The Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

THE 

LIFESTYLE 

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2021 

WIN 

LUXURY 

STAYCATIONS, 

JEWELLERY, 

ART AND 

MORE! 

+ 

GARDEN DESIGNER 

ADAM FROST 

BAKER RICHARD 

BERTINET 

ULTIMATE COMFORT 

FOOD RECIPES 

VITAMIN 

A REVITALISING TRIP 

TO THE MALDIVES 

SEA 

TRAVEL | HOME & GARDEN | FOOD & DRINK | BEAUTY | INTERVIEWS

PANTO’S BACK! 

(OH YES IT IS) 

FRIDAY 26 NOVEMBER 2021 – 

SATURDAY 8 JANUARY 2022 

THE 

GIANT 

FAMILY 

PANTO 

BOX OFFICE 01432 340555 

In partnership with 

courtyard.org.uk

The Home Hit 

List, page 28 

EDITOR’S NOTE 

a dose of vitamin sea 

It might be that my partner is currently on a boys trip in 

Solvenia, or maybe it’s the incredible pics of the Maldives 

in this edition, or it could be literally any picture of any 

swimming pool/beach/sunshine that I happen across, but 

my goodness I’m in need of a holiday - and I know I’m 

not the only one. It’s a desire I can almost feel palpably 

in my bones. 

It doesn’t even need to be abroad - but I think so many of 

us have lacked that sweet sensation of having something 

to look forward to, of counting down sleeps until the big 

day arrives, and crucially - of mentally switching into 

holiday mode once we are checked in at the airport. 

Now, I might be temporarily grounded, but I’m awfully 

tempted to book a trip to the aforementioned Atolls after 

reading about it on page 42. I’m just going to close my 

eyes and pretend I’m there now. 

I think the changing of the seasons might also be to 

blame - Autumn is, though a pretty wonderful time of 

year and we are looking to the West Country gem of 

Stourhead as one of the loveliest places to experience that 

final firework display of colour this year. 

Autumn also tells us it’s high time to make sure our 

fortresses are prepared for the onset of bad weather - we 

are making an assessment of those top jobs around the 

home in our ‘Home Hit List’. 

We hope you enjoy this edition - we will be back with 

the next one at the beginning of November when it will 

be no-holds-barred Christmas mania - don’t say I didn’t 

warn you. If you haven’t checked to see if there’s a local 

magazine near you, please do check out our website www. 

minervamagazines.co.uk and take a look - they have the 

same great content as The Lifestyle but with more of a 

local flavour. Remember, The Lifestyle also has its own 

exclusive features, so make sure you catch them both so 

you don’t miss out! 

i minervapublications | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton BA14 6JB | T 01225 984 550 

Front Cover courtesy of Sun Siyam Iru Fushi 

Would you like to find out about the cost of advertising? 

Simply email ben.hollis@minervapublications.co.uk or call 

Ben on 01225 984 503. 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

CONTENTS 

41 

06 COMPETITIONS 

Fabulous goodies 

to be won, from 

furniture to food 

13 EDUCATION 

Advice from the 

experts 

22 GARDENING 

The most important 

jobs to tackle this 

September 

24 ADAM FROST 

We catch up with the 

garden designer 

28 HOME LIST 

The big jobs to tick 

off before the onset 

of winter 

32 GREAT BAKES 

We interview baker 

Richard Bertinet 

36 COMFORT FOOD 

Fabulous recipes 

which are like a hug 

in a bowl 

41 AUTUMN SHOW 

Amazing autumn 

colour at Stourhead 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

BOTANICALS 

COLLECTION 

N O W O N L I N E 

36 

42 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

STERLING SILVER AND GOLD 

VERMEIL JEWELLERY WITH 

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES - 

FROM £10 | hauslife.co.uk 

| 5

We are giving one lucky reader 

the chance to win the Ultimate WIN 

Starter Pack from Kit & Kin, the The Ultimate 

eco-friendly brand co-founded 

by Emma Bunton. Offering an baby Starter 

unbeatable bundle of ethical 

Pack! 

baby essentials, the beautiful 

collection of products is bursting 

with everything a new parent needs, 

night and day, including the brand’s Eco Nappies, 

Biodegradable Wipes and Nappy Sacks. The standout 

set also contains the heroes from Kit & Kin’s range 

of 100% organic cotton babywear, including the 

adorable Bunny Hat and super soft Alphabet All-in- 

One, as well as a luxuriously snuggly Knitted Blanket 

and Sleeping Bag, to ensure everyone gets the best 

ZZZ’s, naturally! 

kitandkin.com 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition keyword ‘BABYWEAR’ 

WIN 

A Home 

Tasting Box 

for two! 

Ramekins & Wine offer 

immersive dining 

experiences where the 

wine takes centrestage, 

the food is 

designed to showcase 

its character and deliver 

a true taste sensation. We 

are giving readers the chance 

to win a Home Tasting Box for two people 

which includes six specially selected wines 

and perfectly matched ramekins of food. 

T’s and C’s: Three 

lucky winners will enjoy 

a Home Tasting Box 

for two people. 

ramekinsandwine. 

co.uk 

Closes 01/010/2021 - 

Competition keyword 

‘WINE’ 

Master goldsmith Jana Reinhardt is 

inspired by the natural world and created 

this pendant as part of her Polar Nights 

collection, a celebration of the animals 

of the Arctic. Handcrafted from 100% 

recycled silver by Jana at her seaside 

studio, this finely detailed piece has 

been hand polished to a high shine. 

WIN 

A handmade 

silver polar 

bear necklace 

worth 

£95 

As well as bears, the Polar Nights range 

features tactile hand-carved miniature seals, 

penguins, whales and narwhals. Jana has also crafted 

collections based around the sparrow, the exotic birds 

of the rainforest, woodland creatures and African wild 

animals such as elephants and big cats. Passionate 

about animal welfare and green living, Jana has also 

created several exclusive pieces intended to raise 

awareness and funds for charities which help orangutans 

(OVAID), bears (Animals Asia), greyhounds (Galgos Del 

Sol) and pangolins (Flora and Fauna) among others, as 

well as establishing partnerships with charities including 

NAWT and PETA . 

www.janareinhardt.com 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition keyword ‘REINHARDT’ 


Whittlebury 

Park, a four-star 

countryside 

hotel in 

WIN 

A a two-night stay 

for two people at 

Whittlebury Park 

WORTH 

£338 

Northamptonshire, 

is nestled in 

hundreds of acres of 

tranquil ancient parkland, 

making it the perfect destination to get 

away from it all. It’s surrounded by a host 

of local attractions, from lakeside walks at 

Stowe Gardens to designer retail therapy at 

Bicester Village and thrilling history at the 

Silverstone Experience Museum. 

Terms and conditions: The prize is for a winner 

plus one guest. Prize winner and guest must be 

aged 18 and over. Only one winner will be drawn. 

The prize is non-transferable, non-refundable, nonexchangeable 

and there are no cash alternatives. 

Cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer 

or promotion. The prize is available Friday – Sunday. 

Valid until 31 December 2021 excluding Good 

Friday, Easter Monday, Christmas Day, New Year’s 

Eve and Bank Holiday Mondays. Full terms and 

conditions available on website. 

whittlebury.com 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition keyword 

COMPETITION time 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to www.minervamagazines.co.uk/ 

competitions. Find the competition and enter on that post, using the appropriate keyword. * 

WIN 

Sports bra 

worth £67! 

The Air Control DeltaPad 

Sports Bra from Anita 

active is a totally new 

concept in support thanks 

to its patented Delta 

Pad Foam Cup which 

is triangular in shape 

for optimum ventilation. 

Instead of the cup being 

foam all over it is only a 

triangular section allowing 

air flow through the mesh 

on the lower and side areas 

of the breast resulting in a 

much cooler experience for 

the wearer. 

The foam pad itself is 

air permeable and lined 

inside with terry cloth facing the skin 

and stable extra light mesh on the 

outside to keep the body temperature 

as cool as possible. The bra also has a 

new particularly soft air permeable and 

supporting underband for comfort. 

www.sheenuncovered.co.uk 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition keyword ‘AIR CONTROL’ 

Leading 

flowers WIN 

and gifts A beautiful flower 

delivery arrangement from 

service, 

Floward’s new 

Floward, is 

collection 

delighted 

to offer 8 

lucky readers 

the chance to win 

an arrangement from its new 

letterbox collection. 

Established in 2017 by CEO 

Abdulaziz B. al-Loughani, 

Floward is a full-fledged 

e-commerce solution that offers prime fresh-cut flowers 

sources from the best growers and farmers around the world 

which are arranged locally by an expert team of florists and 

designers. Following a successful launch into London at the 

start of the year, Floward is expanding its distribution across 

the country, to offer a next day delivery service which allows 

customers to place orders by 12pm and guarantees that their 

flower arrangements will arrive the next day. What’s more, as 

part of Floward’s worldwide CSR programme, 1% of all annual 

revenue generated by sales will be donated to the Mental Health 

Foundation. 

floward.com 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition keyword ‘FLOWARD’ 

*T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted. 


WIN 

One of two 

personalised 

travel mugs 

Win one of two reusable 

bamboo coffee cups from 

Global WAKEcup. This 

bestselling coffee cup is 

durable and lightweight with 

an insulated interior to keep 

your coffee hot while you’re 

on the go. The leak-proof lid 

and snap top fits snuggly to 

stop spillages. 

Each cup is made of organic 

bamboo with a stainlesssteel 

lining and recyclable 

polypropylene lid. 

The winner’s WAKEcup will be engraved 

with a name or message of their choice. 


‘WAKECUP’ 

www.globalwakecup.com 

The office chair is a very 

important part of the home 

office and with the Lule Office 

Chair from Lakeland Furniture, 

comfort and support is never 

far away. 

By being covered in high 

grade faux leather, the seat is 

perfect for busy households. 

The faux leather is used to 

prevent any unnecessary wear 

and tear, and ensures the item 

is easy clean and maintain. 

Joining the backrest with the seat of this 

office chair are two sloping arms. The 

arms add stability and a well needed place 

to rest your tired arms after a long day. 


‘LAKELAND’ 

lakeland-furniture.co.uk 

WIN 

An office 

chair worth 

£149 

Eliza Southwood practiced as an architect for ten 

years before deciding to take up a career as an 

artist and illustrator full-time in 2010, although she 

has consistently drawn and painted throughout her 

life. Her first illustration commission was a Spanish 

children’s book, when she was aged 13. 

Eliza’s speciality is silk screen printing, but she also 

works in mixed media, watercolour and acrylic. As 

a keen cycling fan, she is known particularly for her 

cycling themed artwork, but she also produces work 

on a wide range of subjects such as cityscapes, 

dogs, sports and people. 

We have two prints worth £250 

each to give away. For a chance 

of wining, enter on our website. 

Closes 01/10/2021 - Competition 

keyword ‘ELIZA’ 

www.elizasouthwood.com 

WIN 

A print 

worth 

£250 

Embodying the spirit of the Mockingbird, humbly mimicking the 

traditional taste of Tequila, allowing you to have all the margaritas 

with none of the migraines. 

We have a bottle of Mockingbird plus a case of 0.5% ABV 

Esmeralda Cerveza 

to give away! 

Closes 01/10/2021 - 

Competition keyword 

‘MOCKINGBIRD’ 

www. 

mockingbirdspirit. 

com 

Forever Living’s eco-friendlybio-cellulose face mask is 

infused with aloe and a host of skin-loving nutrients. Through 

a special process aloe vera gel is naturally fermented with 

seagrass and is fused into the bio-cellulose to moisturise, 

soothe, and condition skin. 

In addition, a serum enriched with glycerine, green 

tea, and horse chestnut helps to hydrate and 

rejuvenate dull skin, reduce the appearance 

of redness, and it helps to fight free radicals 

to combat the signs of ageing. 


‘FOREVER LIVING’ 

foreverliving.com/ 

WIN 

Skincare 

masks 

worth £51 

WIN 

Nonalchoholic 

drinks bundle 


georgina franklin 

jewellery 

Individual contemporary jewellery 

designs, handmade in the studio 

workshop in the heart of Tenbury Wells. 

Using traditional techniques, Georgina creates unique pieces 

in precious metals with beautiful gemstones and diamonds, 

chosen for their unique colours and cuts. 

Commissions are regularly undertaken for wedding and 

special occasion jewellery. Georgina works closely with clients 

through the design process to create original new pieces. The 

remodelling of heirloom jewellery is a speciality creating a 

contemporary piece of jewellery retaining the original special 

sentimental qualities of family treasures. Repairs are also 

undertaken to the highest standards on the premises. 

If you would like to discuss your ideas with Georgina for 

designing your own Bespoke piece of jewellery personal 

appointment slots are available at the shop in Tenbury Wells. 

Virtual appointments are also available. 

Contemporary jewellery, designed and made 

on the premises. Commissions undertaken. 

Please see website for opening times. 

www.georginafranklin.co.uk 

Phone 01584 810085 

The Forum, 18 Market Square, 

Tenbury Wells, Worcestershire. 

WR15 8EA 

Facebook - Georgina Franklin Jewellery. 

Instagram - georginafranklinjewellery. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Tel: 01584 810085 

18 Market Square | Tenbury Wells | Worcs | WR15 8EA 

www.georginafranklin.co.uk 

Official distributors of PRG Trailers, 

Debon, Cheval Liberte and MOTIV 

amongst many other popular brands. 

Sales – Hire – Parts – Service 

01789 777159 

www.thetrailermarket.co.uk 

sales@thetrailermarket.co.uk 

Unit 3, Bird Industrial Park 

Station Rd, Long Marston 

Stratford CV37 8RP 


WEEDS The beauty and use of 50 vagabond plants - by Gareth Richards 

Weeds are nature’s first responders, healing the wounds that man 

inflicts upon the earth. They valiantly bring life back into even the 

most polluted land, pushing green shoots of raw ecological power 

through tarmac and concrete on abandoned sites. 

The cheerful daisy in the pavement crack - or even, dare it be said, 

the buddleia that turns derelict buildings into butterfly havens. 

Countless plants that we dismiss as weeds have amazing powers. 

Every weed has some redeeming qualities. 

When the chips are down, weeds come to the rescue. You cut 

yourself miles from home on a country walk, there are several 

weeds you can reach for to help stop the bleeding - and they even 

have antibacterial properties too. We might have lost much of our 

countryside but a select band of plants paint the grey concrete 

green again. They are a defiant echo of the wild. 

In an age of extinctions, weeds offer hope: their very existence is 

continual proof of nature’s resilience. Yet we are so often blind to 

their beauty. “The notion that a plant is a weed is the most effective 

barrier for stopping us looking at it closely” wrote acclaimed 

naturalist Richard Mabey first published almost 50 years ago. 

Does being native matter? Our perceptions are very much a 

question of time: many of our most-loved wildflowers such as 

field poppies and cornflowers are technically just as ‘non-native’ 

as Japanese knotweed, yet because they’ve been here for many 

hundreds of years we’ve grown to appreciate and even love them. 

Pinning down the native ranges of weeds is a tricky business. Often 

they’ve been around mankind for so long that their precise origins 

are unknown. Furthermore, the ever-accelerating rate of climate 

change means that in Britain our definition of native and nonnative 

(one that seeks to freeze our flora into what it was like many 

thousands of years ago) is looking more irrelevant by the day. 

Only humans make 

weeds. Nature abhors 

a vacuum. Bare soil 

exists rarely in nature, 

yet we strive to create 

it by ploughing, 

digging our gardens 

and constructing 

buildings and roads. 

If we hadn’t created 

these ecological 

vacuums, these 

empty spaces, 

there wouldn’t be 

nearly so many 

weeds. They are 

simply trying to 

heal our scars on 

Mother Nature’s 

green skin. 

About the 

Author: 

Gareth Richards is 

Digital Features Editor at RHS 

and delivers the RHS podcast. Gareth has provided 

horticulture expertise for a leading nursery, the BBC, ITV and Bauer 

Media. 

The Royal Horticultural Society is Britain’s premier gardening charity, 

promoting horticulture and helping gardeners by providing inspiration 

through its shows, gardens and expertise. 

RHS Weeds - The Beauty and use of 50 vagabond plants is 

published by Welbeck 

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INTERVIEW: 

NOVa fine arts... 

We had a chat to Oliver Deeley, co-founder of 

Nova Fine Art about art in general – and their 

exciting new gallery in Marlborough. 

You have existing galleries in Royal Leamington Spa and 

Marlow, so what brings you to Marlborough? 

We adore the area and of course, the exciting new additions to 

Marlborough high street - just like us fearlessly independent. 

Art is such a personal thing; some people may be 

nervous about how to choose a work of art to live with – 

what advice would you give to a first-time buyer? 

Don’t be told what to buy just because it’s in fashion… just 

like when you buy fine fragrance, buy emotivity and from 

the heart. 

You know all of your artists; this must give you a 

unique prospective on their work and inspiration… 

Absolutely! 

And finally, what are you most looking forward to in 

your new venture? 

Continuing to disrupt the art market, it’s time for the little 

guys to have their time. 

Find out more at novafineart.com 

Nova Fine Art is fast becoming the latest gallery network to rival the 

large corporations on the high street. We combine experience of 

buying, selling and creating artwork so our approach is a holistic one 

and we are committed to integrity, fairness & professionalism in all 

our dealings with our clients, creators & colleagues alike. 

Very much a family run and passion lead business, Marlborough is the 

third addition to our bricks and mortar offering, along with our superb 

website. Just as our name suggests, we are continually looking at ways 

to keep our gallery walls fresh, cutting edge and exciting. 

Join the team at any of our locations, Royal Leamington Spa, Marlow & Marlborough 

to discover it for yourself or get in touch contact@novafinart.com 

Please contact us for more information: 

110 Warwick Street, Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, CV32 4QP • 01926 298 110 

79 Hight Street, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 1AB • 01628 563 801 

137 High Street Marlborough, Wiltshire, SN8 1HN • 01672 555810 

Instagram @novafineartofficial • www.novafineart.com 


Now taking registrations 

Fun is an essential ingredient in all our nurseries where the 

care and education opportunities for each and every child 

are as extraordinary as our colleagues who provide them. 

FOR CHILDREN AGED 6 WEEKS TO 5 YEARS 

OPEN 7.30AM TO 6.30PM 

www.childbasepartnership.com 

T: 0121 752 9750 

E: crescent@childbase.com 

Crescent Day Nursery and Preschool, 

21-22 Calthorpe Road, B15 1RP 

T: 0121 454 1170 

E: highfield.nursery@childbase.com 

Highfield Day Nursery and Preschool, 

3-4 Highfield Road, B15 3ED 

WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU

EDUCATION 

Advice from the Girls’ School Association and the 

Boarding Schools Association

Ludlow Lifestyle 165 x 240mm 07.21.qxp_Layout 1 13/07/2021 10:58 Page 1 

“ Like a jigsaw, everyone 

seems to fit in “ 

SIXTH FORM PUPIL 

INDEPENDENT DAY & BOARDING EDUCATION 

FOR BOYS & GIRLS AGED 7-18 YEARS 

www.christcollegebrecon.com 

01874 615440 | admissions@christcollegebrecon.com

An enriching life like no other 

Which school should my child attend? 

Choosing the right educational 

environment for your child is one of 

the most important decisions you’ll 

ever have to make as a parent. But if 

you’re looking for a boarding school 

for your child, how do you choose 

the right one? Robin Fletcher, CEO 

of the Boarding Schools’ Association 

(BSA), explains. 

‘How do I choose the right boarding school 

for my child?’ That’s a question we’re asked 

more often than any other at BSA. And 

when you consider the UK boarding market 

is one of the largest in the world, with more 

than 450 schools of all sizes and types, in 

all sorts of different locations, there isn’t a 

straightforward answer. 

But having such a wide range of choice can 

really work to your advantage. If you know 

exactly what to look for in a prospective 

boarding school, your child will enjoy a 

first-class education and gain invaluable life 

skills, boost their confidence, become more 

independent, and have the best possible 

preparation for adult life. 

The first key piece of advice I would always 

offer when choosing a school is that it must 

be a joint decision between you and your 

child: they have to be happy with the final 

choice. 

As I’ve mentioned, one thing there isn’t a 

shortage of in the UK boarding sector is 

choice. You need to think about the best 

location for your child: will they be best 

suited to a large school attended by several 

hundred students, or a smaller school 

with fewer pupils? Would a school in the 

middle of a city be better for them, or would 

they prefer somewhere more rural? Would 

they be best suited to a single sex or coeducational 

school? Also, will full boarding 

be the best option for them? Schools can 

offer full, weekly or flexi-boarding, so you’ll 

need to decide which works best for you 

and your child. And is an academic school 

right for them, or one that focuses perhaps 

more on sport, music or more vocational 

subjects? 

Once you’ve considered all those factors 

and you’ve got a shortlist of schools you’re 

interested in, I’d always strongly encourage 

you to visit those schools in person. This 

is the best way to tell if it’s right for your 

child or not, as it will be clear very quickly 

whether they are comfortable there. 

Making that final choice of the right 

boarding school for your child can be a 

lengthy process, but taking the time to get 

your decision absolutely right is crucial. 

Boarding will not suit every child or family 

- but for the right child, in the right school, 

it can offer an enriching life experience like 

no other. 

For further information about the Boarding 

Schools’ Association, or to search for a 

boarding school, please visit www.boarding. 

org.uk. In 2020, BSA also teamed up with 

Bulldog Publishing to launch Schoolplaces. 

org, a dedicated live information resource 

for schools, parents and education agents. 

For more information, please visit www. 

schoolplaces.org. 

Image: Courtesy of Highfield and 

Brookham Schools 


Preparing Sixth Formers for life 

beyond school 

Hurst College explains to Worthing Lifestyle why it is important 

to encourage Sixth Formers to step outside their comfort zones 

from day one... 

The Sixth Form at Hurst College is 

focused on preparing students for the 

next step after school. The last two years 

of a student’s educational journey are key 

to providing a plethora of opportunities 

and experiences to complete their 

passage of self-discovery. By the time 

they complete their A-levels, students will 

have developed a keen sense of self and 

have made the right decision about their 

true purpose in life. 

The journey begins on day one as Sixth 

Formers step outside their comfort zones 

with off-site adventure training. They take 

part with a whole host of challenging 

activities where they swiftly need to form 

working relationships to succeed as part 

of a team. By the end of the day, they 

have truly bonded as a year group. 

The fun continues with a Lower Sixth 

dinner and quiz, followed by the first 

Mystery Bus Tour of the year. Students 

take a risk by signing up for a trip to an 

unknown location and are rewarded with 

activities such as go-carting, curling and 

glow-in-the-dark mini-golf. 

The Lower Sixth year is a careful 

balancing act, when students are 

assisted and monitored by their tutors to 

ensure they get it right. The priority for 

each student is to complete their core 

academic responsibilities to the best of 

their ability and to make time for wider 

intellectual enrichment as they engage 

fully with all that is on offer beyond the 

classroom. 

When they enter the Upper Sixth, 

students move into St John’s - the co-ed 

hall of residence - to begin their transition 

to post-school life as undergraduates. 

The year kicks off with an Icebreaker 

Disco and by the end of the night they 

have settled into their new house and are 

ready for the academic challenges that 

lie ahead. 

Hurst prides itself on a unique system 

of Upper Sixth academic tutoring. Each 

student is allocated a subject specialist 

depending on their desired post-school 

path. They have access to, and support 

from, someone who knows the specific 

subject demands and who can help 

ensure UCAS applications are the best 

they can be. This is also the one teacher 

students will have most contact with - in 

and outside normal lesson time. Upper 

Sixth Formers often see their tutors 

daily, to discuss subject-specific matter 

for A-levels and are also encouraged to 

deepen and widen their knowledge base 

beyond the syllabus. 

All students recognise that membership 

of Hurst’s Sixth Form is a privilege. They 

are given multiple opportunities within the 

school week to make a wider contribution 

to the wellbeing of their community and 

the wider world. Many work towards the 

Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award, with 

its emphasis on leadership, community 

service and personal development. 

Others take command roles in the largest 

school Combined Cadet Force in the 

southern counties or lead the school’s 

own community service programme. 

The Lower Sixth Young Enterprise 

Programme provides an opportunity for 

students to create and run their own 

business from scratch. They can also 

contribute to the school’s student-run 

magazine or lead the many intellectual 

clubs and societies. Charitable action 

is highly valued, with the student body 

raising around £30,000 a year for worthy 

causes, and Sixth Formers are expected 

to take the lead. 

The Sixth Form is a time when 

significant decisions are made, and 

Hurst is unashamedly ambitious for all 

its students. The priority is to ensure 

the next step after school is perfectly 

suited to each student’s aspirations and 

aptitudes. Sixth Form tutors are trained 

executive life coaches, investing time 

and expertise to draw out an individual’s 

values and motivations. Most students 

choose to apply for a place at a leading 

British university, but the college 

also embraces the alternatives, from 

professional sport and the performing 

arts to entrepreneurship and aid work. 

Pastoral care is second to none, with a 

huge focus on wellbeing. Should they 

need to speak to someone, students 

have easy access to their housemaster/ 

mistress, school counsellors and 

student guardians. Sixth Formers play 

an important role in school leadership, 

with a varied assembly programme 

when they are encouraged to discuss 

relevant topics. The aim is to ensure that 

they leave Hurst as happy, well-rounded 

young adults, ready for the challenges 

and excitement of life beyond school. 

The college operates a bus route to and 

from Worthing to accommodate flexi/ 

weekly boarders and day students from 

the area. 

For further information please call 

01273 836937 | www.hppc.co.uk 


The Family Law Partners office is in 

central Horsham. We also advise clients in 

Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Crawley, Godalming, 

Guildford and surrounding areas. 

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KIND HEARTS FIERCE MINDS STRONG SPIRITS 

Queen Anne’s is an independent day & boarding school for 

girls aged 11 to 18 

OPEN MORNING 

Saturday 11 September 

Local transport network, 

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SIXTH FORM 

OPEN EVENING 

Thursday 30 September 

London Paddington to 

Reading in 26 minutes 


Girls’ schools today 

Donna Stevens, chief executive of the Girls’ Schools Association, on the reality of girls’ schools today 

Girls’ schools are very much alive and well 

and a thriving part of the UK’s education 

provision. But don’t just take my word for 

it - take a look at the evidence and visit your 

local girls’ school. 

Around half a million secondary school 

aged children are educated in single-sex 

schools in England, a significant proportion 

of all school aged children. What is perhaps 

more interesting is that the majority are 

in girls’ schools, meaning co-ed schools 

typically have more boys than girls. 

What this means in practice is that girls’ 

schools, and the benefits they bring, 

attract significant numbers of girls and 

their parents. I know from talking to head 

teachers that parents who set aside any 

lingering assumptions to visit their local 

girls’ school are frequently bowled over by 

the contemporary, lively and highly relevant 

education that’s on offer. 

Girls-only schools provide freedom from 

gender stereotypes, where girls can grow 

into themselves without feeling under 

pressure to conform to gender-weighted 

expectations. New research+ has shown 

that girls in girls’ schools are also more 

confident and emotionally in control - these 

are environments which enable girls to grow 

in confidence so that, when it’s time, they 

are better placed to take on the demands of 

the adult world. 

Academically, data from the Department 

for Education shows that pupils in girls’ 

schools perform better at both key stages 

4 and 5, which equates to GCSE and A 

Level in the English school system. In girls’ 

schools there is no such thing as a girls’ 

subject or a boys’ subject and girls are 

free to follow their inclinations with little 

of the pressure they might otherwise feel. 

The results are evident, with girls’ school 

students significantly more likely to study 

STEM (science, technology, engineering & 

maths) subjects – nearly three times more 

likely for physics and further maths and 

almost twice as likely for computer science. 

On average, girls in girls’ schools also 

achieve almost a grade higher at A Level 

than girls who attend co-ed schools. 

Girls’ school students are more likely to take 

up sport, which isn’t surprising when you 

consider that, with only girls in the gym and 

on the sports field, their physical confidence 

has space to grow. Every girl has every 

opportunity to become a leader, a form 

captain, a Head of House. They learn not 

just how to shoulder responsibility, but also 

how to take risks, inspire and lead others. 

Our schools see the fruits of this all the 

time. Students win awards and go on 

to become confident, high achievers in 

business, the arts, academia, and sport. 

Among our alumnae our Economist editorin-chief 

Zanny Minton-Beddoes, actress 

and activist Emma Watson, Everyone’s 

Invited activist Soma Sara, anthropologist 

and TV presenter Professor Alice Roberts, 

award-winning astrophysicist Dame Jocelyn 

Bell Burnell, Olympic champions Alex 

Danson MBE and Helen Glover MBE, and 

Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Robinson 

MBE. 

The school you choose for your daughter 

has to feel right. We are fortunate, in the UK, 

to have an excellent choice of schools of all 

shapes, sizes and locations. The fact that 

girls’ schools continue to thrive in such a 

diverse environment is an indication of their 

great strength and expertise in giving girls a 

highly relevant, 21st century education. 

Main image: Withington Girls’ School 

Bottom left: St James School 

Below right: Norwich High School for 

Girls 


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HOME & 

GARDEN 

We catch up with award-winning landscape garden designer 

Adam Frost, plus the Home Hit List ahead of winter

GARDEN JOBS 

Here are some of the top jobs to be getting on with in the garden this month... 

1. DIVIDE PERENNIALS 

Dividing perennials regularly will ensure 

healthy, vigorous plants that will continue 

to perform year after year. It also offers the 

opportunity to multiply your plants. 

2. PICK AUTUMN RASPBERRIES 

Raspberries are tasty and easy to grow. 

If you grow both summer and autumnfruiting 

varieties a few plants will reward 

you with plenty of fruit from mid-summer 

until mid-autumn. If you end up with a 

glut, raspberries also freeze well, and 

make wonderful jams, sauces and cooked 

desserts. 

3. HARVEST SEEDS 

Growing plants from seed is an 

opportunity to increase the number of 

plants in your garden for free. Take a 

paper bag and capture the seeds of hardy 

annuals and perennials. 

4. HARVEST MAIN CROP POTATOES 

Provided the crop is healthy, leave main 

crop plants until early to autumn to bulk up 

(the tubers are prone to slug damage). For 

storing, lift the potatoes when the tops die 

back and the skin resists gentle pressure. 

All potatoes should be gathered by mid- 

October to avoid weather damage. 

5. NET PONDS 

Before leaf fall gets underway net your 

pond and remove fallen leaves and debris 

to avoid decomposing vegetation building 

up in the pond. 

6. CONTINUE TO WATER YOUR POTS/ 

Pick autumn raspberries 

this month 

CONTAINERS AND NEW PLANTS. 

Collect what you can rather than use 

mains (tap) water. It's better for plants, 

including houseplants, and it's free! 

7. START TO REDUCE FREQUENCY OF 

HOUSEPLANT WATERING 

This is to prepare the plant for a period of 

dormancy over winter 

8. CLEAN OUT GREENHOUSES AND 

COLDFRAMES 

It may not be the most glamorous of tasks 

but cleaning out greenhouses/coldframes 

greatly improves the environment for 

plants. By removing algae, moss and 

grime it lets in more light and helps control 

pests and diseases. 

9. COVER LEAFY VEGETABLE CROPS 

WITH BIRD-PROOF NETTING 

As leafy veggies become larger, and 

when other food sources are dwindling, 

birds and particularly pigeons can quickly 

decimate your crop. 

10. PLANT SPRING FLOWERING 

CROPS 

Start harvesting main crop 

potatoes this month 

One of the gardening's best and easiest 

jobs is planting bulbs ready for spring. 

They are one of the easiest and most 

rewarding garden plants to grow and give 

the promise of colour to come next year. 

Why not attempt a bulb lasagne? You 

layer up spring-flowering bulbs to create a 

display that will lasts for months. 


IT’S A 

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING 

DEVELOPMENT IN 

GLOUCESTERSHIRE REACHES 

KEY MILESTONE 

GARDENERS’ 

WORLD 

Adam Frost is an 

award-winning British 

garden designer, 

television presenter and 

motivational speaker. 

Best known for his 

successes at RHS Chelsea 

Flower Show, he is 

passionate about inspiring 

adults and children 

alike to create their 

own gardens and watch 

hedgerows spring to life. 

Sally Thomson caught up 

with him to discuss all 

things green... 

WE WERE TALKING ABOUT GEOFF 

HAMILTON? 

It was originally in North Devon Parks 

department that I did my apprenticeship 

and then I went to work for Geoff when I 

was 21 years old and spent an amazing 

mind blowing, not that I think you realise 

it in your early 20s working 6-7 years with 

Geoff until he passed away in 96. 

AN INSPIRATIONAL MAN I SHOULD 

IMAGINE? 

Yes, looking back I don’t think you 

realised what he was talking about, peat 

free gardening, Organic gardening, stop 

ripping up limestone pavements and 

destroying the countryside all the things 

that were way before their time really. We 

are now 30 years on and we’ve only just 

decided to ban peat. I think in reality he 

set my gardening moral compass. 

HIS SON HAS GONE INTO THE SAME 

LINE OF WORK ALSO? 

He had 3 sons but Nick the middle son 

was left the garden and nursery, so he’s 

got Barnsdale plants and gardens. 

TELL ME HOW THE GARDENER’S 

WORLD EVENT WENT AT BEAULIEU? 

I had a lovely weekend! I’d be lying if I 

didn’t say I was a bit nervous. I had just 

had my 2nd injection It was the first time 

I had done anything in a public arena for 

about 18 months! You realise that all the 

shows are now your general catch up. 

WITH THE PANDEMIC DID YOU FIND 

IT STRANGE NOT BEING OUT & 

ABOUT WITH THE GENERAL PUBLIC? 

Definitely, We run a school as well so 

we had to close that. I did some stuff on 

zoom like most people but that’s a very 

strange experience. I’ve never spent 

so much time at home or in the garden 

through the summer months with my wife 

and kids which was a mixed blessing and 

gave me time to stop which I don’t think 

I’ve done since I was 16. 

I BET YOU MISSED THE VIBE OF 

BEING AT CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW? 

I was due to go back and do a garden 

in 2020 so that went but it looks we will 

be able to go back in September and 


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do some filming but I’m not building 

anything now. 

HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT BUILDING A 

GARDEN FOR CHELSEA? 

It can be 12 months to 2 years planning 

but at one point I was doing them back to 

back finishing one then moving straight 

onto the next one. But it’s fascinating, it’s 

how I built my career. 

“I think ultimately 

gardens are about 

4 things; people, 

space, plants and 

place.” 

HOW DID YOU FEEL ABOUT YOUR 

FIRST CHELSEA GOLD? 

If I’m honest, I think I was slightly 

oblivious to what they actually meant. My 

dad was a landscaper and he built early 

John Brooks gardens in the early 70s. 

Recently I met Professor David Stevens, 

garden designer, who also worked for 

John Brooks. We were talking about 

Chelsea and he said that my dad would 

have been a few gardens along from 

where we were. David also taught me a 

lot about design in that sense. 

WHEN YOU START A DESIGN IS IT 

FROM A THOUGHT OR ARE YOU 

PLANNING IT IN ADVANCE? 

It depends on whether its for a client. 

I think ultimately gardens are about 4 

things; people, space, plants and place. 

It’s normally one of those that I tap into 

first and it might be a bit of landscape 

it might be an individual picture I’ve 

seen it might be the shape of something 

whatever it is that gives me an insight 

into a person or if it’s a show garden what 

particular design will drive it that’s how I 

start and then create from there. 

DO YOU THINK BEAULIEU WILL BE A 

REGULAR EVENT NOW? 

I think so, I walked in and thought 

what a glorious piece of landscape 

and the moment I walked in the gate it 

had a good feel. People really enjoyed 

themselves and as a setting it had quite a 

lovely intimate feel to it, even the stages 

had an open canopy, and everybody 

was sensible and had plenty of space. 

The standard of the displays was really 

good and Hilliers had gone there and 

built a garden, so it was great that you 

had something there of Hilliers quality. I 

think a positive out of the last 15 months 

is that people have slowed down have 

connected or reconnected with what’s 

outside their back door or in the area. 

I’ve seen a report saying we now have 

3 million new gardeners. Everybody 

you talk to in the industry says that 


the hunger from last year is still there 

which is great. I just hope in a way that 

stays. I think even the people that knew 

gardening was good for you physically 

and mentally, even for me I don’t think I 

realised how important it was to my life. 

I FIND IT VERY THERAPEUTIC AND 

GOOD FOR THE SOUL 

It’s interesting that we are seeing 

statistics people moving out of cities 

and into the countryside and are wanting 

bigger gardens it wasn’t that long-ago 

people were downsizing and didn’t want 

a big outdoor space and this time has 

now changed that. 

I UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE AN 

RHS AMBASSADOR? WHAT DOES 

THAT ENTAIL? 

Yes, I’ve done that for quite a few years 

now. Basically, I help them with stuff 

looking at helping youngsters to engage 

more through events and I did a lot 

of work a while back with Homebase 

creating apprenticeships so that’s how it 

started. I also do a lot of community stuff 

with RHS and I’m just about to start a 

new project which I can’t say too much 

about which will be good. I have travelled 

all over to schools, events for them. I 

was brought up just outside London and 

wasn’t the best behaved, I’m dyslexic 

and obviously I’ve done OK and I think 

that’s why they wanted me to help. 

YOU ARE AT THE NEC IN THE 

SUMMER WHAT WILL THAT INVOLVE? 

I normally go from stage to stage and 

talk all things gardening and there’s 

different themes on different stages from 

talking about ‘Grow your Own’, ‘Unusual 

Edibles’, ‘soil and compost’, so all sorts 

really. What I love about that show is you 

have the gardens and displays but it also 

interlinks with food and because its at the 

NEC if we do have poor weather people 

can get inside. Because it’s such a large 

venue everything will feel alright. 

DO YOU DO ANY JUDGING IN YOUR 

ROLE? 

I’ve been asked, and I’ve done bits and 

pieces, but I don’t really like to just turn 

up and judge other people’s work. 

SO, AT CHELSEA FOR EXAMPLE ARE 

YOU THERE WHEN THE JUDGES 

COME AROUND? 

You have a 2 minute conversation the day 

before to explain if anything has changed 

or there have been any adjustments 

to the design. They then arrive at your 

garden anytime between 7:30am and 

9:30am on the day and you must be away 

from your garden. Then you have another 

24 hours until you find out the result. 

WHEN DID YOU REALISE THAT 

YOU HAD AN APTITUDE FOR 

PRESENTING? 

I don’t think I did really, I love what I do I 

think it just happened. I was talking to a 

Robert Hillier at Chelsea and he said can 

you remember the conversation we had 

in 2015 where you said the BBC want 

me to do some presenting as they think 

I’m half decent and he said are you sure 

that’s what you want to do and you said 

I don’t know but I’ll give it a go and here 

we are now. 

“I would say to 

anybody there is 

so much glorious 

flower colour foliage 

colour stem colour 

to be had and the 

light is different so 

the atmosphere is 

different you can 

still wrap up and 

enjoy it just don’t 

disengage. Don’t 

chase perfection just 

enjoy the moments.” 

WHAT WOULD YOU ADVISE OUR 

READERS TO DO TO THEIR GARDENS 

BEFORE AUTUMN? 

Don’t disengage with the garden, I think 

we get to September the kids go back to 

school and people pack up their gardens. 

I think our environment has changed so 

much that you can’t month to month 

garden anymore you have to react to the 

month you are in. September, October 

and even going into November we can 

still have some cracking days and only 

have our first frosts going into December 

so I would say to anybody there is so 

much glorious flower colour foliage 

colour stem colour to be had and the light 

is different so the atmosphere is different 

you can still wrap up and enjoy it just 

don’t disengage. Don’t chase perfection 

just enjoy the moments. 

Adam Frost, along with other gardening 

celebrities, will be appearing at the NEC 

in Birmingham from Thursday August 26 

to Sunday August 29. 

For ticket information, please visit 

www.bbcgardenersworldlive.com

THE HOME 

hit list 

JOBS TO TACKLE THIS AUTUMN 

SEASONAL 

REFRESH 

PROPERTY MOT 

Home maintenance is a year-round 

endeavour, but these are the top jobs 

to get sorted before the worst of the 

winter weather sets in: 

CHECK ALL DOOR/WINDOW 

SEALS FOR DRAUGHTS 

Check that existing seals are still 

intact and repair any cracks or holes 

that have formed. For a quick and 

easy solution, fit doors with draught 

excluders to keep rooms warm and to 

prevent energy wastage. 

CHECK YOUR BOILER 

Have a boiler service and check the 

system is running efficiently. Many 

people put off replacing older boilers, 

but you will save money in energy with 

more efficient models. If you have one, 

make sure your external condenser 

pipe is well insulated. 

CLEAR GUTTERS 

Clear gutters and drainpipes of leaf 

debris to reduce the chance of leaks. 

Also be sure to check drains for 

blockages - prevention is better than 

fixing it on a cold night! 

CHECK THE OUTSIDE 

Look over all external masonry, 

checking for cracks, gaps around 

windows or issues with roof. Make 

sure your front door closes snugly (and 

make sure your property is secure 

whilst you’re at it). 

INSULATION 

Insulate your pipes (burst pipes cause 

huge damage). Make sure your loft 

insulation is adequate and look into 

cavity wall insulation, which can 

save hundreds ££ on energy bills. 

If you can, look into upgrading the 

efficiency of your windows with triple 

or secondary glazing. 

Why is it that we save all the 

property redecoration for when we 

are getting ready to move? How 

about giving your rooms some 

TLC with a fresh lick of paint and 

swapping in some new accessories 

to update the palette. 

Try switching out cooler grey tones 

for warmer neutrals and introducing 

more natural materials like linen, 

leather and wood - this means you 

can use your base furniture pieces, 

and just give them a lift with new 

decorative items. 

DIY panelling is another huge 

trend which is helping people give 

rooms a completely new look for 

less - why not try adding a wall to a 

bedroom in a strong contrast colour 

for maximum impact? 

PRACTICAL 

HOME-WORKING 

It looks as though working from home, 

or at least a hybrid, flexible model is 

here to stay. With that in mind, many 

of us are choosing to carve out proper 

working spaces instead of balancing on 

the end of the kitchen table. 

Investing in a proper desk and chair 

are fundamental - it’s well known that 

sitting for long periods on chairs not 

specifically designed for desk work can 

cause long-lasting pain. 

For desks, there are lots of options for 

built-in models into wall space or even 

stand up desks. If you don’t have the 

space for a full office room, you can 

still find inventive ways to incorporate a 

desk into wardrobe areas or even into 

cupboards, meaning the workspace 

can be neatly tucked away at the end 

of the day and the space can resume 

its original purpose. Storage is another 

essential element to stop work admin 

spilling out into home life. 

Finally, take some time to make your 

work space look homely - it stops it 

from feeling transitory. Hang some 

prints, invest in some greenery or buy 

some soft furnishings like cushions 

or blankets to make it feel like an 

extension of your home. 

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L A C O C K • W I L T S H I R E

F O O D 

& DRINK 

We speak to baking legend Richard Bertinet, plus grab a delicious recipe from 

him, plus a look at the ultimate comfort food as the cooler weather arrives 


HIS 

BREAD 

& BUTTER 

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING 

DEVELOPMENT IN 

GLOUCESTERSHIRE REACHES 

KEY MILESTONE 

Richard Bertinet is well-loved 

and well-known for being the 

UK’s baking ‘godfather’. 

His books about baking and his 

bread-making courses alike 

have delighted audiences for 

many years. 

Sally Thomson talks to Richard 

to discuss books, baking and 

BBC Maestro, where you can 

catch him offering the ultimate 

online bread-making course... 


HOW ARE YOU ON THIS GLORIOUS 

DAY? 

Making croissants with this weather! It’s 

a bit hot in the kitchen but it’s nice to be 

open again so all is good. 

YOU ARE DOING WONDERFULLY 

WELL AT THE MOMENT APART 

FROM THE FACT WE HAVE ALL 

BEEN THROUGH THIS RATHER 

INTERESTING YEAR THINGS SEEM TO 

BE GOOD WITH YOU. 

We opened in April and we have just tried 

to push everything we could this year and 

last year. It’s very busy. 

SO, PEOPLE ARE ABLE TO COME TO 

YOUR CLASS NOW? 

Yes, we reopened in April. 

SO, THESE CURRENT RESTRICTIONS 

HAVEN’T CHANGED YOUR PLANS? 

No, we are Covid compliant and can still 

have the same number of people. In Bath 

40% of the customers come from the 

rest of the World so Japan, The States 

and Australia. Obviously, they cannot 

come to Bath at the moment so we have 

a massive backlog of people wanting to 

come when they can travel*. 

I SEE THAT YOU OFFER CLASSES FOR 

CHILDREN, HOW DO YOU FIND THAT? 

Teaching children was always very 

important to us and we also work with a 

lot of local schools in the area and teach 

some classes plus talk to the children. 

It’s good fun and nice to see them smile 

when they try something that they haven’t 

done before. I think it’s a shame that so 

many schools don’t use cooking and 

baking anymore. 

I SEE THAT YOU ALSO WORK WITH 

PING COOMBES. 

Yes, Ping does classes for me. She 

teaches Malaysian cooking plus stuff 

from my book. 

YOU HAVE PRODUCED 6 BOOKS SO 

FAR. HAVE YOU GOT ANYMORE IN 

THE PIPELINE OR DO YOU NOT HAVE 

ENOUGH TIME? 

I’ve got a couple of ideas but it’s getting 

the time to do it and I like to write a book 

for the right purpose not just for the sake 

of it so I need to get the time and wait 

until things get back to normal. 

YOU NEED TO BE CLONED SO THAT 

THERE IS ANOTHER ONE OF YOU 

AND YOU CAN KEEP UP! 

That’s true but there is only one of me 

I’m afraid. 

WHEN YOU FIRST CAME INTO BATH 

IN 2005 DID YOU EXPECT YOUR 

CAREER TO TAKE OFF AS IT DID? 

I knew the concept we had was good and 

if it worked out, we would have success. 

When I first moved to Bath a lot of local 

businesses gave us 6 months to survive 

but that made me more determined to 

make it. 

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOUR 

COOKERY SCHOOL - IT’S GOING 

FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH BY 

THE SOUNDS OF IT? 

Well, the school has been going since 

2005 and since then we have won a lot 

of awards, we then sold the bakery and a 

lot of things have happened in 15 years. 

The school is so busy it’s a worldwide 

attraction which means we bring a lot of 

people to Bath. We won the South West 

Tourism Award two years ago due to the 

number of people that we attract to Bath. 

We have a few guest chefs coming in as 

well, but the core classes are with me 

learning about bread making, as well as 

what I write about in my books. 

YOU HAVE SO MANY ACCOLADES 

AND EVERYBODY ENJOYS WHAT YOU 

HAVE BEEN DOING. 

We pride ourselves on the services we 

give our customers and also the way I 

teach is quite unique - I’m very hands on. 

Our school is quite small so it means that 

I can spend time with everybody. 


On his baking classes 

for children: “It’s good 

fun and nice to see 

them smile when they 

try something that they 

haven’t done before. I 

think it’s a shame that 

so many schools don’t 

use cooking and baking 

anymore.” 

DO YOU FEEL THAT YOU ARE 

GETTING BACK TO NORMAL? 

Until we get all our backlog of people 

who couldn’t attend last year’s classes 

hopefully then we will be back on an 

even keel but not yet I’m afraid. We are 

open and running and there are some 

businesses that can’t do that so in a way 

we are one of the lucky ones. 

I HEAR THAT YOU WILL BE GETTING 

INVOLVED WITH BBC MAESTRO. 

Yes, it’s been amazing. We have just 

finished editing. I absolutely loved it! It’s 

a challenge to do live broadcasts, it’s 

recipe lead and different from how I teach 

in my classes, but it was well done. The 

team were amazing. 

YOU HAVE BEEN ON OTHER 

COOKERY SHOWS SO DID YOU FIND 

THAT THIS WAS A STEP UP? 

Yes, I’ve been on Saturday Kitchen and 

on James Martin’s show so it’s a different 

buzz being filmed live and you have to be 

mindful of what you do and say. 

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU WILL BE 

SPECIALISING IN? 

It’s specifically about bread and things I 

like to do at home. It goes from making 

brioche, sourdough to bagels, all that 

kind of stuff and things to give people 

the confidence to bake at home and feel 

that they learn something. It’s going to be 

good. The production team was amazing, 

and I can’t wait for it to launch. 

YOU ARE FROM BRITTANY HAVE 

YOU HAD THE CHANCE TO GO BACK 

RECENTLY? 

We went to France last year, Provence. 

We have a house down there and 

managed to visit just before lockdown. 

*At the time of the interview there was 

uncertainty regarding travel to the city 

of Bath. 

BBC Maestro with Richard Bertinet 

is available now at bbcmaestro.com. 

The course costs £80 for 23 episodes 

including written class notes for 

each one. An additional bonus festive 

episode is expected to launch later in 

the year exclusively to subscribers. 

thebertinetkitchen.com 


CHOCOLATE, ORANGE 

& PISTACHIO LOAF 

INGREDIENTS 

150g good quality dark chocolate chips 

75g roughly chopped pistachios 

Zest of 2 oranges 

50g mixed peel 

1 tablespoon Cointreau (optional) 

125g unsalted butter straight from the 

fridge 

125g full fat milk 

3 medium eggs 

500g strong white bread flour (plus extra 

for dusting) 

15g fresh yeast 

45g caster sugar 

10g fine sea salt 

FOR THE GLAZE 

2 eggs 

Pinch fine sea salt 

METHOD 

Mix the chocolate chips, nuts zest 

and mixed peel in a bowl and stir in 

the Cointreau if you are using it. Place 

the cold butter between 2 sheets of 

greaseproof and bash it with a rolling pin 

to soften it and break it up into smaller 

pieces (without warming it up). 

Put the milk and eggs into the bowl of a 

food mixer and then add the flour. Break 

up the yeast and add to one side of the 

bowl. Add the sugar and salt on the other 

side of the bowl. 

Mix on a slow speed for 4 minutes. 

Increase the speed to medium for another 

2 minutes then add the butter piece by 

piece until it is all incorporated. Continue 

mixing on medium speed for 10-12 

minutes until the dough comes away from 

the sides of the bowl. 

Stop the mixer. Add the chocolate and 

pistachio mixture to the bowl and mix 

for no longer than 30-40 seconds on 

the slowest speed – you don’t want the 

chocolate and nuts to become mushy. 

Lightly flour your worksurface and turn 

the dough out onto the work surface. 

Form the dough into a ball and then place 

into a lightly floured bowl. Cover and 

rest for about 45 minutes until just under 

double in size. 

Lightly flour the surface again, turn out 

the dough and divide into 10 equal pieces 

of about 110g each. Form each piece 

into a ball and then press gently into 

cake or loaf tins until they are full. In the 

picture I have used tiny tins that only take 

one ball but if you use a larger one you 

will have a finished loaf or two that will be 

perfect to tear and share. Whether you 

have one or two will depend on the size 

of your tins. Cover and leave to prove 

for about 1 hour until just under double 

in size. 

While the dough is proving, pre-heat the 

oven to 190°C and beat the eggs and 

pinch of salt for the glaze. Brush the top 

of each loaf with the egg glaze and use a 

pair of scissors to snip into the dough for 

decoration. 

Place the tins on a baking tray and 

put into the pre-heated oven. Turn the 

temperature down to 180°C and bake for 

15-20 minutes until golden. 


COMFORT 

When the darker nights set in, you 

just want some go-to comfort food 

recipes - and here, Waitrose has 

delivered! Find more recipes at 

www.waitrose.com 

Calling 

COTTAGE PIE WITH 

SWEET POTATO 

Prep time: 20 minutes plus standing 

Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp olive oil 

500g British beef mince 

1 onion, diced 

1 stalk celery, diced 

1 carrot, peeled and diced 

1 Oxo Beef stock cube 

1 tbsp tomato purée 

1½ tbsp plain flour 

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce 

3 thyme sprigs 

2 medium sweet potatoes, peeled 

1 tbsp unsalted butter 

METHOD 

Heat ½ tbsp oil in a large sauté pan or 

casserole dish over a high heat. Add 

the beef and fry, breaking it up, for 4-5 

minutes, until browned. Remove from the 

pan, add the remaining 1⁄2 tbsp oil, lower 

the heat to medium and fry the onion, 

celery and carrot with a pinch of salt for 

10 minutes, until softened. Meanwhile, 

dissolve the beef stock cube in 500ml 

just-boiled water. 

Return the beef to the pan, add the 

tomato purée and cook for 1 minute, then 

stir in the flour and fry for 1 minute more. 

Add the stock, Worcestershire sauce and 

2 thyme sprigs and simmer for 25-30 

minutes, until the beef is coated in a thick 

gravy. Meanwhile, slice the potatoes 

as thinly as you can and put in a bowl. 

Cover with just-boiled water from the 

kettle; set aside for 10 minutes. Drain and 

use kitchen paper to pat dry thoroughly, 

then lay out on more kitchen paper to 

finish drying. 

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

Melt the butter. Tip the beef and gravy 

into a medium ovenproof dish. Toss the 

potatoes with the butter and leaves from 

the remaining thyme sprig. Season and 

arrange in circles over the beef. Bake for 

30 minutes until bubbling hot and the 

potatoes are cooked through. Stand for 

10 minutes before serving. 

COOK’S TIP 

Scatter grated cheddar over the potatoes 

halfway through baking to give the pie a 

nice cheesy crust. 

SPICY STIR-FRIED 

PORK & AUBERGINE 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 35 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

3 tbsp sunflower oil 

2 aubergines, cut into 2cm pieces 

4 salad onions 


2 cloves garlic 

Small piece fresh root ginger 

2 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Gochujang 

Chilli Paste 

1 tbsp reduced salt soy sauce 

1 tbsp Shaoxing rice wine 

1 tsp maple syrup 

500g pack lean minced pork 

½ x 25g pack Thai basil, leaves shredded 

Steamed rice, to serve 

METHOD 

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large wok or frying 

pan over a medium-high heat. Add the 

aubergines and fry for 20-25 minutes, 

stirring occasionally, until softened and 

golden all over. Meanwhile, finely slice the 

salad onions, separating the whites and 

greens, crush the garlic and finely grate 

the ginger. In a bowl, mix the gochujang, 

soy sauce, Shaoxing rice wine and maple 

syrup with 1 tbsp water. 

Tip the aubergine onto a plate and return 

the pan to a high heat with the remaining 

1 tbsp oil. Add the salad onion whites, 

garlic and ginger, and stir-fry for 1 minute 

until fragrant. Add the pork and fry for 

3-4 minutes until there is no pink meat 

remaining and any excess liquid has 

bubbled off from the pan. 

Add the sauce and aubergine to the pan 

and fry for 2-3 minutes until everything 

is coated in the sauce. Take off the heat 

and toss in the Thai basil leaves. Serve 

on rice, with the salad onion greens 

sprinkled over. 

COOK’S TIP 

This recipe would work well with minced 

turkey instead of the minced pork. Turkey 

mince is also lower in fat than pork 

mince. 

CHICKEN SHAWARMA 

FLATBREADS WITH 

YOGURT 

Prep time: 20 minutes + marinating 


Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

8 British chicken thigh fillets 

3 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Shawarma 

Paste 

½ red onion, finely sliced 

2 lemons, juice of 1, 1 cut into wedges 

1½ tsp Cooks’ Ingredients Sumac 

½ large cucumber 

250g Yeo Valley Organic Greek Style 

Natural Yogurt 

1 small clove garlic, finely grated 

15 mint leaves, finely shredded, plus extra 

to garnish 

4 Waitrose & Partners Hand-Stretched 

Flatbreads 

50g pomegranate seeds 

1-2 handfuls wild rocket 

METHOD 

Slash each chicken thigh a few times, 

concentrating on the thicker parts of the 

fillet. Season, then rub all over with the 

shawarma paste. Cover and chill for 20 

minutes (up to 2 hours). Meanwhile, mix 

the onion, lemon juice and sumac with a 

good pinch of salt. Set aside until ready 

to serve. 

To make the sauce, coarsely grate the 

cucumber and put in a sieve. Toss with a 

pinch of salt and leave over a bowl for 10 

minutes to drain, then gently press with a 

wooden spoon to extract as much liquid 

as possible. Tip into a bowl and stir in the 

yogurt, garlic and mint. 

Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Cook 

the chicken for 5-8 minutes on each side 

(depending on the fillets’ size) until the 

juices run clear and there is no pink meat, 

then set aside for 2 minutes. Clean the 

pan then use it to griddle the flatbreads 

for 30 seconds on each side. Arrange 

them on plates and top with the chicken, 

pickled onion, pomegranate, rocket and 

the cucumber and yogurt sauce, finishing 

with the extra mint leaves and lemon 

wedges for squeezing over. 

COOK’S TIP 

This recipe also works well with lamb or 

pork steaks instead of chicken (adjust 

cooking times accordingly). 

CHEWY BROWN SUGAR 

COOKIES 

Prep time: 15 minutes plus chilling 


Makes: 12 - 14 

INGREDIENTS 

200g unsalted butter, roughly chopped 

300g Billington’s Dark Brown Soft Natural 

Unrefined Cane Sugar 

300g plain flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda 

½ tsp ground cinnamon 

½ tsp fine salt 

1 large British Blacktail Free Range Egg 

1 tsp vanilla bean paste 

METHOD 

Put the butter and sugar in a large 

saucepan and set over a medium heat. 

Heat gently, stirring occasionally, until 

the butter has melted and the sugar has 

dissolved. Set aside off the heat for 5 

minutes to cool. Meanwhile, mix the flour, 

baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, 

cinnamon and salt in a bowl. 

With a wooden spoon, beat the egg 

and vanilla into the butter-sugar mix, 

then beat in the dry ingredients until 

completely combined. Transfer to a bowl, 

cover with a plate and chill for at least 2 


hours (up to 24 hours). 

Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4; line 

2 large baking trays with parchment. Leave 

the cookie dough out of the fridge for 15 

minutes to warm up a little. Roll into 12-14 

balls (about 65-70g each) and space out 

well on the baking trays (the cookies spread 

quite a lot during cooking, so bake in more 

than 2 batches if needed). Bake for about 15 

minutes, turning the trays halfway if needed, 

until deep golden and cracked on top. Cool 

for 5 minutes on the trays, then transfer to a 

wire rack to cool completely. 

COOK’S TIP 

Ovens can vary in temperature, so after 

about 12 minutes, keep an eye on your 

cookies. Once they look set and golden at 

the edges and start to crack on top, they’re 

ready. 

CHERRY & ALMOND 

BRIOCHE FRENCH TOAST 

Prep time: 15 minutes 


Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

425g can black cherries in light syrup 

3 tsp Tate & Lyle Fairtrade Cane Icing Sugar, 

plus extra for dusting 

1 medium British Blacktail Free Range Egg 

250ml whole milk 

½ tsp almond extract 

8 slices sliced brioche loaf 

2 tbsp unsalted butter 

150g pot vanilla yogurt 

1 tbsp toasted flaked almonds 

METHOD 

Put a sieve over a small saucepan and 

drain the cherries. Set the cherries aside 

and simmer the juices for 5 minutes until 

reduced. Add 1 tsp icing sugar and the 

drained cherries to the saucepan and 

simmer for another 5 minutes, until the 

cherries are coated in a glossy syrup. 

Meanwhile, set your largest frying pan over 

a medium-highheat. In a large, shallow dish, 

whisk the egg, milk, almondextract and 

remaining 2 tsp icing sugar. Add 4 brioche 

slices to the mixture, soaking on each side 

for about 45 seconds until they’ve absorbed 

plenty of the mixture but aren’t too soggy. 

Add 1 tbsp butter to the frying pan and, 

when foaming, fry the brioche for 4 minutes 

on each side until golden and puffed up. 

Arrange on plates while you prepare the 

remaining slices in the same way, frying in 

the remaining 1 tbsp butter. 

Serve 2 slices of brioche per person. Top 

with a spoonful of vanilla yogurt and the 

warm cherries and syrup (reheat briefly if 

necessary). Scatter with the toasted almonds 

and dust with a little icing sugar to serve. 


TRAVEL 

A walk in one of the country’s most glorious landscaped gardens 

and an escape into the turquoise waters of the Maldives 


homewoodbath.co.uk 

@homewoodbath 

thebirdbath.co.uk 

@thebirdbath_

AUTUMN'S 

finest 

Awesome Autumn colour at Stourhead in Wiltshire 

A young boy in the garden among the red maple leaves 

© National Trust Images Arnhel de Serra 

Autumn is Stourhead’s crowning glory as 

foliage in the landscape garden becomes 

ablaze with deep golds, ambers and rich 

reds. There are many hundreds of species 

of trees and shrubs at Stourhead, and 

it can take up to six weeks for the cosy 

autumn colours to flood the trees around 

the garden. No two visits are the same 

throughout this unpredictable time of year. 

Though the schedule of the season 

is ever-changing, towards the end of 

summer the North American maples 

have begun to turn a scarlet red, while 

the Japanese acers, hornbeam and 

chestnuts also get their vivid display 

underway. A little later in autumn the 

tulip trees take on a yellow hue, while the 

oak and beech enact the season finale 

with bright oranges late in October. In 

the garden, autumn crocuses provide a 

comforting contrast with their mauve and 

lilac shades. 

Throughout the autumn, Stourhead will 

be offering free guided walks around 

the world-famous landscape gardens. 

Taking place twice daily on most days 

throughout the week, visitors can enjoy 

a walk and talk with a knowledgeable 

volunteer, including an insight into the 

historical background of Stourhead, as 

well as the artistry of the landscape and 

stunning architecture. There’s no need to 

book in advance - upon arrival, visitors 

can ask at reception for more details on 

the fascinating guided walks. 

Beyond the tranquil lake and ornate 

temples, there are 2,500 acres of 

countryside to explore on the Stourhead 

estate. This includes an Iron Age hill fort 

and many acres of ancient woodland. 

The magnificent woodland surrounding 

Stourhead is full of autumn colour, with 

a canopy of ochre and copper hues 

overhead, and a carpet of crunchy 

leaves underfoot. Visitors can explore 

Bonham wood on a short, circular walk 

which ventures behind the Temple of 

Apollo in the garden through picturesque 

woodland, returning along the disused 

airfield that formed part of RAF Zeals 

during the Second World War. 

Walkers can also amble to Whitesheet 

Hill to take in the panoramic views over 

the estate and surrounding countryside, 

under the golden veil of low autumn sun. 

Encompassing an area of considerable 

archaeological interest, the walk includes 

a Neolithic enclosure dating from around 

3000 BC, a circular earthwork, Bronze 

Age barrows and an Iron Age hill fort to 

the south. 

An impression of wildness surrounds 

the Stourhead estate in autumn and 

abundant autumn fruits include rosehips 

and crab apples. Autumn also marks the 

arrival of many overseas birds seeking 

warmer climes for their winter stay. At 

Stourhead, this includes large flocks of 

golden plover on the open farmland, 

along with lapwings. 

• nationaltrust.org.uk/stourhead 

GENERAL INFO 

Near Mere, Wiltshire, BA12 6QD 

• The outdoor spaces, house, shop and 

restaurant are open daily. You no longer 

need to book your visit in advance. 

• Wheelchair accessible gravel paths with 

marked routes, steep in places 

• Pushchairs and baby carriers are 

welcome in all areas of the garden. There 

some steep hills on the garden route 

• Dogs on short leads are welcome all 

year round 

• For full accessibility and access 

information see the website. 

Directions 

If cycling - Wiltshire Cycle Way www. 

sustrans.org.uk 

If driving - You arrive at Stourhead via the 

main road network, following brown signs 

off A303 or the B3092 from Frome. The 

main carpark postcode is BA12 6QD. 


INTO THE 

blue 

Emily Baker takes in ultimate luxury 

in the inimitable Maldives 


t’s difficult to write about the Maldives 

without descending into cliches - it is 

Ievery bit as beautiful as you imagined, the 

ocean suites with their glass floor hatches 

are equal parts luxurious and mesmerising, 

and of course the combination of sand, sea 

and all-inclusivity really are a winner - so, I’ll 

try and limit myself to only using the word 

crystalline a handful of times, but what can I 

tell you that you don’t already know? 

I think I could start with the journey - though 

travelling is my bread and butter, long haul 

can test even the most excited of voyagers. 

There are a few different routes to the 

mainland of Male, with BA offering direct 

flights. For those looking to fly in the lap of 

luxury (and if you’re heading to the Maldives, 

who isn’t) then Qatar is the best choice - 

with a short layover in the ultra-plush Doha 

airport, it’s enough to make the journey an 

event, rather than a task. 

Whilst I was prepared for the drama of the 

seaplane arrival, there is something otherworldly 

about seeing this string of atolls 

from the air for the first time. The inky-blue 

sea stretches out like a vast blanket, 

punctuated by bursts of green, framed by 

the turquoise necklace of each island’s reef. 

Even whilst feeling weary from the long 

flight, I pressed myself to the window like a 

child, completely mesmerised by the views 

below along the 40 minute hop. If you’re 

looking for that international-traveller ‘I’ve 

made it’ feeling, then arriving by seaplane 

has to tick all the boxes. 

The welcome on arrival at the spectacular 

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Resort was the first 

taste of the group’s trademark hospitality 

ARRIVAL BY SEAPLANE 

- a gleaming small army in white uniforms 

and glowing smiles awaited, festooning us 

with flower garlands and introducing each 

guest to their own dedicated villa butler - 

they are your go-to whilst on the resort, for 

everything from booking restaurant tables 

to helping you hitch a ride on one of the golf 

buggies that transport guests around the 52 

acre resort. 

There are a handful of different 

accommodation options for guests - either 

stays on those quintessential oceanic villas, 

decked with their steps straight into the 

water, or a series of beach villas, either with 

direct access to the beach or with oceanic 

views and their own private infinity pools. 

Whilst some of the fixtures and fittings are 

looking a little tired in places, the sheer 

delight of the location more than makes up 

for any shortcomings inside, as does the 

wealth of activities, both in the water and 

out, available from your doorstep. 

This brings me on to my other assumption 

- one I think many travellers make - that 

the Maldives is a destination for loved-up 

couples to fly and flop in luxury. And whilst 

there’s definitely scope for that, I wasn’t 

overcome by a raft of couples acting 

amorously by the pool, but instead greeted 

by a huge breadth of guest profiles - there 

were, of course, couples, but also groups 

of friends on a girly getaway and families - 

taking advantage of the total safety of the 

island to let little ones run around freely. 

Though, unlike other family-friendly resorts, 

the children are seen but not heard - there’s 

space for everyone, so adults can still find 

their escape. Kids and adults alike can 

partake in aquatic adventures, with guided 


“If the term barefoot luxury is 

banded about too much, it’s very 

much found its true definition here” 

HORIZON WATER VILLA 


eef swimming, paragliding, and options to 

learn to dive in the resorts PADI and DDI 

Diamond certified diving school. 

If the term barefoot luxury is banded about 

too much, it’s very much found its true 

definition here - this is a place of relaxation, 

aided by that extra oomph that only an 

all-inclusive stay can offer. In all there are 

15 venues for drinking and dining - offering 

a mixture of worldwide cuisines. Where the 

food really shines is in the bevy of freshly 

grilled reef fish and Maldivian curries - there 

are fine dining options available, but it was 

the Bamboo restaurant with its tables in the 

sand and menus of fresh salads and Pan- 

Asian cuisine which really hit the right notes 

in the afternoon heat. 

Knowing as they do that tourism in these 

areas have hugely adverse effects on the 

local environment, Sun Siyam as a group 

continually look for ways to reduce their 

footprint. Being an archipelagic state, the 

Maldives does rely on a significant array 

of food imports, but the group has its 

own farm island which grows a variety of 

produce, limiting the carbon impact. Guests 

to the resort can visit too, for a unique farm 

to plate experience. 

I suppose the other big question for 

everyone tentatively dipping their toes 

back into international travel, is, is it safe? 

The major advantage of the Maldives is 

the sheer space between the islands, 

meaning that they can isolate cases as and 

when they occur. How this landscape will 

change as more vaccines are rolled out 

across the globe is still unknown, but its 

clear that each resort is doing their part. As 

it currently stands, to change resorts you 

are still required to take a PCR test - whilst 

some might consider this an unnecessary 

expense, I think it’s a sensible and safe 

practice to make sure you can enjoy your 

stay fully. 

Now, if there is a spa to be found in a 

resort, you will generally find me ensconced 

inside it. Within a humble-looking 

bungalow off one of the jungle tracks, 

lies Iru Fushi’s - a world-leading spa by 

French brand Thalgo - don’t be fooled 

by initial appearances though - knock 

on the heavy black-lacquered doors and 

you’ll be whisked into an exotic oasis, 

where pebble-lined paths snake through 

bubbling koi ponds. Massages here are on 

the expensive side, but hey, you’re in the 

Maldives - lean in to the luxury and enjoy 

your slice of paradise, it really is worth it. 

I suppose the thing that really sets the 

tone for any trip, and indeed the make or 

break, are the staff within the resort, and 

Sun Siyam really do have a spectacularly 

good team. Throughout the stay, nothing 

was too much trouble. Want a pinchme 

romantic dinner on your own stretch 

of beach, surrounded by the twinkle of 

candles? You’ve got it. In our little quintet 

of ladies holidaying together, we mentioned 

we would like to have a meditation session 

on the beach - what we got was a heart

“There’s not much I can say that you 

might not already know, but that 

shouldn’t be a reason to stop you 

getting into the Maldivian groove 

and discovering it for yourself” 

GLASS BOTTOM KAYAKING 


FOOD AT THE ISLANDER’S GRILL 

shape hand-dug into the sand, punctuated with tea lights and 

frangipani flowers, with yoga mats rolled out and a selection 

of oils from the spa to aid relaxation. This beautiful scene was 

all the work of our dedicated butlers and could not have been 

more special. This attention to detail extends everywhere - 

even my own very British sensibilities about having a butler 

were eased, as the service they offered was completely 

unobtrusive and very intuitive. 

There’s not much I can say that you might not already 

know, but that shouldn’t be a reason to stop you getting 

into the Maldivian groove and discovering it for yourself - 

flawless hospitality, great food, a wealth of activities and the 

unrelenting joy of the location, I think Sun Siyam could make 

even the most cynical resort-snob fall under its spell. 

www.sunsiyam.com 

HOW TO BOOK 

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives - 5 

7 nights from £1779 pp 

Includes return economy flights on Qatar Airways from 

London to Male, seven nights in a Deluxe Beach Villa, on a 

B&B basis, including domestic flight transfers. 

Saving over £1140 per couple! Prices are per person based 

on two adults sharing valid for travel on selected departure 

dates from October 21-December 21, must book by 30th 

Sep’21 

To book call us on 0208 843 4444 

www.southalltravel.co.uk 

Sun Siyam Iru Fushi Maldives - 5 

7 nights from £3879 pp 

Includes return business class on Qatar Airways flights from 

London, to Male Deluxe Beach Villa, B&B basis, including 

domestic flight transfers. 

Includes a booking discount - saving over £2540 per 

couple. Prices are per person based on two adults sharing 

valid for travel on selected departure dates from October 

21-December 21, must book by 30th Sep’21 

To book call us on 0208 843 4444 

www.southalltravel.co.uk 


TONIQ On Demand 


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

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

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

lifestyle, has made national news for its incredible client 

results – what will the app offer? 

At TONIQ we recognise that good health is more than just 

regular workouts, it encompasses taking care of every aspect 

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

nutrition, mindfulness, amazing workouts, yoga and more is 

available with guidance from fantastic trainers and experts in 

one place. 

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

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

keep you on track and accountable as well as supporting you 

throughout. 

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

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

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

world, a taste of the TONIQ-life. 

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

community online, have access to our on demand workouts as 

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

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

you including yoga, qigong, nutrition and mindfulness. 

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

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

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

content to keep the training varied and inspiring. 

Can you get a good experience with online coaching? 

Are you accountable and is it personalised? 

With TOD you have a designated TONIQ coach who you speak 

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

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

help you curate your workout schedule and set you on the 

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

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

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

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

been so successful. 

Are the classes accessible no matter your fitness level? 

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

nervous in COVID times. 

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

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

how hard to push yourself in the first consultation you have 

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

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

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

programs. 

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

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

personal trainer support and expert written workouts, all from 

the comfort of your own home. 

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

experiences and help support each other to get the results they 

desire. 

TONIQ ON DEMAND 

MORE THAN A WORKOUT 

Join our community from anywhere, at anytime with 

TONIQ on Demand, our app gives you access to: 

Personalised plans developed with expert coaches. 

Nutrition plans based on your needs and goals. 

Monthly 121 check in calls with an expert coach. 

Extensive library of classes including SWEAT, STRONGER, 

BURN and CHILL. 

Visit TONIQLIFE.COM to find out more 


RETIREMENT 

PLANNING: 

A GUIDE 

Katie Thomson shares tips 

for getting your financial 

ducks in a row for a happy 

retirement... 

Retirement planning is a multi-faceted 

process which evolves over time - to 

have a comfortable and secure future, 

you have to have the means to fund 

it. Fewer people have access to the 

guaranteed income that comes with a 

final salary pension, and with longer to 

wait until eligibility for the state pension, 

it’s pertinent to start planning as early as 

possible for the retirement you want. The 

better prepared you are now, the better 

your retirement will be. 

There are many strands to retirement 

planning, and much of it depends on 

your stage of life. It’s important to seek 

advice from a registered financial planner 

who can help you make the most of your 

unique circumstances. 

There are some handy way points to help 

you get a grasp on where you are and 

what you will need - here’s a checklist of 

things to consider: 

Understand what your retirement 

income is likely to be: 

You will be adding to your pension fund 

during your working life, but it’s important 

you get a handle on your various pension 

pots to forecast the actual figure you will 

have access to. 

Check your state pension: 

The rising state pension age can have a 

real knock-on effect to your retirement 

planning - a state pension forecast will 

help you to gauge how much you’re on 

course to get from the government. 

Get an understanding of your 

expenditure: 

Having an idea of your expenditure will 

help you plan longer-term. Your living 

costs are likely to be a lot lower than 

in other phases of life - you might be 

mortgage-free and you don’t have the 

same costs for commuting, recreation or 

childcare for example. 

You may wish to improve your home 

or go on some amazing trips, so it’s 

important you know you have the 

financial reserves to do this. 

When should you start drawing a 

pension? 

You don’t have to stop working to draw 

down your pension - as long as you 

are over the age of 55 - but be aware, 

the sooner you start dipping into it, the 

sooner the pot will deplete. 

How much will retirement cost? 

This is the golden question, and really 

depends on the level of comfort or luxury 

you are looking for in your autumn years. 

A recent Which? study found that the 

average retired household (those living 

alone or as couples) spent an around 

£2,170 per month - this is covering all 

the basic areas of expenditure and some 

luxuries like European holidays. Those 

looking for a more luxurious lifestyle 

including longer-haul trips and new cars 

every five years would need to allow 

for approximately £3,400 per month, or 

£41,000 per year. 

Once you have a framework for the 

amount you’ll need, and what you are 

on track for saving, you also need to 

consider how you will access your 

pension pots - these might be state 

pension, a final salary pension and a 

money purchase/defined contribution 

pension. 

With your defined contribution pot, 

such as the one you might get in the 

government employee scheme, you can 

draw the entire pension pot in one go, 

but this will mean it’s entirely down to 

you to make the money last and you’ll 

invariably pay a substantial tax bill. Most 

people with these pensions will opt for 

income drawdown or an annuity, or a 

combination of both when it comes 

taking money out of their pension. 

With careful planning and accurate 

forecasting, your retirement can be 

something to really look forward to, but 

it is essential to make an assessment of 

your position as early as possible and 

use the advice of experts to make your 

money work harder for you. 


KEEP THE EVENING GOING THIS AUTUMN WITH 

OUR LUXURY RANGE OF FIRE PIT SETS 

Stay warm and enjoy the company of friends & family 

Chatsworth Fire Pit Set 

Was £4,053 | Now £3,199 

SHOP ONLINE AT WHITEHALLGARDENCENTRE.CO.UK

The Lifestyle Sep - Oct 2021

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