Worthing Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2021

Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

18 

Guest 

A Culinary Journey through 

Northern Ireland bedroom perfection 

It’s certainly the challenge of 

publishing that you always have your 

head in the wrong season - each year, 

Christmas begins for us in July, which 

is about the same time as I start to 

ask my friends and family what they’d 

like as a present or if they’re free for a 

meal in December - each year I’m met 

with the same furrowed brows and 

a ‘my god, I haven’t started thinking 

about that yet!’ 

Forward planning aside, it is a rather 

lovely, smug feeling to know that I’m 

mostly sorted for the festivities - my 

only issue being losing said gifts 

between July and December 25th. If 

your industry doesn’t quite prepare 

you in the same way though, we’ve 

got a bevy of festive features to help 

get you prepped. 

Our competition 

page returns 

04 

Alongside Christmas features, 

we’ve got a lovely interview with 

The Yorkshire Shepherdess Amanda 

Owen, plus some delicious recipes 

from her new book. 

If you’re receiving guests this year, 

we’ve got some inspiration on 

creating the perfect guest room 

sanctuary. And if festive madness all 

gets too much, you can always slip in 

there yourself! 

Yorkshire Shepherdess 

Amanda Owen 

12 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre-Press Manager Kate Norris 

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

Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Amanda Owen 

Key Account Manager Marcus Hawke 

e marcus.hawke@minervapublications.co.uk 

d/l 01225 984505 

twitter: @WorthingLifeMag 

14 

Recipes from 

Amanda’s new book 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton 

Trowbridge BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

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

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

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

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

The news has been all doom and 

gloom of late, but I think it’s important 

that, toy shortage/turkey drama/fuel 

crisis or not, this year’s Christmas is 

looking so much brighter than 2020’s, 

and there’s so much to be thankful 

for. This quote from the legendary Bob 

Hope really captured that for me: 

“My idea of Christmas, whether 

old-fashioned or modern, is very 

simple: loving others. Come to 

think of it, why do we have to 

wait for Christmas to do that?” 

We are looking forward to seeing 

you again in January - we are doing 

away with the New Year, New You 

nonsense and instead focusing 

on what 2022 can offer you. Until 

then, take care, have a very Merry 

Christmas and a peaceful New Year. 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

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. 

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at 

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

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? Delight your friends 

and family with a selection box of delicious treats. One lucky 

reader will win a ‘Decadent Christmas in a Box’ containing the 

following: 

WIN 

A Laundry 

Bundle from 

Brabantia 

worth over 

£500 

6kg Free Range Whole Turkey | 4.5kg Unsmoked Ham | 1kg 

Side of Smoked Salmon | 1kg Organic Cheddar | 1kg Cropwell 

Bishop Stilton | Christmas Pudding | Harrow & Hope Brut 

Reserve (750ml bottle) | Classic Cranberry Sauce | Granny’s 

Apple Chutney | Artisan Coronation Sauce | British Goose 

Fat | Luxury Bread Sauce | Traditional Roast Gravy | Sage & 

Onion Stuffing | Pigs In Blankets | 200g Smoked Chicken 200g 

Smoked Duck 

WIN 

Christmas in 

a box! Worth 

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copasturkeys.co.uk 

Closes 10/12/2021 

Competition keyword ‘TURKEY’ 

For most of us, laundry is a bit of a chore, so to lighten the load, 

we’re giving away a luxury laundry bundle from Brabantia worth 

over £500. 

The prize includes Brabantia’s new Bo Laundry Bin Hi, which 

will blend effortlessly into your decor with its sleek finish and 

has two 45L compartments for easy separating your whites 

from your colours. When spring comes around again, you 

can then hang your washing out on Brabantia’s Rotary Dryer 

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brabantia.com 

Closes 15/01/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BRABANTIA’ 

WIN 

2 prints 

each worth 

£250 

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. 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. 

Adagio, the European leader in aparthotels is giving one lucky 

winner a two-night stay for two at one of their amazing UK 

properties in London, Birmingham, Edinburgh or Liverpool. 

Adagio is the perfect option for that much needed getaway this 

year, providing all the services of a hotel with the freedom of an 

apartment. The apartments comprise of a kitchen, bedroom and 

living area with flat screen smart TV - great for lounging after a 

busy day of activities. 

WIN 

A City 

Break with 

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Adagio! 

adagio-city.com 

T&Cs available online. Closes 

15/01/2022 - Competition keyword 

‘ADAGIO’ 

elizasouthwood.com 

Closes 15/01/2022 

Competition keyword ‘ELIZA’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

putting our pets first 

We may feel as if we have had ‘information 

overload’ when it comes to germ 

prevention and protection, but sometimes 

a product comes along that demands our 

attention - enter Leucillin. This is a skin 

health product for pets that is proving to 

be a product which all of us may well be 

putting in our first aid chests very soon. 

We spoke to Georgina Bashforth (pictured 

right) about the product and its exciting 

potential……. 

First of all, in layman’s terms – what is 

Leucillin? 

Leucillin is a clever antiseptic applied to 

the skin topically to protect against harmful 

germs. Leucillin is a revolutionary fresh new 

take on what an antiseptic is and can be 

capable of. 

Leucillin mimics the body’s own immune 

system, providing you a powerful solution 

which delivers the ultimate shield in 

topical skin protection against harmful 

pathogens. Leucillin’s unique formulation 

does not contain any alcohol, steroids or 

antibiotics, it is the natural choice for safe 

skin sanitising. 

Our pets our so important to us, how 

is Leucillin used and what specific 

applications is it effective for? 

Leucillin has a great reputation for safety 

and efficacy, supported by pet healthcare, 

veterinary and grooming industries, 

this year. It has been awarded human 

approvals and begun an exciting new 

chapter in healthcare. 

Furthermore it can be safely applied in 

any topical application where the skin, 

ears and eyes need care, whether broken, 

red, sore, inflamed, cuts, stings, bites 

or grazes, Leucillin’s powerful antiseptic 

properties eradicate germs on contact 

creating the perfect environment for rapid 

recovery. 

For children, as well as our pets, it’s 

“Ouch Free” formula is kind, it has been 

developed to match the natural pH of skin 

so no more wincing on that grazed knee. 

It seems to be a very gentle solution 

to a number of particularly stubborn 

problems - can it be used long-term? 

Leucillin achieves an unbeatable 

99.99999% reduction in bacteria on 

contact, but how does that compare with 

the 99.99% which we think is good? Well; 

it’s a massive 10’000 times better! 

Fast effective pathogen reduction means 

no resistance therefore long-term usage is 

always effective and no harmful ingredients 

means Leucillin is always safe! 

And finally, how else can it be used and 

what are your hopes for the product 

going forward? 

Our goal is to help alleviate the dependence 

on antibiotics and pharmaceutical 

intervention in the area of germ protection, 

for a more natural, safe, non-invasive and 

most importantly effective alternative. 

During the pandemic Leucillin has been 

proven effective against all coronaviruses 

including SARS-CoV-2 topically and 

has been used by animal care industries 

including Police Dog Handler units for 

reducing risk. 

We have also recently teamed up with The 

Humanimal Trust founded by Professor 

Noel Fitzpatrick - aka The Supervet, we’re 

excited to be supporting mental health and 

raising money for ONE Medicine, so that 

humans and animals can benefit equally 

from all medical progress. 

KEEPING YOUR DOG SAFE 

AND HAPPY THIS CHRISTMAS 

To share a stress-free and safe Christmas with your dog, 

The Kennel Club has rounded up some tips on how to keep 

them comfortable and safe during the festive season... 

A DOG’S DINNER - Each Christmas there are thousands of cases of 

dogs needing veterinary treatment after stealthily stealing chocolate 

and other unsuitable festive treats. With so much going on during 

Christmas so try and keep treats out of paw’s reach. 

One of the most hazardous Christmas treats is chocolate, which 

is highly toxic for dogs. It is important to keep any chocolate 

treats, including tree decorations, out of your dog’s reach to avoid 

poisoning, and ask your visitors to do the same. 

Christmas dinner also involves a lot of foods which can be 

dangerous for a dog, either through being toxic, too salty or too 

fatty. Owners should avoid feeding dogs turkey, goose or chicken as 

bones can easily splinter causing an obstruction and possibly even 

piercing your dog’s tummy. 

Sweet treats like mince pies and Christmas pudding all contain dried 

fruits including raisins, currants or sultanas which are toxic to dogs. 

Other dangerous Christmas treats that should stay in a cupboard 

and away from your pet include macadamia nuts, blue cheese, 

alcohol, bones, fatty foods and mouldy foods. 

FESTIVE FUN - Christmas festivities can be overwhelming for dogs, 

from excited and noisy children to crackers banging, so avoid forcing 

festive fun by making sure their routine isn’t disrupted. Take them out 

on their usual walks and keep their dinner at the same time too. To 

help them feel secure, ensure they have their usual space and bed 

where they can retreat if they want to. 

When visiting family and friends over Christmas, or fitting in some 

Christmas shopping, make sure you don’t leave your four-legged 

friend alone for more than four hours. 

DANGEROUS DECORATIONS - Christmas decorations and 

presents are often just as intriguing and exciting for dogs as they are 

for humans. However, some seasonal decorative plans including 

holly, mistletoe, ivy and poinsettia, can also be dangerous. When 

decorating your house, make sure these plants are out of your dog’s 

reach. 

When choosing your tree, consider an artificial one as they don’t 

drop needles and are likely to be less harmful to pets. It can also be a 

good idea to leave the tree up undecorated for few days, giving your 

dog a chance to get used to it being there. 

Avoid hanging any chocolate, sweet or salt-dough decorations on 

the tree and keep the bottom branches bare of lights, tinsel and 

baubles. 

If you think your dog 

may have eaten, 

touched or inhaled 

something that 

they shouldn’t, 

speak to your vet 

straight away. 

There is further advice 

on how to have a carefree canine 

Christmas on The Kennel Club 

website: 

thekennelclub.org.uk/health/dogs-atchristmas 

thekennelclub. 


Tough on all Pathogens 

BACTERIAL, VIRAL & FUNGAL 

Yet skin pH Neutral, Gentle to Skin 

Reasons to 

5LOVE LEUCILLIN 

33% 

OFF 

for all 

Readers 

Proudly Supporting 

because Leucillin is alcohol free! It’s 

gentle HSE approved formula 

matches our natural pH meaning kind 

to skin and safe for all. 

At home or away, Leucillin is a 

effective essential for all skin 

concerns, it is soothing and calming 

to; Red, Sore, Itchy skin, Minor Cuts 

and Grazes, Bites, Stings and Burns. 

suitable for all ages and skin types including 

highly sensitive, ears and eyes. Leucillin is 

your germ protection, antiseptic care and 

daily cleanser. 

300x more effective than most sanitisers YET Leucillin 

is passed by the Organic Soil Association, has recyclable packaging, is cruelty free and vegan 

friendly. 

Available in stores and online 

For promotional 500ml product offer please visit: www.leucillin.co.uk/promotions 

PROMO CODE: LEUCILLINTOTHERESCUE 

www.leucillin.co.uk 

For People AND our Pets, Leucillin is a 

clever, reliable and affordable solution for 

cleansing and sanitising skin safely including 

your face! Leucillin removes germs without 

drying skin, so however species diverse your 

family unit is, Leucillin has you covered.

CHOOSING A NEW SIXTH FORM 

The Good Schools Guide offers some suggestions to take into consideration when making the change 

Whether you want to change from a 

single sex school to co-ed or from day to 

boarding, private to state, A levels to IB - 

or vice versa there are plenty of reasons to 

move schools post - GCSEs. 

When to start looking 

We’d advise getting the ball rolling 

towards the end of their year 10 in time 

for sixth form open days and applications 

which generally take place the following 

autumn. 

Discussions about post-GCSE options 

will already be taking place at your child’s 

current school by then and looking at 

other sixth forms will widen your options. 

Maybe the broader based curriculum 

of the IB would suit them better than 

specialising at A level? Maybe they want 

to pursue a more practical, less exam 

based, route? Or perhaps your child 

simply feels ready for a fresh start and 

new faces. 

Choosing a new sixth form 

The decision needs to be a joint effort 

between parents and children, based as 

much on personal preference as objective 

research. Your child may have formed 

opinions about other schools via friends 

and social media but however popular a 

particular sixth form may be, it’s no good 

if it doesn’t offer the subjects they want 

to study. 

Guide your child to consider the areas 

of study they genuinely enjoy or find 

interesting. Also bear in mind that the 

demands of some A levels, such as 

maths, are a big jump from GCSE and 

most schools will set higher GCSE grade 

requirements for these. 

It may seem too early when your child 

hasn’t even finished their GCSE courses 

to start talking about university subjects 

and destinations, but if they are going to 

change school for sixth form it’s important 

to at least start thinking about the ultimate 

goal. For instance, if Oxbridge or medical 

school is the aim then A level choices 

need to be made accordingly and a 

potential school’s record of Oxbridge and 

medical school places taken into account. 

If university isn’t part of the plan then you’ll 

need to ask the school or college about 

provision for pupils who are interested in 

alternative post-18 options such as degree 

apprenticeships. 

You can find latest information on a 

school’s Oxbridge, medical school and 

non-university destinations in the ‘Exit’ 

section of The Good Schools Guide 

reviews. 

Day to boarding 

A move to boarding school for sixth form 

- see this article for more - is often said 

to be a good preparation for university. 

But manage your expectations – in our 

experience most sixth form boarding 

accommodation is more luxurious than the 

average university hall of residence! 

Most boarding schools have separate 

provision for sixth formers where they can 

live more independently and with fewer 

restrictions than younger pupils. If you 

are looking at full, as opposed to weekly, 

boarding then find out how many sixth 

formers are in school at weekends and 

what activities are on offer (our writers 

suggest looking at boarding house 

noticeboards to see sign-up sheets for 

weekend activities). 

While it’s usually possible, with 

permission, for boarding sixth formers to 

attend day pupils’ parties for instance, 

it’s unlikely that any school will allow the 

same freedom to socialise (particularly 

with regard to sexual relationships) as day 

school pupils. Discuss school rules and 

regulations frankly with your child - if they 

(or you) are horrified then maybe boarding 

isn’t the right choice. 

Independent to state 

A move from independent to state school 

is often determined by family finances, but 

we wonder whether it could also now be a 

strategic decision. 

State school sixth forms or sixth form 

colleges often have exam results that are 

comparable to independent schools and 

they may also offer a wider range of post- 

GCSE choices. 

And as the UK’s top universities strive to 

rebalance their admissions procedures to 

correct what was (rightly) criticised as an 

independent school bias, will this prompt 

more independent school parents to send 

their children to take A levels at state sixth 

forms? Time will tell. 

State to independent 

If you think your child would benefit from 

taking A levels at an independent school 

but are worried about affording the fees, it 

could be worth checking whether you can 

apply for a bursary. Some schools offer 

bursaries specifically for pupils joining the 

sixth form from the local state sector. 

Entry requirements 

These differ considerably but five or six 

GCSEs including English and maths at 

grade 6 or above, with grade 7 or higher 

in subjects to be studied at A level (can 

be 8 or 9 for maths/further maths), is the 

minimum for most selective schools. 

Many schools set the sixth form entry 

bar much higher and in addition to a 

full set of GCSEs at grades 9-7, also 

expect candidates to sit papers in their 

prospective A level subjects. Schools will 

usually interview prospective sixth formers 

too. 

The Good Schools Guide is the UK’s 

number one school guide, helping 

parents in every aspect of choosing 

the best education for their children 

using their unbiased and impartial 

school reviews, alongside a host of 

articles advising on all aspects of 

school life. Find out more at www. 

goodschoolsguide.co.uk 


Kaloo Lapinoo Rabbit, 

£17.99, jojomamanbebe.co.uk 

Guide 

The gift 

Unisex Mouse 

Babygrow Set, £45, 

magnetmouse.co.uk 

Woodland Nesting 

Creatures, £22, 

rosaandbo.com 

Help children 

learn to 

code with 

Blockly, Snap!, 

JavaScript, 

Python and 

C++ 

Exploding 

Kittens, £15.99, 

amazon.co.uk 

Artie Max, £110, 

amazon.co.uk 

Pokemon Brilliant Diamond + 

Shining Pearl (Nintendo Switch), 

£89.99, amazon.co.uk 

Nila Nepp Top, 

£22 and Kieran 

Kneepatch 

Joggers, £28, both 

welovefrugi.com 

Organic 

cotton and 

amazing 

colours and 

prints 

FOR KIDS 

GOTS Organic 

Cotton 

Pyjamas, £26, 

polarnopyret. 

co.uk 

Everhot 

Electric Stove 

£1,295, 

everhot.co.uk 

Luigi Starter Course 

Currently priced at 

£46.98, 

amazon.co.uk 

Available 

in a host 

of fab 

colours 

WHEN THEY HAVE EVERYTHING 

Le Creuset Evolution 

Oval Deep Teal Casserole 

Currently priced at £241, 

amazon.co.uk 

Aranya Hmong 

Cushion, £32, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Cuisinart Precision Stand Mixer, 

£275, cuisinart.co.uk 

Hand-Sliced Side of 

Smoked Salmon, £54.95, 

formanandfield.com 

Truffle Guys 

Experience Box, 

£119.95, 

truffleguysuk.com 

Gusbourne Brut 

Reserve 2017, £39, 

gusbourne.com 


Tabitha Ribbed 

Cashmere Socks, £32, 

pantherella.com 

Candle Discovery Set, 

£18, floralstreet.com 

ESPA Jewels of Nature Collection, £195 

(Worth £365), espaskincare.com 

Perfect 

Christmas 

party 

make up 

Star Sheepskin 

Slippers, £39, 

onaie.com 

ILLAMASQUA 

Skyrocket Artistry 

Eyeshadow Palette, 

£39, lookfantastic.co.uk 

Alpaca Super 

Soft Hot Water 

Bottles, £45, 

chilcottuk.com 

FOR HER 

Great for 

deeply cleansing 

the skin and 

soothing 

stressed eyes 

Cashmere Sweatshirt 

in Emerald, £179, 

loopcashmere.co.uk 

Luxury Heavyweight 

Merino Scarf, £90, 

pantherella.com 

Mulo Slippers in Blue Corduroy, 

£124, muloshoes.com 

UBUNA Refresh 

Water Hydration 

Cream, £160, 

net-a-porter.com 

BeGlow Tia All-In-One 

Sonic Skincare System, 

£199, johnlewis.com 

Micro Merlin 

Japanese Knife 

Trio, £99, 

souschef.co.uk 

Eco Sports Cloak 

Long Sleeve, £119.95, 

charliemcleod.co.uk 

The Micro Explorer 

Electric Scooter, 

£349.95, reduced 

from £449.95 

micro-scooters. 

co.uk 

Amazing 

for the 

chef in 

your life 

FOR HIM 

18 mile range, 

foldable and 

ultra light 

weight with 

15mph top 

speed 

Scrivner For 

Men 5 Step 

Skin Strategy 

- £127, 

janescrivner. 

com 

Perfect if 

they love 

outdoor 

pursuits or 

sports 

Andrée Jardin Sneaker Care Kit, 

£33.50, souschef.co.uk 

Off White Sneakers, 

£175, muloshoes.com 


Amanda Owen 

The yorkshire Shepherdess 

Tells us about her life in the Dales 

Known to millions as The Yorkshire 

Shepherdess, Amanda Owen is the author 

of five best-selling books about her life 

on Ravenseat ,one of the most remote 

farms in the country, where she lives with 

her husband Clive and nine children. She 

currently stars in Channel 5’s popular TV 

show Our Yorkshire Farm and her latest 

book is Celebrating the Seasons includes 

stories, recipes and photos from the farm 

and is out now. 

I understand that you had had no 

previous links to farming, may I ask 

how you became so involved in this line 

of work? 

I grew up in Huddersfield and no one in 

my family is from a farming background. 

I loved the James Herriot books when I 

was a child, and watched the TV series. 

Because of James Herriot I loved the idea 

of being a vet, probably like most other 

children of that era, but was told at school 

that I was not academic enough to make 

the grades. One day in the school library 

I picked up a book called Hill Shepherd. 

It was a photographic documentary of 

hill farming in Yorkshire and Cumbria. 

Reading that book was an epiphany for 

me, the pictures of the hill shepherds on 

the moors with the sheep made me realise 

it was where I wanted to be. It ticked the 

box of wanting to work with animals in 

the countryside and importantly it also 

ticked the rebellion box as it was so the 

opposite of my townie life up until then. 

Years later after I had married my husband 

Clive, we realised that there was actually a 

photograph of him in Hill Shepherd! So it’s 

a very important book to me. 

How did you learn your crafts? One of 

the many things I learnt from your book 

was how important it is to get the grass 

in - in good time. 

I started out as a farm hand, and then 

moved on to being a contract shepherd, 

working on different farms all over the 

country. But really, I learnt everything as I 

went along. 

Most of my crafts came through natural 

progression, learning to ride a horse 

by riding it, learning to clip a sheep by 

clipping my first one, learning to work a 

dog, by taking the dog out with me for the 

first time. 

You can only learn what to do by doing it, 

you have to get practical on the ground 

experience. Nothing comes close to 

learning how to be a shepherd, other than 

actually doing the work of a shepherd and 

it’s not just about learning about sheep, 

it’s about learning about the land. 

With the grass it starts with the sheep. 

You’ve got to have your sheep in good 

order - we grow hardy stock through the 

winter, so it’s absolutely vital that you grow 

your crop well, so they have food to eat 

throughout the winter. 

You enjoy sheep shearing - were you 

nervous when you cut your first fleece? 

Of course, but you know, you have to be 

nervous in order to be any good at what 

you’re doing. If you’re lambing sheep you 

are dealing with nature first hand, but 

there is no room for you to have time to 

be nervous as you have to get on with the 

job. It’s you alone in that moment and it’s 

not optional to be nervous. That pressure 

makes you work fast. 

The first time I clipped, I would clip the 

sheep while the professional shearers 

were having their dinner, and they 

would encourage me or discourage me 

depending on what I was doing, and then 

the more you do it you get faster. You 

keep practicing and eventually you will 

get there. 

How do you spread yourself between 

9 children - it must quite a noisy 

household at times? 

It is a noisy household. But we’re very 

privileged to live where we do which 


means that there’s plenty of room for 

everybody to get some space outside. I 

enjoy the busyness and noise of family 

life in the house. But I can get away from 

it by walking out my front door. Plenty 

of people can’t as they leave their front 

door and if they live in a city, it’s still loud 

and busy when they get out. We’re lucky 

here to have the wide open spaces and 

the kids spend a lot of time outdoors. 

We’re working farm and that means that 

everyone mucks in - no matter what 

the age, it could be collecting hen’s 

eggs, feeding the horses, or helping find 

uniforms for everyone, also cooking. Real 

dough is just as good as playdough and 

the kids love learning to cook. The only 

time when we all come together is tea time 

at the farm, when we all come together to 

eat, it’s my favourite time of day, when I 

get to hear what everyone’s been up to on 

the farm and school. 

Your children must have a wonderful 

time and appear to have no fears with 

any of the animals. Do they each have a 

special one? 

I suppose they do. Quite a lot of the girls 

loves the horses. Violet loves the cows, 

she was excited recently that our pet cow, 

Ciara has now come in from the fields. 

Violet hand reared Ciara from a calf, so 

she thinks she belongs inside the house 

and doesn’t like the other cows. Miles is 

very taken with the hens and his flock of 

30 sheep. Through the winter and up to 

lambing time Miles looks after his flock of 

sheep after school. Sidney has his own 

dog, Nell a sheep dog and she runs for 

him, so that’s quite a big thing for a young 

lad to be able to work his own sheep dog. 

It’s a level up from being a pet. The terriers 

are wonderful they are real characters, 

they are source of frustration as they 

will have fights with each other, or they 

wander off from the farm to the local pub 

quite a few miles away! The terriers, are 

Chalky and Sprout, sadly we lost Pippin at 

the beginning of lock down. Tony the pony 

(pictured above right) is loved by Annas, 

Clemmie and Nancy, they look after him, 

feed him, brush him and ride him. They 

also love the bigger horses Josie and 

Princess. Princess is very good with the 

kids and often two of them ride her around 

the fields. They also like to take the horses 

down to the river and give them a bath 

and wash and comb their tails. 

Will any of them follow in your 

footsteps? 

Yeah, I think so, at the moment Miles and 

Sidney are very keen on farming and Edith 

is a good shepherdess. That said I never 

place any expectation on any of them 

to follow me into being a farmer and a 

shepherd. You don’t know where life will 

take you. I’m not sitting here going: “I want 

you to be a shepherd”, because life goes 

through stages, and what you want to do 

changes, so I’d rather they make their own 

choices, they can do whatever they want 

to do. It’s a difficult thing to ask a child 

what they want to do with the rest of their 

life. They’ll figure it out as they go along. 

What is your favourite season and why? 

Summer. But really I mean June. June is 

my favourite month, because all the sheep 

have had lambs and been turned back 

out onto the moor and it’s before hay time 

and clipping, so there’s a lull and a pause 

in the farm work, and at the same time 

everything comes to life - the flowers, the 

birds on the moor. In June, the Curlews 

are back, as are the Lapwings, Golden 

Plover, Black Grouse. All you can hear 

is birds, wherever you’re walking. There 

are woodcock and snipe too - they are 

all ground nesting birds up here on the 

moor, so you get to see their nests as 

well - and it’s just beautiful. The flowers 

you see in June are marsh marigolds, 

globe flowers, all the hay meadow 

flowers, rare orchids - it’s really pretty. 

What made you decide to write this 

book? It is a delightful read and the 

recipes are a treat…. 

Celebrating the Seasons, came about 

because I wanted to answer some of the 

most frequently ask questions, how do 

you cater for such a big family? Tell us 

about the practicalities? What do you 

cook? It was really difficult selecting 

recipes for the book. I wanted to include 

forgiving recipes. Recipes that it was 

totally fine to get distracted in the middle 

of and would still turn out good. Recipes 

that were achievable with the most 

basic of ingredients, simple feel good 

food, that was nutritionally good too. My 

absolute favourite is the Tagine recipe, 

it’s a people pleaser, for me its so easy 

and the smell always brings everyone 

to the kitchen - which is helpful! Every 

time I cook it it’s different, sometimes 

chick peas, sometimes wild rice, some 

times couscous - it always comes out 

slightly different each time. In addition 

to the recipes, people have told me they 

loved my photos and images of the farm 

that I post on twitter and would always 

suggest I do a photograph book. If you 

go back to basics it was a photography 

book - Hill Shepherd - that inspired me 

to become a shepherd. So it’s nice to 

go full circle. I know how inspiring a 

photography book can be - how it can 

really steer you and how a picture can 

tell a thousand words. I really hope that 

when people buy the book, that they 

look at the pictures over and over again 

and still find something new in them, as I 

have with Hill Shepherd. 

What would you like to tell our readers 

about your life? 

I want people to know that Celebrating 

the Seasons is a book about going your 

own way. It’s not a blueprint for how you 

should live your life, it simply says this 

is what we do as a family this is how we 

do it, feel free to follow the recipes, or 

do them your own way. I want people 

to not let themselves to be stereotyped, 

to know that all things are achievable if 

you really want to do it. So many people 

said you won’t have time to write a book, 

you won’t achieve that. But I believe you 

can do anything you just have to start 

doing it. If you want to write a book, 

start writing. I got an E in GCSE English, 

and this is my fifth book. Anything is 

possible. 

Celebrating 

the Seasons with The Yorkshire 

Shepherdess by Amanda Owen by Pan 

Macmillan, £20. 


Dinner is served 

Tasty recipes from Amanda Owen 

Wild Mushroom Soup with 

Wood Sorrel & Hazelnut Pesto 

Prep time 10 minutes 

Cooking time 35 minutes 

Serves 4 

2 tbsp Yorkshire rapeseed oil, plus extra for 

garnish 

1 medium onion, finely chopped 

1 large clove garlic, crushed or grated 

450g wild mushrooms, such as yellow 

chanterelle, roughly chopped 

50ml Madeira or sweet sherry 

850ml hot vegetable stock 

3 sprigs fresh thyme 

200ml double cream 

1 tsp mushroom powder 

Salt and black pepper 

Pesto 

25g chopped toasted hazelnuts 

1 small bunch wood sorrel 

2 tbsp olive oil 

10g Parmesan 

Garnish 

Handful of wild mushrooms 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan, add 

the onion and garlic and fry gently for 5 

minutes, until softened but not coloured. 

Next, add the mushrooms and fry on a 

14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

medium heat for 8 minutes, until they are 

golden. 

Pour the Madeira over the mushrooms and 

cook on a high heat for about a minute until 

the alcohol evaporates. 

Lower the heat and pour in the hot stock, 

then add the sprigs of thyme. Bring to the 

boil then cover and simmer gently for 20 

minutes. 

Remove the pan from the heat, blitz with 

a hand blender or in a liquidizer until the 

soup is smooth. Return the soup to a clean 

pan, stir in the cream and sprinkle over the 

mushroom powder, then season the soup 

and gently reheat over a low heat. 

Meanwhile, place the pesto ingredients into 

a small food processor and blitz for a few 

seconds until combined. Add extra oil if the 

pesto is a little thick and season to taste. 

For the mushroom garnish, drizzle some 

oil in a small frying pan and gently fry the 

remaining mushrooms for a couple of 

minutes until golden. 

To serve, ladle the soup into warm bowls, 

scatter over the whole fried mushrooms, 

and top with a spoonful of pesto. 

Tip 

Try serving with homemade spelt bread. 

Moroccan Lamb Tagine with 

Jewelled Couscous 


Cooking time 1 hour 15 minutes 

Serves 4 

Tagine 

2 tbsp olive oil 

600g lamb shoulder, diced 

1 large onion, sliced 

2 cloves garlic, crushed 

1 tbsp ground cumin 

2 tsp ground coriander 

1 tbsp hot smoked paprika 

40g tomato purée 

400g can cherry tomatoes 

1 cinnamon stick 

50g dried apricots, chopped 

2 large pieces orange peel 

285ml lamb stock 

1 small bunch coriander, chopped 

Jewelled couscous 

200g couscous 

200ml hot vegetable stock 

1 red onion, chopped 

100g pomegranate seeds 

1 small bunch mint, leaves roughly chopped 

1 small bunch coriander, chopped 

3 spring onions 

20g almonds, toasted 

Salt and black pepper 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/ gas 4. 

Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large 

heatproof casserole dish, then add the 

lamb and sear and brown on all sides for 

about 5 minutes. Remove the lamb from 

the casserole dish with a slotted spoon and 

set aside. 

Return the casserole dish to the heat and 

add the remaining oil. When hot, add the 

onion and fry gently for approximately 8 

minutes until golden. Add the garlic and fry 

for a further minute. 

Sprinkle over the ground spices and stir 

in the tomato purée then fry for a further 

minute. Return the meat and any juices 

to the pan with the remaining Tagine 

ingredients (except the fresh coriander), 

bring to the boil then cover with a lid and 

transfer to the middle shelf of the oven. 

Cook for 1 hour, or until the meat is tender. 

Meanwhile, while the Tagine cooks, put the 

couscous into a bowl and pour over the 

hot vegetable stock. Cover the bowl tightly 

with cling film and set aside for 10 minutes 

until the couscous has absorbed the liquid. 

Season the couscous, then stir through 

the remaining ingredients, saving a few 

almonds and herbs to garnish. 

To serve the Tagine, remove the cinnamon 

stick and check seasoning, then sprinkle 

over the chopped coriander. Serve in warm 

bowls with the jewelled couscous. 

Tip 

This recipe can also be cooked slowly in a 

Tagine over a barbecue.

It has been over two and half years since Wine & Reason first opened its 

doors on Montague Place in Worthing. 

If you have yet to have been, be prepared for a large selection of about 80 

bottles to choose from, with at least 30 different wines available by the 

glass! This includes several local sparkling wines and Champagne, Port and 

Sherry, dessert wines and many other offerings, all available in various sized 

glasses and carafes. There is definitely something for all lovers of fermented 

grape juice! And if you don’t like wine, don’t worry, as they also have a large 

selection of spirits, as well as local craft beers, kombucha, lagers and soft 

drinks. The wine list itself is updated regularly, with several guest wines, bin 

ends and special offers available at all times. If you’re ever unsure of exactly 

what to try, wine flights are also available, where you can sample several 

different wines, before deciding on a bottle. 

Wine & Reason is, however, actually a restaurant. And it’s also a 

predominantly vegan restaurant! Prior to opening, the owner Fergus had 

been working in the wine trade for over 20 years. But he doesn’t eat meat! 

The only thing on the menu that is not actually vegan is their excellent 

cheese boards, which would be foolish not to offer, with so many excellent 

wines to drink! Although best known for their incredible vegan tapas, Wine 

& Reason now also offers an extended, fully vegan menu, including a large 

selection of burgers, wraps, nachos and desserts, as well as some meals for 

kids, including nuggets, fish fingers and burgers (yes, all vegan!), and they 

do also have a few gluten-free options available! The extended menu, as 

well as a small selection of wines, beers and soft drinks, is also available for 

home delivery via Just Eat. Or you can call the restaurant directly to arrange 

a collection and you’ll receive 10% off your entire order! 

They will be open seven days a week throughout August and often get very 

busy, so booking is highly recommended. 

01903 297470 | info@wineandreason.co.uk 

14 Montague Place, Worthing BN11 3BG 

Peckhams Butchers 

WE BUY - WE SELL - WE TRADE 

OPENING HOURS 

TUES 11AM - 5PM 

WEDS 11AM - 5PM 

THURS 11AM - 5PM 

FRI 11AM - 5PM 

SAT 10AM - 5PM 

SUN 11AM - 4PM 

NOW TAKING ORDERS 

FOR CHRISTMAS 

We specialise in locally sourced meat 

cut to your requirements. We also 

sell a wide selection of homemade 

sausages and burgers 

THE SQUARE, FINDON, WEST SUSSEX BN14 0TE 

TEL: 01903 873202 


And time for pudding... 

More tasty recipes from Amanda Owen 

Rhubarb & Custard Crumble Cake 



Serves 4-6 

Rhubarb 

250g Yorkshire rhubarb, cut into 2cm 

chunks 

50g caster sugar 

Crumble 

50g plain flour 

25g butter, cut into cubes 

40g chopped mixed nuts 

25g demerara sugar 

Cake 

170g butter, softened, plus extra for 

greasing 

85g caster sugar 

85g soft brown sugar 

3 medium eggs, beaten 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

170g self-raising flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

30g custard powder 

Icing sugar to dust 

Custard to serve 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 

Grease and line a 21cm round spring-form 

cake tin. 

Put the rhubarb into a saucepan and 

sprinkle over the caster sugar. Heat very 

gently until the sugar dissolves into a syrup. 

Simmer for 6–8 minutes until the rhubarb 

just begins to soften. Set aside to cool. 

Meanwhile make the crumble. Place the 

flour into a mixing bowl and rub in the 

butter with your fingertips until it resembles 

breadcrumbs, then stir in the chopped nuts 

and sugar. 

Next make the cake. Beat the butter, caster 

sugar and soft brown sugar in a bowl using 

an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes, until light 

and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract 

with 2 tablespoons of the flour, beat for 

a minute until combined, then fold in the 

remaining flour, baking powder and custard 

powder. 

Drain any excess juices from the rhubarb 

16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

and discard the syrup, then gently fold the 

cooled rhubarb through the cake mixture. 

Transfer the cake batter to the prepared tin 

and gently smooth the top with a spatula. 

Sprinkle the crumble over the cake and 

press down lightly with the back of a spoon, 

then bake on the middle shelf of the oven 

for 40 minutes, until the cake is golden, firm 

to touch, and when a skewer is inserted it 

comes out clean. Allow to cool slightly in the 

cake tin, then transfer to a plate. 

Dust lightly with icing sugar before serving 

warm with custard. 

Tip 

Also delicious served with ice cream or 

single cream. 

Hedgerow Nutty Crumble 



Serves 4 

Fruit filling 

40g butter 

40g golden caster sugar 

2 Braeburn apples, peeled and sliced 

200g Bramley apples, peeled and sliced 

300g foraged berries or any mixed berries, 

such as blackberries and wild raspberries 

Crumble topping 

125g plain flour 

85g unsalted butter, diced 

85g demerara sugar 

50g rolled oats 

30g chopped toasted hazelnuts 

Custard or ice cream to serve 

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan/gas 4. 

For the fruit filling, melt the butter in a 

pan, add the sugar and apples and gently 

simmer for 5 minutes. Add the berries and 

simmer for 2 minutes, then transfer to a 

23cm round oven-proof dish. 

Meanwhile prepare the crumble topping. 

Put the flour into a mixing bowl and rub 

in the butter with your fingertips, until the 

mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir 

in the sugar, oats and hazelnuts. 

Sprinkle the crumble topping over the 

fruit, then place the dish on the middle 

shelf of the oven. Bake for 30-35 minutes, 

until the crumb is golden and fruit 

bubbling. 

Allow to cool slightly before serving with 

custard or ice cream. 

Tip 

Try using other seasonal fruits such as 

damsons or gooseberries.


www.anboise.com 

www.norsu.com.au 

GUEST BEDROOM 

perfection 

DON’T: WORRY IF YOU 

DON’T HAVE LOADS OF 

SPACE 

Ultimately you have to work with what 

you’ve got - in the last 18 months, 

many of us have seen our guest rooms 

overhauled into home offices. If you’ve 

ditched the bed don’t worry - how about 

adding an attractive sofa bed that you 

can actually use the rest of the time as a 

break out area from your desk. 

DO: PROVIDE BASIC 

AMENITIES 

The more things you can put in the room 

to make their stay easier, without having 

to ask you for everything, the more 

relaxed everyone will feel. A mirror is 

important, as are fresh towels, tissues, 

and perhaps even a hair dryer. A bedside 

carafe and some glasses means they can 

help themselves to water too. 

DO: INVEST IN 

GOOD WINDOW 

TREATMENTS 

As you might have never 

slept in this space, you 

might not know how 

light behaves or how 

effective the current 

window treatments are for 

blocking out light. For a 

really luxurious look, pair 

blackout blinds or shutters 

with thick, decorative 

drapery. Shutters give a lovely secure feel 

to a space and really finish the room. 

DON’T: SETTLE FOR A 

LUMPY MATTRESS 

The same goes for the mattress as the 

window treatments - spend a night in the 

room and see if the bed is up to scratch. 

DO: PROVIDE GOOD 

LIGHTING 

Multi-level lighting is key for making a 

space feel cosy - make sure there are 

two bedside lamps and then another 

light source in the space, such as a 

standing lamp in the corner or a lamp on 

a dressing table 

DON’T: SKIMP ON THE 

BED LINENS 

Good bed linen really is worth the money 

- and it tends to wash better too. Provide 

a good quality duvet and pillows, linens 

and some additional blankets if your 

guests feel the cold. 

DO: CREATE 

SOMEWHERE THEY CAN 

UNPACK 

We all know it’s a bit stressful trying to 

live out of a suitcase - allowing for some 

hanging space and a few drawers to 

unpack into, can really help guests keep 

on top of things whilst they’re with you. 

DO: MAKE IT SMELL 

LOVELY 

Kit the room out with either fresh flowers, 

a reed diffuser, or room sprays. Pillow 

spray to help deep sleep is also a lovely 

touch to make the space feel homely - we 

love Olverum’s new Restful Pillow Sleep 

Mist, £25, olverum.com 

DON’T: BE A 

PERFECTIONIST 

If your guests were hoping for hotel 

standards, then that’s where they should 

have stayed. Just aim to make sure 

the space is clean, comfortable and 

functional, then relax - there’s enough to 

be worrying about in the festive season 

without adding high expectations on top 

of that. 

If you’re looking for a total decorative 

overhaul, check out our moodboards! 

www.frenchbedroomcompany.co.uk 


Bromley Chest, £399, 

Made.com 

Black Branches Print, from £6.99, 

www.juniqe.co.uk 

Jute Effect Daylight Roller 

Blind, from £22, John Lewis 

Bedroom by Pure Salt Interiors 

BRIGHT 

& CRISP 

Off-White Linen Bed Set. 

£170.99, www.truelinen.co.uk 

Limestone Wood Paint, £18 

750ml, thorndown.co.uk 

Dar Lighting 

NUS422, from £82, 

wtlighting.co.uk 

Furn Contra Olive Cushion, 

£25, www.persora.com 

London Bench, from £499, 

www.boconcept.com 

Mala Pile Rug, 

200x290cm, £299, 

Made.com 

Reims, Iron/Metal Four Poster Bed Frame, from 

£649, www.obc-uk.net 

Black Bud Vase, £29, 

room356.co.uk 

Achieve this look by 

layering different 

neutral textures, and 

adding structural 

touches of black and a 

few strong accent colours 

Juna Striped 

Cushion, £34, 

hauslife.co.uk 


SKIPS 

ORDER ONLINE 

www.rabbitgroup.co.uk 

FOR DISCOUNT 

PRICES 

01903 873620 


Pembridge Pendant 

Size 3, £1319, 

www.originalbtc.com 

B O H O 

COASTAL 

Dulux Paint in ‘Paper Chain’ 

Natural Ceramic Table Lamp, 

£99,barkerandstonehouse.co.uk 

Kilby Bedside 

Table, £229, 

made.com 

Design by Studio McGee 

Fingal 3 Seat 

Sofa, £1210, 

sofa.com 

Navy Seigaiha Wave Cushions £32 and Kayla Woven Cushion £31, hauslife. 

co.uk, Weeping Palm Tree Velvet Cushion Cover, £32.95, audenza.com 

Malibu Print, from £6.99, www.juniqe.co.uk 

Tulana Double Bed, 

£599, made.com 

Elowen Throw, 

£75, hauslife.co.uk 


Wooden Ice Lolly Plate, £18.99, 

bluebrontide.com 

DECK THE 

HALLS 

Decorations, from left to right: 

Glass Glitter Bauble, £7, hauslife.co.uk; Ice Cream Four Decroation Set, 

£15.50, coxandcox.co.uk; Felt Dalmation, £9, sophieallport.co.uk; Glass 

Toucan, £6 and Glass Bunny Tail Grass Filled Bauble £7, hauslife.co.uk 

Lights and LED Candles 

from lights4fun.co.uk 

Wooden Stag Head 

Bunting, £5.99, 

gingerray.co.uk 

Extra Large Zinc Lined Rattan Planter, £85 

Open Log Carrier Basket, £38 

Mixed Eucalyptus Berry Wreath, £85 

All marquisanddawe.co.uk 

Sausage Dog Placecard, £3.99 for six, gingerray.co.uk; 

Christmas Dogs Nibbles Bowl, £13, sophieallport.com 


INTO THE 

blue 

Emily Baker takes in ultimate luxury 

in the inimitable Maldives 


ARRIVAL BY SEAPLANE 

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 

- 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 

reef 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 


“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” 


HORIZON WATER VILLA 

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 humblelooking 

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 pinch-me 

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 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 resortsnob 

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 - 

rates not guaranteed so call for details | 

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 - 

rates not guaranteed so call for details To 

book call on 0208 843 4444 

www.southalltravel.co.uk 


HOUSING-WITH-CARE 

Allowing older people to live where they want to live 

Imagine you’re an older person in your 

70s, approaching your later years and 

perhaps in need of more support soon, 

but still with so much to give, so many 

talents to unlock, so many friends to 

make. You’re thinking about moving 

from the family home you’ve lived in 

for years to somewhere which provides 

security and care if and when you need 

it, but which also allows you to keep 

your independence and connections to 

the local community, and which has a 

range of activities and facilities to keep 

you busy. 

It’s this middle ground, this golden 

mean, combining independence with 

care and support, which housing-withcare 

settings across the country are 

offering to older people in increasing 

numbers. Sometimes called retirement 

communities, retirement villages or extra 

care housing, these settings give older 

people the opportunity to rent or own 

a flat or apartment, on a site with 24/7 

staffing, high-quality care provision if 

needed, and facilities like restaurants, 

bars, cafes, gyms, activity rooms and 

much more. 

While long-standing options for older 

people like care homes and traditional 

retirement housing will continue to have 

a vital place, there is a growing need 

for middle options like housing-withcare 

which allow older people to stay 

independent and healthy for longer. 

The evidence is clear: housing-withcare 

improves health and well-being, 

drastically cuts down hospital and GP 

visits, and reduces feelings of loneliness. 

Not only do older people themselves 

benefit, but so too does the NHS and 

whole social care system. 

Housing-with-care settings can be in 

either rural or urban locations, giving 

older people the chance to choose the 

lifestyle they want. Often, they are closely 

connected with the town centre, and 

people of different ages are able to use 

the facilities at the retirement community 

and mix with older residents. Far from 

being ghettos of the elderly, housingwith-care 

settings can be hubs of 

intergenerational connection. 

ARCO’s role as the representative body 

for the housing-with-care sector is to help 

our members provide the best possible 

service to their older residents, and to 

ensure the sector thrives and grows in 

the way that it should. An important part 

of ARCO’s work is helping members 

set high standards through the ARCO 

Consumer Code, a new edition of 

which was launched in September this 

year. The code upholds the principles 

of transparency and fairness, giving 

customers and residents confidence that 

housing-with-care operators achieve 

high levels of consumer protection in 

everything from marketing, sales and 

lettings, and resident relations. 

Because, ultimately, housing-with-care is 

all about the residents. About responding 

to the growing demand from older 

people for housing options that combine 

independent, active living with care 

and support if needed. About allowing 

residents to live the life that they want 

to live. 

For further email please visit 

www.arcouk.org 


01903 770356 

james@thesussexwillsoffice.co.uk 


PLANNING FOR DEMENTIA 

Woodlands House has been specialising 

in Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease for 

nearly 31 years in Littlehampton... 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

With Covid19 we are especially under pressure, to provide not 

only the best care for our residents, but also supporting families 

desperately sacrificing and trusting us with their loved. At Woodlands 

our absolute top priority is the correct use of PPE, and our wonderful 

permanent staff even restricting their own private lives to protect 

our residents. Most of Woodlands staff have been employed for an 

average of six years. 

We also realise that taking and accepting the responsibility of making 

such a life changing decision on behalf of a loved one is the hardest 

decision we ever have to make. Finding the type of care available is 

daunting in itself. Do you want a new large modern home with all the 

“facilities” or do you want the home that offers the nearest possible 

“feel” to a home? Do you want familiar caring staff, most of whom 

have been at Woodlands for years and years with the maximum 

experience, qualifications, and ongoing training and a Manager who is 

in daily contact with both residents and staff? 

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

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

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

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

HIGHEST STANDARDS OF PROTECTIVE CARE. 

WOODLANDS 

HOUSE 

CARE HOME 

We specialise in caring for those suffering from memory 

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

in a luxury home in Sussex. 

We operate an alternative Care Philosophy whereby 

residents are encouraged to live their lives 

without the pressures of social expectations 

or unnecessary sedation. 

www.woodlandshouse.org 

www.carehome.co.uk 

Room available NOW 

CQC 

Inspection: 

“GOOD” for 

every level!!! 

Do you want to see every certificate for every course and pictures 

of member of staff because there are so many, or do you want to be 

greeted by the same team week in week out when you CAN visit? 

These same staff knowing my loved one not only during the day but 

also at night when they are alone and feeling lost? 

If you are thinking along these lines, call for an initial chat you and feel 

the homely atmosphere for yourself and just give you the confidence 

and support you need to avoid a crisis by waiting. Visitors are 

welcome ! (may be subject to Guidelines). 

house.woodlands@gmail.com | 01903725458 . 

For further information contact 

Oonagh Cacioppoon 01903 725458 

or email house.woodlands@gmail.com 

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

Gifts for gardeners and the garden too! 

Matt Biggs, the gardening expert, gives us some excellent ideas on Christmas presents for your 

green-fingered friends... 

It is that time of the year again, only this year hopefully we can be 

with our loved ones and celebrate Christmas as we want to. 

Whilst the past 18 months have been difficult and challenging for 

so many of us, one good result is the interest in gardening that 

spending so much time at home has created. 

Bee-keeping is a great hobby - 

and there is no better way to help 

nature than to help our bees - 

check out local bee keeping clubs 

and societies - and do buy local 

honey too! 

New gardeners, born again gardeners, there are many ideas to 

bring a Christmas morning smile - so here are a few, and not only 

good for gardeners but good for the garden too. 

Horticulture courses - from the RHS courses to local college 

courses and even garden club activities, there are many ways to 

learn from those in the know - and gardeners are great sharers. 

The gift of a course, a membership or a good book is a great way 

to encourage budding gardeners and assist those who want to 

fulfil a gardening wish. 

Older people who can no longer garden may be able to do a little 

more in their gardens if the beds are raised so that they can sit and 

garden or do so from a wheelchair . If housebound, planting a small 

but beautiful tree or shrub so that it can be seen from the house is a 

great idea, and a bird feeding station will offer hours of entertainment 

and be great for the birds too! 

From locally made hand creams and soaps to really good tools, 

books, vouchers for the local garden centre and bird tables there 

is plenty to keep a gardener happy - and give nature a bit of a 

hand too! 


NEW STUNNING FITTED 

BEDROOM FURNITURE 

AS WELL AS BATHROOMS AND KITCHENS 

It’s not every day you upgrade your bathroom, Kitchen, Cloakroom, Ensuite, 

Shower room or wet room so we’re here to help you make the right 

choice within your budget. Whether you are looking for accessories, a new 

unit or a complete re-fit we’re here to help. Get In touch for a friendly chat 

and let us help guide you through the vast range of products available. 

Why Rustington Bathrooms? 

At Rustington Bathrooms we take pride in putting our customers first. 

Our extensive range of products and expertise is sure to meet the 

most demanding of ideas to give you the dream bathroom, Kitchen 

or Cloakroom you’ve always wanted. 

NOW BEDROOM FURNITURE 

Tel: 01903 778 863 

6-8 Windmill Parade, Worthing Road, Rustington, 

West Sussex BN16 3JX 

Email: tim@rustingtonbathrooms.co.uk 

www.rustingtonbathrooms.co.uk

Worthing Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2021

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