North Hampshire Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2022

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

17 

FESTIVE DESSERTS TO INSPIRE 

I do hope you’re ready for 

some festive fun - because 

this edition is coming in 

with (sleigh) bells on! After 

so many years of disrupted 

celebrations, it’s great to be 

able to look forward to some 

normality and really get into 

the spirit. 

First up we’ve got some 

delicious recipes - if you aren’t 

a fan of Christmas pudding 

(I’m in your camp) we’ve got 

lots of alternatives to keep 

everyone happy! 

06 

COMPETITIONS 

If you are hosting Christmas 

guests this year, we’ve got all 

the tips and tricks you need to 

make the experience stressless 

for you and comfortable 

for your visitors - it will be so 

lovely, they may even want a 

repeat stay! Heaven forbid! 

The competition section in 

this edition is a real bonanza 

- we’ve got an adult and child 

bike duo, a smart washing 

machine, 2 x £150 vouchers 

for cashmere clothes and 

accessories, a deluxe hamper 

and family fun at the Sea Life 

centre all to be won! 

24 

GUEST BEDROOM 

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 Laura Rodney 

e laura@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984501 

Cover image courtesy of Waitrose 

26 

READY FOR WINTER? 

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. 

This is all alongside our usual 

dose of school, home, garden 

and later life advice. 

I hope you enjoy this issue 

and have some time in the 

coming months to take pause 

and reflect on the year - the 

passing of a much loved 

monarch, but a host of new 

beginnings - we will have the 

first King’s Christmas speech 

this year to punctuate our 

own celebrations. However 

you spend the festive season, 

I, and the rest of the team 

here, wish you a very happy 

Christmas and a peaceful 

New Year - see you in 2023! 

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 Bobbin, the 

A SET OF PARENT London based 

AND CHILD independent 

bike retailer 

MATCHING offers a 

VINTAGE STYLE selection 

BIKES FROM of vintage 

style bikes in 

BOBBIN 

pastels and 

BIKES! beautiful bright 

shades, suitable 

from age two with 

balance bikes, all the way up to 

adults. 

They also offer a range of 

complimentary accessories 

including wicker baskets, pannier bags, 

helmets and bike decorations. 

We are offering one lucky reader an 

adult Brownie 7 Dutch Bike worth £549, 

Bobbin’s signature Dutch bicycle and a 

matching child’s Gingersnap bike (12”- 

26”) start from £189 

All handmade in small batches the 

Bobbin bikes offer high quality and 

comfortable, not to mention stylish, 

leisure bikes for the whole family. 

www.bobbinbikes.com 

Closes 19/12/2022 - 

Competition keyword: ‘BOBBIN’ 

Did you know that a Candy RapidO washing machine is so 

smart that you can show it a photo of your laundry and it will 

tell you the perfect cycle to wash it at? Candy’s Snap&Wash 

smart feature allows users to communicate with their washing 

machine via an app. This feature offers technology that provides 

efficiency from the comfort of your phone. 

If you like to keep things simple but not compromise on quality, 

then Candy is the perfect option for you. And we have a smart 

Candy RapidO washing machine to offer one lucky reader! 

www.candy-home.com 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keywords: ‘CANDY RAPIDO’ 

Loop Cashmere is the home 

of feel good cashmere. Each 

garment is crafted with love, 

following sustainable practises 

from goat to finished garment. 

Our Winter 22 collection is out 

now, offering gorgeous lofty knits, 

irresistible textures and a rainbow of 

colour. The collection is designed in the 

softest cashmere to effortlessly see you 

through the winter months in complete 

luxury. 

We’re offering you the chance to win one of 

two £150 gift vouchers and treat yourself or 

a loved one, to a little sustainable luxury. 

www.loopcashmere.co.uk. 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keyword 

‘LOOP’ 

WIN 

2 X £150 

VOUCHERS 

TO ONLINE 

WITH LOOP 

CASHMERE! 

WIN 

A CANDY SMART 

WASHING 

MACHINE 

WORTH OVER 

£400! 

Looking for the perfect gift this Christmas? 

Delight your friends and family with a selection box of delicious 

treats. One lucky reader will win a ‘Decadent Christmas in a 

Box’ containing the following: 

6kg Free Range Whole Turkey | 4.5kg Unsmoked Ham | 1kg 

Side of Smoked Salmon | 1kg Organic Cheddar | 1kg Cropwell 

Bishop Stilton | Christmas Pudding | Harrow & Hope Brut 

Reserve (750ml bottle) | Classic Cranberry Sauce | Granny’s 

Apple Chutney | Artisan Coronation Sauce | British Goose 

Fat | Luxury Bread Sauce | Traditional Roast Gravy | Sage & 

Onion Stuffing | Pigs In Blankets | 200g Smoked Chicken 200g 

Smoked Duck. 

www.copasturkeys.co.uk 

Closes 09/12/2022 - Competition keyword ‘COPAS’ 

Discover the amazing 

underwater world of the 

SEA LIFE Aquariums 

at one of the 11 

locations throughout 

WIN 

4 X TICKETS 

TO ANY SEA 

LIFE CENTRE! 

WIN 

CHRISTMAS IN 

A BOX WORTH 

OVER £400 

WITH COPAS 

TURKEYS! 

the UK and Ireland. 

Are you a Shark lover, a 

Humboldt Penguin fan, or 

a clownfish fanatic? At SEA 

LIFE you can see them all - from 

the curious and the rescued to the rare and the enigmatic. Every 

SEA LIFE is unique, and so are its creatures – a visit here will get 

you closer to the oceans than ever before. 

There are 11 SEA LIFE centres where the prize can be redeemed; 

London, Birmingham, Great Yarmouth, Loch Lomond, 

Blackpool, Brighton, Manchester, Scarborough, Hunstanton, 

Weymouth and Bray. Three lucky readers will win 4x tickets. 

www.merlinannualpass.co.uk 

Closes 19/12/2022 - Competition keywords: ‘SEA LIFE’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

THE 

VERY MERRY 

GIFT 

GUIDE 

PERFECT PRESENTS 

FOR EVERYONE ON 

YOUR LIST 

A whisky with saline 

notes with aromas of 

gingerbread and candied 

fruit, Gwalarn, £35.99, 

thewhiskyexchange.com 

Upgrade tatty old 

slippers for these 

stylish moccasins, 

Fielding 3 Suede 

Slippers, £49, 

moshulu.co.uk 

gifts for 

HIM 

Support his 

fitness goals in 

2023 - get better 

results from any 

workout routine with 

the thin, lightweight 

fitness smartwatch that 

includes a 6-month 

Premium membership, Fitbit Versa 

4, £199.99, fitbit.com 

Cordless kitchen appliances are a 

game changer, and they don’t come 

better than KitchenAid, 6-Speed 

Hand Mixer with Flex Edge Beaters, 

£119, kitchenaid.co.uk 

Sip on 15 limited 

edition festive beers 

from across the 

country! £43.50, 

bestofbritishbeer. 

co.uk 

Deep cleanse with one side, 

then help skincare sink in 

with the heated jade stone. 

PMD Clean Pro Jade, £165, 

uk.pmdbeauty.com 

gifts for 

HER 

A ‘Great Taste’ awarding-winning 

Espresso Martini - shake with ice and 

enjoy! £25, kocktail.co.uk 

Discover the ultimate three-step ritual to 

reveal smooth, dewy, and glowing skin. This indulgent 

kit includes Cleanser, a Muslin Cloth, the new gentleyet-potent 

daily Radiance 

Repair Retinol Serum and 

sumptuous Moisture Cream, 

Radiant Renwal Ritual 

Set, £95, 

evelom.co.uk 

Get perfect, heatless curls overnight with 

luxurious mulberry silk to protect, Shuti 

Silk Heatless Curler, £39, shutibyjk.com 

ECO 

GIFT 

Mylee is the go-to for gel 

polish and nail art lovers, 

Oh My Quad Gel Polish 

Quad, £24.99, mylee.co.uk 

Luxuriously soft cashmere 

with subtle detailing, 

Lofty Cashmere Batwing 

Sweater in Birch, £199, 

loopcashmere.co.uk 

Vegan, zero-waste crayons 

for lips, cheeks and eyes, 

Axiology Balmie Set, £26, 

contentbeautywellbeing.com 

The perfect heeled biker boots, Clemmy 

Boot, £59.95, heavenlyfeet.co.uk 


Maybe it’s time 

for a kitchen 

that makes you 

Smile? 

Talented 

People, 

Ambitious 

For You. 

Corporate Law 

Commercial Law 

Employment Law 

Family Law 

Residential Property 

Commercial Property 

Dispute Resolution 

Wills & Probate 

Notary Public 

Land law 

phillips-law.co.uk 

01256 460830 

Hampshire’s Firm 

of the Year 2022 

Medium Firm 

of the Year 2021 


Nurture their creativity with 39 flexible 

pieces in 7 unique shapes which can 

build hundreds of complex creations, 

Clixo Rainbow Pack, £54.99, clixo.com 

Split into two teams, strap on 

your monkey tail, warm up those 

thighs and compete in a series 

of silly monkey challenges! It’s 

Bananas, £24,99, amazon.co.uk 

Featuring 16 2-inch Battle Figures and 

eight accessories, this 24-day calendar 

holds a holiday-themed Pokémon 

toy for each day, Pokémon Holiday 

Calendar, £29.99, smythstoys.com 

Expect loud snorts 

and lots of laughter, 

Peppa Pig style, with 

the House Bath Playset 

from Toomies. £19.99, 

amazon.co.uk and Argos 

gifts for 

KIDS 

Count down to Christmas with 

these cute advent biscuits, or 

check out their lovely baking kits, 

Jar of Woodland Advent Biscuits, 

£45, honeywellbakes.com 

Made in the softest 

organic cotton they are 

made with our special 

flat inner seams for the 

sweetest of dreams, 

Nordic Forest Print 

Kids Pyjamas, £30, 

polarnopyret.co.uk 

A previous winner in 

the world’s best gin 

awards, this handcrafted 

Scandinavian organic gin 

makes a wonderful present, 

Herno Old Tom Gin, £50, 

waitrose.com 

Delicious hand-cooked crisps in 

a variety of flavours, available in a 

sharing tin to enhance freshness 

and crunch, 2 x 500g Sharing Tin, 

£30, twofarmers.co.uk 

gifts for 

FOODIES 

(& DRINKERS!) 

Choose from an all-red wine, all-white wine 

or the best-selling mixed advent calendar. 

Enjoy 24 mini bottles with a full-size bottle 

for you to enjoy on Christmas Day, Wine 

Advent Calendar, £89.99, virginwines.co.uk 

No Christmas Day feast is complete without these merry 

condiments, including Christmas Spice Chutney, which 

contains a host of festive spices, and our Cranberry, 

Port & Orange Sauce, which cuts through rich meats like 

turkey and goose with its tingling tartness. The Festive 

Four Gift Pack, £14.15, tracklements.co.uk 

The Bitter Truth has 

come up with these 

charming little miniature 

bottles of 5 of their best 

bitters. Cocktail Bitters 

Traveler’s Set, £14.95, 

masterofmalt.com 


Marking its 175th anniversary, add some fizz 

to the festive season with a tipple of Searcys 

limited-edition Blanc De Blancs 

Champagne, £50 per bottle. 

£75 with flute set. 

searcys.co.uk/gifts 

Know someone who started a business 

in lockdown and could use some kit to 

elevate their work? Thermal printers don’t 

use any ink and can print onto different 

shaped labels. Munbyn are market leaders 

and their products are great quality, 4x6” 

USB Thermal Label Printer, £149.99, 

uk.munbyn.com 

gifts for 

THAT PERSON 

WITH 

EVERYTHING 

The Aerative 

portable dryer is 

lightweight, portable, 

and powerful, allowing 

users up to 8-hours of 

automatic drying. Safe 

for cabin or checked 

luggage, the Aerative is 

an ideal option for those 

who wish to dry clothes 

on the go, Aerative 

Portable Dryer £75, 

amazon.co.uk 

ECO 

GIFT 

Never lose a wallet again with 

this handy device - Apple 

Find My network 

locates your missing 

item Chipolo CARD 

Spot, £30, chipolo.net/en 

TOG creates beautifully crafted Japanese knives 

to last a lifetime. The ‘Bunka’ is a less well-known 

Japanese blade profile characterised by its cut-off 

diagonal tip. The 14cm ‘Mini’ version is extremely 

versatile, providing a smaller and more agile 

alternative to the Santoku, £240, togknives.com 

Say goodbye to chaotic poop bags and 

squished treats in your pockets... and 

say hello to the all encompassing 

Dog Walking Bag, Treat Pouch 

& Strap - all customisable, £35, 

cocopuplondon.com 

gifts for 

PETS 

Named after its deep, cosy sides 

and deep-filled luxury mattress which 

give the bed a den-like feel, the 

Deeply Dishy Bed is perfect 

for hunkering down in, from 

£145, charleychau.com 

This Chief 

Mouser 

Training Kit is 

the perfect gift 

for the avid 

hunter - kittens 

and mature 

cats alike. 

Inspired by the 

role given to the 

cats of Downing Street 

(currently Larry the Cat) 

who have the important 

job of keeping 

mice at bay, £29, 

cheshireandwain. 

com 


Putting Girls First 

GSA Schools Create Happy, Well-Rounded, Confident Women 

The facts are that girls’ schools are 

crucial to achieving gender equality; 

they level the playing field for girls and 

consistently campaign for the benefit of 

girls and women, and always have. 

Looking At Women’s Lives Now 

In 2022 we are still five generations 

away from achieving gender parity 

at current rates of change. Whether 

deliberate or not gender bias still 

affects women’s life opportunities and 

ambitions. This has nothing to do with 

the innate talents and skills of girls 

and women of course; The Peterson 

Institute’s largest ever international 

survey of 92 countries found that 

companies with 30% more women 

at the top (at C-suite level) saw a 15 

percent increase in profitability in 

business. 

The Power of Girls’ Schools 

A modern girls-only education is vital 

to help girls achieve their full potential. 

Our schools put their ambitions firmly 

the centre. It’s at the heart of all we do. 

The Facts About Girls in Girls’ Schools 

In all girls’ environments: 

• Girls in classrooms are more likely 

to pursue ambitious educational 

goals 

• Girls excel athletically and have 

greater chances for leadership roles 

• Girls achieve a disproportionately 

large share of the top exam grades 

in the UK 

• Internationally educating girls is 

life changing, lifting people out of 

poverty, growing economies and 

saving lives 

Whereas: 

• Girls working alongside high 

achieving boys set their education 

goals lower, lack confidence in their 

abilities, and do less well in science 

and maths in contrast to girls in 

girls’ schools. 

• Girls get less teaching time in co-ed 

schools because generally teachers 

interact with boys more often in the 

classroom by a margin of 10 to 30 

percent 

Donna Stevens, GSA CEO: “Our mission 

at GSA is help our pupils create the world 

as it should be - a place where every 

girl can achieve and lead. An all- girls 

education gifts every girl with the skills 

and appetite to recognise her full talents 

and realise a brilliant life.” 

“The world should be a place where every girl can 

learn and lead. To achieve this we must ensure our 

economies, societies and education systems work for 

girls, not against them.” 

Malala Yousafazi 

GSA Alumna, Edgbaston High School 


AN OCEANIC ADVENTURE 

The SEA LIFE London Aquarium is perfect as part of a grand day out. Situated right on the banks 

of the Thames at Westminster Bridge, it’s less than 5 minutes from the London Eye, Big Ben and the 

Houses of Parliament and a short walk from the restaurants of South Bank. Lisa Rockliffe braved the 

depths with her kids in tow to see why it makes for such a great family day out... 

I’m trying to introduce my children (aged 

5 & 9) to the big attractions of London - 

so far we’ve been to the Natural History 

Museum, the Science Museum and the 

London Eye - but I know which attraction 

has topped their wish list, so I decided 

it was time to head to SEA LIFE London 

Aquarium. 

From the sharks and sea turtles to the 

penguins and crocodiles, they were 

both entranced from start to finish. Your 

journey begins with the Shark Walk - 

walking over a glass bottomed walkway 

with views into the tanks below – we were 

lucky enough to spot sharks swimming 

just a few inches under our feet! 

As we moved through we encountered 

creatures from all over the globe, eels, 

common octopus, rays and sharks – we 

even spotted mermaid’s purses nestled in 

the sand. One of the highlights of the trip 

was the Ocean Tunnel where we walked 

under the sea through an amazing glass 

tunnel - my five year old did take some 

convincing that we wouldn’t end up 

swimming with the sharks! 

Our favourite section was Open Ocean, 

with its shoals of incredible tropical 

fish, snappers, sharks and sea turtles, 

closely followed by Coral Kingdom with 

its clownfish, blue and yellow tangs, 

cardinal fish and many more swimming 

through the stunning reefs and taking 

cover among the anemones. The children 

loved to identify the fish they knew from 

their favourite film Finding Nemo - seeing 

Marlin, Nemo and Dory in person was 

magical for them. 

As well as ocean exhibits, the aquarium 

also has areas dedicated to freshwater 

species, including Red Bellied piranhas 

and catfish, poison dart frogs, snapping 

turtles and even Cuban crocodiles. 

Another highlight of our visit was heading 

into Penguin Point, which housed a 

characterful family of Gentoo penguins! 

Gentoos are the third largest species 

of penguin in the world (after the 

Emperor and Kings) and these amazing 

creatures could be seen on land and also 

swimming through their icy habitat. My 

two were transfixed as they swooped 

through the water as if they were flying. 

As well as the marine attractions, SEA 

LIFE London Aquarium also offered great 

interactive moments with the option to 

touch starfish with the help of expert 

guides, virtual reality rides through 

coral reefs and a touch screen jellyfish 

game. There were also some powerful 

messages about the conservation work 

the Sea Life Trust is doing across the 

world, including creating the world’s first 

beluga whale sanctuary in Iceland. 

We spent around 2 hours at the aquarium 

in total, and this was just about perfect, 

particularly for my youngest, making it an 

ideal destination on a family day out in 

the capital. 

The entry price for SEA LIFE London 

Aquarium is £29 for children (3 - 15 Years) 

and £32 for adults. 

Visit The UK’s Top Attractions With A 

Merlin Annual Pass 

A Merlin Annual Pass is the ultimate 

passport to a year of epic togetherness at 

the UK’s BIGGEST and best attractions! 

Get year-long access to Britain’s most 

thrilling and awesome experiences, plus 

exclusive discounts and perks. Find out 

more at: www.merlinannualpass.co.uk 


Open Day 

Saturday 24 June 2023 at 9.00am 

Please contact us to book your visit: 

www.stswithuns.com | 01962 835700 


BONFIRE delights 

Perfect sharing recipes to serve fire-side 

HOT DOGS WITH PICKLED CARROT 

AND SPICY MAYO 

Preparation time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 15 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

2 tsp black sesame seeds (or a mixture of 

white and black) 

3 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Japanese Rice 

Vinegar 

1 tsp clear honey 

1⁄2 tsp toasted sesame oil 

300g carrots, scrubbed and julienned, 

shredded or grated 

4 Unearthed Bavarian Frankfurters 

3 tbsp mayonnaise 

1 tbsp Cooks’ Ingredients Gochujang 

Chilli Paste 

4 hot dog rolls 

METHOD 

Put the sesame seeds in a dry frying 

pan and toast over a medium-high 

heat, stirring from time to time, until 

fragrant; tip out of the pan and set aside. 

Meanwhile, mix the vinegar, honey, 

sesame oil and a large pinch of salt in 

a bowl and add the carrot; cover and 

chill in the fridge, allowing the mixture to 

quick-pickle until ready to serve. 

Heat a griddle pan over a medium-high 

heat and cook the frankfurters for 7-8 

minutes, turning regularly, until piping 

hot throughout. While they’re cooking, 

mix the mayonnaise and gochujang chilli 

paste in a small bowl; set aside. 

Split open the rolls and spread a little of 

the spicy mayo inside each one. Lift the 

carrot from its pickling liquor and arrange 

in the rolls, then top with the frankfurters. 

Drizzle over the remaining spicy mayo 

and sprinkle over the sesame seeds to 

finish. Serve any leftover carrot on the 

side. 

All recipes and images courtesy of 

Waitrose. You can find thousands more 

recipes at www.waitrose.com/recipes 

COOK’S TIP 

Gochujang (Korean chilli 

paste) makes a wonderful 

rub for meats, and is 

delicious in vegetable 

stews or bakes. It’s very 

spicy though, so use 

sparingly. 


CONCHIGLIE WITH MUSHROOMS AND SPINACH 



Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

½ x 30g pack Cooks’ Ingredients Dried 

Porcini Mushrooms 

235g bag Ready-Washed Spinach 

300g De Cecco Conchiglie Rigate No 50 

pasta 

1 tbsp olive oil 

2 Echalion Shallots, finely diced 

250g Chestnut Mushrooms, wiped clean 

and sliced 

2 cloves garlic, crushed 

6 tbsp double cream 

60g Parmigiano Reggiano, coarsely 

grated 

METHOD 

Preheat the grill to high; put an oven shelf 

in the top third of the oven. Fill a large 

kettle with water and put it on to boil. Put 

the dried mushrooms in a heatproof bowl 

and cover with 300ml just-boiled water; 

set aside. Meanwhile, put the spinach 

in a large mixing bowl and pour over 

enough just-boiled water to wilt. Drain 

through a sieve then rinse under the cold 

tap. Squeeze out the excess liquid, then 

pat dry with kitchen paper and set aside. 

Bring a large saucepan of water to the 

boil and cook the pasta for 1 minute less 

than pack instructions. In a separate 

large, shallow casserole, heat the oil 

over a medium-high heat. Add the 

shallots, chestnut 

mushrooms, garlic and a pinch of salt. 

Cover with a lid and sweat for 5 minutes, 

stirring occasionally. Uncover and fry for 

another 5 minutes. 

Lift the dried mushrooms from the liquid 

and squeeze any excess liquid back into 

the bowl (reserve the liquid). Finely chop 

the soaked mushrooms and roughly chop 

the spinach, then stir into the casserole. 

Add 200ml mushroom soaking liquid 

(leaving out any sediment) and the cream. 

Drain the pasta and tip into the casserole 

along with 2⁄3 of the cheese. Season and 

stir together over the heat for 1 minute. 

Scatter over the remaining cheese and 

grill for 2-3 minutes until golden. Stand 

for 2 minutes before serving in bowls. 


CHILLI, BEEF AND BUTTERNUT STEW 

Preparation time: 20 minutes + standing 

Cooking time: 1 hour 20 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

350g butternut squash, cut in 2cm cubes 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 large Dried Ancho Chilli 

1 large red onion, finely chopped 

3 cloves garlic, crushed 

400g pack Waitrose Lean Diced British 

Beef Braising Steak 

1 heaped tbsp tomato purée 

1 tsp ground cumin 

½ tsp ground cinnamon 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

400g can kidney beans, drained and 

rinsed 

1 lime, juice of ½ and ½ cut into wedges 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 

220°C, gas mark 7. 

Toss the squash 

with 1 tbsp oil; 

season and 

spread 

out on a 

baking 

tray. 

Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway; 

set aside. Meanwhile, cut the stem off 

the dried chilli; shake out the seeds and 

discard. Tear the chilli into 3 or 4 pieces, 

put in a jug and cover with 300ml justboiled 

water from the kettle; set aside 

to soak. 

Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a large 

casserole dish over a medium-high 

heat, and fry the onion and garlic for 3-4 

minutes until starting to soften. Push 

the onion and garlic to one side and 

add the beef to the pan. Season, leave 

for a minute to sear, then stir with the 

onion and garlic and cook for another 

2-3 minutes until browned all over and 

cooked through. Stir in the tomato purée, 

cumin and cinnamon. 

Lift the chilli pieces from the soaking 

liquid and chop them very finely. Stir into 

the pan with the soaking liquid (avoiding 

any sediment at the bottom) and the 

canned tomatoes, then season. Lower 

the oven temperature to 160oC, gas 

mark 3. Cover the casserole dish and 

bake in the oven for 30 minutes. 

Uncover the pan, stir in the kidney 

beans and roasted squash, and bake, 

uncovered, for another 30 minutes. 

Leave to stand for 10 minutes, then stir 

in the lime juice. Serve with the lime 

wedges. Sliced avocado, soured cream 

and brown rice or tortillas are also great 

accompaniments, if liked. 

COOK’S TIP 

Dried Ancho chillies are a mellow, 

fruity variety used in Mexican cooking. 

If time is short when making this dish, 

use 350g Cook’s Ingredients diced 

sweet potato and butternut squash, in 

place of the squash 


FESTIVE 

Not a fan of traditional Christmas pudding or 

Fancies 

feel like shaking it up this year? Here are some 

amazing desserts that are every bit as festive... 

STICKY DATE PUDDINGS 



Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

175g unsalted butter, softened, plus extra 

for greasing 

80g light brown muscovado sugar 

6 Waitrose Medjool Dates, pitted and 

finely chopped 

3 British Blacktail Free Range Medium 

Eggs 

2 tbsp treacle 

175g self-raising flour 

1 tsp baking powder 

1 heaped tsp mixed spice 

½ tsp fine sea salt 

2 tbsp whole milk 

STICKY DATE SAUCE 

40g unsalted butter 

3 Waitrose Medjool Dates, pitted and 

finely chopped 

125g light brown muscovado sugar 

250ml double cream, plus extra to serve 

METHOD 

For the puddings, preheat the oven 

to 180ºC, gas mark 4. Lightly grease 

8 mini pudding moulds (each about 

175ml in volume), put a small circle 

of baking parchment in the base of 

each, then sit them in a large, deep-sided 

roasting tin. 

Boil the kettle. In a large bowl, using 

electric beaters, cream the butter, sugar 

and dates for 2-3 minutes until light 

and fluffy. Beat in the eggs and then the 

treacle. Lightly beat in the flour, baking 

powder, mixed spice and salt, then 

loosen the mixture with the milk. Divide 

the mixture evenly between the moulds; 

it should fill them about halfway. 

Pour a kettle of just-boiled water into 

the roasting tin so the water sits about 

halfway up the outside of the moulds. 

Cover the top 

of the 

tin with 3 layers of large pleated sheets 

of tin foil, ensuring the foil is tightly 

sealed around the edges (you don’t want 

steam to escape as the puddings won’t 

rise). Bake for 30 minutes until risen and 

springy. 

To make the sauce, put the butter, dates 

and sugar in a saucepan and set over 

a low heat. Add a pinch of salt and 

stir occasionally until the sugar has 

dissolved. Stir in the double cream until 

combined; keep warm. 

Remove the foil and carefully release the 

side of the puddings from the moulds 

using a small, sharp knife. Invert onto 

plates and pour over the sticky date 

sauce, adding a little extra whipped 

cream, if liked. 

All recipes and images courtesy of 

Waitrose. You can find thousands more 

recipes at www.waitrose.com/recipes 


VEGAN CHOCOLATE & 

COCONUT CARAMEL POTS 

Preparation time: 30 minutes + chilling 


Makes: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

200ml pouch coconut milk 

2 pitted medjool dates, roughly chopped 

1 tsp vanilla bean paste 

100g vegan dark chocolate (such as Raw 

Halo Dark 85%), finely chopped 

250ml pack Oatly Whippable Creamy Oat 

1 tbsp maple syrup 

Raw vegan cacao powder, for dusting 

METHOD 

Put the coconut milk, dates and vanilla 

in a blender and whizz until smooth. Tip 

into a small pan and bring to the boil. 

Simmer vigorously, stirring regularly for 

10 minutes until thick and reduced by 

half. Divide between 4 small glasses and 

set aside to cool, then cover and chill for 

at least 1 hour. 

When the coconut caramel has chilled, 

put the chocolate in a medium mixing 

bowl. In a small pan, heat 100ml 

whippable creamy oat and the maple 

syrup to just before boiling. Take off the 

heat and pour over the chocolate in the 

bowl. Leave to melt for 1 minute, then stir 

until smooth. 

Put the remaining 150ml whippable 

creamy oat in another mixing bowl and 

use electric beaters to whisk to soft 

peaks. Set aside 2 tbsp to garnish, then 

fold the rest into the melted chocolate. 

Spoon into the glasses on top of the 

coconut caramel. Serve with a dollop 

of the whipped creamy oat and a 

dusting of cacao. These are best served 

immediately, but can be covered and 

chilled for up to 30 minutes. 

COOK’S TIP 

Make a double batch of the 

caramel, then cover and store 

in the fridge for up to 3 days. 

It’s particularly delicious 

spooned over baked apples. 


SEVILLE 

ORANGE TART 

Prepare: 20 minutes + chilling 

Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

180ml double cream 

180g condensed milk 

2 Cooks’ Ingredients Marmalade 

Oranges, very finely grated zest of 11/2, 

pared zest strands of 1⁄2, plus 100ml 

juice (top up with regular orange juice if 

needed) 

3 tbsp lime juice (from 1-2 limes) 

215g Cooks’ Ingredients Sweet Pastry 

Case 

METHOD 

Put the double cream and condensed 

milk in a large mixing bowl. Add the 

very finely grated zest, all the orange 

juice and all the lime juice. Use a hand 

whisk to whisk the mixture together for 2 

minutes until slightly thick. 

Pour the mixture into the pastry case, 

then scatter with the remaining pared 

zest. Cover and chill for at least 3 hours 

before serving, until the filling has set. 

Use any extra cream to drizzle over, if 

liked. 

Festive FAYRE 

3 COURSE SET MENU £28.50 

2 COURSES ALSO AVAILABLE For £25.50 

AVAILABLE FROM 23rd NOVEMBER TO 31ST December 

EXCLUDING CHRISTMAS DAY 

The Raven Hotel, Station Road, Hook, Hampshire, RG27 9HS TEL - 01256 762541 

You can book online at greenking-pubs.co.uk, give us a call or pop in if you'd like to make a booking. 

Full booking information, dietary requirements and terms & conditions can be found online. Terms and conditions online. 


CHOCOLATE & 

HAZELNUT 

SNOWFLAKE 

Preparation 

time: 25 

minutes + 

chilling 

Cooking time: 35 

minutes 

Serves: 8 

INGREDIENTS 

2 x 320g packs Jus-Rol Puff Pastry 

Sheet 

100g hazelnut chocolate spread 

50g chopped roasted hazelnuts 

1 British Blacktail Free Range Medium 

Egg, lightly beaten 

Icing sugar, for dusting 

METHOD 

Unroll both of the pastry sheets and 

cut a 20-22cm circle from each (save 

the offcuts to make tarts, cheese twists 

or palmiers). Put one pastry circle on a 

sheet of baking parchment and cover 

one side evenly with hazelnut chocolate 

spread. Sprinkle over ½ the hazelnuts, 

leaving a 1cm border around the edge. 

Put the second pastry circle on top, 

pressing 

lightly around 

the border to seal. 

Put the lid of a small jar (about 

4-5cm in diameter) in the centre of 

the pastry (so you don’t cut through it), 

then use a sharp knife to cut the pastry 

into quarters (excluding the central 

circle). Cut down the centre of each 

quarter and then repeat. You should have 

16 equal strips of pastry attached to the 

centre. 

Take 2 strips next to each other and twist 

them away from each other 3 times. 

Press the ends together in a point, to 

seal. Repeat all the way around the 

circle – you should now have 8 snowflake 

‘arms’. Slide the snowflake, on its 

parchment, 

onto a baking 

sheet; chill for 

30 minutes. 4 

Preheat the oven 

to 200ºC, gas 

mark 6. 

Lightly brush the 

egg all over the top of 

the snowflake. Bake for 30-35 

minutes until golden and puffed up. Allow 

to cool, then dust with icing sugar and 

sprinkle over the remaining hazelnuts to 

serve. 

COOK’S TIP 

If at any point while making the 

snowflake the pastry becomes 

soft or difficult to work with, put 

it in the fridge for 15 minutes to 

cool and firm up. 


IRISH 

CREAM 

FUDGE 

Preparation time: 20 minutes + 

cooling + chilling 


Makes: Makes about 30 pieces 

MAKES A 

LOVELY 

GIFT 

INGREDIENTS 

397g can condensed milk 

150ml whole milk 

425g light brown soft sugar 

115g unsalted butter 

100ml Baileys The Original Irish 

Cream 

Large pinch of salt 

100g dark chocolate (70% cocoa 

solids), chopped 

METHOD 

Line a 20cm x 20cm baking tin 

with parchment. Put the milks, 

sugar and butter in a large, 

nonstick saucepan and warm 

over a medium heat, stirring 

occasionally, until the sugar 

has dissolved. Put a sugar 

thermometer in the pan and turn 

up the heat a little, bringing the 

mixture to a moderate bubble. 

Stir continuously until the 

thermometer reaches 113-115ºC 

or ‘soft-ball stage’ (this should 

take about 15 minutes). Take the 

pan off the heat and set aside for 

5 minutes. 

Stir the Irish cream and salt into 

the mixture. Using electric beaters 

set to a medium speed, beat for 

about 10 minutes until you have 

a thick mixture that’s starting to 

come away from the sides of the 

pan. (You can also do this with a 

wooden spoon, beating for about 

15 minutes.) Tip the mixture into 

the lined tin, spreading it out 

evenly. Cool to room temperature, 

then cover and chill for 1 hour. 

Melt the chocolate in a bowl set 

over a pan of gently simmering 

water, stirring until smooth. 

Meanwhile, put a large sheet of 

baking parchment on the work 

surface. Turn out the fudge and 

trim the edges to neaten, then cut 

into squares about 3cm x 3cm. 

Dip ½ of each square of fudge in 

the chocolate. Leave to set on the 

parchment, chilling again briefly 

if needed. 


Festive Drambuie 

ESPRESSO MARTINI 

THIS IS THE ULTIMATE FESTIVE 

TWIST ON THE CLASSIC AND 

POPULAR CAFFEINATED 

COCKTAIL, THE ESPRESSO 

MARTINI. CREATE THE PERFECT 

CREMA AND REPLACE THE 

TRADITIONAL THREE ESPRESSO 

BEANS WITH A FESTIVE 

SNOWFLAKE AND SPARKLES 

TO WOW YOUR GUESTS WITH 

A MEMORABLE AFTER DINNER 

TREAT. 

Serves 1 

INGREDIENTS: 

25 ml Drambuie liqueur 

25 ml Whisky (e.g. Monkey Shoulder) 

50ml Espresso 

Lots of ice 

5ml Vanilla syrup (optional) 

DECORATION: 

White edible cake glitter 

White sugar crystal rocks, crushed 

Liquid glucose, honey or golden syrup 

Cocoa powder 

Snowflake stencil 

HOW TO MAKE IT: 

Mix a little of the edible cake glitter with 

the crushed sugar crystal rocks and place 

on a small plate. 

Use your finger or a brush to carefully coat 

the rim of the glass with the liquid glucose 

or egg white, then dip into the glittery 

sugar medley. 

For the perfect Crema, pour all ingredients 

without ice, into a cocktail shaker or 

equivalent (a jam jar will do), and shake 

vigorously, then add lots of ice to the 

shaker, and shake again. This will create 

the perfect foam before pouring into a 

chilled martini glass. 

For the final flourish, set a snowflake 

stencil over the top of the glass and gently 

dust over the cocoa powder using a small 

fine tea strainer or sieve. 

Serve immediately. 

www.drambuie.com

STYLISH 

stays 

CARROSSA HOTEL, 

SPA & RESORT 

Artà, Mallorca 

Katie Thomson visits the Carrossa Hotel, Spa & Resort for a 

moment of quiet, breathtaking island sunsets and the chance 

bask in the sun surrounded by rugged natural beauty… 

Sitting atop rocky hilltops with panoramic 

views over the neighbouring town of 

Artá and the glittering Bay of Alcúdia, 

the Carrossa Hotel, Spa & Resort is a 

stunning place to experience a taste of 

Balearic life. With landscaped gardens 

filled with fragrant lavender and ancient 

olive trees, the hotel beautifully blends 

classic Mallorcan style with contemporary 

comforts. 

STYLE 

The site centres around a 400 year 

old farmhouse, restored and artfully 

converted to house a range of rooms and 

suites, alongside villas and fincas. Think of 

floor to ceiling windows, exposed beams 

and fresh interiors - all making the most of 

the incredible views available from every 

angle. 

The rooms are spacious and elegant, with 

marble vanity units, ample storage and 

an airy feel. Our suite had beautiful high 

ceilings and exposed beams - the rooms 

are luxurious but unfussy - perfect for 

making you feel immediately relaxed. 

ACTIVITIES 

Relaxation is the order of the day at 

Carrossa - but if you do like to beat that 

holiday inertia, there are some great 

activities right on the doorstep. 

Despite its more remote location, this area 

has a huge pull for golfers, with a range 

of courses within a short drive. Capdepera 

Golf, Pula Gold Resort and Alcanada are 

superb courses, all within an hour of the 

hotel. 

New and experienced riders alike will 

love the option to ride horses in this 

charming area. The hotel also has details 

on a selection of morning hike trails, local 

cycling routes, and even yacht rental. 

FOOD 

The Carrossa is a foodie’s delight - with 

the option to dine in either the eponymous 

main restaurant or the more relaxed 

Badia Bistro available with half board 

pricing. Restaurant Carrossa serves up 

an ambitious classical menu with modern 

touches, all centred around seasonal 

ingredients. Each evening brings a new 

and exciting daily set menu, alongside 

options to interchange dishes from the a 

la carte menu. 

Badia Bistro is perfect for a burger or 

fresh fish dishes, plus a selection of tapas 

- it also enjoys wonderful sunset views 

across the bay. 

If after dinner drinks are in order, a trip to 

the Bar Oro is a memorable (well, depends 

on the number of drinks…) experience. 

This modern bar sits within historic vaults, 

creating an atmospheric space to enjoy a 

range of classic and more experimental 

cocktails. 

RELAXATION 

Carrossa is not short of lovely places to 

relax - each of the suites is complete with 

its own patio - the perfect place to unwind 

with a glass of wine whilst you watch 

the wild goats forage amongst the olive 

groves. 

Yogis can take part in the twice-weekly 

yoga classes on site, or those looking 

to ease out more muscle tension should 

head straight to the spa. 

The resort caters for all seasons - with a 

glorious infinity pool soaking in the best 

of the views for the summer months, and 

a large spa, complete with steam room, 

sauna and a relaxation area to soothe the 

muscles after a day of activity - or a day of 

reading your book in resplendent peace, 

we won’t judge! 

Standard rooms from £198, Suites from 

£288 per night. Find out more and book 

your stay at www.carrossa.com 

Camí de Carrossa | 07570 Artà 

Mallorca | Spain 

T: +34 971-835647 


BE OUR 

‘Tis (nearly) the season for hosting visitors - we’ve got top 

Guest 

tips on creating a sumptuous guest bedroom, plus tips to 

improve all areas of the home 

Left: Caitlin Marie Design, 

caitlinmariedesign.com 

Above: Annabel Grimshaw 

Interior Design (image from Chris 

Snook), annabelgrimshaw.com 

THE BEDROOM 

DON’T: WORRY IF YOU 

HAVEN’T GOT LOTS OF 

SPACE 

Ultimately you have to work with what 

you’ve got - in the last 2 years, many of 

us have seen our guest rooms overhauled 

to become home offices. If you’ve 

ditched the bed don’t worry - how about 

adding an attractive sofa bed that you 

can actually use the rest of the time as a 

break out area from your desk. 

DO: PROVIDE BASIC 

AMENITIES 

The more things you can put in the room 

to make their stay easier, without having 

to ask you for everything, the more 

relaxed everyone will feel. A mirror is 

important, as are fresh towels, tissues, 

and perhaps even a hair dryer. A bedside 

carafe and some glasses means they can 

help themselves to water too. 

DO: INVEST IN GOOD 

WINDOW TREATMENTS 

As you might have never slept in this 

space, you might not know how light 

behaves or how effective the current 

window treatments are for blocking out 

light. For a really luxurious look, pair 

blackout blinds or shutters with thick, 

decorative drapery. Shutters give a lovely 

secure feel to a space and really finish 

the room. 

DON’T: SETTLE FOR A 

LUMPY MATTRESS 

The same goes for the mattress as the 

window treatments - spend a night in the 

room and see if the bed is up to scratch. 

DO: PROVIDE GOOD 

LIGHTING 

Multi-level lighting is key for making a 

space feel cosy - make sure there are 

two bedside lamps and then another 

light source in the space, such as a 

standing lamp in the corner or a lamp on 

a dressing table 

DON’T: SKIMP ON THE 

BED LINENS 

Good bed linen really is worth the money 

- and it tends to wash better too. Provide 

a good quality duvet and pillows, linens 

and some additional blankets if your 

guests feel the cold. 

DO: CREATE 

SOMEWHERE THEY CAN 

UNPACK 

We all know it’s a bit stressful trying to 

live out of a suitcase - allowing for some 

hanging space and a few drawers to 

unpack into, can really help guests keep 

on top of things whilst they’re with you. 

DO: MAKE IT SMELL 

LOVELY 

Kit the room out with either fresh flowers, 

a reed diffuser, or room sprays. Neom 

candles have range of wonderful relaxing 

scents, which can fragrance the room 

even when they are not lit (Complete 

Bliss Scented Candle, 3 Wick, £48). 

Pillow spray to help deep sleep is also a 

lovely touch to make the 

space feel 

homely. 


Skimmia japonica 

DON’T: BE A 

PERFECTIONIST 

If your guests were hoping for hotel 

standards, then that’s where they should 

have stayed. Just aim to make sure 

the space is clean, comfortable and 

functional, then relax - there’s enough to 

be worrying about in the festive season 

without adding high expectations on top 

of that. 

THE REST OF 

THE HOUSE 

DO: ASSESS YOUR KERB 

APPEAL 

We can all become a little immune to the 

scenes we see every day, so taking a bit 

of time to objectively assess how things 

look can be really helpful. Give the area a 

sweep and a clear out, check wall lights 

are working, that your doormat is in good 

condition, and that any glass has had a 

good clean. Clean the door itself too - it 

really does help things look more up and 

together. If your door is on its last legs, 

now is the time to get a new one ordered 

- as a bonus it could save you money on 

heating your home too. 

Then, really set off your door with a 

classic wreath - you could make your 

own to really make it tie in with the 

setting, or to your personal tastes - go 

ultra-traditional with orange slices 

and berries or something a bit more 

contemporary with feathers or dried 

grasses. 

DON’T: FORGET TO 

REPAIR DAMAGE 

Last summer was exceptionally hot and 

dry, resulting in lots of hairline cracks 

from the humidity in the air. These are 

easy to fine fill, sand and repaint - it’s a 

quick job but makes such a difference. 

DO: REFRESH YOUR 

PLANTERS 

There are lots of great options for you to 

add some winter colour to pots at the 

front of your home. The little bobbing 

heads of cyclamen are gorgeous, as 

is the structure from winter heather. 

Skimmia japonica is a super winter 

shrub - glossy leaved and just the right 

size for pots, when winter is over and the 

container display has come to an end, 

you could plant them out in the garden 

to grow on. They come in a variety of 

shades - covered in clusters of longlasting 

buds during autumn and winter 

which eventually open to delicate flowers 

in spring. 

DO: RESTOCK 

CUPBOARDS 

Make sure your guests know where 

tea and coffee are kept and that they 

can help themselves - this is especially 

important if your morning routine is 

different to theirs. Some mince pies or 

other freshly baked goods are a lovely 

treat, especially if your guests have 

travelled far to see you. 

DO: KEEP SPARES 

It’s a nice gesture to make sure there 

are spares for those commonly-used, 

and often forgotten, items - toothpaste 

and other travel-sized toiletries and a 

phone charger. It makes people feel more 

comfortable if they can be self sufficient, 

without having to constantly ask to 

borrow things. 


PROVIDE SEATING 

Think about where you are likely to 

congregate together and make sure 

there is enough seating to accommodate 

everyone at once. This might be at the 

kitchen table or the living room. Pouffes 

and ottomans make great occasional 

seating which can be tucked out the way 

when not in use. We love classic leather 

Moroccan designs, or storage ottomans 

which can be used for blanket storage. 


RELAX 

For most of us, Christmas affords some 

rare time to relax in the company of those 

we hold dearest. Don’t 

forget to enjoy the 

company of those 

you are hosting 

- and don’t 

sweat the 

small details 

- your guests 

are just happy 

to see you! 

A festive wreath creates 

a warm welcome 

Moroccan Leather Pouffe, £99, hauslife.co.uk 

Macedon Storage Ottoman 

£92.99, wayfair.co.uk 


PREPARE YOUR 

HOME FOR WINTER 

Taking on some basic maintenance can help 

prepare your home for winter as the changing 

weather conditions can cause costly damage. With 

a few easy steps you can be winter ready for the 

long, cold months ahead... 

1. SERVICE YOUR BOILER 

Your boiler should be serviced annually 

to make sure that it’s still safe to use and 

works efficiently. Ideally this should be 

done before the heating season. This 

will give you some time to make sure 

everything is still working before the days 

get too cold! 

There are other ways to ensure your 

central heating is efficient. Bleeding 

radiators, to release trapped air, is a DIY 

task. While power flushing, a job best left 

to the plumbers and heating engineers, 

can ensure a build up of sludge is 

removed from radiators. 

2. INSULATE YOUR LOFT SPACE 

If you haven’t already insulated this 

space, or you have poorly performing 

insulation that has slumped over time, 

tackling this project will quickly pay 

dividends over the colder months. 

3. CHECK YOUR GUTTERING 

An essential task when preparing your 

home for winter — look for leaves, moss 

and other debris and clear gutters and 

downpipes to prevent blockages in heavy 

rain and snow. 

Cracked, missing or damaged rainwater 

goods or brackets should ideally be 

replaced, too. Leaky rainwater goods, 

can, over a period of time lead to damp, 

so it’s important to make these cheap 

fixes now — rather than making costly 

remedial work at a later date. 

4. GET YOUR CHIMNEY SWEPT 

The winter weather can cause damage to 

your chimney, so the pre-winter months 

are a great time to get your chimney 

professionally swept. Sweeping will 

improve the efficiency of your chimney by 

ensuring any potential blockages, such 

as nests or a build up soot, are removed 

before you start using your open fire or 

log burning stove. 

5. INSULATE YOUR PIPES 

Insulating (or lagging) your pipes can 

reduce the loss of heating and also 

prevent them freezing and bursting. This 

is particularly important when plumbing 

is located in cold areas such as in 

uninsulated loft spaces and garages. 

Keep the heating at a low level (above 

4°C) even when you’re away from the 

property, as this will help maintain a 

consistent temperature around the pipes. 

Just in case of emergencies, know where 

your stopcock is to enable you to turn 

the cold water system off and limit further 

damage. The stopcock is usually located 

under your kitchen sink and normally 

looks like a tap/lever. 

6. MAKE SURE YOUR OIL TANK IS 

TOPPED UP 

If your property has an oil tank, make 

sure it’s topped up for winter. Doing so 

will help you avoid peak winter prices 

and make sure you don’t run out of oil 

through the colder months. 

7. GET YOUR OUTDOOR SPACE 

READY 

Making sure your garden is clear, clean 

and ready for winter is a good idea. 

Secure anything that could be swept 

away by the wind such as greenhouses, 

plant pots and wheelie bins. 

8. GET YOUR ROOF CHECKED 

Roof slates/tiles can become loose 

throughout the year and this could lead 

to leaks through the winter. It may be a 

good idea to get your roof inspected by 

a professional to make sure there are no 

areas that need fixing before the colder 

months. 

9. DRAUGHT PROOF WINDOWS, 

DOORS AND FLOORS 

With current energy prices rises, 

undertaking draught proofing measures 

can be a relatively simple and costeffective 

way of improving your home’s 

thermal performance. 

Measures include insulating loft hatches, 

adding draught proofing strips to doors, 

and blocking up unused chimneys. 

Some tasks can take minutes — others, 

such as insulating beneath timber 

suspended ground floors, are more 

invasive and will require considerably 

more work. 

10. MAKE SURE YOUR PROPERTY IS 

INSURED 

One of the most important things to 

consider when heading into winter is 

whether you have home insurance. The 

winter months bring darker nights which 

lead to higher crime rates, plus the UK 

weather obviously starts declining in the 

winter. Not only will most home insurers 

provide cover for things like theft, but 

also fire and flood too. 


GIVING COUNT 

With Christmas around the corner, our 

regular contributor Matt Biggs gives us some 

tips on what to buy the gardener in your life... 

Giving gifts at Christmas is always both a pleasure and a puzzlewe 

want the recipients to enjoy what we give and, perhaps this 

year more than most, we want the gifts to be both valued and 

valuable. Thoughtful gardening gifts can fulfil both of these 

criteria, so here are a few suggestions: 

A subscription to a gardening magazine is a terrific gift for 

either a keen gardener or a new gardener – it lasts all year, has 

seasonal tips and ideas and is something to look forward to each 

month, what’s not to like! 

Membership of a local gardening club, or a gardening course 

or day is a really good idea too – there are lots of options from 

learning how to prune to a whole bee keeping course, just ensure 

you know the particular interest of the person concerned and the 

choice is yours. 

For people who may be house bound or less mobile, how about 

giving them a card with a little message in to the effect of –‘ This 

card entitles you to a day out at a garden centre, perhaps with 

coffee or lunch added to be taken during the next 6 months, and 

sign it – that way it can be taken in better weather or when the 

person is feeling up to going out and gives something to look 

forward to. 

Trees – fruit trees, ornamental trees, big trees, little trees – we 

know how important they are, and we know we need them so 

either a gardening gift voucher or indeed a tree in a pot to grow 

on, just ensure the trees eventual size is suitable for the space 

and give a gift that really will last. 

Thinking slightly outside of the box but for someone who maybe 

is having trouble keeping up with the basic garden tasks, how 

about buying them a few hours of a professional gardener in 

their area. That way the big tasks such as the autumn clear up, 

planting up of pots, grass maintenance etc can be done for them, 

allowing them to do the things that they can do and enjoy. 

There are magazines, there are books, there are tools, there are 

trugs and mugs and gloves – the list is endless so enjoy choosing 

and giving a gardening gift this year. 

To find out more about Matt visit his website 

matthewbiggs.com 

Bourne Buildings Ltd 

THE LARGEST SHOWSITE IN THE UK WITH OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 

5,000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY 

Set in a magical landscape of water and wildlife, Bourne Buildings 

is not your typical garden buildings showsite. 

Well known for its vast selection of garden buildings and expert 

advice, Bourne Buildings offer standard, as well as made-to-order 

designs of varying qualities and styles, fit for all budgets. 

Our complete range of services include product installation, base 

laying and a re-felting service. 

Visit our showsite to see an impressive array of stone ornaments, 

including eye-catching armillary sphere sundials, and over 100 

small garden furniture sets. 

On display at our showsite in Farnham, we have over: 

• 60 Sheds 

• 35 Greenhouses 

• 60 Summer houses • 20 Garden Offices & Garden Rooms 

• 35 Playhouses • 8 Garages 

Opening hours 10AM - 4PM 

Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 

CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAYS 

01252 718481 

sales@bournebuildings.co.uk 

www.bournebuildings.co.uk 

Bourne Buildings Ltd, 39-43 Guildford Road, Farnham, Surrey GU9 9PY 


Garden Trading Dining Longworth 

Chair, £220, Longcot Dining Table, 

£1,200, Holwell Crockery From £12, 

www.gardentrading.co.uk 

WHERE TO BUY 

Christmas Snowflake Table Runner, £30, 

iamfy.co 2 Natural tree top star, £9.99, 

giselagraham.co.uk 3 White Paper Star, 

45cm £8.50, 60cm £11 and Layered Paper 

Snowflake (4), 50cm, £38, all hauslife.co.uk 

5 Ceramic Christmas Tree Tray 18.5cm, 

£4, hobbycraft.co.uk 6 Wooden Bench, 

120cm, £159, hausife.co.uk 7 Christmas Eve 

Cushion, £135, janconstantine.com 8 Dried 

Grass Filled Baubles, from £6, hauslife.co.uk 

9 Burnished Brass House Tea Light Lantern, 

£55, coxandcox.co.uk 

Brass Six Candle Candleabra, £109, 

www.hauslife.co.uk 

1 

Simply Scandi 

CHRISTMAS 

2 

A timeless, pared back style for a 

beautiful festive season 

3 

4 

www.lights4fun.co.uk 

5 

6 

8 

7 

9 


DESIGN DILEMMAS... 

Thinking about buying a kitchen from an online retailer but 

concerned about the process? We spoke to Dawn Filkins, Head 

of Creative at Smile Kitchens about their top three objections and 

how they seek to solve them... 

VIRTUAL SHOWROOM: 

HASSLE-FREE 

When shopping for kitchens in high 

street stores, products are often more 

expensive due to the additional costs that 

come with running a showroom. Instead, 

consumers who consider shopping from 

a company that operates entirely digitally 

can save money from the outset. 

We were founded as an online-only 

business, without showrooms, as we 

didn’t want to pass on the cost of 

overhead expenses to our customers. 

We work hard to make sure that our 

customers get all the benefits of a 

showroom, without the inconvenience 

of inflated prices. We do this by sending 

out samples that allow customers to 

see how the colours and finishes work 

in the space and appreciate the quality 

of our products. We also invest deeply 

in animations that actually show how 

the kitchens are going to look in the real 

space and show details such as how pullout 

larders work. By providing detailed 

design work our customers can see how 

everything fits together in a wider space. 

Plus, we don’t take payment until after 

the kitchen has been delivered so that 

customers can see the product in their 

own home before they pay a penny. 

Another benefit of being virtual is that 

customers no longer need to travel to 

a showroom and can instead design 

their kitchen from the comfort of their 

own home. Your designer can be there 

when you need them, instead of being 

restricted by showroom opening times. 

FINDING YOUR 

FITTER: CONVENIENT 

Going directly to the fitter means that the 

customer can often save money whilst 

finding someone local to them so that 

they aren’t paying extra for travel costs. 

We are, however, always on hand to give 

advice on ‘what to look for in a fitter’ and 

answer questions. 

As well as sending out detailed installation 

packs where everything is explained 

clearly, we will also speak to your fitter 

before, during and after the installation to 

make sure that everything goes smoothly. 

We also do no-quibble corrections 

so if anything does go wrong on the 

installation, we will send out replacement 

items free of charge, which we find that 

fitters love. We also have a database of 

fitters, which we can recommend. 

YOUNG COMPANY: 

INNOVATIVE 

Although we are a fast-growing company, 

we do understand that we are relatively 

young in comparison to many of our 

competitors. However, this does not 

mean that we’re inexperienced. Our team 

aren’t new to the industry and we have 

made sure to handpick the best there is 

to offer you in terms of design expertise, 

we employ designers not sales people 

like most of the bigger brands do. 

We want to ensure that customers are 

confident when working with us. Our 

10-year guarantee and completely 

free design service are all there to help 

customers feel at ease when starting 

their journey with us. We are also 

continually looking for ways in which 

we can improve, making sure to ask all 

our customers for continuous feedback 

throughout the process which is reflected 

in our 4.9 Trustpilot score. 

No matter where you find yourself in 

your project, our team of designers are 

on hand to walk you through the whole 

process and provide you with a free, 

no-obligation design and quote. Simply 

fill in the form at smilekitchens.com/ 

contact-us to request a call back or call 

us on 0161 509 1010. 


the joys of 

RETIREMENT 

From keeping fit and healthy to making the mental 

adjustment, we’ve got all the tips you need to make the most 

of your new-found free time. 

DEVELOP A ROUTINE 

You may find it feels more normal to 

continue getting up, eating and going to 

bed at roughly the same time every day. 

Plan in regular activities such as voluntary 

work, exercise and hobbies. This will 

keep things interesting and give you a 

purpose. 

WIND DOWN GENTLY 

Ensure a smoother transition by retiring in 

stages. By easing off your workload over 

several years, you’ll be able to get used 

to the idea of not working and fill your 

time in other ways. Ask your employer if 

you can cut back your working hours. 

EXERCISE YOUR MIND 

Government studies have shown that 

learning in later years can help people 

stay independent, so use your free 

time to continue to challenge yourself 

mentally, whether it’s learning an 

instrument or a language or getting a 

qualification. 

KEEP PHYSICALLY ACTIVE 

We should all aim to do at least 150 

minutes of moderate-intensity physical 

activity a week, so build up to this if you 

haven’t made exercise a normal part of 

your life previously. Why not sign up for 

a charity event to give you a goal to work 

towards? 

SEEK SOCIAL SUPPORT 

For many people, work can form a big 

part of their social life and it’s common 

to feel at a bit of a loose end once you 

retire. Fill the gaps by joining clubs and 

groups. 

PAMPER YOURSELF 

After decades of hard work, you are due 

some ‘me time’. Whether your idea of 

indulgence is a city break, a day trip to a 

spa or a small pleasure like dining out or 

going to the cinema, schedule some time 

for a well-deserved treat. 

GET A NEW PET 

Could you house a rescue cat or dog 

in need of a new home? Research 

has shown that our furry friends have 

a positive effect on our health and 

wellbeing. 

According to pet researcher Allen R. 

McConnell, a professor of psychology at 

Miami University, people with pets are 

generally happier, more trusting, and less 

lonely than those who don’t have pets. 

They also visit the doctor less often for 

minor problems. 

To find out more about rehoming a pet, 

visit your local animal rescue centre, 

the RSPCA or Dogs Trust. If you might 

be interested in volunteering to walk or 

foster an elderly person’s dog, contact 

The Cinnamon Trust. 

PUSH YOUR BOUNDARIES 

It’s easy to get stuck in a rut, both healthwise 

and in general, and doing something 

different can be a refreshing change. 

Some people have found that simple 

changes, such as trying a tasty new 

recipe, finding a different hairdresser or 

joining an exercise class they haven’t done 

before gives them a new zest for life. 

GIVE BACK TO THE 

COMMUNITY 

Ever thought of volunteering? Perhaps 

you’d enjoy getting involved with your 

local youth club, animal rescue centre, 

environmental organisation or elderly 

support group. 

TRAVEL MORE 

Always dreamt of going on an aroundthe-world 

cruise, a wine-tasting trip 

through Italy, or a simple camping 

expedition in the Welsh valleys? Now you 

can finally make those long-held plans 

a reality, depending on your health and 

budget limitations. 

If longer trips aren’t practical, mini breaks 

may be a good alternative – or even days 

out to places you’ve never visited before. 

Edited from an article published for the 

British Heart Foundation - find more 

help and advice at www.bhf.org.uk 


Does someone you love need some extra help at home? 

SUPPORT WITH INDEPENDENT LIVING 

PERSONAL CARE 

MEALTIMES & MEDICATION 

DEMENTIA, PARKINSONS & MS 

24/7 LIVE-IN CARE & COMPANIONSHIP 

Call: 0118 997 7499 

www.thehomecarepeople.co.uk 

Registered Office: The Overhangs, 59 Peach Street, Wokingham, RG40 1XP 

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North Hampshire Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2022

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