Surrey Homes | SH133 | February 2026

PRICELESS

FEBRUARY 2026

133

FEBRUARY 2026

EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT inside

Inspirational Interiors • Fabulous Fashion • Delicious Dishes

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Surrey’s Premier Builder

Upfold Construction has been established since 2009

and is a domestic builder providing services throughout

Surrey, Sussex & Hampshire.

Located in Cranleigh we are perfectly placed to offer a

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professional and reliable builder. We carry out all aspects

of building from extensions, renovations to a complete

home refurbishment allowing us to provide a package of

design, planning, building & finishing.

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

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

Contents

February 2026

26

80

46

12

21

25

26

37

39

46

HOUSE OF THE MONTH

Dream homes on the market

NOTEBOOK

Upcoming events for your diary

THE MUST LIST

Keep up-to-date with the latest

must-see and must-have goodies

VINTAGE GENES

A home with real Retro appeal

GET THE LOOK

Emulate that mid-century vibe

WEDDINGS SUPPLEMENT

Glorious ideas for a gorgeous day

THE WONDERFUL THING

ABOUT COTCHFORD

An exploration of the

former home of A. A.

Milne and Brian Jones

53

79

80

84

89

GET THE LOOK

Embrace history for a

cosy, welcoming feel

NEW ROMANTICS

Rebecca Cuffe’s fashion edit

BRING ON THE ZING

Nourishing and healthy

recipes to warm the soul

WHAT HAS K-BEAUTY

DONE FOR US?

Josephine Fairley explores how

Korean beauty trends have become

such a big hit in the UK

SPORTY FIT

Sarah Maxwell looks into the

many benefits of team sports

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

90

93

96

98

EDUCATION

SUPPLEMENT

28 pages of all

things schools,

from nursery

to secondary.

After page 54.

NOURISH TO FLOURISH

Charlotte Lau’s monthly

wellbeing tips

THE BRAVEST BLOOMS

Jo Arnell looks at the garden’s

tough little winter heros

WHAT’S ON

Fun-filled February dates

FARM FABLES

Jane Howard’s latest instalment

from Coopers Farm

Copyright © 2026 Priceless Media Ltd. The views of the advertisers & contributors are not necessarily those of Priceless Media Ltd.

7

priceless-magazines.com

CODE: 61085

CODE: 61201

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CODE: 61067

Switch on something Special for 2026

Showroom

Elstead House, Mill Lane,

Alton, Hampshire GU34 2QJ

Showroom opening hours

9am - 5pm: Monday - Friday

9am - 1pm: Saturday

Tel: 01420 590510

Web: distinctivelightinguk.com

Surrey Homes FP Feb 2026.indd 1 06/01/2026 10:56:51

From the

Editor

Every year, without fail, I Google when spring

starts (20 March BTW). With bulbs now popping

up left, right and centre in my garden, and on

the verges on my drive to school each morning, I am

looking forward to seeing colour begin to return to

the countryside. As we embrace the last few weeks of

winter, we take a tour of two cosy homes with real

welcoming appeal. The first, a Retro lover’s dream is

packed with fascinating curios, furniture and artworks,

whilst the second – once home to Winnie-the-Pooh

author A. A. Milne, and Brian Jones of The Rolling

Stones fame – is sharing its warm charm with lucky

guests, as it’s now available as a holiday rental.

Charlotte Butterworth has put together some deliciously

filling recipes for us, packed with all the good stuff

to weather the chillier months. In health and beauty,

Sarah Maxwell and Charlotte Lau explain how to

keep healthy and active, at any age, and Josephine

Fairley turns her expert eye to Korean makeup and

skincare trends and all the hype surrounding them.

Be sure to check out not one, but two, special

supplements this issue – weddings and

education. Plan your special day with

the help of Rebecca Cuffe, who has put

together themed pages to personalise

your choices. And get informed about

the myriad education options on offer

across the South East and beyond.

Enjoy your Priceless magazine

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 Director, Priceless Group Maria Hurley

maria.hurley@wealdentimes.co.uk

Senior Account ManagerSarah Norwood

Senior Sales ExecutiveAndrew Boughton

Wealden Times Show Director Flo Simpson

Events Manager Liz Miles

Events Sales Director Jude Brown

Financial ControllerStephen Hunt

Accounts Sarah Davies

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

9


SURREY’S PREMIER BESPOKE

BUILDING COMPANY

Experienced Bespoke Builders

New builds • Extensions • Renovations • Conversions

• Garden Buildings • Traditional Oak Structures

• Walls, Patios, Driveways • Brickwork Repointing

Environmentally friendly • Experts in sustainable materials

Other services available include In House Architects, Structural Engineers and Planners

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CALL US : 01483 369 363 07494 216 528 07494 216 532

contact@hildensbbg.co.uk hildensbbg.co.uk

Find us here!

Call 01580 714705 to find your nearest distributor of

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

12,000 copies of Surrey Homes are printed

every month. We are available in

the following outlets and are the

only local magazine available at key

commuter stations. If you have any

questions about our distribution please

contact Vivien Cotterill-Lee

vivien.cotterill-lee@priceless-group.com

Ashtead

• Patrick Gardner

Bagshott

• Cubbitt Antiques

• Howlands

Estate Agents

• Longacres Nursery

Betchworth

• Buckland Deli

• The Community

Shop

Bookham

• Patrick Gardner

Buckland

• Buckland

Nurseries

Garden Centre

Camberley

• Romans

Caterham

• Shard Solutions

Cheam

• Cook

Chelsham

• Knights Garden

Centre

Chobham

• Melita

• Pasha

Claygate

• Trew Art

Cobham

• Cobham Furniture

• Oh So Coco

Cranleigh

• Curchods Prime

• Notcutts

• Roger Coupe

Dorking

• Dorking Travel

• Patrick Gardner

• Princess Alice

Hospice

• Sainsbury’s

Epsom

• Mayfield Lavender

Nursery & Shop

Esher

• Sandown Park

Racecourse

Farnham

• Cook

• ME Estate Agents

• Sainsbury’s

• Waterstones

Felbridge

• Doves Barn

Nursery

Godalming

• Cook

• Sainsbury’s

• Sarah Louise Dix

• Waterstones

Godstone

• Knights Garden

Centre

Guildford

• BoConcept

• Elm Nursery

Farm Shop

• High Clandon

Estate Vineyard

• Neptune

Haslemere

• Lythe Hill

Hotel & Spa

• Tesco Superstore

Knaphill

• Sainsbury’s

Leatherhead

• Patrick Gardner

• Robert Leech

& Partners

• Tesco

Lingfield

• Robert Leech

Lyne

• The Farm

Shop Lyne

Milford

• Secretts

Old Oxted

• Fish Plaice & Grill

Oxted

• Cook

• Jackson-Stops

& Staff

• Limpsfield Stores

• Morrisons

• Robert Leech

Oxshott

• The Bear

Redhill

• Priory Farm

Reigate

• Buckland

Nurseries

Garden Centre

• County Clothes

• Robert Leech

• RDO Kitchens

Ripley

• Ripley Nurseries

Farm Shop

• The Talbot

Surbiton

• Sainsbury’s

Walton on

Thames

• Waterstones

• Sainsbury’s

Warlingham

• Botley Hill

Farmhouse

• Rayners Estate

Agents

West Byfleet

• Roman Tiles

Weybridge

• Tesco Extra

Woldingham

• Fine & Country

TRAIN

STATIONS

• Dorking

• East Grinstead

• Epsom

• Esher

• Guildford

• Haslemere

• Kingston

• Richmond

• Surbiton

• Weybridge

• Wimbledon

• Woking

Fine Art

Investment Art

Pop Art

Sculptures

Picture Framing

From inspiration to creation,

define your space with

ART

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997

11 The Parade, Claygate, Surrey, KT10 0PD • WWW.TREWART.COM • PH 44 (0)1372 470997

11


House

Month

of the

£1,460,000

Gordon Lee features the finest new

homes for £1.5 million

Headley Chase

The dream: Elegant

countryside living in an

exclusive parkland setting.

Where: Headley, near

Leatherhead.

Setting: Within nine acres of

landscaped grounds of this

exclusive new development

Beds: 5 Baths: 3

Special features: The open-plan

kitchen, dining and family room

is the hub of this house, and

features quartz worktops, Bosch

appliances, and glazed doors that

open to the garden. A separate

living room and formal dining

room provide flexible spaces for

entertaining, while upstairs the

principal bedroom enjoys fitted

wardrobes and a stylish en-suite.

A further en-suite bedroom

and three additional wellproportioned

rooms complete the

accommodation.

Pleasing details: Underfloor

heating throughout, powered by

air-source heat pump technology,

are particularly welcome.

Outside: A private garden with

patio and lawn sits alongside

driveway parking and a garage

with EV charging, all set

within beautifully maintained

communal parkland.

Time to town: Headley offers

peaceful village life with easy

access to Leatherhead, Epsom and

fast connections into London.

Agents: Elivia 01483 677004

eliviahomes.co.uk

priceless-magazines.com 12

£1,500,000

Oxshott

The dream: Design-led family home where

contemporary style meets everyday luxury.

Where: Oxshott village.

Setting: Gated development moments

from heathland and village life.

Beds: 4 Baths: 4

Special features: The open-plan kitchen, dining

and living space is a show-stopper and the heart of

this luxurious end-of-terrace townhouse. Roof lights

and French doors flood the space with light and lead

seamlessly to the garden, complete with outdoor

kitchen, BBQ and louvred pergola. Two first-floor

bedroom suites feature dressing rooms and en suites,

while the top floor adds two further en suite bedrooms.

Pleasing details: Parquet-style oak flooring,

statement panelling and oak internal doors create

a refined yet welcoming feel throughout. The

handcrafted Krieder kitchen with quartz Calacatta

worktops and top-tier appliances are a joy.

Outside: Landscaped gardens provide a private

backdrop, with gated parking adding peace of mind.

Time to town: Oxshott station has direct

services to London Waterloo, while the A3

and M25 connect easily to the wider region.

Agents: Knight Frank 01483 565171

knightfrank.co.uk

£1,500,000

Weybridge

The dream: A contemporary family home

in a sought-after private setting.

Where: A private gated road in Weybridge.

Setting: Within an enclave of mature trees and shrubs

which offer privacy from neighbouring properties.

Beds: 5 Baths: 3

Special features: At the heart of this stunning Concept

8 house is the stylish kitchen and dining space,

with an Espresso-designed kitchen and bifold doors

opening onto the terrace. The formal reception room

provides a cosy retreat, whilst the study, with bespoke

cabinetry, makes home working effortless. Upstairs,

a galleried landing leads to the impressive principal

suite. Four further bedrooms and two additional

bathrooms complete the generous accommodation.

Pleasing details: Underfloor heating on the

ground floor, elegant stone hearths and carefully

considered storage – including a fully boarded loft

space – bring both comfort and practicality.

Outside: The west-facing garden combines

terrace and lawn, while the resin-bond

driveway provides ample parking.

Time to town: Weybridge station has

fast trains to London Waterloo.

Agents: Savills 01932 838000 savills.co.uk

13


“Life’s sweet, I’m

really enjoying it”

Anne, Pegasus Homes resident

We believe in creating quality later living homes that bring joy, community and

independence to those enjoying life over 60. But don’t take our

word for it.

A welcoming and established

community comprising one, two

and three bedroom homes.

Surrounded by beautiful landscaped

gardens, wild flower gardens and

allotments.

Buy from £495,000

01932 483 129

pegasushomes.co.uk/highfields

61 Hobbs Close, West Byfleet, KT14 6F

An elegant collection of one, two, and

three-bedroom residences blending

village charm with cosmopolitan ease,

featuring refined design, swift London

connections, central pavilion, yoga

studio, and tranquil walled garden.

Buy from £450,000

01932 321 028

pegasushomes.co.uk/cobham-bowers

74 Portsmouth Road Cobham, KT11 1FG

There’s never been a better time

to discover joyful later living,

reserve by the end of March

2026, and we’ll offer you a choice

of three fantastic rewards:

or

or

Stamp duty (tier 1)

paid on completion

Receive 5%

discount off the

purchase price

Receive 50%

discount off service

charge for 5 years

Find your joy with Pegasus Homes

020 3695 3700 | sales@pegasushomes.co.uk

www.pegasushomes.co.uk/yourway

Watch Anne’s interview

Images and quotes shown are from real Pegasus Homes residents. This incentive is valid on new reservations on selected apartments, from 1st September 2025 to 31st March 2026, when this

incentive ends. To qualify for the incentives, customers must complete on their purchase by 31st June 2026. Terms and conditions apply, for details please visit pegasushomes.co.uk/termsandconditions

or speak to our Customer Advisors to find your best deal.

COASTAL LIVING AWAITS

Apartments and Beach Houses | Under an hour from Central London

Viewings available every day | 01303 760 940 | sales@folkestoneharbour.com

shorelinefolkestone.co.uk

Silver Birches

SHELVERS WAY TADWORTH

Bold. Beautiful.

Breathtaking.

Exquisite new homes at Silver Birches, Tadworth.

An exclusive collection of just 5 beautifully crafted 3 & 4 bedroom homes.

THE LAURELS

PLOT 1

3-BEDROOM DETACHED HOME

128.9M 2 / 1387 sq.ft.

THE HAVEN

PLOT 2


169.6M 2 / 1826 sq.ft.

THE RETREAT

PLOT 3


193.0M 2 / 2077 sq.ft.

THE MANOR

PLOT 4


196.65M 2 / 2117 sq.ft.

SOLD

THE WILLOW

PLOT 5

3-BEDROOM BUNGALOW

122.9M 2 / 1323 sq.ft.

SHOW

HOME

OPEN

FRIDAY – MONDAY

10AM TO 5PM

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, OR TO BOOK AN

APPOINTMENT, PLEASE CONTACT THE SELLING AGENT:

Williams Harlow Estate Agents

31 High Street, Banstead, Surrey SM7 2NH

CALL: 01737 307555

Live by the Coast

in West Wittering

Wittering Place

Whether you are looking to relocate, downsize or secure

a coastal retreat, Wittering Place offers refined living in a

sought after West Sussex village. These energy-efficient

new 3, 4 and 5 bedroom homes combine space, comfort

and thoughtful design, with village amenities close by

and the coast just minutes away. With Part Exchange

available, moving could be easier than you think.*

NOW AVAILABLE TO RESERVE

SHOW HOMES OPEN

Wittering Place Sales & Marketing Suite,

West Wittering, PO20 8FJ

MON - SUN | 10AM - 5PM

Visit dandara.com to discover Wittering Place

and start your next chapter by the sea.

*Terms and Conditions apply. Specification may vary subject to house type and build stage. Full details available on request. Details correct at time of going to print. Interior image shown is The Penhurst show home.

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Moving home this year?

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Hart Brown Jan Edition Surrey Homes.indd 1 12/01/2026 12:48:14

DESIGNED TO ENDURE

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Invest directly or via leading platforms at nutshellam.com

Capital at Risk. Investments can go up and down.

URBAN & GREY

BESPOKE ALUMINIUM GLAZING

Specialists in the supply & installation of contemporary bespoke

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a historical boatyard overlooking the River Thames in Hampton.

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19


3319-First-signs-of-spring-90x130mm-Wealden&Surrey.indd 1 17/12/2025 10:20

20-22 MARCH 2026

MATERIAL

ENCOUNTERS:

CONTEMPORARY

TEXTILES IN

FOCUS

FEATURING:

CURATED EXHIBITION

TEXTILES FAIR

WORKSHOPS

& SELECTED PANELS FROM

AIDS QUILT UK

HTTPS://WWW.LANDMARKARTSCENTRE.ORG/SHOWS/CONTEMPORARYTEXTILES/

020 8977 7558 £5 ENTRY, £4 CONCESSION, FREE FOR U16 & LANDMARK FRIENDS

LANDMARK ARTS CENTRE, FERRY ROAD, TEDDINGTON, TW11 9NN


20

Notebook

Take note! We’ve rounded up the

best of what to see and do near you

Wellies &

Woollies

Get those wellies on and celebrate the arrival

of early spring at Hever Castle with First

Signs of Spring, opening as the castle reopens

its gates on 11 February and running until

the end of the month. Visitors can explore

the estate’s beautiful grounds as they awaken

from winter, following a self-guided trail

through the gardens. Along the way, enjoy

the delicate blooms of snowdrops, crocuses,

dogwoods and the fragrant daphnes,

heralding the new season. This seasonal

experience is included with admission. For

full details, please visit hevercastle.co.uk.

Image of Hever Castle courtesy of Hever Castle & Cardens

From the moment you arrive, Art Surrey Art Fair at

Sandown Park promises to ignite the imagination.

Taking place from 20 to 22 March, this exciting

event is curated by Art Surrey in collaboration with

Caiger Art, the team behind the acclaimed Art Surrey

Fair at Epsom Downs Racecourse held in October.

Bringing together 120 contemporary and traditional

artists, the fair presents a carefully curated showcase

of outstanding talent. Visitors can explore an

inspiring breadth of work, from painting and digital

art to mixed media, photography, sculpture, glass

and ceramics. With artworks priced from £50

to £3,000+, Art Surrey offers an accessible and

engaging opportunity for both emerging collectors

and seasoned art buyers to discover their next

statement piece. At Sandown Park you’ll find an

on-site bar and café/restaurant facilities serving

food and refreshments and the venue is fully

wheelchair accessible, ensuring everyone can enjoy

the experience. Now firmly established as one of

the largest art fairs in the South East, Art Surrey

continues to cement its place on the cultural calendar.

Join Art Surrey at Sandown Park for a weekend

of creativity, inspiration and discovery. Tickets

are available to buy from artsurrey.co.uk/tickets/

SHIELD-ON TIMES

Are you in need of a Traitors fix? And maybe a night or two

away? We’ve found the perfect solution! How about a stay in

Battel Hall, Leeds Castle’s five-star holiday retreat – designed

by series 3 Traitors star and interior designer Francesca

Rowan-Plowden. Alternatively, step into a real-life castle

setting with an exclusive stay in Leeds Castle’s iconic State

and Battlement Bedrooms located within the Castle itself, for

a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity full of Traitor-esque vibes!

leeds-castle.com

21


Your

Manor

Landmark

Event

‘Material Encounters:

Contemporary Textiles in Focus’

marks the Landmark Art Centre’s

30th Anniversary with an expanded

three-day textiles festival, bringing

together a curated exhibition of

contemporary works, selected

panels from the UK AIDS

Memorial Quilt, a programme of

workshops and talks, and the return

of our much-loved textiles fair. The

inclusion of panels from the UK

AIDS Memorial Quilt, recently

shown in full at Tate Modern’s

Turbine Hall, offers audiences

the opportunity to encounter this

significant collaborative artwork

in situ with other contemporary

pieces. The Festival provides an

accessible and engaging way to

experience textile art in the heart

of Teddington. Book now via the

website landmarkartscentre.org

The Never Say Never is opening

at Hilden Manor, near Tonbridge!

The latest in the Elite Pubs line-up

officially opens on 31 January and

you’re invited to join in the fun

from 3-11pm for drinks, canapés

and live music. This beautifully

restored historic pub will go on

to welcome the community and

will be taking bookings from

opening day onwards. Find out

what all the fuss is about at

elitepubs.com/venue/the-never-say-never

Have a Ball

Kenward Trust is a remarkable charity doing

life-saving work around addiction and

substance misuse. Their early intervention

programme Think Differently, which

empowers positive choices in youngsters, has

reached 65,000 pupils to date. As part of

their vital fundraising the Kenward Will Save

Lives Ball 2026 will be held at the Mercure

Hotel, Maidstone, on Saturday 7 March.

This promises to be an evening to remember,

a glittering celebration filled with music,

dancing and a delicious two-course meal.

Tickets are available from

kenwardtrust.org.uk/charityball

WHO’S IN TOWN?

We can’t wait for Our Town starring the great Martin

Sheen, a Rose Theatre and Welsh National Theatre

production. Written by Thornton Wilder, it runs from

26 February until 28 March. Grover’s Corners is a

quiet little town, full of ordinary folk, living everyday

lives. They work, they laugh, they sing, they fall in

love and raise their children, and grow old. But within

those moments of everyday life, there are truths that

reach out to us all. This new production sees the story

through a Welsh lens, bringing new life and vivid

resonance for modern audiences. rosetheatre.org


MAUREEN LIPMAN

stars in

MON 8 JUN - SAT 13 JUN 2026

www.atgtickets.com/richmond-theatre*

*BKG Fees apply

Allegra Richmond 297x210.indd 1 12/01/2026 17:10

February Half Term at the Rural Life

Living Museum in Tilford

Join us from Monday 16th February - Friday

20th February 2026 as we celebrate all things...

plus STEM family friendly workshops with

Book tickets at

www.rural-life.org.uk

The Reeds Road, Tilford, Farnham,

Surrey, GU10 2DL.

Weddings Open Evening

3331-Bugs&Boots-2026-90x130mm-Wealden&Surrey.indd 1 17/12/2025 09:51

Thursday 19th February 2026 * 5 - 9pm

Discover outside & inside the venue at night * Enjoy Cocktails, Canapés, Fairy Lights & Music *

A magical destination with Indian charm

Getting married?

Register your interest for the Open Evening using the link below...

Trading Boundaries, Nr Fletching, East Sussex TN22 3RB

01825 790200 - e: weddings@tradingboundaries.com - www.tradingboundaries.com/weddings


24

For a romantic date night at home,

Indulge’s Valentine’s Day Meal Kit

is a 6-course gourmet extravaganza

which comes fully prepared and

cooked, and ready to heat up and

plate up. £75 at indulgedining.co.uk

We’ve long been

spritzing Jo Malone’s

iconic fragrances, but

now she has turned

her attention to luxury

vodka, and we are ready to

start collecting some new

bottles. This one, The Artist,

has notes of rose, neroli,

pink peppercorn and sencha.

Pour over ice and top up

with chilled soda water or

tonic and garnish with a rose

petal for a toast to a bright

and bold Lunar New Year,

an indulgent Valentine’s or

whatever else you have going

on this month. £49.99 at

jovodka.com

Dear Gentle Readers, it’s time for

a new season of Bridgerton and

Laurence King Publishing has a

lovely selection of games as well as

this beautiful World of Bridgerton

puzzle, the perfect accompaniment to a viewing

night or two. £18.99 at laurenceking.com

must

The

From must-sees to must-buys and

must-dos, don’t miss this month’s

round up of what to buy, see, do,

and generally get excited about!

Ramp up moisture levels to

combat cold-ravaged skin with

the help of Nourish London’s

gentle serums. Firm favourites with our

editorial team, our pick is the Retinal

Resilience Serum, which, layered

with your moisturiser, delivers a hit of

skin renewing retinaldehyde coupled

with barrier-strengthening ceramides,

super greens antioxidant complex and

probiotic minerals – nourishing indeed.

£35 for 30ml. nourishskinrange.com

For the ultimate hero piece in your

bedroom or living room, design something

entirely unique. Visit Sarah Louise Dix

upholstery studio in Godalming, Surrey,

where you can design a headboard or

footstool using beautiful fabrics from brands

such as Linwood, Lewis & Wood, Colefax

and Fowler, and Romo. Pick the shape, size,

height, design detail and leg options with

help and experience on hand to guide you.

Or you can learn to upholster one yourself

– try a ten week upholstery course from

April or a one-day workshop for beginners

on Saturday 7 February or 7 March.

sarahlouisedix.co.uk

Stuck for a Valentine’s gift? Sometimes

going full throttle into all things pink

and heart shaped is the best way to say,

“I really don’t care if I look silly carrying

this around as long as it makes you

smile.” A giant pink heart-shaped box

of chocolates it is then. The classics are

classic for a reason after all, and the way

to many a heart is through chocolate.

This is Hotel Chocolat’s Straight from

the Heart Box and is £49.95, but there

are plenty more options for all price

ranges and tastes. The only

question is... can you get

your beloved recipient to

share? hotelchocolat.com

For those looking for an

extra special Valentine’s

gift, consider a trip to

the Jewellery Quarter of

Brighton’s famous Lanes.

Here you can have your

special someone select (or

even commission) something

truly special. This 9ct

yellow gold dragon’s claw

ring with heart shaped

pink tourmaline is from

one of our favourites –

Baroque – and is £3,190

at baroquejewellery.com

The 17th is Chinese New

Year and we move forward

with the year of the horse.

If you’re celebrating, try

Cutter & Squidge’s Lunar

New Year Collection. Their

selection of cakes, cookies,

brownies and gifting sets are

inspired by festive flavours

and lucky symbolism for

meaningful sharing moments

and a joyful start to your next

chapter. cutterandsquidge.com

25


Vintage genes

Words: Gordon Lee Photographs: David Merewether

Katherine Atkinson’s mindful renovation of a 1960s house is the perfect showcase for her

love of combining midcentury furniture with retro florals, colour and houseplants

DNA tests have become an

increasingly popular Christmas

gift for those eager to find out

if they have a bit of Viking blood, some

Irish ancestry, or a distant connection

to some exotic location. The wonderful

BBC Sounds series The Gift presents

the other side of these tests and their

often-unintended consequences: sisters

who turned out to be mothers; friends

who turned out to be relatives; and

new brothers and sisters who turned

up, all around the world. The period

just after Christmas when the results

roll in has been referred to as “Sibling

Season” or for those more pleasantly

surprised than shocked to their core,

as their “Christmas Bonus”. If you’re

wondering what on earth this has

to do with Katherine Atkinson’s

extraordinary house, bear with

27


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28

This page: Katherine called on the

services of Pluck to create her dream

kitchen. The table was commissioned

from Hardman Designs and her G-Plan

dining chair collection was completed

with the help of Facebook Marketplace

whilst I stretch this analogy, but

suffice to say that every addition that

Katherine has made to this glorious

home feels like they’re welcoming

a new member to their family.

Most houses tell you very little

about the owners because this is rarely

how they reveal themselves. Most

settle for a neutral colour palette,

practical, contemporary furniture,

and a design aesthetic borrowed

from IKEA, or maybe Heals if

you’re lucky. Very few houses wear

their hearts on their sleeves quite

like the Old Forge does. Katherine

hasn’t so much designed a home

with a vintage feel – it’s more like

the house has evolved in her image.

Her DNA is present in every detail. Old

furniture is hunted down on Facebook

Marketplace, with the same excitement

and enthusiasm that you might track

down an estranged but interesting cousin,

who’s living in some remote and distant

town. Once safely secured this furniture

is then welcomed into their life, like a

long lost relative. Katherine isn’t just

decorating their home; she’s bringing

together a family of fabrics and furniture,

textures and colours. She has cleverly

made this eclectic mix look serendipitous

and organic, when in fact, it’s all very

considered and quite deliberate.

In interior design terms, this is

referred to as the “red thread”, a phrase

borrowed from the Scandinavian den

røde tråd, meaning a clear, continuous

theme that ties a space together. It’s

about coherence; the story that your

home is telling. For some that might be

a spacious and glamorous place to party

or entertain. For others it might be a

family home centred in the kitchen, and

around cooking and eating together.

Or it could be a home with no airs or

graces, where everyone can be themselves.

But practicalities aside, the real story

of a house is how it makes you feel.

29


This page: Throughout the house, midcentury

furniture has been brought to life with playful

pops of colour. The wallpaper is Madame

Ziggle in Yellow and Blue from Ottoline

How colours and materials, form and style, can

create a mood. When your home feels calm,

intentional, and “just works”, then it has a “red

thread”, and the Old Forge certainly has that.

Katherine’s colour palette draws from spring

and autumn, and as a result the Old Forge is

joyful and optimistic like spring, and yet at the

same time warm and comforting like autumn.

The house is playful, witty, and fun: just look at

the fabulous wallpapers from Ottoline and Mini

Moderns. And it definitely doesn’t take itself too

seriously either: witness the magnificent Tiki

Bar and husband Tom’s collection of Tiki mugs

in their conservatory. The flying ducks on the

wall behind the bar will make you smile too.

But the Old Forge is also traditional,

deferential, and sincere – you can see that in the

way that Katherine has lovingly re-covered

footstools, re-upholstered chairs, and rescued,


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This page: A colour palette of buttercup

yellow, soft pink and turquoise work

together to create a relaxing sitting room

vibe. A daffodil table lamp by Bliss

Home illuminates a workspace neatly

tucked beneath the stairs. The wallpaper

is Alice in Mustard by Mini Moderns

and revived, the fabulous G-Plan dining

chairs that now sit around her bespoke

dining table. “I love the simplicity and

elegance of midcentury design,” she says.

Last year, Katherine finally had the

chance to create her dream kitchen and

dining space. Walls were knocked down

and the room was opened up. Pluck

provided the vintage-style kitchen,

including an island with hob and

downward extractor, the pipework for

which had to be taken underground.

It’s a wonderfully modern addition that

illustrates Katherine’s love of function,

not just form. Something that extends

to her deep affection for her G-Plan

dining chairs. They aren’t just there

because they look nice – they are a

pleasure to sit on too. With this space

expanded, there was now room for a

big dining table that could seat friends

and extended family. The perfect dining

table can be hard to find, so one of

Katherine’s great indulgences was to get

hers made, bespoke from walnut, by

Hardman Designs. It is a thing of beauty

and, texturally and visually, works well

with the teak furniture that’s close by.

Katherine already had six of these

lovely, curved back dining chairs but

was on the lookout for two more, which

Facebook Marketplace duly found

for her in Margate, and that she then

collected on her way to a Libertines gig

in the town. Although they’re made

by G-Plan, these dining chairs are not

a style that you see very often, so this

discovery was particularly satisfying. If

you share Katherine’s love of midcentury

design, then try and track down a copy

of The G-Plan Revolution by Basil

Hyman and Steven Braggs. “I think

there is something so pleasing about a

midcentury sideboard,” she smiles.

Katherine puts a lot of love, thought,

and a great deal of care into upcycling

and repurposing numerous pieces

of furniture – like the bureau that

became a drinks cabinet – making

them feel part of the family, which

in turn makes this home what it is.

Katherine’s design aesthetic, together

with her passion and authenticity, are

why more than 58,000 people follow

her Instagram account that details

her transformation of the Old Forge.

She is definitely one to follow.

You can see her love and respect for

tradition and family connections in

the art that fills the walls. Katherine’s

grandmother was a keen photographer,

who entered her photos in competitions.

Amongst the collage of pictures in the

principal bedroom is a wonderful


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landscape photograph of the Lake District, taken from

one of their annual family walking holidays. The painting

of the swans brings back fond childhood memories from

its time in her mother’s bedroom, whilst the primroses

were painted by a beloved great aunt. As for the sunflower,

well that’s just big, bold, and happy. The vintage art sits

well next to the linocut prints by contemporary artists

like Clare Curtis, Angela Harding and Maidstone’s Judith

Westrup. Like most things in this house, Katherine’s

art is very personal, reverential, and always a lot of fun.

Although Katherine’s son may not 100% agree with the

last point. On a family trip to Aldeburgh, Katherine and

husband Tom bought the seascape picture that adorns the

wall with the yellow wallpaper. After underestimating the

size of picture and overestimating the space in their car,

they soon realised they would struggle to drive it back, so

her son kindly offered to get the train home to Kent!

“If I’ve decorated a room and there aren’t any plants

in it, I don’t think it looks finished,” says Katherine. The

vintage look that she has mastered so expertly extends to

the greenery that completes each room. Monsteras have a

retro look that is very much in keeping with the rest of the

house. They bring a softness, as well a calming hue, whilst

their shadows give off a real 60s vibe. If you’re a plant lover

like Katherine, you may well share her view that some plants

like you and others don’t. Alocasias being one of the latter.

Katherine convinces me that Calatheas are divas, but that

they are with everyone, so that’s something she can live with.

You’d expect a house with this much style and character, to

have its own soundtrack – one based on a really cool record

collection. And so, it proves. Music is an important part of

the family’s lives and that of the house. Katherine is a 90s

indie kid at heart – the concert tickets and her extensive

Converse collection, arranged in rainbow colour order

This page: The main bedroom and en suite share a palette of

dusky pinks and yellows. Katherine added yellow fringing to

the light shade above the bed to fit with her colour scheme

35


This page, top left & right: The family bathroom features Mustard Made lockers, one in a rich berry colour which is echoed on the ceiling

Above left & right: Katherine’s office, filled with trinkets and objets that she loves, is home to her extensive collection of Converse

like a piece of wall art in her office, give that away. Music

is a passion she now shares with her children, that peaked

last year with trips to see Pulp, and Oasis at Wembley.

To create a house this stylish and with so much personality

takes a keen eye, and a commitment to constantly improve

and update. Katherine is on permanent lookout for more.

Consequently, the algorithms on Facebook Marketplace,

Vinted and eBay understand her design DNA. They know

what she’s looking for. And they regularly connect her to

vintage furniture, fabrics and homeware that will soon become

part of not just the Old Forge but her family too. They are

to her what Ancestry.com is to those looking to connect

with their past and bring newfound joy to their future.

Address Book:

Follow Katherine’s Instagram

@theoldforgeincolour

Bespoke dining table: hardmandesigns.com

Kitchen: pluck.co.uk

Lino cut artists: clarecurtis.co.uk /

angelaharding.co.uk / judithwestrup.com

Wallpaper: ottoline.co.uk / minimoderns.com


Get the

LOOK

1 Fringed rattan pendant light in natural £145 French Bedroom frenchbedroom.co.uk 2 Wavy

Retro wallpaper £90.60/roll Hovia hovia.com 3 Newbury Jade Green glass flush wall light

£34.99 ValueLights valuelights.co.uk 4 NZ native bird hooks set of 3 $150nzd lisasarah

lisasarah.com 5 The Skinny lockers in Chalk £289 Mustard uk.mustardmade.com 6 Olsen

mid century six-seater dining table in Dark Brown Acacia Wood £699 Swoon Editions

swooneditions.com 7 Kensal stackable dining chair in Vintage Green faux leather and Black £99

Cult Furniture cultfurniture.com 8 Quarry Flame Red tiles 57.78/ m² Topps Tiles toppstiles.co.uk

37


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WEDDINGS

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Nestled within 400 acres of beautiful Surrey

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40

7 steps to...

Fairytale

Fantasy

Feel like a fairytale hero on

your big day with a good

dose of whimsy, magic and

a strong nod to nature

1 THE SETTING

To put the fairy in fairytale, opt for

a setting with nature at its heart – a

flowery meadow, a romantic forest

or a rustic barn will do the trick.

Gildings Barns, a secluded countryside

wedding venue offers exclusivity and

timeless natural rustique. Situated

in the rolling landscapes of Surrey,

yet easily reachable from London

and Sussex, this venue blends the

authenticity of historical hand-crafted

oak-beamed architecture with a

modern approach to planning your

day. You will receive a tailored, hightouch

experience from first enquiry

to final farewell. gildingsbarns.co.uk

2 THE RING

Continuing your nature theme, Lucy

Sylvester jewellery is inspired by twigs,

leaves, bark and more. This gold and

rainbow moonstone cow parsley stem

ring looks full of midnight magic.

£2,760 at lucysylvester.co.uk

3 THE TABLE

Highlight your natural setting

with colourful touches and fanciful

dining with plenty of candles and

fairy lights to brighten things up.

This table setting is by Talking

Tables, and various pieces are

available at talkingtables.co.uk

4 THE SHOES

For your Cinderella moment, imitate

the glass slipper vibe with a bit

more modern comfort. These sling

backs from Blue Velvet achieve the

transparent look using a sheer mesh

and, with a nice low heel, they will be

a lot more wearable than Cinderella’s.

£189.99 at bluevelvetshoes.com

5 THE PLANNER

Every Cinderella needs her fairy

godmother to make the magic

happen. Based in the Kent

countryside, The Country Blush

specialises in beautifully curated

marquee weddings and celebrations,

held at private homes and estates

across the South East. From

full planning to wedding day

management, Evie West works closely

with you to design a heartfelt, bespoke

celebration that feels effortlessly you.

thecountryblush.co.uk

6 THE DRESS

A big flowing gown will make you feel

like a princess on your big day. This

Lily dress by E & W Couture Bridal is

perfect with its dramatic sheer bishop

sleeves, full-circle skirt and leaf print

on gorgeous organza with duchess

satin beneath. Stocked at Vicki’s Bridal

Boutique, Tenterden. vickisbride.co.uk

7 THE DECORATIONS

Give your rustic or outdoor setting

plenty of decorations to make it feel

more magical. This can be done

with flowers, lights or decorations

like this beautiful entrance created

using a gold flower backdrop

Meri Meri. £32 merimeri.co.uk

Francesca Hill Photography

41


7 steps to...

Operatic

Opulence

The Opera look is trending this year and for those who enjoy a

darker, dramatic look, it makes for excellent wedding inspiration

1 THE SCENERY

A venue with some historical grandeur

will give you the perfect operatic

backdrop. Hever Castle is our pick with

options of the Astor Wing, the lakeside

Italian Garden, or of course the Castle

itself, to set your scene. At this one-ofa-kind

venue, you could get pictures

on the drawbridge, dine in the Castle

Great Hall or tie the knot overlooking

the magical lake. All this means that

capacities vary with the maximum

being the 250 guests you could have

at a Marquee Wedding at The Winter

Garden Lawn and there is also plenty

of accommodation too. To book,

download a brochure or find out more

visit hevercastle.co.uk

2 SOMETHING OLD

Use antique-style items to create

an operatic setting. This antiqued

gold metal easel, for example, would

be perfect for displaying a seating

arrangement, a welcome poster or a

beautiful portrait of the happy couple.

£94.99 at glasstonefurniture.co.uk

3 THE ACCESSORIES

For groom’s attire, go bold and stylish.

Cravats, velvets, tuxes, braces, all are

welcome here and why shouldn’t the

groom have a bit of fun with the theme

too? This look comes from Dapper &

Suave, whose collection includes neck

ties, bowties, cravats, pocket squares,

and feather lapels. Shop via Esty at

dapperandsuave.uk

4 THE BACKSTAGE LOOK

Operatic brides get ready like a star

and get lots of backstage pics. And this

pure silk kimono dressing gown is the

perfect glamorous coverup to get you in

character. £275 helenloveday.com

5 SOMETHING BLUE

Opt for intricate jewellery and

colourful gems for a luxuriously

glamorous look. These Dalia Earrings

from KATA jewellery will stun with

their blue sapphires surrounded by a

continuous flow of diamonds. £6,900

at katajewellery.com

6 THE DRESS

With this theme you can entirely throw

away the rulebook for your bridal look

– a cape, a surprising colour, a dramatic

train – think of what makes you feel

like a leading lady and go for it! This

Vivienne Westwood Tabitha off-theshoulder

gown makes for a dramatic

entrance with its vibrant draped

duchess silk-satin, impeccable corsetry

and voluminous skirt. It makes all the

right classical references while still being

a surprising modern bridal choice.

£9,310, exclusively at net-a-porter.com

7 THE RING

Select rings with classical references and

a modern twist. This one by Baroque

has a ‘salt & pepper’ rose cut hexagon

diamond with two shoulder diamonds,

all ethically sourced and set in recycled

gold. £7,015 baroquejewellery.com


42

7 steps to...

Regency

Romance

If you’re loving Bridgerton

you may love to add an

Austen-inspired touch of

elegance to your big day

1 A HISTORICAL SETTING

Set within 400 acres of rolling Surrey

countryside, Foxhills is a place where

love unfolds naturally and beautifully.

The historic Manor House and its

elegant Orangery offer a setting of

timeless romance, filled with warmth

and character. Tree-lined paths, open

lawns and hidden corners create

endless moments for Bridgertonworthy

photography, with each frame

shaped by nature and light. Every

wedding is thoughtfully tailored, with

bespoke packages, award-winning food

and a dedicated wedding coordinator

guiding every step. Many couples

choose to arrive early, for spa rituals,

elevated dining and quiet moments

together, so you can sashay elegantly

into the big day with a sense of ease

and joyful anticipation. foxhills.co.uk

2 THE PEARLS

With lower necklines and updos a

signature of Regency style, a tasteful

necklace is the perfect adornment.

This one from ORA Pearls is £460

at their new shop, The Pearl Shop

Whitstable, or at orapearls.com

3 THE DRESS

Regency brides would simply wear

their best dress – in any colour or

pattern – but as directors and costume

designers have since taken creative

license with this, you can too. Try

something with an empire line to feel

a little more Austen, but less is more

with this look, keep it comfortable and

flattering. Lace is currently trending

so you could go with something like

this Evangeline Bridal Gown by Alie

Street London – just £289 at Wolf &

Badger wolfandbadger.com

4 THE RING

Floral designs in gold were favoured

in this time period so consider

something like this pre-loved yellow

gold and diamond ring available for

£1,595 at shopprestige.com

5 THE ACCESSORIES

Complete your Bridgerton bridal look

with a pair of long white gloves. These

are from Dents, an English brand that

has been going since 1777, and thus

the perfect place to find a traditional

pair. £20 at dentsgloves.com

6 THE DRESS CODE

Let your guests know that hats are

more than welcome and they can all

enjoy your theme too. This timeless,

elegant one by Mille Fleurs features a

stunning gold flower spray handmade

from delicate organza, for a luxurious

and soft shimmer. It is £645 at

millefleurs.uk

7 THE INVITES

These Beatrice invites by Feel Good

Invites are elegant and classic and the

stick-on wax seals are brilliant for

a 19th century feel with modern

convenience, plus you can even

get them personalised with your

initials. feelgoodinvites.com

43


7 steps to...

RomCom

Contemporary

If you’re looking to have a good time with plenty of laughs, take

a contemporary attitude that doesn’t take things too seriously

and instead focuses on making the big day a fun day

1 THE VENUE

To star in your very own rom-com,

a modern customisable venue will

allow you to add plenty of personality.

Set along a quiet rural lane in

Rotherfield, East Sussex, Briar House

Barns balances generous scale and

understated elegance. At its heart is

The Great Barn, a contemporary

blank canvas with floor-to-ceiling

windows, neutral tones and classic

lighting for a modern yet bright and

welcoming space. It’s very versatile –

equally suited to intimate gatherings

and larger celebrations. An 80-foot

terrace and sweeping lawns open the

space up to 40 acres of open farmland,

a picturesque backdrop with views

across the High Weald. Ceremonies

can be held in a characterful Stone

Barn or at two outdoor locations.

Family-run with a highly experienced

team, Briar House Barns is the place

for an individual day with thoughtful

guidance and care at every stage of

the journey. briarhousebarns.co.uk

2 THE INVITES

Start things off with the right tone

with some colourful and playful

invitations. These Retro ones from

Feel Good Invites are just the ticket

– literally! feelgoodinvites.com

3 THE TREATS

For extra fun be sure to get your

friends involved. These Laines London

slippers come with bridesmaid

brooches – perfect for a hen do or

for getting ready for the wedding,

and your friends can keep them and

remember the big day long after it’s

over. £59 at wolfandbadger.com

4 THE DRESS

Our fun-loving brides need something

comfortable to move in that will

look amazing as they dance the night

away. Go for something like this

effortlessly cool Parker dress by E&W

Couture. It’s stocked at Vicki’s Bridal

Boutique, Tenterden. vickisbride.co.uk

5 THE ACCESSORIES

For whimsical accessories check

out British luxury designer Sophia

Webster. This gorgeous Cleo ivory

marble Perspex bag will come in

handy for keeping a spare bit of

makeup, phone and maybe a little

snack! £450 at sophiawebster.com

6 THE DANCING SHOES

While the bride is dancing her

way through the reception she

needs some comfy footwear to

keep her smiling. Opt for bridal

trainers like these Jimmy Choos

to make them both wearable and

special. £525 at net-a-porter.com

7 SECOND HAND SPARKLES

Modern couples are often looking to

shop pre-loved – from dresses and

suits to decorations and accessories.

These morganite and diamond drop

earrings are a lovely touch of colour

and are £1,495 at shopprestige.com

Francesca Hill Photography


44

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The wonderful thing

about Cotchford

Words: Jo Arnell Photographs: David Merewether


46

Previously home to Winnie-the-Pooh author A. A. Milne and Brian Jones of The Rolling

Stones, Cotchford Farm certainly has a story or two to tell. After an extensive and sensitive

refurbishment by its current owners, the house is now available as a holiday rental for

groups and families who wish to experience the magic of Ashdown Forest (The Hundred

Acre Wood) and the surrounding area, with Pooh Sticks Bridge a brief stroll away

Cotchford Farm is an old

building and the fact that it

once belonged to not just one

but two iconic figures from the last

century makes taking it on a daunting

prospect. You are not just restoring

a home, but preserving a notable

piece of cultural history. Such was

the situation the current owners and

their family found themselves in. “We

had been looking to relocate from

London,” they explain, “After two years

of searching, we got the train down,

met the owners and went from there.”

In 1924 another family had fallen

under Cotchford’s spell, also looking

for a retreat, somewhere soothing to

escape to from their busy London

life. This was once A. A. Milne’s

country home, where he and his

family lived for over 30 years, where

he wrote Winnie-the-Pooh, and other

stories, and where – forty years later

– Brian Jones of The Rolling Stones

met his untimely end. This house

is right on the edge of Ashdown

Forest, aka The Hundred Acre Wood.

We are on hallowed ground.

Milne’s son Christopher Robin

remembered arriving there all

those years ago, little knowing the

effect it would have on their lives,

but sensing how special the house

and the surroundings were:

“Cotchford was different. Cotchford

was ours, and on an autumn morning

we drove down to take possession.

No, I have got it wrong. It was

Cotchford that took possession of us.”

From Christopher Robin’s

memoir Enchanted Places

Cotchford Farm is Grade II listed, with

obvious historical significance. “The

original structure was built around 1540,”

the current owners say. “The house

was progressively added on to over the

years. It went horizontally at first, and

then ended up as a U-shaped dwelling.”

Timber framed, with red brick infill

on the ground floor, where once there

was wattle and daub, the main part of

the house is three storeys high, with a

double height wing and single storey

kitchen extension – making the quirky

U-shape around a small courtyard.

“At the turn of the century the building

was occupied by multiple families. Then

came A. A. Milne and it became a single

family dwelling during Milne’s tenure.”

Inside, the house has a split-level

drawing room with inglenook fireplace,

and views over the garden to the east

47


Previous pages: The impressive oak

panelled dining room is perfect for family

gatherings Above: Comfy seating gathers

around a large inglenook in the drawing

room. Little pops of colour come courtesy

of stained glass windows on the back wall,

installed during Brian Jones’ occupation

Right: An informal dining area is to one

side of the drawing room. Books and curios

relating to A. A. Milne are displayed in the

custom-made book cases Below: Winniethe-Pooh

illustrations line the hallway

and south and the courtyard to the north.

There is also an oak-panelled dining

room on the ground floor. Upstairs are

six bedrooms, four on the first level

and two above on the second floor.

The Milnes carried out a substantial

amount of work during their time,

adding the kitchen and refurbishing,

in order to create a family home. The

swimming pool was installed by the

next owners and, after that, Cotchford

was bought by Brian Jones. In true

psychedelic fashion, Jones installed

coloured lighting and replaced some of

the windows with stained glass. He lived

here during a tumultuous time, that saw

his split from the band, and met his tragic

end, drowning in the pool aged just 27.

Unfortunately the materials used

to repair and update the house in the

twentieth century were doing more

harm than good to its structure and

the house was run down when the

current owners took possession. “The

house had lovely flow with a wholesome

feel,” they explain. “The gardens were

beautiful, but the house needed lots of

TLC. We bought it because we loved

it, but we invested in a significant

undertaking – we are cultural custodians

as much as owners of this place.”


This page: The well-equipped kitchen

is perfect for cosy, informal breakfasts

It was clear that if they were to

preserve the house for posterity, a

major refurbishment would be needed.

“We spent a long time planning

the restoration, so that it could be

preserved for generations to come. We

had to undo a lot of damage. After

two years contemplating we rolled

up our sleeves and set to work.”

They installed underfloor heating,

replaced floors with reclaimed wooden

floorboards and replaced cement with

lime mortar to help the building breathe.

The exposed beams were ice-blasted, a

process required as part of the listing,

that freezes and cleans the beams, then

uses air to extract the debris. They

rewired and re-plastered, then painted

throughout with breathable paints

and distemper, in soft and understated

colours of muted tones, mainly from

Farrow & Ball and Earthborn.

It is easy to skip through these

endeavours in a sentence or two, but

in reality this sort of work entails

channelling into walls, making dust,

mess and general upheaval – for weeks

on end. Added to this is the fact that

in an old house you often uncover

more that needs to be done, or

49


undone, or redone, in the process

– “once you tug on one thing it’s

like an old jumper unravelling”.

The current owners project managed

the whole restoration, with the help

of Andy and his team at St. Pierre

Contractors, preserving what they

could from the occupation of both

A. A. Milne and Brian Jones. “Some

things from the time of the Milnes

still survive – there’s a gilded hand

painted cupboard door that’s been

repurposed for a wardrobe in what

was once A. A. Milne’s wife Daphne’s

bathroom, but unfortunately there

were a number of items that were

beyond repair.” A few features from

Brian Jones’s days have been retained,

although sadly he didn’t own the house

for very long. “There are glimpses of

them, but anything too damaged or

not appropriate has been sealed within

the fabric of the house for posterity.”

“We have a small amount of

furniture that we’ve curated,” the

owners continue, “a few pieces that

provide stylistic content for the house.

Interesting little things – photographs,

first edition Milnes... We bought

all his biographies and did lots of

literary research on both Milne and

Brian Jones in order to get it right.”

It is important to the current owners

and their family that the house is a

home, rather than a museum or shrine

to the Milnes or to Brian Jones, but

they also wanted to showcase some

of the essence of these prestigious

occupants for visitors to Cotchford,

because, for the moment at least, the

house and grounds are available to rent

as luxury holiday accommodation.

On the ground floor the dining room,

kitchen and bathroom were left more

or less as they were. “The kitchen was

fully functional, it just needed decorative

changes, but the drawing room was two

rooms – there was originally a doorway

next to the staircase and at the end of

the corridor through which you could

enter A. A. Milne’s study and the drawing

room. The drawing room/study is now a

large open space, with the library at one

end and a cosy fireplace at the other. “We

re-inserted the wall posts and reinstated

what we could to demarcate A. A. Milne’s

study, where he wrote many of his books,

poems and plays,” the current owners

explain, “but we needed to maintain the

space as modern and functional too.” From

there you go up the stairs, but perhaps

you’ll sit for a while halfway up, because

these are the very stairs that inspired Milne’s

famous poem, Halfway Down the Stairs.

The bedrooms are arranged over two

floors. “On the first floor is Christopher

Robin’s, A. A. Milne’s bedroom and the

principal suite, which was Daphne’s.” On

the top floor there were originally two

bedrooms, for staff – the cook and the

nanny. These have now been turned into

bedroom five. The attic area was reserved

for Christopher Robin’s woodcraft.

“We undertook a full restoration of the

bedrooms and they now have integrated en


50

Left: The spacious principal bedroom with its luxurious en suite

This page: There is a collection of fabrics by Molly Mahon (who lives

in nearby Forest Row) throughout the house. A roll top bath fits neatly

under the eaves on the top floor

Imagine being able to sit in A. A. Milne’s

study, sleep in Christopher Robin’s bedroom,

rest halfway down the stairs...

suites,” say the current owners. One of

the bathrooms is particularly resplendent,

but it looks as if it might have been a

bit of a challenge to install. “Ah yes,

the main bathroom was expensive –

we elected to implement a high-end

design into a quirky space – it was the

hardest room in the house,” they smile.

No expense was spared here though –

bathing luxury is important when you

are on holiday. “This bathroom was

installed with the support of West One

Bathrooms and there are Catchpole &

Rye pieces throughout the house.”

The owners were keen to use local

craftspeople whenever they could. Local

craftsman and bespoke furniture maker

Ian Parker made the main bookcase for the

library and there is a collection of fabrics

by Molly Mahon, the talented textile

designer and printmaker (who lives in

nearby Forest Row), throughout the house.

Outside there are extensive grounds

with access into Ashdown Forest at

the end of the lane. The gardens cover

nearly two acres. There are terraced

formal gardens near to the house, leading

out towards three acres of forest. In

total the holding is 15 acres including

three fields and a stable block.

The gardens are a credit to Daphne

Milne who commissioned the design

from a local landscape architect

(Raymond Berrow from Wadhurst)

and together with Daphne and her

gardener they installed and maintained

truly lovely grounds. “Daphne was

the driving force behind the gardens,”

say the current owners. “Within them

some things remain – the sundial

and statue of Christopher Robin and

an owl statue – but a large number

of artefacts were stolen when Brian

Jones passed.” Apparently hordes

of people descended on the house

and carried away mementoes.

“We have worked hard to preserve

the gardens with the different sections

and have expanded them with the

addition of a tennis court and wild

flower meadow – and we’ve embraced

a small tributary as a water feature.”

The river Medway tributary borders the

property to the south and the iconic

‘Pooh Sticks Bridge’ is just along the

road, still in existence and available for

endless happy games of Pooh sticks.

Ashdown Forest is as big a part of the

Winnie-the-Pooh legacy as Cotchford

House is. The current owners continue

to collaborate with the Conservators

of Ashdown Forest and The Ashdown

Forest Foundation and with local

businesses – such as Pooh Corner

Café, where Neil the owner also has

the “Poohtorium” for those wanting

an extra dose of all things Pooh.

Well over a million people flock from

all over the world to visit every year

– and looking after an ancient forest

landscape takes upkeep and stewardship.

The current owners are working with

Ashdown Forest to host an open

gardens event in aid of the Forest for the

centenary of Winnie-the-Pooh in 2026.

51


This page: A Crittal-style sliding door leads neatly into an en suite. Throughout the house contemporary furnishings and lighting have been

mixed with traditional to complement the charm of the building’s original features. A statue of Christopher Robin and a Winnie-the-Pooh

sundial can be tracked down in the expansive gardens

This will be an important fundraiser and all profits will go to

The Ashdown Forest Foundation. “We try to work carefully

and collaboratively with the conservators. It’s a partnership.”

It is clear that the current owners and their family

have a firm intention to look after the house and its

surroundings and to do their best to support their likeminded

neighbours – which includes the many devotees of

A. A. Milne’s creations and the legacy of rock legend Brian

Jones. “We purchased the house as our family home,” say

the current owners, “and it is our intention to return to

the district, but in the meantime we are delighted to be

able to offer the property for short term experience rentals

so others can also enjoy the magic of Cotchford Farm.”

You are invited to stay at Cotchford and to experience

what it is to live in Pooh country. Imagine being able to sit in

A. A. Milne’s study, sleep in Christopher Robin’s

bedroom, rest halfway down the stairs... To share

in the enchantment and enjoy a small piece of

literary history in the privacy of this beautifully

restored home is a magical thing. Tiddely pom.

Address Book:

To find out more about immersing yourself in the world of

Winnie the Pooh by booking a stay at Cotchford Farm, see

cotchfordfarm.com.


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Free to be

ME

BOOK A VISIT

I am smart, funny, brave, kind, curious,

unique, creative, energetic, honest,

fearless, caring, surprising, determined,

playful, musical and a loyal friend.

And that’s just today.

I’m free to be wonderfully

and wholeheartedly me.

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54

Independent education for students aged 11-18 in Chertsey

CHAMPIONING

THE INDIVIDUAL

We champion each and every child,

unlocking their unique potential to

thrive as students and as people.

Search SWPS Open Events

Scan to book a visit

SWPS coach service covering Surrey, Berkshire and South West London

The Priceless Education Supplement

The

We’ve got the latest on education

from across the South East

Co-Education at SWPS

With thanks to St

Edmund’s School,

Hindhead for our cover

image

Green Lights at Slindon College

Sir William Perkins’s School (SWPS) will open its doors

to boys from September 2026 as the school begins their

journey to full co-education. This Chertsey school delivers

exceptional education for ages 11–18. In 2025, 85% of

GCSE grades were 9–7 and 86% of A Levels were A*–B.

Boys will initially join years 7 and 12 (and applications

to do so are now open) with plans to progress to being

fully co-educational by 2030. This decision has been

made to create a more inclusive community to reflect the

modern world. Book March Open Mornings to discover

how SWPS helps every student thrive at swps.org.uk

At Slindon College young people are inspired

to excel in science, technology, engineering and

maths through a unique challenge: to design, build

and race an electric car. Through UK charity

Greenpower Education Trust, pupils compete at

Greenpower events, including at nearby Goodwood

Motor Circuit. This year, their two electric-powered

Greenpower cars both achieved top-ten finishes in

their races, with a particular highlight being 2nd

place in the F24 race at Dunsfold Park. At the

Greenpower International Final, Sixth Form car

Lightning 1 recorded the fastest lap time out of 180

cars and went on to secure an impressive 8th place

overall. F24 car Burby also performed strongly,

finishing 11th out of 80 in its race. slindoncollege.co.uk

New Sports Facilities

at Tormead School

Tormead School celebrated a historic milestone

with the official opening of its new Urnfield Sports

Ground in September. The day featured a primary

school hockey festival with over 80 pupils from four

local schools, football and athletics fixtures with

partners Guildford County School, and exhibition

matches alongside Guildford Hockey Club. Olympians

Marilyn Okoro and Kate Richardson-Walsh officially

opened the state-of-the-art facilities which include

a six-lane athletics track, cricket nets, as well as

hockey and football pitches. tormeadschool.org.uk

57



Delight for Surrey Success

in Arts-based Learning

TASIS Celebrates Fifty Year

Celebrating 50 years this year, TASIS England

inspires students from over 70 nationalities to become

curious, confident, and globally-minded. Founded by

visionary educator Mary Crist Fleming, the Surrey

campus blends historic charm with modern facilities

and London accessibility. Small classes, rigorous

academics (International Baccalaureate Diploma

Programme, Advanced Placement courses, and a

broad American-based academic program), plus 50+

co-curricular activities, foster creativity, leadership,

and life-long friendships. Discover TASIS England

for yourself – explore their campus, meet inspiring

teachers and students, and see where ambition,

curiosity, and global perspectives come to life.

There will be an Open Day on Saturday 7th

March from 9.30am to 12.30pm. Visit the website

to learn more about life at an international

school and to book your place on the open day.

Alternatively you can arrange a personal tour,

make an online appointment with the admissions

team or watch a webinar from the comfort of your

own home. Find out more at tasisengland.org

Leading arts-based learning charity, Delight, is

celebrating another successful year. The charity’s

Impact Report: Levelling the Playing Field, released

this week, shows how thousands of Surrey pupils across

26 schools have benefitted from dance, drama, art and

storytelling programmes. Their approach of partnering

with professional artists, providing vital teacher training

and focusing on inclusion could provide a tested model

to encourage schools to utilise the transformative power

of the arts to achieve outcomes in engagement with

learning and wellbeing.

Delight has spent the last decade developing

programmes that not only positively impact children

facing multiple disadvantages but also support

educators, providing them with the confidence to be

able to teach creative lessons and learn the skills to

help embed creativity across the rest of the curriculum.

In partnership with professional actors, dancers,

artists and storytellers, the charity delivers joyful and

inspiring sessions that are specifically designed to level

the playing field for all children, including those with

SEND. Find out more at delightcharity.org.uk

Celebrating 450 Years of

Sutton Valence School

At the end of November, Sutton Valence School marked

its 450th anniversary year with the launch of To 450

& Beyond, a beautifully produced coffee-table book

celebrating the school’s rich history and enduring spirit.

Guests enjoyed a photographic exhibition and selected

readings, delivered by academic scholars and Heads of

School, bringing stories from across the centuries vividly

to life. Author Richard Harvey (1963 Co) shared insights

into the inspiration behind the book, before the evening

concluded with drinks and conversation in the Theatre

foyer. The book sparked fond memories and lively

discussion, reflecting 450 years of tradition, community

and ambition. svs.org.uk


58

Independent School⼁Day and Boarding⼁Boys aged 8-18⼁Specialist Learning Environment

Maximum class size of 10⼁Individualised curriculum pathways

In-house therapists and specialist dyslexia teachers

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an Open Morning

59


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Independent day school for girls aged 4 - 18

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60


Softly

Softly

We hear about the

importance of soft

skills and wellbeing

“Pupils publish

original poetry and

fiction in Mind’s Eye,

the School’s in-house

creative writing

magazine, providing

a platform for literary

expression and

imaginative thinking”

At The King’s School

Canterbury...

the development of soft skills is woven

seamlessly into school life, reflecting

a belief that academic excellence and

personal growth go hand in hand.

An exceptionally broad curriculum,

with 33 A Level subjects and 32

at GCSE, encourages intellectual

curiosity and adaptability, while a rich

programme of academic enrichment

builds confidence, independence and

clarity of thought. Essay competitions,

research symposia, Oxbridge-style

tutorials and visiting lectures invite

pupils to test ideas, refine arguments

and engage thoughtfully with others.

For Sixth Formers, the opportunity

to gain the ILM Level 3 Leadership

and Management qualification adds

a distinctive dimension, developing

strategic thinking, ethical leadership

and real-world project skills.

From Year 9, the Global Perspectives

course introduces pupils to ethical

reasoning and informed debate through

contemporary global issues such as AI,

migration and climate justice. Oracy

is a defining strength of the King’s

experience, with every pupil taking

part in debating, public speaking

and quizzing. Success in national

competitions sits alongside everyday

classroom discussion, ensuring these

skills are developed across all ages and

abilities. Creativity is equally valued.

Pupils publish original poetry and

fiction in Mind’s Eye, the School’s

in-house creative writing magazine,

providing a platform for literary

expression and imaginative thinking,

while aspiring scientists present original

research at the Young Scientists Journal

Conference hosted at King’s.

Beyond the classroom, an extensive

co-curricular programme of sport,

music, drama and service develops

teamwork, resilience and self-belief,

supported by strong pastoral care

and PSHE. Pupil voice is given real

weight through the King’s Council and

initiatives such as the Pupil Futures

Fair, which offers practical experience

of CV writing, interviews and

professional communication. Together,

these experiences prepare pupils to

leave King’s as confident, articulate

and reflective young people, ready to

contribute with purpose in the wider

world. kings-school.co.uk

61



At Freemen’s...

we know that academic success is

only part of preparing young people

for the future. Soft skills – from

communication and creativity to

resilience and teamwork – are woven

through every stage of school life.

Our pupils develop confidence

through collaborative classroom work,

leadership opportunities, co-curricular

clubs, and the House system, where

they learn to listen, problem-solve and

support one another.

We place particular value on

reflection and independent thinking,

helping pupils understand their

strengths and how they can make

a positive difference. From Drama

and Music to Outdoor Education

and community action, pupils are

“pupils are encouraged to step outside their comfort

zone and engage with real-world challenges”

encouraged to step outside their

comfort zone and engage with realworld

challenges.

These skills matter because they

underpin long-term wellbeing and

success. Employers consistently

cite adaptability, empathy and

communication as essential for the

modern workplace. At Freemen’s, we

help pupils develop these attributes

so they can thrive - not just at school,

but for life.

For more information about

Freemen’s, visit freemens.org

What are Soft Skills?

The less tangible and testable

skills that are harder to measure

but well worth honing as

they help us interact with

others. Examples of such

skills include communication,

emotional intelligence and

problem solving. These are the

characteristics that will apply to

all jobs, industries and walks of

life, and are therefore important

for all children to develop to

prepare them for working life,

no matter what subjects or jobs

they are interested in pursuing.


CO-EDUCATIONAL | AGES 2-18

BOARDING & DAY, SURREY

TEACH THEM

TO STAND OUT,

NOT BLEND IN.

At ACS Cobham, we believe in helping every child to discover their true potential, stand

out, and achieve excellence in their own field. Our 128-acre campus boasts world-class

performing arts, sports and teaching facilities ensuring our students are ready for anything.

Globally recognised curriculums | International Baccalaureate and Advanced

Placement Programmes | Extensive busing | Bursaries available

REGISTER FOR AN OPEN DAY OR PERSONAL TOUR AT ACS-SCHOOLS.COM/COBHAM

DISCOVER

BRILLIANCE

millfieldschool.com/open-days

Open Days

28 February

and 9 May

GIRLS AND BOYS, DAY AND

BOARDING, AGES 2-18

Millfield_SurreyHomes_Nov25_185x130_Izzzy_Bailey.indd 1 12/11/2025 09:49


64


How do

they do it?

When it comes to sport, some

schools just seem to have the

magic to set them on a winning

streak, so we’re asking some of

the best to tell us how it’s done

Millfield

First up to bat, Millfield is one of the largest

co-educational boarding and day schools in

the UK and winner of the co-educational

independent school of the year 2024. This

school is synonymous with sporting prowess

so let’s find out what they’re up to! Learn

more about Millfield at millfieldschool.com

All About

the Staff

Going

Swimmingly

Millfield Swimming has supported the

journey of 33 Olympians in its short

history, and has had a swimmer at

every Olympics since 1968 including

champions like Duncan Goodhew,

Mark Foster and James Guy.

Strength in

Numbers

300 students compete

at regional standard each

year

60 students compete at

youth international level

each year

30 different sports to

take part in

50m pool chosen by

Olympians training for

Paris 2024

14 Millfield athletes

and coaches took part in

the 2024 Paris Olympics

7 Olympic medals were

brought home

Stabling for 90 horses at

the equestrian centre

The Millfield sports staff boasts...

14 full-time Heads of Sport

200 sports staff

5 Olympians

A combined 1,850

years of coaching experience

90% hold the highest

qualification in their sport

29% work for their

National Governing body

12 UEFA A or B licensed

coaches – offering the same level

of expertise you would find in an

EFL Championship academy

US Success

29 students gained

scholarships at prestigious US

universities in 2025, including

notable colleges:

University of Chicago

Stanford

Columbia University

Cornell

Duke

UPenn

The University of Florida

Princeton

9% of

NCAA athletes

are from

Millfield

65



Sacred Heart

Early Kick

Off

Sport is thriving at Sacred Heart School, Wadhurst!

Boys and girls achieve a high

level of skill under the excellent

direction of our specialist games

teacher.

From the Foundation Stage,

carefully planned activities

enable the children to improve

co-ordination and proficiency in

basic skills which are transferred

into games situations as they

progress through the school.

sacredheartwadhurst.org.uk

The Joy of

the games

Through encouragement,

inclusive training and an

emphasis on teamwork

and enjoyment, every child

is supported to find their

place. They get 3 lessons

a week with a specialist

teacher. Talent is developed,

participation is celebrated,

and sport is truly woven into

daily school life.

Something for

Everyone

Every child benefits from specialist

coaching that nurtures confidence,

commitment and steady improvement,

even those who may initially find sport

challenging. There is a broad range of

sports available including:

• Rugby

• Football

• Hockey

• Netball

• Swimming

• Cross Country

• Pop Lacrosse

• Cricket

Winning

Attitude

Sacred Heart are immensely proud of

their achievements and look forward to

further success in netball and rugby in

the new year. These accomplishments

reflect more than sporting ability. Recent

wins include...

• The girls’ U11 football team were

crowned ISA National Champions

before going on to win the Girls

North Wealden Football title,

securing their place in the District

Finals in January.

• The boys’ U11 side have qualified

for the National Finals at St George’s

Park in March.

• Boys 5 a side football team qualified

for the National Finals putting them

in the top 16 in the entire country

• Bronze medal at the ISA National

Skiing Competition

• 11/10 Girls North Wealden

Football. A massive 1–0 victory over

Ashdown at the final! They will go

to district finals late in January

• On Tuesday 30th September, Sacred

Heart girls made history at the ISA

Girls U11 Football Festival, hosted

at LVS Ascot. Final Result: Sacred

Heart – ISA U11 Girls Champions

2025!

• This season has also been highly

successful for their netball teams,

with both the U11 and U9 squads

winning their tournaments at the

Webster Cup hosted by Battle

Abbey, proudly bringing home the

trophies in their respective age

groups.

We play matches regularly

against other schools in the area

and we enter teams in festivals,

tournaments and competitions

locally and further afield as

members of the ISA. Year 5 and

6 have their fixtures weekly on

Wednesdays and year 3 and 4

on Thursdays. All the children

in these years get to experience

matches.


66

Dare to

CHALLENGE

Open Morning

Saturday 14 th March – 9.30am

Explore starting school life in Reception

Find out how joining in Year 5 sets pupils up for success

Learn about our outstanding Year 7 entry programme

Book today!

An outstanding prep school in all areas, where every child’s potential comes to life

admissions@hazelwoodschool.com

Oxted, Surrey | hazelwoodschool.co.uk

251203 Hazelwood_Absolutely London_Open Day ad_A4_Sports.indd 1 14/12/2025 15:57

Inspire, discover,

learn, thrive

Hazel Grove, Hindhead Surrey GU26 6BL

www.amesburyschool.co.uk


68


How to Support your Child

There are many ways to help youngsters navigate school life,

here school staff give us some handy pointers

Top Tips from Churcher’s College Junior School

& Nursery for Smooth, Stress-Free Learning

Supporting your child’s learning journey doesn’t have to feel like

a battleground. As Ffion Robinson, Head of Churcher’s College

Junior School & Nursery, often reminds parents, homework

in the primary years is about building habits, confidence and

independence – not perfection. Here are some warm, practical

tips to help make learning at home more positive and productive:

1. Start with a chat

Spend a minute discussing what the task is and how your

child will know they’ve succeeded – clarity calms nerves.

2. Try a simple checklist

A short “What to do when I’ve finished” list helps children

check their own work without feeling corrected.

3. Use a timer to boost focus

Short bursts of effort can make tasks feel lighter and less

overwhelming.

4. Celebrate independence

If they don’t want help, that’s a win! Let teachers handle

accuracy - independence is half the journey.

5. Prioritise the basics

Reading, times tables and spellings matter most. If anything

else becomes too much, let the teacher know.

6. Remember the bigger picture

Homework now is gentle preparation for the increased

expectations of Year 7– not a measure of ability. With calm

routines, encouragement and realistic expectations, home

learning can become a positive part of family life.

Find out more at churcherscollege.com

69



Marlborough House Vinehall’s top tips to help

parents be involved in their child’s learning

Gone are the days of factoryproduced

children who spent each

waking hour at school reading and

copying from a black board. Times

have changed, and with the change

in time has been a shift in education

and pedagogy.

Much learning in prep schools today

is often cross-curricular and project

based. More and more schools are

attempting to teach soft skills whilst

equipping their young people with

as much academic knowledge as

they can. And with a change in the

methods of teaching has also been a

change in the involvement of parents.

Whilst once parents were nothing

more than bill payers and someone to

collect at the end of a term, a good

prep school in the 21 st century sees a

parent as a key stakeholder; a partner

in a child’s school journey. Parents

today, rightly, want to know how

their child is progressing and want

to be reassured that the school has a

good handle on their academic and

pastoral needs.

Find out more at mhvschool.co.uk

1. Trust the school

Trust that the Head and the

teachers know their craft and can

deliver what you’re paying for.

2. Talk to the school

Reach out to teachers and ask how

you can support at home. Don’t

wait for parents’ evening.

3. Show that you’re also committed

to the learning journey

Take some time to work with your

child and make statements such

as, “Wow, I never knew that.” This

shows them that learning doesn’t

stop when you finish school.

4. Be positive and supportive

Kids will have bad days from time

to time. Who doesn’t? It’s ok to

go out for pizza and pick up the

books later. Sometimes, a reset is

all it takes.

5. Be proud of your child no

matter what

The more pressure you put

on them to get it right all the

time, the less likely they are to

enjoy their learning. We all know

that engagement turns something

we have to do into something we

want to do.


Ms Justine Earl, Deputy Head

Academic at Spring Grove

School in Wye’s tips

1. Read to your children.

Most important of all, read to

them beyond the early years, even

beyond primary school if they will

let you! Sharing and discussing

texts with your child has proven

benefits such as building a rich

vocabulary, developing listening and

meaning-making skills, and helping

your child to develop confidence

in dealing with complex material.

2. Actively listen

Listen to your child as much

as possible, without the

distraction of screens.

3. Encourage your child’s curiosity

Think about the language you use;

less telling and more speculating ...

'How do we know?' 'What might

happen if...?' 'Shall we try...?

4. Work with your child's school

Attend meetings, read newsletters,

support school routines and

expectations, bring up concerns

early and see how you can work in

partnership to help your child.

Find out more at springgroveschool.co.uk

Open events

A leading independent day

school for girls and boys 3 - 18

Top 10% Nationally

for Value Added

Cambridge University 2025

(Source: Cambridge Insight Assessments)

Open Morning

Visitor Mornings

Sixth Form in Focus

Saturday 28th February

9:30am-12:30pm

Tuesday 24th March 9am-11am

Thursday 30th April 9am-11am

Tuesday 9th June

8:20am-5:15pm

Scan to book a visit

Personal tours are available throughout the year

71



Awesome Stuff

We hear about STEM – where

sparks fly and imaginations fire

HALLIFORD SCHOOL...

Each year at Halliford School a dedicated enrichment

week is held, including a full Robotics Day during

which students learn hands-on skills such as soldering

a PCB board and building a flashlight. They also

work with a range of robotic technologies, from

drones to bomb disposal robots, giving

them exposure to real-world applications

of engineering and programming.

A standout success story from last

year was a Hallifordian who earned

a place on the National Physical

Laboratory (NPL) summer internship

programme, one of only a small number

from 1,000 applicants. During the

placement, he worked on a cutting-edge single

electron pump project, gaining invaluable experience

in experimental research and data analysis.

STEM at Halliford is all about inspiring curiosity

and creating opportunities for innovation. Our

students achieve incredible things, from an Old

Hallifordian graduating with a First in Engineering

“We aim to create

‘WOW’ moments

that make science

come alive for

students”

from the University of Cambridge to an Upper

Sixth securing a placement at IBM. Creativity

thrives here too, with one of our Lower Sixth

students being a BAFTA Young Games Designer

finalist for two consecutive years. Even our youngest

learners take part in extraordinary projects like

AstroPi, where Year 7 students write code that runs

on the International Space Station.

At Halliford, STEM is not just a

subject, it is a gateway to the future.

Halliford places a strong emphasis

on practical science experiences.

We aim to create ‘WOW’ moments

that make science come alive for

students, leaving lasting memories and

inspiring curiosity. These activities

are designed to deepen understanding, develop

problem-solving skills, and show how science

connects to the world beyond the classroom.

For more information about the

exceptional opportunities at Halliford

School visit hallifordschool.co.uk


72


SOMERHILL STEM...

STEM at Somerhill begins in Saplings, where our

youngest learners experience engineering in its purest

form. At Forest School, children cut down a dying tree to

craft a wooden toy, learning where materials come from

and the importance of sustainability. This hands-on start

builds respect for resources and sparks curiosity about

design and construction.

As pupils progress, STEM becomes increasingly

ambitious. Reception children explore coding basics, while

Years 1 and 2 design toy cars, create spinning thaumatrope

toys and develop storage solutions for the community,

building resilience, critical thinking and collaboration.

SURREY HOMES

STEM BOOK CHOICE

We love Lisa Rajan’s Tara Binns series published

by Collins Big Cat. ‘When Tara Binns opens her

dressing up box something exciting happens …’

These fun books – beautifully illustrated by

Alessia Trunfio – broaden horizons, challenge

stereotypes and introduce young readers to a

wonderful variety of STEM professions. There are

eighteen in the series including Big Idea Engineer,

Roving Robotics Genius, Visionary Volcanologist,

Clued-up Detective and High-flying Pilot.

They are suitable for KS2 but if your little one is

younger fear not... Tara has a little sister called Dani

who stars in another series by Lisa Rajan written for

KS1. Dani also explores careers via her dressing up

box. Titles include Dani Binns Fearless Firefighter,

Dani Binns Amazing Architect and Dani Binns

Problem-solving Plumber. You can find out more at

collins.co.uk/pages/tara-binns

By Prep, engineering and science take centre stage with

robotics, CAD design, Python coding and projects such

as energy-efficient homes and F1 in Schools. Supported

by expert teachers and lab technicians, pupils experiment,

innovate and embrace AI-enhanced learning. Set in 150

acres of parkland, Somerhill ensures children grow into

confident, creative thinkers ready to shape the future.

Find out more at somerhill.org

73


INTERNATIONAL | COEDUCATIONAL | DAY AND BOARDING SCHOOL | AGES 4-18

Learning is limitless

Our beautiful 46-acre campus is located in Thorpe, Surrey.

Bus service is available locally.

OPEN DAY

March 7, 9:30 a.m.

TASISENGLAND.ORG


What’s Next?

Sixth form is a crucial stage with decisions to be made.

We hear from two schools about how they prepare students

for their onward journey

School 1: Bede’s

At Bede’s, while we focus on a

joyful school experience, we also

recognise the need to look to the

future. We guide our pupils to

make appropriate choices and applications

for higher education via academic or

vocational pathways.

“The UCAS Specialists at Bede’s

were instrumental in my university

application process. They provided

comprehensive guidance, considering

my academic profile, desired

location, course specifics and

university rankings. The teachers

and Sixth Form team also offered

expert advice on choosing the right

universities and crafting a broad

UCAS application, including crucial

insurance choices. Essentially, they

made sure I wasn’t just guessing.”

– Sixth Former Movido

We navigate our Sixth Form pupils every

step of the way through the UCAS process

to produce timely, high quality, personalised

and competitive university applications. For

pupils looking to study internationally or

at specialist institutions, we offer tailored

guidance throughout the application

process. Bede’s leavers pursue a wide and

diverse range of destinations, securing places

at top institutions globally.

A significant number attend Russell Group

universities. Reflecting our strengths,

many also progress to specialist colleges

for Creative and Performing Arts, such

as Rambert School of Dance, various Art

Foundation courses, and sports-focused

degrees. The true measure of success is

the diversity of subjects chosen, spanning

traditional fields like Economics and

Mathematics to vocational degrees like

Architecture and Veterinary Nursing.

We actively promote the benefits of

apprenticeships, including degree level,

and in recent years have seen pupils

progress onto degree apprenticeships with

organisations such as Ernst & Young,

PriceWaterhouseCoopers, and Rolls Royce.

We create inspiring opportunities for pupils

to engage with local and national employers

from a diverse range of industries. We do

this via profession focused seminars, events

and trips throughout the year, and by

holding our flagship annual Universities

and Careers Fair.

We take time to understand each pupil’s

individual strengths and qualities when

exploring future career paths, to provide

meaningful and bespoke career action

plans throughout their Sixth Form

journey. We start the UCAS application

process in earnest in the Spring term

of the Lower Sixth, with applications

submitted by Christmas of the Upper

Sixth, to ensure pupils’ applications are

well researched and considered, and they

have taken the opportunity to develop

academic enrichment opportunities such

as masterclasses, university taster seminars,

work experience and industry insight events

for a competitive application. We encourage

pupils to attend open days where possible

from April - November each year, and also

to book up early! bedes.org



School 2: The Malling School

At The Malling School, we are committed to providing an

engaging and ambitious curriculum that ignites a passion

for learning, fosters personal growth, and prepares students

for a successful future. Embracing excellence is at the heart

of what we do. As the first non-fee-paying/

non-grammar school in Europe to offer the

prestigious International Baccalaureate Careerrelated

Programme (IBCP) and International

Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP)

qualifications in our Sixth Form, we provide

our students with access to the world’s premier

post-16 academic qualification and the most

flexible Sixth Form vocational qualification

in the UK. These qualifications open doors

to top universities and exciting career

opportunities and develop students into well

rounded young people who are ready for life after compulsory

education.

In addition to these prestigious qualifications, we also

recognise not all our students fit this mould therefore,

“we hope to

launch our Golf

Academy in

time for the next

academic year”

we also offer a triple BTEC in Sport. This pathway is

undergoing exciting development and we hope to launch

our Golf Academy in time for the next academic year.

In addition to this we have a bespoke Level 2 route that

accommodates a small number of pupils who

have additional learning needs.

At The Malling School we pride ourselves

in providing students with robust academic

and pastoral support. We are fortunate to

have a talented and experienced pastoral

team to ensure our students reach their full

potential and are in the enviable position of

having two Level 6 qualified careers advisors

who ensure all our KS5 students secure

meaningful destinations after they leave us.

Applications can be made through Kent Choices but if

you would like to find out more please email:

6thform@themallingschool.kent.sch.uk or visit:

themallingschool.kent.sch.uk


76

Co-ed

from 2027

Timeless values,

shared futures.

Open Events

PREP SENIOR SIXTH FORM

Open Mornings

Friday 6 March

Friday 5 June

Co-education Event

Wednesday 29 April

Co-education Event

Thursday 23 April

Book now at rgsg.co.uk

TICKETS

ON SALE

wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

Wealden Times

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wealdentimes-fair.co.uk

SUMMER SHOPPING EVENT

11th-13th JUNE 2026

Hole Park, Rolvenden, Kent TN17 4JB

£2 off

each ticket*

QUOTE CODE

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booking

*Adult tickets only

The Very

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Pearl choker with 18ct gold

heart £2,445 Lulu & Boo

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Molten heart pearl drop

earrings £1,295 Lulu & Boo

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If you’re feeling inspired by Bridgerton as Valentine’s Day

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Jennifer Behr Presley

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Esme mother of pearl ring

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Lina Sheer Polka Dot Lace Blouse in

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Maude black lace midi dress £89

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Pearl moissanite platinum

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De Beers mother of pearl

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Mother of pearl clover cross

bracelet £99 Merci Maman

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White baroque pearl

stud earrings £140 ORA

Pearls orapearls.com

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Pluvia pearl earrings

£440 ORA Pearls

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DÔEN Lavon lace-trimmed

silk-satin wide-leg pants £420

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Rosalind pearl mid

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Sophia Webster

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Adela gemstone

embellished tassel

purse £39 Monsoon

monsoon.co.uk

Opera Mules 80 £199 Blue Velvet

Shoes bluevelvetshoes.com

79


Bring on the zing!

Recipe developer, cookery teacher, caterer and all round superfoodie

Charlotte Butterworth (aka @theneedy.greedy)

spices up winter with sunshine-filled dishes that warm and nourish

Recipes: Charlotte Butterworth, aka @theneeedy.greedy Photographs: David Merewether

Prawn & chickpea harissa stew

Serves 4

This is the kind of food I love… It ticks every box

for me and what is at the heart of my recipes that I

create to share through @theneedy.greedy. It is actually

incredibly good for you, with lots fibre and protein.

Most importantly it is utterly SUBLIME. The secret

is using really good jarred chickpeas if you can, I love

Bold Bean Co. You can make most of it ahead just

adding the chickpeas and prawns at the last minute. Or

have a more leisurely cook – it takes about 30 mins.

• 2 red onions, thinly sliced

• 2 cloves of sliced garlic

• small bunch of fresh coriander, with the longer stalks

chopped – don’t stress if you don’t have any fresh,

I sometimes add frozen coriander in near the end

• 1tsp harissa powder

• 1 tsp each of ground cumin and turmeric,

• handful of cherry tomatoes,

chopped in half – optional!

• 1 tin chopped tomatoes

• 1 jar Queen chickpeas (Bold Bean Co.)

• 1 pack large cooked prawns (or you can

use raw and just cook in the sauce)

• lemon and fresh coriander, toasted

flaked almonds etc to serve

1. In a large pan, gently cook your onion slowly in

olive oil. When soft, add the garlic, coriander stalks,

harissa and spices. Cook for a few moments.

2. Add the tinned tomatoes. Cook for 5 mins,

then add the cherry tomatoes. Cook for a further

15-20 mins. You can then leave until later.

3. When close to serving, heat the sauce, prawns

and chickpeas. Add some water if not enough sauce.

Cook through (it will take 5-10 mins). Serve with

sprinkled coriander and a wedge of lemon. To up

the protein content I served this alongside quinoa,

but use rice, cous cous or whatever you fancy.

Spicy red lentil & roasted pepper soup (next page)

Serves 2-3

A delicious, hearty and healthy soup recipe. The red

lentils make the soup so creamy and using ready roasted

peppers in a jar makes this a breeze. Do future you a

favour and make a batch and freeze in portions, you’ll

have a warming dinner ready when you most need

it. Do omit the chili of you prefer a less spicy soup.

• olive oil

• 1 onion, roughly chopped

• 2 carrots, roughly chopped

• 1 stick celery, roughly chopped

• 2 cloves garlic

• 1 tsp each of chili flakes, turmeric, ground cumin,

ground coriander

• 100g red lentils, rinsed

• 2 tbsp tomato purée /concentrate

• 750ml veg stock

• 2 large roasted red peppers from a jar (pat dry with

kitchen roll)

• ½ tsp apple cider vinegar

• Greek, natural or coconut yogurt, to serve

81

1. Warm the olive oil in a large saucepan, add the

onions and gently allow to cook and soften for 5

mins at least. Add the carrots, celery, garlic and cook

for a further five mins, stirring to make sure they

don’t burn. Add the spices mix, cook for a further

5 mins. Throw in the lentils and the tomato purée,

give it all a good stir and then add the stock.

2. Bring to the boil and cook gently for 20

mins or until the lentils are soft. You many

need to check that there is enough water.

3. Finally add the red peppers and allow

to warm through. Add the splash of

apple cider vinegar, it just lifts it!

4. Blend with a stick blender, season

generously, taste and season again.

5. Serve with yoghurt and/or chopped coriander.

I also decorated with Cornish Sea Salt Co's

Everything Bagel, a totally delicious seasoning

that is a blend of seeds and smoked sea salt.



Ginger chicken with lime

& spicy bashed cucumber

Serves 4

This is a delicious, simple chicken

dish that can be enjoyed by the

whole family. The lime is essential

for bringing out the flavour.

Serving alongside the fresh

cucumber gives extra pep. And by

the way, bashing the cucumber

isn’t just a stress reliever, slightly

breaking it up means it absorbs

those beautiful flavours better.

• 800g-1kg of chicken thigh

fillets, diced into bitesized

pieces

For the marinade:

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 2 tsp sesame oil

• 2 tbsp honey

• 1 tsp of Chiu Chow chili

(or use squeezed chili

for even chili flakes)

• 2 large garlic cloves crushed

• 1-2 tbsp minced ginger

• 2 tsp sesame seeds

• 100g mange tout

• 1 lime, cut into wedges

for squeezing

• fresh coriander

• 200g Thai black rice (I found

mine in Waitrose but you

can use any rice you like)

For the chicken:

1. Combine all the marinade

ingredients in a bowl. Add

the chicken pieces and allow

to marinate for a few mins,

or longer if you can.

2. Heat some oil in a large frying

pan. Cook for 8-10 minutes.

Give it a turn every few mins so it

cooks evenly. Add the mange tout

for the last couple of mins

of cooking. Stir

through so

they

are warmed and coated

in the sauce. Sprinkle

over the sesame seeds.

3. Cook the Thai black rice

as per the packet instructions

– it takes about 20 mins.

4. Serve on the black rice

with a generous squeeze

of lime and coriander.

For the cucumber:

• 1 cucumber

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp caster sugar

• ½ tsp chili flakes

• 1 tsp Nigella seeds

1. Bash the cucumber with

a rolling pin, so it is slightly

broken. Cut the cucumber in half

lengthways, and then again

so you have four quarters.

Slice into chunks.

2. Mix all the

other ingredients

together, add

the cucumber.

Serve chilled.

About Charlotte Butterworth

aka @theneedy.greedy

Charlotte is a private caterer, cookery

teacher and recipe creator sharing

her original recipes on Instagram and

Facebook as @theneedy.greedy.

She trained as a Cordon Bleu cook, but

has developed her own signature style of

using lots of vegetables, big flavours and

love of Mediterranean style cooking.

Charlotte runs cookery workshops

and teaches individuals in her lovely

kitchen in Cranbrook, helping people

rediscover their culinary mojo with

new ideas for delicious, healthy

and easy meals for everyday and

entertaining. Visit her Instagram to

find her workshop schedules and

to speak to her about tuition.

She also caters for everything

from intimate dinners and family

celebrations to drinks parties and

corporate events. Charlotte is also

co-founder of the Small Business

Supper Club Kent, which holds

monthly events to bring small business

owners, creatives and sole traders

together. Do contact her at

charlotte@butterworth.co.uk

for more information about

catering, teaching or supper clubs.

83



Beauty

What has K-Beauty

done for us?

Josephine Fairley explores the revolutionary

effect that the booming Korean beauty and

skincare industry has had on products that

are now readily available in UK stores

istockphoto.com/ shockshots korea / Ekaterina Klishevnik

I

don’t know about you, but my life does not allow for a 12-step

skincare routine. (And I’m pretty sure that my complexion

would rebel, if I were to embrace one.) But for the past decade,

South Korea has been ahead of the curve on skincare innovation

– big-time. Indeed, as one expert – Dr. Christine Hall, a Londonbased

aesthetic doctor of South Korean heritage – observes: ‘South

Korea is estimated to be a good 10 to 12 years ahead of us when it

comes to beauty technology, ingredients and aesthetic treatments.’

At first glance, it all seems so complicated, and perhaps really

rather wearying. Double cleansing (with an oil-based, then a

water-based cleanser). Applying an essence (sort of a souped-up,

moisturising toner), as well as ampoules to fix breakouts or other

specific beauty concerns such as age spots/sun spots. You might have an entire

arsenal of single-use sheet masks at your disposal, for different occasions and skin

crises. Why, at the extreme end, K-beauty fans are invited to indulge in ‘latte art

wash-off packs’ which mimic barista foam, slather on a snail mucin cream or apply

a treatment derived from bee venom or (yes) swift saliva. So far, so… gross?

But stay with me here – because actually, K-beauty’s philosophy is really sound, with the

core idea of transforming skin so that it looks better without make-up – something we can

all aspire to. Indeed, the Koreans are behind the idea of ‘skipcare’ – avoiding exfoliating

acids and other actives which can harm the skin barrier, opting instead for gentle to

protect all-important skin barrier (the focus of my column last September); it’s all about

developing a consistent ritual, rather than turning to aggressive quick fixes.

I think we can avoid over-cluttering the bathroom shelf by cherrypicking

the ‘best bits’ from K-beauty – so, here are my suggestions…

Do try double cleansing. I’m much too lazy to do this every night (and I

remain unconvinced that’s a good idea), but I know that my skin benefits

from this deep-cleansing double-whammy a couple of times a week.

Double cleansing helps to reduce congestion and allows anything you apply

afterwards to penetrate better. Do it at night, rather than the morning. The

idea is initially to melt away make-up, skin debris, pollution and general

gunk via a cleansing oil or a balm; you’ve probably got at least one of those

already, but I’m currently loving citrus-and-white-flowers-scented Emma

Hardie Vit C Brilliance Cleansing Balm, £52 for a hefty 100g

tub (and it comes with its own super-soft cloth) and

Liz Earle Superskin Advanced Nourishing

Cleansing Balm,

£39 for 100ml,

85


while for cleansing oils, I like Biossance Squalane +

Antioxidant Cleansing Oil, £25 for 200ml (soft wafts of

lavender and orange, here), and MALIN+GOETZ Facial

Cleansing Oil, £38 for 120ml. These are all best removed

with warm-to-hot water, and a fluffy facecloth or flannel.

This is followed by the second phase – a low-foam, non-stripping

gel or cream to remove the last traces of the balm or oil – I don’t

think you can beat the very affordably-priced CeraVe Hydrating

Cleanser, £12.50 for 236ml, or for a natural option, COSMOScertified

organic Green People Scent Free Cleanser, £29 for 150ml,

which is so gentle that it’s suitable even for sensitive or rosacea-prone skins.

Experiment with milky toners. Well, let’s say ‘hello’ to an entirely new

beauty category! But you know what? These cloudy liquids – thicker than

normal toners, but lighter in weight than a moisturiser – are great, particularly

in this peak central heating season when their cargo of ceramides, moistureattracting

humectants like glycerine and peptides can ramp up levels quite impressively. BYOMA

Hydrating Milky Toner, £12 for 150ml and PIXI Milky Tonic, £10 for 100ml, are non-bankbreaking

options, with Rhode Glazing Milk, from £20 for 65ml, just a tad pricier.

Enjoy some fabulous textures! Korean products can literally spark joy on the basis of their sensorial

pleasures, I find. Maybe there’s a bit of a wobble going on, or a jelly-like wibble. Maybe it ‘bounces’.

At its most basic, a product might have a cream-gel texture – an ultra-luscious, whipped (and

yes, still slightly wobbly!) texture that somehow feels super skin-quenching. And indeed,

these ‘jelly’ formulations do deliver a mega-dose of hydration, thanks to some clever tech.

One particularly bestselling example (thanks, ahem, to TikTok) is Medicube

Collagen Jelly Cream, £27.90 for 100ml at pureseoul.co.uk, one of the online

retailers in the UK which specialises in K-beauty innovations. A bunch of shops

has opened in London focused on these, too, in particular in Soho and Covent

Garden – but personally I find them utterly overwhelming to step inside; a

much more navigable edit can be found on Space NK’s website, where among

100 or so Korean imports you’ll find cult-like Then I Met You Bong 2 Bounce

Cream, £17 for 15ml – and I can report that the pleasure factor of using this,

with its instant burst of hydration, is sky-high, even though the price isn’t.

Learn your alphabet (creams). This is one aspect of Korean beauty that has

become indispensable, for me. Erborian is my go-to – a brand that is actually

a fusion of Korean and French beauty traditions (and which deserves a much

higher profile than it has, in my book). By evening out skintone, the result is

that you may well need less make-up (notably foundation) than usual, if at all.

Erborian target several different skin challenges with their portfolio of alphabet

creams, with Erborian CC Dull Correct and Erborian CC Red Correct putting

on a great performance when it comes to radiance-boosting and toning down the

appearance of broken veins or rosacea, respectively. (They are each priced £19 for 15ml, with larger sizes available – but a little

goes a long way). The superhero in the range, though, for me, is Erborian BB Cream, from £19 for 15ml, now available in

a range of shades that spans all complexions, which revs up the skin with ginseng, offers an SPF20 and quite simply blurs

imperfections in a flash. Use it under foundation, if you choose – but as I say, you may simply find you don’t need that at all.

And do slap on a sheet mask. There exist targeted masks for just about every area of the face, from the ‘11’ lines between

the brows to laugh lines via saggy jowls, as well as full-face options. Now, I worry about the environmental impact of

these; the foil sachets are generally not recyclable, even when the mask itself biodegrades – but I concede that for a quick

moisture fix and temporary plumping of lines, nothing comes close. The sheet – sometimes nothing

more than a sheet of gel that you press into the contours of your face – somehow works to

‘push’ ingredients into skin, be that hyaluronic acid, peptides, collagen, Centella Asiatica…

And some great options include Biodance Bio Collagen – Real Deep Mask, £14.90 for

four, Erborian BB Shot Mask, £6.50 (for a ’baby skin’ effect), and Torriden DIVE-IN

Low Molecular Hyaluronic Acid Mask, £2.60, from a top-selling Korean brand.

The bottom line is that there really is no need to add in endless steps to your skincare

ritual in order to enjoy and benefit from K-Beauty. But then again, just when you think

you’ve seen it all, South Korea seems to take it up a notch. So, watch this space.

And maybe leave a bit of extra room on your bathroom shelf…


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Health

Sporty fit

Sarah Maxwell explains how team sports can revolutionise your fitness

This is the year for swapping

boring monotonous treadmills

for the real thing. Participation

in team sport can pack far more

punches for aspiring fitness fanatics as

2026 unfolds – whether that is rolling

back the years to engage in a long-lost

school sport or taking the bold plunge

to get out of your comfort zone and

trying something completely new.

Currently there is a resurgence in

team sports that not only provide

fantastic physical and mental benefits

but, more importantly, the fun that

takes the edge off increasingly stressful

lifestyles. There’s also the challenge,

and the sense of community spirit

and achievement, that comes with it.

Let’s have a look at what’s on offer:

Football – including the walking

version for seniors – is great for all

ages, with the latter making it super

accessible for older adults or those

easing back into exercise. This is a

great cardio workout that enhances

heart health, endurance, and aerobic

capacity while reducing body fat and

improving muscle tone, strength,

flexibility and bone health.

It boosts coordination, balance and

mood through endorphin release,

reducing stress and enhancing mental

wellbeing. Cognitively, it sharpens

decision-making, concentration,

working memory and quick reflexes,

while promoting teamwork.

Local clubs include Kent United

Football Club (a club where

everyone is welcome) and Surrey

FA (a charitable organisation

which is responsible for leading

the development of grassroots

football within Surrey), while

the Sussex Walking Football

provide ample opportunities for

the more laidback seniors.

Netball is another great option,

offering a fast-paced game, ideal for

building agility and team vibes. The

sport delivers a comprehensive fullbody

experience through running,

jumping and rapid direction changes,

enhancing cardiovascular fitness,

agility, coordination, strength,

endurance and muscle tone.

It can also improve mental health

by fostering social connections

and releasing endorphins, which

elevate mood, reduce anxiety

and boost confidence.

The Kent Netball Association,

Surrey Netball League and Sussex

Netball should be the first port of call.

Then there is pickleball, one of

the fastest growing sports, which is

low-impact, very social, and rather

addictive! It’s relatively gentle on joints,

improving cardiovascular health,

balance, hand-eye coordination,

agility, flexibility, strength and

overall fitness – and it’s great for

all ages, including seniors.

This fun sport also goes a long

way in improving mental wellbeing

and helping people socialise in

an easygoing environment. For

brain health, it boosts strategic

planning, focus, decision-making,

memory, reaction times, and helps

slow cognitive decline, supporting

sharper thinking via better blood

flow and neural stimulation.

Surrey Pickleboard and East Sussex

Pickleboard clubs set the agenda.

Finally, but not least, hockey is a

dynamic sport that is brilliant

for cardio and teamwork.

Again the health benefits

are extraordinary.

Fitness, breathing,

weight management,

stamina, coordination,

balance and overall

physical conditioning provide plenty

of incentives. It also builds mental

resilience, self-esteem, energy levels,

better sleep and emotional wellbeing

through team spirit and physical

activity. Executive function, teamwork

skills, and mental agility improve, with

the sheer speed of the game sharpening

up all aspects of decision making.

Find clubs through englandhockey.

co.uk, the Kent Hockey

Association and Sussex Hockey.

Whether you’re after low-key

sessions or full-on games, sports clubs

and leisure centres are a great

starting point to find

something local. So

why not dive in,

have a laugh and

treat your mind

and body with

the richness it

deserves. And

have a load of

fun in the

process!

Sarah

Maxwell is a multiaward

winning Lifestyle

Wellbeing and Fitness coach. You

can find her at sarahmaxwell.com

Get in touch via email at

sarahmaxwell@mail.com

and on social

@sarahmaxlife

89

Small changes big results

Nutrition & Lifestyle Coach Charlotte Lau

explores the benefits of a colourful diet

istockphoto.ocm/ PeopleImages

February can feel like the greyest month of the

year… and not just outside. Mood, energy

and motivation often dips in these midwinter

weeks, especially after the initial health focus (and

pressure) that January often encourages.

So this month’s simple shift is as

colourful as it is powerful: Eat one

extra colour of fruit or veg each day.

It’s not about rules or restriction; it’s about adding in, not

taking away. Each natural colour in fruits and vegetables

represents different antioxidants and phytochemicals

that support your immune system, digestion, skin health

and even your mood… the more variety, the better!

The Science of Colourful Food

Different pigments signal different plant

compounds with unique health benefits:

• Red (tomatoes, berries) are rich in lycopene

which supports heart health.

• Orange/yellow (carrots, butternut squash) are high

in beta-carotene, supporting immunity and skin.

• Green (spinach, kale, broccoli) are packed with

folate, fibre and anti-inflammatory compounds.

• Blue/purple (blueberries, beetroot) are loaded with

anthocyanins, which support brain health and circulation.

• White (garlic, onions, cauliflower) are rich in allicin and sulphur

compounds, which support immune health and digestion.

Eating a wider variety of colourful fruits and vegetables

does more than brighten your plate… it boosts your

intake of nutrients that work together to support gut

health, energy and even mood. Colourful plants are rich

in fibre, which feeds beneficial gut bacteria and helps keep

digestion regular. Many also contain compounds that

help stabilise blood sugar and enhance the absorption of

other nutrients, so your body gets more from the food

you eat. Rather than focusing on rigid rules, simply asking

“what colour can I add today?” is an easy, joyful way to

nourish yourself through these midwinter months.

Why Now?

February is often when energy wanes, digestion gets

sluggish and comfort eating creeps in. Supporting

your body with diverse plant foods is a gentle way to

improved your diet without needing to be ‘perfect’.

3 Easy Ways to Add Colour This Month

1. Frozen berries in the morning. Stir into your

porridge or yoghurt for an antioxidant hit.

2. Rainbow soup. Make a big batch with whatever’s

in season… carrots, leeks, squash, greens.

3. Salad boosters. Add something unexpected:

red cabbage, grated beetroot, pomegranate seeds

or orange segments with a citrus dressing.

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


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Garden

The Bravest Blooms

Banish the winter blues – cheer up pots and borders with some

welcome early flowers with expert advice from Jo Arnell

istockphoto.com/ mick blakey / Tom Meaker

February is a short, sharp month – some years shorter

(and sharper) than others – but the light is coming

back and, when the sun shines, it does feel spring-like.

Let’s not be fooled: the earth is still tilted away from the sun

here in the UK and losing more heat than it gains. Frosts

are never far away, but there are uplifting signs that nature is

getting ready for the season of growth, there’s a rustle in the

wings and some brave little buds are bursting into bloom.

Winter carpets

The earliest of the hardy bulbs, tubers and rhizomatous

perennials are tiny, but resilient, naturalising and spreading

easily, even across difficult terrain. These little treasures

are best seen in massed throngs beneath the trees, where

they make the most of the light in winter and early spring,

before the dense canopy of leaves closes over them, or, in

the case of sun lovers, before the ground dries too much.

Snowdrops – These tough little plants will push up through

frozen ground, spreading in snowy carpets among the trees.

They adapt and naturalise more easily when planted ‘in the

green’ – which means planting them once flowering is over,

but before they dry out. Snowdrops prefer slightly shaded,

humus rich soil. They are woodlanders, blooming early to

make the most of the light before the leaves appear and block

out their light. We romanticise these tiny flowers – some

Galanthophiles (official term for lovers of snowdrops) admire

and covet particular cultivars to the point of obsession, paying

hundreds of pounds for a single plant. Is it because they

flower so miraculously early and give us hope? Or that they

are so delicate, each one a minute work of art? They seem

to symbolise resilience and strength, the continuation of life

despite the hardest of conditions. I admire their devotion,

but am just as happy with the ordinary Galanthus nivalis.

Cyclamen coum – Not to be mistaken for Cyclamen

hederifolium, which is the autumn version. You’d be

forgiven though because C. coum is very similar – the

obvious difference is that it flowers in late winter/early

spring, it is also less vigorous and will be swamped by

its enthusiastic autumn cousin, so plant them away

from one another. They are among the bravest though,

spreading quietly into the dry shade under the trees,

daring to grow among the roots and in dusty corners.

Winter Aconite – another diminutive woodland spreader,

its bright egg-yolk yellow flowers cheerfully shining

out in the winter gloom beneath trees and hedges.

Dwarf Iris (Iris reticulata) – these look delicate, a miniature

version of bigger Iris varieties, but the bulbous Iris reticulata

start flowering in February – much earlier than their sunloving

rhizomatous relations. Grow at the front of borders,

in rockeries or, perhaps, best of all, in pots where you

can see them up close. The flowers are usually in shades

of mauve and blue, with splashes of yellow and

white. I saw a variety the other day called ‘Frozen

Planet’, it was the palest blue and white, like

something Elsa and Anna would grow.

Narcissus ‘February Gold’ is one of

the earliest daffodils, there is another

even earlier – flowering in December

called Narcissus ‘Rijnveld’s Early

Sensation’. Daffodils do seem to

be flowering earlier these days, but

the thronging rush will always be

in March. They are a welcome sight,

however early – a true sign that spring is on the way.

Heroic hellebores

Hellebores are good and hardy, often flowering where not

much else will and are a great asset in the garden at this

time of the year. Helleborus niger (the Christmas Rose)

flowers in midwinter, These are usually white, but Helleborus

orientalis – and hybridus cultivars – bloom later, most often

in pink shades, from pale to the darkest burgundy. Newer

cultivars can be speckled, double petalled and upward facing,

although I like the ones that shyly hang their heads and

hide their beauty, so that you have to lie on the ground

to see them properly – or, more decorously, cut and

display them floating about in a bowl of water. Keep

Hellebores looking good by cutting off last year’s

tatty leaves before the new shoots start to show.

Steely shrubs

Many of the early flowering shrubs are scented, their pale

blossom appearing along bare stems or under the shelter of

evergreen leaves. The scent can be powerful too, pumping

out a strong message to the few brave beetles, bugs and

early bumblebees that appear on sunny winter days – a

fragrant signal to guide them towards much needed nectar.

Sarcococca – There are several varieties of this low

growing evergreen available, but they all look fairly similar,

with small leathery leaves – it is often called ‘Christmas

box’ because it looks like a more unruly version of a

93


box bush. Often overlooked and grown at the base of showier shrubs and trees, Sarcococca has an almost overpowering

perfume – on a still and cold winter’s day the scent is uplifting (or off-putting, depending on your sensitivities).

Hamamelis (Witch Hazel) – Spidery blossom creeps along the bare stems of Witch Hazels, long before the leaves appear.

They are from North America and not related to our native hazels, the leaves are similar, but that’s about all. They’re not

related to witches either, although the astringent properties have been used for thousands of years as a natural medicine.

They make good specimen shrubs – as well as early blooms, they have good autumn colour – topping and tailing the

year with a warm glow. Underplant with carpets of late winter bulbs and flowers like those mentioned above.

Coronilla valentina subsp. glauca ‘Citrina’ – (or call it by its common name – less of a mouthful, but rather disturbing –

bastard Senna ‘Citrina’). Anyway, this lax little evergreen – I

want to call it a climber, but it doesn’t quite

climb, more just hopefully leans up against things – should be

better known, especially because it flowers so early in the

year. Coronilla ‘Citrina’ has pretty grey-green leaves and

pale yellow, pea-blossom

flowers that emit

a citrus scent. It

looks delicate, but

once established

is very hardy,

although it would

probably prefer a

sheltered wall in

order to flower well.

Camellia – If you

don’t have acidic soil a

Camellia is best grown in a

large pot with ericaceous

compost to stop the leaves

becoming chloritic and

turning a sickly yellow.

Position away

Coronilla

valentina

from frosty early morning sunlight, which can burn and brown the petals. Grown well

they are a glorious sight, with glossy evergreen leaves and impressive flowers.

Viburnum – There are many useful shrubs in this family, the earliest flowering are the Viburnum x bodnatense varieties

– these are deciduous, with the highly scented flowers appearing on bare stems throughout the winter. The best known

are probably Viburnum bodnatense ‘Dawn’, with pink blossom, or ‘Charles Lamont’, similar, but a bit more vigorous.

Plant scented shrubs near to paths and doorways so that you don’t miss their best days, or cut a few stems and bring a vase

of them inside to enjoy. Even a single snowdrop in an egg cup can do the trick. While we are waiting for the weather to

warm up it is a positive act to plant a winter or early spring flowering shrub – it gets us outside for one thing – and somehow

brings the spring closer too. These first few brave blooms are a hopeful sign that winter is finally losing its icy grip.

Jo’s new gardening courses are now booking. For information, call 07923 969634 and see hornbrookmanor.co.uk.


94

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DISCOVERY WEEK AT GODSTONE FARM

SNOWDROP DAYS AT

GATTON PARK

CREATING

HABITATS AT

WISLEY

What’s On

in February

CARS

Sun 8 Feb

Brooklands Museum,

Brooklands Drive, Weybridge,

Surrey, KT13 0SL

VINTAGE SPORTS CAR

CLUB DRIVING TESTS

Head to historic and atmospheric

Brooklands to see pre-1955 cars

tackle a dozen different tests

around complicated courses

laid out around the historic

Brooklands site including Test

Hill and Members Banking, with

drivers competing against the

clock while trying to avoid any

penalty-attracting mistakes.

As with all VSCC events, the

competition will boast an

eclectic mix of pre-1955 cars.

The competition will be rife

throughout the field with many

drivers returning looking to hold

on to previous titles while new

competitors will be eager to make

a name for themselves. Tests will

run throughout the day, starting

from 10am, with a break for lunch.

brooklandsmuseum.com

HALF TERM

Sat 14 to Sun 22 Feb

Leeds Castle, Maidstone,

Kent, ME17 1PL

A RIGHT ROYAL

FEBRUARY HALF TERM

AT LEEDS CASTLE

This half term Leeds Castle

opens its doors to families for an

enchanting exploration of the

Medieval court! This exciting event,

included with your admission

ticket, invites you to dive into the

fascinating world of a Royal ball.

Prepare for a captivating

experience, where families will

embark on a journey to learn the

essential skills and processes that

defined Royal existence in Medieval

times. Guided by the charming

Lord Hugo, Groom of the Stool

to King Edward I (yes, he did

assist the King with his… stools),

and the lovely Lady Mary, Queen

Eleanor of Castile’s chief Lady in

Waiting, visitors will engage in

a series of enriching activities.

leeds-castle.com

Sat 14 – Sun 22 Feb

Godstone Farm,

Tilburstow Hill Road

Godstone, Surrey RH9 8LX

DISCOVERY WEEK AT

GODSTONE FARM

All through half term your little

one can get stuck into the mud,

mischief and marvellous jobs of

farm life at Godstone Farm!

Whether you’re feeding pigs

together, collecting eggs or

scooping the poop (someone’s

got to do it!), this is their chance

to experience life on the farm

in a way that’s totally handson

and full of fun. Learn and

laugh together as you complete a

range of exciting farmyard tasks

– can you tick them all off?

With full farm park access

included in your Discovery Week

tickets, there’s plenty of time to

play and see all 500+ animals

too. We can’t wait for Discovery

Week – who knows WHAT you’ll

discover about yourselves?!

godstonefarm.co.uk

GARDENS

Various dates throughout Feb

Gatton Park, Reigate,

Surrey, RH2 0TW

SNOWDROP DAYS AT

GATTON PARK

Gatton Park is best known for the

work that was carried out between

1762 and 1766 by English

landscape designer Lancelot

‘Capability’ Brown. The rock

garden was constructed in 1912

by J Pulham & Sons. Check the

website to find dates and book

places on Snowdrop Open Days

when the Park and Gardens are

open to view a spectacular display

of snowdrops, heralding the

first glimpes of Spring. Gatton

Hall will open for cake and

refreshments, plus a plant sale.

gattonpark.co.uk

Tues 24 & Weds 25 Feb

10.30am-1.30pm

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking,,

Surrey GU23 6QB

CREATING HABITATS

FOR BIODIVERSITY AT

WISLEY GARDENS

Are you looking to increase

biodiversity in your garden?

Tempt more wildlife your way?

Come along to the RHS flagship

garden and learn how to create

dead hedges, log walls and habitat

towers in an ornamental way

that are both pleasing to look

at and beneficial to wildlife.

These one-day sessions will be

held entirely outdoors so please

make sure you are dressed for the

weather with appropriate footwear.

For the practical work in the

garden, please bring gardening

gloves if you have them.

rhs.org.uk/gardens/wisley

Tickets: £38 book in advance

istockphoto.com/ tenra & Matthew J Thomas & DDurich & Leo Malsam & Giovanni Magdalinos


96

istockphoto.com/ tenra & Matthew J Thomas & DDurich & Leo Malsam & Giovanni Magdalinos

THEATRE

Fri 20 & Sat 21 Feb

Marlowe Theatre, The Friars,

Canterbury CT1 2AS

MÁM AT THE MARLOWE

A great opportunity to see

MÁM – featuring 12 dancers

and the music of virtuoso Irish

traditional concertina player

Cormac Begley and European

classical contemporary collective

s t a r g a z e. Their composition

includes 16 traditional West

Kerry folk songs, from The Races

of Ballyhooly to The Morning

Dew. Nominated for an Olivier

Award, MÁM has enjoyed sellout

performances at Sadler’s Wells,

London and across festivals worldwide.

The production will come to

the Marlowe Theatre, on its debut

UK tour for Dance Consortium.

marlowetheatre.com

Thur 26 Feb 7.30pm

Centenary Hall, Hemsted Park,

Benenden School, Cranbrook

Kent TN17 4AA

ATTENTION ALL SHIPPING:

A CELEBRATION OF THE

SHIPPING FORECAST

As the shipping forecast

embarks on its second century

Charlie Connelly’s hilarious

and informative show brings

the quirky broadcast vividly

to life, celebrating what he

firmly believes to be the greatest

invention of the modern age.

How did a weather forecast for

VALENTINE’S DAT AT BALFOUR

WINEMAKER’S KITCHEN

ships capture the hearts of a nation,

from salty old sea dog to insomniac

landlubber? How is it possible

for ‘rain later’ to be ‘good’? And

where the hell is North Utsire?

Delving into the history of the

forecast and the extraordinary

people who made it, Charlie

explains what those curious

phrases really mean.

Entry: From £22.50

hemstedpark.com/events

Thur 26 Feb 7.30pm

Gulbenkian Theatre,

University of Kent,

Canterbury, Kent CT2 7NB

MATT FORDE: DEFYING

CALAMITY

The absolutely brilliant political

impersonator and comedian, Matt

Forde (Spitting Image, Have I Got

News For You, The Royal Variety

performance and various fabulous

podcasts) is on his biggest tour

to date and is not to be missed!

Join him in Canterbury as he

finds positivity in life despite all

the evidence to the contrary in

politics and his own health!

Entry: £25

thegulbenkian.co.uk

Sat 28 Feb

G Live London Rd,

Guildford, GU1 2AA

ROSS NOBLE – CRANIUM

OF CURIOSITIES AT G LIVE

Roll up, roll up! Or use a more

conventional form of transport to

get to the show. It’s entirely your

choice. Unless you accidentally

become trapped in a barrel. Should

that happen, then just find an

incline and start rolling to see

the one and only Ross Noble!

He is the Wizard of Waffle, The

Rambler Royale, The Noodlers’

Noodler, and he’s back to tour a

tornado of tangents. What the

show will be about is anybody’s

guess, but that’s all part of the fun.

trafalgartickets.com/glive-guildford

VALENTINE’S

Fri 13 & Sat 14 Feb

Balfour Winery, Five Oak

Lane, Staplehurst, Tonbridge,

Kent, TN12 0HT.

VALENTINE’S DAY AT

BALFOUR’S WINEMAKER’S

KITCHEN

Celebrate with Balfour Winery

this Valentine’s Day in their

Winemaker’s Kitchen. Their

chefs will be serving a selection

of Valentine’s specials – beautiful

seasonal dishes designed to pair

perfectly with their award-winning

wines. Whether it’s a first date, a

forever date, or a night out with

someone you love, join them for an

evening that’s all about great food,

great wine, and great company.

Their regular à la carte menu

will be available as well as

our Valentine’s specials.

balfourwinery.com

MAM AT THE MARLOWE

Sun 15 Feb

Silent Pool Distillery, Shere Road,

Albury, Surrey GU5 9BW

PERFECT PAIRINGS:

VALENTINE’S EXPERIENCE

Love is in the air! Bring your

beloved and share Silent Pool

Gin cocktails and wines from

Albury Vineyard, paired with

a selection of canapés and led

by their wine and gin experts.

We meet in the tasting room

of Albury Vineyard to discover

and sample the exquisite wines

grown on the estate, including

award-winning sparkling wine.

Then it’s a short walk to the

Silent Pool Distillery where

you’ll enjoy a selection of Silent

Pool Gin cocktails and gins as

our gin expert introduces you

to the Silent Pool Gin range.

silentpooldistillers.com

Listings are correct at time of going to press

but may be subject to change. Readers are

advised to check with venues before making

arrangements. We can list your event in

the next issue of Wealden Times for only

£75+VAT. Please supply up to 200 words

that should include date, time, venue,

contact for enquiries and any entry price to

whatson@priceless-group.com or send with

payment (cheques payable to Priceless Media

Ltd.) to What’s On, Priceless Media, Kettle

Chambers, 21 Stone Street, Cranbrook,

Kent TN17 3HF. Priceless Media reserves

the right to edit text to fit space allocated.

Deadline for the next issue is 3rd February

ATTENTION

ALL SHIPPING

97


Jane weathers a spell of bad luck at Coopers Farm as she

and the animals recover from a fox attack, a robbery and

a disappointing pregnancy rate amongst the sheep

istockphoto.com/ Lidia Shapoval

Well we’ve had a few unfortunate occurrences

in the past few weeks, three to be specific so

that should be it and we can move on.

First off it happened. We never thought it would. The fox

visited the hen house. It was a very cold wet night, husband

Adrian had gone to bed with a cold and I’d gone out with

the girls. Untypically we’d not done our usual “have you shut

the hens up” routine, so no one did and we paid the price.

The dogs woke us up about 3am, we opened the bedroom

windows and made an impressive hullabaloo

but not before he or she had run off with

our new cockerel! Poor Collins (seemed an

appropriate name for Phil’s replacement),

he’d only just started to crow, more of an

adolescent squawk, and had developed

some of those wonderful petrol blue/

green tail feathers that only cockerels have.

But his was a short lived tenure. Bother.

And you might remember. He was

rather special. We have a small flock of

exceedingly rare Brown Sussex chickens.

We were given them by Malcolm the

sheep scan man and chicken fancier and

every year when he visits (he’s just been,

more of which later) he reminds us that he only knows

of two flocks in the country. Ours and those belonging

to Jonathan Crump, a dairy farmer in Worcestershire.

So last summer a visit to the Three Counties Show in

Malvern involved picking up some of Jonathan’s fertilised

eggs and bringing them back to Coopers Farm to place

under a broody hen. Seven hatched, two cockerels, but

one was taken by a crow, leaving Collins with the super

important responsibility of keeping the breed going. And

now he’s gone. Other cockerels have been offered but

Malcolm explained

that he had seen a lot

of empty ewes which

had been tupped

(put to the ram) early

who had not held to

service and this might

be due to the very

long hot summer

luckily, we’re off to a birthday party in Brecon later this

month and Jonathan happens to have a spare cockerel. So

we shall arrive for the weekend with a feathered passenger

(Adrian not thrilled as says car will smell like a farmyard,

which it probably will), but, all being well, Collins 2 can

pick up where Phil left off and the show will go on.

Next visitors also arrived at 3am. The dogs also barked.

We thought it was probably the fox again but as the hens

were safely shut up, we through it would be OK so rather

smugly rolled over and went back to sleep.

Hmm sadly they were two legged visitors

this time. They sawed through two padlocks

and got away with chainsaws, strimmers,

drills etc. Deeply annoying, such an afront

and then there’s all the bother of finding

receipts, filing a claim and wondering who

the scummy freeloaders might be. But

hey ho, no one hurt and life goes on.

And then there was Malcolm’s annual

visit to scan the ewes to ascertain whether

they’re carrying singles, twins, triplets

or nothing. There will always be a few

empty ones but this year there were far

more than expected. Malcolm explained

that he had seen a lot of empty ewes which had been

tupped (put to the ram) early who had not held to service

and this might be due to the very long hot summer.

Can’t be sure, but it didn’t start raining till late October,

and with the rain came the grass which would have

improved ovulation and conception. Another blow, but

being rather sentimental farmers and feeling responsible

for taking the rams out too soon we decided to put the

rams back in and can look forward to some summer

lambs. And hopefully to a less eventful time ahead.


THAMES

DESIGN & BUILD

Call us on

020 8398 9252

ARE YOU CONSIDERING AN EXTENSION, LOFT

CONVERSION, OUTBUILDING, OR ANY OTHER

ALTERATION OR ADDITION TO YOUR PROPERTY?

Thames Design and Build provides architectural design

and/or construction services to clients across Surrey, with

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

We offer:

• A A free consultation to discuss your ideas and advise

you advise on the you possibilities on the possibilities and permissions

and permissions

• A A fixed quote for all stages of architectural work

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

provide a build quote in respect of your existing designs

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

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

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

Please email us at info@thamesdesignandbuild.com

or visit the website www.thamesdesignandbuild.com

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

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