Guildford Living Jun - Jul 2022

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C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

20 

RAYMOND’S RECIPES 

I sit writing this in the most 

bucolic of settings - we are 

lucky in that our offices are 

within farmlands (we are 

actually housed in a former 

chicken shed - we say that’s 

why our ideas sometimes get 

scrambled!). 

The first signs of summer 

are surely here because the 

swallows have arrived - putting 

on the most wonderful of 

shows - and only occasionally 

knocking into the windows 

during their frenzied activity! 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

We are really looking forward 

to the warmer months, and this 

issue is certainly a celebration 

of that. We caught up with 

French chef Raymond Blanc 

and were lucky to have a really 

insightful chat with him about 

the British food scene and 

his love of teaching - we also 

managed to nab some recipes 

from his latest book. 

We’ve also got some fabulous 

editorial aimed at getting 

the house up together for 

the summer months - with a 

range of projects both large 

and small to create that home 

you’ve always coveted. 

18 

RAYMOND BLANC 

Editor Katie Thomson 

e katie@minervapublications.co.uk 

Assistant Editor Kate Norris 

Publisher Sally Thomson 

Pre Press Manager Rebecca Rose 

Contributors 

Matthew Biggs, Angela Cave, 

Louise Thomson, Pete Lawrence 

FOR ADVERTISING 

Interim Account Manager 

Katie Thomson t 01225 984430 

Cover image courtesy of Higham 

Furniture 

HOME & GARDEN 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

22 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. Please 

recycle this copy or pass it along when you are 

finished for someone else to enjoy. 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held 

liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or 

inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be 

reproduced without prior permission from the 

publishers. The opinions expressed within are not 

necessarily those of the publishers. 

Finally, I would like to mark 

this historic Platinum Jubilee 

by saying a heartfelt thank 

you to HRH The Queen for 

her years of tireless service - 

she is truly iconic and such a 

stalwart pillar of our society. I 

hope we can all come together 

to celebrate her glorious reign. 

We hope you enjoy this edition 

- look out for the next one 

in August when we will be 

hoping for an Indian Summer, 

and shining our shoes for a 

new school year. Until then, 

school’s out! 

Katie 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

COMPETITION 

To enter any (or all!) of our competitions, head to 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions. 

Find the competition and enter on that post, 

using the appropriate keyword. 

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

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

WIN 

A SUMMER 

BBQ PACKAGE 

WORTH OVER 

£500! 

Barbecue expert, Char-Broil, has teamed up 

with Beefsteak Club wines to provide one 

winner a summer BBQ package to start your 

Jubilee garden party with a cheer, pairing 

wines with your barbecued food! The Char- 

Broil Performance Pro 2-Burner compact 

gas barbecue (RRP: £449.99) features 

TRU-infrared technology guaranteeing even 

heat distribution, no messy flare ups and 50% 

juicier results. Also enjoy 3 cases of Beefsteak 

Club wines, all priced at under £10 and perfect for 

a delicious BBQ. Beefsteak Club Malbec is a smooth, unoaked 

red wine that complements meaty kebabs, prime cuts of steak 

and burgers with blue cheese sauce. Beefsteak Club Sauvignon 

Blanc pairs with barbecued scallops or herby chicken thighs, and 

Beefsteak Club Malbec Rosé marries well with grilled seafood, as 

well as vegetable skewers and grilled halloumi cheese. One lucky 

winner will get their hands on this whole bundle! 

beefsteakclubwines.com | charbroil.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BBQ’ 

WIN 

THE NEW 

VAX ONEPWR 

EDGE DUAL 

WORTH 

£399! 

The new VAX ONEPWR Edge 

Dual Pet & Car has been designed 

to be everything you know and 

love about a traditional upright 

vacuum, just without the 

cord. With up to 100 minutes 

runtime1, it provides full-size 

performance and allows you 

to clean with ease, for longer 

and with fewer interruptions. 

Additional tools for above the 

floor cleaning make it easy 

to reach awkward areas such 

as stairs, ceiling corners and 

car boots, making the VAX 

ONEPWR Edge perfect for 

owners of busy homes with 

pets and cars. 

We have one to give away worth £399.99, including an 

additional accessory kit worth £50. 

www.vax.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘CORDLESS’ 

WIN 

THE ULTIMATE 

GAMES 

BUNDLE WITH 

ASMODEE! 

Asmodee, the leading distributor of table-top games and 

accessories in the UK are giving you the chance to win a 

games bundle for the ultimate family night in. 

One lucky winner will receive a selection of games for a range 

of age groups, sure to keep the whole family happy. The 

prize bundle includes Dobble, Taco Cat Goat Cheese Pizza, 

Bananagrams, Ticket to Ride Europe, CATAN, Dixit, Azul, 

Cobra Paw and HINT. 

www.asmodee.co.uk 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘ASMODEE’ 

As the sun starts shining and 

we head into summer, it’s time 

to get your apron on and start 

baking ready for picnics and 

BBQs. British baking brand 

Tala has put together the 

perfect bundle of essential 

baking products for any keen 

baker including one of these 

glorious pastel mixing bowls. 

From cake tin sets, traybake 

tins to icing gear and nozzles galore, you’ll 

be cooking up a storm in no time! One lucky 

winner will get their hands on the whole 

baking bundle, details of which are available 

online. 

WIN 

£200 worth of 

Tala Baking 

Must-Haves! 

Black Chalk Wine – one of WIN 

England’s most exciting A PAIR OF 

producers – is offering SPARKLING 

two lucky readers the WINES WITH 

chance to win a pair of 

BLACK CHALK 

its sparkling wines from 

the recently released 2018 

WINE! 

vintage: Black Chalk Classic 

2018 and Wild Rose 2018. Both 

wines, which have an RRP of £35 and £40 

respectively, are available to purchase at its 

recently opened on-site Tasting Room located 

in the heart of Hampshire’s Test Valley. 

Further information on events and booking Tours & Tastings can 

be found here: www.blackchalkwine.com 

www.talacooking.com 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘BAKING’ 

www.blackchalkwine.com 

Closes 24/06/2022 - Competition keyword ‘SPARKLING’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Fun for the whole family! 

FRI 3 & SAT 4 JUN 

JOIN IGGLEPIGGLE & FRIENDS AT 

In The 

Night 

Garden 

Live 

FRI 15 & SAT 16 JUL 

THE GRUFFALO 

BASED ON THE BOOK BY 

JULIA DONALDSON & 

AXEL SCHEFFLER 

In the Night Garden 

& © DHX Worldwide. 

THU 4 – SAT 6 AUG 

LIVE 

ON STAGE! 

SAT 22 & SUN 23 OCT 

The Very 

Hungry 

Caterpillar 

Show 

FOUR TIMELESS STORIES 

BROUGHT TO LIFE 

© 2010 and TM – David Walliams/ 

HarperCollins Publishers Ltd/Tony Ross/Quentin Blake 

YVONNE-ARNAUD.CO.UK | 01483 44 00 00 

Millbrook, Guildford, GU1 3UX 


The ingenious ‘Flip Bot’ allows you to create 

your own remote-controlled vehicle; a super 

cool robot car with turbo motors, 

which once constructed, 

you can enjoy driving it 

and watching it flip! 

£38, amazon.co.uk 

Barbour 

Diamond 

Geo Swim 

Short £49.95, 

barbour.com 

Bamboo socks 

in a variety of 

patterns and 

colours. £7, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Men’s Zip Wool Jumper Navy Blue, 

£170, thenauticalcompany.com 

The perfect Father’s Day 

tipple, Caorunn is passionately 

handcrafted in small batches 

in the heart of the Scottish 

Highlands using foraged gin 

botanicals. £28, Sainsburys 

DAD 

you’re rad’ 

Father’s Day falls on 19 th June - 

here are some gift ideas to show 

how much you care... 

The Home Made 

stoneware round bread 

baking cloche gives your 

bread a crisp, crunchy 

crust every time. £38, 

souschef.co.uk 

Slurp noodles and other Asian 

dishes from a stoneware ramen 

bowl. £12, souschef.co.uk 

A fresh and bright 

unisex scent, Rain 

from Clean Reserve 

lasts on the skin and 

can be layered. £82, 

spacenk.com 

Self-watering planter with water level 

indicator, £24.99, lechuza.co.uk 

Legendary restaurant 

Dishoom’s cookery book plus 

10 full size ingredients, £44.99 

souschef.co.uk 


Brooklands 1 

Brooklands 1 

BROOKLANDS 

m use um 

festival of 

motorsport 

featuring the 

DOUBLE-TWELVE 

All-New 

THE 

CELEBRATION OF 

MOTOR RACING AT BROOKLANDS 

SAT. 18 JUNE 

and 

SUN. 19 JUNE 

SPEED COMPETITIONS 

DRIVING TESTS 

TEST HILL CHALLENGE 

TEST HILL CHALLENGE 

VEHICLE DISPLAYS 

LIVE MUSIC 

CONCOURS JUDGING 

AWARDS CEREMONY 

BROOKLANDSMUSEUM.COM 

Brooklands Museum, Brooklands Drive, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 0SL

A CELEBRATION 

of English Wine 

JULIA TRUSTRAM EVE FROM 

WINEGB HELPS US RAISE A GLASS 

TO BRITAIN’S WONDERFUL 

WINES THIS SUMMER 

CELEBRATE ENGLISH WINE WEEK 

AT A VINEYARD 

One thing that has come out of the last two very strange years 

is a growing appreciation of the rich variety of offerings right 

here on our doorstep. 

CHEERS TO SPARKLING WINES 

FROM BRITAIN 

This year of all years let’s toast to what makes Britain Great. 

And with a Platinum Jubilee to celebrate – let’s raise a glass of 

bubbly produced right here on our doorstep. 

Sparkling wines from Britain have been taking the wine world 

by storm in the last couple of decades. Our sparkling wines 

are driving excitement and earning plaudits around the globe. 

Today, some two-thirds of all wines produced in Britain are 

sparkling. The vast majority of these are ‘Classic Method’ 

wines – produced by the same lengthy and complex process 

as in Champagne, and a large majority also use the same 

grapes. The combination of expert winemaking, the right soil 

and now better climate has contributed to the production of 

show-stopping wines that continue to win many awards both 

here and overseas. 

The arrival of Champagne houses to produce their own 

classic method English Sparkling Wine - Taittinger in Kent and 

Vranken Pommery in Hampshire - have also added to the UK’s 

quality reputation. Other overseas investors are looking on 

with interest. But what makes a great sparkling wine? It needs 

to be fresh, crisp, delicate but complex enough to marry 

with the exquisite bubbles in the glass; Britain’s cool climate 

produces wines with a lively acidity and delicate fruit that lend 

themselves well to the sparkling wine process and give great 

ageing capability. 

English and Welsh sparkling wines are readily available on the 

high street and online through most retailers. You can also 

head straight to the producers themselves, who have their 

own online sites or you can visit them and taste on site for a 

memorable experience. 

Domestic holidays experienced a boom as a result. The 

‘staycation’ has certainly led to discovering what gems are 

easily accessible with no airport of ferry hassle, fewer queues, 

and, if some years are anything to go by, days and weeks of 

sunshine. 

One exciting development is the growth of wine tourism 

across England and Wales. Just as sales of English and Welsh 

wines have been increasing year on year so is the opportunity 

to discover more about them from ‘source’ and have a great 

experience to boot… and when better to start exploring than 

during English Wine Week, which takes place 18-26 June. 

This marks the start of the vineyard ‘season’ when the vines 

are starting to come in to flower in preparation for the glorious 

fruit that will ultimately become a vintage wine. 

Over 200 vineyards across England and Wales throw open 

their doors to welcome visitors offering a range of experiences 

including tours, tastings and ‘cellar door’ shop. Guided 

tours are conducted by people who are knowledgeable and 

entertaining and in some smaller vineyards you may even 

get the owner or winemaker. Visitors will take away a great 

memory and new experience. 

You don’t have to be a wine connoisseur to visit a vineyard 

… there are so many other delights awaiting. You can even 

stay at some vineyard. Many of the larger vineyards boast 

sophisticated visitor centres with fine dining, winemaker events 

and other activities, particularly over the summer. Many parts 

of the British countryside boast a great food and drink culture 

which you can feast on by visiting the producer or just enjoying 

what local hotels, pubs and farm shops have to offer. 

If you don’t have a vineyard nearby – never fear – most vineyards 

now have excellent online cellar doors, and of course you can 

fine some great selections in retailers across the country, so you 

can still pop a cork and toast English Wine Week! 

Being a young wine region, brimming with innovation, there 

are other sparkling wines now produced by different methods 

whose entry level price will introduce you to a delightfully 

fruity, light style and hopefully open up the pleasures of what 

is produced here on our doorsteps. 

So let’s toast to a Great British success story! 

For more information – visit www.wingb.co.uk or follow 

WineGB on @winegb on Instagram/Facebook or 

@Wine_GB on Twitter. 


Jubilee Macarons, £22 for 5, 

emmadodicakes.com 

Paper Bunting, £6.99, 

gingerray.co.uk 

Plant a Tree for the Jubilee Kit, 

£24.50, thedenkitco.com 

Vintage Union Jack 

Cushion, £32.99 

auburnfox.co.uk and Lion 

And Unicorn Cushion, £139, 

janconstantine.com 

JUBILATIONS 

Are you ready for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee? 

Whether you’re hosting a street party or just looking for 

something to mark the occasion, this curated collection 

will have everything you need to commemorate the 

monarch’s historic milestone. 

Jubilee Dress-Up, £6.50, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Champagne Bucket 

with Jubilee Strap, 

£85.50, heatingand-plumbing.com 

Jubilee Mug, £13.50, 

sophieallport.com 

Pure wool waterproof picnic 

blanket with Jubilee Strap, £135, 

heating-and-plumbing.com 

Jubilee Paper 

Bunting, 3m, £10, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Jubilee Celebration Rose, 

£16.99, dobbies.com 


Ada Shop Local Skirt, 

£89, palava.co 

ALTBASH 

With the pandemic taking away large 

events and parties, it is no surprise 

that since restrictions have lifted that 

everyone is finding any excuse for a 

party with friends and family. Altbashes is 

a new trend that Millennials, Gen X and 

Boomers have embraced to celebrate 

basically anything they can, from new 

jobs to bad break-ups! 

Tissue Paper Disc Party 

Backdrop, £19.99, 


Paisley Fabric Bunting, 3m, 

£25, talkingtables.co.uk 

Party Bucket, £63, 

iamfy.co 

Party Balloon Mosaic Stand and 

Bright Balloon Arch, both £39.99, 


African Shopping 

Basket - Sayana, £65, 

lolaandmawu.com 

Trendsetters 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE TRENDS 

Cat Door Mat, £24.50, 

redcandy.co.uk 

Art Print By Thirteen 

Prints, £20, iamfy.co 

SUMMER 

INFUSIONS 

Dive into spring/ summer 2022 with an 

array of fruity accessories and bright 

pops of colour. From juicy pinks to 

sunshine yellow, summer infusions is the 

perfect trend to get stuck into for the 

brighter seasons. 

Morgan Pom Pom Cushion, 

£35, hauslife.co.uk 

Bright Candle Holders, 

£20, nineangels.co.uk 

Shade In St Clements 

Egg And Spoon, £62, 

pooky.com 

Larsen Corner Sofa, £2940, 

sofa.com

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Jay rayner - 

Renaissance Man 

Jay Rayner is an award-winning writer, journalist 

and broadcaster. He was born in London in 1966 

and has written extensively across the British and 

international media as both feature writer and 

columnist on everything from crime and politics, 

to the arts and fashion. He now writes for the 

Observer, where he is a feature writer and has been 

the restaurant critic for the last 20 years. We caught 

up with him to discuss his My Last Supper one-man 

show, which is on tour now… 

Photo: Shawn Pearce 

Photo: Joe Magowan 

YOUR PASSION FOR JOURNALISM IS 

CLEAR – HOW DID THIS SEGUE INTO 

THE WORLD OF FOOD AND WINE? 

Well, I went for lunch with the editor of 

the Observer magazine many moons 

ago – almost 25 years ago and I was 

advised that the restaurant critic was 

moving on and in that instant I put my 

hand up and said – well I could do 

that… I think that I saw that in food and 

restaurants particularly a great subject. 

As a columnist you can either plucking it 

out of the air on a weekly basis, which is 

very difficult, as colleagues of mine say, 

it is that tough, or with a restaurant you 

have an absolute frame which you can 

hand the observations about the world. 

And that is what it is about. People 

say to me ‘I’d love your job eating all 

that food’. I reply well it’s not my job. 

My job is a writing job not an eating 

job. My job is to make sure that people 

read what I have to say – so I write it in 

a way that informs. I’ve always loved 

restaurants. I have spent my own money 

in significantly good ones. I reckoned 

that I am rather good at that. 


I get a lot of people writing to me saying 

that they would like to be a food critic 

and they think that they are the first 

person to have had that sudden thought 

that they can simply cross the road and 

become a food critic. It is a writing job 

not and eating job. Do you have any 

experience in it? There are only about 

ten of us doing it. I think that they need 

to manage their expectations. 


I am writing about how much pleasure 

your money will get you. 

I UNDERSTAND THAT BRISTOL IS 

BECOMING A ‘GO-TO’ PLACE FOR 

EATING. 

It has been like that for some time now. 

There are significant reviews in Bristol. 

It has an interesting independent 

sector. They have many independent 

restaurants which are very nice. 

CAN YOU TELL US MORE ABOUT 

THE INSPIRATION BEHIND MY 

LAST SUPPER: ONE MEAL A 

LIFETIME IN THE MAKING, AND THE 

ACCOMPANYING LIVE SHOWS? 

I’ve been doing live shows associated 

with my books since 2013. Back then 

I wrote a book about sustainability 

because it is not what the chattering 

middle classes think about. I knew 

it would work with discussion at the 

festivals. Some of them were not very 

good, so I decided that they couldn’t 

have me on the panel but effectively it 

became an illustrated talk that became 

more and more theatrical. My Last 

Supper - the book happened as I was 

repeatedly asked if I was on death 

row what would I eat - and the person 

asking the question thinks that they are 

the only person who has ever asked 

me that. 

WHEN ARE YOU NEXT INVOLVED WITH 

MASTERCHEF? 

Well, it is rolling thing. In June I will be 

involved in filming Pro and on it goes. 

They normally broadcast Pro into the 

Autumn. Thrillingly I am on Countdown 

for a week in June as well. I do Dictionary 

Corner for them on occasion and it is 

quite fun. Tiring as you shoot 5 episodes 

in one day. 

WITH REGARD TO ANY UP AND 

COMING CHEFS, WHAT WOULD YOU 

RECOMMEND THAT THEY DO? 

Do you know that the only thing a chef 

should do is to look after their business. It 

is not about being recognised it is about 

filling your tables, feeding your customers 

and making a profit so that you can 

employ your staff. Don’t worry about me 

or people like me or getting onto Saturday 

Kitchen. You could argue I suppose that 

that could get your customers in. In reality 

if you are starting out – don’t do it as you 

think that you will be on Saturday Kitchen 

just do it because you want to cook, 

because that is who you are and that you 

want to feed people. 

Live Shows 

The Jay Rayner Quartet at The Crazy 

Coqs London, April 29, May 27, June 24 

all at 9.15pm 

My Last Supper, at St Margaret’s, 

Braemar. 8pm 

One Man Show 

Saturday 07 May, 2022 

My Last Supper, at Queen’s College, 

Taunton. 7.30pm 

One Man Show 

Wednesday 18 May, 2022 

My Last Supper at the Sub Rooms, 

Stroud (part of the Stroud Festival of 

Food and Drink) 

7pm 

Friday 20 May, 2022 

The Jay Rayner Quartet at The Sub 

Rooms, Stroud (Part of the Stroud 

Festival of Food and Drink) 

9.15pm 

Friday 20 May, 2022 

HOW MANY RESTAURANTS DO YOU 

GET TO GO TO IN A YEAR? 

I review once a week. So that is fifty of 

those. I also have a podcast – ‘Out to 

Lunch’, in which I take big names out to 

a restaurant and interview them. We were 

getting about 30 of those out. We are 

getting about 100,000 listeners a week, 

which in podcast town is pretty good. 

WHAT WOULD WE FIND THE RAYNER 

HOUSEHOLD EATING ON AN AVERAGE 

NIGHT IN? DO YOU ENJOY COOKING? 

We try and sit down every evening around 

7 o’clock with my wife and our two 

children. I suppose I have to call them 

adult kids. One is 18 and the other 22. We 

do all sit down together and talk through 

the day. Sometimes it will be very basic, 

sausages and baked potatoes and other 

times I have got my cooking head on and 

I want to do marinated lamb kebabs. 

My Last Supper at the Perth Festival, 

7.30pm. 

Sunday 22 May, 2022 

The Jay Rayner Sextet, Jazz Up The 

80s. Pizza Express, Dean Street, 

London. 

7pm and 10pm 

Friday 26 August, 2022 

My Last Supper at Norwich Arts Centre 

8pm 

One Man Show 

Thursday 01 September, 2022 

My Last Supper at The Capitol, 

Horsham, West Sussex. 7.30pm 

One Man Show 


My Last Supper at Derby Theatre, 

7.30pm. 

One Man Show 


For more information go to 

jayrayner.co.uk 

Photo: John Arandhara Blackwell 

(MedRes) 


STYLISH 

stays 

NORTON PARK 

Winchester 

When the opportunity arose to review Norton Park Hotel & 

Spa, I couldn’t pack my suitcase quickly enough! There are few 

things I enjoy more than a spa day, and given the cabin fever 

we’ve all suffered over the past couple of years, I saw it as a 

welcome excuse to blow away the cobwebs! 

An elegant 16th century manor house set in blissful parkland 

right outside the historic town of Winchester, you are guaranteed 

to leave Norton Park feeling revitalised and refreshed. Parking 

up and checking in was a dream, with a team of friendly staff 

and couldn’t of been more accommodating during our stay. 

To fully immerse yourself in the tranquil parkland setting, 

your best bet is to indulge and book yourself a manor house 

feature room. You wont regret it. Set away from the main hotel, 

the manor house is an elegant and glamorous step back in 

time and is guaranteed to make your weekend away extra 

special. The room was adorned with a huge king size bed and 

a very spacious lounge area, as well as beautiful views of the 

picturesque grounds. 

It was finally time for our spa treatments. Both my husband and 

I decided that we required the full works, and so opted for the 

‘Wellbeing Massage’. Using a blend of individually tailored oils 

from the ELEMIS range, the massage was sheer heaven! After 

a refreshment and a quick dip in the pool, it was time to make 

our way to dinner. 

I am very much a self-confessed carnivore, so when I spotted 

the 10oz rib eye steak on the menu, I looked no further! However 

it is worth noting that the dinning menu has something for 

everyone, with many vegetarian and vegan options available. 

The steak was perfectly cooked (rare, of course!), accompanied 

by some juicy red wine and topped off with a cherry cheesecake. 

The perfect evening! 

Rooms from £75 per night 

Norton Park Hotel & Spa, Winchester SO21 3NB 

nortonparkhotel.com | 01962 763 000 

THE THREE BLACKBIRDS 

Suffolk 

Nestled in the quiet village of Woodditton, in a peaceful corner 

of Suffolk near to both the equestrian town of Newmarket and 

its larger cousin Cambridge, The Three Blackbirds offered 

a home away from home for a cosy weekend with our puppy 

plus-one. ‘Dog-friendly’ in more than name only, the staff at The 

Three Blackbirds went above and beyond to ensure a relaxing 

and memorable stay even if, like mine, your four-legged friend 

occasionally makes up for what he lacks in size in his vocal 

range! 

The rooms are in a separate barn building behind the main pub 

and each stylishly and personally decorated. Contemporary but 

with plenty of character befitting the countryside setting, the 

spacious rooms offered the perfect haven to return to after a day 

spent exploring the surrounding area. A large king bed, modern 

bathroom and ample storage space were key features. Not to 

be forgotten, the room also provided a large dog bed, toys and 

treats upon arrival. 

The pub itself was an equally charming setting, with dogs 

welcome during mealtimes and ours was indulged with plenty 

of treats and attention. The seasonally inspired menus provided 

a raft of high-quality options, without breaking the bank. The 

Three Blackbirds is part of the Chestnut Collection, a group of 

15 unique pubs and restaurants across East Anglia, and we 

also ate at the impressive Packhorse Inn, a short drive from The 

Three Blackbirds and with an exceptional menu and ambience. 

Booking through PetsPyjamas.com takes out any stress, as dogs 

stay free and with your first dog-friendly booking, PetsPyjamas 

customers automatically become members of their Priority 

Paws club, which gives dogs and their owners access to their 

own VIP pet concierge, complimentary 24/7 vet advice for the 

duration of their trip, VIP discounts and exclusive deals. 

An all-round fantastic stay, not to be missed. 

The Three Blackbirds is priced at £110 per night. 

Book through www.petspyjamas.com 


DISCOVER CHÂTEAU LOU CASTEOU 

Set in the beautiful French Cote d’Azur countryside, minutes from the sea. These Luxurious Retreats provides the perfect balance of gourmet 

meals, pampered luxury, energetic fitness classes, Latin dance sessions and outdoor activities including coastal treks, tennis, boxercise, 

aqua-gym, circuit training, yoga, sea kayaking and beach workouts, to help guests improve their fitness level or kick start a regime. 

Retreats include 5 days of luxury accommodation in the chateau in en-suite bedrooms with sea or mountain views. 

Meals are fabulous, nutritious and elegant 3 course dinners, quality open bar and evening parties and entertainment. 

Please contact Morag@Loucasteou.com with questions and for reservations. www.loucasteou.com 

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

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Which nursery is right for you? 

You have your lovely baby and plan to go back to work shortly. You want 

them to go to a nursery to have a wide range of friends and quality learning 

and development experiences. But how do you go about choosing the right 

place for you and your precious bundle? 

KEEP LOCAL 

Initially look for a nursery close to where 

you live or work, depending on your 

circumstances. 

Check out your local authority’s website 

which will list nurseries in your area. 

Ask your family, friends and neighbours 

about their recommendations and where 

their children went. Do some research 

using your local social media groups. 

Visit a few nurseries before making such 

an important decision. Your child could 

be there for four years or more and you 

want them to be happy and develop 

well. 

PREPARATION 

It is important to know what questions to 

ask, what you should be looking for and 

the legal requirements a nursery should 

follow. If they have a website, brochure 

or prospectus, this can help you prepare 

questions and give you an insight into 

their offering. Check out their social 

media channels – are they posting about 

a wide range of learning opportunities? 

Check the nursery’s latest Ofsted report 

to see what the regulatory body has 

graded the nursery during their most 

recent inspection. There should be a 

link to the report on the website; if not 

you can find any report using the Ofsted 

‘Find an inspection report’ website, 

all you need is the nursery address to 

locate the relevant report. 

ON THE DAY OF THE VISIT 

First impressions really do count. Some 

things to consider include: 

• Is there a car park or somewhere 

you can pull in easily to take your 

child out safely? 

• What is the nursery entry system? 

Were they welcoming and polite? 

• Is the nursery clean and friendly 

and does it feel safe? 

• Are the children playing happily 

and are they engaged in activities? 

• Are staff supporting children’s 

emotional and care needs? 

• Do the staff appear to be confident 

and caring? 

• What percentage of their staff have 

early years qualifications? 

• How do they work with parents 

to keep you informed about your 

child’s development? 

High quality nurseries will expect you to 

ask questions. Try to spend time with 

staff and see how they interact with your 

child. Do they offer settling in sessions? 

GOING OVER AND ABOVE 

Look out for professional standards 

or awards which show a setting’s 

commitment to quality improvement. 

Millie’s Mark, the gold standard in 

paediatric first aid, requires all staff 

within the setting to be trained and 

confident in carrying out first aid. 

NDNA’s Champions programmes show 

dedication to Maths, Literacy or SEND. 

Nurseries who have achieved NDNA’s 

Quality Counts and e-Quality Counts 

show an ongoing commitment to high 

quality education and care where staff 

reflect and continually improve their 

practice. Find out more about these 

programmes at www.ndna.org.uk 

Check if they are members of any 

professional organisations such as 

NDNA, which supports nurseries to keep 

up to date with current issues and access 

high quality training for their staff. 

KEEP HEALTHY 

Look out for local authority healthy eating 

awards – some also give out awards for 

teaching children about growing and 

preparing their own food. Check their Food 

Standard Agency rating, which will show 

the cleanliness of food preparation areas. 

Do they offer special dietary requirements 

and can they cater for allergies? 

Are you interested in forest school 

provision? Do they have a good outside 

space in which children can explore and 

stretch their imaginations? 

Do they go into the local community for 

example, to visit old people’s homes or 

see how their local farm works? 

Ask about their SENCO (special 

educational needs) support and what 

other professionals they work with. 

HOW SHOULD I MAKE MY FINAL 

DECISION? 

Visit more than one nursery to gain an 

understanding of what each offers. Make 

notes after each visit and refer to these later 

to help you make an informed decision. Go 

for a second visit and spend some time in 

the room your child will be in. It depends 

what is most important to you. Your gut 

instinct will also help you to decide. 

If you have any reservations about any 

of the nurseries you have visited, look 

elsewhere. If you leave the nursery and 

have further questions, any good nursery 

will be happy to answer them over the 

phone, or welcome you for another visit. 

Rosey James 

PR & Policy Manager 

National Day Nurseries Association 

T: 01484 40 70 66 

www.ndna.org.uk 


A vibrant and nurturing co-educational setting from Nursery to GCSE 

To book a tour of the school, please visit our website or contact us on 01483 277313 

Duke of Kent School, Peaslake Road, Ewhurst, Surrey, GU6 7NS www.dukeofkentschool.org.uk 

@dukeofkentschool 

@DoKSchool 

Duke of Kent School 

A different approach to 

family law 

Our Horsham team deliver exceptional client 

care and promote the use of alternative 

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The Family Law Partners office is in 

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Billingshurst, Cranleigh, Crawley, Godalming, 

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We can help you with: 

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aymond blanc 

Bon appetit 

Editor Katie Thomson caught up with acclaimed 

French chef Raymond Blanc ahead of his appearance 

at this year’s Blenheim Palace Food Festival – we 

talked all things sustainability, the British food scene 

and his love of teaching… 

Food and produce are at the centre of 

your life – you exude such a passion for 

it – where did this passion begin? 

It began in my childhood, in Franche- 

Comté. My mother was the greatest 

inspiration of my life. Through her I learnt 

about the importance of seasonality and 

the purity of ingredients. I was very much 

her kitchen helper and it wasn’t until 

the age of 14 that I made my first dish – 

crêpes Suzette, thin pancakes in a sweet 

sauce of caramel and Grand Marnier. 

I made about 30 pancakes, as light as 

feathers, and I was an extremely proud 

teenager. I folded them and arranged them 

on a big Pyrex dish. Then I made a light 

brown caramel, adding the juice of orange 

and lemon, and then the Grand Marnier. I 

poured the sauce over the pancakes and 

then decided to reheat the whole thing on 

a gas ring. Perfect! Or so I thought. At that 

moment catastrophe struck. The Pyrex 

dish exploded into millions of tiny pieces. 

Of course it was a blow to my ego but, as 

you know, I am delighted to say it didn’t 

put me off cooking. 

How important is the garden at Le 

Manoir aux Quat’Saisons? 

There is not just one garden in the 

grounds – there are many, from the 

potager to the orchards and herb 

gardens, and the valley of mushrooms 

and the Japanese garden with its little 

tea-house. For me, it is a daily ritual 

to wander through these enchanting 

gardens with their unusual herbs and 

the sweet, exotic scents of near and 

faraway places. Every little part of Le 

Manoir helps to make it a place with 

soul, a big heart and an appetite for 

humanity. My childhood in postwar 

France might seem ancient and 

simplistic, and we may have lacked 

today’s science or high-tech values, 

but we had one great asset: common 

sense. Information was passed on 

from one generation to another. We 

understood and appreciated that 

food connected with everything – the 

table, the family, environment, society, 

health. We respected what came from 

the soil. 

You’ve always been passionate about 

putting vegetables in the spotlight – do 

you think we are reconnecting with 

our understanding of produce and 

how it links to both our health and the 

environment? 

It begins with the young. We have to 

teach our children about the value of 

a meal, and instil in them that sense 

of place, of region. We need to show 

our children what flourishes near their 

homes and how to grow our own 

vegetables in the garden. If that’s not 

possible we can use window boxes and 

teach our children the miracle of the little 

seeds that contain the life force. If you 

grow and cook your own vegetables, 

life will feel better and you and your 

family will feel better. You will be part of 

gastronomy, too! 


Have you seen the British restaurant 

industry change since the 1970s? 

Beyond belief. When I crossed the 

Channel in the seventies the nation 

was in economic turmoil and the 

quality of the food supply chain was 

not questioned; it had become an 

irrelevance. We had embraced intensive 

farming, and we held it as a triumph. 

This was reflected in the restaurant 

industry which, yes, has changed 

dramatically, so that today London is 

considered one of the great gastromic 

cities of the world. Remember, food 

connects with every single part of 

our lives, a truth that was ignored for 

decades. Oh, how times have changed. 


Do you think our appreciation of food 

in Britain has had a similar overhaul? 

Yes, and also think of ‘the positives’ 

of the pandemic. Lockdowns 

encouraged many people to head for 

the kitchen and discover the great 

pleasures of cooking. It made me 

think about how it would impact on our 

lifestyles and the food we eat. We will 

seriously tackle food waste, and we 

will be closer to our farmers, butchers, 

fishmongers, cheesemakers and our 

other food producers. We do need to 

reconnect more with seasonality and the 

provenance and authenticity of produce. 

Sustainability must be the driving force 

in the years to come. We’ll rediscover 

our skills, grow more and import less. 

That’s good for the farmers and the 

economy. I have long felt that by digging 

into the past, we shall find our future. 

Maybe I am just an old romantic, but I 

do believe truly that this will happen. 

You are appearing at the Blenheim 

Palace Food Festival this summer – 

what are the highlights in this special 

Jubilee year? 

The Blenheim Food Festival is a 

wonderful event with the focus firmly on 

eating well. It is buzzy, happy and fun, 

with lots of artisan producers with stalls, 

and cookery demonstrations. I’ll be 

hosting a question-and-answer session, 

and talking about my life, as well as my 

latest book, Simply Raymond, which is a 

little treasure chest of easy recipes. 

Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge 

– both on stage and to your brigade at 

Le Manoir? 

Without question, teaching is one of the 

greatest pleasures of my life. Over the 

years thousands have come to learn 

at the Raymond Blanc Cookery School 

at Le Manoir. And to think of the many 

young chefs who have come to work 

at Le Manoir ... and gone on to win 

Michelin stars! 

What has been your proudest 

achievement as a chef? 

Ultimately, it is sharing knowledge and 

watching others become masters of the 

incredible crafts of cooking and looking 

after our guests. I must tell you also of a 

special highlight… Many years ago the 

Queen Mother came to Le Manoir. With 

her entourage she enjoyed a particularly 

fabulous and long lunch, and then she 

stood and led her guests in a rendition 

of Le Marseillaise. Then she insisted that 

I gather together about 80 members of 

staff so that she could personally thank 

them for the wonderful experience. I am 

French Republican but I must tell you 

that on that day when the Queen Mum 

visited I came very close to becoming a 

royalist. 

Fantastic Food Festivals is hosting 

three festivals this summer, kickstarting 

the season with Blenheim Palace 

Food Festival in Oxfordshire during 

the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee weekend 

on Thursday 2nd June – Sunday 5th 

June. 

The iconic Royal Victoria Park situated 

in the historical city of Bath will host the 

next food festival on Friday 29th July to 

Sunday 31st July with the final festival 

at Upton Country Park in picturesque 

Poole during the Bank Holiday on 

Saturday 27th August – Monday 29th 

August 2022. 

For more information and tickets visit 

www.fantasticfoodfestivals.co.uk 

‘Simply Raymond: Recipes from 

home’ by Raymond Blanc (£25, 

Headline) is out now 


Raymond Blanc 

MUSSEL AND 

SAFFRON RISOTTO 

Mussels and saffron are united harmoniously in this classic 

risotto. There’s no need for that constant stirring. Instead, the 

rice is stirred towards the end of the cooking time to activate the 

starches, a trick you can use with any risotto you make. 

INGREDIENTS 

For the mussels 

1kg fresh mussels 

1 onion 

2 bay leaves 

2 thyme sprigs 

1 tablespoon unsalted butter 

100ml dry white wine 

For the risotto 

1 garlic clove 

1 tablespoon unsalted butter 

200g carnaroli rice (or arborio) 

2 bay leaves 

a couple of pinches of saffron powder or 

strands 

pinch of cayenne pepper 

2 pinches of sea salt flakes 

100ml dry white wine 

300ml water (or fish stock) 

To finish 

50g Parmigiano Reggiano cheese 

2 teaspoons unsalted butter, at room 

temperature 

a handful of coarsely chopped flat-leaf 

parsley 

100g cooked peas (optional) 

a handful of baby-leaf spinach (optional) 

½ lemon, for squeezing 

TO PREPARE 

First, the mussels. Ensure that all 

the mussels are tightly closed and not 

damaged before you begin to cook; 

any mussels that are damaged or open 

should be discarded. The preparation 

can be done in advance. Wash the 

mussels in a large bowl and under cold 

running water. Mussels that float at this 

stage are not very fresh, so discard them. 

Remove any barnacles and beards, but 

don’t scrub the shells as this can end up 

colouring the cooking juices. Drain. 

Finely chop the onion and peeled garlic 

and grate the cheese. 

In a large saucepan over a medium heat, 

sweat half the 

onion, the bay 

leaves and thyme in the 

butter for 1 minute. Increase the heat to 

high, add the mussels, pour in the wine, 

cover with a lid and cook for 3 minutes. 

Drain in a sieve over a large bowl and 

discard any mussels that have not 

opened. Reserve the cooking juices, 

you will need about 200ml to make the 

risotto. Once the mussels have cooled, 

pick the mussels from their shells, leaving 

a few in their shells for decoration, and 

put them all aside. 

Now, to the risotto. Melt the butter in a 

large saucepan on a medium heat. 

Add the remaining onion, cover with a 

lid and cook for 2–3 minutes, until the 

onion is translucent. Add the garlic and 

stir in the rice. Add the bay leaves, saffron 

and cayenne pepper and lightly season 

with salt. Stir and continue to cook on 

a medium heat for 2 minutes, until the 

grains of rice are shiny. 

Pour in the wine and let it boil for 30 

seconds – bubble, bubble – and stir. 

Pour in the mussel cooking liquor and the 

water or fish stock and stir again. 

Now cook on the gentlest simmer, with 

just a single bubble breaking the surface. 

Cover with a lid and leave for 20 minutes, 

but it mustn’t boil. 

Now it’s time for 5 minutes of some 

serious and fast stirring. At full speed, stir 

the risotto. The grains rub against each 

other, extracting the starch, and this gives 

the rice its creaminess. Yet every grain 

remains whole, unbroken. 

Taste – the rice should have a slight bite. 

Add the cheese, butter and parsley to the 

risotto, along with the cooked peas and 

spinach, if using, all the cooked mussels 

and a strong squeeze of lemon. Stir, taste 

and correct the seasoning just before 

serving. 

SERVES 

4 

PREP 

20 

Simply Raymond: Recipes from Home by Raymond Blanc 

(£25, Headline) is out now 

Photo credit: Chris Terry 

COOK 

40 


Raymond Blanc 

PEAR 

ALMONDINE 

It’s rare to find a dessert that is both 

simple and extraordinarily delicious. Pear 

Almondine is one of my favourites. You can 

find some excellent preserved Williams 

pears in jars or tins, ideal for this recipe. 

This dessert is a template to accommodate 

many other fruits and flavours. For baking 

like this, I like to use a baking stone. 

However, if you don’t have this, it will still 

be a winner. 

INGREDIENTS 

6 pear halves, tinned or jarred 

100g unsalted butter, at room temperature, 

plus extra for brushing the tin 

100g caster sugar 

100g ground almonds 

1 teaspoon cornflour 

1 teaspoon vanilla extract 

1 medium egg (preferably organic or freerange) 

To serve 

a handful of flaked almonds (for extra 

flavour, first toast them in a dry pan) 

icing sugar, for dusting 

SERVES 

6 

PREP 

10 

COOK 

20 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 160°C/140°C fan/ 

gas 3. 

Butter (or oil) a tart ring, about 18cm x 2cm. 

Cut a long strip of greaseproof paper to 

stick to the inside. Place the lined tart ring 

on a lined baking tray or baking stone. 

Drain the pears and slice them in half 

again if they are large. In a large bowl, mix 

the softened butter and sugar. Then add 

ground almonds, cornflour, vanilla and egg, 

and mix well. Spoon the mixture into the 

cake tin, spreading it evenly. 

Arrange the pear halves evenly around the 

outside of the tart, resting them on top 

of the almond sponge mixture, and with 

the tip of each half meeting in the middle. 

According to size of the pears, you may 

require the base of half a pear to fill a space 

in the centre. Scatter with almonds. 

Bake the tart on the middle shelf of the 

oven, on the preheated baking stone or 

baking tray, for 16–20 minutes, or until 

golden. 

Leave the cake to cool for a few 

minutes before removing it from the 

ring. 

Before serving, dust with icing sugar. 

VARIATION 

In a saucepan, reduce the syrup from 

the jar, let it cool and add a dash of 

Poire William, the pear liqueur. After 

baking, puncture the pears with a 

fork and pour over the syrup. It adds 

colour and flavour. 

Simply Raymond: Recipes from 

Home by Raymond Blanc (£25, 

Headline) is out now 

Photo credit: Chris Terry

A calm and beautiful 

nursery using paired 

warm neutral shades and 

simple mdf panelling 

renew 

Refresh & 

RENOVATE 

Pampas and Milk No 

Sugar, coatpaints.com 

No. 101 Wick White, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Refresh 

Sage Advice, 

dowsingandreynolds.com 

Dulux’s new heritage 

range has beautiful, 

richly-pigmented colours 

in hues that won’t date 

A lick of paint really does transform a space. This season, interiors have been 

comforting spaces - with colours designed to evoke feelings of nostalgia. We love 

the creamy whites now available - they give a hit of school-house warmth. For a 

calming bedroom or gender neutral nursery as above, try layering warm neutrals 

on details like panelling. Thanks to regency drama Bridgerton, greens are still 

hugely popular - the hues are endless depending on whether you want to create 

a rich and inviting space or somewhere dark and dramatic. 

Dulux Heritage in Waxed Khaki, 

duluxdecoratorcentre.co.uk 

Using Crittall style doors 

floor to ceiling creates 

great impact here 

(Image credit: Paul Raeside) 

RENOVATE 

Lots of us have decided to stay put and improve our 

existing properties - nothing does this quite like new 

glazing. New doors and windows breathe fresh life into 

spaces, especially if glazing can open up an existing wall. 

If you want to look into increasing openings, check with a 

structural engineer to see what you need to account for. 

Bi-fold doors remain the most popular option - allowing 

for an expansive opening of the space. We also love 

Crittall-style French doors for industrial chic. 

The use of glass from expressbifolds.co.uk 

creates an amazing feeling of space 


enew 

With electricity prices soaring, it 

makes good sense to upgrade 

your appliances where you can 

- and making them smart-home 

compatible will help to futureproof 

your property. 

Free up space 

on the worktop 

with boiling 

water at the 

push of a button 

with the GROHE 

Red tap 

Haier’s I-Pro Series 3 Washing Machine is 

A rated - saving 33% on a D-rated product. 

We love the steam refresh programmes 

to remove the bacteria from clothes and 

the intelligent steam functionality, making 

ironing almost unnecessary. I-Pro Series 3, 

haier-europe.com 

EcoPower technology saves 

water and energy with a cleverly 

designed water supply that reduces 

consumption, plus, this product 

won’t disrupt your peace, as it’s 

Quiet Mark certified. Miele G 7100 

SC Dishwasher, £999, quietmark.com 

(Image credit: Susanna Hawkins) 

AI in the kitchen is taken 

to a new level with Haier’s 

Chef@Home system - the 

touch screen detects user 

presence and the sensors can 

detect the type of food in the 

oven, timing the cooking to 

perfection. Chef@Home Series 

3, haier-europe.com 

Dark kitchens continue to be 

popular - with bottle green 

shades joining classic navy 

and charcoal 

Mix open shelves with 

closed cupboards for 

a feeling of space. The 

drawer dishwasher here 

from Fisher & Paykel is a 

great solution for a busy 

family. fisherpaykel.com/uk 

Larder cupboards keep all those 

essentials at hand. Clever lighting and 

the continuation of the worktop inside 

helps to make this feel like part of the 

kitchen when the doors are open - but 

crucially can be closed to make it all 

tidy instantly. oliveandbarr.com 

RENOVATE 

When selecting a kitchen, it’s not about trends - but 

it is always worth looking at innovative solutions. 

One such design that works for large and small 

kitchens alike is the larger cupboard - featuring 

a workspace inside to house appliances like the 

toaster and coffee machine, these cupboards banish 

the clutter and make kitchens look clean and crisp. 


Refresh 

The perfect option for a quick and easy update, or 

for renters, peel and stick tiles are a great option 

to breathe new life into walls and floors - without 

expense or long term commitment 

Self adhesive splashback 

in toughened glass. Laura 

Ashley Mr Jones Splashback, 

£249, splashback.co.uk 

Washable, wipe-able, heat 

resistant, fireproof, and 

removable, these wallpaper 

rolls are ideal for updating your 

kitchen easily (60cm x 300cm 

roll), £190, limelace.co.uk 

renew 

Rather than replacing whole pieces of furniture, you can 

breathe new life into items and rooms by upgrading the 

hardware. From new handles to lights or sockets, it 

can be a surprisingly dramatic change without 

too much upheaval. 

Kilburn Knob, £10.80, 

corston.com 

där Lukas Light, 

£289, 

darlighting.co.uk 

3G Two Way Dimmer Switch - 

Bronze, £115.20, corston.com 

Cushion, £39, 

cultfurniture.com 

Tap, £189.99, dowsingandreynolds.com 

Decorative tray, £23, 

sassandbelle.co.uk 

Bridgman Sunbury Sofa and 

Cushions,bridgman.co.uk 

Refresh 

Elowen Throw, 

£69, and Charu 

Cover, £34, both 


Surely the quickest renovation win of all is a 

switch up of soft-furnishings and decorative 

objects. No mess and instant impact! If you like 

to change these items seasonally, try to shop 

with companies using sustainable materials and 

paying workers fairly for their craft. 


OKA 

Al Fresco 

IN THE GARDEN 

With long summer nights ahead, we look at how to turn 

your garden into a beautiful extension of your living space 

Cox & Cox 

LIGHT THE LIGHTS 

As with setting the scene for dining, 

don’t forget to light other areas of the 

garden to provide drama and depth. 

We love these solar-powered spots to 

light up trees from below in areas where 

you don’t have mains electric access. 

4 x 1W LED Premium Solar Spotlight 

Kit, £99.99, and Moroccan Stake Light, 

£16.99, both lights4fun.co.uk 

DINING AREA 

Creating a beautiful, exciting outdoor dining space 

is easier than you might think - the key is multi-level 

lighting. Festoon lights work beautifully for a romantic 

feel, then pepper in candles or LED candles for a soft 

glow on the table. Just because you are outside, don’t 

forget the linens and place settings - runners, chargers, 

proper napkins and nice glassware help to set the scene. 

Lights from lights4fun.co.uk. 

lights4fun.co.uk 

FIRED UP 

Firepits and heaters aren’t just 

lovely focal points - they help 

the party carry on even when the 

evening gets cooler. Before buying 

consider your usage - some come 

with cooking attachments, saving 

space on needing a separate 

BBQ. Standing Iron Brazier, £350, 

coxandcox.co.uk 

Maira, 

Roma and 

Boho Floor 

cushion, 

from £29, 

hauslife. 

co.uk 

TEXTURES & 

TONES 

Style a garden as you would your 

living room - layer blankets, rugs, 

pouffes, cushions - just bring them 

in at the end of the evening - there’s 

no need to buy special outdoor 

cushions. Play with textures you 

might not have in the house, like 

ruffles, fringing and jute. 

Linen Napkins, 

£10, ooh-noo. 

com, Brisa plate 

and serving 

bowl, from £16, 





JUST GO... 

potty! 

In this edition, our regular contributor Matt Biggs explains 

how there is much joy to be gained from potted plants... 

Sometimes you see a plant and really, 

really want one – but you know that 

your soil is the polar opposite of what 

that coveted plant wants to put its roots 

down into. Some plants just don’t like the 

restrictions of a pot, but others, despite all 

odds, thrive. 

There are many joys for the pot gardener 

– one of the most obvious being that they 

are mobile so once that fabulous burst 

of Spring bulbs is over, or the heady 

fragrance of your favourite witch hazel has 

passed, you can pop it to the back of your 

space for a rest and bring forward the 

next to star centre stage! 

You can grow veggies in pots, you can 

grow herbs in pots – and place them 

handily by the back door to avoid soggy 

slippers when you just need that sprig of 

rosemary for the roast lamb – pots are 

just great. Children can have ownership 

of their own pot to try different things and 

if you raise height then gardeners with 

mobility problems can access them too. 

Just moved in and not ready to commit 

to a planting plan, or maybe there is an 

unattractive aspect that just needs hiding, 

enter the pot, large, small or in clusters a 

pot display is the ideal way to add a little 

pizzazz and to hide that which is best not 

seen! 

You don’t have to go down the posh pot 

route either – there are some absolutely 

fabulous ones in garden centres and 

nurseries, but you can also utilise things 

you already have for a bit of quirky 

recycling. Leaky buckets, old sinks, cut 

down plastic containers can all host 

something lovely and if you are artistic, 

you can paint them, the options are 

endless. 

Whatever your pot personality is – go for it 

and see what you can do. Just remember 

to collect that rainwater so you can water 

them too! 

Image: Sarah Clarke’s wonderful pot 

grown Wisteria 



COULD WATER 

SOFTENERS BE 

THE UNSUNG 

HERO OF THE UK 

CLIMATE CHANGE 

REVOLUTION? 

A study shows technology can 

remove 730kg of CO2 from a 

single household, per year... 

It is well documented that hard water 

causes limescale build-up, which can 

lead to bigger bills and excessive 

cleaning in the home. What is not as wellknown 

is the impact it can have on your 

carbon footprint and our latest research 

has found that eradicating household 

limescale is as almost four times better 

for the planet than recycling. 

Research has revealed that households 

in hard water regions could reduce their 

carbon footprint by up to 732kg of CO2 

per year, if they had softened water 

to reduce limescale build-up. This is 

similar to the carbon footprint reductions 

associated with switching to a vegan diet 

(800kg of CO2/year) and significantly 

larger than recycling (200kg of CO2/year). 

Tackling household limescale is also 

better for the environment than other 

commonly recommended tips such as 

using improved cooking equipment (650 

kg of CO2/year) and using renewable 

heating (640kg CO2/year). Softened 

water could also save you up to £180 

a year on heating because limescale 

deposits within heating systems can 

cause blockages in pipework and boilers. 

The theme of this year’s Earth Day (April 

22nd) is “Restore Our Earth” – with the 

organisation stating this year’s focus 

will specifically look to “emerging green 

technologies, and innovative thinking that 

can restore the world’s ecosystems.” 

Tony Jones, General Manager at 

Harvey Water Softeners, said: 

“ 

AS THE UK BUILDS UP TO COP26 

SUMMIT LATER THIS YEAR, WE 

HAVE ALREADY SEEN A MASSIVE 

RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE 

GOING VEGAN TO DO THEIR BIT 

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE 

UK. WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE 

FOR EVERYONE, WE WANTED 

TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE 

OTHER POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL 

CHANGES PEOPLE CAN MAKE 

IN THEIR HOME TO TACKLING 

CLIMATE CHANGE. FOR THE ECO- 

CONSCIOUS PEOPLE IN HARD 

WATER AREAS, A WATER SOFTENER 

IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO REDUCE 

THEIR PERSONAL CARBON 

FOOTPRINT. 

To find out more about water softeners 

visit: www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk 

“ 

A RECENT STUDY SHOWS THAT 

HOUSEHOLDS IN HARD WATER 

REGIONS COULD REDUCE THEIR 

CARBON FOOTPRINT BY UP 

TO 732KG OF CO2 PER YEAR, IF 

THEY HAD SOFTENED WATER TO 

REDUCE LIMESCALE BUILD-UP. 

FURTHER RESEARCH HAS FOUND 

THAT ERADICATING HOUSEHOLD 

LIMESCALE IS AS ALMOST FOUR 

TIMES BETTER FOR THE PLANET 

THAN RECYCLING. 

ENERGY USAGE WITH SOFTENED 

WATER IS 23.8% LOWER FOR GAS 

HEATERS AND 17.8% LOWER FOR 

ELECTRIC HEATERS. 

CONVERTING ALL UK HARD 

WATER HOMES TO SOFT WATER 

WOULD SAVE UP TO 8.24 MILLION 

TONNES OF CO2 FROM BEING 

EMITTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE 

EACH YEAR – THE EQUIVALENT TO 

TAKING 1.8 MILLION CARS OFF THE 

ROAD OR PLANTING 136 MILLION 

TREES. 


ORLANDO MUST VISIT: 

• You can’t visit Orlando without ticking 

off at least one of the parks - the Disney 

Park Hopper tickets will allow you to 

move between parks if you’d like to take 

in attractions across the Magic Kingdom, 

Hollywood Studios and EPCOT. It is 

Disney’s 75th Anniversary year in 2022, 

so make sure to check the calendar for 

upcoming special events. disneyparks. 

disney.go.com 

• Make time to explore Winter Park. It’s 

home to the Morse Museum of Art, where 

you’ll find a vast collection of Tiffany Glass. 

morsemuseum.org 

• Winter Park Scenic Boat tours leave on the 

hour. scenicboattours.com 

• Get to Blue Spring State Park early, as 

parking fills up quickly. 

• Stay: Magic Village Yards Orlando 

magicvillagevacationhomes.com 

A SUNSHINE 

STATE OF MIND 

Katie Thomson heads on a road trip to discover 

the diverse sights and sounds of Florida 

Images, from top to bottom: 

Galaxy’s Edge at Walt Disney Hollywood Studios, 

Manatees at Blue Spring State Park, 

The pool at Magic Village Yards 


I 

n telling people about my upcoming 

holiday to Florida, it became clear that 

as a destination, it has a reputation 

filled with stereotypes - the preconceived 

notion being that it’s all about 

theme parks and the Everglades. But this 

vast and diverse State is so much more 

than the sum of its parts - from incredible 

ecology, beautiful beaches and parks, 

amazing gastronomy, a melting pot of 

culture and history - all under the glow of 

consistent sunshine, I’d implore you to 

add Florida to your ‘must’ list this year! 

The beauty of the State is that however 

you plan your holiday, you’re sure to find 

something that ticks boxes - no matter 

your age or family dynamic. If you’d like to 

follow our itinerary, here’s how it unfolded 

over two weeks: Flight into Orlando 

International Airport - Orlando - Tampa 

Bay - St Petersburg - Naples - Miami - 

depart Miami International. Any one of 

these fabulous destinations could afford 

weeks of exploration - but this snapshot 

will give you a flavour of some amazing 

places to visit throughout the State. 

O R L A N D O 

I went to Orlando with an expectation of 

parks and not a lot else, but I left with 

a greater appreciation of a diverse and 

interesting area. If you’re basing yourself 

in Orlando for the duration of your trip to 

Florida, it’s well-worth setting aside some 

extra days to explore further afield. 

Stereotypes aside, the parks are 

exceptionally good - being American, 

they seem to be a on a scale that we just 

can’t match in Europe. Accompanying 

me on this trip was my Star Wars fanatic 

partner, so it was inevitable that a day 

at Disney’s Hollywood Studios would 

be on the itinerary. Home to Galaxy’s 

Edge, the park gives fans the chance 

to enter an immersive world of alien 

planets - including amazing replicas of 

the Millennium Falcon, an X Wing and 

a First Order Cargo Ship. The rides are 

incredible too - technologically advanced 

simulation experiences which thrilled even 

a 30-something fan with the same wide 

eyes as a child! 

Home for our time in Orlando was the 

wonderful Magic Village Yards - a brilliant 

complex about 15 minutes drive from 

the action of the parks, but with all the 

amenities to make for a relaxing stay. The 

villas are well-equipped and very spacious 

- with their own private BBQs so you can 

cook up a classic American BBQ. There’s 

also a great pool area - perfect for families 

if they still have some steam to blow off 

after a day at Disney. 

The parks are of course a huge draw, but 

if you can allow the time, exploring further 

afield is well worthwhile. About 40 minutes 

east of our base at Magic Village Yards 

is the lovely Winter Park neighbourhood. 

Winter Park is a picturesque, upscale 

area with 10 tree-lined blocks off Park 

Avenue with more than 140 boutiques, 

restaurants and specialty shops. The food 

scene here is amazing, as is the vast array 

of independent boutiques and shops. 

The big draw of the area for residents are 

the three large lakes - each connected 

by a network of small waterways 

and surrounded by some of the most 

impressive real-estate you’re likely to see. 

Get a front row seat for house-hunting 

by getting out on the water - the Winter 

Park Scenic Boat Tour is an informative 

way to understand the area, traverse the 

waterways and see some wildlife too. 

One of the classic symbols of Florida is 

the manatee - the gentle giants of the sea 

and the rivers. You might be surprised you 

can see manatees only 40 minutes north 

of Orlando, in the pristine waters of Blue 

Spring State Park. From mid-November to 

March, hundreds of manatees congregate 

in the spring run to seek shelter from the 

cold. It’s a truly unforgettable sight to see 

so many of these iconic animals in one 

place. If you’re visiting out of this season, 

you can instead swim or tube in these 

crystalline waters. 

T A M P A B A Y 

Tampa Bay has the buzz of a metropolitan 

city, mixed in with a neighbourhood feel in 

its community Ybor City. Built on former 

swamps in the late 1800s by wealthy cigar 

maker Vicente Martinez-Ybor, this enclave 

of Tampa Bay became a cigar-producing 

powerhouse - with over 200 factories 

and producing a staggering 500 million 

cigars a year in the early 

20th century. For context, 

today, 300 million cigars are 

produced worldwide - in 

Ybor City, every family was 

involved in production and 

immigrant workers could 

buy into a slice of the 

American dream thanks to 

the philanthropy of Vicente 

Martinez-Ybor, who created 

social housing that workers 

could buy using a portion 

of their wages each week. 

It’s well-worth a visit to the 

last remaining cigar factory 

still producing products in 

the city - the J.C. Newman 

factory underwent huge 

refurbishment last year 

and how offers some 

incredible behind-thescenes 

tours of their cigar 

production. Whether or 

not you’re an aficionado, 

it’s really something to 

be able to see products 

being made using 

the same machinery 

as the 1930s and to 

TAMPA BAY MUST VISIT: 

• Get your bearings in Ybor City with a walking tour 

lead by local history buff Max Herman. His knowledge 

is unparalleled and it will give you a far greater 

appreciation for seismic historical events with Ybor 

at the centre - not least, the Cuban Revolution. 

yborwalkingtours.com 

• You can’t miss a trip to The Columbia restaurant in the 

heart of Ybor City. columbiarestaurant.com 

• Check out the Hyde Park area - a pristine 

neighbourhood with stretches of beautifully-preserved 

Arts and Crafts bungalows from the 1920s 

• Explore Tampa’s Riverwalk - a 3.2 mile stretch. The 

best way to make the most out of the attractions is 

with a Riverwalk Pass - this allows you into seven 

attractions along the river (including the Tampa Art 

Gallery, the Aquarium and the History Centre, as 

well as providing transportation on the Pirate Taxi). 

visittampabay.com/riverwalk-pass 

• Grab a bite at Heights Public Market at Armature 

Works - a former trolley barn converted into for 

halls, housing a range of pop-up food trucks. 

Take your food to go and enjoy it by the riverside. 

armatureworks.com 

• Stay: JW Marriott Tampa Water Street marriott.com/ 

en-us/hotels

Winter Park 

Scenic Boat Tour 

Naples Grande Balcony 

St Pete Pier 

Naples Grande Beach Resort 

ST PETE MUST VISIT: 

• Head to downtown St Pete’s for amazing cafés, 

craft breweries and art. 

• If you like learning about marine life, book a behind 

the scenes tour of Clearwater Marine Aquarium and 

learn about the important conservation work they 

undertake. cmaquarium.org 

• Grab an iconic grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s, 

washed down with margaritas. 

frenchysonline.com 

• If you’d like some fine dining during your visit, 

there are two musts on the list. Within The Saint 

Hotel, 82 Degrees is the perfect spot for coastal 

fare, craft cocktails and breathtaking views. The 

Key Lime pie was the best we tasted during our 

trip. thesainthotel.com 

• Then, for a truly unique experience, head to 

Spinners Rooftop Grille - as the name suggests, 

the restaurant floor rotates to reveal a stunning 

360° view of the area. Make sure to have the catch 

of the day whilst you soak in miles of pristine views 

in every direction. spinnersrooftopgrille.com 

• Stay: Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach 

hilton.com/en/hotels 

Ybor City 

learn about the city built around this 

flourishing empire. 

I’d highly recommend a walking tour to 

help get your bearings and learn about the 

rich history of this pocket of Tampa Bay. 

Then, once you’ve worked up an appetite, 

head to The Columbia Restaurant for 

lunch. The Columbia restaurant is a 

local institution - this historic restaurant 

resides over a whole block and is the 

oldest in the state. It is run by the 

fifth-generation owners and is the 

kind of place you wish you had in your 

own hometown. The food is amazing, 

the atmosphere unlike anything you’ll 

experience in the UK - if you like to eat 

where the locals eat, this is the place. 

You must try the Cuban sandwich and 

the iconic 1905 salad - and don’t forget 

to leave room for the white chocolate 

bread pudding. 

Home for the night was only a few streets 

away, in Water Street. This newly-built 

area was conceived to change the quality 

of city living - being purpose-built with 

aspirational lifestyle in mind. Think lots 

of outdoor areas, a buzzing restaurant 

and night-life scene and wide, expansive 

spaces. We were staying in the newlybuilt 

JW Marriott Tampa Water Street - it 

has everything you’d expect from a 5 star 

city hotel, but with some amazing resort 

amenities too - like the resort-style sixthfloor 

rooftop pool. It’s the perfect base to 

explore the rest of this vibrant city from. 

S T P E T E R S B U R G 

Just a hop over a bridge from buzzing 

Tampa is a special city within a peninsula, 

St Petersburg. Known to locals as St Pete, 

this beautiful area its warm weather and 

for holding the title of ‘most consecutive 

days with sunshine’ at 768 days and thus 

the other name - sunshine city. It makes it 

an absolute paradise for beach-goers, 

We always love to try and eat in places 

the locals enjoy, and Frenchy’s Rockaway 

Grill is no exception. Open-air dining 

on the Gulf of Mexico, this is a fun and 

vibrant place to enjoy a long lunch, before 

a stroll along Clearwater beach. Both St 

Pete and Clearwater have been winners 

of America’s best beach for a number of 

years - and with powdery white sand, clear 

waters and amazing amenities, it’s easy to 

see why they are enduringly popular. 

A must visit whilst in the area is Clearwater 

Marine Aquarium - primarily a marine 

hospital, the centre aims to educate. Kids 

might recognise the Dolphin named Winter 

from the film Dolphin’s Tale - the centre 

were responsible for fitting Winter with 

her prosthetic tail fin, after she lost it as a 

baby. The Aquarium cares for sick sea-life, 

and houses those that are not suitable for 

re-release, like its resident dolphins and 

soon-to-open manatee section. 

It’s important to get out on the beach 

during your stay here and our hotel offered 

that opportunity steps from the door. The 

Hilton Garden Inn St. Pete Beach is newly 

refurbished, with a laid-back beach style. 

It has its own beach-front bar, Coconut 

Charlies, which is the ideal place to watch 

the sunset with your own sundowner. 

It might surprise you to find out that 

St Petes is also home to the largest 

collection of Dalí art outside of Spain. The 

Dalí Museum houses a vast permanent 

collection within a mind-bending 

architectural gem - it’s well worth a visit. If 

that gets your culture juices flowing, make 


NAPLES MUST LIST 

• Get out on the water and get a front row seat 

for some America’s most beautiful waterside 

homes in Naples. The Naples Princess Sunset 

Dinner Cruise makes the most of one of Naples 

biggest attractions - the sunset. On our cruise, 

we even saw dolphins in the wake of the boat! 

naplesprincesscruises.com 

• Visit Celebration Park for a collection of food 

trucks perched on the water’s edge. 

• See world-class examples of botanical plants at 

the Naples Botanical Gardens. naplesgarden.org 

• If you head to Marco Island, you must stop at 

the Island Gypsy Cafe for lunch - known as 

“locally world famous” this waterfront hidden 

gem of a restaurant is nestled on the beautiful 

waterfront community of Isles of Capri. 

• If family are in tow, visit Naples Zoo - the tropical 

setting and the array of animals are brilliant, with 

highlights including a boat to see primates on 

their own islands. napleszoo.org 

• Stay: Naples Grande Beach Resort 

naplesgrande.com 

time to see 

other local galleries the James Museum 

of Western and Wildlife Art and the 

Museum of Fine Arts. These all neighbour 

the spectacular St Pete’s Pier - this vast 

26 acre site connects the peaceful blue 

waters of Tampa Bay with the vibrant 

greenery of downtown St. Petersburg’s 

parks, creating the ultimate place to stroll, 

bike, dine, drink, shop, swim, take in a 

concert and more. 

N A P L E S 

Naples really is a little slice of paradise - it 

combines beautiful weather, gorgeous 

scenery, high end shopping, dramatic 

coastlines and of course, world-class 

golfing. 

If you were to conjure up a pristine 

American boulevard, Fifth Avenue South in 

Naples feels like it has jumped out of your 

own imaginings. These immaculate streets 

hum with atmosphere, al fresco dining 

sprawling from beautiful restaurant façades, 

and a host of sparking boutique shops. 

Greater Naples has approximately 90 18- 

hole golf courses, with about 30 of those 

courses accessible to the public. One of 

the private courses is the beautiful course 

at the Naples Grande Resort - but guests 

have the luxury of membership during 

their stay. The resort is spectacular and 

should be first choice if you’re choosing 

accommodation in the area. As well as 

amazing amenities, including three pools, 

most rooms feature breathtaking views 

across the horizon, and in turn make for 

unforgettable sunsets. 

If you’re a lover of flora, the Naples 

Botanical Garden is a must-visit. This 

170-acre, world-class garden features 

plants from tropical regions around 

the world. The peaceful lily pad 

pools are beautiful, as are the zoned 

spaced like the Asian, Caribbean 

and Mexican gardens. 

You might not think it, but Naples 

and neighbouring Marco 

Island are great places 

to learn more about the 

ecology of the area. Paddle 

Marco operate kayak tours 

of the diverse life within 

the mangrove forests - 

biologist and naturalist 

tour guides will take you 

through beautiful and 

twisty mangrove tunnels, 

explaining how this 

essential eco system 

works and looking out 

for wildlife like ospreys, 

pelicans, raccoons, 

turtles and dolphins. 

M I A M I 

A trip to Florida 

doesn’t feel complete without 

a visit to Miami. The sprawling 

cultural icon, the city is diverse 

and buzzing. A melting pot of 

cultural influences, whether 

you’re looking to fly and flop 

on the beach, party through the 

night or take in lots of culture, it’s all here. 

The Moxy South Beach offers stylish and 

affordable accommodation in the heart of 

the action. The rooms are compact, but 

the hotel’s style more than makes up for a 

lack of space. The rooftop pool allows you 

to make the most of the Miami sunshine 

without the crowds, plus the taqueria in 

the hotel lobby sells some of the best 

quesadillas we tasted during the trip! 

Hopefully I’ve inspired you to explore 

another side of Florida - It’s a state I’ve 

returned to because each time I leave, I 

have a feeling that there’s more to explore. 

I hope this snapshot helps to give you a 

flavour of some unforgettable places and 

sights and sounds of the magic of the 

Sunshine State. 

TRAVEL TIPS 

• At the time of going to press, the US 

still requires a negative PCR or Antigen 

test, plus proof of vaccination status 

for vaccinated passengers. We booked 

this quickly and easily through Eurofins: 

traveltesting.eurofins.co.uk 

• You must also complete an ESTA visawaiver 

prior to entering the US. The 

process is easy and you can register at 

esta.cbp.dhs.gov 

• For re-entry to the UK, you must 

complete a passenger locator form. 

• Make the holiday start early with valet 

parking and lounge access from the 

experts at Holiday Extras - and save ££ 

by booking early. holidayextras.com 

Clearwater Beach 

MIAMI MUST LIST 

• Visit Miami’s iconic beach, or take a 

walk along the promenade at night to 

see it in its illuminated glory. 

• Dine in style - if you want to enjoy 

classic Mexican dishes, Como Como 

at the Moxy Hotel is excellent. A 

marisquería (a Mexican seafood 

restaurant) - with a fire station at the 

centre where the fresh, whole fish are 

grilled to perfection. 

• The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of 

Science is a must visit - you could easily 

spend a whole weekend here. It boasts 

its own amazing four-storey aquarium, 

planetarium, and a six-storey science 

centre. frostscience.org 

• Stay: The Moxy South Beach Miami 

marriott.com/en-us 

South Beach Miami 

Moxy South Beach Miami 



Finding Community 

People are loving the ease of our rental model and the speed at 

which they can move into a Birchgrove retirement community. 

Each apartment is individually designed 

to maximise space and light. Future 

designed to make it easy to navigate, 

each fully fitted kitchen has the Birchgrove 

trademark of high-quality appliances 

and walk-in showers. Finished to a high 

standard, the apartments are distinctively 

elegant. 

Meet Miriam. She is a retired primary 

school teacher who loves meeting people 

and making new friends. 

Miriam is a social lady and throughout her 

life enjoyed a large group of friends. She 

and her husband made a comfortable 

life together. They enjoyed living in their 

home for over 60 years. But over time, 

circumstances have changed. Miriam lost 

her husband four years ago. Her circle of 

friends dwindled as people moved out of 

the area or passed away. This left Miriam 

without company and isolated from her 

family. Her children wanted to help her, but 

they lived hours away. 

Miriam sought a new community and new 

friends. At Woodbank Apartments she has 

found both. She lives among like-minded 

people. A ready-made group of friends 

to enjoy chatting and relaxing together. It 

is easy to meet new people and there is 

plenty to do. A leisurely woodland walk on 

the grounds perhaps. Or maybe attending 

one of the regular events and activities 

planned by the Woodbank team. 

Besides all the on-site facilities, Woodbank 

Apartments are situated in the lovely 

village of Hook Heath near Woking. The 

village has a mix of shops and restaurants 

to offer. Miriam loves being in the centre of 

all this activity. 

Of course, Miriam enjoys retreating to her 

well-appointed, comfortable, and private 

apartment at the end of the day. 

All apartments come with a fully fitted 

kitchen, but this doesn’t much interest 

Miriam. She hates cooking. She doesn’t 

go hungry though. Miriam makes use of 

the Kitchen Brasserie, a modern on-site 

eatery. She can enjoy a meal by herself, 

with other residents or invite her family to 

join her. 

Not only does moving to Woodbank 

Apartments suit Miriam and her social 

life, but it has given her son and daughter 

some much-needed peace of mind. They 

worried that they lived too far away to help 

if need be. But now, Miriam lives much 

closer. 

Miriam’s family are also happy to know 

that each apartment is fitted with an easyto-use 

digital telecare console. These 

clever little consoles make sure help is 

available at the touch of a button. There 

are staff present on-site 24-hours a day, 

seven days a week. 

Miriam enjoys independence. But it is 

comforting to know that the Woodbank 

team offers extra assistance if she needs 

support with day-to-day living in the 

future. 

If you would like to find out more 

about living at a Birchgrove retirement 

community, contact the team who will 

happily talk through the options and tailor 

something that works to support your 

individual needs. Call 020 3929 5599 or 

visit www.birchgrove.life 


DAY IN THE LIFE 


To give you an insight into 

what it is like to work for 

Home Instead, one of our staff 

members has written her own 

‘Day in the Life’... 

“A typical day might begin with a call starting at 8.15 am with a 

client who requires help with washing, dressing and breakfast 

preparation. The client may be elderly and infirm, or confined to 

bed. The visit would usually last an hour, and then I would travel 

straight to the next call. This one could involve some shopping 

and then companionship for the rest of the hour. 

At midday, I may return to my first client to prepare lunch, 

attend to personal needs and make sure they are settled for 

the afternoon. On another day, I may visit a gentleman who 

has restricted mobility, who needs help to clean his house and 

change the bedclothes. Over time, as he gains trust, this call will 

develop into companionship too – we can always make time for a 

cup of tea and a chat! 

Routine calls can mean a return visit to a client who needs an 

evening meal preparing, and then some personal care so that 

they are ready for bedtime. Other clients may enjoy going out 

for a walk, being accompanied on shopping trips or visiting 

a place of interest. My working day is always varied, and my 

own lifestyle means that I can be flexible about the times I am 

available. At Home Instead we work together to meet clients’ 

needs and build relationships over time with carers visiting the 

same people. It is very satisfying to know that you have helped 

someone to maintain a good quality of life in their own home, 

sometimes by doing the simplest of tasks.” 

If you would like to find out more about becoming a member of 

our growing team, please visit 

www.homeinstead.co.uk/guildford-woking or email 

recruitment.woking@homeinstead.co.uk. 


WHAT MAKES A CARER? 

Professor June Andrews discusses what makes a carer, and how her 

new book ‘Carers and Caring’ can give some much needed advice to 

those who find themselves looking after a friend or loved one... 

Caring can be a joy and a privilege. It’s 

part of human life to care for others 

and can be source of great happiness. 

Being close to the person you care for, 

expressing love in practical ways and 

helping them to be comfortable and 

happy can be a wonderful experience. 

Especially in old age and towards the 

end of life it is a chance to give back to 

people who have helped others. However, 

it is not like that for everyone. 

Who counts as a carer? To those people 

who have a relative or friend they care for, 

it might seem odd to ask this question. 

Family and friends who do caring work 

often say that they are not ‘carers’. Yet 

they provide care as an act of love, 

loyalty, duty, kindness – or even by 

accident – looking after an ill, older, or 

disabled family member, friend, partner, 

or someone in their community. It is 

important to realise that if you are doing 

this, being recognised as a carer with 

the GP and social services can open the 

door to a lot of help and support that is 

otherwise missing. 

I am frequently asked for advice about 

dementia and care homes, but recently I 

have been asked more and more about 

caring in general. There is such a demand 

for information that I have written a book 

that can save time and reduce the cost of 

caring by advising on common problems 

and ways round the system, and sources 

of help. 

Carers are crying out for practical 

advice that is easy to read and based 

on experience and evidence. Some 

official processes are complicated and 

look like they were devised and written 

by a person who has never actually had 

to care. It can take time to search for 

answers, being referred from pillar to 

post, when dealing with health and social 

care. 

If you are having a wonderful experience, 

some of the problems described in my 

book will seem unnecessary. This is 

because the book is about helping, and 

the focus is on where things can go 

wrong, are difficult, or could be made 

better. This is not to suggest that caring 

is always tough. The ‘Joy of Caring’ is 

maybe the next book for me to write. 

Highlighting and offering solutions to 

the tough stuff is intended to make the 

reader’s caring experience less difficult 

now, allowing more space for the joyful 

stuff. 

The research shows that more than half 

of us will become carers at some stage, 

and whether this is about caring for your 

own parents, or helping plan for your own 

later life, I hope this will be useful. 

There is more at juneandrews.net 

www.juneandrews.net/carers-andcaring-the-onestop-guide

Guildford Living Jun - Jul 2022

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