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Cheltenham Living Mar - Apr 2022

Spring has sprung! This edition is a celebration of the best of it - great food, cracking competitions, Easter bakes, a classic chef interview and an amazing bathroom transformation.

Spring has sprung! This edition is a celebration of the best of it - great food, cracking competitions, Easter bakes, a classic chef interview and an amazing bathroom transformation.

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FLOORING & INTERIORS<br />

Trade<br />

Accounts<br />

Coming Soon!<br />

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WINNENS CHELTENHAM SHOWROOM<br />

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01242 521661 | BOOK YOUR APPOINTMENT ONLINE


Contents<br />

A Note<br />

from the EDITOR<br />

12<br />

Delicious<br />

A Culinary Journey through<br />

Northern Ireland recipes for Easter<br />

I’ve been complaining a lot in the<br />

office this week, and not one of<br />

my colleagues has any sympathy<br />

for me.<br />

But, it’s understandable really...I’ve<br />

been complaining about my jet lag<br />

as I’ve just returned from Florida<br />

- and no, I’m not expecting too<br />

much more sympathy either!<br />

When I was little, I thought it was<br />

called ‘jet leg’ - cue my family<br />

moaning about their own jet legs<br />

and dragging their feet theatrically<br />

behind them post-flight!<br />

Our competition<br />

page returns<br />

04<br />

You can read about my Floridian<br />

adventures on the website if you’re<br />

beginning to plan a holiday of your<br />

own - I know travel can fill people<br />

with trepidation post-COVID,<br />

but my goodness, a change of<br />

scenery was just what I needed.<br />

It’s a State I love to explore and<br />

there’s so much more to see than<br />

theme parks and the Everglades.<br />

A modern bathroom<br />

transformation<br />

17<br />

Editor Katie Thomson<br />

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

Publisher Sally Thomson<br />

Pre-Press Manager Kate Norris<br />

Contributors Rebecca Rose, Peter Thomson, Sue Cooke, Matthew Biggs<br />

Angela Cave and Pete Lawrence. Front cover courtesy of Opies<br />

Key Account Manager Steve Davies<br />

e steve.davies@minervapublications.co.uk<br />

d/l 01225 984506<br />

twitter @<strong>Cheltenham</strong>Glouc<br />

10<br />

We interview chef<br />

Brian Turner<br />

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS HQ<br />

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton<br />

Trowbridge BA14 6JB<br />

t 01225 984 550<br />

visit our website www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />

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

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and<br />

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the<br />

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers.<br />

This edition isn’t short of inspiration<br />

across the board. We were thrilled<br />

to welcome top Yorkshireman<br />

and TV Chef Brian Turner into<br />

this issue - plus we are serving<br />

up some delicious recipes if you<br />

are entertaining over the Easter<br />

period.<br />

Also on the home front is an<br />

amazing family bathroom<br />

transformation, which we hope will<br />

inspire you to make your home<br />

work that bit better for you.<br />

We’ve also got our usual<br />

competition page and this one is<br />

a belter - you could win a boiling<br />

water tap worth nearly £1000, plus<br />

a whole host of other goodies<br />

including luxury hotel stays,<br />

chocolates and bird feeders.<br />

There’s lots more to enjoy this<br />

edition - grab a cuppa and maybe<br />

a sneaky Easter egg and enjoy!<br />

Katie<br />

Katie<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3


COMPETITION<br />

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions.<br />

Find the competition and enter on that post,<br />

using the appropriate keyword.<br />

T&C’s apply and no cash alternatives available. Winners chosen at<br />

random - entries made after closing date will not be accepted.<br />

WIN<br />

A HOT WATER<br />

TAP WORTH<br />

£949 WITH<br />

ABODE<br />

Would you like the chance to win a brand new and<br />

truly traditional hot water tap, specially designed to<br />

complement a classic kitchen scheme?<br />

The new ProTrad 4 IN 1 offers 98° steaming hot<br />

water with the addition of fresh filtered water,<br />

hot and cold domestic water on demand.<br />

Unique and truly traditional, this new design<br />

is perfect for anyone seeking modern<br />

functionality in a traditional setting.<br />

Featuring ceramic style handles,<br />

Victorian detailing and three traditional<br />

finishes, why not ditch the plastic and live a<br />

more sustainable, healthier lifestyle with a 4 IN 1<br />

Pronteau hot tap by Abode.<br />

www.abodedesigns.co.uk<br />

Closes 29/04/<strong>2022</strong> -<br />

Competition keyword ‘ABODE’<br />

WIN<br />

A 2-NIGHT<br />

LONDON<br />

HOTEL<br />

Win a two night stay at any of The Resident<br />

BREAK<br />

hotels, plus a welcome bottle of wine.<br />

The Resident is an innovative brand of city<br />

centre hotels in London’s Soho, Covent Garden,<br />

Kensington, Victoria and Liverpool, focussed on enabling<br />

guests to live as a local ‘resident’, while providing excellent<br />

rooms, in exceptional locations.<br />

All 5 hotels receive exceptional guest appreciation and<br />

The Resident Covent Garden is the no.1 London hotel on<br />

TripAdvisor. Each room has a concealed mini-kitchen and an<br />

in-room grocery service is available for guests.<br />

www.residenthotels.com<br />

Closes 29/04/<strong>2022</strong> - Competition keyword ‘RESIDENT’<br />

Make a style statement with The<br />

Heritage Collection Feeding Stations<br />

that are easy to assemble, strong<br />

and durable with a robust screw<br />

connection.<br />

A Henry Bell Heritage Four Arm<br />

Complete Feeding Station comes with<br />

a seed tray and a water bath plus four<br />

Heritage Feeders – Seed, Peanut,<br />

Fat Ball & Suet Bites / Mealworm offering<br />

premium quality. 228cm height. 3 lucky<br />

readers will win a Henry Bell Heritage<br />

Four Arm Complete Feeding Station, as<br />

well as a 12.5kg bag of Henry Bell No<br />

Mess Mix.<br />

WIN<br />

A BIRD<br />

FEEDING<br />

STATION<br />

www.henrybell.co.uk<br />

Closes 29/04/<strong>2022</strong> - Competition keyword ‘HERITAGE’<br />

Rita Farhi has been proudly producing premium chocolates<br />

and confectionery since 2003. Using the finest ingredients, we<br />

create luxurious sweet and savoury treats for the discerning<br />

customer. Chocolate-covered fruit and nuts are our brand’s<br />

speciality. As well as these, we also offer a<br />

range of nougats, nut brittles and savoury<br />

snacks plus vegan options.<br />

Winners will receive a Farhi luxury hamper<br />

filled to the brim with sumptuous treats<br />

including filled dates, chocolate<br />

covered nuts and dipped fruits,<br />

as well as two hand painted and<br />

filled bonbonnieres, chocolate<br />

fruit selection and the brand new<br />

ganache filled chocolate<br />

hearts.<br />

www.farhi.co.uk<br />

Closes<br />

29/04/<strong>2022</strong> -<br />

Competition<br />

keyword<br />

‘CHOCOLATE’<br />

Including a three-course dinner at the<br />

hotels in house STK Steakhouse.<br />

Hilton’s latest venture in London,<br />

the hotel sports a smooth yet<br />

edgy design, with a quirky look and<br />

innovative offerings. The hotel is within<br />

walking distance of some of the world’s<br />

most iconic historical landmarks and<br />

just yards away from Millbank and the<br />

Thames. One of London’s most vibrant<br />

restaurants, STK Steakhouse provides a<br />

luxury dining experience like no other in<br />

a chic lounge – complete with fine dining<br />

menus, resident DJs and a high-energy<br />

atmosphere.<br />

WIN<br />

£250<br />

WORTH OF<br />

LUXURY<br />

CHOCOLATES<br />

WIN<br />

A LUXURY<br />

NIGHT FOR<br />

TWO AT THE<br />

WESTMINSTER<br />

HOTEL<br />

www.hilton.com<br />

Closes 29/04/<strong>2022</strong> - Competition keyword ‘WESTMINSTER’<br />

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


FOUR amazing experiences under one roof!<br />

SHERBORNE CINEMA<br />

The Sherborne Cinema is Gloucester’s<br />

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evening films and family films every<br />

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Highlights include:<br />

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Sing 2<br />

Uncharted<br />

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Cyrano<br />

Phantom of the Open<br />

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Full details at<br />

www.sherbornecinema.co.uk<br />

or phone 01452 520560<br />

taurus crafts<br />

Craft studios - Artisan businesses - Cafe - Gift shop<br />

Local food & drink - Local art - Special events<br />

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A vibrant visitor centre where you can experience<br />

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Taurus Crafts, Lydney, GL15 6BU<br />

01594 844841 - www.tauruscrafts.co.uk<br />

leading a life<br />

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We are part of Camphill<br />

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supporting adults with<br />

learning disabilities,<br />

autism, mental health<br />

challenges and complex<br />

needs. To help people<br />

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building confidence<br />

and enabling people to<br />

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www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 5


HOST FAMILIES FOR<br />

INTERNATIONAL<br />

STUDENTS URGENTLY<br />

NEEDED<br />

We are looking for families, couples or<br />

individuals who would be willing to look<br />

after international students attending<br />

independent boarding schools...<br />

The students need their own room for the<br />

twice termly long weekends and/or half-term<br />

holidays when they cannot return to their<br />

own homes.<br />

We offer excellent rates plus expenses. If you<br />

would like more information and you feel you<br />

could offer a home from home experience in<br />

a happy and caring environment, we would<br />

love to hear from you.<br />

Please contact Emma on 07981 705275<br />

or email: Office@alphaplusguardians.co.uk<br />

The RAC Supports<br />

Midlands Air Ambulance<br />

Charity's Bike4Life Ride<br />

Out and Festival<br />

ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

The RAC is kindly supporting local lifesaving<br />

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity by becoming<br />

an official event partner for the pre-hospital<br />

emergency service’s highly anticipated Bike4Life<br />

<strong>2022</strong> Ride Out and Festival...<br />

The event, which sees 3,500 bikers participate in a 23-mile<br />

convoy from Meole Brace in Shrewsbury to the home of<br />

Bike4Life, RAF Cosford, is due to take place on Sunday 24th<br />

<strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2022</strong>. This year, the return of the event not only sees it<br />

officially mark its tenth anniversary, but the charity is pleased to<br />

announce that The RAC are official event partners for the <strong>2022</strong><br />

event.<br />

Pam Hodgetts, corporate partnerships manager for Midlands Air<br />

Ambulance Charity, said: “Bike4Life has been a key event in our<br />

fundraising events calendar for ten years. This year, we expect it<br />

to be bigger and better than ever.<br />

“Our aircrew frequently attend incidents involving bikers so to see<br />

them out in convoy, raising awareness of the work we do, is an<br />

unbelievable spectacle. We really appreciate the support of The<br />

RAC, whose crews also attend those in need of assistance at the<br />

roadside. By becoming an event partner, The RAC will kindly help<br />

cover event costs, meaning that we will be able to make even<br />

more lifesaving missions possible in the future.”<br />

Phil Ryan, business roadside managing director for The RAC,<br />

added: “Bikers are amongst the most vulnerable road-users<br />

and this important event highlights and recognises the vital role<br />

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity plays in bringing hospital level<br />

care to critically ill and injured patients every year.<br />

“We could not be happier to pledge our support yet again and<br />

hope bikers turn out in strong numbers to raise as much money<br />

as possible for the pre-hospital emergency service.”<br />

It costs just £10 to take part, with the proceeds helping to make<br />

missions possible for Midlands Air Ambulance Charity. Numbers<br />

are strictly limited to 3,500 bikers and places are allocated on a<br />

first come first serve basis. To book, visit www.bike4lifefest.com<br />

To find out more about Midlands Air Ambulance Charity’s vital,<br />

lifesaving work in your local area, visit the charity’s website<br />

www.midlandsairambulance.com<br />

Visit The RAC website for more information: www.rac.co.uk<br />

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


With support from<br />

BOOK NOW<br />

Sunday 24th <strong>Apr</strong>il <strong>2022</strong><br />

Raising lifesaving funds for<br />

Midlands Air Ambulance Charity<br />

Book your tickets now at: bike4lifefest.com


ADAPTING<br />

TO A VERY<br />

DIFFERENT<br />

WORLD<br />

With the second anniversary of<br />

the beginning of the coronavirus<br />

pandemic approaching, how have<br />

boarding schools responded to the<br />

challenges created by COVID-19?<br />

Robin Fletcher, CEO of the<br />

Boarding Schools’ Association<br />

(BSA) and BSA Group, explains...<br />

It’s hard to believe we have been living in<br />

the shadow of coronavirus for nearly two<br />

years. During that time, every walk of life<br />

has had to change and adapt to the very<br />

different world we’re now living in.<br />

Boarding schools have been no<br />

exception. When the pandemic first hit,<br />

our schools quickly had to put in place<br />

strict hygiene protocols for pupil and<br />

staff safety, organise remote learning<br />

for students unable to return to the<br />

classroom due to international travel<br />

restrictions, and ensure pastoral support<br />

for students and staff, given the added<br />

pressures the pandemic would place on<br />

mental health and wellbeing.<br />

Despite the enormous work required, the<br />

whole boarding community acted swiftly<br />

to get these measures in place. Two<br />

years on, dealing with challenges created<br />

by the pandemic is part of the business<br />

model for every school, and will continue<br />

to be so while COVID-19 remains a<br />

threat.<br />

Throughout the pandemic, the primary<br />

concern for parents has always been the<br />

safety of their children. Boarding schools<br />

are unique in that they are their own selfcontained<br />

communities, so managing any<br />

COVID cases could be done more easily<br />

than in some environments. To support<br />

member schools in this, BSA created a<br />

COVID-Safe Charter, which they could<br />

sign up to voluntarily. This meant they<br />

could provide reassurance to parents<br />

and pupils that they had done everything<br />

they possibly could to ensure their<br />

safety. This was particularly important<br />

for international families who wanted to<br />

make sure the UK was a safe place for<br />

their children to be.<br />

COVID-19 has ushered remote learning<br />

much quicker than had ever been<br />

envisaged. With some students being<br />

unable to return to the UK while travel<br />

restrictions were in place, schools<br />

worked hard to ensure the technology<br />

worked for them to continue their studies<br />

without compromising the quality of their<br />

education.<br />

For BSA, online technology has also<br />

meant we have been able to deliver a<br />

comprehensive range of training to our<br />

members virtually. This has allowed us<br />

offer these sessions to many international<br />

members who would have been unable<br />

to participate had the training been run<br />

face-to-face.<br />

One of the great advances in recent years<br />

in boarding has been the development<br />

of pastoral care for students and<br />

staff. Dedicated members of staff with<br />

specialist expertise in wellbeing and<br />

mental health have been absolutely<br />

crucial during the pandemic, and<br />

provided vital support to students and<br />

staff separated from their families or<br />

struggling with COVID-related anxieties.<br />

While there are still challenges,<br />

particularly around overseas travel<br />

affecting international students, boarding<br />

schools have shown throughout the<br />

pandemic that they can respond quickly<br />

when a new situation arises, and will<br />

undoubtedly continue to do so.<br />

For more information, please visit:<br />

www.boarding.org.uk<br />

8 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Exceptional Breadth | Individual Focus<br />

Open Morning<br />

Saturday 21 May <strong>2022</strong><br />

cokethorpe.org


gravy<br />

IT'S ALL<br />

FULLER’S PUBS HAVE TEAMED<br />

UP WITH LEGENDARY CHEF,<br />

BRIAN TURNER CBE, TO TELL<br />

THE STORY OF FULLER’S<br />

SUNDAY ROASTS AND ALL<br />

THE TOUCHES THAT MAKE<br />

THEM A CUT ABOVE THE<br />

REST. FROM CAREFULLY<br />

SOURCED INGREDIENTS<br />

TO PASSIONATE PEOPLE,<br />

FULLER’S PRIDE THEMSELVES<br />

ON DELIVERING EVERYTHING<br />

THAT MAKES A SUNDAY<br />

SPECIAL AND EVEN BETTER<br />

WHEN YOU CAN SHARE THESE<br />

MOMENTS WITH FAMILY<br />

AND FRIENDS. THAT’S WHY<br />

THEY’VE INTRODUCED SHARE<br />

SUNDAYS.<br />

WE CAUGHT UP WITH CHEF<br />

BRIAN TURNER TO FIND OUT<br />

MORE...<br />

How did you get involved with Fuller’s<br />

pubs, and what made you choose to<br />

carry on with it?<br />

The way I got into Fuller’s was quite<br />

easy. For 28-29 years I was the British<br />

president of the UK team of the Bocuse<br />

d’Or competition, which is a worldwide<br />

cooking competition in Leon in France.<br />

It was held every two years and then it<br />

became every year and I was the judge<br />

for the British team. And somebody<br />

managed to make a connection between<br />

Fuller’s and the Bocuse d’Or, wanting to<br />

help sponsor it. So that’s how I met the<br />

Fuller’s team. Listening to Fuller’s team,<br />

I was really enthused and excited by the<br />

way they approached their training of<br />

chefs.<br />

From what I understood, they want<br />

to do something great as far as Chef<br />

training is concerned?<br />

Well, the reality of course is quite simple;<br />

it is for the survival of the future of the<br />

hospitality industry, which has been<br />

amazingly good to me. And amazingly<br />

good to lots of people. And those that<br />

have taken the opportunity have actually,<br />

I believe, got a better way of life. Even<br />

if you get trained in the hospitality<br />

business. If you get trained to be a chef,<br />

and for whatever reason you need to<br />

leave the industry, it leaves you with<br />

life skills; knowing how to buy the right<br />

product from the right place at the right<br />

price, and then convert it to the right dish<br />

on a plate. And then eventually, if you<br />

leave the business, it’s a skill that you<br />

need at home.<br />

I remember when I was at school a<br />

long, long time ago, we had domestic<br />

science, which was two hours on a<br />

Wednesday afternoon. It was a good<br />

thing to do!<br />

It was even better in my day. I was at<br />

school in the 1950s and in those days<br />

when we got to the third year in grammar<br />

school, you had to choose a craft, a skill.<br />

For boys it was woodwork or metal work<br />

for girls needlework or cookery. I was one<br />

of the few in Yorkshire that said ‘I want to<br />

do cookery’. They said ‘no lad, you can’t<br />

do that!’. But I did. Elsie Bibby, the lady<br />

who taught cookery at the parish, after<br />

the first month would say, “Okay girls,<br />

let’s gather around Brian’s table because<br />

his is always the best”. I was hated by the<br />

girls, but loved by Elsie Bibby!<br />

Is that when you first started cooking<br />

or were you always interested in it?<br />

No, I was quite fortunate in that respect in<br />

that my father was conscripted and went<br />

to the Second World War and served<br />

in Belgium and he was drafted into the<br />

catering corps. When he came back he<br />

went back to his job in the Morley Co-op.<br />

It would appear, having read the history<br />

of Morley Co-operative society, that my<br />

father gained a bit of a reputation for<br />

being a bit of a whiz with the old food<br />

knowledge he picked up in the war. So<br />

he opened a transport cafe. He had four<br />

children with my mother in five years so<br />

consequently she was overworked. I was<br />

the eldest, so whenever he could my dad<br />

took me down to his cafe to get me out<br />

of my mums way! So add Elsie Bibby on<br />

top of that, I would say that’s how I really<br />

got started in the business.<br />

So what’s your first foodie<br />

memory then?<br />

As a young man I was in the Salvation<br />

Army; I used to play in their band. And<br />

they used to have a congress regularly<br />

where all the Salvation Armys around the<br />

area in Yorkshire would meet together<br />

and have a jolly old singsong. It was on a<br />

Sunday, but we had to eat so we had to<br />

go out. We had elders who helped. And<br />

they took us to an Italian restaurant where<br />

I ate food like I’ve never eaten before.<br />

So it was a very rare occasion and it was<br />

just so special. And we only managed to<br />

get to go there when we would do this<br />

congress.<br />

So what was your first job when you<br />

actually did go into kitchens proper, so<br />

to speak?<br />

Well, if we count the fact that I worked<br />

for my Dad in his transport cafe, so<br />

eventually all four of us used to go on a<br />

10 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Saturday morning, leave my mother to<br />

have a rest at home, we would come to<br />

the café with my dad and then my dad<br />

when he closed at 11 o’clock would lock<br />

the doors from the outside. And he would<br />

say: “I’m just going to see a man about<br />

a dog”. We didn’t realise he meant The<br />

Dog and Hound pub next door! So we<br />

would then clean up the cafe and get it all<br />

ready so that Monday morning when you<br />

reopen it was bright and sparkling. For<br />

that we were rewarded; we were allowed<br />

to have one Blue Ribbon chocolate<br />

biscuit.<br />

What other projects are you getting<br />

stuck into lately?<br />

I run a competition called Future chef,<br />

which I think is part of which attracted<br />

Fuller’s because it is getting 11 to 16 year<br />

olds, getting them interested in where<br />

their food comes from. All the things<br />

that we have talked about, we’re trying<br />

to instil those because we’d like to do it<br />

earlier in life. But the education system<br />

doesn’t allow us to do that. What I don’t<br />

understand is that I suspect if you did a<br />

poll, that at least 50% of our MPs have<br />

children in school. They are then going<br />

to finish school and go to university and<br />

you need them to be healthy and have a<br />

proper functioning brain, which is what<br />

we teach kids with cooking. If you get the<br />

right balance of food, then you grow to<br />

be healthy.<br />

We run a scheme as well called Adopt<br />

a School for the Royal Academy where<br />

we send chefs into classrooms to try and<br />

teach young people about the palette<br />

and where food comes from and what<br />

to look for. So what we want to do is to<br />

stimulate. And I have to say we have a<br />

waiting list of schools as long as your<br />

arm. Once people have been in and done<br />

it, everybody gets on telling their mates!<br />

That’s fantastic, are you running that<br />

nationwide?<br />

Yes, we have a Northwest branch and we<br />

have a Scottish branch. But it is far more<br />

East London centric with the outposts,<br />

if you like, who do a great job. Because<br />

we don’t really want to send too many<br />

people from London to Scotland because<br />

it’s A) expensive, and B) it doesn’t help<br />

our carbon footprint. How it started was<br />

one gentleman whose daughter was at<br />

school in Putney and learning nothing<br />

about food and he was getting frustrated.<br />

“Well I’ll come and do it!” he said. So he<br />

did and it was as simple as that!<br />

My husband has only just got into<br />

cooking and now he’s into it in a big<br />

way. And I’m now not allowed in the<br />

kitchen!<br />

Well that’s the thing, you can share<br />

it around a bit now! You’d be gobsmacked<br />

the number of people, when I<br />

did the shows, that walk past, men by<br />

themselves, and they say: ‘Hi Brian. You<br />

saved my life because my wife passed<br />

away and I’ve suddenly nobody to cook<br />

for me”. It’s so gratifying to see this<br />

system actually works.<br />

Do you ever get a chance to eat out<br />

yourself?<br />

Yes, I do. I haven’t been out as much just<br />

recently. But certainly, it’s in my DNA if<br />

you like. I go out to lunches more than<br />

dinners these days. Then I can get home<br />

at a sensible time. But it’s keeping up<br />

with what’s going on. And there’s so<br />

many things that are changing these days<br />

and so many people that need supporting<br />

that the list of where to go is just getting<br />

bigger and bigger and bigger.<br />

Apart from James <strong>Mar</strong>tin who you’re<br />

very friendly with, do you have any<br />

other foodie heroes in your life?<br />

Well two of my heroes have sadly passed<br />

away, the Roux brothers. But then there’s<br />

the wonderful Raymond Blanc who is a<br />

foodie hero of mine. He’s a wonderful<br />

man and we have had some good times<br />

together. But let me just take you back<br />

a little bit; there was a guy called Eric<br />

Scamman, who taught me to make<br />

sauces at the Savoy Grill. I’ll never forget<br />

the words that he gave me, helping me<br />

understand how to make the right the<br />

right sauce. Then of course, Paul Bocuse;<br />

the great French chef of my era, who has<br />

also sadly passed away. He was a great<br />

contributor to all our lives.<br />

He influenced your cooking?<br />

Oh yes. The way I look at it is you know<br />

with music colleges when you come to<br />

do your examinations? They ask you to<br />

choose a piece of music that you want to<br />

play and you choose whatever you want<br />

to play, and you play. And then they say<br />

‘Right, that’s very good. Now, here’s a<br />

piece of music you’ve never seen. Play<br />

that’. You have to cite read it. I think<br />

that’s how we should look at cooking.<br />

We need people to be able to understand<br />

the basics of the classics, the French<br />

cuisine as I understood it. Once you’ve<br />

learned that you can go off on a tangent<br />

and you can cite read someone. I don’t<br />

wish to uplift Ready, Steady Cook too<br />

much, but that’s what that programme<br />

did. Here are some items, do something<br />

with them. Sometimes you did something<br />

phenomenal. People would say ‘Oh I<br />

must make that!’. Other times people<br />

would say ‘Oh, that looks rubbish. I’m<br />

not going to do that’. But in fact, the<br />

two principles were aligned with a music<br />

examination.<br />

What’s the best meal you’ve ever had?<br />

You’re going to ask me for the dishes,<br />

which I won’t be able to tell you but<br />

many moons ago, I can’t remember<br />

when it was now, I was filming in Hong<br />

Kong. The food and beverage manager<br />

of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, which<br />

was where we were staying, invited me<br />

to dinner one night after we had finished<br />

filming. We had dinner in the Mandarin<br />

Oriental overlooking Victoria Harbour<br />

in a Chinese restaurant called Manwah<br />

and that was probably the best meal<br />

I’ve ever had. I’ve been very fortunate to<br />

have some wonderful meals around the<br />

world in the houses of some great chefs.<br />

But I have also sat around the table with<br />

friends and just sat and eaten and you<br />

couldn’t ask for much more.<br />

What are your plans for this year?<br />

I think that Fuller’s Sunday lunchtime is<br />

going to take quite a bit of my time this<br />

year and I’m quite happy to devote my<br />

time to that. I think that certainly in winter<br />

times when you can go into a pub like<br />

Fuller’s and see a an open fire going…to<br />

me that suddenly tells you this is the time<br />

to sit down and eat and enjoy yourself<br />

and the company of others.<br />

To find your nearest Fuller’s pub and to<br />

book a table, please visit:<br />

www.fullers.co.uk/pubs/pub-finder<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 11


MARINATED<br />

LAMB LEG<br />

ROMANESCO<br />

WITH PICKLED<br />

WALNUTS<br />

After some Easter inspiration? We feature a few recipes<br />

courtesy of family-favourite brand Opies, that are set to<br />

be real crowd-pleasers with the entire family...<br />

SERVES: 6<br />

PREPARATION TIME: 30 minutes<br />

COOKING TIME: 30 minutes<br />

(plus overnight marinating time)<br />

ALLERGENS: Dairy<br />

INGREDIENTS<br />

2kg lamb rump or boneless leg, portioned into equal pieces<br />

500g live natural yogurt<br />

25g fresh rosemary, leaves and stalks separated<br />

2 whole romanesco, leaves removed<br />

3 tbsp vegetable oil<br />

7 Opies Pickled Walnuts, 4 finely chopped and 3 halved for<br />

serving, plus 1 tbsp pickling liquid<br />

60ml olive oil<br />

500ml fresh lamb stock<br />

METHOD<br />

The night before, trim the fat from the lamb then mix with the<br />

yogurt and rosemary leaves. Cover and put in the fridge to<br />

marinate overnight.<br />

The next day, trim the stalk off a romanesco so that it sits<br />

upright on a board. Slice 5cm off each side with a bread knife<br />

(keep these off-cuts to make the couscous). Slice the rest of<br />

the romanesco into three thick slices. Repeat with the other<br />

romanesco. Oil a large, non-stick baking tray with 1 tbsp<br />

vegetable oil. Lay the romanesco slices in a single layer and<br />

drizzle with a little more vegetable oil. Season with salt and<br />

scatter over the rosemary stalks, ready to roast.<br />

Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Wipe the marinade off<br />

the lamb and season with sea salt. Heat 2 tbsp vegetable<br />

oil a large ovenproof frying pan. Fry the lamb until golden all<br />

over, then roast in the oven for 8-12 mins, depending on how<br />

rare you like it. Put the romanesco in the oven at the same<br />

time. Once the lamb is ready, remove from the oven, flip the<br />

romanesco slices over so they char on both sides, and cook<br />

for a further 10 mins. Cover and rest the lamb in the pan for<br />

10 mins.<br />

Finely chop or pulse the romanesco off-cuts in a food<br />

processor until they are the texture of couscous. Mix the finely<br />

chopped walnuts into the couscous with the olive oil, and<br />

season with salt.<br />

Meanwhile, simmer the stock in a wide saucepan with 1 tbsp<br />

of the walnut pickling vinegar from the jar for 10 mins until it<br />

forms a jus.<br />

Slice the lamb and serve with the romanesco slices, some<br />

couscous, half a walnut and the jus.<br />

www.opiesfoods.com<br />

12 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


CARAMEL &<br />

GINGER HOT<br />

CROSS BUN<br />

BREAD &<br />

BUTTER<br />

PUDDING<br />

Opies have taken the<br />

everyday Easter favourite<br />

- Hot Cross Buns - and<br />

transformed them into a<br />

delicious dessert with<br />

caramel and ginger.<br />

A decadent twist on<br />

a classic pudding!<br />

PREPARATION TIME: 20 minutes<br />

COOKING TIME: 35 minutes<br />

SERVES: 6<br />

ALLERGENS: Dairy, Eggs, Gluten<br />

INGREDIENTS<br />

6 hot cross buns, sliced into 4<br />

3 large eggs<br />

300ml whipping cream<br />

300ml milk<br />

1 tsp vanilla extract<br />

75g golden caster sugar<br />

3 balls of Opies Stem Ginger with Syrup,<br />

finely chopped, syrup reserved<br />

3 tbsp Carnation caramel sauce<br />

TO SERVE:<br />

Fresh warm custard<br />

Some of the leftover caramel sauce<br />

METHOD<br />

Take a large oven dish that<br />

will fit 6 hot cross buns<br />

comfortably and arrange<br />

the sliced hot cross buns in<br />

the dish.<br />

In a large bowl whisk together the eggs,<br />

whipping cream, milk, vanilla extract,<br />

caster sugar and 2 tablespoons of the<br />

reserved stem ginger syrup.<br />

Pour the batter evenly over the hot cross<br />

buns. Scatter over the finely chopped<br />

stem ginger, cover and leave in the fridge<br />

for a couple of hours to allow the hot<br />

cross buns to absorb the mixture. You<br />

could also leave it overnight. Pre-heat the<br />

oven to 190°C / 170°C fan / gas 3.<br />

Drizzle over half of the carnation caramel<br />

sauce and cook in the oven for about<br />

30-35 minutes, until the custard is set but<br />

still retaining a slight wobble.<br />

Leave to cool slightly before serving<br />

with fresh custard and a little drizzle of<br />

caramel sauce.<br />

www.opiesfoods.com<br />

@OpiesFoods<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 13


GIVE YOUR<br />

KERB<br />

APPEAL A<br />

BOOST!<br />

WITH HELP FROM<br />

THE NEW TIMBER<br />

WINDOWS 'DOOR<br />

PORTFOLIO'<br />

YOU COULD BE FORGIVEN FOR<br />

THINKING THAT TIMBER WINDOWS JUST<br />

MANUFACTURE BEAUTIFUL WINDOWS,<br />

BUT TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AND YOU’LL SEE<br />

THAT THEIR PRODUCT RANGE EXTENDS TO<br />

ALL MANNER OF BEAUTIFUL DOORS TOO...<br />

Reassuringly solid, gorgeous,<br />

aesthetically pleasing doors are a<br />

speciality for Timber Windows. To<br />

showcase the options for the ultimate<br />

kerb appeal boost, the company has<br />

launched its latest brochure, the Door<br />

Portfolio. Now on its fourth edition, the<br />

Door Portfolio has been extended to<br />

feature 210 doors from happy customers<br />

all over the country, in all shapes, shades,<br />

sizes and styles.<br />

Previously only available in reference<br />

form to view while visiting one of the 45<br />

exquisite showrooms across England<br />

and Wales; Edition 4 of the Door Portfolio<br />

is also available in a handy takeaway<br />

format, so if the decision surrounding<br />

your new door needs a little more<br />

consideration, the browsing can continue<br />

from the comfort of the sofa!<br />

Take inspiration from previous customer<br />

choices by combining the Door Portfolio<br />

with their Inspirations magazine, and<br />

couple them with the Timber Windows<br />

‘Choices’ brochure to select ironmongery,<br />

glazing and colours, and create your very<br />

own dream door!<br />

Despite showing 210 doors, this is merely<br />

a snapshot of the range…the possibilities<br />

for design and personalisation are almost<br />

endless.<br />

Visit www.timberwindows.com to<br />

find your nearest showroom, browse<br />

the products in person, in a friendly,<br />

unpressured environment and pick up a<br />

copy of the new Door Portfolio too.<br />

14 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Artis Bathrooms is an independent bathroom<br />

installation and design company, based in<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong>, covering the Cotswolds and<br />

surrounding areas.<br />

BEFORE<br />

We offer the complete professional service, from a free and<br />

full detailed quotation, to design and installation, that we<br />

can project manage throughout.<br />

AFTER<br />

With 18 years in the trade and a passion for design-led<br />

installations, the Artis Bathroom team strives for high quality<br />

workmanship and attention to detail, with minimal disruption<br />

on you, your home and your life to ensure the best possible<br />

service and customer experience.<br />

Whether you have an inspired idea, an installation-ready<br />

design or would just like to chat, please contact us on the<br />

telephone number or email address below. Alternatively,<br />

please fill out our contact form and we’ll get back to you.<br />

M<br />

contact@artisbathrooms.com<br />

: www.artisbathrooms.com<br />

07540 585593<br />

V<br />

I<br />

BEFORE<br />

FAMILY RUN BUSINESS<br />

Culina+Balneo is very much a family company which<br />

specialises in bespoke designs for your chosen room, whether<br />

it being a bathroom, ensuite or even your kitchen. As well as<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong> we also have kitchen and bathroom showrooms<br />

located in Evesham, Malvern, Worcester, Solihull and<br />

Birmingham where you will find one of our specialist designers<br />

to assist you with your dream project.<br />

Whether you’re after a modern bathroom, a contemporary<br />

bathroom or a traditional style bathroom, we offer a<br />

comprehensive range of styles to suit all tastes.<br />

V 01242 511188<br />

AFTER<br />

M info@culina-balneo.com<br />

CULINA+BALNEO, 54 ANDOVER ROAD, CHELTENHAM, GLOS GL50 2TL<br />

16 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


BATHROOM<br />

BLISS<br />

How rethinking a layout and some luxury finishes can transform a<br />

dated family space. We caught up with homeowner Kate to find<br />

out how she made this little sanctuary<br />

Tiles: RAK Ceramics Fashion Stone in Ivory;<br />

Bath: RAK Cloud Freestanding Bath<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 17


The drying wall<br />

solution - hooks<br />

RAK Moon<br />

The sleek Lithe Audio Ceiling<br />

Mounted Bluetooth Speaker<br />

looks amazing paired with<br />

the flush shower head<br />

What were some of the obstacles you<br />

faced with this project?<br />

Firstly, the room is really small for a family<br />

bathroom! It measures 2.2m long by<br />

1.65m wide. Previously, I guess because<br />

of the small width, the bath was against<br />

the longer wall with the door - but it<br />

meant you basically walked into it as<br />

soon as you entered the room. By opting<br />

for a shorter bath, we were able to flip the<br />

orientation and create a space that feels<br />

much larger.<br />

What made you choose this design?<br />

I love the look of micro cement and<br />

Venetian plaster, but it was coming out<br />

at £130 per square metre. So when I<br />

found the Fashion Stone range at RAK<br />

Ceramics, I was thrilled - it’s exactly the<br />

warm stoney beige colour I was looking<br />

for and had a beautiful graduation<br />

of pattern through it that mimics the<br />

micro-cement. I also had the mosaic tiles<br />

installed in the shower niche - cement<br />

doesn’t allow for pattern, so I think it was<br />

the perfect option.<br />

I’ve wanted black taps since about 2016<br />

when I saw them on an Australian design<br />

show - I was so thrilled to find RAK also<br />

stock them. Most of the bathroom is<br />

kitted out with the Amalfi range, which<br />

has the most amazing textured finish - it<br />

looks and feels so luxurious.<br />

The basin tap feels so amazing - I read<br />

once that you should invest in the objects<br />

you touch everyday and this tap is<br />

honestly dreamy. The motion to turn it on<br />

is really slick - it’s the little things that add<br />

up to making a space feel luxurious.<br />

Is the shower over a freestanding bath?<br />

Yes - this design decision did cause<br />

some head scratching for the builder! I<br />

wanted the look of a free standing bath,<br />

especially because we knew we’d have<br />

to get a smaller one, so I thought why not<br />

emphasise it. The way we counteracted<br />

the water issue is to have a small wet<br />

room former tray in each corner behind<br />

the bath, and also to run the underfloor<br />

heating in this area to help dry out the<br />

splashes. So far, so good!<br />

The bath is an absolute beauty - it’s the<br />

RAK Cloud design and at a petite 1.4m,<br />

it was the perfect size. It is very heavy<br />

though, as it’s resin - so just bear that in<br />

mind when planning! The shape of it is<br />

unlike anything I’ve ever seen before - it<br />

really has a beautiful form and gorgeous<br />

curves. I love that it sits on a base.<br />

Did you have any tech installed?<br />

Yes - was a must for my partner. We’ve<br />

got the most beautiful shaver socket<br />

and dimmer switches from Corston<br />

Architectural Detail- the black bronze<br />

finish is so modern but also timeless. The<br />

switch outside controls the spotlights and<br />

then the LED strip lighting in the recess<br />

by the bath separately. The recess it sits<br />

in offers a handy space to put products<br />

for showering and was created by adding<br />

a shallow stud wall.<br />

Then there’s the Lithe Audio waterproof<br />

speaker in the ceiling - it looks amazing<br />

set against the inset circular RAK shower<br />

head too. It allows you to connect your<br />

phone or tablet wirelessly - amazing for<br />

watching movies in the bath or listening to<br />

the radio in the morning as you get ready<br />

for work. We will be using the same tech<br />

all synced up in the rest of the house.<br />

Finally, the loo! Who knew a toilet could<br />

be exciting, but this one is! The RAK<br />

Ceramics Des Rimless Close Coupled loo<br />

has a touch-less flush - super hygienic<br />

and very easy to clean - the battery life<br />

RAK Joy Wall Hung Vanity<br />

Unit with Built in Basin in<br />

Grey Elm - 600mm with<br />

Amalfi Basin Tap<br />

Corston Architectural<br />

Shaver Socket in bronze<br />

Before<br />

18 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


LAYOUT<br />

More than anything, it was the<br />

layout of this space that made it<br />

feel cramped. The bath protruded,<br />

meaning you all but knocked into<br />

it as you came in. You’d have to<br />

edge past the basin to get to the<br />

loo. By moving the loo and flipping<br />

the bath, the whole space is more<br />

open and that creates an amazing<br />

feeling of luxury.<br />

Below is the before and after of the<br />

layout. Thee door has also been<br />

flipped so you come into an open<br />

space, rather than side stepping.<br />

After<br />

WC<br />

lasts two years too! The toilet is also rimless inside, meaning<br />

there are fewer nooks and crannies for bacteria to live.<br />

BATH<br />

BASIN<br />

WINDOW<br />

Where’s the towel rail?<br />

Another one that confounded the builder a bit - again because of<br />

the size of the bathroom, I was worried about the projection of a<br />

towel rail into the room. My other half also only hangs his towels<br />

rather than folding them on a rail - so we came up with a different<br />

solution. The underfloor heating is electric and these wires can<br />

be (carefully) taken out of the matting - we asked the builder to<br />

cut grooves into the wall to accommodate the cables and tile<br />

over them - thus creating a warm wall. We then positioned hooks<br />

about 10cm clear of the top edge of the cables and the towels<br />

hang against a warm wall to speed drying.<br />

DOOR<br />

What’s the secret to a successful bathroom scheme?<br />

I think we are looking for bathrooms to feel like an escape - in<br />

line with that, lots of storage is essential - looking at clutter is<br />

not relaxing! Making more of a layout and maybe opting for<br />

smaller baths to maximise the feeling of space also helps. Our<br />

vanity unit is a floating one, helping the volume of furniture in<br />

the room to feel smaller.<br />

BATH<br />

STOCKIST INFORMATION:<br />

For tiles, bathroom furniture and taps:<br />

RAK Ceramics: www.rakceramics.com<br />

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

store-locator/united-kingdom<br />

WC<br />

WINDOW<br />

For light swtiches and sockets:<br />

Corston Architectural Detail: www.corston.com<br />

For audio Equipment:<br />

Lithe Audio: www.litheaudio.com<br />

DOOR<br />

BASIN<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 19


CJD Building and Roofing Contractors<br />

Established 35 years<br />

Extensions | New Builds | Renovations | Tiled Roofing | EPDM Roofing<br />

General Building | Groundworks and Landscaping<br />

Tel: 07825018061 or 07760 175565 | contact@cjdbuilding.co.uk<br />

www.cjdbuilding.co.uk<br />

The Cotswold Cabin Company design, build and install beautiful<br />

bespoke garden rooms<br />

From our free design consultation to installation, we work with you to bring to life your vision and<br />

create an inspiring and perfect space. Our mission is to deliver a project that fulfils your dream.<br />

In short, your ideal concept is designed, manufactured and installed to the highest standards.<br />

V<br />

M<br />

:<br />

07946 378323 or 07946 378319<br />

info@thecotswoldcabincompany.co.uk<br />

www.thecotswoldcabincompany.co.uk<br />

2 Athelney Way,<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong> GL52 6RT<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 21


Spring<br />

LANDSCAPING<br />

After winter’s long reign on your lawn, spring<br />

can’t come fast enough. You’re finally ready to<br />

transform your landscape. But first things first,<br />

you’ll first need to know how to prepare your yard<br />

for spring...<br />

DO YOUR RESEARCH<br />

Plan out your strategy for your landscaping in advance. Are<br />

you going to break it up in phases, or are you going to hire a<br />

landscape professional to help you plan? Ask for guidance from<br />

your local nursery or neighbours who’s gardens you admire! They<br />

can probably give you as good of advice as a professional.<br />

PLAN FOR MAINTENANCE<br />

Unlike a paint colour in your home, once it’s up you’re done,<br />

landscaping requires maintenance and care. From pulling weeds,<br />

watering and pruning, to occasional replacement of dead plants,<br />

etc… Plan what plants will suit your maintenance schedule.<br />

Consider hiring a professional gardener or lawn service to take<br />

care of your yard if necessary.<br />

CONTRAST WITH YOUR EXTERIOR HOME<br />

Your landscaping should be an enhancement of your exterior<br />

home. Choose plants that compliment or contrast the colors in<br />

your home as well as the architectural time period of your home.<br />

A modern and minimalist home may enjoy a modern Zen-inspired<br />

landscape, while a Victorian home may have quaint gardens and<br />

flowering areas that are typical for the Victorian era. Plan your<br />

outdoor landscaping to be in harmony with your exteriors.<br />

AFTER A DRIVEWAY? THE SECRET IS WHAT LIES BENEATH!<br />

Weed membrane – Lay this down over the bare ground before<br />

you lay the sub-base. A good quality one will stop the weeds<br />

growing and still allow water to past through.<br />

Sub-base – go as deep as you can on the sub-base, we would<br />

recommend 150mm.<br />

Gravel mats/gravel holders - Absolutely vital as they stop the<br />

gravel ‘travelling’. These are interlocking, plastic mesh, rigid<br />

square grids that lay on top of the MOT and then you rake all the<br />

gravel into them. They can’t be seen through the gravel, but they<br />

do a great job of keeping it all localised and in the same place.<br />

Edging – sometimes your driveway will be self-contained between<br />

walls, but if not, make sure you have good solid edges to contain<br />

the sub-base and the gravel. If you don’t do this, your driveway<br />

will start sprawling.<br />

Size is everything – There’s lot’s of great looking gravels to choose<br />

from these days but the golden rule is trying not to go less than<br />

20mm in size. Anything less will tend to get stuck in your car<br />

tyres tread or get walked into the home in your shoe tread.<br />

PROFESSIONAL<br />

LANDSCAPING SERVICES<br />

GSG Landscape Gardeners provide a range of landscaping<br />

services in the Gloucester, Cotswolds, <strong>Cheltenham</strong> and<br />

surrounding areas. With a range of packages to suit<br />

everybody from 3D render designs to complete design and<br />

build, we can work with you to design the perfect garden<br />

space.<br />

OUR SERVICES<br />

We have been providing exceptional landscaping services<br />

and transforming our customers outdoor spaces for over<br />

15 years. Our experienced landscapers set the standard<br />

each day in landscape design, paving, hard and soft<br />

landscaping. We provide a personalised service to meet<br />

the demands of the client.<br />

Drydock Way,<br />

Gloucester GL2 5FX<br />

T: 07772 045 703<br />

E: matt@gscapegardeners.co.uk<br />

www.gscapegardeners.co.uk<br />

22 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


060 Baltic_Layout 1 26/10/2021 11:10 Page 1


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24 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk<br />

We are still pinching ourselves that you did<br />

such an amazing job on getting the house<br />

for us! You were so patient and flexible...and<br />

negotiated with excellent skill to get a better<br />

deal than we had hoped for! Thank you so<br />

much for all your hard work, and calming<br />

influence at such a stressful point in our<br />

lives….we could not be more delighted!<br />

By Katie Andrews


Quality care in<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong> you<br />

can trust<br />

When a family is thinking about care<br />

for a loved one, they want the best - they<br />

want to know that the care home they<br />

choose will put their loved one’s safety,<br />

happiness and wellbeing first...<br />

Care UK’s Sandfields care home in <strong>Cheltenham</strong> provides<br />

residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of<br />

mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should<br />

their needs change.<br />

<strong>Living</strong> at Sandfields is all about quality of life. Every colleague<br />

in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy<br />

a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and<br />

preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group<br />

and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day.<br />

The team at Sandfields are proud to have achieved 88% in the<br />

recent relative survey, in fact 95% of families feel their loved<br />

ones are treated with kindness, respect and dignity^. Once their<br />

relative has settled into Sandfields they are able to focus on<br />

spending quality time with them again just enjoying each other’s<br />

company.<br />

With the extra support that our care home offers, new residents<br />

are often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able<br />

to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even<br />

discovering new hobbies with our daily activities.<br />

Whether your loved one enjoys a quiet cup of tea in bed before<br />

starting the day, loves going for strolls in nature, or enjoys a chat<br />

over a beer, the team at Sandfields will spend time to enable<br />

them to continue living life the way they want to.<br />

Sandfields is part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one of<br />

the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 35<br />

years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people.<br />

Sandfields care home<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong> GL50 3EL<br />

care.uk.com/sandfields<br />

Email: laura.sayburn@careuk.com<br />

Tel: 01242 802590<br />

ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

*As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care<br />

Inspectorate in Scotland.<br />

^Care UK relative survey Aug/Sept 2021 – based on a sample of 13 relatives.<br />

Study operated by QRS <strong>Mar</strong>ket Research, an independent survey agency<br />

Foods to help<br />

reduce joint pain<br />

Benjamin Franklin was right when he said<br />

‘an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of<br />

cure’ – it is so important, no matter our age,<br />

that we adopt dietary and exercise habits that<br />

support strong bones and joints. Where there<br />

is pain, there is inflammation – so trying to<br />

avoid inflammation in the body is one of the<br />

first steps to take to eradicate pain...<br />

The underlying cause for inflammation may be due to a number<br />

of factors. Some common areas for consideration are:<br />

HORMONES: Some hormones are connected with the<br />

inflammatory response (examples include insulin, cortisol and<br />

oestrogen).<br />

FATS: The amount and type of fat in the diet is directly linked with<br />

inflammation, especially the essential fatty acids omega 3 and<br />

omega 6 (they are called essential because they have to come<br />

from our diet – we cannot manufacture them ourselves).<br />

DIGESTION: Our digestive system also has the power to mess<br />

about with inflammation in the body. If the digestive system is<br />

struggling then localised damage may occur in the gut leading<br />

to inflammation and food sensitivities (food sensitivities or<br />

intolerances are associated with the immune system, which in<br />

turn triggers inflammation).<br />

Eating to reduce inflammation:<br />

Make sure you get regular amounts of protein into your diet.<br />

Including protein in meals and snacks helps prevent sudden<br />

highs in blood sugar. Focusing on protein in this way is a good<br />

start in regulating hormone levels (including insulin, cortisol and<br />

oestrogen).<br />

Eat foods high in omega 3 fats. These fats are broken down<br />

into anti-inflammatory properties in the body. The best sources<br />

are oily fish (wild salmon, sardines, mackerel), ground linseeds,<br />

walnuts and green vegetables.<br />

Eat foods known to have anti-inflammatory properties (many<br />

foods have compounds that work in the same way as ibuprofen!).<br />

These include beetroot, ginger, turmeric and dark red and blue<br />

berries.<br />

Consider avoiding foods that you think may be contributing to<br />

your pain and monitor what happens. The most common foods<br />

here are gluten (found in wheat, barley and rye), dairy products,<br />

eggs, soy, nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, aubergine),<br />

and foods high in the substance lectin (beans, pulses, grains,<br />

nuts, seeds).<br />

26 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


Advertisement Feature<br />

Live every day your way<br />

at Sandfields care home<br />

When your loved one moves into a Care UK care home they are<br />

supported to live life in the way they choose.<br />

At Sandfields their team find<br />

out all they can about your<br />

loved one’s preferences and<br />

wishes and create a care and<br />

lifestyle plan that’s tailored to<br />

their unique needs.<br />

Care UK believe that moving<br />

into a care home is just another<br />

part of later life, and they<br />

strive to make every day<br />

fulfilling and fun. They support<br />

your loved one to continue<br />

doing the things they love,<br />

from light tasks around the<br />

home to enjoying regular<br />

outings and entertainment,<br />

or hobbies like baking, knitting,<br />

singing or gardening.<br />

Sandfields recently hosted a<br />

chocolate and prosecco night,<br />

where The Steeplechase Cafe<br />

turned into a scene like Charlie<br />

and the Chocolate Factory.<br />

Residents from around the<br />

home got their Golden Ticket<br />

and enjoyed a variety of<br />

different chocolate treats,<br />

fresh fruit, waffles, together<br />

with a glass of bubbly.<br />

Another highlight has been<br />

the return of accessible<br />

yoga. Residents enjoyed<br />

getting active, stretching<br />

and increasing mobility in the<br />

seated session with instructor<br />

Sarah. One resident says,<br />

“The activities offered are<br />

a physical and social benefit.”<br />

Sandfields understands how<br />

important it is to stay in touch<br />

with friends and family outside<br />

of the home, so they have<br />

recently purchased a Facebook<br />

portal to enhance the residents<br />

and relative’s communications.<br />

If you’re considering care,<br />

call Laura on 01242 802590<br />

or email<br />

laura.sayburn@careuk.com<br />

Sandfields care home<br />

<strong>Cheltenham</strong> GL50 3EL<br />

careuk.com/sandfields


RETIRE<br />

in style<br />

The very nature of retirement has<br />

shifted dramatically in just a single<br />

generation - no longer is it the final<br />

few years of life after work - it is a new<br />

chapter and as such retirees are looking<br />

for accommodation that meets their<br />

needs and matches their aspirations for<br />

this new phase of life...<br />

In recent years, there has been a growing<br />

trend for luxury retirement living, with<br />

people choosing to downsize from their<br />

family home. There are a myriad of<br />

reasons for this big move; perhaps your<br />

children have long flown the nest, and<br />

the thought of having a smaller home to<br />

maintain is enticing, you might be on the<br />

edge of retirement and looking for a fresh<br />

start, or your partner might have recently<br />

passed away. We caught up with some<br />

people who had recently made the move<br />

to find out about their big decision...<br />

For June and Tony Prince (in their early<br />

seventies), the choice was heralded by<br />

visiting some friends who had recently<br />

moved into a retirement complex. June<br />

commented “I was struck first and<br />

foremost by the facilities - from walking<br />

from the car to my friend’s door, she<br />

pointed out a wellness suite with a spa<br />

and gym, a small shop, a hairdresser and<br />

a lovely lounge. Getting older can mean<br />

the closing of certain circles of your life,<br />

but I just couldn’t believe how much was<br />

readily available on the doorstep! That<br />

feeling continued when we went into her<br />

home - the apartment was obviously<br />

smaller than her last home, but the<br />

proportions were lovely and it was just<br />

so sophisticated. I could immediately see<br />

myself living there.”<br />

June highlighted one of the main<br />

attractions of those homes - they are<br />

already well maintained. There isn’t the<br />

worry of having to keep the garden tidy,<br />

or keeping everything in working order<br />

because the maintenance is usually built<br />

into the model, as the developers realise<br />

people don’t want the responsibility as<br />

they get older. Managers and estate<br />

teams are on hand to even help provide<br />

domestic help, including household<br />

cleaning and even shopping!<br />

Retirement accommodation is purposebuilt<br />

with the older person in mind, so<br />

the homes are easily accessible by all.<br />

They are built for comfort and ease, such<br />

a plug sockets at waist height and even<br />

accessible places to charge mobility<br />

scooters! Not only that, there is often a<br />

support network available, so if you do<br />

need extra care or help with something,<br />

care packages can be arranged.<br />

For Frank Turner (late seventies), the<br />

move was motivated in part by the<br />

passing of his wife, “It wasn’t until a<br />

few years after my wife Helen passed<br />

away that I realised quite how isolated<br />

I’d become - rarely venturing out and<br />

actually losing touch with friends. It<br />

was my son who showed me round a<br />

development nearby his house and the<br />

sense of community really captured me. I<br />

was sad to leave the family home and all<br />

the memories there, but I carry them with<br />

me in my heart and have instead found a<br />

new lease of life thanks to the new friends<br />

I’ve made.”<br />

Frank’s desire for company is an oftsought<br />

part of this move - retirement<br />

villages allow the resident to become<br />

a part of a community of like-minded<br />

people, with a much wider social network<br />

available. This is especially useful if you<br />

are perhaps moving to a new area to be<br />

closer to your children, but also equally<br />

useful to make new friends and start new<br />

hobbies in your retirement. There are<br />

often plenty of regular events to take part<br />

in, so you will never be short of company!<br />

Another huge incentive for moving to a<br />

retirement village is that the homes come<br />

with top safety and security measures,<br />

often including sensor lighting, alarms<br />

and camera entry system. This is<br />

particularly reassuring, both whilst you<br />

are in your home but also if you have<br />

popped out or go away. David and Sandy<br />

Williams (late sixties) found that their<br />

move was motivated by this desire for<br />

a ‘lock up and leave’ home. David said<br />

“Sandy and I had always anticipated<br />

using our early retirement to travel. We<br />

wanted longer trips away, but without<br />

the worry of security back home. It was<br />

anxiety brought on by a trip a few years<br />

earlier, where we’d returned home to a<br />

frozen pipe-induced flood. We can leave<br />

our new bungalow safe in the knowledge<br />

that the property is ticking over under<br />

careful watch.”<br />

Stephen and his wife Susan took the big<br />

leap for another reason; “after Stephen<br />

suffered a quite debilitating fall, our<br />

two-up two-down house just presented<br />

a nightmare for his mobility - he was<br />

even living in the sitting room for a time”<br />

said Sandy. “His short term memory was<br />

also affected, so leaving him alone in the<br />

house became harder. I wanted to live<br />

somewhere that gave me the peace of<br />

mind that Stephen could exist happily in<br />

the space, his mobility issues considered<br />

and be safe even if he did wander out of<br />

the house. I wasn’t ready to annex my<br />

social life completely either and having<br />

everything close-by means I can indulge<br />

in my hobbies on a daily basis, a lot of<br />

the time with Stephen too - it’s been the<br />

best decision we’ve made in years.”<br />

Different companies have different<br />

structures within the retirement<br />

complexes, so it is worth looking around<br />

a few to see which one best fits your<br />

needs. Some are energy efficient, some<br />

have guest suites, landscaped gardens, a<br />

house manager and even a homeowner’s<br />

lounge, where all residents on site can<br />

get together. Others offer several upscale<br />

care home options, including assisted<br />

living, nursing, residential and even<br />

dementia care.<br />

We recommend making a list of what<br />

you are looking for both in terms of<br />

accommodation and facilities in your next<br />

dwelling before you begin your search for<br />

the next chapter!<br />

28 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk


The lifestyle<br />

communities boasting<br />

living solutions that<br />

your parents will love<br />

Award-winning later living specialist,<br />

Rangeford Villages, creates inclusive and<br />

dynamic lifestyle communities for the<br />

over 60s within safe, secure and beautiful<br />

surroundings.<br />

Latest statistics by Age UK reveal that a staggering 1.4 million<br />

elderly people felt lonely during Christmas. Loneliness amongst<br />

older demographics is however not just seasonal, but one of<br />

modern society’s key issues all year round.<br />

Sue Styles from North Yorkshire was becoming increasingly<br />

concerned about her mother Mrs Le Page, who lived in a large<br />

house that had been in the family for over 50 years. The idea of<br />

her mother joining a lifestyle community with an abundance of<br />

activities and onsite amenities sounded appealing.<br />

She comments: “My main concern was the fact that my mother<br />

lived far out of any village and a long way from any shops. She<br />

was very dependent on other people and I couldn’t always be<br />

there for her due to the distance.<br />

“When I first suggested to my mother to move to a retirement<br />

property, she initially resisted, she gradually came to realise that<br />

it made sense to move. When people ask me what to consider<br />

when helping your parents downsize, I stress that encouraging<br />

your parents to move before they are too old is most important.”<br />

Lifestyle Investment<br />

Combining future-proof homes with maintenance-free gardens<br />

and external upkeep, buying at Rangeford Villages is a lifestyle<br />

investment that offers residents the freedom to live life on one’s<br />

own terms. Rangeford’s communities have so much more to<br />

offer than just a home. At the heart of each village is The Pavilion,<br />

where residents can come together when they please to join in<br />

with the many activities, events and hobby groups on offer.<br />

Facilities at every village Pavilion are like a five-star hotel with the<br />

wellbeing centre which could include a swimming pool, hydro<br />

pool, sauna, steam room, gym, bistro and bar, cinema room,<br />

activity rooms and a hair and beauty salon. A guest suite is also<br />

available so friends and family can visit, and all villages are pet<br />

friendly.<br />

To discover more about Rangeford Villages visit<br />

www.rangefordvillages.co.uk<br />

ADVERTISING FEATURE<br />

NEW RETIREMENT APARTMENTS FOR SALE<br />

More time for<br />

the moments that<br />

matter...<br />

TAILORED<br />

FOR YOU<br />

Move sooner than<br />

you think with our<br />

Home Exchange *<br />

Service<br />

...with fewer maintenance<br />

worries<br />

From talking to our Customers, we know<br />

that maintenance worries are one of the<br />

top reasons Owners decide to move. With<br />

Churchill you can enjoy your retirement<br />

without the concerns that often come with<br />

maintaining a larger property.<br />

LODGE MANAGER • GUEST SUITE FOR FRIENDS AND FAMILY • LIFT • LANDSCAPED GARDENS • OWNERS' LOUNGE<br />

*T&C’s apply. Visit our website to find out more.<br />

CHELTENHAM<br />

Lewis Carroll Lodge, St <strong>Mar</strong>garet’s Road GL50 4FH<br />

Open Tuesday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm<br />

01242 802839<br />

churchillretirement.co.uk/lewis-carroll-lodge<br />

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 29


Exclusive over 60’s living<br />

Our terrace was a blessing during<br />

the lockdown. We used it almost<br />

every day, whenever the weather<br />

was nice to get some fresh air<br />

and enjoy the views. The whole<br />

apartment feels very modern and<br />

spacious, it’s really well designed.<br />

Graham & Diana, residents at Rangeford Villages<br />

CHOOSE WHEN YOU MOVE<br />

You’re in control, with 95%* Home Exchange<br />

At Rangeford Villages we offer a tailored approach to senior living. Join a thriving, friendly<br />

community and a vibrant village atmosphere in beautifully landscaped surroundings.<br />

Enjoy an event programme with something for everyone and facilities including our relaxing<br />

dining destination and full spa amenities. Discover our superbly appointed 1, 2 and 3<br />

bedroom apartments today!<br />

SIDDINGTON PARK, CIRENCESTER | WADSWICK GREEN, CORSHAM<br />

Find out more today 0800 1357420<br />

or visit www.rangefordvillages.co.uk<br />

*Home Buying Service offer and buying incentives equivalent up to 95% of market value, subject to<br />

home valuations and legal completion by 30th June <strong>2022</strong>. Please ask our sales advisors for details.<br />

20289 RV_Siddington Park_Full Pg Ad_165x240mm.indd 1 04/02/<strong>2022</strong> 09:18

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