Wealden Times | WT254 | July 2023 | Love Your Home Supplement inside

LOVE YOUR HOME SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes 

PRICELESS 

JULY 2023

jminteriorsuk.uk 

Please email or call to make a showroom appointment 

info@jminteriorsuk.uk 01580 291221

MINTERIORS 

JMade Designing in Biddenden and handcrafting by a kitchens family business since 1994

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. 

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

“A personal service 

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Date 

CONCEPT 

Rev 

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Kingsfords Solicitors Limited registered office address 2 Elwick Road, Ashford, Kent TN23 1PD 

Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority 621466 

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KingsfordSolicitorsWT254.indd 1 05/06/2023 09:44:40

Contents 

July 2023 

8 

19 

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 historicallyinspired 

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 

85 

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 

3 

00WT254Book-WEALD.indb 1 21/06/2023 10:58:23

THINKING OF MOVING? 

ASK SIBLEY PARES FOR HELP AND ADVICE 

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WHAT WE OFFER 

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AND KNOWLEDGE 

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PLEASE CALL 01622 673 086 

SibleyParesWT254.indd 1 15/06/2023 17:19:08 

traditional handmade 

furniture 

Woodworkkitchens.co.uk 

Kitchens 

Bedrooms 

Studies 

01892 533273 


4 

WoodworkWT238.indd 1 04/02/2022 12:15

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. 

NOW ON IN-STORE AND ONLINE 

WIN A GARDEN FURNITURE SET 

Worth over £1,300 

See website for details 

Enjoy your Wealden Times! 

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 

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LenleysWT254.indd 1 08/06/2023 12:09:24

Let us take you 

in the right 

direction 

When it comes to financial advice, it’s 

important to find someone you can trust. 

Celebrating 33 years of providing unbiased holistic financial 

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Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

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Alfriston 

Emmett & 

White Antiques 

& Interiors 

Ashford 

• Ashford Designer 

Outlet 

• Eastwell Manor 

• Hunters 

• Kingsfords 

Solicitors 

• Northwood 

• Perry Court Farm 

• Sainsbury’s 

• Secret Garden, 

Kent 

• Waterstones 

• The Wife of Bath 

Aylesford 

• Tesco Extra 

Battle 

• British Design 

British Made 

• Jempson’s 

• Trinity of Battle 

Benenden 

• Village Shop 

Bexhill 

• Sivyers Antique 

Emporium 

• Wards 

Biddenden 

• The Bakehouse 

• Bloomsburys 

• Costcutter 

Boughton 

Monchelsea 

• The Cock Inn 

Broadstairs 


Bromley 

• The Glades 

Burwash 

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Canterbury 

• Asda Superstore 

• Benton Kitchens 

• The Duke William 

• Fenwick 

• Gibson’s Farm 

Shop 

• The Goods Shed 


• Whitefriars 

Charing 

• Post Office 

Chiddingstone 

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Castle 

Chilham 

• Bagham Barn 

Antiques 

Chislehurst 


Cranbrook 

• Ashwal Garage 

• Hartley Coffee 

House 

• Hartley Dyke 

Farmshop 

• The Hive 

• Kingsfords 

Solicitors 

• Pages 

• The Wendy House 

Crowborough 

• Costa Coffee 

Eastbourne 


Eridge 

• Fuller’s Farm Shop 

Faversham 

• Macknade 

Fine Foods 


Flimwell 

• The Weald 

Smokery 

Folkestone 

• Hunters 

• Loaf 

• Moda 

• Quarterhouse 

• Rocksalt 


• Steep Street 

Coffee House 

Goudhurst 

• Burfields 

House Wealth 

Management Ltd 

• Goudhurst Inn 

• Goudhurst 

Newsagents 

• Furnish & Feather 

Greenhithe 

• John Lewis 

Food Hall 

Hastings 

• Judges Bakery 

• Morrisons 

• Respire Living 

• Wellington Centre 

Hawkhurst 

• Kino Cinema 

• Park Farm Butchers 

• Two Chicks 

Headcorn 

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Heathfield 

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• The Stores 

Horsham 

• Cook 


Hurst Green 

• Eggs to Apples 

• Merriments 

Hythe 

• The Chair Lady 

• The Flower Shop 

• Halcyon Days 

• Hunters 

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Restaurant 

• Hythe Imperial 

Health Club 

& Spa 

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Hotel 

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Beauty Retreat 


Ickham 

• The Duke William 

Kings Hill 

• Costa 

Lenham 

• Corner House 

Antiques 

Lewes 

• Middle Farm 

• Riverside 

Shopping Hall 

Maidstone 

• House of Fraser 

• Leeds Castle 

• Tesco 


Marden 

• Marden Village 

Store 

Mayfield 

• The Pink Cabbage 

Produce Co. 

Northiam 

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Group 

• Jempson’s Local 

• Will’s Bakery 

and Café 

Nutley 

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Orpington 


Otford 

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Peasmarsh 


Pluckley 

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Shop 

Robertsbridge 

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Rolvenden 

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Linklater 

Rushlake Green 

• The Stores 

Rye 

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• Kino Cinema 

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Sandhurst 

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Sandhurst 

Sedlescombe 

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Office and Stores 

Sellindge 

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Sevenoaks 

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Sheffield Green 

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Sissinghurst 

• TN17 Food 

& Wine 

Smarden 

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House Gallery 

St. Leonards-on-Sea 


• Shop 

• Who’s 

Wearing What 

Staplehurst 

• Frankie’s 

Farm Shop 

Stone Cross 

• Sharnfold Farm 

& Shop 

Tenterden 

• County Clothes 

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Agents 

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Hotel 

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Interiors 

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• Webbs of 

Tenterden 

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Ticehurst 

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Golf Club 

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Tonbridge 

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Tunbridge Wells 

• Fenwick 

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Residential 

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• Truffle 

Wadhurst 


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West Malling 

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Winchelsea 

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Farm Kitchen 

Wye 

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STATIONS: 

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International 

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• Wadhurst 

• West Malling 

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Ashford&CranbrookRoofingWT248.indd 1 30/11/2022 17:50

House 

Month 

of the 

£2,750,000 

Canterbury 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

The dream: An outstanding 

country estate comprising an 

imposing Grade II listed mansion 

in need of restoration. The original 

house was constructed in 1576 

and has been under the same 

ownership for over fifty years. 

A rare opportunity to acquire a 

building of historic importance. 

Where: In the small village of 

Denton, about 8 miles from the 

medieval city of Canterbury, 

with its cobbled streets and 

world famous cathedral. 

Setting: Beautifully hidden from 

sight by bucolic rolling parkland, 

this home occupies a delightful 

setting within an AONB. 

Beds: 15 Baths: 5 

Special features: The brilliant 

grand central reception hall has a 

large open fireplace to one end and 

a sweeping staircase at the other. 

Pleasing details: The bell corridor, 

so named as the original working 

bells are still in place, links the front 

hall to a further collection of rooms. 

Outside: The gardens and grounds 

of approximately 27 acres have an 

array of beautiful ancient trees, 

providing a colourful display of 

foliage throughout the seasons. 

Time to town: From 

Canterbury West station, 20 

minutes away, to London St 

Pancras in just 57 minutes. 

Agent: Savills 01580 720161 

savills.com 


8

Tunbridge Wells 

£4,500,000 

The dream: A stunning family home within 

the High Weald AONB, occupying an 

idyllic semi-rural setting on the outskirts of 

Royal Tunbridge Wells. A substantial village 

home offering versatile accommodation with 

fabulous countryside on the doorstep. 

Where: On the edge of Bells Yew Green, with 

its village green and popular local pub and 

just 3 miles to the east of Tunbridge Wells. 

Setting: Off a quiet country lane, 

tucked away in its own grounds. 


Special features: The impressive master 

bedroom is awash with period features such as 

the wood panelling, sash windows and fireplace. 

Pleasing details: The very handy 

connecting annexe with living room, 

kitchen, 3 bedrooms and bathroom 

provides flexible accommodation. 

Outside: The well maintained gardens of over 

5 acres include a fabulous garden room with 

sauna and shower, a tennis court and paddock. 

Time to town: From Frant station, a 10 minute 

walk away, to London Bridge in 53 minutes. 

Agent: House Partnership 

01483 266700 housepartnership.co.uk 

Uckfield 

£1,000,000 

The dream: A sympathetically converted barn 

located on a working arable farm, restored and 

renovated to create a beautiful rural retreat 

with exceptional beam work and generous 

accommodation. Surrounded by glorious 

countryside this home offers real peace and quiet. 

Where: The charming village of Little Horsted, 

recorded in the Domesday Book and just 3.5 miles 

from Uckfield with its shops and train station. 

Setting: At the end of a long private drive with 

beautiful views across private farmland. 


Special features: The stunning open plan 

kitchen/dining/sitting room – with magnificent 

vaulted ceiling, exposed beams and double 

height windows – is a bright and airy space. 

Pleasing details: The partitioned mezzanine 

above the kitchen is a handy space. 

Outside: The gardens are mostly laid 

to lawn, with a gravel driveway to the 

front and wooded area to the rear. 

Time to town: From Uckfield station, 5 minutes 

drive away, to London Bridge in 1 hour 20 minutes. 

Agent: Maddisons Residential 

01892 514100 maddisonsresidential.co.uk 

9 priceless-magazines.com

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 

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

REMORTGAGING? 

WORRIED ABOUT 

RISING INTEREST 

RATES? 

While we can’t guarantee when mortgage rates will peak, we can use our expertise to 

help secure the right terms for you. If you need to remortgage in the next six to nine 

months, we can help make sure you don’t miss out. Speak to us today. 

Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. 

Mortgages | Pensions | Financial Planning | Investments | Insurance 

Citrus Financial Management Ltd 

2nd Floor 

T. 

Watermill House 

E. 

Chevening Road, Chipstead W. 

Sevenoaks TN13 2RY 

01732 834 834 

advice@citrusfinancial.co.uk 

citrusfinancial.co.uk 

Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited & Quilter Mortgage Planning Limited. 07/06/2023 


10 

CitrusFinancialManagementWT254.indd 1 07/06/2023 12:39:06

Luxury has Landed 

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IMAGES IN THIS ADVERTISEMENT ARE COMPUTER GENERATED GRAPHICS INTENDED TO GIVE AN IMPRESSION OF THE HOUSES IN A MATURE SETTING. *CONDITIONS APPLY.

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CurtainCallWT253.indd 1 16/05/2023 16:05:15 ThomasMansfieldWT251-(Family Law)-WEALD.indd 1 16/03/2023 15:37

flags: istock.com/MarBom 


14

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

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

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18 

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

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 

19 

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 


20

Nursery & Pre-Prep: 

Now introducing provision for 50 weeks 

Ranked in the Top 20 Day Nurseries 

(out of over 2,000 in the South East) 

Little Vines Nursery open 50 weeks 

a year 

Wrap around care for children 

from 2 to 7 years of age to 

6.00pm*, 50 weeks a year 

*5.30 school holidays 

To book a tour or find out more, please email our Admissions Team at 

admissions@vinehallschool.com or call us: 01580 880413. 

Vinehall School, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5JL 

Last few Reception places 

available for September

Traditional Care 

by the sea 

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We offer residential and nursing care in each of our homes and are 

passionate about caring for our residents and enabling them to live full, 

independent and rewarding lives. 

Our experienced team of Registered Nurses and Care Assistants are highly 

qualified, meticulously trained and chosen for their kindness and empathy. 

Our care homes are all Dementia friendly environments. 

We make choosing and moving into 

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To discuss a care need without obligation, please call us today 

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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 this table 

for a classic afternoon tea on a 

summer’s day! You’ll find just 

such an offering at Port Lympne’s 

elegant 20’s 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


Contact us for our 2023 brochure 

Sevenoaks - Tel: 01732 762682 

Tunbridge Wells - Tel: 01892 520730 

www.rencraft.co.uk

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 could be totally transformed 

into the coolest mid-century pad! However this 1930s house, with 

its outbuildings 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 


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 

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.” 

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. 


30

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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 

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 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 

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 

 


“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 

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 white-washed 

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!” 

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 


34

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Top: Next to the seating area, the shelving unit is neatly stacked with magazines and books Above left & right: Justine’s pets make themselves comfortable 

wood mirrors from Sideshow Interiors 

in 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 


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 

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 

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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40

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46 

SmartRangeWT249.indd 1 09/01/2023 14:16

Previous pages & this page: In the 

kitchen, deep dark blue walls and cabinets 

are joined by crisp white woodwork and 

collectable mid-century modern furniture 

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 

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 

 


This page: 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 

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 


48

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

Sarah Ferrell, local Equity Release Adviser, 

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who are retired, or approaching retirement, 

and are considering their financial options. 

Despite lots of television advertising and 

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newspaper SPACES coverage FOR there RELAXING is still confusion - WORKING - CREATING 

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can be long term implications that clients need to 

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finance their retirement….so which is right? 

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50 

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

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. Lurcher Willow 

waits patiently for Alexa at the bottom of the stairs 

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 finished, I came back 

and could still see the shadow of the poppies staring at me!” At 


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 

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 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 floor-to-ceiling wood sash 

windows that overlook a leafy front garden. “We were so 


52

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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 

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 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 


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 

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 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 

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 


56

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“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.” 

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 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 


58

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-andgroove 

woodwork and built in dresser, 

fireplace, and the bath surround 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. 

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 


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This page: 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 (below) 

Senlac Studio is now established as a local arts hub 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 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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in the September 

issue of Wealden Times 

and Surrey Homes 



64

Love your 

Home

AWARD WINNING, LUXURY SWIMMING POOLS 

Proud UK Installer and Distributor of Aqua Technics Pools 

Award-winning One-piece Swimming Pools From Australia 

Specialists in Indoor & Outdoor Swimming Pool Installation 

44 SPATA Awards 

SPATA Contractor of the Year 2020, 2018, 2015 

EUSA Domestic Indoor Pool Gold Award Winner 2021 

Unit 5, The Glenmore Centre, Willesborough, Ashford, TN24 0TL 

01233 840336 | enquiries@xlpools.com 

www.xlpools.com

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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 

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TenterdenTilingWT254.indd 1 08/06/2023 16:33:09 

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SitSmartWT253.indd 1 09/05/2023 13:29:41

Creating An Illusion To Sell Your Property 

Primary logo 

clare langdon 

I N T E R I O R S 

07918 081792 | 01892 352050 | stylemyhome.com 

Made to measure curtains, 

blinds secondary and soft logo furnishings. 

& pattern 

clare langdon 

Visit our shop for ideas, lamps, cushions, 

throws and items for the home. 

St David’s Bridge, Cranbrook. TN17 3HL 


Tuesday – Friday 10-4 or by appointment 

01580 712209 

www.clarelangdoninteriors.co.uk 


clare langdon 

StyleMyHomeLtdWT254.indd 1 15/06/2023 09:39:36 ClareLangdonWT252.indd 1 11/04/2023 16:53 

colour palette 

Google Reviews 

Architect specialising in high-quality, sustainable, residential design 

C = 20 

M = 15 

Y = 72 

K = 5 

C = 0 

M = 5 

Y = 5 

K = 60 

Gotham Book 

fonts 

Caleigh 

New Homes Extensions Loft Conversions Interiors Green Belt & AONBs 

www.fg-architecture.com 07792 678564 foxgrovesarchitecture 


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FoxGroveArchitectureWT254.indd 1 07/06/2023 14:24:58

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 


Innovators in outdoor living since 1960 

Garden Rooms | Composite Decking 

Hot Tubs | Swim Spas | Saunas 

johnsonsgardenbuildings.co.uk 

johnsonsleisure.co.uk


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 


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Sale 

Timeless Garden Rooms 

BOUTIQUE COMPANY FOR GARDEN LIVING 

Garden Room & Annexe Company 

Home Offices, Gyms, Pool House & 

Independent Annexes in your garden. 

25 Years Experience 

Family orientated, custom built, flexible service. 

17 th June - 15 th July 2023 

www.timelessgardenrooms.co.uk 

www.timelessgardenannexe.com 

01843 821 851 

sales.timelessgardenrooms@gmail.com 

High Street, 

Cranbrook, 

Kent, TN17 3DN 

Tel: 01580 712555 

bellhousefabrics.co.uk 

sales@bellhousefabrics.co.uk 

Premium Bespoke 

Garden Rooms in Surrey. 

Any size, any shape. 

TimelessGardenRoomsWT254.indd 1 07/06/2023 16:04:25 

BellHouseWT254.indd 1 06/06/2023 14:48:06 

Local company with 

experienced, professional team. 

10 year guarantee. 

From £23,000. 

Make Contact via Our Website Now. We are taking bookings for this year. 

Unit 4, Monument Way East, Woking, 

Surrey, GU21 5LY 01483 768273 

www.gardenroomsbydrumbeat.co.uk 


GardenRoomsByDrumbeatWT254.indd 1 12/06/2023 16:45:22


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 


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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

BUILDING THE FUTURE - RESTORING THE PAST 

The Stables, Morgans Yard, High Street, Uckfield TN22 1RN 

Be Inspired... 

New Builds | Alterations & Conversions | Restorations | Extensions 

Garages | Groundworks | Roofing Services | Bathrooms & Kitchens 

Surveying | Listed Properties | Commercial Properties 

01424 892933 | info@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk 

www.parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk 

PARKERS YARD, LITTLE ACRE, THE GREEN, NINFIELD, BATTLE, EAST SUSSEX TN33 9JG 

01825 705800 info@villagebathroomstudio.co.uk 

www.villagebathroomstudio.co.uk 

ParkerAndSonConstructionWT251.indd 1 16/03/2023 VillageBathroomStudioWT254.indd 11:28 

1 08/06/2023 12:21:19 

Oak Framed Buildings 

☎ 07716 825217 foxframing.co.uk 

@foxframing @foxframing 

Garage / Cartlodges • Studio / Home Offices • Gazebos / Pergolas 


FoxFramingWT247.indd 1 31/10/2022 16:11

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)

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 


Upholstery Design Services 

Passionate about fabric & creating unique furniture 

sarahlouisedix.co.uk | enquiries@sarahlouisedix.co.uk | 01483 801108 

THE STYLE BRUSH 

ARCHITECTURE & INTERIORS 

A family business providing timeless 

architectural and interior design services, 

inspired by the Quintessential English 

countryside. Find us @thestylebrush 

www.thestylebrush.com 

SarahLouiseDixWT254.indd 1 07/06/2023 15:36:21 

StyleBrushArchitecture&InteriorsThewt254.indd 1 12/06/2023 16:58:01 

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. 

Urban & Grey Ltd 

Constable’s Boatyard 

5-9 Thames Street 

Hampton 

TW12 2EW 

Telephone: 020 8979 6367 

info@urbanandgrey.co.uk 

www.urbanandgrey.co.uk 

Sliding Doors • Bifold Doors • Flush Casement Windows 

Steel Replacement Doors, Screens & Windows 

Frameless Glazing • Frameless Fixed Rooflights 

Venting, Lantern & Walk-on Rooflights 

Front Doors, Pivot Doors, Glazed Garden Rooms & Verandas 


18 

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


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 

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20

Astrid Templier Photography 

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66 

CountyClothesWT252-WT.indd 1 18/04/2023 14:29

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, 

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68 

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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. 


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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

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JumeiraIndianRestaurantWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 11:12:53

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. 


very day was 

a battle with 

agonising 

sciatica…but 

I’m pain-free and 

enjoying life again 

after IDD Therapy 

Sarah Gower from Marden had suffered 

with back pain ‘niggles’ for a few years, 

but last summer she was suddenly 

struck with unbearable sciatica in her 

leg which stopped her in her tracks. 

Sarah explains: “For as long as I can 

remember, I’ve always experienced a 

degree of discomfort in my back, which 

my osteopath at the time had put down to 

muscular issues, but one day I woke with 

the most excruciating sciatic pain which 

literally floored me; I could hardly move.” 

Over the following weeks Sarah’s pain and 

lack of movement completely disrupted 

her routine: “I couldn’t find a comfortable 

sleeping position for my back and the 

shooting pains in my leg woke me several 

times every night; I actually ended up 

sleeping on the floor out of desperation. I 

couldn’t go to work, driving was impossible, 

and everyday chores – even bathing and 

dressing – became incredibly difficult.” 

Sarah’s GP prescribed strong painkillers 

but after a short while, she discovered she 

was allergic to them. She was also put on 

a waiting list to see a spinal surgeon: “I 

knew it would be a few months before I 

saw a consultant, but honestly, I really 

wasn’t comfortable with the idea of 

spinal injections or surgery; I’d read 

about the risks and recovery periods 

involved and it was a big worry for me.” 

More than that, Sarah didn’t think 

she’d be able to manage waiting for an 

operation; she needed to get the pain sorted 

as soon as possible. “I’d seen some local 

magazine articles about patients who had 

recovered well at Wealden Osteopaths & 

Spine Centre, so I went for some handson 

osteopathy to begin with, but when 

I wasn’t responding, the Clinic Director 

James Pickering stepped in and arranged 

for me to have an MRI scan straight away; 

he suspected I had some disc damage - a 

possible reason for my relentless sciatica.” 

James’s thoughts were confirmed; the 

scan showed a herniated disc in Sarah’s 

lower back. He recommended a course of 

IDD Therapy, a targeted disc treatment 

for persistent back pain, neck pain and 

sciatica. The non-invasive treatment 

uses gentle pulling forces to draw 

apart spinal segments where discs are 

bulging or damaged, removing pressure 

and irritation from trapped nerves. 

James Pickering’s team is changing the lives of 

slipped disc and sciatica sufferers with IDD Therapy 

James’s expert team uses the programme 

to help patients who find themselves 

on a merry-go-round of painkillers, 

physiotherapy and GP visits. 

Sarah was keen to start her treatment 

immediately: “James was confident 

that IDD Therapy could help me; he 

reassured me that it would treat the 

root of my problem so that my sciatica 

wouldn’t return. I knew my progress 

may take some time, but I felt hopeful 

at last, and I went into the treatment 

programme feeling very positive.” 


After her IDD Therapy programme, 

Sarah enjoyed a pain-free holiday 

on the island of Jersey 

Sarah made steady progress with 

IDD Therapy; halfway through the 

programme, she felt a real improvement 

in her pain and movement. 

“I still can’t quite believe 

I’m back swimming, going 

to the gym and sleeping 

through the night at last.” 

When her course finished, she was 

completely pain-free and back to her usual 

routine: “Actually, I still can’t quite believe 

I’m back swimming, going to the gym and 

sleeping through the night at last. IDD 

Therapy has been a godsend, and James’s 

team has been wonderful throughout.” 

James is delighted with Sarah’s progress: 

“IDD Therapy continues to be an 

invaluable help to patients like Sarah 

who are stuck in ‘limbo’ between 

unsuccessful hands-on treatments, 

injections and surgery. It’s our first choice 

treatment for disc-related issues.” 

Don’t let back pain, neck pain or 

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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 


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WCLandcraftWT252.indd 1 31/03/2023 10:53

Ready for Round Two? 

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

istockphoto.com/DiViArt 

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 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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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

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

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. 


Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

Theatre at 

Smallhythe Place 

Experience live performances at 

Smallhythe Place's stunning 17th century 

Barn Theatre. Tickets from £5. 

Smallhythe, Tenterden, TN30 7NG 

nationaltrust.org.uk/smallhythe-place 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. 

Photography © National Trust Images/John Miller 

PASHLEY MANOR 

GARDENS 

KITCHEN 

GARDEN 

WEEK 

11th July every day 

to 15th July 

East Sussex/Kent border TN5 7HE 01580 200888 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

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

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

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 


92 

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

CHICKENSTOCK FESTIVAL 

READING STREET VILLAGE 

OPEN GARDENS 

SUSSEX GUILD 

CRAFT SHOW 

istockphoto.com/ Everste & romrodinka & azgek 

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 

GREEN ROOM 

CONCERTS 

TITHE BARN 

LENHAM, KENT 

THE 

PASADENA 

ROOF 

ORCHESTRA 

01.09.23 

Big names. Beautiful spaces 

For tickets visit: 

greenroomconcerts.com 

BACH 

TO BABY 

02.09.23 

NICHOLAS DANIEL, 

FENELLA HUMPHREYS 

& JACK GONZALEZ- 

HARDING WITH 

THE LONDON 

MOZART PLAYERS 

02.09.23 

Event details subject to change 

THE CLARE 

TEAL FOUR 

03.09.23 

KENT 

BATTLE OF BRITAIN 

MUSEUM 

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

GreenroomConcertsWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 16:30:55 

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 

www.kbobm.org 

)01303 893140 


94 

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

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 

Traditional markets in Faversham’s historic town centre 

Our busy markets and independent shops and cafés 

make Faversham the perfect place to visit 

FAVERSHAM CHARTER MARKET – every Tuesday, Friday & Saturday 

BEST OF FAVERSHAM MARKET – 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month 

FAVERSHAM ANTIQUES MARKET – 1st Sunday of the month 

Triple Markets on the first weekend of the month 

Three wonderful markets packed into one weekend 

SATURDAY 

Faversham Charter Market - selling food & drink; plants; 

clothing; household goods and more 

Best of Faversham Market - showcasing locally produced arts; crafts; food & drink 

SUNDAY 

Faversham Antiques Market – the country’s largest town centre antiques market 

Check our website & social media for latest information 

favershammarket.org 

RedDogPRWT252-FavershamMarket.indd 1 17/04/2023 14:48 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. 

Photography © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler 

Summer visits to 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

Experience the beauty and history of 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden, tucked away 

in the Wealden countryside this summer. 

ROSEMARY LANE 

DAY MUSIC FESTIVAL 

AND FAIR 

APPLEDORE 

VINTAGE CAR RALLY 

Biddenden Road, Nr Cranbrook, TN17 2AB 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 


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

TICKETS 

ON SALE NOW! 

A traditional day out for the whole family 

19 & 20 August 2023 | 10am - 5pm 

Tractors • Classic cars • Horticultural machinery 

Steam engines • Stationary engines • Emergency vehicles 

Country crafts • Trade stalls • Tractor rides • Live demonstrations 

Animals • Live music • Wide range of food and drink 

plus much more… 

Photo credit: Countrywide Photographic and Holland-Gladwish Photography. 

Find us: Holden Farm, Sissinghurst Rd, 

Biddenden, Kent TN27 8EZ 

///sizes.mopped.dabbling 

01622 630975 | info@tractorfest.co.uk 

www.tractorfest.co.uk 

Follow us for our 

latest updates 

@biddenden_tractorfest 

BiddendenTractorfest 

@tractorfest 

Supported by 

Organised by local volunteers and supported by the Kent County 

Agricultural Society (charity number 1001191) www.kcas.org.uk 

KentCountyShowgroundWT254-Tractorfest.indd 2 12/06/2023 14:49:01 

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

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

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

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. 

Nicholls Restores 

Antique Furniture inc. French Polishing. 

Est: 1989. Treasured family heirlooms lovingly repaired. 

Kitchen wooden worktops sanded & sealed. 

Tel: 01233 860130. 

nichollsrestores@btinternet.com. 

www.nicholls-restores.com 

Wood Floor 

Sanding 

NichollsRestoresWT253.indd 1 17/05/2023 16:58:56 

- Family Business - 

We also restore wooden kitchen tops 

FREE estimates - call any time 

07794953597 gerardgrover@gmail.com 

Godinton House & Gardens 

AllWoodsSandingServicesWT2171/8.indd 1 21/02/2020 12:55 

Sculpture in the Garden 

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

Annual 

exhibition of 

contemporary 

sculpture by 

respected local 

artists 

View work on carefully curated trail through 12-acre garden 

BIDDENDEN 

TRACTORFEST 

BROADSTAIRS 

FOLK WEEK 

Pre-booking 

recommended at 

godintonhouse.co.uk 

Garden entry £8 

Free catalogue from ticket office 

Godinton Lane, 

Ashford, Kent 

TN23 3BP 


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

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

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Wealden Times | WT254 | July 2023 | Love Your Home Supplement inside

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