Henley and Marlow Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2022

The benefits of mediation when 

resolving family disputes 

Family mediation is a process in which 

an independent and professionally 

trained mediator helps separating 

couples resolve any challenges and 

disputes faced when parting ways. 

The mediator will help you to work 

out arrangements for things such as 

housing, children, assets 

and finances. 

Mediation involves an initial 

assessment meeting where the 

mediator will see you on your own to 

discuss the process and find out what 

you are hoping to achieve. There 

will then be a series of face-to-face 

discussions between you and your 

partner, which are facilitated by a 

mediator. The mediator will help you 

and your partner make decisions in a 

constructive and confidential setting, 

making sure all disputes are resolved 

with as little conflict as possible. 

If you do not feel comfortable with 

face-to-face mediation, the mediator 

will offer video mediation or shuttle 

mediation – where you will each be in 

a separate room and the mediator will 

shuttle between you. 

What are the benefits? 

There are several benefits to the 

mediation process, some of which are 

set out below: 

Cost effective: Mediation tends to 

be more cost-effective than involving 

solicitors. Even if you do not come 

up with a complete agreement in 

mediation, the mediator should help 

you narrow the issues that are being 

disputed. 

Confidential: Disputes resolved 

through mediation and not in court 

are completely confidential for both 

parties involved. 

Faster outcome: Mediation generally 

takes less time to complete, allowing 

for an earlier solution than through 

the legal or court route. 

More control: Mediation increases 

the control both parties have over the 

resolution. Both parties are involved 

in negotiating their own agreement 

and no settlement can be imposed 

upon you. 

It improves communication: The 

mediation process helps both parties 

to focus on communicating effectively 

and relieves the pressure and stress 

that court disputes may bring. 

Flexible: The process is informal and 

there are no formal rules and evidence 

required although the mediators 

at Blaser Mills Law will explain the 

advantages of full financial disclosure. 

How Blaser Mills Law can help 

By focusing on clear and open 

communication, family mediation 

has the potential to get you and your 

partner on the same page. We will 

support you every step of the way. 

The Family & Divorce team at Blaser 

Mills law currently holds two qualified 

mediators that can help, acting solely 

or together in co-mediation. 

Lucinda Holliday 

With over 10 years of experience in 

mediation, Lucinda Holliday qualified 

as a mediator in 2011. In 2018 Lucinda 

went on to get her accreditation in 

child inclusive mediation which means 

she can facilitate your children 

being heard in the mediation 

process when relevant. 

She is an expert in her field 

with expertise in dissolution, 

divorce, and separation and the 

associated financial issues and 

children matters that might occur 

as a result of the breakdown of a 

relationship. 

Sarah Scriven 

Sarah is an experienced family 

lawyer and a Resolution qualified 

mediator. Her expertise covers 

a range of family law matters 

arising from the breakdown 

of a relationship including 

divorce, financial arrangements, 

cohabitation disputes, and 

children. 

Get in touch 

To speak to the Family & Divorce 

team about how mediation 

could be a constructive and 

positive solution to your divorce 

or separation, please contact 

the team on 01494 478 603 or 

email ljmh@blasermills.co.uk. 

blasermills.co.uk 

@BlaserMillsLaw blaser-mills BlaserMillsLaw

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

14 

DISHES FROM RAYMOND 

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 

hen shed - we say that’s why 

we sometimes run around 

like headless chickens). 

From my desk, I get to 

watch the seasons change - 

we welcomed the swallows 

who put 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. 

12 

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 

Account Manager Lynda Shipton 

e lynda@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984497 

Cover image courtesy of CuisinArt 

HOME & GARDEN 

18 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

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. 

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. It 

can be really daunting, but 

ever so rewarding to refresh 

the spaces in your home - so 

we have a range of projects 

to consider. 

We hope you enjoy this 

edition - look out for the next 

one in September, 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 HOTEL 

STAY FOR 

TWO! 

Ready to relax, recharge and 

recuperate? Soon you could 

be enjoying some ‘you’ 

time, with the chance to 

win an incredible weekend 

away with spa treatments. 

We’ve teamed up with The 

QHotels Collection, to give one 

of our lucky readers an exclusive 

staycation for two people at a spa 

hotel within the collection. 

With 17 gorgeous spa hotels across the UK, 

you’ll be able to leave your worries behind 

at the likes of historic hideaway, Slaley 

Hall - nestled deep in the serene North- 

East landscape, or Crewe Hall, set in eight 

acres of stunning grounds in the peaceful 

Cheshire countryside, with its lavishly 

decorated historic pile dating back to the 

17th century. Also in the collection, Norton 

Park, set in a blissful parkland just outside 

historic Winchester and Oulton Hall, Spa & 

Golf Resort very accessible to Leeds city 

centre, while set within the rolling Yorkshire 

countryside. 

This incredible prize includes two night’s 

stay with breakfast, plus a two-course dinner 

and a spa treatment for two people. 

For a full list of The QHotels Collection spas, 

visit: www.qhotels.co.uk/our-spas/ 

Closes 15/09/2022 - 

Competition keyword: ‘RELAX’ 

WIN 

A CBD 

BEAUTY BOX 

WORTH 

£77.99 

The MotherSage CBD Beauty Box is an ‘Evolution in Skincare’ 

featuring a fantastic collection of the very best quality, legally 

registered, natural cannabinoid-based skincare products, in a 

beautiful gift box. Each contains their Anti-Cellulite and Slimming 

Gel, Body Butter, Bath Salts and Body Oil. 

They can be used individually or as part of a treatment regime 

ensuring the full range of benefits inspired by Mother Earth’s 

natural ingredients are used to ‘Soothe Your Soul’. Retailing 

at just £77.99 each, we have four fabulous MotherSage CBD 

Beauty Box’s to giveaway to four lucky readers. 

www.hir.global/collections/mothersage 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: ‘MOTHERSAGE’ 

Family run, online blinds 

retailer BlindsbyPost is 

offering you the chance 

to refresh your home and 

spruce up any room with the 

opportunity to win fabulous 

new blinds. The £200 voucher 

works across the website, 

giving you the opportunity to 

choose from the huge variety 

of blinds available. 

From motorised blinds 

which can modernise your windows and 

make them an integral part of a smart home, 

and blackout blinds for complete peace and 

relaxation to aid sleep, to versatile, functional and 

affordable roller blinds, and wooden venetian blinds which add 

a stylish touch to any room, the options really are endless. One 

lucky reader will win a £200 voucher to spend online. Find the 

full T&Cs on the Minerva website. 

www.blindsbypost.co.uk 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: ‘BLINDS’ 

WIN 

A £200 

ONLINE 

VOUCHER 

WITH 

BLINDSBYPOST 

WIN 

A STAY 

FOR 2 IN A 

BOUTIQUE 

LONDON 

HOTEL 

Win a night’s stay for 

two in Holmes Hotel. 

Located on London’s 

iconic Chiltern Street in 

the heart of Marylebone 

Village, Holmes Hotel is a 

chic boutique hotel that 

blends a unique sense 

of Baker Street heritage 

with contemporary style 

and luxury. 

On the doorstep of the crème de la crème of 

Marylebone’s shopping, cultural and dining 

destinations, it is the perfect base from which 

to explore the city. 

One lucky reader will win this fabulous stay. 

www.holmeshotel.com 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword ‘HOL,MES’ 

WIN 

A HENRY 

VACUUM 

CLEANER! 

Reliable classic brand Henry has brought out 

two new offerings in the home. Henry Pet has 

all the great features of the Henry you know 

and love, with the added bonus of extra pet 

friendly features. Ready to remove stubborn pet 

hairs and reduce lingering pet odours, Henry Pet 

will become (almost) as important a part of the 

family as the furry-friends he’s cleaning up after. 

Awarded the British Allergy Foundation Seal of 

Approval, Henry Allergy is scientifically proven 

to reduce exposure to dust and pet-related 

allergens around the home. 

We have one of each of these amazing vacuum cleaners to give 

away – specify the one you’d like to win with the Keyword ‘Henry 

Pet’ or ‘Henry Allergy’. 

www.myhenry.com 

Closes 15/09/2022 - Competition keyword: 

‘HENRY PET or HENRY ALLERGY’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

We rescue and rehome dogs. 

REBECCA KINGWELL 

FINANCIAL PLANNER 

Comprehensive, bespoke, financial advice & planning 

Chloe 

Manolo 

Would you like to start making 

better provision for your future and 

retirement? 

Do you need help understanding 

your existing pension 

arrangements? 

Tyrion 

Pesto 

Rebecca Kingwell 

BSc (Hons), DipFA 

I offer specialist advice on pension 

planning, investment planning, 

savings, tax efficiency and life and 

critical illness protection. 

Please call to book an appointment to visit 

Pine Ridge Dog Sanctuary is a small independent animal 

rescue organisation. We do not operate a ‘walk around’ 

option as we believe that an interview process helps 

determine the right companion for you. 

Registered Charity: 256728 | Established 1958 

Tel: 01344 882689 | pineridgedogs@yahoo.co.uk 

Priory Road, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 8RJ 

e: rebecca.kingwell@sjpp.co.uk t: 0330 053 6797 

www.rebeccakingwell.co.uk 

Oxfordshire . Berkshire 

Rebecca Kingwell Financial Planner is an Appointed Representative of and represents only 

St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial 

Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the Group’s wealth management products 

and services, more details of which are set out on the Group’s website at www.sjp.co.uk/products 

ARTISAN SHOPPING . AL FRESCO DINING . WORKSHOPS . FAMILY FUN 

A fabulous day out with over 200 craft stalls to discover! 

SAVE £2 

(book via our website before 21/08/22) 

with online 

Early Bird 

tickets! 

26 th - 29 th August 2022 

Stonor Park, Henley-On-Thames 

www.thecraftshows.co.uk 

Open 

10am ‘til 

5pm 


Meet, 

engage with 

and purchase 

from 140 

selected 

international 

ceramic 

artists 

15 – 17 July 

Waterperry Gardens 

near Wheatley, Oxford OX33 1LA Open: 10-5.30 Daily 

£7 at least 10 days in advance then £10 

With 

several 

contestants 

from TV’s 

The Great 

Pottery 

Throw 

Down 

Advance Booking 

Required 

Celeb_Ceramics_110x153.indd 1 31/05/2022 10:12 


STYLISH 

stays 

THE ATLANTIC HOTEL 

Jersey, UK 

These days, travelling abroad has largely 

returned back to normal. There is no 

requirement to test or isolate, however 

if like me, you still feel a slight hesitancy 

in jumping on a 5+ hour flight to the med 

this summer, then you might find that 

Jersey makes a wonderful alternative. 

Flights with Blue Island (servicing the 

Channel Islands since 2006) are available 

from many airports across the UK, and in 

our case, traveling from Bristol to Jersey 

meant a flight time of less than an hour. 

No sooner were we in the air was there the 

announcement from the pilot that we were 

landing shortly. Amazing. 

A mere six minute taxi journey took us 

to our destination; The Atlantic Hotel. 

Situated in the parish of St Brelade on 

the west coast of Jersey, the hotel is 

surrounded by breathtaking coastal views 

as far as the eye can see. Our ocean 

view room gifted us scopes of the golden 

sands of St Ouen’s Bay and the Atlantic 

ocean. With the sun beaming, who needs 

the med we thought! 

There is a timeless elegance to the feel 

of The Atlantic Hotel. Being situated right 

along the bay, every room you step into 

is bathed in light, and this continues right 

out into the Ocean Restaurant. I must 

admit, I was extremely eager to sample 

the menu. Since 2017 Chef Will Holland 

has been putting together menus at The 

Atlantic Hotel that celebrate the very best 

that the land and the sea have to offer, so 

we knew we were in for a treat. And he 

didn’t disappoint. Each course had us in 

a state of wonder. Every element on the 

plate was so well thought out, so well 

pared, and so beautifully presented. With 

one Michelin Star under his belt before the 

age of 30, it certainly won’t be long before 

Will Holland earns his next one under the 

The Atlantic Hotel. Watch this space. 

The breakfast menu continues the superb 

culinary offerings at The Atlantic Hotel, 

with a wide selection of cooked breakfast 

options, as well as a full continental spread 

available. If the weather is good you 

are able to take your dining experience 

outside beside the pool, which I would 

fully recommend as a gorgeous way to 

start your day. 

Ditch your passport (you don’t need one 

to fly to Jersey from the UK!), and book 

yourself in to The Altantic Hotel this 

Summer. You won’t regret it. 

Ocean View rooms available from 

£320 per night 

www.theatlantichotel.com 

THE CHEVAL COLLECTION 

London 

The Cheval Collection boasts a beautiful 

collection of serviced apartments, 

townhouses and penthouses in some of 

London’s most desirable neighbourhoods, 

as well as three beautiful properties in 

Edinburgh. On a recent trip to sample 

the best of London’s new exhibitions, 

we were delighted to stay at the Cheval 

Knightsbridge. 

Our location was unrivalled – the 

apartment being literally steps from The 

Victoria and Albert Museum and The 

Natural History Museums, and of course 

moments from the best of Knightsbridge’s 

luxury shopping. 

Cheval Knightsbridge opened in March 

2020 as a luxury all-apartment residence, 

following two years of full-scale multimillion 

pound refurbishments, and 

features 98 beautifully appointed one, 

two and three bedroom apartments, as 

well as three spectacular five-bedroom 

penthouses on the upper floors, aptly 

named Gloucester, Cromwell and 

Kensington. 

Our home for the weekend was a 

gorgeous Deluxe Three Bedroom 

Apartment, complete with a kitchen and a 

resplendent living area – it’s ideal if you are 

staying for a few nights and fancy winding 

down away from the city bustle. We were 

escorted to the door by a member of the 

team – pleasantly surprised to find out that 

our front door stepped onto the famous 

Brompton Road – we could stay for a 

month in this location and not manage to 

sample all the wonderful eateries on the 

doorstep. 

The Cheval Collection provides all the 

comforts of luxury city living with the 

convenience of a full concierge service 

just a phone call away. It really is a special 

treat for your next trip to the big smoke. 

Whether you are staying for a night or a 

month, it really does feel like an elevated 

home from home. 

Luxury Two Bedroom Apartments from 

£650 per night 

www.chevalcollection.com 


Badgemore Park 

continues its 

development 

As Badgemore Park celebrates it’s 50th 

Anniversary in 2022, this year also marks the 

completion of the club’s 5-year improvement plan 

that has seen them invest in a number of projects 

across the site... 

We take a quick look at the wide-ranging facilities available at this 

wonderful gem just outside the town centre. 

Golf Course 

A stunning 18-hole parkland course set in the beautiful 

Oxfordshire countryside, complemented by an astonishing array 

of flora and fauna that can be seen during a round. The clever 

design of the course that opened in 1972 challenges golfers of all 

standards and has benefited from plenty of recent enhancements 

including new greens on the 1st and 5th holes, an 800sqm 

short-game practice area and more recently, the installation of a 

new pond just in front of the 18th green. With excellent playing 

surfaces all year round and use of the gym included at no extra 

cost, it’s no wonder that membership is flourishing. 

Health & Wellbeing 

Following the introduction of its state-of-the-art gym and fitness 

studios back in 2018 and the addition of an outdoor rig situated 

within a beautiful Walled Garden, FOCUS at Badgemore Park has 

continued to enhance its wellbeing offering with the creation of 

the Wellness Hub. There are now a number of specialist holistic 

businesses based on site which are dedicated to every aspect 

of health and wellbeing, whether recovering from surgery or 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

a sporting injury, suffering with stress or anxiety or even just 

wanting a bit of pampering! 

Dining & Events 

Refurbishment has also taken place within the modern and 

stylish bar and restaurant, located within a converted 18th 

century Coach House. Recent additions include the introduction 

of a lower terrace with lounge seating overlooking the beautiful 

golf course as well as an outdoor kitchen that is open 7 days 

a week complete with BBQ and pizza oven. In addition to its 

daily offering, the club is also a popular venue for weddings and 

events throughout the year, with private use of the Coach House 

and its adjoining Courtyard available. 

As well as having a thriving membership for both golf and gym, 

Badgemore Park gladly welcomes non-members whether its for 

a round of golf, a workout or just to sit back, relax and enjoy the 

excellent hospitality on offer. 

It has certainly been a period of amazing enhancements and 

they’re not finished yet! Following a year of celebration for the 

50th anniversary in 2022, there will be a new 5-year improvement 

plan announced with some very exciting plans being discussed. 

SUMMER SCHOOLS 

Intensive, engaging and fun - our five-day Summer Schools 

and mock tests will maximise your child’s 11+ pass potential 

Dynamic teaching techniques 4 

Year 5 and Year 4 weekly classes 4 

Excellent success rates 4 

Small friendly classes 4 

Established 25 years 4 

Year-round courses 4 

BOOK NOW 

FOR 2022 - 2023 

www.headstarteducation.org 

T 01494 452025 


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 


Herries Co-Ed Preparatory School & Nursery 

from 2 - 11 years 

An Independent Prep School for Boys & Girls aged 3-13 

Apply now for 

Sept 2022 entry 

Call 01628 483350 or email admissions@herries.org.uk 

www.herries.org.uk 

ISI INSPECTION REPORT MARCH 2022 

EXCELLENT in all areas 

Distinctive setting in Cookham Dean • Sports at Bisham Abbey 

Small classes • Wraparound Care from 7.30am - 6.00pm 

Please visit our website to learn more 

www.dolphinschool.com 

Alternatively, contact Kate Spooner 

admissions@dolphinschool.com 

0118 934 1277 

Waltham Road, Hurst, Berkshire, RG10 0FR 

Henley and Marlow Lifestyle_153X110+3mm_MAY_2022 

KIND HEARTS FIERCE MINDS STRONG SPIRITS 

OPEN DAY 

SATURDAY 17 SEPT 

Transport Network, 

Including Henley and Marlow 

Day and Boarding, 11-18 

Full and Flexi Options Available 

BOOK TODAY: 

qas.org.uk 

Paddington to Reading 

in just 26 minutes 

Queen Anne’s School, Henley Road, Caversham, Berkshire, RG4 6DX 


aymond blanc 

Bon appetit 

Editor Katie Thomson caught up with acclaimed 

French chef Raymond Blanc following 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 appeared at the Blenheim Palace 

Food Festival this summer – what were 

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 hosted 

a question-and-answer session, and 

talked 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 two 

more festivals this summer. 

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

ICE AND 

Some simple and delicious 

ice cream recipes from 

the appliance experts 

Cuisinart 

Easy 

RASPBERRY RIPPLE 

ICE CREAM 

Prep takes only 20 minutes, then just 

leave the Cuisinart Gelato and Ice Cream 

Professional to churn it to perfection. 

INGREDIENTS 

300g raspberries 

150g caster sugar 

1 tbsp lemon juice 

160ml full fat milk 

300ml double cream 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

METHOD 

In a saucepan, combine the raspberries, 

50g caster sugar and 2 tbsp water. Bring 

to the boil and simmer for a few minutes, 

until the fruit is soft. Pass through a sieve, 

discarding the pips. 

Pour the purée into a clean saucepan and 

simmer for about 10 minutes, to reduce 

down to a syrup. Stir in the lemon juice 

and cool, before chilling completely in 

the fridge. 

To make the ice cream, pour the milk and 

remaining caster sugar (approx 100g) 

into a bowl and whisk, until the sugar has 

dissolved. Add in the cream and vanilla 

extract and stir until combined. Chill for 

an hour. 

Insert the paddle into the bowl of the ice 

cream maker. 

Whisk the chilled mixture, before pouring 

into the bowl of your ice cream maker 

and churn, for approximately an hour. 

Just before the ice cream is ready, add 

the raspberry puree, so that it creates a 

ripple effect. 

The ice cream is ready when it begins to 

thicken and freeze. To produce a firmer 

ice cream, freeze for several hours in an 

airtight container. 

WHITE CHOCOLATE 

COOKIE ICE CREAM 

SANDWICHES 

Ready in just 22 minutes, this recipe will 

make 12 cookies - 6 ‘sandwiches’ 

INGREDIENTS 

225g plain flour, sifted 

½ tsp bicarbonate of soda, sifted 

¼ tsp salt 

150g unsalted butter, softened 

80g light muscovado sugar 

80g granulated sugar 

2 tsp. vanilla extract 

1 large egg 

100g white chocolate chips or chunks 

METHOD 

Heat the oven to 180˚C / 350F / Gas 

Mark 4. Then line two baking trays 

with greaseproof paper. In a medium 

bowl, whisk together the sifted flour, 

bicarbonate of soda and salt. 

Mix the softened butter and sugars 

using the Cordless Pro Hand Mixer - it’s 

wireless design means you can use it 

anywhere in the kitchen. Add the vanilla 

extract and 1 egg and continue to beat. 

Add the combined dry ingredients and 

gently beat on a lower speed, until fully 

incorporated. Fold in the white chocolate 

chips until combined. Cover the bowl 

with cling film and place in the fridge to 

chill, for approximately 1 hour. 

Using an ice cream scoop, make balls 

with the chilled cookie dough and place 

the, on the prepared baking trays. Gently 

place a thumb on top and squash down 

slightly. Leave enough room for the 

cookies to spread a little. 

Bake for 12 minutes, until they start to 

turn a light brown and then transfer to a 

wire rack to cool. Sandwich scoops of 

your favourite ice cream between two 

cookies and enjoy immediately. 

GELATO AT HOME 

There is no substitute for delicious 

homemade ice cream, made using your 

choice of fresh ingredients. The instant 

freeze bowl means there is no need to 

pre-freeze in advance so you can prepare 

batch after batch of your favourite frozen 

desserts, each ready in as little as 40 

minutes. 

The machine comes with 2 specialist 

mixing paddles to give the perfect texture 

to your frozen dessert. The ice cream 

paddle incorporates more air during 

mixing to give ice cream a lighter texture. 

The gelato paddle is perfect for gelato 

and sorbet, incorporating less 

air and leaving the gelato 

denser than ice cream 

with a silkier, softer 

texture. 

Cuisinart Gelato 

and Ice Cream 

Professional, 

£300 and 

Cordless Pro 

Hand Mixer, 

£90, both 

cuisinart.co.uk 


TAKE THE CAKE 

If you need a cake for your next 

celebration, look no further than My 

Baker - Katie Thomson enjoyed one of 

their delights for her recent birthday... 

Whether you’re five or fifty, it’s universally agreed that the 

birthday cake is an important part of festivities. On my recent 

30th birthday, the absolute centrepiece of the day was the 

triumphant arrival of a glorious pastel-coloured and meringue 

kiss-festooned monolith of a cake. 

Having gone back and forth with some local bakers unable to 

make the cake to the requirements, I stumbled upon the amazing 

My Baker - who sells delicious artisanal cakes made by a 

network of independent bakers. The company has just celebrated 

its second birthday and is going from strength to strength - 

offering both local bakers a great income and consumers an easy 

way to order their dream cake. 

There are a variety of bolt-ons available too, from candles and 

cake toppers, to cupcakes and macarons, to make sure you have 

everything you need for your special occasion. The hardest bit 

will be choosing your flavours - I opted for a delicious lemon and 

raspberry cake called ‘Squeeze the Day’ (pictured) - perfect for 

a summer party and so pretty - it was easy to adjust the order to 

cater for my party size too. 

For those who need their cakes in a flash, My Baker’s range 

of unique, fresh-to-order cakes are now available with a newly 

launched Next Day delivery service. Now, cake lovers can 

purchase one of My Baker’s cakes to be delivered to anywhere in 

the UK within 24 hours for an additional £10 (on top of the regular 

delivery fee). For peace of mind, it’s great value, and it helps to 

take the stress out of your festivity preparations. And the £10 

goes to the baker who pulls out all the stops to get you your cake 

on time! 

Wedding cake, birthday cakes and more all available at My 

Baker. Find out more at mybaker.co. 


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 

(Image credit: Higham Furniture 

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 

hauslife.co.uk 

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. 


Hardware | Switches & Sockets | Lighting 

corston.com 


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, 

hauslife.co.uk 




V 

0118 934 3328 

Father & Daughter Run Business Based in Twyford 

Floor Store, based on the High Street in Twyford Berkshire, was established 

by Robert in 2011. Robert learnt his trade with the John Lewis partnership 

and his daughter Clare joined the company in 2014. 

They have many manufactures in the showroom and stock a number of 

makes, including Karndean, Cormar, Brockways and Axminster and V4 

Engineered Wood Flooring all of which can be fitted to your specifications. 

Robert and Clare will be delighted to bring samples of the various products 

to you in your own home so that you can chose in situ, and they will also be 

able to help you make the right choice for your home. 

Robert and Clare pride themselves on providing expert fitting teams, great 

customer service and come highly recommended, the fitters are also happy 

to move furniture and prime the sub floor using latex screed or plywood and 

will remove and dispose of your existing flooring. 

Call into see this family run Father 

and Daughter team at their 

showroom in Tywford and see 

how they can transform your 

floors. 

Father & Daughter 

KARNDEAN • CORMAR • KINGMEAD • V4 WOOD FLOORING • BROCKWAYS • KERSAINT COBB • LAMINATE FLOORING • AXMINSTER • RIVIERA HOMES 

7 High Street Twyford RG10 9AB | clare@thefloorstorecompany.co.uk | robert@thefloorstorecompany.co.uk 


BLEND ON THE GO 

This compact and powerful Cuisinart 

Cordless On The Go Power Blender, 

is ideal for an on the go breakfast 

smoothie, a post workout protein 

shake or to puree baby food when 

you’re out and about. 

It’s also perfectly sized to use at 

home for blitzing breadcrumbs, dips, 

dressings, sauces, cocktails and 

much more. Being cordless, it will 

sit neatly on your kitchen worktop 

or shelf. 

Cuisinart Cordless On The Go 

Power Blender, £100, 

www.cuisinart.co.uk 

FAMILY POWERHOUSE 

Suitable for homes with both carpets and hard 

floors thanks to new VersaClean Technology, the 

VAX ONEPWR Edge Dual Pet & Car is perfect for 

families and owners of busy homes with pets and 

cars. Its cordless design means it can be easily 

carried upstairs or outdoors to clean the car, and 

the additional tools for above the floor cleaning 

make it easy to reach awkward areas such as 

stairs, ceiling corners and car boots. With a run 

time of 100 minutes, it has all the power of a conventional 

upright vacuum, with the convenience of 

wireless technology. 

VAX ONEPWR Edge Dual Pet & Car £399.99 (plus 

free toolkit worth over £50), www.vax.co.uk 

GO GO 

Gadget 

They say a man is only as good as his tools 

- perhaps it’s time to upgrade your gadgets 

around the home...here are our top picks 

SWEEP, MOP & DRY IN ONE 

If you have hard floors and have always wished you 

could sweep and mop in one easy stroke - enter 

the Hizero hard floor cleaner. It automatically 

compartmentalises solid and liquid waste, 

separating both into no-spill containers that 

can be easily removed for cleaning. Plus, it’s 

self-cleaning roller ensures that dirty water 

doesn’t come into contact with your clean 

floors. 

The battery life is excellent (up to 60 

minutes on a single charge) and the 

cleaner hugely economical - it uses 

just 1 litre of water, 0.01kWh of 

electricity, and 8 minutes to clean 

up 100 square metres of floor 

area. It leaves floors much drier 

than conventional mopping too. 

COMPOSTING CHAMPION 

We all know how essential it is that food scraps 

and peelings are separated from general 

household waste - as food waste breaks 

down under uncontrolled conditions in 

landfill, it releases methane, which has 

a global warming potential 23 times 

greater than carbon dioxide. 

Make composting the easy choice 

with a stylish caddy - this can attach 

magnetically to the side of a Simple 

Human Bin, or can be moved to where 

you are prepping. 

Compost Caddy, £49.99, www.simplehuman.co.uk 

GET UP CLOSE 

A great, cordless mirror which will help you with your makeup 

and skincare regime. With touch-adjustable light from 100- 

800 lux, view makeup in true daylight or natural candlelight 

tones. Flip between three different views – on one side 5x 

magnification for a great overall view, on the other side 1x is 

ideal to check your look at true size with a 10x window for 

close-up work. 

Sensor Mirror Trio, £299, www.simplehuman.co.uk 

The Hizero is great for allergy 

sufferers, thanks to its bionic 

tech instead of cyclonic 

cleaning. 

Hizero, £499, 

hizero.co.uk

GROW FOR 

Gold 

In this edition, our regular 

contributor Matt Biggs gives 

us advice on how growing 

your own can be both cost 

effective and rewarding... 

With prices rising and evidence of some 

empty shelves in the shops, now might be 

the time for a little bit of ‘Dig for Victory’ 

spirit! 

There are so many ways of adding to 

your food options, from a few radishes to 

add some peppery perk to your salads to 

courgettes, beetroot, peas, Japanese and 

Chinese salad leaves, tomatoes and, of 

course, the humble spud! 

Even if you have no space, balconies, 

hanging baskets and even windowsills 

can host something edible from chilli 

plants and herbs to hanging tomatoes - 

and there is nothing like picking your own 

home grown produce and taking it straight 

to the kitchen. Many local Colleges offer 

short courses to help you get started, 

there are books, videos, TV programmes 

and your local garden club - all there to 

get your growing energies into gear. 

As well as the physical activity involved 

in preparing the ground and hoeing and 

weeding there is a mental benefit too 

and this is becoming more and more 

recognised as we rush from work to shop 

to home - a little time spent in the open 

air with the birds in the background is 

very beneficial and if you join a gardening 

club there is a social side too, as there is 

in having an allotment and sharing both 

gardening knowledge and produce. 

Children too can join in - an easy to grow 

packet of seeds and a large pot or a 

patch of earth and off they go - and there 

is a lot of learning in a packet of seeds, 

from biology to botany, the maths of 

sowing and spacing, the responsibility of 

being in charge of something, watering 

and weeding and then the joy of sharing 

what is grown - it is win, win all the way, 

and if the odd slug or snail comes along, 

they too have a place! 

To find out more about Matt visit his 

website matthewbiggs.com 


FRANCES PRESCOT TRI BALM 

This luxurious facial balm cleanses, exfoliates and moisturises 

in one - it’s ideal for taking on your next trip away. Scented with 

heavenly geranium and mandarin, you’ll be transported straight 

to the spa. £55 70g, francesprescott.com 

BALI BAE SELF TAN SET 

Everything you need for the perfect 

tan at home - Coco & Eve’s bestselling 

Sunny Honey tanning foam plus a mitt, 

kabuki brush for feet and hands and 

the clever back applicator to make 

sure you never miss a spot. £71.80, 

uk.cocoandeve.com 

COCO & EVE MIRACLE HAIR 

ELIXIR 

Enriched with a cocktail of Balinese botanicals, 

including raw virgin coconut oil and prickly 

pear extract, the lightweight elixir works to 

enhance shine and softness. Formulated with 

hyaluronic acid, the formula replenishes strands 

with moisture. The nourishing hair oil seeks 

to reduce split ends and breakage, alongside 

offering heat protection of up to 220°C. £28.75, 

uk.cocoandeve.com 

LUNA LASH DIY EXTENSIONS 

Love the look of salon lash extensions but don’t 

have the time to see the professionals? You can 

get the same look at home in just 10 minutes with 

the Luna Lash DIY extension kit - just choose 

your length and volume, swipe on the bonder and 

apply the lash segments in minutes. Lashes last 

up to 10 days and can be reused if removed with 

care and cleaned. Starter kit (enough for two 

full sets), £80, lunalash.com 

GREAT 

FOR ALL 

HAIR 

TYPES 

ILLAMASQUA HYDRA 

SETTING SPRAY 

Beauty 

HOT PICKS 

Give your makeup serious 

staying power, even under 

extreme temperatures. 

This non-sticky formula 

dries fast to set your 

makeup all day. Infused 

with pea peptides rich in 

amino acids, Hydra 

Setting Spray will 

leave the skin 

feeling refreshed 

and moisturised. 

Available in Matte or 

Dewy finishes. £20, 

illamasqua.com 

MADE 

F O R 

SENSITIVE 

EYES 

EYEKO LIMITLESS MASCARA 

Perfect for those with allergies, Eyeko’s latest mascara 

offering is ophthalmologist tested and designed for 

sensitive eyes. The mascara can also be removed with 

warm water - perfect for those nights when you just want a 

quick and easy cleanse routine. Enriched with Oat Derived 

Fibres and Acai Oil, it nourishes lashes whilst adding 

length. Available in black and brown. £19, eyeko.co.uk 


Laser Hair Removal Reinvented 

ALL SKIN TYPES - including tanned skin can be 

treated. This means we can remove hair even in 

the summer months. 

FAST - the Soprano Titanium combines three 

laser technologies meaning it targets a wide 

variety of hair simultaneously. 

COMFORTABLE - advanced ICE Plus ® technology 

continuously cools the skin ensuring a comfortable 

treatment. 

Our founder was 

recognised by the 

Safety & Beauty 

Campaign as the 

#1 Aesthetic 

Doctor in the UK 

in 2021 and by 

Tatler Magazine 

as a Top Doctor 

for the last four 

years. 

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 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 27 

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

FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR A 

HAPPY RETIREMENT 

The secret to a successful retirement is to 

slowly and surely build up your retirement 

pot. Exactly how you do that will depend 

on your situation – but there are lots of 

things you can do. Here we have advice 

from Money Helper (moneyhelper.org.uk) 

which is a government advice service. 

As with any financial planning matter, it is 

important that your unique circumstances 

are considered and you seek the advice 

of a certified professional. 

REVIEW PENSIONS 

REGULARLY 

It’s important to review your pensions 

regularly. If they’re not on track to give 

you the income you want in retirement, 

you need to look at how to boost them. 

If they’re broadly on track, you can make 

a clearer plan so that your pensions will 

be able to give you the income you want 

when you retire. 

REVIEW THE WAY 

YOUR PENSION POT IS 

INVESTED 

If you have a defined contribution 

personal or workplace pension, you 

get to choose how your pension pot is 

invested. Typically, this involves choosing 

from a range of funds offered by your 

pension provider. 

These funds will be weighted differently 

between various types of assets, which 

offer different levels of risk and potential 

return. Generally, you can afford to take 

more risk when you’re young, and less as 

you get older. 

The longer your money will be invested, 

the more scope you’ll have to deal with 

28 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

investment performance going up and 

down over time. So if you are some way 

from retirement and your pension savings 

are invested conservatively, you might 

want to consider moving at least some of 

your fund into potentially higher-growth 

assets, for example, company shares. 

But bear in mind that there’s no 

guarantee that higher growth will be 

achieved. 

Transferring a personal pension into a 

self-invested personal pension (SIPP) 

can give you a wider range of investment 

options to choose from. 

But this brings higher risks if you’re not 

an experienced investor. And you might 

face higher charges. 

Unless you understand how the different 

pension investments work, you might 

want to consider getting regulated 

financial advice before making any 

changes to your pension investment. 

REVIEW THE CHARGES 

DEDUCTED FROM YOUR 

SAVINGS 

All pension providers will charge for 

managing your pot and investing your 

money. In defined contribution personal 

and workplace schemes, these charges 

are often called an annual management 

charge or ongoing charge figure and are 

automatically deducted from your pot. 

An annual charge of 1.5% a year could 

have eaten away a quarter of your 

pension pot after 35 years. An annual 

charge of 0.5% would have reduced your 

pension pot by only 1/10th over the same 

period. You don’t need to worry about 

this if you’re in a defined benefit scheme. 

But if you have a defined contribution 

scheme, charges reduce the value of your 

pension pot. Workplace pensions often 

have lower charges but that isn’t always 

the case. 

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL 

YOU NEED IN YOUR 

TOTAL PENSION POT? 

It’s important to think about your pension 

income in building blocks - first with the 

state pension, then with your private or 

workplace pension savings, and then with 

any other additional income you might 

get, from investments or property. 

How much extra income you need to 

generate from your private pension 

savings will depend on the type of private 

pension you have. 

Defined benefit and final salary pensions 

pay you a regular monthly income - how 

much you get is based on your earnings 

while you were working. 

If you have one or more of these, you 

should receive annual updates telling you 

how much you can expect to get. 

Adding that to your state pension 

(which you can find out by getting a 

state pension forecast) will help you 

understand how much you’ve got to play 

with in retirement. 

If you have any confusion surrounding 

multiple pension pots, investments or 

other pension queries, it is worthwhile 

seeking the advice from an IFA.

Our easy access showroom is located at 

Cross Court, Downley, High Wycombe, Bucks HP13 5UW 

Call us on 01494 443 933 

or visit www.independentlivingconsultants.co.uk 

Find your new beginning at 

the chapters 

Ready in early 2023 and made up of 80 one 

and two-bedroom apartments, The Chapters 

is independent luxury living for over 55s. 

Discover more information at 

TheChapters.org.uk or call us on 

01182 175 598 to book your private tour. 

Beke Avenue, Shinfield, 

Reading, Berkshire RG2 9UW 



Leaseholds are changing. 

But how will it affect you? 

AB P Collins’ residential property team explains... 

What is a leasehold property? 

Owning a long leasehold interest in a 

property means you own the building, 

but not the land on which it stands, for 

a fixed term period of several years. A 

leasehold property is a depreciating 

asset which is ultimately returned to the 

freeholder or landlord when the term of 

the lease ends. Leaseholders are also 

bound by contractual terms contained 

within the lease, such as the requirement 

to pay a service charge, ground rent 

and seek the freeholder’s or landlord’s 

permission to carry out any major works 

to the property. 

Owing a leasehold property can be very 

expensive in the long run, particularly if it 

is shared ownership or acquired via Help 

to Buy, plus costs can also mount up 

considerably when you sell a leasehold 

property. 

What impact does the Government’s 

Ground Rent Bill have on leaseholds? 

The Ground Rent Bill received Royal 

Assent in February 2022 with the 

Act coming into force in June, which 

means that the government’s objective 

of capping ground rents in new, long 

residential leases to a ‘peppercorn’ rent 

of zero is being implemented this year. 

As such, an existing lease will not be 

caught by the provisions of the Bill and 

the leaseholder’s ground rent under that 

lease will not change even after the Bill 

becomes law. A lease extension or deed 

of variation, however, is usually as a 

matter of law deemed to be a surrender 

of the existing lease and grant of a new 

lease of the same property. It is therefore 

anticipated that most lease extensions 

after the Act comes into force will impose 

peppercorn ground rents. 

How much could homeowners save? 

Thousands of pounds in reduced ground 

rent over the term of an existing lease 

could be saved, especially if a lease’s 

current ground rent is uncapped and 

subject to escalation (which can lead 

to unintended statutory consequences 

affecting the value and marketability of 

leasehold properties). A premium would, 

however, still be payable to the landlord 

to compensate it for its loss of rent and 

any marriage value. 

For B P Collins’ full article on leaseholds, 

you can sign up to receive the next 

edition of its complimentary magazine, 

Insight by emailing, 

enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk 

For buyers of new properties, the 

reforms are likely to be a welcome 

change as it should stop them paying 

excessive ground rents. The proposed 

changes do not, however, help existing 

leaseholders with high or escalating 

ground rents. For advice please 

contact B P Collins residential property 

team on 01753 889995 or email 

enquiries@bpcollins.co.uk 

www.bpcollins.co.uk 


www.bpcollins.co.uk | 01753 889995 

Rule no. 4 

Create your own sunshine. 

by your side 

Corporate and commercial | Criminal | Dispute resolution | Employment | Family | Property | Wills, trusts and probate

CONSCIOUSLY 

CURATED HOME- 

WARES AND GIFTS 

USE CODE LIVE15 

FOR 15% OFF 

HAUSLIFE.CO.UK

Henley and Marlow Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2022

Create successful ePaper yourself

Delete template?

Save as template?