Banbury Living Feb - Mar 2020

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Contents
A Note
from the editor
The bleak midwinter. I often bemoan the loss
of the twinkle of festive lights and Christmas
wreaths - it seems a cruel, long stretch from
early January into spring without something
nice to look at - we can all fall victim to this
pessimism, generally because after the chaos
of the festive season, our diaries are looking a
little empty and our doors a little sad…
A Culinary recipes Journey to celebrate
through
19Three Fairtrade Northern Ireland Fortnight
How about instead of succumbing to the
midwinter gloom, we instead rejoice in
something altogether more special than strings
of lights or wrapped up presents - the gentle
awakening of spring, the shift in the seasons.
I won’t look for glitter, but instead for the
solemn little heads of the snowdrops in shady
patches or the gentle bob of yellow swathes of
daffodils lining the roads on my drive to work.
I’ll view my lack of social engagements not as
a problem, but as a chance to take a breath
- and maybe treat myself to a dinner without
having to worry about anyone else. Finally,
instead of filling my body with festive treats (I
assure you, there were plenty), I’ll fill my lungs
with fresh air during the little 20 minutes I’ve
carved out of my day for a lunchtime walk.
Foodie Santa
Barbara
IN THIS ISSUE...
04 What’s On
Spring is awakening! And we share
with you the pick of the best local
events
12 Living on the Veg
22
If Veganuary has inspired you to eat a
more veg-filled diet, we have four tasty
vegetarian recipes
17 Mitch Tonks
We catch up with the West Country
chef on big business decisions and
creating a community
19 Fairtrade Fortnight
Three delicious recipes celebrating the
best Fairtrade ingredients - promising
a fair price to farmers
26 Liz Bonnin
We caught up with presenter and
wildlife expert Liz Bonnin ahead of the
Planet Earth Live in Concert tour
30 Bathroom Guide
A guide to creating your own
bathroom sanctuary and top tips for
choosing tiles
Presenter
Liz Bonnin
26
28
Amazing
Glazing
Editor Katie Thomson
e katie.thomson@minervapublications.co.uk
Publisher Sally Thomson
Pre Press Manager Kate O’Connell
Contributors Rebecca Williams, Matthew Biggs, Kate O’Connell, Lucy Saunders,
Angela Cave. Front Cover courtesy of Lights4Fun.co.uk
Key Account Manager Theresa Corns
e theresa.corns@minervapublications.co.uk
d/l 01225 308105
twitter: @BanburyLiving
w www.banburyliving.co.uk
All things considered, then, February doesn’t
feel too bad. It’s famously the month of love
with Saint Valentine’s day in the middle - that
love can manifest itself with showings of
gratitude of kindness to your partner or pet,
your best friend or brother - a little bit of love
can lift even the gloomiest of spirits.
This issue we have a bumper selection of
goodies to keep you occupied too - with
a fabulous bathroom and tile guide, some
enviable inspiration on architectural glazing
and some tips on modern Victorian styling.
Add into that a catch up with the charming
chef Mitch Tonks, some tasty recipes and a
interview with the fascinating TV presenter and
biologist Liz Bonnin - well, we are confident
there is something for everyone.
We will see you again in April - when we will be
in full Easter mode!
Katie
MINERVA PUBLICATIONS
County Gate, County Way
Trowbridge, Wiltshire BA14 7FJ
t 01225 308128
w www.minervapublications.co.uk
visit our website www.banburyliving.co.uk
Disclaimer: The publishers shall not be held liable for any loss occasioned by failure of an
advertisement to appear, or any damage or inconvenience caused by errors, omissions and
misprints. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior permission from the
publishers. The opinions expressed within are not necessarily those of the publishers.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 3

EVENTS GUIDE
Finally, the days are getting longer
and spring is just around the corner.
Looking for the best local places to visit
and things to do at this time of year?
Then you can make the most of the
season with our extensive guide...
Banbury Farmers
Market
Market Place, Banbury OX16 5LG
01295 221916
www.cherwell.gov.uk
Held on the first Friday every month,
8.30am - 1.30pm
A range of good quality produce can be
found at this popular monthly market.
Blenheim Palace
Woodstock OX20 1PP
01993 810530
www.blenheimpalace.com
Saturday 15 February - Tuesday 14 April
Let’s Misbehave - The 1920’s at
Blenheim Palace
Travel back in time to the Roaring Twenties
as Blenheim Palace invites bright young
things to a magnificent party celebrating
this famously decadent decade.
Sunday 29 March
OX5 Run
Runners and walkers of all abilities (aged 14
and over)are all welcome to run, jog or walk
the five-mile course around the Parkland.
It’s their biggest annual fundraiser for the
Oxford Children’s Hospital, which looks
after thousands of children.
Bodleian Library
Broad Street, Oxford OX1 3BG
01865 277162
www.bodleian.ox.ac.uk
Thursday 6 February, 5.30pm - 9pm
The 2020 Colin Ford Lecture
Professor Larry Schaaf “The Future
of the Past”
Professor Larry Schaaf will deliver the 2020
Colin Ford Lecture, providing a fascinating
insight into his work on The William Henry
Fox Talbot Catalogue Raisonne.
Monday 10 February
Garsington Opera
The Friends of the Bodleian and Garsington
4 | www.banburyliving.co.uk
Opera host a special evening of music in
the Bodleian Library’s Convocation House.
Returning after an enormously successful
performance in February 2019, singers from
Garsington Opera will present excerpts
from their 2020 Season.
Friday 27 March - Sunday 5 April
FT Weekend Oxford Literary
Festival
This annual event is held at the Bodleian
Libraries and, as a cultural partner to the
Festival, many talks take place in Bodleian
sites the Lecture Theatre, in the Weston
Library and in the Divinity School.
For full information and to book tickets
visit oxfordliteraryfestival.org
Saturday 28 March
The Art of Advertising Activity Day
Drop-in for a day of ephemeral fun based
around their new exhibition - The Art of
Advertising. Meet the exhibition curators,
researchers and printing experts to
discover something unexpected about
those pieces of paper most people just
throw away.
Buckinghamshire
Railway Centre
Station Rd, Quainton, Aylesbury HP22 4BY
01296 655720
www.bucksrailcentre.org
Sunday 23 February
Dinosaur Day
Go to the live Dinosaur Experience Day.
Watch a fun, live theatrical show with
amazing lifelike dinosaurs with the chance
to get up close and personal with these
fabulous creatures!
Meet Baxter the T-Rex, Spike the
Spinosaurus and two baby dinos.
30 min interactive live shows with audience
participation.
Plus a chance to have photos taken with
the dinosaurs after the show.
Four shows throughout the day.
It’s going to be roar-some!
Sunday 8 March, 11am - 2pm
Wedding Fair at The Railway
Getting married, or planning a big party or
private function? With lots of suppliers from
wedding dresses, flowers, honeymoons
and cakes, to cars, lighting, music,
stationery and photographers.
Free admission and a glass of bubbly on
arrival.
Canons Ashby House
Daventry NN11 3SD
01327 861900
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/canonsashby
Saturday 15 - Sunday 23 February
Bugs and Beasties Trail
Find out more about some of the tiny
creatures that live at Canons Ashby and
get out in the fresh air together.
Take your wellies! It may be a squelchy
adventure.
Wednesday 19 - Thursday 20 February
Make a Bird Feeder
Make a pine cone bird feeder for our
feathered friends at this chilly time of year
and have a look at their nature collection.
Then take it home to feed the birds.
Friday 21 February
Archaeology Handling, and Kids’
Clay Making
Have a look at some real archaeological
objects and chat with the volunteers.
For younger visitors they can try making
something special out of clay to take home.
Saturday 7 March, 11.30am - 2pm
Family Storytelling
Take your little ones and listen to a story
in honour of World Book Day earlier this
week. The storyteller has a selection of
stories for younger children, so why not
pop in and settle down for a tale together?
Sunday 22 March, 11am - 3pm
Mother’s Day Posies
Treat your mum by making her a little
posy of flowers to really put a smile on her
face.
continued

New opening times at
Upton House and Gardens
© National Trust 2020. Registered Charity no. 205846.
Photography © National Trust Images/Chris Lacey.
Discover our 1930s honey-coloured country
mansion with terraced gardens and world-class
art collection. The perfect family day out –
with new opening times for 2020!
Open daily, 3 February – 1 November 2020
Monday – Friday: 10.30am – 5.00pm
Saturday – Sunday: 10.00am – 5.00pm
House open daily: 11.00am – 4.00pm
nationaltrust.org.uk/UptonHouse
11359 - GWR.Banbury.Living.Jan.Feb.19_Layout 1 03/12/2018 16:00 Page 1
haus
HOME | LIFESTYLE
ARTISANAL SOFT
FURNISHINGS
FOR THE MODERN
HOME
GWR will re-open in March for the 2020 season.
See www.gwsr.com for details, prices and bookings.
Travel from Broadway, Toddington,
Winchcombe or Cheltenham Race Course
stations on our award-winning heritage railway
28 mile round trip through glorious Cotswold
scenery Tea room, shop, heritage trail and
small museum at Toddington; café, shop,
discovery coach and picnic area at Winchcombe
It’s a
Great
Family
Day Out!
Buffets on most trains Famous 15 arch viaduct at Stanway
693 yard Greet tunnel - second longest on a preserved railway
Heritage steam engines, classic diesel
locomotives and vintage railcars
Ample free car parking at Toddington
and Cheltenham Race Course stations
Only 15 minutes drive from M5 junction 9
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www.banburyliving.co.uk | 5

Deddington Farmers'
Market
Market Place, Deddington OX15 0SE
01869 337 940
www.deddingtonfarmersmarket.co.uk
Fourth Saturday of each month 9am -
12.30pm
Deddington Farmers’ Market is one of the
most successful and well loved farmers’
markets in the county. It has carefully
selected food producers selling foods that
have been grown or produced within 30
miles of the pretty ironstone village.
Evenley Wood Garden
Evenley NN13 5SH
07776 307849
www.evenleywoodgarden.co.uk
Sunday 2 February - Tuesday 3 March,
10am - 4pm
Snowdrop Days
With over 80 varieties of magnificent
snowdrops planted in swathes throughout
this beautiful 60-acre woodland haven,
it’s sure to be the perfect place to go and
escape this winter.
Tuesday 31 March
Mothering Sunday
Bring mum for a delightful stroll in the
garden. Half price entrance for mums.
6 | www.banburyliving.co.uk
O2 Academy
190 Cowley Rd, Oxford OX4 1UE
01865 813500
www.academymusicgroup.com/
o2academyoxford
Sunday 2 February, 7pm
Billy Lockett
Emotive singer-songwriter, Billy Lockett,
is starting off the New Year with a string
of headline shows that’ll flaunt off the
material from his brand-new EP, Reset.
Tuesday 11 February, 7pm
Miz Cracker’s American Woman
Miz Cracker returns to the UK with her
brand-new, witty one-woman show,
American Woman and she’ll be bringing
a host of friends from New York along for
the ride! Over 14s only
Friday 28 February, 6pm
Hot 8 Brass Band
The Hot 8 Brass Band is an incredible
raw and funky brass band, straight from
the streets of New Orleans. Famous for
their boundless energy, you can’t help but
raise a smile when you see them live and
they’re heading out on the Mardi Gras
tour in the spring to bring joy to cities
across the nation.
Friday 28 February, 6.30pm
Vex Red
Electronic rockers, Vex Red, are back with
a refreshed sense of purpose after a long
17-year wait and they’ve got plenty of
new music on the way. Having reignited
their hunger, the band are set for a full
headline tour and the year will see them
go from strength to strength.
Oxford Playhouse
11-12 Beaumont Street OX1 2LW
01865 305305
www.oxfordplayhouse.com
Sunday 16 February
Ardal O’Hanlon
Where Ardal O’Hanlon comes from there
is nothing worse than showing off. Yet
he is a professional ‘show-off’. Why does
he continue to do it? Because in this age
of the collapsing middle-ground, Ardal
is forced to saddle his horse one again
and ride fearlessly into the culture wars,
with comedy as ever being the best
emergency response to extreme events
that there is.
Monday 24 - Saturday 29 February
Stewart Lee - Snowflake/Tornado
Legendary comedian and Oxford
Playhouse patron Stewart Lee returns with
a double-bill of two new sets, Snowflake
and Tornado. Tornado questions Stew’s
position in the comedy marketplace after
Netflix mistakenly lists his show as “reports
of sharks falling from the skies are on
the rise again. Nobody on the Eastern
Seaboard is safe.”
Snowflake questions Stew’s worth in a
society demolishing the liberal values he
has been keen to espouse in a fairy-tale
landscape of winter wonder.
Tuesday 10 - Saturday 14 March
Pride & Prejudice (sort of)
This is an adaptation like no other.
Six young women have a story to tell.
Men, money and microphones will be
fought over in this loving and irreverent
all-female adaptation of Jane Austen’s
unrivalled literary classic. Let the ruthless
matchmaking begin.
Monday 16 - Saturday 21 March
The Woman in Black
Susan Hill’s acclaimed ghost story comes
dramatically alive in Stephen Mallatratt’s
ingenious stage adaptation. This gripping
production is a brilliantly successful study in
atmosphere, illusion and controlled horror.
Tuesday 24 - Saturday 28 March
Alone In Berlin
Based on Hans Fallada’s bestselling novel
about true events in wartime Germany,
Alone in Berlin is an enthralling portrait of a
society gripped by the fear of a night-time
knock on the door.
Tuesday 31 March - Thursday 2 April
Doctor Faustus
Faustus - a brilliant scholar and man of
learning. So clever he can conjure up the
devil. Absolute knowledge, infinite power,
sorcery and magic are all within his reach.
But in return, he must give up his soul.
The Theatre Chipping
Norton
Spring Street, Chipping Norton OX7 5NL
01608 649126
www.chippingnortontheatre.com
Wednesday 5 - Saturday 15 February
Jeeves and Wooster in Perfect
Nonsense
Take your seats with caution! Aristocratic
buffoon Bertie Wooster has hired the
theatre for the night to present his oneman
show detailing a recent and rather
spectacular series of misadventures,
including the theft of a novelty cow creamer
and a narrow escape from unwanted
matrimony.
Friday 21 February, 7.45pm
The Upbeat Beatles
The Upbeat Beatles are second to none -
powerhouse vocals, precision harmonies
and tight musicianship.
The show takes you through the Fab
Four’s long and winding road from the
early Cavern days through Beatlemania,
America, Sergeant Pepper to Abbey
Road, with narrative and full multi-media
presentation.
continued

Thursday 27 - Saturday 29 February
Jane Eyre
“I am no bird and no net ensnares me I am
a free human being with an independent
will”
A Gothic masterpiece of tempestuous
passions and dark secrets, Jane Eyre tells
the thrilling story of an orphan girl and her
journey from a childhood of loneliness and
cruelty to a life at Thornfield Hall and an
unlikely relationship with the mysterious Mr
Rochester.
Wednesday 4 March
Volpone
Volpone is rich - filthy rich.
In lust for more he and his assistant,
the rascal Mosca, swindle three of the
wealthiest men in the city, each believing
they are his sole heir. Daring trickery and
avarice ensues in this bitingly fresh version
of Ben Johnson’s comedy.
Saturday 7 March
Roald Dahl and the Imagination
Seekers
All around the world Roald Dahl’s words
are disappearing, not only from books but
children’s minds too!
Now only an organisation known as the
ancient guild of tale tenders can save the
stories - and they need your help.
Saturday 14 March
Don Giovanni
Judgement Day for Don Giovanni, the
world’s greatest lover.
Not just an opera, but a supernatural
comedy-thriller occurring in breakneck real
time beginning with murder, ending with a
hellish sentence passed on the legendary
seducer. Can Don Giovanni still make us
love him as he hurtles through his final
hours?
Tuesday 17 - Wednesday 18 March
Sarah and Duck’s Big Top Birthday
The enchanting world of Sarah and Duck is
brought to life in a brand-new stage show,
featuring the wonderful characters from the
BAFTA award-winning CBeebies show.
Saturday 28 March
Steve Knightley
Following the success of last year’s
intimate one man show, Steve’s latest
outing is intended for anyone fascinated by
the art and craft of song writing.
Roald Dahl and the Imagination Seekers
Treat your Mum to afternoon tea
Upton House and
Gardens
Upton OX15 6HT
01295 670266
www.nationaltrust.org.uk/upton-house
Thursday 6 February
Give it a go art workshop -
Fabric Valentine’s Day cards
In this ‘give it a go’ art workshop, local
artist Lis Mann will show you how to create
a unique card for your valentine using fabric
Monday 10 February, 10.30am - 12.30pm
What a View - A Short Guided Walk
A beautiful, gentle, guided walk through the
stunning countryside that surrounds Upton.
Thursday 13 February
Afternoon Tea Talk - White Gold
Upton’s Porcelain Collection
Discover why porcelain was known as
‘White Gold’ as they look at the Sevres
pieces formerly owned by kings and
empresses. You will also hear the stories
about the rare Chelsea figures that Viscount
Bearsted collected and then gifted to the
National Trust. The talk will be followed by
a delicious scone with jam and cream and
accompanied by a steaming cup of house
tea or filter coffee.
Saturday 15 February + 8 other dates,
10am - 5pm
February Half Term Activities
Explore our winter walk and join our Half
Term activities at Upton! Take a closer look
and see what wildlife you can discover.
Every Monday 24 February - 30 March
Muddy Mondays - 6 Weeks
Get stuck into nature with Muddy Mondays
this spring! Book your little one onto a
unique learning experience with Upton’s
toddler forest school. Experience the
outdoors, learn new skills and meet
new friends in a safe and fun woodland
environment.
Thursday 5 March
Give it a go -
DIY Lampshade Workshop
Go and ‘give it a go’ at making your own
drum lampshade to brighten any room in
the house for spring.
This is a fun workshop that requires no
sewing! Make a 20cm shade that can be
used on a lamp base or as a pendant.
Monday 16 March
Airfield, Battleground and Big Skies
Guided Walk
Discover some of the history of the
stunning countryside surrounding Upton
House and Gardens on this moderate 7.5
mile walk.
Sunday 22 March
Mothering Sunday Afternoon Tea
A glass of bubbly, delicious sandwiches
and miniature cakes enjoyed in the vintage
1930s kitchen. This could be the perfect
way to spoil your mum.
Waterperry Gardens
Near Wheatley OX3 1JZ
01844 339254
www.waterperrygardens.co.uk
Saturday 1 - Saturday 29 February
Snowdrop Season
With more than 60 different snowdrop
varieties carpeting the ornamental gardens
over the season, enjoy a walk around the
gardens to see these little heralds of spring
in a magical setting
Saturday 15 February - Sunday 23
February
Alphabet ‘I Spy’ in the Gardens
Family fun over half term week. Spy the
whole alphabet and win a prize!
Saturday 28 March from 10am - Tuesday
21 April to 5pm
Big Easter Bunny Hunt
Join the Big Easter Bunny Hunt around
the ornamental gardens. Find them all and
claim a special Easter prize. £2.50 per
child - children must be accompanied by
an adult for whom the garden entrance fee
applies. (£8.50 per adult)
We take great care in compiling the
listings, however we recommend that you
contact the venue in advance as events
and listings can be subject to change.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 7

a plant for every
space in your house
The sale of houseplants has grown considerably in the last few
years - a 10-15% year on year increase since 2013 according to
the RHS. It is particularly prevalent among young people - not
so much as part of a décor choice but more to fulfil a desire to
have something to care for and look after. For urban dwellers and
workers there are also the perceived health and well-being benefits.
The RHS website has the following: ‘As well as looking good,
houseplants support human health in homes, offices, school and
hospitals. Research suggests that the greatest benefits of indoor
plants are through well-being and productivity improvement. There
is discussion around their influence on indoor air quality’.
If you have never had a plant in your life, having a plant at home
is the perfect place to start – and there is such a lot of choice!
Gone are the days of a dusty ‘mother-in-law’s tongue’ Sanseviera
trifasciata or a Kentia palm Howea forsteriana waving brown
fronds in distress - we have a plethora of options to suit every mood
and every place in your home. My first books were on the subject of
house plants and I love to have plants of all types sharing our family
home.
There is an enormous body of research going on at the moment
into the beneficial effects of various species, how many you need
to benefit either physically or mentally, what specific problems
they can alleviate and which species can best tolerate the various
conditions they are exposed to indoors. Lack of light, temperature
fluctuations, infrequent watering - or too much watering - pity
the poor indoor plant and yet for all of the privations we put them
through they still flourish!
As I travel around the country I see so many lovely orchids on
windowsills and the moth orchid or Phalaenopsis must be present
in a high percentage of
British homes. These
orchids are incredibly
long lasting and even with
the most basic care will
flower again and again.
You could also chose a
Spathiphyllum or peace
lily, a Madagascar Dragon
Tree, Dracaena marginata
or an English ivy Hedera
helix - drape them from
cupboards and bookcases,
group them for more
impact, have one large statement plant for a
Wow factor, whatever you choose make room in your
life for a plant!
A Practical Guide to Growing Healthy Houseplants
by Matthew Biggs
www.matthewbiggs.com
8 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

Choosing your
child's primary
school
Have you considered an affordable
independent education at St John’s Priory
School, Banbury?
Private school can be great value for money; offer a varied
and exciting program of academic subjects, opportunities and
after-school activities; and provide flexible wrap around care
to support working families at the start and end of the school
day and during the holidays.
Individual Support
Private school classes are usually much smaller than your
average state school classes. However, the real and hidden
value lies in the teacher to student ratio. Often private schools
are able to employ more staff, providing your child with
more individual, personalised attention and enabling better
outcomes.
Specialist Teachers
Private schools are more likely to enlist educators with
specialist subject knowledge or who can specifically cater for
gifted children or students with learning difficulties.
ADVERTISING FEATURE
Choosing a school
When researching your child’s early education options, know what
it is you are after from a school and understand what situation
your child thrives in. Be sure to speak with the schools to fully
understand what they can offer your child. If you would like to
discuss your child’s education with us, our Admissions Officer,
Gemma Osborne, will be happy to receive your call on: 01295
259607.
About Us
St John’s Priory School is an Excellent rated, ISA accredited, prep
school for children aged 3-11. We employ specialist teaching of
arts and languages throughout the school and specialist teaching
of English, Maths and Science from Year three onwards. Despite
our town centre location, we boast a lovely lawn area in our Early
Years Department, a comprehensive outdoor learning program and
full use of the sporting facilities at nearby Bloxham senior school.
Curriculum
Private schools have more flexibility with curriculum and
subject choices than state schools and are more likely to
have a larger range of subjects and extra-curricular activities
on offer; this promotes areas of growth that your child may
not have the opportunity to explore otherwise.
Come & visit us!
OPEN MORNING Friday 13th March
10am – 12pm
Tel: 01295 259607

Time to trust in the future of prep schools
It can’t be easy being a prospective parent of a prep school child.
If you fall into this category you might have been forgiven, prior
to the December election, for thinking that there’s not much point
as the whole fee paying independent school sector could have
been abolished...
If the outcome of the election had
been different don’t underestimate
the independent school sector’s
determination to fight for its existence
with every legal pathway being followed
to test the legitimacy of such a policy. As
it is, the immediate prospect of a political
threat has greatly subsided and the
sector has the breathing space to make
its case more forcefully that we have
a right to exist and parents should be
presented with options for the education
of their children. It is for parents to
choose the school which is best suited
to their child’s needs, aspirations and
talents.
In the meantime, there is every reason to
have confidence in prep schools and their
future. IAPS (the Independent Association
of Prep Schools) has over 600 of the top
prep and fee-charging junior schools in
the UK. The first step in your search for
quality is to check if your possible short
list of schools for your son or daughter
carries the mark of quality by being
a member of the heads’ association
known as IAPS. This association has a
history extending back over 126 years
and the criteria for membership is strictly
monitored to ensure both the head, and
the school they work at, maintain the
highest standards. School inspection
reports are received by IAPS, for
example, and any failings identified have
to be rectified in good time to maintain
membership. In one sense, therefore,
the first level of due diligence a parent
might feel it necessary to undertake is
already done for them if the school can
demonstrate they are members of IAPS
and, better still, have been a member for
many years.
What should you do next as you are
feeling your way through the maze
of glossy publications and enticing
web sites placed in front of you. The
temptation is to look for a ‘brand’ name
and, to some extent, this has merit as
it will more often than not lead you to a
school with a fine reputation polished
over many years of conspicuous
achievement. The question to ask, of
course, is has the school a reputation for
success in the areas which co-incide with
the talents and interests of your child. A
fine school’s sporting tradition is of little
relevance if your child is a talented and
developing musician – not that those two
areas have to be mutually exclusive.
The resort to social media and discussion
forums is a likely step many will take but
if your chosen pathway takes you in this
direction then, at the risk of patronising
you, the reader, beware. Do you use
Tripadvisor when planning a stay away?
Do you believe all the messages posted
there and would you base your whole
view of a school on the postings of a
few with most likely a pro- or anti-line to
promote for their own reasons.
There might be themes to pick up on but
it really needs each parent to seek out the
things that are most important to you and
your child.
That brings me then to what you should
do. The most important thing is to visit
the school and not just on an official
Open Day. If a school can’t buff itself
up to look good on an official Open Day
it really is a poor do. However, chose
a day and time to suit you, though
be reasonable when negotiating this.
Nothing much is likely to be gained from
a visit if a good proportion of the school
is off their normal timetable or routine
because it’s the day of the annual whole
school cross country event. Ask to see
the class your child would likely join at
work and then visit older age groups,
looking for obvious positive progression
as revealed by the work displayed on the
wall displays. Find out the answers to
the questions you have about the areas
important to you and judge how open
and direct you find the responses from
the school. In short trust your instincts
and not wholly what others tell you.
If you follow this advice you won’t go far
wrong and then don’t lose any sleep at
all over the long term future of your prep
school. Let IAPS do that bit for you whilst
you concentrate on finding the right
school for your child.
Christopher King
CEO, IAPS
10 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

Beachborough
Independent Prep School for Ages 2½ to 13
Feeling Adventurous?
Come and explore at our next
Open Morning
Saturday 29th February | 10am-12 noon
Beachborough Schoool, Westbury, Brackley, NN13 5LB
01280 700071 registrar@beachborough.com
www.beachborough.com
Beachborough Awarded
‘EXCELLENT IN ALL AREAS’
Latest Inspection Report
Follow our adventures
#FeelingAdventurous

TIME TO
veg out
Perfect recipes if you're
looking to reduce your
meat consumption, all
from Waitrose.com - where
you'll find 1,000s more
recipes and ideas
12 | www.banburyliving.co.uk
This recipe serves two as a
main dish and needs some
preparation the day before.
with C hipotle Mayonnaise
Fry each piece of chicken for about 3-4
minutes until golden brown. Remove
from the fryer and leave on a rack to
cool.
In a large mixing bowl place the
buttermilk, egg, garam masala and For the chicken seasoning, combine
smoked paprika and whisk well to the garam masala and salt together.
ALL IN ONE veg lasagne
incorporate all the ingredients together.
Turn up the temperature of your fryer
Place your chicken ​Prep time: thigh 5 pieces minutes into
the buttermilk Cooking mixture time: until well 30 minutes coated.
Cover the bowl Serves: with cling 2-4 film and
place in the fridge to marinate for 24
to 190°C Heat and the re-fry oil in the a large chicken pieces
until dark ovenproof golden frying and very pan crispy. or
shallow casserole dish over
Ensure a medium-high each piece is cooked heat. Fry through. the
hours. INGREDIENTS
1 tbsp olive oil
Place soffritto the chicken for 7 on minutes, a paper stirring towel
to soak regularly. up any excess oil and
Mix together the 200g plain pack flour, chilled paprika, Cooks’
onion powder, Ingredients garlic powder, Soffritto garam
masala, cornflakes 500g carton and feuille Italian de passata brick.
with chopped basil
season with a dusting of the chicken
seasoning. Tip the passata, then fill
the carton with water and add
For the to chipotle the pan. mayonnaise, Simmer for 10 combine
Remove the bowl 6 fresh of chicken lasagne from sheets, the halved all ingredients minutes, together then stir in a the large pasta bowl
fridge, and one lengthways by one place each and whisk strips well. and Put mince; the simmer fridge for and
piece of chicken 350g thigh pack into chilled the flour Quorn Mince chill until another ready 5 to minutes. serve alongside the
and spice mix, 125g making pack sure mozzarella, you get drained chicken.
a good amount and of torn crumb over the
chicken pieces. Handful basil leaves
Scatter the torn mozzarella
Finish over with the top fresh and zest pop of under lemon
and lime the and grill for serve 5 minutes. with slices Grind of
Preheat a deep METHOD fat fryer or oil in a
saucepan to 175°C. Preheat the grill to high.
green over jalapeño some and black plenty pepper of chipotle and
mayonnaise. scatter over the basil to serve.

​BUTTERNUT
SQUASH
and goats cheese
salad
​Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS
1 essential Waitrose Butternut
Squash, halved, deseeded and
cut into 1cm slices (about 1kg
prepared weight)
1 tbsp olive oil
Pinch chilli flakes
40g pecans
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
½ lemon, zest and juice
2 x 140g packs red chicory, leaves
separated
2 tbsp dried cranberries
75g essential Waitrose English
Goats’ Cheese
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 220˚C, gas
mark 7. Toss the squash slices
with the 1 tbsp olive oil and
spread out on a large baking tray.
Sprinkle with the chilli flakes,
season and roast for 25-30
minutes, turning halfway, until
golden in places. Put the pecans
on a separate baking tray and add
to the oven for the final 5 minutes
of roasting.
For the dressing, whisk together
the extra virgin olive oil, lemon
zest and juice.
Arrange the roasted squash (it can
be hot from the oven or cooled
to room temperature) and sliced
chicory leaves on individual plates
or a large serving plate. Scatter
over the cranberries and toasted
pecans, dot over the goats’
cheese, then spoon over the
dressing. Grind over some black
pepper and serve immediately.
COOK’S TIP
For extra sweetness, try adding
some finely sliced apple or pear in
place of the cranberries.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 13

NAAN FLATBREADS
with spinach and caramelised onion
Prep time:15 minutes
Cook time:20 minutes
Serves: 2
INGREDIENTS
1½ tbsp vegetable oil
1 onion, halved and finely sliced
450g pack spinach
1 tsp cumin seeds
½ tsp black onion seeds
Pinch of dried chilli flakes
2 garlic cloves, finely sliced
2 The Spice Tailor Plain Naans
1 tsp Waitrose Cooks’ Ingredients Tamarind Paste
2 tbsp natural yogurt
Large handful pomegranate seeds
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. Put 1 tbsp oil in a large
frying pan over a medium-high heat. Fry the onion with a pinch
of salt, stirring regularly, for 10 minutes, until deep golden. Drain
on kitchen paper.
Meanwhile, put the spinach in a large colander and pour over
just-boiled water from the kettle to wilt (you may need to do
this in 2 batches). Rinse under the cold tap, then squeeze out
as much excess water as possible. Drain thoroughly on kitchen
paper.
Add the remaining ½ tbsp oil to the frying pan and toss in the
spices and garlic. Fry for 1 minute until fragrant, then add the
spinach plus a pinch of salt. Cook, stirring, for 2-3 minutes until
any excess water has evaporated.
Splash the naans with a little cold water and bake in the oven
for 3-4 minutes. Remove and top each with the spinach, onion,
tamarind paste, a drizzle of yogurt, and the pomegranate seeds.
BAKED PEAR, ALMOND
& OAT SQUARES
Prep time:15 minutes, plus cooling
Cook time:45 minutes
Makes: 16
INGREDIENTS
250g porridge oats
100g ground almonds
1½ tsp baking powder
1 tsp ground cinnamon
¼ tsp fine salt
50g soft dried apricots, roughly chopped
350ml Alpro Oat Unsweetened drink
1 British Blacktail Free Range Egg, beaten
2 ripe bananas, mashed
3 tbsp maple syrup
¼ tsp almond extract
2 conference pears
METHOD
Preheat the oven to 200˚C, gas mark 6. Line a 21cm square
cake tin with parchment. Mix the oats, ground almonds, baking
powder, cinnamon, salt and apricots in a large mixing bowl. In a
jug, whisk together the Alpro oat drink, egg, mashed bananas,
maple syrup and almond extract.
Pour the oat drink mixture into the bowl of dry ingredients. Peel,
halve and core both pears. Cut 1 pear into 1cm dice and stir
through the mixture. Tip the mixture into the cake tin, smoothing
the top.
Slice the other pear and scatter over the top. Bake for 45
minutes, then cool completely before cutting into squares.
14 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

NATIONAL BUTCHERS'
WEEK 2020
National Butchers’ Week gives us the
opportunity to celebrate and support a
mainstay of the British High Street
One of the most popular events in the butchery calendar,
National Butchers’ Week takes place 9-15 March 2020. National
Butchers’ Week highlights the great work being done by butchers
from around the UK that sets them apart from the competition. It
also focuses on the fantastic innovation that takes place within
butchers’ shops across the land.
Never has it been more important to understand our food
provenance - especially as more of us are reshaping our diets to
eat meat less often, but crucially eating better quality when we
do. That means engaging more with the process of buying meat
- selecting carefully reared livestock, butchered properly. It’s not
always possible to get that information from the supermarket.
This engagement with our food chain is essential, and should
start in the butchery shop - a butcher can not only tell you where
your meat has come from (usually a farm whose name you will
likely recognise!) but also can advise on the best cuts for certain
dishes, give you great value for money on cheaper cuts and
impart their wealth of knowledge with ready cooking tips.
Throughout the awareness week, butchers across the area will
be participating in events and putting on offers to help educate
and inform potential customers of the benefits of shopping
with them. The key takeaway is that consumers don’t need to
feel intimidated about shopping there - far from needing an
extensive knowledge of each and every cut available, shoppers
can ask advice and can learn about cuts not commonly
available in the shops. As well as in the shops, lots of online
butchers will be running specials in this time, so it’s well worth
looking out for those - premium meat with all the convenience
of your regular weekly shop.
So, when you’re planning your meals this week, why not carve
out 10 minutes to go and visit your local butcher - you’ll come
away with a lot more than the ingredients for tonight’s dinner.
KEEPING IT IN THE FAMILY
Gordon Wrighton of GB Wrightons
Butchers tells us what’s in store...
It all began in Fritwell in 1929 with my grandfather Gordon and
Kathleen by his side. The goal? Making Gordons best bangers
and delivering in the area for free. Times have moved on, but we
are still proud to call ourselves a family butchers (we even still
deliver for free - how crazy are we?!)
Our shop has evolved over time to now include groceries, a post
office and a coffee shop, but the core focus of our store is still a family
butchers. 3 generations on, GB Wrightons is currently run by myself
(Gordon), with the help and guidance of my wonderful wife Kate.
Now lets talk sausages! Our selection has developed from just pork
or beef to all manner of flavours! But we are so proud of our bangers
that we even now run sausage making classes at our shop, where you
can create your very own. Smiles and laughter are guaranteed in these
classes, (Hint; it’s not all about size!), which we are certain makes for
the best tasting sausage! The 2 hour classes give you an opportunity
to learn about the ingredients and the process that goes into making
our award-winning bangers, and afterwards you are free to take home
and cook your sausages for tea.
Traditional Family Butcher
We believe we supply the finest quality, locally sourced
meats and meat products that you will find anywhere
Sausages, Burgers and Pies made here at Fritwell by hand.
And there’s more... order for:
Parties, weddings, business lunches, and picnics there are
bespoke menus to fulfil your requirements.
So if you need a caterer that has a really good relationship
with the best country butcher for miles
Please contact Gordon for details
45 East Street, Fritwell, Bicester OX27 7PX
Tel 01869 345229 Fax 01869345522
gbwrighton@AOL.com ✦ www.wrightons.co.uk
So I would like to invite you to our little shop - come and have a chat
with us and buy some bangers and even give it a go making your own
with our classes.
We look forward to meeting you.
Gordon Wrighton
GB Wrighton & Son Family Butchers
ADVERTISING FEATURE
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 15

ADVERTISING FEATURE
Feldon Valley
Situated a few miles from the three-shires
cornerstone of Warwickshire, Oxfordshire
and Gloucestershire, Feldon Valley is
nestled amidst honey hued villages in an
area of outstanding natural beauty...
Its tranquil setting is a short drive to
noted hotspots including The Tews,
Daylesford, Chipping Norton and
Stratford on Avon, Warwick and the
scenic Cotswold villages of Chipping
Camden and Broadway.
Founded two decades ago, Feldon has
changed dramatically over recent years
with the addition of beautiful lodge
accommodation and a restaurant to
draw in a new audience and create a
modern social hub for local residents.
The Kitchen offers locals and overnight
guests a high end dining experience
enjoyed at a laid back pace. From
lazy breakfast to Sunday lunch,
social suppers and family gatherings,
The Kitchen uses fresh ingredients
harvested from the region’s supply
chain, as well as selected herbs, fruits
and vegetables that are grown on site.
Executive Head Chef Darren
Brown champions locally produced
ingredients to deliver creative dishes
in both the bar and restaurant, with
a calendar of unique Supper Club
events bringing unique menus and
flavour combinations to the fore.
Keep an eye out for events in Spring
and Summer 2020! The bar features
local artisan producers, from award
winning neighbour, Cotswolds Distillery
to a selection of real ales from the
nearby North Cotswold Brewery. The
Distillery’s gin features in Feldon’s
signature ‘Red Snapper’ cocktail – a
gin-based twist on the popular Bloody
Mary and perfectly accompanying a
Sunday roast or weekend breakfast.
Every Friday, Feldon becomes a hub
for locals looking to gather and unwind
with a Champagne Happy Hour running
from 6.30pm. On warmer evenings
the restaurant’s glass-front retracts to
take full advantage of the breath-taking
scenery, with the balcony offering frontrow
seats to enjoy a drink and soak up
the surroundings.
The Lodges at Feldon are beautiful
boltholes where guests can either hunker
down in private, as a family or a group of
friends, or head to the hills during their
stay in the country. Nestled amidst the
valley’s boundary woodland, modern
Cotswold design features throughout;
oaked floors, oversized beds, a natural
colour palette and Feldon’s signature
punched windows span the knockout
views and bring nature within. A
meandering boardwalk leads to each
lodge, giving glimpses through the trees
to the expansive views beyond.
The Main Lodge comprises
contemporary hotel style bedrooms,
each with a floor-ceiling window looking
out to the Cotswold hills. Filled with little
luxuries, each room is stylish and cosy.
Laid-back communal areas and alfresco
‘firepits’ give guests a range of options
to best enjoy a relaxing stay, all enjoying
the peace and stillness of the Cotswold
countryside. All profits from the Lodges
are donated to three nominated
charities; The Pituitary Foundation,
Diabetes UK and Oxford Children’s
Hospital, with each charity playing an
important part to the people who make
up Feldon’s team.
Originally built as a Golf Club over
twenty years ago, Feldon’s 6,304
yard par 71 course has matured and
become recognised as a beautiful, well
presented and challenging course suited
to both high and low handicappers.
With a healthy and loyal membership,
members are happy to share the
–‘Feldon experience’ with visitors from
near and far. Due to its beautifully rural
surroundings, Feldon is also the perfect
base from which to explore country
lanes by foot or bike. The onsite gym
is open to members and hotel guests,
providing a modern and private space
to exercise.
For a weekend hideaway in the heart
of the countryside, a base to explore
the surrounding Cotswolds area and an
unmissable foodie experience, make
Feldon Valley your must-visit destination.
Sutton Lane,
Lower Brailes
Oxfordshire,
OX15 5BB 01608 685633
www.feldonvalley.co.uk
thekitchen@feldonvalley.co.uk
16 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

THE CHEF
that rocks
Famed for his growing group of fabulous fish restaurants,
Rockfish, Mitch Tonks is a chef, author, restaurateur and a
passionate, lifelong advocate for all the morsels that emerge
from the deep blue sea. Sally Thomson caught up with him
to discuss expansion plans, career motivations and why his
heart will always belong to the kitchen...
Sally: I hear you have another book
on the horizon?
Mitch: I do! We’re doing another
Rockfish book. It will be published
October. All very exciting!
Fantastic! How many Rockfish
Restaurants have you got
now?
At the moment there are
seven but there will be
nine by the end of the year.
They will be in Poole, Lyme
Regis, and Sidmouth. Poole
opened in January, Lyme
Regis will open in June
and Sidmouth will open
in October. We then have
two or three sites ready
for 2021 that we are just
negotiating on.
That is incredible,
when you think about
where you’ve come
from.
It’s kind of been an
up and down journey,
because we had
Fishworks, which
grew to thirteen,
but it was a public
company and the
wrong environment
to grow restaurants
in and ultimately
the project failed.
But since 2009
Seahorses has existed down in
Dartmouth, and Rockfish is ten years
old, so we’ve done well to rebuild over
that period.
When we last had a chat you’d
opened Joe’s Bar, how’s that going?
It’s going really well, and since May last
year we actually moved the entrance to
the restaurant through Joe’s Bar, and
that’s been a real success as people
enter the restaurant through Joe’s
Bar, have a drink and start their dining
experience off with something more
special and fun.
So how do you stretch yourself with
everything going on?
Well the business is over three hundred
people, with a really good senior team,
finance, marketing, and then over four
hundred in the summer. So, I obviously
work very closely with my senior team
and I am clear about what I want to
achieve in a period of time and helping
other people to achieve those goals.
Sometimes its challenging but when you
work as a team and you are supporting
each other you can make stuff happen.
That’s it really!
Managing those people, helping them
manage others, then I spend my time in
the restaurants, as well as consistently
looking at the business as a whole and
thinking ‘How can our business provide
better solutions for jobs, how can we
be better than anywhere else to work
"I tend to think of the restaurants like a
community now. Everybody who works for
us belongs to the community. We talk a lot
about family but of course family are hard to
get rid of and communities are made up of
people all contributing"
17

"I think when Fishworks
failed…well it gives you
plenty of time to reflect on
what’s really important to
you and what’s not"
So I made a phone call to my agent who
was on the train on the way up. He was
mortified! All I could say to everyone was
that 'I’m sorry, I just don’t want to do
it'. Financially it was suicide as it was a
very well paid job but it was prime time
television and all the things that go with
it and I didn’t want to be known as a guy
on telly. I wanted to build my reputation
as a restaurateur and a chef which is
what I actually really enjoy.
I think when Fishworks failed…well it
gives you plenty of time to reflect on
what’s really important to you and what’s
not and allowed me to make my own
choices, not get swept along with ‘this is
a great idea’. It was a great idea, it was
magnificent. The TV show would have
been great but it just wasn’t for me. So
the answer is I am regularly asked to do
television bits and I will 99% of the time
turn them down and occasionally I might
do the odd thing but I don’t wake up
thinking ‘I’d like to do more television’.
18
for, how can we have a really amazing
strategy over five years that gives people
top pay, freedom, how can we create a
development programme so that people
can develop in the organisation.’
I tend to think of the restaurants like a
community now. Everybody who works for
us belongs to the community. We talk a lot
about family but of course family are hard
to get rid of and communities are made up
of people all contributing, so when people
don’t contribute they move out of the
community and new people move in.
One thing I didn’t realise is that you
made significant changes to your menu
with regards to being gluten-free. That
must have been a big change?
Yes! About ten years ago we set about
rebuilding all of cooking ranges and
changing all of our practices so that offer
everything gluten-free. We committed to
the business being gluten-free, not just
by saying ‘here’s a gluten-free menu’.
Everything we do is gluten-free. If we
have to swap a bun for a gluten-free bun
we do, and it basically means that the
whole menu is available to somebody
with a gluten intolerance rather than
them feeling in a minority and only being
able to choose from say five things on
the menu.
Going back, I first met you at the
beginning of the century! 2000, a
long, long time ago! Since then you’ve
appeared on TV, most notably with
Matt Dawson, the rugby player, but
do you find yourself too busy to make
room to do any shows as of late?
The television career took off back
around 2008/09. The series Mitch and
Matt’s Big Fish became very successful
and Denham Productions and the BBC
wanted to do series two. So there was a
lot of euphoria and excitement from Matt
and the team, and they were on their way
to London to sign the deal.
We had agreed it, gone through it all and
I started to get cold feet. I was sat in the
restaurant having a brandy and a coffee
and I was just thinking to myself ‘I don’t
actually want to be a television chef, I
want to be in this restaurant cooking’.
Surely your heart has to be in it if it’s
what you are going to do?
I think you are either on telly to drive
people to your restaurants, well I’ve been
there when you are in a restaurant and so
many people want to talk to you because
they’ve seen you on telly but never for
the right reasons, and the thought that
somebody comes to the restaurant just
to catch a glimpse of the person they’ve
seen on telly is just the wrong motivation.
I want people to restaurants because
they are really great places socially to
go and they have importance in the
community and they like your food and
that it’s somewhere they want to come to
celebrate birthdays and all of that stuff!
Absolutely, and you’ve done so, I mean
The Seahorse is just brilliant I’ve got
to be honest. It’s just delightful the
minute you walk in there, it’s such
a lovely place to be and I absolutely
love coming down there and hopefully
when the weather brightens up I’ll be
back. One last question; are you doing
Salcombe Crab Festival this May?
I’m still not sure if I’m going to do it this
year. I didn’t do it last year, but I did
the year before, but I am hoping to do
a fish festival in Brixton, a crab festival
in Dartmouth which we always do, and
also Dartmouth Food Festival in October
which is always great.
www.mitchtonks.co.uk

ALL'S
FAIR
Fairtrade Fortnight 2020 forges ahead from 24 February - 8
March in the fight to secure sustainable livelihoods for farmers
in the global south. Sadly, the shocking exploitation of the people
who grow our food is still rife around the world and Fairtrade
Fortnight 2020 will highlight this reality, focusing on women
cocoa farmers, who are some of the most marginalised and
face the greatest challenges. To raise awareness, we've brought
together fabulous recipes showcasing Fairtrade ingredients
Okra Stew
Images Chris Terry and chef for
photography Danny Jack
19

20
CEVICHE DE
ALCACHOFAS
By Martin Morales, chef, writer and
founder of Ceviche Family. Serves 4.
‘On a recent trip to the region of Junín,
near a town called Concepción, in
Peru, I drove by field after field of
beautiful, ripe artichokes. There were
women in the fields harvesting and
collecting them. Knowing then that the
freshest artichokes would be on offer, I
stopped by a roadside restaurant and
had a perfect artichoke ceviche – the
inspiration for this recipe.’
Fairtrade ingredients: olive oil, black
pepper.
Taste the good: Fairtrade spice farmers
in India invested Fairtrade Premium in
community kitchens to cook lunch for
schoolchildren to encourage those from
poor families to attend school.
INGREDIENTS
8 artichoke hearts, quartered
2 small parsnips, peeled and cut into thin
batons
2 carrots, peeled and cut into thin batons
2 red onions, finely sliced
A small bunch of basil leaves, finely
chopped
A few iceberg lettuce leaves, shredded,
to serve
For the dressing
2 tbsp Fairtrade olive oil
Juice of 12 limes
2 medium-heat red chillies, deseeded
and finely chopped
Salt and freshly ground Fairtrade black
pepper
INSTRUCTIONS
Bring a saucepan of salted water to the
boil. Blanch the artichoke hearts and
parsnip and carrot batons for 3–4 minutes
until just tender, then drain thoroughly
and either chill in iced water or cool under
running water.
Put the red onion in a large bowl and add
the cooled blanched vegetables.
Make the dressing by whisking together
the olive oil, lime juice and chilli and
season with plenty of salt and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the vegetables,
sprinkle over the basil leaves and stir very
gently to combine.
Serve on a bed of shredded iceberg
lettuce.
OKRA STEW
Ceviche de
Alcachofas
By Zoe Adjonyoh, chef, writer and founder
of Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen. Serves 4.
‘Okra is a common west African
ingredient and one I use in my restaurant
kitchen as well as my home. When I
started Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen, I looked
for new ways to incorporate this unique
vegetable into dishes. Okra stew is one
of my absolute favourites and one of the
most traditional Ghanaian dishes I cook.’
Fairtrade ingredients: peanuts, curry
powder, chilli, ginger.
Taste the good: Fairtrade peanut
farmers in Nicaragua used their Fairtrade
Premium to equip themselves with new
skills and tools to make handicrafts,
bringing in vital additional income.
INGREDIENTS
200ml (7fl oz) sustainable red palm
oil or carotene oil (can be substituted
for Fairtrade coconut oil, rapeseed or
sunflower also)
1tsp Fairtrade chilli powder
1tsp extra hot Fairtrade curry powder
tsp salt
2 medium red onions, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
7.5cm (3-inch) piece fresh root ginger,
finely grated (un- peeled if organic)
1 Scotch bonnet or habernero chilli,
deseeded and diced
750g ripe plum tomatoes, cubed or
blended
1tbsp tomato purée
250ml good-quality vegetable stock
500g okra, trimmed and sliced
150ml water
Chopped Coriander and sliced Anaheim
chillies to garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
Heat the oil on low–medium heat until it
melts (palm oil has a low smoke point,
so be careful not to let it burn), add the
onion and sauté gently for a few minutes
until translucent. Add the spices, garlic,
ginger and Scotch bonnet and stir well,
then sauté for a further 5 minutes.
Cook in the tomato purée stirring well,
then pour in the vegetable stock to de
glaze the pan, reduce the heat to low,
then add the tomatoes and salt, cover
and simmer for 25 minutes until they start
to lose their tartness.
Add the sliced okra to the pot with the
measurement water, stir though once or
twice and replace the lid and simmer for
a further 15-20 minutes until the okra is
just tender. Season to taste.
This dish is traditionally served in a bowl
with banku on a side plate and fried
plantain along with a finger bowl.
SOOJI HALWA
LADOO
Semolina halwa balls By Asma Khan,
chef, writer and founder of Darjeeling
Express. Serves 6-8.
‘Indian desserts can often be too rich
and sweet for many people. But this is
an ideal end to a festive meal as it is
light and – unlike many other desserts –
soaked in neither cream nor milk. Nutmeg
is best grated yourself from the whole

Sooji Halwa
Ladoo
spice, as shop-bought ground nutmeg is a
shadow of the whole spice.’
Fairtrade ingredients: saffron, cassia bark,
cloves, sugar, raisins, nutmeg, cardamom
seeds, cashew nuts.
Taste the good: Fairtrade cashew nut
farmers in Burkina Faso have spent their
Fairtrade Premium on increasing adult
literacy, bicycles and cereal banks for food
security.
INGREDIENTS
¼ tsp good-quality Fairtrade saffron strands
1 piece Fairtrade cassia bark, 2.5 cm long
2 whole Fairtrade cloves
150g/ ¾cup Fairtrade granulated sugar
125 ml/ ½ cup melted ghee or unsalted
butter
25g Fairtrade raisins (golden or green)
200g/ 1 ¼ cup fine semolina flour
½ tsp freshly grated Fairtrade nutmeg
½ tsp freshly crushed Fairtrade cardamom
seeds
40g Fairtrade cashew nuts, chopped
A few edible rose petals, to garnish (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
In a bowl, infuse the saffron strands in ½ tsp
of tepid water. Set aside.
Place the cassia bark and cloves in a pan
and cover with 500ml/ 2 cups cold water.
Bring to a boil over a medium-high heat.
Lower the heat, add the sugar to the pan
and cook, stirring until all the sugar crystals
have dissolved.
In a large non-stick karai, wok or frying
pan, heat the melted ghee or butter over a
low-medium heat. Add the raisins and stir,
then remove them with a slotted spoon
just before they expand and burst. Add the
raisins to the pan with the sugar syrup.
Now add the semolina flour to the pan with
the ghee or butter, together with the grated
nutmeg and crushed cardamom seeds.
Gently stir until the grains of the semolina
darken and smell toasted (approximately 10
minutes). Keep the heat low as you do not
want to burn the semolina grains. Remove
the pan from the heat and slowly add the
sugar syrup, stirring constantly. The contents
will sputter initially but then calm down.
Put the pan back on the heat and stir to
break up any lumps. Keep the pan on the
heat until all the sugar syrup has been
absorbed. Towards the end of the cooking,
add the chopped cashew nuts and saffroninfused
liquid.
Once the halwa is cool enough to handle, roll
it into ladoos, or balls. Alternatively, you can
serve the halwa as it is, warmed and placed
in a serving bowl, and let your guests serve
themselves. To serve, scatter over a few
edible rose petals and chopped pistachios,
plus a scattering of raisins to add a festive
flourish to this dish.
From Monday 24 February to Sunday 8
March, all are invited to join together to
celebrate farmers and workers and stop
exploitation of the people at the bottom of
the supply chain. One easy thing people can
do to make a difference is choose Fairtrade.
21

a
Slice
of
SANTA
BARBARA
Kate O’Connell tackles
the culinary scene of
Santa Barbara. One
mouthful at a time...
Harbor View Inn Hotel
22

When it comes to traveling, shockingly enough I had yet to actually
get round to visiting the USA. This also came as a surprise to my
travelling companions on this trip. Our two nations are bound together
by much history, an overlap in religion, a common legal system and
language, so how had I not visited at least one state at one time or
another?
Who knows. Our family holidays didn’t stretch that far I guess. Which
may explain my eagerness when I was offered the chance to explore
Santa Barbara. Quite the destination for a first time visitor to the USA!
Aptly nicknamed ‘The American Riviera’, Santa Barbara is situated
90 miles (a 2 hour car journey) north of Los Angeles, tucked within
a south-facing pacific coastline on one side, and the rolling hills that
stretch into the Santa Ynez Mountains on the other. But it is its charm
and sense of style that makes this small city so tempting - indeed it is
a hotspot favourite for the rich and famous, with a whole host of A-list
celebrities calling Santa Barbara home.
If there’s one things that strikes you, it’s that Santa Barbara doesn’t
really feel like a city at all. There’s no hustle and bustle here, instead
just a wonderfully laid-back, chilled vibe. Infused with the spirit
of Spain, we were informed that 6.8 magnitude earthquake near
enough flattened the city back in 1925. Devastating yes, but like a
phoenix from the ashes, this proved the making of the city in terms of
architecture, as the city planners were convinced to rebuild the city in
a unified, Spanish Colonial Revival style inspired by the historic Old
Mission (founded by Spanish Franciscans in 1786). Red-tiled clay
roofs and white washed walls are a feature of every building, and in
addition to the climate, give the city its Mediterranean charm.
Our first stop; checking in to the newly developed North Wing of
Harbor View Inn hotel. A premier beachfront hotel, Harbour View Inn is
centrally located within the city, and made for a fabulous base to start
our trip. My room featured a very inviting king size bed, complimented
by gorgeous modern Spanish Colonial furnishings, and to top it off - a
balcony view, a chance to sip on a morning coffee and watch the
world go by. But not yet. First; dinner!
We made a short walk around the block to Loquita Restaurant for
some authentic Spanish tapas. Created as a love letter to the Spanish
origins and history of Santa Barbara, Loquita showcases a medley of
paellas, charcuterie, cheeses and seafood. We were offered a sample
of a variety of dishes on the menu, with the squid ink seafood paella
being a personal favourite of mine.
After a restful night's sleep in my luxuriously comfy bed, I was ready
for a day of exciting activities. To get us started, we required a hearty
breakfast, and Goat Tree was just the place to go. A gourmet cafe
with a relaxed vibe, Goat Tree offers everything from fresh pastries
and baked goods cooked in-house by their resident pastry chef,
through to cooked breakfasts with a Mediterranean twist. I opted
for the classic Shakshuka, accompanied by homemade flat bread.
Possibly the best, tastiest start to a morning ever.
Feeling suitably energised, it was time for a spot of kayaking down
at the harbour front, courtesy of Santa Barbara Adventure Company.
Kayaking is a great way to view a side of Santa Barbara that perhaps
few visitors get to see, so it felt like such a treat. Not only this, it was a
perfect opportunity to spot some of the resident wildlife.
Loquita Restaurant
23

24
It was perhaps my enthusiasm at this
opportunity that had me labelled a
‘Twitcher’ on this trip. On every dock
we manoeuvred around brought hoards
of enormous pelicans, gangly herons
and rather amusing loons to name but a
few. We even managed to paddle right
up to a raft of sealions. So much of the
wildlife on show were species that I had
never seen out of captivity, it was a very
special morning indeed. I can’t say I am a
particularly experienced kayaker, having
only dabbled on holidays in the past, but
I needn’t have worried. The Adventure
Company specialise in providing tours for
all abilities, so I was in safe hands!
A great way to experience the harbour
front is to sample some of the
specialities, and so with this we took a
stroll over to Stearns Wharf; California’s
oldest wharf named after builder John
P. Stearns. There we took some seats at
Santa Barbara Shellfish Company, and
were served an array of locally caught
seafoods, all washed down with some
local beer.
To get more of an overview of the city, we
then took a ‘trolley tour’ via Santa
Barbara Trolley Co. This 90 minute tour is
lead by a highly insightful guide, who
beguiled us with all sorts of interesting
facts about the city, as well as a little
local celeb gossip on the side!
After a quick freshen up it was time for a
bite to eat. Cue...Cubaneo restaurant!
Californian Cuban cuisine served
alongside cocktails from Shaker Mill who
neighbour within the same premises. It is
easy to see how you could happily waste
away an evening here, and we did just
that! With a cubano sandwich in one
hand and a ‘Bay of Santiago’ cocktail in
the other, you could have easily fooled us
into thinking we were in Havana!
After another restful night's sleep, I
skipped breakfast in order to make room
for the immense amount of food we
would be sampling on the Eat This, Shoot
That! Funk Zone Food & Photo tour. A
three-hour expedition, this is a chance to
sample some of Santa Barbara’s finest
fodder, as well as learn a little more about
the city’s history, all while discovering
how best to maximize your photo-taking
ability, achieving the most Instagramworthy
images that will make you the
envy of all your friends.
The tour is also a great chance to get to
grips with the layout of the city. Santa
Barbara is made up of several districts,
one of which, The Funk Zone, has seen
its popularity boom in recent decades.
Comprising of a series of converted
warehouses, this contemporary district
is very much the place to be to sample
artisan foods from up-and-coming chefs,
and out-of-this-world Santa Barbara
Country wines. Shop fronts and walls
are adorned with graffiti murals and art
pieces; this district really is an everevolving
artistic neighbourhood that is
well worth a visit.
It was then time to travel up into the
foothills to our next hotel. And what an
iconic hotel indeed. The Belmond El
Encanto. Recently renovated in 2013,
Belmond El Encanto offers stunning
views of the American Riviera and a
whole heap of Hollywood glamour on
the side. This resort manages to feel
relaxed and low-key, while at the same
time feeling like the most exclusive place
on earth. Sitting poolside whilst sipping
a glass of ‘Belmond El Encanto Cuvee’,
life truly feels timeless up here. It’s little
wonder that it was a favoured getaway of
the Hollywood elite.
We made our way back down from the
hills to State Street for an Italian feast
at Due Lune Cucina. Serving fresh
ingredients and hand-made pasta, I
would have been mad not to order the
Linguine alle Vongole. This was paired
with some fabulous local wines, and the
staff couldn’t have been more friendly
and attentive. We topped off the night
with a nightcap at Pearl Social; an
intimate and beautifully furnished cocktail
bar. The night felt like a very classy affair
indeed.
Somehow, our final day had sadly rolled
around already! It was time to do a spot
of botanical sight seeing. Lotusland was
our destination. This 37-acre estate and
botanic garden is situated in the foothills
of Montecito, which is located to the east
of Santa Barbara. Purchased by the
rather marvellous socialite Madame
Walska (Google her, honestly!), she spent
43 years designing the gardens to her
liking. To say they were breathtaking is
an understatement. Home to all sorts of
exotic, rare collections of plants, this is
truly a garden like no other.
After another spot of wine tasting at
some of the local establishments (it
would be rude not to!), we made our
way to Bibi Ji for dinner. A modern take
on traditional Indian cuisine, Bibi Ji are
experts at pairing quality, local wines
with the most brilliant of dishes. The
moment came when the aptly nicknamed
‘Californian Gold’ was bought out; Santa
Barbara’s locally caught sea urchins.
Beautifully presented, and filled with
biryani rice, I couldn’t lie...I was a little
hesitant to try them. After all, my only
knowledge of them was to avoid standing
on them when on sandy beaches abroad.
I needn’t have worried. Creamy and
indulgent, they were fantastic.
What a dish. And what a trip.
At a glance
2 nights at harbor view inn
hotel, 2 nights at belmond
el encanto hotel, private
transfers and return
flights with Norwegian air.
Parking and lounge access
with holiday extras.
No1 Lounge at Gatwick
Airport (South Terminal)
from £26 PP
Harbor view inn - Nightly
Rates vary from $268.00-
$400.00
belmond el encanto -
nightly room rates start
from $560 (inc tax),
suites from $811 (inc tax)
www.santabarbaraca.com

Belmond El Encanto Hotel
Kayaking around Santa
Barbara harbour
Bibi Ji Restaurant
25

A NATURAL
curiosity
The 'Planet Earth II Live in Concert'
arena tour will be hosted by science
and natural history TV presenter Liz
Bonnin. With a masters in wild animal
biology, Liz has presented over 40
primetime programmes including 'Blue
Planet Live', 'Super Smart Animals',
'Galapagos' and 'Horizon'.
With her recent landmark BBC One
documentary 'Drowning in Plastic', Liz
investigated the ocean plastic crisis,
with her hard-hitting environmental
reporting raising the level of public
debate on this important topic.
Here Sally Thomson was able to
discuss with Liz her passion for our
planet prior to the start of the tour.
26
Sally: When did your love of the world
and all it’s creatures begin?
Liz: Well it definitely started when I was
a kid. I grew up in the south of France in
the hills above Nice and we had a little
wood beside the house. Myself and my
sister used to play outdoors all of the
time. There were snakes and hedgehogs
and spiders and birds…and we had a
ball! I knew that, without thinking about
it then, that that’s what set me off with
this passion for wildlife. I used to stare
at the birds for hours, wondering how
their eyes moved in their sockets and I
really wanted to just understand how it all
worked, down to the chemical equations
that make up all of these reactions.
So that was a natural progress for you
then, to go into biochemistry?
Exactly! It all started in the woods in
the south of France! That’s why when I
give talks in schools, I make sure to tell
that story because it doesn’t take a lot
to remember our connection to nature
and what’s important, you just have to
be in amongst nature to be inspired and
to reignite your natural curiosity that
we’re all born with, and with that comes
an inherent want to protect our natural
world. It reminds you that we’re all
connected to it.
What you are doing is highlighting the
dangers that the world's creatures are
facing, particularly when you went on to
do ‘Drowning in Plastic’. I know when I
watched it my heart bled, but being so
close to it when you made to programme,
you must have found it difficult?
I wish that as a communicator of the
natural world, I could just be celebrating
it and continuing to inspire people about
all of these incredible creatures that we
share the planet with, but unfortunately
I am living through a time where we are
experiencing the greatest existential
threat to our future, and it is very clear
that the way we live on this planet is not
sustainable and is damaging not only the
health of the wildlife we share the planet
with, but is ultimately damaging our
health and threatening our future.
I feel a responsibility to communicate
those things. As we set off making the
plastics film, I knew what we were going
to be filming, but it really did hit me like
a ton of bricks to see it with my own
eyes. It’s hard to describe. It’s been
really moving and difficult, but also I
feel like I have a very well-stoked fire in
my belly now that feels like it won’t be
extinguished. It is my responsibility to
engage with the public in order for us all
to become part of the solution.
I recently watched the trailer for Planet
Earth II Live in concert. Isn’t that going
to be fantastic on the big screen?!
It’s going to be magnificent; I can’t
wait! Obviously it’s an extension and
adaptation of the iconic series, but I
think bringing it to a ginormous screen
like that and then having a 74 piece
orchestra playing the music of Hans
Zimmer, it’s going to be a very emotive
and very powerful experience. I think we
are desperately in need of those types
of experiences to help remind us of the
beauty of the natural world, and the
beauty of humanity as well. Our ability to
write music and to be capable of making
those types of programmes, and for us
to be all together in these huge arenas
having that connection is a much-needed
experience, and I for one am very much
looking forward to it.
Some of the things we see in these
programmes can be shocking, such as
the killer whales going after the seals.
But we of course have to remember
that they have to survive too!
You see for me I don’t find any of it
shocking, isn’t that strange? And it’s
really weird but I’m always rooting for the
predator! Obviously there’s tension and
it’s quite a powerful experience to watch,
but I’m always rooting for the predator
because from my studies I’ve seen just
how difficult it is for a tiger to get its prey.
It’s something like 1 in 100 attempts are
successful. So I celebrate that, that’s part
of nature and I think it’s a beautiful thing.
There is an iconic moment in Planet
Earth II with the iguana and the
snakes…
Ah that one! Okay, I have watched that
sequence four times, and every time I find

my screaming ‘COME ON’ at the camera.
Funnily enough with that one I really want
the iguana to escape! That’s so funny,
with me saying I root for the predators.
That is one of the most magnificent
scenes I have ever seen, not least
because of this almost inconceivable
situation, with all these snakes coming
out of the crevasses of the volcanic
rocks, but how it was shot! You can not
underestimate how difficult it is to make
that sequence work. The smoothness
of how the camera works was absolute
perfection. So not only is it a celebration
of the magnificent wildlife we share the
planet with, it’s a celebration of these
incredibly talented film makers, who
sit there for days and days to get the
magical shots that will affect us to our
very core. It’s just wonderful.
Am I right in hearing that you went a
kilometre underwater in the Galapagos?
Yes! We were on this research vessel for
two weeks, joining all these scientists
at the tops of their fields who were
investigating different aspects of these
islands and how to better protect them.
At one point we got into this submersible
and went down to a thousand meters, to
a part of the Galapagos that nobody had
ever been to before, so I truly felt like an
astronaut of Earth’s inner space, rather
than its outer. Everything I pointed to the
scientists would say ‘Yep. New species...
Yep, don’t what that is, never seen one
of those before’. So we were discovering
new life at those depths. It was the most
incredible experience.
It must be dark down there?
It’s pitch black, so you have these types
of sharks down there called Chimaera,
who do have these big, bulbous eyes.
There’s no iris, it’s just this big, white
circle of an eye, which is supposed
to help it absorb any smidgen of light
that there might be down there, and it’s
just a surprisingly colourful place in the
crevasses of all the rocks. Galapagos
are all volcanic islands, so what we
were doing is following the flanks of the
volcano all the way down to the depths.
We were down there for seven hours and
it passed by like we were down there for
an hour, time sort of stands still down
there. It was a thrilling experience.
I was watching you recently talking
about the African jungle, and you spoke
about chimpanzees, and how much
they fight. You showed how much the
alpha male will fight to protect what is
his, and it is a bit sinister!
They’re not the only species that have
to fiercely protect their place in the
hierarchy. The males often are exhausted
having to protect their females from
usurpers to the throne as such, but
chimpanzees in particular can be very
violent and because we are so closely
related to them I suppose it shouldn’t
be a surprise that they all have different
personalities, and sometimes you just
get a really nasty character. At the end
"it’s a celebration of these incredibly
talented film makers, who sit there for
days and days to get the magical shots
that will affect us to our very core"
of the day you can argue that the nastier
the male, the more successful he will be
because it all boils down to him and his
offspring and protecting his gene pool.
I suppose it’s like when male lions get
rid of any cubs that aren’t their own
There is infanticide in many species. It’s
all about making sure you have as many
offspring as possible, so if you kill a
female's offspring then you can mate with
her straight away.
Are there parts of the world or
creatures that you would like to visit/
see for the first time?
Yes. Snow leopards. I need to see a
snow leopard. And part of it is because
it is so difficult to see them now. They
are extremely elusive and live in an
extremely inhospitable part of the planet.
They’re probably the most elusive cat,
so that’s the dream. I will fall crying if I
ever see one in the wild. They are the
most glorious animals. Actually, it was
on Planet Earth II, and again it is a scene
that I’ve watched about three times and
it always brings me to tears; the first
time I heard the vocalisation of a snow
leopard. I had never heard that before.
And the fact that because our technology
is improving, Planet Earth II was able to
capture this glorious snow leopard at the
top of this mountain that was vocalising.
It brings me to tears every time I hear it,
it’s the most glorious sound in the world.
Are they as endangered as other
leopards and big cats?
Yes. I mean, the Amur leopard is the
most endangered cat, but all big cats are
facing extinction. They are all incredibly
threatened and their populations are
dwindling.
We’ve spoken about the man-made
situation with plastic. But is there
anything else in the natural world that
you have seen that has shocked you?
In terms of the natural world, I think it
is all magnificent. I really do. Even with
something that might look to us to be
violent, or a little bit uncomfortable
to watch, I think that the more we
understand how animals live and all of
their adaptations that have allowed them
to find solutions to all of their problems in
order to survive - the more I understand
it, the more I am in awe of it and the more
it makes me humble and very small in
comparison. So I find it all too wondrous
to ever think that something is too much
or too shocking.
The dates for Planet Earth II Live in
Concert are as follows:
Thursday 6 March
Motorpoint Arena, Cardiff
Friday 27 March
Manchester Arena, Manchester
Saturday 28 March
First Direct Arena , Leeds
Sunday 29 March
O2 Arena (matinee), London
Sunday 29 March
O2 Arena (evening), London
Wednesday 1 April
3Arena, Dublin
Friday 3 April
Resort World Arena Birmingham
Saturday 4 April
SSE Hydro Arena, Glasgow
Tickets are available from
www.planetearth2live.uk.
27

AMAZING
GLAZING
When we think about our homes, it’s really the windows
and doors that create the wow factor. We are all so
keen to flood our properties with natural light and the
constantly evolving technology in the world of glazing is
making some truly astonishing designs achievable, not to
mention more affordable than ever.
Whether you are self-building, extending or even
renovating your home, apportioning budget to windows
and doors is a savvy move. As well as making your home
more valuable - 69% of people say that light rooms make
them more inclined to buy - investing in clever glazing can
make you fall in love with your space once more.
BI-FOLD vs SLIDING
DOORS
Bi-fold:
PROS - for those looking for that wonderful sense of a
garden room that brings the outside in, bi-folds can help
create the sense of one open-plan space as the panels
fold away fully to the walls.
CONS - an expensive option - poorly constructed bi-folds
can also suffer from air-tightness issues around the joins
so do your research and get guarantees.
Sliding:
PROS - generally cheaper than bi-fold doors, sliding
doors also have fewer frame elements, meaning when
they are closed your view is less obstructed.
CONS - you won’t get the full, uninterrupted view of the
garden - instead only a portion of the doors are openable.
Bi-fold
Sliding
69% of people say that light rooms make
them more inclined to buy - investing in
clever glazing can make you fall in love with
your space once more...
28

Roof Lanterns and Skylights
Compared to windows of the same surface area, skylights and
roof lanterns can increase light in a room by up to five times.
They are particularly good in extensions and for channelling
light to darker corners of the home and adding opportunities
for ventilation. These additions are no longer considered just a
luxury and can be used in a wide variety of scenarios:
• In a loft extension, tucked beneath sloped rooflines, the
presence of skylights may spell the difference between a
bright, friendly space and a murky cave.
• In a home built between closely adjoining neighbouring
houses where overlooking might be an issue, skylights may be
the best solution for introducing good natural light into rooms.
• In a single storey house build or extension, built with an open
floor plan, skylight shafts can bring much needed natural light
into the centre of large spaces.
Many of the issues experienced in the past of rooms
overheating or being hard to clean have been mediated with
a tranche of new technology, including glass panels with heat
regulatory and storage abilities and self-cleaning glass.
SINGLE STOREY EXTENSION?
In a single storey house build or extension, built with an
open floor plan, skylight shafts can bring much needed
natural light into the centre of large spaces.
Energy Efficiency
Our homes are one of the biggest energy wasters out there and
traditionally windows are the biggest energy leakage point, so
with any renovation, it can really pay to invest in glass tech to
ensure the best temperature regulation - creating huge savings
down the line. We all know that double glazing is much more
efficient than single, but newer technologies like triple glazing
are making windows nearly as efficient at energy retention as
the walls they are installed within.
As well as the glass, it is important to do you research into
frames and opt for the most airtight models.
With great green credentials, triple glazed units have the
added benefits of better thermal comfort, noise reduction and
a reduced risk of condensation between panes – so for the
self-builder or home improver looking for a premium finish with
added benefits, it’s a natural choice.
29

2
1
dark ARTS
3
The trend for sleek black finishes
continues, with lots of companies
now supplying dark taps, shower
enclosures, towel rails and tiles
Dark tiles and fixtures look amazing - the only thing
to be aware of is living in a hard water area and the
effects that will have on the finish of taps over time.
For a sleek look, pair large-scale dark floor tiles with
white tiles on the walls, framed by black hardware.
5
Images: 1. Aquaglass Velar 8mm Black Crittall Corner
Entry Enclosure, frontlinebathrooms.co.uk; 2. Original Style
Tileworks Steel Midnight Blue, originalstyle.com; 3. Merlyn
Black Showerwall With End Panel, merlynshowering.com;
4. Duravit - Stonetto (Sand) Shower Tray, duravit.co.uk;
5. Contour Radiator, frontlinebathrooms.co.uk; 6. Pitch
Bluetooth Mirror, purebathroomcollection.co.uk; 7. Finissimo
Black Bath Filler, bathroomdealsuk.co.uk; 8. Valverdi Iguazu
Tile, londontile.co.uk;
8
4
7
BATHROOM
TECH
With homes becoming
smarter in the main, it
makes sense that similar
technology would be
extended to the bathroom.
We love this bluetooth
mirror which can play
your favourite songs and
has automatic demisting
technology
6
30

THE BATHROOM
& TILE GUIDE
A roundup of the trends that can beat the bathroom blues
and turn your bathroom into your own slice of heaven
1 2
3
ensuite DREAMS
According to a survey carried out by Nationwide
Building Society, an ensuite can add as much as 5%
to your home's market value - if you have the space,
it's a great investment which is luxurious too
If space permits, a roll top or freestanding
bath looks wonderful in an ensuite and
gives a true sense of luxury. If your space
is more modest, the smaller scale is a great
place to experiment with some interesting
tile combinations and colours. There are
some fabulous examples of encaustic tiles
out there at the moment, but if you do opt
for those, be aware and prepared for more
maintenance than printed tiles.
Images: 1. products from Original Style; 2. String
lights from Lights4fun.co.uk; 3. image from
carleyrowena.com; 4. Floris tile from Boniti
4
31

1
TILE STYLE
THE way to add style and personality to
your bathroom - choices are limitless.
Avoid following trends too closely and pick
something you really love
3
4
2
When choosing
tiles, functionality
is key - tiny mosaics look amazing, but you
don't want them in high traffic areas of a family
bathroom. Try to keep floor tiles low maintenance
and add decorative flourishes in smaller spaces.
Ceramics aren't the only option either - vinyl tiles
and laminates can work effectively.
5
6
Images: 1. Selection from Ripples; 2. Havana Dawn Self
Adhesive Vinyl Floor Tiles, zazous.co.uk; 3. Odyssey
- 8051V Seville Tile, originalstyle.com; 4. 3D Offset
Hexagon Tiles, bakedtiles.co.uk; 5. Original Style Living
Spirit Tile, originalstyle.com; 6. Windmill Geometric
Tile, tonsoftiles.co.uk; 7. Odyssey - Persian Floor Tile,
originalstyle.com
7
green SPACES
Houseplants are taking over - and
we love it! If you have natural light
in the bathroom, lots of plants can
thrive in the space!
The best plants for bathrooms are
moisture lovers - these are our
favourites: -
Zamioculcas zamifolia (the eternity
plant - so named because it is hard
to kill!), the spider plant, most ferns,
snake plant, aloe vera, cast iron plant
and orchids.
Image, left, from Dobbies - plants and
plant pots available.
NO WINDOW?
No problem! LED growing lights can be
easily installed to help your plants grow,
even without natural light.
32

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Catalyst terms and conditions apply. Internal images depict a typical Catalyst Show Home and are for illustrative purposes only. Price correct at time of going to print.
*Shared Ownership – Terms and conditions apply. This scheme is subject to qualifying criteria and status. Minimum and maximum share values will apply and rent is payable
on the unsold share. Only available on selected properties. It is not offered with any other promotion unless by special arrangement by us. Please speak to our Sales Team for
further details. **Shared Ownership value is £106,000 for a 40% share of the full market value of £265,000. January 2020.

Look Before You Leap
While the SPAB warmly encourages people to take the
plunge and make an old building their home, it’s easy
to be swept away by romance. SPAB Director Matthew
Slocombe offers a checklist of key considerations to
help potential buyers make the right choice – both for
themselves and for the building of their dreams.
Think with head and heart
Old buildings are more than a space in
which to live. If all that really interests you
is location or floor area, an old building is
unlikely to be right for you. If you appreciate
style and character, and are keen to
embrace the quirks and idiosyncrasies of an
old building, the potential rewards are great.
Compromise to get what you want
For the majority of buyers, historic interest
is a desirable factor but not the key. If your
number one aim is to live in an interesting
old building, but your means are limited,
compromising on other requirements can
sometimes help.
Authenticity can’t be re-created
If you want something genuine and
authentic, recreation of lost parts is unlikely
to act as a fitting or worthwhile substitute.
Look for genuine survivals. It may be that
fireplaces have been boarded up and plaster
overlaid with modern materials, but if the
originals survive behind this offers a much
better starting point than a gutted interior.
Choose something that will fit your
longer term needs
Look a few years ahead and try to consider
whether the building is likely to fit your plans.
If you think you might need more bedrooms
or a bigger kitchen, consider whether the
building is likely to be able to accommodate
this without major change. In a modern
house, adding extensions or knocking down
walls may be relatively straightforward. In an
historic building it may not.
Consider auctions
Many old buildings needing work are sold
at auction. This can be a way to find an
interesting project, and perhaps also a
bargain. But the buyer must beware and it
is especially important to do your homework
seeking specialist help in advance.
Purchase is not the only possibility
If living in an old building is your goal, but
prices are unaffordable, other options
may exist. The commercial rental sector
general lets buildings that have been heavily
updated, but estates, farms and some
private owners may offer old buildings to
rent in a more rustic state.
Distinguish between decorative and
structural needs
This is vital. Small cracks are normal in old
buildings and can be easily remedied as part
of the redecoration process; larger cracks
may hint at structural movement.
Get good advice
The cost of professional advisers can
seem off-putting, but sound advice is
an investment. There are accreditations
schemes run by the RICS, RIBA and AABC
and the Society can offer suggestions
via its Technical Advice Line (0207 456
0916 weekday mornings). The advice of a
structural engineer, conservator (see ICON’s
accreditation list), quantity surveyor or
historian may also be invaluable.
Put together the right team
If work is needed, the right team will be
crucial. Consider not just price, but the
expertise of team members. Listen to
craftspeople - good ones know exactly
what they’re doing and the expertise is often
under-appreciated.
Adjust your lifestyle
Occupying an old building brings huge
benefits to your quality of life, but don’t
expect it to be the same as a perfectly level,
hermetically sealed modern box. Floors
may slope, windows may be draughty, and
elaborate modern services may be difficult
to accommodate.
Research and understanding
Understanding an old building includes
knowing how it’s put together and what
it’s made from, as well as the uses it’s had
over time and the changes previous owners
have made. Combine this with background
research, advice from organisations like the
SPAB, and knowledge from neighbouring
owners and a rounded picture of the
building should emerge.
Don’t ignore consents and other statutory
requirements
Planning consents and building regulation
requirements should always be adhered
to. This is particularly so in the case of
listed buildings. If you buy a listed building
that has been altered without permission
you inherit the liability and enforcement
action could be taken against you. If you
alter or demolish a listed building without
permission you could be prosecuted.
Don’t count on grants
Grants for private owners were once
relatively common. They are now rare and
should not be counted on.
Settle in before making big changes
A vacant house offers an opportunity
to tackle problems without upheaval to
occupants, but avoid the temptation to do
too much, too fast. A period of occupation
ADVERTISING FEATURE
often brings realisation about what’s
necessary and what’s not important.
Deal with the boring things first
Kitchens, bathroom and decorative works
may be most fun, but they should be bottom
of your list. Fixing the roof and making sure
the gutters, drains and electrics work will
provide you with a sound basis from which
to make other changes.
Scratches and Witches
Loving the lumps and bumps is all part of
old building ownership. Appreciate them
as part of the building’s character and
history and avoid erasing them for the sake
of tidiness. Think too about witches! Old
surfaces often carry superstitious markings
designed to ward off bad spirits.
Repair is good
Building conservation is a branch of
environmental protection and sustainability:
repair is better than replacement. Decay
is rarely uniform and repair can allow
the undamaged parts to remain. An old
window with 20% new timber is better for
the environment and our history than a new
window with 100% fresh timber.
Make sure materials are compatible
New, innovative building products can
be valuable, but historic buildings are not
generally the place where they should be
tested. The potential for side effects is great
if incompatible materials are used.
Get involved but know your limitations
The SPAB has always encouraged a handson
approach. There is no better way to get
to know your building than through practical
work. However, it is important to know the
limitations of your own skills, to consider
safety issues, and to get training if you are
unsure. The SPAB and others run practical
conservation courses. If in doubt, call on an
experienced craftsperson.
Good new design
Where a strong and justifiable case exists
for a change or addition, sympathetic
new design offers the best approach.
This requires good design advice and a
thoughtful choice of materials.
Enjoy it!
An old building deserves to respected and
cared for, but it should be enjoyed rather
than revered.
Call the SPAB Technical Advice Line on:
020 7456 0916
34 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

HOME FRONT
How to create “Kerb Appeal” from just
£150 to attract buyers and sell for a
top price...
More than two thirds (68%) of homeowners say kerb appeal was
important in their choice of home. Homeowners have revealed a
list of the features most important to them in creating a positive
first impression in the home they wanted to buy.
In the HomeOwners Alliance survey, of more than 2,000 UK
adults conducted by YouGov, the most important aspects were
well-maintained windows and a roof that appeared in good
condition. A well-maintained front garden, pathways and fences
were also highlighted as important, in addition to a well-painted
frontage.
Other significant features included clean gutters, concealed
wheelie bins and a brightly-lit exterior. An attractive front door
also featured lower down the list.
The HomeOwners Alliance has teamed up with the Federation of
Master Builders (FMB) to see how much it would cost to improve
these features in your home. The good news is that homeowners
can have a tidy front garden from as little as £150, while fixing
broken tiles on a roof to make it look top notch can cost as little
as £190.
Each of the ten features that contribute to kerb appeal can be
delivered for under £2,830 (based on an average three-bedroom
house) and could be completed within a week by a small team of
tradespeople.
The HomeOwners Alliance survey asked homeowners what kerb
appeal features mattered most to them when they bought their
home, and found the most important features were as follows:
• Windows in good condition (71%)
• A roof that appears in good condition (no missing tiles) (68%)
• A tidy front garden with no weeds and trimmed hedges (67%)
• A well maintained pathway/ drive (59%)
• Well-maintained fences and walls (56%)
• A well-decorated exterior (54%)
• A well-maintained and attractive front door (52%)
• Clear, functioning gutters (50%)
• Hidden wheelie bins (36%)
• A well-lit house (26%)
For more great free advice please visit the HomeOwners
Alliance website: www.hoa.org.uk
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 35

2
3
1
STYLE WATCH:
MODERN VICTORIAN
Move over Scandi minimalism - it’s time to maximise - make
the most of period features and be bold with colour and
pattern - these beautifully proportioned spaces can take it
STYLE TIP:
Victorian and Edwardian staircases
are beautiful and deserve to be centre
stage. They look wonderful styled with
carpet runner over wood alongside
restored original tiles or painting the
staircases to match the wall.
5
4
Dark colours like F&B’s ‘Railings’
look fabulous in well-proportioned
Victorian rooms
1. Sofa, £999, made.com;
2. London Graphic Map
(50x50cm), made.com
3. Curvarella Turmeric Velvet Chair,
£708, audenza.com;
4. Leather Pouffe, £95, hauslife.
co.uk; 5. Alana 6 Lighting Pendant,
£96, darlighting.com;
6. ‘Railings’ Paint by Farrow & Ball;
7. ‘Deep Water’ Paint by
dowsingandreynolds.com
Image from
craftberrybush.com
7
6
GET THE
LOOK:
The alcoves either side
of a chimney breast lend
themselves well to bespoke
fitted wardrobes in a bedroom.
The colour scheme in this room
is calming, with a touch of
brightening yellow. Image from
Colin Poole.
36 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

GET THE
LOOK:
The dark wall here is
an excellent foil for the
period features - it brings
out the cornicing, picture
rail and marble fire
place, with complementary
period-style lighting. Then
modern touches are added,
like the bookcases, the
luxurious coffee table and fun
typography.
Main image from Rachel Smith
1
STYLE TIP:
Victorian spaces look great
with unexpected furnishings,
like bold Sputnik chandeliers,
boho soft furnishings and mid
century modern pieces.
2
3
5
6
4
8
1. Eichholtz Infinity Chandelier,
£1989; sweetpeaandwillow.
com; 2. Industrial Mesh
Cupboard, £825, vincentandbarn.
co.uk 3. Atlantis Oval Coffee
Table, £208, sweetpeaandwillow.
com 4. Doris Occasional Chair,
£179.99, my-furniture.com;
5. Lumbar cushion cover with
tassels, (30x70cm), £36, hauslife.
co.uk; 6. Gold Window
Style Wall Mirror
(82x100cm), £160.95,
melodymaison.co.uk; 7. Sabra style pillow, £32,
hauslife.co.uk 8. Merrick Dark Antique Brown
Trapeze Pendant, £175, artisanti.com; 9. Large
Round Mirror (80cm), £195, minkinteriors.com;
10. Wicker Grey Floor & Wall Tile, £12.27 per
m² tonsoftiles.co.uk
7
GET THE LOOK:
9
10
Restore fireplaces in bedrooms and living
rooms - if the old tiles are past the point
of repair, modern tiles with a Victorian
feel work well. This room showcases a
soft, calming palette.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 37

THE BENEFITS OF OWNING A DOG
Welcoming a four-legged friend into
your home is an exciting experience, and
with it brings a whole range of benefits,
not least the positive effects a dog or
puppy can have on your health and
well-being.
Research has shown that owning a
dog can help to lower stress, heart rate
and blood pressure as well as keeping
people active, social and physically fitter
in many cases. Getting out and about on
walks or to puppy training can really help
owners meet people, combat loneliness
or isolation, and get in their daily dose
of exercise. And there are plenty of
different ways to combine exercise and
socialising with our pets beyond going for
regular walks, with many competitive dog
activities that are available to join in with
nationwide - providing great opportunities
to meet other dog lovers and keep active.
These include: Agility, an enjoyable and
friendly activity that sees dogs and their
owners run an activity course consisting
of jumps, tunnels, seesaws and other
equipment; Heelwork to Music, a fun
and musical twist on obedience training
which sees dog and owner complete a
choreographed routine; and Rally, which
relies on teamwork with your dog to
navigate through a course, completing
different exercises along the way.
All of these activities and the wideranging
benefits of owning a dog will be
showcased at Crufts, the world’s greatest
celebration of dogs, taking place from 5 -
8 March 2020 at the NEC.
Of course, every breed is different, and to
ensure both you and your dog are both
benefiting from each other, it’s important
to do your research to make sure you are
getting the right dog to suit your lifestyle,
and that you are aware of its exercise,
training and grooming needs.
At Crufts, visitors can meet all 222 dog
breeds and find the best match for them
- whether they are looking for an active
dog to take out running, or a small, easygoing
companion to curl up with.
Win tickets to the world’s greatest
celebration of dogs, Crufts
Crufts is run by the largest organisation dedicated to the health and
welfare of dogs, the Kennel Club. Tickets for the event are available
to buy online via the event’s website, or to be in with a chance of
winning a pair of tickets, simply answer the following question:
Which West Midlands venue is the home of Crufts?
a. The Bullring b. The NEC c. Cadbury World
To enter please go to www.minervacomp.co.uk and enter your answer
into the competition keyword. Alternatively send you answer on a
postcard to the address at the front of the magazine. Closing date Friday
21 February 2020.
38 | www.banburyliving.co.uk
T&Cs
• Tickets are valid for any one day of Crufts between 5 - 8 March
2020
• This ticket does not include access to Best in Show or any
separately ticketed events
• Prize includes 2 x general admission tickets - no travel, expenses
or accommodation is provided
• Winners will be picked at random and notified via email by
Monday 24 February 2020.
• Contact information will be supplied to the Kennel Club who will
send your winning tickets via post. By entering the promotion,
the entrant agrees to the terms of the privacy policy www.
thekennelclub.org.uk/privacy-policy.
• The prize is for five pairs of general admission tickets, so there
will be five winners.

Make space at
home whilst making
a difference to pets
in need
January now feels like a distant memory and
warmer weather is just around the corner. If
you’re long overdue a New Year clear-out, you
can make space at home whilst making a real
difference to pets by donating your pre-loved
items to Wood Green, The Animals Charity...
As we all know, decluttering has a host of benefits. A tidy
home can reduce stress and anxiety, increase your productivity
by having clear spaces for work or hobbies, and help you to
focus on what’s important in your home. The clothes you once
cherished, the bits and bobs that need a loving new home and
the furniture that doesn’t fit with your latest home makeover can
still spark joy for others – and pets too!
When you donate to Wood Green, you can declutter your home
whilst helping to raise funds that transform pets’ lives. It can be
tricky to find the time to get rid of pre-loved items, especially
bulky objects like furniture, so Wood Green will collect them
from you for free. The charity will gratefully receive donations of
clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture, electrical items and more – all
of which will help raise funds to allow Wood Green to continue
helping pets and people.
Wood Green has helped almost 7,000 animals in the past
year, from urgent veterinary treatment and care through to a
ADVERTISING FEATURE
dedicated response to pet advice enquiries. Every pet that
comes to Wood Green is assessed on their medical and
behavioural needs, before dedicated staff members provide a
detailed recommendation for the type of home that would suit
them based on their personality and lifestyle needs – a process
featured recently on Channel 4’s ‘The Dog House’. The support
does not end there, as Wood Green is also there to help pet
owners through the provision of behavioural advice, informative
workshops and training classes.
None of this life-saving work would be possible without the
kind donations of new or pre-loved items that local community
members no longer want. To arrange a free collection, please
contact the team on 01480 434 000 or email
shop.donations@woodgreen.org.uk. Alternatively, you can
donate your items at your local Wood Green charity shop at
7-7A High Street in Banbury.
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 39

MG ZS
Exclusive EV
Motoring
Journalist Sue
Cooke test drives
the new MG ZS
Exclusive EV...
Nowadays the majority of cars I am
asked to road test are alternatively
fuelled vehicles. The latest figures from
the Society of Motor Manufacturers and
Traders show that more than one in 10
cars joining UK roads, are either hybrid,
plug-in hybrid or pure electric.
In fact, the demand for the latest
battery electric cars surged by 228.8%
and MG has joined the jostling crowd
and launched an electric version of
its compact Sports Utility Vehicle. It is
good to see the choice moving from the
supermini electric car to an electric small
crossover, like the ZS. Aside from power
being derived from a battery, the ZS has
many other attributes.
The exterior design is stylish with a large
MG badge taking centre stage on the full
frame grille. The badge is what the new
owner will press to raise a portion of the
front grille where one end of a lead is
plugged into the car and the other into a
house plug to charge the battery.
Charging from home, using the 7kW Type
2 charger to fully charge takes 6.5 hours,
ideal for overnight charging but with the
50kW CCS rapid charger, you can charge
from zero to 80% in 40 minutes.
The class leading interior space comes
with most of the ‘extras’ as standard and
trim level choice is the entry level Explore,
Excite or top of the range, Exclusive.
The ZS has one of the most generous
shoulder, leg and headroom capacities
in its segment. There is 448 litres of boot
space, which is 60 litres larger than the
typical compact SUV. The split-level boot
has plenty of room for prams, luggage,
outdoor leisure equipment or the
weekly shop. Numerous compartments
throughout the car provide additional
storage.
An 8” touch sensitive infotainment
screen is supported by DAB radio (on the
Exclusive and Excite models). Bluetooth
hands-free and Cruise control are also
included and Satellite Navigation and
a rear camera are standard on the
Exclusive variant. MG offers Apple Car
Play on the Excite and Exclusive variants
at no extra cost. The safer way to use
your iPhone in the car, CarPlay will take
the things you want to do with your
iPhone while you are driving and puts
them on the car’s in-built display.
The Excite and Exclusive models come
with three power-assisted steering modes
– Urban, Normal and Dynamic. Normal
is normal, while Urban steering offers
a lighter and quicker response at low
speeds and when parking. The Dynamic
mode is designed to increase the steering
effort, deliver a higher damping effect and
increase the centre definition at medium
and high vehicle speeds.
Acceleration is instant as the car
silently tiptoes through urban traffic.
Deceleration is gradual as the right
foot slowly removes the pressure. The
EV is only available with automatic
transmission.
MG offers a 7 year/80,000 mile warranty
as standard across all variants, which the
British brand says is one of the longest
fully transferable warranties in its class.
It’s good to see the increase in
registrations of electrified cars. The
larger choice of models like the MG ZS
SUV is ideal for people who want to go
electric but also need the space and
practicality of a compact SUV. For 2020
manufacturers are offering plenty of new
and exciting alternatively fuelled models
to give buyers even more choice. It just
needs a more confident consumer.
Facts at a glance
Model: MG ZS sports utility vehicle
Exclusive EV
Basic Price: £30,495otr but with the
MG grant of £3,500 on top of the
Government’s £3,500 plug-in car grant,
the overall price is from £23,495.
Power: 44.5 kWh battery
Performance: 0-62mph in 8.5 seconds
and on to a top speed of 87 mph
CO2 emissions: zero
Combined fuel consumption: WLTPaccredited
range of 163 miles
40 | www.banburyliving.co.uk

Great care, superb lifestyle
Residents at Highmarket House enjoy the very best lifestyle, thanks to luxury
facilities, a range of activities, fantastic food and the very best care.
of activities organised by our
lifestyle team will give you the
chance to reconnect with old
hobbies or find new interests, all
while making new friends.
Peace of mind
At Care UK, we support older
people to live happier, healthier
and more fulfilling lives. We’re
known for our standards of
care, but a fundamental part
of the ethos of our care homes
is helping people to enjoy
meaningful lifestyles. As an
established, award-winning
care provider we know that
independence is not about where
you live, but how you live, and
our 100-plus care homes are
enabling more than 7,000 people
to continue living active and
fulfilling lives in supportive, safe
and comfortable surroundings.
We understand how difficult it
can be to make the decision to
move into a care home, and we’ve
been helping and supporting
families for over 30 years in
making that transition easier. Our
compassionate and experienced
care teams will be there for you
every step of the way, ensuring
that you or your loved one
receives the warmest welcome
and an entirely personalised care
plan, tailored to your individual
needs and wishes.
The best of care in Banbury
Highmarket House care home in
Banbury is no exception; you’ll
find all the comfort of home,
dedicated nurses and carers
and a family atmosphere from
the moment you step inside. At
Highmarket House we provide allround
care and support for you
and your family, plus a range of
impressive facilities that ensure
residents can get the most out
of every day. Enjoy a pamper in
the hair and beauty salon, take a
seat in our plush, luxury cinema
room, or simply relax with a cup
of tea as you catch up with loved
ones. What’s more, the variety
Always plenty going on
Our talented lifestyle team
ensures that there’s always
something to get involved in, with
activities ranging from gentle
exercise classes to quizzes or
reminiscence. Our dedication to
providing meaningful lifestyles
is all about getting to know
residents and the hobbies
and interests they enjoy. We
capture all of this information in
a personalised life story book,
which we continue to add to as we
learn more about each person.
To find out more about living at
Highmarket House call
01295 296 765 or email
marisa.ramos@careuk.com
Highmarket House care home
North Bar Place, Banbury,
Oxfordshire OX16 0TD
careuk.com/highmarket-house

Our next event at Highmarket House
Macular
degeneration
event
Thursday 13th February 2020,
2pm - 4pm
Join us to hear Tom Mclnulty, senior
regional manager from Macular
Society share insights on macular
degeneration and how to limit its
progression.
To find out more or to book your free
place call us on 01295 296 765 or
email marisa.ramos@careuk.com
Fulfilling
lives
Highmarket House care home
North Bar Place, Banbury OX16 OTD
careuk.com/highmarket-house

social care needs
Social care seems to be in the
news a lot at the moment, often,
unfortunately, in conjunction with
the word ‘crisis’. Given that if you
need care it’s a necessity, it makes
sense to understand the basics – well
before that time might come.
Social care is there to support you because
you need some extra help with daily living
or are caring for someone who requires
additional help themselves. There are a
wide range of social care services, including
care in your home or in a care home, live-in
care services, day centres, home adaptions
like handrails, and technology of various
kinds.
The first step if you or your loved one
needs some extra help and support is
to ask your local authority to carry out a
needs assessment. You might have to wait
several weeks at least for this, because
councils are strapped for cash and staff,
but it’s important to have it because it’s the
gateway to the wider system. Someone
from the council usually visits to establish
the type of support you might need. There’s
no charge and the assessor will create a
care plan specific to your needs.
When the type of care you need is decided
and agreed the next stage is to establish
how it will be paid for through a financial
means test - which can be complex and
quite confusing. Social care isn’t a free
service provided by the NHS as many
people think. Most of us have to pay for
all or some of our care and the amount
depends on the level of need and the value
of any assets we have.
Your home will not be included in the means
test if you’re arranging care and support
at home but other capital assets, including
savings will be. Currently, if you have more
capital that £23,250 you will have to pay all
your care fees. If you have under £23,250,
you’ll get financial assistance but may have
to contribute from your income.
44 | www.banburyliving.co.uk
The cost of care varies by area but it is not
unusual to have to pay about £20 an hour
for a care worker to come to your home
(domiciliary care) to help you with, say,
getting up, washing and dressing, if that’s
what you need. You can see how the bills
add up if you need more than one visit
every day.
It is also possible that rather than
‘personal care’ you need a different kind of
support, such as companionship, because
you are very alone and lonely. If so, in
some places the council may refer you to
a scheme run by a charity like Age UK,
where you might have to pay a modest
amount to take part.
If your needs are such that it is best for
you to move permanently into a care home
your property, if you own one, will be
included in the means test at its present
market value, but less any mortgage
or loan you may have on it. However, it
will not be included if your partner still
lives there or, in certain circumstances, a
relative. Your home is also not included if
you need a temporary or short-term stay
in a care home. Two in five of all the older
people living in care homes now pay for
their own care.
To avoid property or other assets being
counted in the financial means test, some
people consider giving them away to a
child or grandchild. However, this could
be interpreted as ‘deliberate deprivation
of assets’, and your local authority may
still ask you to pay the same level of care
fees as if you still owned your home or
the other assets you have given away. It
is really important to take advice if you are
thinking of doing something of this kind.
If you do have to pay towards a care
home place it is possible to avoid selling
your property during your lifetime in order
to release the money required, namely a
deferred payment which endures while
you are alive. The council provides a loan
for your care costs secured against your
property and this is repaid either when
the property is sold or from your estate
after you have passed away. There is an
interest charge if you choose to do this
but every council is supposed to offer a
scheme of this kind, even though relatively
few people take advantage of it, possibly
because they do not know it exists.
If you have care needs and you are
not already claiming a benefit called
Attendance Allowance it is always
worth doing so. This benefit is there for
older people, to help offset the costs of
disability. In practice, many older people
use their AA to help fund their social care.
Your local Age UK can help you fill in the
forms and will be pleased to help. AA
is paid at two rates, £58 or £87 a week,
depending on your needs.
As you can see, finding social care and
paying for it is not straight forward and
there are lots of questions to ask, but Age
UK can guide you through the process
and provides independent information and
advice. If you are online there’s a lot about
care on our website, or there’s a free
advice line if you prefer to talk to someone
instead. Visiting your local Age UK is a
third option.
Social care has a bad reputation at the
moment, largely because it is underfunded
and there isn’t enough to go round. You
may also have read horror stories in the
press of care workers being neglectful.
Please don’t be put off seeking care
though - there are many wonderful care
workers. It pays to get advice and go
into it with your eyes open, but there are
hundreds of thousands of older people
whose lives are immeasurably better
because of the good care they receive.
Caroline Abrahams
Charity Director, Age UK
www.ageuk.org.uk/
information-advice/care

ADVERTISING FEATURE
PENHURST GARDENS
Care team are proud winners of three prestigious accolades
At Penhurst Gardens, as with every
Porthaven home, we pride ourselves on
handpicking our staff carefully. Every
team member is hand-selected for their
empathy and professionalism and there
is nothing more important to us than
ensuring every resident entrusted in our
care is treated with dignity and respect.
We were very honoured recently to collect
a number of prestigious prizes at both the
Caring UK Awards and the Great British
Care Awards which reflects just how
important good care is to us. The home
was awarded ‘Care Team of the Year’ at
this year’s Caring UK awards during a
glittering award ceremony whilst carers
Sophie Bishop and Jordan Ellis won
the ‘Dementia Carer’ and the ‘Dignity in
Care’ awards respectively at the regional
finals of the Great British Care Awards.
Both awards were originally created to
pay tribute to the teams and individuals
in care homes who make an outstanding
contribution to caring for the elderly.
We are always proud of our incredibly
hardworking staff and it all goes to show
that, at a Porthaven home, every resident
lives well in our care, often coming to
consider the staff as friends.
Penhurst Gardens offers a beautiful
setting in Chipping Norton, nestled in
the scenic and popular Cotswolds. It
benefits from serenity and charm in equal
measure but most importantly, the quality
of care you or a loved one will receive
here matters most. As a Porthaven home,
we offer 24 hour residential, nursing,
dementia and respite care. Every member
of our hand-selected and empathetic
staff is highly trained to a professional
standard, chosen for their dedication
and compassion. They are thoroughly
engaged in promoting independence,
privacy and respect for every single
resident.
What can you expect from life at a
Porthaven home? Firstly, Penhurst
Gardens is an elegant environment, with
plenty of practical and cleverly designed
features to make it a modern, spacious
place in which to live. Every bedroom
has an en suite bathroom and there are
plenty of communal areas throughout
for socialising and hobbies. There is
consideration and flexibility for those
who wish to live quietly and those who
wish to fully engage with everything
there is to offer at the home. Added to
this there are a variety of restaurants and
a café, a hairdressing salon and even
a private dining room for those special
celebrations. Good food is a priority and
special favourites are noted and often
prepared for residents. Boredom never
comes into the equation at Penhurst
Gardens. This is strongly emphasised by
our award-winning leisure and wellness
philosophy, where residents have the
opportunity to take part in a programme
of activities that includes crafts, keep
fit, entertainers and guest speakers who
visit the home. There is also a lovely
garden, perfect for strolling, exercise or
gardening. The Porthaven homes even
have a friendly gardening competition
annually and residents are fully involved
in planning flowerbeds and planting
vegetables together. It’s another example
of the thriving community that has been
established; Penhurst Gardens is not
simply just another care home.
We would love to chat to you about any
questions you may have, or better still,
give you a guided tour. You can also
browse the website to read about our
prestigious prizes and gain a glimpse into
life at Penhurst Gardens.
“Penhurst Gardens offers a beautiful setting in
Chipping Norton, nestled in the scenic and popular
Cotswolds. It benefits from serenity and charm in equal
measure but most importantly, the quality of care you
or a loved one will receive here matters most.”
Please telephone us on 01608 698052 or
send a message. We truly look forward
to showing you what makes our home so
special.
www.porthaven.co.uk/chipping-norton
www.banburyliving.co.uk | 45

CARE TEAM OF THE YEAR
WINNERS 2019
Care Beyond Compare
in Chipping Norton
BOOK A VISIT AT PORTHAVEN.CO.UK
OR CALL 01608 698052
Penhurst Gardens Care Home, New Street, Chipping Norton
Oxfordshire OX7 5ED (Sat Navs OX7 5LL)
CQC rated
and inspected
Overall
GOOD
NURSING • RESIDENTIAL • DEMENTIA • RESPITE