Bristol Living Jun - Jul 2024

YOUR FREE COPY JUNE/JULY 2024 

Bristol 

LIVING 

easy summer 

STYLE 

Winning looks for a 

stylish summer 

WIN 

A GARDEN LOUNGE 

SET, LUXURY 

SWIMWEAR, KITCHEN 

& BATHROOM 

ACCESSORIES & 

MORE 

national 

GARDEN SCHEME 

Beautiful local gardens 

to visit this summer 

that’s 

SHALLOT 

Celebratory recipes with 

this humble vegetable 

Improve 

Don’t 

MOVE 

Tips on adding the most 

value to your home 

A LIFESTYLE JOURNAL FOR THE CITY OF BRISTOL

CONTENTS 

04 COMPETITIONS 

The competition page you don’t want to 

miss - with lots of goodies to win this edition 

08 TRENDSETTERS 

Our pick of trends as we head into summer - 

it’s gonna be a bright one 

12 BABY & BEYOND 

Top products (which you can win!) to support 

pregnancy and early years 

14 THAT’S SHALLOT 

A delicious celebration of this most humble 

of ingredients with lots of recipes 

27 IMPROVE, DON’T MOVE 

The renovation projects that will add the most 

value with great returns 

30 GARDEN GLOW UP 

Ideas and inspiration if you’re looking to give 

your garden a new lease of life 

EDITOR Katie Thomson 

e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk 

PUBLISHER Sally Thomson 

ASSISTANT EDITOR Kate Norris 

KEY ACCOUNT MANAGER Anna Cashman 

e anna@minervapublications.co.uk | t 01225 984510 

CONTRIBUTORS Rebecca Rose, Pete Lawrence 

WWW.MINERVAMAGAZINES.CO.UK 

Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an 

advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and 

misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from 

the publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers. 

Address: Unit 21c, Paxcroft Farm, Hilperton BA14 6JB 

A NOTE FROM THE 

EDITOR 

I’ve realised more recently that my emotional 

bandwidth is a bit like a plant...a bit of sunshine 

and I become a different person! 

As the sun starts to peek out from behind the 

clouds, this edition is bursting with stories to put 

a spring in your step and a smile on your face. 

I’m mid-renovation with my home at present 

and I know the various pitfalls of certain 

projects on a cost vs benefit analysis. We’ve 

asked the experts at the HomeOwners’ 

Alliance to do the hard work for us and give 

us an insight into those renovations which will 

give maximum value for minimal outlay. 

On the foodie front we have some recipes 

celebrating an unsung hero - the flavourpacked 

shallot. Who knew that this versatile 

little root veg could be used in so many 

different ways! 

If you are looking to shake up your wardrobe 

a little as the mercury rises, check out our 

summer style guide - we are all about those 

easy-breezy pieces that still make you looked 

pulled together. 

Our later life guide sees an insightful guide to 

retirement accommodation - perfect if you’re 

considering those next big steps. 

We will be back again in the height of summer 

- hopefully having already had some lovely 

sunshine and looking forward to some wonderful 

August scorchers ahead. See you then! 

Katie 

Front Cover courtesy of Fatface 

www.minervamagazines.co.uk | 3

Time 

COMPETITION 

Find out more about entering our competitions online 

at minervamagazines.co.uk/competitions - join our 

Competition Club and enter over 60 comps a year for 

only £12.99! Or enter for free by post. 

All the below close on 15th July 2024 

WIN A FINAMILL 

RECHARGEABLE ELECTRIC 

PEPPER MILL & SPICE 

GRINDER BUNDLE! 

Fall in love with freshly-ground spices 

again with FinaMill’s award-winning 

patented electric grinder! With its 

interchangeable pods, FinaMill is a 

brilliantly easy way to grind spices, 

regardless of whole spice shape, 

size and hardness. From salt and 

peppercorn to cumin seeds and even 

coffee beans! Win one of 3 bundles: 

Available from Amazon. 

Keyword ‘FinaMill’ 

WIN ONE OF 3 METHVEN 

SHOWER HEADS WORTH 

OVER £130 

Methven, the manufacturer of 

beautifully designed, innovative, and 

award-winning showers are offering 

their Eco Aio Shower head. Featuring 

patented Aurajet® technology, the 

handset gives up to 20% more spray 

coverage* and twice the amount of skin 

contact to deliver a full-bodied spray 

with maximum body contact and allover 

warmth. 

Shop online at uk.methven.com 

Keyword ‘Methven’ 

WIN A ULLEHUSE 6-SEATER 

GARDEN LOUNGE SET IN GREY 

WORTH £949.99 FROM JYSK 

Get summer ready with the help 

of JYSK. The best-selling JYSK 

ULLEHUSE polyrattan 6-seater 

corner sofa and table set with luxury 

cushions is a garden essential. Worth 

£949.99, the ULLEHUSE Lounge Set 

is a customer favourite and perfect 

for relaxing and alfresco dining. JYSK 

prides themselves on creating quality 

items that are loved in Denmark and 

now across the world. 

Shop online at jysk.co.uk 

Keyword ‘ULLEHUSE’ 

WIN CLASSIC 

BUNDLE BED 

WORTH £325 

Forget deflating air beds and hard roll 

mats, Bundle Beds have everything 

that you need for a brilliant night’s 

sleep in one bundle – yes, it’s ALL 

included! A super comfy self-inflating 

mattress, cosy duvet, comfy pillow and 

super soft bedding. Award winning, 

super soft and with a ten-year warranty, 

this is the perfect solution for extra 

beds, sleepovers, travel and camping! 

Shop online at bundlebeds.com 

Keyword ‘Bundle Bed’ 

4 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk 

WIN A GIN TASTING SESSION 

AND BOTTLE OF ARTISAN GIN 

You have the chance to win one of 

four pairs of Gin Tasting Experience 

vouchers plus a 50cl bottle of one 

of Warwickshire Gin Company’s six 

signature gins in a prize worth £77. 

The inspiration behind the awardwinning 

craft distillery’s portfolio of 

artisan premium spirits, comes from a 

desire to capture a moment in history, 

developing flavours to fully represent the 

county’s own unique story and bringing 

the range of hand-crafted flavours to life. 

Find out more at: 

warwickshiregincompany.co.uk 

Keyword ‘Warwickshire Gin’ 

WIN ANITA ROSA FAIA 

SWIMWEAR 

One lucky winner will win the Anita 

Rosa Secret Jungle Elouise Soft Cup 

Swimsuit (size 10-12) and cover up, two 

runners up will receive another costume 

from the Secret Jungle collection. 

With practical and decorative zip front 

opening for a customised design and fit, 

it’s made with Lycra Xtra Life fibre so it’s 

long lasting. The wire-free cups are kept 

in a powernet shelf with wide underbust 

elastic for an extra bust support. 

Comes with low cut rounded back and 

adjustable straps for ease of dressing. 

Find out more at Amplebosom.com 

Keyword ‘Anita Rosa’

Sioe Frenhinol Cymru 

Royal Welsh Show 

22 - 25 Gorffennaf - July 2024 

Royal Welsh Showground LD2 3SY 

cafc.cymru 

rwas.wales 

Tickets 

available 

online 

Travel through countryside and coast on 

England’s longest Heritage Railway 

Travel through countryside and coast between Bishops 

Lydeard and Minehead, on England’s longest heritage railway! 

• Retail and catering facilities available 

• Choice of destinations 

• Picturesque country stations 

• Heritage steam and diesel locomotives 

Bishops Lydeard TA4 3RU • Minehead TA24 5BG 

www.west-somerset-railway.co.uk 

01643 704996 


ADVERTISING FEATURE 

HIT THE ROAD 

with Trailblazers 

We all have our fingers (and toes) 

crossed for a beautiful summer, 

and there really is no place like 

the UK when the sun is shining. 

What better way to see some 

of glittering coastlines and 

sprawling national parks, than to 

take to the road in a campervan? 

Katie Thomson hits the road... 

I’ll start by saying, I’m not a 

natural camper. My first camping 

experience was at the age of 16, 

on my bronze Duke of Edinburgh 

expedition in mid-March. This was 

where I learnt two things: one, you 

absoltely mustn’t forgot your roll 

mat (I have never been so cold in 

my life), and two, camping isn’t my 

bag. Or so I thought. 

Roll forward another 16 years and 

I was happily planning my next 

camping venture, but this time in 

the refined comfort of a campervan. 

I hired it from an indie company 

Trailblazer Campervan Hire and 

set off for a mini adventure on the 

borders of Exmoor. 

Equipped with a kitchenette, heater, 

two beds (one on the back seats, 

the other in the pop-top tent) and 

lots of other comforts, it’s compact 

enough for driving around without 

worrying about its size, but fullyeqipped 

enough to make sure you 

have everything you need. 

My two little four-legged friends 

came along for the ride, so the 

pop-up awning option was much 

needed. It was also a handy place 

to store camping chairs (and 

reserve our slot) whilst we shot 

off for the day, exploring Exmoor, 

Woolacombe and Ilfracombe. 

Home-base was the lovely 

Westermill Campsite - a working 

farm in the most bucolic of 

settings. 

If you’re planning a UK getaway, 

I can’t recommend Trailblazers 

enough. Collection is in Wiltshire, 

meaning you have the option to 

explore the south coast and south 

Wales easily. Rates start from £130 

per night, depending on the season. 

trailblazercampers.co.uk 

CAMPERVAN essentials 

Little touches to make your stay even 

more comfortable 

This hot choc is the best we’ve ever had - just 

the right balance of sweetness and rich chocolate 

flavour. 400g pouch, £6.95, hauslife.co.uk 

This ingenious sleeping bag can be 

made into two singles, or zipped 

together for a comfortable double 

- perfect for a couple sharing. Also 

available as a single which can unzip 

to create a double duvet. It’s the 

perfect thickness to cover you for 

multiple seasons, plus it’s machine 

washable with a fabric finish, 

meaning you feel as comfortable 

as your bed at home. Night Owl® 

Sleeping Bag - Single Or 3-In-1 

Double £60/95, finebedding.co.uk 

6 | www.minervamagazines.co.uk

GREAT DAYS OUT 

Perfect family fun - to keep even the 

busiest little people happy! 

Guide 

TREE TOPS 

HIGH ROPES 

ASHTON COURT ESTATE 

WWW.ADVENTUREBRISTOL.CO.UK 

Located in the heart of Bristol’s 

stunning Ashton Court Estate, our 

Tree Tops High Ropes course is 

perfect for thrill-seekers of all ages. 

Whether you’re planning a fun 

activity with the family, a birthday 

party or a team-building event, 

Tree Tops High Ropes is the perfect 

day out. 

WOLFRIDGE 

ALPACA BARN 

ALVESTON, S GLOUCESTERSHIRE 

WWW.WOLFRIDGEALPACA.CO.UK 

We offer Alpaca Experiences, Craft 

Workshops (including kids sessions 

in school holidays), Afternoon Teas, 

Cake Tapas and any combination 

of these! We have a lovely café on 

site to feed and refresh our visitors 

as well as a small shop with alpaca 

products. We are close to the M4/ 

M5 interchange, and just 25 minutes 

from Bristol City Centre. 

FIVE ZEROS 

SUPERCAR BARN 

BRADFORD ON AVON, BA15 1TS 

WWW.FIVEZEROS.CO.UK 

A state-of-the-art Supercar Barn, Diner, 

Event and Exhibition space displaying 

a selection of impressive supercars 

including Aston Martin, Ferrari, 

Lamborghini, McLaren, Koenigsegg 

and Porsche. 

There’s no admission fee, so come 

and enjoy the selection of amazing 

supercars we have on display. 

AMERICAN MUSEUM 

CLAVERTON MANOR, BATH BA2 7BD 

WWW.AMERICANMUSEUM.ORG 

Located on the outskirts of town, 

find the best day out in Bath with 

breathtaking views, fascinating 

museum collections, stunning gardens, 

gallery shop, children’s play area 

and the American Garden Deli, with 

its scenic garden terrace. Visit the 

Museum, which features American arts 

and heritage, and experience a special 

exhibition in the Gallery, as well as a 

seasonal programme of events. 

BUTTERFLY WORLD 

AND FARM PARK 

HAY LANE, SWINDON SN4 9QT 

WWW.STUDLEYGRANGE.CO.UK 

Come rain or shine a fun day out for 

all the family visiting the colourful 

butterflies and exotic animals. You can 

meet inquisitive meerkats and otters, 

mischievous pygmy goats and all your 

farmyard favourites. Enjoy a delicious 

meal in our restaurant and browse our 

extensive garden centre and craft units. 

Free child entry with every paying 

adult with this advert. 

TAUNTON FLOWER 

SHOW 

VINEY ST, TAUNTON, TA1 3FB 

WWW.TAUNTONFS.CO.UK 

Experience the oldest flower show in 

the country. Delight in the fantastic 

competition marquee showing off the 

talents of the local community and the 

floral marquee and designer gardens 

demonstrating national horticultural 

excellence. You will also find music, 

arena entertainment, local and national 

traders and fun for all the family. 

Friday 2nd and Saturday 3rd August. 


To Kiss Poster, desenio.com 

Delilah Paint, 

earthbornpaints.co.uk 

Cushion with Pad, £75, 

coloursofarley.com 

ANYDAY Trousers, 

£36, John Lewis 

Birdsong Wallpaper, 

fionahoward.com 

Elsie Stripe 

Blouse, 

£55, Monsoon 

ANYDAY Pocket Cardi, 


Deliberate Bag £95, 

dunelondon.com 

COLOUR BOLT 

Step into a world where joy and personality 

shines through every detail. A celebration of selfexpression 

through vibrant tones, eclectic decor 

and clothing. It’s a bold move away from the more 

mundane muted palettes that have dominated 

in the past, inviting a lively mix of colours that 

instantly infuse your space and wardrobe with 

joy, creativity and a new zest for life. Instant 

dopamine! Pair back with neutral bases. 

Orange Broderie 

Swing Dress, £24, 

George at Asda 

Lighting by pooky.com 

Garden Chair 

with Stool, 

£179, 

hauslife.co.uk 

Everyday Tiered 

Maxi Dress, £18, 

very.co.uk 

Striped 

Trousers, £54, 


Top, £14.50, 

George at Asda 

Gene Clog in 

Sand, £90, 

dunelondon.com 


Burford Rattan Dining Set, available 

with Four or Six Seats, currently £763 

off, £2,485 hauslife.co.uk 

Pair of Napkins, £28, 

avalonhome.co.uk 

ALFRESCO 

LIVING 

If you’re looking for a few new additions 

to add to your collection, we’ve pulled 

together a curated edit with everything you 

need to serve your guests in style - from 

the little details like napkins and serving 

boards to gorgeous outdoor furnishings 

that will suit the whole family. 

Set Of 4 Riviera 

Mimosa Placemats, £80, 

roseandgrey.co.uk 

Monstera Plate, £45, 

roseandgrey.co.uk 

Brisa Large Serving Bowl, 

£46.99, hauslife.co.uk 

Drinks 

Dispenser, £30, 

ellajames.co.uk 

Trendsetters 

OUR FAVOURITE LIFESTYLE FASHIONS & FINDS 

Fabric by abigailborg.com 

Striped Serving Bowl, £78, 

spicerandwood.co.uk 

Candle Pair, £15, 

talkingtables.co.uk 

Candlestick, £6, 

jysk.co.uk 

Lighting by lights4fun.com

IT’S A GAME 

CHANGER BUT 

NOT FREE 

WHEN THE CHANCELLOR ANNOUNCED 

HIS PLAN FOR EXPANDING THE CHILDCARE 

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS WITH YOUNG CHILDREN 

LAST YEAR, FAMILIES ACROSS THE COUNTRY 

WOULD HAVE BEEN JUMPING FOR JOY. 

Early education and childcare is very expensive, especially for 

our youngest children. So the offer of “free” hours for their 

child is a game changer. Unfortunately it’s not free although it 

will make a big difference to family finances. 

The Government contribution to childcare costs has been 

low compared to similar countries. There has only been 

some help for children once they turn three, or those from 

disadvantaged backgrounds aged two. 

Unfortunately, the money they pay providers has never 

covered the costs of delivering high quality early education 

and care with 83% saying it does not cover their costs and 

nurseries closing faster than ever. 

From September, children aged nine months upwards 

of working parents will be entitled to 15 hours of funded 

childcare per week. This enables parents to work and 

supports children’s development, wellbeing and learning. 

There are catches however: 

• The 15 hours are only during term time – most 

providers will “stretch” these hours across the year 

which reduces the number of hours per week 

• The Government does not pay for meals, snacks, 

consumables or additional activities – so expect your 

nursery to make charges for these 

• You will need to pay for any additional hours at the 

nursery’s usual fee 

National Day Nurseries Association recommends that 

parents speak as soon as possible to their local providers to 

find a place for their child. 

By Purnima Tanuku OBE, Chief Executive of National 

Day Nurseries Association (NDNA) | www.ndna.org.uk 

For more information, please 

visit our website, or contact our 

Admissions Team to book a tour, 

offered year round. 

www.cliftonhigh.co.uk | admissions@cliftonhigh.co.uk | 0117 933 9087 


BADMINTON 

SCHOOL 

HOSTS 

ENGINEERING 

CHALLENGE 

FOR 15 LOCAL 

PRIMARY 

SCHOOLS 

ON WEDNESDAY 17TH 

APRIL, 15 PRIMARY 

SCHOOLS COMPETED 

IN AN ENGINEERING 

CHALLENGE AT 

BADMINTON SCHOOL. 

The challenge was to install a model wind turbine 

by designing a crane out of K’Nex. 

In class, the children had already been exploring the 

diversity of engineering and the wide range of tasks 

engineers undertake. They had also looked at how 

engineering could help solve issues around climate 

change. The children who were competing, were the 

winners from heats in their schools. These budding 

engineers demonstrated teamwork, amazing design 

skills and perseverance, creating a range of fantastic 

designs. Skills the region needs to build on its 

engineering heritage! 


“NOT ONLY DID THE EVENT 

ALLOW STUDENTS TO 

ENGAGE IN AN ENGINEERING 

ACTIVITY, THEY ALSO MET 

ENGINEERS WHO INSPIRED 

THEM TO CONSIDER THIS AS 

A FUTURE CAREER. 

The event was sponsored by STEMworks, a 

company that links industry and education, by 

providing STEM workshops that enable children 

to develop engineering skills and understanding 

through practical activities. There are plans to 

expand this opportunity and include more schools 

in 2025. The winning school was Burrington C of E 

Primary, however the competition was tight, there 

were lots of fantastic ideas! 

Christopher Beer, Teacher of Physics said: “We were 

thrilled to host the Knex Challenge final and work 

closely with STEMworks to help students learn about 

the fantastic opportunities in the STEM sector. It was 

a pleasure to observe how students innovatively and 

creatively tackled the brief and were able to produce 

such varied solutions. Not only did the event allow 

students to engage in an engineering activity, they 

also met engineers who inspired them to consider this 

as a future career. It was thrilling to watch senior 

students from Badminton School display their STEM 

skills as they performed an exciting liquid nitrogen 

science show for the visiting students.” 

Chloe, Upper Sixth, said: “It was fun being able to 

do a Science Outreach demonstration with liquid 

nitrogen. I really enjoyed presenting and gained 

valuable skills demonstrating science experiments 

to the primary school-aged audience, getting them 

involved and help inspire them to look further into 

the amazing world of STEM.” 

Tel. 0117 9055271 | www.badmintonschool.co.uk

BABY AND 

Beyond 

TOTTER + TUMBLE: 

Totter and Tumble playmats provide 

a safe and secure floor for many of 

your child’s milestones - from their 

first tummy time, to sitting unaided, 

to taking their first steps. These 

mats are also great for parents too, 

providing a cushioned surface for 

the many hours spent playing on 

the floor. Messy play is a must for 

children’s sensory development and 

Totter + Tumble’s wipeable playmats 

are the ideal spots for playing on. 

The beauty of the playmats are that 

at the end of the day when the kids 

have gone to bed you’re still able 

to enjoy your home without being 

met with the garish colours play 

mats so often tend to be. Starting 

from £80.00 with many designs 

to choose from. Available from: 

totterandtumble.co.uk 

MAGNET MOUSE: 

With a beautiful range of prints 

including their signature mouse 

design, and gorgeous Liberty print 

florals, Magnet Mouse clothing is 

revolutionising baby 

wear not just in 

terms of style, but 

also ease of use! 

The magnetic 

fastenings are 

perfect for quick, 

middle of the night 

changes as well 

as on the go, so 

you have can 

have more cuddles and less 

struggles. Indian Block Print Alice 

Shirt in Fresh Blue, £48, Unisex 

Mouse Babygrow Set £49.95, 

and Blue Romper Set, £45, all 

magnetmouse.co.uk 

GLOW DREAMING: 

The Glow Sleep Easy, £119.95, a 5 

in 1 sleep aid that will help create the 

perfect sleep conditions, combining 

Red LED light therapy, with organic 

Pink noise, ultrasonic Humidifier 

with optional Aromatherapy and a 

Green Light to rise. The Glow Sleep 

Easy can be app controlled from any 

room in the house and gives you 

access to their Sleep Memberships 

where you can contact their team 

for one-on-one support. Backed by 

science, engineered for sleep. For 

more information visit 

glowdreaming.co.uk 

LITTLE 

HOTDOG 

WATSON: 

Cool kids hat brand Little Hotdog 

Watson is on a mission to make 

the best kids hats in the 

whole world. They 

create high-quality, 

responsibly-made 

kidswear designed to 

give parents peace of 

mind, and are made for 

maximum adventure. 

All their Summer 

hats provide UPF50+ 

protection, have built in 

mosquito repellent and 

a keep cool fabric liner. Each hat is 

made from high quality cotton, fully 

machine washable and incorporates 

smart design technology created to 

keep young explorers comfortable 

and protected, whatever the 

weather. Starting from £30, 

littlehotdogwatson.com 

S P O T T Y 

OTTER: 

Spotty Otter, the 

renowned outdoor 

clothing brand trusted 

by parents nationwide. 

Putting the FUN back 

into Functional Kids 

outdoor gear! Designed 

to keep kids dry and 

comfortable during 

school and all their 

outdoor adventures. 

With a focus on quality, 

durability, and style, Spotty Otter’s 

range is the ultimate solution for 

parents seeking reliable protection 

against the elements. Check them 

out today at spottyotter.co.uk 

YOUR CHANCE 

TO WIN 

Win an amazing bundle featuring 

a product or selection from 

every brand on this page! Head 

to minervamagazines.co.uk/ 

competitions to find details of 

entry. Competition keyword: ‘Mega 

Baby Bundle’ 

Closes 15th July 2024. T&Cs apply.

BABY CARRIER: CARIPOD addresses 

challenges faced by many parents when using baby 

carriers, such as complicated loading, poor back support 

or simply the lack of height/size inclusivity. Designed by 

parents at Seraphine, the CARIPOD was conceptualised 

in back in early 2020. Since then, the CARIPOD has 

been meticulously trialled, with the result being a patentpending 

pioneering baby carrier that fits seamlessly 

into an active lifestyle, redefining baby carrying through 

convenience, accessibility, comfort, support, and style. 

£169, www.seraphine.com 

BOTTLE WASHER: 

Baby Brezza Bottle Washer Pro® 

Never use a bottle brush again! 

Automatically washes, sterilises and dries 

bottles, pump parts and sippy cups. 

Powerfully washes with 20 high-pressure 

spray jets, using 50% less water than hand 

washing. No need to plumb in - just plug in 

and go. Kills 99.9% of germs with steam, 

then dries with HEPA-filtered hot air. £299, 

cheekyrascals.co.uk 

Hardware | Switches & Sockets | Lighting 

corston.com 


That’s 

Shallot 

UK Shallot help us celebrate this unsung 

hero! Find more recipes at: ukshallot.com 

SALMON AND 

SHALLOT 

TANDOORI 

SKEWERS 

These tandoori salmon skewers 

are the perfect BBQ recipe for 

summer, or they can also be 

grilled indoors on a griddle pan 

if it’s a classic British summer 

of rain! 

Serves: 4 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes 

(plus up to 60 minutes 

marinating time) 

Cooking Time: 10 minutes 

For the quick pickled shallots 

4 round shallots, peeled and 

finely sliced 

125ml water 

125ml white wine vinegar 

½ tsp fennel seeds 

½ tsp cumin seeds 

1 tbsp table salt 

2 tbsp golden caster sugar 

For the skewers 

4 skinless salmon fillets (about 

125g each) 

2 round shallots, finely chopped 

1 large garlic clove, grated 

2.5cm piece of fresh ginger, 

grated 

Juice of 1 lime 

100g Greek yoghurt 

1 tsp Kashmiri chilli powder 

1 tsp ground turmeric 

1 tsp ground cumin 

2 tsp ground coriander 

2 tsp smoked paprika 

Salt and pepper, to taste 

Vegetable oil 

To serve 

4 naan breads 

4 tbsp raita 

2 tbsp coriander leaves 

1 long green chilli, finely sliced 

Lime halves 

Prepare the quick pickled 

shallots. Place the sliced 

shallots in a clean bowl. Put the 

water, wine vinegar, fennel and 

cumin seeds, salt and sugar into 

a small pan over a medium heat 

and stir until the sugar and salt 

are fully dissolved. Pour the hot 

pickling liquor over the shallots 

and leave to cool slightly. Cover 

the bowl and place in the fridge 

to pickle. 

To prepare the salmon, cut each 

fillet into 4 equal-sized chunks. 

Place the chunks in a bowl with 

the chopped shallots, garlic, 

ginger and lime juice and mix 

well. 

In another bowl, mix the yoghurt 

with the spices and some salt 

and pepper. Add this spiced 

yoghurt to the salmon and mix 

well again. Leave to marinate 

in a cool place for at least 20 

minutes, or up to an hour. 

Once marinated, thread the 

salmon onto your skewers. 

Brush the hot barbecue or 

griddle pan lightly with a little 

vegetable oil then lay the 

skewers on it. Cook for 2–3 

minutes on each side until 

golden brown and lightly 

charred. Meanwhile, warm the 

naan on a low heat in the oven. 

Once cooked, transfer the 

skewers to a warm plate. 

Spread the naans with a 

tablespoon each of raita. Top 

with a salmon skewer. Scatter 

over the pickled shallots, some 

coriander and sliced green 

chilli. Serve with lime halves for 

squeezing over. 


CHAAT MASALA 

POTATOES AND 

SHALLOTS 

Sweet and crunchy, raw echalions 

shallots marry perfectly with crispy 

new potatoes, cold yoghurt and a 

zingy dressing in this fresh Indianinspired 

salad. 

Serves: 4 

Preparation Time: 10 minutes 


For the potatoes 

750g baby new potatoes, cut 

lengthways into 1cm thick slices 

2 tbsp olive oil 

1 tsp chaat masala 

½ tsp ground turmeric 


250g thick Greek yoghurt 

1 echalion, thinly sliced on a 

mandolin or by hand 

1 green chilli, thinly sliced 

1½ tsp coriander seeds, toasted 

1½ tsp nigella seeds, toasted 

For the coriander chutney 

30g fresh coriander, reserving a few 

for garnish 

1 green chilli, deseeded and roughly 

chopped 

1 tbsp lime juice 

4 tbsp olive oil 

Salt 

To serve 

1½ tbsp shop-bought tamarind 

paste 

1½ tsp caster sugar 

¼ tsp chaat masala 

Preheat the oven to 200°C fan. Put 

a large pan of salted water on to 

boil. Once boiling add the potatoes 

and cook for 4-5 minutes until 

cooked through. Drain the potatoes. 

Add the potatoes to a large baking 

tray – drizzle with the 2 tbsp oil, 

and top with the chaat masala, 

turmeric and seasoning. Toss 

to mix thoroughly. Roast in the 

oven, stirring once or twice, for 35 

minutes, or until deeply golden. 

Meanwhile, make the coriander 

chutney. Put all the ingredients into 

a food processor or blender and 

blitz until smooth. Set aside. 

To make the tamarind dressing, 

whisk together all the ingredients in 

a small bowl with 1½ teaspoons of 

water until the sugar is dissolved. 

Set aside. 

Spread the yoghurt on a large 

serving platter. Top with half the 

coriander chutney, swirling it through 

without completely incorporating. 

Drizzle with half of the tamarind 

dressing, and top with the potatoes, 

shallot and chilli. Drizzle over the 

remaining coriander chutney and 

tamarind dressing, then sprinkle 

over the toasted seeds and reserved 

coriander leaves and serve. 

CHICKEN, 

SHALLOT AND 

CASHEW CURRY 

This warming, fragrant chicken curry 

is the perfect dish to cook over the 

weekend when you have a little bit 

more time. Serve with rice, chapatis 

and pickles for a delicious feast. 

Serves: 4 

Preparation Time: 15 minutes (plus 

2 hours marinating time and 30 

minutes soaking) 


For the chicken 

2 tbsp Greek yoghurt 

2 tsp turmeric 


800g skinless bone-in chicken 

thighs and drumsticks 

2 tsp vegetable oil 

6 cloves 

1 cinnamon stick 

120g round shallots, peeled and 

finely chopped 

1 tsp sugar 

100ml warm water 

½ tsp ground cardamom 

For the cashew paste: 

75g cashew nuts 

5cm piece of ginger, peeled and 

roughly chopped 

2 green chillies 

For the temper: 

1 tbsp vegetable oil 

2 round shallots, peeled and thinly 

sliced 

30g cashew nuts 

1 tsp mustard seeds 

10 curry leaves 

Put the yoghurt, turmeric and salt 

and pepper in a bowl and stir to 


combine. Mix through the chicken, 

cover and leave in the fridge to 

marinate for at least 2 hours. 

Meanwhile, make the cashew 

paste. Soak the cashews in 100ml 

of warm water for half an hour. Put 

the cashews and their liquid in a 

blender with the ginger and chillies, 

blitzing to a smooth paste. 

Heat the 2 teaspoons of vegetable 

oil in a large, lidded saucepan on 

a medium heat. Add the cloves 

and cinnamon and let sizzle for a 

couple of minutes until fragrant. 

Add the shallots and cook, stirring 

often, until golden – around 6 

minutes. 

Add the chicken and fry for 8 

minutes until seared all over. 

Lower the heat, add the sugar, a 

pinch of salt and 100ml of water. 

Cover and simmer for 20 minutes, 

stirring halfway through. Stir in the 

cashew paste, simmer for a further 

5 minutes, add the cardamom, and 

take the pot off the heat. 

Allow the curry to rest whilst making 

the temper – heat the 1 tbsp oil in a 

small frying pan on a medium heat. 

Add the shallots and cook for five 

minutes until starting to turn golden. 

Add the cashews and fry for a 

further 2 minutes. Add the mustard 

seeds and curry leaves, cook for 30 

seconds. Pour the temper over the 

curry and serve with rice or chapati. 

BEEF AND 

SHALLOT 

EMPANADAS 

The filling of these empanadas is 

a classic combination of Spanish 

flavours – beef, shallot, sultanas and 

olives. Deep fried until crispy, then 

finished with a salsa verde inspired 

shallot green sauce. 

Serves: 6-8 


resting time) 


For the dough 

450g plain flour 

1 tbsp salt 

60g unsalted butter 

1 egg 

6 tbsp water 

1 tbsp vinegar 

For the filling 

2 eggs, hard-boiled 

1 tbsp of olive oil 

4 echalion shallots, peeled and 

chopped 

1 garlic clove 

1 tbsp dried oregano 

500g beef mince 

1 tbsp raisin 

1 tbsp pitted green olives, roughly 

chopped 

½ a 400ml tin of chopped tomatoes 

Vegetable oil for frying 

For the green sauce 

1 small bunch of tarragon 

2 large bunches of flat-leaf parsley 

2 round shallots, peeled 

3 tsp Dijon mustard 

40g small capers, drained, rinsed 

and roughly chopped 

200ml extra virgin olive oil 

2 tbsp sherry vinegar 

Start with the dough - mix the 

flour, salt, and butter in a bowl by 

hand until it comes together as a 

homogeneous dough. 

In a separate large bowl, beat the 

egg, water, and vinegar, and add the 

mix to the flour dough. 

By hand, knead the mixture on a 

clean surface covered with a little bit 

of flour until it comes together as a 

rustic dough, and set aside, covered, 

in the fridge for one hour. 

To make the filling – peel and cut 

the hard-boiled eggs into thin slices. 

Heat the oil in a large pan on a 

medium heat - cook the echalion 

shallots until golden brown, then 

add the garlic and oregano, and 

stir for two minutes. Add the beef 

mince and cook for 10 minutes until 

browned. Add the raisins, olives, 

hard-boiled eggs, and chopped 

tomatoes. 

Meanwhile, make the green sauce 

by blitzing all the ingredients to a 

chunky texture in a blender. 

Heat 6cm vegetable oil in a large, 

deep-frying pan on a medium heat. 

Take the dough and roll out with 

a rolling pin to form a rectangular 

sheet around 2cm in thickness. 

Then, using a small bowl or cup, cut 

out circles around 12cm in diameter. 

Take a circle of dough and fill it with 

2 tablespoons of the beef filling. 

Then, fold the dough over and mark 

the edges with a fork to close the 

empanadas.

Add a few empanadas to the oil at 

a time – cooking for 4-5 minutes 

until golden brown. Serve on a large 

platter or board with the green sauce 

on the side. 

SHALLOT 

PISTO WITH 

MANCHEGO 

EGGS 

Pisto is a vegetarian Spanish dish 

similar to ratatouille or caponata. 

Here we’ve topped it with a crispy 

Manchego fried egg, making it the 

perfect brunch, lunch or even dinner. 

Serves: 4 


resting time) 


4 tbsp sultanas 

50ml sherry vinegar 

60ml extra-virgin olive oil 

4 echalion shallots, peeled and cut 

into 2cm cubes 

1 red pepper, deseeded and cut into 

2cm cubes 

1 aubergine, trimmed and cut into 

2cm cubes 

2 courgettes, trimmed and cut into 

2cm cubes 

1 garlic clove, peeled and minced 

1 tbsp dried oregano 

4 ripe tomatoes, roughly chopped 

3 tbsp toasted pine nuts 

Salt and black pepper 

4 tbsp chopped parsley 

Vegetable oil, for frying the eggs 

100g Manchego, grated 

4 eggs 

1 big pinch smoked paprika, to serve 

Put the sultanas and sherry vinegar in 

a small bowl and leave to plump up. 

To make the pisto, put the extravirgin 

olive oil in a large, deep frying 

pan on a medium heat. Once it’s hot, 

add the echalion shallots and red 

pepper, and fry, stirring occasionally, 

for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add 

the aubergine, cook for 2 minutes, 

then add the courgette and cook, 

stirring from time to time, for a 

couple of minutes, until all the 

vegetables are soft. 

Stir in the garlic and oregano, cook 

for a minute, then add the tomatoes 

and cook on a very low heat, stirring 

occasionally, for 15-20 minutes, until 

they reduce and turn saucy. Strain 

the sultanas, discarding the vinegar, 

then add them to the pan with the 

pine nuts. Season to taste, then take 

off the heat and stir in the parsley. 

Add a little vegetable oil to a medium 

frying heat on a medium heat – add 

a little pile of grated Manchego and 

once it’s melted crack an egg on top. 

Add a little more Manchego around 

the borders of the eggs. Fry until the 

egg white is set and the cheese is 

golden and crispy. 

Transfer the pisto onto dishes and 

top with the eggs, then finish with a 

drizzle each of extra-virgin olive oil, a 

good pinch of smoked paprika and 

pepper. 

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Olive Dress, 

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Tarnish-Proof gold plated 

earrings, £14.99, hauslife.co.uk 

Boho Dress, 

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at Asda 

Bag, £39.50, M&S 

Bella Slider, £37, 

Accessorize 

easy 

S U M M E R 

S T Y L E 

Summer is looming into view - so bringing 

the season of ease. Light cottons, breathable 

linens - effortless silhouettes 

AND OR Skirt, £69, 

and Leona Cardi, 


Lyons Tan Sandals, 

£95, Dune 

Margaret Midi Dress, 

£129, Barbour 

Cotton smock 

dress with 

pockets, £49.99, 


Sandals, 

£65, M&S 

UV Sunglasses, £19.99, 


Olivia Art Floral Shirt, 

£46, Fatface 


SOS Lip is a deeply 

nourishing and 

mattifying lipbalm 

with broadspectrum 

UVA & 

UVB protection 

SPF 30, that helps 

to moisturise and 

protect lips against 

the harsh effects of 

the cold, wind and 

sun. SOS Serum 

– SOS Lip, £16, 

sosserum.co.uk 

A L L 

L I P 

Smooth lips require a bit of 

work - here are some hero 

products to perfect your pout 

The COSRX Balancium Ceramide 

Lip Butter Sleeping Mask cocoons 

dry, chapped lips in an ultrasmooth 

veil of buttery goodness. 

A blend of shea butter and ceramides unite 

to create the perfect protective barrier, 

working to replenish lost moisture and 

condition the lips. The creamy, buttersoft 

lip sleeping mask effortlessly melts 

onto the lips to provide comfort, whilst 

visibly smoothing for a plumper-looking 

appearance. COSRX – Lip Sleep, £22, 

Cult Beauty, Look Fantastic 

A blend of sugar, coffee and 

ethically sourced beeswax – a 

combo that will make your lips 

soft, smooth and kissable. Perfect 

for everyday maintenance if you 

have dry lips or pre-lipstick. 100% 

natural and smells delicious. Frank 

Body – Original Lip Scrub, £11.50, 

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MEET YOUR NEW 

HERO PRODUCT 

From The Germaine De Capuccini Timexpert 

Rides Range – Xcel Retinage Filler, £120.25. 

The Germaine de Capuccini Retinol Bio RDS 

complex safely delivers a slow release of retinol 

into the dermis and epidermis. This unique slow 

release technology allows Retinage Filler to work 

for hours after application, renewing the cells and 

stimulating natural collagen production. Botox in 

a bottle! 

Developed in the brand’s Spanish HQ laboratories, 

Pure Retinol Bio RDS is the most advanced 

encapsulation technology of Retinol. Providing 

maximum effectiveness and optimal tolerance. 

The pure retinol is encapsulated in micro-particles 

– small enough to penetrate the epidermis and 

dermis. 

In the epidermis Pure Retinol Bio RDS gives the 

skin maximum cellular renewal, increases the 

thickness of the epidermis and balances skin 

dryness. 

Skin recovers density and firmness, with a 

luminous and smoother appearance, whilst feeling 

more hydrated. 

germaine-de-capuccini.co.uk 

The Bondi Body LED Face Mask, 

£249, is the only LED Mask 

on the market with 4 different 

INFRARED light settings at 

it’s price point. RED, BLUE, 

PURPLE, YELLOW - and 31% 

more powerful than any other 

LED Mask. Consumers can now 

get £40 off when they enter 

FORTY at checkout. 

Red Light: Skin rejuvenation 

awaits. Red light is known to 

support in the reduction of 

inflammation, plus it is great for 

stimulating collagen production 

and blood circulation for plumper, 

healthier skin that glows with 

vitality. 

Blue Light: Successful in treating 

acne, scarring and excess oil 

production. Blue light works by 

targeting the skin’s oil glands to 

reduce their activity, which stops 

breakouts in their tracks. It also 

kills the bacteria inside pores. 

Combined with red light, it 

has an anti-inflammatory 

effect upon the skin too. 

Yellow Light: A glow 

booster for skin. Yellow 

light creates movement in 

the top layers of the skin’s 

cells, making it more 

receptive to the nearinfrared 

light that follows. 

Purple Light: Purple 

light combines red and 

blue lights to eliminates 

acne-causing bacteria 

while reducing facial 

inflammation and reducing the 

appearance of acne, age-spots 

and hyperpigmentation. 

bondi-body.com

GENESIS ELECTRIFIED GV70 

Road Test Review 

Are you in need of an electric vehicle that meets the demands of family life and feels 

like a smooth estate to drive? Enter the Genesis Electrified GV70. 

OVERVIEW 

Genesis is the luxury arm of Hyundai, who 

have been making huge strides in the 

SUV market with their perennially-popular 

Kona and Tuscon models. They’ve 

taken these successes and refined 

them, creating the Electrified GV70 - a 

stunning luxury crossover - from its gently 

articulated curves to a beautifully-decked 

out interior, this is a luxurious ride in every 

sense. We took it for a spin... 

DRIVING 

Given its heft, it handles corners 

surprisingly well - this is largely thanks 

to the rear-biased power delivery, which 

means the nose goes where you point it. 

Comfort is king, with the combination of its 

whisper-quiet motor and noise-cancelling 

technology - it effectively minimises 

wind noise with its standard acoustic 

windscreen and laminated side windows. 

RANGE 

The official range of the Genesis 

Electrified GV70 stands at 283 miles, 

although opting for the 20-inch wheel 

configuration slightly reduces it to 276 

miles. However, in real-world conditions, 

a more realistic estimate would be 

around 230 miles - still more than 

enough for day-to-day life, as well as 

some significant road trips. 

POWER 

Simplicity reigns in the Genesis Electrified 

GV70 lineup, boasting a singular 

mechanical configuration: dual electric 

motors and a four-wheel-drive setup, 

culminating in a formidable total power 

output of up to 483bhp. This propels 

the GV70 to achieve a brisk 0-62mph 

acceleration in just 4.2 seconds, eclipsing 

the performance of competitors such as 

the BMW iX3, Jaguar I-Pace, Tesla Model 

Y Long Range, and Volvo C40. 

INTERIOR 

The standard 14.5in infotainment screen 

is one of the largest you’ll find in the 

class. However, for shorter drivers, it 

can be a little hard to reach because of 

its high-placement on the dashboard 

- happily, there’s a dial on the central 

console to control the screen too. 

Overall the interior feels spacious and 

luxurious, with soft coatings on all the 

areas you regularly touch. The many 

options for seat and steering wheel 

adjustments amplify the comfort - 

adjustable lumbar support is standard, or 

opting for the Comfort Seat pack adds a 

massaging driver’s seat. 

Front and rear parking sensors, along 

with a reversing camera, are included 

as standard features. Additionally, the 

Electrified GV70 offers a clever feature 

to aid in kerb visibility through its side 

mirrors: when in reverse, the reversing 

lights project lines onto the ground 

behind the car. 

CHARGING 

The GV70 boasts a faster charging 

capability compared to the iX3 and 

Model Y, as it can accept power at a 

rate of up to 240kW. This translates 

to approximately 18 minutes for a 

10-80% charge when utilising a rapid 

charger with such capacity. On the other 

hand, a home wall charger will take 

approximately 12 hours to complete a full 

0-100% recharge. 

SAFETY & SUPPORT 

All models come equipped with 

automatic emergency braking (AEB) 

featuring pedestrian detection, lanekeeping 

assistance, and rear cross-traffic 

alert. The Innovation Pack enhances 

safety further with additional automated 

functionalities, including lane-change 

assist on motorways, blind-spot 

monitoring, and an upgraded emergency 

braking system. 

Unique to Genesis, a Genesis Personal 

Assistant will help you at every stage of 

your journey, from your initial enquiry, 

through the ordering process, to servicing. 

They’ll help you choose the right model, 

arrange your test drive from home and 

help you build and order your perfect car. 

Every Genesis comes with five 

years’ peace of mind included. The 

comprehensive care plan includes 

warranty, scheduled services, roadside 

assistance as well as courtesy cars. 

OVERALL 

This is a phenomenal vehicle which 

stands tall alongside other makes in the 

class. More than once, we returned to 

the car in a car park to see it getting an 

admiring look over - it certainly does turn 

heads and has an elegant presence. It’s 

equally comfortable in the city and on 

country roads - it really does offer the 

best of all worlds. 

AWD Dual Motor Sport £65,105 (OTR). 

To start your journey with Genesis 

please look at the website 

www.genesis.com

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MAXIMISE YOUR 

PROPERTIES 

FINANCIAL 

POTENTIAL 

IN TODAY’S DYNAMIC HOUSING MARKET, 

PURCHASING A HOME IS NOT ONLY A 

PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT BUT ALSO 

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When selling your property, maximising its financial 

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NATIONAL GARDEN SCHEME 

The National Garden Scheme gives visitors unique access to over 3,500 exceptional private 

gardens in England, Wales, Northern Ireland and the Channel Islands. In 2023 they raised over 

£3.4 million for nursing and health charities through admissions, teas and cake. 

S T O N E L E I G H D O W N 

Upper Tockington Road, Tockington, 

Bristol, Avon, BS32 4LQ 

Approaching ⅔ acre, the south facing 

garden has curved gravel pathways around 

an S-shaped lawn that connects themed 

areas: exotic border; summer walk; acers; 

oriental pond; winter garden; spring 

garden. On a level site, it has been densely 

planted with trees, shrubs, perennials and 

bulbs for year-round interest. Plenty of 

places to sit. Steps into courtyard. 

W O R T L E Y H O U S E 

Wortley, Wotton-under-Edge, Gloucestershire, 

GL12 7QP 

A diverse garden of over 20 acres created during 

the last 30 yrs by the current owners. Inc a walled 

garden, pleached lime avenues, nut walk, potager, 

ponds, Italian garden, arbour, shrubberies and 

wildflower meadows. Strategically placed follies, 

urns and statues enhance extraordinary vistas. 

Tuesday 18th June – Pre Booking Essential 

Admission: Adult: £15.00 Home-made teas 

included | Child: Free 

T H E O L D R E C T O R Y , D O Y N T O N 

18 Toghill Lane, Doynton, Bristol, South 

Gloucestershire, BS30 5SY 

Doynton's Grade II listed Georgian Rectory's 

walled garden and extended 15 acre estate. 

Renovated over 12 yrs, it sits within AONB. 

Garden has diversity of modern and 

traditional elements, fused to create an 

atmospheric series of garden rooms. Large 

landscaped kitchen garden with canal, 

vegetable plots, fruit cages and treehouse. 

Bees and a woodland area are also features 

for a longer stroll. 

Saturday 22nd June 

Admission: Adult: £6.00 | Child: Free 

Saturday 15th & Sunday 16th June 


A L D E R L E Y G R A N G E 

Alderley, Gloucestershire, GL12 7QT 

Originally designed by Alvilde Lees- 

Milne in the early 1960's, this 

quintessentially English garden boasts 

an abundance of old-fashioned roses. 

Features include a walled garden, a 

pleached lime walk, fine trees and a 

Regency summerhouse. 

Thursday 13th June – Pre-booking 

essential 

Admission: Adult: £12.00 Home-made 

teas included | Child: Free 

P E N N Y B R O H N U K 

Chapel Pill Lane, Pill, Somerset, BS20 0HH 

3½ acre tranquil garden surrounds 

Georgian mansion with many mature 

trees, wildflower meadow, flower garden 

and cedar summerhouse. Fine views 

from historic gazebo overlooking the 

River Avon. Courtyard gardens with 

water features. Garden is maintained by 

volunteers and plays an active role in the 

Charity’s 'Living Well with Cancer' 

approach. Plants, teas, music and plenty 

of space to enjoy a picnic. 

Sunday 16th June 


M E L L O W S T O N E S 

Staples Hill, Freshford, Bath, Avon, BA2 7WL 

Developed over the last 4 years, this 1 acre south 

facing hillside terraced garden is set in woodland, 

with wonderful views across the Frome valley. 

The upper level has cottage garden plants and 

yew hedges, a quarry kitchen and a grass path 

through wildflowers to the summerhouse. The 

Mediterranean terrace has olive trees, a gravel 

planting area with stepping stones across a 

corten steel pond. The lower terrace is a formal 

garden leading to a grass path which extends 

through the sloping wildflower orchard. 

Sunday 26th May and Sunday 30th June 

Admission: Adult: £6.00 | Child: Free

Into the Garden 

LOOKING TO SPRUCE UP YOUR GARDEN THIS SUMMER? 

TAKE A LOOK AT THESE SKILLED, LOCAL TRADESPEOPLE THAT 

ARE JUST A PHONE CALL AWAY... 

The Aquatic Habitat 

The Aquatic Habitat is a highly 

successful, family-owned independent 

aquatic retailer. Established in 1973 

and providing top quality fish, plants 

& equipment to fishkeepers for over 50 

years! 

A comprehensive range of products 

and also a wide selection of coldwater 

& tropical fish, pond & aquarium plants. 

Pop in & talk to our friendly, welcoming 

& experienced team. 

01452 862791 

www.the-aquatic-habitat.co.uk 

Little Green Rooms 

We design and build beautifully crafted 

and high-quality garden rooms with a 

nature-first perspective. Based in Bristol, 

we deliver and install across the South of 

England and Wales. 

Our rooms come in a range of standard 

sizes to suit a variety of needs. Every 

building comes with extra thick insulation 

and a living sedum roof as standard with 

a choice of FSC timber doors & windows 

or aluminium sliders. Suitable for yearround 

use. 

0117 287 0197 

www.littlegreenrooms.co.uk 

Wiltshire Teak 

Wiltshire Teak provides an extensive range 

of premium-quality teak outdoor furniture. 

Our products offer a perfect combination 

of classic style and durability — all at a 

competitive price. Wiltshire Teak supplies 

a wide range of customers, from five-star 

hotels to private homeowners. Whatever 

the setting, our furniture adds a stylish 

finishing touch that perfectly complements 

the surroundings. 

25% off during June using code: 

Spring 25 at checkout. 

01793 239 230 

www.wiltshireteak.co.uk 

Wildwood Treecare 

The THE down DOWN to earth TO tree EARTH experts...Wildwood 

TREE EXPERTS 

Jack’s Garden Services 

Jack’s Garden Services Ltd is a family-run 

landscape gardening company in Bristol 

dedicated to ensuring you achieve the best 

Treecare 

Wildwood Treecare 

is a professional 

is a professional tree 

tree 

surgery 

surgery 

company 

company working throughout working Bristol throughout and the Southwest. Bristol Serving and both 

domestic and commercial clients, we deliver a top-quality 

the 

service 

Southwest. 

across all aspects 

Serving 

of tree work. 

both 

From 

domestic 

fine pruning to from your garden and outdoor spaces. 

and large tree commercial removals, we have clients, the skills and we experience deliver to conduct a Our professional landscaping contractors 

our work safely and efficiently. Other services include, hedge 

top-quality 

trimming, stump 

service 

grinding, tree 

across 

planting and 

all 

cable 

aspects 

bracing. share over 15 years of combined experience 

in the industry, and we specialise in 

of tree work. From fine pruning to large 

GET IN TOUCH TODAY FOR SPECIALIST ADVICE 

tree removals, we have the skills and 

AND A FREE QUOTATION 

turf laying, new fencing installations, block 

experience 07971 986 to 814 conduct info@wildwoodtreecare.co.uk 

our work safely and paving driveways, and patio laying services. 

We are local, dependable, and highly 

efficiently. Other services include, hedge 

www.wildwoodtreecare.co.uk 

trimming, stump grinding, tree planting regarded by past and present clients and 

and cable bracing. 

work as an efficient and considerate team. 

Wild Leaf Bristol 

Wild Leaf is an independent plant shop and 

garden centre located on Gloucester Road, 

Bristol. Opened in 2017 by Tya Shannon, 

they specialise in houseplants, indoor pots, 

terrariums, and plant care products. They 

make their own range of indoor compost 

and DIY terrarium kits in-store. Their 

outdoor garden is a little oasis in the city, 

well stocked with a variety of herbs and 

perennials. Wild Leaf has turned out not to 

be just a shop but a thriving community hub 

for plant lovers across Bristol. 

07971 986 814 

www.wildwoodtreecare.co.uk 

07774 790101 

jacksgardenservices.co.uk 

contact@wildleafbristol.co.uk 

wildleafbristol.co.uk 


stylishradiators 

thatdon't 

costtheearth 

.com

I M P R O V E 

don’t 

M O V E 

Significant home improvements are expensive, so it’s important to consider how your plans 

will add value to your home. More and more of us are choosing to improve rather than move. 

So, here the experts at the HomeOwners’ Alliance give us 10 ways to make your property 

better to live in, in a way that can also add value to your home. 

Image from Higham Furniture 

KNOCK DOWN A 

WALL FOR OPEN 

PLAN LIVING 

Spend £3,500, add £48,000 

Our research found that removing 

an internal wall to create an open 

plan kitchen and diner was the best 

way to add value to your home. It 

could cost around £3,500 but add 

£48,000 to the average London 

property or £27,000 to the average 

home in Dorset. 

Not only will this add value to your 

home, it should also make it more 

pleasant to live in, with more and 

more of us opting for open-plan 

living. Knocking down walls means 

more communal spaces where 

families can enjoy quality time 

together, whether that’s chatting 

while dinner is cooked or keeping 

an eye on kids while they do their 

homework. 

Best of all, this is a relatively simple 

project that most builders can 

complete in under a week. Meaning 

you could make almost £50k in just 

7 days! 

You may need the assistance of 

a structural engineer. A Chartered 

Structural Engineer or Chartered 

Civil Engineer can assist with the 

design of structural elements such 

as beams (RSJ’s), columns or 

retaining walls. 

BUILD A GARDEN 

ROOM 

Spend £6,700, add £10,000 

Another option is to add another 

living space outside. Building a 

garden room adds around £36,000 

to an averagely valued home in 

Surrey, or £10,000 in London, 

according to our research in 

partnership with the Federation 

of Master Builders (FMB) and The 

Guild of Property Professionals. 

SPRUCE UP YOUR 

KITCHEN 

Spend £4,000, add £15,000 

A new kitchen isn’t just a treat for 

you, it can also significantly boost 

the value of your home. Putting in a 

new worktop, cabinet doors or floor 

doesn’t have to break the bank – it 

costs around £4,000 on average. 

But, it could add £17,000 to the 

value of a London property, or the 

FMB and The Guild of Property 

Professionals found it could add 

around £15,000 to the average 

home in Cambridgeshire. 

MAKE WAY FOR 

AN ENSUITE 

Spend £7,000, add £15,000 

Another way to add extra bathroom 

space is to carve some space out of 

your master bedroom to create an 

ensuite. The job should take around 

11 days but could add £14,525 to 

the value of the average London 

home. 

CREATE A 

DOWNSTAIRS LOO 

Spend £1,500, add £26,000 

A downstairs toilet is a big 

attraction to a variety of different 

buyers. Adding one will make your 

home attractive to young families 

with children, those that like 

entertaining and don’t want guests 

wandering upstairs, to older buyers 

who might be looking to future 

proof their homes. 

So, turning wasted space, such as 

an understairs cupboard into a loo 

can add value to your home. This is 


Image from gardentrading.co.uk 

Image from Benjamin Moore UK 

a great project if you have a limited 

budget because for only a relatively 

small outlay of around £1,500 you 

could add around £26,000 to your 

home’s value, according to our 

research. 

CREATE A 

PARKING SPACE 

Spend £2,000, add £13,000 

We love green front gardens but 

if parking is at a premium in your 

neighbourhood, then paving over 

part of your front garden to create 

space for off road parking could 

significantly boost your home’s 

value. A parking space can add as 

much as 13% to the value of your 

home according to Direct Line. 

Our research found that a new 

driveway would add £13,354 to 

the value of the average Surrey 

property. 

You’ll need to check with your local 

council to see if you need planning 

permission. Usually, if your home 

isn’t on an A or B road you won’t 

need permission, but you will have 

to comply with your local authority’s 

regulations on dropping the kerb. 

SPRUCE UP YOUR 

BACK GARDEN 

Spend £4,000, add £9,000 

Gardens are often overlooked when 

property projects are concerned but 

ploughing some money into your 

green space can be rewarding. Our 

analysis found that adding decking 

and lighting to your back garden can 

really boost the asking price when a 

property goes on the market. 

For example, a property in Dorset 

would be worth £8,946 more after 

the job was done but would only 

require an outlay of £3,971. 

DECORATE 

Spend £1,000, add £5,000 

If you are planning to put your 

property on the market make sure 

you give it a fresh lick of paint first. 

Don’t understand the importance of 

kerb appeal by updating the exterior 

of your home. Getting professionals 

in could set you back around 

£1,000, but it could add £5,000 to 

your home’s value, according to 

property expert Phil Spencer. 

CONVERT YOUR 

L O F T 

Spend £20,000, add £40,000 

Homeowners looking to add floor 

space could significantly add value 

to their home. Loft conversions cost 

around £20,000 on average but they 

could boost your home’s value by 

£40,000, according to Spencer. 

GET PLANNING 

PERMISSION 

Spend £400, add £20,000 

If you are preparing to sell your 

home and can’t afford a big project 

to boost the value, you could 

consider just getting the planning 

permission. Buyers are prepared to 

pay quite a premium to avoid the 

paperwork involved in an extension 

and to know red tape won’t stand 

in the way of their plans and 

allowing them to start works the 

minute they pick up the keys. 

Submitting a basic planning 

application costs up to £400 but 

could add as much as 10% to the 

value of your home, according to 

insurance firm Hamilton Fraser. 

Head to hoa.org.uk for more info. 


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Sambuca Tumbled & Aged Limestone - Reminiscent of the 

original flagstone floor, the Sambuca limestone features soft 

shades of grey and blue along with hand cut tumbled edges and 

a brushed aged finish. Random length x 500 x 20mm size. Can 

go inside and out. £53.94m², terzettostone.co.uk 

Composite decking is a great choice for lowmaintenance, 

long-lasting decking. Envirobuild’s 

decking is also made from 90% recycled 

materials, using 100% wind farm energy. From 

£29.69 per 4m length, envirobuild.com 

GARDEN 

Glow Up 

There’s still time to transform your space for the 

summer - here are some beautiful products to help 

your transformation 

Solar Lanterns, 

on sale from 

£175 each, 


Porcelain works wonderfully in 

a variety of settings - it’s super 

hard-wearing and anti-slip, 

making it perfect for patios. 

Chorus White Italian Porcelain 

– Available In and Out. You can 

create a trade account online to 

receive reduced prices. Price from 

- £43m²., rflandscapeproducts. 

co.uk 

Lacock Lounge Set, 

currently on sale for 

£1452, hauslife.co.uk 

Astor 8 Seat Square Dining 

Set, currently on sale for 

£974.99, envirobuild.com

NOTES FROM THE 

Garden 

The weather might be a little quixotic but 

the grass still grows and the bees still buzz 

so our gardens carry on regardless. 

If you are looking for inspiration and ideas- and like a great 

day out too - what better than a visit to a garden or country 

show. 

There will be professional nurserymen and women, show 

gardens, garden ornaments and a plethora of ideas and tricks 

of the trade to help you. 

If the idea of a show like Chelsea or Hampton Court is 

daunting and you know that you could never achieve that 

level of perfection- no one expects you to. You can pick 

a tiny corner of a show garden or even a simple plant 

combination to add to your own patch. As a show judge 

I am constantly amazed at how creative people are, how 

wonderful new plant introductions can be and what fun it is 

to share that with fellow gardeners. There is nothing more 

exciting than wandering around a marquee full of plants- just 

going wherever the mood takes you, stopping for a coffee 

or lunch and arriving home with a head full of new ideas- and 

probably aching feet! 

I have listed some, but by no means all, of the shows belowand 

I know whichever you choose you will come home with 

new ideas, new inspiration- and possibly a new plant or two! 

UPCOMING SHOWS: 

RHS Hampton Court 2-7 July 

RHS Tatton Park 17-21 July 

North Bucks County Show 1 June 

Warwickshire Game & Country Fair 22-23 June 

New Forest Show 30 July 1 August 

Wiltshire Game & Country Show 10-11 August 

Gillingham & Shaftesbury Show 14-15 August 

Cheshire Game & Country Fair 25-26 August 

Sandringham Game & Country Fair 7-8 September 

Romsey Show 14 September 

There are many more across the country both large and 

small, so check them out and have a fabulous day! 

For more advice, visit Matt Bigg’s website: 

www.matthewbiggs.com 

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NEW BEGINNINGS 

Choosing Retirement Accommodation 

As one approaches retirement 

age, the prospect of downsizing 

and moving into retirement 

accommodation becomes 

increasingly relevant. It’s a significant 

decision that requires careful 

planning. Here, we delve into some 

common considerations to help guide 

you through this transitional phase. 

LOCATION, LOCATION, 

LOCATION 

First and foremost, consider the 

location. Do you want to stay close 

to family and friends, or perhaps 

venture to a new area for a fresh 

start? Think about amenities nearby, 

such as shops, healthcare facilities, 

and recreational activities. Access 

to public transport is also crucial 

for maintaining independence 

and staying connected with the 

community. 

TYPES OF 

ACCOMMODATION 

Retirement accommodation 

comes in various forms, including 

independent living apartments, 

retirement villages, and assisted 

living facilities. Determine the 

level of support you require and 

choose accommodation that aligns 

with your needs and preferences. 

Independent living offers freedom 

and autonomy, while assisted living 

provides additional support with 

daily tasks and healthcare services. 

FINANCIAL 

CONSIDERATIONS 

Budgeting plays a vital role in the 

decision-making process. Consider 

the cost of accommodation, including 

any ongoing fees for maintenance, 

utilities, and services. Explore 

financial options such as selling your 

current property, renting, or accessing 

equity release schemes. 

FUTURE-PROOFING 

Planning for the future is essential 

when considering retirement 

accommodation. Think about how 

your needs may change over time 

and whether the accommodation 

can accommodate those changes. 

Look for features such as accessible 

design, mobility aids, and flexible 

care options. By future-proofing your 

choice, you can ensure that your 

retirement accommodation remains 

suitable and supportive in the years 

to come. 

HEALTHCARE AND 

SUPPORT SERVICES 

As we age, our healthcare 

needs may evolve. Consider 

proximity to healthcare facilities 

and the availability of support 

services. Assess whether the 

accommodation offers on-site 

healthcare professionals, emergency 

assistance, and access to additional 

care if needed. Prioritising access 

to healthcare can provide peace of 

mind and ensure your well-being as 

you age. 

LEGAL AND 

CONTRACTUAL 

CONSIDERATIONS 

Before finalising any agreements, 

thoroughly review the legal and 

contractual aspects of the retirement 

accommodation. Seek legal advice 

if necessary to understand the 

terms and obligations involved. Pay 

attention to details such as lease 

agreements, service contracts, 

and exit fees. It’s crucial to have 

clarity regarding your rights and 

responsibilities as a resident. 

SOCIAL AND 

RECREATIONAL 

OPPORTUNITIES 

Retirement accommodation often 

provides a range of social and 

recreational activities to enrich 

residents’ lives. From fitness 

classes and hobby groups to 

communal events and outings, 

these opportunities foster a sense 

of community. Take the time to 

explore the amenities and social 

offerings available within different to 

find the right fit for your lifestyle. 

EMBRACING THE 

JOURNEY 

Moving into retirement 

accommodation marks the 

beginning of a new chapter in 

life. Embrace this transition with 

optimism and open-mindedness. 

Take the time to explore different 

options, ask questions, and involve 

loved ones in the decision-making 

process. By carefully considering 

your needs and preferences, you 

can embark on this journey with 

confidence and enthusiasm. 

Choosing retirement accommodation 

requires thoughtful planning and 

consideration of various factors. By 

focusing on location, accommodation 

type, financial considerations, social 

opportunities, healthcare services, 

future-proofing, legal aspects, and 

embracing the journey, you can make 

an informed decision that aligns 

with your lifestyle and preferences. 

Remember, this transition is an 

opportunity for new beginnings and 

exciting possibilities. 


Let our family care for yours 

We are here to help 

Our team at Notaro Care Homes, have a wealth of 

experience and knowledge, so we understand 

what a critical time it is for the whole family 

when considering future care options. 

We are always here to talk to you, offer advice 

and support you through the process. 

We are a family run business and have been 

providing vital care and support to individuals 

across Somerset for nearly 40 years. 

Casa di Lusso 

Casa di Lusso Dementia Nursing Care Home, 

Bower Lane, Bridgwater, Somerset, TA6 4GU 

Call 01278 557100 

Fax 01278 557099 

La Fontana 

La Fontana Dementia Nursing Care Home, 

Foldhill Lane, Martock, Somerset, TA12 6PQ 

Call 01935 829900 

Fax 01935 829955 

Cedar Lodge 

Cedar Lodge & The Limes Care Home, 

Hope Corner Lane, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7PB 

Call 01823 286158 

Fax 01823 327730 

Aspen Court 

Aspen Court Dementia Nursing Home, 

Hope Corner Lane, Taunton, Somerset, TA2 7PB 

Call 01823 346000 

Fax 01823 346001 

Immacolata House 

Immacolata House Dementia Nursing Care Home, 

Portway, Langport, Somerset, TA10 0NQ 

Call 01458 254200 

Fax 01458 254201 

Call or visit our website 

to learn more: 

01934 422822 

notarohomes.co.uk 

enquiry@notarohomes.co.uk 

enquiry@notarohomes.co.uk | notarohomes.co.uk | 01934 422822

BRISTOL BOUTIQUE: No. 4 CLIFTON ARCADE, BRISTOL, BS8 4AA

Bristol Living Jun - Jul 2024

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