about suffolk
Issue Sixteen
Early Spring 2025
Look no further than aboutsuffolk, the local magazine that packs a Suffolk punch!
Pickmeup and take me home!
Welcome to the latest issue of aboutsuffolk, which welcomes the stirrings of early spring and brings plenty of ideas for what to do, both out in the garden and at home. We have some wonderful suggestions for the top seeds to sow, news of exciting new foodie destinations, dance classes, support networks and beauty regimes. We also get in on the comedy act and learn about healthy eating and wellbeing retreats, take time to reflect at two stylish new mirror houses and get stitched up with the designs of some geometric tapestries.
As always, we bring you lots of ideas of where to go and what to see over the next few months, and have a fabulous competition which will see one lucky winner spending the night away in one of Suffolk’s top country pubs.
We hope this will put a spring in your step!
Kathy & Sarah
Editorial
Kathy Churchill Sales
Sarah Clarke
Designer Lucy Hart
Silverlace Creative
aboutmedia info@aboutmedia.co.uk 01728 666352 www.aboutmedia.co.uk
Images
Big Fish Photography: www.bigfishphotography.com E: bigfishphotography@googlemail.com about design page 46
Many thanks to all those featured for the use of their images. lucy@silverlacecreative.co.uk www.silverlacecreative.co.uk
If you would like to sign up to the weekly aboutfram e-newsletter, please subscribe at www.aboutmedia.co.uk/aboutfram
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
7 Competition Time
Your chance to win dinner and B&B at The Crown, Bildeston.
8 A guiding star
Wendy Holden turns the pages of her new book, ‘The Teacher of Auschwitz’.
14 Out and about
A round up of local events.
18 Fashion Fix
New styles for a new season.
22 Health & beauty
Support through dance and music, and getting a glow up.
26 On reflection
We go through the looking glass and escape to a mirrored ÖÖD house.
32 Get the look
Chic ideas for restyling your home.
36 about town
New spaces for work and play and how art is the cure this spring.
40 Planting the seed
Digging up the past with Sarah Missing from Plants of Distinction.
46 Sew-and-sew
Picking up the threads with Sally-Ann Elliott of Thredwell Designs.
52 Stock pot
The heady scented beauty of stocks.
58 Sister act
Why comedy duo, The Gavin Sisters, are standing up to the food industry.
64 about taste
Moovers and shakers and two new cheeses on the block.
66 Beetroot and ginger soup
A creamy vegan soup, bursting with flavour and good for your health.
68 Where fairies dance
Discover the magic of our bluebell woods
72 Stockists
Where to buy all the lovely stuff!
out & about who’s about about style about you about interiors about town about the land about design about gardens about food about taste round & about
Competition!
Win dinner and B&B for 2 at The Crown in Bildeston
The Crown in Bildeston begins a new chapter in 2025, having had a refresh throughout its charming 15th century rooms. Oozing country charm, with each of the 13 bedrooms uniquely decorated, this lovely Suffolk pub welcomes you with open fires, seasonal menus and a fabulous bar, and so we are delighted to offer one lucky reader the chance to win an overnight stay for two people with dinner and breakfast the following morning.
In the capable hands of seasoned executive chef, Greig Young, The Crown’s Estate to Plate concept centres on produce grown in the gardens at Nedging Hall, its sister location, less than one mile away. Mentioned in The Times as one of the top places for a ‘weekend in Suffolk’, The Crown, with its ultimate combination of delicious local seasonal dishes and stylish accommodation, is the ideal way to explore west Suffolk on a weekend break away!
www.thebildestoncrown.com
For your chance of winning this fabulous prize, please answer the following question correctly:
Q: How many bedrooms does The Crown have?
Send your answer to prize@aboutfram.com quoting The Crown in the subject header.
The competition closes at 23.59 hours on 30th April.
who’s about
A guiding star
Bestselling author and historian, Wendy Holden , has once again delved into the archives to uncover the remarkable story of Fredy Hirsch, a young Jewish man who, in the midst of all the suffering and deplorable conditions of the Nazi camps, managed to bring hope to thousands of displaced children.
A few years ago, we chatted to Wendy about ‘Born Survivors’, her ground-breaking book about three mothers who, incredibly, gave birth behind the walls of the concentration camps. Today, we return to talk to her about her new book, ‘The Teacher of Auschwitz’, a poignant and inspiring story about a young man who risked his life to protect terrified children from the most brutal conditions of Auschwitz and the horrors of their new life in a concentration camp. “I first came across Fredy in 2016 whilst working on ‘One
Hundred Miracles’, a book about a wonderful lady called Zuzana Ružicková, a Holocaust survivor who went on to become a world-famous harpsichordist. She was talking about her terrible experience in the camps when she mentioned his name and suddenly her face lit up. She said he was a miracle, ‘like a god to us’, and so last year, I decided it was my duty to find out more about him.”
Fredy was born in Aachen, Germany in 1916 and by the time Adolf Hitler and the who’s about
who’s about
Nazi Party came to power in 1933, he was a young man in the prime of his life. He was the leader of the local Jewish youth association and a talented athlete, believed to have been in training to compete in the Maccabiah Games, sometimes referred to as the Jewish Olympics. However, in 1935, due to the growing feeling of antisemitism and the introduction of the Nuremberg Race Laws, Fredy, along with thousands of fellow Jews, fled from Nazi Germany to Czechoslovakia in the hope of escaping persecution. “Sadly for Fredy, Nazi Germany invaded only three years later and more and more restrictions were imposed on the Jewish people, such as excluding them from society and curbing their human rights. He was also gay and so life was even more precarious as the Nazis had revised the statute, officially banning all sexual relations between men.”
It is therefore all the more remarkable that even under these strict rules and feelings of oppression, Fredy managed to secure a safe place in the city of Terezin for the Jewish children to meet, play games and even compete in competitions. “The park was known as Hagibor, meaning ‘hero’ in Hebrew, and to the children that is exactly what this remarkable, charming young man was.” But, in November 1941, things took an even darker turn and the Jewish people were systematically rounded up and sent to the newly established Theresienstadt Ghetto - one of the first waystations to the extermination camps. Fredy was appointed head of the children and youth department of the Jewish Ghetto, and by insisting on regular exercise and strict hygiene he did his best to ensure that the children did not become sick or succumb to the diseases that were rife at the time.
In 1943, Fredy was loaded aboard a train and deported to Auschwitz. “He was placed in a Birkenau subcamp called the Czech family camp and was just one of 18,000 Jews sent there between 1943 and 1944. Fredy, who had come to the attention of the SS officers for his charism, love of discipline and possibly his Aryan good looks, boldly demanded that he be allowed to set up a children’s block, claiming it would keep the little ones out of the way whilst the adults were forced to do manual labour. “It was astonishing that he somehow managed to create this oasis in the middle of the camp. He secured extra food, arranged for the punishing roll call to take place inside and secretly arranged for teachers to visit and give spoken classes. The children even performed short plays, and the SS officers, who themselves were missing family, would slip in to watch the performances.”
Fredy must have been a very special man. His bravery and courage in standing up to the Nazis and fighting for the rights of the children would have been at great personal risk to himself and yet he never wavered. He offered these confused and terrified children a beacon of hope, a safe haven where, even for just a short time, they could forget the atrocities of war and be innocent once again. Wendy has brought Fredy to life and now, in this the 80th year since the liberation of Auschwitz, it is even more important that read on to find out what happens next and to pay homage to this forgotten hero.
www.wendyholden.com
February:
4th-29th:
Until 16th Mar: ART 4 ART SAKÉ
A vibrant rolling evolving arts event showcasing a diverse array of artists. Ballroom Arts, Aldeburgh
21st-22nd: Shrek JR
Everyone’s favourite ogre leads a cast of fairytale misfits on an adventure to rescue a princess. Seckford Theatre
27th-5th Mar:
World Land Trust Exhibition
A group of talented wildlife artists exhibit in aid of this international charity. Aldeburgh Gallery
28th: Lions, Tigers & Bears
Thrilling tales from award-winning wildlife photographer and filmmaker, Gordon Buchanan. Ipswich Film Theatre
Mar:
1st: SHUCK
Move your feet and shout with glee to poppy rocky indie heroes. The Smokehouse
16th: Annie JR
Garner + Read Light & Colour
Show of work by two wellestablished Suffolk artists. The George Farnham Gallery
7th-8th: Gut Girls
The story of a group of young girls and women who earned money cleaning entrails at the Cattle Market in Deptford. Fisher Theatre, Bungay
13th-4th May: Sophia
Sophia Duleep Singh was born into royalty and grew up to be a revolutionary. Touring with Eastern Angles
14th: The Ciderhouse Rebellion
Profound and eloquent, epic, haunting and dramatic. Wingfield Barns
14th: Steve Tilston
A celebrated songsmith, widely recognised within the world of folk and contemporary music. FolkEast. Blaxhall Village Hall
Little orphan Annie brings her charm to Seckford Theatre
21st: Disco DJ Mac
A night of deep dive dance music, all on 7” vinyl. Run by Brighten The Corners. St Stephens Church, Ipswich
29th: Sustenance + Sustainability
A spring collection from LOVE.cO celebrating responsible consumption. Vida Haus
29th: The Capulets and the Montagues
Bellini’s opera is a stunning reworking of Romeo & Juliet, telling afresh the eternal story of loyalty and love. Snape Maltings
29th: Spring Market
Handcrafted homeware, gifts, pottery, plants and Jewellery, plus food and drink, live music and dancing. The Hill, Wickham Market 9am-2pm
30th: Meet the author
Baker and writer, David Wright recounts his own experience as a baker. The Riverside
Apr:
3rd: Tales from the Motherland fEAST presents three funny, thought-provoking stories of mothers and their adult children. The Cut, Halesworth
4th: The Doll’s House Part Two
Lucas Hnath’s play continues Ibsen’s story and imagines what happened to Nora, years after she left home. Fisher Theatre, Bungay
5th: Brentwood Mac
A charismatic band dedicated to bringing the timeless melodies of Fleetwood Mac to life. Aldeburgh Jubilee Hall
5th-6th: Folk Double Bill
Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys team up with Honey & The Bear for a double bill of traditional folk. The Cut, Halesworth
8th-9th: Easter Family Fun
Interactive storytelling, themed music and craft activities for children and their families. The Red House
11th: Duo Niepold Cutting
A playful meeting of 2 diatonic accordionists. Wingfield Barns
11th-14th: Spring
An exciting new exhibition curated by Art for Cure. Ballroom Arts, Aldeburgh
12-13th: Mini-market
A gathering of independents with Easter egg hunt, PYO narcissus, spring plants and flowers. Southwold Flower Company, Reydon
18th:
Ryan Young & Owen Sinclair
Focusing on traditional Scottish music with spell-binding interpretations on the fiddle. FolkEast. Blaxhall Village Hall
19th-10th May: Coast
A group exhibition of wonderfully diverse and accomplished artists. Thompson’s Gallery, Aldeburgh
24th-28th: INK Festival
Four days of short plays for stage and radio as well as art, food and talks. The Cut, Halesworth
24th-31st May:
Spring Exhibition
A curated show of local artists at The George Farnham Gallery
May:
7th: All my Sons
Long-buried truths are finally forced to the surface in Miller’s acclaimed tragedy of lies, denial and deceit. Wingfield Barns
24th: Beccles
Food & Drink Festival
Artisan East Anglian food and drink, world street food, cookery theatre, music, children’s entertainment. Beccles Town Centre
Fashion fix
4. Dragon Sand kimono Boho & Blyth
£49.95
5. Holly knit vest Joules @ Ernest Doe
£40
6. Printed PJs Frankie’s Studio
£45
1. LM Croisette jumper Anna £139
2. Organic half-zip jumper Armedangels @ Hug £129
3. Red tweed jacket Oui @ Darcy B £275
Gigi’s Boutique
£42.99
8.
Essential Antwerp @ collen & clare
£340
9.
Trulock & Harris
10. Spring additions Moose
Part
£69.95
Ives Footwear
£105
The Worn Works
£75
Ruby Tyger
£48
7. Leopard denim skirt
Fab orange jacket
Le Chameau wellies
11. Ruffled shirt
Two @ Fleur
12. Pikolinos lace-ups
13. Preloved Wallace & Barnes jacket
14. Denim jeans
Rural support
Working the land or running a rural business can be demanding, stressful and often lonely, which can lead to feelings of isolation and anxiety, but please know that you are not alone and help is only a phone call away. YANA , an East Anglian based charity run by a team of dedicated staff and volunteers, offers support and advice and their helpline (0300 323 0400) is live every weekday from 10am to 1pm, with an option to leave a message or email outside those hours and still receive a swift response.
YANA is also currently reaching out to those who may have some spare time, however little, to join the team and help with local events such as agricultural shows, fundraising, taking calls to the helpline, or generally raising awareness in the local community. Like to know more? Please contact Deborah Thomas, the new Volunteering Officer for Suffolk, on volunteer@yanahelp.org or 07561 697360.
www.yanahelp.org
Music To Die For
Founded by Dr Hazel Harrison and Phillipa Anders, Music To Die For was created from a shared passion for the way music shapes our lives. In 2024, they were awarded a Creative Health Residency by Britten Pears Arts to explore how music connects us to people, memories and emotions that words alone cannot express.
Music To Die For gathers stories of love, loss and joy, creating a space to discover how music organises our lives, brings meaning to our hardest moments, and helps us honour the connections that shape who we are. Through uncovering these stories and their music, Hazel and Phillipa hope to understand more fully the profound role soundtracks play in carrying our lives forward, even when facing the most difficult endings.
They are looking for people who would like to share their story in order to help keep memories alive and provide comfort to others. They ask this question: Tell us about a piece of music and how it connects you to someone you’ve lost.
If you would like to share your story please visit www.musictodiefor.co.uk instagram/musictodie4
The power of dance
Sarah Hastings runs a range of Dance Classes at Vida Haus that allow you to find the joy in movement and music. Her primary aim is to inspire and support those she teaches to develop the physical and interpretative skills that enable a long lasting enjoyment and pleasure from dance and ultimately help sustain a happy and healthy balance. Whether you choose, Contemporary Dance, Barré Fit or Jazz Dance, all three of these fulfilling classes will increase fitness, strength, flexibility and musicality in addition to boosting your well-being.
If you love to dance, these classes are for you! www.vidahaus/schedule-workshops
The SKIN guru
If you are overwhelmed by the skincare market and tired of being sold ‘hope in a jar’, it might be time for an in-depth skin consultation with Leanne Moss, a Level 3 qualified facialist and corneotherapist based in Ipswich. After discussing your skin concerns and goals, Leanne will devise a bespoke treatment plan which includes home-care routines using Dermaviduals products and the latest clinically proven technologies to future-proof your skin and address conditions such as pigmentation, acne, rosacea, ageing, psoriasis and eczema without damaging the barrier.
Plans include:
High Frequency Machine: perfect for dull, sluggish skin, especially oily, spot-prone, congested skin.
Dermalux Triwave LED: harnessing the power of light waves to naturally stimulate skin-plumping collagen without damaging the skin barrier.
Neurotris Pico Wave: micro-currents reeducate lazy muscles and remind your cheekbones where they used to live.
Environ Galvanic Machine: delivers skincare actives 4000x deeper into the skin (where most of our ageing occurs) than massage alone!
Call 07771 608143 to book your consultation today. www.skinbyleannemoss.co.uk
On reflection
about interiors
It would be easy to miss the extraordinary mirror houses that Nick and Emma Verebelyi have erected on their property just outside Framlingham. With a 180° floor-to-ceiling glass façade that perfectly reflects the Suffolk countryside, they blend seamlessly with their surroundings, rendering them invisible to passing wildlife, and offering guests sweeping panoramic views.
Nick and Emma have lived at Pound Farm for just over eight years, but it was only a few years ago that they came across these mirrored glass ÖÖD Houses and immediately felt they were exactly what they had been looking for. “When we moved to Suffolk we had the idea of converting the outbuildings into holiday accommodation as we are in such a wonderful location and one that we knew would appeal to visitors, but unfortunately the red tape and costs involved meant it just wasn’t viable.” They researched alternatives such as teepees,
yurts and glamping pods, but in their hearts, were looking for something unique. Nick is a designer and Emma works for a firm of architects so the bar was already set pretty high. “As soon as we discovered the ÖÖD houses we were sold. They fitted our ethos of wanting something super stylish that would integrate into the landscape and have a low impact on the environment.”
Architecturally stunning and engineered to stand the test of time, these ÖÖD Houses are manufactured in Estonia by a family
company, run by brothers Jaak and Andreas Tiik. “We just loved the design. They are modern and luxurious yet they can just be dropped into a wild space and immediately disappear into their surroundings.” Before they invested, Nick and Emma booked a stay at a mirror house in Sussex, a weekend that affirmed their commitment. “It was wonderful. We felt completely cocooned and immersed in nature, and waking to the panoramic views was incredible.” The ÖÖD Houses are run as a collaboration between the landowner and manufacturers, and luckily, as there were none already in East Anglia, in early 2024, Nick and Emma got the go-ahead.
With thirteen acres of woodland and meadows at Pound Farm, Nick and Emma had the space to erect two houses, each
with a slightly different aspect. Groundworks began in March, laying the pipes for the water, power and organic treatment plants. The glass houses themselves sit on screw piles rather than concrete slabs as this technique requires less excavation, earth moving and disturbance to the local ecosystem. They were delivered in July, amazingly transported from Estonia complete. “The lorries arrived with these huge white boxes on board and I must admit, we held our breath when they were lifted over the decking and lowered into place!”
Stepping inside Pond ÖÖD, I am surprised by the generosity of the space, the mirrored exterior tricking the eye as to its dimensions. It has a feeling of luxury, with a sumptuous double bed, crisp cotton linens, about interiors
a compact, well stocked kitchen, and an ensuite bathroom complete with waterfall shower and fluffy bathrobes. The major selling point though is the wrap-round glass façade that allows uninterrupted views across the pond, ancient meadows and woodland beyond, and whilst we can see out, from the other side the glass just offers a reflection of this vista. It is so simple and yet so clever, with local wildlife wandering past right outside, oblivious to guests who are sat in bed with a morning coffee. The second house, Meadow ÖÖD, is identical but the view sweeps down the valley and guests from both have reported sightings of the local herd of fallow deer, barn owls hunting, pheasants pecking at the window, curious of their own reflection, and buzzards circling above.
Nick and Emma have created a very special place to escape for a few days and are on hand to help guests with suggestions for local places to visit. Every stay includes a welcoming basket of fresh eggs from the farm, homemade bread, jam and granola, local treats such as Tosier artisan chocolate, and a box of logs for the firepit. These mirror houses not only seamlessly blend the luxuries of a hotel stay with the seclusion and peace of the Suffolk countryside, they also melt into the landscape, leaving it visually unpolluted with just the reflections of shimmering trees and swaying grasses to take home as memories.
Bookable via www.oodhotels.com and www.bestofsuffolk.co.uk
Get the look
1. Vintage collections No10 Harleston
2. Ridged vase Vanil
From £89
3. Twig handled mug and vase
Steven James Will @
The Merchant’s Table
£50 / £85
4. Tomato hydrangea leaf platter
Snape Maltings
£20
5. Block printed cushion Constance & Denny
£80
6. Espresso mugs
Frankie’s Studio £18
7. Remi throw Laura Fletcher £265
8. Vintage treasures Hatfield House Antiques
9. New stock alert The barn.co
10. Art print Mabel & Co £100
11. Beautiful lampshade Narwhal Interiors Selection in store
12. Antique finds Swan House & Garden
13. Ribbed vases collated £8.50
town
Frankie goes to Grundisburgh
Frankie’s Studio, a much-loved destination on Hadleigh High Street, has opened a second store and café in Grundisburgh. This fabulous, independent lifestyle and coffee shop is the perfect place to head to if you fancy a warmup by the fire and a cuppa served in Frankie’s distinctive handmade ceramics. The striking red interior showcases her selection of unique gifts and homeware, including block printed floral pjs, table linen, ceramics, bath and body treats, cards and vintage kanthas. Whilst you are there, you can also stock up on specialty pasta, nut butters, sauces and the perfect pickles for your pantry, plus fresh sourdough on Fridays and a choice of homecooked sweet and savoury treats.
Frankie’s will also be hosting a series of workshops and classes so watch this space!
Open Weds-Sun at The Green, Grundisburgh IP13 6TA. Follow on Instagram @frankies.studio_
Connect, grow and innovate
Following the devastation of Storm Babet, Framlingham Technology Centre is set to make an exciting comeback this March with the launch of its newly refurbished ground floor. After a £720,000 upgrade, the Centre will offer cuttingedge facilities designed to fuel local innovation, create skilled jobs, and boost economic growth in Suffolk. The revamped ground floor will feature state-of-the-art infrastructure tailored to meet the needs of modern businesses and it will also be introducing FramFlex, a dynamic co-working hub offering a flexible, cost-effective space for professionals, freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and working parents looking for a productive environment away from home.
Whether you’re launching a startup or expanding an established business, this revamped space will offer the perfect foundation for success so please contact the team on 01728 726500 to discuss your requirements.
www.framlinghamtechnologycentre.co.uk
Spring is in the air
Art for Cure is delighted to return to Ballroom Arts in Aldeburgh for its 11th exhibition supporting breast cancer research in the UK and support services in East Anglia.
Spring will take place 11th-14th April and promises to be a vibrant, contemporary exhibition of paintings, photography, ceramics and sculptures, with lots of new artists exhibiting alongside some old friends, including Cambridge photographer Richard Heeps and West Cornwall figurative painter, Henrietta Dubrey. There will also be an incredible and unique raffle prize, and the ever-popular Artists’ Secret Canvases. www.artforcure.org
Studio Sessions
Founder of Batteson Studio, Chloé is an interior designer who is passionate about designing environments that make everyday life feel just a little more indulgent, a bit more joyful, and a lot more like you. She is on a mission to create interiors that are not just magazine-worthy but real homes that reflect your individuality, your lifestyle and make every day feel like a celebration. Currently working with both personal and business clients, her approach is all about uncovering what excites and inspires you, and weaving those elements into a space that truly feels like you.
New for 2025, Chloé is launching ‘Studio Sessions’ where you get to join her in her Suffolk studio for a hands-on interior design session dedicated to moving you forward with your own project.
Saturday 22nd March, Saturday 26th April and Saturday 31st May.
To find out more contact her on 07590 316498. www.battesonstudio.com
Planting the seed about the land
Plants of Distinction have been sourcing and discovering rare and unusual flower and vegetable seeds since 1987. We catch up with owner Sarah Missing for a potted history of the company, what’s new for the borders in 2025, and how things have changed since those early days.
Sarah set up the company with seedsman, David Tostevin, after they worked together for the seed company, Thompson & Morgan. David was their Principal Buyer and had many years’ experience, having travelled the world talking to growers and purchasing the finest quality flower seed. “David always had an eye for spotting something a little different. His enthusiasm and curiosity when visiting breeders often meant that he got a sneak peek at something new and exciting long before it was launched and would often come back to the office having earmarked an exclusive deal to sell the new
variety.” Sarah joined his purchasing team in 1981 and was responsible for contacting overseas suppliers and talking to customers. “Back then, dealing with suppliers in countries such as China, South America or Africa was rather an onerous process. I would spend hours at the telex machine punching in messages, and I can remember how excited we were when the new fax machine arrived. How things have changed today!”
When Sarah and David set up on their own under the name Plants of Distinction, their
about the land
idea was to supply other seed houses with bulk quantities of rare and unusual flower seeds. “We had access to these products as we knew many specialist collectors and breeders, however our business model changed fairly rapidly as we were approached by a number of overseas companies wanting us to supply the seeds in foil sachets so they in turn could sell into shops and garden centres under their own brand name.” With this new outlet for sales, business was brisk and David’s son, Guy, joined the team to manage the filling and packaging of the seeds. “We invested in a small packaging machine which not only made the foil sachet but could volumetrically fill it with a quantity of seed and then seal it, and a Swiss counter allowed us to regulate exactly the number of
seeds per sachet.” Even though modern technologies have advanced, Sarah admits that even today they sometimes revert to hand-filling the sachets. “We have special filling spoons to assist but sometimes there is just no alternative but to count the seeds by hand, especially if the seed is tricky to handle.”
Over the following years, the business continued to expand, supplying seed sachets to Australia, Scandinavia, America and Japan, but it wasn’t until 1995 that they make the decision to start marketing the seeds under their own brand and selling direct to customers via a mail order seed catalogue. This has grown from a small homespun 20-page catalogue to the glossy 158-page one you can order today. It is very
comprehensive, the pages overflowing with over 1000 wonderful varieties of annuals, perennials and vegetables, as well as a section for what’s new for 2025 and customer favourites. Sadly, David passed away in 2020, but the team, which now includes Guy’s partner, Simon, continue to honour his legacy of setting themselves apart, always looking for something a little different and offering customers a wide choice of flowers in single colours. “In 2022, we were offered a new sweet pea variety with eye-catching smokey purple blooms and a deliciously sweet scent. With the grower’s permission, we named it Sweet Pea David Tostevin and it instantly became a best-seller, which felt a fitting tribute to such a dedicated seedman.”
Recent years have had their challenges, the
overwhelming influx of orders during the pandemic and then the crippling regulations set by Brexit, but Sarah is quietly optimistic. “We are still keeping ahead of the trend and right now there seems to be an insatiable appetite for cut flowers from enthusiasts and flower farmers alike.” And, flicking through the catalogue, I am immediately in love with the look of the blousy pink blooms of the Aster Mother of Pearl, and the adorable mix of pastel-hued Zinnia Dreamboats whose lilac, salmon, lime and rose-pink flowers promise vases of freshly cut summer stems, especially if combined with the new Cosmos Cotton Candy mix! It’s time to stop chatting and get sowing.
www.plantsofdistinction.co.uk
Sew-and-sew about design
Sally-Ann Elliott has always loved needlepoint, the concentration helping to calm her busy mind, but it wasn’t until 2023, after being asked to host a joint exhibition, that she took a leap of faith and set up Thredwell . I visit her studio to pick up the threads of her story and the inspiration behind her striking designs.
Sally-Ann is based at Old Jet where she shares a studio with a number of other artists and fellow creatives. It is a lovely open space where ordered chaos is encouraged, and tubs of squeezed oils sit shoulder-to-shoulder with jampots crammed with brushes, easels and mood boards reveal imaginings and unfinished paintings, and bookcases are stacked with reference books on sculpture, architectural design, graffiti, impressionism and the masters. Sally-Ann’s work station blends in seamlessly - there are two unfinished
tapestries on the go, a jumble of colourful threads spill over the edge of a brightly decorated bowl, and a beaker is stuffed with an assortment of pencils, scissors and rulers.
Picking up her needle, Sally-Ann starts working on the larger of the tapestries, quickly falling into the steady rhythm of needle pulling thread and as she works, we chat about her career. “I studied languages at university but have always thrived in busy creative environments. I worked in
about design
events for many years and loved the pressure of having to juggle lots of things at once and work to tight deadlines. Interior design projects have this same intensity, the skill is being able to gather all the different elements and pull it together at the end.” With such a fastpaced work life, Sally-Ann found she needed something to help settle her mind when she got home and soon discovered that needlepoint was the answer. “I never worked to a pattern but would just sit down after supper and let my imagination take over. It was extremely relaxing and definitely helped quieten my busy brain.”
Sally-Ann explains that she has recently been diagnosed with ADHD which has given her a greater understanding of her need to be busy and her need to be able to
switch off. “The diagnosis was actually a relief as I now know how to regulate my fluctuating emotions. Needlepoint has been incredibly important as it is a form of self-expression, the repetitive nature helping to calm the chaos of my mind.”
And, watching her work, I can see that it is a deeply immersive process that requires the kind of concentration that blots out everything else. I am intrigued that SallyAnn doesn’t work to a pattern. “I am self-taught so even if there were rules, I wouldn’t follow them. I see everything in colour so my designs are instinctive and I like to mix and match textiles to add interest and complexity to my pieces.”
Starting in the middle, Sally-Ann works outwards to create a kaleidoscope of repeating colour that is reminiscent of
traditional Native American quilts. “I am intrigued by their use of specific symbols and motifs, many of which carry deep spiritual or historical meaning, and the quilts were often used for rituals or important tribal ceremonies.” Working on a smaller scale, Sally-Ann’s tapestries are a snapshot of this spiritual narrative and her use of colour is bold and imaginative. A vintage sewing box opens to reveal a myriad of threads including silk, cotton, wool and string, and on her desk, piles of carefully grouped, complimentary shades are lined up ready for when her imagination requires them.
The exhibition in 2023, which she ran alongside friend and abstract painter Boo Compton, was a huge success and helped Sally-Ann establish herself as an artist. “It
was terrifying at the time and felt very exposing, but it was also incredibly satisfying. Art is important. It should bring people joy, make them smile, make them think and reflect, and I love that people connected with my work.” For Sally-Ann, needlepoint has grown from a hobby into an artform that is important to her as an outlet of personal expression and innovation, and by taking inspiration from ancient tribal traditions, her gorgeous geometric tapestries have echoes of the past whilst also feeling contemporary and completely unique.
For details of upcoming exhibitions or to enquire about a commission, follow Sally-Ann on Instagram @thredwell
Sweet and spicy, the heavily scented Stock is a personal favourite and a beautiful addition to the garden. With strong stems bearing clusters of florets they are also excellent for cutting and come in a variety of shades including pastel pink, cream, white and purple.
They are also easy to grow from seed and early spring is the best time to get started in order to have borders bursting with colour come early summer. A few new varieties from Plants of Distinction include the Summer Series, with shades of baby pink, mauve, deep rose and creamy apricot, the buttermilk-yellow ruffled blooms of Quartet Yellow, or the deliciously deep purple of Aida Purple.
Night scented stock is another fabulous plant to have dotted throughout your borders. As suggested, the scent is stronger in the evening and carries hints of vanilla, clove and
rose; the perfect accompaniment to a moment of quiet at the end of the day.
How to sow:
Sow seeds in trays, scattering them thinly on the surface of a good quality free-draining compost and lightly dust with vermiculite.
Cover with a clear lid and place in sunlight. Germination should take between 7-10 days. Some of the emerging seedlings will have darker leaves than others. These tend to produce single flowered plants, whilst the paler ones will produce double flowered ones.
As soon as you have two true leaves, transplant into large-celled plug trays and grow on out of direct sunlight. Once the last frost is over, plant en-masse for impact or pot up containers and position these close to seating areas so you can enjoy their heady scent all day long.
Springing back
In February, tiny clusters of snowdrops carpet our woodlands and in the winter sunshine, shrubs and fruit trees begin to bud. As the garden slowly wakes, now is the time to tick a few things off the list such as pruning climbing and shrub roses, cutting back woody perennials, and raking leaves and fallen twigs from the lawn. If time is short, steal ten minutes to check your dahlia tubers, wash out your pots or top-up the bird feeder, and if the skies darken, retreat with your seed catalogues or take a trip to the garden centre to buy a couple of bags of compost.
By the time March arrives, there is a little spring in our step and it’s time to get busy preparing beds and sowing seeds inside such as sweet peas, stocks, summer bedding plants and hardy annuals. In the vegetable patch, plant out your onion/shallot/garlic sets and sow carrots, parsnips and spinach
Tales from the potting shed
February
Mulch borders
Cut the hedge
Prune winter-flowering shrubs
outdoors – although you may need a cloche if the temperature drops. Plan ahead and fill the gaps in your borders by planting summer bulbs such as lilies, crocosmia, gladiolus and Polianthes, a beautiful hardy plant with gorgeous creamy flowers that look stunning in a floral display.
Come April, spring is finally here and blossom is bursting forth, tulips are emerging in all their beauty and leaves are beginning to unfurl in a mosaic of delicate limes and greens. Lawns will need more regular attention so start mowing once a week, tackle any patches of moss, aerate and feed. Deadhead fading daffodils, and towards the end of the month plant out dahlia tubers and be bold with your designs as they look great in huge banks of colour. Sweet peas will also be ready to move outside, so create a wigwam with canes or plant along a trellis and enjoy a row of these gorgeously fragrant and nostalgic gems.
March
Prune herbaceous
perennials
Plant early potatoes
Mow the lawn
April
Plant strawberry runners Prick out seedlings
Weed!
Sister act about food
The
Gavin Sisters, Lauretta and Sharon, are a comedy double act who, after Sharon was struck down by a rare autoimmune condition, embarked on a journey of wellbeing and nutrition that not only led to a new way of living, but also to a new career.
Lauretta and Sharon have written and performed four successful Edinburgh Fringe Shows which went on to have successful runs in the West End, and they now host a number of plant-based retreats at The Detox Barn, near Stowmarket and produce the podcast, ‘The Gavin Sisters Wellness Show’. It was just over ten years ago that Sharon first became poorly with a rare autoimmune disease that left her covered in a chronic rash, and with muscle weakness that at times was so severe she would have to use a wheelchair. Having such a close relationship, the sisters
decided to tackle the illness together and set about researching the root cause of the condition and how best to overcome it. “We talked to anybody we could find who had suffered similar symptoms and soon realised that the major factor for recovery was cutting out all processed food and drink, including alcohol, and turning to a natural, plant-based diet.”
The building blocks for Sharon’s return to health were nutrition, diet, sleep and exercise, and although this sounds straightforward, embracing this lifestyle
whilst continuing to work and manage a busy family life was quite hard to achieve. Both single mums, Sharon moved in with Lauretta, who had by this time become so passionate about the importance of clean living that she retrained as a natural vegan chef. “Once Sharon had returned to her fun-loving energetic self, we felt the need to share everything we had learnt and to talk about the experience in case we could help others who were also struggling, or even just looking for a way to incorporate healthier eating habits into their daily routine.” As is to be expected, they used their sense of humour to help get this message across, adopting a very down-toearth approach and debunking the idea that the path to a healthier lifestyle has to be intertwined with a spiritual journey. “In our podcast we have fun with tongue-in-
cheek sketches about ‘wellness warriors’ and ‘hippy-dippy’ practices, but ultimately we are serious about how adopting changes can make a real difference to your health and your mind.”
At The Detox Barn, the weekend retreats blend health and humour in a refreshing introduction to healthy eating, with delicious vegan meals, talks, demonstrations, wellness workshops, countryside walks and lots of laughter. “We usually have 7-10 guests and the pace is very relaxed, with time to unwind, communal spaces to make new connections, yoga sessions, cooking demos on how to avoid the dreaded ‘snack attacks’, and optional extras such as facials, massage and reflexology. We’re passionate about wellness, but we’re not about all the
‘preachy’ stuff. We just want to help guests feel their best and enjoy the process.”
Lauretta cooks all the meals from scratch, using fresh local ingredients, and a typical menu might include buddha bowls, a creamy beetroot risotto, ginger miso dahl and a raw vegan strawberry cheesecake. The retreats are also a digital detox as phones are switched off on arrival, allowing guests time to finally switch off from the daily digital bombardment that we are all too familiar with.
They also host an overseas retreat twice a year and The Detox Barn Algarve has been recognised by Condé Nast as one of the top wellness retreats of 2025. Set in a nature reserve surrounded by pink flamingos and overlooking the Castro Marim salt marshes, you can enjoy five days of activities and
experiences carefully curated to nourish your body, mind and soul – plus plenty of blue skies, sunshine and smiles. Their weekly podcast is also worth a listen, as Lauretta and Sharon bring their sense of fun and curiosity to interviews with qualified nutritionists, health professionals, pioneering psychologists, key-note speakers and best-selling authors. As they continue to unravel the science behind why healthy eating is so important and the truth behind the food industry, their retreats seem perfect for those wanting to boost energy levels, rejuvenate their mind and body and to rethink daily routines. Not only do they offer the time to relax, recharge and reconnect, they are also full of fun and laughter – surely the best medicine there is!
www.gavinsisters.co.uk
about taste
New cheeses on the block
We featured Broughton Hall Farm and owner Emily in our summer ’24 issue, along with her delicious sheep’s cheese, Pyghtle. Since then she’s crafted a second cheese, Nettus - a semi soft, rind-washed cheese made with raw sheep’s milk. It’s matured for at least three months and it’s got a lovely bite and on first tasting a nutty, sweet flavour which melts into savoury, meaty notes which become more pronounced the more mature the cheese gets.
The first batch of 30 wheels sold out very quickly so as soon as it’s back in production in early April, look out for it in good delis and cheese shops throughout Suffolk.
Rædwald (pronounced Redwold) is Fen Farm Dairy’s Suffolk take on a traditional French Reblochon. It has the crunchy, toothsome rind and smooth oozing paste of a classic Reblochon, but the flavours are a deeply Suffolk experience. It too is a seasonal rind-washed cheese, only made during the winter months from the fresh warm afternoon milk of Fen Farm’s free-ranging Montbéliarde cows, which is the very creamiest and unlike the lighter morning milk for making Baron Bigod.
Rædwald is only available between January and April each year, so if you spot it now, buy it before it disappears until next year!
Time to take a snoop!
In the last few years, Place Farm in Stuston, just inside the north Suffolk border, has grown into a retail and leisure complex with a range of shops, a nursery school and indoor activity centre, and the latest addition, a lovely café, The Cow Shed. Owner Hannah is part of the original farming family: “With the development of the farm into a destination, I felt the only thing missing was a central hub, and that’s when the idea to transform the old farm barn which once housed the cows came about.” It also inspired the venue’s logo Snoop the cow, who watches over customers tucking into the delicious comfort food with a healthy twist on offer, all made from the best ingredients. Look out for music evenings and social events throughout the coming year.
www.thecowshedstuston.co.uk
Hip Hip for the Ipswich Food Scene!
The Sausage and Cider Festival returns to the Corn Exchange in Ipswich on Saturday 26th of April and is set to be a great day out. With over 25 different ciders to sample and sizzling sausages at every turn, accompanied by live tribute bands throughout the day, this is strictly one for adults only and after a couple of swigs of the good stuff, you may find yourself inadvertently entering the Red Hot Chilli Peppers or World Record Sausage Eating competitions!
For all details and to buy your tickets visit www.ipswichtheatres. co.uk
After a £2 millon refurbishment, Tower Street Food Hall is now open in what was formerly Yates’s, opposite Tower Ramparts Bus Station. Beautifully restored and retaining many original features, this three-storey building has been transformed into an international food hall. As well as independent food stalls selling anything from burgers to bao buns, there are two bars, a children’s play area and a banqueting hall, which will be available to hire for wedding celebrations, events, parties and meetings.
www.tower-street.co.uk
Beetroot & Ginger Soup
A creamy vegetable soup with all the digestive health benefits of beetroot and the autoinflammatory benefits of ginger.
Method
Ingredients
1 red onion, chopped
4 celery sticks, chopped
3 beetroot
2 sweet potatoes
2 parsnips
3 pears
2 inches of fresh ginger, grated
2 tsp of tamari soy sauce
50g parsley, chopped
2 x tins coconut milk
2 cups of vegetable stock
Salt & pepper to taste
Serves 4-6
Heat a slug of oil in a large saucepan and then sauté the chopped onion until soft. Whilst this is cooking, peel and roughly chop your beetroot, sweet potatoes, parsnips and pears and then add to the cooked onion along with the chopped celery. These ingredients are packed with fibre and antioxidants, known to help improve and support digestive health.
Give this a stir and then add the grated ginger, tamari, parsley, tins of coconut milk and vegetable stock. Let this
simmer gently for 50mins until the vegetables are cooked and soft to the touch. Allow to cool for a few minutes and then pop into a blender and whizz until creamy to create a vegan soup bursting with flavour that is easy to digest and great for gut health.
Season with salt and pepper and serve with a swirl of coconut cream, chopped parsley or a sprinkling of toasted pumpkin seeds.
(Recipe courtesy of Lauretta Gavin, The Detox Barn)
round & about
Where fairies dance
With early February only promising grey and more grey, we decided to forego the walk and instead bring you a little of selection places in Suffolk where you can enjoy the beauty of our native bluebells. One of the joys of spring is watching these lovely bell-shaped flowers emerging from the undergrowth, transforming the woodlands and covering them in a magical carpet of blue.
The bluebell is known by a host of common names: English bluebell, wild hyacinth, wood bell, bell bottle, cuckoo’s boots, lady’s nightcap and witches’ thimbles, and has long been associated with myth and local folklore. They are believed to be enchanted, the bells ringing to call fairies to secret gatherings where they would dance and sing. The woods where they grow are also believed to be woven with magic and it is said that those who pick a bluebell will be led astray by mischievous fairies and left to wander lost for evermore.
Here are just a few of the best places where they can be enjoyed this spring.
Bluebell Sundays at Haughley Park
Between late April and early May, six acres of bluebells burst into bloom, creating a spectacular blue-carpet effect in in the wood at Haughley Park. On the last Sunday in April and first Sunday in May, the private Suffolk estate opens its gates so people can come and enjoy this wonderful display of natural beauty.
Open 2-5.30pm Refreshments in the barn www.haughleypark.co.uk
Captain’s Wood, Sudbourne
Managed by Suffolk Wildlife Trust, Captain’s Wood exhibits one of the most astonishing displays of bluebells to be found anywhere in
Suffolk. There is 3km circular trail that takes you through the ancient woodland and natural habitats.
www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/captainswood
Reydon Wood Nature Reserve
A small but fascinating ancient, coppiced woodland promises a spectacular eruption of spring flowers including swathes of bluebells, yellow archangel and greater stitchwort. Look out for tawny owl, sparrowhawk, long-tailed tit, woodcock and treecreeper, and in the recently coppiced areas marvel at the liquid song of blackcap and nightingale.
www.suffolkwildlifetrust.org/reydonwood round & about
Priestley Wood, Needham Market
Owned by the Woodland Trust, Priestley Wood is considered to be one of the finest woods in Suffolk for its rich plant life. What’s thought to be the county’s last wild pear tree can be found there, as well as several species of orchid, and from mid-April to early-June is an ideal time to visit for a great display of bluebells – and if you are lucky, the song of the nightingale. www.woodlandtrust.org.uk
RSPB Minsmere
If you follow the woodland trail from the visitor centre at Minsmere in early May you will come across an abundance of bluebells that seem to flower later here than further inland. Renowned for its huge variety of birdlife, you may also catch the lilting harmony of a nightingale as the males should still be singing. Open daily with café on site. Entry fee for non-members
www.rspb.org.uk/days-out/reserves/ minsmere
We hope you enjoy discovering some of these magical woodlands, just don’t be tempted to pick a bluebell or you may never be seen again!
Stockists about you
Music To Die For hello@musictodiefor.co.uk www.musictodiefor.co.uk @musictodie4
Sarah Hastings Dance
Vida Haus Studio
3 Tuns, Pettistree IP13 0HW www.vida-haus/scheduleworkshops
SKIN by Leanne Moss
Brookhill Way
Ipswich IP4 5UL hello@skinbyleannemoss.co.uk T: 07771 608143 www.skinbyleannemoss.co.uk
YANA
helpline@yanahelp.org Hotline: 0300 3230400 www.yanahelp.org
Interiors emporium:
collated
Guildhall, Market Hill Framlingham IP13 9BD www.collatedonline.com
Constance & Denny www.constanceanddenny.com @constanceanddenny
Frankie’s Studio
The Green Grundisburgh IP13 6TA www.frankies.studio @frankies.studio
Hatfield House
@ Marlesford Mill and Majestic Hare www.hatfieldhousesuffolk.co.uk
Laura Fletcher Textiles T: 07989 562303 www.laurafletchertextiles.co.uk
Mabel & Co
The Old Forge Sudbourne Park Orford IP12 2AJ www.mabeland.co
Narwhal Interiors
23 Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN @narwhal_interiors
No.10 Harleston
10 Market Place
Harleston IP20 9AD @10harleston
Snape Maltings
Snape Bridge Snape IP17 1SP www.brittenpearsarts.org
Swan House & Garden
21 High St
Debenham IP14 6QL @swanmaisonetjardin
the-barn.co
Friday Street
Saxmundham IP17 1JX www.the-barn.co
The Merchant’s Table
10 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.themerchantstable.co.uk
Vanil
17 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DS www.vanil.co.uk
Fashion emporium:
Anna
32 Church Street
Woodbridge IP12 1DH www.shopatanna.com
Boho & Blyth
58 Thoroughfare
Halesworth IP19 8AR www.bohoandblyth.com
collen & clare
25 Market Place Southwold IP18 6ED www.collenandclare.com
Darcy B
13 Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN www.darcy-b.co.uk
Ernest Doe
Broadwater Road
Framlingham IP13 9LL T: 01728 723963 www.ernestdoe.com
Fleur
166 High Street
Aldeburgh IP15 5AQ www.fleuraldeburgh.co.uk
Frankie’s Studio
The Green Grundisburgh IP13 6TA www.frankies.studio @frankies.studio
Gigi’s Boutique
Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU www.gigisboutique.uk @gigi_my_happy_place_
Hug 12 Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LP www.huglifestyles.com
Ives Footwear
29 & 31 Thoroughfare
Woodbridge IP12 1AA www.ivesfootwear.co.uk
Moose
Market Hill
Woodbridge IP12 4LU @mooseonthehill
Ruby Tyger
No 1 The Mews
Market Hill
Framlingham IP13 9AN @rubytyger.framlingham
The Worn Works www.thewornworks.com @thewornworks
Trulock & Harris
Ore Trading Estate
Woodbridge Road
Framlingham IP13 9LL www.trulockandharris.co.uk
