Winchester Lifestyle Feb - Mar 2022

Stroud School, Romsey 

King Edward VI Preparatory School 

Forever Undaunted 

Open Morning – see our STEAM Week in action 

Wednesday 9 March 2022 

9.30 – 11.30am 

9.30am presentation from the Headmistress followed by tours and refreshments. 

Contact us to find out about entry into Reception and Year 3, and limited spaces in other years. 

stroud-kes.org.uk 

01794 513231

Contents 

12 A Culinary Journey through 

Northern 

We catch Ireland 

up with Chef Brian Turner 

32 

A real life bathroom 

transformation 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris Production Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs 

Front cover courtesy of FatFace 

Key Account Manager Laura Rodney 

e laura@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984501 

twitter: @WinchesterLifes 

Our competition 

page returns 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton, 

Trowbridge BA14 6JB t 01225 984 550 

w www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

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. 

04 

14 

Delicious vegan 

dishes 

A Note 

from the EDITOR 

Hello and welcome to our first, fullyfledged 

edition of 2022. I hope that 

January has been gentle to you! I 

know that for my own part I called 

the start of the year a ‘soft opening’ 

- taking some of the pressure off 

myself to ease into some better 

habits, rather than cut off my supply 

of Quality Streets cold turkey - that 

kind of thing can be dangerous 

- especially for those around me 

when that 11am craving hit! 

I would encourage anyone to take 

a bit more of a holistic approach to 

goal setting - and just to be kinder 

to ourselves generally. Perhaps 

naively, we assumed we’d be wellshot 

of all the COVID business by 

now - but amidst this new normal, 

our habits have changed and our 

priorities have re-framed a little - I 

think for the better. 

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. 

We were thrilled to welcome top 

Yorkshireman and TV Chef Brian 

Turner into this issue - plus we are 

serving up some meat free recipes 

if you’re still giving plant-based 

eating a good go. 

Also on the home front is an 

amazing family bathroom 

transformation, which we hope will 

inspire you to make your home 

work that bit better for you. 

There’s lots more to enjoy this 

edition - grab a cuppa and any of 

that lingering Christmas chocolate 

and please enjoy. We will see you 

again in April when we will be talking 

all things Easter! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

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SCHWINN IC8 INDOOR CYCLE 

Designed with a magnetic resistance system that offers 100 micro-adjustable 

resistance levels, the Schwinn IC8 provides a smooth, quiet cycling 

experience that is simply hard to beat. A generous full colour backlit LCD 

display tracks your time, distance, calories, and RPM’s throughout your 

intense cycling sessions. Add a Bluetooth® heart rate armband/chest belt 

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comes complete with a media rack that attaches above the console so you 

can follow along with workouts, or keep up to date with your favourite shows. 

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Bluetooth® 4.0 compatible, you can digitally immerse yourself in the world 

of virtual races, exotic locales, and stunning trails from around the globe. The 

Schwinn IC8 syncs with JRNY App, Zwift App*, and the Peloton Digital 

iOS App, meaning you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to workouts. 

Schwinn IC8 Indoor Cycle, £899, www.fitness-superstore.co.uk 

fighting 

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Bowflex SelectTech 840 Kettlebell, £219, 

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UP YOUR N.E.A.T 

Non-Exercise Activity 

Thermogenesis (NEAT) is the energy 

expended for everything we do that 

does not include sleeping, eating, 

or exercise; and ranges from simple 

things like standing and fidgeting to 

moving about. 

Over the past few years, 

researchers have begun 

investigating the remaining 110 – 

115 hours of the week that we are 

awake as a weight loss solution, 

rather than the few hours a week 

spent trying to exercise. 

For example, a 10 stone person 

burns approximately 102 calories 

an hour while performing their office 

job in a seated position (1.7 kcal / 

minute), but burns 174 calories an 

hour if performing those same office 

duties while standing. 

174 calories may not seem like 

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calories or a little over 5 lbs. over a 

50-week work year (250 work days). 

By comparison, that same person 

would need to squeeze in 60, 

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The goal is to rethink your approach 

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weight loss battlefield. 

• Stand more. Start by 

attempting to stand or move 

about for 5 to 10-minute 

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complete various daily 

activities. 

• Wash your car by hand. 

• Carry your groceries instead 

of pushing a trolley. 

• Walk more briskly and more 

often. Walking is an excellent 

strategy for weight loss! 

• Walk to a colleague’s desk 

instead of emailing or calling 

them. 

• Pace while talking on the 

phone. 


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a bike 

and a 

BITE 

Winchester is 

renowned as the 

gateway to the South 

Downs and is a 

popular start and finish 

location for off-road 

cyclists attempting the 

100mile South Downs 

Way challenge... 

The city’s central location in Hampshire 

also makes it a first-class start point for 

exploring the rest of the county, including 

the Test Valley and North Hampshire. 

HILLY CIRCULAR CYCLE ROUTE 

FROM WINCHESTER 

This short but hilly ride visits the western 

end of the South Downs National Park 

and the Itchen valley between Alresford 

and Winchester. 

The ride starts at Winchester, the ancient 

capital of England, a city well worth 

exploring before or after the ride. The 

route leaves Winchester on the former 

Didcot to Southampton railway line, 

now a cycle track, before climbing up to 

Owlesbury via Twyford. The ride reaches 

its highest point at Lane End before 

dropping down to the river Itchen at 

Ovington. A beautiful and almost car-free 

ride via Avington Park (watch out for 

Highland Cattle on the road) along the 

south side of the river brings the rider 

back into the heart of Winchester. 

CYCLING: Road 

DIFFICULTY: 6/10 

DISTANCE: 20 miles/2.5hrs 

OS EXPLORER MAP: OL32 

OS LANDRANGER MAP: 185 

NEAREST RAILWAY STATION: 

Winchester (start and finish) 

Some highlights: Winchester, South 

Downs National Park, Avington Park and 

River Itchen 

REFRESHMENTS: 

Coffee on arrival: Hadlebar Cafe, 

eighteen71 and Flat Whites 

Mid-ride refreshments (13mi): The Bush 

Inn, Ovington 

Afternoon tea or end of ride pint (20mi): 

Plenty of cafes, resturants and pubs to 

choose from in Winchester. 

ITCHEN VALLEY CYCLE ROUTE 

(ROAD) 

The Itchen Valley cycle route stretches 

19-miles through great Hampshire 

countryside and the home of watercress. 

For hundreds of years watercress has 

been grown in the Itchen Valley. The 

Georgian market town of Alresford even 

has a heritage train line named after the 

produce, Watercress Line Mid-Hants 

Railway. Each summer the town hosts the 

Watercress Festival, a food festival with 

watercress eating competition. 

The route starts from the cycle friendly 

Holiday Inn Winchester, on the out skirts 

of the city, a great base for cycling break. 

Alternatively, if you are starting from 

the city centre, begin the ride from the 

imposing King Alfred the Great statue at 

the lower end of the High Street. A round 

trip starting from the statue will increase 

the route by five miles. From the statue, 

head east along Bridge Street and then 

take the 2nd exit at the roundabout on 

to Chesil Street. You will pass The Chesil 

Rectory an award winning restaurant 

occupying a 600 year old Grade II listed 

medieval house. Then take the 2nd left 

onto East Hill - note The Black Rat, 

another fine dining restaurant. Take the 

1st left onto Quarry Road, ride to the end 

of the road until your reach a T-junction, 

then turn right. Cycle for 1.5 miles 

and you will arrive at the Holiday Inn 

Winchester, where the route begins. 

Highlights and points of interest of the 

Itchen Valley cycle route: 

Easton 

The quaint village is scattered with 

thatched cottages with pretty gardens 

filled with seasonal flowers. Here you will 

find the Cricketers Inn pub. 

Avington Park 

A little further on the ride you will find 

Avington Park will be perfectly framed by 

woodland as you cross a cattlegrid and 

enter the estate. This stunning privately 

owned stately home and its surroundings 

provide one of Hampshire’s most famous 

vistas. Take in the views of the house, 

lake and watch out for the highland cows 

too! 

Alresford 

As you enter the outskirts of Alresford 

you will ride alongside the watercress 

meadows and see how the superfood 

is grown. As you descend towards the 

high street you will pass under a railway 

bridge, keep a look out for the Watercress 

Line, which runs between Alresford and 

Alton. Alresford is the halfway point on 

the route and you are spoilt with great 

places to eat and drink including cafés 

such as the Tiffin Tearooms or Caracoli. 

If you prefer heading to the pub, choose 

from The Bell Inn, The Horse and Groom 

or The Globe. 

Fobdown and Abbotstone 

Shortly leaving Alresford you will be back 

out in the Hampshire countryside, work 

off the coffee and cake and head up 

hill past Fobdown and Abbotstone with 

some short sections of 10% gradient. 

Itchen Abbas 

From the highest point of the route 

descend towards Itchen Abbas and 

rewarded yourself with a pint in the 

beer garden which backs onto the River 

Itchen. Then retrace your steps through 

Avington and back to your original start 

point. 

Information from www.visit-hampshire. 

co.uk – you can download all the routes 

mentioned on the website. 


How to 

choose the 

correct diet 

for your dog 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Your four-legged friend depends on 

you for many things, including 

a healthy and balanced diet. 

The right diet significantly 

contributes to your dog’s 

overall health and 

wellbeing, joint and coat 

health and towards their 

life expectancy too. The 

Kennel Club has rounded up 

some advice on what to feed your 

dog and what things to look out for in 

their diet... 

ONE SIZE DOESN’T FIT ALL 

All dogs are unique and with a variety 

of diets out there, it’s important that 

you pick one that’s suitable for your 

dog. Different breeds have their own 

requirements for their diet, depending 

on their size and the amount of exercise 

they get too. Making sure you feed your 

dog with the correct food and amounts 

according to their size helps to keep their 

weight in check. 

The type and amount of food a dog 

needs will depend on its size, age and 

lifestyle – for example a large working 

dog will burn more calories and require 

more food than a small dog that spends 

most of its time indoors. Similarly, a 

puppy that is still growing will need 

different types of food to support its 

growing body, compared to an elderly 

dog. 

It is also key that your dog’s diet contains 

six essential things: 

• Carbohydrates 

• Protein 

• Fat 

• Vitamins 

• Minerals 

• Water 

To be considered ‘complete’, a dog’s 

diet should contain all essential nutrients, 

present in a proper proportion to ensure 

their food is balanced and healthy, and 

always have access to clean water. 

GET SOME HELP 

It can be tricky to balance the diet of your 

four-legged friend on your own, but there 

are several experts who may be able to 

help. 

A veterinary professional is always a 

good point of contact and they’ll be able 

to advise on a balanced diet, portion 

control, and can discuss with you any 

specific nutritional needs your dog might 

have, reflecting their health condition. 

Nick Blaney, Veterinary Advisor at The 

Kennel Club said: “A balanced diet, 

tailored to your dog’s size, age and health 

is key for their long-term health. The right 

food in the correct amount can help to 

prevent some health problems – keeping 

your dog’s weight in check means you 

are also looking after their joints and 

bones for example. If you are unsure of 

what needs to be included in your dog’s 

diet, or what is the right amount to feed 

them throughout the day, speak to your 

vet, and always consult your vet before 

you make any changes to your dog’s diet 

too.” 

Finally, you can discuss any changes with 

friends and family members who have 

experience of caring for a furry friend. 

Portion control. 

It’s easy to give your dog extra food 

throughout the day but doing so regularly 

can be damaging to their health and can 

make them less happy in the long run. It’s 

vital that you take care of what and how 

much food you give to your dog, because 

maintaining good feeding habits will 

allow your dog to live the healthiest and 

happiest life possible. 

To avoid overfeeding your dog, divide 

their total calorie intake between each 

meal and make sure any treats are 

not on top of this total, but within this 

allowance. To help you know how much 

food your dog is eating and how many 

calories they are consuming each day, it 

is best to weigh your dog’s food. Avoid 

‘guesstimating’ the portion size, because 

you are more likely to be overgenerous 

and give your four-legged friend too 

much. 

You can check the labels on your dog’s 

food - good quality dog food will tell you 

how many calories each serving contains, 

so you can know how much food they 

need to be given to maintain or reduce 

their weight. 

AVOID GIVING HUMAN FOODS 

It is important to remember that some 

human foods can be very dangerous to 

dogs. If you wish to give your dog a treat, 

ensure that it is something dog friendly 

and make sure that you account for those 

‘human’ treats in their total daily intake. 

You can find a list of foods that are 

poisonous for dogs at thekennelclub. 

org.uk/poisonousfood. You can also 

learn more about maintaining your dog’s 

health on The Kennel Club’s website: 

thekennelclub.org.uk/health 


Specialists in Pet Nutrition and Healthcare 

The joy of Christmas and New Year brings us 

together, as families see each other for the first time 

over this festive period, for some in a long time. 

Some of you will have met the new additions for the 

first time and others will have reconnected with the 

established furry members of the family, so spoiling them 

with treats and the leftovers from the Turkey dinner has 

become the norm. 

For some of us, this has meant the gaining of a few 

pounds for others, especially our furry friends, it has led 

to flare ups of allergies such as ear infections, anal gland 

issues, chewing of paws and general lethargy. All of these 

are a signs that things are not good in their tummies and 

ensuring that these are sorted out quickly you will get 

your best friend back up and running in no time. 

Qualified Nutritional Advice comes from Qualified 

Nutrition Specialists and Degree Qualified Nutritionists 

- both of which you will find in our Grovely Team. We 

work with local vets for issues that cannot be resolved 

through changing to a healthy and species appropriate 

diet, but you would be surprised how food can affect our 

furbabies so easily, in areas never seen before. And not 

all problems require pills and potions. 

We also help with obesity which can be controlled 

through a healthy diet. Like us, our animals still like 

treats occasionally (and as pet parents we like giving 

them too) and thats ok in moderation and within a 

balanced diet. But the treats must be species appropriate 

- not left overs and bits of toast! 

Established in 2012 by the owners, Grovely Pets has built 

a local reputation for working with new and experienced 

owners who are looking to feed the best they can afford, 

to ensure their pets are on a nutritionally balanced diet 

that will keep them healthy and happy for a long and 

fulfilled life. 

We have stores in Alton, Brockenhurst and Winchester 

and also offer a full online and delivery service. We 

are proud to be an independent, so come and shop 

locally and discover there is a more healthy and natural 

approach to feeding that won’t cost you the earth. 

5% discount available if you pop in with this advert for 

new customers only. 

www.grovelypetsupplies.co.uk 

88a Olivers Battery Road South, Winchester SO22 4EZ 

Tel: 01962 877544 / 03300 948738 (Opt 3) 

* This offer is to be used by first time customers only once per customer.

gravy 

IT'S ALL 

FULLER’S PUBS HAVE TEAMED 

UP WITH LEGENDARY CHEF, 

BRIAN TURNER CBE, TO TELL 

THE STORY OF FULLER’S 

SUNDAY ROASTS AND ALL 

THE TOUCHES THAT MAKE 

THEM A CUT ABOVE THE 

REST. FROM CAREFULLY 

SOURCED INGREDIENTS 

TO PASSIONATE PEOPLE, 

FULLER’S PRIDE THEMSELVES 

ON DELIVERING EVERYTHING 

THAT MAKES A SUNDAY 

SPECIAL AND EVEN BETTER 

WHEN YOU CAN SHARE THESE 

MOMENTS WITH FAMILY 

AND FRIENDS. THAT’S WHY 

THEY’VE INTRODUCED SHARE 

SUNDAYS. 

WE CAUGHT UP WITH CHEF 

BRIAN TURNER TO FIND OUT 

MORE... 

How did you get involved with Fuller’s 

pubs, and what made you choose to 

carry on with it? 

The way I got into Fuller’s was quite 

easy. For 28-29 years I was the British 

president of the UK team of the Bocuse 

d’Or competition, which is a worldwide 

cooking competition in Leon in France. 

It was held every two years and then it 

became every year and I was the judge 

for the British team. And somebody 

managed to make a connection between 

Fuller’s and the Bocuse d’Or, wanting to 

help sponsor it. So that’s how I met the 

Fuller’s team. Listening to Fuller’s team, 

I was really enthused and excited by the 

way they approached their training of 

chefs. 

From what I understood, they want 

to do something great as far as Chef 

training is concerned? 

Well, the reality of course is quite simple; 

it is for the survival of the future of the 

hospitality industry, which has been 

amazingly good to me. And amazingly 

good to lots of people. And those that 

have taken the opportunity have actually, 

I believe, got a better way of life. Even 

if you get trained in the hospitality 

business. If you get trained to be a chef, 

and for whatever reason you need to 

leave the industry, it leaves you with 

life skills; knowing how to buy the right 

product from the right place at the right 

price, and then convert it to the right dish 

on a plate. And then eventually, if you 

leave the business, it’s a skill that you 

need at home. 

I remember when I was at school a 

long, long time ago, we had domestic 

science, which was two hours on a 

Wednesday afternoon. It was a good 

thing to do! 

It was even better in my day. I was at 

school in the 1950s and in those days 

when we got to the third year in grammar 

school, you had to choose a craft, a skill. 

For boys it was woodwork or metal work 

for girls needlework or cookery. I was one 

of the few in Yorkshire that said ‘I want to 

do cookery’. They said ‘no lad, you can’t 

do that!’. But I did. Elsie Bibby, the lady 

who taught cookery at the parish, after 

the first month would say, “Okay girls, 

let’s gather around Brian’s table because 

his is always the best”. I was hated by the 

girls, but loved by Elsie Bibby! 

Is that when you first started cooking 

or were you always interested in it? 

No, I was quite fortunate in that respect in 

that my father was conscripted and went 

to the Second World War and served 

in Belgium and he was drafted into the 

catering corps. When he came back he 

went back to his job in the Morley Co-op. 

It would appear, having read the history 

of Morley Co-operative society, that my 

father gained a bit of a reputation for 

being a bit of a whiz with the old food 

knowledge he picked up in the war. So 

he opened a transport cafe. He had four 

children with my mother in five years so 

consequently she was overworked. I was 

the eldest, so whenever he could my dad 

took me down to his cafe to get me out 

of my mums way! So add Elsie Bibby on 

top of that, I would say that’s how I really 

got started in the business. 

So what’s your first foodie 

memory then? 

As a young man I was in the Salvation 

Army; I used to play in their band. And 

they used to have a congress regularly 

where all the Salvation Armys around the 

area in Yorkshire would meet together 

and have a jolly old singsong. It was on a 

Sunday, but we had to eat so we had to 

go out. We had elders who helped. And 

they took us to an Italian restaurant where 

I ate food like I’ve never eaten before. 

So it was a very rare occasion and it was 

just so special. And we only managed to 

get to go there when we would do this 

congress. 

So what was your first job when you 

actually did go into kitchens proper, so 

to speak? 

Well, if we count the fact that I worked 

for my Dad in his transport cafe, so 

eventually all four of us used to go on a 


Saturday morning, leave my mother to 

have a rest at home, we would come to 

the café with my dad and then my dad 

when he closed at 11 o’clock would lock 

the doors from the outside. And he would 

say: “I’m just going to see a man about 

a dog”. We didn’t realise he meant The 

Dog and Hound pub next door! So we 

would then clean up the cafe and get it all 

ready so that Monday morning when you 

reopen it was bright and sparkling. For 

that we were rewarded; we were allowed 

to have one Blue Ribbon chocolate 

biscuit. 

What other projects are you getting 

stuck into lately? 

I run a competition called Future chef, 

which I think is part of which attracted 

Fuller’s because it is getting 11 to 16 year 

olds, getting them interested in where 

their food comes from. All the things 

that we have talked about, we’re trying 

to instil those because we’d like to do it 

earlier in life. But the education system 

doesn’t allow us to do that. What I don’t 

understand is that I suspect if you did a 

poll, that at least 50% of our MPs have 

children in school. They are then going 

to finish school and go to university and 

you need them to be healthy and have a 

proper functioning brain, which is what 

we teach kids with cooking. If you get the 

right balance of food, then you grow to 

be healthy. 

We run a scheme as well called Adopt 

a School for the Royal Academy where 

we send chefs into classrooms to try and 

teach young people about the palette 

and where food comes from and what 

to look for. So what we want to do is to 

stimulate. And I have to say we have a 

waiting list of schools as long as your 

arm. Once people have been in and done 

it, everybody gets on telling their mates! 

That’s fantastic, are you running that 

nationwide? 

Yes, we have a Northwest branch and we 

have a Scottish branch. But it is far more 

East London centric with the outposts, 

if you like, who do a great job. Because 

we don’t really want to send too many 

people from London to Scotland because 

it’s A) expensive, and B) it doesn’t help 

our carbon footprint. How it started was 

one gentleman whose daughter was at 

school in Putney and learning nothing 

about food and he was getting frustrated. 

“Well I’ll come and do it!” he said. So he 

did and it was as simple as that! 

My husband has only just got into 

cooking and now he’s into it in a big 

way. And I’m now not allowed in the 

kitchen! 

Well that’s the thing, you can share 

it around a bit now! You’d be gobsmacked 

the number of people, when I 

did the shows, that walk past, men by 

themselves, and they say: ‘Hi Brian. You 

saved my life because my wife passed 

away and I’ve suddenly nobody to cook 

for me”. It’s so gratifying to see this 

system actually works. 

Do you ever get a chance to eat out 

yourself? 

Yes, I do. I haven’t been out as much just 

recently. But certainly, it’s in my DNA if 

you like. I go out to lunches more than 

dinners these days. Then I can get home 

at a sensible time. But it’s keeping up 

with what’s going on. And there’s so 

many things that are changing these days 

and so many people that need supporting 

that the list of where to go is just getting 

bigger and bigger and bigger. 

Apart from James Martin who you’re 

very friendly with, do you have any 

other foodie heroes in your life? 

Well two of my heroes have sadly passed 

away, the Roux brothers. But then there’s 

the wonderful Raymond Blanc who is a 

foodie hero of mine. He’s a wonderful 

man and we have had some good times 

together. But let me just take you back 

a little bit; there was a guy called Eric 

Scamman, who taught me to make 

sauces at the Savoy Grill. I’ll never forget 

the words that he gave me, helping me 

understand how to make the right the 

right sauce. Then of course, Paul Bocuse; 

the great French chef of my era, who has 

also sadly passed away. He was a great 

contributor to all our lives. 

He influenced your cooking? 

Oh yes. The way I look at it is you know 

with music colleges when you come to 

do your examinations? They ask you to 

choose a piece of music that you want to 

play and you choose whatever you want 

to play, and you play. And then they say 

‘Right, that’s very good. Now, here’s a 

piece of music you’ve never seen. Play 

that’. You have to cite read it. I think 

that’s how we should look at cooking. 

We need people to be able to understand 

the basics of the classics, the French 

cuisine as I understood it. Once you’ve 

learned that you can go off on a tangent 

and you can cite read someone. I don’t 

wish to uplift Ready, Steady Cook too 

much, but that’s what that programme 

did. Here are some items, do something 

with them. Sometimes you did something 

phenomenal. People would say ‘Oh I 

must make that!’. Other times people 

would say ‘Oh, that looks rubbish. I’m 

not going to do that’. But in fact, the 

two principles were aligned with a music 

examination. 

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had? 

You’re going to ask me for the dishes, 

which I won’t be able to tell you but 

many moons ago, I can’t remember 

when it was now, I was filming in Hong 

Kong. The food and beverage manager 

of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which 

was where we were staying, invited me 

to dinner one night after we had finished 

filming. We had dinner in the Mandarin 

Oriental overlooking Victoria Harbour 

in a Chinese restaurant called Manwah 

and that was probably the best meal 

I’ve ever had. I’ve been very fortunate to 

have some wonderful meals around the 

world in the houses of some great chefs. 

But I have also sat around the table with 

friends and just sat and eaten and you 

couldn’t ask for much more. 

What are your plans for this year? 

I think that Fuller’s Sunday lunchtime is 

going to take quite a bit of my time this 

year and I’m quite happy to devote my 

time to that. I think that certainly in winter 

times when you can go into a pub like 

Fuller’s and see a an open fire going…to 

me that suddenly tells you this is the time 

to sit down and eat and enjoy yourself 

and the company of others. 

To find your nearest Fuller’s pub and to 

book a table, please visit: 

www.fullers.co.uk/pubs/pub-finder 


WALNUT, 

AUBERGINE & 

MUSHROOM 

KEEMA CURRY 

Now Veganuary might 

be over, but we felt 

compelled to include 

a couple more vegan 

recipes in this issue, 

perfect for those 

midweek days when 

you just aren’t sure 

what to serve up! 

PREP TIME: 20 minutes 

COOK TIME: 20 minutes 

SERVINGS: 4 

CALORIES: 561kcal 

INGREDIENTS 

150g California Walnuts chopped 

1 tbsp oil 

1 onion chopped 

1 red chilli finely diced 

1 tbsp medium curry powder 

1 tsp ground turmeric 

1 aubergine cut into 1cm dice 

200g mushrooms sliced 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

100g baby spinach 

225g basmati rice cooked 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Soak the walnuts in lukewarm water for 

20 minutes, drain well. 

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying 

pan and fry the onion and chilli for 4-5 

minutes, add the spices and then the 

aubergine and mushrooms, cook for a 

further 4-5 minutes. 

Stir in the tomatoes, 100ml water and 

the walnuts, bring to the boil, cover and 

simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the spinach 

until just wilted and season. 

Serve with the cooked basmati rice. 

COOKS TIP 

Try adding chickpeas instead of the 

aubergine and stir in chopped coriander 

at the end. 

www.californiawalnuts.co.uk 


MOROCCAN 

MINCED 

WALNUT 

FLATBREADS 



SERVINGS: 2 


INGREDIENTS 

100g California Walnuts plus extra to 

serve 

1 tbsp olive oil 


2 tsp harissa paste 

1 tsp honey 

3 tbsp chopped coriander 

2 flatbreads 

100g houmous 

50g pomegranate seeds 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Finely chop the walnuts and place in a 

bowl, cover with lukewarm water for 20 

minutes, drain well. 

Heat the oil in a frying pan and fry the 

onion for 5 minutes, add the harissa and 

honey then add the walnuts and half 

the coriander and cook for a further 2 

minutes. 

Warm the flatbreads and spread with 

the houmous. Sprinkle over the walnut 

mixture and then the pomegranate seeds, 

extra chopped walnuts and the remaining 

coriander. 

COOKS TIP 

Great rolled up in wraps or used to fill 

pittas instead of flatbreads. 

WALNUT, 

AUBERGINE & 

MUSHROOM 

KEEMA CURRY 



SERVINGS: 4 


INGREDIENTS 

150g California Walnuts chopped 

1 tbsp oil 


1 red chilli finely diced 

1 tbsp medium curry powder 

1 tsp ground turmeric 

1 aubergine cut into 1cm dice 

200g mushrooms sliced 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

100g baby spinach 

225g basmati rice cooked 

INSTRUCTIONS 

Soak the walnuts in lukewarm water for 

20 minutes, drain well. 

Meanwhile, heat the oil in a large frying 

pan and fry the onion and chilli for 4-5 

minutes, add the spices and then the 

aubergine and mushrooms, cook for a 

further 4-5 minutes. 

Stir in the tomatoes, 100ml water and 

the walnuts, bring to the boil, cover and 

simmer for 10 minutes. 

Stir in the spinach until just wilted and 

season. 

Serve with the cooked basmati rice. 

COOKS TIP 

Try adding chickpeas instead of the 

aubergine and stir in chopped coriander 

at the end. 

NUTRITION 

Serving: 481g | Calories: 561kcal 

Carbohydrates: 52g | Protein: 16g 

Fat: 31g | Saturated Fat: 3.6g | Fibre: 8.2g 

Sugar: 9.2g 

www.californiawalnuts.co.uk 


ADAPTING 

TO A VERY 

DIFFERENT 

WORLD 

With the second anniversary of 

the beginning of the coronavirus 

pandemic approaching, how have 

boarding schools responded to the 

challenges created by COVID-19? 

Robin Fletcher, CEO of the 

Boarding Schools’ Association 

(BSA) and BSA Group, explains... 

It’s hard to believe we have been living in 

the shadow of coronavirus for nearly two 

years. During that time, every walk of life 

has had to change and adapt to the very 

different world we’re now living in. 

Boarding schools have been no 

exception. When the pandemic first hit, 

our schools quickly had to put in place 

strict hygiene protocols for pupil and 

staff safety, organise remote learning 

for students unable to return to the 

classroom due to international travel 

restrictions, and ensure pastoral support 

for students and staff, given the added 

pressures the pandemic would place on 

mental health and wellbeing. 

Despite the enormous work required, the 

whole boarding community acted swiftly 

to get these measures in place. Two 

years on, dealing with challenges created 

by the pandemic is part of the business 

model for every school, and will continue 

to be so while COVID-19 remains a 

threat. 

Throughout the pandemic, the primary 

concern for parents has always been the 

safety of their children. Boarding schools 

are unique in that they are their own selfcontained 

communities, so managing any 

COVID cases could be done more easily 

than in some environments. To support 

member schools in this, BSA created a 

COVID-Safe Charter, which they could 

sign up to voluntarily. This meant they 

could provide reassurance to parents 

and pupils that they had done everything 

they possibly could to ensure their 

safety. This was particularly important 

for international families who wanted to 

make sure the UK was a safe place for 

their children to be. 

COVID-19 has ushered remote learning 

much quicker than had ever been 

envisaged. With some students being 

unable to return to the UK while travel 

restrictions were in place, schools 

worked hard to ensure the technology 

worked for them to continue their studies 

without compromising the quality of their 

education. 

For BSA, online technology has also 

meant we have been able to deliver a 

comprehensive range of training to our 

members virtually. This has allowed us 

offer these sessions to many international 

members who would have been unable 

to participate had the training been run 

face-to-face. 

One of the great advances in recent years 

in boarding has been the development 

of pastoral care for students and 

staff. Dedicated members of staff with 

specialist expertise in wellbeing and 

mental health have been absolutely 

crucial during the pandemic, and 

provided vital support to students and 

staff separated from their families or 

struggling with COVID-related anxieties. 

While there are still challenges, 

particularly around overseas travel 

affecting international students, boarding 

schools have shown throughout the 

pandemic that they can respond quickly 

when a new situation arises, and will 

undoubtedly continue to do so. 

For more information, please visit: 

www.boarding.org.uk 


Boarding and 

day school 

for girls and boys 

aged 2-13 years 

Thinking 

about 

learning 

a new skill? 

Think AHED 

Rushmore Park 

Tollard Royal, Salisbury 

Wiltshire, SP5 5QD 

01725 530 124 

admissions@sandroyd.com 

www.sandroyd.com 

Find out about our 

leisure courses at 

ahed.psc.ac.uk 

Peter Symonds College 

Adult & Higher Education 

Winchester Life - Sandroyd - Spring 2022.indd 1 09/12/2021 10:49:59 

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T: 02380 860889 www.hayesmusic.co.uk 

Visit us on 

Hayes Music 

2022 - what's in it 

for you? 

Like the idea of a fresh start but tired of 

the whole “new year, new me” mindset. 

Either way, let’s all agree that throughout 

the year, we can all be guilty of indulging 

in some not-so-good habits... 

Here are some easy health hacks which are guaranteed to make 

you feel better and are super simple to adopt. 

Don’t Let Yourself Get Dehydrated 

Keep yourself hydrated. All you need to do is take a sip or a gulp 

when you’re thinking about it, preferably before you start feeling 

thirsty. You’ll feel more energized, have better digestion and even 

have healthier joints. 

Declutter Your Space Little by Little 

Whether it’s a messy garage or an disorganised home, clutter 

can create unnecessary stress and distraction. If you’re having 

trouble getting motivated, just imagine your space as a sleek and 

streamlined chamber of productivity. Take it one 15-minute chunk 

at a time, and soon you’ll have more room to live and think. 

Stop Skipping Out on Sleep 

It’s all too easy to get caught up in work and play and settle for 

five hours of restless Design Asleep. But the benefits of a good night’s rest 

should be incentive enough to take the time for proper shut-eye. 

From weight loss to productivity, getting a solid eight hours 

improves your quality of health and overall life. 

Meditate Even Just for a Minute 

You’ve heard it a million times: “Try meditation — it has so many 

benefits!” Well, we’re telling you that there may be something to 

the hype. Studies have shown that meditation may have some 

seriously impressive and direct effects on health, including 

increasing your immune function. To keep with our theme of 

starting small, why not try meditating for just a minute in the 

morning? Maybe you’ll like it enough to gradually grow it to 15 

minutes, 30 minutes, and then an hour each day! 

www.hayesmusic.co.uk 

Smile More, Even If You’re Not Feeling It 

Smiling is like the age-old question, “Which came first: the 

chicken or the egg?” Let us explain. When we feel happy and 

relaxed, our natural inclination is often to smile. But the simple 

act of smiling itself releases endorphins into our brain that 

make us happier and less stressed out. Aside from the personal 

benefits of grinnin’, smiles are sort of infectious when we flash 

them to strangers on the street. 


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Let 2022 see 

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You too can experience life-changing weight loss! With 

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provide encouragement and support every step of the way. 

Call me now on 07970 251715 

or email Claire.Bonner@lighterlifecounsellor.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 Assistant Editor 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. 


Greenwood Grange 

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private village of 17 stone-built cottages sleeping up to 78 guests. A unique venue in rural 

Dorset. Wedding receptions, anniversary and birthday celebrations, team-building weekends, 

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l @greenwoodgrange | hello@greenwoodgrange.co.uk | 01305 268874 

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Mother Of The 

Bride Style 

By Sarah Sullivan, Personal Stylist... 

As Mother of the bride you’ll want to find that perfect outfit for 

the big day. It should complement the colour palette and the 

formality of the wedding but also reflect your own personal style. 

Specialist boutiques, the high street and online retailers all offer a 

huge array of choice for modern Mother of the bride style. 

Invest in quality items you will be able to re-wear and mix into 

your existing wardrobe. Here are some suggestions to ensure you 

can ‘dress up, show up, be confident’ on the big day. 

1) LUXURIOUS SEPARATES 

Silk pyjama trousers in jewel colours, tulip or full skirts in luxury 

fabrics - all match well with neutrals and will look effortlessly 

elegant. Wear later with t-shirts, denim and knitwear. 

2) TROUSER SUITS 

A modern trouser suit will be both striking and comfortable on 

the big day. Wear the jacket later with jeans and the trousers with 

t-shirts, vests and shirts. A statement jacket is a stand-out piece. 

Pair it with neutral separates, a jumpsuit or a dress underneath. 

Later you can re-wear it with your jeans. 

3) SILK/STATEMENT DRESS 

Look fabulous in a graphic print, satin midi or fit and flare dress. 

Wear with a denim or biker jacket later. 

4) POLISHED ACCESSORIES 

For extra wow factor, experiment with print such as snakeskin 

or leopard or a bold colour. A sparkly hair comb can be another 

option instead of a hat. 

1) Silk trousers £172 and navy skirt £92 both 12storeez.com 

Metallic full skirt £79 LK Bennett 

2) Tuxedo suit Jigsaw £240 Statement jacket 

onehundredstars.co.uk £85 


3) Navy print dress and fascinator (also comes with navy jkt) £555 

www.thedressboutique.shop satin midi dress Jigsaw £122, navy 

fit and flare dress £150 Phase Eight 

4) Neutral hat £35 and hair comb £75 both John Lewis, Snake 

print shoes £165 Pink shoes £129 both LK Bennett 

For help finding your special outfit I offer a Mother of the 

bride styling package both online and in person. Email me at 

stylesolutionsbysarah@gmail.com to find out more. 

The New Forest 

Chocolate Company 

Your Wedding, Your Chocolate! 

To make your day even more special, 

lets design your chocolates together. 

Choose your colour, filling & chocolate. 

Contact Maya for more information about her 

beautiful chocolate creations 

chocolatier@newforestchocolatier.co.uk 

www.newforestchocolatecompany.co.uk 

With over 12 years of working in 

the wedding industry as a makeup 

artist I have a natural, elegant 

style, my approach is calming 

yet fun. I want to enhance your 

features so that you can look your 

very best, on the best day 

of your life. If you are 

looking for someone 

to work with on your 

wedding morning, 

I’d love to hear about 

your special day, 

please get in touch. 

V 

: 

M 

07980 758939 

lisavirgomakeup.co.uk 

lisavirgomakeup@gmail.com 

“ 

I honestly cannot recommend 

Lisa more highly. From the first 

communication and conversation 

on initial enquiry, to Lisa seeing 

me off in the wedding car - her 

calming, supportive presence 

and expertise, care and guidance 

was unbelievable. Lisa ensured I 

was as cool, calm and collected 

as possible on the morning of 

my wedding and her personal 

approach to understanding how 

to make me feel confident and at 

my best honestly meant the world. 

Jen, 2021 

“ 


Premium 70s Topstitch 

Relaxed Blazer, £103, 

warehousefashion.com 

Drew Pussybow 

Frill Dress, £99, 

Monsoon 

Shirt Dress, £22, 

F&F at Tesco 

Tori Blouse, £49.50, 

Nina Coatigan, 

£65, Elise Wide 

Leg Trouser, £55, 

Ribbed Beanie Hat, 

£19.50 all FatFace 

Bronze Knitted Midi 

Skirt, £55, Oliver Bonas 

SPRING/SUMMER ‘22 

Trends 

Shoes, £32.99, 

New Look 

Ultra High Rise 

Flare Jeans, £72, 

abercrombie.com 

SEVENTIES 

Revival 

The throwback we can really get 

behind - it’s all about the stripes and 

soft silhouettes 

Broiderie Frill Green 

Cotton Blouse, £28, 

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Military Button 

Cowl Neck 

Jumper, £36, Lipsy 

Phase Eight Tania 

Dress, £99, Freemans 

Jumpsuit, 

£60, Joe 

Browns 

Blaze Boilersuit, £55, 

dancingleopard.co.uk 

Sienna Blazer, 

£25, Primark 

Aldo Jess 

Heels, £79.99, 

zalando.co.uk 

Kayla Blouse, £42.50, 

FatFace 


Belted Ribbed 

Dress, £38, 

riverisland.com 

Hygge Tunic, £69, 

White Stuff 

Suedette Jogger, 

£18, F&F at Tesco 

BACK TO 

Basics 

After nearly two years of home-based 

fashion, we aren’t quite ready to give up 

our comfies. Trends are reflecting this, 

with super soft basics and loose fits 

Roll Neck Jumper, 

£19.99, New Look 

Sweatshirt, £25, 

Joggers, £25 and 

Teddy Coat, £68, 

all Anyday at John 

Lewis 

Pink Batwing 

Cashmere Jumper, 

£65 F&F at Tesco 

Leather Trainers, 

£39, Kaleidoscope 

MRS 

Brightside 

Brights are back - whether it’s hot pink, 

emerald green or cerulean blue, wear 

your hues bold. Extra points for block 

colour in a full outfit 

High-neck knit 

dress £77, 

guess.eu 

Merino Cashmere 

Blend V-Neck 

Jumper, £150, 

aspiga.com 

Orange Copenhagen 

Jumper, £79 and 

Orange Wrap Skirt, £69, 

neverfullydressed.co.uk 

Valentino Belted 

Crepe Maxi 

Dress, £1,380, 

net-a-porter.com 

Lobster Oversized Shirt 

£79 and Lobster Jaspre Skirt 

£59, neverfullydressed.co.uk 

Valley Mini Dress, £48, 

dancingleopard.co.uk 


WHI S 

I love skiing 

in the Alps. 

Truly I do. But 

Lord forbid I should 

find myself in a February 

half-term lift queue, caught in 

the paradox of desperately trying 

to remain balanced on pinned down 

skis whilst being held upright by the 

crush of irritated holidaymakers in the 

shared knowledge that this is our selfappointed 

fate for the next 20 minutes, 

only to be repeated in another 30 after 

a short respite of crisp white bliss. If we 

can find an opening in the piste that is. 

Unfortunately, the majority of families 

are limited to this crowded and 

expensive period of the school holiday, 

yet, if you are open to venturing further 

afar, might I suggest somewhere that 

I have found myself more and more 

drawn to; North America. Boasting 

wide open runs, generally shorter, 

well-managed lift queues and more 

consistent snow, Canada in particular 

offers an attractive alternative, 

especially when you consider that their 

school holiday dates don’t coincide 

with ours. Allow me then to introduce 

one of my favourite resorts; Whistler 

Blackcomb. 

North America’s skiing Mecca, 

Whistler is held up as a pinnacle of 

skiing excellence in the snow sports 

community, the echoes of which I have 

heard continually throughout my 20- 

year skiing career. It elicits pilgrimages 

from around the globe and is steeped 

in the history of the industry, playing a 

pioneering 

role in 

shaping modern 

day snowboarding, 

freestyle skiing and even 

(perhaps most excitingly) ski 

resort management. 

Split between the once rival Whistler 

and Blackcomb mountains, the skiable 

area and its runs are vast. With 200 

runs and over 8000 acres, Whistler 

Blackcomb is, if a little shy of some of 

our sprawling European counterparts, 

the largest ski resort in North America. 

With all levels of runs, kids-zones, 

terrain parks, trees and powder bowls, 

there is something for people of all 

abilities to get their teeth into. A well 

maintained and often-updated lift 

system puts all of this within easy reach 

with the pièce de résistance being the 

spectacular peak to peak gondola, 

which spans the valley between the two 

mountains and links what used to be 

two separate areas via an unforgettable 

ride across Fitzsimmons Creek valley. 

The snow here is heavier than in the 

higher elevation Rocky Mountains, so 

don’t expect the champagne powder 

“With many outdoor areas and people spilling 

out onto the snow, the vibrant atmosphere of 

the whole village places the après experience 

firmly above any I’ve experienced in Europe 

(with exception perhaps to La Folie Douce… 

if you know, you know)” 

the 

area is 

renowned 

for, however 

with usually 

consistent snow, 

making new fresh tracks 

is a pleasure you can find time 

and time again. 

A great mountain only provides half of 

the story when it comes to great resorts 

and the village of Whistler itself more 

than carries its own weight. Top off a 

long bluebird day sipping a cold few with 

your boots loosened on the first-floor 

patio of the Garibaldi Lift Co. (The GLC in 

local parlance), or if the adrenaline of the 

afternoon hasn’t quite worn off, stomp 

your feet along to the ski bum classics 

of The Hairfarmers at Merlin’s Bar and 

Grill or head to another of the many lively 

bars or quieter pubs on offer. 

With many outdoor areas and people 

spilling out onto the snow, the vibrant 

atmosphere of the whole village places 

the après experience firmly above 

any I’ve experienced in Europe (with 

exception perhaps to La Folie Douce… 

if you know, you know). Once back 

into a pair of comfortable shoes, you 

have a vast array of restaurants, cafés, 

pizzerias, crêperies and burger joints 

to choose from - catering to all sorts of 


STLER 

WE SENT JOSH TOBER AWAY FROM HIS USUAL 

ALPINE FAVOURITES TO TRY THE WIDE PISTES 

AND BUSTLING APRÈ S IN WHISTLER, CANADA 

budgets. 

There’s also 

the Whistler Grocery 

Store within a short walk 

from the bottom of the lifts should 

you wish to self-cater. If the evening 

still hasn’t tired you out then dance the 

night away at nightclubs like Garfinkel’s, 

MoeJoe’s and Tommy’s Lounge who 

often boast international bands and DJs 

hosting some of the wildest parties in 

British Columbia! 

Of course, those wishing to experience 

a more peaceful getaway are also 

generously catered for. If the essence 

of Whistler is the land of thrills and 

adventure, then its antithesis and the 

perfect cure to the inevitable hangover 

or burned-out legs is the Scandinave 

Spa. Isolated in a clearing amongst 

the picturesque coniferous forest just 

outside 

of town, 

you are presented 

with a snow globe scene 

of tranquillity and peace enclosed 

on all sides by frost-touched pines. A 

path winds its way amongst steaming 

hot and icy cold plunge pools, the 

surface of which are kissed silently by 

lazy flakes of snow. Bear in mind that 

talking is prohibited within the spa itself; 

a blessing, or a curse to some! 

Once thoroughly relaxed, enjoy a dash 

of local culture and visit the Audain Art 

Museum. Housing a collection of works 

from 

the 

indigenous First 

Nations through to 

world renowned coastal British 

Columbian contemporary artists, the 

striking architecture of the museum is 

arguably as much a part of the draw 

as the exhibits on display. Afterwards, 

when evening settles in, Vallea Lumina 

Destination Canada/Grant Gunderson 


offers a whimsical journey through a forest filled with light, 

sound and special effects. This is definitely one for the kids! 

The Fairmont Chateau 

The catered ski chalet model we are used to seeing in 

European resorts hasn’t really taken off in most of North 

America and the few that do exist tend to be luxury 

end offerings with a walloping price tag. However there 

are still a good many of choices of accommodation in 

Whistler, from the fabulous ski in-ski out Fairmont Chateau 

(complete with ski hosts to take and store your skis from 

you before you even step inside) to the more modern pod 

hostel concept on offer within the Pangea Pod Hotel (still 

located slap bang in the centre of the action in Whistler 

Village and a short walk to the gondolas) there are hotels, 

AirBnB apartments, lodges and hostels to suit all budgets. 

EN-ROUTE 

The typical route to Whistler is to fly into Vancouver 

and then take a cruise along the Sea to Sky Highway, a 

stunning route in itself on the days when visibility hasn’t 

been reduced to a few hundred metres. Why not extend the 

trip and build up the anticipation by stopping for a couple 

of days in BC’s capital? 

Vancouver manages to be at once isolated yet intrinsically 

linked with its striking backdrop of the Coastal Mountains. 

The town itself holds all the usual trappings of quirky 

bars, eateries and museums, but where it excels is as a 

platform to kick-off and ease you into the exploration of its 

magnificent setting. 

Start off in a gentile manner; hire a bike and ride the ample 

cycle paths to Stanley Park where the city seamlessly starts to 

blend into its surroundings. Ride, walk or ride the train along 

the routes criss-crossing the 400 Hectare park of coniferous 

forest, hidden lakes and beaches with views of the foothills 

of the Coast Mountains dipping their toes into the Strait of 

Georgia (keep an eye out for river otters!). For the slightly more 

adventurous, take the free shuttle to the Capilano Suspension 

Bridge Park; set around a cedar rainforest lined gorge, it 

represents quintessential back country Canada. Treetop and 

cliff-side hugging walkways have been added to complement 

the historic suspended footbridge, the crossing of which, 

with its slight swaying and bouncing, make the experience as 

exhilarating as it is beautiful. 

Once the bracing outdoor air has roused your adventurous 

spirits, take part in a plethora of other outdoor activities, 

which offer something for any age, weather or season; 

snowshoeing and ziplines at Grouse Mountain, scenic 

sea plane tours from the harbour, rooftop jeep tent hire, 

canyoning, kayaking, stand up paddleboarding, white 

water rafting and more hiking trails in the surrounding areas 

than you can shake a trekking pole at. 

While I won’t be swapping my annual helping of tartiflette 

for a portion of poutine for good any time soon, I’d 

encourage anyone; family or not, to give more than passing 

consideration to a winter trip West of the pond. See you 

out there! 

Destination Canada/Grant Gunderson 

BOOKING YOUR TRIP: 

Accommodation in Whistler was with the stunning 

Fairmont Chateau - find out more and book at 

www.fairmont.com 

More information about the resort can be found at: 

www.whistler.com 


CONSCIOUSLY 

CURATED HOME- 

WARES AND GIFTS 

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HAUSLIFE.CO.UK

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.” 


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(See more great feedback on Checkatrade.com) 

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BATHROOM 

BLISS 

How rethinking a layout and some luxury finishes can transform a 

dated family space. We caught up with homeowner Kate to find 

out how she made this little sanctuary 

Tiles: RAK Ceramics Fashion Stone in Ivory; 

Bath: RAK Cloud Freestanding Bath 


Bathroom 

design, heating 

and plumbing 

supplies 

From taps to toilets and baths to 

basins, we can help you create your 

perfect bathroom. 

• Trading for over 30 years 

• Large showroom 

• Approved supplier of a number of 

recognised bathroom brands 

• Friendly and knowledgeable team 

• Technical expertise 

• Heating systems including 

radiators, boilers, underfloor and 

renewable heating 

• Free local delivery to Winchester 

and the surrounding area 

www.woodstockplumbing.co.uk 

Find us located just off the A303: Units 

1&2, Beresford Gate, South Way, Walworth 

Industrial Estate, Andover, SP10 5BN 

V 01264 332552 

* enquiries@woodstockplmg.co.uk

The drying wall 

solution - hooks 

RAK Moon 

The sleek Lithe Audio Ceiling 

Mounted Bluetooth Speaker 

looks amazing paired with 

the flush shower head 

What were some of the obstacles you 

faced with this project? 

Firstly, the room is really small for a family 

bathroom! It measures 2.2m long by 

1.65m wide. Previously, I guess because 

of the small width, the bath was against 

the longer wall with the door - but it 

meant you basically walked into it as 

soon as you entered the room. By opting 

for a shorter bath, we were able to flip the 

orientation and create a space that feels 

much larger. 

What made you choose this design? 

I love the look of micro cement and 

Venetian plaster, but it was coming out 

at £130 per square metre. So when I 

found the Fashion Stone range at RAK 

Ceramics, I was thrilled - it’s exactly the 

warm stoney beige colour I was looking 

for and had a beautiful graduation 

of pattern through it that mimics the 

micro-cement. I also had the mosaic tiles 

installed in the shower niche - cement 

doesn’t allow for pattern, so I think it was 

the perfect option. 

I’ve wanted black taps since about 2016 

when I saw them on an Australian design 

show - I was so thrilled to find RAK also 

stock them. Most of the bathroom is 

kitted out with the Amalfi range, which 

has the most amazing textured finish - it 

looks and feels so luxurious. 

The basin tap feels so amazing - I read 

once that you should invest in the objects 

you touch everyday and this tap is 

honestly dreamy. The motion to turn it on 

is really slick - it’s the little things that add 

up to making a space feel luxurious. 

Is the shower over a freestanding bath? 

Yes - this design decision did cause 

some head scratching for the builder! I 

wanted the look of a free standing bath, 

especially because we knew we’d have 

to get a smaller one, so I thought why not 

emphasise it. The way we counteracted 

the water issue is to have a small wet 

room former tray in each corner behind 

the bath, and also to run the underfloor 

heating in this area to help dry out the 

splashes. So far, so good! 

The bath is an absolute beauty - it’s the 

RAK Cloud design and at a petite 1.4m, 

it was the perfect size. It is very heavy 

though, as it’s resin - so just bear that in 

mind when planning! The shape of it is 

unlike anything I’ve ever seen before - it 

really has a beautiful form and gorgeous 

curves. I love that it sits on a base. 

Did you have any tech installed? 

Yes - was a must for my partner. We’ve 

got the most beautiful shaver socket 

and dimmer switches from Corston 

Architectural Detail- the black bronze 

finish is so modern but also timeless. The 

switch outside controls the spotlights and 

then the LED strip lighting in the recess 

by the bath separately. The recess it sits 

in offers a handy space to put products 

for showering and was created by adding 

a shallow stud wall. 

Then there’s the Lithe Audio waterproof 

speaker in the ceiling - it looks amazing 

set against the inset circular RAK shower 

head too. It allows you to connect your 

phone or tablet wirelessly - amazing for 

watching movies in the bath or listening to 

the radio in the morning as you get ready 

for work. We will be using the same tech 

all synced up in the rest of the house. 

Finally, the loo! Who knew a toilet could 

be exciting, but this one is! The RAK 

Ceramics Des Rimless Close Coupled loo 

has a touch-less flush - super hygienic 

and very easy to clean - the battery life 

RAK Joy Wall Hung Vanity 

Unit with Built in Basin in 

Grey Elm - 600mm with 

Amalfi Basin Tap 

Corston Architectural 

Shaver Socket in bronze 

Before 


LAYOUT 

More than anything, it was the 

layout of this space that made it 

feel cramped. The bath protruded, 

meaning you all but knocked into 

it as you came in. You’d have to 

edge past the basin to get to the 

loo. By moving the loo and flipping 

the bath, the whole space is more 

open and that creates an amazing 

feeling of luxury. 

Below is the before and after of the 

layout. Thee door has also been 

flipped so you come into an open 

space, rather than side stepping. 

After 

WC 

lasts two years too! The toilet is also rimless inside, meaning 

there are fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to live. 

BATH 

BASIN 

WINDOW 

Where’s the towel rail? 

Another one that confounded the builder a bit - again because of 

the size of the bathroom, I was worried about the projection of a 

towel rail into the room. My other half also only hangs his towels 

rather than folding them on a rail - so we came up with a different 

solution. The underfloor heating is electric and these wires can 

be (carefully) taken out of the matting - we asked the builder to 

cut grooves into the wall to accommodate the cables and tile 

over them - thus creating a warm wall. We then positioned hooks 

about 10cm clear of the top edge of the cables and the towels 

hang against a warm wall to speed drying. 

DOOR 

What’s the secret to a successful bathroom scheme? 

I think we are looking for bathrooms to feel like an escape - in 

line with that, lots of storage is essential - looking at clutter is 

not relaxing! Making more of a layout and maybe opting for 

smaller baths to maximise the feeling of space also helps. Our 

vanity unit is a floating one, helping the volume of furniture in 

the room to feel smaller. 

BATH 

STOCKIST INFORMATION: 

For tiles, bathroom furniture and taps: 

RAK Ceramics: www.rakceramics.com 

Find your nearest supplier here: www.rakceramics.com/uk/en/ 

store-locator/united-kingdom 

WC 

WINDOW 

For light swtiches and sockets: 

Corston Architectural Detail: www.corston.com 

For audio Equipment: 

Lithe Audio: www.litheaudio.com 

DOOR 

BASIN 



"SO MUCH 

MORE THAN 

A ROOF OVER 

OUR HEADS" 

Buy to Let Hunter is a 

niche company offering 

investors a chance to 

purchase perfect small 

properties to rent on 

a short-term, serviced 

basis in the dormitory 

suburbs... 

But who, I hear you ask, chooses to stay 

in a tiny house in Binfield? One of our 

guests, Blair Baker, recently had a chat 

with us about her experience as a guest 

with Buy To Let Hunter. 

HOW DID YOU COME TO BE STAYING 

IN ONE OF OUR PROPERTIES? 

“We sold our house in June, on the very 

day we put it up for market! We were 

relocating as a family to the States and 

for that to happen, my husband needed 

a visa. Due to Covid his application was 

delayed. We found ourselves in a total 

pickle – we were advised to stay in an 

Airbnb and wait. We had no idea it would 

be for six months!” 

HOW HAS THE EXPERIENCE WITH 

BTLH BEEN? 

“When we found your house in Binfield, 

we felt grateful and blessed: it was a 

proper home for us – with a garden for 

Shadow and a locked shed for storage. It 

was just so wonderful to find somewhere 

we were able to live with the dog and feel 

like part of the neighbourhood and to be 

looked after.” 

WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO OTHER 

PEOPLE IN YOUR POSITION? 

“This has been a major life transition 

for us and being able to feel at home, 

welcomed by the neighbours and 

supported by the BTLH team has made 

it so much easier than staying in a hotel. 

You have shown us flexibility and genuine 

care, giving so much more than a roof 

over our heads: honestly, it has made all 

the difference! This great set-up provides 

the perfect stop gap for those who are 

stuck in a life transition, a true safe place 

for us to be in the midst of stress and 

turmoil.” 

BLAIR AND HER FAMILY ARE 

PACKING AND HOPEFUL TO 

FINALLY MAKE THE NEXT STEP 

TOWARDS A NEW LIFE TOGETHER 

IN MASSACHUSETTS WITH FLIGHTS 

SCHEDULED AND A SHINY NEW VISA 

IN HAND. 

“As difficult as it has been there are a few 

tender memories: the genuine friendships 

with our neighbours, your staff have 

been super great and I believe they 

genuinely care - this isn’t just a business 

for them. We think we will leave next 

week – but now we have to take Covid 

tests, so everything is still somewhat up 

in the air… it’s like the most suspenseful 

storyline narrative ever, isn’t it! “Will they 

stay or will they go?”” 

IN THE NICEST POSSIBLE WAY, WE 

HOPE BLAIR, SHADOW AND HER 

FAMILY LEAVE FOR GOOD! 

The owner of Blair’s serviced and 

furnished home has been earning twice 

as much in rental, has the warm fuzzy 

feeling of providing a much-needed home 

and has a hassle free, flexible investment. 

If you would like to learn about our other 

guests or investors please do read the 

whole series of interviews on the website. 

Can BTLH help you find the perfect 

property? Get in touch and have a 

chat: 020 7550 9396 or 

hello@buytolethunter.com. 

For more information check out 

www.buytolethunter.com 


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. 


*3 weeks for 

the price of 2 

9.6 

carehome.co.uk 

average score 

Who cares if Jan wants to 

look her best? We do. 

Mayower Court care home 

62-70 Westwood Road, Southampton, Hampshire, SO17 1DP 

Call 02380 984476 | Visit www. mayowercourt.org.uk 

*T&C’s apply. Please see website for details

Self-Build success doesn’t 

need to be difficult 

Currently just 7% of the homes in the UK are 

self-built, but with the prospect of the number 

of new builds increasing across the UK, many are 

starting to look to this option of homeownership. 

Most self-builders are tempted by the opportunity to 

build a home to their own design and personalise it to 

suits their own tastes. Starting a self-build project can 

be daunting as there are numerous ways in which it 

can be achieved. There are many factors to consider 

and when it comes to arranging a self-build mortgage 

the task is simple in theory, but most people are 

uncertain of where to start. The good news is that the 

process doesn’t need to be difficult. 

Where to build? 

This can either mean finding a plot of land with 

planning permission, finding innovative ways of 

separating land with an existing home on it, a 

renovation, or a conversion project. 

The land 

You may be lucky enough to already own the plot of 

land if it forms part of your current property. You will 

need to appoint a solicitor to separate the title from the 

existing property. If you intend to do this, and you have 

a mortgage on your current home, you will need to gain 

the agreement from your current lender to release the 

land from their security. 

If you are purchasing a plot of land to build on, you 

will need to consider its location and whether it has 

planning permission. If there is no existing planning 

permission, your choice of lender will be limited, as 

generally you will need this to purchase land with a 

mortgage. 

Planning permission 

If you are building on a plot you own or wish to make 

any changes to pre-existing permissions, you will 

need to apply to your local authority for planning 

permission. It is important at this point to ensure 

you have appointed a qualified architect to ensure 

the design of the property will satisfy planning 

requirements. 

Cost research 

It is important that before embarking on a self-build 

project you understand the costs involved. A lender 

will need to know how much the project is going to cost 

and you will also need to understand if you can afford 

the build. Once you have highlighted a plot and at the 

time of designing your home it is a good idea to engage 

with builders and tradespeople to get an outline 

indication of how much the build will cost. There are 

other costs to also consider, solicitor fees, planning fees 

and the cost of a new homes warranty (which a lender 

will insist on). 

It is always important to build a healthy contingency in 

as well, usually 10% of the build cost is advisable. 

The lender 

Securing finance for a self-build home may not be as 

daunting as it sounds. Self-build mortgages are not so 

different from ‘regular’ mortgages. The amount you 

can borrow is determined by assessing your income 

and commitments. The mortgage amount will also 

depend on the costs of the project and the value of the 

completed home. Funding can be made in set stages 

throughout the project as you build your home. What 

helps is that self-build mortgages are offered on an 

interest-only basis which will help keep initial costs 

down during the build. 

The beauty of self-building is that, if managed 

correctly, it offers a cost-effective way of owning your 

dream home based on your personal choice. Selfbuild 

doesn’t always mean excessive expense and can 

often include ‘eco’ elements in the build which result 

in a home which is more energy efficient and has less 

environmental impact compared to older housing stock. 

Exceeding a build budget is not the norm if the build is 

managed correctly, and the reward? A home which is 

perfectly suited to you and your lifestyle. 

If you’re looking to build your own home and would 

like to talk to us about a self-build mortgage, please 

contact us and arrange an appointment by video, in a 

branch local to you or by telephone. 

Winchester branch: 

143 High Street, Winchester, SO23 9AY 

Call: 01962 852716 

Email: winchester@newbury.co.uk 

Cliff Osborne 

Winchester Senior 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. 8530 

Newbury 

Building Society

EXTRA CARE 

HOUSING 

IN WINCHESTER 

VULNERABLE RELATIVE 

OR FRIEND? 

TURN A PHONE INTO A LIFELINE WITH 

THE PRESS OF A BUTTON 

Extra Care facilities are for people 

over 55 who meet the criteria 

assessed by Hampshire County 

Council Adult Social Care. Residents 

can benefit from self-contained 

apartments as well as on-site 24/7 

care should they need it. Applicants 

must live in the Winchester City 

Council district or have family living 

here, need help with personal care 

and be in housing that is no longer 

suitable for their needs. 

24 hours a day, 365 

days a year service 

Friendly operators with 

access to named contacts 

and emergency services 

Neck pendants 

available 

Less than 50p a day 

For more details contact Winchester Lifeline 

Lifeline@winchester.gov.uk l Tel: 01962 855 335 

For more information contact 

shelteredhousing@winchester.gov.uk l Tel: 01962 855 335 

wessex HEALtHCARE 

WESSEX HEALTHCARE 

wessex HEALtHCARE 

We supply quality mobility products and independent living aids 

We supply quality mobility products and independent living aids to the less abled and disabled. 



➤ free home assessments 

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www.wessexhealthcare.co.uk 

* enquiries@wessexhealthcare.co.uk | www.wessexhealthcare.co.uk 

: 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 41 


www.wessexhealthcare.co.uk

'OUTSTANDING' RATING FOR LOCAL 

HOMECARE PROVIDER 

Care Quality Commission awards ‘Outstanding’ rating to 

local homecare provider Right at Home Mid Hampshire 


A high-quality homecare company in Chandler’s Ford has received 

a glowing inspection report from the Care Quality Commission, the 

independent regulator of Health and Social Care in England. 

Following the inspection, Right at Home Mid Hampshire, located 

in Chandler’s Ford, Eastleigh was rated ‘Outstanding”! This was 

the third time that the service, established in 2014, had been fully 

inspected with the CQC. 

Right at Home Mid Hampshire provides top quality, compassionate 

domiciliary and live-in care and support to people living in their own 

homes. Services include companionship, personal care, medication 

support, post-operative support, household administration, help 

with washing and dressing, meal preparation, specialist dementia 

care, transport and shopping, care for people living with disabilities 

such as multiple sclerosis, and holiday and respite cover. 

According to the CQC report, one of the key strengths of the service 

was Right at Home Mid Hampshire’s approach to person-centred 

care. It said: “The caring culture within the organisation continued 

to be embedded at every level. All of the staff we spoke with 

understood the importance of providing people with care that was 

compassionate and kind, developing positive relationships and 

displayed a genuine desire to enhance people’s wellbeing and make 

a difference to their lives.” 

In their previous CQC report, published 2019, the service was found 

to be “Good” overall, with “Outstanding” for the element of Caring. 

During the inspection on 4th October, CQC representatives spoke 

with a number of Right at Home caregivers, clients and family 

members as well as the Registered Manager and Business Owner. 

After speaking with clients and caregivers, the CQC inspector also 

praised the bond that caregivers build with their clients. The report 

said: “A relative shared an example of how staff had exceeded 

what was expected of them telling us “They (care workers) are all 

happy to come, it’s not just a job, they go above and beyond, they 

genuinely love (person)”. 

The caregivers themselves were very complementary about the 

support provided to them. The report quotes one as saying “The 

Managing Director shows his appreciation and how valued we 

are by leaving small gifts every now and then. Another said “The 

management team are knowledgeable, dynamic, proactive, inclusive, 

very easy to approach. The culture of the company makes you feel 

that the management team is just part of one big team of carers.” 

Nick Turner, MD of Right at Home Mid Hampshire commented “This 

is an exceptional result for us, as the service was assessed following 

a very difficult two pandemic years for staff and clients alike. Our 

staff benefit from outstanding training, pay and conditions, and 

the possibility of a career path, and our clients benefit from their 

compassion and skills. I feel that we are all very lucky, and we are 

constantly expanding our superb team.” 

For further information visit www.rightathome.co.uk/midhants 

Care & Services 

• Companion care 

• Dementia care 

• Convalescent care 

• Respite care 

• Palliative care 

• Long term care 

for Alzheimer’s, 

Parkinsons, 

Multiple Sclerosis, 

Cancer and Stoke 

Care without 

compromise 

As a small bespoke care 

agency with over 21 years 

experience of live-in care, 

we pride ourselves on 

delivering excellent service 

across the south of England. 

Our mission is to enable our 

clients to stay living happily 

and independently in their 

own homes by providing 

quality personalised care. 

If you want to talk to 

someone about the options 

available, please call us for a 

personal appraisal on: 

01980 846690 

www.oxleycare.co.uk 


Quality care you can trust, 

delivered in the comfort of 

your own home 

We provide high quality, personalised care services, 

enabling you to continue living independently in the 

comfortable and familiar surroundings of 

your own home. 

Our valued and professional CareGivers are a trusted, 

friendly face, dedicated to supporting you to live life to 

the full. 

Did you know, we also offer full time live-in care? 

With our live-in care service, one of our fully-trained and 

approved CareGivers will live with you in your own home, 

giving you the flexibility of help and support whenever you 

need it, day or night. 

How can we support you? 

• Companionship 

• Transportation & errands 

• Meal preparation 

• Light housekeeping 

• Hospital to home services 

• Personal care 

• Medication reminders 

• Post-operative support 

• Holiday & respite cover 

• Specialist dementia care 

• 24/7 live-in care 

For more information on Right at Home’s services, 

please contact: 

02380 009595 

mid hants@rightathome.co.uk 

www.rightathomeuk.co.uk/midhants 

“Outstanding 

for Caring”

St Cross Grange 

Quality Care You Can Trust - in Winchester 

St Cross Grange care home in Winchester provides 

high quality Residential and Dementia Care. 

Rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission. 

To arrange a safe visit call Kim on 

01962 587210 

greensleeves.org.uk

Telephone: 023 8076 4389 

Fax: 023 8091 4413 

Email: info@southcoasturology.co.uk 

South Coast Urology (SCU) 

are a team of seven consultant 

urological surgeons providing 

a comprehensive service in all 

aspects of urology... 

Each consultant holds a teaching hospital appointment at 

University Hospital Southampton and has the extensive 

expertise in a specific area of urology. 

You may choose to see any of our experts for a consultation 

and diagnosis, our philosophy is that through subspecialisation 

and team-working we are able to guarantee 

that should they require an operation, it will be performed 

by a high volume surgeon – something that has been shown 

time and again to improve outcomes for patients. 

Our services include: 

• 2 week wait (e.g. raised PSA, 

abnormal DRE, haematuria, 

testis and renal masses). 

• Prostate cancer diagnostics 

using multi parametric MRI, 

specialist and targeting 

biopsy techniques (template, 

fusion, smart), robotic surgery, 

salvage treatments. 

• Benign prostate disorders 

such as benign enlargement, 

infections, inflammation. 

Treatment options include 

TURP, HoLEP (laser surgery), 

Urolift, PAE (Prostate Artery 

Embolisation). 

• Urinary tract stone disease 

with shockwave lithotripsy, 

ureteroscopy, laser lithotripsy, 

micro/mini/standard PCNL 

and chemical pathology 

support to prevent further 

stones. 

• Bladder conditions such 

as over-active bladder 

(OAB), infections, stones, 

incontinence, supported by 

a high quality urodynamics 

service. 

• Men’s health conditions 

including erectile dysfunctions 

(ED), andropause, 

contraception (vasectomy). 

• Complex robotic, 

laparoscopic and open cancer 

options for those with bladder, 

renal, testis and neighbouring 

organ tumours. 

South Coast Urology work 

closely with a wider network 

of specialists including 

radiologists, oncologists, nurses 

and chemical pathologists. 

Appointments are available 5 

days a week at 3 leading private 

hospitals in Southampton, 

Bournemouth and Chandler’s 

Ford. 

Our efficient administration 

team will be happy to help 

direct your patient to the most 

appropriate consultant for their 

condition at a time that suits. 

www.southcoasturology.co.uk

Wet room 

specialists – 

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Design your dream bathroom with with 

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Bring your dream to to life life with with our our 

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147-151 Old Milton Road, New Milton BH25 6DS 

147-151 Old Milton Road, New Milton BH25 6DS

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Winchester Lifestyle Feb - Mar 2022

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