Worthing Lifestyle May - Jun 2021

Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

10 

Back 

A Culinary Journey through 

to Basics - perfect egg recipes 

Northern Ireland 

The competition 

page returns 

04 

At last, as I write, we are hopefully 

nearing the end of the restriction 

tunnel. We should proceed 

with caution, but the tantalising 

glimpses of life returning to normal 

are just great to savour. 

The past year has been fraught with 

challenges, but hasn’t it been filled 

with learning too? Of our resilience, 

our adaptability and of course, a big 

old beacon shining on the things 

that really matter. It’s hard to think 

it’s been over a year since we went 

into the first lockdown - I naively 

thought it would be a month or 

two. Here we are, more than 365 

days on - a little battle weary, but all 

the wiser. But, it’s shaped us - and 

shaped the way we make our little 

magazine too! 

First up, we’ve got some tasty egg 

recipes which will take you right 

back to nailing those basics, plus 

some ideas on how to take them to 

the next level. 

How can your 

garden grow? 

18 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre-Press Manager Kate O’Connell 

Contributors Rebecca Rose, Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs 

Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Dobbies Garden Centre 

Key Account Manager Marcus Hawke 

e marcus.hawke@minervapublications.co.uk 

d/l 01225 984505 

twitter: @WorthingLifeMag 

16 

Building in 

conservation areas 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton 

Trowbridge BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

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

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

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

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

Then we are focusing on the 

garden - the hub of our social 

lives over the last few months! It’s 

also a necessary extension of our 

living space, so with that in mind 

we’ve gathered together lots of 

inspiration to help you perfect your 

space. 

Finally, we are bringing back our 

very popular competition page 

- this issue it has nearly £1,500 

worth of prizes! You can enter 

all the ones listed on the page, 

plus some web-exclusives at 

minervamagazines.co.uk - you 

can also opt into being the first to 

hear about new giveaways when 

they are launched. 

All that’s left for me to say is, enjoy 

this edition and keep on truckin’ - 

the end really is in sight. So, a big 

social-distanced-virtual-Zoom hug 

from us all at Minerva, and see you 

again in July. 

Katie 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

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random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 

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Then visit Larkswold in the 

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There are plenty of dates to 

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4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

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oarding orchard initiative 

Robin Fletcher explains 

Headmaster, staff and pupils at Rendcomb College, planting their Boarding Orchard tree 

When someone as respected as Sir David 

Attenborough warns, as he did when 

addressing the UN Security Council recently, 

that climate change could result in a global 

crisis comparable to the one which enveloped 

the world in the years after the First World 

War, you can’t ignore it. 

While the majority of the world’s main focus 

has understandably been on the fight against 

coronavirus for the past 12 months, it’s vital 

that we don’t lose sight of the threat posed 

by climate change. Climate change affects us 

all and it will be here long after COVID-19 has 

been brought under control. 

The Boarding Schools’ Association (BSA) 

has long been championing the idea that our 

member schools can play an important role 

in tackling climate change. It’s a global issue, 

and as we have more than 600 members in 

36 countries around the world, our schools 

are uniquely well-placed to lead the way on 

sustainability and encourage the generations 

of students who will pass through their 

boarding houses in the coming years to help 

protect the environment throughout their lives. 

Back in 2014, the BSA launched the Boarding 

Orchard initiative, which encourages boarding 

schools to plant fruit trees in their grounds, 

symbolising growth and caring for the 

environment. Our aim is for it become to be 

the ‘largest’ orchard by geography anywhere 

in the world. 

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

By involving students in tree planting, schools 

can also help to make environmentallyfriendly 

practices part of students’ ingrained 

behaviour from a very early age, helping to 

ensure they are fully aware how everything 

they do can affect the planet. And this will 

help leave a lasting legacy, with students 

imparting their knowledge to their own 

children so it is passed on from generation to 

generation. 

Our progress to date has been good. Since 

we launched the Boarding Orchard, more 

than 150 schools in the UK, Switzerland, 

Russia and the United States have planted 

more than 180 trees. The Boarding Orchard 

has also recently received the royal seal of 

approval. His Royal Highness, the Prince 

of Wales has long been a great supporter 

of a wide range of causes and projects 

relating to protecting the environment and 

sustainability. In late 2020, he lent his support 

to the BBC Countryfile programme’s ‘Plant 

Britain’ campaign, a two-year project which 

will see 750,000 trees planted. Following this, 

we contacted him to make him aware of our 

initiative. 

In a reply to BSA, a Clarence House 

spokesperson passed on the Prince’s 

‘warmest wishes for every success with the 

project’, calling the Boarding Orchard ‘an 

excellent way of promoting environmental 

awareness.’ 

With the Prince’s encouragement, and with 

more schools pledging their support by 

joining the Boarding Orchard, we’re very 

excited about its future. 

For more information about the BSA Boarding 

Orchard, please visit the BSA website: www. 

boarding.org.uk/440/national-boarding-week/ 

boarding-orchard 

Robin Fletcher, CEO, BSA and BSA Group

ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET? 

This could be a heartfelt question from your child who, having 

been through lockdown is now faced with a backlog of catching 

up to do - just when they are getting used to being back in school 

- or it could be a parental cry for help whilst trying to assess how 

their child has faired over the last complicated year? 

tutor or organisation and make sure you monitor progress without 

seeming to be too interfering. 

The most important thing is to have a happy, relaxed child and 

here are a couple of people with their own thoughts on the subject! 

To tutor or not to tutor? 

It is really hard for parents to decide how and if to add extra 

tuition to their child’s already busy life but here are a few things to 

consider. 

Is my child keeping up with his or her peer group? 

If so and the class are all working at the same pace then it may not 

be necessary, as the school will be monitoring the progression of 

the whole group. 

“Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire.” 

W.B. Yeats 

“Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one 

has learned in school.” 

Albert Einstein 

Is my child showing signs of stress about missed work and 

missed schedules? 

This might be a good time to have a chat about what they are 

concerned about and if they do need extra help, and how and 

when it can be fitted in to suit both you and them. 

Does my child have the capacity or the desire to take extra 

tuition over the holidays? 

Again have a chat, some children welcome the chance to catch 

up and also interact with other children in the same situation, in a 

summer camp for example. 

How do I know the tutor is qualified and appropriate for my 

child? 

Research is all, check out the organisation or individual, maybe 

get in touch with other parents who are using or have used that 

Little Lancing 

Day Nursery & Forest School 

Open 7am to 7pm, 51 weeks a year 

From 2 months to 5 years 

Now taking bookings for Summer 21 starts 

Coombes Road, Lancing BN15 0RJ 

T 01273 465 900 E LittleLancing@lancing.org.uk 

Registered Charity Number 1076483 


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BACK TO 

Perfect egg recipes for every 

chef’s repertoire - all from the 

egg-sperts...Clarence Court 

Basics 

Now, first things first - you need to 

nail the basics - that is, perfect runny 

poached eggs and dippy boiled eggs. 

Always start with the freshest possible 

eggs, then... 

PERFECTLY POACHED 

Two must do tips before you start - add 

at least 1 tsp light coloured vinegar to 

your water. The second is to sieve your 

egg. When you crack an egg you’ll notice 

that there’s a firmer white and a more 

liquidy white. Well, that liquidy white is 

what creates all those white wispy bits. 

So add the egg to a fine mesh sieve/ 

strainer and the thinner, more liquid white 

is removed, leaving only the firmer white 

which will envelop the yolk. 

Bring a large pot of water to a boil, then 

reduce to low (or turn off the heat). Crack 

the egg in a fine mesh sieve (over a small 

bowl) and remove the liquidy whites. For 

a firm white and runny yolk you’ll want to 

poach the eggs for 3-4 minutes. 

DELIGHTFULLY DIPPY 

The timing here is based on using room 

temperature eggs. For a set white with a 

runny yolk, you want to boil for four-five 

minutes. Poke a hole in the top of the 

eggs with a needle or egg-puncher before 

you start. 

THOMAS FRAKE’S 

PORK HOLSTEIN 

Holstein usually uses white veal, but you 

can use pork, chicken or turkey. This 

recipe uses tenderised pork loin, breaded 

and fried in butter until golden, and then 

finished with chopped anchovies and 

capers in butter. A Braddock White egg 

is essential to finishing the dish as it 

provides a rich golden yolk that becomes 

the luxurious sauce. 

Preparation time: 30 minutes 

Cooking time: 12 minutes 

Serves: 2 

INGREDIENTS 

2 pork loin steaks 

100g flour 

1 Clarence Court egg 

100g Panko breadcrumbs 

25g parmesan, grated 

50g salted butter 

25ml rapeseed oil 

4 Clarence Court Braddock White Duck 

eggs 

4 anchovies, finely chopped 

20g capers 

Ingredients for the pickled cabbage: 

¼ white cabbage 

½ Bramley apple 

90ml white wine vinegar 

30g sugar 

10g fennel seeds 

METHOD 

Bring the vinegar, sugar and fennel seeds 

to the boil and remove from the heat. 

Finely shred the cabbage and apple and 

submerge into the vinegar. Leave to cool, 

then refrigerate. 

Flatten the pork with a rolling pin until 

5mm thick. Grate parmesan into the 

breadcrumbs. Dredge the pork in flour, 

then egg, then breadcrumbs, and repeat. 

In a deep frying pan, heat the butter and 

rapeseed oil on a mid-low heat until 

foaming. Fry the pork for 3 minutes a side, 

or until golden and crisp, being careful 

not to burn. Remove from the frying pan 

to a tray, spoon over some of the hot 

butter,and keep warm in a low oven. 

Fry the eggs in a little oil until the white is 

cooked but the yolk is still liquid. 

Add the pork Holstein to the plate, spoon 

over the capers and very finely chopped 

anchovies. Add the fried egg on top and 

the pickled cabbage alongside. 

SWEETCORN CHILLI 

FRITTERS 

Sweet and spicy crunchy corn fritters are 

a fantastic carrier for Burford Brown eggs 

and fresh guacamole. 



Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 small can of sweetcorn, drained 

(approx. 198g) 

6 spring onions, trimmed and sliced 

50g courgette, coarsely grated 

50g carrot, peeled, coarsely grated 

A small bunch fresh coriander, leaves 

picked and stalks finely chopped 

1 red or green chilli, de-seeded and 

chopped 

2 limes 

½ teaspoon smoked paprika 

Salt and pepper 

60g self-raising flour 

5 Clarence Court Burford Brown eggs 

50 ml milk 

2 ripe avocadoes 

10 cherry tomatoes 

Olive oil 


METHOD 

Drain the sweet corn and add to a 

mixing bowl with 3 sliced spring onions, 

grated courgette, carrot, sliced coriander 

stalks, half the chopped chilli and a few 

scrapings of lime zest. Mix together and 

then add the paprika, season well with 

salt and pepper then stir in the flour. 

Crack one egg into a separate bowl, 

whisk then pour into the grated mix with 

the milk. Mix well and place to one side. 

Peel and de-stone the avocadoes, chop 

the flesh and scoop into a bowl. Chop 

the tomatoes and add with the remaining 

sliced spring onion, chopped chilli, 

roughly chop a few coriander leaves, 

squeeze over the lime juice and add a 

splash of olive oil. Season well, stir and 

place to one side. 

Poach the 4 eggs to your liking and use 

a slotted spoon to place them in a bowl 

of cold water. Keep the cooking water on 

the hob on a low heat so you can re-heat 

the eggs when ready. 

Place a large frying pan on a medium 

heat. Add enough olive oil to make a 

thin layer. Test the oil is hot enough by 

dropping a spoon of mixture into the 

pan if it bubbles it’s good to go. Add 

spoonfuls of batter into the pan and fry 

on both sides until golden. Use a fish 

slice to transfer to a plate lined with 

kitchen roll and then on to warm serving 

plates. Repeat until all the mixture has 

gone. Re-heat the eggs in the pan of 

simmering water and place on top of the 

fritters. Divide up the guacamole and 

scatter over the coriander leaves. 

FRESH EGG PASTA 

DOUGH 

You can either eat it straightaway or air dry 

a batch and then store it in an airtight jar 

for another day. To make a truly rich and 

bright pasta dough, use only egg yolks 

(not the whites) in the dough, at a ratio of 2 

egg yolks to 100g Tipo 00 pasta flour. 

INGREDIENTS 

4 Large Burford Brown eggs 

400g Tipo 00 pasta flour 

METHOD 

If using a food processor, crack in the 

eggs and tip in the pasta flour. Pulse a 

few times until it comes together like 

thick breadcrumbs. If it’s looking quite 

dry add a tiny splash of water or olive oil 

and pulse a couple more times. Tip the 

dough out on a clean work surface and 

knead well for a few minutes until it feels 

springy and quite firm. Shape the dough 

into a disc and wrap in cling film, and 

then place in the fridge to rest for around 

an hour. 

If you’re making the dough by hand, 

make a mound of flour on a clean 


work surface and then make a well in the flour. 

Crack the eggs into the middle and use a 

dinner knife to incorporate the flour gently into 

the centre and whisk it into the eggs. Continue 

mixing in the flour and then use your hands 

to combine everything together and form 

a rough dough. If it’s feeling a little dry just 

sprinkle over a little water or olive oil and start 

kneading. Knead well for a few minutes until 

the dough feels springy and quite firm. Shape 

into a disc as before. The dough is now ready 

for you to roll and shape as you prefer. 

FRENCH STYLE TRUFFLED 

SCRAMBLED EGGS 

Scrumptious French Style Scrambled Eggs 

made with Old Cotswold Legbar eggs 

and field&flower honey roast ham sitting on top 

of sourdough toast, drizzled with 

truffle oil is the perfect luxury breakfast, brunch 

or lunch. 

INGREDIENTS 

8 Clarence Court Old Cotswold Legbar Eggs 

4 tablespoons milk 

2 tablespoons field&flower salted butter 

2 slices field&flower honey roast ham 

4 slices of quality sourdough toast 

Salt and pepper 

For toppings: 

1 tablespoon French chopped marjoram (can 

sub for chive) 

2 tablespoons white truffle oil 

METHOD 

Beat the eggs and milk together in a bowl and 

season to taste. Roughly shred the 

ham using two forks. You want the pieces to 

be small, so they blend nicely into the 

eggs. 

In a small saucepan, heat half the butter on a 

medium-low heat. Once melted, put 

the toast on. The eggs only take 3-5 minutes 

and you want to serve them hot. 

Add the egg mix to the pan and stir continually 

with a wooden spoon so they slowly 

scramble. If they are cooking too quickly, turn 

the heat right down, continuing to stir 

rapidly, then gently increase the heat until they 

begin to thicken. 

Once they are three quarters of the way done, 

remove the pan from the heat and stir 

through the ham and remaining butter so it 

melts. 

Plate up the toast and quickly finish off the 

eggs on the hob- this shouldn’t take more 

than 1 minute. Dish up the eggs, spooning 

then on top of the toast before drizzling 

over ½ teaspoon of white truffle oil per portion. 

Finish with a sprinkling of fresh herbs. 


A qualified virologist, 

a finance director 

and a wedding singer 

walk into a restaurant 

kitchen… 

They were all one person – Jean de Rien – 

and that kitchen was in The Dining Room 

restaurant in Worthing, West Sussex. 

Four years and one global pandemic later, 

he is looking forward to reopening for 

dining in, from mid-May... 

From the start, Jean wanted the restaurant to be as much about 

the experience as the food – the front-of-house team will make 

you feel special, and the table is yours for the night… no time 

limits or turning tables. Towards the end of the meal, the chef 

will come from the kitchen to talk with the customers and he’ll 

even throw in some songs (he is the UK’s only singing chef). 

That’s not to belittle the food, though. The emphasis is on locally 

sourced, seasonal ingredients, so the 7-course tasting menu 

changes every single month and the restaurant has a #Source60 

initiative, where much of the food and drink is sourced within 60 

miles of Worthing… making use of the natural “larder” of Sussex 

produce. 

Jean’s background has helped him develop something truly 

unique. “I find it bizarre that for the first time in over 25 years, 

my knowledge of viruses has been needed,” he jokes, “and 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Rosanne is an expert in risk management too!” (his wife runs 

front-of-house, alongside her own career). 

During lockdown, The Dining Room was the first in Worthing to 

switch to home delivery services -from artisanal pies to finishat-home 

3-course menus. “That’s been a success and has kept 

the wolf from the door, but I can’t wait to see my food presented 

on our plates…” says Jean, “…and being able to get instant 

feedback from our guests is something we’ve been longing for”. 

Jean has even filmed a song parodying a scene from a wellknown 

children’s film to get people fired up about The Dining 

Room’s return… find it on their Facebook page. 


LEMON AND THYME 

LOAF CAKE 

This yoghurt-based loaf cake is a perfect 

light bake. This version is lemon and thyme, 

but you can mix it up with orange zest and 

ground cinnamon or lime zest and desiccated 

coconut. 



Serves: 6-8 

INGREDIENTS 

140ml vegetable oil (you can use olive oil if 

you want the flavour) 

300ml plain or lemon flavoured natural yoghurt 

3 large Burford Brown or Old Cotswold Leg 

bar eggs or 2 Braddock Whites 

1 teaspoon almond essence 

A few sprigs of fresh thyme or lemon thyme 

280g self-raising flour, sifted 

½ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda 

240g caster sugar 

2 tablespoons runny honey 

Zest of 6 lemons 

200g full fat cream cheese 

150g icing sugar, sifted 

50g sour cream 

METHOD 

Pre-heat the oven to 165˚C/ 325˚F/gas mark 

3. 

Grease and line a 1.5 litre (2 lb.) loaf tin with 

baking parchment. NOTE (loaf tins differ in 

surface area, this recipe is for a high sided, 

traditional angled tin. As long as the raw 

mixture comes up ¾ of the way up the tin 

you’ll get a good even rise when baked.) 

Place the oil, yoghurt, eggs, essence and few 

finely chopped thyme leaves into a mixing 

bowl and mix well until combined. Stir in the 

flour, bicarb and sugar until well combined 

then add the honey and the zest of 4 lemons. 

Spoon the mixture into the tin and place in 

the oven, bake for 45 minutes or until risen 

and golden. Insert a skewer into the centre, 

if it comes out clean the cake is ready, if not 

return the cake to the oven for a further 5 

minutes. Once cooked, allow to cool in the 

tin on a cooling rack for 45 minutes then 

remove from the tin and cool completely. 

Meanwhile make the icing. Beat the cream 

cheese and icing sugar together until 

smooth, stir in the sour cream a little at a 

time and zest of 1 lemon until smooth and 

spreadable. Transfer to a small bowl and 

place in the fridge until needed. 

When ready to assemble, place the cake on 

a board. Top with the chilled frosting, scatter 

over a few thyme leaves and the remaining 

lemon zest. Slice and serve. 


TONIQ On Demand 


We caught up with personal trainer Arron Collins-Thomas to find out about his new 

online fitness offering, expanded from his very successful gym TONIQ... 

Your gym, with its fully-rounded approach to health and 

lifestyle, has made national news for its incredible client 

results – what will the app offer? 

At TONIQ we recognise that good health is more than just 

regular workouts, it encompasses taking care of every aspect 

of your body. We have created a solution where everything from 

nutrition, mindfulness, amazing workouts, yoga and more is 

available with guidance from fantastic trainers and experts in 

one place. 

Not only this, but as part of TOD you have access to your own 

coach, ensuring that you have someone you can speak to, to 

keep you on track and accountable as well as supporting you 

throughout. 

We have had some incredible results over the past few years at 

TONIQ and we want to be able to bring those results to more 

people. With the app we aim to give anyone, anywhere in the 

world, a taste of the TONIQ-life. 

As a TONIQ On Demand member you get to join the incredible 

community online, have access to our on demand workouts as 

well as live workouts, Q&As and educational talks. We have an 

incredible coaching team with a huge array of skills to bring to 

you including yoga, qigong, nutrition and mindfulness. 

The main workouts are written based on what we are up to at 

TONIQ in any given training block and a new phase of workouts 

launches every 6 weeks on the app as well as regular bonus 

content to keep the training varied and inspiring. 

Can you get a good experience with online coaching? 

Are you accountable and is it personalised? 

With TOD you have a designated TONIQ coach who you speak 

to on a one to one basis. When you first sign up with us you 

will have a call to help you set up your accountability sheets, 

help you curate your workout schedule and set you on the 

right nutrition plan for you. Then every month you get another 

call with your coach to help keep you on track and answer any 

questions you may have. Accountability is key if you really want 

to get results and that is one of the reasons why TONIQ has 

been so successful. 

Are the classes accessible no matter your fitness level? 

Some of us are self-conscious about going to the gym or 

nervous in COVID times. 

No matter what your levels of fitness we can help you. Our 

expert coach will advise what level to start at for you and 

how hard to push yourself in the first consultation you have 

with them. It will be based around your fitness and any health 

concerns, so you can feel secure in the fact that you won’t be 

over training or causing yourself any harm by taking part in our 

programs. 

For people who aren’t ready for the gym again yet or who are 

self conscious TONIQ On Demand is the perfect choice. You get 

personal trainer support and expert written workouts, all from 

the comfort of your own home. 

You also get to join a great online community who share their 

experiences and help support each other to get the results they 

desire. 

TONIQ ON DEMAND 

MORE THAN A WORKOUT 

Join our community from anywhere, at anytime with 

TONIQ on Demand, our app gives you access to: 

Personalised plans developed with expert coaches. 

Nutrition plans based on your needs and goals. 

Monthly 121 check in calls with an expert coach. 

Extensive library of classes including SWEAT, STRONGER, 

BURN and CHILL. 

Visit TONIQLIFE.COM to find out more 


BUILDING IN A 

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AREA 

Just because your home 

is not listed, does not 

mean there might be 

restrictions in place from 

Conservation Area laws. 

Here the HomeOwners 

Alliance tell us what 

we should be aware 

of if planning home 

improvements which may 

fall outside of permitted 

development... 

WHAT IS A CONSERVATION 

AREA? 

These are designated areas of historic 

and architectural interest in which there 

are legal restrictions on what changes 

can be made to buildings, greenery and 

street furniture in order to preserve the 

unique character of the place. The first 

conservation areas were established in 

1967 and now there are around 10,000 in 

the UK including estates, parks, stretches 

of canal, historic town centres and some 

entire villages. 

The precise restrictions on what you can 

do will vary according to the rules set 

by your local authority and the nature 

of the area they are trying to protect. 

For example in some areas the rules 

might prevent changes to railings, street 

lighting, trees, windows, right down to the 

colour of paint that residents are allowed 

to use on their front doors. 

WHAT ARE THE PLANNING RE- 

STRICTIONS FOR HOMES IN A 

CONSERVATION AREA? 

Local authorities place extra restrictions 

on properties within conservation areas 

known as ‘Article 4 Directions’. These 

limit the changes that home owners 

would otherwise be able to make to their 

properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’. These rights govern 

the home improvements that property 

owners are usually allowed to make 

without requiring planning permission. 

If you live in a conservation area, these 

automatic rights are more limited. 

You should speak to your local planning 

authority and look on its website in order 

to find out what specific restrictions apply 

to the conservation area that you live in. 

However the general rules are that you 

cannot, without permission, demolish: 

• A building that is more than 115 

cubic metres 

• A gate, wall or fence that is over 1 

metre if it borders the road or higher 

than 2 metres if not. 

You would also need permission for the 

following alterations 

• A single storey extensions that 

extend more than 3 metres beyond 

the back wall of the house or 4 

metres if the house is detached 

• Extensions greater than one storey 

“Local authorities place extra restrictions on 

properties within conservation areas known as 

‘Article 4 Directions’. These limit the changes that 

home owners would otherwise be able to make to 

their properties under their normal ‘permitted 

development rights’.” 

• Side extensions 

• Roof extensions or alterations 

• Cladding in any material 

• Any new construction of sheds, 

outbuildings, swimming pools. 

• The installation of chimneys, flues 

or vents at the front of the house or 

at the side if it faces the road 

• Installing satellite dishes or 

antennae that face the road. 

• Fitting solar panels to the front 

of the roof facing the street than 

150mm from the roof slope. 

• Fitting solar panels that protrude by 

more than 150mm from the roof 

In addition your local authority may 

have imposed specific rules on the 

conservation area that you live in so it 

is vital to check these. Such rules could 

prevent you from: 

• Replacing original windows or 

doors 

• Altering the guttering or pipes 

• Felling trees or shrubs 

• Painting the facade or changing the 

colour of window frames and doors 

WHERE CAN I GET ADVICE 

ON CARRYING OUT BUILDING 

WORK WITHOUT BREAKING 

THE RULES? 

Speak to your local planning authority at 

an early stage and talk through your plans 

to find out if they are likely to require 

planning permission. If you do need to 

apply for permission, you could get your 

builder, architect or a planning consultant 

to submit an application on your behalf. 

Find out more at www.hoa.org.uk 


HOW CAN YOUR GARDEN 

GROW 

In these strange and unprecedented times, 

our gardens have never been more important. 

They have been the meeting place of 

family and friends and a real saviour in the 

face of so much difficulty. Whether you 

have green fingers or black thumbs, we 

have lots of inspiration for your space and 

ways to make it work harder for you! 

Image from OKA 


IDEAS FOR 

SMALL GARDENS 

LET THERE 

BE LIGHTS 

Small gardens have a lot more potential than you may 

appreciate. Whether dealing with a long narrow space 

behind a period home, a cramped backyard that lacks 

privacy, or even a little courtyard, the possibilities are 

endless. So don’t write off your small outdoor area just yet... 

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO GROW? 

Are you hoping to grow cut flowers, your favourite herbs, 

or a few vegetables? When space is limited, it is especially 

important to determine which of these are worth growing 

yourself, and which are better to purchase seasonally from 

your local farmer’s market or shop. Focus on growing 

flowers and produce that are usually expensive, hard to 

find, have a short shelf life, or you use regularly. 

CREATE SEATING WITHIN BORDERS 

A great idea is to add seating to the edges of raised beds 

- it makes otherwise unused space a flexible element for 

socialising. Sleepers are a great option, or patio slabs on 

small diving walls. Have a folding bistro table on hand to 

create a dining area where needed. 

MAKING YOUR OWN GARDEN 

LIGHTING PLAN 

Garden lighting usually serves two purposes. Firstly to 

provide functional light and secondly to create an attractive 

atmosphere. Here is how to plan your space: 

STEP 1: SKETCH YOUR GARDEN AREA 

Sketch your garden area as close to scale as possible. Indicate 

important areas of your garden such as the terrace, seating 

area or other garden features you wish to illuminate. 

STEP 2: CONSIDER WHAT AREAS NEED THE 

MOST LIGHTING 

Decide which areas in your garden need the most lighting. Are 

there certain parts of your garden that you wish to have more 

atmospheric lighting? Or are there certain areas that need 

more functional bright light? Is an extra lamp needed outside 

your front door? Indicate these places on your plan. 

STEP 3: DETERMINE THE TYPE OF LIGHTING NEEDED 

Think about what kind of lighting is best for the areas that you 

have outlined. Think about how much light intensity you will 

need. Decide whether you want functional or mood lighting. 

Are you looking to highlight a particular tree or shrubs? 

Consider alternating between bright light and softer lights to 

create a beautiful effect. 

THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX 

What about vertical gardens? Railing planters? Hanging 

baskets for strawberries? 

CREATE PRIVACY 

You may not have room for large evergreen trees and 

shrubs to create privacy. But, would a row of one of the 

many columnar varieties that provide height—without 

the width—work? If only seasonal screening is needed, 

perhaps narrow, columnar, deciduous trees or shrubs 

would be suitable? Or perhaps growing well-behaved 

climbers (e.g. jasmine or annual vines) on a vertical trellis 

would be the best solution. 

ADD A WATER FEATURE 

Water features are always a great addition to a garden. 

While a pond and waterfall may not be realistic, a simple 

recirculating wall fountain or bubbling tabletop pot may be 

the answer. 

MAKE EVERY SQUARE INCH COUNT 

Focus on high-value trees, shrubs, and perennials that 

offer multiple seasons of interest with attractive leaves, 

seasonal flowers, unique textures, colourful bark and/or 

great autumnal colour. 

STEP 4: DETERMINE THE LIGHT DIREC- 

TION FOR EACH LIGHT POINT 

Also figure out the direction your light needs to face 

to achieve your desired light effect. Are you wanting 

to uplight a fence or wall? Are you looking to 

illuminate the driveway with a recessed ground 

spot and if that is the case, do you need the 

light to be fixed shining upwards or adjustable 

so the you can direct the light yourself? 

Advice from 

www.lampandlight.co.uk 

Festoon lights 

and solar powers 

lanterns, from 

Lights4Fun.co.uk 


KEEP THE COLOUR PALETTE 

SIMPLE 

Two or three colours in varying shades, 

together with green, will be less visually 

cluttered than a jelly-bean-like explosion. 

CREATE A SENSE OF ORDER 

Clean lines bring an orderly feel to the 

garden. A clear rectilinear design can 

define spaces, while flowing organic 

curves can be used to soften awkward 

angles. 

Image from Colin Poole 

CREATE SECTIONS 

This garden has three sections, all with 

clear individual purposes – making 

the space feel bigger because of the 

multifunctional uses. The top level 

features a patio, which is bathed in 

morning sunshine. A central seating area 

made for socialising and the bottom 

deck houses a water feature. Then there’s 

the homeowner’s ‘she shed’. 

USE THE DIAGONAL AXIS 

A typical new build garden is often wide 

but shallow. Looking straight across the 

back garden therefore emphasises the 

shortest dimension. Alter the perspective 

by turning the patio, planting beds, and 

sight lines 45-degrees to line up with the 

diagonal axis, creating the illusion of a 

much larger space. 

LOOK FOR COMPACT PLANTS 

Choose plants that won’t overwhelm 

the ground plane, but don’t be afraid to 

include moderate sized or columnar trees 

to achieve the appropriate scale. 

Image from Moda 

Furnishings 

SOCIABLE 

SEATING 

Image from Dobbies 

Corner sofas are a great addition to the garden, 

extending the feel of living space outside. We 

love options with room to lounge, but also those 

with interchangeable tables which allow for 

dining, making the space more versatile. Opt for 

neutral colours and style with cushions so you 

can freshen up the look any time. 

To increase the usability of the space through 

the year and intothe cooler evenings, some 

element of heating is wise. We love the options 

from Moda Furnishings, which have either gas 

fireplaces within the table, or the pure theatre 

of an inset grill and corresponding ice bucket 

for drinks - you need never leave the table! 

Patio heaters have also come a long way in 

design and functionality. 


SKIPS 

ORDER ONLINE 

www.rabbitgroup.co.uk 

FOR DISCOUNT 

PRICES 

01903 520201 / 07972 125949 


Image from OKA 

ADD SOFTNESS 

The modern garden should 

cry out to be sat in - it 

should cosset and relax 

- like an extension of the 

living room. To achieve 

this, it’s important to 

add soft elements. 

Remembering that on 

the whole, gardens 

are hard spaces in their 

bones - but by layering 

textiles, materials and 

different seating options, we 

can create something really 

rather special. 

As 

well as textiles, 

take care to 

look at the ways your 

hard landscaping interacts with 

your soft landscaping - that is, 

your decking, patio, walls with 

your planting and lawns. Lots 

of texture and softness can be 

added with the careful selection 

of plants and trees - you want 

movement in the wind and tactile 

elements. 

THE LIFE AQUATIC 

Adding water to the garden can be one of the best things to do for 

your mental health. Here are a few things to consider: 

CONSIDER THE MOOD YOU ARE TRYING TO CREATE 

Water can play many roles in the garden, so it is good to be clear 

about the different atmospheres you want to achieve. For instance, 

a swimming pool or natural swimming pond could create a wonderful 

social space in a family garden, while an ornamental water feature 

could make a dramatic focal point in a smaller, urban plot. 

Images, left to right from top: Mudcloth Cushion and Anouk Cushion, 

from £35 www.hauslife.co.uk; Chair, £279.99 from shop.sueryder. 

org; Outdoor Rug, £59.95, Cuckooland; Verano Lounger, £479 from 

Danetti; Outdoor Cushions, £25 each from Ragged Rose 

Image from Go 

Modern Furniture 

MAKE SURE YOUR WATER FEATURE RELATES TO THE 

STYLE OF THE HOUSE 

Design detailing and choice of materials are an essential part of 

good garden design, but they are particularly important in smaller 

gardens, where water features might need to be sited close to a 

property. Water features can look completely out of place if they 

have no relation to the character of the house or the design of the 

garden that surrounds them. Use materials to reflect the other 

elements in the garden, such as paths and walls, and match the 

colour and tone of the materials to that of the building so they 

don’t jar and make for an uncomfortable setting. 

REMEMBER THAT DIFFERENT MATERIALS CREATE 

DIFFERENT SOUNDS WHEN WATER FALLS ONTO OR 

RUNS OVER THEM 

We all see and experience the sound of water very differently. It’s 

a very personal experience and you need to explore what it is that 

appeals to you about different sounds and what you might find 

distracting. Metal for example, can create quite a harsh sound if 

water falls onto it directly, but it will sound completely different if 

water falls down it vertically. 


Elegant | Stylish | Affordable 

Granite | Quartz | Marble | Slate 

Expert stone worktop manufacturers in Portsmouth 

Over 25 years of experience as a natural stone supplier 

Showroom Portsmouth: 02392 381360 

Workshop Littlehampton: 07535 676065 

www.in2stone.co.uk 

sales@in2stone.co.uk

image from Studio McGee 

DECOR HOW TO: 

THE MODERN RUSTIC AESTHETIC 

What do you get when you mix 

mid-century modern furniture with 

rustic materials and accents? A 

perfectly modern rustic look! Kate, 

the founder of online homewares 

company Haus, delves into how you 

can achieve the look in your home. 

New to modern rustic style? You’ve 

probably seen it before and just 

didn’t know what to call it. It involves 

comfortable but streamlined furniture, 

natural elements, earth tones, and 

reliance on rustic materials and decor. 

This style is all over Instagram and 

Pinterest, and brilliant designers like 

Amber Interiors and Studio McGee often 

design rooms that you could easily say 

are of this style. 

Comfortable foundations 

Comfort is key with this look. So, the 

largest pieces of furniture in any modern 

rustic room should be streamlined 

but never skimp on comfort. In living 

rooms, start with cosy oversized sofas. 

In bedrooms, opt for plush, upholstered 

beds. For a dining room, look for an 

oversized, rustic wood dining table 

around which big groups can gather. 

But, while prioritizing comfort, make sure 

the furniture lines are clean and simple to 

keep the look modern. 

Add Mid-Century Modern 

Accents 

Once the comfortable foundation is 

laid, introduce a more mid-century or 

eclectic vibe. At first it may seem odd 

to mix these styles—but the contrast 

they create is what makes this look so 

dynamic and fun. 

An easy place to do this is with your 

accent furniture. Think of an eclectic 

woven leather armchair or a coffee or 

bedside table with an antique flair. In 

dining rooms, pair your farmhouse dining 

table with more modern seating, like 

Wishbone or Eames shell chairs. 

Create Conversational 

Layouts 

A family-friendly style by nature, 

modern rustic interiors often have more 

symmetrical layouts that are geared 

toward large gatherings and facilitate 

conversations. (Hence the huge, rustic 

dining table we suggested above.) This 

is where the look leans more rustic and 

formal rather than modern and eclectic. 

Layer on Natural 

Textures 

When bringing the modern 

rustic style to life, we love 

the opportunity to play 

with textures and different 

materials. This keeps a 

room looking liveable and 

approachable. Look for natural 

materials like seagrass, jute, 

ceramics, leather, and liveedge 

woods—then mix and 

match them together in one 

space, incorporating them 

in furniture, lighting, and decor accents! 

This helps the room feel dynamic and 

visually interesting 

We love introducing lots of texture with 

soft furnishings too - think of fringing 

and tufts plus artisanal products like the 

gorgeously tactile mudcloth cushions, 

with their handwoven texture and 

abundance of prints and patterns. 

Introduce Industrial 

Lighting 

With modern rustic, light fixtures are 

often industrial with sleek, streamlined 

forms that are sculptural in nature. Look 

for matte black or antique brass options, 

or even rattan and include multi-level 

light sources. 

Shop the range of artisanal 

homewares at www.hauslife.co.uk 

Fox Club Chair, 

£870, limelace.co.uk 

Tray, £40, sweetpeaandwillow.com 


image from modsy.com 


Cosmia Tassel Throw, 

£58, hauslife.co.uk 

Anouk Pillow Cover 

(also available in coral), 


image from One Affirmation 

image from Studio McGee 

SHOP 

THE 

LOOK 

Layer these 

items in your 

home to nail the 

modern rustic 

look 

Anouk Pillow Cover, 


Wells Bubble Vase 

Wide, £40, 

gardentrading.co.uk 

Lines Mudcloth 

Pillow, £58, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Boston Reclaimed Wood 

Coffee Table, £314, 

modishliving.co.uk 

Extra Long Calliope 

Lumbar Cushion, £75, 

hauslife.co.uk 


LIFE IN THE 

SLO LA 

LUCY SAUNDERS EXPLORES 

THE DELIGHTS OF LIFE IN 

SLO - SAN LUIS OBISPO IN 

CALIFORNIA 

PHOTOGRAPHY BY LUCY SAUNDERS 


NE 

‘LIFE 

IS TOO BEAUTIFUL TO RUSH’ 

, SAN LUIS OBISPO REALLY DOES 

LIVE UP TO THIS MANTRA. SLO IS 

LOCATED HALF WAY BETWEEN LOS 

ANGELES AND SAN FRANSISCO AND 

HOLDS THE TITLE OF, ‘THE HAPPIEST 

CITY IN NORTH AMERICA’. 

This relaxed laid back vibe shines 

through the city with hipster coffee 

shops, small independent interior 

shops and local food vendors. 

Continuing through the county the 

serene landscape becomes more 

apparent with vineyards stretching 

through agricultural land and within a 

short drive out of town I find myself 

immersed in the sound of the sea 

and surfing culture. San Luis Obispo 

is the ideal location to rejuvenate 

whether that is alone, as a couple, 

or as a family. There is something for 

everyone. 

It is here that pleasure dictates pace 

and despite having a full itinerary for 

a four day trip, the way of living felt 

blissfully slow. All whilst filling the 

time sitting in vineyards wine tasting, 

setting up fire pits on the beach, 

meandering the fields of a light 

exhibition at night, sea kayaking with 

sea otters, and enjoying the farm-totable 

philosophy over lunch. 

Our first stop was for two nights. 

Hotel Cerro is a dream modern 

vacation with an intuitive flow. Just 

from walking through the front door 

Hotel Cerro has sophistication and 

contemporary aesthetic in its soul. 

This luxurious touch is partnered 

with environmentally conscious 

calls, with refillable water bottles in 

rooms, an edible garden visible from 

my balcony and organic bathroom 

amenities. Hotel Cerro thought of 

every approach. 

From the rooftop pool terrace the true 

size of the city was visible and the 

surrounded hills towered above it. On 

arrival a platter of delicious cheese 

and meats, carefully paired with wines 

awaited in Hotel Cerro’s all-day dining 

restaurant brasserie. A very welcome 

sight after a long day time flight. That 

night I melted into the silky soft covers 

awaiting the sun to rise and pour 

through the balcony shutters. 

Waking to the bright sunshine I could 

feel the warmth. A clichéd blue sky 

ready to sit above me all day as I 

ventured out, sat patiently. It was 

today that I decided to take a walk 

downtown, marvel at the unusual 

attraction of Bubblegum Alley just off 

of Higuera Street before driving over 

to the famous Madonna Inn. 

As an international landmark 

destination, Madonna Inn is a 

whimsical resort with enchanting 

decor. It feels like you are stepping 

out into a movie set as you drink from 

goblets and eat Pink Champagne 

cake in the Copper Cafe. Overindulged 

and full of delicious food, 

I decided to drive a short distance 

to SLO Brew Rock, a 30-barrel 

brewhouse and tasting room, with a 

rustic interior and casual seating area 

it was an ideal place to sit back with 

friends, play a board game and enjoy 

a tasting session of some the finest 

whiskies. 

Taking the afternoon to relax and 

unwind I continued with the chilled 

out atmosphere at Tolosa. Tasting 

the incredible line up of wines on 

offer, whilst over looking the Edna 

Valley winery was a pinch-me 

momemt - my tastebuds were 

tantalisingly in their happy place. 

After an afternoon of tastings I 

wound up the day’s light at Grover 

Beach, that sits on the Southern 

coastline of San Luis Obispo. With 

the sea crashing in and the evenings 

warmth still lingering I set up a fire 

pit with deckchairs and blankets. Sat 

around the fire sharing stories and 

laughing, me and my companions 

filled our bellies with the awardwinning 

clam chowder served in 

“IT IS HERE THAT 

PLEASURE DICTATES 

PACE AND DESPITE 

HAVING A FULL 

ITINERARY FOR A 

FOUR DAY TRIP, THE 

WAY OF LIVING FELT 

BLISSFULLY SLOW.” 


warm bread bowls from Splash Cafe. 

On our third day we started the morning 

at Morro Bay. Sitting around the breakfast 

table in Dorn’s, we had a fantastic view of 

the harbour and Morro rock. Tucking into 

one of their specialties, Pecan Pancakes 

drenched in maple syrup, gave me all the 

energy I needed for kayaking at Morro 

Bay Paddlesports, located just along and 

below the cafe. Equipped and floating on 

the water I made my way up to Morro Bay, 

and over the Grassy Bar Oyster Ranch. 

Sea otters swam between the kayaks and 

sea-lions were playing amongst them, 

often going down the sea bed and then 

resurfacing, swirling in the water. These 

waters were well populated with wildlife, 

and with over 200 species of sea and 

shore birds in the harbour this was a 

great location to be at one with nature. An 

ecological paradise. One where human 

interaction can work in harmony with 

wildlife. An oyster catcher bobs along the 

“THESE WATERS WERE 

WELL POPULATED WITH 

WILDLIFE, AND WITH 

OVER 200 SPECIES 

OF SEA AND SHORE 

BIRDS IN THE HARBOUR 

THIS WAS A GREAT 

LOCATION TO BE AT 

ONE WITH NATURE. AN 

ECOLOGICAL PARADISE.” 

shoreline and I wished I had my binoculars 

in the kayak with me! 

After the dip into the wonderful nature 

San Luis Obispo has to offer, I departed 

for Firestone Walker brewing company 

for a mezzo style lunch, where I got to 

experience a host of wonderful cuisine 

available on their menu, before a tour 

of their impressive facilities was well 

underway. It is here that I really felt that 

sense of traditional craft linked with the 

innovative spirit of California. San Luis 

Obispo as a county in a sentence. 

Departing the brewery I moved onward 

to Eberle Winery. It was here where 

I kicked back and enjoyed a glass 

of wine overlooking the sunset from 

the scenic deck. The 2019 Cotes-durobles 

rose was my favourite with its 

subtle pink hue and aroma of tropical 

fruits and pink grapefruit it was a light 

taste on the pallet. Perfect for the hot 

weather. After a refreshing lunch and 

tasting sessions I departed for Sensorio 

where the Field of Light was held. As 

an artist and writer this was in my head 

the highlight of the trip. This 380- 

acre, immersive experience was like 

nothing I had ever encountered before. 

A collective of lights adorned the 

hillsides, with a weaving path through 

the centre created by the world-renown 

artist, Bruce Munro. It was exquisite. 

The evenings in the hills were cold in 

comparison to the days drenched in 

Californian sun, so after the exhibition 

I headed over to Tin City for dinner 


“SURFERS RODE 

THE WAVES WHILST 

LONG-BILLED 

CURLEWS ON THE 

SHORE MOVED UP 

AND DOWN THE 

SHORE FEEDING 

FROM THE WET 

SAND.” 

before going back to my new overnight 

stay at the Cavalier Oceanfront Resort. 

A quirky traditional seaside property 

with spectacular views of the Pacific 

Ocean from my balcony Cavalier 

Oceanfront Resort is a cosy contrast 

to the contemporary Hotel Cerro. The 

log burner in the corner of the room 

was welcomed juxtaposing the chill of 

the sea breeze. The sound of the sea 

and roaring fire sending me to sleep 

with ease. As it was dark I could only 

hear the sea, however on waking in the 

morning how close the sea was to my 

balcony was a stunning surprise. It was 

only a short walk away - perfect for a 

pre-breakfast stroll. I ate breakfast at the 

resort which, like the decor of the guest 

room, had a traditional American feel. 

Fuelled with berry waffles I booked myself 

onto a Yoga and Meditation experience set 

in Cambria’s pine forest with yoga teacher 

Terri Harrington. The dappled light in the 

pine forest was mesmerising, closing my 

eyes and embracing the sounds I could 

here connected me to the land as the 

sunlight touching my face felt magical. 

From yoga to freshening up back out the 

hotel, I stopped briefly at The Truck in 

Hearst Winery. It was here I had my first 

‘proper’ American burger and I am still 

thinking about the lunch as I write this in 

the UK. It was everything I wanted it to be. 

Departing Hearst Winery I made my way 

to Hearst Castle, stopping briefly at Piers 

Blancas Rookery, to see the incredible 

Elephant Seals and their families along 

the coastline. Close-up these magnificent 

mammals were larger than I had first 

imagined, almost rock-like in the flesh, 

you could easily mistake them from further 

afield. Meandering up to Hearst Castle, its 

presence became apparent as it stood tall 

and grand, overlooking the land. Hearst 

Castle’s architectural brilliance flowed 

from the exterior all the way into the 

interior walls. It was breath taking - and 

made me realise how such a piece of 

architecture had now become an iconic 

visit of California. 

That evening me and my company had 

our last evening dinner of the trip, saving 

the best dinner location to last. Robin’s 

Restaurant! Handcrafted comfort cuisine 

in the small historic village of Cambria felt 

like the perfect time to take a breather and 

reflect on my time in San Luis Obispo. 

Hours past, delicious dishes flowed, our 

own wine served and everyone was united 

over what an incredible trip this has been. 

Dessert was served, a rich chocolate tart 

and small espresso left my belly full once 

more and I went to bed feeling content. 

Cambria Cafe was my last morning stop 

in California, based on the main street in 

Cambria. Fusing American and Mexican 

food staples together this breakfast felt 

more like a brunch in comparison to 

traditional American fayre. A short stop 

away on my journey to the airport was 

Cayucos, a nostalgic California beach 

town full of charming antique shops, 

boutiques and local eateries. I stopped 

briefly at the Brown Butter Cookie 

Company and tried some of their famous 

sweet treats, a salty yet sweet fuse of 

shortbread textured cookies. They were 

too good to not fill the remainder room of 

my suitcase and one packet whilst walking 

along the pier and sea front. Surfers rode 

the waves whilst long-billed curlews on 

the shore moved up and down the shore 

feeding from the wet sand. 

Waiting for my flight home, I could 

only think about what an extraordinary 

opportunity to experience such an 

incredible place is. I only wish I could live 

there. I really do feel like San Luis Obispo 

has consolidated a life that is too beautiful 

to rush. 

Find out more at www.slocal.com 

Hotel Cerro - rooms from £340 per night 

www.hotelcerro.com 

Cavalier Oceanfront Resort - rooms 

from £150 per night 

www.cavalierresort.com 

TRAVELLING AMIDST 

COVID RESTRICTIONS 

At the time of writing, leisure travel is 

not permitted from the UK. However, 

when these restrictions are eased, 

it is vital that you are aware of the 

conditions of travel both to and from 

the country. It is likely a negative, 

laboratory-approved PCR test certificate 

will be required for travel. Airlines may 

also insist upon a negative test result for 

return travel. 

Finally, prior to arriving back in the UK, 

you will need to book tests for Day 2 

and Day 8 after you land - these are 

through government-approved suppliers, 

a list of which can be found here. 

www.gov.uk/guidance/providers-of-day-2-and-day-8-coronavirus-testing-for-international-arrivals. 

Then you 

must isolate for 10 days at home. 

If you are not travelling from a ‘red 

list’ country, you may be able to use 

the ‘Test to Release’ service, which, 

provided you have a negative test on 

Day 2, allows an additional test on Day 

5, which if also negative will allow you 

to end your home quarantine early. 

We recommend Eurofins for both the 

Test to Fly and Test to Release service 

- they are reliable and competitively 

priced. They have postal kits available 

from £44.90, and special VIP concierge 

services for £150 where a test will be 

couriered to you, collected and tested 

on the same day to ensure quick results. 

Find out more at www.eurofins. 

co.uk/pcr-testing-kits 


Top tips to step back to normality 

Dr Hilary Jones provides useful tips regarding moving forward during the pandemic 

Many of us have spent the past year in the 

comfort of our own homes, establishing 

a work routine from our bedrooms or 

living rooms, adapting exercise and diet 

regimes, and finding alternative ways to 

communicate with friends and family. 

Lockdown created a welcome slow-down 

for many people, allowing us to reflect on 

our fast-paced lives and spend more time 

looking after ourselves. As restrictions 

gradually ease and more freedoms are 

granted, it may lead you to feel conflicting 

emotions, so to help during this confusing 

time, I have provided my top tips to step 

back into normality, including: 

Go at your own pace 

Take time for yourself 

Reconnect with loved ones 

Get enough sleep 

Put your health first and get regular check 

ups 

Although friends and family may be 

excited for their COVID bubbles to burst 

as measures begin to loosen, it is normal if 

you feel overwhelmed and anxious at the 

thought of slowly returning back to your 

hectic pre-COVID life. 

My top tip 

Try to take each step at a time - you don’t 

have to jump straight back into your old 

routine. If going on a walk is enough for 

one day, stick with it, but try to build on 

this every day. Perhaps meet up with 

a friend or grab a coffee from the local 

shop - stepping out of your comfort zone, 

gradually and responsibly, can help reestablish 

a routine that works for you. 

Take time for yourself 

As we adjust to yet another big change, 

it’s more important than ever to look after 

30 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

ourselves and take note of how we are 

feeling. You may think you have taken too 

much time for yourself over the last year, 

however, as life picks up its pace again, 

it is likely you will crave more me-time, 

so be conscious to allow yourself these 

moments. 

My top tip 

Think about an activity that is just for 

you – for example reading a book before 

bed, taking a bath, or watching a movie. 

Practising mindfulness by taking 5 minutes 

every day to focus on your breath is an 

exercise that can help you feel relaxed, 

ease anxiety and enable you to focus on 

the present, giving yourself the time that 

you need. 

Reconnect with loved ones 

Communicating with others can help keep 

our spirits up, lessen feelings of isolation 

and anxiety, and make new memories. 

The pandemic has made it difficult for 

the majority of us to connect with friends 

and family, with most interaction having 

taken place at a social distance or behind 

a screen, so it is an exciting feeling being 

able to reunite with those close to you once 

more. 

My top tip 

As you begin to reconnect with your loved 

ones, be attentive to any changes in their 

health - you are much more likely to notice 

any changes than they are, especially if 

you haven’t seen them for a while. Have 

you noticed your family member or friend 

having difficulty following the conversation, 

for example? Then suggest they get their 

hearing tested - Hidden Hearing’s 5-minute 

online hearing test – available at www. 

campaignforbetterhearing.co.uk can 

provide an immediate insight into how well 

they are hearing. 

Thanks to the support of The National 

Campaign for Better Hearing, you or your 

loved one could be nominated to receive a 

top of the range hearing aid. 

Get enough sleep 

You will probably find your sleeping pattern 

change as our day-to-day activities get 

busier. Going back to work, doing more 

exercise and socialising will have a bigger 

impact on our energy levels than we might 

think, so getting enough rest is key. 

My top tip 

Try to stick to a regular sleeping routine, 

going to sleep and waking up at a similar 

time each day, and aim for at least eight 

hours sleep a night. If you struggle to get 

some shut eye, reduce screen time, avoid 

caffeine before bed and exercise regularly. 

Put your health first by having 

regular check ups 

Your health may have taken a backseat 

during the pandemic, and you may not 

have had your regular health checks, such 

as going to the dentist or getting your 

eyesight and hearing tested. However, 

it is important to take the initiative and 

book these appointments so that you can 

fully enjoy life’s magical moments postlockdown. 

My top tip 

As restrictions ease and summer comes 

along, you want to be able to absorb your 

senses to feel connected to the world 

around you once more – including hearing 

the birds outside, people watching in the 

bustling streets, and ordering that long 

awaited drink at your local pub. Prioritise 

your hearing health by booking a free 

hearing test at your local Hidden Hearing 

centre - call 0800 037 2060 or visit www. 

hiddenhearing.co.uk/hidden-hearing

getting back to 

normality at 

woodlands house 

It’s been a particularly hard year for 

the residents of Woodlands, but we are 

coming out the other side of this and we 

are celebrating! 

Residents and staff are getting back on track and best of all, 

visitors are once again welcomed with open arms. The garden 

cushions are now out and umbrellas are up and ready! 

New residents are also being welcomed knowing they will NOT be 

cut off from family and can go out without worrying. Being a small 

luxury care home, near the beach and bowling greens, we have the 

benefit of highly trained and experienced familiar and long-term 

staff, who know our residents and enjoy their work. 

We have a fabulous chef who is particularly famous for cakes and 

healthy fresh meals. If you have been hesitating in recently months 

making the decision to move your loved one into a specialist home 

for DEMENTIA or ALZHEIMER’S due to the restrictions of Covid19, 

now is the time to contact us and have a chat. 

5* GOOD AT EVERY LEVEL {CQC Inspection} 

www.carehome.co.uk 


Decorations will cheers us up as we look out at the birds and 

If squirrels you are scurrying thinking around of professional the garden care for for their a loved supper one while NOW or in 

the residents future, patiently consider wait Woodlands for the warm House, aromas a small of baking luxury indicating family run 

care supper home and near Christmas the beach. are on CQC their 5 way! STARS Another rated. year Maintaining at Woodlands!! the 

HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROTECTIVE CARE. 

WOODLANDS 

HOUSE 

CARE HOME 

We specialise in caring for those suffering from memory 

loss, Alzheimer’s Disease and other forms of confusion, 

in a luxury home in Sussex. 

We operate an alternative Care Philosophy whereby 

residents are encouraged to live their lives 

without the pressures of social expectations 

or unnecessary sedation. 

www.woodlandshouse.org 

www.carehome.co.uk 

Room available NOW 

CQC 

Inspection: 

“GOOD” for 

every level!!! 

For further information contact 

Oonagh Cacioppoon 01903 725458 

or email house.woodlands@gmail.com 

4 St Winefride’s Road, Littlehampton, Sussex BN17 5NL 


Shoreham 

FOR GIRLS 

AND BOYS 

College AGED 3-16 

An independent day school for all abilities 

Building confidence, inspiring success 

Little Lions Nursery Junior School Senior School 

SHOREHAM COLLEGE IS GROWING 

In order to accommodate all the pupils who wish to join us, 

we are excited to be adding an extra class in Year 9 and also in Year 5. 

If you are interested in a place for September 2021 please contact us without delay. 

Limited places are also available in Little Lions Nursery and some Junior and Senior year groups. 

01273 592681 www.shorehamcollege.co.uk 

St Julian's Lane, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6YW

Worthing Lifestyle May - Jun 2021

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