Surrey Homes | SH108 | January 2024 | Good Living Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

JANUARY 2024 

108 

JANUARY 2024 

GOOD LIVING SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN 

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL

Come and visit our showroom: 

Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP 

01293 826620 

www.rdokitchenstudio.co.uk 

rdokitchenstudio

WINTER SALE NOW ON 

GUILDFORD 89 WOODBRIDGE ROAD, GUILDFORD GU1 4QD | 01483 565027 

KINGSTON FENWICK, 2ND FLOOR, WOOD STREET, KINGSTON UPON THAMES KT1 1TX | 020 8546 6050 

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Our Winter Design Sale has begun, and you can save 15% off on a wide range of furniture and accessories 

to order, as well as up to 50% off on our premium ex-display items. We can help you make the most of your 

space with our free interior design service. You’ll receive a consultation in-store or at home, as well as 3D 

renderings of your space. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call or visit us in-store. 

BOCONCEPT.COM 

12/12/2023 14:58

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

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

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

www.distinctivelightinguk.com 

DL- Surrey Homes 210x297mm 09.2023.indd 1 11/08/2023 15:51:08

Contents 

January 2024 

26 

88 

44 

12 

17 

21 

26 

43 

44 

59 

HOUSE OF THE MONTH 

Dream homes on the market 

NOTEBOOK 

Upcoming events for your diary 

THE MUST LIST 

Keep up-to-date with the latest 

must-see and must-have goodies 

JOINED UP THINKING 

Take a look inside an 

ambitious barn renovation 

GET THE LOOK 

Embrace warm woods 

for true rural living 

A PLACE IN THE COUNTRY 

Explore Fair Oak Farm, a unique 

retreat in blissful seclusion 

GET THE LOOK 

Harness Fair Oak’s 

welcoming, lived-in feel 

79 

81 

85 

86 

88 

94 

WHAT’S HOT IN 2024 

Get holiday inspiration for 

the year ahead with help 

from Baldwins Travel 

TAKE ME TO A NEW 

ADVENTURE 

Trip ideas for the 

intrepid traveller 

SPRING FLING 

See out the rest of winter 

with cosy pastel layers 

NOTTING HILL CALLING 

Rebecca Cuffe’s pretty pastels 

STARTING AFRESH 

Jo Arnell keeps it healthy 

with nourishing recipes 

to try out this January 

WINTER SPARKLE 

Light up your garden with triedand-tested 

winter plant picks 

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

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

Visit priceless-group.com Copyright © 2024 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the 

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

98 

103 

105 

106 

HONEY FUNGUS, 

THE BOGEYMAN 

Sue Whigham tackles a 

pesky fungal beast 

DON’T LOOK BACK IN ANGER 

Education consultant Mike Piercy’s 

tips to move into 2024 with positivity 

WHAT’S ON? 

From social events to 

courses, find out... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard learns something 

new about her chickens 

GOOD LIVING 

SUPPLEMENT 

17 pages of 

health & beauty 

news, advice and 

information. 

After page 60. 

Good Living 

sponsored by 

priceless-magazines.com priceless-magazines.com 

7

Starts 27th Dec 

Discover the Joy of 

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From the 

Editor 

I 

hope that, by the time you read this, you have had the 

most wonderful Christmas with a bit of time to relax 

and reflect on all the goings-ons of 2023. I especially 

enjoyed this issue’s piece by education consultant and former 

Head of The New Beacon, Mike Piercy, where he stresses the 

importance of healthy self-reflection and learning from our 

past in order to move forward positively – wise words indeed. 

Speaking of fresh starts, turn to our special Good 

Living Supplement, where we explore all things health 

and wellbeing, from subtle cosmetic ‘tweakments’ to 

men’s health and some lesser-known effects of the 

menopause. There are the usual insider makeup tips 

from beauty aficionado Josephine Fairley, too, alongside 

an exploration of the latest exercise trends for the New 

Year with Sarah Maxwell, whilst Charlotte Lau looks into 

the benefits of incorporating chia seeds into our diets. 

We all need something to really look forward to and, 

if travel’s your ultimate indulgence, you’ll be interested in 

our rundown of the most memorable trips, from exploring 

stunning sights to getting truly hands-on and adventurous. 

Before her recommendations for winterhardy 

plants in our gardening section, Jo 

Arnell takes a brief hiatus from the frosty 

outdoors to come up with super-nourishing 

dishes to combat Christmas overindulgence. 

Think plenty of greens, beans, veg and 

lean protein with a dash of chilli heat. 

Happy New Year and enjoy 

your Priceless magazine! 

Cranleigh 

Tiles & Bathrooms 

Range of Tiles, Bathrooms and Showers from 

Thomas Crapper Bathrooms, Heritage Bathrooms 

and Burlington Bathrooms. 

Suppliers of Contemporary Ranges including 

Laufen, Roca, Vitra and Roper Rhodes 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales ManagersLisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Senior Account ManagerAndrew Boughton 

Account ExecutiveMarnie Newman 

Wealden Times Show Director Flo Simpson 

Events Manager Liz Miles 

Events Sales Director Jude Brown 

Financial ControllerStephen Hunt 

Accounts Sarah Davies 

Nicola O’Leary 

Social Media ManagerCharlotte Lau 

Managing DirectorVivien Cotterill-Lee 

Executive Chairman Julie Simpson 

15% off when you 

mention this Ad 

Open 9.00am to 5.00pm Monday to Friday 

9.00am to 12.00 midday Saturday, closed on Sundays 

To get our undivided attention we kindly ask 

for you to ring to make an appointment. 

Cranleigh Tiles and Bathrooms 

246 high street Cranleigh 

GU6 8RL 

Telephone 01483 272727 

craig@cranleighbathroomstudios.co.uk 

www.cranleighbathroomstudios.co.uk 

9 

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POOL CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE | SPA | LANDSCAPING 

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istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

Find us here! 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

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12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed 

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Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Bramley 

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Buckland 

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Camberley 

• Romans 

Caterham 

• Shard Solutions 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

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Nursery 

Godalming 

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Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

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Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

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• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm 

Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

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Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on 

Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

TRAIN 

STATIONS 

• Dorking 

• East Grinstead 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

McALLISTER THOMAS FINE ART 

THE WINTER COLLECTION 

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11 

mcallister-thomas-vertical-advert-January 2024.indd 1 17/12/2023 13:55

House 

Month 

of the 

£2,695,000 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

Farnham 

The dream: A striking 

contemporary barn-style 

house in an exclusive gated 

development in the glorious 

South Downs National Park. 

Integrated with energyefficient 

technology, it’s a 

home that’s built to last. 

Where: On the edge of 

Frensham village, just 3.5 

miles from Farnham. 

Setting: Off a pretty country 

lane surrounded by fields with 

fabulous countryside views. 

Beds: 4/5 Baths: 5 

Special features: The stylish 

kitchen/diner/living 

room is a fantastic space 

to cook, eat or relax. 

Pleasing details: The glazed 

atrium at the front of the 

house stretches the full height 

of the building, flooding the 

inside with natural daylight. 

Outside: The rear 

garden opens out to 

rolling downland. 

Time to town: From 

Farnham station, 4 miles 

away, to London Waterloo 

in under an hour. 

Agent: House Partnership 

01483 266700 

housepartnership.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Oxshott 

£3,750,000 

The dream: A spectacular contemporary 

home nestled within the sought after Crown 

Estate, the site of an ancient hunting ground 

used by the Royal family. The property comes 

with plenty of flexible space arranged across 

three floors, perfect for growing families. 

Where: Within a gated community 

a mile east of Oxshott village. 

Setting: Positioned centrally on a 

south westerly facing plot surrounded 

by open fields and woodland. 

Beds: 6 Baths: 4 

Special features: The outstanding kitchen/ 

breakfast room with an abundance of 

natural light is extensively fitted out 

with a range of built-in appliances 

to cater for your every need. 

Pleasing details: For the wine 

connoisseur, a circular wine cellar. 

Outside: The mature gardens of half an 

acre are great all year round with a wide 

sun-terrace and outdoor swimming pool. 

Time to town: From Oxshott station, a mile 

away, to London Waterloo in 36 minutes. 

Agent: Curchods 01372 462000 curchods.com 

Dorking 

£1,825,000 

The dream: An immaculately presented 

family home set within the Surrey Hills 

Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with 

far reaching views across surrounding 

countryside yet within close proximity 

to the market town of Dorking. 

Where: Two miles west of Dorking. 

Setting: Rural Surrey with the North 

Downs Way just a stone’s throw away. 

Beds: 4 Baths: 2 

Special features: The gorgeous 

dining/garden room is the perfect 

place to entertain guests with views 

out to the famed Surrey Hills. 

Pleasing details: The striking flint 

frontage of the house, sourced from 

the chalky terrain on which it sits. 

Outside: The pretty garden 

has some lovely views, a pond 

and a convenient studio. 

Time to town: From Dorking station, 

a 6 minute drive away to London 

Victoria in under an hour. 

Agent: House Partnership 

01483 266700 housepartnership.co.uk 

13 


Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire’s 

Premier Oak Framed Specialist 

Tel: 01483 420 258 I info@surreyoakbarns.co.uk I www.surreyoakbarns.co.uk 

SurreyOakBarnsWT246DPS.indd All Pages

19/10/2022 10:46

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16

Notebook 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

Wine & Dine 

We’re excited to hear that Balfour Winery have opened a new restaurant, 

The Winemakers’ Kitchen, at their breathtakingly beautiful Hush 

Heath Estate (England’s only gold-medal winning vineyard, thanks to 

VisitEngland). The tempting menu is a collaboration between head 

winemaker, Fergus Elias and head chef, Dan Austin – expect delicious 

seasonal, local produce perfectly paired with their award-winning 

wines, proving ‘what grows together, goes together’. Drink in the 

incredible surroundings, huge skies and gently sloping vineyards 

surrounded by orchards and ancient woodland. There’s even a 

free shuttle bus running approximately every 20 minutes from 

Marden train station every weekend during the winery’s 

opening hours (10am-6pm). No need to pre-book the bus, 

just hop on board for a five minute ride to Hush Heath. 

The Winemakers’ Kitchen is open for lunch 12pm- 

3pm Wednesday to Saturday and 12pm-4pm 

on Sundays. From 13th January there will be 

Dinner Service from 7pm-10.30pm. 

balfourwinery.com/visit/winemakers-kitchen 

The Real 

Agatha Christie 

Following a sell-out tour in 2022, 

the Queen of History, Lucy Worsley, 

is heading back out to share the 

fascinating life of the Queen of Crime, 

Agatha Christie. You’ll find Lucy at G 

Live Theatre in Guildford on Monday 

11th March. Why did Agatha Christie 

spend her career pretending that she 

was ‘just’ an ordinary housewife, 

when she clearly wasn’t? Agatha went 

surfing in Hawaii, loved fast cars, 

and was intrigued by the new science 

of psychology, which helped her 

through devastating mental illness. So 

why – despite all the evidence to the 

contrary – did she present herself as 

a retiring Edwardian lady of leisure? 

Sharing her research based on the 

writer’s personal letters and papers, 

Lucy will uncover the real Agatha 

Christie – the story of a person who, 

despite the obstacles of class and 

gender, became an astonishingly 

successful working woman. 

glive.co.uk 

VIVA 

LA DIVA 

Dancing shoes at the 

ready! Here’s an opportunity to 

indulge in an evening of glitz and glamour 

with a three-course dinner, dancing and all 

your favourite diva hits performed by Debbie 

Perolls and special guests. ‘Night of the Divas’ 

on 16th March at One Warwick Park Hotel 

will also raise much-needed funds for 

Hospices of Hope who provide end of 

life and palliative care across south and 

south east Europe (where 92% of people 

diagnosed with terminal illness are still 

without proper care). Tickets are £45 and 

include a complimentary prosecco plus 

a three course meal. Get a 5% discount 

if you book before 4th February. 

hospicesofhope.co.uk 


Top 

Spot 

Are you keen to enjoy the wellrecognised 

benefits of connecting 

with nature or just fancy blowing the 

cobwebs away? Take a look at Kent 

Wildlife Trust’s events this season. 

How about the Guided Walk: 

Winter Birds at Sevenoaks Wildlife 

Reserve (£8 on 2nd Feb) where 

one of the dedicated volunteers will 

help you spot all sorts. With the 

trees having shed their leaves, this 

is a good time to see the regular 

woodland species including goldcrest 

and treecreeper. There may well 

be flocks of overwintering siskin, 

and there are regular sightings of 

redwing, brambling and redpoll. 

On the lakes, the resident ducks 

are joined by shoveler, gadwall and 

wigeon, whilst there’s also the chance 

of seeing snipe and the elusive 

water rail. Take your binoculars and 

be sure to wear sturdy footwear. 

Afterwards head to the Visitor 

Centre to warm up with a hot drink. 

This is recommended for the over 

12s. And if birds aren’t your thing, 

how about bison?! Find out more at 

kentwildlifetrust.org.uk 

Happy New Gear 

If you’re looking for the challenge of a lifetime 

this may be just the ticket. St Wilfred’s 

Hospice in Eastbourne and St Michael’s 

Hospice in Hastings are encouraging people 

to sign up for a five day Hospices to Holland 

cycling challenge. It will take place between 

18th and 22nd September, so you’ve got 

time to pump up your tyres and oil your 

chain. Participants will be asked to raise 

sponsorship money for the cycle, which will 

pass along the south coast, across the Channel, 

and then through cycle-friendly cities and 

countryside in France, Belgium and Holland. 

hospicestoholland.co.uk 

Castle Competition Time 

The kids are back to school 

so it must be time to start thinking 

about February half term! Hever Castle will 

be holding Eco Week and have all sorts of fun 

activities planned. They are inviting children to 

create a sustainable sculpture with a historical theme. 

The winning entry will enjoy a free visit to the Castle 

and Gardens for their class! Completed models should 

be delivered to Hever between Monday 29th Jan and 

Wednesday 7th Feb; voting will take place from Saturday 

10th Feb and the winner will be announced on 

Tuesday 27th Feb. Please see their website for more 

details. Contact Harriet Waldron if your little 

one is interested in taking part by emailing 

learning@hevercastle.co.uk 

hevercastle.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ m_pavlov and tigerstrawberry and Grishina Tatiana / Rostislav_ / Sedlacek / Sergio Delle Vedove 

STOP PRESS! 

Fans of the smash-hit TV show Drop The Dead 

Donkey are in for a treat. The original cast 

and writers of the BAFTA and EMMY awardwinning 

comedy have reunited for a brandnew 

stage adaptation. Richmond Theatre is 

delighted to present Drop the Dead Donkey: 

The Reawakening! from 30th January until 

3rd February. Bursting with razor-sharp wit 

and classic British humour, this hot off the 

press production is one not to be missed. 

atgtickets.com/shows/drop-thedead-donkey/richmond-theatre/ 


18

A unique insight into 

David Suchet’s career. 

Witness some of 

his most beloved 

performances in a new 

and intimate light. 

THU 15 FEB 

0343 310 0055 

GLive.co.uk 

AN AUDIENCE WITH 

LUCY WORSLEY 

ON AGATHA CHRISTIE 

MON 11 MAR, 7:30PM 

BOOK NOW: GLIVE.CO.UK 

19 


Finding a place to eat can be tricky in the 

month of healthy resolutions. Try The Fig 

in Rye for fresh and nutritious small sharing 

plates, featuring local produce and plenty of 

veggie and vegan options. thefigrye.com 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

Trying dry January? 

If so, you may need 

something with a 

bit of sparkle to 

get you through. 

This Peony Blush bottle 

from The REAL Drinks 

Co has a light fruity 

and yoghurty taste and 

comes so well presented 

you could easily think 

you’d picked out a 

nice sparkling rosé by 

mistake. It’s actually 

naturally fermented 

sparkling tea – rich in 

antioxidants and only 

13 calories a glass! 

£59.70 for a case of 6 

realdrinks.co 

What better way to give your home 

a spruce for the new year than with 

beautiful English flowers? Embracing the 

natural delights of the UK’s diverse flora, LÖV 

Flowers deliver letterbox blooms handpicked for freshness. 

They can be ordered as a regular subscription (weekly, 

biweekly or monthly) or a one off treat. Each delivery 

comes with handy arranging guides in fully recyclable 

packaging and will add some natural beauty to any 

interior scheme. From £22 lovflowers.co.uk 

For those looking to 

cook more at home, 

and eat more healthy, 

ProCook are launching a 

new Air Fryer Health Grill on 

January 8th. It costs £179 and 

really does all you need – air 

frying, grilling, roasting, baking, 

slow cooking, steaming and 

more, all in a healthier 

way and without 

heating a big oven! 

procook.co.uk 

Previously known as ‘Blue 

Monday’, January 15 has been 

dubbed ‘Brew Monday’ by 

Samaritans (samaritans.org). The idea 

is to make it a day to catch up and 

connect with someone over a cuppa 

– after all nothing relieves the blues 

better. Our tea of choice? This Baiji 

Relieve Raspberry Leaf Tea is blended 

to sooth anxiety, improve skin, 

boost your immune system and even 

combat menstrual cramps. 

£12.95 at baijilife.co.uk 

If your new year’s resolution was to get moving and exercise 

more, yoga is a great way to do it – giving you flexibility, 

muscle tone, improving cardio health and relaxing the mind all 

in one! We love these colourful yoga mats from London brand 

Ladina Yoga that are eco-friendly, and a tree is planted for each 

one sold! This one is £65 at ladinayoga.com 

A good portable speaker is a must for those 

looking to spend more time outside in 

2024. This Soundcore Motion 300 speaker 

is designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It has 

12+ hours battery life, a compact design, 

and high quality wireless sound – perfect 

for picnics, camping, holidays, BBQs and 

really whatever other adventures this year 

may bring! £89.99 at uk.soundcore.com 

Pantone’s colour of the year 2024 is Peach Fuzz so 

be prepared for this gentle warm tone to be a hot 

trend this year. Annah Kelly, Styling Expert for 

Bridgman says, “It’s not just a trend but a colour that can 

provide a sense of enduring luxury.” – As we can see in 

this gorgeous Edinburgh Modular Sofa Set 1, available for 

£5,059 at bridgman.co.uk 

21 


Chilham Village Hall, Kent

Every mile a memory 

www.chooseleisure.co.uk/freedom

PLOT OR NOT? 

If you think your land or 

property has development 

potential, then give us 

a call without obligation 

and in confidence. 

We are always on 

the lookout for 

land and property 

with development 

potential. 

Many of our 

clients retain our 

services and, in the 

majority of cases, 

pay our fees saving 

property owners 

OR LAND AND significant PROPERTY costs. WITH DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL 

Commercial buildings for residential 

conversion, former public houses, redundant 

buildings for redevelopment, buildings for 

conversion or replacement, houses for 

improvement, large sites on the edge of town, 

barn conversions, large gardens in residential 

areas and major regeneration projects. 

in the majority of 

significant costs. 

blic houses, redundant 

replacement, houses 

conversions, large 

jects. 

Contact Stephen Donnelly on 

07739 514350 or 01892 579937 

website: sjd-projects.com 

email: steve@sjd-projects.com 

For more information contact 

Stephen Donnelly on: 

07739 514350 / 01892 579937 

steve@sjd-projects.com 

For regular updates, visit us at 

twitter.com/projects 

sjd-projects.com 

Specialist divorce & family law solicitors 

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familylaw@thomasmansfield.co.uk 

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Separation & Divorce • Finances • Children • Mediation • Cohabitation • Prenuptial Agreements • Wills & Inheritance Planning 


24

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Joined Up 

Thinking 

Not shy of a serious challenge, Emma 

and Terry Hazelwood undertook a 

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Styling: Emily Pavey 

27 


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28

Previous pages and above: The black steels make a feature 

of the building’s structure and also help to divide up the 

space, partitioning it into kitchen, dining and living areas 

House renovation, like many other adventures, 

is not for the faint-hearted, requiring not 

just practical skills but bravery, tenacity and 

money (but not always as much as you’d think). Most 

importantly you need vision and faith – think of all those 

Grand Designs shows where the journey inevitably falters 

– to carry you through the tough times. When Emma 

and her husband Terry went to view Doves Barn they saw 

an old timber barn and next to it a ramshackle corrugated 

pig shed. Planning permission had been granted for 

conversion, but it had been on the market for a while. 

Where others had faltered and walked away they stood 

firm and took a deep breath. “It was just an oak frame 

that housed a cold store,” explains Emma, “so the interior 

was completely invisible and it was impossible to see what 

the building was like. I think that put a lot of people off.’ 

The vision to imagine – when faced with a giant 

apple store and a pig shed – what things could look 

like on completion, the stop off points along the 

way, and then the ability to hold onto that vision 

until it becomes a reality, is where faith comes in. 

When you are doing all this yourselves and living 

on site as a family, that faith has to extend to one 

another, especially when you are working together. 

Emma and Terry are at an advantage because they 

29 


This page: Emma has curated a feature wall of shelving 

to fill what could have been a large expanse of blank 

wall whilst also neatly camouflaging the TV 

have building experience, although arguably when you 

do it for yourselves it is just as tricky. Together they run 

Hazelwood Building & Restoration and have been working 

in the area for twenty years – “Doing it for everyone else, 

so it was a logical next step for us,” Emma says. “I’m 

originally from a marketing and advertising background, 

but we’d done a few renovating jobs, adding value, and 

I decided that I liked interiors. I did interiors for Terry’s 

clients – it’s also a perfect opportunity to showcase the 

work Terry can do. He studied furniture design, so he has a 

fine eye for detail and can bring a high-end style aesthetic.” 

They re-negotiated with the owners and altered the 

building plans so that more light would flood both 

interiors, before finally installing a mobile home, where 

the family ended up living for two and a half years. 

“We were in there during the first lockdown – with 

two children, a large dog and a lot of home schooling. 

Prices of materials rocketed and it was difficult to 

source some things for the build.” Despite the cramped 

living conditions and the hold ups, Emma appears to 

look back fondly on the period. “We put decking all 

around the caravan and we were there during two lovely 

summers, so it felt a bit like being on holiday at times.” 

They demolished the pig house first, saving enough 


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32 

48 December essentialsurrey.co.uk

This page: In contrast to the contemporary design of 

the new, modern living space, the original parts of the 

barn have all the charm of a period interior, with warm 

exposed beams and low ceilings in a cosy snug room (top) 

corrugated iron to make a covetable little shed from 

some remnants – and in the process a nod to the 

origins of the building. Standing in its place is now 

a large steel portal framed structure. It has a robust, 

agri-chic feel and looks modern and purposeful next 

to the listed vernacular barn, to which it is linked 

with a glass walkway. The big steel beams have been 

painted black and make a feature of its structure, 

like a modern version of the exposed beams of the 

barn. “The beams also help to divide up the 

33 


“We were going 

to have wooden 

stairs,” Emma 

says, “but couldn’t 

get the wood 

during Covid. 

The only thing 

that was available 

was steel, so we 

spray painted it 

deep plum and it 

became a feature.” 

space,” explains Emma, “partitioning 

it into kitchen, dining and living 

areas.” A suspended log burner, also 

black, hangs between the dining 

and living area and a linear LED 

pendant – made by Terry – hangs 

high above the Ercol dining table. 

Bold statements are vital in big 

spaces and, with a vaulted ceiling and 

a huge hooded window at one end, 

this is definitely on the large side, 

although the kitchen section has a 

lower ceiling due to the mezzanine. 

“It makes it feel cosier and more 

enclosed,” she says, but it is by no 

means a dark space, despite the grey 

kitchen units. “We made the kitchen 

ourselves from a birch plywood. It’s 


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36 

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This page: A dramatically dark corridor connects to the light-filled 

atrium. This large, uncluttered space has been made to feel welcoming 

with warm and natural finishes, textures and houseplants 

laminated with a high-tech material 

called Fenix. It’s brilliant stuff, 

resistant to finger marks, and scratches 

can just come out with a finger rub.” 

Beyond the kitchen there’s a stripy 

glimpse of the striking metal stair 

rails that lead up to the mezzanine. 

“We were going to have wooden 

stairs,” Emma says, “but couldn’t 

get the wood during Covid. The 

only thing that was available was 

steel, so we spray painted it deep 

plum and it became a feature.” 

The addition of the mezzanine 

meant that the family were able to 

live in this building while the barn 

was converted, sleeping upstairs on 

the new floor. “The other side of the 

house was boarded up, so we lived 

entirely in this side – and compared 

to the mobile home it felt enormous,” 

laughs Emma. “We moved into 

the modern barn extension in the 

summer of 2020 and built some 

sleeping pods within the mezzanine. 

It was self-contained, and with the 

bedrooms upstairs this was really all 

that we needed. We opened up the 

glass link at the beginning of the year 

and now have five bathrooms – a wet 

room, guest bathroom and three en 

suites.” All very much appreciated. 

Running from wall-to-wall 

through the building is a polished 

concrete floor. This helps to link 

the two separate buildings into 

one, spanning from the new 

barn to the old listed barn. 

Once the gigantic apple store 

was removed from the barn, the 

conversion was fairly straightforward. 

The planners allowed them to 

install big windows at either end 

because, “It could be argued that 

this would have been a wagon-way 

originally and so would have been 

left open,” says Emma. “We were 

allowed to put in one stud wall, 

but on the other side there aren’t 

any windows, so it actually helps to 

make it a mezzanine.” Being able to 

see the whole structure also makes a 

beautiful celebration of the building’s 

integrity and original purpose. 

Spacious and airy, this unenclosed 

area is used mainly for storage and 

features a long line of cupboards down 

one end. “It’s just an Ikea wardrobe 

– the Pax system,” says Emma, “but 

we took sections out of the doors 

and replaced them with rattan. Then 

Terry put a surround in to make it 

look more built-in. We always try 

to use leftovers from jobs and like 

recycling/upcycling. The unit in the 

wet room was a G-plan chest of 

37 


Top left and right: The main bedroom and en suite exist in isolated splendour on the first floor of the barn. 

The couple have been creative with their furniture, installing a run of Ikea wardrobes, removing sections and 

replacing them with rattan Above left and right: A guest bedroom and the main bedroom en suite 

drawers, the floor on the walkway 

was made from oak offcuts. There 

wasn’t enough for a bedroom, but 

just enough to complete this area 

– it was too nice to throw away.” 

This approach is not only money – 

and planet – saving, but also serves to 

illustrate the couple’s ingenuity and 

skill, which in turn enables them to 

offer a unique service to their clients. 

“We offer a one stop shop – design 

and build,” says Emma. “Terry is a 

great problem solver and with interiors 

it’s all about the detail – and offering 

a good service. It’s about quality, 

attention to detail and workmanship.” 

Across the walkway, past a 

striking (and this sort of space 

needs something striking) Sputnik 

chandelier from Abigail Ahern, the 

main bedroom and en suite exist in 

isolated splendour on this floor. There 

are far reaching views from here, 

framed by beautifully understood 

window treatments by Sally Streeten. 

The children’s bedrooms are on 

the floor below, identical in size 

and shape, one either side of the 

central ‘wagon-way’. Emma points 

out the original ancient end wall of 

the barn in her daughter’s bedroom, 

built before the cat-slide roof was 

constructed. The timbers in the barn 

are remarkably well preserved and 

cleaned beautifully, left untreated 

by wax, varnish or paint. 

The light-filled atrium is 

enormous, uncluttered, but made 

to feel welcoming, with warm 


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priceless-magazines.com 40 

“We opened up the glass link 

at the beginning of the year 

and now have five bathrooms 

– a wet room, guest bathroom 

and three en suites... Terry is a 

great problem solver and with 

interiors it’s all about the detail 

– and offering a good service. 

It’s about quality, attention to 

detail and workmanship.”

Above right: The timbers in the barn are remarkably well preserved and cleaned beautifully, left untreated by wax, varnish or paint 

Above left & previous page bottom left: Attention to detail in the contemporary bathrooms Previous page, top: The main bedroom 

and natural finishes, textures and 

giant houseplants. A focal point 

chair leads your eye to the view 

beyond the huge picture window. 

“It’s just from Made.com,” says 

Emma, “but Steve Hanson in 

Ulcombe is a fantastic upholsterer 

– he re-upholstered the chair and 

repositioned the buttons, so now it 

looks like a bespoke object rather 

than a mass produced one.” 

Walking back across the divide we 

pass an effective piece of design that 

makes the best of the potentially 

difficult strip between the barn and 

extension. Stones unearthed from the 

site and yuccas in pots sit on a bed of 

pebbles, transforming what could have 

been a bleak space into a view-framing 

slice down through the gap, looking 

out to one of several zoned seating 

areas and the landscape beyond. 

Glimpses of the countryside come 

in at every window, but the view 

through the window at the end of the 

extension is the main draw. “In winter 

it’s all black out there,” Emma says. 

“It took a while to get used to it, but 

it’s cosy once the log burner is lit.” 

The colours and textures down this 

end are earthy and natural, designed 

to complement the soft tones of the 

scenery around them. Opposite the 

comfortable – and cleverly re-covered 

– Ikea sofa, is a well curated feature 

wall of shelving that Emma has used 

to help zone the space and to fill what 

could have been a large expanse of 

blank wall. “The TV on the wall by 

itself could look exposed and rather 

odd, potentially even an eyesore, 

so we created the shelving unit 

around it to soften it, housing all the 

gadgetry in the cupboards beneath.” 

Each of the living spaces in here 

exists in its own zone, but Emma 

has worked hard to create an overall 

theme, uniting the two buildings 

into one spacious home. There’s an 

uncluttered Danish mid-century 

feel throughout, but the mood is 

relaxed – Emma was determined to 

create a sense of space and calm. 

Together she and Terry have done 

more than that. Marrying two entirely 

different buildings into one – and 

from such monumentally different 

41 


Above left: The striking form of the extension is evident from 

outside, where wooden cladding runs from floor to ceiling on 

the structure, creating a semi-sheltered area of patio 

Above right and left: Emma and Terry have opted for earthy and natural 

tones throughout the barn to complement the worn, warm wood 

eras (1680 versus 2020) – could 

have resulted in a complete missmatch. 

But in the skilled hands 

of Terry and Emma, they have 

become one dwelling, linked by 

the simplicity of their design, the 

honesty of the building materials 

and shared structural elements 

– the staircases, concrete floor, 

use of bare wood and metal. All 

these have combined to create not 

just a showcase for Hazelwood 

Building & Restoration, but, 

more importantly, a shining 

example of how one family 

has worked hard to make 

themselves a beautiful home. 

Address Book: 

To find out more about 

Hazelwood Building & Restoration, 

and to discuss a project, see 

hazelwoodbuilding.co.uk 

The Bathroom Cellar 

01580 713883 thebathroom.co.uk 

Dyke & Dean 

01424 429202 dykeanddean.com 

Sally Streeten Interiors 

(curtains) 07957 136985 

sallystreeteninteriors.co.uk 

Steven Hanson 

(upholsterer in Ulcombe) 

01622 844122 


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43 


A Place in 

the Country 

priceless-magazines.com 44 

Words: Damien Pestell 

Photographs: David Merewether 

A true labour of love, Ian and Penny Ledger have tirelessly 

renovated their idyllic farmstead in Mayfield to be able 

share a slice of their beautiful, rural seclusion with groups 

who hire their multi-award winning retreat venue

These page: The farmhouse’s open 

plan kitchen/diner has a classic 

Aga, butler sink, flagstone floors 

and a large communal dining table. 

“People tend to gravitate to the 

farmhouse and the kitchen especially.” 

Below: A corner of the snug 

Tucked away in the High Weald countryside 

amongst a warren of lanes between Heathfield 

and Mayfield is a place so well hidden that a 

lot of locals don’t even know it’s there. As one of my 

colleagues put it upon his arrival, “I have absolutely 

no idea where I am!” And it is a bit like that. Because 

hidden away in this part of olde Sussex, where time 

moves at a different rate, is an international retreat 

centre disguised as an old English farmhouse. 

Fair Oak Farm was bought by Ian and Penny Ledger 

as their family home in 2005 and has slowly undergone 

a quiet revolution, transforming it into a destination that 

businesses, groups and individuals travel to from across 

the world. And what started out as a small holiday let 

‘on the side’, has organically grown into something way 

beyond their expectations. As Ian puts it, “It was never 

the plan! To begin with we were just letting out the old 

barns. But we’ve just kept adding to it over the years.” 

The development of the site has been spearheaded 

by Ian, whose experience as a project manager in 

construction has been vital. More used to multi-million 

pound projects in London, the farm development was a 

welcome change. He says, “I loved it. It was like going 

back to where I started.” The farm has ridden the rise of 

the wellness industry over the last decade with seemingly 

no end in sight. As Ian tells me, “It’s just not levelling 

off.” Five years ago the success of the farm enabled Ian 

to leave his full time job in London and concentrate 

on managing it full time. His undivided attention 

45 


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This page: The remainder of the farmhouse’s ground floor consists of two snug living areas with 

antique paintings, leather sofas and fireplaces – it’s the oldest part of the house 

has meant he’s been able to finish what 

he started, with the development work 

reaching its conclusion this year with 

the opening of their final building, a 

new treehouse. His work completed 

I asked him if perhaps he might get a 

manager in and take more of a back 

seat. But he was having none of it, “It’s 

important to keep it personal for us.” 

Ian now manages the site, making sure 

everything is perfect for guests’ arrivals. 

The transformation of the farm 

can be seen in the buildings scattered 

throughout the 12 acres that make up 

the site, each is of a different era. The 

grade II listed barns where it all began 

seemed like a good place to start. The 

holiday let business was already in place 

when Ian and Penny moved in with their 

young family, but they never treated it as 

a side line, “Right from the beginning 

47 


This page: Originally a simple two-up, twodown, 

the farmhouse has been extended over 

the years to create a five bedroom home 

we’ve always treated it like a high end hotel, not a 

B&B.” The first thing on their list was to raise the 

standard of the accommodation which Ian oversaw 

himself. He explains, “We re-built the barns from the 

inside out.” Lifting the entire timber frame onto car 

jacks to create more solid footings and then adding 

the plasterboard first. This hands-on approach has 

been instrumental in creating the farm the way it 

is. Ian continues, “Most of the farm is hand built. 

Which means you get exactly what you want. It may 

take more time, but it feels more normal to me.” 

Abutting the courtyard outside is another 

traditional barn, but on a much larger scale than 

the others. As I walk inside I’m gobsmacked to find 

a cavernous space which reminds me of a Medieval 

banqueting hall. A grand part-glazed area with a 

vaulted ceiling and high dark-wood panelled walls. 

When we arrive it’s set up as a dining hall, but it’s 

a multi-functional room that can be turned into a 

meeting space or a yoga studio with relative ease. 

The custom made tables are an example of the 

many small tweaks that have been made across the 

farm to make life easier for guests. Ian says, “I got 

fed up moving the old tables around, these have 

removable tops so they’re easy to shift.” Towards 


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Above left and below right: The calm grey 

main bedroom features high ceilings and 

has proven to be very popular with guests 

Above right: Tucked away right at 

the top of the house, the loft room is 

accessed via a step ladder and feels like 

you’re climbing into a tree house 

the rear of the hall there is another 

example of the constant evolution taking 

place here, this time it’s a bedroom which 

is being changed into a study. “I had 

feedback from guests that they would like 

a separate area to work in, rather than in 

their bedrooms. So we’re changing it.” 

Removing bedrooms might seem 

like a strange thing to do in the 

accommodation business but it’s a 

conscious decision by Ian and Penny, 

which Ian explains, “We’ve actually 

halved the number of people through 

the doors in the last decade, but doubled 

the occupancy.” In other words they have 

more bookings for fewer people. Ian 

continues, “We believe we are working 

in harmony with what the land needs 

and we think that fewer people are 

more sustainable for the farm.” Smaller 

groups also just so happens to suit most 

people who come on a retreat, who are 

looking for space. And so, despite the 

capacity to have over forty guests, they 

have limited it to just thirty-two. “We 

incentivise lower occupancy,” he says. 

“We could have a lot more people but it’s 

a personal decision, not a business one.” 

Outside the converted barn we traverse 

an attractive tiered garden before entering 

a pretty courtyard belonging to the oast 

house. Originally used for drying hops 

it’s now another different place to stay. 

Having never been in an oast house 

before, I was keen to see what it was like 

inside. Downstairs is a really cool reading 

room with bookshelves covering all threehundred 

and sixty degrees of wall space. 

And it’s been converted (with some 

minor alterations) into a lovely bedroom. 

Commenting on the contrast between 

the different accommodation options, 

Ian says, “I’m always surprised which 

space people choose. Everyone has their 

favourite and it’s never what you expect.” 

Upstairs, a striking circular wet room is 

the perfect place to wash away any stress 

with a roll top bath and walk in shower. 

Next door the 16th century farmhouse 

has a sign on the front door warning 

you to ‘Mind your head’ and it’s not 

wrong. Once inside you immediately 

notice the property has retained the feel 

of a family home. “It hasn’t really 

51 


This page: The newest tree house has just 

been completed and features a spacious 

bedroom area with a curved kitchen neatly 

concealed behind a tongue and groove wall 

changed much since we lived here.” 

Coming into the open plan kitchen/ 

diner it ticks all the boxes with a classic 

Aga, butler sink and flagstone floors. 

And like any good kitchen it’s a focal 

point. As Ian says, “People tend to 

gravitate to the farmhouse and the 

kitchen especially.” The large communal 

dining table is often used for group 

meals which can fit ten people around, 

but Ian tells me, “It often ends up 

squeezing in a lot more.” The remainder 

of the ground floor consists of two snug 

living areas with antique paintings, 

leather sofas and fireplaces which is full 

of character and also the oldest part of 

the house. Originally a simple two-up, 

two-down it’s been extended over the 

years to create a five bedroom home. 

Upstairs, the main bedroom with high 

ceilings feels like the largest room in the 

house and is popular with guests. Ian 

tells me, “A lot of people like this room.” 

Heading back into the older part of the 

house I suddenly feel a bit wobbly as the 

floors and ceilings undulate above and 

below me. Warped over the centuries I 

take a moment before continuing for 

one more surprise. The loft room is 

accessed via a step ladder and feels like 

you’re climbing into a tree house. Once 

up the ceilings come down another 


Top, left and right: Besides the farmhouse and tree houses, accommodation includes a complex of beautifully converted barns, shepherds 

huts, an oast house and outbuildings Above, right and left: Dining tables in the central barn have bespoke interchangeable square and round 

tops, to make coordinating group dining hassle free 

notch and a tiny doorway which links 

two extra bedrooms makes me feel 

like I’ve stumbled into Wonderland. 

Outside we move away from the 

original farm buildings and out to the 

various outbuildings which include three 

eco-tree houses, two shepherds huts and 

a hay barn. All of which are huddled next 

to a couple of extra acres reserved for the 

grazing of rare-breed sheep and alpacas, 

or as Ian calls them ‘posh pets’. Beyond 

these wildflower meadows help support 

the local environment, a subject close 

to Ian and Penny’s hearts. He tells me, 

“We focus on what we believe is truly 

sustainable tourism. To us that means 

really working respectfully with the local 

environment as well as integrating 

53 


Top: A trio of alpacas Above left: One of the shepherds huts Above right: A wooden 

sculpture carved by a previous visitor stands proud in the garden 

our services with the local economy, so 

that we can make a difference in as many 

ways as possible.” Integrating the business 

with the local area has helped the farm 

to provide a wide range of services to 

guests and in turn help support the 

local economy, providing everything 

from therapists to private chefs. 

This drive to be part of the solution 

is really what makes Ian tick and sets 

Fair Oak Farm apart from the many 

other similar offerings out there. And it’s 

evident in the newest of the three ecotree 

houses, which has recently opened 

for guests. Ian explains, “The tree 


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55 


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

This spread: A library 

wall wraps around 

the ground floor 

roundel bedroom in 

the oast house, whilst a 

spacious contemporary 

bathroom fits into 

the space above 

house structure is built from a single 

tree, felled locally and milled by us to 

get the sizes we need.” The tree house 

construction was all done by a single 

local carpenter who was assisted by 

Ian. It’s the same design as the previous 

two, bar a few minor adjustments, the 

addition of a second bedroom and higher 

stilts. The tree houses themselves are all 

built along an ancient tree line which 

has been present for over 600 years 

and can be seen on several maps inside. 

Ian says, “We hope that by putting 

these tree houses here [in the treeline] 

it will help preserve it for the future.” 

In recognition of their commitment in 

working with their natural environment 

Fair Oak Farm received an award from 

National Geographic for ‘Unique Lodges 

of the World’. To Ian and Penny it was 

more important than all the other 


57 


Top: A converted cow shed and stable 

cottage can be found to either side 

of the barn Left: A large patio can 

be accessed from the farmhouse 

giant bed, a curved partition separates 

the galley kitchen and en suite, while 

turning à droite reveals another 

bedroom set in a circular annexe and 

accessed via a set of stairs. Heading 

back outside, Ian pauses before we 

leave, adjusting the towels on the bed 

after spotting that one is the incorrect 

shade of green. “I’ve told housekeeping 

about this.” He’s a details man. 

accolades, “It meant more to us because 

they got what we’re doing here.” 

Climbing up the steps to the viewing 

platform outside the higher stilts offer 

some great views across the fields, 

hedgerows and copses that make up 

this area. Inside, the accommodation 

is five star. The balcony opens into 

the main bedroom which enjoys the 

same fabulous views and, behind the 

Address Book: 

For more information about 

hosting a retreat at Fair Oak 

Farm, see fairoakfarm.co.uk. 


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59 


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62

The Priceless Good Living Supplement 

Chic 

Tweaks 

Leading and award-winning aesthetic surgeon, Dr Rohit 

Seth, tells us about the latest trends and advances in 

tweakments and aesthetic procedures 

Tweakments are non-surgical 

treatments that offer quicker 

recovery and fewer risks than 

surgical procedures. Of course, we’ve 

all heard of lip fillers and botox, but it 

turns out there are lots more options 

out there! To learn more about them, 

we asked Harley Street Clinic Surrey’s 

Medical Director, Dr Rohit Seth, to share 

the benefit of his 25 years’ experience. 

Are attitudes to cosmetic 

treatments changing? 

Perceptions are certainly evolving. We’re 

currently experiencing a shift toward 

preventive measures for youthful ageing, and 

are focusing more on a holistic, regenerative 

beauty approach. This integrates cosmetic 

treatments into overall wellness strategies 

and therefore supports mental and emotional 

health more effectively. Looking to the 

future, there is also a growing interest in 

bioidentical hormone treatments which 

are used to address age-related hormonal 

imbalances. More attention is being paid 

to the gut microbiome’s impact on skin 

health and we’re seeing a new influence on 

cosmetic choices from biohacking principles. 

TRENDING TREATMENTS FOR MEN 

Botox – to reduce dynamic wrinkles 

with natural, youthful results. 

Dermal Fillers – to address volume 

loss and contour the face. 

Liposuction Assisted BodyTite – a body 

reshaping procedure to correct gynecomastia (the 

development of excess breast tissue in men). It uses 

an advanced technology called Radio Frequency 

Assisted LipoTightening (RFAL) to liquefy fat cells 

and tighten the skin safely, gently, and efficiently. 

PRP Platelet Rich Plasma Therapy and 

hair transplant procedures – for hair loss, 

effective in restoring hair in areas affected by 

male pattern baldness, but outcomes vary, and 

it’s essential to have realistic expectations. 

Are men seeking out tweakments more? 

With changing societal norms and a growing 

emphasis on self-care for all genders, there 

is an increasing trend in men’s interest in 

cosmetic procedures. Men’s cosmetic concerns 

can be diverse, ranging from facial aesthetics 

to body contouring and hair restoration, and 

all these can be aided by a tweakment. 

63 



How should we choose an 

appropriate treatment? 

A thorough consultation with an experienced, 

qualified, licensed medical professional is 

crucial. They will discuss your concerns, 

expectations, and go through your medical, 

surgical and social history. This will help to 

determine which treatment(s) will be best 

suited for what you are trying to achieve. 

Practitioners should be able to present 

images of their results and discuss the risks 

and benefits of the treatments. Make sure 

your practitioner is a licensed medical 

professional who has the experience in 

the specific treatment you are seeking. 

TRENDING INJECTABLE 

TREATMENTS 

Muscle relaxing injections (Botox) 

– to diminish lines by temporarily 

reducing muscle activity. 

Growth factors (Platelet Rich Plasma aka 

PRP) – for conditions encompassing sports 

injuries, skin rejuvenation and hair loss. 

Dermal fillers (cross-linked hyaluronic 

acid) – for volumising and contouring. 

Profhilo® (an internal hydration 

of the skin) – for an overall plumped 

and rejuvenated appearance. 

How should we choose a clinic? 

Approach cosmetic treatments with 

thorough research, realistic expectations, 

and a commitment to safety. Consulting 

with experienced medical professionals 

who specialise in the specific treatments 

of interest ensures personalised advice and 

optimal outcomes. Ensure the clinic adheres 

to hygiene and safety standards, providing a 

clean and professional environment. Always 

consult with a qualified medical professional 

for personalised advice based on your unique 

circumstances. A thorough consultation is 

paramount to achieve the result you desire. 

TRENDING ENERGY 

BASED TREATMENTS 

Morpheus8 (a combination of advanced 

micro needling and radiofrequency) – a 

game-changer which penetrates deep 

into the dermis to stimulate collagen and 

elastin production, tightening, lifting and 

resurfacing the skin to reverse the signs 

of ageing and improve skin quality. 

FaceTite + NeckTite (procedures using the 

same radio-frequency technology as Morpheus8 

but thermally targets deeper subcutaneous 

tissue of the skin) – more advanced but 

minimally invasive for an instant lift, 

tightening saggy skin on the forehead, around 

the eyes, cheeks, mouth, jowls, and neck. 

BodyTite – for fat reduction, removing 

stubborn fat, tightening the skin, 

and all over body contouring. 

To schedule a consultation, contact Harley Street Clinic Surrey on 

01737 930 400, email enquires@harleystreetclinicsurrey.com or visit 

hsharleystreetclinic.com 


64 

istockphoto.com/ Damir Khabirov

BRINGING HARLEY STREET TO YOUR DOORSTEP 

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• Laser • Spot Injection • Lipogems • Liposuction 

• Face & Neck Lift • NeckTite • Nose Filler • IPL 

• Mesotherapy • Microdermabrasion • Mole Removal 

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All Eyes on Menopause 

Did you know that menopause and perimenopause can have an effect on eye health? 

We talk to the experts at Wilson Wilson & Hancock to find out more 

How do perimenopause and 

menopause affect our eyes? 

Perimenopause and menopause 

are long and gradual processes 

that occur over several years, 

bringing about natural changes 

in hormone levels, particularly 

oestrogen. Oestrogen plays a 

role in maintaining the eye’s 

tear film so its decline during 

menopause can contribute to 

dryness and irritation. 

Are the effects permanent? 

Fortunately, the vision changes 

associated with perimenopause 

and menopause are often 

manageable. As Optometrists, 

we can provide advice 

and supply a range of tear 

supplements or advise on 

other treatments and lifestyle 

changes that will help manage 

symptoms. 

Does anything need to be 

monitored? 

Regular eye examinations are 

crucial during perimenopause 

and menopause to monitor 

changes in vision and address 

any emerging issues promptly, 

as hormonal changes can 

influence the structure and 

function of the eyes. 

When should I get help or advice? 

If you notice significant changes 

in your vision, such as persistent 

dryness, blurred vision, or 

difficulty seeing clearly. There 

are also other effects on the eye 

so visiting us for an in-depth 

eye examination will help us 

check your eye health. Having 

regular eye examinations helps 

to detect eye conditions early 

and to help treat and prevent 

any symptoms you may have. 

Symptoms of dry eyes 

• burning 

• itchiness 

• a gritty sensation 

• excessive tearing 

• light sensitivity 

• blurred vision 

• difficulty focusing 

Treatments 

• artificial tears 

• staying hydrated 

• a diet rich in antioxidants 

• omega 3 supplements such 

as cod liver oil and fish oils 

• Reducing prolonged 

screen time 

Other optical issues associated io 

menopause and perimenopause 

• fluctuations in vision 

• increased sensitivity to light 

• increased risk of developing 

conditions like glaucoma 

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To find out more about the effects menopause and perimenopause can have on eye health and book an 

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66

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WrayCommonS64A.indd 1 28/01/2020 12:25

sponsors The Priceless Good Living Supplement 

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places to find the 

New You 

Whether you stay local or travel further afield, revitalise your 

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Find wellbeing in Cornwall 

Scarlet Hotel is an adults-only escape that’s all about natural 

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sustainable, slow-grown ingredients in surprising seasonal dishes. 

Each room is designed to be warmed by the sun and features an 

outside space so you can feel the fresh air and listen to the crashing 

waves. All guests also get to use a barrel cedar wood sauna, steam room, 

two pools (a bromine one indoors and a natural one outdoors), meditation space, and 

enjoy wellbeing classes including Yoga, Tai Chi, and Ayurvedic advice. For a real feelgood 

refresh, you could also visit the holistic spa and find yourself bathing in a 

clifftop hot tub overlooking the Cornish sea, taking some chill time hanging 

in a cocoon pod, having a full body scrub to cleanse and nourish the skin, or, 

for couples, slathering each other in mud! Book online at scarlethotel.co.uk 

Find easy movement in Kent 

If you’d like to start this year out of pain and with increased 

flexibility, a massage may be just the thing you need, and 

we have one that’s offering £5 off! Priceless’ Emily Pavey has 

scouted out Massage Angel’s lovely treatment room in Marden near 

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68 

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Find fitness in the south of France 

For a boost to your health and fitness, Chateau Lou Casteou is an all-inclusive retreat in the 

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Find peace in Dorset 

Sometimes all you need to feel at your best is a good peaceful rest somewhere 

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Find romance in Greece 

A romantic holiday is a great way to cool down after the kid-centric chaos 

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69 



January’s 

Beauty 

Bargains 

Josephine Fairley finds super-effective, tried-and-tested 

products that don’t come with a hefty price tag 

This isn’t the time of year for 

a splurge. In fact, if you’re 

anything like me, between 

the Christmas credit card reckoning 

and the January tax deadline, you 

will be feeling anything but flush. 

(Er, that’s an understatement.) But 

here’s the thing: nobody needs to 

live on beauty’s equivalent of gruel 

any more. In fact, I’m increasingly 

convinced that high street stores 

and beauty emporia offer products 

that rival (and even outperform) 

the pricier stuff, on many fronts. 

Over the past months, I’ve been 

making it my mission to seek out 

the best ‘beauty steals’ available. And 

could there be a better month to 

share my Top Ten affordable finds 

than this – the gloomiest, brokest 

month in the calendar? Here goes… 

MY MOOD Nail Polishes, £5 for 

singles, £8 for duos. This range 

launched in 2023, from the nail 

wizards at Nails.INC – which tells you 

all that you need to know about the 

quality. The polishes last astonishingly 

well, are ridiculously affordable, 

and the shade range is impressive: 

everything from a nail enhancing sheer, 

slightly pink-toned polish by the name 

of So Beaming that is a brilliant dupe 

for Dior’s Nail Glow (at one fifth 

of the price), through to a passable 

imitation of CHANEL Rouge Noir, in 

the form of a shade called Fly – and 

literally everything in between, from 

nudes to scarlets, shimmers to glosses. 

Revolution Beauty x Sali Hughes. 

Sali is one of the UK’s leading beauty 

influencers and despite being in this 

business myself for 30 years, I learn 

new stuff from watching her Instagram 


70


videos ALL THE TIME. The first of 

Sali’s brilliant skincare basics ‘dropped’ 

in April last year, but a couple of addon 

products launched in the second 

wave particularly impressed me. First 

up, Better in 5 Exfoliating Mask, 

£15 for 50ml, which blitzes dead 

skin cells with a multi-acid blend 

of lactic, glycolic, glucolactone and 

moisturising glycerine (and despite 

having sensitive skin, I have no issues 

with this at all). I also really like 

Ringlight Creamy Illuminating 

Eye Balm, £10 for 15ml, which has 

brightening pigments to disguise 

dark shadows, is lightly moisturising 

(think: hyaluronic acid, glycerine, 

shea butter), but doesn’t make your 

eye make-up slide off your face. 

True Skincare Organic Rehydrating 

Rosehip & Rosemary Facial Oil, 

£15.50 for 30ml. Last year, I worked 

my way through a facial oil that 

costs £185 for 30ml. It shall remain 

nameless, because I think it’s verging 

on criminal to spend that much on 

a facial oil (mine was gifted from 

a PR) – and really, truly no need. 

True Skincare is a brand every beauty 

bargain-hunter should sleuth out; this 

certified organic range began with 

a range of facial oils including this 

marvellous blend for dry skins, but 

has recently added some truly lovely 

skin creams. A skincare name that 

deserves to be much better known. 

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Pro Stylist 

Mascara, £10.99. As far as I’m 

concerned, this was my ‘Mascara of 

the Year’ last year, coming in at just 

over a tenner. The gently curved wand 

can be wiggled easily from root to tip 

to deliver the inky black formula, 

 

71 


IN 5 OF US 

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istockphoto.com/ Azure-Dragon / kasto80 

which is properly smudge-proof. The 

2000 Calorie Brow Sculpt, £9.99 

also impresses, instantly gripping, 

grooming, taming and shading 

brows in a choice of four waterproof 

shades. 10/10, both of them. 

Westlab Bath Salts, £9.99 for 1 kilo. 

There are some very posh bath salts 

out there – £60 for an (albeit sexy) 

jar, anyone…? And then there are 

Westlab’s aromatherapy salts, which 

are rich in magnesium to balance 

body and mind, soothe muscle aches 

and generally make you feel very 

good, not just because of the undera-tenner 

price. I like the Balance 

Bath Salts, with their jasmine, clary 

sage and orange scent, but they 

have several options to be explored 

at Westlab.co.uk. Just decant into 

your own ‘sexy’ jar, if you fancy! 

L’Oréal True Match Super-Blendable 

Foundation, £9.99 for 30ml. I always 

used to advise that foundation was 

one area where it was worth paying 

more – but this definitively proves 

otherwise. Serum foundations are 

very skin-friendly, especially on drier 

complexions (there’s a generous 

dollop of hyaluronic acid in this 

one), and as the name suggests, this 

is ‘super-blendable’. It also has a 

built-in SPF30, and the shade range 

has literally every skintone covered. 

Heathcote & Ivory Hand Creams, 

around £6-8 for a trio of 30ml 

creams. If you don’t already know 

them, Heathcote & Ivory is the most 

wonderful British beauty brand, 

super-stylishly packaged and at 

perfect, pocket-friendly prices. The 

gift collections never fail to please a 

recipient, but the product I personally 

never leave home without is one of the 

hand creams. Formulations are subtly 

different but results are the same: 

velvety-soft hands, achieved instantly 

(without having to flap your hands 

around), and prettily fragrant, with it. 

I find myself spoiled for choice when 

it comes to deciding on which little 

handbag-friendly trio to treat myself 

to next, but I’m particularly fond of 

the beautiful, witty collaborations with 

French illustrator Nathalie Lété – and 

it’s worth noting that H&I also create 

the Cath Kidston cosmetics, which are 

always gorgeous to look at, too. Many 

a happy hour can be spent on the 

heathcote-ivory.com website, without 

even beginning to break the bank. 

The Body Shop Camomile 

Sumptuous Cleansing Butter, £6 

for 20ml or £12 for 90ml. The clue 

really is in the name: ‘Sumptuous’. 

Because this really is, while being 

tough on make-up – long-lasting 

make-up, foundation, general gunk 

and even mascara, if you smooth it 

gently into the eye zone. N.B. This 

has reminded me to go out and 

buy another tin – it’s honestly as 

good as anything else I’ve used 

for cleansing, this year. If not better. 

Faith in Nature Hair Mask, £7 

for 300ml. At just seven quid for 

a whacking tub, you can afford to 

slather this on generously – and there 

isn’t a reader out there whose winterchallenged 

hair wouldn’t benefit 

from that kind of deep treatment. 

There are several mask options 

available, with lovely and naturalsmelling 

scents (as you’d expect from 

a 99% naturally derived range), 

including Shea & Argan, Coconut 

& Shea, Dragon Fruit and Rose & 

Chamomile (my own favourite). 

My last tip for beauty bargainhunters, 

meanwhile, is to check out 

the cosmetics area of TK Maxx (or go 

online for a mooch). I never thought 

I’d say this, but they’ve upped their 

game dramatically on the skincare, 

bodycare and even home fragrance 

fronts, and you may well find favourite 

brands – or even much-mourned 

discontinued products – on the 

shelves. The only caveat being that 

you have to buy it when you see it, 

because it won’t be around for long; 

when I was researching this, they 

had beauty offerings from REN, 

Dr. PawPaw, This Works, Tisserand, 

Moroccanoil and so many more 

familiar brands. Plus, in their stores, 

TK Maxx perennially have a fabulous 

offering of prettily packaged soaps 

– the sort of January mood-lifter 

that we could all do with, frankly. 

As the saying goes, ‘Why pay more…?’ 

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s 

product reviews and beauty tips. 

Soaps, 

from a 

selection, 

TK Maxx 

73 


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TO TRY 

OR NOT 

TO TRY 

Sarah Maxwell gives her 

opinions of the fitness 

trends for 2024 

istockphoto.com/dima_sidelnikov 

Welcome to 2024, where 

the future of health, 

fitness and wellbeing 

is filled with inventive technology, 

sustainability and a much greater 

emphasis on our mental health. So, if 

your health, wellbeing and fitness is 

on your priority list for this January, 

let’s hit the ground running and look 

at some exciting new trends you can 

look forward to this coming year. 

All change at the gym 

Fitness providers across the board 

are waking up to the importance 

of including holistic health* into 

their programs and recognising the 

undeniable connection between 

physical and mental health. 

Fitness centres are increasingly 

providing mindfulness and meditation 

classes alongside the traditional 

weight training and HIIT classes. 

*Science is now backing up many holistic 

practices that were often disregarded. 

Wearable tech 

(Smart watches, clothing and even smart 

jewellery to monitor your health) 

Love or hate them, they’re here to 

stay! Pros include goal setting, activity 

tracking, accountability, progress 

recording and syncing with other 

devices and apps to have all of your 

data in one place. Cons include 

the battery life, which can let you 

down at the wrong moment, security 

issues and the potential to develop 

anxiety and obsessive monitoring. 

Sustainable fashion 

More fitness and leisure brands are 

offering eco-friendly workout gear made 

from organic cotton – grown without 

fertilisers or synthetic pesticides – or 

recycled polyester! Due to my long-time 

love affair with second hand/vintage 

clothing, this certainly ticks my eco box. 

Take a look at wearetala.com 

and sosactivewear.com. 

Hybrid training 

Prior to the pandemic, many people 

were reluctant to exercise online (many 

instructors too). Now the emphasis is 

on a mix of in-person and online fitness, 

with rapid advances in technology and 

availability making it more accessible than 

ever. By combining in-person and online 

coaching, now you can look after your 

health, fitness and wellbeing wherever 

you are in the world and take your pick 

from a huge pool of experts worldwide. 

Virtual training (VR) 

The rise of virtual reality workouts, 

gamification and immersive training is 

rapidly gaining popularity. Workouts 

and wellbeing sessions in a virtual 

world has enormous potential. 

Headsets are currently cumbersome 

(no doubt these will change to be tiny 

devices in the future) and tracking of 

limbs is still not brilliant, however. 

I have to admit, I love VR (I’m 

charging mine as I write this). Virtual 

Reality fitness and wellbeing is still in 

its infancy but progressing rapidly. It 

can be isolating but it’s advancing so 

quickly, the hope is that more multiplayer 

activities will be developed so 

social interaction evolves. We all need to 

connect with others, and understandably 

VR won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, 

but for many it will be a lifeline to 

keep active and engaged. If you get 

the chance give it a go – it’s magic! 

Inclusive fitness 

Inclusivity has finally now become an 

important topic in the world of fitness. 

Gone are the days when you plucked 

up the courage to walk into a gym for 

the first time, signed up to a group class 

and felt intimidated – where exercise 

was reserved for a select few who could 

afford it or were physically able to keep 

up with others. Adaptive fitness programs 

– for example, provision for the elderly 

and specialised support for people with 

disabilities – is starting to become the 

norm rather than the exception. 

The barriers have now been broken 

down, enabling everyone to participate in 

and benefit from a welcoming, supportive 

fitness community that embraces all. 

This year, why not start experimenting 

and finding what makes you feel good, 

recalling that famous advert, ‘Because 

you’re worth it!’ Happy New Year! 

Sarah Maxwell is a multi-award 

winning Lifestyle Wellbeing and 

Fitness coach. You can find her at 

sarahmaxwell.com. Get in touch via 

email at sarahmaxwell@mail.com 

and on social @sarahmaxlife 

75 



istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, Agustin Vai 

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our 

diets. This month it’s chia seeds 

Chia seeds are highly nutritious tiny black seeds from 

the Salvia hispanica plant that make an incredibly 

versatile ingredient which can be added to thicken 

sauces, as an egg replacement or even used to make a 

sugar-free jam! They are packed with fibre, protein, omega- 

3 fatty acids and various micronutrients plus powerful 

antioxidants, which provide several health benefits. 

Antioxidants help to fight free radicals in the body 

which cause oxidative stress and cell damage, so eating 

foods rich in antioxidants may help to reduce your risk of 

developing many health issues associated with free radicals, 

including heart disease, cognitive decline and certain types 

of cancer. They also contain Quercetin, an antioxidant 

that can reduce your risk of developing heart disease. 

A handful of chia seeds (25g) supplies almost 9g 

of fibre which makes a healthy contribution towards 

Charlotte runs Plume Nutrition, where she offers support and advice 

for weight management, controlling cravings, sleeplessness, stress 

and increasing energy levels. Find out more at plumenutrition.com 

the daily recommended amount of 30g. Adequate 

fibre in your diet is important for digestive health, 

maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and blood sugar 

regulation. But be sure to build up your intake slowly 

because, due to their high fibre content, eating too 

many chia seeds may cause constipation, diarrhoea or 

bloating – so increase them slowly into your diet. 

Energising and fibre-rich breakfast 

smoothie with chia seeds 

This nourishing smoothie is packed with a hit of spicy 

ginger, vitamin-rich berries and creamy almond milk and 

butter – a perfect way to enjoy your chia seeds Serves 1 

• 1 thumb-sized piece 

of ginger, peeled 

and chopped 

• 100g mixed frozen berries 

Simply place all the ingredients into a 

blender and blitz until smooth! 

• 1 small banana 

• 150ml almond milk 

• 1 tbsp almond butter 

• 1 tbsp chia seeds 


76

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Tel. 01372 674 279 

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Around the World with 

Baldwins Travel’s BIGGEST EVER 

New Year GIVEAWAY 

Europe 

Win 1 of 9 Luxury Hampers and a 

£500 Baldwins Travel Voucher 

To enter and to find holiday inspiration, visit 

baldwinstravel.co.uk/ATW 

T&C’s apply 

Pop into your local Baldwins Travel branch for more details 

Tunbridge Wells - Cranbrook - Haywards Heath - Lewes - Maidstone - 

Sevenoaks - Tenterden - Tonbridge - Uckfield 

Africa Middle East Asia Australia 

South America Caribbean USA & Canada Cruise

What’s 

HOT in 2024? 

Struggling for inspiration for your next holiday? Here is your 

guide from the experts at Baldwins Travel! 

The Caribbean 

Stunning beaches, vibrant cultures, and that sun. The Caribbean has a special kind of 

warmth that must be felt in person. Visit Bathsheba or Carlisle Bay in Barbados to 

find yourself in a paradise of pristine white sand and lukewarm water where you can 

equally recline under a coconut tree with a good book, or take to the sea with amazing 

spots for surfing and scuba diving. Meanwhile, Jamaica is full of life, resonating 

with the offbeat rhythms of reggae, its liberating and fun-loving culture is best felt at 

the major music festivals held throughout the year. To experience the real nightlife of 

Jamaica, where spicy jerk chicken sizzles on the grill and smooth rum flows freely, check 

out bars such as Usain Bolt’s Tracks & Records in Kingston or Elevate Night Club & 

Lounge in Montego Bay. The love for the Caribbean islands really does start as soon as 

you arrive and stays with you long after that golden tan fades. 

Sydney Opera House 

istockphoto.com/ Ralf Liebhold / Ondrej Bucek 

Italy 

Bourbon beach in Negril, Jamaica 

Overflowing with history, culture, art, and natural 

beauty, you can’t go wrong with a holiday in Italy. 

For a city break, Rome and Florence, will each 

allow you to delve deeper into Italian history and 

culture. In Rome be sure to explore the expansive 

Roman Forum (worth noting it’s free on the 

first Sunday of every month), and find Pinsitaly 

Trevi – a little gem hidden in plain sight, right 

in the centre of it all by the Trevi Fountain – 

where you can have your Eat Pray Love moment 

over an authentic pizza that is simply deliziosa. 

In Florence, grab a gelato and an Aperol spritz 

outside the stunning cathedral, Duomo di 

Firenze (or even climb its 463 stairs if you’ve got 

the energy) see Michaelangelo’s iconic David, 

and round off the trip with an epic steak dinner 

at Trattoria Zà Zà. In Bologna, the birthplace 

of Bolognese sauce, you can wander the buzzing 

medieval streets of the Centro Storico, lined with 

foodie finds galore. And in Tuscany find some 

of the world’s very best vineyards and wineries 

and just sip and relax! The real problem with 

a holiday to Italy is that will leave you wanting 

to explore different regions year after year. 

AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND 

When landing in Australia, start your trip in Sydney, where 

you can visit one of the world’s most recognisable buildings, 

The Sydney Opera House, then take a stroll along the 

Sydney Harbour Bridge and admire the breathtaking 

views of the whole city. For thrill-seekers looking for their 

adrenaline rush, New Zealand is the hub for adventure sports; 

take the plunge bungee jumping at The Nevis Bungy and 

Swing, the third highest bungee jump in the world, with the 

platform 134m above the Nevis Canyon floor. 

The Florence cityscape 

79 

Throughout January and February, Baldwins will be holding 

Meet The Expert days, having special offers and even giving 

away nine £500 holiday vouchers and luxury hampers! 

Visit baldwinstravel.co.uk/Around-the-World before the end of 

February to complete a simple form and enter the prize draw 

and find more holiday inspiration for 2024 and beyond. 


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Ayda 1 is a very spacious and comfortable family run Fountain Pajot 

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80

Take me to... 

A NEW ADVENTURE 

We’re kicking off our new travel feature with a collection of travel ideas to 

get you trying something new with explorative and adventurous trips 

A journey to the heart of nature 

Mount Kinabalu at Sabah, Borneo 

Borneo is a wild experience that will introduce you to nature 

and the animal kingdom in ways you’ve never experienced 

before. Famously the natural habitat of the magnificent 

orangutans, Borneo is also home to pygmy elephants, the 

world’s largest cave system and the oldest rainforest. In 

short, Borneo is a land of wonders; a place where nature and 

culture coexist in harmony. To feel safe and supported on your 

adventure, luxury travel consultancy, My Paradise Found, 

can create a beautiful, exciting, and adventurous itinerary 

tailored to you. Go for a river cruise, climb the iconic Mount 

Kinabalu explore the largest cave system in the world, or 

relax at some of the most luxurious and eco-friendly resorts 

and lodges. Whatever you’re looking to experience in Borneo, 

My Paradise Found can take care of flights, transfers, and 

accommodation, along with tours, guides, and activities. They 

are also always on hand to help and assist before, during, and 

after your trip so you can feel confident, comfortable, and 

cared for every step of the way on your wild adventure! 

myparadisefound.co.uk 

explore the largest cave 

system in the world 

The Sekonyer River 

Proboscis monkey clan 

The Ayda 1 

Chart your own odyssey 

There really isn’t any greater adventure than having the freedom to sail away and follow your 

own bliss. This option is a rentable catamaran that can serve as a safe and luxurious home hub 

as you embark on whatever journey you choose. It’s the perfect way to discover Marmaris on 

the Turkish Riviera and the surrounding Turquoise Coast. Unwind in the secluded bays of 

Ciftlik, Bozzukale, or Sogut, explore the buzzing boutique shops and restaurants of Selimiye 

and Bozburun, or travel further to the Datca Peninsula and over towards Bodrum. You can 

even sail further afield to discover the Greek islands – Rhodes, Kos, Symi, and other small 

gems in between are all reachable aboard Ayda 1. The catamaran is a comfortable and beautifully 

maintained 2012 Orana 44 that will give you complete comfort and performance at sea, with 

all the bells and whistles including solar panels, a swim platform, speakers, a grill, and even a 

Nespresso machine. It has 4 double cabins all with a private wc/shower, so can accommodate up to 

8 passengers when cruising (plus your captain to guide you in your adventures included in the fee). 

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discover Marmaris on the Turkish Riviera 

and the surrounding Turquoise Coast 

Marmaris, Turkey 

81 


Bridge Ponte Pietra in Verona 

sit and watch the 

tranquil flow of the 

Muncio River 

as the world 

passes by 

An operatic Cultural exploration 

For those looking to explore something new and unique culturally, how about 

seeing the opera in Verona’s grand amphitheatre? Departing on the 24th of 

July 2024 and returning on the 29th, Airdale Tours is offering a trip to Verona 

for the magical Arena di Verona Festival. Alice Priestley, Marketing Executive at 

Airedale Tours says, “I can verify that this trip is a fabulous one, I joined last year 

and had the most amazing time!” The trip includes two operas, Carmen and La 

Boheme, and Alice confirms that this cultural experience “was a true spectacle to 

behold, simply spectacular with world-famous sopranos, setting, and orchestra”. 

With multiple walking tours there will also be plenty of time to take in the 

romantic Verona, where Shakespeare set Romeo and Juliet, nearby Mantua 

where you’ll explore the Ducal Palace, and the incredibly pretty Borghetto, 

where you can sit and watch the tranquil flow of the River Mincio as the world 

passes by. As if that just isn’t enough cultural enrichment, this trip also includes 

excursions to sparkling wine tasting in Franciacorta and Lake Iseo. 

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The Verona Arena 

Pack your bags! 

Blue porcelain Italian 

travel mug £16 Spode 

spode.co.uk 

keep 

yourself 

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and 

energised 

Get set for an Italian adventure with travel essentials and little luxuries 

always stay 

sun safe! 

Back Bay 

responsibly 

sourced leather 

jewellery roll 

$108 Ivy Cove 

ivycove.com 

SPF 50 Sun 

Defence Drops 

£78 Olivanna 

olivanna.com 

Oliver Bonas Angular 

Faux Tortoiseshell 

Sunglasess £28 

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pick a bag 

thats ’ secure 

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carry 

Irina crossbody 

bag in orange 

saffiano leather 

£365 Anya Sushko 

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suitcase in Cloud 

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a personalised 

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airport 


82

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

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84

Spring Fling 

Dreaming of a change of season? Layer calming pastels 

and taupes for a cosy start to the New Year 

Photograph: David Merewether 

Faux shearling multiway coat £136.50, Cara & The Sky jumper £85, Rosamunde silk and lace cami £94, 

Mos Mosh jeans £109, Donna Lei suede boots £165, Abro leather bag £299, Access Fashion jewelled 

headband (on jumper) £20, Rachel Jackson pearl necklace £165, earrings £138.75 

all Odyl odyl.co.uk 

85 


Purple heart charm 

enamel hoops 

£36 Seol + Gold 

seolgold.com 

Amelie peach cats eye sunglasses £30 

Scamp and Dude scampanddude.com 

Beach hut pendant necklace 

£52 Reeves & Reeves 

reevesandreeves.com 

Idylle jumper 

in blush £45 

Rosella Style 

rosellastyle.com 

Brittany 100% merino 

wool cardigan £140 

Aspiga aspiga.com 

Knit bobble hat 

£14 Monsoon 

monsoon.co.uk 

Saffiano leather 

Irina crossbody bag 

£365 Anya Sushko 

anyasushko.com 

Raya scarf £35 Fat 

Face fatface.com 

Pink baguette 

charm hoops £45 

Scream Pretty 

screampretty.com 

Notting Hill Calling 

Gustavia bag 

in Aqua with 

detachable strap 

$178 Ivy Cove 

ivycove.com 

Peach fuzz, lovely lilac, cool blue, buttery yellow and millennial 

pink; a scandified pastel pallet reminicent of the pretty terraced 

houses of Notting Hill is the way to go in 2024 

Gucci geometric 

cat eye sunglasses 

£300 Liberty 

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Carrington cardigan 

with pink Greek tragedy 

buttons £280 Hades 

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Reiss Louise lemon 

cape-sleeve midi 

£268 John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Beachcombing 

earrings £30 

Tatty Devine 

tattydevine.com 

Project Two GRFX watch 

£60 Adidas adidas.co.uk 

L.K.Bennett Elodie overcoat 

£440 John Lewis johnlewis.com 

Pink beret £13 

River Island 

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Summer Love agate cuff £65 YAA 

YAA LONDON yaayaalondon.com 

Noah peach tropical 

safari sweatshirt £58 

Sugarhill Brighton 

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Pink ring £120 Joanna Laura 

Constantine joannalauraconstantine.com 

Monsoon stud earrings 

£244 Rachel Quinn 

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86 

Aahana vegan 

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88

Starting 

Afresh 

It might be cheesy to talk about healthy recipes in January, but 

there’s probably a good reason for it: in the dark midwinter 

days we need the boost that raw and simply prepared foods 

can give us. These healthy dishes are flavoursome, packed 

with mood lifting antioxidants – and barely any cheese. 

Recipes: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether 

Griddled Harissa Chicken 

Serves 4 Prep time: 5-30 mins 

Cooking time: 20-30 mins 

This is literally chicken coated in harissa seasoning and simply griddled. 

To make the harissa paste, see the ingredients below, or buy ready made. 

• 4 chicken breasts 

• 2 small roasted peppers (from a jar) 

• 4 garlic cloves, crushed 

• 4-5 small red chillies, finely chopped 

• 2 tsp cumin seeds 

• 2 tsp coriander 

• 1 tsp caraway 

• 1 tsp fennel 

• 1 tbsp tomato paste 

• juice of 1 lemon 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

Place all the harissa ingredients in a blender and blitz to a paste. 

Spread over chicken and leave to marinate for 30 minutes. Heat 

griddle pan and cook the coated chicken for 5-10 minutes on 

each side, until chicken is cooked through. Serve either hot 

with mixed seasonal vegetables, or cooled with salad. 

 

89 


Jewelled Salad 

Serves 4 Prep time: 

15 minutes 

Orange and 

pomegranate are in 

season, naturally 

packed with nutritious 

flavours – sweet and 

sour combine in this 

mint infused salad. 

It goes well with the 

harissa chicken. 

• 1 bag mixed salad 

leaves, washed 

• 2 oranges, peeled 

and sliced 

• seeds from a 

pomegranate 

• 100g feta cheese, 

crumbled 

• 100g walnut pieces 

For the dressing: 

• juice of 1 lime 

• 1 tbsp honey 

• 2 tbsp olive oil 

• 1 small handful 

of mint leaves, 

finely chopped 

Combine salad leaves, 

sliced oranges and 

pomegranate seeds 

in a serving bowl, 

add dressing and toss 

together gently. Sprinkle 

with crumbled feta 

and walnuts to serve. 


Carrot and Ginger Soup 

Serves 4 Prep time: 5-10mins 

Cooking time: 20 mins 

This is a zingy carrot soup that can 

be made really quickly and from a 

few simple ingredients. Carrots are 

naturally high in carotene and ginger 

is soothing, anti-inflammatory and 

will even help you fight a cold. 

• 1 onion, chopped 

• 300g carrots, roughly chopped 

• 4cm chunk fresh ginger 

root, peeled and chopped 

• 900ml vegetable stock (I used 

bouillon vegetable stock powder) 

• 100ml white wine 

• 100g chopped coriander 

to garnish (optional) 

• salt and pepper, to taste 

Sauté the onion gently in butter (or 

oil) for 5 minutes until soft. Transfer 

to a large saucepan, add all the rest 

of the ingredients bar the coriander 

and seasoning, bring to the boil and 

simmer gently for 20 minutes. Blitz 

with a stick blender until smooth, 

season, garnish and serve – either on 

its own if you’re being ultra healthy, 

or with warm crusty bread. 

91


New Year Salad – Two ways 

The hardest part of this recipe is the 

slicing of the ingredients – think of 

it as part of your exercise regime, or 

use a mandoline (not to be confused 

with the musical instrument). I’ve 

used the ingredients in two ways, in 

case you can’t find the rice wraps, 

or (like me) find them a bit fiddly. 

If making the wraps, use the Asian 

inspired dressing as a dipping sauce. 

Lettuce Bowl 

Serves 4 Prep time: 30 minutes 

• 4 large lettuce leaves – Iceberg is 

best as the leaves are ‘bowl’ shaped 

• 2 more lettuce leaves, shredded 

• 1 red pepper 

• ¼ of a red cabbage 

• 4 spring onions 

• half a cucumber 

• 1 carrot 

• 2 tbsp pickled (sushi) ginger 

• 100g edamame (soya) beans 

• 160g hot smoked trout (or salmon) 

For the dressing/dipping sauce: 

• 2 tbsp (30ml) soy sauce 

• 1 tbsp (15ml) rice wine vinegar 

• 3 tbsp (45ml) mirin 

• 2 tbsp sesame oil 

• 1 small red chilli, finely chopped 

• 1 tsp grated ginger 

• 1 clove garlic, crushed/grated 

Slice off the bottom of the lettuce and 

carefully unwrap it – discard the outer 

couple of leaves and the central ‘core’, 

so that you are left with four ‘that are 

bowl’ shaped. Any leftover bits can be 

shredded to add to the salad. Thinly 

slice pepper, spring onion, cucumber 

and carrot length-wise and toss together 

with the edamame, pickled ginger, 

cooked smoked fish and dressing. 

Spoon into lettuce bowls and serve. 

Rice Paper Wrap 

(left) 

Ingredients are as above, but omit the 

lettuce and use 8 rice paper wraps 

I soaked each wrap individually for 

a minute to soften, as they tend to 

stick together and/or dry out if not 

kept on the damp side. Lay each wrap 

out flat, place the salad ingredients 

along the centre, fold in the ends 

and roll up the wrap. Serve with 

a small bowl of dipping sauce. 

93

Winter Sparkle 

Jo Arnell highlights the seasonal gems primed to light up your garden 

Not much is actively growing 

out in the garden – it is the 

dormant season and our 

plants are gently ticking over, preparing 

themselves for the year ahead, or if 

they are more tender, desperately 

trying to survive the cold of a British 

winter. We can help the less hardy with 

mulch and fleece – and sometimes 

this is enough, depending on how far 

below zero the temperature goes… 

Frost may spell trouble for some, but 

it can look very pretty – a glittery 

dusting of white enhancing structures 

and evergreen shapes. If your garden is 

looking far from magical right now, it 

might be time to add (when the soil is 

more receptive) some plants that will 

manage the winter weather and stay 

looking good through the bleak weeks. 

Evergreens 

It is hard to beat the quiet 

handsomeness of a well-shaped 

evergreen. Some are just made that way, 

growing neat and well-formed without 

any interference, others (a bit like 

some of us) can be made to be pretty 

with a little tweaking and pruning. 

Taken to extremes, pruning evergreens 

turns into an art form and plants 

become living sculptures. Small 

leaved shrubs like yew, pittosporum, 

euonymus, famously box (but off the 

menu in some gardens for now due to 

the ravaging effects of the box moth 

caterpillar) can be clipped into low 

hedges, balls, spirals and pyramids. In 

fact yew can be trained into any shape 

you like, but it takes patience, practise 

and a bit of vision to create them. 

We might aim for a perfect peacock, 

but end up with a squiffy squirrel. 

Hardy evergreen shrubs will provide 

structure and colour all year, as a foil 

or backdrop to the summer plants, but 

coming into the foreground in winter. 

Frost may kill the more tender plants, 


Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’ 

Helleborus orientalis 

Viburnum tinus 

Sarcoccoca confusa 

istockphoto.com/ Mykhailo Povoroznyk / Tom Meaker / MichelR45 / Wirestock / 

DragonTiger / tamara_kulikova 

but it positively enhances the look 

of many evergreens; Viburnum tinus 

and its shorter, bigger leaved relation 

Viburnum davidii, have dark green 

glossy leaves; Osmanthus has leaves a 

little like box, but is faster growing and 

has the added bonus of scented spring 

blossom; stalwart Elaeagnus is tough 

as old boots and puts up with hard 

frost – and hard pruning. All of these 

will look good through the winter. 

Winter Sun 

So it’s not actual sun, but a burst of 

cheery yellow from a plant in the 

depths of winter is sometimes as close 

as we get. Mahonia is a favourite 

for this – a striking evergreen with 

aggressive looking serrated foliage 

and spectacular, highly scented yellow 

flowers – like spiky bursts of sunshine. 

Acacia dealbata (mimosa) is bigger, 

more of a tree, and needs a sheltered 

site, but it is a lovely thing to grow 

if you can, and will shine out like 

a beacon in late winter, covered in 

fluffy chick yellow, scented blossom. 

There is a smallish early narcissi 

that naturalises well and can also 

be grown in pots and borders, as it 

doesn’t have the enormous leaves of 

some daffodils that flop about for 

weeks once the flowers are over. It is 

called ‘February Gold’, but can often 

be seen earlier than that, its cheery 

heads nodding in the chilly breeze. 

Winter Fragrance 

Winter flowering plants rely on scent 

to attract pollinators. The few tough 

little insects that eke it out through 

the winter are drawn in by the scent of 

the flowers, rather than the colour, so 

the plants often have tiny, insignificant 

flowers. In fact you may not notice 

them at all, until you get within a few 

metres and are hit by their fragrance 

– and even then it can be hard to 

 

95 


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96 

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

Anemone blanda 

know where the scent is coming from. 

Sarcococca confusa (Christmas box) is 

a small, low growing evergreen, often 

overlooked, but it pumps out an almost 

overwhelming perfume. Two larger 

shrubs that are straggly nothings in 

summer, but hard to be without at this 

time of the year, are the wintersweet 

– Chimonanthes praecox and Lonicera 

‘Winter Beauty’, a winter flowering 

honeysuckle. Plant them where they 

can fade into the background once 

the flowers are over, but near enough 

for you to catch the fragrance. 

Many of these late winter and early 

spring performers are suitable for 

growing in containers too, in fact 

something like a camellia may even 

prefer it, as these need acid soil. 

The great thing about a plant in a 

pot is that it can be moved away 

from centre stage once it’s done its 

thing – if you can move it, that is. 

Magic Wands 

The young stems of dogwoods (Cornus) 

will provide brilliant winter colour, 

especially if you are able to plant several 

together. Dogwoods will grow in most 

soil conditions, and they actually quite 

like damp or heavy soils. They don’t 

mind shady conditions, but their stem 

colour shows up best in full sun. They 

will send out suckers, so plant them 

where they have room to spread. The 

stems also look good cut and poked into 

winter containers, bringing height and 

structure – they may even take root. 

For the best stem colour, Dogwoods 

should be cut back hard in spring to 

encourage the growth of new young 

stems which have the strongest colour. 

Some will cope with hard pruning 

better than others – generally the more 

vigorous the growth, the harder you can 

cut back. After pruning, mulch around 

the roots with compost or other wellrotted 

organic material, but not right up 

to the stems, as this could cause them to 

rot. Mulching will feed and condition 

the soil – and also help retain moisture. 

Dogwoods won’t get too tall, because 

they are regularly pruned to the base. 

Some of the best for stem colour are: 

Cornus alba ‘Sibirica’, which has bright 

red new growth, while the aptly named 

C. sanguinea ‘Midwinter Fire’ has young 

stems that literally look as if they’re 

on fire – in shades of yellow/orange 

tinged with red. Cornus stolonifera 

‘Flaviramea’ has yellow-green stems; 

Cornus alba ‘Kesselringii’ has young 

growth of a deep purple colour. 

Willows can (literally) run about in 

the garden, so should be carefully 

positioned, as they can be invasive and 

hard to remove. They are fast growing 

and some have brightly coloured 

stems to rival the dogwoods. Salix 

‘Britzensis’ is one of the best for stem 

colour, but will need regular pruning. 

Just like Cornus, willows are best 

grown near water or in boggy places. 

Jewelled Carpets 

Bare stems and branches are 

companionably set off with contrasting 

carpets of snowdrops – the earliest of the 

bulbs to flower. These tough little plants 

will push up through snow (hence the 

name) and frozen ground and naturalise 

quickly in places where not much else 

dares to grow – in the shade and among 

the roots of trees. Slightly later, but 

still early, Cyclamen coum, Anemone 

blanda, and bulbs like winter aconite 

and crocus will emerge. These little 

treasures are best seen in massed throngs 

beneath the trees, where they make 

the most of the light before the dense 

canopy of leaves closes in on them. 

Hellebores are good and hardy, often 

flowering where not much else will 

and are a great asset in the garden 

at this time of the year. Helleborus 

niger (the Christmas rose) flowers in 

winter, these are usually white, but 

Helleborus orientalis cultivars flower 

later, most often in pink shades from 

pale to the darkest burgundy. 

Low growing evergreens look good 

next to bare stems, even low growing 

dwarf conifers, or hardy ferns such 

as Polystichums will work well and 

bring all year foliage interest. 

Structure is vital in the garden, perhaps 

even more so in winter when we 

can’t distract ourselves with flowers 

and foliage. We need architecture, 

focal points and framework plants. 

Right now evergreens, or those with 

elegant skeletons, striking bark, or 

uplifting fragrance – plants that 

might be overlooked during the rest 

of the year, shine out beautifully. 

Jo’s gardening courses starting 

in spring are now booking 

07923 969634 hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

97 


Honey Fungus 

the Bogeyman 

Sue Whigham shares 

experience and advice 

on how to deal with 

honey fungus 

We’ve always had a part of 

the garden where I’d try out 

interesting shrubs only to 

find that they turned up their toes after a 

couple of years. Most disappointing was 

the Azara microphylla that never put on 

any fresh growth and got scrawnier and 

scrawnier. Actually, I think that it would 

have been a slightly disappointing shrub 

if it had survived as its relative, Azara 

serrata is much more exuberant and 

deliciously scented. Little did I know. 

There’s a lovely specimen at Great Dixter 

with its bright, bright yellow flowers 

just at the right height to immerse 

yourself in their fragrance as you pass. 

So then we planted pittisporums, 

early flowering viburnums and all 

manner of other things. They’ve gone 

now and the only plants that are doing 

well are a medlar (great for showy 

autumn colour) and a healthy bay tree. 

Never mind, there is still a good show 

of oriental irises which we inherited. 

Honey fungus tends not to touch 

perennials, luckily. And we’ve now got 

the perfect spot for a giant trampoline 

firmly secured to a trellis to save it from 

becoming airborne any time soon. 

So what is the problem? Well, 

everything came to a head after the dry 

summer of 2021 when several mature, 

multi stemmed hornbeams started losing 

their leaves early, as well as suffering 

branch dieback. Then this year the 

leaves seemed to be smaller and generally 

sickly. A big patch of honey fungus 

mushrooms several feet away from 

one of the stricken trees confirmed the 

worst. The trees had most probably been 

harbouring honey fungus for years and 

the drought and the fungus combined 


Garden 

ZenTari followed by TOPBUXUS 

Health-Mix sorted out the caterpillars 

this year and stopped them in their 

tracks. Wise though to use pheromone 

traps to catch the male moths in the 

spring and to nip any infestation 

in the bud. The added bonus of 

the traps is that they are specific to 

male box tree moths and will not 

attract or kill other moth species. 

There are a number of honey 

fungus species native to the UK of 

which Armillaria gallica and Armeria 

mellea are the two usually found. Of 

course honey fungus is in most of our 

precious woodlands but doesn’t always 

cause too many problems in this sort 

of setting. The reason being that other 

fungi present compete with the honey 

fungus and restricts its progress. In a 

cultivated garden setting we are not 

so lucky as the honey fungus has less 

competition from other fungus and 

can run unabated through susceptible 

trees and shrubs. There is no ‘cure’ 

for it, either natural or chemical, but 

there are steps you can take to stop or 

weaken any possibility of further havoc. 

I think that once mature trees are 

affected, there is a problem in that 

as it is spread from root to root, so 

it’s difficult to recognise before it is 

too late. Red or purple rhizomorphs 

maturing into what look a bit like 

black bootlaces are to be found in 

the root system of the tree and white 

mycelium can be found under the 

bark. Apparently the rhizomorphs can 

extend 30 metres from an infected 

plant, which is a worrying thought! 

There is a suggestion that you can 

sink a plastic barrier into the soil to 

a depth of eighteen inches with an 

inch or two above the soil if you think 

that you might have a chance to catch 

the fungus in time. Again, tricky if 

the trees that are affected are mature 

and thus their roots really extensive. 

I think that at that stage, you might 

have to live with it after removing as 

istockphoto.com/Terrence Pickles (Exeter Trees) / Alastair James / Jenny On The Moon 

to reduce the trees to shadows of their 

former selves. So three have now been 

felled. I’m trying to convince myself 

that, rather like after the 1987 storm, 

there’ll now be opportunities to make 

a few changes in the garden. Luckily, 

not all garden shrubs and trees will 

succumb to the fungus. There are 

some that don’t seem to be affected. 

One of these is box (Buxus) and thank 

goodness for that. Box has its own 

problems with both box blight and 

box tree moth caterpillars though. 

Repeated applications of TOPBUXUS 

Above: Azara Serrata is exuberant and deliciously scented 

99 


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Garden 

“I’m trying to 

convince myself 

that, rather 

like after the 

1987 storm, 

there’ll now be 

opportunities 

to make a few 

changes in the 

garden” 

much of the affected plant as possible. 

It is only later in the fungus’s progress 

that you will spot the clumps of large 

honey coloured mushrooms appearing 

in late summer. These are, of course, 

the final giveaway. They vary in size and 

shape and are very recognisable because 

of their size and by each mushroom 

having a white ring of tissue known 

as the annulus just under the cap. 

Smaller trees and shrubs can be 

protected to some extent by thoroughly 

mulching and fertilising as well as 

watering regularly in dry summers. The 

other thing is to remember to add a 

good sprinkle of beneficial mycorrhizal 

fungi, naturally present in the soil, 

around the roots of new plantings 

(Rootgrow is easily available). Trees and 

shrubs planted a little too deeply with 

soil or compost piled up around their 

base are more likely to be damaged as 

the fungus can spread through their root 

collar. The advice too is to leave the 

ground fallow for up to a year before 

replanting after you have removed as 

much damaged material as you can. 

Check whether any new plant 

you intend to introduce is capable 

of withstanding the fungus if you 

definitely know that you have it. The 

RHS, amongst others, publish a very 

comprehensive list of plants that are 

not affected. It would seem sensible 

to stick to those. The only one on 

the list that I would take issue with is 

the flowering quince. Ours seems to 

be about to succumb having battled 

through several seasons of poor growth 

and now a peeling bark – but you never 

know, it may be something else. And 

I’m sure that it might have preferred a 

less exposed spot. Another note to self. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted 

on 07810 457948 for gardening 

advice and help in the sourcing and 

supply of interesting garden plants. 

101 


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Education 

Don’t Look Back 

in Anger 

Left: The 

Arch of Janus in the 

Forum Boarium marked 

an important meeting place 

Below: An ancient coin 

showing two-headed Roman 

god Janus, 225-214 BC 

Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New Beacon, explains the importance 

of healthy self-reflection and learning from our past in order to move forward positively 

istockphoto.com/ scaliger / Sergey Strelkov 

‘ 

You’ve never been to Rome? Really?’ 

New year’s resolution: book long weekend in 

Rome. The food, the wine, the culture, the art, 

the architecture. History is abundant in Rome – it is 

everywhere. The base of a two-thousand-year-old pillar 

pokes up cheekily, stubbornly through the pavement as 

you pass by an unpretentious enoteca. Then there are 

the ‘jani’, the grand archways and elaborate doorways, 

sometimes standing in solitary, splendid isolation. Why? 

Not because they are all that is left standing of some 

ancient relic; because they were built that way, symbolically, 

steeped in superstition. Passage through the gateway 

would hopefully bring luck and good fortune, particularly 

for an army leaving Rome to wage war and conquer. 

The jani are watched over by Janus, the god of beginnings, 

endings, transition – of doorways. He is generally pictured 

having two faces, looking both forward and back. After him is 

named this month, January, the start of the new calendar year. 

It may be the case we don’t want to look back too closely 

at 2023: conflict, division, the economy, the cost of living, 

potholes and VAR. We can however look forward to 2024 

with hope – for there is always hope. I am cursed with 

optimism. On 21st December, the winter solstice, the 

days began to get longer; the pendulum reached its zenith. 

By 18th January there will be another hour’s daylight. 

Pupils, students, have two new years: September at school; 

and January, along with everyone else. Both are new starts 

providing fresh opportunities. September brings different 

teachers, classes, schools and challenges – ambitions for 

the year. January, after the long autumn term, brings 

the chance to stop; to review and reflect. If I had set 

myself targets, aspirations, how far along the road am I to 

achieving them? Is there the need for course correction? 

This an expression derived from spacecraft which may have 

marginally diverged from their trajectory, the error growing 

over distance, space and time. Not pausing, checking 

to course correct, only exacerbates that divergence. 

Children do not naturally reflect. They will often beat 

themselves up following a disappointment without reflecting 

on the causes. Note the use of ‘disappointment’ over ‘failure’: 

the former can be qualified; the latter simply destructive. 

Getting young people to pause, separate the emotion 

from the data and reflect, is a skill best learnt young. 

A thirteen-year-old’s conversation with self (in an ideal world). 

‘I worked and revised really hard…’ Pause. ‘Did 

I really? Truly? Why didn’t I prepare properly? Next 

time I will…’ and so emerges an action plan. 

‘I should have won the competition – I’m much better 

at maths…’ Just a moment. ‘Let’s think about this. The 

winner is better at tables, is gold standard maths challenge 

(though I am better at algebra). On balance…’ 

‘It’s not fair. We were the better side…’ Think. Analyse. 

‘Actually, the other side did play better – they were 

more committed, fitter and tackled. We need to train 

harder.’ And so a little bit of self-honesty creeps in. As 

it is said, the easiest person to deceive is yourself. 

So, we teach, we encourage and we practise with 

young people the art of honest, constructive reflection. 

Janus looks back at 2023 with one eyebrow minimally, 

discernibly, wryly raised at the folly of humankind. We, 

too, should look back, but with caution, balance and 

perspective: the past is for informing, not inhabiting. 

Returning to the new year’s resolutions (most of 

which are conveniently forgotten within weeks) let us 

look forward to 2024, making it a better year, learning 

from 2023. And book that long weekend in Rome. 

103 


7 April 

2024 

Run London Landmarks 

Half Marathon. 

Be a lifesaver 

Looking to take on a new challenge 

in the New Year? Join our team and 

support your local air ambulance charity 

We’ll be there to cheer you on the whole way! 

Sign up today 

aakss.org.uk/llhm 

Or call us on 01634 471 900

ALPACA EXPERIENCE 

AT KENWARD PLACE 

HALF TERM ECO WEEK 

AT HEVER CASTLE 

ORCHID FESTIVAL 

AT KEW 

What’s On 

this Season 

HISTORY & CASTLES 

Every weekend until 31 Mar 

Hampton Court Palace, 

Hampton Ct Way, Molesey, 

East Molesey KT8 9AU 

TUDOR COOKERY 

AND ROASTING 

Join the palace history cooks to 

find out what life was like working 

in the royal kitchens in the 16th 

century. Originally staffed by 200 

people, these kitchens fed over 

450 people twice a day. Find out 

all about the recipes and methods 

used to please the tastes of the 

royal court. You can even have a 

go at working the tournebroche, 

turning the meat in front of the 

roaring fires. Tudor Cookery and 

Roasting is included in palace 

admission; please check opening 

times for the day of your visit. 

Entry: Included in palace admission 

hrp.org.uk/hampton-court-palace 

Sat 10 Feb – Sun 18 Feb 

Hever Castle and Gardens, 

Hever Road, Hever, 

Edenbridge TN8 7NG 

HALF TERM ECO WEEK 

Alongside the children’s eco 

sculpture competition (see our 

Notebook pages) visitors to Hever 

during half term Eco Week can also 

take part in a fun eco craft activity 

and wander around the grounds to 

find out about what Hever Castle, 

rated silver for green tourism, does 

to be environmentally friendly. 

Yuki Solle, the founder of lifestyle 

blog cultivate the life, will be sharing 

tips on how to reduce food waste 

and eat well on a budget. She will be 

running free workshops (included 

in admission price) on how to make 

an old t-shirt out of a bag; beeswax 

candles; a conker laundry pouch; 

a bird feeder; a dishcloth from old 

tights, socks or leggings; a stick 

photo frame; an egg carton herb 

planter or a coffee body scrub. 

hevercastle.co.uk 

Fri 26 Jan 10am-1pm 

Brooklands Museum, Weybridge 

THE CONCORDE 

CHAMPAGNE EXPERIENCE 

See the world’s only working 

Concorde Simulator and watch 

as she takes off from London 

Heathrow, flies a low-level pass 

over Brooklands, and lands back 

105 

at Heathrow. Discover what it 

was like to fly on Concorde, with 

a glass of Champagne in-hand. 

Begin with a ‘pre-flight’ briefing 

in The Members’ Bar of the 

original Edwardian Clubhouse, 

with tea and coffee served in your 

‘Departure Lounge’. Then it’s 

time to board Concorde and take 

your seat on a real Concorde seat, 

ready to take your virtual flight 

and discover the incredible history 

and legacy of this supersonic 

aircraft. Before you disembark, 

you’ll have the opportunity to 

visit the Flight Deck too. 

Entry: £65 

brooklandsmuseum.com 

OUTDOOR FUN 

Daily at 1pm (also 

11.30am Weds – Sun) 

Kenward Place, Kenward Road, 

Yalding, Maidstone ME18 6AH 

ALPACA WALKS AT 

KENWARD PLACE 

Meet Kenward’s herd of eight lovely 

(and occasionally rather cheeky) 

alpacas. Book an Alpaca Experience 

throughout the week to spend a 

magical hour learning about these 

amazing creatures, getting to know 

their distinct personalities, and 

walking with them through the 

Kenward woodland. Rest assured 

the alpacas will be looking forward 

to it just as much as you – you’ll 

see them waiting by the gate when 

you arrive. Make the most of 

the lovely tearooms on your visit 

too. Suitable for children over 10 

years. Not suitable for those with 

mobility issues. Private Meet & 

Greet sessions are also available 

for those with additional needs. 

Entry: from £25 

kenwardplace.co.uk 

Sat 3 Feb – Sun 3 Mar 

Kew Gardens, Richmond 

TW9 3AE 

ORCHID FESTIVAL 

Drawing inspiration from the unique 

flora and fauna of Madagascar, 

2024’s orchid extravaganza at 

Kew will reflect the island’s lush 

rainforests, tropical dry forests and 

over 3,000 miles of coastline. One 

of the most iconic symbols of the 

island, the Lovers Baobab, will be 

recreated in a breathtaking display 

on the waterlily pond, and floral 

sculptures will conjure some of 

Madagascar’s most iconic wildlife, 

including ring-tailed lemurs, radiated 

tortoises and the enigmatic aye-aye, 

the world’s largest nocturnal primate. 

Orchids After Hours will also return 

on select evenings during the festival. 

kew.org 

Listings are correct at time of going to press but 

may be subject to change. Readers are advised to 

check with venues before making arrangements. 

We can list your event in the next issue of 

Wealden Times for only £75+VAT. Please 

supply up to 200 words that should include 

date, time, venue, contact for enquiries and any 

entry price to whatson@priceless-group.com or 

send with payment (cheques payable to Priceless 

Media Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, 

Kettle Chambers, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook, 

Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves 

the right to edit text to fit space allocated. 

Deadline for the next issue is 8th January. 


Jane Howard contemplates 

her farm resolutions for 2024 

Apart from the personal eat 

more veg / stick to 14 units 

/ brush teeth standing on one 

leg routines, there are of course many 

resolutions that would improve life around 

the farm in 2024. So here’s the wish list…. 

The chickens… every year, in the spring 

when the weather warms a little, at least one of the 

hens will go broody, sit tight on a clutch of eggs and 

raise a new family. This could be prevented by making her 

unbroody, but I always come under pressure from the kids 

(now in their late twenties!) to have Easter chicks, because 

“we always have”, so we always do! Mother hen will duly sit 

on around 12 eggs – fertile because we have Phil – resulting 

after losses and breakages in about eight live chicks. It 

would be all right if most of them were hens, lots of people 

want a hen or two, but every year, yes every 

year, there are always more cockerels than 

pullets (the name for young females) and 

we get left with a gang of unruly male 

teenagers which I then have to “deal with”. 

This year I will resolve to stand firm. 

While on the subject of chickens, there 

has been a very strange development in 

the hen department. One of our hens 

has become a cockerel! She has grown a 

magnificent comb, and impressive wattles 

– the fleshy flaps of bright red skin that 

hang from a rooster’s neck – and started 

strutting round the farmyard. Upon 

further investigation and reading it appears 

that although hens are born with two 

ovaries, only one functions. The left one is 

responsible for egg production and the right one is always 

dormant. If however the left one gets damaged it will shrink 

and then the right one will take over and occasionally take 

the form of a testicle, so the hen then becomes a cockerel 

and may start to crow. Goodness. Phil won’t be happy! 

The cows… Once we start calving in February I must 

be more vigilant. With most cows you can usually tell by 

the state of their udder when the birth is imminent. A 

Lots of people want 

a hen or two, but 

every year, yes every 

year, there are always 

more cockerels than 

pullets (the name 

for young females) 

and we get left with 

a gang of unruly 

male teenagers 

week or so before they calve their udder will begin to swell 

known as ‘bagging up’ and then when it’s really close, a 

few hours before, the actual teats fill so they look like an 

inflated Marigold rubber glove. With cows this makes it 

quite easy to tell, but with heifers (first-time mums) who 

often don’t let their milk down till the 

calf is born it’s all less noticeable – and 

it’s usually the heifers that have the 

complications. So while I always make 

a visit to the barn before I go to bed, if 

a heifer is due then I must, must, must, 

take another look in the middle of the 

night– not always easy when it’s cold, wet 

and windy outside and bed is so warm 

and cosy. But this year I definitely will. 

Other… The ‘other’ list is infinitely 

long, but could include successional 

sowing in the veg patch so things like 

lettuce, radishes and rocket don’t all 

come at once and a major project to 

make every gate on the farm open 

smoothly and close with a satisfying 

clunk without the usual pushing, shoving, lifting and 

then securing with baler twine that gets annoyingly 

knotted. And don’t get me started on the water troughs! 

That’s quite a few improvements but if past form is 

anything to go by, by the end of next year not much 

will have been ticked off, I won’t remember what was 

on the list anyway and can happily make another 

(very similar list) for 2025! Happy New Year! 

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


Visit our newly refurbished Tunbridge Wells showroom, 4 floors of beautiful kitchens and furniture 

81 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY - Tel: 01892 520730 

Sevenoaks - Tel: 01732 762682 

Tunbridge Wells - Tel: 01892 520730 

Email: info@rencraft.co.uk 

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Surrey Homes | SH108 | January 2024 | Good Living Supplement inside

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