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Sally Oliver owner of Eleven, tells us what spring means to her
Fashion
A few suggestions of how to look amazing for less this Spring
Interview: James Martin The one thing James Martin would never do as a celebrity chef
Q&A: Kelly Hoppen
Tells us about having tea with the King of Bhutan and the most beautiful hotel on the planet
Manic Street Preachers ‘We never thought we’d get to this point 25 years ago’
Lifesyle | Fashion | Motoring| Entertainment | Food
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Welcome... ...to your ‘Living Local’ Magazine. April is here and finally we see the first glimpse of spring with some warmer days and spring flowers blossoming. With spring starting to appear we are looking at easy ways to break out of the rut of winter and update our homes for sunnier days. You will find us all spring cleaning on our next days off, buying new fresh bedding and visiting garden centres. Here at Living Local we are delighted to be working closely with Sally Oliver from Eleven Boutique, Sally will be writing a column for us each month and we look forward to getting to know her better as well as finding out more about some of her amazing products available locally. Ahead of the Manic Street Preachers visiting the Metro Radio Arena check out our feature on how far they have come over the years. If you are looking for new ways to unwind why not check out some of the latest books to be released and if you are looking for a new hobby how about checking out our Roast Chicken with Chorizo dish and find out the one thing James Martin would never do as a celebrity chef. We hope you all have a lovely April and make sure you grab a copy of Living Local in May for more fantastic features, local events and fashion fun.
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LIVING April 2018 Issue 5
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Contents 6 What’s on Selection of events throughout April & May. 8 Reel Time There’s plenty of cinematic joys to look forward to over the month, here are some of our must sees.
20 Interest Rate Rise – How does it affect you? Colin Heseltine of HRC Group gives us some sound advice on mortgages. 20 Newcastle United Alex Hurst, Editor of TrueFaith.co.uk gives us his thoughts on recent results and performance.
10 Q&A: Kelly Hoppen Tells us about having tea with the King of Bhutan and the most beautiful hotel on the planet.
22 Newcastle Falcons Firmly in the hunt for a Premiership play-off.
11 Locally Sourced Sally Oliver owner of Eleven, tells us what spring means to her.
24 Review: Land Rover Discovery Si4 SE Four-cylinder petrol from the Ingenium family is installed in Land Rover’s seven-seat SUV. Is it up to the job?
12 Books In this fast paced busy world of work, running round after children, keeping in touch with friends and family and planning the next big thing in our lives we often forget to make time for ourselves. 14 Manic Street Preachers: ‘We never thought we’d get to this point 25 years ago’. 16 Get the Look A few suggestions of how we think you can get an amazing look for less this Spring. 10 The 13 Easiest Ways to Get Your House Ready for Spring Break out of your winter rut and update your house for sunnier days. We asked designers how they refresh their homes for spring - here are their quickest and best ideas.
27 Looking Sharp A few suggestions of how we think you can get an amazing look for less this Spring. 28 Lets Cook One-Pot Roast Chicken With Chorizo. 29 Interview: James Martin The one thing James Martin would never do as a celebrity chef. 30 Test Yourself Put you brain to the test with our crossword, sudoku and reverse word search. 31 Picture Perfect Crocus Flower Awakening to spring through the snow by Margaret Symington
To advertise in Living Local Magazine please contact a member of our sales team on 0191 637 5934 or email info@enrich-media.co.uk www.enrich-media.co.uk | www.livinglocal-magazine.uk All contents copyright © 2018 Enrich Media. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photography, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, March 2018. 4| Living Local
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What’s On April
MATTHEW BOURNE’S CINDERELLA Theatre Royal 17 - 28 April 2018 www.theatreroyal.co.uk
ALNWICK SPRING SHOW Willowburn Sports Centre 14 April 2018 www.alnwickspringshow.uk Spring flowers, food and floral art exhibits including children’s entries. Plants for sale. Trade stands. Refreshments available
Matthew Bourne’s Cinderella takes the audience into the heart of Prokofiev’s magnificent score, and the sights and sounds of war-torn London, with surround sound designed by Paul Groothuis, and a specially commissioned recording of a 60 piece orchestra, Lez Brotherston’s Olivier Awardwinning designs and lighting by Olivier Award-winning Neil Austin.
THE BAND Theatre Royal 3 - 14 April 2018 www.theatreroyal.co.uk A brand new musical featuring the songs of Take That will visit Newcastle Theatre Royal next spring. The Band, written by Olivier Award-winning writer Tim Firth and starring Five to Five, the winning group from BBC One’s Let it Shine, will appear 3-14 April 2018 as part of a major UK tour.
JOE McELDERRY ACOUSTIC SHOW The Phoenix Theatre 18 - 19 April 2018 www.thephoenixtheatre.org.uk
GATESHEAD INTERNATIONAL JAZZ FESTIVAL 2018
Following Joe McElderry’s UK tour playing the lead as Joseph in Bill Kenwright’s production of Joseph and The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Joe received 5 star acclaim from entertainment critics and it has also been reported that Joe is infact the best Joseph in the shows history. After releasing his 5th album – Saturday Night at the Movies with a successful tour in the Summer - Joe is now embarking on his own Acoustic show. Joe is excited to bring this brand new show to you with his easy wit and warm rapport that has endeared him to all ages from 5 to 95.
Sage Gateshead 6 - 8 April 2018 www.sagegateshead.com Gateshead International Jazz Festival 2018 About Gateshead International Jazz Festival is back for 2018 and will welcome some of the greatest jazz artists from around the globe at the three-day event. The UK’s biggest jazz festival held under one roof, fills four stages at Sage Gateshead. FAST & FURIOUS LIVE 2018 Metro Radio Arena 6 - 8 April 2018 www.metroradioarena.co.uk The adrenaline-fueled, two-hour show is set to be the most spectacular live arena production ever produced. 6| Living Local
MANIC STREET PREACHERS Metro Radio Arena RUBY WAX: FRAZZLED Your passport to saner living
23 April 2018
Northern Stage
To coincide with the release of ‘Resistance Is Futile’, the band have announced their biggest series of UK live shows in over a decade. Support on all dates comes from very special guests The Coral. Manic Street Preachers recently received the Inspiration Award at the Q Awards at the Roundhouse in London.
20 April 2018 www.northernstage.co.uk Drop dead gorgeous, sassy and smart, Ruby Wax brings her new one-woman show to the stage based on her number one best seller A Mindfulness Guide for the Frazzled.
www.metroradioarena.co.uk
Theatre Royal 16-19 May 2018 www.alnwickcastle.com
NOEL GALLAGHER’S HIGH FLYING BIRDS Metro Radio Arena 3 May 2018
The international smash hit Sprit of the Dance celebrates its record-breaking 20 year anniversary as one of the most succsessful dance shows. Bursting with raw energy, this explosive and powerful show combines heart-pounding Irish dance and the sensational Latino rythms of Flamenco and red hot salsa in a thrilling production of strength and passion. Not one dancer steps out of line as their thunderous feet perform as one, with an excitement that leaves audiences screaming for more. With brilliant lighting, dazzling costumes and breathtaking choreography.
www.metroradioarena.co.uk Radio Arena About Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds soar into the slipstream of exhilarating new album, Who Built The Moon? to play a series of UK and Ireland arena dates starting in April 2018 including the Metro Radio Arena.
Alnwick Castle 8 May 2018 www.alnwickcastle.com Fighting talk with Kate Adie at Alnwick Castle About As we mark the 100th anniversary of the end of the First World War, former Chief News Correspondent for the BBC, Kate Adie OBE, will be giving an illustrated talk in the Guest Hall at Alnwick Castle.
this was your advert
being seen by your customers.
Think of the possibilities!
Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds at Metro
FIGHTING TALK WITH KATE ADIE
Imagine
WWE LIVE Metro Radio Arena 17 May 2018 www.metroradioarena.co.uk Fans will be able to see all their favorite WWE Superstars live in action all under one roof. Don’t miss out; Get your ticket to an incredible night of action packed entertainment! WWE LIVE is unique blend of sport and entertainment, combining in-ring match action with dramatic entertainment. Bursting with all the drama and energy of a rock concert, in a fun, lively and exciting environment, WWE Live is the ultimate in family entertainment!
LIVING
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May
SPRIT OF THE DANCE
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SHOWADDYWADDY The Phoenix Theatre 11 April 2018
NORTHUMBERLAND COUNTY SHOW
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28 May 2018 www.northcountyshow.co.uk Preparations are being made for the region’s premier agricultural show with the aim of making it a showcase for the best of the region’s farming industry. For a fantastic family fun day with lots to do and see for all the family.
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Living Local | 7
REEL TIME
There’s plenty of cinematic joys to look forward to over the next month, here are some of our must sees. For full details on movie release dates and screening times, visit www.myvue.com
Ghost Stories
Love, Simon
Rampage
Philip Goodman, professor of psychology and arch-sceptic, has his rationality seriously tested when he receives a letter, apparently from beyond the grave, tasking him with investigating three ‘Ghost Stories’. His mentor Charles Cameron went missing, presumed dead, 15 years ago. But somehow, Goodman has had a letter from him, asking him to find a logical explanation for three bizarre cases that have shaken Cameron to his very core… A critically-acclaimed supernatural chiller, ‘Ghost Stories’ tells a triptych of terrifying tales and stars Martin Freeman and Paul Whitehouse.
‘Love, Simon’ is the story of a seventeen-yearold who’s just like everyone else at his school, except for his big secret: he hasn’t told anyone he’s gay yet. He isn’t sure why he hasn’t come out, but being a teenager is difficult enough even without trying to wrestle with this. And it’s always terrifying to announce who you really are to the world, because what if the world doesn’t accept you? The producers of ‘The Fault In Our Stars’ bring us ‘Love, Simon’, a heartwarming comedy drama about coming to terms with who you are.
Davis Okoye prefers spending time with animals than people, and his best friend is a gorilla called George. But a rogue genetic experiment mutates George, sending him on the ‘Rampage’. As George grows bigger, stronger and fiercer, he begins to cause serious damage. And then Davis discovers that he wasn’t the only animal affected by the experiment… Now, not only does Davis have to save the world, he needs to save the fearsome creature that used to be his friend. Dwayne Johnson reunites with his director from ‘San Andreas’ for ‘Rampage’, a spectacular giant monster film that also stars Naomie Harris.
7 Days in Entebbe
Thoroughbreds
Avengers: Infinity War
In June 1976, four hijackers took over an aeroplane, along with dozens of hostages, to try and free Palestinians jailed in Israel. Operation ‘Entebbe’ was launched to save the hostages. The hijackers landed at Entebbe airport in Uganda, where they were supported by the government and personally welcomed by Idi Amin. In a desperate rescue mission, 100 Israeli commandos were flown out in secret to save the captives and stop the terrorists. An incredible true story, ‘Entebbe’ is directed by the producer of ‘Narcos’ and stars Daniel Bruhl, Rosamund Pike and Vincent Cassel.
‘Thoroughbreds’ follows the gripping, darkly comic adventures of Lily and Amanda, two upper-class teenage girls who rekindle their friendship, after years of growing apart, in an extremely unusual way. Lily seems to have the perfect life, while Amanda is happy enough being a social outcast. They bond over their mutual contempt for Lily’s stepfather, and set out on a destructive path towards setting their lives straight. An outrageous thriller about good breeding gone bad, ‘Thoroughbreds’ has received critical acclaim and stars Anya Taylor-Joy and Olivia Cooke in the lead roles.
‘Avengers: Infinity War’ sees Thanos, one of the most powerful beings in the cosmos, arrive on Earth on his quest to balance the universe. Only the Avengers can stop him. Although divided following the civil war between Captain America and Iron Man, they must be willing to sacrifice everything in order to defeat their near-omnipotent enemy. They need all the help they can get – and luckily, the Guardians of the Galaxy are here to lend a hand. A gargantuan superhero spectacular a decade in the making, ‘Avengers: Infinity War’ unites heroes from across the Marvel Cinematic Universe for their most devastating battle yet.
Released 6th April
Released 6th April
8| Living Local
Released 6th April
Released 6th April
Released 13th April
Released 26th April
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Q&A
Kelly Hoppen on having tea with the King of Bhutan and the most beautiful hotel on the planet
K
elly Hoppen, the British interior designer, on nights out in New York and tea with the King of Bhutan. Meeting different people is one of the great joys on all my trips. I come back with a million phone numbers and I do keep in touch. Women are a force to be reckoned with and I’ve met so many inspiring women on my travels, such as Kristina Khorram, the assistant to Sean Combs [the musician once known as Puff Daddy]. I met her as I’m working on a project with him in Los Angeles and she has such passion, edge and knowledge. Can women have it all? I’ve asked myself recently, as my daughter [chef and author Natasha Corrett] had a baby about nine months ago. Seeing her made me look again at women and the answer is we can, but with costs. I used to travel alone for work but these days I have an entourage because there’s so much to do and I travel all the time to India, Europe and America for work. I’m up at 6am and work until midnight, meeting clients, doing interviews and showcasing my furniture. I’ve never wanted to be on my own on my travels; maybe I’m not that adventurous. I always travelled with partners, my children or girlfriends, as it was more fun. But women should feel empowered to do what they want as long as their safety isn’t compromised.
10| Living Local
The most extraordinary place I’ve visited was Bhutan. I was there around 2004 after it began opening up to Westerners. I was among the first to stay at Christina Ong’s hotel Como Uma Paro. I had tea with the King of Bhutan which was incredible, as well as trekking to the Tiger’s Nest, a 17th-century monastery that clings to the cliff. In my past life I was from the East. I always say, as it’s where I feel happiest and most comfortable. I love to work there and love the people. Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai are among my favourite places, as well as Paris, New York and London. I’m a real London girl. It has to be New York for nightlife and live music. My stepdaughter, Sienna [Miller, the actress] knows New York really well, so she always tells me the best places. I’m not a fan of big, noisy bars and it’s why I love the Laylow, a private members’ club in Golborne Road, Notting Hill. It has a wonderful bar and I love its simplicity. I always love escaping to the English countryside and I adore the Cotswolds. It’s very much part of my family life as we spend a lot of time there. My idea of heaven is a holiday with friends and family in a private villa. I’m planning one in Italy, with Suzy Small from Mensos Concierge, which has taken all the stress out. I know Capri like the back of my hand as I’ve been going there since I was 13. I love staying at La Scalinatella hotel. It has a magnificent view of the Faraglioni rocks. Also on the Amalfi coast, in Positano, is Le Sirenuse, which is full of beautiful art and antiques.
The most beautiful hotel is the Hotel Il Pellicano in Porto Ercole, Italy. It was immortalised by the photographer Slim Aarons, who took that wonderful poolside picture. It’s just visually glorious; I love everything about it. The perfect gym is always on my radar as I work out daily. I’m active, so swimming, skiing, healthy food and beautiful environments are all part of my ideal holiday. One of the world’s most relaxing places is the Maldives. I stayed at the stunning Reethi Rah. The best massage I’ve ever had was at the Six Senses Con Dao in Vietnam. They do the treatment in your villa, right on the beach. Bliss for me is lying under an umbrella with my toes tucked into the sand. The most incredible white-sand beaches are in Mauritius, such as the one at the LUX* Belle Mare hotel on the east coast. I’d been going there for years, so I was very happy to work on its refurbishment. I apply Vaseline around my nostrils and up my nose on a flight, as planes are full of germs. I always travel first class and Etihad is an amazing airline. I am super-organised when I arrive at a destination as I unpack and lay out what I’ll be wearing for each day and I will have done a recce of the hotel to find the gym. I stick to my routine on a work trip, but on holiday I try to be more fluid. The new Celebrity Edge cruise ship, with interiors by Kelly Hoppen, will make its maiden voyage in the Caribbean this November.
LOCALLY SOURCED with Sally Oliver
Welcome to my monthly column. I was so pleased to be invited to contribute to this fantastic magazine, celebrating all that is brilliant about our local area.
What does spring mean to you? For me it spells the excitement of new season fashion collections, fresh colours and lighter styles to take us forward into longer days, lazy lunches and the start of warmer evenings spent outdoors with our nearest and dearest. We are very lucky to live in Northumberland with our rugged coastline and beautiful countryside, we really do have the best of everything! Spring is certainly the time to make the most of the facilities on our doorsteps and this includes our local shops and services. My interest in fashion started at a very young age (there is photo evidence hidden in the loft!) and over the years I have found some pretty amazing independent stores whereby once I’ve stepped inside time has stood still. My family will certainly agree, having spent many an hour standing outside with ice cream to pacify the kids and the husband searching longingly for the nearest bar! Shopping locally means a tailored, personal service and the choice of unique items, whether these be food, gifts, clothing or homeware. Shopping locally means more job security and a boost to the town’s economy. All small, local business owners appreciate your support, why not share what they do on your social media and tell your family and friends if you’ve had a great experience? I am endeavouring to pledge my support for local by using as many of the shops and facilities as I can. If you have any recommendations I’d love to hear them! E-mail me at info@elevenboutique.co.uk and I will give them a shout out in my monthly column as well as adding them to my list of places to visit, new shopping experiences and new places to dine. I hope you all have a great April!
Sally x e l e v e n elevenboutique.co.uk
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BOOKS In this fast paced busy world of work, running round after children, keeping in touch with friends and family and planning the next big thing in our lives we often forget to make time for ourselves. When
life is busy and I don’t have time to physically pick up a book I am guilty of downloading an audiobook, it’s my new favourite life cheat, you can still get lost in the world of a book and it really is the perfect way to unwind and escape while exercising, travelling or even when relaxing in the bath. Here’s some of my favourite new releases. I hope you enjoy them as much as I did. I particularly enjoyed looking at some of these books for parents, and I can’t say I’ve read many parenting books since I threw Gina Ford away many years ago but these are really positive, practical and insightful, well worth a read.
place? Are any of them prepared to take the leap? Set against the backdrop of Barack Obama’s historic election victory, Ordinary People is an intimate, immersive study of identity and parenthood, sex and grief, friendship and aging, and the fragile architecture of love. With its distinctive prose and irresistible soundtrack, it is the story of our lives, and those moments that threaten to unravel us.
Ordinary People by Diana Evans South London, 2008. Two couples find themselves at a moment of reckoning, on the brink of acceptance or revolution. Melissa has a new baby and doesn’t want to let it change her but, in the crooked walls of a narrow Victorian terrace, she begins to disappear. Michael, growing daily more accustomed to his commute, still loves Melissa but can’t quite get close enough to her to stay faithful. Meanwhile out in the suburbs, Stephanie is happy with Damian and their three children, but the death of Damian’s father has thrown him into crisis – or is it something, or someone, else? Are they all just in the wrong 12| Living Local
Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different by Ben Brooks ‘This book can save lives. This book can change lives. This book can help to bring forth another generation of boys who dare to be
different.’ Benjamin Zephaniah Prince charming, dragon slayer, mischievous prankster... More often than not, these are the rolemodels boys encounter in the books they read at home and at school. As a boy, there is an assumption that you will conform to a stereotypical idea of masculinity. But what if you’re the introvert kind? What if you prefer to pick up a book rather than a sword? What if you want to cry when you’re feeling sad or angry? What if you like the idea of wearing a dress? There is an ongoing crisis with regards to young men and mental health, with unhelpful gender stereotypes contributing to this malaise. Stories for Boys Who Dare to Be Different offers a welcome alternative narrative. It is an extraordinary compilation of 100 stories of famous and not-sofamous men from the past to the present day, every single one of them a rule-breaker and innovator in his own way, and all going on to achieve amazing things. Entries include Frank Ocean, Salvador Dalí, Rimbaud, Beethoven, Barack Obama, Stormzy, Ai Weiwei and Jesse Owens - different sorts of heroes from all walks of life and from all over the world. A beautiful and transporting book packed with stories of adventure and wonderment, it will appeal to those who need the courage to reject peer pressure and go against
the grain. It is the must-have book for all those boys who worry about stuff and all those parents who worry about their boys who worry about stuff. It will educate and entertain, while also encourage and inspire.
The Pearl Sister by Lucinda Riley
CeCe D’Aplièse has never felt she fitted in anywhere. Following the death of her father, the elusive billionaire Pa Salt – so-called by the six daughters he adopted from around the globe and named after the Seven Sisters star cluster – she finds herself at breaking point. Dropping out of art college, CeCe watches as Star, her beloved sister,
distances herself to follow her new love, leaving her completely alone. In desperation, she decides to flee England and discover her past; the only clues she has are a black-and-white photograph and the name of a woman pioneer who lived in Australia over one hundred years ago. En-route to Sydney, CeCe heads to the one place she has ever felt close to being herself: the stunning beaches of Krabi, Thailand. There amongst the backpackers, she meets the mysterious Ace, a man as lonely as she is and whom she subsequently realizes has a secret to hide. A hundred years earlier, Kitty McBride, daughter of an Edinburgh clergyman, is given the opportunity to travel to Australia as the companion of the wealthy Mrs McCrombie. In Adelaide, her fate becomes entwined with Mrs McCrombie’s family, including the identical, yet very different, twin brothers: impetuous Drummond, and ambitious Andrew, the heir to a pearling fortune. When CeCe finally reaches the searing heat and dusty plains of the Red Centre of Australia, she begins the search for her past. As something deep within her responds to the energy of the area and the ancient culture of the Aboriginal people, her creativity reawakens once more. With help from those she meets on her journey, CeCe begins to believe that this wild, vast continent could offer her something she never thought possible: a sense of belonging, and a home.
The Last Secret of the Deverills by Santa Montefiore It is 1939 and peace has flourished since the Great War ended. But much has changed for the Deverill family and now a new generation is waiting in the wings.
Martha Wallace came to Dublin from her home in America to find her birth mother. But instead she has lost her heart to the impossibly charming JP Deverill. Then she discovers that her mother comes from the same place as JP, and her fate seems sealed. Bridie Doyle, now Countess di Marcantonio and mistress of Castle Deverill, is determined to make the castle she used to work in her home. But her flamboyant husband Cesare has other ideas. And as his eye strays away from his wife, those close to the couple start to wonder if he really is who he says he is. Kitty Deverill has come to terms with her life with her husband Robert, and their two children. But then Jack O’Leary, the love of her life, returns to Ballinakelly. And this time his heart belongs elsewhere.
book from Times journalist, twotime Olympian and best-selling mindset author Matthew Syed, it uses examples of successful people from Mozart to Serena Williams to demonstrate that success really is earned rather than given, and that talent can be acquired. With hard work and determination, practice and self-belief, and, most importantly, a Growth Mindset, there’s no reason why anyone can’t achieve anything. Practical, insightful and positive, this is the book to help children build resilience, embrace their mistakes and grow into successful, happy adults.
This is Going to Hurt: Secret Diaries of a Junior Doctor by Adam Kay 97-hour weeks. Life and death decisions. A constant tsunami of bodily fluids. And the hospital parking meter earns more than you. Welcome to the life of a junior doctor. Scribbled in secret after endless days, sleepless nights and missed weekends, Adam Kay’s diaries provide a no-holds-barred account of his time on the NHS front line. Hilarious, horrifying and heartbreaking, this is everything you wanted to know - and more than a few things you didn’t - about life on and off the hospital ward.
If you’d like to try one of the books featured why not shop local and try The Works in Manor Walks Shopping Centre Cramlington or Waterstones in Sanderson Arcade Morpeth.
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You Are Awesome: Find Your Confidence and Dare to be Brilliant at (Almost) Anything By Matthew Syed This positive and empowering guide, by bestselling mindset author Matthew Syed, will help children build resilience, fulfil their potential and become successful, happy, awesome adults. I’m no good at sport ... I can’t do maths. I really struggle with exams. Sound familiar? If you believe you can’t do something, the chances are you won’t try. But what if you really could get better at maths, or sport or exams? In fact, what if you could excel at anything you put your mind to? You Are Awesome can help you do just that, inspiring and empowering young readers to find the confidence to realise their potential. The first children’s
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MANIC STREET PREACHERS: ‘We never thought we’d get to this point 25 years ago’
Interview
Nearly thirty years since their debut album, Manic Street Preachers are still young at heart. Much might have changed in the music industry since a young Manic Street Preachers flamed into being with their incendiary mixture of fiercely intelligent, angst-ridden lyrics and robust glam-meets-punk-and-metal guitar riffs.
Y
et 26 years and a dozen albums on from their debut, it seems they approached their new record Resistance Is Futile with the same “youthful optimism” that fuelled their debut longplayer, Generation Terrorists. “To be honest with you, it wasn’t something that we particularly planned,” says Sean Moore, the band’s softly-spoken drummer, explaining how a combination of circumstances – including having to build a new recording studio in Newport, South Wales, after being “kicked out” of their long-time facility in Cardiff as well as his own epic charity trek in Peru – led him and fellow band members James Dean Bradfield and Nicky Wire to feel reinvigorated. “It just evolved,” he says. “We went in without any preconceptions really of where we were going to go and let the album lead itself.” When they were in the studio Moore admits to occasionally being reminded of what it was like more than two and a half decades ago when he, Bradfield, Wire and their original bandmate Richey Edwards were first battling to be heard. “The last 12 months pretty much has felt a bit like that in terms of what was happening in the music world,” he says. “It doesn’t seem to be getting any better in terms of new bands coming through. There doesn’t seem to be the investment there that there once was. The fact that smaller venues are closing down. “It’s getting to that point where we almost feel like we’re last man standing. There’s very few bands from our time
14| Living Local
that haven’t already split up or got back together and split up again. Whether we’ll still be doing this 25 years from now I don’t think so, but who knows? We never thought we’d get to this point 25 years ago.” Resistance is Futile comes four years on from a burst of creativity that yielded two albums, the mellow, largely acoustic Rewind The Film and the decidedly more spiky, electronic post-punk of Futurology. Those records were followed by a period of revisiting old albums to commemorate their anniversaries. If, as Wire suggested back in 2016, the Manics had been unsure of in which direction to go next, Moore takes a philosophical view of the creative process. “I think we’re pretty comfortable in our own skins now, so to speak,” he says. “We’ve pretty much covered everything that has influenced us over our lifetime so trying to find new inspiration is quite difficult, just because we’ve touched upon every aspect of our musical upbringing. Then you come full circle and you go into a studio without having to feel like you need to prove anything any more. “So it was very open, very liberating. Hopefully there’s still enough of an audience out there that enjoy where we’re coming from. It has been a useful injection as we’re approaching our fifties. I’m 50 this year but I don’t feel like it. It’s almost as if the last 30 years has sort of zipped by. I don’t particularly feel any different now to how I did back then. A little bit wiser, I suppose, and I can
use my time a little bit more concisely. I know how to achieve the things I need to achieve in the studio whereas back then it was the blind leading the blind in a lot of ways. “But as long as we can keep ourselves in love with music and the process of creating an album in its entirety – we still see it as a body of work rather than individual tracks – then who knows, maybe we’ll have another 25 years.”
“We almost feel like we’re last man standing. There’s very few bands from our time that haven’t already split up or got back together and split up again. Whether we’ll still be doing this 25 years from now I don’t think so, but who knows?” “So it was very open, very liberating. Hopefully there’s still enough of an audience out there that enjoy where we’re coming from. It has been a useful injection as we’re approaching our fifties. I’m 50 this year but I don’t feel like it. It’s almost
as if the last 30 years has sort of zipped by. I don’t particularly feel any different now to how I did back then. A little bit wiser, I suppose, and I can use my time a little bit more concisely. I know how to achieve the things I need to achieve in the studio whereas back then it was the blind leading the blind in a lot of ways. “But as long as we can keep ourselves in love with music and the process of creating an album in its entirety – we still see it as a body of work rather than individual tracks – then who knows, maybe we’ll have another 25 years.” Moore talks fondly about their new studio. “It’s compact but it’s got everything that we need,” he says, mentioning it includes the mixing desk they’d used at Rockfield in days gone by. “It sounds as big as a lot of the studios in London that we’ve used whether it’s Abbey Road or Hook End Manor. The results that we’ve had have been brilliant and effortless, in a lot of ways.” The album’s opening single, International Blue, has been compared to the band’s early classic Motorcycle Emptiness. Wire had been working on its lyrics, inspired by the artwork of Yves Klein, for several years before delivering it to his bandmates. “There’s no real formula other than the lyrics come first,” says Moore, explaining how they work. “Whether they come quickly or whether Nick sits on it a bit and likes it to gestate a little. Sometimes during the writing process there’s tiny alterations that are made. It’s an organic process, it’s constantly evolving. “[International Blue] could have been on Futurology but there always comes a cut-off point where we go, ‘We’ve got what we need, let’s just improve on what we’ve got’. “This lyric is another travelogue-style inspiration. He went to Nice on a break and then he delved a little deeper and discovered new things, artists, and their lives. It’s just that whole thing of discovering, moving forward – that’s what our process is all about. It’s passing the baton, running with it then passing it on again. It’s that whole cumulative effect. The fact that it’s about a place, it’s about a painter, it’s about a colour – it’s all the things that inspire Nick in his lyric writing that then inspires us to put music to it.” Other songs reference the poet Dylan Thomas and his wife Caitlin and the photographer Vivian Maier. Moore sees the whole album as honouring some of the people that have inspired
The Manic Street Preachers pictured at the Radio One roadshow with DJ Jakki Brambles: Richey Edwards, Brambles, Nicky Wire, Sean Moore, James Dean Bradfield - 20th August 1991
them along the way. “Not only is it the art that people produce but it’s also the way they go about things, the legacies that they leave, the people that they touch, the relationships that they make. “What we’ve always looked at is the way that people have expressed themselves, the journey that they take. Again, it’s that whole thread, joining the dots in life that you do as you get older, that accumulation of knowledge – that’s the way that we approach things.” The female vocal on Dylan & Caitlin is provided by Welsh singer Catherine Anne Davies, aka The Anchoress, who has also worked with Simple Minds and Paul Draper of Mansun. “We sort of bumped into her through Twitter and various social media,” says Moore. “There’s a lot of connections that we make. She’s a big fan of ours and we asked her to sing Little Baby Nothing live with us at the Eden Project gig. We wanted a female vocalist and she was absolutely brilliant so we’ve taken that a bit further and we’ve got her to sing backing vocals and a duet on the album and James has reciprocated with some vocals on one of her new tracks for her next album, so we’ve got a nice working relationship.” Alongside the new studio, album and a corresponding arena tour, the band have
just signed a new publishing deal. Moore sees it as “a new chapter” for the Manics. “We were completely contract-free with publishing. We are still with Sony as a sort of collective body but we felt that by giving Warner-Chappell a chance [with publishing rights] on this new album we might discover new avenues for the music and find a whole new set of people that we hadn’t been in contact with. With Sony, we’ve been with them since the early 90s. It was just a chance to give somebody a vested interest in our music. I’m not saying that Sony Publishing sat back but we felt we needed to get some different approaches to getting our music into TV, film and all those other genres.”
Resistance Is Futile is out on April 13. Manic Street Preachers play at Metro Radio Arena, on April 23. www.manicstreetpreachers.com Living Local | 15
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Break out of your winter rut and update your house for sunnier days. We asked designers how they refresh their homes for spring - here are their quickest and best ideas.
The 13 Easiest Ways to Get Your House Ready for Spring
Update Your Pillows
Add Some Colour
scents.” Julia Buckingham
"While fabrics such as velvet, silk, and even tweed are beautiful year-round, they can feel a bit heavy for the spring and summer months. It's easy to give your home frequent updates by having a "pillow wardrobe" for various seasons, just like you do for your clothing. Spring is a great time of year to bring in pillows in breezy fabrics like linen or printed cotton to lighten things up a bit." Paloma Contreras
“Colourful accessories are always an easy update for spring. Affordable vases, interesting objects, and colourful books brighten any coffee table or entry console in minutes. Bold agate accents, gold-leaf pieces, and fashion books are my favorites when accessorising my own home.” Abbe Fenimore
Make Over Your Walls
Refresh Your Bedding “Welcome spring and treat yourself! Pick up a new duvet and shams to brighten up your bedroom. This easy fix not only brings colour to your room but can help motivate you to make your bed each and every day!” Ryan White
“When I think of spring my mind immediately goes straight to thoughts of warm, sunny weather. Nothing makes me happier than feeling things are getting cleaner. This to me means touching up walls and trim that have become dingy over the winter. Even just a little scrub with a Mr. Clean Magic Eraser makes me happy!” Sam Allen
Use Foliage
Keep It Simple
“I like to freshen things up when springtime rolls around with big statement leaves in fun vases. From banana leaves and philodendron leaves, to palms and papyrus, it’s an easy and low-maintenance way to add a freshness to a room without any fuss. And if you regularly refresh the water and trim the bottom of the stem, the leaves can live on for months.” Justina Blakeney
“Spring is a time when we all want the freshness of the outdoors to be reflected in ourselves and our interiors. Renewal doesn’t mean you have to change everything in your home. Send out area rugs for spring cleaning and try having bare floors for a time. Remove your usual accessories for a while and have only simple fresh spring branches and some lovely green plants adorning your home. You’ll feel like you are being reborn along with the natural world.” Young Huh
Rearrange Furniture “Rearrange the floor plan of your living room — it’s the ultimate no-cost decorating tip. Moving around your furniture will be a super quick update for the new season and will have you feeling brand new.” Jason Grant 18| Living Local
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Bring in New Scents “Change your candles for a fresh breezy laundry scent or something citrusy. I always keep my Buckingham Interiors + Design Showroom stocked with wonderful seasonal
“Take spring cleaning to the next level by painting or wallpapering. Nothing freshens up a space more than a new coat of paint. You can tackle as much as a room, or scale it down and add a fresh pop of color or pattern to the back of a bookcase or even on a ceiling.” MA Allen
Dress Up Your Table “Put out a gorgeous table cloth. You’ve got countless fabrics to choose from to transform your space into something magical.” Antonino Buzzetta
Add a New Statement Piece “Refreshing a room for spring can be quite easy. Subtle changes such as introducing a playful light fixture or buying a piece of art are simple and can instantly rejuvenate a space.” —Sara Story
Bring the Garden Inside “We put out bud vases with flowers that we find from walks with our dog or from the garden.” —Cy and Genevieve Carter of Carter Design
Go Lighter “Let there be light! Bring in the natural sunlight, but also lighten up your fabrics. Similar to your wardrobe, switch out the wool and fur for the linen and cotton fabric. I’ve gone as far to replace wool curtains with linen for the warmer months.” —Wendy Labrum
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Interest Rate Rise – How does it affect you?
By Colin Heseltine HRC Group
THRU BLACK & WHITE EYES – Getting There
W
e’re almost there. The win over Huddersfield pushed us so close to achieving this season’s overriding objective – stay in the Premier League at all costs. The 1-0 win was achieved on the back of a performance which drew more effort than art but every single player gave his all for the B & W shirt and as the FT whistle blew there was a definite outpouring of joy and Saturday night in The Toon was everything it should be when the city’s team has just brought home the bacon. I can’t help but remark on how strong we’ve become defensively in the last couple of months. Whether this is all down to the drills completed on the training ground, Rafa’s tactics or the simple arrival of Martin Dubravka between the sticks I can’t say. I do know Huddersfield barely got a shot at goal and as a unit – DummetLejeurne-Lascelles-Yedlin looks solid. When you consider how much we have enjoyed the performances of Clark and Mbemba at centrehalf, that says something about how strong we are in that department. The match was won in the midfield. I can’t wax too much about Mo Diame. The lad has simply made that central midfield spot his own and proven a lot of critics wrong. He must be terrible to play against. He is strong, reasonably quick, awkward and his tackling, blocking and tracking just makes it so difficult for the opposition to deal with. Shelvey is flourishing alongside him.
20| Living Local
Ritchie and Perez stuck to their tasks and I’m really liking the cut of Kenedy’s jib. Gayle might be criticised for the chances he missed but I think we all know with a more accomplished striker at the club he might struggle to get a start. Like Joselu, he’s an honest lad and keeps trying. That will do for me. As others have commented upon on numerous occasions, this is a very likeable bunch of players who give everything for the shirt. They have their limitations but will do for me. Honesty will go along way at Newcastle United. I think we’ve done it. From games to come with Leicester (a), Arsenal (h), Everton (a), West Brom (h), Watford (a), Spurs (a), Chelsea (h) I certainly believe there is the potential for possibly 10 points from a potential 21. That even might be enough to lift us into the heady heights of a top half of finish. That isn’t wishful thinking. We are looking solid defensively. We have Slimani to come into the team and offer something different. The team looks fit and fresh. The lads look like they have a strong appetite and are relishing their football. Physically and psychologically Rafa’s Mags look like they are on it. In terms of this season, we are in a good place. Alex Hurst, Editor of TrueFaith www.true-faith.co.uk
So November 2017 brought us the first interest rate rise since July 2007. The Bank of England took the decision to raise the base rate from 0.25% to 0.5% in a bid to help lower inflation to the 2% target, this after the Consumer Prices Index (which is a measure of inflation), rose to 3%! As a saver with savings in the bank very little has changed for you. You will still receive low returns for your money, the banks might not pass on the rate increase immediately and the returns might not keep pace with inflation! So what does this mean to those who have decided to remain on the bank variable rate rather than source a new deal? This increase will inevitably be passed onto you, the homeowner. In monetary terms a modest mortgage of say £100,000 will result in an average increase of £200 per year. However, it’s not all bad news you will be pleased to hear, as lenders are still offering some really competitive rates to both new and existing customers, therefore there has never been a more important time to sit and review your existing mortgage than now. There are potential savings to be made on your mortgage so why not challenge us to see how much we can save you? So if your deal has come to an end and you are on the Standard Variable rate, on a rate that is linked to base rate changes or even on a rate that is coming to an end over the coming 3-6 months, you should be speaking to us now to secure a deal that is right for you. 0191 273 7733 info@hrcgroup.net www.hrcgroup.net 2 Asama Ct, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 7YD HRC Group is a trading style of HR Consultancy Ltd (registered in England No: 4439886) and HR Consultancy (IFA) Ltd (registered in England No: 4671797). HR Consultancy (IFA) Ltd is an appointed representative of Hanson Financial Partners Ltd which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered office: Ground Floor, Mikasa House, Asama Court, Newcastle Business Park, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE4 7YD. YOUR HOME MAY BE REPOSSESSED IF YOU DO NOT KEEP UP REPAYMENTS ON YOUR MORTGAGE
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Firmly in the hunt for a Premiership play-off
N
ewcastle Falcons are bouncing into the final part of the season after their best campaign in well over a decade. Dean Richards’ side smashed their club record for a home crowd when they defeated Northampton Saints 25-22 in front of 30,174 at St James’ Park, a game which lived up to its pre-match billing as ‘The Big One’. That morning had seen more than 190 junior teams at Kingston Park Stadium for festivals at under-7s, 8s, 11s and 12s age groups, a memorable and historic day for the club continuing what has already been an incredible season. The Falcons remain firmly in the hunt for a Premiership play-off, coming into this month at fourth in the table as they head down to Worcester Warriors on April 7. Newcastle’s next home assignment is the Aviva Premiership visit of northern rivals Sale Sharks to Kingston Park Stadium on Friday April 13, with the
22| Living Local
7.45pm kick-off being shown live on BT Sport. Newcastle then head down to Leicester in search of their first victory at Welford Road in 20 years, the televised clash with the Tigers being a 7.45pm kick-off on Friday April 27. The culmination of the regular season takes place on Saturday May 5 when star-studded Wasps are the visitors to Kingston Park in a 4pm kick-off, Newcastle hopeful that the Premiership clash will not be their last game of the season with Premiership and European knock-out games still on the calendar should they progress in either competition. Newcastle will then celebrate their marvellous campaign at their annual awards night, the Big Bash, on Tuesday May 8, with tickets priced £65 including VAT. To book yours, email amy.kirsopp@newcastle-falcons.co.uk or call 0191 214 2835.
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Review
Four-cylinder petrol from the Ingenium family is installed in Land Rover's seven-seat SUV. Is it up to the job? The Land Rover Discovery Si4, a four-cylinder petrol variant of the seven-seat luxury SUV, has been added to the range at a useful time to capitalise on the continuing slump in popularity of diesel engines. The question is: can this turbocharged 2.0-litre inline four with 296bhp and 295lb ft really be a match for the kind of oil-burning unit that is traditionally found under the bonnet of practical-but-posh workhorses such as the Solihull-built Discovery? The engine, part of Jaguar Land Rover’s Ingenium ‘AJ200’ family constructed at the engine manufacturing centre in Wolverhampton, has previously been added to the line-ups of the Land Rover Discovery Sport, Range Rover Velar and Evoque. On the Discovery Si4, it is mated to the eight-speed ZF automatic transmission and four-wheel drive system that are ubiquitous across the fifth-generation Discovery’s range. Our test car came in SE trim, one up from the entry-level S specification, but it was still as well appointed as you’d hope a £50,000 SUV might be. Kit highlights include a 10.0in touchscreen infotainment system, air suspension, heated front seats, LED headlights, a 250W, 10-speaker sound system and leather front seats. Options on our test car were limited to privacy glass (£400), a rear-view camera (£375) and 360deg parking assist (£280). The latter two proved useful for backing the Discovery into dauntingly tight multi-storey parking bays. What’s it like? More accomplished than it might appear on paper. The petrol unit does a fairly spirited job of pulling this two-tonne 4x4 on motorways, A-roads, B-roads and around town. At cruising speeds, engine noise is muted and, allied with the general hush present within the cabin, there’s a veneer of refinement you don’t get from diesel derivatives. In that respect, this new engine complements the 4x4’s laidback vibe rather well. Land Rover claims 7.3sec for the 0-60mph sprint and there’s certainly decent enough urge from low in the rev range, although under load the unit seems to work harder to maintain your momentum than a more 24| Living Local
flexible diesel might. If you call on additional power, the eight-speed automatic transmission is kept quite busy shuffling up and down through its ratios. Fuel economy could suffer as a result. Our 179-mile test yielded an indicated average of 27.3mpg against Land Rover’s claim of 29.4mpg, but if you spend a lot of time enthusiastically using a Disco as nature intended – dragging a horse box, brimmed with people, bounding along country lanes – you’ll do well to see that. Elsewhere, the Discovery’s trademark traits remain. Its four-wheel drive capability and the ability to raise the air suspension to ‘off-road’ mode, which is up to 75mm higher than the standard setting depending on vehicle speed, ensure our test car dealt with the worst that the recent snow blizzards could throw at it with consummate ease. The Si4 comes in at about 20kg lighter than the SD4, thanks to the lighter engine – a useful saving, if not one that has a tangible impact on the driving experience. This is a tall, heavy, comfort-oriented vehicle, after all, not one that reacts to being hustled with any particularly relish. Should I buy one? Time was that the least powerful petrol variant in a model’s range would often represent the entry point, but that’s not always the case these days. This petrol derivative is £700 more expensive than the 237bhp 2.0-litre SD4, which is the equivalent diesel. The petrol is quicker – not that raw pace is likely to be a primary concern for most Discovery drivers – but delivers inferior fuel economy and emits more CO2 than the SD4. It also spews out less in the way of particulates. If you’re buying a Discovery for its style, space and useful high-riding driving position but don’t intend to use it to its full capabilities or load it full to the gunwales, this version could suit your priorities. However, if you’re one of those buyers who intend to work their Discovery hard, tow trailers, occasionally venture off road, regularly achieve high mileages and desire additional frugality, it’s hard to look past the diesel. Land Rover Discovery Si4 SE On sale Now; Price £52,995; Engine 4 cyls, 1997cc, turbocharged petrol; Power 296bhp at 5500rpm; Torque 295lb ft at 1500-4000rpm; Gearbox 8-spd automatic; 0-60mph 7.3sec; Top speed 125mph; Economy 29.4mpg
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Living Local | 25
Lilly LOVES A gift set containing a bottle of Dalmore 15 Year Old and a pair of tumblers. A favourite expression in the stable, this is elegant and smooth, with lipsmacking texture and the flawless balance one would expect from blending maestro Richard Paterson. ÂŁ57.95 www.thewhiskyexchange.com
26| Living Local
LOOKING
Sharp
Levi’s Made & Crafted Short Sleeve Pocket Stripe T-Shirt £40.00 www.johnlewis.com Parka Jacket £55 www.bestseller.com Suede Lace-Up £35 www.next.co.uk Relic Daley Men’s Gunmetal Dial Black Leather Strap Watch £99 www.hsamuel.co.uk Grey Marl Skinny Fit Suit £100 www.ww.topman.com
Living Local | 27
Lets Cook
One-Pot Roast Chicken With Chorizo The beauty of this recipe is that all the ingredients are cooked together in one pan. That is not to say this chicken recipe is a basic one: chorizo and chicken makes for an interesting pairing, while lemon provides sharpness and chilli packs a punch.
1 Preheat the oven to 220°C/gas mark 7 1 hour 10 minutes
8 servings
Ingredients 8 chicken thighs, skin on 800g of sweet potato, cut into chunks 1 bulb of garlic, broken into cloves 200ml of chicken stock 1 lemon, halved 200g of chorizo sausage, sliced 2 courgettes, cut into thick batons 1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced 240g of baby spinach 2 tbsp of parsley, chopped 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil 1 pinch of salt 1 pinch of black pepper
2 Place the chicken, skin-side up, in a large roasting tin with the chunks of sweet potatoes 8 chicken thighs, skin on 800g of sweet potato, cut into chunks
3 Lightly crush the garlic cloves, leaving the skin on, and nestle among the chicken thighs 1 bulb of garlic, broken into cloves
4 Drizzle the rapeseed oil over the roasting tin and add the chicken stock, then season. Squeeze the lemon juice into the tin and add the juiced halves of lemon to the tray 2 tbsp of rapeseed oil 200ml of chicken stock 1 pinch of salt 1 pinch of black pepper 1 lemon, halved
5 Bake for 45-50 minutes, adding the chorizo, courgettes and chilli 30 minutes into the cooking time 2 courgettes, cut into thick batons 1 red chilli, deseeded and sliced 200g of chorizo sausage, sliced
6 Once the chicken is cooked through and the vegetables are tender, remove from the oven and allow to rest for a moment
7 Mix the spinach and parsley leaves through the hot chicken mix. Serve immediately 240g of baby spinach 2 tbsp of parsley, chopped 28| Living Local
The one thing James Martin would never do as a celebrity chef
W
hile James Martin is one of the biggest celebrity chefs out there, he's admitted that he won't be following in the footsteps of the likes of Tom Kerridge and the Hairy Bikers anytime soon.
In a rare interview, the 45-year-old cook admitted that he would never pen a diet book – despite it being a successful venture for many of his fellow TV chefs. James admitted in the chat that he’s not set to jump on the healthy eating bandwagon – mostly due to the backlash he’d cop from his family. Asked if he’d ever write a diet recipe book, he joked, “Not as long as my family were alive. They’d probably disown me.” The former Saturday Kitchen host revealed that his upbringing on a farm taught him to enjoy food – rather than simply see it as fuel, as he claims some people do. He explained,
“There are people out there who see food as fuel and don’t enjoy it. “I was brought up on a farm. We produce food – that’s what we do. And we want people to enjoy the food that takes us a long time to produce.” James has recently ventured to America, for his
Interview
ITV show James Martin’s American Adventure. And whilst there, he admitted that it certainly wasn’t diet-friendly food that he was chowing down on. He recently confessed on Loose Women, “I said to myself before I left, I would never eat anything bigger than my head. That lasted about three-and-a-half minutes.” Of course, James is perhaps most well-known for his role hosting BBC’s Saturday Kitchen. The chef however stepped down from the job in 2016 after 10 years – after witnessing a man drop dead right in front of him. He’s since shared that the shocking incident lead him to re-evalute his own priorites – admitting that he realised he had been working far too much, for too long. In the interview, he even revealed that he required an operation around that time himself. However, he began to question his priorities when he couldn’t find a date to fit it in around his busy work schedule. And it appears the decision was definitely for the best, with the celebrity chef now confessing, “Now, I’m in a great place. I’m a lot less stressed than I was before.” James is ‘On the Road Again’ with an 18 date tour of the UK and comes to the region in October - with tickets going on general sale Friday April 6. As well as a tasty look inside the kitchen, audiences can expect exciting twists and big surprises following on from the success of his 2016 tour, where he learned to play the guitar as an extra trick. Living Local | 29
Across Down
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Picture Perfect
Crocus Flower Awakening to spring through the snow by Margaret Symington Send us your photos of some of the regions many pleasures and you could find it featured here on this page. editor@enrich-media.co.uk
Living Local | 31
eleven
Visit our new WEBSITE NOW
www.elev enboutiqu
e.co.uk
For all the NEW SEA SONS arrivals
Opening Times: Mon - Fri, 9am-5pm Saturday, 9am - 4.30pm Sunday & Bank Holidays - Closed Eleven Boutique, The Old Church, Cramlington NE23 1DN • 01670 737332 • info@elevenboutique.co.uk Facebook: elevenboutique11 • Twitter: @elevennortheast • Instagram: @elevenboutiquenorthumberland
www.elevenboutique.co.uk 32| Living Local