Wealden Times | WT256 | September 2023 | Education & Kitchen Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

SEPTEMBER 2023 

256 

SEPTEMBER 2023 

EDUCATION and KITCHEN SUPPLEMENTS inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

M 

Y 

Y 

Y

jminteriorsuk.uk 

Please email or call to make a showroom appointment 

info@jminteriorsuk.uk 01580 291221 

JMInteriorsWT256.indd All Pages

MINTERIORS 

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Designing and handcrafting kitchens since 1994 

02/08/2023 14:22:52

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priceless-magazines.com 

6

Contents 

September 2023 

12 

23 

31 

34 

51 

55 

68 

85 

34 

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 

CREATIVE INFLUENCE 

A peaceful family home with a 

little boho chic in Peasmarsh 

GET THE LOOK 

When it comes to soft furnishing, 

add some feminine softness 

AND THE KITCHEN SINK 

Browse inspirational kitchen pages 

for style advice and trend-led designs 

FAIR STANDS THE WIND 

A fascinating property perched on 

top of some stunning coastline 

GET THE LOOK 

Achieve airy chic with our 

perfectly pale interior picks 

113 

87 

113 

114 

116 

123 

125 

EDUCATION 

Go behind the scenes at a host 

of successful South East schools 

STYLE IT PILLARBOX 

A deliciously red tote 

bag statement 

MISS SCARLETT 

Opt for berry, autumn’s 

latest fashion hue 

ROCK THE KITCHEN 

The West House’s Graham 

Garrett shares recipes from his 

autobiographical cookbook 

IT’S ALL IN THE 

PREPARATION 

Our very own Emily Pavey 

tries out The Small Holding’s 

Grow the Seasons session 

SMOOTH & SOOTHE 

Josephine Fairley road tests 

the ultimate face masks 

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. 

129 

130 

133 

136 

141 

146 

68 

UNDER PRESSURE 

Sarah Maxwell explains how 

to alleviate hypertension 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau explores 

the power of apples 

WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE 

Sue Whigham discovers Marden’s 

inspiring community wildlife projects 

PAVING THE WAY 

Jo Arnell gives her tips 

for paths and patios 

WHAT’S ON? 

From pantos to courses, 

find out what’s on... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard looks into tree 

conservation 

EDUCATION 

SUPPLEMENT 

26 pages of the 

latest school 

news, views 

and specialities. 

After page 86. 

Photo Credit: Brambletye

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 

planning to clients and businesses across Kent. We are proud of 

our success, our independence, and our reputation of being a 

friendly, professional practice. 

For more information about the many services we offer, please visit our website 

or follow us on Linkedin for regular FAS news, views and financial updates. 

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273 Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230 

Email: ifa@financial-advice.co.uk 

www.financial-advice.co.uk 

Authorised and Regulated by 

The Financial Conduct Authority 

FinancialAdviceWT254.indd 2 13/06/2023 11:16:06

From the 

Editor 

It’s back to school this month for so many families 

across the South East, and a brand new adventure 

for many children who will be embarking on their 

education journey or starting a new school. We’ve 

put together a special supplement that will appeal 

to anyone who’s wanting to find out more about 

the staff, facilities and specialities of the wonderful 

schools we have here in Kent, Sussex and Surrey. 

Kitchens take centre stage between our 

house shoots this issue, where Rebecca Cuffe 

has explored designs, trends and accessories 

alongside real-life projects to inspire. 

We’ve focused in on the rich, pillarbox red in fashion 

this month. Find clothes and accessories to light up 

your autumn wardrobe and get a preview of a striking 

range of luxury leather bags that you can shop at this 

November’s Wealden Times Midwinter Fair (tickets 

are now on sale at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk by the way!) 

Our food section comes courtesy of the incredibly 

talented Graham Garrett of The West House fame. Spice 

up your recipe repertoire with oysters, 

sea bass and a contemporary sticky 

toffee pudding before moving into our 

health and beauty section to discover 

the ultimate face masks, learn why 

apples can deliver such a healthy boost 

and get tips to relieve hypertension. 

Enjoy your Priceless magazine! 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales ManagersLisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Account ExecutiveMarnie Newman 

Sales & Marketing Executive Zoe Parrish 

Wealden Times Show Director Flo Simpson 

Events Manager Liz Miles 

Events Sales Director Jude Brown 

Financial ControllerStephen Hunt 

Accounts Sarah Davies 

Nicola O’Leary 

Social Media ManagerCharlotte Lau 

Managing DirectorVivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive Chairman Julie Simpson 

9 

Thomas Thomas 

Mansfield 

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Family & Divorce Law 

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Contact us to arrange a 

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at a time to suit you. 

Call us today on 

01892 337540 

121-123 Mount Pleasant Road, Tunbridge Wells 

www.tmfamilylaw.co.uk 

enquiry@thomasmansfield.com 

Separation & Divorce • Finances 

Children • Mediation • Cohabitation 

Prenuptial Agreements • Estate Planning 

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We help plan can for you 

DO YOU KNOW 

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istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

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11 

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

8/18/2023 3:44:32 PM

House 

Month 

of the 

£10,000,000 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite homes on the market 

Folkington 

The dream: A beautiful Grade 

II listed country manor dating 

back to the 1830s and situated 

in a mature parkland setting on 

the edge of the South Downs 

National Park. Built on an ancient 

site occupied since The Domesday 

Book, the house was constructed 

for a prominent local family. 

Where: The charming hamlet of 

Folkington, just a stone’s throw 

away from the South Downs 

National Park and 11 miles from 

the historic county town of Lewes. 

Setting: Off a quiet lane and 

down a long, private carriage 

drive, Folkington Manor occupies 

an enviable sheltered position, 

surrounded by the South Downs. 

Beds: 7+3 Baths: 5+1 

Special features: It’s hard to pick out 

one special feature in a house with so 

many, but the enormous dining room 

with ornate ceiling moulding and 

decorative chandeliers is big enough 

to host a spectacular dinner party. 

Pleasing details: Built from a 

beautiful and unusual knapped flint 

under a traditional slate roof, the 

house has been restored with the 

internal layout altered to create a 

comfortable private family home. 

Outside: The gorgeous south-facing 

gardens, with the South Downs 

providing the most breathtaking 

backdrop, are expansive and include a 

multitude of additional accommodation. 

There’s also a traditional stable yard 

for all your equine needs and a superb 

private barn, suitable for a commercial 

venture or a wedding venue. 

Time to town: From Polegate station, 

a 7 minute drive away, to London 

Victoria in 1 hour 15 minutes. 

Agent: Knight Frank 

020 3869 4758 knightfrank.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Hellingly 

£4,500,000 

The dream: An exceptional Grade I listed Moated 

Manor House rich in medieval architecture 

and dating back to the 15th century. The 

property has recently been restored to a high 

standard and comes with an abundance of 

outbuildings scattered throughout the estate. 

Where: The historic village of Hellingly, 

just 5 minutes from nearby Hailsham. 

Setting: In a magical part wall-enclosed 

garden within a spring-fed moat. 

Beds: 4 + 2 + 3 Baths: 3 + 1 + 1 

Special features: The wonderful Great 

Chamber transports you back 500 years with 

its exposed timber vaulted ceiling, brick and 

stone fireplace and panelled oak walls. 

Pleasing details: Part of Rock ’n’ Roll 

history too, in the 1970s/80s the manager 

of Led Zeppelin, Peter Grant, lived here. 

Outside: The beautiful gardens of about 30 

acres are approached over a stone paved and 

timber bridge, which leads through an imposing 

archway. Farmland forms part of the grounds. 

Time to town: From Polegate Station, 6 miles 

away, to London Victoria in 1 hour 16 minutes. 

Agent: Batcheller Monkhouse 

01424 775577 batchellermonkhouse.com 

Broadstairs 

£1,200,000 

The dream: A handsome 1920s detached family 

home crafted by renowned architect Edgar Ranger 

in 1926 and nestled in one of Broadstairs’ most 

esteemed areas, close to the seafront and offering 

captivating coastal views from the first floor. 

Where: About a mile from the centre of town. 

Setting: Just a 3 minute walk from the spectacular 

coastline, which boasts seven sandy beaches, 

clifftop walks and quaint fishermen’s cottages. 

Beds: 4 Baths: 4 

Special features: The sun-drenched oak 

framed garden room is huge and a fantastic 

space for entertaining or just kicking back. 

Pleasing details: There may be scope to 

convert the loft to create an additional 

2 bedrooms and bathroom. 

Outside: The established gardens are ideal 

to get the best of the afternoon and evening 

sun. The pool outbuilding with shower room 

could be converted to an office or annexe. 

Time to town: From Broadstairs 

station, just 4 minutes away by car, to 

London St Pancras in 1 hour 18. 

Agent: Rafferty & Pickard 

01732 905499 raffertyandpickard.co.uk 

13 


YOUR LOCAL BESPOKE PROPERTY 

EXPERTS COVERING EAST SUSSEX. 

. HEATHFIELD . LEWES . BATTLE . UCKFIELD 

. EASTBOURNE & SURROUNDING RURAL 

AREAS / VILLAGES . LONDON 

Nr Heathfield, East Sussex 

Guide price £3,200,000 

A unique bespoke modern family country estate 

comprising 2 large linked family homes, just under 

7,000 sq ft in total, in a secluded and peaceful rural 

setting with beautiful park-like gardens and grounds 

of c. 11.5 acres with breathtaking rural views. EPC: E 

Battle, East Sussex 

Guide price £2,500,000 to £2,750,000 

A rare opportunity to purchase a substantial detached 

six double bedroom Grade II listed country house 

with wonderful rural views and set in circa 9 acres 

of glorious gardens and grounds on the edge of this 

highly desirable small Sussex town. EPC: exempt 

Mayfield, East Sussex 

Offers in excess of £1,250,000 

A substantial detached five/six double bedroom Georgian 

influenced family residence of around 4,000 sq ft in 

immaculate order, set within gardens of about a third 

of an acre abutting woodlands with rural views and in 

grounds of a 20 acre gated country estate. EPC: B 

Battle, East Sussex 

Guide price £2,250,000 to £2,500,000 

A magnificent detached five to six bedroomed Grade 

II luxury barn conversion of around 3,500 sq ft 

set within around 9 acres of gardens and grounds, 

including a small productive vineyard and successful 

3 unit glamping safari style business. EPC: exempt 

LONDON 

OFFICES IN 

MAYFAIR 

London Office 

121 Park Lane 

Mayfair London 

W1K 7AG 

London Mayfair: 

0203 0965353 

East Sussex Office 

Forge Meadow, 

Hammer Lane, Cowbeech, 

East Sussex BN27 4JL 

East Sussex: 

01323 833630 

contact@nevilleandneville.co.uk 

www.nevilleandneville.co.uk

The Sevenoaks Property Experts 

Westerham, TN16 

£1,500,000 F/H 

A stunning detached property, located in 

a sought after rural setting in Toys Hill, adjacent 

to numerous woodland walks and National 

Trust’s Emmetts Gardens. 

5 5 3 C 

Tonbridge, TN12 

Guide price – £750,000-£795,000 F/H 

A wonderful chain-free investment opportunity, 

this Grade II listed Georgian fronted farmhouse 

comes complete with a stable block conversion 

comprising two self-contained apartments. 

3 9 4 NA 

Contact our Sevenoaks office today: 

sevenoaks@langfordrussell.co.uk | 01732 443 333 | acorngroup.co.uk/langfordrussell

Thinking of a 

change of scene? 

Think Batcheller 

Monkhouse. 

If you’re looking to sell or let your property, no one 

knows the local property market better. Demand for 

houses in Sussex and Kent remains incredibly strong, 

and we have a long list of prospective buyers and 

renters looking to move. Call or email us today for a 

free, no obligation Market Appraisal. 

batchellermonkhouse.com 

Battle 

Sales: 01424 775577 

battle@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Lettings: 01424 236145 

battlelettings@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Pulborough 

Sales: 01798 872081 

sales@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Lettings: 01798 877501 

pulblettings@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Haywards Heath 

Sales: 01444 453181 

hh@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Lettings: 01444 415151 

hhlettings@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Tunbridge Wells 

Sales: 01892 512020 

twells@batchellermonkhouse.com 

Lettings: 01892 502840 

twellslettings@batchellermonkhouse.com

PMS 

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INNATE 

ARCHITECTURE + DESIGN 

C 88 

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PLEASE CONTACT US FOR A FREE CONSULTATION 

Whether you have a piece of land you’re hoping to develop, or 

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would love to speak to you! 

Your Business 

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Helping our clients achieve the results they 

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www.berryandlamberts.co.uk 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 01892 526344 

SEVENOAKS 01732 460565 

PADDOCK WOOD 01892 833456 

innatearchitecture.co.uk 

e: info@innatearchitecture.co.uk 

t: 01732700176 


18

John-Paul Rafferty 

FNAEA FARLA Assoc RICS 

Paul Pickard 

MNAEA 

Broadstairs £1,200,000 Broadstairs 

£1,000,000 

Hythe 

£775,000 

Broadstairs £1,450,000 Hythe 

£775,000 

www.raffertyandpickard.co.uk 01732 905499 homes@raffertyandpickard.co.uk 

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 

T FOR 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. 

d, in the majority of 

rs significant costs. 

er public houses, redundant 

n or replacement, houses 

arn conversions, large 

projects. 

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 

19 

sjd-projects.com 


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

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21 


truly 

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& PERSONAL 

HOLIDAYS 

LUXURY HOLIDAYS FOR 

A lifetime 

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22

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best of what to see and do near you 

Get Creative 

Leeds Castle is staging a sensational celebration of the world of craft 

and design throughout September. The event promises an enchanting 

display of creativity, food, art and florals, with new events and 

experiences for 2023. Created to appeal to visitors of all ages and 

interests, the Festival of Craft & Design features everything 

from an incredible outdoor animal-themed sculpture trail 

through the more-than 500-acre estate and a new giant 

floral jungle exhibition in the Castle’s Tudor Courtyard, to 

behind-the-scenes tours, fabulous fashion and costume 

displays, sustainable art workshops and celebrity design 

guest experts. The Festival of Craft & Design runs 

throughout September. The Artisan & Food Fair is 

on 8th-10th September. Both events are included 

as part of the admission ticket. Online prices, 

which include unlimited visits for a year, are 

from £30 for adults and £22.50 for children. 

leeds-castle.com 

Fresh: Art Fair returns to Ascot 

Racecourse on 22nd-24th September. 

They host galleries rather than 

individual artists which means they 

show a huge variety of art by an 

impressive number of artists …a wider 

range of art than any British fair. 

There will be 45 galleries presenting 

work by 450 artists including fresh 

young talent and serious players 

such as Hockney, Banksy, Matisse 

and Dali. You’ll see original art from 

£50 to £30,000 or more, although 

most of it promises to be well 

within your budget. With licensed 

cafés, talks, artist demos and free 

parking, Fresh: really is a supereasy 

way to browse and buy art. 

freshartfair.net 

FRIENDS 

& PHO 

Vietnamese 

street food restaurant group 

Pho have opened in Canterbury, 

serving great value, healthy Vietnamese 

food prepared fresh on-site every day. 

Think noodle soups with broth simmered 

for up to 12 hours, heart-warming 

curries, crunchy salads, and delicious 

rice bowls. Pho caters for all, with 

98% of the menu being gluten free, 

accredited by Coeliac UK, and 40% 

of the menu is vegan. Families, 

friends and little noodle lovers are 

also welcomed with a varied kid’s 

menu. Book or walk-in now! 

phocafe.co.uk/locations/canterbury/ 


SPIN A YARN 

Knitters and crocheters 

can welcome the change of season 

at Farnham Maltings’ unravel… autumn on 

Fri 8th & Sat 9th September. Exhibitors include the 

colourful gradient yarns of Chroma Nima, the sparkling 

stitch markers of Green & Glass, hand-printed Irish linen 

project bags from Liz Walsh Textiles, playful and colourful spinning 

fibres from YarnTings - and many more! Included with entry is 

access to the exciting talk series featuring inspiring speakers and live 

demonstrations of natural dyeing and machine knitting, plus a 

programme of expert-led workshops with a focus on mending 

and upcycling. Festival entry is included with all workshops. 

bookings. Tickets are £10 in advance (plus online 

booking fee) or £12 on the door (under 18s 

free). For tickets and workshop bookings 

visit farnhammaltings.com 

POCKETFUL 

OF RYE 

The 52nd annual Rye Arts 

Festival from 15th to 30th 

September promises to be 

one of the biggest and best 

yet, including classical and 

folk music, drama, films, 

walks, books and talks. Come 

and listen to the entirely brilliant 

Michael Rosen or Henry Jeffreys’ 

fascinating talk about the rise of (local) English wine. Check 

out a unique pianola concert, get the historical lowdown on the 

streets of Rye, watch King Kong and enjoy the folk guitarist 

Martin Simpson. Not to be missed! ryeartsfestival.org.uk 

Tap 

it out 

LOOKING 

BACK 

Make a date to curl up 

with a book this autumn. 

We’ve really enjoyed Peter 

A. Harding’s memoir of 

an idyllic childhood in 

Goudhurst, ‘After the war 

was over’. It’s available 

in bookshops or directly 

from the author by emailing 

peter.harding8@btinternet.com 

Emerald Storm 

comes to G Live this September, 

direct from the Queen’s Platinum 

Jubilee Celebrations at Windsor 

Castle ‘as seen on ITV’. Co-written 

and co-choreographed by world 

renowned tap dancer and Hollywood 

actor Adam Garcia, feel the immense 

power and thunderous rhythms as Irish 

Dance and Modern Tap combine to soar 

into the 21st century. Find out more and 

book your tickets online at glive.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ Lesikvit 

PICTURE THIS 

Art-lovers, head to Art Surrey at Epsom Downs Racecourse on Sat 

7th and Sun 8th October (with a preview evening on Fri 6th). You’ll 

find over 80 of the most exciting contemporary and traditional 

artists selling today (including Nancy Chambers’ work, left). 

Curated by Art Surrey and Caiger Art to include 

established and emerging independent artists specialising 

in everything from painting to photography and ceramics. 

With more than 3,000 artworks ranging from £50 to 

over £3,000, there will be something for all tastes. 

Buy tickets from artsurrey.co.uk/tickets or use the promo code 

SURREYHOMES to get free weekend tickets via the QR code. 


Homeware Candles Gifts & Accessories Jewellery 

Bath & Body Baby & Child Read Write Wrap Gift Vouchers 

© National Trust 2023. Registered charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra 

Autumn visits to 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

Photograph by Poppy Hollis 

145 Bridge Street Wye TN25 5DP 

07739 885609 

ticketybooshop.com @ ticketybooshop 

Learn top tips from our garden team 

and range of experts this Autumn with 

workshops, family events and more. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 

25 


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 - 

FOR THE ARTISTIC SHOPPER 

A Night with the Stars 

Evening of 28th September 

Celebrating 20 years in Claygate 

trewartgallery 

BEAUTIFUL ART & UNIQUE ITEMS 

FROM SUSSEX & KENT 

CHURCH STREET TICEHURST TN57AE 

01580 201259 jane@greenfinchshop.co.uk 

greenfinchshop.co.uk @greenfinchticehurst 

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997 

Greenfinch Quarter Page 90x130 final v03.indd 1 08/03/2023 11:48 

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 

26 

Date 

22.03.02.10 

Drawing No. 

Rev 

CONCEPT 

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

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A favourite in Shakespearean verse 

and Egyptian mythology alike, the 

sycamore undeniably holds something 

special, and their twizzly helicoptering 

seeds are always a welcome herald of 

autumn. For fans of the season, this 

beauty by Lucy Sylvester captures 

one such seed suspended in a golden 

pendant. It costs £3,120, but items 

in the collection start from £65. 

lucysylvester.co.uk 

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! 

In perfect 

time for the 

beginning of 

autumn, we have Little 

Greene’s delectable 

new colour capsule 

palette Sweet Treats. 

These cosy colours are 

aptly named after tasty 

flavours like Madeleine, 

Ganache, Affogato and 

the pictured Galette 

(here in Intelligent 

Matt Emulsion £59.50/ 

2.5L), and are perfect 

for a stylishly seasonal 

home makeover. 

littlegreene.com 

Second Hand 

September is all 

about shopping and 

donating second hand to 

reduce waste and combat 

climate change. Which is 

why our top shopping pick 

this month is Bond Street 

Boutique in Tenterden with 

their fabulous selection of 

second hand designer finds. 

bondstreetboutique.co.uk 

Folkestone’s Harbour Arm has long been a hot spot for 

hot days while summer still abounds. But now, there are 

new indoor dining options for year-round appeal. As 

ever though, the big question remains what you’ll pick 

– Agentine Grill? South African BBQ? Pan Asian Street 

Food? Choices choices! folkestoneharbourarm.co.uk 

As autumn approaches we need 

days out that will deliver that 

irresistable crunch of fallen leaves 

underfoot. Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

is our pick with its colourful cottage 

garden, nuttery, and orchard. Plus, 

from October 14, a new exhibiton will 

explore how the castle’s interiors and 

gardens were inspired by Persia with 

unseen photos and a chance to handle 

items from Vita Sackville-West’s 

writing room. nationaltrust.org.uk 

If you’re looking for your next local small 

business to fall for, Mono & Lena is for you! 

Their textural and timeless home accessories 

are designed and created at founder Noura’s 

home in Kent, and are made to order with 

low environmental impact. Plus, with each 

order placed, a tree is planted! We love these 

trinkets in terracotta – there are candle and 

tealight holders, bud vases, match pots and 

loads more in all sorts of colours from just £10 

– a perfect start if you want to get ahead on 

Christmas gift shopping! monoandlena.co.uk 

We’ve long been fans of Haines Collection 

– you can find Founder and Director Jules 

Haines’ house in our November/ December 

2020 issue at priceless-magazines.com – so we 

are of course excited about their new limited 

edition collection with Daydress. The brand 

repurposes waste materials into beautiful 

homewares including cushions, lampshades 

and wallpaper, and their latest collection 

using Daydress’ excess fabrics is as tastefully 

stylish as ever. hainescollection.co.uk 

Gail’s has just opened a 

new branch in Epsom 

high street! With their 

autumn menu launching 

on the 13th, including 

soups in partnership with 

Natoora, and sweet treats 

like spiced apple cake, it’s 

a great time to try Gail’s in 

any of their stores across 

the South East or in a local 

Waitrose. gailsbread.co.uk 

31 


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Creative 

Influence 


Nicki Cox’s sublimely 

curated home is a real 

showcase of her talent 

for combining artwork 

and texture in her 

interesting interiors 

Words: Antonia Deeson 

Photographs: David Merewether 

“I 

instinctively knew how I 

was going to decorate this 

house,” says interior designer 

Nicki Cox, the owner of Tanhouse. 

“In fact I had been mentally adding 

fabrics, furniture and wallpapers to a 

virtual moodboard in my head, from 

various jobs, over many years. As soon 

as we started work on this house it 

felt like the ideas were already there, 

I just needed to activate them. I get 

goosebumps when I know a design 

scheme is working as I am always so 

emotionally involved, I can’t help it.” 

More often than not, for Nicki it is 

art that usually kicks off the decorating 

process, leading her on each creative 

journey. We are standing in her dining 

room looking at a print of a painting by 

her aunt, a distinctly early 20th century 

nude, a woman holding a feather. As 

striking as the drawing is, it is the 

colours: purple, lilac and orange, that 

provided the springboard for the rest of 

the room. “This picture is one of my 

favourites, and once I knew it would be 

in this room, then the Porta Romana 

lamp with its amber decoration – that 

I picked up in one of their sales – was 

an obvious choice, which then led to all 

the fabrics covering the chairs.” With 

the painting as Nicki’s starting point, 

she has managed to deftly draw your 

eye around the room, bouncing from 

colour to colour, pattern to pattern, 

textile to object. “We were given the 

dining table and chairs, which I got 

re-covered in Hastings, the chair was 

a Facebook Marketplace find that I 

also re-upholstered. There are so many 

disparate pieces in here, but they all 

35 


Previous pages: The spacious light-filled garden room at the back of the house This page: A family kitchen that, complete with gong, sits at the heart 

of the house, connecting the garden room to the dining room 

just seem to go together in the space, 

as though it was all meant to be.” 

Nicki moved into her 18th century 

Grade II listed family house, located 

just outside Peasmarsh, with husband 

Giles just after lockdown. The family 

– who relocated from South West 

London to East Sussex to be near their 

twin girls, who were attending a local 

boarding school – had wanted to move 

down to the area, where Nicki’s father 

lived, for some time. “We had lived in 

Scotland when we were first married 

but then life and work took us back to 

London where we stayed, but as soon 

as we could, we knew we needed to 

make the change and to move down 

here.” Standing on Nicki’s veranda 

overlooking her and Giles’s beautiful 

rose strewn garden, on a lovely summer 

day, it really doesn’t get much more 

idyllic. Their former life in London 

must seem like a different world. 

Nicki had first set up her interior 

design consultancy in Edinburgh, and 

had focused mainly on city houses. “I 

decorated my first client’s apartment 

in Edinburgh and it got covered in 

a magazine and then one thing led 

to another and I had more clients. 

My sister helped set me up accounts 

at the likes of Colefax & Fowler and 

Osborne & Little and I was off! When 

we moved to London I continued to 

work, mainly on residential interiors, 

but since moving down to East Sussex, 

I am very excited to now be expanding 

into country houses.” For Nicki her 

own house is as much a labour of love 

as a new business opportunity for the 

family. “We bought this house, as well 

as a cottage in nearby Beckley. Now 

the girls are spending less and less time 

at home, we see both properties as 

part family home, part business. If 


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Top: Nicki has kept the natural structure of the house apparent in the dining room with exposed beams and brickwork Above left: A 

cosy corner of the library Above right: Tucked away beside the bar, a writing desk is home to a Porta Romana Duck Feet lamp 

someone wants to rent the big house 

for a week or two, we can de-camp 

to the cottage, and if they want the 

cottage we can happily come back to 

the house.” Seems like a great plan, 

especially as the staycation is back on 

the agenda for many families again. 

Learning her craft in Bath, where 

she trained as an interior designer, 

then in Edinburgh, then in London, 

Nicki has been happy to adapt her 

more urban design style to suit her new 

countryside life. “I work with all my 

clients in the same way,” she says. “I 

curate an interior to suit their life and 

their taste. I have just done the same 

for myself, creating an interior scheme 

for this house that not only suits the 

location and the style of the house, but 

also the way we, as a family, use that 

space. We need enough reception rooms 

and areas for our daughters and their 

friends and us to live harmoniously 

side by side and we need enough 

bedrooms and bathrooms to make 

life work practically. I hope I have 

achieved a house that works for us all.” 

Like many country houses, the 

original weatherboard vernacular façade 

hides an almost Tardis-like interior, 

which has been extended over the 

years to offer a ground floor that flows 

from one room to the next, each space 

interconnecting via the central family 

kitchen and the central library. “These 

two paintings by Scottish artist Margaret 

Smyth,” says Nicki, pointing to two 

large colourful and highly theatrical 

oils on canvas in the library, “were 


MediaForceWT255-SofasAndStuff.indd 1 18/07/2023 10:56:37

Above: Paintings by Scottish artist Margaret Smyth were the starting point for the decoration scheme for the ground floor reception rooms 

the starting point for most of the 

decoration scheme for the ground floor 

reception rooms. I bought one of them 

for Giles when we got engaged as a gift. 

Some years later the artist rang us and 

told us she had a partner piece so we 

got that one as well. We have had to 

remove walls and chimney breasts in 

previous houses to get them both in, 

but the two paintings fitted perfectly in 

the library, and we didn’t have to take 

anything down!” The rich colours of 

the artwork have indeed provided the 

colour source for not only the red velvet 

stools from Lots Road Auctions that 

surround a reclaimed and re-stained 

centrepiece table, but a Cole & Son 

‘Cabaret’ wallpaper and dark red F&B 

woodwork in the downstairs loo, the 

William Morris wall lights and the 

blind in GP & J Baker with trim by 

Samuel & Sons. However, despite the 

dramatic flourishes, Nicki has been 

careful to use calmer tones across the 

rest of the walls and woodwork across 

the downstairs areas, including Farrow 

& Ball Setting Plaster and Mouse’s Back, 

Paint & Paper Library Truffle and Little 

Greene Portland Stone. A stunning oak 

parquet floor adds a sense of continuity 

leading from one room to the next. 

A beam-lined spacious opening leads 

down some steps into the sitting room 

where again, a piece of abstract art 

has given Nicki her colours. “We were 

lucky to inherit some nice pieces of 

French 20th century art from Giles’s 

parents who lived in France. This is 

quite a bold piece with yellow, green 

and orange and it looked so different 

in Giles’s parents’ house, but I paired 

it with the coral pink velvet sofa and it 

really looks perfect. It has completely 

adapted to its new home,” says Nicki. 

A pair of reclaimed louvred doors give 

another nod to France, while pattern 

and texture is again fed into the room 

with Andrew Martin and Mulberry 

cushions and throws, a large sea grass 

rug and sofas from Sofa.com. Curtains 

feature trim by Samuel & Son and 

fabrics in Osborne & Little and GP & J 

Baker. Lamps are from Porta Romana. 

The large stone fireplace, again 

with a distinctly continental feel, gives 

the room an impressive focal point. 

“This fireplace needed replacing so we 

got a local stonemason called Elliott 

Brotherton to create a new surround 

for us. It’s such a great feature and 

41 


This page: In the sitting room, a piece of French 20th century art inherited from Giles’s parents has been paired with a coral pink velvet sofa to great effect. A pair 

of reclaimed louvred doors give another nod to France, while pattern and texture is fed into the room with Andrew Martin and Mulberry cushions and throws 

Elliot was amazing, with so much 

attention to detail, but it is also one of 

the biggest investments in the entire 

house!” On top of the fireplace sits 

objects that Nicki has collected, a set of 

large metal cactuses and a trio of gold 

monkeys from One World. A bespoke 

mirror by friend Sean Phelan sits on 

the wall above. Throughout the house 

Nicki has sourced occasional tables 

from the likes of Julian Chichester, 

Porta Romana and De le Cuona. 

Using colour again to lead the eye 

from one space to the next, a maroon 

painted bar area has been cleverly 

created, wrapped around the corner of 

the room in tongue-and-groove which 

in turn takes you towards the maroon 

and pink abstract painting hanging in 

the garden room, a huge spacious lightfilled 

room that sits at the back of the 

house. The painting again acts as the 

touch paper for Nicki’s choice of colour 

palette of blues, purples and lilacs. It’s 

a chic and very comfortable airy space 

where Nicki often finds groups of 

teenagers watching the large screen TV. 

The family’s two dogs are also cleverly 

housed in two bespoke wooden dog 

crates that sit either side of the sofas 

from Tamarisk and Sofa.com, “I hate 

those metal crates, they look so awful, so 

I decided to commission my own, so the 

dogs are as cosy as every other member 

of the family. Again we have been 

lucky as the rug was a gift and I also 

repurposed much of the furniture which 

were marketplace finds or from Lots 

Road Auctions,” says Nicki. “I am going 

to eventually add curtains, but for now, 

I’m waiting to find the perfect fabric.” 

The one thing that you are very 


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44 

WhiteheadMoncktonWT254.indd 1 26/05/2023 10:56:06

Above: The family bathroom is home to a 

free-standing roll top bath stepped down 

behind the exposed joists and beams of the 

roof Right: A blue-themed guest bedroom 

features a headboard in a Nina Campbell 

fabric, pillows by Zara, a blue velvet Ottoman 

and two blue glass lamps by Porta Romana 

aware of at Tanhouse is how well 

the house moves from the interior 

to the exterior – both elements are 

in a constant conversation with one 

another. The light-filled garden room 

is surrounded by a fabulous green 

and verdant backdrop via the large 

floor-to-ceiling windows. From both 

the sitting room and the kitchen you 

glimpse a wide and generous veranda 

that wraps around the entire side of 

the house overlooking the shimmering 

swimming pool below. Offering the 

most charming shaded dining area and 

seating area, the white wooden pergola 

dapples sunlight across the wooden deck 

beneath. The white weatherboarding of 

the exterior of the house bounces yet 

more light around making the entire 

area almost sparkle, it is the perfect 

spot for a long family summer lunch 

or a cool sundowner cocktail. “We 

used to have vines trailing across the 

pergola but the dogs kept eating the 

grapes and we had to remove them, so 

I bought these old doors at Wealden 

Times Midsummer Fair, and they add 

a bit of texture to this area… but it’s 

still a work in progress,” says Nicki. 

A family kitchen that, like the library, 

sits at the heart of the house, connects 

the garden room to the dining room. 

Like the dining room, Nicki has kept 

the natural structure of the house 

apparent with wood beams both across 

the ceiling and also framing the large 

granite bar. “I tend to gravitate to this 

area, as I do a lot of my work sitting on 

one of the stools,” says Nicki. The bar 

section has been lined with tongue-andgroove 

and the green woodwork, which 

is mirrored in the green units within the 

kitchen. A new double sized Everhot 

and shelving has been added to extend 

the cooking and surface space available. 

Upstairs Nicki has continued 

45 


This page: The master bedroom is painted 

in Farrow & Ball Mouse’s Back. The Kit 

Kemp inspired headboard is upholstered 

in Caroline Inchyra fabric from Scotland. 

An existing stone fireplace mirrors the new 

fireplace downstairs whilst a grass mirror 

from Graham & Green gives character 

to the wall above a chest of drawers 

her love of pattern and texture across 

all five bedrooms. An old closet has 

been cunningly transformed into a 

cabin bedroom with Cole & Son 

wallpaper, Colefax and Fowler blinds 

and a Nina Campbell bolster whilst 

painted storage is hidden both under 

the bed and behind a series of chic 

rattan and leather handled wardrobe 

doors. Pooky wall lights sit above the 

bed. It’s light, fun and airy whilst also 

being incredibly practical, making 

the very most of a small space. 

Flooded with light through the 

original leaded sash windows which 

were updated by the local blacksmith, 

a second bedroom keeps the same 

painted woodwork palette as the cabin 

room, but also plays host to the most 

sumptuous of red velvet headboards 

from Sofa.com that seems to entirely 

envelop the bed. Nicki has stripped 

back the original pine walls, doors 

and fire surround, and added splashes 

of wallpaper by Coordoone, a bold 

floral print of flouncy red tulips and 

blue cornflowers that works in perfect 

synergy with the red velvet. Colours 

are again trailed through the room 

within the blue Ikat bedspread, blue 

and red embroidered cushions and soft 

pink GP & J Baker blind with Andrew 

Martin trim. On top of One World 

bedside tables are a Pooky lampshade 

and a Julian Chichester lamp base. 

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Top: In another guest room, a sumptuous red 

velvet bed is from Sofa.com Left: The entrance 

hall offers ample storage for coats and bags 

drawers finishes this most charming 

of bedrooms. In the third guest room 

Nicki has chosen calmer and more 

muted tones and patterns, letting the 

blue headboard in a Nina Campbell 

fabric, pillows by Zara, a blue throw and 

a blue velvet Ottoman sing along with 

the two blue glass lamps on bedside 

tables by Porta Romana. Curtain fabric 

Pasha Original by Penny Morrison in 

blue and ochre floral block print allows 

the light to gently bathe the room. 

At the end of a corridor painted 

in Farrow & Ball Mouse’s Back with 

an Etsy Turkish kilim on the floor, is 

the master bedroom, which offers a 

fabulous double aspect view over Giles’s 

amazing green-fingered handiwork 

in the gardens below. An awkward 

room with essentially no flat walls, the 

previous owner had helpfully added a 

stage wall to the far end of the room 

on which Nicki has placed a Kit Kemp 

inspired headboard upholstered in 

Caroline Inchyra fabric from Scotland, 

with lights by Porta Romana and a 

Cole & Son wallpaper. An ample sized 

bed is covered with a Birdie Fortescue 

cover. “It was quite an investment,” 

says Nicki, “but it was literally the only 

bed cover I could find that would fit 

the bed and cover the sides properly.” 

The curtain fabric is by Nile & York 

and trimmed with Samuel & Sons 

brush fringe, made for Nicki by local 

curtain maker Christine Makin in 

Beckley. Nicki has made the most of 

the ceiling height by adding a pretty 

French glass droplet chandelier bought 

from a brocante buyer on Instagram. 

An existing stone fireplace, mirroring 

the new fireplace downstairs, makes 

a wonderful statement atop of which 

sits a tapered gold mirror from Etsy. 

A grass-framed mirror from Graham 

& Green gives character to the wall 

above a chest of drawers with new 

handles also sourced from Etsy. As 

with the rest of the house, Nicki has 

49 


kept the walls and woodwork neutral in Paint & Paper Library 

Canvas V to allow her love of fabrics to make the statement. 

Behind a sliding door in the bedroom, hung on industrial iron 

brackets, is a small yet perfectly formed ensuite shower room. 

Nicki’s joiner has worked his magic once again and has created 

hidden storage with antique mirror backing, so that everything 

is hidden away, keeping the room free of clutter, which is so 

important within a small space. On the floor are tiles by Fired 

Earth. Back down the corridor, the family bathroom is one of 

the most dramatic rooms of the house, with a free-standing roll 

top bath stepped down behind the exposed joists and beams of 

the roof. A pop of red in a reclaimed chest of drawers, painted 

by Nicki, is mirrored by a splash of the green legs of an oak 

console and mirror, painted in Farrow & Ball Verdo green, 

which was left for the family by the house’s previous owner. 

Up a final small flight of stairs is the top bedroom. Carved 

from the attic, Nicki has covered the walls and ceiling in 

tongue-and-groove timber again with clever hidden storage. 

Painted in Farrow & Ball Setting Plaster, which seems to have 

an even pinker glow in this space, a pale carpet softens the 

harder surfaces in the room, making it a girl’s paradise with 

pops of gold and pink and a headboard made by Nicki, who 

has been studying upholstery at Wells & White near Ashford. 

Tanhouse is a complete love letter to the best of British 

interior design. An essay in Nicki Cox’s skill as an interior 

designer, she has taken her knowledge of designing town houses 

and has applied it to a traditional country house, creating a 

family home that is not only beautiful but also practical and 

deliciously comfortable. This is a house that can accommodate 

the many or the few, in all seasons. How lucky for those people 

who can now borrow a little piece of that magic for a week or 

more, and I can guarantee that they will all be sure to return. 

Above: Cole & Son Cabaret wallpaper is a striking 

addition to the downstairs loo Below: A generous 

veranda wraps around the entire pool side of the 

house, offering shaded dining and seating areas 

Address Book: 

Tanhouse is available to rent from ryetanhouse.co.uk 

Nicki can be contacted at Nicki Cox Interiors on 07976 305794 


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51 


Things 

we 

LOVE 

With more than 250 independent retailers, the Wealden 

Times Midwinter Fair is the biggest and most beautifully 

curated shopping event of the festive season. We can’t wait 

to introduce you to the fabulous new designers and makers 

joining us this year – here’s a sneak preview of just some 

selling gorgeous homeware, gifts, and Christmas decorations. 

Bridge Street General Store from 

Llanon on the beautiful west coast of 

Wales are bringing their understated 

vintage style and oh-so-cosy 

homewares to The Hop Farm for 

the first time. We love their alpaca 

socks, moult throws and jumpers, and 

beautiful festive decorations. 

instagram.com/bridgestreetgeneralstore 

Desiré North, 

designs joyful, 

sustainable, 

Scandi influenced 

clocks and pots, ring cones, 

candles, and lots, lots more. 

Everything is handmade with 

care in her Surrey studio. We 

love her trademark pastel 

colour palette – it’s simply 

delightful. desirenorth.com 

Katto Knives are 

handmade in the 

UK, using sustainable 

woods and the finest 

Japanese AUS-10 steel. We 

love their knives, and their cast 

iron pots and pans but their 

butchery scissors are a must for 

any foodie. katto.shop 

The Giggleberry Tree always have 

one of the best Christmas shops in 

the county but are most famous for 

running creative floristry inspired 

workshops. We love their pretty 

Christmas wreaths. 

instagram.com/the_giggleberry_tree

Rhian Winslade Ceramics 

hand make beautiful 

contemporary porcelain 

decorations and functional 

ware. We love Rhian’s signature 

hanging bird decorations. 

rhianwinslade.bigcartel.com 

Whitechapels of Kent. Gary 

and Karen upcycle anything 

unloved or broken into 

incredible, quirky lamps. 

We love that every lamp is 

unique, that each one has a 

back story, and that they take 

commissions too. whitechapelsofkent.com 

Gillshaw Pottery 

make pottery 

that enhances 

the yumminess 

of cooking and 

eating with friends. We love 

their hand-thrown painted 

terracotta plates and bowls. 

gillshawpottery.co.uk 

Imperfections by Plam (Plam is 

an amazing artist and potter) is a 

collection of functional pottery 

with a twist. We love her colourful 

espresso coffee cups – they’re a little 

bit wonky, just like the best of us! 

instagram.com/imperfections.by.plam 

Amigurumi is the 

Japanese art of 

crocheting small, 

stuffed, yarn animals 

and Lou, from 

Loumousey Crafts, is 

rather good at it! Her woodland 

creatures, marvellous mushrooms 

and baby “sproutlings” are just 

adorable. We love her fabulous 

festive furry friends. 

instagram.com/loumouseycrafts 

Join us on 16th – 18th November 

9.00am – 4.30pm 

at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, TN12 6PY 

Adults £17.00 

See more info at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

Broadlands Pottery are a “must stop there” at 

this year’s fair, for their heart-warming Christmas 

decorations and gifts. We love the family trees 

which you can commission – such a clever and 

thoughtful present. broadlandspottery.co.uk 

Book your 

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Always in the 

Kitchen Sink 

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Join us for an in depth look at the latest kitchen 

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inspirational case studies and shopping ideas 

Always in the 

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56 

SouthernAdhesivesWT253.indd 1 04/05/2023 17:17:37

Microplane bowl grater £19.95 

John Lewis johnlewis.com 

Cream enamel sausage 

pan from £27 Brit Locker 

britlocker.com 

Stainless steel 

kitchen scissors 

£49 Brit Locker 

britlocker.com 

Vintage Kelloggs 

Cornflakes apron 

£25 Dexam 

dexam.co.uk 

Limited edition light & shadow artisan stand 

mixer £699 KitchenAid kitchenaid.co.uk 

Ready 

Steady 

Black stoneware 

cheese baker 

£12 ProCook 

procook.co.uk 

Magnetic knife 

rack, £100 

TOG Knives 

togknives.com 

Botanic Garden 

Harmony small loaf 

pan £14 Portmeirion 

portmeirion.co.uk 

Cook 

Revolutionise your cooking and 

eating experience by kitting out 

your new kitchen with these tools, 

gadgets, and cookware essentials 

Chequerboard oven 

glove £38 Tori Murphy 

torimurphy.com 

Chasseur milk pan £82 

Dexam dexam.co.uk 

Nordic Ware Naturals 

muffin pan with lid 

£38 Divertimenti 

divertimenti.co.uk 

Tiipoi longpi karipan 

roasting pan £75 

Liberty London 

libertylondon.com 

Induction cast iron 

cheese fondue set 

£166 Kuhn Rikon 

kuhnrikon.co.uk 

GreenPan PFAS-free 

non-stick bundt 

pan £31 John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Love of Kitchen 

Biogranite waffle 

pan £11.95 Karaca 

karaca.co.uk 

KitchenAid cast iron almond 

cream oval Casserole £220 

Hart of Stur hartsofstur.com 

Light yellow oil pourer stone 

£30 Habulous habulous.co.uk 

Black metal cook book stand £13 

Funky Chunky Furniture Co 

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Kitchens Feature.indd 3 

8/23/2023 9:47:54 AM

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58 

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

Best 

of Both 

Expert kitchen designers and fitters, Adaptions, tell us 

about one of their recent favourite kitchens that beautifully 

combines modern style with rustic flair 

The design brief was clear for this kitchen makeover 

by Adaptions; a kitchen that is modern but also 

rustic, pairing warm natural textures with the 

clean lines and practicality of a modern German kitchen. 

The end result of this amalgamation of styles is a kitchen 

that at once feels contemporary and clean but also homely 

and warm, with its distressed oak doors, matte concrete 

worktops, and flagstone floor tiles. 

Upon first looking at this kitchen you are instantly drawn 

to the timber doors used throughout, and the beautiful 

contrast they have against the concrete worktop on the 

island. But this wasn’t always the plan – the Adaptions 

experts explain, “We explored different options at the design 

stage, including coupling the oak with a dark graphite 

island.” You wouldn’t guess it to look at the kitchen now, 

with the white concrete island reflecting the walls and 

ceiling as though it has always been there. Meanwhile, 

for the bar area, there’s another story of how Adaptions’ 

ability to keep flexible in the design has reaped results. The 

homeowner was keen to keep a flow from the kitchen but 

wanted the bar to stand alone as a stylish design feature. 

Here, Adaptions cleverly used slatted oak wall units to give 

the feature the attention it deserves – “A finish which is very 

on-trend and adds a high-end look to the whole space.” 

Originally, this was to be painted in Farrow & Ball Lichen 

but the client ultimately preferred a natural oak finish, 

maintaining a colour theme with the rest of the kitchen and 

keeping it from looking too separate. 

Another key style element here that really blends the 

modern and the rustic is the tiles. Adaptions explains, “The 

client chose a tumbled edge that promotes a wider grout 

and gives it a more aged appearance.” You often see these 

tiles in a French chateau or English cottage, but they work 

just as beautifully with modern furniture. “One of the 

last design decisions,” says Adaptions, “was the choice of 

appliances and their colour.” And this was no small choice. 

In a bold statement, they made everything matte black. 

Completely matte black too – they explain that they chose 

Pando for the ovens, dishwasher, and wine fridge “as they 

offered a completely black finish with no steel accents”. 

The company is based in Barcelona and offers a niche 

range of high-end products for the expert chef or matte 

black enthusiast. Finding a black fridge freezer was no easy 

task, they explain, “Luckily Fisher & Paykel had the perfect 

solution with their new range which is bang on trend.” 

Adaptions were finally able to finish off with the now musthave 

Quooker boiling water tap (in black, of course) and 

sleek handles from Pushka home. 

Adaptions is rightly proud of this impressive project, 

calling it one of their favourite kitchens to date. “The clear 

design brief, coupled with the client’s original sense of style, 

was the perfect pairing to create a stunning outcome.” 

To find out how Adaptations can assist you with your 

kitchen design you can contact Oliver at 01932 584940 

or visit adaptations.uk.com 



8/23/2023 9:48:01 AM

What’s Next? 

To inspire your next kitchen revamp, we’re looking at 

a dozen of the best new and upcoming trends to take 

you to 2024 and beyond... 


Dark & 

Interesting 

Black is the new black. Yes, we love an all 

white kitchen, but moody, darker tones 

are having their moment, whether used 

on floors, cabinets or even ceilings. Here, 

bridal designer Kate Halfpenny’s kitchen 

in Faversham is darkly delicious with 

Woodchester Cabinet Makers furniture 

and Fisher & Paykel’s highly hide-awayable 

appliances (fisherpaykel.com) keeping the 

dark shade of the cabinetry uninterrupted 

but for a statement-making sink. 

Photo Credit: Cat Vinton

A full palette 

In days past we have highlighted how two-tone cabinetry and 

islands can add all sorts of new dimensions to a space. But 

now, let’s take it further. Why limit yourself to a simple two 

tone when you can have three or four colours in the mix? This 

kitchen by Inglis Hall is a prime example of how taking one 

stand-out colour and combining it with multiple neutrals can 

elevate a sleek minimalist design to something exciting that 

radiates contemporary cool. inglishall.com 

Relaxing Room 

Cooking can be hard work, and sometimes a little 

nook to rest in while you wait for that pot to boil 

or timer to go off is just what you need. This one 

by Higham Furniture is especially inspiring us 

with its big windows – perfect for daydreaming -– 

and adorable arch-shaped cat tunnel. higham.co.uk 

Jewel Purpose 

Photo Credit: Leigh Simpson and Lorenzo Zandri 

Curve Appeal 

Smooth, cool curves give a kitchen an air of bespoke luxury, 

making a statement but in a suave, subtle way. The great thing 

about this trend is that you can apply it in small touches or 

go big with something like the gorgeous island below with 

integrated seating by Brayer Design. brayerdesign.co.uk 

Black kitchens are growing in popularity, but for those 

looking for a more colourful version of the darker look, jewel 

tones provide a lovely alternative. According to Anna Hill, 

director at Fenwick & Tilbrook (fenwickandtilbrook.com) 

“Jewel tones and bright pops of Interior Eggshell have been 

increasingly popular this year,” Anna advises, “Deep teals like 

‘Aurora Sky’ pair beautifully with sludgy neutrals like our 

new shade ‘Wensum Way’ to create a stylish and inviting 

space.” Keep your colour to base units to avoid the space 

feeling enclosed as in the below example featuring Fenwick & 

Tilbrook paint colours Aurora Sky (cabinetry and upstand), 

Wensum Wall (wall), Red Squirrel (stool), and Oceans (trim).


talented designers and highly skilled 

team at Rencraft’s mill and workshop, 

he has achieved exactly that. 

The contents of the showrooms 

read like a who’s who of kitchen 

must-haves with appliances from 

Bora, SubZeroWolf and Gaggenau 

featured amongst the stunning 

show kitchens, which range from 

the quintessentially English Shakerstyle 

(one with a walk-in pantry), 

to a modern cinnamon-coloured, 

handleless kitchen, and even an ultrasleek 

charcoal grey Siematic kitchen, 

complete with a 5-metre-high lantern 

above a marble and metallic bar. 

Truly Bespoke OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

Sitting proudly at the top of 

Calverley Road in Tunbridge 

Wells are the flagship 

showrooms for Rencraft, one 

of the most prestigious and highly 

respected makers of bespoke kitchens, 

living spaces and furniture in Kent. 

Managing Director, John Stephens, 

who has worked at Rencraft since 1986, 

embarked on his ambitious project to 

painstakingly renovate the top 2 floors of 

the 4-storey townhouse in April 2022, in 

a bid to create a space every bit as bespoke 

as the kitchens. And, along with his 

Rencraft’s Tunbridge Wells 

showrooms are open from 9am 

- 5.30pm Monday - Friday and 

9.30am – 5pm on Saturdays, 

where the friendly staff will 

happily show you around. Or 

why not call 01732 762682 or 

email info@rencraft.co.uk to 

arrange an appointment? 

For more information, 

visit www.rencraft.co.uk 

AGA Eco Conversions 

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than the traditionally utilised 13amp systems. 

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62 

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

Party Pantry 

Pantries themselves have been a big 

trend in their own right for many 

years now. The joy of opening a set 

of double doors to a cornucopia 

of goodies is far too delightful 

(and practical!) to pass up in your 

kitchen design. But while having it 

full of jars, linens, tins and sauces 

is lovely, it is not quite so fun as a 

grown-ups-only party pantry. Picture 

hosting a gathering of close friends 

for drinks, and throwing wide these 

pretty pink doors to reveal bottles, 

cocktail glasses, shakers, stirrers and 

all the rest. This one is by 1909, 

whose kitchens are from £25,000 

and are available through a dedicated 

network of independent specialists 

nationwide. 1909kitchens.co.uk 

Touch of 

Texture 

Fluting, textural tiles, exposed 

brick, natural woods – there are so 

many wonderful ways that texture 

can add to the sensory experience 

of a kitchen. Take this oak island 

by Wood Works Brighton 

(woodworksbrighton.co.uk), 

which is fluted for a subtle 

flair. Elizabeth Sherwin, creative 

director of Naked Kitchens, 

advises, “Think about using 

a mixture of solid and glass 

door fronts, a reeded effect has 

become increasingly popular and 

will instantly add visual interest 

whilst instilling a certain sense 

of style and sophistication.” 

nakedkitchens.com 

Let it Breathe 

Add a touch of nature and connect 

your kitchen to the outdoors with big 

statement windows. This kitchen in New 

Romney by The Main Company is a great example 

– here bi-fold doors on a wide window create an outdoor 

bar with direct access to the kitchen. Bespoke kitchens are from 

£25,000 at The Main Company maincompany.com 

Pattern Play 

Between striking wallpaper, groovy tiling and 

detailed fabrics, pattern is set to take centre 

stage in many a kitchen in years to come. 

This trend is lots of fun and can give you a 

great starting point for your overall colour 

scheme. In this example from Martin Moore, 

four bar stools upholstered in an exquisite, 

patterned fabric from Designers Guild are 

beautifully complemented by cabinetry in 

Martin Moore’s Pale Peony colour and the 

island in Raspberry. The added touch of 

Curiousa coloured glass pendant lights picks 

up more subtle shades in the fabric for a 

cohesive and colourful look. martinmoore.com 



8/23/2023 9:48:14 AM

Shelf Esteem 

We are more than happy to 

lock away appliances, less pretty 

cookwear pieces and other bits 

and bobs behind a door, but some 

kitchen items deserve a place to 

shine. Open shelving remains 

important to many kitchen designs 

as a place for a little personality 

and detail in an otherwise fairly 

practical room. This Olive & Barr 

kitchen beautifully integrates and 

draws attention to a single open 

shelf by continuing the worktop’s 

marble up the wall as a splashback 

and onto the shelf itself. This 

kitchen uses Olive & Barr’s new 

Ash collection which costs from 

£12,500. oliveandbarr.com 

Sense & 

Sustainability 

Sustainability rightfully remains at the forefront of kitchen 

innovation. Reclaimed materials, vintage accessories and 

revamping old cupboards with fresh paint and handles 

are all ideas that are both stylish and planet-kind. This 

Blake & Bull Aga is another great way to make your next 

kitchen revamp more eco-friendly. The UK company 

re-manufactures Aga range cookers, equipping them for 

the future in the process. As well as looking great with 65 

colourway options, and benefitting the environment, their 

electric models also heat faster than oil-powered cookers, 

are less expensive to run and are more efficient – it all just 

makes good sense! They cost from £8,780 and come with a 

5 year parts and labour warranty. blakeandbull.co.uk 

Terracotta Time 

Terracotta isn’t just for gardens and living areas, kitchens want to 

get in on the action too! The warm, earthy tones add a natural 

and timeless feel as you can see above, where it is perfectly 

complemented by Smile Kitchens’ characterful Hjerte range. 

Lesley Taylor, Founder of The Baked Tile Company, says, 

“Terracotta is one of the most ambient and appealing materials 

available to kitchen designers. However, natural terracotta is very 

porous and requires a lot of maintenance,” she says. “Terracotta 

tiles from The Baked Tile Company are made from porcelain 

and require no sealing and are not in the slightest bit absorbent. 

Which means you can use them and love them without the stress 

and faff of natural terracotta.” bakedtiles.co.uk 


8/23/2023 9:48:15 AM

KriederWT249.indd 1 11/01/2023 10:49 

KriederWT250.indd 1 17/02/2023 11:02

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66

Forever Kitchen 

We explore one of Fiona Brass Interiors’ captivating kitchen designs, 

a focal point in a remarkable full house refurbishment project 

This kitchen project was an 

exciting and inspiring challenge 

– to breathe new life into a dated 

and dark cottage while preserving its 

original character. The owners, soon to 

embark on the journey of retirement, 

envisioned a warm, sophisticated 

ambiance with a touch of holiday-inspired 

luxury. Their forever home needed a 

kitchen that embraced their lifestyle and 

love for entertaining, so durability and 

longevity were paramount, ensuring the 

space would age gracefully alongside the 

owners themselves. 

What made this kitchen truly special 

was the cottage’s inherent quirkiness – a 

story woven into its walls. Every design 

consideration was tailored to honour the 

property’s unique period features. Fiona 

Brass Interiors approached this project 

with the utmost care and dedication, 

embracing the uneven floors, low 

ceilings, and charming angles. The vision 

behind this kitchen/dining room was to 

create a harmonious space that brought 

people together by perfectly blending 

functionality and design. As space was 

limited, every inch needed to count. Each 

kitchen cabinet was thoughtfully tailored 

to ensure effortless functionality and 

bespoke floor-to-ceiling units maximised 

the use of the low ceiling height. This 

approach opened up the area around 

the dining table, fostering a more social 

and connected layout, with added bench 

seating underneath the window. 

Natural, flexible materials were used 

to allow for modern convenience in a 

way that also accentuated the property’s 

historical allure. Materials of the highest 

quality were meticulously selected, with 

rustic fabrics complementing the furniture 

with its softer edges for a cosy and inviting 

atmosphere. Craftsmanship and durability 

came together to form a kitchen that 

would stand the test of time. 

Fiona Brass Interiors is a distinguished 

interior design studio based in Esher, 

renowned for its expertise in creating 

luxurious living spaces. To step into their 

world and get in touch, visit 

Find out more at fionabrassinteriors.com 


Fair stands 

the wind 

Words: Jo Arnell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

A history lover’s dream, Abbots 

Cliff House in Capel Le Ferne, near 

Folkestone, is full of stories waiting to 

be discovered by guests who book a 

stay at this very special clifftop house

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XLPoolsWT254.indd 1 13/06/2023 11:34:05

Previous pages: The open plan sitting room and formal dining area This page: The huge and welcoming ground floor features large archways, 

designed to complement the existing period interior and thankfully untouched by past attempts at renovation 

Iconic landmarks don’t come 

up for sale very often, so when 

this fabulous period beacon on 

the cliffs at Capel le Ferne appeared 

in the paper, Steve Lucas knew he 

had to act fast. “I was sitting in the 

dentist’s at the time,” he laughs, “but 

made an offer then and there.” 

“I’ve lived in Folkestone for 46 

years and I knew the property well 

before I bought it 18 years ago. It 

stands out on the cliffs. It’s the first 

house you see from the ferry as you 

arrive by sea and the closest house 

to France, it’s called No 1 Great 

 

71 


This page: Beautiful table scaping by 

Beyond the Table (beyondthetable.co.uk) can 

be arranged for guests at Abbots Cliff, either 

in the formal dining room or kitchen area 

Britain.” In fact, Steve adds, “You can 

see the actual house from France.” 

Steve met with the owners, 

discovering that the house had been 

in their family since the 1960s. 

So many older properties were 

‘modernised’ back then, which meant 

stripping out all the original features 

and creating a streamlined, minimal 

look. Luckily this one escaped, 

but more by luck than design. 

“The husband was a keen DIY-er,” 

says Steve, implying that keen took the 

place of knowledge and skill. “So we 

had to strip out what he’d done over the 

years. Most of the original features – the 

skirting boards and architrave, were 

still there. We kept some ceiling roses, 

but had to have some re-made and 

put back.” It’s a large place, with high 

ceilings and lots of elderly wood and 

plasterwork, but Steve was undaunted. 

He has not only restored the house, 

but has put his own stamp on it too, 

building a two storey extension and 

opening up both the basement and the 

ground floor, making contemporary 

living spaces while being careful to 

maintain and enhance the period 

features.“I feel that I owe it to the 

building to bring it back to its former 

glory,” he says. “It was a labour of 

love, for sure, and took me over seven 

years, but I wanted to get it right.” 

This includes outside. And that’s 

the outside of a property that stands 

on a cliff edge, facing the weather, in 

all seasons – storms, hail, beating sun, 

strong, salt-laden winds – and marks 

from back in the war when bullets 

rained down on it too. Parts of the 

building have been re-rendered and the 

whole house has to be repainted every 

other year. “The exterior is all white” 

Steve explains, adding, “You’ll often 

find me out there with a paintbrush 

up a ladder somewhere.” The exterior 

has to look good all the time, because 

it is so prominent and always on view 

(even from across the Channel). 

During the renovation a wall and 

a couple of chimneys were removed 

on the ground floor – to open it up – 

and contemporary bi-fold doors were 

added that lead out onto a wide terrace, 

complete with luxurious hot tub – a hit 

with visitors, who can enjoy looking 

out to sea and, instead of swimming 

in the briny, relax with a glass of 

something bubbly in warmer waters. 

Back inside, the ground floor is 

now a huge and welcoming space 

thanks to the high ceilings and huge 

windows. Large archways, designed 

to complement the existing period 

interior, lead the eye to a formal 

dining room and to the magnificent 


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This page: What is now a modern kitchen 

and dining area had previously looked inland, 

but now has stunning sea views and bi-fold 

doors that open out onto the terrace 

staircase, thankfully untouched 

by past attempts at renovation. 

“The kitchen originally faced 

inland,” Steve says, “but now as 

you go into the room, the window 

looks out to sea.” Not only that, the 

adjacent dining area leads directly out 

through the bi-fold doors onto the 

terrace. This is a fabulous space from 

which to enjoy the panoramic sea 

views and invigorating coastal air. 

Above the kitchen extension is a 

second storey, which houses the master 

bedroom. Again with bi-fold doors, this 

opens out onto a large balcony. There 

are five kingsize bedrooms in total, four 

are en suite and the fifth has a separate 

family bathroom on the same floor. 

So, which room is Steve’s? “I live in 

the basement,” he explains. “I guess it 

would have been the servants’ quarters, 

although it’s been knocked through 

and is a great contemporary space 

now.” He pauses, adding, “Without 

the commanding sea views though.” 

Didn’t the servants live upstairs in the 

attics? “Ah yes, well, they might have 

once. There was another floor, with 

three more bedrooms, but the roof blew 

through the office in the 1930s and it 

was never re-instated. There are still 

stairs up to the roof, but nothing else!” 

The property is now rented out as 

a luxury holiday retreat, and is kept 

running smoothly because Steve is on 

hand in the basement below to make 

sure that guests have a perfect stay. 

Most of the furniture within the 

entire house is bespoke and while the 

ground floor features comfortable 

leather sofas and chairs, low hardwood 

coffee tables and sleek modern 

sideboards, upstairs in the bedrooms, 

the mood is distinctly French and much 

more ornate. “The furniture’s made in 

a French style by Indonesian craftsmen, 

turned from hardwood that’s sustainably 

sourced,” he explains, “I used to import 

from Bali and had all the furniture 

75 


This page: Darkest teal-green is used as an 

accent colour in one of the bedrooms, a perfect 

foil for the luxurious golden bed, chair and 

bedside tables that gleam opulently in contrast 

against the paintwork. A sleek pure white 

bathroom is a pleasingly contemporary touch 

for the house made out there – beds, 

mirrors and tables, all made out in 

Indonesia.” Steve sent the dimensions 

for the space that each wardrobe and 

chest of drawers would fill and the 

pieces were made to measure. The only 

problem was that they had to be flat 

packed for their long journey and then 

assembled in situ, an arduous task when 

you consider how many rooms there 

are and how large the furniture is. “Two 

big shipping containers turned up,” 

Steve remembers, “They had to park 

at the local pub while we unloaded.” 

Then came the job of installing it 

all – “we had to carry it all up into 

the house and up the stairs to all the 

rooms and then put it all together.” 

Despite the furniture all originating 

from the same source, each room has 

a distinct feel and a slightly different 

look – all are sumptuous, with amazing 

sea views from every room? One of 

the main bedrooms is decorated in 

shades of grey and white, as if the 

silvery sea has washed through the 

whole space. The grey tones are 

soothingly cool in here, softened by 

the coastal light streaming in through 

the large, voile-edged windows. 

In another of the kingsize rooms 

the decor is redolent of the seashore, 

with neutral, sandy shades, or if 

you were feeling celebratory – 

and many of Steve’s guests book 

for birthdays and anniversaries 

– the colour of Champagne. 

There’s a sleigh bed in another of 

the bedrooms, backed by a feature 

wall with wonderfully reflective 

wallpaper by Brewers. This room 

is double aspect, one window 

looking out over Dover Castle. 

Darkest teal-green – Studio Green by 

Farrow and Ball, is used as an accent 

colour in one of the bedrooms, a perfect 

foil for the luxurious golden bed, chair 

and bedside tables that gleam opulently 

in contrast against the dark green. 

This rich dark Studio Green is 

also used dramatically in the smallest 

bedroom where the whole room is 

painted in this colour, transforming 

it into a more intimate space. It 

feels cosy in here, with simpler 

furnishings and a less ornate bed. 


BUILDING THE FUTURE - RESTORING THE PAST 

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Garages | Groundworks | Roofing Services | Bathrooms & Kitchens 

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01424 892933 | info@parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk 

www.parkerandsonconstruction.co.uk 

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

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

77 


This page: Soothing greys and sheer curtains let the view do the talking in a guest bedroom, with accents of silver adding to a luxurious feel 

It also makes a perfect backdrop for 

the artworks that cover the walls. 

The bathroom is strikingly decorated 

in classic black and white. What look 

like tiles below the dado rail are, on 

closer inspection, clever wallpaper, also 

by Brewers. The monochrome theme 

echoed by black and white prints of 

Folkestone and nearby Hythe – photos 

that Steve and his daughter took. 

Once a large domestic house, now 

a glamorous holiday home, we could 

leave it there, but, there is a twist in 

the tale. It turns out that the house 

has been holding a secret for many 

 

79 


Primary logo 

clare langdon 

I N T E R I O R S 

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clare langdon 

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Never too old for a mortgage 

ClareLangdonWT252.indd 1 11/04/2023 16:53 

M 

ore and more people colour are palette 

looking at Equity Release as 

a potential financial solution, 

however, there is still scepticism. 

Local Adviser, Sarah Ferrell, explains, “The 

bad press that many of the original schemes 

C = 20 

C = 0 

received still leads some people to be 

M = 15 

M = 5 

wary, however, the plans Y = of 7240+ years ago Y = 5 

bear very little resemblance K = 5 to today’s K = 60 

flexible and highly regulated plans”. 

“Another contributing factor is stigma”, 

says Sarah, “Many people feel that fonts when 

you reach a certain stage of life, you 

shouldn’t be borrowing money. Given 

Gotham Book 

everything that our current 60-70 year old 

generation has experienced, I feel this is 

frankly an outdated perspective. It is very 

rare nowadays to find someone who is 

retired, on a final salary pension, ‘living the 

golden years’ with no financial pressures. 

Life has changed, and life is expensive.” 

What are the main reasons why people consider 

Equity Release? 

Caleigh 

Some typical reasons include: 

• To repay an Interest Only mortgage 

• To fund home improvements 

• To gift to family 

• To fund lifestyle expenditure: car/holiday etc 

• To supplement income/cover 

general lifestyle costs 

“One reason there are so many Lifetime 

mortgage options, is that there is a huge 

demand for finance in retirement. This is 

not, predominantly, due to financial missmanagement, 

but more due to unfortunate 

and unexpected circumstances, including: 

1. A huge ‘section’ of the population who were 

expecting to retire at 65 are now unable 

to claim their State Pension until 67/68. 

2. Parents have used their savings to help their 

children with deposits for properties as it is very 

expensive for First Time Buyers to buy without 

some help from the ‘bank of Mum and Dad’. 

3. Many people have Interest Only mortgages 

that need to be repaid and there are no 

longer the funds to repay the debt. 

In short, times have changed and Equity 

Release can be a welcome, safe and flexible 

solution for many who, maybe unexpectedly, 

need finance at a point when the High 

Street banks are no longer able to help” 

It is certainly not a “one size fits all” transaction 

and with so much choice available impartial, 

professional advice is certainly recommended. 

With over 27 years’ experience in finance, 

Sarah takes pride in the time and care she 

takes with her clients. She is happy to visit your 

home, chat by phone or via video conference 

to provide a free consultation. Sarah will 

offer flexible times to suit her clients. 

Equity Release can reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits. 

Ferrell Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number: 678768 


Call Sarah on 

01622 631372 or 07789 007447 

or e-mail her at 

sarah@ferrellfinancial.co.uk 

You may find answers to 

some of your questions at 

www.ferrellfinancial.co.uk 


80

Top: Neutral shades accented with gilded furniture have been chosen for another bedroom 

Above left and right: Wallpaper has been used for half of the walls in the monochrome bathroom, giving the effect of tiling 

years – one that was revealed five years 

ago and that featured in the newspapers 

and even in a BBC documentary. 

“During the war it was used as a 

listening post for the RAF,” explains 

Steve “and the secrets went straight to 

Bletchley Park. The BBC came and 

made a documentary. They found 

three of the original women who 

had been stationed at Abbots Cliff 

House, sending messages to Bletchley 

Park – in their 90s and one over 

 

81 


This page: The striking entrance hall and stunning 

coastal views are stand-out features of Abbots Cliff 

100 – telling stories of when Churchill and 

Eisenhower visited and how they were not allowed 

to approach them. Everything was top secret.” 

The women were able to stay in the house 

during the making of the documentary and had 

many stories to tell, most of which they hadn’t 

been able to breathe a word about for over 70 

years. It must have been a very special time for 

Steve and a wonderful revelation to find out 

the house has such historical importance. 

“My time here will end,” he says, matter of 

factly. “I’m a custodian.” Which is what many of 

us who live in period or architecturally interesting 

houses feel to some extent, but Steve now has not 

just the prominence of the house’s location out on 

the cliff, but its important wartime reputation. 

The fact that this is a house of significant 

historical interest adds another layer of distinction 

onto an already glorious place. It has become 

a heroic symbol of stealth and endeavour, but 

remains a welcoming, steadfast presence to those 

approaching from across the channel, standing 

proud in all weathers. Whether you are arriving 

by sea or by land, the welcome has extended 

into historic and luxurious coastal breaks. 

Address Book: 

Find out more about booking a break at Abbots Cliff 

House through Bloom Stays, see bloomstays.com 

Image: N Shepherd 


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83 


Cosy up with next month’s trend-led 

Winter Interiors 

Supplement 

In the October issue of Wealden Times 


1 Laura Ashley Shamley chandelier £220 där lighting darlighting.co.uk 2 Medium single Flemish wall light £325 Besselink 

& Jones besselink.com 3 Classical mirrored armoire £1,935 Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com 4 Marbles paint 

£54/2.5l Earthborn earthbornpaints.co.uk 5 Antique gold ornate arch mirror £239.95 Melody Maison melodymaison.co.uk 

6 Salcombe oak parquet £57.12/m 2 The Wood Flooring Co thewoodflooringco.com 7 Palais Royal Avenue upholstered bed 

from £2,295 French Bedroom frenchbedroom.co.uk 8 Provençal 2-drawer white rattan bedside table £245 French Bedroom 

frenchbedroom.co.uk 9 Chinese Pipe Smoker Table Lamp £750 Besselink & Jones besselink.com 

85 


Ahead of the game 

For 100 years 

Sixth Form Open Evening 14 September 

Open Morning 14 October 

Full | Weekly | Day 

www.benenden.school/opendays

Photo Credit: Brambletye 

Supplement 1.indd 1 

8/15/2023 9:21:05 AM

Mayfield 

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MAY_TDA34843 210x297_AW.indd 1 27/07/2023 11:37

15 

Contents 

90 THE BUZZ 

We hear what’s been going on 

at some superstar schools 

93 MEET THE HEAD 

An introduction to Ashford 

School’s Mr Tiley Nunn 

95 TRAILBLAZERS 

Find out how top schools 

are forming a path to the 

future of education 

99 WHERE TO START? 

We’re asking some key 

questions about Prep School 

103 A NEW ADVENTURE 

Our guide to settling 

in to school life 

105 EXTRA EXTRA 

CURRICULARS 

Explore a world above and 

beyond the classroom and get 

introduced to one student 

who examples the difference 

extra curriculars can make 

Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses 

Bespoke design 

and elevated build treehouses, 

platforms. 

playhouses 

Commercial & 

and 

International 

elevated platforms. 

commissions welcomed 

Commercial International commissions welcomed 

109 GREEN FLAGS 

Learn how one local school 

attained a Green Flag award with 

their impressive eco credentials 

111 RAISING VOICES 

Claremont School shares how 

their school newspaper gives pupils 

an outlet to speak their minds 

Thank you to Sussex school 

Brambletye for providing 

our cover image. Find out 

more at brambletye.co.uk 

TEL: 01403 262219 

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk 

www.cheekymonkeytreehouses.co.uk 


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

Triathlon at Sevenoaks School 

The ethos of service and partnerships 

is central at Sevenoaks School. One of this 

year’s many community events is the Knight 

Frank Schools Triathlon. In summer, Sevenoaks 

welcomed 718 triathletes from 17 local primary 

schools who raised an incredible £93,000 for the charity 

Restless Development. In teams of four, pupils aged 8-12 

swam, cycled and ran a combined distance of over 1,337km – 

the distance from London to Milan! Sally Walmsley, Sevenoaks 

School Deputy Head Co-curriculum, said it was “aweinspiring 

to welcome so much young sporting talent and 

enthusiasm” as participants showed “exceptional team 

work and resilience, supporting and encouraging 

each other throughout the day” and student 

volunteers “enjoyed working with such 

The 

delightful and enthusiastic triathletes”. 

sevenoaksschool.org 

Buzz 

We catch up with all the latest news from 

thriving education providers 

istockphoto.com/ Valeriya Pichugina 

Reigate Grammar School 

achieves high accolades 

Sacred Heart School’s nursery 

reimagined as “Little Hearts” 

Sacred Heart School’s reimagined 

nursery - “Little Hearts” - is a place where 

young minds flourish with love and care. 

They have also introduced Forest School, where 

children embark on captivating outdoor adventures, 

connecting with nature and building essential life skills. 

In addition, children can now participate in LAMDA 

lessons which help inspire pupils to find their voices 

and to speak with confidence. Every child taking 

these lessons has gained a remarkable merit 

or distinction in their recent exams. And 

elsewhere, the school proudly champions 

many pupils who performed at 

Tunbridge Wells Arts Festival. 

sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk 

Reigate Grammar School (RGS), an 

exceptional co-educational day school 

for children aged 11-1, has been named 

School of the Year across multiple categories for 

five consecutive years. This year the ISI judged the 

School Excellent in All Areas for Education Quality 

which includes supporting pupils’ achievement in and 

beyond the classroom. The report observed, “Positive 

attitudes, natural empathy and excellent behaviour 

create a harmonious school” and that, “Children 

feel comfortable being their true selves.’ 

Their Annual Open Morning is on 

Saturday 30 September, and you can 

register online at... 

rgs.to/open 

c 


Supplement 1.indd 4-5

Vinehill School announces 

50-week provision for 2-7 year-olds 

Tonbridge School Giving Day 

raises £500,000 

From September, Vinehill School’s Little 

Vines Nursery will operate wraparound care for 

50 weeks of the year. For children aged 2-3 years, 

this will run from 8am to 5.30pm all year, and for ages 

3-7 it will run from 8am to 6pm during term time, and 

8am to 5.30pm during holidays. As well as the daily hot lunch 

throughout the year, a high tea will be served at 4.30pm. The 

Nursery has been ranked in the “Top 20 Day Nurseries” for the 

third consecutive year and sits in a beautiful 44 acre setting 

near Robertsbridge in East Sussex. It offers a nurturing, 

stimulating and challenging environment and the last 

ISI inspection found the Nursery ‘Outstanding 

in all areas.’ Parents can take a private tour 

which you can book by emailing Liz 

Powis at liz@vinehallschool.com 

vinehallschool.com 

istockphoto.com/ Valeriya Pichugina 

During the last week of the Summer Term, 

many hundreds of people across Tonbridge 

School community supported Tonbridge’s mission 

of increasing its number of Foundation Award 

recipients to 100 by 2028. James Priory, Tonbridge’s 

Headmaster, said “In the context of today’s cost of living crisis, 

it is even more important for us as a school to do everything we 

can to support young people and to offer them the very best 

chances in life.” And that the school’s aim is “to ensure that 

we continue to attract the most academically able and 

talented boys”, stating that Giving Day is “crucial to 

achieving that.” In a community effort, nearly 

700 children, from 14 schools, spent a day at 

Tonbridge taking part in sporting, artistic 

and academic activities. 

tonbridge-school.co.uk 

Reigate St Marys 

Reigate St Marys has a wonderful 

15 acre site just a short walk from RGS 

and close to Reigate town centre. Academic 

achievements are excellent, and the children 

have access to a wide range of facilities and a broad 

extracurricular program. Beyond this, the school aims to 

produce confident, resilient, and creative young people who 

care deeply about a sustainable and equitable future for everyone. 

This is achieved through a consistent focus on wellbeing and 

building strong relationships with children and their families. 

A comprehensive Education for Social Responsibility 

curriculum is woven into the children’s learning, 

based on compassion, kindness, wisdom, and 

good values. RSM prepares the children to 

ultimately become confident change 

makers of the future. 

reigatestmarys.org 

Chinthurst 

Chinthurst is renowned for its 

focus on wellbeing and proud of 

its reputation for being a school with 

a warm heart. Fundamental to this is a 

focus on strong relationships that ensure each 

individual child feels happy, safe and willing to 

make mistakes – key ingredients for learning. The 

result? Happy children who can achieve great 

things. Their pioneering sporting programme 

is an important part of this and they’ve 

been named Independent School of the 

Year for Sporting Achievement in 

recognition of this. 

chinthurstschool.co.uk 


8/10/2023 2:55:33 PM

AshfordSchoolWT255.indd 1 04/07/2023 16:38:12

Meet theHead 

We’ve been getting to know Ashford School’s Mr Tiley Nunn 

What did you study at university? 

Having known since as long as I can remember 

that I wanted to be a primary school teacher, I 

studied Primary Education at Canterbury Christ 

Church University. My specialisms were PE, 

Science and Inclusion. 

Tell us a little bit about your career so far... 

I started my career at Woodbridge School, in 

Suffolk, splitting my time between the classroom 

and Games fields, as well as taking on roles 

leading ICT and assisting with boarding. I then 

moved as part of the founding team to set up 

Radnor House in Twickenham, where I was 

Assistant Head (Pastoral) and SENCo across both 

the Prep and Senior School. Next came a Deputy 

Headship at The Old School Henstead back in 

Suffolk. In this time, I also acted as a Regional 

Lead in Mathematics for a large academy. Then 

I took on my first headship at Norwich High 

School for Girls, in a period of substantial success 

where we were named Girls’ School of the Year 

and shortlisted for Prep School of the Year. Since 

September 2020, I have been at Ashford Prep 

School and I have loved every minute of my three 

years here so far. 

What makes you proud to head up Ashford Prep? 

We have an ethos at Ashford Prep School of 

‘Always Be Caring’ and it is when I see our pupils 

embodying this ethos on a daily basis that I am 

most proud to be part of this amazing school. 

We challenge our pupils to not only care for 

themselves and others, but also to care deeply 

about giving their best to everything that they do. 

Can you tell us about a favourite teacher from 

your own school days and how they shaped your 

experience of school? 

My favourite teacher was my physics teacher 

who also happened to be my headteacher, Mr. 

Cole. He always had time for everyone and you 

knew that he truly cared for all of his pupils. I 

still have a letter from him congratulating me for 

my performance as Scarecrow in ‘The Wizard 

of Oz’ aged 10. I went on to work for him at 

Woodbridge School and he was just as inspiring 

as a boss and is the reason why I wanted to 

become a headmaster. 

What’s been your most memorable moment in 

your role at Ashford Prep so far? 

There are so many to choose from, but if I 

had to pick one it would be awarding our 

first group of Year 6 pupils their Pre-Senior 

Baccalaureate awards this year – these were 

so special because they represented a huge 

amount of work and dedication from our 

pupils to become the most rounded young 

people that they could possibly become. 

What do you do to unwind after a busy week? 

With two small children myself, unwinding can 

be challenging at times. That being said, I am 

at my happiest when outside with my family, 

especially on walks with our Cocker Spaniel, 

Maisie. Kent has such beautiful countryside and 

coastlines to explore. Other than that, I love to 

play hockey and cricket, as well as trying to stay 

upright on the slopes as an enthusiastic skier. 

You’re a published author – what is it about 

primary maths that led you to start writing? 

Being entirely honest it was my own fear 

and disillusionment in the subject as a 

pupil that made me want to write ‘How 

to Teach Primary Maths’. It is such a vital 

subject to get right and I believe that every 

pupil should leave primary school with an 

enjoyment and confidence in mathematics. 

What are you looking forward to next year? 

It is difficult to pin it down to one thing but I 

would say that I am most looking forward to 

our Creative and Performing Arts programme, 

which has improved exponentially in the last 

year. We have some seriously talented and 

creative pupils at our school and seeing 

them perform with such confidence and 

enthusiasm is always a highlight for me. 

Can you tell us your favourite 

book, podcast and song? 

The book is Humankind by Rutger Bregman, 

podcast would be Tailenders and for the song, I’d 

chose Islands by The xx. 

To find out more about Ashford School 

visit ashfordschool.co.uk 


NEW 

Nursery & Pre-Prep: 

50-week provision to 5.30pm / 6.00pm 

Wrap around care for children 50 weeks a year: 

2 - 3 years to 5.30pm; 3 - 7 years to 6.00pm term time / 5.30pm holidays 

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

at admissions@vinehallschool.com or call us: 01580 883090. 

Vinehall School, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5JL 

FROM 

TRADITION 

TO 

INNOVATION 

Visit website 

Arrange a visit: 

admissions@tonbridge-school.org 

tonbridge-school.co.uk 

Tonbridge, founded in 1553, is one of the country’s 

ancient schools. And yet, despite its age, it is at the 

forefront of the new. We were the first school in the UK 

to embed Mindfulness into the curriculum, and our 

Life Skills course ranges from global perspectives and 

interview techniques to first aid and yoga. We believe 

this is innovation with purpose. 

In the Sunday Times Parent Power League Table 2023, Tonbridge 

was ranked 8th best independent senior school in the country 


94

Trailblazing 

We ask two high-achieving schools how they are staying ahead of the 

curve and designing a new path for the future of learning 

Parkside School, Cobham 

Parkside School is committed to innovative 

learning and so we’ve asked them to share 

how they embrace new teaching methods, 

leverage technology and foster creativity 

to stay at the forefront of educational 

excellence, preparing their pupils for a future 

full of promise and opportunity. 

Embracing New Teaching Methods 

The one-size-fits-all approach to education is 

no longer effective in a world where diversity 

and individuality are to be embraced. So the 

school has taken bold steps to implement 

and adopt new teaching methods that 

cater to the unique learning styles and 

needs of every child. From curiosity-led 

and skills-based learning to collaborative 

group activities, Parkside School creates a 

learning environment where critical thinking, 

problem-solving skills and a genuine passion 

for learning are the ‘norm’. The school creates 

an environment that sparks curiosity and 

nurtures a love of learning. 

Leveraging Technology 

Parkside has made significant investments 

in state-of-the-art educational technology, 

such as Virtual Reality (VR) headsets 

and embracing the benefits of Artificial 

Intelligence (AI), by promoting its 

appropriate usage rather than forbidding it. 

This ensures that the pupils have access to the 

tools and resources necessary for a modern 

education. Parkside School seamlessly 

integrates technology into their classrooms, 

allowing pupils to explore concepts in a 

dynamic and engaging manner. 

Fostering Creativity 

Parkside School fully understands that 

creativity is the fuel that drives innovation. 

It places a strong emphasis on nurturing 

pupils’ imaginations, highlighting its vital 

role in preparing them for an ever-evolving 

world. The Entrepreneurship Club offers 

the opportunity for pupils to bring their 

ideas to life. There’s a wide range of artistic 

and cultural opportunities, including 

performing arts, nurturing and boosting 

confidence, without arrogance, enriching 

personal development. The environment 

in which the pupils learn is of additional 

significance; the Outdoor Classroom is used 

year-round together with the vibrant CHQ 

(Computing Headquarters). The STEM 

Studio provides more space for 3D creations 

and houses the weekly Deconstruction Club, 

where equipment is dismantled, examined, 

discussed and often recycled and reassembled. 

Conclusion 

Parkside’s commitment to innovation ensures 

that its pupils are well-equipped to navigate 

the complexities of the modern world, 

shaping them into empowered individuals 

ready to make a positive impact in an everevolving 

world. parkside-school.co.uk 


OPEN 

DAY 

FRIDAY 29TH 

SEPTEMBER 

‘Excellent’ in all areas 

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS INSPECTORATE, JANUARY 2023 

MARLBOROUGH HOUSE 

S C H O O L 

A COUNTRY PREP 

SCHOOL WITH A TRULY 

INDIVIDUAL FOCUS 

WINNER 

2023 

DAY NURSERIES 

TOP 20 

WINNER 


ECO SCHOOLS 

GREEN FLAG 

DISTINCTION 

NURSERY, PRE-PREP, PREP | VISIT MARLBOROUGHHOUSESCHOOL.CO.UK 

SHORTLISTED 



96

Education Supplement 

Marlborough House School 

Education is not just about exam results and a 13-yearold 

is more than a series of scores. Developing the whole 

child and instilling in them a range of skills and characteristics 

that will serve them well for life has become the new 

challenge, and one that Marlborough House School aims to 

meet through a well-established Pre-Senior Baccalaureate 

(PSB). Eddy Newton, Marlborough House’s Headmaster, 

explains how Pre-Senior Baccalaureate is changing how year 

7s and 8s learn. 

The PSB aims to cover the same material as Common Entrance, 

maintaining academic rigour, but encourages a wider range of skills. 

Now that senior schools are selecting their pupils in Year 6, forwardthinking 

prep schools can look at how and what the children learn in 

years 7 and 8, without the demands of a final exam at the end of year 8. 

This leads to asking questions like ‘Should we revise volcanoes again just to raise a 

B grade to an A on a one-off exam – is that really the best use of the last 3 months of 

Year 8?’. With these years opened up, students could use their time to develop skills like 

research or presentation – far more valuable skills in the long-run than rote learning. 

The PSB looks at the whole child, assessing their ability in academic subjects as 

well as performing arts, sport, and art. At the same time, it provides pupils with an 

opportunity to hone skills that will serve them well in later life – how to present, 

collaborate and communicate, how to be a leader, how to be more independent and 

work on individual projects, how to think out of the box. This approach means that 

not only will senior schools receive the type of learners they want; but children will 

leave Marlborough House with a much clearer awareness of their strengths, skills and 

learning habits. 

To find out more about PSB and Marlborough House see marlboroughhouseschool.co.uk 


New 

50-week 

provision 

Bookable day by 

day to offer maximum 

flexibility 

5-minute 

walk to 

Sevenoaks 

Station 

Wraparound 

care 

7.30am to 

6pm 

Scan our QR Code and book a 

visit to our co-ed Pre-School 

Flexible Pre-School provision 

Designed to meet the needs of every family 

01732 453 039 

granvilleschool.org 

OPEN DAY 

29 SEPTEMBER 

An Independent, Catholic nursery 

and primary school for boys and girls 

of all faiths and none, aged 2-11. 

Nestled in beautiful Wadhurst on 

the borders of Tunbridge Wells. 

Exceptional pastoral care and 

individual academic achievement. 

Outstanding Little Hearts Nursery. 

Small classes and wrap around care. 

Scholarship and 11+ success. 

ISI Rated ‘Excellent’ in all areas. 

www.sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk 

MARCH 22 

Contact us to book your place on a tour 

01892 783414 admin@sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk 

Scan our QR Code 

TOP 50 PREP SCHOOLS 2023 


98

Where to Start? 

How do you choose the right prep school? How far ahead should you plan? What will give your child the best start in life? 

There are so many big questions when it comes to prep schools, so we’ve asked three of them to give some pointers 

What is Value-based Education? 

Hilden Oaks explains their approach to prep school, which focuses on 22 key values 

Values-based Education (VbE) is an 

intrinsic way of life at Hilden Oaks 

Preparatory School & Nursery, supporting 

social interaction and creating an enhanced 

learning environment. The school focuses 

on a set of twenty-two lifelong values, 

which provide a common thread, linking 

everything throughout the year groups, 

from the youngest children in Nursery 

through to the eldest in Year 6. 

The meaning of each value is explored 

during assemblies by giving the children the 

opportunity to act out value-related stories 

and to contribute to their class discussions. 

Children are rewarded with wooden acorns 

for demonstrating the desired values, which 

are the responsibility of the Head Boy and 

Head Girl to count each week (a special 

moment for everyone!). 

This approach creates an inspirational 

learning environment, enhances pupils’ 

academic attainment and helps children 

to develop strong social and interpersonal 

skills. The excellent academic results speak 

for themselves and it is wonderful to see 

that by the time they are ready to leave, 

the children move on to their secondary 

school of choice with outstanding results, 

confidence and self-assurance. They are also 

kind, considerate, respectful, accepting of 

others and able to demonstrate integrity 

– a rare value that is often lacking in 

today’s society! 

At Hilden Oaks, we pride ourselves on 

being one of only three schools in Kent 

to be awarded the International Values 

Education Trust (IVET) Values Quality 

Mark. During the recent re-accreditation 

visit, the VbE Inspector remarked, “Hilden 

Oaks is committed to every pupils’ 

education, which is underpinned by the 

School Values. These values ribbon through 

the classroom, the curriculum, the corridors, 

lunchtime and even when the pupils leave 

school into their homes and communities. 

Hilden Oaks is an exceptional school where 

pupils thrive.” 

To see the school ‘in action’, you can book 

a visit by calling 01732 353941 or emailing 

registrar@hildenoaks.co.uk Visits may be 

booked during one of the forthcoming 

Open Mornings on Wednesday 4th 

October or Thursday 12th October 

(9-11am), or a personal tour may be 

booked at a mutually convenient time. 

For further information about Hilden Oaks 

Values, go to 

hildenoaks.co.uk/values-based-education 


Open Mornings 

Wednesday 4 th & Thursday 12 th October 

9.00am–11.00am 

“Mighty Oaks from Lile Acorns Grow…” 

Hilden Oaks 

Preparatory School & Nursery 

01732 353941 

www.hildenoaks.co.uk/open-mornings 


100

What are the 

Long-Term 

Effects of Prep? 

Getting the right kind of education in place 

for a child just starting school holds the key to 

success later on. “We know from research that 

what happens before a child is seven-years-old is 

crucial to the development of that child socially, 

emotionally, physically and academically,” says 

Anna Green, the new Head of Pre-Prep at Bede’s 

in Eastbourne. 

Never has this been truer, she says, than for 

the children starting school this autumn. 

“These are our lockdown babies and children. 

Because of Covid, they have missed out on so 

much socialisation and many of the normal 

developmental stages.” Excellent pre-prep 

education can help children catch up and enable 

them to thrive in the classroom long term. Classes 

with no more than 14 pupils, and specialist 

teaching in Art, French, Music, IT, PE, Games, 

Dance and Swimming, mean that all pupils get the 

one-to-one attention they need to settle into their 

first years of schooling. 

“Our school has such a strong family feel about 

it,” says Anna. “Teachers know the children’s 

individual strengths so that we can tailor the 

teaching to what they are good at and what they 

are excited about. This builds confidence and 

independence.”The school’s position at the foot 

of the beautiful South Downs Way makes for 

lots of exciting outdoor activities and learning on 

offer: Beach School and Forest School are both 

regular features of the timetable as are visits to 

the neighbouring Helen Garden. The school site 

itself has all-weather Astro pitches, a swimming 

pool, library, music centre and sports hall as well as 

stunning sea views. “Our setting is breathtaking,” 

says Anna. “Opportunities both inside and outside 

the classroom enable every child to flourish and 

grow here.” 

Find out more at bedes.org 

The Granville School give us three key tips to help navigate the 

process of finding the right school 


How do you choose 

a Prep School? 

Know your child 

Nobody knows your son or daughter better than you do. Of 

course, they may only be 3 or 4 years old when you start to look 

at schools and they may not still be interested in dinosaurs, Disney 

movies or Duplo by the time they leave aged 11, but consider 

what kind of child they are. Do they enjoy being outdoors? 

Perhaps you need a setting with a Forest School. Are they 

interested in how things work? Try and find a school with a wellequipped 

science lab and specialist teachers. Are they interested 

in the world around them? They might benefit from smaller class 

sizes so that the teachers have time to talk to them and explore 

more about their interests. 

Visit the school 

No matter how extensive the virtual tour on the website or 

how much information you can find about curriculum, staff 

or extra-curricular activities, the only way to get a true sense of 

a school is to visit it. Book a tour, sign up for an open day and 

go along with an open mind and a list of questions. Ideally, 

visit the school when it is in full session. See how the teachers 

interact with the pupils, get a sense of the atmosphere of the 

school and try to imagine your child sitting at one of the desks in 

the lessons. After an open event, you can also ask for a personal 

tour to ask more specific questions. Here at The Granville, our 

Headmistress offers tours to prospective families throughout 

the year which enables our families to get a truer sense of 

what our school would be like for their child in particular. 

Think ahead 

This doesn’t mean you need to have a roadmap to senior school 

and university when your child is barely out of nappies but look 

ahead in a more general sense. If there are lots of senior school 

options in the area, you will want to choose a school that can 

provide outstanding advice and support for those exams and that 

transition. Your child may change significantly over the next 7 

years. Are you willing to lock into a school that feeds straight into 

a senior school at such an early stage, or do you want to keep your 

options open with a traditional prep school? 

There is much to consider, so take your time, keep an open mind 

and do your research. Don’t be swayed by the headlines. You don’t 

just want the ‘best’ school. You need the best school for your child. 

Learn more at granvilleschool.org 


A Great Place to Grow 

Open 

Morning 

Spring Grove School, 

Harville Road, Wye, 

Kent, TN25 5EZ 

01233 812337 

office@springgroveschool.co.uk 

Saturday 7 October 

9.30am - 12pm 

Register online at 

www.springgroveschool.co.uk 

‘Excellent’ 

in all aspects 

ISI inspection 2023 

CO-EDUCATIONAL DAY SCHOOL FOR 

PUPILS AGED 2 TO 18 YEARS 

Senior School Open Day 

Saturday 7th October 

radnor-sevenoaks.org 

Radnor House Sevenoaks, Combe Bank Drive, 

Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6AE Tel: 01959 563720 


2.RH7 WEALDEN TIMES 130x 185.indd 1 26/07/2023 12:02 

102


A New Adventure 

Starting school is the beginning of 

an amazing journey, but it is also 

a big transition. We find out how 

to make it as smooth as possible 

Stepping Stones 

The first day at school is an emotional milestone 

for both parents and children. Your child is 

embarking on a great adventure and your 

support and guidance will be vital. To help you 

navigate this new stage, Brambletye shares seven 

simple tips to set your child up for a happy and 

positive school experience. 

brambletye.co.uk 

Ease potential 

separation anxiety 

Establish a goodbye 

routine, carry a comfort 

object and arrange playdates 

to build familiarity with 

classmates. 

Get ready for 

routine 

Familiarise your child with 

the school day routine. Practice 

getting up and dressed, having 

breakfast, preparing PE and book 

bags, and the school route to 

arrive in time for school 

without a rush! 

Communicate 

Help your child 

express themselves 

confidently. Encourage 

dialogue and active listening 

at home to help them build 

friendships and engage 

with teachers. 

Develop a love 

of reading 

Share quality reading time. 

Stories and nursery rhymes 

help develop auditory skills 

and understanding of language 

patterns while also creating 

treasured moments of 

togetherness. 

Accentuate the 

positive 

Ask about the day’s 

highlights and what your 

child looks forward to every day. 

Listen and respond calmly and 

supportively to any concerns. 

Share any that are ongoing with 

the school so you can work 

together to navigate and 

resolve them. 

Nurture 

independence 

Teach practical life 

skills like getting dressed 

and tidying up. Use 

descriptive praise to boost 

confidence and a sense 

of purpose. 

Spark curiosity 

Be curious 

about your child’s 

observations and 

explore the world 

together! 

Tailored Support 

Dulwich Prep Cranbrook tells us how 

they help children settle in at school 

At Dulwich, the belief that everyone is 

an individual is key, and staff strive to 

understand the unique requirements 

for each child to learn and thrive. It’s 

no surprise then, that their methods of 

helping children settle in are based on 

paying attention to each child’s needs. 

1. A buddy system pairs each new 

child with another like-minded 

child in their form. 

2. Free time can be daunting for 

new children, so familiar teachers 

look after the children in the 

playground at break time and sit 

with them at lunch. 

3. If a child is particularly struggling 

with the transition, they can keep 

a cuddly toy from home in their 

desk drawer. 

4. Academic progress is closely 

monitored as we believe that happy 

children generally find learning easier. 

5. A two-way dialogue with parents 

is vital and an open door policy 

essential. 

dulwichprepcranbrook.org 


Senior School Open Morning 

Saturday 30 September 

9.30am to noon 

Boys and girls 13 to 18 years 

HMC – Day, weekly and full boarding 

To register or to book a personal visit, please contact: 

admissions@bedes.org 

T 01323 356609 

bedes.org 

Prep School Open Morning 

Saturday 7 October 

9.30am to noon 

Boys and girls 3 months to 13 years 

IAPS – Boarding, flexi-boarding and day 

To register or to book a personal visit please contact: 

prep.admissions@bedes.org 

T 01323 356939 

Bede’s Senior School 

Upper Dicker 

East Sussex BN27 3QH 

Bede’s Prep School 

Duke’s Drive, Eastbourne 

East Sussex BN20 7XL


EXTRA 

EXTRA 

Curriculars 

Dulwich Cranbrook tells us what adventures extra curriculars hold beyond the classroom 

At Dulwich Cranbrook, every 

child is furnished with the skills 

and confidence to develop and 

grow, empowering them to 

steer the course of their future. Our broad 

and deep co-curricular programme gives 

every pupil the opportunity to discover 

their passions. It is a vital component of 

Dulwich life, in order to equip children with 

the skillset, confidence and drive to forge a 

future-ready path for themselves. 

This term sees the launch of Dulwich 

Cranbrook’s Senior School up to GCSE. 

Our senior pupils have access to a vast 

co-curricular offering. Over half of our pupils 

play a musical instrument, our advanced 

artists are working at GCSE level by Year 

8 and all our children learn to speak and 

perform in public as part of their Drama 

lessons. Our co-curricular offering includes 

Rock School, Debating, Gardening, a solar 

car team, and a Combined Cadet Force 

(CCF) from Year 9 upwards. There is 

genuinely something for everyone. More 

importantly, the ethos of the school is such 

that, as our children become teens, they do 

not have to hide any part of themselves to 

fit in. They combine being on the football 

team with being on the chess team, they 

don’t stop singing in the choir, worried 

that their friends won’t think it is cool. 

One of our resident rock bands played live 

for the coronation in Cranbrook Town in 

the summer term and scores of their peers 

came along to support them. Taking part is 

celebrated. 

Dulwich has always had an excellent 

reputation for sport. Our broad sports 

offering strikes a balance between traditional, 

competitive team sports and individual sports 

and pursuits. Our aim is to ensure each and 

every pupil feels inspired to pursue a healthy 

and active lifestyle in a way which is right 

for them. In delivering that aim, we offer a 

unique programme alongside our impressive 

team sports. On Matches afternoon, children 

can choose from competitive fixtures or 

our Dulwich Inspires programme. In the 

Spring Term, alongside hockey and football 

matches, those less keen on those particular 

sports were instead mountain biking in the 

beautiful Kent countryside. In the Summer 

Term, while the majority play cricket, our 

Inspires group are learning to sail. Dulwich 

Inspires allows every pupil to look forward to 

sport afternoons, to challenge themselves and 

to experience success. 

A Dulwich education extends well beyond 

our campus. This month we host our 

overnight ‘ice-breaker’ camp in Lordship 

Wood for our Years 7s, with a focus on 

building new friendships and developing 

leadership skills in the first weeks of term. 

Additional Year 7 trips include a theatre trip, 

a French trip and a visit to the Imperial War 

Museum as part of their WW1 Enquiry 

Week in the Summer Term. Optional trips 

include an international visit to either Italy 

or Spain and a ski trip. In Year 8, pupils 

take part in a week-long outdoor education 

trip, taking on a physical and psychological 

challenge, like climbing Snowdon. In Year 

9, their whole year group trip has a careers 

focus, this year touring and working in 

Formula One’s digital broadcast studio. 

All of this is supported by a real focus on 

wellbeing. Having had the advantage of 

planning our year 7-11 provision from 

scratch, we are able to re-think the teenage 

experience. We are designing a school around 

the needs of our teenagers, a Senior School 

to thrive in, not simply survive in. 

dulwichcranbrook.org 


“ The stimulating intellectual environment and the novel, 

exciting way subjects are taught touch a deep chord.” Year 9 parent 

www.sevenoaksschool.org 

2021-2024 

OPEN MORNING 

SATURDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 

If you are considering Senior Schools 

for your daughter please join us at our 

Autumn Open Morning. 

Campus tours depart between 9.45 and 10.30am 

and Headmistress, Ms Louise Chamberlain, 

will speak at 11.30am. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO BOOK A 

PLACE CLICK ON THE QR CODE OR GO TO 

walthamstow-hall.co.uk 


106


Meet 

Lizzie... 

Mayfield student, Lizzie, explains how extra-curricular interests 

and sport have enriched her life at Mayfield 

At Mayfield, we believe 

happiness is the key to 

thriving at school and 

so we place a strong emphasis on 

creating a nurturing environment 

for the girls. Mayfield encourages 

equally the intellectual, creative, 

physical, emotional and spiritual 

development of each pupil, with 

academic study complemented 

by a rich and diverse variety of 

activities beyond the classroom. 

Lizzie, a Lower Sixth boarder 

from Wadhurst, recently 

co-organised a coding workshop 

as part of Mayfield School’s 

Festival of Ideas, a series of ten 

interactive workshops delivered 

by Scholars to the girls in 

Years 7 and 8. “The workshop 

I co-delivered was called ‘No 

Time to Drive’ and we taught 

the younger girls how to code 

the Pi-Top 4 Robot to drive 

around a track through a series 

of challenges. It was a great 

experience to get to know the 

younger girls, teaching them the 

fundamentals of coding.” 

Lizzie also loves playing Cricket 

and is currently in the Sussex 

U17 County Cricket squad. 

“I started playing cricket at 

Mayfield in Year 7 thanks to 

Miss Starr (Mayfield’s Director 

of Sport and former England 

Cricketer), who encouraged me 

and nurtured my interest. For the 

last two years, I’ve played against 

the MCC, featuring several 

former international women 

cricketers, and last year had the 

privilege of captaining Mayfield 

in one of the T20 fixtures. I have 

always loved sport because it 

has allowed me to develop skills 

outside the classroom, such as 

perseverance, teamwork and my 

ability to handle pressure.” 

Last year, Lizzie represented 

the school at the Model 

United Nations Conference 

(an educational simulation of 

the actual United Nations in 

which students can learn 

about diplomacy and 

international relations) 

in Torun, Poland. “It 

was amazing to meet 

and debate with 

students from 

all over the world and to have the 

opportunity to stay with a Polish 

host family for the week and 

experience a different culture. 

Taking part in the conference 

helped me grow in confidence, 

and I learned some really useful 

skills, such as how to negotiate 

effectively and find common 

ground.” 

To find out more about 

what’s on offer at 

Mayfield, see 

mayfieldgirls.org 


Explore more 

at one of our 

Open Day 

Events 

Year 7 & 8 Open Morning 

Friday 13 th October, 9.30am – 12 noon 

Whole School Open Morning 

Friday 17 th November, 9.30am – 12 noon 

“Excellent in all aspects of teaching” 

Independent Schools Report 

“Spectacular” 

Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Guide 

LUX 

M A G A 

life 

Z I N E 

Private 

Education 

awards 


Winner! 

Most Nurturing Nursery & Early 

Years Hazelwood Learning Environment School 2023 

Most Nurturing Nursery & Early Years 

in South East England 

Learning Environment 2023 - South East England 

An independent prep school for girls 

and boys aged 9 months to 13 years. 

To book a place, please visit our website 

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk or call 01883 733841 

230701_Hazelwood_Open Day ad_A4_17.7.23.indd 1 17/07/2023 11:49 

HazelwoodSchoolWT255.indd 1 17/07/2023 13:49:18


OUTSIDE HELP 

Guests to the school keep things 

interesting with lectures from 

renowned speakers, workshops, PSHE 

lessons, and assemblies on 

sustainability, all of which enrich the 

pupils’ knowledge and understanding 

of environmental challenges. 

WILDLIFE CONSERVATION 

Pupils support and monitor local 

wildlife by building habitats and bird 

boxes, and installing trail cameras 

(including a remarkable tawny 

owl camera) – all experiences that 

also allow them to appreciate the 

school grounds’ rich biodiversity. 

The Prep School’s Eco Council 

even produce their own nature 

documentary series, Spring Watch, 

showcasing their thriving ecosystem 

on the School YouTube channel. 

EVERYONE’S INVOLVED 

All this is integrated in the curriculum 

across subjects and year groups so 

everyone gets involved. While the 

Year 2 pupils are conducting traffic 

surveys to explore greener transport 

alternatives, the Year 6s engage in 

science projects on owl pellet dissection. 

Green Flags 

In 2022, Lingfield College received the prestigious Green Flag Award ‘with Distinction’ 

from Eco Schools, with the Senior School following suit in June 2023 – the only 

school in Surrey to receive the award at this level. So how do they do it? 

Nestled in lush countryside, surrounded by fields, woodland, wildlife and the breathtaking 

Surrey Hills, it is easy to see why Lingfield College is so conscious of the environment. 

But the school is going much further than just ‘thinking’ green, they are taking massive 

strides towards embracing a ‘Green Educational’ approach with award-winning results. 

WHAT THEY SOW 

The school has planted over 300 

trees just in the past year, including 

those gifted by the Tree Planting 

Project at Surrey County Council. 

These trees not only enhance the 

school’s surroundings but also 

contribute to the global efforts 

in combating climate change by 

removing carbon dioxide and also 

reduce other harmful pollutants. 

The pupils’ collective efforts have 

led to the blooming of new stunning 

wildflower meadows and a bountiful 

vegetable patch in the Wellbeing 

Garden. These vibrant displays 

support pollinators and add natural 

beauty to the school grounds. 

CLUBS, COUNCILS & 

COMMITEES 

The school eco strategy begins 

with the pupils. They get to be the 

changemakers and ambassadors 

themselves. Championed and 

supported by designated Eco and 

Sustainability Staff, they passionately 

promote sustainable practices, inspire 

their peers and set an example for 

others through groups such as The 

Eco Warriors Club and the Eco- 

Council at the Prep School, and the 

Eco Committee, Eco Captains and 

Gardening Club at the Senior School. 

They undertake projects, such as 

harvesting and selling apple juice 

from the school orchard, reinvesting 

proceeds into eco initiatives. 

Elsewhere, pupils are monitoring 

water wastage, exploring recycling, 

and hosting workshops on mending 

and upcycling clothes. 

SCHOOL FACILITIES 

Energy-efficient lighting, waste 

monitoring and smart meters all help 

create a greener environment and 

reduce the school’s environmental 

footprint. Meanwhile, the catering 

team measures and reduces food 

waste, adapts menus, and minimises 

single-use plastic. To reduce plastic 

consumption and improve recycling, 

the school has switched recycling 

providers and even introduced mixed 

recycling bins in every classroom, 

a change that instills a culture of 

sustainability as second nature for the 

next generation from an early age, 

and encourages us all to make good 

decisions and take positive steps. 

109 


Senior School 

Open Morning - 23rd September 2023 

Sixth Form 

Information & Options Evening - 5th October 2023 

Nursery Prep Senior Sixth Form 

Lingfield College is a vibrant and successful co-educational 

day school for ages 2-18, located in Surrey on the Kent and 

Sussex borders and just 40 minutes from London. A 

thriving school with inspirational teaching, leading pastoral 

care and a rich and diverse extra-curricular programme. 

Set in 40 acres of beautiful Surrey countryside 

Specialist teaching with an individual approach 

Academic Success in our A level & GCSE results 

Rated 'EXCELLENT' by ISI 2017 

Over 80% of students go on to their first choice 

university 

St Pier's Lane, Lingfield, Surrey 01342 . 838153 

lingfieldcollege.co.uk


Raising Voices 

Read all about it! Gavin Bunker, Headteacher at Claremont Prep 

School tells us about what makes the news at his school 

istockphoto.com/ master1305 

At Claremont, ‘student voice’ is at 

the heart of the learning experience. 

It enables children to shape their 

own learning journey and develop 

important communication skills along 

with levels of self-esteem, while they 

also learn how their voice has the 

power to influence, entertain and be a 

force for change. 

The collaborative efforts of the Prep 

School Eco Committee and young 

reporters on the school newspaper, The 

Arrow, are great examples of student 

voice at work. Some of the children’s 

favourite cover stories have included 

‘Down to Earth MP!’ which featured an 

exclusive interview with local MP Huw 

Merriman about environmental issues, 

and ‘Save our Seas’ which told the story 

of what happened when Arrow reporters 

accompanied Eco Warriors and School 

Council representatives on an historic 

trip to the Houses of Parliament. There 

they delivered a petition which called 

for action to be taken before 2035 to 

stop Southern Water dumping sewage in 

the sea, and as a result, Sally-Ann Hart 

MP is currently working with Southern 

Water to bring an earlier solution to the 

problem. In June this year, The Arrow 

newspaper team was named ‘Editorial 

Team of the Year 2023’ by First News, 

the highly acclaimed and award-winning 

national newspaper for 7-14 year olds. 

Meanwhile, Eco Schools said of our 

Eco Warriors: ‘Your fantastic work has 

really demonstrated, on a national level, 

that young people care about the state 

of our nation’s waters and hopefully 

you will prove to be at the forefront of 

change…’ At the time of writing, the 

Eco Committee has been shortlisted for 

the Eco Schools Marine Topic Award, 

and the Independent School of the Year 

2023 for Environmental Impact. 

At Claremont, ‘student voice’ encourages 

meaningful dialogue, in a learning space 

primed for collaboration and positive 

action. As our young people continue to 

develop their understanding of the world 

around them, including a digital world 

of unreliable news, it is crucial that they 

are always heard and not just seen. 

Claremont Prep School has BBC Young 

Reporter School status and has been 

awarded the much coveted Green Flag 

status for the last three consecutive years. 

Find out more at claremontschool.co.uk 


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112

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114 

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115 


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

Rock 

the Kitchen

As a musician and songwriter, London-born Graham Garrett rubbed 

shoulders with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Freddie Mercury and 

Talking Heads. During his career as a chef, he’s worked for and alongside 

some of the biggest names in the business, including Gordon Ramsay, 

Nico Ladenis and Richard Corrigan. In 2002 Graham and his partner 

Jackie bought The West House restaurant in Biddenden, Kent, where 

he was awarded a Michelin star. Here, we’ve chosen three very special 

recipes from his autobiographical cookbook, Sex & Drugs & Sausage Rolls, 

opening with a simply delicious oyster dish to co-incide with this month’s 

Whitstable Rocks Oyster Festival and the start of the oyster season 

Recipes: Graham Garrett Photographs: Adrian Franklin 

Poached Oysters, Chorizo Cream, Cucumber Granita 

Serves 4 

I used to do a chorizo cream soup at Christoph’s, and put an oyster beignet on 

top in a little nest of fresh cucumber ‘spaghetti’ to keep it crisp. This is a variation 

of that, as it uses the same flavours, but with a refreshing cucumber granita. 

• 12 rock oysters 

For the cucumber granita: 

• 3g fine sea salt 

• a pinch of sugar 

• ½ cucumber, juiced 

• 5ml Chardonnay vinegar 

For the chorizo cream: 

• 250g raw cooking chorizo 

• ½ small onion, peeled and finely chopped 

• ½ carrot, peeled and sliced 

• 1 sprig of thyme 

• 2 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed 

• 125ml dry white wine 

• 300ml white chicken stock 

• 100ml whipping cream 

1. To make the cucumber granita, dissolve the salt and sugar in 

the cucumber juice and vinegar. Freeze it in a shallow container, 

beating with a fork each time ice crystals start to form. 

2. To make the chorizo cream, remove the skin from the chorizo and cut into 

smallish pieces. Fry the chorizo in a small saucepan until it starts to release its 

oil. Add the vegetables, thyme and garlic and continue to sweat them until 

soft. Add the wine and reduce until almost completely gone. Add the stock 

and continue to reduce by about two-thirds. Add the cream and simmer for 5 

minutes or until it reaches a coating consistency. Pass through a fine sieve. 

3. To serve, shuck the oysters and put them in a small saucepan along with 

their juices. Wash the bottom shells and place them on a serving plate. Gently 

warm the oysters until they just start to firm up, this should take no more 

than 1 minute. Be careful not to overcook them. Place an oyster in each shell, 

spoon the chorizo cream over each one and top with the granita. 

 


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Escabeche of Sea Bass 

Serves 4 

This is good for home as it isn’t 

labour-intensive on the night. It’s 

important not to boil the oil, or you 

will lose its flavour. You can vary 

the fish, and also the marinade, the 

vinegars, the oil and the vegetables. 

• 1 bulb of fennel, sliced 

• 1 banana shallot, peeled and sliced 

• 1 large carrot, peeled and sliced 

• 4 fillets of sea bass 

For the marinade: 

• juice of 1 orange, and zest of ½ orange 

• 30ml Spanish Moscatel vinegar 

• 60ml dry white wine 

• 5g fennel seeds 

• 5g coriander seeds 

• 5g pink peppercorns 

• 1 star anise 

• 1 bay leaf 

• 1 sprig of thyme 

• 100ml extra virgin olive oil 

• sea salt flakes 

1. To make the marinade, put all the 

ingredients (except the oil and salt) into 

a non-reactive pan and bring to the boil. 

Add the sliced vegetables and bring back 

to the boil then remove from the heat. 

2. Season the fish on both sides 

then fry skin side down in a little 

vegetable oil. When the fish is about 

two-thirds cooked, turn the fillets over 

and continue to cook for 10 seconds 

before removing to a dish just big 

enough to hold the fish in one layer. 

3. Whisk the olive oil into the marinade 

and add salt to taste. Pour the warm 

dressing and vegetables over the fish 

and leave to cool. This is great eaten 

at room temperature but will keep 

in the fridge for a few days and can 

be gently warmed under the grill. 

4. To serve, place each fillet with the 

vegetables divided evenly between 

them. Whisk the remaining marinade 

to emulsify it a little, and then spoon 

over the fish and sprinkle with a 

few crunchy salt flakes.

Treacle Tart 

Serves 8 

A classic. We make them individually. 

The beauty of it is that we can cook them 

to order, so they’re hot, fresh and crispy. 

For the pastry: 

• 450g plain flour 

• 150g icing sugar 

• zest of an orange 

• 225g cold salted butter, diced 

• 1 large free range egg 

• 1 tbsp milk 

For the tart filling: 

• 275g golden syrup 

• 25g black treacle 

• 85g brioche or breadcrumbs 

• 60 almonds, ground 

• 1 large free range egg 

• 150ml whipping cream 

• zest of an orange 

• blood orange segments 

• crème fraîche 

• a small handful of buckler leaf sorrel 

1. To make the pastry, put the flour, icing 

sugar and orange zest into a food processor. 

Give it a whiz to mix, and then add the butter. 

Pulse until the mix resembles breadcrumbs. 

2. Add the egg and milk then pulse again until it just 

comes together. Make sure you don’t overwork it. 

3. Turn the pastry out onto a work surface. 

Shape it into a ball. Flatten it then wrap in cling 

film. Leave it to rest in the fridge for an hour. 

4. To make 

the filling, 

gently warm the 

syrup and treacle 

to make it easier to 

work with, then put all 

the ingredients into a blender 

and whiz until emulsified. 

5. Roll out the pastry as thinly as 

possible. Cut out eight circles of pastry big 

enough to fit 8 small tartlet tins. Line with cling 

film or parchment paper. Fill with rice or baking 

beans, then blind bake for 10 minutes at 180°C. 

6. Fill each tartlet case with the filling mix 

and bake for 15 minutes at 170°C. 

7. To serve, place a warm tartlet in the centre 

of a plate. Arrange a few orange segments on 

each tart and finish with a spoon of crème 

fraîche and garnish with buckler leaf sorrel. 

Sex & Drugs & Sausage Rolls 

by Graham Garrett and Cat Black is published by Face Publications 

and is available, for £35 hardback, from facepublications.com

THE BLUE ROOM 

(Upstairs at Hoof and Hook, Tenterden) 

An exclusive, elegant, and stylish cocktail bar in the 

heart of Tenterden, also available for private hire. 

The Blue Room is a uniquely atmospheric but versatile space, 

suited equally to louche cocktail receptions, canape parties, 

private dining, or relaxed yet distinctive corporate events 

with its own 50inch TV screen. 

When booked the room can accommodate a maximum of 

50 guests standing, or up to 30 guests sitting down. 

Email: events@hoofandhook.co.uk for further information. 

hoof_and_hook_tenterden 

Please follow us for new and exciting upcoming events. 

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10/07/2023 17:56

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“FUSING EDUCATION 

WITH THE ARTS” 


122

It’s all in the preparation 

Emily Pavey heads to The Small Holding to improve her 

gardening skills at a Grow the Seasons session 

Main image: Key & Quill Illustrtions: istockphoto.com/ MarinaVorontsova 

Perhaps I’m not cut out for gardening – don’t tell anyone, 

but I find weeding a bit upsetting. Who am I to decide 

the fate of that innocent thistle? I am very lucky to 

have a lovely garden though, thanks to the tremendous hard 

work of my husband and the sublime design of our dear 

hilarious friend, Erica Ash, sadly no longer with us. (She started 

her career on a YTS scheme in the grounds of Buckingham 

Palace and her beautiful work lives on in many lucky folks’ 

gardens – what a legacy.) My sporadic gardening efforts are 

few and far between. But I do love plants, nature (big topic) 

and dream of growing my own veg. I also love food. 

With all this in mind, I signed up for the May session of 

Grow the Seasons at The Small Holding in Kilndown. My 

concern about whether my Mr Bean-like dexterity would 

be of any hindrance was thankfully outweighed by my 

excitement about learning new skills and LUNCH. 

If you don’t already know it (or sister restaurant Birchwood 

in Flimwell’s eco-village), The Small Holding is a truly 

special establishment, winner of many plaudits, notably 

a Green Michelin Star. The brainchild of brothers Will 

and Matt Devlin, the restaurant and farm sit side-by-side 

and produce incredible food, in the most sustainable way. 

Much of the produce is grown on this one acre plot or in 

the very near vicinity. One of the beauties of this course is 

that you get to glimpse the impressive communication and 

cooperation which must exist between farm and kitchen for 

the delicious hyper-seasonal menu to come to fruition. 

After coffee and pastries and an introduction by Will, we set 

off for a tour around the farm, with its lovely neat beds, 

wild and wonderful labels, fascinating planting and 

clear dedication to working sustainably. We were 

all enthralled by the farm’s HQ, a potting shed 

with a wall full of planting plans and timeline 

printouts, neon post-its and highlighter 

use aplenty. The farm uses all the naturefriendly 

methods you would imagine, 

and a few more, as we gathered 

throughout the day. No dig, no 

pesticides, no worries. The pace 

was just right and there were 

frequent opportunities for everyone to ask their own 

questions, our very own Gardeners’ Question Time. 

Our first practical session involved building a small structure 

and planting out kale and peas. The ‘no dig’ method used 

for this bed is all about mimicking nature’s tried-and-testedover-millions-of-years 

methods. Rather than disrupt the 

soil, we leave it as is. The advantages are better soil health, 

fewer weeds, less back ache and worms stay in one piece, 

able to go about their very important soil work. Plus the 

carbon stays where it’s meant to be, in the ground. 

Following a quick coffee break, we moved on to sowing and 

planting methods and learnt about succession planting, used with 

great success on the farm, providing the kitchen with crops over 

a period of time rather than all at one sitting. We direct sowed 

some cut-and-come-again leaves and I imagined the amazing 

dressing these were destined to be served with. After a Q&A 

session, we headed indoors to the restaurant. I was hoping for 

something delicious, but all expectations were truly surpassed. 

Slow-roasted hogget with a beautiful sauce, potatoes in butter and 

mustard, fresh asparagus and a beautiful salad with a delightful 

dressing. And plenty of it. Will talked us through the ingredients, 

and we moved on to strawberries served with meringue wafers 

and an amazing barley-infused cream – popcorn-like and 

wonderful. We all chatted gardening temperaments (are you 

the optimist who plants one seed and expects it to grow just as 

it says on the packet or are you terrified of thinning out and 

losing the lot?) and soon it was time to head back outdoors. 

The day had been very well thought out and so no kneeling 

down after lunch... we learnt about the benefits of companion 

planting and edible flowers and sowed our own trays of them 

to take home, along with a wonderful goody bag. We all had 

a bit of time to explore the farm and then wandered back 

through the little meadow to meet up for a final Q&A. I’d 

met a lovely bunch of people and everyone from beginner to 

expert had learnt plenty to take home with them. As we left 

through the Kilndown woodland I wondered how the day 

could be improved and then I saw a deer skip across the road. 

I don’t believe in perfection, but if I did, this would be it. 

Keep up with the latest events at The Small Holding 

at smallholdingrestaurant.com 

123 


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124

Smooth and Soothe 

Josephine Fairley lifts the lid on face masks that really deliver, best enjoyed with a little R&R on the side 

istockphoto.com/ olhakozachenko/ Andrey Mitrofanov 

I 

really don’t know anyone who 

doesn’t love a face mask, and I’ve 

a hunch I know why. It’s that 

command on the back of the pack: 

‘Relax for 5/10/15 minutes’ (or however 

long), ‘while the mask gets to work.’ Or 

something similar. Somehow, it gives 

the sense that the mask is going to work 

its magic more effectively if we just lie 

down and chill, or floomf on the sofa 

with a magazine. In a busy life, this little 

window of downtime – untinged by 

guilt, because we’re just following orders, 

aren’t we? – makes the whole experience 

of face-masking very pleasurable. 

But of course, it’s visible results we’re 

also looking for from our face masks, as 

well as the pamper factor – and there 

are some truly effective quick skin fixes 

out there, as well as a new generation of 

‘sleep-in masks’, akin to night creams, 

which get to work while you slumber. 

There is also another trend afoot 

in the Land of Face Masks – which 

is multi-masking, too. In truth, it’s 

been around for a while, but since so 

many women self-identify as having 

combination skin (around 60% of the 

women who’ve trialled products for 

us at Beauty Bible, for example), it 

makes perfect sense. If you have an oily 

T-zone, the thought of applying a rich 

mask on that area isn’t inviting – you’ll 

worry that it’ll just make everything 

even shinier and maybe cause breakouts. 

Ditto, if you have a tendency to dry 

patches, clay-based masks – which can 

draw impurities out of the skin – can 

make cheeks and forehead feel two 

sizes too small for your face, as the 

clay sets. So, with multi-masking, the 

idea is that you smooth on two masks, 

one targeting your oily bits, one for 

the thirstier zones – well, worth a try, 

if you’re a ‘combi’ reader, anyway. 

First off, the basics: all masks need 

to be applied to freshly-cleansed skin, 

otherwise it won’t be so effective. I 

remember a New York facialist, Lydia 

Sarfati, telling me: ‘Unless you cleanse 

properly, it’s the equivalent of putting 

polish on a dirty floor.’ (Hopefully, you 

have brushed up your cleansing skills 

with August’s edition of this magazine.) 

Don’t think that ‘more is more’. 

Allow yourself to be bossed around 

by the instructions, and if it says five 

minutes, never assume 20 is better. 

Those how-to details will also tell you 

whether – as is the case with some richer 

masks – you can actually leave it on to 

sink in completely, or whether the mask 

needs removing after it’s done its job. 

On that note, for pretty much every 

style of mask, I recommend a warm, 

wet and clean fluffy flannel, using the 

corners to access any harder-to-reach 

areas around the nose and the chin. 

Keep away from eyes. And lips. Most 

masks taste disgusting, and I’ve often 

found they irritate my sensitive eyes. 

So, apply carefully with fingertips, 

avoiding those areas – and if you’re 

using two masks, to multi-mask, 

apply the one for oilier skin first. 

Once you’ve removed the mask, 

moisturise straight away. But do pat 

skin dry, first; I honestly don’t buy all 

that stuff about ‘trapping moisture 

by applying a cream to damp skin’; 

I believe you’re just diluting your 

moisturiser if you do that, and thus 

getting less of a skin drink from it. 

FYI, I tend to avoid sheet masks. 

I’m never keen on single-use beauty 

products, and even when the mask 

itself is biodegradable, the foil sleeve 

these masks come in is almost never 

recyclable. There’s a plague of these sheet 

masks out there (a Korean trend that 

has snuck into our beauty culture in 

the UK), and I’m not happy about it! 

But now, some product 

recommendations – with the allimportant 

amount of time you’ll 

get to relax, in brackets… 

 

125 


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126

My top picks for 

oilier skins/areas 

• PIXI Glow Mud Mask, £18 for 

45ml. With kaolin and sea salt to draw 

out impurities, aloe vera and ginseng to 

balance the skin (relax for 15 minutes). 

• Lisa Franklin Rose Quartz 

Purifying Clay Mask, £65 for 

50ml. Definitely at the luxe end of 

the spectrum, from a top London 

facialist, with exfoliating papaya 

enzymes, pink clay and white 

kaolin to tame breakouts, plus 

some high-tech ingredients and a 

good dollop of that mega-hydrator, 

hyaluronic acid (5-10 minutes) 

• The Body Shop Himalayan 

Charcoal Purifying Glow Mask, 

£8 for 15ml. Porous bamboo 

charcoal that acts like a magnet 

for impurities (10-15 minutes). 

My top picks for dry/ 

sensitive skins or facial areas 

• Jurlique Hydrating Mask, £41 

for 100ml. A 98% natural Beauty 

Bible Gold Award winner this year: 

lusciously rich, creamy, super-silky 

and heaven-scented with Jurlique 

rose oil (10 minutes, or overnight). 

• L’Occitane Immortelle Divine 

Cream Mask, £92 for 65ml. From 

the same range as my favourite serum 

and night creams, with a price-tag as 

luxurious as its texture, an amazingly 

skin-quenching treat powered by 

L’Occitane’s signature age-defying 

immortelle oil. I’m hooked on 

the powdery-aromatic (yes, really) 

scent (10 minutes, or can also be 

used overnight as a moisturiser). 

fix, with its camphor, witch hazel, 

aloe vera and white clay – be aware, 

there’s a slight tingle, but it’s never 

irritated my sensitive skin. (It works 

so fast you’ll only get up to two 

minutes of relaxation, however!) 

• Sali Hughes x Revolution Beauty 

Better in 5 Express Exfoliating 

Face Mask, £15 for 50ml. From a 

renowned beauty expert who’s tried 

everything out there, this is powered 

by a multi-acid complex – lactic, malic, 

gluconolactone and glycolic, with 

glycerine to moisturise. (It’s quickacting 

– 5 minutes of downtime!) 

• Origins GinZing Glow-Boosting 

Mask, £34 for 75ml. Another ‘old 

friend’, I love rediscovering this every 

few years; it’s my job to check out the 

new stuff, and great products like this 

sometimes get forgotten in the flurry of 

launches (allow to sink in – so chill out 

for as long as you can get away with it!) 

My top picks for 

overnight/‘sleeping’ masks 

All to be left on overnight, while 

you slumber. (The ultimate act 

of relaxation, of course – but the 

idea is also that they harness skin’s 

repairing powers, which are more 

active at night. It’s not called 

‘beauty sleep’ for nothing.) 

• Verdilab Extremely Nourishing 

Rose Radiance Cream Mask, £160 

for 50ml. Yup, you read the price 

right, and I’ll probably only be able 

to replenish this with the help of a 

Euromillions win, but… I got to try 

it after this rich, 100% natural yet 

high-tech mask scooped Gold in this 

year’s Beauty Bible Awards, and I 

honestly do wake up with brighter, 

softer skin. I am eking it out! 

• Fresh Floral Recovery Calming 

Mask, from £24 for 30ml. This 

contains calming, cooling floral 

extracts including cornflower and 

passionflower seeds, alongside 

skintone-evening peony root, softening 

squalane and brightening vitamin 

C. I love this after I’ve accidentally 

had a little too much sun, for its 

soothing powers. (I’m quite a fangirl 

of Fresh generally, and feel they should 

be much more widely known.) 

• e.l.f. Cosmetics Holy Hydration! 

Sleeping Mask, £10 for 80ml. 

I flipping love e.l.f., not just 

for its affordability but also its 

formulations. And I definitely 

love this; a creamy, replenishing 

formula that leaves skin bouncy and 

plumped up, thanks to ceramides, 

hyaluronic acid and peptides. 

And now? I give you permission 

to put your feet up, too. 

See beautybible.com for more of Jo’s 

tried and tested beauty reviews. 

istockphoto.com/ olhakozachenko 

• Dr Organic Moringa Ultimate 

Refining Face Mask, £12.99 for 

50ml. A newish launch from this 

affordable naturals brand, infused 

with restorative moringa oil, plus 

coconut and sweet almond oils, 

plus vitamin E (10 minutes). 

My top picks for ‘brightening’ 

• Liz Earle Brightening Clay Mask, 

£22.50. I’ve always loved this quick 



My life came to a standstill with agonising back 

pain… but now I’m back to health after IDD Therapy 

After her 

IDD Therapy 

programme, 

Jane can now 

enjoy family 

life again. 

Property Investor, Jane Kent, had 

never had a back problem before, 

but recently her life was suddenly 

put on hold by debilitating pain 

and immobility. 

Jane explains: “Over recent years we’ve moved 

house a lot; lifting furniture and boxes had 

become a way of life. Then last September I 

started an RHS course and began to enjoy 

gardening; no doubt this switched my back 

on to ‘high alert’. Then my husband became 

ill, so I slept in our spare room for weeks. I 

remember having to sit on the edge of the bed 

each morning waiting for my back to ‘realign’ 

before I got up.” 

Things took a turn for the worse when 

Jane did some heavy-duty DIY: “The final 

straw came when my gigantic new bookcase 

arrived; after a two-hour installation, my back 

suddenly felt ‘different’. At first, bending felt 

awkward; certain muscles in my lower back felt 

permanently clenched.” 

Jane tried to manage the pain herself but soon 

had to seek help: “I had some physiotherapy 

and acupuncture, without much success. 

Eventually, my GP arranged an MRI scan. 

In the weeks before the scan, things went 

downhill quickly: a shooting sciatic pain 

radiated down my left leg and I felt a burning 

ache around my abdomen.” 

Jane’s pain was completely debilitating and 

soon her life was ruled by it. “I’ve never 

experienced anything like it; the pain was 

relentless. I could only walk slowly, sitting was 

unbearable and normal daily activities were 

almost impossible; my lack of mobility had a 

huge impact on me. I was prescribed strong 

painkillers, but these only worked for 3-4 hours 

– I was quickly up to my daily limit, despite my 

reluctance to take them.” 

Jane had her MRI scan in February; the news 

was not good: “My surgeon said that because 

two prolapsed discs were pressing on the 

spinal nerve, surgery was the only answer. He 

suggested a spinal injection in the meantime. 

I left feeling bleak. I hadn’t even contemplated 

a major operation, and I was uneasy at the 

prospect.” 

James Pickering’s team is changing the lives of 

slipped disc and sciatica sufferers with IDD Therapy 

After some research, Jane’s husband found IDD 

Therapy, a targeted disc treatment for persistent 

back pain, neck pain and sciatica. The 

non-invasive therapy uses gentle pulling forces 

to draw apart spinal segments where discs are 

bulging or damaged, removing pressure and 

irritation from trapped nerves. 

Jane saw that IDD Therapy was being offered 

at Wealden Osteopaths and Spine Centre at 

Flimwell Park. The expert team, led by James 

Pickering, uses the programme to help patients 

who find themselves on a merry-go-round of 

painkillers, physiotherapy and GP visits. 

“James reassured me that IDD Therapy would 

not just relieve my symptoms, but actually 

target the prolapsed discs. As my life had 

ground to a halt by this time, I focused on 

attending frequent and regular sessions over 

several weeks.” 

“I was astonished to feel 

the results immediately: 

the sciatic pain stopped 

almost instantly.” 

The IDD programme was a success and 

things turned around quickly for Jane: “I was 

astonished to feel the results immediately: the 

sciatic pain stopped almost instantly. The gentle 

treatment sessions were so relaxing, I began to 

look forward to them. Soon I had my mobility 

and independence back – it felt wonderful. 

I’ve now taken up Pilates and I’ve completed 

my Day Skipper Course with the Torbay 

Sea School – something I could never have 

imagined when my pain was at its worst. I can’t 

recommend IDD Therapy and James’s team 

highly enough.” 

Don’t let back pain, neck pain or sciatica put 

your life on hold. For a FREE 15 minute 

phone consultation with one of our experts, 

call 01580 212833 or email us at 

enquiries@wealdenosteopaths.co.uk

Wellbeing 

Under 

pressure 

Sarah Maxwell looks into ways to 

prevent and relieve hypertension 

istockphoto.com/ Zinkevych 

If you’re looking for a way to reduce 

high blood pressure (also known 

as hypertension), then you may 

want to take a closer look at isometric 

exercise. A recent study published in 

the British Journal of Sports Medicine 

suggests that it could be the most 

effective way to reduce blood pressure. 

For years, the general consensus 

among medical, health and fitness 

professionals was that isometric 

exercises increased blood pressure, 

leading to the recommendation that 

cardiovascular exercise was the most 

effective way to lower it. However, recent 

studies have revealed that isometric 

exercise can actually be beneficial 

for people with high blood pressure, 

providing an alternative or an addition 

to traditional cardio workouts. 

The findings of the research conducted 

by Canterbury Christ Church University 

and first published in The British 

Journal of Sports Medicine, have 

indicated that the existing guidelines, 

based on traditional aerobic or 

‘cardio’ workouts, should be revised to 

include more recently popular exercise 

regimens like HIIT and isometric 

exercises, such as wall sits and planks. 

This is exciting news, because elevated 

blood pressure is considered a silent killer 

due to its lack of signs and symptoms. 

It can result in damage to your arteries, 

kidneys and brain, increasing the risk 

of heart disease, stroke, dementia 

and more! Therefore, it’s vital to have 

regular checks with your doctor. 

Muscle Science 

When we exercise our muscles there 

is a lengthening and shortening of the 

muscles (think of bicep curl). As you 

bend your arm the muscle shortens 

(flexion). When you lower your arm 

the muscle lengthens (extension). The 

combination of these two movements is 

called isotonic exercise. With an isometric 

exercise there is no flexion and extension, 

the muscles stay the same length. 

Isometric Wall Sit 

• Start with your back against a wall 

with your feet shoulder width apart 

and about 2 feet from the wall. 

• Engage your abdominal muscles 

and slowly slide your back down the 

wall until your thighs are parallel 

to the ground. Adjust your feet so 

your knees are directly above your 

ankles (rather than over your toes). 

• Keep your back flat against the wall. 

Hold the position for 10 to 60 seconds. 

• Slide slowly back up the wall to a 

standing position rather than sliding 

down, to protect your knees 

• Rest for 30 seconds and 

repeat 2 or 3 times. 

• Progress your hold time by adding on 

5 seconds each time as you get stronger. 

Isometric Plank 

• Lie face down with your forearms* 

on the floor, with your legs 

extended and your feet together. 

• Push into your forearms as you raise 

your body so it forms a straight line 

from your head and neck to your feet. 

(Don’t let your hips rise or sag.) 

• Keep your gaze down and hold this 

position as you engage your abdominal 

muscles and breathe steadily. 

• Try to maintain the position for 

between 10 and 60 seconds, then lower 

your body and rest for 30 seconds. 

• Work toward completing 3-5 sets 

Doing more sets and shorter hold 

times is more effective than holding 

a plank for a long time. If you start 

to sag in the middle and you can 

feel it in your back, stop. After a 

rest, you can always try again. 

*If you find resting on your forearms is 

uncomfortable, do the plank from a push-up 

position, with your arms fully extended. If 

you’re new to planking, have back pain or an 

injury, you can do the plank on your knees or 

stand straight and lean against a worktop or 

sturdy desk so your body is at a 45° angle. 

In conclusion 

In addition to the isometric exercises, 

remember that a good diet and an active 

lifestyle with plenty of rest, relaxation 

and play is the foundation of health 

and wellbeing. Happy planking! 

More information 

If you would like a deeper dive into 

isometric exercise and blood pressure 

findings, this is a link to the study 

canterbury.ac.uk/science-engineering-andsocial-sciences/psychology-and-life-sciences/ 

sport-and-exercise-sciences/research/ 

isometric-research-group/Isofit-bp-study.aspx 

...and to our trusty NHS nhs. 

uk/health-assessment-tools/checkyour-blood-pressure-reading 

Sarah Maxwell is a multiple awardwinning 

Fitness and Lifestyle coach 

and mum of two who juggles a lot 

of balls. Find out more about Sarah 

and her work at sarahmaxwell.com 

Sarah shares her Fitness and Lifestyle tips 

on Instagram @sarahmaxwelllifestyle 

129 


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

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our 

diets. This month it’s apples 

We all know the old phrase ‘an apple a day 

keeps the doctor away’ but is there any truth 

to this? Well, there are some properties in 

this tasty staple that are impressive for a relatively cheap 

and readily available fruit… hello apple-picking season! 

Whole apples are nutrient dense and they are very 

rich in a type of soluble fibre called pectin. This fibre 

takes on many times its own weight in water, causing 

it to swell up and form a gel-like substance in the gut. 

Once formed, it binds to cholesterol, preventing it from 

being absorbed into the body by carrying it away via the 

bowel, which provides a cholesterol-lowering effect. 

Most fruits and vegetables are rich in antioxidants, 

some more so like berries, but what apples offer is a 

diverse range of antioxidant compounds. The redskinned 

varieties contain anthocyanins, which have 

benefits for cardiovascular health, quercetin which 

offers anti-inflammatory support, and chlorogenic 

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 

acid, which supports liver health. All varieties are rich 

in Vitamin C, great for supporting our immunity. 

Due to the large number of varieties available in the UK (over 

2,000), you can buy British apples pretty much all year round, 

but traditionally they’re in season in the UK from late August to 

December, their versatile nature making them delicious freshly 

picked as a snack, but equally as good in sweet and savoury dishes. 

• 50g jumbo oats 

• 1 apple – ½ 

grated and 

½ sliced 

Put the oats, grated apple, 

half the sliced banana 

and milk into a saucepan. 

Stirring regularly, cook 

over a medium heat for 5-8 

minutes until the porridge 

has thickened to a creamy 

consistency. Transfer to 

Apple porridge 

This comforting grated apple, banana and cinnamon 

porridge, ticks all the September boxes. Serves 1 

• 1 small banana, 

thinly sliced 

• 250ml milk of 

your choice 

• 1tsp ground 

cinnamon 

a bowl and top with the 

rest of the banana and 

apple and sprinkle with 

cinnamon. Double the 

quantities for a delicious 

overnight oats option, with 

a teaspoon of nut butter on 

the top for extra protein. 


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132 

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

Elephant 

Hawk Moth 

Where the Wild Things are 

Sue Whigham caught up with Lou Carpenter of Marden Wildlife and the 

Marden Farmer Cluster to learn about their inspiring work 

We had our first green-winged orchid flowering 

here this year and the excitement when we 

spotted it knew no bounds. Imagine then 

Marden Meadows, a SSSI designated Nature Reserve east 

of the Kentish village, managed by the Kent Wildlife Trust, 

where, in late April, there is a spectacular display of these 

glorious orchids (also known as the harlequin orchid). 

The site was farmed using pre-World War II methods by 

its previous owner and its unimproved neutral meadow 

is cut for hay each year and then grazed. The meadows 

are part of the Coronation Meadows Project and provide 

‘local provenance meadow seed’ to meadow restoration 

sites. King Charles, as the Prince of Wales, headed up the 

idea of the Coronation Meadows Project after reading 

Plantlife’s report on meadows back in 2012 and realising 

how many meadows had been lost over the previous sixty 

years. He used the timing of the celebration of his mother’s 

coronation to kickstart a movement to restore meadows 

using donor seed from sites such as Marden Meadows. 

And I’m sure that a lot of us saw the 30th July edition of 

Countryfile on BBC1 which featured hay and haymaking. 

Particularly lovely was the farmer who lived on The Lizard 

down in Cornwall, as had his family, for five hundred 

years. He described how he avoids ground nesting birds 

on their second brood of the year, giving their nests a wide 

berth as he cuts the hay field. You can imagine how odd 

the field must look until he goes back and finishes it off 

once the chicks have hatched and flown. There was also a 

piece on the shift towards herbal lays and the older varieties 

producing up to forty-five different species per square metre. 

Marden Wildlife group and Marden Farmer Cluster are 

two organisations that work in tandem in that they are 

deeply intertwined and many of their members are members 

of both. Marden Farmer Cluster is an association of local 

farmers with responsibility for 8,000 acres of land in and 

around Marden. This area covers Goudhurst, Frittenden, 

Yalding and Coxheath. They are not tied in any way 

commercially but are joined together by a mission to both 

produce food and to appreciate and enhance the wildlife on 

their land. Their mutual cooperation means that they both 

exchange valuable information and learn from each other. 

Other organisations such as Natural England and Kent 

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

Two 

turtle doves 

istockphoto.com/ Wirestock / Dgwildlife 

Wildlife Trust support the cluster as they do other clusters 

such as the Tenterden group and the Upper Beult cluster. 

And Marden Wildlife is an organisation for anyone who 

is interested in all or some aspects of wildlife and wants 

to get involved and to work together with local farmers 

and landowners. Without the cluster, Marden Wildlife 

couldn’t function, as its members have considerable access 

to farmland that would normally not be accessible to them. 

As a citizen science organisation, members get involved 

with all aspects of wildlife in the area and there are regular 

‘meet ups’ between them to work on projects to improve 

the area for both biodiversity and food production. 

One of the projects they have been involved in is Operation 

Turtledove. Turtle doves are in decline with the depressing 

figure of loss of 90% since the 1970s. These lovely doves are 

our only migratory dove which actually only spend a third 

of the year in their breeding grounds, i.e. in Europe, and 

the rest of the year they winter in sub-Saharan West Africa, 

which is an amazing 5,600 km migration route. You can 

imagine all the perils that this brings to these creatures. But 

the work being done in Marden to provide early sources 

of food to help them recover from their journey once they 

arrive back is, I am sure, being replicated in other parts of 

the UK. Local people are encouraged to record any sightings 

and Operation Turtledove is working hard with cluster 

members to create feeding strips (and seed provided by the 

RSPB amongst others) to help the doves recover on their 

return from such an arduous journey. Marden Wildlife 

volunteers set up trail cams in late April to monitor turtle 

dove arrivals. The good news is that Kent has at least a third 

of the UK population of turtle doves. And there are moves 

afoot to get together with a hedgerow project in the future. 

Marden farmers are finding that it is better to be proactive 

with wildlife-friendly methods of farming rather than to 

just let nature take over. The movement is spreading to 

farms further afield and the members of Marden Wildlife 

are able to actively take part and benefit from having the 

opportunity to both enjoy the countryside and to help in 

myriad ways. They have a discussion group on Facebook of 

close to 800 members and are on X (previously Twitter) @ 

MardenWildlife. Last year they entered and won BBC Radio 

Kent’s Environment Make a Difference Award. I had a 

good look at their website and the details of the biodiversity 

they have recorded over the area they cover, and in many 

cases, photographed, is so comprehensive and detailed. 

Out of the 2,500 species of moths we have in the UK, 300 

of them have been identified in the Marden area since regular 

moth traps have been set up as part of the Marden Wildlife 

initiative. We’re very keen on moths in this household too. 

Even my four year old grandson was leafing through my 

Moths of Great Britain and Ireland book this weekend. 

He’s said ‘no’ to any more toys for his upcoming birthday. 

Maybe a moth trap would interest him? It would me. 

For more information, see: 

• kentwildlifetrust.org.uk/our-work/farming 

• mardenwildlife.org.uk 

• You’ll find Marden Wildlife Group at the Weald of 

Kent Ploughing Match on Saturday 16th September 

wkpma.co.uk 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 07810 457948 

for gardening advice and help in the sourcing 

and supply of interesting garden plants. 

135 


Lawns are lovely to walk and 

sit on in the summer, but 

not so tempting when the 

weather is wet. And, if you want to 

eat outside, tables and chairs will be 

wonky, or sink into the grass, and 

are hard to mow around. Gardens 

need pleasant, level seating areas, 

pretty and practical places for outdoor 

dining, paths to travel on that won’t 

make your feet wet or muddy. Hardlandscaping 

is important, but it can 

also be an expensive investment. 

What you choose, whether that’s 

stone, brick, gravel or decking, will 

be a permanent addition and will set 

the tone for the rest of the garden. 

What and where you pave needs 

careful consideration – once laid 

though, it is tricky and costly to 

change – so thinking it through 

carefully before the first stone/brick/ 

plank is laid will be time well spent. 

Design & planning 

Consider where you want to sit or 

dine – is it a terrace near the house, or 

a sunny corner at the bottom of the 

garden? Will you need to access this area 

via a path? Will the style be formal and 

geometric, contemporary or classic, or 

rustic and full of cottage garden charm? 

Your choice of surface should also relate 

to the overall style. The materials you 

choose should complement the house – 

they will help to anchor the design and 

link to the landscape both within the 

garden and beyond your boundaries. 

Use colours that will tie in with that 

of walls and buildings – harmonising 

shades or contrasts, because identical 

matching walls and paving can be 

overwhelming. Light coloured stone can 

lift a gloomy space, but if you are using 

natural stone – sandstone or limestone – 

it may be colonised with algae or moss 

in time, which will discolour the stone 

and may be slippery. For this reason 

wooden decking, too, is best confined to 

sunny areas near the house, where it can 

be kept in a non-slip state more easily. 

Size matters 

Seating areas and paths may need to be 

more generous than you first imagine. 

There should be plenty of space – for 

easy access, walking around, room 

for people to push chairs back etc. If 

a path is in frequent use, make it at 

least a metre wide, even wider if plants 

are going to spill over the edges. 

Paths and paving can be used to 

enhance planting schemes, lead to a 

focal point or place to sit and admire 

the view. The shape and direction of a 

path needs to be fairly sensible – there is 

no point making a dreamy, meandering 

route down to the shed if everyone cuts 

straight across it and makes a more 

direct path of their own across the grass. 


Paving 

the way 

Jo Arnell discusses what you need 

to consider when embarking on a 

quest to create the ultimate hard 

landscaping in your garden 

Plants around paving 

We often think of pots and containers 

on terraces or around seating areas, 

but plants can also be used at ground 

level – either around the edges, or you 

can make planting pockets within an 

expanse of paving, either by making 

an actual bed – or, for a relaxed and 

cottage look, removing a slab here and 

there to plant in. In a sunny space low 

growing herbs like lavender and thyme 

work well, and for shadier pockets, 

try Alchemilla mollis or geraniums. 

These will gently spill out – the idea 

is to make the plants look as if they’ve 

grown into cracks in the paving. A great 

little plant that will grow in the tiniest 

of gaps between stones and bricks 

is Erigeron karvinskianus (Mexican 

daisy), it is very free flowering and 

will spread prettily, self-seeding into 

cracks and crevices. Beware of anything 

bigger than this, as the roots may 

lift the pointing – and be especially 

careful about the roots of any nearby 

trees, as their roots may lift or crack 

entire paving slabs or disrupt a path. 

If you are thinking about installing 

lighting, electricity for a shed or 

summerhouse or water feature, 

think about where the cable will 

go – if it is under the paving, then 

a trench will need to be dug for 

the cables prior to laying. You can 

add the actual fittings later. 

Cost 

Cost is an obvious consideration, as 

the materials you choose will need to 

fit your budget. Certain paving – York 

stone, for example – is very desirable 

and, despite the fact that most slabs 

are recycled, very expensive. Porcelain 

is another expensive material – it 

is coveted partly because this ultra 

smooth substrate is vitrified, which 

means that, unlike some natural 

stone, it will not mark or discolour. 

Pre-cast concrete products are 

available at lower prices and some of 

these look very effective. They can be 

made from moulds taken from old 

stone, or manufactured in new styles. 

Sandstone is popular, but because 

it is a natural stone, it will age down, 

gaining a patina which can look very 

attractive – or alternatively will need 

jet-washing every few years to bring 

it back to its original condition. 

Wooden decking is cost effective, 

especially for large areas near 

to the house, but this will also 

need maintaining to prevent it 

becoming slippery or splintered. 

Environmental considerations 

The production of any manufactured 

product will be using energy and 

potentially causing damage to 

 

137 


the environment. Materials like 

concrete, porcelain and cement 

have a high carbon footprint 

and use a lot of energy during 

manufacture. Reconstituted slabs 

are slightly better as they’re made 

from recycled stone, but have 

to be mixed with cement in the 

process. Natural stone is more 

environmentally friendly to use, 

but check the source. Stone is 

heavy and costly to transport – if 

it comes from a local quarry it 

will have a less detrimental impact 

to the environment than stone 

transported from a far-flung place. 

Reusing existing slabs, or even 

designing areas of crazy-paving 

(a cheerful mix of broken stones) 

will be the most environmental 

choice – recycling will obviously 

be more cost-effective, but it 

might not fit the style or the 

aesthetics – this is definitely for 

more informal, relaxed spaces. 

Impermeable surfaces can cause 

issues in the environment too. 

Solid expanses where water can’t 

get through exacerbate flooding 

issues. They are also barren and 

so reduce habitats for wildlife. 

According to the RHS, at least 

a quarter of front gardens have 

been entirely paved over to make 

drives or to lower maintenance. 

Since 2008, however, any new 

drives or front garden areas 

must be permeable so that water 

can drain back into the soil. 

Permeable substrates are more 

environmentally friendly because 

water will drain straight through – 

aggregates like gravel or decorative 

stone chips can be laid onto a 

permeable membrane. Stone setts – 

either reclaimed or locally sourced 

– are also a good choice. If you 

are paving with slabs, they can be 

laid in strips so that a car can drive 

onto them, but there are gaps in 

between. Grass grids, made from 

recycled plastic or concrete, let the 

grass to grow up through and give a 

soft and natural look while allowing 

vehicles to drive over them. 

Firm foundations 

Practical issues are as important as 

aesthetics where hard landscaping 

is concerned. Getting this right 

will not only enhance appearances, 

but ensure that the materials used 

will last for a long time and stay 

looking good for years to come. 

Getting the levels right on any 

paving is key. Good preparation 

and levelling out of bumps and 

dips, making a firm, even surface 

on which to lay slabs or bricks takes 

time and attention to detail. A 

spirit level should be used, as doing 

this by eye can be very deceptive. 

Landscapers use hardcore (type 

1) to create a sub-base layer on 

which to lay paving. This is tamped 

down firmly with a compactor or 

wacker plate. This base layer will 

ensure that the paving stays level. 

Ensure that the paving slopes very 

gently away from the house and 

that any water will drain away 

into the flowerbeds. Unevenly 

laid substrates are potential trip 

hazards, but also may cause water 

to run into puddles in the middle. 

Weather 

Freezing conditions, especially 

during the first few weeks after 

laying, will be a challenge for any 

hard-landscaping material, so make 

sure that it can cope with the worst 

of the winter weather – freeze-thaw 

action can cause the top layers of 

paving and bricks to crack and 

come away in sheets. Postpone 

starting a project if the ground 

is frozen and consider ways of 

protecting freshly laid bricks, pavers 

and stones from damaging frosts. 

There are many factors to take into 

consideration when thinking about 

laying either a new- or changing an 

existing- area of hard-landscaping, 

but whatever you decide, ultimately 

it should be a good investment that 

will enhance your outdoor space. 

In the end, once all the mess and 

noise is over, you will have created 

a haven in which to relax and 

entertain and, most importantly, 

improved your quality of life. 

To book a gardening course, 

contact Jo on 07923 969634 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ BethAmber / Westbury / pcturner71 


Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

New art and autumn colour 

at Bateman's 

© National Trust 2023. Registered Charity no. 205846. 

Photography © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler 

Visit this autumn to explore the home of 

writer Rudyard Kipling and to experience 

Bateman's Reimagined, a magical new 

installation by book artist Su Blackwell. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans 

BOOK IN ADVANCE 

AND SAVE* 

Reader Offer 

£12 

on advance tickets 

using discount code 

CRAFT2023* 

Purchase direct 

from nearly 200 

of the very best 

makers in the UK 

7 – 10 September 

Hever Castle 

& Gardens 

Edenbridge, Kent TN8 7NG 

Putting the WOW back into Craft Fairs 

*See website for early bird discount details 

Craft Fair entry included in normal Garden admission charges 

*Offer code valid for adults on dates of craft fair only 

9.30am – 5.30pm Daily 

(Garden open until 6pm daily) 


CIF_Hever_Sept23_130x185_v1.indd 1 10/07/2023 09:38 

139

GODINTON HOUSE 

AND GARDENS 

A HIDDEN GEM IN THE HEART OF ASHFORD 

A F I N E J A C O B E A N M A N S I O N , G O D I N T O N 

H O U S E H A S T W E L V E A C R E S O F G A R D E N S S E T 

I N H I S T O R I C P A R K L A N D F O R Y O U T O E X P L O R E . 

Gardens open Tuesday- Sunday until 31st October. 

House open Friday-Saturday until 30th September. 

G O D I N T O N L A N E , A S H F O R D , K E N T , 

T N 2 3 3 B P 

T : 0 1 2 3 3 6 4 3 8 5 4 

W : W W W . G O D I N T O N H O U S E . C O . U K 

IN THE YEAR OF KING CHARLES III’S CORONATION 

15th - 30th September 2023 

FEATURING: 

ERROL LINTON 

MICHAEL ROSEN 

ENSEMBLE HESPERI 

BARONESS BRENDA HALE 

MARTIN SIMPSON 

KING KONG 

HENRY JEFFREYS 

CORDELIA WILLIAMS 

FAY HIELD TRIO 

AND MANY MORE! 

ryeartsfestival.org.uk 

Rye Arts Festival CIO Reg Charity No. 1175309 


140

2 Dec – 7 Jan 

YVONNE ARNAUD THEATRE 

GUILDFORD 

CINDERELLA 

Head to the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre 

in Guildford this Christmas for the 

godmother of all pantos, Cinderella! 

This year’s stellar line up includes 

EastEnders and Detectorists favourite 

Lucy Benjamin as the Wicked 

Stepmother, Radio’s Peter Gordon 

in a hilarious Ugly Stepsister duo 

alongside Guildford Shakepeare 

Company co-founder Matt Pinches, 

and CBeebies star James Merry for 

his third Guildford panto. Don’t 

wait to book – the clock is ticking! 

Tickets: from £20 

Booking: 01483 44 00 00 

yvonne-arnaud.co.uk 

9 – 31 Dec 

ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE 

TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 

Find yourself transported to a pretty 

French town where Bookish Belle 

is ready to start a new chapter... 

She, along with her friend Jacques 

and his mum, Betty (bell-ringer of 

the local Tunbridge Bells) soon find 

themselves trapped inside the enchanted 

castle of a mysterious beast. 

The award-winning Little Wolf 

Entertainment return with even 

more shimmering sets, outrageous 

costumes, magic and mayhem! 


Booking: 01892 530613 

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 


ESHER THEATRE 

DICK WHITTINGTON 

Passionate about bringing West End 

quality to Surrey, Esher Theatre’s latest 

cast announcement doesn’t disappoint! 

International singer, actress and presenter, 

Sinitta, will be gracing the stage along with 

world class psychic, Sally Morgan and singer, 

actor and West End legend, Peter Straker. 

Join Dick Whittington and his trusty 

right-hand cat as they find fortune, 

fame and happiness whilst on the 

pursuit to become Mayor of London! 

Tickets: from £22.50 

Booking: eshertheatre.com 

Panto Time 

Get ready for a giggle and book the best seats in 

the house for this year’s seasonal slapstick 


MALTHOUSE THEATRE, CANTERBURY 

SNOW WHITE 

The Malthouse Theatre in association 

with Gardner Hodges Entertainment are 

proud to present Canterbury’s Fairest 

Pantomime of all, Snow White! 

From the team that brought you 

Cinderella and Beauty and The Beast, 

this year’s production will feature 

stunning sets and costumes, spectacular 

special effects, side splitting comedy 

and a dazzling West End cast. 

Don’t delay, book today to guarantee 

your early bird ticket price. 

Tickets: from £17.50 

Booking: 01227 287234 

malthousetheatre.co.uk 

8 – 31 Dec 

LEAS CLIFF HALL 

FOLKESTONE 

BEAUTY AND THE BEAST 

When a magical sorceress transforms 

the handsome Count into a frightening 

Beast, only true love will break the 

spell. Join bookworm Belle and a 

whole host of colourful characters 

on a journey to discover that true 

beauty is more than just skin-deep. 

With plenty of audience participation 

and huge helpings of laughter 

combined with spectacular scenery, 

captivating costumes and enchanting 

special effects, Beauty and the Beast 

is the traditional family pantomime 

that will leave you spellbound. 


Booking: 01233 770695 

or 770182 

leascliffhall.co.uk 

3 Jan 2024 

RICHMOND THEATRE 

DICK WHITTINGTON 

The wonderful Paul Merton will 

be donning the Panto Dame’s heels 

this Christmas as he steps into 

the role of Sarah the Cook! 

Join Dick Whittington as he seeks fame, 

fortune, and happiness journeying to 

become Lord Mayor. Can he outwit 

the evil rodent King Rat and free 

the city from his team of revolting 

rodents? Find out in the ultimate 

magical pantomime adventure! 

This promises to be full of laugh-outloud 

comedy, stunning scenery, beautiful 

costumes and plenty of boos and hisses. 

Tickets: £15 

Booking: 01233 770695 or 770182 

atgtickets.com 

istockphoto.com/ BrianAJackson

PASHLEY MANOR 

GARDENS 

Woodfest & Country Fair - Sat 9 th & Sun 10 th September 

We have lots of exciting woodland demonstrations taking place 

over the weekend including chainsaw carving, wood turning, 

campfire cooking, horse logging, pole lathe turning as well as a 

wonderful display of vintage tractors and stationary steam engines. 

The main arena attractions run continuously throughout the 

day and will include Joe’s Bows Falconry Display, Ferret Racing, 

The Mini Pony Show, Terrier Racing, Gun Dog Demonstrations, 

Golden Retriever Display Team (Sunday) and more! We have many 

different craft making activities including clay creations and 

flower crown making as well as Creepy Claws Animal Display and 

the Climbing Wall. 

Adults £12 children under 16 are free of charge. Book your tickets 

online to save 20%. 

Rosemary Distilling Workshop - Wednesday 20 th September 

DAHLIA DAYS 

6th every day to 16th September 

East Sussex/Kent border TN5 7HE 01580 200888 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

During this workshop, you will experience every stage of the 

process from picking the herbs, through to the distillation using a 

traditional copper still and take away your own bottle of rosemary 

hydrosol to see you through the cooler months. 

£55.00 per person. Light refreshment provided. 

belmont-house.org • 01795 890228 • events@belmont-house.org 

Belmont House & Gardens, Throwley, Faversham, Kent ME13 0HH 

Presents 

The 

Caterpillar 

and the 

Blackbird 

A colourful new children’s 

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. 

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 


142

LEUKAEMIA UK PRESENT ‘WHO’S COOKING DINNER?’ 

SURREY ART FAIR 

LEUKAEMIA 

UK PRESENT 

‘WHO’S COOKING 

DINNER?’ 

istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & michelangeloop & ViewApart 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden©National Trust Images/Sam Milling 

What’s On 

in September 

ART & LITERATURE 

Fri 8 - Sun 10 Sept 

Chartwell, Mapleton Road, 

Westerham TN16 1PS 

CHARTWELL LITERATURE 

FESTIVAL 

Showcasing the top names 

in historical non-fiction and 

celebrating the 70th anniversary 

of Sir Winston Churchill’s 

Nobel Prize in Literature, this is 

Chartwell’s inaugural Literature 

Festival. There will be talks, 

discussions and debates presented 

by the likes of Damien Lewis, 

Katja Hoyer, Dr Wafik Moustafa 

and Leo McKinstry. You can book 

via the National Trust box office 

online, with discounted festival 

day passes available from the 

Chartwell shop and visitor centre. 

nationaltrust.org.uk 

Sat 23 & Sun 24 Sept 

10am to 5pm 

Sandown Park Racecourse 

SURREY ART FAIR 

Immerse yourself in a weekend of 

art, have a talk to the independent 

artists and gallery owners, 

experience art coming to life at 

the Live Art Theatre and view 

your favourite art piece in the 

home setting showroom at the 

fair by Sofas & Stuff. There is 

also a hands-on workshop area 

and an art quest for children 

to take part in and learn about 

art. Visit the Shooting Star 

Children’s Hospice stand, where 

they sell small artworks painted 

by those exhibiting at the fair. 

For tickets visit the website. 

surreyartfair.uk 

COURSES & TALKS 

w/c Mon 18 Sept 

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery 

57 St John’s Street. 

Farncombe. Godalming. 

Surrey. GU7 3EH 

UPHOLSTERY COURSES 

& WORKSHOPS 

Sarah Louise Dix Upholstery 

offer a selection of upholstery 

courses and workshops, which 

are suitable for all abilities. Their 

courses and workshops use a 

combination of traditional and 

modern upholstery taught in 

small groups at the studio located 

in Godalming, Surrey. Advance 

booking required. 1-day footstool 

course for beginners, £150 (14 Oct 

& 18 Nov). 10-week course for all 

levels, £450 (beginning 18 Sept). 

sarahlouisedix.co.uk/upholstery-courses 

Mon 25 Sept 

West Horsley Place, Epsom 

Road, West Horsley, Surrey 

KT24 6AN 

LEIF BERSWEDEN AT 

HORSLEY PLACE 

In 2021, Author & Adventurer, 

Leif Bersweden went on a big 

botanical adventure around Britain 

and Ireland with his bike, to track 

down our most intriguing and 

well-known plants, with the people 

who love them most dearly. 

Leif’s latest book, Where the 

Wildflowers Grow, follows him 

on that journey. Join Leif to hear 

first hand about his journey. This 

talk, like the book, is all about 

the joy of engaging with nature, 

the importance of plants for 

our climate, and celebrating our 

unbelievable botanical diversity. 

wessthorsleyplace.org 

FAMILY FUN 

9 & 10 Sept 

The Historic Dockyard, 

Chatham, Kent ME4 4TZ 

HISTORIC DOCKYARD’S 

SALUTE TO THE ‘40S 

Celebrated as ‘one of the Britain’s 

best vintage festivals’, get ready to 

step back in time as the Historic 

Dockyard is transformed into a 

1940s experience - from military 

wartime displays through to the 

glamorous years of the late 1940s. 

Hundreds of re-enactors will bring 

it all to life. The fantastic line up 

of musicians includes the ever 

popular act The D-Day Darlings; 

back by popular demand, the 

Glenn Miller Orchestra, Adam 

Hoffman, Miss Holiday Swing and 

The Knightingales. There will be 

plenty of opportunities to shop for 

those 40s fashion essentials in the 

Vintage Street Market. Plus dance 

lessons and free funfair rides. 

Book tickets online: 

thedockyard.co.uk 

Sat 16 Sept 

Reed Court Farm, Hunton 

Road, Chainhurst, Tonbridge, 

Kent, TN12 9SX 

WEALD OF KENT 

PLOUGHING MATCH 

This promises to be a vibrant 

event, well supported by the local 

agricultural and allied trades, with 

more than 80 trade stands forming 

the heart of the show, with plenty 

of ploughing on besides. It also has 

a true “Thelwellian” gymkhana, a 

clay pigeon competition, sheep dog 

trials, farmers market and a variety 

of events in the main ring which all 

attract huge crowds. You’ll also find 

Marden Wildlife Group as featured 

by Sue Whigham on page 133. Find 

out more and book tickets online. 

wkpma.co.uk 

 

143 


AIRREX DIESEL INFRARED HEATERS 

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(*Finance prices are for example purposes and are subject to status and for business customers only who 

have at least 3 years trading history*) 

RRP £70 

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Receive a FREE LTE router 

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FINE DINING 

Mon 18th Sept 

The Dorchester, Park 

Lane, London 

LEUKAEMIA UK PRESENTS 

WHO’S COOKING DINNER? 

Have you ever sat down to dinner 

not knowing which Michelin 

star chef, or newly crowned 

Masterchef: The Professional, will 

be cooking your four-course meal? 

The likes of Gordon Ramsay, 

Rick Stein, Mark Hix, Angela 

Hartnett, Tom Kerridge and more 

have cooked at this amazing event, 

where 20 tables of 10 guests have 

their own “surprise” chef for the 

night. The flagship fundraising 

event of Leukaemia UK, Who’s 

Cooking Dinner? is returning to 

The Dorchester, Park Lane. Over 

the years, the event has raised 

over £7 million for vital research 

into finding kinder treatments for 

those diagnosed with leukaemia. 

Visit the website to reserve your 

table. What better way to mark 

Blood Cancer Awareness Month? 

leukaemiauk.org.uk/ 

whos-cooking-dinner/ 

You can also make a donation 

to Leukaemia UK at 

leukaemiauk.org.uk/ 

support-us/donate-now/ 

GARDENS 

Open daily 10am-5pm 

Sissinghurst Castle 

SISSINGHURST 

CASTLE GARDEN 

Garden, Biddenden Road, Nr 

Cranbrook, TN17 2AB 

SISSINGHURST 

CASTLE GARDEN 

Escape into autumn at the worldrenowned 

Sissinghurst Castle 

Garden – created by Vita Sackville- 

West and Harold Nicolson – with 

garden workshops, expert-led talks, 

family activities and more. Watch 

for harvest highlights in the organic 

no-dig Vegetable Garden, join in 

with the apple picking in the orchard 

and help the gardeners prepare for 

next spring with bulb planting. You 

can also learn top tips on ensuring 

scent and colour in your gardens 

with horticulture experts Michael 

Marriott, Nick Bailey and Stephen 

Lacey. Don’t miss the plant shop and 

visit Vita’s Writing Room. With all 

this and more, make sure you don’t 

miss out on the changing seasons! 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 

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 100 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 September. 

HISTORIC 

DOCKYARDS 

 

 

 

 

 

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145 


Jane Howard is on a mission 

to strengthen our native trees 

These days trees are rarely out 

of the news. Some positive 

stories… it looks like elms 

may make a comeback because scientists 

have developed strains that are resistant to 

Dutch Elm disease. In the Netherlands they have 

planted lots in cities and by closely monitoring each 

one and, if necessary, removing any with the disease, 

a large number of adult trees are thriving. We’re only 

talking three trees here at Coopers, but we’re on it too. 

A few years ago we bought disease resistant saplings, 

at an eye watering £250 a piece, but they’re thriving 

and we have high hopes for a Stonegate revival. 

The ash less so. Like everyone else our field margins 

and woods are full of trees that have 

succumbed to Ash Die Back, a fungus 

that threatens to eradicate up to 95% 

of the trees it infects. But while most 

are doing very badly there are around a 

hundred million ash trees in this country, 

so several million will be resistant and 

survive. At the John Innes Centre a key 

part of their Diversity in Ash (DIVA) 

project is cultivating these resistant strains 

and they have named each one after a 

diva. So come on Aretha, Dolly, Chrissie 

and Nina, the countryside needs you! 

But it’s not just these stories 

that have put trees centre stage. 

As trees grow, they absorb and store carbon dioxide 

and a mega worldwide planting programme of 

trillions of the right trees could remove two-thirds 

of all the emissions in the atmosphere today. 

In the UK millions would go a long way. Currently 

about 13% of the UK is wooded but get that figure up to 

17% (the High Weald is so ahead of the game at 28%) and 

we could capture enough to meet our zero carbon targets 

by 2050. The issue then will be how we can make all the 

new woodlands a productive part of the local economy, it’s 

At the John Innes 

Centre a key part 

of their Diversity 

in Ash (DIVA) 

project is cultivating 

[disease] resistant 

strains and they 

have named each 

one after a diva 

called Agroforestry and the opportunities are endless. 

Back at Coopers we could “graze” some of the 

woodlands. Cows and sheep love eating trees. Look at 

trees in pastures and see how the leaves only appear above 

the line the cattle can no longer reach. There’s a good 

reason because the leaves are much more 

nutritious than grass. Rowan leaves 

have three times more fat than meadow 

hay, Alder twice the protein and Ash a 

third more sugar. Not only do they taste 

better than grass but they are also a natural 

medicine chest. Tree roots go much deeper 

and access many more minerals than 

grass, the cows and sheep know this and 

use different trees and shrubs to self heal. 

Each year we make a small amount 

of tree hay (an ancient practice) which 

involves cutting small branches – about 

2m long – of ash, willow and hopefully 

soon elm, when they are in full leaf, lashing 

them in tight bundles and storing them in a dry place. 

As soon as they have lambed the ewes are given a branch, 

which they fall upon, it feels like a good thing to do! 

Instead of cutting the whole hedge we’ve also started 

letting some of the species – the field maples and the 

hawthorns – grow on into trees to create more habitat 

diversity. Did you know that a hedge without trees is a 

hedge, while one with trees is a hedgerow? And I must also 

go and look to see if there are any Madonnas or Tammys 

lurking in the woods. I will be very thrilled if I find one. 

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


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+ Wills 

To find out how we can help, 

call us on 01622 698000 

or email enquiries@wmlaw.uk 

whitehead-monckton.co.uk 

Whitehead Monckton Limited (no. 08366029), registered in England & Wales. 

Registered office 5 Eclipse Park, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3EN. Authorised 

and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority under no. 608279. 

WhiteheadMoncktonWT246.indd 1 20/10/2022 14:03

FIND YOUR EYEWEAR WARDROBE 

At Wilson Wilson and Hancock we understand that your glasses are an extension of 

your style and who you are. Our style consultation service will help you find distinctive 

frames you’ll love, pair with our thorough, unhurried eye tests for the best possible 

eyecare available. Contact us today and we’ll help you find your perfect eyewear. 

Hastings 01424 421717 | Lewes 01273 472360 | Rye 01797 223700 | Tenterden 01580 762069 

www.wilsonwilsonandhancock.co.uk

Wealden Times | WT256 | September 2023 | Education & Kitchen Supplement inside

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