Wealden Times | WT263 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

PRICELESS 

APRIL 2024 

263 

APRIL 2024 

GARDEN SUPPLEMENT inside 

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

MINTERIORS 

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

2 

jmi 

Ple 

inf 

JMInteriorsWT250.indd All Pages

jminteriorsuk.uk 

Please email or call to make a showroom appointment 

info@jminteriorsuk.uk 01580 291221 

01/02/2023 10:58

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6

Contents 

April 2024 

12 

21 

29 

30 

47 

30 

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 

BUILDING CONNECTIONS 

See how a pair of 

agricultural barns have been 

seamlessly tied together 

GET THE LOOK 

Emulate stylish barn living 

97 

103 

104 

106 

106 

TAKE ME TO... A 

UK STAYCATION 

There’s so much to explore 

MEADOW SWEET 

Dream of your summer 

wardrobe with a touch of silk 

PRETTY IN PASTORAL 

Rebecca Cuffe channels 

soft country vibes in this 

month’s fashion edit 

BAKE IN SEASON 

Lara Green’s flavourful 

take on eating according 

to the calendar 

121 

123 

124 

128 

130 

48 

NOURISH TO FLOURISH 

Charlotte Lau whizzes up her 

take on wild garlic pesto 

PERFECT PITCH 

Mike Piercy explains why music 

matters when it comes to education 

SCHOOL NOTICEBOARD 

Catch up on all the latest school news 

WHAT’S ON? 

From events to talks, find out... 

FABLES FROM THE FARM 

Jane Howard’s latest instalment 

from Coopers Farm 

48 

CHANGE IT UP 

Explore a grown-up 

family house remodel 

115 

IN LOVE WITH... SPRING 

Josephine Fairley picks products 

with the wow factor 

63 

GET THE LOOK 

Express a contemporary aesthetic 

119 

BRAIN POWER 

Sarah Maxwell explains how 

exercise can affect the mind 

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. 

GARDEN 

SUPPLEMENT 

31 pages of 

design ideas 

and inspo. 

After page 64. 

7

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE 

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16 Lonsdale Gardens, Tunbridge Wells, TN1 1NU 

T: 01892 739580 

W: brewin.co.uk/royal-tunbridge-wells 

The value of investments, and any income from them, can fall and you may get back less than you invested. This does not constitute 

tax or legal advice. Tax treatment depends on the individual circumstances of each client and may be subject to change in the future. 

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RBC Brewin Dolphin is a trading name of Brewin Dolphin Limited. Brewin Dolphin Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Financial Services 

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BDM4962 1/24_0.1

From the 

Editor 

No matter the season, a gardener’s work is never 

done, and this issue we’ve really focused in 

on outdoor spaces to create our fact filled 

supplement. Are you new to the horticultural hobby 

and are looking to increase you plant knowledge? Do 

you want to find out how to spruce up your front 

garden? Or do your interests lie in creating impressive 

statement landscapes worthy of a stately home? There’s 

definitely something for every kind of gardener in here. 

If you’re a keen forager, you’ll love this month’s 

recipes. Make the most of wild garlic with a delicious 

pesto whizzed up by recipe developer Lara Green 

before discovering its health benefits with Charlotte 

Lau’s own take on this leafy freebie. Lara’s pesto 

pairs perfectly with a flavoured sourdough loaf of 

her own design, whilst the discard (if you choose 

to go down the true sourdough starter route) can 

be used to create some fabulous rhubarb scones. 

House-wise we visit two homes that have had 

serious reconfigurations – the first, two old farm 

buildings that have become one; the 

second – a revamped family home that 

has been given a new lease of life. 

You’ll also find all our regular 

health and beauty advice, fashion 

picks, education news and the latest 

events to add to your spring diary. 

Enjoy your Priceless Magazine 

Priceless Team 

EditorLucy Fleming 

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe 

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey 

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall 

Sales ManagersLisa Gordon-Hughes 

Maria Hurley 

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood 

Senior Account Manager Andrew Boughton 

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 ChairmanJulie Simpson 

MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR 

GARDEN THIS SUMMER 

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contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee 

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com 

Alfriston 

• Emmett & 

White Antiques 

& Interiors 

Ashford 

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Designer Outlet 

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Solicitors 

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Shop 

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Fine Foods 


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House Wealth 

Management 

Ltd 

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Feather 

• Goudhurst Inn 

• Goudhurst 

Newsagents 

Greenhithe 

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Food Hall 

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Hastings 

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Butchers 

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Headcorn 

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Emporium 

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Horsham 

• Cook 

Hurst Green 

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Hythe 

• The Chair Lady 

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Shop 

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Seafood 

Restaurant 

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Beauty Retreat 


Ickham 

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Kings Hill 

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Lenham 

• Corner House 

Antiques 

Lewes 

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Shopping Hall 

Maidstone 

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Marden 

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Village Store 

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Café 

Northiam 

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Property Group 

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and Café 

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Orpington 


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House Interiors 

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Farm Kitchen 

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TRAIN 

STATIONS: 

• Ashford 

International 

• Hildenborough 

• Maidstone East 

• Orpington 

• Paddock Wood 

• Sevenoaks 

• Staplehurst 

• Tonbridge 

• Tunbridge 

Wells 

• Wadhurst 

• West Malling 

HERITAGE SPECIALISTS 

BUILT ON REPUTATION & QUALITY 

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House 

Month 

of the 

£2,750,000 

Damien Pestell picks his favourite 

homes on the market 

Pluckley 

The dream: An exceptionally 

private Grade II listed country 

house tucked away behind 

high walls with impressive 

entrance gates to provide total 

privacy. The accommodation 

seamlessly blends the original 

18th century features of the 

home with its later additions. 

Where: Just outside the 

village of Pluckley within 

15 minutes of Ashford. 

Setting: The house is nestled 

within its own magnificent 

formal gardens and parkland 

style meadow land. 

Beds: 6 Baths: 5 

Special features: Of 

particular interest is the 

orangery, providing a fine 

outlook over the gardens. 

Pleasing details: The house 

was originally the head 

gardener’s home and kitchen 

garden of the Surrenden 

Dering Estate, the ancestral 

home of the Dering family 

Outside: The formal gardens 

and parkland of about 4 

acres include a good range 

of outbuildings. The house 

is approached by its own 

private tree-flanked driveway. 

Time to town: From 

Ashford International, 4 

miles away, to London St. 

Pancras in just 37 minutes. 

Agent: Hobbs Parker 

01233 506260 

hobbsparker.co.uk 

priceless-magazines.com 12

Tatlingbury Farm 

£POA 

The dream: This once bustling farmstead, 

dating back to the 1400s, has been transformed 

into six new homes with all the historic 

buildings sensitively restored and remodelled. 

Where: Between the historic hamlets of Capel 

and Tudeley. Just 3 miles from Tonbridge. 

Setting: Surrounded by countryside 

in a very rural setting, yet still within 

walking distance of the local village. 

Beds: From 3-4 Baths: 2 

Special features: The courtyard layout 

reflects its farming heritage and is typical 

of a traditional Wealden farmstead. 

Pleasing details: The properties feature 

luxury kitchens with quartz worktops and 

spa-inspired bathrooms, whilst externally 

they are brimming with character thanks to 

the mellow bricks, crisp weatherboarding, 

warm Kent peg and smart slate tiles. 

Outside: Private landscaped gardens include 

hornbeam hedging and fruit trees. There’s offstreet 

parking and a shared bike store, too. 

Time to town: From Tonbridge station to 

London Cannon Street in just 43 minutes. 

Agent: Canham Homes 

01732 757346 canhamhomes.co.uk 

£875,000 

Tenterden 

The dream: A stylish New England type home 

set in half an acre of grounds with spacious 

and light accommodation throughout. All 

within half an acre of mature gardens with 

secluded seating and several terraces. 

Where: The beautiful tree-lined town of 

Tenterden, full of charming Wealden houses 

and delightful cottages. Pavement cafés and an 

excellent range of shops add to its charm. 

Setting: Within half a mile of Tenterden High Street. 

Beds: 3/4 Baths: 2 

Special features: The well appointed modern 

kitchen for cooking and entertaining, with 

French doors leading to decked seating area. 

Pleasing details: One of the double 

bedrooms comes with a Juliette balcony 

and potential home office. 

Outside: The mature gardens surround the 

house with secluded seating areas and terraces 

perfect for al fresco dining or entertaining. 

There is also a private driveway and garage. 

Time to town: Ashford International station is 

12 miles away, Headcorn station is 8.8 miles. 

Agent: Jago & Jago 

01580 763577 jagoandjago.co.uk 

13 


SJD 297x210 adverts 01.24.qxp_Layout 1 19/01/2024 17:20 Page 2 

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Woodchurch£1,950,000 

Grade II Listed character farmhouse requiring renovation and modernisation, 

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ponds. The whole totals about 81.75 acres. 

Bonnington £1,800,000 

A beautifully situated period farmhouse surrounded by its own land of about 

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Wittersham £800,000 

A pretty Grade II Listed farmhouse with cart barn style garage, workshop/ 

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Smarden £1,200,000 

Grade II Listed Kentish farmhouse dating back to the early 19th century with 

retained period features and set in the most delightful gardens with adjoining 

paddock and outbuildings. In all about 2 acres. 

Ashford 01233 506260 | www.hobbsparker.co.uk | Tenterden 01580 766766 

Wealden_Times_2024.indd 3 12/03/2024 10:42:48

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4 bedrooms - 2 bathrooms - Reception room - Landscaped garden - EPC B - Freehold - Council Tax band G 

An impressive new build conversion of the ‘Dutch Barn’ set within Tatlingbury Farm, a bespoke 

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Five Oak Green 0.8 mile - Paddock Wood station 3 miles - Tonbridge station 3.5 miles 

Contact our selling agent: 

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19 


M 

Y 

Y 

Y

Notebook 

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best 

of what to see and do near you 

Garden 

Party 

Silence 

is Golden 

The Silent Pool Distillery is the home of Silent Pool Gin in the Surrey 

Hills. Its beautiful rural location inspires every aspect of the award 

winning gin from the botanicals used during distillation, to the teal 

blue colour of the bottle. You can explore by taking a deep dive into the 

world of Silent Pool Gin on a distillery tour. Discover the unique four 

stage distillation process, and the botanicals that make this gin so special. 

We’re tempted by the distillery G&Tea Party with its delightful gin-themed 

twist on a classic afternoon tea – you can book various dates, mainly 

on Sundays, via their website. The fabulous Bee Keeping Experience 

focuses on the local bees that make the honey for Silent Pool Gin (bee 

keeper suits are provided!) and takes place once a month on a Friday. 

There’s also an Aroma Experience plus an Artisan Tasting 

Day which is a collaboration with Silent Pool neighbours 

Albury Organic Vineyard and Mandira’s Kitchen. When 

you visit don’t miss the delightful Pool Bar with 

terrace overlooking the pool, open April- 

September, weekend daytimes. 

silentpooldistillers.com 

Green-fingered readers will be thrilled 

to hear that The Garden Show is 

returning to the lovely Firle Place 

near Lewes from 19-21 April. There 

will be all sorts on offer including 

expert advice and free talks, over 200 

stalls of plants and gardenware. While 

you pick up blooms to perk up your 

garden your family will have plenty to 

keep them entertained including face 

painting, juggling, a toddler funfair, 

treasure hunts and the Huxley birds 

of prey. The event is in support of 

the fantastic Hands of Hope charity 

(hohcharity.co.uk) – enabling people 

and communities to lead healthier 

and happier lives by connecting them 

to nature and each other. The show 

opens from 10am until 5pm each day. 

For tickets see thegardenshows.com 

SUMMER 

SHOW 

South East Open Studios 

returns in 2024 for the whole 

of June. Stretching through the Kent 

and East Sussex countryside, the event 

not only helps to build artists’ profiles in 

the wider arts arena but also puts the 

South East on the map as a hub of 

creativity. Artists will open their 

studio doors, hold collaborative 

shows and showcase their work to 

local art lovers and visitors. Visit 

seos-art.org to find out more. 

Painting pictured by 

Philippa Futrell 

21 

priceless-magazines.

CORE... LOOK 

AT THAT! 

Discover the wonders 

of the National Fruit collection 

at Brogdale Farm, near Faversham, 

showcasing over 3,000 varieties of fruit trees. 

The Brogdale Collections Charity are hosting lots 

of family-friendly festivals and events including the 

tempting Japanese Hanami Blossom Day on Saturday 

13 April and a bee safari on Tuesday 28 May. There are 

also cherry picking tours and PYO, Outdoor Cooking 

and Juicing Workshops plus a Cider Festival later in the 

year. Take a look at their website for details. You can gain 

exclusive access to the orchards year-round with an 

Orchard Pass and join their knowledgeable tour guides 

to learn the history and heritage and taste the fruit, 

you’ll witness the changes throughout the seasons 

from blossom in April, through to cherries, 

plums, apples and pears. 

brogdalecollections.org 

Craft 

Work 

If you’re looking for a bank holiday outing head to 

Weald of Kent Country Craft Show at Penshurst Place 

on 4 to 6 May for artisan shopping, speciality street 

food, entertainment, craft demos, live music and more. 

Explore over 150 craft stalls and make the most of the 

delicious eats and treats from the renowned food and 

drink hall. There’s plenty to keep everyone entertained 

with falconry displays, traditional children’s rids and 

laser clay pigeon too. Kids go free and there’s free 

parking and an early bird discount. The show opens 

daily between 10am and 5pm. 

thecraftshows.co.uk 

All Aboard 

We’re delighted to hear 

that Maidstone’s Kentish Lady River 

Boat is open for the season again, as of 29 

March. Choose from a 1 hour trip along the lovely 

Medway, 3 hour lunch or supper cruises or a river trip 

to the magnificent Allington Castle (pictured right). 

Private hire of this 70 seater boat is also available and 

it is wheelchair accessible. Take a look at the 

timetable and find out more details at 

kentishlady.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ denphumi / Suthin Saenontad 

Based on the muchloved 

animated TV series, the 

brand new live show Peppa Pig’s Fun 

Day Out! is making a splash at Richmond 

Theatre on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 April, 

and promises fun, games and lots of laughs. 

Join Peppa and her family and friends as they go 

to the zoo and the beach for a special party. Packed 

full of songs, dance and muddy puddles Peppa Pig’s 

Fun Day Out! guarantees giggles and snorts for all 

Peppa fans – the perfect introduction to theatre. 

This latest new adventure includes interactive 

fun, songs and games for preschoolers. 

It’s the ideal family treat. 

Tickets start from £13 at 

atgtickets.com/richmond 

MUDDY PUDDLE TIME 

Two for One 

Maidstone Museum is well worth a visit 

for its fascinating collections and up until 1 

June you’ll also find a great display of works 

by young artists from across the South East as 

part of Maidstone Young Artist Award 2024, 

plus a large exhibition of works by Graham 

Clarke entitled A Retrospective – 65 Years of 

Printmaking. Alongside his often humorous 

limited-edition works – depicting his beloved 

Kent countryside, boats and the sea, Cornwall 

and more – you’ll also find the artist’s 

sketchbooks and other creations including the 

boat pictured above. museum.maidstone.gov.uk 


22

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23 


Wealden Times 

Midsummer 

Fa i r 

Garden exhibitors 

With over 250 exhibitors there’s 

something for everyone. Here is a 

selection of our garden exhibitors. 

NEW 

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XL Pools 

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Enjoy a great day out shopping 

with friends and family at this 

year’s Midsummer Fair 

With Spring in the air we’re starting to think about all things outdoors 

and there’s no better way to get ready for Summer than to book your 

tickets and plan a visit to the Midsummer Fair. 

Frys Furnishings 

frys-teakgarden.co.uk 

Tickets 

on sale now 

Quote 

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Low Wood Nursery 

JJ&B Topiary 

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Sponsored by 

Garden exhibitors 

continued... 

Garden inspiration 

Your ticket includes entry to Hole Park’s 

stunning formal gardens, where visitors 

can enjoy the summer blooms around 

the 16 acre gardens and also marvel at a 

tree carving of a family of bears climbing 

an oak tree to reach a honey pot! 

Families will also love the wooden rope 

swing – a hit with kids and a perfect 

picture spot. 

ceshomeandgarden 

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Potting Up 

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Light Innovation 

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Join us on 6th-8th JUNE 2024 

9.00am - 5.00pm 

at Hole Park, Rolvenden TN17 4JB 

Adults £17, Children £8, Under 5s free 

Find out more information at wealdentimes-fair.co.uk 

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The 

Canterbury 

Auction 

Galleries 

FINE ART 

AUCTIONEERS 

SINCE 1911 

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GrahamClarke:A Retrospective 

Sixtyfiveyearsasaprintmaker 

7th Februaryto 1stJune2024 

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StudioOpenDays 

19th 20th 21stApril 

17th 18th 19th May 

Etchings,watercolours,posters,books,cardsandmore . 

UpTheGardenStudio 

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Kent,ME174LF 

W eareopenbyappointmentthroughouttheyear, 

helo@ grahamclarke.co.uk 07801922081 

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Attention art lovers 

Rare paintings from the estate 

of award-winning Kent actor, 

Peter Barkworth, are up for 

auction at The Canterbury 

Auction Galleries, this April. 

Including original works by 

LS Lowry, Bridget Riley and many 

other key artists. 

SALE DATES: 12/13/15th APRIL 

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T: 01227 763337 E: general@tcag.co.uk 

Visit our website for more information: 

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Wealden - TCAG 2024 April 1/2pp.indd 1 29/02/2024 10:11 

27 


WIN 

a 9 night 

Cruise with 

Cruise & Tour Show 

21st April 2024 |10am - 3pm 

Salomans Estate, TN3 0TG 

FREE Entry | FREE Parking 

For more details and to register visit 

www.baldwinstravel.co.uk/events 

Scan Me 

to register

Lighter on sugar, free 

of artificial nasties, and 

big on fresh and fruity 

flavours – Belvoir 

Farm has the alcoholfree 

drinks we want for 

sunny-day sping-time 

sipping. The UK farm’s 

latest zesty creations 

for their Delicious & 

Light Range include 

Elderflower Lemonade 

and Sicilian Blood 

Orange Lemonade 

(both £2 for a 500ml 

bottle at Waitrose) 

belvoirfarm.co.uk 

must 

The 

From must-sees to must-buys and 

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s 

round up of what to buy, see, do, 

and generally get excited about! 

April is Bowel Cancer awareness 

month (bowelcanceruk.org.uk), 

which is why a star purchase 

right now is this inspirational 

mug from Emma Bridgewater 

(emmabridgewater.co.uk) which 

donates £5 from every purchase 

to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer 

Research UK bowelbabe.org 

If you’re looking to add 

some coastal beachy vibes 

to your interior, check 

out Deborah Wren’s 

porcelain ceramic coastal 

art collection. Based 

just outside Rye, she 

handcrafts each gorgeous 

shell to make beautiful 

artworks inspired by 

the ever-changing 

colours of the sea. 

deborahwrenceramics.co.uk 

Some may celebrate a birthday this 

month with a gorgeous diamond 

birthstone, but why let them have 

all the fun? To treat yourself to 

a diamond-studded something 

that supports buying second hand 

(and the associated price drop) 

try Shop Prestige. Their website 

holds an ever-changing catalogue 

of designer items from a £12,995 

Birkin to a Dior ring for £495. But 

our diamond pick is this stunning 

Bvlgari Serpenti Viper Bracelet. 

This is a beautiful investment 

piece with its historical and 

iconic snake design (an emblem 

of wisdom, rebirth and vitality), 

created with 4.95 CT of 

diamonds set in 18 CT rose gold. 

£28,950 at shopprestige.com 

istockphoto.com/ GlobalP 

Pet month is all about raising 

awareness of responsible pet 

ownership (nationalpetmonth. 

org.uk). Which is why we’d like to 

introduce Splash Paws, a local haven 

for all, looking to improve mobility 

and quality of life for our dear doggos. 

Splash Paws is a Canine Hydrotherapy 

& Physiotherapy Centre set up at Brattle 

Farm in Staplehurst, Kent. They are 

members of the Canine Hydrotherapy 

Association and IRVAP, and their team 

of qualified therapists are super caring 

and professional, ready to treat your dog 

with all the dedicated care they could 

want. splashpaws.co.uk 

The 23rd is the day we 

celebrate Shakespeare’s birthday and 

what better way to celebrate than 

by booking tickets to a multi-venue, 

promenade production of Romeo & 

Juliet on the streets of Guildford? This 

summer the award-winning Guildford 

Shakespeare Company are celebrating 

their own 18th birthday with this oneof-a-kind 

production from June 21 st to 

July 13 th , which will lead its audience 

around iconic landmarks including the 

Guildhall balcony, the historic High 

Street and Guildford Castle Gardens 

as you following the fateful tale. 

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk 

Made from 100% recycled polypropylene trawl 

nets and lines, these shades by Waterhaul are a 

must for those looking to shop for yourself and for 

the environment. They’re Italian engineered and 

hand-finished, with mineral glass and they even come 

with a classy cork case and lifetime guarantee. The Fitzroy 

slate unisex sunglasses shown here are £65 at waterhaul.co 

Looking to relax and unwind 

this Stress Awareness Month? 

Try BeautyPro’s Warming 

Eye Masks. The Sussex-based 

company produces all sorts 

of pampering treats to help 

soothe and beautify, but these 

are particularly great to take 

a 20 minute break if you’re 

suffering a headache, need to 

escape the screens or are feeling 

tired and run-down. £14 for 

a pack of 5 at beautypro.com 


Building Connections 

Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether 

After nearly a decade of planning, Dominic and 

Eve were finally given permission to convert a pair 

of derelict barns, linking them together to create 

one very beautiful dwelling 


30

31 


FIND YOUR 

KITCHEN spirit 

COME AND SEE US FOR A FREE DESIGN CONSULTATION 

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50 LONDON ROAD, TN13 1AS 

01732 454282 | NOLTE-KITCHENS.CO.UK

The story arc of an adventure tale involves a journey 

into the unknown, meetings with strangers, potential 

disasters, a point at which everything goes wrong and 

then, just when the hero is about to give up, a miraculous 

twist, event or awakening occurs and there’s happily ever 

after. Epic building projects often have such trajectories, 

but not usually before the building work even starts. 

When Dominic and Eve bought two derelict barns to convert, 

they embarked on what turned out to be an eight year quest 

to get permission to transform them into a single home. This 

involved several stages in changes of use from commercial 

occupancy back to agricultural and then to residential – not to 

mention the re-homing of an owl and some bats – and dealing 

with the council’s description of one of the buildings (at the 

time on the verge of imminent collapse) as a heritage asset 

that must be preserved at all costs. Once all these hurdles had 

been overcome, the project itself was relatively straightforward 

– I say relatively, as it’s nigh on impossible not to have a few 

hiccups along the way with such a project, but in the scheme 

of things, from the time that permission was finally granted, 

the build has only taken eighteen months to complete. 

The couple’s architect has done a great job at marrying two very 

different buildings together so that they look like one complete 

dwelling. The view of the outside as you approach is fabulous 

(very Grand Designs) and has a real wow factor, but on the inside, 

combining the ultra modern of one part with a traditional feel and 

look of a rustic vernacular building on the other, was a challenge. 

They sought the help of Victoria Allen, an interior designer 

specialising primarily in kitchens and bathrooms, but increasingly 

in the design of general living spaces – especially now that so 

many of us combine our living, dining and kitchen areas into 

Previous pages & this page: The whole design 

process started in the kitchen and flowed out from 

there to unite the spacious open plan living area 

33 


This page: The main wall colour throughout is Farrow & Ball’s Great White with F&B’s 

Peignoir used on some feature walls – both feature soft pinky undertones. The sculptural 

floating staircase has lighting in the treads and steel cords instead of bannisters 

one big room. Working closely with 

the project’s builder, Jeremy, and his 

site manager son, Joshua, she has 

helped to guide Dominic and Eve 

through the interior’s construction. 

“It can be difficult to visualise 

things with a two-dimensional plan 

view,” says Eve, “to see the spaces 

and imagine living in them.” Victoria 

explains how she uses a combination 

of CAD and Pinterest, sharing images 

through their WhatsApp group, so 

that everyone is kept in the loop. 

“Communication is key to the 

success of a project,” she says, 

“and having a team of guys who 

treat it as if it was their own 

house – so there’s no bodging or 

making do. They have pride in their 

work and want to get things right.” 

“The whole design process started in the 

kitchen and flowed out from there. It’s a big 

room. I can sit at my computer and move 

things around – playing with the shapes is 

very useful when designing. We can imagine 

the space better – floors, walls, electrics, 

pieces of furniture.” Has all the technology 

improved the process? Victoria smiles. “It 

has just changed the way we are able to work 

– when things were on paper the design 

was often at a final stage and not so easily 

altered. Now we can swap things about 

really easily, so there’s more flexibility and 

opportunity to keep moving things around.” 

Victoria has a knack of choosing offthe-shelf 

pieces and styling them so that 

they look custom made, which means 

that the budget can be used where it’s 

needed. Choosing artwork is often part 

of the process, but in this case Victoria 

hasn’t had to source any pictures – the 

multi-talented Jeremy has painted all 

the large paintings in the house and his 

daughter has produced smaller works, 

with beautiful pressed wildflowers. 

The kitchen units are an off-the-shelf 

design, but Victoria has added in bespoke 

details – unit handles and a nifty solution to 

the corner cupboard issue, splashing out 


34

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on prestige appliances; a sleek induction 

hob and extractor and finishing it all 

off with a seamless Corian worktop. 

“The worktop goes well with the 

concrete look of the floor,” she says. 

Except that the floor isn’t concrete, 

it is resin – made and installed by a 

company called Sphere8 – and runs 

through the whole house, helping 

to unite the disparate ends of the 

building. It feels gloriously smooth to 

the touch and, thanks to underfloor 

heating, lovely and warm too. 

“The floor was the very last thing 

to go in,” explains Jeremy. “They had 

to make sure that there was no dust, 

nothing that would cause an issue. They 

wanted all the lights on too, so that any 

unevenness could be dealt with – the 

tiniest of bumps in the floor that might 

show up under the lights and make 

shadows – and then they patch up any 

cracks in the concrete screed and paint 

the floor with several layers of the resin, 

so you could incorporate a colour at any 

time, or even change the colour. They 

use it a lot in art galleries, so that the 

floor can just be repainted whenever.” 

The seamless finish continues 

throughout the modern side; a shadow 

gap is used where the walls meet the 

foot, which means that there’s no need 

to interrupt the space with traditional 

skirting boards or architrave. 

A large room like this needs warmth 

though, and Victoria has managed to 

bring in colour, while maintaining an 

This page: The family bathroom’s double-ended bath is positioned right 

in front of the window for an ultimate bath with a view. At either end 

of the landing, spacious bedrooms feature lovely high ceilings 

open airiness. The main wall colour 

throughout is Farrow & Ball’s Great 

White with F&B’s Peignoir used on 

some feature walls – both feature soft 

pinky undertones. “Modern buildings 

can be austere and too cold – they 

can look very sterile,” says Dominic. 

The pink touch is picked up in 

some of the interior details too – in 

the sofa, rug and artwork, while 

tan leather chairs keep the warmth 

and help to tie the look together. 

A feature electric fireplace – the 

focal point at this end of the room 

– brings cosiness without the mess 

or the flue of a traditional fire. It is 

surprisingly realistic and the flickering 

of the faux flames (to my simple brain) 

are as mesmerising as real ones. 

“The view is the star here,” she 

says, “and so we changed the original 

architect’s design – which had cut 


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

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

This page: With stunning panoramic views, the main bedroom features a beautiful en suite tiled with Mandarin Stone’s Hoxton range 

the windows in half so that they opened 

with a central divide.” They also chose 

sliding doors, rather than bi-folds for 

the same reason – and when you have 

a magnificent vista in front of you, the 

fewer interruptions to it the better – and 

after all, we spend more time looking 

out of the windows than looking in. 

Every window offers vantage 

points over the vast natural landscape 

– it is in an AONB, the views are 

spectacular – the most intimate being 

from the kitchen out to an adjacent 

pond. “The view of the bullrushes 

and the pond is my favourite,” says 

Eve. This is also where the resident 

owl has found a new home, in a 

bespoke owl box on a nearby tree. 

Beyond the terrace outside the garden 

is informal, merging into the landscape. 

“I call it an infinity garden,” smiles 

Dominic, “the modern equivalent of 

a ha-ha. Although it’s north facing to 

the back of the house it’s open too, so 

you can have the best of both worlds 

– sun and shade – without having 

to have a canopy and inside, despite 

facing north, is not cold or gloomy. 

We head up the cool and sculptural 

floating staircase with lighting 

 

39 


This page: The older, brick built part of the house 

is accessed via a generously proportioned linkway 

in the treads and steel cords instead of 

bannisters, and the breathtaking views 

expand panoramically from the windows 

in all the bedrooms. Each has a glass Juliet 

balcony, but in the family bathroom – and 

you can really only do this if you’re sure 

you’re not going to be overlooked (unless 

you’re an exhibitionist) – the double-ended 

bath is positioned right in front of the 

window for an ultimate bath with a view. 

The older, brick built part of the house 

is accessed via a generously proportioned 

linkway. It is so light and airy that they 


40


One Couple - One Solicitor 

Due to the emotions involved 

in a separation it is 

unsurprising that so many 

divorces result in conflict. 

At ThomasHaywood we 

recognise that conflict is not good for the 

health of the parties or their children. It 

is better to engage in a process that can 

be concluded more quickly than going 

to court, where the settlement you reach 

is a compromise between you, rather 

than having something imposed upon 

you by a Judge who does not know you 

or your family. You will emerge from 

the process with a settlement that you 

can both live with meaning that your 

overall experience of your separation will 

be better for you, and your children. 

ThomasHaywood established One 

Couple One Solicitor as a way of allowing 

our solicitors to work with and advise 

couples jointly, providing legal advice 

to help you to resolve financial matters 

or arrangements for your children. 

This new way of working comes 

after the implementation of the Divorce, 

Dissolution and Separation Act which 

allows couples, for the first time, to make 

joint applications to end a marriage. 

Our process will identify your 

individual aims and needs and then help 

you to narrow the issues between you, 

using our experience and expertise to 

create a fair outcome without the need 

to attend court. By keeping your matter 

away from the court process, it means 

that you can resolve any issues more 

quickly, privately and cost effectively. 

If this process is not suitable for 

you, we will advise you of the alternative 

routes available. If you would like to 

discuss this further, please contact 

Sarah Haywood on 01892 765013 or 

sarah@thomashaywoodsolicitors.com 

ThomasHaywood 

Family Law Solicitors 

One couple - One solicitor 

Tunbridge Wells - Maidstone - London 

Sarah Haywood : 01892 765013 

Juliet Franklin : 01892 765017 

www.thomashaywoodsolicitors.com 

ThomasHaywoodSolicitorsWT225.indd 1 14/12/2020 12:12 

ThomasHaywoodSolicitorsWT249.indd 1 13/01/2023 14:44

A.T. Palmer Ltd 

Restoration Specialists Est.1949 

OVER 70 YEARS IN BUSINESS 

Employed Skilled Workforce | Renovations & Extensions 

Conversions & Alteration | Design & Build 

T: 01233 770077 

Smarden Business Estate, 

TN27 8QL 

atpalmer.co.uk

Top: The interior mood changes as you enter the cosy sitting room. “This side is for night time and winter,” smiles Victoria, “and the 

more open living space near the kitchen is for summer and daytime living.” Above: An oak staircase leads up to two further bedrooms 

are tempted to call it the Orangery; 

it functions as a cloakroom, office, 

games room – aka a very useful space. 

The interior mood changes as we 

head into the cosy sitting room. “This 

side is for night time and winter,” smiles 

Victoria, “and the more open living 

space near the kitchen is for summer 

and daytime living.” This cosy retreat is 

painted in Farrow & Ball’s Down Pipe. 

“It’s a dark colour, but the deep greyblue 

has hints of green, so it is a warm 

feel. We wanted to go more traditional 

at this end of the building. The existing 

beams were originally to be covered but 

we asked for them to be exposed – it 

brings more warmth and character.” 

Builder Jeremy remembers the 

state that this heritage building was 

in when they started. “It was on the 

verge of collapse,” he laughs, “what 

a nightmare. The whole thing nearly 

fell down. We had to take this whole 

end off the house and rebuild it. It 

needed to be underpinned. We installed 

purlins around the ceiling of the 

other bedroom – they had to be put 

in because the building needed to be 

structurally secure.” Now the purlins 

and the brackets look really smart as 

if they are design features, as much as 

fundamental to the building’s integrity. 

There are two good sized bedrooms 

on this side. The largest has a natural 

divide as the flue for the wood burner 

in the sitting room below had to be 

incorporated into this room, making 

it ideal for two children sharing. 

With ultimate flexibility of living 

43 


COURTS 

MANAGEMENT LTD 

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Jeremy@courtsmanagement.com 

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To find out how we can help, 

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Hammer Price £2,500 Hammer Price £1,100 

Antiques & Collector’s Items 

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Whitehead Monckton Limited 

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OUR NEXT SALE IS TO BE HELD ON 

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auctions@ibbettmosely.co.uk 01732 456731 


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

44

Top: Cedar cladding has been used on the exterior of the more 

modern part of the house, whilst bricks reclaimed from an old 

garden wall tie this section in with the bricks of the older barn 

in mind, they have installed a water 

supply to this side of the house so that 

a kitchen could be added, in case the 

building ever needed to be two separate 

dwellings. At the moment though it 

works as one house just perfectly – and 

Victoria has cleverly made the interior 

decor flow. Lighting is a key factor in 

the overall design. It is all LED, from a 

combination of small spotlights in the 

ceilings, but it’s the hanging pendant 

and accent lamps that are noticed. 

The large tungsten effect filaments 

bring – along with the industrial 

vibe – warmth and cohesion to the 

two very different styles of building. 

“We used the same colours all 

through for the window frames, door 

handles and the light fittings,” she 

says. “The windows are all bespoke 

and each one is a different size. They 

were made by Phase One joinery. We 

used local suppliers all through.” 

“Many people who worked here 

knew the land, or fished in the pond as 

children,” adds Dominic. The heritage 

status is perhaps as much in the land as 

in the buildings that occupy it, linking 

communities to the features, buildings 

and natural spaces in their locality. 

“We found a batten of wood in the 

roof,” he says, “with a tally of planes 

shot down in the Battle of Britain – 

that must have been raging in the skies 

overhead when the roof was being 

repaired during the war.” That piece of 

wood is a visceral link to the past, but 

also to the landscape, to the people that 

must have watched the dog fights taking 

place in the skies above them here. 

The past is always being uncovered 

and rebuilt, battles won and lost. This 

building will stand as testament to 

Dominic and Eve’s persistence and 

determination to succeed in creating 

something new. They and their team 

have worked together to reshape a 

future for two dilapidated wrecks – 

triumphantly repurposing a heritage 

building, creating a brilliant new one 

and blending them together into a sleek, 

contemporary home. The story arc of 

this build is complete, but as Dominic 

and Eve now have their sights set on 

another project, there may well be a 

sequel at some point in the future. 

Address Book: 

Victoria Allen can be contacted 

for design projects by emailing 

v.e.allen.design@gmail.com or see 

Instagram @victoriaallendesign 

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47 


Change it up 

Words: Fiona Patrick Photographs: David Merewether 


48

Neil and Sharon Maidment’s reconfigured family 

home is the result of a very successful partnership 

with OPEN architecture, who opened their eyes to a 

new layout they never imagined was possible 

49 


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50

Previous pages & this page: The green modular sofa and the 

leather armchairs were from Lime Modern Living and John Lewis 

respectively. The herringbone flooring throughout is by Karndean 

Emerging from the rain and gloom of the last few 

months, the one thing that everyone is craving is light. 

Unsurprising then, how inviting the hallway of Neil and 

Sharon Maidment’s Forest Row home feels as soon as you walk 

through the door. Standing in the entrance, sunlight streams 

down from the vaulted ceiling above, glances through the 

glass balustrade of the floating staircase, and lands in a warm 

pool on the herringbone floor. It is a far cry from the hallway 

they walked into 16 years ago when they bought the house, 

relocating from Surrey to accommodate their growing family. 

Until recently, the layout had remained unchanged, with a 

staircase obstructing available light and taking up too much 

room, and doors leading off to a myriad of disconnected 

living spaces. “We never had enough money to do anything 

to it, so when Stephanie arrived it was almost exactly the same 

as the day we moved in,” says Neil, referring to Stephanie 

Mason, director of OPEN architecture, the Sevenoaks-based 

firm Neil and Sharon contracted last year to transform 

the downstairs area into a more connected space. 

While understanding the need for change, the pair felt 

lost as to how to achieve a home that worked for them as 

a family and that would retain its appeal once their two 

teenage daughters flew the nest. “We didn’t have a clue. 

We just needed someone to come in and open our eyes 

51 


This page: Light pours into the entrance hall through 

an unusually shaped triangular window on the first floor. 

The statement silver light fitting is from John Lewis 

to the art of the possible, so that’s where Stephanie 

came in. Most of the stuff that she envisioned we never 

would have been able to come up with ourselves.” 

Originally built in the ’60s, the layout was not making 

the most of potential square footage or optimising the 

internal space. Stephanie says, “The moment I walked 

in the door I thought: this connection is not working, 

this is too dark, these rooms need to be flowing better. I 

could quickly tell that if we just made a few changes, then 

it would feel like a full-scale alteration to the house.” It 

is hard to imagine the house now without this sense of 

flow, as the eye is drawn past the repositioned staircase, 

over the dining room ahead and through vast, singlepane, 

sliding glass doors to the terrace and trees outside. 

This line of sight became central to the architectural 

plan. “There were no windows,” Stephanie says, “and 

it was just a series of doors leading to rooms. It felt 

like you were very enclosed. It was really important to 

ensure that we could get those views and the moment 

you walked in the house you saw out to the garden.” 

Through the doorway ahead a Cox & Cox dining table 

sits happily in what was once a separate room and is now 

part of an open-plan arrangement where the kitchen, 


52

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This page, above: Kitchens Bespoke in East Grinstead designed 

the shaker style kitchen which is painted in Elgin Grey with 

Kongistone’s Bianca Toscana quartz worktops Right: A wall of 

glass doors leads out from the dining area into the garden 

dining room and living areas merge into each other but 

are all uniquely defined. Pendent light fittings add a sense 

of height to the ceiling and the kitchen’s oriel window, 

replacing an ordinary PVC window, increases the space 

without adding to the footprint of the house. It is one 

of many thoughtfully crafted areas, and it cries out for a 

morning cup of coffee and a newspaper, or a glass of wine 

in hand, while you chat to someone doing the cooking. 

“Quite often when you create large open-plan spaces 

you can find yourself just making a massive room,” says 

Stephanie, “and something that we always try and focus on 

is creating pockets of space where you can either be with a 

group of people or you can be by yourself.” The Laminum 

island worktop allows for ample cooking space alongside 

the BORA hob, while the paintwork on the island base unit 

complements the aluminium frame of the windows, drawing 

the eye outside. The layout is clean and uncomplicated, but 

behind the cabinetry lies a clever and original secret: “We 

wanted to include a fun design feature, where we have a 

hidden door amongst a whole bank of kitchen units. You 

can actually walk through the kitchen cabinetry straight into 

the utility room”, says Stephanie. The secret doorway means 

you can access additional catering space during parties or 

barbeques, without having to go out into the hallway 

55 


This page: The dining table 

is from Cox & Cox, with 

upholstered ‘Darcy’ chairs from 

sofa.com Below left: The oriel 

window Below right: The utility 

room can be accessed through 

a hidden door in the kitchen 

and enter it via another door. “It’s that 

direct connection, which just adds a 

little bit of fun as well,” adds Stephanie. 

At the other end of the dining room 

is a new zinc extension, housing a smart 

lounge area drenched in light from single 

pane windows and a skylight above. A 

painting hanging below the skylight, by 

the artist Lorna Kirin, adds to the overall 

biophilic disposition of the space. The 

effect is very calming and natural, but 

the genius comes from having a monopitched 

roof, which slants upwards 

towards the garden. “If the extension 

had been a continuous, flat roof, at some 

point you would have seen the ceiling 

and it would have brought the angle of 

view back down,” Stephanie explains. 

“Instead, wherever you are standing 

downstairs, that angle continues to go 

up, so that your viewpoint is always 

continuous open space.” The extension 

proved to be straight forward from a 

planning permission perspective, but 

offered some challenges with regards 

to drainage, given that the roof slants 

inwards towards the house rather than 

away from it. However, Stephanie and 

her team devised a clever drainage 

solution – it turned out to be the 


56

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Taking the 

fight out 

of divorce 

Going through a divorce can be an incredibly difficult time. 

While in some cases there is no alternative but to involve the family 

courts, it is often not in anyone’s best interest to do so. 

There are many reasons for this. 

The family courts are currently 

experiencing long delays and the court 

process is costly, both emotionally and 

financially. Also the parties themselves 

often have more control over the 

outcome if an agreement can be 

reached without going to court - as 

any order a judge imposes may not 

make either party happy. 

Fortunately, there are a range of 

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) 

options to consider and that we can 

assist with. 

One Couple One Lawyer 

One of the newest ADR options. 

Both parties appoint the same solicitor 

to help them come to an agreement. 

The lawyer is able to give general 

advice and guide the parties to reach 

an agreement. The discussions take 

place together as does the divorce 

process and the process of reaching a 

final agreement. 

Mediation 

Both parties meet with a trained 

mediator, some of whom are also 

qualified to meet with children as 

part of the process. The mediator 

assists you by explaining the law and 

the boundaries of it, and helps you 

to reach an agreement. Even if you 

don’t feel able to sit in the same room 

the mediator can perform shuttle 

mediation, going between two rooms. 

Collaborative law 

All discussions take place sitting 

round the table with each party 

having their own collaborative 

lawyer at the meetings. The lawyers, 

unusually, work together to try and 

help you come up with a solution. 

The collaborative process allows 

you to be a little more innovative 

than the family courts can be. Any 

agreement reached can be drawn up as 

a document to be approved and sealed 

by the court. 

Private Financial Dispute 

Resolution (PFDR) 

This allows you to 

speed up the process 

for agreeing financial 

arrangements. Both 

parties need to agree to 

take this route and there is an extra cost 

involved in paying privately for a judge, 

but usually it would save money overall. 

The Judge gives an indication as to what 

they would order at a final hearing. For 

many people that is enough for them 

to be able to then go on to reach an 

agreement. 

Arbitration 

This enables parties to take control and 

is much quicker than going to court, 

but does require agreement from all 

involved. The arbitrator hears evidence 

/ representations from both sides and 

will then arbitrate the decision. Again, 

whilst there is an additional cost, it may 

not in fact cost any more money than 

a hearing, and you are likely to reach a 

conclusion much more quickly. 

We find that the above options 

can work extremely well in even 

the most complex and contentious 

of cases. Please get in touch at 

info@ts-p.co.uk if you would like 

to discuss any of these issues.

This page: The floating staircase, with its glass balustrade, was the perfect fit with the interior’s contemporary aesthetic 

skylight itself that would yield a little 

complexity during the build phase. 

“It nearly killed the builder trying to 

put it in,” explains Neil, “it weighed 

an absolute tonne.” It was an obstacle 

worth surmounting, however, as Neil 

continues, “It was Stephanie’s idea to let 

even more light in from above, it was a 

great addition and works really well.” 

Towards the front of the house, 

completing the circular journey from 

the hallway, is the original living room, 

separated from the lounge area by clever 

seating layouts and delineated decor. 

The leather armchairs apply a sense of 

boundary, and the modular sofa and 

fireplace lend this area a cosier feel, 

creating a cocoon-like space to retreat 

to in the evenings. Neil and Sharon 

employed interior designer Mette 

Udsholt of muinteriors.com (based 

in East Grinstead) to ensure that the 

colour scheme reflected the intended 

use of each area, and the darker, muted 

tones of the furniture here provide 

a clever contrast to the bright, lightfilled 

open-plan area. “The colours 

that Mette chose, the forest green, the 

way that the sofa is orientated, it all 

really draws you in,” says Stephanie. 

“It’s a little bit darker and it’s the space 

where you really have evening use.” The 

area also provides more privacy from 

the windows, where Neil and Sharon 

have opted to forgo curtains or blinds, 

choosing instead to allow the beauty and 

drama of the windows to be maintained. 

This effect is mirrored in the 

spectacular glass partition that now runs 

alongside the living area, the answer 

to a difficult set of design parameters. 

The challenge for Stephanie and her 

team was to simultaneously create a 

storage area for coats and shoes adjacent 

to the hallway as well as an access 

corridor from the hallway to the office 

and downstairs guest room, and still 

allow it to be part of the living room to 

complete the sense of connection and 

flow. The partition was an idea that 

Neil and Sharon found hard to envisage 

at first, but after discussing a half-wall, 

half-partition option, they decided to 

trust in Stephanie’s concept. “It took a 

while to get our heads around it, but this 

works so much better and is now a bit 

of a feature.” Far from being a functional 

corridor, the storage area’s aesthetic, with 

dark, painted units, ties into the cocoon 

vibe of the living room, while the 

seating area also provides a private, cosy 

nook for chatting or a place to take your 

boots off at the end of a long day. It 

equally provides an elegant solution to a 

problem well known to all families with 

children – where to put all the shoes! 

Stephanie explains, “The two tall units 

on either side of the bench are for coats, 

but underneath is loads of shoe storage. 

So you just pull those down, you shove 

your shoes in and then you close it up!” 

Outside, the wraparound terrace 

acts as a natural segue from the dining 

room to the garden, which lies below 

the level of the house. The effect is to 

blur the division between inside and 

outside, maximising the use of the whole 

space. It also encompasses a more 

59 


Above: The new zinc extension 

houses a smart lounge area 

drenched in light from single 

pane windows and a skylight 

above Below: The original 

living room, separated from the 

lounge area by clever seating 

layouts and delineated decor 

private zone outside the downstairs 

guest room. Stephanie says, “Again, 

we wanted to create these pockets of 

use. Because the guest bedroom is 

downstairs, there is now a space outside 

that room for a small table and chairs… 

a place to enjoy the evening sun.” 

As with any home improvement 

project on this scale, moments of 

uncertainty were inevitable. Neil 

recounts, “In December when the 

weather was cold and horrible, and the 

whole place was dripping, I was sitting 

there thinking ‘what have we done?’” 

But the couple, who moved out for the 

duration of the build, feel lucky that 

this was the only episode of doubt. 

“We kept Stephanie on throughout the 

whole build, and that was invaluable 

because she kept the builders in line 

with her vision. If anything jarred, she 

got them to change it.” This attention 

to detail, alongside a detailed build 

schedule provided by Stephanie and 

her team, allowed the project to run 

smoothly, and all importantly, to run 

in line with the budget. “My number 

one recommendation to anyone 

embarking on a build is to keep your 

architect all the way through.” 

Address Book: 

To speak to OPEN architecture 

about a project openarc.co.uk 

Kitchens Bespoke (kitchen design 

and fitting) kitchensbespoke.co.uk 

Laurus Construction laurus-construction.co.uk 

Mette Udsholt (interior 

designer) muinteriors.com 

Paul Azzopardi of Attention to Detail 

Decorating (decorator) pazzopardi@outlook.com 


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Never too old for a mortgage 

ore and more people are looking at 

Equity Release as a potential financial 

Msolution, however, there is still scepticism. 

Local Adviser, Sarah Ferrell explains, “The bad 

press that many of the original schemes received 

still makes some people wary, however the plans 

of 40+ years ago bear very little resemblance 

to today’s flexible and highly regulated plans”. 

“Another contributing factor is stigma”, says 

Sarah, “Many people feel that when you reach 

a certain age you shouldn’t be borrowing 

money. Given everything that our current 

60-70 year old generation has experienced, 

this is a somewhat outdated perspective. It 

is very rare nowadays to find someone who 

is retired, on a final salary pension, ‘living the 

golden years’ with no financial pressures. 

Life has changed, and life is expensive.” 

“One reason there are so many Lifetime 

mortgage options, is that there is a huge 

demand for finance in retirement. This is 

not, predominantly, due to financial missmanagement, 

but more due to unfortunate 

and unexpected circumstances: 

• A huge number of people who were 

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to claim their State Pension until 67/68. 

• Parents have used savings to help their 

children with deposits for properties as it is 

SBIWT244.indd 1 27/07/2022 11:26 

expensive for First Time Buyers to buy without 

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

• Many people have Interest Only mortgages 

that need to be repaid where there 

are no funds to repay the debt. 

In short, times have changed and Equity 

Release can be a welcome, safe and flexible 

solution for many who, maybe unexpectedly, 

need finance at a point when the High 

Street banks are no longer able to help” 

What are the main reasons why 

people consider Equity Release? 

Some typical reasons include: 

• To repay an Interest Only mortgage 

• To fund home improvements 

• To gift to family 

• To fund lifestyle expenditure: car/holiday etc 

• To supplement income/cover 

general lifestyle costs 

With so much choice available impartial, 

professional advice is certainly recommended. 

With over 28 years’ experience in finance, 

Sarah takes pride in the time and care she 

takes with her clients. She is happy to visit 

your home, chat by phone or via video 

conference to provide a free consultation. 

Sarah will offer flexible times to suit her clients. 


Call Sarah on 

01622 631372 or 07789 007447 

or e-mail her at 

sarah@ferrellfinancial.co.uk 

You may find answers to 

some of your questions at 

www.ferrellfinancial.co.uk 

Ferrell Financial Limited is an Appointed Representative of The Right Mortgage Ltd, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. 

This is a lifetime mortgage. To understand the features and risks, please ask for a personalised illustration. Check that this mortgage will meet your 

needs if you want to move or sell your home or you want your family to inherit it. If you are in any doubt, seek independent advice. 

There may be a fee for mortgage advice. The precise amount will depend upon your circumstances. 

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

61 


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Where Saints Go wheresaintsgo.co.uk 6 Raw cotton herringbone engineered oak floor £97.95/m 2 Ted Todd tedtodd.co.uk 

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68

Into the Woods 

Jo Arnell leads 

us through 

the bluebells 

to discover 

Canterbury Oast 

Trust's exciting 

life skills project 

I’m visiting the Poulton Wood Project in Aldington 

today, where the quest is on to find the earliest 

bluebell. Although it’s still early in the season, it’s not 

unusual now to find them blooming in early March. 

"Last year the first Bluebell was spotted on the 6th March," says 

Mel Tebbutt, life skills manager at Canterbury Oast Trust, who own 

and run this ancient wood. "It’s later this year; every year the season 

changes a little, but it’s generally in the first week or two of March." 

By April the wood is awash with their fragrant blooms, and this 

is when the team at Poulton Wood 

hold their famous Bluebell Cream 

Tea. This year it’s on Saturday 27th 

April – and will be the 27th held at the 

wood. This spring celebration is much 

looked forward to by the rangers, 

volunteers and staff here. The WI will 

be on hand too, providing the scones 

and jam, but it is the sea of bluebells 

that are the natural stars of the show. 

Poulton Wood is a 28 acre site 

of ancient woodland, and is run by 

Canterbury Oast Trust as a Life Skills 

project. This charity supports around 150 adults with learning 

disabilities, over 70 of them residential across a variety of local 

sites. The Trust is dedicated to providing empowering personal and 

work-based experiences for the adults it supports. It is a beautifully 

well managed site and the rangers, their volunteer supporters 

and staff are busy in all weathers, caring for wildlife and skilfully 

running a range of enterprises from the wood – coppicing and 

selling firewood, making commission pieces, wooden signs and 

products. The team have a stall at Wealden Times Midsummer 

Fair this June, to showcase their work. I meet ranger Ben, who 

Aside from the life 

enhancing benefits of just 

being out in nature, there are 

so many other meaningful 

activities and outcomes to this 

flourishing operation 

performed a carving demonstration there last year, where he 

designed and carved an excellent reusable sign for the stall. Now 

finished, that sign will be used every year, thanks to a clever central 

section of blackboard enabling the date and info to be changed. 

The rangers’ craftsmanship is in evidence all across the 

woodland; there’s a wonderful circular mess hut made from wood 

and natural materials. It is reminiscent of a Saxon Roundhouse 

and fits perfectly into the surroundings, and is now linked to a 

classroom, creatively made from straw bales, which also makes 

it super-insulated. Dotted among 

clearings there are handmade and 

carved benches, each dedicated to the 

memory of an individual involved 

with the project. "Alan, who’d been a 

ranger here for 20 years, has a bench 

to commemorate him and a carved 

symbol of what he was interested 

in," explains Mel as we pass a nearby 

seat. "He loved bike riding. So, rather 

than a name, the interests of the 

person, or what they were known 

for, gets carved into the bench." 

As we wend our way into the wood we pass some willow edged 

beds – again made by the rangers from leftover pieces of coppiced 

poles, which have been chopped to length and pushed firmly 

down into the soil to make mini fence posts. Willow withies are 

then carefully woven between them to make beautifully rustic 

and practical edging that designates the paths end and the beds. 

The paths through the wood are wonderfully wide, providing 

vistas through the trees and allowing access for everyone – and 

for wheelchairs. I am amazed that a wheelchair can access the 

spongy floor of the wood. "Oh yes," says volunteer Steve, "we 

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70

for wheelchairs. I am amazed that a wheelchair can access the 

spongy floor of the wood. "Oh yes," says volunteer Steve, "we 

have an all terrain wheelchair. Getting through the wood is no 

problem." This ensures the wood is accessible to all the people 

who are a part of the Trust, enabling everyone to be involved in 

the real and very active work that is done here, work that brings 

a meaningful participation in society – and the vital mental 

health benefits that come from a connection with nature. 

"There’s masses of wildlife around," he says, "buzzards, a 

woodpecker, owl, muntjac deer." Some of the space within the 

wood is roped off. These are designated, non-intervention areas, 

left entirely to wildlife and are not to be disturbed. In addition, a 

few of the trees that die or fall are also left to rot down naturally 

and become part of the ecosystem. This way the Trust can tap 

into some funding from the higher tier woodland site and still 

allow general access. The public are allowed through the wood 

from April until September and are especially encouraged to visit 

for two main events – the Bluebell Cream Tea in April and the 

Woodland Open Day held on the first Saturday in June. The 

open day is a popular event, and features a wealth of activities 

– a combination of demonstrations put on by the rangers or 

supplied by other local organisations, including visiting birds 

of prey, working horses (that were traditionally used to move 

heavy coppiced material in the woodland), pond dipping, wood 

crafts and other traditional woodland practices, such as making 

charcoal. The charcoal burners are located in a fenced area 

within a clearing deep in the wood, where there is also a bird 

feeding station, a willow bird hide and Santa’s grotto. "We had 

a torchlight procession through the wood to see Santa last year. 

It was quite magical with all the lanterns lighting the way. It had 

a really lovely atmosphere." Santa isn’t the only visitor to the 

woods. Apparently there’s another, more beastly interloper here, 

an invasive pest that must be hunted down and culled on an 

annual basis. Every January an intrepid band of skilled hunters, 

dressed in tartan, head into the woods and attempt to trap… a 

Haggis. Lured out of its lair, the Haggis is eventually caught – 

and then cooked on Burns night, served with neeps and tatties. 

What amazing lengths the team go to protect the precious 

wood. Woodlands are a vital resource and managed well (and 

protected from the pesky Haggis) they become a naturally 

renewable system too. Coppicing is an ancient activity that 

enables the use of woodland without destroying it, in fact 

the activity of cutting down carefully selected trees to make a 

coppice brings positive benefits to the wider wood, encouraging 

biodiversity in the cleared areas and letting the light in, which 

enables many species to flourish. Each coppice is named and 

identified by a hand carved sign posted at the edge of it. The 

areas of coppice are industrious looking, well organised spaces 

that show respect for the woodland and all those that use it. 

Poulton Wood a near perfect example of a traditionally coppiced 

wood, a joyful and vital reminder of all that is good about 

both working in nature and within a close knit community. 

The residents, staff and volunteers all benefit enormously 

and learn a huge amount from their experiences here. "Team 

building, exercise, learning and education," says Mel. "We learn 

about conservation, about wildlife, about each other. There are 

the woodworking skills, we gain an understanding of process 

and how the wood is planted, grown, managed and used." It is 

fascinating and truly uplifting to spend time here. Aside from 

the life enhancing benefits of just being out in nature, there 

are so many other meaningful activities and outcomes to this 

flourishing operation. Together in this enriching environment, 

the rangers, volunteers and staff work alongside nature, 

supporting one another to create something very special. 

The Bluebell Cream Tea is 

a beautiful way to celebrate 

the magical enterprise that is 

Poulton Wood. If you would 

like to join in please book at 

rarebreedscentre.digitickets. 

co.uk as spaces are limited. 

Jo’s gardening courses 

are now booking. 

Call 07923 969634 or see 

hornbrookmanor.co.uk 

71 



1 

Green products for the 

Jen Stuart-Smith has dug out a selection of eco products to inspire you 

2 

Wool Pots' biodegradeable and 

sustainable plant pots are made from 

British wool and cost from just £7.50 

for a pack of 10 at wool-pots.co.uk 

Green-Fingered 

Hug Rugs are made from 90% recycled 

material – including soft recycled cotton – 

and can be washed at 30 degrees. This Bee 

43 Charity Mat is £45.99 at hugathome.co.uk 

Tenderflame is a great 

Norwegian brand offering 

clean, safe and stylish 

outdoor heating options 

Their candles start at just 

£19.99 at tenderflame.co.uk 

3 5 

Garden on a Roll is a goody-box 

including plants, organic fertilizer and 

a roll-out paper plan that you plant 

through, for a perfectly designed border. 

From £95 at gardenonaroll.com 

Compost all your 

kitchen and garden 

waste (including 

cooked food, raw 

8food and leftovers) in 

30-90 days with a Hotbin 

composter. From £190 

at hotbincomposting.com 

6 

7 

Dipping tanks are a contemporary 

and multifunctional alternative 

to the traditional water 

butt. These ones are from £350 

at thedippingtankcompany.co.uk 

Make your own little seedling 

pots from old newspapers using 

this natty little paper-pot making 

device from Burgon & Ball – just 

£12.99 at burgonandball.com 

The Vibia 

Campana 

drainpipe clicker 

from Elho is 

made from 100% 

recycled plastic 

using wind energy 

and is recyclable 

after use too. 

£9.79 at elho.com 


72

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Bumble Bee Door Knocker £148 

Adams & Mack adamsandmack.com 

Solar powered Ivy Lights 

£47.95 by Sparkle Lighting 

sparkle.lighting 

Face 

Value 

First impressions MATTER, so get your front garden 

into gear with our list of top ways to put your 

best-gardening-foot forward 

Tuddenham Planters £110 with faux 

potted topiary Buxus Balls £235 The 

Suffolk Nest thesuffolknest.com 

“Picture this: two stunning bold 

masterpieces framing your front 

door, setting the tone for the rest 

of your garden. Faux topiary buxus 

balls bring effortless elegance to 

your entrance and are hassle-free. 

Add fragrant lavender and vibrant 

seasonal bulbs like tulips, alliums 

and hyacinths for a touch of charm. 

Your entrance will speak volumes 

with a sustainable touch that stands 

the test of time.” 

– Ashlee Jane, Founder & Creative 

Director at The Suffolk Nest 

instagram.com/the_suffolk_nest 

“Adding a smart new porch can be an 

excellent way to add kerb appeal and 

practical space. Every porch is unique, 

and designing your new One is a 

great way to express your own style 

– an opportunity to let your creative 

juices flow. Whether you’re tying in 

colours from inside your home, adding 

an outdoor rug, plants or lighting – 

there are many ways to style your 

new porch to really maximise its 

impact.” – Georgina Sykes, Managing 

Director at The Traditional Verandah 

Company ttvc.co.uk 

Porch by The Traditional 

Verandah Company ttvc.co.uk 

Elegance Fine Arch £218 

Agriframes agriframes.co.uk 

Soto Evergreen Partial Narrow 

border from £190/2M 

soto gardens sotogardens.com 

75 

Front Garden planters 

by Frogheath Landscapes 

frogheath.co.uk 

“Ideally, many of your plants in the 

front garden will be evergreen, 

giving a long period of interest, 

which is particularly important in 

the winter. Moundy shrubs and 

those that can be easily trimmed 

include hebes, pittosporums, 

euonymus and Viburnum tinus Eve 

Price. Flowering plants for shady 

positions include hellebores, vinca 

minor and euphorbia robbiae. For 

sunnier front gardens consider 

rosemary, low growing geraniums 

and abelia. Sarcococca or winter 

box has fragrant flowers in the 

winter months.” 

– Steve Moody of Frogheath 

Landscapes frogheath.co.uk 



Pillars, Marine Blue in Intelligent 

Masonry Paint £83 for 5L and 

Planters, Mister David in Intelligent 

Exterior Eggshell £86 for 2.5L by 

Little Greene littlegreene.com 

“It’s often the norm in traditional 

gardens to paint outdoor details 

in harmonious colours to blend in 

with their surroundings, we love the 

idea of adding vibrancy to highlight 

specific features. Pair a piercing 

blue colour like ‘Marine Blue’ on 

architectural details and pillars with 

a hit of bright sunshine yellow using 

plant pots painted in ‘Mister David’. 

Unique and bright pairings create a 

transportive space and a wonderful 

narrative with green foliage.” 

- Ruth Mottershead, Creative 

Director at Little Greene 

littlegreene.com 

Dandelion Solar Powered Garden 

Lights £29.95 Annabel James 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Planter by IOTA iotagarden.com 

Trail Terra 20x30 Matt Slab 

Tiles £23.96/m2 Walls and 

Floors wallsandfloors.co.uk 

Mast Light 0749 £315 Davey 

Lighting originalbtc.com 

“Illuminating your outdoor space 

is not only practical but is sure to 

wow any guests that visit your home. 

For a symmetrical, modern style we 

recommend spike or bollard lights 

as they are ideal for lining down 

the sides of the driveway for an 

even spread of light. For the best 

coverage, you can opt for powerful, 

PIR flood lights, which use sensors 

to detect motion as your car pulls up 

the driveway, automatically triggering 

the light to assist you with parking. 

You can also consider dusk ‘til dawn 

lights, that conveniently provide 

light without pressing a button, using 

photocell sensors that detect natural 

light levels and switch on accordingly. 

Overall, Driveway lights and spike 

lights are the perfect fit to create an 

illuminated pathway that is guaranteed 

to wow any visitors to your home.” 

–Julian Page, Head of Design for BHS 

bhs.com 

Trent Fisherman Style 

Lantern Wall Light £20 

BHS bhs.com 

priceless-magazines.com 76 

Front Door in SOUMAK 339, 

DOOR CASING: SALT II 332 – both 

ARCHITECTS’ GLOSS by Paint and Paper 

Library paintandpaperlibrary.com 

Block Paving by 

TerraFirma Landscapes London 

terrafirmalandscapes.co.uk 

Chessington Garden Centre 

chessingtongardencentre.co.uk 

“Transforming a front garden with 

pots, tubs, or planters can instantly 

enhance its appeal. Begin by 

selecting a variety of plants suited 

to the climate and light conditions. 

Arrange them strategically, 

incorporating different heights 

and textures for visual interest. 

Consider adding decorative elements 

like trellises or ornamental 

statues for added charm. Regular 

maintenance, including watering 

and pruning, will ensure your 

front garden remains vibrant and 

inviting. With creativity and care, 

pots, tubs, or planters can turn a 

mundane space into a captivating 

entrance that welcomes guests with 

natural beauty.” – Jamie Port, 

Marketing and Events Manager 

at Chessington Garden Centre 

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istockphoto.com/ kaisorn

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517320e-mail address, web address etc... e-mail 

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magazine email: production@indexmagazine.co.uk 

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tel: 01892 517320 

email: production@indexmagazine.co.uk 

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Come 

the 

to 

Caslte 

Come with us as we tour the great and the grand castles of 

the South East in search of gardening inspiration 

From Disney palaces to Traitors 

tower, there’s something utterly 

captivating about a castle (along 

with their awe-inspiring settings). 

To wander the grounds of a grand old 

estate, experiencing some of the most 

magnificent gardens in the country is one 

of our favourite things to do in the spring. 

The South East is filled with more than 

its fair share and each has something to 

offer as inspiration in our own gardens, 

be it an expansive landscaping project or a 

simple planter with a bit of fancy planting. 

With all this in mind we’re listing (in no 

particular order) a few truly captivating 

castles to visit this spring. 

1 Scotney 

Moat? Check. Woodland glades? 

Check. Pretty hidden walkways? Check. 

Romantically ruined castle? CHECK. 

Scotney is all we’re looking for in a fairytale 

come to life. It has one of the best examples 

of a picturesque-designed garden in the 

UK, meaning it embraces a more wild and 

natural idea of beauty and celebrates the 

softness of imperfections. The centrepiece 

moated castle ruin with its gorgeous roses 

scaling the walls tells the tale that is echoed 

throughout the estate – one of man-made 

beauty being embraced, complemented, and 

generally doodled upon by nature. As we 

all strive to add wild spaces to our garden 

for the sake of the environment, one lesson 

to learn here is that the edges between the 

order of the man-made and the wildness of 

nature can be beautifully blurred. Here you’ll 

find grass terraces left long to encourage rare 

orchids, ‘Hoop Petticoat’ daffodils growing 

on the lower castle walls, and gardeners at 

work in little row boats on the moat where 

kingfishers dwell and dragonflies dance. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle 

2 Chiddingstone 

Chiddingstone Castle is a fascinating historic 

house set in the rolling Kent countryside 

and there is much of quintessential British 

gardening to be found here. The inner 

courtyard is filled with colourful fragrant 

roses, the Grade II* listed Victorian Orangery 

is a favourite feature of wedding planners, 

and right around this time of year the lawns 

will paint themselves yellow with daffodils. 

What might surprise you is that this is also 

a location that incorporates influences from 

far off lands and cultures, from the Japanese 

cherry blossoms that border the pathway to 

the lake, to the Fields of Eternity, inspired 

by the Ancient Egyptian idea of heaven. The 

grounds here are a reminder that we can be 

inspired by distant places to enrich our own 

gardens. Visit from Sunday 31 March to 

Sunday 30 October from 11am-5pm (last 

entry 4:15pm) chiddingstonecastle.org.uk 

3 Sissinghurst 

Sissinghurst is a joy in the spring; The Lime 

Walk, designed to look its best from March 

to May, blooms under the watchful stone 

eyes of a Bacchante; magnolias add drops 

of colour in The White Garden, Lower 

Courtyard and the Cottage Garden; and 

blossom abounds in the Orchard where 

1,100 fruit trees make for some stunning 

photo opportunties. As well as being a 

celebration of gardening for food (with 

its nuttery, orchard, herb garden all doing 

their part) its also a masterclass in how to 

use texture and shape to add dramatic flair. 

The White Garden, for example, came to 

life when Vita Sackville-West decided on a 

limited colour scheme of whites, silvers, greys 

and greens. Here, shrubs create volume and 

structure, tall Arabian thistles contrast soft 

and foamy gypsophila and hedging provides 

a dark backdrop for brighter blooms. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst-castle-garden 

4 Hever 

There is so much to adore about Hever 

Castle. Take a pedalo on the lake, have a 

go at archery, weave your way through the 

Yew and Water mazes, you’ll see what we 

mean. And spring is a fantastic time of year 

to visit as the historic home of the Boleyns 

blooms into an energetic and ecstatic 

palette of rich and riotous colour. It’s the 

destination for those who dream of colourful 

sweet scented flowers. From blossom and 

bluebells to the thousands of tulips, spring 

bedding, magnolias, early rhododendrons, 

hyacinths, primulas, and camassias, there’s 

much to appreciate in the grounds. Which 

is why their Celebration of Spring from 

15 – 28 April is the perfect time to go for 

interested gardeners. The gardening team 

themselves will be offering tours in the 

first week and workshops in the second. 

If you miss this one, it’s also worth noting 

that Hever in Bloom will be coming round 

from 24 June to 7 July with more tours and 

demonstrations from the gardening team. 

hevercastle.co.uk 

5 Leeds 

Leeds Castle – need we once again point 

out that it is in fact the loveliest castle in the 

world? The expansive 500 acres of grounds 

really demand many trips to fully appreciate 

(although a segway tour will get you round 

a lot of it the quick way!). Walking these 

gardens may inspire you to create a really 

immersive garden that harnesses abstract 

elements like scent, light and movement. 

Take note of the motion and reflections of 

the lake and waterfall, the use of tall trees 

to play with sun and shade and the many 

wonderfully scented plants that can be found 

throughout. In April you can enjoy self-led 

daffodil walks, and next month is a great 

time to go with the family to see the Queen’s 

Joust over the bank holiday. leeds-castle.com 



2 Chiddingstone Castle 

3 Sissinghurst 

4 Hever 

1 Scotney 

5 Leeds 

79 



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Steps to get 

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Host your next garden dinner party 

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Madras Pink check throw made 

entirely from recycled plastic 

bottles £65 Weaver Green 

weavergreen.com 

Bridgman Mayfair Dining Set 

bridgman.co.uk 

Step 1: Get it Covered 

The British weather always has to be 

the first consideration with any outdoor 

occasion. You may plan a meal set 

beneath a glorious sky and on the day it 

just doesn’t turn up, a plan B is essential. 

Expert Tip: 

“Louvred pergolas not only look fantastic but 

they also offer complete protection from the 

sun, wind and rain. Plus, with the option 

to add LED lighting, infra-red heating and 

windproof side screens, there’s no doubt you’ll 

be able to enjoy alfresco dining no matter 

the weather this spring.” 

– Stuart Dantzic, MD of Caribbean 

Blinds cbsolarshading.co.uk 

Step 2: A Warm Welcome 

As well as keeping our guests covered, 

it’s also generally best not to leave them 

shivering in their seats! Even a warm 

summer’s day can rapidly cool as the 

evening goes on so get a good garden 

heater, fire pit or outdoor fire ready to go! 

Step 3: Set the Table 

Time to really get creative. A good place 

to start is to consider what dinnerware 

and serveware will complement your 

food. After that you can look for cutlery, 

napkins, and decorative accessories to 

match your tone and colour scheme. 

Step 4: Serve Something Special 

There is so much you can do with garden 

party dining from the classic BBQ to the 

crowd-pleasing pizzas from an outdoor 

oven. But if you like to do garden parties 

often or are looking to step up your 

game, a fully equipped outdoor kitchen 

can give you loads of versatility with topnotch 

cooking appliances. 

Step 5: Take a Seat 

All that’s left now is to pull up a chair 

and get settled! Ideally you want dining 

furniture that both looks great and also 

offers the best in comfort, which is 

why we’ve chosen the above Bridgman 

Mayfair Dining Set. This collection 

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an olive-brown rattan weave braiding 

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ensure support and comfort with cosy 

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their newly-launched beige. The table 

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making it easy-to-clean, and it seats up 

to six, allowing for many alfresco dinners 

in the evening sun. bridgman.co.uk 

Lacroix glass carafe 

£30 Maison Cherie 

maisoncherie.shop 

Green gingham 

table runner £45 

Sophie Allport 

sophieallport.com 

Willow gin glasses 

in Olive Green 

£49 (set of 4) 

Where Saints Go 

wheresaintsgo.co.uk 

Please Leave By Nine napkins 

£28 (for a pair) Avalon Home 

avalonhome.co.uk 

Pompadour faux shagreen 

cutlery £195 (24-piece 

set) OKA oka.com 

Acacia salad 

servers £12 

ProCook 

procook.co.uk 

Olivia scalloped platter in 

Green Filet £94 Rebecca Udall 

rebeccaudall.com 


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1 Colour is King 

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85 

8 It’s the Journey 

Carefully plan out the 

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86


Smyrnium perfoliatum 

Go with the F low 

Sue Whigham shares some valuable new-to-gardening advice 

istockphoto.com/ seven75 / PicturePartners 

I’m sure that by now we should be used to the rain but 

I’m not entirely sure that we are. We had a dry, sunny 

day the other day and how everybody’s mood changed. 

Some of us managed a quick first cut of our soggy lawns 

just to give them some semblance of order. And what a 

difference it makes. 

We are very behind with our late winter tidy up having 

left the borders for hibernating insects and foraging birds 

to pick over. However, after reading Dan Pearson’s Spring 

Dig Delve Newsletter, in which he says that he and his team 

finished their cut back during the last week in February, 

panic has set in! I’m sure, though, that with a bit of hard 

work ‘little and often’, we’ll no doubt catch up. 

But for those of you who might be new to gardening, 

there might be a few tips that you’ll find useful... 

Whilst it has been tipping it down outside, I’ve been 

dipping into The Sceptical Gardener by Ken Thompson 

who is both a biologist and a gardener. As he says, he has 

been a gardener for more years than he cares to remember. 

I was particularly taken with his Top 10 Don’ts which are 

useful for gardening novices as well as for those who have 

more experience. I for one have spent years cutting back 

roses to an outside facing bud when pruning floribunda and 

hybrid tea roses (although I have only one of the latter). 

This is Rosa ‘Mrs. Oakley Fisher’, a 1920s introduction with 

soft apricot single flowers and prominent anthers which 

grows mid border. It got a bit smothered by bryony last year 

and has already had the Ken Thompson treatment so we’ll 

see how it looks later in the year. He suggests foregoing the 

careful search for an outside bud especially if you have a lot 

of roses and just cut the plant down hard. 

At the top of my ‘to do’ list is ‘Prune Roses’. Tick for 

having started on that but black marks for not having 

secateurs cleaned and sharpened before sallying forth. In the 

end both sets of secateurs are in ‘hospital’ having a thorough 

overhaul and I’ve had to buy another cheaper pair as I 

thought that the job just couldn’t wait. So don’t follow this 

and invest in a decent pair in the first place and keep them 

sharp and well oiled. You don’t want to tear at the rose stem 

with blunt secateurs as you work on the plant. 

Another don’t, especially useful for someone new to 

gardening, is not to weed out every seedling in your borders 

as soon as you spot them. Many plants are desperate to seed 

and you never know what you might have. Once you know, 

you can be more discerning but, until then, we have clouds 

of Smyrnium perfoliatum seedlings in the border in front 

of the house. I’m not sure how they got there but suspect 

that we collected a few seeds along the way having spotted 

an escapee clump on the edge of a local piece of woodland 

a while ago. They are probably in the ‘wrong place’ as they 

prefer dappled shade but they can have their day before a 

few get moved around. There’s plenty of time for this as 

they are biennial ie. ‘they take two years to grow from seed 

to maturity’. 

Another very useful tip, pertinent 

after such a wet period, is to note what 

happens to our gardens when it has 

been so sodden for so long. We have 

been on a hunt for our geums and 

fear that they have been well and 

truly lost. I wonder. The 50% of 

our soil which is usually empty 

space other than air has been 

continuously filled up with 

water for months and some 

roots will inevitably have 

drowned through 

lack of oxygen. 

Plants that have 

adapted to damp 

 

87 



Moss and lichen on top of a damp rock 

“...nature has 

been turning 

green waste 

into compost 

for millennia. 

There is no 

need to spend 

money on 

expensive 

accelerators” 

The northern garden at Tofukuji temple, Kyoto 

conditions have evolved to cope with 

this shortage, but I suspect that other borderline hardy and 

Mediterranean garden plants might not be so lucky. Luckily 

this wet weather has happened whilst plants have been 

dormant rather than during their actively growing period in 

the summer, when the outcome could be far worse. 

The answer for another day is by resolving to improve 

your soil’s structure and drastically improve drainage. This in 

turn will provide food for earthworms who spend their lives 

conveniently creating drainage channels for you. And as Ken 

Thompson, says, nature has been turning green waste into 

compost for millennia. There is no need to spend money on 

expensive accelerators. The main thing is to have patience 

and perhaps not to add too much in the way of tough 

woody debris unless you’re really not in a hurry. This sort 

of material slows things up by taking time to break down 

into that rich, crumbly material that your garden wants and 

needs. However, I like the look of those huge compost heaps 

at Great Dixter which reach great heights during the year 

and which can then be returned into the border once they 

have broken down into something deliciously friable. In the 

meantime, they are great for growing pumpkins on. 

We’ve tried both bespoke wooden compost bins and a 

loose compost heap and the latter has proved to be the best. 

Everything goes on it apart from 

stinging nettle roots and bramble 

as they are both quite difficult to 

eradicate – but having said that, some 

nettles are left for wildlife. There’s 

so much to learn but it is a gradual 

process and, in the end, you learn from 

your own experience in your 

own garden. 

I’m trying to remember where I saw 

ladies in large hats studiously picking 

the grass out from a mossy sward on the TV. I think it 

must have been a programme about Japanese gardens as 

they celebrate moss and work wonders with it. You may 

have seen the Japanese garden designer, Kazuyuki Ishihara, 

winning gold medals year after year for his exquisitely 

beautiful, tranquil and mossy gardens. We waste time and 

money on doing the opposite – that is, trying to eradicate 

moss. Of course it can be reduced by drastically improving 

the drainage or by using nasty compounds which are a 

definite no no. Or alternatively, we can just not worry 

about it, especially in our exceedingly damp climate. Have 

a closer look at it. It is rather beautiful stuff and is worth 

celebrating. I could say the same about our moles. They 

tunnelled around about three months ago creating about 

thirty five mole hills here. We’ve put aside this beautifully 

sifted soil for adding to future planting holes or maybe pots 

and, lo and behold, the moles seemed to have moved off. 

I’m secretly rather relieved. 

Sue Whigham can be contacted on 07810 457948 for 

gardening advice and help in the sourcing and supply of 

interesting garden plants. 

istockphoto.com/ David Fenton / Nayomiee/ 


88

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89 


Creative Drawing Workshop - Wednesday 24 th April 

Artist and educator Robert Lamoon returns to Belmont for a 

second series of creative drawing workshops. 

During this workshop will look at the work of Edvard Munch 

and be inspired to create drawings of Belmont gardens 

loosely in his style. £60.00 per person. All materials and light 

refreshments included. 

Spring Fair - Monday 6 th May, 11am-4pm 

Our Spring Fair features a superb range of quality plants, 

garden-related gifts, artwork, textiles, jewellery and a whole 

host of wonderful crafted delights. 

Local food and drink will be available as well as our ‘pop up’ tea 

room serving delicious cakes. £7.00 per person including garden 

entry and free for children under 16. 

Paper Peony Workshop - Monday 13 th May, 11am-1pm 

Join us at Belmont to learn how to make a selection of paper 

peonies and eucalyptus. All materials will be supplied including 

printed instructions for you to carry on your creative journey at 

home. No experience is required. £35.00 per person. 

belmont-house.org • 01795 890 228 • events@belmont-house.org 

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

Spring at 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

Bring in the new season with us 

and experience the range of events, 

activities and colourful buds on offer. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 

© National Trust 2024. Registered Charity no. 205846. Photography © National Trust Images/Andrew Butler 

Untitled-577 1 16-Feb-24 15:00:57 

Surrey Sculpture Society 

SCULPTURE EXHIBITION 

AT RAMSTER GARDEN 

25 ACRES 

BEAUTIFUL 

SPRING 

BLOSSOM 

3 RD MAY - 2 ND JUNE (10am - 5pm) 

Discover inspirational art 

by renowned & emerging sculptors 

All sculptures will be for sale. 

Entry prices & further information 

can be found at www.ramsterevents.com 

www.surreysculpture.org.uk 

@surreysculpturesociety 

Surrey 

Sculpture 

Society 


90

Bateman’s 


The Gardener’s Datebook 

We’re sharing our diary of top things to do and see this spring 

istockphoto.com/ berkah jaya / HEMARAT 

Throughout April 

Bateman’s Lane, Burwash, 

Etchingham TN19 7DS 

BATEMAN’S 

Explore the beautiful garden at Bateman’s, 

the former home of Rudyard Kipling. 

Throughout April, you can witness the 

beauty of spring as bulbs and early perennials 

bloom, adding a burst of colour to the 

garden. The ornamental, wall-trained, and 

orchard trees will also be blossoming. Amidst 

the trees, the enchanting wild garden takes 

the spotlight, with a carpet of flowering 

bulbs displaying spring colour and scent. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans 

Daily throughout spring 10am-5pm 

Claremont Landscape Garden 

Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey KT10 9JG 

CLAREMONT LANDSCAPE GARDEN 

From a duke’s retreat to a princess’s 

playground, Claremont has always been 

a place to escape everyday life and enjoy 

simple pleasures. Created by four of the 

great landscape designers of the 18th 

century; the garden charts the origins of 

the English Landscape Garden movement. 

With serpentine lake, amphitheatre, winding 

walks and shady places, it’s the perfect 

place to enjoy a scenic walk. This spring 

and summer, visit for guided walks, family 

trails, outdoor theatre and a sculpture 

exhibition with Surrey Sculpture Society. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/claremont-landscape-garden 

22 April – 6 May 

Pashley Manor Gardens, 

Ticehurst, Kent TN5 7HE 

TULIP FESTIVAL 

In late spring Pashley Manor Gardens will 

be carpeted with over 45,000 tulips for 

their annual Tulip spectacle. Visitors can 

enjoy the tulips in colour themed plantings 

throughout the sweeping herbaceous borders 

and historic walled garden. There will also 

be a marquee of cut tulips, with experts from 

Bloms Bulbs on hand to give advice and take 

orders, and visitors may like to enjoy tea and 

cake, or a light lunch, from Pashley’s Café. 

Tickets sold on the gate on the day at £15.50 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

25-27 May 10am-5pm 

All Saints Church, Biddenden, Kent 

BIDDENDEN FLOWER FESTIVAL 

All are welcome to the annual Biddenden 

Flower Festival! This year’s theme, 

‘Dreaming of Gold’, is inspired by the 

Olympic Games and will feature brilliant 

floral displays created by villagers throughout 

local 13th century church, All Saints. 

Other highlights of the festival will include 

musical interludes, a visit from the Morris 

Men and a chance to climb the church 

tower for magnificent views over the 

Weald. The ever-popular cake stand will 

be offering refreshments for sale, and a 

plant marquee will be selling seedlings. 

Admission is free but donations are welcome. 

91 



Claremont Landscape Garden 

Brogdale Farm 

Sissinghurst Castle Garden 

AT BROGDALE FARM 

Discover the wonders of Brogdale Farm’s 

National Fruit Collection, showcasing 

over 3,000 varieties of fruit trees. With an 

Orchard Pass you can get exclusive access 

to the orchards year-round and take tours 

to learn the history, heritage, and taste the 

fruit. Witness the changes throughout the 

seasons from blossom, through to cherries, 

plums, apples and pears. They also host 

family-friendly festivals and events, from the 

Japanese Hanami Blossom Day to cherrypicking 

weekends, the delightful Brogdale 

Cider Festival, and Heritage Orchard Apple 

picking Days. Engage your little ones with 

exciting activities like Beastie Day, Teddy 

Bears’ Picnic, Apple Juicing workshops 

and outdoor cooking classes. Adults can 

join rural courses like pruning, wreath 

making, cider making, willow weaving 

and many more for hands-on learning. 

As a charitable organisation, Brogdale 

Collections ensures the proceeds from 

every event support their mission to ensure 

public access and education of the National 

Fruit Collection for generations to come. 

brogdalecollections.org 

3 May – 2 June & 8 June – 

14 July 10am-5pm 

Ramster Garden, Chiddingfold & 

Claremont Landscape Gardens, Esher 

SURREY SCULPTURE 

SOCIETY TRAILS 

Surrey Sculpture Society is delighted to 

announce two outdoor sculpture trails 

this summer – one at Ramster Garden in 

Chiddingfold from 3rd May to 2nd June, and 

another at Claremont Landscape Gardens, 

Esher from 8th June to 14th July. The trails 

will showcase a wealth of original, affordable 

sculpture with pieces by professional and 

emerging artists, ranging from modern 

abstract to classical styles and in a variety 

of materials. All of the art will be for sale. 

surreysculpture.org.uk 

30 June —14 July 11am-4pm 

High Clandon Estate Vineyard, 

Surrey GU4 7RP 

ART & SCULPTURE IN 

THE VINEYARD 

A day of high culture at an award-wining 

Surrey vineyard. As they celebrate their 

11th anniversary, High Clandon Estate 

Vineyard invites you to discover a gorgeous 

vintage Shakspearean Cuvée alongside 180 

inspirational artworks. Stroll through glorious 

Wildflower Meadows, a quintessentially 

English Vineyard, a romantic Rose Arch 

Walk and the tranquil Japanese Garden. 

You can also sample Cream Teas by Cherry 

Trees to fuel your enchanting wandering. 

Entrance £7pp donation to Cherry Trees 

Charity. Tickets pre-bookable on ngs.org.uk 

highclandon.co.uk 

15 March – 15 August 

Painshill, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1JE 

PAINSHILL 

Painshill is a beautiful landscape garden 

complete with a gorgeous lake, gothic temple 

and even a crystal grotto! They are offering 

monthly guided tours from March to August 

for just £15 (or free to members), and next 

month there will be an additional Bird Song 

Walk that will take you around the gardens, 

identifying birds as you go. Alternatively, 

if you’re looking for more of a show, June 

and July will see a season of live music lates 

as well as Outdoor Theatre opportunities. 

painshill.co.uk 

Throughout the year 

Brogdale Collections, Brogdale Farm, 

Faversham, Kent ME13 8XZ 

THE NATIONAL FRUIT COLLECTION 

Daily 11am-5:30pm 

Sissinghurst, near Cranbrook, 

Kent TN17 2AB 

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDENS 

Nestled in the heart of the Wealden 

countryside is the romantic Sissinghurst 

Castle Garden. April is the time to visit, 

with colourful spring bulbs filling the 

different ‘rooms’ of the garden. Magnolia, 

soft blossom and Narcissi will be a sight 

to behold. Don’t miss the Lime Walk and 

Orchards, which will tempt you down 

their pathways with sweet fragrances. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst 


92 

Surrey Sculpture Society Trails

Social icon 

Circle 

Only use blue and/or white. 

For more details check out our 

Brand Guidelines. 

PASHLEY MANOR 

GARDENS 

TULIP FESTIVAL 

22nd April every day to 6th May 

Over 45,000 tulips in the gardens 

East Sussex/Kent border TN5 7HE 01580 200888 

pashleymanorgardens.com 

Illustrating The Jungle Book 

3160-Celebration-of-Spring-Surrey-Times-Advert-90x130mm-AW.indd 1 29/02/2024 14:08 

© National Trust 2024. Registered Charity no. 205846. 

Images ©National Trust Images/Arnhel de Serra 

at Bateman's 

Discover the art of illustrating The Jungle 

Book and browse different versions of the 

classic tale from over the years. Join us for 

exciting events all year round. 

nationaltrust.org.uk/batemans 

93 


Win Your Order 

Hurry! Order from our Royal 

Tunbridge Wells Showroom before 

27 th April to be in with a chance. 

INTRODUCING THE 

Luxury Living Giveaway! 

Proudly family-run since 1977, Bridgman is exclusively offering you the chance to add an 

extra touch of luxury to your home and garden without it costing you a penny. Visit our 

Royal Tunbridge Wells Showroom, and place your order before the 27 th April for the 

opportunity to WIN the price of your order back. 

Quote code LUXEGIVEAWAY at the time of purchase to enter. 

53A Calverley Road, 

Royal Tunbridge Wells, 

TN1 2TU 

01892 538882 

Terms and conditions apply - see bridgman.co.uk for full details. 

CHELTENHAM 

ENFIELD 

OLD AMERSHAM 

ROYAL TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

WINCHESTER WILMSLOW WALTON-ON-THAMES

Cockerel wind chime 

£15 National Trust 



Garden shed bird 

house £28.50 A 

Place for Everything 

aplaceforeverything.co.uk 

Timo T-light chandelier £55 

Nkuku nkuku.com 

Stretton chair and footsool 

garden lounge set £899 

The Cotswold Company 

cotswoldco.com 

Chicken plant pot feet £21.95 

(set of 3) Annabel James 

annabeljames.co.uk 

Farm 

Charm 

Kew Potting Shed from £7,995 

Malvern Garden Buildings 

malverngardenbuildings.co.uk 

Classic wood 

garden shed with 

shelves £279.99 

Gardenesque 

gardenesque.com 

Cottagecore move over, we’re 

pining after the rural warmth 

of a farm-inspired garden 

Ratcliffe greenhouse POA 

Surrey Hills Garden Buildings 

surreyhillsgardenbuildings.co.uk 

Willow garden trug 

£34.50 A Place 

for Everything 

aplaceforeverything.co.uk 

Solar grey Fisherman 

filament effect LED hanging 

lantern £9.99 Festive Lights 

festive-lights.com 

Daisy bunch glass jar 

£9.95 The Wisteria Tree 

thewisteriatree.co.uk 

Butterfly House £14.99 

Sourced by Oxfam 

onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk 

Lutyen garden chair 

£605 Sweetpea Willow 

sweetpeaandwillow.com 

Small recycled teak wooden 

stool £82 After Noah 

afternoah.com 

Akasa trough planter 

£50 Nkuku nkuku.com 

Rusty pig (large) £95 

Cox & Cox 

coxandcox.co.uk 

100cm Mayfair round dining 

table with 4 dining chairs £1,299 

Bridgeman bridgman.co.uk 

Cast iron sparrow £6 

National Trust 


95 


Radar, Dungeness 

Coastal views, city pads or rural breaks; 

a Bloom Stays welcome awaits. 

Over 100 holiday homes across Kent & Sussex to choose from. 

01227 903404 | bloomstays.com

Take me to... 

a UK Staycation 

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

you trying something new with explorative and adventurous trips 

Cornish Escape 

The Park, Cornwall is an award-winning holiday village, just a short 

stroll from Mawgan Porth beach. There are lots of accomodation 

options (including plenty that are dog friendly and many with 

private hot tubs) from luxury lodges to adorable cottages, or even the 

fairyland style yurt village. There are two pools, The Kitchen by the 

Beach restaurant, a sauna and steam room, and for children there 

are play areas and soft play. Perfectly situated, from your Cornish 

home hub you can walk parts of the stunning South West Coastal 

Path, visit castles, explore the Lost Gardens of Heligan, wander the 

world-famous Eden Project or book a show at the stunning cliff-side 

Minack Theatre. To book visit theparkcornwall.com 

Woodlands Glencoe, Argyll and Bute, Scotland 

St Michaels Resort 

& Spa, Cornwall 

“dogs 

stay free 

at over 

18,000 

locations” 

Homewood Hotel & Spa, Bath, Somerset 

Un-fur-gettable holiday 

If you’re a dog owner, you’ll know how hard 

it is to leave your best furry friend behind 

when you embark on a trip. PetsPyjamas 

are award-winning dog-friendly travel 

experts, where dogs stay free at over 18,000 

locations. Coastal retreats with seaside walks, 

relaxing spa breaks in the Peak District, or 

boutique hotel city stays, where gourmet 

menus are available for the most pampered 

canine guests. They also offer some fantastic 

exclusive packages, for example, two adults 

and a dog can visit St Michaels Resort & 

Spa in Cornwall, including a two night 

stay, 2 Hour Hydrothermal Experience and 

Dinner in Brasserie on the Bay from £464. 

Alternatively, you can save up to 33% if 

you stay 3 nights at Homewood Hotel & 

Spa in Bath. Visit petspyjamas.com to start 

planning your next pet-away. 

97

A Treehouse Experience 

Elmore Court is an ancient country estate set in 

a bend of the River Severn in Gloucestershire, 

where you’ll find magic treehouses, wilding land, 

wild swimming and longhorns. These magical 

treehouses have been built to deliver happiness in 

a place where people can stay and connect with 

nature. Follow the zig-zag boardwalk to discover 

six bespoke designer cabins high in the canopy, 

overlooking wetlands where wild animals roam 

free. A reflective and playful space, all with a 

respectful nod to ancient wisdom, but in comfort 

and style. Each pod features a super king-size 

bed, wood-burning stove, a fully fitted indoor 

bathroom and kitchen and a dreamy outdoor 

copper bath. Each is individually designed and 

fits perfectly into its surroundings offering sunset 

views, outdoor living, eating and bathing; all 

while being super snug and warm inside. Visit 

elmorecourt.com/treehouses or rewildthings.com to 

experience the magic of Rewild Things. 

“bespoke designer cabins 

high in the canopy, 

overlooking wetlands where 

wild animals roam free” 

Castle Contemporary 

WT’s Em recently stayed at Leeds Castle’s fabulous new Lakeside 

Lodges and says “This is the place for the ultimate getaway, a 

dream-like combination of beauty and comfort amid nature. Total 

relaxation is guaranteed with every detail taken care of. In the 

1920s Leeds Castle was aquired and exquisitely restored by the 

fabulous Lady Baillie, who would come to host many a celebrity 

getaway at her lovely castle (who wouldn’t?). The lodges now pay 

homage to her glamourous parties, as each is styled and named 

after one of her famous guests (Daphne du Maurier for me). 

They’re nestled in the Mediterranean Garden and overlook the 

spectacular Great Water. The castle’s history is brought to life here 

and combined seamlessly with up-to-date luxury. A few musts for 

your visit: explore after dark, when all is tranquil and the lighting 

of the castle is just incredible; take an early morning walk around 

the beautiful grounds; make sure you schedule plenty of time to 

enjoy picture-perfect floor-to-ceiling views of the lake from your 

bed (binoculars are, of course, supplied); tour the castle and learn 

about its fascinating past; get lost in the maze; most important of 

all, definitely make the most of the outdoor bath!” 

leeds-castle.com 

“a dream-like combination of beauty and comfort amid 

nature.Total relaxation guaranteed.” 

98

Disconnect from the noise. Reconnect with the magic. 

Six treehouses built on the Elmore Court estate 

overlooking 250 acres of rewilding land. 

Immerse yourself in nature with only the soundtrack of 

birds for miles. Relax outside or in with the fire roaring, 

relish in your surroundings with an outdoor bath or cook 

up a feast and enjoy with a company of Longhorns. 

We are allowing the land to return to a more natural 

state. A place with wetlands, woodlands, free-roaming 

herbivores, regenerative agriculture, a sprinkling of 

magic and a bundle of love. 

Come and find out for yourself. 

Prices from £250 a 

night. 

Book online at 

www.rewildthings.com 

Food hampers, meals 

and drink add-ons. Wild 

swimming and much 

more. 

Holidays To Make 

Your Dog Smile 

Discover over 18,000 truly dog-welcoming hotels, country houses, cottages, B&Bs, 

glamping sites & pubs with rooms, plus exclusive packages you won’t find anywhere else 

PetsPyjamas.com 

99 


Beachy Bliss 

Dog spotting, sun-soaking, and a welcome breeze of fresh 

sea air; Camber Sands is a go-to staycation spot for many 

reasons – not least the opportunity to get the golden 

sands and sea views of a tropical destination while staying 

in our lovely little corner of England. The best place to 

stay? Your very own luxury beachfront home should do 

the trick, the family-run Camber Beach Holiday Homes 

offers excellent service having specialised in the area, 

with over 20 years of experience. Features in the homes 

on offer include log-burning stoves, views straight to the 

coast of France, and one property even has 

a spa suite with sauna steam and jacuzzi! 

Camber Beach also offer treatments such 

Rosa mesh kaftan 

£140 NAIA Beach 

naiabeach.com 

“immerse 

yourself in 

the pictureperfect 

sunsets 

and endless 

sandy shores 

of Camber” 

Camber Sands 

as massages, reiki and sound baths in the 

relaxing setting of your own space. While 

there you can also take a merry jaunt over 

to one of many great nearby locations. To 

dine there is Folkestone’s iconic Harbour 

Arm, or The Ferry Inn for a delicious pubstyle 

meal on the nearby Isle of Oxney, 

meanwhile for entertainment there’s Port Lympne Safari 

Park or Rye’s Kite Surf Centre. Rye itself is also well 

worth a visit – the cosy, cobbly town is full of character 

and oldy-worldy charm. Grab a hot chocolate at Knoops 

and spend a day strolling around jewellery shops, art 

galleries like Rye Art Gallery, and various antique shops 

and knick-knackeries, then finish up with a trip to the 

Kino for a movie night in a former Victorian library with 

a tub of our favourite Simply Ice Cream. To find out 

more, call 07779 474332 or visit camberbeach.co.uk 

Pack your bags! 

Take your luxuries with you for a beachy look that will make perfect travel pics! 

Hypoallergenic, tarnish-free and 

waterproof gold cowrie shell 

necklace £85 Elk & Bloom 

elkandbloom.com 

Treasure Me mini jewellery 

box £29 Estella Bartlett 

estellabartlett.com 

Always travel 

as eco-friendly 

as you can 

Fitzroy sunglasses made from recycled trawl 

nets and lines £65 Waterhaul waterhaul.co 

Scent-free SPF30 Sun Cream £21 

Green People greenpeople.co.uk 

Make sure 

your jewellery is 

waterproof! 

Céline Phantom 

medium luggage bag 

£1,195 Shop Prestige 

shopprestige.com 

Go 

classic 

beach 

chic with 

monochrome 

Ralph Lauren Bel Air 

swimsuit £169 Luxe 

Leopard luxeleopard.co.uk 

istockphoto.com/ eric laudonien

YOUR DESTINATION FOR 

OUTDOOR THRILLS 

SEABREEZE - SLEEPS 6 

CAMBER SANDS 

LESSONS & HIRE 

Kitesurfing 

Stand Up Paddleboarding 

Kitebuggying 

Kite landboarding 

Wingboarding 

Family groups, Ages 8+ 

Stag & Hen Parties 

Corporate Activity Days 

SEA GEM - SLEEPS 8 

Hire from £15 per hour 

Lessons starting at 

£49 per person 

CONTACT US 

01797 724 126 

school@thekitesurfcentre.com 

The Kitesurf Centre, 

Lydd Road, Camber 

TN31 7SB 

CAMBER BEACH HOLIDAY HOMES 

07779474332 WWW.CAMBERBEACH.CO.UK 

THE SEA HOUSE - SLEEPS 12 

SEACREST - SLEEPS 10 

Located in the heart of the Isle of Oxney near Rye, 

we are a traditional, yet modern country inn situated 

just a couple of miles from the coast. We serve the 

very best and freshest food, drinks and recreation. 

Our home cooked meals are created using local 

produce and the freshest fruits and vegetables grown 

in our very own veg patch. We have an exotic range 

of wines and beers that come from as far afield as 

Argentina to as local as 5 minutes down the road! 

01233 758246 

www.oxneyferry.com 

FerryInnWT217.indd 1 19/02/2020 101 12:48 


Cranbrook, Kent TN17 3PS 

Introducing 

Ariat Denim 

Premium denim 

crafted for optimum 

comfort and 

durability. 

Bring some of your personality to your wardrobe 

with a personally tailored suit or jacket with a 

choice of fabrics, linings and trims. Complement 

your look with our stylish footwear. 

48 London Road, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN13 1AS 

01732 902019 | www.suitsshoessir.com 

SuitsShoesSirWT248.indd 1 05/12/2022 10:56 

HERNE BAY STORE - NOW OPEN 

BEXHILL - CANTERBURY - HERNE BAY - REIGATE 

SEVENOAKS - TENTERDEN - TUNBRIDGE WELLS 

COUNTY CLOTHES 

MENSWEAR 

Proud stockists of: 

Barbour, Barker, Geox, Jeep, Lacuzzo, 

Sergio Duletti, John White, R M Williams, 

Bugatti and Savelli, boots & shoes 

WWW.COUNTYCLOTHESMENSWEAR.CO.UK 


102

gold 

Fields of 

Embrace warm, hazy meadow 

vibes with Edit-One’s beautiful 

smock-waisted dress 

Photograph: David Merewether 

Model: Liz 

Wimbledon Dress 

in peach cream ditsy 

floral print £250 

Edit-One edit-one.com; 

Personalised Liberty print 

hanging charm bracelet 

£26 Bloom Boutique 

bloom-boutique.co.uk; 

Mini star necklace £18 

NuNu nunu-jewellery.co.uk 

Shop Edit-One at this 

June’s Wealden Times 

Midsummer Fair (6-8 June) 

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Tree of life 

pendant £165 

Dower & Hall 

dowerandhall.com 

Mar handmade 

linen crop top £131 

Noema noema.ie 

istockphoto.com/ Oksana_Bondar 

Colour rim crochet 

hat £42 BasketBasket 

basketbasket.co.uk 

Engraved birth 

flower signet ring 

£69 Posh Totty 

poshtottydesigns.com 

Wrap around strap sandal 

Celtic & Co celticandco.com 

Aries zodiac 

amulet £225 

Kensho Heirlooms 

kenshoheirlooms.com 

Textured disc flower pearl 

bracelet £25 Estella Bartlett 

estellabartlett.com 

Chiara suede 

espadrilles 

£99.99 

Blue Velvet 

bluevelvetshoes.com 

Four leaf clover 

pendant £44.99 

Shrieking Violet 

flowerjewellery.com 

Gold rose 

band ring £65 

Elk & Bloom 

elkandbloom.com 

Kaia Cornelli dress blue £85 

Monsoon monsoon.co.uk 

Pretty in 

Pastoral 

Style a romantic-hero country look with gingham 

and floral embroidery, straw and wicker details, 

feminine sleeves and swooping skirts 

Claudia Amber check dress £99 

Emily & Finn emilyandfin.co.uk 

Rhea beach maxi skirt in Ivory 

£55 FatFace fatface.com 

Fairacre midi dress 

£149 Barbour 

barbour.com 

Belmont 

gingham blouse 

£64.95 Barbour 

barbour.com 

Daisy drop earrings 

£34.99 Shrieking Violet 

flowerjewellery.com 

Chunky buckle stretch belt £25 

Belle & Mack belleandmack.com 

Monvatoo London Rosy Cherry 

Rabbit ring £99 Handmade in 

Britain handmadeinbritain.co.uk 

Natalie Perry 

Jewellery diamond 

flower earrings £425 

Handmade in Britain 

handmadeinbritain.co.uk 

Tree of life raffia woven 

saddle bag £58 Fable 

England fableengland.com 

Curved brim hat £22 National 

Trust shop.nationaltrust.org.uk 

Round straw shopper £30 

Belle & Mack belleandmack.com 

Seda espadrilles 

£65 Blue Velvet 

bluevelvetshoes.com

JEREMY HOBBS 

FINE MENSWEAR 

Opening Hours Monday to Saturday 09.30 - 17.30 

3 Oakdene Parade, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LR 

Telephone: 01932 865700 | info@jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

@jeremyhobbsmenswear 

Opening Hours: Mon - Sat 09.30 - 17.30 

3 Oakdene Parade, Cobham, Surrey KT11 2LR. 

Telephone: 01932 865700 

info@jeremyhobbs.co.uk 

@jeremyhobbsmenswear 

www.jeremyhobbs.co.uk

Bake in 

Season 

From her kitchen in Haslemere, food writer, recipe creator and 

sourdough bread baker Lara Green shares four wholesome and 

delicious spring recipes bursting with fresh, moreish flavours 

Photographs: David Merewether 

Rhubarb & pistachio loaf cake 

Serves 10 Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 55 minutes 

A great way to make the most of rhubarb season 

– this easy loaf cake pairs beautifully with crushed 

pistachios and a rosewater syrup. Serve it with a 

dollop of crème fraîche for a lovely afternoon treat. 

• 200g butter 

• 200g golden caster sugar 

• 3 large eggs 

• 1 tsp vanilla 

• 200g self-raising flour 

• 100g ground almonds 

• 1 heaped tsp baking powder 

• 75ml whole milk 

• 100g chopped pistachios 

• 200g rhubarb, ends trimmed, lengths 

halved and cut into 3cm long strips 

• 2 tbsp golden caster sugar to sprinkle 

• 

For the rosewater syrup: 

• 150g fine caster sugar 

• 130ml water 

• 5-10ml rose water 

• 1 slice of lemon 

• 1 star anise 

1. Grease and line a loaf cake tin and 

preheat the oven to 170°C. 

2. Put the butter and sugar into a bowl and 

beat with an electric whisk until light and fluffy. 

Add the eggs one at a time beating well after 

each addition, then whisk in the vanilla. 

3. Fold in the flour, ground almonds and baking 

powder, then add the milk, mixing until you have a 

smooth, thick batter. Fold in 90g of the pistachios. 

4. Spoon the cake batter into the prepared 

tin. Top with the rhubarb, pressing it down 

gently. Sprinkle with golden caster sugar. 

5. Bake for 55 minutes to 1 hour, or until 

a skewer inserted into the centre of the 

cake comes out clean. Remove from the 

oven, allow to cool in the tin, then turn 

out onto a wire rack to cool completely. 

6. To make the rosewater syrup, add all the 

ingredients to a small saucepan. Bring to 

the boil, then reduce to a simmer until the 

syrup thickens and darkens slightly. Drizzle 

over the cooled loaf cake and sprinkle 

with some extra chopped pistachios. 

 

107

SILCOCKS 

FARM 

ORGANIC • SUSTAINABLE • LOCAL 

EXQUISITE BESPOKE WEDDING 

& CELEBRATION CAKES 

For anyone looking to make a special 

occasion truly unforgettable 

Michelle Ware 07809 382 362 www.alittlebitnaughty.co.uk 

BUTCHERS SHOP, CAFÉ 

AND FUNCTION ROOMS 

GRANGE ROAD, ST MICHAELS, TENTERDEN TN30 6TL 

Call: 01580 763351 Email: silcocksfarmshop@outlook.com 

Web: silcocksfarm-organics.co.uk 

Follow us on silcocksfarmshop silcocks farm 

At Planters Farm Shop - North of Hurst Green, 

on A21 - TN19 7QS - plantersa21.com 

Come along and enjoy our delicious home-made 

Pastries, Cakes and Biscuits in the relaxing 

setting of our spacious Café garden. 

Martin & his team would like to 

welcome you to our café for lots of 

new dishes and cakes. We are open 

as usual over the Easter weekend. 

Open 9am till 4pm Monday to Saturday. 10am till 4pm Sunday 

Tel: 01580 860959 / 0789 406 4327 

Email: spicercatering@gmail.com 


108

Rhubarb & pistachio scones 

Makes 8-10 scones 

Prep time: 15 minutes Baking time: 25 minutes 

Scones are the perfect excuse to get everyone together 

around the table with a cup of tea. This recipe comes 

together quickly, resulting in an easy-to-handle dough 

that you can mould into classic circular scones or 

something a little more rustic. They are best enjoyed 

whilst still warm and, whatever you do, don’t forget 

the clotted cream! Tip: if you’re a sourdough baker, 

you can add sourdough discard to 

this recipe which will give 

you a super light, airy 

scone – a great way 

to use up discard. 

• 400g plain white flour 

• 2 heaped tsp baking powder 

• pinch of salt 

• 100g golden granulated sugar, plus extra to top 

• 250g cubed butter 

• 1 egg 

• 2 tsp vanilla extract 

• 130g whole milk 

• 1 tsp maple syrup 

• 80g diced rhubarb 

• 30g chopped pistachios 

• clotted cream, to serve 

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Combine all 

the dry ingredients together in a bowl – flour, 

baking powder, salt and sugar. Add the butter 

to the bowl, stir to coat and then use your fingers 

to break it down to a breadcrumb consistency. 

2. In a separate bowl, combine the egg, vanilla 

extract and whole milk. Add this into the flour 

mixture and stir to combine. Stir in the maple 

syrup, then fold in the rhubarb and pistachios. 

3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and 

use your hands to shape it into a 1-inch-thick patty. 

Using a bench scraper, separate the dough into 8-10 

scones. Sprinkle each one with golden caster sugar. 

4. Bake on a lined tray in a pre-heated oven for 25 minutes 

until light and golden. Serve with clotted cream.

Spring onion, walnut & 

sundried tomato sourdough 

Serves 8-10 Prep time: 4 hours (45 

minutes hands on time), plus overnight 

proofing. If using instant yeast: 2 hours 

Baking time: 45 minutes 

Bread is a great excuse to bring people together, 

and this enriched sourdough loaf is a wonderful 

accompaniment to any meal. The recipe here 

uses a sourdough starter, but don’t worry if 

you don’t have one – it works well with instant 

yeast too, just follow the instructions below 

to make the method work for you. Feeding 

a crowd? Serve it in slices with the wild 

garlic pesto (find the recipe to the right) or 

elevate the flavours of the panzanella (p.112) 

by turning it into chunky breadcrumbs. 

• 350g warm water 

• 100g sourdough starter (or 

7g active dried yeast) 

• 500g strong white bread flour 

• 10g salt 

• 2 spring onions, sliced 

• 30g walnuts, chopped 

• 10g sun dried tomatoes, chopped 

1. Add the warm water to a bowl and whisk in 

the starter, then add the bread flour and salt, 

stirring until no dry bits of flour remain. If using 

instant yeast, add all of the dry ingredients first, 

followed by the water and stir to combine. 

2. For sourdough: Cover the bowl and place 

somewhere warm. Half an hour after you’ve 

placed the bowl in the warm place, perform 

three sets of folds every half an hour for the 

first 1½ hours by picking up the dough from 

one side and stretching it across to the other. 

You need to do four folds each time – turning 

the bowl ¼ of the way around after each fold. 

This will build gluten and elasticity in the 

dough. After the final fold, leave the covered 

bowl in the warm spot for a further 2 hours. 

If using instant yeast: Cover the bowl with oiled 

clingfilm and place somewhere warm. After 

an hour, remove the cling film, punch the 

dough to knock it back a bit, then mould into 

a circular shape and place on a lined baking 

tray. Leave for 1-2 hours until doubled in size. 

3. After proving, fold in the onions, walnuts 

and sundried tomatoes, performing the ¼ 

turn each time to ensure even distribution. 

Shape the loaf into a circle and flour the top. 

4. For sourdough: place the dough into a floured 

banneton or lined bowl, cover and place in the 

fridge to prove overnight. To bake the sourdough, 

heat the oven to 240°C and place a Dutch oven 

inside. After half an hour, turn the bread out onto 

a baking sheet, score the top and place inside the 

Dutch oven. Bake for 30 minutes, turn the oven 

down to 215°C and bake with the lid off for a 

further 15 minutes until crusty and golden brown. 

If you’re using instant yeast: score the 

top of the bread with a knife, place in a 

preheated oven at 220°C and bake for 

25-30 minutes until golden brown. 

Wild garlic & hazelnut pesto 

Makes: 1 large jar 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

This rich, earthy pesto makes great use of spring 

wild garlic. Paired with pasta, slathered on 

toast or spooned into a pie, pastry or pizza, it 

comes together in minutes and works wonders 

at elevating meals – simply add a spoonful 

and watch the magic happen. Toasting the 

nuts is key as it unlocks more flavour, whilst 

the garlic cloves balance out the wild garlic 

nicely – making for a next level pesto. 

• 100g hazelnuts 

• 20g walnuts 

• 100g wild garlic leaves, stalks removed 

• 4 large garlic cloves 

• juice of 1 lemon 

• 150g parmesan 

• salt & pepper 

• 150ml extra virgin olive oil 

1. Place a frying pan over a medium heat 

and allow to get hot. Add the hazelnuts, 

walnuts and a pinch of salt and heat in the 

pan for around 3 minutes, moving them 

around with a wooden spoon until the oils 

start to release and the nuts colour slightly. 

2. In the bowl of a food processor, add the 

garlic leaves, garlic cloves and toasted nuts 

and pulse to break everything down. Add 

the lemon, Parmesan and salt & pepper and 

place on a low speed, drizzling in the olive oil 

as the pesto comes together. Season to taste 

and adjust the consistency with more olive 

oil, lemon, Parmesan or seasoning to suit. 

3. Spoon the pesto into a jar, followed by a thin 

layer of olive oil to seal. Place the lid on tightly 

and store in the fridge for up to two weeks. 

Lara documents her incredibly tasty recipes in her blog fromthegreenkitchen.com as well as teaching 

artisan sourdough classes, which she runs most Fridays in classes of 2 or private one-on-one sessions. 

Find her on Instagram @_fromthegreenkitchen and subscribe for weekly recipes on her website. 


Kale & radish panzanella 

salad served with a honey 

& mustard vinaigrette 

Serves 4 Prep time: 15 minutes 

Cooking time: 10 minutes 

There’s nothing quite like panzanella for a 

quick and easy meal. And when it’s made 

with seasonal curly kale, pickled radishes, 

feta and chunky toasted breadcrumbs – you 

know it’s going to taste delicious. This recipe 

also includes a homemade vinaigrette made 

with cold pressed rapeseed oil. The sunshine 

yellow colour and delicious punchy flavours 

liven up the entire plate making it the 

perfect lunch or side to enjoy this spring. 

• 3 radishes, thinly sliced 

• 100ml red wine vinegar 

• 30ml water 

• 1 tbsp olive oil 

• 2 shallots, sliced 

• 2 cloves of garlic, thinly sliced 

• 500g curly kale, chopped 

• 50g toasted almonds 

• 3 chunky slices of sourdough, 

cut into large breadcrumbs 

• 200g feta 

• handful of mint leaves 

• 2 tbsp pumpkin and sunflower seeds 


For the vinaigrette: 

• 4 tbsp of rapeseed oil 

• 2 tbsp of white wine vinegar 

• 1 crushed garlic clove 

• 1 tsp honey 

• 1 tsp Dijon mustard 

• salt & pepper to season 

• 1 tbsp water 

1. To pickle the radishes, put the red wine 

vinegar, 30ml cold water and a pinch of 

salt in a jar and add the sliced radishes. 

Seal with a lid and pop in the fridge. 

2. Heat the olive oil in a pan, add the 

shallots and fry until soft, then add the garlic 

and cook for another 2 minutes. Add the 

kale, season and stir fry for a further 3-4 

minutes until the kale softens and everything 

is nicely cooked. Add the almonds to the 

pan and cook for 1-2 minutes until they 

release their oils and gain a little colour. 

3. In a separate pan, with olive oil, fry 

the sourdough breadcrumbs, adding a 

generous pinch of salt and pepper, cooking 

until they crisp up and darken a little. 

4. To make the vinaigrette simply 

combine all the ingredients in a 

jug and whisk to combine. 

5. Add the warm kale to plates and top 

with the feta, pickled radishes, seeds, 

mint and sourdough breadcrumbs. 

Drizzle over the vinaigrette and enjoy. 

112

Yipee! 

Now is the time for walking, wine and nature lovers. 

After a country hike or a leisurely walk, stopping 

for a refreshing drink and Sussex produce lunch in a 

country pub always feels like a well deserved treat. 

One Day Tours 

Fizz on Foot offers escorted walking 

and wine tasting tours on the South 

Downs National Park with the focus 

on a lovely nature trail walk, a lovely 

Sussex lunch and a full “Vine to Wine” 

vineyard experience with four or five 

wine tastings. You will visit one of the 

many award winning English vineyards. 

We also include a lively and humorous 

historical tour of Alfriston, which is 

a beautiful Sussex village, where we 

start the majority of our tours. 

If you want to stay longer, we can offer 

great value hotel accommodation for 

a two, three or four day tour. 

Private Wine Tastings 

If you or your company want to 

promote a totally new product or 

service, including the opening of a new 

office, we can arrange a private wine 

tasting for all your clients and staff. 

We ensure that it is a fun event for 

everyone. We can totally host it for 

you, supplying the wine, tasting 

notes, canapés, presentation and our 

staff to make sure it runs smoothly. 

Full details 

are on our 

website. 

T: 01323 737271 M: 07971 851777 

fizz on foot @fizzonfoot 

@fizzonfoot 

www.fizzonfoot.com 

info@fizzonfoot.com 

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113 


A Symphony of Flavours 

HANDCRAFTED IN THE HEART 

OF THE SURREY HILLS 

Follow us @silentpoolgin 

silentpooldistillers.com 

Please enjoy Silent Pool Gin responsibly 

1814_SPG_Wealden-Times-Ad-v1.indd 1 04/03/2024 14:42

Beauty 

In love with... 

spring! 

Josephine Fairley selects the tried-and-tested 

products that have become regulars in her beauty 

and haircare arsenal, plus a pretty divine candle 

istockphoto.com/ photoguns 

The pace of beauty launches is showing no signs 

of slowing down. It’s exhausting, it’s baffling, 

and frankly, if I walk into Selfridges Beauty Hall, 

even after 33 years of writing about this stuff, I have 

a panic attack at the sheer, overwhelming choice out 

there. It has always been my mission, though, to signpost 

women to the products that are really worth splashing 

out on – it’s a tough job, but someone’s got to do it (no, 

honestly, it IS a tough job and I’ve got the touchy skin 

to prove it, from trying so many different things!) 

But this spring, it does feel like there have been some 

spectacularly great launches. So I thought, for this issue, 

I’d share the products that have most impressed me, 

over the past few months. Happy slathering and happy 

spritzing! (Except the candle. Don’t slather the candle.) 

Evolve Organic Beauty Miracle Mask, £25 for 60ml. Oooff, 

that’s quite a claim – ‘Miracle’ – isn’t it? But actually, this 

has performed a mini-miracle on my winter-weary skin, and 

it’s become a weekly staple. With AHAs and enzymes to 

exfoliate, it tingles just a touch when you massage the yellow, 

citrus-scented, jelly-like mask into the face. But despite my 

skin’s sensitive tendencies, I don’t experience any irritation – 

just a glowier, clearer-looking face, in three short minutes. 

Lisa Eldridge Kitten Mascara, £29. Make-up artist Lisa’s 

range is unbelievably impressive, and I encourage you to 

explore it for yourself. As a female-founded start-up, she 

launches products only when she’s 100% happy with them; 

the beauty world has been on tenterhooks waiting for a 

mascara to join the Lisa Eldridge make-up line-up, and 

it’s fabulous: a totally non-clumpy formula which sweeps 

on via a wonderfully grippy wand – and if you use that 

to hold your lashes vertical, you’ll get amazing ‘lift’. 

Lanolips Overnight Lip Balm, £13 for 15g. Don’t 

know about you, but after the ravages of winter, my 

lips always need rehab. This rapidly returned them to 

smoothness and softness, lavishly applied at night; the 

blend of ceramides, apricot kernel, castor seed and soya 

oils feels ultra-pampering – and I actually keep this in my 

handbag for daytime use, because it adds a glamorous yet 

nourishing, comfy-making touch of gloss to any lipstick. 

Estée Lauder Legacy Collection, £250 for 100ml eau de 

parfum. One of the highlights of my journalistic career was 

meeting the incredible Estée Lauder, towards the end of her 

life. I’d grown up papering the inside of my wardrobe with 

her fragrance adverts, wanting to be like the women who 

advertised fragrances like Private Collection and Azurée. What 

a pioneer! Now, thanks to the talents of some of the world’s 

leading perfumers and under the guidance of Frédéric Malle 

(a perfume genius who has his own fragrance collection), 

five iconic fragrances – Estée, Azurée, Knowing, Private 

Collection and White Linen – have been reworked within 

the Legacy Collection, which for now will sit alongside 

the originals. It’s as if a shaft of bright sunlight has been 

introduced to these iconic perfumes, making them feel and 

smell completely contemporary and wearable. Perfume-lovers 

should make a beeline to Harrods to smell them (they’ll soon 

be appearing on Estée Lauder counters around the country) 

– or wait to sniff your way through a dinky Discovery Set, 

showcasing all five, which I’m told will launch imminently. 

Jurlique UV Defence Daily Lotion SPF50+, £40 for 50ml. 

I am constantly on the hunt for a great SPF that layers well 

under make-up, plumps while it does so, and doesn’t leave 

a white ‘cast’ on the face – because shielding from the sun 

on a daily basis is honestly the biggest favour you will ever 

do your skin, to prevent premature ageing (sorry to be like 

a stuck needle on a record, here). And it’s a tick, tick, tick 

for this cream, offering optimum, broad-spectrum UVA 

and UVB protection while being extremely pleasant to use, 

packed with glycerine, hyaluronic acid and vitamin E. 

115 


Beauty 

Benefit Precisely, My Brow Detailer, £22.50, and Precisely, 

My Brow Wax, £26. If you have pale or skimpy brows, as I 

do, you probably have an arsenal of brow products, because 

there is nothing like a groomed brow to add structure to 

the face. Well, sorry to break it to you, but you’re going to 

have to add these two to your arch-perfecting weaponry. 

The ‘Detailer’ is a micro-tipped propelling pencil that’s just 

brilliant for creating the teeniest, most feathery and realistic 

looking brows – particularly the ‘tail’, and for evening up and 

filling in the inner corner of brows (six shades available). The 

brow wax tames, grooms and adds colour via the dinky brush; 

a choice of 12 shades means there’s one for everyone and 

this is super-easy to use. (Don’t ever be deceived by Benefit’s 

jokey names, by the way; they are SERIOUS about make-up, 

most notably pore-perfecting and brow products, like these.) 

Wildsmith Skin Bath Salts, £55 for 500g. The greatest 

treat for me, the very best stress-buster, is still to lock the 

bathroom door, run the taps and sink into something 

fabulously scented. These just landed – with a heck of a 

thud – on my desk, having been created for The Bothy, 

Wildsmith’s spa at Heckfield Place in Hampshire (a hotel 

I love so much I have a special savings account dedicated 

to it); by popular demand, they’re now available retail. 

Surprisingly moisturising, thanks to calendula and vitamin E, 

they smell like I imagine heaven does – linden, cedarwood, 

rose, geranium and Roman chamomile – and while I’m 

waiting for that Heckfield Place piggy bank to fill, these 

luxurious, super-relaxing salts are the next best escape. 

skyrocketed? Well, here’s a great, glossifying alternative to 

the £30+ ‘designer’ shampoos and conditioners that are 

proliferating on the shelves. A pleasure to use, this awardwinning 

hairdresser’s products are affordable enough to share 

with all the #fam, rather than keep under lock and key – just 

choose between Coconut Shine, Curl Control, Daily Blonde 

and (my favourite), bounce-boosting Weightless Volume. 

Champagne & Smoke Filthy Rose Candle, £46 for 250g 

(champagneandsmoke.com). I have saved the best for last. I am 

obsessed – OBSESSED – with the scent of this candle, from 

a leading make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon and her vintage 

interiors dealer friend Lia Briamonte. Tobacco drifts through 

rosy-posy notes, with a naughty grind of black pepper and 

wisps of saffron, with the aim of recreating a ‘debauched 70s 

disco scene’. Not sure what to make of that, but I have it 

burning every day in my hall now, where it is getting endless 

‘What’s that amazing smell?’ comments from visitors. (It 

even wafts an impressively long way when it’s not lit.) Each 

glass ‘tortoiseshell’ vessel is unique, and can be upcycled as a 

vase, brush holder, or whatever; I love Filthy Rose so much 

I’ve invested in the £165, one kilo version, which should 

burn for 120 blissful hours. Spoiled creature that I am, I’m 

probably sent 50 candles a year – but this is the one I have 

earmarked as the signature scent of our house, for evermore. 

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s 

product reviews and beauty tips. 

L’Occitane Immortelle Shea Neck Cream, 

£52 for 50ml. So, here’s the thing about neck 

creams: they only work if you use them – and 

you’ll want to use this: a rich, nourishing tube 

of line-smoothing TLC, powered by age-defying 

immortelle oil, shea butter and hyaluronic acid. 

Since using diligently, I’ve noticed a definite 

improvement in crêpiness. I look forward to 

breathing the wonderful aromatic scent, night and 

morning – a cornerstone of my skincare ritual, now. 

Phil Smith Everyday Expert, £4 each for 250ml. 

Have you noticed – yikes – how haircare prices have 

Main image: Wildsmithskin.com

Don’t miss our 

Love Your Home Supplement 

Find it in the May 2024 issue of Wealden Times 


117 


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Brain power! Health 

Sarah Maxwell explores how exercise 

affects your grey matter 

istockphoto.com/max-kegfire 

Exercise has long been 

recognised for its positive 

impact on physical health. 

However, many recent studies 

have shown that exercise also 

has many transformative effects 

on the brain, so if you thought 

that Sudoku and brain training 

exercises were the best way to 

improve your brain, read on… 

Cognitive function 

Cognitive function refers to the 

mental processes and abilities that 

enable us to perceive, think, reason 

and remember information. It 

includes our ability to concentrate, 

focus attention, enhance memory, 

problem-solve, and make 

decisions. Maintaining optimal 

cognitive function is essential for 

us to operate at an optimal level 

and supports our overall wellbeing. 

One of the key benefits of 

exercise is its ability to boost 

cognitive function, including 

memory, attention, and 

concentration. Regular exercise 

stimulates the brain and promotes 

the growth of new neurons. It also 

strengthens neural connections 

and enhances brain plasticity, 

which is essential for recovery 

from injury and aging. 

Creativity & 

problem solving 

Exercise has also been found to 

enhance creativity and problemsolving 

skills. By stimulating 

the brain’s ability to generate 

new ideas and adapt more 

efficiently, exercise enables the 

brain to rewire itself effectively. 

Sleep magic 

Another important aspect of 

exercise is its impact on sleep. 

Regular exercise helps regulate 

sleep patterns, enhances brain 

function and improves memory. 

Sleep is crucial for both physical 

and mental wellbeing, as it 

allows the body to repair and 

rejuvenate. It also boosts immune 

function and promotes proper 

hormone regulation, which are 

essential for memory recall. 

Stress & emotional 

regulation 

Furthermore, exercise plays a 

significant role in managing 

stress and emotions. It not only 

strengthens the body but also 

helps us manage stress and regulate 

our emotions. Exercise increases 

the production of chemicals in 

the brain that promote happiness 

and reduces inflammation in the 

body. This can benefit the brain 

and protect against neurological 

conditions like Alzheimer’s 

and Parkinson’s disease. 

Exam success 

Exercise is particularly important 

during exam periods. While 

studying takes precedence, the 

stress around exams can impact 

sleep and memory retention, 

resulting in reduced performance. 

Regular exercise can help improve 

essential sleep, reduce anxiety, 

enhance memory retention and 

consolidate revised information. 

Incorporating exercise into a 

study timetable daily can be key 

to achieving success in exams. 

So what is the best exercise 

you can do to boost 

your brain power? 

When it comes to choosing 

the best exercise to improve 

brain function, aerobic 

exercises are highly 

recommended. 

Activities such as 

walking, running, 

cycling and swimming 

have numerous 

benefits. They promote the growth 

of new brain cells and improve 

spatial memory by increasing the 

size of the anterior hippocampus. 

Additionally, these exercises help 

preserve important brain areas 

responsible for cognitive function, 

which tend to shrink with age. 

In a nutshell 

By incorporating regular aerobic 

exercise into out daily lives, we 

can improve both physical health 

and brain function. It’s a form of 

multitasking that benefits the body 

and mind simultaneously. 

If you would like to 

explore more about 

this fascinating 

subject, I highly 

recommend 

watching the TED 

Talk by Wendy 

Suzuki titled ‘The 

Brain Changing 

Benefits of 

Exercise,’ 

available at 

ted.com. 

Sarah 

Maxwell is a multiaward 

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 

119 


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120 

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

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

Nourish to Flourish 

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau 

explores the benefits of incorporating 

another healthy ingredient into our diets. 

This month it’s wild garlic 

This time of year is perfect for foraging wild 

garlic. It is common in the UK and can be 

found growing in most shady, damp woodlands, 

hedgerows and fields. The leaves (best in early spring) 

and white flowers (mid-spring) are both edible, either 

lightly cooked in soups or stocks or eaten raw in salads. 

Wild garlic is a perfect partner for eggs; simply 

add to an omelette, scrambled eggs or a frittata 

for extra flavour. You can also blanch the leaves or 

wilt them (where they lose their pungency) over 

a gentle heat in a little oil, as you would spinach, 

for a deliciously different vegetable side dish. 

Wild garlic is widely known for its antibacterial, 

antibiotic and antiviral properties, and contains beneficial 

vitamins and nutrients including vitamins A and C, 

calcium, iron, phosphorus, sodium and copper. Studies 

have also shown that it may also help reduce blood 

pressure and therefore the risk of heart disease and stroke. 

wild garlic pesto 

Sweet smelling, wild garlic pesto... a great one to get the 

kids involved! This is delicious served with fresh pasta 

• 100g wild garlic leaves (washed) 

• 50g hazelnuts 

• 50g Parmesan 

• 25ml olive oil 

• lemon juice 


1. Chop the garlic leaves and place in a food processor 

together with the hazelnuts, Parmesan and lemon 

juice. Blitz until it has formed a rough paste. 

2. Slowly add the oil. Season to taste. 

3. Transfer to a lidded jar, top with a little 

more olive oil and pop in the fridge. 

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 

121 


READY 

FOR 

DISCOVERY 

The New Beacon Nursery 

co-ed from 3 years 

Independent Day and Boarding Prep School for Boys aged 3-13 

FULLY PREPARED. 

newbeacon.org.uk 

01732 452 131 

Brittains Lane, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 2PB

Education 

Perfect Pitch 

Mike Piercy, education consultant and former Head of The New 

Beacon, sings the praises of music in education 

istockphoto.com/ monkeybusinessimages 

What exactly is it that drives parents to make 

huge sacrifices by sending their children 

to independent schools? Different families 

have different priorities and, of course, every child is an 

individual. For some it is academic ambition. For many it is 

small class sizes. There are those who argue class size is less 

important than good teaching. The latter, I would suggest, 

is a given, but it stands to reason smaller classes bring closer 

attention; academically and in personal development. 

For the majority I suspect it may be ‘breadth’. I studied Latin 

to ‘O Level’ and wondered at the time why it was necessary 

(‘First it killed the Romans…’). With hindsight, on becoming 

an English teacher, the benefits were quickly apparent. 

I have always questioned the term ‘Core Curriculum’. 

Yes, literacy and numeracy are essential. An understanding 

of science, how things work, the physical and natural world 

is important, as is the all-pervasive Computer Science. And 

we should not ignore the humanities or languages, essential 

in developing a better understanding of humankind. 

A more appropriate term, to my mind, is ‘Cross 

Curriculum’. Education should be seen as a whole, 

not just in ‘subjects’; one part of the brain feeding 

another. Sport, for example, incorporates science, diet, 

health, fitness, teamwork and social education. 

And what of music? I retired – far too young – from playing 

the double bass. I recall playing in an orchestra of 40+, a team 

infinitely bigger than one found on a rugby pitch. In those 

outer – but all-important – parts of an orchestra, counting 

was essential, where bass was not required for sometimes 

lengthy breaks, ‘42, 2, 3, 4; 43, 2, 3, 4…’ and so on, 

watching the conductor, hearing, feeling all the other parts. 

Music has possibly the greatest potential for crosscurricular 

teaching. I await clamorous indignation from 

teachers of other subjects. There is reading; not just lyrics 

(poetry?) but a musical score – another language in itself. 

There is history, with composers reflecting the times in 

which they lived. Andrea and Giovanni Gabrieli composed 

specifically for St. Mark’s, Venice, with polyphonic choirs 

and instruments cast around the basilica’s vast interior. 

Science and maths – limitless: perception and cognition, 

physiology of singing, acoustics, technology, counting 

up notes (fractions: hemidemisemiquavers, 1/64th of a 

whole note). The creativity of composition is so much 

more exciting for young people using easily available 

software. Consider also the breadth of musicology. 

Cervantes wrote, ‘He who sings scares away his woes.’ 

So succinct – so right. Teaching a Year 5 class some years 

ago there was reference in our book to a paddle steamer. 

In describing and explaining I said quietly, ‘The wheels on 

the bus,’ then paused. Immediately the class chorused, ‘go 

round and round’ – to great, universal merriment. There is 

something powerful, joyful, uplifting, hearing a school singing. 

Yo-Yo Ma, the brilliant cellist, has said: “Music enhances 

the education of our children by helping them to make 

connections and broadening the depth with which they 

think and feel. If we are to hope for a society of culturally 

literate people, music must be a vital part of our children’s 

education.” Beautifully expressed. Again, so right. 

Orsino in Twelfth Night, ‘That strain again, it had a dying 

fall,’ encapsulates the emotion just one musical phrase can 

evoke. In seeking a school for your children, find one which 

celebrates not just its academic achievements but one which 

strives for excellence in breadth: body, mind and soul. 

‘Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, 

wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and 

charm and gaiety to life and to everything.’ Plato. 

Contact Mike with your education-related 

queries at mikepiercy@hotmail.com 

123 


istockphoto.com/ annoying.orange / Elena Brovko 

Rachel Bailey announced as next Benenden School Head 

Following a thorough recruitment process, Benenden School’s 

Governing Council has appointed Ms Rachel Bailey as the 

next Head of Benenden. She will take up her position from 

September 2024. Rachel will be taking over from current 

Headmistress Samantha Price, who, after a decade leading the 

School, has decided that the time has come for her to move 

on and will take up a position as Head of Cranleigh School. 

Rachel is an experienced educational leader in both the 

independent and state sectors, with a clear track record of 

delivering a holistic education centred on strong academics 

while building the confidence, resilience and self-esteem that 

are so necessary for life and work in the 21st Century. 

Currently Head of Senior School at Royal Masonic School for 

Girls, Rachel has previously been its Senior Deputy Academic. 

Prior to that she was Assistant Head Teacher Academic and 

Head of Sixth Form at John Hampden Grammar School. 

Rachel attended Badminton School for Girls and 

Haberdashers’ Monmouth School for Girls. She holds a 

BSc (Hons) in Economics from the University of York and 

completed her teacher training at the University of Warwick. 

Rachel is also an accomplished musician and music aficionado, 

and is passionate about equestrianism and reading. 

This is exciting news for the future of the School, but for now 

it is very much a case of business as usual at Benenden. There 

is an enormous amount ahead in the coming months, not 

least the remaining events to mark the School’s Centenary. 

benenden.school 

Continued on p. 126 

School 

Newsboard 

Bitesize updates from schools 

across the South East 

Unlock 

potential 

MARLBOROUGH HOUSE SCHOOL | NURSERY, PRE-PREP, PREP | 2 1/ 2 - 13 YEARS 

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Untitled-2 1 18/03/2024 12:25:48

The New Beacon announce new nursery building 

“Our new nursery building has been designed to 

provide our children with the best possible introduction 

to learning. Located in the heart of our 22-acre 

site, the children have easy access to our outdoor 

classroom, woodlands, gardens and duck pond, offering 

wonderful outdoor learning opportunities where they 

can be free to discover the world around them. 

By focusing on natural materials and creating a warm, 

welcoming environment inside the classroom, our children 

feel safe, secure and ready to explore and develop their 

strengths and interests through fun, play based activities. 

We understand the importance of early childhood 

education when it comes to laying the foundations for 

future learning and success, which is why our dedicated 

team of teachers, Early Years Practitioners, PE, Music and 

Swimming specialists, are committed to creating a learning 

experience that meets the needs of each individual child, 

whilst building independence and 

self-confidence. Social and emotional 

education is crucial in these early years, 

so we nurture respect and kindness 

through praise and encouragement. We 

want our children to feel they belong 

and to know a sense of wellbeing that 

will result in a lifelong love of learning 

and a seamless onward transition.” 

newbeacon.org.uk 

You are invited to Claremont’s Sporty Saturday 

“Starting from the grassroots 

level, we teach key skills so 

that by Year 3 our students are 

eager to enter competitions and 

develop their skill set. With 

growing resilience our Prep 

School children, regardless 

of their ability level, discover 

their passion for sports. 

For those who excel in sports, scholarships are 

available for entry into Year 7 and 9. By the time our students 

move on to Senior School, we aim to instil a lifelong love 

of sports that will extend well beyond their time with us. 

Nurturing future professionals in the world of football, 

our Claremont International Football Academy (CIFA) was 

established to balance the love of the game with academic 

excellence. Our scholars enjoy an intense football development 

programme alongside their curriculum studies, with a pathway 

to starting careers as professionals on and off the pitch, such 

as scouting, data analysis, performance coaching and more. 

The same ethos applies to our cricket programme; 

combining elite coaching and exceptional facilities 

with a high-quality academic experience. 

If you’d like to learn more, get involved in our upcoming 

Sport Saturday event at Claremont School for children 

aged 3-7 on April 27th, 2024, from 9.30-11.30am. Join 

us for multi-sports activities, team games, making new 

friends, and lots of fun!” Find out more and register: 

admissions.claremontschool.co.uk/en/sporty-saturday 

6b Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2PT 

www.stampedeshoes.co.uk 

Shoes from school to cool 

Stampede are members of the Society of Shoe 

Fitters and our team of dedicated staff are 

trained using their methodology. We specialise 

in fitting footwear from birth to school age. 


126

girls and boys aged 2.5-13 

01732 352 124 

admissions@somerhill.org 

150 

acres 

100 

clubs 

“Perfect 

educaaonal 

model” 

- Muddy SSleeos 

49 

grammar school 

places 2023 

20 

11/13+ scholarships 

awarded 2023 

“Excellent” 

- Independent 

Schools Inspectorate 

OPEN DAYS 

Sat 20th April - Treasure Hunt (ages 3 to 6) 

Friday 17th May - Whole School 

“Seriously 

impressive” 

- Talk Educaaon 

Discover ‘The 

Malling School Way’ 

Caring, Determined, Reflective 

OPEN MORNING 

TOURS 2024 

To book an Open Morning Tour please call 01732 840995 

or email office@themallingschool.kent.sch.uk 

Unlock a world of limitless opportunities 

The Malling School, Beech Road, East Malling, Kent, ME19 6DH 

www.themallingschool.kent.sch.uk 

127 


MAY CRAFT FAIR AT 

HEVER CASTLE 

WEALDEN BAZAAR 

VINTAGE EVENT MARKET NAME HERE 

What’s On 

this Spring 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS 

Sat 1 April 10am-3.30pm 

Penshurst Village Hall, 

Penshurst TN11 8BP 

THE WEALDEN BAZAAR 

SPRING VINTAGE MARKET 

AT PENSHURST 

Showcasing vintage home and 

garden wares, French finds, 

antiques and decorative pieces, 

fabrics, vintage fashion, jewellery, 

furniture and gifts. The Wealden 

Bazaar returns for another 

marvellous Vintage Market. The 

beautiful old building will be 

filled with more than 25 fabulous 

vintage traders from throughout 

Kent and Sussex and Penshurst 

Farmer’s Market is on the same 

day so make a day of it! 

Estelle 07904 614824 

Instagram: @thewealdenbazaar 

Thurs 16 – Sun 19 May 

Hever Castle, Hever Road, 

Hever, Edenbridge TN8 7NG 

MAY CRAFT FAIR AT 

HEVER CASTLE 

Craft in Focus will once again 

be staging a contemporary Craft 

Fair at Hever Castle this May. 

See over 120 exhibitors showing 

and selling their unique work 

across various artistic disciplines 

including glass, textiles, woodwork, 

jewellery, metalwork, ceramics 

and artwork. Renowned as one of 

the most popular contemporary 

craft events in the South East, the 

contemporary Craft Fair provides 

an opportunity for visitors to meet, 

engage with and purchase from 

these talented UK designer makers. 

Entry: see website 

craftinfocus.com 

HISTORY 

Tues 2, Thur 4, Tues 9 

& Thur 11 April 

West Horsley Place, Epsom Road, 

West Horsley, Surrey KT24 6AN 

EASTER OPEN DAYS AT 

WEST HORSLEY PLACE 

This Easter, discover the ancient 

manor house at West Horsley 

Place, the location for BBC Ghosts 

series. See all the principal rooms 

*BOOK IN ADVANCE AND SAVE 

SAVE OVER 

£8 * 

on advance adult tickets 

using discount code 

CRAFT24 

Purchase direct 

from 140 of the UK’s 

finest contemporary 

craftmakers and artists 

Live Music • Demonstrations 

16 – 19 May 

Hever Castle 

& Gardens 

TN8 7NG 

Putting the WOW back into Craft Fairs 

See website for full details on discount and admission costs 

Craft Fair entry included in normal Garden 

admission charges • RHS Members free (weekdays only) 

Admission £12 using offer code until Friday 10th May, valid on dates of craft fair only* 

9.30am – 5.30pm Daily 

(Garden open until 6pm daily) 

CIF_Hever_Spring24_130x185.indd 1 15/03/2024 09:28 

128 


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. At Easter there 

will be an additional craft room 

for children and a garden trail. 

Entry: Open day tickets £12. 

Nooks & Crannies tours £22 

westhorsleyplace.org 

President of the Sussex Wildlife 

Fund, Richard Masefield, prize 

winning author and chairman of 

Tenterden Wildlife, and Dr Nikki 

Gammans of the Bumblebee 

Trust. The u3a Rewilding study 

morning is planned to help 

discover what we as individuals 

can do to help. It is open to the 

public as well as u3a members. 

Entry: £10 

u3asites.org.uk/tenterden 

An amazingly strong and talented 

cast brings this thought-provoking 

show to life. If you want theatrical 

magic, book your tickets NOW! 

Entry: £12 

cranbrookods.org.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 8th April. 

istockphoto.com/ petrenkod / AndyRoland 

TALKS 

Sat 13 April 9.15am-1pm 

Sinden Theatre, Tenterden 

TENTERDEN U3A STUDY 

MORNING, REWILDING: 

WHAT DOES IT MEAN 

IN PRACTICE? 

Tenterden, like so many towns, has 

lost green space to housebuilding. 

Bees, butterflies and other 

pollinating insects are in decline, 

threatening our food crops. The 

speakers form an authoritative trio 

and include Dr Tony Whitbread, 

THEATRE 

Thur 4 – Sat 6 April 

The Queen’s Hall 

Theatre, Waterloo Road, 

Cranbrook TN17 3JG 

CODS PRESENT TWELVE 

A fast-paced thrilling jury-focused 

drama. Twelve is a rollercoaster of 

emotion that will make you laugh 

and feel appalled by the human 

condition. Set in the suffocating 

environment of a jury room, twelve 

disparate people (who you would 

frankly cross the street to avoid) 

are forced to come to a decision. 

U3A REWILDING 

STUDY MORNING 

EASTER AT WEST 

HORSLEY PLACE 

Residential care home 

for the elderly in Headcorn, Kent 

We provide both long-term accommodation and short stay respite stays. 

Small friendly residential care home that can offer 24 hour care, 

we also offer day care. All rooms are comfortable and fully furnished. 

t. 01622 890112 

e. yth@mail.org 

yewtree-carehome.co.uk 

9 Station Road, Headcorn TN27 9SB 

Wood Floor 

Sanding 

- Family Business - 

We also restore wooden kitchen tops 

FREE estimates - call any time 

07794953597 gerardgrover@gmail.com 


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

Jane Howard gets to the 

bottom of why so many 

ponds have disappeared 

across the High Weald 

I 

have a new passion, almost 

an obsession, it’s about ponds. 

And there’s a distinct possibility 

I might become a bit of a pond bore, 

but honestly the more you discover the 

more fascinating they become. And now that 

I’m hopefully 'in' with the Newt Partnership 

(more of which later) there’s no stopping me. 

If you’re interested, the definition of a pond, either man 

made or natural is a body of still, fresh water between 

1m² and 5 acres (an acre being more or less the size of a 

football pitch) which holds water for at least 4 months a 

year. And the High Weald has plenty of them. At their 

peak in the 1800s there were hundreds of thousands of 

local ponds, but more than 75% have been lost since then 

leaving around 13,000 mapped ponds in the area, grouped 

according to how they were created. 

There are of course natural ponds 

found in river valleys or fed by springs, 

but the majority are the result of past 

human activity. Drinking ponds were 

dug out for people and livestock usually 

within farmyards or villages, and were 

often a by product of digging out clay 

to make bricks. Then there are hammer 

ponds that were created by damming 

fast flowing streams to provide a suitable 

head of water to power the hammers and 

bellows for the forges and furnaces of the 

iron industry. The small, deep, irregular 

ponds found on field boundaries are 

called marl pits, created by the digging 

out of the bluey/grey marl clay which 

was spread on fields as a soil improver. 

I had never really considered any of this until we were 

introduced to the Newt Partnership which came to the 

farm to investigate if we had any potential sites or ponds 

suitable for creation and restoration. It’s quite hard to 

become a contender in pond world, with rigorous water 

quality, wildlife diversity and DNA sampling tests all to 

be passed before you get the thumbs up. Hedges near the 

At their peak in the 

1800s there were 

hundreds of thousands 

of local ponds, but 

more than 75% 

have been lost since 

then leaving around 

13,000 mapped ponds 

in the area, grouped 

according to how 

they were created 

ponds for the newts to travel along coupled with a record 

of a good local newt population (to give the pond the best 

chance of being found) also come into consideration. 

We have about fifteen ponds on the farm and it 

seems that a few of these might make the grade and be 

considered for restoration or conservation, but what 

caused most interest in newt camp were the ghost 

ponds. Historical maps of the farm 

show where ponds once existed, but in 

the 20th century many were filled in 

to create more farmland and buildings. 

However, like magic many can be 

summoned back to life. So the plan is to 

dig out these old ponds (even after 100 

years the original pond sediment will 

contain a seed bank that may include 

now rare species) and then stand back 

and let nature do its thing. Within 

a couple of years they should spring 

back to life with all sorts of flora and 

fauna including those elusive newts! 

But how, I ask, will I know when 

they arrive (and I’m not even aspiring 

to the giddy heights of a Great Crested, 

a Common one or two would do me 

fine). Seems they are so protected you are not even 

allowed to look for them, but apparently the grass around 

the pond will give the game away. Rather endearingly, 

female newts carefully lay one egg on the underside of 

a leaf and then bend it over and glue it down, so if you 

see lots of folded blades on your pond margins you have 

newts. Can you imagine how exciting that might be! 


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Wealden Times | WT263 | April 2024 | Garden Supplement inside

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