A 

PSB SCHOOL? 

In 2012 the founding PSB schools recognised an opportunity to 

do things a bit differently; a situation created by senior schools 

pre-testing and offering places earlier and earlier for 13+ entry. 

Initially, the PSB operated in many cases with the caveat of 

‘subject to Common Entrance’, but as CE has moved inexorably 

away from being a qualifying examination to in most cases being 

simply for setting purposes, the PSB has gained increasing 

recognition as a broad and detailed record of progress and 

achievement, tailored to individual schools and pupils. The 

growth from the initial 4 schools in 2012 to 34 today has 

given the PSB a unique position in a fast shifting educational 

landscape. 

This is all allied to the increasing range of entrance routes to 

senior schools – although it is the pre-test that rules the roost. 

Closely related to this has been the shift in ISI framework 

criteria, clearly identifying and emphasising the need for 

the development of skills alongside knowledge, in order for 

schools to be recognised as excellent when reflecting pupils’ 

academic and other achievements. 

In recent years more junior schools have stepped away from 

strictly adhering to ISEB syllabus content, dropping this, 

trimming that or simply stating that they are going to do their 

own thing. Where the PSB has a clear advantage, is in creating 

and monitoring a framework for study, within which schools 

operate independently. 

The active assessment of skills with pupils is unique; whilst this 

is initially driven by teachers in the lower school, by Year 5 the 

emphasis is on self-assessment by pupils, with the support of a 

strong tutorial system. What the PSB doesn’t do is sell courses or 

demand the use of a prescribed syllabus. The expectation is that 

schools will follow a broad and balanced curriculum and that 

what they do will be reflected by strong ISI reports. 

So what makes us believe that the PSB approach is the right 

one? Put simply, the sheer weight of educational research that 

emphasises the crucial need for developing skills alongside 

knowledge. The Pearson Report Making Education Work 

emphasised that non-cognitive skills and attributes such as team 

working, emotional maturity, empathy and other interpersonal 

skills are important as proficiency in English or mathematics in 

ensuring young people’s employment prospects. 

The proof is in the pudding; the growth of schools in 

membership, and continuing interest from schools seeking 

"SO WHAT MAKES US BELIEVE 

THAT THE PSB APPROACH IS 

THE RIGHT ONE? PUT SIMPLY, 

THE SHEER WEIGHT OF 

EDUCATIONAL RESEARCH THAT 

EMPHASISES THE CRUCIAL 

NEED FOR DEVELOPING SKILLS 

ALONGSIDE KNOWLEDGE." 

membership, shows that the PSB is the right idea at the right 

time. With a philosophy that extends from Early Years, and 

the development of a whole school approach to teaching and 

learning, the PSB is a powerful vehicle for excellence. 

As things stand over 50 senior schools welcome the PSB as 

a valid course of study and recognise the PSB certificate – 

reflecting assessment across subjects studied and the core 

skills - as proof of standards achieved across the curriculum. 

Most schools additionally accept pupils via their own entrance 

tests and some use core CE – with a growing number not 

requiring Languages. Crucially the greater flexibility of entrance 

requirements enables PSB schools to offer broad, exciting and 

educationally enriching courses. 

The PSB continues to evolve as its membership grows. The 

original skills matrix has been transformed by fresh input, 

a wellbeing grid is being trialled and the newly appointed 

Director of Education is providing a strong educational focus. 

The greatest strength of the PSB is the fact that change is driven 

by staff within schools, which gives it exceptionally powerful 

ownership, and overseen by a committee of PSB Heads and 

trustees from the wider education community. 

James Barnes is The Communications Director of the PSB 


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HEAD, HEART, 

HAND AND 

HEALTH 

Schools need to consider Head, Heart, Hand 

and Health in all they do and there’s no better 

place to start than with what they eat 

It’s been 15 years since Jamie Oliver’s campaign to 

revolutionise school meals but he must have been proud 

about the MBE awarded to Marcus Rashford this month. 

TV chefs, franchise restaurants and Turkey Twizzlers may 

come and go but school food remains high on the national 

agenda. 

This is hardly surprising. Research always confirms the 

link between healthy food choices and better self-esteem, 

increased resilience and enhanced emotional well-being. It’s 

common sense then that nutrition should lie at the heart of 

the curriculum. Darren Castleman, chef at Great Ballard, 

recently joined the team and is excited by the school’s pupil 

centred mission. “We are reviewing our offering to meet the 

4H approach. If there are worries we can meet each child to 

discuss how to help. We can use cookery lessons to introduce 

new foods or encourage them to grow the very things they 

think they hate. We want to reduce anxiety and change the 

relationship children have with food by focussing not just on 

“what” they eat but “why” they eat it”. 

Jamie’s plans included teaching children to cook and, 

while it is fantastic to see food technology on the primary 

curriculum, it remains under-resourced and undervalued 

in this age of SATs and testing. Most secondary pupils 

learn little about nutrition and gain almost no practical 

cooking experience in school. At the age when they need 

to understand their bodies and diets the most, the teaching 

of cookery shrinks back to being a hobby rather than a key 

life skill. And the picture is even grimmer when it comes to 

growing food. Despite compelling evidence of its value and 

plenty of local enthusiasm it still fails to merit inclusion in 

the national curriculum. 

Thankfully some schools are putting mental and physical 

well-being at the top of their agenda. Great Ballard 

“Grow Club” are cultivating winter salads, vegetables and 

wheatgrass, which will all be served up for lunch. Classes 

forage in the woods and cookery is taught right through 

to Year 8. With the school taking pupils into Year 9 in 

September 2021, Great Ballard are keen that young people 

see the connections between what they eat and where 

"IT’S OUR AMBITION THAT NO 

YOUNG PERSON LEAVES THE 

SCHOOL HATING SPORT AND 

THAT EVERYONE FINDS THEIR 

OWN WAY TO EXERCISE AND 

ENJOY THE BENEFITS." 

it comes from. Headmaster, Mr Matt King explains: “It 

shouldn’t matter what options students take at GCSE or the 

careers they aspire to, learning to feed themselves and to live 

healthy, sustainable lives is as important as anything else they 

learn in school. Growing, cooking and sharing food is very 

much part of our community ethos. We want to make sure all 

our students learn about nutrition and realise the impact it has 

on their well-being. We recognise this subject’s value, not just 

for its creativity, but for its contribution to health and fitness.” 

It’s a move that Head of PE, Becki Lendrum, welcomes. “In 

too many schools the quality of sport is measured by results 

and trophies, by the number of county players and regional 

titles. Schools talk about “sport for all” but too often celebrate 

only the few. We want sport to be more inclusive than that and 

to emphasise its connection with our pupils’ health and habits. 

It’s our ambition that no young person leaves the school hating 

sport and that everyone finds their own way to exercise and 

enjoy the benefits”. Every senior pupil will have their own 

wellness plan; nutrition and mental health will be taught 

alongside a personal fitness programme and pupils will get 

to swim, circuit train, mountain bike, run and hike alongside 

the usual range of team sports. 

Jamie Oliver’s dream may yet be alive. The next generation 

will inherit a world of food related problems ranging from 

rising obesity to malnutrition and from unsustainable 

farming to climate change. It is clear a new direction is 

required. As so often, the answer lies with education and it is 

time to start teaching our children how to sow the seeds for a 

healthier future. 


EPICURE education 

A REFLECTION ON 

THE EXPERIENCE OF 

CORONAVIRUS IN 

INDEPENDENT 

SCHOOL SETTINGS 

The period from early March to the present day has 

undoubtedly been one full of experiences which 

we would all have wished we had not endured. The 

thousands of people who have lost their lives to the 

Coronavirus are individuals who deserve to be remembered 

and the loss for the families connected to them must be 

enormous. Many thousands more have, to a greater or lesser 

extent, fallen ill with Covid-19 and to all this we can add the 

huge negative impact of lockdown on the country’s economy 

and general well-being. The closure of schools has disrupted 

the education of millions of children. It is difficult to claim 

there is anything which is positive from this experience and 

arguably it’s too soon to be speculating along these lines. 

In full recognition of all the bad things that have happened 

so far in 2020 I am going to attempt to lift the spirits in an 

educational context and identify some areas where there may 

be a lasting gain for schools and the educational experience 

of children. 

Online teaching and learning in IAPS school, both prep 

and junior, has been far more positive than anyone could 

reasonably have anticipated. Yes, during the first couple of 

weeks of school closure, the schools were feeling their way 

and there were grounds for genuine concern that what was 

on offer was a long way short of the normal service. 

However, as no end of heads commented, they travelled 

further with online learning in two weeks than they had 

in the previous two years. In fact, towards the end of the 

summer term as schools started to welcome their pupils back, 

there was much debate about whether the older pupils in 

Year 6 should be invited back when the online learning had 

been so successful. Success online come in unexpected ways 

too as parents were able to look through a window on school 

assemblies which normally they did not have the opportunity 

to do unless it was a special event. 

The insight into assemblies was not the only way the 

relationship between the school and the parents was 

recalibrated. The premium placed on clear communication 

was never more evident and the schools who got the tone 

right from the start, even if they were passing on somewhat 

unpalatable news, saw the benefits of their efforts. Heads and 

governors were having to take decisions rapidly and to get 

them right first time and, as they did, the confidence within 

the school and parental body grew. 

Many schools reduced the fees and appealed to the parental 

body to honour their obligation to pay them with many 

predicting a poor response. Again, where the communication 

was open and clear - and parents felt they knew what was 

happening and why - the vast majority of parents paid the 

fees due. 

Not every parent has been happy but survey upon survey in 

IAPS schools has shown a very high degree of satisfaction 

with the decisions and actions of the school. If anything 

confidence has grown about sending a child to a private 

school. Virtual Open Days and tours have proven hugely 

successful and will no doubt feature even when we do get 

back closer to what we understood as normal. 

So yes, there has been great challenge and the sector will be 

more fragile for some time to come but the resilience of the 

independent sector has been never more evident and the 

quality in IAPS member schools has shone through. 

ABOUT IAPS 

Christopher King, IAPS CEO 

IAPS is a professional association for heads with over 675 

members in prep, junior and pre-prep schools in the UK and 

overseas. Founded in 1892, it is the largest heads’ association 

within the Independent Schools Council (ISC). Schools must 

reach a very high standard to be eligible for membership, 

with strict criteria on teaching a broad curriculum, 

maintaining excellent standards of pastoral care and keeping 

staff members’ professional development training up to date. 

Christopher King is chief executive, and supported by the 

senior managment team, based at their headquarters in 

Leamington Spa. Their priorities are determined by the IAPS 

Council, made up of members, elected by members. 

The IAPS school directory can be found by visiting iaps.uk 


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HOME & 

GARDEN 

TRANSFORMING YOUR WORK FROM HOME SPACE 

GARDENING LEGEND ALAN TITCHMARSH // CHRISTMAS DECORATING 



WFH 

WINS 

Working from home over these past few 

months has been...testing...whether you 

have had to carve out space on the dining 

table or you have a spare room or home 

office, here are some ideas to make your 

space more productive 

Hood Metal Desk Lamp, 

£49, cultfurniture.com 

The environment you work in is 

essential to keep your mind focused 

and your attitude positive. Why not 

make your working from home space 

extra cosy and inviting. From Pinterestworthy 

desks to aesthetically pleasing home 

office accessories, we have rounded up the best work 

from home accessories that will transform and rejuvenate 

your working space. 

DESIRABLE DESKS 

Comfort is key when working from home. Make sure your office 

space is kitted out with a desk that provides you with the space you 

need. A stylish yet sensible desk is the first accessory you 

Large Grey Pegboard, £65, 

blockdesign.co.uk 

Image from Cate St Hill 

will need for your home office. If you want a piece of 

furniture that is versatile, invest in a sturdy and sleek 

table that you can use for working at home when 

you desire. 

If you are struggling with the long hours of 

sitting, look into a Varidesk - these can be added 

on top of an existing desk and can be adjusted 

to multiple height settings to allow you to 

move throughout the day from seated to 

standing. vari.com/uk 

COMFY CHAIRS 

Pair your desk with a comfortable 

chair. Remember, if you are planning on 

working from home for a while then having 

a comfortable chair to work from is vital. You 

could invest in a cosy armchair or opt for a 

classic office desk chair, pick something that 

Metal Hanging Lamp 

with Plant Pot, £95, 

cultfurniture.com 

will suit your needs and will not give you aches and pains and the 

end of a working day. 

PLANTS 

Bring the outside in with lots of plants. Plants are not only ideal 

for revamping an office space, they are also great for your health, 

purifying the air, increasing concentration and productivity, 

boosting your mood, relieving stress and even helping you sleep at 



Handwoven Berber Rug, 

£335, roseandgrey.co.uk 

night. Plants are a quick and 

relatively cheap way to refresh 

your home office. 

Lines Mudcloth Cushion 

(more shapes available), £55, 

hauslife.co.uk 

WALL DECOR 

If your surroundings are 

empty then so will your head 

be. Wall decor is a fantastic way to 

bring some life and character into your 

home office. There are lots of companies that sell wall decor for 

a reasonable price, so you wont be splashing the cash to revamp 

your space. Wall art will fill in the bare spaces and will instantly 

lift your mood when working from home. 

CANDLES/ SCENTS 

Fill your office space with scented accessories. From candles to 

diffusers, there are lots of options for bringing an inviting smell 

into your office and also adding a touch of class and calmness 

to your desk. 

Box Three Drawer Desk, 

£1399, konkfurniture.com 

RUGS 

Make the room as cosy as possible with a stylish 

rug or two. Whether you are scandi obsessed or 

a traditional trend lover, a rug will instantly lift 

your mood and bring joy into your work from 

home space. 

Bring It On Panama Notebook, 

£49, smythson.com 

Miniforms Jumbo Desk, 

£2280, gomodern.co.uk 

Brushfield In Tray, £25, 

gardentrading.co.uk 

ORGANISERS 

Being organised when working 

from home is so important to keep 

track of your regular tasks. Invest 

in a notebook and some stationery 

to keep on top of your to dos. Add a few 

shelves into your office to file away any important 

information, this will keep your space tidy, as a tidy 

workspace equals a tidy mind. 

Soft Pad Office Chair, 

£239, cultfurniture.co.uk 

LIGHTING 

Good lighting is really important for 

eye health - you need to avoid your eyes 

straining to read in spaces that are too 

dark. Similarly, misplaced lights that cause a 

glare can lead to headaches. Opt for multi-level 

lighting and a powerful, adjustable desk lamp. 

Upcycled Basket, £30, 

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COMING 

UP ROSES 

Sally Thomson had a chat with Alan Titchmarsh 

MBE, DL, HonFSE and discussed some of the 

many passions he enjoys - extending far beyond 

gardening. He has written more than forty gardening 

books, memoirs and his latest creation is a book on 

poetry which illustrates the love he has for not just 

plants, but all of life... 

You still do Saturday mornings on Classic FM. Of all the 

music that you enjoy, what is your favourite? 

It’s fairly classic, although I like a lot of stuff! Whether it’s 

Handel or Mozart or Tchaikovsky. It’s part of my life. I’ve 

always loved light opera. I love The Merry Widow and 

Fledermaus and things like that, as well as the heavier stuff. 

But I think sometimes Operetta is overlooked. It has the 

most glorious melodies and it tends to fall between two 

categories; it’s not a musical and it’s not an opera and so I feel 

that at the moment Operetta seems to fall in the dark. 

I’ve been listening to some snippets on your show on 

gardening and there are such useful tips. I mean, I don’t 

fancy going out there at the moment because it’s so wet. But 

when Easter arrives how should we start in the garden? 

The great thing about the winter months is that everything 

moves so slowly, so when Easter arrives it gives us time 

to catch up in the garden. We can get stuff cut back, fed, 

mulched. 

Mulching is probably one of the best things to do this time of 

year isn’t it? 

Well it is because the ground is moist and the weeds haven’t 

started growing yet so you can spread it now and it will keep 

the weeds down. 

Yes, obviously the bulbs are coming up now and I’m dreading 

a frost that will knock down my narcissus… 

Oh, frost won’t knock them down! They’re tough as old 

boots. They might bow down for a night if it gets really 

frosty, but they’ll pick up as the day progresses. The 

thing about narcissus and snowdrops is that they are not 

susceptible to frost. They really are hardy. 

That’s good to know! I’m really interested in your 50 shades 

of Green - the programme. Tell me all about that, how did it 

happen? 

ITV very sweetly said they wanted to mark my seventieth 

birthday, which was very kind, and they wanted to do it in a 

very engaging way, so they had me name my top 50, and they 

went from there. 

Were they difficult choices to make? 

Oh yes! It was like Desert Island Discs! But we covered all the 

main things you know, like trees, water, roses, and the last 

one was my garden which has not been seen on telly before. 

I know. A bit special! One of the elements of the show 

is about you visiting the National Gallery, and how the 

masterpieces have inspired you. Which were the paintings in 

particular that inspired you? 

Oh gosh, well for me it’s so difficult to choose, I mean 

there’s Mr and Mrs Andrews by Gainsborough, then you see 

Whistlejacket by Stubbs. Just walking past them all and the 

feeling of joy that it was open for us to see them all, it was 

like being a boy in a sweet shop! When you manage to see 



them without bodies all around you, and it’s one-to-one with 

you and the painting. It’s such a treat. 

What about going into where the Queen’s perfumer was 

working? 

That was wonderful! I use the aftershave now! I was terrified 

of course, when I arrived there. 

You cannot hide your emotions can you? 

No, I’m not very good at that! It was a joy though. 

Of the gardens that you’ve visited, do you have a special one? 

Or do you find that different gardens affect different moods, 

a bit like music? 

They do. There are aspects of every garden where you think 

‘Oh I like that’, or ‘I wish I had that’. I love Chatsworth, I’ve 

always loved Chatsworth, it’s a special place. The Prince of 

Wales’ garden at Highgrove. Sissinghurst is another one. 

Gardens that reflect the soul of their makers are really 

special. 

You are attending Highgrove again aren’t you? For Talking 

Gardens. Are you excited about that, as you go there quite 

regularly don’t you? 

I seem to go there every year. I’m a regular! I will be 

discussing the way we look at our gardens and the way they 

can help us and we can help them. It’s not just analytical, it’s 

getting to grips with a garden and what a garden can offer. I 

get so dispirited when I see gardens laid to paving blocks. I 

know that cars are precious, but you don’t have to pave the 

whole thing. There are all kinds of things you can do to make 

room for nature. 

When we spoke last time, you talked about your poetry with 

Debbie Wiseman from Classic FM. 

Yes, the book is coming out! Well I’ve written poetry for 

years before that but mainly for Christmas. But Debbie 

suggested I write something about plants, so we did The 

Glorious Garden which happened to go to No.1 in the 

classical charts - not that I like to boast! So that’s what got 

me going on writing poetry other than just for Christmas. So 

yes, I have put all these poems plus a load of new ones into a 

book called Marigolds, Myrtle and Moles. 

"I LOVE CHATSWORTH, 

I’VE ALWAYS LOVED 

CHATSWORTH, IT’S A 

SPECIAL PLACE. " 

Do you think you have any more poems up your sleeve? 

Well I really enjoy writing them, so we’ll see how this one 

goes down. I might do another one! 

Will we be seeing any more of ‘Love Your Garden’? 

We’ve got four episodes that will be coming out in the 

Spring, and we will start filming more in April. We filmed 

half the series last year in September and the other half will 

be done in Spring as they split the recordings, and they have 

commissioned another two series which is very nice! 

Below, from left: Highgrove, Chatsworth and Sissinghurst 

Marigolds, Myrtle and Moles by Alan Titchmarsh is 

published by Hodder & Stoughton. Available from the RHS 

Wisley Shop. 





RACE 

FOR SPACE 

And the escape from the big smoke... 

As more of us work from home, and also staycation this 

year, we have started to think differently about our 

home environment and how we spend our time there. 

Renters are increasingly looking for gardens (or even 

just a balcony) or a possible study for their new work from 

home lifestyle. Maybe the perception is that it is easier to 

isolate outside London, causing a lot of renters to test drive a 

country lifestyle before they make their move. 

Fewer people are finding the sort of balance they need in big 

cities and, as they reassess their priorities, there is a positive 

rush of renters moving away from the capital to the leafy 

suburbs (landlords have reported rents reducing by 20% in 

London). 

Now might be the perfect time to consider a property 

investment in an area ideal for an occasional commuter. 

Prices in South West dormitory suburbs have risen by more 

than 5% according to Nationwide¹s latest house price index. 

Hamptons reports that the median distance for commuting 

in London is 49 miles up from 33.5 miles just a mere 12 

months ago. 

and can help you to do the same. You may be looking for 

an investment to let unfurnished, long-term or possibly 

consider creating a serviced apartment or holiday home we 

can help give you some top tips on where to start. 

Did you know that 80% of landlords typically buy an 

investment property around the corner from their home 

seeking security in a familiar place? If you are worried about 

investing in an unknown area or perturbed by unreliable 

income, trust us to help. We know areas we can recommend 

for your purchase and through our Rent Guarantee scheme, 

we can give you peace of mind and a steady income for three 

years whilst we manage everything, unless you prefer to do 

it yourself. So why not get a head start in the race and get in 

touch and let us show you some options? 

Adrian Sutherland 

Chief Property Finder 

Buy To Let Hunter 

07725 440611 

adrian@buytolethunter.com 

Quadrant Road, Richmond, London TW9 1DH 

www.buytolethunter.com 

Why not look into investing in property either a holiday 

home for your own use or to rent out; or a small house or flat 

to rent out to the ever growing army of WFHers fleeing the 

Big Smoke? 

We source these little gems: self-contained and easy to 

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GARDENING 

FOR KIDS 

Here our resident gardener and 

radio personality, Matt Biggs aka 

The People’s Gardener, explains the 

benefits of getting children involved 

in the garden and how it provides 

them with skills to help their 

development... 

You and your children will enjoy every stage of the 

process. We hear a lot about children not knowing where 

their food comes from and, of course, if we don’t give 

them the info then, with all of the distractions of modern 

living, it is not surprising if they think a chip comes from the 

freezer aisle and kohlrabi is a character in the latest Star Wars 

film! 

Gardening for kids is just such a great thing - exercise, 

knowledge, fun and hopefully an interest that will last them 

a lifetime, what more do we need? Many garden centres offer 

kids activity days, whether that is pumpkin carving, seed 

sowing or making animals out of fruit and veg. Many garden 

centres have clubs for children, and this is a good option if you 

have one near to you. 

There are lots of skills involved in all of these activities, from 

maths - how many plants do we need for the space, to practical 

skills in making things, to research and planning skills. If you 

have a local country show or fayre there will probably be a few 

children’s classes in that too - making a miniature garden or a 

dinosaur from fruit and veg. Whatever it is take advantage of 

it - country shows are a great day out! 

So, having got the kids organised it is time to do our own 

planning for summer, whether you have a window box, a 

court-yard or acres of space there is summer colour for every 

option. If you are fortunate enough to have a greenhouse 

then you can start early and bring on your own plants, you 

can share with neighbours or garden clubs which is a very 

economical way of gardening or you can visit your local 

nursery or garden centre to see what choices are available - 

and there is a lot of choice. 

Every year Chelsea highlights a new favourite plant or colour 

scheme, gardening magazines and books have so many ideas 

- one of the most pleasurable jobs in the year is planning your 

garden - and then - best bit of all, enjoying the fruits of your 

labour! 

www.mattbiggs.com 



A VERY 

SCANDI 

CHRISTMAS 

PERFECT, PARED-BACK CHRISTMAS DECORATING 

Bring a Nordic forest feel to your home with natural textures 

and the softest of fabrics. Create a woodland theme this 

festive season and embrace the Scandi style of decorating. 

Add forest finds, handmade decorations and soft, cosy fabrics 

to your home for a truly rustic Christmas. 

Less is more but it's not just about what the room looks like, but 

how it makes you feel. Fill your space with candles, chunky knits 

and faux fur throws to create a warm and cosy ambience, as well as 

neutral interiors injected with natural materials. 

THE TABLE 

For the Scandi style, the table should feature textural, natural 

linens in a neutral palette. Glassware can be kept simple and 

pared-back too. Fill the table with the soft glowing light of candles 

(or LED ones if there will be lots of little people around!). Then 

decorate the space with lots of green foliage - eucalyptus looks 

wonderful, as does ivy - all interspersed with pine cones and white 

ceramic details. 

Wooden Garland from hauslife.co.uk 

Image from lights4fun.co.uk 

MANTELPIECE 

If you have one, a really stunning effect is to cover it with lush 

greenery - again eucalyptus looks great and smells wonderful, but 

you can use any mixture of what you have. Add a delicate string 

of LED lights and some LED candles, then finish with a simple 

wooden bead garland. 

DRIED ORANGE SLICES 

Whist not necessarily a Scandi tradition, dried citrus slices really 

compliment a Nordic scheme. To make, slice your oranges (or 

limes, lemons or grapefruit) to approx 1cm wide. Place on a rack 

(if you put them on a tray they will *really* stick) in the oven 

at approx 120˚C. Leave for 2-3 hours. Turn 2-3 times and keep 

checking on them - they can catch quickly so beware. Turning 

(especially at the beginning) them will prevent them sticking from 

the rack. 



DECORATING 

When choosing decorations for a Scandi-theme, keep the 

natural world in mind. Dried grasses, logs, branches and 

twigs, pine cones and natural tones all work. We also 

love simple geometric shapes like stars and a very 

neutral palette. Suspending decorations from 

the ceiling also looks very effective. 

If you're not worried about it being 

too traditional, you can add in some 

elements of sparkle. 

Images on this page, clockwise from 

top left. Marble serving platter, £18, and 

hanging star decorations, gardentrading. 

co.uk; Paper Ornament, £6.99, coffeeandcloth. 

co.uk Paints from Annie Sloan; Advent Candle 

Ring, £31.99, giselagraham.co.uk 


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EPICUREhealth & wellbeing 

BEAUTY 

HOT LIST 

AMPLIFY YOUR SKINCARE 

This product really amplifies the effects of your 

skincare products - helping them penetrate further 

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gently deep cleanse your skin while stimulating 

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use the side with the heated Silver or Gold massage 

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products penetrate deeper into the skin. PMD 

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products in your kit. It can be used as an 

overnight mask, as a wash-off mask, or a 

thin later as a morning moisturiser. 

£23, beautybay.com 

WHAT IS CBD? 

Cannabidiol (CBD) is a naturally occurring compound 

found in the resinous flower of cannabis, a plant with a 

rich history as a natural medicine going back thousands 

of years. In the modern era, the therapeutic properties 

of CBD are being rigorously tested by scientists and 

doctors around the world. More than a simple health fad, 

increasing evidence suggests CBD and other cannabinoids 

may hold significant therapeutic value. A safe and nonaddictive 

substance, CBD is one of more than a hundred 

phytocannabinoids, which are unique to cannabis and 

endow the plant with its robust therapeutic profile. Many 

people want the purported health benefits of cannabis 

without the high. 

OUR FAVOURITE? 

Dr. Ed CBD oils are the highest quality CBD oils available 

in the UK. All CBD oils are broad spectrum with an 

additional terpene blend. All contain zero THC. What 

can one ingredient actually do to help ease the pressure 

on the collective mental health of a nation? CBD works 

on a lot of levels in the body. It interacts and balances 

out the endocannabinoid system as well as the serotonin 

system, helping to reduce anxiety, depression as well as 

aid those with disorders like PTSD, OCD and SAD. Dr. 

Ed is a specialist purveyor of cannabidiol products based 

in Manchester, England. Formed in 2018, Dr. Ed was one 

of the first groups to recognise the potential of consumer 

CBD and just how many people could benefit from 

cannabidiol and other cannabinoids. Dr. Ed continues to 

go from strength to strength within the CBD community 

and remains at the forefront of product development and 

CBD applications. There are an awful lot of bogus products 

on the market making wild health claims or not containing 

the ingredients you expect. Dr. Ed only develops products 

with science in mind. Their business is based on logic and a 

strong understanding of the facts surrounding cannabidiol. 

Dr. Ed offers seven products, all available in different 

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HEALING FROM 

WITHIN 

PERSONAL TRAINER AND GYM 

OWNER ARRON COLLINS-THOMAS 

DISCOVERED THE ANCIENT 

MEDITATIVE PRACTICE OF QIGONG, 

WHICH HAS ENRICHED HIS OWN 

LIFESTYLE AND TRANSFORMED THE 

HEALTH OF SOME OF HIS CLIENTS. 

WE CAUGHT UP WITH ARRON TO 

DISCUSS THE AMAZING MODERN- 

DAY BENEFITS OF THIS CENTURIES- 

OLD PRACTICE 


EPICURE health & wellbeing 

With so many of us finding ourselves burnt out with stress, 

feeling sluggish, suffering with chronic pain or just 

feeling the effects of pandemic fatigue, it's more apparent 

than ever that it is our lifestyles that need re-centring. 

Rather than using a 'pill for an ill', more people are beginning 

to understand that our movement and diet patterns are the 

single biggest determiner of our sense of wellbeing. This more 

lifestyle-orientated approach is what rang true for Arron when 

he discovered Traditional Chinese Medicine and a branch of 

movement practice called qi gong. We caught up with him to 

discuss its myriad of benefits for mind and body. 

Many of us will have heard of Tai Chi, but what is Qigong and 

how does it differ? 

Qigong is a fundamental pillar of Chinese medicine. It is classed as 

a form of internal exercise. Internal exercise is any combination of 

slow, considered movements with breath and mental engagement, 

another example of this would be yoga. Qigong is, quite simply, 

the ultimate self-healing technique. By learning to manipulate qi 

around the body, you rejuvenate and energise, lower the heart rate 

and blood pressure and support the immune system. 

If you’ve done a martial art or tai chi, the wide stance and relaxed, 

flowing movements of qigong may be familiar. Qigong forms the 

basis of all martial arts, so before trainees learn how to fight, they 

will always study it. 

It was invented as ‘dynamic meditation’, to allow Taoist masters 

to keep their muscles relaxed, supple and strong after hours of 

sitting meditation but without breaking their focus. Its roots can 

be traced back to the 8th century BCE, i.e. 10,000 years ago. By the 

3rd century BCE, this practice had crystallised into the beginnings 

of qigong as it is today. Despite its ancient roots, it’s as relevant to 

modern life as it has been for millennia. 

Hayo'u Founder Kate Brindle 

Qigong and Tai Chi are similar in many ways with one of those 

being that they are both working with energy and the qualities 

of energy. Tai Chi specifically in the context of a martial art, and 

qigong more broadly to every area of life. 

Tai Chi is actually a form of qigong and they are often going to 

look quite similar. Within both practices you are going to see 

slow, purposeful movements, a focus on breathing, a balanced 

posture, and so on. They are both seeking to work with energy 

and its manipulation around the body, it's just that sometimes the 

intention of how that energy is used will be different. 

As more of us realise the detrimental effects of stress on our sense 

of wellbeing, Traditional Chinese Medicine or TCM techniques 

are beginning to come to the fore again – how did you begin your 

journey into this discipline? Is it now something you practice 

every day? 

I found Traditional Chinese Medicine through a good friend and 

Chinese doctor Katie Brindle. I used to be her personal trainer and 

every time she spoke about Chinese Medicine it just made sense to 

me. It's a much more preventative style of treatment and focuses 

on pillars of health we know are so important - like circulation. It 

also teaches us to identify and address specific imbalances without 

having to resort to drugs. 

I took it upon myself to start some studies in the area and became 

qualified in Tui Na (Chinese acupressure massage). In that course 

they taught us some simple but incredibly effective Qigong moves 

to protect our energy when healing sick people. I loved it. The 

moves were so calming and energising and it was something I 

had never really known about before so it intrigued me. After 

that I found myself a Qigong master and have been studying and 

teaching Qigong for 8 year now. 

I'm lucky that I get to teach Qigong almost every day so I get a lot 

of practice in and many of the moves are simple, so you can do 

just 2-3 minutes when you get a moment throughout your day. It 

really is an accessible practice, even for really busy people. 

What are the benefits? 

Qigong has been shown in research studies to offer the following 

benefits: 

• Reduces anxiety 

• Reduces cortisol and stress hormones 

"BY LEARNING TO MANIPULATE QI 

AROUND THE BODY, YOU REJUVENATE 

AND ENERGISE, LOWER THE HEART 

RATE AND BLOOD PRESSURE AND 

SUPPORT THE IMMUNE SYSTEM." 



"I HAVE HAD SOME GREAT RESPONSES 

WITH CLIENTS WHO HAVE ARTHRITIS. 

IN JUST A FEW WEEKS THEY OFTEN 

GAIN MORE RANGE OF MOTION AND 

MOVE WITH LESS PAIN IN GENERAL. 

ONE PERSON RECENTLY NOTED THAT 

THEY HAVE SEEN A 90% IMPROVEMENT 

IN THEIR ARTHRITIS SYMPTOMS." 

• Reduces systemic inflammation 

• Improves immune function 

• Improves sleep quality 

• Reduction in blood pressure 

• Supports cardiovascular health 

• Promotes relaxation 

• Improves mood 

• Positive effects on bone health 

• Pain reduction for Arthritis, neck pain and 

Fibromyalgia 

• Improves cognitive function 

Can different forms of movement target different 

parts of the body or certain health complaints? 

There are many forms of Qigong out there and 

within the forms there are specific moves that 

target certain parts of the body and particular 

health concerns. One of the forms I teach in 

particular is all about healing the body, mentally, 

physically and emotionally through a sequence of 

moves. The form is called 12 Rivers. In Chinese 

medicine there are 12 main organs and each organ has an energy 

channel (river) that relates to it. In this form we have 12 moves, 

one for each river that, when done in a specific order, helps to 

balance and harmonise the organs, postures and emotions. 

Is it suitable for everyone? 

Qigong is suitable for everyone! There are so many forms that 

there is something for everyone no matter your age, ability or 

health condition. There are seated forms, standing forms and more 

dynamic forms for people who want to feel like they have had 

more of a ‘workout’. 

It’s said that ‘motion is lotion’ – does Qi Gong help with keeping 

the body supple and overcoming other painful conditions like 

swelling and arthritis? 

'A moving hinge never rusts.' Hua Tuo c. 200 

Movement, like regular Qigong practice, lubricates the joints, 

moves the blood and Qi, strengthens the bones and soft tissues. 

Qigong can help reduce inflammation therefore helps with pain 

reduction. 

I have had some great responses with clients who have arthritis. In 

just a few weeks they often gain more range of motion and move 

with less pain in general. One person recently noted that they have 

seen a 90% improvement in their arthritis symptoms. 

Where can we find out more? 

I teach with Hayo’uFit, a new Qigong, health and fitness website. 

We hold weekly courses that teach you specific routines as well as 

drop in flow classes each day. 

You can find out more at hayoufit.com and you can join some of 

our free Instagram live taster classes on our page: instagram.com/ 

hayoufit. 


EPICURE style, health & wellbeing 

THE GUT 

STUFF 

Lisa & Alana Macfarlane, 

Founders of The Gut Stuff, on 

What Gut Health is, why it’s so 

Important and Their Top Tips to 

Live the Gut Life… 

Please demystify what gut health is all about 

(it’s a hot topic thanks to its link to mental 

health) to help our readers understand it 

So, as column inches, podcasts and research 

papers about “gut health” mushroom by the 

day, why is it suddenly becoming so popular? 

We’ve always had guts…. so why now? 

Firstly, when gut health is talked about, 

what is really being discussed is the “microbiome,” an entire 

ecosystem of microorganisms, such as bacteria, yeast and 

fungi, which live in, around and on us – the majority taking 

up residence in your gut – your large intestine to be precise. 

Think of your gut as a tropical jungle, home to lots of 

different species living and working in harmony, which – just 

like an actual jungle, will occasionally find itself completely 

out of balance, and this is where you might experience 

digestive symptoms or other bodily processes. 

The reason it’s becoming so prevalent now is because we 

have the technology to work out what these guys do and how 

they interact, so a whole new world is emerging. 

Couple that with how we live in the Western world, 

neglecting our gut bacteria by upping the amount of ultraprocessed 

foods that are filled with additives and emulsifiers, 

which wreak havoc on our garden of microbes. Western 

medicine plays its part as well, and whilst antibiotics are 

necessary and have saved many lives, they are like a nuclear 

bomb on our precious gut microbiota. Antibiotics may take 



out the bad guys causing the issues – but they wipe out the 

good guys too. 

Not only this, but we’ve also created a very sterile 

environment with our hand rubs, bleaches and in not 

allowing our children to play in the mud; which in the 

process kills off some good bacteria we actually need. The 

same can be said of us adults who tend to live much more 

sedentary lifestyles, spend too much time in our sterile 

homes and generally don’t get outside enough. 

Lastly, we now have the technology to study the DNA of 

these little guys instead of growing them in labs, which is 

why we are making so many advances in getting to know 

them better. 

There’s also a demand in interest from the public as now up 

to 40% of us are having a digestive issue at any one time, 

and this number is on the rise, ranging from bloating and 

excessive wind to crippling pain. But even if you don’t have 

digestive issues, looking after your gut is still important as its 

linked to so many different things including auto immune 

conditions, mental health and even Parkinson’s, with more 

and more research and links coming out by the day. 

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Why and how gut health is so important, and why do we need 

to bring it to the masses? 

The Gut Stuff exists to empower gut health in everyone, 

because every single person, from every background, 

deserves the physical and mental benefits that come with a 

healthy gut. Gut health is the next frontier in medical 

science and one that we know impacts a broad array 

of the physical and mental issues people face, and 

everyone deserves the right to know about it. 

For too long wellbeing and wellness has been seen as 

a luxury, associated with expensive food products and 

pricey gym memberships, which doesn’t’ challenge that 

perception. The reality is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all 

approach to wellness, or magic bullet for gut health – but 

the know-how and power to look after yourself doesn’t’ have 

to be inaccessible. 

To get a little ‘hard hitting’ on the matter; over 

the past 50 years, our diets which (generally) 

have been both low in the key nutrients found 

in fruit and vegetables, and high in salt and 

fats, which has contributed to our poor health 

and nutrition. 

Globally, 11 million deaths annually are attributable to 

dietary factors, placing poor diet ahead of any other risk 

factor for death in the world. Furthermore, lifestyle related 

diseases such as diabetes and heart disease cost the NHS 

"DESPITE NUTRITION BEING 

COMPLEX TO UNDERSTAND 

BECAUSE IT’S SO PERSONAL 

TO ALL OF US, THERE ARE 

STILL PLENTY OF SIMPLE 

SWAPS AND EASY LIFESTYLE 

CHANGES WHICH CAN WORK 

FOR EVERYONE. " 

around £16bn a year - and we’re spending more on treating 

these conditions than we spend on either the police force or 

the fire brigade. 

On a positive note: Despite nutrition being complex to 

understand because it’s so personal to all of us, there are still 

plenty of simple swaps and easy lifestyle changes which can 

work for everyone. And because we believe that everyone 

deserves the education and tools to make smarter decisions 

when it comes to health, we have worked with numerous 

leading experts in their fields to share these with you today – 

plenty more of which can be found via thegutstuff.com 



WHAT CAN PEOPLE 

DO IN TERMS OF 

DIET AND LIFESTYLE 

CHANGES TO IMPROVE 

GUT HEALTH? 

We’ve shared our five favourite tips to help improve your gut 

health below: 

1. Start a food diary 

This is NOT a food diary for calorie counting but to monitor 

what you’re eating, how you are feeling (mentally and 

physically), your poos (yes, really!!) and how much you 

are moving to help you “tune in” to your body and to spot 

patterns. 

We all live such fast-past lives, when was the last time 

your asked yourself ‘how am I today’ – understanding and 

listening to your body is a big part of understanding your gut 

and often we don’t listen to it until there’s something wrong 

or you’re not getting along. You’ll be surprised at how much 

you notice. 

2. Chew, chew and chew again 

Again, this sounds pretty simple, but sometimes it’s not 

about WHAT you eat, but HOW you eat. The process starts 

before we even put the food in our mouths and the digestion 

that occurs in your mouth is two-fold. First, the action of 

chewing physically breaks down your food into small pieces 

and second, enzymes in your saliva help break down your 

food even further. Try to chew each mouthful 20-30 times 

before swallowing and try to sit down and take your time 

over meals. 

3. Get More Fibre! 

Fibre is the unsung hero of nutrition and 9/10 of us aren’t 

getting enough of it. We’re supposed to be getting around 

30g per day – so you may be relieved to know that it’s not 

all prune juice and cereals at the source! To put 30g into 

context, one apple is 4g - so it is a high number to hit, but 

luckily nature has packaged both soluble and insoluble fibres 

into plenty of plant-based foods – think fruit, vegetables, 

nuts and pulses. When it comes to what you should eat, as 

much variety as possible is key as different fruits and veggies 

have different benefits and feed different bacteria. 

Fibre is so important because it bulks out and softens your 

stool by retaining water, which supports gut transit time 

and prevents constipation. Certain types of fibre can be 

fermented by beneficial gut bacteria (food for the bacteria 

basically!), which produce short-chain fatty acids, which are 

a source of energy and also slow down the breakdown of 

sugars found in carbohydrates, which helps stabalise your 

energy levels. 

Fibre also promotes an environment favourable to 

beneficial gut bacteria (and we know we need to keep them 

happy) and more seriously, a diet high in fibre can reduce 

the risk of developing high cholesterol, heart disease, 

diabetes, and bowel cancer. So, it has so many benefits 

beyond helping you “go”! 

4. Know your Prebiotics from your Probiotics – and get 

them in your diet! 

Knowing your prebiotics from your probiotics can be 

confusing, as their names are so similar - but they are 

actually very different things. You need a good mix of both to 

keep your gut happy. 

A probiotic is a live microorganism that, when eaten/drunk 

in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host 

(you!). Probiotics can be in food form or in supplement form 

but not all probiotics are created equal – different strains 

have different effects, and some might have no effect at all, 

it all depends on the individual. Science is still learning 

exactly how different strains work so watch this space. 

Foods containing probiotics include: live yogurt, kimchi, 

sauerkraut, kefir, miso and kombucha. Try getting a mix of 

different types across the course of your week (we like to 

experiment and make our own sauerkraut as its cheap and 

super easy). 

Prebiotics are a specific type of fibre and are the food for the 

good bacteria. Great sources of prebiotic food include: onion, 

garlic, leaks, chicory, bananas (the un-ripened green ones 

that nobody wants), asparagus, artichokes, olives, plums, 

apples, and in grains like bran and in nuts like almonds. 

5. Variety is the spice of life – get plenty in your diet! 

You have trillions of bacteria (over a thousand different 

species!) in your gut and they all thrive on different foods, so 

variety really is key to making sure you keep them all happy. 

We all tend to reach for the same fruit and veg in the 

supermarket as we know what to do with them, but the 

recommendation is now to aim for 30 different types of 

plant-based fruit and veg a week in your diet – this can 

includes nuts and seeds too so that takes off some pressure! 

Nuts and seeds are amazing sprinkled over smoothies, salads 

and added to stir fries, which are a great way to use up all of 

your leftover veggies in the fridge. 

Above all, try to see the fun in getting more fruit and 

vegetables in your diet by switching your mindset to how 

much you are adding, as opposed to feeling like you’re taking 

things away. 


EPICURE motoring 

THE NEW TAYCAN 

4S - SOUL, ELECTRIFIED. 

The new Porsche Taycan 4S, which was announced in October, 

is the latest extension of the all-electric sports car range from 

Porsche, a model that will delight the eye and thrill the heart. 

Like the Turbo and Turbo S, the new Porsche Taycan 4S 

shares the same classic Porsche Design DNA of its predecessors 

yet envisions the exciting possibilities of the electric era. 

Form is driven by function. The new Porsche Taycan 4S 

demonstrates the acceleration and power delivery of a sports car 

with outstanding, continuously available performance. 

Customers can choose from two battery sizes: the standard 

Performance Battery with 79 kWh or the optional Performance 

Battery Plus, with 93 kWh and increased performance. The 

standard Performance Battery supports DC charging at up to 225 

kW, and a maximum range of up to 252 miles (WLTP combined). 

The optional Performance Battery Plus can be charged at up to 270 

kW, under ideal conditions, and can provide the Taycan 4S with a 

range of up to 287 miles. 

That power is drawn to deliver a top speed of 155 mph (where it is 

safe and legal to do so) in both variants, with acceleration taking the 

Taycan 4S from 0 to 62 mph in 4.0 seconds with Launch Control. 

CHARGED AND READY 

The Taycan features an onboard AC charger capable of 11 

kW charging at home. While charging, the battery is always 

conditioned and ready for your next journey. 

Intelligent heat management is critical to maintain the optimal 

performance of the battery. In the Taycan a sophisticated cooling 

system ensures that the battery is warmed or cooled as required to 

keep it in its ideal operating window. For even greater efficiency, 

the standard fit heat pump can use the residual heat from the 

battery and drive motors to heat the cabin, significantly increasing 

the range in winter. 

The Taycan will also precondition its battery when navigating 

to a high power DC charger, to allow it to accept the highest 

charge rate possible - under optimal conditions the Taycan with 

Performance Battery Plus can charge at up to 270 kW, good 

enough for an additional 62 miles of range (WLTP) in under six 

minutes. 

DESIGNED FOR DRIVERS 

Inside, the futuristic design language continues. A new curved 

fully digital 16.8-inch instrument cluster is directly in front of 

the driver, customisable and intuitive for an even more focused 

driving experience. A central infotainment display and optional 

passenger display give the appearance of a seamless glass band, 

a horizontal design graphic inspired by the original dashboard 

layout of the 1963 Porsche 911. Perfectly familiar, yet completely 

new for an electric age. 

The new Porsche Taycan 4S is priced from £83,367.00 RRP incl. 

VAT and is available to order from Porsche Centre Guildford 

today. 


Nature created electricity. 

Porsche gave it soul. 

The new Taycan. Soul, electrified. 

Porsche Centre Guildford 

Woodbridge Meadows 

Guildford 

Surrey GU1 1BD 

01483 494 084 

info@porscheguildford.co.uk 

www.porscheguildford.co.uk 

Taycan Turbo S: Electrical consumption (WLTP): Combined 25.7 – 24.5 kWh/100km. CO2 emissions (NEDC equivalent): 0 g/km.

EPICURE later life 

PROMOTION 

PENSIONS ACROSS 

THE GENERATIONS 

Whatever your age, we all like to think that 

other generations have it better. Anna Murdock 

takes a subjective look at the three generations 

currently making up the UK’s workforce. 

Millennials 

Millennials often gripe that their future wealth has been 

squandered by the baby boomers, who are now retiring en 

masse. For their part, older people often accuse millennials 

of living only in the now and being spoiled for choice with 

education and life experiences. But amid a swirl of other 

day-to-day financial concerns, few could deny that spiralling 

house prices and astronomical rental costs represent a major 

obstacle to starting pension savings. 

One key question is, will there be as big a generational 

pension gap as millennials fear? Perhaps not. With the 

government’s shift towards ‘auto enrolment’, employer 

pensions could well plug some of this potential divide. 

Pension contributions through auto enrolment look certain 

to grow, and according to the Office for National Statistics 

(ONS), while in 2012 less than half of UK employees were 

saving into a pension plan, now more than 70% are – and 

this number is growing. While millennials don’t account for 

all of this increase, automatic enrolment is certainly nudging 

them towards saving for retirement. 

Generation X 

Straddling some of the biggest shifts in the pension industry, 

Gen Xers may be the ones that feel the pinch the most. In 

terms of sheer numbers, Gen-Xers make up more of the 

workforce than the other two generations put together. 

While some will have been lucky enough to get in on the 

golden ticket of final salary schemes, millions of others 

haven’t. Instead, government policies designed to get them 

saving more, prompted by the dwindling generosity of final 

salary schemes have fallen short of their aims. 

The baby boomers 

Younger people might view today’s pensioners as being 

the lucky ones: in addition to having accumulated wealth 

through housing, many have the luxury of a guaranteed 

income of final salary schemes. Accordingly, there has been 

a temptation to point the finger at the baby boomers who 

gave rise to the expression ‘The Bank of Mum and Dad.’ 

The generations that follow them could stand to benefit 

from some of this accumulated wealth, especially as the 

new pension freedoms might enable more flexibility around 

leaving assets for future generations. 

However, for every baby boomer that benefits from a 

generous final salary provision, there will be another falling 

way short of what they need to live comfortably. Such people 

might have to work later in life, bursting the traditional 

dream of that picture-postcard retirement. ONS statistics 

show that the number of people working between the ages 

of 70 and 79 has doubled, from 4% to 8%, since 1992. For 

the less fortunate that do not have adequate provisions and 

have mistakenly assumed that the state would make up the 

difference, there is not much time to make up the shortfall 

– unlike younger generations who are more aware and can 

benefit from the cumulative effect of investing into pensions 

early in life. 

Perhaps the biggest challenge for the pension industry 

and the government is getting us all to save more towards 

retirement. Many of us know we should, but this does not 

always translate directly into action – especially when more 

pressing financial needs have to be covered. 

As useful as the broader categories of different generations 

can be in highlighting differences, the lessons of intragenerational 

disparity should spell out that no two people 

share the same financial circumstances. The reality is that 

if you are a working adult and you are not sure about 

whether your current course of retirement provisions will be 

sufficient to meet your needs, then the chances are you will 

be off target. So whatever stage of life you are at, doing some 

form of retirement planning is probably the single most 

important thing you can do right now to ensure you have 

enough to retire comfortably. 

Anna Murdock, Head of Wealth Planning 

JM Finn 


From 

generation 

to generation 

We look after your wealth so you 

can nurture your passions. 

Call us to learn how we can help build 

the future you want to see: 

020 7600 1660 

www.jmfinn.com 

Follow us on: 020 01962 7600 3921660 

130 

info@jmfinn.com 

www.jmfinn.com 

2018 

The value of investments and the income from them 

can go down as well as up and investors may not get 

back the amount originally invested. 

JM Finn and JM Finn & Co are trading names of 

J.M. Finn & Co. Ltd which is registered in England 

with number 05772581. Authorised and regulated 

by the Financial Conduct Authority.


VISITS TO CARE HOMES 

We have an overview as to how the Covid19 pandemic 

has changed visits to care homes. Here Professor 

June Andrews gives us some advice. 

Everyone understands that with the current risks from the 

Covid19 pandemic, government rules about visiting in 

hospitals and care homes must be tight. Care homes are 

disappointed that they can’t welcome visitors in any time, 

day or night, when normally visitors and relatives have free 

range, even having sleepovers with their loved one in a spare 

room, or special guest wing. 

Care homes know that it is important for families and 

friends of residents to be connected as much as possible. 

They have been trying to make this happen while the local 

rules have changed, sometimes week on week. hey aim to 

reunite residents with everyone else, but they have to keep 

people safe from the virus. One manager told me, “It’s about 

balancing risk. The local inspectors are really worried about 

the Covid19 risk. I worry just as much about the risk of 

depression and anxiety from people being isolated. We love 

our residents and try to be like family, but we never really 

are.” 

Staff must have regular coronavirus testing and there are 

risk assessments from local public health officials. And if 

the test comes back positive, the staff member has to go off, 

and staffing problems are caused because you don’t want just 

anyone to step in and fill their shoes. 

With imagination and flair new visiting ideas have come 

up. Sweet little beach huts decorated with bunting, with soft 

furnishings and comfy chairs have sprung up in the gardens 

of care homes. With two entrances, and a discrete Perspex 

screen down the middle, the visitor and the resident can 

feel as if they really are together and can talk freely. In some 

places it started with basic pop up tents, and garden chairs, 

but even now, spare 

rooms on the ground 

floor are being converted 

as the weather turns 

colder. Still no cuddles 

though. 

Care homes have Wi-Fi 

and access to tablets so that residents can communicate with 

family and see them with face time calls and skype. It is not 

ideal, because many older residents are not accustomed to 

this or have lost recent skills due to dementia, but in many 

cases it is good fun, and a comfort to the families to see their 

relative. 

Most people would prefer not to go to a care home, but a 

good home is a place of peace and comfort at the end of 

life. They are working hard to make things right in this 

extraordinary time, and with practice, and increasing 

flexibility about the rules, things are getting better, and will 

continue to do so. 

Professor June Andrews OBE FRCN FCGI is an expert in 

care of older frail people and people with dementia. She has 

worked in the NHS and government, as well as academia and 

is currently working across all sectors of health and social 

care, independent and statutory. 

Professor Andrews has written many books including Care 

Homes: When, Why and How to choose a Care Home. 

Home care or a care home (if, or when, it is needed) can be 

a joy and a respite, exactly as you would want it to be, and a 

welcome solace when living independently has become too 

hard or lonely. 

To find out more visit 

www.juneandrews.net 


“From dining experiences, to going ice 

skating, to just being a listening ear, you 

can see the staff love what they do. 

It genuinely feels like they are all 

one big family” 

Daughter of resident 

Rowan Lodge, carehome.co.uk 

All-Inclusive Fees & No Deposits 

at Rowan Lodge Care Home, Hampshire 

A specialist dementia care home, now 

welcoming new admissions for residential, 

respite & nursing care. 

Virtual Tour 

Coming Soon 

Caring since 1981 

Call 01256 762757 

or visit forestcare.co.uk 

Award-Winning Private Care 

Our all-inclusive fee starts from £1,400 

& includes complimentary chiropody, days 

out, physiotherapy, hairdressing & more. 

Newnham, Hampshire, RG27 9AN

Own a superb property 

...with stunning views 365 days a year... 

...and the nicest people 

Castle View 

Retirement Village 

With up to £15,000 off from 

the government stamp duty 

incentive until 31st March 2021 

and our complimentary no obligation ‘Winter 

Staycation’ for up to 7 nights*, there has never been 

a better time to consider living at Castle View. 

Experience what it is like to live at Castle View 

Windsor, for yourself. 

Call our friendly Customer 

Care Manager, Ruth, on 

01753 378 127 

to find out more. 

CASTLE 

VIEW 

VIRTUAL 

TOUR 

www.castleviewwindsor.co.uk 

Five reasons to love living, at Castle View, Windsor 

Castle View in Windsor has been open for almost 

2 years now. It offers some of the most 

spectacular views of Windsor Castle from its 

own rooftop sky lounge, bar and terrace. It’s 

one of the largest and most innovative urban 

retirement villages in the UK. Set in three acres 

of landscaped grounds, about a mile from 

the castle with lift access to all floors, underground 

car parking and 24-hour reception and 

concierge providing security around the clock, 

offering peace of mind and great ‘lock up and 

leave’ living. It is no wonder it was awarded 

the most outstanding retirement development 

when it opened in 2018, but have you ever wondered 

what it is genuinely like to live in a retirement 

development? We asked the property 

owners what they loved most about living 

at Castle View… 

1 

Owning your property, with peace of mind. 

At Castle View you own your property outright 

but do not have to worry about the maintenance 

or garden. Starting from £375,000, 

there are 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments for 

sale, with full access to on-site facilities such 

the restaurant, library, sky lounge and terrace. 

2 

The management team – as an independently 

owned and run development 

there is a close and accountable team. Their 

support and commitment is exceptional, which 

was demonstrated when the Village Manager 

and Chef moved in to the development during 

lockdown, all of which helped keep spirits high 

and why we have remained covid-free to date. 

3 

The people – apartments are exclusively 

for those aged over 55 years and whilst 

everyone has different stories, hobbies and 

interests which is what keeps life interesting, 

everyone is like-minded and respectful. People 

can join in with as much or as little community 

activity as they wish. 

4 

24-hour reception and 

concierge providing security 

around the clock 

The location – historic Windsor has extensive 

services, restaurants and shopping 

facilities. Communication links are excellent 

with two railway stations providing good links 

to London and easy access to the M4 providing 

easy access to Heathrow Airport and Central 

London. With the famous 4,800 acre Windsor 

Great Park, horse racing at Ascot and Windsor, 

boating on the River Thames, Theatre Royal, 

local golf clubs and walks, there is plenty to do 

and entertain any guests that come to visit. 

5 

The views, which are arguably the best 

in Windsor. Whether it’s watching a glorious 

summer sunset with a glass of bubbles on 

the terrace, or wonderful winter sunrise in the 

warmth of the sky lounge with coffee and paper, 

it’s amazing to think this is our home. 

Castle View, Windsor is a special place. Superb 

properties, stunning views and the nicest people. 

But don’t just take their word for it, visit 

and have a look to see for yourself. 

*Terms and conditions apply. Up to 2 people, maximum of 7 nights, exclusively for over 55s, until 31st December 2020. Restaurant meals and bar drinks not included. For full details visit 

CastleViewWindsor.co.uk/have-a-break-on-us. 

For testimonials, virtual tours, image gallery and how we have remained Covid-free, visit www.CastleViewWindsor.co.uk 

Castle View, Helston Lane, Windsor SL4 5GG 

www.castleviewwindsor.co.uk info@castleviewwindsor.co.uk 

01753 378 127


HELP AT HOME 

It is like having a friend 

“come round to help 

“ 

Our Home Helps take pride in building relationships with the clients to 

ensure they feel safe and happy. Start as a client but end as a friend. 

HOUSEWORK 

SHOPPING 

COMPANIONSHIP 

AND SO MUCH MORE 

Help at Home is your doorway into a world of advice and 

information for people aged 50+. At Age UK Surrey we 

provide various services and activities all geared to making 

older people get the most out of later life. 

All our home helps are comprehensively briefed, have access to 

PPE, maintain social distancing and are all security checked. 

01483 503414 www.ageuk.org.uk/surrey 

enquiries@ageuksurrey.org.uk 

Charity No: 1036450 

1EP1120 



RETIREMENT 

TIME FOR A CHANGE POST-COVID? 

Has a period of furlough or working from home made you 

reconsider your retirement options? Or, if you’re already 

retired, has the upkeep of a larger family home become 

a relentless task? Prior to COVID-19, you might have 

pushed the idea of retiring or moving to the back of your 

mind. But sometimes a re-framing, brought about by factors 

outside your control, could be just what you need to take 

stock and consider what life could be like going forward. 

In recent years, there has been a growing desire for luxury 

retirement living, with people choosing to right-size from 

their family home into purpose-built accommodation that 

seamlessly meets their needs. There are a myriad of reasons 

for this big move; perhaps your children have long flown the 

nest, and the thought of having a smaller home to maintain is 

enticing, you might be on the edge of retirement and looking 

for a fresh start. We caught up with some people who had 

recently made the move to find out about their big decision... 

For Mary and Tony Martin (in their mid seventies), the 

choice was brought about by the isolation they felt during 

lockdown. Mary commented, “We lived in quite a remote 

place, without many neighbours. During lockdown, we 

felt utterly isolated and everything, from food shopping to 

the maintenance of the house, was a challenge. When we 

looked around a local retirement village, we were struck by 

how much was readily available on the doorstep! A small 

supermarket, a hairdressers, a wellness centre and, most 

importantly, a community - all steps from the front door. The 

rooms were beautifully appointed and ready to move in to 

without stress.” 

Retirement accommodation is purpose-built with the older 

person in mind, so the homes are easily accessible by all. Not 

only that, there is often a support network available, so if you 

do need extra care or help with something, care packages can 

be arranged. 

For Dennis Slater (late seventies), the move was motivated 

in part by the passing of his wife, “It wasn’t until a few years 

after my wife Helen passed away that I realised quite how 

isolated I’d become - rarely venturing out and actually losing 

touch with friends. I was sad to leave the family home and 

all the memories there, but I carry them with me in my heart 

and have instead found a new lease of life thanks to the new 

friends I’ve made.” 

Dennis’s desire for company is an oft-sought part of this 

move - retirement villages allow the resident to become a part 

of a community of like-minded people, with a much wider 

social network available. 

Another huge incentive for moving to a retirement village is 

that the homes come with top safety and security measures, 

often including sensor lighting, alarms and camera entry 

system. Given that home invasions are on the rise, it is 

reassuring to know that a community is gated and safe. David 

and Sandy Williams (late sixties) found that their move was 

motivated by this desire for a ‘lock up and leave’ home. David 

said “Sandy and I had always anticipated using our early 

retirement to travel. Obviously we are curtailed at the moment 

but we have lots of plans in the pipeline! We wanted to be able 

to consider longer trips away, but without the worry of security 

back home. We can leave home safe in the knowledge that the 

property is ticking over under careful watch.” 

Different companies have different structures within the 

retirement complexes, so it is worth looking around a few to 

see which one best fits your needs. Some are energy efficient, 

some have guest suites, landscaped gardens, a house manager 

and even a homeowner’s lounge, where all residents on site 

can get together. Others offer several upscale care home 

options, including assisted living, nursing, residential and 

even dementia care. 

We recommend making a list of what you are looking for 

both in terms of accommodation and facilities in your next 

dwelling before you begin your search for the next chapter! 

Be informed and make sure you are aware of all the costs - 

ground rents, maintenance charges - and be sure that the care 

options available can change as your needs do. 


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© The Royal Horticultural Society 2020. Endorsed by the Royal Horticultural Society. Registered Charity No 222879/SC038262. rhs.org.uk

EPICURE Winter Issue 2020/21

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