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Wealden Times | WT272 | January 2025| Good Living Supplement inside

The lifestyle magazine for Kent & Sussex - Inspirational Interiors, Fabulous Fashion, Delicious Dishes

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PRICELESS

JANUARY 2025

272

JANUARY 2025

GOOD LIVING SUPPLEMENT inside

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes


Success needs

planning

We will help you find the best outcome

from securing the future of your business

to protecting your family’s assets.

warners-solicitors.co.uk | 01732 770660


Contents

January 2025

32

88

52

10

21

23

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

Dream homes on the market

COHABITATION

Amanda Wilson from Berry

& Lamberts Solicitors

runs us through legal

rights and protections

NOTEBOOK

Upcoming events for your diary

50

52

63

GET THE LOOK

Emulate Marta Nowicka’s

seaside style

THE MOTHER OF

INVENTION

Explore a Faversham home

with vintage chateau vibes

GET THE LOOK

Create that lived-in aesthetic

103

105

106

SOMETHING TO

THINK ABOUT

Mike Piercy stresses the importance

of learning from past experiences

WHAT’S ON

Fun-filled dates for your diary...

FABLES FROM THE FARM

Jane Howard’s latest instalment

from Coopers Farm

27

THE MUST LIST

Keep up-to-date with the latest

must-see and must-have goodies

88

COMFORT & JOY

Jo Arnell’s soup recipes

for chilly January days

29

32

MONEY MONEY MONEY

Give your finances a healthcheck

FROM CITY TO SHORELINE

A coastal cottage with a stylish

blend of old and new

95

97

HIGHLAND FLING

Rebecca Cuffe edits

tartans and tweeds

THE GARDENING YEAR

Tips for planning

ahead in 2025

GOOD LIVING

SUPPLEMENT

Our start-of-theyear

guide to all

things health

and wellbeing

After page 64

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 © 2025 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the

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

3

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4


From the

Editor

A

fresh New Year and a chance to reset and

recharge. We’ve rounded up the latest health

and beauty news in a special supplement

that covers everything from private healthcare

and exercise to nutrition and wellbeing.

Our interiors this month are a wonderful celebration

of the old mixed with the new. We start off with

interior architect Marta Nowicka’s coastal cottage

that she’s recently re-updated. Photographed in midwinter,

this pared-back space encapsulates Marta’s

passion for converting abandoned architectural gems.

In a similar vein, Susan Wild has made a career for

herself out of doing-up interesting properties. Her

latest project, in the heart of Faversham, doesn’t

disappoint in the creative department. Her almost

theatrical staging of this unusual house-of-two-parts

takes inspiration from historical French chateaux with

soaring ceilings, ageing plaster and grand doorways.

Recipes come courtesy of garden and food wonder

woman, Jo Arnell, who has created three soup

recipes to help ease you through the chilly

month of January. All you need is a

chunk of freshly baked bread.

Elsewhere, Rebecca Cuffe edits

tweed and tartan on our fashion page

and Emily Pavey tracks down fun and

interesting dates for your diary in our

Notebook and What’s On sections.

Enjoy your Priceless magazine

and happy New Year

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

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Find us here!

HERITAGE SPECIALISTS

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of

Wealden Times or to get free copies delivered for £30 a year.

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18,000 copies of Wealden Times are printed

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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

Alfriston

• Emmett &

White Antiques

& Interiors

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• Eastwell Manor

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Broadstairs

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• Asda Superstore

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Kitchens

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Fine Foods

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Folkestone

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House Wealth

Management

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Newsagents

Greenhithe

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Food Hall

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Butchers

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Headcorn

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Hythe

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Seafood

Restaurant

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Antiques

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Shopping Hall

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Village Store

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Café

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Property Group

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Farm Shop

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Boundaries

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& Wine

Smarden

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House Gallery

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on-Sea

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Farm & Shop

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Agents

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House Interiors

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Superstore

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Residential

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Farm Kitchen

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House

Month

of the

£3,500,000

This month Gordon Lee explores

striking new builds

Sevenoaks

The dream: Magnificent family

residence, built to the highest

specification in a prime location.*

Where: Central Sevenoaks.

Setting: Located on one of

the most sought-after roads

in lovely Sevenoaks.

Beds: 6 Baths: 6

Special features: Designed for

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this exceptional 8,000 square

foot home is arranged over

four floors with lift access. The

basement includes a cinema

room, games rooms and a gym.

There’s even a dog shower – much

needed after all the country

walks that are on the doorstep.

Pleasing details: Built with

sustainability at its heart, it

includes underfloor heating, a

ventilation and air-conditioning

system and dedicated EV charging

point, all powered by an air

source heat pump and solar

power with battery back-up.

Outside: The landscaped gardens,

with porcelain paving, have a

plunge pool, garden house, firepit

with seating and external WiFi.

Time to town: It’s just a short

walk downhill to Sevenoaks

station with trains that connect

to London Bridge, Waterloo

East, Cannon Street and Charing

Cross in as little as 24 minutes.

Agents: Knight Frank

01732 809549 knightfrank.co.uk

*Computer generated images

priceless-magazines.com 10


£1,225,000

Tenterden

The dream: Contemporary Kentish farmhouse

style home, with far reaching views.

Where: Overlooking Tenterden Golf Club.

Setting: Tucked away in a small, gated

development, surrounded by mature trees.

Beds: 5 Baths: 3

Special features: Spacious and light, this stunning

home takes full advantage of its exceptional

location, with all the principal rooms overlooking

the golf course and ancient woodland. The modern

kitchen and open plan family area opens onto the

garden and the spectacular views beyond. The

main bedroom has a wonderful walk-in dressing

area. The formal dining room would make a

fabulous den/children’s room or could be converted

into a downstairs bedroom as needs change.

Pleasing details: There’s underfloor

heating throughout the ground floor and

Siemens appliances in the kitchen.

Outside: The double garage with sizeable driveway

provides ample parking and EV charging.

Time to town: It’s a short walk to Tenterden’s

vibrant town centre, whilst nearby Headcorn

and Ashford have trains that connect

to London and the Kent coast.

Agents: Warner Gray 01580 766044

warnergray.co.uk

£560,000

Maidstone

The dream: Spacious and modern 3 bed family

home with pleasingly traditional period features.

Where: Just three miles south of Maidstone.

Setting: Monchelsea Park is a

prestigious new development.

Beds: 3 Baths: 3

Special features: The classically inspired

exterior is combined with a contemporary

interior. Downstairs has a wonderful sense of

light and space, with a large lounge at the front

of the house, and a full width family/kitchen/

dining room across the back, with double patio

doors that open to the garden. Upstairs, all

three bedrooms have en suite bathrooms.

Pleasing details: Built and insulated to

the highest energy efficient standards.

Outside: There’s a front and rear garden

and private driveway with single garage

and option for EV charging.

Time to town: It’s about 3 miles to the centre

of Maidstone, Mote Park and the train stations

that connect to London. 2½ miles the other

way is the stunning Leeds Castle and the

wonderful Kent countryside that surrounds it.

Agents: Redrow 01622 534300 redrow.co.uk

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Life has a way of taking unexpected turns. That’s why it’s essential to be prepared,

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Contact us to start a simple, important conversation about your future.

Call us on 01892 577092

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Estate Planning • Wills & Inheritance • Powers of Attorney • Court of Protection • Probate

13

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Hammer Price £2,500 Hammer Sold for Price £3,800 £1,100

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Your Local

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Experienced | Professional | Pro-Active | Approachable

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“For clients with existing mortgages

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20


Legal

Cohabitation

What are your legal

rights and protections?

Cohabitation has become increasingly

common, with couples choosing to

live together without getting married

or entering into a civil partnership. However,

cohabiting couples do not have the same legal

rights and protections as married couples.

Partner and family law expert at Berry &

Lamberts Solicitors, Amanda Wilson, explores

the legal landscape surrounding cohabitation.

What is cohabitation?

Cohabitation is when a couple live together and share a

domestic life without being married or in a civil partnership.

There is no legal recognition of a ‘common law marriage’

in the UK, meaning that cohabiting couples do not have

the same legal rights and protections as married couples.

What property rights do cohabiting couples

have?

The legal position for cohabiting couples is complex. Unlike

married couples, cohabiting couples do not automatically have

rights over property owned by their partner. If the property

is solely owned by one partner, the other partner has no legal

entitlement to it, regardless of the length of the relationship

or any financial contributions made, unless it can be proved

that there was an agreement that they should have an interest

in the property. However, there are steps that cohabiting

couples can take to protect their interests in a property:

• A Declaration of Trust is a legally binding document that

sets out each partner’s ownership rights and financial interests

in a property, and what

should happen to the

property in the event

of a breakup or death.

• A Cohabitation

Agreement is a legal

document that covers

various aspects of the cohabiting

couple’s relationship, including property ownership,

financial responsibilities, and arrangements for children.

Do cohabiting couples automatically inherit

from each other?

One area where cohabiting couples face significant challenges

is inheritance. Unlike married couples, cohabiting partners

do not have an automatic right to inherit from each other.

If one partner dies without a valid will, the surviving

partner may not receive any inheritance. It is, therefore,

crucial for cohabiting couples to make wills to ensure that

their assets are distributed according to their wishes.

Should cohabiting couples get legal advice?

Cohabitation presents unique challenges and legal

complexities. One partner can be left financially vulnerable

in the event of a breakup or death of the other partner.

It is essential for cohabiting couples to take proactive

steps to protect their interests. Seeking legal advice

from a family law solicitor is recommended as they can

provide guidance tailored to your specific circumstances

and help you understand your legal position.

For more information, and to seek legal

advice, see berryandlamberts.co.uk

priceless-magazines.com


ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE

Why January is the perfect time

to update your will

Charlotte Thomas, Thomson Snell & Passmore

As 2025 begins and we look ahead

to a new year, it is worth considering

whether you need to review your

existing will or make a will if you

have not yet done so.

We are often asked what should

prompt someone to make a will,

or to update their existing wishes.

There is no quick answer to this,

and it will depend upon a multitude

of factors. Changes to your family

life, changes to your assets, and

changes to the law applicable to

wills and taxation, are all potential

trigger events. These changes

might not necessarily be bad, either;

for example, you may come into an

inheritance or welcome a new child

or grandchild into the world.

It is often easier to think about these

types of trigger events by giving

consideration to the five ‘Ds’, each

of which can be challenging enough

in isolation but even more so if one

ends up triggering another.

Divorce

January is one of the busiest months

of the year for divorce or separation

enquiries. It is important that you

seek advice on your will as soon as

possible in the proceedings given

the impact that this could have on

the wishes you have previously

expressed, especially as the divorce

itself will invalidate certain aspects

of your will. Likewise, if one of the

beneficiaries of your will is going

through a divorce, or is likely to in

the near future, you may need to

reconsider the provision you have

previously made for them.

Death

The loss of a loved one can be very

distressing, and the same is true

if you or they are diagnosed with

a terminal illness. Whilst your will

may not be at the forefront of your

mind in such circumstances, it is

nevertheless essential to review

the wishes you have made and get

advice on whether any aspects of

your will ought to be changed as a

result.

Disability

You should also consider making a

will or updating an existing will if any

of your chosen executors, trustees

or beneficiaries has a disability or

has been incapacitated in some

way, whether through an accident,

illness, or simply as part of the

natural ageing process.

Dispute

It is not uncommon for disputes

to arise between family members,

and spending time together over

the festive period can sometimes

provoke conflict and tensions.

Whilst disputes of this nature will

hopefully be short-lived, in other

instances they can have far-reaching

consequences. It is important that

you are aware of the impact such

a dispute could have when you

die and your estate needs to be

administered.

Debt

If anyone named in your will has

been or is likely to be declared

bankrupt, you should ensure

that your will is updated as a

consequence. A beneficiary who is

an undischarged bankrupt could risk

losing their inheritance through a

claim by their trustee in bankruptcy.

It is also not advisable for someone

who has been declared bankrupt to

act as an executor or trustee under

your will.

With all of these elements, it is

essential to take expert advice. Get

in touch info@ts-p.co.uk or scan the

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Notebook

Take note! We’ve rounded up the best

of what to see and do near you

istockphoto.com/ Dmitr1ch & Tamara Luiza & Olga_Kotsareva & PixelEmbargo

Walk

on the

Wild Side

Hever Castle have the perfect way to blow the cobwebs away

and boost those flagging winter spirits. From 12th February

until 2nd March they’ll be hosting their Snowdrop Walk.

Wrap-up warm and take yourself on a self-led tour exploring

and learning as you go. Around 150,000 snowdrop bulbs

have been planted, including some unusual varieties in the

Winter Garden. Will you spot the giant Galanthus called

‘Colossus’ which at nine inches is one of the tallest of the

snowdrops? Aside these early-year favourites you’ll also see

camellia, quince, daphnes, hellebores and early daffodils. If

you’re feeling chilly you can always head to the Moat Café

to warm up with a bite and a drink. The Snowdrop Walk is

included in the normal admission price. hevercastle.co.uk

James Graham’s powerful new adaptation

of Alan Bleasdale’s BAFTA-winning TV

series comes to Richmond Theatre this

BAFTA

Winning

Spring direct from the National Theatre

and West End.

James Graham’s powerful new

adaptation of Alan Bleasdale’s

BAFTA-winning TV series comes to

Richmond Theatre this spring direct

from the National Theatre and West

Set the scene: 80s Liverpool. Chrissie,

Loggo, George, Dixie and Yosser are used

to hard work and providing for their

families. But there is no work and there is

no money. What are they supposed to do?

Work harder, work longer, buy cheaper,

spend less? They just need a chance.

End. Set the scene: 80s Liverpool.

Chrissie, Loggo, George, Dixie and

Yosser are used to hard work and

providing for their families. But there

is no work and there is no money.

What are they supposed to do? Work

harder, work longer, buy cheaper,

spend less? They just need a chance.

Life is tough but the lads can

play the game. Find jobs, avoid

Life is tough but the lads can play the

game. Find jobs, avoid the ‘sniffers’ and

see if you can have a laugh along the way.

the ‘sniffers’ and see if you can

have a laugh along the way.

Boys From the Blackstuff plays at

Richmond Theatre 11 – 15 Feb.

atgtickets.com/richmond

Paper Jam

Rye Creative Centre have a whole host of art classes

and workshops on offer to inspire you this year.

Resident painter-printmaker, Paula MacArthur,

is leading photopolymer etching workshops once a

month in their print room. These friendly oneday

workshops are suitable for absolute beginners

through to experienced printmakers who’d like

to learn a new technique. Ink and sundries are

included in the price of £70, however plates

are an additional cost (£7.56 to £48.85): For

dates and details see ryecreativecentre.co.uk

23

priceless-magazines.com


Here

We

Come...

Join in the ancient tradition of Wassailing at Brogdale Farm’s first

ever event of this kind on Sunday 26th January from 4pm until

6.30pm. Your ticket will include entry, a free glass of mulled cider or

warm apple juice and a delicious piece of homemade apple cake. Take

part in blessing the orchards, warding off bad spirits and encouraging

a bountiful apple and fruit harvest for the coming year. There will be

Morris dancers, a procession, wassailing ceremony and a hullabaloo

under their oldest Bramley apple tree! Bring saucepans and spoons,

lanterns, torches and a good loud voice and get ready to enjoy some

cider and toast the trees. There will be crafts for kids on offer too.

For ticket prices and more information go to brogdalecollections.org

Wine & Dine

If you’re planning on going vegan this month then do it in

style at Balfour’s Winemaker’s Kitchen on Saturday 18th

January, as they host a memorable vegan dining experience.

This exclusive event features a beautifully crafted six-course

tasting menu, designed to showcase the finest plant-based

flavours of the season. Guests will be welcomed with a glass

of Leslie’s Reserve Gold, setting the tone for an elegant

evening accompanied by live music. With a maximum of

80 guests, this intimate evening promises an atmosphere

of warmth and sophistication. Tickets are £60 per person

– reserve your place now for an unforgettable evening of

exceptional food and wine. balfourwinery.com

Perfect

...Makes

More good news for budding artists as Drawing

with the Practise Room at Kingdom Pen

launches on Friday 7th February. Kingdom

sits in the midst of beautiful countryside near

Penshurst. Join them for a focused day of

drawing with a range of exercises to ‘prompt

one’s understanding, to explore and delve deep

and truly connect with what it is to draw’.

Running from 10am until 4pm, a rigorous,

thoughtful and poetic day awaits, led by Luke

Hannam. All materials will be provided, a copy

of their first edition zine, plus teas and coffees

on tap. The day of drawing, with everything

you need included in the cost, will be £120.

Please contact hen@practiseroom to book your

place. Find out more by following

@_practiseroom, @lukehannampaintings

All Aboard!

We love the sound of the Spa Valley Railway’s Burns Night Murder Mystery

Dining Experience. “It’s Burns Night at the prestigious Morlington School for

Girls, and the annual celebration of poetry and haggis is in full swing. But when

a horrific explosion claims the lives of young Pippa Picklewick and the stern

headmistress Miss Crisp, the evening descends into chaos. Who would commit

such a gruesome act? With the Scottish teacher’s dramatic reading of Robert Burns

interrupted forever, it’s up to you to uncover the truth behind the deadly inferno.

Was it science, malice, or something far darker at play?” You’ll board at 6.30pm

at Tunbridge Wells West with the steam hauled train departing at 7pm and

completing two return journeys along the Spa Valley Railway that evening

before returning to Tunbridge Wells West for one last time at approximately

9.30pm. Tickets are £80 per person. For a peek at the tasty menu and more

information on how to book your ticket go to spavalleyrailway.co.uk

istockphoto.com/ Mykola Sosiukin & hatman12 & Bitter

priceless-magazines.com

24


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NEXT AUCTION

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Telephone 01227 763337 Email general@tcag.co.uk

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11th & 12th

APRIL

Entry deadline 7th March

6th & 7th

JUNE

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AUGUST

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3rd & 4th

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It’s Burns Night on the 25th and

whether you are going for the

full haggis feast or a simple

toast, it’s the time to dabble

with a dram of Scotch

whisky. This is Compass

Box’s Orchard House

blended malt, a great all

rounder for beginners

with crisp apple and

pear notes. £45 at

compassboxwhisky.com

Two great goals to set in

the New Year: stay hydrated

and do your bit for the

environment. This Ocean Bottle

will help you on your way

to both. Ocean Bottles

are made with recycled

materials and each one you

buy funds the collection of 1,000

ocean bound plastic bottles.

Using a bottle like this can keep

you healthily hydrated while also

reducing the amount of single-use

plastic bottles you use. So really it’s

a win all round, plus they come

in lots of chic colours and the

designs are simple and beautiful

with a high quality feel. Bottles

from £27 at oceanbottle.co

Whether you’re going

the whole non-hog

for Veganuary or not,

you can try shopping

vegan. This bag from

Votch is made with vegan,

biobased bamboo leather.

Elsewhere at Votch you’ll find

AppleSkin and vegan leather

appearing on purses, belts, watches

and more. This hobo bag

is £195 at votch.co.uk

must

The

From must-sees to must-buys and

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s

round up of what to buy, see, do,

and generally get excited about!

Resolved to eat healthier

in the new year? Make

all those salads and

veggies healthier AND

tastier with a high

quality olive oil. This

premium extra virgin

olive oil by The Governor is

rich in antioxidants, promotes

glowing skin, is good for brain

health and is also entirely

delicious. From £39.95

thegovernorevoo.co.uk

This month we celebrate Chinese New Year and turn over a

new leaf to begin the year of the snake. In particular it is the

year of the wood snake or green snake. Representing wisdom,

agility, growth, flexibility and tolerance, you may wish to

embrace these symbols in the coming year. With its subtle

Jade quartz gem, this ring from Gemondo’s selection of snake

themed jewellery is perfect for the job. £60 at gemondo.com

For those aiming to get moving this

month (and year) with some exercise, we

recommend adding some music to keep

you going strong and feeling motivated.

We love these Soundcore C40i clip-on

earbuds for their comfortable fit that feels

secure but also airy, letting in some of

the sounds of the outside world. It’s the

ideal way to set a great quality soundtrack

to your run, walk, cycle or any other

outdoorsy activity that could just use a little

musical boost. £99.99 at soundcore.com

To take on the wintry world you need

appropriate footwear and to do it with style

and comfort you need some Sorels. Shop

for super cosy waterproof footwear for men,

women and children. Think snow boots

with shearling collars, faux fur lined clogs,

waterproof trainers with high traction grip

and stylish Chelsea boots. sorelfootwear.co.uk

As the festive decs get put away, now’s

the time to give your home a bit of an

organise and we love Cotswold Co’s

latest collection – with classic storage

options and cosy furniture to refresh an interior

for a new look in the New Year. cotswoldco.com

27


Face the future

with confidence...

When it comes to financial advice,

it’s important to find someone

you can trust.

For the past 33 years we have been providing unbiased, holistic

financial planning advice to clients and businesses across Kent.

We are proud of our success, our independence, and our

reputation of being a friendly, professional practice.

Folkestone Office: 01303 273 273

Maidstone Office: 01622 238 230

ifa@financial-advice.co.uk

www.financial-advice.co.uk

Authorised and Regulated by The Financial Conduct Authority


Money

Money

Money

When considering your New Year’s resolutions, why

not add a financial health check to your list? Financial

Advice & Services are helping us out with their 10

ideas to improve your financial wellbeing for 2025

istockphoto.com/ SvetaZi

Use your Individual Savings

Account (ISA) allowance

In the current tax year, each UK

resident can save £20,000 into an

ISA. In an ISA, income and interest

is exempt from Income Tax and gains

are free from Capital Gains Tax. An

ISA can help you avoid tax liability if

you are paying tax on savings interest

and is tax-efficient way to invest.

Make sure you

are protected

It is a sad fact that many

people have insufficient

financial protection to

safeguard their loved ones. Would your

family cope financially if you suddenly

died or became seriously ill and couldn’t

earn? Are your current protection

policies up-to-date and appropriate for

your needs? If not, seek independent

advice to arrange suitable protection.

Make use of

annual gift

exemptions

You are

allowed to

gift up to

£3,000 each

tax year, without

considering the

Inheritance Tax (IHT)

implications. Additional

exemptions may also be

available, depending

on your circumstances.

Regular gifts can reduce

the potential impact

of IHT on your estate

alongside other tax

planning strategies.

Arrange pension

contributions

Many of us are not saving

enough to fund a comfortable

retirement, and making additional

pension contributions can help boost your

retirement savings. Most individuals can

contribute up to 100% of their relevant

earnings (up to £60,000) into a pension

each tax year. Pension contributions

usually qualify for tax relief, and growth

within the pension fund is tax exempt.

Review your mortgage

For many people, their

mortgage is their biggest liability

and monthly outgoing. If you

took out a fixed rate mortgage

in the last few years, when interest rates

were generally much lower, it could be

worth reviewing your options before

the fixed rate period comes to an end.

Consider joint tax

allowances

If you are married or in a civil

partnership, then it is possible to

transfer assets to your partner to

make use of their allowances if available, as

well as your own. For instance, a Capital

Gains Tax liability could be reduced by

using both annual exempt amounts.

Check savings rates

It is worth checking any existing

savings accounts you hold, to

see whether the interest rate you are

receiving is competitive. Banks and

Building Societies often launch new

products which offer better rates, and with

interest rates falling generally, moving

savings to a more productive home can

increase the amount of interest you receive.

Make a will

Leaving clear instructions

to your loved ones on how

your assets are to be distributed

on death can reduce stress

for your next of kin and help in

tax planning. If you haven’t made a

will, make it a resolution to get one

prepared. If you already have a will,

review the content to make sure it

continues to reflect your wishes.

Check your State

Pension forecast

By using the Government

Gateway service, you can receive

a State Pension forecast, which

will indicate your likely State Pension

and the date at which it is payable. It

will also enable you to identify any gaps

in your National Insurance record, and

check whether any action is needed.

Seek independent

financial advice

Make it a New Year

resolution to review your

financial circumstances.

Speaking to an independent financial

planner can help identify areas that

you may have missed and determine

if you are on target to meet your

financial goals. If any action is needed,

an independent adviser can select the

most appropriate solution to meet your

needs from across the marketplace.

For more invaluable information and

advice that can help you and your

finances thrive throughout 2025 and

beyond visit Financial Advice & Services

online at financial-advice.co.uk

The content of this article is for information only and does not constitute financial advice. It is for general information only and should not be

relied upon when making any financial planning decisions. You should always obtain professional independent advice based on your circumstances.

Financial Advice & Services Limited, Independent Financial Advisers, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

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THINK

timely

THINK

For a free no obligation consultation,

get in touch today

01732 366077

admin@abmv.co.uk | abmv.co.uk

ICAEW

CHARTERED

ACCOUNTANTS

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30



FromCity

to shoreline

Interior architect Marta Nowicka’s recently remodelled cottage, nestled on the

edge of Camber Sands, is the definition of a retreat. Tucked away from the

bustle of urban life, this special house offers a pared-back, lived-in aesthetic

that allows the atmosphere of its coastal surroundings to flood in

Words: Fiona Patrick

Photographs: David Merewether

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34


Previous pages & this page: Marta took advantage of permitted

development rights to extend a narrow galley kitchen on the raised

ground floor into a spacious kitchen dining area. A medieval

dining table, inherited from Marta’s father takes centre stage

For whatever we lose (like a you or a me), it’s always

ourselves that we find in the sea.” So wrote E. E.

Cummings in his poem, ‘maggie and milly and

molly and may’, but it could easily have been written for

Coastguards Cottage, a 4-bedroom seaside haven sitting

peacefully on the edge of Camber Sands beach, transformed

from its eponymous original workspace designation by

award-winning interior architect, Marta Nowicka.

Inspired by her late, sea-loving father and the sailing

adventures they enjoyed together, Marta was drawn to the

idea of a bolthole on the coast, and when the property

popped up on Rightmove she went to visit it immediately;

“It was in a terrible state of repair,” says Marta, “it had been

rented out to some people who were essentially using it as

a junkyard, and it had become a blight on the landscape.”

Many people might have balked at such an overwhelming

project, but Marta is no stranger to reimagining rundown

spaces. With a degree in interior architecture, she worked

35

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“I decided to leave these walls as they are,” explains Marta, “but I have tried to add in some pops of

colour around the rooms using prints or accessories. In the morning room there is a striped print which

reminded me of the quintessential seaside deck-chair stripe but without the reference being too overt.”

priceless-magazines.com

36


We turn your dreams

into your reality

It may be a cliché, but turning dreams into

reality is what we do. And we do it well.

We’ve spent over twenty years perfecting

the art of property renovation and building

services. With a team of skilled, passionate

individuals at our disposal, we can

transform any building into the property

of your dreams – all with none of the

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For more details, visit our website and

download our project guide to see what

a project with Early Birds looks like.

T: 01233 333 280

W: www.earlybirdsltd.co.uk

As featured on:

37

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Previous page & above: Leading off from the kitchen are two sitting

rooms, both with wood burners. One has a table for homework

or working from home (above), whilst the cosy space next to the

kitchen offers a more formal area to hang out in (previous page)

Right: The ascent to the top floor of the house

for a number of clients all over Europe before deciding to start her

own property development business focusing on commercial projects.

When she arrived at the property to find that the previous occupants

had stripped absolutely everything out upon their departure, from

the taps to the radiators, she was unperturbed, instead grasping

the opportunity of a blank canvas. “I noticed that all the original

panelling was there on the staircase, the original cupboards and

doors and floors. All the elements were already present, it was

just a case of putting in new electrics and new plumbing and

central heating and trying to make it as cosy as possible.”

With a very limited budget, she put her contacts to good

use, bringing her team of builders down to the coast where they

completed the first phase of renewal in just four months. Marta

was keen to keep things simple in homage to the pared back livework

space that it used to be, painting the walls white, allowing

the changing colours of the Cottage’s surrounds to play on the

surfaces to full effect. “I did try swatches of colour, but the light

is so strong, so powerful, so beautiful that it actually doesn’t

need anything at all.” On some of the walls where they removed

wallpaper, the colour from the wallpaper had seeped into the

original plaster, creating a mottled pattern of pinks and blues that

mirrored the raw beauty of the seascape. “I decided to leave these

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“I decided to use thick, linen curtains with

insects on them because one thing about

being by the sea, you get masses of insects. You

are literally in the midst of all this amazing

wildlife and nature, and I think people

forget that, so I wanted to embrace it.”

walls as they are,” explains Marta, “but I have tried to add

in some pops of colour around the rooms using prints or

accessories. In the morning room there is a striped print

which reminded me of the quintessential seaside deckchair

stripe but without the reference being too overt.”

This subtlety extends throughout the house, which

manages to convey both a sea-worn rusticity and hot cupof-tea

cosiness all at once. “I decided to use thick, linen

curtains with insects on them because one thing about

being by the sea, you get masses of insects. You are literally

in the midst of all this amazing wildlife and nature, and

I think people forget that, so I wanted to embrace it.”

Originally designed to be a second home for Marta

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This page: Past the bathroom, at the top of the house, Marta has created

a special bedroom space accessed via a stairway in the style of a ship’s

ladder. Tucked into the roof space, you can immerse yourself in the

house’s coastal surroundings as the sea breeze whistles around overhead

came! It was chaos but it was brilliant, a happy time full

of fun – non-stop fires and barbeques and long walks.”

The decision to rent out the property as a holiday let

emerged organically from this stream of visitors, as friends

of friends asked if they could stay, and they offered to

pay for the privilege. “I had always been focused on

commercial property,” says Marta. “I had never thought

of doing short stays, but Coastguard’s Cottage was the

springboard for adding another side to the business.”

Three years ago, Marta took advantage of permitted

development rights to improve the property further, extending

a narrow galley kitchen on the raised ground floor into a

kitchen dining area. “I hated being stuck in the kitchen

while everyone else was in the dining room or sitting room.

It felt like a 1950s house, not how I live now at all.”

The result of ‘phase 2’ is a beautiful, minimalist space that

takes full advantage of its surroundings. The trifecta of large,

single pane glass in the window, ceiling and door of the

43

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This page: Whilst working on the kitchen expansion, Marta seized the opportunity to excavate downwards to create two further bedrooms and

a bathroom on the lower ground floor.

kitchen provides a cinematic panorama which allows all the

wondrous drama of mother nature to surround you while

you enjoy the comfort of a hearty meal and the warmth from

the white enamel wood burner. “From the table, you can see

the sky above the sea, which is constantly changing. You have

all the seasons happening in one day sometimes, and it faces

west so you get these incredible sunsets.” A wooden bench

goes all the way around the room, offering an ideal place to

remove your boots after a wind-swept walk and whisk them

underneath, and there’s also a shower room just inside the

door for when you have come in straight from the sea – if

you haven’t already used the hot and cold showers outside!

Marta wanted the kitchen to speak to the work ethic

of the coastguards, and to the utilitarian origins of the

house, so originally considered a timber top but realised

this would be impractical with hot pans. “This was

essentially a commercial kitchen at one point, so I decided

to use really thin stainless steel for the work surfaces,

and then oak around the window to mirror the new oak

steps.” She also wanted to ensure the very best quality

for the kitchen, using the same kitchen maker that she

uses for all her projects: “I use a German company called

Rotpunkt, and the mechanics are just perfect. Twenty

five years down the line you will find the drawers still

self-close perfectly, and they are beautifully made.”

Leading off from the kitchen are two sitting rooms,

both with wood burners. One has a table for homework

or working from home, whilst the cosy space next to the

kitchen offers a more formal area to hang out in. This

attention to accommodating for different needs is what

makes the perfect setup for a holiday bolt-hole. “I wanted

the house to have all these different zones – watching

Netflix or playing games in the back room, having a drink

by the fire in the middle sitting room and chatting whilst

doing the cooking in the kitchen.” The Edwardian fireplaces

have been restored, but not perfected, adding a seaworthy

roughness to the space that nudges you inexorably into a

nearby cosy sofa or armchair, and the wooden floorboards

and simple lighting all work to connect the interior with

the rugged external landscape. “People call it shabby

priceless-magazines.com

44


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This page: Despite being on the lower ground floor, the second bedroom

is still flooded with that unmistakable bright coastal light

chic,” says Marta, “but I don’t think

it’s shabby or chic. That’s just how

it was, and I left it how it was.”

The garden, a hidden treasure

secluded behind a wall of scaffold

boarding, includes a lawn of

wildflowers and offers a collection

of beautiful driftwood and other

things drawn up from the beach. It is

both wild and welcoming, providing

a number of spaces to retreat to

depending on the weather. There’s a

sunken firepit surrounded by steps and

a windbreak made from scaffold boards,

as well as a timber gazebo that shelters

a long table that nestles in amongst an

array of pebbles, stepping stones and

even an old wooden boat repurposed

as a flower bed. “If it’s a windy day,

the firepit is a really nice nook to sit

in, while the gazebo is great in the

summer as it offers some shade and

a barbeque. We also have the terrace

steps where everybody sits in a very

laissez faire way, basking in the sun.”

Elsewhere in the house, Marta also

took the opportunity when doing

the kitchen to excavate downwards

to create two further bedrooms and a

bathroom on the lower ground floor.

There is no hint of over-the-top seaside

references, only the quiet emulation

of the beach in the use of terrazzo

tiles in the bathroom. “I wanted it to

be a continuation of the outside, for

the wet areas to look like you are still

on the beach. It’s a beautiful terrazzo

that just looks like beach pebbles,”

says Marta. Even the stairs have been

left to sing a shanty about the past.

When Marta first arrived, they were

covered in a piece of lino going up

the centre of the stairs with paint

on either side, but rather than give

them a full makeover she decided to

embrace the history they held: “We

took the lino off and the paint on

priceless-magazines.com 46


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48


Garden images ©Voytek Ketz

This page: The garden includes a lawn of wildflowers and offers a collection of beautiful driftwood and

other things drawn up from the beach Above right: The ground floor shower room

the edges had all been chipped. My painter said, “I’ll paint

all this and make it good,” but I loved the effect, so instead

we just cleaned and sanded them and that was that.”

At the top of the house, Marta decided to utilise the

height and the beams to create a unique bedroom space.

What could have been an awkward area to incorporate

into the house feels natural because of its location, akin to

being inside a boat cabin, not least because access to the

room is via a stairway in the style of a ship’s ladder and

a balustrade made of real rope, complete with monkey

knot. This together with the simplicity of the tongue-andgroove

walls and the furniture (just a large bed and chest

of drawers) create a charming space where you are both at

one with, and protected from, the elements. “It feels quite

adventurous, this space,” elaborates Marta, “like you’re

going up to the crow’s nest of the building. Through the

big velux windows you can only see sky, and when it’s cold

and windy outside, it’s really warm in there and you can

just cosy up in bed.” This room, along with a bedroom

on the lower ground floor, benefit from phenomenal

sunrise views all the way to Dungeness, and then the

whole house is a spectator as the sun moves across the sea

and sets over the garden. “The house experiences all these

different swathes of light as the day unfolds. You feel very

connected to nature and it is definitely good for the soul”.

Marta has since refurbished a St John Ambulance

station in the medieval port town of Rye, also available for

short stays, alongside several properties in London. You

can explore these, as well as her collection of beautifully

renovated homes for long-term rental, online at domstay.com.

49

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Words: Jo Arnell

Photographs: David Merewether

The Mother

of Invention

With a background in fashion, Susan Wild has brought her individual aesthetic to the

adventurous renovation of an old office building in Faversham, transforming it into

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When Susan Wild returned with her family

from New Zealand, her main thought was

to find a home and settle back into life in

England as soon as possible. She chose to house hunt

around the pretty Kent town of Faversham, famous for its

Medieval marketplace and unspoiled charm. “Faversham

seemed like a good place. I have family here and didn’t

want to make too much change for the children, but

there didn’t seem to be much around at the time.”

In the end she found a former office, viewing it the day

before it was to be sold by auction. “It had no services, no

door – and the stairs were next door too. I had to make a

quick decision as I was desperate to settle somewhere.”

Anxious to put down roots and make a home, she

entered the auction for the door-less, stair-less place

with no real plan, except to find somewhere for them

to live. Taking on a property conversion is interesting

to contemplate, fun to read about, and fine if you have

money and a plan. In this case it was a total act of bravery.

She went on to win the auction – and then found herself

with a big empty building and no clear idea of what to

do with it. “I normally have a vision,” she says, “but not

with this one.” It was potentially an overwhelming project,

but Susan was determined to apply her considerable

skills as a trained designer – albeit in fashion – and

make a family home from the improbable space she

Previous pages: The main house’s kitchen and the apartment’s

sitting room This page: The apartment kitchen’s colour scheme

is grey, with the chrome and steel of the fridge and oven making

it feel more industrial, but with an aged, vintage touch.

55

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Above: The apartment’s dining room has a winter ski lodge feel,

with plenty of bare wood, sheepskins, vintage skis and sledge

Left: The staircase up to the first floor in the main house

had just bought. “We started by knocking a hole in the

wall to make a door, putting in electrics and installing

two staircases. We did it all while I was homeschooling

my youngest child and renting nearby for six months.”

The rebuilding process was a long one; turning an

office space into a residential property is a complete

transformation, luckily Susan is a dab hand at

metamorphosing buildings. Before moving to New

Zealand they grew a huge colonial barn out of a bungalow

(as seen in this magazine a few years ago). “I must like

doing up houses,” she laughs. “We turned that ’50s style

bungalow into an American looking house with a turret.”

This is far from being a lowly countryside bungalow. We

are in the heart of Faversham and looking at a beautiful, high

ceilinged Georgian building. Here the changes have been

mainly internal, but equally transformational. From an empty

shell with no outdoor space (or access) Susan has managed

to magic a feature-full four-bedroom home with a garden.

“There was no garden at all,” Susan explains. “We made the

garden by taking the roof off the garage, and although it has

become a four-bedroom house, because of the two staircases,

it can be split into separate dwellings – a three-bedroom

house and a one-bedroom apartment – if needed,” she adds.

This clever separation means that the main bedroom

suite is in the front of the house and the three children’s

priceless-magazines.com

56


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This page: A chaise longue with pink velvet

throw nestles under the half glazed triple

French reclaimed doors that open into the

kitchen/dining space of the main house

rooms are in the back. There are

even two kitchens, so that the now

adult children, when they are home,

can live almost independently.

The house number is written boldly

in the glass above the front door – no

longer a bland 19a, now stylishly called

19½. Once on the inside, looking

onto an ornate and silvered mirror,

in an Alice Though the Looking

Glass way, this number reverses to

be reflected the right way round.

The ground floor is a large, open plan

space, lined with tongue and groove,

that Susan has painted in a textural

pale grey, a cool neutral that is warmed

up by the rich brown floorboards,

cowhide rugs and fur throws.

The small kitchen is a continuation

of this space, but zoned from the

living and dining area. The original

floorboards continue, but the tongue

and groove on the walls above the

kitchen units becomes thinner and

darker, the vertical lines on the walls

echoed by the creases in the curtains

under the kitchen counters. Again

the colour scheme is grey, with the

chrome and steel of the fridge and

oven making it feel more industrial,

but with an aged, vintage touch.

Texture and muted tones take over

in the large sitting room, pink and

beige mix harmoniously – beige on

the walls and pale pink in the soft

furnishings. An inviting chaise longue

with pink velvet throw nestles under

the beautifully etched half glazed

triple French doors that open into

the main kitchen dining space.

Splendidly unfitted, the main kitchen

echoes the smaller one – a gleamingly

industrial range and dishwasher are

offset by a rustic kitchen table and

soft gingham curtains have been

hung instead of conventional kitchen

unit doors. Utensils hang handily

from an open shelf above the units

and on the opposite wall Susan has

designed alcoved shelving that gives

the impression of a kitchen dresser.

Under these shelves is a carpenter’s

bench, with some useful wooden veg

boxes attached. The mix of old

priceless-magazines.com 58


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Susan’s experience as a clothes designer, her understanding of fabric and the ways it

can be used, have enabled her to employ texture to great effect throughout the house.

She often uses velvet, which adds depth and a touch of luxury to throws, curtains and

drapes. Her unique style extends to the finishes on the walls – using brushes, a plastering

trowel and a clever mix of paints, she has managed to make the new plaster look aged

– giving it an antiqued patina that brings an esoteric, timeworn atmosphere...

wood and modern chrome shouldn’t work, but it does in

here, possibly because it is mixed in with elegant furniture

– armoires and chaise longues. The atmosphere is overarchingly

French and it all feels as if it’s been here forever.

“There’s nothing standard in here,” she says, “I’m not

fond of fitted kitchens. It’s industrial, but mixed with old

objects and French bits on the shelves – an eclectic mix

of things.” This array of items comes partly from her love

of objects for their own sake, but also because she is an

immensely practical and hands-on person – and anyone who

uses a kitchen and likes to cook or entertain knows that you

need a fair amount of equipment – and the more attractive

and well-used your gadgets and tools are, the better.

“I love cooking. I do less now that the family are grown,

but,” – and this is possibly the reason for the swanky

number 19½ etched above the front door – “once I finished

renovating, I ran a supper club at the front of the house.”

Aside from the decorative finishes, it’s the details that

add up to the whole here. Susan has chosen wonderful

radiators – antique looking, and attractive in their own

right, but repro, so that they actually work and aren’t all

furred up with rust and grime. She has also managed to

create the most remarkable, and very cost effective, flooring

solution. She made a stencil and then was able to apply

paint in different colours across the floors, sealing it so

that it would be long lasting and easy to clean. Genius.

I’m trying to decide whether the colour of the walls

at this end of the house is grey, or green? “Grey,”

Susan assures me. “It’s just that there’s so much garden

greenery near the window that the light, when it shines

through, makes the room seem greener.” The diffusive,

soft green wash is very effective, especially as the colour

priceless-magazines.com

60


This spread, left to right: Susan’s studio at the back of the house

was once a holding cell when the building was a magistrate’s

court; The high ceilings continue into the apartment’s bedroom

will change with the time of day and the seasons.

“I have an allotment,” she continues, “and love to

grow cut flowers there.” She has an impressive collection

of healthy looking houseplants too, some used to

create curtaining effects at the windows, helping to

bring the outside in and soften windows and walls.

Susan’s studio at the back of the house is a room with

a dark history. “It was once a holding cell when the

building was a magistrate’s court. You can see the tiny

window at the top and the black line that goes all the way

around the room denotes where the original floor was.”

This unusual space was completely redundant until they

got a digger in to hollow it out, digging down to the level of

the garden and installing a new back door. Now it has a 15

foot high arching ceiling, and the small cell window – right

up high – is festooned with greenery. This room remains

uncluttered and Susan has painted directly onto the brick

– dark grey beneath the line where the old floor was and

darker grey on the curved ceiling. She has cleverly painted

the cream coloured walls above the line, rubbing them

back and making them look aged, as if the room has always

been like this. It is a workroom, but has a distinctly Gothic

theme – and I can’t help noticing all the iconography on the

walls, dotted in and around the reels of thread and fabric.

Unbelievably, the floor here is another stencil,

printed in a three-dimensional geometric design. “I

had seen it in a French chateau we stayed in once and

got inspiration,” she says. It is one thing to be inspired,

quite another to be able to make a floor that looks

as if it’s tiled using just a stencil and some paint.

Susan has not been afraid to do many things

herself, including plumbing. “I plumbed in the

kitchen myself. I had a plumber, then there were

2 leaks – the ceilings would have fallen in if it

wasn’t done immediately, so I did it myself.”

Susan’s experience as a clothes designer, her understanding

of fabric and the ways it can be used have enabled her to

employ texture to great effect throughout the house. She

often uses velvet, which adds depth and a touch of luxury

to throws, curtains and drapes. Her unique style extends

to the finishes on the walls – using brushes, a plastering

trowel and a clever mix of paints, she has managed to make

the new plaster look aged – giving it an antiqued patina

that brings an esoteric, timeworn atmosphere. Seasoned

Grandeur is the company she has formed to utilise her

skills and her ‘passion for distressed, faded grandeur

and vintage finishes.’ She will take on commissions for

both domestic and commercial spaces, creating beautiful

effects that work perfectly in period properties.

The new staircases look as if they have always been in

existence, panelled and with wall sconces holding candles

and candle-effect lights, adding mystery and history,

transporting us back to another era. Dark panelling and

dusky wall treatments work well here, because the

61

priceless-magazines.com


Below: A bathroom in the main house

An atmospheric artwork, painted by Susan, has been created within

the panelling on the wall above the bed in what was her son’s room.

In her daughters’ room (below) – “she always dreamed of living in a

New York loft apartment” – is a print of the New York skyline, encased

in a window frame to give the impression of a loft-style city view...

ceilings are high and the windows

are large. Upstairs, the bedrooms

are uncluttered and serene, made

to feel luxurious with velvet throws

and textural, deep pile rugs.

An atmospheric artwork, painted

by Susan, has been created within the

panelling on the wall above the bed

in what was her son’s room. In her

daughters’ room – “she always dreamed

of living in a New York loft apartment”

– is a print of the New York skyline,

encased in a window frame to give the

impression of a loft-style city view.

The skilful mix of paint effects,

tongue and groove, panelling, a mastery

of texture and fabric, together with

an understanding of how to create

an authentic looking, aged interior,

has enabled Susan to turn an empty,

neglected shell into a period piece.

Necessity is the mother of invention,

so the saying goes – and in this case,

it has proved to be the invention

of a unique home brimming over

with charm and seasoned grandeur.

As Susan starts the search for a new

project, we can’t wait to find out

where her creativity takes her next.

Address Book:

For more information on

Seasoned Grandeur and to find out

about Airbnb rentals, see Instagram

@seasoned_grandeur or email

susanwild@seasonedgrandeur.com

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62


Get the

LOOK

1 Small 5 light Jacobean chandelier (H2-027) £1,270 Besselink & Jones besselink.com 2 Laura Ashley Lighting and

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effect wallpaper £75/roll Lime Lace limelace.co.uk 4 Vines distressed gold mirror (M2-017) £2,200 Besselink & Jones

besselink.com 5 Antique white mirrored closet £569.95 Melody Maison melodymaison.co.uk 6 Antique military travel

trunk £395 Scaramanga scaramangashop.co.uk 7 Cotton velvet cushion with pom poms £20 The Cotswold Company

cotswoldco.com 8 The Clapham Grand Sofa £2,588 Darlings of Chelsea darlingsofchelsea.co.uk 9 Kugleask cushion £5.50

JYSK jysk.co.uk 10 Chess black and white matt ceramic floor tile £14.99/m 2 Tile Mountain tilemountain.co.uk

63

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Liz with her family

Learn more

about gifts

in Wills

Gifts in Wills fund a third

of our work, like the clinical

trial Liz took part in.

Thanks to research, she’ll celebrate more

milestones with her family.

Find out more at cruk.org/giftsinwills

Cancer Research UK is a registered charity in

Cancer Research UK is a registered England charity and in Wales England (1089464), and Wales Scotland (1089464), (SC041666), Scotland (SC041666),

the Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey the (247). Isle Registered of Man (1103) address: and Jersey 2 Redman (247). Place, Registered London, E20 1JQ.

address: 2 Redman Place, London, E20 1JQ.


The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

Chuck it

or

keep it?

When it comes to beauty resolutions for 2025, Josephine Fairley

discusses what to ditch and what to save

There are two things I do on New Year’s

Day, without fail. First, Hoover thoroughly

under the bed – I honestly don’t know

why (and it’s not like it doesn’t get vacuumed

the rest of the year!) – but I clear out any clutter,

rehome it, and get that nozzle into every last

nook and cranny. Feels like it freshens everything

up. Clean sheet of paper, and all that.

The second thing is to have a beauty clear-out.

While I’m pretty allergic to New Year’s Resolutions

generally – drop a dress size, start running three times

a week, take up Esperanto (all of which are pretty

much doomed to have been ditched by mid-Jan) – it is

definitely within my power to have a bit of a de-junk

on the beauty front, making it simpler to find things

while disposing of products that are definitely past

their use-by date, metaphorically or in real terms.

Start by cleaning up your make-up kit

Towards the end of each year, as everything seems

to accelerate, finding time to clean your tools seems

impossible. So, I want to point you in the direction

of ISOCLEAN, a range (described as ‘the makeup

artist’s secret weapon’) which became my go-to

last year for keeping everything fresh and pristine.

Specialists in cleansing products for our make-up

tools, there are several options, from the spritzable

ISOCLEAN Makeup Sanitizer, £24.50 for 525ml,

to the Makeup Brush Cleaner with Easy Pour Top,

£17 for 275ml, which I tend to opt for – a good

swish of brushes in this specialist formula dissolves

absolutely all gunk and make-up that’s embedded

in the bristles, making for the best ‘fresh start’ for a

New Year. (Ideally, you’ll repeat the procedure weekly.

In reality? Even I, who should know better,

only get round to this every few months.)

runs clean. Then leave them to dry with their

ends over-hanging the edge of the counter.

And what of your make-up bag itself? Some are

washable – in which case, do that now. But if not? I

think I’ve found the make-up bag of dreams, which

is the Caroline Gardner Mono Bloom flatlay

cosmetic bag, £26.50. So, so cleverly, it zips right

open to reveal two sections, in which you can see

all your make-up at a glance. As someone who

tends to do her make-up in bed (by dint of having

perhaps the coldest house in Sussex), this has been

transformative in terms of avoiding make-up spills

on the bed linen. As of now, it’s only available in

one black-and-white floral design, but apparently it’s

been so successful that other designs are imminent.

Throw out skincare that’s been knocking

around for – well, years

Never mind de-cluttering your shelf; beauty products

do actually go ‘off’ and lose effectiveness.

Beyond that, there’s a risk of bacterial

infections or breakouts. Use your nose: does

anything smell ‘off’? And your eyes: anything

which has separated really needs to go.

Be sure to recycle packaging

wherever you can

Glass jars and plastic

containers can be

cleaned and put in

with your other

recyclables (I

put mine

Alternatively, you can use just a little gentle

shampoo, activated by water, on the bristles;

swirl against the side of the sink till the water

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sponsors The Priceless Good Living Supplement

through the dishwasher first). It’s usually only pumps

that present a recycling problem, but more and

more brands are now offering refills; I think I’m

on my fifth or sixth round of refills for L’Occitane

Immortelle Harmony Cream, £150 for 50ml

(refills £130). It’s most definitely not cheap, but

to be brutal, most women I know spend a small

fortune chopping and changing beauty products,

leaving jars and tubes to languish on the shelf;

before you know it, you can have several hundred

quid ‘tied up’ in skincare. Remember: nothing

works unless you actually use it, and it’s day-innight-out

diligence that delivers results – using

products the way beauty brands designed them

to be used, which is from first dip to last scrape.

For eco reasons and for results, use products up.

Dispose of last year’s suncare. Sun protection

really isn’t cheap – so this can really hurt. But

not as much as sunburn hurts. SPFs should

never be ‘over-wintered’, but bought afresh

each season to ensure optimum protection,

which can diminish when you over-winter it.

Reorganise what you have

Harness some New Year throw-the-windows-open

energy to take an honest look at what’s left, and

maybe figure out how to display it more attractively.

Group like with like. (It’s easier to see what you

have that way.) Put the products that you really

do use each morning and night front and centre.

Find pretty containers: upcycled candle jars,

pretty vintage teacups, trays and acrylic beauty

organisers, for brushes, cotton buds etc. Personally,

I keep the rest of beauty stash – products that

I use less often (dry shampoos, face masks, nail

polish remover) in a glass-fronted cabinet, as

all too easily out of sight can be out of mind.

Plan to fill some gaps!

This is the fun bit, of course. The beauty world

is good at coming up with brand new product

categories, never mind improving on existing

formulations. With hundreds of products landing

on my desk each year, never mind the sheer

sensory overload of walking into a department

store like Selfridges or John Lewis, I know how

overwhelming it can feel to stay on top of launches

and trends. So, to save you the trouble, here are

my top five suggestions for products that you

might want to add into your routine, and

which I buy on repeat.

priceless-magazines.com

Elemis Pro-

1 Collagen Insta-

Smooth Primer, £62 for 50ml.

To be honest, I used to think that

primers were a step too far in

anyone’s make-up regime – till

I tried this, and now I’m on my

fifth tube. Instantly smoothing,

yes (and unlike some, it doesn’t

pill). It not only turbo-charges

the staying power of your make-up,

but somehow makes it look brighter.

Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, £23

2 for 8g. Again, I’ve found this transformative:

it truly makes eye make-up budge-proof – no

creasing by teatime, no smudging. (I put a little

swipe under the eye, as well as on the lids.)

Sweed Miracle Powder, £38 for 7g. Since I

3 started using this powder – from a fabulous

Swedish start-up early in 2024, I have had so

many people ask, by way of a compliment: ‘What

are you using on your skin?’ And I know it’s this:

a blurring powder which I wear over a tinted

product like Trinny BFF De-Stress Tinted Serum,

£39 for 30ml (also definitely worth discovering

which of the 12 shades works for you), or over

foundation on more dressed-up days. You buff and

swirl a brush in the powder, whisk it over skin.

Honestly, it’s like using some kind of magic filter.

Donna May Credit Card Pocket Mirror,

4 £6.50 (donnamaylondon.com). Gosh,

just the niftiest make-up mirror, indeed as

slim as your Amex, fits into any handbag (I

went for the pillarbox red sleeve, making it

super-easy to find). An absolute godsend for

checking your face (and teeth!), on the run.

Sam McKnight Lazy Girl Dry Shampoo, £24

5 for 250ml. A godsend when I’m in a hurry, not

just for a freshen-up, but also for adding volume

when my hair’s gone flat between washings. And

it smells utterly divine, like all Sam’s haircare,

with a fresh, green floral scent created by Lyn

Harris of Perfumer H. Also available in a dinky

size, £12 for 50ml, which I keep in my suitcase.

And so, it only

remains to wish you

a gorgeous 2025…

70

Visit

beautybible.com

for more of Jo’s

fragrance, makeup,

skin and haircare

tips

istockphoto.com/lavendertime / MoustacheGirl / Sharyfox


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A Healthspa for all Seasons…

ALL WELCOME FOR SPA DAYS,

BEAUTY TREATMENTS AND FITNESS CLASSES

Nestling in three acres of Victorian gardens, just

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Health Spa is a surprisingly little known retreat.

Our spa combines first class facilities with a

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therapy treatments feature highly in what we

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A personal and welcoming environment, our

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an airy excercise studio and a lovely café waiting

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complete skin health and lymphatic drainage or deep tissue massage to

help reduce fluid retention and detoxify the lymphatic system.

Each week you will enjoy two personal training sessions, a facial,

a lymphatic drainage massage and to keep the motivation we will

include a weekly complimentary ‘power’ smoothie from our café.

Scan the QR Code to find out more.

All our therapists and instructors are qualified,

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parking and personalised service, each visit makes

you look forward to the next.

We are OPEN Mon to Sat from 9am to 5pm,

Thurs from 9am to 7pm. To find out more,

visit us at www.knowlegrange.co.uk

T. 01892 750055 | e. enquiries@knowlegrange .co.uk

Wadhurst Rd, Frant, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9EJ

KG_Wealden_HPage_AW_29.11.indd 2 29/11/2024 17:38

72

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The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

spas we

LOVE

Enter the New Year feeling refreshed and rejuvenated

with a trip to one of our fab four local spas

The one

for fitness

At Foxhills in Chertsey, Surrey you’ll find all the best

spa facilities but also active leisure pursuits galore,

to give you not only a pamper but also a pump up.

They have state-of-the-art Symbio cardio technology, a

group cycling studio, woodland yoga cabin and over 15

exercise classes every day. But don’t think they only do

fitness – the Spa Garden is beautiful, the hydrotherapy

pool’s massage jets and swan necks are perfect for

relieving aching shoulders and the spa treatment therapy

team is award-winning. You’ll leave feeling ready to

take on 2025 with a spring in your step. foxhills.co.uk

The one

for luxury

Exactly what you would expect from a heritage country

hotel in the Garden of England. At Brandshatch

Place Spa you can unwind in an indoor swimming or

spa pool or relax in the sauna or steam room. Meanwhile

their treatment rooms offer pampering-a-plenty with

options including ELEMIS facials, scrubs and wraps, and

mani-pedis. You also get to take advantage of all the hotel

facilities while you’re there. Check out their traditional

afternoon teas in the majestic dining room for an extra

sweet little post-spa indulgence. handpickedhotels.co.uk

The one

to relax

When you walk through the door to The Granary

Spa you step into a personal experience which

embraces you and takes you away from the outside

world’s everyday stresses. Their holistic therapists provide

exceptional treatments, using the best natural and organic

products to leave you restored and refreshed. They have all

sorts of beauty and holistic treatments including pamper

days. Sit back, relax and enjoy. thegranaryspa.co.uk

The one

for health

Set in three acres of Victorian gardens, just 10

minutes from Tunbridge Wells, Knowle Grange

Health Spa is a surprisingly little-known retreat. Here

you can beautify with everything from spray tans

to makeup but also find holistic therapies including

Reiki healing and Kinesiology. Elsewhere, take a dip

in the heated natural spring water pool, warm up in

the steam bath, sauna, or jacuzzi, hit the gym or take

a fitness class – it’s all going on. knowlegrange.co.uk

73

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The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

All About the

OPTICS

Eye tests are ever-evolving and it’s not just about going for your new

pair of glasses any more! So we are asking the experts at Wilson, Wilson

and Hancock to explain the latest in eye scanning technology

Our eyes are often referred to

as the windows to the soul,

but they’re also windows to

our overall health. Enhanced

testing options go beyond

the surface to offer a deeper understanding

of eye health, but how does it all work?

What conditions can an eye exam uncover?

Common eye health concerns like macular

degeneration, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy,

and cataracts, can lead to vision loss if not

detected and treated early. But eye

exams can uncover other

health issues, such as high

blood pressure and even

neurological conditions.

What kind of scans

do you do to find

these conditions?

Wilson, Wilson and

Hancock has invested

in cutting-edge

technologies, and have

Optomap and Optical

Coherence Tomography

(OCT) scanners

available in all branches.

How do Optomap and OCT

scans work and what can they reveal?

The Optomap provides ultra-widefield imaging,

capturing up to 82% of the retinal surface in

one image. This detects signs of conditions like

macular degeneration and diabetic retinopathy

long before symptoms appear. The OCT

scanner uses light waves to create cross-sectional

images of the retina, enabling highly detailed

analysis of its layers, particularly effective in

spotting early signs of glaucoma and macular

The sooner a

condition is

identified, the more

treatment options are

available, and the

better the chances of

preserving vision

conditions, even in patients without symptoms.

What makes enhanced testing so valuable?

Even subtle changes can indicate an underlying

issue and it helps us spot what a standard

eye test might miss. It’s not just about vision

correction anymore, advanced diagnostics

allow us to monitor and manage these

conditions before they become problematic.

Early diagnosis is a game-changer. The

sooner a condition is identified, the more

treatment options are available, and the better

the chances of preserving vision.

Are these tests at all invasive?

These tests are noninvasive

and quick,

providing data and

detecting changes

over time.

Does family history

affect how we

should be tested?

Such tests are

indispensable for those

with family history of

eye disease or underlying

health conditions. Family

history of glaucoma, macular

degeneration, or diabetes increases

the risk of developing related eye conditions

so discuss your genetic history with your

optometrist for tailored testing and preventative

care. Our genetic history holds vital clues,

if someone has a parent or sibling with

glaucoma, for instance, we might recommend

more frequent monitoring with OCT scans.

To book an appointment at Wilson Wilson and

Hancock visit wilsonwilsonandhancock.co.uk

75

priceless-magazines.com


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My life came to a standstill with agonising back

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After her

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Property Investor, Jane Kent, had

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Jane explains: “Over recent years we’ve moved

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Eventually, my GP arranged an MRI scan.

In the weeks before the scan, things went

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Jane’s pain was completely debilitating and

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Jane had her MRI scan in February; the news

was not good: “My surgeon said that because

two prolapsed discs were pressing on the

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I left feeling bleak. I hadn’t even contemplated

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James Pickering’s team is changing the lives of

slipped disc and sciatica sufferers with IDD Therapy

After some research, Jane’s husband found IDD

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Jane saw that IDD Therapy was being offered

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“James reassured me that IDD Therapy would

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recommend IDD Therapy and James’s team

highly enough.”

Don’t let back pain, neck pain or sciatica put

your life on hold. For a FREE 15 minute

phone consultation with one of our experts,

call 01580 212833 or email us at

enquiries@wealdenosteopaths.co.uk


The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

Your skin &

the gym

Sarah Maxwell explains how to adapt your

skincare regime to your workouts

Happy New Year – fit healthy

bodies and skin are in! Whether

lifting weights at the gym,

hitting the great outdoors or giving it your

all in yoga class, taking care of your skin

is as essential as caring for your body.

With skin being our largest organ,

it makes sense to incorporate a regular

skincare routine alongside your workout

schedule. Sweat, environmental

pollutants, and exposure to UV rays

all play a part in damaging our skin.

And a proper skincare routine will

complement your regular workout.

Gym Skin Prep

Step 1 Cleanse

Start with a gentle cleanser to remove dirt

and oil. My favourite is CeraVe, which

Beauty Guru Nadine Baggot highly

recommends. (For up-to-date beauty advice,

follow Nadine on Instagram and YouTube).

If you use a cleanser that requires washing

off with water, opt for lukewarm as hot

water can strip your skin of natural oils. Pat

skin gently to dry, using a soft, clean towel

or cloth. Rubbing can cause skin irritation.

Step 2 (Optional)

Apply a lightweight serum under

your moisturiser/UV protection

for an extra hydration boost during

your workout. Some great hydration

products include ESK Hydra boost HA

Serum, Elemis Hydraboost and EVE

LOM Intense Hydration Serum.

Step 3 Moisturise and Protect

Apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with

an SPF of at least 30 every day. It is

essential even on cloudy days, and if your

regular workout is indoors, it’s important

to note that although glass blocks some

UV rays, more than 50% of rays can

penetrate glass and damage your skin.

Try to avoid heavy make-up,

as sweat can block your pores.

Instead, opt for a tinted moisturiser

with SPF if you want a little coverage.

Sarah Chapman Skinesis Skin

Insurance Tinted SPF30 is great.

During your workout,

avoid touching your face with

sweaty hands to minimise the

transfer of bacteria. Keep your

gym towels clean and remember

to stay hydrated throughout.

Post Workout Gym Skin

After your workout, clean your face as

soon as possible to remove sweat, oil

and any lingering bacteria. (Lukewarm

water as before and a clean, soft

towel or cloth to pat your skin gently

dry as before your workout.)

Apply moisturiser according to your

skin type. Some great moisturisers with

UV protection include CeraVe AM

Facial Moisturising Lotion with SPF50

(a lightweight moisturiser with UV

protection), Body Shop Skin Defence

Multi-Protection Light Essence SPF5,

and the most highly recommended

moisturiser for dry skin, Medik8

Advanced Day Protect SPF50.

Don’t forget – regularly reapply

your SPF to exposed areas to protect

your skin if you’re outdoors and

hydrate, hydrate, hydrate, your

skin will love you for it!

Coming in 2025 – Keep

a look out for Mist

by Les Huilettes, a

multipurpose spray

packed with vitamins

that promises

to protect your

skin before and

after a workout.

Sarah Maxwell is

a multi-award winning

Lifestyle Wellbeing and

Fitness coach. You can find

her at sarahmaxwell.com

Get in touch via email at

sarahmaxwell@mail.com

and on social

@sarahmaxlife

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An enchanting seacoast holiday

just 6 hours from the UK

Located on Canada’s East Coast, the provinces of New Brunswick,

Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island

boast Canada’s most spectacular and pristine coastline. Here you’ll

find lush vistas and uncrowded beaches, breathtaking scenery and a

vibrant and welcoming culture that will ensure you feel like a local in

no time.

14 NIGHT SELF DRIVE PACKAGES

FROM £2,348 PER PERSON

INCLUDES FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND CAR HIRE

www.purelyatlanticcanada.co.uk

01372 372123

reservations@purelycanada.co.uk


The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

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

Nourish to Flourish

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau

explores nutritional ways to help

balance your hormones

Hormones are chemical messengers that have profound

effects on your mental, physical and emotional health.

They play a major role in controlling your appetite,

weight and mood and when they are all working in symphony

with each other, things function effortlessly, however, if one is out

of balance, it tends to show up negatively, somewhere in the body.

When it comes to balancing women’s hormones, it is always

beneficial to take a holistic approach, focusing on balancing

lifestyle and daily habits to help support the stabilisation of

hormones. It is believed that up to 75% of women suffer from

some form of hormonal imbalance and at some point in their

lifetime experience symptoms, such as migraines, depression,

anxiety, joint pain, irregular periods and many more! If your

lifestyle is unbalanced in some way – i.e. excessive sugar

consumption, chronic stress, lack of sleep, little movement or

being overweight – it’s likely your hormones are unbalanced too.

So, what can we do to help balance hormones naturally? Firstly,

enjoy a hormone-supporting diet. This means prioritising eating

a variety of whole, minimally processed food and including lots

of fibre-rich fruits and vegetables. Try to incorporate fermented

foods daily like kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi, as these have

been found to positively influence the gut microbiome. Opt

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

for healthy fats, especially the omega-3 fats found in oily fish,

flaxseed and walnuts and limit your intake of sugar, choosing

whole fruits over processed snacks and convenience foods.

As well as your diet, look closely at your lifestyle choices.

Try to find a form of exercise you enjoy (such as strength

training, yoga or dancing) and make movement a natural

part of your day. Walk wherever you can, take the stairs

and find an excuse to get up from your desk every hour!

Manage stress; work, family and daily chores can hugely

impact our stress levels and too much cortisol (which typically

occurs when a person is under stress) can lead to hormonal

chaos. Think about the little daily things that bring you joy – a

good book, a long bath or a walk with friends – and plan them

into your week. Lastly, prioritise sleep. Make your bedroom a

soothing space, invest in a good mattress, de-clutter your room,

open a window and use dim lighting as you’re winding down.

Hormone balancing smoothie

Serves 1

• 1½ cups dairy-free

milk (I like almond)

• ½ large banana

• 1 tbsp cashew butter

• 1 serving (scoop) unflavoured

collagen powder (optional)

• 1 tbsp cacao powder

• 2 tsp maca powder

• 2 tsp cinnamon

• 2 tbsp chia seeds

• 2 handfuls spinach

leaves (about 2 cups)

Blitz all the ingredients together and enjoy!

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Take me to...

Winter Sun

Don’t catch a cold, catch a plane and catch some rays

Treasured Island

The secret of Bermuda has been so well kept over the years

that the tiny sub-tropical island has remained just as idyllic as it

ever was. Those who have discovered the paradise of Bermuda

return year after year to enjoy the pristine creamy white beaches

flecked with pink sands, outstanding hotels with luxurious

accommodation, fine cuisine, and year-round sunshine.

No two hotels in Bermuda are alike so ask an expert which resort

suits your style and requirements. Many visitors even split their

stay between two hotels to sample different aspects of the island.

Azura, one of the island’s newest properties,

enjoys a stunning clifftop setting, centrally

located on the south coast. The beautiful

Rosewood Bermuda sits between the ocean

and two of the world’s most scenic golf

courses – its pink sand beach is one of the

most spectacular you’ll ever see. Hamilton

Princess offers the best of both worlds –

located on Hamilton harbourfront,

“its pink

sand beach

is one of

the most

spectacular

you’ll

ever see”

guests have the convenience of the main town’s

shops and restaurants and complimentary

transfers to its wonderful private beach club.

The typically Bermudian ‘cottage colony’ of

Cambridge Beaches represents understated

luxury, with individual cottages dotted about

the landscaped peninsula, surrounded by water

on three sides and four beaches to choose from.

At under 7 hours flying time, Bermuda is

probably the closest sub-tropical holiday destination to the

UK. Flights to the East Coast of North America are two hours

away, so you could also go for an exciting two centre itinerary

with a cosmopolitan city like New York, Boston or Toronto.

Transatlantic flights are direct on British Airways or fly via the

USA in both directions for an extravagant three centre package

on JetBlue Airways. With its easy flying distance, you can even

visit Bermuda for a long weekend.

To discuss your plans with someone who’s been there – and who

wants to tell you all about it, call Purely Bermuda on

01372 372123 or visit purelybermuda.co.uk

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80


The Priceless Good Living Supplement sponsored by

Luxury Landscapes

Burwood Travel works alongside Azure and One&Only Private

Homes and Villas to offer a collection of the world’s most elegant

and exclusive private residences. Each opulent abode is a lavish oasis

carefully designed to blend seamlessly into its natural surroundings

in a unique iconic location across the globe. A beachfront villa in

the Maldives, a treetop retreat in Mexico, a mountain hideaway

in Montana; each expansive property offers unrivalled privacy and

spectacular panoramas over your destination.

While there, try a stunning assortment of unforgettable experiences

and exciting activities from ziplining through the misty rainforest at

One&Only Mandarina to galloping through wildflower meadows

at One&Only Moonlight Basin. Or, for those seeking more Zen

than adrenaline, there are decadent rituals inspired by local traditions

and private yoga classes in hypnotic surroundings. Those looking

to immerse themselves in local life can learn traditional fishing

techniques, take workshops with regional artists, or master classic

recipes in a private culinary class. And speaking of food, it’s all

gourmet meals served in settings straight out of a storybook – your

own private chef creating meals tailored to your individual tastes,

secluded feasts harnessing the freshest local ingredients under a

moonlit sky, the world’s finest chefs at the resort’s excellent restaurants

– choices, choices!

This one is perfect for celebrations from a wedding at a cliffside villa

with sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, to marking an anniversary

with dinner on a private isle.

Contact Burwood Travel on 01932 809189 for a tailor-made quote or

visit burwoodtravel.com.

“A beachfront villa in the

Maldives, a treetop retreat

in Mexico, a mountain

hideaway in Montana”

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Maldives Magic

There’s nowhere better for an island escape. Kuoni were there when

the first Maldives resort opened its doors in 1972 and since then

the premium holiday company has been finding the best places to

stay at the very best value. Out of the 100-plus resort islands, they

handpicked 38, including four that are exclusively available through

Kuoni for UK travellers. They’ll tell you where you can watch movies

on the beach, when you can swim with whale sharks, where to head

for rustic retreats and how to narrow down which island suits families

or honeymooners best.

Kuramathi Maldives is their favourite slice of island paradise thanks

to its mile-long sandbank, great choice of restaurants and infinity

edge pools with jaw-dropping ocean views. A relatively large resort,

rarely feeling crowded, with bucket-loads of activities, no wonder

it’s popular with just about everyone. There’s a whole host of

accommodation, from entry level garden villas to the more luxurious

Deluxe Beach, Pool and Overwater Villas. The mature rainforest is

enchanting at night and has a 300-year old banyan tree at its heart.

Kuoni recommend splitting a stay here with more than one room

type to experience overwater villas, or twin with another island such as

Kandolhu Maldives for a totally different vibe.

“The mature rainforest is

enchanting at night and

has a 300-year old banyan

tree at its heart. ”

To book your Maldives getaway today, visit Baldwins Travel in

locations including Tunbridge Wells, Cranbrook, Lewes, Sevenoaks,

Tenterden and Tonbridge or visit baldwinstravel.com

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82


WINNERS

High Street

Agency of the

Year 2024

We provide more than just a holiday

we deliver exceptional service, backed by years of

experience and expertise with every booking you

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Come and speak to the travel experts today!

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Mental Health at Home

Chin-wag

Talking to others is so

important for our mental

health. It doesn’t have to be a big

emotional conversation! Have a daily

sit down to text a friend, schedule

a weekly call or video chat with

family, or invite someone over for a

cuppa, any of these will enforce

important connections.

Enjoy Yourself

Self-care can just

be doing something

that makes you happy.

Find something that gives you

a sense of achievement for extra

smile points and self-esteem! Sit

down with a good book, cook a

meal, exercise, try a new hobby,

listen to music, or just have

a nice bath. Whatever

floats your boat!

Taking care of your

mind can really change your life,

and it can all start at home!

Our Top 5 Tips

Think Shrink

Snooze

Take care of your sleep as much

as you can. If you are going through

something it may be harder to sleep or

you may just need a bit more. Whether it’s

getting a comfier bed or bedding, black out

blinds, snoring solutions or just turning off

the screens a little earlier to rest your eyes

and get more sound sleep, your mind

will thank you!

You can now get therapy right in your own home. And it doesn’t have to

be for a huge problem, many people use it if they are simply going through a

rough patch and want some extra support. Most therapists will offer a video call

option which will help make time for it if you have a busy schedule, and sites like

headspace.com have options to help you pay for private therapy at a lower price.

Creative Juices

You don’t have to be an

artistic genius to get creative,

but doing so can help us build an

ability to handle life’s ups and downs –

teaching ourselves that something good can

come from bad. Draw, write a journal, knit, try

that DIY project, dance, sing, build – again

whatever floats your personal boat. It can

help process and express your emotions

and turn them into something you

are proud of.

“Supporting your mental health from home is one of the most valuable

routines you can create for yourself. Start by setting aside a dedicated time

each day and committing to a minimum amount of time for self-care. Even

just five minutes every morning to set an intention for the day and practice a

guided meditation can bring more inner peace, focus, and clarity. A guided

meditation helps you quiet your mind, reduce stress, and reconnect with

your inner self, offering gentle guidance to stay present. As this habit becomes

part of your routine you’ll begin to notice the benefits – improved emotional

resilience, reduced anxiety, better focus – you can gradually increase the time

you dedicate to your wellbeing.”

– Integrative Holistic Wellbeing Expert, Naomi Buff of Nourish By Naomi

nourishbynaomi.com

Flower Power

The experts at Health’s Angels explain the

benefits of using Bach’s Flower Remedies

for enhancing wellbeing

Bach Flower Remedies are a set of 38 flower

essences developed by Dr. Edward Bach,

designed to help balance emotions and support

mental wellbeing. Associated benefits include:

1. Emotional Balance

Bach Flower Remedies are believed to help

balance emotional states by addressing

the underlying feelings contributing to

anxiety and overwhelm, such as fear,

indecision, or lack of confidence.

2. Natural and Gentle

These remedies are made from flowers and are

non-toxic, non-addictive, and free from side

effects, making them a gentle option for those

who prefer natural healing methods. They

are perfect for all ages and even animals!

3. Personalised Approach

Each remedy targets a specific emotional state.

For anxiety and overwhelm, you could try

Rescue Remedy, a blend of five flower essences,

or go for individual essences. Mimulus, for

example is for fears of known origin (e.g., fear of

public speaking), while Aspen is aimed at more

vague, unexplainable fears or feelings of dread.

Meanwhile Elm is good for those

feeling overwhelmed by responsibilities,

White Chestnut for repetitive, racing

thoughts and worries, or Impatiens

for impatience and irritability.

4. Stress Relief

Regular use of remedies like Rescue Remedy

is reported to help calm the mind and

reduce stress. We use them extensively

with both adults and children in our clinic

with amazing results. There are powerful

techniques we use in Kinesiology to support

and help mental health and wellness and the

Bach essences are an integral part of this.

We muscle test to determine which flower

remedy is relevant for each emotion and

what system of the body it will support, and

then we suggest the best usage for them.

Usually drops under the tongue regularly

and in a bottle of filtered water which you

shake and then sip on throughout the day.

Find out more about Bach Flower

Remedies at healths-angels.com

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84


Your Holistic Guide To An Empowered

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From Break Up To Breakthrough

Explore how coaching and breathwork can

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Meet the...

Biohacker

Introducing Ryan Ashford-Smit. He and his wife

Victoria, have opened the UK’s first OsteoStrong

in Tunbridge Wells, a new way to biohack your

way to bone health, posture and strength

What is OsteoStrong?

OsteoStrong is a wellness centre focused on

strengthening bones, muscles, and balance

in a way that’s safe, quick, and effective. It

uses a unique technology called Osteogenic

Loading, which enables you to create the

right amount of force to stimulate your

bones for them to grow stronger naturally.

Sessions take about 20 minutes once

a week, and there’s no sweating, heavy

lifting, or long workouts involved. It’s

great for improving bone health, building

strength, enhancing posture, and even

helping with balance and joint pain.

It’s especially beneficial for people with

osteoporosis, athletes, and anyone looking

to stay strong and active as they age.

How did you get the idea to open OsteoStrong?

My wife and I discovered it while visiting

friends, Sharon and Rob in Texas, USA.

Sharon had reversed her osteoporosis and

Rob had rehabilitated his knee osteoarthritis

doing OsteoStrong and this grabbed

our attention. We then did our research,

visited other centres around the world,

and spoke to people who had transformed

their lives doing this. We also attended a

Tony Robin’s event in Birmingham which

featured OsteoStrong. We knew that by

bringing this biohacking technology to the

UK we could make a positive impact with

the growing skeletal health crisis here. In

the UK, half of the women and a quarter

of men will suffer an osteoporotic fracture

in their lifetimes. And half the people who

break a hip will die within two years.

What do your sessions involve?

An OsteoStrong session is a guided, 15-20

minute experience once a week. Suitable for

all ages and abilities. It uses four specialised

machines targeting the legs, upper body,

core, and back, with each exercise involving

a short, controlled maximum effort. A

session coach is with you the whole time

to guide and track your progress. The

wellness centre also incorporates other

powerful wellness modalities, Red Light

Therapy, Compression Boot Therapy, and

Pulsed Electromagnetic Field (PEMF)

Therapy to enhance results and offer other

health benefits. Each session is recorded

to closely track progress and results.

“We have

already seen

clients increasing

their bone density

and in some

cases reversing

their osteoporosis”

What results do you see people

getting from using OsteoStrong?

We have already seen clients increasing

their bone density and in some cases

reversing their osteoporosis. Everyone

also experiences great gains in strength,

with most people 80% stronger in only

12 weeks. As well as big improvements in

balance and posture – resulting in clients

feeling more confident and energised.

Can you track your progress?

Absolutely, we do four baseline marker tests

to get your starting metrics, including an

ultrasound heel bone scan. At OsteoStrong

we are very results driven and the machines

automatically measure your performance

each session and generate a weekly

repost to closely track your progress.

Do you use it yourself?

Yes, I have osteoarthritis in my left knee,

and was struggling to walk a year ago.

Today after doing OsteoStrong for 12

months, I am completely pain free, walking

long distances and even playing touch

rugby with my sons. When we started

my wife, Victoria discovered she has

osteopenia, she has her next bone density

scan in January to track her progress.

Do you recommend any other

lifestyle changes alongside using

OsteoStrong for maximum results?

Absolutely, OsteoStrong is one part of

the puzzle to improved skeletal strength.

We guide clients on exercises they

can do at home, the right nutrition,

lifestyle choices, and other biohacks to

ensure they optimise their results.

How often do you need to do it to get results?

OsteoStrong sessions are limited to once

a week, as we are triggering primary bone

mineralisation this effect works for 5 to 6

days. The other wellness modalities can be

used more often and will be determined

by your individual health goals. Our

teenage boys are using it to build their

bone strength and for injury prevention in

their respective sports, and in the process

their strength has also more than doubled.

How can we start?

The best way to get started is to book a

1 hour OsteoStrong Discovery Session,

which will give the full experience, as well

as knowledge of the science and studies,

meet the team and learn about the other

wellness therapies available. There is an

exciting new year special offer in January to

save 30% for new memberships in January

To find out more about

OsteoStrong visit osteostrong.me

istockphoto.com/ Vladi333 & anuwat meereewee

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26 High Street,

Tunbridge Wells,

Kent, TN1 1UX

02039788875

EMPOWER YOUR LIFE WITH THE

ULTIMATE LONGEVITY SOLUTION

Quick, painless sessions for people at all ages and

levels of activity to promote skeletal strength

FOR OSTEOPOROSIS | FOR ATHLETES | FOR BALANCE | FOR DIABETES | FOR POSTURE

New Year, New You from Helios Homeopathy

Our aim at Helios is to offer a natural and holistic

approach to healthcare for all the family.

During the winter months we are more

susceptible to coughs, colds, flu, sore throats

and other viruses, so being in the best of

health and supporting your immune system

important. Our team or qualified homeopaths

and pharmacists are on hand to offer advice for

minor ailments and common complaints over

the counter or on the phone, or for longer term

and more serious ailments we offer homeopathic

consultations, by appointment, at our clinic

adjoining Helios Pharmacy in Camden Road.

Alongside our homeopathic remedies we

have a wide range of supplements, organic

and natural skin and hair care, flower

essences, essential oils and so much more

to support your health naturally in 2025.

We look forward to seeing you.

Helios Homeopathy Ltd, 97 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2QR

Open Mon-Fri 9.00am - 5.30pm Sat 9.00am - 2.00pm

01892 537254 www.helios.co.uk

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88


Comfort

andjoy

Jo Arnell brings some cosiness to chilly January afternoons with three soups

that are sure to enrich the soul Photographs: David Merewether

A

warming bowl of nourishing soup is the ultimate fix on a bleak winter day;

lifting the spirits and chasing away the cold and gloom. Flavour is key, especially

with these lighter meals and a good stock is at the heart of any soup – so if you

have the time, make your stock from scratch, using whatever vegetables you have – a

mix of onion, celery, carrot and plenty of herbs will make a good base. If you’re not

sticking to a vegetarian option, chicken bones/giblets render into a rich broth. Having

said all that, good-quality shop-bought versions will be fine too – and much quicker.

Butter bean & kale soup

Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins

A simple, but flavoursome and nutritious

soup that looks and tastes luxurious. The

blend of creamy butter beans, kale, and

a hint of zesty lemon means it is actually

really light and healthy – no cream in sight.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 leeks, washed and sliced

• 1 tsp thyme

• 1 tsp rosemary

• 1 litre vegetable stock

• 2 cans of butter beans, drained and rinsed

• 150g chopped kale, tough stems removed

• 50g (a handful) of parsley, saving

a few sprigs to garnish

• juice and zest of 1 lemon

• salt and black pepper to taste

1. Gently fry the leeks, garlic and herbs in

a large, heavy bottomed pot for 5 minutes

until the leeks are soft, but not going brown.

Add the stock and 1 can of butter beans to

the pan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the

heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes.

2. Remove from the heat and blitz with

an immersion blender (or jug blender).

Blend well – until the soup is really

creamy looking, then add the other tin

of butter beans, the kale and lemon.

3. Simmer for an additional 5 minutes

or so, until the kale is cooked and

the beans are nice and soft. Season

and serve with fresh crusty bread,

garnished with a parsley sprig or two.

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W E A L D S M O K E R Y

F INE FOOD EXP E R IEN C E

Traditionally smoked fish,

meats and cheeses created

with passion, pride and care

W E A L D S M O K E R Y

F INE FOOD EXP E R IEN C E

Multiple

award winner

for over

20 years!

A warm welcome

in the coldest

of months

Nestled in the beautiful Kent countryside,

our cafe is serving a full breakfast and

lunch menu to beat the January blues.

Featuring our own organic and locally

sourced produce, hearty, homemade

& nourishing food for every mood, right

here in the heart of our working farm.

And did we mention our great coffee?

Butchers Shop & Cafe

Tuesday to Saturday | 8:00am – 5:00pm

Grange Road, Tenterden, TN30 6TL

W E A L D S M O K E R Y

F INE FOOD EXP E R IEN C E

Get in touch

01580 763351

@silcocksfarm

Tel: 01580 879601 Email: info@wealdsmokery.co.uk

www.wealdsmokery.co.uk

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Nepalese Spices Meets British Ingredients

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priceless-magazines.com

90


Hearty lentil, chorizo

& tomato soup

Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: 20 mins

Spice up a winter mealtime

with this chunky, smoky soup.

This recipe turns a mix of red

lentils, chorizo, and tomatoes

into a rich and filling dish.

• 200g chorizo sausage,

diced into small chunks

• 1 medium onion,

finely chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 2 cans (400g)

chopped tomatoes

• 200g dried red lentils, rinsed

• 1 litre chicken stock

• 1 tsp smoked paprika

• ½ tsp chilli flakes

(optional or to taste)

• 1 tsp ground cumin

• 1 tsp thyme

• 1 tbsp olive oil (or omit

and just use the oil released

when you cook the chorizo)

• salt and pepper, to taste

• a little fresh parsley, or

cress, a small handful of

chorizo and a swirl of

soured cream, to garnish

1. Heat 1 tablespoon of olive

oil (optional) in a large pot,

add the diced chorizo and cook

for 4-5 minutes until it starts

to crisp. Remove the chorizo

with a slotted spoon and set

aside, leaving the oil in the pot.

2. Sauté the chopped onion in

this oil for about 5 mins, until

translucent. Mix in the garlic

and spices, stir and cook for a

minute before adding lentils,

then the chopped tomatoes

and stock. Bring the mixture

to a gentle boil, turn the heat

down and add the cooked

chorizo. Simmer for approx 20

mins, until the lentils are soft

and start thickening the soup.

3. Season, garnish with

soured cream etc. and serve.

91


At Planters Farm Shop - North of Hurst Green, on A21 - TN19 7QS - plantersa21.com

FOR 2025 OUR NEW SUNDAY BRUNCH MENU (Served 10.00am - 3.00pm )

Planter’s Breakfast Two Bodiam sausages, bacon,

mushrooms, tomato with a fried egg and baked

beans all served with Farmhouse toast £11.95

Posh Brioche Roll Sausage or bacon with

homemade rosti and a fried egg £8.50

Eggs Benedict Two soft poached eggs with carved ham

served on toasted muffin with hollandaise sauce £10.95

Gruyere & Ham Pudding Served with two poached

eggs and hollandaise sauce £11.25

Ciabatta Bap Warm Ciabatta bap with coffee

grilled maple bacon and a fried egg £8.50

Avocado Toasted Bagel Served with two poached eggs,

hollandaise sauce and drizzled chilli oil £11.25

Asparagus & Smoked Salmon Parcel served in a

pastry case with poached eggs and topped with

hollandaise sauce and fresh dill £14.00

Vegan Greenhouse Delights Avocado served on toasted sourdough

with wild mushrooms, sunflower seeds, cherry tomatoes

drizzled with chilli oil £11.25 Add a poached egg +£1.60

Gardner’s Shed Hash Potatoes, sausage and bacon with

onions served with a fried egg and beans £11.75

Traditional Welsh Rarebit Served with griddled tomatoes £9.50

Buck Rarebit Served with poached egg

and griddled tomatoes £10.50

Eggs Your Way Scrambled, fried or poached

eggs served on granary toast £8.95

Eggs Florentine Two soft poached eggs with wilted spinach

served on toasted cheese scones with hollandaise sauce £10.95

All-Day Gnocchi Breakfast All day gnocchi fry up with

Bodiam sausages, bacon, mushrooms and cherry

tomatoes served with two fried eggs £11.95

Sweetcorn & Feta Breakfast Loaf Toasted sweetcorn feta loaf

with two fried eggs and roasted cherry tomatoes £11.95

KIDDIES MENU

Sausage, chips and beans £6.50 Scrambled eggs on toast £5.00 Chicken nuggets & chips £6.50

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

Tel: 01580 860959 / 07894 064 327 Email: spicercatering@gmail.com

Don’t miss our next

Weddings

Supplement

Find

it in the

February 2025

issue of Wealden

Times

For advertising

opportunities, call

Maria Hurley on

01580 236073

or email

maria.hurley@priceless-group.com

priceless-magazines.com

92


Seasonal greens &

Stilton soup

Serves 4 Prep time: 10 mins

Cooking time: approx 20 mins

A healthy, but creamy vegetable soup,

combining a seasonal mix of green

vegetables with Stilton cheese. Adapt

the recipe to suit whatever greens you

have to hand. Use up the leftover

Christmas Stilton or substitute with

any strong blue cheese – and turn a

simple soup into a comforting meal.

• 1 medium head of broccoli,

cut into florets

• 1 onion, chopped

• 1 medium floury potato, peeled and diced

• 75g watercress

• 120g young spinach leaves

• 150g frozen peas

• 175g Stilton or blue cheese, crumbled

(save around 20g for garnish)

• 1.2 litres vegetable stock

• 30g butter or 2 tbsp olive oil

• salt and freshly ground

black pepper, to taste

• a little crumbled Stilton,

croutons (optional) and a sprig

of watercress to garnish

• crusty bread, to serve

1. Gently

sauté the chopped

onion and potato in a large, heavy

bottomed pot, for about 8 minutes.

Add broccoli and pour in the stock.

Bring to a boil, then reduce the

heat and simmer for 10 minutes or

so – until the broccoli is cooked.

2. Add watercress,

spinach and peas: stir

and cook for another

3-4 minutes until the

leaves have wilted and the

peas are heated through.

3. Remove the pot from heat and

blend with an immersion blender,

(or transfer in batches to a jug

blender) and blend until smooth.

4. Return to the hob for

a few minutes and stir in

crumbled Stilton cheese.

5. Season to taste and serve

garnished with a little extra cheese,

croutons (optional) and watercress.


Autumn / Winter 2024 ranges

now available in store

County Clothes Menswear

A long-established menswear specialist in Kent and East Sussex

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94


Sheep scarf £34.95 At

Home In The Country

athomeinthecountry.co.uk

Scottish & English double

coin pendant and chain

£250 Katie Mullally

katiemullally.com

The Glasgow

Flourish necklace

£210 Dower & Hall

dowerandhall.com

Annandale quilted

Jacket £119 Barbour

barbour.com

Deer spirit guide pendant

necklace £25 Fable England

fableengland.com

Elizabeth leather

tartan shoulder

bag £2,725

Launer launer.com

Product

description

£price

Shop Name

longwebsite.com

Shetland statement yoke

cardigan £129 Celt & co

celticandco.com

Langho Derby brogue

boots £205 Lanx

lanxshoes.com

Enamel squirrel charm

£18 Fable England

fableengland.com

Tiah tweed jacket £85 Joe

Browns joebrowns.co.uk

Highland Fling

We’ll take a cup of rich Scottish heritage yet and start the new year with tartans and tweeds,

warming wools and references to the home of Rabbie Burns, Harry Potter and The Traitors

Azzalia tweed

dress £708

Wolf & Badger

wolfandbadger.com

Carved mother

of pearl rose ring

£55 Gemondo

gemondo.com

Doe & Stag oval

loop drop earrings

£300 Alex Monroe

alexmonroe.com

Bi Silver Black

Roses ring £71

Wolf & Badger

wolfandbadger.com

Joyce

embellished

dress £105

Monsoon

monsoon.co.uk

Katrine tartan leather

saddle bag £79.95 Barbour

barbour.com

Tucci knee high boots

£200 Dune London

dunelondon.com

Laura Ashley lace trim pintuck

blouse £45 Next next.co.uk

Marcasite

thistle brooch

£52 Gemondo

gemondo.com

Aran hand-knitted vest

crafted from traditional Aran

wool £400 Le Kilt lekilt.co.uk

istockphoto.com/ Catuncia

Midi Celt kilt

skirt £149

Celtic & Co

celticandco.com

Mohair A-line midi

wrap skirt £600

Le Kilt lekilt.co.uk

Joan Now lace

boot £170 Sorel

sorelfootwear.co.uk

95

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Bespoke design & build treehouses, playhouses

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platforms.

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Elevate your outdoor living experience with a bespoke structure

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Creating Beautiful Gardens

For Brilliant Year Round Results

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For all your design, construction and maintenance requirements, contact:

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priceless-magazines.com

96


The gardening

year

Jo Arnell shares her

tasks, tips and seasonal

joys for the year ahead

A

goldfinch

nest

We start to groan under the

weight of all our January

plans, but the lovely

thing about the garden in winter is

that it is asleep and so none of the

plans need to be urgent. Gardens are

forgiving places and I have a sneaking

suspicion that they’d rather be left

alone anyway, so if the resolutions and

to-do lists for your outdoor space don’t

completely go to plan, it will manage

– and the wildlife will be happier.

Still, we’re only at the start, so best

foot forward and it’s good to make a

plan. If you want to get a bit organised,

or at least know the main tasks for the

year, here are some – grouped by season,

not by month, because the weather, the

conditions in your garden and life itself

have a habit of thwarting our plans...

Winter

How I love a winter garden! Frosted

effects, elegant branches, evergreens,

topiary and bright dogwood stems.

Just look in any garden magazine or

visit an RHS garden in the depths

of winter and you’ll see a wealth of

fabulous plants that look their best

in the bleak midwinter. This season

reveals the very bones of a place,

making it the perfect time to look at

the structure – or the lack of it – in

our own gardens. If the ground isn’t

frozen you can plant trees, shrubs

and hedges to give your garden more

backbone. They’ll establish themselves

quietly over the colder months and be

ready to grow away strongly in spring.

Prune roses and woody plants

Late winter is the perfect time to prune

roses – they’re dormant, and you can

see exactly what you’re working with.

Remove any dead, diseased or crossing

stems and aim for an open structure

that lets light and air circulate. It’s

like giving them a good haircut –

they’ll thank you with a better shape

and better blooms in summer.

Make plans

Use this quieter time to sketch out your

garden ambitions. Reorganise borders,

dream up new planting schemes, and

decide where to put that wildflower

meadow you’ve been meaning to

start. This can all be done on paper

for now, but somehow setting ideas

and plans down makes them more

real, and hopefully more achievable.

Spring

Spring is the season of new life and

renewal, leaves unfurl, buds burst

and colour and energy returns.

There’s plenty to do to prepare your

garden for the months ahead, but

with so much to tackle it can get

overwhelming, so allocate your time

carefully and (note to self) try not to

bite off more than you can chew.

Lift and divide perennials

As the soil warms, it’s time to

divide any overcrowded perennials

like hardy geraniums, asters, or

daylilies. This rejuvenates the plants,

encourages better growth, and gives

you free plants to fill out your

borders – or share with friends.

97

priceless-magazines.com


Autumn

acer

Discourage weeds,

encourage nature

Spring is a wonderful time for

wildflowers and native plants – many

are weeds in our gardens, and can

overwhelm the borders if not kept in

check. Rather than waging war, try

to work smarter. A layer of mulch

not only suppresses weeds but also

locks in moisture and improves soil

health. For wildlife, leave small gaps

in your weeding regime and let the

garden grow a little wild around the

edges —the chickweed and dandelions

may be a nuisance, but they’re also

a lifeline for early pollinators.

Ready, set, veg!

Early crops like peas, broad beans,

lettuce and radishes do well in the

cool of early spring. If your soil is

sandy and free draining you’ll be able

to sow seeds directly into the ground,

but for clay soils – and protection

from pests – start them under cover

to plant out as plugs. Plant some

flowery companions like marigolds

and nasturtiums to attract beneficial

insects for pollination and pest control.

No mow May

Lawn care is a year round task, but grass

grows fast in the spring and will end

up needing a cut once or even twice

a week. The idea behind ‘No Mow

May’ is to allow the grass to grow long

for a month so that it can flower and

set seed, allowing it to become part

of the ecosystem and be of benefit to

wildlife – and it also gives us a break

from all that mowing. If you have a

large enough space, mowing paths

through your long grass, or mowing

a section or even a strip around the

edges will make it look less unkempt.

Summer

By summer, the garden is in full swing,

and maintenance is the key task of

the season. Get out and about and

visit some beautiful gardens at their

best, but also spend some leisure time

in your own garden. Eat outside, sit,

dream and just enjoy being in it.

Holidays

Arrange for holiday watering

and – if you grow vegetables,

try to plan for the harvest when

you are at home. Otherwise your

hard work might go to waste.

Deal with pests, naturally

Monitor plants for pests like aphids

and caterpillars, but try biological

methods where possible. Ladybirds,

lacewings, wasps and birds will often

take care of the problem if you let

them. Provide water and shelter to

keep these allies in your garden.

Keep the show on the road

Bad weather and high winds may still hit

us in the summer, so stake tall plants like

delphiniums before they flop, deadhead

flowers to prolong blooming, feed

container displays and keep watering

consistently during dry spells.

priceless-magazines.com

98


NEW YEAR SALE

NOW ON

SAVE THOUSANDS

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for less

with our new year sale now on

Right now is the best time to buy — take

advantage of our best ever offer of free

construction and free groundwork and

save thousands on your dream garden

building today. All you need to do is

visit any one of our UK-wide showrooms

or our website!

From elegant summerhouses to

spacious garden offices, our premium,

custom-built structures blend

seamlessly with your landscape. Crafted

with high-quality materials and designed

for durability, our garden buildings are

as functional as they are beautiful.

Garden Rooms | Garden Offices | Summerhouses

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Your closest Johnsons branches are at:

Old Thanet Way, Chestfield, Whitstable, Kent CT5 3JD | 01227 931131

Hawley Garden Centre & Nursery, Hawley Road, Sutton at Hone, Kent DA2 7RB | 01322 294560

Hillier Garden Centre, Hailsham Road, Stone Cross, Pevensey, East Sussex BN24 5BS | 01323 679444

Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted Road, Maidstone, Kent ME14 5LH | 01622 730777

Polhill Garden Centre, London Road, Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 7AD | 01959 533466

FOR OUR LATEST OFFERS

Use your smartphone camera to

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*Offer valid for a limited time. Terms and conditions apply.


CREATING BEAUTIFUL LANDSCAPES

gardenproud.co.uk

DESIGN | CONSTRUCT | MAINTAIN

The year to start your journey to #theGoodlife

TOURING CARAVAN & CAMPING

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email: info@goodlifelodge.com | 0800 564 22 66

priceless-magazines.com

100


Winter

stems

istockphoto.com/ ElenaMedvedeva

Autumn

As summer fades into autumn, the

garden takes on a quieter, more

reflective beauty. Stay outside and

enjoy the last warm rays, and don’t be

in a rush to tidy up. It is the season

of preparation though too, and work

done now will really pay off next year.

Reorganise a border

If something isn’t working – a

plant is sulking in the shade,

scorched in the sun, or crowding

its neighbours – don’t be afraid

to move things around. Autumn

is the perfect time for a border

revamp – lifting and repositioning

plants while the soil is warm.

Plant for the future

Autumn is bulb-planting season.

Daffodils, tulips, and alliums go into

the ground now, so they grow strongly

for spring’s grand display. It’s also

a great time to establish new hardy

perennials, shrubs or hedges. They’ll

quietly grow good strong roots over the

autumn and winter and will perform

better in the following seasons.

Lawns and meadows

Give your lawn one last mow

before the frost arrives, but raise the

blade to leave it longer. If you’ve

got a wildflower meadow, allow

it to set seed before cutting back,

ensuring it will come back stronger

next year. If you are establishing a

new meadow, early autumn is the

perfect time to sow wildflowers.

Enrich your soil

Clear away spent plants from

vegetable beds and borders, but

don’t let the soil lie bare – nature

abhors a vacuum. Add a thick layer

of compost or plant green manure

to enrich it for the coming growing

season. This keeps the soil alive and

teeming with beneficial organisms.

Help wildlife

Resist the urge to tidy too much.

Piles of leaves, hollow stems, and

quiet corners offer essential shelter

for overwintering insects and small

mammals. Leave seed heads on plants

like teasels, sunflowers and ivy for the

birds to eat during the lean months.

Each season brings its own rhythm,

tasks and joys. As you go through

the year ahead, try to celebrate your

successes, forgive the mistakes, and

remember that gardening is a process,

not an end destination. With care,

planning – and some help from

nature – your outdoor space will

flourish, and hopefully so will you.

Jo’s new gardening course is booking

now. Call 07923 969634 or email

jo@hornbrookmanor.co.uk

101

priceless-magazines.com


...

Ashford Prep School

where every child plays their part

Places Available

Book a tour with us

www.ashfordschool.co.uk | admissions@ashfordschool.co.uk | 01233 620493


Something to

Education

think about

A Head for 25 years, Mike Piercy is now an educational

consultant and school governor. Here, he explains

the importance of encouraging reflection

istockphoto.com/ master1305

The wrapping paper fills the recycling bin, already

overflowing with bottles and cardboard. It has been a

festive Christmas. A very happy 2025 to all our readers.

January is full of promise and good intentions. Those resolutions – how

long will they last? Research shows the most common adult resolutions relate

to diet, weight, alcohol and money. As to children, might it be: keeping

my room tidy, helping more at home, doing my homework properly,

in timely fashion – even going so far as being kinder to my younger

siblings? In a school assembly, late January, I would ask how many had

sustained those good intentions. Their expressions told the story.

So what advice and support can we give our young people as 2025

dawns? The alarm clock will come as something of a shock after those late

nights and lie-ins but school, college, university and life must go on.

The January reset is important. Equally so is the need to look

back – to reflect. The Roman God Janus – hence January – is

pictured looking both back and forward. A former colleague (why

is it always the Head of Classics?) had a great expression: the past is for

informing, not inhabiting. Learning from past experience can only enhance

learning and development; child and adult alike. Learn and move on.

I am no neuroscientist but my understanding of the emerging adolescent is that

the developing emotional brain lags behind that of the logical brain. This leads to

what we will recognise as teenage spontaneity and impulsivity. Ask a teenager about

any ethical matter where there is a right and a wrong and you will, most likely, be

given the right answer. The same will not necessarily be found in their everyday

behaviour and decision-making: they will sometimes, inevitably, get it wrong.

One of our many responsibilities as parents and teachers is to encourage

reflection. As adults we might not want to spend too long looking back at

2024 but, in the context of education and learning, we should do so with our

young people. Don’t be afraid of tackling those things that didn’t go so well.

Revisit them, reflect on them, discuss the learning, check the compass.

Many of our young people will face national or school entry exams in the coming

months. Look at last term’s report – if there is one. Return to any targets set back in

September. Were those targets achievable and how far have we travelled? What are

the actions needed to sustain or even accelerate progress? What support is needed?

Admittedly rather clichéd, leading a horse to water won’t necessarily make it

drink. Giving the direction to young people doesn’t necessarily mean they will take

or follow it. But that is as it should be – they must learn to take responsibility for

their own lives, their decisions, their learning and, so it follows, the consequences.

Thomas Henry Huxley, the Victorian anthropologist and biologist, did not benefit

from any formal education. He was, however, determined to educate himself, rising to

prominence as an academic and even Privy Councillor. What a fantastic role model for

our young people, witnessed by these wise words: “Perhaps the most valuable result of all

education is the ability to make yourself do the thing you have

to do, when it ought to be done, whether you like it or not.”

Excellent advice for the new year – perhaps for children and

adults alike? May 2025 bring you all happiness and fulfilment.

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

contact Mike at mikepiercy@hotmail.com with your education-related queries.

103

priceless-magazines.com


Learn to prune apple trees

Sat 4 th , 11 th , 18 th &

Sun 5 th , 12 th , 19 th Jan 2025

From new plantings to venerable

ancients, apple trees require the right

pruning to ensure they are beautiful,

sturdy and productive.

Learn from an expert in a beautiful

orchard near Benenden and practice

all day on a variety of trees.

£55

Numbers are limited,

so book early to avoid

disappointment.

To book and for more information contact Guy Pullen

info@goldfinch-gardens.co.uk | 07977 571 368

¡FELIZ AÑO NUEVO!

Discover Kent Life,

where heritage and family

fun sit side by side!

Kent Life offers a delightful blend of family fun and

rural heritage, featuring adorable animal encounters,

exciting play areas, and a charming Vintage Village,

all wrapped up in a year-round calendar of events that

promises unforgettable memories for visitors of all ages.

Residential care home for the

elderly in Headcorn, Kent

We provide both long-term accommodation

and short stay respite stays. Small friendly

residential care home that can offer 24 hour

care, we also offer day care. All rooms

are comfortable and fully furnished.

Large independent living flat for the elderly

available within grounds of the home 24

hr care and usual amenities on site.

www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936

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Contact Donna or Jackie on

01622 890112 or yth@mail.org

yewtree-carehome.co.uk

9 Station Road, Headcorn TN27 9SB

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01435 862381

Monday - Friday

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email: www.bestreclamation.co.uk

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Call the Sales Team on 01580 714705

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PromoteYourBusinessWT.indd 104

1 23/03/2021 15:56


What’s On

in

2025

istockphoto.com/ DisobyARt

istockphoto.com/SeventyFour

11 Jan 1pm – 2.30pm

Bourne Hall Museum, Spring

Street, Ewell Surrey KT17 1UF

BOURNE HALL MUSEUM

KIDS’ CLUB: EPSOM AND

EWELL IN WW2

Find out what it was really like

in the borough during World

War II, as it suffered heavily

from bombing. The club aims

to bring history alive. Contact

David Brooks for more details

and to book a place.

Entry: £6 per child

dbrooks@epsom-ewell.gov.uk

0208 394 1734 bournehall.org

24 Jan

The White Rock,

Hastings TN34 1JX

SIMON & GARFUNKEL

– THROUGH THE

YEARS PERFORMED

BY BOOKENDS

Said to be the most authentic

sounding concert of the

duo’s music, you won’t want

to miss this one. Made up

of Dan Haynes & Pete

Richards, Bookends have

toured the globe extensively.

Entry: £33.40

whiterocktheatre.org.uk

2 Feb 3pm

Assembly Halls, Crescent

Road, Tunbridge

Wells TN1 2LU

RTWSO: ROSSINI,

BEETHOVEN, SIBELIUS

The Royal Tunbridge Wells

Symphony Orchestra (RTWSO)

is made up of gifted, local

musicians and professional

orchestral players from

London and the south east.

Entry: from £22, students

and under 18s £5

assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

rtwso.org

Every day except 25 & 26 Dec

until 9 Feb

Emmetts Garden, Ide Hill,

Sevenoaks, Kent TN14 6BA

EMMETTS GARDEN:

WINTER FAMILY

GARDEN TRAIL

Embrace the magic of winter

with your family at the

National Trust’s Emmetts

Garden. Collect a trail sheet at

the Visitor Centre and enjoy

exploring this lovely garden.

Entry: admission fee plus

£2 (includes a prize)

nationaltrust.org.uk

4 Jan to 26 Feb 11am – 3pm

Sissinghurst Castle Gardens,

Biddenden Road, near

Cranbrook TN17 2AB

SISSINGHURST CASTLE

GARDEN: THE SOUTH

COTTAGE 1935

The South Cottage reopens for

a new sensory ‘living museum’

experience that will immerse

you in the sights, sounds,

and smells of a day in the life

of Vita Sackville-West and

Harold Nicolson in 1935.

Entry: see website

nationaltrust.org.uk

19 Jan 2pm

Dorking Halls, Reigate Road,

Dorking, Surrey RH4 1SG

‘RAVE IN SPACE’ BIG FISH

LITTLE FISH FAMILY RAVE

The original family rave Big Fish

Little Fish blasts off to Dorking

for the second time for some

award-winning fun at this space

themed event for families with

0-8 year olds. Dance through

the bubbles, foam and balloons.

Fancy dress (optional): all things

spacey from stars to aliens!

Entry: £16, children £13

dorkinghalls.co.uk

22 Jan 10am – 11.30am

Polesden Lacey, Great

Bookham, near Dorking,

Surrey RH5 6BD

POLESDEN

LACEY: MONTHLY

RAMBLERS WALK

Taking place every fourth

Wednesday of the month, this

volunteer-led walk takes an

hour and a half. Dogs on a lead

are welcome. Meet outside the

coffee shop at 10am. Bring

friends or make new ones.

Entry: free no booking needed

nationaltrust.org.uk

25 Jan 6.30pm – 11.50pm

Denbies Wine Estate,

London Road, Dorking,

Surrey RH5 6AA

DENBIES BURNS NIGHT

CELEBRATIONS

Celebration of Robbie Burns

including dinner and a

traditional Scottish Ceilidh

band in the Conservatory.

Includes sparkling wine on

arrival, 3 course meal, wine

to accompany the meal, live

entertainment and a wee dram.

Entry: see website

denbies.co.uk

26 & 30 Jan; 2, 5 & 7 Feb

Spring Platt, Boyton Court

Road, Sutton Valence,

Maidstone, Kent ME17 3BY

NATIONAL GARDENS

SCHEME – SNOWDROPS

The garden season gets off

to a wonderful start with the

National Garden Scheme’s

Snowdrop and Spring

Flower gardens. Spring Platt

specialises in snowdrops with

approximately 500 varieties to

enjoy. Pre booking is essential.

Entry: £5, children free

ngs.co.uk kentsnowdrops.com

18 – 22 March

Richmond Theatre, Little

Green TW9 1QJ

PETER JAMES’

PICTURE YOU DEAD

A multi star cast (including

Peter Ash and Fiona Wade) has

been announced for the World

Premiere of this brand new stage

production. It’s the latest latest

thrilling crime adaption from

Peter James’ best-selling novel

– a tale of greed, deception

and murder. Book your tickets

now and don’t miss out.

Entry: From £15

(transaction fee of £3.95)

atgtickets.com

105

priceless-magazines.com


Jane Howard explains

how January's earned

the title of maintenance

month at Coopers Farm

So another New Year arrives. That means farm

resolutions as well as the lose weight, drink

less, join a Pilates group variety. Top of the list

is being stricter about the time the rams and the bulls

spend with their respective female counterparts. As

warm May days extend to long June days and hopefully

hot July ones, it’s easy to be relaxed about the herd

and, apart from a daily check, we’re happy to let them

pretty much get on with life. But come February when

we start calving it’s a novelty for the first month and

the second usually passes fairly swiftly, but after eight

weeks the prospect of getting up in the night to check

the calving shed distinctly loses its

appeal. And the same goes for the rams

in the autumn. So this year the boys will

be in and then out – two months and

it’s done and dusted – and I’ve made

a note to self in the diary in red ink!

January is the lull before the storm.

A quiet month when we spend time

focusing on the farm infrastructure –

fences, gates, ditches, water troughs

and the like. It may sound mundane,

but to walk round a farm where

every gate opens and pleasingly

shuts with a resounding clunk is an

absolute joy. One we strive for – but rarely achieve.

Every year we do a gate check and every year

about half of them no longer open without brute

force and the other half no longer shut without

being tied up with string. The alarming rate of gate

destruction is down to various guilty parties.

Lusty young bulls have a habit of overestimating

their ability to leap a five bar gate in search of cows.

It results in their front legs getting over and reaching

the ground while their back legs are left dangling, and

January is the lull

before the storm. A

quiet month when

we spend time

focusing on the farm

infrastructure – fences,

gates, ditches, water

troughs and the like...

unable to push off. So they become suspended over

the gate. As long as important parts aren’t trapped then

it’s annoying but not disastrous and involves wedging

two bales of straw, one under each back leg, so they

can complete the leap. This leaves the gate severely

bowed and no longer will it easily open and shut.

The horses, Betty and Murphy, are also in on the act.

They’ve worked out that if Murphy pushes the bottom

bar down with his hoof to ease the

catch at the same time as Betty pushes

forward with her nose, they too can

open gates. While not inflicting major

damage it’s often enough of a bend to

make closure annoyingly problematic.

At least the sheep can’t get over

or through, though of course there’s

always the third option of wriggling

under. If the grass is greener on the

other side, lambs are canny at scraping

their way beneath the bottom bar.

And, as more and more burrow

out, so the space under the gate

gets bigger and sooner or later the ewes follow.

So major gate repairs are scheduled this month,

and also fencing. Same culprits: cows pushing,

horses leaning and sheep rubbing... As the old saying

goes, there’s nothing sheep like more than escaping,

apart from dying – and if they can die escaping

they couldn’t be happier. It’s true they are real

Houdinis and the slightest weakness will be exploited

resulting in sheep happily munching in an angry

neighbour’s garden. All part of the farming year!

priceless-magazines.com 106



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