Bone Idyll Distillery & Bar in Kingston upon Thames

Founded by husband-andwife team Sam and Alex Berry, Bone Idyll opened in June 2022 and is a Kingston-based bar and distillery making small batch spirits and ready-to-drink cocktails (RTDs), packed with passion, attitude, and taste.

Sam and Alex are respected mixologists, restaurateurs and entrepreneurs with a strong track record and wealth of experience in the hospitality industry. They have four other restaurants: No.97, Cento Uno, and The Hideaway, all in Surbiton, and One One Four in Teddington. In 2020, No 97 & One One Four were listed in the top 50 restaurants in the UK.

“The bar and distillery space are about kicking back and relaxing. Contemporary in design, I wanted to create a really stylish vibe, that included an exclusive space for the gin school, that felt like being at home”

The distillery currently produces six speciality spirits, including vodka, a Barrel Aged Gin, Blushing Pink Gin, and London Bone Dry Gin priced between £30-£40, plus a range of five ready-to-drink cocktails: bottles of Pink Gin Cosmo, Margarita, Barrel Aged Negroni, Passionfruit Daiquiri and Espresso Martini are all £30.

Learn the arts of mixology within the stunning surroundings of the Bone Idyll distillery, featuring 10 x 2 litre copper pot stills. Choose from a variety of premium botanicals and experiment with gin mixology flavours from sweet, to sour, to spicy. Reorder more - all recipes will be kept on file. Your class includes 3 double gin & tonics, Bone Idyll gin tasters, bar snacks (per person), a 700ml bottle of your own gin and a £5 discount to spend at the Bone Idyll shop. The classes are £125 per person.

The venue and gin school bar area are available for exclusive private bookings. Simply let us know what your requirements are.

t: 0208 161 0440 www.boneidyll.co.uk

@bone_idyll

The late winter month of February brings into focus the romantic festival of Valentine. Did you know that a gift of a thornless rose is said to represent ‘love at first sight’, and a single rose of any colour other than red means ‘thank you’? The single red rose doesn’t need any explanation, but if you feel generous and buy a bunch of twelve red roses, it could mean ‘I want to marry you’.

Living roses also make a wonderful gift. They can be planted now, provided the ground is frost-free. You can include a dose of mycorrhizal fungi, which will form a symbiotic relationship with any tree or shrub.

There are dozens of different types of roses and thousands of varieties in each category. New roses are being bred every year, but some of the old favourites include:

• Wild roses such as Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina, which can make wonderful informal hedges.

• Old Garden rose varieties, which are often over 100 years old, such as the pink, perfumed Rosa chinensis – the China rose.

• Hybrid tea roses such as: ‘Compassion’, an apricot pink, scented beauty; ‘Claret’, a red/ crimson variety with lovely fragrance; and ‘Aphrodite’, a pink rose with good disease resistance. Hybrid tea originate from the old tea roses, which smelled of spiced tea. They have strong, single blooms that are good for cutting.

• Floribunda roses have a profusion of smaller flowers, which appear in delightful clusters. These flower repeatedly and it is possible to have floribunda roses all through spring and into late summer.

• Patio roses are smaller than the shrub varieties and suitable for pots and containers. If you have a courtyard garden or even a large window box, this might be the one for you. The Gold Standard, award winning ‘George Best’ is a rather wonderful red, fading to pink. ‘Special Friend’ is the palest of pinks with a delicate fragrance.

By Caroline Knight: Gardendesignideas.co.uk

• Ground-cover roses can look wonderful at the front of a border or draping across a low wall. Rosa ‘Kent’ is a white variety that has many excellent attributes, including large clusters of rain-tolerant blooms.

• Shrub roses are the modern equivalent to the Old Garden variety. They have been bred to be generally fairly disease resistant, having fairly large blooms that flower for many weeks. An unusual one is ‘Ferdinand Pichard’, being striped in clashing colours of bold pink, crimson and purple.

• Rambling roses are probably not for the faint-hearted! They grow beautifully through trees but might be too vigorous for a trellis or pergola. They generally flower just once a year, but it’s a show worth waiting for, particularly the white ‘Rambling Rector’.

• Climbing roses are a more orderly bunch of characters that love to grow over pergolas and can usually be trained to obey the chief gardener. They often flower more than once per year. Try ‘Gardener’s Glory’, a yellow rose that is a Gold Standard award winner, or ‘Gloriana’, a striking purple rose that flowers almost all summer long.

Fire Doors Doors

Skirting

Kitchens

Wardrobes Repair

Upgrading your lighting design is one of the easiest ways to transform the way your home looks and feels. While a lighting scheme is generally best planned at the start of a renovation, don’t worry if all you’re looking for is a quick fix – it’s perfectly possible to make a big difference within a short timeframe and on a small budget.

1 Swap your shades

Replacing the shade on a table lamp or pendant is easy and, if you choose bold colour or pattern, will add instant pzazz to a room. Alternatively, opt for fashionable materials such as rattan or smoked glass. Another trick is to buy a plain shade with a warm-coloured, reflective metal lining for an instant and appealing glow.

2 Retrofit a dimmer

Easily turn your lights down for atmosphere by swapping a conventional switch for a dimmer switch. It’s best to ask a qualified electrician to carry out a job such as this – but it should not be expensive. If you’re dimming an LED bulb or fitting, just make sure you choose an LEDappropriate dimmer.

3 Plug in more lamps

Bring light to dark corners by adding table or floor lamps. Simply try to achieve an attractive spread of light, at different heights around the room.

4 Use smart bulbs

Still a relatively new technology, ‘smart’ bulbs can be switched on and off, dimmed or colour-changed via remote control, app or voice command. Some can even be linked to other ‘smart’ systems within the house. A great way to add flexibility to your home.

This is where it becomes technical. A bulb’s colour quality, or colour rendering index (CRI), measures how colours appear under its light compared to natural daylight, with 100 being daylight-equivalent. Below 80 and you probably won’t be able to tell the difference between similar colours, such as black and dark blue. Aim for above 90 if possible.

The colour temperature of a light bulb (from warm and yellowish to cool blue-white) is measured in Kelvins. Choose 2,700K for ‘architectural’ lighting, while decorative fittings look good at a more atmospheric 2,200-2,400K.

Cordless lamps are rechargeable fittings with an integral battery instead of a cord and a plug. Put them anywhere you like, regardless of the nearest socket, and move them around whenever and wherever you want.

LED light strips are easy to use, slender and customisable, are attached with a self-adhesive backing, clips or within an aluminium channel, and can go almost anywhere. If you can’t connect them to an electrical supply, there are battery-powered options. Add them to coving, bookcases or shelves, underneath or inside cabinets, up the stairs, around mirrors and picture frames, and even inside drawers.

By Katherine Sorrell

9

Lower the height of pendants

Create instant ambience by dropping your pendants low over a dining table or breakfast bar. If you have a row or cluster of three or more, you could vary their heights slightly. And why not swap a standard plastic flex for an elegant cotton one, in a colour chosen to match your decor? You’ll need an electrician for the job, but it will provide instant impact.

10

Embellish with string lights

Fairy lights can be employed for added sparkle whenever and wherever you like. Great for children’s rooms, they can also be used in an empty fireplace, around a headboard, wound up a staircase, to highlight a picture or mirror or – more or less – anywhere you feel like.

11

Choose interesting bulbs

No need to hide a bulb beneath a shade – modern bulbs come in an enormous varieties of styles that are decorative in themselves. Iridescent, oversized, in glorious shapes and even with a filament that spells out a word.

12

Add a kinetic light switch

Do you need to move a light switch or dimmer, but don’t want to install wiring? A self-powered, wireless, batteryfree kinetic switch will do the trick (though you will also need to wire a receiver into the fitting or existing switch). They can even be used in bathrooms or outdoors.

Of

Serves 4

Prep time 15 mins

Cook time 12 mins

Ingredients

For the pancakes

• 140g plain flour

• 1 tbsp cocoa powder

• 1 tsp baking powder

• 2 tbsp icing sugar

• 2 medium British Lion eggs

• 125ml milk

• 1 tbsp sunflower oil, for cooking the pancakes

For the filling

• 3 tbsp amaretto

• 2 tsp instant coffee, plus extra to serve

• 3 tbsp icing sugar

• 250g mascarpone

• 300g raspberries

Whether for an indulgent breakfast or brunch, teatime treat or after-dinner dessert, serve up pancakes with panache this Shrove Tuesday (21st February).

1. In a large jug, gently whisk together all the pancake ingredients (except the oil) until smooth. Leave to stand for 10 minutes.

2. Heat a large frying pan over a medium heat and brush with oil. Pour in heaped tablespoons of pancake batter, spaced a few centimetres apart, fitting 3-4 in the pan. Cook for about a minute until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip or turn and cook for a further 30 seconds. Repeat with the remaining mixture to make about 20 pancakes in total.

3. In a large bowl mix together the coffee, amaretto and icing sugar. Add the mascarpone and whisk until thick.

4. Spread a heaped teaspoonful of the coffee mixture onto each pancake, and layer to create a small stack, adding a handful of raspberries to 2 layers in each stack. Top with a dollop of the coffee mixture and an extra raspberry, then dust with a little coffee. Serve straightaway.

Egg-cellent choice Eggs are a good source of protein and are packed with essential nutrients. Always use eggs bearing the British Lion mark, which guarantees that they have been produced to the highest food standards. For more inspiration, visit www.egginfo.co.uk/recipes.

Two-time winner of the Kingston Chamber of Commerce’s Award for the Best Leisure and Hospitality Business, Glenmore House is one of Surbiton’s best kept secrets.

Constructed in 1840, Glenmore House is a fine example of late Georgian architecture situated in the exclusive Surbiton conservation area adjacent to the landscaped park of Claremont Gardens, the Edwardian building was one of the first substantial houses to be built in Surbiton, which has adapted to many uses over time, and today functions as a members’ club and wedding and events venue.

Next held: 5th February, 5th March, 2nd April

*Every first Sunday of the month

Next held: 5th January, 2nd February, 1st March long time now and we pretty much know what the other one’s thinking, half the time, so it makes our working relationship really easy…and fun too!”

Impressive double gates open on to Glenmore’s free, private car park which can safely accommodate up to 110 cars.

We have acquired an enviable reputation for gourmet cuisine second to none, offering superb value for money, with no compromise on quality.

Come and enjoy the popular Sunday Carvery in the magnificent Elizabethan Suite, Tudor Rooms or Crescent Room.

Our fabulous Elizabethan Suite comprises of a double height ballroom, featuring sparkling chandeliers, minstrel galleries and a sprung dance floor, adjoined by an exclusive bar area.

The Tudor Rooms benefit from stained glass windows and chandeliers, and our light and airy Crescent Room enjoys fabulous views over Claremont Gardens.

Choose from a choice of five starters, five main courses and at least eight desserts, with coffee and complimentary amuse bouche for just £25 per person, all prepared by our brigade of award winning Chefs, using the freshest ingredients.

** The price is £25 incl VAT, (parties over 7 subject to a 10% service charge). Children under 12 half price. Private rooms are also available for a small additional charge.

Holly, 41, and husband Dan Baldwin tied the knot in August 2007 in a romantic church ceremony before hosting their reception at Amberley Castle, with Holly designing her own wedding dress – taking inspiration from her mother Linda’s 1977 wedding outfit – before asking a friend to make it. “I knew I wanted it to be very vintage, lace, with long sleeves, a high neck and a beautiful, open back, as that’s what everyone sees when you walk down the aisle. Oh, and a long train…if you can’t do that on your wedding day, when can you?,” Holly told Wylde Moon, her official lifestyle and guidance brand. Speaking previously about the secret to her relationship with TV producer Dan, Holly revealed: “Support is everything in mine and Dan’s relationship. He’s very solid ground; he

She has that girl-next-door persona about her – and became a household name back in 2009 when she replaced Fern Britton as co-host alongside Phillip Schofield on ITV’s flagship daytime show, This Morning.

The award-winning presenters, who were first put together on Dancing on Ice three years prior to Holly landing the This Morning role, have a great chemistry on-screen and have also formed a close friendship off-screen. Says Holly: “I think it’s just the fact that we’ve got a friendship first and foremost. We’ve known each other for a really long time now and we pretty much know what the other one’s thinking, half the time, so it makes our working relationship really easy…and fun too!”

Holly, 41, and husband Dan Baldwin tied the knot in August 2007 in a romantic church ceremony before hosting their reception at Amberley Castle, with Holly designing her own wedding dress – taking inspiration from her mother Linda’s 1977 wedding outfit – before asking a friend to make it. “I knew I wanted it to be very vintage, lace, with long sleeves, a high neck and a beautiful, open back, as that’s what everyone sees when you walk down the aisle. Oh, and a long train…if you can’t do that on your wedding day, when can you?,” Holly told Wylde Moon, her official lifestyle and guidance brand. Speaking previously about the secret to her relationship with TV producer Dan, Holly revealed: “Support is everything in mine and Dan’s relationship. He’s very solid ground; he

Away from our TV screens, Holly is a brand ambassador for Marks & Spencer, while she has also collaborated with Dunelm to create The Holly Willoughby for The Home bedding range. Talking about the inspiration behind the collection, she says: “I’m not an interior designer so whenever I design for the range, all I can do is dress a bed in a way that would make me happy in my own home. For me, your bedroom should be your sanctuary; a place of calm away from the busyness of everyday life.”

With a busy schedule that involves very early mornings, late-night events and caring for her family, being on top form is a priority: “I love the luxury of sinking into a bath before bed and if I’ve got the time, that’s exactly where you’ll find me; soaking in essential oils, listening to Desert Island Discs! I think a bath, followed by climbing into a bed with fresh sheets, is literally the best feeling in the world!”

Images: © Dunelm (www.dunelm.com/info/holly-willoughby) is where I fall. And he knows when something is wrong – it makes me feel emotional even thinking about it. But of course, he has weaknesses; we both do. The key is holding up each other’s strengths and not poking at each other’s weaknesses.”

The presenter has a closely guarded private life, especially when it comes to her three children, Belle, Harry and Chester. Home for the family – and their pet dog Bailey and cat Bluebell – is a £3 million six-bedroom Edwardian house in southwest London.

Away from our TV screens, Holly is a brand ambassador for Marks & Spencer, while she has also collaborated with Dunelm to create The Holly Willoughby for The Home bedding range. Talking about the inspiration behind the collection, she says: “I’m not an interior designer so whenever I design for the range, all I can do is dress a bed in a way that would make me happy in my own home. For me, your bedroom should be your sanctuary; a place of calm away from the busyness of everyday life.”

With a busy schedule that involves very early mornings, late-night events and caring for her family, being on top form is a priority: “I love the luxury of sinking into a bath before bed and if I’ve got the time, that’s exactly where you’ll find me; soaking in essential oils, listening to Desert Island Discs! I think a bath, followed by climbing into a bed with fresh sheets, is literally the best feeling in the world!”

All animals need exercise and cats are no different. However, if you are concerned about letting your pet out, you might be thinking about buying a harness and talking your cat for a walk. It may be possible if you start this when they are a kitten, but it’s really not recommended for the following reasons.

• Cats are naturally cautious and want to explore at a pace that feels right and safe for them. They will want to be able to hide, run away or avoid potential threats without restriction.

• Cats are naturally very attached to their home and need to feel they always have access to this. Being taken on a lead takes them into new territory and prevents them from being able to access their own space.

• If the lead is dropped or they escape their harness it is unlikely they will return to you, especially when they are scared. Cats are more likely to bolt in order to reach a place of safety and will be at risk from cars on the road as well as other threats.

• Dogs have a high chase drive and, if they see a cat, may try to run after them. Being on a lead or harness makes your cat vulnerable to all sorts of dangers like this that they would naturally avoid.

Rather than using a harness and leash to provide access to the outdoors, the RSPCA recommends providing your cat an enclosed outdoor space with cat-proof fencing.

Add layers of texture to your bed with a quilted pillowcase, such as this abstract assortment of multicoloured letters on an orange base. Alphabet Soup quilted pillowcase, £42, antipodream.co.uk.

Make getting out of the shower a fancy affair with this vibrant cotton bath mat. Islands in the Stream bath mat, £49, antipodream.co.uk.

Make a statement with this fun home accessory, featuring a bubblegum-pink finish and organic shape. Large amphora vase, £18, sassandbelle.co.uk.

• Choose bright shades that make you feel good. Yellow is a great choice as it’s so reminiscent of hot, sunny days (they’re on their way!). Team with other warm colours such as red, pink and orange, or add in a melange of everything for a cheerful mix.

• Impactful patterns can be used even in small doses to make a difference to your space. Or you could go the whole hog and cover an entire wall…

• Look for pieces with dramatic or unusual silhouettes – be bold and express your individuality, and you’ll add happy energy to your room.

• More is more! Layer colours and patterns without worrying too much about so-called ‘taste’. If you love it, go for it.

This retro-styled neon lamp emits a bird-shaped luminous glow that’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face. Eleanne Toucan neon light, £13.99, wayfair.co.uk.

The perfect gift for any occasion, this decorative bottle is filled with 125 colourful, 10cm-long, luxury matches. Multicoloured Joy matches, £15, heavenlyhomesandgardens.co.uk.

The designers liken the style of this bold, digitally printed wallpaper to a samba or a mambo, dancing across the paper with an expressive joy. Squiggle wallpaper in Lapis & Honey, £69, ohpopsi.comi.

These one-of-a-kind baskets are made by the weavers of the Bolgatanga area, Northern Ghana, and finished with sustainable leather. African shopping basket in Joy, £65, lolaandmawu.com.

Bring the groove into your interior with a colourful disco ball for an instant party feeling. Gold & Pink stripy disco ball, £53, rockettstgeorge.co.uk.

By Katherine Sorrell

Beat the winter blues – and make the most of the money in your pocket and the everyday ingredients in your cupboard – with this cost-effective yet tasty and satisfying midweek winner.

Serves 4

Costs 95p per person

Prep time 10 mins

Cook time 35 mins

Ingredients

• 300g potatoes, diced

• Olive oil

• 1 onion, peeled and chopped

• 2 cloves garlic, minced

• 1 x 340g tin of corned beef, chopped

• 80g bag of watercress, spinach and rocket, chopped

• 2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce

© www.watercress.co.uk, with photography

by Lara Jane Thorpe

1. Parboil the potatoes in a pan of lightly salted water for around 7 minutes before draining the water – they should be slightly softened but still hold their shape.

2. In a large, heavy-based pan, fry off the onions in a glug of oil until beginning to soften. Add the garlic and allow to cook for about 30 seconds.

3. Now add the potatoes, corned beef and chopped salad leaves, and apply a little pressure with a spatula or fi sh slice. Occasionally turn the mixture but try not to disturb it too much.

4. Add the Worcestershire sauce and push down on the mixture again. By this point, it should all be nicely browned.

5. Serve with baked beans or some cooked-from-frozen vegetables, if liked.

Each letter of the alphabet has been replaced by a number shown in the grid, with the first few entered for you.

If you’ve ever forgotten your shopping list or lost your train of thought, you’re not alone. Memory changes are a normal part of ageing, so symptoms of mild forgetfulness are usually nothing to worry about and aren’t indicative of a serious memory problem.

Poor memory health, on the other hand, can make it harder to do everyday things. Sometimes, memory problems can be a sign of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), or in rarer cases, dementia or Alzheimer’s disease. If you’re concerned about your own or someone else’s memory, there are a few signs to look out for –some of which include:

• Asking the same questions over and over again.

• Getting lost in places one knows well.

• Having trouble following instructions or directions.

• Becoming more confused about time, people, and places.

Unfortunately, there are no drugs or treatments that prevent or permanently treat dementia or Alzheimer’s disease, although there are several drugs your doctor can prescribe to treat the early and mid-stage symptoms. There are also no guarantees when it comes to preventing memory loss or dementia, but there are certain activities that can help.

Physical activity increases blood flow to your brain, which can help keep your memory sharp. Keeping your mind active is important too. The best way to keep your brain in good shape is to engage in mentally stimulating activities, such as crossword puzzles or sudoku. You could also try challenging your memory by taking alternate routes when driving, or even learning a new skill.

Humans are social creatures, so it’s no surprise that social interaction has been proven to boost our happiness by warding off depression and stress – both of which are known contributors to memory loss.

Look for opportunities to get together with friends and family – especially if you live alone. Or, why not consider volunteering at your local school, church or community centre?

Along with countless other benefits, getting a good night’s sleep has been proven to play an important role in memory consolidation, a process in which short-term memories are strengthened and transformed into long-lasting memories. The NHS advises that adults should get between seven to nine hours of sleep a day.

Studies have shown that both mindfulness and meditation can lower stress and improve concentration and memory. You can incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily routine by paying more attention to your present situation, concentrating on your breathing and resetting your attention when your mind wanders.

Cutting out sources of excess sugar, reducing overall caloric intake and limiting your alcohol consumption have all been proven to help protect the brain.

More surprisingly, caffeine from coffee or green tea has also been shown to have a positive effect on memory retention, as has dark chocolate. This is due to cocoa flavonoids, the active compounds in chocolate, improving blood flow to the brain and therefore boosting brain function.