North Hampshire Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2022

Contents 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

20 

Delicious 

A Culinary Journey through 

Northern Ireland recipes 

Welcome to the first edition 

of 2022. It’s well known that 

January is named after the 

Roman god Janus - a two 

headed god able to look into the 

future and the past. 

It’s a fitting thought for this time 

of year - when most of us will 

be making earnest resolutions 

for the year ahead, but also 

looking back at what has just 

passed. Perhaps naively, we 

assumed we’d be well-shot of 

all the COVID business by now - 

but amidst this new normal, our 

habits have changed and our 

priorities have reframed a little - I 

think for the better. 

Our competition 

page returns 

04 

In line with this, we have done 

away with the usual ‘New Year 

New You’ sentiments - let’s 

leave any judgement at the door 

- and instead we’ve looked at 

ways to feel healthier and steps 

toward a greener home. We 

can all make improvements in 

our home to better their energy 

efficiency and reduce their toxic 

loads, and our guide gives some 

practical steps. 

Interior Designer 

Julia Kendell 

22 

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 Julia Kendell 

Key Account Manager Ben Hollis 

e ben.hollis@minervapublications.co.uk 

d/l 01225 984503 

twitter @NorthHampshireL 

26 

Making your 

home greener 

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. 

We were thrilled to grab an 

interview with interior designer 

Julia Kendell - you will recognise 

her from her work on DIY SOS 

and 60 Minute Makeover. 

If you’re still missing a bit of that 

festive indulgence to see you 

through the gloomier months, 

we have some fabulous, and 

dare I say, somewhat celebratory 

recipes to make even the darkest 

of nights feel brighter. 

This is all alongside our usual 

advice on education, later life 

and lots of other great little 

reads peppered in! We will see 

you again in March! 

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. 

WIN 

A £500 GIFT 

VOUCHER TO 

SPEND ONLINE 

WITH 

DEFACTO 

DeFacto is the latest fashion brand to bring 

affordable, quality and stylish wardrobe 

choices to the online high street. Offering 

an expansive range of on trend fashion 

for women, men and children, DeFacto’s 

mission is to elevate and celebrate the 

everyday with styles that work for every 

occasion. 

One lucky winner will win a £500 gift voucher to 

spend online at DeFacto 

www.uk.defacto.com 

Closes 15/03/2022 - Competition keyword ‘DEFACTO’ 

WIN 

A LUXURY 

HANGING EGG 

CHAIR FROM 

PRIMROSE 

LIVING 

WIN 

A 12-MONTH 

FRAGRANCE 

SUBSCRIPTION 

WITH 

HOOHAA is a unisex monthly 

HOOHAA 

subscription service allowing 

customers to tap into a world of new and 

undiscovered niche fragrances from around 

the globe and in the comfort of their own home! 

You can choose from one of three edits known as Easy Does 

It (wearable and easy), Buckle Up or Take Me To Mars (on the 

more challenging side), new and independent fragrance brands 

are introduced each month to HOOHAA. Once signed up with 

your selected edit you pay a monthly fee of £14.95 and will 

receive a new 10ml unisex hand decanted fragrance (travel size 

friendly) at your door each month based on your chosen edit. 

We have 2 x 12-month subscriptions to give away. 

www.hoohaa.co.uk 

Closes 15/03/2022 - Competition keyword ‘HOOHAA’ 

For outdoor living in style 

and sophistication. Every 

piece within Primrose 

Living is designed to bring 

modern comfort to your 

garden, whether dining 

with nature or relaxing at 

dusk. It offers high-quality, 

dependable pieces that you 

can shape around your space, and 

enjoy for years to come. Win the perfect blend 

of style and comfort in this hanging egg 

chair, perfect for enjoying the 

peace and quiet of that sunny 

spot in your garden. 

One lucky reader will win a 

luxury rattan hanging egg chair courtesy 

of Primrose Living. 

www.primrose.co.uk 

Closes 15/03/2021 - Competition keyword ‘PRIMROSE’ 

WIN 

5X £50 

HOMEWARE 

VOUCHERS TO 

SPEND WITH 

HAUS 

Haus offers travel-inspired homewares to suit any 

interior. From textiles sourced from Mali to Indonesia 

and ceramics from Morocco to Portugal, you’ll find 

handcrafted pieces made with integrity and paying 

worked a fair price for their expertise. Recent 

collections include Modern Vintage, focusing on 

vintage fabrics from Sri Lanka and Thailand and 

beautiful, textural floor cushions from India. 

Haus are giving 5 lucky readers £50 vouchers to 

spend on their website. 

www.hauslife.co.uk 

Closes 15/03/2022 - Competition keyword ‘HAUS LIFESTYLE’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Let there be 

lights 

Whitchurch Silk Mill Winter Lights 

spectacular returns for 2022! 

Whitchurch Silk Mill’s Winter Light’s spectacular will return in a 

blaze of glory from 28th January to 6th February to this historic 

Mill in the heart of rural Hampshire. This time an illuminated walk 

through the Mill’s past will weave itself through the historic Mill 

and gardens. Light and audio installations will delight visitors with 

the Mill’s living weaving heritage in ways like never before. 

As dusk falls, visitors will make their way around an astonishing 

series of light displays that transport them through time to the 

earliest days of the Mill. The River Test, the flowing power source 

of the Mill, will be illuminated reflecting light throughout the water. 

Inside the Mill, the historic machinery will be lit with displays of 

light representing patterns and swirling fabrics as our weavers 

weave silk on historic looms. Outside on Frog Island, where two 

parts of the River Test flow into one, light and classical music 

wash over the Mill, the gardens and the tree-lined river banks. 

Whitchurch Silk Mill: A Walk Through Time, created by Zeal Live, 

an experiential production house, opens on Friday 28th January 

and runs until Sunday 6th February. 

28 Winchester Street, Whitchurch, Hampshire, Whitchurch, 

Hampshire RG28 7AL | www.whitchurchsilkmill.org.uk 

Winter Lights 

You could be a family in 2022 

Adoption is easier than you think 

Adopt South is the Regional Adoption Agency for Hampshire, 

Isle of Wight, Portsmouth and Southampton Local Authorities 

Talk to our friendly team about starting 

your adoption journey today. 

0300 3000 011 • adoptsouth.org.uk 

28 JANUARY to 6 FEBRUARY 2022 

Whitchurch Silk Mill is transformed 

with an after-dark illuminated trail 

through the picturesque Mill, 

grounds & its living weaving heritage 

For more info and to buy tickets, visit 

WWW.WHITCHURCHSILKMILL.ORG.UK 


A 21st century education... 

In 2012 the founding PSB schools recognised an opportunity to 

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

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

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Initially, the PSB operated in many 

cases with the caveat of ‘subject to 

Common Entrance’, but as CE has moved 

inexorably away from being a qualifying 

examination to in most cases being 

simply for setting purposes, the PSB has 

gained increasing recognition as a broad 

and detailed record of progress and 

achievement, tailored to individual schools 

and pupils. The growth from the initial 4 

schools in 2012 to 34 today has given the 

PSB a unique position in a fast shifting 

educational landscape. 

This is all allied to the increasing range 

of entrance routes to senior schools – 

although it is the pre-test that rules the 

roost. Closely related to this has been 

the shift in ISI framework criteria, clearly 

identifying and emphasising the need 

for the development of skills alongside 

knowledge, in order for schools to be 

recognised as excellent when reflecting 

pupils’ academic and other achievements. 

In recent years more junior schools have 

stepped away from strictly adhering to 

ISEB syllabus content, dropping this, 

trimming that or simply stating that they 

are going to do their own thing. Where 

the PSB has a clear advantage, is in 

creating and monitoring a framework 

for study, within which schools operate 

independently. 

The active assessment of skills with pupils 

is unique; whilst this is initially driven by 

teachers in the lower school, by Year 

5 the emphasis is on self-assessment 

by pupils, with the support of a strong 

tutorial system. What the PSB doesn’t 

do is sell courses or demand the use of 

a prescribed syllabus. The expectation 

is that schools will follow a broad and 

balanced curriculum and that what they 

do will be reflected by strong ISI reports. 

So what makes us believe that the PSB 

approach is the right one? Put simply, 

the sheer weight of educational research 

that emphasises the crucial need for 

developing skills alongside knowledge. 

The Pearson Report Making Education 

Work emphasised that non-cognitive skills 

and attributes such as team working, 

emotional maturity, empathy and other 

interpersonal skills are important as 

proficiency in English or mathematics in 

ensuring young people’s employment 

prospects. 

The proof is in the pudding; the 

growth of schools in membership, and 

continuing interest from schools seeking 

membership, shows that the PSB is 

the right idea at the right time. With a 

philosophy that extends from Early Years, 

and the development of a whole school 

“Making Education Work emphasised that 

non-cognitive skills and attributes such as team 

working, emotional maturity, empathy and other 

interpersonal skills are important as proficiency 

in English or mathematics in ensuring young 

people’s employment prospects. ” 


approach to teaching and learning, the 

PSB is a powerful vehicle for excellence. 

As things stand over 50 senior schools 

welcome the PSB as a valid course of 

study and recognise the PSB certificate 

– reflecting assessment across subjects 

studied and the core skills - as proof of 

standards achieved across the curriculum. 

Most schools additionally accept pupils 

via their own entrance tests and some 

use core CE – with a growing number not 

requiring Languages. Crucially the greater 

flexibility of entrance requirements enables 

PSB schools to offer broad, exciting and 

educationally enriching courses. 

The PSB continues to evolve as its 

membership grows. The original skills 

matrix has been transformed by fresh 

input, a wellbeing grid is being trialled and 

the newly appointed Director of Education 

is providing a strong educational focus. 

The greatest strength of the PSB is the 

fact that change is driven by staff within 

schools, which gives it exceptionally 

powerful ownership, and overseen by a 

committee of PSB Heads and trustees 

from the wider education community. 

James Barnes is The Communications 

Director of the PSB. 


St Nicholas’ School 

fleet • hampshire 

An independent day school for boys aged 3-7 and girls aged 3-16 

• Open 8.00am - 6.00pm 

• 50 weeks a year 

• 15 hours EYE Funding 

• Child Care Vouchers Accepted 

St Nicholas’ School ranked 3rd position in the Sunday Times 2021 Parent Power 

(The top independent schools with small or no sixth forms) 

• GCSE results rank amongst the best nationally 

• Excellent awarded by the Independent 

Schools Inspectorate (ISI) 

• Outstanding pastoral care 

• Small classes taught by specialist subject teachers 

T. 01252 850121 | E. registrar@st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk 

@stnicholasschool | @stnicholasfleet | stnicholasfleet 

www.st-nicholas.hants.sch.uk

THE POWER of BURSARIES 

Levelling up – the transformative power of bursaries and how we might level up rather 

than dumb down... 

If a random sample of British 

adults were to play a game of 

word association when the chosen 

words were ‘prep’, ‘independent’ or 

‘private school’, the results would 

be predictable. ‘Posh’, ‘exclusive’ 

and ‘expensive’ might make an 

appearance, although so might 

‘excellence’, ‘results’ and ‘success’. 

Placed against these pre-conceptions 

of independent education, it is easy to 

see why some politicians feel the days 

of independent schools’ charitable 

status to be numbered. 

Even as a Headmaster of an 

independent prep school, I sometimes 

struggle, morally, to reconcile the 

opportunities that we can create with 

the reality for many children across 

the country, despite the best efforts 

of so many fellow professionals in 

maintained schools. Having started my 

career in the state sector, I only made 

the switch because I felt I would have 

the freedom to design an education 

that worked in the fullest sense and 

the ability to create something unique 

and bespoke for every child is a 

joy. The moral tension comes from 

considering why this is only available 

for those who can afford it, although 

surely it can never be right to knock 

excellence and reduce everything to 

the lowest common denominator in 

the quest for equality. 

The charitable status of most 

independent schools hides, from 

some, our need to balance the books. 

This is particularly challenging in 

prep schools where the fees are 

lower and the margins tighter: the 

preconceptions of wealth held by 

many are simply incorrect in most 

cases. Competition between prep 

schools can be fierce and the need 

to demonstrate relative strength and 

quality over rival schools is essential. 

This need creates a tension between 

the school as a business and the 

school as a charity, and it would 

be easy for Heads and Bursars to 

prioritise the former at the expense 

of the latter. Not only would this be 

morally wrong, it is also a short-term 

and blinkered course of action and 

schools, even small prep schools, 

need to factor creating inclusivity into 

their business plans so that they are a 

charity in action as well as in name. 

I can’t describe the satisfaction to be 

gained from watching a child benefit 

from support from the school as a 

charity. It feels right, is transformative 

for those involved, and justifies the 

charitable status of the school. All 

involved benefit. Given appropriate 

levels of financial and strategic 

planning, it is possible, even for small 

independent schools, to provide 

their brand of education to a wider 

cross-section of society and this 

broadening of access to the best of 

British education is something to be 

celebrated. In senior schools, the level 

of bursary support is greater again, 

with many schools actively seeking to 

broaden access with bursaries of up to 

100% of the fees and some even work 

with prep schools to create a pathway 

from prep school entry through to the 

end of their secondary education. 

The provision of bursaries 

demonstratively levels up society in 

some small way but the scale of what 

is possible is, of course, not enough. 

There is no philosophical barrier to 

opening our doors to the whole of 

society. I know of no Head of an 

independent school who would not 

leap at the chance to open their doors 

and provide an education for free, and 

any blockage to this is caused by pure 

economics. 

What is the answer? Well, we can look 

to the rest of the world for examples 

of how state and private education 

co-exist far more equitably than 

they do in the UK. In this country, all 

taxpayers fund state education but 

only some are using it, the others 

choosing to pay extra for their children 

to be educated privately. In other 

countries, the money follows the child 

and parents may choose to top this 

sum up to have their child attend an 

independent school. This broadens 

access, meaning that there is no need 

for charitable status tax perks and the 

gap between private and state is much 

narrower. 

I can’t think of an argument against 

making this a reality, other than it may 

be politically inconvenient to do so. 

We need to find ways of providing 

the best possible education to all 

children in the UK and, whilst there 

is a moral imperative on schools to 

offer bursaries and broaden access, 

there must surely also be a duty for 

government to be more creative and 

forward thinking in finding ways to 

level up without dumbing down. 

Charlie Minogue, Headmaster, 

Moor Park, Ludlow, Shropshire 


10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

WITH HSDC ALTON 

APPLY NOW TO START 

IN SEPTEMBER 2022 

hsdc.ac.uk/apply

Your Wedding 

Your wedding party in 

our amazing Festival suite 

• 59 ensuite rooms for guests 

• Bridal suite 

• Up to 120 guests 

• Large function room with 

private bar and dance floor 

• Dedicated wedding planner and 

friendly efficient team 

Contact us: 

Red Lion Hotel 

Red Lion Lane, Basingstoke, RG21 7LX 

(near Festival Place, close to Registry Office) 

Tel: 01256 328525 

functions@redlionhotelbasingstoke.com 

redlionhotelbasingstoke.com

5 things 

I wish I knew 

when planning my wedding... 

Kate & Sam’s Wedding Day 

A new year is here, and for many couples, it’s the one in which they finally 

manage to tie the knot! Our own Pre-Press Manager Kate Norris recalls the 

trials of planning her wedding mid-lockdown in 2021, as well as divulging some 

important tips that she wishes she knew back at the start of the planning process... 

Like many others, I was unlucky enough 

to be left stuck planning our wedding 

in the midst of a global pandemic. 

It was not something that I would 

recommend, and all being well, as time 

has progressed, it is something that no 

couple will have to endure. I have to say, 

I had moments when I wondered if we 

were cursed. We had been together for 

over a decade before we FINALLY got 

engaged, and it was a good few years 

before we put our thinking caps on and 

started planning the big day. We were all 

booked in for July 2020 but of course as 

fate would have it, covid arrived and we 

were plunged into lockdown. 

Very long story short, we ended up 

getting married on the 4th attempt, a 

full year later in July 2021 and while it 

was a very different day to the one we 

had planned back in 2020, the fact that 

we had been forced to scale the big 

day back meant that, in some ways, we 

got the day we didn’t know we actually 

wanted all along. 

Weddings may not go completely back 

to normal for some time but hopefully 

couples currently planning their big 

day won’t have to endure such intense 

pressures, so to lend a hand I have 

put together a quick ‘what I wish I had 

known’ list when it comes to planning 

your wedding day. 

Set a budget 

Now this is an obvious one, and I know 

everybody says the same, but seriously. 

Do it. It’s remarkable how quickly 

planning can deteriorate when you don’t 

have the basics determined. According 

to nimblefins.co.uk, the average cost of 

a UK wedding stands at £30,000. But 

don’t panic - there are ways to cut back. 

Be sensible, put pen to paper, get that 

calculator out and work out what you can 

both afford. 

Buy a wedding diary/planner 

Back in 2019, my sister-in-law-to-be 

bought me one of these, but being the 

disorganised mess that I am, I didn’t 

make use of it and as such, as the big 

day loomed, I was constantly realising 

little bits and pieces that we hadn’t 

purchased/organised. Most wedding 

planners have check-lists and timelines, 

so the planning is broken down into 

bite-size chunks. If you do invest in one, 

they will make everything feel a lot less 

overwhelming, manageable, and dare I 

say it, potentially enjoyable. 

Identify your priorities 

This comes a lot more naturally to some, 

but it is invaluable advice. Ask yourself; 

what are some things that you are 

absolutely not willing to compromise on? 

Is it a dream venue? A colour theme? A 

dress? Whatever it is, this will give you a 

starting point to begin moulding the other 

details around. This is massively helpful, 

because if you are anything like me, you’ll 

find yourself dithering for months and 

months all due to the fact that you don’t 

know where to begin! On that note... 

Choose your venue 

There isn’t a whole lot of planning you 

can get stuck into until you decide on 

your venue. This determines your date, 

style, location and capacity of your 

wedding so...it’s pretty vital! And spoiler 

alert: it’s going to be where the largest 

chunk of your wedding fund goes. But 

again, remember your budget. Only view 

what you can afford as you’ll end up 

falling in love with something that’s going 

to bankrupt you. For our ‘4th attempt 

wedding’, we held the reception in our 

local pub...and it was fab! Your day is 

what you make it. 

DELEGATE 

This is one area where I really failed - all 

my friends and family will corroborate. 

And if I had to do it again *shudder*, I 

would of spoken up and asked them for 

help. If you are like me, it doesn’t come 

naturally to ask people for favours. But 

it’s a wedding, and your loved ones will 

expect it. Choose your helpers wisely and 

get delegating! Remember, you can thank 

them in the speeches, and when their 

time comes you can return the favour. 


The Casa Hotel, Yateley 

A wedding at The Casa Hotel combines award winning cuisine and 

excellent, personal service to ensure your day goes without a hitch. 

A wedding at The Casa Hotel combines award winning cuisine and 

excellent, personal service to ensure your day goes without a hitch. 

Together 

we lost 

13st 

Let 2022 see 

the best you! 

offer services, We keeping 

end-to-end 

on you track. Our team creative 

of 

creative 

on Our team of you track. 

planners are reliable at 

and suppliers 

suppliers are at 

planners and reliable 

your disposal. In short, we offer hasslefree, 

bride our for events 

disposal. In short, we offer hasslefree, 

bride our 

your 

stress-free 

for events stress-free 

groom. 

and 

groom. 

and 

We offer end-to-end services, keeping 

Hello, I’m Claire, your personal Mentor. 

You too can experience life-changing weight loss! With 

free weekly meetings and Mentor support, I’ll be there to 

provide encouragement and support every step of the way. 

Call me now on 07970 251715 

or email Claire.Bonner@lighterlifecounsellor.com 

www.thecasahoteluk.com 

www.thecasahoteluk.com 

01252873275 

01252873275 

Casa Hotel, Handford Lane, 

The 

Handford Lane, 

The Casa Hotel, 

Hampshire 

Yateley, 


Yateley, 

6BT 

GU46 

6BT 

GU46 

SNOWDROPS AT WELFORD PARK 

Nr Newbury RG20 8HU 

2nd February to 6th March 2022 

Grounds open Wednesday to Sunday 

11:00 - 4:00 p.m. 

Closed Monday & Tuesday 

Plan a day out with friends, family or a peaceful walk alone along 

the River Lambourn at Welford Park and enjoy the magnificent sight 

of the spectacular snowdrop carpet through the beach woods. 

For more details visit our website 

www.welfordpark.co.uk 

Tickets available online 


Why do I need 

a Prenup? 

You may not be a wealthy celebrity but 

if you are planning on getting married, 

you should think carefully about having 

a prenuptial agreement because they 

are not just for the rich and famous... 

That is the advice of solicitor Hayley Eachus, who heads the 

Family Law team at Phillips. 

Rather than being regarded as something unromantic 

and mercenary, prenups should be considered by anyone 

contemplating marriage who already have accrued their own 

assets, such as a property. 

Marriage is about love and sharing the rest of your lives together, 

but in the eyes of the law, it is a contract between two people 

and a prenup deals with the financial consequences of the 

marriage ending. 

Naturally, you are not going into marriage thinking that your 

relationship might break down, but unfortunately that does 

happen sometimes and it is better to be prepared. 

If you are remarrying and you have children from a previous 

marriage, own a home or other significant assets, then a 

prenuptial agreement can help to ensure pre-acquired assets are 

dealt with as you want. 


If you own part of a business and your marriage ends, your 

spouse could end up having an interest in your share of your 

business and a prenup may lessen these claims. 

It may seem tough to talk about your loving, committed 

relationship as if it were a business arrangement and it may seem 

unromantic, but if you can sit down and discuss your future plans 

and expectations together you will find it much easier. This may 

also prevent highly contested divorce proceedings if you were 

ever to separate. 

A legal professional like Hayley will help you to understand the 

different kinds of issues that might be covered in a prenup. The 

better informed you are, the easier it will be for you to explain 

things to your intended spouse. 

Contact Hayley if you would like any help with this or any other 

family law matter by calling 01256 854633, emailing 

hayley.eachus@phillips-law.co.uk or by visiting 

www.phillips-law.co.uk/family 

BOTANICALS COLLECTION 

N O W O N L I N E 

STERLING SILVER AND GOLD VERMEIL JEWELLERY WITH 

SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES - FROM £10 | hauslife.co.uk 


Make winter a little warmer 

here with us, in the quaint village of Upper Farringdon, near Alton 

Your favourite tipple | A cosy fire | Lovingly prepared dishes 

Enjoy 25% off your meal 

Celebrate award-winning, independent pub company Red 

Mist Leisure’s newest pub opening with 25% off your total 

bill, for up to 4 people. Terms and conditions apply*. 

Tear or snap a picture of this advert, including the QR code, 

and present it to your server to receive your discount. 

*Terms and conditions apply. Unlimited use of this voucher (maximum one use per day), 

expiry 31.01.22. Valid at The Rose & Crown, Farringdon only. One voucher per table, 

based on a maximum of four people. This voucher cannot be used in conjunction with any 

other offers or promotions. See website for full details. 

Book your table today! 

Visit: roseandcrownfarringdon.co.uk 

The Rose & Crown, Upper Farringdon, Alton, GU34 3ED 

Part of the Red Mist family of pubs

STYLISH 

stays 

TAJ 51 BUCKINGHAM 

GATE, London 

It’s a challenge to find a feeling of sanctuary in central 

London, but somehow, even with its views of Buckingham 

Palace, Taj St James’ Court and its companion 51 

Buckingham Gate has managed just that. 

A city sanctuary in one of London’s most prestigious 

addresses, this former home to Lords and Ladies of the 

royal court now provides guests with some of the most 

spacious and luxurious accommodation in the capital. 

Guests can stay in the main St James’ Court Hotel, or opt 

for the added seclusion of suites within 51 Buckingham 

Gate - just a stroll across the internal courtyard. 

The Taj name is synonymous with quality and excellent 

service - the hotel offers a signature Golden Keys 

concierge service - nothing is too much trouble for the 

attentive team. I was visiting over my birthday weekend, 

and as well as a welcome bottle of fizz in the room, I was 

greeted with a card signed by the whole team, a beautiful 

gateaux and a balloon - all genuinely touching and 

something that really sets the team here apart from other 

city hotels. 

You can’t visit without stopping for an Award-winning 

afternoon tea. Also make sure to soak away the winter chill 

in the subterranean Jiva spa - it’s moody lighting and warmth 

immediately transport you to the feeling of a hammam. 

Whether you’re staying for business or pleasure, you’ll want 

to return to these residences time and again. 

Dan Weston 

51 Buckingham Gate, London SW1E 6AF | tajhotels.com 

Rooms from £288 per night 

THE NED, London 

The Ned is special. It’s become special in our household 

anyway - it is our choice for big birthdays or date nights 

- treading the line somehow between a atmosphere of 

celebration and of intimacy. 

The Soho House group took this former bank, filled already 

with acres of marble and art deco features, and sprinkled 

their uniquely-stylish fairy dust over it - creating somewhere 

which at once seems modern and like an institution that’s 

stood here for centuries. Maybe this is what makes The Ned 

such a favourite - it’s a place of contradictions, which all come 

together to make something magical. 

You can head there for dinner or for the even more decadent 

Sunday Feast (a £75-a-head buffet of the likes you might 

never have seen) - but it’s when you stay that you really get to 

experience everything this place has to offer. The rooms are 

as artfully decorated as the rest of the venue - they cocoon 

and invite - think of antiques, dark wood and sumptuously 

soft sheets. You also have to make use of the spa - built into 

the underbelly of the building and decked out with Cowshed 

products - really push the boat out and grab a massage there 

too - you won’t regret it! 

Residency of the hotel also let’s you into the members-only 

areas - like the summer-hotspot Upstairs with its rooftop 

swimming pool and spectacular views, or the super cool 

Downstairs, complete with its 16-inch vault door and original 

3,000 safety deposit boxes. 

I always want to take everyone I know here, but also keep it to 

myself. Another contradiction to add to the list... 

Katie Thomson 

27 Poultry, London EC2R 8AJ | thened.com 

Medium Rooms start from £450 


BESTChef 

YOUNG NATIONAL CHEF OF THE YEAR 

SURPASSES ALL OTHER YOUNG CHEF 

CONTESTS, BRINGING TOGETHER THOSE 

IDENTIFIED AS THE BEST YOUNG CHEFS 

IN THE INDUSTRY AND GIVES THEM A 

PLATFORM ON WHICH TO BUILD THEIR 

FUTURE CAREERS. WINNING YNCOTY FIRMLY 

ESTABLISHES A CHEF AS A RISING STAR OF 

THE CULINARY WORLD BOTH IN THE UK AND 

BEYOND. 

HERE WE TALK TO DAN CORNISH, SENIOR 

CHEF DE PARTIE AT LE MANOIR AUX 

QUAT’SAISONS, OXFORD ABOUT HIS EXPERIENCE 

HAVING TAKEN PART IN THE COMPETITION... 

SO, TO BEGIN WITH, WHEN DID YOU 

FIRST START COOKING? 

I started cooking with mum and grandma 

when I was about four or five. I remember 

being stood on a stool, baking cakes and 

baking bread in the kitchen and then I 

grew up and spent eight years in Africa. 

Me and my brother went to school out 

there and my parents helped set up a 

school out there and helped in hospitals 

and things like that. 

FROM WHAT AGE WAS THAT? 

I was five when I moved to Tanzania, and 

then we were out in Kenya for four years 

when I was ten. I haven’t been back since 

but I would love to return one day. 

WHAT HAPPENED WHEN YOUR 

PARENTS DECIDED TO MOVE AWAY 

FROM THAT? 

They came back to the UK and I did 

my GCSE in Oxfordshire. I studied 

GCSE catering which I really enjoyed 

and confirmed that I wanted to be a 

chef. I loved it, and so after that I went to 

Bournemouth and Poole College to study 

the Specialised Chefs’ Scholarship. 

WHAT’S YOUR FONDEST MEMORIES 

FROM YOUR CHILDHOOD? 

Fondest memory… I think it is having 

friends and family gathered around the 

table, and just being together. 

WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB WHEN 

YOU DECIDED TO PUT YOUR WHITES 

ON AND GET INTO THE KITCHEN? 

My first job was at Chewton Glen Hotel 

and Spa. I started when I was 16 but 

it was part of the college scholarship 

course at the time. I was there for a year 

and then I would go back to college for 

three months, then back to the hotel for 

another year because that was how the 

course worked. 

OH BRILLIANT. SO YOU REALLY GOT 

THE CORPORATE BIT BETWEEN 

YOUR TEETH AS THEY SAY! 

I loved it. I really enjoyed it. 

YOU ARE AT LE MANOIR NOW, WHAT 

WAS THE TRANSITION BETWEEN 

THERE AND WHERE YOU ARE NOW? 

I had actually done three weeks work 

experience at Le Manoir prior to doing 

the specialised Chefs course so I had 

had a glimpse it . At the end of 2016 I 

went for a trial at Le Manoir and then I 

started in January 2017. I am now the 

Senior 

Chef du Partie 

TO BE AWARDED YOUNG NATIONAL 

CHEF OF THE YEAR ISN’T TOO BAD 

IS IT? HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE 

YOUR STYLE OF COOKING? DO YOU 

THINK YOU ARE STILL FIGURING IT 

OUT? 

I think I’m still figuring it out. I like to keep 

with the seasons and so use what’s in 

season, but I think one of the biggest 

challenges is trying to make your food 

more sustainable. I think we’re only 

just realising what affect it has and we 

need to sort of rethink what we what 

we actually eat and how we how we do 

it. I think that’s only going to get more 

important really. 

WHEN YOU’RE WORKING WITH 

RAYMOND BLANC, DO YOU HAVE 

THE OPPORTUNITY TO CREATE YOUR 

OWN MENU? DO YOU HAVE ANY SAY 

IN WHAT’S BEING PLATED UP? 

At Le Manoir you’re more than welcome 

to bring your own ideas, visuals, and your 

own way of working or even a recipe, 

and what we will do is all gather round 

and work together to try and improve. 

Anyone from any position can bring 

forward an idea. They are really open to 

that and Raymond Blanc and Gary Jones 

are always striving to be better, whether 

that’s the food or whether it’s how they 


interact. Any way that they can improve, 

they want to know as they always have 

this drive to be better than the day 

before. 

HAVE YOU GOT A SPECIAL DISH 

THAT YOU’RE PROUD OF THAT YOU 

PUT OUT FOR THE DINERS? 

I have, I have a couple of dishes that 

have been on the menu which has been 

really special, but I haven’t had too many 

lately as I have been practising for their 

competition! 

OF COURSE, THAT MUST BE QUITE 

TIME CONSUMING! 

But yeah, I have a lot of pride when 

you make something and it goes on the 

menu. 

IT MUST BE VERY REWARDING. 

It is, and sometimes it takes a long time 

to get it right but when you get there, it’s 

really satisfying. It is worth the journey 

WHAT IS AN INGREDIENT THAT YOU 

PARTICULARLY ENJOY THIS TIME OF 

YEAR? 

I really enjoy the different kinds of 

mushrooms and what you can do in each 

one of them. I also I really like celeriac. 

I SEE LOTS OF STUFF BEING 

PROMOTED FOR GAME IN 

PARTICULAR AT THE MOMENT, 

IS THAT SOMETHING THAT YOU 

PARTICULARLY LIKE? 

I really enjoy cooking game. I think it’s 

a fantastic thing to cook but looking 

forward into the future we need to 

make sure that we aren’t just cooking it 

because we like it, we need to make sure 

that it is sustainable. 

WHAT KITCHEN EQUIPMENT COULD 

YOU NOT LIVE WITHOUT? IS THERE 

ONE PARTICULAR PIECE? 

I think I would probably say a blender is 

something I couldn’t do without. 

WHERE YOU ARE BASED, DO YOU 

TEND TO HAVE SOMETHING TO EAT? 

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL PLACES 

THAT YOU LIKE? 

Just recently I went out to Davies and 

Brooke in Clarendon and that was a 

lovely meal, really lovely. So I do try to eat 

out when I can. 

YES BECAUSE IT MUST GIVE YOU 

A DIFFERENT VIEWPOINT ON WHAT 

YOU DO AND YOU SEE A DIFFERENT 

SIDE OF THE BUSINESS. 

Yes, and it’s nice to experience the other 

restaurants and see what they are doing. 

I find it really interesting. I think you can 

go to somewhere like Le Manoir or your 

local pub and take something away from 

both. You can learn from anything really. 

GROWING UP YOU SAID THAT YOU 

WERE AT YOUR MOTHER’S AND 

GRANDMOTHER’S SIDE. DID YOU 

HAVE COOKERY BOOKS? DID YOU 

LOOK THROUGH THEM WHEN YOU 

WERE VERY LITTLE? 

Yes! Actually, there’s quite a funny story 

there. I don’t remember how old I was, 

but we lived near Loughborough. I 

remember we went out to the market. 

And I remember I was in a bookshop, 

looking through cookery books and my 

family actually left and carried on and 

went somewhere else! 

WHO WOULD YOUI SAY ARE YOUR 

FOODIE HEROES? 

Oh I’ve got so many, well Raymond Blanc 

is definitely one. It is a dream to work 

for him now. Gary Jones is another one, 

and also people like Thomas Keller, and 

Marco Pierre White. 

www.belmond.com 


BBQ PRAWNS, 

LOBSTER AND 

CRAYFISH WITH 

HERB BUTTER 

AND SIRACHA 

MAYONNAISE 

Lobster, prawns and crayfish are often considered 

delicacies for a special occasion, so this BBQ recipe with 

smoky siracha mayonnaise and herbed butter is simply 

heavenly... 

Loved by professional chefs and home cooks the world over, 

Maldon Salt has been hand harvested by the same family since 

1882. It’s unique pyramid flakes and tactile texture continues 

to inspire chefs and cooks to this day. The choice of the 

passionate and the adventurous to elevate flavours and create the 

extraordinary! 

Serves: 6 people 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cook time: 15 minutes 

INGREDIENTS: 

2 lobster, sliced in half lengthways 

450g king prawns 

300g crayfish 

150g unsalted butter, softened 

1 tsp Maldon salt 

Cracked black pepper 

10g parsley, finely chopped 

10g coriander, finely chopped 

2 lemons, halves 

100g mayonnaise 

1 tbsp siracha 

METHOD: 

Begin by mixing together the herb butter for your seafood. In a 

small bowl mix together the softened butter with Maldon salt, 

cracked black pepper, the chopped parsley and coriander. Set 

aside. 

The perfect way to cook your seafood is on a hot BBQ, however 

if you don’t have one then a griddle pan will work too. Make sure 

it has reached a medium to high temperate, and start by grilling 

your lobster halves. Cook flesh side down on the griddle until 

the meat has turned pink and has some lovely charring on it. 

The shells will turn orangey pink too, and this is when you know 

your lobster are cooked. Do the same with the king prawns and 

crayfish, although these will take less time to cook. 

While your seafood is cooking, it is also nice to griddle some 

lemon to serve alongside. Simply add your lemon halves cut 

side down onto the grill and allow them to cook and char for 3 

minutes. 

Once your seafood is all cooked, pile onto a large serving platter 

and using a pastry brush, brush all across the flesh with your 

delicious herb butter – letting it melt in. Place your griddled lemon 

onto the serving platter too. 

In a small bowl mix together the mayonnaise and siracha. Serve 

this alongside the platter of BBQ seafood and allow everyone to 

tuck in! 


VEGETARIAN 

WELLINGTON 

WITH 

BEETROOT, 

BUTTERNUT 

SQUASH, 

LENTILS AND 

CHESTNUTS 


This vegetarian wellington 

recipe is a fantastic centrepiece 

for a vegetarian. It includes 

beetroot, butternut squash, lentils 

and chestnuts all wrapped in 

wonderfully crisp pastry – no one 

will miss the meat. 

Serves: 6 – 8 people 

Prep time: 1 hour, plus cooling time 

Cook time: 45 minutes 

INGREDIENTS: 

300g butternut squash, chopped into 

1cm cubes 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 onion, diced 

2 garlic cloves, crushed 

250g chestnut mushrooms, chopped 

10g sage, finely chopped 

10g thyme, leaves picked 

130g cooked puy lentils 

100ml double cream 

75g cooked chestnuts, crumbled 

1 tsp Maldon salt 

Cracked black pepper 

500g puff pastry 

5-6 cooked beetroot 

1 egg, beaten 

METHOD: 

Preheat oven to 180C°. 

Begin with the butternut squash. Place 

the diced squash onto a baking tray and 

drizzle with some oil, Maldon salt and 

cracked black pepper. Place into the 

oven and roast for 20 minutes until soft 

and cooked through. 

Meanwhile, in a large frying pan heat 

1 tbsp oil. Once the oil is hot, add the 

diced onion and fry gently for 5 minutes 

until softened. To the softened onions, 

add the crushed garlic and cook for a 

further 2 minutes. Next add the chopped 

chestnut mushrooms and continue to 

cook these for 5 – 8 minutes until the 

mushrooms have softened and beginning 

to caramelize. 

Once the mushrooms are cooked, add 

the chopped sage and thyme leaves, 

followed by the cooked puy lentils and 

double cream. Allow this to fry and cook 

for 3 minutes, mixing well so everything 

is well combined. Remove from the heat 

and add the crumbled cooked chestnuts, 

Maldon salt, cracked black pepper and 

the cooked butternut squash. Set aside 

and allow to cool. 

Once the mixture has cooled, you are 

ready to assemble. 

On a lightly floured surface roll out the 

puff pastry block until it is a roughly 

30 x 40cm rectangle and 1cm thick. At 

this stage you want to carefully lift the 

rolled pastry onto a baking sheet lined 

with parchment paper. Next spoon on 

the cooled filling and spread out evenly, 

leaving a 1-inch boarder along the top 

and 1cm board round all the rest of the 

edges. Next take the cooked beetroot 

and make sure they are dry of any excess 

liquid. Choose beetroot that are similar 

in size and place them in a row down the 

middle. 

Take one of the long sides and lift it up 

and over the beetroot to enclose them. 

Pinch the pastry together at the seams 

and rest the whole wellington seam side 

down. Pinch the pastry at either end 

of the wellington also, and trim off any 

excess. 

Use the excess pastry to create long 

strips and decorate the top of the 

wellington with a lattice pattern (optional). 

And brush the entire thing with the 

beaten egg. 

Place the wellington into the fridge for a 

minimum of 30 minutes (but the longer, 

the better) to cool. 

When ready to bake, take your chilled 

wellington from the fridge and place into 

the preheated oven. Bake for 40 – 45 

minutes until the pastry is golden and 

crisp all over. Remove from the oven and 

allow to rest for 10 minutes before slicing 

and serving. 


KITCHEN 

DESIGN 

ADVICE 

FROM AN 

EXPERT 

We speak to Julia 

Kendell, interiors 

and decorating 

expert from ITV’s ’60 

Minute Makeover’ and 

‘Rebuild Our Home’ 

and spokesperson 

for The National 

Homebuilding & 

Renovating Show... 

THE KITCHEN IS THE UNDISPUTED 

HEART OF THE HOME - AS WELL 

AS FEEDING EVERYONE, IT’S 

BECOME THE SOCIAL HUB, HOME- 

SCHOOLING AREA AND MUCH 

MORE – HOW DO YOU START YOUR 

DESIGN PROCESS WITH CLIENTS? 

Yes absolutely, the kitchen has had 

to really take the strain in the past 18 

months and now more than ever my 

clients are eager to find ways to ensure 

their new kitchen spaces are flexible 

enough to cope with whatever might be 

round the corner. 

The design process starts with 

understanding my client’s functional 

needs for the room, both now and as far 

into the future as we can determine (after 

all, a good quality kitchen should last 

20-30 years). My design principles centre 

on wellbeing in the home and creating 

spaces that fully support the family to 

ensure everyone can be organised and in 

harmony with one another. This involves 

spending time working out the each 

individual’s daily movements around 

the kitchen, their needs and what they 

enjoy doing. If there’s a keen baker in 

the household, I will suggest a dedicated 

‘baking cabinet’ where everything 

you need is in one place, stand-mixer 

plugged in ready for use and no excuses 

not to achieve ‘Star Baker!’ I believe 

good design ensures we can be the best 

versions of ourselves and take obstacles 

out of the way of our daily successes. 

MANY OF US ARE LOOKING TO 

SAVE THE COST OF MOVING AND 

INSTEAD IMPROVE OUR HOMES – 

ARE THERE SIMPLE CHANGES WE 

COULD MAKE TO IMPROVE THE 

LOOK AND FLOW OF OUR HOMES? 

It sounds obvious, but a total de-clutter, 

removing as much as possible from a 

room to be able to view the room with 

‘fresh-eyes’ is a great start to make 

meaningful changes. One of the simplest 

yet most effective improvements is 

to increase the levels of daylight into 

the home. Texture, whether fabrics or 

carpeting absorbs a huge amount of 

daylight and it can be transformational to 

swap out curtains for shutters/ blinds and 

hard flooring such as engineered wood 

to replace carpet. Instantly the rooms will 

feel larger and brighter and any increase 

in daylight in the home can only improve 

your mood and wellbeing. 

WHEN DESIGNING A KITCHEN, 

WHERE SHOULD YOU SPLURGE 

AND WHERE SHOULD YOU SAVE? 

Areas that receive the most use should 

be prioritised in the overall budget. Most 

kitchen units are well constructed these 

days so choosing an affordable unit with 

a good quality worksurface is a good 

option. It’s amazing the difference adding 

expensive handles can make to uplifting 

an otherwise ‘standard’ kitchen. I caution 

my clients to think carefully about their 

appliance choices too. It’s very easy to 

get excited about the latest gadget, but 

with appliances a large proportion of 

the overall cost of a kitchen, be realistic 

about how useful an appliance will be. 

Do you really need an oven with 42 

functions?! 


“ 

Without doubt, the 

most important 

lesson is to design 

holistically and to 

engage all of the 

senses. It’s not enough 

just to create a pretty, 

‘instagrammable’ 

room... 

WHAT HAVE BEEN THE KEY 

LESSONS YOU’VE LEARNT ABOUT 

INTERIOR DESIGN IN YOUR 

EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY? 

Without doubt, the most important lesson 

is to design holistically and to engage 

all of the senses. It’s not enough just to 

create a pretty, ‘instagrammable’ room. 

The way we experience our homes and 

workplaces is crucial to our mental 

health and performance and shouldn’t be 

underestimated. From choosing a colour 

palette to reflect your personality and 

emotional needs to providing good air 

quality, creating a harmonious space that 

‘feels’ and functions as good as it looks is 

key to good design. 

SINCE THE PANDEMIC, HAVE YOU 

NOTICED ANY CHANGES IN THE 

WAY PEOPLE WANT THEIR HOMES 

TO FUNCTION – A MOVE AWAY 

FROM FULLY OPEN PLAN FOR 

EXAMPLE? 

There is still a strong appetite for openplan 

living as it provides the space, 

light and connection to one another we 

all crave. That said, to mitigate some 

of the issues with open-plan such as 

noise, privacy issues and cooking-smell 

transference from the kitchen, ‘brokenplan’ 

is becoming a useful design tool. 

Broken-plan essentially incorporates 

vertical divides within the open-plan 

space using glazing, open-backed 

shelving, or sliding doors to delineate 

areas without closing off the visual impact 

of the space. This is also a great way to 

bring some architectural interest to an 

otherwise ‘large box’ that can too often 

feel like an airport lounge! I think anyone 

with shares in garden offices will have a 

good year ahead… 

WHAT TRENDS FOR 2022 ARE YOU 

EMBRACING THE MOST? 

Houzz are reporting a huge increase in 

interest in dedicated activity spaces such 

as art rooms, home bars, home gyms and 

cinema rooms. I am very excited to see 

this as it shows that we are choosing to 

design our interests and passions into our 

homes. It’s refreshing to feel such a sense 

of optimism when chatting with clients 

and I am working with warmer colour 

palettes and being asked to incorporate 

planting and natural texture into room 

schemes. There seems to be a continued 

need to connect with nature after the past 

18 months and I’m loving it! 

Julia Kendell will be the design expert 

at the Farnborough Homebuilding & 

Renovating Show, 15-16 January 2022 

farnborough.homebuildingshow.co.uk 


NOOKARY PRO BIOTIC CLEANERS 

Are you looking for a chemical-free, non-toxic product 

for your home that actually works and smells amazing? 

Enter the amazing eco-friendly probiotic refillable cleaning 

products from Nookary. With pro-biotic instead of bacteria 

killing properties, the cleaners rid surfaces of harmful 

bacteria and pathogens whilst leaving good bacteria to keep 

on cleaning for you after you’ve wiped! 

The All-purpose Cleaner really means all-purpose, it works 

brilliantly on worktops, limescale, kitchen, bathrooms and 

even windows! Put it to the test. What’s better, the products 

arrived concentrated, ready to dilute with water, with 

pouches you can send back to be re-used – meaning no 

single use plastic wastage! We also love the brand’s range of 

washable cleaning towels and stylish glass bottles. 

Probiotic All-Purpose Cleaner and Refill, £22 

www.nookary.com (one pouch will do 10 refills!) 

clean 

JANUARY 

Blast away the Christmas chaos and reset 

for a clean and organised 2022 

BRABANTIA LAUNDRY 

Brabantia are the go-to for smart laundry 

solutions - their products offer unrivalled 

handing space alongside clever space-saving 

designs. 

Complete set, consisting of a Lift-O-Matic 

50 meters rotary clothesline (which can be 

adjusted to the user’s height), a protective 

cover, clothespins and premium clothespins 

bag with hanging hook 

The Hangon Drying Rack can hold up to three 

machine loads of laundry - 25 metres drying 

space plus hanging rod. It’s also easy to move, 

even when loaded with laundry – thanks to its 

transport lock. 

Rotary Clothesline Set, £140.75 and Hangon 

Drying Rack, £69.50, www.brabantia.com 

BRABRANTIA FOLDABLE 

DISH DRYING RACK 

This Brabantia SinkSide Foldable Dish Drying Rack with drip-tray 

happily holds up to 13 plates or pots, pans and glassware. The basket 

for drying cutlery and utensils is removable, making it easy to collapse 

the rack and tidy it away. Beautiful enough to have a permanent spot 

in your kitchen, but also very compact to store. 

£41.50, www.brabantia.com 

LUPE PURE CORDLESS VACUUM 

Had enough of wrestling with a heavy, corded vacuum 

whilst cleaning over Christmas? But cautious of the suction 

power of cord-free models? Enter Lupe - Designed by a 

former Dyson engineer, Lupe’s Pure Cordless Vacuum is a 

sustainable newcomer to the market of cordless cleaners. 

Thanks to its patented Suction Intensifier, sealed in for 

maximum suction all the time, the Pure Cordless delivers 

the strongest and most efficient suction of any cordless 

vacuum cleaner out there. With cordless, it’s not just 

about how much suction you have, it’s how long you 

have it for. The Pure Cordless has been designed to work 

outstandingly well on its lowest power setting with a full 

60-minutes of proper dust cleaning performance. 

The Pure Cordless is crafted from recyclable plastic 

and delivers high performance whilst far outliving the 

expected shelf-life for typical household appliances. 

Other vacuum cleaners may use thinner plastic 

which is welded together instead of using bolts to 

reduce price and weight but these are then more 

easily broken and irreplaceable, forcing consumers to 

throw the model away and purchase even more single 

use plastic. Lupe’s Pure Cordless vacuum, however, is 

crafted from recyclable plastic. In the unlikely event a 

part does break, each individual small part of Lupe’s 

product has been designed to be fully removable, 

recyclable and replaceable. 

From £499, uk.lupetechnology.com 


NOTES FROM THE GARDEN 

STEPPING INTO SPRING 

In this edition Matt Biggs gives us some 

ideas as to how to get our gardens in 

order ready for the Spring... 

Looking out at the garden in mid-winter might not seem the ideal 

time to gain inspiration – but it is the ideal time to look at the 

bones of what you have and plan for the year ahead! 

With little in the way of foliage and flowers to distract you, an 

hour spent contemplating your space can be very useful. 

You can see what works, see if the paths are in the best places, 

what you need to work on, any spaces that are overcrowded or 

those that are underused. If the paths don’t take you the way you 

like to walk you should be able to see the short cuts that show on 

the lawn- known as lines of desire - and you can plan to reset the 

paths to suit the way you use the space. You can also see if there 

are areas that don’t get much traffic, areas that are odd shapes – 

it is all there before you. 

If you aren’t a dab hand with a pencil, then photograph what you 

have and make a list of what you would like. 

If the past couple of years have taught us anything, the value 

of accessible outdoor space must be high on the list, as is the 

necessity to be kind to our world, so maybe a high maintenance 

lawn can give way to a wildflower lawn, trees can have nesting 

boxes added, a space for composting might be included and 

maybe a pond for wildlife – with child safety in mind – could be 

an addition you would want to make. Growing veggies, herbs, 

fruit and delicious items for the kitchen can also be incorporated 

– what an exciting prospect and now is the ideal time to plan it! 

If you are daunted by the task, call in a local landscaper or 

garden designer and see how your space can be transformed 

into something useful, beautiful and productive – 2022 is the 

year for you! 

Bourne Building Ltd 


NEW YEAR 

Greener Home 

Looking to make some 

sustainable changes in the 

home this year? Read on... 

CHANGE YOUR 

HEATING 

As boilers can be fuelled generally by four 

different fuels, homeowners can decide 

what would be best for their house. 

The possibilities range from gas boilers, 

oil, electric boilers, and biomass boilers. 

Ground-source heat pumps use buried 

pipes to extract heat from the earth 

for your home’s heating and hot water 

circuits. You won’t usually need planning 

permission, but you’ll need to be 

prepared for the disruption of digging up 

your garden. 

Air-source systems use a similar 

principle, but extract heat from the air. 

They can be fitted to an external wall or 

sometimes in roof space, making them 

ideal for retrofits. Air source heat pumps 

cost from around £2,000. 

Wood-fuelled heating systems burn 

pellets or logs to power central heating 

or warm a single room. A biomass boiler 

(from £9,000 including installation) feeds 

your central heating and hot water. It 

should provide for all your heating needs, 

but requires plenty of space; a spacious 

utility room should suffice. A standalone 

stove (around £3,000) heats one room 

and can be fitted with a back boiler to 

provide water heating. 

Solar photovoltaic (PV) systems convert 

sunlight into electricity. They don’t need 

direct sunlight to work – so you can 

generate on a cloudy day – but you’ll 

need to attach them to a roof or wall that 

faces within 90 degrees of south. Costs 

vary between £8,000 and £14,000. 

INSULATE 

Attaching renewables to your home is 

pointless if it’s so poorly insulated that 

heat flows straight out. Insulation is 

essential for any eco-renovation, 

because as much as 40 per cent of a 

home’s heat loss is down to a lack of it. 

Insulating loft or cavity walls is relatively 

simple. You can be do this with a range 

of materials, from sheep’s wool to 

expanding foam. Insulating either will 

cost from £250 and could save more 

than £150 a year in energy bills. 

IMPROVE GLAZING 

Over 10 per cent of a home’s energy 

can be lost through the windows, so 

it’s essential that yours perform well. 

Replacing single-glazed windows with 

double- or even triple-glazed versions will 

slow heat transfer. To reduce this further, 

consider a product filled with a lowconductivity 

gas, such as argon. 

You can even get hold of low-emissivity 

(low-e) glass, which has a special coating 

to reflect heat back into the room. 

CHEMICAL-FREE 

CLEANING 

A lot of mainstream cleaning products 

contain various ingredients that 

are harmful to the environment. In 

fact, a lot of chemicals used to clean 

our clothes, dishes, and house end 

up causing damage to our planet 

and its biodiversity. Chemicals such 

as detergents, preservatives, or foaming 

agents are the ones that cause the most 

harm to nature. Switching to products 

that contain sustainably grown or raised 

ingredients that do not deplete the 

ecosystem, nor harm it when expelled 

back out. 

DECREASE THE 

TOXIC LOAD 

We are becoming increasingly aware of 

the volume of chemicals in the building 

products used in our homes - but by 

choosing products consciously, we can 

reduce these elements. Most eco-paints 

are water-soluble and use plant oils and 

resins to form the solution, with pigments 

coming from minerals or plant dyes. 

Environmentally-friendly wood varnishes 

and waxes are also available, as are 

green options to clean and prepare walls. 

Sustainable wallpapers include natural 

coverings made from materials such as 

hessian, cotton and wool. 

There are many natural flooring products, 

with wood being the most popular. Make 

sure it is derived from a sustainable 

source (the FSC logo is a good indicator). 

If wood’s not your thing, consider cork, 

marmoleum or even rubber, which can 

all be 100 per cent natural – but always 

check the supply chain. 

LAY UNDERFLOOR 

HEATING 

If you’ve always used radiators, maybe 

it’s time for a change. Underfloor 

heating (UFH) is a great alternative, 

and should be easy to install if you’re 

pulling up floors as part of the renovation 

process. It operates at a temperature just 

a few degrees warmer than the room air 

temperature by circulating warm water 

through a network of cross-linked pipes 

installed under your flooring. The low 

operating temperature means it’s easily 

linked with alternative heating sources 

with similar low temperature outputs – 

such as solar thermal or heat pumps. 

RECYCLE WATER 

Thousands of litres of rainwater fall on 

your roof each year – so why not collect 

it? This water can function to flush 

toilets, fill washing machines and water 

gardens. Consider a rainwater harvesting 

system that collects rainfall via a 

drainpipe, filters out leaves and debris, 

and then stores the useable water in a 

tank. Also think about changing your 

toilets and showers. A low-flush toilet 

uses less than four litres per flush and a 

low-flow showerhead less than 10 litres 

per minute. 

“We are becoming increasingly aware of 

the volume of chemicals in the building 

products used in our homes - but by 

choosing products consciously, we can 

reduce these elements.” 


Why Choose us? 

Experts in Collectables 

Low Commission Charges 

Loddon Auctions Ltd 

Frequent Sales 

The collectables Free Catalogue specialist 

Free Valuations 

Specialists Live in the Internet sale of Collectable Bidding Available Cards, Postcards, 

Beer Labels, Sporting Memorabilia and Ephemera, also 

Stamps, Militaria, Music & Entertainment, Transport 

related items and all manner of Collectables. 

Why Choose us? 

Experts in Collectables | Low Commission 

Charges Frequent Sales | Free CatalogueFree 

Valuations | Live Internet Bidding Available 

• Next Auction 

Online Only 

26th & 27th 

January 

• Lot viewings 

now available 

0118 976 1355 

info@loddonauctions.co.uk 

Unit 3 Ducks Nest Farm, Eversley Road, 

Arborfield Cross, Reading, Berkshire. RG2 9PJ 

www.loddonauctions.co.uk 

CONSCIOUSLY 

CURATED HOME- 

WARES AND GIFTS 

HAUSLIFE.CO.UK 

USE CODE LIVE15 

FOR 15% OFF 


Caring for the elderly members of your family 

Over Christmas you may have spent some time with the family and perhaps more time with 

the elderly members and you become concerned about their health? 

Here we list 8 warning signs to assess if 

they need help and what to do if they do. 

You may wish to consider the following 

questions: 

1. Is the person (persons) able to take care 

of themselves? 

Pay attention to their appearance. Failure 

to keep up with daily routines - such as 

bathing and tooth brushing - could indicate 

dementia, depression or other physical 

impairments.Also pay attention to their 

home. Are the lights working? Is the heat 

on? Is the garden overgrown? Any changes 

in the way things are being done around the 

house could provide clues to their health. 

For example, scorched pots could mean 

they are forgetting about food cooking on 

the stove. Neglected housework could be 

a sign of depression, dementia or other 

concerns. 

2. Are they experiencing memory loss? 

Everyone forgets things from time to time. 

Modest memory problems are a fairly 

common part of ageing, and sometimes 

medication side effects or underlying 

conditions contribute to memory loss. 

There’s a difference, though, between 

normal Changes in memory and the type of 

memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s 

disease and other types of dementia. Are 

the memory changes limited to misplaced 

glasses or an occasionally forgotten 

appointment - or are the changes more 

concerning, such as forgetting common 

words when speaking, getting lost in 

familiar neighbourhoods or being unable to 

follow directions? 

3. Are they safe in their home? 

Take a look around their home, keeping an 

eye out for any problems. Could their be a 

difficulty navigating a narrow stairway? Are 

they able to read directions on medication 

containers? When asked, do they say they 

feel safe at home? 

4. Are they safe on the road? 

Driving can be challenging for older adults. 

Do they become confused while driving 

or are you concerned about their ability to 

drive safely, it might be time to stop driving. 

They could be a danger to others. 

5. Have they lost weight? 

Losing weight without trying could be a sign 

that something’s wrong. Weight loss could 

be related to many factors, including: 

• Difficulty cooking. 

• Loss of taste or smell. 

• Underlying conditions - indicating ill health. 

6. Is the person (persons) in good spirits? 

Note their moods and ask how they’re 

feeling. A drastically different mood could 

be a sign of depression or other health 

concerns. 

7. Are they still social? 

Talk to them about their activities. Are 

they connecting with friends? Have they 

maintained interest in hobbies and other 

daily activities? Are they involved in 

organisations or clubs? Have they given up 

on being with others, it could be a sign of 

a problem. 

8. Is the person (persons) able to get 

around? 

Pay attention to how they are walking. 

Are they reluctant or unable to walk usual 

distances? Have they fallen recently? Is 

knee or hip arthritis making it difficult to get 

around the house? Would they benefit from 

a cane or walker? Issues such as muscle 

weakness and joint pain can make it difficult 

to move around as well. If someone is 

unsteady on their feet, they might be at risk 

of falling - a major cause of disability among 

older adults. 

Taking action 

There are many steps you can take to 

ensure the person/persons’ health and wellbeing, 

even if you don’t live nearby. Share 

your concerns with them. Your concerns 

might motivate them to see a doctor or 

make other changes. 

Encourage regular medical check-ups 

If you’re worried about weight loss, 

depressed mood, memory loss or other 

signs and symptoms,encourage them to 

schedule a doctor’s visit. 

You might offer to schedule the visit or to 

accompany them to the doctor - or find 

someone else to attend the visit. Ask about 

follow-up visits as well. 

Address safety issues 

Point out any potential safety issues you 

have observed - then make a plan to 

address the problems. For example, the 

person (persons) concerned might benefit 

from using assistive devices to help them 

reach items on high shelves. A higher toilet 

seat or handrails in the bathroom might help 

prevent falls. If they are no longer able to 

drive safely, suggest other transportation 

options -such as taking the bus or using 

a taxi. 

Consider home care services 

Particularly if they are having trouble taking 

care of themselves, you could hire someone 

to clean the house and run errands and 

help with daily activities, such as bathing. To 

ensure good nutrition Meals on Wheels is 

also an option. 

And finally 

It would be a good idea to secure an 

Enduring Power of Attorney to ensure that 

if things get worse you can step in without 

having to involve the Court of Protection. 

Your solicitor will be able to give you good 

advice on this. 


Let's Get Together 


We are social creatures. We thrive in the company 

of others – talking, laughing, playing… being. At 

Lakeview, a Hallmark care home, relationshipcentred 

care is at the heart of everything we do. 

Not only will our team members form strong 

relationships with each resident, we also encourage 

residents to form bonds with each other... 

Through the range of activities we offer at a Hallmark care 

home – from cooking classes to singing sessions, days out and 

gardening – friendships are formed and new memories made. 

Our social spaces are also abuzz with game-playing, chatting 

and cake-eating – both with family members visiting and those 

residing with us. 

Of course, we understand the importance of ‘me time’ as well, 

which is why there’s always the option for residents to opt for 

some peace and quiet – either in our tranquil gardens, in their 

stylishly decorated room or in a quiet nook. 

You know your loved one best and we recognise that selecting 

the right care home for them is an emotional decision. Will 

they be safe? Will they be stimulated? Will they be happy? If 

our multiple Hallmark awards and our own current residents’ 

smiles are anything to go by, the answer is a resounding YES. 

Every resident is unique, with their own needs, interests and 

personality, which is why we ensure we get to know them 

properly – by spending time with both them and their family. We 

ask questions and, more importantly, we listen to the answers, 

so that we are able to fulfil each person’s medical, physical, 

emotional and social requirements. We want each resident to 

feel comfortable in their new home, without having to give up the 

things they enjoy. As such, your mum can still enjoy her weekly 

trip to the hairdresser in our on-site salon and your dad can still 

have his Friday-night pint at our bar. 

When it comes to the health and wellbeing of our residents, the 

company of like-minded companions cannot be underestimated. 

Our relationshipcentred care encourages friendships both inside 

the care home and in the wider community, which can both open 

up new opportunities and allow residents to continue with a 

much-loved hobby or pastime. 

We can’t wait to meet – and get to know – your loved one. After 

all, we’re in this together. 

If you’re looking for the highest quality care for your loved one, 

let’s get together and talk. We’d be delighted to arrange a family 

visit and answer any questions you may have. 

01276 861 661 

www.hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk 

Keble Court 

Redfields Lane 

Church Crookham 


GU52 0AE 

www.keble-court.co.uk 

Don’t miss out! Last few remaining 

Start the next chapter of your life at Keble Court with 

special offers on our remaining apartments: £25,000 off 

or shared ownership with rent paid for 5 years* 

To book a tour call 01252751645 

or email kcsales@anchor.org.uk 

*Terms and 

conditions apply 


Care Chef of the 

Year at Cedar Lodge 

Care Home 

Cedar Lodge care home in Frimley Green, 

Surrey, is delighted to announce that 

their Head Chef, Bhanu Morampudi, has 

won the Care Chef of the Year accolade at 

the 2021 National Care Awards... 

Judges commented: “Bhanu’s passion and flexible approach 

to addressing residents’ needs and preferences was apparent 

through his well-balanced and nutritious menu. He expressed 

the importance of the sensory experience of food and how 

he integrates this into all meals including pureed food. His 

engagement in a gardening club, cooking demonstrations or 

organising private dining for residents and their loved ones 

demonstrates his capacity to go above and beyond in the kitchen 

to ensure all residents are nourished and content.” 

Cedar Lodge is part of Forest Care, a small family-owned and 

managed care group based in Hampshire and Surrey. They 

not only won the Care Chef of the Year award, they were also 

included as finalists in the following categories; Care Home 

Manager of the Year, Activities Team of the Year and Care 

Champion. 

Mark Vickery, Director of Forest Care, comments “This time of 

year sees the annual industry-wide care awards which have 

returned after an enforced absence last year. The awards 

recognise excellence in all aspects of care provision, and I am 

delighted that our homes/staff once again received nominations 

in multiple categories, becoming finalists in seven separate 

categories of the National Care Awards (four) and Caring UK 

Awards (three) respectively. A big “congratulations” therefore to 

all the individual finalists on what is a special achievement. For us 

as a small family company to be deemed award winning amongst 

much larger care groups is a true honour”. 

For more information about Cedar Lodge, or to speak to a 

member of staff, contact the team on 0333 305 1785, 

enquiries@forestcare.co.uk or visit their website; 

Forestcare.co.uk. 


Lending to 

relocate in 

retirement 

People are working and living longer and the 

number of people reaching retirement age with 

an outstanding mortgage debt is increasing. 

Recent research from Legal & General Retail Retirement 

has also found that 3 million people in the UK aged 

over 50 are considering relocating as a direct result of 

Covid-19. 

A year of lockdowns has led these over 50’s to want 

to relocate to either move closer to family and friends, 

pursue a better quality of life or even move abroad. 

If you’re heading in the direction of a well-earned 

retirement, or already enjoying the fruits of your labour, 

you may be feeling the same and starting to review your 

choices and your finances. You may decide to take out 

a mortgage on your property or apply for additional 

lending on the mortgage you already have - actions 

probably not unfamiliar to you. 

There are many different reasons those in or approaching 

retirement look to do this; downsizing to a dream 

retirement home, investing in a holiday bolthole, gifting 

a deposit to a family member to get onto the property 

ladder or as the recent trends are indicating – to relocate 

to be nearer to other family members or have a better 

quality of life. 

Borrowing in retirement needn’t be difficult. Our 

friendly, qualified mortgage advisers are on hand to 

make sure your mortgage is suitable for you and your 

circumstances, giving you peace of mind. 

Remember: no matter your reason for seeking finance, 

it’s always advisable to obtain impartial advice from 

an independent financial adviser to help you fully 

understand the implications of taking out a mortgage in 

retirement. 

Alton branch: 47 High Street, Alton, GU34 1PF 

Call: 01420 84275 Email: alton@newbury.co.uk. 

Basingstoke branch: 5-6 Chelsea House, 

Festival Place,Basingstoke, RG21 7JR 

Call: 01256 816813 

Email: basingstoke@newbury.co.uk. 

The good news is that there are lenders, like us, who can 

help and in a range of ways: 

A maximum age at end of mortgage term of 90 years: 

we lend up to the age of 90 across our entire mortgage 

range. This means the term of your mortgage may run 

until your 90th birthday. This essentially means you have 

our entire mortgage range at your fingertips. 

Retirement Interest-Only (RIO) mortgage: our 

Retirement Interest-Only (RIO) mortgage supports 

borrowers 60 years and above who are retired and do not 

necessarily want to downsize their current property and 

wish to remain in their home. 

Sammy Forrester, Alton Branch Manager and 

Lisa Wedge, Basingstoke Branch Manager. 

YOUR MORTGAGE IS SECURED ON YOUR HOME. THINK 

CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR 

HOME. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP 

UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. 

Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct 

Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). English Law applies and 

we will communicate with you in English. We are participants of the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have a complaints 

procedure which we will provide on request. Most complaints that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial 

Ombudsman Service. 8502 

Newbury 

Building Society

FOREST CARE 

CARING SINCE 1981 

Award-Winning Private Residential Care for the Elderly 

in Luxury Countryside Locations 

"As her daughter, I can relax, being 100% confident that she is being looked 

after in a respectful, caring and dignified way, and Mum herself says how 

marvellous the staff are". 

Inspected and rated 

Outstanding * 

Q CareOuality 

Commission 

Inspected and rated 

Good 

Q CareOuality 

Commission 

. ·'• 

\ 

\ . 

. ... 

. 

CARING UK 

AWARDS 2019 

WINNER 

I 

The 21 st Natio 

Care, 

Awards 

I • 

WJ N.EBi- 

Call: 0333 305 1785 or visit: forestcare.co.uk

North Hampshire Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2022

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?