Surrey Homes | SH110 | March 2024 | Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

MARCH 2024 

110 

MARCH 2024 

KITCHEN & BATHROOM SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN 

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL 

2

Come and visit our showroom: 

Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP 

01293 826620 

www.rdokitchenstudio.co.uk 

rdokitchenstudio 

3

DESIGNS ROOTED IN 

NATURE 

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

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

3615_boconcept_absolutely-ad_02-24.indd 5-6

Explore our latest Scandinavian designs, drawing from our unique Danish roots, with a 

focus on organic forms and materials inspired by nature. 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. For more information or to schedule an appointment, please call or visit us in-store. 

BOCONCEPT.COM 

12/02/2024 15:39

Contents 

March 2024 

26 

76 

73 

14 

19 

23 

26 

41 

45 

46 

55 

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 

IN PRAISE OF MAXIMALISM 

A riot of colour awaits in 

this converted shop 

GET THE LOOK 

Pack in pattern for an 

individual touch 

MUM’S THE WORD 

Rebecca Cuffe’s Mother’s 

Day gifting edit 

CUT TO FIT 

A downsizer’s dream come true 

GET THE LOOK 

Mix old and new for a 

home full of memories 

73 

74 

76 

82 

87 

88 

89 

SWEET DREAMS 

This month it’s all about 

chocolate brown wardrobe staples 

LATTE LADY 

Rebecca Cuffe seeks out clothes 

and accessories in coffee tones 

LET’S CELEBRATE 

Jo Arnell gets all Eastery with 

savoury and sweet recipes 

(NOT SO) MAD 

MARCH HAIR 

Josephine Fairley turns attention 

to frazzled winter locks 

LIMBER UP! 

Sarah Maxwell explains how 

to maintain flexibility 

MUM & I 

Clara Hebblethwaite shares 

a very personal experience 

of living with dementia 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau takes a look at the 

health benefits of bone broth 

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. 

90 

94 

99 

101 

103 

106 

WE’RE ALL FRIENDS HERE 

Jo Arnell celebrates perfect 

plant partnerships 

HEDGE ISSUES 

Sue Whigham highlights the 

importance of hedges 

MEET THE HEAD 

Meet Hilden Grange Prep School’s 

Headteacher, Malcolm Gough 

IT’S NOT FAIR 

Mike Piercy analyses sporting etiquette 

WHAT’S ON? 

From events to courses, find out... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard finds out just how busy 

the residents of her bee hives are 

KITCHEN & 

BATHROOM 

SUPPLEMENT 

15 pages of design 

ideas and inspo. 

After page 56. 

Delf tile selection, Blue carafe and tumbler in Sweet Pea and Peony, all Petra Palumbo petrapalumbo.com 

priceless-magazines.com 6

Cobham-Furniture.indd 1 09/02/2024 09:13

MANY 

CLEARANCE 

MODELS ON 

DISPLAY 

Tel: 01420 590510 

www.distinctivelightinguk.com 

SHOWROOM OPENING HOURS 

9am - 5pm: Monday - Friday. 

9am - 1pm: Saturday 

Elstead House, Mill Lane, Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ 

Surrey Homes - FP- March Edition.indd 1 31/01/2024 17:28:57

From the 

Editor 

Pattern can play a huge part in creating an interior 

with real personality and having the confidence to 

fill your home with bold, contrasting designs can 

pay dividends in the style and interest departments, as 

our first house this issue demonstrates. Singer Sarah Jane 

Morris guides writer Maggie Alderson around the home 

she shares with visual artist Mark Pulsford and that she’s 

positively packed with vibrant wallpapers and fabrics. 

Next house stop is Surbiton, where Deborah Harrison 

has recently downsized to a Victorian property that she 

has truly made her own. Feminine florals and dusky 

pinks abound in this lovely renovation project. 

Easter’s early this year, so we set Jo Arnell the task of 

creating some suitably egg-themed recipes to mark the 

bank holiday weekend. And a chocolatey vibe has spilled 

into fashion, too, as we celebrate all tones coffee-coloured. 

As the garden springs back to life, and with her 

gardening hat on, Jo Arnell takes a look at companion 

planting and Sue Whigham investigates healthy 

hedges. In health and beauty news, Josephine Fairley 

tackles mad March hair, Sarah Maxwell 

explains how to increase flexibility and 

Charlotte Lau explores the benefits 

of making your own bone broth. 

Not forgetting our comprehensive 

Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement, where 

you’ll find plenty of design inspiration and 

unique finds to complete the look. 

Enjoy your Priceless Magazine 

geo wall hung wc 

original original 

geo basin 

high quality, timeless design, authentic elements 

axis 

carlton 

astonian astonian original original brassware brassware 

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 

9 

priceless-magazines.com

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Find us here! 

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of 

Surrey Homes or to get free copies delivered for £30 a year. 

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed 

every month. We are available in 

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contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

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istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich 

Ashtead 

• Patrick Gardner 

Bagshott 

• Howlands 

Estate Agents 

• Longacres Nursery 

Banstead 

• King of Cotton 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery 

Betchworth 

• Buckland Deli 

• The Community 

Shop 

Bookham 


Bramley 

• Bramley Beds 

Buckland 

• Buckland Nurseries 

Garden Centre 

Camberley 

• Romans 

Caterham 

• Shard Solutions 

Cheam 

• Cook 

Chelsham 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Chobham 

• Melita 

• Pasha 

Claygate 

• Trew Art 

Cobham 

• Cobham Furniture 

• Fego Café 

• Oh So Coco 

Cranleigh 

• Notcutts 

• Roger Coupe 

Dorking 

• Dorking Travel 


• Princess Alice 

Hospice 

• Sainsbury’s 

Epsom 

• Mayfield Lavender 

Nursery & Shop 


Esher 

• Sandown Park 

Racecourse 

Farnham 

• Cook 

• ME Estate Agents 


• Waterstones 

Felbridge 

• Doves Barn 

Nursery 

Godalming 

• Cook 


• Sarah Louise Dix 


Godstone 

• Knights Garden 

Centre 

Guildford 

• BoConcept 

• Elm Nursery 

Farm Shop 

• Loaf 

• Neptune 

• Nuffield Gym 

Haslemere 

• Lythe Hill 

Hotel & Spa 

• Tesco Superstore 

Knaphill 


Leatherhead 


• Robert Leech 

& Partners 

Lingfield 


Lyne 

• The Farm 

Shop Lyne 

Milford 

• Secretts 

Old Oxted 

• Fish Plaice & Grill 

Oxted 

• Cook 

• Jackson-Stops 

& Staff 

• Limpsfield Stores 

• Morrisons 


Oxshott 

• The Bear 

Redhill 

• Priory Farm 

Reigate 

• County Clothes 


• RDO Kitchens 

Ripley 

• Ripley Nurseries 

Farm Shop 

• The Talbot 

Surbiton 


Walton on 

Thames 



Warlingham 

• Botley Hill 

Farmhouse 

• Rayners Estate 

Agents 

West Byfleet 

• Roman Tiles 

Weybridge 

• Tesco Extra 

Woldingham 

• Fine & Country 

TRAIN 

STATIONS 

• Dorking 

• Epsom 

• Esher 

• Guildford 

• Haslemere 

• Kingston 

• Redhill 

• Richmond 

• Surbiton 

• Weybridge 

• Wimbledon 

• Woking 

11 

THU 

11 APR 

GUILDFORD 

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National Symph 

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Beethoven 

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Piano and Concerto His No. 4 

Music 

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Piano 

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Symphony No. 2 

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Premier Oak Framed Specialist 

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SurreyOakBarnsWT246DPS.indd All Pages

19/10/2022 10:46

House 

Month 

of the 

£3,750,000 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

Reigate 

The dream: A beautiful 

modern home with balanced 

accommodation over two 

and a half floors, perfect for 

family life and entertaining. 

Designed, extended and 

refurbished to the highest 

specification by the current 

owners creating luxurious 

family accommodation 

in a prime location. 

Where: The thriving Surrey 

market town of Reigate, at the 

foot of the North Downs. 

Setting: In mature gardens 

of three quarters of an acre 

on a wonderful private road. 

Beds: 7 Baths: 5 

Special features: The 

principal suite is spacious 

and luxurious with a walk-in 

wardrobe, beautifully fitted 

shower room and a substantial 

private balcony area. 

Pleasing details: The 

principal reception 

room features a fabulous 

underground wine cellar. 

Outside: The house opens up 

to a large terrace and pool area 

for entertaining, along with 

expansive south-facing lawns 

with unhindered views of the 

South Downs and surrounding 

countryside, there is also a 

heated swimming pool and 

separate garden room. 

Time to town: From Reigate 

station to London Victoria 

in around 40 minutes. 

Agent: Savills 01737 230200 

savills.com 


Esher 

£1,750,000 

The dream: A historic family home dating back 

to 1820. The residence has been thoughtfully 

extended and enhanced over the years, 

resulting in a property that seamlessly marries 

classic architecture with modern comforts. 

Where: In the picturesque village of Claygate. 

Setting: Set within a generous plot. 


Special features: The heart of the home lies 

within the stunning kitchen/breakfast room, 

meticulously designed in the shaker style by 

Martin Moore. The fitted bench and large 

dining table provides a charming space for 

casual family meals or lively gatherings. 

Pleasing details: The principal bedroom 

is a wonderful retreat where high ceilings 

and floor-to-ceiling storage create a sense 

of grandeur. A Juliet balcony bathes the 

room in natural light and offers views 

over the picturesque garden below. 

Outside: The expansive garden wraps 

around the house, while paving provides 

off-street parking for two cars. 

Time to town: From Claygate station to 

London Victoria in about 30 mins. 

Agent: Savills 01372 461900 savills.com 

£1,200,000 

Godalming 

The dream: A beautiful two storey property within 

a historic Grade I listed mansion. Designed and 

built by the architect to King George III, the estate 

remained in the same family for nearly 200 years, before 

being split into nine luxury apartments in 1989. 

Where: Within Peper Harow Park, a private estate 

comprising a few country homes, cottages and a church. 

The county town of Guildford is 6.5 miles away. 

Setting: Down a long private drive 

through farmland and parkland. 


Special features: The well-appointed kitchen/ 

breakfast room opens out into the sitting 

room to provide a lovely open space. 

Pleasing details: The property benefits 

from plenty of natural light as well as superb 

sunsets from the back of the house. 

Outside: The resident-shared grounds of 

approximately 19 acres were landscaped by Lancelot 

‘Capability’ Brown himself and lead down to the 

River Wey. The front of the property overlooks 

the historic Peper Harow Cricket Club. 

Time to town: From Guildford station, 6 miles away, 

to London Waterloo or Victoria in approx 40 mins. 

Agent: Knight Frank 020 3869 4758 knightfrank.co.uk 

15 


07852 940 409 

melanie.attwater@exp.uk.com 

melanieattwater.exp.uk.com 

West View, Southview Road, Woldingham, Caterham, Surrey CR3 Guide Price £1,800,000 

Detached 5 Bedroom 3 Bathroom 3,630 sq. ft. Nestled in a secluded setting along a quiet lane, 

enjoying an elevated position, overlooking a golf course, with stunning westerly views to take in beautiful 

sunsets. Its proximity to renowned schools such as Hazelwood, Woldingham Girls, and Caterham 

(voted Senior Independent School of 2023) makes it an ideal choice for families. Surrounded by the 

Surrey Hills and woodland, residents can indulge in the beauty of nature. The property presents exciting 

possibilities for expansion, paddocks and potential for a pool, enhancing its appeal and versatility. 

Sought after village of Woldingham with fast links to Central London (London Victoria 30mins). 

“ Secluded, 

private setting 

on a quiet 

lane 

” 

High Beeches & Pilgrims Fort, Caterham, CR3 Guide Price £1,500,000 

Detached 4 Bedroom 3 Bathroom 2,590 sq. ft. Located on a private country lane, a unique Grade II 

listed home with lodge-style architecture. Potential for further development, subject to planning. No 

onward chain. A spacious flat lawn and easy access to the M25 and Gatwick airport as well as trains 

to London taking approx 45 mins. Master bedroom situated on ground floor with ensuite and sauna. 

Set within the picturesque countryside of Surrey, this Chalet home comes with an annex, fascinating 

historic fort, plus 7 acres of woodland, yet close to shops and services in Caterham. 

“ 

Chalet home 

comes with 

a fascinating 

historic fort 

”

N E W S H O W H O M E 

C O M I N G S O O N 

HOMES READY TO 

MOVE INTO THIS SPRING 

2 bedroom homes from £450,000* 



“THIS IS A 

WONDERFUL 

PLACE TO LIVE” 

Set in a hidden oasis opposite a beautiful 62-acre 

country park, mere minutes from Cranleigh High Street, 

Leighwood Fields is the ultimate Surrey postcode. 

01483 944 011 

sales@leighwoodfields.co.uk 

Relax knowing you can sell with our 

part exchange scheme.** 

STAMP DUTY PAID** 

BOOK YOUR VISIT TODAY 

Leighwood Fields, 

Alfold Road, Cranleigh, Surrey GU6 8WQ 

Lesley recently moved 

from the suburbs 

of Canterbury to 

Leighwood Fields and 

she couldn’t be happier. 

‘‘The Berkeley properties 

were a cut above the rest. 

The finish is far superior to 

the other properties I viewed. 

My house is just perfect.” 

- Lesley 

*Prices correct at time of going to press and subject to availability. Photography is indicative only. **T&Cs apply, speak to our Sales Consultants for more information. 

50201_Berkeley_LeighwoodFields_SurreyHomesMarchAd_AW.indd 1 26/01/2024 09:25

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CMY 

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Dates 2024 

24 March . 28 April . 26 May . 27 Oct . 24 Nov 

Up to 120 stands 

Open (9:30am Trade) 10:30 - 4:00pm. Entry tickets available on the door. 

One size does NOT fit all 

we personalise your holiday to fit you 

Call 01372 878676 or 

visit tigereyetravel.com 

H H H H H on 

Surrey based independent travel agency 

Contemporary 

Textiles Fair 

15-17 March 2024 

Fri 4pm - 8.30pm, Sat & Sun 10am - 5pm 

CLASSES - DEMOS - CAFÉ - OVER 50 STANDS 

LANDMARKARTSCENTRE.ORG 

Ferry Road, Teddington, Middlesex, TW11 9NN 

contemporarytextilesfair contemporarytextilesfairlandmarkarts landmarkarts 

Image: Wendy Edmonds Textiles Registered Charity No: 1047080 

priceless-magazines.com 

18

Notebook 

Life & Times 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

istockphoto.com/ writerfantast 

Beautiful 

Belmont 

Belmont near Faversham is often described as a ‘hidden gem’ of Kent, 

although perhaps not so hidden if you caught this elegant 18th century 

house – designed by Samuel Wyatt – and its glorious grounds on the 

Antiques Roadshow last year. The country house contains a number 

of impressive collections including Britain’s largest collection of 

Cazabon paintings and an extraordinary collections of clocks 

and watches. There are also the gorgeous gardens and cricket 

pitch (fixtures on website) to explore, amid this 3,000 acre 

estate. Best of all the tearoom is open all year round! They 

are hosting a number of events over the next few months 

including some tempting workshops. How about trying 

your hand at macrame, linocut printing, wild classroom 

family cooking or taking a tour of the clock collection 

or herb garden. We’ve got our eye on the paper 

peony workshop – run by Nicola Chatten from 

Plant and Paper – on May 13th. Take a look 

at the website and see what takes your fancy. 

belmont-house.org 

19 

See the works of Beethoven 

live on stage, performed by the 

English Piano Trio on 11th April 

at 7.30pm for the penultimate 

show of G Live’s annual Guildford 

International Concert Series. 

Renowned for their original and 

innovative Words and Music 

programmes, the English Piano Trio 

with distinguished actors Christopher 

Ravenscroft and Ann Penfold, 

portray Beethoven’s complex life. 

Combining contemporary accounts 

and letters with key repertoire from 

his great piano trios and most beloved 

piano sonatas, this promises to be a 

fascinating exploration of Beethoven’s 

iconic life and music. Tickets prices 

range from £12.50 to £35. 

trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford 

CHERRY 

CHARTWELL 

We love beautiful spring 

blossom and if you too are on the 

look out for places to enjoy this seasonal 

dose of joy, make sure to put Chartwell on 

your list. They are hosting an Easter Egg 

Hunt from 29th March until 14th 

April, and alongside the blossom, 

the trail will be decorated with 

hand-painted silk flags designed 

by local community groups 

thanks to kinetika.co.uk. 

Chocolate eggs and cherry 

blossom, what more 

could you want? 

nationaltrust.org.uk 


Get Creative 

Unlock your 

creativity at The Art 

House in Woking, Surrey. With 

16 weekly classes for children, 

adults and seniors, they offer a diverse 

range of artistic experiences – from 

holiday classes and corporate events to 

art parties – or book the popular Painting 

Experience with your friends or family. If 

you have an idea, they’ll help you create it. 

The Art House are committed to teaching 

and inspiring students to build confidence 

and unlock their full potential. thearthouse.co 

Good Godinton! 

Godinton House and 

Gardens, near Ashford, is due 

to reopen on 29th March but 

will also open on Sunday 10th to 

celebrate Mother’s Day. Enjoy a 

walk around the 12-acre garden and 

take in the springtime meadow of 

daffodils, formal Italian gardens plus 

the walled garden with its amazing 

greenhouse. You’ll be pleased to 

hear the Tearoom will also open 

for this special day and there 

you’ll find freshly baked scones 

and tasty homemade cakes. It’s 

best to book online and then you 

can pay for your tea in the house. 

godintonhouse.co.uk 

Booklovers get your diaries at the ready! The 

Tunbridge Wells Literary Festival is returning from 

Thursday 9 to Sunday 12 May, with events being held at the 

Assembly Hall Theatre, The Amelia Scott, The Forum, Trinity 

Theatre and at Calverley Grounds. With headliners including 

Clive Myrie, Lenny Henry and Michael Palin, it’s well worth 

getting your tickets booked soon. Call The Amelia Scott 

on 01892 530613 or buy at theamelia.co.uk 

TURN UP FOR THE BOOKS 

Beautiful 

Day 

Fancy getting 

the lowdown on how 

to sow and grow annuals? 

Blooming Green at Loddington 

Farm near Maidstone are holding 

a Grow Your Own Cut Flowers 

Workshop on Saturday 16th March. 

It promises to be lots of fun and is 

designed to suit both beginners 

and experienced gardeners. £95 

covers all your materials and 

refreshments. You’ll leave with 

a selection of seeds and plants 

plus plenty of inspiration. 

bloominggreenflowers.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ fotyma 

LANDMARK RETURN 

Celebrated folk singer Cara Dillon is returning to 

The Landmark Arts Centre by popular demand 

on 5th April. The Irish artist recently unveiled 

– to rapt audiences – her first new material 

in six years and after a long-awaited return, 

Cara will be touring her Coming Home album 

at the centre in a show with Sam Lakeman, 

unlocking profound memories and emotions. 

landmarkartscentre.org 


20

Easter Open Days 

at West Horsley Place 

Tue 2, Thur 4, Tue 9 & Thu 11 Apr 

Discover the history of the Manor House 

Enjoy being in ‘Button House’ from BBC’s Ghosts 

Explore the gardens and take a walk on the estate 

Get creative with family crafts 

The Place 

to DISCOVER... 

westhorsleyplace.org

achmanns.co.uk 

Easter at Bachmanns 

Specialities from our award-winning 

patisserie and chocolaterie 

Handmade on the premises and beautifully wrapped for the perfect gift. 

We use the finest chocolate to create our signature Easter collection: 

• Easter Eggs, filled with our own chocolates 

• Chocolate bunnies 

• Easter chicks 

• Traditional Simnel cakes and hot cross buns 

Our gateaux, desserts, freshly baked breads, croissants and Danish are available 

from 9am, while celebration cakes are available to order. 

6 Criterion Buildings, 

Portsmouth Road, 

Thames Ditton, 

KT7 0SS 

Tel: 0208 398 1988 

32 Church Street, 

Weybridge, 

KT13 8DX 

Tel: 01932 820247 

BachmannsS41.indd 1 28/02/2018 09:58

Courtesy of Lottie Topping Photography 

Vegan ones, giant 450g ones, 

tiramisu ones, black dark truffle 

ones – La Perla di Torino’s epic 

Easter eggs are as stunning as 

they are luxuriously delicious. 

Find them online at Sous Chef 

from £12.50. souschef.co.uk 

As we spring into Spring and celebrate female achievement, 

we’d like to introduce local artist Hannah Buchanan. Her 

glorious work is driven by an interest in Biocentrism, 

recording ‘the pulses of life emanating from the natural 

environment’. You can find her at The Other Art Fair this 

month from March 7th-10th and at our Midsummer Fair 

from June 6th-8th. hannahbuchanan.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! 

It’s Bed Month, which means it’s time to give your sleep 

space a spruce! For shopping something so tactile, the 

best way is always to head to a shop where you can get 

a feel of everything ,so we’re recommending a trip to 

Jones & Tomlin (in Guildford, Horsham, Worthing and 

Bosham). You’ll get super friendly, expert advice and your 

pick of all the best brands from Cath Kidston to Ted 

Baker – including the above Clarissa Hulse Tania’s garden 

dusk duvet set for £52. jonesandtomlin.co.uk 

A Mother’s Day gift that gives back? Two 

brilliant Kent-based women have teamed 

up to make a truly heartfelt jewellery 

collection that raises awareness of heart 

disease in women, with 10% of each sale 

donated to the BHF. Jewellery designer 

Narratorium was inspired by the Gold 

Hearted Club (goldhearted.club) 

to create this collection filled with 

beautiful hand sculpted hearts that are 

each unique and perfectly imperfect just 

like all of us! These rings are £95 each 

but there’s lots more at narratorium.co.uk 

On the 19th it will officially be Spring! 

And to get us in the springy spirit we 

have Little Greene’s National Trust 

Papers IV – their fourth instalment of 

wallpapers derived from National Trust 

properties. It’s filled with eclectic botanicals 

like this Bamboo floral option in Heat 

(£127/roll) which is perfect to add that 

little touch of red if you’re a fan of the 

Unexpected Red Theory! littlegreene.com 

On the 8th we celebrate great women 

everywhere with International Women’s 

Day. The uniform of choice? This Bella 

Freud T-shirt is created in collaboration 

with The Prince’s Trust to support their 

#ChangeAGirlsLife campaign. If you 

buy one this month, 20% of your £95 

goes towards helping thousands of young 

women who are facing disadvantage and 

adversity. bellafreud.com 

For those planning 

a spring clean, Bar 

Keepers Friend will 

revolutionise your clean 

routine. It’s an insider 

secret that delivers super 

satisfying before-andafter 

results for porcelain 

sinks, ceramic pans and 

pretty much all that gets 

rusty and grimy. A must 

try! barkeepersfriend.com 

Crufts always gets us inspired to 

pamper our pooches, as has the 

discovery of The Rambling Hound. 

Their hand-finished and engraved 

dog ID tags are inspired by jewellery 

designer Nicola’s walks around Kent 

with her cockapoo Millie. They are 

also available from Gifts Instead of 

Flowers, an online platform that 

raises funds for childhood cancer 

research. theramblinghound.co.uk 

giftsinsteadofflowers.com 

23 


Your Dream, Our Vision 

Photo Credit: Louisa Grace Interiors 

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24

BEFORE AFTER 

Is Moss a Growing Problem? 

Yes, is the answer on a roof, and the problem is growing exponentially. 

Moss does not like natural 

or man-made toxins such 

as carbon. Moss can be 

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Roof Tiles can be subjected 

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Sarah Jane Morris is not afraid 

of pattern, colour, doing it herself – 

or anything really – as can be seen in her St 

Leonards house which sings as joyously as she does 

Words: Maggie Alderson 

Photographs: David Merewether 

27 


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28

Previous pages: The sitting room has a broad range of 

seating to get comfy on, all of which are generously 

be-cushioned and covered in velvet This page: The 

kitchen, at the back of the house, had already been 

converted when Sarah Jane and Mark bought the 

house, with a professional kitchen stainless-steel unit 

and range set against a bare-brick wall, with a Crittal 

window and door looking out on to the courtyard 

In one of the rooms in Sarah Jane Morris and Mark 

Pulsford’s house in St Leonards-on-Sea, I counted 

no fewer than 14 different patterns and prints, 

dancing across wallpaper and fabric, shimmying on 

walls and curtains, teasing from furniture, the bed 

and cushions. And I might have missed a few. 

It takes a lot of confidence to decorate like this 

– something SJM has no shortage of. After forty 

five years as a singer and recording artist, she has 

her own label ‘Fallen Angel Records’ and is about 

to release her 16th solo album ‘The Sisterhood’. 

You might know her name from her earlier 

work when she was one of the singers with The 

Communards – her deep-pitched voice a brilliant 

foil for Jimmy Somerville’s famous falsetto. 

With such an exciting performing career, which still 

includes a lot of touring, it’s perhaps not surprising 

that Sarah Jane is no stranger to the packing chest. 

“I’ve moved 37 times,” she tells me, beaming 

her trademark smile, as we sit on the printed 

29 


“We looked at 50 

properties and then 

three months later I 

had a call from the 

estate agent, saying 

this one was back 

on the market” 

Left: Open shelving and concealed 

wall cupboards provide plenty of 

storage space for kitchen sundries 

Below left & right: A doorway at 

the back of the kitchen leads to an 

almost labyrinthine twist of storage, 

utility room, laundry drying space 

and downstairs shower room 

velvet covered sofas in the sitting room. “And lived in a lot of 

rentals, so I’m very quick at making a place look like home.” 

But there is nothing transient about this quirky house 

on a quiet corner in St Leonards’ fashionable ‘Mercatoria’ 

area – perhaps because it was Sarah Jane’s second go at living 

in the Hastings locale. “I moved to St Leonards-on-Sea 

15 years ago,” she says, “to be near my best friend, Angie, 

who I met when I was 20. But just 18 months later she 

died. I was heartbroken and couldn’t stay in Hastings.” 

But in the way these things do, it all worked out, because 

by then Sarah Jane had met and married her husband, 

visual artist Mark Pulsford, and with her son Otis at a 

good stage in his education to move schools, they shifted 

east, to live in Mark’s house, near Canterbury. 

 


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Above left: Sarah Jane’s office, where she 

writes her songs Above right: A corner 

of the sitting room is home to part of the 

couple’s record collection and a copper 

sculpture made by Sarah Jane’s sister in 

law, Adaesi Ukairo Right: A painting 

by Mark’s father, artist Charles Pulsford, 

hangs above a sideboard in the perfect 

tones of green for the sitting room 

Until Sarah Jane’s itchy feet 

reactivated. “Four years ago I turned 60, 

which is a time for reflection,” she says. 

“I felt like I’d met my people when I 

lived in Hastings before and I wanted to 

come back. Mark agreed to the move. 

“We saw this house just as we 

put Mark’s place on the market and 

it was perfect for us. It had been 

converted from a shop and had this 

big front room, ideal as a gallery for 

Mark’s work and for performance, for 

mine. Upstairs there was an en suite 

bedroom all ready for Airbnb, which 

was something else we wanted.” 

But then, as so often with the 

heartbreaking ins and outs of property 

transactions, the house was suddenly 

taken off the market. They kept looking. 

“We looked at 50 properties and then 

three months later I had a call from the 

estate agent, saying this one was back on 

the market and I was able to tell them 

that we’d had an offer on our house 

the previous day. So we immediately 

offered the asking price to secure it.” 

With its former uses first as a pub – 

“back in the day when there was one on 

every corner” – and then as a shop, 


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the two sitting room walls on the corner 

site have a lot of windows. People could 

see in and spotting the amazing, fringed 

lampshades that Sarah Jane makes by 

putting new fabric on old frames, they 

thought it was still a going concern and 

tried to come in. “We put up Victorian 

nets,” says Sarah Jane, laughing, “and 

then we blocked a couple of the windows 

off so there would be more hanging 

space for paintings.” Very cleverly these 

are hung from the picture rail, so they 

can be switched about without banging 

nails into the wall, and stand out 

beautifully against the green/grey paint. 

Moving from the sitting room to 

the kitchen at the back of the house, 

you start to get an impression of the 

unusual layout, so different from 

the rows of picturesque – but tiny 

– two-up, two-down early Victorian 

artisans’ dwellings all around it. 

The kitchen had already been 

converted when they bought the house 

and has a very cool professional kitchen 

stainless-steel unit with integral sinks, 

against a bare-brick wall, with a Crittal 

window and door looking out onto 

the verdant courtyard. At right angles 

to that there is a set of steel drawers, 

topped with wood, and a stainless 

steel range. All of it was there. 

It has an industrial look – which is 

a brilliant counterpoint to everything 

else in the room which is very 

much Sarah Jane’s style, showcasing 

her love of wallpaper. Or would 

it be rude to say obsession? 

You get a good idea of how she likes 

to play with printed paper, in the area 

around the kitchen wood burner – which 

was also already there when they moved 

and is flanked by two very comfortable 

chairs, covered in a mixture of printed 

velvets (another theme throughout 

the house, of which more to come). I 

can witness from personal experience 

that this is a supremely cosy place to 

sit for a chat with a cup of tea. “We 

don’t have a telly,” says Sarah Jane. 

“We sit here and read to each other.” 

From either of the chairs you can 

admire Sarah Jane’s wallpaper handiwork 

with a fine cheetah print on the 


Previous page: With 

its former uses as 

a pub and then as 

a shop, the sitting 

room with its inky 

dark walls has a lot of 

windows This page: 

The main bedroom 

is home to one of 

Sarah Jane’s handmade 

bedspreads in printed 

velvet sourced from 

eBay. She also tracked 

down a roll of original 

1920s wallpaper from 

the selling site, and a 

rare Roberts radio – in 

leopard print, of course 

chimney breast – and then actual cheetahs 

walking along in rows in opposite directions 

inside the stove alcove. Sarah Jane cut each 

one of them out of another roll of wallpaper 

and pasted them down adding an individual 

touch. “I got into wallpaper patchwork during 

lockdown,” she says, “I would buy one roll 

on eBay. Some of them would have been 

£100 or £200 a roll new, but when there is 

just one left over you can get it for £40.” 

The wallpaper cavalcade is strongly apparent 

in the rambling area that was previously a 

workshop with concrete floor and exposed 

brickwork. This space features a shower room 

and loo (with gorgeous Kermit-green Italian 

stud rubber flooring) and a laundry area, 

complete with an enviable Victorian-style hoist 

airer, the sink surround a mélange of different 

patterned locally sourced tiles. “I was inspired 

by the paintings of Édouard Vuillard,” Sarah 

Jane explains. “He painted interiors which often 

feature a lot of clashing prints in one room,” 

adding, “As I have to iron for the Airbnb room, I 

wanted to turn it into an enjoyable experience.” 

There are two more rooms on the ground 

floor – Sarah’s office, where she writes songs, and 

Mark’s painting studio – both fonts of artistic 

output, adding to the sense of creative thrum 

that imbues the entire house. In Sarah’s space 

one of her gold discs hangs on the wall – a sure 

sign you are in the house of a recording star. 

Upstairs the themes of mixed prints – always 

with a touch of leopard somewhere – and 

wallpapers continues with even greater abandon. 

Particularly in the Airbnb suite, which is where 

I counted the 14 different patterns. There are 

35 


This page: 14 different patterns make up the decor in 

the Airbnb suite, where Sarah Jane has papered, painted, 

recovered and re-sewn to create the finished look 

two different wallpapers on one wardrobe in there – with parrot 

doorknobs for good measure. The gloriously printed velvet 

bedspread was a find from eBay, one of Sarah Jane’s favourite 

sources, along with Facebook Marketplace, Etsy, jumble sales – 

and skips. It arrived a curtain and was transformed into its new 

role with the application of Sarah Jane’s favourite long fringing. 

An IKEA tub chair in here, with loose covers of yet another 

printed velvet, made by Sarah Jane’s friend Wendy May, 


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38 

48 December essentialsurrey.co.uk

Top: Leopard print lines the back wall of 

another bedroom, contrasting with floral 

velvets and a dusky pink rose bedspread 

Left: The landing is one space that’s been 

decorated with pure white walls. the perfect 

background to show off Mark’s moonlight 

paintings and his father’s work alongside 

a table of copper sculptures by Adaesi 

becomes a thing of mystery and beauty. 

“Someone gave me a sewing machine 

in lockdown and everything I can’t do I 

hand to Wendy May who knows what 

she’s doing. I’m just making it up!” 

Next door in the main bedroom, a 

lovely big space, is another Sarah Jane 

special bedspread, in printed velvet, 

of course. “I bought seven metres of 

fabric with a printing fault on eBay,” 

she says, “and it was made into a quilt 

using a blanket for wadding and an 

old sheet for the lining, with enough 

material left to make curtains for one 

of the bedroom windows.” In here is a 

particularly special online find – a roll 

of original 1920s wallpaper, which Sarah 

Jane had put up by an expert, Annemarie 

Wrigley. “She showed me how to put 

wallpaper up,” says Sarah Jane, “and 

how to use it on furniture.” The leopard 

print element in this room is a rare 

Roberts radio, another eBay treasure. 

After completing the full house 

tour, we head back down to the 

sitting room, where it is deliciously 

easy to get comfortable on the 

broad choice of sofas and chairs. 

All of them are generously 

be-cushioned and covered in velvet, 

except for one amazing chair upholstered 

entirely in needlepoint, which was done 

by Sarah Jane’s Aunt Susie. Being handy 

with a needle clearly runs in the family. 

We settle in here for Sarah Jane to tell 

me about her latest project, an album of 

songs inspired by and in tribute to ten 

of the great female singer songwriters. 

Called The Sisterhood, it blends decades 

and genres, with names spanning from 

Billie Holiday to Joni Mitchell, Janis 

Joplin to Sinead O’Connor. “I’d had the 

idea for the project and I’d bought all 

the biographies,” says Sarah Jane, “then 

with Covid I couldn’t tour, so I had 

time to work on it. Mark and I wrote 

the lyrics and Tony Remy (my right 

hand man) and I wrote the music and 

turned them into songs. 

 

39 


Above: The main bathroom is a riot of foliage, 

with an unusual black shower curtain (reflected in 

mirror), tropical leaves wallpaper and patterned tiling 

Right: The calming landing and white ceilings 

tie the vibrant room schemes together 

It just flowed. I wrote each song in an hour.” 

Initially, the room we are sitting in was a 

makeshift recording studio, with the album then 

finished in a professional studio in Eastbourne. 

Sarah Jane called on the same resourcefulness 

which has so richly decorated her house to 

pull this project together. While they were 

recording the tracks her band all stayed with 

friends of hers in St Leonards and, to pay 

for the studio recording, she had a brilliant 

idea. “I advertised on Facebook that I would 

do a masterclass to 25 people who wanted 

to learn three part backing vocal harmonies 

to four of my songs, that they would, at a 

later date, be able to come to Ronnie Scott’s 

and sing with me. It sold out in an hour”. 

The album will be released on Sarah 

Jane’s own label, Fallen Angel Records, 

with the perfect release date on March 8th 

– International Women’s Day. It’s a project 

full of heart and soul, just like this house. 

Address Book: 

To find out more about Sarah Jane’s 

new album, see sarahjanemorris.co.uk. 

For more info. on Mark Pulsford 

and Adaesi Ukairo you can visit 

markpulsford.com and ukairo.com. 


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41 


Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

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wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

Enjoy a great day out shopping 

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There is something for everyone with over 250 hand-picked 

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and heavenly homewares and this year over 25% of them are 

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Come to shop but 

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After a busy day shopping, sit down 

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Enjoy a glass of bubbly or a hot 

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Well-behaved dogs on leads – allowed 

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44

Treat mum with an elegant Sparkling 

Afternoon Tea. Balfour Winery in 

Staplehurst is offering a Mother’s 

Day afternoon tea with a delicious 

and beautifully presented selection of 

sandwiches, scones and cakes, and a 

glass of sparkling Balfour wine. Follow 

with a stroll through their beautiful 

vineyards, apple orchards and ancient 

oak woodlands, or join an expertled 

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Murano glass 

daisy rope twist 

hoops £47 Lezzeri 

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Mum’s 

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scarf with tassel 

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Written by You 

double disk necklace 

£169 Merci Maman 

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Coco Mademoiselle 

Eau de Parfum spray 

£136 CHANEL 

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Blue Salt 4.7l 

mixer £699 

KitchenAid 

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Get set for a truly memorable Mother’s Day 

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Nordic Ware elegant 

heart bundt pan 

£46.40 Heart of Stur 

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Watch Martina 

£239 Sif Jakobs 

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Treat her to a beautiful meal with 

The Print House Tenterden’s 

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pleasing deliciousness including a 

prawn and avocado cocktail, roast 

lamb or beef, pan fried sea bass, 

chocolate brownies and lemon & 

meringue gateau. Find out more at 

theprinthousetenterden.com 

Mary Berry garden flower mugs 

£24 (set of 2) Next next.co.uk 

Much more personal than the 

standard bunch of flowers – Blooming 

Green have a Spring Hand-tied Posy 

Workshop from 10-12 on the 9th. 

It’s £68 (covering all materials & 

refreshments) and will help you create 

a delicate, scented hand-tied posy in a 

jar using British grown seasonal flowers. 

Bring along a special Mum or make 

something to take away – either way 

you’ll learn a lot and give her something 

guaranteed to make her smile. Book at 

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Mini heart jewellery box £25 

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Sushi plates with dip bowls (set of 2) 

£40 Yvonne Ellen yvonneellen.com 

45 

Oval house plaque £22 

Slap ‘n Dash slapndash.com 


Cut to Fit 

Words & Styling: Dilly Orme 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Deborah Harrison downsized to a three bedroom 

house, which she renovated and reconfigured, 

reinstating the original Victorian features and editing 

family heirlooms to suit her new home and lifestyle 


“ 

As William Morris says, ‘Everything has to be beautiful 

or useful,’” gestures Deborah Harrison, referencing 

the things around her in her newly completed 

extension. “Or at the very least beautiful,” she smiles. 

Having lived most of her life in London, Deborah decided 

to move to the country in 2013 returning after eight years 

in 2021 to downsize and be near family. “I decided on 

the area because two of my sons live in Surbiton. When I 

found the house, I could see that it was tired but it fitted 

the bill. It had two spare rooms, which was all I needed. 

Most of my family are close enough to walk home after 

visiting, so I kept one as a spare room and converted the 

other into a craft room. The front room also has a sofa 

bed, just in case. The dining table seats twelve, it’s really 

nice that I can extend it and seat everyone if I need to. 

“My neighbour actually said to me the other day that the 

bones of these Victorian houses are good, and I can feel that. I 

like the fact that you can go into the lounge and feel cosy and 

that the back is now open and light, so we can comfortably 

get together as a family and there is plenty of room.” 

Before Deborah even moved in, her cousin’s daughter 

– who was studying to be an architect – sketched out 

some designs for the extension, giving Deborah the 

vision of how things could look on paper. She then 

applied for planning within a week of moving in. 

“I Googled quirky interior designers whilst I was still 

dreaming about things. I was delighted to find a company 

called Slightly Quirky,” smiles Deborah. “I knew from 

having done up three or four houses during my lifetime that 

it can be quite daunting dealing with the different aspects 

independently. I knew I needed my hand held through the 

renovation, someone to help me make decisions and to come 

up with ideas and solutions, although I had an overall vision 

of how I wanted things to be. Also having just moved to the 

area I didn’t know a single tradesman and Slightly Quirky 

were instrumental in bringing in everyone needed as well.” 

Caroline Nicholls from Slightly Quirky came for an initial 

chat about four weeks after Deborah moved in and she 

explained how she wanted the house to have a more authentic 

Victorian finish, paying homage to when it was built, whilst 

being suitable for modern living, hence putting in the pantry. 

“Top of my wish list was a pantry,” says Deborah. “A 

proper old-fashioned pantry with two outside walls to keep 

everything cool, like my grandmother had – she didn’t even 

have a fridge. There also had to be room for the piano. 

This page: The kitchen is bold and colourful but elegant, 

as well as inviting in the open plan space. It was designed 

by Slightly Quirky and painted in Fitzrovia Red by Dulux 

Heritage and Craftsman’s White by Craig & Rose. 

47 


The upstairs bathroom needed to be 

extended because it was minuscule 

and I wanted to put a new fireplace 

in the lounge. Also all the original 

features had been removed, and I 

wanted to get them reinstated.” 

After the initial meeting, Slightly 

Quirky created a 3D design of the 

house, illustrating how the central 

downstairs space – previously a dining 

room – could be reconfigured into a 

utility room and downstairs bathroom. 

“It was their idea to have the two,” 

says Deborah. “They were right, as 

there was plenty of room for both. 

We removed the old chimney breast 

and that gave us so much more room 

to play with. The upstairs bathroom 

was tiny and Slightly Quirky were 

instrumental in working out how 

to use that space. For example, how 

much room was taken from the third 

bedroom, now a craft room. It could 

still be a decent sized single bedroom, 

and you could still actually fit a 

double bed in, despite having taken 

space from it for the bathroom.” 

Once all the reconfiguration and 

final layout had been agreed, Slightly 

Quirky worked with Deborah to 

see how they could bring in colour. 

They suggested the pink kitchen 

and dark blue encompassing hall 

and Deborah agreed straight away. 

“Most of the time it was yes, yes, 

yes!” she smiles. “It had been really 

This page: Little Greene Hicks Blue in 

the hallway makes a feature of the doors 

and enhances the period elements such 

as the dado and handrail. A little chest 

works like a miniature sideboard. 


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This spread: The classic Mary Isobel William Morris wallpaper 

reflects the period of the property without overpowering the cosy 

living room. The Aissa Sofa Bed is from Sofa.com in Dusty Rose 

Cotton Matt Velvet. The iron fireplace was bought from Cast 

Iron Fireplace and is styled with precious family heirlooms 

The kitchen: A bank of white cupboards and a white worktop 

break up the pink kitchen, keeping it fresh Below left: The pantry 

Photograph: 

Anna Stathaki 

good to have had involved conversations beforehand 

about my wish list, likes and dislikes, tastes and 

preferences. For example, the fact that I didn’t want 

bifold doors in the extension, wanted a dog bath in the 

utility room, wanted a pantry and so on. The build took 

nine months and Slightly Quirky supported me all the 

way from the big structural decisions to little lampshades 

choices. They were not only instrumental in what was 

purchased but also what was kept. I was insistent about 

keeping the piano and there were other things I loved, 

but couldn’t fit in and they were hard to let go of – 

Slightly Quirky were very empathetic about all that. It 

is very difficult to be ruthless and bold about your own 

things. With their support I figured out what worked 

and what didn’t, for example my original 1920s Bergère 

chairs fit perfectly by the large windows to the garden. 

We chose a fabric for the curtains with Chinese figures 

on to reflect the carvings on the arms of the chairs.” 

Whilst making decisions about family heirlooms 

inherited from her parents, Deborah further appreciated 

the quality of the craftmanship of their era, and wanted 

to instate that in the house and showcase things that had 

been in the family in an authentic Victorian setting. 

This is apparent as soon as you come to the elegant 

front door – the last element to be replaced – which 

was carefully chosen to include authentically geometric 

stained glass panels in original Victorian designs. It is 

painted the same encompassing Little Greene Hicks Blue 

as the hallway, which unifies the look. The tiled flooring 

also gives a nod to the era whilst keeping the overall 

finish fresh, despite dark blue lower walls. “We wanted to 

open up the space in the hall to make it feel bigger,” says 

Deborah. “Caroline suggested the patterned tile would 

add a depth to the space as well as having a heritage feel.” 

The William Morris Mary Isobel wallpaper sets 

the scene in the living room, opening up the space 

whilst being containing. More than anything, 

Deborah wanted the front room to be cosy around 

the reinstated fireplace. The choice of the neat two 

seater sofa and love seat in sumptuous dusty rose 

velvet also enhances the intimate atmosphere. 

“I had to be convinced about the plain brown 

curtains, but now I can see how they work well in 

contrast with the surrounding pattern,” she says. 

The hallway continues into the central part of the 

house, which had previously been a featureless open 

space, used as a dining room. “Firstly, structurally we 

took out the existing fireplace and had a door put in 

place where a window had been, so that you could go 

from the garden straight into what would become 

51 


Top: The flexible dining table, from Neptune, can 

be extended to seat twelve Above left: The Anthos 

curtain fabric in red and indigo by Sanderson 

was chosen to tie in with the carvings on the 

arms of the 1920s Bergère chairs Above right: 

The area under the stairs has been transformed 

into a little library area to display books set off by 

shelving painted in Little Greene Hicks Blue 

Photograph: 

Anna Stathaki 

the utility room,” Deborah explains. 

“Then I had a dog bath installed so 

I could wash Lola directly from a 

muddy walk without going through 

the house. We had looked at the blue 

bathroom tiles initially for the kitchen 

but felt that we needed a pattern to 

break up the bold pink which we were 

going with. So we used them in the 

downstairs bathroom and they align 

really well with the blue in the hall.” 

When Slightly Quirky designed 

the ground floor shower room and 

utility room there still needed to be 

a corridor to the extension. Instead 

of just blocking up what had been 

the cloakroom under the stairs and 

making a cupboard, a library area 

was created to display Deborah’s 

collection of books. She suggested 

arching the top to make it more 

interesting and give it a period feel, so 

it felt like it could have always been 

part of the house. It has now become 

a quirky, yet practical, feature with 

good lighting as well as a decorative 

Victorian style wall light to add 

another layer of light and extra detail. 

When it came to decorative decisions 

in the extension, Deborah definitely 

didn’t want the extension to be all 

white. “Slightly Quirky came up with 

the idea of a pink kitchen and when 

I saw the colour, it was love at first 

sight. It is bold and colourful but 

feels quite elegant, as well as warm 

and cosy in the open plan space.” 

Another thing Deborah was certain 

of was that she didn’t want bi-fold 

doors, as she felt that they would not 

work in the Victorian house. The 

builders were able to recommend a 

company who supplied classic style 


Top: A beautiful, floral quilted bedspread in the main 

bedroom, from Sarah K, creates a focal point Right: Deborah 

was keen to include a skirted dressing table which Slightly 

Quirky sourced on eBay and had renovated. The fabric 

is Dorri by Jane Churchill from Colefax and Fowler 

Above: The third bedroom is Deborah’s craft room 

doors and windows which work 

beautifully with the aesthetic of 

the Victorian house and give the 

extension a conservatory feel. 

Slightly Quirky used CAD to 

show Deborah the furniture layout, 

carefully measuring the existing 

pieces. The extension needed to be 

a dining and seating area to enjoy 

the garden. “The bench cleverly 

acts as a divider between the dining 

and seating area,” she smiles. 

Upstairs Deborah wanted the 

master bedroom to be really peaceful. 

“The idea was to keep the bedroom 

simple, using whites and greens,” 

she explains. “I wanted to hang my 

grandmother’s Kimono on the wall 

and for that to be the main feature. 

Then in the spare room I thought 

we could have something really 

unusual so I opted for a woodland 

wallpaper to create a feature wall. 

I also had the idea of a shelf at 

 

53 


Right: The guest room features 

Woodland Chorus wallpapaer in Sky 

Blue Multi from Sanderson. The 

bedspread in a subtle striped leaf 

design from John Lewis ties in with 

the woodland theme Below: The pink 

Gelato Porcelain Mosaic Tiles in Cotton 

Candy from Mandarin Stone soften the 

bathroom and give it a feminine finish 

picture rail level to display pieces 

of sentimental value, and I feel it 

gives the spare room real character.” 

When it came to the bathroom 

upstairs Deborah found some 

pink tiles on Pinterest, that she 

initially considered for the kitchen, 

but which work beautifully in 

the bathroom. “The pink tiles 

really soften the room, they make 

it feel feminine and we felt that 

we didn’t really need anything 

else decorative,” she says. 

To finish the house Deborah 

had plenty of art and objets d’art 

collected over the years from her 

previous homes. “I knew that I 

wanted to display particular pieces 

and they were accommodated for 

within the overall designs of each 

space. I have a lovely collection of 

Naif Dinnerware by Villeroy & 

Boch. The pieces have different 

designs and I like that they look 

like pieces of art displayed on the 

pink dresser. I use them all the time 

– just like William Morris would 

advise – beautiful and useful,” says 

Deborah. “What is lovely is that 

when I finally showed my sons the 

house, one of them said “it really 

looks like your house”, so although 

I had employed interior designers it 

was clear that they had worked with 

me and had not imposed their taste. 

They’d worked very collaboratively 

to support me in realising my vision 

of the house I now call home.” 

Address Book: 

Mandarin Stone mandarinstone.com 

Neptune neptune.com 

Sarah K sarahk.co.uk 

Slightly Quirky slightlyquirky.com 


Get the 

LOOK 

1 Laura Ashley Mulroy antler 3 light chandelier with shades £160 där lighting darlighting.co.uk 2 Oriental Flower Tree 

in Cream £59.95 Origin Murals originmurals.com 3 Kraak vase prints £395 (set of 4) OKA oka.com 4 Colour matched 

Oxford compact open dresser from £1,544 Painted Furniture Company paintedfurnitureco.co.uk 5 Trees print cushion 

£29 The Cotswold Company cotswoldco.com 6 Squishmeister chaise sofa in Roasted Peaches brushed cotton £3,205 Loaf 

loaf.com 7 William Morris Strawberry Thief blue panelled cushion cover £39 Pure Fabrics purefabrics.co.uk 8 Bespoke 

Nairn deep buttoned armchair in House Weave Marine £899 The Footstool Workshop thefootstoolworkshop.co.uk 

9 Berkeley Calico Oak engineered wood flooring £150/m 2 Woodpecker Flooring woodpeckerflooring.co.uk 

55 


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56

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58

The Priceless Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement 

“Create a warm, 

inviting atmosphere with 

earthy hues like warm 

neutrals, sage green, or 

terracotta. Introduce natural 

materials such as wood, stone, and 

rattan to infuse a touch of nature into 

your space.” – Laura Bird, Owner of 

Birdhouse Design Property Staging 

birdhousedesign.co.uk 

1Earthy 

Hues 

 

We’ve asked the experts and found 

the hottest trends for 2024 

2 

Banquette 

Seating 

“Offering functionality 

and style, banquette seating 

transforms kitchen spaces 

into cosy, multifunctional 

areas. Their spaceefficient 

design optimises 

seating capacity, defines 

the eating zone, adds a 

touch of sophistication 

and encourages a sense 

of togetherness during 

mealtimes. Homeowners 

are drawn to its versatility, 

customisability, and the 

opportunity to maximize 

storage underneath.” – An 

expert at RDO rdo.co.uk 

 

This Page: istockphoto.com/ Elena Malgina Border: istockphoto.com/ OllgaP 

3Smart 

Zoning 

“The kitchen is the central hub of the home; we often find ourselves 

all in one room but for different reasons – homework needs to be 

tackled, dinner prepared, the day’s events caught up on and a good 

old G&T needs making. This project was for a family who wanted to 

spend more time together in their kitchen but still wanted distinct 

areas for cooking, socialising and relaxing, as well as a spot for 

their stunning cocktail bar to help their parties go with a 

swing.” – Robert Waite, Director at Rencraft rencraft.co.uk 

 

“Keep the decks in your kitchen clear 

with clever storage solutions. FoodBench’s 

inserts are specially made to fit their oak 

drawer boxes and include 15 x 1 litre glass 

storage jars with bamboo lids – perfect 

for storing dried pasta, rice, flour and 

sugar. Other accessories from FoodBench 

include hanging rails, cutlery and utensil 

inserts and cork drawer mats.”– Ian Cross 

Director at FoodBench foodbench.co.uk 

 

4 

Specialist 

Storage 

59 


Invite the 

natural beauty 

of stone into your home 

From the the eye-catching colours of modern engineered stone to the distinctive 

character of natural granite, marble, slate, limestone and quartzite, stone is hardworking, 

highly functional and will harmonise perfectly with your style, furnishings and 

other design materials. 

Richard Smythe and his team have been crafting stone for kitchens, bathrooms, floors 

and fireplaces for over 20 years, with a solid reputation for quality and customer care. 

We offer home surveying, precision templating and fitting, expert advice and a factory 

showroom where you can see, feel and fall in love with the beauty of stone. We have 

our own selected RS product range and supply and fit all major brands, including 

Silestone, Dekton, Neolith, Caesarstone and Quartzforms. 

We also welcome new trade collaborations with designers, architects, builders and 

high-street showrooms. 

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Eton kitchen in Evora stone graphite textured finish, prices 

start from £2,490 (including VAT) for an eight-unit kitchen 

Benchmarx Design benchmarxkitchens.co.uk 

1 

2 

5 

6 

4 

3 

8 

7 

9 

Rencraft penthouse kitchen with painted wall panelling, a deep earthytoned 

island, subtle lighting by Buster & Punch, and induction hob, 

Tepan stainless steel grill and downdraft all by Bora. 

– John Stephens, Managing Director at Rencraft rencraft.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ Radionastya 

Go to the Dark Side 

“A black kitchen is not only very on-trend in 2024, but it’s also unfailingly stylish and 

sophisticated.” – Robert Waite, Director at Rencraft rencraft.co.uk 

1 Milano Nero deck mounted kitchen mixer tap with swivel spout £69.99 Big Bathroom Shop bigbathroomshop.co.uk 

2 Cast iron hot grill in blue salt £90 Our Place fromourplace.co.uk 3 Microplane Universal Mill £39.95 

John Lewis johnlewis.com 4 Variable temperature 1.7l kettle in matte black £179 KitchenAid kitchenaid.co.uk 

5 Z10 Coffee Machine in midnight blue £ 2,750 JURA uk.jura.com 6 Matte black cast iron 30cm oval casserole £99 

ProCook procook.co.uk 7 Ember cup smart mug £99.95 Ember uk.ember.com 8 Kate leather bar stool £159 

Where Saints Go wheresaintsgo.co.uk 9 Hokan stackable stoneware bowls £80 (set of 3 sizes) Hokan hokanbowls.com 

61 


A range of handcrafted 

freestanding islands 

made from reclaimed oak. 

Exclusively availible from 

Adaptations. 

foodbench.co.uk / adaptations.uk.com 

80 Crown Road. 

St Margarets. 

TW11 3ER. 

T: 01932 584940


The island is the literal centrepiece of your 

kitchen, so we’ve asked the experts and gathered 

our top 4 ideas to choose one you’ll adore 

THIS LOOKS 

LIKE A HOB 

FOR ME “We love to 

include a hob on the island. 

This revolutionised design 

means you’ll no longer have 

your back to the room whilst 

cooking so you’ll enjoy a 

more social aspect, interacting 

with an open plan design 

more easily and improving 

views out to the garden, 

dining and snug areas.”- 

Robert Waite, Director at 

Rencraft rencraft.co.uk 

 

THINK LINK “Use your island to link the cooking area to the rest of the room, 

as with the Nordic kitchen island. Here the island combines a luxury Vincenza stone 

worktop with Scandinavian bleached fir wood veneer snacking area, for socialising with 

guests in style.” – David Marchant, Group Brand Designer at Krieder krieder.com 

SURFACE TENSION “Where the practicalities 

of cleaning and maintenance might prevent the use of texture 

elsewhere, the kitchen island is a great place to throw caution to 

the wind and experiment with some sumptuous surfaces. This 

reeded and curved leg-space panel softens a quite industrial 

aesthetic whilst maintaining a fun, clean, and sophisticated 

look.” – Peter A Cochrane, Director at 

Peter Alexander Cabinets 

peteralexandercabinets.co.uk 

SOMETHING OLD "One trend that 

isn’t going anywhere is the philosophy of recycling and 

 

reclaiming materials. FoodBench shares this ideal which 

is why our rustically beautiful freestanding kitchen 

islands are reclaimed, upcycled and sustainable. Available 

in three sizes, each FoodBench is completely unique, 

handcrafted from reclaimed oak planks that were formerly 

ranch and railway fencing, from Kentucky, USA.” 

– Ian Cross, Director at FoodBench foodbench.co.uk 

63 


The Priceless Education Supplement 

Inglis Hall, The Kitchen Maker take us on a tour around one of their favourite 

projects: a kitchen that is about as quintessentially Wealden as it gets 

This is not about 

a brand new 

kitchen. Of 

course, the 

day of completion and 

handover when everything 

is pristine is a thrill. But 

the real quiet joy is in the 

longer term. Life, and 

use, impart a precious and 

extremely difficult to define 

softness on a well-made 

kitchen. The odd knock. 

When a client requests an 

industrial dishwasher as a 

critical feature we recognise 

a kindred thinker and know 

an extraordinary project is 

underway. 

This kitchen is composed in 

reference to the Capability 

Brown belief system of 

colour, texture, proportion 

and vista – the gardening 

great reputedly designed 

and laid the gardens here! 

“Early conversations with the client 

quickly revealed that the kitchen 

would not be... bound by tradition.” 

The subtle wear to an edge. 

A warm resonance of the 

time that has been happily 

spent in the kitchen. The 

delight of meals cooked and 

eaten together. 

This kitchen is now in its 

second year of life. And it’s 

a kitchen that gets used a 

great deal by its owners. 

Plus the location is pretty 

special. Horsted Keynes has 

to be a contender for the 

quintessential Sussex village. 

The county is defined 

perfectly by this place. 

Bucolic charm aplenty 

amidst the undulating roll 

of the High Weald. 

This is a ravishingly 

beautiful house set in an 

exquisite landscape nestled 

in a glorious English village. 

Early conversations with 

the client quickly revealed 

that the kitchen would 

not be a project 

politely bound 

by tradition. 

The La Cornue Chateau 

range is a suitable altar to 

the ceremony of cooking. 

Detail is to be savoured 

everywhere. Burnished 

brass and hand sawn oak. 

Serious cooking, even in 

a perfect kitchen, is hard 

work. So naturally there’s a 

sumptuous daybed to enjoy 

a quick breather and bask 

in the dappled soft sunlight 

that pours through the 

leaded windows. 

A generous walk in pantry 

– concealed within an 

inglenook chimney – is 

lined with 2 inch thick 

stone for the purpose of 

cooling. This is the beauty 

of design that thinks 

differently. This is the result 

of working with confident 

clients who enjoy creativity. 

Maybe we should return 

every year to see the kitchen 

mature with grace. 

It’s hardly a chore! 

inglishall.com 


The Priceless Education Supplement 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

9 

BC Designs Bath 

spotlight tiles 

Select your tiles to make a statement with 

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1 Glasshouse parlour palm 4 tile panel £115 Decorum Tiles decorumtiles.co.uk 

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3 Vintage olive rustic glossy metro wall tile £48.50/m 2 The London Tile Co 

londontile.co.uk 4 Winchester Botanique Paradis Mere Original Style 

originalstyle.com 5 Hollywood turquoise and carpenter limewashed 

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6 Fantasy Calacatta green polished marble effect porcelain wall and 

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8 Lucy Floweret Decor tile £61.95/m 2 Walls and Floors wallsandfloors.co.uk 

9 Rubber duck delft tile £32 Petra Palumbo petrapalumbo.com 



1Pattern 

Play 

“Textural basins have gained 

popularity in recent years due to 

their ability to add visual interest 

and tactile appeal to bathrooms. 

They serve as statement pieces 

that will elevate the overall design 

of a bathroom and add character 

and depth to the space. Whether 

used as a subtle accent or bold 

focal point, textural basins are a 

stylish choice that will suit any 

contemporary bathroom.” – Jeevan 

Seth, CEO at JTP jtpuk.co.uk 

 

“The vibrant mix of pink and green has 

been trending for a few years now and it 

shows no sign of slowing. We recently worked 

with Ca’ Pietra in our brand new showroom 

where the fusion of their gorgeous tiles with 

our bold wallpaper has really put the pow 

in to our powder room. We created a simple 

but striking stripe with the tiles which really 

grounds the Toile-inspired pattern of the 

wallpaper. The combinations of pink with 

green and pattern with stripe creates a fun, 

eccentric and flamboyant maximalist space 

and shows that you can still go really bold in 

a small space.” – Jamie Watkins, Co-founder, 

Divine Savages divinesavages.com 

 

What’s hot 

in the Bathroom? 

We’ve asked the experts and found 

the hottest trends for 2024 

2 

Textured 

Glass 

“Glass textures are ideal for 

enhancing smaller spaces as 

they are subtle and inobtrusive 

while adding depth and interest. 

We particularly like fluted 

glass (sometimes called reeded 

glass) as this technique was 

perfected in the same wave of 

innovation that cemented the 

icons of Victorian bathroom 

in the late 1800s. We’ve used 

this mouthblown glass in our 

lighting collections and our new 

bottle pump dispenser. With 

solid brass housing it looks 

flawlessly refined.” – James 

Lentaigne, Creative Director, 

Drummonds drummonds-uk.com 

 

istockphoto.com/ Yagurana & miko 

3 

Textural 

Basins 

Top Right: Arrow bottle pump dispenser 

from £460 and Dalby light with fluted 

shade from £520, both Drummonds 

drummonds-uk.com Above: EVO Basin 

in Brushed Bronze £595 JTP jtpuk.co.uk 

Right: The Astonian Original cast iron 

bath, here with exterior painted 

in Mylands’ Peach Flesh Pink 

(1700 x 680mm) £1,915 Aston 

Matthews astonmatthews.co.uk 

“Incorporating a pop of 

colour in the overall bathroom 

design, is ushering in a fresh 

perspective for 2024. Last year 

saw a noticeable shift embracing 

the idea that bathrooms can 

be more than just utilitarian 

spaces; they can be vibrant 

havens of self-expression. The 

trend is not merely a replication 

of the past but a reinvention, 

with contemporary colour 

choices breathing new life into 

bathroom design.” – Louise 

Ashdown, Head of Design 

at West One Bathrooms 

westonebathrooms.com 

 

4Colour Pop 

67 


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

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


Loop illuminated mirror 

with removable magnified 

vanity mirror and heated 

de-mister from £625 

Badger Bathrooms 

badgerbathrooms.com 

Below: Oslo arch mirror 

with brushed bronze frame 

£320 West One Bathrooms 


Above: Toronto LED mirror 

cabinet with adjustable ambient 

lights, double-sided mirror 

doors and an integrated shaver 

socket (600x 700mm) £865 

Aston Matthews 

astonmatthews.co.uk 

The Bright 

LED mirrors help us get a better look at ourselves and 

are perfect for a high-tech bathroom 

The Arched 

Above: Burlington arched 

mirror £202.30 

Sanctuary Bathrooms 

sanctuary-bathrooms.co.uk 

Arches are super on-trend right now in all areas so why 

not give the bathroom mirror the arch-treatment too? 

We spend so long looking at them, they may as well be pretty! But which mirror style will you go for? 

Left: Kenji 

bamboo 

round mirror 

£195 Origins 

originsliving.uk 

Below: Oslo organic 

mirror with brushed 

brass frame £325 

West One Bathrooms; 


Right: Wireworks magnifying 

wall mirror in oak £50 Black By 

Design black-by-design.co.uk 

Above: Slim organic 

mirror £140 Origins 

Living originsliving.uk 

The Wooden 

For a more natural look, which will soften your 

bathroom scheme, opt for something in wood 

The Organic 

A pebble- or bubble-like shape is full of intrigue 

and can add those much needed curves 

75 69 




A tiny bathroom can still make a huge 

impact, as Aston Matthews explain 

Most British 

bathrooms are 

no bigger than a 

double bed, so although we 

might all aspire to a grand, 

spacious bathroom, the 

reality is often very different. 

However, having a small 

space doesn’t mean you have 

to compromise on either 

practicality or style. 

This bathroom, in a 

Victorian apartment, 

is compact in size and 

without a window there 

is no natural light. But 

after a makeover that 

celebrates the high ceiling 

while introducing a bold 

paint colour and statement 

wallpaper, this space is 

now a joy to use. And with 

both a bath and shower, 

ample storage and elegant 

brass fittings it has added 

value to the property too. 

The starting point for this 

design was the large-scale 

panoramic wallpaper that 

the client first spotted in 

Aston Matthews’ bathroom 

showroom. The design, 

called Milk & Honey, 

features tropical plants 

and birds in a palette 

of grey, blue and burnt 

orange. From here a rich 

blue paint was chosen, a 

bold choice in a small 

space, but with 

the tall ceiling and deep 

coving it works perfectly. 

A false wall, to conceal 

the toilet cistern, allows for 

a decorative shelf, which 

is illuminated by lights set 

into the large wall cupboard 

above. Additional storage is 

provided by the Geo basin 

unit which was lacquered 

in a bespoke blue to match 

the walls. The side of the 

bath and the fluted glass 

shower screen are also in 

“The starting point for this 

design was the large-scale 

panoramic wallpaper” 

this matching blue. 

Bringing additional 

warmth to the scheme, 

brushed brass taps and 

shower fittings – from 

the Astonian Original 

collection – were chosen 

plus a matching mirror, 

heated towel radiator and 

even a brass toilet flush. The 

metro tiles are in off white 

with the palest hint of pink, 

which again adds warmth 

and, by arranging them in 

an attractive herringbone 

pattern, a fresh dynamic is 

brought to the shower area 

and floor. 

All the bathroom fittings for 

this project were supplied 

by Aston Matthews. You 

can visit the showroom 

in Guildford or shop 

online from the website, 

astonmatthews.co.uk 

Photography: Alison Hammond 

71 


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72

Sweet 

Dreams 

Chocolate isn’t just for Easter, treat yourself this spring as black staples make 

way for delicious coffee tones Photograph: David Merewether 

Holland Cooper Soho Camera Bag in suede £249 The Golden Boot thegoldenboot.co.uk

Aggi Meryl Brunette coat 

£690 Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Hot Diamonds X Gemstones 

horizontal tigers eye oval 

necklace £140 Fonteyn midi 

Hot Diamonds taupe bag £750 

hotdiamonds.co.uk Lalage Beaumont 

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Gustatory coffee moka pot silver 

necklace £90 Anchor & Crew 

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Cape Cod woven pashmina 

£210 Heidi Klein heidiklein.com 

istockphoto.com/ Katie_Martynova 

Croissant necklace 

£25 Estella Bartlett 

estellabartlett.com 

Harrietta Mary 

Jane leather pumps 

£59 John Lewis 

johnlewis.com 

Draped puff sleeve tailored blouse 

£180 Femponiq femponiq.com 

Cotton rich striped crew jumper £22.50 

M&S marksandspencer.com 

Latte Lady 

Stir a swirl of soft creamy tones into your deep chocolatey 

browns for this pared-back luxury look that means business 

Sloane Street 

shoulder bag 

£279 Radley 

radley.co.uk 

Pearls of the Orient 

Online Clara 

drop earrings £75 

Wolf & Badger 

wolfandbadger.com 

Dahlia scoop bag £130 Jasper 

Conran London jasperconran.com 

Houndstooth 

straight check 

trousers £20.80 

La Redoute 

laredoute.co.uk 

Folksy fox scarf 

£60 Fable England 

fableengland.com 

Mother of pearl 

signet ring £39 

SEOL + GOLD 

seolgold.com 

Chunky flatform 

loafers £39.50 M&S 

marksandspencer.com 

Santa Barbra cardigan £230 

Heidi Klein heidiklein.com 

Greta showerproof trench coat 

£239 Barbour barbour.com 

Butterfly faux tortoiseshell 

sunglasses £26 Oliver Bonas 

oliverbonas.com 

London shopper tote 

bag £415 Anya Sushko 

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74

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75 


Feathery 

Wreaths 

handmade goose 

feather wreath 

£65 (17 inches) 

etsy.com/uk/shop/ 

FeatheryWreaths

Let’s Celebrate 

Whether it’s sweet or savoury you’re craving this Easter 

weekend, Jo Arnell’s got it covered with egg-based recipes 

for a family feast Photographs: David Merewether 

Symbolic of the season, packed with goodness and so versatile, 

eggs are the highlight this month. As any hen keeper will know, 

eggs are plentiful right now – and may well already be the dish 

of the day. They’re delicious when simply boiled, poached or fried, 

but eggs are the foundation of many a recipe and a great, neatly 

packaged standby. It’s useful to have a handy supply of egg-based 

meals on hand at any time of the year, but Easter seems an especially 

appropriate moment to celebrate them and welcome in the spring. 

Easter Nests 

Makes 8 Prep time: 10 minutes Cooking time: approx 1 hour 

Cute nutty nests packed with cream, fruit and chocolate eggs make a great Easter 

dessert and are hard to resist. Make these mini pavlovas (slightly) more healthy 

with extra fruit, or give in to the treat of the holiday and pile on the mini eggs. 

• 4 eggs, separated 

• 200g sugar 

• 1 tsp cornflour 

• 75g chopped (or ground) roasted hazelnuts (optional) 

• 300ml double cream 

• 100g fruit – raspberries / strawberries / pomegranate seeds 

• 1 pack mini eggs 

1. Meringue, like cake, seems to notice if you’re in a hurry or a bad mood, so be 

warned. Whisk the egg white – at room temperature and free from any bits of 

yolk – until foamy and then slowly, one spoonful at a time, add the sugar, whisking 

as you go. (Dumping all the sugar in at once will cause the meringue to split.) 

2. Once the sugar is incorporated, add a teaspoon of cornflour and 

gradually add in the hazelnuts. Dollop 2 tablespoonfuls per ‘nest’ onto 

a sheet of greaseproof paper on a baking tray (you may need more than 

one tray) and form into shape, making a dip in the centre of each one 

to resemble a nest (you can also pipe the meringue to shape). 

3. Bake in a pre-heated oven (140°C or Gas 2) for 30 minutes and 

then turn off the heat and leave to cool before removing the meringues. 

Slow cooling will stop them cracking as they dry out. They will keep 

for several days in an airtight tin, so can be made in advance. 

4. Whip the cream to soft peaks then – once the meringues are cool – spoon or 

pipe cream into the centre of each nest. Decorate with fruit and/or mini eggs. 

 

77 


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78

Broccoli, pancetta & 

cheese pancakes 

Serves 4 Prep time: 20 mins 

Cooking time: 40 mins 

Almost like cannelloni, or less spicy 

enchiladas, these simple savoury 

pancakes are stuffed with vegetables 

and pancetta and topped with tomatoes 

and cheese. I have used high protein 

buckwheat flour in the batter mix, 

which adds texture, but they work 

just as well with plain white flour. 

For the pancakes (makes 

approx 6 large pancakes): 

• 50g buckwheat flour 

• 60g plain white flour 

• 2 eggs 

• 300ml milk 

• ½ tsp salt 

For the filling: 

• 250g broccoli florets 

• 150g diced, smoked pancetta 

or chopped ham 

• 100g mushrooms, chopped 

• 30g butter 

• 2 tbsp plain flour 

• approx 300ml milk 

• 150g mature cheddar cheese, grated 

For the topping: 

• 400g can chopped tomatoes 

• 100g tomato purée 

• 2 tsp dried oregano 

• 150g grated cheese 

For the pancakes: 

There are several stages in this recipe, 

but each stage is very simple – I tend 

to make the pancakes first; basically 

combine the eggs, flour, salt and a 

little of the milk, then whisk, adding 

the rest of the milk slowly until you 

have a smooth batter (add more milk 

if needed). Pour enough batter into 

a lightly oiled frying pan and cook 

for 2 minutes on each side. Slide 

onto a plate. Make 6-7 pancakes this 

way and set them aside to cool. 

For the filling: 

1. Steam the broccoli florets until 

just soft (approx 3-5 mins). 

Sauté the pancetta cubes in a 

pan, once these are crisping add 

the chopped mushrooms. 

Combine with broccoli 

and leave to one side. 

2. Melt the butter in a saucepan, 

add the flour and cook gently for 

2-3 minutes. Then slowly add the 

milk, waiting for the mixture to 

thicken before adding more. Once 

the white sauce is the consistency 

of cream, gradually add the grated 

cheese and incorporate into the sauce. 

Mix in the rest of the ingredients. 

To assemble: 

1. Place a couple of spoonfuls of the 

filling along each pancake and roll up 

into a fat sausage shape. Place the filled 

pancakes side by side into a baking dish. 

2. Preheat the oven to 180°C (Gas 

6). Add the tin of chopped tomatoes, 

tomato purée and oregano to a 

small pan. Heat and stir for 5 mins 

until combined, then pour over the 

stuffed pancakes, top with grated 

cheese and bake for approximately 

20-25 mins until the cheese is 

golden and bubbling and serve.

Spring Frittata 

Serves 4 Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 40 minutes 

This is a flexible frittata, so a range of early 

season vegetables can be used. If you grow 

your own veg and also keep chickens, it could 

end up as a ‘free lunch’ frittata. The addition 

of feta cheese brings an added tang, but I 

often omit this, then cube the frittata once it’s 

cool and serve it with a chilli dip. Use a pan 

that will go on the hob and under the grill. 

• 8 eggs 

• 250g baby new potatoes 

• 200g peas 

• 100g spinach 

• 2 leeks, washed and roughly chopped 

• 50g chopped chives 

• 200g block of feta cheese, cubed 

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil 

• mix of chopped herbs to garnish (optional) 

• salt and pepper to taste 

1. Cook the new potatoes for 

15-20mins until just soft. 

2. While the potatoes are hot, wilt the 

spinach and then add to the potatoes 

with the peas (I tend to just add frozen 

peas, which cook with the eggs). 

3. Sauté the leeks for 5 mins in the oil, in the 

same pan that you will make the frittata. 

4. In a separate bowl whip the eggs 

lightly to combine yolks and whites. 

5. Add the rest of the vegetables to the frittata 

pan along with the feta, then pour over the 

egg mixture and cook gently on the hob until 

almost set (approx 15-20 mins), then finish 

off under the grill – leave under a medium 

grill for 5-10 minutes. Serve warm or cold. 

81 


(Not so) mad March hair 

From rich blacks and smooth chocolates to radiant reds and gleaming blondes, winter haircare is 

all about conserving moisture to fight the frizz and stave off damage. Here, Josephine Fairley edits 

down her list of super effective tried-and-tested products to keep your barnet in tip-top condition 

istockphoto.com/ kobrin_photo / Mariia Vitkovska 

A 

few years ago, I sat around a table with some friends ‘of a certain age’ in late March and 

realised: everyone’s hair was frizzy, fried, flyaway and – well, as a result – really a bit ‘old ladyish’. 

It’s the sort of damage we’re told to expect after a summer holiday, but in fact winter 

assaults our hair over a much longer period – notably through central heating, which saps every 

atom of moisture out of an interior environment. And out of our hair, at the same time. 

There are some lifestyle steps that can help. One way is quite simply to add more moisture to 

your home environment, if it’s super-dry. A ‘room hygrometer’ (I bought mine via Amazon for a 

few quid) will tell you whether it’s dry, moderate or (I’m looking at mine now), just over the cusp 

of ‘humid’, which is probably a healthy place to be, so far as my barnet’s concerned. 

How can you add moisture to the air? There are pricey Dyson machines that will do this, but I prefer lower-tech 

methods: small bowls of water, for instance, placed near radiators. Misting your plants, too. And actually, I like to 

dry the washing over radiators, too, which – while making the place look a little disordered on washday – really 

helps ramp up the moisture levels, as well as saving on the ouch-making cost of running the tumble drier. 

But, of course, it’s also about using the right haircare – to infuse the hair shaft with moisture and 

nutrients, while smoothing the cuticle so it looks shiny and healthy. And take note: there isn’t a single 

hairdresser that I’ve interviewed over the years who didn’t prescribe a weekly deep treatment with a hair 

mask to keep hair in tip-top nick – a piece of advice that you will not regret sticking to religiously. 

Different fabrics that our hair comes into contact with have adverse or beneficial effects, too. I’m a big fan of 

silk pillowcases (see below), which are much kinder to hair than cotton or linen if you tend to switch sides in 

the night. Wool? Not so much. Fabulous as a beanie or a knitted hat looks, be aware that putting these on and 

taking them off can rough up the hair cuticle, which leads to frizz. (They don’t call it ‘hat hair’ for nothing.) 

Plenty of products have landed on my desk lately that I think are particularly suited to using 

at this time of year, so I’ll share my favourites – along with some ‘old friends’, in terms of glossboosting, 

re-moisturising haircare. It is frankly never too soon to start to undo the damage that 

central heating (and blustery, whipping winds) does to hair – but never too late, either… 

Sam McKnight Rich Nourish Shampoo, £28 for 200ml, and Conditioner, £28 for 200ml. If you haven’t 

yet dipped a toe into the waters of ‘designer’ haircare, this is the place to start. (And I’m warning you: there may 

be no turning back. My thinking is: I’d rather spend money on my hair than new clothes, because I wear my 

hair every darned day.) From the ultimate A-list hairdresser, infused with fragrances created by stellar perfumer 

Lyn Harris (Miller Harris, Perfumer H), this heaven-scented Rich Nourish duo contains strengthening plant 

keratin, gloss-boosting sugar beet and a combo of 17 amino acids to smooth, soften and boost hair’s resilience. 

I’m such a fan of these products that I keep them ‘backstage’ in a bag with my name on at the hair salon I go to 

(where I’d happily PAY to have a locker, though fortunately that’s not needed). For a mega-boost, I also like to slather 

on Sam McKnight Deeper Love 5-Minute Intense Treatment Mask, from £22 for 50ml mini. (I recommend 

trying this travel size first, because this is ‘investment haircare’ – but I’ve a hunch you’ll trade up to the bigger tub.) 

Phil Smith Coco Licious Coconut Shine Shampoo and Conditioner, £4 each for 250ml. At the other end 

of the price spectrum is a brilliant new range of Everyday Expert hair products from hairdresser Phil Smith – 

and I’m wowed by their great value. Smelling pleasantly but not Bounty bar-style overwhelmingly coconutty, 

both the shampoo and luscious conditioner feature lashings of coconut oil for silky softness and hydration. 

Aveda Smooth Infusion Anti-Frizz Shampoo, from £12.50 for 50ml, and Conditioner, £12.50 for 40ml. 

83 


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84

One way to tackle ‘Mad March Hair’ is specifically to seek out formulations with 

ingredients that are specifically moisturising, such as hydrolysed wheat 

protein and aloe vera; both of those feature in this brilliant dailyuse 

duo alongside maize and guar bean to banish frizz and 

leave hair glossily manageable, rather than wayward. 

Neal’s Yard Remedies Nurturing Rose Shampoo and 

Conditioner, from £11.50 each for 200ml. This whiskyou-to-a-rose-garden 

duo, meanwhile, is ideal for dry, 

damaged hairtypes (notably hair that’s been bleached, 

in my experience). I always think it says everything 

about how good a product is when it’s offered in 

almost a litre-sized bottle, as the shampoo is (£38). 

Holistic Silk Pure Mulberry Silk Pillowcase, 

£89 (holisticsilk.com). One for your next birthday 

wishlist, perhaps: Holistic Silk’s pillowcases are 

hugely popular with beauty editors (including 

this one). Resulting in up to 50% less ‘drag’ than 

a cotton pillowslip, they’re ace for preventing 

the friction to hair that results in wiriness and 

frizziness – doing much more than simply 

making you feel like a Hollywood movie 

star. (Though that’s a rather nice bonus.) 

Ogario Restore and Shine Hair Masque, 

£28.50 for 200ml (ogariolondon.com). 

Despite the recommendation to deep-treat 

hair once a week, you probably wouldn’t go 

wrong making that twice-weekly, at this time 

of year. This luscious offering is powered by 

avocado, vitamin E, glycerine (which actually 

attracts moisture to hair) and pro-vitamin 

B5, targeting split ends, with a divine lemon 

sherbet-y scent that invites lavish application. 

FFØR Re:Nourish Shampoo and 

Conditioner, from £16 for set of 2 x 

100ml sizes. Might sound Scandi, but 

FFØR is actually a made-in-the-UK brand 

whose name stands for ‘Free From/Original/ 

Real’, offering products that are 100% 

vegan, PETA-certified cruelty-free and In fully 

recyclable bottles, jars and tubes. This particular 

moisture-boosting duo is infused with organic 

orange and cinnamon, and was also a ‘wow’ with 

testers in the most recent Beauty Bible Awards. 

Hair Proud Clean & Strong Pre-Wash Hair 

Mask, £9.95 for 200ml. I hear you chorus: ‘What 

the hell is a pre-cleanse mask?’ Well, this is massaged 

into dry hair before shampooing, so it can slurp up the 

goodness from squalene, strengthening biotin, Kakadu 

plum vitamin C and an amino acid complex. Leave for five 

to 10 minutes, then shampoo and rinse as usual. (I absolutely 

promise that you won’t simply wash its goodness down the sink.) 

Rahua Smoothing Hair Balm, £32 for 17g. Sometimes, you just 

need something to tame flyaways and banish frizz on the go. Add a dab of this blend of 

100% natural ingredients – sunflower, coconut, rapeseed, Sacha Inchi and cocoa butter all 

feature – to your palms, rub together and skim over hair to restore shine and manageability, 

and as you swish those newly-gleaming tresses, you’ll get a sublime waft of gardenia. 

So, honestly, it doesn’t have to be ‘Mad March’, for hair… 

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s product reviews and beauty tips. 

85

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Health 

Limber up! 

Sarah Maxwell expands 

on flexibility and 

stretching techniques 

istockphoto.com/carles miro 

Babies and young children can 

contort their bodies into an 

incredible range of movement, 

making even an Olympic gymnast 

appear to need to work a bit harder 

on their flexibility! At birth, babies 

have a higher cartilage ratio to bone, 

making their joints extremely flexible. 

As they grow, the cartilage starts to 

harden into bone. As adults, we retain 

some cartilage (mainly in our joints) 

and, as you can imagine, by the time 

we are fully developed, most of us will 

have lost the ability to put our leg 

behind our head or our foot in our 

mouth (I still do this very well but not 

in the physical sense unfortunately). 

Stretch techniques are effective 

methods to increase flexibility, 

improve joint mobility and enhance 

overall muscle performance. There 

are various stretch techniques, 

including PNF (Proprioceptive 

Neuromuscular Facilitation), 

dynamic stretching and static 

stretching. Each one has its unique 

benefits and methods of execution. 

Let’s explore these techniques and 

how to perform them correctly. 

PNF stretching involves alternating 

contractions and relaxations of specific 

muscle groups. It utilises the body’s 

reflexes to facilitate an increased 

range of motion. There are two main 

methods of PNF stretching – the holdrelax 

technique and the contract-relax 

technique. 

The hold-relax technique 

involves the following steps: 

1. Position the muscle to be stretched 

in a lengthened position. 

2. Apply a gentle resistance to the 

muscle for around 5-10 seconds. 

3. Contract the muscle being stretched 

against the resistance for 5-10 seconds. 

4. After the contraction, relax while 

gently increasing the stretch. 

The contract-relax technique is a 

variation on the hold/relax technique 

1. Position the muscle to be stretched 

in a lengthened position. 

2. Contract the stretched muscle against 

the resistance for 5-10 seconds. 

3. After the contraction, relax while 

gently increasing the stretch. 

Dynamic stretching involves moving 

parts of the body through a full range 

of motion in a controlled and fluid 

manner. This helps improve muscle 

elasticity and coordination and prepares 

the body for physical activity. Dynamic 

stretches are typically performed before 

engaging in activities that require a high 

level of mobility and flexibility. Some 

examples of dynamic stretches include 

squats, arm circles, and walking lunges. 

Static stretching, however, involves 

holding a stretch position for a 

prolonged period, typically between 15 

to 60 seconds. This really helps muscle 

flexibility and is more commonly 

performed after physical activity or 

as a stretch routine on its own. Static 

stretching should be done when your 

muscles are warm, and not as a warm-up 

activity. Some common static stretches 

include hamstrings, calves and shoulders. 

When attempting to develop 

your flexibility it’s important to 

be aware of the following. 

Warm-up – Before stretching, warm 

up your muscles through light cardio 

exercises or dynamic movements. 

Good form – Maintain good 

posture and alignment during 

stretches to maximise effectiveness 

and minimise your risk of injury. 

Progression – Start with gentle 

stretches and gradually increase 

the intensity and duration. 

Breathing – Breathe deeply and slowly 

throughout the stretches to promote 

relaxation and enhance the stretch. 

Listen to your body – If you 

experience pain or discomfort, ease off 

the stretch or modify the position. 

Consistency – Incorporate stretch 

techniques into your routine to maintain 

and improve flexibility over time. 

Sarah says: Remember that everyone’s 

flexibility levels vary, so it’s important 

to personalise the stretches according 

to your ability and take it gently. 

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 

87 


Mum & I 

Clara Hebblethwaite shares her very 

personal experience of supporting her 

mum through vascular dementia 

After four turbulent years of mum 

living alone in London with vascular 

dementia, we made the decision to 

move her into our local Woodchurch village 

care home at the beginning of last year. 

Mum had been diagnosed in 2019, and, 

as the condition took hold, we came to 

realise that the move was essential, despite 

our hearts being torn. She, the glamorous 

diplomat’s wife, the life and soul, who had 

led an independent and colourful life all over 

the world, reduced to wandering the corridors 

in a state of confusion. Her distress is ours 

as she goes down the plug hole, her strength 

of character determined not to let go. 

It has been so important for me to seek 

out any possible nuggets of joy within this 

storm and to support others where I can. I 

have felt a strong urge to be part of her ever 

changing and scary reality, like a mother 

would their child. I’ve come to accept that 

mum is now on a secure wing and that, 

however painful it is to see her in this way, 

life must continue and we can feel productive 

and positive by bringing life to her. 

It has been interesting to see that, rather 

than looking back, she feels way more 

comforted by happy experiences in the 

present. The now is so important. The 

feelings generated by the imprint of all those 

she comes into contact with are real. 

We’ve got very lovely visitors such as 

Karen, a reflexologist, and Donna, a care 

home entertainer, who come in to give 

mum reassurance, fun and distraction via 

hands-on comfort, engaged listening or 

good time dancing. Mum and I have also 

done lots of planting outside the care home 

entrance which we’ve loved, and bringing a 

little bit of hope and colour to those carers 

and visitors coming and going feels right. 

One of the highlights in terms of 

understanding dementia has been thanks to 

the Virtual Dementia Experience that we 

organised in the New Year. Having fundraised 

over £1,300 we were able to secure a Virtual 

Dementia Bus to come to her care home and 

provide 32 of us with valuable training on the 

dementia experience. The group included 20 

carers, 2 managers, 3 GP admin staff, 1 trainee 

paramedic and 6 family members. I wanted to 

increase insider knowledge for those involved in 

the day-to-day care of those with dementia and 

we were given an intense 7 minute experience 

of how it feels to have dementia, followed by 

digestion of these feelings and training. It was 

frightening to feel, even for a short time, how 

mum does every minute of the day and then 

insightful discovering why dementia sufferers 

do certain things or react in certain ways. 

We know so little about this terrifying 

‘mind death’ and, as a family, over the last 

few years have felt like we’re stabbing around 

in the dark trying to figure out the best way 

forward. The plan now is to use some of 

this learning to train others, not only family 

members in mum’s care home but also staff in 

other care homes, so that they can adjust their 

approach to those they look after accordingly. 

Dementia is the grimmest of grim and it 

cruelly affects so many. It’s a one way ticket 

and those who have it are incredibly brave. I 

am hopeful that an increase in understanding 

and empathy will help many to find ways to 

create nuggets of joy for all those involved. 

Sources of support: Autumna: Directory of 

Care Homes, Home Care, Live-in Care & 

Retirement Living, plus advice on finding care, 

paying for care and funding. Farley Dwek 

Solicitors: specialists in Continuing Healthcare 

Assessments. Woodchurch Post Office Coffee 

Shop: relatives of those with dementia meet first 

Monday of the month, 10-11am. All welcome. 

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88 

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

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

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our diets. 

This month it’s bone broth 

Broth is one of the most ancient, nourishing 

and affordable staple foods. It is not only 

very easy to make but also soothing and 

incredibly supportive of our immune system. In a 

good quality bone broth, you will find easily digestible 

amino acids, gelatine, fats, vitamins and minerals, 

all of which help to heal a damaged gut lining. 

Gut health and good digestion are so important 

– it’s not just what you eat, it’s what you actually 

digest from your food that counts. Without a healthy 

gut lining your body will not be able to efficiently 

digest and absorb all the vitamins and minerals 

it needs, so even if you are eating the nourishing 

foods, you may not be getting all their benefits. 

Bone broth contains both zinc – which helps the 

development and function of immune cells, and vitamin 

C – an antioxidant which helps protect our immune cells 

from damage. It is wonderful enjoyed as it is, as well as 

used as the base of many stews, sauces, soups or noodle 

dishes, simply add onions, cabbage and noodles and 

poach an egg in the broth for a quick, warming supper. 

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 

• 2-3kg of chicken carcasses 

(I use bones saved from 

a roast – these could 

be beef or lamb too) 

• a splash of apple cider 

vinegar (this helps 

extract the minerals 

from the bones) 

• left over carrot tops, 

Simple bone broth 

Makes 3-4 litres, depending on your pan size 

celery leaves, onions 

– about 2 handfuls 

• black peppercorns 

• a few dried bay leaves 

• 1 tsp turmeric 

• a thumb sized 

piece of ginger 

• 3 garlic cloves 

1. Place the bones in a large saucepan along with all the 

vegetables, bay leaves, pepper and apple cider vinegar. Cover 

with cold water, making sure the bones are covered, plus an 

extra 5cm of water. Cover with a lid and bring to the boil. 

2. Reduce the heat and leave simmering gently with the 

lid on, for at least 6 hours. (Beef or lamb should be left 

longer – 12 hours). The longer the bones are simmered 

the more nutrients are released, so leave them for as long 

as you can! Strain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer. 

3. Use immediately or leave to cool before 

storing. It can be kept in the fridge in glass 

containers for a few days or frozen in batches. 

(Remember to leave enough room for expansion). 

89 


We’re All Friends 

Here 

Jo Arnell gives us the ins and the 

outs of companion planting 

‘ 

No man is an island’, wrote 

John Donne, and it seems, 

nor is any other living thing, 

from the tiniest microbe, the lowliest 

worm, the most secluded hermit – 

even the Mind Your Own Business 

plant has to interact with others in 

order to stay alive. We have all been 

living in symbiotic relationships since 

life began. Flowers, for example, only 

evolved to please the bees and the 

bees have been happily helping them 

out with pollination for millions 

of years. Complex and intricate 

mechanisms have evolved to bind 

different species together, encouraging 

them to get along – or sometimes 

not – with each other..Symbiosis 

has enabled organisms to succeed 

where otherwise they might not even 

survive. It is usually transactional, each 

partner benefits from the interaction, 

but as with many partnerships, It 

isn’t always mutually beneficial – 

sometimes one partner benefits 

more, or worse, it is a parasite and 

benefits at the expense of the other. 

The root of the matter 

Some of the best companions are those 

beneath the soil – the complex web 

of fungi and beneficial bacteria that 

live in the area around the roots called 

the rhizosphere – a bit like the gut 

microbiome found in our intestines. 

Fungi and bacteria bring nutrients and 

minerals to the plant roots exchanging 

them for sugars, and helping to create 

a healthy microbiome in the rootzone. 

Plants can also exude chemicals 

through their roots – to repel their 

neighbours, or to warn other plants 

and resist attack from pathogens or 

insect pests. Their communications 

are mainly via tiny mycorrhizal 

fungi, which live in symbiosis with 

the plant, often within the roots 

of the plant itself. This helps to 

explain why some plants mysteriously 

flourish next to one another, and 

how invasive species romp about 


Garden 

to be pollinated – growing nectar rich 

flowers and herbs will attract beneficial 

pollinating insects. Some of these, like 

hoverflies and lacewings, play a very 

useful dual role – they are carnivorous 

as larvae, eating aphids and pest 

controlling until they hatch out into 

vegetarian, nectar drinking adults. 

Herbs are useful planted among 

vegetables; they are great at attracting 

pollinators and are highly aromatic, 

so that they mask the scent of the 

crop, and also act more mysteriously 

at root level, sending out protective 

substances that benefit nearby plants. 

R hubarb 

Nurse crops are so called because 

one crop protects the other, usually 

physically. Sapling trees are ‘nursed’ 

by brambles, which protect them 

from attack by deer or rabbits. Broad 

beans can be planted in the furrows 

between potatoes and the beans act 

as protection from cold winds for the 

developing potatoes, their nitrogenfixing 

roots also nourish the crop 

and the arrangement will save on 

space to, utilising the furrows. 

Nasturtium 

istockphoto.com/ Natalia Natalia / istockphoto.com/ Litvalifa / MajaCvetojevic / firina 

unchallenged, because they produce 

phytotoxins that attack or inhibit 

their neighbours. 

Good companions 

Many plants benefit from being grown 

near to one another. A well known 

pair of crops to grow together is carrot 

and onion; both are strongly scented, 

which confuses and repels certain 

pests. Onion fly is put off by the smell 

of carrots, while carrot fly – which is 

said to be able to detect the scent of 

a carrot being pulled up to two miles 

away – is confused and deterred by the 

smell of onions. Vegetables that are 

grown for their pods and fruit need 

Pest Control 

Marigolds (French, not African) 

attract hoverflies and deter aphids. 

They are also said to repel whitefly 

if planted near tomatoes or in the 

greenhouse. There’s a lovely a tall 

variety called ‘Mr Stripey’, one called 

‘Cinnabar’ which is bronze edged with 

orange – and I’m hoping that a new 

variety; Tagetes ‘Tomato Growing 

Secret’ by Thompson and Morgan 

wasn’t given its name for nothing. 

Trap crops are a bit like decoys, 

luring pests away from more precious 

edibles. Nasturtiums are grown 

among cabbages and kale – the 

theory being that cabbage white 

butterflies and Blackfly will be drawn 

to the brightly coloured Nasturtiums 

before they find the cabbages. I’m 

not so convinced by this one, 

but a veg patch full of rambling 

Nasturtiums is very decorative. 

Three in a Bed 

An ancient North American technique 

called the ‘three sisters’ involving 

sweetcorn, squash and beans. The idea 

is that the sweetcorn grows up tall 

and strong to provide a support for 

the bean to climb up, the squash’s 

 

The Veg Patch 

Sweetcorn 

91 


Garden 

Marigolds and Cerinthe 

leads to soil degradation, erosion and 

in the end dramatically lowers yields. 

Polyculture, as the term suggests, 

is the opposite of monoculture and 

encompasses methods of growing more 

than one type of plant – companion 

planting, intercropping and forest 

gardening. It is a more natural way 

of growing and has been proven to 

reduce the incidence of pest and disease 

outbreaks and to increase yields. An 

extension of this is permaculture, where 

the planting is layered and closely 

resembles that of a natural ecosystem. 

We are only just beginning to discover 

the extent of symbiotic relationships 

between species, whether they are other 

plants, fungi or animals. Most of these 

interactions have gone on unnoticed, 

deep within the soil, but the discoveries 

that are being made will have huge 

consequences for all of us – from 

something as simple as enhancing the 

flavour of a vegetable, to increasing crop 

yields, repelling pests and diseases, even 

to securing the future of the planet. 

Jo’s gardening courses are now booking. 

Call 07923 969634 or see 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

large leaves provide shade and suppress 

weeds, and the bean’s nitrogen fixing 

root nodules enrich the soil. It’s win, 

win, win, as each party benefits – and 

because they use different parts of the 

same bed, it’s a great space-saver too. 

Make sure you grow the sweetcorn 

to a good height first though, or the 

beans and squash will romp about 

like two naughty sisters and pull 

everything down into a tangle. 

Polyculture 

Monocultures – the practice of only 

growing one crop in a space – has 

been a popular way to grow edibles 

in fields, farms and gardens across the 

globe. On the surface it is an efficient 

way to grow and harvest a crop, but in 

the long term it is not a healthy one. 

Monocultures are detrimental to the 

environment in several ways: a large 

quantity of one crop attracts in huge 

populations of pests, depletes the soil 

of nutrients and upsets the natural 

balance in the soil and ecosystem. This 

also results in overuse of pesticides, 

herbicides and chemical fertilisers, 

Vegetable 

Beans 

Brassicas (cabbage 

family) 

Onions 

Corn 

Carrots 

Potatoes 

Leeks 

Lettuce 

Celery 

Tomatoes 

Peas 

Grows Well With 

Potatoes, cucumber, 

cauliflower, 

cabbage, herbs 

Herbs and aromatics 

Carrots, lettuce, 

tomatoes, radish 

Peas, beans, squash, 

potatoes, cucumber 

Onions, peas, herbs, 

tomatoes, radishes 

Beans, corn 

Carrots, onions, celery 

Carrots, radishes, 

cucumber 

Onions, tomatoes, celery 

Onions, parsley, 

asparagus, 

cabbage, carrots 

Carrots, swedes, 

radishes, cucumber, 

corn, beans 

Dislikes 

Onions, garlic, beetroot 

Tomatoes 

Beans, peas 

Tomatoes 

Dill 

Cucumber, squash, 

tomatoes, peas, 

Jerusalem artichokes 

Beans, peas 

Onions, potatoes 


Ilex Nellie R Stevens Ligustrum japonicum (pleached) Magnolia grandiflora 

Ct PvC 

t SC tS 

Photinia Red Robin 

Privacy in gardens can be created using 

trees to hide or screen out an undesirable 

view. Trees grown for this purpose often 

have a clear stem up to fence panel height 

around 1.8-2m with a full bushy canopy 

above, forming a good screen above the 

fence line. This type of screening is 

particularly useful if the garden is 

overlooked by neighbouring properties 

or to retain lower-level exposure to an 

attractive wall or area. 

Semi-mature trees can be planted to 

achieve effective screening from the offset 

with evergreens being preferred for this 

purpose as they screen throughout the year. 

However, a planting scheme that includes 

deciduous trees can provide rich contrast 

and seasonal interest. 

Screening trees 

Practicality Brown can supply a range of 

top quality trees for screening, which are 

particularly useful for creating privacy. 

This is our selection of the best screening 

trees, and all are in stock at our nursery in 

Iver, Bucks: 

• Eriobotrya japonica 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ilex castaneifolia 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Osmanthus aquifolium 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Pinus nigra 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

• Viburnum lucidum 

Pleached trees 

We also have a range of pleached trees 

which can be used in the same way; 

pleached trees can be effective for formal 

screening and where space is limited. 

These are our best trees that are in stock: 

• Ilex aquifolium Nellie R Stevens 

• Ligustrum japonicum 

• Magnolia grandiflora 

• Photinia fraseri ‘Red Robin’ 

• Prunus laurocerasus ‘Novita’ 

tree & edge ursery 

As well as the screening trees, Practicality 

Brown grows a range of premium quality 

Practical Instant Hedge at the nursery in 

Iver. You are welcome to visit to view both 

trees and hedges. 

www.pracbrown.co.uk 

Conac us for deails 

email rees@pracbrown.co.uk 

or call 01753 652022 for more informaion

Hedge 

Issues 

Sue Whigham takes a meander along 

nature’s verdant and vital corridors 

Recently the BBC’s Today 

programme carried a feature 

about England’s hedgerows 

which created a lot of interest among 

listeners. On the strength of that, 

Martha Kearney interviewed one of 

them, Emma Bridgewater, the pottery 

business founder, and someone who 

likes to get ‘close and personal’ with 

the hedgerows in her North Norfolk 

garden. I very much liked the sound 

of her creation of a place not only to 

sit and have a cup of tea or a drink but 

one where she can actually get inside 

her hedge – accessing it through (or 

over!) an old garden shed. I can just 

imagine it, although I’ll confess I’m 

finding it rather tricky to describe. 

A project led by Dr. Richard 

Broughton of the UK Centre for 

Ecology and Hydrology based in 

Lancaster has spent the last five years 

mapping the hedgerows of England 

using advanced laser scanning. They 

England’s hedgerows 

would stretch ‘almost 

ten times around the 

Earth’ if lined up 

end to end 

have announced that England’s 

hedgerows would stretch ‘almost ten 

times around the Earth’ if lined up endto-end, 

which is a reassuring statistic, 

bearing in mind that hedges are so often 

being grubbed up or left unmanaged 

(which does them no good at all). The 

technology is fascinating, recording 

as it does the state of our existing 

hedgerows, measuring their height and 

condition and being able to work out 

how much carbon can be removed 

from the atmosphere and stored in 

the structure of these hedgerows. 

It’s hoped that this advanced 

mapping will guide both planning 

and restoration of our exceedingly 

vulnerable wildlife corridors. Under 

its Environmental Improvement Plan, 

the current Government has pledged 

to support farmers and landowners in 

the restoration or creation of 30,000 

istockphoto.com/ Ann Talbo / istockphoto.com/ yujie chen, Charlie Fayers, Andy-Coleman t 


94

Garden 

Left: Hedgerows are nature’s 

thoroughfares through the countryside; 

Below: A dear little hazel dormouse 

miles of hedgerows a year by 2037 and 

an increase to 45,000 miles a year by 

2050. Let’s hope that this plan remains 

in place regardless of who is in power. 

And to quote Rob Walton, “Hedgerows 

are manmade green veins that wildlife 

have adapted to and are dependent on.” 

The BBC then diverted me to 

Lionel Kelleway’s lively interview for 

the Living World programme of a few 

years ago when he walked and talked 

with a hedgerow ecologist farming 80 

acres in Devon, north of Dartmouth, 

with its high rain count and acidic soil 

and where hedges grow in profusion 

and have done for centuries, many 

appearing on ancient maps. Some 

West Country hedgerows are even 

believed to be 4,000 years old. 

Rob Walton has 18 fields on his farm 

and they are all surrounded by hedges, 

some of which are 10-15 metres wide. 

He was full of knowledge, facts and 

advice about how to maintain them to 

keep them at their best. He put paid 

to the old Max Hooper rule of dating 

a hedge by the number of species there 

are in a 30 metre length. The old rule 

of thumb was to multiply the number 

by 100 and that gave you the age of the 

hedge. Mr Walton has been planting 

hedges for twenty years or more and 

said that if this rule worked, some of his 

hedges would be a thousand years old! 

The South West is lucky to have at 

least ten species to the four found in 

the same length of hedge elsewhere in 

the country, and he was especially 

95 


Garden 

proud of the fact that he has more 

dormice in his hedges than he could 

count. Oh, lucky man. I hadn’t realised 

that dormice are creatures that favour 

woodland edges. They build damp 

nests deep in the hedge which can 

vary in size from that of a satsuma to a 

grapefruit, using green leaves, shredded 

honeysuckle and various grasses or 

rushes. They then hibernate from 

October to April and for the rest of 

the year they are pretty torpid, never 

travelling too far from their nests. And 

whilst dormice can travel on the ground 

when they are searching out their diet 

of nuts, fruits and insects – oh, and 

pollen too – they prefer the shelter and 

safety of a hedgerow to scurry through. 

He then described some of the plants 

to be found in his hedges, amongst 

them hawthorn, the berries of which 

are good at reducing blood pressure but 

‘dull’ to eat; to wild angelica, Angelica 

sylvestris, a firm favourite with his cows; 

and sweet smelling meadowsweet, 

Filipendula ulmaria. And then there are 

the hedgerow trees that sometimes grow 

away between cutting and are often 

given a reprieve to grow on. It seems 

that hedges with trees such as oak, ash, 

holly and alder growing in with them 

increase the numbers of creatures like 

bats, moths and birds hugely. Another 

interesting statistic was that a mature 

hawthorn can have berries on the 

one plant equivalent to two hundred 

metres of regularly cut hedgerow. 

We know here that hedges tend to 

be cut every winter but whilst they 

need to be managed, it seems that 

a cut every three years produces far 

greater quantities of berries and fruits 

for wildlife as the plants flower on the 

previous year’s wood. I must say that 

here we have extremes and that is just 

down one lane. On one side we have 

a fifteen foot hedge which hasn’t been 

touched for several years and which is 

now thin and straggly and falling into 

the road with alarming regularity and 

on the other side we have a hedge which 

is usually cut down mercilessly just as 

the blackberries are at their best! This 

year we’ve been glad to see that it was 

left until most of the fruit was picked 

over by the birds. Mr Walton was right 

about walking slowly sometimes just 

to take in the different birds and other 

wildlife who inhabit our hedges – voles, 

wood mice, shrews, weasels and the 

shyer stoats are all in there – along 

with all manner of small passerine 

birds. It’s lovely to see wrens hopping 

through the hedge during a dog walking 

meander only giving themselves away 

with their amazingly loud voices – 

surely a Tiny Bird with a Giant Voice. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 

07810 457948 for gardening advice 

and help in the sourcing and supply 

of interesting garden plants. 

Below: Beautiful hawthorn blossom 


96

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98

Meet the 

Head 

Malcolm Gough, Headteacher at 

Hilden Grange Prep School, tells 

us about his everlasting gap year! 

istockphoto.com/ olnik_y 

What led you to a career in education? 

I was born in Zimbabwe and then moved 

to South Africa where I attended school and 

university and read Law. From there I came to 

England for a gap year and took a job in an 

independent school, where I discovered a love 

and aptitude for teaching (happily the head 

teacher agreed). A PGCE and senior leadership 

positions followed. I met my wife at Somerhill, 

she’s from Kent and so we’re now settled here 

with our two children. The gap year continues! 

What drew you to Hilden Grange? 

When Hilden Grange came up I knew it was 

the perfect place for me. The size is ideal. With 

300 children we’re large enough for great team 

sports alongside wonderful music ensembles 

and theatrical performances; whilst being small 

enough to really know each child as an individual 

– I think this is particularly important for this 

age group – and for a really strong community 

feel. I also like the fact that we’re co-ed, which I 

believe brings benefits to all the children. Most 

of all, Hilden Grange aligns with my educational 

philosophy – to keep expectations high but to 

do so with kindness. Another factor was that we 

have the best of both town and country being 

here in Tonbridge, with close links to Tonbridge 

School adding great facilities, and ease of access 

to the train station for parents, but with grounds 

of 22 acres including fantastic green spaces. 

What sets Hilden Grange apart? 

We’ve got a great reputation for academic 

excellence and a tremendous record for 11+, 

which is right at the very top in our area, 

even though we’re a mixed ability school. This 

year we had a 100% pass rate. Our sport and 

performing arts departments are two more 

jewels in the crown, providing a real breadth of 

experience. We’re proud of our results but we 

don’t like to be boastful. Our children are likely to 

become influential in their chosen fields and it’s 

important that they appreciate their privilege 

and have a really strong sense of compassion 

and responsibility to others. Confidence is 

a wonderful gift for children but arrogance 

is unhelpful. We’re keen to instil potential 

future leaders (in whatever capacity) with 

the ability to be clear and lateral thinkers, 

to be resilient and, crucially, to be kind. 

“...keep expectations 

high but do so 

with kindness.” 

How do you achieve your impressive results? 

From Year 3 all of our children are taught 

by specialist subject teachers for every lesson, 

which is earlier than at most schools. So from 

this young age they will be taught science by a 

teacher who has a relevant degree, for example. 

We also set the children for maths and English 

so that we can effectively tailor and target their 

teaching. Our lovely nursery is next to reception, 

so while the little ones get going with phonics 

and numbers, those that feel ready can also pop 

into reception class. These structural elements 

create a situation where great outcomes naturally 

flow without the need for too much pressure. 

It’s important that the children get to have fun 

and be kids. They only get their childhood once. 

We want to provide everything they need to be 

inspired to learn and also to enjoy themselves. 

What are you most proud of? 

Hilden Grange is a very warm place, with a really 

friendly atmosphere. We have a very strong parents 

association and a great community. I’m very 

proud of our diversity, especially considering our 

My Favourite 

Things... 

Book: I love reading about the life 

of Nelson Mandela and how his 

strength of character stands up from 

every angle. I have two favourites: 

the first was written by his PA, 

Zelda LaGrange, and is called ‘Good 

Morning, Mr Mandela’. The second 

is written by his chief bodyguard, 

Rory Steyn, ‘One Step Behind 

Mandela: the Story of Rory Steyn’. 

Song: I love so many songs but 

I’ll choose U2’s I Still Haven’t 

Found What I’m Looking For. 

Place: Barcelona for the 

incredible Gaudi architecture. 

location. Since I joined, our pupil body identifying 

themselves to be of an ethnic minority or mixed 

race background has grown from 6% to 27%. 

We’ve also joined the Inspired Education Group 

– a global community of schools – so we will 

virtually visit schools across the world and even 

explore the jungle outside a school in Peru, for 

example. It’s important to look outwards and reach 

out, and whilst we’re dedicated to using these 

advances to enhance what we have, we’re careful 

not to break what already works so well for us. 

I’m thrilled by the outstanding musical, theatrical 

and sporting achievements of our pupils. We have 

about 200 individual musical instrument lessons 

here each week and the standard of music and 

singing is really phenomenal. It’s an absolute joy. 

Find out more about Hilden 

Grange at hildengrange.co.uk 

99 


Explore more 

at one of our 

Open Day 

Events 

Nursery Open Morning 

Saturday 16 th March, 9.30am – 12 noon 

Whole School Open Morning 

Friday 22 nd March, 9.30am – 12 noon 

“Excellent in all aspects of teaching” 

Independent Schools Report 

“Spectacular” 

Muddy Stilettos Best Schools Guide 

LUX 

M A G A 

life 

Z I N E 

Private 

Education 

awards 

2023 

Winner! 

Most Nurturing Nursery & Early 

Years Hazelwood Learning Environment School 2023 

Most Nurturing Nursery & Early Years 

in South East England 

Learning Environment 2023 - South East England 

An independent prep school for girls 

and boys aged 9 months to 13 years. 

To book a place, please visit our website 

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk or call 01883 733841 

100 

240201_Hazelwood_Open Day ad_A4_17.7.23.indd 1 09/02/2024 13:18

Education 

‘It’s not fair!’ 

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

explains the importance of winning and losing with good grace 

istockphoto.com/ digicamchic 

The beefy second row lay prone, groaning, as 

the pack lumbered away. “Get up, Darling!” 

I cried. Opposition spectators looked at 

me askance with thinly veiled suspicion. 

This was back in the day, many years ago, when 

pupils were known only by their surnames. His was 

Darling and I knew he was absolutely fine. 

Many a touchline moment and memory has been 

enjoyed as coach and parent, Wednesday and Saturday 

afternoons, year in, year out, all seasons and weathers. 

Sport is – and should be – an integral part of school 

and a broader education. There is so much to learn, 

from teamwork and tactics to fitness and resilience. 

Sadly, some sporting ‘role models’ our young people see 

are far from exemplary: foul play, temper tantrums, arguing 

with the referee. As teachers, coaches and parents it is our 

job to train and inculcate sporting fair play and etiquette. 

The post match team talk often has common strands – 

especially after a loss. We can probably predict the first one 

to cry, ‘It’s not fair!’ The disappointment evident straight 

after the game has not allowed space for the emotion to 

subside, with reasoned logic taking time to emerge. 

What exactly isn’t fair: losing; unduly ‘professional’ 

tactics from the opposition; a dodgy, perhaps inept referee? 

Losing needs rationalisation: were they indeed better; did 

we have a bad day at the office; was the referee or umpire 

blind or biased? I recall one match, perhaps thirty years 

ago, when we were winning 0:1 away against a much bigger 

school, the second half stretching many minutes beyond 

full time. The home side was pressing, the final whistle 

only blown after we broke away and scored a second. It 

was the right result but there was residual indignation. 

Then there are the parents (usually Dads, I’m afraid) who 

live their sporting lives – or regrets – vicariously through 

their children. Stomping the touchline, bellowing, berating 

the ref, players, opposition or anyone who hinders the 

team’s progress, their aggression is transmitted to all nearby. 

In recent years schools have developed a ‘Spectator Code 

of Conduct’. As parents and sports coaches we are – we 

should be – the role models for our young people. 

In the game of football VAR has been the subject of huge 

controversy. The goal (pun intended) seems to be to eradicate 

human error. While I have some understanding where money 

and millions are involved, thankfully I can’t see the day when 

it is introduced to school sport. Mistakes, then, will happen: 

‘He who makes no mistakes will make nothing…’ (attributable 

in various forms to Einstein, Franklin and Roosevelt. 

Perhaps, though, there is the potential for learning here, 

too? Life isn’t fair – something of a cliché of course. There 

are considerably worse predicaments than found in a 

disappointing sports result. Such situations can, however, be 

educative if dealt with philosophically, with growth mindset. 

Naturally, we all prefer winning and therein lies another 

strand of sporting etiquette. Over the many years in a 

number of schools an undefeated season was rare – and 

that is how it should be, else the fixture list needs fixing. 

Young people need to learn how to win (and lose) with 

good grace. In sports education, school matches, to hear 

three cheers (and one for luck), the teams lined up for 

handshakes, is truly affirming. What is said in the team 

talk later may well have another more reflective, learning, 

coaching dimension and that is how it should be, too. 

Do you have a burning education-related query? You 

can contact Mike at mikepiercy@hotmail.com 

101 


Maidstone1890 

GrahamClarke:A Retrospective 

Sixtyfiveyearsasaprintmaker 

7th Februaryto 1stJune2024 

MaidstoneMuseum 

www.museum.maidstone.gov.uk 

StudioOpenDays 

8th 9th 10th March 

17th 18th 19thApril 

Etchings,watercolours,posters,books,cardsandmore . 

UpTheGardenStudio 

W hiteCo tage,GreenLane,BoughtonMonchelsea, 

Kent,ME174LF 

W eareopenbyappointmentthroughouttheyear, 

helo@ grahamclarke.co.uk 07801922081 

www.grahamclarke.co.uk 

Do you yearn for your 

own kitchen garden, 

want to find out about 

the best gardens to visit 

over the summer and 

learn tips and tricks from 

horticultural experts? 

Saturday 23 March 2024 at 7.30pm 

Mote Hall, Maidstone Leisure Centre ME15 7RN 

MENDELSSOHN 

Overture, The Fair Melusine 

BEETHOVEN 

Piano Concerto No.3 

SCHUBERT 

Symphony No.9 “Great” 

113th Season 

2023/24 

Be sure to check out our 

April Garden Supplement 

for all things green 

and pleasant! 


Iyad Sughayer piano 

Brian Wright conductor 

Tickets: £15, £25, £30 

Students £5, 18s & under FREE! 

On the Door, or reserve on 

07817 429143 for payment on 

the door (cash, cheque & card) 

Advance Bookings by Card: 

0333 666 3366 or 

mso.ticketsource.co.uk 

Pre-concert talk presented 

by Steve Migden, 6.40-7.10pm 

mso.org.uk Charity Reg. 1163384 


102

EDO POP: JAPANESE ART AT WATTS 

GALLERY ARTISTS’ VILLAGE 

TN CARD BUNNY TRAIL 

IN SEVENOAKS 

EASTER AT 

LULLINGSTONE 

istockphoto.com/ PeopleImages & Nattakorn Maneerat & Prostock-Studio 

What’s On 

this Spring 

ART & AUCTIONS 

Tues 12 to Thurs 14 March 

Online at hokh.org 

HEART OF KENT HOSPICE 

ART OF KENT AUCTION 

Join in online to view, bid 

on and purchase wonderful 

works of art kindly donated by 

a range of fabulous amateur 

and professional Kent artists. 

New and returning artists have 

donated fabulous pieces of art, 

all contributing to a diverse 

auction collection, with all funds 

raised going to Heart of Kent 

Hospice. HOKH are there to 

help so please do get in touch 

with them via email if you 

have any questions about the 

auction at events@hokh.co.uk. 

hokh.org 

Tues 19 March to Sun 6 Oct 

Watts Gallery Artists’ 

Village, Down Lane, 

Guildford GU3 1DQ 

EDO POP: JAPANESE 

PRINTS 1825–1895 

Edo Pop is an exhibition of 19th 

century Japanese woodblock 

prints from the private collection 

of art historian and writer, Frank 

Milner. This will be the first 

public display for a number 

of these works, which were 

hugely popular in 19th century 

Japan and also in Europe. 

Demonstrating the enduring 

influence of this historic process, 

the exhibition also features new 

work by artist Hiroko Imada, 

who will create a site-specific 

installation in the Sculpture 

Gallery. The exhibition will 

inspire a season of special events 

and activities across Watts 

Gallery and Artists’ Village 

including talks, workshops, 

performances and an exhibition 

of contemporary Japanese prints 

in Watts Contemporary Gallery. 

Entry: included with admission 

(details on website) 

wattsgallery.org.uk 

EASTER FUN 

Fri 29 March to Sun 14 April 

10am-6pm daily 

RHS Wisley, Wisley Lane, 

Wisley, Woking GU23 6QB 

EASTER HOLIDAY FUN 

AT RHS WISLEY 

Another one for the littlies. Join 

the giant egg hunt this Easter 

at RHS Garden Wisley to win 

a chocolate prize and discover 

the garden in all its spring glory. 

Follow the garden trail and help 

the Easter Bunny find his friends 

who are playing hide and seek 

at Wisley. As you explore, search 

for the giant eggs decorated with 

brand new competition-winning 

designs, and learn all about 

spring and what you can do at 

home for nature and wildlife. 

Once you’ve found all the eggs, 

you’ll be rewarded with a free 

chocolatey treat from NOMO, 

the UK’s No. 1 Vegan & ‘Free 

From’ chocolate brand. There 

will also be art and craft, and 

seed planting drop-in sessions. 

Entry: see website 

rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley 

Sat 30, Sun 31 March & 

Mon 1 April 11am-5pm 

Lullingstone Castle 

and Gardens, Eynsford, 

Kent DA4 0JA 

EASTER EGG QUIZ 

Lullingstone Castle and The 

World Garden kicks off the start 

of their season with family fun 

by hosting their Easter Trail & 

Quiz. Aspiring plant hunters 

will be able to scour The World 

Garden and Grounds for Easter 

clues and then report on their 

discoveries to claim a tasty 

surprise, plus the chance to 

meet some Easter characters! 

Entry: £12.50, children 

under 16 go free 

lullingstonecastle.co.uk 

Sat 30 March to Sat 8 April 

Various shops across Sevenoaks 

THE TN BUNNY 

TRAIL SEVENOAKS 

A bit of Easter fun for children 

– the TN bunnies return to 

Sevenoaks! To join this free 

trail and look out for TN card 

bunnies in shop windows, visit 

participating businesses to pick 

up a free trail sheet (or download 

a copy on the TN Card website). 

Visit the shops on the trail to ask 

them fun questions and earn a 

sticker and certificate. There’s a 

colouring competition too. Drop 

the completed sheet off at Stag 

Sevenoaks (open from 1pm-8pm 

each day) to collect your Love 

Sevenoaks Sticker and Certificate 

and enter the competition. 

Three winners will each receive 

a Jellycat bunny, a chocolate 

egg from The Chocolate 

Shop, plus a family day out. 

Entry: free 

thetncard.com 

Tues 2, Thurs 4, Tues 9 & 

Thurs 11 April 10am-4pm 

West Horsley Place, Epsom 

Road, West Horsley, 

Surrey KT24 6AN 

EASTER OPEN DAYS AT 

WEST HORSLEY PLACE 

Book for an open day and 

 

103 


visit this Easter to discover the 

ancient manor house. See all 

the principal rooms at your 

own pace and chat to expert 

guides about the history of 

the site. The building dates 

as far back as 1425 – Henry 

VIII dined in their Stone Hall 

and Guy Fawkes might have 

worked as a footman, so there 

are plenty of stories to uncover. 

There will be an additional 

craft room for children and 

a garden trail. This was also 

the location for the fabulous 

BBC Ghosts series so there 

will be fun activities for fans! 

Entry: see website 

westhorsleyplace.org 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS 

Thur 6 to Sat 8 June 9am-5pm 

Hole Park, Benenden Road, 

Rolvenden, Kent TN17 4JB 

WEALDEN TIMES 

MIDSUMMER FAIR 

A very important date for your 

diary! Come and join us to 

welcome the joyful summer 

season. You’ll find all your 

favourite exhibitors plus a wide 

selection of exciting new stands 

from independent businesses 

selling gorgeous fashion, 

clothing, art and crafts, home 

and gardenware, beauty and 

so much more (we haven’t 

even started on the food and 

drink!). Lovely dogs on leads are 

very welcome. Your ticket also 

includes entry to the wonderful 

Hole Park Gardens which 

comprise formal and walled 

gardens along with meadows 

and woodland. So come along 

to shop, relax, wander and 

celebrate the summertime. We 

look forward to welcoming 

you. Tickets are already on 

sale, so what are you waiting 

for? Use the code EARLY24 

for your special discount. 

Entry: £17 (£16 with 

discount), children £8 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

Fri 15 to Sun 24 March 

Various locations in 

and around Maidstone 

including Balfour Winery 

and Kenward Place 

HEART OF KENT 

WALKING FESTIVAL 

It’s back! Get your walking 

boots ready for the next Heart 

of Kent Walking Festival. 

Booking is essential for all the 

guided walks, so get in quick 

to make sure you can join your 

preferred walk. Some walks are 

free of charge, and others have 

a fee to take part. The number 

of attendees on these walks 

are limited to maximise your 

enjoyment, so when walks are 

fully booked they will operate 

a waiting list.If you discover 

your preferred walk is full, email 

info@heartofkentwalkingfestival 

to be added to the waiting list. 

Should you book and find you 

are no longer able to attend, 

please let them know as far 

in advance as possible so they 

can reallocate your place. 

Entry: some walks are 

free, some have a fee 

visitmaidstone.com/ 

walking-festival 

Fri 15 to Sun 17 March 

Fri 4pm-8.30pm, 

Sat & Sun 10am-5pm 

Landmark Arts Centre, 

Teddington TW11 9NN 

CONTEMPORARY 

TEXTILES FAIR AT 

LANDMARK ARTS 

The biennial Contemporary 

Textiles Fair makes a welcome 

return to The Landmark. This is 

a must-visit event on the textile 

lovers’ calendar when enthusiasts, 

collectors and makers come 

together for a showcase of 

high-quality contemporary 

textile art. This year, the 

Landmark is collaborating with 

international non-profit arts 

organisation, ArtCan, with 

a pop-up of the ArtCan – 

Unravelled exhibition, featuring 

over 20 of ArtCan’s members’ 

work with fibre and textiles, 

curated by founders Catherine 

Sweet and Melanie Jordan. 

Entry: £4-£5 

landmarkartscentre.org 

MUSIC 

Sun 7 April 3pm 

Assembly Hall Theatre, 

Crescent Road, Tunbridge 

Wells, Kent TN1 2LU 

RTWSO: DUKAS, 

DVORÁK & BARTÓK 

This concert is proudly 

presented by Royal Tunbridge 

Wells Symphony Orchestra 

as part of their 2023-2024 

Season. Sir Stephen Hough 

returns for a third performance 

with the RTSWO, this time 

performing the Dvořák Piano 

Concerto. He particularly 

wanted to play this concerto 

and bring it to wider acclaim. 

The concert, and indeed the 

season, ends with the Concerto 

for Orchestra by Béla Bartók. 

Entry: £5-£36 

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 

Listings are correct at time of going to press 

but may be subject to change. Readers are 

advised to check with venues before making 

arrangements. We can list your event in 

the next issue of Wealden Times for only 

£75+VAT. Please supply up to 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 9th March. 

istockphoto.com/ Rawpixel & Jan Zabrodsky & JaySi 

WEALDEN TIMES 

MIDSUMMER FAIR 

HEART OF KENT 

WALKING FESTIVAL 

CONTEMPORARY 

TEXTILE FESTIVAL 


104

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105 


Jane gathers some fascinating 

honey bee facts as she checks 

the Coopers Farm hives before 

their very busy year ahead 

April… the evenings are 

longer, the countryside greener 

and the birds louder. Bliss. 

Spring has arrived and nowhere is this 

more apparent than in the apiary where 

hopefully I will still have two healthy hives. 

Most insects overwinter either by laying eggs 

which hatch out in the spring or by having a fertilised 

queen who hibernates and then emerges to lay eggs when 

it warms up. First out will always be those big queen 

bumble bees which, being furry, are well adapted to 

our cold northern climates. The hairs act as insulation 

so they can emerge earlier than most other insects 

to feed on nectar and pollen from 

crocuses and daffodils before hunting 

out a suitable nest site. This is likely to 

be a hole in the ground or on a bank 

which is why you’ll see them flying 

very low zig-zagging across your lawn. 

Once they find a site they’ll lay their 

fertilised eggs and the whole bumble bee 

production line starts all over again. 

But honey bees do it differently. They 

spend all summer collecting nectar from 

flowers and taking it back to the hive 

where other bees remove most of the 

water to turn it into honey and store it 

in a labyrinth of wax combs. Most plants 

flower in June and July and at this time 

a good colony of bees will contain about 

50,000 worker bees and each one will – 

in her six week lifetime – produce 1/12th of a teaspoon of 

honey. To make a pound of honey thousands of them will 

fly 55,000 miles and tap two million flowers which is why 

they need such a big workforce and why we should be 

very impressed when we spread it on our breakfast toast! 

As the summer draws to a close the queen stops laying 

and the numbers reduce to about 10,000 who spend the 

winter living in the hive and feeding the queen on all 

Most plants flower 

in June and July 

and at this time a 

good colony of bees 

will contain about 

50,000 worker 

bees and each one 

will – in her six 

week lifetime - 

produce 1/12th of a 

teaspoon of honey 

the stored honey. By the winter they will also have sealed 

up all the cracks in the hive with a sticky glue called 

propolis which they make from the sap of pine trees, and 

hunker down with a well stocked pantry. Cosy or what. 

Six months later, on the first spring 

day when you can venture out without 

a jumper – usually this coincides with 

flowering redcurrant bushes flowering 

– it’s time to crack open the hives and 

see what’s been going on. The first 

visit is always a time of excitement 

that I will find lots of busy bees (and 

trepidation that I might not). 

I’m hoping that both hives will contain 

a queen already laying lots of eggs to start 

the herculean task of building numbers 

back up to 50,000 for the season ahead. 

Each egg that the queen lays takes 

three weeks to hatch out as a worker 

bee, and that young bee then spends 

the first three weeks of her (they 

always are) life in the hive carrying 

out domestic chores like feeding the young, spring 

cleaning and making and storing the honey. Only 

then does she leave the hive to start foraging. 

So, do the maths and you see that my queens have their 

work cut out to lay enough eggs to get from 10,000 in 

January to 50,000 in July. But I’m sure they’re up to the 

job and – weather and global events permitting – here’s 

hoping for a busy and productive bee-keeping season. 


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Surrey Homes | SH110 | March 2024 | Kitchen & Bathroom Supplement inside

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