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*Ticket price includes a £1.50 booking fee.

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

14 

WINTER WARMING RECIPES 

Welcome to this shiny new 

edition - the first of 2023! 

The month of January is 

named after the Roman god 

Janus - the god of doorways, 

gates and transitions, and 

of beginnings and endings, 

having two faces looking in 

opposite directions. 

I think it’s nice to reflect on 

this origin when it’s time to 

take stock of the year we’ve 

had, and to look forward to the 

one we are about to embark 

on. Reflection, importantly, 

that is kind to ourselves, not 

judgemental, and that helps 

us to forge our path with a 

positive step forward. 

04 

COMPETITIONS 

Whatever your goals are for 

this coming year, I hope the 

are happily in view. We’ve 

done away with the usual 

‘new year, new you’ narrative 

in this edition, because let’s 

face it, who needs more of 

that! Instead, we’ve looked 

at little pick-me-ups to break 

through the winter gloom 

and some really helpful tips 

if you’re embarking on bigger 

home projects this year. 

28 

RENOVATING GUIDE 

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 Marion Cassidy 

e marion@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984502 

Cover image courtesy of 

discovergreatveg.co.uk 

RETIREMENT PLANS 

40 

MINERVA PUBLICATIONS 

Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, 

Hilperton BA14 6JB 

t 01225 984 550 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

Printed on sustainably sourced paper. 

Please recycle this copy or pass it along 

when you are finished for someone else 

to enjoy. 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be 

held liable for any loss occasioned by 

failure of an advertisement to appear, or 

any damage or inconvenience caused by 

errors, omissions and misprints. No part of 

this publication may be reproduced without 

prior permission from the publishers. 

The opinions expressed within are not 

necessarily those of the publishers. 

We are also looking at getting 

our financial ducks in a row 

- notably for planning for 

retirement - it is literally never 

too early to start building that 

pension pot, and never too 

late to keep adding to it, so 

we have some tips to help you 

there too. 

I do hope you enjoy this 

edition, we will be back again 

as spring breaks clear in 

March - in the meantime, grab 

a hot drink, something tasty 

(we can all be a little rounder 

and softer in the winter - it’s 

personal insulation!) and 

please dig into this issue. 

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. 

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4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

Tickets: www.armonico.org.uk 

✩✩✩✩✩ THE TIMES 

✩✩✩✩✩ THE INDEPENDENT 

✩✩✩✩✩ BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE 

“PURE PLEASURE” ✩✩✩✩ THE GUARDIAN 

BIG BYRD! 

28th January 7.30pm - Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick 

4th February 7.30pm – Malvern Theatres 

Armonico Consort will be joined by the English Cornett & Sackbut Ensemble to mark 

the 400th anniversary of the death of one of Britain’s greatest composers, William 

Byrd. This is a rare opportunity to immerse yourself in Byrd’s musical world, exploring 

his work as well as that of those who he influenced, and those who influenced him. 

PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE: 

JOSQUIN DE PREZ | INVIOLATA A 12 

WILLIAM BYRD | MASS FOR FOUR VOICES 

JOHANNES OCKEGHEM | DEO GRATIAS A 36 

JOHN SHEPPARD | LIBERA NOS, SALVE NOS 

WILLIAM BYRD | THE GREAT SERVICE MAGNIFICAT 

JOSQUIN DE PREZ | QUI HABITAT A 12 

This performance is generously supported by David Phillips MBE & Phillips and Becker Accountants Ltd. 

Armonico Consort | Director – Christopher Monks 

J.S BACH – ST MATTHEW PASSION 

30th MARCH 7.30pm – Collegiate Church of St Mary, Warwick 

31st March 7.00pm – Malvern Theatres 

J.S. Bach vividly, passionately, and dramatically brings to life the tale of the 

Passion of Christ according to Matthew, in what is perhaps the greatest of all 

the Passion settings and without doubt one of the finest choral works ever 

composed. Whatever your own spiritual beliefs, it is a work of genius, combining 

the most perfectly formed recitative and powerful choruses with beautiful arias 

in the most dramatic, almost operatic way. 

Armonico Consort’s finest soloists, chorus and period instrumentalists will shine 

as they explore the intense emotions and humanity of the Passion of Christ as 

depicted in Bach’s masterpiece. 

Armonico Consort & Baroque Players | Director Christopher Monks 

Evangelist Ben Thapa | Christus Stuart O’Hara 

Registered charity no. 1103159 

ALCESTER GRAMMAR SCHOOL SIXTH FORM 

Subject Sampling Evening 

THURSDAY 9TH FEBRUARY 2023 

16:30PM-21:00PM 

Choosing the right courses for sixth form is so 

important. 

Students from all over the county and beyond 

are invited to join us to find out about the 

25 subjects we offer. 

Select 7 of them to trial at this event. 

Find out more and register your 

attendance by Friday 13th January 2023 

www.alcestergs.co.uk 


HOW THE UK OFFERS THE 

BEST IN WORLD BOARDING 

FOR STUDENTS 

There are boarding schools on every continent 

on the planet (apart from the one with lots of 

snow and penguins!). Yet for all the sector’s 

global spread, the oldest, most diverse and 

choice-rich land of boarding is the UK. 

Incredibly, the world’s oldest boarding 

school began accepting boarding 

students in the year 597, less than 200 

years after the fall of Rome and more 

than 1100 years before the American 

Declaration of Independence. 

More than 1400 years on, the UK is still a 

place where boarding continues to evolve 

with two brand new, government-funded 

boarding schools opening within the last 

decade and one independent school 

in the heart of London recently adding 

boarding for the first time. 

The diversity of UK boarding is not just a 

marketing strapline. Geographically, UK 

boarding can be found as far north as 

the Shetland Islands, just 50 miles from 

Norway and as far south as the Isles of 

Scilly, 28 miles south of Cornwall. 

Parents are spoilt for choice with 

boarding schools that are independent, 

state run, single sex, co-educational, 

academic, all-round, faith, arts, 

drama and music focused – or myriad 

combinations in between. 

Size-wise, the smallest UK boarding 

school has just one student while the 

largest has more than 1300. The average 

UK boarding school has around 150 

boarders, although there are many that 

have fewer with around 30 that have 

more than 500. 

There are around 70,000 boarding 

students at UK schools including more 

than 25,000 from dozens of countries 

across the world – a reflection of the 

continuing very high demand from 

parents to access the UK’s widely 

regarded education system. 

Some of this demand is about ensuring 

strong academic results for the chance to 

access the UK’s leading higher education 

institutions with four universities currently 

in the world’s top 10 (Cambridge alone 

has gained more than 120 Nobel prizes, 

nearly 50 more than the whole of 

France!). 

Aside from excellent academic teaching 

and learning, the popularity of boarding at 

schools in the UK is driven by the unique 

opportunities it offers young people from 

8-18. 

Boarding school is all about learning to 

live with others, experiencing a shared 

space, working together, having extra 

time to try new things (by avoiding school 

runs twice a day) and learning to stand 

on your own two feet. 

All UK boarding schools monitor closely 

the feedback they receive from parents 

and the most regular comments are 

about how their children have become 

more independent and confident thanks 

to their boarding experience. 

Much of this independence and 

confidence comes from being with other 

young people – but it is also the highly 

trained, caring and professional boarding 

staff who help them to prosper and thrive 

on solid foundations. 

For parents searching for boarding 

school options for their child, they can 

be reassured that the UK offers the 

cream of the crop with the best boarding 

opportunities in the world. 

Robin Fletcher, CEO, Boarding Schools’ 

Association (BSA) and BSA Group 


Join the Independent 

Boys’ School of the Year 

Apply now for September 2023 entry to Years 3 - 6 

www.warwickschool.org/apply 

Application deadline for January Entrance Assessments: 

Friday, 6 January 2023 

2023 entry Taster Day: 

Saturday, 4 February 2023 

Junior School Open Day: 

Saturday, 11 March 2023 

Independent Boys’ School 

01926 776414 | admissions@warwickschool.org

#ALSLetsMe 

www.arnoldlodge.com 

4-18 yrs Co-educational Independent Day School 

ALS lets ME 

ACHIEVE 

What will your child be? 

Join us at our next Open Day on 

SATURDAY 13 TH MAY 2023 

10:00AM - 1:00PM 

To book your personal tour visit www.arnoldlodge.com 

Lovingly crafted by Interactive Schools 

01926 778050 

admissions@arnoldlodge.com 

15-17 Kenilworth Rd, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire CV32 5TW

TIPS FOR CHOOSING 

EARLY YEARS TOYS 

Toys should be ‘openended’ 

in the sense that 

your child can play many 

different games with them 

(for example, wooden 

blocks can be used to make 

a castle, a tower, or a crib 

for the baby). Open-ended 

toys benefit your child’s 

imagination and help them 

develop problem-solving 

and logical thinking skills. 

Toys that encourage fine 

motor skills are excellent - 

whether that’s playing with 

shapes, balancing objects 

or rolling and catching balls. 

Role play toys help to 

develop both conversational 

abilities and a child’s 

understanding of the world 

around them. 

Mechanical toys like pop-up 

toys and ‘busy’ boxes with 

knobs, buttons, and levers 

encourage fine motor skills 

and problem solving, and 

teach cause-and-effect. 

For ages 3-6, this Janod Buffalo 

balancing game helps to hone those 

fine motor skills as bamboo birds are 

balanced on the wobbling back of 

the buffalo. £26.50, kidly.co.uk 

With 14 pieces, little ones 

are able to mix and 

match the dinosaur 

pieces to create 

their own unique 

beasts, or they can 

create dinos we know 

like T.Rex. 

My First 

Dinosaurs, £20, 

smarttoysandgames.co.uk 

EARLY YEARS 

learning 

Featuring 10 wooden 

instruments – a 

syringe, reflex hammer, 

disinfectant, stethoscope, 

otoscope, thermometer, 

tongue depressor plus a 

prescription notebook, 

pencil and bandage roll, 

Janod Doctor’s Suitcase 

has got everything kids 

need to play doctors. 

£26, kidly.co.uk 

This versatile play tent is the perfect creative space 

for little ones to add their own accessories to create 

a magical kingdom for the princes and princesses, 

or cave of wonders for active explorers. £99.95, 

thelittlegreensheep.co.uk 

ASK 

ABOUT OUR 

TWO WEEK 

TRIAL 

Helping children 

believe they can 

do anything 

Singing, dancing and acting classes for 

4 - 18 year-olds 

STAGECOACH LEAMINGTON SPA 

07483 914041 

stagecoach.co.uk/leamingtonspa 

STAGECOACH WARWICK 

07432638990 

stagecoach.co.uk/warwick 

Creative Courage 

For Life ® 


BE THE BEST 

VERSION OF 

YOURSELF 

SENIOR SCHOOL TASTER MORNING* 

SATURDAY 14TH JANUARY 2023, 9AM-12.30PM 

*Current Year 5 pupils - for entry into Year 7 in September 2024 

SIXTH FORM SCHOLARSHIP DAY 

THURSDAY 19TH JANUARY 2023 

WHOLE SCHOOL OPEN DAY 

SATURDAY 11TH MARCH 2023, 9.30AM-12.30PM 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND TO REGISTER, PLEASE VISIT: 

WWW.THEKINGSLEYSCHOOL.CO.UK/ADMISSIONS 

INDEPENDENT DAY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS 3-18 

AND BOYS 3-11 IN ROYAL LEAMINGTON SPA

CHICKEN, 

NOODLE 

& CAVOLO 

NERO SOUP 

YOU’LL BE AMAZED WHAT 

YOU CAN CREATE WITH 

GREAT VEG 

www.discovergreatveg.co.uk 

Preparation time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp olive oil 

1 onion, sliced 

1.2 litres chicken stock 

125g medium egg noodles (approx. 2 

nests) 

200g bag sliced cavolo nero 

250g roast chicken, shredded 

1/2 x 25g pack chives, snipped 

2 tsp light soy sauce 

METHOD 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry 

the onion for 2-3 minutes. Add the stock 

and bring to the boil. Stir in the noodles 

and allow to softened and separate a 

little, then add the Cavolo Nero. 

Cover and simmer for 5 minutes. Stir in 

the chicken, chives and soy and heat 

through for a 1-2 minutes. 

COOKING TIPS 

Great for using up leftover roast chicken, 

but ham hock or prawns can also be 

used instead. 


CHICKEN & KALE 

Chilli 

Preparation time: 5 minutes 


Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

1 tbsp oil 

1 leek, sliced 

1 clove garlic, chopped 

2 tsp chilli powder 

1 tsp ground cumin 

500g minced chicken or turkey 

2 tbsp tomato puree 

400g can chopped tomatoes 

400g can black beans, drained and rinsed 

250g bag kale 

1 ripe avocado, diced 

Soured cream and cooked rice to serve 

METHOD 

Heat the oil in a large saucepan and fry 

the leek and garlic for 1 minute. Add the 

spices and then the minced chicken and 

fry 

until 

browned. 

Add the tomato 

puree, chopped tomatoes 

along with ½ can of water and the 

beans. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes. 

Meanwhile, cook the kale in boiling water 

for 3-4 minutes, drain well then stir into the 

chilli. Season to taste. 

Serve topped with avocado, a spoonful of 

soured cream on a bed of rice. 



KALE PACKED 

MAC ‘N CHEESE 


Preparation time: 

20 minutes 


Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

250g bag Kale, thick stalks removed 

250g macaroni 

1 Leek, sliced 

25g butter 

25g plain flour 

350ml semi skimmed milk 

150g Cheddar cheese, grated 

2 tsp English mustard 

METHOD 

Preheat the oven to 200°C, gas mark 6. 

Cook the kale in a large pan of boiling 

water for 3 minutes, remove with a 

slotted spoon and cool under cold water, 

squeeze out the excess liquid. Add the 

macaroni to the boiling water and cook for 

9-10 minutes, adding the leek for the last 

2 minutes. 

Drain well and 

return to the pan. 

Meanwhile, melt the butter in a 

small pan, stir in the flour and cook 

for 1 minute. Off the heat gradually blend 

in the milk, then bring to the boil, stirring 

until thickened. Stir in 100g cheese and 

the mustard, season well. Stir the sauce 

into the macaroni with the kale and 

transfer to an ovenproof serving dish, 

sprinkle with remaining cheese and bake 

for 25 minutes until golden. 


THE CHEF’S CHEF 

David Everitt-Matthias has been 

the co-owner and head chef of 

Michelin starred Le Champignon 

Sauvage in Cheltenham since 

1987. 36 years later and with 

2 Michelin stars under his belt, 

Sally Thomson caught up with 

him to discuss foraging, Saturday 

Kitchen and winter flavours... 

WHEN DID YOU START COOKING? 

1978. It was when I left school. I had put 

in papers to join the army catering corps 

and I also had an interview at the Four 

Seasons which was in Mayfair which 

in those days was called the Inn on the 

Park. So, I decided to go that way to the 

Inn on the Park and started there as a 

first-year apprentice. 

DID YOU FIND IT QUITE 

CHALLENGING? 

Oh yeah, it was great. In those days it 

was very regimented. There were about 

ninety chefs and we each had our place. 

Because we were junior it was the whole 

‘Don’t talk unless you are spoken to’ so 

it was just head down and get on with 

your job. 

SO IT WAS A BIT LIKE BEING IN 

THE ARMY? 

It was. It was very regimented, and I think 

that’s not necessarily a bad thing. 

I THINK THERE’S A CERTAIN 

LACK OF IT IN SO MANY ASPECTS 

OF LIFE THESE DAYS. YOU NEED 

TO DO IT BY THE BOOK - TO BE 

GOOD AT IT ALMOST. 

Yes. Then you can throw the rule book 

away afterwards. Once you’ve got the 

training then you can start playing. 

IT IS FANTASTIC TO BE ABLE TO 

GIVE PEOPLE THE OPPORTUNITY 

TO LEARN A VERY GOOD SKILL 

It is a problem, the de-skilling of our 

Cinderford lamb, bay boletus cream, sautéed ceps and walnuts 

industry and many other industries. 

They’re just not as skilled as they used to 

be. Lots of people are getting their stuff 

already boned from the butchers, already 

cut into portions, and so don’t have the 

opportunity to work on whole animals, or 

semi-whole animals. And it’s the same 

with fish. A lot of fish gets prepped up 

and doesn’t arrive whole. So that’s gone 

out the window for a lot of chefs in their 

training. 

I THINK THAT’S ESSENTIAL 

WITH MOST THINGS IN LIFE; 

TO UNDERSTAND THE BASICS 

BEFORE YOU CAN MOVE ON 

WITH IT. 

I totally agree. It’s just the whole deskilling 

of so many things in the world at 

the moment. Especially given that head 

chefs are getting younger and younger 

now and they are supposed to be able 

to teach people under them. How can 


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01327 702289 | www.ansteeandproctor.co.uk 

#ansteeandproctoropticians 

Spring Concerts from Leamington Music 

String Quartets in Leamington | Early Music in Warwick 

More Chamber Concerts and a Family Spectacular! 

visit www.leamingtonmusic for full details 


they do that when they haven’t learnt the 

basic skills themselves? 

THAT IS REALLY WONDERFUL! 

YOU’VE BEEN DOING THIS QUITE 

A LONG TIME NOW. WHEN DID 

YOU OPEN THE RESTAURANT YOU 

ARE IN NOW? 

1986? This is our 36th year. 

YOU WOULDN’T CHANGE IT FOR 

THE WORLD I CAN IMAGE? 

No. I still love what I’m doing. I love 

the impact we have had on a lot of the 

people who have worked for with us, and 

the impact they have had on us, to help 

us grow. It’s just been very enjoyable. 

WHAT IS YOUR PROUDEST 

ACHIEVEMENT TO DATE? 

I suppose a lot of my staff achieving 

greatness. If we’re looking at 

achievements by the restaurant, then 

probably the Catey Chef of the Year and 

a Michelin star. The Good Food Guide 

Chef of the Year was a great honour 

because it is through the public and the 

finishing touch by the editor so that’s 

always nice. I was also lucky enough to 

get an honorary degree in Philosophy 

from Gloucester University through what 

we had done in the industry and helping 

people. 

I SAW YOU RECENTLY ON TV 

WITH JAMES MARTIN… 

I was very nervous! I don’t know why 

I was so nervous; I’ve done three with 

James now, and two of them were live 

which I wasn’t nervous for at all. But 

this one, I wonder whether lockdown 

had something to do with it, you know, 

socialising and all that. But I settled into 

it once it started going and I got a bit 

more confident with it as the programme 

went on. 

WOULD YOU DO IT AGAIN? 

Yes, but only with James. I’m not a TV 

chef and I don’t want to be known as a 

TV chef. I’m a chef, I’m in the kitchen and 

I cook. But doing it with James I quite 

like because he’s such a great character 

and he’s so professional at what he 

does. I thinks he is in a different league 

when it comes to presentation of TV 

programmes, and the fact that he gets 

on and does he own mise en place prep 

for his show I think is a testament where 

other people will get others to do it for 

them. I’m happy that I got invited and I 

would gladly do it with James again. 

AT THIS TIME OF YEAR, WITH US 

HEADING INTO SPRING, WHAT 

DO YOU LIKE TO COOK? 

It does always depend how bad the 

winter has been. Shoots are starting to 

come through if it’s been a little milder, 

and things like wild garlic I have noticed 

has been coming through earlier and 

earlier in the year. Around this time of 

year, you are looking at chestnuts and 

boletus mushrooms. They are around 

from November and when we go and pick 

there are usually acorns around and we’ll 

pick those up too. And then as we go 

into spring, we get the wild garlic and the 

lovely shoots starting to appear such as 

pennywort. Of course, there is also game 

which finishes around the end of January. 

I love venison and partridge and because 

they are so lean. They give you a chance 

to put them with something a little bit 

fatty, like maybe belly of pork or some 

sort of little kofta to go with it to help with 

the pure leanness of the meat. 

YOU’VE MENTIONED PICKING, 

DO YOU GO OUT AND PICK YOUR 

OWN? 

Yes. Not all our own though because we 

just don’t have the time. My wife brings 

stuff back when she walks our dogs. But 

the wild garlic berries we will salt and 

then pickle, and we’ll keep those for the 

winter. So, they’ll be done in the spring 

and kept for the winter so that they will 

add a little bit of acidity to the dish and 

help cut through the slightly heartier 

dishes that are available in the winter/ 

early spring. 

I LIKE TO 

DESCRIBE WHAT 

WE DO AS 

TERROIR FOOD; 

FOOD FROM THE 

EARTH AND THE 

HEART... 

ARE YOU ABLE TO DESCRIBE 

YOUR STYLE OF COOKING? 

I would say it is masculine; bold flavours 

that we’ve sort of lightened up now, but 

they still have that real punch of flavour 

that we are known for. 

YOU’VE ERRED OVER THE YEARS 

TO BEING SLIGHTLY FRENCH IN 

CUISINE, HAVEN’T YOU? 

Yes. I was taught to cook French food, so 

I suppose we’re sort of French Modern 

British. Other little influences come in like 

Japanese stuff and Indian and Moroccan 

spices that we use for different effects. 

And things like the acorns I mentioned, 

we’ll do an acorn panacotta and make an 

espresso granita to go on top of that and 

a mascarpone foam. Basically, an acorn 

tiramisu. 

IS THERE ANYWHERE IN 

PARTICULAR THAT YOU HAVE 

EATEN THAT YOU WOULD LOVE 

TO GO BACK TO? 

Some of my favourites are Chez Bruce, 

with Bruce Paul in London, Phil Howard 

at Elystan Street in London. Tom Aikens. 

Ledbury is another good restaurant. 

There are so many! 

www.lechampignonsauvage.co.uk 

Saute of langoustines, roasted 

heritage carrots 

Le Champignon Sauvage, 

Cheltenham 

Raspberry cannelloni 

with anise hyssop cream 


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Relax, unwind and indulge... 

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Membership of our Elan Spa, affords you full use of our 

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Early Morning Canoeing - 

HOSHINOYA Fuji 

Honeymooning in 

JAPAN 

Hoshino Resorts are a brand of award-winning 

hotels across Japan, and make perfect destinations 

for honeymooners. We take a look at two of them... 

Cabins - HOSHINOYA Fuji 

KAI POROTO, 

Hokkaido, Japan 

Japan’s northern island of Hokkaido sees a lot of snowfall 

every year - famous for its ski resorts and Japanese snow 

monkeys bathing in hot springs, it is a great place to spend a 

snowy winter honeymoon. 

HOSHINOYA FUJI – 

Japan’s first glamping resort 

Enjoy a honeymoon with a difference at HOSHINOYA Fuji, 

Japan’s first glamping resort, set on the hill overlooking Lake 

Kawaguchi, near Mount Fuji. Located via a two-hour drive from 

Tokyo through the Tanzawa mountain range, the first glimpse 

of HOSHINOYA Fuji is the contemporary cabins, half-hidden 

in the red pine forest, that emerge into view as you reach the 

edge of the lake. The 40 distinct cabins have been designed to 

make guests feel like they are floating in the forest. Each cabin 

has a different view and a spacious private outdoor terrace to 

enjoy breakfast overlooking the lake and at night, the Glamping 

Master can light a fire on the balcony to replicate the campfire 

experience. 

Guests are encouraged to spend time on Cloud Terrace, a 

series of platforms built along the slope extending from the 

cabins. A variety of activities await on each platform, from 

morning wake-up sessions that involve brewing coffee in 

the outdoors to cooking smoked meats and vegetables on 

the roaring campfire. Glamping Masters are on hand to offer 

advice! Alternatively, watch a film at the cinema in the woods 

(classic films are featured on a screen in the forest), enjoy 

an early morning canoe tour on Lake Kawaguchi, horseback 

riding through the expansive woods at the foot of Mt. Fuji, or 

simply take in the snowy vistas whilst wrapped up warm in a 

hammock on the cloud terrace. 

Located in Shiraoi, Hokkaido, KAI Poroto is a hot spring ryokan 

hotel, offering stunning views of Lake Poroto from all rooms. 

Shiraoi Onsen is renowned as an area where the rare moor 

spring, containing organic minerals derived from plants, can 

be found. Guests can bathe inside the hotels cone-shaped 

bathhouse, inspired by traditional Ainu architecture, as well as 

in outdoor baths that look out over scenic Lake Poroto and its 

colourful natural surroundings. 

The hotel itself honours the Ainu people, indigenous to 

Hokkaido, through its architecture, art, and décor. Dinner 

features a Japanese-style bouillabaisse full of rich, local 

seafood such as crab and scallops, with dishes complemented 

by dishware inspired by Ainu craft traditions. The hotel is a few 

moments’ walk from the recently-opened Upopoy National 

Ainu Museum & Park (opened July 2020), which celebrates and 

raises awareness of the indigenous Ainu people. 

Rooms from 31,000 JPY per night / approx. £191 for a double, 

including breakfast, dinner, tax and services. 

To book: hoshinoresorts.com/en/hotels/kaiporoto/. 

Public Hot Spring ”Sankaku-no-yu” - 

Hoshino Resorts KAI Poroto 

Overnight stay costs from 101,000 JPY / approx. £605 per 

room per night (two sharing; room only). 

Contact HOSHINOYA Fuji hoshinoya.com/fuji/en 


Anxious, Stressed, 

Persistant Aches & Pains? 

Tried Everything... 

Ever thought about an ‘Energy Healer’ 

or ‘Hot Hands’ treatment. I went to 

see if this holistic approach could offer 

an alternative form of relief. 

So many of us can become anxious and stressed, 

have aches and pains or just feel generally under 

the weather. Some of us have physical or emotional 

trauma issues that we just can’t shift. 

I had always been interested as to whether the 

traditional medical approach to cure these was the 

only solution. I knew people who claimed that their 

lives had been transformed by visiting someone who 

was broadly classified as an ‘energy healer’. That’s 

when I discovered Arabella and her special gift, often 

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“It’s a gentle approach, but my energy is strong and 

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So I thought it was time to experience it for myself 

and went to see Arabella Arkwright at the Alchemists 

Clinic at Hatton - just between Solihull and Warwick. 

“All I really do is enable the body to heal itself “ says 

Arabella in a rather disarming way. 

“It’s difficult to explain but I seem to have a rather 

After my visit to Arabella, I felt lighter, brighter and 

so relaxed. You are instantly at ease in her care and 

her unique approach to energy healing leaves an 

indelibly lasting impression that I can clearly see 

would be transformational for many. 

To find out more about Arabella visit her website 

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Renovation 

DO’S AND DON’TS 

wayfair.co.uk 

If you’ve ever taken on a renovation project, you’ll 

know that decision fatigue can set in quickly 

and mistakes can be made - here are some do’s 

and don’ts if you’re about to embark on a home 

renovation project... 

DO think about your family’s 

lifestyle 

When considering renovation, the best 

advice is to think about the people in 

your home and how you would like the 

spaces to function. The goal should be 

to increase your home’s efficiency and 

functionality—then, once you have that 

figured out, think about the aesthetics of 

the space. 

Dunelm SS 2023 Range 

DOn’t lose the forest for the trees 

It’s essential you approach a renovation 

as a whole, rather than zoning in on 

particular small projects. The first thing 

to do is to have a cohesive concept for 

the project before embarking on the 

renovation so that look and feel is carried 

out through the whole house.” Even if 

you’re tackling the project room-by-room 

to space out the expenses over time, 

begin with an overall design plan for the 

entire house so rooms don’t start to feel 

disjointed as the project continues. 

DO shop around for the 

right builder 

One of the hardest things about doing 

any renovation is finding the right builder 

who’s going to help you conceive your 

vision - or guide you a bit if you’re not 

sure what you could do. It’s essential 

to get at least three quotes before you 

start work. But most importantly, don’t 

be afraid to ask all the questions you 

might have before making the decision. 

Especially if you’re renovating an entire 

house, you’ll be working with this person 

for several months (at least!) during what 

is typically a stressful transition for many 

families. Make sure you shop around for 

the best price, as well as the person who 

matches your work style and understands 

the overall vision for the space. The 

cheapest price isn’t always the best one, 

but nor is the most expensive - it’s most 

important that you get on with the builder 

and see eye to eye on ways of working. 

DON’T underestimate the cost 

On the whole, people really 

underestimate how much a renovation 

project costs - forgetting about the 

accessory works and especially in 

these times when materials are super 

expensive. During a time when the 

market is particularly volatile, the 

estimated project cost from six months 

ago may now look very different. It’s 

a good idea to budget for at least 20 

percent above the estimated cost and 

check in regularly about changes to 

avoid surprises. If the works are large 

scale, make sure your builder is costing 

their quote in accordance with a quantity 

surveyor. 

DO work with what you’ve got 

The more you can work around the 

existing conditions, the better. Being 

flexible to come up with other creative 

ideas instead of trying to change 

the bones of the building can make 

renovating more cost-effective. 

DON’T just follow Instagram 

and Pinterest 

From magazines, to social media, to 

Pinterest, and elsewhere, there is so 

much ‘inspiration’ that can influence our 

design decisions, so when designing 

your home or defining your style, it’s 


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important to sometimes step away from 

external sources and find inspiration 

within yourself to ensure that you are 

curating something that looks and feels 

truly unique and special to you. If you’re 

not sure where to start, look at all the 

images that inspire you and try to find 

commonality amongst them - 

DO prioritise necessary projects 

Do the most necessary upgrades first, 

and then the least over time, that way, you 

can be sure the most necessary home 

updates are covered in time and before 

your budget runs out. Homeownership is a 

marathon not a sprint. 

DON’T go for style over 

substance 

It’s so easy to fall in love with a project 

you’ve seen but overlook your needs - if 

a space isn’t practical, it simply doesn’t 

work. Open kitchen units are beautiful - 

but not if you’ve got loads of kid’s cups 

and tupperware to house. Storage is the 

absolute key for family life. 

DON’T renovate if your heart 

isn’t in it 

While design shows make renovating 

look easy and glamorous, it’s not for 

everyone. If you have the budget and 

have fallen in love with a new, turn-key 

property, it’s probably not worth all the 

time, money, and energy required to 

renovate your current space. 

Brayer Design, brayerdesign.co.uk 

Do find reasons to celebrate 

every step of the way 

Davey Lighting from 

originalbtc.com 

Even if you’re in the midst of a two-year 

renovation process, it is essential to 

enjoy the process and celebrate the little 

victories along the way, even if it’s just 

completing the demo in a bathroom or 

re-tiling the kitchen floor. 

If you can, it’s important to preserve at 

least one room in your house—even if 

you’re renting somewhere—that is clean, 

well-styled, and comfortable for when 

you need to spend some time meeting 

with a contractor, or to simply retreat to at 

the end of the day. Especially in a world 

where we are still spending so much of 

our days at home, creating a beautiful 

haven in the midst of chaos is essential 

for one’s mental health and well-being. 

DON’T forget about the finishes 

It’s always worth spending extra time and 

sometimes money on those areas you 

will see and touch everyday - practical 

handles, soft close fixtures, thick carpet 

underlay, good lighting - and trying to 

save in other areas. 


CONTRASTING DESIGN 

TRENDS FOR 2023 - 

Interior designer Julia Kendell, known for 

her appearances on the BBC’s DIY SOS, 

is the design expert for the South East 

Homebuilding & Renovating Show (14-15 

January, Farnborough) and she has some 

tips on updating your home for 2023. 

There’s been an evolution in peoples’ 

attitudes towards how their homes look 

and work following the end of lockdowns 

and, for many, a full or partial return to 

the office. Now the trend is for a more 

glamourous, sociable lifestyle but still 

with a relaxed feel. I call it ‘Great Gatsby 

but barefoot’ which to me means the use 

of more glamorous materials but nothing 

too high-brow and still with an emphasis 

on comfort. 

RELAXED GLAMOUR 

This trend is a bit Art Deco but all the 

colours are warm including metallics 

so you will see the use of brass, gold 

and bronze. In a real shift away from the 

cooler greys which were so popular in the 

last decade, we are seeing warm, earthy 

colours which reflect the connection to 

nature many of us felt during lockdowns. 

Forest green is a popular colour as is 

Dulux’s Wild Wonder, their colour of the 

year for 2023, a soft yellow-green shade 

with a sense of positivity. 

CONTRASTING PLAIN AND 

PATTERNS 

If people are feeling a bit overwhelmed 

and wanting to keep their lives simple 

then they generally go for non-stressful 

interiors with plain, natural materials. 

These include wood, micro-cement for 

walls and floors (often seen in wet rooms) 

and Venetian plaster, where natural 

products like slaked lime and marble dust 

can be mixed to produce an antiqued and 

slightly raw element for a room. 

However, at the same time, we are 

looking for a sense of optimism and 

hope which can be expressed through 

maximalism. This trend is all about a 

joyful layering of patterns and designs 

and follows on from last year’s ‘cottagecore’ 

trend. A generation which lived 

through ‘90s minimalism but never 

experienced the chintzy, frilly ‘80s is 

loving patterned wallpaper, borders, floral 

fabrics and trimmed curtains. 

DARK AND LIGHT KITCHENS 

Dark-coloured and black kitchens are 

still very popular, but we are also seeing 

a move towards light, natural kitchens 

with, for example, off-white painted 

cabinets teamed with a light oak. Home 

owners are looking to make more 

sustainable choices and this is reflected 

in the finishes they choose. So, we are 

seeing the use of cork and rattan, as 

in my new range of rattan doors. And 

whereas before kitchen owners wanted 

indestructible surfaces like Dekton and 

X-Tone, many are opting for the unique 

veining and colouring of natural granite 

and marble, which has been injected with 

sealant to make it less porous. 

Handleless cabinets have been popular 

for a while but now we are seeing the 

return of handles which I think of as 

jewellery for the room. Buster + Punch 

are producing industrial-looking handles 

but softened with warm, metallic finishes 

like brass and smoked bronze; Armac 

Martin and Dowsing & Reynolds have 

a huge choice of metal handles and 

Turnstyle has a range of leather and cork 

handles for a sustainable choice. 

In summary, although there currently 

seem to be contrasting trends in interior 

design, I believe this helps us design 

a home which fits our own personality. 

Those of us who are more introverted 

often seek a simple, more natural and 

calming environment, whereas the 

extroverts amongst us enjoy the energy 

produced by colourful and vibrant 

interiors. 

Julia Kendell is owner and lead designer 

at Kendell+Co (www.kendellco.com). She 

will be giving design advice at the South 

East Homebuilding & Renovating Show, 

14-15 January, Farnborough. Readers 

can get free tickets to all the 2023 shows 

on this link: 

https://farnborough. 

homebuildingshow.co.uk/ 

homebuilding-renovating-show-ashoffers 


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SPOT CLEANING AFTER FURRY FRIENDS 

JANUARY 

When the festive period comes 

to a end, many of us like to 

really clear the decks for a 

fresh start - here are our top 

recommendations 

Sort 

We are a nation of pet lovers, but cleaning up after our furry 

friends can often be an unpleasant and time consuming task. 

Be ready to tackle those unexpected accidents in no time with 

the new VAX SpotWash Home Pet-Design. This handy spot 

washer is a great cleaning companion which helps to ensure 

harmony in pet owners’ homes, effectively killing over 99% 

of potentially harmful bacteria and removing spills, stains and 

pet messes from carpets, rugs, hard floors, upholstery and car 

interiors with ease. 

So whether your dog has jumped straight onto the sofa after 

a muddy walk, there’s a spilled drink on a rug, or your car 

interior is in need of a refresh, you can clean quickly and easily 

with lightweight, portable convenience. 

Buy the VAX SpotWash Home Pet-Design priced £179.99 

including free solutions (1 x 250ml VAX Spot Washer Antibacterial 

Solution and 1 x VAX 250ml Pet Stain & Odour Remover) and 

free delivery when purchased direct from vax.co.uk. 

BEAT ENERGY PRICES 

Reduce your energy expendeture and dry 

clothes easily at home - the Brabantia Hangon 

Drying Rack can hold up to three machine 

loads of laundry - 25 metres drying space plus 

hanging rod. And when all’s dried and done, 

fold it flat easily for compact storage. XXL 

drying in size and benefits! 

Hangon Drying Rack, 

£82, brabantia.com 

BEST FOR BUSY HOUSEHOLDS 

Enjoy up to 90 minutes runtime with the VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 

Dual Pet & Car cordless vacuum. Proven to clean carpets better 

than the UK’s top three best-selling cordless vacuum cleaners 

and to have the cleaning performance of the UK’s best-selling 

corded upright vacuums, the VAX ONEPWR Blade 4 Dual Pet & 

Car cordless vacuum caters for pet owners that happily endure 

a bit more mud, debris and pet hair than those homes without 

pets. This high performance, cordless Pet & Car vacuum has 

the addition of a flexible powered hose that works with all tools. 

It’s perfect for using with the compact, mini motorised pet 

tool to agitate and lift stubborn dirt and pet hair, making this 

cordless vacuum ideal for reaching into those awkward spaces 

under seats, into footwells and the boot. 

Blade 4 Pet & Car with up to 45 minutes runtime6 and 4.0 Ah 

removable battery, £299.99, or with up to 90 minutes runtime6 

with dual 4.0 Ah batteries, £369.99., vax.co.uk 

GET IN THE BIN 

Looking for a waste solution 

that matches your style? 

This Brabantia Bo Touch Bin 

combines a beautiful design 

with 36 litres of capacity. It is 

designed with love for your home 

and care for our planet. This 

space-saving bin fits perfectly 

against a wall, and is very stable, 

thanks to the adjustable nonskid 

legs. Its unique soft-touch 

opening makes for easy and light 

operation at the touch of your 

hand. 

Bo Touch Bin, £239, 

brabantia.com 

ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING 

If you’re looking to make greener choices and reduce the toxic 

load in your home, switching to pro-biotic cleaners is a gamechanger. 

Probiotic formulas use good bacteria to out compete 

the bad bacteria, much like our bodies do, which makes them 

naturally super effective - and it means they keep on cleaning 

after you’ve long finished. Nookary’s products smell amazing 

and come in zero-waste packaging. 

Probiotic Cleaning Bundle and Refills, £70, individual products 

available from £10.50, nookary.com

Stone 

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OCEAN HUES 

Echoing the reassuring and relaxing colour of the sea, 

aqua is set to be one of the hottest shades of the season. 

Opt in with larger pieces of furniture wrapped in 

oceanic hues, or make it easier to incorporate into an 

existing scheme with smaller accessory items. 

INTERIORS 2023 

It’s that time of year where we look at our spaces anew 

– here are our forecasts for some upcoming interior 

trends if you want to refresh your home. 

3 

ARCHES 

Arched doors are big news in extensions 

and renovations, and the gentle curves are 

softening the hardened edges that have 

proliferated for so long. Use as a motif if 

you’re decorating, or as a shape for windows 

and doors if you’re renovating. 

SOOTHING PASTELS 

While we might see a rise of deep and bold colors in 2023, 

certain spaces still call for a level of zen—and this is where 

pastels come back in. Think eucalyptus, mid-level blues, 

soft pink and putty taupes. 

5 

GET THE LOOK 

1. Diamond Aqua Blanket, 

£55, weavergreen.com; 2. Blue 

Arches Ceramic Pot Cover, 

£24.99, giselagraham.co.uk; 3. 

Cliff & Ocean Art Print, £41.95, 

abstracthouse.com; 4. image 

© Studio McGee; 5. Eucalyptus 

No.92, victorycolours.co.uk; 6. 

Squishmeister Corner sofa £2845, 

loaf.com 

6 


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DRAMATIC SPACES 

We are loving the look of a deep, moody 

room in all the same colour - deep green or 

purple painted or wallpapered walls in the 

same colour as the shades, furnishings, and 

fabrics—so modern and cool. 

8 

7 

10 

12 

HERITAGE TILES 

Reclaimed, handmade or 

vintage-inspired, the heritage aesthetic 

is more popular than ever. You can bring 

a touch of the Mediterranean into your 

home - referencing the antique tiles of 

Southern Spain, seek out the patina and 

colours that reflecting those of original 

reclaimed tiles. Use independently or 

pair with single colour tiles for a more 

understated aesthetic. 

GET THE LOOK 

7. Vacation Porcelain Toulon Tiles, hyperiontiles.co.uk; 

8. Blueberry Tart No.114, victorycolours.co.uk; 9. Villa Nova 

Amazon River Cushion, £58, naken.co.uk; 10. Blueberry Tart 

No.114, victorycolours.co.uk; 11. Ca’ Pietra Brick Lane Porcelain 

Monthorpe Street Tiles, hyperiontiles.co.uk; 12. Wild Cats 

Wallpaper Mural By Andrea Haase, wallsauce.com 

9 

11 

BIOPHILIC 

DESIGNS 

The theme of incorporating nature in 

interior elements will continue to be 

prevalent in finishes and fittings – lots 

of wood tones, natural fibres and plants 

make spaces feel inviting and homely. 


FINANCIAL PLANNING FOR 

a happy retirement 

The secret to a successful retirement is to 

slowly and surely build up your retirement 

pot. Exactly how you do that will depend 

on your situation – but there are lots of 

things you can do. Here we have advice 

from Money Helper (moneyhelper.org.uk) 

which is a government advice service. 

As with any financial planning matter, it is 

important that your unique circumstances 

are considered and you seek the advice 

of a certified professional. 

REVIEW PENSIONS 

REGULARLY 

It’s important to review your pensions 

regularly. If they’re not on track to give 

you the income you want in retirement, 

you need to look at how to boost them. 

If they’re broadly on track, you can make 

a clearer plan so that your pensions will 

be able to give you the income you want 

when you retire. 

HOW MUCH MONEY WILL 

YOU NEED IN YOUR 

TOTAL PENSION POT? 

It’s important to think about your pension 

income in building blocks - first with the 

state pension, then with your private or 

workplace pension savings, and then with 

any other additional income you might 

get, from investments or property. 

How much extra income you need to 

generate from your private pension 

savings will depend on the type of private 

pension you have. 

Defined benefit and final salary pensions 

pay you a regular monthly income - how 

much you get is based on your earnings 

while you were working. 

If you have one or more of these, you 

should receive annual updates telling you 

how much you can expect to get. 

Adding that to your state pension 

(which you can find out by getting a 

state pension forecast) will help you 

understand how much you’ve got to play 

with in retirement. 

REVIEW THE WAY 

YOUR PENSION POT IS 

INVESTED 

If you have a defined contribution 

personal or workplace pension, you 

get to choose how your pension pot is 

invested. Typically, this involves choosing 

from a range of funds offered by your 

pension provider. 

These funds will be weighted differently 

between various types of assets, which 

offer different levels of risk and potential 

return. Generally, you can afford to take 

more risk when you’re young, and less as 

you get older. 

The longer your money will be invested, 

the more scope you’ll have to deal with 

investment performance going up and 

down over time. So if you are some way 

from retirement and your pension savings 

are invested conservatively, you might 

want to consider moving at least some of 

your fund into potentially higher-growth 

assets, for example, company shares. 

But bear in mind that there’s no 

guarantee that higher growth will be 

achieved. 

Transferring a personal pension into a 

self-invested personal pension (SIPP) 

can give you a wider range of investment 

options to choose from. 

But this brings higher risks if you’re not 

an experienced investor. And you might 

face higher charges. 

Unless you understand how the different 

pension investments work, you might 

want to consider getting regulated 

financial advice before making any 

changes to your pension investment. 

REVIEW THE CHARGES 

DEDUCTED FROM YOUR 

SAVINGS 

All pension providers will charge for 

managing your pot and investing your 

money. In defined contribution personal 

and workplace schemes, these charges 

are often called an annual management 

charge or ongoing charge figure and are 

automatically deducted from your pot. 

An annual charge of 1.5% a year could 

have eaten away a quarter of your 

pension pot after 35 years. An annual 

charge of 0.5% would have reduced your 

pension pot by only 1/10th over the same 

period. You don’t need to worry about 

this if you’re in a defined benefit scheme. 

But if you have a defined contribution 

scheme, charges reduce the value of your 

pension pot. Workplace pensions often 

have lower charges but that isn’t always 

the case. 

If you have any confusion surrounding 

multiple pension pots, investments or 

other pension queries, it is worthwhile 

seeking the advice from an IFA. 


Anya Court has proudly 

been rated Good by CQC 

CQC rated

Anya Court is a beautifully designed, 

award-winning, 70-bedroom home, providing 

high-quality dementia and residential care. 

If you think you know what a care home offers, think 

again! From the sights and sounds of the cinema, through 

to the smell of fresh coffee and homemade biscuits in 

the ‘Juke Box Café’ or simply chatting with friends in the 

landscaped gardens, it’s all about living life to the full 

within our community of care. 

Talk to Stefanie, Customer 

Relationship Manager, to find out more 

about life at Anya Court Care Home. 

Call us 01788 851433 

Visit hallmarkcarehomes.co.uk 

286 Dunchurch Road, Rugby, 

Warwickshire, CV22 6JA

ULTIMATE HOMECARE 


With over 26 years collective experience 

within the care sector, we are fully aware 

of what quality care is. 

From personal experience looking after family members young 

and old with a variety of needs, we have been able to provide 

them with a consistent level of quality care, which we can be sure 

has enhanced their lives. 

Through social skills, personal care skills and achievements, 

we have supported our young family member with physical 

disabilities from birth through to adult life. We now provide this 

person with 2:1 care that enables them to live independently, with 

the freedom of choices and options. 

Older family members have been supported with a variety of 

needs - shopping, medication, hospital visits, cleaning and 

supporting them with personal care when required. We have 

also aided with end of life care, making sure our loved ones were 

comforted and looked after. 

Family members often need support due to being in and out 

of hospital. When coming home, we found that they were 

passed onto different care providers and, at times, we stepped 

in to provide this care ourselves. Again, this process lacked 

consistency and some care providers were unable to find “time” 

to help, hence why we believe quality care must take time and 

dedication. 

All of our experiences are inclusive of a person-centered care 

culture: what is important to them, taking into account their likes, 

dislikes, needs, wants and aspirations. 

We now share our knowledge, skills and passion through 

Ultimate Homecare. Our services are in Leamington Spa and 

the surrounding areas, including Warwick and Kenilworth. As 

you will see from reading our menu of care services, we aim to 

accommodate people with various requirements but, ultimately, 

we are committed to providing each of our clients with a package 

of care that is tailored to their needs. We will only offer a care 

package once a detailed consultation has taken place with the 

client, in their home, along with either family members or any 

other supporting agencies, as required. 

For all adults looking to privately fund their care, we offer any of 

our care packages, which may also be funded via a combination 

of authorities, charities and personal top-ups. 

Ultimate Homecare is authorized to provide regulated care 

as prescribed by CQC. You can see the results of all CQC 

inspections on our website and we are also listed on homecare. 

co.uk where you will find more information to help you make the 

right choice for you or your loved ones. 

Please contact Liz for more information on 01926 674117 or 

email: liz@ultimatehomecare.co.uk 

www.ultimatehomecare.co.uk 

Ultimate Homecare is a privately owned, family-run 

business. With collective experience of over 26 years 

within the care sector, we are fully aware of what 

quality care is. 

From personal experience looking after family 

members young and old with a variety of needs, we 

have been able to provide them with a consistent level 

of quality care, which we can be sure has enhanced 

their lives. 

Our Specialist Care Categories: 

• Dementia • Elderly Care • Mental Health Condition 

• Personal Hygiene • Care Physical Disability 

Contact Liz for more information on 01926674117 

or email: liz@ultimatehomecare.co.uk 

www.ultimatehomecare.co.uk 

Ultimate Homecare Ltd, 7 Clarendon Place, Leamington Spa CV32 5QL 


Quality care in 

Leamington Spa you 

can trust 


When a family is thinking about care 

for a loved one, they want the best - they 

want to know that the care home they 

choose will put their loved one’s safety, 

happiness and wellbeing first... 

Care UK’s Priors House care home in Leamington Spa provides 

residential, dementia and nursing care, giving families peace of 

mind that their loved ones can stay living at the home should 

their needs change. 

Living at Priors House is all about quality of life. Every colleague 

in the home is passionate about enabling residents to enjoy 

a fulfilling lifestyle, tailored around their unique needs and 

preferences. The lifestyle team organises a huge variety of group 

and one-to-one activities, with plenty going on each day. 

The team at Priors House are proud to have achieved some great 

results in the recent relative survey, in fact 90% of families feel 

the staff know and treat their loved ones as individuals^. 

Once their relative has settled into Priors House they are able 

to focus on spending quality time with them again just enjoying 

each other’s company. 

With the extra support that Priors House offers, new residents are 

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

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

discovering new hobbies with our daily activities. 

Priors House is part of award-winning provider, Care UK – one 

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

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

Priors House care home 

Old Milverton Lane, Leamington Spa CV32 6RN 

01926 671802 

Maria.cridge@careuk.com 

Careuk.com/priors-house 

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

Inspectorate in Scotland. 

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

Market Research, an independent survey agency. 

Need to top up your income? 

Looking for a flexible second 

job or weekend work? 

Every day well lived 

Registered charity number 

1012788 

Start your career in care 

and make work work for you. 

Benefits include: • Experienced carer rates from £10.40–£11.56 per hour 

• discounts on days out & shopping • a free DBS check 

• free health & wellbeing support • company sick pay • fixed rotas 

Apply 

now 

www.wcs-care.co.uk/opportunities 

or call our recruitment hotline 

on 07719 074 810 

for more information. 


Be who you’ve always been... 

a social butterfly 

At Priors House care home being a star baker doesn’t stop when you make the 

journey into care. Our dementia specialists support each resident to live life as 

independently as possible. Bring your life with you to a place you can call home 

Award winning, person-centred care for over 40 years. 

If you’re considering care for yourself or a loved one call 01926 953899. 

Trusted to care. 


Leamington Spa 

careuk.com/priors-house

Advertisement Feature 

Fulfilling lifestyles, designed around you 

At Care UK’s Priors House care home in Leamington Spa, your loved one 

can expect the very best of dementia care, whilst being supported to 

enjoy a fulfilling lifestyle. 

Our dedicated and caring teams 

learn all they can about your 

loved one, tailoring their care and 

lifestyle plan to suit their unique 

needs as well as their hobbies 

and interests. We’re trained in the 

latest dementia care approaches, 

thanks to our partnership with 

the Association for Dementia 

Studies at Worcester University, 

whilst a Dementia Coach in each 

home supports all colleagues to 

deliver high quality care and 

a fulfilling lifestyle. 

Enjoy each day, your way 

Our Lifestyle team is passionate 

about enhancing your loved 

one’s quality of life and there’s 

always plenty of activities to 

get involved in. Reminiscencethemed 

activities such as music 

therapy and baking help to spark 

happy memories, whilst gentle 

exercise classes and yoga help 

your loved one to stay fit and 

active. For those who prefer oneto-one 

interaction, residents are 

welcome to take part in the home’s 

Sunflower Scheme. Residents are 

given a sunflower badge to display 

outside their room when wanting 

one-to-one interaction, and acts 

as a reminder to all staff to 

spend a few minutes to chat 

when passing their room. 

Pet Therapy sessions are proven 

help to prevent feelings of 

loneliness and can often improve 

self-esteem and confidence in 

people living with dementia. We 

are often visited by local animal 

sanctuaries, and recently residents 

have enjoyed cuddles with puppies, 

ponies and even snakes! 

Everything under one roof 

Priors House has everything your 

loved one will need under one 

roof and is designed to the latest 

dementia standards with its own 

café, hair salon, cinema and bar. 

Signage, colour schemes, soft 

furnishings and floor coverings are 

all designed to create a calming 

and accessible setting, whilst 

accessible courtyard gardens with 

wheelchair-friendly pathways 

and raised flower beds provide a 

relaxing haven for residents. 

If you’re thinking about care for 

an older loved one living with 

dementia, why not speak to our 

friendly and helpful team? 

To find out more about the awardwinning 

dementia care at Priors 

House, please call 01926 671802 

or email maria.cridge@careuk.com 


Old Milverton Lane, Leamington 

Spa CV32 6RW 

careuk.com/priors-house 

Food forms the basis of many 

activities at Priors House. Themed 

menus, cheese and wine evenings 

and afternoon tea are a regular 

occurrence, and our ‘Dining with 

Dignity’ approach means residents 

can feel confident knowing 

discreet help and support is 

always on-hand.

THINGS ARE ABOUT TO GET 

Principal Funders 

Registered Charity no. 506276

Leamington and Warwick Living Jan - Feb 2023

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