Worthing Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2022

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

13 

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! 

04 

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! 

22 

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 

Please contact 

e studio@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984430 

Cover image courtesy of Waitrose 

24 

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

WE BUY - WE SELL - WE TRADE 

OPENING HOURS 

01903 770356 

james@thesussexwillsoffice.co.uk 

TUES 

WEDS 

THURS 

FRI 

SAT 

SUN 

11AM - 5PM 

11AM - 5PM 

11AM - 5PM 

11AM - 5PM 

10AM - 5PM 

11AM - 4PM 

Open Mon - Sat 

10am - 4pm and 

during December 

Sundays’ 11am - 3pm 


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 


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 

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hunter - kittens 

and mature 

cats alike. 

Inspired by the 

role given to the 

cats of Downing Street 

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who have the important 

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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 


SC WorthingLS Nov 2022.qxp_Layout 1 11/10/2022 11:23 Page 1 

Shoreham 

FOR GIRLS 

AND BOYS 

College AGED 3-16 

An independent day school for all abilities 

“I really do think I have found my happy place...” 

Little Lions Pre-School Junior School Senior School 

OPEN MORNING 

Saturday 28th January, 10.00 - 12.00 

Limited places available now in Little Lions Pre-School and some Junior and Senior year groups. 

Please call to arrange a personal tour any day of the school week. 

01273 592681 www.shorehamcollege.co.uk

Lancing Prep Worthing 

judged 'excellent' 

across the board 

Head Heather Beeby and her senior 

management team are thrilled at the outcome 

of the ISI visit to the school in June 2022. This 

was a focused Compliance and Educational 

Quality inspection and the first full inspection 

since 2014... 

Firstly, the school met all the regulatory standards for 

independent schools and for the statutory framework of the 

Early Years Foundation Stage. Secondly, the findings of the 

Educational Quality inspection were rated as excellent. 

The Educational Quality Inspection reports on the quality 

of the school’s work. It focuses on the two key outcomes: 

the achievement of the pupils, including their academic 

development, and the personal development of the pupils. 

The key findings of the inspection are that the quality of the 

pupils’ academic and other achievements is excellent and the 

quality of the pupils’ personal development is excellent. 

Drilling down into the report further, the inspectors made the 

following headline judgements on pupils’ academic and other 

achievements: 

• Pupils of all abilities, including those in the EYFS, make 

excellent progress. 

• Pupils’ communication skills are excellent. They listen 

attentively and are highly articulate and confident 

speakers. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

• Pupils acquire increasingly sophisticated study skills as 

they move through the school. 

• Pupils have highly positive attitudes to their learning. They 

are extremely happy learners who are eager to learn. 

Turning to personal development, the inspectors reported: 

• Pupils across the school show high levels of selfunderstanding 

and enthusiastically assume responsibility 

for their own learning. 

• Pupils are able to distinguish right from wrong. They are 

able to take responsibility for their own behaviour having 

highly positive relationships with each other and with staff. 

• Pupils make an outstanding contribution to the lives of 

others in the school and wider community. 

Mrs Beeby is delighted with the outcome. ‘We are privileged 

to have such wonderful children at Lancing Prep Worthing and 

a first-class staff team who work so hard to deliver our three 

school aims: Love Learning, Be Kind and Go out in the World 

and Do Good. This excellent report is a testament to the whole 

school community and I couldn’t be more proud of them all.’ 

Contact Admissions on 01903 201123 to find out more 

Lancing Prep 

Worthing 

A Lancing College Preparatory School 

Year 7 entry 2023 

Academic Scholarships available 

Apply by 6 January 2023 

FIND OUT MORE 

LANCINGPREPWORTHING.CO.UK 

Be inspired 

Be brilliant 

Be you

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 

Preparation time: 25 minutes 

Cooking time: 35 minutes 

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 


CHOCOLATE 

GINGER 

TRUFFLES 

Preparation time: 25 minutes + 

overnight chilling 


Makes: about 20 

INGREDIENTS 

180g bar Belgian dark chocolate 

(54% cocoa) 

180ml double cream 


2 ½ tbsp The King’s Ginger 

liqueur 

30g crystallised ginger, very finely 

chopped (optional) 

2-3 tbsp cocoa powder 

Cooks’ Ingredients Gold Lustre 

Spray, to decorate 

METHOD 

Chop the chocolate as finely as 

you can and put in a large bowl. 

Put 130ml cream and the butter 

in a saucepan and heat until the 

butter has melted and the mixture 

is at steaming point. Pour over the 

chocolate and leave for 2 minutes. 

Stir to combine the chocolate and 

cream until all the chocolate is 

melted. Stir in the remaining 50ml 

cream, a pinch of fine salt and the 

liqueur. Pour into a large, shallow 

container and, if using, scatter the 

crystallised ginger on top. Cover 

and chill for at least 6 hours, but 

ideally overnight. 

Sift the cocoa powder onto a 

plate. Use a tablespoon to scoop 

balls of the truffle mixture and 

roll them in your hands to shape 

them. Roll in the cocoa powder, 

then arrange on a plate. Continue 

rolling until all the mixture has 

been used (pop it in the fridge if 

it softens too much), then spray 

with the gold lustre and chill for 

at least 30 minutes until ready to 

serve. These will keep in the fridge 

for up to 3 days. 

COOK’S TIP 

If you’re having a gathering, 

these chocolate truffles look 

pretty served individually in mini 

cupcake cases. 


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 


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. 


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. 


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. 


EVERHOT - Heart of the 

Christmas home 

Everhot’s NEW 160i is the ultimate festive host. From 

the turkey and trimmings to bread sauce and brussels 

sprouts, the 160i becomes one of the family on the big day - 

managing up to ten pots or pans on the go at once! 

Here are 10 top Christmas tips from Everhot... 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

Everhot 160i (Marine Blue), from £15,210 

1. During the run up to Christmas, make your own Christmas 

decorations and Christmas wreath with an Everhot. Simply set 

the Everhot to 60 degrees and bake your thinly sliced apples, 

oranges, lemons or even pinecones in the baking oven. 

2. An Everhot oven cooks perfectly evenly and is brilliant for 

pastry so you batch cook the perfect mince pies throughout 

December. 

3. Gone are the days of a 4am start to get the turkey in the oven! 

Use the simmer oven to cook your turkey overnight, whatever 

the size. The advantage of long slow cooking is that no part 

of the turkey will be dry or underdone. Rather than producing 

direct heat the Everhot’s simmer oven radiates heat – meaning 

the turkey will be beautifully warm and moist. 

4. By cooking your turkey in the slow simmer oven your roasting 

oven is free to cook roast potatoes, pigs in blankets, devils on 

horseback and roasted parsnips. 

5. Rather than watching over your vegetables as they boil on the 

hob, while your Turkey is resting you can steam them in the 

Everhot simmer oven – or roast them in the roasting oven. 

6. Unlike most range cooker ovens, which can vary greatly in 

temperature when the roasting oven is in use for long periods, 

an Everhot’s temperature-controlled ovens won’t lose heat. 

Each cooking zone has its own heat source, so you don’t have 

to worry about leaving the lid up, the hot and simmer plates 

won’t lose heat! 

7. An Everhot produces the best and crispiest roast potatoes. 

Make sure to buy Maris Pipers and have several roasting trays 

available – there is nothing worse than a roast potato shortage! 

8. Simply reheat your mince pies and Christmas pudding in the 

baking oven on the day. By reheating your puddings, you will 

not take up valuable hob space. 

9. Whilst the final cooking touches are in motion warm your plates 

in the warming oven. 

10. There is nothing better than a warm glass of mulled wine – 

especially on return from a post lunch walk. The Everhot is the 

perfect place to huddle around and enjoy a glass after gently 

warming it on the simmer hob. 

The Arun View Inn 

SSituated on the River Arun in Littlehampton, our 

staff look forward to giving you a warm and friendly 

welcome 7 days a week, 364 days of the year. 

Our riverside restaurant and bars are the perfect place 

to meet up and celebrate the festive season. From office 

parties, family lunches to evenings out with friends our 

venue offers the ideal space for every occasion. With 

regular live music and DJ nights throughout December be 

sure to get those dancing shoes ready. 

LIVE MUSIC 

The Skedaddles - Friday 18th November 

The Willie Austen Band - Thursday 1st December & 

Tuesday 20th December 

Synthony 101 - Friday 6th January 

The Arun View Inn • Wharf Road • Littlehampton • BN17 5DD 

01903 722335 • info@thearunview.co.uk • www.thearunview.co.uk 


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 


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. 


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. 


01903 873620 

Maybe it’s time for a 

kitchen 

that makes you 

Smile? 


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 


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 

ORDER ONLINE 

www.rabbitgroup.co.uk 

SKIPS 

FOR DISCOUNT 

PRICES 


A PRACTICAL GUIDE TO 

BEREAVEMENT 

The emotional aspect of dealing with a 

bereavement – even one that was expected 

– can be devastating, but when you start 

thinking about the practicalities of what to 

do next it can become even more stressful 

and overwhelming. It can be very easy 

to over complicate the process and get 

lost on your journey - the experts at 

the Bereavement Advice Centre have 

compiled this extensive guide... 

The steps below outline the main areas 

you’ll need to cover from the day your 

loved one passes away to the day the 

estate administration is completed. 

STEP 1 – WHERE DO I START? 

During the first few hours after a loved 

one has died, it can be very difficult 

knowing what to do with yourself. 

Knowing where to begin and taking that 

first step can be the hardest bit. While 

you’re waiting to collect the official 

paperwork from the doctor or the hospital 

to register the death, there are a few 

things you can be getting on with if you 

want to. 

One of these is finding any paperwork 

which might detail, for example, whether 

there are specific funeral wishes or 

requests for organ/body donation, as 

these need to be identified very soon 

after the death. If you feel up to it you can 

also begin to call family and friends to let 

them know what’s happened. 

STEP 2 – REGISTERING THE DEATH 

With the exception of when the Coroner 

is involved you’ll usually be contacted 

by either the hospital or the deceased’s 

doctor to arrange collection of the 

Medical Certificate of Cause of Death 

(MCCD for short). You can then make 

an appointment with the Registrar to 

complete the official registration, it’s 

worth bearing in mind the death needs 

to be registered in the county where the 

person died, not where they lived. 

STEP 3 – MAKING THE FUNERAL 

ARRANGEMENTS 

It’s important to remember when you 

hand over the “Green Form” you are 

personally entering into the contract for 

payment with the Funeral Director. 

If you’ve found a Will or even a Letter 

of Wishes this might give you an idea 

about what your loved one wants for their 

funeral. This can be a relief for some as it 

takes some of the decisions out of their 

hands, but it can be a concern for others 

especially if there isn’t enough money or 

the requests are unrealistic. It’s important 

to understand that funeral wishes in a Will 

aren’t legally binding and don’t have to 

be followed if they’re not possible. 

STEP 4 – BUILDING A PICTURE OF 

THE ESTATE 

If you had Power of Attorney or managed 

the deceased’s finances you will probably 

have a clear picture of how the estate is 

put together. Alternatively the deceased 

may have been very organised, leaving 

you with a folder or filing cabinet 

containing all the information you’ll need 

to look after the estate. 

If you aren’t in this position don’t panic, 

it may take a bit more investigating but 

you will get there. Take some time to 

check through any paperwork for details 

of who they dealt with for banking and 

other matters. You’re only looking for 

a name – it doesn’t matter at this point 

whether accounts are open or closed. A 

starting point could be a debit or credit 

card in their purse or wallet, a bank 

statement, a utility bill or even a memory 

of a conversation about going to a certain 

bank or building society. It all helps. 

STEP 5 – LETTING EVERYONE KNOW 

There will probably be more people to tell 

about the death than you expect, and it 

can be hard to think of everyone. 

It can be helpful to make two lists, one 

for personal e.g. family/friends/work 

colleagues and another for professional 

e.g. financial organisations/insurance 

companies/family solicitor/accountant/ 

financial advisor. You can then use the 

lists to make additional notes, which will 

help you keep track of what you have 

done and what is left. 

STEP 6 – WORKING OUT IF YOU 

NEED PROBATE 

It’s worth remembering that Probate is 

only needed in certain circumstances, 

not just because a Will hasn’t been 

made or because the total value of the 

whole estate seems high. There are 

different factors which make Probate 

a requirement, but in simple terms it is 

decided by the value of individual sole 

assets within a person’s estate. There are 

exceptions to this rule so call us and we 

can check for you. 

STEP 7 – THE FINAL STEP 

Once you’ve obtained Probate (if required) 

then you can arrange for any sole assets 

to be sold or transferred. Before you hand 

over anything to the beneficiaries you’ll 

need to make sure any debts are settled 

and Inheritance Tax has been paid. 

When you’re comfortable that all debts 

have been paid you can either: 

Follow the instructions in the Will to pay 

any Legatees/Beneficiaries OR Distribute 

the estate to the deceased’s relatives in 

line with inheritance laws called the Rules 

of Intestacy 

It’s really important that you keep clear 

records that show what money is coming 

in and out of the estate as this will give 

you a clear paper trail showing how the 

estate has been administered. You can 

then put these together with the Death 

Certificate, the Will (if there was one) and 

the Grant of Probate (if this was required) 

to form your estate accounts. 

Edited from an article published for 

the Bereavement Advice Centre, you 

can find more information and advice 

at bereavementadvice.org or call 0800 

634 9494. 


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Planning food for your wake, shouldn’t be 

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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 


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Worthing Lifestyle Nov - Dec 2022

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