Celebrate:MK December 22 January 23

WHITTLEBURY PARK Ginger Mum runs through some wonderful Christmas gift treats available at Whittlebury Park

FAB FESTIVE DAYS OUT

Faye Shearwood picks out the best places to go for a fun local family day out over the festive season

YOGA YOUR FACE

Carla Donatelli talks about her new local independent face yoga sessions

AWARD

MK-based interior design studio wins at the UK Property Awards

2 Jason Day previews the long-awaited sequel and more new cinema releases

MAXWELL D The UK garage legend on teaming up with Jon Boyle for his new single

to this rather festive issue of Celebrate:MK, which is packed full of festive fun in and around MK. From gorgeous gift ideas (page 6), fabulous family days out (8) and festive film flicks (16), to pleasurable pantos (20) and great gigs (25), we’ve got it all. You can also read an interview with Maxwell D on page 19, who

discusses teaming up with me for our new single ‘Serious Come On’. I still can’t believe he agreed to collab with me. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Nonna’s named Best Restaurant in MK

It was time to celebrate the hard work of the local hospitality sector at the MK Food & Leisure Awards, where Nonna’s was named Best Restaurant at a fabulous ceremony in November.

Just under 200 guests gathered at the Delta Hotel, Kents Hill to attend the glitzy awards evening, sponsored by Brioche Pasquier.

The evening was opened by the Mayor, Amanda Marlow, and the guests enjoyed a top-class meal, and live music during the course of the evening.

The event founder, Steven Dryden-Hall, said he was immensely proud to have reached the 10th year of the awards and that it seemed fitting that it should happen in the same year that Milton Keynes became a city.

“These awards have always been about showcasing the amazing work done by the people in the hospitality industry in Milton Keynes, raising awareness and driving business within the local economy,” he said.

“In these difficult economic times, it is particularly important to support our independent businesses.”

Steven says it has been very rewarding to see new friendships, business relationships and opportunities come about as a direct result of people coming together for this night of celebration, and he is proud too that the event raises money for charity,

Nonna’s staff celebrating

this year supporting the YMCA and MK Community Foundation.

Full list of this year’s winners:

Hotel of the Year - Swan Revived Hotel MK’s Top Attraction Milton Keynes Museum MK’s Favourite National Chain - Miller And Carter, Shenley Church End Bar of the Year - The Blossom Room at The Hub

Best Family Restaurant Fratelli Cucina Italiana in Ampthill Asian Restaurant of the Year - Maaya Indian Kitchen and Bar, The Hub Best Independent TakeawayThe Sushi Club MK, C.M.K Best Pub - The Anchor

Food scene

Best Local Produce (Food) - The Northamptonshire Cheese Company – Hobnail Blue

Best Local Produce (Drink)Fruity Farmer, Rhubarb Rum Best Coffee Business/CafeThe Game Changer Kitchen

Best Street Food - Good Times Cafe

Best Newcomer Kassia, Stony Stratford

One to Watch award - Wyld Best Restaurant - Nonna’s, Woburn Sands

Service Staff Of The Year Jack Robinson, The Caldecotte Pub & Grill

Chef of the Year - THIRD PLACE: Nico Baker from The Brasserie MK

Chef of the Year SECOND PLACE: James Carr: MK College

Chef of the Year WINNER: Stefano Boi from Nonna’s, Woburn Sands

Hazel Roberts caught up with Steven Dryden-Hall after the 10th annual MK Food & Leisure Awards, as Nonna’s came out on top...

Give the gift of Whittlebury Park

Our lifestyle columnist Amanda, AKA Ginger Mum , runs through some wonderful Christmas treats available at Whittlebury Park...

dishes, with a seasonally changing menu, there is something for everyone.

packed bundle including full use of all facilities on the day of arrival, a 50 minute Espa Harmony Restore Ritual treatment, 2 course lunch, and ESPA gift to leave with, as well as our 3 course dinner in Astons and full English the next morning before departing feeling fully fuelled, revived and ready to take on anything!

Hey, welcome to sparkle season and one of my favourite times of the year.

I think I have the perfect suggestion for that special Christmas gift or a post festive pamper session at one of the jewels in Buckinghamshire’s crown, Whittlebury Park

Whittlebury Spa is renowned for its luxury spa days, boasting an expansive 32 treatment room open plan hub and the holistic wellness brand Espa products on hand for the ultimate feel good experience.

Choose from a gaggle of individually tailored treatments from a selection ranging from Jessica mani-pedi’s to dermaplaning and of course, the award winning Heat & Ice experiences complete with ice caves and tepidarium.

If the plethora of options I’ve already mentioned doesn’t light your fire, then look into one of their epic

Boasting a 3 AA rosette fine dining experience at Murrays restaurant with head chef Harvey at the helm, alongside the less formal but contemporary Astons, diners are spoilt for choice.

Sustainable locally sourced

If the spa encounter is not for you, then their 19m swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi, championship golf course or first class gym just might be.

We checked in for the Escape & Relax package, stayed in a classy club room with complimentary prosecco to greet us and included a jam

theme nights which always sell out at speed.

Gift vouchers are a wonderful gifting idea, especially if clubbing together with family or friends or just treat yourselves to a January pick me up.

Tailor your own experience at www.whittlebury.com

*Images credit www.hotels.com

Don’t

stories over @gingermumstyle

forget you can follow my daily musings on my Instagram

Cloudy2Clear, A Local Service With A Smile.

Established for over 16 years, Cloudy2Clear windows have become the UK’s leading company for domestic glass replacement. Customers are no longer needing to risk their windows by using the dreaded double glazing cowboy down the road, instead, now they can join over 320,000 happy customers and have their glass replaced in an affordable and ethical manner. Remember, a failed glass unit may no longer provide you with the protection you need or be energy efficient. Why not spend a few minutes checking your home to see if you have any failed double glazing? If you act now you can avoid any future costly problems.

When talking to the Manager of Cloudy2Clear windows Stephen Moon it became clear that these

values have been held dear for a number of years. Since starting the business some years ago Cloudy2Clear have remained true to their core values of supporting the local community by providing a service that saves the public money.

The Cloudy2Clear service only requires the glass to be replaced and not the whole window once the unit has failed. Stephen commented “Cloudy2Clear were able to assist our community through the last financial crisis in 2008 due to the savings that can be made in using our service. Unfortunately we might be going through something similar again soon and the public can rest assured that we will be there to help once again”.

For a free quotation please call 0800 61 21 118 or visit www. cloudy2clear.com

Windows Steamed Up?

Janet Beard

All C2C employees operate a strict social distancing policy.

Fab festive days out this Xmas

something closer to home… the residents of Kennington Close, Newport Pagnell are once again putting on their fabulous Christmas light extravaganza, in aid of Willen

Family days out

It’s my favourite time of year again – CHRISTMAS!

From free events to markets, lights and grottos, there is so much to do in Milton Keynes this year, I’ve had trouble fitting it all onto this page!

First up, in what has become a yearly tradition for our family – Christmas at Waddesdon is BACK. And for the first time since 2019, the house is open.

Discover festive displays, sparkling trees and sumptuous decorations inspired by the treasures inside, whilst outdoors, the winter light trail illuminates the natural landscape surrounding the manor.

For the best view of the manor illuminations – I would highly recommend booking tickets for after the sun goes down. We often go straight after school as weekends can get very busy. And don’t forget The Christmas Fair – a feast for all the senses!

I feel we are really spoilt living so close to Waddesdon Manor (a mere 45-minute drive from central MK), but for

Hospice from 1st December. And don’t forget Ikea; from bauble bonanzas to jolly gingerbread and even a pantomime on various dates

Keynes Theatre, starring Lesley Joseph (amongst others) and showing from 10th December 2022 until 8th January 2023. And Christmas wouldn’t be complete without a visit to one of the many grottos open in Milton Keynes this year. We are going to Santa’s Grotto with The Snowman at centre:mk – a nostalgic adventure brought to life by actors portraying the well-loved characters from the original story, followed by meeting Santa in his woodland cabin! Milton Keynes Museum and Bletchley Park also have some more traditional type grottos open too, and step back into the Victorian era at Stowe, with a Christmas market open on weekends throughout December.

John Lewis also has some fantastic in-store crafting events; from nordic gnomes needle felting and wreath making (for the grown-ups) –to a little crafters workshop on the 11th December; head to their website (experiences. johnlewis.com) for more information. And don’t forget Frosts – a garden centre guaranteed to make you feel very Christmassy indeed!

throughout December – these in-store events are entirely free!

We are also hoping to take my eldest to Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Milton

Have a very merry Christmas and see you next year!

For more family adventures in Buckinghamshire and beyond, follow Faye on Instagram @meandbeau_travels

Local family travel blogger Faye Shearwood selects her festive favourites for entertaining days out with the family this Christmas

Relax your mind and body with new local Face Yoga sessions

Face Yoga is a series of movements and exercises, carefully combined to relax your mind and body.

Its aim is to increase your self-awareness, improve facial muscle tone, and ultimately boost your self-confidence.

This is not about vanity; this is about looking good and feeling good in a holistic way with results that last.

Even if you use Botox, that’s not a problem, because Face Yoga can help extend the time between injections, and eventually, you may not feel like you need it at all.

There’s no doubt that the lockdowns and trials of the last few years have put pressure on us all, with almost two years of our lives spent struggling through the uncertainties.

After the first lockdown, I felt as though I had aged a lot, and I was approaching my 60th birthday.

My youngest child is 16, and I wanted to look more like a mother than a grandmother to my children.

I also felt I needed to reignite my confidence and learn ways in which I could feel better about my looks as I returned to the workplace.

I believe Face Yoga is more of a journey than an exercise. It’s about creating a sense of empowerment as we try to take back control over what happens to us as we age.

The beauty of Face Yoga is that it not only helps you to embrace your inner beauty, but you can take part at any age. There is no ideal age to start your journey.

My youngest clients are

in their 20s, worrying about double chins and facial symmetry, and my oldest client is 80 – concerned about posture and eye droop.

My 16-year-old often asks for Face Yoga advice to help with skincare, and I am currently utilising my skills to further my practice and learn how to help those with Bell’s Palsy, after watching my mother suffer with this condition. Face Yoga is truly life changing.

Scan the QR code for more info or visit www.yogayourface.com

Carla Donatelli, owner of new local independent business Yoga Your Face, explains how the facial exercises make you look and feel great...

FACE THE FACTS: Face Yoga can improve facial muscle tone

Before After

Larry Achiampong,

Cranberryhome wins national award

Milton Keynes based interior design studio

Cranberryhome was honoured at the United Kingdom Property Awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London for their project Faragon House.

Cranberryhome competed against the best property professionals across the United Kingdom and was recognised in the ‘Best Kitchen Design’ category.

The winning design was an original design by Design Director and owner of Cranberryhome, Hugo Fleming. He created the complete kitchen design for clients whom he initially met at Grand Designs Live.

Several layouts, plans, 3D imagery, samples and technical drawings were needed to bring the design in to complement the house renovation. Eventually, a matt black, Halifax oak and mottled gold Eggersmann kitchen were chosen, highlighted by antique gold splashback mirrors.

Sponsored by P & A Wood - Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the awards attract international acclaim and recognition.

Asked what makes Cranberryhome worthy

Not only did Cranberryhome win the Best Kitchen design in Cambridgeshire but was also judged high enough to win the prestigious 5* award, before going on to win the 5* best kitchen design in the UK.

Speaking at the glittering awards ceremony, Hugo remarked that he was “delighted and overwhelmed” at the two 5* awards.

Cranberryhome has now also been nominated in the European property awards, with the winners to be announced at the end of the year.

The United Kingdom Property Awards were judged by an independent panel of over 80 industry experts, focusing on design, quality, innovation, originality and commitment to sustainability.

The judging panel included none other than Lord Caithness and Lord Best, with awards presented at the

of such an award, Hugo commented that creativity, research and understanding were the key ingredients needed to get a great design. And how was Cranberryhome going to celebrate? “Well, sharing our award with the readers of Celebrate:MK would be a great start and maybe a short holiday to relax before the Christmas rush!”

Turn to page 29 to read the Cranberryhome column.

The Milton Keynes interior design studio took home the honours up against tough competition at the UK Property Awards 2022...

ceremony by Lord Waverley.

‘Tis the season for Avatar’s sequel

Reel reviewer

The Infernal Machine (Out on 2 December)

Psychological thriller. Guy Pearce’s reclusive author is stalked by a fan. Is there a connection to another fan imprisoned for committing a mass shooting and who blames Pearce’s book?

Violent Night (2 Dec)

Father Christmas protects a family when their home is invaded by criminals in this Die-Hard meets Santa Claus: The Movie by way of Home Alone. It ticks just about every festive film box for me!

Avatar: The Way of Water (16 Dec)

Director James Cameron’s sequel to his 2009 scifi blockbuster about the planet of Pandora and the adventures of the Na’vi. Sam

Worthington and Sigourney Weaver return for the sequel.

I Wanna Dance with Somebody (6 Dec)

Naomi Ackie plays Whitney Houston in this biopic, and wisely lip synchs. Directed by Kasi Lemmons who played Clarice Starling’s FBI friend in The Silence of the Lambs.

Piggy (6 Jan)

Spanish horror about an overweight teen (Laura Galán) tormented by girls who faces a quandary when she witnesses a man kidnap them: help the coppers find them or take revenge.

M3gan (13 Jan)

Seriously unsettling horror about an animatronic doll tasked with protecting its owner. The trouble is, M3gan has difficulty knowing when enough is enough.

Empire of Light (13 Jan)

Toby Jones played a movie technician losing it in Berberian Sound Studio, so he is ideal casting as a lonely projectionist at a seaside cinema. Olivia Coleman plays the cinema’s manager and Michael Ward is her new employee she grows close to.

Babylon (20 Jan)

Brad Pitt and Margot Robbie star in this decadent epic set in early Hollywood. It looks like a mash-up of the party scenes in The Great Gatsby and The Wolf of Wall Street, so it’ll be interesting to watch the full film to see if director Damian Chazelle has created something more than people enjoying excess.

You can read more in-depth reviews from Jason by following him on Twitter: @Reelreviewer

Jason Day previews the upcoming cinema releases for December and January, including festive flicks and the massive Avatar 2...

£444.

UK garage legend Maxwell D collabs with Jon Boyle for epic ‘Serious’ refix

UK garage legend

Maxwell D has teamed up with rising Milton Keynes producer Jon Boyle for a heavyweight refix of his 2001 hit ‘Serious’.

The renowned South London MC has collaborated with the Celebrate:MK editor for the release of Jon Boyle X Maxwell D – Serious Come On – which is out now on all major music platforms.

Both artists have enjoyed a successful summer, with Maxwell D’s most recent single ‘Timeless’ sparking a viral TikTok dance craze and Jon’s debut Pretty Girl EP earning support from DJ EZ, Kiss FM’s Shosh and DJ Q, plus 1Xtra’s Sian Anderson who described him as her “new obsession”.

Serious Come On is an epic, pumping mash-up of Serious

“

Jon dropped me a DM asking if he could have a Serious acapella to put over the top of an instrumental track he’d made. But once I heard the track I was really impressed and offered to record some fresh vocals for an official release

Scan to watch the music video

OLD SKOOL: A screenshot from the Serious Come On music video on YouTube, which is based on a classic 8-bit computer game

and Jon’s instrumental track Come On, and Maxwell D explained how the collaboration came about.

“Jon dropped me a DM asking if he could have a Serious acapella to put over the top of an instrumental track he’d made,” he said.

“He just wanted a dubplate to play in his DJ sets initially but once I heard the backing track I was really impressed and offered to record some fresh vocals for an official release.

“I have some family ties around where Jon lives, which helps as I’m quite often in that neck of the woods.

“Coincidently we both do a bit of teaching too alongside our music work, so we have a few things in common. Hopefully people will like the track.”

You can stream/download

Jon Boyle X Maxwell D ‘Serious Come On’ on your preferred music service at ditto.fm/serious-come-on, by scanning the QR code on the advert on the left or by asking your smart speaker to “play Serious Come On.”

The renowned South London MC has teamed up with Celebrate:MK editor and music producer Jon Boyle for a heavyweight refix of his classic chart hit Serious – and reveals he has family in the local area

Enjoy side-splitting family comedy in Snow White panto at MK Theatre

Comedy actress and musical theatre star Lesley Joseph is heading to Milton Keynes this Christmas to star as The Wicked Queen in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

On hand to offer Lesley some legal advice will be favourite TV judge Rob Rinder as The Man In The Mirror.

Comedians Paul Chuckle and Aaron James will also join the line-up of this year’s magical pantomime, along with Charlotte Haines in the titular role of Snow White and Dale Mathurin as the Prince.

Paul Chuckle became a household name as part of the legendary double-act The Chuckle Brothers with his beloved brother Barry.

Generations have grown-

up with the catch-phrase “to me, to you” made famous by the brothers on their BAFTA award-winning TV show ChuckleVision, which commanded prime-time viewing slots for nearly three decades. Paul joins the cast of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs in the role of the hapless, but loveable Oddjob.

Snow White’s best friend Muddles will be played by leading comedian and impressionist Aaron James.

Aaron honed his comedy skills as a green coat for Warner’s 30 years ago and has appeared in theatre tours supporting George Best, Joe Calzaghe, Eric Cantona and Joe Pasquale amongst others.

Following a hugely successful season in panto

with Lesley Joseph and Rob Rinder last Christmas, Charlotte Haines will play Princess Snow White and Dale Mathurin will play the charming Prince.

Packed with the traditional pantomime ingredients Milton Keynes audiences have come to expect, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs will be brought to life with sidesplitting comedy, sensational special effects and plenty of festive magic.

You’ll want to book early, or you won’t be able to look yourself in the mirror!

To book your tickets for Snow White and the Seven Dwarves at Milton Keynes Theatre, please visit ATGTICKETS.COM/MiltonKeynes

Lesley Joseph stars in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at Milton Keynes Theatre from Saturday December 10 to Sunday January 8

A fun-filled festive season of theatre

Cara Lee previews the hottest theatre shows to look out for in MK

As we say goodbye to 2022 and head into a brand new theatre-filled year, there’s something for everyone.

Let’s start off with what will fill theatres for most of the Christmas period: Pantos!

Cinderella will be on at Stantonbury Theatre from the 19th to the 24th of December, while Judge Rinder, Lesley Joseph and Paul Chuckle will take to the stage in Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs at MK Theatre from the 10th of December to the 8th of January.

Robin Hood will be swinging into The Venue via Dreams ’n’ Wishes in

Show Stoppers

Robin and Marion, running from Saturday 17th December to Monday 2nd January.

The Stables will provide festive family fun with The Adventures of the Little Red Hen, on from Monday 19th December to Saturday 24th.

They’ll then be kicking off 2023 with a classical concert from Jeneba Kenneh-Mason, on Wednesday 18th.

On the 20th, Remi Harris will also be celebrating the music of Peter Green.

Matthew Bourne’s

supernatural Sleeping Beauty will be on at MK Theatre from the 17th to the 21st of January and audiences will be invited to the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel from the 24th to the 28th.

And finally on the 27th and 28th of January, Bee Gees tribute group Jive Talkin’ will be taking over Stantonbury.

More information about shows at Milton Keynes Theatre is available at atgtickets.com/miltonkeynes, Stantonbury Theatre at stantonburytheatre.co.uk, The Stables at stables.org and The Venue’s shows at thevenuemk.com

Your January local gig guide

Music reporter Vicki McCarthy shares some fantastic gigs to look forward to in January...

The scene

As we say goodbye to a great year of local music events, it’s easy to forget just how hard it’s been for our independent live music venues, as they struggled to come out of the other side of the impact of Covid. Which is why it’s more important than ever to support the local music scene.

As we look ahead to 2023, MK promoters aren’t sitting on their laurels and have already started booking for what will hopefully be a bumper year. Here’s what we have to look forward to in January...

Ion Maiden - MK11 Live Music Venue, Friday 6 January, 19:30 (£10 adv)

Ensuring that we are woken up fully from the festive comedown, Ion Maiden will be crashing onto the stage at MK11 this new year. As the name suggests, the band play homage to metal’s finest, Iron Maiden. Formed in August 2018, Ion Maiden was built around the core of four exmembers of some of the best Maiden tribute bands in the UK. Expect a ‘fully charged’ set, that spans the band’s vast back catalogue and a mosh pit that will set you up nicely for 2023 - tickets at mk11kilnfarm.com

Jeneba Kanneh-Mason - The Stables, Wednesday 18 January, 20:00 (£24 adv)

Finalist in the BBC Young Musician Keyboard Category in 2018, Jeneba KannehMason has cemented herself as one to watch following her exceptional BBC Proms performance with the Chineke! Orchestra.

She holds the Victoria Robey Scholarship to The Royal College of Music, studying piano and January sees her stopping by at The Stables to perform.

Expect to hear a beautiful set that takes you from Russian composers Shostakovich Prokofiev in the first half of her show, to Beethoven and Debussy in the latter halftickets at stables.org

Future Sounds of Drum and Bass - Unit Nine, Saturday 28 January, 21:00 (£11 adv)

The lads at Unit Nine in Old Wolverton are working hard as they plan some great events for 2023. January sees them collaborate again with local promoter OTD Sounds to pull together a huge line-up

of local Drum and Bass talent, to literally blow your minds!

Touted as one of the biggest and best nights that the venue hosts, this event always sells out so grab your tickets while you can at unitninemk.com

Pip Blom – The Craufurd Arms, Monday 30 January, 19:30 (£14 adv)

30th January brings the start of an important seven days for any discerning music lover, as venues up and down the country play host to Independent Venue Week.

This annual event recognises and celebrates our independent music and arts venues, and the people that own, run and work in them.

The Craufurd Arms marks the occasion as always and has recently announced that Pip Blom will be kicking off proceedings on opening night. With two highly acclaimed albums under their belt, the Dutch indie quartet is playing eight dates across the UK in January and will be sure to entertain the crowd in Wolverton - tickets at thecraufurdarms.com

Our reviews

“Professional company who offer a very good range of doors. Good service and advice, competitive prices. Would recommend.”

“We have employed Win Dor now on two separate occasions and both times the service has been fast and efficient. The fitters were professional, polite and very tidy. would thoroughly recommend.”

Has something

changed?

The festive season is fast approaching and you may not have seen your relatives for sometime. Maybe they live a distance from you or your lifestyle means it’s hard to see them on a regular basis We know that as we get older, sudden changes in our behaviour and health can be alarming and this can be even more difficult at a time when there is an expectation for everyone to be happy and enjoy the festivities

At Home Instead, we support our clients and family members to help spot these sudden or gradual changes. Many illnesses, if identified early enough, can be treated to minimise the potential distress and discomfort caused Dementia is one such illness and our Care P f i l h i i h i igns

Common early symptoms of dementia

memory loss difficulty concentrating finding it hard to carry out familiar daily tasks, such as getting confused over the correct change when shopping

struggling to follow a conversation or find the right word being confused about time and place mood changes

j y become apparent when we don't see our loved ones for a while but fundamental changes in mood and/or mobility Our Care Professionals are fully trained to spot the telltale signs that indicate extra resources or assistance is needed in the home. It may be simply a case of installing some grab rails in the bathroom or even moving items to make them more accessible to prevent excessive stretching and straining. Lastly but certainly not least, we should not underestimate loneliness and the impact this can have. Having a reason to get out of bed, a companion to look forward to seeing in the day, can make all the difference

Being able to stay at home as we get older is so important and can mean so much. Home Instead can make this happen whether you live far away or close to your loved ones. So this festival season, start the conversation, maybe they'd simply like help with their shopping, visit the garden centre or just have some company Maybe they need to have someone with them 24 hours a day and you thought a care home was the only option? Well it isn't, we can provide live in care that suits your loved one's needs.

Staying in the home you know and love, has been proved to keep people happier and healthier for longer Call us today to have an informal chat about how we might be able to help your family in their own home Call 01908 774333 or email sarah.marquiss@homeinstead.co.uk.

© 2022 Home Instead, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Each Home Instead franchise office is independently owned and operated.

(source NHS website)

Xmas recruitment drive at Waitrose

The John Lewis Partnership is recruiting more than 10,000 temporary roles across the country this Christmas to meet increased demand over the busy festive period and to help customers get what they need to celebrate.

The Partnership has also confirmed it will offer free food to all Partners and temporary workers up until January 6th to help with the cost of living.

The 10,000 jobs comprise of roles in Waitrose and John Lewis shops as well as the distribution network.

The business will recruit 4,000 seasonal roles across

its 331 Waitrose shops, including supermarket assistants, night shift workers and customer delivery drivers, as well as 2,000 temporary roles for its 34 John Lewis stores, including sales and

merchandising positions. Recruitment began in October and anyone interested in these in-store positions can find further information at jlpjobs.com/Christmas.

A number of permanent roles throughout the Partnership are being advertised on the site too.

In addition, the Partnership is recruiting 4,000 roles in its supply chain through the recruitment agencies it works with, including warehouse workers and drivers to support the expected increase in Waitrose.com and John Lewis.com orders.

The company seeks to be the most inclusive in the UK.

More than 10,000 temporary roles created to meet busy festive demand

Wallpaper is back in fashion!

interior design column

For over a decade, plain walls, paint and the ‘scandi’ feel have ruled our interiors with muted tones and a sophisticated calmness. But now, wallpaper, wallcoverings and panelling are back like you have never seen before!

Pinterest alone has seen a 400% increase in searches for bold print wallpaper this year, so there is a real movement for pattern, texture, and covered or panelled walls.

Wallpaper can animate a space, bringing not just colour and pattern into a room but character and depth also. Consider a wall mural that offers an idyllic scene rather than standard repeat wallpaper for that unique look.

Why choose wallpaper?

• All wallpapers add depth and style to spaces. This can be a great addition to a smaller room to create an effect of increasing the space.

• Wallpaper can be used instead of wall art, just on a bigger scale. This can draw you into a room and create a focal point.

• Using a wallpaper with light colours or floral motifs in a dark-coloured room can give a touch of luminosity.

• If you have children, animals or a high-traffic area, wallpaper may be an easier option to keep clean.

• Consider 3D wallpaper designs, which add that extra

dimension to a room.

• Wallpaper can be used in joinery. For example, you can wallpaper the back panel of shelving or a cupboard to help lift the space.

• Your personality can be reflected better in wallpaper, making your home more individual.

• Wallpapering a ceiling can inspire visitors to a space to embrace looking up.

Rather than create the infamous feature wall, try mixing up materials and wallpaper between panelling for a convergence of two stunning looks.

Many people are now choosing to experiment with wallpaper in less traditional spaces. WCs are great

places to be bold. Likewise, hallways can take wallpaper which helps to make a more welcoming space.

Maybe 2023 might be the year you experiment with wallpaper in your home; whatever you choose, I wish you a comfortable festive season and an exciting, colourful and creative 2023!

Hugo is Design Director of award-winning Cranberryhome, an interior design and property styling company in Milton Keynes established in 2014. A senior House Doctor consultant, Hugo is often found at Grand Designs Live and is in demand as an interior designer all over the UK.

Hugo Fleming, Design Director of multi award-winning local interior design studio Cranberryhome, looks into why people are welcoming wallpaper back into their homes...

Cole & Son

Graham & Brown

Graham & Brown

Arte

What does Christmas

Project teaches tyre furniture skills

Ray Pantling, owner of Tyres Direct in Bletchley, tells us about a project helping young people

Furniture may seem like an odd niche market for recycled tyres – it brings to mind some rather unsavoury practices!

However, there are people out there creating stylish furniture.

From barstools to armchairs, to mirrors and more, I am just wondering whether the stuff still smells of rubber when someone buys it for their house?

‘Tyre Furniture Skills’ is a project that works in the UK and Africa

teaching young people and adults how to make furniture from waste tyres.

Approximately 50 million tyres are thrown away each year in the UK alone, with the amount expected to increase as more

in the UK and Africa

people globally drive cars.

Currently around 2% of unwanted tyres are recycled.

The rest are dumped in massive dumps, litter the environment or are thrown in the sea, causing widespread pollution.

The tyre furniture project aims to work with young people and communities to teach them valuable income-generating skills using an abundant and often free source of waste.