Malvern Living Jul - Aug 2022

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C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

17 

A RECIPE 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 a 

recipe from his latest book. 

15 

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 Steve Davies 

e steve.davies@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984506 

Cover image courtesy of Highham Furniture 

HOME & GARDEN 

19 

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 

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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 

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WORTH 

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

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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 

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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

Tom Jones 

Surrounded By Time 

Plus Special Guests 

SATURDAY 13 AUGUST 

THE PITCHCROFT 

WORCESTER 

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Make Worcestershire 

Part of Your Story 

Worcestershire – oh the sauce? Oh, we are so much 

more than that. Located in the heart of England, 

at the centre of the motorway and rail network – 

Worcestershire offers rolling hills, glorious green 

space, award-winning family attractions, and over a 

thousand years of history... 

Whatever story you choose this summer, Visit Worcestershire. 

Worcestershire is a beautiful county located in the heart of 

England at the centre of the motorway and rail network. 

Surrounded by glorious green spaces, renowned family 

attractions, famed for its English Civil War past and a mouthwatering 

food scene. 

EMBARK ON AN ADVENTURE 

It’s full steam ahead at Severn Valley Railway where you can step 

back in time and enjoy a day out riding the rails, soaking in the 

Worcestershire scenery in style or safari on your doorstep at West 

Midland Safari Park! Enjoy those special family days out and 

make memories in Worcestershire. 

LANDSCAPES SHAPED BY TIME 

Whether it’s hiking the rolling Malvern Hills or cycling through 

the ancient woodland of the Wyre Forest, Worcestershire’s great 

outdoors is truly spectacular! Countryside routes, stunning 

arboretums, rural estates, riverside walks, canal boat breaks and 

various national trust sites. Worcestershire is a breath of fresh air! 

OVER A THOUSAND YEARS OF HISTORY 

Sweeping architecture, tales of the English Civil War and rambling 

ruins of historic houses. Worcestershire is rich with heritage and 

history! 

Enjoy insightful tours and sweeping towers at the medieval 

Worcester Cathedral or experience the ruins of one of the 

greatest country houses in the UK at Witley Court. 

UNIQUE INDEPENDENT DINING EXPERIENCES 

Worcestershire’s food scene is incredible with influence from 

across the globe and making the most of the produce grown 

in the region. Check out Evesham Asparagus, Pershore Plums 

and everyone’s secret ingredient Worcestershire sauce. From 

Michelin star dining, urban street food and independent pubs & 

restaurants. Whatever you fancy, you’ll find it in Worcestershire. 

SLEEPING IN STYLE 

Enjoy a rural break with Worcestershire’s many unique 

accommodation types. Cosy cottages, luxurious hotels & 

spas, quirky stays and family camping sites. Experience a 

Worcestershire staycation this summer! 

Make Worcestershire Part of Your Story. 


SOME DATES FOR YOUR DIARY THIS SUMMER 

Droitwich Spa Food 

& Drink Festival 

25 - 26 June 

Lido Park, Droitwich Spa 

Wartime 

in the Vale 

25 - 26 June 

Ashdown Farm, nr Evesham 

Evesham 

Walking Festival 

29 June – 3 July 

Various routes, nr Evesham 

Confetti 

Fields 

1 – 10 July 

Wick, nr Pershore 

Hanbury 

Countryside Show 

Sat 2 July 

Hanbury Showground 

Pershore 

Midsummer Brass 

Sat 2 July 

Pershore town 

Check confirmed dates directly with event organisers. For more information, visit: 

www.valeandspa.co.uk 

01386 565373 info@valeandspa.co.uk @Vale_and_Spa @ValeandSpa

What we've all been 

waiting for…events and 

festivals are back! 

The Worcestershire’s Vale & Spa area has 

immense pride in the number of events and 

festivals that take place throughout the year. 

The pandemic naturally affected them, but the 

summer of 2022 sees the return to ‘normal’ for 

some absolute classics! 

No matter whether you visit the towns of Droitwich Spa, 

Evesham or Pershore, the majestic village of Broadway, or one 

of the many other villages and hamlets; you’ll be hard-pressed 

to find a weekend throughout the summer without some form 

of celebration occuring. Almost all the major events have free 

entry, meaning it won’t cost the earth to take the family out for an 

enjoyable day. 

Although a cliché, it genuinely is true to say there are events to 

cater for all ages and interests. For example… 

Food lovers will be well catered for as they can indulge in local 

produce (Droitwich Spa Food & Drink Festival: 25 – 26 June; 

Broadway Food Festival: 11 September). 

Historians will be greatly entertained via enactments from local 

skirmishes (Battle of Evesham, 6 – 7 August) or with living history 

camps (Wartime in the Vale: 25 – 26 June). 

Hobbyists and sport lovers can get their fix by celebrating 

national events at The Valley in Evesham, getting up close and 

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personal with supercars at the Broadway Car Show (13 – 14 

August) or at one of the country’s largest angling festivals 

(Evesham: 27 – 29 August). 

Taking in the stunning scenery is best witnessed with 

participation at the Evesham Walking Festival (29 June – 3 July) 

or a visit to the Confetti Flower Field at Wick (1 – 10 July) where 

social media channels get filled with flowery photos. 

The uniqueness of events is perhaps best showcased at the 

Pershore Plum Festival (27 – 29 August) where the town turns 

purple in homage to the town’s most famous fruit, or at Salt Fest 

in Droitwich Spa (3 – 4 September) where Romans and brine are 

the centre of attention. 

If these events whet ones appetite to find out more, either pick 

up a What’s On Guide from a local TIC or literature rack, or visit 

www.valeandspa.co.uk/events to see the full calendar. 

Crazy Golf 

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with code: 

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Malvern Flea & 

Collectors Fair 

in association with 

Three Counties Showground, Malvern, 

Worcestershire. WR13 6NW. 

The UK’s largest flea fair! 

Hundreds of indoor and outdoor stalls offer 

everything from furniture through to toys. 

Sunday 26th June 

Sunday 24th July 

Bank Holiday 

Monday 29th August 

Entrance: 7.30am-3.30pm - £5 

 

Please check www.b2bevents.info in case 

dates have changed or been cancelled. 

Tel: 01636 676531 

www.b2bevents.info 


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 


your child 

is our future 

Help your child succeed and gain confidence to try with 

English and Maths tutoring by qualified teachers... 

Kip McGrath Malvern is part of a well established chain of educational 

centres for young people and adults wishing to improve and develop 

their skills in English, Maths, English as a Foreign Language and 

Catch-up Education. 

Run by Anne Marie Preece and Ada Poyser, every child is offered a 

free assessment and will be offered a unique, bespoke and proven 

educational system which is tailored to match individual needs. 

“We have a huge variety of resources and an excellent educational 

software system for computer based learning, as well as worksheets, 

books and games for written, practical and verbal tasks”, says Anne. 

“Tuition is available at all levels and pupils can attend either in-centre 

or on-line”, says Ada. 

“We want everyone to realise their full potential and to celebrate” 

Kip McGrath,172 Worcester Road, Malvern WR14 1AA 

kipmcgrath.co.uk/malvern 


ENGLISH AND MATHS 

TUTORING 

BY QUALIFIED TEACHERS 

HELP YOUR CHILD SUCCEED AND 

GAIN CONFIDENCE TO TRY! 

Fill in the gaps in spelling, reading, 

comprehension and grammar 

Understand new concepts or master 

the basics in maths 

YOUR CHILD IS OUR FUTURE 

Pre-school to GCSE level • Proven methodology 

Tailored to individual needs 

In centre and online • Qualified teachers 

CALL NOW FOR A FREE ASSESSMENT 

01684 561835 

malvern@kipmcgrath.co.uk 

172 Worcester Road, 

Malvern WR14 1AA 

kipmcgrath.co.uk/malvern 

Avoncroft 

Museum 

Sara Beaumont Photography 

Avoncroft Museum of Historic 

Buildings is a wonderfully unique 

wedding venue with extensive 

grounds and gardens, which will 

certainly be an exceptional venue 

choice for your special day. 

Ceremonies are held in the atmospheric 

New Guesten Hall beneath its magnificent 

fourteenth century, Grade II* listed roof. 

Blessings can be performed in the Mission 

Church, a Victorian ‘tin chapel’ rescued 

from Bringsty, Herefordshire, and now 

rebuilt in the Museum grounds. 

After your ceremony your guests can 

enjoy the Museum’s extensive grounds 

and gardens, spread over 19 acres of 

English countryside, while the many 

historic buildings provide interesting 

and unusual settings for your wedding 

photographs. 

We currently offer two different options 

for your wedding booking – the Simply 

Guesten option – hire of New Guesten 

Hall – or our Guesten Afternoon Tea 

Wedding package. 

I @avoncroftweddings 

www.avoncroft.org.uk 


7 ways to 

CUT THE COST 

OF YOUR WEDDING 

THE COST OF LIVING CRISIS IS 

WORSENING BY THE DAY - AND WITH 

AN AVERAGE UK WEDDING COSTING 

UP TO £35,000, IT’S NO WONDER 

BRIDES-TO-BE ARE LOOKING FOR TIPS 

AND TRICKS TO CUT THE COST. 

WE SPOKE TO WEDDING 

ETIQUETTE EXPERT LISA 

FORDE, OF LEADING ONE-STOP- 

WEDDING STATIONERY SHOP TREE 

OF HEARTS, WHO SHARED HER TOP 

TIPS AND ADVICE FROM ALMOST 20 

YEARS IN THE WEDDING INDUSTRY... 

“So many engaged couples are looking 

for ways to save on the cost of their big 

day without skimping on the quality of the 

wedding they want,” explained Lisa. “And 

there are definitely ways to do this!” 

1) SET YOUR BUDGET, AND STICK 

TO IT! 

“Look at what you can afford and set 

your budget, once you have your budget 

set, be really strict with yourselves and 

stick to it. 

“That way you’ll soon start to realise 

what’s important to you and your partner 

and it will help narrow down what you’re 

happy to pay for. 

2) CONSIDER AN ‘OFF PEAK’ SEASON 

WEDDING. 

“Weddings in July, August or December 

can cost thousands of pounds more just 

because it’s peak season yet September 

and October often have some of the most 

beautiful weather of the year. 

“Have a think about when you want your 

wedding - some venues may even have 

offers for less popular times of year.” 

3) IN A SIMILAR FASHION, CONSIDER 

A WEEK DAY NUPTIALS. 

“Weddings on the weekend can cost 

thousands of pounds more than a week 

day, too. And while it’s often thought it 

helps guests by having a wedding on 

a Saturday because they don’t have to 

book time off work, at the end of the day, 

it’s your wedding - do what’s right for you 

and your partner.” 

4) CONSIDER YOUR GUEST LIST 

CAREFULLY. 

“Micro weddings were introduced during 

the pandemic but at Tree of Hearts we’re 

noticing more and more couples deciding 

to downsize their wedding guest list. 

“Do you need to invite family you haven’t 

seen in 10 years just because it’s 

etiquette, or your friends’ partners who 

you’ve never met? 

“This can cause issues for family and 

friends but as long as it’s dealt with in the 

correct way, people should understand.” 

5) SIGN UP TO YOUR FAVOURITE 

SUPPLIERS’ EMAIL MAILING LISTS. 

“Make sure you sign up to any of your 

favourite suppliers mailing lists to be first 

to hear of any offers or samples - we’re 

often emailing our lovely Tree of Hearts 

subscribers with news, advice and 

offers.” 

6) UTILISE SAMPLES 

“Always check if a supplier offers free 

samples - and try before you buy! We 

offer this service for wedding invitations, 

save the dates and more so our 

customers can see the quality and design 

before ordering.” 

7) SEEK OUT NEW, UP AND COMING 

SUPPLIERS. 

“Whether an up and coming wedding 

band or a photography student with 

beams of enthusiasm, you don’t need to 

spend thousands on some suppliers. Just 

make sure you check out their portfolio 

before booking to check it’s in your style 

and taste.” 

Lisa added: “But most importantly don’t 

forget to remember why you’re getting 

married in the first place. It’s a celebration 

of you and the person you love deciding 

to commit to one another. You don’t need 

to spend tens of thousands of pounds in 

order to do that.” 

Tree of Hearts is a one-stop shop for all 

things wedding stationery from Save the 

Dates through to Thank You Cards. 

To find out more about Tree of Hearts visit 

treeofhearts.co.uk 


JOIN NOW 

Now taking new 

memberships, with 

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when you sign up 

online during 

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“The facilities at Malvern are incredible... 

but I can’t decide what I love more, the view 

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Newly refurbished gym 

25m pool with lane swimming 

and family swim times 

Exercise classes including 

Boot Camp, Indoor Cycling, 

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Squash, Tennis, Badminton, 

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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 


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. 


5 star: helping 

you create the 

perfect home 

5 Star Windows and Conservatories 

is Worcestershire’s leading provider of 

windows, doors and living spaces... 

We are a family-owned business that has family values at its 

heart, with well over 30,000 installations in Worcestershire and 

the surrounding areas. 

At 5 Star, we understand the importance of trust. It is gained, 

never expected, and never taken for granted. We believe it is 

earned through hard work, honesty, transparency and putting the 

customer first. We never charge for our time and let our products 

and services do the talking. Customers will always be in control 

and fully aware of the process. 

5 Star has the Midlands’ largest and best equipped showrooms 

in Worcester and Kidderminster. Each showroom is fully equipped 

to show the unrivalled choices in the very latest finishes of uPVC 

and aluminium windows and doors. Customers can test out 

the functions of our bi-folding doors, see how the heightened 

security of the premium windows works and even walk around 

the fully equipped orangeries and conservatories. 5 Star is so 

much more than a showroom and is a must visit. 

We are so confident in the quality of our products and 

workmanship that we offer a 20-year guarantee which is twice 

the industry average, and insurance backed by the Consumer 

Protection Association 


5 Star Windows and Conservatories are approved by companies 

such as FENSA, the CPA (Consumer protection association), 

FMB (Federation of master builders) along with additional IS0 

accreditations and much more. 

With years of success stories, over 80% of our work originates 

through recommendations. If you choose 5 Star, you can rest 

safe in the knowledge that you are working with a professional 

team that puts quality and customer service first. Because our 

reputation is the lifeblood of our business, we adopt a constant 

and never-ending improvement approach to everything we do. 

With rising prices of energy bills, it has never been a better time 

to replace your windows & doors and make your home more 

energy efficient. Enquire today with details for your latest home 

improvement project. 

Kidderminster Showroom - Worcester Road, 

Kidderminster DY10 1JR 

Telephone: 01562814995 Email: sales@5starwindows.co.uk 

Worcester Showroom - 36 Carden Street, Worcester WR1 2AT 


Windows Doors Conservatories 

Orangeries Glass Rooms 

www.5starwindows.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 

let's waste less... 

Home composting is the best way to turn 

your organic fruit & vegetable peelings as 

well as eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags 

and shredded paper into a free compost 

for your garden. 


But what if you don’t have a particularly large garden or one with 

no borders and just pots? Fear not, you can still compost, but 

using one of the alternative composting bins. 

A Wormery 

Wormeries: A wormery is a form of 

composting in which worms break 

down kitchen waste and produce a very 

fine compost and nutrient rich liquid to 

feed your plants. Anyone can keep a 

wormery, but they are particularly useful 

to those with only a small garden or 

limited amounts of garden waste. The 

same foods can go into a wormery as a 

normal compost bin, with the exception 

of citrus fruit. You can even add small 

amounts of meat, which the worms 

(Tiger Worms) will love! However, you 

must only feed worms small amounts 

at a time, otherwise they can get too 

hot and remember to drain off the liquid 

otherwise they could drown in it. 

Bokashi: Bokashi is a composting 

system that you can do from your 

kitchen using two special buckets. They 

A Bokashi 

work by using a fermentation process designed to work in the 

two buckets using special ‘bran’, which is an activator. Add food 

scraps to the bucket with a sprinkling of bran, push the material 

down and seal the lid. Keep doing this until the bucket is full and 

then start the second bucket. The fermentation process takes 

2-3 weeks and produces a liquid in the bottom, which is a great 

plant food or can be poured down the drain to stop the build-up 

of algae. Either bury the remaining contents, which rapidly breaks 

down in your soil and makes great organic fertiliser or add to your 

compost heap to accelerate the composting process. 

For more information about composting visit 

www.letswasteless.com. To order your Bokashi or Wormery 

visit www.getcomposting.com. 


Quality care in 

Worcestershire you 

can trust 


When a family is thinking about care for a loved 

one, they want the best - they want to know that 

the care home they choose will put their loved 

one’s safety, happiness and wellbeing first. 

Care UK’s Perry Manor care home in Worcester, a CQC rated 

‘Outstanding’ home, provides residential, dementia and nursing 

care, giving families peace of mind that their loved ones can stay 

living at the home should their needs change. 

Living at Perry Manor is all about quality of life. Every colleague in 

the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy a fulfilling 

lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and preferences. The 

lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group and one-to-one 

activities, with plenty going on each day. 

The team at Perry Manor are proud to have achieved some great 

results in the recent relative survey, in fact 95% of families feel 

their loved ones are treated with kindness, respect and dignity^. 

One relative said “They are extremely diligent. Communication is 

excellent and so is attention to detail. When I visit Dad, they will 

check if dad needs anything and let me know so I can bring it in. The 

care home manager is excellent.” (Relative of a resident – April 2022) 

Once their relative has settled into Perry Manor they are able to 

focus on spending quality time with them again just enjoying each 

other’s company. 

Unsightly veins? 

We have the answer 

Varicose and spider veins are very 

common. While they are different entities 

to each other with different causes, 

neither should be expected to resolve 

spontaneously and can affect adults of all 

ages. This leaves those who suffer from 

them distressed and in need of help... 

The NHS only approves treatment for varicose veins in a few 

exceptional situations and does not offer treatment for spider 

veins at all. This leaves large numbers of people in need of help. 

This help is now at hand with a comprehensive new vascular 

service at The Wye Clinic in Hereford. Leading this service is Mr 

Bajwa, an experienced consultant vascular surgeon who offers 

the most up-to-date assessment and treatments for all vascular 

problems, including varicose and spider veins. 

The vital first stage in any assessment is an in-depth 

consultation. Understanding how someone is affected by 

troublesome veins, along with their hopes and expectations, 

is key. Though spider veins and varicose veins have different 

causes, they can co-exist. Having an expert such Mr Bajwa 

assess how the problem has occurred and discuss the possible 

treatment options is essential to achieving the best outcomes. 

Investigations such as ultrasound scanning are often needed to 

provide the detailed information needed to plan the best way 

forward. 

With the extra support that Perry Manor offers, new residents are 

often surprised at what they can do, whether that’s being able 

to continue with an activity they’ve enjoyed in the past, or even 

discovering new hobbies with our daily activities. 

Perry Manor is part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one 

of the UK’s most successful care home operators* with over 40 

years’ experience of delivering high quality care to older people. 

Perry Manor care home, Charles Hastings Way, 

Worcester WR5 1ET | careuk.com/perry-manor 

donna.townley@careuk.com | 01905887942 

*As rated by the Care Quality Commission in England and the Care 

Inspectorate in Scotland. 

^ Care UK relative survey August 2021/March 2022. Study operated 

by QRS Market Research, an independent survey agency 


Troublesome veins such as varicose and spider veins can bleed, 

become painful and are usually unsightly. They can also cause 

skin changes and ulcers. Any of these problems on its own is a 

reason for treatment though they may develop together. 

Treatment for varicose and spider veins has many forms. These 

treatments can be used either individually or in conjunction with 

each-other in a management plan that is individualised for every 

patient. Mr Bajwa is an expert and offers all the most modern and 

safe treatments available. Whether it be state-of-the-art foam 

treatments, radiofrequency ablation, or phlebectomy they are all 

available at The Wye Clinic. With local anaesthetic, recovery is 

quicker meaning you are back up and running in no time. 


Supporting 

over 8,000 

families 

Perry Manor care home, 

Worcester 

We champion training and innovation to 

support our care home teams to deliver 

outstanding care. Residents’ quality of life 

is at the heart of everything we do, helping 

individuals to stay active and independent 

so they can live each day to the full. 

Trusted to care. 

If you’re considering care 

01905 887942 

donna.townley@careuk.com 

careuk.com/perry-manor

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 

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. 


Complete peace of mind with your 

household bills on us for two years * 

Move into one of our delightful 1, 2 or 3 bedroom homes at Siddington Park, 

the perfect age exclusive village set among beautifully landscaped gardens, 

in the heart of the Cotswolds. Meet new friends and start your journey 

without the worry of rising costs. 

find out more today! 

call us on 01285 580 925 or visit www.rangefordvillages.co.uk 

EXCLUSIVELY FOR THE OVER 60s 

*Terms and conditions apply and are subject to change. Incentive applies to gas and electric utility bills only where applicable. 

Please speak to our sales team for full details. Offer is valid for all new build reservations before 31st July 2022. 

20515 Rangeford_Siddington Park_Cotwolds Lifestyle_Full Pg Ad_165x240mm.indd 1 31/05/2022 12:23

FUNERALS DIRECT 

DIRECT CREMATION 

£1250 

INCLUDES: 

• Bringing your loved one into our care 

• Care and preparation of the deceased 

• Dr Fees • Simple Coffin 

• Cremation and Return of Ashes 

• Bespoke Service for up to 20 

people in our Chapel 

TRADITIONAL AND BESPOKE 

FUNERALS ALWAYS AVAILABLE 

129 Astwood Road, Worcester WR3 8HD 

01905 27862 07942 11456 

hoskinsfuneralsdirect.co.uk 

Every Tuesday and Wednesday 

10am to 3pm 

St Matthias Church, 

Church Road, Malvern, WR14 1LX 

Tel: 01684 252003 

malverndementia.org 

Albion Lodge 

Retirement Home 

We are a family run establishment and the care we provide is very much based on 

the ethos that we look after people as if they are part of our own family. Offering 

individualised care, we aim to maintain independence whilst providing support. 

What we offer 

• 24 hour care • Period property • Village setting 

• Two acres of lawns • Special baths 

• Disabled access vehicle • Three lifts 

• Respite rooms pre-bookable 

NEW ROOMS AVAILABLE 

Albion Lodge Retirement Home, Hanley Swan, Worcestershire, WR8 0DN 

Tel: 01684 310626 • Email: info@albionlodge.co.uk • www.albionlodge.co.uk 


Live life your way with Brio Retirement Living 

Homeowners are living their best lives at Beechwood Park – 

our community of one, two and three-bedroom bungalows 

and apartments, set in a sociable Cotswolds community. 

Located just a few minutes’ walk from the pretty market town 

of Stow-on-the-Wold, Beechwood Park features a range of 

exciting facilities, including a wellness suite, our exclusive Slate 

& Grain brasserie, bar and coffee lounge, a community hub, 

roof terrace and much more. 

This unique community looks and feels like no other. It’s a place 

to meet new friends, join one of our weekly organised events 

and activities, explore the surrounding countryside, or simply 

put your feet up and enjoy the privacy of your own home. 

The community is here to help you too – taking all of those 

time consuming domestic jobs off your hands with laundry, 

cleaning and even pet sitting services that means you have 

time to simply enjoy life! 

Rent or buy – with prices from £345,000* 

Get in touch to arrange a viewing and experience everything 

this integrated retirement community has to offer. 

Visit brioretirement.co.uk/stow or call the friendly and 

professional team on 01451 885494. 

A home is so much more than just bricks and mortar. 

It’s a place where memories are made and moments 

are shared with friends, neighbours and family. 

Prices from 

£345,000 * 

*Other charges apply. 

“Where Beechwood Park 

stands out for me is 

that everyone here is 

so friendly; it’s really 

helped me coming 

in on my own here.” 

Mrs Wills 

*Other charges apply, see website for details 

Beechwood Park, Fosseway, 

Stow-on-the-Wold GL54 1FP

A vibrant community 

with exceptional 

surroundings 

ENTERPRISE 

RETIREMENT 

LIVING 

MOUNT 

BATTENHALL 

RENTAL PROPERTIES NOW AVAILABLE* – CALL TODAY TO FIND OUT MORE 

Mount Battenhall provides the perfect 

setting for the retirement you want. 

Join a welcoming community within a 

unique, leafy environment, just minutes 

from the centre of Worcester. 

Call 01905 630280 or visit 

mountbattenhall.co.uk 

• Luxurious properties with 

elegant interiors built to a 

premium specification 

• Excellent social amenities 

including restaurant, bar, gym, 

salon and guest suite 

• Acres of landscaped gardens 

• 24-hour on-site staff 

• Gated setting 

*A selection of rental properties now available.

Malvern Living Jul - Aug 2022

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