Surrey Homes | SH102 | July 2023 | Love Your Home Supplement inside

LOVE YOUR HOME SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes 

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Contents 

July 2023 

10 

21 

25 

26 

43 

44 

63 

26 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Dream homes on the market 

NOTEBOOK 

Upcoming events for your diary 

THE MUST LIST 

Keep up-to-date with the latest 

must-see and must-have goodies 

INTERIOR WITH 

REAL IDENTITY 

See Justine Hodgson-Barker’s 

personality-led approach to 

interior design in action 

GET THE LOOK 

Emulate Justine’s storytelling style 

AN ARTISTS’ RETREAT 

Creative couple Alexa and 

Robin’s journey to realise a 

creative hub in Battle 

GET THE LOOK 

Be brave with colour for a 

striking room scheme 

70 

67 

68 

70 

78 

81 

82 

STILL LIFE 

Shop a fruity vignette 

of berry nice jewels 

COSTUME DRAMA 

Rebecca Cuffe’s renaissanceinspired 

fashion edit 

FAST FISH DISHES 

Jo Arnell’s easy-peasy 

dinner dishes that are 

satisfyingly speedy to cook 

TEN-MINUTE 

MAKEUNDER 

Josephine Fairley edits down 

her makeup bag for summer 

THE GREAT OUTDOORS 

Sarah Maxwell explores 

the undeniable benefits 

of exercising outside 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau encourages 

us to incorporate more 

berries into our diets 

Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, 

Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com 

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2023 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd. 

83 

84 

88 

93 

98 

44 

FEMALE HEALTH COLLECTIVE 

We find out more about Benenden 

Hospital’s Women’s Health Hub 

READY FOR ROUND TWO? 

Jo Arnell sows late season veg 

FALLING FOR YOU 

Sue Whigham takes a closer look 

at the magical world of irises 

WHAT’S ON? 

Find out... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard tallies up 

her flock and herd 

LOVE YOUR HOME 

SUPPLEMENT 

22 pages of 

everything you need 

to fall in love with 

your home again. 

After page 64 

Love your 

Home 

5

Discover the indoor/outdoor collection by 

Tunbridge Wells . 70 Calverley Road . TN1 2UJ . 01892 548 111 

Oxshott . 1 High Street . KT22 0JN . 01372 841 730

From the 

Editor 

Let me start by saying a huge thank you to everyone 

who made it to this year’s Wealden Times Midsummer 

Fair. The sun beamed down on all three days, and 

our wonderful stallholders produced beautiful displays of 

their wares to entice shoppers who were keen to make a 

real day of it, refuelling from a seriously tempting selection 

of food and drink options. We were so lucky to avoid the 

usual unpredictable British weather, and I hope that lots of 

visitors managed to incorporate a wander round the incredible 

Hole Park gardens which was included in the ticket price. 

Back to the magazine, we have two wonderful 

homes to explore this month, both with very carefully 

considered interiors. See how Justine Hodgson-Barker 

has tackled the renovation of her home in Tunbridge 

Wells, mixing high-end with high-street finds, and 

take a tour of Alexa and Robin’s artists’ retreat where 

considered attention has been paid to colour choices. 

Our July Supplement is all about interiors too, with 

clever ideas to revamp the space you already have 

along with stylish ways to jazz up your garden. 

When it comes to summer dining, no one wants to spend 

hours slaving over a hot hob, so Jo Arnell has put together a 

trio of fish recipes that give a delicious protein 

hit, whilst being super speedy to prepare and 

definitely full of flavour. In health and 

beauty, this issue it’s all about embracing the 

season – getting outside to exercise, adding 

seasonal berries to your diet and editing 

down your makeup bag, with the help of 

Jo Fairley, Sarah Maxwell and Charlotte 

Lau, who share their expert advice. 

Enjoy your Surrey Homes! 

Wealden Times & Surrey Homes Team 

Editor ....................................................................Lucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features Editor ...........................Rebecca Cuffe 

Design Director ..................................................Anthony Boxall 

Sales Managers ...........................................Lisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account Manager .....................................Sarah Norwood 

Sales & Marketing Executive ..................................... Zoe Parrish 

Sub Editor/Features Writer ....................................... Emily Pavey 

Wealden Times Show Director ............................... Flo Simpson 

Events Manager ......................................................Liz Copping 

Events Sales Director ................................................. Jude Brown 

Managing Director ......................................Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive Chairman ..............................................Julie Simpson 

CURTAINS & BLINDS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY 

Opening Hours: 

Tues-Sat 10am to 5pm 

EST. 1997 

BLIND AND CURTAIN 

SHOWROOM 

Envelop your home with comfort and style this season. 

Luxury energy efficient curtains & blinds. Made 

from our inspiring collection of fabrics, including 

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• Bespoke Luxaflex blinds 

including SmartHome integration 

Browse and Buy our gifts online at 

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52 Friars Stile Road, 

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020 8332 6250 • www.curtain-call.co.uk 

info@curtain-call.co.uk 

7 priceless-magazines.com 

CurtainCallWT253.indd 1 16/05/2023 16:05:15

Many clearance models on display in our Alton showroom, visit us today. 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ Tel: 01420 590510 

Open: 9:00am - 5:00pm Monday - Friday | 9:00am - 1:00pm Saturday 

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Find us here! 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

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12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed every month. 

We are available in the following outlets and 

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have any questions about our 

distribution please contact 

Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com 

istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Bramley 

• Bramley Beds 

Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Caterham 

• Shard Solutions 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

• Doves Barn 

Nursery 

Godalming 

• Cook 


• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

• Neptune 

• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm 

Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

• Morrisons 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on 

Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

TRAIN 

STATIONS 

• Dorking 

• East Grinstead 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

astionan carlton nouveau 

venice 

high quality, timeless design, authentic elements 

marina acme 

brunel 


AstonMatthewsWT232.indd 1 06/08/2021 14:05 

alto

House 

Month 

of the 

£4,500,000 

Guildford 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

The dream: A jaw-dropping 

Grade II listed mansion and one 

of Britain’s greatest Arts & Crafts 

masterpieces. Designed by renowned 

architect Charles Voysey and 

built in 1896 for American born 

novelist and playwright, Julian 

Sturgis. This home offers extensive 

accommodation over three floors 

with many notable features. 

Where: Approached from The 

Hog’s Back, a hilly ridge section 

of the North Downs running 

between Farnham in the west 

and Guildford in the east. 

Setting: The rural North Downs with 

panoramic southerly views over the 

Surrey Hills. The property is accessed 

through a gated lodge house and 

then along a sweeping carriage drive. 

Beds: 15 Baths: 7 

Special features: The spectacular 

double height drawing room with 

chandelier and period features 

delivers the wow factor you would 

expect from such a special home. 

Pleasing details: The original Arts 

& Crafts features, including copper 

fireplaces, impressive staircases and 

Voysey’s signature heart-shaped motifs 

can be seen on the letterbox, door 

hinges and even heart shaped keys. 

Outside: The stunning grounds of 

27 acres hold within their bounds a 

swimming pool, tennis court, private 

woodland and a one bedroom cottage, 

available by separate negotiation. 

Time to town: From Guildford 

station, 10 minutes away, to London 

Waterloo in just over half an hour. 

Agent: Knight Frank 

01483 617910 knightfrank.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 

10

Fetcham 

£2,000,000 

The dream: A classical Queen Anne Grade 

II listed double fronted landmark residence, 

built in the late 17th century as the Rectory 

to St. Mary’s Church in Fetcham. This highly 

desirable home features numerous original 

features and extensive accommodation. 

Where: The historic village of Fetcham 

just over a mile from Leatherhead. 

Setting: In its own grounds, off a 

quiet and historic side road. 


Special features: The gorgeous double aspect 

drawing room leading out to the patio is a 

fantastic space to spend time relaxing with 

friends or indulging in a good book. 

Pleasing details: The flamboyant 

Baroque architecture creates a wonderful 

atmosphere, accumulated over 300 years. 

Outside: The mature half acre plot includes 

a substantial sized lawn, boxed hedging, 

mature trees and a hard surface tennis court. 

Time to town: From Leatherhead 

station, a 5 minute drive away, to 

London Waterloo in just 45 minutes. 

Agent: Patrick Gardner 

01372 360078 patrickgardner.com 

Dorking 

£2,500,000 

The dream: A charming Grade II listed 16th 

century farmhouse lying within the Surrey Hills 

AONB and enjoying views up to the hills and 

across to a pretty village green. With a party 

barn, games room, swimming pool and tennis 

court, there’s plenty to keep you occupied. 

Where: The property is in the beautiful village 

of Forest Green, with amenities including 

a village pub, farm shop and butchers. 

Setting: Set back from the road and 

surrounded by lush greenery. 


Special features: The wonderful orangery next 

to the kitchen with vaulted ceiling is the perfect 

place to enjoy food with family and friends. 

Pleasing details: The Listed details 

include a timber frame clad in red 

and blue brick, galleted sandstone 

blocks and a Horsham slab roof. 

Outside: The glorious garden (and paddocks 

with outbuildings) extends to 8.3 acres. 

Time to town: From Ockley station, 3 miles 

away, to London Victoria in 1 hour 8 minutes. 

Agent: House Partnership 

01483 266700 housepartnership.co.uk 

11 priceless-magazines.com

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

Luxury Later-living in West Byfleet 

computer generated image 

A new chapter for 

West Byfleet: Independent 

later-living specialist, 

Pegasus, launches brand 

new development 

computer generated image 

Independent Later-living specialist 

Pegasus, will officially launch its 

latest development, Highfield, in 

the heart of leafy West Byfleet on 

6 th July. Situated on Broad Oaks Estate, 

the £24m scheme covers 5.33 acres and 

will consist of 75 one- and two-bedroom 

contemporary independent apartments. 

Comprised of two red-brick 

buildings connected by a covered colonnade, 

the collection of homes sits alongside listed 

buildings on the estate such as the Mansion 

House and Coach House dating from 1876. 

The Model Dairy has been converted into a 

yoga/wellness studio and library, providing 

a tranquil space for residents to relax and 

socialise, while feeling enriched in history. 

To complement the luxury homes, 

residents also have access to a communal 

lounge and private dining area where 

they can enjoy a glass of wine or a board 

game whilst chatting with neighbours, as 

well as a bookable guest suite for friends 

and family to stay when visiting. Like all 

Pegasus developments, Highfields has a 

dedicated Lifehost who is embedded in the 

community to take care of the day-to-day 

running of the building and grounds, as 

well as on hand to help plan extraordinary 

days out for residents and their guests. 

Like all Pegasus developments, 

Highfields has been designed with wellbeing 

in mind, and all interior layouts have been 

carefully curated by Love Interiors to give 

Highfields its own identity and energy. 

Jo Love, Design Director at Love 

Interiors, commented: “We really wanted 

to tap into wellbeing which underpins 

Pegasus’ Highfields community, and flip 

the perceptions of retirement, designing 

spaces which embody longevity and set 

residents up to grow. Taking inspiration 

from its leafy green landscape, we have 

deliberately used intense colours for the 

interior layouts, pulling out earthy and natural 

palettes and drawing upon the patterns 

and shapes of plants. We are passionate 

about creating interior spaces which are 

harmonious with the building’s architecture 

and environment, making residents feel 

connected with the landscape at all times.” 

Pegasus Highfields is well located 

for exploring the surrounding area: RHS 

Garden Wisley is only 15 minutes by car, 

whilst West Byfleet is home to a range of 

excellent cafes, restaurants, pubs and shops. 

West Byfleet Golf Course and Weybridge 

Lawn Tennis Club are both a stone’s throw 

away, and West Byfleet station is only a nineminute 

walk, with regular train connections 

to London and Heathrow Airport. 

Homes at Pegasus Highfields 

start from £399,000 / Rental from 

£2,754. For more information, 

call on 01932 911 092, email 

highfields@lifestory.group or visit 

lifestory.group/highfields. 

computer generated image

Stmp 

FL 2 0.83 

FL 2 0. 3 

REVISIONS 

PROJECT 

ADDRESS 

TITLE 

DRAWING 

NUMBER 

STATUS 

DRAWN CHECKED DATE SCALE REVISION 

HG 

1 Coves Barn, Winstone Gloucestershire. GL7 7JZ 

[t] 01285 841407 [e] mail@blakearchitects.co.uk 

www.blakearchitects.co.uk 

XX 

31.05.22 

1:500 @ A3 - 

Professional, 

Knowledgeable, 

Native hedge to replace wall removed due to 

visibility splays 

Local varieties of apple tree orchard, on a five 

Purposeful 

meter grid with meadow grass below 

Planning is often the First Step 

and sometimes one 

and Invested in you 

of the most difficult 

and your project 

Residential Curtilage 

New Contours 

Native hedge with stock proof fence 

R 

Field access 

New native trees 

Chartered Town Planners 

Client 

Site 

CRANBROOK 

01580 201888 

N 

THE 

RURAL 

www.therpp.co.uk 

0 5 10 15 20 25m 

PLANNING 

Notes 

1. This drawing remains copyright of Blake Architects Limited and may 

not be reproduced or copied without consent in writing. 

2. For construction PRACTICE 

use figured dimensions only. 

3. Any discrepancies between site and drawings to be reported to the 

architect immediately. 

CIRENCESTER 01285 323200 4. Read | CRANBROOK in conjunction with all relevant 01580 structural and 201888 

mechanical & 

electrical engineers drawings. 

5. Survey undertaken by: 

office@TheRPP.co.uk www.theruralplanningpractice.co.uk 

Drawing Title 

22.03 Seven Springs 

Seven Springs, Cheltenham, GL53 9NG 

Blake Architects Limited 

Proposed Site Plan 

office@therpp.co.uk 

CIRENCESTER 

01285 323200 

Scale 

22.03.02.10 

Drawing No. 

CONCEPT 

Date 

Rev 

RuralPlanningPracticeWT252.indd 1 13/04/2023 16:35 

PLOT OR NOT? 

If you think your land or 

property has development 

potential, then give us 

a call without obligation 

and in confidence. 

We are always on 

the lookout for 

land and property 

with development 

potential. 

Many of our 

clients retain our 

services and, in the 

majority of cases, 

pay our fees saving 

property owners 

LAND AND significant PROPERTY costs. WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 

Commercial buildings for residential 

conversion, former public houses, redundant 

buildings for redevelopment, buildings for 

conversion or replacement, houses for 

improvement, large sites on the edge of town, 

barn conversions, large gardens in residential 

areas and major regeneration projects. 

e majority of 

ificant costs. 

houses, redundant 

acement, houses 

ersions, large 

. 

Contact Stephen Donnelly on 

07739 514350 or 01892 579937 

website: sjd-projects.com 

email: steve@sjd-projects.com 

For more information contact 

Stephen Donnelly on: 

07739 514350 / 01892 579937 

steve@sjd-projects.com 

For regular updates, visit us at 

twitter.com/projects 

sjd-projects.com 


14 

SJDprojectsWT245.indd 1 08/09/2022 12:04

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

THE SILENT PROPERTY INVESTOR 

GETTING MARKET BEATING RETURNS 

London resident, Neil, who moved to the UK from 

Canada over 20 years ago, became a client of 

property agency Smarter Rent two years ago: 

“I’d been thinking about dipping my toe in the 

UK property market for some time but I didn’t 

know enough about it. I make very high-risk, 

seed stage investments in tech companies, so I 

wanted something to balance my portfolio. Like 

all investments, property values fluctuate, but the 

risk is lower compared to stocks or early-stage 

companies, so I thought it was worth a shot.” 

“Smarter Rent know their stuff and they know the 

value of quality. They are not landlords; they are 

entrepreneurs with a business mind and I think that’s 

the main difference and that’s what impressed me.” 

Following an introductory meeting, Smarter 

Rent found Neil’s first investment property, a 

one-bed house in the leafy village of Lightwater, 

Surrey. From purchasing the property to 

refurbishing it, the process was so hands off 

for Neil the first time he saw it was when it was 

fully-furnished and ready for its first guests. 

Since then, with Smarter Rent’s property 

management team taking care of everything, it has 

achieved an excellent 97% occupancy and an 11% 

gross yield. It has been such a success, Neil is now 

buying his second investment property with Smarter 

Rent - which is currently being transformed into 

the perfect eco-rental.. “Smarter Rent understand 

the market dynamics of each area. What they do 

needs a particular kind of focus and attention, which 

I don’t think potential competitors will understand 

even if they try to emulate Smarter Rent. The other 

reason, of course, is that the ROI makes sense.” 

Smarter Rent’s five steps to investment success: 

Smarter Rent’s unique approach puts renters 

first, offering high-quality fully-furnished 

homes on flexible contracts. This in turn 

leads to owners enjoying higher returns. 

1. The Smarter Rent team will discuss your 

goals before sourcing some investment 

options. They look within the Home 

Counties in areas with high rental demand 

that offer the best capital protection. 

2. They manage the conveyancing process 

and guide you on your best finance options. 

3. If they think refurbishment could 

improve your returns, their in-house 

design team will create a proposal 

and manage all of the works. 

4. They will get your home rent-ready with 

furnishings, professional photos, web 

listings and contracts taken care of. 

5. They’ll manage your home for you, 

ensuring your renters are well looked 

after with their 24/7/365 maintenance 

service, and you achieve 40% better 

returns than with a traditional agent. 

Inspired by Neil’s story? For a secure, 

fully-managed property investment, 

call us on 0207 550 9396. Or mail us at 

hello@SmarterRent.co

flags: istock.com/MarBom 


16

B 

E 

S 

T 

S 

T A 

N 

D 

Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

8-10 JUNE 2023 

Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair 

certainly brought 

the sunshine to beautiful 

Hole Park this June, as 

enthusiastic visitors came 

to soak up three days of 

glorious summer atmosphere. 

Everyone was keen to make 

the most of this wonderful 

shopping opportunity, 

enjoying a wealth of handpicked 

stands, delicious 

food and drink, and musical 

interludes from local schools and Cranbrook Town Band. 

All our stallholders worked incredibly hard to construct 

their stands and display their wares, and we were thrilled 

to announce that this year’s Best Stand Award went to 

House of Tula. With a little help from family members, 

founder Priyanshu Nath created the most gorgeous turquoise 

alcove in which to display her beautiful journals. 

We’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who came to 

support the Midsummer Fair and we’re really looking forward 

to seeing you at Wealden Times Midwinter Fair, from 16-18 

November at The Hop Farm. wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 


Don’t miss 

next issue’s 

Taste of the 

South East 

Supplement 

We’ll be tracking down 

the best brewery 

and vineyard tours, 

celebrating a wealth 

of different cuisines, 

going behind the scenes 

with talented chefs 

and pointing you in 

the direction of the 

very best pub grub! 

priceless-magazines.com

18 July - 25 August 

NURTURE YOUR CREATIVITY 

SUMMER RETREATS 

LANDMARKARTSCENTRE.ORG 

Landmark Arts Centre 

Ferry Road, Teddington 

TW11 9NN 

020 8977 7558 

Charity No. 1047080 

A fun mix of short courses for 

different age groups & skills! 

Botanical Art, Printmaking, 

Bookmaking, 

Sun-printing: Cyanotype, 

Plein Air: Sketch & Draw Outside 

Ribbon Embroidered Pinwheels, 

Silk Embroidery Shading 'Cupcake' 

Floral Painting in Mixed Media, 

Unleash Your Creative Voice, 

Life Drawing, Portrait Drawing, 

Exploring Watercolour: 

Turner's Techniques, 

Botanical Arts & Sketchbook 

Modern Calligraphy, 

Mapping Your World with Art, 

Travel Journaling, 

Calming Mandala, 

Stone Carving in 3D & 2D 

Summer Music: 

String Orchestra & Concert Band, 

Music Production - Play it, Mix it 

Wild Sculptures 7-15yrs, 

Play-in-a-Day 11-16yrs, 

'Unsigned Music Makers' 12-18yrs, 

Orchestra Jam 18-35yrs, 

Young Actor Training 18+yrs 

LandmarkArtsCentreWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 15:57:29 

Watch as over 

4,000 rose bushes 

try to upstage 

each other. 

THE 

GREATEST SHOW 

IN EARTH 

LIVE AT WISLEY 


20 

MediaForceWT254-RHSWisley.indd 1 14/06/2023 10:50:50

Notebook 

What to do and see near you 

Swing out Sister 

The AIG Women’s Open heads to Walton Heath in Surrey from 9-13 August 2023 

for the very first time, where the world’s best players will take on the famed Surrey 

course. Current World number one Lydia Ko of New Zealand, World number 

two Nelly Korda and fellow American Lexi Thompson have already qualified for 

the Championship. Global superstar and BRIT Award winner Ellie Goulding 

is set to thrill fans as the headline music act in a concert performance during 

the Open at Walton. For the very first time, live music will feature as part of a 

new, enhanced fan experience that looks to attract new and diverse audiences 

to the championship to enjoy women’s golf at the very highest level. Ellie 

will entertain fans on Saturday 12 August following the close of play. 

Along with the live music performance, fans can look forward to 

the new festival fan village that will feature panel discussions with 

leading names from sport, business and entertainment; fun golf 

activities including VR and e-sports; big screens to watch golf and 

other women’s sports including FIFA Women’s World Cup; plus 

tempting food and drink from a range of street food traders. 

Adult tickets are available from £20, with Saturday tickets 

(including a full day of golf action and entry to the Ellie 

Goulding concert) priced at £55. A number of offers are 

also available, including a £10 discount when booking a 

weekend bundle and a saving of £40 when booking the 

new five-day ticket offering. Mastercard holders are 

also eligible to receive £5 off their transaction when 

booking with a valid Mastercard on checkout. 

Tickets are now on sale via AIGWomensOpen.com 

21 

Plough On 

Biddenden Tractorfest is being held 

in the fields of Holden Farm, over 

the weekend of 19th & 20th August. 

A fun day out for all the family, run 

entirely by volunteers and with the 

support of registered charity, the 

Kent County Agricultural Society. 

While tractors remain the central 

attraction, there are plenty of stalls, 

vehicles, demonstrations, children’s 

entertainment, animals and arena 

displays to entertain both young 

and old. Pair this with enticing 

food and drink, live music and so 

much more, – a fun, family day 

out in the Kent countryside. 

Tickets on sale now at 

discounted advance rate 

tractorfest.co.uk 

Go Potty 

On Friday 28th 

to Sunday 30th July the 

Sussex Guild shows for the 55th 

consecutive year at Michelham Priory – 

a Grade I listed Tudor house, surrounded 

by England’s largest water filled medieval 

moat. Combine a visit to the past with talking 

to talented contemporary craft makers. Buy 

from them directly or commission bespoke items. 

You’ll find a wide range of contemporary 

crafts: ceramics, textiles, jewellery, leatherwork, 

textiles, pewter, wood, glass, metalwork 

and furniture. Some designers will be 

demonstrating their creative skills and several 

potters will show different techniques. 

With extensive grounds and gardens to explore, 

catering and picnic facilities, children’s play 

areas plus free parking, this is an ideal day out. 

Full admission details thesussexguild.co.uk

Notebook 

Festival Fun 

Be sure to book Thursday 27th 

to Sunday 20th July in your 

diary for Chickenstock Music 

Festival in Stockbury. It’s a 

super-friendly accessible event 

held over four days packed with 

summer fun. Not only are there 

two stages showcasing amazing 

bands, but there’s a children’s 

entertainment area, camping and 

glamping, excellent bar and 

dogs are welcome too. Bonio 

bonus. Under 16s go for free. 

Tickets available online at 

chickenstockfestival.co.uk 

Perfect Pitch 

We love the sound of the Broadstairs Folk 

Week (11th – 18th August). Music and 

camping by the seaside, what could be better? 

There will be over 450 events around the 

beautiful town, many free. Concerts, dances, 

ceilidhs, pub gigs and workshops plus a 

family-friendly festival campsite nearby. 

Headline acts include Seth Lakeman, 

Lady Maisery and Home Service. 

Find out more on the website 

broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk 

Don’t miss Reading 

Street Village Open 

Gardens (near Broadstairs) 

on 1st July 10am-4pm 

Beautiful gardens, refreshments 

and lunches. Raising funds 

for St Andrews Church. 

£5 per person, accompanied 

children free. 

CT10 3AZ 

istockphoto.com/ mangpor_2004 / AlexRaths / michelangeloop / Chris Ryan / vicuschka 

Women’s Wellness Day 

If you’re looking for a natural way to manage your menopause or peri-menopause, this day 

retreat may be for you. Join Alison Bartolo and Jo Adams for a full-day women’s wellness 

retreat at Lake House, Ashford on 22nd July. You’ll learn about natural solutions and 

essential oils which can support and balance your hormones. The day will also include 

gentle exercise, healthy and delicious food, relaxation, Q&As and much more, you’ll even 

make a nourishing skincare product to take home. For tickets and more information, see 

eventbrite.co.uk/e/manage-your-menopause-day-retreat-tickets-627649415297 

LOOKING FORWARD: 

We can’t wait for the utterly hilarious Mischief Theatre to 

wreak their theatrical havoc at Richmond Theatre (Sat 23rd 

September to Sun 1st October) with their West End smash 

hit, Peter Pan Goes Wrong. If you’ve seen their BBC TV 

series, The Goes Wrong Show, or the multi-award-winning 

The Play That Goes Wrong you know you’ll be in for a sidesplitting 

treat. Total silliness combined with precision timing, 

it doesn’t get better than this. Book now for a theatre trip the 

whole family will enjoy. Tickets and more information from: 

atgtickets.com/venues/richmond-theatre 


22

Tue 4 – Sun 9 July 2023 

Members’ Days 4 & 5 July 

Enjoy a spectacular day of 

garden inspiration, plant 

shopping and expert advice 

Your visit supports our work as a charity 

BOOK NOW AT 

rhs.org.uk/shows 

MediaForceWT254-HamptonCourtShow.indd 1 20/06/2023 14:44:57 

LUXURY FITNESS, DANCE AND TENNIS RETREATS 

DISCOVER CHÂTEAU LOU CASTEOU 

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

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

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

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

Delicious, nutritious gourmet meals served with elegant 3 course dinners. Enjoy a quality open bar, excellent provencal wines, evening parties and entertainment. 

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


24 

MMBaxterWT248.indd 1 02/12/2022 16:55

The perfect summer hols family 

activity – Bewl Water is opening 

its Aqua Park for sessions every day 

this month. Pedalo season also starts on 

the 22nd and, of course, camping will 

continue. Plus you can now get water 

sports day passes from £20 per adult or 

£10 per child. aquapark.bewlwater.co.uk 

Pride isn’t just for June! We still want to see 

rainbows all year round and this picnic blanket 

from Heating & Plumbing London is a perfect 

seasonal way to keep some colour in your life. 

At £135 it’s made in Britain with pure wool, 

waterproof backing and a leather strap to easily 

carry about on summer adventures. 

heating-and-plumbing.com 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

The sun is here! So 

naturally we now need a 

little shade. For the 

perfect spot to relax in your garden, 

this gorgeous parasol is from the 

East London Parasol Company. It’s 

£1,200 and the warm terracotta 

tone will blend beautifully into your 

outdoor space for a Mediterranean 

vibe that’ll have your English 

garden feeling like a holiday 

destination. eastlondonparasols.com 

Picture sitting down to that table 

for a classic afternoon tea on a 

summer’s day! You’ll find just 

such an offering at Port Lympne’s 

elegant 20s mansion. For £45pp 

you get all this plus access to the 

house and 14 acres of landscaped 

gardens, and you can add a glass 

of Prosecco or sparkling wine from 

local boutique winery, Gusbourne, 

from just £7 extra. Reserving ahead 

is essential and National Afternoon 

Tea Week is just around the corner, 

so we recommend you get booking 

sharpish! aspinallfoundation.org 

For the finishing touch to any summer 

look, add a flash of Chanel to your 

fingertips. The 2023 LE VERNIS 

range includes 17 expressive new 

shades, each more chic and alluring 

than the last. Simply start with LA 

BASE, and follow with two coats of 

LE VERNIS for flawless even coverage 

and a vibrant glossy finish. The below 

shade is Fabuliste, and they are £29 

each, the only question is: which 

shade will you choose? chanel.com 

It’s plastic free July so we’re 

looking for ways to do our bit 

and if they also happen to be 

fun and stylish – all the better! 

This ‘I Am A Plastic Bag Wink 

Tote’ from Anya Hindmarch 

is £725 and crafted from an 

innovative cotton canvas-feel 

fabric made entirely from 

recycled plastic bottles. A perfect 

way to support recycling and 

a big enough tote to hold 

shopping instead of a plastic 

bag. anyahindmarch.com 

Looking for an edible 

showstopper for your next 

wedding or event? Piece of cake! 

Suzy Bell’s homemade cakes are 

each a one-off edible masterpiece with an 

arrangement of everlasting (yet tasty) and 

amazingly realistic flowers. suzybellcakes.com 

Did you know it’s both 

world ice cream day 

and world chocolate day 

this month? So, how to celebrate? 

Chocolate ice cream of course! 

Namely Simply Ice Cream’s divine 

chocolate – made in Kent, severely 

delicious and available at Waitrose, 

Co-op and farmshops throughout 

the South East for £5.99 a tub. 

Go get it! simplyicecream.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com

Interior with 

real identity 

Words: Damien Pestell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Styling: Holly Levett 

Justine Hodgson-Barker’s 

personality-led approach to 

interior design has ensured 

the success of her interiors 

business. Here she shows 

us inside her own home 

which epitomises her love 

of combining different eras 

and styles to great effect 


26


Previous pages & above: A cosy seating area is painted a salmon-y terracotta colour with seating provided by a vintage 

60s sofa and two 1930s era Italian armchairs. Between them is an original Tam-Tam stool by Henry Massonnet, bought 

for £5 from a junk shop. A desk and sideboard fill the space between the more formal and family seating areas 

On the day I visited Justine Hodgson-Barker at 

her family home in Tunbridge Wells, the sun was 

shining brightly onto the pretty front garden, 

alive with blossoming fruit trees and a hum of activity. 

Despite being quite early, a welcoming voice called out, 

“Would you like to come this way?” and Justine appeared 

to the side of the house. Entering the kitchen I felt an 

enthusiastic presence at my feet and looked down to find 

Splodge the King Charles Spaniel. “We have a running 

joke in the family that he always gives the best of welcomes 

when we come home, in comparison to our children!” 

As Justine showed me around she told me that the house 

wasn’t the kind of period property they intended to buy. 

They were initially looking for a 1960s style project, that 


28

could be totally transformed into the coolest mid-century 

pad! However this 1930s house, with its outbuidings and 

potential to re-structure, meant that they could move the 

family in and carry out the work in stages, which was much 

more practical. It is actually just the kind of home her mum 

would have chosen, though sadly she passed away before 

seeing it. “She would have loved it,” Justine explains. “I think 

I inherited my Mum’s eye for transforming spaces. Mum 

loved decorating, she also loved re-structuring to create zoned 

living, by knocking through rooms and out onto the garden, 

which flooded the house with light. She even took down 

bannisters and had my Dad fit louvred doors in between 

the living room and hall, extending the illusion of space 

and continuing through the same flooring too. This was in 

the early 80s before any of this was fashionable and always 

on a shoe-string of a budget! She was ahead of her time.” 

Justine went on to create a living from interior design 

by developing her skills to offer a comprehensive service 

from concept to completion. Working her corporate 

background she learned the skill of Project Management 

and, most importantly, completing projects on time and to 

budget. “That’s how I’ve survived in a competitive creative 

industry. Designing is only half the job, the rest is all project 

plans, co-ordinating third parties and budgeting.” 

 


Left: In one corner of the living area Justine 

has created a cocktail bar, with a vintage 

bamboo breakfast bar taking centre-stage 

Below left: The walls either side of the 

chimney have been stripped back to brick, 

and the chimney breast decorated with 

Moroccan zellige tiles in a pearlescent 

finish. The vintage wood burner is from 

Sideshow Interiors in Hastings and the 

floral rug from Pantiles Oriental Carpets 

Whilst living in South London she 

renovated her own properties and 

got valuable experience working with 

contractors, “I learnt the difficult end 

of the job first. The hard part is always 

finding contractors to do justice to 

your designs,” she told me. It was only 

when she had these foundations that 

she went back to school to train in 

Space Planning and interior design, 

explaining, “A lot of people enjoy the 

design element, but aren’t keen on 

the technical side and managing the 

highs and lows of implementation 

– but I loved that side especially.” 

She went on to establish her own 

practice in London working on some 

large architect projects, describing 

this as “a great training ground”. 

Justine now runs Barker Design, 

a successful interior design practice 

of four based in Tunbridge wells. 

They offer personality-led design, 

meaning that every single project 

is unique to the client. She bought 

her 1930s home on the outskirts of 

Tunbridge Wells three years ago, and 

has been simultaneously renovating 

the property while living there. 

When approaching a project, Justine 

explains how she always starts with the 

structure of the house – and her home 

was no different. The previous owner 

had already doubled the footprint of 

the house, so Justine’s focus was on 

making the space work for her and her 

family. Most of the changes took 


30

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32 

ThomasMansfieldWT251-(Private Law)-SURREY.indd 1 16/03/2023 GardenproudWT253.indd 14:58 

1 23/05/2023 09:58:10

Above: The kitchen 

area has custom-made 

units and a central 

island which were 

made by local joinery 

company, Boffe Design. 

A Soviet-era chrome 

strip light, originally 

from a vodka factory 

in eastern Europe, 

hangs above the island 

Left: To the left of the 

bar, doors lead out into 

the garden. Justine has 

chosen mid-century 

furniture upholstered 

in neutrals and caramel 

leather in this more 

relaxed seating area 

place on the ground floor, with the 

kitchen area opened up by knocking 

through two rooms to create one large 

open plan space. This now incorporates 

the kitchen, dining area and a sitting 

area at the rear, with bi-fold doors 

bought in from Denmark leading out 

into the garden. “The way we move 

around the space now really suits our 

family,” she explains. Much like the way 

her Mother approached architectural 

interior design back in the eighties. 

The kitchen area has custom-made 

units and a central island which were 

designed by Justine and made by local 

joinery company, Boffe Design. “I 

plan to stay here, so they’re designed 

to be forgiving on the knees in later 


“I love to mix eras and styles,” says Justine, “It’s a common thread in my work.” 

Above: The large dining table is made from a combination of antique iron legs from France and a top from a timber yard. The 

lighting above is a 1960s Danish design and the large reclaimed shop dresser behind is originally from a haberdashery 

years, with as much pull-out storage 

as possible!” There is an eclectic mix 

of contemporary and vintage styles 

with a very cool Soviet-era chrome 

strip light above the island, originally 

from a vodka factory in eastern 

Europe, next to sleek marble worktops 

and state-of-the-art appliances. “I 

love to mix eras and styles, it’s a 

common thread in my work.” 

Moving into the dining area the large 

table is big enough to comfortably seat 

the entire family plus guests, Justine 

explains how the iron legs are antique 

from France and the top is a lovely 

piece of chestnut wood her joiner 

found at the timber yard. The lighting 

above is a 1960s Danish design and a 

great feature, while behind the dining 

table a large reclaimed shop dresser 

is originally from a haberdashery. On 

the opposite wall a Connor Brothers 

artwork is a piece that Justine invested 

in, “It was a splurge, but totally worth 

it,” she smiles. Spotting new talent 

is something Justine likes to do both 

for herself and her clients, “I keep 

my ear to the ground a lot and buy 

when they’re on their way up.” 

A cosy seating area is painted a 

salmon-y terracotta colour which 

distinguishes it from the whitewashed 

kitchen/diner and comprises a 

vintage 60s sofa next to two gorgeous 

1930s era Italian armchairs. Between 

them is an original Tam-Tam stool 

by Henry Massonnet, bought for £5 

from a junk shop, “I mix high end 

and budget a lot. One elevates the 

other,” Justine explains. A lamp in the 

corner provides the lighting, which you 

may think is a splurge, but is actually 

another high street buy, this time 

from French Connection – “everyone 

thinks it’s really expensive!” 

 


34

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Above: Next to the seating area, the shelving unit is neatly stacked with magazines and books Above right, top and bottom: Justine’s pets make 

themselves comfortable 

The doorway into the living room 

next door was enlarged to incorporate 

a pair of late 18th century bi-fold 

timber doors which Justine discovered 

at a reclamation yard and fell in love 

with. “I wanted to include them, 

so we re-structured around them,” 

says Justine. “The way I work with 

clients is the same, I take the time 

to track down those unique pieces 

and then find a way to incorporate 

them.” Finding these unusual items 

is all part of seamlessly blending the 

clients` life story into their home. 

In the living area the first thing you 

are greeted with is the sight of the 

decidedly tropical cocktail bar, created 

from a vintage bamboo breakfast bar. 

Above it, blue-green neon letters light 

up the words, ‘For you a thousand 

times over’ from the book The Kite 

Runner. Behind the bar the wall has 

been exposed to brick either side of 

the chimney breast, which is tiled 

with Moroccan Zellige with a calming 

pearlescent finish and burr wood 

mirrors from Sideshow Interiors in 


36

Hastings. In the centre of the room 

there is a bit of a hygge vibe going on 

with sofas in front of the wood burner, 

throws and a floral vintage rug from 

Pantiles Oriental Carpets in Tunbridge 

Wells. Next to the seating area, the 

shelving unit is a great talking point 

with magazines and books galore. 

The rear of the room is still a work 

in progress but will probably end up 

being a bit of a yoga den. Currently 

propped up against the wall we spy a 

very cool oil painting from the artist 

who designed the Pink Floyd album 

covers, which Justine plans to use in 

the stairway, “It’s another key piece 

which I will build a scheme around.” 

Moving out of the house and across 

the back garden we enter the studio 

which is Justine’s office and creative 

HQ. The room is completely white in 

order to provide a neutral backdrop 

for client discussions, and on the wall 

are some visuals for an upcoming 

meeting – a Sevenoaks villa project 

that Justine is just about to start the 

second phase on. The whole point of 

these meetings is to collaborate with 

the client, provide options on where to 

dial-up or down the design and offer 

choices at different price-points, so that 

they are always in complete control of 

where they splurge and save. As Justine 

explains: “I treat the clients` budget 

and project as if it were my own. I will 

spend hours with them making their 

home feel really special. I know I’ve 

achieved real success with a project 

when a friend or family member says 


Above: Justine has divided the open plan living space with moveable bamboo screens. To the right of the fireplace posters by French 

artist Philippe Sommer are mounted above a simple curved wood table, next to a rocking chair and Eames lounge chair 

to one of my clients, ‘this is so you!’” 

Justine’s friendly, people-centric 

approach shone through during 

our interview. She has a knack for 

creating unique spaces and the 

ability to make a lot out of a little 

in the most original way, and I 

could see how much what she does 

means to her. Her work is incredibly 

involved, from the depth she goes 

into with clients to the breadth of 

the services that she offers. The 

amazing thing is that she seems to 

do it all quite effortlessly. Her home 

is down to earth, full of surprises 

and has many curiously curated 

items. It’s a fantastic example of the 

power of personality-led design. 


38

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SwiftOakWT252.indd 1 11/04/2023 12:59

Sale 

RUG STORE specialise in a wide selection of new, old and 

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17 th June - 15 th July 2023 

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TEL: 020 8876 0070 WWW.RUGSTOREONLINE.CO.UK 

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Your Dream, Our Vision 

Photo Credit: Louisa Grace Interiors 

Specialists in the supply & installation of contemporary bespoke aluminium glazing systems. Our showroom & offices are based in 

a historical boatyard overlooking the River Thames in Hampton. Specified by Architects, recommended by Contractors, referred by Clients. 

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5-9 Thames Street 

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TW12 2EW 

Telephone: 020 8979 6367 

info@urbanandgrey.co.uk 

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40 

Urban&GreyWT243.indd 1 22/07/2022 14:07

Left & above: In the kitchen, Justine has stayed true to her 

design principles, combining sleek marble worktops and the latest 

appliances with plenty of vintage finds Below: Justine’s studio 

office is conveniently located just a short trip across the garden 

Address Book: 

Find out more about Justine’s interior 

design services at barker-design.com 

Boffe Design boffe.co.uk Instagram @boffedesign 

Pantiles Oriental Carpets Instagram @pantilesorientalcarpets 

Sideshow Interiors Instagram @sideshowinteriors 


Primary logo 

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Made to measure curtains, 

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Visit our shop for ideas, lamps, cushions, 

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Tuesday – Friday 10-4 or by appointment 

01580 712209 

www.clarelangdoninteriors.co.uk 


clare langdon 

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42 

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An Artists’ Retreat 

Words: Antonia Deeson Photographs: David Merewether

Creative couple Alexa and Robin Easterby have escaped 

the city to turn their lockdown relocation into a 

thriving artists’ community that continues to flourish

The serious desire to change their 

lives and focus on new creative 

endeavours was one of the main 

driving forces that led Londoners Alexa 

and Robin Easterby to move to Battle 

during lockdown. As soon as artist 

Robin, who had been working for many 

years in the advertising industry and 

executive creative producer Alexa, who 

was at the time working for a major 

global retail brand, saw the artist’s 

studio, located next to the three storey 

Victorian villa, they were hooked. “We 

came down between the two lockdowns 

and saw about seven houses one 

Saturday,” says Robin. “We didn’t know 

Battle, but as soon as we saw the size of 

the studio, with its huge skylights and 

the house with the potential to create 

a self-contained holiday apartment, 

and its proximity to the woods, we 

knew it would be the answer to the life 

change we were both searching for.” 

Rather than head to St Leonards or 


46

Previous pages & this page: In the kitchen, deep dark blue walls and cabinets 

are joined by crisp white woodwork and collectable mid-century furniture 

Hastings, where the couple already 

had many connections, Alexa and 

Robin decided that the small town 

of Battle would offer a more instant 

community for them both. Having 

sold their London flat in just two 

weeks, they took the plunge and 

moved themselves and their lurcher 

Willow to East Sussex. “We had a twobedroom 

flat in northwest London 

and suddenly we were in a three-storey 

house with a garden in the middle of 

the countryside. It was quite a change 

of gear,” laughs Alexa. “We then went 

straight into the second lockdown, as 

soon as we bought the house, so Robin 

and I had a lot of time to get used 

to the house and the area before we 

could start any work on it, including 

welcoming a new lurcher puppy, Baxter. 

During that time, we really fell in 

love with Battle and our new life.” 

Having the time and space to get to 

know their new home as well as the 

surrounding areas has proved both 

personally and professionally incredibly 

fruitful. Over the past three years, 

the couple have not only developed 

the studio into a thriving artist-led 

community space called Senlac Studio, 

but they have also redecorated the 

entire house, converting the lower 

ground level into a cosy light-filled 

self-contained one bedroom apartment, 

which is available for short let. “Our 

old friend, the TV presenter and 

architect George Clarke, came down 

to stay and he gave us a huge amount 

of advice on how to make the most 

of the space along with another dear 

friend, theatre producer Rupert Lord, 

who gave almost the same advice,” 

says Alexa. “We opened up an old 

wood store and attached it to the 

main house – creating a large walk-in 

shower room – and converted an old 

office into a sitting room. We put in 

a new kitchen and Crittall-style glass 

doors that lead onto a private outdoor 

seating area, so the space is completely 

transformed and self-contained.” 

The lower ground floor apartment, 

painted in a palette of earthy green 

tones, is now a wonderful bolt-hole for 

visiting artists coming to join one of the 

many courses that run in Senlac Studio. 

It’s also perfectly placed for walkers 

drawn to Battle Abbey, the nearby 

1066 footpath and the ancient Battle 

Woods, which are the source of 


inspiration for much of Robin’s artwork 

as well as his upcycled furniture and 

soft furnishing collections under the 

label Kompost Creative. “Our builder 

Stuart from WABS Ltd, was amazing 

and helped us realise all the major 

work in the house, including sourcing 

the new doors, knocking down walls, 

creating the apartment shower room, 

and renovating fixtures and fittings to 

avoid us having to replace everything. 

It’s important for us to re-use as much 

as possible, which Stuart completely 

agreed with. For the apartment I used a 

mixture of second hand finds and high 

street pieces from the likes of H&M 

Home, Graham & Greene, and Urban 

Outfitters,” says Alexa. The couple have 

also hung personal art pieces around 

the apartment, some from when Alexa 

was at art school along with a large 

canvas by Alexa’s sister, the film and 

music video producer Thalia Murray, 

who is also an artist and an East Sussex 

resident. Robin has his work in the 

bedroom, which has been lovingly 

styled to offer maximum comfort 

and calm. It’s a complete family art 

exhibition. The hallway walls feature 

artwork bought directly from local 

artists Kate Delaney, the onelineguy, 

Kid Acne via Stelladore Gallery in St 

Leonards, plus old friend Deb Tong. 

Back in the main body of the house, 

across the ground and upper floors, 

Robin and Alexa’s creativity has been 

given a fabulous light-filled canvas 

against which to create their dream 

home. The large double-aspect kitchen 

which overlooks the decked garden to 

the rear of the house is drenched in 

sunlight. “This room had wallpaper 

covered in huge bright red poppies and 

painted bright red kitchen cabinets,” 

says Robin, slightly blanching at the 

memory. “It took me about four coats 

of Royal Blue by Little Greene to get 

rid of them, every time I thought I had 


48

The light and ceiling height offered in each room 

has also enabled Robin, who has picked most of 

the colours in the house, to let his vision become a 

reality. The colours are bold: greens, blues, pinks and 

browns, and yet each room works in unity with the 

others. Often Robin has used not one but two or three 

colours, each working in harmony creating foreground 

and background shade on walls or woodwork, 

offering dynamism and interest to the room. 

This spread: The sitting room is painted in Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer. A darker 

khaki green has been used behind shelving and on walls to act as an optical trick 

ground level, a set of new Crittall-style 

double doors opens onto the large, 

decked area outside ensuring the room 

is always filled with light all day long. 

“It’s the perfect space for parties as 

well, as the doors open straight onto 

the deck so people can move around 

easily from the inside to outside.” 

A minimal hallway painted white 

with Victorian style grey, black and 

white encaustic floor tiles from Topps 

Tiles, leads onto the sitting room, 

another space that is filled with light 

thanks to the fabulous original floorto-ceiling 

wood sash windows that 

overlook a leafy front garden. “We 

were so lucky that all the original 

windows and fireplaces had been kept 

by the developer when they divided 

the house into two, many years ago. 

We now get the benefit of all the key 

features of a large Victorian villa and 

it’s one of the other main reasons we 

fell in love with the house,” says Alexa. 

The light and ceiling height offered 

in each room has also enabled Robin, 

who has picked most of the colours in 

the house, to let his vision become a 

reality. The colours are bold: greens, 

blues, pinks and browns, and yet each 

room works in unity with the others. 

Often Robin has used not one but 

two or three colours, each working 

in harmony creating foreground 

finished, I came back and could still 

see the shadow of the poppies staring at 

me!” At last, Robin achieved the desired 

pigment cover and now the room is 

an essay in clean modernism. Deep 

dark blue walls and new handmade 

and re-sprayed existing cabinets are 

joined by crisp white woodwork, 

peppered with collectable midcentury 

modern furniture, acquired from their 

friend ceramics artist Kate Monckton, 

recycled marble-effect kitchen tops, 

industrial lighting from Dyke & Dean 

in Hastings, pop art on the walls, as 

well as shelves of brightly coloured 

decorative objects. As with the lower 



50

This page: Two Edward Bulmer paints were combined to create the pink for Alexa’s master bedroom design. The convex mirror 

was bought from Harborough Nurseries Left: Lurcher Willow waits patiently for Alexa at the bottom of the stairs 

and background shade on walls 

or woodwork, offering dynamism 

and interest to the room. In the 

sitting room, Alexa and Robin used 

Invisible Green by Edward Bulmer 

in conjunction with a darker khaki 

green which sits behind shelving and 

on walls that acts as an optical trick 

giving more depth to the room. Pieces 

of mid-century modern furniture that 

the couple had in their London flat, 

are complemented by upholstery in 

different shades of green and pops 

of rusty orange. A large, soft, treacle 

coloured velvet sofa by Loaf works 

perfectly by two velvet ottomans by 

Made, offering a pleasing palette of 

calming shades and textures which 

is mirrored in wall lights by Pooky, 

some vintage bamboo tables from 

Vinterior and an upholstered chair 

in Rapture & Wright Moorish Maze 

Burnt Orange, which Robin had 

originally found in the local recycling 

centre, that completes the room. 

Look a little closer as you make 

your way up the house’s elegant 

 



52

This page: Robin designed the second master bedroom. A series of built in wardrobes 

feature panels painted by Robin and a Graham & Greene gilt lampshade has been 

similarly hand-painted and distressed in a palette of earthy tones. An imposing black 

and white portrait of Johnny Cash, shot by Andy Earl, hangs above the fireplace 

winding staircase, carpeted in a hard wearing (and dog proof) sisal flooring by 

Tapi Carpets, and your eye will be drawn to the mini exhibition of convex mirrors 

(from Harborough Nurseries in Guestling) and contemporary music and fashion 

photography – by the likes of Greg Williams, Gavin Evans, Geoff MacCormack, Amelia 

Troubridge & James Gooding – collected by Alexa over the years from when she was a 

photographers’ agent and producer in London, as well as from local galleries such as 

 


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54 

GabriellaJamesChairmakersWT254.indd 1 11/05/2023 16:52:42

This page: At the top of the house, Alexa and Robin used 

slim, rectangular tiles mounted vertically to give height to the 

family bathroom with its sloping ceiling. An original fireplace 

has been given a new lease of life in deep olive green 

Lucy Bell Gallery in St Leonards. “I am a massive Bowie 

fan,” says Alexa, “and so I am always on the lookout for 

great photographs of him and other artists I love like 

Kate Bush and Prince – it’s my musical life on a wall. 

I needed to display it all somewhere and the stairwell 

seemed like a great place where people walking up would 

be at a great height to enjoy some of these pieces.” 

Upstairs there are two bedrooms. One of them, 

designed by Robin, is more traditionally masculine, 

painted in dark chocolate brown and a paler brown, with 

pops of metallics. A series of built in wardrobes feature 

panels painted by Robin and a Graham & Greene gilt 

lampshade has been similarly hand-painted and distressed 

in a palette of earthy tones. An imposing black and 

white portrait of the singer Johnny Cash shot by Andy 

Earl – above another original fireplace – once again 

brings the couple’s love of pop culture into the room. 

The second master bedroom was designed by Alexa and 

is based around a dusty pink embroidered throw from India 

that she found on Etsy. “This is my dream bedroom,” says 

Alexa. “I’ve always wanted a pink room and we used two 

different Edward Bulmer shades. As soon as I found the 

Indian bed throw with the pink and green thread work, 

I knew it would be the basis for the colours in the 


This page: The self-contained lower ground floor apartment 

is a wonderful bolt-hole. Eco-conscious Alexa styled the 

space using a mixture of second hand finds and high street 

pieces from the likes of H&M Home, Graham & Greene, 

and Urban Outfitters, alongside personal art pieces 

bedroom. They are so calming and remind me of a sitting 

room in my parent’s old London house many moons 

ago.” Large sash windows flood light into the space, 

which is both elegant and cosy. Another large convex 

mirror from Harborough Nurseries sits above the bed, 

which is from John Lewis. On the floor are Graham and 

Greene rugs, an antique chair from Soap and Salvation 

in Rye, marble side tables & lights from Soho Home, a 

contemporary rattan bench from H&M Home, a mother 

of pearl dressing table by Graham and Greene and a 

vintage lamp from Kula – all offer texture. Some light 

touches of orientalism can also be seen in the hanging 

Kimono, the velvet blinds using a Mind The Gap oriental 

fabric and the artwork triptych panel sourced in Hastings 

old town. A former ensuite shower room has also been 

transformed. “For an ex-Londoner who has always been 

bonkers about fashion to have a walk-in dressing room, 

well, it’s quite something,” Alexa smiles with delight. 

The last room of the house to have been renovated 

was the family bathroom. “For some reason the house 

is on a bit of a slope, so we used slim rectangular 

earthenware tiles vertically to give height to the room,” 

says Alexa. “I’m super pleased how they have worked 

especially with the tongue-and-groove woodwork and 

built in dresser, fireplace, and the bath surround 


56

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This spread: The apartment is perfectly placed for visiting artists coming to join one of the many courses that are now running in 

Senlac Studio. It’s also in an ideal location for walkers drawn to Battle Abbey, the nearby 1066 footpath and the ancient Battle Woods 

that our painter Dicky painted a 

deep sage green. The new wood 

shelf is sourced from Powdermill 

Wood sawmill.” An encaustic style 

Formica floor (again dog proof!) has 

been topped off with another witty 

nod to contemporary culture – an 

Acid House smiley face bathmat. 

Alexa and Robin’s move to Battle 

came at the perfect time in their life. 

As part of their quest to re-address 

their work/life balance, the house and 

studio have become a new chapter 

for them both. Senlac Studio is now 

established as a local arts hub 


58

“We opened up an old wood store and attached it to the main house 

– creating a large walk-in shower room – and converted an old 

office into a sitting room. We put in a new kitchen and Crittallstyle 

glass doors that lead onto a private outdoor seating area, so 

the space is completely transformed and self-contained.” 


This spread: Over the past three years, the couple have developed Robin’s studio into a 

thriving artist-led community space called Senlac Studio. A new series of affordable mini 

paintings by Robin (far right) 

for the creative community of the 

town, where people can rent a space 

or run courses. Robin has already 

organised two craft fairs in Battle 

and in July he is also organising 

Battle’s first Arts Fair. “We knew 

we needed a change and lockdown 

gave us the final push to do it and 

leave London. As soon as we saw the 

house and the studio, we could see 

the potential. We will always be so 

grateful to it for allowing us to re-set 

things and achieve our dreams,” says 

Robin, as he disappears back to his 

studio – paintbrush in hand – to 

begin work on a new series of oils. 

Address Book: 

Battle Arts Fair will be happening at 

Tills Courtyard, off Battle High Street, 

from 10am-4pm on Saturday 15 July 

To book a stay at Artists Hideway, 

see sykescottages.co.uk/1133526 

For information on courses 

and venue hire at Senlac 

Studio visit senlacstudio.com 

Follow @Kompost_Creative 


60

on Instagram for furniture 

and soft furnishings 

Follow @rw_easterby on 

Instagram for artwork 

Dyke & Dean dykeanddean.com 

Harborough Nurseries 

harboroughnurseries.com 

Powdermill Wood Sawmill 

powdermillwood.co.uk 

Soap & Salvation soapandsalvation.com 

Soho Home sohohome.com 


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64 

McGeachyGardenDesignWT251.indd 1 08/03/2023 10:18

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2 

HarrierGatesWT247.indd 1 31/10/2022 11:39

10 

17 

20 

22 

5 

Contents 

5 DON’T MOVE, IMPROVE 

We explore a few ways to make 

the home you’re in more lovable 

7 INSIDE OUT 

Give your garden room a purpose 

10 SOMETHING OLD, 

SOMETHING NEW 

Amy Eld shows us how to 

makeover your interiors with 

vintage and antique items 

13 WE’RE GONNA NEED 

A BIGGER SCREEN 

Explore a local home that added 

one of the most fun features out 

there – a cinema room 

14 SMALL SPACE, 

BIG DREAMS 

A Surrey architect shares a small 

space that’s had a big makeover 

17 6 WAYS TO MAKE YOUR 

HOME MORE SELLABLE 

Our list of value-boosting home 

improvements 

20 BEST TO INVEST 

Shop furniture that’s worth 

spending out on 

22 GARDEN PARTY READY 

Get set to host in your 

outdoor space this summer 

10 

SHOWROOM & OUTLET 

UNIT 3 DEACON TRADING 

ESTATE, 211 VALE ROAD, 

TONBRIDGE TN9 1SU 

01892 700730 

www.galeriehome.co.uk 

22 

GalerieLtdWT254.indd 1 09/06/2023 15:53:46 

7 

20 

Creating An Illusion To Sell Your Property 

17 

07918 081792 | 01892 352050 | stylemyhome.com 


StyleMyHomeLtdWT254.indd 1 15/06/2023 09:39:36

A curated selection of 

antique & vintage pieces 

• Championing 

sustainability 

• As seen in Sheerluxe, 

Homes & Antiques, 

The Times 

• Surrey Showroom 

ANTIQUES THAT ROCK! - ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE HOMEWARES 

@rocktheheirloom 

07811 281851 

rocktheheirloom.co.uk 

studio elle 

RockTheHeirloomWT254.indd 1 16/06/2023 16:12:56 

ARCHITECTURE+INTERIORS 

creating your elegant, attentive and bespoke Surrey home 

CONCEPT DESIGN - INTERIOR DESIGN - PLANNING APPLICATIONS - BUILDING REGULATIONS - CONSTRUCTION 

www.studioellearchitecture.com @studio.elle.architecture 07584671125 


4 

StudioElleArchitectureWT254.indd 1 12/06/2023 17:08:06

Love your Home Supplement 

Don’t 

Move, 

Improve 

Some quick and easy ways to help renew your love for 

your home, without too much upheaval 

Breathe life back into your 

home with new bespoke window 

coverings. Get creative with colour 

and pattern or tone it down with 

neutrals, soft greys and calming blues. 

Whatever your décor style, blinds will help 

you control light beautifully with a choice 

of transparency, privacy and blackout 

options. These Luxaflex Batiste Soria fabric 

bespoke blinds are a great choice as they 

have excellent insulation – helping to 

keep your home cool in the summer and 

warm in the winter – with their unique 

honeycomb structure. curtain-call.co.uk 

2We love an exciting statement wallpaper and Bobbi Beck’s Vintage 

Rainforest Wallpaper Mural (£29/m) is the perfect example, transporting 

us to far flung places. You can cover just one wall contrasting with your 

paintwork, or statement wallpaper can look fantastic as a frame for a 

window or doorway. There are so many beautiful options to choose from 

and the botanic theme will always enhance a living space. bobbibeck.com 

3Adding plant life to your home 

will literally give you a breath of 

fresh air. As well as improving the 

air quality in your living space and 

giving you something pretty to 

look at, you will also get the wellbeing boost 

indoor plants are known to provide, All of 

this adds up to a homely feel that will really 

help you love your home. If you’re stuck 

for space on floors or shelves, these hanging 

planters from Tom Raffield look luscious 

with trailing green vines spilling from them. 

tomraffield.com 

4Adding new colour to 

a room is a great way 

to bring it back to life, 

but for a contemporary 

feel you can elevate the look by 

painting just half of it. Take an old 

white wall, a little masking tape, a 

spirit level and, with half the time, 

effort, and expense of painting the 

walls entirely, you can double on 

style. Be sure to select a colour that 

complements the tone of the rest of 

the wall, like this example that pairs 

Earthborn’s Peach Baby with Lady 

Bug Burgundy for a harmonious 

warm look. earthbornpaints.co.uk 


R E I M A G I N E 

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LEADING THE WAY 

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• WORKING 

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LEADING THE WAY IN 

Bourne Buildings 

IntoTheGardenRoomWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 16:51:31 

CONTEMPORARY 

THE LARGEST SHOWSITE GARDEN IN THE ROOMS UK WITH OVER 200 BUILDINGS, 

5,000 STONE ORNAMENTS & 100 FURNITURE SETS ON DISPLAY 

SPACES FOR RELAXING - WORKING - CREATING - EXERCISING - ENTERTAINING 

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. 

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

• 60 Sheds 

• 60 Summer houses 

• 35 Playhouses 

• 35 Greenhouses 

• 20 Garden Offices & Garden Rooms 

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01252 718481 

sales@bournebuildings.co.uk 

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


6 

BourneBuildingsWT251.indd 1 03/03/2023 12:19


Inside 

OUT 

A garden room can increase 

your inside space and bridge 

the gap between indoors and out, 

but they work best when kitted out with 

purpose, so what to use yours for? 

Living Space 

The above is a fully bespoke ‘L-shaped’ garden 

room by Into The Garden Rooms, which was 

carefully designed and built around a beautiful 

250-year-old oak tree. It was built for a client in 

Surbiton looking to create a multi-use space for 

the whole family. The eye-catching luxury lounge 

area serves as a relaxing sanctuary for the whole 

family to unwind and reconnect. 

It has all the tech a modern family space needs 

with a TV and turntable, as well as dual air 

conditioning/heating, but while also feeling very 

natural. The design creates a sense of connection 

to the garden outside through a corner set of 

three- and two-leaf bi fold doors and the use of 

wood woven throughout – in an acoustic slat 

feature wall, Canadian Redwood Cedar cladding, 

and the custom-built bar (with sink and built-in 

storage of course). To make the space more multifunctional, 

it also features a fully separate toilet, 

washbasin and shower area, as well as a utility 

room and two-person home office. 

Find out more about Into The Garden Rooms’ 

luxury garden rooms and their state-of-the-art 

design, contemporary materials and quality 

craftmanship by calling 020 8038 6074 or 

visiting intothegardenroom.com 

This large garden room belongs to 

Sophie in Farnham, who went to 

Garden Rooms by Drumbeat to build 

a fitness and training room for her 

daughter, that would also work as a 

leisure area for the rest of the family. 

The space at the end of the garden was 

an unusual shape, but a long diagonal 

wall at the front, with bifold doors, 

made perfect use of the space, and 

created a nice view to face the main 

house. A large external composite 

decking area was added for an outside 

training area and it was equipped with 

gym matting, and large gym mirrors 

Home Gym 

as well as a toilet and shower room. 

To make it versatile, and usable year 

round full electrical and plumbing 

installation was part of the package, 

and the room was also fully insulated 

and equipped with air conditioning. 

All of Garden Rooms by Drumbeat’s 

rooms are built to a very high 

standard and are designed to last 

a lifetime. Prices are from about 

£23,500 to £55,000 and their ‘any 

size any shape’ philosophy makes 

them perfect for those looking to fill 

an awkward space. Find out more at 

gardenroomsbydrumbeat.co.uk 



Screen-free 

Sanctuary 

Emma, one of Johnsons Garden 

Buildings customers, had always 

loved socialising and having a place to 

entertain. After having her deck area 

damaged by a river that runs at the 

bottom of her garden, she decided a 

suitable replacement was required. 

Emma decided to visit a local Johnsons 

showroom, where she was able to look 

and feel the quality of the buildings on 

offer for herself. 

It didn’t take her long to settle on the 

idea that a Garden Room would be an 

excellent enhancement to her outdoor 

space giving plenty of year-round 

flexibility and a place to relax. 

She chose a Johnsons Vancouver 4m x 

4m, professionally installed including 

roof and floor insulation as well as a full 

electrical package. 

“Our garden room is a non-digital 

paradise. We have music, a comfy sofa, 

and soft blankets. We’re experiencing a 

part of our garden that we hardly had 

any time in before.” 

johnsonsgardenbuildings.co.uk 

Granny Annexe 

At Timeless Garden Rooms their family 

orientated, flexible approach means 

every annexe project is carefully designed 

to order. This 85m annexe was created 

for a family looking to install a selfcontained 

living space for an elderly 

relative, close enough to the main 

house to offer comfort and support, 

yet also retaining their independence. 

The annexe features an open plan 

living room, kitchen and dining area 

and two spacious bedrooms, each 

with en suites. French doors lead out 

onto the covered veranda to the front 

elevations offering a sheltered spot to 

enjoy beautiful views of the landscaped 

garden. Choosing the turnkey service, 

starting from £2,300/m, this project 

included a full décor option, including 

Farrow & Ball interior, a well specified 

kitchen, complete electrical package and 

underfloor heating. Saving the family 

time and stress, Timeless handled all 

of the planning and building control 

applications allowing them to sit back 

and watch their new home-fromhome 

take shape. 01843 821851 

timelessgardenrooms.co.uk 


8

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Shop online today 

greenbluegardens.com 


GreenBlueUrbanWT254.indd 1 06/06/2023 09:39:00


Something 

Old, 

Something 

New 

Amy Eld, owner of Rock the 

Heirloom in Surrey, shows us 

how using restored vintage and 

antique pieces gives your interior 

a timeless charm and being more 

planet-friendly they’re also easier 

on the conscience 

“I love using fun 

patterns and colour” 

I 

only have things in my 

house that I love and that 

make me smile. I have 

built my company, Rock 

the Heirloom, with this ethos in 

mind – bringing people the kind 

of antiques and vintage pieces that 

rock my world. It’s all about finding 

a relaxed, unorthodox and uniquely 

stylish look with the added benefit 

of being super-sustainable. 

No surprise then, that in a recent 

makeover of my Georgian house in 

Surrey, I felt the need to fill it with 

treasures that I love. As well as using 

some of my favourite pieces, ranging 

from mid-century Italian chandeliers 

and Victorian faux bamboo furniture 


10

to early 19th-century milking stools 

and Victorian gluggle jugs, I also 

added some extra va va voom to the 

rooms with lamp shades, rugs and 

soft furnishings from spirited interiors 

emporium That Rebel House. 

Overall, I love using fun patterns 

and colour, and I find that mixing my 

pieces into these rooms helps with the 

rich tapestry and depth of each space. 

Every single item in my house tells a 

story, and I love that. The best advice 

I can give when it comes to shopping 

for vintage and antiques is simply to 

find things that you love – trust your 

own taste and you are bound to create 

yourself an interior that makes you 

happy! 

Choosing your furniture and 

accessories are the fun bits at the end 

of the project. However, it is vital 

to get the bigger bits correct, too. 

Choose the right wall colour if you 

want an interior that pops. In my 

house, I used Edward Bulmer Natural 

Paints – they are plant-derived, 

breathable, healthy, environmentally 

friendly and are ideal for old 

properties. They also pack a real 

punch when it comes to colour. I had 

a mind-boggling palette of over 100 

gorgeous hues to choose from. 

I wanted a vibe that was traditional 

but also with real wow factor, so I 

chose the strong, striking Invisible 

Green to really brighten up the office 

walls (it’s definitely not invisible!), 

and I did the dining room in Sang de 

Boeuf – a calm but serious colour that 

makes a real statement. I went for 

a pale, warm Spanish White for the 

ceiling, shutters and woodwork. My 

husband got a bit of a shock when he 

returned from his New York business 

trip but thankfully he loves it! 

Browse Amy’s curated collection of 

vintage homeware and antiques and 

discover her latest finds on Instagram 

@rocktheheirloom. To shop in person 

you can book a visit to her showroom 

in Chobham, Surrey. If you just can’t 

find that real one-off piece that you’re 

looking for, Amy also provides a 

sourcing service, so that you can get 

her personal input to help create you 

a home that you love! 

rocktheheirloom.co.uk 


“It’s all about 

finding a relaxed, 

unorthodox 

and uniquely 

stylish look” 


Experts in Home Cinema Installation & Technology 

Indoor and Outdoor AV, Smart Control Systems and Lighting 

01732 758985 www.lakehome.co.uk

We’re gonna need a 

Bigger Screen 

Lake Electrical tell us the story of an extraordinary Sevenoaks basement transformation 

he brief was clear: 

to create a sanctuary 

where a young family 

could unwind, relax and 

experience the magic 

of the movies together. 

This Sevenoaks project involved the 

remarkable transformation of a neglected 

and overlooked basement room into a 

highly sought-after family cinema room. 

To fulfil this vision, Lake Electrical 

turned to the Sonance, known for their 

remarkable speakers designed to seamlessly 

disappear into the room's aesthetic. The 

Sonance Reference 1 system was the 

epitome of this philosophy, delivering a 

powerful and captivating audio experience 

while maintaining an unobtrusive 

presence. This 7.2.2 system, consisting of 

seven main speakers, two subwoofers, and 

two overhead speakers, ensured that every 

audio detail and nuance was faithfully 

reproduced as intended. 

Complementing the immersive audio 

experience was the JVC NP5 projector, a 

true marvel of visual technology. Its vibrant 

colours and stunning clarity brings films 

to life, captivating both young and old 

alike. Paired with the Projecta screen, every 

frame unfolds with cinematic grandeur, 

transporting the family to the very 

heart of the action. 

To make the room not only a sanctuary 

for the family but also an inviting space for 

guests, Lake Electrical focused on creating 

a user-friendly intuitive environment. The 

controls were thoughtfully designed to be 

easy to understand and operate, ensuring 

that everyone can effortlessly enjoy their 

favourite movies and media. 

In addition to designing and integrating 

the Sonance Reference 1 system and 

accompanying technology, comprehensive 

building works and decoration helped 

realise the clients’ vision. Dedication to 

detail and craftsmanship has resulted 

in a stunning room exuding comfort 

and sophistication. 

It's worth noting that the entire project, 

excluding soft furnishings, amounted to 

under £35,000+ VAT. This investment 

ensured that every aspect of the room was 

tailored to perfection, providing a complete 

sensory experience. The result was a 

harmonious fusion of technology and 

family-oriented design, where relaxation, 

entertainment, and connectivity neatly 

converge. The clients’ vision for a space 

that brings joy, relaxation, and togetherness 

to the young family was perfectly realised. 

To find out more about Lake Electrical 

visit lake-electrical.co.uk 



small space 

BIG DREAMS 

Elle Bytautaite, Architect and Founder of Surrey-based business, studio elle, shares how to maximise the space, value, and 

atmosphere of even the smallest of residential projects, as she shows us around a micro-home with big ambition 

rchitecture and interior 

studio, studio elle, specialises 

in creating beautiful Surrey 

homes, from small design 

tasks like kitchen design or room furniture 

selection, to extensive renovations and 

extensions. It’s a common misconception 

that architects and interior designers 

should only be brought in on large, 

complex and expensive projects, but this is 

far from the truth. This airy and modern 

micro-home in Surrey illustrates just how 

much value, space and character can be 

added to the smallest of spaces with a 

modest budget and a little help from the 

right architect. 

The Brief: A micro-home. A 34m flat in 

a 1920s detached house that hadn’t been 

renovated since the 80s and lacked basic 

amenities such as a fridge, a washing machine 

or shower. The key considerations were to 

maximise the sense of space and create an 

elegant, contemporary space, with a tight 

first-time buyer budget of £13,000. 

The Process: studio elle had to dig deep 

into their bag of tricks for creative solutions 

to many small-scale and humble budget 

problems, but it can be done and here’s how: 

The Layout – Retain as much of the 

existing layout as possible to avoid any 

costly structural, electrical or plumbing 

interventions. 

The Aesthetic – Maintain a controlled and 

elegant material language throughout to 

avoid visual clutter. 

The Furniture – Use leftover materials to 

build bespoke space-saving pieces – in this 

case, a console in the entry way, kitchen 

shelves and a breakfast bar overlaying the 

washing machine. 

The Storage – Create custom storage 

solutions with the appearance of high-end 

built-in units, by hiding standard IKEA 

” 

wardrobe frames behind a bespoke ‘wall’ and 

added coving, seamlessly blending into the 

fabric of the room. 

The Details – Hand-source small items 

such as handles; switch taps and accessories 

to make even the cheapest spec kitchen look 

curated and considered. 

Value, space and character can be added to the smallest of 

spaces with a modest budget and a little help from the right architect 

A “ 

Being involved from the outset of the 

project, the micro-home has exceeded the 

client’s expectations through painstaking 

organisation, meticulous attention to detail 

and a deep understanding of the client’s brief 

and the way of life. No matter the size of 

your space or idea, working with the right 

architect who is determined to help you 

create the space you deserve adds so much 

more than monetary value. 

If you have any ideas (no matter how big or 

small) to discuss with studio elle, get in touch 

at studioellearchitecture.com or follow on 

Instagram for inspiration and latest updates 

@studio.elle.architecture 


14

Experts in bespoke fitted furniture. 

Experts in bespoke fitted furniture. 

Book a Visit free, our no showroom obligation design on the Boucher appointment Road at in sliderobes.co.uk 

Belfast. 

028 9068 1034 | 61 or Boucher call our free Crescent, phone Belfast, number BT12 0800 6HU 454 | www.sliderobes.com 

465 

*All *All finance offers are are subject to to eligibility criteria. Applicants for for finance must be be 18 18 years or or over. Credit is is subject to to status and and affordability. Terms and and conditions apply. Reddington Jordan Ltd Ltd T/A T/A Sli- 

Sliderobes, Unit 3C 3C Deacon Trading Estate, Forstal Road, Aylesford, Maidstone, Kent, ME20 7SP, Register No. 728723 is is a a credit broker not a a lender and is is authorised and regulated by by the Financial Conduct 

Authority. Credit provided by Novuna Personal Finance, a trading style of Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. FRN 704348)

Love your home with Origin… 

As Origin Platinum Partners, we can find the ultimate prestige products for every home, whether it be a 

new build or renovation. Offering 20 year guarantees on Origin products, Shard Solutions can provide a 

truly platinum service. Get in touch with our sales team today or why not take a visit to our showroom 

in Caterham, Surrey, to view our wide range of products for yourselves! 

45 Croydon Road, Caterham, CR3 6PB 

T: 01883 627133 E: sales@shardhome.co.uk 

W: www.shardhome.co.uk IG/FB: @shardsolutions 

Bi-fold Doors Sliding Doors Front Doors Internal Doors Windows

6 

ways to make 

your home 

more sellable 

Is it time to sell up and move on to your next home to love? 

Here are some alterations that will give your sale a big boost 

1 


2 

Beautiful Bi-folds 

Whether it’s a new or existing build, an extension or even a period 

style cottage, bi-fold doors give you a sophisticated and timeless look 

and a whole new way to interact with your garden. These beautiful 

Origin bi-folding doors were supplied and installed by Shard Solutions 

and as they are completely bespoke, you can customise them to meet 

your stylistic and practical requirements. shardhome.com 

A Fresh Bathroom 

Jamie Bebbington, Managing Director at Aston 

Matthews says, “Guests are going to visit your 

cloakroom, so why not make an impact. A coloured 

basin and matching WC along with bright tiles are 

going to be memorable and help your home stand 

out from the crowd. Add pretty hand towels and 

attractive soaps as the final flourish.” In this example, 

an Astonian Roma basin £844 and wall hung WC 

£673 in sky blue from Aston Matthews create a fun 

and family-friendly vibe that will leave an impression 

on any home viewers. astonmatthews.co.uk 

A Cool 

Kitchen 

You won’t be surprised to see a sleek 

shiny new kitchen on this list. A sure 

bet to make sure your home really 

stands out. 

“A handmade, bespoke kitchen is 

the must-have showpiece of every 

dream home and creates the lifestyle 

to which we all aspire,” explains John 

Stephens from Rencraft. “Providing 

a central hub to cook, dine, gather 

and entertain friends and family – an 

expertly crafted, stunning kitchen is at 

the top of everyone’s wish list.” 

rencraft.co.uk 

3 


Create a stunning affordable entrance 

All our canopies, heritage and contemporary, are manufactured by hand using 

traditional skills and traditional sustainable materials, all by our artisan workforce. 

Inspired by us manufacturing zinc and copper work for some of England’s most historic buildings. 

We are working in association with English Heritage to proudly present this officially licensed product. 

Porches, Verandas and Door Canopies 

You can contact us by email or call - we are happy to help. 

www.zac.ltd | 02039 576150 | info@zac.ltd


Fitted 

Wardrobes 

A sure fire way to make a home look great is to ensure 

all the clothes and untidy bits and bobs are hidden 

away! We all look for good storage when considering 

a new home. “Fitted wardrobes are an excellent way 

to create additional space and storage in your home 

and, as all Sliderobes designs are completely bespoke, 

they can fit seamlessly with the style of your room, in 

colours and finishes of your choice. As well as being 

practical day-to-day, fitted wardrobes will stand the 

test of time and add value to your home.” – Joanna 

Azevedo, Head of Design at Sliderobes. sliderobes.co.uk 

4 

5 

A Home Office 

With lots of us now working from home, many of your 

buyers will have a home office at the top of their ‘must 

have’ list. And if it’s in the garden even better, lending 

that all important work/home separation. Who doesn’t 

want to commute by wandering down the garden path? 

Green Retreats TGO1, pictured here, combines modern 

styling with a traditional garden lodge feel. The sloping 

roof extends from all sides creating a grand hooded 

feature, styled in either black or graphite. The three-board 

decking is colour matched with your choice of either 

graphite or black to complete the aesthetic. Unique to 

the TGO range is the wrap-around door and window 

sets to enhance the corner aspect of your garden office. 

greenretreats.co.uk/garden-rooms/ 

A Statement 

Entrance 

First impressions matter, so don’t forget about the 

exterior of your property and the front door. A 

splash of paint, beautiful hardware or a statement 

porch can set the tone nicely for a viewing and give 

a property that added ‘je ne sais quoi’. This simple 

and elegant entrance from ZAC adds a sense 

of grandeur and makes a real feature out of the 

property’s double doors. 

ZAC also creates beautiful award-winning zinc and 

copper verandas and porches, which are perfect to 

enhance any home with a stunning leisure area to 

enjoy in all weathers. zac.ltd 

6 


It’s estimated you spend a third of your life in 

bed. And a good night’s sleep will contribute to 

your wellbeing in the long run, so look at your 

bed as a worthwhile investment. Vi Spring beds 

are made from only the highest quality materials. 

Sourced from remote and unique places, then 

carefully finessed by their master bed makers 

– every fleece and fibre is feather-soft, downy 

and light. The end result is a collection of 

luxurious beds that offer comfort like nothing 

else. This Vi Spring Regal Superb 150x200cm 

(Kingsize) Divan Set including mattress and 

base (headboard not included) is £9,150 but you 

can get it on sale for £7,325 at Lenleys Home 

Canterbury or Maidstone. lenleys.co.uk 

A simple small armchair will always 

find a good spot to live in any 

home. This BoConcept Charlotte 

chair combines comfort, durability 

and a beautiful clean design that 

make it versatile and timeless. 

It comes in multiple fabrics and 

woods so you can find the perfect 

one for your home, and is £1,871 

at BoConcept boconcept.com 

Best To 

Invest 

Buying furniture you’ll love for 

many years is not only good 

for your bank balance and for 

the planet – choosing pieces for 

your home that are timeless, 

reliable and become woven into 

your memories, gives a sense 

of comfort that’s well worth 

investing in 

Flexibility is king of keepers. 

Whether you move home or just 

move around the furniture, it’s wise 

to shop investment pieces that can 

move with you. This Cane Line 

Aura lounge sofa has a modular 

system that lets you play with your 

arrangement. It’s also super-elegant 

with its timeless style, high quality 

and superbly comfortable with 

down-filled cushions. Find it for 

£8,450 at Cobham Furniture or 

online at cobhamfurniture.co.uk 

The dining table is where so 

many wonderful memories 

are made – noisy family 

meals, birthday parties and 

late night chats with friends. 

That’s why investing in one 

that can see you through 

years of breakfasts, lunches 

and dinners – a familiar 

backdrop year after year – is 

so worthwhile. This Pennon 

table from L. Ercolani comes 

in three different woods and 

harnesses smooth organic lines 

for a modern classic look. It 

mixes sturdy craftsmanship 

with rounded lines – homely 

while also being iconically 

stylish. lercolani.com 

No compromises, no settling for something that 

is kind of close to what you’re after, the best 

you can find or just what is currently trendy. 

The best way to find a forever piece is to get it 

custom-made just for you. This chaise longue 

was recently made by Sarah Louise Dix, as part 

of their new client collaboration design service. 

Their London-based customer was looking for 

an ‘opium den chic’ vibe and was able to achieve 

something here that you couldn’t find anywhere 

else. Find out more about Sarah Louise Dix at 

sarahlouisedix.co.uk 


20


Kamado XL ceramic BBQ £699.99 

Tower Housewares towerhousewares.co.uk 

Gloster Ambient Sol Parasol 

with lighting £6,460 

Lagoon vivalagoon.com 

National Gallery A Still 

Life of Flowers Aspect 

1 - Bosschaert £32.99 

We Love Cushions 

welovecushions.co.uk 

Garden 

Party 

Ready 

Self watering 

PURO planter 

£19.99 Lechuza 

lechuza.co.uk 

Solar LED water 

fountain, £144.99 

Festive Lights 

festive-lights.com 

Glass moon tumbler 

by Ichendorf Milano 

£15 V&A vam.ac.uk 

Create the perfect ambiance for 

hosting your next garden gathering to 

really revel in your outdoor space 

Peacock lounge 

chair £2,095 

Cobham Furniture 

cobhamfurniture.co.uk 

Palm tables with 

solar lights from 

£739 Bridgman 

bridgman.co.uk 

Flat Ring of Logs 

120 with Swing 

Arm BBQ Rack 

£1,070 FirepitsUK 

firepitsuk.co.uk 

Leaf arch outdoor 

mirror £199 Lime 

Lace limelace.co.uk 

Arcus smart 

outdoor wall light 

£99.95 Lime Lace 

limelace.co.uk 

Rosalind solar floor lamps 

£79.99 and Mayfair 

solar wall lights £29.99, 

both from Solar Centre 

thesolarcentre.co.uk 

Porto portable 

table light £594 

J Adams & Co 

jadamsandco.com 

FRIZZ black expandable wine cooling 

sleeve £24.99 Peugeot uk.peugeot-saveurs.com 

Reclaimed pine sign £49.97 Click 

Style Limited clickstyle.co.uk 

Breeze House x Avalana Limited 

Edition Oval Cape Gazebo from 

£42,715 Breeze House breezehouse.co.uk 

220cm Cookery Bench 

£13,625 Huckleberry Garden 

Kitchens huckleberryhome.co.uk

Innovators in outdoor living since 1960 

Garden Rooms | Composite Decking 

Hot Tubs | Swim Spas | Saunas 

johnsonsgardenbuildings.co.uk 

johnsonsleisure.co.uk

For amazing designer and bespoke hats and fascinators 

as well as seasonal hats, umbrellas and pashminas. 

We also stock Rainbow shoes which can 

be dyed to any colour imaginable. 

COUNTY CLOTHES MENSWEAR 

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

STORE 

NEW SHOE DEPARTMENT 

Proud stockists of: 

Barker, Geox, Jeep, Lacuzzo, Sergio Duletti, John White, R M 

Williams, Bugatti and Savelli, boots & shoes 

WWW.COUNTYCLOTHESMENSWEAR.CO.UK 

The Mad haTTer 

12 Castle Street, Guildford, 

Surrey GU1 3UW 

01483 566845 

www.themadhattermillinery.com 

CountyClothesWT250-SH.indd 1 13/02/2023 TheMadHatterWT254.indd 10:11 

1 07/06/2023 16:10:11 

BLUE VELVET SHOES 

Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP or buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com 


66 

BlueVelvetWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 11:53:00

Still Life 

Shop soft-fruit inspired jewellery 

that’s as pretty as a picture 

Photograph: David Merewether Styling: Lucy Fleming 

Cherry brooch, cast in bronze with two large red jade cherries, £221; Fern necklace, 

cast in bronze with brass green leaves on gold freshwater pearls, £257; Blackberry 

bracelet, cast in hand patinated bronze with accents of gold and cast glass berries, 

£221; Blackberry brooch, cast in hand patinated bronze with accents of gold and 

cast glass berries, £124; Raspberry earrings, with cast bronze leaves and garnet bead 

raspberries, £146; Strawberry pendant, cast in hand patinated bronze with a flameworked 

red glass berry, £116, all Michael Michaud michael-michaud.com

Audrey lace 

necklace £450 

Contessina London 

contessinalondon.com 

Green velvet bow hair 

clip £28 QueenMee 

Accessories queenmee.com 

Primavera corset 

£545 Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Zand ruby 

earrings £65 

Ottoman Hands 

ottomanhands.com 

Anne Boleyn personalised 

initial necklace £69 

Westminster Abbey Shop 

shop.westminster-abbey.org 

Pearl disc Fair Trade 

earrings by Mirabelle 

£75 V&A vam.ac.uk 

Seraphine sapphire and 

diamond ring £890 The 

Vintage Ring Company 

thevintageringco.com 

Silver Fleur de Lys earrings 

£35 Westminster Abbey Shop 

shop.westminster-abbey.org 

Zimmermann Ciara floral mini 

dress £735 Harvey Nichols 

harveynichols.com 

Alexander McQueen 

faille skirt £960 

Harvey Nichols 

harveynichols.com 

A Still Life of Flowers fan 

£12 National Gallery 

shop.nationalgallery.org.uk 

Costume 

Black headband with 

pearls £32 QueenMee 

Accessories queenmee.com 

Drama 

Angel cherub gold 

plated signet ring £37 

Seol+Gold seolgold.com 

Lydia Millen leather 

corset top £143.20 

Karen Millen 

karenmillen.com 

Embrace the romance of historical fashion 

with billowing skirts, theatrical sleeves, 

and a little old-master style artistry 

Cotton puff 

sleeve top £63.20 

Karen Millen 

karenmillen.com 

Claire lace earrings £110 

Contessina London 

contessinalondon.com 

Orange sapphire and diamond 

atlantis pendant £3,165 Baroque 

baroquejewellery.com 

Agua by Agua 

Bendita Caramelo 

dress £379 

Net-a-Porter 

net-a-porter.com 

Damir ring £POA 

Lebrusan Studio 

lebrusanstudio.com 

QUA VINO 

Da Vinci one 

piece with puff 

sleeves £197 

Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Noa necklace £59 

Ottoman Hands 

ottomanhands.com 

Dante Gabriel Rossetti 

La Ghirlandata tote bag 

£12.50 Art UK artuk.org 

LoveShackFancy 

Skipper bustier top 

£229 Net-a-Porter 

net-a-porter.com 

istockphoto.com/ Smithore 


First folio 400 fan 

£55 Rory Hutton 

roryhutton.co.uk 

Garnet heart ring 

£175 Rachel Jackson 

racheljacksonlondon.com 

68 

Fruit and Flowers in a Terracotta 

Vase tote bag £24 National Gallery 

shop.nationalgallery.org.uk

UNIT 11 HART SHOPPING CENTRE 

FLEET | HAMPSHIRE | GU51 3LA 

01252 621035 

www.experiencethedifference.co.uk


70

Recipes: Jo Arnell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Fast Fish 

Dishes 

In the summer it’s all about 

easy food preparation, having 

a few quick and versatile 

recipes to hand is the key. Fish 

fillets – fresh or frozen – are 

satisfyingly speedy to cook. 

All the grisly hard work of 

preparation has been done and 

each fillet comes portion sized 

and ready to go. Prawns can 

be a little more fiddly, unless 

shelled and de-veined, but they 

cook in no time and unlike 

some more flaky fish, will hold 

their shape well in a sauce. 


THE NEST AT 

WHILE AWAY THE DAY WITH OUR AWARD-WINNING 

SPARKLING WINES AND A DELICIOUS SUMMERTIME 

PICNIC IN THE VINEYARD 

GUSBOURNE.COM/TOURS 

GUSBOURNE ESTATE 

KENARDINGTON ROAD, APPLEDORE, 

ASHFORD, TN26 2BE

Individual Salmon 

en Croutes 

This familiar dish looks as if 

it’s tricky and long-winded 

to prepare, but it is much 

simpler than the beefy version, 

especially if you use ready 

rolled pastry. I’ve made these 

as individual servings, but 

you could also use a side of 

salmon, which makes an 

impressive centrepiece. 

Serves 4 Prep time: 20 mins 

Cooking time: 25 mins 

• 4 small salmon 

fillets, skinned 

• 1 pack ready rolled 

puff pastry 

• 300g spinach 

• 1 onion, finely chopped 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 120g cream cheese 

• 1 egg, beaten 

• salt and pepper 

1. Gently sauté the onion 

in oil for 3-4 minutes, until 

translucent, add spinach, 

season and stir until wilted 

then drain (pressing out as 

much liquid as possible). 

2. Cut the pastry into 

quarters and lay on a baking 

sheet. Brush with half of the 

beaten egg (this will help 

prevent a soggy bottom). 

3. Add spinach mixture 

to one half of each 

pastry rectangle. Slice the 

salmon fillets in half if 

they are long, so they fit 

on top of the spinach. 

4. Spread approx 30g cream 

cheese on top of each fillet 

and then fold the pastry 

over, sealing the edges 

carefully (you can tuck 

them under the pastry for 

neatness, I added a lattice 

top, this is optional). 

5. Brush with the remaining 

egg and bake in a pre-heated 

oven for 20-25 minutes until 

the pastry is golden brown. 

6. Serve with new 

potatoes and vegetables 

of your choosing. 


One Pan Herby Cod Fillets 

White fish like cod has a delicate texture and 

flavour, enhanced by the herby green risotto and 

harissa yoghurt topping. It works as a one pan dish 

if you almost cook the rice before adding the fish. 



• 4 cod fillets 

• 1 small bunch/25g fresh coriander, chopped 

• 1 small bunch/25g parsley, chopped 

• 150g baby spinach 

• 8 spring onions, roughly chopped 

• 2 cloves of garlic 

• 300g risotto rice 

• small knob of butter 

• 900ml (approx) vegetable stock (or 

water with 3 tsp bouillon powder) 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 4 tbsp Greek yoghurt 

• 2 tsp harissa paste 

• 1 lemon, grated zest and juice 

1. Wilt the spinach in a pan, add the 

herbs, lemon and spring onion with 200ml 

of stock then blend until smooth. 

2. In an oven proof pan gently sauté the rice 

with a knob of butter for a couple of minutes, 

then add the spinach mixture. Stir and cook 

for 2 minutes, then gradually add the rest of 

the vegetable stock, stirring as you go. 

3. After 10 minutes add the fish to the pan, cover 

and place in a preheated oven (180°C). Bake for 

15 minutes, until the fish is cooked through. 

4. Serve with a spoonful of yoghurt, swirled 

with ½ teaspoon of harissa on each fillet. 


74


Coconut Prawn Curry 

This is a really quick and simple curry 

– large succulent prawns go well with the 

spicy coconut sauce. Use either king, tiger 

or Atlantic prawns – fresh or frozen. 



• 750g prawns, shelled and de-veined (if 

using frozen, defrost and drain) 

• 1 onion, finely chopped 

• 400ml (1 tin) coconut milk 

• 3 garlic cloves, crushed 

• 2 tsp ginger, grated 

• 2 chillies, finely chopped 

• 1 tsp turmeric, heaped 

• 200g (1 half-sized tin) tomatoes 

• ½ tsp salt 

• 1 small bunch coriander 

1. Gently sauté onions, garlic and spices for 5 

minutes in a large pan, then add tomatoes, coconut 

milk and salt (to taste). Simmer slowly for 20 

minutes until the sauce begins to thicken slightly. 

2. Add prawns and continue to cook for a further 

10 minutes until the prawns are just cooked. 

3. Serve with fluffy rice and garnish with coriander. 


Ten-Minute 

Josephine Fairley edits down her makeup bag for fresh, dewy summer skin 

When I first moved in with my husband, he didn’t 

‘get’ women’s relationship with make-up. I had to 

explain to him: it’s not just about how it makes us 

look (and feel). It’s also about carving out some time in the 

day that is exclusively, 100% dedicated to us. Nobody else. 

Not a partner, a kid, a parent, a dog or even a houseplant. 

Nonetheless, at this time of year, with so many lovely 

things to do outdoors – the beach, the garden, gatherings 

(yay, gatherings!) – who really wants to spend more 

time fiddling with their face than necessary? So, I’m a 

fan of the ‘makeunder’: finding ways to get maximum 

results from a minimum of products, in order to spend 

more time pinching out tomatoes/eating outdoors on a 

nice terrace/staring at yachts drifting across the horizon 

– or whatever floats your own midsummer boat. 

Switch from foundation to tinted moisturiser or serum. 

Nobody needs a full face of base, right now. My preference 

is for tinted moisturiser – a sort of hybrid of moisturiser 

and foundation, with accordingly lighter coverage that 

makes everything look – well, just smoother. The caveat: 

tinted moisturiser does have to be matched to your 

skintone in the same way as normal foundation – a dab 

on the jawline, where the right colour will disappear. 

(You might need a couple of shades to get you through 

summer, though, if you tend to build up colour.) 

Personally, I especially like the new generation of tinted 

serums, which seem to have a more luscious and slightly dewy 

finish – and I’ve two go-to products. First up is Sculpted 

by Aimee Barely There HydraTint, £23 for 30ml, from a 

young Irish make-up artist’s brand which I’d like to signpost 

you to, if you don’t already know it – she is absolutely my 

tip for the top. HydraTint comes in a very inclusive shade 

offering – 20 in all, and simply melts into skin, leaving 

it fresh-looking. I am also a massive fan of Trinny BFF 

De-Stress Tinted Serum, £39 for 30ml (there’s a 12-shade 

line-up) – first time I applied it, I looked in the mirror 

and said ‘F***ing hell!’, which Trinny (when I later shared 

this with her) declared was the only review they needed for 

the product, on their site: ‘Jo Fairley says “F***ing hell!”’. 

Tinted moisturisers and tinted serums can, meanwhile, be 

applied with fingers, for ease – but I prefer to use a synthetic 

foundation brush and am particularly taken with Katherine 

Daniels Pure Pigment Foundation & Concealer Brush, 

£25, which has a seriously useful concealer brush on the other 

end, great for accessing the shadowy area of the inner eye. 

Or try an ‘alphabet’ cream. If your skin’s looking reasonably 

good, a BB or CC cream may be all you need to even out 

skintone – perhaps adding a light touch of a liquid concealer 

to conceal any shadows. Alphabet creams are complexionbrightening 

and skin-smoothing: ‘BB’ is short for ‘Beauty 

Balm’ and is your choice if your skin needs a touch of 

radiance, while ‘CC’ stands for ‘colour-correcting’ and is 

helpful if you have a tendency to redness, as I do. We found 

some great Beauty Bible winners in this year’s Awards, 

which I can confidently steer you towards, several of them 

repeat winners from the Korean-French brand Erborian. I 

can enthusiastically point you in the direction of Erborian 

BB Cream and Erborian CC Dull Correct (each £20.50 

for 15ml), as well as Monat BB Cream SPF30, £44 for 

35ml (which actually describes itself as a ‘tinted moisturiser’, 

showing just how blurred the lines are between these 

summer-perfect categories). I’m also a big fan of a particularly 

luxurious option, Chanel CC Cream Super Active Complete 

Correction SPF50, £50 for 30ml, which I splashed out on 

while on a winter sun vacation, and which I really like because 

it comes in a choice of seven complexion-matched shades. 

Opt for ‘smooshable’ colours. Powders simply look 

wrong in strong sunlight – dusty and dull. A touch 

of shimmer powder on a brow-bone or eyelid can be 

OK – but in general, at this time of year I prefer cream 

textures for both eyeshadow and blush, for a more 

natural ‘makeunder’ effect. The advantage of creamy 


78

Makeunder 

istockphoto.com/ seamartini 

textures is that you can literally ‘smoosh’ them into skin, 

super-fast, to blend – and they’re very forgiving. 

As well as being a big fan of Trinny’s BFF De-Stress, 

then, I swear by her Makeup Stack options. These include 

Lip2Cheek, £26 each – a great choice for this time of 

year because the creamy formula does indeed work on 

both. Eye2Eye, £18 for each pot, is (yup) for eyes only, 

with a wide selection of shimmer, satin, glitter and matte 

shades to choose from; they all click together, allowing 

you to build that ‘stack’ (and add other products like 

line-blurrers, highlighters etc.) The whole concept is 

genius, and very much for ‘grown-ups’ like Trinny herself, 

as anyone who’s attended any of her events knows. 

Alternative creamy brow choices that you’ll find in my 

kit (I love cream blusher!) include two very affordable 

options – Morphe Perk Up Cheek & Lip Colour, £12, 

and Morphe Blush Balm Soft Focus Cream Blush, £8.40 

(the latter with a useful little mirror). And at the posh 

end, Westman Atelier Baby Cheeks Blush Stick, £44. 

Swirl, swirl, blend… and hey, presto – healthier-looking! 

Like many beauty editors, I’m also a convert to creamy 

bronzer products as an alternative to powder bronzer – so 

simple to add a few dots to the forehead, cheekbones, and 

blend with fingertips for a gorgeous glow. It gives you 

proper control over the level of bronzitude too – simply 

add a few dots more, if you’re not glow-y enough. (My 

own faves: Nars Bronzing Cream, £31, the understandably 

bestselling Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Bronzing 

Cream, £37, and super-affordable e.l.f. Putty Bronze, £6.) 

Sweep a gel through your brows. One great way to shave 

time off your make-up regime, in fact, is to identify the 

three products which actually make the most difference – 

and a lot of that depends on your colouring. If you’re fair, 

like me, brow colour and mascara are always going to be in 

that list of three make-up essentials, and the easy-peasiest 

brow choices for me are Benefit Gimme Brow, £25 for 

3g, and Delilah Brow Shape Defining Brow Gel, £18 

for 4ml, both of which are essentially mascaras for brows, 

with the bonus of teeny fibres which work to beef up my 

arches incredibly quickly, without the hassle of drawing in 

lots of fine lines. Dark brows, though? You needn’t bother 

with this – a quick brush-through with a ‘spoolie’ (like a 

mascara wand) is all that it takes for brow-grooming. 

Use a lengthening/defining mascara. Again, mascara is 

100% necessary if you’re blonde, grey or redhead; less so if 

you’re brunette. I prefer the look of a defining mascara at 

this time of year, rather than a lash-fattening volumising 

product; it seems to look more natural with make-up that’s 

been applied with a lighter touch. (I generally skip eyeliner 

at this time of year: liquid liner is All Wrong in summer, 

while even the most ‘budge-proof’ eyeliner pencils tend to 

move, melt and go all Johnny-Depp-in-a-Sauvage-ad, on me. 

Lastly, add a swipe of tinted lip balm, and you’re good 

to go. I absolutely flipping love these. (So much so that I 

just checked my handbag, and I actually have four different 

ones in there.) The mix of slightly glossy, skin-quenching 

ingredients, with the benefit of a sheer tint – I always go 

for a raspberry shade, to deepen the natural shade of my 

lips – is see-through enough that you can usually apply 

without needing a mirror. My faves? Lanolips SPF30 Tinted 

Lip Balm, £7.99, is a perennial favourite (try Rhubarb), 

as are several of the 10 shades of Bobbi Brown Lip Tint, 

£30 (there’s a less expensive ‘travel’ size available). But I 

also enjoy the twist-up crayon format of SANN Nourish 

& Tint Solid Lip Balm Serum, £24 (another Beauty Bible 

2023 winner), and the mega-nourishing formula of Dr. 

PAWPAW Peach Pink Lip Balm, £3.99, which is more 

of a peachy, beachy shade. (And very affordable with it.) 

I reckon you could hone this routine down to five 

minutes – especially if you are able to identify that 

handful of products that make the most difference. Less 

time in front of the mirror – more squeezing every last 

drop of pleasure out of this glorious time of year. 

See beautybible.com for more of Jo’s tried 

and tested beauty reviews. 


Natural Relief for Hay Fever 

JustinRichardsonJewellerWT254.indd 1 08/06/2023 09:39:10 

Hay fever is the cause of seasonal misery to 

millions of people worldwide. 

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Euphrasia and Sabadilla and has a long history 

of traditional use to relieve typical hay fever 

symptoms such as irritated eyes and nose, 

itching, sneezing and a dry, tickly cough. 

Being natural, Helios Hay Fever is without any 

known side effects, does not cause drowsiness 

and is suitable for all the family. 

Alongside our remedies we have a wide range 

of herbal and other natural products to relieve 

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advice from our team of qualifi ed homeopaths 

and pharmacists. 

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80 

HeliosPharmacyWT239.indd 1 22/03/2022 14:04

Wellbeing 

The Great 

Outdoors 

Sarah Maxwell explores the countless benefits 

of spending time in the fresh air 

istockphoto.com/ Pheelings Media 

We know that time outdoors 

offers fantastic mental and 

physical health benefits – 

so step outside to surround yourself 

with trees that clean the air so we can 

breathe more easily (hayfever sufferers 

please take necessary precautions). 

It doesn’t matter where you are, if 

you can find a tree, get under it. 

You can multi-task your whole 

wellbeing routine in one session. Research 

has shown that even a mere 20 minutes 

outside can have great health benefits 

(and that’s without even moving!) 

Hydrate 

Being even a little dehydrated 

can negatively affect your 

performance when exercising. 

Initially, your body may not deal well 

with high temperatures; however, 

over time, your body gets used to 

the heat, sweats more and learns 

to cool itself more efficiently. 

Drinking adequate fluids doesn’t make 

your body feel cooler; however, it does 

help you to produce sweat which is an 

essential cooling function. (Just make 

sure you don’t do this on a day you’ve 

just had your hair or lashes done). 

Step out of your routine and 

try something different 

• Hiking is an excellent cardio exercise 

that will strengthen your lower body 

and core. It usually involves walking on 

uneven terrain – you will activate a wide 

variety of muscles to stabilise yourself. 

• Stand-up paddleboarding and 

kayaking is great for core and lower 

body, whilst kayaking hones the 

strength of arms, shoulders and back. 

HIIT the outdoors 

with a Cardio Blast 

• 5 minute warm up: shoulder circles, 

light jog/walk, elbow to knees and 

basically anything that feels good. 

Avoid holding stretches until the end 

of your workout and just go with your 

natural movement and keep it simple. 

• 100 skips using a real or 

imaginary rope at a steady pace. 

• 30 seconds rest (you can fit in 

some pelvic floor exercises here) 

• Jumping jacks x 30 

• Air punching (put some movement 

into this and get any stress out – 

visualisation of something that 

annoys you can help a lot here!) 

• Repeat this sequence between 

2 and 8 times (depending on 

your current fitness level) 

• Cool down and stretch (hold 

each stretch for 20-30 seconds 

to increase your flexibility) 

Take it up a gear 

Interval training – walking/running/ 

cycling, using trees/lampposts or similar 

(depending whether you’re in the city, 

park or forest) as markers. If swimming 

is your thing, use markers around the 

pool, lake, or sea to do your intervals. 

1. Warming up – start gently with 

your activity to get your body and 

mind into the right place. Gradually 

increase the intensity as you go along. 

2. Steady - 30 seconds/rest 20 seconds 

3. Moderate - 30 seconds/rest 20 seconds 

30 seconds at 75% of your 

maximum power. Rest 30 seconds 

4. Blast it - 30 seconds at maximum 

power. Rest 30 seconds 

5. Repeat 

There is no minimum amount 

of time, so do what you can 

according to your level. If you’re a 

beginner start with 2 rounds, then 

have a good stretch and relax. 

The goal to aim for is around 30-40 

minutes in total (2-3 times per week 

maximum). Make sure you cool down 

and stretch at the end of this workout. 

If you fancy stepping out of 

your usual activities, check 

out these exciting places 

• Bewl Water, Kent bewlwater.co.uk 

• Buckland Park Lake, Surrey 

bucklandparklake.co.uk/whats-here/water/ 

• Sup Haven, Sussex suphaven.org 

• Epic Life, Hastings epiclife.co.uk 

Sarah Maxwell is a multi award-winning 

weight loss, lifestyle and fitness coach. 

Find out more about her work... 

Facebook & Instagram: 

@sarahmaxlife 

Twitter: @sarahmax100 

sarahmaxwell.com 


Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our 

diets. This month it’s berries 

Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, cherries, 

cranberries and raspberries… all delicious, nutritious 

and with several health benefits too! Berries are 

loaded with antioxidants, these are molecules that fight free 

radicals in the body. It is these free radicals – compounds 

that can cause harm if their levels become too high in 

the body – that are linked to multiple illnesses including 

diabetes, heart disease and cancer. The pigment that 

gives dark berries their beautiful colour is anthocyanin, 

a phytochemical which has heart-protective effects and 

may also help shield against dementia. Foods such as 

purple broccoli, red cabbage, sweet potato, red onion 

and cherries also have a similar phytochemical content to 

berries. While we can enjoy these seasonal berries easily 

over the summer months, in winter the mixed frozen 

varieties are just as good (and less expensive) – perfect for 

popping into smoothies, tart sauces or crumbles. Berries 

are also a great source of fibre and are high in vitamin C. 

Berry chia jam 

This delicious berry chia ‘jam’ packs a powerful antioxidant 

punch, as well as being high in fibre and absolutely 

delicious! Perfect piled on sourdough toast or as a topping 

for homemade granola, porridge or kefir yoghurt. (A 

particular favourite of my children!) Makes a 500g jar 

• 500g frozen mixed berries 

• 2 tbsp water 

• 2 tbsp maple syrup 

• 40g chia seeds 

Extra flavourings (optional): 

1tsp cinnamon/1tsp 

vanilla extract 

1. Put the berries and water in a saucepan over a 

medium heat and cook until the fruit breaks down 

and becomes syrupy – between 5-10 minutes. Mash 

the fruit with the back of a wooden spoon. 

2. Stir in the maple syrup and chia seeds and any 

other optional flavourings you wish to use. Cook for 

another 2-3 minutes, then remove from the heat and 

leave to stand for 5 minutes, until thickened. If you’d 

like it thicker just stir in a few extra chia seeds. 

3. Once the jam has cooled to room temperature, transfer to a 

sterilised jar. Seal tightly and store in the fridge for up to a week. 

istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, kobeza 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice for weight management, controlling 

cravings, sleeplessness, stress and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com 


82

Female Health Collective 

We speak to Benenden Hospital about the specialised support they provide for women’s health 

What is your Women’s Health Hub? 

Benenden Hospital’s recently launched Women’s 

Health Hub is a free, comprehensive online resource 

which provides help and support for women’s 

physical, mental and emotional health, as well as a 

wealth of information on the treatments the hospital 

offers for a variety of female health issues. 

As you move through the different stages of your life 

– from coping with periods to pregnancy to menopause 

and beyond – your needs might change. Taking care 

of your body and mind, at work or in your personal 

life, is important and the hub is here to provide you 

with further information and signposting to help. 

How can Benenden Hospital 

help women in particular? 

The easy-to-access information on the hub helps to put you 

in control of your health whatever stage of your life you may 

be at. Benenden Hospital are experts in women’s health and 

offer a range of private gynaecology treatments for all 

phases of life in a discreet environment based in the 

tranquil surroundings of the Wealden countryside. 

A CQC rated Outstanding private hospital, Benenden 

Hospital is sensitive to women’s health concerns and our 

advanced technology means fast diagnosis and access 

to treatment when you need it, with no waiting lists. 

What treatments are offered? 

We offer first-class diagnostics and care from dedicated 

clinical teams, carrying out a range of gynaecology 

treatments – including treatments for menopause – in 

a calm and healing environment. These include: 

• Treatment for chronic pelvic pain 

• Ovarian cyst removal 

• Colporrhaphy for vaginal prolapse 

• Mirena coil fitting 

• Hysterectomy 

• NovaSure endometrial ablation – to stop 

or reduce heavy menstrual bleeding 

• MonaLisa Touch® – Benenden Hospital was one of the 

first hospitals in the UK to introduce this gentle, nonsurgical, 

hormone-free treatment for vaginal dryness 

• Treatment for stress incontinence 

• Sacrospinous fixation – prolapse of the uterus repair 

How can women access these treatments? 

If you need advice regarding a particular health concern, 

help is available. Benenden Hospital offers a Private 

GP service which can get you the answers you need 

quickly. Book your private GP appointment easily 

using our online booking system. You can also book 

a Consultation with an expert by calling the Private 

Patient Team on 01580 362850 or by completing 

an enquiry form on benendenhospital.org.uk. 

Can you tell us a bit about the 

specialist women’s health Consultants 

available at Benenden Hospital? 

Benenden Hospital offers a choice of male and female 

expert Consultant Gynaecologists, all of whom have 

extensive experience within the private sector and NHS 

and are members of several professional bodies such as 

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists 

(RCOG), The British Society of Urogynaecology 

and International Urogynaecological Association. 

They have received awards for their research and 

teaching, have presented at national and international 

conferences on various topics and published 

broadly around obstetrics and gynaecology. 

Their specialities range from bleeding problems, 

vulval problems, contraception, HRT, fibroids, 

vaginal prolapse, incontinence, vaginal reconstruction 

surgery, urinary incontinence, uterine and vaginal 

prolapse, heavy or painful periods, diagnostic 

laparoscopy, myomectomy and hysterectomy. 

Find out more about Benenden Hospital, and explore 

the Women’s Health Hub at benendenhospital.org.uk 


Ready for 

Round Two? 

Jo Arnell heads to the veg patch to prep for an autumn harvest 

If you have some space in the vegetable 

garden – or if you’ve been thinking about 

growing vegetables but haven’t got round to 

it yet – there are still lots of edibles that can be 

sown now for harvests in the early autumn and 

the winter. Some of these are satisfyingly speedy 

and will be ready to eat in a matter of weeks, 

while the slower growing will become a living 

winter larder, providing a supply of nutritious 

roots and leaves to pick once the summer is over. 

Spring sown crops face a barrage of challenges 

– growth is strong, but the weather can be 

unreliable and there are so many pests and weeds 

around that it can be a battle trying to protect 

tiny seedlings from being overwhelmed. Starting 

again in the summer (or just starting) brings 

its own challenges – the weather is often hot 

and dry and you may be on holiday for part of 

the time, but it can be more successful. Some 

vegetables – Florence fennel for example – are 

supposed to be sown after the solstice and the 

slower rate of growth after that midsummer 

moment may mean that crops like beetroot, rocket 

and spinach won’t rush to flower and set seed. 

Fast Harvests 

Salad leaves, especially the cut and come again 

mixes you can buy, will be ready to eat within 

3 or 4 weeks. If you pick the outer leaves each 

time, you’ll be able to keep the crop going for 

the rest of the summer. Later in the season rocket 

and spicy mustard mixes are good – these tend 

to bolt (run to seed) when sown earlier in the 

year. You can buy stir fry seed combinations for 

plot-to-wok moments – pak choi, tatsoi, choi 

sum, Chinese cabbage and mizuna are quick and 

easy – and will happily grow in containers too. 

Dwarf beans are faster to grow than climbing 

varieties, because they don’t have to climb a pole 

before making pods – you should be able to harvest 

climbing beans within 10-12 weeks of sowing. 

They are a tender crop, so July is the last month 

for sowing to be sure of avoiding an early frost. 

Mange tout and sugar snaps will be speedier 

to grow than peas, as it is the whole pod that is 

eaten while the peas inside are tiny. They will 

need supports to scramble up – either twiggy 

pea sticks, or canes with netting. They 

should be ready to pick in 

around 9-10 weeks. 

Baby Roots 

Tiny turnips, mini 

carrots and radishes 

make great patio 

crops – they don’t 


84

istockphoto.com/DiViArt 

take up much room and carrots especially 

may be better grown in containers to avoid them 

being attacked by carrot fly. This pesky little beast 

lays its eggs at the base of the plant and the larvae 

burrow down into the carrot roots, riddling them 

with holes. Luckily it only flies about 2 feet above 

the ground, so raising your crop – in a container 

or raised bed, is usually enough to put them off. 

Tiny turnips, as opposed to the larger, woodier 

types beloved by Baldrick, are great for slicing into 

stir fries and adding to the first autumn casseroles. 

I’m not often tempted by turnips, but have 

sometimes grown one called ‘Snowball’ and 

can recommended a variety called ‘Sweetball’ 

that can be grated into salads and slaws. 

It is also not too late to sow the larger 

ones for autumn and early winter harvests. 

Kohl rabi looks like a root, but is actually a 

swollen stem, growing just above the ground and 

is really quick and easy to grow. It is often sown – 

like radishes, as a ‘catch crop’ in between rows of 

slower maturing 

vegetables

like parsnips or leeks. It can be eaten as a side dish on its 

own, sliced into stir fries, grated with carrot to make a 

coleslaw, or added to a casserole. It tastes like broccoli stalks. 

Autumn and winter crops 

Resilient and steadfast, packed with vitamins and 

phytonutrients, the dark green leaves of cavolo nero 

(black kale) look beautiful, especially dusted with frost 

in the winter – just looking at them does you good. 

There are several striking varieties of kale, all robust and 

ready for Siberian conditions. ‘Red Russian’ is another 

handsome variety, then there’s the shorter, frillier and 

equally nutritious ‘Redbor’. They can be harvested in the 

autumn, but the leaves start to taste sweeter once there’s 

been a frost. Kale will keep going all through the winter, 

but it may need to be netted – against caterpillars and 

whitefly in the summer and pesky pigeons in the winter. 

Chard is another fine looking leafy crop, maybe even 

more beautiful than kale. Swiss chard is probably the 

best variety to grow for flavour, but there are some 

fabulously colourful chards around too, which are 

ornamental enough to grow in the flower borders. 

Chard ‘Bright Lights’ contains a mix with red, orange 

and yellow stems and there’s a magnificent variety called 

‘Pink Flamingo’ that looks too good to eat. Chard 

leaves have an earthy taste due to a compound called 

geosmin, which is also found in beetroot. Use it as you 

would spinach. Small young leaves can be added to salad 

mixes, the stems of bigger plants chopped and added 

to stir fries. Cook larger leaves as you would spinach. 

True spinach is unrelated to chard, but the perpetual 

variety is actually spinach beet, which is similar. It is 

another excellent leafy crop to grow through the autumn 

and winter. True spinach especially is much better grown 

either side of the summer months. Like some other 

leafy veg – pak choi, rocket, mustards etc – it is a cool 

season plant and will bolt in hot, dry weather. Repeat 

sow young leafy varieties for an extended supply – it 

seems to take a lot of leaves for just one serving, as they 

melt to nothing once cooked. Use the young leaves 

in salads, and lightly steam the larger, older leaves. 

It is good to sow vegetables in rows 

– not just because it looks tidy and 

smart, but for ease when harvesting 

and also so that you can tell the 

seedlings apart from the weedlings and 

be able to hoe in between the rows. 

A large expanse of just one crop may 

attract pests – they can often detect a 

food source by scent too – apparently 

carrot flies can smell carrots from a 

distance of two miles! Interplant with 

herbs, hardy annuals and companion 

plants to confuse them and to bring 

in pollinators and pest controllers. 

Watering 

Water seedlings and young plants to establish, but after that, 

unless we are in a period of drought, or you’re growing crops 

that make pods or fruits – beans, squash, sweetcorn – you 

should not need to water on a regular basis. Plants should 

be able to find their own water once they have developed a 

good strong network of roots. Adding organic matter (but 

not to carrots or parsnips – they don’t like rich soil) will 

help the soil to retain water and it will also ensure that the 

soil is rich in microbes, which live in symbiosis with the 

roots of plants, helping them to access nutrients and water. 

It is seldom plain sailing where edibles are concerned, but 

sowing once the mad spring rush is over has advantages. 

Crops will still need protecting from pests, but the soil 

is still warm, there is a window of mild weather – often 

lasting until October or November and, as we move 

from summer into autumn, the ravening hordes of 

pests begin to slow down and the weeds aren’t quite as 

invasive. Growth is slower, but fed, watered and nurtured, 

bountiful harvests can continue for months to come. 

It is definitely not too late to grow some vegetables. 

Preparing the ground 

If you’ve started to harvest your summer crops and have 

cleared some space where they were growing, add some 

organic matter prior to planting out anything new. 

Vegetables, especially those in the brassica family (cabbage, 

kale etc) are greedy plants and nutrients may have been 

depleted by previous crops. If you are preparing the 

ground for the first time, be ready for a rush of 

weed seedlings to emerge – when you dig over the 

soil – especially for the first time, you will bring 

weed seeds up to the surface. If possible let these 

germinate first before planting out your new crops. 

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MediaForceWT254-GreenThumb.indd 1 20/06/2023 11:30:17

Falling 

for you 

Sue Whigham explores the magnetic attraction of majestic irises 

Whilst we all have regrets, 

my current one is not 

having made the effort 

to go to RHS Chelsea Flower Show 

this year. And whilst there’s good coverage 

on the TV, it’s not quite the same, is it. If I 

was only able to see one garden it would have 

been Sarah Price’s wonderful evocation of Sir 

Cedric Morris’s (1889-1982) house and garden, 

Benton End, in Hadleigh, Suffolk. This is 

where he and his partner, Arthur Lett-Haines, 

ran an art school, a ‘bohemian establishment’ 

for fellow artists and where he developed his 

fine gardening skills in the naturalistic style. 

Over the years, Benton End’s house and garden has 

been sorely neglected but – and this is very good news – it is 

now in the process of restoration which is being undertaken 

by the Garden Museum and the Pinchbeck Charitable Trust. 

This story of Sir Cedric and his development of 

over ninety bearded irises in colours ‘that are hard 

to describe’ is the story too of two Sarahs. 

Many of you will have seen Sarah Price’s show garden 

at Chelsea. The creation of straw cob walls in her garden 

was designed to echo the building materials of a sixteenth 

century Suffolk house. And on being interviewed at 

the Show, she spoke of the re-creation of the garden at 

Benton End and said that you could see and feel that it 

had received so much love. When asked about the Benton 

irises she used in the garden she said her biggest worry 

was whether they would open on cue. This they did and 

she describes the pearlescent sheen of the petals as being 

‘absolutely extraordinary’. The subtle colour palette of the 

Benton irises are very reminiscent of the colours Morris 

used in some of his many flower paintings, an example 

of which is ‘The Eggs’ which hangs in the Tate Gallery. 

And then there is Sarah Cook, who worked at Sissinghurst 

as Head Gardener on two different occasions and who took 

over from the legendary joint Head Gardeners, Pamela 

Schwerdt and Sibylle Kreutzberger. She describes her first 

season there when she made it her mission to find out all the 

names of the plants in the garden. She felt extraordinarily 

nervous until she recognised I. ‘Benton Nigel’ in one of 

the borders and felt she had come home. Sarah was born 

and bred in Hadleigh and remembered Benton End from 

her childhood when her mother ran Red Cross fêtes in 

the garden and her grandmother knew Sir Cedric. 

She has a deep relationship with Benton End, its garden 

and its history and in particular the irises, and she sees 

Sir Cedric Morris as a forerunner of the naturalistic 

planters with his collection of rare plants, many of them 

brought back from his winter sojourns abroad. She now 

has a National Collection of Sir Cedric Morris irises at 

her home in Shelley four miles away from Hadleigh and is 

continually seeking out and collecting more of the cultivars. 

Beth Chatto, friend and protegée, introduced Nigel 

Scott to Sir Cedric in 1952. He was a poet and a very 

keen gardener and had been on minesweepers in the 

Mediterranean during the war. Every so often he managed 


88

w 

n 

a 

e 

f 

i 

w 

to get dropped off on strategic shores in order to walk in 

the Southern Alps where he gained considerable knowledge 

of species plants growing in their native habitat. Nigel 

moved into Benton End, joining an extended household, 

soon after they met and the two men apparently gardened 

together ‘from dawn to dusk’. The iris named after Nigel 

was named in 1956 and is described as having ‘violet 

standards and inky purple falls’. This was very much the 

heyday of the garden and it was Nigel Scott who persuaded 

Sir Cedric to plant in drifts rather than straight lines. 

Cedric Morris had a great affinity with animals and there 

was a considerable menagerie at Benton End. Some of his 

irises were named after them; in particular, Iris ‘Benton 

Menace’ named after a troublesome tom cat, Menace, who 

fathered a plethora of kittens and then there was Iris ‘Benton 

Baggage’ named after a particularly fecund female cat. 

One of the favourite irises on the Chelsea garden was I. 

‘Benton Olive’ named after Morris’s friend and plantswoman, 

Olive Murrell. She and her husband set up Orpington 

Nursery in Kent and grew irises in their thousands. She bred 

a prize winning iris called I. ‘White City’ which became 

one of the parents of many of the Benton End irises. Iris 

‘Benton Olive’ combines creamy olive, purple veining and 

a lilac splash on the falls, which we will get to in a minute. 

Sarah Price thought it her favourite but depending on the 

light and the time of day other irises caught her eye. 

After Sir Cedric’s death in 1982 many iris seedlings were 

found in the kitchen garden. They were retrieved by the 

British Iris Society. They all flowered and one in particular 

– a pale lilac with dove markings and shaded in pale 

brown – was named by the Society, I. ‘Benton Farewell’. 

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CheekyMonkeyWT249.indd 1 24/01/2023 17:06 

Growing Irises 

Irises are a rhizomatous perennial flowering in late May 

onwards. Many of them are fragrant and they all are 

made up of three upward petals (the standards) and 

then the downward petals (known as the falls). These 

six petals then have a fuzzy ‘beard’ at the base of the 

falls often in contrasting colours. And whilst they do 

not have a particularly long flowering season, they are 

completely fabulous both in bud and then in flower. 

There are various different forms of bearded iris 

depending on height and they are the most flamboyant 

– the Benton irises are known as tall bearded. 

So what do they need to give a good display? 

Firstly, they need a moist but really well drained soil in 

FULL sun. They’d grow well in a gravel garden alongside 

euphorbia and white valerian. Once you’ve bought your 

plant, cut the leaves back to about six inches and make a 

mound. Place the rhizome (root) on the surface and spread 

the roots around the mound. I can just imagine them 

looking a little like an octopus at this stage. Trim the roots 

so that once you have planted the iris, no strands of root 

are showing above the ground for the birds to investigate. 

Whilst I have said a ‘moist’ soil, you want to remember 

not to plant in heavy clay, so add horticultural grit or sand 

to improve your soil. Or perhaps grow in a raised bed. 

They don’t work well in containers as they have a 

 

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WoodmanAndHisWifeTheWT254.indd 1 19/06/2023 09:10:34

Ilex Nellie R Stevens Ligustrum japonicum (pleached) Magnolia grandiflora 

Ct PvC 

t SC tS 

Photinia Red Robin 

Privacy in gardens can be created using 

trees to hide or screen out an undesirable 

view. Trees grown for this purpose often 

have a clear stem up to fence panel height 

around 1.8-2m with a full bushy canopy 

above, forming a good screen above the 

fence line. This type of screening is 

particularly useful if the garden is 

overlooked by neighbouring properties 

or to retain lower-level exposure to an 

attractive wall or area. 

Semi-mature trees can be planted to 

achieve effective screening from the offset 

with evergreens being preferred for this 

purpose as they screen throughout the year. 

However, a planting scheme that includes 

deciduous trees can provide rich contrast 

and seasonal interest. 

Screening trees 

Practicality Brown can supply a range of 

top quality trees for screening, which are 

particularly useful for creating privacy. 

This is our selection of the best screening 

trees, and all are in stock at our nursery in 

Iver, Bucks: 

• Eriobotrya japonica 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ilex castaneifolia 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Osmanthus aquifolium 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Pinus nigra 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

• Viburnum lucidum 

Pleached trees 

We also have a range of pleached trees 

which can be used in the same way; 

pleached trees can be effective for formal 

screening and where space is limited. 

These are our best trees that are in stock: 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

tree & edge ursery 

As well as the screening trees, Practicality 

Brown grows a range of premium quality 

Practical Instant Hedge at the nursery in 

Iver. You are welcome to visit to view both 

trees and hedges. 

www.pracbrown.co.uk 

Conac us for deails 

email rees@pracbrown.co.uk 

or call 01753 652022 for more informaion

large root 

system. The important 

thing is that the rhizome is 

constantly exposed to the sun so that 

the following year’s flowers can form. 

It’s quite difficult to incorporate irises into 

a mixed border as you don’t want the rhizome to 

get covered by another plant’s foliage. One tip I 

read was to plant more than one rhizome at a time 

with the leaves on the outer edge to form a triangle 

and to provide a barrier to other plants. Once you 

have got them in, don’t bother watering them. 

September is a good month as the soil is still warm. 

Irises usually need to be split every three years or so and 

then not be planted in the same area. Once you lift them, split 

the rhizomes, throw away the old central rhizome and then replant 

with the young rhizomes facing the sun and the leaves shortened. 

The kiss of death with irises is to mulch them, but you can keep them 

healthy using a fungicide if they appear to be developing brown spot as 

the season progresses. Sarah Cook recommends a general fertilizer containing 

added magnesium for a really healthy plant. Rose food is good for this. 

Oh, and don’t forget to cut the spent flower and stalk back to the base when 

they are over. This will prevent the flower expending energy and producing seed. 

All about Irises 

Iris of Sissinghurst, Roughlands Farm, Goudhurst Road, Marden, Kent TN12 9NH 

Sue Marshall 01622 831511 irisofsissinghurst.com 

Hullwood Barn, Shelley, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP7 5RE 

Sarah Cook sarahmalmaisons@gmail.com 

Beth Chatto’s Plants and Gardens, Elmstead Market, Elmstead, Colchester CO7 7DB 

01206 822007 bethchatto.co.uk 

Claire Austin Hardy Plants, Powys 

Claire sells plants from her nursery at a pub called 

The Sarn, Sarn, Newton, Powys, SY16 4EJ 

Check her website for opening hours. 

claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ Tatyana Vorontsova 

Sue 

Whigham 

can be contacted 

on 07810 457948 for 

gardening advice and 

help in the sourcing and 

supply of interesting 

garden plants. 


S A N D O W N A N T I Q U E S H O M E & I N T E R I O R S F A I R 

SUNDAY 16TH JULY 

S A N D O W N P A R K R A C E C O U R S E , P O R T S M O U T H R O A D , 

E S H E R , S U R R E Y , K T 1 0 9 A J 

OPENS 10AM - 3PM 

£2 ADMISSION 

(CASH ONLY ON THE GATE) 

(CHILDREN UNDER 16YRS FREE) 

FREE PARKING 

HOT & COLD REFRESHMENTS ON SITE 

INSIDE & OUTSIDE STALLS 

(ONLY GUIDE DOGS ARE PERMITTED AT SANDOWN PARK RACECOURSE) 

A N A B U N D A N C E O F A N T I Q U E S , C O L L E C T A B L E S , F U R N I T U R E , 

P A I N T I N G S , V I N T A G E C L O T H I N G , C E R A M I C S , J E W E L L E R Y , 

G A R D E N E P H E M E R A , S I L V E R A N D M U C H M U C H M O R E 

For all bookings & general enquiries please contact 

01932 230 946 enquiries@sunburyantiques.com 

www.sunburyantiques.com 

KENT 

BATTLE OF BRITAIN 

MUSEUM 

www.kbobm.org 

)01303 893140 

SurreyAntiquesWT254.indd 1 09/05/2023 13:17:10 

Opening Times: 

Saturday 1st April to Sunday 12th November 2023 

1st May to 30th September - 10am to 5pm April, 

October and November - 10am to 4pm 

Last entry one hour before closing. 

We are closed on: 

Mondays, except Bank Holiday Monday. 

The Premier Collection of 

Battle of Britain Artefacts 

Aircraft ·Vehicles · Weapons · 

Flying Equipment · Fine Art Prints · 

Relics from over 700 crashed aircraft 

Adults: £10.00 £8.00 

OAPs: £7.50 

OAPs: £9.00 

Children: £4.00 

Children: £4.00 

Museum Shop, No.25 

Museum Shop, No.25 

Squadron Mess and Tea Room 

Squadron 

Free parking 

Mess and 

for 

Tea 

cars 

Room 

and 

Free 

parking for 

coaches 

cars and coaches 

On the grounds of both security 

and copyright, we regret that no 

cameras, video recorders, mobile 

phones or any other type of 

electronic recording equipment is 

allowed in the museum. 

Aerodrome Road, Hawkinge, Nr. Folkestone, Kent, CT18 7AG 


92 

KentBattleofBritainWT253.indd 1 15/05/2023 10:13:07

CHICKENSTOCK FESTIVAL 

READING STREET VILLAGE 

OPEN GARDENS 

SUSSEX GUILD 

CRAFT SHOW 

istockphoto.com/ Everste & romrodinka 

What’s On 

in July 

ARTS & CRAFTS 

Fri 28 – Sun 30 July 

Michelham Priory, Upper 

Dicker, Hailsham BN27 3QS 

SUSSEX GUILD 

CONTEMPORARY 

CRAFT SHOW AT 

MICHELHAM PRIORY 

Visit Michelham Priory, a Grade 

I listed Tudor house, surrounded 

by England’s largest water filled 

medieval moat, for the Sussex 

Guild’s 55th year at the stunning 

location. Combine a visit to the 

past with talking to talented 

contemporary craft makers, buy 

directly or commission bespoke 

items. Contemporary crafts on 

show include ceramics, textiles, 

jewellery, leatherwork, textiles, 

pewter, wood, glass, metalwork 

and furniture. Some designers will 

be demonstrating their skills and 

several potters will show different 

techniques. There will be catering 

and picnic facilities, children’s play 

areas and free parking to make 

this one an ideal family day out. 

Contact: 01273 479565 

thesussexguild.co.uk 

FESTIVALS & MUSIC 

Sun 16 July 11am-8pm 

The Bell, High Street, Ticehurst, 

East Sussex TN5 7AS 

ROSEMARY LANE DAY 

MUSIC FESTIVAL AND 

FAIR AT THE BELL 

IN TICEHURST 

This year sees the fabulous Bell 

in Ticehurst launch a new fair to 

run alongside their music festival 

on Rosemary Lane Day. The fair 

will showcase local artists and 

artisans and there will, of course, 

be delicious food on the BBQ 

and refreshing drinks. The music 

festival takes place in the beautiful 

garden with an acoustic set from 

Grammy Award Winner, Steve 

Smith (Dirty Vegas & Sqeeze) 

along with Charlie Austen, Kay 

Iris, King Size Slim, Cuban 

Moonshine, and Paul Cheese. 

thebellinticehurst.com 

Thu 27 – Sun 30 July 

Pett Wood Cottage, Pett 

Road, Stockbury, Near 

Sittingbourne, Kent ME9 7RL 

CHICKENSTOCK 

MUSIC FESTIVAL 

The BIG little friendly Festival 

in Kent is back. Chickenstock 

Music Festival in Stockbury is a 

very welcoming event held over 

four music- and fun-filled days. 

Not only are there two stages 

with amazing bands you’ll love 

including The Jackson Line, The 

Salts and Land Captains – there’s 

also a children’s entertainment area 

to keep the little ones occupied, 

yoga, circus skills, musical 

workshops, magic shows, camping 

and glamping, an excellent 

bar and dogs are welcome 

too! Under 16s go for free. 

chickenstockfestival.co.uk 

Sat 29 July 6.30pm 

Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, 

Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT 

MUSIC AT THE MOTE: 

THE DIAL BAND 

Put your dancing shoes on for an 

evening of musical entertainment 

at the spectacular Ightham Mote! 

Limber up for your dance moves, 

warm up those vocal chords and 

pack up a tasty picnic to join in 

for an evening of musical fun 

at the iconic location. Playing a 

mixture of rock, pop and soul 

classics, The Dial Band return 

to Ightham Mote to entertain 

you with a musical feast while 

you enjoy with whatever 

delights you’ve packed in your 

hamper. Booking essential. 

Entry: £15 

nationaltrust.org.uk 

GARDENS 

Sat 1 July 10am-4pm 

Reading Street Village 

CT10 3AZ 

READING STREET 

VILLAGE OPEN GARDENS 

From a quaint small cottage 

garden to an award-winning 

wildlife patch, a sweet fairy garden 

for the little ones and Taddy’s 

Allotments, Reading Street’s 

fourth open garden event offers all 

sorts of lovely gardens to explore. 

All of the gardens are within a 

five to ten minute walk from St 

Andrew’s Church. There will also 

be plants and produce sales and 

refreshments and lunches will be 

available in the Community Hall 

to eat in or take away. Tickets are 

available from various points in 

the village (near Broadstairs). 

Entry: £5, accompanied 

children free 

Contact: offstand@btinternet.com 

VEHICLES 

Sun 16 July 

The Recreation Ground, 

Appledore, Ashford TN26 2AE 

APPLEDORE VINTAGE 

VEHICLE RALLY 

Appledore Vintage Vehicle Rally 

brings together a fantastically 

diverse vintage vehicles 

from far and wide including 

cars, motorcycles, buses and 

commercial vehicles dating 


Ceramics 

Furniture 

Glass 

Leather 

Jewellery 

Metalwork 

Pewter 

Printmaking 

Textile art 

Textiles 

Woodwork 

Live demos 

Contemporary 

CRAFT SHOW 

Michelham Priory 

28 - 30 July 2023 

10.30am - 5pm 

Special price: Craft Show, House & Gardens: Adults £10 Children £5 

Michelham Priory, Upper Dicker, 

Hailsham, East Sussex BN27 3QS 

www.thesussexguild.co.uk 

Registered Charity no: 292234 

Godinton House & Gardens 

Sculpture in the Garden 

Saturday, 22 July to Sunday, 13 August, 1pm-6pm 

View work on carefully curated trail through 12-acre garden 

Pre-booking 

recommended at 

godintonhouse.co.uk 

Annual 

exhibition of 

contemporary 

sculpture by 

respected local 

artists 

Garden entry £8 

Free catalogue from ticket office 

Godinton Lane, 

Ashford, Kent 

TN23 3BP 

TheSussexGuildWT254.indd 1 06/06/2023 14:41:55 

GodintonHousePreservationTrustWT254.indd 1 14/06/2023 17:23:54 

Summer of Tudors 

at Ightham Mote 

With five weeks of exciting Tudor displays, trails, performances and activities, there’s 

something for the whole family to enjoy at Ightham Mote this Summer of Tudors. 

We’re kicking off with Tudor Festival Weekend on the 29th and 30th July. 

Enjoy some hands-on history demonstrations every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 9th August. 

We’re finishing off the summer in style on the 2nd and 3rd of September with a magnificent weekend of 

Tudor-inspired falconry, and bird of prey displays. 

© National Trust 2019. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © Holly Halford 

To discover more about our offer, please visit nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote/whats-on or call 01732 810378 


94 

IghthamMoteWT254.indd 1 16/06/2023 09:51:24

Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

istockphoto.com/ lolostock & skynesher 

from the early 1900s to the 

modern day. Expect a day filled 

with entertainment including 

arena events, auto-jumble, 

entertaining displays and tasty 

refreshments, as well as plenty 

of stunning vehicles to admire. 

Entry: adults £5, families £10 

appledorevehiclerally.co.uk 

WORKSHOPS & 

COURSES 

Sat 8 July 10.30am-3.30pm 

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery, 

57 St John’s Street, Farncombe, 

Godalming, Surrey GU7 3EH 

BEGINNERS FOOTSTOOL 

UPHOLSTERY WORKSHOP 

WITH SARAH LOUISE 

DIX UPHOLSTERY 

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery 

offers a wonderful selection 

of upholstery courses and 

workshops, which are suitable 

for all abilities. From beginners 

or those with no experience, 

to intermediate and those 

with more experience, there’s 

something for everyone. Their 

courses and workshops use a 

combination of traditional and 

modern upholstery and are 

taught in small groups. The 

courses run during the week, at 

weekends and evenings at the 

studio in Godalming, Surrey. 

Advance booking required. 

Entry: 1 day footstool course for 

beginners £150, 10 week course for 

beginners or intermediate £450 

Contact: 01483 801108 

enquiries@sarahlouisedix.co.uk 

sarahlouisedix.co.uk/ 

upholstery-courses 

Sat 22 July 9.30am-4pm 

Lake House, Maidstone Road, 

Hothfield, Ashford, TN26 1AR 

MANAGE YOUR 

MENOPAUSE DAY RETREAT 

AT LAKE HOUSE, KENT 

If you or someone close to you 

is looking for a natural way to 

manage menopause or perimenopause 

symptoms, this day 

retreat may be just the ticket. Join 

Alison Bartolo and Jo Adams for 

a full day women’s wellness retreat 

at Lake House, Ashford. You’ll 

learn about natural solutions and 

essential oils which can support 

and balance your hormones. 

The day will also include gentle 

exercise, low-tox living support 

info, healthy and delicious food, 

relaxation techniques, a chance 

to get your burning questions 

answered and so much more – 

you’ll even make a nourishing skin 

product to take home with you. 

You can find out more 

information and book tickets 

online and there’s even a 

discount for groups! 

eventbrite.co.uk/e/manageyour-menopause-day-retreattickets-627649415297 

HeverCastleWT254.indd 1 20/06/2023 10:02:17 

2995-Jousting-Ad-90x130mm-AW.indd 1 30/05/2023 11:59 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. 

Photography © National Trust Images/John Miller 

Theatre at 

Smallhythe Place 

Experience live performances at 

Smallhythe Place's stunning 17th century 

Barn Theatre. Tickets from £5. 

ROSEMARY LANE 

DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 

AND FAIR 

APPLEDORE 

VINTAGE CAR RALLY 

Smallhythe, Tenterden, TN30 7NG 

nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place 


SmallhythePlaceWT254.indd 1 07/06/2023 10:21:04

Look out for our 

Education 

Supplement 

in the September 

issue of Wealden Times 

and Surrey Homes 


Presents 

The 

Caterpillar 

and the 

Blackbird 

A colourful new Jukebox 

musical filled with fun 

for the whole family. 

Telling the story of a restless caterpillar 

searching for more meaning to her life 

than her small patch of ground and eating 

leaves - Where she dreams of going on 

adventures and seeing the world. 

After a chance encounter with a blackbird, 

the caterpillar’s dreams come true. 

19 th August 

1:30pm & 6:00pm 

Roedean 

Brighton 

15 th September 

1:30pm & 6:00pm 

De La Warr Pavilion 

Bexhill 

6 th October 

1:30pm & 4:30pm 

7 th October 

1:30pm & 6:00pm 

Stag Theatre 

Sevenoaks 

‘‘ 

Really loved 

the songs and 

the dancing 

” 

‘‘ 

My family wanted 

to see it again as 

soon as it ended! 

” 

fun 

and a wonderful 

‘‘Great 

message 

” 

School and group rates available. Please visit: www.narradance.com 


96 

CaterpillarAndTheBlackbirdWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 14:09:18

Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & michelangeloop & ViewApart 

LOOKING 

FORWARD 

Weds – Fri throughout Aug 

Mote Road, Ivy Hatch, 

Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 0NT 

MEET THE TUDORS 

AT IGHTHAM MOTE 

From the Battle of Bosworth to 

the Spanish Armada, join the folk 

at Ightham Mote to explore the 

rich and varied history of Tudor 

England with exciting hands-on 

history demonstrations and familyfriendly 

talks. Let their Tudor 

characters delight you with tales 

of how culture, entertainment, 

armour and food changed over the 

100 years of the Tudor dynasty. 

nationaltrust.org.uk 

Fri 11 – Fri 18 Aug 

Various locations around 

Broadstairs, Kent 

BROADSTAIRS FOLK WEEK 

A fantastic week of music by the 

sea with over 450 events around 

beautiful Broadstairs (many free). 

You’ll find concerts, dances, 

workshops, ceilidhs, free family 

events, Morris dancing, pub gigs, 

parades and much more. Headline 

acts include Seth Lakeman, Lady 

Maisery and Home Service. The 

festival campsite for families is 

just 15-20 minutes walk from 

the centre of Broadstairs with 

a regular mini bus service. 

broadstairsfolkweek.org.uk 

Sat 19 & Sun 20 Aug 

Holden Farm, Biddenden 

TRACTORFEST AT 

BIDDENDEN 

A fun day out for all the family. 

While tractors remain the central 

attraction, there are plenty of 

stalls, vehicles, demonstrations, 

children’s entertainment, animals 

and arena displays to entertain 

both young and old. Pair this 

with enticing food and drink, live 

music and much more to see and 

do, and you’ve got all you need 

for a fun, family day out in the 

delightful Kent countryside. This 

will be the 9th year that the event 

has been held, run entirely by 

volunteers and with the support 

of registered charity, the Kent 

County Agricultural Society. 

tractorfest.co.uk 

Listings are correct at time of going 

to press but may be subject to change. 

Readers are advised to check with venues 

before making arrangements. We can list 

your event in the next issue of Wealden 

Times for only £75+VAT. Please supply 

up to 150 words that should include date, 

time, venue, contact for enquiries and any 

entry price to whatson@priceless-group. 

com or send with payment (cheques 

payable to Priceless Media Ltd.) to What’s 

On, Priceless Media, Kettle Chambers, 

21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent 

TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves the 

right to edit text to fit space allocated. 

Deadline for the next issue is 9th July. 

Summer visits to 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

Experience the beauty and history of 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, tucked away 

in the Wealden countryside this summer. 

Biddenden Road, Nr Cranbrook, TN17 2AB 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 

PASHLEY MANOR 

GARDENS 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. 

Photography © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler 

Untitled-330 SissinghurstCastleWT254.indd 1 1 07/06/2023 06-Jun-23 10:26:55 14:47:38 

KITCHEN 

GARDEN 

WEEK 

11th July every day 

to 15th July 

BIDDENDEN 

TRACTORFEST 

BROADSTAIRS 

FOLK WEEK 

East Sussex/Kent border TN5 7HE 01580 200888 

pashleymanorgardens.com 


PashleyManorWT254.indd 1 12/06/2023 09:32:07

It’s a numbers game at 

Coopers Farm this month, 

as Jane takes stock 

Summer has at last arrived, all the 

animals are out grazing, the hay has 

been made and stored in the barn 

and so life in the cow department (that’s 

me) is very straightforward while the shepherd 

(that’s husband Adrian) still has his work cut out. 

The bull was turned out with the cows at the 

beginning of May and then taken away from them at 

the end of June. Eight weeks will have been long enough 

for Bill (the bull) to sort them out, so all that remains 

is a daily wander round the farm to ‘looker’, this being 

the ancient art of checking on stock to make sure all is 

well, that the troughs are full and the gates are shut. 

Sheep and cows are herd animals and will stick 

together whether grazing or lying down and chewing 

the cud – so you need to keep an eye 

out for any animals that have split from 

the group, usually they will be standing 

alone, tucked away in a quiet place, 

ears back and head hung low with a 

generally dejected appearance. When 

I looker the cows and calves it’s easy 

because if either mother or baby is in 

trouble the other half will make a great 

deal of noise and alert you to there being 

a problem. But when it comes to the 

yearlings, who have yet to make any 

close attachments – if your mate is off 

colour, tough luck – I have to count to 

make sure all are present and correct. 

We have eighteen in that group and here’s a funny 

but true thing about counting stock. If on your first 

attempt there’s only seventeen, then you do it again 

and may get nineteen and you keep counting till you 

make it eighteen – at which point you congratulate 

yourself that they’re all there and walk away – job done! 

Trying to count a flock of eighty sheep, 

however, really is impossible, but then again so 

much of the shepherd’s lot is tricky, annoying 

and far harder than looking after cattle. 

As someone famously 

said, there are 

two things sheep 

like doing, one 

is escaping and 

one is dying and 

if they can die 

escaping then that 

is true happiness. 

As someone famously said, there are two things 

sheep like doing, one is escaping and one is dying and 

if they can die escaping then that is true happiness. All 

summer they have to be regularly wormed, have jabs to 

stop diseases, have their feet trimmed and be sprayed 

with some noxious chemicals to prevent fly strike – a 

ghastly condition where bluebottles lay 

eggs in the wool and, if undetected, 

the maggots hatch and burrow into 

the skin and literally devour the poor 

animal. And of course they need to be 

shorn of their thick woolly fleeces. 

Rather like those challenges for how 

many hotdogs you can eat in a minute, 

sheep shearing can be a very competitive 

business. Adrian Copp, a shearer from 

New South Wales, recently broke a 

world record by shearing 605 lambs in 

eight hours, that’s one per 48 seconds! 

Meanwhile, back in Stonegate, husband 

Adrian can manage about 10 sheep in a 

morning so that would be over a week to shear all eighty. 

Sadly we’re too far away to call on Adrian Copp but 

with the services of the much younger (than husband) 

James, it still takes the two of them all day to shear, make 

endless cups of tea and ‘wind’ the fleeces into big wool 

sacks ready to go off to The Wool Marketing Board. 

Over in the cattle department however I will spend 

my summer wandering peacefully through the wild 

flower meadows watching my brown cows grow sleeker 

and glossier by the day, and being annoyingly smug! 

Find out more about daily life at Coopers Farm by visiting coopersfarmstonegate.co.uk 


98

Contact us for our 2023 brochure 

Sevenoaks - Tel: 01732 762682 

Tunbridge Wells - Tel: 01892 520730 

www.rencraft.co.uk

Surrey Homes | SH102 | July 2023 | Love Your Home Supplement inside

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