MMM August '14 edition

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mmm Magazine 31

August 2014

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Designer: Teresa Helbig

Designer: Teresa Helbig

Designer: Teresa Helbig

Designer: Roberto Torretta

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Welcome

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It’s funny, isn't it, how certain times of the year take you back in time to your childhood. And August, and those long summer holidays we enjoyed as children, is one of the most memorable.

There can be no better feeling than the start of the month with that long break stretching out before you. It's strange too, how those memories are always full of sunny days, filled with fun with friends.

The weather over the last few weeks has been sensational hasn't it? Summer certainly arrived in style during July – here's hoping we enjoy another long hot month.

Last month while we were all sweltering in the sun, I was lucky enough to fly down to Cannes on the glorious French Riviera. What a place it is! It's almost as if the streets are paved with gold there – the wealth drips from every pore.

Certainly its cosmopolitan feel is remarkable. I don't think I've ever seen so many designer labels and accessories. Take a walk along the marina and the imposing multi-million pound yachts bob gently upon the waters – it really is a wonderful place.

I was there both on business and pleasure – mmm had a lovely reception thrown for it at one of the top hotels. It was quite something. You can read more about it in the travel section of this edition.

Elsewhere, we have some fascinating articles inside. For example, did you know the man who created one of the world's biggest brands – Colgate – was born just outside Maidstone, before he found fame and fortune in America? We profile his extraordinary life this month.

We also shine the spotlight on Tracey Emin – an often controversial artist who has created some of the most talked about works of art in recent years. She is forever linked with Margate, the town in which she grew up.

Find out more inside. And talking about Thanet, did you know superstar George Michael has family on the isle? We take a look at his career – and its many ups and downs. So enjoy this month's edition and if you're off on holiday be sure to pack your copy of mmm to enjoy while you're poolside.

See you next month!

Rasa

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mmm MMM Media Ltd GHL House 1st Floor 12-14 Albion Place Maidstone Kent ME14 5DZ Tel: 01622 299035 sales@mmm-media.com www.mmm-media.com Publisher Rasa Dregva Editor Tom White Travel Editor Tricia Lester Design Matthew Jones Karen Oliver

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SAMANTHA WOMACK From Eurovision to Albert Square

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TOpIARy The perfect final touch to your garden

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gEORgE MICHAEL george Michael’s remarkable career

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pROpERTy The latest Kent property located in Charlton Court palace

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WEddINgS Everything you need for your perfect day

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MOTORS The newest Citroën C4 Cactus model

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TRAVEL discover the French Riviera, Vietnam – lush landscapes and captivating cities

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MApLESdEN NOAKES Robin Brooks looks back at the MBE who was the first female to get a pilot licence in Kent

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TRACy EMIN Our endless love affair with one of art’s foremost talents

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BuSINESS Local business news in Kent

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FOOd Check out our summer salad recipes

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EVENTS What’s on in and around Kent this month

COLgATE The man behind the toothpaste giant

Sales Dawn Long Accounts Kerry Head Further contribution Robin J Brooks Christine Furlonger Tony Mentel

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 2014

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From

EurovIsIon to AlbErt squArE t would be easy to dismiss Samantha Womack as just another soap star; the latest pretty face to take to the streets of Albert Square. But beyond her role as Ronnie Mitchell in EastEnders, the actress has quite a remarkable past.

She spent some of her childhood living on the QE2 cruise ship, attended school with the future stars of girl group All Saints, went off the rails and lived in squats, before finding a fame which would see her become a household name – first under her maiden name of Samantha Janus – and even representing the United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest.

What’s more, last winter she spent several months living

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in Canterbury after taking on the headline role in Jack and the Beanstalk in the ever popular pantomime at the city’s Marlowe Theatre.

In fact today she may be as settled and happy as ever before. She is the mother of two children, happily married – to the respected actor Mark Womack, 53 - and one of the nation’s favourite actresses. What’s more, at 41 she is still able to turn heads the moment she walks into a room.

It’s not been all successes though in recent years. In 2009, her estranged father was found hanged in his Brighton council house after committing suicide. While her first marriage broke down just a year after they tied the knot in the mid 1990s. a

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She also found herself on the end of one of the soap She would explain: “My parents were both musicians world’s most controversial story lines when her character’s and bohemian in their approach, but when they split up baby died of cot death and she was then imprisoned for when I was just two, life changed dramatically for me. kidnapping another baby.

“My grandmother worked as the choreographer on the “The EastEnders storyline didn’t QE2 cruise liner and to give my affect me emotionally<” she explains, mum a break, she would take me “but that was my own fault “but the character and the situations on these long Caribbean cruises had become exhausting – not only for being young and too silly with her. for me but the audience. You can “I remember them as magical to have an idea of the kind of times and I learned so much about only go so far with a character without them becoming predictable.” the show business world. When the photos I was doing, and not And so she quit EastEnders. But ship docked and the passengers not for long. She returns to the soap understanding at 18 those photos disembarked, I would sit very permanently in August. would then be there forever” quietly and watch her rehearse Born in November 1972 in the girls and subconsciously learn Brighton, her parents were all the dance routines and all the singer-songwriter Noel and big band music. I went on lots of model-actress Diane. cruises with her, until I was 10.”

The family home fractured when she was two when her It was her grandmother – Sheila Holt – who she cites as one of the most influential figures in her life. father left.

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Her mother would marry a GP and the family became used to moving around the country following where his job took him.

It was while she was at school that she fell in with the wrong crowd and her life lost direction. At 15 she spent time in squats, drinking and smoking.

She explains: “At one point I attended a pretty rough comprehensive school in London where I was hanging out with the wrong crowd. Recognising that my lust for life was dwindling and that nothing seemed to inspire me, my grandmother asked me to come along to the Sylvia Young theatre school where she was doing some work.

“Immediately I felt inspired. People there behaved in a different way and I found a place where I could fit in and express myself through song and dance. Had I not made that change, my life would have been very different.

“From her I have learned so many things - she had the most amazing ability to communicate. People have always been drawn to her because she’s genuine, warm and sensitive, but more than anything her love has been

unconditional. She has a grace and a strength that comes from knowing her talents and has tried to nurture this in others. She’s very strong - she had a terrible car crash in Brazil years ago and lost her partner. It was a difficult time for her and she had to have facial reconstruction, but just got on with it.”

It would be the change in path that would put the young Samantha on the road to success.

In 1991, aged just 19, she was representing the nation in the Eurovision Song Contest. A Message to Your Heart polled just 47 votes and she finished tenth. It did, however, deliver a top 40 hit for her CV, though, climbing to number 30 in the charts.

But the best for the performer lay just around the corner.

Roles in popular TV dramas such as The Bill and Press Gang followed while she scored a West End break when she took over from Debbie Gibson in hit show Grease.

But it was as Mandy in BBC2 sitcom Game On which made her name. She appeared on the show for four years and became a household name. a

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Her new-found fame coincided with the boom in so-called ‘lads mags’ and she became a darling of their pages.

“The period with the whole ladette thing, I felt I was being objectified,” she says today, reflecting on some photo shoots she did for the titles.

“But that was my own fault for being young and too silly to have an idea of the kind of photos I was doing, and not understanding at 18 those photos would then be there forever.

“I’m accepting of them, but I wish I had understood at the time. I’m very pro-women and I love women being sexy, but there were some photos I did which were quite degrading.

“There were a couple when the tone was wrong. It was explicit, and when you’re young you don’t understand the

impact of those issues. You’re not a woman yet.

“But it’s made me more wary about my image and image control, how I’m being perceived. I’m more confident about being in control now. Sometimes I might seem like a ball-breaker on a shoot but, fundamentally, I’m in control of my image.”

She followed up Game On with roles in Pie in the Sky and the movie Up ‘n’ Under.

In 1998, she starred in ITV series Liverpool 1. It was here she met her future husband Mark Womack.

She had previously had a long relationship – but short marriage – with Italian Junfan Mantovani.

The couple have two children – Benjamin, born in 2001 – and Lily-Rose in 2005. They married in 2009, with Samantha changing her professional name to Samantha Womack.

It appeared to usher in a more mature phase of her career. Having started in EastEnders, her role began to grow and her popularity saw her become a regular on chat shows and other entertainment shows.

“When I was younger, the roles were always an attractive female so I do wonder whether now the more interesting roles will come to me. I hope so,” After a brief break from EastEnders, during which she enjoyed her stay in Kent, 2014 looks destined to deliver yet more success for Samantha.

The flame of her success shows no sign of going out quite yet. mmm

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Summer HEAVEN!

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With summer now in full swing, mmm fills you in on the must haves for that cool beach look

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1 - Bikini Set, £40, Marisota. 2 - Denim Shorts, £25, Miss Selfridge. 3 - Stripe Floppy Hat, £16, Very. 4 - Red Swimsuit, available at Debenhams. 5 - Biba Goddess Swimsuit, £38, House of Fraser. 6 - The Explorer Beach Bag in Coral, £195, Boticca 7 - Womens Toe Post Sandal, £13, Get the Label 8 - Odeon Womens Metallic Sandal, £13, Get the Label. 9 - Straw Beach Bag, £35, Marisota.

10 - Black Lace Sunglasses, £50, Vision Express.

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W O O D SD E SI GN E RC L O THI N G

the Anthony Saward Gallery

Professional Framing Specialists

Woods Designer Clothing is probably

Kent’s leading independent fashion store Woods have been selling designer clothes to both Men and Women since 1989 and are the official

registered stockists for most of the big names in the fashion industry.

Priding themselves on finding those new

• Custom picture framing • Conservation framing

• Embroideries and Tapestries • Sports memorabilia framing • War Medal framing

• Made to measure mirrors

• We stock prints and have

large selection to order from

• We stock art work and support local artists

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4 Medway Street Maidstone Kent ME14 1JS

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and upcoming brands that have something a bit

special that makes them stand out from the rest.

Stockists of men’s and women’s brands including

Hugo Boss

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Alexander McQueen

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Day Birger

True Religion

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7 Railway Street Chatham ME4 4HU

J. Lindeberg

01622 766262

J Brand

01634 832147

Find us on Twitter and Facebook

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By GeorGe! Sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll George Michael’s remarkable career

f all the great Eighties teen heartthrobs, perhaps George Michael can lay claim to having gone on the most remarkable journey of all. From setting pulses racing as one half of chart-topping duo Wham! to even greater solo success, he evolved as much as his audience did – maturing into one of the world’s foremost singer-songwriters.

But his life has been far from easy, despite his enormous fame and wealth. Frequently linked to Kent – he is understood to have family in Broadstairs and was long rumoured to have owned a house in Deal – he has an unusual CV. In recent years he suffered a bout of pneumonia which left him in intensive care, where he had to be flown by air to hospital after falling from his moving car as it travelled along the M1 motorway last year, leaving him with a head injury.

He has been open in his struggle with an addiction to cannabis – a smoking habit which has seen him have a number of brushes with the law, including, in 2010, a short stint in prison for driving under the influence of drugs. Earlier this year he revealed he had finally managed to completely kick the habit.

His sexuality has always kept headline writers busy too. a

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After years of admitting only to his closest friends he was bisexual, he was forced to come clean about his homosexuality after he was caught in a compromising position by a US police officer in a Beverley Hills public toilet.

He admits to having had long relationships with women – but it was men who stole his heart. One, a Brazilian dress designer called Anselmo Feleppa discovered he had AIDS some six months into their relationship. After first meeting in 1991, Anselmo died in 1993 of an AIDS-related brain haemorrhage – a passing George would remember by penning Jesus to a Child in his honour.

For many years he lived with long-time love Kenny Goss, an American sportswear executive, before the pair separated out of the glare of publicity in 2009.

And while it would be easy to allow his personal life to overwhelm his musical output, he remains one of the most in-demand artists of his generation.

While he may have had his fallings out with the record industry over the years, his music still sells by the millions and his concerts remain some of the industry’s most difficult to secure tickets.

“As I’ve grown older, I’ve become so much more aware

of how intrinsic it is to my entire being to be able to create music,” he explained.”Whatever else has gone on in my life, the one thing I’ve always held on to was my belief in my talent as a songwriter. Even when I was a teenager I was absolutely determined that once I’d got my foot in the door of the music industry, nothing, but nothing was going to shift me.

“I never really told my parents that I wanted to be a pop star or anything. They just knew that I was totally obsessed with music. Funnily enough, my father always used to say that he didn’t think I could sing.”

George Michael was born in 1963 in East Finchley. His birth name, Georgios Kyriacos Panagiòtou, reflecting his father’s Cypriot background. His mother was an English dancer.

After moving the family to Hertfordshire when George was young, the budding superstar would meet and befriend Andrew Ridgeley at school. The two both entertained dreams of stardom.

After DJ-ing and a couple of short-lived other bands, the two combined to form Wham! In 1981 they signed a record deal and it quickly became apparent George was the real talent.

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FACT FILE

Name: Georgios Kyriacos Panagiòtou Age: 51 (June 25, 1963) Born: London, England Occupation: Musician, Singer, Actor Studio Albums: Faith (1987) Listen Without Prejudice Vol. 1 (1990) Older (1996) Songs from the Last Century (1999) Patience (2004)

Latest Singles: You and I (2011) White Light (2012) Let Her Down Easy (2014)

He wrote the songs, sang, handled production and even performed some of the instruments.

From 1981, they enjoyed a string of major hits including Wham Rap! (Enjoy What You Do), Young Guns (Go For It) and Bad Boys.

But it was in 1984 with Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go, which elevated them to a new level of fame. Followed up by the likes of Freedom and Last Christmas, they established themselves as major players, wrestling it out for dominance among the Smash Hits brigade with the likes of Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet and Culture Club.

George, however, was already beginning to mature as a songwriter.

By the end of the summer he had released Careless Whisper as a solo track. It would go on to be one of the biggest hits of the decade.

The band would bow out in 1986 with a spectacular show at Wembley Stadium and a final EP – Edge of Heaven – which demonstrated a real depth in their musical skills, with the likes of Battlestations and a cover version of Where Did Your Heart Go? George and Andrew parted on good terms and rumours of a possible reunion continue to emerge. Determined to be taken as a more serious artist, he first delivered Faith – an album with a strong pop core, but a far

more sophisticated tone. By the time 1990’s Listen Without Prejudice emerged, the conversion to serious singer-songwriter was complete. But while he continued to pack out stadiums, his life was far from content.

He explained; “My depression at the end of Wham! was becoming massively popular as a heterosexual male. And in here, I was gay.” It was in 1998 that the world would finally know the true George Michael.

He was caught in a trap by Beverley Hills police, which saw him expose himself and was swiftly arrested. It made global headlines. “I got followed into the restroom and then this cop - didn’t know it was a cop, obviously - he started playing this game, which I think is called, ‘I’ll show you mine, you show me yours, and then when you show me yours, I’m going to nick you.”

He was fined and sentenced to community service. And now his secret was out.

“In a way, though, it was for the best because, I’m pretty sure the papers would have attacked me, and I think that would have hurt my mother.”

His mother had died just before the case hit the headlines.

Drugs would become his next vice – and in particular cannabis. At one stage he was smoking 25 joints a day. But it came at a high price. 

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Most famously he drove into the front of a Snappy Snaps shop in London. He would end up in jail for four weeks for driving under the influence.

But his biggest challenge was in 2011 when, while on tour in Austria, he was rushed to hospital suffering from pneumonia. His life hung in the balance and gave him a new perspective.

Cannabis, for starters, was shown the door.

Today, George remains one of the world’s top performers. His tenth album, Symphonica – a showcase of classics – proved a big hit when he toured it with a full orchestra, and he has already promised fans a ‘surprise’ in 2014.

Given all the surprises he’s sprung on us so far, who knows what the next twist in his career will be? mmm

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mmmWeddings

• Gorgeous wedding dresses • Stunning shoes • Marvellous menswear • Snapshot photography

Sponsored by Village Hotel, Maidstone

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Your Wedding Dress Designer Expert our perfect wedding cannot be complete without the all important stunning wedding dress, and to help sway you over mmm talks to Tony Mentel from Justin Alexander to gain an insight into the perfect dress

Can you give a brief overview of your company?

Justin Alexander’ combines timeless styling and distinct femininity for a fashion forward bride looking for a gown with everlasting beauty and grace.

What are this seasons must haves?

This seasons must haves are all about interesting backs like illusion, low cut and cowl backs. We’ve been able to create rich looks by layering fabrics and adding different textures with lace, silk, printed organza and sequin.

Where do you see the influences for 2015/16 coming from? And where do you personally get your inspiration for designs from?

A lot of my inspiration comes from the new beadings and fabrics we develop, so whenever there is a new technique or new fabric this opens new possibilities of design. I also love visiting art exhibitions and doing lots of research in art, design, film and fashion. These different aspects get mixed up and filtered into my design ideas. Ideas can spark from a Charles James 1950’s couture gown I saw at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, to a piece of antique jewellery I see at the antique fair. Everything can be interpreted into new fashion ideas.

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Any hints or tips on choosing the right dress style for different body shapes?

Bridal gowns are designed to flatter and make a woman’s body look more feminine. But also certain shapes or cut lines work best for certain figures. Empire lines look great on petite brides as the higher cut line lengthens the legs and makes a woman look taller. 1950’s style natural waists, A-line and ball gown skirts are great for pear shaped girls as it creates emphasis on the waist and distracts from the hips.

High neck gowns can be great at adding volume to a smaller bust bride.

Off the shoulder gowns can be great for a fuller figured bride, as they can create more of an hourglass silhouette, by highlighting the shoulders, opening up the neckline and creating a V-shape which makes the figure look more like an hourglass. www.justinalexanderbridal.com

Ivory Embellished Cowl Maxi Dress, Debenhams

White Sequin Dress, Adrianna Papell

Carlotta Bridal Dress, Monsoon

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Wedding Shoes totoCompliment Compliment W

edding shoes are an essential part of your wedding day. They need to compliment your dress, have the right size heel and be extremely comfortable as you will be on your feet for most of the day. With endless designs and styles available, the perfect shoe is out there somewhere. mmm takes a look at the latest trends...

Decora, £79, Dune Charlize Shoes, £299, www.crystalbridalaccessories.co.uk

Supreme, £109.99, Moda in Pelle

Angylna, £110, www.stevemadden.com

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Rosa Bridal Shoe £89, Monsoon

Hi Daisy, £89, Dune

Dejavu, £85, www.stevemadden.com

Burst, £85, Dune

Vivien Bridal Shoe, £89, Monsoon

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Do you take this man?

You’ve had the dress since the day after the proposal, the photographer’s booked, you’ve even chosen the perfect tiara to compliment your outfit. So what have you forgotten? Him! Because men’s clothing is apparently so simple, it’s easy to overlook the fact that the groom needs to be just as well turned out as the bride, albeit in a very different way.

Many men will resist this part of the organisation process - either they wear a suit every day and therefore don’t see the big deal or they never wear a suit and are like a rabbit in the headlights when it comes to matching jacket and trousers, never mind the shirts, ties and shoes.

Yes, it does take a bit of effort coordinating all these items and then making sure they don’t clash with the colour scheme of the wedding, but if you relax and embrace the challenge, it’s sure to be worth the effort.

It might be quicker to hire a suit and all the necessaries, but it’s the woman’s job to pay out for a one day only outfit, whereas, if you buy the right suit, you’ll end up with a stylish outfit to last beyond the honeymoon and ensure the groom continues to look good once he’s become a husband.

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So what’s the secret? Visit a good quality store, where you feel comfortable and take the time to try on a variety of styles and colours. Sure, it may be traditional for a man to wear a grey morning suit if he’s not opted for top hat and tails, but there are no rules. If he feels more comfortable in navy or black, then he’ll relax and enjoy the big day, so ensuring he exudes the confidence every groom needs.

After all, he’s got a long wait checking his watch at the end of the aisle - there’s only room for one latecomer on the biggest day of your lives...

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1. Occasions jacket £65, trousers £45, Jeff Banks shirt £32, Black bow tie, Debenhams 2. Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant £149, Debenhams 3. Corsivo Collection, House of Fraser 4. Hammond & Co. by Patrick Grant £150, Debenhams 5. Loake exclusively for Jasper Conran £135, Debenhams

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Picture Perfect W

hen planning a wedding you always start with a list: dress, venue, rings, flowers... it tends to be quite long.

As the list gets longer, the costs get higher and so things start to get crossed off. After all, do you really need that 50th floral piece to ensure the men’s loos match your colour scheme? We didn’t think so either.

But if there’s one thing you should never, ever, cross off the list, or even worse, replace with an enthusiastic relative, then its the wedding photographer.

Professional and experienced, they are the people who capture not only the joy and happiness of your big day, but also ensure that you really do remember every little thing from that overly long pre-wedding list. At least, we’ve never met an Uncle Arthur who’s remembered to take a picture of the bouquet, or knows just how much the bride loves her shoes to record them before they’re worn.

Little details make your big day truly special and choosing a photographer who appreciates what all the details mean to you is vital for helping you to remember what will most likely pass in a blur of smiles and happiness.

You may be tempted to cross the photographer off your list when Uncle Arthur steps forward, but will he really do justice to the day you’ve spent months, or possibly years organising? Put simply, if you’re spending thousands on your wedding, do you really want to run the risk that your only record of your efforts will be a few blurry prints? Or worse, out of shadows from the snap happy small children who ran around the reception taking advantage of the cheap disposables you left on tables?

With this in mind, we have one key piece of advice for choosing who will be capturing the memory of your wedding day- meet the photographer first... Not only will this allow you to decide if you like this extra person who’ll be turning up for your wedding, it will also be a chance to discuss what’s important about your own personal day. Whether you want formal or contemporary photos or even relaxed spur of the moment photos taken.

At the meeting you can choose specific pictures that simply must appear in your album too so you really are getting value for money and not just a person who brought a camera.

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Discover

vietnam A nation of diversity, discover beautiful beaches, culture, history and relaxation all from one holiday

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t over 1,000 miles in length, Vietnam diversity is astonishing. From the cool mountain air and stepped rice fields of Sapa, to the vibrant, steamy city of Saigon in the south, nothing will prepare you for the variety of Vietnam. Be immersed in the bustling backstreets of Hanoi, cruise among the limestone islands of Halong Bay or swim in the beautiful beaches on the coastline, Vietnam is an ideal destination for those looking for culture, history, relaxation or all of the above!

A great way to explore these two countries is on a small group tour, allowing for a more intimate and responsible way of travelling in a typical group size of between 12 to 16 people. The beauty of travelling as part of a smaller group is the ability to turn left when larger groups keep on the straight road, and delving deeper into the country, meeting locals and creating lifelong memories.

What to expect Vietnam is a nation of diversity. From north to south you will find â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;authenticâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Asia. In the majestic mountains in the north, fertile plains of the Mekong Delta, classical pagodas and temples, bustling cities and street markets, and the faded elegance of the French colonial era. You will also encounter a nation rich in culture, tradition and history, and people with a refreshing warmth and friendliness unequaled in southeast Asia; people who have put the

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war-torn past behind them and are clearly focused on a bright future.

Best time to visit Any time between October and April is a popular and busy time to travel to Vietnam, so book well in advance.

The best time to visit Vietnam, if you want to see the whole country, is Spring and Autumn. The temperatures are more moderate and rainfall is lighter. In spring, March and April have the lowest rainfall across all destinations and temperatures are pleasant. If you are looking for rest and relaxation then beach weather is perfect through to July.

Hang out in Hanoi The graceful capital of Hanoi in Northern Vietnam retains the charm and ambience of the French-colonial era. Few cities stir the imagination in the way that Hanoi does. The perfect combination of colonial architecture, quiet lakes and the bustling Old Quarter, create a uniquely Vietnamese experience. Take a cycle ride through the frenetic streets for an up close and personal glimpse of locals cooking, eating and trading on the street in front of you. a

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Head to the hills An overnight train journey away from Hanoi lies Sapa, one of Vietnam’s most fascinating French hill stations surrounded by landscapes of terraced rice paddies. The region is home to many of Vietnam’s ethnic hilltribe minority groups who retain their traditions and wear colourful dyed and woven fabrics and etched silver jewellery.

Boat on the Bay Just a few hours’ drive from Hanoi lies a truly magical natural wonder – Halong Bay. Thousands of limestone mountains emerge from the tranquil waters of the Gulf of Tonkin to create a mystical and beautiful backdrop for the converted Chinese junks sailing amongst the outcrops.

Feast on fresh seafood from the bay and relax aboard an atmospheric boat meandering through the islands.

Culture and coast Central Vietnam is home to historic Hue. Here, explore the Citadel, scene of the Tet Offensive during the American War and the seat of power for the Nguyen family.

Separated from Hue by a stunning mountain pass is Hoi An, formerly a quiet fishing village and currently an artist’s Mecca and home to some of the country’s best cuisine. It is a paradise for shoppers, diners, photographers and beach lovers, with some of Vietnam’s best resort style properties located on the south China Sea. Further south, Nha Trang is a favourite beach destination. Cruise amongst the islands just off the coast and enjoy super-fresh seafood.

Don’t miss Saigon Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) is the economic powerhouse of the country – the city is modern, yet you can still see the Vietnam of old.

The country’s recent turbulent history is evident here with a visit to the infamous Cu Chi Tunnels. Further south is the picture postcard Mekong Delta, an extremely fertile and friendly region with paddy fields, floating markets and bustling waterways.

Travelling Options 13 day Vietnam Insight small group tour from £2,075pp A journey incorporating the best of Vietnam. Be immersed in the busy streets of Hanoi and sparkling Halong Bay. Wander the peaceful lanes of Hue and Hoi An, continue through youthful Saigon and explore the Cu Chi tunnels and Mekong Delta.

What’s included - return flights with Vietnam Airlines from London Gatwick, nine nights 3-4* hotel accommodation, one night cruise accommodation, breakfast daily, three lunches and one dinner, small group touring, transfers, flights in Asia and entrance fees, a Western tour leader and local guides. Departs 19th September 2014. Subject to availability. Further dates available.

Contact us Contact Baldwins Travel on 01622 762141 for information or to make a booking. www.baldwinstravel.co.uk

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You CAN in CANNES! The French Riviera

ver since 1834, when the Lord Chancellor of England, Lord Brougham, accidentally discovered a minor fishing hamlet on his way to Nice, Cannes has been synonymous with luxury tourism. Legions of aristocrats, fleeing the snows of London and Moscow in favour of the brilliant blue skies and temperate winters of the Cote d’Azur, followed his lead.

The 20th century introduced palatial hotels to the Cannes waterfront. The twin-domed Carlton was built for Belle Epoque vacationers; the Martinez and Majestic hotels were created for Jazz Age guests. Until the 1930’s all the hotels closed for the summer. The double destiny of Cannes as a year-round center for business tourism dates from 1946, with the debut of the film festival that rapidly grew into the world’s most charismatic trade show. In 1999, Cannes received 7.2 million visitors; its Palais des Festivals, the bunkerlike concrete building on the waterfront boulevard, La Croisette, witnessed 125 trade shows, cultural events and professional conventions for a total of 291 days.

The off-season offers fine weather and a chance to beat the summer crowds both on the Croisette and in the backcountry Riviera villages. Even when the festival is not on, Cannes has a surreal,

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over-the-top aura.

Cannes makes no attempt to promote itself as a budget destination. Indeed, its hotel executives speak proudly of celebrity guests who require 150 hangers for their wardrobes and gallons of mineral water for their baths. Nonetheless, individual travellers who choose the 19thcentury option of Riviera winters can live like stars on relatively modest means.

But watch the calendar carefully.

Off-season room rates are available through March or mid-April, depending on the individual hotel; however, they are suspended during major conventions.

And of course prices soar for the film festival, when rooms are difficult if not impossible to find. Though prices rise dramatically during these 10 days in May, it is nearly impossible to find a room.

This city of about 80,000 is perfect for strolling and window-shopping, rife as it is with antiques and food markets as well as luxury boutiques and department stores. To get your blood flowing, climb the steep, narrow streets to Suquet hill for majestic views of the harbour, and then walk back down through The Old Town, perhaps stopping at a sidewalk café for lunch.

Set aside a half-day for taking a passenger ferry across the harbour to the Lerins Islands, the most famous of which is Île Sainte-Marguerite, home to the

Image: www.flickr.com/photos/hotpudding

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famed 17th-century Fort Royal, the cliff-top fortress (now a museum) in which the legendary Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned in the 1600’s. The island is also home to the excellent (seasonal) open-air restaurant, La Guerite, which serves superb seafood.

HOTEL MARTINEZ The place where A-list celebrities visiting presidents and royalty stay, the Hotel Martinez is one of the Riviera’s grand dames, with its own private beach and pool, a spa and fitness center, grand apartments, suites and pretty rooms. It also plays host to the Michelin awarded restaurant.

This Hotel is known for stylish living, where comfort and technology have aesthetic overtones, and from its eminent position on the sea front, on the famous boulevard de La Croisette in Cannes. The Hotel Martinez has established itself over the decades as the flagship hotel on the Riviera.

From the outside, its architectural beauty makes it timeless and establishes its elegance and eternal youth. With seven floors that overlook the sea front and a floor area that covers 40,000 square metres, it is one of the top European luxury hotels.

As spacious as it is extravagant, the hotel has an extraordinary infrastructure, both in terms of guest accommodation comprising 409 rooms and suites, and in the services the hotel has to offer. The Martinez has three restaurants, ‘La Palme d’Or’, a two stars Michelin gastronomic restaurants, ‘Le Relais’ and the ‘Zplage Beach Restaurant’. There is a piano bar, a vast private beach, a heated pool, fifteen meeting rooms and reception lounges that total 2500 square metres; all this puts the Hotel Martinez just behind the congress centre ‘Palais des Festivals’ in terms of reception capacity in Cannes.

During the Cannes Film Festival it houses film-stars and hosts Canal+’s studio for its festival special on its private beach called “Zplage”.

Just a short drive away from Cannes you can easily reach St. Tropez and within easy reach Nice and Monte Carlo Cities.

MONACO The tax-free haven of Monaco is a tiny and extremely wealthy country, lying in Southern France, where it is actually the world’s second smallest, after only the Vatican City in Rome. Monte Carlo is the most prominent and popular area of Monaco and serves as the capital, while other important districts include the Old City (Monaco Ville), La Condamine, the industrial area of Fontvieille, and the beach front suburb of Larvotto.

Monte Carlo is certainly the place to be seen in Monaco and central to the action, being home to the Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Monaco Cathedral). It was here in 1956 that Prince Rainier famously married Hollywood actress Grace Kelly, before they toured the streets in their open-top car, watched by thousands. Today, similar crowds turn up each year in May to watch the Monaco Grand Prix, which uses the streets of Monte Carlo and La Condamine for its circuit, passing the harbour and dating back to 1929. Despite its size, Monte Carlo is packed with some wonderful sights 

Image: www.flickr.com/photos/pedrosz

Image: www.flickr.com/photos/janetmck

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Publishers: Rasa Dregva and Magali Deperrier

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Claudio Ceccherelli with Rasa Dregva

Above from right to left:

Svitlana Ghattas (President Association Rayon de Soleil) David Lisnard, Mayor of Cannes Adriana Ohanian, Model & Actress Philippe Peyrard (Atol Les Opticiens) Isabelle Weill (President Association RMC/BFM**) Magali Deperrier (Publisher Try Me) Claudio Ceccherelli (GM Grand Hyatt Hotel Martinez)

worth seeing. A walk along the Avenue Saint Martin is a good place to soak up the atmosphere. The Avenue Princesse Grace is also packed with interest and where the acclaimed Japanese Garden is to be found. However, most will find that nothing sums up the glamour and affluence of Monte Carlo more than its harbour, which is always filled with expensive yachts and the odd celebrity.

The character of Monte Carlo is reflected within its opulent buildings and architecture. None come grander than the Prince’s Palace (Palais du Prince), where the daily changing of the guard ceremony is a must-see for all tourists. Other important landmarks within Monte Carlo include the Opera House and the Saint Charles Church, which is easily found, since it sports a particularly tall and hard-to-miss bell tower.

Various museums are spread around the streets of Monte Carlo and Monaco, often being especially appealing to families. The Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium is one such attraction and features an excellent restaurant, overlooking the Riviera. Nearby, the appealing information and historical exhibits found within the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology may be of interest, along with the rather unexpected and impressive Prince of Monaco’s Collection of Classic Cars. If art is more your thing, then the main avenues of Monte Carlo are littered with pricey galleries, including both the Marlborough Fine Art Gallery and the Galerie Monaco Fine Arts.

Monaco enjoys a stunning location on the French Riviera, where many wonderful day trips present themselves to tourists. Those holidaying in Monte Carlo will find themselves within easy reach of some major French cities such as Antibes, Cannes, Nice and Saint Tropez, all of which are just a short drive away. mmm Image: www.flickr.com/photos/louisathomson

Grand Hyatt Cannes Hotel Martinez associated with Try Me Magazine organized a Charity Event. All the sale profits from the prestigious prizes were dedicated to 2 Charity Organisations : - Association Rayon de Soleil –based in Cannes which hosts teenagers, children and babies from very disadvantaged families in the area - Association RMC/BFM helps to save lives by increasing the presence of defibrillators in public areas.

300 people attended this private party organized to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Zplage. mmm Magazine had an exclusive invitation.

The hospitality was very special and we were certainly well looked after as we mingled with the great and the good of Cannes’ social set.

Special guest famous model Andriana Karembeu was present to support the good cause as well as the Mayor of Cannes. We enjoyed hooking up with our counterparts in Europe, sponsors of the event ‘TRY ME’ magazine and its publisher Magali Deperrier.

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Tracey painTs the perfect picture Our endless love affair with one of art’s foremost talents racey Emin, it is fair to say, is something of an acquired taste.

As a personality she is not for the fainthearted; a highly motivated and opinionated individual with an ability to take the most personal aspects of her private life and expose them to a global audience – and often in a way which sits uncomfortably with many.

She created headlines for appearing drunk on a TV discussion programme and was one of the driving forces of a new breed of cutting edge British artists.

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Image © Sky

Her art is much in the same vein. From a tent adorned with the names of all those she has slept with, to an unmade bed complete with used condoms, she has courted controversy and enraged and engaged on an artistic level in equal measure.

Yet if the true measure of an artist is by their ability to move you – in whatever direction – it is hard to argue that Emin fails in any respect.

What’s more, some 20 years now into her career as one of the UK art scene’s true innovators, the appetite for the 51-year-old’s work seems as strong as ever. a

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Just earlier this summer her Turner Prize short-listed work My Bed went on the market for the first time since Charles Saatchi had purchased it for £150,000 back in 1999. It fetched double its estimated price with a collector paying a remarkable £2,2million.

All of which is more remarkable for one who has such humble beginnings.

Born in Croydon in 1963 – one of twins with her brother Paul – she entered an unconventional family set-up from the off. Her mother was English and of Romanichal – a form of Romani – descent. Her father a Turkish Cypriot. He was married to another woman, however, when Tracey was born and shared his time between two families.

It was he, however, that owned the Hotel International in Margate which saw the family move to the Thanet seaside town.

Her childhood was certainly not without its trauma.

When the hotel faltered, her family were plunged not only into financial problems, but into relationship issues too. Her parents separating when Tracey was just nine-years-old.

At the age of 13, she later confided in a TV interview, she was raped.

She explained: “This is a really contentious thing what I’m going to say. When I grew up in Margate it was par for the course – that’s what happened to a lot of girls.

“A lot of girls had sex against their will and it wasn’t called rape, it was called ‘being broken into’ and you’d go to school and you’d say ‘Yeah, I was broken into last night’.

“Some girls would be broken into as though it was a badge of honour and other girls would be broken into, like me, thinking – I didn’t want that to happen and it was against my will.

It wasn’t a boyfriend but it was someone I knew and, because it was someone I knew, you felt you couldn’t say anything.

“Despite the fact you didn’t mind going down an alley and being snogged, as far as the world was concerned you didn’t mind being raped.”

Her artistic talent quickly engaged her and she attended the Medway College of Design in 1980, where she would study fashion for two years. 

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It was there she met Medway’s Bill Childish, the artist, writer and musician – the two would become a couple for several years.

During this time she went on to study printing at the Maidstone Art College and went on to work for a publishers which produced some of Childish’s poetry at the time.

In a later interview she would describe her time in Maidstone and her time with Billy Childish as one of the most influential on her life.

By 1987, she was studying at the Royal College of Art in London, achieving an MA in painting.

But it was in the mid 1990s she would emerge as an exciting new talent with her controversial work Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-1995. It was a tent coated in the names of all those she had slept with – not all in a sexual context. It broke the mould and sparked huge discussion; most of which around just how it was classed as art. But it moved people in one direction or another – the sign, truly, of the finest art forms.

Unsurprisingly, the naming of those on the tent created some ripples.

Explained the artist: “Some I’d had sex with in bed or against a wall, some I had just slept with, like my grandma. I used to lay in her bed and hold her hand.

We used to listen to the radio together and nod off to sleep. You don’t do that with someone you don’t love and don’t care about.”

It appeared at Charles Saatchi’s Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy in 1997 – one of two works Emin considers to be seminal in her career – the other being My Bed. That came two years later. It was shocking in his raw display of the artist’s life (it was apparently created during a difficult time in Emin’s life as she took to her bed following ‘relationship difficulties’).

As a notice of intent they established Emin at the very forefront of an exciting new movement.

My Bed was just as shocking as the tent. It was basically modelled on the artist’s unmade bed, complete with grubby underwear and used condoms.

Prior to its recent sale, she promised to recreate the

bed for whoever the successful bidder was.

She explained: “When I created My Bed, it was a period of my life when I was not feeling particularly good. I think other people have been there.

“A lot of it was a teenage anger kind of thing, except I was about 34. I just got to a point in my life where everything seemed to come to a grinding halt, and the bed was after I’d had an epiphany where I just woke up and realised that my life had to change, and I changed it.

So in some ways it was a good thing.”

The attention catapulted Emin into the public consciousness and she remains one of the nation’s best known artists.

“I think there are just certain people who attract attention,” she said. “It doesn’t matter what they do. Even if they try not to, attention will still be thrown at them. I think I’m one of those. I’ve got one of those personalities, and even if I try to stay out of the papers and keep really quiet, I still manage to hit headlines. I still manage to get on the front page without doing anything.”

She certainly mixes in the right circles, with her friends including the likes of Madonna, Kate Moss and David Bowie.

But she has never forgotten her roots and her time in Margate, which she remains constantly linked with.

She recently held an exhibition at the Turner Contemporary and is a frequent visitor tot he town.

Today her influence remains powerful.

Roberta Smith wrote in The New Yorker about Emin’s work: “If Tracey Emin could sing, she might be Judy Garland, a bundle of irresistible, pathetic, ferocious, self-indulgent, brilliant energy. Since she can’t, or doesn’t, she writes, incorporating autobiographical texts and statements into drawings, monoprints, watercolors, collages, quilts, neon sculptures, installations and videotapes.

“In her art she tells all, all the truths, both awful and wonderful, but mostly awful, about her life. Physical and psychic pain in the form of rejection, incest, rape, abortion and sex with strangers figure in this tale, as do love, passion and joy.”

The artist world is enriched by Emin and her role as a powerful woman has seen her elevated to one of the nation’s artistic treasures. mmm Image © Sky

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Fine Dining at Home BUTTERNUT

Squash Summer Salad Ingredients layer on a baking sheet and spray squash with olive oil 1 large package of organic mixed baby greens then sprinkle with salt, pepper, and Italian herbs. (You can 1 medium butternut squash, peeled and diced add fresh herbs if you have any on hand). Bake squash for 1/3 cup goat cheese, crumbled 30 mins turning over halfway through. Squash will be done 1/3 cup walnuts, chopped when theyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re tender with a little crisp, and a melt 1/4 cup dried cranberries in-your-mouth bite. Place baby greens in large bowl and Method add squash, goat cheese, walnuts and dried cranberries.

Preheat oven to 180 degrees and spray metal baking Drizzle each serving with a desired amount of dressing. sheet with the oil spray. Spread out squash into a single and enjoy.

All Recipes from The HengistServe Restaurant, Aylesford

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ORZO SALAD

with Spinach and Chickpeas Ingredients 1/2 lb uncooked orzo (or whole grain rice) 3 to 4 cups baby spinach 1/4 cup julienned sun-dried tomatoes 1(15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed 1/2 cup reduced feta cheese, crumbled 1 lemon, juiced 2 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil Fresh ground pepper, to taste Method Cook orzo according to directions.

Al dente is usually around nine to ten minutes. Drain and rinse with cold water.

Drain again. Pour orzo into a large mixing bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss until well combined. Taste and add fresh cracked pepper, if needed. Serve right away or can be stored in the refrigerator for two days in an airtight container.

SWEET, SALTY, CRUNCHY Zingy Apple and Celery Salad

Ingredients 2 cups celery, thinly sliced 1 sweet-tart apple 2 tablespoons (heaping) golden raisins 2 tablespoons capers 1 tablespoon fresh squeezed lemon juice 1 tablespoon good olive oil 2 tablespoons thinly sliced fresh mint 3 tablespoons Method If the raisins are dry, soak them for ten minutes in a bit of apple juice or water.

Then drain them.

Combine the celery, apple, raisins, and capers in a medium-large bowl. Drizzle with the lemon juice and olive oil and toss well to coat.

Throw in the sliced mint and the crumbled ricotta salata and toss again until everything is a lovely jumble. Serve, this salad also just grows better as it sits a little while and the ďŹ&#x201A;avors hang out and get to know each other a bit better.

SMILE! The man behind the toothpaste giant t is one of the world’s best known and instantly recognisable brand names – and the chances are one of its products are in your bathroom. Colgate’s distinctive name and logo is synonymous with oral care and its reach is truly global. It’s financial figures for 2013 demonstrate it’s remarkable scale – profits of more than $3.5bn, worldwide sales of more than $17bn. Across the world it employs well in excess of 30,000 staff.

There is no denying it is one of the globe’s business success stories.

But did you know that it’s founder was born and raised in Kent, before circumstance and politics led him and his family to flee – sailing across to America where he would embark on quite remarkable life, where his business success ran in tandem with his dedication and devotion to God? William Colgate was born in Hollingbourne, just outside of Maidstone on January 25th, 1783.

He was the son of farmer and politician Robert Colgate and his wife Sarah.

But they were no normal family. Robert Colgate was openly sympathetic to the republicans in America who were seeking to gain independence from their British rulers. In addition, he supported the French revolutionairies.

Such views were far from acceptable in these politically delicate times, however, and Colgate’s outspoken support was beginning to upset those in power. It would reach a head in dramatic fashion.

The family had moved to Shoreham, near Sevenoaks, when, on a chilly night in March 1795 they were awoken from their sleep by a loud pounding on the door of their home. William, just 12 at the time, woke with a start.

The caller was a private messenger sent directly by Prime Minister William Pitt. A friend of Robert Colgate, he was advising him that if he insisted on staying in the UK he faced, very possibly, mortal danger. Or, at best, imprisonment.

Fearing for the safety of himself and his family, his choice was stark. He would have to uproot and leave all behind him.

So the family packed up their belongings and boarded a ship bound across the Atlantic – destination Baltimore.

The year was 1795.

After setting up a farm they would move to Maryland and

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View of Hollingbourne: Where William Colgate was raised

William found himself adjusting to a very different life.

Significantly, his father would form a short-lived partnership to produce and sell soap and candles. The union would not last long – a mere two years – but having helped the two men, it planted a seed in William Colgate’s young mind.

Looking to establish his fortune, William Colgate moved to the hustle and bustle of New York City in 1804, where he would swiftly find employment.

He began as an apprentice to a soap-boiler, learning the ropes and understanding the trade.

Building on what he had experienced first-hand with his father’s short-lived venture, he picked up the key issues quickly and his talents were clear, even at such an early stage.

As his apprenticeship ended two years later, William Colgate was ready to go it alone. In 1806 he opened a starch, soap and candle factory on Dutch Street – William Colgate and Company was formed. The factory would establish itself quickly – William drawing on the contacts and experience he had gained during his apprenticeship to make his business a great success.

The company name was shortened, after his death, to simply Colgate and Company and fell under the management of his son, Samuel. He was not convinced he wanted the job, but felt a sense of duty to continue his father’s efforts.

He introduced more lines of soap and, in 1873 it’s very first toothpaste – sold in jars. It would start the company into the profitable world of oral health – with, in 1896, it investing heavily in it’s own research laboratories. By 1908, it began the mass production of toothpaste in tubes.  Colgate-Palmolive Building 300 Park Avenue, USA

Before long he had become one of the most successful in New York.

Alongside his success was an ever growing spiritual side. Baptised in 1808, he would be intimately involved in his local churches – doing far more than simply attending worship. He donated huge chunks of his salary to the church – up to 50 per cent near the end of his career – and was responsible for funding a number of major buildings.

In 1833, however, he suffered a major set-back. He suffered a significant heart attack at the age of 50 which took him several years to recover from. He would survive until he was 74.

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In 1928, Colgate would be bought up by Palmolive, purveyor of the world’s best-selling soap. The union would create a power house of a company. It remains today the company’s full name – Colgate-Palmolive.

The company would compete with the likes of soap giant Proctor+Gamble for the consumer market. When television sets were first introduced, regular dramas acquired their popular name of ‘soap operas’ courtesy of their sponsorship and funding by the major soap firms – with Colgate-Palmolive being one of those getting involved in those early days.

The remainder of the 20th century would see it establish itself as a major brand, it’s high profile television advertising campaigns making it a household name both

in the US and back in William Colgate’s home country.

The rest, as they say, is history.

So next time you brush your teeth with Colgate, remember that back in history, it was right here in Kent that the man who would create such an iconic brand began his life and made such a name for himself – so many, many miles away. mmm

Granite Transformations_mmm master 25/07/2014 09:24 Page 1

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TOPIARY perfect garden feature opiary is the art of training plants (typically evergreen shrubs and trees) into intricate or stylised shapes and forms.

The term may also be used more loosely to describe a number of garden features that rely on the close clipping and shaping of plants.

Parterres Typically lavish Italian renaissance gardens would have simple, large, clipped specimens in and among statues. These would then have beautifully ornate clipped box hedges swirling around them in mirrored patterns or geometic designs. This style of hedging is known as a parterre garden. In earlier parterre gardens, the gaps in the patterns would be left open and the ground would be covered with ornamental gravel to produce a crisp clean effect. As time went on the styles got more and more elaborate and other plants were added to give extra colour and interest.

Mazes and labyrinths The Normans introduced pleasure gardens with mazes and labyrinths formed from clipped plants. A number of private and public gardens still have such features today.

Knot gardens Topiary gardens became very popular in Great Britain during the reign of the Tudors and Stuarts. During this period knot gardens and clipped ornate shapes were introduced to gardens up and down the country. The knot garden was formed from different coloured box planted

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in crisscrossing patterns so, that it appeared that the ribbons of hedges had been tied up in knots.

Highly-scented herbs were also used as hedging plants and planted in and among the gaps to give a tapestry of colour.

Topiary is still used today in many modern styles, as there is always room for a clipped masterpiece.

Starting your own topiary 1. Decide upon the shape you wish to create.

Balls, pyramids and cubes are a few of the easiest shapes to start with 2. Choose which plant you would like and whether it is to be grown in the ground or in a pot and then plant it 3. To encourage strong healthy growth apply an annual dressing of Growmore and a mulch of organic matter in the spring 4. For standard specimens (e.g. lollipops), select one upright shoot to act as your main stem, tie this to a cane or stake and remove

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all others. Gradually clear the lower part of the stem of shoots and foliage, continuing until the desired height of main stem is reached (which could take several years) 5. Begin clipping it into shape. You could do this by eye or make a template or a wooden frame to ensure the shape is clipped uniformly.

6. As the plant matures, it will bush out and the branches and leaves will become tightly knitted together to give the solid appearance. This can take many years depending on the plant selected and the ultimate desired size 7. Allow for the plant to grow to the desired height before its main leader is trimmed.

How to maintain existing topiary Existing specimens should be trimmed once or twice a year to maintain their shape; vigorous species may require more. Growmore can be applied once a year in the spring if desired, to help maintain the plants vigour and appearance. Mulch with bark or organic matter if the plant is not surrounded by ornamental gravel.

Topiary frames Simple shapes such as balls can often be trained by eye.

However, for more intricate shapes, frames are available.

The subject for topiary specimens can range from fairies and mushrooms to horses and people. They are usually placed over the plant in the early stages of growth allowing the plant to fill the frame to create the desired shape, acting as a former. Once the plant starts to protrude through the frame, prune once or twice a year through spring and summer to maintain the shape. a

Suitable Season(s) for Topiary Throughout spring and summer

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The frames can either be made out of galvanised wire or plastic-coated wire which is usually green or grey. Some can be removed and reused though most are just meant for one use and remain part of the structure of the plant, ultimately hidden from view by the foliage. The frames are often sold with a box plant ready to start.

When to clip Trim annually with topiary shears or hedge-cutters in early or late summer to keep specimen in shape. Faster growing species may need to be trimmed twice or more each season. Suckers and unwanted branches can also be removed.

With these in mind you can rest assured that topiary will liven up your garden to it’s fullest potential. mmm

How do you care for your Topiary Trees?

Watering Most plants prefer to be kept evenly moist, but not soaking wet. Ivy, olives, euonymus and the herbs prefer to dry slightly before being watered. Feel the soil often to determine when to water. Carefully pour water on the surface of the soil until some drains out the bottom. Do not allow any plant to stand in water.

Light Most plants require a fair bit of light when placed indoors. Note that placement directly in a west or south facing window can be too much light and heat for most plants and will require very frequent watering. Filtered light from these windows is perfect, however, as is placement in a north or east facing window. If no natural light is available, artificial light no further than one foot away is fine, as long as it is on at least eight hours a day. During the summer, placement of your plants in a shaded outdoor porch or patio is very beneficial as long as no direct afternoon sun is received.

Fertilizer Fertilize perhaps monthly while the plant is actively growing following the manufacturer’s instructions.

Don’t fertilize a stressed plant as this will further stress the plant’s roots.

Pests Actively monitor your plants for signs of insects or disease. If caught early, most pests can be removed by simply squishing, rinsing, wiping or minor pruning. The best preventive measure is to rinse the entire plant (not the soil) in cool water weekly. The act of rinsing or sprinkling the leaves regularly helps to keep them clean, green and free of insects. If an infestation does occur use an appropriate pesticide and follow the manufacturer’s instructions.

Repotting Once the plant is root bound, or just perhaps dries out too quickly to easily maintain, you may repot into a slightly larger pot, being careful not to over - or under-water the plant.

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VxÄxuÜtà|Çz ÉäxÜ GC çxtÜá Éy uâá|Çxáá You can be sure that your garage door installation is expertly carried out with no fuss, and you will see why we are the number one garage door company.

• Automation of new and existing doors gates and barriers • Domestic and commercial • Maintenance contracts • Access control • Supply and install • Servicing and repairs

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Park House Beautiful detached family home situated in charlton court palace

Property - Park House Address - East Sutton, Kent Bedrooms - Six Bathrooms - Four Price - ÂŁ1,595,000 Park House Magnificent six double bedroom detached family home with just over 4500 sq ft of accommodation finished to an incredibly high specification. Set within a plot of approximately. 0.5 acre with stunning views over the Weald. Double garage and ample private parking. Well away from roads in a peaceful location.

Park House is one of seven individual luxury properties located at Charlton Court Place which was constructed in 2008 by Fernham Homes. Presented throughout in a pristine condition, this substantial property offers a fantastic family home well equipped for modern day living and has been finished to a superb high standard and quality throughout. Particular features of the property include a fully wired music system, a home cinema, remote control alarm system and wiring for CCTV. There is a bespoke fitted kitchen and all the bathrooms have been fitted with luxury vanity units and storage.

The ground floor comprises of a light and spacious entrance hall with parquet flooring and an oak turned staircase, stunning open plan kitchen/dining/family area with fully plumbed under floor heating, Lutron lighting and a bespoke fully fitted kitchen by Woodlands with granite work surfaces. Appliances include, Siemens steam oven and heater, American style fridge freezer, two dishwashers, two glass fronted wine cooler fridges, microwave and coffee machine. There is also a Falcon range cooker with gas hob. The utility room is fitted with matching kitchen units and granite work surfaces, tumble dryer and washing machine. From the kitchen a separate staircase takes you up to the cinema room which is fully fitted with large flat screen and a 7.1 sound system. The remainder of the ground floor provides a library with fitted units, a lovely sitting room with doors to the sun terrace and an open fire, study, dining room and cloakroom.

The second floor provides a very spacious landing, luxury master bedroom with en suite bathroom, double shower and plasma TV, fitted dressing area with numerous wardrobes providing hanging, shelving and ample storage.

Guest bedroom with en suite shower room and fitted wardrobes. Four further double bedrooms all with fitted wardrobes and two with en suite shower rooms and a

separate family bathroom. These rooms all speak volumes and must be seen to be full appreciated.

Charlton Court Place is approached from the lane behind the privacy of powered gates giving access to the properties. A further electric five bar gate gives access to the driveway with external lighting activated by sensors, parking area with landscaped boarders and double garage. The rear garden is fully fenced to all sides and is mainly laid to lawn.

The property is located just a short drive to the renowned Sutton Valence Preparatory School and Sutton Valence Independent Day and Boarding Senior School.

For more details, contact Madeleine â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Rose estate Agency 01622 84 44 55.

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Motors CITROËN C4 CACTUS Citroën C4 Cactus new world, new ideas ur world is changing and customer expectations are evolving at an increasingly rapid rate, which means ever greater demands on today’s products and services. With the new C4 Cactus, Citroën has acknowledged these new customer requirements, offering a real alternative to the traditional compact hatchback.

Boasting a striking design, the new Citroën C4 Cactus stands out from it’s rivals in the competitive C segment, offering a unique style that is both functional and attractive. In doing so, Citroën meets a specific challenge – bringing customers more of what really counts. a

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More Design The new Citroën C4 Cactus reconciles the characteristics of good looks and functionality, with unique styling that is both memorable and easily identifiable. This is a design that features: - Pure, smooth surfaces - Flowing lines, free of harsh edges - Floating quarter-lights and a floating roof - A high-tech light signature with daytime-running LED lights and headlights built into the Airbump® protection at the front - Visual features that each highlight a given function – from Airbump® and wheel arch protection to the strong useable roof bars and the large panoramic glazed roof with it’s advanced heat protection.

Airbump®: a Citroën exclusive Airbump® technology neatly sums up the fundamental purpose of design, to combine style and practicality.

Fitted to the sides of the car and the bumpers, Airbump® adds a graphic structure to the pure, smooth bodylines of the new Citroën C4 Cactus. Available in four colours (black, grey, dune and chocolate), they can be matched with the ten body colours and three choices of interior trim to offer a wide range of customisation options. The result is an attractive, functional innovation that makes city driving a more relaxing experience.

Greater Comfort The first way to provide greater comfort is to create more space for the driver and passengers, and to de-clutter the

cabin to provide a friendlier, more relaxing environment.

The low dashboard, with it’s horizontal lines, creates more space for the front passenger and offers generous and easily accessible storage. This result was achieved by adopting a fully-digital interface and optimising the dashboard layout.

The driver and front passenger both gain from this new interior architecture. The wide front seats are designed in the style of a sofa, to create a more comfortable and userfriendly ambience in the cabin.

More Useful Technology With a focus on ease of use, connectivity and accessibility, the technologies featured on the new Citroën C4 Cactus focus on the real needs of today’s motorists.

A fully digital and intuitive touchscreen interface is fitted as standard, a 7-inch touchscreen featuring seven main control buttons gives access to a full range of modern vehicle functions, including: - Automatic air conditioning - Media (digital radio, audio streaming, connection of mobile devices and functions to store music or display photos) - Navigation (speed limit display, traffic updates and efficient route options) - Driving aids (reversing camera, park assist, programmable speed limiter and cruise control) - Telephone (hands-free function via Bluetooth®, phonebook access, display of profile photos and double call management)

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- Connected services (Citroën Multicity Connect portal via a 3G connection) - Parameter settings (including an interactive on-board manual).

All these controls are grouped on a single screen, ensuring they are always easily accessible.

Reduced Cost of Ownership While delivering more of what really counts for customers, the ownership proposition with the new C4 Cactus needed to be one that remained affordable. A vehicle budget includes not only the purchase price, but also the running costs (fuel, servicing, etc.) and Citroën’s objective was to deliver an all-round cost-effective solution. Supporting customers from purchase through to resale adopting an approach similar to mobile phone price plans, Citroën brings New C4 Cactus customers a range of funding options in the form of a monthly flat-rate or mileage-based payment, depending on the country.

This innovative service covers all expenditure, excluding fuel, during the period of the agreement: finance, insurance and servicing. For a fixed monthly payment, customers can select their preferred trim level (equipment, engine, etc.) and the level of service they require (type of cover, all-in or mileage based, etc.) without exceeding their budget.

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Miss Myee Maplesden Noakes

MBE Maidstone can boast of having many fine schools. Some are named after famous townspeople with one school in particular having links with a person whose life was devoted to public service in Kent. She was also a pioneer pilot, the first female to get a licence in the county, as Robin J Brooks discovered

n February 9th, 1966 over 300 people attended a memorial service at All Saints’ Church in Maidstone.

With the address given by Canon L G Appleton, the director of religious education in the Canterbury diocese, the service was dedicated to the memory of Miss Myee Maplesden Noakes MBE. Often described as a woman with an acute, lively and penetrating mind, her interests were very wide indeed As a young woman she suffered bad health but this did not stop her from reaching a high academic standard and achieving responsible positions within

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Miss Myee Maplesden Noakes MBE

the county in later life. Born in 1896 in New South Wales, Australia, she was the only daughter of Mr and Mrs Walter Maplesden Noakes. Spending just a few years in Australia with Myee, the family returned to England when she was approaching her ‘teens’ and bought a house named ‘Long Rede’ in Barming near Maidstone where they came to be regarded as the local gentry.

Long Rede was a traditional type of house and in those days was surrounded by orchards and hop gardens.

The family roots had always been within the Maidstone area with their ancestors living in a famous house called ‘Digons’, this later becoming the a

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Jane Prideaux: Head Teacher of Maplesden Noakes School

Head teacher, Jane Prideaux “I am extremely proud to be the head teacher of Maplesden Noakes School and to know that it was named after such a dynamic and public spirited lady who had very close ties to the local area and worked tirelessly to help the people of Kent”.

vicarage to All Saints’ Church before a move was made to Chillington Manor, now the Maidstone Museum.

From the beginning Myee suffered bouts of bad health and was often absent from school for long periods. This persuaded her parents to invest in a glass conservatory in order for her to spend long periods in the sun and continue her schooling at home. Surrounded by the Kent orchards her health gradually improved, though bouts of bad health were to continue throughout her life.

Myee continued to live at Long Rede throughout the 1914/18 war and till 1939. In between the wars, the grounds of the house were opened to villagers on May Day and Empire Day, with Long Rede becoming the annual venue for the Barming Flower Show.

With the death of her parents and a second conflict imminent, she was advised to shut the house up for the duration because of the danger of bombs falling on or near the house. Not until victory was announced did she return. In adult life she continued to run the dairy farm that had been started by her ancestors, as well as maintaining her family’s centuries-old tradition of public service. In this respect she joined the Kent County Council in 1946, where she became a member of the education committee. Elected an Alderman in 1954, four years later saw her chosen as vice-chairman of the Kent Education Committee. By 1964 she had unanimously been elected chairman and was already serving as a governor to many schools and colleges.

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There seemed no end to her apparent abundant energy for in addition to these duties, she still managed to represent the county council on the governing body of Wye College and sit in the council of the University of Kent at Canterbury.

One facet of her very full life however that is not so well known is that she became one of the first women in the county to gain her pilot’s licence. Always having a keen interest in flying, she commenced her lessons at the age of thirty three with the Cinque Ports Flying Club, then based at Lympne airfield near Ashford. This lovely grass airfield was the centre of local aviation in Kent with the flying club having six De Havil land DH60G Gypsy Moths on strength. Myee obtained her licence on August 18th 1930, being presented with Licence No. 9398. The outbreak of war forced her to stop flying, as all pleasure flying was banned and although she loved the thrill of taking to the skies, she never went back to it. With flying mainly male dominated at that time, she really did help the equality progression.

As we have seen by the 1950’s, Myee had become very engrossed in civic matters. Her energy and strong principles quickly came to the forefront. Despite all the civic work she still found time to return to the domestic

affairs both at Long Rede and the village.

Sadly all of this took a toll of her health and after several major operations and long spells in hospital, she returned to Long Rede to recuperate. Fully intending to return to civic matters, on the 27th December 1965 she suffered a further attack of her illness and sadly died at Long Rede in the early hours of the morning aged 69.

Myee Maplesden Noakes was many things. Farmer, church worker, politician, pilot and supporter of innumerable voluntary organisations, they were all part of her energetic lifestyle. She gave unfailing dedication and service to the county which was shown by the award of an MBE in later life.

Her legacy lies in the school that bears her name, Maplesden Noakes School, and her former house of Chillington Manor which is now the Maidstone Museum and Art Gallery. In 1993 a family campaign was established to preserve and protect the family ‘coat of arms’, a Sable and a Cross Fitchet. Today two family crests relating to ancestors can be seen in the restaurant high above the east window.

This and the school that bears her name remind us of a very gracious lady of Kent.

BY ROBIN J BROOKS

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LocaL Business news

Business LocaL Business news SPORTS MINISTER OFFICIALLy OPENS £500,000 SPORTS CENTRE A sports centre in Medway is now home to some of the best facilities in the south east following a major transformation.

King’s Rochester Sports Centre, formerly the Stirling Centre, officially opened its doors on Friday 27th June after completion of a £500,000 refurbishment project and Minister for Sport, Tourism and Equalities, Helen Grant was there to cut the ribbon.

In a ground-breaking and innovative arrangement, King’s Rochester took over the centre from Medway Council in October 2012 and over the intervening months, has invested significantly to provide a first-rate facility for its own pupils and also for the local community.

The centre has undergone a major makeover, both inside and out, including the refurbishment and reflooring of the multi-purpose sports hall.

The fitness gym has been transformed with the installation of state of the art cardio-vascular equipment. Bar, dining area, function rooms and conference spaces have also benefitted from a major face-lift and are now ready for business

hire as well as for party-bookings.

Outside, seven tennis courts have just been completed, conforming to stringent Lawn Tennis Association standards. Five netball courts have also been resurfaced.

In his address, King’s principal, Jeremy Walker paid tribute to the vision of his predecessor, Dr Ian Walker who began the project just before he retired in 2012 and whose wish it was to transform the former Stirling Centre into a vibrant, modern, outstanding sports facility for the local community as well as for King’s. He also thanked Medway Council for their support and partnership in making this vision become a reality.

The many guests, including Viscount and Lady De Lisle, The Mayor of Medway - Cllr Barry Kemp, Cllr Rodney Chambers and Cllr Alan Jarrett then toured the centre in the company of Helen Grant and Jeremy Walker to watch pupils and local residents enjoying the new facilities.

Mrs Grant said, “I was delighted to officially open the refurbished King’s Rochester Sports Centre, tour these fantastic sports facilities and meet such

talented young people using them. The partnership between King’s Rochester and Medway Council is a great example of what can be achieved in providing first class facilities to benefit both pupils and the local community in Kent.”

Medway Council’s portfolio holder for community services Cllr Howard Doe also expressed his delight at the culmination of such an exciting project and said: “We have worked very closely with King’s Rochester on this project which has given centre a new lease of life. It is going to open up exciting new sporting opportunities to the community and King’s students.”

John Hellyer (68), local resident who suffered a series of heart attacks ten years ago and was referred to the cardiac rehabilitation clinic at the then Stirling Centre, now comes to the newly-fitted gym twice a week and still attends the cardio class once a week. “The council’s decision to go into partnership with King’s was brilliant” he says. “Staff are experienced, well-qualified and everyone is so helpful and friendly”.

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LocaL Business news

RULES TO PREVENT EXPLOITATION OF ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS MEAN MORE CHECKS FOR LANDLORDS New rules designed to stop ‘rogue’ landlords from exploiting illegal immigrants in crowded and sub-standard accommodation will mean extra paperwork for all landlords – and the risk of a £3,000 fine.

Parts of the Immigration Act 2014 require landlords to make checks on the immigration status of their prospective tenants and to continue to be sure that they have the right to remain in the UK even after the letting commences.

“I suspect many landlords will initially see this as an onerous task and there is likely to be much shaking of heads and moaning,” says property dispute specialist Sarah Woolnough, a legal assistant at leading south east law firm Furley Page. “But, depending on the checks you already carry out when taking on new tenants, this does not spell doom for landlords.”

A landlord will simply need to carry out a check via a website or phone line set up by the Home Office, similar to those which employers are already using to check a potential employee’s status. The Home Office aims to answer queries within 48 hours.

“For landlords who are already carrying out credit searches and taking bank, employer or previous landlord’s references, this check will just become another part of their

checking procedures,” says Sarah. “But time will tell as to whether or not the phone and web enquiry tools will be as quick and easy to use as is claimed.”

Sarah warns: “If a landlord does not carry out the required checks and lets their property to a person who does not have a right to live here, the penalties are steep.”

The rules could come into force as early as October 2014, but will only apply to new tenancies from the implementation date. The Government has not yet decided whether to introduce the system nationwide or area by area, but has promised to prepare a code of practice to ensure that all landlords are aware of their obligations.

Sarah said: “Much press has been seen on the so-called ‘beds-in-sheds’ villages and it is this situation that needs to be stopped, along with the letting of sub-standard accommodation to people who, due to their status, are not able to complain.

“I encourage all landlords to carry out credit checks and referencing before they let their properties; this new requirement may come up in the checks they already carry out or, it is hoped, it will be a simple phone call or web enquiry to get the answer.”

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LocaL Business news

Aylesford Bulls – excellence in Women’s And Girl’s ruGBy Aylesford Bulls is a progressive rugby club that was formed in the 1970’s and has grown rapidly to become one of the largest community rugby clubs in the region.

Over 1,500 people pass through our doors each week for the purposes of playing, participating, supporting and socialising. They also host the most successful netball league in the region and a thriving archery club. The Aylesford Bulls website is regularly in the top 30 visited on Pitchero (from over 10,000 club websites).

The female section of the club was founded in 1999.

The ladies 1st XV now play their rugby in the premiership (ranking as one of the top performing eight teams in the best club competition in the world). The depth of the squad has increased and the female section of the club now boasts a senior ladies development squad, and girls under 18’s, 15’s and 13’s squads alongside their flagship premiership 1st XV. The senior ladies will face Saracens, Wasps, Richmond, Bristol, Worcester, Lichfield, and Darlington Mowden in the league campaign this season and many of their fixtures will be live streamed to an on-line audience in excess of 20,000. Aylesford Ladies 1st XV are the only premiership rugby team in Kent.

Former England Captain, Catherine Spencer, now plays her rugby at Aylesford Bulls, coming back to her Kentish roots. Following her first cap in 2004, Catherine went on to win 63 caps for England, scored 18 times for her country

and captained the team for over three years.

Catherine says “As a Kent girl, it is fantastic to be able to come back to play some rugby in this part of the world again. I grew up in Hythe and started playing rugby for Folkestone when I was about eight years old. Folkestone started a ladies team when I was 15 and I remained with the club for the next ten years playing alongside some of the girls who now represent Aylesford.”

Aylesford ladies are keen to identify like minded, commercial partners to examine mutually beneficial joint projects. If you think your company might fit this profile or if you want to see what ladies rugby is all about, check out the ladies’ page on the club’s website at www.pitchero.com/clubs/aylesfordbulls. The ladies look forward to welcoming you to Aylesford Bulls RFC and to becoming part of their astonishing success story.

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Family guide to whats on & when The Medieval Festival, Leeds Castle, 23rd - 31st August enry VIII will return to Leeds Castle in Kent in the form of two of his most iconic pieces of armour as part of the Medieval Festival, a magnificent nine-day celebration of medieval life and combat, staged in the beautiful grounds of the 900-year-old castle from Saturday 23rd to Sunday 31st August.

Leeds Castle visitors will experience life as it was in the Middle Ages, with a different programme of inspiring activities each day, ranging from the Royal Armouries’ knight school to a 15th century-style longbow archery tournament to infantry skirmishes. Meanwhile, twice daily falconry shows, a medieval market and living history re-enactment camps, will allow visitors to embrace the sights and sounds of this colourful era.

The return to a glorious past will culminate in a thrilling grand tournament comprising authentic jousts and a real life unplanned Mêlée on Saturday 30th and Sunday 31st August.

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Visitors will see the squires arm the knights in full plate armour, before witnessing four knightly warriors compete in this thrilling special ticketed event.

For more information on The Medieval Festival presented

by The Royal Armouries and Leeds Castle please visit: www.leeds-castle.com or www.royalarmouries.org

Sittingbourne Steam Railway, 24th - 25th August he classic children’s favourite ‘Ivor the Engine’ returns to Kemsley Down for the August bank holiday weekend (24/25th) where he will, no doubt, be causing trouble with his naughty driver! Trains leave Sittingbourne Viaduct hourly 11am until 4pm.

The end of season Gala Weekend sees the Railway bow out in style!

There will be a Bowater’s theme to the event this year to celebrate 45 years since the last Bowater’s train.

To find out more and for a descriptive tour, visit the railway’s new website at www.sklr.net or call the talking timetable on 01795 424899 for train information.

T Ightham Mote, Sports Day, 21st August

Make and Paint Activity Days, Margate, 26th August

ome along for some family fun at Ightham Mote with traditional sports. Starts at 11am till 3pm in the afternoon.

For more information visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk/ ightham-mote/

ome along to the Hornby Visitor Centre for the Airfix make and paint activity days. Get the kids out of the house and visit one of the make and paint activity days included in the admission price to the Hornby Visitor Centre. Great fun for all the family - build an Airfix kit, paint it and then take it home to keep. Make and paint activity days run from 10am4pm The Hornby Visitor Centre is open every day, 10am-5pm.

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Seafaring School, Sevenoaks, 12th - 16th August et sail on a nautical adventure as you learn the ropes of seafaring, 1800s style. Experience life on HMS Beagle as you set sail for the Galapagos Islands ready to make your big discovery. Don’t let Fitzroy catch you slacking though or you’ll be mopping the decks for a week - anchors aweigh!

All children are welcome to join in these events.

An additional £1 will be charged on standard admission for every child, member and non member, to help fund this entertainment activity. Visit www.englishheritage.org.uk for more details.

S Fame The Musical, Marlowe Theatre, 18th - 23rd August ased on the Oscar-winning musical film and hugely successful TV series; Fame: The Musical is back - and it’s gonna live forever! Brought bang up-to-date, this exciting new production will take you on a hi-octane roller coaster ride through the dizzy heights and crashing lows as a group of star-struck wannabes seek the ultimate accolade - fame. Set in the New York of today, at the world-famous High School Of Performing Arts New York, talented young hopefuls undertake the journey of their lives. Ambition, triumph, heartbreak and romance conspire to steer them off course, but these kids are determined to live forever.

Bursting with dynamic dance routines and unforgettable songs such as Fame and Let’s Play A Love Scene, Fame: The Musical is the feel-good sensation that you’ll never forget!

Fore more information visit www.marlowetheatre.com

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Kent Life Heritage Farm Park, throughout the summer here’s plenty of family fun to be enjoyed at Kent Life Heritage Farm Park this summer, with a fun-packed programme of daily activities, games and events arranged during the school holidays (24th July to 3rd September).

Children can race against their friends and family in three-legged, wheelbarrow, and egg and spoon contests. You can have a go at hay bale tipping on the farm-themed obstacle course and test your strength in the tug-of-war or throwing the furthest in the wellie toss.

For extra fun you can go water zorbing, paint a pot, climb aboard the junior electric quad bikes, enjoy a

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donkey ride or watch the daily animal feeding sessions.

There will be competitions, tours and trails and the opportunity to get up close with furry and feathered friends in Cuddle Corner. Kent Life has got tractors to ride on, indoor and outdoor play areas to go wild in and fascinating historic buildings to explore, ensuring

Family guide to WHATS ON & WHEN

that there’s always something to do whatever the weather.

Standard admission prices are adults £9.25, children £7.25, concessions £8.25, under-3s and Kent Life members go free.

Additional charges apply for certain activities. Kent Life is open daily from 10am (closing times vary according to the season). For more details and to book visit www.kentlife.org.uk or call 01622 763936.

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2014 Trilby Tour, Tudor Park, Maidstone - 6th August he Trilby Tour 2014 qualifying events plus the Grand final are all being hosted at the prestigious Marriott golf venues across the United Kingdom including Scotland and Wales.

All venues are currently hosting a number of pre-championship qualifier days with the winner of each event winning a place in the 2014 Trilby Tour.

The William Hunt Trilby Tour has developed into one of the highlights on the amateur calendar. It enables amateur golfers the rare opportunity to experience playing under the pressures of an international televised event. Each regional championship is broadcast on Sky Sports as part of the Trilby Tour series and it is officially the largest amateur golf television series in the UK and Europe. The 2014 Trilby Tour began at Hanbury Manor in Hertfordshire on Monday May 12th, and visits all ten Marriott Golf resorts across the UK before culminating with the 2014 grand final hosted by the Marriott St Pierre in South Wales on Thursday August 21st.

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Sit in a Spitfire our chance to ‘Sit in a Spit’! This is the only place you can Sit in a real airworthy Spitfire. A unique experience at one of the country’s most famous former RAF airfields. For more details visit www.bigginhillheritagehangar.co.uk

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Summer In The City Festival at Fremlin Walk, Maidstone, 2nd August rom 19th July to 9th August, Fremlin Walk in Maidstone will be transformed into a chic city garden, complete with a dedicated astro-turfed garden area where customers can sit and relax on giant beanbags and deckchairs, soaking up the summer atmosphere. Shoppers can buy summer goodies from a range of summer stalls including a vintage style ice cream van.

Beauty in the Walk Pamper yourself in the sunshine! House of Fraser is holding a special ‘beauty in the walk’ outdoor event, bringing out it’s best beauty brands such as Decleor, Clarins, and Dior to the Fremlin Walk garden.

Enjoy free demos, treatments and enjoy a free goodie bag! This will be a fantastic event for those interested in looking their best, and the setting of the garden area will make it truly special.

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Family guide to whats on & when

Chegworth Valley Open Farm Day, 10th August he soft fruit harvest is now well underway at Chegworth Valley!

With land covering over 200 acres, strawberries and raspberries are now being picked by the trayload on a daily basis and will continue harvest throughout the summer. In addition to soft fruit, the organic farm also grows a wide variety of salad leaves, tomatoes, fruit and vegetables available seasonally from the farm gate, as well as next day home delivery throughout London and Kent.

Although not usually open to the public, Chegworth Valley will be hosting their first open day with guided tours and juice tastings on Sunday 10th August, 2014 giving a unique opportunity to visitors to see ‘behind the scenes’ and an interesting insight into how the fruit and vegetables are grown, with the chance to buy all the produce on the day.

The day will run from 11am – 4pm and booking for the tours is essential.

For more information call 01622 859272.

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Welling Charity Toy and Train fair, 13th August he Association of Bexley Charities ’78, which represents 11 local branches of organisations supporting the community in their fundraising efforts to improve people’s lives, is holding a charity toy and train fair on Wednesday 13th August.

There will be new and pre-enjoyed model railways, books, die-cast vehicles (Dinky, Corgi etc), postcards, photographs, stamps, teddy bears, puzzles, cigarette cards.

It will be held from 6.30pm to 9.30pm. at the Falconwood Community Centre. There is a large car park with flat access and refreshments will be available. Admission is adults 95p, accompanied children free.

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Catwalk: Tommy Hilfiger

Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Spring/Summer 2014

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mmm Magazine 31

August 2014