Maidstone Medway Magazine April 2012

mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine Issue 3, April 2012 Complimentary

Easter

Find the perfect presents

Spring

Fashion, fitness and events to tempt you into the sunshine

Perfect Bloom From a Middle-earth elf to Paris of Troy, Orlando’s been it all

n Weddings n Fashion n Health and beauty n Entertainment n And much, much more

ROY ROBSON Exclusive Fashion For Men

2 Royal Star Arcade, High Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1JL Tel 01622 754279

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Welcome

Beginning with All Fool’s Day on the first day of the month, April sees us throw off the oppression of gloomy winter days and truly begin to enjoy ourselves.

Longer, lighter days and warmer weather mean we’re all feeling more optimistic and open to new ideas and experiences.

The chocolate eggs we’re all devouring - be honest, how many of you can wait until Easter itself - give us that extra energy boost too, meaning we probably need to renew our efforts to exercise ready for skimpier clothes in the summer months. We’re certainly feeling the sugar rush anyway...

So pull yourself off the sofa, put on your trainers and try some of our contributors’ health and fitness tips, then treat yourself to a new outfit to celebrate the changing season.

And for those of you who see spring as a new start but can’t quite bring yourselves to go to the gym, we’ve spoken to an inspirational gent who organises challenges to help our brave heroes - maybe you could give one a go?

Happy days,

mmm

mmm mmm Maidstone, Medway Magazine Issue 2, March 2012 Complimentary

Maidstone, M

edway Magaz ine

Issue 3, April 2012 Complimentary

Easter

Find the HISTORY perfect WHO NEEDS pre sents ROYALTY WHEN YOU’VE GOT FILM STARS? Sprin

Bond Perfecbeauty t Bloom

TRAVEL fitness,

g

Fashions,

gardens CITY BREAK OR , get ou PARADISE ISLAND? t and enjoy THE CHOICE IS YOURS the sun

MOTHERS’ DAY

OUR GIFT GUIDE IS SURE TO INSPIRE

Gemma Arterton’s much more than 007’s girlfriend

From Weddings Health and beauty a MiFashion ddle-ea rth elf to Paris of Tro Orlando’s been y, it all Weddings

Fashion

Entertainment

Health and beau

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And much, much more

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And much, muc

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31 41

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MMM Media Ltd White Cottage 13 Ashford Road Maidstone ME14 5DA Tel: 01622 299035 editorial@mmm-media.com sales@mmm-media.com Publisher Rasa Dregva Editor Tom White

Production Michael Pilcher

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11 Orlando Bloom

Life wasn’t always glamour and foreign travel for this Hollywood heart-throb, once upon a time he lived just down the road and could only claim credits for television favourite Midsomer Murders

Design Maggie Ashton Sarah Ellis

Be body beautiful ready for the summer when you follow our healthy tips. Then remodel your wardrobe with the season’s latest

25 Weddings

The most important dress you’ll ever buy isn’t something to be taken lightly.

31 Travel

Escape to a desert in the city or enjoy the deep blue seas a little closer to home with out guide to two special destinations

39 Food

Sales Hannah Duffy Lisa Leonard

Dining out is a great way to relax, but if you get home and decide you loved the meal so much you want to enjoy it again then why not try our recipes provided by a very talented chef?

Accounts Zoe Beeching

Photography Harry Bristow Matthew Barlow IT Tim Bassett

Further contribution Evelina Webster, Tricia Lester, Jaine Rees

17 Fashion

Cover picture: Rex Features

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46 History

As the world celebrates the 200th birthday of one of the country’s most enduring authors, we look back at the life Charles Dickens enjoyed in our fair county

51 Homes

24

Whether you’re after a modern home or something more traditional, we can help you find your home.

However, if you can’t afford to move just yet why not redecorate instead?

66 Motors

52

There’s a great selection of cars on offer across the county, we look at a few here to try to tempt you out on the road

73 Events

What’s on in the county, from balls and dances to the latest big screen releases, we even preview the latest gadgets for the technology buffs among you and books for the more relaxed All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher.

The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. © MMM Media Ltd 2012

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In full bloom

W

From school days in the heart of the county, Orlando Bloom was catapulted into the hearts of the world’s women when he became The Lord of The Rings’ most famous elf. Tom White finds out more about the local boy who makes us swoon...

HEN it comes to making your first big impression on the silver screen, you can do a lot worse than appearing in one of cinema’s all-time highest grossing trilogies.

But for the aspiring actor, getting your big break in a string of films as one character can have serious and career-threatening repercussions.

Just ask Mark Hammill - aka Luke Skywalker.

Yet Orlando Bloom managed to

burst into the public arena in 2001 as Legolas in Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring, follow it up by reprising the role for The Two Towers and then rounding it off with Return of the KIng. And just as people started uttering the phrase ‘type-cast’ he found himself a role in... well, another of Hollywood’s biggest ever trilogies.

As Will Turner in the original three Pirates of the Caribbean movies he did not return in 2011’s outing he fulfilled the role of swasbuckling love interest and straight man to

Johnny Depp’s remarkable portrayal of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Between them, the six movies turned Orlando Bloom from unknown into worldwide superstar.

And suddenly a world which once revolved around his home life and upbringing in Kent became an awful lot bigger.

Born in 1977, Orlando grew up in Canterbury, attending the plush Kings School in the city centre before moving to the equally grand St Edmund’s on the city’s outskirts.

He performed well, despite a

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a dyslexia, and displayed a clear and early talent for performance.

He explained: “I always really loved performing as a kid.

“My first performance was a little embarrassing because I was doing a play at a local theatre and it was quite a big deal because the whole of Canterbury was there, and I was a monkey. Dressed in a monkey suit. I was only four, and I’ll never forget it.”

Performing on stage at four is not everyone’s natural step. But then Orlando was not necessarily a regular child.

He grew up with his mother Sonia and the man he believed to be his father, Harry Bloom. Harry was a well-known Jewish-born, South African anti-Apartheid activist and journalist. He had worked with Nelson Mandela before his imprisonment and fled to the UK in exile in 1964.

He would settle in Canterbury and become a lecturer at the University of Kent. He left behind his wife and children - one of whom, Steve Bloom, would become one of the world’s foremost wildlife photographers who now lives between Canterbury and Ashford.

When at the university he met Sonia Copeland and the two would eventually marry, raising Orlando.

Yet Orlando’s family life would be shattered at the age of just four when Harry died after suffering a stroke at the age of 68.

Some years later, however, he would learn that Harry was not his biological father. Instead it was Colin Stone - a long-time family friend who would become Orlando’s guardian following Harry’s death.

It is hard to believe the events did not have a profound impact on the young Orlando and perhaps it fuelled his desire for love and

adulation, and a desire to be the centre of attention.

He certainly ensured his ambition was fufilled - and in style.

“When I was about 16, I moved to London,” he explained, “I moved from Canterbury up to London because my best friend was at university up there and I sort of felt like the big city was the place to go if I was going to make it as an actor.”

Having been encourged by his mother to take art and drama classes, he followed a two-year A-Level course in drama, photography and sculpture at Hampstead’s Fine Arts College, before joining the National ISA Youth Theatre. After two years, he earned a scholarship for the British American Drama Academy.

It was here that he would start making a name for himself with some minor roles in well known a

a British TV dramas such as Midsomer Murders and Casualty; his striking looks and voice easily turning heads.

And indeed it was while at the academy he landed his first ever role in a movie - a walk-on part in a film starring Stephen Fry. In 1997’s Wilde he played a rent boy to Fry’s portrayal of title character Oscar Wilde.

Despite the boost, he entered the Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London, where he continued to study acting.

It was around this time that he would go for an audition that would change his life forever.

He heard that director Peter Jackson was looking for the key stars in an ambitious big money reworking of JRR Tolkien’s classic Lord of the Rings saga.

He originally auditioned for another character, but Jackson was so impressed he pulled in Orlando for Legolas - the elf prince and an essential piece in the jigsaw.

Orlando so loved the filming of the three films - most of the location scenes were shot in New Zealand that on his wrist is a tattoo of the word ‘nine’ scribed in the mythical Tolkien language of elvish - a marking all the key actors undertook to remember this pivotal part in their lives.

Orlando’s star was rising. His looks attracting attention, and all parts of his life becoming open to the probing and nosing of a hungry global media.

Which was something he was going to have to get used to. No sooner had the Rings trilogy concluded than he started work on Pirates of the Caribbean - a movie based on a Disney theme park ride but packing one almighty punch; Johnny Depp.

“It was just such a pleasure,” Orlando says of working with the star. “Johnny had been a bit of a hero actually, growing up.

“But he pulled his interpretation of Jack Sparrow out of the darkest crevices of his mind, and I just think that’s his genius, his skill. It was amazing to see it come to life, as in the original script Sparrow was just a swashbuckling pirate - but Johnny made him something else.” a

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a His selection over his peers was something he felt keenly.

“I pinched myself all the time,” he says. “I do feel so lucky. I’ve just been really fortunate as the opportunities have been coming and I’ve managed to be around at the right time, and in the right place.

“When I was training at drama school, there were so many fantastic young actors and I know there are a whole bunch of young people who are trying to do it.”

Since that initial flurry of success, Orlando has chalked up a string of other big hits, including Troy, Kingdom of Heaven, The Three Muskateers and a host of others.

What’s more, he will be back on our screens later this year in The Hobbit - reprising his role of Legolas in Peter Jackson’s return to the world of Tolkien.

But there is much more to Orlando’s life these days than simply finding the next big blockbuster. Financially secure for life, he is now a family man.

He wed Australian model Miranda Kerr in July 2010 - remarkably given his profile, in a an intimate and secret ceremony. They had been dating for some three years before tying the knot.

Not that the courtship had all been plain sailing. Bloom was dogged by rumours he and Friends star Jennifer Aniston enjoyed more than just a long friendship.

Less than two months later the couple announced they were expecting their first child. Flynn Christopher Blanchard Copeland Bloom emerged on January 6, 2011, in Los Angeles, where the couple now live.

“I’m very lucky,” reflects Orlando, “I’ve got a great kid and he’s pocketsized. He travels with us and is probably the most jet-set kid in the world.”

At just 35, Orlando Bloom still has much to give. His return in The Hobbit this year should catapult him back into the headlines, while new move The Good Doctor also sees him stretch his wings as executive producer.

He’s come along way since his school days in Canterbury – and the chances are he’s got a long way to go yet. mmm

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mmm fashion

n Bold colours welcome in the sunshine

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We're being asked for some distinctive styling in the salon right now for medium to longer hair: Lots of halo braids, rope braids and sleek, shiny ponytails as well as vintage/retro looks, funky beehive inspired creations and luscious finger waves adorned with skinny headbands for a modern twist.

For styling yourself, get great advice from your hairdresser about product first. We'd never attempt these looks without preparing the hair properly first.

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Julie Gamble Advanced Skin & Beauty Clinic, Sittingbourne

The clinic prides itself on having therapists trained to the most advanced level in the area.

Although the clinic covers all beauty treatments, their main area of expertise is in diagnosing and finding solutions for all your skin concerns. They do this using the latest technology and the Cosmeceutical range of products.

The salon has been awarded Swale Small business of the year and was finalist in the Professional Beauty Awards (National).

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mmm

mmm

Maidstone, Med way Magazine

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Issue 3, April 2012 Complimentary

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Find the perfect presents

BonBPtdyloerom fect u a e b Spring

Fashions, fitness, gardens, get out and enjoy the sun

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Be a part of this unique magazine dedicated to Maidstone and Medway Here at mmm we have an opportunity for a talented Sales Executive. You will be a can-do person with a passion for all that’s great about our area 42 mmm

Travel tips local awar from your d winn travel ing agency Here at Baldwi ns Travel offer our as well clients travel we advice as So beforean excellent you book service. holiday your we have hints for a few helpful you to consid er.

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When flight overtaking a long haul severa have a glass of l time zones every day carrot for a couple juice before you of the jet-lag fly - it will help days and you'll with feeling more refresh arrive ed.

A couple oil under of drops of tea-tre e keep awaythe nostrils will help to in-fligh Kirsty Keeling t bugs.

-Jones Manag , Branch er, Agency, Baldwins Travel Maidst one

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Send a CV to enquiries@mmm-media.com

Tel: 01622 674000 E-mail: p.monk@topnotchhealthclubs.com Website: www.topnotchhealthclubs.com

Join in your trial and pay no joining fees!

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Fitness

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Top Notch Health Club Maidstone

Zumba is the newest craze to be sweeping the nation, and with five classes a week you can always shake your hips to the funky Zumba steps.

The Rock is the hottest place to be. It is a rotating rock wall, and provides you with a fun, all over body work out. You can even climb Mount Kilimanjaro including all the overhangs and under-hangs.

The most important part of working out is results.

With our team of highly qualified instructors we will provide you with a programme tailored specifically to your needs, all the support and assistance you will need is included in your membership, but for those who want an extra push we also have an excellent personal training team. Call today for a free trial. www.topnotchhealthclubs.com/topnotch/ maidstone Tel: 01622 674000

Roko Health Club, Gillingham

The new free training area is hot! It’s equipped with suspension training - Jungle Gym XT’s and TRX Ripcord, Alpha Strong Sand Bags, ViPR Bars, Core Bags and Slosh Balls, plus kettle bells and medicine balls and much, much more...

All of this is designed to add a new dimension to your training and give you the opportunity you want to achieve your personal best in 2012.

Plus you can enjoy all the other superb facilities, including: 20m indoor pool with separate children’s pool; spa, sauna and steam room; superb fitness arena; three group exercise studios offering more than 60 classes a week; Costa Coffee club lounge; creche; Elemis beauty salon... the list goes on.

Find out more when you try a complimentary day at the club by calling 01634 382333. www.roko.co.uk sales@gillingham.roko.co.uk

The Old Rectory

Our gym team have found that more people are working to improve all round fitness levels to help them to perform day to day tasks more efficiently.

We help members achieve this by improving core strength with more functional exercises rather than just weight machine workouts. Our exercise workshops are also very popular right now, promoting exercise in a fun, group-based activity.

We encourage our members to remember fitness is a lifestyle choice comprising many factors, for example following a healthy, varied diet with plenty of relaxation time as well as regular excercise and most importantly enjoy their training.

The Old Rectory, Farleigh Lane, Maidstone ME16 9LX www.rectoryhealthclub.com Telephone: 01622 727779

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mmm wedding

n What to wear on the biggest day of your lives

n Special venues where you could tie the knot

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

Delightful

dresses 26 mmm

T

he bride’s dream dress is one of the most important parts of a wedding day, probably second only to the happy couple.

That old phrase ‘clothes maketh the man’ has never been more true than when the bride slips into her chosen outfit on the morning of her big day.

Not only will the dress help her to look beautiful, but if she’s truly chosen the right dress for her she’ll also be comfortable and feel like a million dollars.

Traditionally, variations of white are the colour of choice, and many of us embrace the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of women in love through the ages.

However, in an increasingly modern world traditions are not always popular, with many of us choosing to let our individuality shine through with a vibrant colour or shorter hemline not being uncommon.

Whatever your preference, our advice is to take your time visiting a number of dress stores and talking to staff. These are the people you will be returning to time and again for fittings, so it’s vital that you feel comfortable with them. They will also be able to advise you on shapes and styles where friends may perhaps be blinded by their own preferences.

Also, don’t be afraid to try on everything you like - it’s the best way to be sure you really have found your perfect dress.

Accessories are just as important on your wedding day as any other. All items: Debenhams

Sometimes, simple beauty is all you need. Dress: Monsoon

While white is the traditional colour for the blushing bride, thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s no rule to say you canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t be bold and choose a colour. Both dresses: Debenhams

28 mmm Jillian Aslet, House of Fraser Wedding List Manager, offers some top tips for couples who are thinking about setting up a wedding list 1. It’s never too early to start thinking about what you want on your list.

2. Don’t just focus on the day-to-day items you need, your wedding list is a real chance to upgrade and ask for beautiful items to build your dream home together.

3. Make sure there is plenty of choice by picking enough items for around two thirds of your guests, for instance 150 guests = 100 gifts. This allows for couples and families who might be sharing gifts.

4. Include a range of gifts at different prices as you will have guests who want to buy a small token and also family members or groups who may want to buy something bigger.

5. When choosing gifts, remember that it’s not just what you see in store, there’s a huge range online too.

6. Finally, you can add and remove items easily so don’t worry if you forget something when you first create the list.

The wedding list is available at www.houseoffraserweddinglist.co.uk, email weddinglist@fraserline.co.uk or call 0844 800 0535.

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Maidstone’s independent shopping centre A unique mix of time honoured family emporiums and modern designer shopping Take the stress out of shopping for your perfect wedding, here at The Royal Star Arcade you will find that perfect wedding dress, jewellery, men’s suits and much more for your special day.

We have Christina K who offers exquisite bridal wear made to your wishes and requirements. You will find a sale on Collection 2011 (gowns from £299!) and brand new collection of Ronald Joyce gowns in store.

Berketex Brides have been making dreams come true for more than 50 years. The latest collection is now in store.

Kilburn Jewellers, a family run business, stock a wide range of wedding rings. They also offer the service of creating bespoke jewellery, making sure the design is a perfect piece so you can own an exclusive handmade piece of jewellery.

Need that special outfit for the little one? Then Little Stars children’s shop will dress your child in style.

For wedding table favours, look no further than Bumbles sweet shop, offering homemade Belgian chocolates, chocolate shoes and so much more that’s unique.

Gentlemen look no further with a choice from Roy Robson, who stock highest quality men's tailoring and fashion clothing and Raffles Collezioni menswear.

All done under a tranquil setting with many other shops, café and bar to browse and enjoy.

Royal Star Arcade, High Street, Maidstone, Kent ME14 1JL 01622 690395

www.royalstararcade.co.uk

If he’s smart he’ll be waiting at the end of the aisle. Roy Robson can ensure he’s perfectly dressed for your special occasions.

mmm travel

n Helpful tips for booking your next break n Discover the appeal of desert and city in Dubai n Sardinia can offer you relaxation and history

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

32 mmm

Kirsty Keeling-Jones, Branch manager, Baldwins Travel agency, Maidstone

Travel tips from your local award winning travel agency n Rolled or folded - what are your thoughts? Rolling clothes tends to keep them more compact and crease free if you're careful.

Put socks inside shoes to take up less space. Also, use the laundry bag from your hotel to store used clothes away from fresh. n When travelling with someone, where practical, half and half your luggage â&#x20AC;&#x201C; put half of yours in theirs and half of theirs in yours. At least if one suitcase goes missing you still have items to use or wear in the other case. If both go missing then thatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s bad luck! n Don't forget to take a sealable clear plastic bag for toiletries that you're carrying in hand baggage and don't forget that most airports only allow containers with a maximum capacity of 100ml. Containers with a capacity of more than 100ml even if they contain less than 100ml are not permitted. n Try not to drink fizzy drinks just before or during a long flight - they can make the stomach expand and feel uncomfortable in-flight.

Paradise in a desert city

D

esert Palm by Per AQUUM is quite simply a breath of fresh air in a city full of big hotels and resorts.

Situated about 10 minutes’ taxi ride from the city centre, this five-star resort is set on a beautiful polo estate. It’s a boutique property with less than 30 rooms, so we were wowed with the personal service at check-in, followed with a tour around the property to get our bearings.

Our Palm Suite was huge, with a beautiful bathroom featuring his and her sinks, an egg-shaped bath and some very impressive mod-cons including Bang and Olufsen speakers and a pre-set iPod with all the songs you could ever need.

On our first evening, we had a drink on the terrace and watched the sunset with a fantastic view of the Burj Khalifa. We also ate in the Rare Restaurant, which has open cooking stations and perfectly prepared steaks.

Desert Palm by Per AQUUM

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has a very laid back feel and while we were relaxing by the pool, we could see the occasional horse training session. If you are lucky, you might catch a polo match.

During our stay, we were often the only people by the pool. Also, when it was hot, we were quickly served a complimentary mint tea and cold towel.

Another unique aspect of the hotel is the Epicure Market, which offers freshly-baked breads, pastries and delicious imported delicacies.

While I am not a birdwatcher, I was impressed with the variety of birdlife at Desert Palm by Per AQUUM. Fellow guests told me they had seen the rare Blue Kingfisher.

The hotel is also a fantastic location if you want to go into the desert and experience another aspect of Dubai, with dune drives, sand boarding or a desert dinner.

I only wish I could have stayed a little longer to enjoy the amazing lime spa.

Melissa Parker

Book your Kuoni holiday at Baldwin’s Travel in Maidstone, call 01622 762141 or visit www.baldwins-travel.co.uk for details.

Bella Italia 34 mmm

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Spend your Sardinia holiday bronzing on white beaches, mingling with celebrities and exploring fortresses and ancient tombs...

W

36 mmm

atch a sea of pink plumes flutter as thousands of flamingos lower their curved, elegant necks to feed in the marshes around Cagliari, Sardinia’s capital.

Top up your tan on Baia Chia’s white beaches and keep an eye out for dolphins leaping from the shimmering water, or grab a board and ride the waves alongside bronzed surfers before shaking your hips in Baia Chia’s stylish nightclubs.

In Villasimius, stroll around art exhibitions in the old fortress, dive among sunken ships off the coast, or explore nearby Spiaggia del Riso’s giant tombs, carved into the rockface.

Drive Capo d’Orso’s twisting roads, passing wind-sculpted granite

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outcrops, dwarf oaks and crumbling stone fortresses.

Bathe in the glistening waters at Santa Margherita di Pula where two watchtowers stand guard over sun worshippers, and enjoy a drink in the village of San Pantaleo during its summer

festival, when dancing and traditional music fill the streets with life.

From Porto Cervo, mingle with celebrities in Costa Smeralda and roam around the finest yachts bobbing in the harbour, or tee off from the 18-hole Pevero Golf

Club, one of the greatest courses in the world.

Kuoni have hand-picked the island’s most luxurious hotels, deluxe bungalows and sumptuous spas – a stay in Sardinia will be unforgettable.

Laura Daniel

Book your Kuoni holiday at Baldwin’s Travel in Maidstone, call 01622 762141 or visit www.baldwins-travel.co.uk for details.

Time waits for no man

38 mmm

Montblanc TimeWalker TwinFly

Montblanc Pulsographe

Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique

Montblanc Star World-Time GMT Automatic

mmm food

n Indulge in chocolate treats for you and your loved ones this Easter time n An award winning chef shares some of his recipes

To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

40 mmm

FOOD Spring vegetable salad, potato gnocchi & balsamic dressing 4-6 portions

Ingredients 2 bunches baby leeks, trim off outer leaves and cut off green tops 2 bunches baby carrots, wash and trim green tops 50gm freshly shelled peas 1 courgette, diced using green only 1 punnet cherry tomatoes 200gm sautĂŠed oyster mushrooms 10 breakfast radishes, sliced Half a bunch coriander, chopped 400gm wild rocket Sea salt Freshly ground black pepper Method Cut the cherry tomatoes in half, place on a tray and season with sea salt, pepper and olive oil.

Semi dry them in an oven at 120c for 45 minutes.

Blanch the leeks, peas, courgettes and carrots separately in boiling salted water.

Refresh in iced water and drain.

To serve Heat a non-stick pan, add olive oil and sautĂŠ the oyster mushrooms add salt and pepper.

When the mushrooms are almost cooked add the blanched vegetables. SautĂŠ in the pan for one minute to warm slightly.

In a separate bowl toss the rocket leaves in balsamic dressing and place on a large plate or bowl.

Place the warm ingredients on top of the rocket.

Reheat the gnocchi in a pan of boiling water, drain and toss with the chopped coriander.

Scatter over the salad along with the semi dried cherry tomatoes and sliced radish.

Balsamic dressing 50mls good quality balsamic vinegar 10gms Dijon mustard 10gms caster sugar 100mls extra virgin olive oil 50mls rape seed oil Sea salt and pepper

Method Place vinegar, sugar and mustard in a bowl and whisk together.

Slowly add the oils, whisking continuously, taste and season.

Gnocchi For the gnocchi 1kg desiree potatoes 150gm plain flour 1 egg 100gm grated parmesan Grated nutmeg Salt and pepper Method Prick the potatoes and place on a baking tray.

Bake for 50 -60 minutes at 180c Whilst still hot cut in half, scoop out the flesh and mash. Place in a round bottomed bowl, add flour, nutmeg, parmesan and egg.

Mix into a dough, season.

Place into a piping bag with a large plain nozzle.

Place a sheet of silicon on a tray and pipe long thin sausage shapes onto the paper.

Cut into thumb size pieces and cook in boiling salted water for 3-4 minutes, until the gnocchi float to the surface.

Remove from water onto a tray and splash with olive oil. Place in fridge to cool.

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Chef Scott Goss of The Swan in West Malling shares two delicious recipes for you to try, giving you a taste of quality dining in your own home

Rhubarb fool with homemade ginger biscuits 4-6 portions

Ingredients 500gm forced champagne rhubarb, cut into 5cm batons 100gm caster sugar 50ml Grand Marnier 300ml double cream 25gm icing sugar 250ml thick Greek yoghurt Vanilla pod, (scrape seeds and mix through the yoghurt) Ginger biscuits (crush six to use in the glass) Fresh mint Method Place the rhubarb batons in a stainless steel or ceramic tray or pie dish and scatter with sugar and Grand Marnier.

Gently roast in an oven at 170c, check after 5 minutes, cook until the rhubarb is just tender.

Remove from oven and cover with silver foil. Once cooled drain the juice and set aside.

Whip the double cream and the icing sugar till just a soft peak (do not over whip as this will spoil the texture) add a couple of chopped cooked rhubarb sticks and stir through gently.

In a separate bowl mix the vanilla seeds through the natural yoghurt, add the rhubarb syrup and stir in so that you get a ripple effect, reserve a little of the syrup for later.

In a martini glass place a spoonful of the crushed biscuits then add a spoon of natural yoghurt, then three sticks of rhubarb followed by some double cream mix. Place three nice pieces of rhubarb on top, drizzle the remaining syrup over. Garnish with fresh mint leaves and serve with the ginger biscuits on the side.

Ginger biscuits (makes 12) 125gm plain flour 100gm rolled oats 100gm light soft brown sugar 50gm ground ginger 100gm unsalted butter, cubed

Tablespoon golden syrup Half teaspoon bicarbonate of soda Tablespoon boiling water Method Preheat the oven to 170c.

Sift flour into a mixing bowl. Add oats, brown sugar and ginger and mix thoroughly.

Place the butter and golden syrup into a small pan. Warm over a low heat until the butter has melted.

Place the bicarbonate of soda into a small bowl and add boiling water to dissolve.

Then add the bicarbonate of soda into the melted butter mix, the mixture may foam a little. Pour this into the dry ingredients and mix together to form a thick batter.

Place generous spoonfuls of the mixture onto a prepared baking sheet, allowing room for the mix to spread once cooked. Gently flatten tops with the back of a fork. Bake until golden brown 15-20mins.

Leave to cool on the tray for 10 minutes to firm up before placing on a wire cooling rack.

42 mmm

The See Ho

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44 mmm

Debenhams, Chatham, Katie Alice Cottage Flower Bunting £20 Next Wire chicken £12

Hotel Chocolat Extra Thick Eggsibitionist £26, Fremlin Walk

Easter eggs-citement

Hotel Chocolat Dippy Egg box £15, Fremlin Walk

Hotel Chocolat Kids Flutterby Egg £12, Fremlin Walk Hotel Chocolat Fried Egg & Chips £12, Fremlin Walk

Next Britannia Egg Cups Set of Four £6

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Hotel Chocolat Mini-Champgane Truffle Egg £8, Fremlin Walk

Hotel Chocolat Kids Rocket Egg £12, Fremlin Walk

Sainsbury's n TU Spring Chicken Teapot, £15 n TU Spring Chicken Dinner Set 12PC, £35 n TU Spring Chicken Serving Platter, £10 n TU Spring Chicken Cake Stand, £15 n Easter Cake Tins 2PK, £10 n Chicken Tea Towels 3PK, £5 n TU Spring Chicken Jug, £10

Eternal mystery 46 mmm

Tom White turns the pages of Charles Dickens’ final and uncompleted work and celebrates the talent who fulfilled a childhood dream with the purchase of a special north Kent home

O

n June 8, 1870, Charles Dickens awoke in his bed preparing himself for a day not dissimilar to those in the months proceeding it.

Deeply involved in his latest novel which was nearing the halfway stage, the weather was fine and he decided, as he so often did, to spend the day writing in his Swiss Chalet.

The chalet was something of an oddity. A present from Charles Fechter, an actor friend of the author’s, it had arrived in Rochester in 58 separate boxes, fitting together to create a building which looked like a miniature version of something plucked from an Alpine landscape.

Dickens’ had itn built opposite Gad’s Hill.

On that fateful day, Dickens moved from his bedroom, down the stairs – decorated with inserted wooden panels handpainted by his daughter Kate – and out into the fresh air.

He had created a tunnel which

led under the road and gave him easy access to and from the house to the chalet.

And there, armed with cigarettes and an imagination positively humming with the remainder of what was to be an inevitable huge seller, Dickens’ settled down for a day of work in the top floor study of the summer house.

The Mystery of Edwin Drood was scheduled to take a year to write. By the time he lay down his pen for the day, around half of it was written.

He could scarcely imagine that the final word he wrote that day would be the final word which would ever flow from one of the finest minds to emerge from British literature.

After walking back down the brick-lined tunnel and into his home, he would suffer a massive stroke. This was a little over a year after a minor stroke during a tour of venues described as his “farewell readings”.

This was different. He would not regain consciousness. And 24-hours later, while in the a

48 mmm

a home he had adored as a child, Charles Dickens breathed his last.

He was just 58.

His final novel would remain tantilisingly incomplete – no notes left as to how the story would unfold.

The mystery of Edwin Drood, would remain one of literature’s endearing mysteries of one of its finest exponents.

It is perhaps fitting that Gad’s Hill Place would be the place he died.

Built in 1780 for Thomas Stephens, a former mayor of Rochester, Dickens had first seen the building as a child.

His father, John Dickens, worked at Chatham’s dockyard and the family lived in Medway. Once when out walking with father, the young author, aged just nine, was enraptured by its splendour – frequently strolling from his home in Chatham to admire it.

“I used to look at it as a wonderful mansion (which God knows it is not),” Dickens would later write, “when I was a very odd little child with the first faint shadows of all my books in my head - I suppose.”

Legend has it that his father told him that were he to work hard and make a success of his life, then one day he would have sufficient money to be able to afford just such a house.

It was a promise Charles Dickens would fulfil many years later.

In March 1856, after a career which had seen him pen success after literary success, the house came onto the market. Dickens would buy it for the princely sum of £1,790, acquiring the house, 26 acres of land and the shrubbery across the road.

At the time of purchase the occupant, Revered Joseph Hindle, still lived there and was permitted to stay for a further year. At that point, Dickens and his family moved in.

A dream he had kept alive since he was a young boy had become a reality. His father would have been both proud and more than a little surprised.

Explains a spokesman for the plush independent school Gad’s Hill which now occupies the site: “Under its previous owner the building had fallen into disrepair and Dickens immediately set about a programme of improvements and repairs.

“In the entrance hall, for example, wooden panels were removed from the front door and replaced with glass. Dickens removed alternate balustrades from the staircase and inserted wooden panels which were then hand-painted by his daughter Kate and can still be seen today.

“He chose a snug ground floor room for his study. The study door features a mock bookshelf that when closed is indistinguishable from the bookshelves lining the walls.

“Some of the dummy book titles he invented reflect his own prejudices and opinions, including Hansard’s Guide to Refreshing Sleep, History of a Short Chancery Suit in twentyone volumes, Cat’s Lives in nine

mmm 49

volumes, Socrates on Wedlock, King Henry the Eighth’s Evidences of Christianity, and the series The Wisdom of Our Ancestors: I Ignorance, II Superstition, III The Block, IV The Stake, V The Rack, VI Dirt, and VII Disease.

“Alongside these was placed a very narrow dummy volume entitled The Virtues of Our Ancestors. This was an extremely important room to Dickens. It was always kept locked when he was not occupying it and no servants were allowed to enter.”

On works to the house the spokesperosn explained: “The drawing room was extended eastwards to accommodate his large family. This however caused some structural problems with the a

50 mmm

a house which were resolved by installing two large girders. The extension to the drawing room also allowed Dickens to add a conservatory to the rear of the dining room.

“The conservatory has a glass roof and tiled floor, that can still be seen today. Dickens was particularly proud of this addition to the house, although he only saw it fully completed the Sunday prior to his death.

“Dickens extended and converted the breakfast room into a billiards and smoking room. The green and white tiles were added to stop the ends of the billiard cues damaging the walls in such a confined space. The fireplace in this room was moved from the drawing room during the renovations.”

During his time in the house he was visited by a host of famous names.

Danish author and poet Hans Christian Andersen famously stayed for five weeks – despite being originally only invited for two – while other guests included the likes of American poet and educator Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, the painter and writer Charles Allston Collins and the painter Marcus Stone.

Meanwhile, the house itself would prove to be the venue in which he penned the likes of Great Expectations and a Tale of Two Cities.

Dickens did not seal himself off from the local community either – opening up the grounds for cricket matches and the annual Boxing Day sports events.

His death, however, would see much of the contents put up for auction.

His son, Charles Dickens Jnr would live in the house until 1878, eventually forced to give it up due to ill health. It would pass into the ownership of Captain Budden, a mayor of Rochester, who lived there until 1890 when it was sold to the MP Francis Law Latham.

In 1923 John Burt bought Gad’s Hill Place to convert it into a residential school for girls.

It remains a school – albeit one welcoming both boys and girls – to this day.

The headteacher has the privilege of his study being in Charles Dickens’ study, while the room in which Dickens died is now the school’s dining room However, the history of this remarkable house is set for a new chapter.

Building work is under way which will see a custom-built school built in the grounds of Gad’s Hill Place – allowing the house itself to be transformed into a heritage centre which will be open to the public.

It will finally allow everyone to stand and soak in the atmosphere of a building steeped in history and one which always held a very special significance to the one and only Charles Dickens. mmm

mmm homes

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To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

n House of Fraser: Linea Pink flower cushion £25

Modern

vintage

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n House of Fraser: Glass pillar candle holder £16; Glass candlestick £14; Pressed glass votive £5; Wooden photo frame £14

n Barker and Stonehouse, Lexington sofa

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54 mmm

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Telephone:

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n Debenhams: Yukari Sweeney/Edition Stamp Coasters (set of four) £7.50

n Debenhams: Star by Julien Macdonald Lustre Bead Hurricane Vase £35

X mmm

G

Stunning

ladstones is a lovely Grade 2-listed 16th century cottage for sale, chain-free at ÂŁ625,000.

With stunning period character throughout, three reception rooms, kitchen and utility room, the property is found in a wonderful picturesque village location.

The cottage benefits from a modern configuration with three spacious and elegant reception rooms and four bedrooms arranged over the two upper floors.

The kitchen is particularly well

cottage is full of character

mmm 57

appointed with high quality finishes of wood and granite. Additionally, the ground floor has a utility room and a further toilet.

Externally the property sits on a corner plot with quiet lanes extending along two sides. The grounds are predominantly laid to lawn with a substantial double garage block at the rear. A further workshop adds practicality to the attractive gardens.

An additional plot is found opposite the property and may be included within this sale â&#x20AC;&#x201C; subject to negotiation. This plot could be

deemed suitable as further gardens or as a compact paddock.

The area is well served with a network of bridle paths - ideal for those with equestrian interests.

The cottage is found within an area known locally as the The Quarries, which is of historical importance having once provided the stone used to construct many of the capitalâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest buildings, including Westminster Abbey and the Tower of London. The property itself is believed to have been the house of the former quarry master.

Boughton Monchelsea is just

seconds away by car. The village is well served with amenities such as schooling, shops and local country pubs and restaurants.

Owners who may wish to commute have an abundance of choices by rail or road.

Properties of this nature are rarely available and as such prospective buyers should ensure their initial viewings are booked early.

Contact Fine & Country, 3-4 Bridge Buildings, Stone Street, Cranbrook, Kent TN17 4HG, e-mail cranbrook@fineandcountry.com or call 01580 715000.

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Sit down

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n House of Fraser: Queen chair £199 each; Linea Pink abstract floral panel £35; Black ceramic pug £30; Kenneth Cole New York Home Pink glass bunch vase £13; Linea Malmo nest of 2 tables £229

n Harveys: Norton 3 seater sofa The Norton range features soft, luxurious cord fabric and leather effect trim for the ultimate in comfort

No ordinary farmhouse

T

his truly charming farmhouse is believed to date from the 17th century with some later additions.

Smiths Hill House has elegant and well proportioned reception rooms and a rustic farmhouse kitchen, with five double bedrooms on the first floor.

The attached annexe provides additional accommodation and the adjoining barn provides garaging and storage space. The established, manicured gardens provide an attractive backdrop to the house.

Inside the property is packed with character, including exposed wall and ceiling timbers, attractive brick inglenook fireplaces, lead light and multi pane windows, some panelling and generous ceiling heights throughout.

The principal reception rooms comprise a spacious drawing room with access to the garden room and open stud work to the elegant dining room. Both rooms have inglenook fireplaces with wood burning stoves and an outlook over the garden and together with the reception hall provide excellent formal entertaining spaces.

The kitchen/breakfast room has a range of wall and base units with work surfaces incorporating two sinks. Appliances include an

mmm 61

oil-fired Aga set in chimney recess, griddle and hob, space for dishwasher and fridge. There is direct access to the side garden and benefits from a boot/coat cupboard also housing the boiler.

The breakfast area is divided from the kitchen by a peninsular bar and has a larder cupboard.

The study and cloakroom complete the ground floor accommodation.

The galleried landing has an outlook over the garden and leads to the first floor accommodation.

There are five double bedrooms; two have wash basins, one has a part-vaulted ceiling with exposed rafters and all have wardrobes and a delightful outlook over the gardens.

There is also a family bathroom and additional shower room.

Accessed from outside is the annexe, which comprises a living/bedroom with direct access to the garden and a well appointed kitchen and bathroom.

The cellar is accessed from the annexe.

The substantial adjoining brick-built barn has full height double doors and a pedestrian door to one side. This provides excellent garaging space with workshop and utility space. There are two mezzanine floors providing storage which are accessed via two ladders. To one side is a store

room which leads to the connecting door in the study.

Smiths Hill House is approached over a brick block driveway with five-bar gates set on brick pillars, which extend to provide raised rose beds on one side. The driveway provides ample parking for a number of cars.

There is an area of lawn planted with mature trees including pine, holly, silver birch and cherry.

A stone and brick wall with a wrought iron gate dividing the front and rear garden and there is an established beech hedge along the perimeter. The south facing rear garden has a large gravel seating area and a path continues around the house with brick and stone retaining walls and raised beds.

The lawn continues to the far boundary and is interspersed with trees and shrubs including maple, weeping ash and pine.

The historic village of West Farleigh benefits from a village green, Norman church dating back to around 1100, an active sports club and public houses and restaurants.

Smiths Hill House in West Farleigh has a guide price of ÂŁ1,250,000.

Viewing is strictly by appointment with Savills, call 01732 789700, e-mail sevenoaks@savills.com or visit the branch at 74 High Street, Sevenoaks, Kent TN13 1JR.

64 mmm

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66 mmm

MOTORS

Volvo

Premium competitor In 2011, Volvo was the fastest growing luxury car brand and the start of 2012 shows no signs of the brakes being applied.

Volvo Car UK has seen year-on-year sales performance rise by 13.4 per cent with the Volvo XC60 continuing where it left off in 2011 by being one of Volvo’s top selling models, followed by its siblings, the S60 and V60.

Last month, Volvo unveiled its all-new V40 at the Geneva Motor Show, a five-door, five-seat hatchback that is set to enter the competitive

premium five-door segment in July. The V40 aims to take on the BMW 1-Series and Audi A3 with a mix of Scandinavian design, enhanced safety features and, it confidently predicts, “driving dynamics never seen before in a Volvo”.

The all-new V40 also sees the introduction of the world’s first pedestrian air-bag among the many new safety and technology features.

And later this year Volvo will unveil the world’s first diesel plug-in hybrid - the Volvo V60 D6, due to start production in October with emissions of just 49 g/km of CO2 and fuel consumption of more than 100 miles per gallon.

Hyundai

Car of the future HYUNDAI’s all-new Santa Fe gets its world premiere at the New York International Auto Show this month, with the motor giant pinning much on its flagship SUV model reaffirming its place in a crowded and highly competitive marketplace.

Codenamed DM in Korea, Hyundai released these first images of the vehicle which it says continues the solid brand heritage of the model, as it enters its third generation.

Since its original launch in 2000 it has shifted 2.56 million units

mmm 67

Seat

Supermini hits the UK Fresh from its debut at the Geneva Motor Show the latest iteration of Seat’s most successful model, the Ibiza supermini, hits UK showrooms this month.

Seat has confirmed the new models will see no price increase over the outgoing car, and are appealing to the cash-conscious buyer by boasting the majority of the new Ibiza derivatives will be available at a lower price than their outgoing equivalents.

The entry-level New Ibiza – the 1.2-litre 60 PS E in three-door SC bodystyle – remains available at just £9,995 on the road.

As before, the UK range extends up from the E through S A/C and SE to the sporty FR model. For the first time, too, New Ibiza ST buyers will be able to enjoy the dynamic delights of an FR version

worldwide, and Hyundai is set to invest heavily to ensure it continues to be a major market player.

Based on Hyundai’s design philosophy, the snappily-titled Fluidic Sculpture, the new Santa Fe adopts its own design concept called Storm Edge, which, says the firm, “captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm”.

In short, it boasts a more aggressive and classic look than its predecessor wider front and rear bumpers create what it hopes is a more futuristic and urban-style SUV.

as Seat expands its Formula Racing sub-brand to its svelte supermini estate.

The core basic model in the new line up – the Seat Ibiza S A/C – is offered at an average of £300 less than the outgoing S Copa editions.

The most affordable Ibiza 5dr is

therefore the 1.2 70 PS S A/C model, at just £11,430 on the road.

This engine is also now available in the Ibiza ST body style, giving it a significantly reduced starting price of £12,140.

Expect to see the full range in the showroom by the end of April.

Bentley Continental GT V8 The new Bentley V8 engine delivers performance and power in the Bentley tradition. It achieves outstanding levels of fuel efficiency for the luxury performance sector and is capable of travelling more than 500 miles (800km) on a single tank of fuel.

The arrival of the new V8 Continental models fulfills Bentleyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s environmental commitment to produce a new powertrain that delivers a 40 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and CO2 emissions.

Prices start from ÂŁ123,850.

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70 mmm

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mmm 71

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Caffyns

Lamberts Road North Farm Industrial Estate Tunbridge Wells Kent Tel: 01892 256405

Jazz singer and pianist Chiara Civello is the new ambassador of the Range Rover Evoque

mmm events

n The latest new releases in technology n Thrills and spills on the silver screen n Events in our area

n Books to draw you in To promote your business call 01622 299035 or e-mail sales@mmm-media.com

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Dancing the night away

Pictures: Harry Bristow

The Hazlitt Theatre recently came alive with the sound of music and dance from around the world, when Michelleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s School of Dancing in Chatham put on a four-day extravaganza

Books

The Woman in Black Susan Hill

Amid the recent Hammer movie release, it may be the perfect time to go and rediscover the novel which set the Woman in Black bandwagon rolling nearly 30 years ago.

Susan Hill's 1983 book captured the imagination, spawning the stage play and then the big

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screen adaptation featuring Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe.

But for perfectly paced, atmospheric scares the book is hard to beat.

It picks up the reader and leads them through the sometimes claustrophobic storyline – leaving us to become engrossed in the story, and leaping as the chief protagonist does when the mysterious noises and

Charles Dickens and the Great Theatre of the World

Charlotte’s Web EB White

Simon Callow

You would have to be living in a particularly deep and dark cave to not be aware that 2012 marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of author Charles Dickens.

Thus far, it has triggered a slew of small and big screen remakes of some of his classics. The BBC, for example, took on both Great Expectations and rewrote the end of unfinished final novel, the Mystery of Edwin Drood.

Meanwhile, Kent's marshes will be the setting for scenes in Great Expectations the movie, which is due to hit the silver screen later this year.

Thus it is fair to say appetite for all things Dickens is high. Which brings us to this book by Simon

children's cries begin to mercilessly haunt him.

Arthur Kipps' summons to work on the estate of the reclusive Alice Drablow sparks a remarkable turn of events as he travels to her house set on a causeway cut off by the rising tide each evening and surrounded by marshland.

A terrifying experience awaits him – and the reader too.

Callow, an actor for whom dramatic bellowing has almost made him a caricature of himself. No stranger to the act of the biography, Callow walks the reader through Dickens' life and relationships, as well as his relationship to literature and those books he produced which cemented his position as one of the all-time greats.

The children's classic enjoyed a moment in the sun recently when a parents' magazine in the US named it top of the 100 must-read list for children's fiction.

It drafted in a host of literary experts and bloggers to draw up its 100 Greatest Books for Kids, with the 1952 best-seller emerging triumphant for Parent & Child magazine.

Charlotte's Web tells the timeless tale of Wilbur the pig, who is saved from slaughter by an intelligent spider called Charlotte.

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GADGETS That Apple’s iPad is a trendsetter is hardly news. But its influence continues to spawn some interesting competitors.

For those already armed with the market-leading tablet, propping it up in the kitchen while trying to follow an online recipe will be nothing new.

But a dedicated tablet just for the eager amateur chef?

Well here’s a French invention which may just prove a surprise big hit when it finally hits the shelves in the UK. Qooq – pronounced ‘cook’ – is a tablet dedicated to the food

and drink fan.

The nifty gadget comes with 450 pages of ingredients, and a huge number of unique recipes, all of which come with video clips for all the key steps – plus you can input the number of people you’re cooking for and the ingredient amounts will be increased for you.

It could just become the future of the cook book.

Expect it to hit the shelves later this year, with a subscription charge in addition to the hardware cost, expected to be less than £10 to access all its services.

We previewed it last month, and on March 16 Apple’s iPad 3 finally arrived amid all the hype – promptly selling a million copies.

The eagerly awaited third incarnation of the standard-settling tablet, the new model comes with a 9.7-inch Retina display – boasting an impressive 2048 x 1536p resolution screen and support for the super-fast mobile

4G connectivity.

In addition to this, there’s a full HD video recording capability and even an improved stills camera plus voice dictation features.

All in all, it will almost inevitably sweep all the contenders to its throne to one side – despite its £399 entry price point.

It is anticipated, however, that the iPad 3 will be the last to launch in the UK before Amazon’s much anticipated Kindle Fire and its lossleading price tag finally arrives on these shores - giving Applet a run for its money.

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While the jury is still out on whether or not music streaming service Spotify has a long-term, sustainable, business model, it last month confirmed plans to introduce a family option for its premium service.

The move seems to be designed to prevent one user sharing their password with others, all for the current £9.99 price-tag.

While price points have yet to be confirmed, it seems certain to offer full access to a premium user for less

than the cost of taking out two individual subscriptions.

A potential – but as yet unconfirmed – impact could be a reduction in the number of platforms one user accesses the service from.

It comes as part of Spotify’s on-going efforts to become a viable option for mass consumption of music online.

And with competition from across the Atlantic with other firms offering similar services, Spotify will be keen to cement its position in what could soon become a highly competitive marketplace.

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For the heroes J

ust five years ago, Bryn and Emma Parry paid a visit to a hospital which would change their lives.

Mr Parry, who had served in the Royal Green Jackets for ten years, and his wife visited the military wounded being treated at Selly Oak Hospital in Birmingham.

So moved were they by what they saw, they decided to do something to help those injured while serving their nation.

Setting out to raise £1million for a rehabilitation complex at a centre in Surrey, their determination would set in motion a movement which would become a phenomenon.

Today, Help for Heroes has not only surpassed that original ambitious target but exceeded it in incredible style.

Last month funds raised toppled the £127.5m mark.

Steve Craddock is the co-ordinator for Medway and Maidstone.

n If you want to help take part in an event and raise money for Help the Heroes, start by logging on to the website www.helpforheroes.org.uk.

They will then put you in touch with Steve.

The Chart Hills Golf Day on Tuesday, 3rd May, is open to teams of four and costs £85 each. In addition to 18 holes there will also be a three-course meal in the evening.

For details see www.charthills.co.uk

“The money is coming in about £500,000 every week and it doesn’t slow down,” he explains, “it just carries on.”

Mr Craddock served for 15 years in the Royal Engineers and has seen how the charity’s work has had a profound influence on the public.

“It’s reconnected the people with their armed forces,” the tireless campaigner, who lives in Chatham, says. “Regardless of if they believe in the conflict or not, its about supporting the young men who are involved and going out to work for

the country. People feel the need to support them.

“People didn’t want to know soldiers. They used to feel like second class citizens. And it’s great to see that change in perception.

“I was a soldier during the 1970s and 80s. During that time we lost 1,100 men in Northern Ireland and I lost a lot of friends.

“There was no great homecoming for them. People didn’t seem to want to know.

“There was a bit of nationalist fervour during the Falklands conflicts – where I lost a couple of pals – but that soon died away.

“But since the second Iraq war and the Afghanistan conflict, there has been a real sea change in attitudes.”

And Mr Craddock is doing more than his fair share of fund and profile-raising for Help for Heroes.

As the middle man between those wanting to organise events and the charity itself, he is in great demand.

But that’s not all. He is a huge a

a fundraiser himself, helping to generate hundreds of thousands of pounds locally. At last count he had exceeded the £250,000 mark.

He recently helped to stage a fundraising night at Maidstone’s Village Hotel, then there is the upcoming fifth annual Help for Heroes charity golf day at the Chart Hills Golf Club.

And there’s the small matter of a 500-mile cycle ride he will soon embark on as part of the Big Battlefield Bike Ride.

As part of a team of serving and veteran members of the Royal Engineers, it is hoped they will raise a remarkable £100,000 in an event which will see them cycle from Chatham to Portsmouth, then along the north coast of France to Dunkirk.

Among the team will be Charlie Chaplain, the Regimental Sergeant Major of 1RSME Regiment in Brompton, who will be peddling the rickshaw ridden by TV host Matt

Volunteers take part in many fundraising challenges

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Baker in a previous fundraising mission with the BBC. Explains Steve Craddock: “This will be a stern test as the bike is very heavy and does not have the range of gears of a normal road bike. But Charlie is really up for this challenge. The rest of the team will be cycling on regular road bikes, because we’re not mad.

“Team Sapper will be cycling from Chatham to Portsmouth, where we will meet up with the Big Battlefield Bike Ride which will feature more than 300 riders, including injured service personnel.

“We will then cross to Le Havre in France, where we will then cycle between numerous World War One and Two battlefield sites.

“Upon completion of the 380miles of pedalling across France we then travel to Dover. Once we’ve docked we’ll complete the journey by cycling back to Chatham. It will be around 500 miles and should take six days.”

This is only the latest of Mr Craddock’s headline-grabbing exploits.

Four years ago he was responsible for staging the charity’s first ever stadium event. Having persuaded Gillingham chairman Paul Scally to allow Priestfield to be used, he staged a game between a Royal Engineers and Chelsea Old Boys team. A remarkable 3,500 people turned out in support.

Mr Craddock, who organises charity events in addition to running a security business, adds: “We give lots of talks on military subjects, there are cabaret evenings; in fact there is so much people are doing to raise money and from every social strata.

“The vast majority of fundraising comes from people putting their pounds and fivers in the buckets.

Every penny counts and every single one donated goes straight to the lads.” mmm

Film

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African Cats Release: April 27

Disney's epic true-life family adventure following the majestic feline kings of the African Savanna.

This nature film focuses on two very different big cat families and how they teach their cubs about life in the wild. In the north of Kenya's Masai Mara national reserve, Sita the cheetah has just given birth to five cubs. Further south, the River Pride pack of lionesses hunt for food.

Narrated by Samuel L. Jackson, this new nature film tells an amazing real-life Lion King story of the truly remarkable family bonds between these amazing creatures and the struggles they face.

Co-directed by the former head of the BBC's world-renowned Natural History Unit, Alastair Fothergill, this film is simply stunning.

The Hunger Games Out now

In a not-too-distant future, North America has collapsed, weakened by drought, fire, famine, and war to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into the Capitol and 12 districts.

Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment, part brutal intimidation of the subjugated districts, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors, literally, with all citizens required to watch.

When 16-year-old Katniss' young sister, Prim, is selected as the mining district's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place.

The Cabin in the Woods Release: April 13

Five friends go to a remote cabin in the woods. Bad things happen...

If you think you know this story, think again.

Very little else has been released about this film from fan favourites Joss Whedon and Drew Goddard, ensuring weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re unable to build up any unfair expectations of this story of a group of young people heading off to a remote holiday destination.

Produced by Whedon and directed by Goddard from a script by both, the film stars Kristen Connolly, Chris Hemsworth, Anna Hutchison, Fran Kranz, Jesse Williams, Richard Jenkins and Bradley Whitford.

Described as a mind blowing horror that turns the genre inside out itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s surely worth some investigation.

Jazz Lunch with Kenny Ball

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Pictures: Harry Bristow

The most successful jazz trumpet player this side of the Atlantic entertained hundreds of diners during a three-course lunch at the Mercure Hotel recently.

Back by popular demand, Kenny Ball and his Jazz Men had toes tapping and ensured a good time was enjoyed by all.

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Mayorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s charity ball

Pictures: Matthew Barlow

The Village Hotel recently hosted the Mayor of Maidstoneâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Charity Ball. This dinner and dance event is an annual occasion and draws guests from across the county, including other mayors.

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