North Hampshire Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2022

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 176 247 to book your private tour. 

Beke Avenue, Shinfield, 

Reading, Berkshire, RG2 9UW

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

16 

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. 

14 

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 OKA oka.com 

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

IT’s time to go greEn! 

This summer, our family event days at 

Festival Place are all about having fun and 

learning more about the world around us. 

evEry saturday 11AM- 4PM 

23RD JULY 

TO 26TH AUGUST 2022 

Fun ways 

to 

learn 

create 

and 

craft 

ABOUT 

THE 

ENVIRONMENT 

find the fun under the 

BIG GREeN LEAF 

in the Amphitheatre 

behind Vue Cinema 

WITH 

OUR 

GANG! 

SUNSHINE 

Festival Place couldn’t be easier to find! We're just minutes off junction 6 of the M3 

and easily accessible by bus or train. For more information, visit festivalplace.co.uk 

festivalplace.co.uk/summer 

#fpsummer

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 


TIPS FOR CHOOSING 

EARLY YEARS TOYS 

Toys should be ‘openended’ 

in the sense that 

your child can play many 

different games with them 

(for example, wooden 

blocks can be used to make 

a castle, a tower, or a crib 

for the baby). Open-ended 

toys benefit your child’s 

imagination and help them 

develop problem-solving 

and logical thinking skills. 

Toys that encourage fine 

motor skills are excellent - 

whether that’s playing with 

shapes, balancing objects 

or rolling and catching balls. 

Role play toys help to 

develop both conversational 

abilities and a child’s 

understanding of the world 

around them. 

Mechanical toys like pop-up 

toys and ‘busy’ boxes with 

knobs, buttons, and levers 

encourage fine motor skills 

and problem solving, and 

teach cause-and-effect. 

For ages 3-6, this Janod Buffalo 

balancing game helps to hone those 

fine motor skills as bamboo birds are 

balanced on the wobbling back of 

the buffalo. £26.50, kidly.co.uk 

With 14 pieces, little ones 

are able to mix and 

match the dinosaur 

pieces to create 

their own unique 

beasts, or they can 

create dinos we know 

like T.Rex. 

My First 

Dinosaurs, £20, 

smarttoysandgames.co.uk 

EARLY YEARS 

learning 

Featuring 10 wooden 

instruments – a 

syringe, reflex hammer, 

disinfectant, stethoscope, 

otoscope, thermometer, 

tongue depressor plus a 

prescription notebook, 

pencil and bandage roll, 

Janod Doctor’s Suitcase 

has got everything kids 

need to play doctors. 

£26, kidly.co.uk 

This versatile play tent is the perfect creative space 

for little ones to add their own accessories to create 

a magical kingdom for the princes and princesses, 

or cave of wonders for active explorers. £99.95, 

thelittlegreensheep.co.uk 


FIND THE RIGHT ROUTE 

FOR YOU AT HSDC 

ALTON COLLEGE 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Success for everyone is what we 

aim to achieve at HSDC Alton 

College: from academic excellence 

to vocational accomplishment and 

everything in between... 

HSDC Alton can help you with your next steps regardless of 

your type of study. We offer A Levels, Vocational and Technical 

courses, as well as Apprenticeships, so we are guaranteed to 

have a route that is right for you! 

Our students go on to have bright futures and brilliant careers 

after their time with us, including Law student Catherine Goldie 

who applied to The University of Oxford after achieving three A*s 

and an A at A Level. 

We are investing in our facilities to give our students the best 

head start towards their future, such as our fantastic new £1.25m 

Gaming & Creative Digital Studios, which is helping our ambitious 

and creative students gain valuable insight into their chosen 

industry. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to explore this and so much more at 

the upcoming HSDC Alton Open Evening! Visit the campus and 

meet our inspiring lecturers on Thursday 30 June 2022 from 5pm 

to 7.30pm. 

Visit hsdc.ac.uk for more information about how you can achieve 

your goals with HSDC Alton College. 

A GREAT OPPORTUNITY TO: 

• Find out about our wide range of courses and 

progression opportunities 

• Visit the classrooms, meet and speak to our 

inspiring lecturers 

• Guarantee your place for September 2022 

• Explore the campus and walk around our 

brand-new gaming facilities 

We can’t wait to 

see you there! 


meet the head 

William Phelps | C heam 


William Phelps is an experienced and innovative educationalist, who 

has worked in both senior and prep schools, covering co-ed and single 

sex education. 

He was appointed to his first headship at The British International 

School of New York in Manhattan in 2010 and then Headmaster 

of The Beacon School, the largest boys prep school in the 

country before joining Cheam in Spring 2022. William’s ambition 

for Cheam and his focus on the children’s happiness and 

success, will continue to drive the school forward, enhancing 

their reputation as one of the leading prep schools in the country. 

At an exciting stage in Cheam’s evolution, William’s energy, 

proven experience and passion for education will successfully 

blend Cheam’s history of traditional values with modern 

innovation. 

The world we are preparing our young people for is 

constantly evolving – how do you lay the best foundations to 

prepare pupils? 

Preparing pupils for the future, both their journey onto senior 

schools and life beyond is a huge part of our role at Cheam. Our 

committed staff focus enormous efforts into providing the very 

best pastoral care for every single pupil, with happiness, joy, selfesteem 

and resilience being key. 

Cheam is a very special place offering the brightest of learning 

environments. It is the perfect place to grow - we know that 

the early years of a child’s life are the very best time to prepare 

the ground for their adulthood, and our focus at Cheam is on 

providing the most compelling setting for every child to thrive. 

If you could invite anyone, living or dead, to speak at the 

school, who would it be and why? 

I would invite Martin Luther King. This is because of his wisdom, 

passion and incredible strength. His legacy, commitment to 

peace and equality is extraordinary and he would have been an 

incredible person for pupils and staff to meet and learn from. 

What book would you implore all pupils to read? 

Sophie’s World is a wonderful book and offers a brief outline in 

Philosophical thinking. It is a perfect introduction to the world of 

Socrates, Descartes, Spinoza, Hegel and all great philosophers. 

It raises profound questions about the meaning of life and the 

origin of the universe. “Who are you?” is a question Sophie is 

asked and good question for children to ponder too. 

How would you like each pupil to reflect on their time at the 

school? 

When children look back on their time at Cheam my wish is that 

it is with both joy and pride for a job well done. I hope that they 

take with them a bag bursting with memories of friendships, 

laughter and childhood dreams. Cheam is first and foremost a 

community and we hope that all our graduates continue to feel 

part of our incredibly warm community through childhood and 

into adulthood. Our doors will always be open to them. 

www.cheamschool.com 

Follow us and feel part of the 

Cheam Community 

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

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 

EXPLORE CHEAM 

OPEN MORNING 

Friday 14 October | 10.00am to 12.30pm 

3 - 13 years | Co-Educational | Day, Flexi and Weekly Boarding 

www.cheamschool.com 


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 


DISCOVER CHÂTEAU LOU CASTEOU 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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7 MUST-DO FAMILY 

ACTIVITIES IN 

the Algarve 

The Algarve in southern Portugal is a family favourite 

amongst the Brits for its fabulous beaches, family-friendly 

accommodation and good value food and drinks. 

In fact, the Algarve is the third best value 

destination in the Eurozone, according 

to the 2022 Post Office report on holiday 

costs. With so much on offer, Algarve 

Tourism has compiled a list of seven 

‘must do’ activities – one for each day 

of the week, for families to discover the 

region, taking in some favourite tourist 

attractions and providing fun family 

experiences. 

1. WILD DOLPHIN WATCHING 

Take a boat excursion with 

AlgarExperience from Albufeira Marina 

to spot these playful animals in the 

wild. There are typically Common 

and Bottlenose Dolphins and June to 

September is their favourite time to come 

out and play. Combine the trip with a visit 

to the impressive Benagil Cave. 

Where to stay: The Muthu Oura Praia 

Hotel is centrally located 300 meters 

away from the beach and 2 km away 

from Albufeira’s Old Town. The hotel 

offers self-catering apartments with 

outdoor pools, tennis court, sauna, 

gym, a massage room and a Golf Desk. 

Alternatively the Salgados Palace is a 

five-star hotel that during the high season 

operates on an all-inclusive basis. It is 

renowned for its entertainment for adults 

and children. It has a spa, kids club and 

four pools. 

2. NATURE RESERVE BIKE TOUR 

Discover one of Portugal’s most idyllic 

beauty spots the Ria Formosa Nature 

Reserve on a 3 hour bike tour with a 

professional guide to show you the 

best spots. The barrier island system 

of Ria Formosa protects a warm-water 

lagoon with its mosaic of salt marshes, 

islets and tidal mud flats. This unique 

environment harbours many resident and 

migratory birds and offers shelter to other 

threatened species of fish, plants and 

animals. 

Where to stay: Located literally on the 


doorstop is Four Season Fairways 

Resort which provides the private 

villa style accommodation with 

all the extras you’d expect from a 

hotel or resort including a kids club, 

restaurants, indoor and outdoor pools. 

Little explorers will love the Upside- 

Down Kids Club and Creche with daily 

activities and parents will love the 

babysitting service. 


3. KAYAK THROUGH GROTTOS 

AND CAVES 

Discover the stunning coastline of 

Ponta da Piedade near Lagos by kayak, 

with the expertise of a local guide. 

It’s the best way to see some of the 

most magical caves and grottos on the 

Algarve and beautiful hidden beaches, 

found only by boat or Tours by Discover 

Tours 

Where to stay: Cascade Wellness 

Resort near Lagos has a stunning clifftop 

location overlooking the Ponta da 

Piedade and has both apartments, villas 

and rooms in its five star hotel and a 

great kids club with a large pirate ship. 

4. SEE THE QUEEN…IN SAND! 

The Sand City Sculpture Park is a 

unique exhibition where talented 

sculptors have shaped and carved 

whimsical and amazing celebrity figures, 

places and scenes. Expect to see 

amazing recreations of celebrities from 

Cristiano Ronaldo to the Queen! With 

frequent new exhibitions there is always 

something new to see. 

Where to stay: Grande Real Santa 

Eulália, a 5-star beach resort near 

Albufeira with daily entertainment for 

adults and children and accommodation 

available in family apartments, suites 

or rooms. In the Realito Kids Club, 

younger children will find a world of 

joy with many activities to rise up their 

imagination. 

5. BOOGIE BOARDING & SURFING 

The best surf beaches are in the west 

of the region around Sagres and 

Costa Vicentina. Younger children will 

love starting off with a boogie board 

and older children can try surfing. 

Freeride Surf School provides quality 

surf lessons taught by highly qualified 

coaches. They are suitable for all levels 

from beginners to advanced surfers. 

Where to Stay: Martinhal family friendly 

resort overlooks Martinhal Beach and is 

set within a protected natural park. Kids 

love the mini-golf and kids’ playgrounds 

with new zipline. The new fitness circuit 

is already a big hit with families working 

out together! Alternatively, Sagres Sun 

Stay offers good value accommodation 

in dorms, private rooms or studio with 

the fun atmosphere of a hostel. Surf 

courses and lessons can be arranged 

with their own surf school, and they 

have a handy bike station to repair and 

clean bikes. 

6. SLIP & SLIDE 

One of the favourite activities for 

families is a visit to one of Algarve’s 

water parks – Aquashow or Slide & 

Splash. Aqua Show in Quarteira will 

be opening an indoor waterpark in 

the Autumn 2022 making it perfect for 

cooler months. Most of the parks have 

green spaces and specific areas for 

picnics. 

Where to stay: Families can stay at 

the Aquashow itself in the Aqua Park 

Hotel or at Jupiter Hotel Albufeira, a 

hotel designed exclusively for families 

with great facilities, daily activities and 

entertainment for kids. 

7. HIT THE BEACH 

In the Algarve families are spoilt for 

choice when it comes to beaches. The 

region has 87 blue flag beaches with 

excellent facilities such as beach cafes, 

restaurants, help points, life guards and 

water sports operators -all contributing 

to a great beach experience. For wide 

beaches with space to play football and 

volleyball those-in-the-know head to the 

beaches in the west like Meia, Falésia in 

central or Barril in the east. For a pretty 

beach surrounded by cliffs they head 

to Dona Ana and Rocha Beach and for 

beaches to boogie board and surf, they 

head for Cordoama or Bordeira Beach. 

Where to stay: Pine Cliffs, a Luxury 

Collection Resort overlooks the 

stunning Falesia beach and offer a 

collection of luxury multi-bedroomed 

suites, private villas and self-catered 

apartments, which are perfect for large, 

multi-generational family groups. Kids 

can be let loose at the Resort’s Porto 

Pirata- a playground, with two lifesized, 

multi-functional wooden pirate 

ships, a basketball court and dedicated 

children’s swimming pool. 

For further information on the 

Algarve, please visit 

www.visitalgarve.pt 


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

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. 


AN AWARD-WINNING 

HOME FOR YOUR 

MORTGAGE 

What does it take to be an award-winning 

mortgage provider? We’re glad you asked, 

because after winning the ‘Best Specialist 

Mortgage Provider’ at British Bank Awards 

2022 for the third year in a row, we 

believe we’re aptly qualified to answer 

that question! 

Now in their eighth year, the British Bank 

Awards are run by independent financial sector 

review platform, Smart Money People, and are 

known as the ‘Oscars of the banking world.’ 

The purpose of the awards is to find the best 

financial service providers, the most exciting 

innovations, and crown the most trusted 

financial brands. All the awards are voted for 

by customers and this year over 81,000 of them 

cast votes. 

What makes our approach award-winning? 

· We’ve been helping people with their 

mortgages for 165 years, so we are 

experienced in helping our customers 

choose the right product. 

· Our qualified mortgage advisers take the 

time to talk in plain language to you, about 

your circumstances and to understand your 

individual needs. 

· We offer mortgage appointments online 

via videocall, in our friendly local branches, 

and over the phone – you can choose 

which option suits you best, AND you 

can book appointments quickly and 

easily online. 

· Everyone is welcome (subject to criteria) 

– we lend up to the age of 90 across 

our entire mortgage product range, we 

are experienced in affordable housing 

mortgage schemes such as Help to Buy, 

and our mortgage advisers are trained to 

understand the differing needs of those 

who are self-employed. 

· We innovate – we offer GoGreen mortgages 

for existing mortgage members to improve 

the energy efficiencies of their existing 

homes, as well as a Self-Build mortgage for 

those who want to build, rather than buy, 

their dream home. 

· As an independent, mutual organisation, 

we’re committed to providing quality and 

value, and pride ourselves in delivering 

straightforward mortgage advice. 

“ We’re thrilled to have been awarded ‘Best 

Specialist Mortgage Provider’ for the third year 

in a row. It is testament to the incredible service 

our teams provide day in, day out, and our 

tailored approach to mortgage underwriting, 

where we treat every customer and every 

application individually. We would like to thank 

our members for demonstrating their support of 

the Society in this way.” 

– Phillippa Cardno, Chief Executive of 

Newbury Building Society 

To find out more about how we could help you 

with your mortgage enquiry, visit our website 

(www.newbury.co.uk), call 01635 555 700, or 

pop into your local branch. 

Alton branch: 

47 High Street, Alton, GU34 1PF 

Call: 01420 84276 

Email: alton@newbury.co.uk 

Basingstoke branch: 

5-6 Chelsea House, Festival Place, 

Basingstoke, RG21 7JR 

Call: 01256 816813 

Email: basingstoke@newbury.co.uk 

Sammy Forrester, 

Alton Branch 

Manager 

Lisa Wedge, 

Basingstoke 

Branch Manager 

YOUR MORTGAGE IS SECURED ON YOUR HOME. THINK CAREFULLY BEFORE SECURING OTHER DEBTS AGAINST YOUR HOME. 

YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE. 

Newbury Building Society is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential 

Regulation Authority (Financial Services Register number 206077). English Law applies and we will communicate with you in English. We are participants of 

the Financial Ombudsman Service. We have a complaints procedure which we will provide on request. 

Most complaints that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 8805 

Newbury 

Building Society 

10180 North Hampshire Living 8805.indd 1 31/05/2022 14:01

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 




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 



COULD WATER 

SOFTENERS BE 

THE UNSUNG 

HERO OF THE UK 

CLIMATE CHANGE 

REVOLUTION? 

A study shows technology can 

remove 730kg of CO2 from a 

single household, per year... 

It is well documented that hard water 

causes limescale build-up, which can 

lead to bigger bills and excessive 

cleaning in the home. What is not as wellknown 

is the impact it can have on your 

carbon footprint and our latest research 

has found that eradicating household 

limescale is as almost four times better 

for the planet than recycling. 

Research has revealed that households 

in hard water regions could reduce their 

carbon footprint by up to 732kg of CO2 

per year, if they had softened water 

to reduce limescale build-up. This is 

similar to the carbon footprint reductions 

associated with switching to a vegan diet 

(800kg of CO2/year) and significantly 

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

Tackling household limescale is also 

better for the environment than other 

commonly recommended tips such as 

using improved cooking equipment (650 

kg of CO2/year) and using renewable 

heating (640kg CO2/year). Softened 

water could also save you up to £180 

a year on heating because limescale 

deposits within heating systems can 

cause blockages in pipework and boilers. 

The theme of this year’s Earth Day (April 

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

organisation stating this year’s focus 

will specifically look to “emerging green 

technologies, and innovative thinking that 

can restore the world’s ecosystems.” 

Tony Jones, General Manager at 

Harvey Water Softeners, said: 

“ 

AS THE UK BUILDS UP TO COP26 

SUMMIT LATER THIS YEAR, WE 

HAVE ALREADY SEEN A MASSIVE 

RISE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE 

GOING VEGAN TO DO THEIR BIT 

FOR THE ENVIRONMENT IN THE 

UK. WHILE THIS MAY NOT BE 

FOR EVERYONE, WE WANTED 

TO RAISE AWARENESS OF THE 

OTHER POSITIVE AND PRACTICAL 

CHANGES PEOPLE CAN MAKE 

IN THEIR HOME TO TACKLING 

CLIMATE CHANGE. FOR THE ECO- 

CONSCIOUS PEOPLE IN HARD 

WATER AREAS, A WATER SOFTENER 

IS A SIMPLE SOLUTION TO REDUCE 

THEIR PERSONAL CARBON 

FOOTPRINT. 

To find out more about water softeners 

visit: www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk 

“ 

A RECENT STUDY SHOWS THAT 

HOUSEHOLDS IN HARD WATER 

REGIONS COULD REDUCE THEIR 

CARBON FOOTPRINT BY UP 

TO 732KG OF CO2 PER YEAR, IF 

THEY HAD SOFTENED WATER TO 

REDUCE LIMESCALE BUILD-UP. 

FURTHER RESEARCH HAS FOUND 

THAT ERADICATING HOUSEHOLD 

LIMESCALE IS AS ALMOST FOUR 

TIMES BETTER FOR THE PLANET 

THAN RECYCLING. 

ENERGY USAGE WITH SOFTENED 

WATER IS 23.8% LOWER FOR GAS 

HEATERS AND 17.8% LOWER FOR 

ELECTRIC HEATERS. 

CONVERTING ALL UK HARD 

WATER HOMES TO SOFT WATER 

WOULD SAVE UP TO 8.24 MILLION 

TONNES OF CO2 FROM BEING 

EMITTED INTO THE ATMOSPHERE 

EACH YEAR – THE EQUIVALENT TO 

TAKING 1.8 MILLION CARS OFF THE 

ROAD OR PLANTING 136 MILLION 

TREES. 


ROOM FOR 

IMAGINATION 

RAK-PLANO 

RAK-Plano is a new and versatile 

countertop solution which matches 

perfectly with the RAK-Joy and RAK-Joy 

Uno furniture range. Available in 4 colours 

and a wide range of sizes, it is suitable for 

all bathroom and modular settings and 

offers endless possibilities and applications. 

RAKCERAMICS.COM

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 


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

TONIQ On Demand 


We caught up with personal trainer Arron Collins-Thomas to find out about his new 

online fitness offering, expanded from his very successful gym TONIQ... 

Your gym, with its fully-rounded approach to health and 

lifestyle, has made national news for its incredible client 

results – what will the app offer? 

At TONIQ we recognise that good health is more than just 

regular workouts, it encompasses taking care of every aspect 

of your body. We have created a solution where everything from 

nutrition, mindfulness, amazing workouts, yoga and more is 

available with guidance from fantastic trainers and experts in 

one place. 

Not only this, but as part of TOD you have access to your own 

coach, ensuring that you have someone you can speak to, to 

keep you on track and accountable as well as supporting you 

throughout. 

We have had some incredible results over the past few years at 

TONIQ and we want to be able to bring those results to more 

people. With the app we aim to give anyone, anywhere in the 

world, a taste of the TONIQ-life. 

As a TONIQ On Demand member you get to join the incredible 

community online, have access to our on demand workouts as 

well as live workouts, Q&As and educational talks. We have an 

incredible coaching team with a huge array of skills to bring to 

you including yoga, qigong, nutrition and mindfulness. 

The main workouts are written based on what we are up to at 

TONIQ in any given training block and a new phase of workouts 

launches every 6 weeks on the app as well as regular bonus 

content to keep the training varied and inspiring. 

Can you get a good experience with online coaching? 

Are you accountable and is it personalised? 

With TOD you have a designated TONIQ coach who you speak 

to on a one to one basis. When you first sign up with us you 

will have a call to help you set up your accountability sheets, 

help you curate your workout schedule and set you on the 

right nutrition plan for you. Then every month you get another 

call with your coach to help keep you on track and answer any 

questions you may have. Accountability is key if you really want 

to get results and that is one of the reasons why TONIQ has 

been so successful. 

Are the classes accessible no matter your fitness level? 

Some of us are self-conscious about going to the gym or 

nervous in COVID times. 

No matter what your levels of fitness we can help you. Our 

expert coach will advise what level to start at for you and 

how hard to push yourself in the first consultation you have 

with them. It will be based around your fitness and any health 

concerns, so you can feel secure in the fact that you won’t be 

over training or causing yourself any harm by taking part in our 

programs. 

For people who aren’t ready for the gym again yet or who are 

self conscious TONIQ On Demand is the perfect choice. You get 

personal trainer support and expert written workouts, all from 

the comfort of your own home. 

You also get to join a great online community who share their 

experiences and help support each other to get the results they 

desire. 

TONIQ ON DEMAND 

MORE THAN A WORKOUT 

Join our community from anywhere, at anytime with 

TONIQ on Demand, our app gives you access to: 

Personalised plans developed with expert coaches. 

Nutrition plans based on your needs and goals. 

Monthly 121 check in calls with an expert coach. 

Extensive library of classes including SWEAT, STRONGER, 

BURN and CHILL. 

Visit TONIQLIFE.COM to find out more

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. 


Fore more information contact: 01635 254888 | kblwork@tesco.net | www.enbridgehouse.co.uk 

Enbridge House, Church Road, Woolton Hill, Newbury, Berkshire RG20 9XQ 


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North Hampshire Lifestyle Jul - Aug 2022

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