Wealden Times | WT258 | November 2023 | Christmas Gift Supplement inside
The lifestyle magazine for Kent & Sussex - Inspirational Interiors, Fabulous Fashion, Delicious Dishes
The lifestyle magazine for Kent & Sussex - Inspirational Interiors, Fabulous Fashion, Delicious Dishes
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PRICELESS<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />
258<br />
NOVEMBER <strong>2023</strong><br />
CHRISTMAS GIFT SUPPLEMENT <strong>inside</strong><br />
Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes
jminteriorsuk.uk<br />
Please email or call to make a showroom appointment<br />
2<br />
info@jminteriorsuk.uk 01580 291221<br />
JMInteriorsWT254.indd All Pages
MINTERIORS<br />
JMade Designing in Biddenden and handcrafting by a kitchens family business since 1994<br />
3<br />
09/06/<strong>2023</strong> 10:40:54
FIND YOUR<br />
KITCHEN spirit<br />
COME AND SEE US FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION<br />
SEVENOAKS<br />
50 LONDON ROAD, TN13 1AS<br />
01732 454282 | NOLTE-KITCHENS.CO.UK
Contents<br />
<strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
10<br />
17<br />
21<br />
26<br />
47<br />
48<br />
26<br />
HOUSE OF THE MONTH<br />
Dream homes on the market<br />
NOTEBOOK<br />
Upcoming events for your diary<br />
THE MUST LIST<br />
Keep up-to-date with the latest<br />
must-see and must-have goodies<br />
A HOUSE WELL TRAVELLED<br />
A surprising oast house<br />
with a Mexican twist<br />
GET THE LOOK<br />
Learn how to effortlessly<br />
blend cultures and styles<br />
VIEW FINDER<br />
Explore photographer Mel Smith’s<br />
new studio and living space<br />
94<br />
96<br />
104<br />
109<br />
111<br />
96<br />
ALL WRAPPED UP<br />
Rebecca Cuffe edits evening<br />
wear with bow embellishments<br />
COSY AWAITS<br />
Beautifully crafted recipes<br />
from The Union Rye’s<br />
Head Chef Maz Cogo<br />
SCENTS FOR THE SEASON<br />
Josephine Fairley explains<br />
why it’s time to expand<br />
your scent wardrobe<br />
POSTURE PERFECT<br />
Sarah Maxwell’s tips<br />
for a stronger core<br />
NOURISH TO FLOURISH<br />
Charlotte Lau explores the<br />
health benefits of salmon<br />
116<br />
121<br />
123<br />
125<br />
130<br />
48<br />
HEART OF THE HIVE<br />
Sue Whigham explores an<br />
inspirational project headed up by<br />
Syrian bee expert Dr. Ryad Alsous<br />
MEET THE HEAD<br />
Get to know Cranbrook School’s<br />
new head, David Clark<br />
LOOK TO THE FUTURE<br />
Explore the potential benefits<br />
of financial planning<br />
WHAT’S ON?<br />
From pantos to courses, find out...<br />
FABLES FROM THE FARM<br />
Jane Howard focuses in on<br />
the health of her flock<br />
65<br />
93<br />
GET THE LOOK<br />
Learn how to be inventive<br />
and thrifty like Mel<br />
TIED WITH A BOW<br />
Festive fashion picks<br />
112<br />
TROUBLE AHEAD<br />
Jo Arnell shares her expertise to help<br />
your plants ride out harsh winters<br />
and baking summers in the garden<br />
Published by Priceless Media Ltd. Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street,<br />
Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3HF | Call 01580 714705 | Email info@priceless-group.com<br />
Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © <strong>2023</strong> Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the<br />
advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd.<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
GIFT<br />
SUPPLEMENT<br />
24 pages of<br />
fabulous festive<br />
inspiration.<br />
From page 67.<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong>s<br />
5<br />
istockphoto.com/ cienpies
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54 | SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong> | SO Magazine SO Magazine | SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong> | 55<br />
44 High Street<br />
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54 | SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong> | SO Magazine SO Magazine | SEPTEMBER <strong>2023</strong> | 55<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
6
From the<br />
Editor<br />
As I write it’s mid-October and over 20 degrees,<br />
but <strong>Christmas</strong> is approaching at pace and this issue<br />
comes with its very own <strong>Gift</strong> Guide to help you get<br />
all your ducks in a row! Browse gifts from teeny to<br />
statement with our themed shopping pages that cater<br />
for everyone, from animal lovers to jewellery magpies,<br />
children to avid gardeners, alongside a rundown of<br />
gorgeous decorations and excellent advent calendars.<br />
Combine this with a day out at our Midwinter Fair<br />
(16-18th <strong>November</strong> at The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood<br />
wealdentimes-fair.co.uk) and you’re onto a winner!<br />
Over the next few pages, two really unusual homes<br />
are ready to be explored at your leisure. Photographer<br />
David Merewether and I loved the unique differences<br />
in each – from the noteworthy conversion and<br />
decoration of our first home, an oast in Surrey, to<br />
the upcycling genius of photographer Mel Smith,<br />
where not a piece of old wood was left without a<br />
new purpose in his studio and living space.<br />
Cosy is key this month, and our choice of autumn<br />
recipes are sure to satisfy that craving for<br />
home-cooked comfort food for the chillier<br />
season and longer evenings. Plus, be<br />
sure to check out our event pages for<br />
some fun-filled family events to fill<br />
your diary with over the festive season.<br />
Enjoy your Priceless magazine<br />
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9<br />
HERITAGE SPECIALISTS<br />
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Ashford&CranbrookRoofingWT248.indd 1 30/11/2022 17:50
House<br />
Month<br />
of the<br />
£2,500,000<br />
- £2,750,000<br />
Damien Pestell picks his favourite<br />
homes on the market<br />
Cowden<br />
The dream: A stunning<br />
architectural home as<br />
impressive outside as it<br />
is within. Awash with<br />
natural light and full of<br />
large welcoming spaces,<br />
the property is set against<br />
the picturesque backdrop<br />
of the Kent countryside.<br />
Where: The village of<br />
Cowden, just a stone’s throw<br />
from both the Surrey and<br />
West Sussex borders and<br />
close to the local towns<br />
of Edenbridge, Tunbridge<br />
Wells and East Grinstead.<br />
Setting: On the outskirts<br />
of the village.<br />
Beds: 4 Baths: 5<br />
Special features: The<br />
wonderful double-height<br />
atrium is the stand out<br />
feature of the house, stretching<br />
the height of the building<br />
through the first floor landing.<br />
Pleasing details: The<br />
fully-equipped gym, games<br />
room and state-of-the-art<br />
cinema cater to every facet<br />
of high-end modern living.<br />
Outside: The acre plot<br />
is a haven of tranquility<br />
and seclusion and comes<br />
with the option to acquire<br />
an additional 8 acres.<br />
Time to town: From<br />
Cowden station, just two<br />
miles away, to London<br />
Victoria in 56 minutes.<br />
Agent: Maison Partnership<br />
0333 242 3292<br />
maisonpartnership.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com 10
Laddingford<br />
£1,395,000<br />
The dream: This beautiful 5 bedroom<br />
detached house provides spacious and<br />
well presented accommodation that<br />
is perfect for the family buyer.<br />
Where: Laddingford is a delightful hamlet<br />
with an award-winning public house,<br />
located just over 1.5 miles from Yalding.<br />
Setting: In a secluded yet central village location.<br />
Beds: 5 Baths: 3<br />
Special features: Period features are tastefully<br />
woven throughout the property – from exposed<br />
beams to oak floors, there has been a real desire<br />
to preserve the heritage of the building.<br />
Pleasing details: The accommodation is spread<br />
across the three roundels and the adjoining rooms,<br />
meaning that each room has a very different feel.<br />
Outside: The large plot, spanning an impressive<br />
2.3 acres, comprises rolling lawns, mature trees,<br />
paddocks and well-maintained gardens alongside<br />
a swimming pool and extensive outbuildings,<br />
including a barn, garage, and stables.<br />
Time to town: Paddock Wood is just<br />
3.1 miles away with mainline services to<br />
London Charing Cross in under an hour.<br />
Agent: Maddisons Residential<br />
01892 514100 maddisonsresidential.co.uk<br />
Cranbrook<br />
£900,000<br />
The dream: A charming late Georgian<br />
townhouse with later Victorian<br />
additions, owned for several generations<br />
by the town’s millers, whose names<br />
are inscribed into the brickwork.<br />
Where: The sought-after town of<br />
Cranbrook, just a short drive from<br />
Tenterden and Tunbridge Wells.<br />
Setting: In the heart of the town,<br />
underneath the iconic Union Windmill.<br />
Beds: 4 Baths: 2<br />
Special features: The pretty dining room<br />
with original Georgian bullet fireplace,<br />
deep original cupboards and a study area,<br />
has direct access to the rear garden.<br />
Pleasing details: Brick steps lead<br />
down to a useful cellar, ideal for<br />
storage and lit by natural light.<br />
Outside: A pretty walled courtyard garden to<br />
the rear complements the private front garden<br />
which has off-road parking for two cars.<br />
Time to town: From Staplehurst station,<br />
a 10 minute drive away, to London<br />
Charing Cross in 50 minutes.<br />
Agent: Savills 01580 720161 savills.com<br />
11<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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14
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M<br />
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Notebook<br />
Take note! We’ve rounded up the best<br />
of what to see and do near you<br />
istockphoto.com/ RomanOkopny / mfto / chaiwarin<br />
Light Fantastic<br />
Looking for brilliant ideas for festive outings this season? You won’t want<br />
to miss the spectacular <strong>Christmas</strong> Lights at picture-perfect Leeds Castle<br />
from 24th <strong>November</strong> until 31st December, brought to you by Sony<br />
Music and created by Culture Creative. Prepare to be wowed by<br />
new installations as well as some previously seen favourites as you<br />
wander through the magical trail. Appearing for the first time this<br />
year is Loomaland’s hypnotic Cygnus, whilst other mesmerising<br />
new features include 12 days of <strong>Christmas</strong> by North Devon<br />
artist Woody Fox and Heart Walk by Cristina Ottonello.<br />
Chandelier Walk, by Crescent Moon Events, is a series of<br />
beautifully designed chandeliers delicately suspended in the<br />
trees, whilst Squidsoup’s Feast of Light features immersive,<br />
glowing strings filled with all the colours of the rainbow.<br />
You can also catch a glimpse of Father <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
along the way and enjoy some festive snacks.<br />
It’s well worth booking early to secure<br />
your chosen date and time.<br />
christmaslightsatleedscastle.seetickets.com<br />
Winter<br />
Wonderland<br />
It’s time to wrap up warm, get outdoors<br />
and blow away the cobwebs with<br />
National Trust this month. If you’re<br />
keen to get the family out in the fresh<br />
air head to Claremont Landscape<br />
Gardens for The Snow Queen family<br />
trail between 25th <strong>November</strong> and 2nd<br />
January. Explore the magical installations<br />
reflecting scenes from the story with<br />
activities along the way (normal<br />
charges apply) nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/<br />
surrey/claremont-landscape-garden.<br />
Or how about the Winter Welly Wander<br />
at Winkworth from 16th December to<br />
3rd January. Pick up a trail sheet at the<br />
welcome kiosk and play a range of wellybased<br />
games for some rosy-cheeked fun.<br />
£2 per child plus normal admission.<br />
nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/surrey/<br />
winkworth-arboretum<br />
ALL THE<br />
TRIMMINGS<br />
Taywell Farmshop in<br />
Goudhurst will be holding<br />
The Spirit of <strong>Christmas</strong> on 24th<br />
<strong>November</strong> from noon until 7pm. Visit<br />
their local stockists and sample plenty of<br />
tasty produce. All sorts of delicious festive<br />
delights will be on offer and you’ll be<br />
able to get your <strong>Christmas</strong> sorted by<br />
ordering hampers, turkeys and all the<br />
trimmings. Bespoke and corporate<br />
hampers will be made to order by<br />
the Taywell Hamper Co. who also<br />
supply picnic hampers all year round.<br />
taywellfarm.co.uk<br />
17<br />
priceless-magazines.com
The wonderfully<br />
welcoming Ceramic Studio<br />
in Brenchley will be hosting a Makers<br />
Market on 3rd December from 10am until<br />
4pm. The market is a brilliant opportunity to<br />
support small, local business and makers, giving<br />
visitors the chance to meet the people that make the<br />
products. As well as the market stalls there will be<br />
live music from The Fireflies and a complimentary<br />
glass of mulled wine and a mince pie. Contact<br />
the studio if you’d like to have a stall.<br />
theceramicstudio.co.uk<br />
make it fun<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Present<br />
Celebrate the best of Surrey’s artists and artisans<br />
and shop a huge range of interesting and one-off<br />
gifts. West Horsley Place (location of the genius<br />
BBC comedy Ghosts), will host the <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
Fair from 24th to 26th <strong>November</strong>. You’ll find<br />
exhibits from Surrey Hills Enterprises, Surrey<br />
Guild of Craftsmen, Wey Ceramics, Guildford<br />
Art Society and many more. With stalls across<br />
the barn and the manor it’s a great chance to<br />
soak up the atmosphere of this beautiful historic<br />
house. Open from 10am until 4pm, tickets<br />
are £9. westhorsleyplace.org/Event/<br />
arts-crafts-artisan-christmas-fair<br />
‘Tis the season<br />
Head to Guildford Cathedral for shopping, food, music<br />
and art this Advent and <strong>Christmas</strong>. The Cathedral<br />
will be full of festive cheer throughout <strong>November</strong> and<br />
December, with music from Rick Wakeman and friends<br />
to John Rutter to the Snowman. Advent services start<br />
on Sunday 1 December with the Advent Carol Service<br />
at 6pm. A Virtual Advent Calendar will have a door a<br />
day opening to the cathedral’s wonderful choir singing,<br />
so do follow their social media. Find details of services<br />
and events on their website guildford-cathedral.org<br />
Festive Feels<br />
Merriments<br />
Gardens are hosting a<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Craft Fair on 3rd December<br />
in their lovely Orangery. Head along to join<br />
talented local crafters, cooks and bakers and pick<br />
up some beautiful handmade <strong>Christmas</strong> gifts. From<br />
local honey, beeswax candles, essential oil candles and<br />
crocheted homewares to delicious homemade chutneys and<br />
jams, festive tray-bakes and fantastic cakes, all alongside<br />
handmade wreaths and seasonal planters. Staplehurst<br />
Community Choir will be performing carols and<br />
there will be mince pies and mulled wine on<br />
offer to keep you fuelled.<br />
merriments.co.uk<br />
SHOW TIME<br />
From party nights to sensational shows, you’ll find plenty to keep you<br />
entertained this <strong>Christmas</strong> at G Live. The Season starts with a nostalgic sleigh<br />
ride through rock ’n’ roll with That’ll Be The Day <strong>Christmas</strong> Show followed<br />
by a <strong>Christmas</strong> classic as Guildford Choral perform Handel’s Messiah. Get the<br />
party started with Tropicana 80s and MASSAOKE <strong>Christmas</strong> or if a festive<br />
three course dinner and fizz is more your style, enjoy their <strong>Christmas</strong> dining<br />
events with live entertainment from the West End Jerseys and The Arg Band.<br />
Santa’s On His Sleigh is the brand-new magical family show<br />
written by Justin Fletcher, and Pop Princesses and Cirque<br />
Enchantment will have you spoilt for choice.<br />
What will you be seeing at G Live, this festive season? glive.co.uk<br />
priceless-magazines.com 18
With no shortage of perfect selfie moments<br />
amid the larger-than-life fauna, <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
at Bedgebury makes for a fairytale outing.<br />
christmasatbedgebury.seetickets.com<br />
must<br />
The<br />
From must-sees to must-buys and<br />
must-dos, don’t miss this month’s<br />
round up of what to buy, see, do,<br />
and generally get excited about!<br />
Say goodbye to the disposable<br />
party hat and hello to this glorious<br />
reusable pop out crown, one of<br />
a set of four beautiful designs,<br />
from The Shop Floor Project. Go<br />
on, give your <strong>Christmas</strong> dinner a<br />
regal flair! theshopfloorproject.com<br />
If you’re festive shopping at Fenwick, Kingston,<br />
be sure to try their new Mediterranean-inspired<br />
tapas restaurant, Fuego. Their charcuterie and<br />
cheese boards, traditional tortillas and stonebaked<br />
Napoli-style sourdough pizza make for ultimate<br />
shopping fuel, especially when topped off with a trip to the<br />
fabulous Champagne and cocktail bar! fenwick.co.uk<br />
For perfect<br />
party season<br />
catering,<br />
those clever<br />
peeps at The<br />
Curious now deliver their<br />
exquisite canapés. Order<br />
online and they’ll be delivered in<br />
a gorgeous presentation box,<br />
ready to serve. All you<br />
have to do is open the fizz!<br />
thecuriousevents.co.uk<br />
We love a shop at our<br />
Midwinter Fair to discover<br />
some unusual gift ideas<br />
you won’t find elsewhere.<br />
With fab art like this<br />
piece, among other quirky<br />
home accessories, The<br />
ever-popular Artisan<br />
Designers are a must-see.<br />
The decoupage makers are<br />
from East Sussex and they<br />
even take commissions!<br />
theartisandesignersltd.co.uk<br />
Elevate your <strong>Christmas</strong> dinner<br />
with festive place settings<br />
by Catherine Jane Designs.<br />
Catherine hand draws her<br />
designs in her Kentish<br />
studio and then turns<br />
them into stunning<br />
homeware and<br />
accessories like these<br />
ribbon placemats<br />
which are £52.50 for a<br />
set of 4 and matching<br />
coasters £15 for 4.<br />
catherinejanedesigns.co.uk<br />
Is there anything more<br />
luxuriously pampering than<br />
a massage candle? We love<br />
Douvall’s Argan creation in<br />
this festive orange and frankincense<br />
scent. Blended with nourishing oils,<br />
including cocoa butter and Douvall’s<br />
100% first cold-pressed argan oil,<br />
it is rich in vitamin E, antioxidants<br />
and essential fatty acids to hydrate<br />
and rejuvenate your skin through<br />
the colder months. With the hustle<br />
and bustle of the festive season fast<br />
approaching, it’s a great way to<br />
de-stress and unwind. £45 douvalls.com<br />
Sofa shopping? This Salamanca sofa by Henrik<br />
Pedersen, is from BoConcept’s new 23/24<br />
collection and it makes lounging an art form! Its<br />
low ‘floating’ style creates a 70s boho feel, and the<br />
modular freestanding design adds a lovely sense<br />
of warmth. It’s seriously comfy with oversized<br />
proportions and super-soft deep foam seats. Plus,<br />
it’s very versatile, with moveable back cushions<br />
adding extra flexibility and options to customise<br />
it in different configurations, from 2-seaters (from<br />
£2,999), to large corner sofas (from £6,430) or the<br />
above option at £9,670. boconcept.com<br />
21<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Why I love<br />
<strong>Wealden</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />
Midwinter Fair<br />
Loyal reader Alexandra tells us why she’s such a fan of the Fair<br />
It’s the perfect day out with my daughter and I can<br />
catch up with my mates too. Such a fun place to<br />
shop and we stay nice and warm as it’s all indoors.<br />
The best coffee<br />
First things first we’ll grab ourselves<br />
a delicious coffee from Fine Grind<br />
in the Ivy Café, next to the Purple<br />
Marquee. The Fair is a series of<br />
marquees in a circle, so if you start<br />
further in, you miss the crowds<br />
at the entrance. We’ll catch the<br />
shops in the<br />
first Green<br />
Marquee at<br />
the end of our<br />
circuit.<br />
Homeware & Art<br />
The <strong>Wealden</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Fairs always seems<br />
to unearth the most incredibly talented<br />
designers and makers. Their pottery,<br />
paintings, and objets d’art are one-offs,<br />
designed from the heart. I love The<br />
Artisan Designers and this year I’ll<br />
make sure I pick up a gift for me! Then<br />
I’ll head to Candle Wise for an Ibiza<br />
candle for my bestie.<br />
Presents for each other<br />
Edie and I always buy gifts for each other<br />
at the Fair, that way we both get what<br />
we want and it’s so nice doing it<br />
together. She’s got her eye on<br />
a new handbag from Sarah<br />
Haran and I’d really like one<br />
of Asunsti’s stunning shawls –<br />
both in the Purple Marquee.<br />
16 -18th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong>, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY<br />
B
Foodie gifts<br />
We then head into the Yellow Food<br />
Hall where I know we’ll find lots of<br />
treats there to go in the <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
hamper that Edie and her brother<br />
give to their Dad. Chalkstream<br />
Smoked Trout; some Mighty Spice<br />
curry sauces; Salcombe Dairy<br />
Chocolates; a box of cakes from<br />
Pip & Seed; and some Damson<br />
Vodka, (which he adds to fizz to<br />
make a <strong>Christmas</strong> Kir Royale)<br />
will all be going in the hamper.<br />
Tickets available on the<br />
door or to pre-book<br />
Fashion & Jewellery<br />
My daughter Edie wants some clothes<br />
for <strong>Christmas</strong>, and I need something<br />
new for the <strong>Christmas</strong> Party, so we’ll head<br />
for Rosella Style, Wardrobe No9 and<br />
Philippa London. My Mum wants me<br />
to buy Edie some jewellery from her,<br />
so we’ll also head to Mary Mary and<br />
Moody Tom in the Blue Marquee<br />
to find some beautiful earrings and<br />
maybe a super cute bracelet.<br />
Local school choirs<br />
My friend’s daughter is singing with<br />
her choir, so we’ll make sure we<br />
head to the Holly Café to listen to<br />
them and soak up the festive feels.<br />
Sponsored by<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong><br />
decorations<br />
We always get into the<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> spirit – the Pinkster Gin<br />
and Anno Vodka samples help! Full of<br />
cheer, we love finding new delights to<br />
decorate our tree, home and table.<br />
Delicious food<br />
It’s great to take a break at<br />
lunchtime in the Holly Café.<br />
This year we’ve got our eyes on<br />
the Lebanese street food from<br />
Emilio’s. I love a posh sausage,<br />
so we’ll make sure to visit<br />
Supreme Gourmet.<br />
Book your tickets at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk using discount code “MWF23”
Functional Pottery with a Twist<br />
Come see<br />
us on Stand<br />
P19<br />
Come Say<br />
Get <strong>Christmas</strong> all wrapped up with the<br />
help of some of the best boutiques and<br />
independent brands in the UK. You’ll find<br />
them exhibiting at our favourite <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
shopping extravaganza. Book your tickets<br />
online at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk<br />
@imperfections.by.plam<br />
www.imperfectionsbyplam.com<br />
HANDMADE CERAMICS INSPIRED<br />
BY THE KENT COAST<br />
Come see<br />
us on Stand<br />
R54<br />
VISIT US<br />
ON STAND<br />
P26<br />
KATHARINE GRAY CERAMICS<br />
JOYFUL GIFTING THIS FESTIVE SEASON<br />
WWW.GINGER-ROSE.CO.UK<br />
If you have any questions or<br />
would like to commission me,<br />
please feel free to get in touch.<br />
www.katharinegrayceramics.com<br />
16 -18th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong>, Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6PY
E F F O RT L E S S LY<br />
T R A N S F O R M S F R O M S O FA<br />
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01892 538882<br />
Transform your home in time for <strong>Christmas</strong> when you shop your perfect<br />
sofabed at Bridgman's beautiful Royal Tunbridge Wells Showroom before<br />
16 th December. Or head to bridgman.co.uk to indulge in luxurious living.<br />
CHELTENHAM<br />
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ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS<br />
WINCHESTER WILMSLOW WALTON-ON-THAMES
A house<br />
well travelled<br />
Alec and Heidy’s very unusual oast<br />
house is a delightful cultural melting<br />
pot of styles from all over the world<br />
priceless-magazines.com 26
Photographs: David Merewether<br />
Words: Antonia Deeson<br />
27<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Oak Framed Buildings<br />
☎ 07716 825217 foxframing.co.uk<br />
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sjd-projects.com<br />
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28
Previous pages & this page: The Oast Bar. Alec and Heidy<br />
lifted the flooring to reveal the stunning stone beneath. The<br />
artwork behind the pink velvet sofa was made by Alec and his<br />
sons using the colours of the renovation project, painted onto<br />
offcuts. A staircase above leads upwards into the oast tower<br />
towards the amazing 18ft crystal drop chandelier<br />
Human resources leader Alec and his Mexican<br />
wife Heidy didn’t set out to become interior<br />
designers. However, having now renovated<br />
three houses, it’s safe to say that their part time hobby<br />
has turned into a skill worthy of many professionals.<br />
The couple and their twin boys found their latest project<br />
in the heart of Surrey, during the summer of 2021. Built<br />
in 1832, the building – a 5000 sq ft former hop drying<br />
oast house – was attached to a ballroom originally built<br />
for the hop pickers and their families. “When we found<br />
the property we fell in love with the setting,” says Alec,<br />
“which is very close to Great Frensham Pond. The house<br />
itself was very quirky, the garden and exterior were both<br />
impactful but <strong>inside</strong> there was an awful lack of light,<br />
due to the nature of the oast towers which were, at the<br />
end of the day, made to dry hops and not for providing<br />
a light and airy residential living space!” says Alec.<br />
The year-long renovation project involved a complete<br />
refurbishment of the property, including a new heating<br />
system, new plumbing, new roof and insulation, painting<br />
the entire house, new flooring, new bathrooms as well as<br />
fitted elements like wardrobes. A big job if you are living<br />
off site, an even bigger headache when you are trying <br />
29<br />
priceless-magazines.com
“Hanging overhead is a huge gold pendant light, from<br />
Authentic Reclamation. It was so big that it could only<br />
be fitted during the build when we had the correct<br />
access available. Again, it was all about scale for us and<br />
finding fittings that would work with the space.”<br />
to live on site, with two children and a<br />
daily chain of builders and contractors.<br />
“Before we even got to the lovely stuff<br />
like sourcing art, furniture and textiles,<br />
the infrastructure had to come first.<br />
All the things you can’t see to make it<br />
more efficient, before all the things you<br />
can see!” says Alec. This also included<br />
a brand-new boiler system and a series<br />
of fully reconditioned radiators from<br />
The Old Radiator Company, some of<br />
which were so heavy that they had to<br />
be hoisted in using ropes and pullies.<br />
“It was a huge undertaking, but it now<br />
means every radiator in the house works<br />
effectively, especially within the largest<br />
rooms such as huge drawing room.”<br />
When Alec and his family moved in,<br />
the interior of the house was a mass of<br />
dark brown. It was oppressive and really<br />
constraining the light and airiness of the<br />
house, so, one of the first things they<br />
did was paint everything including all<br />
the beams. “Our painter was working<br />
full time on the rooms and beams for<br />
ten months. We researched the paint<br />
with the best colour pigmentation and<br />
then played with the colours, using<br />
one tone of white paint on the ceilings<br />
(Little Greene Loft White) and then <br />
priceless-magazines.com 30
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Berry&LambertsWT247.indd 1 15/11/2022 15:34
A T A S T E O F T H E E X O T I C<br />
W W W . G A R D E N P R O U D . C O . U K<br />
D E S I G N | C O N S T R U C T | M A I N T A I N<br />
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32
This page: Alec and Heidy zoned the drawing room, hanging two chairs from ManoMano off one of the beams to create<br />
a reading area with a library at one end, and a velvet chaise and sofa from Loaf at the other end to offer a soft space for<br />
seating and socialising. Two sets of triple height soaring arched windows pour light into the room and are mirrored in the<br />
geometric brick work of the new chimney breast and wood burning stove. The walls are in Pearl by Little Greene<br />
an off-white colour on the beams (Little Greene Portland<br />
Stone Pale), which allowed for the texture and space of the<br />
beams to sing.” It is very much this attention to detail that<br />
makes the interior of Alec and Heidy’s house so special<br />
and perhaps also reveals a level of care and love that only a<br />
homeowner might take on the renovation of their own house.<br />
However whilst it is undeniable that Alec was determined<br />
not to cut any corners when it came to the first and second fix<br />
of the refurbishment, ensuring that the day to day utilities all<br />
worked at optimum output (in hindsight, especially important<br />
due the current fuel crisis) it is the couple’s love of sourcing<br />
the decorative elements for their home that really makes this<br />
house stand out. Inspired both by Alec’s Scottish roots and<br />
Heidy’s Latin American heritage, the interior design of the<br />
house is truly an explosion of colour, texture and design and<br />
as Alec calls them, “objects of impact”. “We have spent a long<br />
time buying objects that interested us whilst travelling to see<br />
family in Mexico. This includes craftsmanship such as amate,<br />
which is a paper thin wood carving technique specialised<br />
in Mexico, as well as ornately carved and painted symbolic<br />
animal carvings called alebrijes. We have sourced textiles as<br />
well and what we really love is that Mexican craftsmanship<br />
knows no bounds in terms of their use of colour.”<br />
Alec continues, “Whilst we were in Scotland we acquired a<br />
huge wooden wall carving, which we call the Rose, but which<br />
is actually a lotus flower that originates from Southeast Asia. It<br />
came from a big house on the west coast of Scotland. We are<br />
lucky that due to the scale of the rooms in our house – both<br />
the former ballroom and the towers of the two oasts – we <br />
33<br />
priceless-magazines.com
This page: The dining room is painted in Little Greene Aquamarine.<br />
The ten-seater dining table from The Packhouse inspired the rest of<br />
the room and Anthropologie candlesticks offer pops of subtle colour<br />
are able to find and accommodate these amazing pieces of scale<br />
with some fantastic provenance from houses all over the UK.<br />
We found an 18ft glass chandelier from Authentic Reclamation<br />
in East Sussex which was reputedly from the London home of<br />
one of the UK’s most famous composers. We knew it would<br />
look amazing in one of our oasts, once we added in the skylight,<br />
but it weighed over half a tonne. It was also missing quite a few<br />
glass drops, which we got remade in acrylic in Guildford and<br />
as serendipity would have it, one of the UK’s best chandelier<br />
renovators lives really near us, so he rewired it. These are not<br />
easy things to just throw up, they needed precision handling by<br />
the contractors and it was an almost once-in-a-lifetime chance<br />
within the refurbishment process to install it. We were very<br />
lucky that we have a builder that we trust. We have worked<br />
with Russell Hyde of Russell Hyde Construction across all our<br />
homes and I don’t think we could have done it without him.”<br />
At the heart of the house is the amazing drawing room.<br />
For many non-professionals, a room of this size would<br />
be intimidating. For Alec and Heidy it was a wonderful<br />
opportunity to let their imaginations run riot. “We decided<br />
to zone the room so we hung two chairs from ManoMano off<br />
one of the beams to create a reading area with a library. We<br />
added a velvet chaise and sofa from Loaf to offer a soft space<br />
for seating and socialising as well as a brown leather love seat,<br />
which gave a different colour and texture. At the end of the<br />
room we hung a piece called ‘Aqua’ – one of a series of abstract<br />
artworks we have acquired by Robin Mullin inspired by images<br />
of the Hubble telescope. Hanging overhead is a huge gold<br />
pendant light, also from Authentic Reclamation, that we had<br />
to completely respray and re-paint to get it up to scratch. It was<br />
sold as medieval in style but I’m not sure there is much about<br />
it that was very medieval,” laughs Alec. “It was so big, like the<br />
crystal chandelier that we also bought from them, that it could<br />
only be fitted during the build when we had the correct access<br />
available. Again, it was all about scale for us and finding fittings<br />
that would work with the space. For the floor in this room we<br />
were lucky the wood was still here, so we just stripped it back<br />
to the original but to a more matt finish.” Two sets of triple<br />
height soaring arched windows pour light into the room and are<br />
mirrored in the geometric brick work of the new chimney <br />
priceless-magazines.com 34
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Equity Release – what does it actually look like?<br />
L<br />
ocal adviser, Sarah Ferrell, has<br />
written numerous articles and has<br />
shared many tips about Equity<br />
Release. This month she shares some<br />
case studies to demonstrate what Equity<br />
Release can look like for individuals.<br />
The names in these cases have<br />
been changed, however the<br />
scenarios are authentic.<br />
Mr and Mrs Roberts wanted to move nearer<br />
to their children. The prices were higher<br />
in the area they were moving to so they<br />
arranged a lifetime mortgage to “bridge<br />
the gap” between the property they were<br />
selling and the property they were buying.<br />
Mr Roberts is still working, so intends to make<br />
monthly payments of interest to prevent<br />
the debt from growing. If, when he retires,<br />
he longer wants to make a payment, he<br />
can “switch it off” and allow the interest<br />
to roll up within the lifetime mortgage.<br />
Janet needed to replace her windows<br />
and was also concerned about affording<br />
other home improvements, should they<br />
be needed. She released £10,000 (the<br />
minimum most lenders will consider) and<br />
also arranged a reserve of £40,000.<br />
Interest is charged on £10,000 from the<br />
SashWindowHeritageWT187.indd 1 15/08/2017 15:18<br />
outset. If she never needs additional<br />
funds, the reserve will remain untouched<br />
and no interest will be charged. If,<br />
however, she needs to release more<br />
money she will only be charged interest<br />
when she draws the money down.<br />
Reserve facilities are not guaranteed<br />
and are subject to market conditions.<br />
However, she is only paying interest<br />
on the money she needs NOW while<br />
also making provision for the future.<br />
Clive had an interest only mortgage<br />
of £10,000. He also wanted to help<br />
his son with a deposit for a property.<br />
Clive released £40,000, repaid his<br />
mortgage and gifted money to his son.<br />
While this will ultimately reduce the<br />
amount of inheritance his son receives, his<br />
son will benefit from the money now – at<br />
a time when he needs it. This increases his<br />
deposit and it also reduces the cost of his<br />
son’s mortgage as he can secure a lower<br />
rate of interest by having a larger deposit.<br />
“If somebody is considering raising<br />
money at retirement then I would strongly<br />
recommend a conversation to discuss<br />
the most suitable options,” says Sarah.<br />
Sarah is happy to visit your home and<br />
will offer flexible times to suit her clients.<br />
Equity Release can reduce the value of your estate and can affect your eligibility for means tested benefits.<br />
Ferrell Financial Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registration number: 678768<br />
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE<br />
Call Sarah on<br />
01622 631372 or 07789 007447<br />
or e-mail her at<br />
sarah@ferrellfinancial.co.uk<br />
You may find answers to<br />
some of your questions at<br />
www.ferrellfinancial.co.uk<br />
35<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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36
This page: An Indian daybed from a Scottish<br />
antique dealer and an Indian mirror from The<br />
Packhouse work seamlessly with a large tapestry<br />
in the sitting room. Art pieces from Mexico<br />
again show how clever Alec and Heidy have<br />
been with mixing styles from all over the world<br />
breast and wood burning stove which<br />
Alec designed with a wonderful Art Deco<br />
paint finish reminiscent of the Empire<br />
State Building. Two John Lewis Deco<br />
style wall lights were colour matched to<br />
the wall paint, Pearl by Little Greene.<br />
Extra-long and fully lined bespoke<br />
heavy weight velvet curtains, with a light<br />
reflective fleck by Closs and Hamblin,<br />
were designed to add further insulation<br />
and warmth during the winter months.<br />
Down a small set of steps, linked<br />
to the main space by a thread of red<br />
brickwork, is the Oast Bar. A small snug<br />
area at the bottom of the oast tower, it<br />
sits underneath the sisal covered wooden<br />
staircase that wraps upwards overhead.<br />
“We had to get a specialist in to strip<br />
back the dark floor staining which had<br />
been applied on top of the stunning stone<br />
floor that we found beneath (which even<br />
revealed a fossilised bird in one of the<br />
stones) and also mirrors the wonderful<br />
stone fireplace surround,” says Alec.<br />
The beams in the space were completely<br />
repainted introducing yet more light.<br />
Further colour and texture were added<br />
by mixing a soft pink velvet chaise and<br />
two green armchairs, heirlooms from<br />
Alec’s family in Scotland, which are<br />
covered in leather from the tannery <br />
37<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Clockwise from top: The large open plan kitchen incorporates<br />
another more informal dining area; The downstairs cloakroom is<br />
creatively tiled in hexagonal florals; The entrance hall is painted<br />
in Little Greene Slaked Lime, Celestial Blue and Livid<br />
that Alec’s grandfather managed (the<br />
company in Bridge of Weir still supplies<br />
leather to Aston Martin for their cars<br />
today). The artwork was made by Alec<br />
and his sons utilising all the colours<br />
used in the renovation project, painted<br />
onto offcuts. A wonderful collaborative<br />
reminder of the project for all the family.<br />
Overhead a brass and blown glass light<br />
pendant adds some fun and colour to<br />
the space. Once again there is a nod<br />
to all the family’s cultural roots, with a<br />
Day of the Dead figure from Mexico<br />
keeping watch over the fireplace.<br />
The staircase above leads upwards<br />
into the oast tower towards another of<br />
the new skylights and the amazing <br />
priceless-magazines.com 38
Rye Showroom<br />
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HandmadeRugsTenterdenWT231.indd 1 09/07/2021 11:48<br />
New Handmade Rugs showroom now open<br />
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This page: The kitchen cupboards are painted in Little Greene Brighton Blue and the island in Little Greene Royal Navy. Abstract artwork<br />
by Robin Mullin graces the dining area wall<br />
18ft crystal drop chandelier. The entire<br />
effect is mesmerising, almost sci-fi in its<br />
effect – and so beloved by iconic architect<br />
Oscar Niemeyer – as the light ripples<br />
across the brick and plaster walls and<br />
the glass drops of the light fitting. “It’s a<br />
bit like being in the tip of a rocket,” says<br />
Alec. “Most people add side windows<br />
to their oast towers but we think adding<br />
a skylight at the tip encourages the<br />
maximum amount of light possible<br />
and makes quite a special effect.”<br />
At the bottom of the other oast tower<br />
sits the dining room, above which is a<br />
guest bedroom and on top of that is the<br />
playroom for the boys, now home to an<br />
ever-growing Lego set. In the ground<br />
floor dining room, the original flooring<br />
was kept and, like the drawing room,<br />
sanded down with a matt finish. Little<br />
Greene Aquamarine added to the walls.<br />
“We sourced a ten-seater dining table<br />
from The Packhouse which inspired<br />
the rest of the room,” says Alec. “The<br />
sideboard had been left by the previous<br />
owner and so I re-painted it to work<br />
with the dining table and then changed<br />
the handles. An antique settle sourced<br />
from an old pub in Scotland was also<br />
painted to work in the room. Velvet<br />
dining chairs in a range of muted colours<br />
complete the look, fun yet understated,<br />
whilst Anthropologie candlesticks offer<br />
yet more pops of subtle colour. The fire<br />
surround with Delft style blue and white<br />
tiles was left by the former owners, a<br />
further pop of blue can be seen in the<br />
standard lamp. The roman blinds have<br />
been kept simple, with fabric from Closs<br />
and Hamblin, as in the drawing room.<br />
The sitting room – another of the<br />
many reception rooms – offers yet <br />
41<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Above: The romantic white rattan bed<br />
was bought from Lock Stock and Barrel<br />
Left: A guest bedroom on the first floor<br />
of the oast tower makes the most of<br />
its unique and quirky circular space<br />
more comfortable seating and provides<br />
another canvas for Alex and Heidy’s<br />
artistic flair. New herringbone wooden<br />
flooring was added and on the walls<br />
the couple used Little Greene Salix. An<br />
Indian daybed from a Scottish antique<br />
dealer and an Indian mirror from The<br />
Packhouse work seamlessly with a large<br />
tapestry from Mexico. Port red Art<br />
Deco style upholstered pieces bought in<br />
2006 still sit well with pieces of brown<br />
furniture found in Inverness. Art pieces<br />
from Mexico again show how clever Alec<br />
and Heidy have been with mixing styles<br />
from all over the world – a true cultural<br />
melting pot. Off the sitting room is<br />
the entrance hall, painted in white and<br />
blues, almost Gustavian in its look. All<br />
the dark wood panelling was re-painted<br />
in Little Greene Slaked Lime, Celestial<br />
Blue and Livid. A large vase of flouncy<br />
florals jauntily greets guest along with<br />
a smart white painted hall bench.<br />
Off the entrance hall is the huge open<br />
plan family kitchen dining room. “We<br />
repainted the kitchen cupboards with<br />
Little Greene Brighton Blue and on the<br />
island Little Greene Royal Navy to give<br />
a contrast in the colours. We have kept<br />
and reused much of the furniture from<br />
our past houses in here. The handmade<br />
table, benches and dresser have lasted us<br />
almost two decades and are still very well<br />
loved.” One of the most striking aspects<br />
of the room is the geometric tiled splash<br />
back of the kitchen, worthy of the optic<br />
work of British artist Bridget Riley. Alec<br />
actually used a bathroom tile design here,<br />
which has proved hugely effective. “We<br />
looked at brass and getting a patina effect<br />
for the splashback, but we felt the 60s<br />
style worked really well with the black<br />
leathered granite worksurfaces.” The light<br />
above the dining table had originally<br />
been bought for the drawing room. “We<br />
had chosen this for that space, but then<br />
we when put it in the drawing room we<br />
instantly knew that, due to our issues<br />
with scale, it would never work, and so<br />
now the kitchen has a rather fantastic<br />
light fitting instead!” says Alec. More<br />
abstract artwork by Robin Mullin graces<br />
the dining area wall. The downstairs<br />
loo shows off yet more tiling dexterity<br />
with a hexagonal floral tile design from<br />
the Farnham Tile Boutique seeming<br />
to almost cascade down the wall.<br />
Upstairs are the bedrooms. The main<br />
bedroom is once again an essay in<br />
lightness – white walls and white ceiling<br />
and off-white beams reflect the pale<br />
wood floor below. A huge decorative and<br />
highly romantic white rattan bed by Lock<br />
Stock and Barrel is the hero of the room<br />
which overlooks the stunning garden <br />
priceless-magazines.com 42
Images: Tunbridge Wells showroom<br />
Visit our newly refurbished Tunbridge Wells showroom, 4 floors of beautiful kitchens and furniture<br />
81 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY - Tel: 01892 520730<br />
Contact us for our <strong>2023</strong> brochure<br />
Sevenoaks - Tel: 01732 762682<br />
Tunbridge Wells - Tel: 01892 520730<br />
www.rencraft.co.uk
THINK<br />
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For a free no obligation consultation,<br />
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TN38 0AL<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
44<br />
ABMV-WT253.indd 1 17/05/<strong>2023</strong> 14:46:37
Top: The contemporary main bathroom<br />
features illuminated mirrors and plenty of<br />
rounded brass fixtures and fittings – a nod<br />
to the curves of the roundels Right: The<br />
unusual design of the oast house becomes<br />
more apparent from the garden to the rear<br />
below via original leaded windows. The<br />
wardrobes have been hidden away by<br />
the local joinery Magic Bean Designs to<br />
allow maximum space and airiness. A<br />
picture of The Flower Seller by Diego<br />
Rivera provides the main pop of colour<br />
in the room. A guest bedroom on the<br />
first floor of the oast tower makes the<br />
most of its unique and quirky circular<br />
space – the bed sits underneath the<br />
three leaded windows with simple<br />
roman blinds, whilst a large gilt framed<br />
mirror again throws as much light as<br />
possible back into the room. The main<br />
bathroom is an essay in contemporary<br />
bathroom design. A clean monochrome<br />
mosaic tile on the walls complements<br />
and shows off the round mirrors, round<br />
basins with rounded brass fittings and<br />
rounded door handles in homage to<br />
the round oast house. The illuminated<br />
mirrors add the most chic of flourishes.<br />
Alec and Heidy have created something<br />
very special. A house made not from<br />
the guide book to interior design, but<br />
very much from their hearts. They<br />
have produced a space for their family<br />
that truly reflects them and their<br />
unique heritage. Colour, texture and<br />
narrative are apparent throughout,<br />
paying homage to all their interests<br />
and experiences – everything has a<br />
story behind it, everything has been<br />
Address Book:<br />
Authentic Reclamation<br />
authentic-reclamation.co.uk<br />
Barefoot Stoves barefootstoves.co.uk<br />
Closs and Hamblin candh.co.uk<br />
Farnham Tile Boutique<br />
tileboutiquefarnham.co.uk<br />
Higher Ground<br />
higherground.co.uk<br />
Lock Stock and Barrel<br />
lockstockandbarrel-uk.com<br />
chosen for a reason. To create a home<br />
that is truly a story of their life and<br />
that of their family is something Alec<br />
and Heidy can be very proud of.<br />
Magic Bean Designs magicbeandesigns.com<br />
Nash Electrical Services<br />
nashelectrical.co.uk<br />
The Old Radiator Company<br />
theoldradiatorcompany.co.uk<br />
The Packhouse packhouse.com<br />
Russell E Hyde Construction Ltd<br />
rehydeconstruction.co.uk<br />
Wood Floors of Hampshire<br />
woodfloorsofhampshire.co.uk<br />
45<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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The number one family law team in Kent, putting<br />
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01892 510000<br />
@pragmaticlawyer
Get the<br />
LOOK<br />
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Bobbi Beck bobbibeck.com 3 Abstract 318 art print with oak frame from £69 Abstract House abstracthouse.com<br />
4 Gwen hanging egg chair £675 Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com 5 Mongolian sheepskin cushion £45<br />
French Bedroom frenchbedroom.co.uk 6 Teddy 2.5 seat sofa bed in Bahama cotton matt velvet £3,260 sofa.com<br />
7 MIDSUMMER FLORAL silk embroidered cushion £189 Mindthegap mindtheg.uk 8 Orange glass candlestick<br />
holder £11.75 Talking Tables talkingtables.co.uk 9 Berkeley Cottage Oak engineered wood flooring £150/m 2<br />
Woodpecker Flooring woodpeckerflooring.co.uk 10 Cone side tables £145 (set of 2) Where Saints Go wheresaintsgo.co.uk<br />
47<br />
priceless-magazines.com
View Finder<br />
priceless-magazines.com 48
Photographs: David Merewether<br />
Words: Jo Arnell<br />
Photographer Mel Smith has combined his<br />
work and home requirements to create the<br />
ultimate welcoming studio – a homely and<br />
stylish space to work from where his creative<br />
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49<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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OrlestoneOakWT252.indd 1 04/04/<strong>2023</strong> 10:36
Previous pages & above: The kitchen space doubles up as a darkroom. A beaded chandelier from The Wall Lighting Company – thewalllightingcompany.co.uk<br />
– is one of the few new items in the building. The wood throughout has been treated with Liberon antique pine wax to give a mellow patina<br />
It is a rare thing to go on a property<br />
restoration journey without a<br />
route map, to let the building off<br />
the lead and head into the unknown.<br />
Architects, building consultants and<br />
surveyors provide a plan of action, an<br />
idea of what the end result will look like,<br />
help with building regulations and give<br />
professional advice. When Mel Smith,<br />
photographer – and now, intrepid<br />
renovator – found a potential studio<br />
space, he decided to take it on himself.<br />
We meet him here at the finished<br />
Smallhythe Studio to find out more.<br />
“I started this with no clue,” he says<br />
with an air of nonchalance. “A really<br />
good friend of mine, Jon, came to visit<br />
it with me and we built it together.” <br />
51<br />
priceless-magazines.com
This page: A backgammon scoreboard is tucked away behind a<br />
set of doors above the dining table. Mel and his team have been<br />
creative with every inch of this property, including putting the bin<br />
on a wooden base with castors to whizz around where needed<br />
Mel had been looking for a new photographic studio, and<br />
while not sure what form it would take, he was clear what<br />
it wouldn’t be. “I didn’t want a shop or industrial unit,” he<br />
says, “which didn’t actually leave many options – so many of<br />
the old buildings in the area have already been converted.”<br />
But in the serendipitous way of things, the property came<br />
up through a friend of a friend. “It needed everything<br />
doing to it, but I knew it was the perfect studio space.”<br />
The one storey building has had many uses in<br />
its time, once a school room and most recently an<br />
art gallery, as evidenced by what was left behind.<br />
“There was a little tea hatch and a loo, strip lights,<br />
a storage loft,” he says. “We ripped it all out.<br />
Everything. We had skips here for six weeks.”<br />
Mel, Jon and Jon’s son George – who “came in to help<br />
for a week and stayed for a year” – set to work. They<br />
pulled down the whole of the ceiling, leaving just the<br />
structural joists and then put down scaffolding boards.<br />
Mel could see from the outside that the pitch of the<br />
roof was high – something that was hard to visualise<br />
initially from <strong>inside</strong>. “I knew there was space, but didn’t<br />
think about it at all because the ceiling was there. I<br />
thought, if there was a possibility, a vaulted ceiling<br />
was a must, because it would give me more light.”<br />
The space turned out to be bigger than he imagined,<br />
so he decided to install a tiny second floor. “Once<br />
the ceiling was down I could see there was room for a<br />
mezzanine and planned to make just a little one – and<br />
then decided to do a bigger one and extend it. We<br />
started at the top – I never realised that was the best<br />
place to start,” he says, “but of course it makes sense.”<br />
Unfortunately the only way was down in more ways than<br />
one – he hit rock bottom when they reached the floor.<br />
Replacing it really was the low point of the build for Mel<br />
– “a black moment in the whole thing”. It was a gruelling,<br />
back-breaking task, involving lifting ancient Canadian <br />
priceless-magazines.com 52
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This page: The plan chest was originally meant to go into the kitchen,<br />
but it was too deep for the position, so George and Mel incorporated<br />
it into the staircase Right: A door in the downstairs loo conceals a<br />
private bathroom for when clients have left at the end of the day<br />
pine tongue-and-groove floorboards and much shovelling of<br />
concrete. “George and I had to angle grind all the grooves out<br />
and put them outside somewhere where they wouldn’t warp.<br />
We pulled something like 4,000 nails out in order to preserve<br />
the floor joists. Then used 60 tonnes of crushed concrete to<br />
fill the void and pumped in a 4” pad of concrete all through.<br />
We re-enforced it and then added in 8” of insulation, put<br />
in the underfloor heating then a self-levelling screed.”<br />
The floor has been sealed and the studio section painted<br />
white. Kilim rugs bring warmth and texture. “The screed<br />
is designed to have a floor put on top,” Mel explains, “but<br />
it feels soft to walk on and it’s not cold underfoot at all, in<br />
fact with the underfloor heating it stays lovely and warm. It’s<br />
like an eco-home – the windows are triple glazed, we have<br />
an air source heat pump and with the 8” of insulation, our<br />
energy usage is really low – it’s like a new build house.”<br />
Up on the mezzanine it’s cosy too – big enough for a bed,<br />
an office area and a large format digital printer, but the very<br />
best thing about it is the view through the Velux windows on<br />
the end wall, which look out across the beautiful <strong>Wealden</strong><br />
countryside. A low chair can be strategically placed in <br />
55<br />
priceless-magazines.com
The one storey building has<br />
had many uses in its time,<br />
once a school room and<br />
most recently an art gallery,<br />
as evidenced by what was<br />
left behind. “There was a<br />
little tea hatch and a loo,<br />
strip lights, a storage loft,”<br />
he says. “We ripped it all<br />
out. Everything. We had<br />
skips here for six weeks.”<br />
front of the window. “When we stay<br />
here I have my coffee just here,” he<br />
indicates, “and look out at the view.”<br />
There’s an impressive view of the<br />
interior from up here too. The structure<br />
of the roof, its supports, the staircase<br />
and the wooden clad RSJ beams that<br />
span across where the old ceiling used to<br />
be, have a simple architectural beauty.<br />
Mel’s work as a photographer has<br />
had to fit in around the build. “We<br />
made the studio and loo first, because<br />
people were asking for shoots. There<br />
were the two sofas and a trestle table set<br />
up to give people coffee etc., and just<br />
a ladder going up to the mezzanine,”<br />
Organising the layout and making<br />
a functioning studio and gallery was<br />
key – it had to work, but it was hard<br />
to imagine exactly how. “Originally<br />
there were two doors into the building<br />
which was bizarre – we knew we had<br />
to get rid of one of them,” he says.<br />
“So the wall came up on that side,<br />
but I still didn’t have enough gallery<br />
space, so some of the windows had<br />
to go too. It changed the way we<br />
shot – we extended the wall to the<br />
right and added in more wall space.”<br />
The cool white of this interior<br />
is warmed with the wood of the<br />
building’s structure, the staircase,<br />
wooden kitchen and table. The wood<br />
has been treated with Liberon antique<br />
pine wax and brings a rich, mellow<br />
patina, turning scaffolding boards<br />
and bits of a big old handmade bed<br />
into smooth and beautiful pieces of<br />
furniture – I am amazed at how far<br />
the wood from the bed has stretched<br />
and how imaginatively it’s been used.<br />
Soft leather sofas and huge hessian<br />
curtains – that divide the studio from<br />
the rest of the room – match the colour<br />
of the wood, but also add texture,<br />
“Texture is key,” says Mel. “I rely on<br />
shapes and forms. A visitor to our<br />
garden once told me that I was using<br />
interesting colour choices,” he smiles.<br />
“It’s because I’m colour blind. I work<br />
in black and white. The camera’s <br />
priceless-magazines.com 56
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This page: Lush green houseplants are a prominent presence throughout, each perfectly matched to their<br />
surroundings – either displayed in a pleasingly weathered terracotta pot, or wrapped in hessian<br />
set up so that I look into a black and<br />
white world through the lens.”<br />
The kitchen doubles up as a darkroom<br />
– it’s a shared space. There is a framing<br />
and finishing workshop to the back of<br />
the kitchen and Mel has managed to<br />
balance the double aspect and has made<br />
the space attractive and functional – full<br />
of quirky detail. He points to the sink.<br />
“It was from the garden. The taps were<br />
made up – I got them from a salvage<br />
yard. We reground them to make <br />
59<br />
priceless-magazines.com
This page: Hidden away on the mezzanine, with cleverly thoughtout<br />
triangular wooden ‘screens’, the bedroom/computer editing space<br />
has beautiful countryside views through the skylights. Mel stores the<br />
bits needed for his shoots in wicker baskets hung from a beam<br />
them work. There are two sets of taps,<br />
but I like that. I like the texture of the<br />
copper piping – it came from a shop<br />
in Lyme Regis. Originally the units<br />
were going to be ply, but we used some<br />
shelving from a brick furnace in the end.<br />
We built the work surface for £150.”<br />
The ingenious little fixes and<br />
inventions are too many to mention,<br />
but include a pulley system for opening<br />
and shutting the dishwasher because it<br />
wouldn’t quite fit its allocated space, a<br />
Monet poster cooker splash-back, the<br />
scaffold pole that supports a projector<br />
screen – for clients to view pictures and<br />
for movie nights – the ‘privacy wheat’<br />
in the bathroom (an artful sandwiching<br />
of grass between two pieces of glass),<br />
the endless uses that Mel’s old bed<br />
has been put to. Many of these have<br />
sprung from Mel’s ‘inspiration folder’<br />
– a folder on his phone where he keeps<br />
track of all the things he sees on his<br />
travels – but much comes organically.<br />
The evolution of the stairs up to the<br />
mezzanine is a case in point. “I was<br />
going to have a spiral staircase,” he<br />
explains, “then one that went straight<br />
down, but building regs wouldn’t allow<br />
it. The plan chest was originally meant<br />
to go into the kitchen, but it was too<br />
deep for where it was meant to be, so<br />
George and I decided to incorporate it<br />
into the staircase.” It fits so perfectly – as<br />
if that was the original idea all along.<br />
At the top of the stairs the joists<br />
support the structure with a ‘V’ shape.<br />
“The 45° angle looked ugly from<br />
downstairs, so we’ve infilled with <br />
priceless-magazines.com 60
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Clockwise from top left: Mel drilled<br />
through the tarmac and concrete<br />
beneath to install large planters at<br />
the front of the building, filled with<br />
wildflowers; The luxurious bug hotel;<br />
A framing room is tucked away<br />
outside, to the rear of the building<br />
planks and you step through.” This also<br />
separates the mezzanine platform from<br />
the stairs, but without closing it off. “We<br />
might add a gantry one day,” he smiles<br />
– “I’m inspired by things all the time.”<br />
Mel, a keen gardener, has been bold<br />
and inventive with the outside space<br />
too, using architectural plants in big<br />
containers. “It is tarmac underneath,”<br />
he explains, “so we drilled through it,<br />
went through the concrete below to<br />
give a bit more depth to the soil in<br />
the troughs. We used large planters<br />
made from sleepers either side of the<br />
path and filled with wildflowers.”<br />
There’s an impressive bug hotel<br />
offering what looks like luxury<br />
accommodation for discerning insects.<br />
There are framed objects on the outside<br />
walls containing ancient gardening tools<br />
and interesting coils of rope – Mel’s<br />
motto for displaying his collections<br />
being “if in doubt frame it”. It is a<br />
curated space, but again, a functional<br />
one that blends a charming parade of<br />
gardenalia and horticultural flair.<br />
The genius of this place has come<br />
from either re-purposing existing<br />
objects, or from the necessity of having<br />
to overcome an obstacle, imposed<br />
by planning, by the layout of the<br />
building and by the space implications.<br />
Above all, it has been the crack team<br />
of Mel, Jon and George, who have<br />
each brought their own very different<br />
strengths to this build – “Jon is a great<br />
builder, a perfectionist,” says Mel<br />
warmly. “Everything is finished to<br />
such a high standard. George will do<br />
anything – he’s so good with wood and<br />
works with me when I’m just thinking<br />
about what I want – like the loo roll<br />
holder or the lock on the loo door.”<br />
(These both made – naturally – from<br />
bits of that old bed). “George has an<br />
ingenuity – when you put us all in a<br />
team – I didn’t realise it at the time,<br />
but in retrospect it’s worked really<br />
well. Day by day it grew organically<br />
– we evolved the project together.”<br />
Visualising an end result is not<br />
easy. Re-purposing an old building<br />
from scratch is fraught with pitfalls<br />
and frustrations. Navigating the way<br />
without a clear set of plans can be head<br />
slappingly hard, but when the end<br />
result is as good – and as ingeniously<br />
effective as this – who needs a rulebook?<br />
Address Book:<br />
To find out about Mel Smith's<br />
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see melsmithphotography.co.uk.<br />
Mel will be at this year’s <strong>Wealden</strong><br />
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63<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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SouthernAdhesivesWT253.indd 1 04/05/<strong>2023</strong> 17:17:37
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£105 COEUR DE LION<br />
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Déclinaison à l’Infini faceted drop<br />
earrings £55 Helene Elisabeth<br />
Jewellery heleneelisabeth.com<br />
Ellisee Carezza<br />
necklace £145 Sif<br />
Jakobs Jewellery<br />
sifjakobs.uk<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s to ...<br />
Oval mint green tourmaline<br />
and diamond ring<br />
£12,000 Robert Bicknell<br />
robertbicknellfinejewellery.co.uk<br />
kl<br />
Darbey watch<br />
£160 Ted baker<br />
tedbaker.com<br />
Spar e&S i e<br />
Art Deco pave set diamond antique<br />
cluster ring £2,450 Friar House<br />
friarhouse.com<br />
hn<br />
Aura green quartz discoball<br />
earrings from £160 KATA<br />
Jewellery katajewellery.com<br />
Gold hug ring £50<br />
Lily Charmed<br />
lilycharmed.com<br />
Starburst open bangle<br />
£35 Scream Pretty<br />
screampretty.com<br />
Open petal ring £95<br />
Lucy Quartermaine<br />
lucyqdesigns.co.uk<br />
18W Star Sapphire ring<br />
with white diamond<br />
halo £2,950 Baroque<br />
baroquejewellery.com<br />
Rachel Jackson<br />
London earrings<br />
£60 John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Pastello earrings<br />
in rose gold,<br />
sapphires and<br />
diamonds<br />
£2,850 Bucherer<br />
Fine Jewellery<br />
bucherer.com<br />
Double feather bangle<br />
from £173 Charlie High<br />
Designs charliehigh.com<br />
Nova north star pendant<br />
necklace £99 Amelia Scott<br />
amelia-scott.com<br />
London 1593 silver cufflinks<br />
£145 Dominic Walmsley<br />
dominicwalmsley.com<br />
Ad Astra diamond ring £5,800<br />
Istari London istari.london<br />
69<br />
priceless-magazines.com
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Everybody 1-2 Switch £24.99<br />
Nintendo nintendo.co.uk<br />
Janod super rocket<br />
magnet kit £31.49<br />
Small Kins smallkins.com<br />
New camera badge<br />
£6 Storigraphic<br />
storigraphic.com<br />
KAI: The artificial<br />
intelligence robot £100<br />
Thames & Kosmos<br />
thamesandkosmos.co.uk<br />
Festive fun eco-friendly jigsaw £15<br />
Play Shed Puzzles playshedpuzzles.co.uk<br />
Gold glitter wand £9.99 A is for Alice<br />
aisforalicecostumes.com<br />
All in 1 baby<br />
toddler cup<br />
£10.99 Chomp<br />
chompbaby.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
<strong>Gift</strong> Republic<br />
100 Movies Bucket<br />
List scratch-off<br />
poster £12.99 Very<br />
very.co.uk<br />
Th eYo<br />
ungO ne s<br />
Barbie Convertible<br />
£27.99 John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Wooden guitar stand by Pintail<br />
Studio £215 Handmade in<br />
Britain handmadeinbritain.co.uk<br />
Dexter dog push along<br />
£109.95 Little Bird Told Me<br />
littlebirdtoldme.com<br />
Exploding Kittens Throw<br />
Throw Burrito £24.99<br />
Smyths smythstoys.com<br />
Lilliputiens Little Red<br />
Riding Hood magnetic<br />
theatre £35.50 John<br />
Lewis johnlewis.com<br />
Velour dress £30<br />
Polarn O. Pyret<br />
polarnopyret.co.uk<br />
Taskmaster card game £9.99<br />
Ginger Fox gingerfox.co.uk<br />
Marvel Deadpool holiday<br />
pop! by funko £13<br />
Amazon amazon.co.uk<br />
Orange jellycat £10.95 Jeremys Home<br />
Store jeremyshomestore.co.uk<br />
Personalised pastille<br />
bracelet £39 Merci Maman<br />
mercimamanboutique.com<br />
71<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3PS<br />
Everything you need for life in the country.<br />
Yerse<br />
Seasalt<br />
White Stuff<br />
Ariat<br />
Bring some of your personality to your wardrobe<br />
with a personally tailored suit or jacket with a<br />
choice of fabrics, linings and trims. Complement<br />
your look with our stylish footwear.<br />
48 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS<br />
01732 902019 | www.suitsshoessir.com<br />
www.charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk<br />
Contact us on 01580 713189 or info@charityfarmcoutrystore.co.uk!<br />
SuitsShoesSirWT248.indd 1 05/12/2022 10:56<br />
BLUE VELVET SHOES<br />
Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP or buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
72
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Faux mohair Polson beanie<br />
£30 Herschel Supply Company<br />
herschelsupplyco.co.uk<br />
MAI orangutan sweatshirt<br />
£32 Rural Craft Association<br />
ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk<br />
Golden rocket bag £75<br />
Accessorize accessorize.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
Th er i War dr<br />
obe<br />
s<br />
Tartan scarf & glove gift set<br />
£54.95 Barbour barbour.com<br />
Love wool jumper £165 (100%<br />
of profits donated to Style for<br />
Stroke) Fund fundjumpers.com<br />
Borg mittens<br />
£19.50 M&S<br />
marksandspencer.com<br />
100% Merino funnel<br />
neck in soft grey &<br />
cobalt stripes £195<br />
Birdie London<br />
birdie.london<br />
Brushed Timothy<br />
Buffalo Check<br />
Shirt £65 Crew<br />
crewclothing.co.uk<br />
Knitluxe Studio Skye<br />
Merino lambswool<br />
wrist warmers £38<br />
Handmade in Britain<br />
handmadeinbritain.co.uk<br />
Swole Panda<br />
bamboo socks £10<br />
Jeremy Hobbs<br />
jeremyhobbs.co.uk<br />
Penshaw cable<br />
beanie £29.95<br />
Barbour barbour.com<br />
Reversible vegan tote in navy<br />
& red £189 The Morphbag<br />
by GSK themorphbag.london<br />
Esska Rasa dark<br />
gold boots £170<br />
Oliver Bonas<br />
oliverbonas.com<br />
White Stuff Evelyn velvet<br />
blazer £100 Charity Farm<br />
charityfarmcountrystore.co.uk<br />
Black suede belt with detachable<br />
buckle £125 Peachy Belts<br />
peachybelts.co.uk<br />
Silk tie £150<br />
Richard Anderson<br />
richardandersonltd.com<br />
Swole Panda recycled belt £35 County<br />
Clothes countyclothesmenswear.co.uk<br />
73<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Gabriel Holland Interior Design<br />
GH<br />
Coastal City Country Quiet interiors for all homes<br />
Kent, Sussex & London<br />
@gabrielhdesigns hello@gabrielholland.com www.gabrielholland.com 07855 837021<br />
19 - 21 Harbour St, Ramsgate<br />
CT11 8HA<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s<br />
Jewellery<br />
Art<br />
Exhibitions<br />
Classes<br />
<strong>Gift</strong> Vouchers<br />
www.turnerroweartcentre.com . info@turnerroweartcentre.com . 07307527848<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
74<br />
TurnerRoweArtCentre&GalleryWT253.indd 1 24/05/<strong>2023</strong> 10:31:42
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Gold Champagne Trug £49.50<br />
M&S marksandspencer.com<br />
Sanderson crane &<br />
frog cushion £44<br />
Jones & Tomlin<br />
jonesandtomlin.co.uk<br />
Stargazing mug<br />
& ceramic<br />
pen £18.95<br />
Trouvaille Global<br />
trouvailleglobal.com<br />
Michaela Gall<br />
Sushi plate £255<br />
Shop Floor Project<br />
theshopfloorproject.com<br />
Black agate<br />
crystal wine bottle<br />
stopper £35<br />
Xander Kostroma<br />
xanderkostroma.uk<br />
An Apothecary of Art<br />
wellbeing book from<br />
Ravenous Butterflies<br />
£18.99 Batsford Books<br />
batsfordbooks.com<br />
Cin Cin<br />
embroidered<br />
wall art £69.50<br />
Oliver Bonas<br />
oliverbonas.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
Ho mes<br />
Ho us eh ol<br />
ds<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Wish<br />
candle from £19<br />
Arbrook Candles<br />
arbrookcandles.co.uk<br />
Use discount<br />
code ‘XMAS25’ for<br />
25% off <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
Wish candles at<br />
arbrookcandles.co.uk<br />
&<br />
Daisy Flower<br />
cushion cover £45<br />
Jessica Russell Flint<br />
jessicarussellflint.co.uk<br />
Butterfly Tiffany<br />
lamp £96<br />
Elstead Lighting<br />
elsteadlighting.com<br />
Cocktail<br />
Collection<br />
ice bucket<br />
£25 ProCook<br />
procook.co.uk<br />
Seven Sisters B Watercolour on paper<br />
40x40cm £300 by Lucy Homer Jones<br />
lucyhomerjones.com<br />
Star design Champagne<br />
saucer £70 (set of 6)<br />
Osski osski.co.uk<br />
Fired Earth ceramic<br />
diffuser £30<br />
Jones & Tomlin<br />
jonesandtomlin.co.uk<br />
Twilight decanter £110<br />
Dartington Crystal<br />
dartington.co.uk<br />
Handmade ceramic<br />
geometric vase Sussex<br />
artist Gaynor Sadlo<br />
£125 Greenfinch<br />
greenfinchshop.co.uk<br />
Rotating snowflake tea light<br />
holder £8 National Trust<br />
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk<br />
Antique hand-painted bone<br />
trinket box from Rajasthan,<br />
India £495 Trading Boundaries<br />
tradingboundaries.com<br />
75<br />
priceless-magazines.com
West End House<br />
Art Gallery<br />
Homeware Candles <strong>Gift</strong>s & Accessories Jewellery<br />
Bath & Body Baby & Child Read Write Wrap <strong>Gift</strong> Vouchers<br />
Contemporary gallery in beautiful<br />
Smarden. A glorious mix of artworks<br />
at all prices from artists near and far<br />
www.westendhousegallery.co.uk<br />
Best Art Gallery in Kent Winner<br />
145 Bridge Street Wye TN25 5DP<br />
07739 885609<br />
ticketybooshop.com @ ticketybooshop<br />
Water Lane, Smarden, TN27 8QB, 01233 770261<br />
email: girls@westendhousegallery.co.uk<br />
5000 SQ FT OF BEAUTIFUL FURNITURE AND GIFTS OVER 3 FLOORS!<br />
W W W. L O N D O N R O A D F U R N I T U R E . C O . U K<br />
TEL 01959 533433 - LONDON ROAD, HALSTEAD, SEVENOAKS, KENT TN14 7AA<br />
FARNINGHAM OAK BRANCH - TEL 01322 863230 - HIGH STREET, FARNINGHAM, KENT DA4 0DG<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
76
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Eiderglass stained<br />
glass mistletoe<br />
wreath £36<br />
Folksy folksy.com<br />
Sparkle winter<br />
spice vegan scented<br />
candle from £25<br />
SevenSeventeen<br />
seven-seventeen.co.uk<br />
Lupins In The Sun<br />
limited edition fine<br />
art print from £95<br />
Abbie Carnegy Art<br />
abbiecarnegyart.com<br />
That Little Map Shop illustrated<br />
Surrey Map £15 Etsy etsy.com<br />
Crack List card game £20<br />
Amazon amazon.co.uk<br />
One of a kind clock £60<br />
Desiré North desirenorth.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
Ho mes<br />
Ho us eh ol<br />
ds<br />
&<br />
Carved glass pebble vase £155<br />
Rebel Roses rebelroses.co.uk<br />
Rainbow hand shaped<br />
boxed puzzle £35<br />
Jonathan Adler<br />
uk.jonathanadler.com<br />
Woodland in steel<br />
and wood by David<br />
Mayne £240 West<br />
End House Gallery<br />
westendhousegallery.co.uk<br />
Ellen Hayward Angel<br />
candle holder £200<br />
Shop Floor Project<br />
theshopfloorproject.com<br />
Ocean Spray short mug £34 Emily<br />
Doran Pottery emilydoranpottery.com<br />
Large hand-painted plate £55<br />
Gillshaw Pottery gillshawpottery.co.uk<br />
Home set with Awakening room spray<br />
and diffuser and a calming candle £55<br />
(worth £80) GAIA gaiaskincare.com<br />
Mesa tabletop<br />
fire pit £89.99<br />
Solo Stoves<br />
solostove.com<br />
Personalised house coaster £10<br />
Reimagined by Anna Stark<br />
reimaginedbyannastark.com<br />
Edelweiss Noel cushion £132 Jan<br />
Constantine janconstantine.com<br />
Angus table lamp<br />
with shade £300<br />
Elstead Lighting<br />
elsteadlighting.com<br />
Stacie star frame<br />
£27 Fable and Mirth<br />
fableandmirth.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Dominic Walmsley<br />
FOR THE ARTISTIC SHOPPER<br />
Beautiful bespoke<br />
jewellery<br />
BEAUTIFUL ART & UNIQUE ITEMS<br />
FROM SUSSEX & KENT<br />
CHURCH STREET TICEHURST TN57AE<br />
01580 201259 jane@greenfinchshop.co.uk<br />
greenfinchshop.co.uk @greenfinchticehurst<br />
3 The Square • Riverhead<br />
01732 779 555 www.dominicwalmsley.com<br />
Greenfinch Quarter Page 90x130 final v03.indd 1 08/03/<strong>2023</strong> Wealdon 11:48<br />
<strong>Times</strong> Natural Ring April 23.indd 1 13/10/<strong>2023</strong> 16:11:36<br />
DISCOVER KENT’S ORIGINAL VINEYARD, OWNED AND MANAGED BY THE BARNES FAMILY SINCE 1969<br />
Biddenden Vineyards Festive Shop<br />
Here at Biddenden we have everything you need<br />
for the festive season.<br />
Our hampers are the perfect gift for family and<br />
friends. Choose from our range of wines, ciders<br />
and juices, add a vineyard tour voucher or<br />
products such as chutneys, honey, gins, beers<br />
and much more, all sourced from local and<br />
Kentish businesses. Add a gift message for the<br />
truly personal touch.<br />
Merry <strong>Christmas</strong> from the Biddenden Team<br />
Visit our website for more information on visiting<br />
www.biddendenvineyards.com<br />
Open daily from the 18th of <strong>November</strong> until 5pm on<br />
Saturday the 23rd December<br />
Monday-Friday: 9am-5pm,<br />
Saturday: 10am-5pm, Sunday: 11am-4pm<br />
Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden, Kent, TN27 8DF<br />
01580 291726 | info@biddendenvineyards.co.uk<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
78
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
31 Le Rouge<br />
refillable lipstick in<br />
Rouge Premier £140<br />
Chanel chanel.com<br />
Diamond trefoil<br />
cluster pendant<br />
Cousins £5,995<br />
tbcousins.co.uk<br />
Portrait commission<br />
voucher from £2,000<br />
Royal Society of Portrait<br />
Painters therp.co.uk<br />
Rose gold Peekaboo<br />
earrings with two roundcut<br />
morganites and 18<br />
brilliant-cut diamonds<br />
£3,250 Bucherer Fine<br />
Jewellery bucherer.com<br />
Clase Azul Reposado<br />
tequila £215 Selfridges<br />
selfridges.com<br />
Meisterstück<br />
Neo briefcase<br />
£1,460 Montblanc<br />
montblanc.com<br />
Noel double<br />
wick candle £129<br />
Holland & Cooper<br />
hollandcooper.com<br />
Oaklee coat £980<br />
Temperley London<br />
temperleylondon.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
A Lit tl e Lu xu<br />
ry<br />
Rose gold mandarin garnet<br />
and pink tourmaline serpent<br />
ring £4,000 Robert Bicknell<br />
robertbicknellfinejewellery.co.uk<br />
Utopia woman<br />
decanter £295<br />
Jonathan Adler<br />
uk.jonathanadler.com<br />
Gold Autumn ring with<br />
garnets, citrines, sapphires<br />
and diamonds £6,300<br />
Dominic Walmsley Jewellery<br />
dominicwalmsley.com<br />
Beoplay HX headphones<br />
£449 Bang & Olufsen<br />
bang-olufsen.com<br />
Starlight View Small<br />
Zip-Around Dark Cherry<br />
Grab Bag £199 Radley<br />
radley.co.uk<br />
Freelancer 2490<br />
watch £1,795<br />
Raymond Weil<br />
raymond-weil.co.uk<br />
Dream nightdress £135 Simone<br />
Perele uk.simone-perele.com<br />
Pro-Ject E1 Phono turntable<br />
£299 John Lewis johnlewis.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com
FEASTS | EXPERIENCES | DESIGN | CURATION<br />
Indulge in gorgeous cakes, tasty treats<br />
made especially for you, your event or<br />
simply just becasuse...<br />
Step out of the box with carefully-curated events and feasts that ignite the senses<br />
and capture the magic of any occasion.<br />
Filled with life, colour, energy and years of experience, The Curious Events are here<br />
to take you beyond any expectations of what any celebration can be...<br />
Creativity & Flair<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> treat boxes £30<br />
The night before <strong>Christmas</strong> goodie bag £10<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> Eve grazing box £35<br />
Boxing Day brunch £19 per person<br />
Spaces limited<br />
07922 193031 | daisydoocupcakes@gmail.com<br />
facebook.com/daisydoocupcakes<br />
daisydoocupcakes<br />
Our team of chefs seek to design a menu that<br />
will have your guests’ tastebuds singing.<br />
Combining your tastes and preferences with our<br />
own unique style that’s catered to you, our feasts<br />
are always a stand-out attraction.<br />
Seasonality & Quality Produce<br />
It is our mission to take a sustainable approach<br />
to everything we do, including using fresh<br />
produce from our very own allotment, and<br />
working with small and independent suppliers.<br />
www.thecuriousevents.co.uk • feast@thecuriouseatery.co.uk • 01622 299359<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
80
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Revive green<br />
Le Creuset casserole tea £12.95 Baiji<br />
from £285 John Lewis baijilife.co.uk<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Cranberry, Port & Orange<br />
sauce £7.05 Tracklements<br />
tracklements.co.uk<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong><br />
snow globe<br />
gin by Gravity<br />
Drinks £29<br />
Harvey Nichols<br />
harveynichols.com<br />
Wild Forest<br />
biscotti gift box<br />
£30 Biscottilicious<br />
biscottilicious.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
F od<br />
ie s Ch<br />
ef<br />
s<br />
Basil hydro-herb kit made<br />
from a recycled wine bottle<br />
£25 hydro-herb.co.uk<br />
Barista coffee<br />
syrup £3.79<br />
Sweet Freedom<br />
sweetfreedom.co.uk<br />
&<br />
Bolivian Wild Truffle gift box £19.99<br />
MELT Chocolates meltchocolates.com<br />
Mince Pie, 43.5%<br />
Venezuelan Milk<br />
Chocolate bar £5.50<br />
Only Coco only-coco.co.uk<br />
Soups £14.99<br />
National Trust Books<br />
shop.nationaltrust.org.uk<br />
Winter Woodland yule log cake from<br />
£25 Lola’s Cupcakes lolascupcakes.co.uk<br />
Acorn mug £15 National<br />
Trust shop.nationaltrust.org.uk<br />
English sparkling<br />
wine London<br />
Brut 2018 £38<br />
DifferentKind<br />
thedifferentkind.com<br />
Silent Pool Black<br />
Juniper Gin<br />
£295 Silent Pool<br />
silentpooldistillers.com<br />
Ultimate Sushi Kit £34.99<br />
Kelly Loves kellyloves.com<br />
Box of 6 mince pie cookie<br />
cups £20.99 Blondies Kitchen<br />
blondieskitchen.co.uk<br />
<strong>Gift</strong> box with 2 jars of moonshine,<br />
2 shot glasses and a pouring lid<br />
£56.90 O’Donnell Moonshine<br />
odonnellmoonshine.co.uk<br />
81<br />
priceless-magazines.com
READER<br />
OFFER<br />
Use Code:<br />
WINTER15<br />
*Ts&Cs Apply<br />
Think you’ve got clothes moths? Care for your home with<br />
Total Wardrobe Care’s natural anti-moth products<br />
15%<br />
OFF<br />
CHRISTMAS<br />
READER OFFER<br />
*Ts&Cs Apply<br />
Visit totalwardrobecare.co.uk<br />
Use Code: WINTER15<br />
at checkout<br />
@totalwardrobecare<br />
Total Wardrobe Care<br />
@TotalWardrobe<br />
Total Wardrobe Care<br />
“Keep a natural oil diffuser<br />
in your wardrobe at all<br />
times - it smells good &<br />
wards off moths”<br />
“Ingenious new<br />
pheromone treatment<br />
to tackle moth<br />
infestations”<br />
Unit 4, Farringdon Industrial Centre,<br />
Hampshire, GU34 3DD<br />
info@totalwardrobecare.co.uk<br />
Tel: 01420 588 588
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
London Grace nail<br />
polish £12 Ticketyboo<br />
ticketybooshop.com<br />
Candy cane<br />
reusable<br />
bubble bar £5<br />
Lush lush.com<br />
Smell the Roses soap<br />
£7 Elstree Soaps<br />
elstreesoaps.com<br />
Wildsmith Skin shower<br />
oil £40 wildsmithskin.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s to ...<br />
Bouncing Santa<br />
shower jelly<br />
£6.50 Lush<br />
lush.com<br />
Pa mpe<br />
r Sp oi<br />
l<br />
Aurelie crimson stripe silk shirt<br />
£190 and trouser 170 Sleepy<br />
Wilson sleepywilson.com<br />
Red French clay natural soap on a rope<br />
£7.50 The Vely Soapery thevelysoapery.com<br />
&<br />
Charlotte Tilbury<br />
Lip Blur £27<br />
John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Rescue Ritual Cleanse<br />
& Nourish gift<br />
set £56 Douvall’s<br />
douvalls.com<br />
Wave Pro skin<br />
spatula with<br />
SonicGlow<br />
Technology and<br />
EMS £119 PMD<br />
uk.pmdbeauty.com<br />
Midnight Reset<br />
sleeping balm<br />
£50 Kelsey<br />
kelseyskin.com<br />
Embroidered flowers linen<br />
makeup bag £35 Sarah Becvar<br />
Design sarahbecvardesign.com<br />
Wella <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
mini luxe oil bauble<br />
£12 Look Fantastic<br />
lookfantastic.com<br />
Wash bag £22.50 Sarah Louise Dix<br />
sarahlouisedix.co.uk<br />
Put on Something Ice<br />
nail laquer £14.90<br />
OPI opi.com<br />
C.O. Bigelow coconut<br />
body cleanser and<br />
body lotion duo<br />
set £29 Liberty<br />
libertylondon.com<br />
Chloe stripe PJ bottoms<br />
£129.50 Jessica Russel Flint<br />
jessicarussellflint.co.uk<br />
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SUSSEX COUNTRY<br />
gardEnEr<br />
Sussex Country Gardener has been an independent family-run<br />
garden centre in the heart of East Sussex for over 25 years. Our<br />
magnificent <strong>Christmas</strong> emporium holds all you need to create<br />
your perfect <strong>Christmas</strong> – from decorations set in beautiful,<br />
themed displays, lit artificial trees, and British grown <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
trees, to a delicious selection of festive foods, and gifts galore!<br />
Magical<br />
FOREST<br />
Bring a rustic forest look into your<br />
home with whimsical woodland<br />
decorations in earthy tones of<br />
green, brown, white and gold.<br />
Berry<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong><br />
Transform your <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
tree with these opulent<br />
decorations in shades of blue,<br />
purple and gold.<br />
Jolly<br />
JINGLES<br />
Bring some vibrancy and fun<br />
to your tree with our selection<br />
of mixed colour decorations in<br />
all different shapes and styles.<br />
Champagne<br />
Chic<br />
Create a truly elegant display<br />
with our selection of decorations<br />
in soft shades of pink, gold,<br />
green and wine red.<br />
AVAILABLE FROM 24TH NOV<br />
British Grown,<br />
Real <strong>Christmas</strong> Trees<br />
OUR LOCAL CHRISTMAS TREE SUPPLIER<br />
Hole Park <strong>Christmas</strong> Tree farm in Cranbrook<br />
have a long history and many years of<br />
experience growing <strong>Christmas</strong> trees, going back<br />
over 60 Years. They are members of the British<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> tree growers association, and their<br />
ethos is to provide fresh homegrown trees to UK<br />
customers. All their trees are cut to order and<br />
delivered to us gradually to ensure they are of<br />
the best possible quality and freshness.<br />
Receive a £5 voucher to spend in<br />
store for all online pre-orders before<br />
the 26th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong><br />
Join our FREE<br />
reward card club<br />
Receive a £5 voucher to spend in our café<br />
Seasonal discounts<br />
Points on purchases<br />
Free tea and cake for your birthday<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> late<br />
night opening<br />
Friday 24th <strong>November</strong><br />
5.30pm - 9.00pm<br />
See our website for details.<br />
20%<br />
OFF<br />
ON THE<br />
NIGHT<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for all<br />
Toys for<br />
children of all<br />
ages, candles,<br />
clothes, toiletries,<br />
Stationery and<br />
Polish Pottery.<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong><br />
workshops<br />
A magical experience<br />
for all the family.<br />
Make all sorts from<br />
wreaths to reindeer<br />
sweet holders.<br />
See our website for details.<br />
SUSSEX COUNTRY GARDENER, MARK CROSS, CROWBOROUGH, EAST SUSSEX, TN6 3PJ<br />
01892 852828 l www.sussexcountrygardener.co.uk<br />
STARTS<br />
FROM<br />
5th<br />
DEC
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Silver Tree of Life pendant<br />
£125 Dower & Hall<br />
dowerandhall.com<br />
National Trust Gardener’s<br />
Almanac 2024<br />
£9.99 National Trust<br />
nationaltrust.org.uk<br />
Grow It bonsai tree plant £16<br />
Moonpig moonpig.com<br />
Gardening apron £32.99<br />
Perkins & Morley<br />
perkinsandmorley.com<br />
Watering can pin<br />
badge £6 Storigraphic<br />
storigraphic.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
Gre en<br />
-Fi nge<br />
rs<br />
Women’s Arctic Sport II Tall<br />
Boots £150 Muck Boot Company<br />
muckbootcompany.co.uk<br />
RHS Gardening<br />
caddy bag £69<br />
Genus genus.gs<br />
“Plant Dreams, Pull Weeds & Grow<br />
a Happy Life” mug £6 Vicky Yorke<br />
Designs vickyyorkedesigns.com<br />
Personalised leather<br />
effect gardening journal<br />
£26.95 Martha Brook<br />
marthabrook.com<br />
Bonsai plant<br />
seed kit £14<br />
Seed Pantry<br />
seedpantry.co.uk<br />
Small World 1<br />
terrarium £99<br />
Four Store London<br />
fourstore.co.uk<br />
V&A Sweet pea<br />
seed pack £2<br />
V&A vam.ac.uk<br />
Rolife Cathy’s flower house wooden kit<br />
£50 John Lewis johnlewis.com<br />
Bundle & Rust gardeners soap<br />
£4.75 Rural Crafts Association<br />
ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk<br />
Calathea Orbifolia<br />
with Windsor Sage<br />
planter £34 Leaf Envy<br />
leafenvy.co.uk<br />
Houseplant colour<br />
pressure mister £14.99<br />
Dobbies dobbies.com<br />
3in1 moisture meter<br />
£24 Leaf Envy<br />
leafenvy.co.uk<br />
Grow embroidery kit £22.95<br />
Hawthorn Handmade<br />
hawthornhandmade.com<br />
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An exciting & unique gift for a racing fan<br />
Own a share in a yearling<br />
for the 2024 season<br />
• Racehorse Ownership <strong>Gift</strong> pack from £500<br />
• Providing exclusive behind the scenes<br />
organised trips to the training yard/<br />
Owners badges when racing/Share of any<br />
prize money won/Regular updates<br />
from your Racing Manager<br />
• Choose from a small number<br />
of carefully selected yearlings<br />
who are exciting prospects for<br />
the 2024 horse racing season<br />
Established in 2006, racehorse-ownership has provided<br />
racing enthusiasts with plenty of winners and exciting<br />
days out throughout the UK and overseas.<br />
07887 500777 | www.racehorse-ownership.com<br />
Pamper Your Pets This <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
Helios is a specialist homeopathic pharmacy<br />
based in the heart of Tunbridge Wells.<br />
Alongside our remedies we stock a wide range of organic<br />
and natural skin and hair care products, flower essences<br />
and vitamin and mineral supplements for all the family and<br />
a wide range of books, we like to look after your pets too.<br />
Why not treat your four legged friends to a Helios First<br />
Aid Kit for Pets which contains 24 homeopathic remedies<br />
covering a wide range of common complaints and first<br />
aid situations and our specially formulated SOeSsence<br />
flower essence for those emergency situations. There is<br />
a comprehensive booklet to help you choose the right<br />
remedy too. In addition our SOeSsence healing beeswax<br />
balm contains botanicals and essential oils to help heal<br />
sore paws and minor cuts and abrasions and our SLS<br />
free shampoo contains soothing plant based ingredients,<br />
particularly good for itchy and scurfy skin. Buy all three<br />
products and get 20% off.<br />
Our homeopaths and pharmacists are on hand to offer you<br />
a warm welcome and expert advice for all your health care<br />
needs.<br />
We look forward to seeing you soon.<br />
Helios Homeopathy Ltd, 97 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2QR<br />
Open Mon-Fri 9.00am - 5.30pm Sat 9.00am - 2.00pm<br />
01892 537254 www.helios.co.uk<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
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<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Molly Black Cat pin<br />
badge £6 Storigraphic<br />
storigraphic.com<br />
“The Queen of Wands”<br />
talisman necklace<br />
£36 Fable England<br />
fableengland.com<br />
Personalised pet bowl £27<br />
Reimagined by Anna Stark<br />
reimaginedbyannastark.com<br />
Silver star dog poo bag<br />
pouch £15 Rockett St<br />
George rockettstgeorge.co.uk<br />
Paw ring £45 Lily Charmed<br />
lilycharmed.com<br />
<strong>Gift</strong>s for ...<br />
Furbo 360° dog camera<br />
with treat dispenser,<br />
colour night vision,<br />
and barking alert £139<br />
Furbo furbo.com<br />
An im al Lo<br />
ve<br />
rs<br />
Life’s-a-ball Limited edition screenprint by<br />
Sarah Targett 30x30cm £60 (unframed)<br />
The Wey Gallery theweygallery.com<br />
Sprout chew toy £4 M&S<br />
marksandspencer.com<br />
PetKit Smart<br />
Antibacterial Pet<br />
Bowl £32<br />
John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Pink sapphire gem<br />
collar charm £16<br />
Cheshire & Wain<br />
cheshireandwain.com<br />
Ceramic bird<br />
candle holder<br />
£62.50 Fable<br />
and Mirth<br />
fableandmirth.com<br />
‘I Spies Mince<br />
Pies’ plate £22.50<br />
Jimbobart<br />
jimbobart.com<br />
Pudding dog<br />
socks £7.50<br />
FatFace<br />
fatface.com<br />
Karate Cats and<br />
Kung Fu Dogs<br />
card game £11.99<br />
Ginger Fox<br />
gingerfox.co.uk<br />
Deeply Dishy luxury<br />
dog bed from £153<br />
Charley Chau<br />
charleychau.com<br />
Sausage dog tricks mug £15<br />
Jane Abbott janeabbott.com<br />
Radley & Friends slipper<br />
£50 Radley radley.co.uk<br />
Shelter Stevie sheep dog<br />
jumper £24 FatFace fatface.com<br />
87<br />
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<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
The Hot One<br />
Price: £20-50<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 24 pouches of your<br />
pick of hot drink<br />
From the edge of the Peak<br />
District, Yawn are sending out<br />
hot drink advents that will have<br />
you feeling warm and cosy all<br />
December. There’s options galore<br />
with hot cocoa in milk or dark,<br />
and with a cup, or marshmallows<br />
too, if you like. Tea can be loose leaf<br />
or bags, caffine-free or even bags for<br />
two. And coffee comes in options<br />
of beans or a grind to suit your<br />
coffee maker or even add a reusable<br />
advent. yawnbrew.com<br />
The Personalised One<br />
Price: £249<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: £450 worth of jewellery including pendants,<br />
necklaces, rings, earrings and bracelets<br />
Abbott Lyon’s advent is available in gold or silver with<br />
personalisable details so you can unveil pieces with your<br />
initial and birthstone, as well as getting your name printed<br />
on the box itself. Nothing says luxury like a bespoke option<br />
and this one is a really lovely treat! abbottlyon.com<br />
Advent Calendars<br />
From classic chocs to jewellery, beauty treats, candles and tipples – we have a grown-up advent to suit<br />
every taste and have you joyfully counting down the days ‘til <strong>Christmas</strong>!<br />
The Jewellery One<br />
The Pampering One<br />
Price: £195<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 25 fabulous and festive Lush<br />
products including bath bombs, soaps, lotions,<br />
scrubs, and shower gels.<br />
The Lush Advent Calendar is big, beautiful<br />
and filled with all you need to spend your<br />
festive season sweet-scented and feeling<br />
pampered to the fullest. A lot of the products<br />
included are exclusive to this box and there is<br />
a joyful <strong>Christmas</strong> theme running throughout<br />
with penguins, snowflakes and santas all<br />
getting involved. Is it a luxury? Yes. Is it very<br />
lush? Yes it is! lush.com<br />
The Pet’s One<br />
Price: £12.50 for cats, £14 for dogs<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 24 natural treats in 2 or 3 flavours<br />
Lily’s Kitchen’s proper pet food advents let fourlegged<br />
friends enjoy counting down the days<br />
with you. These treats will be the highlight of<br />
your pet’s day with their natural ingredients,<br />
using real meat, steamed veggies, and nutritious<br />
herbs and no nasties whatsoever. lilyskitchen.co.uk<br />
Price: £220<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 12 really pretty pieces of<br />
jewellery worth over £400 total<br />
Sussex brand, Posh Totty’s advent is a<br />
top pick for jewellery magpies. It is one<br />
of the brand’s many products that raises<br />
money for Women International with<br />
every sale – helping women who have<br />
survived war. These lovely handmade<br />
advents are in limited edition of 50 so<br />
don’t dilly dally! poshtottydesigns.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
88
The Chocolate One<br />
Price: £27.50 (or two for £50) What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 25 delicious handcrafted chocolates<br />
Chococo’s award-winning plastic-free calendars are always sure to please. This year, they<br />
have a few exciting new flavours including Bottoms Up! Champagne Gem, We Three Fruits<br />
and Panela Panache Truffle. This is a chocolate advent that feels indulgent and grown-up<br />
and at a very reasonable price, while also being sustainable, UK-made, AND they even<br />
have a plant-based option for the same price! This one checks all our boxes. chococo.co.uk<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
The Anything One<br />
Price: £115<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: Whatever you want!<br />
Kent-based Nancy & Betty Studio’s<br />
personalised embroidered fabric option<br />
is perfect for those wanting to do their<br />
own thing and make an eco-friendly<br />
choice. The pockets have plenty of<br />
room so you can fill with whatever you<br />
want, or get a pair for you and a loved<br />
one so you can fill them for each other<br />
for an extra suprise element!<br />
nancyandbetty.com<br />
The Whisky One<br />
The Candle One<br />
Price: £60<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 24 luxury tealights in 21<br />
scents, in festive gold aluminium cups<br />
Great House Farm Stores’ first ever<br />
advent is filled with tealights that are<br />
hand-poured on their Welsh farm.<br />
Candle lovers will adore opening up<br />
this sustainable box each day to find<br />
a new scent to try out over a 5 hour<br />
burn time. This one is homely and<br />
gentle, a real breath of fresh (or rather<br />
beautifully scented) air for a soothing<br />
advent experience.<br />
greathousefarmstores.co.uk<br />
Price: £179.95<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 24 50ml drams of Scotch whisky<br />
The Whisky Tour of Scotland Advent Calendar<br />
by Gravity Drinks takes you on a journey<br />
across Scotland. This beautiful handmade<br />
wooden cabinet also comes with two spirit<br />
nosing glasses so you can share a tipple each<br />
night of December. masterofmalt.com<br />
The Nice List One<br />
Price: £14.99<br />
What’s <strong>inside</strong>: 25 scrummy chocolates in 10 flavours including<br />
hazelnut, popping sugar, caramel, pretzel and sea salt<br />
Tony’s Chocolonely Countdown Calendar supports the fight<br />
for a fairer chocolate industry. With a fact about the industry<br />
for every day, it educates us while also giving us a seriously<br />
tasty choc, demonstrating just what the industry could<br />
and should be doing. All this with a great taste, fair price<br />
tag, and it’s free from palm oil and plastic packaging.<br />
Definitely one for the nice list! tonyschocolonely.com<br />
89<br />
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<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong> <strong>Supplement</strong><br />
Pink & gold glitter<br />
bauble £6.50<br />
Trading Boundaries<br />
tradingboundaries.com<br />
Honeycomb<br />
bauble decorations<br />
£45 (set of 6)<br />
OKA oka.com<br />
Toy tox tree<br />
decoration<br />
£16 Nancy &<br />
Betty Studio<br />
nancyandbetty.com<br />
Harbour stripe<br />
radish bow £45<br />
Tori Murphy<br />
torimurphy.com<br />
Twisted tapered<br />
LED candles<br />
£20 (pair) OKA<br />
oka.com<br />
A Royal Celebration<br />
Take inspiration from Victoria & Albert’s traditional <strong>Christmas</strong>es with ribbons and<br />
candles, luxury plastic-free materials like silk velvet, glass and paper, and handmade<br />
details – add a touch of gold and jewel tones, and a dusting of Dickensian snow to finish<br />
Huxley, the<br />
Dachshund in<br />
recycled metal £15.99<br />
Adams & Mack<br />
adamsandmack.com<br />
Glass BonBon jar set of 2 £32.90<br />
Solavia Glassware solavia.co.uk<br />
Green velvet<br />
bow £3.50<br />
John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Footed antique<br />
brass wine<br />
cooler, £225<br />
Cox & Cox<br />
coxandcox.co.uk<br />
Terracotta dove<br />
decoration, £3.99<br />
Sourced by Oxfam<br />
onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk<br />
Pewter mistletoe<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> decoration<br />
£28 Dower & Hall<br />
dowerandhall.com<br />
Lyon Champagne glass<br />
with diamond cut detail<br />
£7.50 The Wisteria Tree<br />
thewisteriatree.co.uk<br />
Gold LED star light/<br />
tree topper £40<br />
Rockett St George<br />
rockettstgeorge.co.uk<br />
Openable<br />
bauble £9.95<br />
Annabel James<br />
annabeljames.co.uk<br />
First <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
carousel wooden<br />
decoration £25<br />
No Ordinary <strong>Gift</strong><br />
noordinarygift.co.uk<br />
Plum recycled glass<br />
bauble (hand-blown<br />
by Muslims in<br />
Hebron, and handpainted<br />
by Christians<br />
in Bethlehem) £18<br />
Bethlehem Baubles<br />
bethlehembaubles.com<br />
Enchanted bow<br />
charm from £10<br />
Velvet Linen<br />
velvetlinen.co.uk<br />
Kaso lantern aged<br />
antique brass<br />
small £70 Nkuku<br />
nkuku.com<br />
Dimali antique brass<br />
candle holder with handle<br />
£18 Nkuku nkuku.com<br />
Remote control<br />
candle tree lights<br />
£50 (set of 10)<br />
Cox & Cox<br />
coxandcox.co.uk<br />
Damson Berry<br />
and Gold Leaf<br />
Wreath £35<br />
John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Brass bells £40 (pair)<br />
Layered Lounge<br />
layeredlounge.com<br />
priceless-magazines.com 90
Family business since 1996<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong>s<br />
Vintage Furniture<br />
Textiles & More ...<br />
Enjoy a Glass of Wine in<br />
our Cafe-Bar too!<br />
Discover the Magic of <strong>Christmas</strong>!<br />
Stunning Vintage World Furniture • <strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong>s, Textiles & Decorations<br />
Candles & Homeware • Fully Licensed Café-Bar • Live Music & Events<br />
Roger Dean Gallery • Weddings & Receptions • <strong>Christmas</strong> & Staff Parties<br />
Front Desk: 01825 790 200 | E: showroom@tradingboundaries.com | www.tradingboundaries.com<br />
Trading Boundaries, Sheffield Green, East Sussex, TN22 3RB | On the A275 just 10 minutes from Haywards Heath & Lindfield!<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
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JOSEPH RIBKOFF<br />
SPECIAL EVENT<br />
SEPTEMBER 14TH<br />
3PM-8PM<br />
EXCLUSIVE OFFERS<br />
AND PRIZE DRAW<br />
SHOP ONLINE AND INSTORE<br />
49 High St, Cranbrook, TN17 3EE<br />
www.odyl.co.uk | 01580 714907<br />
HERNE BAY STORE - NOW OPEN<br />
BEXHILL - CANTERBURY - HERNE BAY - REIGATE<br />
SEVENOAKS - TENTERDEN - TUNBRIDGE WELLS<br />
COUNTY CLOTHES<br />
MENSWEAR<br />
Proud stockists of:<br />
Barbour, Barker, Geox, Jeep, Lacuzzo,<br />
Sergio Duletti, John White, R M Williams,<br />
Bugatti and Savelli, boots & shoes<br />
WWW.COUNTYCLOTHESMENSWEAR.CO.UK<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
92
Tied with a bow<br />
A blush pink cubic zirconia is encircled with a hand painted<br />
emerald green enamel bow in this beautifully festive ring<br />
Photograph: David Merewether<br />
Styling: Lucy Fleming<br />
Amelia Bow Ring in emerald,<br />
blush pink & gold, £99,<br />
Amelia Scott amelia-scott.com
Jacquard gold foil<br />
star kimono £89<br />
Scamp & Dude<br />
scampanddude.com<br />
Looking good<br />
slouchy boots<br />
£60 Joe Browns<br />
joebrowns.co.uk<br />
Love knot pendant £95<br />
Dominic Walmsley<br />
dominicwalmsley.com<br />
Black silk bow<br />
headband £39<br />
Phase Eight<br />
phase-eight.com<br />
istockphoto.com/ Lana-Light<br />
Bow necklace £60<br />
Scream Pretty<br />
screampretty.com<br />
Alohas fossil cream leather<br />
ballet flats £120 Oliver<br />
Bonas oliverbonas.com<br />
Marlow halter<br />
dress in black £695<br />
Temperley London<br />
temperleylondon.com<br />
All Wrapped Up!<br />
PU wrap belted<br />
midi skirt £35<br />
Very very.co.uk<br />
Stripe blouse<br />
£31 John Lewis<br />
johnlewis.com<br />
Your presence is the ultimate present, so take style inspo from<br />
luxurious gift wrapping by gathering, draping, tying and generally<br />
swathing yourself in wintry glamour. Just add a bow or two to top it<br />
off and you’ll be all set for the festive season!<br />
Lisa The Label Bow<br />
Belle sweater £245<br />
Wolf & Badger<br />
wolfandbadger.com<br />
Matilda antique Victorian<br />
true lover’s knot ring £1,680<br />
The Vintage Ring Company<br />
thevintageringco.com<br />
Beaded star hair<br />
bow £20 Accessorize<br />
accessorize.com<br />
Rope knot ring<br />
£42 SEOL + GOLD<br />
seolgold.com<br />
Gold sailors knot<br />
earrings £2,123.87<br />
(per earring)<br />
Cervin Blanc<br />
cervinblanc.com<br />
Elegant bootie<br />
£150 Steve Madden<br />
stevemadden.co.uk<br />
Juniper velvet<br />
jumpsuit<br />
£95 FatFace<br />
fatface.com<br />
Autograph leather trench coat £350<br />
M&S marksandspencer.com<br />
Peri paisley devore dress £120<br />
Monsoon monsoon.co.uk<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
Bow detail bag<br />
£55 Monsoon<br />
monsoon.co.uk<br />
Happiest gold<br />
slingbacks £85<br />
Dune London<br />
dunelondon.com
ICONA<br />
UNIT 11 HART SHOPPING CENTRE<br />
FLEET | HAMPSHIRE | GU51 3LA<br />
01252 621035<br />
www.experiencethedifference.co.uk
Cosy awaits...
Originally from Brazil, chef Maz Cogo has recently moved<br />
from London to the South coast to join The Union Rye<br />
as its new Head Chef, having held head chef and senior<br />
kitchen positions at Brat, Legare and Padella. She brings<br />
with her a passion for seasonal vegetables and produce,<br />
whole animal butchery skills, live fire cooking and a<br />
love of hospitality. We visited her and The Union team<br />
in their beautiful 15th century building in the heart of<br />
Rye to shoot three gorgeously autumnal recipes that are<br />
simple enough to recreate at home and truly delicious<br />
Recipes: Maz Cogo Photographs: David Merewether<br />
Homemade ricotta with<br />
slow roasted pumpkin,<br />
sherry, walnut & sage<br />
Serves 6 Prep time: 20<br />
mins, plus resting time<br />
This is a gorgeous recipe which is<br />
simple to make but suitably indulgent<br />
for an autumnal lunch or dinner party.<br />
I like using Red Kuri squash with its<br />
dry and rich flesh which roasts beautiful<br />
and pairs perfectly with the creamy<br />
ricotta. I source Kuri squash from<br />
Tablehurst Farm, near Forest Row in<br />
East Sussex. For the dressing, use the<br />
best vinegar and extra virgin olive oil<br />
you can, such as a sherry or muscatel<br />
vinegar, or perhaps a sweet apple<br />
vinegar from your local farm shop.<br />
For the ricotta:<br />
• 1L whole milk<br />
• 300ml double cream<br />
• 55ml lemon juice<br />
• 55ml white wine vinegar<br />
• 2 sprigs of fresh oregano<br />
Measure out the lemon juice and<br />
vinegar into a bowl and set aside,<br />
while you heat the milk, cream, and<br />
oregano in a saucepan over a medium<br />
heat, stirring to avoid burning. Once<br />
at the boil, take off the heat and add<br />
the lemon juice and vinegar mixture<br />
and stir well. Leave to cool until room<br />
temperature and then strain and season.<br />
Keep refrigerated until needed.<br />
Note: When straining, be careful not<br />
to strain it too much. Collect the whey<br />
in a bowl in case you need to loosen<br />
the ricotta so it’s rich and creamy.<br />
For the pumpkin:<br />
• 600-700g of pumpkin or squash<br />
such as Red Kuri, Delicata,<br />
Crown Prince or Butternut<br />
Heat the oven to 200°C and line<br />
a large baking tray with baking<br />
parchment. There is no need to peel<br />
the squash, simply halve, deseed, cut<br />
into wedges and arrange onto the<br />
tray and drizzle with olive oil. Season<br />
well with salt, a crack of freshly black<br />
pepper, and a bunch of sage. Roast<br />
for 35-45 mins or until very tender.<br />
For the dressing:<br />
• 1 clove of garlic<br />
• 50ml sherry vinegar<br />
• 200ml olive oil<br />
• 30g dark brown sugar<br />
• 200ml rapeseed oil<br />
Crush the garlic in a large bowl<br />
and whisk in the other ingredients.<br />
The flavour will greatly improve if<br />
you leave to infuse overnight in the<br />
fridge and sieve before serving.<br />
To serve:<br />
• toasted and crushed walnuts<br />
• fried sage leaves<br />
Arrange the roasted pumpkin on a<br />
large platter, or individual plates, and<br />
spoon on dollops of the ricotta. Sprinkle<br />
with a handful of toasted and crushed<br />
walnuts, fried sage leaves and generously<br />
drizzle over the sherry vinegar dressing.<br />
Any left-over dressing will be happy<br />
in the fridge for up to ten days. <br />
97<br />
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THE PEPPERBOX INN<br />
WINDMILL HILL, HARRIETSHAM, MAIDSTONE ME17 1LP<br />
Opening Hours: Closed Mondays (except Bank Holidays)<br />
Tues- Sat 11.30-3pm (food 12-2.15pm)<br />
6pm-11pm (food 6pm-9pm)<br />
Sun 12pm-5pm (food 12pm-3pm)<br />
MERRY & BRIGHT<br />
Come celebrate the festive season with us. With open log<br />
fires and twinkling lights amongst the oak beams, there is<br />
nothing quite like <strong>Christmas</strong> at the Pepperbox Inn.<br />
STARTERS<br />
Sweet potato, parsnip & ginger soup, crispy shallots<br />
Potted salmon, pickled cucumber, toast<br />
Smoked ham croquettes, spiced apple relish<br />
Baked brie with walnuts, cranberries & honey, toast<br />
MAIN COURSES<br />
Traditional roast turkey, sausage meat & bacon stuffing, duck fat roast potatoes & gravy<br />
Pan fried pheasant breast, Drambuie, mushroom & chervil cream sauce, potato terrine<br />
Slow cooked beef feather blade, red wine sauce, colcannon mash, parsnip crisps<br />
Pan fried seabass fillet, crab ravioli, dill butter sauce<br />
Chestnut mushroom & cavolo nero risotto, toasted hazelnuts<br />
DESSERTS<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> pudding & brandy sauce<br />
Spiced rum glazed pineapple, lime syrup, coconut ice cream<br />
Chocolate & caramel biscuit truffle torte, baileys ice cream<br />
Blood orange & amaretti trifle<br />
Cheeseboard, biscuits, plum chutney (£2 supplement)<br />
01622 842558<br />
www.thepepperboxinn.co.uk<br />
BOOK NOW FOR CHRISTMAS<br />
PRICING PER HEAD<br />
2 Course (mid week only) £25.00<br />
3 Course £33.50<br />
MENU AVAILABLE<br />
1st to 23rd December, excludes Sundays<br />
A non-refundable deposit of £10 per head is required to secure all bookings.<br />
A discretional 10% service charge is added to parties of 8 or more<br />
Bookings should be provisionally made via telephone and confirmed<br />
with a deposit (within 7 days) & completed order form<br />
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98
Rolled pork belly, crushed<br />
potatoes, soft herbs,<br />
mustard & capers<br />
Serves 6 Prep and cooking: Approx. 2 hours.<br />
Pork belly is one of my favourite things<br />
to cook and eat, I am obsessed with the<br />
gorgeous meat, the flavourful layers of fat,<br />
and the constant challenge in making the<br />
skin crackle! It’s an endless and generous<br />
process. What a forgiving piece of meat!<br />
And the great thing is that we produce<br />
one of the best, if not the best, breed<br />
of pig on our doorstep. Basically, my<br />
career is a love letter to British pork.<br />
Ask your butcher to remove bones and<br />
score skin for you – a very important step.<br />
For the pork:<br />
• 2.5kg pork belly, deboned and scored<br />
• 1 bunch of thyme, leaves picked<br />
• 1 tbsp good quality fine sea salt<br />
• ½ tsp fresh ground black pepper<br />
• vegetable, or other neutral oil<br />
• butcher’s string<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 220°C fan<br />
assisted, or 230°C if not. Combine<br />
the thyme with the salt and black<br />
pepper. Massage the seasoning in<br />
well to the flesh side of the meat.<br />
2. Roll the belly as tight as possible, skin<br />
side out and secure with butcher’s string<br />
at 1-inch intervals. Pat dry and season<br />
the skin with good quality fine sea salt,<br />
rubbing into the score marks on the skin<br />
and a tiny amount of vegetable neutral oil.<br />
3. Put the rolled belly onto a wired<br />
tray and place <strong>inside</strong> a large, heavy<br />
based roasting tray, ideally with deep<br />
sides and handles for easy movement.<br />
Pour in cup of water to the bottom<br />
of the tray, without wetting the meat.<br />
Roast in the centre of the hot oven<br />
for 40-45 minutes until the skin<br />
is crackling and crispy all over.<br />
4. Carefully remove the pork. If you have<br />
a meat probe, the internal temperature<br />
should be no more than 63°C and the<br />
pork should be juicy, tender, and full<br />
of flavour. Rest the meat, uncovered,<br />
for a least 20 minutes before carving.<br />
For the potatoes:<br />
• 1.2 kg pink fir potatoes or<br />
other waxy potatoes<br />
• ½ bulb of garlic<br />
• 3 large sprigs of rosemary<br />
• extra virgin olive oil<br />
• 1 tsp sea salt<br />
Turn the oven down to 200°C while<br />
the pork is resting and boil the potatoes<br />
in well salted water until tender. Drain<br />
and tip into a large roasting try and<br />
add the rest of the ingredients and<br />
mix well. Gently crush the potatoes<br />
to break the skin, more surface area<br />
means extra crispy potatoes. Roast<br />
for 20 minutes until crispy.<br />
For the herb, mustard, and caper sauce:<br />
• ½ tbsp capers<br />
• ½ tbsp Dijon mustard<br />
• 2 cloves of garlic grated<br />
• 1 bunch parsley<br />
• 1 bunch mint<br />
• ½ bunch fresh oregano<br />
• ½ bunch of tarragon<br />
• 1 tsp red wine vinegar<br />
• 300ml extra virgin olive oil<br />
• 300ml extra virgin rapeseed oil<br />
• ½ tsp sea salt<br />
Combine all the ingredients in a food<br />
processor, adding the oils slowly.<br />
Taste and adjust seasoning with<br />
vinegar and salt. This herby green<br />
sauce tastes best when prepared the<br />
day before as the flavours relax.<br />
To serve:<br />
Carve a thick slice of pork belly per<br />
person and plate with the crispy<br />
potatoes, herb and mustard sauce<br />
and wilted greens of your choice.<br />
99
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Bay & vanilla panna cotta,<br />
roasted quince & crumble<br />
Serves 6 30 minutes prep, plus<br />
overnight setting time in the fridge<br />
• 300ml whole milk<br />
• 400ml double cream<br />
• 100g caster sugar<br />
• 3 small bay leaves<br />
• ¼ vanilla pod scraped<br />
• 3 gelatine sheets<br />
1. Soak the gelatine in a small<br />
bowl of cold water and set aside.<br />
2. In a small to medium sized pan,<br />
combine the milk, cream, sugar,<br />
bay, and vanilla. Gently warm but<br />
don’t let it boil. Pour in the sugar,<br />
stir to dissolve, and take off the heat,<br />
immediately covering with cling<br />
film. Leave to rest in a warm place<br />
for at least 20 minutes allowing the<br />
aromatics to infuse with the cream.<br />
3. After the resting time, remove<br />
the cling film, squeeze the gelatine<br />
leaves to remove water, and add it to<br />
the warm cream mixture, whisking<br />
in well to dissolve it completely.<br />
4. Sieve the infused cream into<br />
a measuring jug, then pour into<br />
moulds or short tumbler glasses<br />
and put in the fridge overnight,<br />
or for at least eight hours.<br />
For the quince:<br />
Serves 6 Prep & cooking time: 75<br />
minutes prep and cooking time<br />
• 3 British quinces, peeled,<br />
cored and cut in half<br />
• 100g caster sugar<br />
• 100ml hot water<br />
• 1 small piece star anise<br />
• 1 small piece cinnamon stick<br />
Preheat oven to 180°C. Place the quince<br />
halves in a baking dish, cut side up. Top<br />
each quince half with 2 tablespoons<br />
of sugar. Pour in the hot water around<br />
the quince and add the cinnamon<br />
and anise to the tray. Bake until the<br />
quince is golden and soft, about 1<br />
hour. Remove the baking dish and let<br />
stand for 15 minutes, before serving.<br />
For the crumble:<br />
Prep & cooking time: 20-25 mins<br />
• 50g rolled oats<br />
• 50g diced unsalted butter<br />
• 50g light brown sugar<br />
• 50g plain flour<br />
• small pinch mixed spice<br />
• small pinch salt<br />
Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and line<br />
a shallow roasting tray with baking<br />
paper. Combine all the ingredients<br />
in a food processor, or mix by hand,<br />
until the mixture resembles a sandy<br />
texture. Shake out on to the lined<br />
tray and cook for 15 to 20 minutes,<br />
turning from time to time, until golden<br />
brown. Leave to cool before serving<br />
which results in a crunchier crumble.<br />
To serve:<br />
Serve the panna cottas with slices of<br />
quince and some of the golden roasting<br />
liquor and a handful of crumble on top.<br />
The Union’s team takes pride in hand making as much<br />
of their menu as possible in house, crafting ricotta, black<br />
pudding, crackers and ice creams by sourcing the very best<br />
ingredients they can from the East Sussex and Kentish<br />
larders. To find out more about their unpretentious, simple<br />
and restrained plates of food, and to book a table, visit<br />
theunionrye.co.uk or call 01797 229289.<br />
101
’Tis the Season to indulge and<br />
make merry, and we have got<br />
the perfect place for you!<br />
Join us at The King’s Arms in Elham, cosy up by<br />
our crackling, stoked fires and indulge in our<br />
delightful festive menu, starting on <strong>November</strong><br />
29th, offering 2 courses for £30 and 3 courses for<br />
£40. From soul-warming soups, to roast breast<br />
of Norfolk bronze turkey, it’s the perfect option<br />
for family get-togethers or corporate <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
parties. For those seeking an exclusive gathering,<br />
consider our unique hop barn, a private space<br />
that adds a touch of sophistication to your event.<br />
As you gather with loved ones or colleagues,<br />
let The Kings Arms in Elham be your destination<br />
for a memorable festive celebration. Leave the<br />
hustle and bustle behind and savour the essence<br />
of the season in our quaint country pub.<br />
TO RESERVE YOUR TABLE<br />
call 01303 840242,<br />
we can’t wait to welcome you.<br />
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AND NEW YEAR’S BOOKINGS.<br />
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Due to the overwhelming demand, please kindly book in advance to avoid any disappointment, thank you.<br />
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102
01892 750 310 SUE@DAVIDHAUGH.CO.UK DAVIDHAUGH.CO.UK<br />
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“From a cult British scent<br />
start-up, this takes beeswax,<br />
iris, sandalwood and vetiver<br />
and – via some extraordinary<br />
alchemy – creates something<br />
that has everyone I know<br />
who’s tried it compulsively<br />
sniffing their own skin.”<br />
Jo describing Olfactive O’s Skin
Scents for the<br />
Season<br />
Josephine Fairley handpicks the finest winter fragrances that’ll have you returning for spritz after spritz<br />
Images: Skin image courtesy of Olfacttive O, all others: istockphoto.com/ Seng kui Lim / banusevim/ Wirestock / Suchat longthara<br />
There’s only one thing that has me looking forward to<br />
winter. It is the prospect of switching over my scent<br />
wardrobe to fragrances that I love, but which feel<br />
heavy as a faux fur coat on a summer’s day, almost physically<br />
making me hot and sweaty. For me, some fragrances are floaty<br />
frocks – my summer choices. Others are velvet, cashmere and<br />
– yes – opaque tights. And it’s at the exact getting-out-theopaque-tights<br />
moment in the calendar that I change over my<br />
perfumes, too. A real olfactory highlight, for me, in the year.<br />
You, of course, may be one of those people with a<br />
‘signature’ scent that you’ve worn for forever, and be sitting<br />
there muttering: ‘That’s irrelevant to me.’ But actually, I’d<br />
like to persuade you otherwise, because there’s a very good<br />
reason, at least occasionally, to switch up what you wear.<br />
Because I’ll bet you also say, at least sometimes: ‘Trouble<br />
is, I can’t smell it on myself any more.’ And that’s precisely<br />
because you do have a signature scent, and your nose –<br />
or rather, your brain – treats it like wallpaper. In other<br />
words, it just becomes a background smell, and you miss<br />
out on enjoying something you love, except perhaps for<br />
a minute or two when first applying. Imagine how bored<br />
your sense of taste would become if you ate the same food,<br />
morning, noon and night. Now think about how that<br />
translates to smell – and maybe at least experiment with<br />
some of the scents I’m about to go into raptures over.<br />
Autumn <strong>2023</strong> is actually a very good moment for<br />
fragrance. During the pandemic, fragrance launches got<br />
backed up like planes circling round Heathrow. When<br />
we were all liberated, there was much uncertainty in<br />
the marketplace, and a lot of the fragrances launched<br />
were ‘flankers’, existing perfumes which had been given<br />
a bit of a twist. But this season, the floodgates have<br />
opened, creativity abounds – and we perfumistas are<br />
happy people indeed. So, here’s what I’m loving…<br />
Guerlain Tobacco Honey, from £90 for 50ml eau de<br />
parfum. There’s a strong tobacco trend wafting through<br />
perfumery right now. It’s all a bit decadent, considering how<br />
long the smoking ban’s been in place – but in truth, tobacco<br />
as a perfumery note is quite different to standing in a fug<br />
at the King’s Head (for anyone who remembers how much<br />
they used to have to splash out on dry cleaning, back in the<br />
day). It tends to be grassy, woody, complex, yet warm and<br />
seductive, which is why perfumers are having so much fun<br />
with it. This Guerlain latest really does give the sense of honey<br />
drizzled with honey, its sweet seductiveness further enhanced<br />
by vanilla, tonka and sesame, all enveloped in a cigar-like<br />
smokiness; indeed, it begs for you to dress up in your very<br />
finest and take it out to a fancy bar, as far as I’m concerned.<br />
La Montaña Divine Sunset, from £22 for 10ml eau de<br />
parfum. Used up all your annual leave allocation? From a<br />
Sussex-based brand (well, in truth, founder Cassandra Hall<br />
is based between Brighton and a Spanish mounta<strong>inside</strong>),<br />
Divine Sunset is a real holding-on-to-summer scent which<br />
invites you to bask in the warmth of orange blossom and<br />
musks. This is the scent equivalent of finding a protected spot<br />
on a sunny, blustery winter’s day and turning your face <br />
105<br />
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106<br />
DrChristineWT204.indd DrChristineWT248.indd 1 02/12/2022 22/01/2019 10:21 12:31
to the sun for warmth – an invitation<br />
to travel, without ever leaving home.<br />
AKRO Bake, £80 for 50ml eau de<br />
parfum. Vanilla is probably the No.1<br />
most popular ingredient in perfumery<br />
this autumn, a strong revival of the<br />
‘gourmand’ (or ‘good-enough-to-eat’<br />
family of fragrances). Some are supersweet<br />
(not my bag), but others are<br />
delicious, without being in any way<br />
sickly. I was lucky enough to attend<br />
the launch of this, over a tasting menu<br />
at The Berkeley’s patisserie (over<br />
which Parisian pastry darling Cedric<br />
Grolet presides), where the assembled<br />
company of perfume writers agreed:<br />
on paper, we shouldn’t like this, but<br />
we all fell, hook, line and sinker,<br />
spritzing and re-spritzing (I still am).<br />
It’s light, it’s fluffy – a lighter-than-air<br />
cake, in scented form, dusted with<br />
icing sugar and utterly moreish.<br />
Tom Ford Café Rose, from £106<br />
for 50ml eau de parfum. Not to be<br />
confused with the intensely rich Café<br />
Rose which was previously in Tom<br />
Ford’s collection, this has far less<br />
of an espresso jolt, and much more<br />
rosiness. It’s a completely beautiful<br />
rose, sheer and wearable, but with<br />
the coffee note adding intrigue (and<br />
more than a little addiction).<br />
Escentric Molecules H01, £180<br />
for 100ml eau de parfum. Escentric<br />
Molecules became famous when word<br />
got out that their fragrance acted like<br />
a pheromone, attracting the opposite<br />
sex. Strictly, it doesn’t – but plenty of<br />
people find it very, very smoochy – and<br />
this being mistletoe season, it might<br />
be worth experimenting to see just<br />
how magnetic the Escentric Molecules<br />
collection is. H01 is the latest addition<br />
to the line-up, a Harrods exclusive<br />
which promises to be ‘an olfactory<br />
oasis among the uncertainty of the<br />
modern world’ (and we probably<br />
all need that). It’s leathery, woody,<br />
musky, and really quite addictive<br />
– but I also find it grounding and<br />
calming, something I badly need as<br />
the <strong>Christmas</strong> crescendo builds.<br />
The above have all joined my own<br />
fragrance wardrobe for autumn/winter,<br />
but then, it’s my job, and I’m lucky<br />
enough to have them gifted to me,<br />
in many (but not all) cases.<br />
However, there are a couple<br />
of other ‘old friends’ in scent<br />
form that I’m thrilled to be<br />
rediscovering, as the seasons<br />
change – and I would<br />
encourage you to make a<br />
perfume pilgrimage to<br />
sniff some of them<br />
out, too. At the<br />
very least, rather as<br />
you might with wine,<br />
you’ll learn what you<br />
do and don’t like. But<br />
here are three other scents<br />
that to me, are winter-perfect…<br />
Floral Street Black Lotus, £68 for<br />
50ml eau de parfum. Floral Street’s<br />
very reasonably priced fragrances have<br />
just landed in a bunch of M&S stores,<br />
which makes them easier to check<br />
out. This is the scent equivalent of a<br />
black leather jacket slung over a floral<br />
frock and worn with a cashmere shawl,<br />
lashings of rosa Centifolia contrasted<br />
with red pepper and leathery saffron.<br />
Olfactive O Skin, £110 for 30ml<br />
extrait de parfum. You want<br />
nuzzleable, addictive, truly the ‘skin<br />
scent’, as promised by the name of<br />
this fragrance? From a cult British<br />
scent start-up, this takes beeswax,<br />
iris, sandalwood and vetiver and<br />
– via some extraordinary alchemy –<br />
creates something that has everyone<br />
I know who’s tried it compulsively<br />
sniffing their own skin. Quite simply,<br />
sublime – and fascinatingly, it works<br />
as a brilliant ‘primer’ for any other<br />
fragrance you might apply on top.<br />
Zara Fleur de Patchouli, £25.99 for<br />
100ml eau de parfum. Personally, I love<br />
a waft of patchouli, whose woody notes<br />
seems so perfectly suited to winter: a<br />
crisp swish of autumn leaves, a touch<br />
of fireside smoulder. Haven’t checked<br />
out Zara’s fragrances yet? You’re missing<br />
out. Super-affordable, they are created<br />
by some of the leading fragrance talents<br />
in the world (Jo Malone CBE was the<br />
perfume ‘designer’ for this one), but<br />
what I would say is: if you fall head over<br />
heels for something, stockpile it – they<br />
don’t tend to stick around on the shelf.<br />
Now, still determined<br />
to stick to your signature<br />
scent..? It’s a free country,<br />
but to me, it’s the scent<br />
equivalent of always<br />
going on holiday to<br />
the exact same place,<br />
eating toast for every<br />
meal, or painting<br />
every room in your<br />
house in a single<br />
colour. So, I say: do<br />
your senses a favour, and<br />
spritz around, this winter.<br />
See beautybible.com for more of<br />
Jo’s tried and tested beauty reviews.
ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE<br />
My life came to a standstill with agonising back<br />
pain… but now I’m back to health after IDD Therapy<br />
After her<br />
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Property Investor, Jane Kent, had<br />
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Jane explains: “Over recent years we’ve moved<br />
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Jane tried to manage the pain herself but soon<br />
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Eventually, my GP arranged an MRI scan.<br />
In the weeks before the scan, things went<br />
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Jane’s pain was completely debilitating and<br />
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Jane had her MRI scan in February; the news<br />
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I left feeling bleak. I hadn’t even contemplated<br />
a major operation, and I was uneasy at the<br />
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James Pickering’s team is changing the lives of<br />
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After some research, Jane’s husband found IDD<br />
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Jane saw that IDD Therapy was being offered<br />
at <strong>Wealden</strong> Osteopaths and Spine Centre at<br />
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“James reassured me that IDD Therapy would<br />
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“I was astonished to feel<br />
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the sciatic pain stopped<br />
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The IDD programme was a success and<br />
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look forward to them. Soon I had my mobility<br />
and independence back – it felt wonderful.<br />
I’ve now taken up Pilates and I’ve completed<br />
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Wellbeing<br />
Posture<br />
Perfect<br />
Sarah Maxwell straightens out the facts<br />
to help you stand – and sit – tall<br />
istockphoto.com/halfpoint<br />
In our fast-paced lives, the way<br />
we hold ourselves is frequently<br />
overlooked. We often neglect<br />
the importance of maintaining good<br />
posture and the impact it has on our<br />
health and wellbeing. Posture plays a<br />
vital role in our overall health, affecting<br />
not only our physical wellbeing but<br />
also our mental and emotional state.<br />
Poor posture can lead to myriad<br />
issues, including chronic pain, muscle<br />
imbalances, reduced flexibility,<br />
decreased lung capacity and even<br />
digestive problems. It can also<br />
contribute to feelings of fatigue,<br />
stress, and low self-confidence.<br />
In the next few paragraphs – the first<br />
of a two-part exploration – I’m going<br />
to explain how to do some simple but<br />
very effective exercises, some of which<br />
you can get on with whilst seated.<br />
If you spend a lot of time at a desk and<br />
hunched over your keyboard, you put<br />
yourself at risk of neck and back pain.<br />
And even if you have an ergonomic<br />
chair and a back support, you might<br />
find the effects more significant than<br />
you’d expect. Below are some simple<br />
but effective ways you can correct<br />
your posture and make a difference to<br />
your overall health and wellbeing.<br />
I recommend doing these tension<br />
release movements as often as you<br />
can if you’re seated for an extended<br />
period of time. I have a blue sticky<br />
dot on my desk as a reminder (along<br />
with numerous other coloured dots<br />
on my phone, laptop, bathroom<br />
mirror... In fact, my house looks like<br />
a Damien Hirst print currently!)<br />
You can do these exercises sitting<br />
or standing, although it’s always a<br />
good idea to get out of your chair<br />
at regular intervals if possible.<br />
Shoulder raises<br />
Lift your shoulders up towards your<br />
ears (breathe in through your nose as<br />
you lift), then release your shoulders<br />
down (breathing out through your<br />
nose as you relax your shoulders<br />
back down). Repeat 10 times.<br />
Shoulder rolls<br />
Lift your shoulders up towards<br />
your ears, then roll them back and<br />
down in a circular motion one way<br />
and then the other. Make sure your<br />
breathing is steady and relaxed<br />
throughout. Repeat 10 times.<br />
Shoulder blade squeeze<br />
This is a great exercise to strengthen<br />
the muscles between your shoulder<br />
blades which will improve your upper<br />
back posture. Inhale through your nose<br />
as you squeeze your shoulder blades<br />
together, feeling your chest open up.<br />
Exhale and release. Repeat 10 times.<br />
Stand in an open doorway (you can<br />
also do this in a chair). Raise each<br />
arm up to the side, perpendicular to<br />
your body, bent at a 90 degree angle<br />
at your elbow with palms forward.<br />
Rest your palms on either side of the<br />
door frame – if it feels uncomfortable,<br />
try lowering your elbows down<br />
slightly. Slowly step forward with<br />
one foot. Feel the stretch in your<br />
shoulders and chest. Stand as upright<br />
as you can and try to avoid leaning<br />
forward. Hold for 15 -30 seconds.<br />
In next issue’s part two I’m going to<br />
delve deeper into posture and show<br />
you more ways to strengthen, stretch<br />
and help you alleviate tension, for<br />
a much improved quality of life.<br />
Sarah Maxwell is a multiple awardwinning<br />
Fitness and Lifestyle coach<br />
and mum of two who juggles a lot<br />
of balls. Find out more about Sarah<br />
and her work at sarahmaxwell.com<br />
Sarah shares her Fitness and Lifestyle tips<br />
on Instagram @sarahmaxwelllifestyle<br />
109<br />
priceless-magazines.com
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Nourish to Flourish<br />
Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau<br />
explores the benefits of incorporating<br />
another healthy ingredient into our<br />
diets. This month it’s salmon<br />
istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, Agustin Vai<br />
Oily fish is often promoted as a positive food<br />
choice due to its multitude of health benefits,<br />
but what exactly are they? Salmon is a great<br />
source of protein and typically provides 15-20g of protein<br />
per 100g. It is known as a complete protein which<br />
means that it contains all nine essential amino acids<br />
in sufficient quantities, it is also packed with omega-<br />
3 fatty acids; the important good fats. These help to<br />
maintain healthy cholesterol levels and protect blood<br />
vessels from inflammatory damage. Omega-3s are also<br />
vital for the health of the brain and the nervous system,<br />
strengthening our immune systems and cellular growth<br />
and regulating our hormones. Ultimately we need to<br />
be looking at increasing our omega-3 fats and reducing<br />
saturated and trans fats; aim for up to two portions of<br />
oily fish every week and enjoy a variety of nuts and seeds<br />
in small quantities to help achieve these goals. Salmon<br />
also contains many key nutrients including selenium,<br />
phosphorus, and B vitamins. Its unique, delicate flavour<br />
and less ‘fishy’ taste can make it more appealing than many<br />
other varieties of fatty fish, such as sardines and mackerel,<br />
which often make it a popular choice with children too.<br />
Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice<br />
for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress<br />
and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com<br />
Salmon & vegetable parcels<br />
This tasty recipe is packed with healthy omega-3s<br />
Serves 2<br />
• 2 salmon fillets<br />
• 1 lemon – zest and<br />
juice half and thinly<br />
slice other half<br />
• 1 red pepper, sliced<br />
• 1 green pepper, sliced<br />
• 1 white onion, sliced<br />
• 6 cherry tomatoes, halved<br />
1. Preheat the oven to 180°C<br />
and cut rectangles of baking<br />
paper for each salmon fillet,<br />
big enough to fold over<br />
and make into a parcel.<br />
2. Place 2 slices of lemon<br />
at the centre of each paper<br />
and rest the salmon on top.<br />
Add the peppers, onions,<br />
tomatoes and asparagus<br />
around the salmon and<br />
top with the garlic, capers,<br />
• 10-12 asparagus stalks<br />
• 1 clove of garlic,<br />
finely chopped<br />
• 2 tsp capers, chopped<br />
• 1 sprig of rosemary<br />
• 2 sprigs of thyme<br />
• 2 tbsp olive oil<br />
• salt and black pepper<br />
lemon zest and juice,<br />
rosemary, thyme and a<br />
pinch of salt and pepper.<br />
Drizzle over the olive oil.<br />
3. Fold the paper up and<br />
twist the ends to make an<br />
enclosed parcel. Place on<br />
a baking tray and roast for<br />
approximately 18 minutes<br />
until the fish is cooked<br />
through. Enjoy with sweet<br />
potatoes or brown rice.<br />
111<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Trouble<br />
Ahead<br />
Jo Arnell comes up with some practical solutions to help protect<br />
your plants during challenging periods of weather<br />
It’s been a tough year. Where the<br />
plants are concerned, it’s been a<br />
monumentally difficult one. The<br />
weather has been, putting it kindly,<br />
challenging. This time last year it was<br />
raining, and it didn’t stop raining until<br />
the beginning of December – when<br />
it froze. Many of our tender shrubs<br />
– things like hebes and pittosporums<br />
– died. The weather didn’t really start<br />
warming up until late spring and then<br />
suddenly it went very hot and dry.<br />
Long periods of extreme weather –<br />
which is more the norm now – make<br />
growing conditions difficult for all<br />
the plants. Some will cope better than<br />
others – the weeds for example, have<br />
barely noticed and are still romping<br />
away – but many of our cultivated,<br />
carefully nurtured plants are suffering.<br />
We need to find ways to help the<br />
garden in tricky times, ways to keep our<br />
plants alive, or, if we do end up losing<br />
them, an understanding of why they<br />
have died. The reason that our native<br />
and wild plants seem on the whole<br />
to manage much better than most is<br />
because they are ideally suited to their<br />
environment and able to withstand<br />
some of the effects of climate change<br />
– in the short term. Those from other<br />
places and the cultivated versions of<br />
them, where the soil and atmospheric<br />
conditions are very different, are only<br />
just at home here, so prolonged changes<br />
in the weather can be the final straw.<br />
Soil matters<br />
Your soil is going to go a long way<br />
to keep your plants healthy – or not,<br />
depending on several factors. It’s<br />
worth doing a soil test to find out<br />
the pH. Most soils are neutral, but<br />
if you have acidic soil you’ll be able<br />
to grow plants like camellias and<br />
azaleas. If it is alkaline, then lilac,<br />
lavender and vegetables like cabbage<br />
and Brussels sprouts will do well.<br />
The structure of the soil is important<br />
too. If yours is heavy clay, it may<br />
be waterlogged in winter and hard<br />
as concrete in summer. Sandy soils<br />
on the other hand are free draining<br />
– which means that they are very<br />
dry in summer and tend to be low<br />
in nutrients. Improve heavy clay by<br />
adding organic matter – manure or<br />
compost. Improve sandy soil by adding<br />
the same thing – organic matter will<br />
break up a clay soil and make it more<br />
free draining, and will help a sandy soil<br />
to hold onto moisture and nutrients.<br />
Good drainage is important,<br />
especially through long periods of<br />
wet, cold weather. Many plants more<br />
suited to Mediterranean conditions<br />
suffer in a wet winter because the<br />
area around their roots is saturated.<br />
This is often worse than the cold.<br />
priceless-magazines.com 112
Garden<br />
Many of the<br />
Mediterranean species<br />
– lavender, rosemary<br />
etc – can withstand the<br />
cold, but not prolonged<br />
periods of wet weather.<br />
This is why they are hard<br />
to grow in clay soil. Clay<br />
holds onto water and is<br />
very slow to dry out and<br />
warm up in the spring.<br />
istockphoto.com/ Nature, food, landscape, travel / Wirestock / scholes1<br />
Read my leaves<br />
You can tell a lot about a plant<br />
from its leaves. The size, texture and<br />
colour of the leaf will indicate the<br />
sort of conditions it has adapted<br />
to. Big floppy leaves with a large<br />
surface area – think jungle and pond<br />
side plants – are trying to get rid of<br />
excess water, whereas those with thin,<br />
needle-like leaves are trying to hold<br />
onto water. In fact, in the case of<br />
desert plants, the leaves have become<br />
spikes. Tough, leathery leaves, or<br />
a waxy coating will prevent water<br />
loss. Hairy or woolly leaves are also<br />
adaptations to arid conditions.<br />
Dark leaves absorb more light<br />
than pale, so the deep green leaves<br />
of a holly, or a camellia are ideally<br />
suited to shade. Pale, silvery or<br />
grey leaves, on the other hand,<br />
reflect light well, so won’t be<br />
overwhelmed in harsh sunlight.<br />
The root of it<br />
The rhizosphere is the area directly<br />
around the roots of the plant, a root<br />
‘microbiome’ made up of bacteria,<br />
fungi and other micro-organisms,<br />
spores, seeds and larval stages of tiny<br />
insects. It is the interaction of the biota<br />
within the rhizosphere – a bit like in<br />
our gut microbiome – that determines<br />
plant health. Plants form symbiotic<br />
relationships with soil bacteria and<br />
fungi that enable them to access<br />
nutrients, survive attack by pests and<br />
withstand periods of difficult weather.<br />
Drought<br />
Long periods with no rain are a disaster<br />
for plants that need moisture. We can<br />
help them by mulching at the end of<br />
the winter while the soil (in theory)<br />
is still damp. Mulching will help the<br />
soil hold onto moisture, suppress<br />
competitive weeds and improve the<br />
structure – feeding the soil ecosystem<br />
and encouraging the microbes that<br />
will come to the aid of plants.<br />
If there isn’t a hosepipe ban then<br />
water, but water carefully. Well<br />
established plants should be able to<br />
cope without regular watering, but<br />
anything planted in the last two years –<br />
especially woody plants –will need some<br />
help. Water plants deeply, rather than<br />
sprinkling them every night. It is better<br />
to water once a week, but to make<br />
sure the water gets to the roots. Light<br />
watering will evaporate before the plant<br />
can use it, or encourage the roots of the<br />
plant to stay near the surface of the soil.<br />
Watering at night is probably best, but<br />
remember that slugs and snails come<br />
out at night and will really enjoy the<br />
cool damp conditions. Watering very<br />
early in the morning is the alternative<br />
– in the middle of the day most of<br />
your hard work will evaporate. <br />
113<br />
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Creating Beautiful Gardens<br />
CheekyMonkeyWT249.indd 1 24/01/<strong>2023</strong> CityEscapesWT250.indd 17:06<br />
1 07/02/<strong>2023</strong> 16:52<br />
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114<br />
WCLandcraftWT252.indd 1 31/03/<strong>2023</strong> 10:53
Garden<br />
Pots are very prone to drying out,<br />
especially little ones, so try to plant up<br />
groups of plants in larger containers, or<br />
position small pots near to one another<br />
Most soils are neutral,<br />
but if you have acidic<br />
soil you’ll be able to grow<br />
plants like camellias<br />
Pots are very prone to drying out,<br />
especially little ones, so try to plant up<br />
groups of plants in larger containers, or<br />
position small pots near to one another.<br />
Place a saucer underneath to act as a<br />
reservoir – but remember to remove this<br />
in the autumn to stop the plants’ roots<br />
wallowing in water through the winter.<br />
It pays to install water butts – rain<br />
water is better for plants and will make<br />
all the difference, especially if there is<br />
a hosepipe ban. In that situation using<br />
grey water – from the bath or your<br />
washing up bowl – will be fine too.<br />
Storms and high winds<br />
Wind can be hugely destructive, pulling<br />
down power lines, fences and uprooting<br />
trees. Protecting plants in these extreme<br />
conditions is nigh on impossible, but<br />
there are precautions that can be taken<br />
to provide some shelter. Semi-permeable<br />
barriers, for instance, are better than<br />
solid ones, as these will slow down the<br />
wind, whereas a solid fence or wall<br />
will cause the wind to go up and over,<br />
causing it to whip down the other side,<br />
or channel along and cause havoc.<br />
A very fierce wind will just blow the<br />
fence down. Hedges work well to help<br />
prevent wind damage, because the wind<br />
filters through this living windbreak.<br />
Choose a good, robust hedge if<br />
it is to act as a shelter belt – laurel,<br />
elaeagnus, hawthorn and hornbeam are<br />
good in exposed situations. Remember<br />
to leave a gap between the hedge and<br />
the flowerbed to enable access for<br />
pruning and to keep the roots of the<br />
hedge away from the plants, as they<br />
will also be competing for moisture.<br />
Winter weather<br />
Our winters are generally mild, but<br />
every few years Arctic blasts and<br />
Beasts from the East come swooping<br />
in, bringing snow and hard frosts,<br />
killing the tender plants that normally<br />
just about make it through an<br />
average winter. Last year hebes and<br />
pittosporums were badly affected.<br />
Larger leaved salvias like amistad<br />
were killed too, although some of<br />
these did a good job of playing dead<br />
until May, then suddenly springing<br />
back to life – possibly once they<br />
were already on the compost heap.<br />
Plants native to the northern<br />
hemisphere tend to lose their leaves<br />
in the winter and go into a state of<br />
dormancy. Getting plants through<br />
extreme cold, when they have no<br />
adaptations to it, is a challenge.<br />
Fleece may help to keep off air frosts,<br />
mulching with organic matter – like<br />
laying a warm duvet over the ground<br />
– will provide some protection for<br />
dahlia tubers and other tender roots.<br />
If you have a greenhouse that can be<br />
kept frost-free, or even a porch or<br />
cool utility room, you’ll be able to<br />
overwinter those in pots, or cuttings<br />
of plants grown in the garden.<br />
Many of the Mediterranean species –<br />
lavender, rosemary etc – can withstand<br />
the cold, but not prolonged periods<br />
of wet weather. This is why they are<br />
hard to grow in clay soil. Clay holds<br />
onto water and is very slow to dry out<br />
and warm up in the spring. Plants<br />
like lavender need free-draining, or<br />
shallow, chalky soil, so may well be<br />
better grown in a container – one<br />
lifted onto feet, or up on bricks to<br />
stop it from sitting in a puddle.<br />
Good preparation is the key. It may<br />
well be mild this year, but who knows.<br />
One thing is sure – winter is coming.<br />
Join Jo in her garden in Woodchurch,<br />
Kent, for gardening classes and<br />
workshops. Find out more and<br />
book at hornbrookmanor.co.uk.<br />
115<br />
priceless-magazines.com
Garden<br />
Heart<br />
of the<br />
Hive<br />
Sue Whigham finds out about The Buzz Project, an inspirational<br />
initiative set up by Syrian bee expert Dr. Ryad Alsous<br />
One of the last things that Dr.<br />
Ryad Alsous did before he<br />
left his flat in Damascus was<br />
to open one of his windows a fraction.<br />
As the civil war raged, his block of<br />
flats had been bombed twice during<br />
what were daily attacks in the eastern<br />
part of the city. Realising that there<br />
would be no-one to feed the doves<br />
who had shared his balcony for years,<br />
he decided that they should be able to<br />
use his flat as he had no further use for<br />
it. Five years later he asked his cousin<br />
to visit the flat and take a picture for<br />
him. He found it was full of life as the<br />
doves had moved in and had happily<br />
colonised the place. Dr. Alsous felt<br />
it gave him validation to have left to<br />
start a new life in a safe country.<br />
Despite receiving death threats, Dr.<br />
Alsous was the last of his immediate<br />
family to leave Syria and in 2013<br />
he found himself in Huddersfield<br />
where he had relatives who had<br />
settled there over the past forty years.<br />
He found it somewhere where the<br />
community both helped him to<br />
settle in and to rebuild his life.<br />
He is a world renowned expert on<br />
bees and his experience both lecturing<br />
at Damascus University and being Head<br />
of Beekeeping – when he was in charge<br />
of 500 hives – stood him in good<br />
stead when he arrived in the UK. He<br />
began volunteering at the Huddersfield<br />
Beekeeping Association and through<br />
them a lady offered him both a hive<br />
and a colony of British Black Bees. He<br />
then wrote a proposal for The Buzz<br />
Project and met with the then Mayor<br />
of Huddersfield. It was through this<br />
meeting that he was offered a piece<br />
istockphoto.com/ Chisnikov<br />
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British Black Bee images<br />
courtesy of Helen Gentle<br />
istockphoto.com/ Chisnikov<br />
of land to keep hives on by the local<br />
Canal and River Trust – who then<br />
refused to accept any rent from him.<br />
And so The Buzz Project was launched.<br />
The idea of the project was, and<br />
is, to offer fellow refugees and job<br />
seekers the chance to integrate, develop<br />
language skills, and to regain their self<br />
esteem and confidence whilst learning<br />
a trade. Many of the volunteers are<br />
now self employed and have their own<br />
hives from which they produce honey,<br />
essential oils, candles and organic<br />
cosmetics. The project also has open<br />
days when the volunteers educate<br />
schoolchildren about bees and how vital<br />
they are in the general scheme of things.<br />
I was reading a report produced by<br />
Friends of the Earth which tells us<br />
that it would cost UK farmers £1.8<br />
billion a year to pollinate crops without<br />
them (if indeed that were remotely<br />
feasible). So no bees equals no plants,<br />
no animals and subsequently, no food.<br />
Dr. Alsous was one of the inspirations<br />
for the bestselling novel by Christy<br />
Lefteri, The Beekeeper of Aleppo. As<br />
the daughter of refugees herself, she<br />
had spent several months in Athens<br />
volunteering with Syrian refugees<br />
where the seeds of her novel began<br />
to form. Having discovered an article<br />
written by Dr. Alsous, she contacted<br />
him through Facebook and he invited<br />
her up to Huddersfield to see how The<br />
Buzz Project worked and to “introduce<br />
her to the world of beekeeping”. She<br />
trusted him enough to meet his bees<br />
without wearing protective clothing,<br />
as he so obviously had such an affinity<br />
with them and she remembers the<br />
experience as “like being in a <br />
117<br />
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Ilex Nellie R Stevens Ligustrum japonicum (pleached) Magnolia grandiflora<br />
Ct PvC<br />
t SC tS<br />
Photinia Red Robin<br />
Privacy in gardens can be created using<br />
trees to hide or screen out an undesirable<br />
view. Trees grown for this purpose often<br />
have a clear stem up to fence panel height<br />
around 1.8-2m with a full bushy canopy<br />
above, forming a good screen above the<br />
fence line. This type of screening is<br />
particularly useful if the garden is<br />
overlooked by neighbouring properties<br />
or to retain lower-level exposure to an<br />
attractive wall or area.<br />
Semi-mature trees can be planted to<br />
achieve effective screening from the offset<br />
with evergreens being preferred for this<br />
purpose as they screen throughout the year.<br />
However, a planting scheme that includes<br />
deciduous trees can provide rich contrast<br />
and seasonal interest.<br />
Screening trees<br />
Practicality Brown can supply a range of<br />
top quality trees for screening, which are<br />
particularly useful for creating privacy.<br />
This is our selection of the best screening<br />
trees, and all are in stock at our nursery in<br />
Iver, Bucks:<br />
• Eriobotrya japonica<br />
• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens<br />
• Ilex castaneifolia<br />
• Ligustrum japonicum<br />
• Magnolia grandiflora<br />
• Osmanthus aquifolium<br />
• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’<br />
• Pinus nigra<br />
• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’<br />
• Viburnum lucidum<br />
Pleached trees<br />
We also have a range of pleached trees<br />
which can be used in the same way;<br />
pleached trees can be effective for formal<br />
screening and where space is limited.<br />
These are our best trees that are in stock:<br />
• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens<br />
• Ligustrum japonicum<br />
• Magnolia grandiflora<br />
• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’<br />
• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’<br />
tree & edge ursery<br />
As well as the screening trees, Practicality<br />
Brown grows a range of premium quality<br />
Practical Instant Hedge at the nursery in<br />
Iver. You are welcome to visit to view both<br />
trees and hedges.<br />
www.pracbrown.co.uk<br />
Conac us for deails<br />
email rees@pracbrown.co.uk<br />
or call 01753 652022 for more informaion
Garden<br />
Dr. Alsous has been carrying out research comparing<br />
the British Black Bee with four other strains,<br />
including Syrian bees, and has found that our native<br />
bees came out top in their production of honey.<br />
dangerous but beautiful bubble”.<br />
The Dark European Bee, or British<br />
Black Bee, Apis mellifera mellifera, was<br />
the original native bee in the UK and<br />
by the 1920s was virtually extinct.<br />
Dr. Alsous is very much involved in<br />
promoting these bees over imported<br />
bees (usually from Italy). He is joined<br />
in this by Sir Tim Smit, inspirational<br />
co-founder of both The Eden Project<br />
and The Lost Gardens of Heligan,<br />
who suggests that we need a network<br />
of apiarists to champion these bees. As<br />
he says, “we super love these bees”.<br />
At the Eden Project they are working<br />
with B4 to set up a conservation and<br />
research project to champion the British<br />
Black Bee and to recognise the need<br />
to create reserves and help the bees<br />
develop ‘strongholds’ throughout the<br />
country. Sir Tim has been instrumental<br />
in both promoting the British Black<br />
Bee and setting up a fourth reserve. He<br />
confirms that there is a lot of interest<br />
amongst members of the public to both<br />
gardens and that Cornwall is one of the<br />
counties where these bees are thriving.<br />
It seems that most beekeepers<br />
(approximately 80%) keep the less<br />
hardy European bees which have<br />
a shorter life span but do have the<br />
advantage of producing large broods.<br />
However, it seems that the European<br />
strains ‘stay in and sulk’ at the first sign<br />
of bad weather. Both men champion<br />
the British Black Bee for a variety of<br />
reasons, which include the fact that<br />
they are hardy and can cope with the<br />
vagaries of British weather and – as they<br />
are hairy – are less prone to any form<br />
of mite. They also groom each other<br />
which helps in keeping disease away. Dr.<br />
Alsous has been carrying out research<br />
comparing the British Black Bee with<br />
four other strains, including Syrian bees,<br />
and has found that our native bees came<br />
out top in their production of honey.<br />
Finally, the HS2 project has been,<br />
and still is very controversial since<br />
its inception and has of course<br />
constantly been in the media. But for<br />
some, hopefully, good news. I read<br />
that HS2 has, it seems, partnered<br />
with the Great British Bee Project to<br />
plant up millions of native trees and<br />
shrubs along the ‘green corridor’ of<br />
the Phase One rail line of HS2 which<br />
will encourage the Black British Bee<br />
to once again flourish. They are to be<br />
monitored over the next few years too.<br />
I know that Dr. Alsous mentions<br />
limes and hawthorn as favourites of<br />
the British Black Bee. Perhaps any of<br />
us who has room for a new tree this<br />
winter might bear this in mind and<br />
perhaps plant one or other – or both.<br />
Sue Whigham can be contacted on<br />
07810 457948 for gardening advice.<br />
119<br />
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Meet theHead<br />
We’ve been finding out what makes the new<br />
Head of Cranbrook School, David Clark, tick<br />
With his passion for travel, languages<br />
and an internationalist outlook, David<br />
Clark enjoys the dynamism of Cranbrook<br />
School’s thriving and diverse community<br />
Tell us about your own experience of education.<br />
I was born and brought up overseas and<br />
was therefore packed off to boarding<br />
school in the mid-1970s, which was<br />
an ‘interesting’ experience. My teachers<br />
identified some academic talent and I was<br />
therefore put into the fast stream which<br />
came as something of a surprise. Alas, like<br />
many of my contemporaries, I came up<br />
with a thousand reasons why I couldn’t<br />
focus on my studies and, instead, found<br />
time to pursue my many sporting passions.<br />
Needless to say, I got rather a shock when<br />
my O Level results were revealed, but that<br />
period of underperformance gave me the<br />
kick I needed and I achieved much better<br />
at A Level and beyond. From school,<br />
I went to study for a history degree at<br />
Exeter and played rugby and hockey for<br />
the university. My PGCE was taken at<br />
Cambridge and I returned four years<br />
later to complete my Master’s degree in<br />
Education Management where my research<br />
on boys’ underachievement was published.<br />
What drew you towards Cranbrook?<br />
I was drawn by its fine reputation, many<br />
achievements and broad grammar intake<br />
as well as by its wonderful location and<br />
tradition of education for character.<br />
Cranbrook’s dedicated staff and engaging<br />
students alongside a commitment to pastoral<br />
care, its enviable co-curricular provision<br />
and its special boarding dimension were<br />
also especially attractive. The School’s<br />
mission, motto and values and its aim<br />
to blend the traditions of the state and<br />
independent sectors successfully were<br />
equally compelling and its ethos was<br />
one that I wholeheartedly supported.<br />
What is your vision for Cranbrook?<br />
We have a collective vision to ensure that<br />
Cranbrook becomes celebrated nationally as<br />
the best state boarding school in the country<br />
– where students are inspired academically,<br />
where they embrace many new opportunities<br />
beyond the curriculum and where they<br />
develop impressive soft skills that will serve<br />
them well throughout their adult lives.<br />
What are your thoughts on the<br />
holistic development of students?<br />
Holistic education seeks to engage all aspects<br />
of the learner and this is fundamental to<br />
developing educational breadth in our<br />
students. In order to prepare Cranbrookians<br />
for their futures, we need to ensure that<br />
they have strong academic foundations<br />
but we must also widen their horizons<br />
beyond the classroom. Much valuable<br />
learning can be done in our societies, on<br />
school trips, on the sports pitch and in<br />
the orchestra or choir. Equally, we must<br />
remember to embrace lessons from those<br />
around us in the boarding house, in the<br />
common rooms or in the local community.<br />
What are the biggest challenges<br />
that face schools today?<br />
The phrase ‘we live in interesting times’<br />
should be re-worded to say that we live in<br />
interesting and highly complex times and I<br />
can’t remember a period when schools faced<br />
more challenges. Teachers are presented<br />
121<br />
with bigger bureaucratic burdens than<br />
ever and students are still struggling with<br />
the aftermath of Covid. Added to that,<br />
schools are caught up in the so-called<br />
culture wars and need to navigate their way<br />
through a range of emotive topics with<br />
care and sensitivity. Additionally, the world<br />
of education needs to better understand<br />
the new learning frontier provided by<br />
breakthroughs in AI and we need to<br />
embrace this particular challenge as the<br />
development of artificial intelligence is likely<br />
to dominate our lives in the coming years.<br />
What advice would you give to the students<br />
of Cranbrook to excel academically, develop<br />
as individuals, and prepare for their future?<br />
My best advice to Cranbrookians is to<br />
embody the school values of kindness,<br />
integrity, aspiration, curiosity and<br />
individualism. If students embed these<br />
guiding principles, I am confident that<br />
they can better prepare for their complex<br />
and uncertain futures and are more likely<br />
to make meaningful and significant<br />
contributions to the world around them.<br />
What is your favourite book?<br />
I go through phases with books but I am<br />
currently enjoying anything by William<br />
Boyd. Any Human Heart is a good example<br />
of his style which I enjoy as he often deals<br />
with broad historical themes and develops<br />
fascinating characters. Equally, I love<br />
discovering new children’s books for my<br />
young boys and books by Oliver Jeffers<br />
are particular favourites… and great fun.<br />
You can find out more about Cranbrook<br />
School at cranbrookschool.co.uk<br />
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Let us help you<br />
face the future<br />
with confidence...<br />
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Look to the<br />
Finance<br />
Future<br />
Lee Wood APFS, Chartered Financial Planner<br />
at Financial Advice & Services Ltd,<br />
explains the potential benefits of financial planning<br />
istockphoto.com/ JWand_Prapan<br />
When asked about their<br />
goals and objectives for<br />
the future, many would<br />
place financial security high on their<br />
list of priorities. Achieving this goal,<br />
however, takes forward thinking and<br />
planning and whilst it is possible<br />
to create a plan yourself, using an<br />
Independent Financial Adviser can<br />
provide expert advice and reassurance,<br />
help identify areas that you may not<br />
have considered, and save time too.<br />
A good first step in building a<br />
financial plan is to first establish the<br />
most important areas to focus on, as at<br />
different stages of our lives, our priorities<br />
will change. For example, a young family<br />
looking to purchase their first home<br />
may well be focused on obtaining a<br />
mortgage or protecting their family in<br />
the event of death or ill-health. Whilst<br />
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too, affordability may well dictate that<br />
these areas take a lower priority for the<br />
time being. Other life events that can<br />
lead to a significant shift in financial<br />
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Engaging with an Independent Adviser<br />
can help identify the most important<br />
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Financial planning is a personal<br />
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Taking a holistic view can also identify<br />
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need to arrange additional life cover,<br />
to establishing a plan to fund school<br />
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None of us know what the future<br />
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how existing plans and arrangements<br />
may need to adapt. Holding a formal<br />
financial planning review at least once a<br />
year can also be the ideal time to look at<br />
annual planning opportunities, such as<br />
using available tax allowances or making<br />
the most of pension contributions. It can<br />
also make sure that your finances are not<br />
affected by any changes in legislation that<br />
have occurred since the previous review.<br />
Investment is a long-term process<br />
and markets will go through bouts of<br />
volatility from time to time. Behavioural<br />
finance studies show that investors can<br />
make rash decisions to sell investments<br />
when market conditions are difficult,<br />
which may not be the correct course<br />
of action to take. It is at this point that<br />
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advice can be found. Speaking to an<br />
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helping you focus on the longer<br />
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Using a Financial Adviser to create<br />
a financial plan, and undertake regular<br />
reviews, can provide many benefits, from<br />
reducing the amount of tax you pay to<br />
providing guidance and reassurance.<br />
Studies have also shown that it can<br />
boost returns over the long term. It is,<br />
however, important to choose the right<br />
Adviser. Independent firms can provide<br />
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whereas a Restricted Adviser may only<br />
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that the Advisers are highly qualified,<br />
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For more information on the services<br />
available at Financial Advice & Services<br />
Ltd, see financial-advice.co.uk<br />
The content of this article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. It is for general information only and should not be relied upon when<br />
making any financial planning decisions. You should always obtain professional independent advice based on your circumstances. Financial Advice & Services<br />
Limited, Independent Financial Advisers, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.. Text © Financial Advice & Services Ltd <strong>2023</strong><br />
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CHRISTMAS AT CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE<br />
CHRISTMAS ARTISAN FAIR - Sunday 25th <strong>November</strong><br />
Join us and our wonderful array of Artisans, Vintage and Creative Small Businesses for this year's <strong>Christmas</strong> shopping event.<br />
Shop locally and sustainably finding unique and special items for your home, for gifts, for the <strong>Christmas</strong> table and for you.<br />
Wander around this historic home for a festive day out with friends.<br />
10AM - 4PM<br />
GATE PRICE ON THE DAY - ADULT: £9.50 CHILD: £6.00<br />
£2 DISCOUNT ONLINE IN ADVANCE - ADULT: £7.50 CHILD: £4.00<br />
More information and tickets visit www.chiddingstonecastle.org.uk/whats-on/<br />
HELLO@CHIDDINGSTONECASTLE.ORG.UK | 01892 870 347<br />
CHIDDINGSTONE CASTLE, HILL HOATH ROAD, KENT, TN8 7AD<br />
A Writer's <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
at Bateman's<br />
© National Trust 2020. Registered Charity no. 205846.<br />
Photography © National Trust Images/Elizabeth Vessey<br />
Visit this winter for a traditional<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong>, with decorations inspired<br />
by the writings of Rudyard Kipling.<br />
18 Nov-1 Jan (except 24 & 25 Dec).<br />
nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans<br />
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124
CARVED ANGEL AT WEALDEN TIMES MIDWINTER FAIR<br />
FAVERSHAM CHRISTMAS<br />
MARKETS WEEKEND<br />
SARAH LOUISE<br />
DIX<br />
What’s On<br />
this Season<br />
CHARITY EVENTS<br />
Sat 11 Nov 7pm<br />
Nizels Golf Club,<br />
Tonbridge, TN11 8NU<br />
AROUND THE WORLD<br />
DINNER HILDENBOROUGH<br />
You are invited to a spectacular<br />
dinner from the highly popular<br />
Around the World Dinner series,<br />
organised by the Hospices of<br />
Hope Team. Grab your sunglasses<br />
and a suitcase as this world<br />
travel dinner promises a fabulous<br />
evening of great food, dancing,<br />
musical acts and more! ‘Boarding<br />
passes’ are £45 per person and<br />
include a drinks reception in the<br />
‘departure lounge’; a sumptuous<br />
three-course dinner with coffee;<br />
plus on-board entertainment!<br />
Hospices of Hope are dedicated<br />
to supporting the development<br />
of palliative and end-of-life care<br />
in south eastern Europe. Help<br />
to raise much-needed funds and<br />
enjoy a great night out too.Book<br />
ASAP to secure your places.<br />
Tickets: £45<br />
hospicesofhope.co.uk<br />
COURSES<br />
Sat 18 Nov 10.30am-3.30pm<br />
Sarah Louise Dix, 57 St John’s<br />
Street, Farncombe, Near<br />
Godalming, Surrey GU7 3EH<br />
ONE DAY FOOSTOOL<br />
UPHOLSTERY COURSE<br />
Enrol on this workshop to<br />
learn from Sarah herself. This<br />
introduction to upholstery for<br />
beginners is taught in classes<br />
of no more than 10 students.<br />
You’ll need to bring your own<br />
fabric (remnants are available<br />
to buy). All tools and other<br />
materials are provided. You will<br />
learn to upholster a beech frame<br />
footstool. Booking is essential.<br />
Tickets: £150<br />
sarahlouisedix.co.uk<br />
FAIRS & MARKETS<br />
Sat 4 Nov 10am-3.30pm<br />
Penshurst Village Hall,<br />
Penshurst. TN11 8BP<br />
PENSHURST VINTAGE<br />
CHRISTMAS FAIR<br />
Showcasing a festive mix of<br />
125<br />
vintage homewares, French<br />
finds, antiques and decorative<br />
interior pieces, clothing, jewellery,<br />
furniture and gifts, all with a<br />
little <strong>Christmas</strong> sparkle! Browse,<br />
admire and shop all things vintage<br />
from a wealth of fabulous traders<br />
from throughout Kent and<br />
Sussex. This one is unique and<br />
sustainable <strong>Christmas</strong> shopping<br />
at its best, with an added<br />
chance to support local small<br />
businesses while you’re at it.<br />
Entry: £2.50 on door<br />
instagram.com/thewealdenbazaar<br />
Thurs 16 – Sat 18 Nov<br />
The Hop Farm, Paddock<br />
Wood, Kent TN12 6PY<br />
WEALDEN TIMES<br />
MIDWINTER FAIR<br />
Who is the fairest of them all? Do<br />
we really need to ask? Welcome<br />
to Festive Shopping at its finest.<br />
Our heated, interlinked marquees<br />
are full of celebratory spirit. You’ll<br />
find all your favourite exhibitors<br />
plus a wide selection of exciting<br />
new stands from independent<br />
businesses who’ll be selling<br />
gorgeous fashion, imaginative<br />
gifts, sustainable homeware and<br />
clothing, art and crafts, home<br />
and gardenware, beauty, and<br />
everything you need to create<br />
the perfect <strong>Christmas</strong>. Head to<br />
the Holly or Ivy Café for a wellearned<br />
tasty lunch or snack. We<br />
look forward to welcoming you.<br />
Tickets and info at<br />
wealdentimes-fair.co.uk<br />
Thurs 16 – Sun 19 Nov<br />
Loseley Park, Guildford,<br />
Surrey GU3 1HS<br />
LOSELY HOUSE<br />
CHRISTMAS FAIR<br />
Step into a stylish, creative world<br />
and enjoy <strong>Christmas</strong> shopping<br />
at its best. Staged next to<br />
Loseley House, over 65 makers<br />
present their unique products in<br />
comfortable, festively decorated<br />
pavilions surrounding the Tithe<br />
Barn. Solve the <strong>Christmas</strong> list<br />
and treat yourselves to exciting<br />
artwork, fabulous fashions,<br />
dazzling jewellery, and elegant<br />
candles and homewares. Enjoy a<br />
selection of artisan cheeses, gins,<br />
chocolates and scrumptious rum<br />
to add to your festive table. Free,<br />
easy parking and refreshments<br />
from the Loseley House team<br />
ensure a super day of shopping,<br />
browsing and enjoying friends<br />
company. Pre pay online or<br />
buy tickets on the door.<br />
ruralcraftsassociation.co.uk<br />
Wed 22 & Thu 23 Nov<br />
Farnham Maltings<br />
FARNHAM MALTINGS<br />
CHRISTMAS FAIR<br />
Deck the halls with <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
cheer. Find the perfect gift for<br />
everyone on your list at Farnham<br />
Maltings’ annual <strong>Christmas</strong> Fair.<br />
With over 140 stallholders to<br />
visit, the fair is bursting at the<br />
seams with unique items not<br />
found on the high street. Browse<br />
and buy from makers across <br />
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Lights, sparkle, celebration<br />
At Scotney Castle this <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
© National Trust <strong>2023</strong>. Registered Charity no. 205846.<br />
Photography © National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra<br />
Celebrate the season with twinkling<br />
trees, the mansion house decorated<br />
for a 1960s' <strong>Christmas</strong>, late nights<br />
and lights, outdoor family trail,<br />
perfect presents, and <strong>Christmas</strong><br />
lunches for festive feasting.<br />
nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle<br />
priceless-magazines.com<br />
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a wide range from textiles and<br />
jewellery to ceramics, accessories,<br />
stocking fillers, decorations,<br />
seasonal food, and more. Plus,<br />
enjoy late night shopping until<br />
9pm with two-for-one prosecco<br />
on Wednesday evening.<br />
Tickets: £3 adults, under 18s go free<br />
farnhammaltings.com<br />
Sat 9 & Sun 10 Dec<br />
Faversham Market Place,<br />
Faversham ME13 7AG<br />
FAVERSHAM CHRISTMAS<br />
MARKETS WEEKEND<br />
Shop for <strong>Christmas</strong> and get into<br />
the festive spirit in beautiful<br />
Faversham. Browse stalls from<br />
across Faversham’s Charter<br />
Market, Best of Faversham<br />
Artisan Market and Faversham<br />
Antiques Market. And don’t<br />
forget to meet the donkeys!<br />
While you’re at it you can also<br />
stop by Faversham’s lovely<br />
independent shops and cafes.<br />
favershammarket.org<br />
MUSIC<br />
Sat 4 – Sun 26 Nov<br />
Venues acrross Wimbledon<br />
WIMBLEDON MUSIC<br />
FESTIVAL<br />
What an incredible opportunity.<br />
This in one of the ‘most<br />
distinguished festivals in the<br />
UK’ where world-class music<br />
comes to Wimbledon. Highlights<br />
include The Juilliard Quartet,<br />
the most important quartet in<br />
istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & michelangeloop & ViewApart<br />
US history; Rachel Podger &<br />
Brexon Baroque with Bach’s<br />
finest concertos; the Wigmore<br />
Ensemble; Sofya Gulyak, Leeds<br />
Piano competition winner;<br />
Philharmonia Orchestra;<br />
Academy Choir and many<br />
more besides. The musical<br />
superstars are heading to<br />
Wimbledon, don’t miss them.<br />
Tickets and info available at<br />
wimbledonmusicfestival.co.uk<br />
PANTOMIMES<br />
Sat 2 – Sun 7 Dec<br />
Yvonne Arnaud<br />
Theatre, Millbrook,<br />
Guildford GU1 3UX<br />
CINDERELLA<br />
This year’s stellar line up<br />
includes EastEnders and<br />
Detectorists favourite Lucy<br />
Benjamin as the Wicked<br />
Stepmother, Radio’s Peter<br />
Gordon in a hilarious Ugly<br />
Stepsister duo alongside<br />
Guildford Shakepeare<br />
Company’s co-founder Matt<br />
Pinches, and CBeebies star<br />
James Merry for his third<br />
Guildford panto. It promises<br />
to be full of slapstick and<br />
slosh, music and magic. BSL<br />
interpreted performances<br />
on 7 Dec at 10.30am and<br />
13 Dec at 7pm. Relaxed<br />
performance on 16 Dec at<br />
10.30am. Dementia friendly<br />
performance on 5 Jan at 1pm.<br />
yvonne-arnaud.co.uk <br />
merriments gardens<br />
GARDEN · PLANTS · RESTAURANT · SHOP<br />
Merriments’ beautiful 4-acre RHS Partner Garden<br />
remains open throughout the Winter months.<br />
Alongside our Plant Area, Shop & Restaurant, some<br />
of our other Winter activities are shown below!<br />
Pick up some beautiful handmade <strong>Christmas</strong> <strong>Gift</strong>s at<br />
our Craft Fair on Sunday 3rd December 10am-1pm<br />
3 Day Course 'Herbs to Boost your Immune System'<br />
Wednesdays 1st, 8th & 15th <strong>November</strong> <strong>2023</strong> : 10am-3pm<br />
Learn about the principles underlying herbalism, how to<br />
grow, harvest & store medicinal herbs and create home<br />
remedies used to treat a variety of Winter ailments.<br />
Taught by medicinal herbalist, Julia Behrens, writer of<br />
‘Lost in Lyme’ & co-author of Neal’s Yard Remedies<br />
FARNHAM MALTINGS<br />
PANTO AT YVONNE<br />
ARNAUD<br />
Merriments Gardens | Hawkhurst Road<br />
Hurst Green | East Sussex | TN19 7RA | 01580-860666<br />
info@merriments.co.uk | www.merriments.co.uk<br />
127<br />
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Fri 8 – Sun 31 Dec<br />
The Harlequin Theatre &<br />
Cinema, Warwick Quadrant,<br />
Redhill, Surrey RH1 1NN<br />
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST<br />
Set in the French village of<br />
Populaire Sur la Mare, a host of<br />
creative roles, colourful scenery<br />
and a fast-paced story bring this<br />
pantomime tale right up to date<br />
with plenty of shenanigans, more<br />
than a trifle of tomfoolery and<br />
an amuse-bouche of comedy<br />
capers. Beauty and the Beast<br />
champions one of today’s most<br />
relevant pantomime stories;<br />
will Belle see beyond the Beast’s<br />
imposing façade and discover love<br />
is more than skin deep? Relaxed<br />
performance on 17 Dec at 10.30.<br />
BSL interpreted performance<br />
on 14 Dec at 5.30pm.<br />
Tickets: from £13<br />
harlequintheatre.co.uk<br />
Thurs 14 Dec – Mon 1 Jan<br />
Malthouse Theatre, Malthouse<br />
Road, St Stephen’s Road,<br />
Canterbury CT2 7JA<br />
SNOW WHITE<br />
Brought to you by the same team<br />
as last year’s record-breaking<br />
production, Snow White promises<br />
to be even more magical, with<br />
a dazzling West End cast,<br />
glittering sets and costumes,<br />
and side-splitting comedy for<br />
the whole family to enjoy, with<br />
tickets starting from just £12.<br />
Don’t delay, book today! There<br />
will be a relaxed performance<br />
istockphoto.com/ RolfSt & michelangeloop & ViewApart<br />
BEAUTY AND THE<br />
BEAST AT THE<br />
HARLEQUIN THEATRE<br />
on 17 December at 11am.<br />
Tickets: from £12<br />
malthousetheatre.co.uk<br />
Thurs 14 – Sun 31 Dec<br />
Sinden Theatre, Ashford<br />
Road, Tenterden TN30 6LT<br />
CINDERELLA<br />
Packed with all of the<br />
traditional pantomime<br />
ingredients that audiences<br />
expect from a Tenterden<br />
Pantomime, Cinderella features<br />
laugh out loud comedy,<br />
stunning scenery, beautiful<br />
costumes and plenty of boos<br />
and hisses. Join Cinders as<br />
she goes from rags to riches,<br />
outwits her very wicked sisters<br />
and meets her dashing Prince<br />
Charming. The clock is ticking,<br />
so book your tickets now to<br />
get the best seats in the house!<br />
sindentheatre.cok<br />
Listings are correct at time of going to press<br />
but may be subject to change. Readers<br />
are advised to check with venues before<br />
making arrangements. We can list your<br />
event in the next issue of <strong>Wealden</strong> <strong>Times</strong><br />
for only £75+VAT. Please supply up to<br />
100 words that should include date, time,<br />
venue, contact for enquiries and any entry<br />
price to whatson@priceless-group.com<br />
or send with payment (cheques payable<br />
to Priceless Media Ltd.) to What’s On,<br />
Priceless Media, Kettle Chambers, 21<br />
Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17<br />
3HF. Priceless Media reserves the right to<br />
edit text to fit space allocated. Deadline<br />
for the next issue is 6th <strong>November</strong>.<br />
Faversham <strong>Christmas</strong> Markets Weekend<br />
9-10th December <strong>2023</strong><br />
9-10th December <strong>2023</strong><br />
Faversham Market Place<br />
Faversham Market Place<br />
Shop for <strong>Christmas</strong> in beautiful Faversham<br />
Shop for <strong>Christmas</strong> in beautiful Faversham<br />
B r o w s e s t a l l s f r o m a c r o s s F a v e r s h a m ' s C h a r t e r<br />
B r o w s e s t a l l s f r o m a c r o s s F a v e r s h a m ' s C h a r t e r<br />
M a r k e t , B e s t o f F a v e r s h a m A r t i s a n M a r k e t a n d<br />
M a r k e t , B e s t o f F a v e r s h a m A r t i s a n M a r k e t a n d<br />
F a v e r s h a m A n t i q u e s M a r k e t .<br />
F a v e r s a m A n t i q u e s M a r k e t .<br />
M e e t t h e d o n k e y s .<br />
M e e t t h e d o n k e y s .<br />
E n j o y F a v e r s h a m ' s i n d e p e n d e n t s h o p s a n d<br />
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Jane Howard explains how<br />
Coopers Farm prepares the flock<br />
for the start of the ‘sheep year’<br />
<strong>November</strong> means tupping time at<br />
Coopers Farm, when the rams and<br />
the ewes get together and the whole ‘sheep<br />
year’ starts over again. But before that happens<br />
there has been lots of pre-match planning to make<br />
sure everyone is match fit and ready for action.<br />
The ewes operate on a five, four, three system. Five<br />
months pregnant, four months milking and three months<br />
off. So the lambs born in April <strong>2023</strong> were weaned in July<br />
to give their mums a bit of ‘me time’ and they have since<br />
been cosseted with good grass and plenty of supplements<br />
to prepare them for the demands of the year ahead.<br />
Unlike cows, pigs and indeed humans<br />
that cycle regularly all year, ewes are<br />
clever, and only come into season after<br />
the autumn (September 23rd) equinox<br />
when the night time hours exceed the<br />
daytime hours. Nature’s way of ensuring<br />
lambs arrive in the spring when the<br />
weather is better and the grass begins<br />
to grow. So traditionally, rams are<br />
always put with the ewes on Bonfire<br />
Night with the lambs arriving some five<br />
months later around April Fools Day.<br />
But first we need to go through all<br />
the ewes to check they are fit enough to<br />
have another successful lambing season.<br />
It takes a lot to produce – hopefully – a<br />
pair of healthy lambs and then provide<br />
them with enough milk to grow into two big strong<br />
lambs. So each one gets a thorough MOT – starting with<br />
their teeth. Like all of us, sheep’s teeth degrade as the<br />
years pass, and without a dentist to fit crowns, bridges<br />
and implants a sound pair of home grown gnashers is<br />
essential. So anyone with wobbly or missing ones is out.<br />
Next we check their teats to make sure they haven’t had<br />
mastitis, which makes them hard and lumpy, and to make<br />
sure they are not too low slung – another problem for<br />
Ewes are clever, and only<br />
come into season after<br />
the autumn equinox<br />
when the night time<br />
hours exceed the daytime<br />
hours. Natures way of<br />
ensuring lambs arrive<br />
in the spring when the<br />
weather is better and<br />
the grass begins to grow<br />
the older ewe. Lambs expect to find the teats high up so<br />
low down doesn’t work – sorry missus you’re out with the<br />
toothless ones. And then there’s the doom laden black tag...<br />
When we lamb in April, we expect the ewe to produce –<br />
without too much trouble – healthy lambs that she milks<br />
and mothers through the summer. If<br />
they don’t measure up – like the one<br />
last year that sat on and suffocated one<br />
of her lambs and the following day<br />
despatched the other in a similar fashion<br />
– then they get a black tag. Bad news.<br />
Once we’ve thinned out the ewes<br />
we make the numbers back up by<br />
introducing the tegs, the name given<br />
to female sheep once they are a year<br />
old but have yet to lamb and are now<br />
destined to be first time mums.<br />
And then, of course, there’s the<br />
other half of the equation, the boys!<br />
The ewe cycles every 18 days and<br />
young rams can manage to get round<br />
about 35 ewes at a time so we have<br />
two. All the action will be done and dusted well before<br />
<strong>Christmas</strong> and we’ll look forward to welcoming Malcolm<br />
the scan man in January to let us know how it has gone.<br />
But before I sign off, and a prelude to next month<br />
when it will be you know what, don’t forget to pick<br />
your holly now. Right now the branches are laden<br />
with berries, so gather them and leave in a bucket of<br />
water in cold place, because if you leave it till next<br />
month the blackbirds will have beaten you to it!<br />
Find out more about daily life at Coopers Farm by visiting coopersfarmstonegate.co.uk<br />
130
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