Surrey Homes | SH85 | February 2022 | Education supplement inside

PRICELESS 

FEBRUARY 2022 

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

MINTERIORS 

JFine hand crafted kitchens and bespoke furniture 

jminteriorsuk.uk 

Please email or call to make a showroom appointment 

info@jminteriorsuk.uk 01580 291221

Surrey, Sussex 

& Hampshire’s 

Premier Oak 

Framed Specialist 

Surrey Oak Barns is a specialist 

oak frame contractor offering a 

complete and seamless multitrade 

service, from simple garages 

and garden rooms to fully finished 

buildings, all tailored to meet our 

client’s specific requirements. 

We offer a complete service from 

design, planning and construction 

through to completion, ensuring 

our clients achieve their aspirations 

for oak buildings from a single source. 

Surrey Oak Barns is the only oak 

framed contractor to be awarded 

Chartered Building Company 

status which identifies those 

businesses that are committed 

to quality of product and service, 

integrity of conduct and concern 

for client’s needs. 

01483 420 258 

info@surreyoakbarns.co.uk 

www.surreyoakbarns.co.uk

Build your dreams...enhance your home 

The gallery of images are of recent work we have undertaken. 

These include oak garages, buildings, conservatories and extensions.

NOW 

OPEN ON 

SATURDAYS 

9am - 1pm 

VISIT OUR SHOWROOM 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire, GU34 2QJ 

www.distinctivelightinguk.com | Tel: 01420 590510 

Open 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday, 

9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday

Contents 

February 2022 

64 

92 

34 

10 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Beautiful houses on the 

market right now 

81 

GET THE LOOK 

Shop interiors pieces to 

emulate Karen’s eclectic style 

107 

EARLY BIRDS 

Jo Arnell gets cracking in 

anticipation of spring 

27 

NOTEBOOK 

Explore our pick of 

February events 

85 

STAR DATE 

Kate Watts chooses 

outfits for date night 

111 

I’M A SURVIVOR 

A look at trees that can weather a 

changing climate with Sue Whigham 

34 

57 

59 

64 

FAMILY COMFORTS 

The inviting home of father 

and son furniture designers Alex 

Willcock and Felix Conran 

GET THE LOOK 

Achieve the Maker 

& Son aesthetic 

BRING THE INDOORS OUT 

Rebecca Cuffe’s edit of how to 

create the finest garden buildings 

WINDOWS ON 

THE WORLD 

Karen Hahnel’s stylish 

seafront apartment 

92 

99 

103 

105 

SHARE THE LOVE 

Jo Arnell creates delicious 

recipes to enjoy with 

loved ones and friends 

HANDS DOWN 

Josephine Fairley gives advice 

on products to keep your 

hands looking youthful 

ALL SET 

Sarah Maxwell’s second 

look at achievable fat loss 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau’s tips for a happy 

and healthy February 

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com 

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2022 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd. 

116 

118 

WHAT’S ON 

This month’s diary dates 

FARM FABLES 

Jane Howard’s recent news 

from Coopers Farm 

EDUCATION 

SUPPLEMENT 

35 pages of the 

latest education 

news from across 

the South East. 

After page 82. 

Education 

5 

07SH-237Supp P1.indd 1 25/01/2022 15:47

ART THAT MAKES 

A HOUSE A HOME 

DISCOVER MORE ONLINE, VISIT US OR ARRANGE A HOME VISIT 

 

SCULPTURE | PAINTINGS | ART ADVISORY | INSTALLATION 

Laura@belgraviagallery.com 020 7495 1010

Fine Paintings Sales 

10 th February & 10 th March 

Editor’s 

Letter 

anuary, for me, is one of the longest months of the year – 

or so it seems. With Christmas well and truly done and 

dusted, and the weather usually chilly enough to force a 

retreat indoors, it can feel like a bit of a trudge. But once 

you’ve got your health goals sorted and have psyched 

yourself up for that extra dog walk or run round the block, you 

can treat it as the perfect reset. 

And now we’re into February, there’s light at the end 

of the early sunset tunnel, as I’m not doing the afternoon 

school run in darkness! With local schools well into the 

swing of a new term, this issue we take a look at the 

incredible offerings that our educational establishments 

provide for their pupils. Soak up tips on settling your child 

into a new school or sending them off to university well 

prepared; find out about some very famous alumni; meet 

the head students and discover how school communities 

are fighting for the planet. Read on after page 82. 

We were lucky enough to take a look behind the scenes 

of sofa artisans Maker & Son the other week to explore 

founders Alex and Felix’s family home and find out what 

inspires their beautiful furniture designs. And the owner 

of one of our favourite archive shoots for the magazine, 

Karen Hahnel, invites us to photograph a new project she 

has recently completed. You may recognise some of the 

fabulous objets she’s brought with her from her previous 

place displayed throughout her current apartment. 

PARKER 

FINE ART AUCTIONS 

info@parkerfineartauctions.com 

01252 20 30 20 | parkerfineartauctions.com 

Enjoy your Surrey Homes! 

Wealden Times & Surrey Homes Team 

Editor ............................................................................................ Lucy Fleming 

News & Features Editor ...............................................................Rebecca Cuffe 

Design Director ..........................................................................Anthony Boxall 

Design Assistant...........................................................................Phoebe O’Leary 

Sales Managers ..............................................................................Rachel Norrie 

Lisa Gordon-Hughes 

Senior Account Managers ................................................................... Tina Evans 

Sara Henslow 

Maria Hurley 

Sub Editor/Features Writer/Social Media ..........................................Emily Pavey 

Wealden Times Show Director ....................................................... Flo Simpson 

Events Manager .............................................................................. Liz Copping 

Senior Account Manager, Events ....................................................... Jude Brown 

Managing Director .............................................................. Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive Chairman ...................................................................... Julie Simpson 

Free picture valuations 

To sell with us is just £10 per lot 

7 priceless-magazines.com 

ParkerFineArtAuctionsWT237 1 18/01/2022 14:41

ONE 

HUNDRED 

& THREE 

DEGREES 

At a hundred and three 

degrees cranberries and 

sugar blossom into a 

festive miracle. 

A single millimetre is all that 

is needed for a flawless 

slice of Jamón Ibérico. 

Sixty four degree water 

gives the most rich, 

velvety poached eggs 

you’ve ever imagined. 

When you’re in the kitchen, 

perfection and joy come 

from precision. And it’s the 

same when we’re in the 

kitchen too — because we 

love what we do. 

This is German Enjoyneering. 

Kutchenhaus Farnborough 

70 Kingsmead, The Meads 

Shopping Centre, Farnborough 

GU14 7SL 

Tel : 01252 239051

Find your copy 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of Wealden Times or 

Surrey Homes or to get free copies delivered for a year for just £25 postage 

Our magazines are available in selected railway stations, Cook, Waterstones, 

Tesco, M&S and Sainsbury’s stores, as well as these local hot spots. 

Please check priceless-group.com/wealden-times-distribution and 

priceless-group.com/surrey-homes-distribution for a current list of distribution points. 

WEALDEN TIMES 

Alfriston 

• Emmett & 

White Antiques 

& Interiors 

Ashford 

• Eastwell Manor 

• Hunters 

• Kingsfords Solicitors 

• Northwood 

• Perry Court Farm 

• Secret Garden, Kent 

• Waterstones 

• The Wife of Bath 

Battle 

• British Design 

British Made 

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Benenden 

• Village Shop 

Bexhill 

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Emporium 

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Biddenden 

• The Bakehouse 

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• Costcutter 

Boughton 

Monchelsea 

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Bromley 

• The Glades 

Burwash 

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Canterbury 

• Benton Kitchens 

• The Duke William 

• Fenwick 

• Gibson’s 

Farm Shop 

• The Goods Shed 

• Whitefriars 

Charing 

• Post Office 

Chiddingstone 

• Chiddingstone 

Castle 

Chilham 

• Bagham Barn 

Antiques 

Cranbrook 

• Ashwal Garage 

• Hartley Coffee 

House 

• Hartley Dyke 

Farmshop 

• The Hive 

• Kingsfords Solicitors 

• Pages 

• The Wendy House 

Crowborough 

• Costa Coffee 

Eastbourne 


Eridge 

• Fuller’s Farm Shop 

Faversham 

• Macknade 

Fine Foods 

Flimwell 

• The Weald Smokery 

Folkestone 

• Hunters 

• Loaf 

• Moda 

• Quarterhouse 

• Rocksalt 

• Steep Street 

Coffee House 

Goudhurst 

• Burfields 

House Wealth 

Management Ltd 

• Goudhurst Inn 

• Goudhurst 

Newsagents 

• Furnish & Feather 

Greenhithe 

• John Lewis 

Food Hall 

Hastings 

• Judges Bakery 

• Respire Living 

• St Mary in 

the Castle 

• Wellington Centre 

Hawkhurst 

• Kino Cinema 

• Park Farm Butchers 

• Two Chicks 

Headcorn 

• Foodie’s Emporium 

Heathfield 

• Cuculo Deli 

• The Stores 

Horsham 

• Cook 


Hurst Green 

• Eggs to Apples 

• Merriments 

Hythe 

• The Chair Lady 

• The Flower Shop 

• Halcyon Days 

• Hunters 

• Hythe Bay Seafood 

Restaurant 

• Hythe Imperial 

Health Club & Spa 

• Hythe Imperial 

Hotel 

• Nutmeg Café 

• Oaks Hair & 

Beauty Retreat 

Ickham 

• The Duke William 

Kings Hill 

• Costa 

Lenham 

• Corner House 

Antiques 

Lewes 

• Middle Farm 

• Riverside 

Shopping Hall 

Maidstone 

• House of Fraser 

• Leeds Castle 


Marden 

• Marden Village 

Store 

Mayfield 

• The Pink Cabbage 

Produce Co. 

Northiam 

• Country Property 

Group 

• Jempson’s Local 

• Will’s Bakery 

and Café 

Nutley 

• Nutley Antiques 

Otford 

• Hall & Co 

Peasmarsh 


Pluckley 

• Pluckley Farm Shop 

Robertsbridge 

• Vinehall School 

Rolvenden 

• KM & JM 

Linklater 

Rushlake Green 

• The Stores 

Rye 

• Adams of Rye 


• Kino Cinema 

• Phillips & Stubbs 

• The Rye Retreat 

• The White House 

Sandhurst 

• Johnson’s of 

Sandhurst 

Sedlescombe 

• Sedlescombe Post 

Office and Stores 

Sellindge 

• Hobbs & Hearts 

Sevenoaks 

• Cook 

• County Clothes 

Sheffield Green 

• Trading Boundaries 

Sissinghurst 

• TN17 Food 

& Wine 

Smarden 

• West End House 

Gallery 

St. Leonards-on-Sea 

• Shop 

• Who’s Wearing 

What 

Staplehurst 

• Frankie’s Farm Shop 

Stone Cross 

• Sharnfold Farm 

& Shop 

Tenterden 


• Hunters Estate 

Agents 

• London Beach 

Hotel 

• Tenterden House 

Interiors 

• Warner Gray 


• Webbs of Tenterden 

• White Lion 

• Woodcocks 

Ticehurst 

• Dale Hill Golf Club 

• Londis 

Tonbridge 

• Cook 

Tunbridge Wells 

• Fenwick 

• Hoopers 

• Maddisons 

Residential 

• Notcutts 

• Poggenpohl 

• Truffle 

Wadhurst 


• Wadhurst Castle 

• Wealden 

Wholefoods 

West Malling 

• The Swan 

Westerham 

• Costa 

• Nisa 

Whitstable 

• Hotel Continental 

• Tea & Times 

• The Whiting Post 

Winchelsea 

• Winchelsea 

Farm Kitchen 

Wye 

• The Wife of Bath 

SURREY HOMES 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Bramley 

• Bramley Beds 

Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 

Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


Felbridge 

• Doves Barn Nursery 

Forest Green 

• Butchers Hall 

& Country Grocer 

Godalming 

• Cook 

• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

• Neptune 

• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm 

Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 



• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Walton on Thames 


Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

astionan carlton nouveau 

venice 

high quality, timeless design, authentic elements 

marina acme 

brunel 

alto 


AstonMatthewsWT232.indd 1 06/08/2021 14:05

House 

Month 

of the 

£POA 

Our pick of beautiful countryside 

homes on the market this month 

Hersham 

The dream: A distinctive 

and contemporary modernist 

house with spacious open plan 

living. The house has state-ofthe-art 

technology integrated 

throughout and has been 

designed to be environmentally 

friendly with ground 

source underfloor heating 

throughout and a biotank. 

Where: In Hersham, 

nestled between the towns 

of Esher, Weybridge and 

Walton-on-Thames. 

Setting: Within 3 acres, 

directly fronting the River 

Mole and behind secure gates. 

Beds: 4 Baths: 6 

Special feature: Floorto-ceiling 

windows and 

priceless-magazines.com 

sliding doors leading out 

to a large floating patio. 

Pleasing details: 18 metres 

of delightful river frontage 

at the end of the garden. 

Outside: The extensive 

gardens are mainly laid to 

lawn and surrounded by many 

mature trees, with a hidden 

road offering river access, plus 

a zen garden area. There is 

planning permission to double 

the size of the main house in 

keeping with the current look 

and feel of the development 

Time to town: Nearby 

Hersham Station has trains 

that run to Waterloo in 

around an hour. 

Agent: Bourne Esher 

01372 468636 

bourneestateagents.com 

10

Oxted 

T: 01932 860 537 

E: cobham@sothebysrealty.co.uk 

£4,950,000 

John Fisher 

The dream: A beautifully restored and 

decorated period house, redesigned 

with 21st century living in mind. 

Accommodation comprises the main 

house, plus a further two cottages. 

Where: Between Oxted and Westerham. 

Setting: A gated private driveway 

leads to the house, with ample 

parking and garaging. 

Beds: 9 Baths: 6 (inc. cottages) 

Pleasing details: There’s plenty of family 

fun to be had courtesy of a beautiful 

11m indoor pool, two games rooms and 

a playroom. There’s even a helipad! 

Special feature: A tennis court with a 

fully equipped pavilion complements 

the pool complex and sauna. 

Outside: The barn and cottages 

sit in well-maintained grounds of 

approximately 8 acres, with expansive 

views of the Weald to the south. 

Time to town: Both Oxted and Hurst 

Green mainline stations are close by, with 

services to London Bridge and Victoria. 

Agent: Sotheby’s, Cobham 

01932 860537 sothebysrealty.co.uk 

£1,800,000 

Ockham 

The dream: This beautiful character house 

lends itself to entertaining with 6 bedrooms, 

3 reception rooms and a large kitchen/ 

family room. There’s an extensive area of 

garden paving, external lighting and plenty 

of room for parking on the gravel drive. 

Where: Near the pretty village of Ripley. 

Setting: A stone’s throw from RHS 

Wisley, the house is surrounded by 

mature trees and lawned gardens. 

Beds: 6 Baths: 5 

Pleasing details: A dense oak 

protected woodland copse to 

the south west boundary. 

Special feature: The garage 

incorporates both a store and a gym. 

Outside: The house is set within a 

secluded garden of just under 1 acre, 

with an illuminated tennis court. 

Time to town: Jump straight onto the M25 

to access London by car, or catch a train to 

Waterloo from nearby Effingham Junction. 

Agent: Sotheby’s, Cobham 

01932 860537 sothebysrealty.co.uk 

11 priceless-magazines.com

MOVE IN THIS SPRING 

AN EXQUISITE COLLECTION OF 

2 & 3 BED APARTMENTS 

PRICES FROM £475,000 

• SHORT WALK FROM THE ATTRACTIVE HIGH 

STREET WITH RESTAURANTS, BOUTIQUES, 

CAFÉS AND CINEMA 

• GOOD TRANSPORT LINKS WITH DIRECT 

TRAINS TO CENTRAL LONDON IN JUST 

33 MINUTES* 

• PRIVATE GATED DEVELOPMENT SITUATED 

AROUND PRIVATE LANDSCAPED 

COMMUNAL GARDENS 

• SURROUNDED BY THE STUNNING 

COUNTRYSIDE OF THE NORTH DOWNS, 

WITH WALKS, WOODS AND VIEWS 

• ALL HOMES HAVE A TERRACE OR 

BALCONY, AND BENEFIT FROM 

GATED PARKING 

• EASY ROAD ACCESS TO GATWICK AIRPORT 

AND THE M25 

BOOK TO SEE OUR SHOWHOME 

020 4502 3496 

SALES & MARKETING SUITE, ROBERT LEECH, 

72 STATION ROAD EAST, OXTED, SURREY, RH8 0PG 

*Prices correct at time of going to print. Timing is approximate only. Source: www.tfl.gov.gov.uk. Travelling from Oxted station. Computer generated images are indicative only.

BUY ANY NEW BUILD APARTMENT 

AND WE’LL PAY YOUR SERVICE 

CHARGE FOR TWO YEARS 

“ I DON’T KNOW 

WHY THEY CALL IT A 

RETIREMENT VILLAGE, I’M 

busier 

” 

THAN EVER! 

From exercise classes in the pool to arts and 

crafts in the Handy Room, regular socials, 

clubs, committees and themed evenings in 

the restaurant, not to mention trips out and 

about on the private minibus, there’s always 

a lot going on at Lynwood Village. 

If you like getting involved and want to 

enjoy an active and fulfilling retirement, 

try the Lynwood Village life. 

DON’T MISS OUT! 

CALL US TODAY FOR MORE DETAILS. 

Independent living made easy for the over 65s 

SUNNINGHILL | ASCOT | BERKSHIRE 

Owned and operated by Ben 

Ben – Motor and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood Court, Lynwood Village, Rise Road, Ascot, 

SL5 0FG. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842). A 

company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894). Registered with the 

Homes and Communities Agency (no. LH 3766). 

To arrange a visit, please call: 01344 797830 

visit: lynwoodvillage.co.uk or 

email: sales@lynwoodvillage.co.uk

auctions@cliveemson.co.uk 

cliveemson.co.uk 

0345 8500333 

Auction Sales 

are Safe 

in our Hands 

Upcoming Auctions 

9th February 

All Lots available to view on our website 

Bidding Live: Monday, 7th February 

Auction Ends: Wednesday, 9th February 

23rd March 

Entries Close: 28th February 

Auction: Wednesday, 23rd March 

Inviting Entries 

We are continually inviting entries 

for our auctions which are scheduled 

throughout the year. 

We are only an email, call, or click 

away 

• auctions@cliveemson.co.uk 

• cliveemson.co.uk 

• 0345 8500333 

If you would like to arrange a no 

obligation auction appraisal please do 

not hesitate to contact us or complete 

our online form at 

www.cliveemson.co.uk/selling/ 

Suitable Entries Include 

• Projects 

Building plots, development sites and conversions. 

• Vacant Premises 

Houses, flats, bungalows and cottages 

for improvement, renovation restoration, 

refurbishment and/or repair (inc. fire damaged 

premises). 

• Investments 

Tenanted properties (both commercial and 

residential). 

• Unique Properties 

Martello towers, nuclear bunkers, car parking 

spaces, churches and more. 

• Land 

Farms and smallholdings, woodland, 

grazing and leisure land (including ponds, 

rivers and fishing lakes). 

Local Knowledge - National Coverage

2 BEDROOM APARTMENTS 

FROM £374,950 * 

An exciting new development of 

2 bedroom apartments within walking 

distance of Caterham town centre. 

70% SOLD 

*Prices and availability are correct at time of sending. All imagery is illustrative and may vary from shown. 

AWARD WINNING 

HOME BUILDER FOR 

NINE YEARS RUNNING 

0333 321 8900 | yewtreehouse@croudacehomes.co.uk | www.croudacehomes.co.uk | Godstone Road, Caterham, Surrey CR3 6FS 

CroudaceHomesWT237.indd 1 14/01/2022 16:57 

PLOT OR 

NOT? 

If you think your land or property 

has development potential. Why not 

give us a call without obligation 

and in confidence. 

We are always on 

the lookout for land and 

property with development 

potential. 

Commercial buildings for residential conversion, former 

public houses, redundant buildings for redevelopment, buildings 

for conversion or replacement, houses for improvement, large 

sites on the edge of town, barn conversions, large gardens in 

residential areas and major regeneration projects. 

Many of our clients retain our services and, in the majority of 

cases, pay our fees saving property owners significant costs. 

For more information contact Stephen Donnelly on: 

07739 514350 

01892 579937 

sjd-projects.com 

steve@sjd-projects.com 


SJDprojectsWT231.indd 1 28/06/2021 16:49

F OR CUSTOMER SATISFA CTION

Queensgate 

Apartments 

Sidcup 

Woodbank 

Apartments 

Woking 

Self-contained Retirement Apartments 

with 24hr Concierge, on-site Brasserie, Wellness Suite & more… 

Lower Mill 

Apartments 

Ewell Register Now 

A world of 

possibilities... 

Many in later life are taking 

advantage of the flexibility 

and benefits renting in 

retirement offers. 

For many, renting provides the exact 

mix of community, support, flexibility 

and lifestyle they are looking for. 

At Birchgrove, you have your own 

apartment within a community where 

every single element has been deeply 

considered and future-designed to 

help you age well and stay healthier, 

happier and stronger for longer. So… 

Could renting 

be practically perfect 

for you? 

Market 

Leaders 

in retirement 

rental living 

Find out more: 

020 3929 5599 

www.birchgrove.life

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

“I’ve got what I had… 

and more” 

As we all adjust to a world 

where Covid is ever 

present, many retirees may 

be reviewing how they live 

and what they want for 

their future as they age. 

Loneliness can be particularly difficult 

for older people. Age UK estimates that 

about 1.7 million people aged over 65 

in England can go for a month without 

meeting up with a friend, and that over 

300,000 have not had a conversation with 

family or friends over the same period. 

Unfortunately, the ongoing challenges of 

the pandemic has not made things easier. 

As a result, many older people can sadly 

feel isolated, unaware that solutions exist 

to help them feel part of a community. 

Retirement living specialist Birchgrove 

is offering high-quality apartments 

for rent where older people can live 

independently, but also be part of a 

community and have access to an array 

of communal facilities and services, 

such as, restaurant, wellness suite, club 

room, bar and landscaped gardens. 

The inclusive rent give you 

control of your money without 

surprise bills, service or maintenance 

charges. And there are no exit fees! 

Frank, 88 a resident at one of 

Birchgrove’s retirement communities said. 

“I was living on my own, nevertheless I 

was happy. I would have never considered 

moving out of my home until I saw 

something like Birchgrove. Nothing else 

came anywhere near it, unless you wanted 

to buy and pay anything up to £500,000 

for a flat – and word on the street is they 

are extremely difficult to get rid of. 

“One of the first hurdles I had to 

get over was renting. The word rent 

indicates nothing at the end and that’s 

not the way people of my generation 

think. However, I put it to my two 

boys, and once they got over the initial 

shock and we’d looked at it together, 

they said “yes, it’s a very good idea”. 

“I am in a different world now, 

very happy I moved here. I didn’t 

want the hassle of buying, selling and 

all that effort that goes with a house 

and garden. I’ve got what I had before 

but plus – and it’s a big plus.” 

Residents benefit from regular 

events and hobby groups that 

contribute to a happier lifestyle and 

community spirit, with regular trips 

out also organised. The onsite facilities 

contributes to the social aspect of 

everyday life, with communal gardens 

and facilities for people to get together. 

All apartments feature wide doors 

and corridors, making them wheelchair 

accessible, whilst appliances in the 

kitchens are waist height for easy 

access. Modern bathrooms come with 

walk-in showers equipped with simple 

to use switches, taps and plugs. 

To help residents make their move 

as stress-free as possible, Birchgrove 

offers a “Moveasy Package”. The team 

can assist with all aspects of the move, 

from putting the current home on 

the market, decluttering and selling 

unwanted items, helping shop for 

new furniture, managing the removal 

company, and packing and unpacking. 

To find out more about moving to a 

Birchgrove retirement community, 

please contact the team on 020 3929 5599 

or visit www.birchgrove.life

OUR BIGGEST EVER 

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conservatories, to help make your home more 

energy-efficient. 

So, you can save money 

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Visit your nearest showcentre today 

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Get your quote online www.sehbac.com 

or over the phone 0800 666 444 

50 

WINNER 2019 

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of 13,000 home improvement companies. ◆ As part of One Group Construction.

Bespoke Flooring 

LONG & WIDE . PRODUCED IN KENT . FINISHED BY HAND 

JOINERY 

OAK FRAMED BUILDINGS DECKING CLADDING 

For more information on pricing or fitting, or to place an order 

CALL 01233 732179 

VISIT orlestoneoak.co.uk

Design & Planning 

Restoration 

New Build 

Barn Conversions 

Extensions 

Joinery 

COX 

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Barn Conversions | Extensions | Joinery www.coxrestorations.co.uk 

| Restoration | New Build 

before 

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CoxRestorationWT187.indd 1 21/08/ 

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Established 1986

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RUG STORE specialise in a wide selection of new, old and Antique Persian, Turkish, Caucasian 

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We offer a professional hand-cleaning and restoration service. We buy old and 

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24 

RugStoreWT235.indd 1 27/10/2021 16:35

Senbla presents Opera International’s award-winning Ellen Kent Productions 

with international soloists, highly praised chorus and full orchestra 

“Hot-blooded, a joy” 

THE INDEPENDENT 

Starring international Russian mezzo 

soprano Maria Davydova and Romanian 

mezzo soprano Ecaterina Timbaliuk † . 

In a setting evoking the stunning architecture of Seville and 

its main square with Roman and Moorish influences. 

Sung in French with English surtitles. 

WINNER ‘BEST OPERA AWARD’ 

LIVERPOOL DAILY POST THEATRE AWARDS 

Welcoming back the fabulous Korean soprano Elena Dee and 

celebrated international sopranos Alyona Kistenyova, Maria 

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With an exquisite Japanese Garden and spectacular costumes 

including antique wedding kimonos from Japan. 

Sung in Italian with English surtitles. 

†Cast subject 

to change. 

“This is a Butterfly to Cherish” 

MANCHESTER EVENING NEWS 

Carmen: Mon 14 March 7.30pm 

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Feb 20, March 20, April 24, May 29, June 26, 

Sept 25, Oct 30 and Nov 27 

SOUND AND LIGHT ART is projected in 

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journey through the beauty of planet 

earth; explore your sense of wonder 

and exploration at this special event 

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FEBRUARY 2022 

A 45 minute experience. Slots from 5.30pm 

and throughout each evening are available. 

TICKETS 

In advance - Adults £7 

Children 3-15 years £5 

Unders 3s free 

On the door - Adults £9 

BOX OFFICE 

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events/boxoffice 

DoveHouseAntiqueFairWT237.indd 1 20/01/2022 GuildfordCathedralWT237.indd 14:12 

1 18/01/2022 11:12 

Bursting with charm and 

character, our family and dog 

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food, award-winning local 

ales and wines, Luxury 

Shepherds huts, cosy Inn 

rooms, Garden rooms, 

firepits and Marshmallows 

for toasting with an element 

of the unexpected with 

our Picnic llama treks. 

enquiries@merryharriers.com or call 01428 682883 

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26 

MerryHarriersWT237.indd 1 20/01/2022 14:38

Notebook 

What to do and see near you this month 

Into the wild 

Have you heard about the hippos of Herne Bay? Do you know how 

you measure up to a mammoth? This month, take your family on 

a journey of discovery to learn about some of the amazing creatures 

that used to live in our local landscape, and find out why they 

disappeared and how some may return again one day. This exhibition 

at The Beaney House of Art and Knowledge in Canterbury aims to 

help us all become more connected with our community’s wildlife, 

with help and support from Kent Wildlife Trust, Wildwood Trust, 

Natural England, Canterbury UCA, Bumblebee Conservation Trust 

and Wild Happy Well. There’s so many interesting things to learn 

about our local wildlife including how it can improve our wellbeing, 

and what the future may bring (and how we can help shape it). The 

exhibition will run from Saturday 22 January to Sunday 27 March 

(excluding Mondays) and admission is free, with a suggested £3 

donation per visitor. For visitors with access needs and those wanting 

to visit at a quieter time, there are daily dedicated Accessible Sessions 

running at a reduced capacity and slower pace. 

canterburymuseums.co.uk 

Modern 

Classics 

Take a peek into the Parker Knoll 

Archive on Thursday 24th February. 

Sarah, of Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery 

in Farncombe, Surrey, is thrilled to be 

collaborating with PHD student, Gina 

Pierce, to bring you this free evening talk, 

exploring all things Parker Knoll. Although 

the brand is an icon of mid-century 

modern style and still going strong, the 

Parker Knoll archive has never previously 

been explored in this way. Gina is working 

on connecting the London Metropolitan 

University’s textile archive with a wider 

audience, using Parker Knoll as a case 

study. She has a unique vantage point on 

the subject as she has been particularly 

interested in PK’s fabric sample books 

for some time and has taught textiles at 

the Met, where the PK archive is housed. 

enquiries@sarahlouisedix.co.uk 

01483 801108 

iving 

DDeep 

This half term, explore 

HMS Invincible in a new 

immersive experience showcasing 

findings from the Georgian 

warship’s archaeological excavation. 

From Febraury 12 th visitors can 

delve into the history of the ship that 

in her lifetime was stolen from the 

French, and used as a template for 

74-gun ships, before sinking off the 

coast of the Solent in 1758 and being 

rediscovered by a local fisherman 

200 years later. thedockyard.co.uk 


Notebook 

Captivating 

Classics 

The outstanding Royal Philharmonic 

Orchestra returns to G Live, Guildford 

on Saturday 19 February for a thrilling 

concert as part of Guildford International 

Concert Season’s 10th Anniversary 

celebrations. Performing alongside the 

orchestra for this milestone concert is 

the world-renowned violinist Jennifer 

Pike, who will give her dazzling 

interpretation of the Bruch Violin 

Concerto. The programme will 

also include the much-loved 

Enigma Variations by Elgar 

and Mozart’s Symphony No. 31 

‘Paris’ under the baton of Jamie 

Phillips. If you love classical 

music, this is not to be missed. 

0343 310 0055 / glive.co.uk 

Get to the Greek 

Cranbrook’s newest 

eatery opens this Valentine’s Day, 

serving homemade Ionian food from 

dawn ’til dusk. Meaning ‘hive’ in Greek, 

Kypseli will boast a patisserie, deli and barista bar 

by day, dishing up mouth-watering breakfasts and 

light lunches, before transforming into a Mediterranean 

restaurant and wine bar at night. Alongside a delicious 

array of meze, and freshly cooked favourites (such as 

moussaka, souvlaki and baklava), there will be some fusion 

twists on the classic chicken gyros, including a Kent 

version with oven-baked lamb and mint tzatziki and a 

Sussex version with pulled pork and apple sauce. 

The taverna has a stylishly rustic indoor seating 

space, with a beautiful decked terrace and 

courtyard area at the back plus extra seating 

on the street at the front. 

0800 0219 444 / 

kypseli.buzz 

Fenwick Freebie 

Restock your makeup bag with Fenwick for 

2022 and you’ll also get an extra beauty gift. 

This lovely free gift is a 100% cotton reusable 

pouch filled with twelve transformative 

products from the likes of Omorovicza, Sisley 

and Spacemasks. To get yours, spend over 

£100* on Fenwick beauty products in any 

Fenwick store or online from Thursday 20th 

January (while stocks last). fenwick.co.uk 

Winter 

Castle 

Lamberhurst’s Scotney Castle 

has a packed schedule this 

month. For Valentine’s there 

will be Blind Date with a 

Book from 9-14 February in 

Betsy’s second-hand book 

shop. During half-term, 

young children can become 

architecture detectives with a 

free spotter activity trail, while 

older children and teenagers 

can try a Sure Shots Photography 

workshop to learn how to capture 

the frost, golden light and long 

shadows of the castle in winter. There are 

also plenty of walks on offer, including selfguided 

romantic strolls around the garden and estate, 

and free guided estate walks (from the 20 

th ). These depart 

daily at 11am and 2.30pm and are a great opportunity to 

see seasonal flora and fauna and learn about the history 

of Scotney. Free guided garden tours will start again from 

March, but free winter garden guides are available 

in the meantime. nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle 

LOOK FORWARD: MORE THAN FASHION 

Back by popular demand, Chalkdown Riding for the Disabled and Marden in Bloom 

present a Ladies’ Fashion Show on Friday 4th March. Don’t miss this fun night 

of affordable high street fashion, fantastic raffle and cash bar with complimentary 

welcome drink included with your ticket. Grab a group of friends and head out for an 

opportunity to add to your wardrobe and raise funds for two good causes. Tickets are 

£8 and can be purchased from 4th February from Marden’s gorgeous Green Door Day 

Spa or Lotte Scade on 07778 351534. More details from lottescade@btinternet.com 

28

Surret Homes.qxp_Layout 1 24/01/2022 17:39 Page 1 

GLiveWT237A.indd 1 18/01/2022 GLiveWT237B.indd 09:14 

1 18/01/2022 09:14 

THE MASSED BANDS OF HER MAJESTY’S ROYAL MARINES 

Mountbatten Festival of Music 

Celebrating 50 years at the Royal Albert Hall 

Royal Albert Hall 4-5 March 2022 

mfm 

50 

A 

Royal Albert Hall Box Office 0845 401 5018 www.royalalberthall.com 


RoyalMarinesCharityWT237.indd 1 25/01/2022 09:07

Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

9-11 JUNE 2022 

TICKETS 

ON SALE 

NOW! 

Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair 

9th, 10th, 11th June 2022 

Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! 

Book early to ensure your favourite entry time & day. 

Purchase online at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

February Half Term 

Sunday 13 – Sunday 20 February 

Explore with family trails 

Make at The Make Space 

Play in our woodland 

Book online 

wattsgallery.org.uk 

Guildford, GU3 1DQ 

Under 18s 

go 

FREE 

Illustration: Lizzy Stewart 

Feb Half Term.indd 1 25/01/2022 09:25:07 

Get closer to nature 

WattsGalleryWT237.indd 1 25/01/2022 09:36 

at Scotney Castle 

9-14 Feb Make a 'Blind Date with a Book' in Betsy's second-hand bookshop 

12-20 Feb Family fun with the 'Spotting Scotney' free half-term activity trail 

17 Feb Photography 'Capturing Winter' workshops for children and teens 

20 Feb Free guided estate walks start 

1 March Free 'Signs of Spring' garden tours start 

For full details visit: nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle 

© National Trust 2022. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Kirsty Gibbons 


ScotneyCastleWT237.indd 1 19/01/2022 21/01/2022 16:50 10:42

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32 

RIAABarkerGilletteWT237.indd 1 18/01/2022 14:22

Preserving your place in history 

DESIGN & PLANNING | RESTORATION | NEW BUILD | BARN CONVERSIONS | EXTENSIONS | JOINERY 

For a brochure or home consultation call 01797 366895 

www.anthony-hicks.co.uk

Family 

Comforts 

We take a look inside the home of the 

creative founders of Maker & Son 

Words: Jo Arnell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Styling: Holly Levett 

Despite the picturesque central front entrance and wonderfully rustic 

path, flanked on either side by some cloud pruned box trees, we are 

entering through the side door of this property, as is usual in most 

country houses. We are launched straight into the kitchen – a fabulously 

bright and airy room, due in no small part to its soaring ceiling and large 

windows. This is Kemps House, a splendid Georgian farmhouse within 

the Balcombe Estate in West Sussex and home to Alex Willcock and his 

family. Alex and his eldest son Felix Conran are the founders of Maker & 

Son, and Kemps House is a vital part of their enterprise, featuring in much 

of the marketing and as a showroom for some of the product range. 

Maker & Son was launched four years ago, but the family have lived 

here for the past seventeen. “I know it’s been seventeen,” smiles Alex, 

“because our son was born within a couple of months of us moving in.” 

The house is Grade II listed – “I like to think it was designed by the architect 

Kemp and that he lived here,” he says, but the fact that it is listed means 

that it has stayed – and must stay – very much as it was originally built. It 

was love at first sight when Alex walked into the house, despite the fact 

 


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If you’re facing 

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If you’re going through a family 

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Knowledge. Experience. Results. 


36 

Untitled-1 1 30/11/2021 10:08

Previous page: Plump ‘Song’ sofas offer an inviting and cosy place to sit – not forgetting four-legged friends with a matching 

‘Marnie’ dog bed tucked under a side table Above: Felix designed and made the sculptural bent wood kitchen light 

that what look like airy rooms with high ceilings means 

draughts and large windows, leaks and more draughts. 

“The previous owner managed to live here for thirty five 

years without any heating, save for the fires,” says Alex, 

and even though the fireplaces in between the two sitting 

rooms are absolutely enormous, it must have been freezing 

at times. Add to that the fact that the house is on a tiny spur 

of six properties at the end of the electricity line and prone 

to multiple power outages – usually through the winter. 

Alex points to a huge section of tree trunk by the 

hearth – hollowed out to make a container for kindling. 

“A giant elm tree fell across the power lines in a storm. It 

was lying across the road between here and the station. 

A neighbour and I, along with a chap from the local 

sawmill, took our chainsaws and chopped the tree into 

manageable pieces. I got my old Land Rover and dragged 

that monumental piece of wood back.” It stays as a 

memento to the day – and the following four weeks they 

spent without power through the middle of that winter. 

The only room that has changed substantially is the 

position of the kitchen, promoted from lowly servility 

at the back of the house to bask in the light and space 

in the front. In effect the kitchen is now another living 

room, as so much of the living is done in here. Indeed, 

Alex’s former father-in-law, Sir Terence Conran, wrote 

a book entitled Kitchens: The Hub of the Home, long 

before many people would have considered that to be 

the case. “Back when the house was built, cooking was a 

servant’s job and you ate in the dining room. Today the 

kitchen is a communal space where everything is done.” 

 


The kitchen at 

Kemps House has 

been through many 

iterations, but Alex’s 

handmade cabinet, 

a comfortably well 

worn butcher’s 

block and the rustic 

dining table that sits 

alongside have been 

constant companions 

Above: A marble-topped shelf in the kitchen unit is home to one of Alex’s favourite paintings alongside a collection of jugs and tankards 

It’s now hard to imagine that until Alex and his family 

moved in, there were three big sitting rooms – perhaps 

excessive, even for a family that has a lot of sofas. 

One of the most beautiful features in the kitchen 

are the tall, slim units on the wall opposite the back 

door. “I found these ridiculous Georgian shutters, that 

were originally over ten feet long, at the reclamation 

yard. I wasn’t sure what I would make with them at the 

time, they were created as I went along. There was an 

enforced timeframe when the kids were young, so the 

 


38

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40 

 

 

 

AcornGlasslineWT225.indd 1 30/11/2020 13:04

This page: The dining table is made from two large planks of elm from a fallen tree and has weathered family life well 

kitchen was more or less constructed in a weekend.” 

The kitchen at Kemps House has been through many 

iterations, but Alex’s handmade cabinet, a comfortably 

well worn butcher’s block and the rustic dining table that 

sits alongside have been constant companions through all 

the changes. “My mother found the butcher’s block for 

sale at the butchers in the village. We bought it directly 

from there. It cost £15.” Alex smiles. Over the years the 

table next to the block has formed an important part of 

family life. “It’s made from two large planks of elm 

 


Above: The striking freeform chandelier in the central living room is now sold by Maker & Son 

from a fallen tree. It’s extremely rough, but has been a big 

part of the space over the years, with children drawing 

on and over it and then being re-sanded,” he pauses, 

“There’s a life well lived through the story of that table.” 

The overhead lights have been designed and made 

by Felix. They are free and sculptural – almost organic 

in form, the one hanging in the kitchen reminiscent 

of the poised remnants of a butterfly’s cocoon. They 

are prototypes but a version of the light in the central 

living room is now sold by Maker & Son. 

 


42

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SitSmartWT235.indd 1 29/10/2021 16:43

Above: Nutley the Border Terrier snuggles up on a Maker & Son sofa 

The middle sitting room has five entrances, including 

the front door and staircase, making it quite tricky to 

furnish (but perfect for staging farces). It is one of Alex’s 

favourite rooms. “It’s a crazy room with lots of doors – I 

love that. And its proportions are great – and there’s this 

amazing fireplace.” The monumental fireplace (replicated 

on the other side of the wall) manages to be both imposing 

and homely at the same time, simple and in proportion 

to the room. A baby grand piano nestles in a corner 

and a violin perches on the piano stool. Alex, to add 


“I designed the sofas originally for our family,” Alex says. “There is nothing nicer when 

you’ve got a large family, if, when you’re sitting, you can be extraordinarily comfortable.” 

 


46

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48 

DeeStewartWT237.indd 1 04/01/2022 Untitled-3 10:54 1 05/11/2019 10:54

The impressively wide wooden staircase leads directly out of the middle sitting room. It’s at the 

centre of the house, aged and charming, its worn treads creaking characterfully with each step, 

a reminder of all the feet that have walked, run or staggered up and down over the centuries 

another string to his bow, is also a talented musician. 

We continue our chat in this room, sitting in 

ultra comfort on two of the company’s generously 

proportioned sofas. “I designed the sofas originally 

for our family,” Alex says. “There is nothing nicer 

when you’ve got a large family, if, when you’re 

sitting, you can be extraordinarily comfortable.” 

Comfort is key, but this rides on the back of sustainability 

and responsibility for Maker & Son. “It’s important 

that they are fully comfortable, made from natural 

materials, sustainably sourced, and that the people who 

have made them are an integral part of the process,” 

he says, adding, “within the four years that we’ve been 

going these questions are beginning to be asked – what’s 

it made from, who made it, where was it made?” 

Back in the seventeenth century, when the first 

owners occupied Kemps House – and right up until the 

middle of the last one – only the most affluent owned 

upholstered furniture. And it was built to last a lifetime, 

or longer. “One of the things I’m very, very proud of,” 

explains Alex, “is the fact that our sofas are built to last. 

Felix and I like to think that if you owned one, that 

your children might fight over it when you’re gone.” 

Alex also feels that provenance and longevity of materials 

used to make furniture should not be seen as luxuries, but 

should go hand-in-hand with good design. This – and 

Alex’s affinity with wood as a material to make things from 

– have driven him from the start of his career. “I trained as 

a cabinet maker designing things as a maker, the details of 

which are considered very differently to those designing 


This page: Pale mushroom walls, coir carpeting and plenty of bare woods bring a little of the outside into this bedroom. Despite its pale 

linen upholstery, a handmade ‘Song’ bed is deceptively practical to keep clean, with removable machine-washable covers. 

on paper, or computer, in a pre-determined thought.” Alex 

gets up and fetches a small wooden side table that is about 

to join their range. “The design comes from me seeing the 

shape unfold as I’m making it. Form has developed entirely 

out of function – depending on how it is used. The whole 

shape of the side table brings a truth to its formation.” 

He loves making things from scratch – including all the 

large wooden candlesticks around the house, hand turned 

using wood from the nearby Balcombe Estate sawmill. 

He is also keen on repurposing and finding new life in 

existing objects. “I love working with reclaimed things. One 

of my favourite pastimes is going to places like Ardingly 

really early in the morning, as they’re setting up, with your 

torch and trolley – and van.” He adds with a smile, “I 

found the old work bench in the sitting room at Kempton 

Park Antiques Fair in the pouring rain one morning.” 

The impressively wide wooden staircase leads directly 

out of the middle sitting room. It’s at the centre 

of the house, aged and charming, its worn treads 

creaking characterfully with each step, a reminder 

of all the feet that have walked, run or staggered up 

and down over the centuries. 

 


50


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Above left: The pink family bathroom has the original wide floorboards. “I love the way that you can see how they were sawn by hand – made 

in a saw pit,” Alex explains Above right: On the first floor, several large bedrooms and a family bathroom are accessed via a long corridor 

Several large bedrooms and a family bathroom are accessed 

on this floor via a long corridor – each, as the rooms 

downstairs – elegantly proportioned with high Georgian 

ceilings, their large windows suffused with natural light. 

The main bedroom is, like the big sitting room below, 

dual aspect. It’s painted a soft peachy pink – Farrow and 

Ball’s Setting Plaster – and seems to glow in the morning’s 

sun. The quality of light is very important to Alex. “I’m 

someone that feels huge gratitude every day of my life 

waking up in that room – I wake up very early in the 

morning and I’m a great fan of candlelight and glowing 

fires. I’ll make up a fire as soon as I wake up and when 

it’s dark, light the candles early in the morning.” 

The pink bathroom (all the bathrooms in the house seem 

to be pink) is another favourite room. “It has the original 

wide floorboards and I love the way that you can see how 

they were sawn by hand – made in a saw pit,” he explains. 

“We would find it hard to do it for ten minutes and those 

guys were in the pit, sawing planks all day every day.” 

Alex’s daughter’s bedroom is at the opposite end of 

the house, smaller, paler, but well proportioned – and 

next on the list for some TLC. “That room has been 

rather unloved,” says Alex “and needs a major makeover. 

I want to take up the carpet and paint the floorboards 

– the bed in that room is an early prototype of the 

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54 

SouthernAdhesivesWT235.indd 1 09/11/2021 12:29

This page: Tucked up by trees at the back of the garden is the Roundhouse, which is where the first ideas for Maker & Son were born 

Tucked up by trees at the back of the garden is the 

Roundhouse, which is where the first ideas for Maker & 

Son were born. It is a simple, circular building that Alex 

began to make – without plans – by drawing a circle around 

a stick in the ground, miraculously sourcing the curved 

window and door only once the walls had been constructed. 

This iconic little building has been used as a template for 

the company’s fleet of miniature mobile showrooms – they 

are basically vans housing a sofa, clad to look like the 

Roundhouse and to carry the essence of the house too. 

“People’s values are changing, their priorities are 

changing,” he says. “We had the vans a year before the 

pandemic but they’ve proven very useful for people 

who can’t travel to a showroom.” In this way they are 

able to sell directly to customers. “We can focus as 

much as we possibly can on meeting people’s needs – 

things that are personal to them – because we don’t 

have shops all over the place. It also means that the 

spirit of the house is in the mobile showrooms.” 

The spirit of Kemps House is integral to Maker & 

Son and whether it was once inhabited by Kemp or not, 

it’s fitting that a family of designers are living in and 

loving this house, creating an interior that enhances the 

period detailing, optimises the effects of natural light 

and effortlessly reflects timeless and contemporary tastes. 

Simple, sublime and extraordinarily comfortable. 

Address Book: 

To find out more about Maker & Son, their 

range, the company’s home in Balcombe and their 

mobile showrooms, visit makerandson.com 


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58 

ElhamValleyShepherdsHutsWT237.indd 1 21/01/2022 14:26

8 Ideas to 

Bring the 

Indoors 

Out 

It’s a new age of garden rooms – filled 

with indoorsy luxuries but also seamlessly 

integrated into the outdoor world 

ockdown left us all itching to get outside more, wishing 

our homes had a little more space, and desperately 

looking for a spot to work from home. It’s not surprising 

then that garden buildings shot up in popularity, which in turn 

has led to new ideas of how they can be styled and used. We are 

continuing to embrace and appreciate nature in all our living 

spaces, but, at the same time, we now have gardens that can 

house comfy sofas, grand chandeliers, and modern electricals – 

exploring new possibilities of how luxurious we can make our 

outdoor spaces. We want the outdoors in, but we also want the 

indoors out. With this in mind, here are our top 8 ideas that 

will elevate your garden building by blending the worlds of 

home and garden to make something that is gorgeously 

extravagant but still feels rooted in nature. 

Above: This Hartley Botanic greenhouse is a prime example of how even the most 

traditional greenhouse can be given new life with a few touches of glamour 

1Lighten the Mood 

Time to have some fun with your garden room’s 

lighting! Between big glamourous chandeliers, 

quirky pendants and fun neons, there are statement 

lighting options to brighten up any building. Go as 

modern and trendy as you like to add drama and signal 

that this is far more than your standard wooden tool shed. 

This star pendant light (left) from Laura Ashley Lighting is 

£180. darlighting.co.uk/laura-ashley-lighting 

2 

Glass 

Act 

Glass, glass and more glass! More 

glazing means that a: your garden 

building will blend in with its 

surroundings nicely, and b: you’ll very much 

feel a part of nature when you’re inside. If you 

are looking for a garden building that can house 

happy plant life and also serve as a space for you to enjoy, 

a greenhouse or glasshouse might be the option for you – 

they aren’t just for hardcore gardeners anymore! Tom Barry, 

CEO of Hartley Botanic, has noticed that many of us are 

now looking to use greenhouses “in a more multifaceted way” 

as people are “introducing ‘living’, ‘relaxation’, ‘dining’ and 

‘lifestyle’ elements”. He also points out that this was referenced 

in Hartley Botanic’s award-winning Chelsea Flower Show 

stand in 2019. “On the stand, a stately Victorian Lodge had 

an alfresco dining theme, a Hartley 10 Greenhouse was styled 

as a calm and tranquil meditation/ yoga space, a contemporary 

Magnum Opus became an artist’s garden studio and a Hartley 6 

Grow & Store was transformed into a medicinal herb laboratory 

for growing and distilling healing plant tinctures.” 

hartley-botanic.co.uk 


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60 

BourneBuildingsWT232.indd 1 10/08/2021 15:28

3It’s the Journey 

Nothing will give your garden 

room more of a sense of 

belonging than a carefully 

thought-out path. These 

structures are often placed in distant corners 

of the garden to minimise blocking any 

sightlines, so if you have a little walk to get 

there, you might as well make it a pleasant 

one! The above is a luxury bespoke gazebo 

from Crown Pavilions which looks quite at 

home and inviting with its quaint winding 

path featuring a sweet wooden bridge. The 

use of natural materials in shades that are 

echoed throughout the landscape also helps it 

feel as though it has always been there. If you 

don’t have acres of land fit for glorious ponds 

and long walks, you could try a few charming 

stepping stones or a path made from a 

material that matches the building to create a 

sense of flow. crownpavilions.com 

Below: Finnish Soul 

Garden, Sanctuary 

Garden, designed by Taina 

Suonio, Sponsored by 

Ministry of Agriculture 

and Forestry of Finland 

4 All Under 

One Roof 

An additional covered area will create a transitional space that 

will link the garden to the room. This makes the building feel 

more accessible and connected to the garden, while also giving you some 

extra room for furniture. Above is a Malvern Studio Pavilion, available at 

Bourne Buildings in Farnham, Surrey, which comes ready and complete for 

the job with its covered decked area. Garden rooms like this are also great 

because they are multi-functional, they are more likely to be used yearround 

and they could be anything from an office with outdoor seating to an 

outdoor spare bedroom with a sheltered hot tub space. bournebuildings.co.uk 

5 Hideaway 

A square shape plonked in the garden can feel unnatural 

and uncomfortable. Consult a landscaper to make 

your garden room look more at home and soften 

those hard edges by adding a few plants around 

it, or even an enhancing living wall or roof. 


MALVERN GARDEN BUILDINGS

Colour Theory 

6For an outdoor bar or entertaining space, it 

can be fun to experiment with some bright 

jazzy colours – but in a natural garden, these 

can stick out. The above garden bar is a great 

colour compromise, painted in Thorndown 

Paint’s Anthracite Grey on the outside, but with Greymond 

Wood paint and lots of colourful decorations within. A 

natural wood, grey or green exterior like this will blend nicely 

with a natural setting, but on the inside you can have a bit 

more fun. This way you can close it up for an unassuming 

look when not in use, and then throw the doors open wide 

for a real wow factor when entertaining! thorndown.co.uk 

Going Green 

7Houseplants will be as popular as ever in 2022, 

and if your shelves have begun to get rather full 

it may be worth moving some to a garden room. 

Embrace the fact that it is part of nature and invite the plants 

inside. At the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2021, Malvern 

Garden Buildings perfectly demonstrated how much fun you 

can have with this idea by combining bright neons with a host 

of glorious evergreens. malverngardenbuildings.co.uk 

8 Where You Stand 

If recent trends toward native planting have 

inspired you, it makes sense to match this in 

your garden building selection. Choosing one 

that’s in keeping with your home’s style will help create a 

link between the two, while also giving your garden a sense 

of connection with the landscape you live in. For classic 

English country homes, a shepherd’s hut is filled with 

character and is also super practical. This classic design 

has just been released by Outdoorsy Living for 2022 

and is their first four-sleeper in a single shepherd 

hut – perfect for a spare room with all the mod 

cons or even a fancy holiday let. outdoorsy-living.co.uk 



64

Windows on the World 

Words: Maggie Alderson Photographs: David Merewether Styling: Holly Levett 

Karen Hahnel’s grand apartment on the St Leonards 

seafront has views as impressive as its interior 


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66 

MMBaxterWT235.indd 1 17/11/2021 09:30

Previous pages: The sitting room’s huge windows give wonderful views out across the sea Above left: A wire angel sculpture by Frencb artist 

Marie Christophe floats ethereally on the wall Above right: A huge mirror on the mantelpiece bounces light around the generous living space 

It’s always fascinating to visit someone’s home and see all 

the lovely things they have and find out where they got 

them from (that’s why I keep doing it in these pages…), 

but it adds a whole other level of interest to go back to 

the new abode of someone you have written about before. 

Will they have kept all the cool stuff, or started over? 

So it was that I entered Karen Hahnel’s new apartment 

on the grand Marina section of St Leonards seafront eager 

to see where she had put the amazing ‘life-sized’ angel made 

from wire which was such a feature of her previous place. 

And there it was, in all its glory on the wall of 

her new sitting room, to the left of the fireplace 

on the sea-view side of the room and the amazing 

thing is, in this setting, it seems quite small. 

Because what a room it is. With three enormous floorto-ceiling 

windows leading onto a narrow balcony with 

decorative wrought iron railings, it’s like a Paris apartment 

with the additional appeal of total immersion sea gazing. 

A breathtaking space with four-metre ceilings and all 

the original cornicing of the grand Victorian house it once 

was, this is what Karen moved from her – also fabulous 

– previous flat for. And it was only six houses along. “I 

also moved to have a garden,” says Karen. “When you 

have a dog, you need somewhere for them to go out.” 

Her previous place was on the ground floor and in this row 

of very special houses the gardens are all accessed from the 

first floor, making apartments on that level highly sought after. 

As Karen says, “You have the view and no one can see in.” 

So, determined to live with those appealing features, Karen 

set about it, with determination. “I stalked everybody in 

a first floor flat in this row of 20 houses, I did a letterbox 

drop. After a while a board did go up and it was sold, but the 

buyer dropped out and the owner got in touch with me.” 

And so Karen realised her dream to have a Marina apartment 

that was the same but crucially different from her previous one. 

Another difference that immediately strikes me is that 

she has flipped her colour palette a neat 180 degrees. 

The previous flat was painted a very chic charcoal colour 

(Fired Earth’s Mercury) throughout, walls and ceilings. 

Which – rather counter-intuitively – enhanced the sense 

of flow between the rooms and made it seem bigger. 

With this one you open the front door straight into the 


Above: Contemporary dining chairs are arranged around a Saarinen Tulip dining table from the Conran Shop, providing a social dining space 

sitting room, which is painted all white with fine white linen 

curtains at the windows and white loose-covered armchairs next 

to the fireplace (the iconic Ghost 25 chair by Paola Navone). 

It makes the amazing space look even bigger, an effect 

boosted again by there being no ceiling rose or overhead 

light, just a vast expanse of pristine white ceiling. This 

came about because while all the wonderful cornicing is 

perfectly preserved, the original rose had gone. “There was 

just a cheap fake thing, not the right size,” says Karen. “So 

I got rid of it and decided not to have a ceiling light.” 

Underneath this white space, the whole room is furnished 

in a monochromatic palette, with shades of grey from 

pale smoke through to charcoal and natural neutrals, with 

accents in metallics and wood. Everywhere the eye falls 

there is something interesting to look at, in intriguing 

arrangements, and nothing in the room jars the eye. 

The effect is so pleasing and calming on the spirit, 

that I realise, as we sit at the grey marble top of the real 

Saarinen Tulip dining table (from the Conran Shop) that 

I have chillaxed to the point where I am gazing happily 

out of the window, my pen falling from my fingers. I 

apologise to Karen who laughs. ‘‘I decorate to create a 

mood,” she says. “I wanted it to be calm and serene.” 

It most certainly is, but in the Zen state Karen’s 

 


68

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ThomasMansfieldWT235-SURREY (Private Law).indd 1 27/10/2021 CurtainCallWT235.indd 16:06 

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Above: Karen tracked down the large armoire at French 

Loft in Arundel Right: Karen’s arrangements of eclectic 

mixes of objects make for fascinating tablescapes 

décor has inspired in me, it occurs to me that the whole 

room is a marvellous play with geometric shapes. 

It’s almost a cube in shape – unlike the oblong rooms we are used to – 

and combined with the round table and new extra long rectangular sofa 

Karen bought (from Graham & Green) to scale up to the new space. 

Even if you didn’t identify the source, it creates a rare sense of ‘rightness’. 

After this Yoda insight, I bring myself back into the moment 

intrigued by the cluster of interesting things, sitting atop a console 

table on the wall next to the dining table, which is actually an 

old French balconette bought from a dealer in North London. 

“It hides the radiator, while letting the heat out,” says Karen and 

with a piece of dark marble on top, creates the perfect space for 

one of her quirky ‘tablescapes’, with unrelated objects found far 

and wide coming together to create a nest of visual interest. 

In this case there is a dried blowfish from a bathroom shop in Sheen, 

a large metal Moroccan tray from Butlers Emporium on Hastings 

Old Town’s George Street and a black Tizio lamp by Artemide, set 

off by a large-scale pencil drawing of silver teapots, which Karen 

commissioned from the artist (and which I remember from her previous 

place). “I said I would like it to be a sectional drawing of something 

traditionally English,” said Karen, “and when he sent me the first 


Above: Merci’s Brooklyn Tins wallpaper lines the corridor that leads to the kitchen and bathroom 

trial sketch I was blown away, it was exactly what I wanted.” 

Along the wall from this is the very large armoire I remember 

from Karen’s bedroom in her previous home – which I was 

very impressed to learn comes apart to form a kind of French 

provincial flat pack, making it very easy to transport to its 

new spot here, where it is still used as her wardrobe, although 

it’s a bit of a walk to it from her adjoining bedroom. 

But that is the special nature of this apartment. While it 

has the most wonderfully generous proportions, it is still a 

one-bedder and requires some ingenuity with storage in this 

way. “It’s like a studio flat on a giant scale,” says Karen. 

In the same spirit, I wonder how she accesses the 

large storage baskets on the top of the armoire and she 

shows me a very clever flat, telescopic ladder (a Screwfix 

special) which she cunningly stores behind a full-length 

mirror that leans against the wall in the bedroom. 

A normal size in any other dwelling, coming through 

from the huge sitting room the bedroom feels quite cosy 

and I’m happy to see the huge print of a woman from an 

Old Master painting, which nearly filled the wall in the 

bedroom in her last apartment, in place opposite the bed. 

It’s beautifully set off by a magnificent 1970’s Murano glass 

chandelier that Karen sourced from 20th Century Filth, a 

favourite St Leonards-based seller on the The Hoarde website. 

By an oval marble top table – bought from a neighbour 

downstairs – that makes an elegant dressing table, I 

spot another old friend from the last flat, a lovely wire 

floor lamp with a bird from Designer’s Guild. 

In that bedroom it served as a bedside lamp and 

Karen has done the same thing here with two floorstanding 

standard lamps from IKEA, one on either side 

of the bed. It’s a very clever solution. As she says, “It 

saves them taking up space on the bedside tables.” 

The other stand-out piece in here is a large bow-fronted 

chest of drawers bought at an antique depot in Bexhill 

Road, with another of Karen’s stuff clusters on it. 

 


72

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This page: Folding doors conceal the bedroom from the main living space 

Here they are all large-scale, with a big white ceramic cactus 

sculpture, two ecclesiastic candlesticks, a hefty piece of coral and a 

judge’s wig on a stand. She really is a master curator of objects. 

From the bedroom we look back into the siting room through the 

two doors, which fold back to create a large space from which she 

can look through the sitting room and right out to sea from her bed. 

Indeed so close is the sea, she says, “When the waves are really 

loud, I shut the shutters and the doors, to stop it keeping me awake.” 

By the shutters, she means the original full-length wooden ones still 

in perfect working order on the three sitting room windows. These 

will be shown off to their full effect when Karen’s next renovation 

is complete: she’s having the original sash windows restored, so the 

view will no longer be broken up by the doors put in by a previous 

owner and plans to lose the curtains to show them off better. 

Coming out of the bedroom we head immediately 

left down a corridor, which Karen has cleverly finished 

with a wallpaper of an oversized print of a pressed metal 

ceiling, which she sourced from Merci in Paris. 

The corridor is quite narrow and the large scale of the print makes 

it seem bigger. A row of pictures and interesting things is arranged 

along the floor on the opposite side. Karen says it’s just because 

she hadn’t decided where to hang what, but it looks like one of her 

arrangements and adds another element to the space, the long narrow 

shape of which she has emphasised with a striped goat-hair runner. 

At the end is the wet-room bathroom, already nicely done when 


74

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This page, clockwise from top left: A desilvered mirror 

provides a textured backdrop to a collection of art books and 

curios in one corner of the bedroom; an Old Master painting 

has been enlarged to dramatic effect; a large bow-fronted chest 

of drawers was bought at an antique depot in Bexhill Road 

she moved in, with dark-grouted white subway tiles and a large 

walk-in shower, then it’s right and left into the long kitchen. 

Karen has kept the cupboards that were in place, freshening 

them with a new old-metal-style worktop (IKEA) and 

having the units sprayed in Farrow & Ball’s All Black – the 

previous mint green is very much not in the Karen colour 

chart. She added two long open shelves which act as both 

utility storage and an aesthetic feature – silver tea pots, ice 

cream bowls, glasses, pots and vases – new geometic tiles 

(Porcelain Superstore) on the floor and three black wall 

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76

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This page, clockwise from top left: Karen’s approach to creative 

displays extends to the artwork arranged down one side of the 

corridor – propped against the wall, three or four pieces deep, 

from smallest to tallest; pristine tiles with black grout stretch 

floor-to-ceiling in the bathroom; Karen has spruced up the 

existing kitchen with new worktops and a lick of Farrow & Ball 

Birger Dahl, which was originally designed in 1952. Mix 

in an arrangement of quirky pictures in vintage frames 

– picked up for twenty euros each at Lille brocante – on 

a black wall at the end and it becomes a properly Karened 

space. At the end of it is a small extension which 

she uses as an office space and a spare room. “When I 

finish a project,” Karen says, “I move house, to get a new 

project. I’ve got an idea I’d like to move into the middle 

of nowhere. It would be so lovely to have loads of friends 

to stay and make as much noise as you want…” 

Wherever it might be, I hope I get to see it, to 

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Prep & Nursery Open Morning 

Saturday 19th March 

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inspire, motivate and nurture every pupil. 

40 acres of fields and woodlands in Surrey 

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Education

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2

22 

Contents 

FREWEN 

COLLEGE 

4 BUSY BEES 

All the latest news from 

our lovely local schools 

The Dyslexia School 

Since 1910 

9 MEET THE HEAD 

STUDENTS 

We find out what it’s 

like to be a head student 

15 

17 

31 

13 RISING STAR 

Shining a spotlight on one 

student who is on their 

way to great things 

15 ECO WARRIORS 

Two schools making positive 

changes to aid the planet 

17 BETTER TOGETHER 

The Granville tells us how 

their system of welcoming 

all, benefits all 

21 FAME ACADEMY 

Eddie Izzard and Camilla Le 

May are celebrated by the 

schools they once attended 

25 BUILDING A 

BRIGHTER WORLD 

Fosse Bank marks 130 

years of education with a 

series of special events 

29 MEET THE 

ENGLISH TEACHER 

Dr Leo Mitchell of 

Dulwich Prep Cranbrook 

talks school memories, 

inspiration and best books 

31 FINDING YOUR WAY: 

STARTING SCHOOL 

Advice on how to navigate the 

beginning of a child’s education 


GETTING ON BOARD 

A guide to boarding 

from the experts 


UNIVERSITY AWAITS 

How to prepare for the 

journey to university 

35 

21 

29 

22 

Prep 

School 

Senior 

• • 

School 

Frewen College, Northiam, East Sussex, TN31 6NL 

www.frewencollege.co.uk 

Sixth 

Form 

Frewen College is a leading independent 

Day & Boarding school for boys and girls aged 7-19 

with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia. We have private 

students and those funded with an EHC Plan. 

Best GCSE grades and pupil progress 

for 6th consecutive year 

WINNER ISA Awards 2021 for Outstanding 

Provision Learning Support and FINALIST 

for Senior School of the Year 

All classroom staff have specialist 

dyslexia qualifications 

Assistive Technology is used throughout 

the school where appropriate 

Email: office@frewencollege.co.uk 

Tel: 01797 252494 

Cover image by St Andrew’s Prep 


FrewenCollegeWT237.indd 1 11/01/2022 14:44

Education Supplement 

Mayfield School celebrates 

prestigious engineering 

scholarship awards 

Mayfield students, Christina and Elizabeth, 

have both been awarded esteemed Arkwright 

Engineering Scholarships for their innovative design 

projects aimed at making a real difference to all our lives. 

The scholarships are awarded to inspire potential future leaders in 

engineering. The girls had to go through a rigorous selection process 

involving submitting a detailed proposal for their projects. 

Mayfield’s Head of Physics, Dr Darragh Corvan, says, “We are 

delighted Christina and Elizabeth have been recognised for their 

outstanding work. The Arkwright Engineering Programme is 

the most prestigious scholarship of its type in the UK.” 

The School’s alumnae are strongly represented 

within STEM careers – including aeronautical 

engineering, construction and Formula 

1 racing. mayfieldgirls.org 

Performing arts at 

Spring Grove School 

Spring Grove has long had a reputation for its 

excellent performing arts, with many children gaining 

music and drama scholarships to senior schools when they 

leave in Year 6. The school is currently on a journey towards 

Artsmark status – a creative quality standard accredited by the 

Arts Council – and the latest step on this journey is the appointment 

of Richard Dray as the school’s new Director of Music. 

A graduate of Birmingham Conservatoire, Mr Dray is a multiinstrumentalist 

who can turn his considerable musical talents to the keyboard, 

accordion, mandolin, Celtic harp, violin and guitar. He has wide musical 

experience in classical choral and orchestral music, jazz, folk, rock and 

ceilidh bands – all of which will enrich the musical life of 

the Spring Grove community. 

Mr Dray commented: “I know first hand the warmth 

and friendliness of everyone at Spring Grove and the 

amazing achievements coming from every direction, 

so it is a real privilege to be able to work with 

such a talented group of staff and pupils 

within the most universal of subjects 

– music.” springgroveschool.co.uk 

A new Headteacher for 

Sacred Heart, Wadhurst 

“I feel very privileged to have been appointed 

as the new head teacher of Sacred Heart School. I 

am passionate about providing children with the very 

best opportunities, enabling them to feel secure, loved 

and valued, to aim high and achieve well. I have completed 

a Masters in Education focused around my love of literature and 

the ability to inspire children through carefully planned, imaginative 

and creative lessons. Sacred Heart is a happy and successful school, as 

a small community, we know each child individually, we recognise and 

encourage their strengths and support them in overcoming areas of 

difficulty. We instil a strong sense of self-worth by celebrating 

personal achievements. Gospel values are central to the school 

and through our mission statement: Love, Learn, Grow, 

Worship, our children learn the importance of striving 

to be the best that they can in all aspects of life. 

They can then develop into thriving, confident 

and caring individuals.” Johanna Collyer, 

Headteacher sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk 


4

Partnerships at The King’s 

School, Canterbury 

“At The King’s School, Canterbury we highly 

value our links with the local community. Our busy 

Partnerships Programme runs several projects throughout 

the year. These include our annual Minilympics – an activity 

day for Primary Schools offering first-class coaching from the 

likes of Jack Green (former Olympic 400m hurdler). Children can 

try out sports they may not have access to ordinarily, something our 

Rugby Taggers and Rugbylympics outreach days achieve too. 

Our teachers and pupils also work directly with children in the classroom, 

including teaching German, a Reading Club at St John’s Primary School 

and ‘Saturday Smarties’ science masterclasses. 

Sharing the rich heritage of our site is another important way of 

inspiring children. Our Cathedral Spires project invites selected 

Year 7 pupils from Spires Academy to learn about the 

Cathedral’s history, art and architecture each week. 

All these initiatives carry on a long history of 

helping local young people to learn and grow, a 

movement that dates back to our foundations 

in 597AD and is central to what we do.” 

kings-school.co.uk 

Busy 

Bees 


Find out the latest news from 

our thriving local schools 

Anyone for golf at 

Marlborough House School? 

School life extends well beyond the classroom 

at Marlborough House, where co-curricular 

opportunities now include golf on the new pitch 

and putt course, set in the school grounds. The course is 

complete with a driving range area and practise green, making 

golf a popular choice for the school’s new activity afternoons; 

aimed at increasing the enrichment opportunities available within 

the school day. Headmaster Eddy Newton says, “Activity afternoons 

provide pupils with the opportunity to develop different skills, boost 

confidence and ignite a love of learning through a new hobby.” 

In addition to their extra-curricular clubs, pupils in the Prep School 

can take part in diverse activities such as trampolining, sign 

language, coding and wellbeing, all within the school day. 

Riding has been another welcome addition to the activity 

list and the school riding team has benefitted, with 

recent individual and team wins, qualifying them 

for the Grass Roots Regional Championships. 

marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk 

Junior House Engineering 

Competition tests boys’ ingenuity 

and innovation at Tonbridge School 

Tonbridge’s Second Year boys have been putting 

their skills in creativity, innovation and teamwork to 

the test in the Junior House Engineering Competition. In 

a ‘supercurricular’ programme being jointly run by the Physics 

and Design Technology departments, boys are taking on a series of 

challenges ahead of a grand final. The second round saw boys designing 

and building model rocket cars, before racing them over a distance of 50m 

at the school. The Whitworth team took the top honours – and the coveted 

trophy – after producing a rocket car which clocked up an amazing speed of 

more than 100mph. The first round tested boys’ ingenuity in a slightly 

different way, as they had to ensure that an egg survived its journey 

after being dropped from on high in the school’s Barton Science 

Centre… with rules stating that neither parachute, padding nor 

protection was allowed. Chris Powell, Head of Physics, says, 

“The competition brings Physics and Design Technology 

to life and allows plenty of scope for creative thinking 

and fun along the way. I have been impressed with 

many of the design solutions that boys have 

come up with so far.” tonbridge-school.co.uk 


Registered charity 1101358 

How do we prepare children for 

jobs that don’t exist yet? 

None of us knows today what the world is 

going to require of us tomorrow. But some of us are 

keeping an extremely close eye on things. 

At Sevenoaks School, many of the skills that 

will be called for in the future are embedded in our 

curriculum now. 

Critical thinking for instance, is exercised here 

daily from the start. So is complex problem solving. 

With one eye firmly trained on the world beyond 

our gates, we equip all our students with the skills 

they will need to reshape it. 

So if sixty per cent of roles have yet to be 

invented*, Sevenoaks alumni will be ready to take them 

on when they are. 

www.sevenoaksschool.org 

*The Future of Jobs report, World Economic Forum. Potential jobs listed include: Space Pilot, Recycling Enforcer, Nano-medic, 

Memory Augmentation Surgeon, Hydroponic Farmer, Graphene Engineer, Experimental Food Developer, Ethical Hacker, 

priceless-magazines.com Climate Change Reversal Specialist, 6Avatar Manager/Virtual Teacher

Open Morning 

SATURDAY 23 RD APRIL 

REGISTER ONLINE 

www.stgeorgesweybridge.com 



8

Shaun Pexton, Brighton College 

Meet the Head 

Students 

It’s time the students had their turn! 

James Dunford, Hurstpierpoint College 

What are the responsibilities of being head student? 

My most important responsibility is as ambassador for 

the school in many walks of school life – from sports to 

the arts. I’m also striving to deepen student connections 

with other Brighton College schools across the world. 

What qualities do you bring to the role? 

My wide-ranging interests and international background help 

me connect with the remarkably diverse student body. I love 

contributing to school life, especially in music. Recently, I played 

clarinet in the incredible school production of Les Misérables and 

a week later I was playing sax and piano at a retirement home. 

What do you enjoy most about being head boy? 

I’m exposed to a wider perspective on school life and what is really 

involved in making the school experience better for students. 

What are the greatest challenges of being head boy? 

Definitely the time commitments! I’m often called 

at short notice for events or duties, but ultimately, 

they’re always rewarding experiences. 

What’s your favourite subject at school? 

I love the sciences, and I have a particular interest in quantum 

mechanics. chemistry and physics, are both my favourite subjects. 

What do you hope to do after you leave school? 

I hope to study broader sciences at university, especially exploring 

interdisciplinary fields. My interests lie in a wide range of areas. 

What is your favourite thing about your school? 

Being around teachers who inspire me to be the best I can 

be. Beating the time of two teachers who swam the English 

Channel was a huge incentive for a friend and I to take on 

the challenge ourselves (which we accomplished in August, 

raising money for YoungMinds mental health charity)! 

brightoncollege.org.uk 

What are the responsibilities of being head student? 

As head boy, I must represent the thoughts and feelings 

of the students to the headmaster, in particular any 

minority views should be acknowledged and heard. In 

addition to this I am an ambassador for the school and 

must set the standard for the rest of the students. 

What qualities do you bring to the role? 

I am an enthusiastic individual who gets involved in the 

wide variety of school societies. I do my best to uphold 

The Hurst values: ‘Work hard, Do good and Engage’. 

What do you enjoy most about being head boy? 

I enjoy meeting and touring prospective parents 

around the college, showing off the facilities and 

introducing the families to other students. 

What are the greatest challenges of being head boy? 

The greatest challenge is time. It is always tough to fit in all 

the various commitments and, in particular, speak to everyone 

involved in the many and varied activities that take place. 

What’s your favourite subject at school? 

My favourite subject is currently A-level sociology. I 

find it interesting to apply the concepts learned in the 

classroom to wider society, of which we are all a part. 

What do you hope to do after you leave school? 

I am hoping to study criminology at university, I have made an 

application to join the Army as an officer and after university 

I hope to go to Sandhurst and begin my officer training. 

What is your favourite thing about your school? 

Dance. I have been fortunate to be involved in some 

fantastic dance shows including taking a lead role in our 

dance production of Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella. 

hppc.co.uk 



10

Babington House School 

Independent Day School from 3 to 18 years 

Grange Drive, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5ES 

Headmaster: Mr T Lello, MA, FRSA, NPQH, PGCE 

Inspiring Teachers, Inspiring Children 

Whole School Open Morning 

Saturday, 12th March 2022 

Register Now: www.babingtonhouse.com 


Closing Date 

1 Feb 2022 

Join us for the Sixth Form 

New fully funded Sixth Form scholarships in 

• STEM • Humanities or Languages 

• Music 

Fully supported places available for girls to join Benenden 

Sixth Form at 16+ as a day boarder in September 2022 

More details at www.benenden.school/day2022 

registry@benenden.school 

Subject to means-tested bursary application 

BenendenSchoolWT237.indd 1 20/01/2022 10:33 

HISTORY 

OPEN DAYS 

IN THE MAKING 

March 

05 

SATURDAY 

10.30am -12.30pm 

Senior School 

(Ages 11 - 18) 

March 

12 

SATURDAY 

10.00am - 12.00pm 

Prep & Nursery 

(Ages 3 mths - 11) 

Find your purpose. 

Develop your independence. 

Embrace your responsibility. 

Register for our Open Days on battleabbeyschool.com 

Battle Abbey School 

Tel: 01424 772385 www.battleabbeyschool.com 


12 

BattleAbbeySchoolWT237.indd 1 10/01/2022 15:49


Rising 

Star 

Manor House School tell us about 

one of their promising pupils 

ola Fellows joined Manor 

House School as a Sports 

and Art Scholar in Year 

7, and threw herself immediately 

into all that senior school life 

offers. Now in Year 8, she 

competes in hockey, football, 

cross country, athletics and 

tennis, representing both her 

school and a number of external 

clubs including Downswood 

LTC and the Wimbledon 

Junior Tennis Initiative. 

Both Mr Jones (Head of Modern Foreign Languages 

and Lola’s form tutor last year) and Mrs Hannah Tauber 

(Head of Sport) speak of her “strong presence and natural 

confidence,” before going on to say, “Lola is very well liked 

and has quickly become a role model in her year.” Thanks 

to its smaller size, Manor House girls have access to a broad 

range of opportunities and a ‘have a go’ attitude is strongly 

encouraged. “Everyone can take part and try them out. Not 

just all the various sports but also art, music and drama.” 

Reflecting on her achievements so far, Lola shares, “I am 

very proud that I was recently accepted into the Surrey U13 

Hockey squad. I won my tennis club’s U14 tournament this 

year and I was made captain of the Manor House Hockey 

team.” Lola was also made hockey captain, which offers the 

opportunity to further develop her leadership skills, and 

represented the Wimbledon Junior Tennis Initiative at the 

King Richard film premiere in London, meeting the cast 

which included Will Smith. 

Lola’s academic studies are also very strong. Thinking 

beyond her school years, Lola shares, “I would love to 

become a professional sportsperson and later a sports 

psychologist or a PE teacher (maybe I will come back to 

work at Manor House one day)! I also care very deeply 

about the environment and the impact we are having on it.” 

Manor House School is an independent selective girls’ school based in Bookham, Surrey. For more information, contact 

the admissions team on 01372 458538 or admissions@manorhouseschool.org manorhouseschool.org 


TO 

ROCKETS 

From rocketry to bee-keeping and dozens 

of activities in between, every boy can discover 

something that fires their interest beyond the 

classroom. In this way, not only are enthusiasms 

formed that can, and often do, last a lifetime, but 

the impetus to try something new and different 

is created, perhaps even something that 

demands the all-important step out of their 

comfort zone. That is a wonderful preparation 

for life after school. 

FROM 

DRONES 

Arrange a visit: 

admissions@tonbridge-school.org 

tonbridge-school.co.uk 

TonbridgeSchoolWT237.indd 1 02/12/2021 12:11 

CONTACT US 

To Arrange A Visit 

Independent co-educational school 

for children aged 2 1 / 2 – 11 years 

Independent 

School of the 

Year 2020 

FINALIST 

A JUNIOR SCHOOL OF 

REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

Chinthurst School, Tadworth Street, Tadworth 

Surrey KT20 5QZ T: 01737 812 011 

www.chinthurstschool.co.uk 

ChinthurstSchool 

chinthurst.school 

@ChintSchool 

Surrey Homes Print Ad Jan 22.indd 1 17/01/2022 09:06 


14 

ChinthurstSchoolWT237 1 17/01/2022 10:07

Education Education Supplement Supplement sponsored sponsored by by 

Eco Warriors 

We discover how two schools are fighting for the planet 

Protecting the Planet: Parkside’s Promise 

The head’s mantra is ‘Make It Happen’, and never has 

this been so important now that Parkside is preparing 

to protect our planet. 

Greta Thunberg said “…you are never too small to make a 

difference...” and this rings true at Parkside. Pupils from the 

co-ed Nursery to Year 8 are actively encouraged and educated 

about the importance of climate change. Respect is a key value 

and respect for the environment has increasingly become one of 

the school’s focuses for the coming year. But that’s just part of the 

curriculum!! Some practical measures have been taken to make 

some small changes at the school already and will be followed by 

more ambitious plans and targets in the coming years. 

Parkside already champions its Eco Committee (led by the Year 

8 Environment Prefect), who meet every term to discuss ways to 

reduce the school’s carbon footprint. This year, the committee 

will lead Parkside’s application for the Eco-Schools Green Flag 

status. This will involve a thorough audit of the school’s current 

status in terms of biodiversity, energy, global citizenship, healthy 

living, litter, marine, grounds, transport, waste and water. 

The Eco Committee will then create, communicate and 

implement an action plan based on 3 key priorities drawn from 

the audit, supported wholly by the Senior Leadership Team, 

Governors and the whole community. 

Some small yet significant changes have been introduced over 

the years. For example, the school has cultivated and grown its 

own productive fruit and vegetable gardens within its 45 acre 

grounds. The produce is harvested and delivered fresh to the 

school kitchen (by the boys) and is often used for cooking during 

Food Tech classes or distributed for staff consumption. 

The school has also signed up to be WWF Green Ambassadors 

and receive regular updates and resources. Waste audits began 

last year and will be continuously monitored and efforts to 

improve this are multiple. It is a topic spoken about often during 

assemblies and form time, during the extensive extracurricular 

programme and at home. It’s just part of what they do. 

So, as you can tell, it is not only the eco committee who drive 

Parkside’s motivation for environmental action, but each and 

every individual at Parkside who share the same value of respect 

for our planet. “From little acorns grow great oaks” 

parkside-school.co.uk 

Education for Social Responsibility at Reigate St Mary’s 

The world is finally waking up to the importance of 

tackling climate change and resource depletion. At 

Reigate St Mary’s, we know how important it is that children, 

as the leaders of the future, have core values that focus on 

wellbeing, putting people before profits and the sustainability 

of the planet ahead of global economic growth. 

Pupils follow an Education for Social Responsibility 

curriculum (ESR) that helps them to think about 

the values that will lead to happy and fulfilled lives, within 

stable and caring communities while protecting the planet for 

the future. The children study climate change, water scarcity, 

biodiversity, ethical trade and eco-systems. They learn about 

a finite planet and that our future depends on healthy, lifesustaining 

eco systems across the globe. They look at how 

to have a healthy and balanced life that is not built around 

materialism and that the wellbeing of a team is dependent 

upon people working in harmony with others, building 

on one another’s strengths rather than competing to the 

detriment of others. 

The world is changing at a phenomenal rate and education 

needs to respond effectively. We give our children the 

foundations to become young citizens who will give more 

back to society than they take and who will care about others, 

both locally and globally, as much as they care for themselves. 

reigatestmarys.org 


REGULAR OPEN 

MORNINGS 

Independent co-educational school 

for children aged 2 – 11 years 

Wraparound care 

for 48 weeks 

of the year 

A JUNIOR SCHOOL OF 

REIGATE GRAMMAR SCHOOL 

Reigate St Mary’s, Chart Lane, Reigate, 

Surrey RH2 7RN T: 01737 244 880 

www.reigatestmarys.org 

ReigateStMarys 

rsm_prepschool @RSMPrepSchool 

Surrey Homes Print Ad Jan 22.indd 2 17/01/2022 09:06 

ReigateStMarysWT237 1 17/01/2022 10:06 

EST. 1892 

FOSSE BANK 

PIONEERING FOR 130 YEARS 

Celebrating 130 years 

of pioneering education 

2-11 YEAR OLDS 

Noble Tree Road 

Hildenborough 

Kent 

TN11 8ND 

01732 834212 

office@fossebankschool.co.uk 

fossebankschool.co.uk 


16 

FosseBankSchoolWT237.indd 2 18/01/2022 11:41

Better Together 

The Granville tells us how they are creating success for all in a non-selective setting 

A 

preparatory school is charged with preparing its pupils 

for senior schools. Firstly, preparing them for entrance 

exams but also, and perhaps more importantly, for 

academic, social and extra-curricular success when they 

embark on that next stage of their educational journey. 

At The Granville, the vast majority of our Year 6 leavers 

go to a local independent or grammar school, which require 

them to undergo challenging and highly competitive entrance 

procedures. Our success rate is superb. At the time of writing, 

every girl who has sat an exam for an independent senior 

school has been offered a place. Our success rate for girls 

passing the Kent 11+ is over 90%. Yet we are a non-selective 

school. On arrival, our girls’ attainment varies significantly. So 

what is the secret to enabling all girls, of all abilities to achieve 

such excellent outcomes? 

For us, it all hinges on an inclusive and personalised 

approach. From their very first days at The Granville, our 

staff get to know each child’s individual learning needs. In 

understanding our pupils, the way they learn, their strengths 

and weaknesses, their interests and passions, their experience 

at school is made bespoke. 

Our pupils’ learning specifications are many and varied. 

Nationally, around 14% of children in independent prep 

schools have a special educational need, and our community 

is no different. These children often require additional 

support with their numeracy and literacy skills. Some benefit 

from sensory circuits each morning. We also have a number 

of children whose abilities require the curriculum to be 

extended, to offer greater challenge. Many of our children 

have particular talents in sport, art, music or drama which are 

nurtured by our specialist teaching staff. The common thread 

however is inclusion. We focus on supporting all of our pupils’ 

individual needs, within the classroom. Removing individuals 

from the class for interventions, thus removing them from 

collaborative learning, does not prove most effective. Instead, 

we use our well-trained teaching assistants, our teachers’ 

expertise in differentiation and our SENCO’s in-depth 

knowledge and guidance to include pupils with different 

learning requirements, not to exclude them by taking them 

away from their peers and teachers. In this way, we bolster 

self-esteem and foster a culture of collaboration and support. 

We truly believe that this approach is fundamental to our 

girls’ success. They learn not only from their teachers, but 

from each other. They are confident learners; their particular 

needs are understood and attended to. They feel fully prepared 

to tackle the challenges they are faced with. And the proof 

is in their performance. Last year, our 31 Year 6 girls were 

offered a total of 26 scholarships to independent schools. Each 

of them received multiple offers to attend prestigious, soughtafter 

senior schools. They didn’t all start at the same point, but 

they all achieved superb outcomes. And they did it together, 

in an inclusive, equitable and collaborative community. 

granvilleschool.org 


An Inspired Education 

A dynamic environment where students are inspired by 

our adventurous approach to learning 

01233 625 171 | registrar@ashfordschool.co.uk | ashfordschool.co.uk

a b c d e f 

g h i j k l m 

c 

n o p q r s t 

is for confidence 

and courage 

u v w x y z 

We want our pupils to be true to themselves and to have certainty and 

belief in who they are and what they can do. That way they can be proud 

of their own individual journey and make the choices that are right for 

them. We need them to be brave; to create opportunities from which they 

will discover new passions. They will show integrity, develop ambition 

and find themselves able to reach higher and fly further. 

The Alphabest of Ha-zelwood 

To view the school contact Kate Whitehead in Marketing and Admissions 

on 01883 733841 or admissions@hazelwoodschool.com 

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk

Question 

the answer 

We don’t just teach them to answer 

the question. We empower pupils 

to question the answer. Grades are 

important. So is thinking for yourself. 

Join us for our Open Morning 

Saturday 26 February 

eastbourne-college.co.uk 

Independently 

minded 

Since 1867

Fame Academy 

Local schools reminisce about former 

students who have gone on to achieve 

fame and fortune 

Emma Garrett, Development Director, Eastbourne 

College tells us about ex-student Eddie Izzard 

The Eastbournian Society (ES) is all about building 

relationships that last a lifetime across our two schools – 

starting from as early as nine months old at St Andrew’s 

Nursery through to sixth form at Eastbourne College. In 

addition to supporting our alumni, ES looks after past and 

present parents and staff and the local businesses we work with. 

The added value of the network is hard to measure and one 

of the many benefits that our two schools bring. The scope of 

our reach is unusual across alumni organisations and makes 

for a fascinating role for myself as Development Director. The 

task of trying to choose one pupil to profile for this short 

piece is virtually impossible however, but does leave me feeling 

extremely proud and humbled. 

A few years ahead of me in Pennell House at Eastbourne 

College was a pupil called Edward Izzard (1975 to 1980). Eddie 

who now identifies as ‘she’ and her brother, were sent here to 

board after their mother’s death. Eddie, as she is known, was 

desperate to get into drama. Initially she had no luck, but in 

her last three years she began to get roles at the College that 

gave her the confidence to start her career. Eddie also wanted 

to be a footballer but at a school focused on rugby, that was 

a non-starter. Eddie’s head was then turned by the girls who 

joined in the sixth form – unlike now, the school was only 

co-ed in the sixth form. She decided then to concentrate more 

on being funny in class than working hard. 

Nick Pendry, her maths teacher tells me that Eddie said: 

“I decided I needed a cunning plan for looking ‘cool’ to the 

girls, so came up with a not-doing-any-studying scheme.” Nick 

says, “I’m not sure how successful the strategy was although 

ultimately Eddie emerged with the top maths A level grade.” 

By her own admission, it is Eddie’s tenacity that has made 

her succeed in life; “determination is more important than raw 

talent”. Eddie returns frequently to the school and attended 

last term’s production of Les Misérables. After the performance 

she joined the cast and crew alongside other alumni who work 

in the creative arts – it was quite a red-carpet gathering. Eddie 

has famously achieved a great deal since leaving Eastbourne, 

as has brother Mark who now writes adaptations for Eddie 

to perform such as Great Expectations and Hamlet. Eddie’s 

latest campaign for ‘Make Humanity Great Again’ involved 

running 31 marathons and performing 31 stand-up shows in 

31 days. Over £310,000 was raised for charity through this 

campaign, promoting a fair chance in life for all, particularly 

those who experience disadvantage and discrimination. As a 

community we are extremely proud of Eddie for many reasons, 

her incredible drive is an inspiration to our pupils, as is her 

determination to be exactly who she wants to be. All 

eastbourne-college.co.uk 

Eddie will be performing her show Great Expectations in the Dell at Eastbourne College on Sunday 11th 

September at 3.00pm All profits from tickets sales will go towards transformational bursaries to Eastbourne 

College – promoting a fair chance in life for all. Tickets available from hcmedleycott@eastbourne-college.co.uk 



Eau sketch pad in subtle silver 

£13.50 Osity osity.co.uk 

Retro daisies 

embroidery craft kit 

£25 Stitch Happy 

stitchhappy.co.uk 

Fairies in the 

garden tin of 36 

colouring pencils 

£9.95 Rex London 

rexlondon.com 

Camilla Le May in Kenya 2015, sculpting Sudan, the last 

known male northern white rhino, who died in 2018 

Introducing Camilla Le May a famous sculptor 

and ex Mayfield School student 

Camilla Le May is a sculptor living in Ticehurst, East 

Sussex, specialising in animals and wildlife. Her 

work has been exhibited by established galleries 

since 2000 and bought by private collectors worldwide. 

She has won awards from the British Sporting Art Trust, 

the Society of Wildlife Artists and been shortlisted for 

the David Shepherd Wildlife Artist of the Year. 

Camilla attended Mayfield School, a local independent 

day and boarding school for girls. She said, “I discovered a 

passion for sculpting at school, thanks to a fantastic ceramics 

department under Celia Allen, a local ceramicist.” 

Her love of animals was initially fostered by growing up on her 

parents’ farm in Wadhurst and by spending her youth competing 

on horses. She has spent much time in Africa and presently splits 

her time between the UK and Kenya, wherever possible sculpting 

directly from life, ideally in the animal's natural surroundings. 

Follow 

your Art 

A small token or toy lets a young creative 

know that you believe in them and could 

be the start of their future success story 

Woodland stores 

& theatre £165 

Bell and Finn Ltd 

bell-finn.co.uk 

Kids guitar for ages 3+ 

£32.99 Sue Ryder 

shop.sueryder.org 

Camilla has raised funds, mainly for wildlife conservation 

– especially rhinos – through charity auctions of her 

work as well as donating back a percentage from 

private sales. She has raised over $71,000 to date. 

Niamh Green, Mayfield’s Acting Head, said: “We’re delighted 

that Camilla was able to find her passion at school and go 

on to have a successful career as a sculptor. Camilla has been 

back to school several times over the years to talk to our 

pupils, who I know have been inspired by her achievements, 

as well as her fundraising efforts for wildlife conservation. 

We are proud to have her as one of our alumnae.” 

mayfieldgirls.org 

Fairytales & legends 

colour-in pencil case 

£12.95 eatsleepdoodle 

eatsleepdoodle.co.uk 

A5 notebook with lined 

pages £7 AIM Studio 

aimstudio.co 


22

“ONE WORD: 

EXCEPTIONAL” 

TATLER 

“MOST FORWARD 

THINKING SCHOOL” 

THE WEEK 

“THERE’S A RICH 

VEIN OF KINDNESS” 

TATLER 

BRIGHTON COLLEGE 

WISH YOU 

WERE HERE 

United Kingdom 

School of the Decade 

THE SUNDAY TIMES 

OPEN MORNINGS | COLLEGE SAT 23 APRIL 

NURSERY, PRE-PREP & PREP SCHOOL SAT 7 MAY 

BOOK YOUR PLACE 01273 704200 | BRIGHTONCOLLEGE.ORG.UK

NEXT OPEN EVENT 

Nursery, Prep & Senior School 

Friday 4 March 2022 at 9.30am* 

*Subject to national restrictions 

www.manorhouseschool.org | 01372 457077 | admissions@manorhouseschool.org 

ManorHouseSchoolWT237.indd 1 06/01/2022 13:05 

To register for a tour or Open Day please visit 

our website or contact Admissions on 

T: 01483 893225 

E: admissions@longacreschool.co.uk 

www.longacreschool.co.uk 

Hullbrook Lane 

Shamley Green 

Guildford, Surrey 

GU5 0NQ 

9.30 – 12.00 

Watch our video 

#ReadyForTheNextAdventure 

OPEN DAY 

1 st MARCH 


24 

LongacreSchoolWT237 1 19/01/2022 14:49

his year Fosse Bank School in 

Hildenborough marks 130 years 

of pioneering educational 

leadership and provision, with at least 130 

events planned throughout 2022. The 

aim of these celebrations is much more 

than simply marking a historic point in 

the school’s history. The focus will be on 

setting the foundations for generations to 

come by ensuring that the school’s 

educational provision at makes a 

difference towards a brighter world. 

Fosse Bank School were delighted to be 

chosen by The English Speaking Union as 

the launch school for a brand new primary 

school curriculum, The Celebration of 

Children’s Voices. The forerunner of this 

programme was Building Blocks Project, 

a globally significant interactive blended 

learning programme run in partnership 

with Glasgow University, the Department 

for Trade and Industry, Cultura Inglesa and 

the Board for Professional Engineers, Land 

Surveyors and Geologists of California. 

Its focus was on reengaging young people 

facing disrupted education, particularly 

those in the barrio and favela of South 

America, the programme led directly 

to ESU Eastbourne’s involvement with 

educational and community cohesion 

projects in countries including the 

Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, 

Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and 

even North Korea – projects with which 

Fosse Bank School’s inclusive curriculum 

is now linked. 

Building a 

Brighter 

Fosse Bank School 

celebrates 130 years 

of outward-looking 

pioneering education 

World 

The Celebration of Children’s Voices 

curriculum seeks to give a voice to the 

next generation of community leaders, the 

influencers who will shape the direction 

of society as the 21st century progresses 

and Fosse Bank School was selected as 

the launch venue precisely because of its 

school-wide emphasis on listening to the 

voice of its pupils. 

The school’s celebratory events continue 

with a planned restructure of the school’s 

governance with equality, diversity 

and inclusion placed front and centre. 

Spearheading recruitment Vice-Chair of 

Governors William Glover is no stranger to 

EDI work being himself one of the authors 

of the seminal Abrahamic Initiative work 

at New York’s Chautauqua Institution in 

the late 1990s, a role that led to his work 

post 9/11 in cross-religious educational 

programming and that in 2008 saw him 

act as an educational consultant to the 

Obama Presidential Campaign. 

Speaking exclusively to the Wealden 

Times, Will noted that “central to our 

work at Fosse Bank School is maintaining 

in our pupils a balanced view of the 

world, its peoples and events and whilst 

recognising that the world can be a highly 

uncertain place, we focus our work on 

thoughtfulness encouraging our pupils 

to value others ahead of themselves. In a 

similar way we are restructuring our school 

management by blending the existing 

talents and institutional memory of longstanding 

Board Members and Trustees 

within a new Board Structure focused 

beyond the merely legislative to include 

full due diligence, succession planning and 

most importantly community inclusivity 

that embraces the creation of dedicated 

governor roles”. 

True to its pioneering spirit, rather 

than having a ‘countdown clock’ Fosse 

Bank School have inaugurated a Countup 

Clock marking events as they happen 

over the year. In a world facing many 

challenges, it is to schools like Fosse Bank 

that one turns when looking for a school 

that really does make a difference towards a 

brighter world. 

fossebankschool.co.uk 


MARLBOROUGH HOUSE 

S C H O O L 

ENJOYING TODAY 

EDUCATING FOR TOMORROW 

NURSERY, PRE-PREP & PREP | BOYS & GIRLS 2.5-13 YEARS | DAY & FLEXI BOARDING 

The school goes far beyond 

academic results and prides 

itself on the development 

of the whole child. 

THE GOOD SCHOOLS GUIDE 2021 

Book a private tour 

Email registrar@marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk 

Discover more at marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk 

Marlborough House School, Hawkhurst, Kent, TN18 4PY

FEBRUARY 28TH - 4TH MARCH 

Vinehall

Advertorial 

Why every 

parent 

should have 

a Will 

Gail Hall, Partner at Warners 

Solicitors, discusses the benefits 

of having a properly drafted 

Will and why every parent 

should have one. 

A Will is a document that controls 

what happens to an individual’s 

estate on death by setting out 

their specific wishes. However, a 

properly drafted Will can also be 

used to make sure that children are 

appropriately cared for, physically 

and financially, in the event that a 

parent passes away. 

As well as confirming how 

someone’s estate should be 

distributed a Will can also be used 

to ensure that minor children inherit 

at a particular age to ensure that 

young adults do not inherit ‘too 

much, too soon’. 

Parents can also use Wills to set out 

who they wish to appoint to be the 

guardian(s) of any minor children to 

ensure they are looked after in the 

event of their death. Parents can also 

appoint more than one guardian to 

act together and substitute guardians 

if the first guardian is unwilling or 

unable to take on responsibility for 

the children. A letter of wishes can 

also be prepared and stored with 

the Will, providing guidance to the 

guardians on how the parents would 

like the children to be raised. 

If there are no Wills in place and 

both parents pass away, then only 

the Court can appoint a guardian. 

This could lead to family disputes, 

custody battles, and possibly foster 

care. 

There are also rules about 

appointing guardians and formalities 

to be complied with. Where such an 

appointment occurs within a Will, 

this is likely to help show that the 

rules have been complied with and 

that the appointment of the guardian 

is valid. 

Furthermore, without a Will in 

place, your estate will be divided in 

accordance with the intestacy rules. 

This may mean that your estate 

is not divided according to your 

wishes. By having a Will in place, 

you can give thought to balancing 

out the needs of any family 

members and contributing towards 

the expense of raising children. 

Trust mechanisms can be put in 

place to ensure, for example, that 

the cost of any education fees is 

covered, or perhaps a deposit for 

a new home or even a first car. 

In these cases, it is important to 

appoint appropriate trustees to 

safeguard the assets and manage 

them until the age of inheritance. 

Contact Warners Solicitors on 01732 770660 to find out more about how 

they can help you plan for your family’s future. 

www.warners-solicitors.co.uk 

The contents of this article are for the purposes of general awareness only. They do not purport to constitute legal or professional advice. The law may have 

changed since this article was published. Readers should not act on the basis of the information included and should take appropriate professional advice.

Read Me 

We’ve teamed up with bookshop.org to get some brilliant recommendations from 

local bookshops. These books are all available at bookshop.org, where you can 

find all kinds of literary gems and support local business 

Nash at Much Ado 

About Books, East Sussex 

recommends... 

The Great Godden by 

Meg Rossoff 

“A brilliant short novel for 

mature teens. Emotionally 

complex, but with a 

brilliant plot, it raises 

questions that stay with 

readers long after putting 

it down.” 

Bryony South at the Cobham 

Bookshop recommends... 

The Owl Service by Alan Garner 

“Inspired by Welsh mythology this is classic 

Garner: ordinary people pulled into a dangerous 

magical world. Blodeuwedd, a girl made from 

flowers to be the bride of a prince, conspires to 

murder the prince and as punishment is turned 

into an owl. Wonderful and strange classic.” 

Alison Smith at Barnett’s 

of Wadhurst recommends... 

Adventures in Time: Alexander the 

Great by Dominic Sandbrook 

“The “Adventures in Time” series shows 

today’s children that the past is full of 

exciting adventures and gripping stories 

– including Alexander the Great, Henry 

the Eighth and the Second World War.” 

Meet the English Teacher 

Introducing Dr Leo Mitchell, Head of Year 7 and English Teacher at Dulwich Prep Cranbrook 

What is your favourite school memory? 

My favourite memory is performing in Blood 

Brothers. I was cast as Eddie, the posh one. I 

was immensely relieved that there wasn’t too 

much singing for me to do. A perfect casting! 

Who inspired you to become a teacher? 

The influence of an exceptional teacher stays 

with you for life – to instil such a passion in 

a child that they take your subject forward is 

surely the hallmark of a great teacher. For me, 

that teacher was Mr Winrow. Not only was 

he inspirational, he also had the full measure 

of me. He pinned my parents’ email addresses 

to the wall so that he could contact them if I 

forgot my homework. 

How do you inspire reluctant students? 

I love the subject and I love the texts I teach. 

I ensure that my own excitement and joy 

comes across to the children as we are reading 

together. I hope my passion for English is 

infectious and leaves a lasting impression on 

the children I teach. 

What do you enjoy most about your work? 

Hearing ideas that I am not expecting from 

the children is always a thrilling experience. 

It challenges me and reinforces all the reasons 

I entered this profession. It happens all the 

time, and never fails to surprise me. 

How do you relax away from school? 

I have two children under 3 years old, so I 

don’t have much time for relaxing these days. 

I love taking them swimming and I obviously 

read whenever I can. 

Tell us about your favourite book. 

I’ve always loved His Dark Materials and I still 

read the trilogy often. My current favourite is 

Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier. It took me 

until I was 30 to read it and no other story 

has ever thrilled and scared me quite so much. 

From the very first chapter, which describes 

the winding driveway up to Manderley 

(where most of the story takes place), I was 

so absorbed and absolutely on the edge of 

my seat. The character of Mrs Danvers, in 

particular, is deliciously chilling. 

dulwichprepcranbrook.org 


Courage | Confidence | Character 

An independent school for boys aged 4-13 years, with co-educational nursery. 

Set in 45 acres of beautiful countryside with school bus routes including to SW London. 

Open Day 

Saturday 5th March 2022 

To register your interest, 

please e-mail admissions@parkside-school.co.uk 

or call 01932 862749 

parkside-school.co.uk

Education Supplement sponsored by 

We speak to Dulwich Prep Cranbrook’s 

Georgie Labram about helping children 

settle in when starting school 

What advice would you give to parents of children 

that are about to start at your school? 

Children love to be independent and encouraging your 

child to practise self-care tasks such as organising belongings, 

dressing and undressing, washing hands and using a knife and 

fork really supports their confidence. The ability to bounce 

back is a vital life skill, and parents can promote resilience 

by inspiring their child to have a go at new activities and 

challenges. Praise for effort rather than the end result. 

How do children benefit from a routine? 

Children thrive when they know where they stand and we 

structure our mornings to set them up for the day ahead. 

For example, in Little Stream (Years 1 to 4), the children will 

spend the initial minutes of the morning registering, changing 

their reading books and going through a visual timetable 

so they know what to expect. Any changes from the usual 

schedule will be outlined in advance. A good bedtime routine 

is also crucial as joining a new school environment is an 

adventure, but also exhausting. 

How do you help children who may feel nervous? 

There is a buddy system in place which pairs new children 

with a like-minded child in their form. Free time, such 

as break and lunch, can be daunting for new children, 

so we ensure familiar teachers look after the children in 

the playground and sit with them at lunch. If a child is 

particularly struggling with the transition, their teacher might 

suggest they bring in a cuddly toy from home which they can 

keep in their desk drawer. 

How do you know when your pupils are properly settled in? 

They gain confidence, establish new friendships and take 

on more responsibilities. We closely monitor their academic 

progress – happy children learn. Two-way dialogues with 

parents and an open door policy are essential to the process. 

What do you look forward to about meeting new pupils? 

Every child is an individual. Every perceived ‘weakness’ is 

a strength in disguise – we love the opportunity to harness 

a child’s individuality in order to help them to reach their 

unique potential. 

dulwichprepcranbrook.org 

Finding your way: 

Starting School 

Head of Pre-prep at Vinehall School, 

Nicky Whittaker, explains how to help 

children begin their school life 

Starting school can be an emotional time for both 

parents and children, but with the right preparation 

it can be a time of excitement and the beginning of 

a positive educational journey which will last a lifetime. 

How can you prepare? Start by talking to your child 

about what is going to happen. Prepare your child by 

reading a book together about starting school. Teach 

children to be independent. Can they take off their 

coat and hang it up on a peg? Can they use a knife 

and fork to cut up and eat their lunch? Teach your 

child to tell a grown up if they are worried about 

something. Teachers will always try to resolve problems 

if children let them know how they are feeling. 

Transition is a vital part of helping a child to start 

school and at Vinehall we invite new children to ‘stay 

and play’ sessions, gradually increasing the amount of 

time they spend with us. We send out a personalised 

transition book with a story and photos which the children 

can read over the summer to help them to feel familiar 

and confident with the new routines and surroundings. 

Communication is the key, and our outstanding Early 

Years Team strive to provide a seamless transition. 

Children thrive in a routine, and quickly enjoy 

the familiar rhythms of the day and it is usually 

not long before parents tell us that their children 

are asking to come to school at the weekend. 

Then we really know that they have settled! 

vinehallschool.com 


Education Supplement sponsored by 


Getting on Board 

Benenden School tells us about the benefits of boarding 

Benenden Boarding brings enormous benefits for every pupil: she 

has the time and space to try new activities, develops great social 

and emotional skills, and makes friends for life. Boarding is also a 

partnership between school and family, and parents are always welcome to 

join their daughter at weekends or throughout the week to cheer her on in 

matches, have a catch-up, take her out to lunch or enjoy the food at school 

– Sunday brunch here in the Café is particularly popular with parents! 

Under our popular Benenden Boarding model, girls boarding is 

balanced with Long Home Weekends when all girls go home, as well 

as two or three optional weekends at home each term. Therefore on 

average, boarders can go home every second weekend if they wish. 

The popularity of the Weekend Programme means that Benenden 

is a vibrant, friendly and exciting place to be at weekends. In fact, 

on any given weekend around two-thirds of girls are in school. 

Benenden prides itself on giving bespoke pastoral care to all students 

and on supporting their family ties. In Houses, pupils have a team of 

staff who offer them emotional, academic, social and practical support. 

Staff set out to develop firm, meaningful, nurturing relationships, 

beyond the normal realm of adult/student contact seen in many schools. 

Each pupil is an individual, as well as part of a House. Each needs 

an individual approach, which can only be developed through open 

channels of communication and time spent getting to know one another. 

We are pleased to have welcomed a limited number of day boarders 

to Benenden from September 2021. Our day boarders play a full 

part in every area of school life: leaving at the end of the day does not 

prevent any pupil from benefiting from the Benenden experience! 

Day boarders are fully immersed in the academic, co-curricular and 

personal and professional elements of our Complete Education. We 

have carefully planned their role in the boarding side of school life: being 

affiliated to a boarding house means they benefit from the pastoral care 

and close friendships that are hallmarks of the boarding programme. 

benenden.school 

We talk to Dr Andrea Saxel, Deputy 

Head (Pastoral) at Cranleigh, about 

boarding at the school 

Can you tell us about your boarding options? 

The option to weekly board is very popular 

as it gives the opportunity to spend weekends 

at home with family, giving a great balance 

between school and home life. In September 

2020 we introduced a Monday morning return 

for weekly boarders who wished to spend 

Sunday night at home too. 

How do you help new boarders settle in? 

Newcomers often comment on the friendliness 

here, especially between year groups. Each 

pupil has a dedicated Tutor looking after their 

academic and pastoral needs and our vertical 

tutor families allow Sixth Formers to support 

younger pupils, with a team of house staff 

always on hand in case the new environment 

becomes are overwhelming. We run a number 

of House events, including the ever popular 

House Performance where pupils throw 

themselves into working on a song and dance 

event with the older year groups. 

What signs do you look out for to 

see if students are experiencing difficulties? 

As our house staff are so integrated in the 

pupils’ school lives, they are able to ensure each 

pupil is happy and healthy. Matrons and the 

house staff communicate carefully with one 

another and with teachers to ensure any signs 

of difficulties are highlighted, whether a child is 

quieter than usual or struggling with academic 

work. Homesickness can be a problem in the 

younger years, though it’s usually easily resolved 

in our busy, active environment and with 

plenty of ‘older siblings’ on hand to talk things 

through. With a large pastoral network, and onsite 

medical centre and counsellors, we are well 

equipped to deal with any real difficulties. 

How has boarding at Cranleigh changed 

over the years? 

Since Cranleigh was founded in 1865 as a boys’ 

boarding school it has grown from one boarding 

house to eight with girls attending since the 

1970s. We now have four boys and four girls 

houses, which are paired for house events and 

socials, providing a modern co-educational 

boarding experience. The dorms have developed 

into more homely spaces with single rooms for 

the older pupils. Over the years, boarding has 

evolved into more of a home-school partnership 

to better fit contemporary family life and 

parents are often at the school to watch sports 

and performance or participate in events. 

cranleigh.org 


32

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Sevenoaks School explains 4 ways 

that they help students find their 

way to the best University for them 

1. Giving them the option of an IB 

The International Baccalaureate, 

with its breadth and depth, helps 

our students to become wellrounded, 

globally minded, critical 

thinkers who are ready to thrive in 

an ever more complex world. We 

believe the IB is the gold standard 

of education and is a fantastic 

preparation for life at university. The 

joint honours programmes at Oxford 

and the multidisciplinary degrees at 

Cambridge, from Natural Sciences to 

Human Social and Political Sciences, 

are often a good fit for IB students. 

2. Letting them know that they can go 

anywhere they want to 

In 2021, 28 students went to Oxbridge. 

Oxbridge is a popular choice for our 

students, but overseas study is also 

popular, with 51 students going to 

study in leading universities around the 

world in 2021, including Stanford, Yale 

and other Ivy League schools in the 

US. Many of our students also choose 

to apply to other highly competitive 

UK institutions, particularly those in 

London or universities offering degrees 

with placement years in industry. 

3. Getting their priorities right 

We always advise students to 

choose the course first, and the 

university second and are proud that 

98 percent of our students achieve 

places on their preferred courses at 

their first choice university. 

4. Making sure they feel supported 

Our students benefit from a range of 

sources of high-quality careers and 

guidance; including a team of eighteen 

dedicated staff in our Institute of 

Higher Education, (seven of whom are 

subject-specific HE advisers), heads of 

department, teachers, parents, alumni, 

employers, universities and agencies 

including UCAS and various external 

providers. Our professional insight 

programme is blended so that students 

have multiple interactions inside and 

outside of school to ensure they make 

the right university choices. 

sevenoaksschool.org 


University Awaits 

Our shopping list of all the things you 

might need if you’re starting university 

• Kitchenware – pots, pans, cups, plates, 

cutlery, you need it all! You can also check 

if you need to bring a toaster or kettle 

and if you’re allowed a mini-fridge 

• Decorations – rules vary on how much you 

can personalise a dorm room but you can 

usually make yourself at home with rugs, 

cushions, plants, fairy lights and posters 

• Bedding – pillows, duvet, mattress protector, 

sheets, a nice set is worth investing in as they 

can be a lovely homely comfort 

• Books – be sure to check any reading 

lists and for more expensive textbooks 

try looking online for second-hand 

options as they can get expensive! 

• Something from home – if it’s your first time 

moving out, it can be nice to have a few 

picture frames, a cuddly toy, or your favourite 

home-cooked meal in some Tupperware 

• Technology – A laptop is essential but you might 

also want a printer, some speakers, a camera or a TV. 

And don’t forget the accessories (chargers, cables, 

headphones, USB, a practical laptop bag, etc). 

• Folders – One for any uni documents you’ll need 

when settling in, and a few for your work 

• Stationery – pens, notebooks, highlighters, 

whatever works for you and your way of studying 

• Clothes – if you aren’t taking a car you may want 

some walking shoes and some warm layers (students are 

known for hoodies for a reason) 

• Housekeeping – clothes horse, laundry bag, cleaning 

products, handheld hoover, dustpan, towels – not all 

that glamorous, but you will be glad you have them! 

• Medicine – put together a little first aid box 

with all the essentials including plasters, pain 

relief, topical creams etc 

Left (top to bottom): Canvas laundry bag £29 made.com, Energised white trainer 

£35 Dune dunelondon.com, Cat paper clips £2.95 Rex London rexlondon.com, 

Paper bag backpack £35 Wearth wearthlondon.com, Set of 4 tumblers £10 Next 

next.co.uk, The Orange Pencil laptop sleeve from £20 Mineheart mineheart.com 

Right: Paisley 12pc dinner set £20 George Home asda.com, Photo frame £14.50 

Mint & May mintandmay.co.uk, Recycled down feather and down duvet and 

pillow £60 Soak & Sleep soakandsleep.com, Van Gogh ecoffee cup £12 ECoffee 

Cup ecoffeecup.com, Eden lever arch £8 Paperchase paperchase.com, 3 recycled 

pencils £3.98 Ocean & Bee oceanandbee.co.uk

For amazing designer and bespoke 

hats and fascinators as well as seasonal 

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We also stock Rainbow shoes which can 

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Date 

Glitter: istockphoto.com/surachetkhamsuk 

Wherever you choose to go, and whoever you choose to spend it with, make sure your 

date night shines with Kate Watts’ outfit picks Photographs: David Merewether 

Cosy night in: Maxi cardigan £48, patterned shirt dress £157, Odyl odyldesign.com; protection locket £35, Marie & Lola 

marieandlola.com; pure new wool trousers £249, Who’s Wearing What whoswearingwhat-boutique.co.uk; slippers, stylist’s own 


Dinner date: Tweed boucle 

blazer £60, Hawk & Dove 

hawkanddove.co.uk; mock croc 

bag £52, white shirt £49, 

Marie & Lola marieandlola. 

com; dark wash jeans £95, 

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Galentine’s brunch with your 

girlfriends: Paisley print dress 

£69, suede belt £20, amour 

bar necklace £35, Marie & 

Lola marieandlola.com; leather 

bag £89, Who’s Wearing What 

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92

Share the 

Love 

Inviting people to share food with you is an act 

of love – whether that’s your Valentine, family or 

friends. These recipes are simple to prepare, so you 

can spend less time in the kitchen and more special 

moments with the important people in your life 

Recipes: Jo Arnell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

So Fondue of You: Cheese Fondue 

Serves 2-4 

Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 15-20 mins 

Unfashionable? Maybe. Cheesy? Definitely! But a fondue is 

such fun – and the ultimate sharing food. What could be 

better on a cold February day than dipping crusty bread and 

crudités into a delicious blend of melted cheese and alcohol? 

• 220g Gruyère cheese, grated 

• 220g Emmental cheese, grated 

• 250ml white wine 

• 2 tsp lemon juice 

• 1 tbsp kirsch (optional) 

• 1 tsp cornflour 

• ½ clove garlic 

• items to dip: small pieces crusty bread, 

crudites, smoked ham etc 

1. Making fondue is very simple – in theory. First rub the 

fondue pot with a little garlic (or grate a tiny bit into a pan). 

2. Add the wine to a heavy-based pan and warm to simmering 

point (most of the alcohol evaporates as the wine heats). 

3. Mix lemon juice with cornflour (adding cornflour helps 

to bind the mixture) and whisk into wine. Slowly add the 

cheeses and combine until melted and mixed together. 

4. Transfer to a fondue set (or use a warmer/tealight 

heater) and keep the cheese gently bubbling. The main 

problem is that the mixture can curdle and separate if 

the process is rushed, or if the cheese is overheated. 

5. Serve immediately and use skewers/fondue forks to 

dip small chunks or cubes of bread etc. into the pan. 


Now Booking for 

Valentine’s Day 

Monday 14th February 

Our Chef ’s Specials board will be carefully prepared for the romantics out there alongside 

tempting cocktails and hand made sharing dessert platters. We’ll be open from midday right 

through to 10:45pm for you to soak up the loving atmosphere. Bookings are advised. 

CHRISTMAS MENU 

Dogs are 

welcome 

The Chapel, 55 High Street, Battle, 

East Sussex, TN33 0EN 

01424 772357 

www.trinityofbattle.co.uk

You Are My Sunshine: 

King Prawn Linguine 

Serves 2 (scale up for more people) 

Prep time: 10 mins Cooking time: 15-20 mins 

This is a fresh tasting and not too filling pasta dish that is 

really quick and easy to put together. It does contain garlic, 

which is fine as long as you are both eating it. The quantities 

are easily doubled or trebled for a friends’ night in. 

• 150g large uncooked prawns 

• 1 small (60g) tin anchovies 

• 1-2 cloves garlic, crushed/grated 

• 2-3 chopped/sliced spring onions 

• finely grated zest of 1 lemon 

• juice of 2 lemons 

• 120g finely grated Parmesan or Pecorino cheese 

• ½ tsp chilli flakes (a pinch) 

• 1 tsp coarse ground black pepper 

• 200g linguine – approx 2 servings 

• 1 tbsp chopped parsley to garnish 

1. Add the anchovies (and 

the oil from the tin) to a 

small frying pan and heat 

gently. The anchovies will 

more or less disintegrate 

into the pan and not be 

noticeable in the dish, but 

bring a subtle umami taste. 

2. Add the garlic and 

prawns and cook gently 

for 10 minutes or until 

prawns are pink and lightly 

cooked. Set to one side. 

3. Bring a large pan of 

water to the boil and cook 

the linguine according to 

the pack instructions. 

4. While the pasta is cooking, 

add the spring onions, lemon 

juice and zest (it seems like a 

lot of lemon, but it works), 

pepper, chilli, 100g of the 

cheese and the prawn and 

anchovy mix to a large bowl. 

Strain the pasta quickly, 

reserving a tablespoon of 

the cooking water to add in. 

Combine all the ingredients 

and mix thoroughly. 

5. Garnish with the extra 

Parmesan and parsley. 

Serve immediately.

You're Parfait: Strawberry, 

Rhubarb & Rosewater Parfait 

Serves 2 Prep time: 15 mins Cooking time: 15-20 mins 

Depending on how you sell it, this dessert could be called a 

fool or even a mousse. It’s not quite the season for rhubarb 

or strawberries, so do use frozen if fresh are not available/ 

up to much. This recipe can be made in advance. 

• 50g strawberries, chopped 

• 50g rhubarb, chopped 

• 80g caster sugar 

• 1 egg white 

• 2 tsp rosewater 

• 300ml whipping cream 

• 20g toasted almond flakes 

• shortbread biscuits to serve (optional) 

1. Poach the rhubarb, rosewater and strawberries together 

with 30g of sugar in a small pan and heat gently for 

10 minutes until lightly cooked. Set aside to cool. 

2. Beat the egg white to soft peaks stage. Then add 

50g sugar to a small pan with 1 tbsp water and heat 

gently until dissolved. Turn up the heat and cook until 

the mixture is syrupy, then, while the beaters are on, 

pour the hot sugar syrup slowly into the egg white to 

make Italian meringue (a stable, cooked meringue that 

works well in mousses and buttercream). Cool. 

3. Whip the cream to stiff peaks. Add three quarters of 

the cream to the meringue and combine carefully. 

4. Place 2 tsp of the rhubarb and strawberry mix into the 

bottom of 2 serving bowls/glasses then swirl the rest slowly 

through the meringue/cream mix. Spoon on top of fruit then 

top with plain whipped cream and toasted flaked almonds. 

5. Chill in the fridge until ready to serve. 


96

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98 

HeliosPharmacyWT236.indd 1 29/11/2021 15:47

Hands 

Down 

Josephine Fairley’s guide 

to the best beauty buys 

for your hands 

It’s taken a while for the idea of treating 

our hands with the kindness we show 

our faces to catch on. Even women 

who invest fortunes in age-retarding 

face creams have tended, till recently, 

to be cavalier about looking after their hands. 

But hands tell no lies. In fact, as someone once 

said, ‘a glance at your hands will give your age 

away faster than a glimpse of your passport.’ 

And at this time of year, they’re taking 

their biggest battering. Icy winds. Chapped 

skin. Redness. Even gloves – which do such 

a great job at keeping our hands toasty – 

have the effect of ‘wicking’ the moisture 

and emollients from the surface of the skin, 

leaving them papery and often uncomfortably 

dry. Never mind the rivers of hand sanitiser 

we’re encouraged to use in every shop and 

cafe, which are mostly alcohol – incredibly 

drying to skin, although very good at 

killing viruses and bacteria of all kinds. 

Time, then, to up our game, 

hand-and-nail-wise. 

Scrub up 

Oh, I know, I know. Our poor hands go 

through enough: why scrub them? Well, same 

reason you’d exfoliate your face: removing the 

dead, papery surface cells allows any treatment 

you then apply to sink in more easily. And 

there are some GREAT hand scrubs out 

there. L’Occitane One Minute Hand Scrub, 

£16.50 for 75ml, scooped a Beauty Bible 

Gold Award for this fast-action, rinse-off 

treatment, which can also double as a mask, 

if a thicker layer is applied, and is very good 

at smoothing, with its blend of shea butter, 

apricot oil and soothing allantoin. Personally, 

I’m also a big fan of the small-batch, sugarbased 

Tam Mason Nourishing Sugar Hand 

Scrubs, £16 for 50g, which come in an 

incredibly wide range of scents – from Black 

Pepper & Verbena to Mint & Cedarwood 

via Rose & Patchouli. The fine-grained 

sugar is infused into an oil base which leaves 

hands baby’s bottom-soft and they smell 

divine, divine, divine. You can also use an 

exfoliator that you already own, but make it 

one for the face, rather than one for the body, 

as the latter are designed for tougher skin. 

Try a hand mask 

Yes, hand masks are now A Thing. They 

tend to come in the form of gloves soaked in 

hydrating ingredients to deeply replenish and 

repair dry skin, going that bit further than a 

hand cream. The following have impressed: 

Nails Inc. Thirsty Hands Super Hydrating 

Hand Mask, £5, powered by shea butter and 

vitamin E, together with botanical extracts, 

with the cutest ‘houseplant’ design. Patchology 

Ten Self-Warming Hand Mask, £10, are very 

soothing: the mitts heats up when you slip your 

hands inside, also helping the coconut- 


infused formula to penetrate into skin. 

A real bargain, meanwhile, is 

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula 

CICA-Repair Hand Mask, £2.99, 

which is rich in glycerine and promises 

to rehydrate even the driest of hands. 

My nagging problem with all of these? 

The throwaway aspect (the pouches, 

as well as the single-use gloves/mitts 

themselves). In fact, any hydrating face 

mask will also work wonders on skin. So, 

what I prefer to do is place a (non-best) 

towel on a pillow, on which to rest my 

hands as I relax in bed, and then slather 

with my richest, most moisturising face 

mask. Gel-cream formulations are great, 

such as Vichy Quenching Mineral 

Mask, £15 for 75ml, or Lumene Nordic 

Hydra Oxygen Recovery 72H Hydra 

Gel Mask, £16.60 for 150ml, but 

frankly ANY rich, moisturising mask 

will do. If it all sinks in, reapply another 

generous layer, and if there’s any left 

when you want to stir yourself, use the 

towel to wipe the excess away. And a 

PS, on the mask front: WHENEVER 

you apply any face mask, for instance 

in the bath, do your hands a favour 

and lavish them with equal TLC. 

Introduce a serum 

Another ‘wow’ in 2021’s Beauty Bible 

Awards was the amazing Neal’s Yard 

Remedies Frankincense Intense Hand 

Serum, £30 for 50ml, which has pride 

of place on my bedside table for nightly 

application. It was clinically-proven in 

their own trials to firm, hydrate and 

tackle age spots, lines and wrinkles, and 

is another heaven-scented hand treat. (So 

long as you like the smell of frankincense 

– which I happen to, very much.) I 

also highly rate Margaret Dabbs Hand 

Serum, £30 for 30ml, while if money’s 

no object, there is now a Crème de la 

Mer The Rejuvenating Hand Serum, 

£105 for 48ml, veritably the Porsche of 

hand treatments. And while it’s not a 

serum, I’d point you in the direction of 

Pelegrims Hand Pomade, £20 for 60ml, 

a super-rich balm-style hand cream from 

a fascinating new brand which harnesses 

ingredients from a Kent vineyard to 

create their capsule collection of skincare, 

formulated by ex-Haeckels Alex Verier. 

Place a tube of hand cream 

by every set of taps 

Plus, one on your desk, and another by 

your computer. Then you’ll remember to 

use cream – which is honestly the simple 

but true secret (and so often overlooked!). 

I have many, many favourites to 

recommend, notably Balance Me Super 

Moisturising Hand Cream (also available 

in a fab little 30ml handbag-friendly 

tube, £8 for 30ml – and definitely the 

only hand cream that has had commuters 

commenting on how lovely the scent 

was, on the Hastings-Charing X train! 

You’ll generally find about my person 

various small tubes of hand cream from 

Heathcote & Ivory (who also make the 

Cath Kidston range), all perfectly-textured 

and passing the ‘loo door test’ – i.e. 

they’re rich, but sink in fast enough that 

you won’t get trapped in a loo with a 

round door handle! A wide range of scents 

always available (I love the Morris & Co. 

Jasmine & Green Tea Hand Collection, 

£10 for 3 x 30ml) and you can find the 

latest incarnations on heathcote-ivory.com). 

By my kitchen taps, meanwhile I keep 

a hefty glass jar of Gloved Cedarwood 

Instant-Absorb Hand Cream, £29 for 

375ml – non-greasy and it really does 

sink in straight away – and I also highly 

rate Bramley Hand Cream, from £5 

for 100ml. And for its off-the-scale 

indulgence factor, the tactile ‘egg’- 

shaped design – I swoon for Chanel 

No.5 L’Eau On Hand Cream, £52 for 

50ml, which magically dispenses the 

perfect dosage with a single squeeze. 

Don’t forget your nails 

Last but not least! Massaging oil or 

specific cuticle treatments nightly 

will not only soften cuticles, making 

an infinitely more attractive, ‘frame’ 

for natural or painted nails, but the 

gesture of massaging them stimulates 

blood flow; the emollients also work to 

strengthen nails without making them 

brittle/snap-prone. I swear by Fresh 

Therapies Nourishing Nail Elixir, 

£11.95 for 10ml, but recently treated 

my nails to a 14-day (or night, in fact) 

course of Leighton Denny Nail Rebirth 

Intensive Nail Repair Capsules, £25 for 

30 – one little capsule’s enough for all 

10 nails, and mine are noticeably more 

moisturised and nourished as a result. 

Which of course you’ll definitely 

notice, when it’s warm enough 

to take my gloves off… 

Visit beautybible.com for Jo’s 

daily ‘loves’ and features. 


100

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102 

WrayCommonS64A.indd 1 28/01/2020 12:25

Wellbeing 

All Set 

In the second of Sarah Maxwell’s twopart 

focus on weight loss she explains how 

preparation and planning is everything 

MINDSET/SETTING 

YOUR INTENTIONS 

At the very start of your weight loss 

journey, spend some time really 

thinking about what you would like 

to achieve and how you would like to 

feel both physically and mentally. 

JOURNALING 

On the first page of your journal, 

write down your intentions, enter your 

measurements, photos or whatever 

you feel will motivate you as you 

go along. Your journal should be a 

constant companion: write down 

your food intake, shopping lists etc. 

Whether you like to take notes on 

paper or electronically, keeping a 

regular journal throughout your weight 

loss journey is an essential tool to 

keep you motivated and on track. 

USE A DIARY 

Planning ahead is the difference 

between success and failure when 

it comes to losing weight. Think 

realistically about the time you have 

in the week ahead then schedule 

your exercise, rest and relaxation. 

Write a well thought-out shopping 

list and stick to it. It’s so important to 

understand what you need to sustain 

yourself through the week, and to keep 

healthy snacks on hand in the fridge 

or freezer, so you don’t have to grab 

nutritionally poor food on the go! 

RESULTS/ACHIEVEMENTS 

So your intentions are set, blocks of 

time have been scheduled in your diary 

and you’ve got a fridge full of tasty and 

healthy food. You’ve also blocked out an 

hour each day to include the essential 

elements of movement, relaxation, 

meditation etc. You’ve written down 

your daily intentions, food, movement 

and achievements in your journal 

every day for the last 7 days and even 

the negative self talk has stopped. 

INTO THE DANGER ZONE! 

Something unexpected happens and 

throws your schedule into chaos. You have 

no time for yourself and stress levels are 

rising rapidly, which results in grabbing 

easy to eat food whilst trying to juggle 

everything that life is throwing at you. 

In no time at all your good intentions 

and achievements are consigned to the 

guilt bag that you carry around with you 

long after things have calmed down. 

When things don’t go to plan and 

stress levels rise, feeling guilty about 

not achieving is the biggest obstacle 

when it comes to weight loss. Once 

you’ve told yourself you’ve failed, 

it’s a downward spiral and a swift 

reset back to where you started. 

EMERGENCY TOOLKIT 

Everyone needs one of these so they 

can customise and adapt according to 

goals and circumstances. It’s one of the 

most popular and effective elements 

in all of my weight loss programs. 

Jane’s Toolkit: 

Jane’s intention was to spend 60 minutes 

per day fitting in all of the elements of 

her program. Her emergency toolkit 

is a condensed version of her schedule 

with priorities listed from the top. 

• Hydrate: Less than 60 seconds to fill 

her water bottle and put it in her bag. 

• Nourish: Less than 60 seconds, 

because Jane has a good supply of 

‘On the Go’ nutritious foods she 

can take from the freezer to defrost 

in time for lunch (no need to fill up 

at the petrol station). Alternatively 

Jane could spend 3 minutes making 

something up from her fridge. 

• Move: This doesn’t have to be 

formal exercise. It could simply 

be taking the stairs 2 at a time or 

walking that little bit faster. 

• Love: The fact that she has 

achieved this today in a total of 

3 minutes and is still on track. 

What’s not to love about that! 

• Live: See every day as an achievement, 

no matter how small – it still counts! 

To download my free Weight Loss guide, 

use this link and get started right away: 

sarahmaxwell.com/fast-track-weight-loss 

Sarah Maxwell is a multi award-winning 

weight loss, lifestyle and fitness coach. 

Find out more about her work here 

Facebook & Instagram: @sarahmaxlife 

Twitter: @sarahmax100 

sarahmaxwell.com 


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Nourish to 

Flourish 

Wellbeing 

Nutrition & Lifestyle 

Coach Charlotte Lau 

gets back to basics 

How do you define being ‘healthy’? Over the last few years, 

the pursuit of wellness has led to a narrow definition of 

what healthy looks and feels like. Exercising intensely, 

eating ‘clean’, the next diet and the constant stress of fulfilling 

the vision of health puts a strain on us physically and mentally. 

It is fascinating that new diets over the past decade have led us to 

believe that it is easier to eliminate certain foods or food groups 

than to actually include hundreds of different delicious and 

nutritious foods! It is almost like diet culture has led the way for 

us to seek a miracle manufactured item that is the key for good 

health, rather than focusing on the whole foods we have so readily 

available to us. So, after the lure and hype of January detoxes, 

cleanses and crash diets, I am focusing on going back to basics. 

Learn to... enjoy food again 

Growing up in a family of six, we ate every meal 

together at the table (except Saturday night which 

was a huge treat watching Gladiators and Blind Date, 

eating fish and chips from the chip shop!) We talked, 

laughed, played games, found out about each other’s 

days and generally felt connected. This is something I 

have never forgotten and now with my own children 

we eat all our meals together at the kitchen table. After 

the denial and restriction of the New Year, maybe we 

need to learn from countries such as Greece and Spain 

where mealtimes are a relaxed social affair, often with 

communities or families spending time cooking, eating 

and talking together. There are so many stresses and 

distractions today that weren’t there when I was growing 

up. The lure of work and being ‘available’ on the phone 

or laptop all the time can interfere with mealtimes, 

so make time to eat and prepare foods with others. 

istockphoto.com/gorodenkoff / vaaseenaa 

Give it a go... 

cook from scratch 

Cooking from scratch automatically provides us with more 

filling, nutritious, fibre-rich meals, as well as making us aware 

of exactly what we have put into them. Compare this to highly 

processed ready meals which are generally more calorific, less 

nutrient dense and often higher in saturated fat and sugar. With 

more than a fifth of Brits now cooking from scratch, compared 

to one in eight pre-lockdown, it is clear that with fewer time 

constraints many of us have rediscovered our enjoyment in the 

kitchen. Things like batch cooking, doubling up on ingredients 

and eating-one-and-freezing-one all help on days where time is 

short. Choose quick meals such as stir fries, tray bakes, or roast 

vegetables where leftovers can be added to sandwiches, pastas or 

salads. Make your freezer your friend; pre-chopped frozen veg is 

quick to cook with minimal preparation. Freeze portions of homemade 

pasta sauces or soups and take them out in the morning so 

they are ready for a quick meal after a long day. Meal planning 

is also a great way to help organise your weekly shop, so you are 

less likely to choose convenience meals when time is lacking. 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice 

for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress 

and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com 

105 

Step away from... 

a one-size-fits-all approach. 

With so much nutritional information available, either 

from Dr Google, social media or the latest miracle 

diet, it is no wonder that we are all more confused 

than ever about what being ‘healthy’ actually means! 

It is all too common for us to mimic what friends, 

work colleagues or even celebrities suggest has worked 

for them; however nutrition and lifestyle should be 

personalised to fit the individual, what works for 

one person does not necessarily work for the next. 

Listen to your body, if eating cereal or a pastry for 

breakfast leaves you feeling hungry and tired in the 

afternoon, maybe it’s time for a rethink. If you wake 

up feeling tired and unrefreshed everyday, maybe 

you need to prioritise sleep more. If you reach for the 

biscuits or chocolate after a stressful meeting or family 

disagreement, maybe tackling stress is the answer. We 

are often our own best doctor so listen your body, it’s 

amazing what it can tell you when you really listen.

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106 

WCLandcraftWT223.indd 1 28/08/2020 10:20

Early Birds 

Jo Arnell recommends jobs to get ahead with in the garden this 

month, and those to leave for the onset of warmer weather 

istockphoto.com/TanyaSyrytsyna 

If you’re an early bird and in the habit of catching worms, February might 

not be the best time to pursue them. The weather can be at its coldest this 

month, which tends to send worms deeper underground, although surface 

dwelling earthworms can make their own anti-freeze by concentrating blood 

sugar – a useful trick and one that I try to replicate by eating lots of cake. But 

amid the bleak cold days there are odd warm moments – sometimes even a 

tiny false spring, which I’m always caught out by – rushing to sow seeds and 

plant things in borders, only to watch the frosts return and freeze me into 

submission. It does not pay to be too eager, but there are some jobs that we 

can do now and preparations we can make for when spring proper arrives. 

Make plans for new borders, containers – and the veg patch. 

Everything is possible. There’s still plenty of time to dream up new planting 

schemes, to colour co-ordinate containers, to plan and plot cut flower mixes 

and to choose some edibles to grow. It is absorbing stuff working out what will 

grow where, how well, how fast and with which other plants as companions. 

Even if it all goes pear- plum- or even caterpillar-shaped, you will have learned 

a lot in the process, so please don’t be put off when your perfect plans are 

thwarted by the vagaries of the weather and the dastardly plotting of the 

universe in general. It is all part of the rich (and annoying) garden tapestry. 

Bulbs 

It’s a good idea to order summer bulbs and tubers early, as popular varieties 

of dahlias and other summer plants (agapanthus, cannas, lilies and peonies) 

can sell out fairly quickly. Pot these up once they arrive, but don’t plant 

tender types directly outside until the danger of frost has passed. 

Bulbs ‘in the green’ can also be purchased now. This is a useful way of 

growing snowdrops, aconites and bluebells, which are prone to drying out 

if planted as bulbs in the autumn. They need to be planted out as soon as 

you receive them and will flower during the following winter and spring. 

Seeds 

Seeds can be bought as early as you like, but few want to germinate in the cold 

dark days of winter. By February you can sow some, especially seeds of vegetable 

plants that take a long time to grow and ripen – like tomatoes, chillies and 

peppers. Germinate these tender babies with a little bottom warmth from a heated 

propagator, or place on a warm windowsill (out of direct scorching sunlight). 

Remember that they will not want to go outside until the warm spring days (in 

fact most prefer to stay in a greenhouse or polytunnel all season long). They will 

need potting on into bigger containers a couple of times, so make sure that you 

have enough space in the warmth and light to accommodate them as they grow. 

Toughies like leeks, spinach, kale, broad beans and early peas can 

also be started off now, but – depending on variety, as some are hardier 

than others, they may need to be sown under cover. The most rugged 

will be boasting with names like ‘Pioneer’ or ‘Gladiator’, but check the 

back of the seed packets for direct sowing guidance. 

I used to sow tender annuals – cosmos, antirrhinums and exotic (but easy to 

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grow) climbers like Ipomoea (Spanish 

Flag and Morning Glory), Thunbergia 

(Black-eyed Susan) – really early, 

because I’m impatient, but always ran 

out of room, and in the case of the 

climbers, into a tangled mess. So I try 

to hold back until March for these 

now – and sometimes even do a second 

direct sowing of cosmos in mid April. 

The exception is Cobea scandens (the 

Cup and Saucer plant), because it can 

take until October to bother itself 

with blooming, so the earlier you start 

with this one, the more likely you 

will see it flowering before the frosts. 

why so many old buddleias only flower 

right up high and often out of sight. It 

makes no difference to the butterflies, 

but the flowers look and smell very 

pretty, so prune the whole shrub down 

to at least waist height (go as low as 

you dare) and you’ll be able to watch 

the butterflies and smell the blossom 

without having to climb a ladder. 

If they haven’t been trimmed already, 

deciduous, non-flowering hedges can 

be pruned. Nice dense hedges are a 

favourite place for birds to raise their 

broods, so it’s important to cut hedges 

well before the nesting season starts. 

Rose pruning 

and training 

Hellebores 

Background: istockphoto.com/Nottomanv1 

Plant 

Bare roots – woody plants that are 

still in winter dormancy, can be 

planted until the middle of March, 

but the earlier you plant them, the 

more time they will have to put down 

roots and get established before the 

pressure is on them to sprout leaves 

and grow. Buying and planting trees, 

woody shrubs and hedging plants 

is cost-effective – you are usually 

buying direct from the nursery and 

not having to pay for potting into 

containers. Before the advent of 

plastic pots and garden centres this 

was more or less the only way to 

obtain new plants. Do not plant if the 

ground is too frozen or waterlogged. 

Bare rooted trees and shrubs can 

be left in their wrappings for a few 

days until conditions improve. 

Prune 

This is the ideal moment to prune 

roses (climbers too, although ramblers 

and climbers are best pruned in the 

autumn). Roses, despite looking 

delicate, are tough as old boots and 

grow vigorously. You can prune them 

hard – keep in mind a goblet shape 

for the eventual look of the plant and 

cut to an outward facing bud (there 

never seems to be one when you 

need one though, so don’t worry too 

much – just make sure new growth 

doesn’t point into the middle – the 

idea is to get air flowing around the 

plant). This way you will maintain 

healthy growth and nice big blooms. 

Later flowering shrubs are pruned 

now too. This is because they will 

flower at the end of the summer on 

this season’s growth – and explains 

Help Wildlife 

Although the days are getting lighter 

and spring is almost in sight, this can 

be the coldest – and the hungriest 

time of the year for wild creatures. 

The plentiful autumn harvests of nuts, 

seeds and berries are a distant memory 

(or foraged gratefully from bird tables) 

and there are few fresh spring buds, 

shoots and insects for them to eat. 

We can help overwintering or early 

emerging insects – and those tricked 

out of hibernation when we have a 

few warm days, by growing nectar rich 

perennials like hellebores, bulbs like 

snowdrops, aconites and crocuses and 

winter flowering shrubs. I leave annual 

weeds like chickweed alone at this 

time of the year too – after all, weeds 

are just wildflowers in unfashionable 

clothing and they provide vital 

nutrients for native species. Such a 

good excuse for not weeding too. 

You will know your limitations in 

terms of what is possible in the 

coming seasons. Or, if finances, life 

events – including, in my case, my 

own bad judgement of available 

time – thrust limitations upon you, 

it also pays to know where you can 

cut corners, how you can save time 

and money and where you can 

compromise. If you haven’t even 

started to think about the garden yet, 

just obtain a big bag of mulch (the 

bigger the better) – apply it liberally 

and you’ll be off to a flying start. 

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110 

GreenBoxRecyclingWT228.indd 1 31/03/2021 16:12

Garden 

Sue Whigham’s advice on selecting trees that can thrive in our changing climate 

Albizia julibrissin (silk tree) flower 

Photo: istockphoto.com/Robbie Ross 

ast night we were promised that temperatures 

were on the rise and are expected to reach 

unseasonably high levels in the next few 

days; it is certainly 14°C today, the last 

day of 2021. Rather like the latest Covid variant, the 

future climate scenario is confusing. It might just 

continue to warm up as things are going now or, 

perhaps with a glitch in the Gulf Stream, we may have 

much harsher winters as well. Either way I think that 

we are going to have to rethink the plants and trees 

we’re going to select for our gardens for the future. 

The January issue of The Garden magazine 

has just published a piece by one of the RHS 

Horticultural Advisors confirming that many of her 

RHS customers are now regularly asking for advice 

on drought tolerant plants or ‘plants that can adapt 

to the changes they are seeing in their gardens’. 

So what with a changing climate and an unholy list 

of pests and diseases which are causing havoc amongst 

our native flora, now’s the time to bring in trees that 

flourish in full sun and don’t turn up their toes when 

the temperatures soar. Last winter we planted fifty or so 

bird friendly whips with biodiversity in mind. And this 

little native species copse has settled in despite 2021’s 

dry spring – not usually conducive to young trees. But 

whilst this seemed, and was, a good idea at the time, 

I think that adding both plants and trees that can 

adapt to our warming climate is a very sensible idea. 

So what to plant? I hope the following ideas are useful. 

A few years ago, we went on what proved to be the 

holiday of a lifetime. Remember those? We took a flight 

to Broome, a coastal town a thousand miles north of 

Perth, WA. There were so many astonishing highlights 

during those wondrous six weeks driving eastwards 

towards Darwin, spending days camping in huge bird 

reserves, flying over the Bungle Bungles, and swimming 

with all manner of strange creatures. 

We got off to a great start by spending night 1 under 

the cover of a huge, fragrantly flowered Albizia lebbeck. 

My little tent was liberally punctured with holes, which 

were unfortunately bug-sized but never mind. Even the 

seemingly constant arrival of yet another giant Aussie 4x4 

with its lights blazing didn’t take away from the pure joy 

of that tree. Alas, growing Albizia lebbeck in this country 

would need more warmth than we can provide but there 

is a much hardier form which has its place in sheltered 

gardens or courtyards. 

Albizia julibrissin’s (Silk Tree) lovely bipinnate leaves 

appear after a very long winter dormancy, but their 

appearance is well worth the wait and so are the silky 

pink flowers which appear in the late summer. Albizia 

will tolerate dry summers but needs a little TLC. A 

mulch overcoat over its roots as well as a good nitrogen 

rich feed followed by a high potash feed to encourage 

those fabulous flowers is well worth the effort. 


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112 

RedwoodTreeServicesS59.indd 1 29/08/2019 11:24

Garden 

A favourite oak, Quercus palustris, is pretty readily 

available these days. It is often used in supermarket car 

parks but let’s not knock it because of that. Usefully it 

has quite a shallow rooting system which makes it easily 

transplantable and has a tolerance for city pollution. 

It seems impervious to the ravages caused by the oak 

processionary moth. I like it for its rather elegant shape 

and deeply lobed, smallish, shiny green leaves and autumn 

colour. This isn’t intense but striking all the same. Actually 

Quercus palustris makes a pretty adaptable tree which 

doesn’t blink an eye at winter flooding or hot summers. 

Another interesting but non-native tree you might 

want to consider is Aesculus indica, the Indian Horse 

Chestnut, which grows well in this country and is native 

to the foothills of the Himalayas. Kew Gardens have good 

specimens. Importantly it is resistant to the horse chestnut 

leaf miner and its pink summer flowers are great for 

pollinators. Oh, and the fun of the conkers is that they are 

a shiny, shiny black. You’ll need a lot of room for this tree 

as it is relatively fast growing and gets rather big. We have 

one here grown from a Kew conker. It’s about eight and half 

feet tall now. Thankfully it has enough room to develop as I 

didn’t really check on its final height before planting it out 

but there again, a lot depends on the conditions its grown 

in and here it seems to be coping with living in Windy City. 

You may have heard that some of the famous mature 

elms in the gardens of the Royal Pavilion, Brighton have 

now succumbed to the fungus that causes Dutch elm 

disease despite best efforts to protect them. Elms were 

an integral part of the British landscape until the disease 

appeared in the UK in the early 1920s. However, disease 

free hybrids are are now being bred and one in particular 

is worth looking out for. Sixty years ago, Ulmus ‘New 

Horizon’, a cross between a Siberian elm (U. pumila) and 

a Japanese elm (U. davidiana var. japonica) was bred in 

the laboratories of Wisconsin University. Not only does 

it resist Dutch elm disease but also both drought and 

waterlogging; hence being a perfect replacement for our 

native elm. Not only that but it provides a food source for 

the endangered native butterfly, the white-letter hairstreak. 

The Butterfly Conservation charity is monitoring the 

population of these butterflies in Vauxhall Spring Gardens 

in London where this tree is being grown successfully. 

Aesculus indica 

Photo: istockphoto.com/seven75 

 


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114 

HarrierGatesWT237.indd 1 05/01/2022 09:13

Garden 

Another handsome tree which is particularly 

hardy as well as impervious to pollution, 

high winds, heat and frost is Pyrus calleryana 

‘Chanticleer’ a lovely grey-leaved American hybrid, 

whose parent was brought from China by the 

indomitable plant hunter, Ernest Wilson in 1908. 

Actually, its columnar habit makes it a perfect 

tree for restricted sites. Another cultivar with 

exceptional autumn colour is another American 

hybrid, P. calleryana ‘Autumn Blaze’ which actually 

I think I might choose as it has even more profuse 

spring flowers than ‘Chanticleer’. 

Liquidambar orientalis. This form of liquidambar 

is smaller than L. styraciflua which we’re more 

used to seeing in this country. It’s a good tree 

or larger shrub for a smaller garden and like all 

the liquidambars, colours up and makes a fine 

autumn show with small, leathery leaves turning 

vivid orange/yellows. Originating from the eastern 

Mediterranean, it’s interesting to see how the leaves 

are adapted to hot and dry conditions. 

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Finally, going with the trend for everything exotic, 

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Photo: istockphoto.com/Olga Gont 

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LoveLawnsWT227.indd 1 08/03/2021 16:22

What’s On in February 

COURSES 

Mon 21 Feb 

Curious House, Gauntlets, 

Battenhurst Road, Stonegate, 

East Sussex TN5 7DU 

LIFE DRAWING WITH 

EVANGELINE ARMSTRONG 

Working with a live model, 

mostly using charcoal, you will 

start by looking at the basics of 

perspective. A series of drawing 

exercises will follow, and then 

you’ll explore three techniques that 

bring the work ‘alive’: movement, 

light and form. In the afternoon, 

you’ll put this all to practice as 

you work on a longer pose. No 

previous experience required. 

Entry: £130 (includes all materials, 

refreshments and a light lunch) 

curioushouse.net 

Sun 22 Feb 10.30am-4pm 

(trade 9.30am) 

Dorking Halls, Dorking, 

Surrey RH4 1SG 

DORKING HALLS 

ANTIQUES & DECORATIVE 

ARTS FAIR 

A long-established, wellrespected 

fair, and a must for 

all fans of unique, unusual and 

simply wonderful treasures; 

mirrors, pictures, lighting, 

specialisms in glass, ceramics, 

silver, bronzes, jewellery, fashion 

accessories and so much more 

for all tastes, styles and price 

ranges. Free parking, in-house 

refreshments, wifi available. 

dovehousefineantiquesfairs.com 

GARDENS 

HeverCastleWT237A.indd 1 19/01/2022 09:27 

607-07-Nature-Week-Ad-90x130mm-AW.indd 1 17/01/2022 15:41 

Tues 22 Feb 

Curious House, Gauntlets, 

Battenhurst Road, Stonegate, 

East Sussex TN5 7DU 

BLOCK PRINING ON LINEN 

WITH LINDSAY ALKER 

Taking inspiration from Lindsay’s 

work for some of the most 

prestigious hotels in the UK, 

you’ll discuss colours, fabrics and 

mediums. You will then sketch 

your own ideas, including a 

design for a simple repeat pattern 

which you’ll trace onto lino, 

ready for cutting and printing 

on linen to make a cushion. No 

previous experience required. 

Entry: £125 (including materials, 

a light lunch and refreshments) 

curioushouse.net 

Fairs & Festivals 

Sat 5 & Sun 6 Feb 

Kent Event Centre, 

Maidstone ME14 3JF 

BUILD IT LIVE 

Meet hundreds of suppliers plus a 

wide range of independent experts 

who can provide invaluable 

free advice and top tips on 

your own self-build or home 

renovation project. There are 

100 pairs of free tickets worth 

£24 to give away – use code 

WEALDEN100 when booking. 

builditlive.co.uk 

Daily from Sat 12 Feb 

(closed Monday/Tuesday) 

Hever Road, Hever, 

Edenbridge TN8 7NG 

HEVER CASTLE 

SNOWDROP WALKS 

Put on your wellies and explore 

the snowdrop trail at Hever 

Castle & Gardens, featuring 

100,000 snowdrops. The 

self-guided snowdrop walk 

will take you through 

woodland areas, around 

the Outer Moat and into 

the colourful Winter Garden. If 

you’re feeling adventurous you can 

add in a walk around the lake. 

hevercastle.co.uk 

Sat 12 Feb 

Hever Road, Hever, 

Edenbridge TN8 7NG 

HEVER CASTLE 

SNOWDROP TALK 

A talk by Val Bourne at the 

childhood home of Anne 

Boleyn. Garden writer and 

galanthophile, Val Bourne, will 

deliver an energetic snowdrop 

talk to open the Hever Castle 

2022 season. Val’s talk, My 

Twenty Favourite Snowdrops - 

and the stories behind them will 

share the very best snowdrop 

varieties and illustrate why these 

tiny beautiful flowers provoke 

such a fever with collectors. 

hevercastle.co.uk 


116 

607-06-Snowdrop-Walk-Ad-90x130mm-AW.indd HeverCastleWT237B.indd 1 1 19/01/2022 17/01/2022 09:31 15:04

Sat 12th Feb 

Herstmonceux, 

Hailsham BN27 1RN 

HERSTMONCEUX CASTLE 

ESTATE RE-OPENS 

Visitors both two- and four-legged 

can wrap up warm and explore 

the formal gardens and woodlands 

of the Castle. Over 300 acres will 

be open, including woodland 

walks and formal gardens like 

the impressive Elizabethan 

Garden, Shakespeare Garden 

and Folly Garden. The rope 

maze will also be open as will the 

playground and Chestnuts Cafe. 

herstmonceux-castle.com 

Sun 13 Feb 

Benenden Road, Rolvenden, 

Cranbrook TN17 4JA 

PLANT FAIRS ROADSHOW 

HOLE PARK 

The Plant Fairs Roadshow comes 

to beautiful Hole Park with 

an amazing array of rare and 

interesting plants, showcasing 

British plant-growing talent. Plant 

nurseries such as Copton Ash, 

Spring Platt Snowdrops and 

the Kent group of Hardy Plant 

Society, will have an incredible 

range of snowdrops. Meanwhile 

nurseries like Charleshurst Farm 

Nursery, Swallowfields will offer 

early shrubs and perennials, and 

resident plant doctor Quentin 

Stark will be on hand to offer 

advice and plant suggestions. 

holepark.com 

THEATRE & MUSIC 

Sun 6th Feb 3.00pm 

Assembly Hall Theatre, Cresent 

Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2LU 

RTWSO 100TH 

BIRTHDAY CONCERT 

Royal Tunbridge Wells Symphony 

Orchestra celebrates its 100th 

Birthday with a celebratory Civic 

Concert. It is a momentous 

achievement that Tunbridge Wells 

has supported and maintained 

its very own orchestra for 100 

years – there’s never been a better 

time support your local orchestra! 

Entry: From £22 (£5 for 

students and under 18s) 

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 

Sat 12 Feb, 2.30 & 7.30pm 

G Live, Guildford 

ANTON DU BEKE & ERIN 

BOAG: SHOWTIME 

The nation’s favourite ballroom 

couple return to Guildford for 

two mesmerising performances 

this February. With stunning 

costumes, fabulous vocals and 

a high-energy West End dance 

ensemble, Showtime will be 

a glittering celebration of the 

world’s great entertainment 

icons, from Ginger Rogers to 

Charlie Chaplin, Judy Garland 

and Frank Sinatra. Unmissable. 

Entry: from £45 

glive.co.uk 

Fri 25 Feb, 7.30pm 

G Live, Guildford 

BANFF MOUNTAIN FILM 

FESTIVAL WORLD TOUR 

Back in Guildford by popular 

demand, the world’s best 

adventure filmmakers are once 

again showcased in this evening 

of high-octane, visually mindblowing 

short films on the big 

screen. Witness epic humanpowered 

feats, life-affirming 

challenges and stunning 

cinematography – all guaranteed 

to ignite your passion for 

adventure, action and travel. 

Entry: £20 

glive.co.uk 

Listings are correct at time of going 

to press but may be subject to change. 

Readers are advised to check with 

venues before making arrangements. 

We can list your event in the next issue 

of Wealden Times or Surrey Homes 

for only £15+VAT. Please supply up to 

200 words that should include date, 

time, venue, contact for enquiries and 

any entry price to whatson@pricelessgroup.com 

or send with payment 

(cheques payable to Priceless Media 

Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, 

Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless 

Media reserves the right to edit text to 

fit space allocated. If you would like 

your event listing to be accompanied 

by a full colour reproduction (42.5 

x 62.5mm) of a poster or other 

pictorial image, the total charge 

will be £95+VAT. Deadline for the 

March issue is 10 February 2022. 

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The Auctioneer's Next Sale Will Be On 

Wednesday 9th March 2022 

Currently to be held at The Auction Rooms, 

Argyle Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1HJ and online at 

easyliveauction.com/ibbettmosely at 11.00 a.m. 

Viewing by appointment only, please contact us for more information. 

Tel: 01732 456731 Web: www.ibbettmosely.co.uk 

125 High St, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1UT 

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Battle Mowers Ltd 

IbbettMoselyWT237.indd 1 04/01/2022 15:15 

WINTER 

SERVICING 

NOW UNDERTAKEN 

Main dealer for 

THE ESSENCE OF FINE 

BRITISH LAWNS 

For further information please phone 01424 773096 

or email: battlemowers@btconnect.com www.battlemowers.co.uk 

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GARDENING COURSES 

BattleMowersWT237.indd 1 24/01/2022 11:44 

Practical Gardening Courses at HORNBROOK MANOR FARM, Woodchurch, Kent 

Learn how to Design, 

Plant, Prune and Propagate 

Small, friendly gardening 

classes designed to help you 

get the best from your garden 

through the seasons. 

Contact Jo Arnell: 07923 969634 

jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

Join Jo Arnell in her garden in 

Woodchurch for 7 monthly sessions 

through the growing season. 

Learn how to Design, Prune, 

Plant and Propagate. 

One off courses also available. 

Contact Jo: 07923 969634 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 


HornbrookManorWT237.indd 1 17/01/2022 17:33

Farm 

Fables 

Jane Howard explains how a 

young herd is key to a successful 

calving season at Coopers Farm 

We played Happy Families 

at Christmas, not some 

attempt at enforced domestic 

bliss, but a wonderful old card game where 

you collect groups of four defined by the 

father’s profession. So, for example, there’s Mrs 

Bun the baker’s wife, Miss Bones the butcher’s 

daughter, Master Snip the tailor’s son and then the 

patriarch of each household, like Mr Potts the painter. 

You get the idea. Apart from noting its lack of wokeness 

it also made me realise how easy it used to be to know 

what people did. These days so many people seem to 

earn a living in areas that I don’t begin to understand: 

‘compliance’ or ‘reinsurance’ or the latest one to pass 

me by ‘fintech’. Rather a conversation 

stopper. So, when people ask what I 

do and I say I’m a farmer – or perhaps 

I should say Mrs Muck the farmer’s 

wife – they get it and then usually get 

round to asking the same two questions. 

Question One: what time do you 

get up in the morning? You can 

almost feel the disappointment 

when I say about 8 am. We have 

beef cows and the 5am start is really 

only the lot of the dairy farmer. 

And Question Two: how long do 

cows live for? I would have said 

about 20, but according to the Guinness Book of 

Records, Big Bertha – a dairy cow – died on 31 

December 1993 just three months short of her 

49th birthday. She also held the record for having 

produced 39 calves. That’s impressive, Bertha. 

The real issue for farmers when it comes to longevity 

is all about fertility. The biggest expense on any 

farm balance sheet tends to be labour, and the most 

labour-intensive time in the calendar is calving and 

lambing when the mums need to be monitored 24 

hours a day. A fertile cow cycles every three weeks, so 

The biggest expense 

on any farm balance 

sheet tends to be 

labour, and the most 

labour-intensive time 

in the calendar is 

calving and lambing 

when the bull goes in with the herd it is hoped that 

each cow will conceive within three cycles and, some 

nine months later, there will be a condensed 60-day 

calving pattern. This is only possible if you have a 

young, healthy group of cows: the older they get, 

the less likely they are to produce a 

live healthy calf every 12 months. 

But it’s not just the girls. I’m sure I 

don’t need to explain the mechanics of 

cow reproduction, but clearly the bull 

has an equally important role to play. 

The number of cows that a bull will 

serve also depends on his age. At less 

than two years old – and referred to 

as an inexperienced bull – the rule of 

thumb is that he can service in the 60 

day slot about as many cows as his age 

in months. Therefore, a 15-month-old 

bull should be able to sort out around 

15 cows. The older, experienced James Bonds of the 

bull world can easily service 30 females in the same 

breeding season. But rather like those old cows, once the 

bull gets to nine or 10, enthusiasm for the task tends 

to wane and if two cows come into season at the same 

time he may not be quite so keen to sort the second. 

So, that’s why we keep our cows and bulls young. And 

when we start calving in the middle of February and I 

have to haul myself out of a cosy warm bed at 3am to 

go check the cattle, I’m eternally grateful that it will all 

be done and dusted by April. Just as we start lambing! 

Find out more about daily life at Coopers Farm by visiting coopersfarmstonegate.co.uk 


118

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Surrey Homes | SH85 | February 2022 | Education supplement inside

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