Life Magazines (Surrey/Berkshire editions) February 2018

ASCOT SPRING GARDEN SHOW 2018 This high-quality boutique event showcasing Britain’s finest horticultural talent has been created with the gardening enthusiast in mind.

FROM THE

T

EDITOR

hailand’s vibrant colours, culture, and magnificent plant life take centre stage at Kew Gardens 2018 Orchids Festival in February.

Inside the tropical paradise of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, visitors to Kew’s 23rd annual Orchids Festival will get a chance to shake off the winter blues and get creative through a host of exciting new events and activities designed to appeal to all ages.

Ascot has created the Ascot Spring Garden Show. This high-quality boutique event showcasing Britain’s finest established and emerging horticultural talent has been created with the gardening enthusiast in mind.

The show has been planned and designed by Stephen Bennett, former Shows Director at the Royal Horticultural Society where he was responsible for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

Voted by runners as “The UK’s Best Road Run”, the award-winning Mercer Surrey Half Marathon celebrates its 5th year on 11th March 2018.

6000 runners, including 550 children, will once again descend on Woking Leisure Centre to take part in this popular community event.

Some of us get our kicks from a spot of home DIY, others in manicuring the garden, but for some classic car buffs, nothing beats a nicely decayed piece of motoring history to get the adrenaline pumping. For well-established classic car auction specialists, Historics, it’s all part of the vibrant scene, and one that you can see for yourself at their major Spring sale at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 3rd March.

Hundreds of families will be spending February half term on the factory floor in the recently completed Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey. Inside the newly restored Bellman hangar, visitors will be able to clock in and don factory workcoats as they begin their ‘Brooklands Apprenticeship’.

Faye Manning Editor

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Editor Faye Manning ••••• Editor Assistant Katie Miller ••••• Sub Editor Alex Lux ••••• Fashion Editor Hazel Englander ••••• account Manager Anita Hill ••••• Design/ Production Lisa Wade ••••• Accounts Kathy Manning, Ken Fleet ••••• Sales James Marshall ••••• Directors Rory Smith, Patrick Smith

out & about – We put fantastic local businesses and exciting events in the spotlight each month – i ma g e : ORCHID F E S T I VA L AT K E W

OUT & ABOUT

18 February

Wedding Fair at the Hilton Cobham Located in the heart of Surrey and just 25 miles from London, the Hilton Cobham hotel is set amid acres of beautiful countryside including the hotel’s own one-mile long Woodland Area. The rich warm décor make this a perfect venue for a Prestige Wedding Fair, so come along and choose from a wide range of local wedding suppliers and see the Bridal Fashion Shows at 12.30pm and 2.30pm. Free Entry and Parking.

Hilton Hotel, Cobham, Seven Hills Road South, Cobham, Surrey KT11 1EW

[ eve n t s ]

the calendar

7 February

Create Your Own Hat Workshop Get crafty this February! This workshop is for those who wish to decorate their own straw or other hats with artificial flower arrangements.

This will involve sewing, gluing and combining flowers with old accessories such as ribbons, brooches, lace and pendants. A materials list will be provided and some of the featured materials will be available to purchase from the tutor on the day of the course. 10am to 1pm, £19.95.

The Guildford Institute, Ward Street, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4LH

6 FEBRUARY 2018

23 February

Butterfly Photography Morning – untutored A chance to visit the Butterflies in the Glasshouse before opening hours to capture their beauty. You will have a base in the Clore Learning Centre where refreshments will be served and are free to visit and photograph the glasshouse and butterflies as you please.

Please pre-book using ref no 14745 on 020 3176 5830 (open 9am – 5pm weekdays) before 21st February.

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey GU23 6QB

14 February

Valentine’s Food and Film Night Greeted with a Champagne cocktail, you will enjoy a four course dinner especially created by chef Neil followed by a showing of the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s in the Ambassador Room.

Advance booking essential. 7.30pm, £49, £45 The Lightbox Gallery & Museum, Chobham Road, Woking, Surrey GU21 4AA

half term

EXHIBITIONS

9 February

until 18 February

Painting for Under 5s Dress for mess and join us for some painting fun. All materials included. Advance booking required. 11.00am - 11.45am £4.

The Lightbox Gallery & Museum, Chobham Road, Surrey GU21 4AA

10-18 February

February half-term trail Enjoy our half term trail based on 50 things to do before you’re 11 and 3/4s. 9am-5pm.

Box Hill, The Old Fort, Box Hill Road, Box Hill, Tadworth, Surrey KT20 7LB

until 3 February

The Artists’ Studio An opportunity for artists to develop their practice conceptually and technically through conversation and creative exercise in a collaborative studio. Artists can bring materials and a selection of work to focus on in the workshop or try new ideas and techniques.

Led by artist Dr Jennie Jewitt-Harris. 11am to 1pm, £65 Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Compton Surrey GU3 1DQ

10-18 February

Half-Term Fun: ‘Mud & Machines’ Magical events for messy kids include seed bombs, mud snails, puddle jumping, sand pictures, and pedal tractors.10am-3.30pm.

RHS Garden Wisley, Woking, Surrey, GU23 6QB

fitness

Diana Croft: Colour Pattern Texture Surrey based artist Diana Croft is inspired by her immediate surroundings. The exhibition features a series of stylised prints derived from sketches of the South Downs and the Surrey Hills where she lives. All prints are for sale. 10.30am-5.15pm.

Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village, Down Lane, Compton, Surrey GU3 1DQ

UNTIL 24 FEBRUARY Dionne Swift: Maker in Focus Award winning Textile Artist, Dionne Swift paints with cloth and thread to create an intuitive, emotional response to the landscape. Her energetic style is evident through drawings and stitch based work, she builds layers of texture and colour, mixing threads to create semi abstract scenes. As well as wall based artworks, Dionne will also be showing her beautifully hand painted and embroidered scarves and lampshades. 10am to 5pm.

New Ashgate Gallery, Waggon Yard, Farnham Surrey GU9 7PS

25 February

Trust10 10K runs The 10k route at Polesden Lacey will consist of a variety of terrains and will take the runners through Ranmore Common. Non competitive, just turn up.

9am-11am.

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey RH5 6BD

28 February

The Ramblers Walk Join our volunteer leader on a nice stroll around the countryside. It is for anyone and everyone capable of doing an hour and a half walk.

Dogs are welcome, but MUST be on a lead at all times.

Booking not needed.

Polesden Lacey, Great Bookham, near Dorking, Surrey RH5 6BD

until 28 February

Guided Walks of Historic Dorking Take a trip into Dorking’s history with a guided walk of the town’s many attractions. Choose from an Historic Town Walk, revealing the secrets that lie behind the streets of modern Dorking; a Town Centre Pubs Walk, revealing the history and features of former and current pub sites; or a guided walk on the Deepdene Trail, hearing the history of the Deepdene Estate, taking in the stunning views and visiting the Hope family mausoleum. Tours last 90 minutes. Group tours (minimum 10 people) by appointment.

Book in advance on the website. See website for Open Days for individual bookings.

Dorking Museum & Heritage Centre, The Old Foundry, 62 West Street, Dorking, Surrey RH4 1BS

6-27 February

Punk Rock Yoga Punk Rock Yoga classes are dynamic and designed help you Look, Work, Accept and Transcend in both body and mind. They are suitable for beginners to intermediate—or anyone who wants to try something different— and aim to improve strength and flexibility, create core stability and build a heightened feeling of positivity and empowerment. 7pm, £5.50-£11.

The Boileroom, 13 Stokefields, Guildford, Surrey GU1 4LS

until 3 march

Historic Haslemere - An Exhibition at Haslemere Museum An exhibition which reveals the fascinating history of Haslemere told through beautifully illustrated story boards where visitors will be taken on a journey about the history of the town. Some interesting and rare exhibits will also be on display as well as five paintings depicting the 1786 murder of an unknown sailor at Hindhead. The vicious nature of the crime shocked local people and the murder became famous nationwide. For anyone interested in local history, this exhibition is a must! To find out more, visit www.haslemeremuseum.co.uk Haslemere Museum, 78 High Street, Haslemere, Surrey GU27 2LA FEBRUARY 2018 7

OUT & ABOUT

Kew’s Thai-inspired Orchids Festival celebrates tranquillity, culture and heritage

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hailand’s vibrant colours, culture, and magnificent plant life take centre stage at Kew Gardens 2018 Orchids Festival in February. Inside the tropical paradise of the Princess of Wales Conservatory, visitors to Kew’s 23rd annual Orchids Festival will get a chance to shake off the winter blues and get creative through a host of exciting new events and activities designed to appeal to all ages.

Colourful floral displays will welcome visitors as they enter the glasshouse and wander through a magnificently colourful Vanda tunnel, with three arches delicately covered with hanging orchids.

Beautifully handcrafted floating Thai umbrellas will lead to an exquisite Bang Pa-In-inspired orchid palace. A traditional Thai market boat and rice paddy are central to this year’s water display, representing a typical bucolic scene, complete with a special Thai cart on loan from the Royal Thai Embassy in London.

As well as the stunning visual displays, visitors will be immersed in the sounds of Thailand’s everyday hustle and bustle via four different specially commissioned soundscapes playing inside the glasshouse. From the grinding of ingredients and the sizzling of spices in a pan, to the tranquil sounds of an exotic spa and the regal stirrings of a palace, all aspects of Thailand’s culture are captured

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throughout the diverse soundtracks.

Thailand is home to 1,100 species of orchid.

Botanists have been naming and describing orchids for more than 250 years and Kew is a world leader in this field. Last year alone, 600 new species were discovered worldwide, including three from Thailand.

Many orchids have important medicinal properties as well as being revered globally for their delicate beauty.

Nick Johnson, Public Glasshouse Manager, RBG Kew says, “I’m so excited to be creating this year’s Thai inspired festival which I think is going to be rare and beautiful. It will immerse visitors in the sights, senses and sounds of Thailand’s tranquil and unique culture, creating an explosion of colourful beauty that celebrates the wonder of orchids. We hope this journey will highlight the significance of plants for all walks of life, from the traditional and spiritual to the cultural and religious, all the while showing the importance of plant diversity and Kew’s work to protect, conserve and study plants.”

This year’s festival is hosted in partnership with the Royal Thai Embassy, London and partners.

Entrance to the festival will be included in the daily entrance ticket. After Hours tickets can be purchased separately.

10 February – 11 March 2018, The Princess of Wales Conservatory, Kew Gardens. www.kew.org

“It will immerse visitors in the sights, senses and sounds of Thailand’s tranquil and unique culture, creating an explosion of colourful beauty that celebrates the wonder of orchids”

OUT & ABOUT

SILENT POOL GIN IN A CHELSEA GARDEN… PERFECT! H

eard of tea gardens? Maybe not GIN gardens, though, so watch out for the results of an inspired collaboration between two Surrey companies with a shared ethos: the Silent Pool Gin Garden now in preparation for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. This show garden, sponsored by the artisan Silent Pool Distillery in Albury, and designed by David Neale of Neal Richards Garden Design in Wonersh, has been selected for the new category called Growing Spaces, with a brief to provide an inspirational and relaxing garden for a Londonbased professional couple.

David Neale has built a number of successful Chelsea show gardens for other designers and won a Gold Medal for his own show garden at RHS Hampton Court in 2010, and intrigued by the new category he applied to create a small garden for Chelsea working with UK sourced materials and plants.

The design impressed the RHS assessors so much they asked him to expand it into a 10x10m garden and from there, David approached Silent Pool Distillery Director Ian McCulloch to work with them. “I looked at the ethos behind our garden design,” said David. “My wife and I both love Silent Pool Gin with its beautiful bottle and the distillery has the same ethos as us – focusing on local sourcing of materials, high quality and distinctiveness.

The initial design turned out to be a perfect fit for the Silent Pool Distillery and Ian was delighted to get on board. David had envisaged a large pool on split levels with an infinity edge, which by complete coincidence, mirrors the Silent Pool with its own lower pool.

“David came to us with his ideas and captured our imagination immediately,” said Ian McCulloch,

10 FEBRUARY 2018

“I looked at the ethos behind our garden design,” said David.

“We set out to try and capture the Surrey Hills in a bottle and he’s looking to recreate that same magic at Chelsea.”

The design uses English stone from Purbeck and Portland and laser-cut copper panels echoing the copper of the stills. Oak from Norbury Park will form a board walk – a nod to the local timber used to heat the still – and the planting will echo the blue and copper of the gin bottle and give the garden a calming and romantic feel. The design also incorporates some of botanicals used in the distillation process, such as angelica, orris, lavender and roses, and uses indigenous tree species such as linden.

“There is something about the pressure of doing a show garden that is great,” said David, “At Chelsea, aside from the category brief, we are given a blank canvas to create a 10x10m garden. We start the build on May 7 and work almost non-stop until it is judged it on May 19-20th, so you have a very limited time and need to be very organised. The planting has to be done early enough for the plants to settle in. It is pressure but fun.

“You are there with other people who are all passionate about what they do and so it is a hectic but lovely atmosphere.”

“My wife and I both love Silent Pool Gin with its beautiful bottle and the distillery has the same ethos as us – focusing on local sourcing of materials, high quality and distinctiveness.”

Photos: David Neale and an Artist’s Impression of the Silent Pool Gin Garden

OUT & ABOUT

Ascot Racecourse will be sporting a different kind of colours this April…

ASCOT SPRING GARDEN SHOW 2018 13th – 15th April 2018

A

scot Racecourse has created the Ascot Spring Garden Show – the south east of England’s first garden show of this scale in 2018 – with the gardening enthusiast in mind.

This high-quality boutique event, showcasing Britain’s finest established and emerging horticultural talent, has been planned and designed

by Stephen Bennett, former Shows Director at the Royal Horticultural Society where he was responsible for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and the launch of all other major RHS shows.

Forming part of the historic Crown Estate, the Ascot Spring Garden Show is supported by The Savill Garden and The Valley Gardens at Windsor Great Park. It promises top-quality horticulture and gardening advice, unsurpassed service and state-of the-art facilities that are recognised the world over.

Visitors to the brand-new show can look forward to six ‘Town and Country’ themed show gardens, that have been designed and built by established and award-winning designers. An additional six gardens 12 FEBRUARY 2018

will also be on display, created by student teams from talented horticulture colleges, as part of the Young Gardeners of the Year competition, hosted by ITV’s Love your Garden co-presenter David Domoney.

Show visitors can also peruse a fine array of horticultural trade exhibitors – from leading manufacturers and suppliers of the best garden equipment, greenhouses, tools and machinery to designers of outdoor sculpture and stylish garden ornaments – purchase plants from a range of specialist plant nurseries and enjoy a daily programme of free talks and personal guidance from horticultural experts.

Perfect for Mother’s Day, a botanical-themed afternoon tea has been designed by the talented Ascot chefs in partnership with celebrated pastry chef Claire Clark and is available in the Parade Ring Restaurant for pre-bookings and on-the-day.

Free parking and a complimentary plant creche and porter service are also available for the duration of the show.

THE DETAILS Advance tickets are just £20. For further information and to buy tickets for the Ascot Spring Garden Show visit www.ascot.co.uk/gardenshow or call 0844 581 6990.

OUT & ABOUT

Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Race F

rom the home of National Hunt racing to the home of the Derby, applications invited for the second Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Race in August 2018 Members of the equestrian public are invited to apply to ride in the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Derby, a flat race to be run over the Derby course and distance on August 27th (Bank Holiday Monday) 2018. The race will again be run in aid of The Bob Champion Cancer Trust and Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity.

Cousins Lissa Green, one of Britain’s most exciting new eventing talents and daughter of twotime European Eventing Champion and Olympic Silver medallist Lucinda Green MBE, and Lara Prior-Palmer, winner of the 2013 Mongol Derby, are set to head the 12-strong line-up. Their entry is particularly poignant as Lara has herself been battling Hodgkin’s lymphoma in 2017. They will be joined by two other celebrity riders and eight lucky members of the public. Entries are now open via www.championswillberry.org.uk and close on 21st February 2018.

The inaugural Pertemps Champions Derby Charity Race, held at Cheltenham, the home of National Hunt racing in April 2017, raised over £120,000 divided equally between the two benefiting charities. The line-up included eventing legends, Sir Mark Todd, Tina Cook and Ben Hobday as well as TV presenter, Alice Fox-Pitt. It was won by soldier Ben Moore, himself a cancer victim and particularly special to him and his family as his daughter is currently fighting the disease.

Bob Champion says: “The Cheltenham race was such a success and we’re absolutely delighted to now be going to Epsom, home of the greatest flat race in the world. With over 600 applicants applying to ride in last year’s race and with so much support for both charities, I’m sure we’ll have another amazing line-up. I would quite like a Grand Prix dressage rider to take their place alongside our celebrity

14 FEBRUARY 2018

eventers this time – so come on and apply!”

It was Hannah Francis’s wish to have a charity race for her Willberry Wonder Pony Charity, expressed before she sadly died in August 2016.

Her inspirational legacy lives on in the race.

Ian Peters, Trustee of Hannah’s Willberry Wonder Pony Charity says: “We were delighted to participate with The Bob Champion Cancer Trust in the first running of the race at Cheltenham in 2017. Doing so again, this time at Epsom, will be another tremendous opportunity to create a unique event and raise meaningful funds for both charities.

Hannah would have been astonished to see her charity featuring in such a high-profile race and we’re all thrilled to be taking part.”

Simon Durrant, General Manager at Epsom Downs Racecourse says: “We are delighted to host the Pertemps Champions Willberry Charity Derby race at Epsom Downs Racecourse. Run over the Derby course and distance, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity for these riders to experience the unique contours and undulations of the worldfamous Epsom Downs. The Investec Derby is the greatest flat race in the world, the richest horserace in Britain and impacts the global horseracing industry. It is highly competitive and attracts some of the best thoroughbreds and jockeys in Europe every June. We give jump jockeys, apprentice jockeys and amateur riders the chance to experience the race in their own Derby’s throughout the season and this race offers an exciting new aspect. We look forward to seeing the final line-up of riders, who will be raising money for these two worthy causes.”

Application details Applications are invited until midnight on Wednesday 21st February 2018. The Application Form with guidelines is only available at www.championswillberry.org.uk Key criteria will be that applicants are under 12 stone, over 18, competent riders, can pledge to raise over £5,000 and are able to source their own racehorse.

There will be an official lunch on the day with a range of fundraising activities to support the benefitting charities.

Please visit the website for details of how to apply to ride, how to get involved, how to attend the day/lunch, sponsor a jockey and to donate. Sponsorship packages are available on request.

More information For further information about the Champions Willberry Charity Derby go to www.championswillberry.org.uk or contact Liz Ampairee, liz@lizampairee.com 0773 333 1945 or Lucy Wilkinson lucy@bobchampion.org.uk 0207 924 3553.

All pictures of Champions Willberry Charity race, Cheltenham, April 2017 @ David Betteridge.

Epsom Investec Derby Day picture @ Epsom Racecourse

Opposite The Ivy

OUT & ABOUT

THE SURREY HALF MARATHON V 11 March 2018

oted by runners as “The UK’s Best Road Run”, the award-winning Mercer Surrey Half Marathon celebrates its 5th year on 11th March 2018. 6000 runners, including 550 children, will once again descend on Woking Leisure Centre to take part in this popular community event...

Whether you’re an experienced runner, or don’t run at all, The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon offers an exciting experience for everyone. The whole family will be entertained by a variety of activities on offer in the pop-up Event Village; including live video streaming on a giant TV screen, dance performances, live music, charity stalls, shops, cafe’s and more. Even after the race is over, everyone has the opportunity to take advantage of fantastic “race day deals” offered by businesses and restaurants in Woking Town Centre.

With races starting from 8:30, runners follow a professionally marked route along closed roads into the glorious countryside. Live music, numerous water stations and communities of cheering supporters add to the fantastic atmosphere throughout this picturesque race. One band have signed up to perform as they run the half marathon!

The fast, flat course encourages both new

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runners and seasoned race snakes to take part many of whom achieve their “personal best” time.

The Mercer Surrey Half Marathon is an exceptional choice for charity runners too; the event raises an estimated £0.4 million for charity every year. All runners receive a large medal and headwrap at the finish line, along with plenty of other goodies.

“Beginner”, “intermediate” and “advanced” training plans are available to download free of charge for all entrants (courtesy of event partners Synergy Physiotherapy).

If you’ve ever thought that you’d like to enter a race one day, now is the time to do so!

Enter at: www.surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk

Join the Volunteer Team!

It’s a fantastic opportunity to learn new skills, make new local friends, and support your community.

No experience necessary. www.surreyhalfmarathon.co.uk/ volunteer

OUT & ABOUT

STRICTLY’S FORMER LEADING COUPLE ON THEIR FIRST EVER TOUR TOGETHER

JAMES AND OLA: UNCENSORED It’s hot, dirty and dancing! Nationwide UK tour 2018.

The stars of the ballroom’s own love story told in one incredible dance show.

Tickets on sale now

Tour Dates 3rd March Blackpool Opera House 4th March York Barbican 5th March Birmingham New Alexandra 6th March Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall 7th March Leicester De Montfort Hall 9th March Yeovil Westlands 11th March Manchester Bridgewater Hall 13th March Guildford G Live 17th March Wrexham William Aston Hall 18th March Basingstoke The Anvil 20th March Edinburgh Festival Theatre 22nd March Halifax The Victoria Theatre 23rd March Gateshead The Sage 25th March Cardiff St Davids Hall 26th March Scunthorpe Baths Hall 27th March Hastings White Rock Theatre 28th March London Palladium 30th March Portsmouth Guildhall 31st March Torquay Princess Theatre 1st April Poole Lighthouse 2nd April Liverpool Philharmonic Hall Tickets at www.ticketmaster.co.uk

18 FEBRUARY 2018

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hey are known as two of the biggest stars ever to emerge from the hit show Strictly Come Dancing, becoming household names in their own right with audiences captivated by the couple’s relationship, and now James and Ola Jordan will embark on a nationwide tour telling their own love story – 18 years to the month that they first met!

Featuring a full cast of dancers and all styles of dance, the autobiographical production is full of passion, intensity and high-octane routines, the tour will begin in Blackpool on March 3rd 2018 - a town that of course holds a lot of history for James and Ola.

“Both James and Ola come from a competitive dancing background, and met in 2000 when both needed new partners” Both James and Ola come from a competitive dancing background, and met in 2000 when both needed new partners. James, flew to Poland to try-out with Ola, and a month later she moved to England not able to speak a single word of English!

Within six months of meeting they entered their first competition together and after this amazing partnership was formed they went onto compete all over the world, winning many championships and representing England in the World Championships.

It wasn’t long before their relationship Now, 18 years after they became dance partners blossomed both on and off the dance floor and and Ola moved to the England, the couple will tour in 2003 the couple married, and their competitive the UK for the first time together, telling their story careers went from strength to strength until they in their own unique way in a show that’s fun joined Strictly Come Dancing in 2006. for all the family.

Having become two of the most James and Ola said: “It’s great to recognisable personalities amongst the be able to do our own tour, our GUILDFORD professional dancers on the show, both way, and to offer something totally G LIVE 13th James and Ola left in 2013 and 2015 different to any other dance show.

MARCH respectively, going on to explore other We want to perform a sexy, edgy roles in TV. James has been a contestant interpretation of our life story, whilst on Celebrity Big Brother in 2014, and still having all the sparkle and fun the All-Star version of the show earlier this people expect from us - and the best year, and Ola took part in the ITV show I’m A part is that we get to dance together again, we Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! in 2016. cannot wait! ”

OUT & ABOUT

START

By Dr Nicholas Tromans A Pre-Raphaelite Collection Unveiled: The Cecil French Bequest

F

rom 6 March to 3 June, Watts Gallery - Artists’ Village, Guildford, will be showing a fabulous collection of artworks

by Pre-Raphaelite and other Victorian artists that have hardly ever been seen together since they were collected by an eccentric Irishman in the early twentieth century.

Cecil French (1879-1953) was a classic case of someone born at the wrong time. A passionate lover of the finely-worked, romantically melancholy art of Edward Burne-Jones and the later Pre-Raphaelites, he lived most of his adult life in London at a time when the leading museums and collectors were turning their backs on everything Victorian to embrace the challenging Modernism emerging from the Continent. Starting off himself as an artist, but soon resigning that ambition, French was able to pick up paintings and drawings by the artists he loved for very little money, bringing them back to his modest suburban residence in Barnes. He gradually built there a serious collection featuring artists such as Fredric Leighton, J. W. Waterhouse, Lawrence AlmaTadema and, of course, his beloved Burne-Jones.

Cecil French remains a shadowy figure, well-known to the more traditional art-dealers of London, and to a few of the leading artists, but a man whose tastes placed him outside the mainstream concerns of the professional art-world of the age. When he came to make his will in the early 1950s, French wished to leave his collection to museums where the art would be appreciated – which meant anywhere but the Tate Gallery, which, he felt, had lost the plot in chasing after Picassos

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THE DETAILS You can visit a Pre-Raphaelite Collection Unveiled: The Cecil French Bequest at Watts Gallery – Artists’ Village from Tuesday 6 March to Sunday 3 June, tickets available online at www.wattsgallery.org.uk.

Clockwise from top left: Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S., Cupid Delivering Psyche, 1867, watercolour with bodycolour on canvas, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council; John William Waterhouse, Mariana In The South, c.1897, oil on canvas, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council; Frederic Leighton 1st Baron Leighton of Stretton, Study For ‘At The Fountain’, c.1892, oil on canvas, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council; Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S., Study Of a Girl’s Head For Sibylla Delphica, c.1885, oil on canvas, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council; Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, Bt., A.R.A., R.W.S., The Wheel Of Fortune, 1875, watercolour with bodycolour on canvas, London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham Council

and the like. He turned for help to another art expert whose life was bound up with the Victorians, Rowland Alston, the Curator of the Watts Gallery at Compton in Guildford, where the legacy of the great Victorian Symbolist, George Frederic Watts was preserved, against the odds.

To Alston, French entrusted the division and donation of the collection, and clusters of works were duly dispatched around the country, with the largest slice set aside for what is now the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham. The rationale was that this was where Burne-Jones had lived for many years at the Grange, a house that had been a great social and artistic centre in the 1880s and 1890s and which then still stood on the North End Road. Although there were hopes to revive it as some kind of museum, perhaps along the lines of the Watts Gallery or Leighton House Museum, sadly the Grange was demolished in the early 1960s.

For generations, the Cecil French Bequest at Hammersmith and Fulham has remained essentially homeless. Watts Gallery Trust has now collaborated with the Borough Council to have a selection of the works conserved and displayed at the Watts Gallery, allowing all to enjoy them and share in the extraordinary story of Cecil French.

OUT & ABOUT

Windsor Castle: Home to The Queen and over 900 years of royal history N

o trip to Windsor could possibly be complete without a visit to amazing Windsor Castle, the family home to British kings and queens for over 1,000 years.

The size of the Castle (5 hectares/13 acres) is breath taking, in fact it is the largest and oldest occupied Castle in the world and it’s where Her Majesty The Queen chooses to spend most of her private weekends..

You might even time your visit when she is in residence! Look at the flag flying from the Castle’s Round Tower; if it’s the Royal Standard The Queen will be there too.

UPCOMING EVENTS Discover Windsor Castle under siege by taking part in an art workshop and trying on costumes and armour on display.

11:00-15:00 Free with standard entry ticket Every Saturday in February and during half term

Meet the historians Monday, 12, Tuesday, 13, Friday, 16 and Saturday, 17 February Try on some armour from an amazing collection and meet historical interpreters, who will be talking about medieval armour and weaponry.

OPENING ARRANGEMENTS Windsor Castle is a working royal palace so opening arrangements may change at short notice.

To avoid the disappointment of finding part or all of Windsor Castle closed, please check before planning a visit by checking the website or by telephoning the Ticket Sales and Information Office on +44 (0)30 3123 7304.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CASTLE CLOSES 1 HOUR 15 MINUTES AFTER LAST ENTRY TIME SHOWN BELOW: March to October 09:30-17:15 (last admission 16:00), November to February 09:45-16:15 (last admission 15:00).

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WHAT TO SEE AND DO (all included in your ticket price): Visit the magnificent State Apartments furnished with some of the finest works of art from the Royal Collection, including paintings by Rembrandt, Rubens and Canaletto.

Take in the splendour of St George’s Chapel, the burial place of 10 monarchs including Henry VIII and Charles I, and one of the finest examples of Gothic architecture in England. Please note, worshippers are welcome to attend the Sunday services at St George’s Chapel but the chapel is closed to general visitors on Sundays.

Be amazed at Queen Mary’s Dolls’ House, the largest, most beautiful and most famous dolls’ house in the world, created in the 1920s and filled with thousands of objects made by leading craftsmen, artists and designers of the time.

Join a free Precinct Tour with one of the Castle’s wardens when you first arrive and get the most out of your visit to Windsor Castle.

Imagine being entertained by royalty in the SemiState Rooms, the spectacular private apartments open to visitors from September to March each year. Richly decorated, they are used by The Queen for hosting her guests. The additional five rooms that make up the Semi-State Rooms will close to the public on Sunday, 25 March 2018.

Stand to attention whilst watching the Changing of the Guard! A colourful spectacle of British Pageantry (see below for schedule).

CHANGING THE GUARD The privilege of guarding the Sovereign has been carried out since 1660. Weather permitting, the ceremony begins at 11am and lasts approximately 30 minutes.

Please check the Royal Collection Trust website for latest information. There is a link to the British Army website from here too with confirmation of the full schedule.

February 2018: guard mounting will take place, weather permitting, on the 1, 3, 6, 8, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22, 24 & 27 February.

FAMILY ACTIVITIES AT WINDSOR CASTLE • Free family multimedia tour (for children aged 7-11) • Free family Activity Trail • Family Saturdays and school holiday events and activities.

Windsor Castle offers an exciting family programme every Saturday throughout the year, linked to the amazing history of the Castle, the magnificent art on display and the royal residents past and present who have lived here.

The programme includes storytelling and dressing up in replica historic costume and armour, and art and craft workshops where families can get creative together.

Family Saturdays – Conserving the Castle in addition to trails and a children’s audio guide, an exciting family programme is also offered every Saturday throughout the year linked to the history of Windsor Castle, art works on display and royal residents past and present. This month families are invited to visit the Moat Room for art and craft activities inspired by the work that goes into maintaining the Castle as a royal home. On 27 January, families can join the Learning Team for a special ‘Meet the Experts : Conservation Day’ where mini conservators can piece together a 3D vase.

OUT & ABOUT FEATURE

WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD SHORTLIST selected from almost 50,000 submissions from 92 countries. The shortlisted images are on display at the Natural History Museum in London until the vote closes, and the winner of the People’s Choice Award will be showcased until the whole exhibition closes on May 28. And it’s a big deal - Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest-running and most prestigious competition of its kind. It’s part of the museum’s mission to inspire curiosity about the natural world through the power of photography, and look for answers to issues facing the planet.

Calling all wildlife fans - here’s your chance to vote for your winner. WORDS Lauren Taylor

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f you love the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards, then now is your chance to get involved and vote for your favourite for the People’s Choice winner. Nature fans can choose from 24 images

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From birds bathing to a too-close-for-comfort leopard, here’s our pick of the images you can vote for.

Roller Rider: by Lakshitha Karunarathna, Sri Lanka Lakshitha was on safari at Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, when he saw a lilac-breasted roller hitching a ride on the back of a zebra. These little

“Wildlife Photographer of the Year is the longest-running and most prestigious competition of its kind”

birds usually prefer to perch high up in the foliage, but this maverick roller spent an hour or more on the zebra.

Leopard Gaze: by Martin Van Lokven, Netherlands During a three-week stay in Serengeti National Park, Tanzania, Martin encountered the same female leopard several times - called Fundi by local guides.

Leopards are nocturnal and solitary, usually hunting at night, but one afternoon Fundi left the tree she was resting in and approached Martin’s car, fixing his camera lens with her gaze.

Pool Party: by Luke Massey, UK This photograph was taken during the drought in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park. As waterholes dwindled in numbers and size, flocks of Lilian’s lovebirds, a small African parrot species, congregated together and when the coast was clear, have a drink and bath. Luke watched as they each shuffled forward, taking it in turns, as if on a conveyor belt.

Warm Embrace: by Debra Garside, Canada Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world and you wouldn’t want to get too close to one, but this touching image of a polar bear and her cubs shows their softer side. When polar bear mothers and cubs emerge from their dens in the early spring, the cubs stay close for warmth and protection before they’re strong enough to trek across the sea ice with their mothers. Debra braved challenging conditions for six days with temperatures from -35 to -55 degrees Celcius and high winds, to catch this shot.

After following them for a while, three broke off and headed into the shadows, creating this amazing shot.

Reach for the Sky: by Steven Blandin, USA If you ever wondered what a bird looks like landing right in front of you, this is it. Steven was photographing a group of Roseate spoonbills, which have distinctive pink feathers. He saw a newcomer flying in from afar and managed to take a few steps back and position himself so the bird could land square in front of his camera.

Its wings created a stunning symmetrical U-shape.

Settled In: by Ryan Miller, USA The city of Anchorage, Alaska, sees frequent moose, and this bull is known as Hook to the locals.

Moose antlers are deciduous and every year they fall off ready for regrowth. Ryan knew from the previous year that Hook would be ready to shed his antlers in the coming days and he captured the scene in heavy snowfall as the city slept. www.nhm.ac.uk.

“Polar bears are the largest land carnivores in the world and you wouldn’t want to get too close to one, but this touching image of a polar bear and her cubs shows their softer side”

Warning Wings: by Mike Harterink, Netherlands Mike was diving off Blue Bead Hole in St Eustatius, in the Caribbean, when he spotted this ‘flying’ gurnard. These fish have shorter forward fins with spines which they use to poke around for food, as well as larger wing-like fins. The fins are usually held against its body but when threatened, the gurnard expands them to scare away predators - which Mike used a slow shutter speed to capture.

Dark Side of the Plains: by Uri Golman, Denmark Black and white might be an unusual choice for safari photography, but Uri spent a whole week just taking pictures in monochrome on the plains of the Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya, and spent most of it taking pictures of big cats. But it was a group of giraffes that stuck with him in the end.

FEBRUARY 2018 25

OUT & ABOUT

CLASSIC AUCTION ACTION!

Saturday, 3rd March sees 140 fine and fascinating classic cars and automobilia on sale by Historics at Ascot Racecourse

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ome of us get our kicks from a spot of home DIY, others in manicuring the garden, but for some classic car buffs, nothing beats a nicely decayed piece of motoring history to get the adrenaline pumping.

For well-established classic car auction specialists, Historics, it’s all part of the vibrant scene, and one that you can see for yourself at their major Spring sale at Ascot Racecourse on Saturday, 3rd March.

Every one of Historics’ regular major sales includes hugely varying consignments to suit all tastes and pockets - from very affordable to significant investment collector cars – and amidst the 140 fine classic motor cars and automobilia on offer at Ascot, Historics will tempt the restorer fraternity with a small selection of cobwebbed classics, all offered at no reserve.

Taking ‘resto’ pride of place is a forlorn example of what was once the cream of quintessentially British sports touring cars – a 1963 Alvis TD21 Coupé. Requiring rather more than spit and polish to restore it to its former glory, it is one of the last cars to be built over the car’s production span, but despite its spartan appearance, the Alvis comes with a considerable inventory of parts to enable the buyer to roll their sleeves up in the knowledge that there will be very few items left to purchase…just plenty of elbow grease.

One unique aspect of this car adds more encouragement to its future owner, namely that at one point in its life the Hollywood legend Robert Mitchum sat behind the wheel as he motored serenely in the 1968 film, ‘The Big Sleep’. A DVD of the film is included with the car.

Notwithstanding the fascination and draw of cars requiring restoration, stealing the limelight at Historics’ Ascot Racecourse auction is a gleaming array that can only be described as classic car heaven.

Many cars on offer have come to sale after enjoying the most fastidious restoration and continuous care bestowed on them….such as a bright green (the colour of envy!) 1971 Porsche 911 2.4 S. Some £120,000 was spent to bring it to its impeccable condition. Air-cooled Porsches of this era are now hugely sought after amongst enthusiasts and collectors and this one is very much worthy of its estimate of £160,000-£190,000.

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“Every one of Historics’ regular major sales includes hugely varying consignments to suit all tastes and pockets - from very affordable to significant investment collector cars”

And Historics is also offering at Ascot arguably the world’s finest example of a later 1995 Porsche 911/964 RS Lightweight. Just one of 40 examples manufactured for the UK market, this very special motorsport-inspired and super rare model has travelled less than 700 miles per year on average since new and is truly impeccable in every respect.

Typically, Historics will offer some 40 different classic car marques and, bearing in mind the roots of the then thriving British car industry, many are home-grown. For example, there’s a nimble and hugely-desirable, wind-in-the-hair 1971 Lotus Elan S4 Sprint that’s had £30,000 spent on it (Est. £42,000-£49,000), and a brace of classic racy Triumphs, in factory blue racing colours, one a 1962 TR4 works recreation (£36,000-£42,000), the other a 1963 Spitfire GT restored to Le Mans specification (£25,000-£32,000), plus a very original example of an iconic British sports classic, a 1955 MGA Mk.1 Roadster offered at a very affordable £18,000-£22,000…and a ubiquitous Mini, this a cream-of-the-crop Surf Blue/Old English White 1965 Morris Mini Cooper ‘S’ in breathtaking condition, with just 36,000 miles since new (£39,000-£45,000).

To suit those with quirkier tastes, how about a 1929 Ford Model A Coupé in striking hot-rod spec., with a rumbling 4.7 litre V8 ‘under the hood’, offered at an estimate of £19,000-£22,000.. or perhaps a gleaming, polished aluminium 1954 Airstream caravan, its stunning interior superbly created - authentically and sympathetically - by its interior designer vendor. (£46,000-£52,000) Too numerous and varied to mention in full, consignments at Historics’ major Ascot Racecourse auction on Saturday, 3rd March can only be fully appreciated in person and Historics make it easy by offering two preview days on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd March preceding the sale.

Entry is by catalogue, available in advance or on arrival.

For full details of this fascinating classic car sale including all consignments, and information on bidding, visit www.historics.co.uk, call 01753 639170 or email auctions@historics.co.uk

OUT & ABOUT

SURREY’S FAVOURITE COUNTRY CLUB Discover where you belong at Surrey’s favourite Country Club. For over 40 years, Foxhills has welcomed those with a flair for fitness, budding golfers, spa enthusiasts and more.

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oday, Foxhills features a Youth Club, two Championship golf courses, one par 3 course (the first of its kind in Britain), 70 bedrooms, three restaurants, eleven tennis courts, four squash courts, four swimming pools, an award-winning healthspa, conference and meeting facilities, and a weekly cycling club, capitalising on its status as official resort partner to the OVO Energy Tour of Britain and home

“This family-run resort offers something for the whole family”

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Special offer:

to Team GB’s road race cycling team during the London 2012 Olympic Games. Promoting its longstanding ethos of ‘where you belong’, this family-run resort offers something for the whole family; you are guaranteed to feel better when you leave than when you arrived.

Make up for overindulging during the festive season and join before 28 February 2018 to save up to £1,000.

Contact the Membership team on 01932 704450 or membership@foxhills.co.uk to find out more, or visit www.foxhills.co.uk/join/2018.

OUT & ABOUT

Clock In to Half Term Fun at Brooklands!

12th - 16th February 2018

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undreds of families will be spending February half term on the factory floor in the recently completed Aircraft Factory and Flight Shed at Brooklands Museum in Weybridge, Surrey. Inside the newly restored Bellman hangar, visitors will be able to clock in and don factory workcoats as they begin their ‘Brooklands Apprenticeship’. A series of workshops and interactives explore some of the skills used over the 80-year history of aircraft manufacture at Brooklands. On a new mezzanine level, the story of design at Brooklands is told and visitors can design their own military and civilian aircraft from different eras of aviation including those of the future. Leaving the Factory and entering the new Flight Shed visitors will see some of the Museum’s collection of complete aircraft, including opportunities to sit in the cockpits of the Hawker Hunter and Harrier, as well as displays on radar, ground-to-air radio and pioneering pilots.

The Museum’s collections of pre-war racing cars and motorbikes, the incredible Barnes Wallis ‘Stratosphere Chamber’ and the Brooklands Aircraft Park, featuring post-war aircraft including the Sultan of Oman’s VC-10 will all be open as usual. As well as this, there are racing and flying simulator rides in the 4D Theatre, special Kids Tours on Concorde and for children aged 5-11 years the chance to design your own sky scene in a special aviationthemed Family Workshop with the Brooklands Learning Team. The drop-in workshop is FREE to attend and runs from 11am – 12noon and again from 1pm – 3pm. All materials are provided.

However, if visitors really want to feel the wind through their hair, the Museum’s long-established and hugely popular rides in vintage-style cars* and on London Bus Museum’s iconic double-decker

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TICKETS Normal admission prices apply for half term week and are: adults £13.50, seniors £11.50, children (5-16 yrs) £7, family ticket (2 adults and up to 3 children) £35. The half-hour Concorde Experience is £5 for adults, £3 for children. 4D simulator rides are £4 for adults, £2 for children. *A minimum donation of £1 per passenger is requested for car and bus rides.

GETTING THERE The main visitor entrance for the Museum is via Mercedes-Benz World, on Brooklands Drive off Wellington Way between Weybridge and Byfleet

MORE INFORMATION For full details of events, directions and general Museum information, please telephone 01932 857381 or visit www.brooklandsmuseum.com.

The Museum is open daily from 10am – 4pm in winter. Last entry is one hour before closing.

buses* will also be operating during weekdays in Half Term. Car rides take in the challenging summit of Test Hill and the Members’ Banking, the steepest part of the original Race Track, as long as it’s not too wet or slippery, from 11am–1pm and again from 2 – 3.30pm. London Bus Museum’s doubledecker bus trips will run every half an hour from 11am until 3.30pm, except for a short break over lunchtime.

The Sunbeam Café is the ideal place for refuelling and add to this a visit to the Museum Shop to pick up a souvenir and you have the recipe for a perfect day out come rain or shine. And don’t forget to look out for the Museum’s larger than life mascot, Bertie Bear, who will be roaming the site looking for fans to have his photograph taken with!

OUT & ABOUT

Kids go ‘wild’ this half-term at Painshill

This February half-term children aged 8 -13 yrs can enjoy the outdoors at Painshill during our popular Wild Woodland Camp (13th – 15th February).

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hildren will be able to discover and explore the outdoors in a safe and inspiring environment over the February half-term at our Wild Woodland Camp.

Wild Camps at Painshill are fun packed outdoor days spent in the forest and landscapes of Painshill – running, climbing, playing, making friends and developing practical woodland skills. A big part of our camps is spent encouraging social skills and team work, so don’t worry if you are coming by yourself, there will be lots of opportunities for you to make friends.

Adam Langendoen, Education Manager at Painshill comments; “our wild camps are brilliant fun and a great way for children to get outside and explore in a safe environment. Each day is themed differently with activities to keep children entertained all day.”

Tuesday 13th – Cosy Dens Scout out the perfect woodland spot to build a cosy den before lighting your own fire to toast marshmallows. Gather around a big camp fire to warm up your lunches and cosy round with a hot drink. Explore the woods and find secret paths and forgotten tracks on a wild scavenger hunt with a chance to win treasure!

Wednesday 14th – Winter Feast A day for playing games and making tasty treats.

Journey deep into the woods for a morning of exciting wild woodland games and team challenges. Camouflage yourself into the forest with extreme hide and seek, capture the flag and other forest favourites. Build a roaring fire in our outdoor kitchen to cook-up treats including toffee apples, popcorn, campfire doughnuts and mix yourself a hot chocolate or babycino (with extra marshmallows).

Thursday 15th – Winter Bushcraft After spending the morning in the woods exploring, 32 FEBRUARY 2018

gathering, foraging and tracking animals, you can get down to a creative afternoon of bushcraft. You will have the opportunity to use tools under 1:1 supervision with a Forest School and bushcraft trained instructor to make items out of wood, including mallets, tent pegs and toys. There will also be a chance to have a go working with willow, cord, wool and weaving, or to build shelters using rope and tarps.

Painshill’s Wild Woodland Camp takes place during 13th – 15th February (9am until 4pm) and costs just £40 per day (advanced booking is required). For more information or to book please visit painshill.co.uk / 01932 868 113

“Our wild camps are brilliant fun and a great way for children to get outside and explore in a safe environment.”

OUT & ABOUT

LONDON DESIGN WEEK 2018 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour, 4 – 9 March 2018

THE DETAILS There is courtesy transport and entrance is free.

For more details, visit www.dcch.co.uk or telephone 020 7225 9166 Opening times Trade preview: 4 – 6 March 2018 All welcome: 7 – 9 March 2018 10am – 6pm

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or six days in March, London Design Week 2018 at Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour is the nerve-centre of creative excellence – an unmissable event that is essential for anyone who wants the inside track on the latest design thinking.

This celebration of the new season includes new imaginative installations, more than 100 immersive experiences, bespoke pop-ups and tempting food and drink. Visitors who value talent, skill and provenance can discover the latest offerings from 120 global exhibitors, while international speakers share their knowledge at the authoritative Conversations in Design series. The stellar line-up includes, amongst others, Martin Brudnizki, Martin Hulbert, Jay Grierson, Lord Snowdon, Sophie Ashby, Hubert Zandberg, Sir Peter Osborne, Susie Atkinson, Peter Mikic, Linda Boronkay, Christopher Jenner, Afroditi Krassa, Marianne Cotterill, Simon Mitchell and architects Fiona McLean and Mike Stiff.

Channelling the design world’s rising spirit of

individuality and creative expression, London Design Week 2018 seeks to go beyond fleeting trends. This is an event where powerful design professionals can engage with established makers; style-seekers can delve deeper into their design passions via talks, demonstrations, workshops and discovery tours; and luxury brands can converse with emerging influencers and tastemakers.

The programme aims to be both accessible to all and sophisticated in its outlook, broadening awareness of outstanding design. A global audience of visitors and a host of international brands make this an event whose influence reaches far beyond its London base.

Claire German, managing director, says ‘Design Centre, Chelsea Harbour has become known for its strong curated events. London Design Week 2018 promises a magical combination of design encounters and ways to connect with 600+ leading international brands, unseen anywhere else, all contributing to the many elements which will make this an unmissable week.’

Social Media @designcentrech #LDW18AtDCCH

PARTICIPATING SHOWROOMS: ABBOTT & BOYD • ALTFIELD • ALTON-BROOKE • ARTE • ARTERIORS • ARTISANS OF DEVIZES • BAKER • BAKER LIFESTYLE • BELLA FIGURA • BESSELINK & JONES • BIRGIT ISRAEL • BLACK & KEY • BRIAN YATES • BRUNSCHWIG & FILS • C & C MILANO • CECCOTTI COLLEZIONI • CHASE ERWIN • CHRISTOPHE DELCOURT AT GMR INTERIORS • CHRISTOPHER HYDE LIGHTING • CHRISTOPHER PEACOCK • COLE & SON • COLEFAX AND FOWLER • COLONY • CREATION BAUMANN • CRESTRON EMEA • DAVID SEYFRIED LTD • DAVIDSON • DE LE CUONA • DECCA (BOLIER) • DECORUS • DEDAR • EDELMAN LEATHER • ESPRESSO DESIGN • EVITAVONNI • FLEXFORM • FOX LINTON • FROMENTAL • GALLOTTI&RADICE • GEORGE SPENCER DESIGNS • GIORGETTI • GLADEE LIGHTING • GP & J BAKER • HOLLAND & SHERRY • HOULES • IKSEL – DECORATIVE ARTS • INTERDESIGN UK • J. ROBERT SCOTT • JACARANDA CARPETS • JASON D’SOUZA • JEAN MONRO • JENSEN BEDS • JIM THOMPSON • JULIAN CHICHESTER • KRAVET • LACAZE LONDON • LEE JOFA • LELIEVRE PARIS • LEWIS & WOOD • LIZZO • MARC DE BERNY • MARVIC TEXTILES • MCKINNEY & CO • MCKINNON AND HARRIS • MULBERRY HOME • NADA DESIGNS • THE NANZ COMPANY • NINA CAMPBELL • NOBILIS • ORIGINAL BTC • OFICINA INGLESA FURNITURE • PAOLO MOSCHINO FOR NICHOLAS HASLAM LTD • PERRIN & ROWE • PHILLIP JEFFRIES • PIERRE FREY • POLIFORM • PORADA • PORTA ROMANA • PROVASI • REMAINS LIGHTING • ROMO • RUBELLI/DONGHIA • SA BAXTER ARCHITECTURAL HARDWARE • SAHCO • SAMUEL & SONS • SAMUEL HEATH • SAVOIR BEDS • SIBERIAN FLOORS • THE SILK GALLERY • SIMPSONS • STARK CARPET • STARK FABRIC • STUDIOTEX • STYLE LIBRARY • SUMMIT FURNITURE • SUTHERLAND PERENNIALS STUDIO • SWD • TAI PING • THREADS AT GP & J BAKER • TIM PAGE CARPETS • TISSUS D’HELENE • TOPFLOOR BY ESTI • TUFENKIAN ARTISAN CARPETS • TURNELL & GIGON • TURNELL & GIGON AT HOME • TURNSTYLE DESIGNS • VAUGHAN • VIA ARKADIA (TILES) • VICTORIA + ALBERT BATHS • VILLEROY & BOCH • WATTS OF WESTMINSTER • WEMYSS • WEST ONE BATHROOMS • WHISTLER LEATHER • WIRED CUSTOM LIGHTING • WOOL CLASSICS • ZIMMER + ROHDE. PLUS OUTSIDE PARTICIPANTS DESIGNERS GUILD AND OSBORNE & LITTLE IN CHELSEA

34 FEBRUARY 2018

OUT & ABOUT

Your holiday search begins here!

The Telegraph Travel Show, ExCeL London, 23 – 25 February 2018.

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iscover 2018’s hottest destinations at The Telegraph Travel Show. A must attend for the discerning traveller, the Show will be jam packed with a wealth of advice, tour operators and destinations to ensure you make the most of your annual leave! Visitors to the Show will be able to get face-to-face with the likes of Peru Safari, Wendy Wu Tours, Tucan Travel - as well as browse destinations including Jamaica, India, Brazil, Italy and more.

Whether you’re looking for a solo adventure, family getaway or romantic long-haul escape, The Telegraph Travel Show is the perfect place to start the search for your next holiday…

Destinations Theatre brought to you

by Travelbag Take a seat and discover how to make travel safer, fairer and better in 2018 curated by The Telegraph’s award-winning editorial team. Plus, adventurer David Cornthwaite will be sharing his breathtaking sea voyage along 1,243 miles of Norwegian coast.

More speakers will be announced soon.

One-to-one travel advice Stop by the Travel Genius Bar for one-to-one, impartial travel advice from a The Telegraph journalist. Advance appointments sold out in less than 36 hours, but their experts will be on hand throughout the day to help you plan your next getaway.

Wine tastings The Telegraph’s wine expert Susy Atkins will take visitors on a tour of France and Italy through a variety of grapes and vineyards. There will even be the opportunity to sample a variety of Champagne!

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Fly in style Voted best long haul airline by Telegraph readers this year, Singapore Airlines the Show’s official airline partner, will be showcasing their luxury new business class and first class cabins. Don’t miss your chance to sample their on board culinary offering at the Show!

World Cuisine Whether we’re browsing a bustling food market, dining in world-famous restaurants, picking up a quick bite from a food truck or cooking together over a bottle of red, food is integral to our travel experiences. Join professional chefs including Lesley Walters, for interactive cooking classes and culinary demonstrations from across the globe including Grenada Tourism.

Readers can claim a limited number of complimentary tickets from www.telegraph.co.uk/travelshow complimentary tickets must be booked in advance. The on the door price will be £22 for adult tickets.

“The Telegraph Travel Show is the perfect place to start the search for your next holiday”

OUT & ABOUT

The Finest Bubble London’s Champagne Emergency Service

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hampagne suppliers The Finest Bubble have teamed up with local courier companies in London to offer consumers a two hour champagne emergency service.

With a choice of over 300 champagnes from 75cl bottles to giant Nebuchadnezzar (the equivalent of 20 bottles) - there’s no occasion they can’t cater for....family celebrations, birthdays, dinner parties, St Valentine’s Day, weddings, anniversaries and engagements. Their wide range of champagne gifts cover every taste and budget from the most recognised and acclaimed Champagne Houses.

Magnums are seeing the fastest increase in sales, and 2002 is the most popular vintage. Vintages corresponding to birth year are proving equally popular with Jeroboams (4 bottles), Methuselah (8), Salmanazar (12) Balthazar (16), Nebuchadnezzar (20) often gift-wrapped for significant birthdays, mainly 18th, 21st, 40th and 50th.

The Finest Bubble also have a variety of carefully selected items including limited edition cases, outstanding vintages and ultra-prestige rarities not listed on the website, so if you are looking

38 FEBRUARY 2018

for something extra special, please call for further information.

And if you are looking to send gifts to valued clients, The Finest Bubble offer a first-class gifting service throughout the year, and can deliver to multiple destinations in the UK. Their expertise in dealing with large volumes of corporate presents, from individual to group deliveries,w means every gifting requirement can be tailor-made to suit your needs.

All of the fine and often rare champagnes are kept in optimum conditions. The bottles are stored and protected from potential damage by light and heat. Prior to purchase, the champagne is either kept in a temperature controlled bonded warehouse, or in a specialist Eurocave fridge to ensure that it arrives in the best possible condition.

Over 90% of orders are received from the affluent areas of EC1, EC2, EC3, EC4, W1, SW1, E14 (Canary Wharf) with demand increasing from all over London and across the UK. The Finest Bubble pride themselves on their speedy delivery, the fastest from the moment an order is placed to champagne received? Just 28 minutes to EC1V. Gifting has never been so stress-free and easy.

THE DETAILS For further details and to place an order visit www.thefinestbubble.com or call 020 7359 1608 Email: direct office@thefinestbubble.com twitter.com/thefinestbubble www.facebook.com/TheFinestBubble www.instagram.com/thefinestbubble

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The Surrey Cruise Show Thursday 22nd February 2018 from 10.45am at Denbies Wine Estate, Dorking visit www.thesurreycruiseshow.co.uk for full details

Presented by

of Ashtead

Make Your Dreams Memories

H OME& &ABOUT OUT PROPERTY

The National Wedding Shows Olympia London 16-18 February ExCeL London 14-15 April

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he UK’s biggest wedding shows returns for 2018 with even more wedding specialists and top show features. The Catwalk shows will showcase the latest collections from the nation’s hottest designers, retailers and boutiques. Including looks for the bride, bridesmaids, mother-of-the-bride and groomsmen.

With hundreds of wedding suppliers you can be sure to tick off lots of wedding planning ‘todos’ in just one day. Find your dream dress! Try on as many dresses as you like from an unrivalled selection of bridal shops and designer labels, with no appointments necessary.

Talk to dedicated travel experts and create your ultimate honeymoon or wedding abroad in The TUI Wedding Travel Lounge and set your creative side loose with DIY wedding workshops in The Inspiration Lab. Get essential wedding planning guidance from guest speakers at The Hitched Wedding Planning Platform.

Enjoy a day of luxury with the VIP experience!

Benefits include: • A VIP goody bag • A complimentary glass of fizz • The latest issues of Confetti magazine • Reserved seating at the Catwalk Show • Fast-track entrance to the show • Exclusive access to the VIP lounge

THE DETAILS For more information or to book tickets visit The National Wedding Show website www.nationalweddingshow.co.uk Facebook www.facebook.com/ nationalweddingshow Twitter @nationalwedding Instagram thenationalweddingshow #TNWS

40 FEBRUARY 2018

INDEPENDENT

SCHOOLS GUIDE – The finest independent schools in the UK –

i ma g e : P RI VAT E SCHOO L S SHOU L D B E P R A IS E D F OR P RODUCING IN F L U E N T I A L P E O P L E

EDUC ATION

Learning Your Our definitive guide to help you make all the right choices for your children

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here are 2,500+ independent schools in the UK which are independent of local or central government control.

Independent schools offer a wealth of facilities and high teaching standards that enable students to achieve great results year after year. Independent schools are in the unique position to provide a truly bespoke education for your child.

Choosing the right school for your child is an important decision that takes plenty of time and research. There are a wide range of independent schools specialising in different age groups and needs.

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A,B,Cs

PRE-PREPARATORY SCHOOLS (AGES 2 YEARS - 7 YEARS)

Pre-preparatory schools - also called nursery schools or kindergartens - correspond to nursery and infants stages in local authority schools. In pre-preparatory schools children are taught to read, write, develop numeracy and learn to play. Pre-prep schools are often attached to specific junior schools.Pre-prep school is the first time most children will experience education, as opposed to the daycare provided by kindergartons. Children will have to learn the basics of mathematics, science and English, and a host of other subjects. Outside the classroom, many of the children will be having their first proper experience with team sports, music and/or choral tuition, and the arts.

PREPARATORY SCHOOLS (AGES 7 YEARS -11+ OR 13 YEARS) Preparatory or prep schools, have a full range of subjects leading to admission to senior schools at 11+ or through the 13+ Common Entrance Examination.As their name implies, the preparatory schools are focused primarily on preparing boys and girls for their senior education, and the important public exams that come with it.

Free of the National Curriculum, prep schools can differentiate their curricula according to what they think best prepares children for their later education. Most prep school children will be learning a foreign language from the very first year, and don’t be surprised to see subjects like Latin, Philosophy and Physics in the classroom, with

cricket, rugby and tennis all on offer during games.

As children reach the end of their time at prep school, most will look to the Common Entrance Exam as their gateway into the senior schools. It is during this transition process that senior schools are also looking for talented pupils for scholarships and other awards, so the very able students may be asked to attend further examinations/recitals/ matches &c, depending on where their particular strengths lie.

In the state system, children are tested by the Government SATs, however many schools in the independent sector will have their own internal methods of measuring the performance of the children. There are around 499 prep schools in the Independent Association of Prep Schools, one of our constituent Head’s Associations, collectively educating over 134,000 children.

SENIOR SCHOOLS (AGES 11 YEARS -18 YEARS) Most of the pupils in independent education are in senior school, educating over 350,000 senior school students in almost eight hundred schools.

Independent Senior Schools offer approaches to education, subjects, facilities and sports unparalleled in the state sector – students can study History of Art, Government, Russian and Japanese, and try their hands at Astronomy, Ceramics or Equestrianism. They could be on their school judo or sailing team, and take trips all over the world.

Whatever your child’s particular strengths, passions and interests, there is almost certainly a school which can offer the chance to try all of them.

EDUC ATION

Why Heathfield is the right choice for ambitious girls with verve and spirit Boarding and day school for girls 11 – 18 years

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appy confident girls succeed – that’s the simple but powerful philosophy at leading independent girls’ school Heathfield in Ascot, renowned for its outstanding pastoral care and impressive academic success.

And it’s paying off - the school has achieved its best ever GCSE results in 2017, with 60% of students achieving A*-A and grades 7,8,9 in the new and significantly more demanding English GCSEs – an 11 per cent improvement on last year’s figures.

The percentage of top grades (9s and A*s) overall is up from 17% to a sparkling 27% this year.

At A level, eight in 10 girls (87%) achieved all A*-C grades in their A Level exams this summer, with more than half gaining all A*-B grades.

Students achieved well in both academic and vocational subjects, gaining places at a diverse range of prestigious destinations – from leading Russell Group universities such as Edinburgh, Exeter, Newcastle and Warwick to acclaimed arts and drama colleges RADA and Central St Martins.

“Heathfield celebrates talent and spirit so that everyone learns to be the best possible version of themselves - self-confident, resilient, articulate young women with ambition”, says head teacher Marina Gardiner Legge. “Our founder wanted Heathfield girls to ‘see the sky’. Whilst she meant it literally, I take it to be a metaphor to allow the girls to reach their greatest potential wherever their strengths lie – whether academic, artistic, sporting, musical or dramatic.

“We have put a particular focus on academic performance in recent years and these results –

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our best ever - show the hard work is paying off.

They are testament to the dedication and high expectations of our talented team of staff and the hard work and ambition of our students.”

The all girls’ school, founded in 1899, was in the vanguard of educational establishments advocating the theory that happiness equated with academic success and has always placed high importance on pastoral care accordingly.

A fulfilling and enriching programme of cocurricular activities and sport, music, drama and the arts ensures Heathfield girls have an holistic and inspiring education. Also strong in the arts, Heathfield is the only school in the UK to have a link with the world-famous London College of Fashion.

The school has a wide curriculum for a small school but is about far more than this. Its strength lies in its size - meaning every girl receives dedicated individual attention and is imbued with persistence, grit, confidence and the desire to achieve.

Standing in beautiful surroundings just outside Ascot, in a classic Italianate country house set in 36 acres, the school is conveniently located being just 30 miles from central London, 9 miles from the M4 and 5 miles from the M3 motorways.

Entry is at 11, 13 or 16. Scholarships are awarded for Academic, Art, Drama, Music and Sport at all three entry points. The school holds open mornings every term and private tours are also available. Please visit the website for details: heathfieldschool.net.

Heathfield School, London Road, Ascot, SL5 8BQ; 01344 898343

“The school has achieved its best ever GCSE results this summer with 60% of students gaining top A*-A and new 8-9 grades”

EDUC ATION

The world’s most exclusive boarding school

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t is known as the school of kings, counting among its alumni the Shah of Iran, Prince Rainier of Monaco and King Farouk of Egypt. Its catchment area was once the glittering palaces that housed the grandest families on the continent: the Metternichs, the Borgheses and the Hohenlohes.

But Institut Le Rosey, is now spreading its net to Britain. For the first time in its 135-year history, the prestigious Swiss boarding school has been recruiting gilt-edged pupils, aged 7 - 18, in London.

At £80,000 a year, London has become the city of choice for the world’s richest parents so is also home to the world’s richest kids. And it is they who have formed the target audience for Le Rosey’s recruitment drive.

There has long been a tiny British contingent at the school, making up five per cent of its 400 pupils. Sir Roger Moore and Elizabeth Taylor sent their children there. John Lennon’s son Sean studied there too, as did the Duke of Kent and Winston Spencer Churchill, grandson of the wartime Prime Minister.

Opened as a boys school in 1880 by Paul Carnal, in 1967 the school opened a girls campus. Classes are in French and English, in a system called “à la carte bilingualism”. The teacher-pupil ratio is an enviable 1:5.

Facilities include a 25m indoor swimming pool and Wellness Centre (including a sauna, steam bath and jacuzzi), a skate park, an open air theatre, 10 tennis courts, a shooting range and a 1,000-seat concert hall. Few other schools have their own 38-foot yacht on Lake Geneva, let alone a spa for stressedout pupils to unwind in at the end of the long school day.

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Off-campus students have unlimited access to an equestrian centre with 30 horses and 18-hole golf course. The winter term is spent in Gstaad, with lessons finishing by lunchtime so the children can hit the slopes for the afternoon. In spring, they head to the school’s Château du Rosey campus nestled on the site of a Gothic, 14th-century château in the village of Rolle on the shores of Lake Geneva. But for those who can afford the fees, perhaps none of this seems out of the ordinary.

The school is keen to stress it’s not just for those who have money but no brains. All pupils sit official external examinations - the International Baccalaureate (IB) or the French baccalauréat. Only those who can expect to get into university are offered a place . And only one in three applicants are accepted. Go to Le Rosey or, even better, marry another Ancien Roséen, as Old Roseans are called - and you’re set up for life. There’s an Anciens Roséens alumni programme and a strictly private directory that lets you network with other superrich old boys and girls. With that exclusive alumni network, along with the school’s fabulous settings and eye-watering fees, it’s hard not to agree with F Scott Fitzgerald: the very rich “are different from you and me”.

EDUC ATION

I got rhythm, I got music, who could ask for anything more?

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t St George’s School, Windsor Castle, the music never stops. A vibrant, energetic sense of rhythm permeates the very corridors as choristers, instrumentalists, choirs and teachers make music throughout the day: from the morning instrumental practice at 7am, to the boarders’ band rehearsals before bed at night.

The school was established in the fourteenth century to educate the choristers of St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, and to this day the choristers’ music sets a context where musical ability, study and performance are celebrated throughout a school, where every child sings and most play instruments.

What makes St George’s music so special?

It’s the mixture of old and new: whether the ages of the different pupils, the ancient buildings equipped with state of the art facilities, the immense beauty of traditional music in harmony with the latest compositional techniques, or the Chapel Choir performing in the same concert as an 8 year old trumpeter.

What is the best thing about being Director of Music at St George’s?

The boundless energy and enthusiasm of the pupils!

They never cease to amaze with their attitude to music-making in class, rehearsals and performances.

They combine an ever-flowing thirst for selfimprovement with an unending passion for music.

It means that no matter how long the day is, we all go home (or to the dorms) whistling a happy tune and looking forward to the next day’s return to school.

What musical skills do pupils learn at St George’s?

The most important thing is that children leave St George’s loving and understanding music – if you know how to do it, you can appreciate it much better!

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Nothing can replace actually reading music, but that doesn’t have to be dull or cumbersome.

Much like learning languages, we believe it’s about continually linking the theory with the practical in an arena of enjoyment: inspired by methods like Kodaly and Dalcroze, children learn the nuts and bolts of music through games, songs and activities, all underpinned by established musical and educational research.

At the same time, pupils learn many of the varied elements of performance skills. As a choir school, singing forms and informs a large part of what happens at St George’s, and many of the performance skills are gained through singing, especially lower down the school. Whether in everyday class music, regular evening concerts, services in St George’s Chapel, shows at Eton College, collaborations at London concert venues or choir tours in foreign climes, children enjoy, first hand, the thrill of presenting their music to audiences.

James Wilkinson Director of Music, St George’s School Windsor Castle If you would like to know more about joining the school as day child, boarder, chorister or music scholar, please visit the website: www.stgwindsor.org

education ATION EDUC

How to Create a Child Genius London parents are upping their game in pursuit of the perfect report card. From philosophy programmes to bilingual nurseries, we offer a guide for modern tiger parents.

SCHMOOZE OR LOSE As every London parent knows, your child is an extension of your personality: your little ambassador in the world. It’s not enough to hope that your children will be happy and well-adjusted. You need them to be happy, well-adjusted and much cleverer than the other children you know. That magical phrase ‘gifted and talented’ on the report card is so much classier than turning up at the school gates in Armani jeans and an Audi Q6.

All this may look like middle-class one-upmanship masquerading as parental love, but let’s be honest: there is no greater love. We’re alchemising our own insecurities into the parenting rocket fuel that means our children will never have to suffer such insecurities themselves. Want to build a child genius? Then swot up on this...

Katie Hopkins left the nation aghast after declaring she wouldn’t let her children associate with kids named Charmaine, Chardonnay or Tyler.

Nevertheless, ambitious parents do vet their kids’ pals. Perfect manners and a reading age of 15?

Good playmate. Chews exercise books and likes setting things on fire? Discouraged. Hence Maggie & Rose, the UK’s first private members’ clubs for kids, with two branches in West London. Members can enjoy endless soft play, cookery classes, dance classes — and excellent social opportunities.

OK COMPUTER The modern parent hip to Steven Johnson’s Everything Bad is Good for You, knows that not all video games don’t rot the brain: they give it an IQraising cognitive workout. Look at the brilliant way digital publishers such as Nosy Crow incorporate problem-solving into storytelling, while apps such as Reading Raven are engaging ways to get children into the world of words.

TUNE IN Studies consistently prove that children who learn music show greater increases in IQ than those who don’t; research has shown that listening to Mozart produces a measurable increase in spatial reasoning.

So seek out an instrument that will nourish your darling son or daughter’s mind and soul, and make your home intolerable during practice time.

DOUBLE UP Most London schools are attended by children who speak many languages. Naïve parents might think this is a good way for their child to pick up a few foreign words. Wrong. Instead, you want to aim for a nursery where they speak two languages deliberately, rather than lots by accident. French never hurts, and there’s a good number of French bilingual nurseries in London. To be extra chic, brave the waiting list for a place at the Azbuka Foundation’s Russian nursery in Richmond.

THINK OR SINK What could be more important than a five-year-old getting special help dealing with the things that are most fundamental to the history of Western thought. Most tots are struggling with whether ‘i’ comes before ‘e’. Get yours worrying instead about whether existence comes before essence. The P4C Co-operative (philosophy for children) – a 52 FEBRUARY 2018

worldwide educational movement launched in 1972 by the American professor Matthew Lipman — offers, for a modest subscription (£35), a range of philosophy-teaching online resources for kids.

ACT UP Drama lessons are very important for building confidence, imaginative play, empathy and those healthy feelings of hating six-year-old Amelia because she beat you to Cordelia in the school production of King Lear, so you ended up having to play Goneril. It’s tough out there: best get them used to it early. The media yummy mummies of Crouch End swear by Perform and its high-energy productions: each term builds to a full ensemble performance, backed by bespoke apps and a swishy online costume shop.

LEARN THROUGH PLAY There’s oodles of research supporting it. Chess, of course, teaches basic game theory and pattern recognition. And Scrabble offers vocabulary and simple maths. But bridge, as well as being an opportunity for parents and children to bond, encourages complicated strategic thought, memory and communication skills. Andrew Robson’s bridge club in Fulham does children’s lessons.

TEST TASTES As they say in computer science: garbage in, garbage out. It’s all very well making sure that your children eat well at home, but what about when they’re with other children? Unless your child is properly trained, they could easily be tempted to accept Haribo Tangfastics, Dairylea Triangles or worse. So educate your progeny early to question the provenance of food — a friend’s child, for instance, politely declines supermarket sausages and expresses a preference for Parmesan over cheddar.

HOMEWORK IT Everyone knows that the key to learning is partnership. It’s no use leaving your little darling to struggle through writing a poem or drawing a dinosaur without guidance — especially when he/ she thinks Triceratops and Trilobites lived at the same time and were both pink, or that one sentence in two merits an exclamation mark. Here’s the chance for your child to watch — little brain soaking it all in like a sponge — as you build a diorama of a PreCambrian habitat or correct that dear little sonnet from Shakespearean to Petrarchan.

EDUC ATION

THE 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

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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 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.

A safe environment 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.

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 well-rounded 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.

Development for today’s and tomorrow’s world 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.

EDUC ATION

EXCELLENCE IN MUSIC EDUCATION If you’re studying for your GCSEs and have a talent for music in any of its forms, a whole new kind of education awaits you.

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estled in the centre of Guildford, The Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) is dedicated to delivering excellence in music industry education.

In ACM’s incredibly unique environment, students are taught by some of the world’s very best music industry professionals, who serve as living role models for those who hope to one day enjoy a career doing something they love.

ACM’s pioneering syllabus offers the choice of three study disciplines: Music Performance, Music Production and Songwriting. Whichever discipline a student chooses, ACM will ensure that they develop creatively, technically and academically, as well as with good industry and commercial knowledge.

Providing the opportunity to obtain 168 UCAS points, which is the equivalent of three A* grades at A-Level, the internationally recognised Level 3 Extended Diploma qualification opens doors to studying a whole host of subjects (not just limited to music) at many different kinds of institutions in the future. Actually, though, more than 75% of ACM’s Diploma students choose to continue their studies with ACM (either through staying at their Guildford campus, or by moving to one of their other campuses in London or Birmingham, where ACM also operates Degree programmes from). Of those who do choose to continue their studies with ACM, their last government statistics release showed that 96.4% of Degree students were employed within 6 months of graduating from the institution.

ACM operates in partnership with East Surrey College to access government funding that pays for your studies, meaning that if you’re under 18, you’ll study completely free of charge. And for

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those students who are more creatively minded, it’s important to note that ACM is not a conservatoire.

They are not looking for perfection. Indeed, they believe that perfection (especially in the arts) is something that you should always be on the road towards, but never expect to achieve, as your own ambitions develop in parallel with your abilities.

Their curriculum is not ‘off the shelf ’. It is informed by their 23 years of delivering music education and is always reflective of the fast-changing music industry. Whilst term dates, timetabling patterns and contact time may resemble programmes offered by mainstream education providers, the assessment methodologies employed by ACM at this study level are vastly different, allowing their young creatives to develop to their full potential, free from the pressure of end-of-year exams.

ACM works with the biggest names in music and technology, from Apple to Zildjian, to provide state-of-the-art learning environments that inspire and enable creativity to blossom. Students share their classrooms with like-minded people who are similarly committed to pursuing a career in music and the wider creative industries. Representing every corner of the industry they one day want to work in, they are able to work together and learn by doing.

Want to know more? Visit www.acm.ac.uk or call 01483 500 841 to book in for an Open Day or Campus Tour, soon.

“ACM works with the biggest names in music and technology, from Apple to Zildjian, to provide stateof-the-art learning environments that inspire and enable creativity to blossom”

EDUC ATION

Private schools

should be praised for producing influential people

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A study by Debrett’s, the etiquette experts, reveals that two-fifths of the 500 most powerful and influential people in Britain went to private schools

rucially this cuts across all spheres of influence, including not only traditional careers, like business and politics, but areas like architecture and acting too: witness the amazing global success of Eton-educated Eddie Redmayne, still only 33, as Professor Stephen Hawking, in The Theory of Everything.

Of course private schools are always going to produce far more than their fair share of Society’s most powerful “players”. This is inevitable, given the fact that most successful people educate their own children privately; thus the system is guaranteed to be perpetuated, with success breeding success.

For example, high-flying parents will have all the key contacts, whether in commerce or theatre, to help ensure their own offspring have that first, vital helping hand up the career ladder.

Work experience slots inevitably go to the children of top business people or lawyers, for example as inevitably their parents have the contacts to find precious openings. And anyone who has been to a private school, whether big or small, famous or not so famous, will know that there will be many such high-achieving parents. Their added influence opens doors more easily and, crucially,

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“Private schools are always going to produce far more than their fair share of Society’s most powerful “players””

other pupils can also benefit from their contacts.

For example, successful parents are often instrumental in prompting high-profile acquaintances to visit schools as speakers: spending time with pupils and offering invaluable advice on “How to succeed” in the process. That way, everyone benefits from their expertise. This is indeed how the system works on a termly basis: little nudges here and there, but nothing too blatant or nepotistic.

Private schools are exceedingly good at producing successful pupils…

EDUC ATION

How freshers can get to grip with finances

With many students more likely to worry about money than their exam results, here’s how to be a high-flier when it comes to finances

HOW STUDENTS CAN MAKE A MONEY PLAN

Here are some tips for students from Endsleigh: Apps can help you manage your monthly spend. They tend to be simple to use and many are free.

Understanding what is spent where will make a big difference to having the funds for outgoings that matter.

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oing to away university for the first time can seem daunting for a variety of reasons. It’s also likely to be the place students get their first taste of what it’s like to manage their own money. Here’s how you can make the grade when it comes to swotting up on financial know-how:

MONEY IS A MAJOR CONCERN Money management is such a big concern among students that many freshers see it as more of an issue than how well they are likely to perform on their course, new reXsearch suggests. Many young people are living in their overdrafts week in, week out, the research found, with just under half (49%) of students with an overdraft saying they’re always in the red, while more than one in four (28%) regularly use their overdraft.

HOW STUDENTS CAN PICK THE BEST BANK ACCOUNT FOR THEIR NEEDS Students may need to look beyond their own campus and swat up to find the best deals, Rachel Springall, a finance expert at Moneyfacts.co.uk suggests: “As with any bank account, the best deal entirely depends on how someone uses the account for their daily expenses. Whilst students could be tempted by an account with perks, it may not provide them with the most cost-effective choice over the next few years if they don’t make use of them.” Interest-free overdrafts can be a particularly 60 FEBRUARY 2018

attractive feature of a student account. Springall highlights overdraft facilities of £3,000 offered by Halifax and HSBC. “Whilst living away from home and overseeing their finances may seem daunting, it’s worth remembering that most banks and building societies now offer ‘on the go’ banking. Mobile apps and online access can mean a branch on their doorstep might not be as essential as they may think.”

For those students who may need to travel often, Springall also highlights some incentives which could reduce the cost, such as a railcard available from Santander, or a coach card from NatWest: “It can be an expensive commute to visit family members or to fit in a mini break, so any savings to be made here will be highly attractive.”

Springall also cautions students against the temptation to slip too far into the red: “A sizeable overdraft can be all too much of a temptation and it needs to be repaid when students graduate, so using it sparingly is important.

“There are some accounts which spread the overdraft facility to students over the years of their study, which can be a much more sensible option for some.”

And after you graduate, it may be time for a re-think about who you bank with. Springall says: “Once students graduate they would be wise to compare the accounts available and not assume that their current provider would offer them the best possible graduate account.”

Talk about how you manage your money. Be open about what you’re doing with your friends.

Nearly everyone at uni is in the same boat, so if you need to swap a trip to the cinema for a cheap and cheerful movie night at home, they’ll understand. But likewise, if things start feeling overwhelming, don’t hide it. Talk to your parents or others close to you if you feel you’re not in control of your money.

Set up direct debits for bills. If you’ve got regular outgoings, set up a direct debit to pay for it.

Once you’ve got the essentials covered, you can enjoy that night out guilt-free.

Avoid nasty surprises with insurance. No one wants to be hit by a huge bill to replace a cracked smartphone screen or worse, having to replace a laptop that’s been damaged by a spilled cup of tea. Accidents happen, so be prepared with the right insurance that protects your possessions.

Make small savings. Once you’ve worked out your monthly budget, see how much you can afford to put aside regularly. Even if it’s only £20 a month, you’ll feel much better when it comes to someone’s birthday and you’ve got some money saved. Put a bit more away and you could be enjoying an end-of-first-year holiday with your friends.

EDUC ATION

Which school is best for your child?

A Tim Manly, Headmaster of Hurst College, addresses the issue of what parents should look for when choosing the best school for their child.

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mongst parents of school age children, I suspect that the vexed topic of “which school?” has taken over from all others on the dinner party circuit. Certainly, that is how it seems to me when I disclose what I do for a living.

Excellence in education comes in many shapes and forms – independent, state, academy, free, grammar, single sex, day, boarding, selective, nonselective, urban, rural, big, small, etc. There is a vast range and richness of schools available and no one definitive model which trumps all others. The key issue is - which school will be the best fit for you and your child.

Although the great names should give confidence in terms of quality standard, there is no single school which is right for every pupil. One can hazard that there are certain attributes which all good schools share and it is on these that parents should begin to base their choice.

First and foremost must be the quality of teaching and coaching available for every aspect of school life. Well-qualified, highly motivated and caring teachers are key. Good schools are able to attract, manage and inspire such individuals and number one amongst these staff will be the Head.

A Head can energise a Common Room and just as easily demoralise and destroy it.

The Common Room itself should ideally have a balance of ages and stages – the young and enthusiastic, the battle hardened and wise veterans, together with the ambitious young thrusters. There should be a healthy turnover of staff as some move on, to be replaced by fresh blood. The primary purpose is to provide a wide range of opportunities which are not restricted just to the elites. Genuine access for all children is vital to their development.

Find out how the B and C teams fare in fixtures. Do they receive decent coaching and a good match list?

Is the orchestra only open to those with a Grade 8 on their instrument? Is there a sufficient flow of plays and productions to involve a wide range of pupils in a wide range of activities? Will your child be able to get involved in every aspect of school life in a meaningful and rewarding way?

At Open Mornings, prospective parents will be

dazzled by the menu of activities on offer but do not be taken in. What does it matter to you and your child if a school wins every sporting/creative trophy in town, but your child is shut out? What is the ethos of the school? In a good school, it will be articulated clearly by the Head and instinctively absorbed and followed by the staff and pupils.

Does the school cater for the individual or is it only interested in the high achieving elite? Always be wary of a Head who trumpets the latest innovation, the latest success and league table position.

A good school is ambitious for all its children to achieve their own personal best in every aspect of life. Be wary of the school which is ambitious for itself or its Head. A good school will value your child for who they are and will make the most of them irrespective of their weaknesses. They will not solely exploit their key strengths to the school’s advantage, but will endeavour to extend them into other areas. Will the school encourage its pupils to take the initiative, make things happen, take risks and be intelligently independent?

School is not an end in itself but a springboard into a young person’s future. Schools must deliver on the academic side of life as those grades are key to opening the next door. Good schools also recognise the importance of developing an individual and those skills, qualities and values which bring their alumni success and happiness in later life. The best schools are those that have integrity, humility and a constant desire to learn, innovate and improve. Complacency and unthinking conservatism are the great destroyers of any institution.

So, which is the best school for your child? Go and visit. Take a mental checklist, look out for the signs. Your decision will be based on both the cerebral judgement and gut instinct of you and your child. Good schools have an indefinable buzz, openness and “can do” mentality which comes from pupils doing and achieving to the best of their ability, feeling happy and confident. Don’t be swayed by popular opinion but trust your own research and instincts. It is unlikely that these combined will be wrong. www.hppc.co.uk

EDUC ATION

Privately Educated People Dominate Top British jobs

The study, by the Sutton Trust education charity, shows that virtually every key profession is dominated by privately educated pupils grabbing the senior management/director positions

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heir grip on power is most noticeable in the judiciary, where 74 per cent of leading judges (those in the High Court or Court of Appeal) were privately educated.

Figures in the report also show that one in three MPs (32 per cent) was privately educated – as were half the members of the Conservative Cabinet.

Even in Jeremy Corbyn’s Shadow Cabinet, 13 per cent of members went to private school. Nationally, the figure is just 7 per cent.

The report, carried out by Dr Philip Kirby, goes on to show that 71 per cent of senior Army officers – two-star generals and above – went to private schools. Only 12 per cent attended comprehensives.

In medicine, 61 per cent of doctors were privately educated while 22 per cent went to selective state grammar schools and just 16 per cent to comprehensives. The list goes on – 48 per cent of civil servants were educated privately, 29 per cent

went to selective grammar schools and 23 per cent to comprehensives.

The higher echelons of journalism are also dominated by the private sector, with 51 per cent educated in independent schools. And of those chief executives of FTSE 100 companies who were educated in the UK, 34 per cent were privately educated.

Nearly half the top actors – 42 per cent of Bafta Award winners – went to private schools, fuelling criticism that the profession is becoming more elitist.

“Our research shows that your chances of reaching the top in so many areas of British life are so much better if you went to an independent school,” said Sir Peter Lampl, the chairman of the Sutton Trust. “As well as academic achievement, an independent education tends to develop the essential skills such as confidence, articulacy and teamwork, which are vital to career success.

fashion, HEALTH

& beauty – Fashion, health and beauty news to keep you looking and feeling your best – i mag e : W HI T E IN W IN T E R

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

[NEWS]

BEAUTY & FASHION “Ourver clothes are minimal in design aesthetic – simple everyday essentials”

SIMPLY CHIC Ourver products are carefully crafted to the highest standards using premium materials and an unparalleled attention to detail. They have no physical stores so can offer an honest price for premium quality products that have been produced in the same factories as some of the world’s leading luxury brands, each having generations of expertise and skilled craftsman who take pride in producing the garments. Ourver clothes are minimal in design aesthetic – simple everyday essentials, produced and sold ethically and honestly, timeless and designed with longevity in mind. Products that will serve you well, for many years to come. www.ourver.com

WE LOVE

These pretty sterling silver bangles and cuffs (£30, www.hersey.co.uk) and this penguin enamel pin (£7.50 www.chameleonwallart.com) which looks brilliant on bags or jackets.

TIED UP WINTER WARMER

This gorgeous bag tie is the perfect way to brighten up your favourite bag.

It’s limited edition andmade from 100% silk. Measuring 55x55 cm, it’s machine hemed and made in Britain.

A perfect accessory for any handbag. £30, www.in-spaces.com

These bed socks have been designed with those winter nights in mind, when you are curled up with your favourite hot water bottle in bed or on the sofa. 90% alpaca wool ,10% Nylon – they will keep you exceptionally warm. £15, www.heating-and-plumbing.com

HERE COMES THE RAIN AGAIN

Umbrellas are one of life’s little essentials (especially in the UK!) These folding umbrellas are neat and compact so perfect for a handbag, glove box or briefcase. Measures 25.5cm x 5cm when closed and opens to provide a canopy of 95 cm. Covered in our quirky ‘Cats and Dogs’ design it features black labradors, dachshunds, terriers, jack russells, pugs and some super cute cats. £24, www.sophieallport.com 68 FEBRUARY 2018

REVIEW

CELLCOSMET RADIANCE REVIVAL FACIAL REVIEW: OUR VERDICT Can a 45-minutre treatment refresh even the most lacklustre and tired complexion? We find out.

T

hree days after returning from a trip to New York, I was in the midst of jet lag hell. Bleary-eyed and exhausted, I couldn’t stop yawning, and my skin was duller than a misty Monday in January. If anyone needed something called the Radiance Revival Facial last week, it was I. Was my complexion beyond repair, however? I wasn’t convinced that 45 minutes was long enough to restore any semblance of radiance to my face, but my cares soon faded away as I snuggled under the blanket in the cosy, warm treatment room, and my facialist, Alison Williams, got to work.

She began by thoroughly removing my make-up and cleansing my skin with Cellcosmet Precious Mask (the facial uses exclusively Cellcosmet products), before using the Dual Action Exfoliant, which thoroughly scrubs away skin cells with jojoba beads and papaya enzymes, while steam helped to open my pores and release all the yucky pollutants and grime that get trapped inside.

Next up came the extractions (for the uninitiated, that means squeezing your pores, basically), a process I normally hate, and often have to politely decline, but Alison was so gentle I didn’t even mind. When she applied a day cream packed with Cellcosmet’s exclusive skin-forming actives and gently massaged it in, I hit peak relaxation - in fact I actually dozed off (the sign of an expert facialist I always think, not just extreme jet lag).

Finishing with serum and eye cream, the treatment was over all too soon, but I was quickly perked up when I saw the results in the mirror.

Plump, perky and glowy skin had miraculous replaced the pallid complexion I’d walked into the treatment room with.

Of course, it’s not cheap (what facial is these days?), but for instant results and intense relaxation in the process, this treatment is worth its weight in gold.

Katie Wright experienced the Cellcosmet Radiance Revival Facial at Holistic Health Lab in London. Treatments are available nationwide with prices starting from £130 for 45 minutes.

For more information, visit Cellcosmet.co.uk.

FEBRUARY 2018 69

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

“Dr. Peter Forrester and Ms. Helen McEvoy strongly believe that as qualified doctors of medicine, their experience and scientific training allow them to look critically at the treatments on offer”

This year looks bright with Profhilo Dr Peter Forrester continues to be impressed with the results that Profhilo gives

D

r. Peter Forrester and Ms. Helen McEvoy strongly believe that as qualified doctors of medicine, their experience and scientific training allow them to look critically at the treatments on offer. They can then guide patients towards making voluntary and informed choices.

As medical experts they recommend procedures and treatments that are suitable, are endorsed by scientific research, and most importantly, are proven to be effective and safe. They can then deliver these procedures and treatments, together with the highest standards of care.

Introducing Profhilo – An innovative approach to skin rejuvenation Profhilo is a unique rejuvenation product for the face, neck and décolletage, being unlike any other skin treatment on the market.

Profhilo is designed to significantly improve skin laxity, texture and lines by stimulating collagen and elastin production. This effect combined with increased hydration will produce a subtle lifting and tightening effect.

Although Profhilo is composed of Hyaluronic Acid (HA) it is not a filler and is aimed at achieving a very

different effect from all the currently available HA fillers such as Restylane, Juvederm or Belotero. It will not add excessive volume and hence there is no risk that a Profhilo treatment will result in an obviously filled or ‘pillow face’ look.

It is manufactured by IBSA, a long-established and highly reputable Swiss company and was first launched in Italy in 2015 and subsequently in the UK in January 2016. As of December 2016, over 150,000 treatments have been performed.

A Profhilo treatment is quick and easy. Just 5 small injections of Profhilo are administered to each side of the face. Discomfort is minimal and other than the possibility for a small bruise there is no downtime.

There will be an initial increase in hydration but the main effects will build over the next weeks. A second treatment must be given 4 weeks later to maximise the beneficial effects.

Dr Peter Forrester always looks critically at new treatments and never jumps on the bandwagon of new treatments until he has had time to evaluate the often exaggerated claims made by manufacturers and some other practitioners. Having been using and evaluating Profhilo since early summer he believes it is a safe, effective and innovative product.

Dr. Peter Forrester and Ms. Helen McEvoy offer: Non Surgical Treatments • Anti-wrinkle Injections - reduce frown lines and crow’s feet.

• Dermal Fillers - smooth deeper lines and furrows as well as returning lost volume to the face.

• Thread Lift - minimally invasive procedure where surgical threads are used to lift and support cheeks, jowls and neck.

• Facial Peels - helps to return a healthy glow to dull tired skin.

Peels also reduce fine lines, wrinkles uneven skin tone, acne and scarring.

• Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) - natural anti-ageing skin rejuvenation treatment using small amounts of recipient’s

6 Esher Park Avenue, Esher, KT10 9NP | Tel: 01372 890890 | enquiries@cosdocs.co.uk | www.cosdocs.co.uk 70 FEBRUARY 2018

Introducing Jennifer Luyt Dr. Peter Forrester MBBS FRCA

With over 20 years experience in non surgical cosmetic medicine, Peter specialises in minimally invasive facial anti ageing treatments.

Dr Peter Forrester & Ms Helen McEvoy welcome Jennifer Luyt, an exciting new addition to their team in Esher Jennifer brings to us 40 years experience in the high end beauty therapy industry and, has practiced as a Senior Medical Aesthetician for the last 11 years.

blood to improve the skin’s texture and to reduce lines and wrinkles.

• Facial Thread Veins – we remove thread veins affecting the nose cheeks and all area of the face.

• Hyperhidrosis – an effective treatment for excessive underarm sweating • INTRAcel – uses radio frequency and micro needling to improve the tone and texture of the skin. It also tightens to reduce sagging, wrinkles and fine lines.

INTRAcel helps to improve stretch marks and scarring.

• Advanced skin care - ZO range of concentrated formulas delivers rapid results. A unique skincare regime will be formulated by Dr. Peter Forrester to ensure the best possible outcome.

Ms. Helen McEvoy MSc MA MBBChir FRCS (Plast)

Helen is a Consultant Plastic Surgeon based at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ hospital and she consults privately from her rooms in Esher.

Having developed a vast depth of treatment based knowledge, her natural empathy and integrity are a fabulous asset to our clinic.

Her treatments include: • INTRAcel - radio frequency micro-needling for improving facial tone & texture • Intense Pulsed Light IPL - for pigmentation, rejuvenation and rosacea • Facial Thread Veins • Facial Peels • Milia & skin tags • Advanced skincare 6 Esher Park Avenue, Esher, KT10 9NP Tel: 01372 890 890 enquiries@cosdocs.co.uk

Discreetly situated just off the High Street www.cosdocs.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2018 71

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Why are so many people opting for the Vegan Boob Job?

In Conversation with Cosmetic Surgeon Of The Year – Fulvio Urso-Baiarda

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he latest innovation guarantees the most natural looking results, less pain, quicker recovery and a more contoured result.

Leading the industry on this advanced technique in the UK is Cosmetic Surgeon Of The Year - Fulvio Urso-Baiarda What is the Vegan Boob Job? Many women want to get their breast shape and volume back, particularly after having children, but are put off breast implants by the thought of having a foreign material inside their body. They are often good candidates for a Vegan Boob Job, which is a surgical technique that enhances breast size and shape without the use of breast implants.

72 FEBRUARY 2018

Is it the same operation for every patient?

There are three types of Vegan Boob Job, and the one you will be recommended depends on what needs to be done. In its simplest form, it involves taking fat from one part of the body and grafting it into the breasts. Fat is removed by a form of liposuction that has been modified to keep the fat cells as healthy as possible. At this point there will be the added advantage of contouring the body from where the fat is removed. For patients who need it, a breast uplift is performed at the same time - this is the second type of operation. The third and final type additionally involves an ‘autoaugmentation’, in which part of the breast is shaped into a living breast implant. With these techniques

“It is possible to get results that resemble the use of breast implants without using any foreign material”

Complimentary Mini Consultation * Enquire about availability quoting Eterno-Vegan T : 01753 866826 W : eternoplasticsurgery.com

it is possible to get results that resemble the use of breast implants without using any foreign material.

Does it last?

That is the question I hear most often. In short, yes - grafted fat is permanent. Not only that, but it never ‘forgets’ where it came from, so if fat is grafted from your hips to your breasts, and in future you put on weight that would have gone to your hips, instead you will see that weight gain in your breasts.

What are the advantages?

The biggest advantage is that there is no need for breast implants, which avoids implant-specific risks, like capsular contracture, rippling, implant visibility, implant infection and the need for implant exchange later on. The other big advantage is the lack of scarring. In comparison to implants the scarring is minimal and in some cases there are almost no scars. The technique is very discreet.

that they have never had breast implants!

*Terms and Conditions Free mini consultations are 10 minutes in duration with Mr Urso-Baiarda.

Limited spaces available and are allocated on a first come, first served basis. One mini consultation per person.

Offer to be taken by 30th April 2018.

Location to be advised by Eterno Plastic Surgery at the time of booking. On booking please quote the code ‘Eterno Vegan’.

Are there any disadvantages of this technique?

Of course, and for some patients I would recommend a standard breast augmentation over it.

Any other thoughts?

Yes! Please could I quickly plug a charity I would like to support, called Smalls for All? It is my chosen charity after my time in Sierra Leone.

Wearing underwear in some parts of Africa is enough of a symbol of wealth, status and power to reduce the risk of a young woman being sexually assaulted. If you’re having surgery you’re probably looking forward to some new underwear, so please pass on your smalls!

What about the downtime?

I find the downtime similar to that for standard breast augmentation with implants. In my practice, this means patients generally stop needing painkillers around day three or four. I recommend that patients warn their employers that they will need a week off work, although in practice the recovery is often a bit quicker than this.

What are so many patients choosing this more discreet technique?

A lot of women choose this because they want to live a healthier and more natural life whilst also looking great, and breast implants don’t fit in with their personal philosophy. Others have had breast implants and would like to have them taken out, but aren’t prepared to be much flatter-chested after years of having a fuller shape. Others also tell me that if they are ever asked if they have had work done to their breasts, they can reply unashamedly FEBRUARY 2018 73

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

Your Time to Sparkle Make an entrance this year with Hair and Beauty from Academy Salons

Hair by Yesmin O’Brien for Balmain Paris Hair Couture Photography Jack Eames Make up Liz Patey Styling Darren Knight

HAIR ENVY Treat yourself to a new hair style, cut, colour or added volume.

BODY CONFIDENCE Take away the stress of the party season with some pampering, a full body massage and finish with a spray tan, manicure and pedicure.

TREASURE YOUR FACE Shaped brows and added lashes means eye opening and instant de-ageing - also enjoy a full makeup session for that special evening.

All the Academy Salons are committed to helping you look and feel your very best this New Year. We believe haircare is an essential part of a tip-top lifestyle. To help us achieve the most beautiful and up to date results we use the best products available in the industry today. Products include Balmain Paris Hair Couture Styling and Care, Alterna, Living Proof, Paul Mitchell and Dermalogica. We also offer the very best added hair service in the area with Balmain Paris Hair Couture, and are currently the holder of Southern UK Extensionist of the Year. We are also delighted to announce our four new on-trend colours Smokey Grey, Silver Grey, Slate Blue and Grey Lavender.

To ensure the outcome of our services achieve optimal satisfaction - a complimentary, thorough consultation to discuss each client’s individual needs and desires is conducted with every appointment. We then strive to exceed our client’s expectations.

Academy for all your Hair and Beauty needs.

• Cut • Colour • Blow Drying • Added hair for length • Added hair for volume • Colour without chemicals • Deep conditioning

treatments • Hair Ups • Bridal Service • Tanning • Nails • Facials • Massage • Waxing

THE DETAILS

10 The Green, Hersham, Surrey KT12 4HL T: 01932 252 464 42 High Street, Cobham, Surrey KT11 3EB T: 01932 864 929 105 Hare Lane, Claygate, Surrey KT10 0QX T: 01372 462 724 91 High Street, Esher, Surrey KT10 9QA T: 01372 466 400 81 Queens Road, Weybridge, Surrey KT13 9UQ T: 01932 852289 www.academysalons.com www.balmainhair.com Academy Salons - finalists for the British Hairdressing Business Awards 2016.

Visit any of our 5 Academy salons to view the amazing Balmain product range.

74 FEBRUARY 2018

Blue Velvet, the home of contemporary and Luxury footwear direct from the heart of Europe.

Always one step ahead, they have established themselves on their quality and first-rate service.

Visit Blue Velvet Shoes at 174 Kings Road, SW3 4UP or call 020 7376 7442 buy online www.bluevelvetshoes.com

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

WHITE IN WINTER W

hile black dresses may have been making the headlines over in the US, as stars banded together at the Golden Globes in support of the Time’s Up campaign, back home we’ve been seeing celebs kitted out stunning all-white ensembles that are making us rethink the pale hue.

Everywhere from award dos to the Celebrity Big Brother launch - yes, really - stylish ladies of all ages have been proving that lighter shades shouldn’t just be confined to the summer months, and that the American adage, ‘don’t wear white after Labour Day’ (meaning September), is patently false.

Inspired by a host of fashionable females, here are four chic ways to wear white in winter...

Suits Trouser suits have been making a massive comeback in fashion recently, the once fussy form of tailoring now a viable option day or night.Take your cue from models Arizona Muse and Ashley James by choosing a longline jacket and teaming it with wide-leg trousers to give your look a relaxed feel.

Add a pop of colour with crimson lipstick or bright court shoes.

La Redoute Collections Cotton Mix Jacket, currently reduced to £35.40 from £59; Wallis White Blazer, £50, and Wide Leg Trousers, £40 (available from February); Next Ecru Wide Leg Trousers, £45

La Redoute Cotton Mix Jacket, £35.40 (was £59), available from La Redoute

Dresses

V By Very Divine Pointed Mules, £32, available from Very

76 FEBRUARY 2018

It can be tricky to pull off a white dress without looking like you’re attempting to upstage an unsuspecting bride, but actresses Phoebe WallerBridge and Charlotte Hope prove that it can be done, and done well. In fact, a white dress is the coolest way to do black-tie right now, and if that means shopping from the bridal department, so be it (unless you are actually a wedding guest, in

Reiss Hetty Belted WrapFront Coat, £190 (was £295), available from Reiss

Dorothy Perkins Off-White Amelie Wedding Dress, £150

Next Ecru Wide Leg Trousers, £45, available from Next

“Follow Meghan Markle’s lead and wrap yourself up in an ivory trench, combining minimalist elegance with floaty femininity” Karen Millen Cotton Trench Coat, £299, available from Karen Millen

Monsoon Henrietta Embellished Short Bridal Dress, £349, available from Monsoon

which case steer well clear). Sleek accessories and understated jewellery complete the look.

Monsoon Henrietta Embellished Short Bridal Dress, £349; Dorothy Perkins Off-White Amelie Wedding Dress, £150

Coats

All images: PA Photo/Handout

If white is an uncommon fixture in your wardrobe, but you’re not keen on a big overhaul, the best way to incorporate it is through outerwear.

Follow Meghan Markle’s lead and wrap yourself up in an ivory trench, combining minimalist elegance with floaty femininity. Not only will it keep you cosy while temperatures plummet toward the minus numbers, but as the ultimate neutral, it’ll complement all your pre-existing outfits, making a bold statement without any risk of clashing.

Reiss Hetty Belted Wrap-Front Coat, currently reduced to £190 from £295; Karen Millen Cotton Trench Coat, £299

Shoes Dip your toe in the trend - literally with some sharp white leather heels.

These playful Celine mules have been spotted on everyone from the Kardashians to teen actress Millie Bobby Brown, and now the high street has got in on the act too, so you can get a pair without the designer price tag.

Hugo Boss Pointed-Toe Mules, £269; V By Very Divine Pointed Mule, £32

Wallis White Blazer, £50, and Wide Leg Trousers, £40, available from Wallis

FEBRUARY 2018 77

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

CONFIDENCE- BOOSTING HAIR AT HEADMASTERS

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he first Headmasters salon opened in Wimbledon Village in 1982. With dedication and commitment to our core values of combining premium hairdressing and amazing service, Headmasters grew into an international salon group with 56 salons that are committed to making each and every person who enters their salons the best version of themselves.

The beauty world moves fast and Headmasters constantly introduces new treatments, blow-dries and colouring techniques to keep you ahead of the latest trends and innovations. The Headmasters blend of exquisite cutting, beautiful colouring, catwalk-quality finishing and charming, devoted

You can also join the Headmasters VIP Club!

It is completely free to join, and you can benefit from 25% off every appointment between MonFri 9am-4pm and 10% off at all other times.

This offer is not valid with any other offer or for under 16’s. T’S & C’s apply.

Read the VIP Club FAQ’s and terms and conditions on the website.

Book your appointment today by calling 0345 459 7700

customer service, means you can relax safe in the knowledge you are in the hands of experts.

Headmasters invest in the highest quality colourants that won’t damage your hair and will leave it super shiny and glossy. All of their stylists and colourists are trained to the very highest standards and they have more L’Oreal Master Colour Experts than any other salon group.

Every colour at Hadmasters is bespoke. Book a complimentary colour consultation today where our expert colourists will find the perfect colour to suit you.

Book your couture colour today 0345 459 7700 www.headmasters.com 78 FEBRUARY 2018

For more details, and to find your local Headmasters salon visit www.headmasters.com

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

GET THE LOOK:

UPGRADE YOUR PONYTAIL WITH THESE CATWALK-INSPIRED STYLES

By Katie Wright

P

onytails: The lazy girl’s answer to everyday hairstyling or a glam option for going out-out? We used to think the former, but then we clapped eyes on the AW17 catwalks and saw the humble hairdo in a whole new light. From polished perfection to crimped and voluminous, these ponies are anything but boring - and they’re easy to do yourself, you just need the right tools and techniques...

The crimped ponytail ‘Rebellious’ was a major buzzword among hair stylists backstage at the shows, and GHD is tapping into the trend with the launch of a nostalgiainducing hair crimper. Party like it’s 1995 with this fashionably frizzy ponytail, created by Zoe Irwin, GHD brand ambassador: 1. Using a paddle brush, work hair smoothly to the back of the head, keeping in line with the jaw bone and tie with an elastic.

2. Spray hairspray on the palms of your hands and smooth over the surface of your hair.

3. Take a section of hair from underneath the ponytail and wrap it around the base to cover the

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elastic, securing with a pin.

4. Taking thin sections of your ponytail, place the crimper at the top and clamp firmly for four to six seconds. Release and clamp again immediately below, continuing down the section. Complete this step on the whole ponytail using the same technique.

5. Brush through your ponytail using a paddle brush to soften the texture.

6. Lastly, spray hairspray on your fingers and tease out for added fullness.

You will need: GHD Contour Professional Crimper, £95; GHD Final Fix Hairspray, £9.95 GHD Contour Professional Crimper, £95

GHD Final Fix Hairspray, £9.95

Tresemme Salon Finish Freeze Hold Hair Spray, £5.49

Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Mousse, £5.49

The super-sleek ponytail Mirror shine and not a hair out of place - that was the brief at Carolina Herrera and Oscar de la Renta in New York (the city that basically invented the term ‘polished glamour’), with Eudon Choi and Shrimps following suit in London. Louisa Day, T3 UK brand ambassador, reveals how to get the look: 1. Prepare hair with a heat protector spray, blow-dry, then straighten, focusing most attention on midlengths and ends.

2. Using a tail comb, create a sharp centre or side parting. Brush hair into a low ponytail at the nape of the neck, ensuring the crown is flat. Secure with a band.

3. For an extra sleek look, work a small amount of smoothing lotion into the palm of your hands then smooth down flyaways.

You will need: T3 Singlepass Luxe Straightener, £145, House of Fraser; Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection, £19.35, FeelUnique; KMS TameFrizz Smoothing Lotion, £17.50, LookFantastic

Moroccanoil Heat Styling Protection, £19.35

KMS TameFrizz Smoothing Lotion, £17.50 T3 Singlepass Luxe Straightener, £145

All images PA Photo/Handout

The imperfect ponytail Still neat, but more relaxed, and a little bit wispy, this ponytail - as seen at Jason Wu and Burberry - is the most versatile of the lot. “Enhancing your hair’s natural texture will personalise the look, making it unique to you,” says Holli Smith, New York Fashion Week ambassador for Tresemme, as she talks us through the look: 1. Starting with freshly washed, damp hair, apply a small amount of mousse and evenly distribute throughout the hair for control and added texture.

2. Divide the hair into four equal sections and blow-dry, making sure to leave the ends with their natural texture.

3. Create a middle or deep side parting that is not perfect and slightly messy, leaving out a few wisps to frame the face.

4. Brush hair back towards the nape of the neck to create a very low ponytail. Spritz with hairspray before continuing to comb hair back with fingers, minimising the appearance of perfectly brushed hair.

5. With your chin down, secure hair in a very low ponytail with an elastic. Finish by blow-drying out of the ends of the ponytail to elongate and volumise slightly.

You will need: Tresemme Beauty-Full Volume Mousse, £5.49, Superdrug; Tresemme Salon Finish Freeze Hold Hairspray, £5.49, Superdrug

FASHION, HEALTH & BEAUTY

FIGHT FRAZZLE AND FATIGUE WITH THE BEST WELLBEING APPS TO DOWNLOAD THIS WINTER Calm: calm.com If you’re looking for a beginner’s guide to meditation, Calm is the place to start. It has a huge range of guided mindfulness programmes designed to help with a whole checklist of mental health issues: from managing stress and anxiety in the workplace to improving disrupted sleep. The meditations are created with all kinds of different lifestyles in mind, so whether you’ve got a full half an hour or just three minutes to spare, you’ll always be able to squeeze the practice into your day.

Relaxtopia: iTunes

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ake the stress out of mindfulness and meditation with our update on the apps you need to download now. The busy nature of modern life means finding the time to look after yourself isn’t easy. Realistically, most of us don’t have the luxury to spend 15 minutes wolfing down our breakfast in the morning, let alone the time to roll out a yoga mat and meditate in the lotus position. Thankfully, there’s been a revolution for frazzled smartphone owners: new technology is making it easier to get a slice of peaceful reflection while on the go. From sleep trackers to meditation methods, here’s how to make your downtime more mindful this season.

Sleep Cycle: sleepcycle.com Once we bragged about all-nighters, but now getting enough sleep has never been trendier. To help you measure the quality of the hours you’re clocking, there’s Sleep Cycle. This omniscient app monitors your nighttime habits from your bedside table and uses its findings to gently nudge you awake at the least disruptive time possible (a definite upgrade if you’re still relying on the iPhone’s shrill clarion call). The morning after, it’ll present your sleep patterns to you in easy-to-understand graphs and detailed notes, so you can further obsess over your unconscious bedtime habits. Fascinating stuff.

Happify: my.happify.com Run out of reasons to be cheerful? You really need to download Happify. This self-improvement programme believes positivity is a skill you can both control and learn over time, through levelled activities. Users can brain-train their way to a more fulfilling life by scoring points on a checklist of games that draw on psychology, mindfulness and CBT techniques, designed to boost mood on a longterm basis. If nothing else, it’s a significantly less stressful alternative to Candy Crush.

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If you don’t have the patience for meditation but you’re looking for some calming sounds to zone out to while answering emails, there’s an app for that. Think of Relaxtopia as the Spotify of ambient noises, with a library of soothing sounds inspired by nature. Next time you’ve got a deadline looming, block out your noisy colleague’s conversation about the weekend’s X Factor result and type away to the sounds of Zen gardens, rain and thunder.

10 Percent Happier: 10percenthappier.com Bestselling author Dan Harris’ meditation app has carved out a niche for those interested in mindfulness, but “allergic to woo woo”. Don’t expect to burn incense or chant in Sanskrit during the sessions. Instead, you’ll get simple daily meditation practices delivered straight to your device, led by some of the most respected mindfulness gurus in the game - like Joseph Goldstein and George Mumford. The video lessons will teach you the essentials of the practice in simple, layman’s terms - without the need for hackneyed spiritual lexicon. Easy peasy.

“If you don’t have the patience for meditation but you’re looking for some calming sounds to zone out to while answering emails, there’s an app for that”

JOINTPAIN?

Get it seen to quickly at JOINTPAIN? the Ascot Primary Care JOINTPAIN?

Get it seen to quickly at the Ascot Primary Care Joint Pain Clinic.

Joint Pain Clinic.

Get it seen to quickly at Our clinic runs on Saturday mornings between 9am and the Ascot Primary Care midday. Your 30 minute consultation with a specialist Joint Pain Clinic. musculo-skeletal doctor will include: clinicif runs on Saturday mornings between 9am and • UltrasoundOur scan required midday. Your 30 minute consultation with a specialist • Opinion and management advice musculo-skeletal doctor will include: • Ultrasound• guided injections at the clinic Ultrasound scan if required • Opinion andbe management • Further imaging can arrangedadvice locally if required.

• Ultrasound guided injections at the clinic

Patients may self refer.imaging Referrals accepted from GPs, • Further can also be arranged locally if required.

Physios, Osteopaths and other Health Care Professionals.

Patients may self refer. Referrals also accepted from GPs, Physios, Osteopaths and other Health Care Professionals.

Our private services will help you get to the cause and private services will help you get to the cause and treatment of Our your joint pain more quickly. treatment of your joint pain more quickly.

Phone 01344 588844 Phone 01344 588844

for an appointment or Phone 01344 588844 for an appointment or email winifred.pereira@nhs.net for an appointment or

Email winifred.pereira@nhs.net

Email winifred.pereira@nhs.net

Ascot Primary Care Joint Pain Clinicat Radnor House Surgery & Ascot Medical Centre, Ascot Primary Care Joint Pain Clinic Gate 3, Heatherwood Hospital, Kings Ride, Ascot SL5 8AA at Radnor House Surgery & Ascot Primary Care Joint Pain Clinic Ascot Medical Centre www.rhsamc.co.uk

at Radnor House & Hospital, Kings Ride, Ascot SL5 8AA Gate Surgery 3, Heatherwood Ascot Medical Centre Gate 3, Heatherwood Hospital, Kings Ride, Ascot SL5 8AA Edward Williams final poster.indd 1

Edward Williams final poster.indd 1

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14/12/2017 12:28

OUTDOOR LIVING

HOME &

PROPERTY

– A collection of Surrey and Berkshire’s finest house and garden companies, plus stunning homes for sale in the area – I M AG E : CH A R L I E K INGH A M K I T CH E NS

H OME & PROPERTY

[NEWS]

INTERIORS GORGEOUS CUSHIONS napoleon bee

The Napoleon Bee cushion in some ways encapsulates the work of Glaswegian design house Timorous Beasties being as it is a collection of simple antecedent parts melded into a sophisticated new whole.

From the lush pile of the velvet, to the deep Oxford border of the case, to the welcome imposition of the screen printed bee itself this confection has become the closest thing a cushion gets to becoming a classic. Available in a range of beautifully vivid colours the Napoleon Bee is an oversized friend to understated sofas everywhere. £108, www.rume.co.uk

MAKE A STYLE STATEMENT

Living It Up take inspiration from the Art Deco era in their new Ezra bed; a stunning centre-piece for a high glam Hollywood boudoir. The Ezra is an upholstered bed with a distinctive Art Deco headboard.

Upholstered in luxurious European fabrics, the Ezra takes a classic retro design and brings it up to date with Living It Up’s superb build quality and high levels of comfort. Their extensive fabric range is perfect if you are looking to inject some colour and style into your bedroom. Available in a range of 53 different upholstery colours and finishes. £890, www.livingitup.co.uk

NEW COLLECTION FROM ESCAPOLOGY Add an industrial edge to your colonial styled home with the Bay lighting collection from Escapology.

Featuring three designs including a chandelier, wall light and flush ceiling mount, each light in this range can be used inside and outdoors, which is perfect for keeping your home looking co-ordinated throughout.

Simple and rustic, the collection was inspired by the American Colonial look, which infuses both urban and rural styles into a setting, making these lights suitable for a variety of decorating trends. www.escapologyhome.com 86 FEBRUARY 2018

wild wallpapers Woodchip & Magnolia create and manufacture unique wallcoverings including the latest design collaboration with Cowboy Kate and Surface Pattern graduate Jess Howard.

Beetle Jewels in Silver/Grey, £99. www.woodchipandmagnolia.co.uk

BAY CHANDELIER £690,

BAY WALL LIGHT (small), £180

ABSTRACTION Available in 3 sizes, and a choice of faux suede, canvas, or linen fabric, this blue abstract cushion is printed onto durable, machine washable canvas. Based on an original abstract fluid painting by Louise Mead. £20, www.louisemead.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

DECOR DESIRES:

All images: PA PPhoto/Handout

Treat your home to a new look for the new year. showcases her top picks.

Gabrielle Fagan

NEW INTERIORS TRENDS TO TRY THIS YEAR

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n this fast-moving world, anyone who reads magazines, browses Pinterest, Instagram and their favourite decor blogs, knows there’s a dazzling (and sometimes confusing) array of ideas out there to inspire our style.

To make it easy, we’ve identified three key new spring/summer trends - Artisan, Natural and Luxe that you can shop on the high street. So not only will these looks all add ‘va-va-room’ to your home, but they won’t break the bank, as these top finds show...

Alresford Chair in Yellow Mustard Velvet, £399, Atkin & Thyme

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Get a weave on Be inspired by creativity and craftsmanship sourced from around the world and take your home into a new decor destination with an ‘artisan’ theme.

“I love those little variations that make artisan textiles and ceramics unique - that’s why this trend has such staying power,” predicts Jakki Pay, home design director at House of Fraser. “We’ve sourced a patchwork of techniques, from mark-making to hand-stitching and tactile fringing. It’s our very own celebration of global craftsmanship, so expect natural materials, tribal prints and plenty of earthy, sun-dried colour.”

“When creating this interior style, don’t be afraid to be bold,” advises Claire Hornby, creative stylist, Barker & Stonehouse. “Opting to layer rugs in stripes and patchwork patterns across your living or bedroom space is a simple and guaranteed way to create interest from the ground up. This adventurous streak can make its way to your sofa - select scatter cushions in contrasting fabrics, designs and hues, which can really work if you stick to complementary earthy colours. Celebrate wanderlust by proudly displaying your collected art and accessories, to remind yourself there’s a whole brilliant world out there.”

Shiva Tiger Cushion, £28, House of Fraser (Available mid-February

Palm Tree Candle Stick £30, Linea, House of Fraser (Available mid February)

Take A Leaf Out Of Nature Hampton Large square Pouffe, in Velvet Pine Green, £229, Made.com

Take a leaf out of nature Mirror the elegance of the natural world and its palette - the ‘natural’ trend is all about organic structures and tactile finishes.

“Way back in 1984, Dr Edward Wilson termed ‘biophilia’ as the ‘innate sense of belonging to the natural world’. Now, 34 years on, this sense of belonging will be entering our homes, with wallpapers, window blinds and other decor. This trend is also about nurturing the planet and sustainability,” says Alex Whitecroft, head of design at I Want Wallpaper. “Some key looks will be living walls, plant/tree bark designs, vegetation and the creation of tech-free spaces, because this look is all about immersing oneself in nature. That means an abundance of greenery and vegetation, whether real or faux. It’s about promoting a sense of wellbeing through our obsession with the natural world.”

“People are asking more of their homes.

Scandinavian-style simplicity is still strong, but it will be joined by a desire for understated opulence, with rich velvets, brass accents (replacing last year’s copper) and different stone finishes,” says Cornelia de Ruiter, CEO and co-founder of Homewings.

“Marble, velvet and mid-century pieces are adding a touch of luxury and smaller accent pieces, like pouffes and ottomans in rich shades, are helping to add colour to homes.”

Cane Lantern, small £30, large £4, House of Fraser (Available mid-February)

Aluminium Tray Table, grey, £140, Out There Interiors

Marble-effect table lamp, white, £30, George Home

Layer on the luxe Counterbalance the rapid advances of technology with luxury items and a subtle colour palette that projects elegant timelessness; a core essence of the ‘luxe’ trend.

“To some extent, all trends draw their influence

Collet table lamp, brass, reduced from £69 to £59, Made.com

from the past, and this look celebrates history and heritage. There’s a sense of ‘looking backwards to go forwards’, which translates as a fusion of retro and modern influences,” says Lorna McAleer from Style Studio. “Colours are classic and modest - for example, mix burgundy and warm brown colourways with mellow neutrals. Team items with sleek, modern blinds to stop a scheme appearing stuffy.”

“To maintain the more minimalist and paredback styling, try not to overload your look,” says Claire Hornby. “Opt for a base palette of neutral and natural tones to help elevate the opulence of metallic accents. Consider placing perfectly formed, geometric objects next to natural free-formed elements, such as wood or crystals, for a wonderfully eclectic effect.” Alternatively, make it tropical and lush with exotic detailing such as palm prints; Biba at House of Fraser has some great pieces.

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H OME & PROPERTY

New Deco Winter Collection for Flexible Living Spaces Reinvent your space at home this winter with the new Urban Flex Collection from British designer, Icon®

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he lightweight and portable furnishings from the latest seasonal range are easily lifted and moved, encouraging spontaneous conversion of spaces at home, for any occasion.

Icon head of design and development Allison Chatten said: “We focused on modern, everyday life at home as it is now, and more importantly, what it will be like in the future.

“According to The Guardian, by 2020 91.1% of the UK’s population will live in urban areas, making living environments much more cramped. Spaces dedicated to specific occasions like the dining room, play room, or office will become near extinct, and the seamless conversion of one living space to fulfil multiple uses will become much more valuable.

“The Urban Flex Collection provides intelligent furniture solutions that allow people to re-invent their living spaces with ease. Lightweight, portable and convertible designs allow any nook of the home to transform into a play space, a sophisticated social space, or a cosy reading corner without the need for storage. We want people to make the most of their spaces in terms of style and usage.

“The Urban Flex Collection has been created to anticipate the needs of busy lifestyles and urban living spaces, whilst also looking and feeling luxurious and stylish.”

In addition to the minimalist and multi-functional design elements, the Icon Urban Flex Collection is infused with this season’s most luxurious trend: decadent glamour of the 1920s and 1930s.

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Richly textured fabrics of luxury deep pile velvet are mixed with dramatic midnight bloom prints and classic Chanel tweed inspired patterns for an eccentric and opulent expression.

The complementary blend of on-trend heritage style mixed with contemporary design makes this savvy collection an ideal solution for urban living this winter.

The Origami Pouffe from the Urban Flex Collection is a unique and intelligent design that offers multiple uses within, as well as being easy to lift and move around multiple spaces.

Celebrating everyday life at home through innovative and unique furnishing design, the Urban Flex Collection offers a new experience for the way we live. Limited product samples for experience review purposes are available on request from the press team. www.beanbagbazaar.co.uk

WINTER LIGHTING TRENDS

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CIRCUS PENDANT

CIRCUS PENDANT

BEADS

THE MEMBRANE

Whether found in the kitchen, living area, or entrance hall, modern pendant lighting is central to spaces that bring people together and celebrate the social side of life.

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t Innermost we know the importance of getting the right unique pendant lights for your BEADS interior. Whether choosing contemporary pendants for a modern space, or something more classic for a traditional interior, there are plenty of options to create show-stopping home decorative lighting.

We thrive on taking unique ideas and creating beautiful, thoughtful and innovative lighting pendant displays. To create a real impact, don’t be afraid to have fun with scale and use oversize pendants or multiple sizes and colours. Here are our top examples of pendant light fixtures that steal the show.

The Membrane by design by Jette Scheib for Innermost is a stunning and unique pendant that is very versatile for residential interiors. Here, it is hung low over the dining table, reflecting light so that the punctured glass catches the attention.

Sometimes less is more, and this Scandinavian contemporary interior is perfectly accented by the neutral tones of the grey Circus pendant. Here, one simple statement piece provides perfect home decorative lighting.

This residence in Hannover, Germany, uses the classic Circus pendants in a close cluster, using a

variety of sizes to create an excitingly unique display of modern lighting.

For a total showstopper look no further than Beads, which has been used in this apartment in London to accent the feature colour: orange.

With their highly reflective finish and intriguing bulbous forms, Beads are the pendants guaranteed to add luxury to any interior.

This beautiful house in Connecticut oozes style with Stupa being used for an unique modern lighting display.

Be brave and add a cluster of colourful pendants to instantly make an innovative and show-stopping feature in a space with high ceilings.

“We thrive on taking unique ideas and creating beautiful, thoughtful and innovative lighting pendant displays” If you want to brighten up a contemporary home, don’t be afraid to mix and match unique pendant lights in various colours. This jolly interior has Snowdrop suspended in a row as a rainbow of colour. Bringing vibrance to the space as well as providing beautiful lighting, this installation is a great way to bring STUPA fun into home decorative lighting.

Check out www.innermost.net for even more lighting ideas that will make your interior the most appealing place to be this winter.

H OME & PROPERTY

Storage solutions

for a calm and stylish home With creative fittings and a few good habits, any space can be streamlined and sorted. The Remodelista experts reveal how. WORDS: Sam Wylie-Harris

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ho says storage can’t be stylish?

And for a sense of calm and control, Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick, the authors of Remodelista - a new book packed with ultra-slick organisational tricks to deploy all over the house also suggest embracing some ‘Daily Rituals’, little habits that often take no more than a few minutes but can have life-changing effects.

For instance, studies suggest that people who make their bed every day are not only more rested than non-bed-makers, but happier, healthier and more successful. Opening your mail every day is another of their tips, to avoid that dreaded build-up

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of unsorted life admin that can weigh heavily on the mind (and clog up drawers!).

Along with handy storage tactics - such as ‘Hang It’, ‘Cart It’, ‘Label It’ and ‘Tray It’ - the book sets out to illustrate how, with clever lay-outs and fittings and adopting a few simple habits, being sorted and tidy can be aesthetically-pleasing and make a huge difference to our wellbeing, even when space is tight.

So whether you need to know how to make the best of a compact kitchen, or want to edit your wardrobe ready for the new season, here are five ways to make an art out of order and live better through organisation, with the help of our designminded friends at Remodelista.com...

“Studies suggest that people who make their bed every day are not only more rested than non-bed-makers, but happier, healthier and more successful”

A Shaker-style entry A storage-lined open foyer is a great, versatile option for busy households. Taking inspiration from the Shaker use of peg rails to hang all manner of things, all you need to assemble your own version is a sliver of hall off your front or back door.

Why it works: Pegs close to the entrance help ensure kids’ bags land in the right spot (parents’ bags on other end), designated coat pegs offer a place for each family member, a Shaker-style hanging shelf provides a home for small items, a chalkboard marks daily reminders, and an Ikea Tjusig Bench (fROM £35, Ikea.com) doubles as a shoe rack.

The ultimate compact kitchen A small workspace can still make good use of open and closed storage: Cookware and dishware are concealed behind cabinet doors, and a clever storage rail keeps often-used tools close at hand but off the counter.

Why it works: Stacked dishware and decanted pantry goods maximise cabinet space, S hooks and metal clips hold kitchen scissors, coffee filters etc, trays anchor the counter, a small hanging basket holds utensils and a print adds an artful touch - a small detail that makes a big difference.

The instant cocktail party

clothing. Canvas bins, wire baskets, cardboard boxes and metal dividers - most from office and kitchen supply departments - make the shelf storage much more efficient.

Why it works: Jumble-preventing bins and baskets create discreet storage zones on open shelves, piles of jeans, sweaters and T-shirts limited to six per stack, metal-rimmed paper key tags serve as labels on bins and baskets and allow for easy sorting, glass fronted drawers are a bespoke detail worth copying (they protect shoes while enabling you to see what you’ve got), and an industrial kitchen stool provides a place to put on shoes, drape clothes and reach high shelves.

An elegant all-in-one laundry cupboard This compact laundry has birch plywood shelves and drawers for all the essentials. There’s also room for general cleaning supplies, electronics and a foldup ironing board tucked into the side, which can be hidden behind closed doors.

Why it works: Laundry detergent is decanted and stored in a stainless steel dispenser, a galvanized metal bucket holds household cleaning supplies in a portable kit, laundry essentials are sorted by function in a combination of shelves and drawers, and the hard-to-reach top shelf is put to good use as a home for Wi-Fi equipment.

Tips extracted from Remodelista: The Organized Home by Julie Carlson and Margot Guralnick, photography by Matthew Williams, published by Artisan Books, priced £15.99.

Available now.

Let’s face it, you’re more likely to throw an impromptu drinks or dinner party when your tabletop elements are kept at the ready in one place.

A kitchen or dining area drawer is especially handy for this kit.

Pro tip: Store the items on trays so you can lift them out for quick delivery to the table - and then use trays for serving.

Preparedness kit: Bar tools comprising corkscrew, bottle opener, jigger and mixing spoon; candles, tapers and tea lights, matches, ice bucket, glasses, serving trays, ready-for-the-table flatware in leather pockets, cloth napkins rolled into napkin rings.

A well-ordered wardrobe A fashionista’s dream - fitted with floor-to-ceiling storage, this space holds a wardrobe’s worth of FEBRUARY 2018 95

H OME & PROPERTY

Home is where the art is

It could be argued that we’re all artists, snapping away with our mobiles and generally enjoying a more visual world, but all too often our ‘work’ ends up unseen

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hotographs of family, friends and holidays are commonly left lingering on laptops and phones, instead of being out on display. What could be easier than dressing your walls with personal photos and artwork for an instant injection of personality?

Traditionally, the walls of ancestral homes were hung with elaborate paintings of family members, and now, the modern, affordable equivalent is photographic family portraits.

There are lots of ways to display photographic wall art. Individual shots can be blown up into high-impact images and displayed as a focal point.

Another successful approach is for each family member to be shot separately rather than as a group - which captures the perso nality of the various individuals, then each can be framed and the prints grouped together on a wall. Create a gallery in a hallway or corridor - use matching frames in the same size and hang them in rows to draw your eye along the space.

The great thing about adding art to your home is that it can be done on practically any budget.

Whether it’s investing in a painted piece of furniture or framing old postcards or vintage prints, creating a cool, cohesive look is simple, effective and a great way to bring a home to life.

Wall murals, once so naff, have won back their

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style credentials. There is a huge range online of foreign landscapes, feature shots and famous views from the Pyramids to the Eiffel Tower.

Alternatively, opt for a gentle, bucolic effect with a watercolour landscape. Kicking convention out the window and displaying images you really love will result in walls that speak volumes about your taste and way of life.

A vibrant or quirky piece of artwork adds a splash of personality in an instant. If hanging prints isn’t quite your thing, consider utilising shelving space and carefully display framed artwork on it, or simply put prints on the floor and lean against a wall. For an inexpensive, imaginative touch, use your children’s artwork - the more abstract and playful the pictures, the more striking the display will be.

Don’t be afraid to put a larger picture next to a smaller one, but perhaps balance it by having two or three small pictures taking up the same space as the larger one. A series of different sized pieces can look striking when carefully spaced and hung at the same mid-point, but allow each one enough room to breathe. Don’t be tempted to hang paintings or prints too close together.”

Art now comes in all shapes, styles and sizes, giving the opportunity to use your creative flair and illustrate your interests and personality in your own home.

“A vibrant or quirky piece of artwork adds a splash of personality in an instant”

H OME & PROPERTY

exploring the benefits of underfloor heating You have a steaming hot shower or a relaxing soak in the bath… the last thing you want is to step out onto a cold floor.

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igh comfort levels, together with low running cost and environmental benefits, have resulted in a growing demand for underfloor heating systems.

Underfloor heating is the most comfortable form of heating because it is largely radiant, and completely unobtrusive Some people estimate that this gives an average of 15% more usable space in a room. It is completely safe and more hygienic than radiators. And more energy efficient.

Energy efficiency Most new buildings can be kept warm with heating power in the range 35 to 75W/m2, which can be achieved with floor-surface temperatures of just 24 to 27°C. The maximum floor temperature should not normally exceed 29°C, although up to 34°C is acceptable for bathrooms.

An underfloor heating system uses water at a much lower temperature than that required by radiators, making it ideal to be fuelled by alternative energy sources such as solar or geothermal energy. Depending on the conductivity of the floor, the water needs to be between 40 and 60°C to reach the design floor temperature. By contrast, radiators generally require the water to be at 70 to 80°C.

comply with Part E of the Building Regulations.

Screed Before the screed is laid, edge insulation should be set all round the periphery of the room to allow for thermal movement in the screed during the year. The heating pipe is fixed to the top of the insulation, just before the screed is laid. The pipe should generally be set at 200 mm spacing.

This is close enough to guarantee best heating performance and minimises the length of pipe needed. The pipe can be stapled to firm insulation and fixed with screw clips to soft insulation.

Another option is system plates. These vacuumformed plastic panels have moulded pipe grippers to hold the pipe securely and at regular spacing.

Timber floors (floating) Panels of insulation are used to support a timber floor deck. This is normally formed from tonguedand-grooved panels of chipboard or plywood.

Floating-floor panels with pre-cut pipe channels and factory-fitted aluminium heat diffusers are available to be used instead of plain insulation panels to support a fully floating deck. These purpose-build panels have a higher conductivity and help minimise downward heat loss.

Floor types

Timber battens, joists and I-beams

If the boiler cannot supply the water at the required temperature, it is necessary to add a water-mixing control unit to reduce the water temperature before it enters the underfloor heating system.

There are forms of underfloor heating to fit every type of floor construction (screeds, fully floating timber floors, battened and joisted floors), as well as floor constructions that incorporate acoustic components required to

Battens are used where the floor loadings are to be higher than can be supported by a fully floating floor or where the floor deck is to be formed from planks to be nailed down to a support. Softwood joists are commonly used in intermediate floors, although manufactured I-beams are often used because they can be stronger and are more stable dimensionally.

Pre-fabricated batten/joist panels are available from Wavin to fit between battens and automatically space these at nominal 400/600 mm centres or to be fitted between softwood joists. Underfloor heating is easy to install. The mechanism for fixing pipe or heating cable into the floor is simple.

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“A water underfloor heating system can sit beneath pretty much any type of flooring”

H OME & PROPERTY

Executive Home Office Design

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he essence of an executive home office is inspirational space, which combines work with pleasure. Productivity and function matter but so does your enjoyment of a high quality environment.

Quality and elegance are personal concepts, depending on the art, colour and spirit of place we each enjoy. We would still recognise excellence in the choice of another.

Morgan Stewart Interiors design and build executive home offices, across the UK and beyond to embody this feeling. Creating naturally productive spaces, which are a pleasure to enter.

Balancing Key Elements As with a commercial office, we want to understand how you use your home office. Our designers consider your workflow, the items you like to have at your fingertips, IT and communication requirements.

This is not a reason to sacrifice function for form, or reduce light and space. The basis of good design is to resolve functionality needs with ideas led by your vision for your personal space.

Colours you favour, or materials you enjoy around you are primary factors. Subtle additions which make you feel at home should be included, along with how your office fits into your property.

You may have a substantial, separate space available, or wish to blend a smaller home office into the overall ambience you enjoy. Privacy and a devoted workspace can be achieved with either.

Furnishing Your Home Office An executive home office should feel like a place you want to work and may need to look as professional as you do. If you meet clients, colleagues, or contractors at home.

Comfortable seating arrangements are important for this need and for you. A fine office chair is one of the shrewdest investments you can make, for productivity and for your long term health.

If you need shelving, or storage this should blend subtly into the design, rather than being in the way. Traffic flow apart, every ancillary furnishing item is there to serve you, not the other way around.

The centrepiece of your space may well be 100 FEBRUARY 2018

an executive desk. Carefully chosen to meet design needs and to match the way you work, the methodology you employ for paperwork, or multiple screens.

Morgan Stewart & Personal Service Making an office at work feel individual can matter, far more so for your office at home. Our designers work closely with you to ensure, your personality and taste are clearly reflected.

From warm tones you love, to flooring of your choice, to featuring artistic pieces, the office we build will be yours. Our job simply to make your wishes reality.

Every executive home office we design, shares a principle. They are unique because you are, your approach to work, your need to merge work with an individual home.

Morgan Stewart Interiors design staff are highly experienced, they are happy to offer advice and innovative solutions. Their task still always begins with listening to you, the home office you want is personal.

Please contact Andrew or Stewart for a coffee and a chat. www.morganstewartinteriors.co.uk

“Making an office at work feel individual can matter, far more so for your office at home. Our designers work closely with you to ensure, your personality and taste are clearly reflected”

H OME & PROPERTY

Get the Shutter Look

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eautiful Plantation Shutters are a striking style statement, while also offering a perfectly practical addition to your home.

A versatile window covering, shutters can be used on a variety of shapes, angles and arches, they are easy to maintain, can be used even in humid environments and have a timeless elegance.

We speak to Simon Broadhurst of Just Shutters to find out how we can get the perfect look and feel in any room.

The Perfect Bay Shutters are the perfect way to make a design impact while retaining the character of a bay window. Shutters maximise the light and enhance the features of a bay; by avoiding heavy and cumbersome fabrics you will open the room up and make it appear larger. Unlike less substantial materials, shutters do not bleach or fade in the sun, they are easy to maintain, and couple practicality with style like no other product available.

Brilliant Bathrooms Shutters are simply brilliant in humid environments, where curtains may become mouldy and blinds may

warp, shutters offer a hardwearing and beautiful solution.

Stunning Shapes There is nothing quite like a striking shaped window or door to set off a view just perfectly, however, many window coverings can fit improperly and detract from the shape and elegance of such a feature. Shutters on the other hand are bespoke and made to fit any shape, enhancing the beauty and style, by perfectly mirroring every shape and curve, making the very most of your stunning shaped windows. Our huge selection of materials, finishes and louver sizes mean that whatever your room, your taste and your style, we have the perfect solution for any shaped window.

Fabulous French Doors Create a lovely snug feeling in the winter, or a light, bright open look in the summer - bringing the outside in! Another reason many people are opting for shutters at their French doors is the feeling of security they bring. Often exposed, rooms with large expanses of glass can become a private sanctuary.

Blissful Bedrooms Create the perfect sanctuary for restful evenings and lazy weekend mornings, our shutters provide the ideal ambiance any time or mood.

These are just some examples of how beautiful Plantation Shutters can give your home a makeover, for more inspirational hints, tips and a gallery full of stunning images to capture your imagination, please visit www.justshutters.co.uk or call on 01932 500 270 and we will be delighted to help you further.

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Exquisitely designed kitchens C harlie Kingham has built a reputation for exceptionally well designed bespoke cabinetry. From the classic handmade English style furniture right through to the shaker kitchen, their wonderfully unique and exclusive signature luxury kitchens combine traditional cabinetmaking craftsmanship with the latest technology. Although initially London based, they have experience with projects completed worldwide and are proud to announce their first venture outside of London, with the opening of their second showroom nestled right in the heart of Guildford’s town centre. With such an impressive space, they have skilfully and effortlessly incorporated a wonderful selection from their main collections on offer within the new Guildford studio.

The ‘Kingham collection’ is their classic shaker style kitchen, which is produced using their oldest and most traditional joinery techniques.

The ‘Marylebone’ style is their genuine bespoke option, showcasing the cabinetmakers artistry in all its finest glory. We cannot forget to mention their newest venture, the ‘Shoreditch collection’ an edgier reinterpretation of the classic shaker style of cabinetry, referencing the use of industrial and reclamation influences from the recent surge in warehouse and loft apartment renovations.

The kitchen has evolved to be become the most used room in the home; we love to spend our relaxation time in these wonderful rooms.

Charlie Kingham, have embraced this amazingly unencumbered lifestyle with their very own exclusive and creative evolution of the traditional kitchens and their format. Their cabinetry designs

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encourage this way of living and maximise all that is needed to create the perfect ambience for your new “Heart of the Home”.

Although often quoted and referred to as the ‘Shaker style’, quintessentially our hand painted English kitchen cabinetry has over the years developed it’s own unique and simply beautiful signature look that transcends trends, fads and time. The subtle and utilitarian detailing that was traditionally hidden away ‘downstairs’ in the staff work kitchens of our historic houses is really not something everybody quite gets but those that do will always love and cherish the beautifully understated charm to be found in a bespoke kitchen.

Why stop there, Charlie Kingham has opened the doors to exquisitely designed Utility and Boot rooms to match and compliment shaker style cabinetry throughout. As well as utilising their experience with traditional cabinetry, they offer personalised and bespoke options for the bedroom and bathroom.

Always striving to keep the often quoted shaker ethos, “Don’t make something unless it is both necessary and useful; but if it is both necessary and useful, don’t hesitate to make it beautiful”, they welcome the challenge of the more unique projects that regularly come their way.

It is always best to call ahead or make an appointment to arrange a full consultation with a member of the design team.

The new showroom can be found at 8 Chertsey Street, Guildford, GU14HD. www.charliekingham.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

MODERN RUSTIC STYLE The Winchester Tile Company (part of Original Style) launches its newest modern rustic range - Elements

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he Elements range consists of two separate collections of beautifully glazed English brick tiles (Panorama and Origins). The products boast gorgeous new shades - from subtle neutrals to daring, jewellike tones of green and blue - uneven surfaces with a smooth or textured finish, as well as stunning depth and variation of colour. Irregular, unique, infinately varied - it’s all part of the beauty of these hand crafted tiles.

The Origin collection elicits a sense of new

beginnings; each tile has an artisanal feel and comes in five neutral tones - perfect for creating a modern rustic look. With Panorama the uniqueness lies within the softness of the glaze, which allows for the feel of the bisque to come through each layer, resulting in a speckled look. The shades chosen for this collection are inspired by the striking colours of the English countryside - from the blues of the sea to the earthy greens and warm browns of British landscapes. www.originalstyle.com

N O W off s O N 50% tem LE to d i SA p ecte U l se

H OME & PROPERTY

Fabulous floors from Turgon

As we enter the New Year, and new interior design trends emerge, we are left undecided as to which bits of furniture to keep that we recently purchased. Typical.

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ell, we can tell you one thing. Your wooden floors going nowhere.

Your furniture may change, and you can dabble all you want with colour schemes for walls etc. but your wooden floors going nowhere. The interior industry experts tell us that the interior fashion is leaving the minimalist Scandinavian features behind, and we are moving forward maximalism and rich earthy colours. And nothing else shows the natural earth tones better then a wooden floor.

Just like everything else in the interior design industry, the wooden floors market will change its shape and tones as well.

As predicted, in contrast with previous years where we used to see more pale white and deep grey tones and mostly planks, the future shows rather a different trend. We are going back to classic wood patterns and designs. This tells we will be looking at more herringbones , chevron and custom made 108 FEBRUARY 2018

patterns. The bright side of this trend is, it will last forever, because classic doesn’t mean boring and these floors have shown their uniqueness since forever. They will never be out of trend, you just have to play around with the colours.

Talking about colours, the future seems bright, rich and colourful. Even though the natural tone of the wood will remain the most famous, we are happy to see more rich tones such as orange brown that give that warm heritage that we’ve been missing. Walnut, cherry and natural oak are already trending.

This year we will be seeing more reclaimed wooden floors. Recently we have discovered historic reclaimed woods that have been on the bogs for thousand of years, and they have shown to be a perfect reclaimed wood solution for the future because of their strength and density.

Once again, keep your wooden floor, they will last forever in fashion. www.turgonflooring.co.uk

H OME & PROPERTY

Stylish flooring ideas for your bathroom Finding the perfect floor design for your bathroom will add the finishing touch to your brand new look.

A bathroom floor needs to be both durable and stylish to meet all of your needs and should give your bathroom a strong and solid foundation.

W

ith so much choice available, it can be hard to decide on one option.

Take into consideration your daily routine and lifestyle: Do you have children who will need a slip-free and hardwearing floor? Or do you have a glamorous and grown-up bathroom suite that requires an equally chic floor?

Don’t be afraid to try unusual materials, such as wood, which can work well in a bathroom, despite any concerns you might have about the humid conditions affecting the wood. Try hardwood, laminate or PVC flooring to get the same effect, but without the damp results. Floors in marble, granite or polished concrete will also create a dramatic effect and lend a chic, polished finish to your bathroom. These are all hard-wearing materials that will look stunning and last for years.For something truly unique, try cork or rubber. Popular in the 1960s and 1970s, cork is back in a big way and is one of the most eco-friendly floor options around.

Rubber is warm, waterproof and easy to keep clean, so a great option for anyone with children. Solid

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wood or laminate floors aren’t usually suitable for bathrooms as the humidity will cause the material to discolour, swell and warp. But hardwood floorings, such as teak and bamboo, can work well (doublecheck with the manufacturer first) and engineered wood and bathroom-specific laminate - made with PVC - are designed to withstand moisture.

“Don’t be afraid to try unusual materials, such as wood, which can work well in a bathroom”

H OME & PROPERTY

The Listed Property Show 2018 Olympia, 24th & 25th February

T

he Listed Property Show returns to Olympia to celebrate its 12th year in 2018. Organised by The Listed Property Owners’ Club (LPOC), the show brings together the industry’s best all under one roof, to save you money, time and stress.

If you are maintaining, renovating or conserving your listed home – or even looking to buy one – The Listed Property Show is not to be missed!

You can gather more information for your listed property in one weekend than you can through months of personal research. Bring your plans and drawings, or hypothetical plans, to talk through with the expert exhibitors.

Show features include: • Advice on all aspects of owning a listed property including buying, surveyance, VAT, grants, maintenance, energy efficiency, insurance and legal issues.

• Ask The Experts – Put your questions to the largest ever panel of leading industry professionals including Conservation Advisors, planners, experts in VAT and insurance, architects, solicitors and leading names from Historic England. Nowhere else will you find such an extensive range of

expertise in one place.

• Independent Conservation Advisors for stress free one-to-one conversations.

• Over 150 of the country’s leading suppliers to listed buildings.

• Advice on hypothetical plans to alter your building.

• A full interactive lecture programme.

• Architects, planners and caring builders.

• Practical demonstrations including plaster work, wood carving and flint walling.

• Insider knowledge on furnishing your listed home with antiques and period pieces.

• Plus, the whole Listed Property Owners’ Club team will be on hand for you to meet!

TICKETS Tickets for the show cost £10 in advance, or £15 on the door.

Under 16’s go free.

LPOC members will receive 2 free tickets.

If looking to purchase advance tickets, LPOC are also offering a discounted annual membership at £48 (usually £60) which means you will receive 2 free tickets to the show plus the rest of the membership benefits for the year!

MORE INFORMATION For more show information and to book your advance tickets, please visit www.lpoc.co.uk or call 01795 844939 Facebook: www.facebook.com/ TheListedPropertyOwnersClub Twitter: www.twitter.com/Listed_Property

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H OME & PROPERTY

NEW YEAR, NEW HOME WITH CALA IN SURREY T

he start of a new year is a time for looking ahead so what better way to start afresh than securing a brand new home.

For professionals and families looking for contemporary living, idyllic surroundings and outstanding commuter links to the UK’s capital city, CALA Homes’ Imber Riverside development in East Molesey and Virginia Gate development in Englefield Green could be just the answer.

Enjoying a tranquil location in beautiful landscaped gardens with views of the River Ember, Imber Riverside is located in the highly desirable suburb of East Molesey and offers modern, spacious homes which perfectly encapsulate the high quality specification and craftsmanship that has become synonymous with CALA. Providing quick and easy rail connections to London Waterloo in less than 25 minutes from nearby Esher Rail Station, Imber Riverside really does provide the best of both worlds for contemporary family living.

Buyers can enjoy scenic riverside walks, explore the historic treasures of Hampton Court Palace, including the world famous maze and gardens.

Nearby Bushy Park, has an abundance of wildlife and a popular café, and for family fun, Hampton Pool boasts impressive open-air facilities. Hurst Park is home to historic East Molesey Cricket Club and Molesey Boat Club is widely considered to be one of the best places to row on the Thames. Every single Imber Riverside resident will also receive a year’s membership at Imber Court Sports Club next door, which has a swimming pool, well-appointed gym and a wide variety of fitness classes.

Schooling in and around East Molesey is excellent too, with a wide range of independent and state schools to choose from, such as The Orchard and Thames Ditton Infant Schools, St Paul’s Catholic Primary and Esher College. With so much on offer, Imber Riverside provides an exciting opportunity for prospective house buyers to toast 2018 in their brand new home.

With a great deal of experience in creating

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attractive new homes that blend seamlessly into the locations they are built in, the homes at Virginia Gate are no exception. The luxury development on Wick Road features a crescent of three, four and five bedroom family homes close to Virginia Water Lake and Savill Gardens in Windsor Great Park.

With an idyllic setting which is perfectly placed for enjoying outdoor activities including picnics, cycling and horse riding, like Imber Riverside, Virginia Gate offers the best of both worlds for professionals and families looking for a forever home in a picturesque setting which still allows them to embrace the hustle and bustle of city life just a short commute away.

Well connected in every way, London Waterloo is situated less than 45 minutes by train from Egham station and under 50 minutes from Virginia Water.

With superb motorway links and quick and easy access to Heathrow terminal 5 for jet-setting at a moment’s notice, homeowners are never far away from the bright lights of the UK’s capital city.

For young families, Virginia Gate also offers exceptional state and private schooling with St Cuthbert’s Primary, Bishops Gate Preparatory and ACS International, which is classified as a ‘Centre of Excellence’ all nearby. The world renowned Royal Holloway University is also within walking distance.

Alison Deakin, Sales and Marketing Director for CALA Homes (Thames), said: “Our reputation for quality and customer service, together with the location, design and high specification of our developments is proving to be a winning formula.

Both Imber Riverside and Virginia Gate offer all of this and more and with a brand new showhome now open at each development, we would like to invite interested purchasers to come and see for themselves the exceptional lifestyle on offer.

“What better way to start the New Year than planning a move into your brand new home. With Part Exchange available at both developments, it couldn’t be easier to reserve your dream home at Imber Riverside or Virginia Gate in 2018.”

For more information, visit www.cala.co.uk.

“Enjoying a tranquil location in beautiful landscaped gardens with views of the River Ember, Imber Riverside is located in the highly desirable suburb of East Molesey and offers modern, spacious homes which perfectly encapsulate the high quality specification and craftsmanship that has become synonymous with CALA”