Life Magazines (Hertfordshire editions) September 2018

E.J. Churchill

The highest quality shotguns and the only privately owned company in Britain with its own gunmakers, shooting ground, sporting agency, country outfitters and events.

FROM THE

I

Radlett Premier Bathrooms

EDITOR

f you are looking for a different retail experience that brings you unique products in a stunning location, then the Stable Yard Shops at Hatfield House could be the destination for you. With a range of exclusive retailers offering beautifully designed gifts, jewellery, toys and a host of indulgent treats, the shops have been lovingly created from an area of Hatfield House which used to play home to the royal horses.

Hertfordshire’s largest Beer & Cider Festival, run by the South Hertfordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will this year have featured at the Alban Arena for 23 years. With over 350 cooled caskconditioned real ales, 50 bottle-conditioned beers, 80 ciders and perries and 80 foreign beers there’s something to suit everyone’s taste!

Never before has North Mymms Park been available for private conferences, weddings and events, which means that whatever you are planning, it will truly be the first of its kind. With a long-standing history dating back from the 16th century, North Mymms Park is one of Britain’s finest Elizabethan Homes set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. It is easily accessible and conveniently located.

Few family businesses operating today can trace their history back to the eighteenth century, but that is certainly not true of luxury hotel brand, Beales Hotels, whose legacy stretches all the way back to 1769. The Hertfordshirebased company may be best known for its four-star luxury hotels, but the business originally came from much humbler beginnings.

Faye Manning Editor

THE TEAM PUBLISHED BY THE FISH MEDIA GROUP LTD

17, The Broadway, Old Hatfield, Herts, AL9 5HZ, UK www.thelifemagazines.com 0844 800 8439

Get this issue online

© All Rights Reserved. Life Magazines are copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd. takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in these publications and any loss arising therefrom. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to Life Magazines, the publisher cannot accept any responsibility for the loss or damage to such material. Fish Media Group Ltd. reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication.

Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any mistakes and no responsibility can be taken for the content of these pages.

Editor Faye Manning ••••• Editor Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Sub Editor Nicholas Peter ••••• business DEVELOPMENT manager Kelly Pauling ••••• Design & Production Lisa Wade ••••• SALES Lewis Casserley ••••• Accounts Kathy Manning, Andree Georgiou ••••• Directors Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

64 Watling Street, Radlett, WD7 7NP Tel: 01923 850444 | Fax: 01923 850456 Email: sales@radlettpremierbathrooms.co.uk www.radlettpremierbathrooms.co.uk

MONEYHILL.indd All Pages

MONEYHILL.indd All Pages

MONEYHILL.indd All Pages

DA V O N P O R T N a t u r a l l y

D i s t i n c t i v e

I n t e r i o r s

Experience Classic English Elegance

DA V O N P O RT N a t u r a l l y

D i s t i n c t i v e

I n t e r i o r s

Experience Classic English Elegance

1 Moneyhill Parade, Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, H a Hertfordshire n d c r a WD3 f t e7BQ d in

Colchester, England Phone: +44(0)1923 773906 celia@moneyhillinteriors.com

m o nd ea1yvMoneyhill hoi lnl ipn ot er Parade, rt i.ocr os .mc o m Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, H a Hertfordshire n d c r a WD3 fParade, t e7BQ d in 1 Moneyhill

or speak to C oUxbridge l cToh1request eMoneyhill sRoad, ta portfolio e rRickmansworth, ,Parade, England

01206 760773906 800 a designer: Phone: +44(0)1923 Hertfordshire WD3 7BQ Uxbridge Road, Rickmansworth, celia@moneyhillinteriors.com Hertfordshire WD3 7BQ Phone: +44(0)1923 773906 m o nd ea yvhoi lnl ipn ot er rt i.ocr os .mc o m Phone: +44(0)1923 773906 celia@moneyhillinteriors.com celia@moneyhillinteriors.com

28/10/2015 18:49

To request a portfolio or speak to

m o n e y h i l l01206 i n t e r i o800 rs.com m o n aedesigner: y h i l l i n t e 760 riors.com

28/10/2015 18:49

25/01/2018 15:12

out & about

– We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month – i ma g e : T H E S TA B L E YA RD AT H AT F I E L D H OUS E

OUT & ABOUT

6 OCTOBER

Ashridge in Autumn Walk A volunteer-led guided walk through Ashridge at one of the most scenic times of the year. See our famous trees as their colours change and breathe in the crisp autumn air.

10am-12pm. Adult £8, Child £5.

Booking essential on 01442 851227.

Ashridge Estate Visitor Centre, Moneybury Hill, Ringshall, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 1LT

[ eve n t s ]

the calendar

14 OCTOBER

Hertford Castle Beer And World Food Festival Picture the Hertford Castle grounds filled with a multitude of world food stalls from Italian to Chinese, Thai to Mexican. The Castle beer festival will be contained in a large marquee on the lawn offering a variety of local and national beers, ales and cider. With live music, entry into the Castle, food and drink, this is an event not to be missed.

12pm-6pm, free entry.

Hertford Castle, Hertfordshire SG14 1HR

10 SEPTEMBER 2018

15 SEPTEMBER

80’s themed Starlight Walk This wonderful night time walk, is open to ladies and gentlemen (minimum age 10 years when walking with a participating adult).

Walkers will complete a 6 mile route-starting at 9pm from the North Herts Leisure Centre in Letchworth. £15pp.

North Herts Leisure Centre, Letchworth, Hertfordshire SG6 2ER

18 September

Evening Wedding Fair, Hitchin Priory Why not visit this tranquil wedding venue surrounded by parkland thus offering totally flexibility for your wedding. The Wedding Fair is open between 5.30pm - 9:30pm and features over 35 leading exhibitors from the Hitchin area and beyond. There are two fashion shows at 7pm and 8.30pm, showing the latest wedding dresses together with live entertainment and the odd surprise too.

Hitchin Priory, Tilehouse Street, Hitchin, Hertfordshire SG5 2DL

13-16 September

14 September

Behind the Scenes at the Archives To celebrate Heritage Opening Days, we’re offering this special tour with a chance to see behind the scenes at the archives. The tour includes access to our basement stores and a chance to see some of our most treasured documents. 2pm-3.15pm, £5.

Hertfordshire Archives and Local Studies Register Office Block, County Hall, Hertford, Hertfordshire SG13 8EJ

22 September

Abbots Autumn Fest A fun filled, low tech event for all of the family to promote the availability of locally produced goods. Many local food providers will be in attendance, offering produce to buy on the day.

Primrose Heath Puppets, Funfair, Mobile Farm, Face Painting, Coconut Shy, Story Telling, Watford Cycle Hub, and Bicycle Marking by the Police, and more.

Plus live music and entertainment.

School Mead, Abbots Langley, Hertfordshire WD5 0LA

Exhibition and Sale of Ceramics Group exhibition and sale of ceramics by Dacorum and Chiltern Potters Guild. A vibrant exhibition of both functional and decorative ware in the historic and atmospheric Kingsbury Barn. Practical demonstrations and Have a Go sessions on Saturday and Sunday 1 to 4pm.

Kingsbury Barn, Branch Road, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL3 4SE

16 September

Opening of Myeloma UK RHS Chelsea Garden at The Hospice of St Francis See the official opening of the Silver-Gilt winning Myeloma UK Garden in its new home at The Hospice of St Francis. Awardwinning designers, John Everiss and Francesca Murrell, will give talks about its creation and planting scheme and how the huge 12ft high arctic blue acrylic sculpture, which appears to be blowing seeds and plants onto fertile soil below to represent new medical treatments, and as a sign of hope and growth, came into being.

Spring Garden Lane, Off Shootersway, Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire HP4 3GW

22 September

Open Air Cinema - The Greatest Showman (PG) Come and see the most popular film for 2018 BIG & LOUD on our 24 ft outdoor screen at Lee Valley White Water. Have fun and support The Nightingale Cancer Support Centre. Book at www.nightingalesupport.org.uk or call 0208 366 9674 Take along your picnic, blankets and chairs.

Lee Valley White Water Centre, Station Road, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire EN9 1AB

Pottery by Fiona Booy

Pottery by Margaret Tatton-Brown

15 September

7 October

Apple Day Join us between 12pm-4.30pm for an afternoon event for all the family and packed with children’s activities. There will be apples for sale along with apple juice, preserves, tea, coffee and cake. Experts will be on hand to identify varieties of apple and provide advise on fruit tree care. We will be providing guided walks around the orchard and there will be a scavenger hunt for the kids.

Tewin Cricket Club, Hertfordshire AL6 0LY

16 September

Cheeki Monkeys Baby & Children’s Christmas Market Watford An indoor pop-up baby and children’s market where you can save up to 90% on quality preloved goods. Goody bags for the first 50 visitors. For the kids there will be mini model photo shoot, face painting and glitter tattoos and a colouring competition.

12pm-2pm.

Westfield Academy, Tolpits Lane, Watford, Hertfordshire WD18 6NS

Pet Dog Racing Join us for a fun filled afternoon, bring your dog along to race against the rest of the pack and laugh along when it all goes horribly wrong! Starting at 2pm there will be a tote for those who want to bet on the winner, a raffle, refreshments and a barbecue in case all the excitement whets your appetite. Free parking, a fun afternoon out for adults and children alike.

The playing field, Village Hall, Bury Lane, Bramfield, Herts, Hertfordshire SG14 2QL SEPTEMBER 2018 11

OUT & ABOUT

A unique shopping experience

the Stable Yard at Hatfield House

“On every third weekend of the month the Stable Yard hosts an antiques market on Saturdays”

FIONA RAE GOLDSMITH & ENAMELLER British jewellery designer Fiona Rae, has been designing and making jewellery for over 30 years.

The beautiful shop and studio sell a unique range of handcrafted jewellery and cufflinks including a bespoke service creating tailor-made designs.

HATFIELD HOUSE GIFT SHOP A charming shopping experience awaits customers, whether tourists visiting the park, or local customers throughout the year. Browse the selection of souvenirs, handmade artisan products reflecting quality British workmanship, honey from Hatfield Park, plants and our wide range of stylish stationery and giftware.

HERITAGE BRIDES Heritage Brides aims to provide every bride with an experience that will become part of their personal history. The vintage woodland wonderland stocks the finest wedding dresses and accessories to offer local brides something which is a little out of the ordinary.

I

f you are looking for a different retail experience that brings you unique products in a stunning location, then the Stable Yard Shops at Hatfield House could be the destination for you. With a range of exclusive retailers offering beautifully designed gifts, jewellery, toys and a host of indulgent treats, the shops have been lovingly created from an area of Hatfield House which used to play home to the royal horses. Admission and parking for Stable Yard is free of charge.

On every third weekend of the month the Stable Yard hosts an antiques market on Saturdays. The Market is free to enter with free parking.

Take a break from shopping and visit the new River Cottage Kitchen and Deli. Whether you fancy a relaxing coffee and cake, a light bite or a delicious meal there is something for everyone.

The Shops…

CARL RUSSELL & CO GUNMAKERS With over 60 years experience in the British gun trade the team at Carl Russell & Co can advise on all aspects of guns and shooting, they specialise in British shotguns having established their reputation with one of England’s top makers.

12 SEPTEMBER 2018

POTS OF ART The Pots of Art studio provides the perfect setting to get creative. Here you can create your own original colourful pottery masterpiece, a fantastic ceramic impression of your babies hands and feet, ‘Build a Bear’ or get crafting with decopatch.

REBECCA CLARK INTERIORS Rebecca Clark Interiors specialise in sourcing unique furniture, lighting and accessories for commercial and design projects for the home.

THE HAIR OF THE DOG Come and meet Linda Stone at The Hair of the Dog – A professional grooming service for pooches of all types. Linda also runs a grooming salon and teaching school to provide a quality area for up and coming groomers.

THE DETAILS Free entry into the stable yard shopping area. Free parking, open Tuesday- Sunday www.hatfield-house.co.uk

TUDOR GEMS Tudor Gems offers a range of exquisite marcasite jewellery, dress jewellery and watches at affordable prices to add a touch of glamour and excitement to your shopping experience.

OUT & ABOUT

From Humble Bakers to Hertfordshire Hoteliers

Few family businesses operating today can trace their history back to the eighteenth century, but that is certainly not true of luxury hotel brand, Beales Hotels, whose legacy stretches all the way back to 1769. The Hertfordshire-based company may be best known for its four-star luxury hotels, but the business originally came from much humbler beginnings.

14 SEPTEMBER 2018

I

n 1769, master baker, John Beale moved to London and opened a shop on Oxford Street. He was soon joined by the second Beale, also called John, who opened a shop around the corner with his nephew Edward, who later went on to teach the baking trade to his nephew, William, at his own bakery in Islington.

Following his apprenticeship, William opened a shop in Highgate Hill and expanded the business to provide a dinner delivery service - the Beales’ first foray into catering. The business was so successful that in 1889 William was able to open a five storey restaurant and grocery provisions store in Holloway.

Although the grocery side of the business was eventually closed down, the bakery and restaurant continued to go from strength to strength, paving the way for the next chapter in this family’s fortunes.

The Beale family first entered the hotel industry in 1945 when Edward Beale purchased West Lodge Park Hotel in Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire.

Originally a quiet, unlicensed hotel housing mainly permanent residents, it underwent a significant change in 1958, with updated rooms, a new bar and upgraded restaurant. In 1964, Edward’s son Trevor acquired Hatfield Lodge, adding a second hotel to the Beale portfolio.

Between 1964 and 1997, both hotels underwent a significant programme of renovations, and in 2004,

Andrew Beale, son of Trevor, supervised the rebuilding of Hatfield Lodge, transforming it into a first-class, four star venue called Beales Hotel, Hatfield. In contrast to the traditional country house style of West Park Lodge, Beales Hotel was built in a striking, contemporary style, blending steel fittings, cedar wood and large expanses of glass.

Today, both hotels have more than fifty guest rooms, as well as impressive conference facilities and unique features such as a large outdoor arboretum which was planted by Edward Beale himself. Although the two venues may differ from each other in style they share a commitment to excellence that has been evident throughout the family’s history.

Over more than 200 years, the Beale family business has developed from a single bakery into a group of fine hotels. The current success of the Beale Group is down to the hard work of eight generations of Beales, each of whom have put their own particular stamp on the business, adapting to a range of challenges and opportunities, including booms, slumps and even world wars! And with the company set to celebrate its 250th anniversary next year, and a ninth generation waiting in the wings, the Beale family story is just getting started. www.bealeshotels.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT

E.J. CHURCHILL:

Designed by shooters for shooters

E.J.Churchill grounds in the Chiltern Hills

Practise makes perfect

J

ohn Churchill established Churchill Gunmakers in 1891. One-hundred and twenty-seven years on, E.J. Churchill continues to produce the highest quality shotguns and is the only privately owned company in Britain with its own gunmakers, shooting ground, sporting agency, country outfitters and events business under one roof.

In 1989 Sir Edward Dashwood created the shooting ground at West Wycombe Estate in the Chiltern Hills, just 30 miles from London. Six years later, a corporate and private events business, gun room and country outfitters extended E.J. Churchill’s business further.

The shooting ground has 150 shooting stands, six clay shooting disciplines, ‘The Pit’, three high towers and five purpose-built grouse butts and offers extensive practise and tuition opportunities.

It is regarded as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world and has played host to the World English Sporting Championships in 2014, 2016 and again this year.

Its gun room sells new and second-hand shotguns and rifles with a full range from Blaser, Beretta, Browning and Perazzi. Customers are encouraged to try the guns at the shooting ground and, once a decision is made, E.J. Churchill’s skilled craftsmen offer a professional gun fitting service and undertake gun servicing, repairs and alterations, from simple overhauls to complete rebuilds, rebarrelling and re-stocking. There are secure on-site storage facilities and they can provide a personal carriage service throughout Britain.

The shops at the shooting ground stock a range of carefully chosen brands and E.J. Churchill’s own collection, available in store and online, comprising full shooting attire for game and clay sports, country

16 SEPTEMBER 2018

fashion, outdoor footwear, shooting accessories, gifts and fine bronze artwork.

The Club allows members to enjoy the grounds, extensive shooting, social facilities, country outfitters and a wide range of E.J. Churchill cartridges at preferential rates. Social events are held throughout the year, from shopping and Christmas carols in the winter to a members’ shoot and latenight shooting in the summer.

E.J.Churchill also organises exceptional sporting experiences with exclusive access to some of the most prestigious sporting estates, from Scotland for grouse to Spain for partridge and Turkey for wild boar.

From multi-activity days and product launches to family fun days and simulated game days, the E.J. Churchill team creates exciting events and is especially proud to have raised millions of pounds for charitable causes through its mobile charity shoots.

Led by passionate sportspeople, E.J. Churchill is designed for shooters by shooters, providing a superior service in a friendly environment that encourages participation at all levels, from Olympic hopefuls to beginners. E.J. Churchill is proud to keep the sport thriving and to introduce a new generation with Young Guns sessions during school holidays to encourage youngsters from as young as nine. It also runs parent and child, women-only and university and school events.

E.J. Churchill’s awards include the CPSA ‘Shooting Ground of the Year’ 2017 award, Shooting Industry Award ‘Best Shooting Ground 2017’ and the Rural Business Award for ‘Best Rural Business 2016’. George Digweed MBE, 26 time World Champion, has been recruited as our global ambassador.

“In 1989 Sir Edward Dashwood created the shooting ground at West Wycombe Estate in the Chiltern Hills, just 30 miles from London. It is regarded as one of the finest facilities of its kind in the world”

E.J.Churchill guns

THE DETAILS E.J. Churchill Park Lane, Lane End, High Wycombe, Bucks Hp14 3Ns. +44 (0)1494 883227. www.ejchurchill.com

OUT & ABOUT

Reach Out and Sup Faith!

St Albans Beer & Cider Festival Returns!

Wednesday 26th – Saturday 29th September 2018, 11am – 11pm.

H

ertfordshire’s largest Beer & Cider Festival, run by the South Hertfordshire branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), will this year have featured at the Alban Arena for 23 years.

With over 350 cooled cask-conditioned real ales, 50 bottle-conditioned beers, 80 ciders and perries and 80 foreign beers there’s something to suit everyone’s taste!

We pride ourselves of selling a diverse range of styles, including the more elusive styles such as Mild, Stout, Porter and Old Ale. There will also be plenty Festival Specials for those who like to try new beers. We’ll also be stocking vegan, gluten-free and alcohol-free beers.

New for 2018, “Cask is Cool” at St Albans. We’ll be using a vast range of new cooling equipment this year to ensure we keep your beer at the correct temperature so it is cool and has the fresh vibrant taste that you and the brewers themselves would expect. We’re looking to sneak in an additional cask bar downstairs in the basement too making 10 bars in total.

Expect up to 450 different beers on sale across the bars. Up to 300 UK cask beers including, milds, porters, stouts, bitters, strong bitters, barley wines. Up to 50 bottle-conditioned beers (real ale in a bottle) plus no/low-alcohol beers. Vegan and gluten-free beers will also be available. Plus there’s a selection of 80 foreign beers from all around the world including draught beer from Germany.

After a roaring success last year, the cider and perry bar will once again feature in its more prominent position in the main hall. The upgraded location means greater space at the bar and more ciders and perries available at any one time. We expect around 80 real ciders and perries from small

18 SEPTEMBER 2018

cider makers around the country. This will satisfy all tastes and for those who are driving, or simply fancy a cool refreshing soft drink, there will be delightful pure apple juice from a local cider maker.

The beer list when available will be on our website www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk and on our Facebook page, where you can sign up to receive up to the minute updates about what is going on. Also follow us on Twitter and Instagram @stalbansbf for regular updates in the run up to and during the Festival.

The prestigious Champion Beer of Hertfordshire will be judged on Thursday evening and the winner announced soon afterwards. Look out for it at the Hertfordshire Bar on the stage. In addition we’re also running the CAMRA East Anglia Strong Ales competition on Saturday afternoon with the winner then going head to head with the winners of other beer styles for the Champion Beer of East Anglia.

Previously struggled for somewhere to sit? This year we’re once again offering seating in the main hall on Wednesday – the perfect session to come to try the widest range of beers of offer. We’ll also be opening the upstairs balcony area from 5pm on Thursday and Friday and throughout the whole of Saturday.

The cashless system continues to prove very popular with customers, so once again we’ll be selling tokens on arrival and in the main hall of the Festival. We hope you continue to experience speed and ease of service as you move around the Festival.

Any unused tokens can be fully refunded, donated or can be kept for another session if you plan to visit again.

The Good Beer Guide 2019 will be hot off the press at this Festival.

We also have a sensational line up of live

music to entertain you this year. Local band The Landlords featuring John Cusworth, the landlord of the Mermaid PH in St Albans, are guaranteed to get everyone singing along with their classic rock covers on Thursday evening. Back by popular demand, the UK’s finest Anglo Cuban band Swan Vesta Social Club will be playing smooth tunes on Saturday lunchtime. Headlining Saturday night is one of Britain’s sixties tribute acts The Overtures.

With their magnificent repertoire of over 400 songs you’ll hear every aspect of the sixties including The Beatles, Searchers, Beach Boys, Rolling Stones, Byrds, Simon & Garfunkel and The Who. If you find yourself feeling peckish at the Festival then there’s no need to leave! Crusty Pie will be not only offering pies to suit every taste, from hot meat and potato varieties to vegetarian options, and speciality pork pies and scratchings, but as well will be dishing up burgers and hot dogs. New for 2018, Ye Olde Fighting Cocks will be serving a range of street food classics from the main hall kitchen and delicious ice cream on the patio.

And don’t forget Henleys Sweets and Pipers Crisps in the Foyer with their full ranges of enticing flavours to enjoy with your tipple of choice.

If that wasn’t enough there will also be breweriana auctions on the main stage on Friday and Saturday and a fun quiz on Saturday afternoon.

Everyone who enters gets to take home a gift and the overall winner will also receive the top prize from our quiz sponsor.

We look forward to seeing and welcoming you to the Festival!

Reach out and Sup Faith!

Admission: £3 Wed, £4 Thurs, £5 Fri, £6 Sat (CAMRA members free at all times). www.stalbansbeerfestival.org.uk

OUT & ABOUT

Hertfordshire’s Hidden Gem

N

ever before has North Mymms Park been available for private conferences, weddings and events, which means that whatever you are planning, it will truly be the first of its kind!

Now under new ownership, from 2018 onwards North Mymms Park will be opening its gates for the first time to host a variety of events – from film shoots, conferences and team building days to exclusive Weddings in their Mansion House!

With a long-standing history dating back from the 16th century, North Mymms Park is one of Britain’s finest Elizabethan Homes set in the beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. It is easily accessible and conveniently located, only 30 minutes from London and has excellent transport links nearby. It provides a comprehensive range of facilities to encompass all your wedding and event needs.

In the heart of the estate lies a Grade I listed Mansion House with stunning function and meeting rooms as well as exclusive bridal suites on the first floor. The oak panelled rooms within The Mansion House are soaked in history and it boasts several manicured gardens including The Rose Garden, Parterre Garden, Blue Garden and Italian Garden.

All of this coupled with a picturesque country backdrop makes it perfect for memorable photos that will last a lifetime.

Their intimate venue, The Stables, a Grade II listed refurbished stable block provides an idyllic location and can accommodate up to 100 guests.

With 28 en-suite double bedrooms just across the courtyard it really does provide an ideal space for a secluded, rustic and charming wedding day.

“We are so delighted to have the opportunity to showcase this historic venue and its grounds,” said

22 SEPTEMBER 2018

Sarah Organ, Conference and Wedding Coordinator at North Mymms Park. “By offering two versatile venues for small and larger numbers, we hope to be able to share our little bit of magic with the world!”

Come and see us at The National Wedding Show in London Olympia from 21st- 23rd September and a few weeks after that at our first Wedding Showcase on Sunday 14th October! Free entry for all and a goody bag for all couples getting married!

To book a viewing and meet our Wedding Coordinators please Up to 20% contact Ella or Sarah on discount on 01707 629777 or email any confirmed info@northmymms.co.uk

bookings in 2018!

“In the heart of the estate lies a Grade I listed Mansion House”

OUT & ABOUT

Debenhams marks the start of retail and leisure flurry for intu Watford September celebrates the opening of the much-anticipated new four-storey Debenhams at intu Watford, but this is just the beginning.

24 SEPTEMBER 2018

T

he fabulous brand-new store will showcase exclusive designer fashion – including Star by Julien Macdonald, J by Jasper Conran, No.1 by Jenny Packham and Studio by Preen – and leading beauty brands such as Tom Ford, Chanel and Dior. With restaurants, a Prosecco bar and many more surprises and delights, Debenhams will help to reshape shopping in Watford.

Vicki Costello, general manager at intu Watford said: “We are extremely excited to be opening the new Debenhams at intu Watford this month, marking the completion of the first phase of our £180m development.

“This is an incredible start to a series of openings to follow from now until Christmas, which will see restaurants, fashion retailers, the Hollywood Bowl and IMAX Cineworld open over the coming months.”

A spectacular extravaganza is planned for the Debenhams opening day on Thursday 27 September and the following weekend, with entertainment, music, dancing, giveaways, plus goodies for the first people in the queue on opening day. The 27th also marks the opening of intu’s

Charter Car Park following its refurbishment.

The hotly anticipated line-up for the £180 million development includes 13 new retailers, 11 new restaurants and leisure facilities. Superdry, H&M, Jack Wills, New Look, The Florist, TGI Friday, Las Iguanas, and YO! Sushi, will all be brand new to Watford. A new public square will also be home to fun community events including street art and music shows.

Hollywood Bowl and Cineworld will open later this year, so check out the opening schedule at intu. co.uk/Watford.

Vicki adds: “It is an extremely exciting time for people in and around Watford, especially the staff.

This much-anticipated Debenhams opening is a chance to be part of something very special, and to have a potentially long career path in retail.”

Tony Hurley, store manager of Debenhams, said: “The team and I can’t wait to introduce ourselves to our customers and show them the store … to open the doors to the community and offer a great shopping destination.”

There’s so much to come. It’s time to #DiscoverintuWatford. www.intu.co.uk/watford

OUT & ABOUT

recipe

GIGGLING SQUID Founder Pranee Laurillard shares her recipe for this signature dish

salt & pepper squid (serves 2) Ingredients: Squid seasoning: • White pepper powder – ½ tsp • Sugar – ½ tbsp • Salt – ½ tsp • Chicken powder (Knorr) – ½ tbsp Mix together and sprinkle over the squid once fried to season it well Batter: • Self-raising flour – 100g • Water – 300ml • Salt – a pinch • Sugar – a pinch • Vegetable oil – 1 tsp Make nice and fluffy batter with above ingredients Squid: • 500ml vegetable/groundnut oil (to come about 1cm / ½ inch up in a frying pan) • 500g fresh squid, sliced or cut into rings (ask your fishmonger to prepare it for you) • 2 tbsp self-raising flour • 1 tbsp sliced red chilli (remove the seeds if you don’t like heat) • 1 tbsp sliced spring onion • Sriracha sauce

How to cook?

This is surprisingly easy to make. Prep the squid seasoning first, then the batter before starting on your squid!

Step 1 Place all the squid seasoning ingredients into a bowl and mix. Easy!

Set to one side.

Step 2 To create the batter, just mix the flour, salt & sugar in a large bowl. Pour over the water & vegetable oil. Mix again and set aside.

Step 3 Now to get started on your squid!

1. Put the oil in a frying pan over a high heat.

2. Cover the squid in the batter and then roll in the flour. When the oil is hot (not quite smoking but almost) carefully place in the hot oil and cook until golden. Approx. 3 mins.

3. Once cooked, place the battered squid into a mixing bowl lined with a paper towel & leave to sit for 1 min.

4. Add the squid seasoning, sliced red chilli and sliced spring onion. Toss together and serve. Enjoy with a glass of Riesling. Lovely. www.gigglingsquid.com

26 SEPTEMBER 2018

OUT & ABOUT

Aldenham Art Festival Contemporary and traditional art in a wonderful setting

“With over 350 pictures both framed and unframed to choose from this will be an eye-catching exhibition of original, contemporary and traditional works of art to browse and buy at affordable prices”

A

fter the great success of last year’s show another major Art Festival will be staged over the weekend of Friday 14th - Sunday 16th September in the beautiful setting of Aldenham Church.

With over 350 pictures both framed and unframed to choose from this will be an eyecatching exhibition of original, contemporary and traditional works of art to browse and buy at affordable prices (Credit cards accepted.)

Couple this with home made cakes and 28 SEPTEMBER 2018

refreshments and what better way to spend a couple of hours in the delightful village of Aldenham and its historic medieval church. Situated just off the B462 between Radlett, Bushey and Watford it is easy to find and all profits will go towards preserving the fabric of this beautiful historic building. Open Friday 11 - 7pm, Sat 11 - 4.30pm and Sunday 12 4.30 (Following their normal family service.)

The event is in Association with Aldenham Golf and Country Club just across the road from the church and more details can be found on www.aldenhamartfestival.org.uk.

St. John the Baptist Church, Church Lane, Aldenham, WD25 8BE.

OUT & ABOUT

ROLL INTO THE RITZ!

T

he iconic Ritz hotel in London has become the first owner of the brandnew Rolls-Royce Phantom Extended Wheelbase. The Rolls-Royce of RollsRoyce’s, is the authoritative statement of modern luxury.

The £500,000 fully customised vehicle was built by hand to the prestigious hotel’s brand design at the manufacturer’s headquarters in Goodwood, Sussex.

With its commanding silhouette and striking chrome detailing, the motorcar is bespoke Ritz blue and features moccasin leather interiors with monogrammed navy blue carpets and seat piping with unique headrests embroidered with the blue Ritz lion. To add further luxury there are heated massage seats, two TV screens, built in complimentary Wi-Fi and a hidden champagne compartment complete with flutes, And for those who prefer some privacy the windows are set slightly forward so you can see out without being seen. The motorcar provides the quietest cabin Rolls-Royce has ever created with an incomparably spacious suite, enhanced by discreet technology.

A complimentary one-way airport transfer in The Ritz-Rolls Royce Phantom is offered to all guests staying in one of the hotel’s four signature suites.* The first and only hotel to have received a Royal

30 SEPTEMBER 2018

“The £500,000 fully customised vehicle was built by hand”

Warrant from His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales. And as an exclusive service to hotel guests, the chauffeur-driven luxury vehicle is also available to hire for £600 for a one-way London airport transfer.

Perfectly located in the heart of London’s West End, The Ritz is moments from the finest shopping destinations in the capital, including the luxury designer brands of Bond Street and Regent Street and the unique and quintessentially British boutiques of Jermyn Street. So whether you are going to a meeting or taking advantage of exploring London and its hidden gems, you can hire the Ritz Rolls-Royce for £300 an hour. *Suites at the Ritz start from £1,795 per night for the Piccadilly Suite.

To make a booking or for more information please contact enquire@theritzlondon.com or telephone +44 (0) 20 7493 8181. www.theritzlondon.com

William J. Swann

KNOYDART AND THE SOUND OF SLEAT Oil paintings en plein air of this remote and beautiful region

www.wjswann-art.com • info@wjswann-art.com 01471 844403 • 07733 184951 The Manse, Ardvasar, Isle of Skye IV45 8RS

ONE OF HERTFORDSHIRE’S One Of Hertfordshire’s Premier Wedding Venues PREMIER WEDDING VENUES ... where the present unite ... where thepast past and and present unite

a choice of historic, traditional and contemporary surroundings, a range of wonderful rooms accommodating 10 to 200 guests, picturesque riverside location, beautiful gardens & superb catering

A choice of historic, traditional and

contemporary surroundings, a range of wonderful rooms accommodating 10 to 200 guests, picturesque riverside location, beautiful gardens & superb catering.

High Street, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9AL Tel: 01920 460316 www.warepriory.co.uk @warepriory warepriory

OUT & ABOUT

WIN TICKETS

TO THE MOTORHOME & CARAVAN SHOW 2018!

T

he UK’s one and only new season launch event returns to Birmingham’s NEC from 16 to 21 October, showcasing all the new-for-2019 products from leading UK and European leisure vehicle manufacturers.

At the Motorhome and Caravan Show, visitors can step inside, browse and compare the latest in luxury leisure, with over 400 exhibitors under one roof. You’ll also benefit from exclusive show-only offers and promotions on thousands of products.

If you love exploring the Great Outdoors and all its wonders, you won’t want to miss out!

Discover a stunning new collection of motorhomes, caravans, campervans, trailer tents, caravan holiday homes and lodges, along with essential outdoor accessories and must-have gadgets for 2019 to make your next trip away a success. Tour operators will also be at the show to discuss the latest hotspot destinations for your next adventure. Whether you want to travel the world, or are simply seeking a luxury break, you’re sure to find holiday inspiration.

Head down to the LIVE Theatre for a jampacked programme of presentations and talks, including daily product launches from Swift,

32 SEPTEMBER 2018

We’re giving away 20 pairs of tickets to the Motorhome and Caravan Show 2018, so for your chance to win a pair, simply answer the following question correctly:

TO ENTER Q: When will the Motorhome and Caravan Show take place?

A: October B: November C: December Send email your answer, along with your name and home address to mcs-pr@rsm-agency.com Closing date is 3 October 2018.

Morelo, Adria, Bailey, Hillside Leisure and Lunar who will reveal their latest ranges for the new season.

If that wasn’t enough, TV architect and designer George Clarke, GP and medical broadcaster Dr Hilary Jones, and Olympic swimmer and GB gold medallist Sharron Davies MBE are among this year’s exciting star line-up. Enjoy live cooking demonstrations from celebrity chefs Ali Ray and Monica Rivron, plus get expert tips and advice from household names. If you’re a first-time leisure vehicle buyer, you can’t afford to miss it!

The Motorhome & Caravan Show promises to be a fun day out for all the family to enjoy, with a series of free attractions taking place throughout the week. Try your hand at motorhome manoeuvring, towing tuition and the ever-popular campervan test drive. Younger children can play in the weekend crèche whilst you explore the show’s delights or kick back and relax in the newly added Woodland Trust Wellbeing Area.

For those who want the full motorhome experience, an on-site camp is available at the NEC and places can be pre-booked online. It’s first-come, first-served, so if you’re a keen camper you’ll want to get in early to avoid disappointment!

Competition Terms and Conditions Tickets to be collected at the press office at the NEC, the press office is located outside Hall 18, suites 18.1 and 18.2. It is accessible from the NEC main atrium and from within the hall during the following hours.

Tuesday 16: 08:00 – 18:00 Wednesday 17: 09:00 – 18:00 Thursday 18: 09:00 – 18:00 Friday 19: 09:00 – 18:00 Saturday 20: 09:30 – 18:00 Sunday 21: 09:30 – 13:00 Advance ticket prices £8.50 Senior (over 60s), £9.50 Adult when booking before 23:59hrs 16/10/18 after which time prices revert to the on-the-door price of £12.00 Senior and £13.00 Adult. A £1.25 transaction fee applies. Car parking is included in the ticket price. No dogs (except assistance dogs). Children 15 years and under go free when accompanied by a paying Adult/ Senior. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for a monetary value. For full terms and conditions please visit www.mcshow.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2018 33

OUT & ABOUT

COOKING UP A STORM: POT WASHER TO HEAD CHEF IN FOUR YEARS

Just four years ago Aidan Mannion was a lowly pot washer working all hours struggling to make ends meet.

Now the talented 22-year-old is cooking up a storm in the kitchen, as head chef at Mill & Brew on the Broadway in Mill Hill after being trained by celebrity chef, Jamie Olivier.

Clockwise from top left: Mannion as an apprentice with Jamie Oliver; Stood outside his beloved restaurant, Mill & Brew; Mannion holding his freshly baked bread loaf; Mannion is always happy at Mill & Brew! Sautéed Portobello mushrooms with shredded matured cheddar and truffle cream on toasted sourdough.

Photography: Iona Kay

34 SEPTEMBER 2018

A

nd instead of waiting on tables, he’s serving up tasty food for regulars like EastEnders star Jake Wood, former boxer and Sky TV presenter Spencer Oliver, ex -Arsenal legend Freddie Ljungberg and a host of players from Saracens Rugby Club who pop in after training.

Rising star Aidan was chosen from 200 applicants for Oliver’s year-long course and was one of only 11 to graduate from the prestigious programme in 2016.

Aidan said: “It was an amazing learning curve and even though he is a big celebrity, he didn’t act like that and treated us all like family.”

He discovered his passion for cooking in a pot washing role at Toby Carvery. He would skip school to learn how to carve the meat and was soon promoted to the top of the kitchen.

Intending on studying history at university, he changed his path to pursue his dreams.

He added: “I quickly realised that when you want something you have to make it happen. No one is going to come to you and say ‘it is your turn to carve the meat.’ You have to make it your turn.

“It didn’t make sense for me to continue studying anymore so I applied for the Jamie Oliver apprenticeship.

“It was an intensive 6 day a week course with long hours and strict expectations. If you were late you were fined and missing days was not an option!”

He also had to forget everything he had learned about cooking and start from scratch but nonetheless Aidan looks back fondly at his experience and said he would do it all again for free.

Initially wanting to work in fine-dining he landed a job in the kitchens at the famous Grove Hotel in Watford, where the England Football team often stay and he worked to a punishing schedule learning everything about the business.

Now cookery influxes every aspect of his life and if he is not cooking in the restaurant

he is baking for his friends and family. He also maintains an allotment and enjoys foraging to produce his own preserves.

Following from his experiences in fine dining, Mannion sought a new challenge and landed the top job at Mill & Brew. He hasn’t looked back since.

“Whilst the 5 star hotels are exciting, I’m stuck in my corner and I don’t move. Today at Mill & Brew we have a nice bond with all the customers and a great team that has grown into a family, which is how I was brought up at the Jamie Oliver school, to work as a family.”

As head chef, Mannion has designed everything on the menu and it shows his passion for flavour and precision.

He is particularly proud of his ‘protein salad’ which contains quinoa, chargrilled broccoli, poached chicken and ground almonds (plus an optional poached egg.)

It was designed to cater for the large number of athletes who dine at Mill & Brew from the local boxing gym and rugby stars.

Aidan stressed the importance of engaging with your customers and enjoys the intimate environment of Mill & Brew.

As many ingredients as possible are locally sourced and Aidan revealed he had even found a delicious substitute for French butter which a customer had refused to eat.

Growing up around Mill Hill all his life, Aidan said another benefit of sourcing local produce is supporting his community. As head chef, he enjoys being able to ensure each ingredient is the best it can be.

Mill & Brew is a breakfast, brunch and lunch bar and Aidan said: “We are a modern hybrid of a restaurant and a café. We source the best coffee beans and have the same ethos with our food.

“It’s about finding the blend of making sure the food and the coffee is just as good as the other. We focus on perfection.”

OUT & ABOUT

Complete casting announced for

Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s musical

COMPANY Directed by Marianne Elliott

Jonathan Bailey

M

arianne Elliott directs COMPANY, Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s legendary musical comedy about life, love and marriage.

At Bobbie’s (Rosalie Craig) 35th birthday party all her friends are wondering why isn’t she married?

Why can’t she find the right man and Why can’t she settle down and have a family? Featuring Stephen Sondheim’s award winning songs Company, You Could Drive a Person Crazy, The Ladies Who Lunch, Side by Side and the iconic Being Alive.

Marianne Elliott, Artistic Director of Elliott & Harper Productions, a company she founded in 2016 with producer Chris Harper, was awarded an OBE in the 2018 Queen’s Birthday Honour’s List for her services to theatre. Elliott is the first woman in Broadway history to win two Tony Awards for Best Director and her recent Broadway transfer of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America received the 2018 Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play.

Rosalie Craig recently completed a run of Jez Butterworth’s award-winning play, The Ferryman at the Gielgud Theatre. Other theatre credits include: Marianne Elliott’s production of The Light Princess, for which she won the Evening Standard Award for Best Actress in a Musical and was nominated for an Olivier Award.

Patti LuPone, who performed Don’t Cry for me Argentina at the Grammy’s this year returns to London to make her first appearance in a West End musical for over 25 years with this production of Company.

Patti LuPone

THE DETAILS

Mel Giedroyc and Gavin Spokes

A ground-breaking new gender swapped production of the Sondheim musical.

Gielgud Theatre, Shaftesbury Avenue, London Previews from 26 September 2018 Opening Night 17 October 2018

The cast of Company in rehearsals (all photos by Helen Maybanks)

Mel Giedroyc recently co-presented The Great British Bake Off for the BBC alongside her longtime comic partner Sue Perkins, co-presented Let It Shine with Graham Norton and Gary Barlow and commentates for the BBC at Eurovision.

Starring Rosalie Craig as Bobbie, Patti LuPone as Joanne, Mel Giedroyc as Sarah, Jonathan Bailey as Jamie, George Blagden as PJ, Ashley Campbell as Peter, Richard Fleeshman as Andy, Alex Gaumond as Paul, Richard Henders as David, Ben Lewis as Larry, Daisy Maywood as Susan, Jennifer Saayeng as Jenny, Matthew Seadon-Young as Theo and Gavin Spokes as Harry.

36 SEPTEMBER 2018

FINANCE

I

Make the right choice for your retirement

n the 2014 annual budget the chancellor introduced dramatic new rules concerning access to pension funds. These new pension freedoms allow far greater flexibility to individuals in retirement but for some the options only complicate things.

Matthew Dean, Managing Partner of Hoxton Capital Management, a bespoke local financial advisory firm which specialises in helping clients throughout their financial life, understands that the complexity and variety can be overwhelming but insists the changes are in the interests of consumers and simply need to be used to their full potential.

Dean, who was educated locally at St. Clement Danes in Hertfordshire and has spent the last ten years in financial services, explains that ‘The various options now available allow for effective retirement and succession planning. The fact that there is no need to buy an annuity means people can now pass funds, they will have spent many years accumulating, on to loved ones. For many this is an important new feature, but it is not the only significant change.

Flexible access means that people can make use of the funds they have saved as and when they need or want to rather than simply having a set monthly income for life and of course by not buying an annuity people can benefit from the investment growth of their fund rather than that allowing annuity providers to pocket the gains.’

Dean goes on to explain that it is not a case of one size fits all, ‘The reality is the main difficulty created by the new pension freedoms is establishing which of the freedoms or indeed which combination of the freedoms available is most appropriate. Our clients have wide ranging needs, goals and objectives and this means a tailored

38 SEPTEMBER 2018

“The various options now available allow for effective retirement and succession planning.

The fact that there is no need to buy an annuity means people can now pass funds, they will have spent many years accumulating, on to loved ones”

solution, considering their need for income, access to lump sums, likely tax liabilities, desire to pass funds on and crucially their attitude to risk all play a part in helping us to make a fully bespoke recommendation.’

Studies show that those who take financial advice are on average around 41% better off during retirement. Dean argues that this gap is only likely to widen because of the new more flexible retirement market. ‘There is little doubt that being prepared for retirement has always been vital. Now more than ever I would encourage people of all ages to work with a trusted adviser on a regular basis to make sure their investments are on track to deliver their retirement goals. The need for advice increases even further as individuals come to access their pensions. Without the right advice many clients simply wouldn’t be aware of all the options available to them or how to use them, which could cost them thousands in both tax and investment growth. As an advisory service we focus on adding value to our clients by helping them to organise their finances as efficiently as possible and preparing for life after work is without a doubt the biggest and most vital area of long-term financial planning. Properly used, the new freedoms mean it is possible for most clients to get what they want from their pension and ultimately their retirement.

To ensure people have access to the right advice Dean and Hoxton Capital Management are offering clients a free one-hour initial consultation.

Hoxton can be contacted on 020 3917 3757. www.hoxton-capital.co.uk The above statistic comes from ‘Retirement Income Uncovered – The New Normal 2016’.

OUT & ABOUT

Luxury care in Ware

R

iverside Place is a new luxury care home in Ware located on the banks of the River Lea offering the highest level of residential, nursing and dementia care.

Purpose-built by Caring Homes and due to open in October, it boasts state-of-the art facilities and has been designed around the needs of its residents. The home has a luxurious and individual style including 70 en-suite bedrooms, all elegantly furnished - and there’s a family room for visitors.

The Home Manager, Katie Wilkinson and her skilled team have been chosen for their ability to create a home where care and welfare are central principles, and residents are encouraged to enjoy maximum independence in a safe and fully supported environment Katie says: “When residents choose to make Riverside Place their home ‘everyday’ will remain just as they like it, with careful note taken of their preferences, from waking times to food choices, hobbies and interests.”

There are dining and restaurant areas plus a 24hour bistro, a cinema room, Wi-Fi, activity rooms and hairdressing salons for residents and visitors to enjoy. The stunning and unique roof top orangery blends inside and outside living spaces and the

40 SEPTEMBER 2018

“‘Everyday’ will remain just as they like it, with careful note taken of their preferences”

landscaped gardens include a sunny south-facing secure courtyard with seating areas and seasonal planting.

To book a personal tour call 0808 223 5401 or visit www.caringhomes.org/riversideplace

INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS GUIDE SEPTEMBER 2018

THE FINEST INDEPENDENT SCHOOLS IN THE UK

EDUC ATION

44 SEPTEMBER 2018

EDUC ATION

a happy & thriving community A bbot’s Hill is a happy and thriving community in which pupils are encouraged to aim high, to grasp opportunities, enjoy learning and make lasting friendships.

The school offers an all-round education for girls aged 4-16 years, and the Day Nursery & Pre-School caters for girls and boys from 6 months. Abbot’s Hill’s historic campus offers modern facilities in a magnificent country setting, situated in over 70 acres of beautiful parkland.

Abbot’s Hill has a strong record of academic success. Throughout the school, pupils are taught in genuinely small classes. Excellent teaching

“Abbot’s Hill has a strong record of academic success”

46 SEPTEMBER 2018

and personalised support ensure that everyone is inspired to exceed their potential and to shine.

The broad curriculum is enhanced by a wide range of trips and activities to stimulate learning.

Extra-curricular clubs offer a lively balance of sport, performing and creative arts, science and technology, journalism, problem-solving and debating. In short, there is something for everyone!

At Abbot’s Hill, there is a great focus on pastoral care. The school gives individual attention to each girl so that she will develop as a person, but also to ensure she succeeds. Girls don’t just gain qualifications; they gain the skills that they need to forge their own path later in life.

The sense of being part of an extended family at Abbot’s Hill is frequently commented on by pupils, parents and staff alike. In such a nurturing environment, children grow naturally in confidence, are happy to embrace new challenges and eagerly take on increasing responsibilities.

Abbot’s Hill girls progress seamlessly from one stage of education to the next. They leave the school fully equipped to take on the challenges and opportunities life has to offer.

To experience Abbot’s Hill School for yourself, come along to an Open Event. For more information, please call us on: 01442 240333 or visit: www.abbotshill.herts.sch.uk.

A seamless education S

t Columba’s College provides a seamless education, in an inspiring and challenging environment, for boys ages four to 18 years.

A Catholic school, St Columba’s is open to boys from a wide variety of religious traditions, with learning underpinned by the Columban code of Courage, Courtesy and Compassion. The school’s strength lies in the combination of high expectations and a culture of mutual respect and care; creating a stimulating, happy environment in which boys thrive and learn.

The school works in close partnership with parents to provide supportive care and challenges for the boys, which enables them to flourish.

The community is vibrant and the students are the best evidence of what a Columban education can produce.

At each phase of education, Prep and Senior School, we strive for academic excellence, whilst realising that it is whole person education that best prepares boys for the world and workplace of tomorrow. We recognise that moral and spiritual qualities are essential in achieving roundness of character.

The school is proud of its strong reputation for pastoral care and has a well-developed House system, forging positive relationships and encouraging healthy competition.

In addition to the academic curriculum, there is an extensive extra and extended curriculum in both the Prep and Senior Schools, ranging from; a variety of academic clubs such as maths and modern foreign languages to music, art, sports and chess clubs. The Duke of Edinburgh Award, the Combined Cadet Force and Young Enterprise are also part of the extended curriculum in the Senior School. These activities develop qualities of selfknowledge, teamwork, leadership and resilience.

There is a strong tradition of sport, music,

drama and public speaking at St Columba’s with regular sports fixtures, concerts, recitals and drama productions. www.stcolumbascollege.org

SEPTEMBER 2018 47

EDUC ATION

Opening the door to

your child’s future A guide to School Open Days

A

s we approach the new term, it is now when thoughts turn to Independent School Open Days - allowing you to get a genuine feel for the school and whether on first impressions it is right for your child.

TOP TIPS FOR GETTING THE MOST OUT OF A SCHOOL OPEN DAY… • Check on the school website if you need to make an appointment prior to visiting • It is vital that you are prepared so read their school brochures thoroughly • Take your child with you – their opinion is the most important. Children will get an idea whether they feel comfortable there.

• Talk to as many people as you can: pupils, teachers and the headmaster ideally • Take an independent walk around with your child and chat about any reservations you might both have.

QUESTIONS TO ASK AT A SCHOOL OPEN DAY….

Some questions will differ according to your child’s age and whether you are visiting a day or boarding school.

• How selective is the school academically and what is the current pass rate for the common entrance exam?

• Are there high expectations and high academic achievements?

• Is the curriculum broad and well balanced? (you want your child to be successful but not too compelled in pressure) • What are the classroom sizes?

• What is expected of my child with regard to homework?

• Is there a healthy balance of fun and academia?

• Is there a bullying policy?

• What lunchtime meals are available?

48 SEPTEMBER 2018

• What sports and music facilities are available?

• What after school clubs and trips are available?

• How many pupils branch out into further education?

After the tour, you may have the opportunity to meet other parents and children on a more informal footing whereby the teachers and the head can answer queries over coffee and biscuits.

“Take your child with you – their opinion is the most important”

EDUC ATION

CELEBRATING SUCCESS, ACHIEVEMENT & INNOVATION AT EDGE GROVE

Reflecting back on the past year and looking ahead to the future, at Edge Grove we certainly have plenty of which to be proud.

H

ighlights from the past year include the opening of our new state-of-the-art Edge Grove Pre-School, following an increasing demand for places. The purpose-built Pre-School enjoyed a successful first year and provides a safe and stimulating ageappropriate environment for 40 children aged 3-4 years.

Following the acquisition of some local land we were delighted to launch Edge Grove Park. This has extended our estate by a further twenty acres (increasing our site to 48 acres) and has given our pupils much more space for recreation and learning.

We enjoyed a record year in terms of scholarships and exhibitions to senior schools, including Harrow, Rugby, Merchant Taylors’, Habs Girls and St Albans High School for Girls.

Almost 30 scholarships were awarded across many disciplines such all-rounder scholarships, major academic, sports, drama, arts, music and a number of specialised scholarship awards.

Our new Creative Arts Faculty has bought together the separate areas of art, music, drama and dance and established and strengthened links with external bodies, providing a unified experience for

50 SEPTEMBER 2018

“Our new Creative Arts Faculty has bought together the separate areas of art, music, drama and dance”

Below: Artist impression of proposed new Lower School building entrance.

Edge Grove pupils. We are thrilled to be working in partnership with the Jones Dance Academy who are providing a Saturday morning dance school at Edge Grove and an after school activity session. We have also formed a partnership with Future Stars Theatre Arts who will be using our newly refurbished theatre facility for their Sunday drama school at Edge Grove.

Looking ahead, our vision for the future is one in which we will continue to be proudly different and to forge an innovative and distinctive path, increasingly admired and emulated by others.

After many years of planning we are delighted that construction work has started on a £3 million contemporary designed and sustainable Lower School building, providing an exciting learning environment for our pupils.

The introduction of a new ‘Rare Breeds Farm’ this year within our extended land will provide an additional learning opportunity for pupils alongside our well established Forest School curriculum.

In an ever changing educational world, Edge Grove is passionate about embracing changes and keeping abreast of modern educational theory.

It is a school which takes great care to look after each individual and draw out their strengths. The outstanding pastoral care, enrichment programme, creative arts and sport all help pupils to develop into well-rounded human beings. We want our children to be intellectually curious, to flounder intelligently, to be able to think for themselves and to challenge themselves academically in every sense, and always be keen to know and do more. From our regular booster sessions, carefully crafted programmes of study, inspirational trips and visits, individualised assessment and the tireless work of the teaching staff, our pupils are given tremendous opportunities to excel.

Edge Grove welcomes prospective parents to visit the school and enjoy a tour of the wonderful facilities and beautiful grounds. The next Open Day is on Saturday 6th October at 10am – 12pm. Visit www.edgegrove.com to book your ticket.

EDUC ATION

Music at Merchant Taylors’ School Director of Music Simon Couldridge writes of how music is integral to all facets of life at Merchant Taylors’.

W

e are keen to ensure as many of our pupils as possible participate in school music. At one end of the scale boys joining the school at 11 are all given the opportunity to receive individual trial lessons on an orchestral instrument with some of our 23 visiting music teachers, whilst at the other, some of the more advanced musicians attend the junior departments of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music and go on to win Choral and Organ Scholarships at Oxbridge colleges.

With nearly 300 instrumental or singing lessons taught each week, and close to half the school participating in performing music throughout the academic year, there is a lot to reflect upon.

An informal concert series provides the ideal platform for solo and small group performances.

A recent informal concert programme featured a sublime performance of Bach’s Toccata in D major, followed by the Merchants of Groove playing Alligator Boogaloo. This typically eclectic juxtaposition is part of what makes music at Merchant Taylors’ so vibrant and exciting.

There are 22 ensembles and bands, from the Junior Percussion Ensemble to the Symphony Orchestra, the Guitar Ensemble to the Concert Band, and the Sinfonia String Orchestra to Taylors’ Brass. There are also three jazz bands which play modern jazz and rehearse weekly to prepare for regular performances.

Singing is hugely important at Merchant Taylors’.

Whether it is the 140-strong Choir leading the singing at St Paul’s Cathedral for the Triennial Service, the Chamber Choir performing at the Carol Service or the a cappella Vocal Group shining in concerts at the Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the City, our choristers play a full part in major school events.

Parents also have the opportunity to sing with the School Choir annually as part of the Choral Society,

52 SEPTEMBER 2018

which has recently performed works including Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms, Puccini’s Messa di Gloria, and Rutter’s Gloria.

Music Scholars enjoy regular visits to concerts and recitals in London, and internationally renowned musicians visit the school to work with the boys and give recitals. Recent visitors include Bob Chilcott (OMT) and Clive Carroll. The Chamber Choir and Chamber Orchestra embark upon biennial music tours that give the boys opportunities to perform around the world, most recently to Belgium, Austria, the USA, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Musical composition is also gaining greater prevalence with the recent expansion of music technology facilities. The two music technology suites, combined with the recording facility in the Recital Hall, have generated a real buzz around the department and helped enhance the position of music at the heart of the school. www.mtsn.org.uk

“With nearly 300 instrumental or singing lessons taught each week, and close to half the school participating in performing music throughout the academic year, there is a lot to reflect upon”

EDUC ATION

The Best Start

54 SEPTEMBER 2018

T

he start of school is a big step in a child’s life and also in that of its parents. There is much debate about when is the right age to start being taught, but here at Westbrook Hay we feel that it is obvious; it is when the child is ready. Children can come to us in the term in which they turn 3, some will come from nurseries, other straight from home, while some will choose to remain at the local nursery and join us in Reception, when full time school begins.

In our purpose-built Lower School, children benefit from a secure setting, with its own playgrounds, and advantageous teacher: pupil ratios.

The aim is to provide a gentle start to life here, building on children’s existing skills. After two years or so in our Nursery, children move to Reception and this is the stage at which we see most children make the break through to literacy and numeracy.

One of the aspects that most appeals here is that the curriculum that underpins all the learning in the Nursery is delivered through children playing while they are learning. The subtlety involved requires skilled planning and delivery, but does mean that children largely remain blissfully unaware that they are being taught at this early stage.

The setting has to be exciting for children, sustaining their interest and one that offers sufficient variety to make every day an enjoyable challenge. Give a child the opportunity to discover that the 10 coloured blocks they have can be sorted into a variety of groups and then built into a three-

dimensional shape and the seeds of mathematical knowledge are sown in a practical manner, which has to be better than sitting there barking out the rote order of numbers in a robotic fashion that demonstrates little of value.

The modern child expects to be engaged by what they are doing and here at Westbrook Hay we believe that we provide children with the best start to their learning journey. Why not book a visit to see for yourself what we have to offer. www.westbrookhay.co.uk

EDUC ATION

BRIGHT FUTURES at Bedford School

B

edford School is a leading independent day and boarding school for boys between the ages of 7 and 18.

From the classroom to the sports field, in laboratories and theatres, on excursions and exchanges, boys are challenged academically, socially and culturally. They benefit from dedicated and highly qualified staff, and outstanding facilities.

They learn exciting new skills and how to prepare themselves for a successful future.

Central to life at Bedford School is academic excellence, and boys are encouraged to aspire to the highest possible standards and exceed their expectations. With outstanding results at GCSE, A-Level and in the International Baccalaureate, gold standard careers and UCAS provision, and excellent university results – 70% of leavers went on to Russell Group universities including Oxford and Cambridge in 2018 – Bedford School offers boys bright futures.

Bedford School is also renowned for its strengths in the arts, music and sport. Drama thrives in the stunning new Quarry Theatre. Artists explore sculpture, photography, fine art and design in firstrate art studios. Musicians hone their talents in the dedicated music school; one of the largest music departments in the country.

With an enviable reputation for success in rugby, cricket, hockey and rowing, the school also aims to inspire a lifelong interest in sport. Whether spirited amateur or elite sportsman, all boys benefit from the superb sports facilities and expert coaching.

Through a rich and varied extracurricular programme boys develop a myriad of skills to enable them to thrive in a fast-changing world, think dynamically, take the initiative and work in a team with respect for others.

REWARDING TALENT Bedford School believes in rewarding talent and its generous scholarships*, worth up to 35% of school fees, are available to boys who excel academically or 56 SEPTEMBER 2018

show outstanding talent in art, drama, music or sport, including golf. *13+ and 16+ upon entry to the school

FEE ASSISTANCE Financial support is also available for gifted boys with significant academic, artistic, dramatic, musical or sporting potential**. With means-tested bursaries worth up to a possible 100% of school fees, every boy, regardless of means, has the opportunity of a brighter future at Bedford School. **11+, 13+ and 16+ upon entry to the school To find out more about Bedford School and book a place on their open morning, contact the school’s Admissions team on 01234 362216 or visit bedfordschool.org.uk

“From the classroom to the sports field, in laboratories and theatres, on excursions and exchanges, boys are challenged academically, socially and culturally”

EDUC ATION

Local graduate becomes the new face of Mathnasium in Radlett 22-year-old James Crown from Radlett has joined the village’s Mathnasium centre as manager, following completion of a four-year degree in human physiology at the University of Leeds.

With a passion for helping people, James is relishing the opportunity of working with local students in the community he loves, in a bid to develop and improve maths skills across the area.

The maths curriculum conundrum With recent statistics showing that just 47 per cent of current GCSE maths teachers hold a maths or relevant science degree, the role Mathnasium plays in Radlett is critical. By providing tailored learning programmes, that are designed specifically to fill the gaps in learning for the individual child, they become confident in the subject, and better equipped to handle the tasks set them in the wholeschool environment.

James explained: “We all know that maths is a vital life skill, however, for those children who find it difficult to master, it can become an incredibly worrying part of their school week leading to anxiety and disinterest.

“Our job here at Mathnasium is to support both the teachers and children in Radlett, to provide the foundations needed to succeed in maths.”

Sharing the learning and teaching journey In his new role, James will be overseeing a strong and committed team of Mathnasium instructors, all of whom adore the subject, and who are dedicated to sharing that love of numbers with students

across Radlett.

“By creating a fun and positive learning environment, our instructors are able to support the teaching of the recently reformed maths curriculum in such a way that breaks down barriers and builds confidence and understanding,” added James.

“Our customised plans mean instructors focus their time on filling and securing any gaps in knowledge until the child has mastered the concept, all within a vibrant setting. In turn, we see children’s confidence and attitude towards maths improve.”

Unprecedented demand for maths support At a time when students and teachers are under immense pressure, Mathnasium is seeing increasing levels of demand for its service, and as a result, is looking to grow its team of maths instructors.

James concluded: “While we already have a strong and dedicated team of instructors, to meet growing demand for the Mathnasium program, we are actively looking to expand this team with people who have a desire to share their own love of maths with the youngsters of Radlett.”

Top five benefits of Mathnasium: • An inspiring and fun learning environment • Individual learning needs identified and targeted • Fosters independent thinking and builds confidence • Tailored, interactive approaches to teaching and learning for individual children • Flexible, drop-in sessions to suit you and your child The Radlett centre is situated at 289 Watling Street and offers maths tuition for children aged six to 16. For more information, visit: www.mathnasium.co.uk or call 01923 388641.

58 SEPTEMBER 2018

EDUCATION ATION EDUC

Benefits of the independent school

W

ith options ranging from boarding schools to modern alternative curricula, there is almost certainly a school to suit each and every child. Here are some of the reasons why parents are choosing to give their children the unique experience of private school and why it’s worth the financial investment.

Enriched academic opportunities One of the accepted benefits of private schools is that they provide exceptional and challenging educational experiences through extracurricular activities, Advanced Placement courses, and the International Baccalaureate programme, just to name a few. The IB programme focuses on school work and on developing you as a whole person.

Private school students constantly score top marks on standardized tests and college entrance exams, and many schools have a 100 per cent rate of students attending their university of choice.

Controlled class sizes A comprehensive study on class size made by educational researchers Bruce Biddler and David Berliner in 2002 showed that the smaller the class size, the better the average student performs on academic achievement tests. The gains from smaller class sizes 60 SEPTEMBER 2018

are stronger the longer a child is exposed to them.

Private schools vary greatly in size, but depending on their teaching style, almost all focus on the importance of small class sizes to individually help students’ weak areas and advance their strengths.

Dedicated teachers In a study completed by the Fraser Institute in 2007, 91 per cent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school. Instructors are both qualified and passionate about their subjects, often holding advanced degrees in their field. Within the tight-knit school community, students have close relationships with their teachers who commonly act as role models.

In addition, small class sizes make staff members more readily available for extra help or to further challenge individual students.

Parental involvement Private schools are built around open communication between parents and administration, and they make it a priority to involve parents in the community. From frequent parent-teacher meetings, social events such as parent breakfasts and family camping weekends, and the participation of parent committees in fundraising initiatives, families become an integral part of the child’s education. This common ground also helps strengthen parent-child relationships.

“91 per cent of parents surveyed said the dedication of the teachers was their main reason for choosing private school”

A safe environment

Development for today’s and tomorrow’s world

Private schools have reputations for maintaining high standards for discipline and respect. Lower staff-to-student ratios allow for more effective observation and control of school grounds. The strong sense of community found in private schools also discourages dangerous behaviour.

In the Fraser Institute study, around 72 per cent of parents surveyed with children in the private school system strongly agreed that their school was safe, which greatly improves the quality of the child’s educational experience and achievement.

The discipline they learn also improves their rates for success in post-secondary education when they are in control of their class attendance and achievement.

Private schools go beyond offering the mandatory subjects required by provincial curriculum; they can offer students a wide range of specializations including arts programs, athletics, maths and science.

Private schools are responsible for producing many leaders in politics, business and society, with a history of adapting quickly to changes in technology and culture. And today, they are also sought by parents of children with special needs such as behaviour problems or learning disabilities.

Ample resources At private schools, you’ll find incredible resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio, and beyond. Quality resources provide students with the opportunity to fully explore their interests and talents.

Extracurricular activities While academics remain the priority for most private schools, many also place a strong focus on a wellrounded education and encourage participation in extracurricular activities such as sports, music, arts or clubs. This involvement helps stimulate students in their studies, as noted in a study at Stanford University that found that students involved in the arts are more motivated to learn and are three times more likely to win a school attendance award. Extracurricular activities can provide a much-needed break from the stresses of academics while developing skills and engaging in valuable social situations.

“At private schools, you’ll find incredible resources to support student learning in the classroom, sports field, art studio, and beyond”

SEPTEMBER 2018 61

fashion, HEALTH

& beauty – Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i mag e : RI V E R B A N K S C L INIC

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

[NEWS]

BEAUTY & FASHION SEE YOU IN COURT The term ‘Sustainability’, once the preserve of hemp-heavy Add a touch of glamour to your outfit with these deep cut silver leather courts with 10cm heels. These are alegant and classic shoes in a blue silver shade. By MY25. £299, www.houseofbotta.com

KEEP IT COSY

WE LOVE This gorgeous silk maxi slip in the limited edition stars and swallows print. £295, www.jessica russellflint.co.uk

Maxi wrap, pashmina, travel wrap... call it what you will but this luxury grey accessory, with cashmere, is so fabulously ample that it will keep the chill off shoulders on summer evenings and ensure you’re cosy through colder months too. This grey herringbone cashmere and merino cover up is truly versatile. Wear it to cover up after yoga, throw it on with jeans or finish off your wedding guest outfit perfectly. £89, www.tollymcrae.co.uk

well groomed

GORGEOUS IN GREY This gorgeous light grey shoulder bag, which can also be used as a clutch, features a secure zip fastening and internal pocket. An elephant and the words ‘Lets Work For Wildlife’ are debossed on the front of the bag, with the ZSL logo debossed on the back ZSL (Zoological Society of London) is an international wildlife charity working around the world to protect animals and their habitats. By purchasing anything from Sophie Allport’s Elephant collection you are contributing to ZSL’s vital work. £26, www.sophieallport.com 64 SEPTEMBER 2018

Smart and stylish, this Ted Baker Mens Black Brogue Monkian Manicure Set features five useful tools; tweezers, nail clippers, nail scissors, cuticle tool and nail file - everything a gentleman needs to look after his nails and keep them looking great.

Ted Baker Mens - Black Brogue Monkian Manicure Set, £34.95, www.hurnandhurn.com

Quote Offer Code ‘LIFEMAG’

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Get on

your bike!

An exciting way to keep fit, a chance to get outdoors and into the countryside at the weekend, or merely a fun way to plod around the park with the kids, the appeal of cycling really is endless.

I

n recent years, more and more of us have been getting on our bikes. There are a number of theories why: is it down to the London 2012 Olympic legacy, heroes like Bradley Wiggins and Laura Trott peddling up enthusiasm, or exercise that doubles up as a cheaper - and greener - mode of transport? Most likely, it’s a combination of all of these things, plus much more, but one thing’s for sure - our love of all things bike related looks like it’s here to stay, and it’s an exciting time for cycling. We can reveal seven cycle highlights for the year ahead...

ROAD DISC BRAKES As much as riding a bike is about getting out in the fresh air and seeing the world, let’s be honest, we all love to build up a bit of speed while riding. The problem with speed is that at some point it means stopping. The technology behind braking on bikes has evolved over the years, but has always used the same basic principals. Recently however, designers have started to introduce disc brakes, which work in a similar way to the brakes on a car. They have revolutionised the stopping power of mountain and cyclocross bikes in recent years, and are currently being tested by professional road race teams, which is seeing brands like Trek and Canyon invest a lot of time in their development.

CYCLOCROSS Cyclocross - technically-demanding, multi-terrain races that often see riders take on short climbs, steps and even fences and other obstacles, which they have to carry their bikes over - has seen a resurgence in recent years, with more and more cyclists taking to the field at weekends. The beauty of Cyclocross is that it can take place pretty much anywhere.

66 SEPTEMBER 2018

eBIKES The rise in the popularity of cycling goes far beyond the elite end of the sport; there’s been considerable research and debate into how cycling can be made more accessible too. The very first electric bikes were looked down upon by purists for being bulky, heavy and unnecessary. In recent years, however, the development of lighter batteries and smaller and lighter motors has seen their popularity rise. The likes of electric bikemakers EMU are even partnering with mainstream electronics firms like Samsung, to push their development even further.

CYCLE TOURISM Part of the appeal of cycling is the chance to get out and about, and for an increasing number of us, that means packing our bags and taking our bikes on holiday (or hiring a bike when you get there).

More and more resorts and destinations are catering for cyclists, with dedicated packages.

GRAVEL BIKES We have our American cousins to thank for Gravel bikes, a new trend that recently made its way across the Atlantic. Over in the US, long stretches of unused gravel tracks are the norm, to allow fire trucks to reach remote areas. While we don’t have identical paths here in the UK, we do have plenty of farm access paths and similar terrain - too technical for a road bike, but too fast for a cyclocross bike. With manufactures like GT launching the spectacular Grade Ultegra adventure road - or gravel - bike, Sportive organisers have now started to put on events that purposefully cover sections of suitable roads and tracks.

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

DOES MY CHILD HAVE ADHD?

“Sometimes, as a parent it can be difficult to know what constitutes as normal and what doesn’t”

D Introducing Dr Sharmishtha Sarkar, Consultant Paediatrician at One Stop Doctors, specialising in behavioural and neuro – developmental (including Autism and ADHD) issues.

68 SEPTEMBER 2018

r Sarkar, explains what symptoms to look out for if you think your child is suffering from ADHD? Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioural symptoms that include hyperactivity, impulsivity and difficulty in focusing and paying attention.

Awareness of the disorder has grown exponentially over recent years, but Dr Sarkar believes that diagnosis and treatment is still a problem for many parents and looks to shed some light on symptoms, advising when one should seek professional help.

If not diagnosed and managed timely, children with ADHD can experience persistent symptoms that can be carried through to their teenage and adult years and lead to: • Dropping out of school • Self-esteem issues • Risk taking behaviour e.g. substance misuse • Involvement with law and order • Anxiety disorder • Depression • Inability to keep a job or maintain long-term relationships

Dr Sarkar says. “If you have worries over your child’s behaviour or your school have advised concerns with behaviour / ability to access learning due to behavioural issues, then there are things that you can look out for to help you identify whether you should seek professional advice for ADHD. Sometimes, as a parent it can be difficult to know what constitutes as normal and what doesn’t – very often there is a fine line and it is difficult to be objective about your own child.

“The obvious behaviours to look out for include struggling to sit still and follow instructions, high activity levels and inattentiveness. But these symptoms can be subjective, and it can be more helpful to understand how these problems can manifest themselves in daily activity. For example, does your child find it difficult to keep friends, does he interrupt conversations, is he impulsive, does he have problems with anger, does he lose possessions and is forgetful, or does he find it difficult to complete a task even as mundane as getting dressed or tidying up a bedroom.

In addition to this, ADHD can also co-exist with other related conditions including: • Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) • Learning Difficulties • Dyspraxia or Dyslexia • Tics or Tourette’s Syndrome • Depression, anxiety “A rule of thumb is to look at these difficulties and reflect whether they are more problematic for your son or daughter than for children generally at the same age. If you are struggling with your child’s behaviour go and see your GP. There are also many resources online available and One Stop Doctors has recently launched a whole host of paediatric services to include developmental issues with both Paediatric Consultants, Child Psychologists and other therapists on hand”.

Our One Stop Doctors private Clinic in Hertfordshire has a team of specialist paediatricians and child health experts. To book an appointment or find a specialist please call 01442 331 900 or visit onestopdoctors.co.uk.

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

KEEP ON MOVING

FOR A HEALTHY RETIREMENT

Y

ou may be giving up work and planning to take things a little easier, but advice from medical experts is clear – don’t retire to the couch!

As more and more of the Baby Boomer generation reach retirement age, doctors are urging them to stay fit and active in order to enjoy their ‘after work’ years.

A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that the best way to cut the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and even Alzheimer’s, was to “keep on moving”.

But many people who would like to take more exercise are held back because of pain in their knees or hips causing a vicious circle of little to no exercise, leading to deteriorating health.

Explained Spire Harpenden’s orthopaedic consultant Mr Paul Whittingham-Jones: “Many patients feel able to put up with a ‘niggle’ in the hip or knee but, as things start to worsen, some patients are worried that they will not be able to do things like golf, rambling or gardening following surgery.

“Some patients may feel that they are too old for surgery – others feel they are too young and just to persevere with what can be quite severe symptoms.

“As symptoms worsen patients can find themselves doing less and less physical exercise.

Unfortunately some feel they have to give up activities they love such as golf or gardening 70 SEPTEMBER 2018

“A study in the British Journal of Sports Medicine showed that the best way to cut the risk of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, depression and even Alzheimer’s, was to “keep on moving””

because their hips or knees hurt too much. With careful surgery and good physiotherapy people can get back to many of the activities they have missed.

“While joint replacements might be required, frequently following discussion and with imaging such as X-Rays and MRI scans, some problems can be helped with physiotherapy or indeed by more minor surgical intervention. Not everyone with a hip or knee problem needs a replacement.

Certainly patients should not feel that hip or knee pain is just something that has to be tolerated.

There are a number of treatment options and surgical procedures that, when performed carefully, can significantly improve a patient’s quality of life.

Mr Whittingham-Jones specialises in orthopaedic surgery for hips and knees. He treats all his patients with understanding and comfort, ensuring a high standard of treatment and care throughout.

Spire Harpenden Hospital From initial consultation, through to treatment and rehabilitation, we are here to support you through your patient journey on the road to recovery, with no hidden costs or waiting lists, weekend and evening appointments and with a specialist consultant.

Visit www.spireharpenden.com to find out how you can get back to doing the things you love.

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

FOCUS ON

M

LASER EYE SURGERY

ost people are not aware of the advances in laser eye surgery that have taken place in the last couple of years. Different types of lasers are used extensively in all types of eye surgery from cataract to glaucoma to floaters to diabetes.

Each laser is completely different and has unique properties which are utilised to deliver the treatment for the different eye conditions.

To an eye doctor laser eye surgery means treating someone with one of the conditions above but to the layman it usually means laser surgery to get rid of glasses. This surgery, called Refractive Laser Surgery, is carried out by eye doctors (ophthalmologists) specialising in this area of eye surgery. Just like all areas of ophthalmology it is a very precise subspecialty requiring long training and study to become proficient. But, unlike the other areas ophthalmology where lasers are used, Refractive Laser Surgery to get rid of glasses has suffered a bad press in the past while laser for cataract or glaucoma is perceived as a beneficial breakthrough.

Many people have heard the urban myths about how someone had laser eye surgery and had poor vision afterwards, while very few people have heard stories about someone getting an eye infection from their contact lenses leading to permanent damage to their sight.

the wearer swims while wearing them. This risk is greatest when swimming in open water such as a lake or river. This means that triathletes who wear soft contact lenses are more at risk of irreversible vision loss than someone who is having laser vision correction. Taking this to its logical conclusion laser vision is safer. And with it comes the benefit of being free of the hassle of contact lenses or glasses.

It’s not painful.

The laser treatment with the early machines was very painful for a few days. But the modern lasers have very little discomfort and healing is almost instantaneous. The latest method called Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE) causes minimal discomfort on the day and the dry eye symptoms associated with Lasik are much less and shorter lived. People who have SMILE can resume normal activities the same day. And, because there is no flap lifted off the cornea, contact sports can be engaged in again safely.

It’s not expensive.

Over approximately a four year period someone with moderate myopia and a small amount of astigmatism will spend more money on their contacts than if they have SMILE laser vision correction. And the same is true with glasses unless they don’t want the best quality lens in designer frames. And frames go out of fashion.

Laser vision correction lasts.

It’s for everybody.

Everybody’s vision fluctuates over time.

Even people who do not need glasses have fluctuations in their refraction. However once the eye is focused within the spectacle free zone it is highly unlikely that the normal fluctuations would cause the eye to wander out of the zone where glasses or contacts are necessary. Laser eye surgery will put the focus of the eye into the spectacle free zone where it should stay indefinitely.

There was a time when only celebrities or top athletes had laser vision correction. But today it is for anyone who has poor vision without glasses or contacts. It’s ideal for busy people in their 20s or 30s who can become completely spectacle free. Also people in their 40s or 50s who are beginning to have problems with their reading glasses can have laser surgery to give them clear vision at all distances, near, intermediate and far. There is even an option for people who have extreme short sight. Over one million people have had SMILE laser surgery already and tens of millions of patients have had laser eye surgery since it became available.

Fewer people have complications from modern laser eye surgery than have complications from contact lens wear. For moderate to severe myopia contact lenses or glasses do not provide a cure, they merely make the condition survivable. SMILE laser vision actually gives you the vision you were always supposed to have.

Inform yourself, Mr. John Bolger, Ophthalmologist/ Clinic Director, My-iClicnic, T: +44 (0)208 445 8877 E: reception@my-iclinic.co.uk W:my-iclinic.co.uk A: 960 High Road, London, N12 9RY

Contact lenses are more risky.

Triathletes who need contact lenses would be taking less risk with their vision by having laser eye surgery rather than wearing contact lenses to correct their eyesight. Contact lenses are safe but not risk free. Soft contact lenses can allow an infection to get hold in the cornea with minimal symptoms. Prompt treatment is necessary combined with stopping lens wear to bring about recovery and the avoiding of permanent damage.

The risk of losing some vision permanently due to complications of contact lens wear is about the same as having laser and in fact some experts believe that laser is actually safer. Contact lens risks greatly increase if 72 SEPTEMBER 2018

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Affordable Luxury at the laboratory spa & health club

L

uxury, style and elegance create the perfect environment to escape the many pressures of London life. Relaxation is essential to the body and mind and the Laboratory Spa and Health Club provides a gateway to undisputed tranquillity.

Twice winners of the UK Health Club of the Year award (National Fitness Awards) and previously voted best private Health Club and Spa in London by Time Out. No expense has been spared. Innovative, motivational and led by some of the UK’s finest and most-respected fitness professionals, the Lab offers an unrivalled and envied timetable to cater for every age, interest, and schedule.

Their expansive gym floors flooded with natural daylight boast the very latest Lifefitness™ treadmills and bikes, designed in America they have both cutting edge technology and ergonomic engineering at their core.

A personalised fitness and well-being programme with over 100 different fitness classes that includes: • Schwinn cycling • BodyPump • Salsa • Aquatics • Yoga • Pilates • Meditation • Zumba Each Club also offers: • A spectacular 25 metre swimming pool cleansed

74 SEPTEMBER 2018

with the latest UV light technology, ensuring the highest standards of hygiene with minimal levels of chlorine.

• Twin spa baths • Marble steam rooms • Scandinavian saunas The Lab’s philosophy is to not just treat the body, but the mind and soul as well. The Day Spa is a haven of peace and calm providing a chance to escape the stresses of daily life.

• Facials • Massage • Body care therapies • Hot stone and reflexology to name but a few.

The Laboratory Spa & Health Clubs are one of the few remaining independent, privately owned Clubs in London. The Club is surrounded by its own secluded gardens where you can sun-bathe or relax in private.

Seb Barre, General Manager says “Our members stay with us because they value what we offer and love what we do. We provide an oasis of calm in a busy life. We aim to help you achieve your goals and increase your individual wellbeing. At the Lab you will be transported to a world of serenity, where muscle tension and the mind’s concerns simply melt away allowing you to emerge refreshed, balanced and energised.”

Lab members have full use of all facilities.

Non-members are welcome to use the Day Spa.

“Innovative, motivational and led by some of the UK’s finest and most-respected fitness professionals, the Lab offers an unrivalled and envied timetable to cater for every age, interest, and schedule”

THE DETAILS For further information and to book a no obligatory tour, call: Mill Hill: 020 8457 3300 1a Hall Lane, NW4 4TJ. Muswell Hill: 020 8482 3000 The Avenue N10 2QE. www.labspa.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2018 75

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Lasers not Razors W

e are extremely excited to for you. announce the return of Laser Laser hair removal is suitable for all skin types Hair Removal back to Riverbanks and all genders.

Wellness, with the ever-increasing I’m sure you are wondering whether laser requests to bring it back we really had no choice but hair removal is painful? This is one of the main to listen to our patients. question’s patients ask me about the treatment If you are tired or embarrassed with the constant process and the honest answer is, if you are used battle of removing your face or body hair, we have to the more traditional methods of hair removal, the solution for you…. this will be more than comfortable. The sensation – and your skin will feel and look smoother is similar to that of an elastic band “ping” on the all year long. skin, however with the use of cooling air the Like all things to do with our skin recovers within milliseconds, and bodies no one person’s journey is of course some areas are slightly more READER the same, we all have different sensitive than others, but in the scheme OFFER: SAVE personal battles with our face of things it’s a couple of seconds of and or body hair, for some we sensation. just want to get rid of unwanted The laser hair removal handpiece hair, simple as that ..for others it searches for pigment within the hair may come with a more emotional follicle and fires the energy down attachment, whether it is PCOS its entirety to reduce the cellular DNA maybe the menopause is affecting yours matrix, leading to weaker, slower, lighter and - or even it can mean the beginning to a new start as finer growth. We have brought you the best Laser in a gender change that up until now may have been on the market of course, Cynosure Elite, with a life affecting factor with hair growth. an Alexandrite and Nd:YAG laser, it’s capable of Does this stop you from going out to events or treating all skin types. gatherings do you feel self-conscious or comparing The Riverbanks practitioners are all passionate yourself to other people. Guys are you happy to about this treatment and the results which can be take your tops off at the beach or poolside, it may achieved; and welcome you all to come and have a not be that dramatic it could be you have a few complimentary consultation to discuss any questions hairs on your top lip that drive you mad when you and formulate a bespoke treatment plan for you. are looking in the rear-view mirror? We understand, Our special offer for the first 50 consultations and we can help to put you on the best programme booked will receive 10% off their courses…

10%

76 SEPTEMBER 2018

Dr Ravi Jain

THE DETAILS For more information visit my informative website www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk and subscribe to my email list.

Or if you would like to schedule a consultation with one of my aesthetic doctors call 01582762877 to book in.

LOOK GOOD, FEEL

GREAT

A medical team comprising of;

4 Aesthetic Doctors 4 Aesthetic Skin Therapists 2 Nurses 4 times winner of…

…UK’s best Cosmetic Clinic

Hormone Profile Testing now available for both men & women.

GP referrals are not necessary

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Eyes on the Prize...

B

orn and bred St Albans owner Jez Levy wanted to come back the area he knows and loves. He brings with him over 35 years experience, a wealth of expertise, knowledge, fashion stylist culture and ultimately, passion, for eyewear. The shop itself is completely different to any opticians I have ever been in – with unique brick work, imported tin ceiling from New York and an array of quirky artwork, it feels like I have just stepped into a high end London boutique with a Soho/Covent Garden vibe.

The shop boasts a massive selection of unique and designer frames and you can tell they are all high quality products. If you are looking for something unique, different and something no one else may have, this is the shop for you.

Jez is so passionate about the shop and the

78 SEPTEMBER 2018

experience each client receives. Every client has the full customer experience from the moment they step foot in the shop, from the meet and greet, to getting to see and use the latest advanced eye testing equipment, to then coming out to select frames with the help of Jez. Jez tells me his mantra for the shop is that it’s all about design, quality and service, and above all, making sure you look and feel your best, whilst being confident that your eyes are healthy.

Jez has styled a large selection of A-List celebrities so is well in his comfort zone helping you select the right frames for your face shape, and to make you feel fantastic. The shop even boasts a Prosecco fridge and a beautiful coffee range – another fantastic perk giving you time to relax whilst you select your frames and enjoy the shopping experience.

A must visit, so take a trip to St Albans soon to meet Jez and his fantastic team.

The Quadrant, Marshalswick, St Albans AL4 9RD. 01727 838003. www.eyesonstalbans.com 3 hours free parking.

A brand new exquisite opticians opens in St Albans, bringing a trendy London vibe to the area.

“If you are looking for something unique, different and something no one else may have, this is the shop for you”

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

How To Find Your

Style For Autumn look and your confidence by finding out the colours that suit your skin tone. And once you know which colours suit you will feel energised and look younger by wearing the right colours for your skin tone.

One glance in the mirror and you’ll notice a more defined jaw line and cheekbones. Discover your natural, youthful glow, and the reduced appearance of wrinkles, blemishes and dark circles.

Imagine if everything in your wardrobe fitted you perfectly, enhanced the positive things you like about your body and cleverly hides the bits you don’t.

2. Shape

THE DETAILS To find out more about Nina’s services, email nina@edits-styling. com or click on www.edits-styling. com for information, testimonials and blog posts.

S

eptember is on the horizon and with it comes back to school mentality, a new academic year and a new season of fashion. With the change in season, weather and no summer holidays to look forward to, it can give you a new-year state of mind. So, this new fashion year, in the spirit of new beginnings why don’t you take a fresh new approach to your wardrobe and style. Read how working with a professional stylist can help you find your style that suits your personality that perhaps has got lost somewhere along the way.

Every day styling isn’t about looking like you’ve just stepped off the catwalk. It’s about finding the colours, cuts and looks that suit an individual’s shape, complexion and personality. Finding the right way to do that by combining wardrobe classics with the season’s ‘must have’ is part of that. Even if you feel the need to ‘look the part’, your wardrobe doesn’t have to have a complete overhaul every season. Investing in wardrobe classics will create a style base from which you can achieve the looks that work best for you. Think of catwalk trends that suit your shape and style as your accent pieces. Here is how I can work with you for the new season to help you re-style your wardrobe and yourself.

1. Colours The first step to finding your style should start with having your colours done. This will transform your 80 SEPTEMBER 2018

Discovering the clothing shapes that compliment your figure will take the stress out of changing room visits. Discovering the styles that suit your body shape could be the answer to the longer legs or a more defined waistline that you’ve been craving for years.

3. Wardrobe re-style Got nothing to wear, but can’t bring yourself to get rid of the clothes you’ve got? You need a wardrobe restyle! It is thought that most women wear just 20 per cent of what’s in their wardrobe. That’s a huge proportion of your clothes shopping hanging or folded unworn. Not to mention what you spent on that 80 per cent of your wardrobe that you don’t wear.

Spending a few hours on what you’ve already got in your wardrobe is the best place to start before heading off on any new shopping trips. Working together we’ll wrap up with a stylish organised and streamlined wardrobe that will give you new outfit ideas, inspiration and space to see what you have missing.

4. Shopping Stop making expensive shopping mistakes. Start wearing 100 per cent of what you buy and love what you buy. Wear it confidently and stylishly. Taking a personal shopping experience will help you avoid expensive mistakes. It’ll stop those quizzical looks at your reflection in the changing room mirror too.

Together we’ll choose styles to flatter your colours and body shape that’ll give you an effortlessly stylish look.

Remember clothes shopping should be fun as well as productive – so what’s stopping you?

have moved to 6 Upper Dagnall Street St albanS, HertS, al3 5ea

denture relines and repairs • Cosmetic dentures soft comfort dentures • new & copy dentures Free consultation • Metal frame dentures Money back guarantee

Call 01727 856967

www.albanydenturecentre.co.uk Previously at dolPhin yard holywell hill

HOME &

PROPERTY – A collection of Hertfordshire’s finest house and garden companies, plus stunning homes for sale in the area – I M A G E : ORIGIN L E ISUR E

H OME & PROPERTY

[NEWS]

INTERIORS BRIGHTEN UP Nothing rhymes with orange but the Grand Blotch cushion certainly goes with it. They do love orange at Rume and have been known to cover whole sofas in it, however, even just a cushion in the gleeful hue will make a cheerful impact on any interior. www.rume.co.uk

WILD FOR WALNUT

In a striking shift away from the light blonde woods evident in Scandinavian style that have been popular in recent years, earthy tones and dark woods are making a huge comeback. So, with a rise in popularity for seventies style and woods like mango and walnut, Wooden Furniture Store are proud to showcase their Mayan furniture range. This contemporary yet classic range features carefully designed pieces for every room, from the living room, dining room and home office, to storage essentials for the hallway. www.wooden-furniture-store.co.uk

Dive into Danish design

MEXICAN FLAIR

Give your walls some Mexican flair – this beautifully designed piece takes direct inspiration from one of Frida’s most famous self-portraits and has been recreated in high-quality steel. The piece features an incredible geometric recreation of Frida’s iconic face and floral headpiece. www.redcandy.co.uk

Modernist Manhattan style

Take a trip back in time to 1930’s New York! All smooth lines and curved edges, the Hickman Sofa is sure to make a statement in your living room. With a sleek silhouette, this sofa is fitted with steel legs and upholstered in a neutral cream fabric that will blend seamlessly into your décor. Featuring a beautiful black marble base and brass stem, the Margot Table Lamp. radiates luxury. Topped with a black fabric shade which is finished with a gold lining to a create soft and soothing light, this lamp will bring a warm ambience to your surroundings. www.distinctify.com 84 SEPTEMBER 2018

Bring a minimal Scandinavian vibe to your home with the house doctor homeware collection, now available at Hurn & Hurn. This sleek and stylish range of home accessories includes mirrors, lights and vases, all finished with a clean, contemporary aesthetic and metallic touches. Perfect for adding a luxe touch to your interiors. www.hurnandhurn.com

H OME & PROPERTY

HAzlemere Windows Unique Aluminium Casement Window System U sing their 33 years’ experience in manufacturing and installing bespoke high quality aluminium double glazed windows, Hazlemere Window Company Ltd’s technical team have designed a unique aluminium casement window system called “Hazlemere Sculptured”.

Hazlemere Sculptured features flat mullions and transoms with ovolo edges, as well as an ovolo external raised aluminium sash and moulded ovolo interior outer frame. The raised opening vents and the Saracen hidden locking system are the main design features that aesthetically sets the Hazlemere Sculptured aluminium window apart from other aluminium casement window systems.

All Hazlemere Sculptured windows have a highly durable powder coated aluminium finish as standard. They are available in any RAL colour, but come as standard in a choice of around 600 RAL

86 SEPTEMBER 2018

THE DETAILS Hazlemere Sculptured Aluminium Window Showrooms

colours, some of which are available in a choice of gloss, matt or satin finish. All Hazlemere’s powder coated aluminium products need is a clean with warm soapy cloth roughly once a year to recreate a brand new window look.

Designed With Safety In Mind Even opening windows that don’t have to have fire escape hinges (By law) come as standard on every Hazlemere Sculptured window (for example they are not required under the current Building Regulations on windows in bathrooms, kitchens, garages and toilets etc.). All side hung vents have hinges that open to 90 degrees, allowing room occupants easy egress in the event of fire etc.

What is more, every side hung Hazlemere Sculptured opening window vent has an “easy clean” operation, so the whole opening vent can be physically moved from one side towards the middle of the window opening to allow for easy cleaning of the external pane and frame, a particularly useful feature on opening windows fitted above ground floor height.

Thermally Efficient and Energy Rated Every Hazlemere Sculptured aluminium window comes as B-Rated as standard. Under current Building Regulations, replacement windows need to achieve a window energy rating (WER) of “C” or higher. Hazlemere Sculptured achieves its higher B rating by having a polyamide “thermal break” that separates the inner and outer frames, preventing external cold reaching the interior. This technical frame design, when used in conjunction with our standard double glazed sealed unit specification which achieves a tremendous centre-pane U-Value of 1.2 W/m2K, delivers an extremely thermally efficient aluminium window system.

take a flat externally applied bar, but the Hazlemere Sculptured window was specially designed so that it can take a shaped raised astragal aluminium bar externally and internally, so that this window system can exactly replicate the look of traditional single glazed wooden Georgian windows that have separate glass panes. A special “interbar” in-between the double glazing replicates this look on each and every Hazlemere Sculptured windows with dummy vents delivering aesthetically pleasing equal sight lines.

Totally Exclusive To Hazlemere.

The Hazlemere Sculptured Aluminium Double Glazed Casement Window System is as the name suggests, totally exclusive in every respect to Hazlemere Window Company Ltd, as a) they designed it and b) they are the only company in the World who manufacture it and c) they are consequently the only company in the World who install it. It is not therefore a product you’ve likely to have come across, as only those customers who have been into one of Hazlemere Windows showrooms are likely to have seen it. It is one of many different aluminium profiles manufactured and installed by independent double glazing designers, manufacturers and installers, Hazlemere Window Company Ltd.

Welwyn Garden City: Hazlemere Window Company Ltd. Unit 10, Mundells Industrial Centre, Little Mundells, Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, AL7 1EW Tel: 01707 325560 High Wycombe: Hazlemere Window Company Ltd. Wellington Road, Cressex Business Park, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, HP12 3PR Tel: 01494 536000 To find out more about Hazlemere Sculptured visit www.hazlemere.co.uk

Raised Aluminium Astragal Georgian Bar Option Yet another unique feature of Hazlemere’s Sculptured aluminium windows is that it that can take a “proper” aesthetically designed astragal raised Georgian bar. Many aluminium window systems can SEPTEMBER 2018 87

H OME & PROPERTY

Home Swimming Pools - The Hidden Truth W

hen considering the benefits of a home swimming pool, the advantages to physical health and fitness are often first to spring to mind. While indeed contributing to a healthy lifestyle, the positive effects a home swimming has on daily life goes far beyond the physical.

Origin, the UK’s longest established swimming pool company, has been designing and building swimming pools in homes for over 35 years. In this time, the firm has spoken to hundreds of satisfied customers and compiled a catalogue of case studies to help understand how the addition of a home swimming pool benefits family life. These studies revealed that, while rarely considered, the emotional advantages of swimming at home are just as significant as the physical, fitness-related benefits.

Increasing the quality of family time Losing touch with family members is a problem experienced nationwide, as it becomes more and more difficult to organise get-togethers with relatives. The ability to bring families back together and instigate the spending of more quality time as a group is just one of the hidden benefits of home

88 SEPTEMBER 2018

swimming pools.

This is certainly the experience of Buckinghamshire-based couple Peter and Christine. While restoring their 14th century manor farmhouse, the couple’s love of swimming prompted them to build an indoor swimming pool in their garden. Their decision was made in the hope of bringing all the family to the house and becoming a space for the group to enjoy. After research into various swimming pool contractors, they chose Origin to design, build and manage the project.

Once completed, the pool succeeded in becoming a focal point for family meet ups and gatherings. “We have three grandchildren, three daughters and their partners. They come over every weekend, sometimes all at once, and whenever they are here they all pile into the pool.”

Family time is now a regular part of the couple’s life, and they enjoy spending time in the pool with their friends and relatives every week.

Encouraging positive mental wellbeing and relaxation A home pool can also encourage positive wellbeing.

The addition of a pool creates a place for relaxation, and somewhere homeowners can spend time unwinding.

This was experienced first-hand by Michelle and Paul Green when they extended their new house to include a bespoke Origin swimming pool. Discussing his wife’s use of the pool, Paul comments: “She uses it for leisure. It’s a very pleasant space to relax and enjoy activities such as having a drink and reading a book.”

The couple now see the pool as more than just a fitness facility. They treat the pool as an extension

of their home, and as a peaceful place to wind down.

Improving the work/life balance As the popularity of flexible working rises, many professionals still struggle to balance their personal lives with their jobs. Work can easily take control, leaving little time for leisure. Bringing a swimming pool into the home can help family and personal life regain some importance.

A couple who personally experienced this rebalance were Ian and Michelle Scott. Prior to building their bespoke Origin swimming pool and pool house, Michelle really struggled to balance her time, as work dominated her life. Ian explained: “She would often get home late after a full day’s work and not have the time or energy to head off to the gym.”

However, now she manages to balance her life much more efficiently. “We noticed that when we were on holiday we would both get up early and start our day with a morning swim which was great!

We’ve now brought this luxury into our home and it has enabled both of us to improve our fitness every day before work.”

“When we were on holiday we would both get up early and start our day with a morning swim which was great!

We’ve now brought this luxury into our home”

decided on building her own swimming pool after enjoying the luxury of her father’s pool in the south of France. She had always loved swimming, yet her busy working life meant free time was at an absolute minimum. “The only exercise I really enjoy is swimming and I often don’t have time to go to a gym because I work 12-hour days.”

The project took six months and now completed allows Sarah to make the most of her free time.

What was once a jam-packed routine without room for exercise, now includes daily swimming and relaxing in the pool. “It’s definitely changed my routine for the better, I’m swimming every day before I head off to work which makes me feel enriched and energised.” www.originpools.co.uk

Giving the daily routine an overhaul for the better Bringing a swimming pool into the home also creates an opportunity for huge improvements to daily routines. Rather than be marshalled into a lack of exercise and leisure by work, it is possible to overhaul an overly ordered lifestyle.

Sarah Taylor, Essex-based Origin customer, SEPTEMBER 2018 89

H OME & PROPERTY

[NEWS]

outdoor living GARDEN INSPIRATION

A stunning range of new home & garden decor is now online at Live Laugh Love, featuring hundreds of gorgeous products. Among these new additions are a whole supply of ideas and inspirations, such as a brand new range of rustic and vintage inspired garden decorations. A series of rustic metalwork sculptures and stakes that have been delicately shaped and made into beautiful designs.

This truly special range can bring a brilliant charm and a wonderful atmosphere to your garden. A beautiful and cost effective way to add a personal touch to your outdoor living space. www.livelaughlove.co.uk

LET IT RAIN

We just love this new showerproof garden cushions range from ragged Rose – perfect for the unpredictable British weather! There are five different designs to choose from.

We have Palm Trees, Tropical Birds, Fern Leaves, Tiger Lily Flowers and Flamingos.

These cushions are 100% polyester, showerproof and UV resistant, so they will not get damaged in the rain or sun. www.raggedrose.com

Pretty Pastels

IBERIAN SUMMER

Whether you’re planning a garden party with friends or a relaxed Al Fresco dinner with family, transform your outdoor space into the perfect summer soirée with this Iberian Summer collection.

Taking inspiration from the sun-drenched streets of the Iberian peninsula, this collection captures all things bright and bold, encompassing the laid-back spirit of the season. www.lights4fun.co.uk 90 SEPTEMBER 2018

Bring pretty pop-pastels in to your garden with The Garden Furniture Centre’s Retro Dining Tables and Chairs collection.

With several colour and style options available, these vintageinspired café sets feature soft and sweet sorbet shades that will perfectly complement your summer garden in bloom. This simplistic yet eye catching collection is perfect for creating your own garden set. The colourful cross back dining chairs with the square table are sure to brighten up your garden and a great choice for alfresco dining with the family. www.gardenfurniturecentre.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Poggenpohl’s Contemporary Classics Modern kitchens that are built to last

F

ounded in 1892, Poggenpohl is an upmarket German kitchen brand with a worldwide reputation for producing precision engineered contemporary kitchens. Poggenpohl has long been at the forefront of innovation having created the first unit kitchen, the first white lacquer furniture and the first island kitchen.

All Poggenpohl kitchens are made to measure so that they exactly fit the space available and perfectly match your lifestyle. The designers at every Poggenpohl showroom start each project with a blank sheet of paper working closely with you to create the right kitchen - whether you want a practical family space, a kitchen packed full of the latest appliances or a room that can transition from day time practical to a night time party space.

Poggenpohl kitchen designers have a wealth of experience but the journey doesn’t stop there, Poggenpohl oversee your project from start to finish. Once you have settled on a design that is right for you the kitchens are installed by professional fitters and you will be assigned your own Installation Manager who will conduct regular site visits to ensure a smooth and co-ordinated process. And this level of service continues even after your kitchen is installed. All Poggenpohl customers are visited at home by a member of the team who will arrange a professional cleaning service for the new kitchen and demonstrate the basic functions of the new appliances (if purchased from Poggenpohl) helping to ensure that you get the most out of your investment.

92 SEPTEMBER 2018

Looking to the future, Poggenpohl continues to push the boundaries of design, introducing new finishes and flexible kitchen solutions, just as the company has done for the last 126 years. You can see the quality of these kitchens for yourself at Poggenpohl’s St Albans showroom on London Road.

Poggenpohl St Albans: www.stalbans.poggenpohl.com or 01727 738111

“Poggenpohl kitchen designers have a wealth of experience”

H OME & PROPERTY

Andrea Maflin Interior Design Practice My Skill I have over 20 years’ design consultancy. I take a craftsman’s pride in my work.

With a strong emphasis on personal service and commitment to quality, my design philosophy is simple: everything in our homes should be an essential mix of both pleasing and practical.

I don’t rush in – thinking time is very important.

From designing a coffee table, sourcing hand painted and embroidered wallpaper, or going out of my way to find the most interesting materials, I focus on the detail, the artful quality and the finish behind my recommendations.

I will co-ordinate your project’s development to take the stress away from you.

Andrea Maflin Design Practice offers a bespoke, full interior design service from concept to completion.

Homes are multilayered – from storage, to lighting, to ease of use – and we underestimate how much they influence how we feel.

I can help you fall in love with your home, whether you’re looking at a single room to an entire re-build.

“I find that what you think you want to achieve at the beginning of a project often changes and evolves. It’s a all part of the journey we go on together.”

Trust

Your Style

I pride myself in my gentle and unintimidating approach. I know that inviting someone to change your home is a matter of trust. It’s an intimate, discrete and private process.

My clients trust and rely on me to support them, resolve problems, and liaise with builders and suppliers throughout. As a result, a great deal of my business is repeat or referrals.

My work is authentic, top quality and focused on achieving the right design decision for you and your home.

I understand that you want a home you can live in, not a show home. A timeless, beautiful look that will evolve and last as your life and your home’s needs change.

You don’t want to buy an off-the-peg style, you need someone to interpret your day-to-day and bring it to life in a way that both inspires and simplifies.

Everyone’s homes and needs and tastes are unique.

Working with Me

THE DETAILS I’m happy to discuss your ideas, on 0208 4406062 or email on design@andreamaflin.co.uk or visit www.andreamaflin.co.uk Photography: Marcus Peel.

Words: Georgina Annett

I’m approachable, calm and flexible and really connect with my clients. Creating beautiful spaces that reflect the personalities balanced with the functionality makes for a practical hard working home.

This isn’t about me putting my stamp on your home. I listen to draw out your requirements and personal style, then make design suggestions - but it’s always based on your choice. I am constantly evolving, artistically, with an eye on tomorrow’s trends, while staying flexible to meet my clients’ needs.

“I get a lot of information from what people don’t say. My work is to interpret and read people, to see what you might not yet be able to see.”

Interior design services include: Floor plans and elevations • Kitchens Bathrooms • Bespoke Joinery • Furniture • Home cinemas • Lighting plans Upholstery • Soft Furnishings • Window Treatments • Flooring Handles and Fittings • Architectural Detailing • Spacial planning Furniture Layout and Full Colour Schemes.

94 SEPTEMBER 2018

Do you ever dream of owning your own pool or spa to enjoy on hot summer days?

At Crystal Leisure Pools in Bedfordshire we make it a reality for homeowners every day!

Based in Shefford, we work across most of England installing pools and supplying spas and hot tubs to private homes, we also carry out commercial swimming pool installations to health clubs and sports centres. We provide a comprehensive service helping design and plan your new pool with you. As well as carrying out a complete installation to the highest quality standard including extras like lighting, solar covers and supply of pool chemicals.

Crystal leisure Pools ltd 1C St Francis Way, Shefford Industrial Estate, Shefford, Beds, SG17 5DZ Tel: 01462 819003 Fax: 01462 819001 Email: enquiries@crystalleisurepools.com www.crystalleisurepools.com

H OME & PROPERTY

E

xperienced interior designers Helen Touli and Leia Anastasiou shared a vision to create a lifestyle store to inspire their clients in how to elevate their lifestyle from mediocre to magnificent. The Interior Design House opened in July in the heart of Hadley Wood.

The showroom is a hub of excitement as the team showcases unique lighting, furniture, soft furnishings, architectural details and interior accessories sourced from the UK and all over Europe.

“We will use the space to show a complete room as we would on a project; our first setting will be a beautiful lounge which will change every few months so that there is always something new and exciting to see.

We are often asked what is our style? We like to spend time getting to know our clients so that we can understand their taste and interpret the space in the style that would be personal to them. Not only are we in tune with current trends but we can steer our clients to a more unique approach for originality and longevity.

Our ethos is to create a perfect balance between practicality and aesthetics, so not only should a room be beautiful and evoke the emotions you desire, but it should also be easy to use and functional.

The spaces around us, where we work, eat, sleep, or even bathe, have a powerful effect on our well-being and is an essential part of our daily lives and, most importantly, our lifestyle.”

Helen and Leia would love to welcome you to their beautiful lifestyle store to have a chat about how they can help you.

Interior design consultations by appointment only.

Services include Kitchens • bathrooms • home cinemas • gyms • conference rooms • window treatments • flooring • GIFTS furniture • soft furnishings • architectural detail • handles & fittings • feature walls • spacial planning • floor plans The Interior Design House, 20 Crescent West, Hadley Wood, Hertfordshire EN4 0EJ. Tel 020 3912 6312 www.theinteriordesignhouse.london.

Contact us at info@tidh.london. Showroom now open. Opening hours Tuesday till Saturday 10-5pm.

98 SEPTEMBER 2018

Timeless

design SEPTEMBER 2018 99

H OME & PROPERTY

Little Greene

The Conran Shop

MARYLEBONE DESIGN DISTRICT MAKES DEBUT AT THE

LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2018

O

ne of central London’s most celebrated and distinctive areas will host its own design district during the London Design Festival 2018.

Marylebone’s attractive Georgian streets, packed with characterful period buildings, provides space and inspiration for an impressive collection of design retailers, galleries and workshops. From interiors to millinery, jewellery to furniture, this established area boasts some serious creative credentials, both internationally famous brands and smaller, independent studios and boutiques.

Many well-known retailers and design shops in Marylebone will become partners of the district, hosting workshops, demonstrations and launches, with the official kick-off around Marylebone’s festival day on Wednesday 19 September.

100 SEPTEMBER 2018

Here is a selection of just some of the confirmed activities so far:

bridges to hand tools, as well as the high-quality tableware for which David Mellor is best known.

SELFRIDGES & CO

LITTLE GREENE

400 Oxford Street W1A 1AB Selfridges’ LDF edit of ‘conscious creators’ is part of the store’s ongoing sustainability scheme that includes Buying Better, Inspiring Change and Project Ocean. Design-led, sustainable home accessories and kitchenware, include cushions made from recycled material, drinking glasses made from smashed phone cases, and beautifully made bamboo toothbrushes and cups.

3 New Cavendish Street W1G 8UX Celebrating the new Green Colour Card in collaboration with the National Trust, Little Greene will host a series of Colour Consultancy workshops.

Revealing 31 colours, each shade has a story to tell.

Designers and home enthusiasts alike are invited to be one of the first to see the colour palette of historical greens unveiled.

CONRAN SHOP & CARL HANSEN & SON

66 Portland Place W1B 1AD This exhibition celebrates 25 years of Urban Splash, exploring this innovative architects’ award-winning projects. Urban Splash has won over 40 RIBA Awards, from Small Projects to the Stirling Prize Shortlist and cover refurbishment and new-build on residential, leisure and commercial schemes. This touring exhibition, co-curated with RIBA North, explores the practice’s award-winning projects in the context they were created and against the specific challenges and opportunities of the day.

For further details visit www.marylebonedesigndistrict.com.

Instagram @MaryleboneDesignDistrict

55 Marylebone High St W1U 5HS In celebration of the deep blue hue of the Conran Shop’s identity, furniture manufacturer Carl Hansen & Søn will champion the Danish collective’s renowned designs. Exclusive editions will take front and centre in the store’s windows.

DAVID MELLOR 14 New Cavendish Street W1G 8UW A closer look at the breadth of work still being produced away from the public eye by this versatile design firm. From state gifts to street furniture,

RIBA

Misted up sealed units? discoloured door panels? original company no longer trading?

Let us Put it riGht!

15,000 local customers can’t be wrong!

WindoWs • doors • Conservatories FasCias Gutters • PorChes • CarPorts • over 40 years experience, an established family run business • discounts for pensioners and the retired • Friendly, no pressure, advice • no deposit - payment only on completion and satisfaction

BARRY BOLTON WINDOWS

01727 866678 01438 771736 www.barryboltonwindows.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

ORLA KIELY: ‘Colour and print can lift your spirits like nothing else’

No one knows pattern like Orla Kiely. Gabrielle Fagan catches up with the designer to find out how it can make you happy.

Noticing, coincides with a major exhibition, Orla Kiely: A Life In Pattern, at The Fashion and Textile Museum, London, until September 23, 2018.

The designer reveals how it all began, her inspirations, and her tips on decorating the Orla Kiely way...

What first inspired your designs?

“Growing up just outside Dublin, I was aware of nature and I loved art at school. I’d always wanted to do fashion at art college - my sewing machine was my most treasured possession - until I discovered the option of printed textiles.

“As a student, I was very drawn to architecture, which influenced my earliest print designs, the strong geometric lines dictating how the pattern would work was something I loved. These early influences are still there, often informing the structure of repeats throughout.”

O

rla Kiely’s renowned globally as the Queen of Prints - and it’s a welldeserved title. The Irish-born motherof-two, who began by designing hats and handbags in the early Nineties, has seen her retro motifs - most famously stems and pears adorn everything from housewares to wallpaper and clothes. Her latest book, A Life In Pattern: And How It Can Make You Happy Without You Even

102 SEPTEMBER 2018

How did your business begin?

“If I am ever asked when we first started our label, I think back to working at my kitchen table, designing handbags with Robert, our baby son, on my lap. I had a full-time position as a print designer in the fashion industry on a freelance contract, so those moments were usually after work on the weekend.

“We lived in a purpose-built, first floor Victorian flat, which doubled up as a design studio, office and distribution centre, where boxes of stock were delivered and turned around while I was at work.

“Every day, my husband, Dermott, who had the business skills and entrepreneurial tendencies, would do all the jobs a strong team would normally do, in an office shared with Robert and his toys.

“We financed it ourselves from day one and

“As a student, I was very drawn to architecture, which influenced my earliest print designs”

H OME & PROPERTY

our lives were invested. Our second son, Hamish, was born - and nothing could have been more motivating than our two little boys depending on us for their all.”

Where do you get your ideas from today?

“Nature’s a great source of pattern ideas. My personal take on nature has always been more abstract and graphic. I absorb inspiration in my travels, reading books, films, going to exhibitions, it never stops. Everyday objects inspire too, they can be interestingly random, which I love. I’ll spot something and store it away for the right moment.”

How would you describe your work?

“It’s clean, controlled and orderly. It has a strong, bold graphic style, where colour plays along. As a design company, we’re always drawn to modernist/ mid-century design and print. This has informed all aspects of our product, from the ready-to-wear collections, fragrance, beauty, handbags, watches, jewellery, homeware, wallpapers and more.

“Our style will always remain quite Sixties and Seventies, but our colours and prints continue to evolve - and we’re always open to off-piste influences for a quirky twist.”

What’s your favourite design?

“I can’t help but say Stem, the simple organic leaf motif. The idea arrived as an inspiration while developing new print designs back in 2000. It was, as all good things often are, a very quick sketch.

It has, for some reason, touched many people throughout the world, and became the seed from which our brand flourished.

“I always think it’s serendipitous, as it so resembles a rowan branch, and Rowan is the family name of my husband and children. It’s proved to be very versatile and has morphed into an array of different variations - I always get excited by the newest iterations.”

How would you describe your own home decor?

“My home is Victorian with a very mid-century aesthetic, original features, cornices, high ceilings and fireplaces. I’ve combined vintage furniture found in fairs and second-hand furniture stores with products we’ve made.

“Growing up in Ireland has had a big influence on my taste for colour. My love for green, from moss to seaweed, the greys and browns of those rainy Irish skies, the mustard and orange of the wildflowers found on the roadside, have become my palette. I mix these with some other bright pops of colour, like pink and yellow.

“Our patterns are present in every room, whether it’s a printed cushion, wallpaper or ceramic, an element of my work will be there. In the kitchen, our tableware adds something special at dinner times, and our towels in the bathrooms add that extra colour and pattern to everyday life.”

104 SEPTEMBER 2018

A Life in Pattern: And How It Can Make You Happy Without You Even Noticing by Orla Kiely, is published by Conran Octopus, priced £25. Available now.

How do people create a successful interior?

“Consider the space and light of the room. Think of those colours that you love the most. Research design eras you love, visit flea markets, vintage fairs and off-beat stores. Find a piece you love - this could be a couch, a table, a light - be open minded.

These objects can inspire and set the tone of where the other rooms can follow. I like to commit to an idea and don’t water it down. Colour and print are very important, it can lift your spirits like nothing else. Most of all, don’t be afraid.

“People have embraced more and more the expression of individualism throughout home interiors. Customers now, will wallpaper entire rooms in our prints and are much more fearless with how they mix their colours.”

lJB Services

SkIlled HaNdymaN ServIce No job too big or small, from everyday household repairs to more complex tasks, I’m here to get that job done!

Services include:

INterNal: Flat pack assembly, curtain poles, shelving, skirting boards, coving, painting, wallpapering, doors, woodwork, design & build (beds/toy boxes/ottomans), insulation (supply & fit), plaster-boarding, partition walls, timber frames, bathrooms, kitchens, showers, plumbing, lofts & ladders, pointing exterNal: Gardening, decking, fencing, gates, sheds & concrete platforms, garages, driveways, painting, jet washing, welding, fabricating - metal

Call Lee on 07850 473140 Email: handymanlee1975@hotmail.com www.facebook.com/lee.bainbridge.9

H OME & PROPERTY

Matthew Chambers, Sand Group, 2018, photo credit Matthew Chambers.

Courtesy Gallery Mouvements Modernes

PAD LONDON

ANNOUNCES 2018 LINE-UP

P

1–7 October 2018, Berkeley Square, Mayfair

AD LONDON, the internationally acclaimed fair for art and design, returns for its 12th edition next month. Set in the vibrant heart of Mayfair, PAD London is the capital’s leading fair for design, decorative arts and 20th century art.

This year’s London edition introduces a magnificent showcase of works staged by 68 leading galleries. Ten new international galleries will make their debut at PAD London this year.

Highlights include

• Italian designer Achille Salvagni presents an elegant display inspired by Marie-Laure de Noailles’ signature eclecticism, mixing cultures and genres.

• Archaeologist Veta Stefanidou Tsoukala brings a refined selection of art and design wonders evocative of the classical forms of Greek antiquity.

• Parisian ceramicist Karen Swami features her poetic minimal vases inspired by traditional Japanese stoneware.

Collectible jewellery has gained huge momentum at international art fairs, a genre supported by PAD since its inception in 2007.

For this edition PAD London will broaden its offering with new specialist galleries.

• French designer Lorenz Bäumer, former Artistic Director for high jewellery at Louis Vuitton and creator of emblematic collections for Chanel, exhibits whimsical architectural pieces that marry

Ingrid Donat, Banc Tribal 2014. Bronze Leather. Limited Edition. Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery

108 SEPTEMBER 2018

Achille Salvagni., Papillia Armchair 2018. Limited edition of 20 pieces. Courtesy of Achille Salvagni.

his education as an engineer and his passion for poetry, nature and colour.

• Lebanese designer Walid Akkad offers minimal yet opulent jewels reflecting his quest for timeless beauty and impeccable craftsmanship.

• Glenn Spiro, master British jeweller and former Christie’s expert, unveils his spectacular designs inspired by nature.

Contemporary design galleries choose PAD London again to unveil brand new works by emerging and established designers.

• Carpenters Workshop Gallery devises an immersive solo exhibition with new works by sculptural furniture designer Ingrid Donat.

• Gosserez brings an exciting array of up-andcoming designers pushing the boundaries of materials.

• Peter Petrou introduces an enticing cabinet of curiosities with new works by Irish designer Sasha Sykes.

The PAD London Prize returns with a prestigious panel of judges co-presided over by Yana Peel and Francis Sultana.

Three awards will be presented in the following categories: Best Contemporary Design, Best 20th Century Design and Best Stand.

Tony Cragg, Red Square, 2007. Painted bronze.

Courtesy of 18 Davies Street.

For more details and to purchase tickets visit www.pad-fairs.com or call +33 (0)1 53 30 85 20.

PAD London, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, London W1, 1-7 October 2018. Follow @padartdesign on Instagram and Twitter. #PADLondon

Security doors, windows and panic rooms Truly bespoke - freedom ofofchoice colour,finishes finishesand andfeatures. features.

Truly bespoke - freedom choiceregarding regardingdesign, design, materials, materials, colour, Security incredibly durable doors and windows with bulletproof or triple glazed security glass.

Security - incredibly durable doors and windows with bulletproof or triple glazed security glass.

Listed buildings - we have a track forhigh highprofile profileclients. clients.

Listed buildings - we have a trackrecord recordofofreplicating replicatingexisting existing doors doors for Peace mind - our doorshave havebeen beentested testedand andcertified certified and our products Peace of of mind - our doors productshave haveaawarranty. warranty.

Free consultation at home our showroom is near Kings Cross station (10am 7pm).

Free consultation at home - our showroom is near Kings Cross station (by appointment). service - wedesign, manufacture in the UK, deliver, fit and service doors and windows, FullFull service - we manufacture in the UK, deliver, install,your and new service your new doors and whilst recycling your old ones. windows, whilst recycling your old ones.

www.magnificentsecurity.co.uk Jacques du Preez | 07804456965 | jacques@magnificentsecurity.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Brand New

Y

ou’ve heard of the phrase - “they think it’s all over…” before. You may also have heard of some miraculous comebacks over the years. You remember the times when snowfall peppered the UK and yet rail transport remained unaffected.

When the worst happens, there can often be a fiery determination to join Chumbawamba and “get back up again”. Arguably, it’s every retailers’ worst nightmare: seeing everything go up in flames.

Unfortunately, for one independent furniture retailer, their nightmare became a reality in late summer 2017. Dean’s Furnishers, of Star Street in Ware, was ripped apart by a fire in August last year, leaving owners Dean and Tracey Ambridge with no choice but to find new premises to keep the fourdecade old business going.

Dean is rightly proud of the fact that not only is 110 SEPTEMBER 2018

We hear from independent retailer Dean’s Furnishers on the recovery from the August 2017 fire that enveloped the company.

the beds and furniture business the second oldest retailer in Ware (after Andrews, the chemists) but it’s also his only ever place of work, giving credence to the notion that compact, family-run businesses are still successful even in today’s brandheavy market.

So, when he drove the 1.5 miles to work on 31 August and saw smoke pouring out of the building he’d worked in for so long, it’s understandable that the retailer was in immense shock. Since the fire, the council reclaimed the building and demolished it, so Dean coped by running the business from home, using his garage and space in a friend’s warehouse as storage. He admits it had been getting tough.

Dean’s Furnishers had been fortunate enough to keep receiving regular contract and internet sales but indicated it wasn’t sustainable for the business as it was. “It has not been easy since the fire, but I am wise enough to know how fortunate we were to not

“I could have taken the money and retired, but I am only 58 so I feel there is plenty left in the tank!”

have anyone in the building.” The shock and sorrow, however, spurred him into action. “Immediately after the fire we were all very sad, but as soon as the new shop came up it gave me great focus and a new mission. I could have thrown in the towel, but I just didn’t see that as an option,” explained Dean. “I started a new WhatsApp group straight after the fire for Olly, Jayden and I: I called it Phoenix!” Within a month or so, the hopeful retailer with a new enthusiasm for Greek mythology was rewarded for his extreme PMA and, through a friend, discovered the new building at Stonyhills, also in Ware.

The building set to witness Dean’s Furnishers glorious comeback formerly housed a factory that manufactured school furniture. He was thrilled with the blank canvas and it ticked every box. “It has an on-site warehouse, single storey 7,000sq ft showroom, potential for expansion, over 30 car park spaces, easy access for transport and logistical purposes. It’s a very pretty site too set in the Hertfordshire countryside, the perfect relaxing setting to come and decide on the right bed” Building work on the new premises began in late November and after months of long hours and hard work on interior design, layout, and selections of beds and mattresses, it opened in March 2018.

A year on from the fire Dean is very positive about the future of the business “I am very optimistic looking ahead. All the feedback from customers both old and new have been positive and they love the new showroom. We offer a relaxed atmosphere to browse furniture and beds coupled with over 50 years experience to advise customers if they need any help.”

More often than not, it can be heartache that

sends us in the direction of the proverbial yellow brick road, and, although customers’ orders were still being taken, the ‘bricks & mortar’ side of Dean’s Furnishers certainly embarked on a journey to an emphatic salvation. “I have forgotten the misery and heartache of previous events. That chapter has finished, so it’s onto the next one.”

With a kitchen showroom and builders merchant also open at the Stonyhills site and with a bathroom showroom opening in the Autumn it will soon be a one stop shop for anything you need for the house.

Visit Deans Furnishers showroom and mention this article to receive a 20% fire anniversary discount! www.beds2go.co.uk

SEPTEMBER 2018 111

H OME & PROPERTY

S afety F irst

H

ertfordshire is one of the safest counties in England to work and live and Hertfordshire Constabulary is committed to engaging with all stakeholders to keep crime low. That said, it was reported in the latest crime stats that burglaries had increased by 3%. The police state that “homes with no security measures in place are five times more likely to be burgled than those with security

112 SEPTEMBER 2018

“I had a bit of an eye-opener when it came to the ease and speed with which criminals can gain entry to a property through various types of locks and doors”

measures.” There’s never any harm in being proactive and taking precautions to ensure your family and possessions are protected.

When I first got involved in the security door and window industry, I thought I knew at least a bit about doors and windows, having used them all my life. As it turned out, I had a bit of an eye-opener when it came to the ease and speed with which criminals can gain entry to a property through various types of locks and doors. Everything I saw from lock picking and purely just kicking down the door made me realise that my front door had given me a false sense of security all this time. There are currently neighbourhoods in London where we’re helping to combat burglaries from mopeds crashing through front doors.

A high quality security door can do so much more than just keep intruders (not to mention wind, fire, water, cold and noise) out. It can improve your property’s aesthetic, raise its value and decrease the cost of your insurance.

Have a look at what we do online and get in touch - we’re here to help you. www.magnificentsecurity.co.uk Jacques du Preez 07804456965 jacques@magnificentsecurity.co.uk

Creative Driveway Solutions Creating beautiful drives & Landscapes Natural Stone specialists

Driveways - Patios - Brickwork Landscaping - Pool Surrounds Timber Constructions

Office : 01707 896137 Mobile : 07985 152336

info@creativedrivewaysolutions.co.uk www.creativedrivewaysolutions.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Wedding Season Here at the Dutch Marketplace our florists are preparing for the busy wedding season!

O

ur indoor florist in the Dutch Living area is always topped up with freshly cut flowers but this time of year is exceptionally busy with blooms in their full glorious colours ready to be placed into fantastic displays. We can select seasonal flowers for you or you can create your own displays to suit any occasion. Our team of qualified florists use their knowledge to help enhance and compliment your wedding day. From hand-tied bouquets, buttonholes, table decorations to cake decorations, our florists will help you explore all the possibilities.

Using traditional methods our extensive range covers most types of flowers including hydrangeas, roses and lilies, providing you with stunning bouquets and show stopping displays from contemporary to vintage in warm summer colours.

Expressing your sympathy or condolences is always very difficult and here at the Dutch Marketplace we can help express it for you, our elegant subtle flower arrangements are specially designed to order making it easier to express your heartfelt wishes. Celebration flowers are popular especially for engagements and birthdays, also the perfect way to express many thanks and love. To book a consultation or to place an order call 01707 653372 and our friendly team will be happy to help!

The Dutch Garden is in full bloom with some plants loving the heat some not, as our gardens continue to have a dry season, our roses continue to look great. The Dutch Garden stocks a wide variety of roses and with new stocks now available there is so much to choose from. Hydrangeas bring late summer colour to the garden with immense flower heads, flaunting their old-fashioned charm that’s hard to resist. Best know in the shrub world for beautiful flowers they tolerate almost any soil and produce abundant, elegant blooms. Grasses are good for this time of year as they can tolerate hot and dry conditions. We recommend ‘festuca glauca’ ‘intense blue’ herbaceous or evergreen, with their often striking coloured leaves and dense lax

114 SEPTEMBER 2018

panicles, it flowers in summer forming great tufts of grass for your border. Acers will delight well into the autumn and just when you thought your summer garden season was over, our new stock of seed potatoes has arrived, plant in a frost-free greenhouse for a great yield late autumn.

The food hall is plentiful with delicious bbq meats from the butchery, cooked meats, pies, pastries and fine cheese from the deli, great for the perfect picnic. If you’re fed up with salads this summer the food hall has a range of healthy pulses, grains, noodles and rice. Our café serves food every day, from super salads to afternoon tea, so enjoy your visit to the Dutch Marketplace this summer as we are all about the Garden-Food and the Living! www.dutchnursery.co.uk

“The Dutch Garden stocks a wide variety of roses and with new stocks now available there is so much to choose from”

H OME & PROPERTY

Kensington Palace’s mega basement sparks neighbourhood fury

W

ork is to start on the two-storey basement much to the anger of local residents. Plans were approved last year to build the 165ft-long mega basement under the 323-year-old Grade I-listed Queen Anne’s Orangery, described in the plans as an ‘elaborate greenhouse in the style of an elegant palace’.

Kensington Palace have received complaints and Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council accusations of having one rule for them and another for everybody else - with restrictions in place for private property owners.

The new extension will provide a permanent on-site store for Historic Royal Palace’s collections and a conservation facility for the internationally renowned Royal Ceremonial Dress Collection. The extension at the back of the historic building would provide more than 1,500 sq m of extra space over three floors. Two would be below ground.

Neighbours living close to the royal palace are up in arms over the prospect of two years of disruption. The site is located just 200 yards from Kensington Palace Gardens where Chelsea Football Club owner Roman Abramovich has a mansion.

London’s Billionaire Row”, as it is nicknamed, is also reportedly home to the Saudi Royal Family.

But Kensington and Chelsea London Borough Council deemed the excavation as of “economic benefit” to the nation. The proposal application for the work read: “The addition of a basement 116 SEPTEMBER 2018

“Neighbours living close to the royal palace are up in arms”

is required to allow for the accommodation of administration which must necessarily be moved out of rooms leased from the Royal Household in Kensington Palace.”

The palace is the official London residence of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge.

It’s also home to Prince Harry and the Duchess of Sussex who are reportedly living in twobedroom Nottingham Cottage, adjoining the rear of Kensington Palace. Eugenie, the Queen’s sixth grandchild, has moved into nearby Ivy Cottage with her fiancé Jack Brooksbank. Which is next door to Wren Cottage, home of the Duke and Duchess of Kent.

No public or taxpayer funding will be used to pay for the project, and all costs will be covered

by Historic Royal Palace’s charity reserves and by private donations.

It is scheduled to be completed in 2020.

PROPERTY H OME & PROPERTY

Rosebay House

Friern Park, North Finchley NOW RELEASED! AVAILABLE WITH GOVERNMENT’S HELP TO BUY SCHEME

R

osebay House is an exclusive collection of 8 private one and two bedroom apartments, with parking, communal gardens and lift, offering contemporary layouts and an excellent specification. Ideally located in Friern Park, the leafy North London suburb of Finchley, just 0.9 miles to Woodside Park tube and just a short walk from the local shops and amenities of North Finchley High Road.

1 Bedroom Apartments from £424,950 2 Bedroom Apartments from £549,950 N.B. CGIs are indicative only. Internal images depict another similar Troy Homes development.

New Homes Office 020 8441 9555

118 SEPTEMBER 2018

From Cottages to Country Estates FOR OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE OF PROPERTIES FOR SALE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.STATONS.COM

Hadley Wood

£2,495,000

Freehold Sole Agents 6 Bedrooms 7 Reception Rooms Approx 6,200 sq ft Sweeping Carriage Driveway Double Opening Gated Entrance

Hadley Wood office 020 8440 9797

oakleigH Park

£1,750,000

Sole Agents Detached Family Home Flexible Accommodation 5 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 4 Reception Rooms Underfloor Heating Electric Roof Blinds Beautiful Landscaped Gardens

totteridge office 020 8445 3694

Potters Bar

£1,150,000

Detached Family Home 5 Bedrooms 3 Bathrooms 2 Receptions Kitchen/Diner Large Reception Hall Utility Room Double Garage Ample Off Street Parking

Brookmans Park office 01707 661144

cockfosters

£1,990,000

Freehold Sole Agents Underfloor Heating Double Garage Electronic Security Shutters to the rear 6 Bedrooms 3 Reception Rooms

Hadley Wood office 020 8440 9797

Barnet

£1,350,000

Freehold 3 Bedrooms 2 Receptions 2 Bathrooms Kitchen/Breakfast Room Dressing Room Sought After Cul De Sac Off Street Parking Double Garage

Barnet office 020 8449 3383

Bricket Wood

£975,000

FH Sole Agents 5 Bedrooms Detached House Newly Fitted Bathrooms Off Street Parking Modern Fitted Kitchen

radlett office 01923 604 321

arkley

£1,950,000

Freehold 4 Bedrooms 5 Receptions 4 Bathrooms Scope to extend Large Plot Versatile Accommodation Gated Entrance Off Street Parking Double Garage

Barnet office 020 8449 3383

Bayford

£1,350,000

Immaculate Grade II Listed Country Cottage 3 Bedrooms 2 Bathrooms 3 Receptions Kitchen/Family Room 2 Detached Outbuildings Providing Garaging for 3 Cars

Brookmans Park office 01707 661144

radlett

£729,000

FH Sole Agents 4 Bedrooms Semi-Detached Large South West Facing Garden Off Street Parking Potential to Extend STPP

radlett office 01923 604 321

SaleS OfficeS at: BaRNet 020 8449 3383 tOtteRiDGe 020 8445 3694 HaDleY WOOD 020 8440 9797 BROOKMaNS PaRK 01707 661144 RaDlett 01923 604321 NeW HOMeS SHOWcaSe HaDleY GReeN 020 8441 9555 PReMieR lettiNGS HaDleY GReeN 020 8441 9796

Associated Offices in Mayfair, Moscow, China, USA & Monaco

WaRNER CLOSE, HaDLEy WOOD, EN4 A six bedroom detached family home built to a high standard by Banner Homes in 2007.

£1,999,995 FREEHOLD

THE OWNERS LOVE ”This is such a peaceful property - being one of only four homes” ”We are so ideally located. With Cockfosters tube, Hadley Wood Overground and the M25 all on your doorstep. You also have lovely restaurants and Trent Park close too” ”The rooms are such good sizes and offer our family ample privacy when we are all at home”

WE’VE NOTICED The property is in a private close accessed by electronic gates.

The property was built by Banner Homes in 2007.

EPC Rating - C

Contact Sophie Henry at our Barnet office on 020 8440 2444 martyngerrard.co.uk

LImES aVENuE, NORTH FINCHLEy, N12 An extended five bedroom, two reception room Edwardian family home, excellently located for The North Finchley High Road and Woodside Park Station.

£1,200,000 FREEHOLD

THE OWNERS LOVE ”Our westerly-facing, spacious garden which is a sun trap from midday through to dusk and a wonderful space to entertain friends and family” ”The carefully restored period features, including our two working fireplaces which make for an incredible spectacle and cosy winter evenings”

WE’VE NOTICED The current owners have obtained planning permission to excavate into the basement.

EPC Rating – E

Contact Scott Henderson at our Finchley Central office on 020 8346 0102 martyngerrard.co.uk

godfreyandbarr.com

COBDEN HiLL RADLETT WD7

PRICE UPON APPLICATION

freehold

Discreetly set back from the road behind electronic gates, is ‘Cobden Hill House’. A stunning, newly built 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom 7761 sq ft (incl. of coach house) family home sitting in an incredible 2.25 acres with a separate coach house of 1246 sq.ft. With a heated swimming pool, magnificent gardens and grounds and superlative views to the rear over the vale of Radlett and Shenley beyond. The property is located just off Watling Street and close to the shopping and transport facilities of Radlett Village.

Beautifully finished & designed in a contemporary style, this property is built around a fantastic grand, split staircase spanning over 3 floors. Features include a magnificent 25’0 ft x 24’7 ft kitchen by an award winning designer flowing onto a reception/TV area, 3 further separate reception rooms, outdoor heated swimming pool and a cinema room. The house also includes state of the art automation. To the front there is a separate detached coach house (which was the former house) with a double garage and games room above. There is ample off street parking for numerous cars and incredible secluded gardens extending to 300 ft. (Joint Sole Agents)

Mill Hill Office

59 Daws Lane, Mill Hill London NW7 4SE

T +44 (0)20 8959 9000

enquire@godfreyandbarr.com godfreyandbarr.com

godfreyandbarr.com

HiLLEND GREEN MiLL HiLL, NW7

LAST REMAiNiNG PROPERTY

ÂŁ1,975,000

freehold

A stunning, brand newly built 4 bedroom house in this idyllic setting behind a gorgeous central green, in the heart of Mill Hill Village. Finished to an exceptional standard throughout, this wonderful new home offers 2610 sq ft of luxury accommodation over 3 floors with features including magnificent, large open plan Poggenpohl kitchen/diner/family room opening to secure private garden, 2 secure underground parking spaces with direct access into the house, as well as underfloor heating, comfort cooling, multi-room sound systems & 10 year Premier new homes guarantee. (EPC Rating: C) Conveniently located close to Mill Hill East tube station (Northern Line) and within easy access by car to central London.

Mill Hill Office

59 Daws Lane, Mill Hill London NW7 4SE

T +44 (0)20 8959 9000

enquire@godfreyandbarr.com godfreyandbarr.com

godfreyandbarr.com

BRiCkFiELDS RADLETT WD7

ÂŁ3,999,999

freehold

Brickfields is a 6 bedroom, 6 bathroom, state of the art, 8000 sq ft home tucked away behind security gates in a magnificent tranquil position with outstanding views directly across the surrounding greenbelt, while only minutes from Radlett. inspired by the site’s historic use as a brickmakers, this architectural masterpiece features walls of floor to ceiling glass and curved walls, as well as a fantastic double volume glass entrance and atrium. Arranged over 2 wings, with features including a stunning circular master suite with dressing room and bathroom accessed by a striking enclosed glass walkway, roof terrace with hot tub offering uninterrupted views of the breathtaking surroundings, sumptuous basement/leisure complex with fabulous indoor pool and steam room, cinema with theatre Curve 110 inch screen, luxury bar & wine cellar, gym and staff accommodation.

Mill Hill Office

59 Daws Lane, Mill Hill London NW7 4SE

T +44 (0)20 8959 9000

enquire@godfreyandbarr.com godfreyandbarr.com

godfreyandbarr.com

THE CHAPEL, LiTTLEBERRiES MiLL HiLL, NW7

ÂŁ2,600,000

freehold

Dating back to 1867; an incredible opportunity to purchase a landmark Grade ii listed former Chapel which forms part of the exclusive luxury gated Village Green development, located just off The Ridgeway, Mill Hill Village. The development has incredible views directly out over acres of rolling greenbelt.

This amazing unique building is being sold as a shell, giving the incoming purchaser a blank canvas, with full planning permission to convert into a 6,500 sq ft, unique dream-home or their own layout and design.

The current planned layout features 5 bedroom suites, huge open plan vaulted reception/dining room with outstanding ceiling heights, a large galleried study, music room, cinema, utility room, library, large terrace from the master suite, 90ft private rear garden, access to communal gardens, 2 reserved parking spaces, as well as 2 adjacent underground parking spaces. (Please note the above photographs are computer generated images)

Mill Hill Office

59 Daws Lane, Mill Hill London NW7 4SE

T +44 (0)20 8959 9000

enquire@godfreyandbarr.com godfreyandbarr.com

LONDON ROAD

SHENLEY, RADLETT WD7

£1,175,000 - £1,950,000 Freehold

“reST hArroW” IS A STUNNING NeW deVeloPMeNT oF oNlY 6 hoMeS IN A PrIMe rUrAl, GreeNBelT loCATIoN oN The edGe oF SheNleY VIllAGe, BeING BUIlT BY GrIGGS hoMeS. A deVeloPMeNT BY GrIGGShoMeS.Co.UK

reS NoW 50% erV So ed ld o oFF r PlA N

Construction commenced in June 2018 with completion scheduled for September 2019. Godfrey & Barr are delighted to act as sole agents on behalf of Griggs Homes to market 4 semi-detached homes & 2 detached homes. Only 3 semi-detached homes now remain with sizes ranging from 2239 sq ft.

CoMPUTer GeNerATed IMAGe

Early purchasers buying off plan will have a choice of fixtures & finish, enabling a truly bespoke new home. Buyers are able to reserve from plan & exchange contracts with a long completion date.

The houses will be built & finished to an exceptionally high specification, featuring the latest in technology & design. Air conditioning, under floor heating, ‘Rako’ intelligent lighting, multiroom sound, CCTV, alarm system ready for Redcare & a full 10 year New Homes Warranty are a few of the extras that will complete these fantastic new homes. (Please note specifications might vary) • 4 bedrooms • 3 bathrooms (2 en-suite) • Large reception • Open plan Neil Lerner kitchen/dining room • Family room • Garage • Landscaped garden with firepit • Driveway

*Please note the photos depicted are from a selection of finishes by Griggs homes & are illustrative of the likely style & finish of the “rest harrow” houses.

For All eNqUIrIeS CoNTACT Sole AGeNTS

T +44 (0)20 8959 9000

59 dAWS lANe, MIll hIll, NW7 4Se eNqUIre@GodFreYANdBArr.CoM

godfreyandbarr.com

H OME & PROPERTY

The London Homebuilding & Renovating Show returns to ExCeL Idealcombi Windows & Doors

21 - 23 September 2018

T

Richard Gadsby

130 SEPTEMBER 2018

he London Homebuilding & Renovating Show returns to ExCeL this month, sponsored for the first time by Checkatrade, the directory of recommended and trusted tradesmen. The show is also sponsored by Nethouseprices, that provides free access to the latest house prices for England and Wales.

The Show will offer self-builders and renovators the chance to discover innovative products from over 360 specialist brands. They will also have access to over 45 free seminars and masterclasses and over 750 advice sessions on a wide range of sectors including architecture; kitchens; bathrooms; ventilation; lighting; doors and windows.

There will be free advice on any issues with a multitude of resources for every project…all under one roof. In addition, real case studies will be available on site, so visitors can discuss similar challenges they’re facing.

On the Saturday, consumers can hold 15-minute discussions with celebrity TV property experts including Charlie Luxton, sustainable architectural designer and presenter of Channel 4’s ‘Best Laid Plans’ and Julia Kendell, interior design expert for BBC’s ‘DIY SOS The Build’ and ITV’s ’60 Minute Makeover’.

Attendees can discuss their building plans with an array of property experts in the ‘Ask the Expert’ area sponsored by Internorm, Europe’s leading window brand. Here visitors can hold free consultations with eight residential property specialists via interactive sessions. The experts

include Michael Holmes (director of content and product development for Homebuilding & Renovating magazine); Bob Branscombe (chartered surveyor and builder); Chris Reeves (legal expert and a chartered builder and lawyer); Mariana Pedroso (interior design expert and architect); Allan Corfield (self-build expert) and Sally Tagg (planning expert) Show-goers can also explore the ‘Ask the Builder’ area and meet members of the Federation of Master Builders and the ‘Ask the Architect’ area will be welcoming over 15 experienced architects from the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) to assist consumers in achieving their dream home.

There will be live presentations in the ‘Tricks of the Trade’ section hosted by experienced tradespeople who will provide information on how to save money on everyday DIY jobs undertaken around the house.

The mobile app will provide visitors with a personalised experience, guiding them through their day. This will include information on all the features at the show so they don’t miss a thing! In addition, an interactive timetable will display the times and locations of all seminars and masterclasses, as well as alerting the user on any exclusive offers from exhibitors.

Standard tickets are £12 in advance or £18 on the door, children under 16 go free).

For more details, visit www.homebuildingshow. co.uk/london or call the ticket hotline on 0871 231 0824 (calls cost 13p per minute plus network extras).

bathrooms of distinction

The art of bathrooms: from inspiration to installation

Beautiful Bathrooms, Unbeatable Prices Europe’s Leading Manufacturers on Display

SHOWROOM 020 8440 1106 18-19 Green Hill Parade, Great North Road, Barnet, Herts EN5 1EU email: aquaroomsna@gmail.com