Sept full mag pressready

The Ridings Woodfield Lane Essendon, Herts AL9 6JJ

EDITORS LETTER

Tel : 0844 800 8439 Fax : 01707 655 718 www.thelifemagazines.com Email: peter@fishmediagroup.co.uk Editor Faye Manning Assistant Editor Katie Miller Sub Editor Alex Lux Fashion Editor Kitty Shead Contributors Maureen Cole John Ruler John Bly Bruce Edwards Jack Smith Regan Maloney Design & Production Creative Bonfire hello@creativebonfire.co.uk Photography Adam Swaine Accounts Kathy Manning Ken Fleet Business Development Managers Tim Lees Lisa Westerman SALES Vanessa Lane Anita Hill

The Happiest day of your life……

W

e welcome all of our readers to the Autumn Brides Special issue. We are sure that after the disappointing August weather we can bring a little sunshine into your lives by featuring a stunning wedding dress on our front cover and the AUTUMN BRIDES SPECIAL as our main feature. This stunning dress is part of a sublime collection by the exciting designer Clinton Lotter, to see their full range please visit www.clintonlotter.com It was photographed by Stuart Weston and you can see this incredible collection at Blackburn Bridal in Blackheath www.blackburnbridal.co.uk So if you are getting married or know someone who is going to ‘tie the knot’ then our AUTUMN BRIDES SPECIAL will prove a great help with tips, advice and suggestions from local experts to help you make the very most of your special wedding day.

In this issue we also focus our attention on helping parents choose the right school for their children in our EDUCATION LIFE Private and Independent Schools Guide. This supplement is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education and we are sure that this definitive local guide will help you make the right choice for your children.

In the September issue we are, once again, encouraging you and the family to get out and about more this Autumn. We have highlighted a wide variety of local events at many local venues including:- The Ightham Mote, Hole Park, National Trust, Orchard Theatre, Chatham Dockyard and many more, plus our highly popular Whats On guide.

As you will see there is so much for you to read and enjoy in the September issue.

Until the October issue…

DIRECTORS Peter Smith Rory Smith Patrick Smith All Rights reserved. All Fish Media Group Ltd magazines are copyright and cannot be reproduced in any form either in part or whole without written permission from the publishers. Whilst Fish Media Group Ltd takes every reasonable precaution, no responsibility can be accepted for any property, services or products offered in any of our publications and any loss arising. Whilst every care is taken with all materials submitted to all of our magazines the publisher cannot accept the loss or damage to such material. The Fish Media Group Ltd reserves the right to reject or accept any advertisement, article or material prior to publication. Opinions expressed are strictly those of the authors and do not necessarily repr sent the views or policies of Fish Media Group Ltd. We accept no liability for any misprints or mistakes and no responsibility can be accepted for the content of these pages.

You will be pleased to know that you and your friends can now read our magazines online at www.thelifemagazines.com

To advertise contact: Tim Lees on tel: 07944 129393 or Peter 077111 43342 or email: Tim on tim@fishmediagroup.co.uk www.thelifemagazines.com

| SEPTEMBER 2015 3

LOCAL LIFE

Whats On...

SEPTEMBER 2015

Gingham Goose Craft Market Is a popular market offering handmade, quality products direct from the producer. Approximately 35 craft & food stalls & a delightful tea room serving homemade soups, savouries cakes & refreshments.

FREE Entry. 10:30 am-4.00pm. 12th Sept, 10th Oct, 14th Nov & 12th Dec. Hayes Village Hall, Hayes Street, Hayes, Bromley, Kent BR2 7LE. Tel: 07534 447988. www.facebook.com/ginghamgoose Jane Taylor Gig One off appearance in Orpington by singer/songwriter/guitarist on her latest UK tour.

Start 20.00, price £10. Panacea Coffee House, Orpington High St, Kent, BR6 0JW. Sunday 20 Sep 2015. Tel: 07801 089375. www.janetaylor.co.uk Sidcup Symphony Orchestra Orchestral Concert supporting Cancer Relief given in memory of Tom Bewsey OBE, Founder Member and President of The Sidcup Symphony Orchestra. Conductor James Ross. Programme to include:- Rossini Overture, The Thieving Magpie Gounod Judex: Mors et Vita Liszt Piano Concerto No. 2 (Soloist James Willshire) Beethoven Symphony No. 5.

Starts 7.30 p.m. Tickets at £12 & £10. Children & students half price.

St. John’s Church, Church Road, Sidcup, Kent, DA14 6BX. Sat 10 Oct 2015. Tel: 020 8300 3268 or 01322 557458 www.sidcupsymphony.org.uk Portico Gallery Launches a new web site event on the 20th September, 2015 from 11.30am to 2.00 pm. Delicious canapes and a selection of drinks will be on offer as well as a great selection of art and design led products to browse.

Portico Gallery, 25 London Road, Riverhead, Kent, TN13 2BU. Telephone 01732 456655 DAISY DOG VINTAGE FAIR “The best vintage fair for miles” returns to Westerham on Saturday 10 October with over 30 fabulous local vintage stallholders. Tap your feet to The Swing Dolls 1940s dance troop and enjoy a tasty snack in the Vintage Tea Rooms. Plus live music with the Titfield Thunderbolts, spot prizes for the best vintage dressed visitors, fund-raising games and more!

10 am - 4 pm, Saturday 10 October. Westerham Hall, Quebec Ave, Westerham, Kent TN16 1BG. Admission £2. Doggies welcome - with a free treat for all! www.daisy-dog-vintage.co.uk/Main-Fairs.html Harvest Season Our expert gardeners cover a different topic each weekend giving you top tips from the harvest season as they draw from their experience tending Darwin’s famous garden – his ‘outdoor laboratory’. Hands-on activities are available for our younger visitors and freshly prepared produce from the garden will be on offer in the tearoom. This weekend find out about late summer treats in the Kitchen garden: Heritage salad crops and leafy veg.

Each weekend in September, 11am - 5pm. Prices (includes entry to House & Grounds): Adult £10.60 / Child £6.30 / Concession £9.50 / Family £27.60 / Members: Free. The Home of Charles Darwin (Down House) – Luxted Road, Downe, Kent, BR6 7JT. Tel: 0870 333 1183 www.english-heritage.org.uk/downhouse

8 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

Pepenbury Charity Golf Day Great Golf at Woodlands Manor Golf Course, West Kingsdown (near Sevenoaks). Begins with brunch at 12.00 noon, continues with some great golf and ends with dinner and a Charity Auction.

Individual players or teams of four Contact Ken Thornton at Woodlands on 01959 523806 or email ken@woodlandsmanorgolf The cost is £50.00 for individuals and £200.00 for teams of four.

Woodlands Manor Golf course. West Kingsdown, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN15 6AB. Friday 25 Sep 2015. Tel: 01959 523806. www.pepenbury.info Quebec House tours Join one of our exclusive tours before the house opens for a guided tour by one of our volunteers.

Discover the stories behind Quebec House and its most famous occupant on one of our guided EDITORS tours.

Booking Not Needed. Children are welcome. Assistance Dogs only are Quebec welcome. A National Trust Event. 12:00 tours House 13:00. General Admission Prices Apply. Meet at the Coach House. Quebec House, Quebec Square, Westerham, Kent, TN16 1TD. Wed 16 Sep to Sun 20 Sep, Wed 23 Sep to Sun 27 Sep Tel: 01732 868 381 - Chartwell office. www.nationaltrust.org.uk/events

CHOICE:

Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime The Oxted Players are pleased to present Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime. Based on an Oscar Wilde short story, this very entertaining comedy by Constance Cox tells the story of Lord Arthur Savile who is engaged to the lovely Sybil Merton.

Tickets cost £7.00 - £9.00 are available from www.barntheatreoxted. co.uk or 01883 724852. 7.45pm. £7.00 - £9.00. 01883 724852.

14th to 17th October 2015. Barn Theatre, 25 Bluehouse Lane, Oxted, Surrey, RH8 0AA. www.barntheatreoxted.co.uk Autumn Jazz Great lunchtime jazz provided by West Kent Big Band at the Dovecote Inn at Capel on Sunday 20 September (lunchtime) in aid of Pepenbury. Great music, Barbecue and Raffle.

Free admission. The Dovecote Inn Capel, Nr Paddock Wood, Kent, TN12 6SU. Tel: 01892 830996. www.pepenbury.info

Die Fledermaus Ellen Kent’s critically acclaimed Die Fledermaus returns after its world premiere in 2006. This unique version includes two champagne fountains, two bats, a mystery celebrity guest and an introduction of some scenes from the Russian Die Fledermaus which are unique to this production.

7:30pm Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2LU. Friday 9 Oct 2015. Tel: 01892 530613 www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-and-opera/diefledermaus Carmen Opera & Ballet International proudly presents an Ellen Kent production with international soloists, highly praised chorus and full orchestra. One of the most famous and seductive operas of all time, Bizet’s irresistibly emotional Carmen guarantees an evening of passion and romance.

7:30pm. Assembly Hall Theatre, Crescent Road, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN1 2LU. Sat 10 Oct 2015. Tel:01892 530613 www. assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on/classical-and-opera/carmen 10K Road Run This is our 10th 10K Run so we want to make it bigger and better than ever.

All of our runners will receive a running T-shirt and we hope that everyone taking part raises a minimum of £50, or makes an equivalent donation, to Hospice in the Weald. By raising sponsorship or donating to Hospice in the Weald you will be helping us continue to provide our vital services to patients, families and carers throughout West Kent and East Sussex. We want to raise over £50,000 at the 10K this year, which could enable to us to fund our In-Patient Unit in Pembury for a whole week providing 15 patients with a terminal illness specialist care, pain and symptom control in an environment where they feel safe and their families and carers supported.

Just get involved today and register now; £28 per adult, £20 for 12 – 16 year olds, £25 for affiliated runners. Lower Cricket Ground, Mt Edgcumbe Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 9QX. Sun 20 Sep 2015.

Tel: 01892 820 527 www.hospiceintheweald.org.uk/Support-Us/Takepart-in-our-events/2223-/Hospice-in-the-Weald-10 Chislehurst Farmers Market Is held on the 3rd Sunday of the month and is open to the public between 10am and 2pm. The Farmers Market is held in a new location of Hornbrook House Car Park, High Street, Chislehurst, Kent BR7 5AB. Produce includes seasonal.

10am to 2pm. Free Entry. Contact: 07775 736116 Hornbrook House Car Park, High Street, Chislehurst, Kent, BR7 5AB. Sun 20 Sep, Sun 18 Oct www.myfarmersmarket.co.uk St Christopher’s Midnight Walk A 5 mile sponsored moonlight walk starting and finishing at the hospice in Sydenham. Not only a fabulous night out, but last year our 400 walkers also raised £34,000. This year we are encouraging our walkers to get their pyjamas and onesies on to raise funds for our important Candle Project service. Every mile you walk makes a difference with our Candle Project, every year, helping around 300 bereaved children and young people to come to terms with their loss and begin to live their lives again after losing someone important.

23:00pm - 8:00am £20 adults £10 11-17 year olds (must be accompanied by adult) St Christopher’s Hospice, 51-59 Lawrie Park Road, Sydenham, London, SE26 6DZ. Sat 10 Oct 2015.

Tel: 0208 768 4575. www.stchristophers.org.uk/midnightwalk Tall Ships and Tropical Diseases: guided walk.

Taking the buildings of the former Royal Hospital for Seamen as a starting point, explore Greenwich’s medical and maritime connections in this guided walk around London’s most exotic entrepot – half port, half palace, and window on the world. Led by writer and broadcaster Richard Barnett. £5 per ticket, contact box office to book. Part of the Totally Thames Festival 2015. 10:00 - 12:00. Old Royal Naval College, King William Walk, Greenwich, London, SE10 9NN. Wed 23rd and Sat 26 Sept.

Tel: 020 8269 4799 www.ornc.org

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CONTENTS EDITORS LETTER

3

WHATS ON

8

LOCAL LIFE Ightham Mote –Autumn Events Hole Park – Autumn Sundays The Arts in Kent and East Sussex Focus on local River Walks with Adam Swaine National Trust Reveals Autumn Colour Spots Travel back to the 1940’s Kent’s Favourite Crop

13 15 16 18 20 22 24

Culture in the Capital – Your Entertainment Guide

31

Bang + Olufsen – Let the Music Flow

40

EDUCATION LIFE Brilliantly Bromley High School Private Schools Achieve Greater A Level Success Bethany School – Education for life Aim High at Babbington School Mayfield School – A Love of Learning Bishops Challener – Recognising every Pupil Sackville School – Celebrating Success Sevenoaks Prep – Family- Friendly Sydenham High – A Level Results to celebrate

43 44 46 47 48 50 52 54 55 57

Thomas Dunton – Local Solicitor

58

WEDDING LIFE London Golf – Elegant Unique Weddings Stunning White Hot Numbers Hever - A Castle Wedding Honeymoon in the Wilds of Zambia Wedding Gowns get a Makeover 3 Spirit – A Wedding to Remember Joanne Truby – Floral Design Bespoke Wedding Stationery

61 62 64 68 70 74 75 76 77

Health and Beauty Palette it go Ramsey Health – Know your Mole

80 83

HOME & GARDEN Last days of Summer Retrofit – The Heart of a Home Neptune – Classic kitchen Designs Origin Leisure Swimming Pools

86 90 94 98

BOOKS Review with Bruce Edwards

102

FOOD AND DRINK Fishy Business

104

Events at

Ightham Mote this autumn

Autumn Activity pack for children From 1 September Pick up a copy of our Autumn activity pack and do some of your 50-things at Ightham Mote this autumn. 50p.

Strictly historical dancing Sunday 6 September, 12noon, 1.30pm & 3pm Pastime Historical dance perform dances through the ages.

Embellished Book covers Friday 18 September, 10am-3.30pm Join Sue and Annie as they expertly take you through creating a needleworked bookcover.

Tickets £35. Book via office 01732 810378 ext 100.

Led estate walk Sunday 20th September, 11am The Great British Walks celebrates what the National Trust can offer walkers – of all abilities. Join us on this 2-3 mile walk around Ightham Mote estate. Please wear suitable footwear and clothes.

Donations welcome. Book via the office 01732 810378 ext 100.

Apple & Orchard weekend at Ightham Mote Saturday 26 – Sunday 27 September from 11am – 4pm It’s that wonderful time of year again – where Ightham Mote celebrates the apple and all the bounty of the earth.

The orchard at Ightham Mote is planted with a variety of heritage apple trees, which visitors are able to sample.

There will also be a wide range of apple related crafts and

gifts for sale from local suppliers, as well as a National Trust stall. And families can take advantage of a special Apple Trail around the garden!

Half-term family fun Sat 24 Oct - Sun 1 Nov, 10am - 3pm Pumpkin themed trail around the grounds – and come and see our Pumpkin patch!

Ghost and Gourmet evenings Sat 24 Oct & 31 October, 7pm Candlelit spooky tour of the house followed by a 2-course buffet supper in the Mote Café.

Tickets £37.50 – book via the office 01732 810378 ext 100.

50 things Wild Art & Themed Halloween craft activity Sat 31 Oct, 12noon - 3pm Go wild with art - using natural resources, create works of art and get a little spooked by a craft activity workshop.

Children can also enjoy the usual house trails and children’s craft activity centre will be available for them to use during school holidays come rain or shine.

For full events listing visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ightham-mote/things-to-see-and-do/events/ Unless otherwise stated, events free, normal admission prices apply, National Trust members free entry.

THE DETAILS For further details on Ightham Mote, please see their website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ighthammote or call 01732 810378 ext 100.

www.thelifemagazines.com

| SEPTEMBER 2015 13

s y a d n u S n Autum Park Gardens at Hole

Kent, Hole Park Gardens in for which are renowned ly ul tif bluebells and beau great yew clipped topiary and surprises hedges, have other in late to captivate visitors cluding in summer and autumn, le Park, a flower unique to Ho flowering the spectacular late rk Blue’. agapanthus ‘Hole Pa

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e a vibrant he 15 acre gardens includ in September ks pea ich wh r rde exotic bo mature trees h wit er and October togeth ich provide and Japanese Maples wh gardens and the d un aro striking autumn colour woodland. tty circular walk which Visitors can enjoy a pre ted Ice House, a 1740’s takes walkers to a renova d to store ice long s use constr uction which wa eration. When the ice before the days of refrig uld last for up to three was cut and stacked it wo ent. nm iro env l years in this coo Thursdays until the and ay esd dn We on en Op can also enjoy additional end of October visitors er , 11th, 18th & 25th Octob Sunday opening on 4th 2015.

Stark describes Head Gardener Quentin well as the more s “A r: rde bo this year’s exotic as h cannas, banana familiar exotic plants suc gazanias, we have and s ger gin plants, grasses, of dahlia, ‘Bishop of a couple of new varieties k orange flowers and dar gle sin has Oxford’ which a is ich wh rk’ Yo of p leaves and dahlia ‘ Bisho w o with dark foliage. Ne single yellow cultivar als n aw ‘Pr ei nk hae via Sal to the border this year is cultivar derived from Chorus’ which is a dwarf t h masses of small brigh the Bolivian species, wit prawns!” red flowers that look like memade cakes will ho h wit tea oon ern Aft use tea room where ho ch coa the be available in g a varied selection lin sel ll there is also a plant sta Jam, preser ves, beer and of plants to take home.

Hole Park Estate are apple juice made on the also available.

THE DETAILS

ns, n on Hole Park Garde For more informatio l cal or om k.c par please visit www.hole 01580 241344.

www.thelifemagazines.com

| SEPTEMBER 2015 15

LOCAL LIFE

Kent and East Sussex Cottages and The Arts in Kent Kent and Sussex Holiday Cottages are pleased to be sponsoring Sandwich Arts Week from 19th – 26th Sept A week of art and cultural entertainment in beautiful medieval Sandwich will be part of the Arts Trail around the town. The Arts Trail will be open from Monday 21st to Saturday 25th.

Artists will exhibit their work at various locations around the town and Kent and Sussex Holiday Cottages are delighted to be displaying the ceramic works of Laurence Uttley who specialises in Raku pottery. A map and details will be available for the Trail from participating venues. These artworks and many more can be seen and purchased during the week. St Peter’s church opposite the Kent & Sussex office, will be the hub of the Arts week exhibiting works from around 30 local artists.

For more information regarding the varied programme of events please visit www.sandwichevents.org.uk . To find your perfect accommodation for the week or a short break please visit www.kentandsussexcottages.co.uk Canterbury Festival is a fabulous multi arts festival that this year runs from 18th -31st October.

With an amazing diversity of events and performances to choose from held across Canterbury, including those held in the wonderful Spiegeltent – an octagonal tent decorated with mirrors, there is something to suit everybody. The Festival now attracts some of our most well-loved artists and shows and large numbers flock to the city to enjoy the Music, Theatre, Dance, Talks, Comedy and so much more. Kent and Sussex Holiday cottages have a number of delightful properties within easy reach of Canterbury.

To book your short break or longer please visit www. kentandsussexcottages.co.uk. For more information on the Festival visit www.canterburyfestival.co.uk/home.aspx

16 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

LOCAL FOCUS

Riverwalks of Kent

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Pictures: Adam Swaine 1. River Medway @ Aylesford Kent | 2. River Medway Nr Rochester Kent 3. River Medway @ Lower Upnor Kent | 4. River Rother @ Bodium Sussex 5. River Stour @ Godmersham Kent | 6. River Darent @ Eynsford Kent 7. River Medway Estuary @ Lower Upnor Kent

Adam Swaine Photography www.adamswaine.co.uk adamswaine@rocketmail.com | 07798 526 569

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18 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

LOCAL LIFE

National Trust

reveals

autumn colour hot spots in Kent The National Trust has revealed some of the best places to see the fiery hues of autumn in its gardens and parklands in Kent.

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utumn colours are expected to appear from mid-October – with red, gold and orange shades covering the landscape until late November. So whether you’re admiring the variety of trees and plants, building up an appetite for some seasonal tasty treats or enjoying a walk through the crisp leaves, there are plenty of reasons to explore National Trust sites this autumn.

To help you decide where to visit, the National Trust has come up with their top autumn colour hotspots, with Emmetts Garden and Scotney Castle topping the poll as the must visit spots for those wanting to revel in Kent’s autumn jewel shades.

Emmetts Garden is a must visit for autumn lovers. The garden is packed with a variety of exotic trees and large shrubs, surrounded by acres of wild native woodland. The south garden in particular turns vibrant shades of reds, pinks and oranges – from the bright scarlet foliage of the winged spindle tree to the golden leaves of the Japanese maples. Meanwhile the rock garden is packed with 40 different species of alpine plants interspersed with heathery banks, autumn bulbs, winding paths and a lily pond. Head gardener Simon Walker comments: “My top autumnal trees to look out for are the Katsura ‘Toffee trees’. There aren’t many of this size around and they fill the air with the sweet smell of toffee”.

Meanwhile the slopes surrounding the ruined medieval castle at Scotney Castle burst into autumn brightness, framing this picturesque landscape in sunshine shades of red, gold and bronze. Many of the hues are doubled in the moat’s reflections, resulting in dramatic displays above and below. Senior gardener Richard Huggett says: “Look out for the ambers of the Tulip Trees (Liriodendron tulipifera) and the yellow spindle-fruited Celastrus orbiculatus over the doorway into the bowling green lawn. The 100-year old Japanese Maples below the Bastion have wonderful purple leaves too”. On the wider estate, don’t miss the autumn view of the Weald from claypits field, near the wilderness camp.

Sheffield Park Middle Lake © National Trust / John Miller

Knole Great Jacobean Stairs © National Trust / Horst Kolo

Scotney Castle © National Trust / John Miller

Emmetts © National Trust / Jerry Harpur

THE DETAILS For the latest news and updates on autumn colour at a National Trust garden near you, please visit: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/southeast

20 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

Standen Garden © National Trust / Rupert Truman

Sissinghurst Nuttery ©National Trust / Jonathan Buckley

LOCAL LIFE

Time-Travel BACK TO THE

1940s with your family and experience what made Britain ‘Great’ during the Second World War.

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Visitors can experience what it is like to be in an air raid attack, including The Historic Dockyard’s own ARP Wardens.

A visit to one of the Dockyard’s genuine air raid shelters lets visitors experience what to do in an attack and will provide a genuine sense of what it was like to live through an air raid attack.

1940s’ civilian re-enactors will bring even more life and colour to the site by interacting with visitors and creating displays depicting Life on the Home Front during the war years, whilst military displays are re-created to give a real insight into what life was actually like closer to the action. They will open visitors’ eyes to life in the 1940s and will happily pose for pictures!

Hundreds of wartime cars, trucks, bikes and jeeps will add to the wartime ‘feel’ and a ‘Coming Home’ Parade with vehicles driving along the streets will bring The Historic Dockyard the heritage site alive each day.

The Historic Dockyard’s steam and diesel locomotives will rumble through the site every day carrying haulage wagons, and hundreds of 1940s’ re-enactors, military encampments, a bombed-out house, general store and a vintage fire station all add to the authentic atmosphere.

Some of the best ‘40s’ entertainers will keep visitors singing along, with their feet tapping, all weekend, many making a welcome return to the stages at Salute to the ‘40s.

New for 2015 is The London Swing Orchestra, a ‘Big Band’ 20th with an international reputation, which recently performed september as part of the BBC’s VE Day 70th Anniversary celebrations.

All of this plus a 1940s’ fashion show and parade, a 2015 vintage fair, traders, afternoon teas, themed catering, singing and dancing, alongside aircraft ground displays and land army animals, make Salute to the ‘40s ‘Spiffingly Nostalgic’!

Full event details are available at www.thedockyard.co.uk/ salutetothe40s Salute to the ‘40s is supported by BAE Systems, Best of British Magazine and Kent Messenger Group.

he organisers of Salute to the ‘40s are preparing to take visitors back in time to the 1940s by filling The Historic Dockyard Chatham with wartime period and vintage displays and entertainment on 19th and 20th September.

In 2014 the Daily Telegraph recognised Salute to the ‘40s as one of ‘Britain’s Best Vintage Festivals’ and 2015’s event will live up to this accolade. This atmospheric event will transport visitors back to the wartime years of Great Britain for a truly nostalgic Home Front spectacle.

With all-day entertainment across three stages, hundreds of re-enactors, vehicles and informative displays there will be something for everyone as The Historic Dockyard streets are brought to life with the sights and sounds of the 1940s.

Thousands of people are expected to attend the event with many dressed in their vintage best. Visitors dress in military costume, tweeds and trilbies, frills and frocks; and children of all ages wear evacuee outfits, to fully immerse themselves in the nostalgic and bustling atmosphere that is “Salute to the ‘40s”. Dressing up is not compulsory but regular visitors say “It adds to the experience and ensures we really feel part of the 1940s’ 19th & atmosphere”.

This atmospheric event will transport visitors back to the wartime years of Great Britain for a truly nostalgic Home Front spectacle.

THE DETAILS Tickets are now on sale with discounts for advanced purchases providing ‘fast-track’ entry and can be purchased by visiting www.thedockyard.co.uk/ salutetothe40s or by calling the Ticket Hotline on 01634 823826. Group admission prices are also available for groups of 15 or more, by calling Group Sales on 01634 823815

22 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

LOCAL HISTORY

Bitter row brews over ‘foreign weed’s threat to monarch’s favourite tipple

‘Hop it !’ orders an ale and hearty Henry JOHN RULER looks back at Kent’s favourite crop

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t may come as a bit of a shock, but Henry the Eighth, depicted as a boozy monarch, not only apparently banned hops from his ale but the ‘ wicked and pernicious weed’ was even outlawed by some towns as a continental threat to the traditional English way of life.

Hopping mad they may have been. But what is listed as a wild plant, originally grown as a medicinal herb in ancient Egypt, was already being used in a brew called beer in Germany – with hops cultivated in the Low Countries from the 13th century.

It is generally assumed it was left to Flemish weavers or Dutch immigrants to convince us disbelieving Brits that our ‘ale’, produced from malt only, needed some preservative power in the shape of hops.

By 1400 beer was being imported, and later brewed in England using imported hops. Even then, their use in drink was blamed for inciting the followers of Jack Cade’s rebellion against the government in 1450. And some London brewers were prosecuted for the ‘adulteration of ale.’

Finally, with an admission that beer lasted longer than ale, tentative steps were taken to harvest home grown hops. The first hop garden, it is believed, was created in 1520, near Canterbury – somewhat ironic seeing that in 1157 English ale was taken by Thomas Beckett as a present to the French Court..

Kent, thanks to its well established enclosed field system and suitable soil, along with a good supply of wood for poles and charcoal for drying, became England’s earliest centre for hop cultivation.

By the 19th century distinct hop varieties had been cultivated, usually named after either a hop grower or the parish where they were first cultivated. These included Cobbs, Amos’ Early Bird, Golding, and Bramling.

But it was the famous Fuggle, propagated in Kent by Richard Fuggle of Brenchley, in 1875 that became the most widely grown hop in

England. First noticed growing at Horsmonden around 1861, it made up 78 per cent of the English hop acreage.

An alternative variety WGV, selected as a seedling, reputedly from a variety called Bates’ Brewer in 1911, was used by Mr. E.A. White on his farm at Beltring, later bought by The Whitbread Brewery Company. At its peak, 200 acres of hops were dried at the farm. It is now the Hop Farm Country Park, basically a family entertainment centre, but with a hop museum showing some great old films in oast house settings.

Having shown significant tolerance to Verticillium Wilt in the 1930s, the strain was planted extensively in Kent during the 1950s when Fuggles and Goldings were decimated by the spread of the dreaded airborne disease.

The number of farm acreage given over to hops grew in the 19th century, reaching a peak in 1878 of 77,000 nationally, of which over 30,000 were grown in Kent. By 1909, however, there were only 32,000 acres left.

This was partly due to a change of taste, and brewery contracts for foreign beers requiring the original recipe, using foreign hops. After mass demonstrations in Kent, the government introduced a tariff on imported hops.

Though we said goodbye to the Big Six in the ‘seventies, including Courages, Watneys and Whitbreads, micro breweries are increasingly springing up thanks to the likes of CAMRA (Campaign for Real Ale). But long gone are the days when 34 big breweries opened in one year – 1851 – alone.

A typical oast house, designed to dry hops, consisted of a ‘barn’ section, together with the distinctive ‘kiln’ or ‘roundel.’ It was here fresh hops from the gardens were unloaded, and dried hops cooled on the upper floor before being packed and pressed into large Hessian sacks. The upper floor of the kiln consisted of a latticed floor of wood and wire on to which the green hops were laid.

Specialist ‘Oasties’ were employed for the hopping season.

* In 1710 a duty was imposed on hops at a rate of a penny per pound on English hops and three on Flemish hops. Blended beers became very popular, and in 1722 a combination of three became known as ‘porter’, due its popularity among London labourers and porters.

24 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

Hop time in Otford: measuring out the ‘bin’ in the Shinecroft hop garden, around 1900. Farmer Thomas Greenless, centre, notes down the tally while George Hunt measures out the hops in a wicker basket.

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ifficult to picture now, but hops were once grown on the slopes of the valley up World’s End Lane and near the Larches, built in 1820 in Cudham Lane, Green Street Green. And it was in the old 1708 malthouse, that local bigwig Samuel Woodhams, of Oak House, brewed what was considered to be the best ale locally, using pure water from a nearby well.

But then he had already had success with brewing, leasing Frederick William Taylor premises including a malt house and kiln (write Marjorie Ford and Geoffrey Rickard in a history of Green Street Green,) He was also paid £650 as goodwill not to pursue brewing in opposition to Taylor – a decision he apparently thought better of as in 1815 he gave Taylor notice to quit.

Fox Brewery in its hey-day circa 1900

Breweries brought cheer to local economies What followed was wrangle which ended in Taylor leasing land from George Norman between Cudham Lane and was then called Tonbridge High Road, enabling Woodhams to start up a brewing business once again.

In 1818 he asked his niece Susannah and her husband, John Fox, to take over Oak Farm, which he left to Susannah when he died in 1825.

Three years later she also died, with the premises left to her husband and son to help provide a variety of local amenities.

In 1836 Oak Brewery was founded.

Prospering under John and his sons, the family fulfilled their pledge by providing houses for senior employees, cottages for workers, a school and a club room-cum-chapel. Tradesmen, too, of all kinds were employed, from carpenters and

barracks. Post-war attempts to use the site, first by the Kent Mushroom Company and by a tile manufacturer, came to nothing.

Parts became unsafe, and in 1937 what became known as the leaning tower was demolished, In 1938 the site was cleared.

Commercial use of the site after some 150 years ended when The Oaks estate, with its three and four bedroom houses, was built between the A21 Hastings Road and the village in 1998.

Apart from a sprinkling of old buildings linked to the Fox family, the other legacy are the three public houses, The Royal Oak, The Queen’s Head and the Rose & Crown.

Another brewery to bite the dust in the ‘sixties was the Black Eagle, Westerham, with a reported tradition for serving some of the best beer in Kent going back go to the mid 1700s.

What is known is that by 1871 Benjamin Bushell, a shrewd businessman had snapped up the brewery and its business interests from his erstwhile partner Robert Martin to whom he had been apprenticed 21 years earlier. This included 63 hotels, licensed premises and beer houses, all for £150,000.

By 1899, with an imposing frontage on what is now the A25, the brewery was now the largest single employer in Westerham, with at least one member of local families working there.

Despite it size, the Black Eagle had a smaller competitor, a malthouse at the bottom of Hosey Hill converted into a brewery inevitably called The Swan Brewery. Just as inevitable was a Black Eagle takeover bid in 1895. Within two years it had gone. Thereafter all beers sold by Black Eagle Brewery were prefaced with the word Westerham.

Now a new face, the Westerham Brewery Company, established in 2004 by Robert Wick in Crockham Hill has revived many of the muchloved flavours of the old Black Eagle Brewery which following disastrous consolidation by the ‘Big Brewers’ in the 1950s, closed in 1965.

Pickers at Park Farm, Otford,as late as 1956.

blacksmiths to wheelwrights and coopers.

As the business passed to sons and grandsons, the brewery began winning awards for its ales and stouts. The family, too, stuck to their promise by taking part in village life and activities. Around 1880 the family moved to Beechwood, with the Beechwood Estate built in 1935.

However despite creating a special brew for Edward VII’s coronation the family’s financial affairs were in turmoil. In 1909 huge debts forced the closure of the brewery, a shock not only to local employees but the sporting record notched up by its cricket team.

After being snapped up at auction by a Sevenoaks brewery, which used it as a store, the old brewery later became World War One

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| SEPTEMBER 2015 25

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ogFence are the UK’s largest Professional installer of hidden fence systems offering a safe, modern and affordable method to keep both dogs and cats safely within their owners garden

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Each pet wears a small computer collar which houses a tiny FM receiver, and as the pet moves towards the zone the collar emits a high pitched audible beep to indicate to the pet to stop and turn back. If the pet continues towards the wire the collar gives a small “corrective shock” set to the pet’s individual requirements. Customers are often concerned by the use of the word “shock”, but once they have felt the stimulation the common reaction is “how will that keep my pet in? ”.

The key to the success is a unique training protocol in conjunction with some temporary training flags and vocal

28 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

commands. Over the years DogFence have contained over 8,000 thousands of pets from the most avid Houdini’s to those under threat of destruction from farmers as well fencing properties where a traditional fence is not feasible to install. The system is used and recommended by vets and pet professionals the world over.

The bespoke DogFence Installation & Training package provides a different level of service by taking all hard work out of the installation for the customer and thus giving peace of mind that the pet has been correctly trained.

The DogFence team are pet-lovers and between them have 16 dogs and 3 cats all using the hidden fence system. In 2006, 2007 & 2009 DogFence were awarded the prestigious Dealer of the Year Award and have retained the enviable title of Top Dog #1 Dealer worldwide every year since 2009.

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| SEPTEMBER 2015 31

CULTURE

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CULTURE

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CULTURE

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Enthusiasts of great sound and Bang & Olufsen can now literally tap into their favourite music wherever they are in their home thanks to the audio-visual manufacturer’s latest innovation – BeoLink Multiroom.

e cently launched at the Beoshop group’s Bang & Olufsen showrooms in Bexleyheath, Bromley, Cambridge, Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells, the intelligent system unites people’s new or existing Bang & Olufsen products into one wireless system.

Through BeoLink Multiroom customers can play different music in different rooms or listen to one song throughout their living environment.

Operating the advanced system couldn’t be simpler – when music is playing you just touch the Bang & Olufsen product to connect it to BeoLink Multiroom. Via the BeoRemote One remote control or the new BeoMusic App, users can even connect their Bang & Olufsen television to BeoLink Multiroom. Both forms of control also allow users to easily add or unlink rooms and even put all devices on standby.

of punchy sound. BeoPlay A9 and it takes its lead from the BeoSound Moment, producing phenomenal sound in mere seconds. Designed to look like a piece of furniture rather than a conventional audio-visual product, BeoPlay A9 can be moved from room to room for maximum convenience, while it only takes a swipe of your hand to alter the volume of its superb reproduction.

Easy listening Connect BeoSound Essence to BeoLink Multiroom and it couldn’t be easier to control your music. With music coming from the BeoSound Moment, simply touch BeoSound Essence to connect via BeoLink Multiroom and then touch it again to switch between tracks or alter the volume. In fact, such is its ease of use that BeoSound Essence was awarded the prestigious Red Dot for excellence in product design at last year’s Red Dot awards.

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Future-proof Beautifully designed and boasting the world’s BeoLink Multiroom isn’t just confined to audio first touch-sensitive wood interface, BeoSound systems either. Via the BeoRemote One remote Moment is the perfect centrepiece of BeoLink control or the new BeoMusic App you can quickly t Multiroom in every possible way. The wireless link a Bang & Olufsen television - the ideal set being the d Momen BeoSoun digital audio system works to capture your mood in an BeoVision Avant. So amazing is the sound from the Ultra High Definition instant and delivers impeccable sounding music to (4K) television’s 3-channel stereo loudspeakers that BeoVision Avant can complement your feelings, learning your musical rival the performance of many premium audio systems. preferences over time through its PatternPlay feature The opportunities presented by BeoLink Multiroom ensure that users and inviting you to choose the ideal tune via the can take their music wherever they go in their home and enjoy it in an game-changing MoodWheel. instant. What’s more, BeoLink Multi-room is future-proof too, the system With its exquisite wooden side designed to having no limits on connected offer one-touch access to the soundtrack that fits devices and able to incorporate with your daily lifestyle, BeoSound Moment gets any compatible Bang & Olufsen BeoLink Multiroom started with the absolute products that the user may purchase minimum of fuss. in the future.

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40 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

Education LIFE T he q ual i t y E D U C AT I O N S U P P L E M E N T

Welcome...

The Independent school system in the UK is one of the finest in the world and we are fortunate to have some of the best schools in the country right on our doorstep. In today’s economic climate, making the right choice for your child’s education is of paramount importance.

Sometimes every parent needs a helping hand in deciding what is best for their children.

SEPTEMBER 2015

Our Education Life series is an invaluable resource for any parent considering private education. Encourage your children to come with you and get their feedback after each visit.

It also provides an insight into the way a child sees a prospective future school.

GET IN TOUCH If you would like your prestigious school to appear in our next Education Guide, please contact Tim Lees tim@fishmediagroup.co.uk | Tel: 07904 251984.

EDUCATION

Brilliantly Bromley High I

We are a school where both excellence and endeavour are valued; where academic achievement and extra-curricular commitment are expected of every girl; where every girl’s intellectual potential is nurtured.

n 25 leafy acres, girls have space to grow and have fun and they make rapid progress academically and socially.

They are happy to express intellectual enthusiasm; free to pursue their interests without regard to preconceptions about ‘boys’ subjects’ or ‘girls’ subjects’; confident to take the lead in the multitude of opportunities we offer. Our girls participate with enthusiasm and commitment in Music, Drama, Sport and an overabundant range of activities – and where they have interest or talent or enthusiasm, it is nurtured so that they learn to excel. This year alone, our girls have sung on the stage of the Queen Elizabeth Hall, played in national youth orchestras, won starring roles in television and the West End and competed at a national level in Swimming, Diving, Athletics, Tennis, Netball, Biathlon and Cross Country.

Aspirational and innovative, Bromley High School was shortlisted in 2015 (alongside Wellington, Brighton College, Kilgraston and Newcastle Grammar School) for ‘Outstanding Progress in a UK Independent School.’

Bromley High School is part of the Girls’ Day School Trust, the leading network of independent girls’ schools in the UK and an extraordinarily effective network for innovation in teaching and learning and for the sharing of best practice whether it is excellence in hockey, Oxbridge Entrance or Career Networking with its alumnae network of 65,000 women. We believe that a girls’ school education, where girls

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gain the experience and expectation of taking the lead, gives our young women the competitive edge in employment but also gives them a network of female friends who will sustain them throughout their adult lives.

As an HMC school, we offer girls plenty of opportunities to collaborate and be creative with boys – we host academic conferences, specialist careers events (such as our recent ‘So You Want to be a Doctor’ Day), fashion shows, debates and we even keep bees in a joint environmental project with a local boys’ school. Yet we also have a uniquely developed understanding of what is required to keep girls happy and healthy in a demanding world. ‘Resilience’ is taught as a timetabled subject to our teenage girls in the SUMO programme (Stop, Understand and Move On.) At Bromley High School, your daughter will thrive.

Angela Drew, Headmistress Bromley High School n Taster Sessions:3+: 10th, 18th, 24th November; 6+:13th October; 10+: 10th & 18th November 2015 n Pre-registration is essential as places are limited. Please contact admissions@bro.gdst.net or register online at www. bromleyhigh.gdst.net n Twitter @bromleyhs

EDUCATION

Private schools achieve

greater A-level success

Pupils from fee-paying schools achieve almost 30 per cent of all A* grades despite forming just 13.6 per cent of all A-level entries, raising questions over the education opportunities on offer to the vast majority of children.

P

rivate school pupils are continuing to outshine their state sector counterparts by a wide margin when it comes to A-level results, new figures show.

A new analysis based on figures released by the Joint Council for Qualifications (JCQ) also shows that nearly half (48.2 per cent) of private school pupils achieve an A* or A grade, while just 22.5 per cent of A-level entries made from other exam centres – usually schools – achieve an A* or A grade.

The figures show a disturbingly wide gap between the results achieved by independent and state school pupils.

Tracy Cook, of the Independent Schools Council (ISC), which carried out the study, said: “The surprise is how big the gap is between independent and state sector pupils’ results.

It is indicative of the significant added value provided by independent schools, due to factors such as intensive, focused teaching and smaller class sizes.”

The study found that the performance of independent school pupils is particularly strong in sciences, maths and modern foreign languages, where they score high proportions of the top A* grade, compared with the percentage of pupils taking these exams.

These are key subjects that are deemed strategically important

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to our economic future, but which are less popular with pupils and attract fewer students.

The gulf between private and state sector results was particularly stark in the sciences. In physics A-level, independent schools supply 18.3 per cent of all candidates, yet because of the strength of their performance they account for 34.0 per cent of the A* grades awarded in the subject and make up 28.5 per cent of all entries in physics that achieve an A grade or higher.

In biology, independent schools supply just over 14 per cent of all candidates for A-level, but account for 28.7 per cent of the A* grades. Private school pupils also account for 24.1 per cent of all entries in biology that achieve an A grade or higher.

And in chemistry, independent schools supply 16.6 per cent of all candidates for A-level, but account for more than 31 per cent of A* grades awarded. They account for 26.6 per cent of all entries in chemistry that achieve an A grade or higher.

According to a report by Oxford Economics consultancy group last year, the higher academic attainment of pupils at independent schools contributes an estimated £1.3 billion per year to the UK’s GDP, once those pupils enter the job market.

A year of celebration ahead for

Bethany School This new academic year is one of great excitement at Bethany School, which is celebrating 150 years since its founding by Reverend JJ Kendon in 1866, and we are very much looking forward to it.

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he autumn term is even busier than usual as a result, and anniversary celebrations begin in early September with the unveiling of the Commemorative Tree, a sculpture designed and constructed by pupil James Hunter and inspired by the School’s longstanding logo – the oak tree. The sculpture will be adorned with 150 engraved metal leaves, each with the names of alumni and the years they attended Bethany.

October sees the launch of the digitised School archives, opening up the School’s extensive history to Bethanians who now reside in far flung corners of the world. This is an exciting venture for all Bethany’s alumni and particularly the overseas alumni, who sometimes struggle to make the frequent reunions enjoyed by the traditionally close-knit community.

A number of other activities are events are being organised over the year, culminating in a Grand Celebratory

Ball, to take place next summer. We are in the advanced stages of planning, and it is shaping up to be an unforgettable night of festivities. More details will be announced later in the year.

The autumn term also sees the continuing development of Bethany’s campus, extending our existing Sixth Form boarding facilities and drawing ever closer to the completion of the new indoor swimming pool, due to open in February 2016. On the curriculum front we are introducing Mandarin into Year 7, as well as GCSE Dance and A level Economics. This year is looking to be like no other before it at Bethany, and we cannot wait for the celebrations to begin.

If you would like to find out more about what Bethany can offer your child, then do come along to our Open Mornings on Saturday 26th September or Wednesday, 7th October. Contact registrar@bethanyschool.org.uk to register your place or for more information.

EDUCATION

Aim high at

Babington!

Fast becoming the school of choice in the Bromley area, Babington House School is an independent day school from 3 to 18 years, situated in a beautiful group of buildings on Grange Drive in Chislehurst, Bromley.

I

t is co-educational up to 11 years old, girls only from 11 to 16 and has a mixed Sixth Form.

This is a really exciting time for Babington with the arrival of a lot of new children and boys now being accepted to the age of 11.

The pupils are enjoying using the new sports grounds on Elmstead Lane. Babington has also added to the sporting provision by building a state of the art climbing wall on the school grounds. Sport is taken seriously at Babington House and pupils compete at the highest levels in several disciplines.

Entry to the Senior Department is selective but unlike other schools, at Babington it is possible to take assessment tests for entrance into Year 7 during a taster day while your child is in Year 6. This makes the whole experience less stressful and as the Headmaster, Mr Lello, said “it gives us a chance to see the wider talents and gifts of our prospective pupils”.

The Sixth Form is unusual in that most of the ‘free periods’ are on Wednesdays, when the students undertake work experience in a variety of professional and business contexts; something that will help their university applications stand out and provide them with great self-confidence.

Above all, Babington provides an academic environment which is tailored to the needs of your son or daughter, believing that bright children benefit from carefully monitored and well directed learning, where self-discipline is highly prized and where each pupil is known as an individual. This helps Babington House pupils grow into confident, accomplished, creative young people with emotional intelligence and high standards.

The years at school are precious; the lessons learned can last a lifetime. That is why it is so important to find the school that is right for your son or daughter; the school where they will be happy and love learning from the outset.

Our academic, social and sporting endeavours are underpinned by core Christian values which include a respect for others and an awareness of a purpose greater than us.

Come and see for yourself – Open Morning on Saturday, 3rd October from 9am www.babingtonhouse.com

48 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

EDUCATION

F

Mayfield: a lifelong love of learning – and sense of perspective

inding the right school for your children is a priority for every parent. Mayfield is a leading Catholic independent boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18, with excellent academic results, prolific extra-curricular activities underpinned by exemplary pastoral care. It is not a hot house - it is a happy school as education is about more than just exam certificates. For the past 150 years, Mayfield has nurtured generations of confident, enterprising and creative young women who are resilient and prepared to take their place on the modern, global stage.

Mayfield provides each pupil with an academic experience designed to challenge and enrich her, leading not only to excellent results then top universities, but providing a sense

of perspective. Girls learn to enjoy study for its own sake, the importance of cultural and spiritual values, not to mention a healthy attitude to food and sport. As a result, Mayfield girls are well-informed individuals; young women of faith and reason, ready to make a difference - whether as scientist, mathematician, linguist or artist and, most importantly, supported by a network of likeminded, lifelong friends.

THE DETAILS Mayfield – An independent Catholic boarding and day school for girls aged 11 to 18 The Old Palace, Mayfield, East Sussex TN20 6PH 01435 874642 www.mayfieldgirls.org

EDUCATION

Bishop Challoner School

I became Headteacher of Bishop Challoner School, Shortlands in September 2014. It has been everything I had hoped for, challenging, rewarding, varied and there has never been a dull moment.

Every day is different and special and there is never a time to become complacent.

A

t our 3 to 18 Catholic co-educational school we provide an opportunity for individuality, academic excellence, enrichment and a spirit of community.

Our Catholic ethos and clear moral values have been at the heart of Bishop Challoner School, Shortlands since its foundation in 1950. We are a school that welcomes all faiths and our seamless transition from nursery to sixth form ensures that pupils make excellent progress.

Since September 2015, our growing Sixth Form have been enjoying a newly refurbished common room allowing the students to enjoy a relaxing environment and to be able to socialise and enjoy each other’s company. Adjacent to the common room is the Terry Robinson Suite which provides study carrels and laptops available for private study. Our sixth form have opportunities for leadership roles including Head Pupil, Deputy Head Pupil, House Captains and Chaplaincy and Charity Prefect. The Sixth Form team work with the younger pupils and develop their student voice via Student Council. Our Sixth Form facilities extend to St. Catherine’s cottage which has its own kitchen, computer suite and two teaching rooms. This allows the students some measure of independence and privilege but at the same time they remain an important part of the school.

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We recognise that every pupil is special and play to their strengths and talents by offering a range of extra-curricular opportunities for a well-rounded education. This gives pupils the opportunity to try new things, explore and be creative by providing a broad range of clubs for all ages, including Gifted & Talented challenges, chess, art, music, table-tennis, fencing and Taekwondo.

We achieve excellent results at GCSE and A Level representing a lot of hard work and dedication. Our motto challenges each and every student to dare to do their very best.

The School offers 11+, 13+ and sixth form scholarships and we have a selected number of bursaries available. Our fees are reasonable compared to many other independent schools. The school is a 5 minute walk from Shortlands station and has excellent transport links, which enables our pupils to travel from a wide catchment area on public transport.

THE DETAILS www.bishopchallonerschool.com admissions@bishopchallonerschool.com 020 8290 9540

EDUCATION

Sackville School

celebrates exam success Sackville School is celebrating a fantastic set of examination results.

T

his year’s students carried Henry Marshall on the school’s tradition – athletics and and achieved a 100% overall academic star pass rate at A Level with an increase of over 8% in the A*- C grades range. Particular congratulations go to Oscar Goldsmith who scored A*AA in Maths, Economics and Geography and who will be studying Social Sciences at Durham University.

At GCSE the percentage of students achieving 5 or more A*-C grades rose to 83% and 52% of all grades were A*-B which outperforms the UK attainment level of 43%. Henry Marshall, who is the reigning 400M Kent Schools Champion and ISA National Champion, rounded off his season by achieving 2A*, 5A and 3B grades.

Headmaster, John Hewitt said, “As a small, wide ability school our aim is for each and every student to fulfil their potential and I am delighted that this has been realised once again. These results are testament to the hard work of students and staff alike and demonstrate the benefits of our individualised

approach to learning within a supportive community.”

Sackville also celebrates the Performing Arts and has invested in a new suite of Music practice rooms this summer.

The school operates a ‘Music For All’ scheme which sees all students learning a new instrument when they join the school, often discovering new talents. Cellist, Jaspar Claringbull, recently fulfilled a dream when he played on stage for world renowned musician Julian Lloyd Webber.

Young musician Jasper Claringbull at the piano

Ar t students, Ellie and Niamh celebrate their A*s

SEVENOAKS PREP

A level results day last month brought excitement and jubilation to Sixth Formers at Sydenham High GDST who celebrated exam success and confirmed university places.

I

n the far corner of the athletics field at Sevenoaks Prep School, in an area affectionately known as Golan Heights, something exciting has been developing over the past few months. As part of The Prep’s emphasis on outdoor education, a nature trail has been carefully planned and brought to life!

The nature trail is available for all pupils to enjoy. It is used to teach the importance of respecting and supporting the environment, and the benefits of sustainability where humans and nature can exist in productive harmony.

Pupils in Nursery, Kindergarten and Reception use this trail regularly in class time. They have nature walks where they explore the pond, check what’s happening in the mini bugs’ hotel and see who is visiting the Butterfly sanctuary.

Pupils in Forms 1 and 2 use the trail as part of their outdoor education lessons which are timetabled weekly. Senior School pupils have been helping to build it and learning from it as part of the school’s gardening and outdoor education clubs.

As part of The Prep’s emphasis on outdoor education, a nature trail has been carefully planned and brought to life!

THE DETAILS For further information about the wide range of opportunities at Sevenoaks Prep, please visit our website at www.theprep.org.uk

A level results to celebrate

at Sydenham High GDST

A level results day last month brought excitement and jubilation to Sixth Formers at Sydenham High GDST who celebrated exam success and confirmed university places.

O

ver 72% of Sydenham High students achieved A*/B grades.

Amongst the highest scoring students were 18 year olds Alex Terrieux-Taylor and Tallulah Boote Bond. Alex gained A*AAB and will read medicine at Exeter University whilst a place at the prestigious Guildhall Drama School awaits Tallulah after she scored A*AB and an A in her Extended Project Qualification (EPQ).

Tallulah was enthusiastic about the support she has received at school: “Everything I have learnt from my life at Sydenham will benefit me hugely as I take up my place at Guildhall”.

Another beaming student was Hanaa Lakhdari, the recipient of a sought-after joint school and HSBC Global Education Scholarship. Hanaa joined Sydenham High two years ago and with her AAB grades goes on to study Pharmacy at UCL. Hanaa said “Sydenham High has given me a wonderful opportunity to get the grades I needed and

without this Scholarship it might not have been possible”.

All Sydenham High students secured places on a wide range of courses at top universities including Sheffield, UCL, East Anglia, Manchester, Exeter and Birmingham.

Kathryn Pullen, Sydenham High’s Headteacher, said: “A levels represent the academic pinnacle of a student’s school career and it’s especially heartening to see the hard work of our students paying off.

We’re extremely proud of our girls’ results this year and know that they will go on to achieve great things at university and in their chosen careers.”

THE DETAILS Sydenham High School - GDST 19 Westwood Hill, London SE26 6BL Tel: 020 8557 7000

LOCAL SOLICITORS

58 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

Wedding LIFE

The quality wedding guide

SEPTEMBER 2015

Romantic Honeymoons Stunning Venues Your Ultimate wedding planner White Hot Numbers

WEDDING SPECIAL

London Golf Club London Golf Club is unique and exclusive. Set in the heart of 700 acres, it is one of the few Kent wedding venues located on the beautiful North Downs, providing a picturesque and private venue for your special day.

T

he Clubhouse is approached by the impressive 1 mile driveway – a real wow factor right from the start. An exquisite water feature stands in front of the elegant porch awaiting your arrival.

Entering the Clubhouse via The Great Hall, your guests are greeted with magnificent oak beams before being led up to the beautiful Long Bar Area. With its floor to ceiling glass and breath-taking views over the rolling greenery and lakes you will be hard pushed to find a more stunning backdrop. A venue for all weathers. Reception drinks and canapĂŠs can be enjoyed in luxury all year round. During winter months your guests will gather alongside the roaring fire in The Great Hall.

Summer months lend themselves to the use of The Long Bar overlooking the magnificent scenery and outside on our very own sun trap - the half-moon terrace.

Seating up to 132 guests. The Wedding Breakfast is served by our highly experienced staff in the Banqueting Room.

Ornately decorated high ceilings, chandeliers and bay windows.

It really is a room with a view. The airy and spacious feel of the room combined with the charming views compliment the excellent food creating the perfect dining experience.

Enjoy the sunset over the lake before returning to the

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Banqueting room for your first dance. Combined with the Long Bar, this area can accommodate up to 270 guests for your evening reception entertainment. Fireworks and confetti are a welcome finishing touch to your day. The venue pride themselves on their flexibility and ability to ensure each wedding is individually exceptional.

The London Golf Club has hosted weddings in Kent for over 15 years. Offering first class service and phenomenal attentional to detail, they have a wealth of experience to assist you with both planning and overseeing your day from start to finish. They look forward to welcoming you to the luxury and charm of London Golf Club.

THE DETAILS Becky Lander Wedding co-ordinator London Golf Club, Stansted Lane, Ash, Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 7EH 01474 875720 weddings@londongolf.co.uk www.londongolf.co.uk

WEDDING SPECIAL

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Weddings & Hen Breaks

at The Spa

The Spa is nestled within 14 acres of pretty gardens and provides the perfect backdrop for your Wedding.

N

ew for 2015, our Wedding Gazebo, with views over the lakes, is licensed for outdoor Wedding Ceremonies. Here at The Spa we offer flexibility and exclusivity, ensuring our wedding packages are tailored to your exact requirements. As well as our grand Royal Suite and Chandelier Room, we also have a selection of beautifully refurbished private rooms catering for smaller, more intimate celebrations.

To receive our Wedding Brochure contact our Events Team on 01892 520331 / events@spahotel.co.uk, or pop along to one of our Wedding Open Evenings on Thursday 17th September or Thursday 22nd October between 5.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m.

Hen Celebrations Our Spa Hen Break is perfect for those wanting to combine their Hen Celebrations with some pre-wedding pampering.

This luxurious break includes sandwiches on arrival, 2 spa treatments, a glass of bubbly with dinner and overnight

accommodation with breakfast the following morning from ÂŁ189.00 per person, based on 2 people sharing.

THE DETAILS For more information call Reservations on 01892 520331, or visit www.spahotel.co.uk

WEDDING SPECIAL

Castle

s g n i d d e W

The charming castle at Hever has a rich and varied history, dating back more than 700 years. The romantic double moated 13th century castle was once the childhood home of Anne Boleyn. Today it’s splendid panelled rooms contain fine antique furniture, tapestries and a unique collection of Tudor portraits.

T

here are two rooms within Hever Castle that can be hired for weddings, The Inner Hall and The Dining Hall: The Inner Hall, with ornate panelling and richly carved columns made of Italian walnut, can accommodate up to a maximum of 64 guests for a wedding ceremony: 50 seated and 14 standing. The Inner Hall is available to book during the day for a ceremony on days when the castle is closed to the public, or for an evening ceremony, between 6.30pm and 8pm.

The Dining Hall, boasting an elaborately carved Minstrels Gallery resting on a series of carved musicians and an impressive stone fireplace surmounted by the Bullen coat of arms, can accommodate up to a maximum of 40 guests for a wedding breakfast, seated on impressive long banqueting tables.

The Dining Hall is available during the day on days when the castle is closed to the public or most evenings after 6.30pm.

Wedding photographs can be taken in the Castle, the Astor Wing and the surrounding lawns. A time can be arranged for photographers to take shots in front of the Castle and in the Italian Garden and on The Loggia.

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An evening reception for dancing and a licensed bar can be held in The Moat Restaurant, accommodating up to 120 guests until midnight. Wedding guests will be escorted from the castle to The Moat Restaurant via the Castle drawbridge and forecourt. En route guests will experience the beauty of the estate at a time when all the day visitors have long since departed. The flood lit castle then provides a stunning back drop to your evening reception as dusk falls.

There are 19 luxury, five star bedrooms located in The Astor Wing. If you require bedrooms, we request that a minimum of ten are taken and a complimentary bedroom will be made available for the bride and groom. Guests can check in from 3pm and check out the next morning is by 10.30am.

As we have a total of 28 bedrooms on the Hever Castle Estate, should you require more than the 19 bedrooms in The Astor Wing, one of our wedding coordinators will be happy to discuss the possibility of incorporating these additional nine bedrooms into your wedding.

There is a private car park for Castle wedding parties, accessed via the private gated entrance to the Astor Wing

HONEYMOON

Stepping into the

WILDS of

ZAMBIA on your honeymoon When we arrive at the crime scene, barely any evidence remains. Only a few blood-soaked blades of grass, glistening in the tangerine dawn sunshine, reveal foul play has been afoot.

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B

y now the perpetrators are long gone, having raced into the dense teak forest, so thick and lush in late spring. Yet only minutes earlier, “detective” Kanga and I had been hot on their tails, as urgent shrieks ripped through the Zambian bush and a very violent murder unfolded.

The only weapon I’m shooting with is a Nikon DSLR camera, but on a walking safari through the South Luangwa National Park, I find myself embroiled in a life or death drama far more thrilling than any Hollywood cop movie.

Accompanied by an armed ranger, we’d set off early that morning to explore areas of the park only accessible by foot.

When super sleuth Kanga, who’s been guiding for eight years, detects fresh leopard and wild dog paw prints in the sandy soil, we know predators must be close by - in reality, much closer than we imagine.

Bounding vertically like a bouncy ball, a male impala starts frantically stotting, a display to deter potential attackers, indicating he’s being chased - most likely by a pack of wild dogs.

Panic spirals like a tornado as guinea fowl screech and opportunistic hooded vultures swoop down in anticipation of a fresh feed.

To our left, baboons are barking ferociously, a sign their nemesis, the leopard, must be in the vicinity. Sure enough, we see a flash of silky rosettes slinking through the undergrowth.

But there are far wilier criminals in the area. A shrill cry leads us to a clearing but by the time we arrive, the deed is already done.

Large ears pivoting like satellite dishes, the wild dogs have detected our presence. For a few minutes I stand 100 metres from them, staring eye to eye, before they cautiously trot away.

There’s been a kill and we were in the middle of it, listening to every alarm call and sensing the rising panic, as if we were part of the chase.

If a classic vehicle safari concentrates on watching wildlife, then walking is all about feeling. Standing on a level playing field with wildlife, you’re immediately part of their matrix and it’s easy to see why experienced guides like Kanga prefer to cover ground with their own two feet.

South Luangwa is often cited as the birthplace of the walking safari, first offered by Norman Carr in the 1950s, with some of the most scenic terrain in Africa.

Forty years later, guide and safari camp owner Robin Pope began running mobile camping safaris, where guests would explore the bush by foot, sleeping at different spots every night.

I’m given a taster of the experience at an overnight bush camp, which is far more luxurious than it sounds. Along with a tent, long-drop toilet and bucket shower, I have a chef, waiters and even a well-stocked riverside bar at my disposal. Beneath the shade of mopane trees, I fall asleep listening to giggling hyenas and wake up to hippos honking and spluttering in the meandering Luangwa river, still flowing at the end of May. Perhaps South Luangwa’s greatest attraction is its landscape; oxbow lakes piled high with lime green Nile cabbage curl through dense teak forests. By September, much of the vegetation will have wilted away and riverbeds turned to dust, making game viewing arguably much easier. But with clearer air (none of the forest fires, which result in a semipermanent cloud of smog, have started) and vibrant colours, there’s something very beautiful about this season. The wildlife too seems equally abundant - creatures large and small.

Flashes of brilliant purple light up the sky as lilac-breasted rollers perform loop-the-loops, and at ground level, antlions litter the dry soil with conical-shaped booby traps to catch their prey, while white fortified bee eaters ruffle their feathers and take dust baths nearby.

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| SEPTEMBER 2015 71

HONEYMOON

A male puku - an antelope with a thick brown coat - peels back his lips in a Leslie Ash-style pout, to sniff a female’s rear end and assess if she’s on heat. Dissatisfied, he bounds away and applies his clunky seduction techniques elsewhere.

Having walked almost 10km, we stop to rest on a fallen tree trunk at a lagoon populated

by Egyptian geese and African jacanas. Fierce commotion breaks the idyllic silence, as a gosling is pulled underwater by a stealthy crocodile, a

reminder that it’s survival of the fittest out here.

When we eventually arrive at Robin Pope’s Nsefu camp, Zambia’s first photographic safari camp, established by Norman Carr in the 1950s, fellow guests have covered more ground in their 4x4s, taken more photos and have, arguably, seen more than us. But I bet none have locked into the environment in quite the same way, sharing that visceral fear that keeps senses permanently on a knife-edge.

Robin Pope operates four camps in South Luangwa: Nkwali (with six chalets set on private land overlooking the park), Luangwa River Camp (an elegant home in the neighbouring Game Management Area with five brick and thatch freestanding suites), Tena Tena (a sumptuous tented camp shaded by mahogany trees) and Nsefu (with six rondavels swathed in history).

The latter two camps are in a remote sector

of the park, where few self-drive day-trippers venture.

One thing they all have in common, though, is an opportunity to spot leopards. These famously elusive cats are the star players of South Luangwa, and by the end of a week’s stay I’m almost tripping over them.

During numerous game drives in elevated open-top vehicles, I watch a tough male carefully guarding his prey in the treetops, witness a hungry juvenile stalking puku in the bushes, and spend several hours with a surprisingly approachable female, as she glides slowly through the long grass, tracking an impala herd.

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Most leopard sightings are at night, but Zambian park authorities permit drives until 8pm, meaning its possible to search with flashlights.

The proliferation of leopards in South Luangwa is largely due to a low lion population, with many prides fractured by past trophy hunting.

Since a countrywide ban was imposed in January 2013, numbers have improved, although it’s feared plans to reintroduce big cat trophy hunting next year may result in a reversal of fortunes. In theory, hunters can only operate in bordering GMAs, but past cases of illegal baiting have affected prides in the park. Non-profit conservation trust The Zambian Carnivore Programme will closely monitor any impact.

The recent high profile case of Cecil the lion, in neighbouring Zimbabwe, has thrown the “sport” into the spotlight, with opinions divided on the financial benefits it can potentially bring to conservation.

I personally struggle to understand why anyone would want to kill an endangered animal (and across Africa, lions are in serious trouble). Another guest offers some explanation: “Perhaps they have a closer engagement with wildlife than you and I will ever have.”

But I’d argue a walking safari stirs up those same emotions and feelings of connectivity; the only difference being that the trophies I plan to hang on my wall (and in South Luangwa there are many!) are photographic ones.

Weddings at Wrotham

THE BULL HOTEL When it comes to wedding hotels in Kent, you will be hard pushed to find one that offers more than The Bull Hotel

S

et in the heart of historic village of Wrotham near Sevenoaks and Maidstone, this 600 year old coaching inn boasts charm and beauty with the ability to make any newlyweds day perfect.

Whether you want a small, intimate wedding, or a larger one of up to 100 guests, The Bull hotel will gladly accommodate.

The hotel guarantees to have something to please even the most fussiest of guests, it therefore truly deserves its recent listing in The Michelin 2016 guide. You can even have a smoke house wedding breakfast!! With 11 recently refurbished rooms, they’ll be enough room for guests to stay and enjoy a full English breakfast with the newlyweds the following morning.

The Bull offers unique wedding packages tailored completely to your requirements, whatever your budget, with complete wedding packages starting from just ÂŁ3,495.

WEDDING SPECIAL

From Tea length to Two piece,

wedding gowns got a makeover!

Whether you have dreamt of your wedding dress since you were 5 or are just thinking about it now you’re engaged, choosing your wedding dress can be a nightmare or incredible fun! This year has seen more diversity on the catwalk with more colour, giving you even more choice.

W

Claudia Jordan | www.bestbrides.co.uk

ith the recession over, glamour is making a come back with big statements like huge bows, florals and sleeves. Don’t worry though, the cute vintage look is still on trend.

Following on from last year’s girlie choice of blush, dusky hues of blue made an appearance reminiscent of Cinderella which coincided nicely with the launch of the latest movie for every princess looking to marry her Prince Charming.

It was great to see a comeback of opulence, large dresses with acres of gorgeous fabrics that you just want to touch.

Delicate laces, luxurious silks as well as the more unusual leather are all available.

Sheer fabrics have made a big appearance and allow the bride to be to show her naughty side off whilst still remaining elegant. Just remember to keep it PG! New shapes include more focus on the back (now’s the time to study working those lats and traps, girls) with a demure front reflecting on the art deco period as well as dramatic plunging neck lines, perfect for those who don’t need a bra. Also more off the shoulder dresses were featured. Shoulders are sexy and yet a dress that focuses on the shoulder is figure flattering to all.

New this year has been the two piece wedding dress, giving just a hint of waist with a crop top and a whole lot of vintage chic.

Still very current are tea length and waltz dresses.

The Best Brides team have mixed feelings on this.

One argument is that your wedding day is one of the few or for many, the only opportunity to wear a full length gown and be a princess. The other side of this coin is… SHOES! No more needs to be said really.

You HAVE to find the most beautiful shoes with a tea length dress!

Ultimately there is more choice than ever before. My advice? Go to a well established bridal boutique and get their professional advice on the shapes that will best

74 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

flatter your body. Never buy off the internet. Sadly it really is a false economy as not one bride I have spoken to has had any success and has ended up spending a fortune on getting the dress altered in the UK. Reports of cheap fabrics, shoddy workmanship and dropping “crystals” are frequent. This is probably the most expensive dress you will ever buy and the last worry you want is that it’s not the dress you’ve dreamed off. If your budget is tight, look at dress sales or alternative manufacturers who do a similar dress to your ideal. You can save hundreds of pounds like this! Most of all enjoy the shopping experience; take a couple of trusted friends/family with you and stick to your guns. You’ll know when it’s the right dress because you’ll feel like a princess!

Claudia Jordan is twice married self proclaimed super mum and the events director for Best Brides Wedding Exhibitions.

3-Spirit Make your wedding one to remember!

3

-Spirit understand that every single detail is important for a wedding. So they have pieced together a collective range of beautiful wedding decorations including: items to decorate a table, to hang around the ceremony and reception, or give as wedding favours..... all of which will definitely set the mood for an amazing day.

They also specialise in an extensive range of stunning gift ideas for that special couple.

Also, coming soon to 3-Spirit - A chance to hire some spectacular pieces to give your wedding the WOW Factor! Keep your eyes peeled in 2016!

Located in the heart of the beautiful Kentish town of Sevenoaks, the welcoming and helpful staff will be there to assist you with your requirements big or small! Open 7 days a week or you can even shop online from the comfort of your sofa on their beautiful website at: www.3-spirit.co.uk Also available at 3-Spirit: Home ware | Gifts | All things Shabby Chic | Incense | Crystals | Herbal Teas | Herbal Supplements & Minerals | Detox | Organic Pet Food | Electronic Cigarettes | E-Liquids | Vaping MODs.

WEDDING SPECIAL

JOANNE TRUBY FLORAL DESIGN - Bespoke floral design for Weddings and events -

Shortly after Joanne creates a bespoke design brief, putting together an online moodboard which captures the projected feel and style of her couples wedding.

E

stablished in 2012 Joanne Truby Floral Design is a bespoke floral design service specialising in weddings and events.

Priding itself on a tailored and personal approach, the Joanne Truby Floral Design team ensure they go to great lengths to meet each and every client’s brief in an innovative and creative way. From collecting seashells for a nautical themed wedding, to scouring antique shops looking for the perfect vintage broach to add the finishing touch to a bridal bouquet, each job is carried out with love and care.

ONE-OFF CREATIONS FOR A ONE-OFF DAY Joanne’s key differentiator is her personable nature, her passion for her job is infectious. Giving 110% to each of her couples Joanne’s love and personal approach ensures all briefs are met and expectations exceeded. Joanne embraces working on interesting projects and is never happier than when on the hunt for interesting containers & props to ensure each and every one of her designs is unique.

With the philosophy that flowers come armed with a super power - never failing to spread happiness - Joanne feels very lucky to have a job that she adores so much. This is evident in her work and relationship with her clients.

Nestled in Bromley Kent on the boarders of South East London, Joanne Truby Floral Design typically covers Kent, Surrey, Sussex & Central London but are always willing to travel further afield to discuss exciting new projects.

Joanne’s key differentiator is her personable nature, her passion for her job is infectious.

JOANNE’S STORY Following a career in the retail industry, Joanne Truby decided to leave her ecommerce role at high-street brands, River Island & Heals, to follow her passion for colour and design and retrain as a florist completing a degree in Floral Design and Event Management – providing Joanne with formal training in floristry specifically for creative events.

Embracing her creative skills and enjoying a more handson role, Joanne’s love for flowers and design grew further throughout her training. Believing that each and every one of us is born with a talent that they are destined to use, and inspired by her father’s entrepreneurial background, following her training Joanne launched Joanne Truby Floral Design.

THE PERSONAL TOUCH Each of Joanne’s designs starts with a private one-to-one consultation with the couple, or as she prefers to call it, ‘a chat over a cup of tea’. She takes great care getting to know her client’s likes and interests and how they envisage their wedding day coming to life. Her consultation is followed by a site visit to get a real feel for the surroundings to see what designs would work within the space.

76 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

THE DETAILS For further information on Joanne Truby Floral Design visit www.joannetruby.co.uk email hello@joannetruby.co.uk or call 07957 414208

WEDDING SPECIAL

The

Wedding Fair Sunday 18th October 2015

Beaverwood Place The Beaverwood Club, Beaverwood Road, Chislehurst Kent, BR7 6HF Working in partnership with

11am - 4pm

Show offers

- save £££s

FREE

admission

For more information and to pre-register visit www.bestbrides.co.uk or call 01474 815 463

Inspirational and interactive wedding shows where brides and businesses can create the perfect day!

78 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

BEAUTY

Make-up artists love them. Beauty bloggers can’t live with out them. But if you happen upon a palette in the average make-up bag, chances are one shade will be almost completely obliterated, while the others remain virtually untouched.

H

opefully, that kind of favouritism will be a thing of the past when you set your eyes on autumn’s multi-hued make-up sets, packed as they are with covetable colours.

And we’re not just talking eyeshadows either - lips, cheeks, brows and zygomatic arches (that’s cheekbones, dear) are all catered for.

From everyday essentials to glam going-out kits, these are the palettes to get pally with this season...

£10, comprises bright Calypso Island coral, pale Phoenix Sand and plummy Coral Dune, offering a cheeky hue for every occasion (www.sleekmakeup.com).

THE ROSE QUARTZ QUAD Give your smoky eye routine a seasonal switch, with the Givenchy Vinyl Prisme Quatuor Metallic Reflection set , £38.50, a quartet of pink and purplish tones. Start with one of three pearlescent shades then add definition with the matte red-black - the highly pigmented formula delivers long-lasting definition (www.houseoffraser.co.uk).

From everyday essentials to glam going-out kits, these are the palettes to get pally with this season...

THE CAMO COLLECTION Inspired by the camouflage print seen on the catwalk, Burberry’s Limited Edition Autumn/Winter 2015 Runway Palette, £50, combines nude beige, khaki green and black eyeshadows, plus three tiny brushes, in one very chic compact. These dense, moody hues work particularly well with brown and hazel eyes (www.burberry. com).

THE CHEEKY TRIO Sail away with Sleek’s trio of blushers, part of the limited edition Nautical Collection. The Blush By 3 in Santa Marina,

80 SEPTEMBER 2015 | www.thelifemagazines.com

THE QUICKIE QUINTET The perfect portable kit for easy eye make-up looks, Clarins 5-Colour Eye Palette Pretty Day, £33, pools five wearable shades, from palest nude through to shimmering chocolate. Keep it in your handbag or desk drawer for instant after-work transformations (www.clarins. co.uk).

THE SCULPTOR’S SET Fans of contouring will adore Illamasqua’s Sculpting Palette,

Beauty Bulletin LES w SCENT SA

s e preference onal perfum to sales ng The UK’s regi di or cc A . vealed y have been re riginal Factor ed by The O ts en sc ky data gather us m , otland, deep Shop, in Sc the north of lar, while in pu po t os m are ites. In the ur vo fa e rals ar ts with wild England, flo en sc y ic d Wales, sp while the p, to Midlands an come out on s te no crease in er in w g flo a bi UK has seen hich they w south of the , es um rf pe all the vanilla-based influenced by reckon was The on d create sweet treats Off. ke Ba sh iti Great Br

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| SEPTEMBER 2015 81

BEAUTY

&

TRIED TESTED

But it Now

Anti-ageing chocolate - surely that’s too good to be true?

Laura Wurzel finds out...

“Imagine if your daily anti-ageing regime involved munching chocolate? Well now apparently it can. As well as the usual antioxidant components, Esthechoc contains ‘ Astracells’, and promises to ‘enhance microcirculation and support oxygen saturation’ to promote healthy, youngerlooking skin from the inside out.

“Before starting my 21-day trial, I do a simple swab test which is sent off to Esthechoc’s lab for analysis. The chocolates, which you eat once a day, come individually wrapped. Dark, thin squares, they taste just like normal chocolate and make a nice postlunch treat.

“My skin is normally very dry and uneven, but within two weeks of daily choccy treatment, my face seems to have a healthier glow. It feels smooth and soft and I don’t need to use as much moisturiser as usual. T he results of a second swab test at the end of the trial confirm that I’m not imagining the improvement in condition and skin tone. It’s just a shame a regular bar of chocolate doesn’t have the same magical effect...”.

the e success of Following th t-actuallybu gin nd -sou improbable pillowcase, e anti-ageing very-effectiv eir range a th to s added es Iluminage ha k, as which us nating Eye M et ve rg ju ta Re to in ic Sk d fabr pper-infuse what we ’s at the same co th ow N night. wrinkles over sleep. call beauty ting in Rejuvena Iluminage Sk 5 £2 k, as Eye M ges.com) (www.selfrid

£44, which goes way beyond the usual duo of dark and light powders. Featuring two highlighters and four darker hues, the line-up cleverly includes ash and bronze shades, so you can tailor the warmth of your cheekbone-enhancing shadow (www.illamasqua.com).

THE LIPSTICK SIX The B. Kissable Palette, £9.99, brings together half a dozen of the vegan make-up brand’s best-loved lippies, from the dusky rose Doll’s House to super-bright Lollipop, giving you a whole new lipstick line-up for autumn. Given that a B. lipstick usually costs £7.99 a pop, it’s a major bargain too (www. superdrug.com).

bronze, silver and gold (of course) are a shimmering dark brown, holographic white and galactic grey (www. modelsownit.com).

THE AFFORDABLE ALL-ROUNDER Part of the Swedish fashion brand’s all-new cosmetics range, H&M’s Eye Shadow Palette, £9.99, is a good place to start if you want to expand your eye make-up repertoire beyond the usual browns and nudes.

The nine-colour collection adds greens, greys and blue into the mix, but the shades are still muted enough to make them easy to wear (www. hm.com).

From everyday essentials to glam going-out kits, these are the palettes to get pally with this season...

THE GOLD STANDARD Housed in a gorgeous rose gold case, this Models Own Chrome Eyeshadow Palette, £5.99, takes the metallic trend to new heights, with six molten cream colours. Joining

5/5 Esthechoc Cambridge Beauty Chocolate, £35 (www.harrods.com)

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THE MAC DADDY Worthy of a YouTube beauty vlogger’s kit, MAC’s comprehensive Warm Neutral Palette, £65, runs the gamut from delicate to dark and matte to molten in no less than 15 shades, giving make-up mavens hours, if not years, of experimental fun (www. maccosmetics.co.uk).

THE FULL MAKE-UP MONTY Split into three sections, the Smashbox Shape Matters Palette, £60, provides everything you need to whip your eyebrows into shape, contour and highlight your face and create a plethora of eyelid options, with nine different shadows. Just add mascara to complete your shapely transformation (available September 16; www.smashbox. co.uk).

STEAL OF THE WEEK Stock up on autumn skincare essentials from the Korres Black Pine range, £36-£39, which is buy-one-get-one-free throughout September at Marks and Spencer. Powered by pine polyphenols, the serum, moisturisers and eye cream help maintain skin firmness (www.marksandspencer.com).

Know

M

your mole‌

oles are small coloured spots on the skin, often brownish in colour; they generally appear in various sizes and are circular or oval in shape. They can be flat or raised, smooth or rough and may have hair growing from them.

Throughout your lifetime moles can change in number and appearance, though most develop within the first 30 years of life often with hormonal changes such as teenage years, pregnancy and old age. Those with fairer skin often have more moles than someone with a

however you should check your skin every few months for any new moles or changes in appearance of existing moles. If a mole has uneven colouring, a ragged edge, bleeds, itches, is inflamed

Most moles are completely harmless; however you should check your skin every few months for any new moles or changes in appearance of existing moles. darker complexion and if moles are common within the family unit you are more likely to develop a greater number.

If you spend an increased amount of time in the sun or were raised in a sunny climate you may have an increased number of smaller moles.

Most moles are completely harmless;

or one which increases dramatically in size you should get them checked by a Consultant Dermatologist.

In rare cases moles can develop into melanoma, a serious and aggressive form of skin cancer with the main treatment being surgery, depending on circumstances. Caught

in the early stages surgery is usually successful although further treatment may be required.

Avoiding over exposure to UV light, reduces the risk of developing melanoma, this can be achieved by sitting in the shade, wearing a sun hat and covering up, avoiding the use of sunbeds and using a high factor sun cream.

For more information or to book an appointment with one of North Downs Hospital Consultant Dermatologists call 0800 0468036 and speak to one of our Private Patient Administrators or visit www.northdownshospital.co.uk

Qualified surgical CHIROPODIST/PODIATRIST Clare Dicker MSSCh DipPodMed MBCha Registered member of the British Chiropody and Podiatry Association HCPC Reg No CH 21135

Clinic & Home visits F Evening appointments available F All aspects of foot care F Prescription Insoles (Orthotics) F Nail removal (local anaesthetic) F Nail reconstruction

01959 576161 7 Juniper Close, Biggin hill, Kent TN16 3LZ

www.claredicker.co.uk

HOME & GARDEN

f o s y a d Last . . . r e

m m Su Dream escapes might last one or two weeks of the year - if you’re lucky - but creating a sun-kissed theme at home means you can ‘live with’ that holiday glow for longer.

A

ccessorising with natural materials and neutral shades, against a soft palette of blonde, beige and honey tones, will conjure a laid-back look that’s subtle

and fresh.

Anything reminiscent of a seaside retreat - think driftwood and shells - worn timber and stone with a luxe, or battered, leather sofa or neutral chair, will add a sense of depth and a relaxed vibe, while anything faux sun-faded will look right at home.

WOODY ELEMENTS “Our quirky driftwood accents are perfect for creating a laid-back, beach-side feel, and for bringing the warmth and texture of nature into your home,” says Nathalie Davis, director at Cuckooland. “ Neutral colours will accentuate light, encouraging that dreamy, sun-kissed look, whilst being much more subtle and adaptable than a full-on nautical theme.”

Indeed, the joy of a hint of colour and barely-there prints is that you can make a statement without being overpowering. Rooms can evolve gradually, and hanging holiday items, such as a straw sun hat or fedora, over a wooden dresser, will hint at island life. Similarly, a wooden beaded necklace, spilling out of a ceramic bowl on a coffee table, can add a certain nonchalance to the atmosphere.

“Incorporating timber, like reclaimed teak, will bring warmth and depth,” says Emily Proctor, a buyer at Raft. “ Unlike plantation timbers that can look flat and plasticky, reclaimed teak has grown slowly over many years and retains the markings and knots inherent to naturally growing timber. Mixed with other natural materials, like linen, cotton and wool, it will create an organic look, rich in texture.”

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PLAY WITH NUDES Small, simple changes can make a huge difference. House of Fraser have introduced a new lifestyle brand, Gray & Willow, which champions ‘traditional making methods and natural materials, with a simple, understated aesthetic at the heart of the creative process’.

Key pieces, such as cream knitted cushions, basket knit throws and their Pebble dinnerware range, are good entry level items for introducing texture. And if you love the results, aspirational pieces, like the distressed brown leather sofa and dining table, will soon have rooms ready for casual entertaining.

This is where the fun begins, and you can start piling on the muslin and layering washed cotton yarns.

“The use of soft, tonal texture in a soothing palette of oatmeal, ivory and grey has a cocooning effect, while understated shapes and graphic lines give the home a new energy,” says Sue Roberts, director of home design at House of Fraser. “For textiles, the beauty is in the layering. Interwoven twill weaves achieve a textured finish, which is naturally adept at draping.”

Meanwhile, The White Company founder Chrissie Rucker, whose book - How To Make Your House A Home - is full of handy tips, suggests bringing a room to life by tuning it to the seasons. After all, part of the joy of spending the day on a sun-drenched beach is throwing a pashmina around your shoulders when the sun sets.

“In summer, choose paler shades and light materials - cotton waffle, muslin and linen. Sheer curtains will give a bedroom a lovely diffused light, and instantly soften the feel of the room. In winter, bring in the warmth with touches of deep colour and some cosy textures; wool, mohair, cashmere and fur,” advises Rucker.

2

3

1 w 1) Conran Short Textured Vase, £19.50, marksandspencer.com w 2) Mariana Natural Lamp, £195, Raftfurniture.co.uk. w 3) Large Polished Brass Shell Dish, 123, Joannawood.co.uk.

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| SEPTEMBER 2015 87

HOME & GARDEN

the

heart of the

home

Subtle grey and warm charcoal painted oak shaker.

Worktops Lyra Quartz Stone.

KITCHEN DESIGN MADE EASY by RETROFIT. Kitchen design is easy if you are just putting square boxes on a cad package, at Retrofit they see designing kitchens as a joint process between the client and the superb team at Retrofit. Retrofit take care that each kitchen not only looks good and is functional but also adds a stunning feature and value to the home.

Retrofit have access to the best bespoke furniture, which makes designing a kitchen a truly pleasurable experience with endless possibilities. They pride themselves in their ‘can do - everything is possible’ approach to design and installation.

They are often told by their massive number of highly satisfied clients that they have gone that extra mile with their jobs, enhancing their reputation. At Retrofit they believe that a good kitchen design and installation can change the whole way you live in your home. Retrofit simply will not get that wrong.

THE DETAILS Retrofit Plus Ltd 1A Place Farm Avenue, Orpington BR6 8DG 01689 890008

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Fiveways Fires & Stoves Experienced, Friendly.

Family Run Showroom.

Hetas and Gas Safe engineers.

Multi fuel stoves all Defra approved, Gas Fires and Mantles, The New Optimist range of Electric Fires and Stoves.

Open 6 days a week 10 until 6.

743-745 Sidcup Rd, New Eltham, SE9 3SA (located along Sidcup Bypass)

Tel: 0208

127 4747

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HOME & GARDEN

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the tilemates group Tilemates is the perfect choice for quality wall and floor tiles and www.tilematesgroup.com accessories on the high street.

the tilemates group www.tilematesgroup.com Established in 1983 Tilemates retail tile showrooms take great pride in being part of the dynamic tile distributor, Square Foot Ceramics. Tilemates advisors have a wealth of experience and expertise of the tile industry. This, combined with technical knowledge, leads to an established customer base that both regularly uses and recommends Tilemates.

Tilemates showrooms are stylishly designed to show quality beautiful European wall and floor tile designs on the high street.

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BOOK REVIEWS

The

BookShelf

“Eclecticism - do you read across the genres? Here’s an ‘eclectic’ selection . . . for the girls?”

WORDS by Bruce Edwards

The Boomer Generation Carole McCall Pub. by: P/b:

The Beachside Guest House Vanessa Greene Pub. by: P/b:

Sphere £7.99

Returning from your wonderful holiday trip abroad to face problems left at home, how often do you wish you could go back, buy up a property and go into a business you’ve always dreamt of ? Impractical? Yes very, however there are those that do try. A trio of girls holidayed on a memorable Greek island when impressionably young; years later domestic and relationship problems surface in their ordinary lives, providing an incentive to seize a chance opportunity to do just that. This story could be a light-hearted ‘how to’ manual, or even an attempt to recreate a simplistic ‘Mamma Mia’ film set, and becomes somewhat predictable - apart from the underlying marital problems that beset Iona, the weaker minded member of the trio. How the process of turning round a guest house business in a decayed windmill offers her a chance to rebuild her life alongside Rosa and Bee becomes a fascinating if quasi-tragic tale of determination against complicated and romantically inspired odds. A light-hearted, simplistic and untroublesome easy read, ideal for the evocative deckchair.

ISBN:

Arena Books £14.99

Once you’ve returned from the idyllic Greek island and resumed the work-a-day world, do you dream of what ‘could have been’, the images of idealistic life-styles, endless parties, golden moments, perfect houses, perfect partners? And no, it doesn’t happen, at least not to many people. It didn’t happen to Carole in quite the same way as she’d have liked - but what she has done is written a charmingly honest resume of a life lived to maximise whatever opportunities the world threw at her. Full of lively and descriptive accounts of the day-today, it reads like a well-composed diary, with moments of high hopes, comical critiques of simple happenings, lasting memories explained in intimate detail. One of the fascinations of this autobiographical account of real life is how one can pick it up, read a paragraph, a chapter, or even a mere line or two and see the world through another’s perceptive eyes. Despite, or even because of, it coming from an independent publisher, it’s well worth the cover price, if only to reassure you that you’re not alone . . .

ISBN:

978-1-9094-2151-6

978-0-7515-5224-9

The One I Was Eliza Graham Pub. by: P/b:

Lake Union n/a

Childhood memories often stay long in the mind, be they joyful moments from holidays, protracted ones from teenage family life or, as in this case, ones seared deep into the conscience. Some awareness of the tense, dangerous and haphazard exodus of Jewish children from the oncoming Holocaust into Britain in 1939 must remain with us - the man behind the arrangements will shortly be commemorated on a Royal Mail stamp.

Rosamund returns to her former childhood home in her professional capacity as a private nurse to tend the dying present owner, the evacuee she knew of from the past. There are ghostly recollections aplenty; the past is relived in scary detail through both the eyes of Rosamund and Benny, the Jew who wasn’t a Jew. The frantic moments before the last of Kindertransport trains left, the chaos, and the determination to build a new life in England are his to retell. The tragedy of a devious seduction that led to a death and the consequences thereof are Rosamund’s to recount. The tension is palpable throughout and will keep you gripped as the story unfolds.

ISBN:

978-1-4778-2931-8

“As we approach the book buying bonanza period, remember to ask us for the best in romantic and historic fiction.

Send an address to “writerselect@gmail.com” for choices not always available in the high street or on line.”

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17th CENTURY PUBLIC HOUSE

Rushmore Hill, Pratts Bottom, Kent BR6 7NQ tel: 01689 852 553 www.thebullsheadpub.net info@thebullsheadpub.net Find us on Facebook

The hidden jewel in North Kent’s crown SEPTEMBER

WHATS ON GUIDE: Tuesday Bat & Trap

1st

Friday Riffology

4th

Sunday 6th Quiz night

Sunday 20TH Quiz night

Friday 18th The Bulls Head Girl Tribute act

Friday 25th Damien Singer

FISHY

BUSINESS

FOOD & DRINK

Forget coffee, tea or an icy shower, if there’s anything guaranteed to give restaurant owners Mitch Tonks and Mat Prowse a boost in the morning, it’s their breakfast grappa.

S

ince travelling around Europe some years ago, on the hunt for culinary inspiration for their celebrated Seahorse restaurant in Devon, the two friends have continued the boozy morning ritual, which is popular in food markets in Italy and Spain.

“We like our little drink in the morning,” says Tonks, laughing.

“It’s quite enjoyable,” adds the awardwinning chef, who fronted Good Food series, Mitch And Matt’s Big Fish Recipes, with former rugby star Matt Dawson.

“The secret is, it’s only one drink, and for some reason, some days it’s better than others.

Some days you don’t really get it, and other days you get really quite smashed and I’m not sure why.”

While the pair’s customary drink, which they quaff alongside their morning coffee, has raised a few eyebrows, it’s part and parcel of the jovial atmosphere they hope to create in the restaurant, with dancing on tables and musical interludes

from their maitre d’ Mark Ely encouraged.

“It doesn’t really sound like it’s a very professional place,” says Prowse with a laugh. “It has a life of its own.”

Friends since the late Nineties, Tonks and Prowse - whose experience in kitchens began with pot-washing for a local eatery when he was 13 - have just released a new recipe book, aptly named The Seahorse, based on the dishes they serve in their restaurant.

And while they are both knee-deep in seafood these days, this wasn’t always this case.

“I was working as a head chef at a restaurant in Bath and Mitch came to sell me fish,” explains Prowse of how their partnership began.

“He set up his fishmongers there after giving up his previous life as an accountant in London. He came into the restaurant one day, trying to sell me fish, and that was it, we just hit it off. We decided to start running cookery classes.”

While he and Tonks, who “wasn’t having

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a great time” as an accountant and quit aged 27, bonded over their love of seafood, they’re well aware that many people don’t share their enthusiasm for fish.

“It smells. It’s full of bone. It’s going to stick in your throat and you’re going to be dragged to hospital to get rid of it,” exclaims Prowse, with a weary sigh.

“Everything you hear about fish, whether it’s sustainability or cooking it, is all negative. But it’s not. It’s an easy thing to cook. Very simply with the sustainability thing, just find yourself a good fishmonger and trust they’re doing that bit for you.

“Buy the freshest fish you can find, cook it really simply and you’ll have the best meal ever.

That’s all we do in the restaurant. Sometimes you feel like a fraud because it is so easy, but behind the scenes it’s not!”

Fancy trying your hand at some simple fishy dishes? Here are three recipes from The Seahorse to try at home...

SEA BASS WITH BRAISED COURGETTES n 1 00ml plus 1tbsp olive oil Serves n 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped 4 n 4 courgettes, cut into quarters then cut into 2.5cm chunks n A good handful of basil, roughly torn n 4 sea bass fi llets, about 180-200g each, skin on n 1 lemon n Salt and ground white pepper n 1 lemon, cut into wedges, to serve Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6.

Heat the 100ml of olive oil in a saucepan over a medium heat.

Add the garlic and sweat for a minute without colouring. Next, add the courgettes and basil, then season with salt and white pepper and mix well. Cook the courgettes for about 15 minutes, stirring regularly until most of the water from the courgettes has evaporated and they have stewed down, leaving some in chunks and some completely broken down. Take off the heat and set aside.

Heat a large ovenproof frying pan with the tablespoon of olive oil over a medium heat. Place the sea bass in the pan skin-side down, season with a little salt and cook for about 12 minutes until the sea bass skin starts to take some colour and begins to crisp.

Carefully turn the fillets over and place the pan into the oven and roast for about five minutes, or until the flesh turns white and flakes easily.

To serve, reheat the courgettes over a low heat until they are just warm. Add a good squeeze of lemon and put a generous spoonful onto each warmed plate. Put the sea bass on top and serve with a lemon wedge.

RED GURNARD WITH PEPERONATA AND SALSA VERDE Serves 4

n 50ml olive oil n 4 red gurnard fillets, about 180-200g each, skin on For the peperonata: n 50ml olive oil n 2 red onions, sliced n 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped n 1tsp dried oregano n 1tbsp tomato puree n 1/2tsp ground cumin n 2 red peppers, deseeded and sliced n 2 yellow peppers, deseeded and sliced n A pinch of saffron strands For the salsa verde: n A handful of flat-leaf parsley n A handful of basil n A handful of mint n 2 garlic cloves n 1tbsp capers n 1tbsp red wine vinegar n 12 salted anchovy fillets n 1tsp Dijon mustard n 4tbsp olive oil n Salt For the pepperonata, heat the olive oil in a lidded saucepan over a medium heat. Add the onions, garlic and oregano and sweat for five minutes, or until soft. Add the tomato puree and cumin and cook for a further two minutes. Next, add the peppers and saffron and mix well, then cover the pan with a lid and stew the peppers for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Uncover and cook for a further 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Check the seasoning then remove from the heat.

Preheat the oven to 200C/Gas 6. To make the salsa verde, place all the ingredients except the olive oil into a food processor and pulse-blend them to a rough paste. Add half the oil and blend again to combine, then add the remaining oil and repeat.

To cook the fish, heat the olive oil in a large, ovenproof frying pan over a medium heat. Add the red gurnard and cook for about two minutes until golden on one side.

Carefully turn the red gurnard over and place the pan into the oven and roast for six to eight minutes (depending on size and thickness of fish) until cooked.

Remove the fish from the oven and serve with a spoonful of the peperonata and the salsa verde..

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