North Hampshire Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

C O N T E N T S 

A NOTE 

from the editor 

12 

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. 

24 

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 

Please Account contact Manager Mirran Lynch 

e studio@minervapublications.co.uk 

mirran@minervapublications.co.uk 

t 01225 984430 984498 

Cover image courtesy of Waitrose Fatface 

RETIREMENT PLANS 

30 

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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Competition keyword: ‘BOWFLEX’ 

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4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

BOOK 

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TAKE 

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Thinking about boosting your 

wellness with supplements? 

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adding to your routine 

BEST FOR: immunity 

If you tend to feel unproductive, 

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brain fog, this potent mix 

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It’s the time of year where we start to succumb to coughs and 

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The Hot List 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE TRENDS 

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around the globe. The Schwinn 800IC syncs with JRNY App, Zwift App*, and the 

Peloton Digital iOS App, meaning you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to workouts. 

Schwinn 800IC Indoor Cycle, £799, fitness-superstore.co.uk 

Eliminate the need for multiple dumbbells cluttering your workout space - each dumbbell 

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the next combining 17 weights into one single dumbbell thanks to its unique dial system. 

Bowflex SelectTech Dumbells, available now at select retailers including Fitness Superstore and 

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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 


WITH 

A LEVELS AT 

DISCOVER YOUR FUTURE & APPLY NOW 

HSDC.AC.UK/ALTON 


A HAPPY STAFF ROOM 

As a school which prides itself on the 

environment that we create, this year 

we have spent extra time thinking about 

what it is like to be a Barfield employee 

and if we are doing enough to support 

our incredible staff body... 

Being part of the Prep School’s Trust, there has been a 

coordinated effort throughout to think about how we can become 

an ‘Employer of Choice’ and this is something we have embraced 

here at Barfield. Our new EOC staff committee meets regularly 

to discuss the findings from our initial survey, which was open to 

all staff and provided an opportunity for honest and constructive 

feedback. Being an EOC can cover a multitude of categories, but 

our group focuses on the day-to-day - the small things that add 

up to make the biggest difference, and we have already noticed 

a significant lift in staff morale, engagement and enthusiasm in 

school. 

Initiatives this term include the introduction of a breakfast trolley 

every morning, employing a proofreader to support the report 

writing process and buying every member of staff (teaching and 

non-teaching) a Barfield winter coat. While we do not claim to be 

reinventing the wheel, even just these three changes have lifted 

spirits and reinforced the message that we are listening and we 

care. Each morning we now have a lovely buzz in the staff room 

as they enjoy their breakfast while catching up with colleagues 

- report writing season seems to have been lighter and more 

manageable - and the response to the coats has been brilliant 

(not to mention how smart they look). 

The EOC meet again during our January 

Inset and I am really looking forward to 

continuing our discussions around how 

we can make Barfield an even better 

place to work. Not everything is about 

spending money, even just starting my 

weekly staff meeting with a ‘thank you’ 

roll call ensures that people feel valued, 

they receive the recognition they richly 

deserve and they then take that positivity 

and spread it amongst the children. 

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

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A N I N D E P E N D E N T P R E P A R A T O R Y S C H O O L 

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FOUNDATION FOR A BRIGHT FUTURE 


Spring Term 

Open Events 

See us in action 

Pre-School - Year 6 

Friday 27 January 2023 

Senior School & Sixth Form 

Friday 10 March 2023 

Register online altonschool.co.uk 

- Exceptional pastoral care 

- Excellent results 

- Wraparound care 

- School minibus service 

Year 3 Taster Day 

Entry 2023 

Tuesday 7 February 

Educating boys and girls from 6 months to Sixth Form

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. 


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. 


KALE, BEAN & 

SAUSAGE STEW 

BY AMY SHEPPARD FOR 

DISCOVER GREAT VEG 



Serves: 4 

INGREDIENTS 

Vegetable oil for frying 

2 leeks finely sliced 

250g bag of shredded kale 

10 chicken chipolatas 

2 tsp dried thyme 

2 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 

1.5 tbsp flour 

750ml chicken stock 

400g tin of butter or cannellini 

beans drained 

200ml milk 

METHOD 

Heat a drizzle of oil in a large nonstick 

pan. 

Add the leek and kale and fry for 

5 minutes on a medium heat until 

the veg has softened. 

Remove the veg from the pan and 

set aside. Heat a little more oil in 

the same pan. 

Add the sausages and fry for 

10 minutes on a medium heat, 

turning regularly until browned 

all over. 

Return the kale, and leeks to 

the pan with the thyme, garlic 

and flour. Stir on the heat for 

one minute until the flour has 

disappeared. 

Slowly add the stock a little at a 

time, stirring continuously. 

When all the stock is used, add 

the beans, milk and season to 

taste. 

Simmer for 5 minutes on a low to 

medium heat before serving with 

baked or mashed potato or rice. 



CHICKEN & KALE 

Chilli 



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. 



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, lockdown 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 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 de-skilling 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 they do that 


Le Champignon Sauvage, 

Cheltenham 

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. 

when they haven’t learnt the basic skills 

themselves? 

FROM YOUR POINT OF VIEW, 

WHEN YOU LOOK TO EMPLOY 

STAFF, WHAT IS THE CRITERIA 

THAT YOU USE TO FIND THE 

RIGHT PERSON? 

First of all its whether they are going 

to fit into kitchen and whether they are 

going to get on with everybody else. 

Then we look at if they are enthusiastic 

and do they eat out. That’s quite an 

important one to me. A chef that doesn’t 

dine out and enjoy food won’t put as 

much passion into what they are doing. 

But really, as long as I have enthusiasm 

and some skill then we can train them 

up. We’ve had some wonderful chefs 

that have been with me for two or three 

years and they’ve all left and gone on 

to achieve good things for themselves. 

They have Michelin stars here there and 

Cinderford lamb, bay boletus cream, sautéed ceps and walnuts 

everywhere and are head chefs of places. 

I’m quite proud of them all. 

LOTS OF PEOPLE I SPEAK TO 

SEEM TO HINT AT A SORT OF 

MISUNDERSTANDING FROM A 

LOT OF ABILITIES THAT PEOPLE 

MIGHT HAVE BUT THAT THEY 

JUST DON’T SEEM TO WANT TO 

USE THEM AT THE MOMENT, 

WHICH I FIND QUIETLY 

DISTURBING. YOU WONDER HOW 

THINGS ARE GOING TO MOVE 

FORWARD. IT SEEMS LIKE A 

LETHARGY WHICH HAS CREPT IN, 

WHICH IS QUITE SAD. 

I think it’s lockdown. You’ve had two 

years of not working basically for a lot of 

people. Before lockdown we went to a 

four-day week so that everybody could 

have more time off and a better work-life 

balance and that seems to be the norm 

now. Which I think is great. 

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 


I LIKE TO DESCRIBE WHAT 

WE DO AS TERROIR FOOD; 

FOOD FROM THE EARTH 

AND THE HEART... 

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. 

Raspberry cannelloni with anise hyssop cream 

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. 

DO YOU HAVE A FAVOURITE PIECE OF KIT IN 

YOUR KITCHEN THAT YOU COULDN’T LIVE 

WITHOUT? I KNOW YOU WOULD PROBABLY SAY A 

KNIFE. 

Well, yes that would probably be it. I have some Japanese 

knives that are great. A Thermomix I suppose. It’s a blender 

that cooks that is good for several jobs. 

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 


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Maybe it’s time for a 

kitchen 

that makes you 

Smile? 


GREAT 

VALUE 

SET 

PERFECT GLAM 

The only eye-shadow pallet you’ll ever need - 

beautiful, blendable neutrals and buttery soft 

shimmers in colours to take you from day to night. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Soft Glam Palette, £46, 

lookfantastic.com 

LUSH LASHES 

Get longer and thicker eyelashes in as little 

as 8 weeks with this nightly lash treatment. 

RapidLash® Eyelash Enhancing Serum, 

£40, Boots 

BEAUTY 

Hot Picks 

SELF CARE SUPER SET 

Discover the magic of the Hebrides this festive season with Ishga’s new 

limited edition Self Care Face Set, containing their bestselling organic 

facial skincare products, presented in a 100% vegan leather washbag by 

Fenella Smith. Set includes award-winning Anti-oxidant Marine Cream 

and Exfoliating Face Mask. Self Care Face Set, £95, uk.ishga.com 

BOOST HAIR 

VOLUME 

Save money and kick off your 

scalp and hair wellness journey 

with this starter kit. Featuring hair 

growth shampoo, conditioner and 

a mask, alongside an enriching hair 

oil and a scalp treatment to boost 

growth. Then amp up the volume with 

a professional styling tool that dries, 

styles and volumises in one simple 

step - it makes that salon blow dry 

look easy to achieve at home. Hair 

Wellness Starter Kit, £113.49 and 

Blowout Brush Pro, £67.99, both 

bondiboost.co.uk 

GROW UP 

Grow by IMARAÏS is a unique 

sugar-free hair care gummy powered 

by organic-certified functional 

mushrooms, Reishi, Chaga, and 

Snow Mushroom, to support healthy 

hair growth, nourish the scalp, and 

support healthy-looking hair. Grow, 

£42, imaraisbeauty.com 

SKIN ROUTINE 

A great entry point if you are looking to create a 

skincare routine. Enriched with pure and powerful 

botanicals, this exceptional skin care ritual visibly 

reduces the appearance of fine lines, 

wrinkles and uneven skin tone, whilst 

protecting against pollution. Herbal 

Recovery Discovery Ritual Set, £16, 

jurlique.co.uk 

GREAT 

VALUE 

SET

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 


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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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

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. 


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

ADVERTISING FEATURE 

HARD WATER 

HARD TIMES 

TAKE A SOFTER STANCE TO LIVING 

Tony Jones, General Manager, HWS tells 

us more about the benefits of water 

softeners those living in hard water areas... 

Earlier this year, it was announced that 

energy prices were set to be capped 

at £2,500 for the next two years as 

households grapple with the cost-ofliving 

crisis. Following the recent dramatic 

U-turn in the government’s fiscal plans, 

this support is now going to stop 

from April next year. Understandably, 

households who are struggling financially 

are now looking at ways to reduce their 

energy bills themselves over the longterm. 

Hard water can exacerbate the impact of 

rising energy bills for many consumers. 

Those living in a hard water area are more 

prone to limescale deposits building up 

within their heating system, which can 

cause blockages in pipework and boilers. 

This reduces the overall efficiency of a 

heating and plumbing system, resulting in 

higher energy bills. 

Harvey Water Softeners (HWS) 

commissioned research recently on this, 

showing that over 13 million households 

in the UK could be paying an additional 

£1,100 a year in total across their 

household bills, detergents, cleaning and 

toiletry costs, and appliance maintenance 

and repairs – all as a result of problematic 

limescale build ups. 

However, by installing a water softener, 

these households could make 

significant savings on their annual 

energy bills. Switching to soft water can 

also prevent a boiler break-down from 

occurring, meaning households are 

less likely to face high costs to get this 

repaired. 

Soft water also helps lather up soaps and 

toiletries far better than hard water so, 

in turn, individuals won’t need to use as 

much of these products to get the best 

results – again, providing households 

with another opportunity to cut costs. 

According to our research, the savings 

on these products, such as shampoo and 

scale removers, could amount to almost 

£595 per year for a family of four. 

Our data also found that families 

could save a further £185 per year on 

detergents and fabric softener because 

these products react better with soft 

water, meaning less is needed overall in 

the process. 

For those living in North Hampshire, the 

water hardness in this area is currently 

measured at 250ppm. This means that 

the water here is hard to very hard, and 

households based there stand to benefit 

from significantly lower bills by making 

the transition to soft water. 

If you are interested in trialling a water 

softener, get in touch with HWS for a 

three-month, commitment free trial of our 

leading product, the Smart HarveyArc – 

and start your journey towards a softer 

side of living. 

www.harveywatersofteners.co.uk 


TREES MATTER 

In this edition, our regular contributor 

Matt Biggs gives us advice on where to start 

if you want to plant a tree... 

For thousands of years, we have appreciated 

trees, we have planted trees, we have written 

about trees, we have even worshipped trees. 

Even before we knew just how important they 

are to our environment, something within us 

recognized that trees matter. 

Now that we know so much more about what they contribute to 

our world and its wellbeing, there is no better time to plant a tree. 

There are so many options that the first task must be to decide 

what you want your tree for. Is it for structure within your garden, 

for shade, for visual impact? Might it be for fruit, to attract birds 

or just because it is your favourite tree! 

There are some great books on the subject, your local nursery or 

garden centre can give advice and radio and TV programmes are 

full of inspiration too, so do some research and choose your tree. 

Basic stuff but do look at the eventual height and spread of your 

tree – you might not see it when it is fully grown but you don’t 

want to cause problems for others and it is such a shame to have 

to remove a tree because it was in the wrong spot. 

Winter is a good time to plant, as long as the ground is frost 

free and not waterlogged; it is really important not to stint on 

the groundwork. Water the tree roots really well, even stand it in 

a bucket for an hour and make sure the hole is big enough – it 

needs to be three times as wide as the pot and the same depth. 

Fork the soil in the hole so that the roots can make their way 

easily as they develop, tease out the roots from the rootball and 

plant in a square hole. Use mychorrizal fungi to help the roots 

grow, and make sure when you place it in the hole the various 

aspects of it are where you want them – branches showing their 

‘best side’. When you refill the soil into the hole don’t leave any 

pockets of air, firm and water well and stake the tree if need be – 

all of this info is readily available to ensure that your tree has the 

best possible start in life. Do not plant trees too deeply, the soil 

level should be the same as it was in the pot. 

You can, of course also get the kids in on the act, acorns, 

conkers and tree seeds are so easily collected, pop them in a 

pot, labelling them so you know what is what, water and wait! It 

is so exciting to see that first green shoot and the tree and the 

child can grow together, how lovely! 

Whatever you plant and wherever you plant it, planting a tree is 

one of the most positive things you can do, for yourself and for 

future generations. 

To find out more about Matt visit his website 

matthewbiggs.com 

THE BEST 

TIME TO 

PLANT A 

TREE WAS 

20 YEARS 

AGO. THE 

SECOND- 

B E S T 

TIME IS 

N O W.” 

CHINESE 

PROVERB 

Bourne Buildings Ltd 

THE LARGEST SHOWSITE IN THE UK WITH OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 

5,000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY 

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

is not your typical garden buildings showsite. 

Well known for its vast selection of garden buildings and expert 

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

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

Our complete range of services include product installation, base 

laying and a re-felting service. 

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

including eye-catching armillary sphere sundials, and over 100 

small garden furniture sets. 

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

• 60 Sheds 

• 35 Greenhouses 

• 60 Summer houses • 20 Garden Offices & Garden Rooms 

• 35 Playhouses • 8 Garages 

Opening hours 10AM - 4PM 

Mon/Thu/Fri/Sat/Sun 

CLOSED TUESDAY & WEDNESDAYS 

01252 718481 

sales@bournebuildings.co.uk 

www.bournebuildings.co.uk 

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


Winter Car 

CHECKLIST 

With the cold weather having really settled in, we 

take a look at some tips to make sure your car is 

ready for winter... 

CHECK YOUR TIRES 

Checking your legal tyre tread depth is 

one of the most important checks you 

can make on your car. Having worn tyres 

means the only contact patch between 

you and the road is past its best. You 

may say this is an accident waiting to 

happen. 

The legal tyre tread depth for cars in 

the UK and Europe is 1.6mm across 

the central three-quarters of the tyre, 

according to law. There is a simple test 

you can carry out at home to find out if 

your tires are past their best - the 20p 

test. Just take a 20p coin and insert it 

into the tread grooves on the tyre. 

If you can’t see the outer band on the 

coin, your tyres are above the legal limit. 

WINDSCREEN WASHER FLUID 

Make sure you keep your windscreen 

washer fluid topped up. You may find 

yourself not using your wipers too 

much in the warmer season, but winter 

conditions bring salt, water and general 

grime to the roads, and as such, our 

windscreens. Make sure you purchase 

a good anti-freeze screen wash that will 

be effective down to at least -15 degrees 

Celsius to cope with potentially frosty 

conditions. 

BATTERY 

Battery problems are the reason for more 

RAC call-outs in winter than anything 

else. In the winter months your car 

battery is under far more stress, so it’s 

important to make sure it’s up to the 

job. Is your battery more than five years 

old? If so consider getting it replaced. 

Older, weaker batteries will typically 

have reduced performance and cold 

temperatures can reduce this even 

further, to the point where the battery will 

discharge or go flat very quickly Consider 

purchasing a battery charger, but vitally, 

make sure you keep a set of jump leads 

in your boot. 

CHECK FUEL AND OIL LEVELS 

This one may sounds obvious, but the 

last thing anyone wants is to be stuck at 

the side of the road in the freezing cold 

because they didn’t plan ahead. 

Cars use more fuel in heavy traffic and 

start/stop conditions which can be 

regular occurrences, especially in wintry 

weather. With fuel prices being so high, it 

is easy to put off buying fuel until the next 

journey, but don’t get caught short! 

It’s also a great idea to get the oil 

checked. Too much or too little oil in a 

car can damage a car’s engine. Check 

your handbook if you are unfamiliar with 

how to do this and to ensure you use the 

correct oil. 

PREPARE A WINTER 

BREAKDOWN KIT 

The RAC is recommending all drivers plan 

ahead and pack a car winter kit in case of 

emergencies. This is a few essential items 

to pack in your car boot to make sure 

you’re ready in case of getting stuck in 

cold and wintry weather: 

• Ice scraper and de-icer 

• A torch 

• In-car phone charger 

• Warm clothes and blankets 

• High-visibility clothing 

• First aid kit 

• Jump start cables 

• Empty fuel can 

• Food and drink 

• Shovel 

• Two reflective warning signs 

• A road atlas 

• Sunglasses 

• Locking wheel nut key 

INVEST IN A 

DASH CAM 

Weather causes 

over 800,000 

accidents each 

year in the UK. With 

the best will in the 

world, there isn’t much 

you can do to ensure total safety on the 

roads but you can prepare your car by 

buying a dash cam, so that if the worst 

should happen, you have video evidence. 

Never miss a moment with the Nextbase 

G22GW. The 622GW 4k dash cam uses 

a resolution of 3840 x 2160 @30fps, 

boasting image quality comparable to 

high-end TVs and cameras. It provides 

improved contrast and colour range 

compared to HD footage, meaning 

recording quality is as good as it gets 

with the 622GW. 

In the event of an incident where the 

driver is unresponsive, Nextbase 

Emergency SOS can alert the emergency 

services as to your location and 

approved personal details. This ensures 

emergency services can respond quickly 

without relying on other road users – 

essential support when driving on rural or 

quiet roads. nextbase.co.uk 

For more in-depth winter driving 

advice, visit www.rac.co.uk 


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. 


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Customer Service (ICS) Customer Service Survey 2022. 

Proud to have achieved a ServiceMark with 

Distinction Accreditation from the ICS. 

Call: 01635 555700 

Visit: www.newbury.co.uk 

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

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

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

that we cannot resolve can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service. 8904

North Hampshire Lifestyle Jan - Feb 2023

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