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SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021 

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METROLAND 

EDITOR'S LETTER 

Welcome to Metroland 

As we breeze into Summer there has been a 

significant political change in our constituency! We 

have tried to secure an interview with Mrs Green 

but unfortunately failed in spectacular fashion - 

hopefully we can tie the lady down and bring you 

an exclusive in our next issue, and she will have 

had time to get her feet firmly on the ground. 

Another bumper issue for you, lots of fab local 

news, events, places to visit and as always great 

ideas for your gardens and outside living (fingers 

crossed the weather is kind to us this year). 

I always feel we should write our intro in a style but 

alas we are more whistle down the wind than Lady 

Whistledown. Are you as excited as our team that 

Season 2 is well under way being filmed? Not that 

we have been loitering around Stowe to catch a 

glimpse... 

The team have been working hard with local 

authority and other like-minded media to look at 

the regeneration of our high streets and support 

we can give to small businesses; more news on this 

via our social media over the next few weeks. 

Sit back and relax and enjoy the read, maybe 

make a delicious cocktail or too as the wonderful 

Cocktailmaker give us some inspiration! One thing 

is guaranteed, sunshine or not, we are all looking 

forward to enjoying the summer months and our 

new found freedom! 

Until next time dear reader (well we had to finish 

Bridgerton style). 

Love from the Editorial Team at METROLAND xx 

As we go live with this issue, we are in the throws 

of Wimbledon, the Euros and we still have the 

Olympics to come! Live sports and events are 

resuming and as we adjust to the new normal we 

eagerly await instruction from BoJo and the team 

as to what life will be like post 19th July. We salute 

all of our hospitality friends who have born the 

brunt of recent months and wish them well in their 

re-opening and we cannot wait to get out and dine 

again in our fabulous local restaurants. 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021 003


CONTENTS OF MAGAZINE 

Competition 

with Tims Dairy & The Real Greek 

Page 7 

Zones 8 & 9 

Summer Beauty 

The Changing High Street by David Pike 10 

Local Community Boards by Buckinghamshire Council 12 

Little Chalfont Nature Park by Shirley Strange 14 

Our #ShopLocal Pick 15 

Tony Hadley 40th Anniversary Tour 16 

Just the Ticket by Eleanor Garth 18 

The MPS Society 22 

Healthy Nail Care by Olivia Salter for Nature's Best 40 

Summer Waves: How to get the look with Steph Stevenson 44 

Hay Fever Fact File with Hay-Band & Hydrosil 46 

Summer Make-up Must Haves with Jessica Swallow 48 

REVIEW: Olverum Face Oil by Tina Reading 50 

Tool up against Adult Acne with Clarol 52 

Microblading by Charlotte Brazil 53 

Amersham Martyrs by Stan Pretty 24 

Fashion 

All About Baby 

Traditional Furniture for Modern Bubbas by Ickle Bubba 26 

Weekend Break & Days Out Essentials 28 

Eco-friendly Wheels by Ark Pushchairs 30 

Travel in Style 31 

Sweet Dreams 32 

Dinner Time! 33 

Baby Gifts & Keepsakes 34 

Summer Bubba Fashions by JoJo Maman Bébé 36 

Thrifty Royals by Metroland Life 56 

Children's Fashion by Edna & Jean 58 

STAR by Julian Macdonald with Freemans 60 

Summer Garden Party with Primark 62 

This is Unfolded by Lost Stock 64 

Elevate you Beach Bag with RADLEY London 66 

Digital Fashion with CBYR 67 

A Sterling Choice 68 

Vitre Jewellery & Strive 69 

Keep your Jewellery Looking its Best with Henry Pruwer 70 

004 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021


CONTENTS OF MAGAZINE 

Fitness, Health & Wellbeing 

Inner Strength & Resilience with Bewater 74 

REVIEW: Bewater by Kathryn Pike 75 

Tips for Wild Swimming with Access Ropes 76 

Taking out the Sting 78 

Autumnal Foraging by Belinda Blake 80 

How do the Rich Rest? by Beth Riley, OTTY Sleep 82 

Men's Mental Health & Parenting with Dadsnet 84 

Results Day Dilemmas by Zoe King 86 

Postnatal Depression with Livi 88 

Dance your way to fitness with Moleculr 90 

Stay Fit Locally with Amanda, Melanie & Ali 91 

Food & Drink 

Home & Garden 

REVIEW: Harry's Bar & Kitchen by Kathryn Pike 94 

Love Your Gut by Love your Gut 98 

Broad Bean & Feta Bake by Love your Gut 99 

Banana & Coconut Ovenight Oats by Love your Gut 100 

Simply Bistro by Matt Hay 102 

Grilled Port Skewers by Saiphin Moore 104 

Sweetcorn Patties by Saiphin Moore 106 

Green Papaya Salad by Saiphin Moore 107 

Goma-ae Mibuna & Teri-Goma Chicken Rice Yuki Gomi 108 

Mexican Sausage Rolls with Bread Pastry by Allinson's 110 

Strawberry, Walnuts & Rocket Salad with California Walnuts 111 

Tofu, Rainbow Veg Stirfry & Coconut Rice by Matt Pritchard 112 

Parva Spicy Beer Burger with discoverdelicious.wales 113 

Summer Ready with Secret Linen Store 134 

Feel at Home with Colour with Lola Swift 136 

Ready to Swoon? with Swoon 138 

New Apps for Home Extensions with gov.uk 140 

Upcycling project: Terrarium Lamp with Jeyes Fluid 142 

Bedding Collection by The Cotswold Company 144 

Dreamy Landscapes with Twenty 30 Events 146 

Upcycling Project: Sideboard by Furniture and Choice 148 

Transform your Outside Space by Kindwood 150 

Summer at Rowan by Rowan Garden Centre 152 

Synonymous Flowers by Blooming Haus 154 

Garden Cool 156 

Stylish Awnings by Carribbean Blinds 158 

Lamb & New Potato Hotpot with Seasonal Spuds 114 

Healthy Fish & New Potato Chips with Seasonal Spuds 115 

Mango & Passionfruit Ice cream by Gaz Oakley 116 

Easy Vegan Scones by Gaz Oakley 117 

Rhubarb & Custard Tart by 44Foods 118 

Blackberry Yoghurt & Supergreen Ice Lollies by Bioglan 119 

Triple Chocolate Panna Cotta by Rachel Phipps 120 

Excuse to Indulge? with Daim & Toblerone 122 

Greek Style Holiday Vibes with The Real Greek 123 

Greek Heritage: British Made with Tims Dairy 124 

Summer Cocktails with Cocktail Maker 126 

The Perfect Six Pack with Malt The Brewery 128 

Pink Bubbles 130 

Some like it COLD with Whittard of Chelsea 131 


Days Out 

REVIEW: Birdland Park & Gardens by Kathryn Pike 162 

Historical Days Out 164 

Bletchley Park 165 

Chenies Manor 166 

Chiltern Open Air Museum 167 

Waddesdon 168 

Claydon House 169 

What's on at Waddesdon with Waddesdon 170 

Discover Bucks Museum with Bucks County Museum 173 

Summer Festivals & Event with Visit Buckinghamshire 174 

Spa Days: Our Top 5 

Bodhi Tree Spa, Chalfont St Peter 175 

Whittlebury Spa, Northamptonshire 176 

Spa Illuminata, Danesfield House, Marlow 176 

Banya No.1, Hoxton, London 177 

Crystal Palace Spa, London 177 

Fancy A Picnic with Visit Buckinghamshire 178 

Let's go to the Movies 179 

Sweetening up you Summer with Creams Cafe 182 

Bekonscot 183 

Getting Away in the UK 

Chief Editor 

Tina Reading 

Art Director 

Kathryn Pike 

Advertising Enquiries 

& Media Pack requests 

hello@metroland.life 


encapsulates everything that 

we love about this area and is 

created for the good townsfolk 

of Chesham, Amersham and 

Chalfont who we feel deserve 

a magazine dedicated to them 

with loads of news, articles 

and offers. METROLAND was 

first published in Spring 2020 

as a digital magazine. Our aim 

is to feature purely Metroland 

businesses and organisations 

and bring their services and 

products to everyone across 

zones 8 & 9. 

North Hill Farm Chess Valley 186 

The Chiltern Yurt Retreat Chiltern Hills 187 

Koko'S Glamping Amersham 188 

Shardeloes Shepherts Hut Amersham 189 

The Chilterns View Oxfordshire 190 

Wingbury Farm Glamping Buckinghamshire 191 

The Little Retreat Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire 192 

Murgatroyd Dorset 193 

Lake Vyrnwy Hotel Powys 194 

Explore southern Snowdonia at Penmaenuchf Hall 195 

Wilderness Weekends with Camp Wilderness 196 

Country Retreats South Coast & Jersey 198 

The information in this magazine is intended to provide readers with information which they 

may find useful and of interest. We take all reasonable steps to keep this information current and 

accurate, but errors can occur. The information in this magazine is therefore provided as is with 

no guarantee of accuracy, completeness or timeliness. Reference to any specific commercial 

product, process, or services by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not 

constitute or imply its endorsement or recommendation by METROLAND. This publication may 

include links to third-party content, advertising, or websites, provided to our readers for the 

sake of convenience. By using these links, you acknowledge and agree METROLAND is not 

responsible for and does not endorse any advertising, products, or resources available from such 

outside resources or websites. 

P&O Cruises UK coast cruises 200 

Plas Menai Wales 201 

Dine with Distinction East Lancashire 201 

06 


win 

£40 worth of vouchers for a meal 

at The Real Greek Windsor 

PLUS a bundle of Tims Dairy 

Greek style bio-live yogurt 

delivered by courier direct to the winner 

ENTER ONLINE at 

metroland.life/summercomp21 

Tip! You may wish to read pages 125 to 127 

T&Cs: Open to UK residents aged 18+. One entry per person. Winner chosen at random. Closing date 

11.59pm on Sunday 15 August 2021. See full T&Cs at metroland.life/competition-prize-draw-terms-conditions

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

P R O F E S S I O N A L A N D D I S C R E E T 

P R I V A T E I N V E S T I G A T I O N S 

2 4 H O U R S A D A Y , 7 D A Y S A W E E K . 

C O R P O R A T E 

I N V E S T I G A T I O N S 

D E B T O R 

L O C A T I N G 

R E L A T I O N S H I P 

B R E A K D O W N 

J U D I C U A L 

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Looking for answers, closure, or 

evidence? I am on your side. 

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For more information: 

Visit: www.missaminvestigations.co.uk 

Email: enquiries@missaminvestigations.co.uk 

Call: 07388925001 

As seen in: 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING 2020 08

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

Zones 8&9 

Image credit: Leigh Richardson 



ZONES 8 & 9 

The changing High Street 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Here at Metroland, we love the High Street, but 

we are the first to admit that the last 16 months 

has not been kind to traditional bricks-and-mortar 

retailers. 

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, the high street 

had been experiencing the most dramatic change 

in more than a generation. The advent of internet 

shopping has been altering our shopping habits for 

several years. The rise of giant, online-only retailers 

such as Amazon and Boohoo has threatened the 

livelihood of the traditional independent shop. In 

order to survive, even the smallest retailers have 

understood the value of being able to sell to an 

online audience. 

However, in early 2020, we were prevented from 

going to the high street entirely. Practically 

overnight, shops closed with no idea of how soon 

they might reopen. Tens of thousands of employees 

were sent home and consumers worried how they 

would get hold of essentials. The high street went 

very quiet. 

The lasting effect on the retail industry has been 

profound. Shops that have been household names 

for generations have been forced into closure, while 

others have responded by discarding their physical 

high street presence and moved to entirely online 

business models. 

The effect on small retailers has been somewhat 

different. Small businesses with an online 

presence – an ecommerce website – were able 

to continue trading, and in some cases thrived. 

Modern technology has come to the rescue, as 

it has allowed these small companies to respond 

rapidly to the overnight change in our behaviour. 

We also loved the emphasis on customer service 

that was evident during lockdown. As we emerge 

cautiously from our isolation and return to the high 

street, what effect will the last year have on our 

shopping habits? 

The first and most noticeable change will be the 

absence of some of our most beloved stores. 

Names like Debenhams have left the high street 

and, while that particular brand has been saved, 

the fact that it is now owned by the Boohoo Group 

gives a good indication that online shopping is a 

big part of our future. 

Other big names have retreated to just a few 

flagship locations. The massive Disney empire has 

closed all but two of its high street stores, knowing 

that the reduced number of shoppers will threaten 

their business. However, both businesses and 

customers can benefit from these changes. Not 

only can customers access the entire product 

range online, but retailers reduce their costs as 

they do not need to keep their stores stocked with 

products. 

This has allowed the larger retailers to rethink how 

they satisfy customer demands. A perfect example 

can be found in Marks and Spencer. Despite 

dominating the high street for decades, Marks and 

Spencer have changed their strategy over the last 

decade. The expansion of their food-only stores 

has made shopping more convenient, and they 

have started to use these food stores as clickand-collect 

locations. No longer is the customer 

required to visit the town centre, but instead they 

can order a product online, late into the evening, 

and know that it will be available to collect the next 

day from their local store. 

Another interesting change is that some of the 

previously online-exclusive names like Amazon are 

starting to acquire a physical presence, with the 

opening of checkout free Amazon Fresh stores in 

London. The growth of Amazon seems relentless, 

and the brand looks like it wants to try and fill at 

least some of those empty spaces on the high 

street left by the departure of traditional brands. 

The most exciting thing for us, however, is the 

continued success of the independent high 

street. It seems strange to think that a global 

pandemic has had positive benefits, but we need 

to celebrate those small retailers who have been 

able to respond to our sudden change in habits 

and still be able to offer products and services with 

a personal feel. 

With our return to physical shopping, small 

independent retailers can take advantage of empty 

premises and become part of our new shopping 

habits. We can support our local businesses both 

in person and online, and while big names might 

have left the high street, it doesn’t mean that we 

cannot enjoy a new way of shopping. 



ZONES 8 & 9 

One year on - 

Community Boards 

How’s the first year of Community 

Boards been? 

Created to bring communities and 

Buckinghamshire Council together to improve 

outcomes for residents and tackle local issues, 

they play an important role in ensuring that the 

council understands the needs of communities by 

providing local insight and feedback. 

Three Community Boards cover the Metroland 

Life area: Amersham; Chesham and Villages; 

and Denham, Gerrards Cross and The Chalfonts. 

Despite launching in the middle of the COVID-19 

pandemic the boards have proven their value 

in their first year, building great connections to 

support local people and businesses in response 

to Coronavirus. Buckinghamshire has shown 

impressive community spirit, demonstrating what 

we can achieve when we all work together. 

Alongside this the boards have funded local 

groups, projects and initiatives - from youth 

projects to healthy eating initiatives, to improving 

green spaces, community facilities and play areas 

and encouraging wildlife. 

The year ahead: 

The first anniversary is a chance for everyone 

involved to reflect on what’s worked well and how 

we develop for the year ahead. This year we’ll 

focus on areas including supporting economic 

recovery and improving the environment at a 

local level, working with communities and partners 

to identify priorities to address these and other 

issues. Health and wellbeing will continue to be a 

theme too and we will also focus on encouraging 

local people, organisations and businesses to get 

involved. 

Your Local Community Board 

Everyone is welcome. If you’re interested in your 

local Community Board or want to sign up for 

updates about what’s happening in your area, get 

in touch with your local team – details below. 

Not sure which is your Community Board? Check 

the postcode search on the council’s website, 

https://www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/communityand-safety/improving-your-local-community/findyour-local-community-board/ 

Amersham 

Chair: Cllr Mark Dormer 

Coordinator: Lizzie Wright 

Email: amersham@buckinghamshire.gov.uk, 

Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-andsafety/improving-your-local-community/amershamcommunity-board/ 

Facebook: facebook.com/AmershamCB/ 

Next formal meeting: 15 July, 7pm 

“Community Boards are 

a fantastic way for local 

people to make changes 

and improvements to 

local life at a grassroots 

level. By hearing the 

thoughts, concerns 

and ideas from people 

who actually live in the 

area your local Community Board can make a real 

difference to day-to-day life. I would encourage 

everyone to submit ideas, come along, or join online 

and participate so we can make our community an 

even better place to live and bring up our families.” 

Chair Cllr Mark Dormer 

In its exciting first year, local projects supported by 

the board included: 

• The Fitness Garden providing a programme 

of tailored physical activity for at least 40 

community carers and young people, bringing 

the community together to be more active and 

healthy 

• A Citizens Advice Debt Caseworker providing 

valuable support to people with long-term debt 

in financial difficulty 

• The Big Community Take Away providing at 

least 50 weekly hot meals for families and 

012 



ZONES 8 & 9 

individuals severely affected by COVID 

• The development of the new Scout hut in 

Amersham, increasing facilities for young 

people and providing space for community 

groups and others 

• The Restore Hope FoodLife Christmas Hamper 

supporting over 300 families who would not 

otherwise have been able to afford a Christmas 

meal. 

Chesham & Villages 

Chair: Cllr Patricia Birchley 

Coordinator: Caroline Green 

Email: cheshamandvillagescb@ 

buckinghamshire.gov.uk 

Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and- 

safety/improving-your-local-community/chesham- 

community-board 

Next Formal Meeting: 7 July, 6.30pm 

Chair Cllr Patricia Birchley 

“As the eyes and ears 

of Chesham and the 

Chiltern villages, we 

will work with town 

and parish councils to 

promote the need for 

new jobs and better 

facilities; we are excited 

about new funding 

available to support 

local 

initiatives.” 

Discussions are under way on lots of exciting new 

projects – and keep an eye out for our new Facebook 

page! Last year, the board supported community 

projects with nearly £78,000 of funding. This year, 

the board aims to continue supporting local groups 

and schemes, with a focus on the environment, 

highways and transport, and economic recovery. 

New action groups will discuss, explore and bring 

projects to fruition, with the local community at the 

heart of decision-making. Our next meeting on 7 

July is on the theme of regeneration. Everyone is 

welcome to attend the meeting and get involved 

- we encourage questions from the public (see the 

website). 

Denham, Gerrards Cross and The 

Chalfonts 

Chair: Cllr Santokh Chhokar 

Coordinator: Ani Sultan 

Email: denhamgxchalfonts@ 

buckinghamshire.gov.uk 

Website: buckinghamshire.gov.uk/community-and- 

safety/improving-your-local-community/denham- 

gerrards-cross-chalfonts-community-board 

Facebook: facebook.com denhamgxchalfontsCB 

Next formal meeting: 8 July, 6.30pm 

Chair Cllr Santokh Chhokar 

“Community 

are 

Boards 

Buckinghamshire 

Council's engines for 

delivering localism to our 

communities - working 

with parishes, voluntary 

groups, 

individuals 

and statutory bodies 

in a responsive way to 

make an impact.” 

In 2020/21, we funded projects supporting the 

environment, aided with community safety, 

distributed emergency COVID funding, and looked 

at highways and infrastructure projects. Key 

activities include: 

• All Together CIC – Community Fridge: The 

board part-funded the set up and running of 

a Community Fridge in Chalfont St Giles where 

local supermarkets donate surplus food to make 

it easier for local people who are struggling 

financially to get healthy and nutritious food. 

• Denham Parish Council – Men in Sheds: An 

opportunity for men to regularly get together on 

small projects such as recycling, environmental 

work, refurbishing and repairing old items. It 

provides space to talk and share thoughts, 

improving mental health and wellbeing. The 

project will be open to all ages, backgrounds 

and abilities. 

• Our emergency COVID response included 

providing money for Denham Community 

Support’s Foodbank, South Central Ambulance 

Service, Chiltern Dial-a-ride, All Together 

Community CIC’s Emergency Food Parcels, 

Fulmer Village Hall and Chalfont Community 

Centre. 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Little Chalfont Nature Park is in the heart of the 

Buckinghamshire village of Little Chalfont and 

within the Chilterns Area of Outstanding Natural 

Beauty. It has been created from the original 

preserved natural grassland and woodland by the 

village community. It is owned by Little Chalfont 

Charitable Trust and run by Little Chalfont Parish 

Council. We opened on 1st June, 2016 and we are 

open to visitors from dawn to dusk all the year 

round. 

Although a mere 4.6 acres, Little Chalfont Nature 

Park contains a rare wild flower meadow, old 

woodlands and relics of its past as a farm, cherry 

orchard and pits for extracting clay to make bricks. 

There's marked paths, a place for picnics, and a 

story-telling arena. As well as being a tranquil 

oasis in which to relax and contemplate, it's also 

an excellent place for children of all ages to learn 

about the natural world. 

The nature park was so well used in the Spring that 

the ground was becoming compacted. Groups of 

volunteers marked out the paths to enable the 

meadow to spring into flower, which it did. 

Spring bulbs emerged; native daffodils and 

bluebells were seen, and the trees blossomed. 

Visitors of all ages came to the park and were 

able to enjoy the peace and tranquillity without 

disturbing the nesting birds. Children built the 

most ambitious dens, and many regular senior 

visitors enjoyed a daily stroll. The Park came 

into its own when outdoor socialising was finally 

permitted and although there were so many 

visitors, they were generally good at taking their 

litter away afterwards. 

The appearance of our Common spotted Orchids 

are among the June highlights. 

The meadow is looking healthy with plenty of 

Yellow rattle, a good sign of a healthy meadow. 

Let’s hope we can see plenty of butterflies, moths 

and bees in the coming months. 

Organised Visits 

The Nature Club has been organising a very 

popular weekly toddlers’ group in the park during 

term time. Many happy adventures with bug 

hunting and flower finding have been enjoyed. 

The Harbour – a group for parents and carers 

of children with additional needs has also been 

meeting in the park. 

The cubs, beavers, guides and brownies also 

enjoy regular visits for activities. 

Any group wishing to organise a visit is asked to 

book on the form available on the website. 

More information about the Nature 

Park can be found on the website 

naturepark.littlechalfont.org.uk or on facebook 

www.facebook.com/littlechalfontnaturepark 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Our #ShopLocal Picks 

Ataranj — 8 inch Handcrafted Brass Spice Box 

Masala Dabba | £69.99 | madewithloveinindia. 

co.uk 

Ataranj comes with 7 brass containers and a 

brass spoon for your top 7 spices but don't let 

tradition get in the way of customisation. Use it to 

store snacks, mukhwas (Indian mouth fresheners), 

knick-knacks, or jewellery. If you're looking for a 

gift for someone who loves their kitchen, you 

couldn't go wrong with this beautiful piece of brass 

kitchenware. Packed attractively, ready to gift. 

Mindful Kids - Childrens Mindfulness Activity 

Cards | £10.00 | haveamooch.co.uk 

This boxed card deck includes 50 creative 

mindfulness games, visualizations and exercises 

divided into 5 categories to help children feel 

grounded, find calm, improve focus, practice 

loving-kindness and relax. Whimsical full-color 

illustrations on both sides of the cards break 

down each practice into easy-to-follow steps. Tips 

on individual cards plus an 8-page instructional 

booklet show modifications that make these 

activities inclusive for children of all abilities. 

Nesting bowls | £35.00 | bramleypottery.co.uk 

We love these bowls in different sizes decorated 

in beautiful celadon glaze with stamp design 

to inside of bowl. They are made by local 

potter Hayley Farrelly. Height 6.5cm Diameter 

10.5cm/12.5cm/14.5cm 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021 

015


ZONES 8 & 9 

Tony Hadley 

40th Anniversary UK Tour 

One of the most renowned voices in British music, 

Tony Hadley, has announced a huge UK tour for 

2022, celebrating a remarkable 40 years in music. 

Celebrating four decades since Tony first released 

music with his former band Spandau Ballet 

(originally planned for 2020), the tour, which will 

see Tony perform with his band ‘The Fabulous 

TH Band’, will call at 36 dates across the country, 

beginning on 1st March in Bexhill, and concluding 

at the Blackpool Opera House on 27th May. 

Tony’s unmistakeable voice still brims with passion 

and urgency as it first did all those years ago. 

Fitting for what will be a big celebration of one 

of the biggest voices in pop, Tony will perform 

tracks from across his career both as the voice of 

Spandau Ballet, and as a solo artist. 

From his beginnings at the forefront of the 

New Romantic movement, Tony earned himself 

the accolade of being one of pop’s greatest 

vocalists.Spandau Ballethad numerous charttopping 

singles and albums all over the world, 

including the epic “Through the Barricades”, the 

international number one “True”,and the unofficial 

London Olympics theme “Gold”. 

As a solo artist Tony has performed across 

the world both with his band, swing bands,and 

orchestras. In 2005 he was awarded a Gold 

Badge from the British Academy of Composers 

and Songwriters; whilst2007 saw him win a new 

legion of fans when he appeared as Billy Flynn in 

Chicago on the West End stage. 

In 2018 Tony released his highly anticipated solo 

album ‘Talking To The Moon’, The album was 

incredibly well received and became BBC Radio 

2’s Album Of The Week and the 1stsingle “Tonight 

Belongs To Us” was Single Of The Week. 

Last year Tony released the brand new single 

‘Obvious’, co-written with ‘Talking To The Moon’ 

Mick Lister, which was again playlisted on BBC 

Radio 2. 

Alongside his music career, not to mention his 

work in broadcasting on both radio and TV, Tony 

received an MBE in December 2019 in the Queen’s 

New Year’s Honours List for his charitable workfor 

the Shooting Star Children’s Hospice. 

Tony presents a live Sunday morning radio show 

on BBC 3 Counties Radio,and started a podcast 

& Youtube channel in July 2020 called ‘Stars 

Cars Guitars’with Jim Cregan (award-winning rock 

guitarist, songwriter and producer) and Alex Dyke 

(veteran British broadcaster on the tv and radio). 

The podcast featuresthe triotalking about rock 

and roll adventures, their favourite cars and tales 

of the stars and friends they met on the way; and 

touches upon the themes of success, fame, family, 

laughter, memories and dreams. 

Tickets are available from: MyTicket.co.uk 

016 


Tour Dates: 

March 2022 

1st March 

2nd March 

4th March 

5th March 

6th March 

8th March 

9th March 

11th March 

12th March 

13th March 

15th March 

16th March 

18th March 

19th March 

20th March 

22nd March 

23rd March 

24th March 

May 2022 

5th May 

6th May 

7th May 

8th May 

10th May 

11th May 

13th May 

14th May 

15th May 

17th May 

18th May 

20th May 

21st May 

22nd May 

24th May 

25th May 

26th May 

27th May 

Bexhill De La Warr Pavilion 

Croydon Fairfield Halls 

High Wycombe The Swan 

Guildford G Live 

Bournemouth BIC Pavilion Theatre 

Cheltenham Town Hall 

Cardiff St David’s Hall 

Llandudno Venue Cymru Theatre 

Liverpool Philharmonic 

Stoke Victoria Hall 

Leicester De Montfort Hall 

Sheffield City Hall 

Hull City Hall 

Halifax Victoria Hall 

Stockton Globe 

Perth Concert Hall 

Glasgow Royal Concert Hall 

Buxton Opera House 

Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall 

Cambridge Corn Exchange 

Ipswich Regent Theatre 

Tunbridge Wells Assembly Hall 

Worthing Assembly Hall 

Bath Forum 

Torquay Princess Pavilion 

Portsmouth Guildhall 

Oxford New Theatre 

Dartford Orchard Theatre 

Northampton Derngate 

Scunthorpe Baths Hall 

Nottingham Royal Concert Hall 

York Barbican 

Edinburgh Usher Hall 

Newcastle O2 City Hall 

Carlisle Sands Centre 

Blackpool Opera House 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Just The Ticket 

An occasional glimpse behind the scenes of your local theatre, elgiva.com 

We have reopened – frabjous day – and although 

things are not yet back to normal, we are starting 

to see a bright light at the end of the tunnel. 

Our audiences have been amazing; from blithely 

accepting masks in the auditorium, paperless 

ticketing and one way systems in the theatre to an 

acceptance of dates for performances that move – 

and then move again. 

Finally being back in the actual building, rather 

than dealing with everything online, has made us 

realise how much of a home the theatre is, with our 

staff, volunteers and customers forming a family 

under its roof. 

The ring of engagement 

The Elgiva is wholly-owned by Chesham Town 

Council. Council-funded conjures up images of 

depressing grey carbuncles filled with jobsworths 

who put the phone down at 5pm even if they're in 

the middle of a conversation. The Elgiva truth, we 

hope, couldn’t be more different. 

Being part of the Council and also, therefore, 

aligned with the also wholly-owned Swim and 

Gym at The Moor, means we are part of a synergy, 

hopefully fostering customer engagement, where 

taxpayers get real bang for their buck. 

The Elgiva’s ethos is Elgiva for Everyone, and 

our relationship with our community is one of 

the cornerstones on which we continue to build 

that ethos, raising awareness and participation 

in the creative arts and fostering partnerships 

with local community, schools and organisations – 

something it is much easier to do with an actual 

building to do it in! 

Getting back in the swing of things 

Never one to let the grass grow under our feet, we 

have had cracking films, concerts and shows since 

we reopened last month. The English Sinfonia 

is now well-established in its residency at The 

Elgiva, and has played two concerts with a third – 

featuring Mozart, Beethoven and Vivaldi – still to 

come. 

Gary Delaney kicked off his UK tour at The Elgiva; 

with social distancing still in place, he was gracious 

enough to do two shows and we split the audience 

to accommodate everyone safely. Gary was 

delighted to finally be back on stage telling jokes 

to a real, live audience, the audience were thrilled 

to be laughing once again and The Elgiva was 

happy to have another comedian sell out – twice, 

as it turned out! 

Speaking of sell-outs, ticket sales for the Oscarladen 

Nomadland meant we were able to schedule 

an extra performance. The change in viewing 

habits, with people juggling Netflix, Amazon Prime, 

Britbox and Disney + meant a worry for cinemas 

that people would stream, rather than dream. 

After all, the immersive experience of cinema – the 

hush, the anticipation, the sound, the BIG SCREEN, 

makes it like a dream, rather than being able to 

pause proceedings while you pop the kettle on. 

We were delighted to find that our customers felt 

as we do, booking for both Cruella and Nomadland 

– long may it continue! 

Seeing the bigger picture 

We have an exciting opportunity for local artists 

of ALL ages and abilities to collaborate and see 

YOUR picture displayed at The Elgiva this summer! 

The Big Picture is a collaborative art and storytelling 

event taking place from 22nd July 2021, featuring 

multiple creative challenges, workshops and 

events. 

Our first activity is a giant group canvas project, 

organised and designed by local artist, Emily 

018 


Brown, in collaboration with The Elgiva, JPS 

Stationers and Chesham Museum. 

The Big Picture group canvas will feature a portrait 

of a real-life heroine from Chesham’s rich history. 

The piece has been designed as a polyptych – 

multiple stretched canvas panels, primed with 

a coloured ground and a pre-sketched scene 

outlined in black by the designer across all the 

canvases, leaving gaps for participants to fill in 

with paint or mixed media. 

The giant, collaborative artwork will be on display 

as part of the exhibition at The Elgiva between 

22nd July and 22nd August, 2021. 

Getting crafty 

The Elgiva is delighted to be holding our first craft 

fair with Chiltern Made, celebrating locally made 

original crafts and showcasing creative small 

businesses, artisans, and makers in the Chilterns. 

We are very much looking forward to showcasing 

Chilterns' artists and makers and their quality 

original designs. We hope you will join us on 

Saturday 23rd October. 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Also coming your way… 

We are announcing new shows and films all the 

time, so the theatre website is the best place to 

get a feel for our spring and autumn programmes. 

However, here are a few highlights to tempt you! 

Cruella 

Wednesday 7th July 

10.15am - Parent & Baby Screening 

1.30pm & 8pm 

Set in 1970s London amidst the punk rock 

revolution, follows a young grifter named Estella, a 

clever and creative girl determined to make a name 

for herself with her designs. She befriends a pair 

of young thieves who appreciate her appetite for 

mischief, and together they are able to build a life 

for themselves on the London streets. 

English Sinfonia 

A Seasons Finale – Sunday 11th July, 7pm 

The Elgiva is proud to welcome the renowned 

chamber orchestra English Sinfonia with their 

recently-appointed Principal Conductor Chris 

Hopkins at the keyboard for a series of special 

chamber music concerts celebrating the orchestra’s 

new residency at The Elgiva. Featuring Vivaldi, 

Beethoven, Brahms, Bax, Nyman and many more. 

Nomadland 

Sunday 25th July, 1.30pm 

Nominated for six Oscars and bringing home three 

(Best Picture, Best Actress and Best Director), 

Nomadland stars the peerless Frances McDormand 

in a hauntingly beautiful, beguiling and poetic film 

about nomadic living in the US. 

020 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Drifters 

Saturday 31st July, 7.30pm 

The Drifters are back on tour in the UK with a brand 

new show performing all their classic hits from the 

last six decades. 

Annie Jr: Elgiva Summer Youth Project 

Friday 20th August, 7.30pm 

Saturday 21st August, 2.30pm and 7.20pm 

JOIN THE CAST - EARLYBIRD discount if booked 

before 23rd July. Discount applied in basket. 

The project runs from 9th - 13th and 16th - 20th 

August with performances on Friday 20th and 

Saturday 21st August. Cast members must be 

between 7 and 18 years old on 9th August 2021 

Some Like It Hot All-Dayer 

Saturday 4th September, 2pm - 11pm 

The fantastic rockabilly all-dayer featuring Restless, 

The Midnight Crawlers and The Larry Adams Trio. 

Plus DJ sets from Tall Mark, 50s Tash, Robbie Knight 

and Domino! Come and dance your socks off! 

Mark Watson: This Can’t Be It 

Friday 1st October, 7.30pm 

Spiritual enquiry meets high-octane observational 

comedy as the 'Taskmaster' survivor, multiaward-winner 

and “No More Jockeys” cult leader 

attempts to cram a couple of years of pathological 

overthinking into an evening of stand-up. ★ 

Snow White 

Saturday 4th to Friday 31st December, 

various times. 

A fabulous family pantomime! Christmas isn’t 

Christmas without the panto, and after the 

2020/2021, we’ve all had, we are really looking 

forward to celebrating with you in December! 


021

The MPS 

Society 

Who are we? 

We’re the Society for Mucopolysaccharide 

Diseases (MPS Society), based in Amersham. 

Founded in 1982, by Christine Lavery, MBE, we are 

the only registered charity providing professional 

support to individuals and families affected by 

rare, life-limiting genetic diseases such as MPS, 

Fabry or a related disease in the UK. 

MPS (Mucopolysaccharide) diseases are a family 

of rare, life-limiting diseases that can affect both 

children and adults. Mucopolysaccharides are long 

chains of sugar molecules used in the building of 

bones, cartilage, skin, tendons and many other 

tissues in the body. The disease is caused by a 

genetic mutation which means a particular enzyme 

needed to recycle waste products in cells is not 

working. This leads to a build-up of waste products 

which causes progressive damage. There is no 

cure. 

MPS Society is transforming the lives of those 

affected by MPS, Fabry and related diseases and 

reach over 1500 people per year. 

MPS Awareness Week: 

We had our biggest MPS Awareness Week yet 

(10-16 May 2021). The theme this year was to 

raise awareness of the conditions and ask for 

donations to help give children earlier diagnoses 

and access to better treatment. 

With lockdown restrictions easing, families with 

children with rare diseases continue to face a 

difficult choice over whether to stop shielding 

and resume their life-changing treatments due to 

concerns over catching the virus. 

Some 91% of young people and their families have 

been shielding since the pandemic started over 

a year ago. Many have cancelled or had longer 

wait times for operations and some have taken 

treatment ‘holidays’ from care at home and in 

hospital to avoid the virus which would compromise 

their immune systems. 

Twelve-year-old Ethan Fanneran from Canterbury, 

Kent has raised £3,000 for us and £3,000 for 

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) by walking 

and cycling over 100km in the month leading up to 

this year’s ‘Wear it Blue Day’ on 15 May. 

100km is the exact distance between where Ethan 

lives in Canterbury and GOSH where he receives 

his weekly treatment for the rare and incurable 

genetic disease MPS VI also known as Maroteaux- 

Lamy Syndrome. 

Ethan’s family has raised over £12,000 of the 

nearly £15,000 needed to take him to Italy to take 

part in a ground breaking trial which is searching 

for a cure. 

Ethan’s mum Katrina, said: “Ethan is an amazing, 

strong and beautiful little boy. He is full of life, love 

and laughter and our fight is to keep him that way 

for as long as possible.” 

Due to COVID restrictions, we had to organise a 

virtual bucket to raise funds instead of going outand-about 

in the local community doing bucket 

collections. 

022 



ZONES 8 & 9 

We’ll keep the virtual bucket shaking for a few more 

weeks. If you still want to donate to help us reach 

our £1,000 target, please go to: https://justgiving. 

com/campaign/MPSAwarenessWeek2021 

A huge thank you to everyone who took part this 

year and donated. We were thrilled to see so many 

wonderful people dressed in blue and spreading 

awareness about MPS. Don’t forget to send your 

blue photos to communications@mpssociety.org. 

uk. 

about fundraising events, contact our fundraising 

team on 0345 389 9901 or email fundraising@ 

mpssociety.org.uk. 

Other events: 

We have a range of upcoming fundraising events, 

including our Mini Avengers event. Every eight 

days in the UK, a child is diagnosed with MPS 

or a related disease. In August, we want your 

child to channel their inner superhero and carry 

out a challenge based around the number 8 to 

recognise this and raise as much as they can to 

help children living with one of 25 rare, life-limiting 

diseases. 

Running events: 

With summer around the corner, we have some 

great running events that you can get involved 

in. Why not join 50,000 runners taking part in the 

Virtual London Marathon and become part of 

the world’s greatest Marathon? Or perhaps take 

part in our Royal Parks Half Marathon to take in 

the capital’s world-famous landmarks? If those 

don’t leave you breathless (pardon the pun!) then 

surely the 40th Great North Run, the world’s 

largest and most iconic half marathon will make 

you want to dust off your running shoes. 

They could give up TV for eight days or go without 

their favourite snack, whatever they do, it’s sure to 

make a difference. After the challenge every child 

or young adult who takes part will get an extra 

special superhero themed certificate! 

Please keep checking our fundraising events page 

for more information: www.mpssociety.org.uk/ 

fundraising-events 

To see what we’re up to, head to our social media 

channels @MPSSocietyUK or our website: www. 

mpssociety.org.uk 

Thank you for your support! 

From Team MPS 

To sign up to our running events, please go to: www. 

mpssociety.org.uk/run. If you have any questions 


023


ZONES 8 & 9 

Amersham Martyrs 

Community Play Latest 

Stan Pretty (Co-Director, Amersham Martyrs Play) 

This year marks the 500th anniversary of 6 of the 

Amersham Lollard Martyrs and was to see the 

fifth staging of the large-scale community play, 

first staged by the Amersham Museum to mark 

the millennium. This was to take place in March. 

Well, we all know what happened to that idea and 

to every other large-scale event during this crazy 

time! It. didn’t happen. But it wasn’t cancelled – it 

was postponed, delayed, rescheduled for March of 

2022. 

What, however, awaits us, say, next winter? Who 

knows? But we are optimists and 2022 will see this 

anniversary marked. If it cannot be staged in St. 

Mary’s Church, Amersham in March 2022, then we 

have every intention to build on the work already 

done by our present determined band of people to 

stage something later in the year - maybe outdoors 

even. 

Behind the Covid restriction scenes last year work 

had already begun by old and new hands of the 

Martyrs Play on the associated activities that early 

meetings had encouraged – exploratory walks 

to discover 16th Century Amersham, growing 

plants for the traditional dyeing of material for the 

costumes, research into medieval food, a group of 

artists beginning what we hope will eventually be 

a special exhibition, expanding our social media 

profile, and more. As, hopefully, restrictions ease, 

much more and varied activity will be taking place. 

Rehearsals are scheduled to take place from 

October but before that my co-director Sally Alford 

and myself will be holding some workshops to get 

the ball rolling (details below). ALL are welcome. 

Young and old. Sally and I are also passionate 

about inclusivity. This is for the whole community. 

Just come along and find out what it is all about 

and how you might get involved – in any shape 

or form. You don’t even have to be involved in the 

play itself but, maybe, in the many varied activities 

that will be part of this special event. 

It’s “special” because it has been so on the four 

previous showings of the Martyrs Play – in 2001, 

2004, 2011 and 2016. Upwards of 200 people on 

each occasion and all performances sold out. It is 

also, in many ways, unique for the community in 

Amersham and surrounding places. Don’t just take 

my work for it – come and see for yourself – 

Sunday 25th July 

3.00 – 5.00pm, Market Hall, Old Amersham 

Tuesday 31st August 

8.00 – 10.00pm, Market Hall, Old Amersham 

Thursday 9th September 

8.00 – 10.00pm, St. Mary’s Church, Old Amersham 

Monday 13th September - either at 4.00pm or 

8.00pm, Market Hall, Old Amersham 

Facebook: Amersham Martyrs 21 

Instagram: @amershammartyrs21 

Twitter: Amersham Martyrs 21 

024 


CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

All 

About 

Baby 


026 METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER SPRING / AUTUMN / SUMMER 2021


CATEGORY 

TITLE ALL OF ABOUT CATEGORY BABY 

Traditional Furniture 

for Modern Bubbas 

The team at Ickle Bubba, the award-winning British 

nursery brand, are thrilled to be expanding their 

much-loved furniture offering once again. 

Introducing the Snowdon Collection, a striking allwhite 

range bringing heritage chic to any nursery. 

With a distinctive sleigh design, the Snowdon 

collection is the perfect way to add some traditional 

touches to a modern home. Available in classic or 

mini, with 2 piece and 3 piece room sets’ there is 

lots of choice for parents. 

The Snowdon Classic 3 Piece Room Set includes 

the Cot Bed, Changing Unit and Wardrobe, while 

the 2 Piece Room Set, includes the Cot Bed and 

Changing Unit. 

Thanks to its slatted sides, the cot bed ensures 

parents can easily keep an eye on little ones. 

Designed with three height positions, the cot 

bed adapts as baby grows and a matching Under 

Drawer maximises storage, which is complete on 

runners and elegant handles for simple access. 

The stylish Cot Bed converts easily into a junior 

bed suitable for a child up to approximately four 

years old, offering maximum longevity and great 

value. 

The Changing Unit provides a secure place to 

change baby and three deep drawers for all the 

essentials. Featuring the same elegant handles to 

match the rest of the Snowdon collection; if you 

have the space, this piece offers great style and 

functionality in one. 

The mini option offers the same seamless blend 

of traditional and contemporary style, but with a 

mini 4 in 1 Cot Bed option for the space conscious 

parent. It has the same three height options and 

converts easily from cot mode to toddler bed, 

suitable from 0-4 years. There is also a toddler bed 

mode with side rails, and a day bed mode with 

one open side. This design includes the matching 

under drawer to boot. 

Having launched in 2020, the Ickle Bubba furniture 

range has proven popular amongst new parents 

and has gone from strength to strength. With 

added demand for various styles and neutral 

colours, the Snowdon is set to be a winner with 

its unique blend of classic and contemporary style. 

Commenting on the launch of the Snowdon 

Collection, Darren Pumfrett, Category Director of 

Furniture said: 

“I am thrilled to unveil the Snowdon furniture 

collection. We truly feel this range has captured 

the traditional look for the modern home. As always 

with Ickle Bubba, each of the products have been 

designed with style and function in mind. What’s 

more, it offers the ultimate value for money, lasting 

little ones from birth, right up until 4 years of age.” 

RRP: From £249 | Stockist: www.icklebubba.com 

To complete the look, the Wardrobe is a beautiful 

addition to the nursery. It provides multiple 

storage options, including a full-sized interior, two 

hanging rails and a lower drawer. With thoughtfully 

designed soft close hinges there is minimal noise, 

so as not to wake baby. 


27


ALL ABOUT BABY 

Weekend Break & 

Days Out Essentials 

Nimble Travel Cleaning Collection Gift Set | £8.99 | 

www.nimblebabies.com 

Wave goodbye to sticky fingers this summer! Perfect for 

family outings, staycations and all adventures, Nimble has 

the complete plant based cleaning collection that is perfect 

for on the go! The award winning essentials are now available 

in mini travel sizes, ideal for popping in a changing bag or 

suitcase! The set includes Sticky Stopper (60ml), the natural 

disinfectant that kills 99.9% of germs using plant-based 

ingredients, Laundry Lover (100ml), a laundry detergent that 

is full of naturally-derived ingredients making it gentle on 

skin and tough on stains and Milk Buster (60ml), which gently 

removes milk fat and protein from plastic. 

Potette Max | £24.99 | www.cheekyrascals.co.uk 

Cheeky Rascals is delighted to offer further options for 

toilet training at home or on the go with Potette Max. 

The folding potty and toilet training seat in one now 

includes an additional hard liner, side handles for extra 

stability, a ‘wee guard’ for boys and even a handy 

fabric bag for use on the go – truly making potty 

training easy than ever before! 

Mini BuggyBoard Superhero | £54.99 | 

www.cheekyrascals.co.uk 

Ideal for little ones with younger siblings, families 

can enjoy walks, adventures and weekends away 

with ease. Attaching to 99% of pushchairs, prams 

and strollers, this handy invention saves little ones’ 

legs and adds a touch of fun and adventure during 

family strolls. The new superhero design will inspire 

little ones to take on new adventures, just like their 

favourite superhero characters! 

028 




CarGoSeat | £39.99 | cargoseat.com 

This fab kids travel case is fully regulated as a car 

booster seat – great for staycations and nights away. 

It is recyclable at the end of it’s life and easy to keep 

clean with a removable cushion. Suitable for a child 

weighing 22kg to 36kg and a height of 125cm or taller. 

The booster meets the current UK & EU safety standard 

ECE R44/04 regulation and fixes in any car using the 

built in 3-point seatbelt. 

Izmi Essential Wrap | from £26.99 | 

www.izmibaby.co.uk 

Supporting those all-important bonding moments 

with the newborn, the new Izmi Essential Wrap 

is the perfect for any new parents keen to try 

babywearing for the first time. Providing soft, 

flexible and natural support, the new Essential 

Wrap provides natural closeness keeping little 

ones near for kisses and cuddles, whilst mum will 

have hands free too. Distributing weight evenly, 

the new Essential variation on the wrap offers 

the expert design Izmi is known for at a more 

affordable price point. 

Mini Micro DELUXE GRUFFALO Scooter: Aqua 

£89.95 | www.micro-scooters.co.uk/gruffalo 

Our lean-to-steer marvel now comes in a choice 

of four exclusive designs to inspire the most 

intrepid explorers - featuring Gruffalo, Mouse, 

Fox and a host of other forest friends. 

With all our usual deluxe features, like adjustable 

handlebar, increased weight limit and anodised 

stem - so kids can start scooting earlier and keep 

going longer. Now even the deepest, darkest 

woods aren't off limits. For ages 2-5 years. 


Eco-Friendly Wheels 

Ride Through Summer in Eco-Friendly Style 

with ArkEnvironmentally friendly 

materials meet Innovative design in the 

3-in-1 Travel System 

Thoughtfully designed and engineered in the 

UK, the experts in pushchair innovation at Ark 

are delighted to offer a unique pushchair with 

environmentally friendly materials at the heart 

of their creation. Ark’s naturally breathable 

fabrics are hypoallergenic, making the awardwinning 

pushchair comfortable and caring 

against baby’s sensitive skin. 

Made from carefully sourced materials, the team 

at Ark are more than aware of the importance 

of responsible fabrics surrounding little one’s 

delicate skin. With an eco-mindset, the brand’s 

intention is to always keep things chemical free, 

natural and sustainable, to provide the best for 

baby and the earth they will inherit. 

The real wool Ark Mattress is comprised of 

100% pure cotton ensuring little ones are 

cocooned in naturally breathable comfort. The 

blissful experience is extended further with 

the revolutionary ventilation system - unique 

side panels open up to circulate air towards the 

back, keeping babies cool during the hottest 

of summer months. Panels are then easily 

propped back up once the temperature drops. 

Alongside the thoughtful choice of fabrics, Ark 

has been engineered to perfection with genius 

shock absorbing wheels, one handed fold, 

and unbelievable compact design, that folds 

small enough to fit in a Mini. Mums and Dads 

will also be assured that Ark’s super-sensitive 

springs offer effective suspension even on the 

rockiest of roads, supporting families in towns, 

countryside or even on the beach, from birth to 

preschool age. 

Ark ensures that ‘pop’ to the shops really is a 

pop, taking away any unnecessary stress or 

complications. 

Founder of Cheeky Rascals, Selina Russell, 

highlights the eco-friendly aspects within Ark: 

“We are so excited to offer the innovative 

Ark pushchair for families across the UK, with 

environmentally-friendly, natural products 

very much at the heart of the design. Keeping 

the next generation comfortable in the right, 

sustainably-sourced materials is an important 

aspect that should never be overlooked, it is 

something we are proud to shout about.” 

Available in a choice of Classic Black, Grey, 

Teal, Mustard or Coral, there’s an enviable 

range of accessories to purchase alongside 

Ark. With the Bliss Canopy to protect little one 

from UV rays, a Grab and Go pushchair bag, 

and even interchangeable colour packs – you 

can accessorise Ark to match your mood (and 

changing weather!)” 

Ark Travel System | from £799 | 

www.arkpushchairs.com 

030 




Travel in Style 

Doona infant car seat (0+) | £299.99 | doona.shop 

The Doona Car Seat is the world’s first complete and 

fully integrated travel system, allowing you to move 

from car seat to stroller in seconds. Having been TUV 

and FAA aircraft approved for travel, it is an essential 

for jet setting parents to nip through the airport worry 

free! It’s the only car seat to have been tested and 

certified as an Infant Car Seat, a stroller and an infant 

carrier providing overarching safety for your child in 

all circumstances. With its unique 3-layer side impact 

protection, anti-rebound bar crash technology, superior 

5-point safety harness and ergonomic infant insert, 

the Doona car seat is one of the safest car seats 

available today. 

Ickle Bubba Globe Stroller | from £199 | 

icklebubba.com 

The innovative design has compact fold technology 

making it easy to go from strolling one minute, to folded 

up on your shoulder the next. Weighing just 6.4kg, it 

is jam packed with features such as one-handed seat 

recline, front and rear suspension, a spacious shopping 

basket and storage pouch, as well as a large extendable 

UPF 50 hood – just to name a few. Whether you are 

using it to cross the city in your car, or to the other side 

of the world on a plane, the sleek and thoughtful design 

is unrivalled by fitting into the overhead storage in an 

aeroplane! 

Baby Changing Bag Backpack | £44.99 

elephantineme.co.uk 

Let's face it... most parenting products aren't the 

most stylish of accessories. But Elephantine Me 

have created a stylish baby changing bag that will 

look great on both Mum AND Dad! After designing 

something that looked great, they then packed it 

full of wonderful features and accessories to make 

sure you've got everything you need when you're out 

and about. Whether you're visiting friends for dinner 

out for a stroll in the countryside, you'll always be 

prepared with this baby changing bag. 




Sweet Dreams 

ewan Deluxe 

Expertly designed for little ones who struggle to settle 

at night, ewan the Dream Sheep mimics the comfort of 

the womb with soft pink glow and selection of soothing 

‘pink noise’ sounds, including an actual recording of a 

heartbeat and womb, to lull newborns and toddlers into 

a peaceful sleep. Inspired by paediatric sleep research, 

ewan also includes the calming SHUSH of a real human 

voice to help soothe even the fussiest of babies. The 

effects are magical and have to be seen to be believed! 

ewan the dream sheep Deluxe features an intelligent 

smartCRY sensor cleverly designed to automatically 

activate when baby stirs in the night, helping to resettle 

them, meaning ewan can effortlessly work his magic and 

ensure the entire family can get a great night’s sleep! 

RRP: £39.99 | Stockist: Sweetdreamers.co.uk 

Snüz Bedding | from £17.95 | snuz.co.uk 

Snüz is delighted to announce that its striking 2020 

prints are now available across its wider bedding range. 

Further expanding its interior offering, the rainbow, star 

and polka dot themes are now featured across the cot, 

cot bed, crib and Moses basket categories, as well as the 

SnüzPouch collection. With style at the heart of Snüz, 

the assortment of colours and patterns will leave parents 

spoilt for choice. Whichever you choose, the iconic 

designs will add the finishing touches to any room. 

Chicco Next2Me Forever Bedside Crib | 

£329 | mamasandpapas.com 

The Next2Me Forever is the first evolutionary 

side-sleeping crib that can be used from 

birth through to four years, offering three 

different configurations to provide a longerlasting 

sleep space for little ones. As well as 

offering the side-sleeping crib that parents 

have come to know and love, the Chicco 

Next2Me Forever can also be transformed 

into a standalone cot and then a toddler 

bed, from 18 months. 

032 




Dinner Time! 

Babybrezza® Formula Pro Advanced | £199 | 

babybrezza.co.uk 

The patented mixing technology is uniquely designed 

to mix water and formula together – innovatively 

providing the best consistency for baby. Available 

now for a lower price of £199, Babybrezza® can 

guarantee convivence and taste satisfaction, making 

it the perfect helping hand for both parents and baby. 

Fox Grow with Me 4-in-1 Convertible Highchair | 

£110 | argos.co.uk 

Like all products from Infantino, the ingenious Fox Grow 

with Me 4-in-1 Convertible Highchair has been expertly 

designed to be practical, innovative and affordable. Unlike 

any other highchair on the market, the 4-in-1 design 

seamlessly transforms through four stages. Starting with 

a highchair with reclining seat suitable from 3 months, to 

a highchair for six months + with a handy meal tray insert, 

to a chair booster and finally a toddler chair. Promising to 

be a fantastic investment for every family, this highchair 

supports a child from 3 months to toddler. 

Infantino Squeeze Station 

£30.99 | amazon.co.uk 

Like all products from the multi-award-winning 

nursery brand, the ingenious Squeeze Station 

has been designed to make it quick and easy 

to prepare and store homemade baby food – so 

it is really great to use your own ingredients, 

especially if your baby has allergies. Simply select 

the ingredients and use this clever system to 

squeeze the homemade purees into the portable 

pouches for on the go feeding. 




Baby Gifts & Keepsakes 

Kaloo | Lapinoo Rabbit | £17.99 | 

jojomamanbebe.co.uk 

Experts in the most charming soft toys 

and comforters, Kaloo is delighted to offer 

the ideal keepsake gift for any new arrival, 

birthday or special occasion; the iconic and 

truly adorable Lapinoorabbits. Available 

in a range of 6 muted colours and 2 sizes, 

the precious bunnies with their super soft, 

extra-long ears are sure to become little 

one’s favourite companion, whilst also fitting 

perfectly within the pastel décor of any 

stylish nursery.Ideal from birth, Lapinoo is 

the ideal gift for a baby shower, newborn or 

first birthday. Presented in thoughtful giftbox 

with a space for a personalised message, 

Lapinoo helps to celebrate the special 

milestone moments from day one. 

Kaloo | Tendresse Dolls | from £19.99 | 

jojomamanbebe.co.uk 

The iconic soft toy brand, Kaloo, is delighted to offer an 

extensive range of adorable keepsake dolls, that are 

sure to be treasured for years to come. Ideal from birth 

and made from the softest materials, the Tendresse 

doll collection will comfort little ones as they grow, soon 

becoming the star of any imaginative play and games, 

whilst looking right at home in a nursery from day one. All 

including a delicate ribbon necktie and 

soft, long legs for easy gripping, 

each Tendresse has their own 

individual style, outfit and 

personality! Packaged in an 

elegant gift box, Tendresse 

make the perfect baby 

shower, newborn or special 

birthday gift. 

034 


Janod x WWF | from £9.99 - £29.99 | 

yesbebe.co.uk/janod 

Janod have teamed up with WWF to create a fun filled, 

stunning and highly educational collection of toys. And 

the best bit, as part of a wider promise to help the planet, 

Janod is donating a percentage of every sale within the 

collection to WWF’s charitable activities. 

The collaboration includes over 30 sustainably made 

products from animal themed push alongs, to awe inspiring 

underwater themed 3D jigsaws. Aimed at all ages between 

1-7 years little ones will find the education of animal 

conservation fun and timeless! 

(Janod Penguin Rocker - In Partnership with WWF® - £24.99) 

Fox Musical Soother and Night Light Projector | 

£39.99 | argos.co.uk 

The Infantino fox and its adorable cub soothes little 

ones to sleep by playing relaxing lullaby music and 

nature sounds for 20 minutes. The fox’s tail gently 

moves and projects a colourful light display onto baby’s 

nursery wall, to lull them into a peaceful slumber in no 

time. The beautiful light display, which is adjustable, 

depicts stars and clouds in an array of colours and 

creates a visual interest which little ones will love, as 

it promotes eye tracking and focus. And for the best 

bit – the Fox Cub can be removed to provide comfort 

wherever little ones go! 

SILKBEBE – Silk Bunny Comforter | £21.99 | 

thisissilk.com 

Made of our signature, pure 22 momme Mulberry 

Silk. Even his ears are filled with pure mulberry 

Silk, for a natural and beautiful comforter for 

babies. We made this because if babies are going 

to play with anything, they should be playing with 

natural materials, and not polyester or nylon. The 

Silk is an interesting sensory material for baby 

and is light and smooth for baby to touch. Bunny 

has been tested for toy safety compliance so you 

may be reassured of silky safety for the little ones 

and is CE marked. Bunny comes in a gift box for 

gifting. 




JoJo 

Maman 

Bébé 

036



Above 

Pink Ditsy Smocked Baby Dress with Knickers £22 

Safari Print Zip Baby Sleepsuit £17 

Opposite Page, Clockwise from Top Left 

2-Piece Baby Frill Collar top & Bloomers Set £23 

2-Piece Dino Chambray Baby Dungaree Set £25 

2-Piece Pink Embroidered Bubble Baby Romper 

& Top Set £24 

2-Piece boys embroidered shirt & short set £23 

Left 

Lion Dungaree Set £25 

Shop Online 

www.jojomamanbebe.co.uk 

Shop instore 

JoJo Maman Bébé Amersham 

53 Sycamore Road, Buckinghamshire, HP6 5EQ 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 20211 037

CHILDREN’S CLOTHING 

Beautiful handmade clothing Sewn with love 

O A K L E A F D E S I G N S . C O . U K 

K A T H R Y N @ O A K L E A F D E S I G N S . C O . U K 

oakleafdesignsuk

Summer 

Beauty 

039


THE WEDDING SPECIAL 

Healthy Nail Care: 

How to Grow Strong Nails Naturally 

by Olivia Salter for Nature's Best 

A vehicle for polish and a means of adornment, 

nails are one of your best beauty accessories. But 

how much do you really know about your nails? 

Here are some fun titbits of talon trivia for you. 

Nails and hair are made of similar 

components 

Nails are made of several layers of hard keratin 

– similar to hair. Your skin contains a thin layer of 

keratin too, with the thickest on your palms and 

soles. But what’s the difference between hair, 

nails, and skin? Your hair and nails contain more of 

the amino acid cysteine than the soft keratins of 

the skin. What’s more, nails have a lower fat and 

water content, and the skin regularly sheds its 

outer layer of keratin, while nails don’t. 

Nails grow faster in your dominant hand 

If you’re right-handed, have you ever noticed 

that you need to trim your nails on your right 

hand more often? This is because nails on your 

dominant hand are used more frequently and 

thus exposed more to the elements, which helps 

them to grow faster. 

They also grow faster in warmer climates 

People who live in sunnier climates tend to have 

nails that grow faster, so an exotic holiday might 

be just in order to get your nails growing! The sun 

helps your body create vitamin D – a nutrient your 

nails eagerly lap up to grow faster. 

Water is essential for healthy nails 

Your nails are little windows into your overall 

health, and dry, brittle nails may signal 

dehydration. That’s why it’s so important to stay 

hydrated – we’re talking about drinking at least 

8-10 glasses of H20 per day. Water really is the 

secret to beauty, isn’t it? 

Men’s nails grow faster than women’s nails 

Strange, but true. The only possible exemption 

to this rule is when women are pregnant, as their 

nails tend to grow at a fast rate. That said, during 

the summer months, everyone’s nails grow more 

rapidly regardless of gender. 

Typing is good for your nails 

Lightly tapping away on your keyboard can, in 

fact, stimulate nail growth. Amazing, right? 

Nail Myths Debunked 

We’ve all heard the old wives tales about our 

fingertips, haven’t we? White marks signal a 

calcium deficiency, and ice-cold water dries polish 

faster. Yep, we know them all. Oh, and don’t 

even get us started on the far-fetched claims 

concerning the best foods, supplements and 

040 



CATEGORY 

TITLE SUMMER OF CATEGORY BEAUTY 

creams to transform unkempt fingertips into sleek, 

elegant nails. Considering nails are such a small 

part of the body, there’s so much to be said about 

them. But how much of it really holds up? Let’s 

find out. 

Gelatine, in any form, can strengthen nails and 

help them grow..... FALSE! Nails are made up 

of the protein keratin, which may explain the 

common misconception that taking gelatine 

(another protein) could strengthen them. However, 

there’s no substantiating scientific evidence to 

support this claim. The same goes for topically 

applying gelatine to your nails – it just won’t work. 

Sorry! 

White spots indicate a calcium deficiency..... 

FALSE! You’ll be glad to hear these strange white 

dots have nothing to do with a calcium deficiency. 

Reassuringly, these marks are simply the result of 

injury – that’s all! They are very common and will 

disappear when the nails grow. 

Nails can ‘breathe’, so you don’t need to take 

a break from polish..... FALSE! While your nails 

receive oxygen and nutrients via blood flow – not 

ambient air, this doesn’t give you permission 

to wear polish 24/7. It just means that oxygen 

deprivation isn’t the cause of your peeling, 

cracking and splitting. When varnish is left on the 

nails for a prolonged amount of time (especially 

on your toenails) keratin granulation can develop, 

leading to white, rough patches forming on the 

nail. The solution: take a nail varnish holiday and 

keep your nails polish-free for a week or so every 

month. 

nail bed, and lead to infection, white spots and 

ridged nails. But gels are just as harmful. Setting 

your fingertips under UV light exposes the skin to 

risks, while soaking them in potent chemicals can 

impair the cuticles and nail bed 

Fingertip fixes 

Do you take great pride in your sleek, wellmanicured 

nails? Or, does the daily wrath of 

housework, gardening and worse – your teeth, 

leave your fingertips more broken than beautified? 

Whether you style them, file them, gnaw them, or 

peel them, your nails go through it all. And even 

if you’ve ditched the gel, taken a much-needed 

break from the acrylic, and finally invested in that 

foul-tasting anti-biting polish, they can still be 

brittle, weak and flaky. Frustrated? We feel for you. 

So in a bid to help your nails grow longer, stronger 

and healthier, feast your eyes (and your fingers 

and toes) on these health hacks that are worth 

weaving into your nail care routine. Remember, 

the secret to fabulous fingertips is all in the detail; 

you need to look beneath the cracks, the chips 

and the layers of varnish. 

Cold water dries nail polish faster..... FALSE! 

Rumour has it that plunging your freshly 

manicured nails into cold-water helps polish dry 

faster. Sound too good to be true? Well, that’s 

because it is. Getting varnish to properly dry 

requires the evaporation of solvents – and this 

can’t happen when your nails are submerged in 

water (duh!) Besides, if this water hack really did 

the job, why isn’t it used in nail bars? 

UV gels are better than acrylics..... FALSE! No 

matter how much your nail technician tries to 

convince you that UV gels are better than acrylics, 

this just isn’t true. Yes – acrylics can damage your 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

File and style 

How many times have you whipped out a file 

and ferociously sawed your nails back and forth? 

Well, contrary to popular belief, this is a big no-no. 

Not only does this aggressive action traumatise 

your nails, but it can also lead to peeling and 

premature breakage. So whether you’re going for 

an oval, square or stiletto look, the best way to file 

your fingertips is to work in one direction with the 

grain of your nail. 

Cuticle care 

Cuticle oil is a bit of an umbrella term. Typically, it 

contains a blend of vitamin E, avocado oil, jojoba 

oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, coconut oil…you 

get the point. But while the ingredients vary, its 

purpose does not. This ultra-nourishing serum 

is designed to protect the skin around the nail, 

improve growth, and keep your nails looking 

beautiful for longer. It’s not enough to leave 

your fingertips to fend for themselves between 

manicures. You need to show them some TLC 

every day. If you have parched cuticles they won’t 

stand a chance against our lightweight, velvety 

Grapeseed oil. Extracted from grape seeds, this 

nutrient powerhouse is rich in essential minerals 

which are highly moisturising and nourishing for 

caressing your cuticles. 

Trim often 

You know the drill with your hair, right? Regular 

trims = luscious locks. Well, it’s no different when 

it comes to your digits. Set aside time to clip them 

every fortnight, adjusting this window to more 

or less often once you see how well your nails 

respond. 

Cuticles: to cut or not to cut? 

This is another myth we need to dispel. Cutting 

your cuticles is absolute blasphemy in the nail 

world. Your cuticles serve an important purpose 

because they seal the area at the base of your 

nails. So when you remove them, you break this 

vital means of protection and leave your nails 

open to all sorts of infections. The more you leave 

your cuticles alone, the more your nails will thank 

you. And if a nail technician goes anywhere near 

them, you have our permission to swat them 

away! 

042 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

Be gentle 

Your nails are delicate – respect their fragility. And 

try not to be so heavy handed when tidying them 

up. Did you know that roughly scrubbing your 

fingertips could actually leave you vulnerable to 

infection? Oh, and another no-no is using metal 

tools under the nail. Digging, picking and scrapping 

under the nail plate can cause it to separate from 

the skin, which could lead to an irregular white 

arching nail tip and no one wants that, do they? 

Do’s and Don’ts of Nail Care 

Follow these golden rules for flawless fingertips, 

forever… 

Do: 

Wear gloves 

When you’re washing the dishes, using potent 

cleaning products, or de-weeding your garden, 

wear gloves! Seriously, there’s no excuse not to. 

Gloves will protect your fingertips from the general 

wear and tear that comes with these activities. 

Disinfect cuts or tears on the cuticle 

Not only do cuts and tears around the nail look 

unsightly, but they can actually cause long-term 

damage to the nail. Whenever you get an injury, 

disinfect it immediately with antibacterial ointment 

or our go-to favourite: Tea-Tree Oil. 

Get manicures 

Experts are onto something when they suggest a 

weekly manicure is the secret to nourished digits. 

Grooming your nails regularly will ensure your 

polish, shape, length and cuticle health is always 

on point. Plus, it’s a great excuse to squeeze in 

some self-care, which we all need a little more 

of, right? …but check out your salon Yes – get 

manicures, but don’t forget to check out your salon 

too. Did you know the most common infection 

acquired from nail salons is warts? Yuck. To protect 

yourself from critters, ensure your nail technician 

works at an establishment that is clean, sterile and 

fully licensed. 

bacteria. To keep your fingertips infection-free, 

wash your metal tools with soap and water, and 

then rub with alcohol. Also, don’t forget to replace 

your nail files regularly. Honestly, there’s no reason 

to continue using tattered tools when they are so 

simple and inexpensive to replace. 

Don’t: 

Soak nails for long periods 

A long, hot bath can be just what the doctor 

ordered in moments of stress, but soaking your 

hands for extended periods of time can lead to 

your nails becoming saturated with water and 

weaken. By all means, enjoy your time in the tub, 

but occupy your hands with a novel or more of our 

educational literature! 

Pull off hangnails 

Sure, your hanging nail is just begging to be torn 

off, but resist the urge. Pulling your fingernails can 

rip along the live tissue, exposing them to all sorts 

of nasty fungi and bacteria. Eek! 

Overuse hand sanitiser 

The alcohol found in many hand sanitisers can 

dehydrate your cuticles, so it’s wise to opt for an 

alcohol-free one if possible. 

Share your nail file 

Bacteria and other nasty critters nest on nail 

filesso using your pal’s tools is a sure-fire way to 

transfer their microbes from the file to your body. 

Bottom line: always keep your emery boards to 

yourself. 

Use nails as tools 

OK. We’ll hand it to you (quite literally). This can be 

difficult to resist at times. Why would you reach 

for a pair of scissors when your fingernails do an 

excellent job of opening up that box or letter? But 

all this picking, prying and poking can damage your 

digits and cut your cuticles. So make a conscious 

effort to think about how you use your nails. 

Remember, they aren’t handy knives, scissors or 

cutters. 

Take care of your tools 

Cleaning your nail tools is just as important as 

disinfecting your makeup brushes. Why? One word: 


043


SUMMER BEAUTY 

Summer Waves 

How to get the look 

044


SUMMER BEAUTY 

How to achieve the perfect summer 

Waves – Hair Style Top Tips with 

Steph Stevenson 

This summer, waves will be everywhere from 

classic bob waves to long supermodel A lister 

softness circa the 90’s. That undone, ‘done’ wave 

always seems so difficult to achieve. Matched with 

the universal ‘shag’cut and bangs the combined 

effect of supermodel Rocky Barnes is the perfect 

go to look. 

So how to can you achieve this look? 

For softer waves: 

any wave hair styling I’d recommend finishing with 

Oribe, Impermeable Anti-Humidity Spray. Free from 

parabens, the Inpermeable Anti-Humidity Spray 

from Oribe will protect the hair from UV rays and 

keep frizz well and truly under control. Create curls 

with full volume or sleek straight locks with ease, 

the effects can be enjoyed for the whole day. 

If you’re going to be using your tools more often, 

then it’s vital to replace the moisture loss. I would 

recommend using Living Proof restore mask, it 

works wonders in fast conditioning and leaves a 

lush shine effect on the hair. So useful for summer 

as we all know the sun can do extra damage to 

hair root, this helps to maintain the quality and 

lushness by upping the moisture game. 

First, use heat protector spray then lower your heat 

setting. This is crucial as you don’t want to achieve 

curls here, you just want the softest bend. I would 

recommend the Progloss enriched big tong, as the 

large 38mm diameter tong crates styles from soft 

waves through to gentle curls with pro results and 

a high-gloss salon finish. 

Section your hair and curl. Once done, turn your 

head upside down and tousle through with your 

fingers to loosen everything up. Use a salt spray 

to add a fine blast of texture and if needed a 

finishing cream or leave in condition on the ends 

so they look soft and textured, not flyaway. 

For beach waves: 

Beach waves require a smaller tong barrel and 

higher heat, heat protection spray is essential 

here and the key here is to begin halfway down 

your hair, at ear level. Start by taking vertical 

sections of the hair working your way from front 

to back. Good section clips are essential for any 

curl as you need to work section by section and 

keep them even else, you’ll end up with different 

sized waves. Section your head first and place 

your parting, then clip everything up out the way 

and work from the bottom section up. 

For soft undone waves: 

Same as above applies here, just make sure you are 

using a larger barrel and lower heat, the Progloss 

Big Hot Tong is a great product to use here. For 

Steph Stevenson is a renowned celebrity 

hairstylist, who has worked across various TV 

shows, including Strictly Come Dancing and 

Dancing on Ice. Entrepreneur and founder of (HNB 

Salon and Spa - www.hnbsalonspa.co.uk), a superspa 

and salon based in Sandbanks, Dorset, 

Steph employees over 40 personnel to offer 

everything from cosmetic dentistry, nutritional 

therapy and trichology to Steph’s renowned cut, 

colour and blow dry. The salon is also part of 

the Green Salon Collective which pioneer’s salon 

sustainability throughout the UK and Ireland. 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

FACT FILE 

• It is estimated that 15 million people in the 

UK are affected by hay fever with grass 

pollen being by far the biggest trigger. 

• Pollen causes cells to release histamine and 

other chemicals, resulting in a runny, itchy 

nose, blocked sinuses, sneezing, redness 

and watering of the eyes, and/or a sore, 

itchy throat. 

• If you are prone to hay fever the following 

precautions may help to keep your 

symptoms to a minimum: keep your body 

as free from toxins as possible by eating 

wholefoods and avoiding junk; keep your 

caffeine and alcohol intake low and avoid 

nicotine; reduce the toxic load on your 

system by drinking plenty of water and 

keeping your bowel moving daily. 

• Many people with hay fever are also likely to 

have sensitivity to certain foods, including 

dairy. Dairy foods are mucous-forming which 

can make hay fever symptoms worse. Try 

to keep dairy produce to a minimum or seek 

out dairy-free alternatives such as rice or 

oat milk. 

• Check prevailing winds and pollen counts 

and remember that wind dried clothes can 

become pollen catchers. Hanging clothes 

inside will keep them pollen free. 

• Some people believe that local honey has 

an anti-histamine effect. Although it’s not a 

solution that works for everyone, the pollen 

that is naturally present in the honey is 

thought to have a desensitizing effect. 

• Don’t be an early bird! Getting up early 

can make your symptoms worse as pollen 

counts tend to peak between 5am and 

10am. 

046 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

3 ways to keep hay fever at bay 

1) Stay one step ahead 

A bit of detective work will help keep you one step 

ahead of your pollen-shaped foe: check prevailing 

winds and pollen counts and limit outdoor activity 

during the early morning hours, which is when 

pollen counts tend to peak. 

2) Apply some pressure 

3) Treat yourself to some sweet stuff 

Although it’s not a solution that 

works for everyone, many people 

believe that local honey has an 

anti-histamine effect, the theory 

being, the pollen that is naturally 

present can have a desensitizing effect. 

We have a number of local honey producers 

including: 

Honest Honey | Amersham | honesthoney.uk 

Hollowway Honey | Chesham Bois | 

facebook.com/hollowwayhoney 

Berkhamsted Bees | berkhamstedbees.com 

Spinneys Harvest Honey | spinneysharvest.co.uk 

4) Soothe Sore Hay Fever Eyes 

The principles of ancient Chinese acupressure have 

been used for centuries to help treat the symptoms 

of allergy, including hay fever. The Hay-Band works 

by applying pressure to the acupressure point 

on either arm, called the LI-11 point Acupressure 

is believed to increase the flow of natural energy 

through the stimulation of various pressure points 

and in doing so, help unblock energy pathways to 

the nose and throat, and promote wellbeing. 

The LI-11 point can be found at the end of the crease 

at the elbow. Once located, simply slide the Hay- 

Band into position so that the button faces inwards 

over the pressure point, with the bands passing 

either side of the elbow. 

The band is fast-acting and may be worn on either 

arm or if symptoms are acute, one can be worn on 

both arms. A drug-free, natural product, the band 

can also be put in place as a preventative. 

There is no drowsiness or other side effects and the 

band is suitable for adults and children over the age 

of three, but not suitable for use during pregnancy. 

The Hay-Band is £11.99 and available from 

hay-band.co.uk 

Dry, inflamed skin around the eyes is a common 

side effect of hay fever. The constant tears coupled 

with frequent eye rubbing causes the skin around 

the eye to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Antihistamine 

eye drops also have a drying effect on 

the skin around the eye, which can add to the 

problem. 

Hydrosil’s Dry Eye Gel is a light natural gel that 

delivers the anti-inflammatory anti-itching benefits 

of the cardiospermum extract without irritating the 

delicate skin around the eye. 

Dry Eye Gel has been 

tested on dry skin 

sufferers and is an 

extremely gentle and 

light and non-greasy 

formulation suitable for 

very sensitive, itchy, 

inflamed and dry skin 

around the eye. It can also 

be worn under make-up 

and is vegan and FREE 

from SLS, MI, paraben and 

perfumes. 

£8.95 (15ml). www.hydrosil. 

co.uk 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

Summer Make-up Must 

Haves 

The 5 Products You'll Need To Enrich Your Make-Up Bag 

Summer 2021 by Jessica Swallow, @jessicajadeemua 

After months on end staying in and working from 

home during lockdown, letting our skin breathe, 

endless zoom quizzes, smothering on face masks 

and moisturisers; normal life is fast approaching. 

We are in no rush to apply a full face, but embrace 

our natural beauty. Weddings, garden parties, 

bbqs are all filling up our diaries and we are finally 

able to dress up again. 

Working in the beauty industry, I have tried and 

tested A LOT of products and managed to whittle 

down to my top five that’ll spruce up your makeup 

kit. 

These products will see you through the entirety 

of the summer months, you may love them so 

much they become a new staple product. I have 

gathered a mixture of both premium and low 

budget items for you. 

Radiance is the key word I am hearing for summer 

2021. What we all need is a makeup refresh to amp 

up the glow in the upcoming months, just because 

the sun isn’t shining (typical uk weather) it doesn’t 

mean that your skin can’t! 

1. Nars Pure Radiant Tinted moisturiser is 

a great product to kick start the summer glow. 

It’s gentle approach to flawless skin provides 

a light to medium coverage which you can 

build without looking cakey (no one wants to 

look plastered in makeup) it’s gorgeous silky 

texture glides over the skin, brightening with 

its Vitamin C ingredient; while protecting the 

skin with SPF 30 PA+++ 

www.johnlewis.com, £33 

2. Cream blush has been a new staple in my 

makeup bag, my favourite being Elf cream blush; 

it’s putty to powder formula melts onto the skin 

giving a soft focused flush of colour. Top tip, 

apply using fingers to warm up the product for a 

seamless and natural finish. They come in eight 

gorgeous shades to suit any occasion. 

www.elfcosmetics.co.uk, £6 

048 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

3. Lip-quenching goodness from Origins 

Drink Up Lip Butter, it's the perfect treatment 

for your lips. Paired with your favourite lip liner, this 

lip butter will create the most gorgeous sheen, 

while keeping your lips soft, especially when 

wearing masks. This product doubles up 

as an overnight lip mask, perfect for when 

your lips need a boost of hydration. 

www.boots.com, £16.50 

4. Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray 

Ultra Glow, will stop your makeup from sliding 

off your face due to the heat (or the gym) as well 

as keeping you looking fresh throughout the day. 

This vegan formulated product is key for locking in 

your makeup while magnifying radiance. Charged 

with Hyaluronic acid and agave extracts your skin 

will feel moisturised and hydrated. It also comes in 

a travel size, perfect to slot in your handbag for a 

refreshing spritz throughout the day. 

www.urbandecay.co.uk, £26 

5. BOLD lips are back! Let's shock the world, or 

the table next to us, when we unveil a stunning 

orange lip from under the mask. L’oreal Color 

Riche Satin Lipstick - Orange Avenue, pure colour 

pigments will be the perfect accessory for your 

lips this summer. Its satin finish will keep your 

lips soft and ultra-hydrated. Top tip, for a softer 

approach to a bold lip, apply product in the centre 

of the lip and buff out using your finger. 

www.superdrug.com, £8.99 

Jessica Swallow is a local freelance makeup artist, fully mobile, 

covering Buckinghamshire and some of Hertfordshire. 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

METROLAND REVIEWS 

Olverum Face Oil 

by Tina Reading 

We love receiving products in the Metroland office 

to review; we will be blatantly honest and say it 

is 100% one of the best perks of the job! Whether 

it be a hotel review, hopping on a plane (when 

we could) or some lush cream or potion for us 

to try. One such perk was the arrival of Olverum 

Face Oil. I was given the arduous job of testing 

as apparently I have the skin most in need of 

rescuing! 

I have been using this for the past few weeks and 

am happy to admit it does exactly what it claims! 

And trust me, not often I am able to say this about 

a product. My skin is visibly smoother and glowing! 

Not only is this simple to use with great benefits 

but the smell is divine! Every evening when I put 

it on (giving myself a mini facial massage) I feel as 

if I have walked into a spa (yes you know the smell 

I mean!). A beautiful heady aroma of oils fills my 

house and senses. This is what I have been using: 

skin while preventing the dry, harsh breakouts 

synthetic retinol products can cause. Meanwhile 

powerful CBD alternative Patchouli Extract, a 

phytocannabidol which activates dermal CBD-2 

receptors, helps to calm the expression lines that 

can emphasise the perception of ageing. 

Rich in micronutrients, this light, deep penetrating 

oil nourishes the skin’s protective barrier function 

to aid moisture retention and help prevent 

oxidation damage from pollution and UV rays. The 

effects are further enhanced by a meticulously 

sourced and naturally-derived water-soluble form 

of Vitamin C, which absorbs into the skin, boosting 

collagen synthesis without leaving a greasy 

residue. 

Natural aromatherapeutic mood boosters 

Egyptian Geranium Oil, Cardamom, and Clary 

Sage Oil provide a calming, energising fragrance, 

leaving you with a flawless, dewy, and luminous 

complexion which reflects your inner radiance. 

HOW TO USE 

Take 3-5 drops in the palm of your hand and rub 

your hands together to warm the oil. Cup your 

hands around your nose and mouth and take a 

moment to inhale the aroma. After each deep 

breath, sweep your hands over your face and 

neck as you exhale three times. 

We wanted to find out a little more about the 

history of this product, the company behind it. We 

strongly believe that people buy from people and 

get behind brands becoming life-long supporters 

(can you tell we studied consumer physcology). 

FACIAL OIL: uk.olverum.com/collections/products/ 

products/facial-oil 

Revolutionary retinol replacement Bakuchiol 

works synergistically with Rosehip and Cacay 

Oils to firm, plump, and balance the tone of 

The story of OLVERUM is as rich as rare as the 

oil itself. From a twelfth century physic garden 

to the latest modern laboratories, it's a story 

involving a family secret carried for decades, 

and several lifetimes of passion and specialist 

knowledge. 

050 


The dawn of the twentieth century in Europe 

saw a resurgent interest in natural health and 

wellbeing. Germany had been the centre of the 

world's aromatherapy renaissance since the 16th 

century, and by the 1920s, citizens from every 

corner of society would make regular visits to 

its many historic spa towns to take the waters. 

One keen enthusiast was Franz Otto Klein, a 

successful winemaker from the Mosel Valley. 

Along with the fine wines he created by day, Franz 

had two other great passions: international travel 

and essential oils, the therapeutic benefits of 

which fascinated him. Together with his wife Edith, 

an accomplished pharmacologist, he indulged 

both these interests by scouring the globe, 

sourcing the finest essential oils for their personal 

collection. But throughout his travels, nowhere 

did Franz find such an exquisite blend as in his 

favourite spa in Baden Baden. 

During a fateful visit in 1929, the spa announced 

that they could no longer supply the renowned 

house blend of organics the Kleins found so 

invigorating. Franz and Edith were struck with 

an ambitious idea. Taking the spa's infusion as 

an inspiration, they would employ all their skills 

acquired in both winery and laboratory, and the 

knowledge learned through the pursuit of their 

passions, to produce the perfect therapeutic oil. 

Inspired, the Kleins returned to their home, 

Mönchhof, a former monastery farmhouse on the 

banks of the River Mosel. The original occupants 

of the estate were Cistercian apothecaries, who 

had established a carefully cultivated physic 

garden of rare plants. The Kleins' loving care of 

these singular herbs, and the curation of their 

enviable library of exotic tinctures, now paid 

dividends. 

Franz and Edith experimented with blend after 

blend, seeking the definitive formulation. Two 

years later, in 1931, they finally perfected an oil 

of extraordinary quality, with the preternatural 

therapeutic and restorative qualities they sought. 

The couple initially made just seven litres of their 

signature oil, which they decanted into traditional 

clay bottles on July 21st, 1931. Later that year, the 

Kleins presented their creation to close friends 

as Christmas gifts. The response was universally 

rapturous. 

As the reputation of their exceptional elixir grew, 

the Kleins could barely keep up with demand. By 

1943, however, the war had made it impossible 

to source oils of sufficient quality and Franz, 

unwilling to compromise, halted production. The 

remaining stoneware jars of oil were carefully 

stored in the wine cellars of Mönchhof, and under 

cloak of night, the secret formula was buried in 

the monastic garden for safe keeping. 

It wasn't until 1948, facing demand from devotees 

of the Kleins' unique oil, that the formula was 

retrieved and production was restarted. Now 

their son, Peter, devoted himself to continuing 

the tradition of his parents' creation. Over time, 

Peter further refined the production process, 

utilising technological advances in the extraction 

of therapeutic grade oils. He renamed this rarefied 

version OLVERUM, taking the name from the 

Latin oleum verum, meaning 'true oil'. A perfect 

encapsulation, he felt, of both its quality, and the 

devotion with which it was created. 

For many years, OLVERUM survived by word of 

mouth – a cult product known only to a small 

number of passionate fans. Then fate intervened 

- Michael Hawksley chanced upon the oil while 

visiting his Mayfair hairdresser, Truefitt & Hill. 

Barbers by Royal Appointment, they had been 

asked to carry a small number of bottles for the 

Royal Household. Intrigued, Michael tried the oil 

for himself, and was so impressed he knew he had 

to bring it to a wider audience. 

Together with his wife Betty, founder of legendary 

perfumery Les Senteurs, Michael travelled to 

Germany to meet with Peter Klein and secured 

exclusive rights to distribute OLVERUM in the 

UK. Finally, in 2014, the Hawksley family acquired 

OLVERUM in its entirety, creating new packaging 

to embody the quality and impeccable attention 

to detail which defines the brand. 

OLVERUM today 

With a vision to preserve OLVERUM’s unique 

heritage for another generation, Michael’s son, 

Dominic, began work to develop the brand further. 

OLVERUM has now embarked on a new chapter 

with the launch of several new extensions to the 

line. Honouring the authentic spirit, traditions, 

and therapeutic ethos that have stood the test 

of time for almost nine decades, be assured that 

OLVERUM is a new word in luxurious self care. 



SUMMER BEAUTY 

Tool up against Adult Acne 

You're not a teenager any more, you've grown past the going to bed with a full face of makeup 

on (most of the time!) You are meticulous with your skincare regime and yet you are still 

plagued by those annoying little breakouts that just decide to appear ovenight. We got in 

touch with one of our favourite skincare brand Clarol for the lowdown on a couple of products 

that could help. 

Clarol Nordic Birch & Willow Primer | £12.50 (30ml) | clarol.co.uk 

A NEW bioactive mattifying primer uses two Nordic tree bark extracts to 

combat oiliness, promote healthy skin microbiota and create an instantly 

mattified and smoother skin tone in acne-prone skin. 

Clarol Nordic Birch & Willow Primer uses birch sap extract taken from the bark 

and trunk of the Silver Birch tree (Betula Pendula), which is grown in Nordic 

countries. Its bark and sap extracts are used in traditional Nordic medicine 

to treat skin inflammation and infections of the skin. Silver birch is widely 

used to smooth out skin tone and rejuvenate damaged skin in Finnish sauna 

and complementary health culture. Willow bark, incorporated in the patented 

ingredient Trikenol is proven to help repair skin microbiota and reduce 

sebum production, offering an instantly mattifying effect. 

Clarol Nordic Birch & Willow Primer provides a flawlessly smooth matt base 

for the application of cosmetics, helping them stay put for longer while also 

protecting acne-prone skin from external bacteria and further acne lesions. 

Silver Serum | £12.95 (50ml) | clarol.co.uk 

Adult acne is now the most common skin complaint in women, largely due 

to stress and a building intolerance to chemicals in cosmetics and skin 

care products. The most common way of treating acne break outs is with 

antibacterial washes and skin products. However, it’s a misconception that 

ALL bacteria is bad for spots. 

Silver Serum from Skin Shop is a facial serum and the first ‘smart’ antibacterial 

skin treatment that contains a patented form of silver called 

MicroSilver that specifically seeks out and kills bad skin bacteria while 

leaving good skin bacteria intact. 

Skin, and especially adult skin, needs good skin bacteria to retain elasticity 

and remain healthy and balanced. Silver Serum not only avoids good skin 

bacteria it actually helps preserving it to keep skin healthy and strong. 

Silver Serum is designed to remain active on the skin for eight hours after 

application, keeping skin constantly guarded against becoming populated 

with bad skin bacteria. 

052 



CATEGORY 

TITLE SUMMER OF CATEGORY BEAUTY 

Microblading 

“The most talked about service in the beauty industry.” 

Charlotte Brazil, Phi Academy trained semi-permanent makeup artist gives us the 

ins and outs of this very popular treatment. 

Charlottes microblading journey began in 2020. 

“As a busy woman running my own business, I was 

instantly grabbed by how it shortened my make 

up routine and boosted my confidence. However, 

throughout the years I have had some ups and 

downs and found that not every technique gave 

me the natural look I desired. When I discovered 

the Phi Academy technique, I was blown away and 

became inspired to help other women and men 

achieve the most natural, beautiful eyebrows, 

without reaching for the pencil every day.” 

Here is a little information about microblading 

to help you get started on your journey. 

What is microblading? 

The technique of inserting pigment into the skin 

in a stoke like formation, using a manual tool. 

This gives the illusion of full, defined, realistic 

results. Giving clients the brows, they have always 

wanted. The result is a semi-permanent tattoo 

requiring a top up every 12-18 months. 

The Phi technique 

Phi Academy the largest most established 

company in the world is renowned for their 

specialist techniques, Charlotte explains “we use 

a specialist tool called a BB compass to create a 

bespoke shape suited to your facial features. And 

to enhance your natural brow.” 

Sounds great right? 

But what about the logistics? 

“In just over two hours the procedure is complete! 

I provide clients with an aftercare pack and 

instructions. A top up is required within 4-6 weeks. 

And there you have it, amazing brows with no 

pencil or powder required. 

Who is right for this treatment? 

“Really absolutely anyone. My clients often have 

some of the following reasons: 

• Over plucking 

• Battling with your shape 

• Bare areas 

• Want to wake up, get out of the shower and 

have good brows 

• Post chemotherapy treatment 

Most people can benefit from this amazing lost 

lasting treatment!” 

Charlotte is based in Buckinghamshire and would 

be more than happy to answer any queries you 

may have. Why not get in contact and have 

all your brow worries answered with this brow 

perfecting treatment. 

07743 539352 

Charlotteb_p@hotmail.com 

Instagram @missbrazil_phibrow 


Design, manufacture and restoration of stained glass windows. 

Bespoke spalashbacks. 

Decorative household item product line. Workshops. 

suzanne@raffeini.com | 07833 622882 

SuzanneRaffeiniGlassArtist raffeinisuzanne 

METROLAND 054 

MAGAZINE AUTUMN / WINTER 2020 METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 054 2021

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

Fashion 


Thrifty 

Royals 

It is no secret that the Metroland team love fashion, 

but we also love our Royal family! We especially 

love their upcycling and re-purposing of outfits - 

after all with the vast number of events they are 

required to attend it would be impossible to keep 

buying new outfits! 

With a slight addition, new hem, new hat these 

ladies and gents have made recycling outfits a 

trend, one we should all be embracing! More and 

more we are moving towards a sustainable society 

and reducing our landfill. Putting their best royal 

foot forwards, here is a little round-up of the savvy 

superstars! 

Rime Arodaky Bridal Playsuit 

056 



FASHION 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING 2020 

057


FASHION 

Children's 

Fashion 

from 

'Dad's 

old shirts' 

Edna & Jean is a new childrenswear brand with an 

emphasis on sustainability. Created by Samantha 

Slator, the clothes are all handmade and created 

from old, unwanted adult clothes. Samantha 

enjoys creating pretty dresses and tops out of 

‘dad’s old shirts’ and reuses the features, such as 

button plackets, pockets and sleeve cuffs, within 

the new garment. Each garment is a one off piece 

and made to order for children between the ages 

of 3 and 8 years. The images shown here are 

examples of the styles currently available but with 

each being a one off piece the colours & patterns 

will vary. 

Samantha encourages customers to send in their 

own shirts to be recreated into a dress or top. 

Dresses from £35, Tops from £30. 

instagram: @ednaandjean 

email: info@ednaandjean.com 

058


FASHION 


059


FASHION 

STAR 

By Julien Macdonald 

from 

Freemans 

060


FASHION 

Above 

Bandage Lime Top £39 

Leopard Wrap Swimsuit £39 

Orange Satin Crepe Relaxed Jacket with Belt £59 

Opposite Page, Clockwise from Top Left 

Pink Blazer £69, Trousers £39 

Pink Palm Print Bardot Midi Dress £79 

Rainbow Zebra Bardot Midi Dress £79 

Bardot Lurex Palm Print Top £39 

Below 

Green Satin Crepe Button Jumpsuit £59 

Layered Chiffon Rainbow Top £49 

Leopard Print Kaftan £45 

www.freemans.com/star-by-julien-macdonald 



FASHION 

Summer Garden Party 

with Primark 

062 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021


FASHION 

Left 

Co-ord Cropped Blouse £11, Co-ord Maxi Skirt £13 

Below, Left to Right 

Puff Sleeve Co ord Poplin Top £11 & Pink Floral Co 

ord Shorts £10 

White Organic Cotton Poplin Puff Sleeve Top £11 

Pink Floral Midi Dress £18 



FASHION 

This is Unfolded 

Clothes that change the world 

In May the team behind Lost Stock launched 

This is Unfolded a brand new approach to clothes 

shopping that is better for the planet, workers, 

consumers and society. 

Offering high quality clothes at high street prices, 

This is Unfolded removes the waste inherent in 

fashion retail and uses the savings made to; deliver 

sustainable clothes at affordable prices, pay 

garment workers improved wages and create long 

term positive impact by directly funding children's 

education in India. 

Over 30% of newly produced clothes are never worn 

and end up in landfill, then last year in response 

to Covid, fashion brands cancelled over $2bn of 

completed clothes orders - making no payments to 

the garment workers who produced them. 

A small team in Scotland came together to launch 

Lost Stock to sell these clothes as mystery clothing 

boxes, with the money generated being donated 

to support garment workers in Bangladesh. In only 

seven months Lost Stock supported 113,000 people 

in Bangladesh for over one month each and built a 

community of over 100,000 impactful shoppers in 

10 countries. 

But, the industry is still broken and the team behind 

Lost Stock is now on a mission to build a new way 

to shop and create a new fashion industry in the 

process. 

This is Unfolded pioneers a new factory to consumer 

model combined with a unique community driven 

approach and data insights, to drastically reduce 

product wastage and industry inefficiencies. 

By removing the waste we make clothes more 

sustainably and improve the lives of our workers 

and their local communities. We ensure our 

garment workers are paid better, including through 

the Unfolded Worker Fund, and as education is the 

cornerstone of change - every Unfolded purchase 

directly funds children's education in India through 

our NGO partner Pratham. 

They softly launched their first Collection for 

This is Unfolded in March 2021, taking almost 

two thousand orders in just 3 weeks, allowing us 

to support 550 children in education for a year 

through Pratham. From this Collection only 1% of 

orders were returned, well under the 30% normally 

seen in the industry. 

As part of our commitment to effect change and 

create impact we aim to be as transparent as 

possible and following each collection will publish 

a report highlighting its results - from impact 

delivered to feedback on items and lessons learnt. 

Our first report can be accessed here. 

Every aspect of shopping with This is Unfolded has 

been re-imagined. Post purchase, shoppers are 

invited to join the Unfolded Creator community and 

add their opinions to shape the next Collections 

designs. They can also swap products (with postage 

paid by This is Unfolded) and engage with other 

like-minded shoppers. This group has already been 

described as "the happiest place on the internet" 

and we've even seen posts about job offers and 

engagements whilst wearing This is Unfolded 

clothes, shared. Over 35% of shoppers have joined 

the Unfolded Creator community to date. 

064 



FASHION 

Collection 02 launched on 6th May 2021 and 

featured a range of dresses, jumpsuits tops and 

basics. Shoppers buy a minimum of two products 

from the collection with each product delivering 

a set amount of educational support, which is 

shown throughout the ordering process in our 

unique checkout experience. Prices are set at 

£35 per jumpsuit, £24 per top and £13 per basic. 

Around 20% lower than similar quality items from 

traditional brands. 

Cally Russell, CEO and Co-Founder of This is 

Unfolded, "It's clear the retail industry is totally 

broken, what we saw last year with billions of 

dollars of orders being cancelled with little or no 

regard for workers shows it's time to re-balance the 

system. This is Unfolded is on a mission to create 

a new model of retail that's better for the planet, 

society, workers and for consumers. We do this by 

removing the waste from the bloated system to 

fund improvements across product and our supply 

chain. Our work with Lost Stock showed us that 

consumers are ready for something different and 

we can't wait for them to try This is Unfolded and 

join our mission." 

This is Unfolded has already seen a host of high 

profiles supporters adopting this new approach 

to shopping including, Martha from Great British 

Bake Off, Sian Lloyd, Sophie Porley and Alexandra 

Liyanage to name but a few. 

Pre-register for early access to Collecton 03 at 

thisisunfolded.com/pages/signup 



FASHION 

Elevate your beach bag! 

with Radley London 

www.radley.co.uk 

Geo Large Tote £199 

Maple Cross Radley 

Palm Backpack, £129 

RADLEY London 

Pride Bag £109 

Maple Cross Paisley 

Large Tote £129 

(SUSTAINABLE) 

Morris Road Large 

tote Natural £169 

066 



FASHION 

Digital Fashion 

CYBR Magazine, the brand introduced OFF-WORLD, an 

Earth-orbiting residential space station and tourist hotspot. 

For CYBR’s first digital fashion drop, they present two looks 

worn by the elite onboard. 

The 001 jumpsuit and 002 trench-coat are made from 

liquid metal and have edging that emits light, adorned with 

brushed metal hardware. The collection takes inspiration 

from the Y2K era, a full 120 years before the collection’s 

launch in 2021. 

To make this possible, CYBR has collaborated with the digital 

fashion platform Replicant. Known for their digital tailoring 

skills, they create some of the world’s best known digital 

fashion items. Replicant has transparency at the forefront 

of its vision as a sustainable brand, publishing its sales and 

activities for anyone to read on its website. 

“For our first foray into the AR digital fashion market, we 

wanted to align with a platform placing innovation and 

sustainability at its core. Replicant is championing both 

these areas, so it felt like a perfect fit. Digital fashion is a 

futuristic and exciting way to wear never before possible 

garments. Created in 3D, our digital fashion pieces are made 

with the same patterns and principles as traditional fashion 

but exist only in the digital realm. This means you can wear 

physics-breaking clothes that wouldn’t be possible in the 

‘real world’. We wanted to work textures and light seen in 

other objects but not yet possible in clothing for our designs. 

Mirrored leather and emission, light projecting edging on 

both garments, feel familiar but offer a renewed excitement 

in this new form. 

According to the recent Dress X sustainable report, the 

production of a digital garment emits 97% less CO2 than the 

production of a physical garment and, on average, saves 

3,300 litres of water! With no need for shipping, warehousing, 

and no real materials used, it drastically reduces the impact 

of the world’s third-largest polluter to near zero. 

When you purchase one of our digital outfits, you can 

simply upload a photo of yourself, and a digital tailor fits 

the garment to your image, ready to post. It’s an easy, fun 

experience that allows the user to be creative whilst making 

a more sustainable choice. It’s a high-end designer outfit, 

without the high cost to you or the planet.” CYBR Founder/ 

CEO James Joseph. 



FASHION 

A Sterling Choice 

Our pick of Silver jewellery from our local independents and artisans 

no.007 Pentagon | Tall Pentagon | Drop Studs, Silver | £115 | www.vaessen-walker.com 

Elements Blue Enamel Teardrop Boxed Silver Pendant| £27.99 | www.temptationgifts.com 

Silver enamelled turtle pendant | £130.00 | www.djwarnerjewellers.co.uk 

Silver circular pendant with a single claw set blue topaz | £297 | www.jewellersbench.co.uk 

068 METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER / AUTUMN 2021


CATEGORY 

TITLE OF CATEGORY FASHION 

Vitre Jewellery & Strive 

Local artisan Heather Larson make contemporary 

jewellery, using silver, gold, enamel, and gemstones. 

Her work is often based on textures and shapes 

found in nature and she loves playing with colour 

to create unique pieces of jewellery. 

In July, Heather will be launching a new brand, 

Strive Jewellery. "With so many of us rediscovering 

sport during the COVID pandemic, I was reminded 

of my own first steps into triathlon at the age of 

39. I was proud of my achievements and wanted 

a way to remind myself of how far I'd come, but 

obviously sporty jewellery or corporate logos didn't 

appeal to me. The pieces I've created for my Strive 

brand are designed to appeal to a wide variety of 

athletes and adventurers, from those who have 

run their first mile to those who are competing for 

their country. They can be worn in combination 

to recognise the sports you love. These unique 

pieces with options for both men and women will 

also make great gifts!" 

You can like Strive Jewellery on Facebook at 

www.facebook.com/strivesportsjewellery to be part 

of the July launch. 

ww.vitrejewellery.co.uk 

Small oak leaf brooch | £120 

Oak leaf gold accents | Pendant £130.00 | Earrings £65 



FASHION 

The diamond insider’s 

tips to keep your jewellery 

looking its best 

henrypruwer.com 

“As well as being financially valuable, fine jewellery 

like diamond engagement rings, necklaces and 

bracelets can also hold immense sentimental value. 

Taking the time to properly care for your jewellery will 

ensure it keeps on looking its best for years to come”, 

said bespoke jewellery specialist Henry Pruwer, who 

is based at Hatton Garden in London. Henry had this 

advice on how to best care for your jewellery. 

070


FASHION 

1. Choose jewellery to suit your lifestyle. 

A busy lifestyle can play havoc with jewellery, 

particularly rings which are the most exposed. Take 

your lifestyle into account when buying jewellery, 

including your job and hobbies, perhaps opting for 

platinum as it’s a stronger metal, six claws to hold 

a diamond in place on an engagement ring instead 

of four and a lower setting to protect stones from 

damage. 

2. Avoid grease. Diamonds have many unique 

qualities, refracting light, super-conducting both 

electricity and heat, and repelling water. One 

thing diamonds love, however, is grease, which will 

instantly cling to any stone. Apart from making the 

ring look dirty, grease will also block the light and 

stop your diamond ring from sparkling in the way 

it should. Wear gloves when cleaning, and if you 

remove your ring to cook, place it in a small dish on 

a shelf so it doesn’t get lost. 

3. Insure your investment. An essential piece of 

aftercare advice for any treasured piece of jewellery 

is to insure it, just as you would insure your car or 

your home. Most insurance policies will insist on a 

regular health check for your jewellery, providing 

you with that essential reminder to ensure your 

jewellery is always looking its best. 

4. Keep it clean. An easy way to clean a diamond 

is to rub it with a lint free cloth, such as a glasses 

cloth. To properly clean, take the jewellery off and 

place in a bowl of lukewarm water, never clean 

diamonds in the sink, for fear of losing them. Clean 

the diamond with a toothbrush sprinkled with a few 

drops of washing up liquid, gently scrubbing from 

all sides and removing any dirt and grease, before 

rinsing in the water. If the ring has not been cleaned 

for some time, you may need to repeat this a few 

times. The result will be stunning! It isn’t necessary 

to use vinegar or specialist products. 

5. Regular checks. Just as you’d take your car 

in for a regular service, taking your jewellery for a 

regular ‘service’ maintains its health and longevity. 

Stones may have loosened over time, settings may 

have become knocked out of line. A regular check 

from a jewellery expert, ideally once a year but 

certainly every 2 years, can spot potential issues 

and rectify them. 

6. Protect jewellery when playing sport. Going 

to the gym might be good for your body and mind, 

but it’s not always great for your jewellery. One 

of the most common causes of jewellery damage 

is through sport and gym use, particularly lifting 

weights. Remove your diamond rings for the gym 

or sport if you can, ideally before you leave home, 

even placing around your neck on a necklace. Try 

to avoid taking your engagement ring off in public 

though as it’s so easy to place it on a surface and 

lose it. 

7. Professional results. I’m often asked about 

ultrasonic cleaners and whether they are worth 

the investment. Ultrasonic cleaners work through 

high frequency sound waves, causing the water 

to vibrate as you clean. If used properly, following 

the instructions precisely, they are fine. If you’re 

unsure or uncomfortable with doing this yourself, 

a professional polisher can polish your jewellery 

to a mirror finish using cloths impregnated with 

chemicals, smoothing any little bumps or scratches. 

8. Make sure it fits comfortably. Your 

engagement ring will likely be sized for you when 

you become engaged, but it’s important to keep 

an eye on whether the ring still fits comfortably. 

Weight loss could make the ring loose, just as the 

summer heat could cause your fingers to expand. 

A ring should stop at the knuckle bone, and need a 

twist to take it off fully. 

9. Safe storage. Diamond is the hardest 

substance known to man but can still get damaged, 

particularly by another diamond. If you are storing 

your jewellery, put each piece into its own pouch 

and in its own compartment. Diamond earrings 

should each have their own pouch so they don’t 

rub against each other and cause scratches. 

10. Metal maintenance. Certain metals, such as 

white gold, need to be rhodium plated every few 

years or as soon as tarnishing becomes visible. 

Rhodium plating will bring back a bright white finish 

with better protection, making it more durable. A 

general rule to keep all metals looking their best, 

from platinum and white gold to rose and yellow 

gold, is to avoid letting the metal come into contact 

with bleach which may damage the metal. 

11. All is not lost. Finally, it is useful to remember 

that even if your jewellery does get damaged, all is 

not lost. It is very rare for a ring or piece of jewellery 

to be damaged beyond repair, even structural 

damage to a ring can usually be rectified by an 

experienced goldsmith with the help of a laser 

machine. 

071

Feel connected. 

Feel part of a group, 

a pair, a clan. 

Give a gift that lasts, connecting you with 

loved ones wherever you are in the world, 

showing your love forever. 

Our ethically sourced range of crystals can be 

compiled into your very own tailor-made gift sets. 

Select a series of stones and link grandparents with 

grandchildren, husbands and wives, siblings and 

friends. From tumbles to towers, from points to 

geodes, from candles to carvings to keyrings, there 

really is something for everyone! 

Give us a call or send a WhatsApp to discuss your 

personal order, and let us help you give a special 

meaningful gift to remember. 

www.closercrystals.com 

07736 830923 | fb.com/CloserCrystals

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

Fitness, 

Health & 

Wellbeing 



FITNESS, HEALTH & WELLBEING 

Inner Strength & 

Resilience with Bewater 

Beautiful, reusable gemstone water bottles 

These are some of the most challenging times 

many of us will have ever encountered. In times 

of challenge it’s only natural to worry about your 

well-being and safety, and that of your loved ones. 

The anxiety is real and it is important to 

acknowledge it, but it is also important to stay 

calm, as physically well as possible and to 

maintain an even emotional keel. 

Crystals can help you do this. Everything moves, 

everything has a vibration and a frequency, or 

energy, and according to the theory of crystal 

healing, our energies rise to align with the 

frequency of crystals. 

When we’re at a higher frequency, we feel in 

better health, we have more energy and we 

experience more flow in our lives. 

Equally, when we’re out of alignment and our 

frequency is lower, we can rebuild feelings of 

wellness and positivity by spending time with a 

frequency that is higher. 

Compassion combines Lapis Lazuli, thought to 

calm stress and support healthy immune function, 

with the beautiful zen Aura Quartz. 

Clarity uses Amethyst to bring clarity of thought 

and peace of mind and Quartz Crystal to 

encourage hydration and amplify energy. 

Abundance incorporates Citrine to energise every 

level of life; it is used to open the chakras and 

sharpen the intuition. The energy of this stone is 

alive and overflowing. 

Staying hydrated is also important for your 

physical wellbeing and overall health. 

Simply fill your bottle with water, leave for 

approximately ten minutes and enjoy! 

Bewater bottles are available in lead-free 

borosilicate glass and durable, BPA-free Tritan 

plastic, and cost from £25.95 (Junior Tritan bottles 

from £19.95) 

Drawing on an ancient practice that stretches 

back thousands of years, bewater bottles 

incorporate beautiful, ethically sourced 

gemstones at their core, each chosen to transfer 

a specific energy ‘blueprint’ when the bottle is 

filled with water. 

There are four bewater ‘paths’ to choose from: 

belove, bepower, bejoy and bemagic. Each has 

been designed using gemstones inspired by 

these qualities. 

Three bewater crystal combinations that may 

prove especially useful during times of challenge 

are Compassion, Clarity and Abundance. 

074 



bewater 

by Kathryn Pike 

We are very lucky at Metroland to be offered opportunities to review a range 

of products and places. We have a fabulous team of reviewers, but I must 

admit that they didn't get a look in when bewater showed us these beautiful 

bottles! 

You see, I love crystals. I have my own collection chosen for their various 

healing properties and so I just had to test bewater for myself. 

I chose to review the glass bewater with amethyst crystals at it's core. 

Amethyst is "associated with awareness, a sense of justice and inner peace. 

It has a strong and still energy and on a physical level it is said to protect 

the brain, nerves and skin. People say that it can ease pain, swelling and 

bruising and relaxes tension. This makes Clarity water a powerhouse gem 

water!" Incidentally, it is also my birthstone and favourite colour (lucky, eh?) 

My bewater arrived beautifully packaged in a branded cardboard 

presentation tube along with a surprise extra gift of a Dalmation Jasper 

crystal (you can Google its properties). 

The glass bottle has a stainless steel screw-top and base, both of which can 

be removed to enable cleaning in the dishwasher. The inner plastic column 

which holds the stones is also removable and easily cleaned by hand. 

Not only is the bewater bottle gorgeous to look at, it is also lovely to use. 

It has a really nice weight to it and is comfortable to drink from. I normally 

tire of drinking plain water but even I have noticed I'm drinking more since 

I started using it. Anything that helps me hydrate more healthily and help 

my wellbeing at the same time gets a big tick in my book - plus you'll be the 

envy of the office (once you're allowed to go in again!) 

Will you belove, bepower, bejoy or bemagic? 

Choose your bewater at www.bewater.com 


075



Top ten safety tips for 

wild swimming 

As the weather warms up, many of us are 

searching for fun, outdoor activities. Wild 

swimming is becoming an increasingly 

popular pastime. Wild swimming is a 

discipline that takes place in a natural body 

of water, be that a river, lake or pond. 

It is essential to practise wild swimming 

safely, to ensure no accidents occur. Follow 

our top ten tips to maintain your safety 

whilst pursuing this outdoor hobby. 

Mark Clark of www.accessropes.com shares 

his tips. 

076 


1. Check the land 

The first thing to do when planning a wild 

swimming adventure is to ensure the land is 

public. Private landowners may not allow wild 

swimming on their land, so ensure you are 

permitted to enter the water before embarking on 

your trip. 

2. Come prepared 

Before planning a wild swim, it’s essential that 

you come prepared. Natural water can be very 

cold, and the currents can be robust. Refrain from 

swimming in a body of water with a strong or 

changeable current and come equipped with the 

following: 

• Wetsuit 

• Any ropes or harnesses required 

• Buoyancy aids 

• Raft if needed. 

Mike notes that: ‘Wild swimmers should come 

prepared with floating rope ( www.accessropes. 

com/product-category/floating-rope/ ) to ensure it 

does not sink and get lost under the surface.’ 

3. Wear proper footwear 

In a natural pool of water, there could be many 

sharp or slippery objects obscured from your 

view. Rocks on the bottom of a river or lake can 

be serious slip-hazards. As such, you should wear 

adequate water shoes with good grip at all times. 

4. Avoid cold shock 

‘Cold shock’ is the involuntary reaction to entering 

a cold body of water. Your body automatically 

inhales sharply and your heart rate will rise. If you 

are unprepared for this eventuality, it can lead to 

cardiac problems. Prepare yourself by: 

• Wearing a wetsuit 

• Easing into the water 

• Acclimatising fully to the water temperature 

before jumping or diving 

• Being aware that lower layers of water may be 

far colder than the top layer. 

5. Be mindful of weeds 

Many natural lakes and rivers are completely 

untended. As such, weeds can grow almost to 

surface level. Make sure you remain vigilant to 

avoid entanglement. 

6. Avoid urban areas 

In densely populated areas, sewage and other 

waste is often deposited in or around bodies of 

water. This can be very dangerous to a swimmer, 

as the water can harbour various bacteria. Any 

body of water near a drain may be contaminated 

with Leptospirosis (which is a bacteria harboured 

by rats). To protect yourself ensure you: 

Refrain from swimming in urban bodies of water 

(e.g. canals) 

• Cover any open wounds with a plaster 

• Wear goggles to keep water out of your eyes 

• Keep your head above water at all times 

7. Never jump / dive into untested water 

With no lifeguards, no measuring devices and 

often poor visibility, it’s essential that you test 

out the depth of a body of water before jumping 

or diving in. Similarly, it’s worth double checking 

for clusters of rocks, weeds and other obstacles, 

before jumping or diving in to the water. 

8. Avoid blue-green algae 

Often found in lakes after warm, wet weather, 

blue-green algae produces a characteristic green 

‘scum’ on the surface of the water. This can 

cause an allergic reaction to your skin and can be 

dangerous if accidentally ingested. 

9. Don’t swim alone 

When wild swimming you are at the mercy of 

nature. With no regulation to the water you’re 

swimming in, it’s important to make sure you have 

a buddy with you, either in the water or on land. If 

you swim alone, make sure someone knows where 

you are at all times. In case of an emergency, it will 

be easier to find to you. 

10. Be prepared for leaving the water 

After you leave the water, your body may startto 

feel the cold. A cold core temperature and 

shivering can lead to hypothermia, so ensure 

you are prepared to warm up immediately after 

getting out of the water with: 

• Dry towels 

• Dry clothing 

• Layers, including a fleece or thick jumper 

• Socks, gloves and a hat. 




Taking out the sting 

With the arrival of the sun, country walks and picnics also come stings, sunburn and 

allergies. We have put together a selection of creams, ointments and nifty gadgets to help 

you continue enjoying your summer. 

Dr. PAWPAW Original Balm, The Iconic Yellow One | 

10ml £3.95, 25ml £6.95, 100ml £18.99 | 

www.drpawpaw.com 

Our award-winning 100% natural, vegan and cruelty free multi-tasking balm, 

the iconic yellow tube that is loved by makeup artists, celebrities and the 

whole family. Suitable for all skin types this multi-purpose clear balm was 

a UK first and is packed full with a trio of plant-based ingredients, Pawpaw 

(papaya fruit), Aloe Vera and Olive Oil. 

The high content of moisturising ingredients and the anti-inflammatory 

properties of the balm mean this product can also be used to soothe 

temporary skin complaints such as stings, rashes or sunburn. 

Zap-It! | £6.99 | www.amazon.co.uk 

Scratching a mosquito bite may bring short-lived relief but it 

also floods the bitten area with histamine causing swelling, 

incessant urges to scratch and a risk of damaging the skin’s 

surface, and therefore infection. 

A safe, clinically tested way to deal with pesky mozzie and 

other insect bites is to use Zap-It! - a small but effective 

piezo (meaning to squeeze or press) device that generates 

a harmless and mild (no stronger than a gentle pinch) low 

electrical impulse created by crystals (this same technology is 

commonly used in clocks, lighters and guitar pickups) to deliver 

harmless little ‘zaps’ which stops the itching and urge to scratch 

in minutes. 

Zap-It! can be used as and when required by all the family, but 

not on babies under 4 years of age. Each Zap-It! will relieve up 

to 1,000 bites - enough for many years of bites or itches! 

Facebook: Zap-It OR @mosquitobiterelief 

Twitter: @ZapIt_Itch 

Instagram: @zapit_itch 

078 


ite away® | £29.95 | www.amzn.to/33q6wa2 

bite away® is a chemical-free, re-usable treatment using heat-therapy 

technology to provide fast and effective relief from the pain, itching and 

swelling caused by insect bites and stings. The travel-sized pen is the 

ideal on-the-go treatment, making it a first-aid essential. , 

This patented medical device, which works solely through the 

principle of local hyperthermia = concentrated heat therapy. 

A temperature of approximately 51°C is applied to a small, 

limited area of skin for a short period of time. This heat 

transfer process has been clinically proven to 

provide rapid and effective relief. 

Menthoderm® | from £5.76 | www.sk1n.co.uk 

Summer redness, Winter dryness 

Skin deep sootheability 

Menthoderm® is a Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) free 

menthol in aqueous cream which can be used to 

soothe and cool heated, dry, irritated and itchy skin 

conditions. The Menthoderm® range is available in 

two sizes, 100g tubes and 500g pots and pumps. It 

is available in three essential strengths: 0.5% to 2% 

SunBum, After Sun Cool Down Lotion | £16.95 | 

www.beautybay.com 

After a long day in the sun, you skin is craving a chill. 

Sun Bum’s Cool Down After Sun Lotion is perfect for 

giving the skin a boost of hydration to prevent and 

soothe sunburn. Enriched with antioxidant vitamin E 

helps to neutralise free radical damage, aloe lotion to 

calm and soothe the skin, and cocoa butter 

to moisturise, the light, non-greasy formula leaves 

the skin smooth, soft, and soothed. 




Autumnal Foraging 

Get back to nature 

ion.ac.uk/nutrition 

With lockdown measures finally lifting, there has 

never been a more important time to look after our 

mental wellbeing. Being outdoors and in nature is 

known to help alleviate stress and Belinda Blake, 

a nutritional therapist who trained at the Institute 

for Optimum Nutrition recommends foraging as the 

perfect hobby and antidote to stress. 

Motivated to study nutrition in response to her 

own health problems, Belinda has become a 

keen forager and greatly believes in the power of 

natural immunity to re-balance and re-focus mind 

and body. She believes there are many benefits to 

foraging for our mental health and wellbeing: 

• A calming influence – Simply being outdoors, 

crunching through red and gold autumn leaves 

in the fresh air calms down our stress response. 

After so much time living in our own heads 

and indoor spaces, foraging is an incredibly 

grounding and calming hobby. 

• Natural aromatherapy – Nature provides 

its own aromatherapy with the phytoncides 

(essential oils) produced by evergreen trees 

and the oak which has been shown to decrease 

stress hormones and increase NK cells, which 

are crucial for immune support. 

• Positive vibes – Foraging helps to engage 

more with the environment and seasons and 

at this time of year nature really puts on a show 

for all the senses, helping us to transition from 

the heat and energy of the summer, into the 

calm of the colder months. 

• Nature’s pantry – Foraging provides access 

to really fresh (and free!) food, which is full of 

nutrients and vitality to help support both 

immune and mental health. 

For Autumn, it’s really all about the fruits. If you’re 

new to foraging and not sure what to look out for, 

Belinda has six top recommendations for Autumn: 

Blackberries 

Blackberries will start appearing from mid-summer, 

so be on the lookout in hedgerows and along 

roadsides. Familiar and easily recognisable, these 

juicy berries are rich in fibre and nutrients. Their 

dark purple colour comes from anthocyanidins; 

plant chemicals, which have been shown to help 

reduce inflammation and support a healthy immune 

system. Delicious made into warming crumbles 

or jams, whizzed into smoothies or just enjoyed 

straight from the bush! 

080 


Elderberries 

It is said that the fragrant, creamy-white flowers of 

the elder tree mark the beginning of summer, whilst 

the arrival of its berries herald its end. Elderberries 

are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants and can be 

made into a delicious syrup which, with the addition 

of warming spices like clove and ginger, may help 

protect against colds and viruses as we transition 

into the colder months. It is fascinating to observe 

that nature provides just what we need at the right 

time. 

Crab apples 

These tiny, sour apples are commonly found 

growing on trees lining our streets or on common 

land. Inedible raw, these apples make a fantastic 

base for jams, and chutneys or can be pureed with 

other autumn fruits and dried into fruit leathers. 

Rose hips 

In autumn you are likely to see the hedgerows 

dotted with the vermillion hips of the dog rose. The 

flesh is fruity and has a tartness that is explained 

by the large amount of vitamin C it contains. Take 

care however, as in the centre of the fruit are tiny 

seeds and hairs that can be an irritant to the throat 

(and have been traditionally used to make itching 

powder!). Rose hips can be dried to make a tasty 

tea or, like the elderberries, can also be cooked 

into a delicious syrup to help support the immune 

system throughout the winter months. The syrup 

is irresistible drizzled over ice cream or yoghurt, or 

enjoyed as a drink, diluted with sparkling water or 

kefir (or indeed some sparkling wine or added to a 

G&T!). 

however they do make a wonderful addition to a 

hedgerow jelly or an autumn fruit leather. 

Sweet chestnuts 

The sweet chestnut is another tree that is 

commonly found in parks and common land. Take 

care however, the fruits can look similar to conkers 

from the horse chestnut tree and which are inedible, 

so be sure to check you have the right tree! 

It can be a race against time to beat the squirrels 

to these tasty nuts, but it is worth the effort. Sweet 

chestnuts can be eaten raw although they are 

much tastier roasted (and this makes it easier to 

remove their shells). 

Belinda says, “Autumn is a beautiful time of year 

to forage. It is a time of abundance, but also marks 

the transition and gradual slowing down of nature, 

which can have a calming effect on our mind and 

body. Whatever the time of year, we will all feel 

the benefits of being out in the great outdoors 

and feeling the positive benefits of nature and 

foraging on our health and wellbeing. As always, 

forage responsibly and always make sure you 

are 100% of what you are picking. Why not see if 

there are any foraging classes near where you 

live or, alternatively, invest in a good wild plant 

identification guide to help get you going and pick 

safely?” 

Hawthorn berries 

Haws are the fruits of the hawthorn tree which 

is commonly found in hedgerows and common 

land. The bright red berries may look similar to the 

rose hips when you first glance at them (although 

they may also come in shades of orange and 

even yellow), but the distinctive leaf shape of 

the hawthorn will help you to identify this fruit. 

The hawthorn has an affinity with the heart and 

herbalists use both hawthorn berries and leaves 

to support cardiovascular health. Once again, it’s 

the colourful chemicals in the hawthorn berry that 

provides the benefit. Like elderberries, these need 

to be cooked and the pip in the middle removed, 


081



How Do the Rich Rest: 

Are their Sleep Cycles the Secret to Success? 

Be honest: how much sleep do you get? We 

all know that sleep is essential for a healthy 

lifestyle, allowing your body and mind to 

recharge. This is essential for your working 

life, ensuring that you’re always on top form 

when you clock in. But should we look towards 

our favourite celebrities’ sleep schedules to 

find the secret to success? 

Between Elon Musk and Martha Stewart, you 

may be asking how the rich rest. Here, we explore 

the sleeping habits of some of the world’s most 

successful celebrities and investigate whether 

imitating their night-time routines could unlock 

your true potential. 

Elon Musk 

Let’s make a disclaimer: we’re not saying that 

following Elon Musk’s sleeping habits will help 

you become the third richest person in the world. 

However, there may be some key to success in 

following his work habits. 

Elon Musk is said to sleep six hours per night. The 

billionaire CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and flamethrower 

manufacturer the Boring Company claims to work 

until one or two in the morning. Even on Saturday 

and Sunday. 

However, the entrepreneur may consider sleep as 

a barrier to getting more work done. “I tried sleeping 

less, but then total productivity decreases,” he 

said. “I don’t find myself wanting more sleep than 

six [hours].” 

Ultimately, it may not be his limited sleep schedule 

that allows him to succeed during the day, but his 

unrelenting work ethic that propels his projects. 

Though, it’s good to see that he admits that sleep 

is still important for productivity. 

Mariah Carey 

If all you want for Christmas is some sleep, 

Mariah Carey may be your inspiration. The singerextraordinaire 

and festive icon is said to require a 

whopping 15 hours of sleep to sing the way she 

wants. Even more, her bedroom must be filled with 

humidifiers to relax her vocal cords. 

Studies have shown that sleep deprivation can 

increase the levels of cortisol, a stress hormone. 

This means that a lack of sleep leads to fatigue 

and stress, resulting in tension and difficult use of 

your voice. So, if you’re wanting to be the next big 

pop icon, getting more than 40 winks may be the 

best practice. 

Donald Trump 

The former American president and Twitter 

personality Donald Trump is said to only sleep 

three hours per night. You may remember the 

famous ‘covfefe’ misspelling that was made by the 

president in 2017, just six minutes after midnight. 

His late-night social media posts give the best 

indication of his sleeping schedule, with reports 

suggesting he sleeps at one or two in the morning 

before rising again at five. 

However, this was while he was president. 

Without Twitter and the White House, it can only 

be assumed that his schedule is emptier. Some 

studies show a direct link between increased use 

of social media and sleep deprivation. Hopefully, Mr 

Trump will have more time to sleep now without the 

distraction of social media. 

Winston Churchill 

Another politician. The war-time prime minister 

once advised: “You must sleep sometime between 

lunch and dinner, and no halfway measures. Take 

off your clothes and get into bed. That's what I 

always do.” 

082 


Churchill made no secret for his love of sleep, taking 

naps in the afternoon before a short sleep at night. 

This is known as a biphasic sleep cycle. Churchill 

would sleep for only five hours each night, but then 

ensure that his sleep cycle was complete by taking 

a two-hour long nap in the late afternoon. 

Because of his broken sleep schedule, the prime 

minister would often lead meetings from his 

bathtub while he soaked. 

Martha Stewart 

Television personality and businesswoman, Martha 

Stewart has achieved success over a range of 

platforms. But is her success related to her sleep 

or lack of it? According to Stewart, she can get by 

on only four hours of sleep each night. 

and boosting your productivity. But achieving this 

does not come from the total time your eyes are 

shut per night. Sleeping should take place at an 

appropriate time of night and on a quality memory 

foam spring mattress that can support your body 

and regulate temperature. The key to your success 

may not lie in following these celebs’ crazy sleep 

schedules but in ensuring that you’re just getting 

some quality shut eye. Organise yourself with a 

positive night-time routine, come away from your 

mobile screens, and ensure that your health is in 

tip-top shape. 

“It’s an exhausting lifestyle, and I always say sleep 

can go,” she explains. “I never stay in bed late – I 

can’t!” 

Stewart shares much of her lifestyle from her 

own home, ahead of the remote working trend. 

However, it’s clear that her working schedule is a 

lot more active than opening up your laptop from 

bed when it’s time to start the day. 

Do these celebrities set a good example? 

Adults usually require between seven and nine 

hours every night, but it’s clear that celebrities 

quite often decide their own sleep cycle. Sleep is 

essential for relieving stress, repairing the body, 

Beth Riley is a Content Manager at OTTY Sleep, 

otty.com, covering topics surrounding sleep and 

the many factors that play a part in us getting 

the important deep rest needed to keep us 

rejuvenated and functioning at our best. OTTY 

Sleep are a manufacturer of memory foam spring 

mattresses, bedding, pillows and more. 


Men's Mental Health 

& Parenting 

Trusted Family Brand Snüz and Leading 

Platform Dadsnet, commit to Raising Awareness 

Around Men’s Mental Health & Parenting 

According to a recent survey, an alarming 65% 

of dads admit that having children negatively 

impacted their mental health, citing the top 5 

contributing factors as lack of time, change in 

relationship dynamic, additional responsibilities, 

financial issues, and lack of sleep. 

The same survey also found that 67% of dads felt 

that there are insufficient resources and a distinct 

lack of support available to them, which is especially 

concerning considering the high percentage 

feeling a strain on their mental health. 

With the survey results in mind, Snüz, 

www.snuz.co.uk, and Dadsnet have teamed up 

to put Men’s Mental Health at the forefront of a 

brand-new campaign this month (14th-20th June) 

to initiate communication around the issues 

exposed. Throughout the week, the partnership 

will be offering daily content centered around 

men’s mental health to start the conversation, 

provide support and make time for dads. 

As part of the campaign Snüz will invite a number 

of experts to join the discussion across its busy 

Additionally, over half of dads surveyed disclosed 

feelings of apprehension about discussing mental 

health issues with their partner if it relates to their 

child. 

Having a baby is undoubtedly a precious thing, 

but it does take some getting used to, and with 

the new statistics now available, and the reality 

that 1 in 10 men will suffer some form of Post Natal 

Depression*, there is clearly a need to put this on 

the agenda. 

084 




Instagram feed, including The Daddy Sleep 

Consultant, The Honest Midwife, and Mark Williams, 

founder of the International Fathers Mental Health 

Day and the #HowAreYouDad campaign, as well 

as chatting to campaign partner Al from Dadsnet, 

and Tom Cox, the owner behind UnlikelyDad on 

Instagram. 

About Dadsnet 

The Dadsnet is a community. 

Our mission is to connect like-minded dads around 

the globe online & face-to-face, ultimately, to equip 

dads to raise outstanding children who will go on to 

change the shape & future of the world around us. 

We share anything from original content to funny 

videos to expert advice and plenty of discussions, 

The Dadsnet offers support, encouragement, and 

insight to the challenging, yet-profoundly fulfilling 

job known as fatherhood. 

This isn’t a parenting soapbox and we certainly 

don’t get out the bullhorn. We’re not here to tell you 

how to do it. We’re here to connect you to someone 

else who can tell you how to do it. Someone who 

has done or is doing what you’re doing with a 

different experience of the same thing. Someone 

who can give a fresh perspective or someone who 

can validate your perspective. 

Speaking about the campaign Al, Founder of 

Dadsnet said: 

“When men become dads, the danger is that their 

own health can naturally slip away from them in 

the place of keeping their children as healthy as 

possible. Here at Dadsnet we're keen to support 

dads in finding ways of keeping both our children, 

and ourselves as healthy as possible.” 

Mark Nicholls, Brand Director at Snüz added: 

“Bringing a trusted figure on board to support us 

with this campaign was essential. We knew we 

wanted to reach out to fathers by providing support 

and starting conversations around the challenges 

of fatherhood for dads and parents-to-be, but we 

wanted to do it right. We hope raising these issues 

as part of Men’s Mental Health Week can be the first 

of many steps towards inclusivity and improving 

the way we communicate with parents.” 

Plus, along the way, you can escape, have a 

laugh and recuperate ready to do it all over again 

tomorrow. Think of The Dadsnet like the online pub. 

Or the online space for you to hang out with your 

fellow tired, dad compadres. 

Here at The Dadsnet, we’re respectful, authentic, 

and unified, and welcome all experiences of 

parenting. 

The Dadsnet is for dads who understand that the 

journey of fatherhood has its ups and downs and 

once you embark on this journey, life will never be 

the same. 

www.thedadsnet.com 

* www.babycentre.co.uk/a1046187/postnataldepression-in-dads 




Results Day Dilemmas 

The past 18 months has been a rocky road for 

everybody, not least students and their families. 

School closures, remote learning, soaring screen 

time, cancelled exams and fewer opportunities for 

extracurricular activities has made it a particularly 

stressful time for students of all ages. And, 

especially challenging for those with results days 

looming this summer. 

After the GCSE and A level exam results confusion 

last year – when the grades-by-algorithm system 

was replaced in favour of teacher assessed grades 

– students and their parents are understandably 

awaiting this year’s results day with trepidation. 

To ease the stress, it is vital to arm yourself 

and your children with some key practical and 

emotional support techniques. This way you can 

both be in the best frame of mind for the big day. 

What’s more, you will know the best things to say 

and do should the outcome be not what they were 

hoping for. 

Zoë King, Deputy Head of Pastoral at the Royal 

Hospital School near Ipswich has provided some 

tips for parents and those supporting young 

people through results day dilemmas. Zoë has a 

wealth of experience in student wellbeing, having 

been responsible for the pastoral care of some 750 

pupils over many years. Read on to glean her top 

tips on helping your son or daughter on the big day. 

• Keep calm. Make the build up to results day as 

calm as possible for your young person. Try 

to spend time with them doing activities they 

enjoy – aim for a balance between engaging 

them enough to keep their minds off any 

worries and not wearing them out so that they 

feel exhausted by results day. Spending the 

time together also allows your child plenty 

of opportunities to open up to you about any 

concerns they may have. They are likely to feel 

more open to tell you their worries in an ‘active’ 

setting compared to being directly questioned 

about their feelings in normal face-to-face 

conversations. 

• Make sure they know that you are proud of 

them no matter what. Again, it boils down to 

good communication, so don’t assume your 

son or daughter knows this already. Tell them 

clearly, this could be in written form if you think 

your child will absorb the message better this 

way. 

• Distract with socialising and family time. 

Communication is key, so give them lots of time 

to see different people who can offer support 

in various ways. After all the pressures of 

studying it is so beneficial for young people to 

let off steam with their friends in healthy social 

environments. 

• Encourage freedom. Give them an opportunity 

to see their friends immediately afterwards 

to talk it through with each other. Also make 

sure that you take the time off work or other 

commitments to be fully available for them to 

support them. This sends a clear message to 

086 




your child that they are your priority and there 

if they need you. But do allow them to be with 

their friends if this is what they want or need 

immediately afterwards. 

• Respect boundaries. Remember there is a 

possibility that your child might be feeling 

embarrassed so talk through with them 

whether they want the news shared with family 

and friends. Ask whether they would like you to 

tell people or if they want to do it themselves. 

• Know the system. Plan ahead to ensure that 

you understand how to get in touch with the 

school on results day should the need arise 

using the appropriate channels. This will vary, 

but check with your child’s school or college 

in advance to see what systems they have in 

place. For example, at Royal Hospital School, 

we are operating a full customer service 

experience for A level and GCSE results days. 

This will include a triage system via an online 

form to enable us to get in touch with the 

families needing the most support first and to 

have the answers on hand when we respond. 

• Celebrate! It is important to mark their results 

no matter what. Book a meal out, blow up 

balloons, buy a gift, generally make a fuss of 

them – do something to mark the occasion. It 

has been a testing time for them, quite literally. 

Remember that their mental wellbeing is more 

important than anything else. 

Zoë King is Deputy Head of Pastoral at the 

Royal Hospital School near Ipswich, Suffolk 

www.royalhospitalschool.org 

• Stay calm. When results come through, 

support your child in reading them through 

carefully so that you can be sure you have both 

fully understood them. Have the GCSE grading 

equivalent levels to hand as you will most likely 

be used to A, B, C rather than 6, 7, 8, 9 gradings 

for example. 

• Gather all the information. If your child needs a 

certain number of points to stay in their current 

school or go to college, make sure you have 

those figures to hand so that you know exactly 

what is required. If it’s A levels you are dealing 

with, ensure you have all UCAS paperwork and 

correspondence to hand. Do your research so 

that you understand the clearing process in 

advance should you need to use it. 

• Consider all options. Consider retakes if your 

child is ambitious and explore this route with 

your child’s school. Remember that a gap 

year to recalibrate is often a good idea to let 

the dust settle and reset if results are not as 

expected. Reassure them that not everyone 

goes to university, they can still be successful 

via a different route, such as apprenticeships. 




Postnatal depression 

A third of UK mothers experience some form of postnatal depression, with 12% 

considering self harm. Young mothers share their experiences and Dr. Elisabeth Rosen 

gives advice for those experiencing postnatal depression 

Young mothers have been sharing their experiences 

of postnatal depression (PND), as a new study finds 

a third (33%) of UK mothers experience symptoms 

after giving birth. 

The research, conducted by Livi, the digital 

healthcare platform, surveyed 1,000 UK mothers 

about postnatal depression (PND) and found that 

young mothers in particular can be badly impacted, 

with a shocking 29% of 18–24-year-olds saying they 

considered self-harming. 

The main signs include persistent depression or 

low mood, lack of energy and lack of interest in the 

wider world. Problems sleeping, difficulty bonding 

with your baby and having disturbing thoughts can 

also be symptoms. 

Chloe Ward, 34, from Milton Keynes, said: “I had my 

daughter in 2012 and unfortunately it was a very 

traumatic birth. Looking back, I was definitely in 

shock for several months. The first time I felt like 

a failure was when I struggled to walk normally 

leaving the hospital. A passer-by said: “I thought 

you were meant to be happy when you had given 

birth” loud enough for me to hear. 

“I was unable to breastfeed and my baby lost a 

significant amount of weight. I attended weigh-in 

clinics where posters in the clinic shamed bottlefeeding 

mums, which led to me stopping my visits, 

and I became more isolated. 

“I realise now, looking back, that the early signs of 

postnatal depression were there but not always 

those that I was warned about in antenatal classes. 

I was getting dressed, eating and putting make 

up on, but underneath the surface it felt like I was 

wading through jelly and suffered from exhaustion, 

lack of motivation, social anxiety and massive loss 

of a sense of self. 

“I grew very withdrawn from my family, husband 

and friends. I think it took almost two years to 

reach my real point of recognition that I’d suffered 

for a long time since the birth and not addressed it. 

This came to the surface when I went back on the 

pill and my mood plummeted. I felt suicidal and was 

unable to focus on any interaction, make decisions 

or complete simple tasks. I had an amazing doctor 

who immediately recommended seeing me in 

person and discussed options for treatment. 

These were CBT for anxiety and antidepressants 

for my mood. 

“My main realisation was ultimately that PND does 

not occur the same way for everyone and does 

manifest after traumatic events.” 

One of the best ways to address these negative 

feelings is to talk about them with other people, 

such as a doctor. Unfortunately, however, more 

than one in seven (15%) say they found it difficult to 

talk about their postnatal depression, with one in 

ten (10%) calling it a taboo subject. 

This could explain why so many new mothers 

are reluctant to admit their symptoms and ask 

for support (15%), despite it being a great way 

to alleviate the strain. Young mums (18-24) in 

particular feel uncomfortable asking for help with 

their babies (22%) and they are the least likely to 

seek professional advice for their depression (4%). 

Another young mother, Rebecca Lockwood, 30, from 

Huddersfield, experienced postnatal depression 

when she was 24 after the birth of her first child. 

She said: "For the first six weeks, I would find myself 

sobbing uncontrollably and feeling helpless. Then I 

would feel even worse because I was wracked with 

guilt. At first, I found it hard to ask for help as I was 

terrified that if anyone knew how I was feeling my 

baby would be taken away. 

“Eventually I was able to admit to myself how 

bad I really felt and ask for help from my doctor. 

088 


It started with medication for a short time and 

then counselling, CBT and psychotherapy over a 

12-month period. This helped and left me feeling 

a bit better, but it wasn’t until I trained in Neuro 

Linguistic Programming, timeline therapy and 

hypnotherapy that I finally felt completely better. 

“I became aware of the judgement I held towards 

myself and my whole perception shifted as I 

realised that I needed to be much kinder to myself. 

I understood how my mind works and why I was 

behaving the way I was.” 

Dr. Elisabeth Rosen, a doctor specialising in 

obstetrics and gynaecology at Livi, has given her 

top five pieces of advice for women who experience 

symptoms of postnatal depression: 

1. Talk to family and friends 

Tell them how you’re feeling and don’t be afraid to 

ask for help with things like looking after the baby, 

so you can catch up on sleep or socialising. 

2. Find local support 

If you don’t have anyone to turn to - for example, 

if you’re a single mother with no friends or family 

close by - look for local support groups. A doctor 

should be able to help you find one in your area. 

3. Rest 

Try not to be a perfectionist. It doesn’t matter if 

your house doesn’t look immaculate, or all of the 

chores aren’t done. It’s more important that you 

catch up on sleep and rest when you can. 

4. Eat healthily 

Having a baby makes demands on the body, so 

eating a healthy diet and exercising regularly (or 

when you can) is crucial. 

5. Seek expert help 

Your doctor can refer you for a course of therapy 

with a psychologist. Cognitive behavioural therapy 

is shown to be effective in treating postnatal 

depression. Antidepressants may also be 

recommended in certain cases where depression 

is severe and other treatments haven’t helped. 

Dr. Rosen adds: “There is an expectation of women 

that they should feel super happy after having a 

baby, but many women are hesitant to admit that 

they don’t feel this way. 

“In fact, it’s common for new parents to feel 

depressed, confused, frustrated, tired and 

disillusioned - that’s nothing to feel ashamed of. 

Support and treatments are available, so speak to 

a doctor, who can help you to work out what the 

best options are for you. Whatever you do, don’t 

suffer in silence.” 

For more information and advice about postnatal 

depression, visit: www.livi.co.uk/your-health/helpfor-postnatal-depression/ 


089



Dance your way to fitness 

TV shows that feature dancing have captured the nation but not only is it great to watch, it is 

also a fantastic way for us all to get fit. 

We don’t have to be a professional to get the 

benefits, either. Any dance is good because it 

uses and strengthens emotions, cognitive skills, 

physical abilities and social connections all at the 

same time. Not only that, it can be great fun. 

The Physical Plus Points 

Dancing is a great way to raise your heart rate and 

burn some calories. It uses lots of different muscles 

from the head and neck right down to the toes and 

making them work hard can use up 400 calories 

in an hour, helping maintain and improve strength. 

Also the change in the pattern of movements, 

maybe using your legs to one beat and moving 

your arms in a different direction, can help build 

concentration, coordination, balance and agility. 

Mental Mood Booster 

Research suggests that dancing is great for 

mental health and wellbeing whether it is ballroom 

or modern jive. Many studies show that there is a 

positive effect on our quality of life, body image and 

mood – often reducing depression and anxiety. All 

exercise is thought to be a mood booster because 

it affects certain chemicals in your brain, such as 

dopamine and serotonin, which can affect your 

mood and thinking. But dancing adds the benefits 

of music and the need to concentrate on moves. 

By learning moves, putting them to music and then 

repeating them until they come naturally helps the 

brain leave the worries of the day behind and focus 

the mind on how the body needs to work. 

Let's Dance 

There are many types of dance, each with their 

different pros and cons. Some require more 

precision and control, such as Tango or Salsa 

which may also need a partner whereas modern 

jive or street dance are less prescriptive in terms 

of movements. The type of dance you choose 

will have different benefits. Tango is great for 

developing strength and precise movement but 

you would need a partner to perfect the style. Salsa 

generally requires a partner but it’s a sociable style 

and so you can change partners or just learn the 

steps and move your hips to the music. It’s good for 

development muscle control and balance. Similarly 

modern jive allows for a regular change of partner 

and plenty of rhythmic movements to build muscle 

and flexibility. Street dance can be done alone and 

includes movements such as popping, locking and 

hip hop and so it is quite lively and great for a cardio 

workout. It is energetic and promotes a good sense 

of timing and agility – and because it is high impact 

it can be good for improving bone density. Zumba 

is a dance inspired fitness class and is great for 

beginners – the steps are easy to follow and will 

guarantee a moderate to high intensity aerobic 

workout. The moves are repetitive so you can get 

used to them, and pick them up fairly quickly. It’s 

high energy and quite high impact, and will get your 

body working and your heart pumping for sure. 

It is a good option if you’re new to exercise and 

just want to push to your own levels. Other styles 

that are easy to start with and can be done alone 

include line dancing, ballet, tap or jazz classes. It 

can be daunting to start with but once you start 

you’ll soon find your feet. And, you’re never too old 

to start dancing. Recommended by Public Health 

England it is great for all ages. Look online or on 

community boards to find out about classes near 

you. 

090 


Stay Fit Locally 

Zumba with Amanda | Chesham 

I’m Amanda a local Zumba Fitness Instructor 

teaching the Latin inspired fitness party fitness 

almost a decade. I also teach private groups and 

classes at Champneys Tring and I’m available for 

parties / corporate events. 

Health, fitness & wellbeing are paramount of 

importance to me as is to know your self worth 

and be empowered and self confident with your 

body and mind. 

Monday's - 10am and 7pm 

Wednesday's - 10am and 7pm 

Fridays - 10am 

All Community classes are at Chartridge Lodge. 

www.facebook.com/femmeff 

Misszumba500@gmail.com | 07515 730799 

ParkFit with Ali | Amersham 

The class changes in format on a regular basis 

to keep members motivated. Sessions could 

be totally cardio based, Tone Zone like a more 

traditional legs, bums n' tums class, Boxing, Kettle 

Bells up to playing active games. All abilities 

are welcome as I can adapt the exercises to suit 

everyone. 

Mon 9am; Wed and Fri @ 9.05am. 

Hervines Park, Amersham 

https://www.facebook.com/AliParkFit 

07770 440404 

Zumba GOLD & Zumba KIDS 

with Melanie | Chesham 

I'm Melanie, I am a qualified Personal Trainer and 

over the Years have helped many clients obtain 

their fitness goals and have worked closely with 

many clients with learning disabilities. 

Zumba Gold is a slower paced dance class for fun, 

fitness and friendship. Come along make friends 

and keep fit all at the same time. 

Monday's 

10.15am at The White Hill Centre, Chesham 

Book online: bookwhen.com/fitnessforfun 

Website: fitnessforfun.co.uk 

Facebook: Zumba gold with Melanie 

My Zumba kids classes will be returning in 

September 2021. Like the Facebook page, Zumba 

kids with Melanie for updates. 

091

STATIONERY 

OFFICE SUPPLIES 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES 

ART & CRAFT MATERIALS 

CHESHAM MERCHANDISE 

AVAILABLE IN-STORE & ONLINE 

www.jpschesham.com 

01494 791112 | info@jpschesham.com 

7 Market Square 

Chesham 

HP5 1HG

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

Food & 

Drink 



FOOD & DRINK 


Harry's Bar & Kitchen at 

Horwood House 

by Kathryn Pike 

094 



FOOD & DRINK 

We love dining out and so I was very excited 

when we received an invitation to visit the newly 

refurbished Horwood House and dine at their new 

restaurant, Harry’s Bar & Kitchen. As a result of our 

editor’s packed diary, my husband David was the 

lucky person to join me. 

Horwood House was built in 1911 in a refined 

Jacobean style that gives it the feel of a traditional 

country manor. The farm upon which it was built 

dates from the 16th Century and the house served 

as the country home for the Denny family who had 

made their fortune in pork farming – and whose 

name has been given to a signature dish on the 

menu. 

Arriving via the long drive lined with lime trees, 

we were struck by the beautiful house and the 

quiet tranquillity of the setting. We were shown 

around the hotel by the General Manager, Caroline 

Morrone, who was able to introduce us to the 

wonderful facilities and give us a real vision of how 

the hotel will cater to its guests once completed. 

Harry’s Bar & Kitchen is named for the estate’s head 

gardener, father to the famous TV gardener Percy 

Thrower. Harry’s offers bistro dining in a relaxed 

garden environment that combines the tradition of 

the original house with a modern feel. 

We started with two dishes from Harry’s refreshing 

menu. The signature dish is The Denny, a croquette 

of pork and apricot with apricot ketchup and 

garden apple relish. Recommended by our server, 

and clearly a Horwood House favourite, it was a 

melt-in-the-mouth experience that would work well 

as either a starter or a light lunch. We also tried 

the Salt & Pepper Squid, which was accompanied 

by tangy plum tomato salsa and a salad. The squid 

was perfectly cooked and was a refreshing start to 

our lunch. 

The original house now has Grade II listed status 

and was extended significantly with additional 

buildings. Following major renovations Horwoord 

reopened on 17th May with a spa and a second 

new restaurant opening in Autumn 2021. Horwood 

House is in the heart of the Buckinghamshire 

countryside and despite its rural location, is 

surrounded by attractions, with Waddesdon Manor, 

Bletchley Park and the Silverstone Circuit all less 

than half-an-hour’s drive away. Horwood House is 

a fantastic base to explore some of our greatest 

history and take part in iconic events. 

At this point, we must say a huge thank you to the 

team who cooked and served our lunch. Working 

in the kitchen was executive chef Mehdi and 

pastry chef Theodora, whilst our server was Ellie. 

A local resident, Ellie was friendly and professional, 

clearly proud to work at Horwood and was very 


knowledgeable about both the menu and the 

history of the house itself. She also commented 

on my shoes which is always lovely to hear! 

We followed with the sirloin steak and the confit 

duck. My steak was served traditionally with fries, 

mushrooms and tomatoes. Cooked to perfection, 

it was tender and tasty. I must mention the chips, 

which were the best combination of fluffy and crispy, 

and seasoned to absolute perfection. David’s 

confit duck was served with a chorizo and lentil 

cassoulet and wilted stem broccoli. The restaurant 

has a seasonally-led menu that puts the spotlight 

on locally sourced, quality ingredients, including 

fresh vegetables from the hotel’s own kitchen 

garden. This shines through in the quality of the 

food and the pride of the kitchen which is evident 

in everything they do. 

Dessert was another joy. The hubby chose the 

apple and forest fruit crumble with vanilla ice 

cream. The ice cream was another locally sourced 

ingredient and complemented the crumble very 

well. The crumble itself was gluten free, made from 

pecans, and provided a perfect crunch to go with 

the soft fruit beneath. 

I selected the banana and lemongrass tart, and 

it is here that my words fail me slightly. I have 

spent the last 24 hours trying to find the words to 

describe this wonderful dessert. A traditional tart 

base with creamy banana lemongrass gel, it was 

complemented by the macha-flavoured chocolate 

truffles, coated in coconut. It provided a lovely 

palette-cleansing end to lunch without being too 

acidic or sharp. Despite being comfortably full 

after an amazing meal I was very tempted to order 

another! 

096

After a highly enjoyable lunch, we had the 

opportunity to visit the gardens. Set in 38 acres, 

the venue provides a relaxing destination for a 

weekend away or an inspirational location for your 

next team event. With an outdoor wedding area 

and a picturesque lily pond, it also offers a beautiful 

location for your big day with photo opportunities 

galore in the heart of the Buckinghamshire 

countryside. 

Caroline also showed us the spa courtyard which 

will be a real asset when it opens later in the year 

alongside and the second restaurant. The 1911 

restaurant, named for the year that the main 

house was built, will offer a stylised 1920s feel and 

a unique menu. With the kitchen as part of the 

dining room, the 1911 will add an element of theatre, 

making the experience one to remember. 

This new hotel and spa is only 45 minutes from the 

heart of Metroland, offering the perfect destination 

for weddings, corporate events, a pampered 

weekend away or even, as we did, a leisurely lunch. 

Visit their website www.horwoodhouse.co.uk or call 

01296 722100 to book. 

097


FOOD & DRINK 

Love Your Gut 

Did you know that what you eat not only affects 

your gut health, but can also have an impact on 

your brain, mood and overall wellbeing? 

This is due to the gut-brain axis, the scientifically 

proven link between the gut and the brain. The 

brain communicates with all the organs in the 

body, including the gut, through the central 

nervous system – a network of nerves that 

extends throughout our body like the branches of 

a tree. 

The gut is the only organ in the body that also 

has its own nervous system – the enteric nervous 

system, which enables it to perform and control 

some actions all on its own - such as digesting the 

food we eat. This is why the gut is known as our 

second brain. 

Looking after your gut may seem like a daunting 

task; however, the good news is keeping your gut 

happy, and therefore your brain too, is simpler 

than you think. 

Many foods that form a gut-healthy diet, such as 

oats, beans, vegetables, and nuts might already 

be at home in your cupboards or fridge. 

To help you discover how to cook for a happier 

gut, also known as your second brain, Dr Joan 

Ransley has created six new delicious recipes for 

Love Your Gut Week 2021 (20-26 September). 

Including vibrant Buckwheat Noodles with Creamy 

Green Pea and Kale Sauce, colourful Pan-fried 

Salmon with Celery, Sweetcorn & Olive Salsa, 

a zingy Baked Sweet Potatoes topped with a 

Chorizo, Black Beans, Lime, Coriander & Basil 

Dressing and fruity Mixed Berry Pudding with 

Coconut and Almond Crumb topping and more, 

each recipe has been developed to help you 

support your gut health and, in turn, nurture the 

gut-brain axis link. 

For further information and recipe inspiration, 

please visit www.loveyourgut.com or 

Facebook @loveyourgut 

Did you know… 

Your gut and your brain ‘talk’ to each other 

on a very regular basis, and one way they do 

this is by using special chemical messengers 

called neurotransmitters. These important 

brain chemicals that influence our mood 

include dopamine and serotonin, known as 

happiness or ‘feel-good’ hormones. The billions 

of different bacteria that live in our gut, known 

as the gut microbiota, help produce these 

neurotransmitters and, in fact, around 90% of 

the serotonin in our body is produced within 

the gut. 

98 


Broad Bean and Feta Bake 

A delicious savoury breakfast bake containing a 

plentiful supply of dietary fibre and phytonutrients 

from the beans, onions, and herbs. It is also packed 

with protein from the egg, beans and cheese. The 

side serving of thin, air-dried ham provides a protein 

boost to this recipe. 

Broad beans are a particularly good source of 

flavanols. Flavanols have an important role in 

keeping the gut healthy. After flavanols are 

eaten, they travel through the gastrointestinal 

tract and reach the large intestine where 

the gut bacteria break them down into a 

variety of different compounds which help to 

regulate intestinal immune function and inhibit 

inflammation. Flavanols help to keep the balance of 

microorganisms in the gut healthy by inhibiting the 

growth of various pathogens and increasing the 

populations of beneficial bacteria in the gut. 

Preparation: 15mins 

Cooking Time: 30 mins 

Serves 4 

Ingredients 

450g frozen baby broad beans, defrosted 

2 tbsp olive oil 

3 large salad onions, sliced into thin rounds 

8 large free-range eggs, lightly beaten 

120g feta cheese, cut into 1cm cubes 

1 tbsp parsley, chopped 

10g Parmesan cheese, finely grated 

78g thin air-dried ham e.g. Parma 

bean mixture. Place in the centre of the oven for 

30 minutes. Halfway through the cooking time 

check the bake is browning evenly and turn the 

dish around if needed. 

6. Remove the bake from the oven when it has 

set and is golden brown all over. Allow to cool a 

little before slicing into squares and serve with 

a dusting of grated Parmesan cheese. 

Alternative serving suggestion 

Button mushrooms, or sliced courgettes can be 

used instead of baby broad beans in this recipe. 

Just sauté them lightly before adding to the egg 

mixture. 

Chopped chives can be substituted for parsley. 

Cooking tips 

Line the bottom of the oven proof dish with baking 

parchment if you want to turn the bake out of the 

dish and cut it into slices. 

Many recipes call on the cook to remove the outer 

skin from broad beans however the skins are a 

good source of dietary fibre. The skins of young 

frozen broad beans are tender enough to be 

eaten. 

Use fresh, young broad beans instead of frozen if 

you can. They are easy enough to grow. 

Slices of this bake would also be perfect for lunch 

or served as part of a picnic. 

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C/ Gas mark 7. 

You will need an oven proof dish measuring 

approximately measuring 27cm x 19cm x 8cm 

2. Drop the defrosted broad beans into a pan of 

boiling water and cook for 5 minutes or until just 

tender. Remove from the heat and drain 

3. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a frying pan and 

gently fry the sliced salad onions until soft and 

just beginning to brown. Remove the pan from 

the heat. 

4. Break the eggs in a large bowl and beat with 

a fork until the yolks and the whites are well 

mixed. Add the beans, cooked spring onions, 

feta cheese and parsley to the eggs and stir. 

5. Brush the edges of the ovenproof dish with 

the remaining olive oil and pour in the egg and 


Banana and Coconut 

Overnight Oats 

The idea behind overnight oats is, instead of 

cooking oats to make porridge, the oats are 

soaked in a liquid, usually cows’ milk or plantbased 

alternative. The soaking process allows the 

oats to absorb liquid and soften enough to eat 

uncooked. The soaking time can be as little as 2 

hours, or overnight, hence the name ‘overnight 

oats’. The next morning these creamy, soaked 

oats can be topped with fruit, nuts, seeds and 

yogurt for a more sustaining breakfast meal. 

Oats contain two types of dietary fibre which are 

good for gut health - soluble and insoluble fibre. 

Beta-glucan is the soluble fibre present in oats 

and forms a sticky gel when combined with a 

liquid such as milk. The gel is useful as it increases 

intestinal bulk and facilitates the passage of food 

through the gut helping to reduce constipation. 

Oats also contain insoluble fibre which proceeds 

through the intestinal tract without being 

digested. 

When both types of dietary fibre reach the large 

intestine, they are fermented by gut bacteria to 

form short chain fatty acids (SCFA) which help to 

keep the lining of the gut healthy. 

This recipe contains at least nine different 

plant foods. Eating at least 30 different plant 

foods per week is associated with a more 

diverse range of bacteria living in the gut than 

eating 10 or fewer types of plants per week. 

Thai Green Salad 

The mymuybueno Cookbook by Justine Murphy

Preparation: 15mins 

Between 2 and 8 hours to soak 

Serves 4 

Ingredients 

100g oats 

15g chia seeds 

300ml semi skimmed milk 

100g plain yogurt 

40g walnuts 

40g dates, pitted and roughly chopped 

1 banana, peeled and chopped into small cubes 

30g coconut shavings 

To serve 

60g chopped fresh fruit e.g. apples, blueberries, 

strawberries. 

30g nuts e.g. walnuts, chopped almonds, pecans 

10g maple syrup (optional) 

Method 

Place the oats, chia seeds, milk, yogurt, walnuts, 

dates and banana in a large bowl. Add 20g of the 

coconut shavings and mix well. Cover the bowl and 

place it in the fridge. The overnight oats will be 

ready to eat after two hours but can be left in the 

fridge overnight and eaten the next day. 

Serve the overnight oats with a mixture of chopped 

fresh fruit, the remaining coconut flakes, and a few 

chopped nuts. Add a drizzle of maple syrup if you 

like. 

Alternative serving suggestion 

Take a portion of overnight oats to work with you 

in a jar to eat as a snack or as part of your lunch. 

Sunflower, pumpkin, flax and poppy seeds can be 

used instead of chia seeds. 

Cooking tips 

Oats and chia seeds are very absorbent and will 

continue to soak up milk for several hours. Add 

more milk or water to the overnight oats if you think 

they have become too thick. 

Overnight oats will keep in the fridge for up to three 

days, so it makes sense to make enough to last for 

several days. 

More recipes from www.loveyourgut.com >>>


FOOD & DRINK 

The chef putting the spotlight on 

Hertfordshire Food & Produce 

Hertfordshire born chef Matt Hay has been an exciting 

journey of working in some of the best restaurants in London 

including Aubergine, L’Oranger, Rules and Daphnes. 

Matt has created a seasonal dining experience, easy to execute 

at home from top quality, local ingredients, prepared for 

guests in the Symply Bistro Hertfordshire Kitchen. 

102- 


Hertfordshire’s renowned chef, Matt Hay is pleased 

to announce his latest venture for the people - 

Symply Bistro which launched earlier this week. 

Symply Bistro is a family run home delivery business 

that was launched by Matt during the pandemic, 

to help improve the wellbeing and mental health 

of his close friends and family. The seasonal dining 

at home experience utilises top quality, local 

ingredients and prepares them into beautifully 

cooked meals at the Symply Bistro Hertfordshire 

Kitchen based in Hertford. 

Matt has had an incredible journey in the hospitality 

sector, and has worked in London with established 

restaurants such as Aubergine, L’Oranger, Rules 

and Daphnes. Over the past decade, Matt has 

been building his client portfolio, but now wants 

to deliver some happiness to the people on his 

Hertfordshire doorstep. 

Matt comments: “The last year has been hardhitting 

for the hospitality sector, but it’s also meant 

that people haven’t been able to find enjoyment 

and happiness by visiting a restaurant. My passion 

for artisan and local food has taken me right back 

to my roots and encouraged my new venture. 

“Although restaurants are beginning to reopen, the 

evolution of takeaway dining has been dramatically 

shifted because of the pandemic. Restaurant 

quality food can be delivered to your door for cosy, 

intimate nights in with your loved ones. 

“It’s so important to support local independent 

businesses right now, and Symply Bistro wants to 

encourage everyone to shop, eat and drink locally 

as much as possible. We use only the best artisan 

produce from around the county. Our regional 

cheese is hand-picked and ripened, our Bionic Bull 

coffee is specially roasted just 30 metres from our 

kitchen, and the seasonal fruit and vegetables are 

sourced from Hertfordshire growers and farmers.” 

Matt is inspired by the amazing British seasonal 

larder, and is extremely passionate about the 

sourcing of ingredients, the endorsement of 

British suppliers close to home, environmental 

sustainability and animal welfare, all whilst 

supporting the local farming community too. 

Symply Bistro is driven by the inspiration of local 

produce and suppliers, so everything on the plate 

is used from the very best artisan ingredients on 

the Hertfordshire doorstep. 

So if you have a hectic life with little time to prepare 

a meal, or perhaps you want to plan a special dinner 

party for your friends and family - Symply Bistro will 

deliver restaurant quality meals that support local 

artisan producers and suppliers at the same time. 

Lots more exciting news to follow, so keep up to 

date with the Symply Bistro journey on Facebook 

www.facebook.com/symplybistro and Instagram, 

www.instagram.com/symplybistro or visit 

www.symplybistro.com for more information. 



FOOD & DRINK 

Grilled Pork Skewers 

in Thai Marinade 

by Saiphin Moore, founder of Rosa's Thai Cafe 

About Rosa’s Thai Cafe 

Rosa’s Thai Cafe was opened in Spitalfields 

in 2008 by chef Saiphin Moore, who brought 

dishes from her native Thailand to London 

via Hong Kong. Rosa's offers a variety of 

vibrant dishes using seasonal ingredients, 

including the signature Red butternut 

curry with sweet basil and Drunken 

noodles with galangal. There are Rosa’s 

Thai Cafes in London, Liverpool, Leeds 

and Manchester plus Rosa’s Thai Cafe 

Birmingham which opened this spring. 

About Saiphin Moore 

Saiphin grew up in Khao Kho, northern 

Thailand, and opened her first noodle shop 

aged just 17. In 2006, after 18 years living in 

Hong Kong, Saiphin moved to London with 

her husband Alex, and started a market 

stall on Brick Lane. They found their first 

permanent site in 2008, which would become 

the first Rosa’s Thai Cafe. There are now 23 

Rosa’s Thai Cafes in London, Liverpool, Leeds 

and Manchester, offering Saiphin’s signature 

dishes, from butternut curry to drunken 

noodles. 

In my family, these skewers were made for us kids to eat on our walk to school - breakfast with a side 

order of sticky rice. They were a huge part of my childhood and I still get nostalgic when I eat them. The 

sticky-sweet flavour of the marinade is delicious and it's a super-simple dish to make. You can cook the 

skewers in a griddle pan or under a grill, but they're also great for the barbecue. 

104 



FOOD & DRINK 

Serves: 2-3 

Prep time: 1 hour 

Cook time: 10 minutes 

Difficulty: Pretty Easy 

Ingredients 

500g (llb) boneless pork tenderloin, cut into thin 

slices 

sticky rice, to serve 

For the marinade: 

3 coriander roots, roughly chopped 

20 white peppercorns 

4-5 garlic cloves 

I teaspoon coriander seeds 

5 tablespoons oyster sauce 

5 tablespoons soy sauce 

5 tablespoons nam pla (Thai fish sauce) 

2 tablespoons sugar 

I tablespoon honey 

3 tablespoons cornflour 

5 tablespoons vegetable oil 

For the dipping sauce: 

2 tablespoons lime juice 

I tablespoon Thai fish sauce 

I red chilli, finely chopped 

Method 

1. Pound the garlic, peppercorns, coriander roots 

and coriander seeds using a pestle and mortar. 

2. Add the oyster sauce, soy sauce, fish sauce, 

sugar, honey, cornflour and vegetable oil and 

mix well. 

3. nour. 

4. Meanwhile, place 8 wooden skewers in water 

and leave them to soak. 

5. Preheat a grill or griddle pan until very hot. 

Meanwhile, thread the marinated pork onto 

skewers (2 or 3 slices per skewer). 

6. Grill or griddle the skewers for 1-2 minutes on 

each side, or until cooked through. 

7. Mix together the ingredients for the dipping 

sauce. 

8. 8. Serve the skewers with sticky rice and the 

dipping sauce. 

METROLAND MAGAZINE WINTER / SPRING 2021 105


FOOD & DRINK 

Tod Mun Khao Pod: 

Sweetcorn Patties 


Serves: 2-3 

Ingredients 

260g (9 oz) canned sweetcorn, drained 

teaspoon sea salt flakes 

teaspoon white pepper 

2 tablespoons tempura flour 

1 tablespoon cornflour, plus extra 

as required 

3 tablespoons cold water 

1 egg, beaten 

2 kaffir lime leaves, shredded (optional) 

sunflower oil, for deep-frying 

Sweet Chilli Sauce, to serve 

Method 

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the sweetcorn, salt, 

pepper, tempura flour, cornflour, measured 

water and egg. If the mixture is too loose, add 

a little more cornflour. 

2. Stir the lime leaves, if using, into the batter. 

3. Fill a heavy-based saucepan or wok with oil 

to a depth of one-third and set the pan over 

a medium-high heat, to prepare for deepfrying. 

4. When the oil is hot, carefully drop a 

tablespoonful of the batter at a time into the 

oil, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. 

5. Deep-fry for about 1 minute, then turn over 

and fry for a furtherminute, until golden 

brown and cooked through. 

6. Removewith a slotted spoon and drain on 

kitchen paper. 

7. Repeat until the mixture is used up – the 

mixture will make about 6 patties. 

8. Serve the patties with a Sweet Chilli Sauce. 

Make it Vegan 

To make these patties suitable for vegans, leave 

out the egg. 

106 



FOOD & DRINK 

Som Tam: 

Green Papaya Salad 


Ingredients 

2 tablespoons roasted peanuts 

1-10 red bird’s eye chillies (depending on how 

brave you are) 

5 small (or 2–3 large) garlic cloves 

1 1⁄2 tablespoons palm sugar 

2 yard-long beans (or green beans), cut into 2.5cm 

(1 inch) pieces 

4 cherry tomatoes, sliced 

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice 

2 tablespoons Thai fish sauce (or 2 teaspoons 

salt) 

1⁄2 medium green papaya, peeled and shredded 

1 carrot, shredded 

2 tablespoons dried shrimp (leave out for a 

vegetarian alternative) 

Method 

1. In a small, dry frying pan, toast the peanuts 

over a medium heat until golden brown. 

Remove from the pan and set aside. (There’s 

also a ready-toasted alternative you can find 

in the supermarkets). 

2. Coarsely pound the chillies and garlic 

together using a pestle and mortar. Add the 

palm sugar, beans and tomatoes. Lightly 

pound to combine, then squeeze in the lime 

juice and fish sauce. 

3. Lightly pound again, then add the green 

papaya and carrot. Pound again and toss to 

combine. The taste should be sweet and salty 

in perfect balance, with a sharp, sour and 

spicy tang. 

4. Spoon the salad into a serving bowl and 

sprinkle over the dried shrimp and toasted 

peanuts. 



FOOD & DRINK 

Goma-ae Mibuna & Teri- 

Goma Chicken Rice Bowl 

108 



FOOD & DRINK 

Grow With Yakult has partnered with acclaimed Japanese chef Yuki Gomi to create five delicious 

recipes, to encourage everyone to discover the benefits that growing your own and cooking from 

scratch can have on their wellbeing. To help inspire people to get cooking, Yuki has also made 

suggestions for alternative vegetables that can be used in the recipes. 

The campaign includes expert advice and insights into the science around gardening and wellbeing, 

as well as resources and live cook-a-longs on Yakult’s social channels. For further information 

and recipe inspiration, visit www.yakult.co.uk/GrowWithYakult or Facebook @YakultYUKIE and 

Instagram @Yakult_UKIreland #GrowWithYakult 

Serves: 2 

Ingredients 

Sesame Teri-Chicken 

300g Japanese rice 

360ml Water 

250-400g Chicken thighs or Firm Tofu 

½ tsp Black pepper 

2 tbsp Cornflour, dusting 

2 tbsp Sake 

1 ½ tbsp Soy Sauce 

½ tsp Honey 

½ tbsp Miso 

1½ tbsp Mirin 

Vegetable oil or Sunflower oil 

1tbsp Sesame seeds, ground 

Goma-ae Mibuna 

150g Mibuna 

2tbsp Sesame seeds, ground 

2tsp Soy sauce 

1tsp Brown sugar 

Garnish 

1tbsp Chives or spring onion, chopped. 

Seven spice powder, Nanami Togarashi 

Method 

1. Wash the rice thoroughly in a sieve, until the 

water turns clear. 

2. Drain the rice and transfer it into a pan, adding 

360ml of cold water. Leave it to stand for 30 

minutes to soak. 

3. Bring it to the boil, then reduce the heat and 

cover. Let it simmer for 8-9 minutes. 

4. Turn the heat off and let it stand to cool for a 

5-10 minutes with the lid on. 

Goma-ae Mibuna 

1. Cook the Mibuna by blanching in boiling water 

for under 30 seconds. Drain and set to one side. 

2. To make the Goma-ae sauce, use a pestle and 

mortar to grind the sesame seeds. 

3. In a small bowl, mix in the ground sesame 

seeds, soy sauce and brown sugar. 

4. Pour the sauce over the cooked blanched 

Mibuna and mix through. 

5. Cut the chicken or tofu into pieces, 

approximately 3cm square. Dust each piece 

with cornflour. 

6. Heat up some vegetable oil in a non-stick pan, 

over a medium heat. Add the chicken or tofu 

pieces and fry for 3 minutes on each side until 

cooked. 

7. Meanwhile, mix all the Sesame Teri sauce 

ingredients: sake, soy sauce, miso, mirin, honey 

and ground sesame in a bowl. 

8. After the chicken or tofu is cooked, in the 

same pan, pour the sauce over. Keep cooking 

to caramelise the chicken with the sauce, for 

around 30 seconds. Remove the chicken from 

the pan. Keep the remaining sauce. 

9. To serve, place a generous portion of the 

Japanese rice in a bowl. Top this with some of 

the Goma-ae Mibuna and place pieces of the 

chicken or tofu on top. Pour over the remaining 

sauce. 

Yuki’s tips 

Mibuna Alterative: Spinach 

If using tofu, make sure you use a good quality firm 

or super-firm version. Silken or soft tofu won’t work 

for this dish as it will break up in the frying pan 


Mexican 

Sausage Roll 

with Bread 

Pastry 

By Valentine Warner, 

in partnership with 

Allinson's 

Makes 6 

Prep Time: 15 minutes 

Cooking Time: 10 minutes 

Ingredients 

6 slices of Allinson’s Champion Wholemeal 

200g pork sausage meat, removed from skins 

1 tsp of cider vinegar or lime juice 

Large fistful of very finely chopped fresh 

coriander 

1 1⁄2 tsp smoked paprika 

1⁄2 tsp ground cumin 

1⁄2 tsp dried oregano 

1⁄4 tsp 70% Cocoa powder 

1⁄2 tsp of ground black pepper 

1 tsp of green chilli sauce (optional) 

Lime wedges 

Soft butter 


FOOD & DRINK 

Method 

1. Turn the oven onto 200C (180C fan). 

2. Put the sausage meat in a bowl and add 

all the other ingredients, except the bread 

and butter. 

3. Mix together well and put to one side. 

4. Take six pieces of the bread without their 

crusts and butter each slice on both sides. 

5. Divide the sausage mix into six equal parts 

and form into a small sausage shape once 

again. 

6. Laying the sausage meat along the 

shorter side of the end of the slice, roll it 

over until the two sides meet. They do not 

need to be pinched together or overlap, 

but simply need to meet. 

7. Give all a gentle stabilising press and lay 

the roll seam side down on a tray. 

8. When all six are in, sprinkle the tops with a 

little extra smoked paprika 

9. Roast in the oven for 8-10 minutes or until 

crisp all over and serve with little lime 

wedges and more chilli sauce. 

Top tip: 

Never throw away your crusts! Chop leftover 

crusts up into 1cm squares and bake, before 

storing as croutons or leave to dry out to make 

breadcrumbs.


FOOD & DRINK 

Balsamic Strawberry, 

California Walnuts & 

Rocket Salad 

www.californiawalnuts.co.uk 

Prep: 10 minutes plus marinating 

Cook: 3-4 minutes 

Serves: 4 

Ingredients: 

400g strawberries, halved or 

quartered if large 

1 tsp black peppercorns, crushed 

1 tbsp balsamic glaze 

2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 

250g pack halloumi, diced 

75g California Walnuts 

75g rocket 

Method: 

1. Mix the strawberries with the 

pepper and balsamic glaze and 

marinate for 10-15 minutes. 

2. Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry 

the halloumi and walnuts for 3-4 

minutes, turning occasionally until 

golden. Toss into the rocket with 

the oil from the pan and then toss 

in the marinated strawberries. 

Cooks tip: 

Try swapping the rocket for watercress 

or a mixed salad bag. Prepare the 

strawberries ahead and mix into the 

salad just before serving. 

111 



FOOD & DRINK 

Spiced tofu with rainbow 

vegetable stir fry & coconut rice 

A quick and easy plant based stir fry with layers of heat and crunch from vegetables, this delicious 

vegan recipe was created for discoverdelicious.wales by The Tidy Kitchen Co. in collaboration with 

Matt Pritchard. 

Prep Time: 30 mins 

Cook Time: 5 mins 

Serves: 2 people 

Ingredients 

225g of Tofu 

2 tbsps Maggies Original Chilli sauce 

1 tbsp Maple Syrup 

Salt and pepper to season 

½ red cabbage, thinly sliced 

2 spring onions, thinly sliced 

½ red pepper, thinly sliced 

½ yellow pepper, thinly sliced 

2 bok or pak choi, bottoms removed, stalks thinly 

sliced and leaves left whole 

Handful of coriander, stalks and leaves 

2 tbsps of sesame seeds, toasted 

5-6 whole candied jalapenos 

2 tsps of chilli and garlic salt 

100g of basmati rice 

30g desiccated coconut 

Method 

1. To make the tofu, marinate in the chilli sauce 

and maple syrup and season to taste. You can 

always make spicier with more chilli sauce but 

keep an eye on that heat! Pop to one side for a 

minimum of ½ an hour 

2. Rainbow veg - prep all veg and wash if needed. 

Sometimes bok/pak choi can be dirty so run 

under cold water to clean. Once all thinly sliced, 

pop to one side and pop the rice on. 

3. Rice – Cook rice as per instructions on packet, 

stir through coconut. 

4. Keep rice warm with lid or in tinfoil in warm over 

and start your stir fry. With a pan on medium 

to high heat, drain your tofu and add to the 

sizzling hot pan. Wait until it starts caramelised 

and flip to brown all over. Add in your thinly 

sliced vegetables and cook for 5 for so minutes 

until the vegetables have softened but still 

have a nice crunch. Pour the in marinade from 

the tofu and stir well over the heat. Add your 

fresh coriander and stir 

5. To Serve – pop your rice underneath and load 

the tofu and rainbow veg on top, pop 5-6 

jalapenos on top and finish with a shake of 

toasted sesame seeds and a liberal sprinkling 

of garlic and chilli salt. Enjoy! 

112 



FOOD & DRINK 

Parva Spicy Beer Burger 

This amazing burger recipe from The Photographer’s Table has been shared with us by 

discoverdelicious.wales. With BBQ season approaching, it’s time to dust off the grill and give these 

delicious spicy burgers a try (they’re equally as delicious when served indoors – thank you British 

weather!) 

Prep Time: 30 mins, Cook Time: 10 mins 

Serves: 2 people 

Ingredients 

400g Beef Mince 

50g Bone Marrow, chopped finely or minced 

½ an Onion, very finely chopped 

1tbsp Parva Spices Sambal 

Bread Rolls 

Smoked Cheese 

Red Onion 

Spinach 

Method 

1. Place all the burger ingredients in a food 

processor and pulse until combined 

2. Shape the mix into patties and place in the 

fridge for 30 minutes 

3. Heat a frying pan on a medium heat with a 

drop of oil 

4. Fry the burgers until slightly pink in the 

middle 

5. Allow to rest whilst you assemble the buns 

and other ingredients 

6. Place the rested patties on the buns and 

enjoy! 



FOOD & DRINK 

Lovely Lamb & 

New Potato 

Hotpot 

with seasonalspuds.com 

Seasonal Spuds have developed a 

bank of seasonal potato recipes, 

using Cornish New potatoes, which 

really showcase their flavour. 

Cornish New potatoes are harvested 

early, which gives them soft fluffy 

skins and a mild fresh taste. 

Serves: 4 

Preparation time: 20 minutes 

Cooking time: 1 hour 30 minutes 

Ingredients 

400g New/Baby potatoes (cooked) 

400g lamb (cooked and cut into 

chunks) 

1 onion, chopped 

2 carrots, sliced 

1 leek, sliced 

1 sprig of rosemary 

1 tbsp Worcestershire sauce 

1 tbsp plain flour 

400ml lamb stock 

2 tbsp olive oil 

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 200oC (fan 

180oC). 

2. Place a large pan with one tbsp 

olive oil on the hob. Once the oil has 

heated up add the onion, carrot 

and leek to the pan and fry gently 

until they start to get a bit of colour. 

3. Add the lamb and keep cooking for 

a couple more minutes then stir in 

the flour to absorb the juices. 

4. Add the Worcestershire sauce to 

the pan to deglaze and then add 

the stock. Simmer for 10 minutes, 

stirring occasionally, then season. 

5. Tip the lamb mix into an ovenproof 

dish. Slice the potatoes and layer 

them on top. Brush the top with the 

remaining olive oil and season. 

6. Cook in the oven for around 30 

minutes until the potatoes are 

golden. 

114 

Image by Catherine Benson 



FOOD & DRINK 

Healthy Fish & New Potato 

Chips with seasonalspuds.com 

Serves: 2 

Prepare: 15 minutes / Cook: 30 -35 minutes 

Ingredients 

2 fillets of white fish (cod or haddock) 

650g New/Baby potatoes 

200g frozen peas 

Zest of 1/2 lime and a wedge to serve 

1 tbsp chopped parsley 

70g breadcrumbs 

20g butter 

1 tbsp mint sauce 

2 tbsp vegetable oil 

Salt and pepper 

1 tbsp capers & tartare sauce to serve (optional) 

Image by Catherine Benson 

Method 

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C/170°C/Gas 5. 

2. Peel and chop the potatoes into small sticks. 

Bring a large saucepan of salted water to the 

boil and par boil the potatoes for 5 mins. 

3. Place the breadcrumbs in a bowl and add 

the lemon zest, chopped parsley, salt and 

pepper. Melt 10g of butter and stir through the 

breadcrumb mixture to combine. 

4. Take a large oven tray, pour in the vegetable oil 

and place in the oven. 

5. Place the fish fillets on a small oven tray. 

Season and pop a knob of butter on each and 

cover with foil. 

6. Remove the large oven tray and add the 

potatoes. Mix around to coat in the oil, then 

season. Place both trays in the oven. 

7. After 15 mins remove the foil from the fish and 

cover each fish with the breadcrumbs. 

8. At the same time, give the chips a shake. 

Place the uncovered fish back in the oven for 

a further 10-15 mins until the chips are cooked 

and the breadcrumbs golden. 

9. Meanwhile make the crushed peas. Add the 

peas to boiling water. Once cooked, slightly 

mash and add the mint sauce. 

10. Serve with a slice of lemon and the tartare 

sauce topped with extra capers. 



FOOD & DRINK 

Mango & Passionfruit 

Ice cream 

from Gaz Oakley 

Ingredients 

500ml Coconut Cream 

2 tsp Vanilla Bean Paste 

500ml Unsweetened Sproud Milk* 

(or another creamy Non-Dairy Milk) 

4 heaped tbsp Corn Flour (corn starch) 

115g Caster Sugar 

165g Mango, cubed small 

2 Passionfruit 

For the ripple 

82g Mango, peeled 

120ml Water 

116 



FOOD & DRINK 

Method 

1. Add the coconut cream to a saucepan with 

the vanilla and place the pan over a low 

heat. Bring the coconut milk to a simmer. 

2. In a mixing bowl, whisk together the 

Unsweetened Sproud Milk, cornflour & 

sugar until smooth. 

3. Add the cornflour mix to the saucepan 

& mix until it's thick & creamy. I alternate 

between a rubber spatula & a whisk to stop 

lumps from forming. It should take around 

3-4 minutes for your custard to thicken. 

Turn off the heat once thick. 

4. Transfer the custard to a container and 

cover over directly with cling film to stop a 

skin from forming. 

5. Allow the custard to cool to fridge 

temperature. Meanwhile, you can prepare 

your flavourings and set up your ice cream 

machine (make sure if your ice cream 

machine needs to be pre-frozen, you've 

done so). For the ripple, blitz the Mango 

with the water until smooth. 

6. When the custard has chilled, add it to your 

ice cream machine, let the machine work its 

magic. When the custard has considerably 

frozen and thickened, add the Mango and 

passionfruit. When the ice cream machine 

struggles to churn (as the ice cream has 

adequately frozen), remove the ice cream 

from the machine, place it into your ice 

cream container, spoon in the mango 

puree, and create a ripple effect. 

7. Cover the ice cream, then place it into your 

freezer to set properly & enjoy at your 

leisure. 

8. Bear in mind, you may have to let your 

ice cream defrost slightly before serving; 

depending on how cool your freezer is, the 

ice cream may freeze too solid. To prevent 

this, increase the temperature of your 

freezer to around -18 degrees C. 

9. You could also add alcohol such as rum 

or vodka to your custard mix; this will help 

keep your ice cream scoop-able as the 

alcohol doesn't freeze. 

10. Feel free to experiment with other fruits 

and flavours too! 

11. Please watch the video tutorial on 

Gaz's YouTube channel for step by step 

instructions and tips. 

*For more infomation visit besproud.com - 

Plant-based milk, powered by peas. 

Easy Vegan 

Scones 

Serves 4 

Ingredients 

400g wheat flour 

2 tsp baking powder 

1/4 tsp salt 

50g dairy-free butter 

200g Sproud Milk* 

50g pumpkin seeds (you swop for dried fruits or 

other nuts) 

Method 

1. Preheat oven to 250C. 

2. Combine flour, salt and baking powder in a 

bowl. 

3. Mix in the dairy-free butter. 

4. Add pumpkin seeds and Sproud, mix to a sticky 

dough. 

5. Cut out the batter to 4-5 buns and then bake in 

the oven for 10-12 minutes until golden brown. 

Instagram: avantgardevegan 

www.youtube.com/c/avantgardevegan 



FOOD & DRINK 

Rhubarb & custard tart 

A true British classic, 44 Foods’ remarkable rhubarb is a wonderfully sharp fruit, bursting with 

antioxidants. Its classically vibrant colour also makes it a splendidly attractive ingredient to use in 

desserts. www.44foods.com 

118 

Ingredients 

For the pastry 

165g wholemeal flour 

100g unsalted butter 

50g icing sugar 

15g ground hazelnuts 

1 egg, beaten 

1-2 tbsp water 

For the custard 

200g double cream 

200g Cornish clotted cream 

1 vanilla pod 

120g egg yolks 

60g caster sugar 

½ tsp pink peppercorns 

For the rhubarb 

6-8 stems of rhubarb, sliced into batons 

2 tbsp caster sugar 

2 star anise, crushed slightly 

Rhubarb jelly 

1 rhubarb stem 

75ml water 

1 tbsp sugar 

½ tsp agar agar 

Method 

1. Start by making your pastry by combining the 

flour and butter in a bowl and rubbing together 

into a breadcrumb texture. Then mix the icing 

sugar and egg and mix in to form a dough. If it’s 

too dry, then add a little water. Shape into a ball 

and wrap in a beeswax wrap. Chill in the fridge 

for 1 hour. 

2. Roll out your pastry into a 23cm tart tin and chill 

for 30 mins. 

3. Preheat your oven to 180˚C fan and arrange 

your batons of rhubarb on a baking tray 

sprinkled with star anise and sugar. Leave to 

macerate for 15 mins while the oven heats up 

and then cook for 10 mins to soften. 

4. Reduce the heat to 160˚C and line your 

tart case with a sheet of baking parchment 

weighted down by baking beans. Bake the 

pastry case for 20 mins then remove the baking 

beans and bake for a further 10 mins. Trim off 

the edges with a fine grater. 

5. Make your custard by heating your cream, 

vanilla and peppercorns with sugar on a 

medium heat until it is nearly at boiling point. 

Strain your infused sweetened cream and 

next whisk your egg yolks in a separate bowl. 

Gradually pour a little warm cream at a time in 

with the eggs whilst beating. Slowly incorporate 

all the infused cream and whisk into a smooth 

mixture. Return the custard to the pan and 

gently warm through whilst stirring to thicken. 

6. Allow to cool and pour into your pastry case. 

Bake in the oven for 10-15 mins at 180˚C until 

the custard sets but still has a slight wobble. 

7. In a small saucepan cook your remaining 

chopped rhubarb, sugar and water for a jelly. 

Simmer for 4-5 mins and then strain the pink 

syrup with a sieve. Add your setting agent in 

this case a small spoonful of agar agar and 

whisk until dissolved. 

8. Then top the custard tart with a neat chevron 

arrangement of rhubarb batons and finally pour 

over your jelly. Leave for 5-10 mins to set and 

serve a slice with generous dollop of clotted 

cream. 



FOOD & DRINK 

Blackberry Yoghurt 

Lollies with Superberries 

Ingredients (makes 8) 

1 tbsp Bioglan Superfoods Superberries 

500g yoghurt (natural, Greek, coconut, soy or 

almond) 

25g fresh blackberries 

Honey or maple syrup for sweetener (optional) 

Optional extras: extra berries, chopped nuts and 

toasted coconut 

Method 

1. Add the yoghurt to a bowl and mix in Bioglan 

Superfoods Superberries 

2. Add fruit and mash together until combined, 

adding additional berries or nuts if desired 

3. Add to ice lolly molds and freeze for 3-4 hours 

These healthier alternative ice lolly recipes 

have been created by bioglansuperfoods.co.uk 

in collaboration with super-nutritionist 

Amanda Hamilton 

Supergreen 

Ice Lollies 

Ingredients (makes 8) 

1 tbsp Bioglan Superfoods Supergreens 

1 avocado, cut into chunks 

2 kiwi fruits, cut into chunks 

400ml coconut water 

1 lime, juiced 

Method 

1. Whizz all the ingredients in a blender until 

smooth, then pour into 8 lolly molds 

2. Fix the lid over the molds, insert wooden lolly 

sticks and freeze for at least 2 hours 



FOOD & DRINK 

Triple Chocolate Panna Cotta 

by Rachel Phipps @missrachelphipps 

120 



FOOD & DRINK 

With (hopefully!) more sunny, summer days ahead, we’re looking forward to much overdue catch ups 

with loved ones in the great outdoors. To finish alfresco lunches, dinners, picnics, and end of lockdown 

celebrations on a sweet note, Guylian has created a selection of delicious recipes all beautifully finished 

with Guylian Belgian Chocolate. All the recipes can be downloaded from /www.guylian.com/finishingtouches-spring-recipes 

but we just had to share our favourite is below. 

This easy yet impressive Triple Chocolate Panna Cotta with layers of milk, white and 

dark chocolate panna cotta is made extra special with the finishing touch of a Guylian 

Sea Horse for an elegant but super simple make-ahead dessert. 

Makes: 6 

Ingredients 

For the Milk Chocolate Layer 

175ml double cream 

60ml semi-skimmed milk 

30g golden caster sugar 

30g milk chocolate (approx. 35% cocoa solids) 

1 leaf platinum grade gelatine 

For the White Chocolate Layer 




30g white chocolate 


For the Dark Chocolate Layer 




40g dark chocolate (approx. 70% cocoa solids) 


6 x Guylian Sea Horse chocolates 

Method 

1. Start with the milk chocolate layer. Combine 

the cream, milk and sugar in a small saucepan. 

Gently warm it over a medium high heat until 

very, very hot, but not quite boiling. Meanwhile, 

finely chop the chocolate and leave the 

gelatine leaf to soak in a small dish of ice-cold 

water. 

2. Whisk the chocolate until fully melted and no 

bits remain. Switch to a heatproof spatula 

to make sure there are no large pieces of 

chocolate stuck to the bottom. 

3. Squeeze any excess liquid out of the gelatine 

sheet - now, it should be soft and totally limp. 

Stir it into the chocolate mixture until dissolved. 

Use the spatula to do this as the whisk will 

create bubbles that will be captured in your 

panna cotta. 

4. Divide the chocolate mix between 6 small 

glasses (I used measuring scales to ensure 

even layers) and chill in the fridge for at least an 

hour. 

5. Once the milk chocolate layer is set (it should 

have a bit of wibble but be solid, not liquid), 

repeat with the white chocolate layer. When it 

comes to pouring the hot chocolate mix over 

the cooled milk chocolate layer, pour it on as 

fast as you can to keep even layers. 

6. Once you have added the dark chocolate layer 

chill for at least another 2 hours. Remove from 

the fridge for 1 hour before adding the finishing 

touch of a Guylian Sea Horse chocolate just 

before serving. 



FOOD & DRINK 

Excuse to indulge? 

There’s Always Time for Daim ® ! 

You’d be forgiven for eating the new Daim® 

Cheesecake entirely by yourself, but your friends 

and family would definitely prefer it if you shared it 

with them. 

The newest Daim® product, which you’ll find in 

the freezer of your nearest Tesco, is a delicious, 

handcrafted baked cheesecake on a chocolate 

flavoured biscuit base, topped with smooth milk 

chocolate ganache and those familiar crunchy 

Daim® pieces. 

Now that sharing is back on the agenda this 

summer, be sure to have one of these in the freezer 

at home, ready to share with guests. Simply pop it 

out of the freezer and into the fridge 4 hours before 

serving. Whether you add a dollop of cream or icecream 

for a cheeky weeknight treat is up to you! 

The famous Swedish chocolate, Daim® bar is 

made from crunchy, almond caramel covered in 

milk chocolate and the sweet nutty crunch of the 

Daim® perfectly complements the smooth, creamy 

filling of the cheesecake. 

The Daim® Cheesecake is available in Tesco stores 

and has a recommended retail price of £3.50. 

Serves 4-5 people. Whatever you’re celebrating, do 

it with Daim®. 

Indulge at Home with 

Toblerone ® 

Everyone’s favourite mountainous chocolate has 

been incorporated into a delicious cheesecake 

dessert. The iconic swiss milk chocolate bar 

Toblerone® can now be enjoyed as part of a family 

meal. Bring home that sense of holiday adventure 

with this Toblerone® Cheesecake. 

The Toblerone® Cheesecake is a delicious, 

handcrafted, creamy cheesecake on a chocolate 

flavoured biscuit base, topped with Toblerone’s® 

smooth milk chocolate. Now available from the 

freezer aisle of your nearest Asda, B&M Stores, 

Morrisons and Tesco. 

Now that sharing is back on the agenda this 

summer, be sure to have one of these in the freezer 

at home, ready to serve up to guests. Simply pop it 

out of the freezer and into the fridge about 4 hours 

before serving. Whether you add a dollop of cream 

or ice-cream for a cheeky weeknight treat is up to 

you! 

The signature Swiss milk chocolate with honey 

and almond nougat in the instantly recognisable 

mountain peak shape has been enjoyed around 

the world since 1908 and is now also the star of 

family feasts, celebrations, and get-togethers in 

this delectable cheesecake. 

The Toblerone® Cheesecake is available in Asda, 

B&M Stores, Morrisons and Tesco stores and 

has a recommended retail price of £3.50. Serves 

4-5 people. Whatever you’re toasting, do it with 

Toblerone®. 

122 



FOOD & DRINK 

Get Your ‘Greek Style’ Holiday Vibe 

At ‘The Real Greek’ This Summer. 

Greek Heritage: British Made 

If you can’t get to Greece this summer then there’s 

no better place to enjoy an authentic Greek Taverna 

atmosphere than The Real Greek, especially when 

Tonia Buxton is flying the flag and the weather 

forecast looks hot and sunny! 

All 18 branches of The Real Greek are set for a 

summer of delicious Greek food and have teamed 

up with Tims Dairy who produce their Greek style 

yogurt used in several of the dishes on the menu. 

The collaboration aims to reach out to customers 

of The Real Greek and consumers of Tims Dairy 

Greek style yogurt to create excitement about the 

‘next best thing’ to going on holiday to Greece by 

enjoying all the quality fresh ingredients on the 

menu. 

Tonia Buxton, British Television Presenter and 

author, who’s real love is Greek and Mediterranean 

food, and who passionately believes in the antiageing 

properties of this diet, is The Real Greek’s 

ambassador. She will be demonstrating the use of 

Tims Dairy yogurt in the meze menu across social 

media to encourage new visitors to come and enjoy 

the fun, flavour and versatility Greek style yogurt 

brings to so much of the menu. 

As part of the collaboration, The Real Greek and 

Tims Dairy (featuring Bides Timotheou, a passionate 

foodie and one of the family who run the dairy) will 

also be running exciting giveaways for a chance to 

win a meal for two. 

“It’s so like being on holiday in Greece, without the 

hassle of actually getting there” says Tonia. “The 

atmosphere is fun, vibrant and romantic, whilst the 

food and Greek wine evokes Mediterranean skies, 

seas and scents. Tims Dairy’s yogurt is so thick, 

creamy and versatile, it is the perfect ingredient for 

any Greek meze.” 

Bides Timotheou backs up Tonia’s words, iterating 

“The menu uses our yogurt to fantastic effect and 

in traditional style across dishes such as Dolmades 

(with a side dip), Lamb Meatballs, Greek meat pie, 

the ubiquitous Tzatziki (yogurt and cucumber dip), 

plus a delicious, sweet dessert using yogurt with 

walnuts in syrup.” 

Tims Dairy’s Greek family heritage and over 72 years 

of producing top quality Greek style yogurt using 

fresh British milk and only natural ingredients, makes 

perfect synergy for this collaboration. Being based 

in the Chiltern Hills, in South Buckinghamshire, 

means that provenance is very local. They have 

been supplying The Real Greek directly for 3 years 

with their Greek style bio-live natural yogurt and 

their close relationship means they hope to keep 

doing so for many years to come. 

The campaign will be seen across both brand’s 

digital channels through to mid August with 

a possible extension of summer fun through 

September. 


123

CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

The four Timotheou brothers Tony, Bides, Chris (Managing Director) and Peter 

Greek Heritage: British Made 

At our dairy in the heart of the Chiltern Hills, Buckinghamshire, we four Timotheou brothers and our 

75 strong team blend fresh West Country milk and the finest natural ingredients to produce the UK’s 

tastiest and creamiest Greek style yogurts. 

As Chris, our Managing Director, says “records of 

Greek yogurt begin in the 5th century BC with the 

writings of Herodotus. Whilst our family records 

don’t go back quite that far, it’s the secrets and 

learnings of these recipes passed down through 

the ages that inspired our Uncle and Father when 

they first came over to London from Cyprus in 

1949”. 

Consumer trends have evolved over time, but a 

truly traditional Greek style yogurt contains biolive 

cultures and is made with 10% fat to achieve 

a beautiful thick and creamy texture. Some Greek 

yogurts are also strained – we do not use this 

method as we favour the smoothness and slight 

acidity achieved from a careful blend of natural 

ingredients and fresh whole milk. 

Respect for all the natural ingredients we use 

ensures that we take care to source milk from high 

welfare family farms. Everyone here shares our 

high-quality values for food provenance and great 

taste, and it is this ethos which has allowed our 

family business to grow steadily and sustainably 

over the years. 

This concern for sustainability has in recent years 

led us to establish a ‘Greenpot’ team in 2018, to try 

our best for the planet and to reduce our plastic 

usage where we can. It’s not only our heritage, but 

124 



FOOD & DRINK 

our legacy which we are passionate about. We are 

therefore very proud to have worked hard to seek 

out the best retail packaging available currently 

which is 100% recycled and 100% recyclable. This 

won’t solve the global crisis in itself but will help 

to mitigate our impact. We keep up every effort to 

improve, and as new technologies in packaging 

evolve our ‘Greenpot’ team work on the next 

positive steps forward. 

The Timotheou brothers were born in the UK but 

our strong and deep running roots are in our 

Greek Cypriot heritage. The family business was 

founded in a basement workroom in Warren Street 

by our Uncle, who was later joined by our Father. 

From their tiny production area they first delivered 

traditional set milk desserts and yogurts to local 

and ethnic restaurants and delis in London’s West 

End, all done on a bicycle with a basket! 

“All eight of us children were initiated into the art 

of making yogurt as we were expected to help 

our parents out in many ways” says Chris. “Before 

school we would bring milk churns in off the 

doorstep and after school there was lots of pot 

washing and yogurt sealing to be done. We called 

it the ‘university of Tims Dairy” he jokes. We have 

since carved our niche position as the only Greek 

style yogurt producers in the UK with a true Greek 

heritage, using fresh British milk. 

We all share a love and passion for ‘real’ food which 

is wholesome and delivers a wow factor in every 

spoonful. Recent years have seen a huge growth 

in awareness around ‘good fats’, bio-live cultures 

and eating with provenance. They all contribute to 

a healthy and balanced lifestyle. 

It brings an even bigger smile to our faces that 

therefore that our yogurts help to support a healthy 

lifestyle and are so versatile too. They can be eaten 

at any time of the day (although breakfast with 

fresh fruit and granola is an absolute must) and 

the natural yogurts in particular make a fabulous 

ingredient in cooking and baking. We genuinely like 

to promote the fact that our Greek style yogurt is 

a healthy alternative to cream, just try it with fresh 

strawberries or with jam on a scone! In fact, we use 

it so much in our daily dishes that we share many of 

our recipes on our website and through our social 

media channels. “What’s so wonderful”, 

says Chris, “is that we get amazing feedback and 

inspire consumers to create their own recipes and 

ideas which they share with us too.” 

The early days of Tims Dairy took us through 

several moves in central and North London until 

we found our lovely dairy site in the Chiltern Hills 

in 1996, which is also close for connections to the 

M25. At this point our production was largely for 

foodservice and hospitality, but consumer demand 

in the form of repeated written requests, inspired 

us to create a range for retail. 

That range soon became award-winning and is a 

true testament to our very founding principles, that 

with heritage, skill and dedication you can produce 

food that can be trusted, delicious and good for us 

all. 

Where to buy: 

You can find Tims Dairy yogurt in selected 

supermarkets, including Asda, Budgens, Co-op and 

Waitrose, as well as farm shops, delicatessens, and 

food halls. You can also buy online from Waitrose 

and Ocado. For a full list of Buckinghamshire 

Stockists visit www.timsdairy.co.uk/where-to-buy/ 

Find out more at www.timsdairy.co.uk 



FOOD & DRINK 

Summer Cocktails 

Whether you’re planning a summer bbq, throwing 

a party or just organising a meet-up with a few 

friends, there’s no denying that a cocktail or two 

always goes down a treat. Whether you serve them 

alongside regular drinks such as beer or wine or as 

a complement to food, we’ve outlined below a few 

tips and tricks plus recipes for a selection of easy 

to make cocktails for you to serve in the summer 

months ahead. 

When pairing cocktails with food types, it’s worth 

bearing in mind that at the start of an evening 

nobody wants their guests getting drunk too 

quickly! Therefore longer, more refreshing drinks, 

served in long glasses, gin balloons or large wine 

glasses, are definitely preferable here. 

It’s also worth remembering that a punch can 

mostly be made in advance allowing you, the host, 

more time with your guests. 

Punch: 

It’s also worth noting that if you’re looking for 

alcoholic drinks which are ‘low’ in alcohol (as 

opposed to `no’ alcohol), then omitting the stronger 

spirits (eg, rum, vodka, gin etc) and instead using 

spirits such as coconut liqueur, peach schnapps, 

or another fruit liqueur will see you fulfilling both 

briefs: yes it contains alcohol but no your punch 

doesn’t pack `too much’ punch. 

When it comes to flavour matching, always try to 

think of foods that complement each other. For 

example, serve smoked salmon bites with a citrus 

based cocktail or punch to help bring out the 

flavour of the food. 

When it comes to dessert, it’s common knowledge 

that chocolate and whisky pair well together. 

Before you recoil at the thought of serving your 

guests whisky, then give consideration to a honey 

flavoured Tennessee whisky, together with a 

chocolate torte. A chilled Lemoncello in a frosted 

shot glass would be the ideal match with lemon 

drizzle cake. Alternatively, a Tiki rum served with 

a fruit gateau. And, of course, you should never 

discount the ubiquitous espresso martini! 

Whether it’s drinks with canapes or after-dinner 

drinks with dessert, it’s all in the planning and 

ensuring you’ve tried your offerings before. 

Always make sure you’ve plenty of ice, enough 

of the correct glassware and of course, the right 

ingredients and don’t underestimate the value of 

preparation, leaving yourself plenty of time. There’s 

always more to do than you think! Finally, arm 

yourself with a cocktail shaker, and you’re good to 

go. 

www.facebook.com/Cocktailmaker 

www.cocktailmaker.co.uk 

126 


Pretty as a 

Pitcher 

Ingredients (Serves 6) 

200ml raspberries 

150ml pear juice 

Juice from 3 limes 

1 litre ginger beer 

Handful of raspberries and lime slices, to garnish 

Wash the raspberries and blend with the pear 

juice. Fill a pitcher half full of crushed ice. Add the 

lime juice. Pour the blended raspberry and pear 

mix into the pitcher. Top with ginger beer and 

drop whole raspberries into the drink. Make sure 

everyone gets at least one raspberry in their icefilled 

glass. Garnish with lime slices on the rim of 

each glass. 

Add a Twist 

Vodka or gin work nicely with the fruit flavours 

here 

Rosemary 

Lemon Cooler 

Ingredients: 

25ml sugar syrup 

2 sprigs of fresh rosemary 

50ml orange juice 

Juice from lemon wedge 

Soda Water 

Slice of lemon, to garnish 

Put the sugar syrup in a pan that’s already on a 

low heat. Add one sprig of rosemary; the warmth 

of the syrup will release the oils and tease the 

flavours out of the herb. Take the pan off the heat 

and let the rosemary steep for an hour. Remove 

the rosemary and chill. Add syrup to an ice-filled 

cocktail shaker. Add the orange and lemon juices. 

Shake well. Strain into a tall glass with ice cubes 

in it. Top with soda water. Garnish with an optional 

slice of lemon and/or sprig of rosemary. 

127


FOOD & DRINK 

The Perfect Six Pack 

No we’re not talking about Pete Andre’s 90s 

physique, although it was a good excuse for the 

photo, this is the NEW eco-friendly 6 pack from 

Malt The Brewery in Prestwood. 

Made from recycled sugar cane pulp it’s not only 

a safer option for wildlife it’s plastic-free and 

biodegradable. 

Developed by Niche Solutions the innovative new 

beer carrier is the perfect way to carry home the 

new range of craft beers from our local brewery. It 

also makes a great gift pack. 

Available online at www.maltthebrewery.co.uk and 

direct from the brewery shop it includes the latest 

release - Amarillo - American IPA with a grapefruit 

punch, our new favourite beer!

If the wine selection in Waitrose is leaving you 

uninspired and searching for something more 

interesting to enjoy at home this summer then 

take a look at www.maltthebrewery.co.uk. 

The family run microbrewery has teamed up a 

boutique wine merchant to bring you a delightful 

selection of restaurant-grade wines. You won’t 

find these wines in the supermarket in fact you’re 

more likely to find them on your table at The 

Artichoke or The Jolly Cricketers’s. 

There’s also a seasonal case to try...6 wines 

carefully selected and taste tested by the team. 

The case comes complete with tasting notes and 

a discount code for your next purchase. 

The newest addition to the wine selection at Malt 

The Brewery a delightful English Sparkling Wine 

from Sussex. The Rathfinny Classic Curve Brut 

2017 is a blend of 65% Pinot Noir, 18% Chardonnay 

and 17% Pinot Meunier blended in the house style. 

Slightly pinkish in colour it has a pomelo finish. 

£26 

Click https://www.maltthebrewery.co.uk/collections/ 

wines to browse the range. 

Our current favourite is the delicious Alpha Zeta 

Rosado. Perfect for a summer afternoon in the 

garden, it’s dry on the palate yet has a vibrant red 

fruit character and a fragrant finish. It’s vegan too. 

THE BREWERY 



FOOD & DRINK 

Pink Bubbles! 

Sea Change Prosecco Rosé | £12.99 | seachangewine.com 

This Prosecco Rosé is perfect for sparkling sunshine 

celebrations this summer. Hailing from the picturesque Veneto 

region of North-Eastern Italy it is just ideal paired with light 

pasta dishes and seafood due to its red fruit vibrancy and 

refined flavour. All Sea Change Wines have minimal packaging, 

with the unnecessary plastic wrap covering removed from the 

neck of the bottle and labels made from plantbased 'Natureflex 

clear' which is fully biodegradable and compostable. 

Rosé 2018 | £36 | hattingleyvalley.com 

Hattingley’s latest 2018 sparkling rosé is a refreshing wine 

that is subtle and delicate in colour. The hand-harvested Pinot 

Noir and Pinot Meunier grapes have been blended to create 

elegant strawberry coulis flavours, a creamy texture and fine 

toasty notes. Bring out this newly released versatile sparkling 

with anything from the cheeseboard filled with soft gooey 

cheeses, after-dinner mints or a fruity dessert. 

Pommery Brut Rosé Champagne - 75cl | £49.99 (gift box) | 

waitrose.com & ocado.com 

This fine and fruity champagne is distinguished by its fleshy 

note while remaining lively, fresh and highly subtle. A blend of 

rosé and Pinot Noir of Bouzy Grand Cru. Its colour comes from 

Pinot Noir grapes. The champagne is stored in a cellar for three 

years to develop the distinctive properties of Pommery Rosé. 

Delicate pale pink with slightly salmon tones. 

130 


Some like it COLD! 

Whittard of Chelsea Kickstart the Sunshine Season 

Asking You To… Try Your Drink Hot – Then Cold! 

Time to flip the lid on what you know and see your 

drink differently. Whittard of Chelsea are celebrating 

blue skies and sunkissed shoulders with fruity 

infusions, pep-in-your-step coffees and chocolatey 

concoctions for summer 2021. 

The catch? Everything tastes equally as delicious 

hot or cold. That’s the same brew – anew! 

Made for sipping in the sun, their new summer 

range boasts zesty and colourful iced teabags with 

flavours including Pineapple Cooler, Cherry Bonbon 

and Mango Sorbet, as well as ice-cream parlour 

inspired mini caddies; Strawberry Sundae, Peach 

Swirl and Coconut Cream. 

Whittard of Chelsea’s Tea Buyer, Linda Lisser said 

of the launch: “Our summer infusions this year are 

bright, bold and bursting with flavour! Ice cream 

and sorbets just sing of summer; they are sweet, 

uncomplicated and so fun to explore. Everything 

can be brewed as ice teas or hot or cold, asking 

our customers to challenge what they know – with 

incredible flavours pf whimsical wandering, loosing 

track of the time, of holidays, of hope“ 

Challenge what you know and explore brew 

horizons – hot or cold, it’s sure to be a summer like 

no other. 

View the full range at... 

whittard.co.uk/summer/explore-summer/all-summer 

And if that’s not enough coconut for you, try their 

lusciously smooth and creamy Coconut White Hot 

Chocolate (a gorgeous base for a milkshake) or 

their marvellously moreish Limited Edition Coconut 

Ground Coffee steaming hot in the morning, and 

soothingly chilled in a cold brew come the early 

afternoon. 

All wrapped up in their bedazzling kaleidoscope 

packaging that practically pops off the shelves, 

making for the ideal gift for bringing along to garden 

soirees and barbeques. 


BREWING LOCALLY 

SINCE 2012 

HAND-PICKED BOUTIQUE WINES 

LOCAL ARTISAN SPIRITS 

LOCALLY MADE GIFT IDEAS 

SNACKS & TREATS FROM THE 

BEST LOCAL PRODUCERS 

AROUND THE CHILTERNS 

VISIT THE SHOP 

CLICK & COLLECT OR 

ENJOY FREE HOME DELIVERY 

Includes Chesham - Amersham - Chalfont 

MALTTHEBREWERY.CO.UK 

01494 865063 | HELLO@MALTTHEBREWERY.CO.UK 

0132 

 


CHESHAM 

COUNCIL NEWS 

Home & 

Garden 



HOME & GARDEN 

Summer Ready 

with secretlinenstore.com 

0134

100% Cotton Waffle Towels 

Made from extremely soft 100% cotton, the 

new waffle towels are light and quick to dry, 

providing an eco-friendly option. 

With simple hemmed edges, the waffle towels 

are available in five sizes - from face clothes to 

jumbo bath sheets - in three classic shades: 

the bright Optic White, the inky Graphite Grey 

and the classic Vintage Rose. 

100% cotton waffle towels in Vintage Rose, 

Optic White and Graphite Grey, from £4 

Super Soft Sateen 

Beautifully crafted from fine-spun 100% 

responsibly sourced cotton with a 300 

thread count, the Super Soft Sateen 

bedlinen has a silky smooth sateen weave 

for an extremely soft feel and an exquisite 

shimmer. 

Now available for Summer in the ever-sopopular 

Olive Green, the sophisticated Dusty 

Pink, the feel-good Raspberry Sorbet and the 

natural Shroom, Super Soft Sateen adds a 

touch of refinement to any bedroom. 

100% Cotton Lenny Throw 

The 100% cotton Lenny throw can create two 

completely different looks with its reversible 

design. Blue with off-white stripes on one 

side and off-white with blue stripes on the 

other, it has a laundered off-white edge and 

a soft and relaxed finish. A large 260x230cm 

throw, Lenny is the ideal piece to dress the 

bed or pack for a picnic. 

Lenny throw, £115 

Dusty Pink Supersoft Sateen duvet cover, 

from £39; Oxford pillowcases, from £13; 

100% Linen 

Secret Linen Store's softest and most popular finish, 100% linen is the ultimate bedtime treat. One of 

the best-selling sets featuring a vintage-inspired look and a hand-finished embroidery, Violet is now 

available in the timeless French Blue. A delight for the senses, Violet French Blue gives the bedroom 

a special charm. 

Violet French Blue 100% linen duvet cover, from £145; pillowcases, from £32; 



THE WEDDING SPECIAL 

Feel at Home with Colour 

A new online course has launched that gives you 

tools to start your very own home design project 

by teaching you how to use colour and texture in 

your home with creativity and confidence. 

Love Living Colourfully, a course from interior 

designer Lola Swift, presents an affordable way 

to get help from a professional when designing 

your home. The eight practical videos teach you 

the secrets behind using colour to reflect your 

personality and guide you through a practical and 

easy to follow process. 

The self-paced course is perfect if you are at the 

start of your project but don’t know where to 

begin. Lola goes right back to the basics, teaching 

the user how to explore a variety of design styles 

from mid-century modern to a relaxed bohemian 

style, and learning the characteristics of tried and 

tested colour schemes. 

There is no design capability required, the 

information on the videos is designed to be fun 

and easy to digest. The videos themselves are 

10 minutes or less and the interactive exercises 

afterwards can be completed at your leisure. 

The course was designed by Lola Swift, who’s 

background as a textile designer has seen her 

knitwear on the shelves at Designer's Guild, Paul 

Smith, Selfridges and boutiques worldwide. Her 

experience with fabrics means she takes a holistic 

approach to interior design, layering colour, 

texture and pattern in interesting and exciting 

ways to create rooms with real depth and intrigue. 

Lola’s approach to the course is rooted in her 

background of offering personal design services 

and restyles. She believes starting with the 

individual's lifestyle, and personality is key to 

building a well designed home. 

A focus on sustainability is also present 

throughout the course. Lola gives you the skills 

you need to repurpose furniture and use recycled 

materials to help combat ‘fast interiors’ impact on 

the environment. 

By the end of the course, you’ll have defined 

your Style Story, having learnt how to create a 

cohesive colour palette, make considered fabric 

choices and have confidence in a design process 

that you can use on any room in your home. 

What is included in the course: 

• Eight informative videos to guide you through 

the course. 

• Detailed questionnaire to reflect on your 

ideas. 

• Downloadable documents to keep for future 

reference. 

• A completed inspirational mood board, giving 

you the foundations of your design project. 

• At the end of the course, you are invited 

to a 1-2 hour Zoom session with others on 

the course and Lola herself to share your 

completed mood board and discuss any ideas 

or queries about your design project. 

• Lifetime access to the course so you can learn 

at your own pace. 

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HOME & GARDEN 

You will learn to: 

• Discover using a mind map, to show more of 

your personality in your home. 

• Research design styles and discover your 

Style Story. 

• Choose colour pairings and create a colour 

scheme with confidence. 

• Have a deeper understanding of fabrics and 

how to choose them. 

• Form your design brief. 

• Make your design Mood Board with ease and 

clarity. 

Lola Swift, who created the course said: “When 

embarking on an interior design project, it can feel 

incredibly overwhelming. Deciding on a style, a 

colour scheme, fabrics, and soft furnishings can 

seem like a daunting task. With vast information 

available on social media, you can end up getting 

lost in someone else’s vision instead of developing 

something that reflects you as an individual. 

“That is where Love Living Colourfully comes in. 

Through the course, I will unlock your creativity 

and give you the tools and make a home that truly 

suits your personality. You’ll come away feeling 

confident and excited about the journey ahead.” 

The course is priced at £125.00 and can also be 

gifted to a loved one as a great experience class 

that can be applied to almost any interior project 

they might be embarking on. 

For more information or to enroll onto the course, 

please visit www.lolaswift.co.uk. 

About Lola Swift 

Lola Swift Interior Designed is owned by interior 

designer, Lola Swift. Lola hosts colour workshops, 

offers online room restyle packages and runs an 

online course (Love Living Colourfully) that inspire 

creativity and enhance confidence for you to take 

on the project yourself. 

Lola’s in-person workshops are also available from 

her beautiful home in Bath, from 18th June. 

Based in Bath, her design services are suitable for 

residential and small businesses, encompassing 

all budgets. She encourages the use of longlasting 

materials which focus on craftsmanship 

that will stand the test of time and is passionate 

about sustainability and inspires you to repurpose 

furniture and use recycled materials. 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 0137

Ready to 

Swoon? 

swooneditions.com 

Houdini Shelving 

Wide, Natural Mango Wood, £399 

Conjure up an optical illusion with the Houdini. 

Lean the wand-like steel frame against a wall, 

then marvel as the shelves trick your eyes, 

almost defying the laws of physics... but not 

quite! 

www.swooneditions.com/houdini-art-deco-stylewide-shelving-unit-natural-mango-wood 

Aravali Drinks Trolley 

Brass, Green & White Marble, £269 

The master of mixing materials, the Aravali was 

designed to showcase contrast - and now it displays 

your treasured tipples, too. Simple, crisp Deco design 

with a warm 20s' colour palette - to bring your cocktail 

party roaring to life one Espresso Martini at a time. 

Design by Tom Goodbun 

www.swooneditions.com/aravali-art-deco-style-bartrolley-brass-green-white-marble 


houseof Diffuser Floor Lamp 

Lilac, £169 

With a stunning oversized head and tripod base, 

the houseof charcoal grey floor lamp is the perfect 

statement piece for a living room or bedroom. The 

LED diffuser reflects a warm illuminating glow. 

www.swooneditions.com/ 

houseof-diffuser-floor-lamp-purple-metal 

Billie Footstool 

Aubergine Velvet & Dark Stain, £229 

It may be small, but the Billie has masses of Mid- 

Century charm. As soon as we saw it, we were sold. 

Simple - misleadingly so - this footstool will add a 

touch of velvet luxe and a pop of colour to your living 

room. 

www.swooneditions.com/ 

billiefootstool#billiefootstoolevelvetauberginedark 

139


NEW SKILLS & FRESH AIR 

New apps to simplify 

extension applications 

Two new web apps will help homeowners improve and extend their homes 

• Two new web apps will put planning at 

people’s fingertips, making the extension 

application process easier to navigate for 

homeowners 

• Public-facing app to help homeowners and 

developers check whether their planning 

applications can be quickly approved 

• App for planners to speed up processing of 

applications for extensions and other home 

improvements 

Two new web apps launched today (30 June 2021) 

will help homeowners improve and extend their 

homes. 

The two apps, announced by Housing Secretary 

Robert Jenrick, are a step towards a fully digital 

planning system and will save time and money 

for developers, architects and homeowners by 

speeding up and simplifying the application 

process. 

Many home improvements, such as kitchen 

extensions and loft conversions, don’t need full 

planning permission but the rules are complicated 

and often result in people submitting invalid 

applications for ‘permitted developments’, wasting 

time and money. 

The new app for homeowners uses simple language 

and diagrams to help navigate the system. It asks 

0140- 

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CATEGORY 

TITLE HOME OF CATEGORY 

& GARDEN 

a series of questions, and determines whether the 

plans meet local and national requirements. Users 

can then apply within the app for the certificate 

they need to show their plans are permitted 

development, allowing building to go ahead. 

A second app will help council planning officials 

manage permitted development applications – 

tracking progress and putting the information they 

need to make decisions in a user-friendly format. 

It puts the focus on data rather than documents, 

helping planners make decisions much more 

quickly and efficiently. 

The apps are being tested in 3 areas including 

Buckinghamshire. They are a first step towards the 

aim, outlined in last year’s ‘Planning for the future’ 

white paper, of replacing the current outdated, 

paper-based system with one that is digital from 

start to finish – doing away with hundred-page 

PDFs and inaccessible information, and putting 

data and decision-making in the palm of your hand. 

Secretary of State for Housing Rt Hon Robert 

Jenrick MP said: 

"We want to speed up the planning process, to help 

families make improvements to their homes more 

quickly. These apps are a step towards a planning 

system that is transparent, efficient, and end-toend 

digital – saving time and money for developers, 

architects and homeowners, and letting planners 

focus on the merits of applications rather than 

chasing paperwork." 

Rob Bristow, Lambeth’s Director of Planning, 

Transport and Sustainability commented: 

"Around half of the planning applications we receive 

in Lambeth are found to be invalid – mostly because 

people have difficulty interpreting the complex 

planning requirements to make valid applications. 

The RIPA app will guide users through the rules, 

based on what they want to do and where in the 

borough their property is, to see whether their 

plans meet the requirements. 

Along with the BoPS app, which will see a hugely 

improved back-end system for planners to use in 

their assessments, these exciting new tools will not 

only provide an enhanced experience for property 

owners, they will also enable interested parties 

such as neighbours to be consulted sooner, and 

help planning officers process applications more 

effectively." 

The project is currently in BETA stage. This will 

run until at least November 2021. During this 

time we will be private BETA testing the services 

with applicants from Lambeth, Southwark and 

Buckinghamshire. 



HOME & GARDEN 

Upcycling Project: 

Terrarium Lamp 

Jeyes Fluid, the British heritage brand that’s 

been proudly keeping the nation’s gardens clean 

for over 140 years, aunched its Creative Spaces 

initiative in June, by partnering up with Melanie 

Lissack, the award winning interior stylist, writer 

and influencer. Together, they are helping to 

inspire Brits on how people can easily repurpose 

tired furniture, leftover materials in the home and 

upcycle them to transform their gardens. 

To help give you inspiration, here is how to use an 

old mason jar to create an Insta-worthy terrarium 

lamp: 

Tools and materials needed: 

• Bucket 

• Jeyes Fluid 

• Sponge, cloth or stiff brush 

• 1 gallon mason jar 

• Terrarium kit 

• Terrarium plants 

• Garden gloves 

• Drill 

• Lamp wiring kit for glass jar 

• Lampshade in a colour of your choice 

Method 

Creating the lamp base 

1. To clean your mason jar - use a measuring 

jug, pour 5000ml of water and 250ml of Jeyes 

Fluid into a bucket. 

2. Jeyes heritage tin has been replaced, so look 

out for its new recyclable plastic bottle with 

an updated formula as part of its commitment 

to help pave the way for a more sustainable 

future. 

3. Wear some rubber gloves for protection. Dip a 

cloth, sponge or stiff brush inside the solution 

and use it on the inside and outside of the 

mason jar. Then rinse the jar and allow it to 

completely dry. 

4. Use the terrarium kit to fill your mason jar. 

Start with small stones and pebbles for the 

base for water drainage purposes. 

5. Grab a small handful of moss and place it on 

top of the pebbles. 

6. Layer three or four spoonfuls of soil on top of 

the moss to give your succulents a base to 

put their roots into. 

7. Create a shallow hole in the soil where you will 

place your succulent. 

8. Place your succulent in the hole you made and 

cover the exposed roots with the soil. 

9. Add some pebbles to cover the soil, and then 

anything else you want in order to personalise 

your terrarium. 

10. Use the plastic tweezers in the kit to arrange 

your decorations and plants. 

*The kit comes with a plastic spray bottle which 

we recommend using once a month on the 

terrarium to keep it fresh. 

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HOME & GARDEN 

Creating the lamp 

1. Drill a hole in the centre of the metal lid of the 

mason jar ready to attach the lampshade. 

2. Follow the instructions that accompany the 

lamp kit to construct it. 

3. (We used the jar lamp wiring kit for table 

lamps KIT29 as the plug already comes wired 

which makes it easier for amateur DIY-ers). For 

support you can also find guides on YouTube. 

*Ensure you do not have the kit plugged in when 

doing this step and keep away from water. 

4. Add the bulb 

5. Add a lampshade design of your choice 

For more Creative Spaces ideas, please visit 

www.JeyesFluid.co.uk 


Avebury blue - £14 pillow-case, £55 duvet cover 

The Cotswold Company 

bedding collection 

The Cotswold Company has just launched its 

latest range of luxury bedding. 

Renowned for its furniture expertise, the brand 

will this year be celebrating its 25th anniversary, 

cementing its place as one of Britain’s best in 

the industry. In celebration of this milestone, 

the brand is expanding its product offering to 

become a one-stop destination for all high-quality, 

beautiful homeware. 

Two years in the making, the collection fuses 

master craftmanship with a quality, luxury finish. 

To achieve this, The Cotswold Company set about 

scouring the globe for the best weavers and 

tailors to produce the finest bed linen to add to its 

already extensive product portfolio. 

The latest collection hails from Northern Portugal, 

in the small hamlet of Guimarães. The town is 

renowned for its rich heritage, combining an 

artisanal culture with a reputation for crafting 

high-quality bed linens. Using traditional weaving 

techniques from the region, the bedding is made 

using the very best in long staple yarn, which is 

stronger and of a higher quality than cotton made 

from short fibre-yarn. 

The collection was made with The Cotswold 

Company’s brand ethos of high-quality, handcrafted 

pieces in mind. In addition, the range drew 

on the expertise of its recently-launched ‘The Pure 

Natural Collection’ of mattresses, highlighting the 

importance of sleep in leading a healthy, stressfree 

life. This comes following recent studies into 

how crucial a good night’s sleep is in improving 

one’s mental health and wellbeing. 

The bedding collection comes in three distinct 

styles: Hatherley, Avebury and Mickleton. 

The Hatherley sports a beautiful solid border with 

intricate lace detailing, adding a charming finish 

evocative of a quintessentially English aesthetic. 

144 


Hatherley blue - £25 pillow-case, £75 duvet cover 

The Avebury’s embroidered border 

contrasts well against the crisp white finish 

of the bedding, with an exquisite, crossstitched 

design epitomising a country-chic 

look. 

Finally, the Mickleton, with its timeless 

embroidered detail, offers a versatile and 

neutral aesthetic sure to complement any 

bedroom. 

The bedding collection is available from £50 

for duvet covers, with pillow cases starting 

at £14. 

The bedding collection can be purchased 

directly from www.cotswoldco.com. 




Dreamy Tablescapes 

How to create a stunning tablescape - brunch inspiration & dinner decor 

A tablescape is meant to elevate an entertaining 

experience. It’s a way to show your guests that you 

care about them and that the meal is special. This 

doesn’t have to be something that you spend a ton 

of money on or even any money at all! 

Another source of inspiration comes from looking 

around the shops, The Range or Home Sense 

spring to mind straight away and just by buying 

one particular item, could lead to your inspiration 

for the whole tablescape. 

So where do you start? 

Some things you may want to incorporate at first: 

Basics: Dishes, Silverware, Glasses, Napkins, 

Runner/Tablecloth. 

Décor: Candlesticks, Candles, Glassware 

Flowers/Branches: Can be Faux or Natural! 

Find Your Inspiration 

The very first step in achieving your perfect 

vision is to find your inspiration and find a style 

that you actually like. A great website for research 

is Pinterest, you will definitely come across a style 

that you love. 

Alternatively, you might be inspired by seasons, 

colours, patterns or a place that you have visited, 

or dream of visiting one day. 

Bright pastel and colourful tones work best for 

spring and summer, whilst neutral and dark richer 

tones look amazing during autumn and winter. 


Create the perfect centrepiece 

It's probably best to create your centrepiece first, 

everything else will follow! 

Begin with a vase, serving plate or foliage that you 

plan to put at the centre of your display. 

Having varying heights of decor throughout really 

pays off, as this adds visual interest and attraction, 

but always make sure you are able to actually see 

your guests.. 

Adding Interest with texture 

Textures really are essential when setting up a 

tablescape and they do create a worthy look. 

Try start with a pretty tablecloth (that's' if you are 

having one) and then add the napkins, floral seems 

to work very well, you can also add more height 

by stacking plates and adding complementary 

cutlery. 

Finish off with candles, flowers or even both. The 

table shouldn't look flat, try thinking 3D! 

Embrace Mismatched Plates 

Instead of always sticking to traditional matching 

sets, try mixing and matching the dinner plates, 

side plates and bowls, this will create a unique and 

striking look. 

To show off different ceramic styles, you need to 

add variety to the table. 

However don't overload but do try to be consistent. 

Tablescapes set the mood for every event, 

whether it’s an intimate dinner party, weekend 

lunch, or just a romantic meal for two - Practice 

makes perfect! 

Twenty 30 Events really love setting up themed 

occasions, it can be anything from a Breakfast at 

Tiffany's Birthday Brunch to a children's Alice in 

Wonderland Tea Party 

www.twenty30eventsltd.com


HOME & GARDEN 

Upcycling Project: 

Sideboard 

with Furniture And Choice 

www.furniturechoice.co.uk 

148 



HOME & GARDEN 

Give a sideboard an ombré update in your favourite 

colour. Bring a chic, colourful touch to your home 

with a sideboard and some paint. 

You will need: 

Step 2 - paint the masked off section and let 

dry completely 

Paint the first section on each door and leave to 

dry completely. 

• Materials needed for a diy ombre sideboard 

• Furniture And Choice 

• Sideboard - a white sideboard with plain doors 

is ideal, but you can get creative with what you 

have 

• 4 different shades of the same paint colour 

- we used Dulux paints 90RR 31/403, 78RR 

54/274, 77RR 67/177, 64RR 80/073 (paint 

codes listed are from dark to light pink) 

Tip: Alternatively, get a tin of your favourite 

paint colour and add white paint to create 

lighter shades. 

• Paintbrush 

• Masking tape 

Step 1 - Mask off sections to plan where to paint 

Step 3 - repeat masking off and painting for 

remaining sections 

Once they’re dry, remove the masking tape 

around the painted area. Repeat the masking off 

and painting for the remaining two sections and 

colours. Leave to dry completely. 

Step 4 

When all sections are dry, peel off the masking tape 

and reattach the doors to the sideboard. 

Carefully remove the sideboard doors. Then, plan 

out four equal sections on the doors and assign a 

paint shade to each. To achieve an ombré effect, 

use the darkest colour on one end and work 

towards the lightest colour on the other end of the 

sideboard. 

Mask the first section out, making sure to go around 

the edges too. We only want the front of the doors 

to be painted. 

Step 5 

Top off your chic ombré sideboard with a plant or 

two for a fresh and homely feeling. You could even 

pair it with an indigo blue tie-dye wall art to get a 

cheerful colour palette going. 



HOME & GARDEN 

Transform your outdoor space 

Taylor Gathercole, outdoor living expert and founder of purpose-led ethical fireside living 

brand kindwood.co.uk shares some simple tips on transforming your outdoor space for 

summer entertaining 

Taylor says: “Now that the weather is warming up, 

we’re all spending more time outdoors catching up 

with friends and family. And whether you have a 

small patio garden or an expanse of lawn, making 

the most of the outdoor space you’ve got and 

creating an inviting area for entertaining needn’t 

be difficult. 

“With some forward thinking and clever hacks, 

you can transform your outdoor space not only to 

welcome, but also impress guests this summer.” 

Start simple… 

Are there any areas of your garden crying out for 

some TLC? Whether it’s giving the shed, fences or 

garden bench a fresh lick of paint or oil, or cutting 

back any hedges, it’s best to start with the areas 

that most obviously need your attention. 

If you have garden furniture, it’s worth considering 

the positioning – would you prefer tables and chairs 

in the shadiest part of the garden or the sunniest? 

Do they overwhelm the area they’re positioned in 

or perfectly balance out the space? 

great options to have to hand come BBQ season 

and fresh mint leaves work in all manner of summer 

drinks. 

Likewise, a trellis with flowering climbing plants 

such as roses, jasmine, clematis or sweet peas, 

is a great solution for creating a screen to zone 

a garden or hide unsightly walls, fences or other 

garden features. They will also add beautiful 

fragrances to your outdoor space and attract bees, 

butterflies and other pollinating insects. 

Create an outdoor kitchen… 

If you love barbecuing, why not create your own 

outdoor kitchen to enjoy year-round? 

If you don’t have the budget or time to invest in a 

built-in brick barbecue, simply zoning the immediate 

area around your current barbecue will work. A 

nearby wall or fence is ideal for shelves or racks 

to ensure all the utensils, herbs and rubs you may 

need are to hand. A dedicated BBQ table or surface 

is a good idea to ensure there’s adequate space 

for food preparation, resting and serving. This can 

be fashioned from upcycled crates or pallets for a 

more rustic feel. 

Ideally your recently planted herb collection will be 

near to your outdoor kitchen too. 

Finishing touches… 

If your outdoor space is small or dark, try adding 

mirrors, which will both flood the space with light 

and make it feel more spacious. Just make sure 

to consider what the mirror will be reflecting once 

positioned – nobody needs to see a drainpipe or 

the back of the neighbour's broken shed reflected 

back. 

Investing in some new planters or pots is the ideal 

way to add new life to an outdoor space, no matter 

how big or small it is. Consider planting fresh herbs 

around seating areas. Rosemary and thyme are 

Placed against a wall or fence and behind colourful 

flowers, a mirror will accentuate and create the 

illusion of even more beautiful blooms. 

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HOME & GARDEN 

of any social distancing measures that may still be 

in place, but also means you, as the host, won’t be 

traipsing in and out of the kitchen repeatedly and 

can focus on socialising rather than serving. 

Non-perishable snacks for kids to enjoy between 

meals - crisps, nuts, raisins and fruit leathers - can 

also be stored in shady spots in crates. 

Don’t forget to keep guests warm when the 

sun goes down… 

Bunting may sound twee, but it’s a simple and 

inexpensive way to brighten up any outdoor space 

– and it doesn’t have to be traditional. Opt for bold 

brights and geometric patterns if that’s more to 

your taste. 

Humans have forever been drawn to fire, using 

it for protection, warmth and cooking. And 

there’s still nothing quite like the primal comfort 

of watching, listening to and smelling a warm, 

crackling fire. Tale a look at the Oxburgh Fire 

Basket, £225.00 from Kindwood. 

Solar powered string lights are a must. They will 

help light the space when darkness falls and create 

an inviting twinkly atmosphere. 

Take your guests into consideration… 

As we move through spring and summer, we 

will all be spending more time outdoors and 

considering many of us haven’t seen friends and 

families for many months or even a year, there are 

sure to be some very lengthy garden gatherings. 

So make sure you have plenty of spare cushions 

and blankets to keep guests comfortable, whether 

they are sat on garden chairs or on the ground. 

To keep kids entertained (and off screens), try some 

strategically placed outdoor games. Giant jenga, 

quoits or croquet will be enjoyed by children and 

adults alike and can be a great icebreaker too! If 

you’re feeling creative, why not set up a scavenger 

hunt? And if it’s really warm, a sprinkler can provide 

the ultimate summer fun for smaller guests. 

Be mindful of any canine visitors – make sure they 

always have access to water and keep dog snacks 

on hand in case they get hungry. 

Think smart when serving food and drink… 

Store beverages in ice buckets in a shady part 

of the garden that guests can simply help 

themselves to. This will be useful not only in terms 

To ensure guests don't feel compelled to retreat 

inside once the sun sets, it’s well worth investing 

in a fire basket, fire pit or chimenea to enjoy the 

spring and summer evenings. If you want a less 

permanent addition to the garden or something 

a little more unusual, try a Swedish torch log – 

once used by the Swedish army as a way to enjoy 

instant heat and light, you can even use it to cook 

or heat up the BBQ leftovers. 

To find out more or to explore Kindwood’s range, 

visit: www.kindwood.co.uk. 



ZONES 8 & 9 

Summer at Rowan 

For those of you who have discovered Rowan 

Garden Centre in Chalfont St Giles, you’ll know 

it’s all about the plants, and some lovely bits, 

and a fantastic cafe! So summer is a real time for 

celebration. If you need some extra summer colour 

in the garden there is no better place to go. With 

its inspiring displays you’ll be spoilt for choice. 

And by choosing plants when they are in flower, 

you know exactly what you’re getting. Of course 

if you’re a little unsure, don’t hesitate to ask a 

member of the Plant Team. Rowan prides itself on 

having knowledgeable, helpful staff and all round 

excellent customer service. Owner Alison Pao 

says, ‘We have a genuine passion for plants and 

helping our customers get the garden they want. 

Rowan is quite rural and our customers don’t just 

swerve in on the off chance. They choose to come 

here, and it is our mission to ensure that want to 

keep coming back. Customers must feel free to ask 

for any advice. There are always staff on site who 

are horticulturally trained and experienced, and 

of course on the practical side, always someone 

to help load your car, or arrange delivery if you’ve 

gone a bit mad!’ 

If you’ve not yet discovered Rowan and fancy a 

trip, give yourself plenty of time. The large Plant 

Area is a delight to wander around, and in the 

shop, as well as all things gardening, there is an 

eclectic selection of gifts and greetings cards. And 

don’t forget Muddy Boots Cafe. With delightful 

views overlooking open fields, and plenty of 

outdoor seating, open or covered, you won’t be in 

a hurry to leave. Brunch, lunch and snacks are all 

152 



ZONES 8 & 9 

made freshly to order, and of course there’s always 

a selection of homemade cakes. So, if you’ve got 

a spare hour or two, why not investigate. Whilst 

only one mile down Gorelands Lane, it’s some how 

‘other worldly’. As Alison says, ‘We just do our own 

thing. We don’t aim to be all things to all men, but 

know what we love and what we’re good at. When 

I first started my career path a colleague advised 

me to ‘stick to my knitting’, and I do! On 1st July my 

business partner Chris and I will celebrate 11 years 

at Rowan. Our tenth year was probably our most 

challenging, but thanks to our loyal, supportive 

customers and an increased interest in gardening, 

it’s spurring us on to greater things.’ 

Rowan Garden Centre 

Gorelands Lane, Chalfont St Giles, 

HP8 4AB 

(Just past the Chiltern Open Air Museum) 

01494 872335 

www.rowangardencentre.co.uk 

FB & IG @rowangardencentr 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 

00153


HOME & GARDEN 

Synonymous Flowers 

Blooming Haus Celebrates Pride Month With Six Flowers That Have Come to 

Symbolise the LGBTQ Movement and Why 

As luxury floral designers working in a creative 

industry which embraces diversity, Blooming Haus 

celebrated Pride Month with a nod to six flowers 

that have helped define the history of the LGBTQ 

community movement. 

Over the years, flowers have become a hugely 

popular way to help express Pride Month. Its 

connection with flowers stems back to the 

Stonewall riots of 1970, when demonstrators 

marched in solidarity through Greenwich Village 

carrying blooms to mark the anniversary of the 

original riots - this event is regarded as the first 

ever Pride March. However, long before then, 

flowers were used to symbolise the very early 

stages of the movement, but not many people 

know that six flowers in particular are synonymous 

with the LGBTQ+ community. 

Sappho's Violets 

Oscar Wilde and Green Carnations 

Oscar Wilde made Green Carnations famous when 

he told one of the actors and some of his friends 

to wear green carnations to the opening night of 

Lady Windermere's Fan in 1892. Someone asked 

Wilde what was meant by this and he replied, 

"Nothing whatever, but that is just what nobody will 

guess." 

The Pansy 

The word "pansy" was first associated with gay 

men in the early 1900s. Underground drag balls 

were popular in Los Angeles and New York in the 

‘20s and '30s. At the time, drag performers were 

known as pansy performers. The name was a 

reference to the colourful clothing they wore. Over 

the years, the word pansy has continued to be 

used about gay men, often in a derogatory way. 

However, LGBTQ+ activists are using the beauty of 

the pansy in a life affirming way, especially during 

Pride Month. Paul Harfleet, who founded the "The 

Pansy Project" is one of the most famous of these 

activists. 

Sappho (c. 630-c.570) was a Greek poet who 

associated violets with love between two females. 

She wrote; "Together you set before more and 

many scented wreaths made from blossoms 

around your soft throat……with pure, sweet oil…you 

anointed me." 

Her writings were full of passion and they continue 

to resonate with the lesbian community today. 

Where did the term Lesbian originate from? 

Sapphos lived on the island of Lesbos, hence the 

origin of the word. 

The Rose 

A symbol of diversity during Pride Month, roses 

symbolise passion and romance. Some of 

Blooming Haus' favourite creations feature this 

famous flower. 



HOME & GARDEN 

Lavender at the Centre of Gay and 

Lesbian Communities 

The flower lavender and its colour are intricately 

linked with both gay men and lesbian women. Gay 

men were referred to as "Lavender boys" in the ‘20s 

as they were seen to be "not masculine enough." 

US writer and feminist Betty Friedan labelled 

lesbian involvement with the women's movement 

as "the Lavender Menace." Lesbian feminist 

Rita Mae Brown and other activists fought back 

against Betty Friedan by wearing t-shirts that said 

"Lavender Menace" at a women's event. Today, the 

flower and the colour lavender are still a powerful 

LGBTQ+ symbol. 

Dubbed floral engineers for their visionary 

creations, the duo behind Blooming Haus, 

master florist, Michal Kowalski, and his partner 

Michael Dariane, love the fact that their passion is 

associated with such an historic occasion. 

Blooming Haus - 500 Roses. Photographer, 

Kristin Coffer used the flower in "The Rose Project". 

She said that her aim was to honour, "the beautiful 

trans, gay, queer and non-binary community." 

Lavender roses are also popular with gay and 

lesbian couples. 

For more details on Pride Month flowers, visit: 

bloominghaus.com/news/pride-month-flowers/ 


155


STAY HOME, STAY SAFE 

Garden Cool! 

Solar Brown Oval Lantern | 

£32.95 | www.ladida-andover.com 

Create a beautiful ambience to 

alfresco dining after dusk with 

these outdoor hanging and table 

LED light ornaments with built in 

solar battery. Made with special 

paper thin waterproof and 

tear resistant material. It can 

be hung in the garden or used 

outdoors on a table as a lantern. 

Hanging hook and table stand 

included. Automatically turn on at 

dusk and off at dawn. 

Balad Portable Lights, 

Available in 3 sizes: 

Height 38cm - £169, 

Height 25cm - £79 

Height 12cm – Set of 3 - £149 

Portable outdoor lights that can be 

carried, placed on a surface, or hung, 

6 colours available. USB Chargeable 

giving up to 16 hours of light. 

156 



HOME & GARDEN 

KUHLA 17 Litre Mini Fridge - Camper Van 

£93.99, www.currys.co.uk 

Cool in design and groovy in features, the Kuhla 

camper van mini cooler is the perfect solution 

to keep your drinks and snacks close to hand 

and cool. This space saving appliance provides 

efficient refrigeration with an 'A+' energy rating 

and quiet cooling operation. 

Rabbit Chairs - As seen on love Island 2021... 

from £113 (kids) & £190 (adults) 

www.smithersofstamford.com/rabbit-chairs.html 

Made for the garden or indoors, Smithers Rabbit Chairs love nothing more than relaxing 

at home or outdoors in the sun, although the high life is never far away. Available in a 

delectable array of candy colours, with flocked and metal options these imaginative chairs 

never fail to add a whimsical touch to any space. 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SPRING / SUMMER 2021 0157


HOME & GARDEN 

Stylish Awnings 

The top five things to consider when choosing a patio awning 

with Caribbean Blinds, www.cbsolarshading. 

Patio awnings are fast becoming the external 

shading product of choice within many residential 

properties as they provide a quick, easy and 

affordable solution to transform any outdoor space. 

Both practical and stylish, awnings offer instant 

shade and shelter and can be designed and built 

to a bespoke brief. 

With travel restrictions still very much up in the air, 

outdoor living is certain to remain in full swing this 

summer as much of the UK will continue to ‘holiday 

at home’. Here are five things to be aware of when 

choosing a patio awning, taking into consideration 

fabrics, operation and installation. 

Is it fully waterproof? 

All patio awnings will get wet (especially with the 

unpredictable British weather) however, it’s how 

you look after your awning that will determine how 

it performs and lasts. Continuous and consistent 

use of a patio awning in rain showers will affect 

the look and appearance of the fabric, so leaving 

a wet awning to fully dry out before retracting 

away will help minimise any rippling or waviness 

in the material. In persistent rain showers where 

this is not possible and the fabric has to be rolled 

away while it’s still damp, it’s essential that the 

awning be opened up at the soonest opportunity 

to allow it to breathe and properly dry out. 

Choosing a premium fabric that incorporates a selfclean 

effect coating such as TEXGard® will help 

deter dirt and most importantly water from the 

surface of your awning, preventing the growth of 

mould and algae. This combined with a 14-degree 

pitch (or greater) on the awning will ensure 

rainwater will run off and not ‘pool’ on the material, 

effectively providing shelter from rain showers and 

with the additional benefit of reduced surface dirt 

and debris. 

Will it withstand strong winds? 

If extreme weather is predicted, it’s important for 

your awning to be fully retracted beforehand, as 

attempting to do this during high winds can cause 

serious damage to both the awning, the property 

and the user. If the fabric is flapping around and 

the mechanism is flexing, this is another sign that 

the awning should be rolled away.


HOME & GARDEN 

Awnings with cable tensioned folding arms will offer 

the highest wind resistance, withstanding wind 

speeds of up to 30mph. They will also help keep 

the fabric taut even in exposed locations where 

gusts and breezes can be much stronger. 

If you’ve opted for an electric awning, you can 

choose to add wind sensors that will detect the 

wind speed and automatically retract an awning 

should strong winds exceed safe levels. Whilst 

these sensors are not a fail-safe device, they do 

offer additional protection and peace of mind and 

are therefore highly recommended to protect both 

your patio awning and property. 

Is planning permissioned required? 

In the majority of cases, planning permission 

is not required for a patio awning as they are 

not considered a permanent structure (like an 

extension). However, if you live in a conservation, 

green belt or area of outstanding natural beauty, 

you will most likely need to obtain permission. 

It is always recommended to contact your local 

planning authority to check whether permission is 

required, as the rules can vary. 

motors offer even more control, enabling you to 

view the exact position of the awning via an app on 

your smartphone and adjust it to suit your needs. 

How long will it take to install? 

A professional and expert installation is just as 

important as the quality of the awning itself. 

Bespoke awnings are made to measure with 

specific brackets to suit the property in which they 

are being installed – whether that be a two-storey 

house or single storey façade such as a bungalow 

or extension – with the installation period ranging 

from less than half a day to a full day. 

Attention to detail is key, so finishing touches 

such as concealed fixing brackets and colour coordinated 

stitching on the fabric will ensure an 

elegant installation that provides exemplary cover 

and fully transforms your outdoor space. 

The width and depth of a patio awning are vital to 

how it will perform, so when deciding on the size 

of your awning you will need to consider a number 

of factors including any obstructions (trees, fences 

and pipes/guttering), the position of the sun when 

it sets and rises (as this will determine appropriate 

levels of sun protection) and whether the space 

will be used primarily for outdoor dining. For a small 

dining table, a projection of 2.5m is adequate, 

however, for a larger family or for those who like to 

entertain, a minimum projection of 3m is required 

How easy is it to use? 

Patio awnings are widely considered to be more 

versatile than other external shading systems 

including gazebos and parasols due to their ease 

of use, as well as the adequate shelter, privacy 

and instant style they add to any property. 

A motorised awning will allow you to extend and 

retract at just the touch of a button, with any addons 

such as lighting and heating operated from the 

same hand-held remote. The latest bi-directional 

Both practical and stylish, Caribbean Blinds’ 

retractable patio awnings provide instant 

shade and shelter, offering full protection 

from the elements and resulting in the 

ultimate al-fresco living space. Compatible 

with both single and two-storey façades and 

with the ability to design and build bespoke 

brackets, they have been designed with every 

application, requirement and budget in mind. 


159

Discover at Rowan… 

Plants 

galore 

Home-cooked 

food 

Al fresco 

dining 

We’re here to help you make the most of your summer. If the weather is kind, then relax and 

enjoy the sunshine at Muddy Boots Café, with its patio seating area overlooking paddocks 

and fields, or enjoy the great outdoors at home with our stunning plants for borders, pots and 

baskets – there is always someone on hand to help you choose. Spoil yourself with outdoor 

tableware, hurricane lamps and scented candles. Wishing you fun in the sun with family and 

friends. We look forward to seeing you soon. The Rowan Team 

Gorelands Lane • Chalfont St Giles • HP8 4AB • www.rowangardencentre.co.uk • 01494 872335

ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LATEST COVID REGULATIONS 

Days Out


DAYS OUT 


Birdland Park & Gardens 

One of the great joys of the summer holidays 

is finding a new adventure for the family. While 

this year is proving to be less challenging than 

2020, many of us will be re-thinking our summer 

plans as travel to far away destinations is still 

proving tricky. 

We may not be able to travel abroad, but we are 

lucky to live a wonderfully exciting part of the 

world. We have a huge variety of new adventures 

on our doorsteps, ready to be discovered. 

An hour or so west of the heart of Metroland are 

the Cotswold Hills and one of the most beautiful 

villages in the world, Bourton-on-the-Water. 

Birdland is set in nine acres of gardens and 

woodland, creating a picturesque canopy for the 

winding River Windrush. 

Birdland, don't have their own carpark however 

there is a public car park 200 metres away. 

The parking is very reasonably priced (pay-byphone), 

but it's definitely be worth leaving a little 

bit of extra time to allow for parking as Bourtonon-the-water 

is can get very busy, especially at 

peak times. 

We love safari and wildlife adventures. One of 

our favourite places to visit is a conservation 

trust on the South coast, and so we were 

excited to visit Birdland and find out more about 

the birds that live there. Set in nine acres of 

parkland, Birdland offers the chance to come 

nose-to-beak with over 500 different birds. 

The sheer variety of different species, from 

penguins to owls and flamingos to parrots, 

means that there is something new around 

every corner. 

Two species of flamingos, pelicans, cranes and 

waterfowl live in their riverside habitats with 

many more inhabiting over 50 aviaries. Birdland 

is home to England’s only breeding group of 

King Penguins and the comical Humboldts who 

will happily show off for you mid swim! 



DAYS OUT 

There are scheduled feeding times and talks that 

allow visitors to witness the birds eating their lunch. 

The keepers are clearly passionate and committed 

to the care of the residents. 

The Pandemonium of Parrots area homes 

beautifully vibrant and colourful parrots from 

macaws to lorikeets and you must visit the 

Parliament of Owls and meet a real life Hedwig! 

When the time comes for you to seek out your 

own refreshments, an on-site restaurant called 

the Flamingo Point Café offers a choice of snacks, 

meals and drinks. Our two children (8 and 10 years 

old) were highly impressed with the hot dogs 

and chips, and we enjoyed a very naughty (but 

incredibly nice) chocolate cake. 

Birdland offers another experience – dinosaurs! 

Birds are the closest modern descendants of the 

dinosaurs, and so it is fitting that Birdland has 

created its Jurassic Journey. This is a wilderness 

walk through woodland populated by models of 

some of the most famous dinosaurs, and a few 

less-well known ones too. Kids love dinosaurs, and 

there is a trail that they can follow, learning clues 

and decoding a message. We came away as the 

proud owners of our dinosaur badges! 

Birdland is a fantastic family adventure that is 

little over an hour’s drive away, and what a drive. 

Through the heart of Oxfordshire and into the 

Cotswolds, this is some of the prettiest scenery 

that our wonderful country has to offer. With plenty 

to do and see, Birdland is a fantastic way to spend 

an afternoon with the family. Make it a day trip, or 

extend your stay in the heart of Gloucestershire 

and find out what else the Cotswolds has to offer. 

Tickets are available to purchase online at 

www.birdland.co.uk and must be booked in 

advance. Adult: £10.95 and Child: £7.95 

Open Daily from 10am (except Christmas day) 

163

Historical Days Out 

0164 

METROLAND MAGAZINE SUMMER Courtesy / AUTUMN of Bletchley 2021Park


CATEGORY 

TITLE OF CATEGORY 

DAYS OUT 

Courtesy of Bletchley Park 

Bletchley Park 

Bletchley Park is a vibrant heritage attraction and 

museum, open daily to visitors. 

It was the home of British World War Two 

codebreaking; a place where technological 

innovation and human endeavour came together 

to make ground breaking achievements that have 

helped shape the world we live in today. 

This unique site was previously a vast Victorian 

estate, where parts including the Mansion 

still survive, expanding during wartime to 

accommodate Codebreakers Huts and Blocks. 

During World War Two, the Government Code 

and Cypher School (GC&CS), now known as the 

Government Communications Headquarters 

(GCHQ), was based at Bletchley Park. It grew from 

a small team of specialists to a vast intelligence 

factory of thousands of dedicated women and 

men. This extraordinary combination of brilliant and 

determined people and cutting-edge technology 

contributed significantly to Allied victory. In tough 

conditions, they provided vital intelligence and 

developed pioneering technological innovation 

that had a direct and profound influence on the 

outcome of the war. 

Summer Opening from 09.30 to 17.00 (last 

admission 15.00) 

Book tickets - bletchleypark.org.uk 

All standard admission tickets are valid for 

unlimited free returns for a year from the date of 

your first visit to Bletchley Park. 

Admission includes complimentary use of our 

interactive Multimedia guide. Please bring your 

own earphones. Take-home earbuds will be 

available for those who need them. 

Ticket Prices 

Adults £21.00 

Concessions * £18.50 

Children (12 – 17) £12.50 

Children (Under 12) 

FREE 

Family Ticket 1** £33.60 

Family Ticket 2*** £54.60 

Friends 

FREE 

* Over 60s and students with valid ID 

** One adult and two children (aged 12 – 17) 

*** Two adults and two children (aged 12 – 17) 

Carers accompanying disabled visitors access the 

site free of charge. 


165


DAYS OUT 

Chenies Manor 

Chenies Manor House is one of the UK’s finest 

Tudor Mansion Houses. Steeped in history, the 

Grade I Listed building is set in Buckinghamshire’s 

charming estate village of Chenies and overlooks 

the Chess Valley. The venue’s grounds boast 

award winning gardens and original 13th Century 

features including a Medieval well, a dungeon and 

a reputed priest hole. 

Beautifully nestled in the natural beauty of the 

surrounding Chiltern landscape, Chenies Manor 

is open to visitors and used as Buckinghamshire’s 

choice venue for wedding ceremonies, wedding 

receptions, events, filming and guided tours. The 

idyllic rural setting of the manor also benefits 

close proximity to London and London Heathrow, 

situated just outside of the M25. 

Although it has never been occupied by Royalty, 

Chenies Manor was once known as Chenies Palace. 

The Cheyne family owned the manor from 1180 

and passed the house by marriage to the Russell 

family in 1526. Sir John Russell became the 1st Earl 

of Bedford, the progenitor of all the subsequent 

Earls and Dukes of Bedford. Henry VIII and 

Elizabeth I were visitors at the Manor and would 

have been accommodated in a grander wing, now 

where the barns stand. The manor house was the 

Russell’s principal seat until the 4th Earl, Francis, 

decided to move the family seat to Woburn around 

1627. The house was then occupied by various 

tenants and stewards until the death of the 12th 

Duke of Bedford, Hastings Russell, when some of 

the family estate was sold. Chenies Manor House 

was bought in 1956 by Colonel and Mrs Macleod 

Matthews and it is now the family home of Charles 

and Boo Macleod Matthews. 

Open every Monday and Tuesday from Monday 

19th April to the end of October 2021 2-5pm. Due 

to current government restrictions, the house is 

currently closed. Takeaway tea/cake is available 

from our tea room. 

Please pre-book all tickets online at 

www.cheniesmanorhouse.co.uk 

Garden only: Adults £6, Children £4 

House and Garden: Adults £9, Children £5 

Children ages 3-14. Children under 3 enter free of 

charge. 

Annual Membership - You can enjoy unlimited 

visits to the Manor House and award-winning 

gardens during our Open Season from April - 

October. £32 for 2 Adults Or 

£36 for Family of 4 (2 adults and 2 children or 1 

adult and 3 children) 

166 


Chiltern Open Air 

Musuem 

Chiltern Open Air Museum was founded in 1976 

with the aim of rescuing threatened buildings. 

More than thirty historic building have now been 

saved and rebuilt at the site, and there are more 

in store. The Museum only accepts buildings that 

would otherwise be demolished. 

The Museum’s collection focuses on vernacular 

buildings – the past houses and workplaces of 

ordinary people that are gradually disappearing 

from the landscape. In the Chilterns, an Area 

of Outstanding Natural Beauty on London’s 

doorstep, the pressures of redevelopment are 

particularly great. Chiltern Open Air Museum 

preserves a heritage that would otherwise have 

been lost. 

The Museum is a registered charity and receives 

no regular grants towards its running costs or 

capital projects. We are grateful for the fantastic 

support of over 200 volunteers and the Friends 

of the Museum Association. 

Telling the story of the Chilterns through historic 

buildings, landscapes and culture for the 

enjoyment, inspiration and learning of present 

and future communities. 

Open Friday, Saturday, Sunday, Monday 

2021 Standard Admission prices 

Adult £7.50* 

Child (4 – 16 years) £6 

Children under 4 years Free 

Annual Pass Holders Free 

Tickets must be pre-booked online 

at coam.org.uk 



DAYS OUT 

Waddesdon 

Experience a perfect day out at this fairytale, 

French-style castle in Buckinghamshire. 

Step into the House and see opulent interiors and 

art treasures collected by Ferdinand de Rothschild 

especially to furnish the Manor. Explore the 

glorious gardens and hear rare birds call from the 

Aviary. Indulge with an afternoon tea in the historic 

Manor Restaurant created by our in-house chefs 

and enjoy an exhibition of dramatic large scale 

images in the exhibition Roses from my Garden, 

created by world-renowned fashion photographer 

Nick Knight. 

Open Wed-Sun, 10am-5pm (last Grounds admission 

3pm and last House admission at 2.40pm). 

Advance booking of Grounds admission, buses 

and parking is essential for all visitors. 

A separate ticket is required for each additional 

element of your visit – House entry, Afternoon Tea, 

some exhibitions and events, parking and buses. 

All visitors, including National Trust members, 

are advised to book House entry with Grounds 

Admission as capacity is limited and we are selling 

out at weekends. 

Tickets for visits up to 31 October are on sale at 

waddesdon.org.uk 

168 



DAYS OUT 

Claydon House 

Claydon house was originally built with a domed 

rotunda attached to the north side of the present 

west wing and an identical wing containing a 

vast ballroom beyond that. The rotunda and wing 

containing the ballroom were demolished in 1791. 

The present Claydon House is almost entirely 18th 

century and was built on a grand scale by Ralph 

2nd Earl Verney. Lord Verney wanted his house to 

rival nearby Stowe in magnificence. 

You can visit a collection of replica costumes and 

try them on yourself or find a scrapbook to read. 

There are places where you can sit and take your 

time to look at the internal decorations of the 

house or children can lie on Florence Nightingale's 

bed. 

Make yourself comfortable on a sofa and marvel 

at the intricacies of the exuberant 18th century 

carved interiors. They've taken down the ropes in 

many of the rooms so you can enjoy the experience 

just as their 18th century ancestors would have. 

They have many artefacts on display in the museum 

room on the first floor. These include some ancient 

silk slippers, a regimental suit, a number of stuffed 

birds, watercolours and various objects from the 

Crimean wars. In addition they are very lucky to 

have a remarkably preserved Javanese gamelan, 

which is a set of musical instruments that include 

some glockenspiel type instruments and a set of 

suspended gongs. Played together as a group, 

the gamelan brings communities together for 

religious, spiritual and political music and dancing. 

A dedicated team of volunteer conservationists 

work closely with the conservation house manager. 

Their main goal is to preserve the structure and 

integrity of Claydon, from the wonderful marquetry 

on the main staircase through to the collection of 

ancient texts in the library and everything you see 

in between. 

The House is open Fridays and Saturdays 

House and South Lawn 

Adult £10.00 

Child £5.00 

Family £25.00 

Family One Adult £15.00 

National trust members FREE 

All under 5s are admitted free to the house and 

gardens. Parking is free of charge. 

Please book in advance 

www.nationaltrust.org.uk/claydon 


What's on at Waddesdon 

July - September 2021 

From the return of Colourscape to the first ever 

evening of Jazz at the Manor, there is something 

for everyone at Waddesdon this summer. We’re 

also incredibly excited to announce a one-off 

opportunity to hear Nick Knight talking about his 

Roses from my Garden exhibition in an online tour 

on Mon 28 June. Having photographed celebrities 

such as Kanye West, and more recently Malala for 

the cover of Vogue, this event offers an exciting 

opportunity to find out more about Knight’s 

creative process. There will also be an opportunity 

for questions at the end. 

The Nick Knight: Roses from my Garden exhibition 

is running until 31 October 2021, and on 16 June 

we’ll also be opening Gustave Moreau: The Fables 

in the manor. Find more details below. To provide 

a Covid-safe visit we continue to operate timed 

admissions, with all tickets pre-bookable online 

www.waddesdon.org.uk 

Artisan Food Market 

Second Saturday of the month, 10am-2pm 

Enjoy, locally produced, artisan products at 

Waddesdon’s Artisan Food Market. Come along on the 

second Saturday of each month to find vegetables, 

meats, fish, dairy, baked goods and much more… 

Free entry and parking 

Colourscape 

28 July – 8 Aug, 10.30am-4.30pm 

Immerse yourself in an endless labyrinth of intense light, 

colour, space and music in 56 interlinked chambers, 

the largest Colourscape creation ever. Colourscape is 

for visitors of all ages and promises an experience you 

will not forget. 

Adult £6, Child £4. Normal grounds admission applies. 

Tickets on sale w/c 21 June. 

170 



CATEGORY 


DAYS OUT 

Tudor Tales with Unbound Theatre 

Sunday 25 July, 2-4.30pm 

Join Unbound Theatre for a free performance on the 

lawn by the Woodland Cafe. Discover the story of 

England’s most (in)famous dynasty in this hilarious 

whistle-stop sketch show full of brilliant gags, 

fascinating facts, and a lot of wigs… 

Free event with grounds admission 

Eythrope Walled Garden Tour 

Every Wednesday until 13 Oct 

Discover the four-acre walled garden, glasshouses and 

orchard at Eythrope, the private Rothschild garden. 

Visits are by guided tour only, and last approximately 

90 minutes. Enjoy a light meal with savoury and sweet 

elements inspired by the seasonal produce from 

Eythrope and created by the Manor Restaurant’s inhouse 

chefs. 

Adult £50. Includes a meal in the Manor Restaurant 

and complimentary admission to the grounds 

Afternoon teas 

Manor Restaurant 

Treat yourself and the family to a sumptuous afternoon 

tea, with a selection of savoury treats and sweet 

fancies. Make it extra special by adding a glass of 

Waddesdon English sparkling wine. 

Adult £25, grounds admission applies 

Gustave Moreau: The Fables 

Until 17 Oct 2021 

Gustave Moreau (1826-98) was one of the most brilliant 

and influential artists associated with the French 

Symbolist movement. This exhibition aims to display 

some of the most important works he ever made, 

unseen in public for over a century. 

Exhibition tickets can be booked online with house and 

grounds admission 



DAYS OUT 

Jazz at the Manor 

Friday 20 Aug, 6pm 

Bring a chair and a picnic, and while away a summer’s 

evening by enjoying a live jazz performance in the 

beautiful surroundings of Waddesdon’s gardens. 

Adult £32, Child £16 

Pop Up Festival of Children's Literature 

Thur 19 – Sun 22 Aug, 10am-5pm 

A summer showcase of some of the best children’s 

writers, illustrators and storytellers, enjoy readings, 

performances and activities for the whole family. 

Free with normal grounds admission. 

Chilli Fest 

Fri 3, Sat 4 & Sun 5 Sept 2021, 10am-5pm 

Save the date for Waddesdon’s annual Chilli festival, 

taking place in the beautiful Aviary Gardens. With 

handpicked exhibitors, all passionate about chilli, 

the festival guarantees to bring you the best of local 

artisan producers as well as some of the nation’s best 

loved independent traders from across the country. 

Running for a day longer than ever before, the weekend 

will also offer live music, family fun and children’s craft 

activities, as well as the opportunity to walk around 

Waddesdon’s gardens. 

For more information and to book visit 

www.waddesdon.org.uk/whats-on 

172 



CATEGORY 


DAYS OUT 

We’ve changed our name 

Bucks County Museum has changed its 

name to Discover Bucks Museum 

Our new name 

As we launch our new galleries this September, 

we are completely transforming what we offer our 

visitors, so we thought this is a great time for a 

new identity. We are still the same great people 

with a wonderful line up of exhibitions and events 

- a space to explore, learn and wonder about 

Bucks and to find out about the stories of people 

and places in this area and beyond. 

Our new summer 

exhibition Dinosaurs 

Uncovered opened 

on 26th June. 

Dinosaurs Uncovered 

is an exciting familyfriendly 

exhibition that 

showcases stunning 

skeleton and fossil casts 

from dinosaurs and other prehistoric beasts. A 

must-see for dinosaur fans of all ages. Dinosaurs 

Uncovered runs from 26 June until 18 September 

2021. Visit www.buckscountymuseum.org to book. 

Our new website has just launched! 

With a brand new name comes a brand new 

website. It’s a fantastic place to find out what we 

are up to, what we have coming up and to explore 

star objects in our collections, as well as charges, 

opening times and booking information. You’ll see 

a new website but it will be under our old name for 

a few more weeks www.buckscountymuseum.org 

Our new galleries – opening September 

Our new galleries are called Discover Bucks and 

tell the stories of Bucks people and places from 

200 million years ago to today. Explore Geology, 

Archaeology, Bucks People, Art and Wildlife and 

discover amazing objects with incredible stories 

from the museum’s collections. 



DAYS OUT 

Summer '21 Festivals & Events 

www.visitbuckinghamshire.org 

July 

Penn Fest has been bringing live music to the 

small Buckinghamshire village of Penn for 10 years 

now. This year's festival is taking place 23rd & 24th 

July and features Razorlight, Rag 'n' Bone Man 

and the Brand New Heavies amongst others. 

www./pennfest.net 

Milton’s epic poems punctuated with the music 

of J.S. Bach, and two staged performances of 

Handel’s popular pastoral opera, Acis & Galatea. 

Contemporary dance group BirdGang Ltd are also 

performing to traditional Baroque dance music. 

Bring a picnic and make good use of the onsite 

bar for a delightful cultural evening. 

www.visitbuckinghamshire.org/attraction/thevache-baroque-festival 

Taking place on the Claydon Estate for the first 

time, the Towersey Festival, 27th - 30th August, 

is one of the biggest folk live music festivals in the 

UK and draws big names for a weekend of music, 

events, well-being classes and camping. 

www.towerseyfestival.com/2021-tickets/ 

September 

The inaurgural Bucks Culture Open Weekend, 

22nd - 25th July, is celebrating and showcasing 

the diverse range of culture and creativity 

in Buckinghamshire with tours, trails, music, 

performances, exhibitions and activities. 

www.buckinghamshireculture.wordpress.com/ 

projects/open-weekend/ 

Kop Hill Climb is a two day event celebrating the 

golden era of motorsport with both period cars 

and motorcycles once more storming the famous 

hill. Veteran, Classic & Exotic Cars and Motorcycles 

participate in the event. Booking is now open for 

hill run entries. 

www.kophillclimb.org.uk 

August 

The Vache Baroque Festival runs from 28 

August to 5 September with a varied programme 

of opera, dance and drama. Highlights include 

Bach and Milton: Paradise and Pandemonium, 

a dramatic reading of extracts from John 

Just over the border in Oxfordshire, the Thame 

Food Festival is back on 25th and 26th 

September with food stalls from artisan producers, 

live demos, pop-up pub and gin garden, live music 

and children's activities. 

www.thamefoodfestival.co.uk/ 

174 

METROLAND MAGAZINE AUTUMN SUMMER // WINTER AUTUMN 2020 2021


DAYS OUT 

Spa Day's: Our Top 5 

Bodhi Tree Spa 

Bodhi Tree Spa, a touch of 5-star luxury located in 

the exclusive Audley Development in Chalfont St 

Peter, Buckinghamshire. They offer a full range of 

spa treatments, spa days and also have an onsite 

hair salon. 

The philosophy of Bodhi Tree Spa is restoring the 

natural balance between the body and mind with a 

holistic approach to beauty on both the inside and 

the outside. They believe that relaxing your body 

will rejuvenate your mind and refresh your senses. 

The team of experienced beauty therapists pride 

themselves in taking the time to understand 

the needs of their guests and deliver a tailored 

treatment or program to all their clients. 

They have 2 treatment rooms and a hair salon with 

a nail bar, where they can pamper to your every 

beauty need. 

Day Club Spa visitors and Club Members can 

enjoy the use of the onsite facilities – an indoor 

heated pool, sauna, fitness studio with a range 

of equipment and fitness programs. You can also 

treat yourself to lunch or afternoon tea in a relaxed 

vibe in the bistro & bar area or in elegant fine dining 

at The Lytton on-site restaurant. The atmosphere 

is your choice! 

Bodhi Tree Spa's aim is to ensure you look and feel 

your best. 

Relax your body, rejuvenate your mind and refresh 

your senses. 

Visit www.bodhitreespa.co.uk for their treatment 

menu and more information. 


175


DAYS OUT 

Whittlebury Spa in rural 

Northamptonshire which is just 

over an hour’s drive from South 

Bucks. 

Nestled in hundreds of acres of 

ancient parkland Whittlebury Spa 

features a salt sauna, steam room, 

experience showers, hydrotherapy 

pool, ice cave, tepidarium, jacuzzi 

and 19-metre swimming pool with 

bubble jets. There are 32 treatment 

rooms, offering a range of indulgent 

treatments for men and women 

including facials, detoxifying wraps 

and beauty essentials from the 

houses of Elemis, ESPA, Payot and 

Jessica. 

Whittlebury Spa 

Spa days start from £99 per person, 

to include a treatment, lunch and spa 

experience (including heat and ice). 

www.whittlebury.com/spa 

Relax and unwind in the 

luxurious and tranquil 

surroundings or indulge in an 

unrivalled range of face and 

body treatments. Find time for 

yourself around our 20-metre 

azure blue swimming pool - the 

perfect place to wind down and 

rejuvenate by the poolside or 

take time out in the jacuzzi, 

steam room and sauna. 

Spa Illuminata 

Danesfield House 

Discover our spa days and spa 

breaks is this luxury spa retreat 

where guests discover a warm 

and welcoming haven of peace 

and tranquillity. 

Spa Illuminata offers an escape 

from everyday life, where both 

mind and body are restored and 

reenergized. 

danesfieldhouse.co.uk/spa 

176 



DAYS OUT 

Banya No.1 is an authentic Russian bath 

experience in Hoxton, London. 

Russian steam rooms, plunge pool, hot stone and 

treatment rooms and a rest and recovery area with 

traditional Russian food and drinks, it’s a place to 

discover a whole new culture and relax in. 

Open to both members and non-members. Their 

wellness treatments use strictly natural and organic 

ingredients, their most notable being Parenie, an 

invigorating thermal treatment using leafy and 

fragrant bundles of birch, oak and eucalyptus twigs. 

Their cosy rest area is furnished with a comfortable 

booth where you can enjoy freshly made herbal tea 

with your Russian meal. You can even finish off with a 

shot of Russian Standard vodka. 

Banya No.1 

Packages for couples or groups are available and you 

can also hire their Taiga log cabin if you’d like a private 

experience that avoids sharing with others, not in 

your circle. 

https://gobanya.co.uk/ 

A warm and friendly welcome awaits 

you at Crystal Palace. Our experienced 

staff will help make your Hamam 

experience thoroughly enjoyable and 

unforgettable. Designed to respect 

the body’s complex physiology, our 

therapies work in natural synergy 

with the skin, body and mind. Every 

treatment is specifically designed 

to offer a unique experience, using 

powerful massage sequences and 

the most potent actives available 

in the world today. Crystal Palace 

has achieved the highest end in 

architecture and managed to put an 

original Marble Wet Room, a Moroccan 

Bath room and a separate steam room 

together under one roof. Depending 

on your level of your heartbeat you can 

enjoy different levels of temperature 

and humidity. 

Crystal Palace 

Spa 

crystalpalacespa.com/turkish-bath 



DAYS OUT 

Fancy a picnic? 

Everyone loves a picnic and fortunately, here in 

Buckinghamshire we are lucky enough to have some 

wonderful picnicing spots, from the grounds of our 

historic houses, to parks, open countryside and forest 

glades. Grab your rug and basket and head to one of 

these options. 

Our many historic homes and National Trust properties 

encourage picnics and you can choose from formal 

grounds to parkland to woods. At Hughenden, you 

can use the picnic benches in the orchard and watch 

the children play in the natural play area or find a shady 

spot on the north lawn. Or head to the east slope 

where you'll get a view of the valley and the Chilterns. 

At Waddesdon Manor, the most popular picnic area is 

the lawn below the parterre where you can admire the 

formal planting and enjoy the view across Aylesbury 

Vale, but there are plenty of options in their extensive 

grounds. Stowe has acres of beautiful parkland with 

Grecian temples and wonderful views to choose from. 

The south lawn by the Octagon lake with Stowe House 

at your back is being restored back to its eighteen 

century heyday and is the perfect place for a picnic. 

Cliveden has a wealth of picnic spots, including the 

Picnic Spot with tables between the walled garden 

and the cafe, the Water Garden and down by the river 

on the banks of the Thames. 

Buckinghamshire's many parks are also perfect for 

picnics. Black Park, Willen Lake, Campbell Park to 

name but a few or head to Wendover Woods and 

find a secluded glade amongst the trees. With all 

the beautiful countryside on our doorsteps, why not 

just head out for a walk or cycle with your picnic and 

discover a new picnic spot just for you? 

nationaltrust.org.uk/hughenden 

waddesdon.org.uk 

nationaltrust.org.uk/stowe 

nationaltrust.org.uk/cliveden 

This article originally appeared on 

www.visitbuckinghamshire.org 

0178 



DAYS OUT 

Let's go to the Movies... 

Black Widow (pg) 

Release Date: 8th July 2021 

Runtime: 2 hours 13 minutes 

The Black Widow is a much-loved Marvel comic 

character and a member of the famous superhero 

group The Avengers. The one and only Scarlett 

Johansson portrays Natasha Romanoff’s life post- 

'Captain America: Civil War' (2016) when she has 

to confront a dangerous conspiracy linked to her 

distant past. 

In this movie, finally with us 14 months late, viewers 

will see Natasha dealing with some quests under 

the Red Room spy training program that are set 

in between the plotlines of 'Civil War and Infinity 

War', and before she joined the Avengers. A cast 

of top actors join in as the Widow’s trusty allies. 

Florence Pugh, the lead actress from horror movie 

'Midsommar ', stars as Yelena Belova, a member 

of the Red Room training program. Rachel Weisz 

also makes an important appearance as Melina 

Vostokoff, a trained spy in the Red Room and a 

mother figure to Romanoff and Belova. 'Stranger 

Things ' actor David Harbour also helps battle 

her enemies as Alexi Shostakov, a.k.a. the Red 

Guardian. Over on the bad guys' side, the character 

Taskmaster is set to take over the Red Room. The 

villain has the uncanny ability to mimic the fighting 

moves of his opponents and his mission is a 

mystery – as is his true identity and even certainty 

over which actor is playing him (believed to be OT 

Fagbenle or even Weisz as Vostokoff!). 

Scarlett Johansson once again shows her 

capability as a leading action star. She executes 

every action sequence perfectly while adding 

flair to the dramatic moments. Pugh also shines 

as a supporting character and shows her range 

as a tenacious young warrior. A strong first film 

for a budding franchise in the Marvel Cinematic 

Universe. 'Black Widow' was supposed to be 

released on May 1st, 2020, but was pushed back 

three times due to Covid-19 pandemic restrictions. 

You will now be able to see it in theatres around 

you or buy Premiere access to stream it on Disney 

Plus after July 9th, 2021. 



DAYS OUT 

Let's go to the Movies... 

(including SNL’s Pete Davidson as Blackguard) work 

together to complete a mission that their lives 

and freedom depend on. However, they discover 

horrible secrets in the process. As members of 

Task Force X, the imprisoned convicts of Belle 

Reve penitentiary are sent to the South American 

island of Corto Maltese to destroy Jotunheim. A 

Nazi-era prison and laboratory, it was used to hold 

political prisoners and lab rats for their inhumane 

experiments. During the mission, they come into 

conflict with Starro, a gigantic and telepathic alien 

starfish. Margot Robbie makes her return to the 

franchise, still playing as the psychiatrist-turnedcriminal 

Harley Quinn. Different from the previous 

movies, she wears a new costume that features 

red and black colour palette from the video game 

'Batman: Arkham City'. 

The Suicide Squad 

Release Date: 30th July 2021 

Belle Reve penitentiary keeps the worst 

supervillains locked away and, needless to say, 

has the highest mortality rate in the country. 

Everyone in there would do anything to get out, 

including joining a suicide mission as part of Task 

Force X, headed by agent Amanda Weller (Viola 

Davis). If selected, convicts are charged with 

traveling to Corto Maltese, a fictional island in 

South America, to destroy a Nazi-era prison and 

laboratory. 

Beloved psychopaths and lunatics Harley 

Quinn (Margot Robbie), Bloodsport (Idris Alba), 

Peacemaker (John Cena), Captain Boomerang 

(Jai Courtney), Rick Flag (Joel Kinnaman), King 

Shark (voiced by Sylvester Stallone) and others 

'The Suicide Squad' has twice the antics of 

the original movie. The addition of King Shark 

becomes the centrepiece as its character in the 

'Harley Quinn' animated series is adored by fans. 

With a similar name to its predecessor 'Suicide 

Squad' (2016), director James Gunn says that while 

it was initially meant to be a sequel, it is also a 

stand-alone film. So, first-time viewers can watch 

it without having to worry about catching up on 

the story. Gunn, who directed Marvel Cinematic 

Universe’s 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and its 2017 

sequel 'Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2', is set to 

begin development on 'Guardians of the Galaxy 

Vol. 3' after the completion of his work on 'The 

Suicide Squad'. This makes him the first director 

to have directed both an MCU and a DC film. 

'The Suicide Squad' was set to be released in UK 

theatres on August 6th, 2021, but now will come 

out at an earlier date. It will be in theatres on July 

30th, 2021, available in the US from August 6th, 

and on HBO Max for one month starting on that 

same date. 

180 


007: No Time To Die 

Release Date: 30th September 2021 

Runtime: 2 hours 43 minutes 

Bond is back. This time, Daniel Craig’s fifth 

‘007’ movie arrives rather late due to multiple 

postponements caused by a global health crisis. 

‘No Time to Die’ is the 25th instalment in the ‘James 

Bond’ film franchise. Craig himself has said this will 

be his final Bond film, which is directed by Cary 

Joji Fukunaga from a screenplay by Neal Purvis, 

Robert Wade, Fukunaga, and ‘Fleebag’ actor-writer 

Phoebe Waller-Bridge. 

Five years after capturing supervillain Ernst 

Stavro Blofeld, James Bond (Daniel Craig) is now a 

retired MI6 agent, leading a normal life in Jamaica. 

His peace of mind is ruined when his CIA friend 

Felix Leiter (Jeffrey Wright) turns up asking for 

help. He is tasked with finding a missing scientist, 

Valdo Obruchev (David Dencik). His rescue mission 

leads him to the discovery of a terrorist plot that 

could destroy the world. ‘No Time to Die’ is what 

Daniel Craig deserves to end his Bond era. Craig 

saw no small amount of negative vitriol thrown at 

him when he was cast as agent 007, and this film 

is his ultimate way of proving the haters wrong. 

What makes Craig’s performance so good is he is 

able to show multiple sides of the legendary spy 

character. The layers in this movie are interesting 

as they give each character, even the minor ones, 

unique traits. 

The film also has a myriad of brutal, but not 

over-the-top, action sequences. Every move is 

intricately set up and the editing does justice to 

the beautiful fight choreography. The production 

team put extra attention on the sound design as 

it becomes a highlight, too. ‘No Time to Die’ was 

initially set for release in November 2019, but it 

was postponed due to Danny Boyle’s departure. It 

has also been postponed several times due to the 

Covid-19 pandemic, but MGM later stated that the 

movie is set for release on 30th September in the 

UK and 8th October in the US. 



DAYS OUT 

Creams Cafe 

Sweetening up your summer 

Dreaming of perfect puddings and delicious 

desserts? Creams Cafe has you covered! Famed 

for its fabulously flamboyant treats, the UK’s 

favourite dessert destination is sweetening up our 

towns and cities this summer with the launch of a 

brand-new menu. 

Joining the roster of signature sundaes, thick 

and creamy freak shakes, and loaded waffles, 

pancakes and crepes, are Creams’ new cookie 

dough stuffed waffles. A dreamy combination 

of hot cookie dough baked inside a waffle, with 

a choice of three indulgent flavours. Options 

include the decadent Chocolate Forest – a crisp 

golden waffle stuffed with white cookie dough 

and topped with forest fruit sorbet, strawberries, 

and white chocolate sauce; to the Banana-Scoff 

– a milk chocolate cookie dough waffle covered 

with banana slices, banoffee gelato, Lotus spread 

and crumbled Lotus Biscoff – it’s a match made in 

heaven. 

Sure to make even the toughest of cookies 

crumble, Creams has also launched a new 

range of cookie dough sundaes. Combining 

cookie dough, creamy Italian-style gelato, and 

soft vanilla ice cream, opt for the Cookie Dough 

Crush – topped with cookie dough crumbs and 

covered with caramel sauce, or the Bubble 

Gum – a colourful mix of white chocolate cookie 

dough, blue bubble gum gelato and a sprinkling of 

hundreds and thousands. 

Set to take the UK by storm is the new range 

of velvety-smooth Creams Cake Factory 

cheesecakes, available in two tempting flavours: 

Salted Caramel Cookie Dough and Vanilla & 

Blueberry Swirl. These perfect puds’ come with 

a choice of soft serve vanilla ice cream, whipped 

cream or custard. 

Getting summer ready, a new way to your five a 

day comes in the form of new fruity smoothies 

that are bursting with flavour, from the Berry 

Go Round with blackberries, raspberries and 

strawberries; to the Blueberry Thrill with 

blueberries, raspberries, banana and flax seeds. 

A choice of vegan crepes, a gluten-free cookie 

dough, and a Millionaire Waffle with Lotus biscuit 

crumb and Speculoos Gelato, complete the line-up 

of new irresistible treats. 

In case that wasn’t enough, those with less of a 

sweet tooth can opt for Creams’ savoury options, 

from nachos through to popcorn chicken waffle 

bites – there’s something to suit everyone’s taste. 

Creams’ new menu is available in-store 

nationwide, and by delivery via Deliveroo, Uber 

Eats and 

www.creamscafe.com 

I @creamscafeuk 

F @creamscafe 

T @creamscafe 

182 


Bekonscot Model Village & Railway 

Bekonscot Model Village & Railway is the world’s 

oldest original model village, opening for the first 

time in 1929. 

With over 90 years of history, a huge model 

railway, 1.5 acres of well kept gardens and finely 

detailed model buildings Bekonscot is a great day 

out for everyone. 

Stuck in a 1930s time warp, see England how it 

used to be, & discover a wonderful little world 

tucked away from the hustle & bustle of everyday 

life. 

Since its opening over 15 million visitors have 

been captivated by the charm and eccentricity of 

Roland Callingham’s creation. 

Bekonscot continues the traditions established 

by our founder of welcoming visitors to the village 

and supporting worthwhile causes. Each year 

surplus income is distributed to a number of 

mainly local charities and good causes. To date 

over £5.5 million has been donated. 

All tickets currently need to be booked online in 

advance. Arrival time slots are available three 

weeks in advance. 

Open 10.00am-5.30pm, 7 days a week 

until 12th December 2021 

Ticket Prices with Gift Aid 

Adult : £12.50 

Child (aged 2-15) : £8.00 

Under 2’s : FREE 

Family (2 adults & 2 children) : £36.00 

Family (1 adult & 2 children) : £25.60 

Concessions: £10.70 

Carers: £5.90 

www.bekonscot.co.uk 

Warwick Road, Beaconsfield, HP9 2PL 


0184 


ALWAYS FOLLOW THE LATEST COVID REGULATIONS 

Getting 

Away in 

the UK


ZONES 8 & 9 

North Hill Farm 

www.northhillfarm.co.uk 

North Hill Farm is located in the heart of the 

stunning Chess Valley countryside. We offer a 

variety of glamping accommodation and camping 

facilities just a short broomstick ride from Warner 

Bros Harry Potter Studios, with the local London 

Underground train service to central London close 

by. 

The Clarks have lived and worked in Chorleywood 

for seven generations. Owners Nigel & Georgie 

Clark, along with their four children now run North 

Hill Farm. Previously a livestock working farm, 

the family diversified into the hospitality market. 

They began with converting the barns into guest 

accommodation, then with its popularity came the 

creation of various unique Glamping units dotted 

over the farm land. 

With years of experience behind them the ever 

evolving North Hill Farm has become an exciting, 

well established family friendly holiday destination 

to visit. 

186 



GETTING AWAY IN THE UK 

The Chiltern Yurt Retreat 

Go wild in the country and retreat with nature… this is glamping at its best! 

Did you know that there’s a magical place 

where you and your partner can come for a 

romantic retreat and sleep beneath the stars? 

And it’s only 35 miles from central London. 

Perhaps you’ll choose a retreat in the 

Kingfisher Yurt – our beautiful hand made 

Turkmen yurt. Or perhaps you’ll go for our 

newer tabernacle-style Badger’s Bower. 

Whatever the case you’ll sleep with the sound 

of the water which bubbles out at the foot of 

the Chiltern Hills. You’ll be able to prepare 

your own meals in the stylishly equipped 

kitchen areas or access excellent pubs and 

restaurants in the centre of the nearby village 

– only 5 minutes walk away. 

The Chiltern Hills are a wonderful area for 

cycling and walking and there’s plenty to see 

in the locality. 

Open the church-style doors to discover 

Badger’s Bower 

Our accommodation is eco-friendly but 

there is hot and cold running water as well 

as electricity and you’ll be able to pamper 

yourself in the luxurious shower room. 

Definitely not an austere retreat – this is truly 

glamping at its best! 

chilternyurtretreat.co.uk 

187



Koko’S Glamping 

Koko’S is a small & exclusive 3 tent adult-only retreat 30 miles from Central London. 

Situated within the Chilterns Area of Oustanding Beauty just 5 minutes away from 

Old Amersham 

These cozy tents are rooted atop of our 

wooden decks, lovingly handmade on site by 

our team. Accompanying this, breathtaking 

views of Shardeloes Lake, one of many areas of 

outstanding natural beauty in the chilterns. 

In each of the tents we will provide a double bed 

fitted with 100% Egyptian cotton linens. Alongside 

this we have portable chargers and a small 

portable stove, as well as plentiful amounts of 

firewood. 

On top of all the brilliant cuisine available to you in 

the local area, we also have our very own gourmet 

food trailer ‘Koko’S’; this gourmet food truck 

offers niche, comfort food and will be offered at a 

discounted price for any of our guests. 

We can offer breakfasts if you speak to us the day 

before while the evenings will be host to a refined 

snack menu - and our very own grill maestro will 

be on hand for BBQs if requested. Any dietary 

requirements can be discussed and catered to on 

site by our team. 

Each of the three glamping tents sleeps 2 adults, 

you can get 15% discount on a group booking for all 

three tents. 

Weekdays: £100 per tent per night 

Weekends / Bank Holidays: £120 per night 

Complimentary morning tea / coffee is included. 

The minimum stay is 2 nights. 

Each tent has rugs, a real double bed, luxury 

mattress, Egyptian cotton sheets, log burners and 

private fire pit /bbq. There are two newly built hot 

water showers and 2 compostable toilets on site. 

kokosglamping.squarespace.com 

188 




Shardeloes Shepherds Hut 

Cosy Shepherds Hut with countryside views and the opportunity to stable your own horse or 

book riding lessons during your stay. 

Nestled within the idyllic Shardeloes Farm estate, 

sits a cosy shepherds hut with a double bed, 

kitchen, wood burning stove and bathroom with 

shower. Outside on the terrace is a comfortable 

seating area with a bbq for you to relax and look 

out to the exquisite countryside views. You can 

even bring your own horse to join you on your stay. 

Less than an hour from London and close to the 

M25/M40, the perfect country escape is closer 

than you think. 

The Shepherd hut sleeps 2 and has an outside 

terrace and bbq area with table and chairs. Inside 

there is a seating area which turns into a double 

bed, kitchen side with fridge, kettle and sink. A 

log burner (we can provide logs) and a separate 

bathroom with toilet and shower. 

You can book riding lessons while you are staying 

with us or take a walk around the surrounding 

areas. 

Book online via Air B&B for £105 a night 

airbnb.com/h/shepherdhuatshardeloesfarm 

Horse riding at Shardeloes 

Equestrian Centre 

Shardeloes cater for all abilities from beginners to 

advanced, from private and group lessons on the 

flat or jumping, private or group escorted hacks 

on our 500 acres of land (You need to be able to 

walk, trot and have complete control of the horse 

in wide open spaces.) We also have a cross country 

course that you can go round with an instructor. 

Our opening times are Tuesday to Friday 8.00am 

until 8.30pm and Saturday and Sunday 8.00am 

until 5.00pm. We close for lunch between 12.30pm 

and 2.00pm daily. 

Anyone that is riding with us for the first time, 

who is over the age of 16 years, must have an 

assessment lesson on our mechanical horse. 

As a result of Covid, instructors are currently 

unable to lead. Instead we ask someone from 

the same household to attend a lead rein training 

session with us so that they can lead during 

lessons.



The Chilterns View 

Luxury lodge accommodation overlooking the beautiful Chiltern Hills in Oxfordshire. 

Welcome to our secluded and romantic lodges 

Guests love the privacy and seclusion of our 

selection of just six lodges with their wonderful 

South-facing views and individual hot tubs. Our 

Fire Pit is a favourite place to sit with a glass of 

fizz to watch the sun set over the hills, and in the 

daytime you can relax by our pond or take a walk to 

one of the many fine pubs and eateries in the area. 

However, most of our guests simply want to 

stay put in their lodge and make the most of the 

veranda, hot tub, hammock, and the peace and 

quiet of our wonderful rural setting! 

We are just an hour away from London, whilst the 

charmingly picturesque village of Ewelme and 

famed Shepherd’s Hut Pub are only 30 minutes 

walk away. 

Safari Lodge: We are now also taking bookings 

for our new 10-person Safari Lodge! Perfect for 

glamping gatherings of up to ten people. 

thechilternsview.co.uk 

All of our lodges have their own private hot tub, a 

veranda with hammock and BBQ, and stunning 

South-facing views across open countryside. Each 

lodge is en-suite with a king size bed, kitchenette, 

dining area and log burning stove. 

190 




Wingbury Farm Glamping 

Luxury glamping at its best 

Hidden in the heart of the rolling Buckinghamshire 

countryside, nestled among uninterrupted views 

and the sounds of the British countryside, you’ll 

find Wingbury Farm Glamping. 

Situated on the edge of a family-run farm, 

our three luxury en-suite pods look out on 

breathtaking views by day and catch the full 

beauty of the fiery sunset in the evening. 

Wingbury Farm powers the glamping pods via solar 

panels; heat and hot water are provided by three 

ground-source heat pumps. 

The well-insulated pods sleep four and are 

equipped with a seated dining area, which 

converts into a comfortable double bed. The 

sofas in the seating area convert into two further 

single beds. As well as your well equipped en-suite 

bathroom, the pods have a fully fitted kitchen 

with fridge freezer, electric hob and electric fan 

oven. Outside, you’ll find a large decked area with 

seating, your own brick BBQ and steel fire pit and, 

of course, those incredible views. 

We’re situated just outside the small 

Buckinghamshire village of Wingrave. It has a pub, 

sports club, children’s play park and recreation 

ground and often runs village events which are 

well worth a visit. Our site is equidistant between 

the market town of Leighton Buzzard, from where 

you can catch the train to London in around 30 

minutes, and the larger town of Aylesbury. Milton 

Keynes and its amazing shopping is approximately 

half-an-hour’s drive away and we are surrounded 

by beautiful countryside walks and a plethora of 

woodland parks and nature reserves. 

wingburyfarmglamping.co.uk 

*Wingbury Farm is fuly booked until September 

2021 but are taking bookings for 2022

The Little Retreat 

Lawreny, Pembrokeshire 

Set in the stunning castle grounds of Lawrenny, 

Pembrokeshire, the Little Retreat is a magical 

escape to the UK’s only Coastal National Park. A 

place of restoration, reconnection and relaxation, 

the Little Retreat offers a sanctuary in a spiritual 

setting, seeped in history and alive with nature. 

Each experience is created bespoke with a range 

of accommodation offers. Guests can stay in the 

insulated and furnished Geodomes, or go off-grid 

in the rustic Bell Tents. And new for 2021, the Little 

Retreat star gazing tents, with 360 degrees of 

transparent panels and and outdoor bathtub so 

guests can enjoy all the outdoors has to offer. 

The Pembrokeshire Coast offers a world of 

adventure and 12 acres of woodland around the 

accommodation to explore; activities offered by 

the Little Retreat include guided wild swimming 

in the Black Mixen Pool of the Cleddau estuary, 

feasting experiences with foraging and bass 

fishing, art workshops or just the opportunity to 

relax. www.littleretreats.co.uk 

192 




Murgatroyd 

A huge, Scandi style hut surrounded by wildlife, including the resident herd of red deer, 

under starry skies in deepest, blissful Dorset 

Murgatroyd is a restorative, relaxing space to be 

in. Owners Ali and Adam Russell designed the hut 

to allow you to switch off and sink into the peace 

of their carefully tended organic farm. There’s a 

big bed, a corner sofa and the little deck, outside 

seating, an en suite bathroom and the hut is fully 

powered, with modern facilities. It’s all geared 

towards enjoying the beautiful and tranquil 

countryside. There’s little light pollution and few 

neighbours, so on a clear night you can just sit 

and soak up the stillness of starry skies and the 

sounds of the woodland around you – either from 

inside the hut or from the private wood-fired hot 

tub. You might see badgers and foxes, hares 

boxing in the morning mist; you’ll hear cuckoos 

and owls and see birds of prey hunting over the 

hedgerows. You could also spot wild deer, but if 

you want to meet some up close, arrange with 

Adam for a personal introduction to Ash Farm’s 

resident red deer herd. 

You can nip over to Durdle Door and Studland Bay 

or explore the Purbeck peninsula, visit charming 

Shaftesbury or stroll the landscaped Larmer Tree 

Gardens. Closer to home is the Gold Hill Organic 

farm shop, where you can pick up some of the 

area’s great local produce on your way back to 

Murgatroyd, but there are plenty of pubs nearby 

if even cooking is too much like hard work. The 

White Horse in Stourpaine is an owner favourite, 

with great, simple food, superb local ales and the 

odd music or quiz night if you’re lucky, but the quiet 

villages scattered in the countryside offer plenty 

of alternatives. Wherever you spend the day, or 

the evening, coming back to the hut and sitting out 

under the stars makes the perfect finish. 

Shepherd's hut for 2 from £149 per night. 

One king-size bed, adults only, pets welcome. 

www.canopyandstars.co.uk/britain/england/ 

dorset/ash-farm 


Lake Vyrnwy Hotel 

Amazing views and country pursuits 

Boasting one of the most mesmerising views in 

Britain, Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa stands in splendid 

isolation in its own 24,000-acre estate on a 

forested hillside overlooking a dramatic, mountainringed 

lake in Powys, mid-Wales. Although it’s 

worth staying here for the views alone, there are 

many other compelling reasons – its country house 

comfort, excellent food, impeccable service and 

exceptional range of sporting and country pursuits 

plus the spa treatments from around the world. 

Many of the individually decorated bedrooms have 

lake views and private balconies. 

Tear yourself away from the hotel and you’ll find an 

area of outstanding beauty rich in wildlife. Again, 

the hotel makes the most of its location, offering 

everything from birdwatching to clay shooting, 

classic fly fishing to fabulous walking. 

With good availability in July and August prices at 

Lake Vyrnwy Hotel & Spa start from £150 B&B per 

night for two sharing. Book through Welsh Rarebits 

Hotels of Distinction, www.rarebits.co.uk, or call 

01570 470785. 

194 



CATEGORY 

GETTING TITLE AWAY OF CATEGORY 

IN THE UK 

Explore 

southern 

Snowdonia 

Staying at Penmaenuchaf Hall 

Explore southern Snowdonia’s magnificent scenery 

with a stay at Penmaenuchaf Hall, which overlooks 

the Mawddach Estuary in north Wales. The family 

owned country house hotel is well placed for hiking 

the glorious natural terrain or mountain biking on 

the purpose-built Coed y Brenin forest trail. Salmon 

and sea trout fishing is on offer to hotel guests in 

season as well as other country pursuits, for golfers 

the championship courses at Harlech and Aberdyfi 

are nearby. 

Built as a country home for a wealthy cotton 

magnate back in 1860, Penmaenuchaf Hall has 

undergone an ambitious restoration by the current 

owners with elegant furnishings, an oak panelled 

drawing room, library, fine dining Garden Room 

restaurant and 14 individually styled bedrooms; a 

blazing log fire provides a warm welcome on cooler 

days. Recommended for over 25 years by the 

Michelin Guide and AA Restaurant Guide. 

Penmaenuchaf Hall has good availability during 

July and August for one and two night stays in 

their standard and superior rooms from £200 B&B 

per night for two sharing. Book through Welsh 

Rarebits Hotels of Distinction, www.rarebits.co.uk, 

or call 01570 470785. Dogs welcome in selected 

rooms. www.visitsnowdonia.info. 

NB: Family owners are Lorraine Fielding and Mark 

Watson. 




Wilderness Weekends 

bringings much needed outdoor fun for UK families 

Outdoor adventure company Camp Wilderness is 

delighted to be springing head-first into a brighter 

season, with brand-new camping experiences in 

beautiful locations such as Penshurst Place in Kent, 

Blenheim Woods in Oxfordshire and Cuffley Camp 

in Hertfordshire, all curated by world-renowned 

survival expert Ed Stafford. 

After more than a year of lockdown, the all-new 

Camp Wilderness Families will enable families to 

get their heads away from screens and back into 

the fresh air of the great outdoors again. 

Kicking off in July, the weekends are designed to 

immerse families into a world of exploration that is 

designed to be fun, challenging and exciting. And, 

with Ed Stafford having curated these exhilarating 

weekends, they are promised to provide lasting 

happy memories for years to come. 

There are two weekends to choose from, depending 

on whether families want a two or three-day 

experience. 

• The two-day weekends are a chance to 

reset the family dynamic out in nature, with 

the chance to spend much-needed down 

time together, away from screens and doing 

wholesome outdoor activities with each-other. 

• The three-day weekends, especially created 

by Ed, include everything that the two-day 

weekend offers, but is designed to test the 

mind and body with much more challenging 

bushcraft and survival experiences. 

With activities such as food foraging, animal 

tracking and fire lighting, those who choose to 

take up either weekend are promised to leave with 

many new skills than when they first arrived. 

Ed comments: “I’m delighted to be partnering with 

Camp Wilderness this year to bring new experiences 

to so many families. 

“With no roads, buildings or technology, Camp 

Wilderness Families will bring out the very best 

in those who want to re-connect with nature and 

each other again, especially after being indoors for 

so long.”



Sleeping accommodation during both weekend 

options is in a wonderful safari-style tipi tent and 

food is provided courtesy of a personal chef (not 

very camping but we’re not complaining!). 

Max Folkes, Managing Director of Camp Wilderness 

adds: “We have designed these weekends so 

that they are a perfect combination of rest and 

relaxation with a hint of challenge. These fun and 

challenging activities will test both the mind and 

body at the same time. 

“We know that families have faced incredible 

pressures during the last 12 months, and this is a 

way to help them re-connect with each other again 

after screen time may have forced them to become 

detached from each other, even whilst being under 

the same roof.” 

Prices for the weekends start from £380.00 per 

family and places are limited. For more information 

about Camp Wilderness Families please visit to 

www.campwilderness.co.uk. Bookings can be made 

directly through the website. 

About Camp Wilderness 

Camp Wilderness is part of the Active Learning 

Group and has four locations around the country 

– Oxfordshire, Kent and Hertfordshire. These 

summer camps have been designed by Ed and 

will be available for five-days as a residential 

camp. Such activities will give children a real 

taste of Bushcraft survival. 

About Ed Stafford 

Ed is the Guinness World Record-holding first 

human to walk the length of the Amazon River. 

He has gone on to become the face of survival 

on Discovery Channel and an internationally 

renowned survival expert. Ed’s passion lies in 

using bushcraft and the outdoors as a crucible 

for self-development and a tool for maintaining 

optimum mental health. 




Country Retreats 

Careys Manor & SenSpa 

Brockenhurst 

An enchanting getaway in Brockenhurst, and 

the perfect choice for a relaxing escape in the 

country. Located in the New Forest, the stunning 

manor house is full of wood-panelled 18th century 

grandeur and traditional charm, from the large 

warming fireplaces to the lofty ceilings and large 

windows. The 77 rooms and suites each have their 

own distinct yet traditional character. Careys Manor 

also is home to the award winning SenSpa, a world 

class Thai spa with sensational hydrotherapy 

facilities, blending ancient traditions with state-ofthe-art 

technologies to leave guests completely 

relaxed and revived. With three restaurants, 

guests are spoilt for choice no matter what they’re 

in the mood for – from stylish brasserie dining at 

Cambium; to refined French cuisine at Le Blaireau; 

and authentic Thai fare at Zen Garden. 

Nightly rates at Careys Manor & SenSpa start 

from £229 on a bed & breakfast basis. For more 

information or to book, please visit 

www.careysmanor.com 

0198 


The Montagu Arms 

New Forest 

The Montagu Arms is tucked away in a quiet 

corner of the New Forest, offering a stylish escape 

combining comfort and sophistication, and creating 

the perfect space to unwind. With 24 bedrooms 

and suites, each is unique in design and layout, 

decorated in a chic and charming country house 

style. The multi award-winning Terrace Restaurant, 

led by Michelin-trained Head Chef Matthew 

Whitfield, offers seasonally changing menus with 

elegant dishes, influenced by produce gathered 

from the surrounding coast and countryside, and 

plucked by their very own kitchen gardener. Offering 

an unparalleled dining experience, Matthew’s style 

of cooking is modern, refined, and distinctly British. 

Nightly rates at The Montagu Arms start from 

£229 on a bed & breakfast basis. For more 

information or to book, please visit 

www.montaguarmshotel.co.uk 

The Club Hotel & Spa, 

Jersey 

Located in the heart of St Helier, Jersey’s idyllic 

seaside capital, The Club Hotel & Spa offers luxury 

accommodation in an unrivalled location, close to 

many of the island’s most breath-taking beaches 

and local attractions. Boasting the island’s only 

Michelin-starred restaurant, 5AA Rosette Bohemia 

is led by Head Chef Callum Graham. Using only the 

finest quality, fresh, local, and seasonal ingredients, 

Callum creates exciting modern European dishes 

and a range of tasting menus to suit all occasions. 

Nightly rates at The Club Hotel & Spa start from 

£239 on a bed & breakfast basis during summer 

2021. For more information or to book, please 

visit www.theclubjersey.com 


P&O Cruises 

P&O Cruises is offering a series of short breaks 

on flagship Britannia this summer and week-long 

cruises on new ship Iona. These cruises will depart 

from Southampton between June and September, 

sailing around the UK coast, “where the sun shines 

brightest.” 

Setting sail from Southampton guests will be able 

to enjoy the ultimate British break on Britannia and 

Iona – gourmet dining and poolside bites; cocktails 

and coffees; shopping, spas, shows and endless 

sea views. 

Three night Britannia breaks start at £199 per 

person. 

For more information or to book call P&O Cruises on 

03453 555 111, visit www.pocruises.com or contact a 

travel agent.

CATEGORY 


Plas Menai 

Eager adventurers can enjoy a host of 

thrilling activities the National Outdoor 

Centre for Wales. 

Families who want to take on new challenges 

together can choose from a range of activities, 

from windsurfing and sailing taster sessions 

to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) adventure, 

which will allow them to discover the spectacular 

coastline of North Wales. 

Young people can continue to experience the 

great outdoors through activities including den 

building and mountain biking and courses in 

sailing and windsurfing. 

To pre-book, find out more and to keep up 

to date with activities at Plas Menai visit 

www.plasmenai.co.uk. 

Dine with 

Distinction 

Step on board traditional Pullman-style 

carriages at the East Lancashire Railway to 

be transported back in time to enjoy a range 

of luxury dining experiences. 

The nostalgic voyage is hauled by a steam train 

through the beautiful Irwell Valley, where foodlovers, 

train enthusiasts and new experienceseekers 

can treat themselves and their loved 

ones to Lancastrian Lunches, Red Rose Diners 

and Murder Mystery nights. 

Gift vouchers are accepted on the Dining with 

Distinction trains, with a range of vouchers now 

available to purchase for selected experiences, 

which are valid for 12 to 24 months. 

For more information and to book, visit: 

www.diningwithdistinction.co.uk and 

www.eastlancsrailway.org.uk 


FAMILY LAW SOLICITORS 

Every family is different and at CWD we offer tailor made advice 

appropriate to your own unique situation, in a clear and sympathetic 

way. We are able to offer practical solutions, based on many years of 

experience in this area. 

We provide a full range of family law services including: divorce, 

financial matters, private children law, breakdown of non-married 

relationships, pre-nuptial and post-nuptial agreements. 

For a free 30 minute 

telephone consultation 

please call 0203 301 1113. 

Email: enquiries@cwd-law.com 

www.cwd-law.com 

Boughton Business Park, Bell Lane, Amersham HP6 6FA

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