St Albans Life Magazine January 2013

ST ALBANS LIFE

ST ALBANS LIFE W I T H D E S I R A B L E A R E A S A C R O S S B E A U T I F U L H E RT F O R D S H I R E ISSUE 76

w w w. t h e l i f e m a g a z i n e s . c o m

JANUARY 2013

WWW.THELIFEMAGAZINES.COM THE QUALITY LIFESTYLE MAGAZINE JANUARY 2013

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR WATFORD

LOCAL LIFE | HISTORY | EVENTS | BEAUTY | HOME & GARDEN | PROPERTY

LEO N SNAO W

Welcome to our January issue Hampstead Antique & Craft

The historic mansion house originally known as Poles was taken over by Edmund Hanbury who as a token of his love to his wife Amy Hanbury revamped the house to the Jacobean-style mansion as it stands today.

Hanbury Manor’s enchanting traditional English setting is the ideal location to fall in love and romance your loved one.

Emporium

HODKIN & JONES Ltd. EST. 1868

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter opened its doors for the very first time to visitors in March 2012. The awesome experience also includes of some of the film series’ most iconic sets within the attraction including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office, the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter’s famous cupboard under the stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, the Potion’s classroom, Professor Umbridge’s office, the Weasley kitchen, the Hogwarts bridge and many others.

The London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. With its first section opening in 1863, it was the first underground railway system in the world. In 1890 it became the first to operate electric trains. Despite the name, about 55% of the network is above ground.

It is usually referred to officially as ‘the Underground’ and colloquially as ‘the Tube’ coming from the circular tube-like tunnels and platforms through which the trains travel.

This gives you just a small taste of exciting events and articles featured in this month’s issue...

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Faye Manning Editor

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vintage & antiquewww.lifemagazines.com quilts & shawls + antique furniture, Editor - modern & fine, vintage ceramics & glass + jewellery Manning & antique, studioFaye & Modernist + Art Deco glass Editor Assistant & lighting + new, vintage & antique buttons + dolls' Katie Miller houses, miniatures &Sub toys + collectables & novelties Editor + silver photo frames Alex & fine Lux crystal + greeting cards Fashion Editor + designer clothing & women's cotton nightware Hazel Englander + cashmere, wool & silk scarves, shawls & knitwear www.rogeroates.com Education Development Manager + coffee & wafflCorinne es at Tania's of Hampstead Sugar

floors & fabrics opening hours

Design & Production Toni Perry Tues - Fri 10.30 - 5.50 Sales Sat 10 - 6 James Marshall London Showroom Sun 10.30 - 5.30Directors 1 Munro Terrace, Rory Smith, Patrick Smith Riley 12Street, Heath Street

Chelsea, London SW10 0DL

London NW3 6TE

telcopies - 020 7794 3297 For of our brochures please call 020 7351 2288

open Mon - Sat 9.30 - 5.30 267-269 Coombe Lane London SW20 0RH Tel: 020 8947 9797

An award winning range of outstanding fibrous plaster mouldings Bespoke and FREE local parking installation also available.

For a free copy of our brochure contact our sales office 01246 290890 or email sales@hodkin-jones.co.uk www.hodkin-jones.co.uk

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18/06/2012 16:44

EV E N TS

The RHS London Plant & Design Show RHS Horticultural Halls (Lawrence & Lindley Hall),Greycoat Street,Westminster SW1P 2PE 19TH & 20TH FEBRUARY 2013

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he Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), the UK’s leading gardening charity, kick-starts the gardening year in the heart of the capital with The RHS London Plant & Design Show, providing gardening advice, inspiration and display an extensive selection of early spring plants.

An interactive central feature focusing on six garden themes from conifers and woodland to kitchen gardens and houseplants has been designed to celebrate the launch of the new RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) List and the RHS Hardiness Ratings. This display will tell the history of selected AGM plants, the meaning behind their name and why they are important. Plant Committees and RHS experts will also be holding talks and demonstrations.

For those interested in design, London colleges will be on hand with advisors to provide information and host talks. Inspiring the use of sustainable energy and recycled and reclaimed materials within

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design, visitors will be able to see the work of up and coming young talent. Three young designers will reveal their plans for gardens, themed around Eco Innovations, which will be created at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park in July.

Specialist growers from across the country will be selling a spectacular array of the best spring plants, many of which are not available in garden centres due to their rarity and collectability. Visitors can expect to see and buy contemporary garden products and varieties of snowdrops, hellebores and early spring bulbs including new plants and unusual cultivars.

Opening times Tuesday 19th February, 10am - 7pm & Wednesday 20th February, 10am - 5pm Book tickets online at www.rhs.org.uk/Shows-Events RHS members FREE (with Membership Card) Non-members tickets ÂŁ5

Also in the Antique & Modern Jewellery auction An early 20th century diamond crescent brooch.

Estimate £2,200 - £2,800

Vintage & Modern Wrist Watches

Monday 21st January An 18k white gold automatic gentleman’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust wrist watch.

Estimate £10,000 - £15,000

Auction of Antique & Modern Jewellery Thursday 17th January at 11am From left to right

A brilliant-cut diamond single-stone ring, weighing 3.38cts.

Estimate £7,000 - £10,000 A platinum brilliant-cut diamond single-stone ring, weighing 2.42cts.

Estimate £10,000 - £15,000 An old-cut diamond single-stone ring, weighing 3.55cts.

Estimate £10,000 - £15,000

Coins & Medals

Monday 18th February Military General Service Medal 1793 – 1814, 3 clasps, Talavera, Busaco, Albuhera, awarded to Isaac Jones, 7th Foot.

Estimate £700 - £900

Visit www.fellows.co.uk/life for a complimentary catalogue Fellows Auctioneers | 19 Augusta Street | Birmingham B18 6JA | 0121 212 2131 London Office (Valuations By Appointment Only) | 2nd Floor |3 Queen Street | London W1J 5PA | 020 7127 4198

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An Inspirational Location Childwick Bury Manor is a manor in Hertfordshire, England, between St Albans and Harpenden

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revious owners were the Lomax family who bought the house in 1666 and who lived there until 1854 when Joshua Lomax sold it to Henry Hayman Toulmin, a wealthy ship owner and High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and mayor of St Albans. Toulmin left the property to Sir John Blundell Maple around 20 years later. Toulmin’s granddaughter, the author Mary Carbery, was born at the house.

Sir John Blundell Maple bred and raced Thoroughbreds and built Childwick Bury Stud into a very successful horse breeding operation.

Another prominent racehorse owner, Jack B. Joel, bought the estate including the stud farm farm in 1906. On his death in 1940, his son Jim Joel took over the operation. He too became a successful racehorse owner and breeder and maintained the property until 1978 when the stud and the manor were sold separately.

It was advertised thus...

“The Manor House, mainly 18th century has 12 Reception Rooms, 18 Bed and Dressing Rooms, 11 Staff Bedrooms, and 10 Bathrooms.

Immaculate Timbered Grounds. Walled Garden. Courtyard with Garaging and Flat. Estate Office. Victorian Dairy House with about 19 Acres. Two Coach House Cottages with Magnificent Stable Yard with Paddock and Woodland 16 Acres [65,000 m2]. Cheapside and Shafford Farms, 2 Well Equipped Corn and Stock Farms with about 724 Acres. 146 Acres of Timbered Parkland, 37 Acres of Railed Paddock and 104 Acres of valuable Commercial Timber”.

In addition there were “18 Attractive Houses and Cottages, some with Paddocks. Old Mill and other Buildings for conversion, Stud Buildings, 30 Loose Boxes, Potential Riding School, and fishing in River Ver and Mill Race. Total 1,100 Acres” Film director Stanley Kubrick 6 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

bought the manor in 1978. He used the estate as both a home and a nerve centre for his film productions. He lived there until his death in 1999 and is interred on its grounds. His widow, Christiane Kubrick, still lives in the manor house.

Stanley Kubrick (July 26, 1928 – March 7, 1999) was an American director, writer, producer, and photographer of films, who lived in the manor during most of the last 20 years of his career. Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects, his slow method of working, the variety of genres he worked in, his technical perfectionism and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life. He worked far beyond the confines of the Hollywood system, maintaining almost complete artistic control and making movies according to the whims and time constraints of no one but himself, but with the rare advantage of big-studio financial support for all his endeavours. Nominated several times for Oscars for both writing and directing, his only personal win was for the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey, though his films have won many Oscars and other awards in other departments.

Well known Kubrick films include Fear and Desire, Killer’s Kiss, The Killing, Paths of Glory, Lolita, A Clockwork Orange, Barry Lyndon, The Shining, Full Metal Jacket, and Eyes Wide Shut. Kubrick is widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished, innovative and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. He directed a number of highly acclaimed and often controversial films that have often been perceived as a reflection of his obsessive and perfectionist nature. His films are characterized by a formal visual style and meticulous attention to detail – often combining elements of surrealism and expressionism with an ironic pessimism, while also being among the “most original, provocative, and visionary motion pictures ever made”.

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F E AT U R E

Love is in the air... at Hanbury Manor

Treat your sweethearts this Valentines to the ultimate romantic experience at Hanbury Manor, A Marriott Hotel & Country Club based in Ware, Hertfordshire.

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he historic mansion house originally known as Poles was taken over

by Edmund Hanbury who as a token of his love to his wife Amy Hanbury revamped the house to the Jacobean-style mansion as it stands today. Hanbury Manor’s enchanting traditional English setting is the ideal location to fall in love and romance your loved one.

Devote your evening to dinner in one of the restaurants with live entertainment available on Thursday 14th, Friday 15th and Saturday 16th February 2013 with options of either the elegant 2 AA rosette awarded Zodiac Restaurant for an intimate dining experience serving an exquisite menu including seared scallops, salmon, duck or lobster followed by a main of turbot, beef, sea bass or tortellini sweetened with a Vanilla and raspberry mille Feuille, bitter chocolate tart or passion fruit panacotta for £75 per person with wine to complement each dish.

The contemporary Oakes Grill Restaurant overlooking the 200 acres of stunning parkland offers dishes of smoked duck, seared tuna and goat’s cheese to start followed by lamb, turbot or basil risotto and finished with caramelised apple tatin, white chocolate and raspberry crème brulee or passion fruit mousse for £52.50 per person.

Hanbury Manor also offers a Sunday option of Romance of the Movies afternoon tea in the magnificent Oak Hall with its period features including open fireplaces. Indulge in a glass of pink bubbly on arrival followed by traditional afternoon tea including finely cut sandwiches, freshly baked scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam, pastries and cakes and a

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selection of teas with live music from the favourite romantic movies of all time for £35.50 per person.

Get intimate with a Romance Spa Day for two for £170.00 with full use of leisure facilities including the Romanesque swimming pool, sauna, steam and Jacuzzi, towels and robes throughout the day and a 55 minute treatment each of either a Decleor classic facial with its 100% natural treatment tailored to every skin type leaving skin feeling soft, smooth and refreshed. Or choose a full body massage to help unwind, de-stress and sooth. Once relaxed enjoy a two course lunch. Available Sunday to Monday through February 2013.

Why not stay overnight in one of our 161 period decorated and relaxing bedrooms; with package options that include champagne on arrival and rose petals on the bed to truly swoon your partner. Visit the website on: MarriottHanburyManor.co.uk For further information please contact the hotel on 01920 487 722 visit the website MarriottHanburyManor.co.uk or email mhrs.stngs.guestrelations@marriott.com Hanbury Manor, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club Ware, Hertfordshire, SG12 0SD; Telephone: 01920 487 722 Website: MarriottHanburyManor.co.uk Facebook—http://www.facebook.com/hanburymanor Twitter: https://twitter.com/HanburyManor Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/hanburymanor/

Sophie is in love with Ray and Contemporary Art. Ray is designed by Antonio Citterio. www.bebitalia.com

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Dinosaurs star in new Rye House attraction

inosaurs have arrived at Rye House Kart Raceway at Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire, with the opening of a new year-round attraction, the Rye-assic Adventure Park. Nearly a year in the making and designed for the 0-9 years age group, the one-acre area brings prehistoric creatures from the Cretaceous Period 144 million years ago to life with sight and sound as a backdrop to a collection of new rides and games in six activity zones. Giants of the past featured include Brachiosaurus and Stegosaurus, as well as the feared Tyrannosaurus Rex, in full life-size splendour.

The park, designed to preserve the natural habitat of today’s creatures as well, is at Rye House, just north of Junction 25 of the M25 and the A10 by-pass. It is five minutes from Rye House Station on the Hertford East line direct from London’s Liverpool Street Station.

The Rye House Kart Raceway is already a well-known Hertfordshire attraction for children and adults. Guests can hire petrol or electric karts or bring their own and the circuit is also the home of Hoddesdon Kart Club, where Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton began his racing career.

As well as the driving, the Raceway features the Rye House Laser Combat arena, where visitors can experience modern warfare games – without bruises or pain. The indoor arena has sound, light, smoke and visual effects to simulate realistic close-range combat.

The opening of the adventure park has been marked with a new website at www.ryeassicadventurepark.co.uk with full details of all the attractions.

Highlights include the Rye-Assic Raceway featuring “Quad-zilla” super-safe electric quad bikes suitable for children aged three and over using a purposebuilt track under the watchful eye of a Brontosaurus. There is also boat racing, crazy golf, a “Lost in Time” maze, a bouncy castle and trampolines.

An outdoor play area centres around a pirate galleon giving children’s imaginations a work-out as they clamber round the vessel, which has slides, mini-

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climbing walls, gangplanks, a basketball net, see-saws, swings and “springers”.

Indoors, the Dinodrome soft play area has three zones - the Soccer Cage, Big Red Bus and Giants’ Play Station - all close enough for parents to keep a watchful eye on their charges from the comfort of the coffee shop and viewing enclosure. There is also an educational lounge and gift shop.

With an “Explore and Learn” theme, the Rye-assic Adventure Park offers special packages for schools, families and groups and is open from 9.30am-5.30pm on Mondays to Saturdays and 10am-5pm on Sundays. The attractions will be using school projects to enhance the experience through educational displays and Junior Explorer programmes. Another special feature is coffee mornings every Tuesday from 10am-11.30am allowing parents and carers to relax while the children play. Admission is £3.95 per child, with a cuppa on the house for the grown-ups.

General manager Ryan Musk says he is confident of the park’s appeal because he used his own family and friends’ children to test the various attractions. “This is one park that will attract fans again and again,” he adds.

“I have been speaking to people as they are on their way home and the only ones not delighted with their day out are some of the children, because they don’t want to leave.”

Adults and under one’s are admitted free to the park. Children aged one to 11 pay £3.95 per child on weekdays and £4.95 at weekends. Parking is free.

The Rye-assic Adventure Park is at Rye House Kart Raceway, Rye Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire EN11 0EH. For more information, visit www.ryeassicadventurepark.co.uk.

For more information on Rye House Kart Raceway, visit www.rye-house.co.uk or call 01992 460 895 ext 1.

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his February, surprise your Valentine with precious time spent together at The Grove. Each of the 27 rooms in the 18th century, Grade II mansion house is unashamedly seductive, swathed in sumptuous fabrics and personal touches with period features and fireplaces. Throw open the curtains and enjoy the cool winter sunshine streaming through the French windows with views over the formal gardens and 300 acres of private parkland surrounding the hotel. The spacious bathrooms, many with beautiful roll top baths, are filled with super soft towels and robes, plus travel size bottles of lotions and potions from The White Company.

Before reaching for the ‘do not disturb’ sign, escape for a hand held stroll around the romantic formal gardens, or wander through the meadowland or the beautifully restored Victorian Potting Shed in the Walled Garden. If that sounds like too much effort relax in Sequoia, the award winning luxury ESPA spa with 13 treatment rooms – including a large VIP suite for couples – as well as the now iconic black mosaic tiled pool and Jacuzzi.

For the ultimate indulgence, experience the delicious Signature Rose Ritual treatment, inspired by the delicate blooms in the enchanting Walled Garden and Rose Gardens. The treatment has been designed to restore the body and provide complete rejuvenation of the mind. The Rose Ritual Signature Treatment is a one hour and 50 minute slice of heaven, 1 2 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

priced from £165 and The English Rose Spa Day provides four hours of sheer bliss from £325. After all that pampering, indulge in a light lunch in the Spa’s garden room overlooking the zen garden or unwind in one of the Spa’s luxurious relaxation rooms and simply feel the stress just melt away.

In the evening, still smelling of roses, treat your loved one to candlelit dinner in Colette’s, The Grove’s signature restaurant, an elegant à la carte dining room in the heart of the mansion. Sip a pre-dinner glass of Champagne on the deep sofas while perusing the deliciously imaginative menu, designed exclusively for Valentine’s day by rising star Head Chef Russell Bateman. For £100 per person, try the impressive Valentine’s tasting menu that begins with Oyster and Caviar, followed by Hand Dived Scottish Scallop with Peanut, Radish and Lime and Breast of Cotswold White Chicken with Truffle, Cauliflower and Vacherin and finished with a selection of imaginative desserts combing Passion Fruit, White Chocolate, Meringue and Pistachio. A protégé of Gordon Ramsay and Marcus Wareing, Russell has already won three AA Rosettes and an entry into the Good Food Guide for Colette’s. Bringing his own creativity and flair to the food on the menu, Russell skilfully combines classic flavours with the more adventurous, giving his dishes a very personal and exciting signature. His unique style of embracing diverse food and cultures while subtly mixing

AT THE GROVE, DISCOVER A CONTEMPORARY COUNTRY HOUSE HOTEL THAT EXUDES SEXY URBAN CHIC AND IS PERFECT FOR ROMANTIC BREAKS AND FAMILY ESCAPES. SINCE IT OPENED IN 2003, THE GROVE IN HERTFORDSHIRE HAS BEEN KNOWN AS ‘LONDON’S COUNTRY ESTATE’, AN APT NAME FOR THIS ‘GROOVY GRAND’ FIVE STAR RESORT. flavours and textures is highlighted through the use of the freshest and best ingredients.

For a less formal dining occasion but no less delicious, The Stables restaurant in the original 18th century stable block, has a wholesome and rustic feel to it with picturesque views over the busy golf course. Head Chef Christopher Mouyassi uses the very best in seasonal ingredients to create informal yet gorgeous comfort food, which has been recently awarded an AA Rosette for innovation. His homely menus are bursting with classic British flavours including succulent steaks, wood-fired pizzas

and warming handmade pies.

For guests simply looking to while away time over a game of Scrabble, a good book or the day’s newspaper, the four elegant Lounges and The Library in the mansion provide peaceful hideaways, overlooking the enchanting formal gardens through French windows. With open fires in the winter, these historic rooms provide an ideal setting to enjoy The Grove’s selection of freshly brewed teas and coffees.

RESERVE YOUR VALENTINE’S BREAK TODAY

Make The Grove your romantic hideaway this Valentine’s Day and treat the special person in your life.

From only £239 per person, experience Champagne and chocolates on arrival, a six course tasting menu in Colette’s, overnight accommodation and breakfast in The Glasshouse.

Packages are subject to availability

F E AT U R E

VALENTINE’S AND EASTER

AT THE GROVE from 14th - 16th February 2013.

EASTER

This Easter break, take the kids for a half term escape to The Grove where there is always plenty to do for families. For younger guests there is Anouska’s, The Grove’s kids’ club which is rated outstanding by OFSTED. It is a paradise for children under 12, with a dynamic range of activities to choose from – from painting and puppets, modelling and craft courses, music, water games and plenty of books. Children even have their own indoor swimming pool at Anouska’s (in addition to the large outdoor pool in the

Walled Garden for use during the warmer months). Children are welcomed with age specific boxes of toys, mini bathrobes and milk and cookies .

Older children will enjoy hanging out in the hotel’s Games Room and Kids area, complete with a next generation X-Box, cinema, Playstation and Wii, and can enjoy a game of tennis, croquet or round of golf. Over 16’s can also enjoy a relaxing treatment in the Sequoia Spa and have full use of the spa facilities.

What’s more, children will find a stay at The Grove truly magical given its proximity to the Warner Bros. Studios just a few minutes away. A home-from-home for many of the stars including Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton during the filming of the international blockbuster series, children will love being so close to the action and stepping in the footsteps of their actor heroes. A must for any Harry Potter fan, The Grove has

created a spellbinding experience for younger guests, offering packages that include tickets to the neighbouring Warner Bros.

Studio Tour.

With the children entertained, parents will relish the time to explore the resort’s beautiful landscaped gardens, master a round of golf on The Grove’s championship 18 hole golf course or sink into a superb ESPA treatment at the much-lauded, award-winning Sequoia spa.

The Grove is renowned for its family friendly facilities and the lively and buzzing atmosphere of The Glasshouse restaurant, described as ‘an international theatre of cooking’ is perfect for families. The ideal venue to enjoy a celebratory lunch this Easter, The Glasshouse has open kitchens offering a delicious fresh buffet offering an enticing array of British, Mediterranean and Asian dishes. There is something delicious at The Glasshouse for even the most discerning and fussy of young tastebuds and enough space to accommodate anything from small family get togethers or the largest of celebrations. The Easter weekend is the ideal time to experience The Glasshouse, with their set menu lunch at only £33 per person and dinner for only £49 (Easter Monday £39) per person.

Guest rooms in The Grove’s West Wing are spacious and contemporary and designed with families in mind, with clean lines and every modern luxury. Superior rooms look towards The Grove’s Victorian Walled Garden and the deluxe rooms, many of which

feature balconies or terraces, boast beautiful views out across the formal gardens and sofa beds suitable for children under 12.

Selected rooms in the West Wing are interconnecting family rooms and cots, rollaway beds and even bunk beds can be arranged at the drop of a hat.

The Grove’s guests are welcomed to a unique environment, which brings together the very best of 21st century living, with everything that makes a country estate so attractive: the peace of the countryside, a personal welcome, a sense of peace. A destination in itself, there is no need to leave The Grove – here you will find the perfect balance between city and country; classic and contemporary; formality and fun – a country estate with a modern twist, that has it all.

Half Term breaks between 15th - 24th February 2013 start from as little as £310 per room per night, including breakfast in The Glasshouse. Furthermore, for those wishing enjoy a little longer luxury, guests can take advantage of a second night for 50%, or three nights for the price of two!

Easter breaks from 22nd March – 7th April are priced at £310 per room per night, including breakfast in The Glasshouse, with three nights for the price of two also being offered. Rates are subject to availability and exclude the Easter Weekend.

For these and other promotions, please visit www.thegrove.co.uk/life or call 01923 296010 follow @TheGroveHotel on Twitter or Like at www.facebook.com/TheGroveHotel J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 1 3

Our winter sale is now on with up to 50% off Fishpools has grown over the last 114 years and today we are the largest quality furniture store in the south east. Our 60,000 square feet showrooms feature over 200 room sets from classic to contemporary, minimal to vintage and rustic to romantic all designed to help you make your home unique. There are over 200 sofa collections, 150 dining ranges, 100's of beds, 75 bedroom ranges, and a large carpets & rugs department. Choose from a wide range of linens, soft furnishings, pictures and mirrors plus cookware and gifts from our Home Accessories department.

If it’s big name brands you’re after, we stock Stressless, Ercol, Natuzzi, G Plan, Duresta, Collins & Hayes, Nolte, Vi Spring, Tempur and many more.

As a family-run retailer our commitment to great service begins as soon as you enter the store to be greeted by our well trained, knowledgeable people, who will assist you on all aspects of your purchase until it is safely delivered to your home. So pop in, we have ample customer parking, an in-store coffee shop and we look forward to making your acquaintance.

Our Novara Corner group, the epitome of laid-back leather luxury Just one of over 200 sofa styles in our range Visit our website to see all our ranges

High Street Waltham Cross . 01992 63 64 65 . www.fishpools.co.uk

F E AT U R E

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he London Underground is a rapid transit system serving a large part of Greater London and neighbouring areas of Essex, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. With its first section opening in 1863, it was the fi rst underground railway system in the world. In 1890 it became the first to operate electric trains. Despite the name, about 55% of the network is above ground. It is usually referred to offi cially as ‘the Underground’ and colloquially as ‘the Tube’ coming from the circular tubelike tunnels and platforms through which the trains travel.

The Underground has 270 stations and about 250 miles of track, making it the longest metro system in the world by route length. It also has one of the highest number of stations.

The tube map, with its schematic non-geographical layout and colourcoded lines, is considered a design classic, and many other transport maps worldwide have been influenced by it.

Railway construction in the United Kingdom began in the early 19th

century. By 1854 six separate railway terminals had been built just outside the centre of London: London Bridge, Euston, Paddington, King’s Cross, Bishopsgate and Waterloo. Traffic congestion had increased significantly in this period, partly due to the need for rail travellers to complete their journeys into the city centre by road. The idea of building an underground railway to link the City of London with the mainline terminals had first been proposed in the 1830s, but it was not until the 1850s that the idea was taken seriously as a solution to traffic congestion.

In 1854 an Act of Parliament was passed approving the construction of an underground railway between Paddington Station and Farringdon Street via King’s Cross which was to be called the Metropolitan Railway. A shortage of funds delayed construction for several years, and the City of London Corporation was persuaded help fund the scheme. Work fi nally began in February 1860.

Th e Metropolitan Railway opened in 1863. Within a few months of opening it was carrying over 26,000 passengers a day. And in 1868, the Metropolitan District Railway began operating services between South Kensington and Westminster.

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F E AT U R E WHITECHAPEL 1896

VICTORIA 1900

The company, which soon to become known as “the District”, by the end of the 1880s, underground railways reached Chesham on the Metropolitan, Hounslow, Wimbledon and Whitechapel on the District and New Cross on the East London Railway. The City & South London Railway, now the Northern Line opened in 1890, between Stockwell and the now closed original terminus at King William Street. By 1900 it had been extended at both ends, to Clapham Common in the south and Moorgate Street in the north.

The Waterloo and City Railway opened in 1898. In 1900 the Central London Railway (now known as the Central line) was opened. It was nicknamed the “Twopenny Tube” for its flat fare and cylindrical tunnels. The Baker Street & Waterloo Railway opened in 1906, soon branding itself the Bakerloo Line.

In early 1908, in an effort to increase passenger numbers, the underground railway operators agreed to promote their services jointly as “the Underground”, publishing new adverts.

“The Underground” name appeared on stations for the first time and electric ticket-issuing machines were also introduced. This was followed in 1913 by the first appearance of the famous circle and horizontal bar symbol, known as “the roundel” Shortly after London Transport was created it began the process of integrating the underground railways of London into one network.

All the separate railways were given new names in order to become lines within it. A free map of these lines, was issued in 1933. Commonly regarded as a design classic, an updated version of this map is still in use today.

During the 1930s and 1940s, several sections of main-line railways were converted into surface lines of the Underground system. The oldest part of today’s Underground network is the Central line between Leyton and Loughton, which opened as a railway seven years before the Underground itself.

The outbreak of World War II delayed all the expansion schemes. The Blitz led to the use of many Underground stations as shelters during air raids 1 6 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

CLAPHAM 1914

and overnight. Later in the war, eight London deep-level shelters were constructed under stations, ostensibly to be used as shelters (each deeplevel shelter could hold 8,000 people) Some stations (now mostly disused) were converted into government offices: for example, Down Street was used for meetings of the War Cabinet before the Cabinet War Rooms were completed; Brompton Road was used as a control room for anti-aircraft guns and the remains of the surface building are still used by London’s University Royal Naval Unit and University London Air Squadron Years later, there was completion of the electrification of the network, seeking to replace steam locomotives on the parts of the system where they still operated. Steam locomotives were fully withdrawn from London Underground passenger services in 1961. The last steam shunting and freight locomotive was withdrawn from service in 1971.

In 1970, the Greater London Council (GLC) took over responsibility for London Transport, This period is perhaps the most controversial in London’s transport history, characterised by staff shortages and a severe lack of funding from central government. There was one important legacy from the ‘Fares Fair’ scheme, the introduction of ticket zones, which remain in use today. In 1984 Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative Government removed London Transport from the GLC’s control, replacing it with London Regional Transport.

As the London Underground celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1988, the future looked promising. However, cost-cutting was not without its critics.

At 19:30 on 18 November 1987 a fire swept through King’s Cross St Pancras Underground station, the busiest station on the network, killing 31 people.

It later turned out that the fire had started in an escalator shaft serving the Piccadilly Line, The escalator on which the fire started had been built just before World War II. The steps and sides of the escalator were partly made of wood, meaning that they burned quickly and easily. Smoking was banned on the subsurface sections of the London Underground in February 1985

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following the Oxford Circus fire. These tragic events led to the abolition of wooden escalators at all Underground stations and pledges of greater investment. In summer, temperatures on parts of the London Underground can become very uncomfortable due to its deep and poorly ventilated tube tunnels: temperatures as high as 47 °C (117 °F) have been reported!

Overcrowding on the Underground has been of concern for years and is very much the norm for most commuters especially during the morning and evening rush hours. On particularly busy occasions, such as football matches, British Transport Police may be present to help with crowd management.

According to a House of Commons report, commuters face a “daily trauma” and forced to travel in “intolerable conditions”. The announcement “mind the gap”, heard when trains stop at certain platforms, has also become a well known catchphrase, as well as a name of a band.

actual Rooms in Horse Guards Road were ready.

King’s Cross - The original station at King’s Cross was built to the east of the current one. Platforms in the old station can be seen from Circle, Metropolitan and Hammersmith and City line trains.

Aldgate station was built on the site of a plague pit described by Daniel Defoe in “A Journal of the Plage Year” - 1000 bodies were buried here in only two weeks during the plague of 1665.

Mansion House station was originally meant to be a junction but it was downgraded and actually given the wrong name as the real Mansion House is to be found at some distance to the east.

Bond Street - In 1909 Gordon Selfridge wanted to build a tunnel from his famous shop to Bond St Station but was refused permission.

Post Office Railway For over 75 years a little known miniature railway (or Mail Rail) operated beneath the streets of London, conveying letters from one side of the city to the other. At its peak in the 1950’s the railway delivered 12,000,000 letters a day. It closed in 2003 as part of the Royal Mail’s larger programme of withdrawing

Ghost Stations There are well over 50 abandoned stations, including 8 big stations in the centre of London. Here are some of them.

Aldwych, closed in 1994, it’s now used for filming and for exhibitions - Patriot Games, the All Saints film Honest, the BBC production of Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere and videos such as Prodigy’s FireStarter have all been filmed here. It also featured in Tomb Raider the game.

South Kentish Town lies between Kentish Town and Camden Town on the Northern line and closed in 1924 - it was then used as an air raid shelter during the war. It’s now a sauna and massage parlour on the Kentish Town Road...

Down Street - otherwise known as Vauxhall Cross in the Bond film Die Another Day. The original entrance can be found on the west side of Down Street, just off Piccadilly. It was closed in 1932 and used as an underground bunker in 1939. It was also used by Winston Churchill as temporary Cabinet War Rooms until the

from the railways.

Ghosts Aldwych Station was built on land previously home to the Strand Theatre, and the ghost of an actress can supposedly be seen here. Bank Station and the Bank of England, is supposedly haunted by Sarah Blackhead, a woman dressed in black who, although her brother had died, used to visit his office in the Bank every day. She’s also known as the “Black Nun”. Aldgate - an old woman was seen by a railway worker stroking his friend’s hair shortly just before the worker touched a live wire and was hit with a 20,000 volt shock.

He survived. Bethnal Green - in 1981 a station master heard the cries of children, soon joined by the screams of women. During WWII 173 people died in an incident - the majority were women and children.

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The View from The Shard O P E N S ON 1 ST FEBRUARY 2 01 3 The View from The Shard, the new premium visitor attraction at the top of The Shard - London’s newest landmark and Western Europe’s tallest building opens to the public on 1st February 2013.

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The View from The Shard, at the pinnacle of The Shard, developed by Sellar Property in association with LBQ Ltd and designed by Renzo Piano, provides the most spectacular 64km (40 mile), 360-degree views of the capital from 244m (800ft) above the city. Almost twice as high as any other viewing point in London, The View from The Shard is the only place you can see all of London, all at once, making it the perfect first stop for visitors.

The name ‘Shard’ comes from its sculpted design, which consists of glass facets that incline inwards but do not meet at the top, but instead open to the sky to allow the building to breathe naturally. London church spires and masts of ships which once anchored on the River Thames inspired the elegant building. When fully completed, The Shard will be a vertical city with high-quality offices, international restaurants, the 5-star Shangri-La hotel, exclusive residences and visitor attraction The View from The Shard, which will provide visitors with a multi-sensory experience and exhilarating 360° views for 40 miles across London. Attraction opening times enable sunrise, sunset and night views over London. Ticket numbers are carefully managed, providing guests with a queue and crowd free experience with no time limit in the attraction.

The View from The Shard is much more than a remarkable view - it provides a unique encounter with The Shard and the entire city of London. We can reveal previously unseen features of the attraction, including: State of the art interactives: see the history of London mapped out before you as famous characters, buildings and communities are brought to life.

Understand the growth of London and the connection between The Shard and the city.

Ground floor galleries: From the entrance at Joiner Street, guests enter the ground floor galleries to begin their exploration of the UK’s capital. Over 140 famous Londoners in playful juxtapositions greet visitors through a series of colourful tongue-in-cheek illustrations that cross space and time. Meet the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as Pearly King and Queen; see Boris Johnson shine Ken Livingstone’s shoes; witness Kate Moss marrying Henry VIII; catch a glimpse of Prince Charles judging architecture and watch a Womble cleaning the city streets. Around the gallery, animated maps and video screens illustrate the growth of London and reveal the context of the historic London Bridge location – the oldest crossing point over the Thames - around which the city has expanded. Through a series of short films, guests are given glimpses of London’s diverse communities and famous streets

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and places across the capital – all of which they will be able to see from the viewing galleries over 200m above them. Interactive displays also bring The Shard to life, demonstrating how this unique building is connected to the city.

Immerse yourself: become part of the experience as you join the London landscape of famous faces and world leaders. Test your knowledge of the city through history –where is the ancient road to Dover? Which heath saw a political dispute settled with pistol shots? In which area is the original Olympic Velodrome located? Immerse yourself and discover the city like never before.

Soaring skywards: In total, guests travel in four separate lifts up and down to the viewing galleries. The lifts travel at six metres per second, making the total lift journey time from Level 00 to level 68 around 60 seconds. Guests depart the ground floor in ‘kaleidoscopic’ lifts using video screens and mirrors to create the effect of soaring through iconic ceilings and roofs of London. As they ascend towards the pinnacle of The Shard so they pass through the dome of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Rubens ceiling at the Banqueting House in Whitehall, the spiral staircase at Monument, and the British Museum’s Great Court glass roof. The descent lifts feature different visual effects.

Transfer zone (Level 33) Visitors will transfer lifts at Level 33 through an all-enveloping graffiti word map of London. Guests follow an image of the River Thames curving along the floor and see the capital mapped geographically around them in 200 sentences scrawled on the walls and floor, each describing a different part of the city. Guests can test their knowledge of London as they walk through, for example: Where is the ancient road to Dover? Which heath is famous for pistol duels? Where was the original Olympic Velodrome located?

The View is revealed (Level 69) Guests arrive at the ‘cloudscape’ on level 68 and immediately head upwards to the triple-height, light-filled, main viewing gallery at Level 69 where breathtaking, 360 degree views for up to 40 miles (64km) over the capital are revealed.

The city of London is brought to life on 12, free to use, ‘Tell:scopes’ – ultra hightech digital telescopes that are being used in Europe for the first time. The Tell:scopes enable guests to explore the city around them in real time, as well as offering alternative (pre-recorded) day and night-time views. Fully interactive, they are able to identify over 200 famous landmarks and places of significant interest and offer information about them in 10 languages.

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Experience Level 72 For the most profound experience, guests can go higher to the viewing gallery at Level 72 (800ft/244m). Here, at the very highest public level of the building, partially open-air and exposed to the elements, guests are surrounded by the giant shards of glass that form the top of The Shard and can fully experience the sounds and atmosphere of the city below. The entire attraction offers free Wi-Fi. Guests can immediately share pictures, thoughts and views as they stand over the city with friends all over the world.

Experiences can also be shared on The View from the Shard’s Facebook page and on Twitter using the hashtag #shardview Examples of landmarks visible from the viewing galleries at Levels 69 and 72: North: Wembley Stadium and Alexandra Palace.

East: The Olympic Stadium, the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, Canary Wharf and the Thames Barrier South: Battersea Power Station and The Oval cricket ground West: St Paul’s, Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament, Buckingham Palace.

The Sky Boutique – the highest shop in London Level 68 features an exclusive boutique that enables guests to take home mementoes of their visit to The View from The Shard with bespoke designs and limited edition souvenirs.

Descent and exit Guests descend in multimedia-enhanced lifts that reflect the trip back down to earth. The sky recedes, the seasons change, and the hustle and bustle of the streets of London comes into focus. Visitors arrive back in the ground floor gallery and a more extensive gift shop.

The attraction is much more than an astonishing view. It provides a unique encounter with The Shard and offers an unparalleled experience of one of the greatest cities on earth.

Andy Nyberg, The View from The Shard, CEO, said: “The View from The Shard is the only place you can see the whole of London all at once, and as such, is a natural starting point for exploring the UK’s capital. Here visitors can find the entire city laid out before them, to be explored, admired and inspired by. We’ve designed an immersive visitor experience enhanced by state of the art technology to draw people deeper into the story of London, its people and history. I hope that our guests - Londoners and tourists alike will enjoy a truly unique encounter with the city and The Shard.”

Irvine Sellar, Chairman of Sellar Property and partner of LBQ Limited, said: “The Shard was designed to be a building for everyone and the opening of The View from The Shard is a fundamental part of this. There is no doubt that it will be one of the leading attractions in London, complemented by the new restaurants, bars and Shangri-La Hotel opening in The Shard 2013.

It is an integral part of our vision that London Bridge Quarter will form a unique and inclusive area at the heart of a community that has a long history and huge potential for growth.”

Renzo Piano, the Architect who created The Shard, has been personally involved in developing the content of the experience, working in collaboration with the attraction designers Event Communications.

Renzo Piano, Architect, The Shard: “London is a city of inspiration and imagination. When we designed The Shard, a viewing gallery was part of our thinking right from the start. We wanted to create a public space where people could visit the building to experience London in a different way and also feel that they have discovered the spirit of the building. Level 72 is a wonderful example of this: in the open air on the highest habitable floor, you are surrounded by the shards of glass as well as the sights, sounds, elements and atmosphere of the city below. On top of the city, but also within it.”

The View from The Shard will be open from 9am – 10pm daily (except 25th December). The entrance will be located on Joiner Street, London, SE1.

The nearest tube/rail station is London Bridge. Public information email: info@theviewfromtheshard.com Follow the The View from The Shard with updates, pictures and the chance to win tickets on Twitter @shardview, (hashtag #shardview).

The View from The Shard is also on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ theviewfromtheshard and Pinterest at http://pinterest.com/shardview/ www.the-shard.com London Bridge Quarter The Shard is the iconic new building at the heart of the London Bridge Quarter. The £2bn regeneration project is being developed by Sellar Property in association with LBQ Ltd. London Bridge Quarter will see The Shard and its sister development The Place connect with London Bridge Station through a new central plaza, public realm, new station concourse and bus station as well as retail units.

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THE REGENT STREET

GIFT CARD The Regent Street Association is pleased to announce the launch of the Regent Street Gift Card, the first to be offered by a UK high street rather than a shopping mall.

T

he Gift Card will be accepted in over one hundred stores, hotels and restaurants in and around Regent Street, including the Regent Street Food Quarters, Heddon Street and Swallow Street.

The Gift Card is a great way of solving those difficult gift purchases whether it is a corporate incentive or personal present. Accepted by Hamleys, Penhaligon’s, Burberry, Molton Brown, Gap, Uniqlo and many more, the Gift Card caters for everyone; a one stop shop in London’s renowned West End. Available to the public in any amount between £10 - £500, and corporate organisations in larger amounts, the Regent Street Gift Card,

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which is valid for one year, can be purchased from regentstreetonline. com or directly from the Regent Street Association offices.

The Regent Street Gift Card is being provided

by Store Financial, an international payment systems processor.

Stuart Green, Store Financial Managing Director says, ’We are delighted to be working with Regent Street on this incredibly exciting project. Known the world over as one of the best shopping destinations, providing a wonderful mix of luxury and leisure

in London’s West End, it is only fitting that a Gift Card can now be purchased as the perfect present for your friend or loved one, or as a fantastic reward or incentive for your employee.’

Jack Spade, Stone Island and Raffa.

The re-development of the Piccadilly end of Regent Street has seen the launch of Coach, Nespresso, Sebago, Ugg, Lotus, Brasserie Zédel and soon to open Café Royal.

The Regent Street Gift Card joins the recently launched Regent Street Shopping app, ‘Living Regent Street’ and the new edition of the Regent Street Guide.

The Regent Street Association, founded in 1925, is a membership organisation and represents all the shops, restaurants, hotels and offices in and around Regent Street.

The RSA organises the Christmas Lights, the Regent Street Festival and other traffic free events in Regent Street and promotes Regent Street to residents, visitors and those who work in the area.

Regent Street has recently seen the launch of the largest Burberry store in the world, as well as the new shops on Brewer Street, Woolrich, Wolsey,

twitter.com/regentstonline facebook.com/RegentStreetOfficial youtube.com/regentstreettv

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Hadley Wood - A High Place

The name of the village conjures up a vision of an 19th Century builder who gave his name to it, but it is much more exciting than that. The name is very historic and comes from the Anglo-Saxon for `A High Place.

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æde-Læye meant just that, but not in the geographic sense.

It is a religious expression as the village was originally a Hermitage for monks. That word in itself comes from the Latin meaning to be alone, and that’s what monks do when they are on a retreat.

This particular retreat was also a farm which was self sufficient in all things dairy and agricultural, as well as providing meat from the woods such as rabbit, hare, deer and wood pigeon. A powerful ally of William the Conqueror was a Norman family called Mandeville.

In the 12th C, Geoffrey De Mandeville sided with King Stephen after King Henry I died. Stephen was Henry’s nephew and returned to England from France to claim the throne; Geoffrey supported him and was awarded the estate surrounding the woods. It was first called `Mandeville-Ing Hæde2 4 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Læye`, `Ing` was the Anglo-Saxon word for a family.

The Mandeville’s had a hunting lodge built on the estate, but this was later dismantled in the early 15th C. Geoffrey De Mandeville gifted some 480 acres to the Abbey of Walden around 1139, the village name changed when the monks of the abbey built a farm around the Hermitage, it was deviated to `Monk-Ton Hadley`, Ton being the Saxon word for a farm.

Then in the 1930s Hadley Wood was made into a separate parish, however, the history still belongs to Hadley Wood.

Hadley was very prominent on the list of hunting estates from the time of Henry IV to the reign of King James I, both Henry VIII and his daughter Elizabeth I were regular visitors to the Hermitage. Before Henry VII died on April 21st 1509, he was prominent in promoting the estate to the nouvelle riche of the day. They wanted to curry favour at the royal court

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so they built huge houses in the new Tudor style; much of the wood for the timber framed mansions came from the local woods.

The area became a village of rich merchants, all of whom jostled for position to invite the kings and queens to stay at their houses, while they were hunting. Many houses had `Mews` built to house the royal and their own falcons, hawks and horses. A mews was originally an aviary for falcons and hawks, the word comes from the moulting of the birds, they were said the `Moult and Mew` their feathers. Horses were then housed within the aviaries and when falconry went out of fashion, the word was used to mean a block of horse stables.

When the car came along the mews were converted into smaller town houses, and many a street gets its name from these conversions.

Trent Park was one of the most beautiful parts of

the whole estate; thankfully today it is a public park where many people enjoy the scenery, the tranquillity and the fresh air. Trent Park goes back to the 14th C, the mansion house first appeared around 1400, it was well kept by the various families who were granted permission to lease it from the crown estate. King Henry IV stayed at the mansion house and paid for some improvements. After Henry V came to the throne in 1413, he also made Trent Park a place to retreat to and enjoy the tranquillity.

The present mansion house was rebuilt and enlarged in the 1920s, some of the gardens are just stunning to look at, and there is also an Orangery that dates back to the 18th C.

It was during his reign that Camelot Moat came about, this is a small man made island within the park surrounded by a moat. The island that was created was the original site of the Mandeville hunting lodge. It was used by religious and pious people to “be at one with God� while visiting the estate, today the mooted island is a wild life sanctuary and visitor attraction, it is now called Camlet Moat.

The information that was received from these prisoners was invaluable to the intelligence services, and certainly helped to win the war. I thoroughly recommend a visit to this wonderful park; people that live near places of interest tend to never visit them as they are just on the doorstep. However, if you live in or near Hadley Wood you will be amazed at the tranquillity and gardens at Trent Park.

During WWII Trent Park mansion house was used as a POW camp for high ranking German officers, but it wasn’t just an ordinary POW camp. The whole building was wired and every conversation, in every area of the building was recorded.

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A legend in our midst

STANLEY KUBRICK Stanley Kubrick was an American director, writer, producer, and photographer of films, who lived in Harpenden during the last 30 years of his career.

Kubrick was noted for the scrupulous care with which he chose his subjects, his slow method of working, the variety of genres he worked in, his technical perfectionism and his reclusiveness about his films and personal life. He worked far beyond the confines of the Hollywood system, maintaining almost complete artistic control and making movies according to the whims and time constraints of no one but himself, but with the rare advantage of big-studio financial support for all his endeavors. Nominated several times for Oscars for both writing and directing, his only personal win was for the special effects in 2001: A Space Odyssey, though his films have won many Oscars and other awards in other departments.

Kubrick’s father taught him chess at age twelve, and the game remained a lifelong obsession. He also bought his son a Graflex camera when he was thirteen, triggering a fascination with still photography. As a teenager, Kubrick was interested in jazz, and briefly attempted a career as a drummer.

Kubrick is widely acknowledged as one of the most accomplished, innovative and influential filmmakers in the history of cinema. He directed a number of highly acclaimed and often controversial films that have often been perceived as a reflection of his obsessive and perfectionist nature. His films are characterized by a formal visual style and meticulous attention to detail – often combining elements of surrealism and expressionism with an ironic pessimism, while also being among the “most original, provocative, and visionary motion pictures ever made”.

Later in life, Kubrick spoke disdainfully of his education and of education in general, maintaining that nothing about school interested him. His parents sent him to live with relatives for a year in Los Angeles in the hopes that it would help his academic growth.

Early life Stanley Kubrick was born on July 26, 1928 at the Lying-In Hospital in Manhattan, the first of two children born to Jacques Leonard Kubrick (1901–85) and his wife Gertrude (née Perveler; 1903–85). His sister, Barbara, was born in 1934. Jacques Kubrick, whose parents were of Jewish AustroHungarian origin,[5] was a doctor. At Stanley’s birth, the Kubricks lived in an apartment at 2160 Clinton Ave. in The Bronx.

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Kubrick attended William Howard Taft High School from 1941–45. He was a poor student, with a meager 67 grade average. He graduated from high school in 1945, and his poor grades, combined with the demand for college admissions from soldiers returning from the Second World War, eliminated any hopes of higher education.

While still in high school, he was chosen official school photographer for a year. In 1946, since he wasn’t able to gain admission to day session classes at colleges, he briefly attended evening classes at the City College of New York (CCNY) and then left. Eventually, he sought jobs as a freelance photographer, and by graduation, he had sold a photographic series to Look magazine. Kubrick supplemented his income by playing chess “for quarters” in Washington Square Park and various Manhattan chess clubs. He became an apprentice photographer for Look in 1946, and later a full-time staff photographer. Many early [1945–50] photographs by Kubrick have been published in the book Drama and Shadows and also appear as a special feature on the 2007 Special Edition DVD of 2001: A Space Odyssey.

St. Albans Store, 1 London Road, St. Albans, Herts, AL1 1LA Monday - Friday 09.30 - 5.30, Saturday 09.00 - 6.00, Sunday 11.00 - 5.00 Call 01727 838588 or visit us at www.multiyork.co.uk

Source code: HL0113

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Personal life Kubrick infrequently discussed personal matters in interview, and rarely spoke publicly at all. Over time, the gamut of his public image in the media ranged from a reclusive genius to a megalomaniacal lunatic shut off from the world. Since his death, Kubrick’s friends and family have publicly denied both of these stereotypes. It is clear that the director left behind a strong family and a circle of close friends, and many of those who worked for him have spoken in his favor. Kubrick’s famous reclusive nature is largely a myth, and may have resulted from his aversion to air travel. Despite once holding a pilot’s license, Kubrick had a fear of flying and refused to take airplane trips.

As a result, he rarely left England in the last forty years of his life. In addition, Kubrick shunned the Hollywood system and its publicity machine, resulting in little media coverage of him as a personality. Upon purchasing the Childwickbury Manor in Hertfordshire, England, Kubrick set up his life so that family and business were one. He purchased top-of-the-line film editing equipment and owned a number of cameras, which he sometimes used on his own movies.

Children and animals would frequently come in and out of the room as he worked on a script or met with an actor. His appearance was not well-known in his later years, to the extent that a British man named Alan Conway successfully impersonated Kubrick in order to meet several well-known actors and get into fancy clubs. Conway is the subject of the film Colour Me Kubrick (2005), written by Kubrick’s assistant Anthony Frewin and directed

by Brian Cook, Kubrick’s First Assistant Director for 25 years.

Despite his aversion to international travel, Kubrick was constantly in contact with family members and business associates, often by telephone, and contacted his collaborators at all hours of the day and night for conversations that lasted from under a minute to several hours. Many of Kubrick’s admirers and friends spoke of these telephone conversations with great affection and nostalgia after his death, especially Michael Herr and Steven Spielberg. In his memoir of Kubrick, Herr stated that dozens of people have claimed to have spoken to Kubrick on the day of his death and remarked that “I believe all of them.” Kubrick also frequently invited people to his house, ranging from actors to close friends, admired film directors, writers, and intellectuals.

It was little-known by the public during Kubrick’s life that he was also an animal lover. He owned many dogs and cats, and showed an extraordinary affection for them.Kubrick’s widow, Christiane, in her book version of Stanley 2 8 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Kubrick: A Life In Pictures, wrote that Kubrick brought his cats onto film sets and editing rooms with him in order to spend more time with them.

Matthew Modine remembers Kubrick’s being deeply upset when a family of rabbits was accidentally killed during the making of Full Metal Jacket.

Kubrick was so beside himself that he canceled shooting for the rest of the day.

Philip Kaplan, one of Kubrick’s lawyers and friends, told the story that Stanley once canceled, at the last moment, a meeting with him and another lawyer who had flown to London from the United States because he had sat up all night with a dying cat and was in no shape to participate. Also, according to Kaplan, the huge kitchen table at Kubrick’s home in Harpenden (Hertfordshire, United Kingdom) was supported by an undulating base with interior spaces, and housed within each curved space was a dog, most of whom were of no recognizable breed, and some not notably friendly to strangers.

Kubrick had a reputation for being tactless and rude to those he worked with. Some of Kubrick’s collaborators complained that his personality was cold and that he lacked sympathy for the feelings of other people. Although Kubrick became close friends with Clockwork Orange star Malcolm McDowell during filming, Kubrick abruptly terminated the friendship soon after the film was complete.

McDowell was deeply hurt by this, and the schism between the two men lasted until Kubrick’s death. Science fiction writer Brian Aldiss was fired from Kubrick’s never-completed project A.I. for vacationing with his family in violation of his contract, even though Kubrick had put the project on hold at the time. James Earl Jones, despite his admiration for Kubrick on an artistic level, spoke negatively of his experience on Dr. Strangelove, saying that Kubrick was disrespectful to actors, using them as instruments in a grand design rather than allowing them to be creative artists in their own right.

George C. Scott, who admired Kubrick in retrospect for reportedly being one of the few people who could routinely beat him at chess, famously resented Kubrick’s using Scott’s most over-the-top performances for the final cut of Dr. Strangelove after being promised by Kubrick that they were warmups and would not actually be in the movie.

Kubrick’s employees and crew members have stated that he was notorious for not complimenting anyone, and rarely showed admiration for his coworkers for fear it would make them complacent. Kubrick complimented them on their work only after the movie was finished, unless he felt their work was “genius.” The only actors that Kubrick called “genius” were Peter Sellers, James Mason, and Malcolm McDowell.

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Michael Herr, in his otherwise positive memoir of his friendship with Kubrick, complained that Kubrick was extremely cheap and very greedy about money. He stated that Kubrick was a “terrible man to do business with” and that the director was upset until the day he died that Jack Nicholson made more money from The Shining than he did. Kirk Douglas often commented on Kubrick’s unwillingness to compromise, his out-ofcontrol ego, and his ruthless determination to make a film his own distinct work of art instead of a group effort. However, Douglas has acknowledged that a large part of his dislike for Kubrick was caused by the director’s consistently negative statements about Spartacus.

including the stud farm farm in 1906. On his death in 1940, his son Jim Joel took over the operation. He too became a successful racehorse owner and breeder and maintained the property until 1978 when the stud and the manor were sold separately.

Many of those who worked with Kubrick have spoken kindly of him since his death, including coworkers and friends Jack Nicholson, Diane Johnson, Tom Cruise, Joe Turkel, Con Pederson, Carl Solomon, Ryan O’Neal, Anthony Frewin, Ian Watson, John Milius, Jocelyn Pook, Sydney Pollack, R. Lee Ermey, and others. Michael Herr’s memoir of Kubrick, and Matthew Modine’s book Full Metal Jacket Diary show a much kinder, saner, and warmer version of Kubrick than the conventional view of him as cold, demanding, and impersonal. In a series of interviews found on the DVD of Eyes Wide Shut, a teary-eyed Tom Cruise remembers Kubrick with great affection; Nicole Kidman shares his sentiments.

Two Coach House Cottages with Magnificent Stable Yard with Paddock and Woodland 16 Acres. Cheapside and Shafford Farms, 2 Well Equipped Corn and Stock Farms with about 724 Acres. 146 Acres of Timbered Parkland, 37 Acres of Railed Paddock and 104 Acres of valuable Commercial Timber”. In addition there were “18 Attractive Houses and Cottages, some with Paddocks. Old Mill and other Buildings for conversion, Stud Buildings, 30 Loose Boxes, Potential Riding School, and fishing in River Ver and Mill Race. Total 1,100 Acres”

Shelley Winters, when asked what she thought of him, answered: “A gift.”

Shelley Duvall, who played Wendy in The Shining, had a rocky relationship with Kubrick, but said in retrospect that it was a great experience that made her smarter—though she’d never want to do it again. Malcolm McDowell acknowledged in retrospect that some of his statements about Kubrick were “unfair” and were a “cry out” to Kubrick to reconnect with him.

Childwickbury Manor, Harpenden Film director Stanley Kubrick bought Childwickbury Manor in 1978. The Manor is located St Albans and Harpenden. Previous owners were the Lomax family who bought the house in 1666 and who lived there until 1854 when Joshua Lomax sold it to Henry Hayman Toulmin, a wealthy ship owner and High Sheriff of Hertfordshire and mayor of St Albans.

Toulmin left the property to Sir John Blundell Maple around 20 years later. Toulmin’s granddaughter, the author Mary Carbery, was born at the house.

Sir John Blundell Maple bred & raced Thoroughbreds and built Childwick Bury Stud into a very successful horse breeding operation.

Another prominent racehorse owner, Jack B. Joel, bought the estate

It was advertised thus: “The Manor House, mainly 18th century has 12 Reception Rooms, 18 Bed and Dressing Rooms, 11 Staff Bedrooms, and 10 Bathrooms. Immaculate Timbered Grounds. Walled Garden.

Courtyard with Garaging and Flat. Estate Office. Victorian Dairy House with about 19 Acres.

The stud was sold to the Marquesa de Moratella. He used the estate as both a home and a nerve centre for his film productions. He lived there until his death in 1999 and is interred on its grounds. His widow, Christiane Kubrick, still lives in the manor house.

Feature Films Kubrick made only thirteen feature films in his life. His oeuvre was comparatively low in number, considering the output of his contemporaries such as John Ford or Federico Fellini, due to his methodical and meticulous dedication to every aspect of film production. A number of his films are recognized as seminal classics within their genre.

Year Title 1953 Fear and Desire 1955 Killer’s Kiss 1956 The Killing 1960 Spartacus 1962 Lolita 1964 Dr. Strangelove or: How I

Learned to Stop Worrying

and Love the Bomb

1968 1971 1975 1980 1987 1999

2001: A Space Odyssey A Clockwork Orange Barry Lyndon The Shining Full Metal Jacket Eyes Wide Shut

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 2 9

F E AT U R E

MAGNIFICENT MUSEUMS IN HERTFORDSHIRE Ashwell Village Museum A fascinating collection covering every aspect of village life, housed in a 16th century timber-framed building.

contains the original forge and bellows.

De Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre

New museum bringing to life the rich history of the town and its unique links with the history of empire and Africa through the Cecil Rhodes collection

Situated on the historic site of Salisbury Hall, the museum has on display 18 types of de Havilland aircraft and sections ranging from DH Moths, modern military and civilian jets and the prototype Mosquito.

British Schools Museum, Hitchin

Elstree Film and Television Heritage Group

A collection of elementary school buildings, including the only surviving example of a monitorial schoolroom in the world. The museum also contains an intriguing collection of Victorian school and home artefacts.

This museum regularly create displays on the growth of the film and television industry in Elstree and Borehamwood, covering key events in the history of the film and television studios as well as current productions.

Buntingford Heritage Centre

First Garden City Heritage Museum

Bishops Stortford Museum

Provides a regular programme of temporary exhibitions about the history of Buntingford and the surrounding area.

Bushey Museum The collections tell the story of Bushey with an emphasis on the unique artistic history of the village, including works by the Monro Circle and Sir Hubert von Herkomer RA and his famous school of art.

Cromer Windmill Hertfordshire’s sole surviving post mill, Cromer Windmill dates from 1679/81 and was in use until 1923.

After many years of restoration work, the mill is now open to the public.

Dacorum Heritage Trust The Trust acts as the museum organisation for the Borough of Dacorum and operates a museum store in Berkhamsted. The Trust organises displays drawn from its collections at different venues around Dacorum.

Datchworth Museum Displays about the history of the village housed in a former blacksmith’s shop, which

3 0 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Housed in a building designed by Harry Parker the museum tells the story of the Garden City Movement from it origins to the present day. The Temporary Exhibiition Programme explores the social history of Letchworth Garden City from 1903.

The Forge Museum, Much Hadham There is a working blacksmith on site and a beautiful Victorian Cottage Garden behind the museum, which was the village forge from 1811 to 1983.

Hertford Museum Located in a 17th century town house with a recreated Jacobean knot garden.

There are extensive century-old collections, mainly local history, as well as temporary exhibitions and resources for schools.

Hitchin Museum and Art Gallery Displays include a reconstructed Victorian chemist’s shop and a costume gallery. The museum has a changing temporary exhibition programme and holds regular events. There is also a garden of medicinal plants.

Knebworth House This has been the home of the Lytton family since 1490 and successive generations have contributed to the building, décor and contents. It has also been used as a film location, including Wayne Manor in the first Batman film.

Letchworth Museum and Art Gallery Includes displays on natural history and archaeology, particularly the Iron Age and Roman period. The fine art collection concentrates on local artists and contains many works by William Ratcliffe. There is a regular programme of temporary exhibitions.

Lowewood Museum, Hoddesdon Displays include artefacts, photographs and pictures relating to the history of the Borough of Broxbourne.

Mill Green Museum A working 18th century watermill, situated in an attractive riverside setting.

The adjoining museum has displays on local history and archaeology.

Museum of St. Albans The story of historic St. Albans from the departure of the Romans to the present day. There is a special exhibition programme and a wildlife garden.

Potters Bar Museum The museum tells the story of Potters Bar from prehistory to the 1950s. A new exhibition on an aspect of local history is displayed twice a year.

Royston and District Museum & Art Gallery The museum includes displays of local history from the Stone Age to the present day. It also exhibits an excellent collection of 20th century ceramics, the Royston Tapestry and work by local artists.

Scott’s Grotto, Ware An enchanting 18th century grotto built

by the Quaker poet John Scott. The Grotto was visited by many famous people of the time, including Dr. Johnson. There is also an octagonal summerhouse on the hill above the grotto.

Shaw’s Corner, Ayot St. Lawrence The home of George Bernard Shaw from 1906 until his death in 1950. The atmospheric rooms remain much as he left them and contain many of his literary and personal effects.

Stevenage Museum The story of Stevenage and its people.

Displays include a Roman coin hoard and a computer challenge about the New Town.

Three Rivers Museum, Rickmansworth A collection from the Three Rivers District, including archaeology, Second World War memorabilia and local photographs.

Veni Vidi Verulamium, St. Albans Discover the secrets of Roman Verulamium with Veni Vidi Verulamium.

Roman Britains, archaeologists & modern school children take you for a walk in the park, telling stories of daily life in Roman times, the excavations and artefacts in the Museum. Based in Verulamium Park, the tours are available throughout the year.

Verulamium Museum, St. Albans The museum of everyday life in Roman Britain. Discover the life and times of a major Roman city through awardwinning displays of mosaics, room settings, interactives and computer touch-screens.

Natural History Museum, Tring Once the private collection of Walter Rothschild, the museum holds more than four thousand species of animals in a unique Victorian setting.

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THINK DIFFERENTLY

25.01.2013

Every once in a while, a new car comes along that redefines the rules.

Powered by ground-breaking SKYACTIV Technology and with striking KODO design, the all-new Mazda6 is set to change your thinking.

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THE ALL-NEW M{ZD{ 6. DEFY CONVENTION.

Brayley Mazda 17 Luton Road, Harpenden, Hertfordshire AL5 2UA 01582 447378 www.brayley-mazda.co.uk

The official fuel consumption figures in mpg (l/100km) for the all-new Mazda6 range: Urban 36.2 (7.8) - 55.4 (5.1). Extra Urban 57.6 (4.9) - 78.5 (3.6). Combined 47.9 (5.9) - 67.3 (4.2). CO2 emissions (g/km) 136 – 108.

F E AT U R E

WE RE-OWILL ON SUN PEN

MARDCAY 3 RD 2013 H

The de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Centre - the best kept secret in Hertfordshire A Brief History of Salisbury Hall and the Site of The de Havilland Aircraft Heritage Collection.

T

he site of the Hall and the Museum is, without doubt, a very old one. It is close to the first century BC settlement of Wheathamstead, the major Roman town of Verulanium and St. Albans which is of late Saxon foundation. Early notable (but unwelcome!) visitors to the area were probably Julius Caesar in 54BC, and Boadicea of the Iceni in 61AD. During the early 9th century the site was part of the Manor of Shenleybury. It was held by Asgar the Stallar, who was probably a high official to the Wessex King Egbert. After the Norman Conquest the Manor passed to the de Mandeville family who held it when the Doomsday Book was written in 1086. In 1380 the Hall passed in marriage to Sir John Montague, later Earl of Salisbury. It is perhaps at this time that the Manor acquired its now familiar name of Salisbury Hall.

About 1420 Alice, Countess of Salisbury, married Sir Richard Neville, who became Earl of Warwick. He had two sons, Richard Neville (better known as Warwick the Kingmaker) and John, Marquis of Montagu, who were both killed at the Battle of Barnet in April 1471.

A new house was built about 1507

by Sir John Cutte, Treasurer to King Henry VII and Henry VIII. The house was purchased in 1668 by James Hoare, a London banker. At this time the present house was built, bringing with it associations with Charles II and Nell Gwynne, who lived in a cottage by the bridge to the Hall. Her ghost is one that is said to have been seen in the Hall. The Hall passed to Sir Jeremy Snow’s nephew, John Snell, and from then through various hands, and during the latter

3 2 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

part of the 19th century was occupied by a succession of farmers. However, about 1905 Lady Randolph Churchill, as Mrs. Cornwallis West, came here to live. Her son, Winston Churchill, became a regular visitor. During the 1930s Sir Nigel Gresley, of the London and North Eastern Railway, was in residence.

He was responsible for the A4 Pacific Steam Locomotives one of which, Mallard, holds the world speed record for steam locomotives of 126.5 mph.

Rumour has it that the name came from the ducks in the moat.

In September 1939 the de Havilland Aircraft Company established the Mosquito design team in the Hall, the Prototype Mosquito, E0234/W4050, subsequently being built in the adjacent buildings. Nell Gwynne’s cottage was the centre of a silk worm farm, which supplied the silk for Her Majesty the Queen’s wedding and Coronation robes. Yet another royal connection.

De Havillands left in 1947 and the Hall slipped into a derelict condition. However, in 1955 the Hall was taken in hand by an ex Royal Marine Major named Walter Goldsmith who restored it and opened it up to the public.

He brought back the prototype Mosquito, E0234/W4050, as one of the attractions in 1959, an action which led to the establishment of the Mosquito Aircraft Museum. Walter Goldsmith sold the Hall in 1981 and since then it has been restored to a very high standard and remains in private ownership to this day.

For more information Call 01727 826400 or visit www.dehavillandmuseum.co.uk

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F E AT U R E

A settlement by a river called Ver St Albans is named after a Roman citizen who was a secret Christian in occupied Britannia. A town was known to exist here in pre-Roman times; it was called Verlamion by the Belgae tribe of the Catuvellauni people and lay about a mile to the west at Prae Hill. The name meant in Walloonian; ‘a settlement by a river called Ver’.

T

he Romans occupied the area when building Watling Street and built a military barracks as a base, it became the first town on Watling Street which was the road from London to the north. The Romans called it Verulamium, and it was a town that attracted the rich Roman merchants who preferred the country life of a small town, to that of the larger town of Londinium. Alban who gave his name to the town, gave shelter to a renegade Christian priest who was discovered giving a secret Mass in the town in AD 304. The Romans chased him through the town and lost him somewhere the market place, a spy gave his hiding place away, no doubt for 30 pieces of silver, and the Roman Centurion in charge of the garrison raided the house of Alban.

As they battered down the door, the priest and Alban exchanged clothes and Alban was arrested and taken before a magistrate. On revealing his real identity, and admitting that he helped the priest escape, Alban was sentenced to instant death by beheading on a hill outside the town gates.

The soldier who was ordered to cut his head off thought he was a sorcerer, so he refused to carry out the order and was himself killed.

Alban was killed by the officer in charge and was instantly martyred by the Christian community and later canonised by the Pope in the 6th Century. After the Romans left Britannia the country was laid bare for anyone to invade it, the Jutes, Angles, Saxons and Vikings pillaged the coast, and then the Angles and the Saxons moved inland and founded new communities. In 793 the Mercian King Offa (of Offa’s Dyke fame) visited the town and founded the Abbey as a sanctuary to St. Alban, he also established a monastic school. The town has kept its important position throughout British history, and has been the site of some very important battles. The Yorkist army had a victory here in 1455, with the Lancastrians winning a famous battle in 1461 during the Wars of the Roses. The Cathedral was built in the 11th C by an architect Abbot named Paul of Caen; it is on the top of the hill of the execution.

3 4 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

In Tudor times the town became an important stop for coaches, it retained its position as the first and last major town from London to the north and vice versa. Dick Turpin and Claude Duval the notorious Highwaymen were known to have used the many Inns as a hideout. The town has an unusual number of Inns from its days as a coaching stop over. It is one of the sites of the 12 crosses of Eleanor of Castile. Eleanor was the wife of King Edward I, he of `Braveheart` fame who defeated William Wallace and executed him in 1305. In 1290 Edward was wounded and his shoulder became infected, Eleanor and Edward were true loves and she sucked out the poison to save him. She later became ill from the incident and died in Harby near Nottingham, Edward was devastated and ordered her body be prepared and brought to London for burial in Westminster Abbey. Every night the entourage stopped over, they placed a marker at the spot where her body laid overnight, later on Edward erected 12 crosses in her honour at these places. Only one cross remains which is situated at Waltham Cross, the most famous cross was the one at the top of Whitehall called the Charring Cross, from `Cher-Reine` meaning Darling Queen in Norman French.

The St. Albans cross was worn by the weather, and eventually replaced as a landmark by community water pump in 1703.

The town has a wonderful character about it, and some brilliantly scintillating stories about how some places in the town were named. My favourite is the one about Holywell Hill, it is said that Alban’s severed head rolled down the hill and when it stopped a spring sprung from the ground.

The villagers dug a well on the spot and it became known as the `Holy Well`.

Although it is still spelt as such, it is in fact pronounced Holly-Well Hill. It is a lovely town to spend a day out; it has all the trappings of an historical, yet modestly modern town. There are Roman ruins as well as Tudor buildings and of course the famous Abbey to visit, with many old established Inns and hostelries to satisfy even the most fussiest of palates.

Happy hunting and don`t forget to try and work out the origins of the street names, this little game is always a good conversation piece over lunch.

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EXCLUSIVE POGGENPOHL KITCHEN DESIGN CENTRES Ascot 65 High Street SL5 7HP T-01344 624 829 l Guildford Willway House, Woodbridge Road GU1 1DX T-01483 566 444 l London NW3 477-481 Finchley Road NW3 6HS T-020 7794 7801 l London SE1 Newnham Terrace, Hercules Road SE1 7DR T-020 7902 5245 London SW1 107 Pimlico Road SW1W 8PH T-020 7730 7927 l London SW3 172 Brompton Road SW3 1HW T-020 7838 0588 London SW11 190-192 Lavender Hill SW11 5TQ T-020 7223 2026 l London W1 118 Wigmore Street W1U 3RT T-020 7224 1986 St Albans 100 London Road AL1 1NX T-01727 738111 l Worthing 28 Teville Road BN11 1UG T-01903 210101

F E AT U R E

WARNER BROS. STUDIO TOUR WATFORD agical “It was such a m p, place to grow u amazed people will be edible to see the incr worked sets that we’ ve rs.” in all these yea liffe.

says Daniel Radc

W

arner Bros.

Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter opened its doors for the very first time to visitors in March 2012.

Tickets to the UK’s attraction are on sale now. Visitors must pre-book their tickets in advance by selecting specific tour times throughout the day via www. wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators.

Tickets will not be on sale at the attraction and spaces are limited.

Warner Bros. experience also includes of some of the film series’ most iconic sets within the attraction including the Great Hall, Dumbledore’s office,

3 6 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Rupert Grint adds,

“The sets all have tiny little details that you may not always notice in the films but when you actually walk through them, you can see all the work that’s gone into it.

It’s really amazing.”

“This is incred ible, it’s been a long time coming a nd I’m very excite d.” says Emma Watso

n.

the Ministry of Magic, Harry Potter’s famous cupboard under the stairs, 4 Privet Drive, Gryffindor common room, the boys’ dormitory, the Potion’s classroom, Professor Umbridge’s office, the Weasley kitchen, the Hogwarts bridge and many others still to be announced.

The unique walking tour attraction offers visitors their first opportunity to journey behind-the-scenes and experience the magic that has gone into creating the most successful film series of all time.

Visitors are able to see firsthand the sheer scale and detail of the actual sets, costumes, animatronics, special effects and props used in all eight of the Harry Potter films.

F E AT U R E

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 3 7

F E AT U R E

Josh Berger, President & Managing Director, Warner Bros. UK, adds “For over 10 years the Harry Potter film series highlighted the exceptional creativity and craftsmanship that we have in the British film industry including groundbreaking special effects, incredibly detailed set design and breathtaking makeup and costumes.

We are delighted that we can now open the doors to this world to the public at Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and celebrate the extraordinary talent that goes into making major movies here in the UK.”

For over 10 years the Harry Potter film series highlighted the exceptional creativity and craftsmanship that we have in the British film industry including groundbreaking special effects, incredibly detailed set design and breathtaking makeup and costumes...

“The UK will be the focus of the world with the Olympic Games in 2012 and we are incredibly excited to be launching the UK’s newest attraction at this time,” adds Sarah Roots, Vice President, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London.

“Visitors are going to be amazed by Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter and we look forward to welcoming people from all over the world through our doors from 31st March 2012.”

Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter will 3 8 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

open 31st March 2012 with timed tickets available from 13th October 2011. Tickets are priced at £28 for adults, £21 for children and £83 for a family of four. Tickets must be booked in advance via a dedicated website www.wbstudiotour.co.uk or through approved tour operators.

Set in over 150,000 square feet, the tour will include some of the most recognisable and memorable film sets and props of all time allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves within the world of filmmaking and Harry Potter. Within the iconic Great Hall visitors will walk on the actual solid York stone floor laid over 11 years ago. They will also marvel at the solid oak and pine house tables which were built for the films and then aged with axes and chains.

Over the years, the Hogwarts pupils have taken upon themselves to carve in their own graffiti, which production designer Stuart Craig has encouraged, as this would happen in all schools! Visitors can also enjoy the unique house points bead system which is said to have caused a national shortage of beads when it was first installed in the year 2000.

F E AT U R E

Beyond the Great Hall, Warner Bros. Studio Tour London – The Making of Harry Potter continues with a huge selection of the most detailed and largest sets ever produced in the UK. Visitors can gaze closely into Dumbledore’s office and spot the authentic Sword of Gryffindor, Sorting Hat and Hogwarts headmaster portraits which adorn the walls, including one of the sleeping Professor Dumbledore himself.

Visitors will also discover the magic of green screen technology that has been used for the films including the many Quidditch matches. Also on display will be Harry Potter’s Nimbus 2000, Draco Malfoy’s Nimbus 2001 and Harry’s special gift from godfather Sirius Black, the Firebolt.

In addition to the green screen, a number of never-before-seen video pieces featuring interviews with the crew and cast will reveal the many secrets behind the filmmaking process. Visitors will also be able to appreciate the spectacular animatronics and make-up designs within the Creature Effects workshop. The workshop will feature iconic Harry Potter film creatures including Buckbeak the Hippogriff, Aragog, the giant spider, Fawkes the phoenix and the enormous Basilisk head.

The Weasley kitchen will showcase the incredible craftsmanship of the real life special effect props including Molly Weasley’s self-cooking frying pan, knitting needles and chopping boards. And fans can celebrate Hogwarts’ loveable groundskeeper Hagrid by visiting the real Hagrid’s hut, view his famous motorcycle, and take a peek at the secrets of how the larger than life character was created on screen.

The Ministry of Magic will also feature in the Studio Tour, highlighted by the breathtaking Magic is Might statue as seen in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 1, designed by Stuart Craig to be reminiscent in style of soviet sculptures from the 1930’s highlighting the dominance of the wizarding world over Muggles. In addition, visitors will be able to enjoy one of the most famous addresses in the world, 4 Privet Drive, as well as the legendary cupboard under the stairs.

The Gryffindor common room is one of the films’ oldest sets and remains one of the most loved by fans. This iconic set will feature alongside the Gryffindor boys’ dormitory which includes the original beds made for Harry, Ron, Seamus, Neville and Dean for the first film. Over the course of filming, as the cast grew from young boys to teenagers, filmmakers were required to find unique camera angles to hide the fact that the cast had clearly outgrown the beds.

Other Hogwarts sets on show include the dark and mysterious Potion’s classroom, the lair of Professor Snape, and Professor Umbridge’s office resplendent in pink with the incredibly detailed hand painted cat porcelain plates each made especially for the films.

The gateway to the school itself, the Hogwarts bridge, last seen burning to the ground following Neville and the Death Eater’s chase in the final film, will be restored for all to see as will hundreds of props, costumes, animatronics and many other exciting sets which will be unveiled.

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 3 9

Romance your loved one this Valentine’s Day Treat your loved one to a Valentine’s evening to remember at Brocket Hall.

Choose from the romantic lakeside setting of the award-winning restaurant, Auberge du Lac, where Executive Chef, Phil Thompson, has designed a special six course tasting menu, or indulge in the magnificent surroundings of the Ballroom with a sumptuous four course dinner beautifully paired with wines selected by our Head Sommelier.

Thursday 14th February 2013: Auberge du Lac 6 Course Tasting Menu - from £125 per person Friday 15th February 2013: Brocket Hall Champagne, Canapés and 4 Course Menu & Paired Wines - £125 per person Make a night of it for the ultimate romantic celebration.

Luxury accommodation from £175 per couple including breakfast and newspapers.

Brocket Hall, Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL8 7XG | Email: winter@brocket-hall.co.uk | Tel: 01707 335241 BROCKET-HALL.CO.UK

Wedding Open Day - Sunday 3rd March 2013 11.00am - 4.00pm

This is a fantastic opportunity to visit Brocket Hall, set in 543 acres of beautiful Hertfordshire countryside. The estate offers complete privacy whilst being easily accessible from London and the neighbouring counties.

The exquisite interiors and stunning grounds that surround Brocket Hall make for an idyllic setting. From the grand Ballroom in the Hall to Brocket Hall Golf Club and the delightful award-winning restaurant, Auberge du Lac, we have the perfect venue to suit your dream civil ceremony or wedding reception.

For your personal invitation to our Wedding Open Day, please call Julie on 01707 368728 or email julie.appleby@brocket-hall.co.uk Brocket Hall, Welwyn, Hertfordshire AL8 7XG BROCKET-HALL.CO.UK

M OTO R S

FIRST DRIVE

PORSCHE CAYENNE DIESEL S

BY MATT KIMBERLEY

What an age we live in. Progress in the automotive world tends to occur in hundreds of incremental steps and only the occasional leap forward, and so it’s easy to lose sight of just how far things have come. And this Cayenne Diesel S is the perfect method with which to demonstrate.

The second generation Cayenne was the coming of age for Porsche’s SUV, answering the critics of the original car and earning respect even from those who saw such a vehicle as going against the sporting ethos of the brand. But the Cayenne has never been an ordinary SUV; it has always had proper Porsche genes running through it and with the latest model looking sharper and driving even better it makes unquestionable sense as a more practical proposition for people who have to have the Porsche shield on the front of their car.

However you might wonder if 4 2 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

there is any need for another engine option in the Cayenne. For a car that is more than likely going to be bought by the lucky few, it already offers a remarkably broad spread of powerplants. There’s the ‘entry-level’ V6 petrol, the V8 petrol in two outputs, the bonkers V8 turbos that also come in two outputs, the hybrid petrol and the existing diesel. There’s nothing wrong with the diesel offering either; it offers up 405lb. ft of torque and as a result can manage 0-62mph in 7.6 seconds, 137mph flat out and deliver 39.2mpg combined.

But the Porsche engineers seem to think that’s not enough and as a result have introduced the Diesel S. Just as with the petrol models, the ‘S’ might as well stand for significant - instead of the V6 oil burner, the Diesel S gets a new eight-cylinder twin turbo unit that Porsche claims is a unique offering in the segment.

F E AT U R E

Better still are the numbers it produces; with 382bhp it is a whisker behind the V8 petrol but it is the torque output that really slackens the jaw. A mammoth 626lb.ft of torque is available from just 2,000rpm, almost a whole 100lb.ft than the truly insane petrol Turbo S. With that much motive force under the bonnet it’s no wonder the Cayenne Diesel S is a rapid machine. It blasts to 62mph in a borderline absurd 5.7 seconds - 0.2 seconds faster than the V8 petrol Cayenne S and can hit 156mph. It’s hard to put these numbers out of your mind when you slide behind the wheel, but this is a diesel underneath it all and so is far less intimidating than you might expect.

Climb aboard and the familiar Cayenne cabin greets you with clear and logical displays. You get the proper SUV driving position so the view out is excellent, yet there’s still a sportscar feel; you are high up but surrounded by the cabin, and it certainly doesn’t feel top-heavy or ungainly. The driving position is superb and you grasp a proper Porsche steering wheel with a relatively thin rim, all of which helps to get you in the mood.

Fire up the Diesel S and it sounds a lot more V8 than diesel. There’s an appealing throb coming from the exhaust, blip the throttle and it grows to a proper sporty sound.

Select drive on the automatic transmission and the massive wave of torque makes pulling away as easy it could possibly be; this is a car that could be driven without ever using more than a tiny squeeze of the accelerator.

It’s such a flexible unit that

ordinary driving is utterly effortless, and with adjustable suspension that can be tweaked for maximum comfort the Cayenne Diesel S is a thoroughly relaxing car to drive. Big distances can be covered with ease with plenty of space for passengers and luggage. The 100-litre fuel tank may cost a bit to fill, but allows a theoretical range of over 700 miles.

But it would take a particularly dedicated individual to drive that far and not exploit the performance, so tempting is the amount of acceleration on offer. Regardless of speed or gear, apply a firm right foot to the accelerator and the Diesel S urges forward with no discernible effort, with the eight-speed automatic transmission marshalling all the forces superbly well whether you shift yourself or leave it to your own devices.

And it behaves just as a Porsche should when you arrive at a challenging bend. Of course this is not a lightweight car but the way it behaves when pressed is remarkable. It responds accurately to the driver’s demands, with good feedback through the steering, impressive balance and generally more composure than a car of this size should be capable of.

FACTS AT A GLANCE Porsche Cayenne Diesel S £58,243 Engine 4.2-litre diesel unit producing

382bhp and 626lb.ft of torque Transmission Eight-speed automatic driving all four wheels Performance Top speed 156mph, 0-62mph in 5.7 seconds Economy 34mpg combined Emissions 218g/km of CO2Economy

In many ways this is the most convincing car Porsche offers.

Not only does it deliver a generous slice of driving fun, it also brings comfort, practicality and even respectable economy into the equation. It’s still a Porsche so it’s no giveaway, but once on your driveway you’d be hard-pressed to find something as universally capable.

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 4 3

M OTO R S

1913 - 2013

100 YEARS OF ASTON MARTIN

ASTON MARTIN DBR 1/2 WORLD FAMOUS CAR GOES ON SALE FOR RECORD-BREAKING £20MILLION

A

n Aston Martin regarded as one of the finest cars of all time, has been put up for sale. The Aston Martin DBR 1/2 is the company’s most successful race car having dominated motorsport in the late 1950s. It thrashed the Ferraris and Jaguars of its day and is the only Aston Martin to ever win Le Mans when it took the chequered flag in 1959.

The 1957 sports car has now come onto the market for the first time in 20 years. It is being sold by Ascotbased Talacrest for a staggering £20million – four times as much as any British car ever sold publicly.

“This DBR1 is the holy grail of motoring and is the most recognisable and valuable Aston Martin in history”

The only cars known to have fetched more than this are the Bugatti Type 57C and Ferrari 250 GTO - with these changing hands behind closed doors. And while there were 39 Ferrari 250 GTOs built, the green Aston Martin is one of just four cars to come out of the factory - and it’s the most successful of all of them.

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Built by Ted Cutting, the Aston Martin DBR 1/2 is fitted with a 3-litre engine which developed around 250bhp. The road-legal sports car triumphed at the 1957 Nürburgring 1,000km race, 1957 Spa Grand Prix and the Goodwood Tourist Trophy in both 1958 and 1959 when Stirling Moss drove to victory. And at Le Mans in 1959, with Carroll Shelby and Roy Salvadori behind the wheel, the car averaged 112.5mph over the 24-hour period in its finest moment.

It completed 323 laps of the track, thundering down the Mulsanne Straight at speeds in excess of 160mph. The three men behind the victory - Cutting, Shelby and Salvadori - all passed away this year within ten weeks of each other.

Aston Martin historian Brian Joscelyne described the sports car as a “revelation” and “astonishing”. Mr Joscelyne watched as the car stormed to victory at Le Mans from above the Aston Martin team’s pit lane. He said: “It is a joy whenever I see the car because it means so much to me. I watched it race in its heyday.

M OTO R S

It was at the top, top level of motorsport and is the most famous racing Aston Martin with the best record. “Unfortunately it is still the only Aston Martin to win at Le Mans. It handles so well and with the right drivers can slide around corners in spectacular fashion.

The road handling and brakes were brilliant.

“This is the model to have, it is an astonishing all round car. I am so admiring of the current owner and the way he has maintained the car. It is a joy to see and hear. I have the greatest admiration for Ted Cutting and his achievements and this was his piste de resistance.

In historic sports cars driving, this car has been a revelation”

A PROUD HISTORY The model is called the Aston Martin DBR1. The /2 denotes the second of four factory models. A fifth DBR1 was built for a private individual.

DBR stands for David Brown Racing, with David Brown the businessman who owned Aston Martin The £20 million Aston Martin DBR1/2 was a formidable race car during the late 1950s, winning a host of important races.

1957: Winner - Spa Sportscar Race - driven by Tony Brooks Winner - 1,000km Nürburgring Race - driven by Brooks and Noël CunninghamReid Winner - Spa Grand Prix - driven by Brooks 1958: Winner - Goodwood Tourist Trophy - driven by Stirling Moss and Brooks 1959: Winner - 24 Hours of Le Mans - driven by Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby Winner - Goodwood Tourist Trophy - driven by Moss, Shelby and Jack Fairman 1960: The car was sold to Major Ian Baillie - and as a privateer entrant the following results were achieved: Winner - Rouen Grand Prix - driven by Jack Fairman

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M OTO R S

AUDI A3 SPORTBACK FIRST DRIVE

BY MATT KIMBERLEY

A

udi made a big impact in this sector with the original A3, which started life as a three-door only model but the added practicality of the Sportback model really pushed it out to a wider audience. And over each generation it has raised the stakes in terms of cabin quality and driving dynamics to continue to set the benchmark. Now we’re on the third iteration, and with the threedoor version already proving to be a remarkably well-rounded and capable car, the Sportback promises much.

The extra pair of doors are very well integrated into the overall shape. The A3 is the perfect example of how Audi manages to evolve a design, keeping a clear visual link to the previous model but introducing some

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fresh elements. The nose is narrowed and looks more purposeful, the headlights have a more edgy appearance, in particular the strong lines produced by the LED elements.

The roof curves neatly into the rear, marked out by a pair of chrome roof rails and the way the tailgate slopes steeply away makes

the Sportback almost look like a mini-estate; certainly no bad thing. Like most modern cars it looks best on larger alloy wheel options, and it wears both sober metallics and more vibrant shades - even white - very well.

Of course the key thing you’re getting with the extra pair of doors is easier access to the rear, and with that option the A3 Sportback genuinely becomes a viable family car. You might hesitate to let sticky-fingered little ones aboard, given how plush the cabin is, but they certainly won’t grumble. Big kids have proper head and legroom too, and the third rear window rather than a thick pillar helps more light into the back of the cabin too. And its practical nature continues in the rear where there is 380 litres of boot space with the back seats in place, a full 1,220 litres with the seats folded.

M OTO R S

FACTS AT A GLANCE Audi A3 1.8 TFSI Sport S tronic £25,030 Engine 1.8-litre petrol

producing 178bhp

and 184lb.ft of torque Transmission Six-speed manual

gearbox driving

the front wheels Performance Top speed 144mph

0-62mph in 7.3 seconds Economy 50.4mpg combined Emissions 130g/km of CO2

All this is pretty much as you would expect, but in truth it’s when you get behind the wheel that you really see where the progress has been made. If you’ll excuse the tiniest bit of technobabble, the A3 is the first Audi to use the MQB architecture that will underpin several other Audis and other compact-sized cars in the Volkswagen Group. What that means is lots of money has been poured into developing this crucial element of the car - and they absolutely have to get it right.

The first thing you notice is that the A3 is remarkably quiet on the move. The diesel engines are hushed but you get the best experience in the petrol models, which at rest are virtually silent (even when the stop-start system hasn’t yet kicked in) and on the move you rarely

hear anything more than a controlled hum as it moves along. That goes a long way to making the Sportback a very comfortable car to spend time in.

The other significant element here is the ride quality. Even in sportier S line trim which has sports suspension and big alloy wheels, the A3 Sportback feels superbly controlled and comfortable, riding with the bumps without divorcing you from them altogether. So whether you’re simply cruising to your destination or having a bit of fun on a challenging road, it is extremely capable and feels like a car from the class above.

That certainly also goes for the cabin, which moves the game on yet again. There are

numerous options of course and various combinations of trim, but it almost feels like you’re sat in a luxury car rather than something that’s merely premium. The revised MMI system takes up less space and is a cinch to use without taking your eyes off the road, while the big colour screen is crisp and clear without being intrusive.

Maybe you thought Audis were attractive and even a bit flash, but not the kind of car bought by sensible people like you. Well consider yourself told otherwise; the A3 Sportback is practical, comfortable and efficient, and yet it still delivers plenty of luxury and the ‘want factor’ that you might feel a bit guilty about.

No need - you can buy one, know you’ve made a fine choice and be smug about it all at the same time.

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FILM

Here’s looking at Hugh If you’ve been known to lather up and enjoy a good old sing-song in the bathroom, then you’re in good company.

BY SUSAN GRIFFIN

“I always sing in the shower,” says a smiling Hugh Jackman. “I sing most days of my life and the shower’s where I spend a good 10 minutes.” He showcases his vocal prowess in the much-anticipated movie adaptation of the long-running musical Les Miserables, playing the story’s protagonist, Jean Valjean.

“You follow him for a 20-year span, and throughout that time you see all the ups and downs, the pain and the ecstasy that life brings,” says Jackman, who puts in a tour de force performance as the reformed convict which has already garnered him a Golden Globe nomination.

“Valjean’s like a Hamlet; he’s one of those parts that you hope one day you’re going to get to play apart from in your bathroom.”

Although best known for his movie roles, notably as X-Men’s Wolverine,

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Jackman, 44, boasts an impressive theatrical background, having starred in productions such as Sunset Boulevard and Oklahoma. Only recently he performed a one-man show on Broadway. He even got to do a few song and dance numbers at the Academy Awards four years ago.

“All the things I’ve done leading up to [Les Miserables] whether it be on stage or in film, I feel came together in this role. It’s the role of a lifetime,” says the Australian native, looking ruggedly handsome in a blue jumper and dark trousers. “I’ve been in musical theatre for a number of years and I’ve done movies for a number of years, so there have been two sides of my career that’s felt slightly schizophrenic,” he explains.

“For a long time I’ve wanted to combine the two and I’d dreamt of being in a movie musical.” But the Emmy and Tony-award winning actor didn’t think a big screen adaptation of Les Miserables was possible.

FILM

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FILM

“It’s been around 27 years, it’s so iconic and the idea it could be made into a film wasn’t even on my radar,” he says of the production that’s been seen by more than 60 million people in 42 countries and 21 languages.

Then Jackman’s agent heard a potential movie was in the pipeline. “I immediately rang Cameron [Mackintosh, the theatre producer] and said, ‘Oh my God, I’ve got to do this’.

“Then I rang Tom Hooper and said, ‘I need a meeting’. I’ve never been so aggressive going for a part,” he says, grinning. The Oscar-winning director, fresh from his success with The King’s Speech, agreed to meet.

“I came into the room and I was like, ‘Mate, I’m so excited, I really want to audition for you’, and Tom went, ‘Woah!’” recalls Jackman, laughing.

“He hadn’t even signed on [to the film] yet but was thinking about it.

“Anyway, I auditioned for him about a month later and the rest is history.” The director has since described Jackman as “a genius at both acting and singing”, but he cringes at the mention of this.

“Good actors don’t know that stuff but it’s very kind of him to say that,” says Jackman, who has two adopted children - Oscar, 12 and Ava, seven - with his wife of 16 years, Deborra-Lee Furness.

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“I’ve certainly learnt from some incredible people. Theatre director Trevor Nunn, who I’ve done two musicals with, really taught me how to make a lyric of a song feel like dialogue, so it’s not just a pretty song any more.”

Based on the novel by Victor Hugo and set against the social and political upheavals of 19th century France, Les Miserables is an epic tale about broken dreams, unrequited love and a timeless testament to the endurance of the human spirit.

It begins with prisoner Valjean being released by Javert (Russell Crowe), an officer in charge of the convict workforce who tasks himself with hunting Valjean down when he later breaks his parole and vanishes.

“There’s the old adage that great actors make other actors look good, so trust me if you’re ever in a movie and you can get Russell opposite you it’s a good thing,” says Jackman, who credits his fellow Aussie co-star for mentoring him early in his career. Crowe also recommended Jackman as his replacement when he turned down the role of Wolverine.

“It was one of the great, most generous acts for me I could imagine,” says Jackman, who looked to his father, Chris, for inspiration in creating Valjean.

FILM

“My father’s quite a religious man but, like Valjean, wasn’t really religious growing up, and then when he was about 30 had some kind of an epiphany and was converted,” says Jackman, who’s talked openly about the fact it was left to his father to raise him and his four siblings when their mother walked out.

“I never heard him talk about religion,” says Jackman. “He said once, ‘Religion you talk about means nothing, religion that’s in your actions means everything’.”

Though Jackman’s bulked up for a series of action roles, the 6ft 2in star insists Les Miserables was one of the most physically demanding roles he’s ever undertaken - not least because Hooper wanted him to look unrecognisable in the opening scenes. “What you can do on film that you can’t do on stage, obviously, is show the expanse of time and Valjean’s an incredible internal, as well external, transformation,” says Jackman.

“He starts as a prisoner filled with hate and even though he’s strong, he’s emaciated with his head shaved and a long beard, so we just went for it and I lost a lot of weight.” Then the story moves on eight years and Valjean’s reinvented himself as a respected mayor and factory owner, which meant Jackman needed to put 15kgs back on. “That bit was fun,” he adds with a grin.

Unusually for a movie musical, the cast - which includes Anne Hathaway as factory worker turned prostitute Fantine, Eddie Redmayne as politically-minded student Marius and Amanda Seyfried as Valjean’s ward Cosette - sang live on set. For that reason Hooper insisted on an intense nine-week rehearsal period before the cameras started rolling.

“Normally on a film, rehearsals can be a little half-hearted but it wasn’t

like that. Tom was literally moving his chair to be three feet away from us and we did a lot of exploring, which made us really focused on set,” says Jackman. “I remember on day one of rehearsals, Russell said, ‘Man this is what you wait for, this is the feeling’, because we knew we were doing something that’s never been done before. It had that frisson in the air.” But while he enjoyed every minute of the experience, he admits he’s never had a role “require more of me, or take as much of an emotional commitment”.

It’s why he’d spend quiet evenings indulging in a new found passion for jigsaws, not only to wind down but to preserve his voice. “It’s not a sexy pastime but I really enjoyed it. I’d light a fire, do some pastoral mountain scene and find myself engrossed in it,” he reveals, before adding with a grin: “Not very rock ‘n’ roll, is it!”

Extra time - Les Miserables LES MISERABLES OPENED AT THE BARBICAN THEATRE ON OCTOBER 8, 1985.

IN 2006, IT SURPASSED CATS AS WORLD’S LONGEST-RUNNING MUSICAL. THE MOVIE RIGHTS WERE SOLD 25 YEARS AGO BUT THE OPTION LAPSED AND THE RIGHTS REVERTED TO CAMERON MACKINTOSH WHO AGREED THIS TIME ROUND, WITH THE ASSURANCE THE ACTORS WOULD SING LIVE. ANNE HATHAWAY FOLLOWS IN HER MOTHER’S FOOTSTEPS PLAYING THE TRAGIC HEROINE FANTINE. EDDIE REDMAYNE SANG HIS BIG SOLO NUMBER EMPTY CHAIRS AT EMPTY TABLES MORE THAN 20 TIMES TO ENSURE HE’D NAILED IT. LES MISERABLES IS ON GENERAL RELEASE IN CINEMAS FROM JANUARY 11

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

Who wants a hottie tummy?

Do you have stubborn pockets of fat that just won’t disappear no matter how hard you exercise or diet? If so, the VASER Lipo may well be for you.

W

ith the likes of TOWIE’s Maria Fowler, and several other celebrities all benefiting from the amazing results of VASER Lipo, Dr Jain’s high definition body contouring practice is growing from strength to strength!

VASER Lipo uses revolutionary new ultrasound technology which removes stubborn pockets of fat resistant to diet and exercise. The procedure has been hailed as ‘six pack surgery’ as it is even possible to reveal your hidden six pack with this revolutionary form of liposuction.

Dr Jain will not only get you looking fit, you’ll look younger, more energetic and in one word, fantastic. You’ll want to use that new body of yours. With no hospital stay, little bruising and minimal incisions VASER Lipo is the answer.

Reshape your body and invigorate your life Traditional liposuction is like sculpting with a shop vac. Everything gets sucked and chipped away without any detail. VASER 4D liposculpture is like taking a fine chisel and tapering each and every curve; every angle is perfect and muscular.

Its not just liposuction.

Its VASER 4D Sculpt.

VASER 4D Liposculpture is a revolution to the cosmetic surgery industry. At its inception, liposuction was designed just to remove fat.

Liposculpture is a whole new way of looking and designing the anatomy so that it fits you and your lifestyle like your body should. With the VASER technology, Dr Ravi Jain removes extra fat and tightens your skin around the new curves and muscles. He leaves certain deposits of fat to accentuate your muscles while removing others to create dips and valleys around them.

He sculpts your body into the ultimate harmony of art and science, talent and medicine Who can have VASER 4D? The VASER 4D procedure is meant for people who are already in good

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physical shape but have trouble achieving a defined ,athletic physique.

Both men & women can be treated. VASER 4D is not mean for people who are very overweight or obese. The procedure depends heavily on skin retraction to help define the anatomical results.

For people who are overly heavy, the skin has stretch beyond where VASER could help it retract. Please ask Dr Ravi Jain what other cosmetic options you may have if this describes you.

How does VASER work?

VASER is an advanced medical ultrasound technology (VASER stands for Vibration Amplification of Sound Energy at Resonance). During surgery, the VASER probe emits sound energy that literally liquefies fat tissue before it is gently suctioned away. In traditional liposuction, the fat is just sucked away taking blood vessels, nerves and important connective tissue with it - resulting in severe pain, a longer recovery and mediocre results. With VASER, the liquid fat is easier to suction away, far gentler on the body and can be sculpted to enhance muscle appearance.

Can you say “Confidence boost” ?

Just imagine how you would feel without any extra fat, keeping you from your own carefree lifestyle.

No more worrying about how that bikini will fit, or swimming with a T-shirt on. No more crash diets/ No more staring in the mirror, wishing you were slimmer.

Areas commonly treated: Double Chin & Jowls Bingo Wings (Upper arms) Saddle Bags / Love handles Upper / lower abdomen Inner / outer thighs Dr Ravi Jain is one of a few experts in VASER high definition liposculpture in the world. He practices from his Harpenden & Harley Street clinics. Please call Riverbanks Clinic on 01582762877 to book in for an exploratory consultation.

Vaser Liposculpture like this It’s called

and it gives you a body

You can call us today and book your consultation with Dr Ravi Jain at our Harpenden or London offices on 0800 0325415.

Riverbanks Clinic Lower Harpenden Road East Hyde, Nr Harpenden Bedfordshire LU2 9QS Riverbanks Clinic (London) 100 Harley St, London W1G 7JA www.riverbanksclinic.co.uk

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

Face up to winter T

BY LISA HAYNES

he holiday’s over and all that’s left is an empty wallet and bulging tummy. If you’ve got a bad case of the January blues, it’s likely that your skin has too. The party season has taken its toll, it’s the bleak midwinter and, to add to your skin’s woes, the central heating is blasting out. Book your face and body in for some New Year TLC that will keep your skin in great condition all the way through to spring.

Glacial glow Winter frosts bring more than just a rosy glow to your cheeks. Think Rudolphstyle red nose, uncomfortable dryness and flaking skin. When the weather is really biting cold, a moisturiser may not be enough. “Apply a serum beneath your daily moisturiser to give dull winter complexions an extra boost of hydration,”

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advises Bao-Tam Phan, pharmacist and Eau Thermale Avene spokesperson. “It’s also important to keep skin hydrated during the winter months by ensuring you drink water regularly.” When your skin is really tight, apply a mask overnight for an intensive treatment. If you can’t resist cranking up the heating, leave a bowl of water close to the radiator to put water back into the atmosphere, or snuggle up with a hot water bottle instead.

Stinging skin After a day shivering in the cold, a piping hot bath can feel like heaven but the contrast in temperatures can be hellish for your skin. For a more skin-friendly wash, go easy on the hot tap. “As nice as a long soak feels in freezing temperatures, the hot soapy water strips away the natural oils, making dry skin worse,” explains Steve Riley, pharmacist and Care

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

spokesperson. “Use lukewarm water instead of hot when having baths or showers, and always make sure you carefully pat yourself dry instead of rubbing.” Your skin is at its most vulnerable straight after lathering up so apply a nourishing body lotion right away to maximise hydration levels. Try a sensitive formulation if you’re prone to irritation.

Chilly limbs Tucked away under five layers of clothing, it’s easy to forget about your arms and legs. “Skin that has been concealed away for months can become dry, dull and lacklustre,” says Paul Banwell, skin health expert. “The slowdown in cell renewal during the winter means that exfoliation is essential to bring it back to life.” Dry skin means that you have dry cell build-up. Exfoliate regularly to sweep away the dead cells and create the perfect smooth base for deep moisturisation. Aim to exfoliate your skin once or twice a week - it might feel like a chore now but you’ll be rewarded with fresh, radiant skin come spring.

Frosty fingers Unless you’re a market trader, ditch the fingerless gloves and give your digits a fighting chance by wearing protective gloves or mittens on cold, windy days. The skin on your hands has fewer oil glands than other parts of the body, which can lead to dry, chapped hands in winter. “Being constantly exposed to the elements, hands are particularly susceptible to dryness in cold, windy weather,” explains Andrew Saynor, Dove technical expert. “Carry hand cream with you in your bag for extra nourishment.”If your nails are unusually

dry and brittle, it’s because talons can also be affected by a drop in temperature. Ensure you don’t forget to rub hand lotion into your nails and nail beds to keep them soft.

Winter layering Just as we wouldn’t leave the house without layering clothes to protect against the elements, the same should apply to our winter skincare regime. Try adopting these skin insulating tips: Central heating may keep you toasty but the dry atmosphere can play havoc with your skin. Aim to apply moisturiser daily in the morning to quench dry skin.

Skin regeneration peaks when you’re fast asleep so apply a layer of intensive moisturiser or body butter before bed for overnight nourishment.

Give bed socks a soothing update by applying foot cream generously before bed. Don’t rub in and wear cotton socks overnight to soften your tootsies by morning.

Valentine’s Day isn’t far away so avoid chapped lips and keep them primed for pouting by carrying a repairing lip balm containing shea or cocoa butter with you. The sun might be missing but you still need the protection of an SPF. Try a clever UV protector with skin brightening properties to cheat a winter glow.

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

HARLEY STREET

Prestigious Private Medical Excellence LONDON’S HARLEY STREET IS ARGUABLY ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS STREETS IN THE WORLD AND - UNLIKE OTHER AREAS OF THE CITY THAT ARE INEXTRICABLY LINKED WITH A CERTAIN TRADE – HARLEY STREET CONTINUES TO FLOURISH AS A CENTRE FOR PRIVATE MEDICAL EXCELLENCE. 5 6 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

H

arley Street has always been an attractive address, and is one of the most famous streets in London.

While the number of bespoke tailors in Savile Row might be diminishing; and newspaper production has now moved away from Fleet Street, Harley Street continues to its long and well-earned prestigious reputation for private health care.

Harley Street enjoys a long-standing reputation as a centre of private medical excellence and the district around Harley Street is more often referred to as Medical London because it has several private hospitals within the vicinity and the largest concentration of medical proficiency in the world. All the latest technology and cutting edge medical expertise has been moved into the area, and not surprisingly Harley Street is a highly desirable location from which to practice.

Whatever type of medical expertise is required you can rest assured that Harley Street will have it covered, and is the first choice for exceptional private health treatment. Harley Street is popular with celebrities who attend highly acclaimed Harley Street doctors, for

various surgery, treatment and aesthetic enhancements. The area attracts top medical practitioners, dentists, psychiatrists and plastic surgeons providing first class care, each of whom require a licence from the Estate in order to practice. Harley Street is owned by the de Walden family and managed by the de Walden Estate.

Today, there are some 1,500 professional medical practitioners in and around the Harley Street area, offering a broad range of services from complementary medicine to cosmetic surgery and the range and quality of services available continues to expand as new treatments and new diagnostic techniques emerge.

Many of Harley Streets doctors and surgeons also work in the NHS and are attached to the London teaching hospitals. Several major private hospitals are situated in the area including The Harley Street Clinic, The London Clinic and the Royal family’s favourite; the King Edward VII’s Hospital, Sister Agnes.

Harley Street is located just north of Oxford

Street, and close to Marylebone High Street and the joys of Regents Park. In fact, the whole of the West End is accessible by foot and Harley Street is conveniently located for a number of quality hotels, restaurants and shops. The lively shopping Mecca known as Oxford Street, stretches for one and a half miles between Marble Arch on the West and Tottenham Court Road to the East, and boasts London’s longest row of department stores including large fashion department stores such as Selfridges and John Lewis.

Aside from private clinics, Harley Street is also home to the prestigious Queen’s College, an independent day school for girls between the ages of 11 and 18, and occupies four large houses on Harley Street, with Her Majesty the Queen their patron, it demonstrates it’s excellence in private education.

Harley Street is at the forefront in medical science and technology advancements and firmly on the map for medical excellence.

If you want the very best in skills, expertise and care then look no further than this illustrious address.

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

VELASHAPE

JeanGenie DROP A

JEAN SIZE

TREATMENT Brazilian Dermatologist Dr Ariel Haus was one of the first doctors to use VelaShape and is the UK spokesperson. Creator of the acclaimed VelaShape Brazilian Bottom treatment, he is proud to launch the new VelaShape Jean Genie treatment in his Harley Street clinic. his treatment will help you get back into your favourite jeans – remember the ones you relegated to the back of the wardrobe in the hope the ONE DAY you’d fit comfortably back into them? Thanks to the Jean Genie treatment you can now dust them off, for you can banish your muffin top, zip that fly with ease and forget about thigh strangulation after just 6 pain-free sessions.

3 Vacuum & Mechanical Massage: Massage mechanisms enable precise targeting of energy to the tissue improving the removal of cellular waste and toxins and smoothing out the skin.

tment Before trea

Not only will your jeans slide on effortlessly but you’ll look great peeling them off as well, for this ‘Jeanius’ treatment will tackle your cellulite, significantly improving the dreaded orange peel, whilst smoothing your skin and providing you with a sleeker more streamlined silhouette.

Here’s how the 3 simultaneous modes in the VelaShape II Jean Genie treatment go to work: 1 I nfrared light: This process stimulates collagen and firms and tightens skin to help improve contour.

2 B i-Polar Radio frequency: This deep dermal heating increases circulation to improve cellulite and enhance localised metabolism.

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After treatmen t

What’s the Ouch Factor?

You’ll feel it go to work heating and deeply massaging the skin. Many patients describe it as slightly uncomfortable but not painful and the power level can be controlled according to your wishes.

How many treatments do I need to see and feel a difference?

This is the million dollar question as it depends on your lifestyle and weight. We do however recommend a course of 6 for optimum results.

Dr Ariel Haus also specialises in: Crowtox Vital Carboxytherapy Laser treatments for the face and body Dr Ariel Haus, Ariel Haus Dermatology, 10 Harley Street, London W1 www.drhausdermatology.com 020 7467 1525

C_St Albans_90x125_OPENING.indd 2

NOW OPEN! MARC CAIN STORE ST ALBANS

Marc Cain Store St Albans 5 George Street St Albans AL3 4ER Phone +44.1727.83 11 54 www.marc - cain.com

15.11.2012 12:12:12

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

In a class of their own...

THE DEFINATIVE GUIDE TO EXERCISE CLASSES Looking for a new way to keep fit for 2013?

You have made the decision to get in better shape through exercise and like the idea of doing so in a group environment or fitness class. The camaraderie of a fitness class – along with the motivation, instruction and expertise of the instructor – can help to ensure you get the most out of your workout.

Here is a guide to the fitness class - which one is for you?

Budokan Budokan is a mixture of martial arts and yoga that is slowly taking hold of the fitness world. Celebrities like Jennifer Aniston and Courtney Cox swear by the Japanese art that hones the physical self by way of concentration of the mind and slow concise yoga and martial arts movements. The workout aims to improve stamina, speed, agility and flexibility. On top of that, the meditation involved strengthens the inner mind. In one 90 minute session, you can shed around 800 calories, making this an all-over workout!

Zumba Zumba is the new fitness craze! Originating from Latin dance styles, Zumba is a cardiovascular and aerobic exercise routine that infuses exercise with dance and choreography. The workout is alternates between fast-paced and slowpaced dance moves which are practiced in time to Latin rhythms. Among the dance form’s influences are salsa, hip-hop and rumba. This South American workout tones the body through its use of resistance exercises which effectively amount to interval training due to the varying speeds at which they are carried out. Zumba has gradually gained in popularity in the last decade, and is now at an all time high!

Aerobics Aerobics has come a long way since Jane Fonda first donned her legwarmers!

The basic premise remains, however: aerobics involves exercising to music, using repetitive patterns of movement to work the cardiovascular system 6 0 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

and burn calories. Many aerobics classes have moved more towards dance recently – and so aren’t the best choice for the choreographically challenged – but there is also a move back towards more simple movement patterns, where the focus is on getting a good workout rather than learning moves you can take to the dancefloor. Aerobics can be ‘high impact’ or ‘low impact’: ‘High impact’ aerobics simply means that the impact is greater, because moves in which both feet are off the floor simultaneously are involved – such as star jumps and jogging on the spot.‘ Low impact’ aerobics means that one foot is always in contact with the floor during a movement – such as when you’re marching on the spot, rather than jogging.

Step aerobics Step aerobics has fluctuated in popularity since its introduction in 1989, but it never goes away. As with aerobics, step classes can range from an athletic but simple routine – involving various ways and combinations of stepping up and down onto an adjustable platform – to practically dancing over a step.

The simple act of stepping up and down forms a solid aerobic workout that focuses on the muscle conditioning of the legs and bum. The step is also often used as a base for floor exercises at the end of the class.

The names of the different types of step classes give a clue to their content – for example, ‘athletic step’ or ‘power step’ will involve more jumps and power moves, while ‘step ‘n tone’ is likely to focus more on the muscular endurance side of things, and may involve hand weights for upper body conditioning.

H E A LT H & B E AU T Y Aqua aerobics Aqua aerobics is an umbrella term for all kinds of fitness classes that take place in water. Aqua aerobics have got a bit of a reputation as being only suitable for pregnant women and old ladies – but this is far from the case.

While the water does provide a supportive environment and minimises the impact of exercise on the joints, it also provides resistance to every move you make – so even marching on the spot in water is harder than it would be on land. Aqua aerobics is also a good option for those returning to fitness after an injury. Some aqua classes take the standard aerobics format and use music, while others are more akin to circuit training classes, where you move from one exercise to another with a short rest period between each.

Circuit training Circuit training involves a number of exercises – or ‘stations’ – which are performed one after the other, with a short rest in between. The whole exercise circuit is usually repeated a few times. Exercises vary, but tend to include aerobic exercises such as shuttle runs, star jumps and burpees, along with strength moves such as push-ups, squats and lunges. The nature of a circuit training class means that, rather than raising your heart rate and keeping it high for the duration of the class, it gives you more of an ‘interval training’ effect, where you mix intense bursts of activity with recovery periods. It is a very effective way of improving aerobic fitness.

Boxercise/Kickboxercise Boxercise and kickboxercise are derivatives of boxing and kickboxing and use the drills and techniques of their respective sports in a non-contact setting, usually in the form of a circuit. For example, you might find yourself shadowboxing, skipping, using punch bags or teaming up with a partner to punch or kick focus pads. Both are considered one of the best all-round high intensity exercise classes to get you in great shape. One study found that people felt more calm, more focused and less anxious after a kickboxing class. Taking out all that aggression on a punch bag can therefore be a great stress reliever!

Pilates Pilates is a form of exercise which works on restoring correct posture and alignment (which are under constant attack from our seated, sedentary lifestyles), strengthening the muscles that stabilise the joints, and working particularly strongly on the abdominals and back. Pilates is named after Joseph Pilates, who developed a series of exercises to help dancers with injuries and muscle imbalances and weaknesses in the 1930s. The movement exercises are very precise, focused and controlled, and performed on an exercise mat in a class context.

energetic than viniyoga. Yoga works on the whole body without favouring one side (unlike daily life!), and includes forward and backward bending, twists, balances and inversions. Movements are coordinated with the breath. Different types of yoga have very different focuses and approaches – so it’s best to watch a class or speak to the instructor before you take part.

Pump/body pump The concept of a group strength training class using adjustable barbells and set to music has now diversified, and you may find classes with other similar names. Traditionally, ‘pump’ is pre-choreographed and set to music – so you might do lower body moves to one track, chest moves to another track, and a set of exercises for the arms to yet another different track.

The good thing about pump class is that the weights available are heavy enough to invoke a strength training response (unlike body conditioning classes) – which is a good way of introducing yourself to the whole concept of strength training without having to set foot in the gym! The fact that you do so many repetitions of each exercise, and that you move swiftly from one muscle group to another, also gives each pump class a reasonable aerobic element.

Tai Chi Tai Chi has been described as ‘meditation in motion’ – and one look at a Tai Chi class in action will tell you why. It is a slow, flowing sequence of movements, known as ‘the form’, which has been practised in China for centuries. There is a strong focus on how to breathe, and the movements are very precise. Well known for being a good stress reliever, research has shown that Tai Chi can help to lower blood pressure, improve the body’s immunity and alleviate back pain.

Dance While it’s not strictly a fitness class, dance has permeated onto so many gym studios and fitness timetables that it cannot be ignored! The common factor of dance-based fitness classes is that they are derived from the pure form rather than being a lesson in it. In other words, ballet sculpt class won’t teach you to be a ballerina, and salsaerobics won’t give you the necessary skills to take to the floor like a dance champion! What they will do, though, is give you a taste of the benefits of dance and appeal of the ‘real thing’. Dance classes are a lot of fun and tend to be very sociable – plus the high concentration factor means you’ll hardly be aware that you are doing a ‘workout’. On the downside, though, you won’t actually get much of a workout if you spend half the class trying to figure out which way to spin or how to shimmy. That said, there are so many different types of dance to try that you are sure to get the hang of one of them.

Yoga Yoga strengthens muscles, improves joint flexibility, and enhances balance, coordination and posture through a series of diverse poses (or ‘asanas’).There are many types of yoga. For example, ashtanga yoga is more

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H E A LT H & B E AU T Y

Detox your way into 2013

TOP

10 DETOX FOODS

Over-indulging on food and alcohol together with late nights over Christmas and New Year, can make you feel bloated, tired, or perhaps you have even put on a pound or two.

Here is our guide to eating the right foods and restore your healthy wellbeing...

Lemon Lemons are a staple of many detox diets, and there is good reason for this. Firstly, lemons are packed with antioxidant vitamin C, which is great for the skin and for fighting disease-forming free-radicals.

Furthermore, the citrus fruit has an alkaline effect on the body, meaning that it can help restore the body’s pH balance, benefitting the immune system. Try starting your day with hot water and a slice of lemon to help flush out toxins and cleanse your system.

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Ginger If too much fatty food or alcohol has caused problems for your digestive system, it may be worthwhile adding some ginger to your diet. Ginger is not only great for reducing feelings of nausea, but it can help improve digestion, beat bloating and reduce gas. In addition to this, ginger is high in antioxidants and is good for boosting the immune system. To give your digestion a helping hand, try sipping on ginger tea or adding some freshly grated ginger to a fruit or vegetable juice.

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Garlic Garlic has long been known for its heart benefits, however the pungent food is also good at detoxifying the body. Garlic is not only antiviral, antibacterial and antibiotic, but it contains a chemical called allicin which promotes the production of white blood cells and helps fight against toxins. Garlic is best eaten raw, so add some crushed garlic to a salad dressing to boost its flavour and your health at the same time.

Cabbage Many celebs have resorted to the cabbage soup diet to help lose weight and get in shape quickly before a big event, however cabbage is not only good for weight loss - it is also an excellent detoxifying food. Like most cruciferous vegetables (including broccoli and sprouts), cabbage contains a chemical called sulforaphane, which helps the body fight against toxins. Cabbage also supplies the body with glutathione; an antioxidant that helps improve the detoxifying function of the liver.

Artichoke If you have recently been overindulging in fatty foods and alcohol, adding some steamed globe artichoke leaves to your meals is a great way to help get your body back on track. Globe artichokes are packed with antioxidants and fibre and can also help the body digest fatty foods. On top of this, globe artichoke is renowned for its ability to stimulate and improve the functions of the liver - the body’s main toxin-fighting tool.

Fresh fruit Fresh fruits are high in vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and fibre= and are also low in calories, making them an important part of a detox diet. If you’re after brighter eyes and skin, shinier hair and improved digestion, try boosting your intake of fruit and eating from a wide variety of different kinds. The good news is fruit is easy to add to your diet, so try starting your day with a fresh fruit salad or smoothie and snacking on pieces of fruit throughout the day.

Beetroot For those needing a quick health-boosting shot of nutrients, you can’t do much better than beetroot. Packed with magnesium, iron, and vitamin C, the vegetable has recently been hailed as a superfood due to its many reported health benefits. Not only is beetroot great for skin, hair and cholesterol levels, but it can also help support liver detoxification, making it an ultimate detox food. To enjoy its benefits, try adding raw beetroot to salads or sipping on some beetroot juice.

Brown rice If you want to cleanse your system and boost your health, it is a good idea to cut down on processed foods. Instead, try supplementing your diet with healthier whole grains such as brown rice, which is rich in many key detoxifying nutrients including B vitamins, magnesium, manganese and phosphorous. Brown rice is also high in fibre, which is good for cleansing the colon, and rich in selenium, which can help to protect the liver as well as improving the complexion.

Green tea While it’s not technically a food, no detox plan would be complete without regular consumption of essential liquids. Fluids are essential for keeping our organs healthy and helping to flush toxins from the body, and drinking green tea is a great way of boosting your intake.

Green tea is not only a good weight-loss drink, but it is extremely high in antioxidants. Research has also suggested that drinking green tea can protect the liver from diseases including fatty liver disease.

Watercress Like most green herbs and vegetables, watercress is an excellent health-booster and detox food. Firstly, watercress leaves are packed with many vital detoxifying nutrients, including several B vitamins, zinc, potassium, vitamin E and vitamin C. Secondly, watercress has natural diuretic properties, which can help to flush toxins out the body. To reap the benefits of this nutritious food, try adding a handful of watercress to salads, soups and sandwiches.

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H OUS E & GA R D E N

SUPREME

QUALITY WITH OLD

FASHIONED

CRAFTSMANSHIP

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he London Door Company has been making high-quality front doors for Londoners for over thirty years. They have a reputation for solidity and reliability, and for all the traditional values that we associate with honest, oldfashioned craftsmanship. With showrooms in Battersea, south-east London and Surrey, a workshop in Wimbledon, and their own fleet of highly-experienced fitters, they are able to offer a complete service that includes design, glazing, painting and fitting.

In a modern world where the emphasis is so often on the shortterm, it’s a relief to find a British business that emphasises tradition and longevity. While others offer quick-fix solutions, the London Door Company designs bespoke, one-off doors for each of its clients that suit both the property and the location as well as the client’s own taste, and that are designed to last for a lifetime. Designers visit clients at their homes to discuss their needs, then provide them with a personalized quotation that includes a breakdown of costs and an agreed fitting date.

In case all of this seems somewhat old-fashioned, it’s worth noting that the design and pricing of the doors is done on a laptop, and that a specially-created software system provides accurate figures for each variation in design and size, for the type of timber and glass to be used, and for the many variations in locks and hardware available.

This marriage of the tried-and-tested with the new also applies to the manufacturing process, where proven methods used by joiners for hundreds of years are allied with modern timber processes that provide modified woods that match or exceed the durability, stability and beauty of the very best tropical hardwoods. They also have a highly informative website with dozens of photographs of doors on it.

Sustainability is an increasingly important issue for all of us, and the London Door Company is keen to emphasise its environmental credentials. Its timber is all from sustainable sources, and local manufacture limits transport costs and the subsequent environmental pollution. This emphasis on localism extends through to the local showrooms, where their door designers are based and where a fund of local knowledge about the area and its architecture guarantees that all new doors match to their area.

The London Door Company has a showroom in Surrey. Based in Belmont, between Cheam and Banstead, the Surrey branch has designed and fitted hundreds of specially-designed doors for local clients over the last three years. Open six days a week, and keen to show off its display of products, a visit to their Belmont showroom is a good starting point for a journey that may result in the best front door you will ever own.

For more information about The London Door Company Call 020 8643 7332 or visit www.londondoor.co.uk

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Cleans floors fast The Kleanstone floor scrubber cleans and dries stone and tiled floors in just one pass.

Kleanstone machines are floor cleaners with a difference - they will clean and dry your natural stone & tile floors and outdoor patios areas in one pass.

The Kleanstone machines replace the hard work of ineffective mopping or even scrubbing floors on your hands and knees and give uniform heavy duty floor cleaning, drying, polishing and buffing.

Ideally suited for your home, Kleanstone offers the perfect choice of machines whatever the task, as well as the assurance that all cleaning, polishing and waxing products will be kind to stone, tile, wood and even carpeted floors

Tel: 01482 620400 Email: info@stonegate.org.uk www.kleanstone.com

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houSe&ga r den

&

hodkin Jones

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he beauty of fine architectural moulding was the business of Herbert Hodkin of Hodkin & Jones in 1868 and from those fine beginnings for over 144 years the company have been associated with the design, manufacture and installation of quality fibrous plaster products still producing by hand now, as then.

The importance of Hodkin & Jones history is evident in the care, skill and craftsmanship given to each commission showing experience is paramount to achieve the service expected from their discerning clients. Many plaster manufacturers in the uK can be traced back to the company having worked or trained there before establishing their own companies.

Having over the years worked with architects, restoring fire damaged mouldings in theatres and halls, reinstating mouldings in great mansions and historical buildings to creating spectacular features like the acoustically designed rock wall effect for the Millennium Cardiff Theatre which won the coveted Plaisterers Trophy.

The FPDC Plaisterers awards are held in high esteem as one of the most prestigious competitions in the industry. Winning the trophy immediately classes you amongst the industries greatest, giving recognition from your clients and reassurance for potential customers about your standard of workmanship .

Hodkin & Jones “Simply Elegant” range of mouldings offers one of the most comprehensive ranges of fibrous plaster mouldings available.

With traditional elegant cornices from Georgian, Victorian, Gothic, Regent, and Art Deco periods through to the present day popular contemporary range.

Hodkin & Jones also offer a match to existing service for restoration to heritage or listed properties and have re created patterns from debris and previous photographs available to faithfully reproduce the original mouldings.

Typical projects include spiral staircases, swimming pool ceilings,

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and restoring ornate plaster mouldings to historical residential buildings.

Often Architects or interior designers have a need to use designs not available from standard ranges, which is where Hodkin & Jones offers their bespoke service. From drawings they are able to manufacture mouldings to the exact dimensions specified whether it is for a ceiling design to create a grand room or a new design created by the architect that is in keeping with the particular project they are working on.

Managing Director David Lewis stated in a Rolls Royce commemorative book “Archaeologist who have excavated locations such as Herculaneum and Pompeii have found designs that are exactly the same as ones we still make today. Plasterwork has a very, very long history going back thousands of years. The one aspect that is incorporated into the business from start to finish is quality” says David. “We have never lowered our standards, or substituted quality for cost but I would argue that we are the best”.

Hodkin Jones Ltd undertakes projects both nationwide and overseas. Many of the residential projects are based in London with contract managers and installers working here on a daily basis. Many of the projects are of a confidential nature due to either the building or the client so agreements are drawn up when requested ensuring no advertising is allowed unless with prior agreement with the client or their representative.

The companies website www.hodkin-jones.co.uk is very comprehensive showing the “Simply Elegant” range that is available.

There is also a gallery with images of previous projects which include Residential, Public Building, Hotels, Offices and Retail schemes.

For a free catalogue or to talk to one of their specialists about your requirements please call 01246 290890 or email sales@hodkin-jones. co.uk. The company is also happy to arrange visits from one of the technical contracts managers either on site or via the designer’s office to go through specific requirements. ■

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H OUS E & GA R D E N

A BASEMENT COMPANY

WHO ARE GOOD NEIGHBOURS London is a densely populated place – almost 8 million of us in 700 square miles – so it’s not surprising that when we want to build, we risk upsetting the neighbours. It’s a problem that the construction industry, as much as anyone, is determined to address. And that’s why 1997 saw the introduction of the Considerate Constructors Scheme.

I

f all construction sites were well managed, efficient, aware of environmental issues and – above all– were good neighbours, then we’d all feel much less aggrieved when we saw a Planning Application Notice appear, wrapped around a lamppost in our street.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme commits builders enrolled in the Scheme to enhance site appearance, respect the local community, protect the environment, and secure

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everyone’s safety, neighbours as well as workers. Considerate Constructors Scheme sites are identified as such on the hoardings. If neighbours or passers-by wish to comment, the name and telephone number of the Site Manager or Company contact is clearly displayed, alongside the freephone telephone number of the Scheme’s administration office.

Going back to those lamppostmounted notices of a Planning Application, one that creates

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plenty of trepidation is for a Basement Excavation or Extension. And not unnaturally – most of us would worry about large holes being dug in close proximity to our homes.

The Company has been creating underground living spaces for many years, and has an admirable track record of completed projects and satisfied customers, but even so it was surprised to find itself winning a Bronze Award from the Scheme.

Two projects were especially mentioned as contributing to this success, one of which was a Grade II* listed four storey terraced house in Elm Row, Hampstead, built around 1720 in brown brick with red brick dressings. In the 1920’s it was the home of DH Lawrence.

Elm Row is not exactly a busy thoroughfare, just a tiny turning off Heath Street, which made the work Cranbrook carried out specially sensitive for the site’s neighbours.

The other project in Reece Mews, is a late 19th century mews house in South Kensington. Like the Hampstead scheme, the house is literally cheek-by-jowl with its neighbours, one of which was the late Francis Bacon’s studio. Under the house, Cranbrook constructed a two-storey basement. The ability to work in tight residential areas, with difficult plant and vehicle access and with culturally sensitive buildings especially impressed the Scheme’s judges, who were looking for examples of “exceptional levels of consideration towards the public, the workforce and the environment”.

In its 28-year history Cranbrook Basements has generated lots of compliments for the schemes it has undertaken, many of which have been equally sensitive. There are many others underway at present. In Circus Road, NW8, a Grade II listed building is having a sub-basement constructed with an additional en-suite bedroom, a media room and a utility room. At Rodenhurst Road in SW4, the owners have elected to add a family room, a gym, shower room and a storage utility.

A media room, utility room, guest cloakroom, and en-suite bedroom are being added to a house in Burnsall Street, SW3.

Cranbrook Basements are sure that one reason it is winning an increasing number of ‘sensitive’ contracts like these, is its workforce. Unusually for a Construction Company it employs everyone who works on a project, from the initial Surveyor through all the building and finishing tradespeople.

According to Managing Director Kevin O’Connor, all 100+ of the Company’s employees want every project to be a success because it enhances its reputation and increases the chance of winning more work, to everyone’s benefit.

Cranbrook Basements can be contacted at 0800 525 883, or visited at www.cranbrook.co.uk

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H OUS E & GA R D E N

A RARE ATTENTION TO DETAIL

A

Bespoke Furniture and Interiors from Visentin Casa.

t Visentin Casa, we work from our newly refurbished and redesigned showroom on the Kings Road, with every item made at our factory in the town of Rosa in Veneto, Italy.

Located in the beautiful Veneto region north of Venice, every piece from a single bespoke coffee table through to a fully panelled room is made with the same level of quality and detail.

Each piece is made to client’s desired specification, be it bespoke in size only, or finished in a certain colour or gold and silver leaf to suit any interior. We can colour match and even age pieces to sit perfectly along side existing furniture, but adapt the new pieces to integrate with today’s modern audio and visual technology. Televisions and audio equipment can be integrated with our furniture to preserve the traditional feel of rooms.

Visentin Casa manufacture fine panelled libraries, study furniture including bespoke bookcases, and also a full range of bedroom and dining furniture. Clients are invited to browse our finishes and see our furniture in person at our showroom on Kings Road, and discuss preferred finishes and styles with one of our furniture designers.

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We currently ship all over the UK and can assist with projects nationwide.

Our in house team of fitters can fit out rooms with panelled walls, fireplaces and even hidden doors and bookcases perfectly tailored to hold any size collection of literature.

We offer a complete service, from the initial site meeting to discuss requirements and view any existing furniture, through to handling all logistics in the transportation of goods from our factory in Italy to the UK. We also offer a full interior design service and can co-ordinate with clients own builders or use our in-house service to assist with any part of your home.

The two most important parts of our business are the quality of our furniture and the service we offer clients; from the initial meeting through to completion we ensure the highest levels of attention and work hard to create a timeless and comfortable home for you.

For more information about Visentin Casa UK visit the showroom at 541a Kings Road, London, SW6 2EB or call 020 3441 5709 or visit www.visentincasa.co.uk

H OUS E & GA R D E N SEGNO GLAM

New Year, New Kitchen

N

o better time is there to undertake a new project than at the start of a new year. When January arrives we often re-evaluate the design of our homes and look at ways to improve the overall design. For many households, the kitchen plays a multifunctional role and acts as a central hub used not only as a space for cooking, but as a place to wine, dine and entertain. Whether you live in a large family household or a sleek, modern apartment, your kitchen will be a pivotal part of your home, used day in day out, so if there is one room you are looking to update, this should be it!

Priding itself on offering luxury, trend-setting designs, London Comprex understands that the tastes, needs, lifestyle and budget will be different for every household on an individual basis. This is why each of the kitchen ranges it offers can be tailored to suit your exact requirements by providing complete flexibility when it comes to choosing the colours, finishes, workspaces and storage to achieve your dream kitchen design.

With three established showrooms located in Battersea, Hampstead and Wigmore Street, London Comprex has been delivering its innovative designs to the capital since 2007 when it first opened the doors to its Battersea studio. Its most recently opened showroom located in Wigmore Street showcases its new, limited edition kitchen ‘Filo’, which is available in a selection of special finishes designed to give your kitchen a unique twist.

different textures and materials to create a kitchen with depth and interest.

For a contemporary look, partner wood finished and glossy or matt lacquered cabinets together. To suit the modern lifestyle, kitchens are increasingly becoming part of the living area in the home and having a balance of different materials works to merge the boundaries between functional and social space. To help make this transition more fluid, London Comprex offers full length cabinetry that looks more like a piece of furniture than a kitchen unit.

To achieve this look for 2013, each of London Comprex’s kitchen ranges is available in an infinite selection of finishes, with plenty of materials and colours to choose from to suit all tastes and budgets. With such a wide choice available it is possible to customise your kitchen and take a ‘mix and match’ approach with the cabinets you choose. If you do decide to combine wood finished and lacquered doors, you may want to take a look at London Comprex’s unique ‘cross grain’ finish, where the grain runs both vertically and horizontally on the door.

London Comprex offers a full range of consulting, design, survey, project management and fitting services to its customers, ensuring that the entire process is monitored every step of the way for a straightforward and fussfree installation.

London Comprex www.londoncomprex.co.uk info@londoncomprex.co.uk 0207 627 6106

Always at the forefront of cutting-edge designs, London Comprex offers the latest trends for 2013 and will provide you with a wow-factor kitchen to be proud of. One of the must-have kitchen designs for this year is combing

LINEA KITCHEN

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FORMA KITCHEN

Uniquely designed to fit into existing timber frames or direct to brick or stone Accurately replicate your traditional style windows Available in over 200 RAL colours Installed by our own craftsmen Full consultation service

Conservation by design

01494 730 400 www.thwc.co.uk 15 Gregories Road, Beaconsfield, Bucks HP9 1HH Opening hours 9am - 5pm Monday to Saturday

Bartlett Tree Experts A Complete and Comprehensive Tree Care Service since 1907 For over 100 years, Bartlett Tree Experts has led both the science and services that make your landscape thrive. No matter the size or scope of your needs, our arborists bring a rare mix of groundbreaking research, global resources and a local service approach to every task at hand. Trees add so much value to our lives; Bartlett adds even more value to your trees.

Tree & Shrub Pruning . Planting . Tree Removal Tree Stock Surveys . Woodland Management Health & Safety Reports . Disease & Insect Control

For a free quotation please call your local arborist, Mark Davis

01707 649 018 radlett@bartlettuk.com www.bartlett.com

F E AT U R E

Design that echoes your desire Simple, elegant and sophisticated are all phases that epitomise the Mossini brand. Perfect in proportion and manufactured by craftsmen, our designs echo the European desire for minimalistic bathroom furniture.

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he use of unique construction materials enhances the desirability of our bathroom furniture which embodies traditional construction techniques fused with modern design flair. The Mossini bathroom collection now exemplifies all that is desirable in a brand.

Why use us?

One Design... Choose exceptional style and explore innovative designs.

Created using the finest materials and superior production techniques, Mossini bathroom cabinetry offers you the very best value and quality for your unique bathroom designs One Quality... Coated Plywood is the ideal material for the base construction of a bathroom cabinet. Strong, robust, durable, and by far the best material for bathroom cabinets, we do not believe you should compromise on quality by using inferior chipboard or MDF cabinets.

One For Detail... All our cabinets come with the added benefit of soft close hinges and soft close drawers. This combination of material and construction puts our plywood range in front as a market leader in quality, design and construction.

One Planet... Our products are all checked and have FSC accreditation. Along with exceptional value and design, we can assure you, that you are helping the environment too.

The Plywood Collection When choosing quality furniture there can be no better choice than our Plywood collection. As the name implies the quality is built in to the furniture. Plywood is the perfect choice for the client looking for quality, durability, strength, with an interest in eco-friendly products and sources.

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Plywood is made from solid wood and far stronger than alterna-tives such as MDF or particle boards.

By cross laminating, plywood is even stronger than solid wood and does not show signs of shrinkage, swelling or splitting with a much higher strength to weight ratio. This makes the use of plywood the first choice where strength, flexibility, durability are key elements in the choice of material. During its manufacture, plywood creates far less wastage than the sawing of solid wood for furniture construction resulting in the conservation of timber.

Why Plywood ?

Less wastage Environment friendly Stronger than MDF or particle board Quality alternative to traditional products Ideally suited for a bathroom environment All our sources hold FSC certification. By choosing FSC products you can be assured our timber products come from managed sources and comply with environmental social and economic standards. FSC labels guarantee that trees are harvested and are replaced or allowed to regenerate naturally and parts of the forest are protected entirely.

For more information about Mossini Bathrooms Call on 0845 4599300 or email sales@mossinibathrooms.com Head Office Bridge house, 25 Fiddlebridge Lane, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 0SP Showroom Unit 4, Spring Valley Business Centre, Potters Wood, St Albans, AL3 6PD www.mossinibathrooms.com

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Lewis Corner Unit

THE NEUTRAL ZONE W

inter doesn’t have to be dreary, dark and damp.

Why not let the light into your home with a combination of clean whites tempered with soft greys and enhanced with natural finishes.

A predominantly neutral interior doesn’t have to be dull, and forms the perfect backdrop for accent colours and seasonal decorations.

If you’re looking for all the ingredients for this style under one roof, look no further than Fishpools of Waltham Cross, the largest quality furniture store in the south east. With 114 years of furniture retailing behind them, their attention to quality and service is well known.

What you may not appreciate is the sheer scale of the choice on offer.

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Georgie Bedroom

Gianna Truffle

With 62,000 square feet of showrooms, they have over 200 room sets creating inspiration at every turn for living, dining, bedroom and home office. From cutting edge modern to curvy classics there’s something for every taste and they don’t stop at furniture, there’s a huge range of flooring and rugs and the home accessory departments are brimming with pictures, mirrors, lighting, linens, soft furnishings, cookware & tableware not to mention a huge range of ornaments and gifts.

Why not start with a scene setting piece of upholstery like the Novara Corner Unit in snow white leather and chrome for pure understated chic. Then introduce stainless steel and pale marble with the understated Bergerac dining collection, where the quality of the materials does all the talking. Layer glamour and soft texture with the Giana bed linen collection in truffle satin with pearl and diamante embellishments. Then shed a little light with the enchanting Galileo’s

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Florence Dining

Bergerac Dining

cluster of 12 lights suspended from burnished chrome.

If you’re more rural than glam, go for the laid back linen tones of the Lewis sofa collection with its classic comfortable curves. Enhance the theme with the Florence dining range in solid reclaimed timber offering the promise of stylish bonhomie, with every dinner something to celebrate. The Shaker inspired Georgie bedroom range with a painted timber finish and contrasting natural oak finish tops will be dressed to impress in the Sheridan’s Columbus Snow plain dye bed linen (not shown). Its sumptuously soft 400 thread count cotton sateen is perfect for wholesome dreaming. Finally, pep up your book at bedtime with the Harlequin Pop table lamp.

Fishpools is located on the High Street in Waltham Cross, there’s a great in-store coffee shop and ample customer parking. For the whole picture visit Fishpools, or look online at www.fishpools.co.uk where you can browse all their furniture and buy from the comfort of your own home.

For more information about Fishpools, 115 High Street, Waltham Cross, Hertfordshire. EN8 7AL. Call 01992 63 64 65 or visit www.fishpools.co.uk DECEMBER2012 79

T R AV E L

Marbella

Steals the spotlight for a weekend retreat WORDS RORY SMITH

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y boys weekend away, in typical male fashion, was rather hastily planned. We knew we wanted to relax and unwind, but also enjoy some good food and have plenty to keep us entertained. It was my friend who suggested a trip to Marbella. Only a short flight from the UK to Malaga and guaranteed good weather, even off-season, we struggled to find a reason not to go. It was decided; it was time to experience Southern Spain’s infamous golden mile.

Home all year round to the rich and famous, Marbella is not short of highend hotels and private villas, however few can beat the presitgious Marbella Club Hotel, Golf Resort and Spa. In 1946, Prince Alfonso von Hohenlohe first acquired the estate and land, converted it into a private residence and by 1954 had transformed the plot into his dream excluisve small hotel.

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Maintaining a genuine delivery of spanish hospitality and decadent accomodation, the Marbella Club boasts two outdoor pools, an off-site equestrian centre, 10 floodlit tennis courts at its sister hotel and four restaurants - few resorts are quite so glamorous and well equipped for the active weekender.

The club’s reputation for fabulous dining is well deserved. As well as their famous Beach Club, which serves an incredible daily hot and cold buffet, there is also The Grill which is currently celebrating its 50th year as a culinary landmark. My friend and I almost wished we had taken our other halves as the gothic candlelit Grill has to be one of the most romantic spots in town! There is also the delightful Pool Bar and the MC Café serving Euro-Asian fusion cuisine for more casual dining. If however, you fancy experiencing what the quayside town of Puerto Banus has to offer, then

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you can never go wrong with the local tapas tavernas which provide a great view of the bobbing super yachts. The seafood is simply exquisite in this part of the world and the Serrano ham at the hotel’s Beach Club is too good to be missed.

Worth mentioning is the glamorous nightlife. It couldn’t have been easier to locate the after dinner party, as 200 metres down the beachfront is home to Puento Romano’s lavish nightspot, Suite. Acrobats, well dressed locals and cocktails are served up in style until the early hours.

Inbetween our indulgent feasts, we experienced one of the best facilites the resort has to offer; the golf course. Home to a magnificent 18-hole course designed by Dave Thomas the location certainly lives up to its reputation.

Challenging and perfectly maintained, the course offers stunning sea views and every hole is surrounded by an oasis of green, waterfalls and lakes. If you are more of a tennis enthusiast then the Marbella Club’s sister property, Puento Romano, will be your holy grail, with 10 floodlit outdoor tennis courts- eight clay, two hard courts, two padel courts and five tennis professionals on hand to help players improve their game. We had a hit one morning with one of the pros and enjoyed trying to recreate

Nadal’s clay court skills – quite unsuccesfully as it happens.

You can certainly pack a huge amount into a weekend and after all of the sports, sunbathing, dining and drinking, a trip to the beach front Thalasso Spa is a fantastic way to finish your holiday. Sadly, we ran out of time for a treatment but we made good use of the Thalasso saltwater pool and Turkish hammam which all guests are offered as standard.

Since the 1960s, Marbella has managed to combine a level of luxury and fun-in-the-sun that is rare to find so close to home. Throw in the first class service and fabulous food and a weekend at Marbella Club is hard to beat.

The hotel offers a ‘Golf, Set, Match’ package costing from 255 Euros per person per night (minimum recommended stay three nights) based on two people sharing a double room, including accommodation, golf, tennis and three hour spa treatment. Available until April 2013. Room rates during low season start from 299 Euros per room per night.

For reservations: 0034 95 282 2211 email: reservas@marbellaclub.com or visit www.marbellaclub.com

J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 8 1

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PROPERTY LIFE T H E

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Grange Avenue TOT T E R I D G E , LO N D O N

A stunning character home with parts dating back to 1877. This charming period cottage has been vastly improved by the present owners and affords a stylish interior with exposed brickwork and wooden beams.

Asking Price ÂŁ1,250,000 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3 8 3

From Cottages to Country Estates

FOR OUR EXTENSIVE RANGE OF PROPERTIES WE ARE PROUD TO HAVE, PLEASE VISIT WWW.STATONS.COM

TOTTERIDGE

£3,950,000

RADLETT

£1,595,000

HADLEY HIGHSTONE

£1,175,000

Private road 4 receptions 5 bedrooms 4 bathrooms detached garage rear garden approx. 130ft detached indoor swimming pool

3 receptions 4 bedrooms 3 bathrooms gardens approaching 1 acre with stunning views

Grade 11 listed original features immaculately presented 4 receptions 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms landscaped rear garden garage

TOTTERIDGE OFFICE 020 8445 3694

RADLETT OFFICE 01923 604 321

HADLEY WOOD OFFICE 020 8440 9797

HADLEY HIGHSTONE

£999,950

Chalet style bungalow receptions 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms landscaped surrounding gardens osp

BARNET OFFICE 020 8449 3383

NORTHAW

£1,096 PW

Detached spacious house in private turning 6 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 3 reception rooms large rear garden plus osp

PREMIER LETTINGS 020 8441 9796

LITTLE HEATH

£995,000

4 receptions 4 bedrooms 2 bathrooms original features scope to extend s.t.p.p. garage rear garden approx. 120ft and osp

BROOKMANS PARK OFFICE 01707 661144

HADLEY WOOD

£634 PW

TOTTERIDGE

£849,950

2 receptions 4 bedrooms 1 bathroom landscaped rear garden and double garage.

TOTTERIDGE OFFICE 020 8445 3694

HIGH BARNET

£346 PW

First floor apartment lift gated exclusive development 3 bedrooms 3 bathrooms 1 reception room balcony with southerly aspect 2 allocated parking spaces.

Stunning views towards London a brand new second floor apartment lift 2 bedrooms 2 bathrooms 1 reception room osp space.

PREMIER LETTINGS 020 8441 9796

PREMIER LETTINGS 020 8441 9796

SALES OFFICES AT: BARNET 020 8449 3383 TOTTERIDGE 020 8445 3694 HADLEY WOOD 020 8440 9797 BROOKMANS PARK 01707 661144 RADLETT 01923 604321 NEW HOMES SHOWCASE HADLEY GREEN 020 8441 9555 PREMIER LETTINGS HADLEY GREEN 020 8441 9796

www.statons.com Associated Offices in Mayfair & Moscow

Hello Barnet!

In January we were delighted to open our tenth office, in High Barnet. Occupying one of the most prominent sites in Barnet – the Exchange Buildings on the corner of St Albans Road and Barnet High Street – our new office covers the areas of Hadley Wood, Arkley, Cockfosters, Brookmans Park, Radlet, South Mimms and Potters Bar, as well as High Barnet and New Barnet.

As an established estate agent in North and North West London for nearly fifty years, we have many clients that come back to us time and time again. A common trend we encounter is as our clients start families they look to move away from the centre of London, perhaps looking for a more rural lifestyle, or in the search for property with a larger garden and more space generally, whilst still desiring easy access to the City and West End. The opening of our new office in Barnet allows us to offer homes in this desired greater geographic area, from village cottage to country estate.

You can contact the High Barnet office on 020 8440 2444 or email en5@martyngerrard.co.uk

www.martyngerrard.co.uk

The award-winning agency . . . . . . where integrity counts.

BARNET • CROUCH END • EAST FINCHLEY • FINCHLEY CENTRAL • NORTH FINCHLEY • HENDON • KENTISH TOWN • MILL HILL • MUSWELL HILL • WHETSTONE

HAMPSTEAD GARDEN SUBURB, N2 £1,675,000

A four bedroom semi-detached family home located just off Linden Lea in the heart of Hampstead Garden Suburb.

THE OWNERS LOVE...

“The roof garden and summer house with under floor heating make the ideal venue for summer house parties.”

“The style of the house, parquet flooring and luxury finish makes the home a pleasure to live in.”

“The peace and quiet of living in a cul-de-sac makes it a wonderful environment for family living.”

WE’VE NOTICED...

• The property is the last house in the street.

• There is off street parking for several cars.

• EPC rating – E East Finchley/ Hampstead Garden Suburb Office • 020 8883 0077 • N2@martyngerrard.co.uk • 66 /68 High Road, East Finchley, London N2 9PN

www.martyngerrard.co.uk www.martyngerrard.co.uk

WHETSTONE, N20 £949,500 A large four bedroom detached house providing convenient access to Oakleigh Park mainline station, places of worship and local schooling.

THE OWNERS LOVE… “ The open nature of the downstairs living space is fantastic for entertaining”. “ The garden is extremely private and very quiet, we love spending time out there”. “ The location of the property is perfect for us, it’s no more than a five minute walk whether we’re commuting into town or popping to the local shops”.

WE’VE NOTICED… • There is potential for further extension STPP. • Energy Rating – C Whetstone Office • T: 020 8446 2111 • E: N20@martyngerrard.co.uk • 1286 High Road, Whetstone, London N20 9HH

MILL HILL, NW7 £3,499,950 An outstanding 8 bedroom detached house backing onto parkland conveniently located for transport, shopping and leisure facilities.

THE OWNERS LOVE… “ I love the atrium to the Hallway. It lights up the whole hall and landing areas”. “ The open views to the rear gives a real rural feel to the house”. “ We particularly love the kitchen/ living area - it’s the heart of the house”.

WE’VE NOTICED… • The attention to detail in the design of the house.

• The house is stunning and a real jaw dropper from the moment you open the front door.

• Energy Rating - C Mill Hill office • T: 020 8906 0660 • E: NW7@martyngerrard.co.uk • 109 The Broadway, Mill Hill, London NW7 3TG

in association with

FINCHLEY N3

ARDEN ROAD

ÂŁ1,950,000

A delightfully large refurbished Edwardian detached family house, in a prime location just off Regents Park Road. The house has been meticulously restored and renovated by the present owners within the last 5 years and now incorporates excellent accommodation mainly on two floors, but with a fifth bedroom on the second floor.

5 bedrooms 2 bathrooms G uest cloakroom T V room L ounge D ining room F ully integrated kitchen/ breakfast room L arge garden G arage own driveway S OLE AGENTS

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020 8959 9000 enquire@godfreyandbarr.com www.godfreyandbarr.com

R eception hall G uest WC D rawing room T V room S tudio room with kitchenette and en-suite shower room K itchen/breakfast room U tility room M aster suite (incorporating bedroom, dressing room and en-suite bathroom) B edroom 2 with separate WC B edroom 3 B edroom 4 F amily bathroom O ffice B edroom 5 with en-suite bathroom B edroom 6 S wimming pool G arage P arking S ole Agents

MILL HILL VILLAGE NW7

BLENHEIM STEPS £2,250,000

‘Blenheim Steps’ dates back to the late 18th Century. It is a beautifully appointed and presented Grade II listed family house that has been extensively renovated and adapted in recent years to provide substantial and well appointed living accommodation. Originally entitled ‘Blenheim House’ the current property was believed to have replaced a property that was built shortly after the Duke of Marlborough’s victory at Blenheim in 1704. In 1925 it became part of Mill Hill School and was sub-divided, with the ground floor being used as the ‘tuck shop’ with the prominent bow windows being added in 1926 and 1971. The property was subsequently sold as a private residence. It benefits from a most convenient location at one of the highest spots in Mill Hill, close to amenities yet in a lovely rural setting, with a stunning garden and swimming pool.

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020 8959 9000 enquire@godfreyandbarr.com www.godfreyandbarr.com

COPPICE END COPPICE WALK | TOTTERIDGE | LONDON N20 A stunning grand Georgian style detached home extending to 8,875 sq ft. Having been constructed to a high specification approximately 5 years ago, featuring state-of-the-art home technology and a magnificent indoor swimming pool complex/ party room with its hydraulic floor which allows this huge area, at the flick of a switch, to be turned into a grand 50’ x 45’ ballroom for entertaining on a large scale or for family living.

Drawing room, Dining room, Media room, Study, ‘Pedini’ Italian fitted kitchen/Breakfast room, Utility room, Master bedroom suite with balcony, en suite bathroom, further wc and en suite dressing room, 2nd bedroom suite with en suite bathroom and dressing room, 3rd bedroom suite with en suite bathroom, 4th bedroom suite with en suite shower room, 5th bedroom suite with en suite bathroom and dressing room, 6th bedroom office, 7th bedroom/den with kitchenette, Swimming Pool, Fitness Centre and Party Room, Landscaped front and rear gardens designed by Kate Gould Chelsea Gold Medal Winner, Double garage, Parking for 15 cars, Gated entrance, NHBC

PRICE ON APPLICATION FREEHOLD

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If you are looking to sell or rent your house in Mill Hill, Totteridge, Arkley, Radlett, Elstree or surrounds, give us a call and see what sets us appart from the rest.

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020 8959 9000 enquire@godfreyandbarr.com www.godfreyandbarr.com

P R O P E RT Y

GEORGE PHILIPPOU MANAGING DIRECTOR AND TONY MARTI PROJECT MANAGER

BAYVIEW HOUSE UPLANDS PARK ROAD, ENFIELD Y

ogo Group and Statons are delighted to announce the release of this most prestigious collection of just 8 luxury 2 & 3 bedroom apartments and penthouses, with private gardens, large terraces, a concierge service and underground parking.

Yogo Group, who were 2012 winners of the ‘Premier Guarantee National Developer of the Year Award’, have been building in the North London area for over 12 years and are pioneers of creating unique homes which resonate in profound luxury and timeless interiors. They are also committed to being environmentally conscious in each development. Creativity, quality and beauty are designed into every one of these luxury apartments.

Bayview House has been meticulously designed, with no expense spared, to offer the ultimate signature of modern living, whilst maintaining uniqueness and character. The generously proportioned, light filled rooms have been interior designed down to the smallest detail with sophistication at the forefront and every space filled with specially selected or bespoke fixtures, fittings and finishing touches.

All apartments have either a private terrace or one of 3 private gardens which have been created by an appointed RHS winning designer. A concierge service, secure underground parking, fully fitted alarms and video entry system provide a high level of security and peace of mind. Bespoke kitchens, a selection of granite, 9 6 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

Murano glass, Porcelanosa and Walnut caress the surfaces and a heavenly bathroom sanctuary, help to complete the picture.

Bayview House is located in one of the premier roads on the edge of a bustling town centre with its mainline station, boutiques, bars, cafes, and restaurants mixed with High Street brands, lovals shops and markets creating wonderful community atmosphere only minutes away from greenbelt countryside or you can be in Central London within 30 minutes.

Leisure facilities include David Lloyd and Virgin leisure clubs, local parks or Hadley Wood Golf Club.

The show apartment will be open on Saturdays & Sundays from 10am – 5pm or by appointment and prices range from £895,000 to £1,250,000.

For further information and a full colour brochure please conract Statons New Homes Showcase on 020 8441 9555 or visit www.statons.com or www.yogogroup.com

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A MOST PRESTIGIOUS COLLECTION OF JUST 8 HIGHLY SPECIFIED 2 AND 3 BEDROOM LUXURY APARTMENTS. FEATURING UNDERGROUND PARKING, CONCIERGE SERVICE, INDIVIDUAL PRIVATE GARDENS AND LARGE TERRACES.

Prices from £895,000 – £1,250,000 20

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D E V E LO P E D BY S O L E S E L L I N G AG E N T S

B AY V I E W H O U S E WINNER OF

0800 500 3050

020 8441 9555

P R O P E RT Y

GRANGE AVENUE TOTTERIDGE, LONDON N20 8AD

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stunning character home with parts dating back Asking Price: ÂŁ1,250,000. Freehold to 1877. This charming period cottage has been vastly improved by the present owners and affords a stylish interior with exposed brickwork and wooden E ntrance Lobby B edroom Two beams. A prominent feature is the impressive bright S itting Room E n-Suite Shower Room reception room with its open fire. There is also a courtyard D ining Room U tility Room garden with hand built barbeque and scope to extend (subject K itchen/Breakfast Room C ourtyard Garden M aster Bedroom A great alternative to to pp) if required. A unique home that must be seen to be E n-suite Bathroom an apartment appreciated as homes of this calibre are rarely available.

Features

Approach Beautifully landscaped front garden with well maintained hedge and shrub boarders. Driveway providing off street parking and leading to detached garage with electronically operated up and over doors.

Location On a prominent corner position, the house offers superb access to both Totteridge Common and Green as well as local shops, restaurants and transport links.

9 8 J A N U A RY 2 0 1 3

For more information about this property please contact Statons Totteridge office on 020 8445 3694 or email totteridge@statons.com.

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