Surrey Homes | SH119 | December 2024 | Christmas Supplement inside

PRICELESS

DECEMBER 2024

119

DECEMBER 2024

CHRISTMAS SUPPLEMENT inside

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

HANDMADE BY PRESTONS

Under the guidance of our Workshop Manager, Lorne Mehlstaubler, our goldsmiths

and gemsetters work with both traditional and modern techniques to create beautiful,

timeless jewellery for each of our in-house collections.

AT OUR LONDON WORKSHOP, 8 ELY PLACE

This classic trilogy ring is set with a certified E colour,

VVS2 clarity 5.55 carat oval cut centre stone, framed by

two step-cut half moons. The half moon is a traditional

shape for shoulder stones, and this pair of diamonds

has been selected to be perfectly symmetrical.

Hand-set round brilliant cut diamonds provide a

hidden detail beneath the setting.

19-20-045, £396,750

www.prestonsdiamonds.co.uk

WILMSLOW | NORWICH | GUILDFORD | LONDON

BESPOKE KITCHEN DESIGN

DESIGN • SUPPLY • MANAGE • INSTALL

Come and visit our showroom:

Bancroft Road, Reigate, Surrey, RH2 7RP

01293 826620

www.rdokitchenstudio.co.uk

rdokitchenstudio

Surrey’s Premier Builder

Upfold Construction has been established since 2009

and is a domestic builder providing services throughout

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire.

Located in Cranleigh we are perfectly placed to offer a

total building service to those clients seeking a local,

professional and reliable builder. We carry out all aspects

of building from extensions, renovations to a complete

home refurbishment allowing us to provide a package of

design, planning, building & finishing.

We are members of The Chartered Institute of Building

which guarantees our committment to quality of product,

services and integrity of conduct.

For more information, please contact us on: 01483 600335

Email: info@upfoldconstruction.co.uk or www.upfoldconstruction.co.uk

GL Graduate Landscapes

...._ _ ___. garden design, construction & maintenance

lo\ GOLD- CHAS • ssnp

-

MEDALW dta -"'"' Constructionltne N

www.graduatelandscapes.co.uk

priceless-magazines.com

Contents

December 2024

32

74

48

14

27

31

32

47

48

57

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

A HOUSE OF CREATIVITY

Art and textiles take centre stage

in a beautiful coastal home

GET THE LOOK

How to achieve Susan and

Sam’s clean and chic aesthetic

URBAN CODE

A 1960s home that’s undergone

a fantastic renovation

GET THE LOOK

Create a cosy mid-century

inspired retreat

74

81

83

86

87

STARS OF THE SEASON

Charlotte Butterworth creates

moreish Christmas canapés

in Rencraft Tunbridge

Wells’ new show kitchen

YOU’RE A STAR

Rebecca Cuffe edits

sparkling festive fashion

HOME, SWEET

SCENTED HOME

Josephine Fairley chooses her

favourite fragranced candles

HAIR IN DESPAIR?

Sarah Maxwell tackles

post-workout barnets

NOURISH TO FLOURISH

Charlotte Lau explores the

benefits of eating sprouts!

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.

88

91

92

94

98

FEED THE BIRDS

Jo Arnell explains how we can support

our feathered friends through winter

COULD DO BETTER

Mike Piercy’s reflections on

end of year reports

TREND SETTERS

Education news

WHAT’S ON: FESTIVE SPECIAL

Fun-filled dates for your diary...

FABLES FROM THE FARM

Jane Howard’s latest instalment

from Coopers Farm

CHRISTMAS

SUPPLEMENT

Gifts galore to

spoil family

and friends.

After page 58

istockphoto.com/ Ekaterina Chalysheva

9


Contemporary, reliable

and expertly crafted

swimming pools

POOL CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE | SPA | LANDSCAPING

Simplicity and expert finishings have been our unbeatable combination for

over 40 years. Based in Surrey, we are a family run business that is committed

to providing a premier service on both private and commercial projects.

www.lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk 01932 569 569 info@lagoonpoolsltd.co.uk

LagoonPools-FullPage-SurreyHomes-April.indd 1 12/04/2023 16:59

LagoonPoolsWT252.indd 1 18/04/2023 10:50

From the

Editor

Our interiors this month come courtesy of

creative fashion couple Susan and Sam, who

have spent the last few years completely

updating their beautiful seaside home, and furniture

and antiques experts Beatrice and John who have taken

on the refurbishment of a deceptively spacious 1960s

house. See how their distinctive styles have spilled

over from their careers and into their interiors.

Keen to get on top of the Christmas shopping?

Rebecca Cuffe has been busy tracking down some

brilliant gifts that she’s grouped by price to make

them even easier to shop. Browse everything

from stocking fillers to extra special showstoppers

and prevent that last-minute stressful rush.

If, like me, you adore scented candles, then

Josephine Fairley’s in-depth look at some of her

favourite candle brands is sure to inspire either a gift

for a friend or a treat for yourself. There’s something

for everyone, no matter your fragrance type.

We’ve been out and about at Rencraft Tunbridge Wells

with Charlotte Butterworth, aka @theneedy.greedy,

to shoot a trio of party canapés in

their stylish new display kitchen.

Find out how to get creative with

smoked trout, juicy prawns and

flavoursome Stilton to thrill festive

guests over Christmas and New Year.

Enjoy your Priceless magazine and

have a very Happy Christmas

Priceless Team

EditorLucy Fleming

Supplements & Features EditorRebecca Cuffe

Sub Editor & Features Writer Emily Pavey

Design & Production DirectorAnthony Boxall

Sales Manager, Surrey HomesLisa Gordon-Hughes

lisa.gordon-hughes@surrey-homes.co.uk

Sales Manager, Wealden Times Maria Hurley

maria.hurley@wealdentimes.co.uk

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood

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 Chairman Julie Simpson

Contact number for Wealden Times01580 714705

Contact number for Surrey Homes 01580 236072

11


Hand-crafted beds

for the perfect night’s sleep

Cavendish House, Sydenham Road, Guildford, Surrey GU1 3RX | 01483 380111

jonesandtomlin.co.uk

Find us here!

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of

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

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed

every month. We are available in

the following outlets and are the

only local magazine available at key

commuter stations. If you have any

questions about our distribution please

contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com

istockphoto.com/ Maria Voronovich

Ashtead

• Patrick Gardner

Bagshott

• Cubbitt Antiques

• Howlands

Estate Agents

• Longacres Nursery

Betchworth

• Buckland Deli

• The Community

Shop

Bookham

• Patrick Gardner

Buckland

• Buckland Nurseries

Garden Centre

Camberley

• Romans

Caterham

• Shard Solutions

Cheam

• Cook

Chelsham

• Knights Garden

Centre

Chobham

• Melita

• Pasha

Claygate

• Trew Art

Cobham

• Cobham Furniture

• Oh So Coco

Cranleigh

• Curchods Prime

• Notcutts

• Roger Coupe

Dorking

• Dorking Travel

• Patrick Gardner

• Princess Alice Hospice

• Sainsbury’s

Epsom

• Mayfield Lavender

Nursery & Shop

• Sainsbury’s

Esher

• Sandown Park

Racecourse

Farnham

• Cook

• ME Estate Agents

• Sainsbury’s

• Waterstones

Felbridge

• Doves Barn

Nursery

Godalming

• Cook

• Sainsbury’s

• Sarah Louise Dix

• Waterstones

Godstone

• Knights Garden

Centre

Guildford

• BoConcept

• Elm Nursery

Farm Shop

• High Clandon

Estate Vineyard

• Neptune

Haslemere

• Lythe Hill

Hotel & Spa

• Tesco Superstore

Knaphill

• Sainsbury’s

Leatherhead

• Patrick Gardner

• Robert Leech

& Partners

Lingfield

• Robert Leech

Lyne

• The Farm

Shop Lyne

Milford

• Secretts

Old Oxted

• Fish Plaice & Grill

Oxted

• Cook

• Jackson-Stops

& Staff

• Limpsfield Stores

• Morrisons

• Robert Leech

Oxshott

• The Bear

Redhill

• Priory Farm

Reigate

• Buckland Nurseries

Garden Centre

• County Clothes

• Robert Leech

• RDO Kitchens

Ripley

• Ripley Nurseries

Farm Shop

• The Talbot

Surbiton

• Sainsbury’s

Walton on

Thames

• Waterstones

• Sainsbury’s

Warlingham

• Botley Hill

Farmhouse

• Rayners Estate

Agents

West Byfleet

• Roman Tiles

Weybridge

• Tesco Extra

Woldingham

• Fine & Country

TRAIN

STATIONS

• Dorking

• East Grinstead

• Epsom

• Esher

• Guildford

• Haslemere

• Kingston

• Redhill

• Richmond

• Surbiton

• Weybridge

• Wimbledon

• Woking

13

geo wall hung wc

original original

geo basin

high quality, timeless design, authentic elements

axis

carlton

astonian astonian original original brassware brassware


House

Month

of the

£2,000,000

This month Gordon Lee chooses three of the

loveliest apartments currently for sale in Surrey

Tadworth

The dream: Palatial ground

floor apartment, within a

magnificent, historic mansion.

Where: Kingswood Warren

Park in Tadworth.

Setting: At 4,205 square feet, this is

an exceptional home, set within 19

acres of Kingswood Warren Park.

Beds: 3 Baths: 3

Special features: The lounge/dining

room is one of the house’s original

reception rooms. With towering

ceilings, intricately decorated

walls and twin gas fireplaces that

face each other across the room,

it carries an almost presidential

aura. The entrance hall with high

arched ceilings, clever lighting and

a stunning stained-glass window

is reminiscent of a Cathedral.

Pleasing details: The grandiose,

principal bedroom suite features

a full height bay window with

electric blinds, a gas fire set within a

gorgeous stone surround, luxuriant

walk-in wardrobe, and en suite

bathroom with marble detailing.

Outside: A beautiful private garden

with patio surrounds the property.

In addition, there’s another 5½

acres of communal gardens. Secure

underground parking for two cars,

plus extensive private storage.

Time to town: Banstead and

Reigate are less than 4 miles

away, whilst trains from nearby

Kingswood Station connect

to London in 45 minutes.

Agents: Kennedys’

01737 817718 kennedys-ipa.co.uk

priceless-magazines.com 14

£799,950

Banstead

The dream: Stunning manor house

apartment in private, gated development.

Where: A stone’s throw from Banstead Village.

Setting: Within the most beautiful communal

grounds with manicured lawns and hedges, a

delightful pond and an abundance of trees.

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Special features: The living room stretches across

the rear of the apartment with lovely views over

the gardens, linking to the beautifully presented

kitchen and the dining area within a triple aspect

alcove. There’s also an enchanting, enclosed brick

balcony – perfect for summer evening drinks.

Pleasing details: Both bedrooms are generously

sized, with the principal suite having both an

en suite bathroom and dressing area. There

are beautiful character features throughout.

Outside: There’s a private garage, as well

as an additional allocated parking space

within the glorious communal grounds.

Time to town: Banstead station (just

over a mile away) has connecting trains

to London Victoria. Chipstead station

(1.5 miles) connects to London Bridge.

Agents: Ralph James 01737 371700

ralphjames.co.uk

£750,000

Guildford

The dream: Historic two-bedroom duplex

apartment, in the heart of the city.

Where: A short walk from Guildford High Street.

Setting: The imposing Victorian façade

dates from 1885 but more recently it was

home to the Guildford School of Acting

& Dance, whose alumni include Bill

Nighy, Celia Imrie, and Michael Ball.

Beds: 2 Baths: 2

Special features: Spacious open plan kitchen,

dining and living area with tall ceilings and

large south-facing feature windows that

open out onto a first-floor terrace, ideal

for al fresco dining and entertaining.

Pleasing details: The principal bedroom has a large

arched picture window and vaulted ceilings. Both

second-floor bedrooms have en suite bathrooms

plus there’s a first-floor cloakroom for guests.

Outside: Separate garage with remotecontrolled

shuttered door with additional secure

storage within allocated lockers, in an external

basement, that you access from the courtyard.

Time to town: Guildford’s High Street is just

350 yards away, with the train station (London

Waterloo takes 32 minutes) only 0.4 miles.

Agents: Knight Frank

01483 378769 knightfrank.co.uk

15


No Stamp Duty.

It’s on us.

Make your move to a stylish one, two or three

apartment nestled within the tranquil grounds

of Highfields by 31st March and we will pay your

Stamp Duty!

We understand moving can be stressful and costly.

Our pledge to you is to make the process as easy

as possible by offering a range of services, so you

can enjoy the best parts of life. Join a welcoming

and established community surrounded by beautiful

landscaped gardens, wild flower gardens and allotments.

Stamp Duty paid.

£2,000 legal fees contribution.

Expert downsizing and moving

service from Aprico.

A handyman service when you

move in.

No costly exit fees to pay.

Prices from £495,000

Discover joyful later living at a new home

in one of England’s most inspiring locations

01932 483 127 | highfields@pegasushomes.co.uk

Highfields, 61 Hobbs Close, West Byfleet KT14 6LT. Image shown is photography at Highfields. Prices shown are correct at time of publication and may be subject to

change. Prices shown are exclusive of service charge, which is payable monthly and is reviewed annually. To qualify for this promotion, customers must complete on

their purchase by 31st March 2025. The value of tier 1 only Stamp Duty will be discounted from the purchase price. For full terms visit pegasushomes.co.uk/stampduty

BEACHFRONT LIVING

Ready to move in now. 55 minutes to London. On the edge of the ocean.

Sea view apartments from £395,000. Beach houses from £1,250,000.

BOOK YOUR VIEWING 01303 760 940 doug.acton@folkestoneharbour.com

shorelinefolkestone.co.uk

Assisted living apartments

for the independently minded

Enjoyeach day.

As we get older, it’s easy to get stuck,

holding on to what’s familiar – even when

it starts feeling like more of a burden.

Birchgrove offers a way

to lighten the load.

A warm, supportive space where you can

thrive. It’s not about losing independence;

it’s about gaining it and the freedom to

live your life more fully.

If you are starting to feel the balance tip

why not explore how we can support you

in making this decision with confidence.

“I’d reached a point where

independence felt more like isolation.

Moving has given me a chance

to regain a social life.”

Leading

the way

in retirement

rental living

Maybe it’s time to explore Birchgrove...

www.birchgrove.life / 020 3929 5599

Locations in Surrey, Kent & London:

Banstead | Chiswick | Ewell | Godalming | Hampton

Leatherhead | Mill Hill | Sidcup | Woking

ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Renting in retirement opens

up all sorts of possibilities for

people. The appeal may take

time to be apparent to those

accustomed to home ownership. Still,

for various reasons, it can uplift your

whole quality of life and be liberating.

Birchgrove’s retirement communities

are designed to offer more than just

accommodation; they provide an

improved lifestyle. Their properties

range from 1, 2, and 3-bedroom

self-contained apartments, each

thoughtfully designed to combine

comfort with modern accessibility.

The on-site facilities are nothing short

of exceptional, featuring a club room,

library, restaurant, licensed bar, and

wellness suite, all set within beautifully

landscaped gardens that include a

greenhouse for gardening enthusiasts.

Birchgrove’s ethos centres on creating a

genuine extension of the residents’ homes,

fostering a true sense of community. This

is evident in the monthly events calendar,

which is packed with activities to suit all

interests and quiet spaces for those seeking

Downsizing for a

better quality of life

solitude and reflection. The presence of

24-hour staff and high-quality care and

support provision ensures that every

resident’s need is met professionally.

Innovative technology is integrated into

each apartment, ensuring help is readily

available at the touch of a button. This

and weekly housekeeping support allow

residents to enjoy a worry-free lifestyle.

Birchgrove has properties in London,

Kent and Surrey, with additional

communities under construction

and more in the planning stages.

Downsizing for a better quality of life

makes sense, but bungalows are scarce

and command such premium prices

that you’re unlikely to be able to free

up enough money to enjoy that dream

retirement. Then there’s stamp duty, legal

fees, and the likelihood you’ll have to

spend more money on whatever you buy

to make it suitable to grow old in – all

this means many end up staying put.

Unique to the Birchgrove offer is its

inclusive rental model which covers

electricity, water, heating, broadband &

WIFI, buildings insurance, buildings

maintenance (e.g. plumbing) line rental

and telephone calls, security, general

maintenance, rubbish collection, 24hr

emergency aid, window cleaning and

weekly housekeeping. And that’s not all!

The inclusive rent also provides access

to the Moveasy service from the Senior

Move Partnership, providing personalised

support to help you plan and manage

your move from your very own Senior

Move Manager. You will also have access

to a financial planner to assist you on how

best to fund your move to Birchgrove.

A significant number of people put off

the decision of planning for their later

years for one reason or another, often

saying that it isn’t time yet. Some hesitate,

remaining at home in a large family

house that is often not adapted to their

needs as they age, and so it’s not until a

crisis, ill-health or the devasting effects

of loneliness and isolation that they start

to think seriously about the decision.

Birchgrove communities are designed

to help you stay healthier, happier

and stronger, both physically

and mentally, for longer.

To find out more about Birchgrove and to

explore your options, please contact the

team on 020 3929 5599

or visit www.birchgrove.life

WHERE

NEIGHBOURS

BECOME

friends

HOMEWOOD GROVE

CHERTSEY

Discover a vibrant, friendly community exclusively for

the over 60s at Homewood Grove. It is a place where

you feel an instant, comforting connection. Where you

can have a quick chat in passing or while away the

hours reflecting on shared passions and experiences.

A place where the darker nights are filled with a warm

glow, and neighbours become lasting friends.

1, 2 AND 3 BEDROOM

APARTMENTS AVAILABLE.

YOUR NEW LIFE STARTS TODAY!

Call us on 01932 645092 or visit

www.rangefordvillages.co.uk

Prices from £399,950 †

Marketing Suite, Homewood Grove, Chertsey, Surrey KT16 0AU. Open Monday - Saturday 10am - 5pm

†

Other charges apply.

23359 RV_HWG_Surrey Homes_Full Page Ad_A4.indd 1 08/11/2024 13:55

We transform houses to create incredible living spaces

with a spectacular relationship to the garden.

For more information contact us

gregoryphillips.com

@gregoryphillipsarchitects

+44 20 7724 3040


Discover

Scotland

Place:

the perfect balance

of tranquillity and

accessibility

A family paradise

Scotland Place provides the perfect backdrop to raise a

family, surrounded by the lush serenity of the Surrey Hills

and South Downs National Park. The development offers

a safe, vibrant community with nature just steps away. The

2.3km woodland walk invites daily adventures and outdoor

play, while top-tier schools such as St Bartholomew’s

CofE and The Royal School ensure academic excellence.

For parents balancing work and family life, commuting

is effortless with the A3 just three miles away and direct

trains taking you to London Waterloo in under an hour.

A refined retreat

Transition to a lifestyle where tranquillity meets sophistication.

Scotland Place is your ticket to a leafy, peaceful way

of living, complemented by Haslemere’s historic town

centre just moments away. Indulge in boutique shopping,

charming cafes, and high-end spots like Waitrose, Coppa

Club, and Space NK. Plus, the monthly farmer’s market

adds a touch of local charm to your routine. Sustainable

touches, including air source heat pumps, EV charging

points, and a residents’ e-bike hub, not only enhance your

comfort but also provide long-term value and efficiency.

Designed for luxurious living

Each home at Scotland Place boasts thoughtfully curated,

contemporary features: underfloor heating for cosy

mornings, Quooker taps for instant hot water, highspec

appliances, and spa-inspired bathrooms. Enhanced

insulation and over 40% green open space create an ecofriendly

haven that doesn’t compromise on style.

With recent interest rate cuts making your dream home more

attainable, now is the perfect moment to claim your place at

Scotland Place. Experience the ultimate in luxury living and see

why those who demand the best are choosing to call it home.

For more information, please visit

www.eliviahomes.co.uk/developments/scotland-place

The gift of reassurance

When you’re making big decisions, you want to know you’re

in good hands. Our expert team offer a range of legal

support, including:

Wills, LPAs and Probate

Property

Family law

Employment law

Disputes

owenwhitecatlin.co.uk

contact@owc.co.uk 01932 220451

Addlestone. Ashford. Hammersmith & Chiswick. Esher. Feltham. Shepperton.

Christmas is a time for

family.

What could be better

than creating

memories in your own

luxury lodge.

Turn your dream of a

new life in the Kent

countryside into a

reality with your own

luxury lodge.

23


istockphoto.com/Liubov Khutter-Kukkonin

That Festive Feeling!

We look back on a glittering three days at Wealden Times Midwinter Fair!

istockphoto.com/Liubov Khutter-Kukkonin

Our Midwinter Fair returned

to The Hop Farm in Paddock

Wood for three glorious

days of Christmas shopping from

14-16 November. Gifts and goodies

galore were expertly curated by our

amazing exhibitors throughout seven

cosy, interconnected marquees. Over

250 independent retailers set up their

beautiful stands to offer fashion,

jewellery, homewares, art, decorations,

food, drink and gifts to the thousands

of visitors who came to make a sizeable

dent in their Christmas shopping lists.

Visitors to our Holly and Ivy cafés

were serenaded with carols by talented

school choirs from Hazelwood School,

Dulwich Cranbrook, Ashford School,

The New Beacon and Junior King’s

Canterbury – a big thank you goes out to

all the smiling students and teachers who

put on such wonderful performances.

The winner of the Midwinter Fair’s

best stand this year was Sugandha!

Helen put so much effort into a

beautiful display of her gorgeous rollon

fragrances and incense, creating

a memorable woodland scene with

mosses and foraged foliage.

If you’re desperate to track down

something you spotted at the fair,

but didn’t get around to buying,

the stands are listed on our website

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk where you can

also find all the info. on next year’s

Midsummer and Midwinter Fairs.


Look out for our blue label

SPECIAL BUY

tickets in store.

Up to70% OFF

Original RRP

Tel: 01420 590510

distinctivelightinguk.com

SHOWROOM OPENING HOURS

9am - 5pm: Monday - Friday.

9am - 1pm: Saturday

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

Surrey Homes FP_Dec 2024.indd 1 12/11/2024 15:12:47

Notebook

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best

of what to see and do near you

Festive

Delight

Holly & Ivy

Celebrate Christmas in a

traditional Elizabethan style at

the exquisite Sissinghurst Castle

Garden. Experience a brand-new

seasonal garden installation in

collaboration with Aesme Studio,

take in the spectacular views at the

top of the Tower, stroll around the

lake walks and more! Visitors can

try their hand at decorating a yule

log, take part in a festive family

trail, dress up like Lords and

Ladies of the manor, book onto

a delicious Christmas lunch and

shop for indulgent stocking fillers.

It runs from 23 Nov 2024 to 5 Jan

2025, for more information visit

nationaltrust.org.uk/sissinghurst

istockphoto.com/ igoriss

Seasonal

fun awaits at Chessington

Garden Centre, as they celebrate the

20th year of Santa’s Christmas Wonderland

– you’ll find all sorts of holiday magic! Step into

an enchanting world filled with wonder and delightful

surprises. Begin your journey in a cosy woodland setting, where

a cheerful elf will share a heartwarming Christmas tale under a

twinkling tree. Then, embark on a snowy forest walk, where forest

animals, glowing mushrooms and playful elves bring the scene to life.

Next, visit Mrs Claus in her gingerbread kitchen to decorate

your very own gingerbread cookies, filling the air with warm

holiday scents. Board the magical Christmas train for a scenic ride

through winter landscapes, narrated by a charming conductor

who sets the stage for the beautiful Christmas town ahead.

Finally, step into Santa’s bustling workshop, where industrious

elves craft toys and prepare gifts, offering an awe-inspiring view

of the North Pole’s magic. With twinkling lights, charming

Christmas scenes and joyful surprises around every

corner, Santa’s Christmas Wonderland promises a

holiday experience your family will love.

chessingtongardencentre.co.uk

IN THE

MOOD

This holiday season,

the Festival Theatre will host

special Christmas performances in the

Hever Castle Guthrie Pavilion. Featuring

stunning artists, Christmas songs, festive

dinners and exclusive access to Hever

Castle’s Twilight Christmas Experience

on two of the evenings (5 and 6 Dec).

Christmas dinner will be served

before the first half of the concert

and pudding in the interval before

the second half. The West End Jerseys

at Christmas will be on Thurs 5 at

7pm and Simon Howard is Christmas

with Tom Jones on Friday 6 Dec

at 7pm. Tickets are on sale now!

Visit heverfestival.co.uk or call

07379 488477

27

priceless-magazines.

Ding Dong

Bard Work

Head to The Bell in

Ticehurst for festive fun plus

great food and drink this

month. There’s Bingo with

Delilah Tickles and Anita

Wee on 5th December (£15)

for beginners and aficionados

alike, plus a Christmas

Comedy Night on 12th

December with Ross Smith

and Leah Davis (£15). Find

out more details at

thebellinticehurst.com

Star

Quality

Give the little ones a treat and take them along

to The Marlowe Studio for a performance of My

Pet Star. It’s a brand-new family musical based on

the 2019 Sainsbury’s Children’s Book of the Year

by BAFTA-winning writer Corrinne Averiss and

award-winning illustrator Rosalind Beardshaw.

Packed with original songs, this is the perfect

introduction to theatre, suitable for ages three

and up. It’ll run from 7th December until

4th January.

marlowetheatre.com

Are ye lookinge for a new challenge this

January? The Guildford Shakespeare Company

will be running adult classes that look to us like

a great opportunity to get to know some new

friends and the great playwright’s work at

the same time.

Shake it with Shakespeare starting on 15th

January (£50 for 5 weeks) will be an interactive

workshop blending acting and movement (with

no previous dance experience necessary).

The Bard’s not that Hard! starts on 14th January

(£170 for 10 weeks) and will explore his plays

through close reading, group discussion

and practical exercises in their professional

rehearsal room. No experience of acting is

required and all ages are welcome. This term

will explore his rollercoaster farce, The Comedy

of Errors, expect fun (and tea and biscuits).

guildford-shakespeare-company.co.uk/adult-classes/

Core Skills

Enhance your

gardening skills and get the

most from your fruit trees with

Guy Pullen’s one-day apple pruning

workshops, hosted in a beautiful orchard

near Benenden. Each Saturday and Sunday

from 4th to 19th January – £55, limited

availability so do book soon.

Contact Guy for more info on

07977 571368 or

info@goldfinch-gardens.co.uk

istockphoto.com/ Credit:Daria Slobodianika / kokoroyuki / Olga Sidelnikova/ kirstypargeter / Marina Skryzhova

28

23 NOV – 25 JAN

by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE | directed by TOM LITTLER

starring PATRICIA ALLISON, JANE ASHER and OLIVER FORD DAVIES

18 – 22 DEC

by HANNAH KHALIL

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directed by NATASHA RICKMAN

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Leeds Castle is the place to be this month; tour a

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For this year’s

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tipple try Silent

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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!

For your winter arm

candy shop Surrey

brand Launer’s

Platinum Jubilee Tartan

handbags. This one is

the Piccolo, a mini bag

with royal style. It was

chosen and approved

by Queen Elizabeth,

and officially registered

in The Scottish

Register of Tartans.

£1,720 at launer.com

Whether you’re driving

home for Christmas or

flying far far away, some

good luggage will get you there in

style! This is the Superiority suitcase

from it Luggage. Its extendable

hard shell case is a sturdy friend for

the inevitable moments of praying

it will shut, and it’s as beautiful

inside as it is out with a vintage

style world map lining. Comes in

large (£120), medium (£110) and

cabin size (£100) itluggage.com

Starfish Project’s new

gift sets make the perfect

present that gives back.

100% of the profits go

to helping exploited

women to live freely

and independently.

Their beautiful options

include sets for him

& her and they start

from as little as £70.

starfishproject.org.uk

If you’re expecting guests

for the holidays or just

adding a touch of festivity

to your home, Chelsea

Peers bedding may be

just what you need. With

designs sporting candycane

style stripes and

sweet little bows, their options range from

all-out festivity to classy with subtle nods

to the season that can still be used again

throughout the year. This cotton ribbon

bow print set is from £70 at chelseapeers.com

Wrap up warm and cosy

as winter chills approach

with the best of blankets,

throws cushions and

pillows. This one is the

result of a collaboration

between Burleigh and

Bedeck of Belfast. It

measures 130cm x

170cm and also comes in blue and charcoal.

Find it at Jones and Tomlin stores in Sussex

and Surrey for £165 jonesandtomlin.co.uk

31



Susan and Sam Pearson have adapted the creative

skills they have amassed during their careers in

fashion, to undertake the renovation of their

striking St Leonards home that now reflects their

keen eye for design and effortlessly cool style

A house of

Creativity

Words: Antonia Deeson

Photographs: David Merewether

This spread: Wall hung guitars set the tone in the music room. In frames sit some of Sam and Susan’s collections of

illustrations, hand marbled papers and pieces of art given to them by friends and family over the years

Hastings has always had a strong community of

creatives. Susan and Sam Pearson, who stumbled

across Hastings as their new home in 2016, were

thrilled to find a thriving community of designers and

writers waiting for them, some they knew already, many

they have met since they moved. The couple happened

upon the town following a throwaway suggestion by a

friend. “I did a bit of house snooping online,” says Susan,

“so I could tell there were people like us here. The Jerwood

(now Hastings Contemporary) had just opened and then

we saw shops like vintage homeware store A.G. Hendy

& Co in the Old Town and knew we could live here and

we could find our ‘tribe’ in this end of East Sussex.”

The couple, who had moved from London to Brighton

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34

This page: Like the music room, the dining room is drenched

with light from the huge, glazed windows at the front of the house

a couple of decades earlier, had relocated further down the

coast to Devon. “It was lovely there, but we really felt it was

time to come back to civilisation,” laughs Sam. “We cut our

teeth on two properties down in Devon and were looking for

a large undone property to convert, back in the South East.”

Despite their initial reservations about the house, Susan – who

had spent years in fashion working as a knitwear designer for

luxury brands such as Max Mara – and Sam – who had been

one of fashion’s most in-demand pattern cutters for several

decades, including Saville Row and Nicole Farhi – decided

to throw caution to the wind and make the move. “It was the

first house we saw and we initially thought it would be far

too much work for us!” says Susan. “It was an absolute mess,”

agrees Sam. “It had been used for multiple occupancy and had

been literally carved up into bedsits, with stud walls butting up

to windows and doors. We knew we had to strip it back to its

bones before we could even begin to renovate it back to life.”

The house was full of rotten carpets and added partitions

everywhere with extra showers and sinks, so the couple rolled

up their sleeves and began work. “The first day we completed

on the sale,” says Sam, “I walked in with a sledgehammer

and took out all the stud walls so we could see what space we

actually had, and then we drew up floor plans, and worked out

how we could adapt it to make it back to a single residence,

somewhere that we would like to live.” The couple began work

but then stopped during Covid and focused on the garden,

before picking up the renovation in 2022. “Doing up houses

35


This page: The kitchen was originally divided up into two bedrooms and a bathroom. Susan and Sam completely opened it up, creating a

heart to the home that’s part vintage finds, part bespoke joinery and part stylish high street adaptations. The flooring throughout is limestone

has been a great new string to our creative bow,” says Susan.

“Working in fashion for so long, when we turned our hand

to renovating the period house in Devon, we found that we

really enjoyed it. We designed something that people really

wanted to live in, and so coming to Hastings we applied what

we had learnt and just scaled it up. We’ve been lucky that

we chose a house that was in a great area, somewhere that is

getting more and more fashionable. St Leonards is becoming

the place to live and open a business. It’s quite exciting, it feels

like Brighton did when we first moved there many years ago.”

Susan, who has since re-trained in kitchen design, is now

developing her skills in interior design, moving away from

fashion. The kitchen, originally divided up into two bedrooms

and a shower room, was completely opened up. “When we took

out the old ground floor extension we found box bay footings

at the back, so I took inspiration from other houses in the

road to get an idea of what the house should look like. I knew

I didn’t want to put in bifolds, I wanted to add cosiness and

warmth, and we felt the glazed box bay was the way to do it.

We were lucky to find some ex-display windows, and bought

up as many as we could for a bargain price, unfortunately there

was only one of many of the shapes, as they were ex-display,

and so we had to buy the pair to it at the retail price. So one

pair cost me £200 and the other one £2000!” laughs Susan.

Luckily for the couple, whilst Susan has applied her fashion

background to the design and aesthetics of the building, their

secret weapon has been Sam, who has done the majority of

the build himself. “When Brexit happened and then Covid,

the cost of building materials went through the roof,” says

Sam. “If we had used contractors, our entire budget would

have been blown in a few weeks’ work. So, necessity meant

that we had to do it ourselves. But we knew we could do it –

we had done it in Devon, it was just now on a much bigger

scale.” Susan believes that by doing the build themselves and

going at a slower pace, they avoided making many mistakes,

especially in terms of their aesthetic choices. “At the beginning,

I had ideas of painting everything white, with black framed

Crittall windows and natural woods. However, I had to

remember that I am a textile designer, I love colour, I love

texture and also I have been in fashion long enough that I

don’t follow trends, as I know too well that trends go out

of fashion! So, in the end, I just went with what I love.”

The fabulous ground floor kitchen is focused on a large

handmade oak topped island. Timber framed painted doors,

Ercol bar stools and a wall of stunning limed oak door cabinets

really set the tone for the rest of the house – part vintage finds,

part bespoke joinery, part stylish high street adaptations and

a lot of very hard graft. The antique oak doors that run down

one wall were a discovery from eBay, which the couple then

sandblasted and oiled. They found the brass handles in the


36

Scan QR code

This page: Susan and Sam went with

a dark colour on the walls of the snug,

with pops of pink to give some definition.

“I think painting dark rooms a dark

colour is the best way to handle them,”

says Susan. “Now it looks textural and

warm, rather than cold and dark.”

souk in Istanbul, the antique finger plates

and rim locks were another eBay find

and Sam created the beautiful bespoke

interiors. “We took the door handles

from our old Brighton house, via Devon,

and brought them with us to Hastings, so

they are very well travelled!” says Susan.

The features on the doors give instant

architectural period detail. The kitchen

cabinets were from Wickes and then Sam

adapted the units, the doors, the drawers,

the skirting boards and kick boards,

which is why the kitchen feels very far

from something you might find in a

brochure. A series of industrial overhead

lights came from a shop in Devon which

the couple had stored away for ages. “We

kept the sockets and the metal lighting

conduits quite industrial to suit the lights.

We were inspired by the local Hastings

restaurant Half Man Half Burger,” says

Sam. An old-fashioned phone sits on

the wall and looks just perfect. Through

the glazed doors of the newly rebuilt box

bay is the garden that the couple have rescaled,

opened up and re-structured with

gabions of smooth stones and new stairs.

Susan and Sam opened up a structural

wall between the kitchen and the

adjacent room, allowing light to flow

from the main room into the TV snug

next door. Just enough has been kept

to retain a sense of division between

the two spaces and on a practical note,

to allow the TV to be mounted on it.

“The TV snug was never a light room,

so we went with a dark colour on the

walls and the ceiling, with pops of pink

to give some definition, “says Susan. “I

think painting dark rooms a dark colour

is the best way to handle them. I then

asked Sam to make me some shutters,

which he created from some oak Wickes

kitchen doors, as it was a bit of a dark

corridor outside and now it looks textural

and warm, rather than cold and dark.”

On the wall is grouped artwork,

curated by Susan (which she has

mirrored in many of the other rooms),

including family pictures, illustrations

and kimono sleeve textiles (given to the

couple for their wedding) which have

been framed and combined to beautiful

effect. A comfy corner leather sofa is

covered with a cacophony of textures

that is continued on the floor with a

bold red Qashqai rug that the couple

originally bought in Brighton, the pair

of which is now in the music room.

Underfoot, a stunning limestone

flooring offers a seamless flow from

one room to the next, all across the


38

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39


This page: On the top floor there’s another guest bedroom,

a storage area for photographic equipment, and a room that

has been created for Susan and Sam’s grandchildren

ground floor. The patina within the fossilised limestone offers

a subtle sense of pattern and, beneath the stone flooring, Sam

has fitted an underfloor heating system that gently radiates

heat. From the airy entrance hall, drenched in light from the

original glazed doors, one is led off to a dining room, a utility

room (packed with storage cupboards, which Susan laughs was

mainly designed to take pieces of vintage kitchen and hardware

from A.G. Hendy’s!) and a wonderfully elegant music room

(as well as a chic downstairs loo). Susan and Sam were keen

that the soaring ceilings were kept wherever possible to allow

the Victorian dimensions of the house to sing. “Sadly a lot of

the original ceiling detailing was lost in the last conversion, so

we have chosen to add decorative vintage touches at eye level,

so radiators, door handles, finger plates and switches have all

been chosen with this in mind. We were very good customers

of Authentic Reclamation in Stonegate,” agrees Sam.

The couple have kept a similar grey tone in both the kitchen

and in the dining room which is again drenched with light

from the huge, glazed windows at the front of the house that

have been dressed with simple white louvered wooden shutters.

Overhead sit a series of Holophane lights which are industrial in

feel like the kitchen and originally came from the Rolls Royce

factory. These, like many items in the house, were sourced

from one of the many antiques shops in nearby Norman Rd.

Next door to the dining room, the music room is an homage

to Sam’s love of music. Wall hung guitars and a cabinet packed

with vinyl set the tone. It’s most definitely a grown-up room

with a rock’n’roll edge. Painted in Mylands Portcullis Marble

Matt, Susan takes us on an aesthetic journey to Morocco (via

Scotland). Underfoot is the pair of the Qashqai rug found

in the TV room. Inlaid Moroccan wooden tables and a large

Moroccan brass platter sit side by side patterned cushions

and textural throws. It’s elegant, it’s sumptuous and yet it

is cosy. In yet more beautifully curated frames sit more of

Sam and Susan’s collections of illustrations, hand marbled

papers and pieces of art given to them by friends and family

over the years. “I had to be creative with the artwork in this

house, I have so many walls so I can’t fill them with priceless

pieces of art, so we have had to think outside of the box, and

make artwork from books, illustrations and found pieces.”

Underneath the wall of art sits a stunning tweed sofa and


40

As another year nears its end, we want to take a moment to express our deepest

gratitude to all our current and future customers. We look forward to helping you

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pair of stools which were made for the

couple by an upholsterer they shared

a studio with in Devon. “He wanted

me to make him a three-piece suit, so

I made him one in a Lovat tweed and

then he upholstered our furniture in a

similar tweed fabric from Johnstons of

Elgin. Bizarrely enough our daughter,

who is also a part time interior

designer, chose the very same fabric

for a chair in her house, I mean, what

are the chances of that?” laughs Sam.

Another artist, Marc Heaton – who

worked in the same studio in Devon as

the couple – made the sculpture that

sits on the console in the bay window,

which fittingly for a music room, is

made entirely from old piano keys.

A very solid yet sweeping staircase,

with its original wooden handrail (posts

and finials) takes you effortlessly to the

first floor via a large, glazed window,

which Susan chose to paint in an

oxblood to mirror the palette of the dark

wood of the banisters. Upstairs there

are two first floor bedrooms, a family

bathroom and a studio space for the

couple, packed with tailors’ dummies

and pattern cutting tools that nod to

Sam and Susan’s life in fashion. “I have

so much cashmere packed away, I really

need to start making things, this house

has taken up so much time, it will be


This spread: The soft blue main bedroom

suite features silk ikat fabrics that

Susan bought online from Uzbekistan.

Black and white photographs by Karl

Blossfeldt fill the wall; the couple’s work

room; the main bedroom en suite

wonderful to start again!” laughs Susan.

The main bedroom suite has been

painted in soft blue – Susan sources

most of her paint from Little Greene

and Mylands. The bedhead has been

created with silk ikat fabrics that Susan

bought online from Uzbekistan. The

grey, white and burgundy pattern

is subtly mirrored in the cushions,

which are an Oscar de la Renta fabric,

which were in turn inspired by Powys

Castle’s tent room. A rug from the

local auctioneers Bairstow and Hewett

in Battle sits on the floor. An Arts and

Crafts style wooden bed frame from

Liberty and a 2006 Stickley Mission

School pair of wardrobes, offer pops of

stylish hand-crafted timber. Black and

white photographs from the turn of

the 19th century by Karl Blossfeldt fill

the wall. Above the head are Scandistyle

pendant light shades seamlessly

added, from Dunelm – high street and

high end combined to perfect effect.

The family bathroom painted in

light bright white, features a tessellated

style blue and grey geometric floor.

A smart Crosswater shower enclosure

and a Bayswater boat bath are matched

with sinks from the Bath Store. Again,

Susan has used old illustrations as

the artwork in simple black frames

that sit bold against the white of the

walls. Louvered shutters, as with the

floor below, keep the look consistent

from one floor to the next – smart,

crisp and stylishly functional.

The pink guest bedroom on the

same floor feels very different in style

from the blue room and features dark

wood Balinese furniture that the

couple bought from Lombok which

they have mirrored in a dark wood

floor. “Although it’s pink,” says Susan,

“we find men love this room. In fact

‘setting plaster’ pink like this used to

be considered a masculine colour, it’s

only recently in history that we think of

pink being a feminine colour. I painted

the fireplace in the oxblood primer

and it looked so good that I kept it.”

Susan has created a similar effect to the

blue room, using ikat fabric panels to

create the effect of a headboard. Three

textural raffia pendant lamps, from

Past Muster Trading on Kings Road in

St Leonards, create a wonderful light

feature, with silk flex looped above.

An antique French mirror above the

fireplace originally came from Swag in

Brighton. “These fabric flowers,” says

Susan, pointing to the beaded flowers

on the mantelpiece, “I actually got from

a dealer in London. They were designed

to be used on graves as fake flowers, but

I loved them so much, I bought a huge

bag of them from her!” The side lamps

were recently updated with Pooky ikat

effect lampshades, and Sam painted

wooden shutters to match the setting

plaster walls, doors and skirting. Susan’s

favourite interior trick being to paint

up and over all in one flat colour.

43


“Although it’s pink,” says Susan, “we find men love

this room. In fact ‘setting plaster’ pink like this used to

be considered a masculine colour, it’s only recently in

history that we think of pink being a feminine colour.”

Work on the top floor bedroom revealed the original

half-moon window. “It was UPVC when we bought the

house, but luckily underneath was the old window which

we rebuilt and re-glazed and it looks amazing!” says Susan

who has used a gorgeous Welsh blanket on the bed. “I love

Welsh woven blankets, as a designer I wish I could have an

entire house of them!” she laughs. An adjoining wall has been

partially opened to become a suite of rooms, allowing light

to flow from the bedroom and window into an adjoining

dressing room and shower room, which houses ‘Eastbourne’

pattern towels by another textile designer, Margo Selby.

Touches of the couple’s global travels are dotted around the

room. A vintage luggage rack in the dressing room came from

the same shop in Devon as the kitchen lights. Vintage finds

have once again, as with the rest of the house, been married

with some high street finds, this time lights from Ikea. Across

the hall, which features a Moldovan rug, which Susan bought

from Shop in Norman Road, is a children’s room the couple

have created for their grandchildren, with a clever green

scalloped canopy painted across the wall and ceiling. Susan has

used Orla Kiely bedding, another well-loved textile designer.

The house is packed with creative touches. Susan’s love of

texture, colour and finding quirky decorative elements has been

artfully combined with Sam’s incredible talent for joinery and

building skill. Yes, it is always possible to buy a house, call in

the builders and sit back and watch it happen around you. To

do it the other way and live, work and breathe the complete

re-development of a house – one that is entirely created by

you, to your tastes – well that is something very different. The

house, without question, has Sam and Susan’s individual touch

and eye for style in every detail from top to bottom and for

that they should be incredibly proud. “I feel like this chapter is

now closed for us,” says Sam. “It took eight years and a lot of

hard work but now, we need to move closer to our family in

Yorkshire and the time feels right to go. I hope whoever buys

the house will love it as much as we do, it really is a very special

place to us, but now I would really like to sit back and enjoy

my retirement, without having a sledgehammer in my hand!”

Address Book:

Susan’s house blog can be followed on

Instagram @victorian_fusion_remix


44

45


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48 December essentialsurrey.co.uk

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6 Hand-printed linen leaf cushion £60 Helen Round helenround.com 7 Reversible pink celestial lambswool blanket

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10 Yukon light grey oak wood effect matt porcelain floor tile £17.99/m 2 Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk

47


Urban

Beatrice

Code

Ancillon and John

Alfredo Harris’ 1960s home

is a masterclass in updating.

Maggie Alderson finds out

how they have transformed

the interior into an inside/

outside California dream house

Words: Maggie Alderson

Photographs: David Merewether


48

Opposite: Behind a large painting of Little

Richard the kitchen is divided off by a central

screen wall, about one third of the width of

the space, so it can be entered from either side

Above: Making use out of every inch of space,

nestled under the stairs is a cosy dining area

It’s not unusual to describe a house as a Tardis –

meaning that it’s much bigger once you get inside

than you’d think from looking at the outside.

Like Dr Who’s famous police phone box.

This house is a different kind of Tardis. Sitting in the kind

of leafy residential street you would find in any British town,

cars neatly parked, front gardens tended, lace curtains and

blinds closed, you would expect the interior to be typical

too. But from the moment the front door opens the vibe

is something else entirely. This is a seriously cool house.

Which isn’t really surprising when you know the owners,

Beatrice Ancillon and John Alfredo Harris, who are seriously

cool people, both working in the interiors world.

Paris-born Beatrice has a long-established antiques business,

Ode Interiors, specialising in finely curated antique, midcentury

and contemporary pieces, with a strongly European

feel. John is a bespoke furniture designer and maker. This

combination of skills and experience is evident in every

49



This page: Built in 1969, and untouched

from then when Beatrice and John moved

in, the house retains its original parquet

and panelling down the staircase. All the

fiddly little rooms on the lower level were

opened out into one big living space

square millimetre of the house,

but the real eye-popping moment

comes when you walk down the –

original – teak open staircase and

into the large sitting/dining room.

‘Wow’ is the only word as you take

in the entire back wall of glass, looking

over a terrace down a long garden,

framed at the end with a line of towering

mature trees, majestic against the sky.

It’s a surprisingly big garden for the

scale of the house from the front –

another Tardis effect – and simplifying

that view was one of the key elements

of transforming the house. “There were

UPVC French windows and steps down

to a big deck,” says Beatrice. “We made

the whole wall glass and put wood

cladding on the back exterior wall.

“We also levelled it up, so now you

step straight out onto the terrace, with

no steps down. We can open the window

to either side to extend the sitting room

out into the garden.” Which meant they

no longer needed to go to the bother

of building a physical extension.

“We had planned to build out from

the back of the house, but once we’d

made the terrace level with the sitting

room, we decided we didn’t need to.”

Which shows the flexible approach

Beatrice likes to take to renovation.

“When we start a project I know

what I want to do, but it changes

as you go along. It’s an intricate

process, fluid but with structure.”

Another important detail in their

decisions here, that makes this wall

of glass so striking, was their choice

of sliding doors, rather than those

so-tempting entirely-opening bifolds.

While this means only half the space

can be open to the outside at one

time, when the windows are closed –

which, let’s face it, is most of the year

in the UK – there is only one dividing

line breaking up the view out. When

bifold windows are closed there are

multiple line breaks, where all the

concertina-ing folds are. It ruins a view.

So while the fully-opening option

The moment they saw

this house, they knew

it was the one to give

them that space – and

their cool vibe. “It was

built in 1969 and was

still untouched from

then, with the original

parquet and panelling

down the staircase...”

may have been a good choice had

this house actually been in California

– rather than just feeling as though

it is – for this locale, the sliding

glass doors were the smarter pick.

And while we are on the subject of

locations, this is the second property

belonging to this clever couple that I

have written about for this magazine.

The previous was an elegant maisonette

(which had a very European feel…),

close to the action of groovy Kings Road

in St Leonards-on-Sea, with all its cool

restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops.

“The idea was to find something

bigger,” says Beatrice. “So we traded

being in the thick of it for that. We

wanted a detached house and now we

have a spare room – and we are still only

a ten minute drive from Kings Road.”

The moment they saw this

51


house, they knew it was the one to give them that

space – and their cool vibe. “It was built in 1969

and was still untouched from then, with the original

parquet and panelling down the staircase. The

previous owners had been here since the 1980s.”

But despite those original features, it still took a

certain vision to see that potential. “The hall had

14 doors off it,” says Beatrice, laughing. “It was

quite surreal, but despite that, the moment we

walked through the front door we saw the potential

– and we could see what the garden could be.”

The hall wasn’t the only area with too much going on

– the lower level was divided into three separate rooms.

“We reconfigured the whole space, plus redoing all the

plumbing and electrics.” On that lower level, they made all

the fiddly little rooms into one big space, with the kitchen

divided off by a central screen wall, about one third of the

width of the space, so it can be entered from either side.

On the kitchen side the wall is floor to ceiling

cupboards, with the work top and a run of cupboards,

with an interesting rusted metal-look finish,

running along the opposite wall. “It’s an ex-

Left: The kitchen is an ex-display design the couple bought

from Bristol. Wall cupboards over the worktop run are without

the doors, so they look like open shelving, with one sliding

door left on to visually break up the line Below: A sideboard

made by John sits at the top of the stairs, featuring several of

his signature wooden vessels and some geometric shapes, which

echo the pattern on the doors of the sideboard. On top sits a

monochromatic painting by late Hastings artist Peter Waldron


52

EST. 1997

BLIND AND CURTAIN

SHOWROOM

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CURTAINS & BLINDS BY APPOINTMENT ONLY

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• Automation and installation

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TEL: 01483 379954

info@harriergates.co.uk

www.harriergates.co.uk

53


This page: In the shower room a whole wall is painted with a

bold mural inspired by Brazilian architect and landscape designer,

Roberto Burble Marx. A colour palette of greens and dark woods

ties the room in with the tropical feel of the garden outside

Right: The main bedroom is painted a strong, warm brick colour

which extends over the ceiling. “Our bedroom is southwest facing, so

it can take strong colour,” says Beatrice. “At first carrying it onto the

ceiling seemed too much, but then it grew on me.” Leading off the

main bedroom, John’s wood working skills can be seen in a glorious

cupboard under the basin, with organically curved textured shapes

display kitchen we bought from Bristol. It was enormous

which gave us lots of options to reconfigure it to fit our

space.” They used the wall cupboards over the worktop

run without the doors, so they look like open shelving,

with one door left on to visually break up the line.

To the left of the kitchen area John has created amazing doors

– to hide the washing machine – in his signature style of jigsaw

arrangements of rich timbers, which can be seen in his pieces all

around the house. He also created the kitchen floor, a parquet

of large abstract geometric shapes, made from varnished

plywood – economical, very striking and a witty counterpoint

to the beautiful original parquet in the sitting/dining room.

The wood panels on the whole back wall are also original

and, along with the stairs create the perfect contextual space

for John’s work – and a contrast to the glass and green garden

view opposite. John is also the mastermind behind the garden.

Bringing it all together, green is the feature colour in

the main room, with that side of the screen wall painted a


54

gorgeous dark khaki from Little Greene – which perfectly

sets off an amazing sparkly portrait of Little Richard.

They also chose green to reupholster an amazing Ligne

Roset sofa, with a very appealing organic shape, which they

found online for a fraction of the price. “The upholstery

was very damaged, so we had it recovered, but we needed

to find the right material for the rounded shape, which

is a stretch loose cover. The sofa sits low, so you can gaze

out at the green space and the trees in the distance.’

The dining chairs – originals by French furniture designer

Pierre Guariche – are upholstered in rich green velvet and sit

round an amazing dining table made by John, in one of his

signature abstract geometric shapes. “We designed it together,”

says Beatrice, “inspired by French designer Charlotte Perriand,

who worked with Le Corbusier.” You can immediately see

how the irregular shape would add dynamism to a gathering.

Upstairs on the entrance level, they converted what had

been a garage into an office/spare room and sorted out that

forest of doors – there are now only six. Taking some bold door

decisions, they bought a new front door from eBay, which

John then adjusted it to fit, and the door into the office is

flush, with no frame, or trim – the kind of detail which gives

this house its edge. The doors for the hall cupboard were £20

from Wickes, then sanded and varnished and given the John

treatment. They also changed every window in the place.

The guest bedroom and the main bedroom are both

painted strong, warm tones – saffron yellow in the guest

and rich brick in the main – with the colour extending

over the ceilings. “Our bedroom is southwest facing,

so it can take strong colour. At first carrying it onto the

ceiling seemed too much, but then it grew on me.”

In both rooms the colours are perfect for setting off

the bold artworks, which in the guest room, is hung to

the left of the space over the bed – not in the centre,

which would have been most people’s knee jerk decision.

This is just the kind of detail which shows Beatrice and

John’s next-level understanding of what makes interiors

sing, as opposed to just hum, and can be seen all over

the house in the way objects are chosen and arranged.

Beatrice uses these skills professionally, extending her

services to include interior decoration projects and working

for interior design practices, sourcing special items and staging

rooms for house sales – often using John’s work within them.

A perfect example of her professional eye at work is a

sideboard made by John, which sits at the top of the stairs.

Gathered on here are several of John’s signature wooden

vessels and some geometric shapes, which echo the pattern

on the doors of the sideboard, with three metal candlesticks

and a monochromatic painting by late Hastings artist Peter

Waldron. In one of those details, which seems small, but

actually makes a big difference, the picture is leaning against

the wall, rather than hung on it. Opposite the sideboard, at

the top of the stairs and reflecting the same warm wood tones,

is a screen of floor to ceiling teak slats. “There were glass

55

This page: The couple’s office doubles as a spare room. The saffron yellow chosen for the walls of the guest room next door perfectly

complements the bold artwork above the bed

doors in it and when we took them

off it really opened up the space.”

In the shower room a whole wall is

painted with a boldly coloured mural

inspired by Brazilian architect and

landscape designer, Roberto Burle

Marx. Combined with the green

marble-tiled floor and green chamfered

tiles in the shower, it links the room

to the tropical feeling of the garden.

Off the main bedroom there is a

walk-in clothes space – with no door,

allowing a free circulation of air – and

next to that they have turned a small

bedroom into another bathroom, where

John’s skills can be seen again in a

glorious cupboard under the basin, with

organically curved textured shapes. With

a tree-sized pot plant – one of several in

the house – sitting right next to it, once

more the garden comes into the house.

Like everywhere in this house, there

is a lot of thought applied with a very

light hand. It never feels ‘designed’

– just right. “It’s very pleasant to live

in,” says Beatrice, “very relaxed and

Zen. There are no pokey spaces.”

No pokey spaces and a wealth of

beauty wherever your eyes fall, whether

it be inside to John’s amazing work and

the professionally curated furniture and

artworks, or outside to that surprising

garden view. An urban oasis indeed.

Address Book:

For more information on Ode Interiors,

see odeinteriors.com

Instagram @odeinteriors


56

Get the

LOOK

1 Larger Holophane pendant light £505 Pooky pooky.com 2 York Harbor Yellow paint £38.50/0.94l Benjamin

Moore benjaminmoorepaint.co.uk 3 Terracotta Dreams and Mid Century By Halves A3 abstract prints with oak

frames £45 each Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com 4 Clover dark green velvet dining chair £400 (set of 2) Danetti

danetti.com 5 Dax sideboard in dark mango wood & brass £799 Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com 6 Blanc d’Ivoire

Adena Sculpture £70 Sweetpea & Willow sweetpeaandwillow.com 7 Be Designer Fireplace – EcoSmart Fire

£2,695 Lime Lace limelace.co.uk 8 Orion Coronet vinyl flooring £29.99/m 2 Tapi tapi.co.uk

57


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Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses

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5th 13th 14th 15th December

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CheekyMonkeyWT249.indd 1 24/01/2023 17:06

Award winning jewellery handmade in Sussex

Gorgeous Christmas Gifts

Alexis Dove

19 High Street, Lewes, BN7 2LN | www.alexisdove.com


60

August Evening (Oil

on canvas board,

framed 55x45cm)

by Danny Mcbride

£850 Greenfinch

greenfinchshop.co.uk

Memory keeper locket

from £275 Lily Blanche

lilyblanche.com

Black faux fur sweater

coat £325 Odyl

odyldesign.com

Anchor diamond

hoop earrings

£455 each Juraster

juraster.com

EF-21 mini

laser projector

£799 Epson

epson.co.uk

Maxmara Weekend

Cubio Pasticcino

bag £359

Gate Boutique

thegateboutique.co.uk

Showstopping gifts

Over £250

Stag Head crystal decanter

£625 Deakin & Francis

deakinandfrancis.com

Rosace (Rosette) framed

lithograph by Henri

Matisse £1,750 Belgravia

Gallery belgraviagallery.com

Black Juniper Gin

£295 Silent Pool

silentpooldistillers.com

Hermes Crocodile

Birkin 40cm

£39,950 Prestige

shopprestige.com

Pop Tourbillion palladium plated cufflinks

£299 Tateossian tateossian.com

Deep ocean blue

Maraí 401 dive

watch (built

in Belfast with

Swiss movement)

£1,050 Nomadic

nomadicwatches.com

Fancy cut amethyst ring

with lilac sapphires £1,450

Baroque baroquejewellery.com

Silver Ground Coffee

& E.S.E. Pods Machine

- X1 Anniversary £616

Illy illy.com

Watch case in Cognac £4,200

Swaine London swaine.london

Gift voucher for a 2hr bespoke

garden styling experience (online

or in person) with garden designer,

Karen McClure. Includes planting

recommendations, styling advice,

accessories, materials & general

guidance £300 karenmcclure.co.uk

Sky blue cashmere tie back

sweater £400 Loop Cashmere

loopcashmere.co.uk

Tenley Albright

Practising framed art

£421 Mindthegap

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Mars V rocking horse £275 The Rocking

Horse Toy Shop therockinghorsetoyshop.co.uk

Sky Blue Topaz Drop

Aura earrings with

gemstone caps in

Platinum (other metals

available) handmade in

Royal Tunbridge Wells

£960 KATA Jewellery

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61


Lets Dance handmade mirror sign £195

Laura Danby lauradanby.co.uk

Titanium Always

Pan® Pro £175

Our Place

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Kanto lidded jar £165 Nara

Cambridge nara-cambridge.com

The Luxe Blending Experience

£195 Experimental Perfume Club

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Helios Star Set

Diamond Double Disc

necklace in gold vermeil

£125-£155 Alexis Dove

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Classic Craftsman knife with

hollow edge 18cm £144

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Wow-worthy gifts

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Christmas Cherub snow

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Clase Azul

Reposado Tequila

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BOSS Sport Lux Troper

44mm stainless steel

chronograph men’s watch

£249 Beaverbrooks

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Orange Diamond

by Carolina Gómez

(16x20” art print)

£100 Studio Parga

studioparga.com

Next level hair repair £109

K18 k18hair.co.uk

Voucher for an Advanced Basic Training session (15

clays) and 100 English Sporting Clays & lunch for

one person and a friend wishing to spectate £135

Headley Clay Shooting headleyclaypigeon.com

Liberty 4 Pro Earbuds £129.99

Soundcore soundcore.com

Cannon Street

Laptop Bag £159

Radley radley.co.uk

Pointer Instrument

in Modernist

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Lunar Artefacts

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Kids’ linen shirt £115

Pink House Mustique

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Alphabet signet ring £165

Toolally toolally.com

Pine Green R1MK4 bluetooth radio £239

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18k gold plated

Ring Imperia

Piccolo handset

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white zirconia

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Sif Jakobs

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Sculpt & Glow Facial Gift

Certificate with complimentary

LED Light Therapy

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season) £120 Skin Therapy

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Handcrafted eco-friendly

leather Shoulder Bag £185

Lily & Jude lillyandjude.co.uk


62


As seen on TV!

Posh Pawn is just a stone’s throw away.

As part of the esteemed Prestige

Pawnbrokers family serving

Surrey, London and the

home counties, and made

increasingly popular by the hit TV Show

‘Posh Pawn’; Posh Pawn has established itself

as the ultimate destination for individuals

seeking to sell, loan against, exchange

or purchase preloved luxury items.

SO WHERE ARE YOUR

NEAREST STORES?

In Surrey and the surrounding areas

Posh Pawn is situated in Weybridge,

Guildford and Richmond.

The Weybridge store is the place

it all began. Being the first branch and

situated in a very affluent part of Surrey,

as you’d expect, the team see some high

value goods and collections including

art and cars as well as amazing branded

jewellery pieces such as Cartier and Bvlgari.

Luxury brands like Rolex, Patek, Chanel

and Hermes are appraised daily due to

the clientele and current cash needs.

“It’s certainly been busy in recent months

with record numbers coming in to sell or

borrow against luxury goods.”

Owner, James Contantinou.

After the success of Weybridge a

second location opened up for Posh

Pawn in Richmond, pawnbroking in the

highly influential borough of London for

over 10 years, with a new retail premises

opening in the past 2 years to fill the gap

of luxury retail in the area. Richmond

is a beautiful appraisal and retail store,

the attention to detail in respect of the

finishes gives a true feeling of opulence.

“Classic style and old money aesthetics are

key factors for Richmond clientele. Chanel,

Hermes and Cartier are brands that

perform extremely well in our retail sector,

even bringing in a few celebrities through

the doors.”

Store Manager, AnnaGrace Johnson

More recently is the Posh Pawn

Guildford branch. Purchased and fitted

during the pandemic presented the

GUILDFORD - 01483 964019

164-166 High Street, Guildford GU1 3HW

guildford@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk

WEYBRIDGE - 01932 859880

109 Queens Rd, Weybridge KT13 9UJ

weybridge@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk

RICHMOND - 0208 948 4867

2-2a George Street, Richmond TW9 1JY

richmond@prestigepawnbrokers.co.uk

PRESTIGE CHRISTMAS PRODUCTS

Chopard Happy

Diamonds Heart

Necklace

£6,995.00

team with unique challenges, which

were overcome, nevertheless.

“Guildford really is a showcase of what

we have achieved, giving a great insight

into the variety of assets that we deal

with. The large open space gives us an

opportunity to display the larger assets

among the array of glorious luxury goods

displayed on the walls and cabinets.”

Owner, James Constantinou

Patek Philippe Aquanaut

5168G “Jumbo” Khaki

Green Dial Watch

£64,950.00

Hermes Birkin

30cm Bag

£22,950.00

Hermès Epsom Mirror

Constance 18 Bag

£10,995.00

Loan Against or Sell or Buy Luxury

With years of experience in the

industry, Posh Pawn has become

synonymous with trust, reliability,

and exceptional customer service.

This legacy of excellence is reflected

in every aspect of Posh Pawn’s

operations including their Weybridge,

Richmond and Guildford stores.

Posh Pawn are proud to offer a

flexible pawnbroking service, allowing

you to leverage your luxury assets to

secure a short-term loan, providing you

with the immediate funds you need

while retaining ownership of your prized

possessions. Or if you are looking to part

with your possessions for good, Posh

Pawn offers a seamless and confidential

selling experience. Their team of experts

possesses an in-depth understanding of

the luxury market, enabling them to assess

and appraise your items with precision.

Also at Posh Pawn you’ll find luxury

items at a fraction of their original retail

prices! Each item undergoes rigorous

authentication and quality checks,

ensuring that you get genuine luxury

without compromise – unable to visit in

store? No problem! You can shop online

at www.shopprestige.com. Whether you’re

looking for an investment piece to add to

your collection or statement accessory to

elevate your style, Posh Pawn has it all.

Cartier Amulette De

Cartier XS Necklace

£1,295.00

Louis Vuitton

Capucines MM Bag

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Van Cleef & Arpels

Alhambra Bracelet

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Cartier Ballon Bleu De

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67


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Silver 6” disco ball planter

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Bath bauble including

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and Awakening Body

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weights £37.50 (pair)

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Gift Voucher for wine tasting and courses in

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68

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71


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MoonsGreenCharcuterieWT234.indd 1 11/10/2021 15:32

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73


Charlotte

Butterworth AKA

@theneedy.greedy is a private

caterer, cookery teacher and recipe

creator. She runs cookery workshops and

teaches individuals in her lovely home, helping

people rediscover their culinary mojo with new ideas

for delicious, healthy and easy meals for everyday and

entertaining. She creates fabulous food for everything

from intimate dinners and family celebrations to

drinks parties and corporate events. Find Charlotte

on Instagram and Facebook sharing her delicious

recipes as @theneedy.greedy or contact her at

charlotte@butterworth.co.uk for more

information about catering

or teaching.

Stars

of the

season

Charlotte Butterworth teamed up with Rencraft (rencraft.co.uk) in their Tunbridge Wells

showroom to create three delectable canapé recipes that make the perfect festive party

pieces – ideal to offer guests at New Year Photographs: David Merewether

Prawn, avocado,

coriander & lime

mini tortillas

Makes around 24

I love the fresh zingy flavours

of this dish! Coriander,

prawn and lime is a match

made in heaven. The creamy

avocado and crunchy tortilla

are a perfect supporting

act for the show-stopping

prawns. All the elements

can be made in advance,

quickly assembled just

before your guests arrive.

• 24+ cooked, peeled

king or tiger prawns

• 1 garlic clove, crushed

• 1 tsp of Chiu Chow

Chili oil or fresh chopped

red chilli (adjust to

your spice tolerance!)

• 1 tsp caster sugar

• ½ small red onion,

finely chopped

• 2 limes

• 2-3 tortilla wraps

• olive oil

• 1-2 ripe avocados

• 1tbsp finely chopped

coriander, plus

extra to garnish

1. Mix the garlic, chilli,

sugar, red onion and

the juice of a lime, add

the prawns then cover

and chill for 3 hours,

or ideally overnight.

2. For the tortillas: Preheat

the oven to 180°C. Brush

a baking sheet with olive

oil. Using a pastry cutter,

stamp about 24 circles

of approx 2cm from the

tortillas. Place on the

prepared baking sheet and

brush with the oil. Bake

for 8-10 minutes, or until

crisp and lightly golden.

Remove from the oven

and pop on a baking rack

to cool (this can be done

the day before and stored

in an airtight container).

3. Using a spoon, scoop

out the flesh of the

avocado and squash with

a fork, season to taste.

4. Just before serving, season

the marinated prawns and

mix in chopped coriander.

5. Up to 30 mins before

serving, assemble the tortillas

by spreading a teaspoon

of the avocado mixture on

each base, then top each

with a prawn or two. Give

it all a good squeeze of

lime! Garnish with a sprig

of coriander and serve.

We shot

Charlotte's tortillas in

Rencraft's new display kitchen

on the ground floor of their

showroom. The worktop (left) is

in Silestone Miami White Quartz,

the marble splashback (above) is

Calacatta Rosata natural marble

and the wallpaper is House

of Hackney 'Gaia Ecru'

75


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76

Smoked Stilton shortbread

with beetroot purée,

caramelised red onions,

roasted grapes & thyme

This is a taste sensation – a cheese board in

one canape. However, if you don’t want to

do all the toppings, simply make the Stilton

shortbread to eat on their own or with a

little onion relish and crumbled Stilton.

They keep for 3 days stored in an airtight

container. I have used the incredible

smoked Stilton from Weald Smokery.

This takes these crumbly mouthfuls of

heaven to the next level, but this works

well with any Stilton. Great to use any

leftovers from a cheese board at Christmas!

For the biscuits:

Makes about 30

• 60g wholewheat flour

• 65g plain flour

• 1tsp soft brown sugar

• ½ tsp of cayenne pepper

• 100g cubed cold butter

• 20g grated Parmesan

• 100g crumbled smoked Stilton

plus extra for garnishing if needed

(you can use ordinary Stilton)

• poppy seeds, to edge

For the beetroot layer:

• 3 fresh beetroot – washed, topped

and tailed and cut into wedges

• 40ml fresh cream (whipped)

or crème fraîche

For the roasted grapes:

• 30 or so red grapes

• 1 tbsp Balsamic vinegar

• 1 tbsp olive oil

• 1 tsp thyme

Extras:

• fresh thyme

• caramelised onion chutney

• extra Stilton

To make the biscuits:

1. Tip the flours, sugar, cayenne, salt and

pepper in the food processor to mix. Then

add the cold butter, blitz again to mix.

Finally add the cheeses and pulse in the

food processor until a dough is formed.

2. Pull the dough together with your hands

then shape into a long sausage shape about

4cm in diameter. Spread the poppy seeds

over a sheet of non-stick baking parchment

and roll the Stilton log so that it is covered

in the seeds. Wrap the paper around the log

and tightly seal by twisting at each end to

form a cracker. Chill for 1 hour or longer.

3. When ready to cook, preheat the

one to 180°C. Line 2 baking sheets

with greaseproof paper. Slice the chilled

dough into 1-2cm rings and place on

the lined trays with room for them

to spread a little. Bake for 10-15mins

until golden. Cool on a wire rack.

For the beetroot: Roast the beetroot wedges

in the oven at 180°C with plenty of olive

oil and seasoning for 40 mins until tender.

Blitz to make a purée and mix with the

cream. Taste and season. This puree will

keep for a couple of days in the fridge.

For the grapes: Roast the grapes

at 160°C in a roasting tin

with the oil, vinegar and thyme for 20-30

minutes until soft but not collapsed.

These will keep in the fridge for a day.

On

the top

floor you'll find

Rencraft's '81 The

Penthouse' and the

SieMatic Mondial kitchen

range, where we shot

these shortbreads

To assemble: Spread a thin layer of beetroot

over each biscuit, top with a third of a tsp

of caramelised onion chutney, pop on a

grape, scatter over some extra Stilton and

fresh thyme, if you have. This can be done

up to an hour in advance of serving.

77


Hot smoked trout in filo cups

Makes 24

The ‘hot’ in the smoked trout in this

recipe refers to the smoking process. I used

trout from the wonderful Weald Smokery

in Flimwell, where whole fillets of rainbow

trout are hot smoked over local oak logs

producing a firm flesh and a subtle smoky

taste, rich in healthy Omega-3. This

delicate flavour creates a wonderful canapé

that can be prepared well in advance and

just needs to be assembled before serving.

Tip: If you don’t want to make the

filo cups, then mini Croustades (by

Rahms) are a brilliant alternative,

and means this canapé can be put

together in just a few minutes.

For the smoked trout filling:

• 150-175g hot smoked trout fillets

• 1 tsp horseradish

• 1 lemon

• 1-2 tbsp crème fraîche

• black pepper and fresh dill

Mix the crème fraîche,

horseradish, black pepper

and a squeeze of lemon juice

into a bowl. Flake in the

smoked trout and mix. Add a

little chopped dill. Taste, season,

and if needed add more lemon,

horseradish etc. The filling can

be made a few hours in advance.

Rencraft's

Cinnamon

kitchen (on the first

floor) is a contemporary,

flat fronted, handleless

design with

worktops in natural jade

onyx – which is

underlit!

For the filo cups:

You will need a 24

mini cup muffin

tray to make these

• 1 block of

ready made

filo pastry

• 50g of

butter, melted

Charlotte

on

Weald Smokery

"I love using the award-winning

products from this local artisan

producer. I was lucky enough to visit the

smokery and see the process myself, and

the skill and care that goes into it. I came

away with a gorgeous smell of oak smoke

in my hair! The shop is also packed with

carefully sourced artisan foods and

it's a wonderful place to do your

Christmas shopping."

wealdsmokery.co.uk

Open the filo

and cover with a

damp cloth. Take

1 piece, brush

generously with

melted butter, and

fold like a book, so it

is triple layered. Using

a pastry cutter, cut

circles and place into

the muffin tray. Continue

until you have 24 (you will

likely have some sheets left

over, just keep in the fridge).

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C and

bake for 6-8 mins or until golden.

Allow to cool on a wire rack. These will

store for a few days in an air tight container.

To assemble (up to 30mins before serving):

Fill the cups with the smoked trout mix. Top

with some fresh dill, a little lemon zest and black pepper.

78

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80

Hope & Ivy Kai embellished

blouson-sleeve wrap dress £130

Wolf & Badger wolfandbadger.com

Star tennis chain drop

earrings £35 Estella

Bartlett estellabartlett.com

Sia Sequin midi skirt in silver

£60 Monsoon monsoon.co.uk

Personalised hexagon coin

necklace £95 ChloBo chlobo.co.uk

Milkyway embroidered sweatshirt

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The star tarot

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boots £259 Gate Boutique


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Giavanna sequin clutch £150

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Scores block heel leather

boots £74 Off The Hook

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Celestial 3D Star

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North star signet ring

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baroquejewellery.com

Pearl and CZ star drop stud earrings £25

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pouch £32 Elizabeth Scarlett


istockphoto.com/ assistantua

Cashmere mitt in Midnight

Blue £70 Loop Cashmere

loopcashmere.co.uk

NeroGiardini boot £239.99

Blue Velvet bluevelvetshoes.com

By Malina

Jemma tote £175

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cross body in icy

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radley.co.uk

Fabrizio loafers £695

Jennifer Chamandi

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81


Don’t miss our next

Good Living Supplement

Start the year

as you mean

to go on with

some proper self

care. Alongside

our regular health

and beauty articles,

we’ll be taking a

closer look at private

hospital and GP services

and getting the latest

specialist info. from dental

and optical practices. There

will be plenty of inspiration to

pamper and relax with editorial

on spas, travel and cruises, too.

Find it in the January 2025 issue of

Surrey Homes

82

For

advertising

opportunities,

call Lisa Gordon-Hughes

on 01580 236072 or email

lisa.gordon-hughes@

priceless-group.com

Home, sweet

scented home

Josephine Fairley selects her ultimate lineup of exquisitely fragranced candles

istockphoto.com/ Liubov Khutter-Kukkonin / YOTUYA

Tis the season of fabulous, nostalgic

smells, from the spices as you stir or

steam the Christmas pud, to the citrus

zing of clementine zest as you attack the fruit

bowl for one of your seasonal 25-a-day, via the

woodsmoke from a crackling fireplace. And of

course, ’tis peak scented candle season, too.

There is rarely NOT a candle burning in my

house. The phrase most often uttered by those

who make the climb to my office on the top

floor is, ‘Gosh, smells nice up here!’ Well – lucky

me – testing scented candles goes with the job

description, so I’m happy to share with you the

candles which I think are most perfect for this

SPECIAL time of year. All of which are a touch

more sophisticated than the typical ‘cinnamonand-orange’

traditional vibe, which I think is a

bit predictable (and actually, not my cup of tea).

To help you identify the candles that will

suit your tastes – because, as with fragrance,

we tend to prefer a certain family/families of

smells – I’ve divided them up into categories,

for ease. None of these are cheap, but the

quality is sublime and they not only burn well,

but I’ve put the burn-time beside the price.

What I would say is: always use candles

responsibly, keep away from all soft furnishings

and inquisitive animals, never leave a candle

unattended – and when first lighting any of these,

leave enough time for the wax to melt all the

way to the edges, to avoid any risk of ‘tunnelling’

(usually a couple of hours). Once burned for the

first time, in future, never leave them burning for

more than three hours – wax doesn’t like being

overheated, and the scent actually changes.

The traditional vibe

If you like all the traditional Christmas tree, fir

branch and resinous, pine cone-y aromas, I’d

point you in the direction of Maison Francis

Kurkdjian Mon Beau Sapin, £85 for 280g (58

hours of burn time). Perfumer Francis Kurkdjian

– who is also now resident perfumer at Dior –

issues this each year as a limited edition.

Named after the French equivalent of the

Christmas carol, ‘O Christmas Tree’, I’d

like you to close your eyes and imagine a

walk through a snow-covered forest, with

resinous, piny notes, touches of eucalyptus,

nutmeg and a whisper of cinnamon.

Annick Goutal Une Forêt d’Or, £75

for 300g (43 to 50 hours). Evoking the

moment when you step back inside

from that chilly woodland walk, this is

about decorating the house with snowdusted

branches, and filling bowls with

mandarins and oranges, thanks to its

notes of citrus peel. Each year Une Forêt

d’Or comes in a different limited-edition

livery; 2024’s is deep blue glass, with a

beautiful gold mistletoe-and-holly design.

Diptyque Sapin, from £40 for 70g (20

hours). Diptyque’s pine tree candle comes

in everything from this small size through

to a giant 1.5 kilo, as well as the classic

190g size that’s familiar to their fans; for

2024, the small and classic candles feature

felt labels, designed by felt artist Lucy

Sparrow (her installation at La Maison

Diptyque on Bond Street is honestly worth

a pilgrimage, if you’re headed up to ooh and

aah at the West End lights). With a scent

of pine needles, resin and cedar, Sapin the

most traditional of Diptyque’s Christmas

scent trio; you might also check Friandise

(Sweet Treat), which is all gingerbread

and spices, or Étoile (more floral and

romantic, thanks to rose and sandalwood).

Cloon Keen Atelier Noble Fir, £45

for 280g (55-60 hours), is by an Irish

fragrance brand that I truly love; this is

green, earthy and slightly honeyed, with fir

needles, clove, cinnamon, cedar and sweet

touches of amber and cashmere. (N.B. Fir

is considered a very healing smell, boosting

energy levels and lifting the spirits – so, one

to set a-flicker when energy levels flag).

83


The cosy vibe

Very much for snuggling up under your favourite quilt, mug of mulled

wine (or Green & Black’s Hot Choc!) in hand, listening to Bing

Crosby or the 9 Lessons & Carols from King’s College on Christmas

Eve. (If you don’t have your hand up a turkey, that is.) For cosying

up like this, try Bamford Chestnut & Cashmere, £40 for 140g

(30 hours), with sweet candied chestnuts, snugglesome cashmere

and hints of smokiness in the background. Meanwhile, I can’t top

my beauty editor colleague Alice du Parcq’s description of NEOM

Wellbeing Hibernate, £55 for 420g (50 hours); she likens it to ‘a

warm hug’, with its creamy notes of vanilla, patchouli and cedarwood.

If your kitchen feels like the heart of the home, though, you –

like me – will swoon for our beloved Nigel Slater’s collaboration

with Perfumer H, limited edition A Feast, from £55 for 175g

(30 hours), into which he has stirred cardamom, cinnamon,

sandalwood, clove, neroli and birch tar. Sublime! (There’s also a

handblown glass vessel available in this candle – a splurge-worthy

double-wick in a beautiful hand-blown Michael Ruh vessel, priced

£375 for 975g, promising to burn for 150 hours. And Perfumer

H – who now have three stores in London, as well as a presence

in Liberty’s fragrance department – offer a useful refill service, so

these beautiful glass containers can be enjoyed time and again.)

The smoky vibe

Personally, I absolutely love ‘fireplace’ smells: tendrils of smoke, curling

in cold air, as well as notes that evoke a stack of logs, waiting to be

thrown on the fire. You, too? Trudon Gloria, from £105 for 270g

(55-60 hours) is wonderfully firewoody, with notes of incense, vetiver,

cedarwood and patchouli, plus touches of citrus and spice. (Larger

sizes are also available,

up to a mahoosive 2.8

kilos, for which you’ll

have to wait 300 hours

before it flickers its

last!) Acqua di Parma

Caminetto, £75 for

200g (50 hours), fills the

room with warm, woody,

smoke notes of incense,

softened and warmed

by amber; this year, all of

AdP’s candles have been gorgeously dressed up in gold by

designer India Mahdavi, for an extra glamorous feel.

The sexy vibe

Keep this near the mistletoe, is my recommendation. Velvet

Smoke Filthy Rose, £49 for 250g (60 hours) has become the

signature scent in my home during cooler months, launched by

party-loving make-up artist Lisa Potter-Dixon and now definitely

a ‘cult’ smell that is also beloved by my fellow beauty editors for its

smoochy blend of rose, tobacco, saffron and black pepper. Light

this, put on some Barry White – and get that party started.

But whatever scentscape you create in your home, may

you have a flickeringly fabulous festive season…

Visit beautybible.com for more of Jo’s fragrance,

makeup, skin and haircare tips.

Find memorable recipe ideas to

light up your gathering

Spicy smokey

sticky party

nuts by Charlotte

Butterworth

@theneedy.greedy

Visit priceless-magazines.com for inspiration


84

AVERY HEALTHCARE - SURREY

Something

for Everyone

Avery Healthcare has dedicated well-being teams to produce an exciting and varied

programme of activities and events every day. Residents are supported in pursuing personal

interests beyond the regular activity calendar, while memory, physical, and sensory-based

activities are carefully designed with therapeutic benefits in mind.

Day trips • Creative writing classes • Art classes • Gardening club

Live entertainment • Yoga and exercise classes

averyhealthcare.co.uk/surrey

Health

Hair in despair?

Sarah Maxwell tackles post workout barnets

istockphoto.com/ Estradaanton

Christmas is around the corner,

fun social events and family

gatherings abound. You know

that keeping up at least some of your

exercise routine will give you more

energy, reduce stress and help get you

through the festive season unscathed.

I’ve heard many reasons (excuses)

for not exercising in December

and top of that list is hair. This is

what I hear every year from many

(if not most): ‘Sarah, I can’t do a

session today because I don’t want

to sweat and ruin my hair.’

Dealing with post-workout hair

can be tricky, but with a few expert

styling tips and the right products,

you can transform sweaty strands

into a polished look in no time.

I decided to ask the professionals,

and they have some great advice on

how you can still workout and have

effortlessly chic hair, sweat or not.

First off, here’s what Adam

Reed London advises you

can do for various hair lengths

(arkivebyadamreed.com /

@adamreedhair)

1. Short Hair: Embrace Texture

Texture is everything for short hair

post-workout. Avoid heavy products

that weigh hair down. Instead, opt

for a lightweight sea salt spray to

give effortless volume. Spray onto

damp hair, scrunch with your fingers,

and let it air-dry or use a diffuser.

Try OUAI Texturising Hair Spray,

available at Space NK, it adds texture

and volume without residue.

2. Medium-length Hair:

Smooth and Sleek

Medium-length hair is versatile,

allowing you to quickly achieve a

polished look that transitions well

from the gym to any occasion.

Apply a smoothing cream or leavein

conditioner to damp hair to

tame frizz and add shine. Blowdry

with a round brush to create

sleek strands with natural volume.

Try Philip Kingsley Daily Damage

Defence Leave-In Conditioner,

available at lookfantastic.com, it

protects and smooths.

3. Long Hair: Loose Waves

or a Quick Updo

Long hair offers plenty of styling

options but can be harder to manage

post-workout. Embrace your natural

texture or create an easy updo to

keep things chic. In a rush? Spritz

dry shampoo on your roots to refresh

and add volume, then secure your

hair in a loose bun or ponytail.

Once dry, release the bun and add a

touch of curl mist for a wavy look.

Next, I asked my favourite hair

coiffure Alanis (purdyandpower.

co.uk / @purdyandpowersalon) who

regularly and miraculously turns

my unruly mop into a head of hair

I actually put in effort to look after.

(Previously, my idea of a blow dry was

to slap on any product available and

drive with my car windows open!)

Should I wash my hair after every

workout?Alanis recommends washing

hair after exercise to remove sweat

and oil, which can cause scalp issues

and weaken hair over time due to salt

build-up. However, washing every day

can strip natural oils. If you work out

daily, try rinsing your hair with water

instead of using shampoo each time.

What if I don’t have time for a

rinse?Then dry shampoo is your best

friend. Try Kerastase Fresh Affair Dry

Shampoo. Blow-dry your roots to

absorb excess sweat, then apply

dry shampoo to refresh them.

Braid your hair and twist

it into a bun for an easy

transition. Later, unpin

for soft waves, or leave the

braid in for a sleek style.

Alanis’s

Must-have

Hair Products:

• Framar Detangle Brush: perfect

for gently managing wet or

dry hair without damage.

• Redken Acidic Bonding

Concentrate Shampoo &

Conditioner: keeps hair

strong and nourished.

• Redken 5-Minute Liquid Mask: a

weekly treatment for deep hydration.

• Kerastase Fresh Affair Dry

Shampoo: ideal for refreshing

hair and adding volume.

• Redken Curl Refresh Mist:

revives curls and adds shine.

• Kerastase L’Huile Originale

Hair Oil: adds shine and

protects from damage.

• Silk Hair

Scrunchies: prevent

breakage and keep

your style in place.

Have happy hair,

a happy you, and

a big happy

Christmas

from me.

xxx

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


istockphoto.com, miwa_in_oz , Magone, chokja, Elena Tsvetkova, Drazen Zigic, Agustin Vai /Olga Mazyarkina / Roman Samokhin / Fattyplace /bhofack2

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau

explores the benefits of incorporating

another healthy ingredient into our

diets. This month it’s sprouts

Brussels sprouts are a member of the brassicaceae

family of vegetables and are closely related to

kale, cauliflower and mustard greens. Whether

you love them or hate them, there’s no denying that,

nutritionally, they are rather good for you! These mini,

green cabbages have many health benefits, but their

impressive antioxidant content stands out. Antioxidants

are protective compounds that reduce the impact of a

process called oxidation, and as a result may help lower

our risk of chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and

heart disease. This oxidative damage is typically caused

by inflammation, and brassica vegetables appear to be

especially helpful at reducing these inflammatory effects.

Brussel sprouts are a great source of vitamin C,

providing 48mg in every cooked ½ cup (the RDA of

vitamin C for women is 75mg and 90mg for men).

This vitamin is important for the growth and repair

of tissues in your body and, as well as acting as an

antioxidant and supporting immunity, it is involved

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

in the production of proteins like collagen. Sprouts are

also high in vitamin K, a nutrient important for blood

clotting and bone metabolism. Brussels, along with other

vegetables, fruits and whole grains, are great sources of

fibre; supporting digestive and gut health, reducing risk

of heart disease and supporting blood sugar balance.

Brussels don’t have to be boring… try them

grated in slaws, added to salads or indulge in

these delicious balsamic roasted sprouts.

Balsamic roasted sprouts

Serves 4

• 500g of Brussels sprouts,

washed and dried

• 70g of pancetta

• 2 tbsp of extra virgin olive oil

• 2 cloves of crushed garlic

• 2 tbsp of balsamic glaze

• salt and pepper, to taste

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C. Trim the ends of

the sprouts and cut in half lengthways.

2. Arrange the Brussels sprouts on a baking tray and

scatter the pancetta and garlic over the top. Drizzle

with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, then toss

well and spread the mixture out into a single layer.

3. Roast the sprouts, turning once through cooking,

until tender with charred edges. The pancetta should

be cooked and crispy. (Approx 25-30 minutes).

4. Remove from the oven and toss with the balsamic vinegar.

Add extra salt and pepper, if needed, and serve immediately.

87


Feed the Birds

Jo Arnell explains

how we can help our

feathered friends through

the winter with some

thoughtful planting

Supplementary food can make the difference between

life and death for our garden birds in winter – there are

few insects and the fruit and berries soon run low. In

some places woodland and hedgerows are dwindling,

replaced with housing estates and non-native plants. Feeding our

feathered friends can be tricky though – crowded feeders could

be a potential source of infection, some commercial bird food is

not of the best quality and sadly bird food is no longer tuppence

a bag. I will be setting up some bird feeders this winter, but I

have also been growing bird-friendly plants. Choose the right

things to grow and you’ll be able to provide naturally available

food. It’s not just seeds and berries either. In the summer there

will be nectar to attract protein-packed insects for the birds to

feed their young. The right plants will also create shelter, nesting

materials, and a healthy ecosystem filled with other beneficial

creatures – all helping to create a more balanced environment

in the garden. And a garden that’s planted with birds in mind

doesn’t just benefit the creatures out there – it also involves us

in nature. Gardening for – and with – the birds is an immersive

activity that will bring beauty, bounty and biodiversity.

Designing a Bird-Friendly Garden

Diversity and Layering

If you can, try to create multiple layers in your garden to

mimic a natural habitat. This means a mix of shrubs and

trees to offer different food sources and perches. Taller

shrubs and small trees like Rowan, Birch, Amelanchier and

Crabapple will give shelter, nest sites, insects and fruit. Midheight

and smaller shrubs offer dense hiding places as well

as a food source. Species roses have lovely hips, Buddleias

and Hebes will bring late nectar and useful bushes like

Pyracantha and Cotoneaster horizontalis have nectar and fruit.

Lastly ground cover plants and lower growing perennials will

help the ground feeders and insectivores. Geraniums, Alchemilla

mollis, Asters and Periwinkle suppress weeds and many will grow

in dry shade too. Planting in variety – and allowing a few messy,

native plants around the edges of the garden accommodates

different bird species and provides protection from predators.

Timings for Flowers and Fruit

Our native plants will naturally be providing the right food at

the right time for birds, as they have slowly evolved their lifecycles

to fit in with one another and the pattern of the seasons.

Is native best? Possibly, but this is a complicated issue, as many

birds are migratory. The best thing to do is to look for a range of

plants that will provide a long supply of nectar and fruit. Spring

flowering plants – early bulbs like snowdrops and narcissi, then

primroses and aquilegias provide food for migrating and home

birds alike, while autumn and winter natives like holly, ivy and

dogwood offer essential nutrients during the colder months.

It can be hard to remember seasonality when planning a planting

scheme, but spreading the offerings across the months will pay

off – not just for the birds, but to extend the season of interest

for us too. In the Northern hemisphere nectar starts in early

spring and tails off in the summer, but there are plenty of late

flowering plants available that will produce nectar right through

the autumn if it stays warm. Fruits, berries and seeds are produced

from late spring until the winter, depending on the species.


88

Insect Friendly Plants

Many birds – and actually most of them during breeding

season, rely on insects for protein. Native plants are essential

here, as they support native insects, which in turn feed

native birds. Trees can support whole ecosystems – a single

oak tree can host around 2,000 species. Not many of us

have gardens big enough for a large tree, but even a small

one will be providing food and shelter for many creatures.

Hawthorn is one of the best natives, as it will have nectarrich

blossom in spring, a dense canopy for cover and

masses of attractive red berries in the autumn and winter.

Avoid using pesticides, as they can harm birds directly or

kill the insects that many birds rely on for food. Instead,

let your garden develop a natural balance. Native plants

may be stronger and more pest-resistant and will naturally

house the healthy insect populations birds need.

istockphoto.com/ Kassiia Sergacheva / / sasimoto / yujie chen / Meindert van der Haven / undefined undefined / Callingcurlew23

Provide a Source of Water

In addition to food, birds need water for drinking

and bathing. A small pond, bird bath, or even

a shallow dish of water (that you can clean out

regularly without trouble) will be a welcome

addition to your bird-friendly garden. The water

needs to be shallow, or have a shallow end with easy

access in and out, because other wildlife will use

it too and they can easily drown in deep water.

Birds have to preen their feathers to keep

themselves warm, remove parasites and generally

stay healthy. Unfortunately they will bathe in their

drinking water and – like some children I have known

– drink their bath water, so it’s important to keep the

water clean. Site the water source near trees or shrubs

so birds have a quick escape if a predator appears.

Seed Bearers

Birds like finches, sparrow and bluetits rely on

seeds through much of the year. Prolific seedproducers

are found in several families of plants

– the Asteraceae, or Compositae family is home

to sunflowers, echinaceas, daisies and many

thousands more. The great thing about them is

that the centre of the flower is really a collection of

tiny flowers, each of which will, once pollinated,

go on to produce a mass of easily accessible seeds.

Grasses are also brilliantly seedy and are useful

for producing nesting material too. Native

grasses are best, but ornamentals and cultivars

are great too and these look fantastic in prairie

plantings and garden borders alike, bringing light,

movement and shimmering effects through the

autumn and winter. Miscanthus, Mollinia and

Stipa are just three of the many lovely grasses

that will grace the garden and feed the birds.

Clockwise:

Echinacea in

flower; Stipa grass;

Alchemilla mollis;

rowan berries

Maintaining Your Bird-Friendly Garden

Managing a bird-friendly garden is as simple as gently

leaving the garden to its own devices. Allow the grass to

grow long in places – you can cut paths around or through

a tiny meadow so that it doesn’t look as if you’ve forgotten

to mow the lawn. The good news is that, depending on the

species, wildlife needs areas of both short and long grass.

Let dead flower heads die gracefully and then remain

through the winter to provide seeds for the birds and shelter

for insects. Leaf litter and fallen branches will create habitats

for insects, which in turn feed ground-foraging birds.

Delay pruning if you can until after the winter to keep food

and shelter available for as long as possible. Once early spring

arrives, however, make sure that any heavy cutting back is

done before they start eyeing up potential nesting sites.

Creating a garden to feed birds is a fascinating and rewarding

activity. With thoughtful plant choices and minimal maintenance, it

can become a sanctuary where our feathered friends find food, shelter,

and a place to raise their young – a vital link in the ecological chain.

In return, you get to enjoy the vibrant sights and sounds of their

busy lives – and with any luck they will help with pest control too.

Jo’s new gardening course is booking now 07923 969634 jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk

89


241106_Hazelwood_A5 portrait_Sport_Challenge_148mm (W) x 210mm (H).indd 1 11/11/2024 13:23

Dare to

CHALLENGE

Discover Hazelwood, an outstanding Prep School in all areas for

children aged 9 months to 13 years, set within 25 acres of Surrey

woodlands. We dare to challenge convention, think big, spark

curiosity and empower every child to reach their full potential.

Hazelwood offers one-of-a-kind learning experiences that inspire

growth, resilience, and a lifelong love of learning.

Private Tours available to book today.

admissions@hazelwoodschool.com

90

www.hazelwoodschool.co.uk

01883 712 194 | Oxted, Surrey

‘Could do

Better’

A Head for 25 years,

Mike Piercy is now an

educational consultant

and school governor.

Here, he looks ahead

to school reports

istockphoto.com/ master1305

The long Autumn Term draws to a close.

Nativity costumes have been procured (not

a dry eye in the house), carol service singing

practice abounds and there is a thinly veiled

frenzy of excitement as the festive season beckons.

Tired teachers will be managing rehearsals with a

growing sense of desperation, ‘They haven’t learnt

the words. They won’t be ready!’ That’s the day job.

The evenings are spent writing reports, late into the

night. No wonder they need proof-reading.

Some ‘celebrity’ reports have been widely published.

Their former teachers must now read them with a wry grin.

Perhaps one of the best known was the Head’s report for

Stephen Fry: ‘He has glaring faults and they have certainly

glared at us this term.’ Stephen Fry was eventually expelled:

creativity takes many forms. An apocryphal report (one of

my favourites) was from a Latin teacher: ‘I do not know

who this boy is, which reflects badly on both of us.’

After the end of term festive frolics, reports will be

distributed. What do they mean to the students and to the

parents? Over the years a blandness, a homogeneity has

crept into reports, teachers wary of being critical. Praise

and encouragement are essential but, at some point, the

generously gratuitous must give way to guidance and advice.

In writing the Head’s report, knowing the child and

summing up my colleagues’ reports, I would sometimes advise

the pupil to read the report first for the praise and then to

read it again for the advice. No teacher wishes to diminish

or damage confidence but they must feel safe in providing

direction; constructive criticism, diplomatically expressed. And

such advice should be read in the spirit in which it is given.

Where every child can do well is with effort – endeavour.

91

Progress is a different matter and, while we’re at it,

let’s distinguish between achievement and attainment.

The latter is assessed against standardised benchmarks:

National Curriculum levels, GCSE, A Level and so on.

Achievement, in my view, is far more important, because

it celebrates individual progress based on the pupil’s

unique character, potential and ability. Yes, national

exams are inescapable, but achievement is personal on

the sometimes pot-holed road leading to those exams.

So, reading that end of term report, break down the

content. Look at the data and consider it relative to an honest

appraisal of your child’s ability and character. Go through

it with your child. Reinforce the praise and congratulate.

Where effort is seen to be lacking seek out the reasons.

Where advice is given and targets are set, be encouraging.

A comprehensive report will have not just data, numbers

on a scale with ‘descriptors’, it will also have text. Reflect on

what is being said (or implied). Read between the lines and, if

necessary, seek clarification from the teacher, objectively, with

the goal of supporting both the school and your child. Last

month I wrote about when and how to intervene or ask the

school about a worry which comes home from school. The

same principle applies to reports: there should be two-way

communication and trust between parent and school. Where

there is subjectivity it is easy to let emotion cloud the data.

On reading the end of term report a (fictitious) parent wrote

to the school: ‘I am writing to complain about the end of term

report. Billy is not illiterate. His mother and I are married.’

Mike’s book, Careering is available now with troubador.co.uk.

You can contact Mike at mikepiercy@hotmail.com

with your education-related queries.


Trend

Setters

The latest in education from

two of our schools

Ashford School tells us about the

Great Work Ethic

When sixth formers start to think about university,

inevitably they have to consider potential career

directions and life after study. Teenagers with a clear idea

about their personality traits, good learning habits and

some work experience tend to make better decisions.

According to James Kent, Managing Director of

leading brand and digital consultancy Why Ltd,

“We look for more than just academic qualifications.

We recruit candidates who show initiative, a strong

work ethic and high levels of conscientiousness

along with creative skills and the ability to work

in a team. It’s essential for youngsters to start

developing these skills while they are at school.”

Part-time jobs, internships, CCF, Duke of Edinburgh

Awards and volunteering all provide pupils with

firsthand experiences that boost UCAS covering

letters and develop the ‘real-world’ skills so valued

by employers. Ashley Grech, Head of Careers at

Ashford School says “Pupils that can demonstrate an

ability for being reliable and hardworking, build their

reputation for being trustworthy. High levels of trust

make it easier for employers to offer promotions and

in the longer term this is a huge advantage.

“Ultimately, successful careers

start with an academic focus

and the curiosity to learn.

Cultivating a strong

work ethic in school,

and outside of it,

is an additional

investment that

extends through

your life”.

Find out more at

ashfordschool.co.uk

Kent College Prep School announces

move to become fully Co-ed

Can boys successfully integrate into a traditionally allgirls

Prep School? At Kent College Prep School, the

answer is a resounding yes. In fact, the process has been

so successful that the transition has been accelerated.

Building on the success of its original phased approach

to become a co-educational school, Kent College

Prep School has recently announced that boys will be

welcome to join the two final year groups (Years 5 and

6) from September 2025, to make the Prep School

fully co-educational. The decision follows enthusiastic

feedback from pupils, parents and staff, who have

embraced the new inclusive vision for the school.

To support a smooth transition, the school has enhanced

the curriculum and extracurricular provision to ensure

it is engaging, inspiring and meets the needs of all

children, whilst adding appropriate facilities to ensure

that boys are supported in all areas. The curriculum,

facilities and outdoor spaces make Kent College

Prep a natural and ideal environment for both boys

and girls to thrive, both academically and socially.

The presence of boys in the younger years has

enriched the Prep School experience for all children,

creating a more diverse atmosphere, and the school

is looking forward to continuing that into the

upper year groups of Prep from September 2025.

For further information, contact

admissions@kentcollege.kent.sch.uk

92

Junior School & Nursery

Spring Open Events

Friday 17 January

Friday 28 February

1.45pm - 3.00pm

1.45pm - 3.00pm

Book your place at ChurchersCollege.com

Don’t miss our next

Education Supplement

Find it in the February 2025

issue of Surrey Homes

93


What’s On

this Festive Season

Thurs 14 Nov – Sun 5 Jan

Kingston upon Thames

Kingston this Christmas

Experience the magic of Christmas in Kingston.

Follow the enchanting Nutcracker Trail and

have the opportunity to win a Christmas

hamper! Capture moments at the brand new

light-up ‘KINGSTON’ sign, explore the walkthrough

present installation, and marvel at

the giant twinkling reindeer. Discover unique

shopping experiences, indulge in seasonal food

and drink, and be merry with the popular

Christmas Market, festive bar and live music.

There’s no place like Kingston this Christmas!

kingstonuponthames.info

Sat 23 Nov – Sun 5 Jan

Scotney Castle

Christmas at Scotney

Escape reality with a visit to Scotney this

Christmas and step into a glittering world of

performance, entertainment and nostalgia.

Explore the rooms in Scotney’s mansion

house, transformed into a cinematic

storybook of Christmas fun and sparkle.

Using items from Scotney’s extensive

collection as inspiration, you’ll be treated

to a visual festive feast. Or blow away

the cobwebs on the festive outdoor trail

around the garden. Visit after dark to see

the house illuminated inside and out,

toast marshmallows and shop for gifts.

nationaltrust.org.uk/scotney-castle


Ightham Mote, Sevenoaks

Tudor Christmas

Celebrate the festive season in style!

Enjoy a roaring fire, traditional carols

and festive crafting workshops for the

whole family. Immerse yourself in the

rich history of this 700-year-old moated

manor house, and see if you can spot all

the hidden mice in the Mice at the Mote

Christmas Trail! Don’t miss the Christmas

shopping opportunities and local choirs

performing throughout the festive season.

nationaltrust.org.uk/ightham-mote

Background: stockphoto.com/lavendertime

28 Nov – 1 Jan

Kew at Wakehurst

GLOW WILD Wakehurst

Explore a woodland trail of lights

and lantern installations at Glow

Wild 2024. As darkness falls at

Kew Wakehurst, the garden is

transformed into an illuminated

wonderland, inspired by the

hidden world of trees. Escape to

over a mile of light installations,

handcrafted by leading artists.

Discover the iconic Christmas

tree, giant flying owl, and fiery

hidden dragon, all surrounded

by a thousand lanterns, on this

award-winning trail.

kew.org/wakehurst

Fri 29 Nov – Sun 5 Jan

Calverley Grounds, Tunbridge Wells

SKATE Tunbridge Wells

SKATE Tunbridge Wells is returning

for another exciting season! Set in the

heart of Tunbridge Wells this magical

winter wonderland will offer unique

ice-skating experience for visitors of

all ages. Open seven days a week the

outdoor ice rink and festive stalls are

only a five-minute walk from the

train station and town centre.

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

Weekends from 30 Nov – 24 Dec

Kent & East Sussex Railway

Santa Specials

Meet Santa on a magical steam train!

Celebrating 50 years of making

lasting Christmas memories, the

award-winning KESR Santa Specials

are bigger and better than ever,

offering even more treats and fun

this year. Bronze, Silver and Gold

packages are available and there will

be a special Quiet Train for a less

intense experience at 11.15am on 30

November. Early booking is essential.

kesr.org.uk


Yvonne Arnaud Theatre

Robin Hood

Yvonne Arnaud Panto is back and

full of slapstick, slosh and silliness.

Starring EastEnders and Detectorists

favourite Lucy Benjamin who

continues her villainous panto streak

as The Sheriff of Nottingham. Peter

Gordon returns for his 19th year,

this time as Nanny Fanny Annie,

alongside Guildford Shakespeare

Company’s Matt Pinches!

yvonne-arnaud.co.uk

1, 7, 8, 15, 22 & 23 Dec

Chiddingstone Castle

Father Christmas Afternoon

Tea or Breakfast

Get ready for an enchanting new Christmas

experience this winter! Storytime and

Afternoon Tea with Father Christmas

inside the beautiful Chiddingstone

Castle. Arrive at the castle and step into

the magical White Rose Room for a

special storytime then move into The

Great Hall for a scrumptious breakfast

or afternoon tea. During your dining

experience Father Christmas will drop

by each table individually and hand out

goody bags to all the children. After

you have eaten follow the Festive Trail

to discover more of the castle and get

creative in the Christmas craft marquee.

chiddingstonecastle.org.uk

Sat 7 – Mon 23 Dec

Rare Breeds Centre

A Truly Magical Christmas

Experience a Truly Magical Christmas

as you visit Santa and his elves in their

sparkling, enchanting grotto! Your

little ones can enjoy an interactive

performance and receive a special gift

from Santa himself. Wander through the

farm filled with twinkling festive decor,

join in the Christmassy activities and

treat yourself to delicious treats at the

Granary Restaurant. Each ticket includes

full access to the farm, promising a day

of seasonal fun for the entire family!

rarebreeds.org.uk

Weds 11 Dec – Sat 4 Jan

Malthouse Theatre Canterbury

Peter Pan

Brought to you by the same creative

team as Malthouse’s record-breaking

productions of ‘Beauty and the Beast’,

‘Cinderella’ and ‘Snow White’, Peter

Pan promises to be even more magical,

with a dazzling West End cast, glittering

sets and costumes and side-splitting

comedy for the whole family to enjoy,

with tickets starting from just £10!

Hurry, the CROC is ticking, book today!

malthousetheatre.co.uk

Fri 13 – Tues 31 Dec

White Rock Theatre

Peter Pan

You’re spoilt for choice with local pantos

this Christmas. But only Hastings

White Rock has the explosive Dynamite

from BBC’s Gladiators in their panto

cast! Dynamite, aka Emily Steel, will

play Wendy in The Magical Pantomime

Adventures of Peter Pan, alongside TV’s

Alexandra Mardell as Tinks. Audiences

can expect some serious girl power

this year, as well as amazing special

effects, dazzling costumes and lots of

audience participation. Hook your

tickets now! whiterocktheatre.org.uk

Sat 14 – Tues 31 Dec

Assembly Hall Theatre

Aladdin

Get ready for the most spectacular

pantomime Tunbridge Wells has

ever seen, as Aladdin returns to the

Assembly Hall Theatre. Starring

Strictly Come Dancing sensation

Ore Oduba, award winning Dame

James Peake, and CBBC favourite

Stewart McCheyne. With spectacular

sets, breathtaking special effects,

gorgeous costumes and mountains of

mayhem you’ll love this action-packed

adventure for the whole family.

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk


Sat 14 Dec at 7.30pm & Sun 15 Dec at

4pm

Landmark Arts Centre

Carols by Candlelight

Join Landmark Arts for a joyful concert

brimming with festive music and engaging

readings. The renowned Surrey Brass,

celebrated narrator Giles Abbott and the

talented Vaughan Williams Singers are

ready to fill you with seasonal joy. They

blend traditional and contemporary

brass music to create a vibrant festive

atmosphere. Get into the spirit – participate

in the carol singing and enjoy some

delicious mince pies and mulled wine.

Don’t miss this festive celebration!

landmarkartscentre.org/christmas

Fri 27 – Sun 29 Dec

GLive Theatre

Swan Lake

The grace and elegance of Swan Lake

is a joy to behold, the dramatic tale of

love and betrayal ensuring it remains

one of the world’s most popular ballets.

Tchaikovsky’s soaring score, performed by

a live orchestra, adds the finishing touch

to a spectacular treat for the whole family.

This new production of Swan Lake,

choreographed by Lara Paraschiv and

performed by the artists of Ballet Del’Art,

reveals the true story within a modern

day presentation, whilst maintaining the

classical origins of the ballet, creating

a Swan Lake for the 21st Century.

trafalgartickets.com/g-live-guildford

Wed 11 Dec

Guildford Cathedral

KSS Kent Surrey Sussex Air

Ambulance Charity Concert

Join KSS for a festive evening of

delicious mince pies, mulled wine and

carol singing alongside a live Christmas

choir. Hear about their life-saving work

and shine candles bright for the crews

working on the night. The money

raised by the carol concert will make

sure they can always be there when

someone needs them – day or night,

throughout the Christmas season and

beyond, helping them to keep more

families together this Christmas.

aakss.org.uk

Sat 7 Dec – Sun 5 Jan

Richmond Theatre

Beauty & the Beast

Dame Maureen Lipman returns

to Richmond to star as Mrs Potty

in this enchanting pantomime

adventure, alongside comedy

magician Pete Firman as Silly

Billy. One of the most romantic

pantos of all time, Beauty and

the Beast will be a spectacular

production for all the family.

atgtickets.com

Sat 14 Dec to Sat 4 Jan

Epsom Playhouse

Cinderella

Don’t be a pumpkin; grab your glass

slippers and get ready for this classic

tale of Cinderella, a kind-hearted girl

mistreated by her wicked stepmother and

stepsisters. With a little help from her

fairy godmother’s magic she transforms

for the royal ball, where she catches the

attention of Prince Charming. But when

the clock strikes midnight, the illusion fades,

leaving only a single glass slipper behind.

epsomplayhouse.co.uk

Sat 14 & Sun 15 Dec

Faversham

Faversham Christmas Markets

Visit magical Faversham for a

weekend of Christmas shopping.

The picturesque town centre will

be home to a Christmas Market

Weekend, packed with stalls selling

local produce, gifts and Christmas

decorations. The markets will be

attended by a selection of local

designers, makers and producers

selling unique, hand-crafted

items. There will also be live

festive music and a visit from the

adorable Happy Endings donkeys.

favershammarket.org

Listings are correct at time of going to press but may be subject to change. Readers are advised to check with venues before making arrangements. We can list your

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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 6th December.


Jane Howard explain there's

more to bovine hierarchy

than meets the eye

The cows have recently come

into the barn for the winter

and, right now, having them close

by in the farmyard is still an enjoyable

novelty. But it won’t stay like this. By

virtue of their size and weight, cows are very

destructive and, as winter progresses, we’ll have to

deal with broken partitions, leaking water troughs,

dripping gutters and gates that don’t work. But that’s

to worry about in January, right now it's clean and

fresh, everything works and I’m loving their company

and watching them go about their daily business.

It’s a known fact that cows form lifelong friendships

and conversely hold big time grudges when they fall

out. They can babysit when called on, invent games,

communicate with humans and solve problems. In fact

it’s rather arrogant of us humans to assume otherwise.

There are currently sixteen cows in

the barn, all adhering to a very strict

social contract that positions them one to

sixteen, with each individual very aware

of where they sit in the pecking order.

If you look at a herd of cows in a field

they may just look like a bunch of black

and white cows – or in my case brown

cows – but spending a lot of time with

them means I know them all by sight

and, of course, by name and personality.

Delia is the head honcho and

whether lying down, walking round,

drinking at the trough or feeding at

the hay rack she is always surrounded

by her immediate gang of admirers, the other big

cheeses – Clementine, Heedless and Patience. Then

there is a large group in the middle who don’t seem

intimidated by the bossy girls or interested in the lowest

ranks where Daffodil and Lofty Lily find themselves

– though I’m not entirely convinced they mind. It’s

nothing to do with size or age – just cows being cows.

In the next door barn are three adolescent boys, all

being fed and nurtured before they get sold in the spring

Cows are only ever

interested in bulls

when they are in

season and see the

bull for one purpose

only, and as our cows

are all pregnant his

arrival will hardly

be acknowledged

as 'ready to work' bulls. All sons of an Admiral bull (so

in pedigree terms they are Coopers Admiral One, Two

and Three) but known around the farm as Nelson (that

was the easy one), Rodney (as in Admiral Lord George

Rodney – best known for his command in the American

War of Independence) and Dewey (yep another high

seas hero). Nelson and Dewey definitely like each other

but Rodney sees himself as a bit superior, leader of the

pack, to be admired and respected. He

stands in the yard and growls for hours

– a deep, menacing growl – paws the

ground sending up clouds of dust, but

sadly the other two take no notice and

sooner or later he’ll have to stop and

then act in a very nonchalant fashion

as though nothing has happened

However, with George (our stock

bull) having gone off to a new life in

Canterbury, Clive, his replacement

is coming soon. This really will give

Rodney something to get heated about,

although of course as they don’t know

each other they can’t be put together

as they would fight to the end. So Clive will spend

Christmas with the cows, although possibly not the

social occasion he might be hoping for. Cows are only

ever interested in bulls when they are in season and

see the bull for one purpose only, and as our cows are

all pregnant his arrival will hardly be acknowledged

and he certainly won’t be considered worthy of a

place in the pecking order. I hope your Christmas is

more eventful than Clive’s. Have a Happy One.


THAMES

DESIGN & BUILD

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020 8398 9252

ARE YOU CONSIDERING AN EXTENSION, LOFT

CONVERSION, OUTBUILDING, OR ANY OTHER

ALTERATION OR ADDITION TO YOUR PROPERTY?

Thames Design and Build provides architectural design

and/or construction services to clients across Surrey, with

over with 80% over of 80% our of projects our projects being being Elmbridge Surrey based.

We offer:

• A A free consultation to discuss your ideas and advise

you advise on the you possibilities on the possibilities and permissions

and permissions

• A A fixed quote for all stages of architectural work

• A A fixed quote for your build – we are equally happy to to

provide a build quote in respect of your existing designs

We have a large portfolio of clients within Surrey Elmbridge, and its so

whatever surrounding your areas plans so are, whatever we should your be plans able are, to we show should you

a be comparable able to show completed you a comparable project. completed project.

Please email us at info@thamesdesignandbuild.com

or visit the website www.thamesdesignandbuild.com

Ditton Garages, Southville Road, Thames Ditton, KT7 0UL

Surrey Homes | SH119 | December 2024 | Christmas Supplement inside

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