MMM Magazine February '17

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CLAIRE FOY

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Valentine’s

GIFT IDEAS TIPS ON CHOOSING YOUR

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elcome to the February edition of mmm – and we are in the mood for love!

Amid all the gloom and cold winter weather, alentine’s ay nally gives something to warm us all up doesn’t it?

While the cynics among us may put it down as an exercise in commercialising affairs of the heart, most of us treat it in the manner in which it is surely intended – a chance to simply celebrate our personal relationships.

From those who have only just met, to those celebrating decades of marriage, Valentine’s Day is still a very special date for many in the diary and we’re certainly going to enjoy it inside this edition. e defy you not to nd something to inspire you.

We’ve got plenty of features in this edition to set the pulses racing, including a very special wedding section for those looking to tie the knot this year or next.

If you’re looking for the perfect venue, then you’re in luck because inside we showcase some of the very best in Kent. So whether you are one of the happy couple or friends or family of someone looking to celebrate their big day, we’re your essential guide.

And while we’re talking love, our two celebrity articles are perfect for the season. We’ve got Robbie Williams who shot his recent video in Kent and who only the coldest of hearts has not warmed to at some stage in his remarkable 25 year career.

Then we have Claire Foy, an actress who is winning hearts – and awards – with her portrayal of the ueen in etflix’s big budget series The Crown. We take a look at her career and the scenes she has lmed in our great county.

Elsewhere, with spring just around the corner, many are starting to think about home improvements, so we’ve got a special feature on flooring what’s best for each room and some great ideas on how to make your home even more comfortable.

And that’s all in addition to all our regular great features which you’ve come to expect from your favourite Kent lifestyle magazine.

So sit back and enjoy this edition of mmm – and we hope everyone has a very happy Valentine’s Day to warm their hearts. And who knows, perhaps the weather will follow suit soon too. We can but hope!

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CONTENT ROBBIE WILLIAMS His life, music, and much more

DATE NIGHT FASHION Look great this Valentine’s Day

BEAUTY Our top beauty picks

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HEALTH AND WELLBEING What’s hot in the health world this season

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WEDDINGS The time has arrived again... can you hear the bells?

SUPERBREAK Hen and Stag party destinations

Find out more about this fabulous actress

FLOORING GARDENING

Keep your garden fresh this winter

NATIONAL TRUST Enjoy the great outdoors

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MOTORS Which cars should you be looking out for?

HISTORY Robin Brooks brings us more timeless tales

Your guide to February

d ia io n 2 2 9 m m m -m

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How to jazz up your space

HOROSCOPES

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CLAIRE FOY

M M M M e 12 - 14 A l b T e l : 016 2 sa l e s@ m w w w .m m

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L t d G H L H o u se , 1st F l o o r , P l a ce M a i d st o n e , K e n t M E 14 5 D Z 9 03 5 - m e d i a . co m e d i a . co m

P u b l i s h e r : R a sa

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Ed i t o r i a l : T o m

W h i t e , R o b i n J B r o o ks,

De s i g n : B e cky

A p p l e t o n , H a n n a h R o ye

T r i ci a L e st e r , S a r a h V i n ce r

S a le s : S u e H o u g h to n , S a m a n th a S m ith F u r t h e r C o n t r i b u t i o n : V i l t e D r e g va

ite

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 2017

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HE LOVES his life

“

HE’S BEEN IN THE SPOTLIGHT FOR A REMARKABLE 25 YEARS, BUT ROBBIE WILLIAMS IS NOW MORE SETTLED AND COMFORTABLE THAN EVER BEFORE

Because of my children and my wife, it keeps me anchored. It provides me with a safe place to go that’s very real

”

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any would suggest that pop stars should reinvent themselves as something of a proven rite of passage. It is, after all, the only way to maintain a long and successful career. Look at David Bowie, Tom Jones, Madonna and Kylie Minogue for just a handful of examples. And certainly Robbie Williams is no exception to that rule. From boy band heart-throb, to solo artist extraordinaire, he has refused to give into his inner demons and a self-confessed ‘addictive per-

sonality’ which has led him down some dark paths during a career which extends to a staggering quarter of a century. Today he is experiencing a revival again – some 25 years after he burst onto the scene as a member of Take That, 20 years after he sensationally quit them, and just over 13 years since he reached the pinnacle of a solo career which saw him perform a string of sell-out concerts at Knebworth Park in front on an estimated 375,000 people. Gone are the tight shorts of Take That, or the endless partying of his solo days. a

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Continued from page 13

Now he is Mr Responsible; settled with his wife, the Turkish actress Ayda Field, since 2006 and father to their two children. With hopes of a third on the horizon, “We’re in negotiations about it now,” he quips.

“Because of my children and my wife, it keeps me anchored,” he explains. “It provides me with a safe place to go that’s very real.

“Because of that I can do my job and enjoy it. I’m just like any other dad that goes to work and it’s an unbelievable job I get to do.”

He was just sixteen when Take That formed in 1990 and eventually went on to become one of the UK’s most successful ever boy bands.

He certainly looks healthier than

ever – well toned and having nally given up smoking. But it’s a battle he admits can be a struggle.

The 42-yearold says: “That’s the thing with having an addictive personality. ne re goes out and another pops up. When I gave up smoking before, I transferred the smoking to working out three hours a day, and then eating Minstrels for three hours every night. I stopped the working out and just carried on with the Minstrels and I ballooned to the point where I had to go on stage and say ‘I know, I look like Elvis before he died. Sorry, everybody’.

“So I went on this hardcore diet but it was tough, and to suppress my appetite I started smoking again.

“

He was just sixteen when Take That formed in 1990 and eventually went on to become one of the UK’s most successful ever boy bands

”

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“But I’ve stopped again as I’m going on tour and when that re goes out, hopefully the next one isn’t sugar, or anything that will put my marriage in jeopardy.”

While comparisons with George Michael may be a stretch for many, there are some striking similarities between the two.

Both had to ght hard to be taken seriously as solo artists after a youth being in such successful boy bands, and both managed it while also having a weakness for recreational drugs. Perhaps as a pointer to that, Robbie dedicated a performance of Freedom 90 – a George Michael song he covered as his debut solo single – during a New Year’s Eve show broadcast live on the BBC from London.

And, like the late Wham! star, it was as a solo star he enjoyed his greatest success. Between 1997 and 2002 he was comfortably the hottest performer in the UK – with a host of hit singles, among them the likes of Let Me Entertain You, Millennium, Angels and a

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Rock DJ, big selling-albums and sellout tours.

“It was crazy and the interest from the newspapers got out of control at times,” he reflects. looked at all the papara i outside my house and just stopped going out. I just stopped.

“By 2008, I’d come through it, went outside and thought ‘Oh, they’ve gone’ and the media spotlight shifted.

“My life became so much more enjoyable. My record sales may have slipped but my quality of life went up remarkably.”

Much of that can be put down to his

I have a lot of male crushes but physically it doesn’t do it for me

”

settled family life and shrugging off the worst of his addictions – something that nally put to bed long running rumours he was either gay or bisexual.

He explained, “I was raised in a society where gay was the thing you levelled at somebody you wanted to hurt the most.

But actually I had a ball in gay clubs.

“There was a time where if you put ‘Robbie Williams’ into Google, it said ‘gay’. When it stopped being ‘Robbie Williams gay’, I wondered what had happened. I have a lot of male crushes but physically it doesn’t do it for me.”

Such was his ease with his past that he a Jeanie Mackinder ©

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Continued from page 16

I’m still sort of waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me

”

even reunited with his former Take That bandmates for a string of live shows. n ctober, while lming the single for his hit Love My Life in Sheppey, he also showed his more accessible side after one fan got a little distracted.

Sasha Burgoine and a friend were driving through Leysdown when they spotted the lm crew. So excited was Sasha, she promptly drove into a lamp post. Her friend told the local press that lming stopped and Robbie not only came down to check they were OK, but also happily posed for photographs. And while his music sales may not be quite as

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powerful as in his hey-day, his appeal is no less strong. Later this year he embarks on a UK stadium tour which includes a show at London’s Olympic Stadium in June. “I’m 25 years in now, but I’m still sort of waiting for the rug to be pulled from underneath me,” he admits about his career, “for it all to be put back in a box and taken away from me, and for me to be sent back to Stoke-on-Trent.” That seems unlikely. He is a very different character from previous incarnations, but the public still adore him, and his personality continues to shine. That rug isn’t being pulled from him any time soon. mmm

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There’s love and there’s danger

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50 SHADES OF

Valentine’s

Michael Kors CamoPrint Holdall £435.00 House of Fraser

For Him...

Pave S uare ufflinks £1850.00 77 Diamonds Regulator 9017 £495.00 DuFa Cashmink Herringbone Block Check Scarf £25.00 John Lewis

Biba Brushed Gold Cocktail Shaker £25.00 House of Fraser

24 Hour Brick Clock by Erwin Termaat £269.00 John Lewis

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For Her...

Confetti Rings £300.00 77 Diamonds

Full Skirt, Gold £48.30 La Redoute

Amore Bracelet £383.35 77 Diamonds

S’Well - The Element Bottle White Marble £45.00 Amara

Bobbi Brown Limited Edition Sultry Nudes Palette £48.00 House of Fraser

Dahlia Divin Le Nectar Eau De Parfum 30ml Spray £48.00 Givenchy Emerald and Diamond Ring £3,950.00 Kaizen Antiques

Kate Spade New York Black Dot Candle £42.00 John Lewis

Katie Loxon The Perfect Pouch, Perfect Pink £15.99 John Lewis

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LINGERIE

to make you feel great Chloe Strawberry Bra £24.00 Boux Avenue

Izandora Black Mix £35.00 Boux Avenue

Chloe Strawberry Thong £10.00 Boux Avenue

So a Balconette £30.00 Boux Avenue

High Waisted Brief £17.00 Boux Avenue

Diamond Tiara Bandeau Black £30.00 Boux Avenue

Thong £30.00 Boux Avenue

Black Embrace Basque £110.00 Calvin Klein Lace Satin Robe £24.00 Dorothy Perkins

Coco De Mer Black Short Robe £60.00 House of Fraser

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SUITED AND BOOTED This Valentine’s Day

WE’VE TAKEN INSPIRATION FROM MR. GREY THIS VALENTINE’S SEASON...

Bloomsbury Italian Flannel Slim Fit Jacket £239.00 Jigsaw

Gingham Double Breasted Jacket £90.00 Next

Shirt and Tie Set £24.00 Next

Linen Grandad Shirt £35.00 Marks & Spencer

M&S Collection Luxury Boots £79.00 Marks & Spencer

Gingham Trousers £50.00 Next

Hammond & Co. Navy Suit Jacket £130.00 Debenhams

Hammond & Co. Navy Suit Trousers £45.00 Debenhams

Donegal Jacket £130.00 Next

Donegal Trousers £69.00 Next

Autograph Black Tailored Fit Dinner Suit £199.00 Marks and Spencer

Stockists of Men’s and Women’s brands

HugoBoss A r m an i T r u e R e l i g i on Scotch&Soda N i c o l e Fa r h i J.Lindeberg Ivan Grundahl John White Matchless Rebecca Rhoades Religion Replay MA . S t r u m Versace Samsoe DayBirger Esemplare JBrand

www.woodsdesignerclothing.com

DATE NIGHT Fashion

WITH VALENTINE’S DAY FAST APPROACHING, HERE ARE SOME DATE NIGHT OUTFIT IDEAS...

Rust Cord Skirt £12.00 Dorothy Perkins Spotty Ruffle ress £55.00 Wallis

Penelope Dress £169.00 Hobbs

Pink Scallop Edge Bag £28.00 Dorothy Perkins

Pink Ruffle Sleeve Top £27.50 Marks & Spencer

Grey Wrap Heels £42.00 Wallis

Bow Twist ourt Black £49.50 Marks & Spencer Crepe Embroidered Dress £1,840.00 Stella McCartney

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Grey Leather Satchel £565.00 Valentino

Printed Silk Scarf £50.00 Biba

Therapy London Pink Micro Bag £30.00 House of Fraser

Jacket £42.00 Next

HARMONY £68.00 Office

Black Bardot Striped Top £30.00 Wallis Embroidered Midi Skirt £45.00 Dorothy Perkins

Siren by Giles £150.00 Debenhams

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BEAUTY Hotlist

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TREAT YOURSELF THIS FEBRUARY TO SOME NEW BEAUTY PRODUCTS

Bene t ‘Fake p’ Concealer £19.50 Debenhams

imited ollection oncealer £8.00 Marks & Spencer imited ollection Hightlight low £8.00 Marks & Spencer

Formula Pearl Illuminiser £19.50 Marks & Spencer

ail arnish Set £16.00 Oliver Bonas

Bene t How to ook the Best t verything £35.00 Debenhams

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Limited Collection Brow Kit £8.00 Marks & Spencer

Florentyna Eau de Toilette Collection £10.00 Marks & Spencer

Salt Scrub £9.50 Radgate Hall Spa

Box of Delights £25.00 Baylis & Harding

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Mercure Maidstone, Hollingbourne, Nr Maidstone, Kent ME17 1RE

Mercure Maidstone Great Danes Hotel

0 8 4 4 Brand 8 1 5 9 New 0 4 5 Matrix Equipment Are delighted to have

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BANNATYNE GROUP

BANNATYNE GROUP INVESTS £850,000 IN ASHFORD HEALTH CLUB & SPA

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he Bannatyne Health Club in Ashford has received a boost to its equipment and facilities thanks to extra investment. The Eureka Leisure Park health club has had state of the art equipment installed on its gym floor following a , refurbishment as part of the Bannatyne Group’s continued investment in all of its UK health clubs. Improvements include the creation of a new functional training area, featuring an mnia Rig, which aims to increase member interaction by allowing up to eight gym goers to simultaneously swing, balance and hang from the equipment to strengthen core muscles in a fun and engaging way. ater Rowers and Skillmill machines have also been installed. The club has also upgraded its technological offering with the installation of y one heart rate monitors and the Bannatyne app, which allows members to keep track of their tness progress, complete challenges on their smart phone and book classes.

ADV ERT O RIAL F E A T U R E

n addition to the new e uipment, the free weights area has been extended and the af Bar has a new healthy menu as part of the group’s investment in its food and beverage offering.

Shaun Suggett, eneral anager at Bannatyne shford, said The new gym floor at Bannatyne Health lub shford is fantastic. ur members will certainly feel and see the bene ts from the state of the art e uipment, which will help them to reach their tness goals more effectively. The mnia Rig is already a big hit with members. Functional training is the way the industry is progressing, with a focus on training movement patterns rather than isolating individual muscle groups. When it is used alongside the new results monitoring e uipment, ’m sure members will see results faster than they thought possible.

The new gym floor and extended free weights area are the perfect complement to our existing facilities including swimming pool, sauna, and group exercise rooms for a whole variety of classes, including the new Block Fit.

SLEEP TO LOSE WEIGHT according to Nicole Scherzinger FANCY BEING A SLEEPING BEAUTY LIKE SCHERZINGER, BUT NOT SURE HOW TO GET MORE SHUTEYE? FEAR NOT, WE HAVE SPOKEN WITH OUR EXPERTS TO GET THEIR 5 TOP TIPS ON GETTING A GOOD NIGHT’S SLEEP NATURALLY…

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EAT LITTLE AND OFTEN

“Ensure you are eating little and often during the day to keep your blood sugar levels steady. This will ensure that the hormone cortisol will start to wind down when you go to bed, as it is supposed to do,” explains Dr. Marilyn Glenville, author of Natural Alternatives to Sugar.

TAKE A BREAK FROM YOUR SMARTPHONE

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New research suggests that those who are practically ‘joined at the hip’ by smartphones and tablets are worsening the quality of their sleep. The research also stated that not only should the likes of smartphones be avoided before bed, but that too much use throughout the day can also have a negative impact on sleep.

“It is important to try to avoid using the likes of your smartphone, especially just before bedtime, as the blue light the devices give off can disrupt your body’s natural nightly production of melatonin, the hormone that makes you feel sleepy,” explains Nutritionist, Cassandra Barns.

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MAKE YOUR BEDROOM YOUR SLEEP SANCTUARY

“It’s important to keep work out of the bedroom, so move studying and getting through your emails to another room. This helps you to associate your bedroom as a place of rest. Establish the mood of the room, making it a calm and relaxing environment, this includes the colour of the walls, bed linen and décor, avoiding very bright, stimulating colours,” advises Shona Wilkinson, nutritionist at the online shopping destination for health & wellbeing, SuperfoodUK.com.

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MOVE WITH MAGNESIUM

“Magnesium is known as ‘nature’s tranquilliser’ and has a calming, relaxing effect on the body. It is particularly helpful if your sleep is being disturbed by cramps, as it is a muscle relaxant. Try to include magnesium rich foods into your diet, such as leafy greens. I’d also recommend Natures Plus KalmAssure Magnesium Capsules,” suggests Cassandra.

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KEEP A REGULAR SLEEP ROUTINE

“Bedtime routines are helpful for good sleep. Keep routines on your normal schedule. Many people I see are actually falling asleep around 9pm and then nd they are waking too early in the morning. ou want to try to go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time every day. A cup of herbal tea, like camomile, an hour before bed can begin the routine. Getting up at the same time is most important.” explains Marilyn.

Romantic Valentine’s Menus ENJOY THIS SPECIAL DAY WITH YOUR LOVED ONE AT OUR RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS, OR COOK UP A DELICIOUS FEAST FOR YOURSELF

THE BEST PLACES to wine and dine this Valentine’s Day TAKE YOUR LOVED ONE OUT FOR A ROMANTIC EVENING AT ONE OF OUR SPECIALLY SELECTED VENUES

THE TYLER’S KILN 27 Hackington Road, Tyler Hill, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 9NE Tel: 01227 471912 Expect a warm welcome and a comfortable, relaxing environment where you can meet friends, enjoy traditional home cooked food and choose from an excellent selection of wines, beers, spirits, teas & coffees. This Valentine’s day, The Tyler’s Kiln are offering a three course meal with a glass of prosecco for £39. The menu is on their website, so don’t miss out!

THE VINEYARD RESTAURANT London Road, Wrotham Heath, Kent, TN15 7RU Tel: 01732 882330 Set in the picturesque village of Wrotham Heath, The ineyard is one of the nest restaurants in the region, where your dining experience will almost certainly exceed your expectations. This Valentine’s Day, The Vineyard Restaurant are have a special offer of £49 per person for a fabulous three course meal. Boasting a list of handpicked wines, you don’t want to miss this dining experience.

WHO’D A THOUGHT IT Headcorn Road, Grafty Green, Nr. Lenham, Kent, ME17 2AR Tel: 01622 858951 With Valentine’s falling on a Tuesday this year, Who’d A Thought It have decided to do a special offer for what they’re calling Valentine’s Week.

On Sunday 12th, Monday 13th, Wednesday 15th and Thursday 16th of February they will be offering a package consisting of a three course gourmet dinner, breakfast, champaigne, roses and chocolates, as well as almost half off their rooms.

DEL IC IO U S R E C I P E S

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LEEDS CASTLE Leeds Castle, Maidstone, Kent, ME17 1PL Tel: 01622 767766 Leeds Castle are offering two fabulous packages this Valentine’s Day: one at their Castle View Restaurant, and another in the Castle itself. This latter package includes a champaigne reception, a three course meal, a stay in the castle and breakfast in the morning. Accommodation and dinner package: State Bedrooms and Maiden’s Tower Bedrooms £599; Battlement Bedrooms £555.

PAD THAI RESTAURANT 15 High Street, West Malling, Kent, ME19 6QH Tel: 01732 870000 For nearly twenty years, Pad Thai Restaurant has built an enviable reputation as one of the best and most authentic Thai restaurants in the south east of England. ith fresh ingredients flown weekly direct from Thailand, authenticity is guaranteed.

This Valentine’s Day, Pad Thai have a special offer of £24.95 per person for a fabulous meal.

THE OYSTER PEARL 185 Faversham Rd, Whitstable, Kent, CT5 4BJ Tel: 01227 272705 Their special Valentines Menu is available for the whole week every evening commencing Saturday 11th February. An innovative three course set menu featuring quality seasonal local produce will also include a free glass of bubbly per person.

The award-winning Oyster Pearl Bar and Restaurant offers high quality and creative dishes served in a pleasant environment with friendly and helpful staff.

LASAGNE to tickle your taste buds

WHY NOT STAY IN THIS VALENTINE’S EVENING AND RE-CREATE THIS FABULOUS LASAGNE RECIPE FROM OUR FRIENDS AT 4 DEGREES

INGREDIENTS Tbsp olive oil red onion, sliced bell peppers any colour combo , sliced clove garlic, minced Tbsp chili powder lb s boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into strips cup chopped fresh coriander uice of lime Salt and pepper sheets of lasagna cups coarsely shredded heddar and or onterey ack cheese Sour cream, for serving

METHOD Preheat the oven to .

Heat the oil in a large saut pan over medium high heat then add the onions and peppers, cooking until they begin to soften. Stir in the garlic and chili powder and add the chicken, cooking all the way through.

Stir in the coriander and lime uice and season to taste.

To assemble the lasagna, spoon a little of the sauce into a large oval dish, spreading to coat the bottom. ay pasta sheets

over this and top with half of the chicken mixture. Top the chicken with a third of the cheese. Repeat layering with pasta sheets, the remaining chicken fa ita and a third of the cheese. Finish with a nal pasta layer and remaining cheese.

Bake this uncovered, for minutes, until the cheese begins to brown. llow the lasagna to cool for minutes before serving.

Recipe from 4 Degrees Craft Bar & Restaurant Royal Star rcade, High St, aidstone www. degreesmaidstone.co.uk

DEL IC IO U S R E C I P E S

Just outside Canterbury is the pretty village of Bridge, and right in its centre is the White Horse, offering a good choice of homely fare. for s g in k o o b g in k a T Valentine’s Day 14th February

OPENING TIMES BAR: Monday to Sunday 11am-11pm LUNCH: Monday-Saturday 12noon-5.00pm

EVENING: Monday-Friday 5.00pm-9.00pm Saturday 5.00pm-9.30pm SUNDAY LUNCH: Sunday 12noon-8.00pm

info@whitehorsebridge.co.uk | www.whitehorsebridge.co.uk 01227 833830 | 53 High Street, Bridge, Canterbury, Kent CT4 5LA

POACHED EGGS on avocado & feta toast THE PERFECT BREAKFAST IN BED TREAT

INGREDIENTS tbsp white wine vinegar large eggs avocado g feta tsp chilli flakes uice lemon slices of sourdough Recipe from BBC Good Food http://www.bbcgoodfood.com/ DEL IC IO U S R E C I P E S

METHOD Fill a large saucepan with water, add the vinegar and bring to a hard boil over a high heat. nce boiling, reduce the heat so the water is simmering, then use a spoon to swirl the water into a whirlpool. rack in both eggs and cook for

mins. eanwhile, in a small bowl, mash the avocado, feta, chilli flakes and lemon uice, and season well with black pepper. Toast the bread.

Pile the avocado and feta on the toast, then put a poached egg on top of each.

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CLASSIC COCKTAILS ENJOY MAKING THESE DELICIOUS AND EASY COCKTAILS THIS VALENTINE’S DAY

SEX ON THE BEACH INGREDIENTS FOR 2

EQUIPMENT

METHOD

18ml Archers Peach Schnapps 70ml Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka 70ml Orange Juice 70ml Cranberry Juice

2 x Tall glasses 1 x Jigger 1 x Stirrer Ice cubes

Fill a tall glass with ice cubes.

Pour Archers Peach Schnapps, Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, cranberry juice and orange juice into the glass.

STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI INGREDIENTS FOR 2 100ml Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold 50ml Fresh Lime Juice 50ml Sugar Syrup 6 Freshly Chopped Strawberries 2 Strawberries for Garnish

DEL IC IO U S R E C I P E S

EQUIPMENT 2 x Martini glasses 1 x Knife 1 x Chopping Board 1 x Strainer 1 x Cocktail Shaker 1 x Jigger Ice cubes

METHOD Fill your shaker 3/4 full with cubed ice.

Pour in Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, sugar syrup, fresh lime juice and chopped strawberries.

Shake vigorously for 10 seconds until cold.

Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a strawberry.

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MOJITO INGREDIENTS FOR 2

EQUIPMENT

100ml Captain Morgan White Rum 2 dashes Soda Water 4tsp Caster Sugar 4 Lime Wedges 2 Mint Sprigs

2 x Tall glasses 1 x Jigger 1 x Muddler 1 x Knife 1 x Bar spoon Crushed ice

COSMOPOLITAN INGREDIENTS FOR 2

EQUIPMENT

70ml Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka 20ml Orange Liqueur 2 Lime Twists 90ml Cranberry Juice 20ml Lime Juice

2 x Tall glasses 1 x Jigger 1 x Chopping Board 1 x Cocktail-Shaker 1 x Knife Crushed ice

METHOD Press down on 2 wedges of lime and 2 teaspoons of caster sugar in a tankard or jar using a large spoon or pestle.

Pick 12 leaves from a sprig of mint and place in the glass.

Press down gently on the mint, together with the sugar and lime.

Add crushed ice so the glass is ž full.

Pour in Captain Morgan White Rum and a dash of soda water.

Stir with a spoon.

Add ice and a sprig of mint.

METHOD Fill a shaker with ice.

Add Smirnoff No. 21 Vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry juice and lime juice into the shaker.

Shake vigorously using a cocktail shaker until the surface of the shaker feels chilled.

Using a cocktail strainer, strain the liquid into a martini glass.

Using a sharp knife and a chopping board, cut a piece of lime peel and twist the peel onto the rim of the glass to garnish.

BETWEEN THE SHEETS INGREDIENTS FOR 2

EQUIPMENT

METHOD

50ml Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold 50ml Orange Liqueur 50ml Brandy 50ml Lemon Juice 2 Lemon Peel Zests

1 x Strainer 1 x Knife 1 x Jigger 1 x Chopping Board 1 x Shaker Ice

Fill a shaker with ice.

Add Captain Morgan Original Spiced Gold, Orange Liqueur, Brandy and lemon juice.

Shake until cold.

Strain the mixture into a chilled martini glass using a cocktail strainer.

Pare a thin strip of lemon peel zest. Snap to release the flavouring oils, and then drop into the drink.

Recipes from: The Bar.com https://uk.thebar.com/

CHART FARM VENISON & salt baked celeriac puree THIS VENISON DISH IS SURE TO WET YOUR APPETITE

INGREDIENTS for the Venison Brine serves 4 people For the venison brine 500g elder berries 100g Thyme , 4 litres water 400g sea salt 4x bay leaf 25g garlic Celeriac puree Slow braised spare rib of venison Buttered baby carrots Chargrilled leek SautÊed girolle mushroom Sauce reduced from venison cooking liquor and stock reduce by half Recipe from: Princes Golf Club Prince’s Golf Club, Sandwich Bay, Sandwich, Kent CT13 9QB Tel: 01304 611118

METHOD Bring all to the boil then chill Trim the venison loin (allow 7oz Venison per person) Place in the brine for 8 hours...

Remove from brine pat dry and roll in to a sausage shape Chill for 24 hours

DEL IC IO U S R E C I P E S

FOR THE SALT BAKED CELERIAC PUREE Using 1 celeriac: Mix 110g egg whites & 700g salt to a soft peak and spread over celeriac, bake for 1 1/2 hours at 180C When cool take the inside flesh and blend with g of cream until smooth

FOR THE VENISON Heat a pan with a knob of butter until foaming and add the venison loin searing on all sides Once seared let it rest in the oven at for ve minutes then remove from the oven and let rest for a further 5 minutes until tender

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© Claire Johnson Photography

BRIDAL WEAR FEATURED DRESS DESIGNER - JATIN PATEL MAKE-UP MOTHER OF THE BRIDE LOCAL PHOTOGRAPHERS

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WEDDING FAIRS

Kent Weddings Event Diary 12th February Royal Wells Hotel, Royal Tunbridge Wells 19th February Oakwood House Oakwood Park, Maidstone 19th February Hop Farm Wedding Fair, Paddock Wood 19th February Brands hatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham 22nd February Salomons Estate, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

23rd April The Orangery, Turkey Court, Turkey Mill, Maidstone 23rd April Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone 23rd April Bridgewood Manor Hotel, Chatham 21st May Mercure Tunbridge Wells Hotel, Pembury, Tunbridge Wells

26th February Village Hotel, Maidstone

21st May Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone

26th February Tudor Park, Maidstone

4th June Ashford International Hotel

2nd March One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells

25th June Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone

5th march Salomons Estate, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells

2nd July Hilton Hotel, Maidstone

5th March Mercure Dartford Brands Hatch Hotel

16th July Brands hatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham

12th March Mercure Great Danes, Maidstone

23rd July Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone

12th March Ashford International Hotel 12th March Priest elds Stadium,

illingham

19th March One Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells 19th March Inn on the Lake, Gravesend 19th March Brands hatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham 9th April The Kent Showground, Detling

20th August Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone 28th August Hilton Hotel, Maidstone 14th September Brands hatch Place Hotel & Spa, Fawkham 24th September Royal Wells Hotel, Tunbridge Wells 24th September Chilston Park Hotel, Sandway, Lenham, Maidstone

Please contact events directly for full details.

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Bridal wear

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING PARTS OF THE WEDDING PLANNING PROCESS IS SHOPPING FOR THE WEDDING DRESS, THE GROOMSWEAR AND THE BRIDESMAID DRESSES. YOU CAN FIND INSPIRATION AND IDEAS HERE

Cathlyn Dress £495.00 Phase Eight

Delphine Manivet Lace Textured Wedding Dress £249.00 La Redoute

Genevieve Fur Cape £69.00 Monsoon

Cressida Dress £395.00 Phase Eight

Occasionwear Collection Ophelia Stud £22.00 Hobbs

Jennifer Behr Venus Bobbypin £100.00 Selfridges

Vienna Veil £89.00 Monsoon

Satin & Lace Hinup heel £89.00 Pretty Eccentric

Rene Caovilla Swirl 115 Swarovski Crystal Embellished Silk Satin Heeled Pumps £1,045.00 Selfridges

Monsoon

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JATIN PATEL and Kalikas armour KALIKAS ARMOUR IS A LUXURIOUS BRITISH FASHION LABEL SPECIALISING IN HIGH-QUALITY CONCEPTUAL DESIGN AND BESPOKE, MADE TO MEASURE, PIECES WITH UNIQUE AESTHETIC.

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he brand was conceived by creative director, Jatin Patel, who trained at Kiad and UCA in Rochester with a MA Distinction in Fashion Design. He has accumulated over 15 years of experience in the fashion industry, including showcasing RTW collections at the Royal Academy for London fashion week and at Pret a Porter in Paris.

From the Atelier in Rochester, Jatin along with his talented team cut and craft the nest garments for both women and men, creating to every individuals desire. With style, sophistication and individuality at the core, anything is possible from statement cocktail dresses, evening gowns and bridal, to razor sharp men’s tailoring.

The creations echo a timeless beauty and combine classic elegance

Please contact to arrange a Consultation 07787572700 Studio 103 The Bonded Warehouse Hulkes Lane Rochester Kent ME1 1EE

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embodying luxurious embellished fabrics and cloth with a hand nished couture uality aligned with perfect tting, in harmony with individual body shapes and the skills in handcrafted tailoring. alikas rmour offers a service from design through to nal production, creating a completely bespoke garment to your exact speci cations, incorporating not only personal body shape and t but also taste, lifestyle and character ensuring that every piece is truly uni ue.

For weddings, by collaborating with the bride and the groom along with their parties, all out ts can be created to compliment and coordinate the theme. Bridal gowns are designed and created in discretion from the groom ensuring a complete surprise reveal on the special day. This is complemented with decadent menswear, specialising in tailored ackets, waistcoats and shirts in opulent and luxurious fabrics, detailed with distinctive nishings.

ccessories can either be created or sourced from e ually reputable companies ranging from ewellery to flower bou uets. lients can also select a design from the rchive ollection, which can be modi ed to suit personal taste for any occasion. ll consultations and ttings are carried out by Jatin and can be arranged in the studio or at the client’s residence, hotel or a location and time that is convenient to suit. longstanding reputation for design and manufacturing excellence, coupled with a friendly and relaxed approach have ensured many continuing commissions and pro ects with high pro le clientele.

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Make-up IF YOU ARE HAVING A PROFESSIONAL APPLY YOUR WEDDING MAKE-UP FOR THE BIG DAY THEN TALK TO THEM ABOUT WHETHER CONTOURING WILL BE RIGHT FOR YOU AND MAKE SURE YOU EXPERIMENT WITH A FEW DIFFERENT LOOKS DURING YOUR TRIAL.

7 Steps for Contouring Your Wedding Make-Up Perfectly

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GET AN EVEN BASE

It is essential that you prep your skin with your desired foundation before attempting to contour as this will even out your skin tone a flawless base will set your makeup up for success.

CHOOSE THE RIGHT PRODUCTS

Both your contour and highlight can be either cream based or powder based, depending on your preference. These products need to be chosen wisely and we would advise you to stick to either cream or powder, not a mix of both.

GETTING THE RIGHT SHADES

When choosing your product shades make sure that you go two shades lighter than your natural skin tone for the highlighter and two shades darker for the contour colour for the most natural look.

The highlighter doesn’t have to be matte, you can also go for shimmer powder or cream to give more of a dewy nish.

USE THE RIGHT TOOLS

When working with cream based products, you can use both a damp beauty blender (the artists’ favourite) or blending brushes. For example Nanshy’s Marvel 4 in 1 Blending Sponge or Nanshy’s Perfectly Angled Contouring brush are both perfect for cream based products.

KNOW THE AREAS YOU SHOULD CONTOUR

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Focus on your cheekbones and apply the majority of your chosen product from the centre of your ear, gently blending toward the hollow of your cheek. Then contour your forehead, around the hair line and down your jawline. Lastly the sides and tip of your nose, if needed.

KNOW THE AREAS YOU SHOULD HIGHLIGHT

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Highlight the top of your cheekbones, the bridge of your nose, the centre of your forehead, your chin, the arch of your eyebrows and not forgetting, your cupids bow.

MAKE SURE YOUR MAKE-UP IS COMPLETELY BLENDED

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The last tip and golden rule is, don’t worry about high-level coverage and make sure that your products are completely blended.

It’s simply about creating a uniform base and giving yourself the most natural look - you want to avoid harsh lines and caking.

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Mother of the Bride

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hoosing the right colour for the mother of the bride out t is essential.

The bride will not want an out t contrasting with any bridesmaid dresses or wedding flowers, so preparing early and buying your out t several

months in advance is advisable. f as mother of the bride you are planning on wearing a hat or a fascinator with your new out t then this should be bought to match the chosen out t perfectly. Take into consideration the weather, season, and time of the wedding when choosing your out t.

Purple& gold

£39.00 Phase Eight £40.00 Dune

Pale pink

Aquazzura Alexa 50 Patent Leather Courts £445.00 Selfridges

Betsy £60.00 Dune

Champagne Satin Court Shoes £11.00 TK Maxx

Gold Pink Tassel Clutch £99.00 House of Fraser

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Blush Longline Coat £45.00 M&Co

Monsoon Amanda Lace Dress £169.00 Monsoon

£39.00 Jigsaw

Jennifer Bow Hat £99.00 Phase Eight

Pink Enevelope Clutch Bag £24.99 TK Maxx

Lottie Dress £149.00 Monsoon

Collarless Jacket £45.00 La Redoute

Tawny Dress £149.00 Monsoon

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© Claire Johnson Photography

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Local Photographers Claire Johnson Photography

Phone: 07880721865 Email: clairejohnsonphotography@live.com Website: www clairejohnsonphotography.com

© Claire Johnson Photography

Claire’s natural, classic and timeless style will enable you to look back over your special memories for years to come. Stirring the same emotions you felt while they were being taken. Capturing those expressions, feelings and emotions in life’s most memorable and signi cant occasions is what photography should be about and Claire prides herself on being able to do exactly that for her clients.

With a wealth of knowledge and experience, and by creating an extremely relaxed and comfortable environment, you can put your faith in Claire Johnson Photography to capture the best images, at the most special of times.

She is passionate about helping you to recall those exact emotions, engaging you time and time again with your images.

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© pinkspotphotography

© pinkspotphotography

Pink Spot Photography It’s your big day, one of the most important in your life. You need, and deserve, photographs of the highest quality; ones you can look back on and smile at for years to come. Pink Spot Photography specialise in making everyone who they photograph feel comfortable and relaxed, taking real, natural and honest photographs that really capture the essence of your big day. A perfect reminder of your joyous occasion.

Phone: 07792186786 Email: pinkspotphotography@hotmail.com

© Helen England Photography

Helen England Photography

Helen’s photography style is very natural, relaxed and unobtrusive. She aims to blend into the background capturing the beautiful moments of your wedding as they unfold. Her photographs perfectly capture the spirit and emotion of the day in a way which reflects the two of you as a couple.

Helen is happy to cover as much of your day as you’d like her to – from the bridal preparations to the rst dance and beyond. She offers different packages to suit you, and a selection of stunning wedding albums that will display your favourite photographs beautifully.

Phone: 07907 013223 / 01892 459363 Email: helen@helenenglandphotography.co.uk Website: www.helenenglandphotography.co.uk

SUPERBREAK Stag and Hen short breaks PLANNING A STAG OR HEN PARTY IS EXCITING, BUT ORGANISING A GROUP CAN BE DAUNTING AND THAT’S WHEN YOU NEED AN EXPERT TO HELP. WITH A RANGE OF OPTIONS IN THE UK AND OVERSEAS, SUPERBREAK CAN HELP WITH IDEAS AND INSPIRATION, TICKETS AND ENTERTAINMENT, ACCOMMODATION AND TRANSPORT OPTIONS TO ENSURE IT’S A PARTY TO REMEMBER.

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here are so many options these days for Hen and Stag breaks, from action packed UK city breaks or rural retreats to European beach breaks or shopping cities. For the ladies - fun, enjoyable and affordable, a SuperBreak hen

break has it all. From superb theatre breaks in London to chic hen nights in Edinburgh and around the UK, or fabulous weekend breaks abroad there is something for everyone. A hen break usually includes a fun group activity or learning a new skill to help the group bond. Some ideas include: a

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Continued from page 65

COCKTAIL MAKING

Mix it up with cocktail classes! Learn fascinating facts and listen to interesting, award-winning bartender stories, whilst putting what is learnt into practice by sampling a variety of different drinks!

FASCINATOR MAKING

It’s time to get creative and add a glamorous touch to a special occasion!

Fascinator making allows the hen party to have some good old-fashioned fun whilst creating an accessory that will look great for a special occasion.

THEATRE BREAK

SuperBreak offer tickets to a fantastic choice of West Ends shows. Sing-a-long to well known songs, enjoy a classic show or see something a bit different as part of a London theatre hen package including a wide range of London hotels.

CUPCAKE MAKING

The whole group can enjoy this fun, creative and super-tasty activity that will ensure everyone has the perfect cupcake toppers every time. From fashionable sugar-craft with royal icing to beautiful roses, customising sugary treats doesn’t get any sweeter than this. a

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DANCE CLASS

With a wide range of dance classes across the UK, this is the perfect activity to have a laugh with the girls and learn some new moves to show off on the dance floor.

Choose from belly dancing, Bollywood, burlesque, cheerleading, dirty dancing, pole dancing, salsa, street dance and more.

SPA BREAK

Those who would prefer a chilled out hen weekend can choose from SuperBreak’s wide range of hotels, located across the UK for a weekend of feeling relaxed, pampered and ready to take on whatever’s next. a

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For the men...

THERE ARE SOME GREAT THRILL SEEKER, ADRENALINE RUSH ACTIVITIES THAT CAN BE INCLUDED IN A STAG BREAK, BOTH UK AND EUROPEAN Continued from page 67

BARCELONA

Barcelona continues to be the top hen and stag party destination with a great mix of shopping, beaches, nightlife and activities such as a BB catamaran, horseback riding, flamenco shows, and private bar crawls to name but a few.

Barcelona is the capital of the Catalan region, one of urope’s top city break destinations; it’s a cultural hotspot and popular destination for lively nightlife From learning new skills in Spanish cooking classes to relaxing in the sun on a catamaran, Barcelona ticks all the boxes. The city is great for stags, with ou amp, beer bikes, Takeshi astle or even your very own football match inside the lympic Stadium SuperBreak

GO-KARTING

There’s nothing like a bit of lighthearted competition! So race the stag group to the nish line with a Go-Karting experience.

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QUAD BIKING

For those who aren’t afraid of a little mud then a quad adventure is a great adrenalinelled activity

also offer a great choice of hotels and alongside activities there is amazing architecture, the bu of as Ramblas and of course the beach and marina to en oy.

PRAGUE

Prague offers a captivating backdrop of historical attractions, striking architecture and it’s also known as the party capital of urope specially popular for stag parties, the group can en oy a fun packed break with outdoor adventure activities during the day, then onto the bars and clubs at night. There is everything from paintballing in the atacombes, a bobsleigh run and bubble football to an organised pub and club crawl, a Prague Beer tour and private karaoke.

WHITE WATER RAFTING

Get outdoors and see some beautiful scenery, whilst en oying the thrills of white water rafting!

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DISCOVER EUROPE’S finest cities on a river cruise

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ne of the very best ways to explore Europe’s cities – from the grand capitals to the smaller hidden gems – is on a river cruise. The River Cruise ships are like floating hotels, mooring right in the middle of cities and offering easy access to many of the ma or attractions, with guided walking tours or free time to wander the streets. The beauty of a river cruise is that it makes it possible to take in more than one city on a single itinerary, with different experiences in each. The mighty anube flows through

no fewer than 10 countries on its way from Germany’s Black Forest to the Black Sea, passing numerous capital cities and riverside towns of ma or signi cance in the history of central urope. The Rhine flows west, from the mountains of Swit erland through to the flat waterways of Holland and has more castles along its length than any other river in the world. Every port on these rivers offers something different but destinations loved by both rst timers and old hands include ienna, Budapest, msterdam, ologne and the Rhineland town of Rüdesheim.

BUDAPEST

ften referred to as ‘The Pearl of the anube’, Budapest has culture and history in abundance. This is perhaps one of the most unusual cities in all of urope, divided by the anube into traditional ‘Buda’ and cosmopolitan ‘Pest’ and linked by the colossal Chain Bridge. On the banks of the river in Pest lies the impressive Parliament Building, which is a magni cent example of neo gothic architecture. pposite, rising to metres above the water, is the imposing Buda Castle and nearby is the 700 year old Matthias Church – all sites not to be missed and easy to combine on a walking tour of the city. isitors venturing to explore the astle Hill district will be delighted by many of the city’s oldest caf s and restaurants too, including the oldest Rus wurm, which still offers the same highest uality confectionery as when it rst opened in .a T R A V E L INS P IRAT IO NS

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Continued from page 69

AMSTERDAM

Home to hidden bars and restaurants, winding canals, heaps of culture and energy, Amsterdam is perhaps one of the most exciting cities in Europe. Each area of the city has its own distinctive character and charm, with its own variety of shops, cafes and attractions, so there’s something for everyone and plenty to see on a walking tour. There are world-class museums and art galleries to browse, cafés to linger in, as well as gabled buildings and pretty bridges that give Amsterdam the charm of a village rather than a European capital. A boat tour of the city’s UNESCO protected canal ring, which comprises 165 waterways is a great way to explore, while other highlights include the humbling tour of Anne Frank’s House and trip round the Heineken Beer Factory.

RÜDESHEIM

Rüdesheim is a winemaking town in the Rhine Gorge that is full of character, making it one of the most popular ports of call for river cruise passengers on the Rhine. The ‘Old Town’ is a maze of winding streets, at the heart of which is the Drosselgasse, a narrow 15th century cobbled street that is lined with pretty restaurants and wine taverns where visitors are treated to live entertainment. There are castles to explore and, for those with a head for heights, a gondola lift that rises above the town to the Nierderwald Landscape Park and Monument overlooking the Rhine Valley.

Rüdesheim is a delight all year round, but really comes alive in the run-up to Christmas, when market stalls pop up throughout the Old Town selling everything from traditional-style Christmas decorations and hand-made toys, to glassware, fabrics, and of course regional festive delicacies.

For something a little different, visitors can escape the bustling streets to Siegfried’s Mechanical Museum – a treasure trove of self-playing musical instruments and other curiosities. a T R A V E L INS P IRAT IO NS

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Continued from page 70

COLOGNE

Cologne, a centre of German art and culture, is perhaps most famous for its dramatic skyline, dominated by the twin spires of one of Europe’s largest cathedrals.

Cologne Cathedral, known locally as Kölner Dom, took over 600 years to complete and is widely regarded as one of Europe’s greatest examples of gothic architecture. It is regularly voted the country’s top tourist attraction and receives an average of 20,000 visitors a day.

It is a must-see on any visit to the city and those who tackle the 533 steps to the 95-metre high viewing platform in the south tower will be

rewarded with incredible views.

Aside from the Cathedral, which is within easy walking distance of the riverbank where cruise vessels are moored, there are museums galore here, celebrating everything from modern art to the design of everyday objects and chocolate!

Beer drinkers will enjoy the warm, lively atmosphere of the city’s many beer halls, while the modern side of the city offers excellent shopping.

This is a city perhaps at its best in the winter, when Christmas markets take over various squares and are packed with visitors all soaking up the sights, smells and tastes of a traditional German Christmas.

MOUNTAIN EXCURSIONS

When arriving in the mountain resorts of Switzerland you can’t help feeling a sense of adventure and exploration come over you. Whether it is a cable car, mountain railway or cogwheel train the options for visitors to explore high alpine Switzerland are unrivalled. A simple coffee whilst admiring the view, a short hike to an inviting mountain lake, or to walk back down through the pine forests, stopping for a picnic halfway, the mountain excursions in Switzerland are truly magni cent and have something for everyone.

Mount Rigi above Lake Lucerne, one of Switzerlands most popular day excursions and a rm favourite with guests since Victorian times, or a trip to Jungfraujoch (highest train station in Europe) with its ice palace and views over the mighty Aletsch Glacier.

VIENNA

Austria’s capital city, on the banks of the Danube, is packed with imperial history and has a deep-rooted artistic and intellectual legacy, with former residents including Mozart, Beethoven and Sigmund Freud.

Tours are available that take in all the major sites, including the 1,441 room Schönbrunn Palace, regarded as one of the most important architectural, cultural and historical monuments in the whole country. The city, known as the ‘birthplace of classical music’, is a world heritage site and is packed with grand palaces (150 in total) as well as baroque castles, magni cent s uares and striking monuments.

Alongside this array of places to visit, and for those who prefer soaking up the atmosphere than pounding the streets, there are galleries, boutiques, cafés and bars and bustling street markets. Some of the very best places for getting a taste for Viennese life are the traditional coffeehouses, with plenty to choose from!

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Claire Foy and Matt Smith in The Crown

GOLDEN FUTURE for a very regal actress CLAIRE FOY HAS MADE HER NAME IN PERIOD DRAMA, BUT IT WAS AS THE QUEEN SHE STOLE OUR HEARTS

I

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“

Continued from page 73

© Mehmet Cagatay

I was very loud, hyperactive and excitable as a child

”

t is perhaps tting that an actress who has made her name in historic British dramas should win international acclaim for her role as that most iconic of real life characters. laire Foy was best known for roles in the BB adaptation of ittle orrit, medieval adventure Season of the itch and the BB revival of classic ownton bbey precursor, pstairs ownstairs. r perhaps you remember her memorable performance as nne Boleyn in the critically acclaimed olf Hall, alongside shford’s newest knight of the realm, Sir ark Rylance series, coincidentally, which lmed extensively at Tonbridge’s Penshurst Place.

But it was her portrayal of the ueen in etflix’s big budget drama The rown, which elevated her into the big time crowned, suitably enough, with a olden lobe in anuary, one of the international lm and T industry’s most prestigious awards. s she took to the stage in alifornia, it was to Her a esty she paid a

special tribute. really wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for some extraordinary women, and ’m going to thank them. ne of them is ueen li abeth . She has been at the centre of the world for the past years, and think the world could do with a few more women at the centre of it, if you ask me. ertainly she is creating history of her own now.

The rown, available through the T streaming service, was certainly pioneering if only in the sheer scale of the investment in it. t million for the rst episodes, along it was a lavish production and one that saw laire portray the young ueen, alongside her on screen husband, former octor ho att Smith, as the uke of dinburgh. nd she is clearly inspired by the monarch. think she learned how to do her ob, the actress, , explains. She’s stood up to men and women, she’s been a mother, a daughter, and a wife. She’s a Claire Foy in The Crown

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Claire Foy and Damian Lewis in Wolf Hall

Continued from page 75

Orange British Academy film awards in 2011

been vulnerable and strong, regardless of being a man or a woman. There’s huge amounts to respect in that. She’s a complicated and interesting character who had to navigate a very male world, and did that by convincing other people their ideas were best when they were actually hers.”

At 90, the Queen is certainly an intimidating character to portray on screen. Especially as trying to understand her as a person was a signi cant challenge.

“I read lots of books before taking on the role,” the mother-of-one says.

“I watched lots of footage, listened to audio, and did lots of research. But there isn’t much source material about her as a person because of the nature of her job, and the nature of their life.

That’s how they’ve planned it. There was no one I could talk to who had a relationship with her.

“When you’re British, you just accept that they’re there and take them for granted. And then you stop and realise, hang on, this was a young couple with two young children who didn’t think her becoming Queen would happen for another 20 years. Their lives change in an instant, while they’re still grieving and going through something terrible personally [the death of her father]. I don’t know how anyone can’t sympathise with that.”

As with an increasing number of major productions on the big and small screen, Kent was selected as a location during lming of the show, with scenes shot at the Historic Dockyard Chatham where shooting took place on Anchor Wharf after The Crown’s production team built part of the side of a ship.

Not, of course, that Claire is a stranger to royalty.

Her biggest roles have included the aforementioned The Crown and Wolf Hall and four years ago she memorably portrayed Lady Macbeth opposite James McAvoy’s title character in the Shakespeare classic on the London stage.

“I hadn’t really worked for quite a while and I was getting a bit bored and so I thought I’d prepare a part,” she says recalling the period leading up to that role. “‘Maybe I’ll just prepare Lady Macbeth’, I thought to myself. And then I got a call from my agent, who said, ‘do you want to be in Macbeth’.”

She may have perfected the royal persona, but her background is not that of privilege.

Born in April 1984 in Stockport, she was raised in Buckinghamshire by her mother, who worked for a pharmaceutical company, and her salesman father. They would divorce when she was eight, although she admits to having no recollection of any rows or a

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“

I really wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for some extraordinary women, and I’m going to thank them. One of them is Queen Elizabeth II. She has been at the centre of the world for the past 63 years, and I think the world could do with a few more women at the centre of it, if you ask me

”

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disharmony in the family home.

The youngest of three children, her desire for attention would lter into a desire to perform.

“I was very loud, hyperactive and excitable as a child, she reflects. ll ever wanted to do was perform.”

Having fallen in love with the silver screen, she attended university in iverpool to study drama and lm studies before one of her tutors suggested drama school. So she followed the suggestion and enrolled at the Oxford School of Drama.

She explains, “I presumed everyone would be like in Fame and it would be awful.”

Instead she took to it like a duck to water and soaked up the experience, flourishing as a result.

While there, she landed roles in a

Claire Foy in Little Dorrit

number of plays, before securing her professional debut at the Royal National Theatre in and The iracle, directed by Paul iller. t was her role as the my orrit in BBC mini-series Little Dorrit in 2008 that proved her breakthrough, however, and the roles subsequently started coming thick and fast.

She married actor Stephen Campbell oore and the couple have a daughter born in arch .

Wolf Hall’s success highlighted her strength to the producers of The Crown and her success at the start of this year is unlikely to be her last.

Claire Foy may not be quite household name status yet, but you’d nd few willing to bank against her becoming one of the nation’s most popular actresses over the coming years. mmm

Claire Foy in Little Dorrit

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Homes and Gardens A SELECTION OF FABULOUS PRODUCTS FOR YOUR HOME, AND A WONDERFUL FLOORING FEATURE TO GIVE YOU INSPIRATION

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Tamaki Cushion £40 John Lewis

Mepra Cutlery £14-45 Selfridges

Rose Gold Portable Speaker £9.99 TK Maxx

LUXURY LIVING Home Accessories Brushed Brass Deco Tray £31 Amara

Metallic Lamp £39.99 HomeSense

Marble Tealight Holders £21 Amara

mmm 83 Marble Wall Clock £69.95 Cuckouland

Wild and Wolf 746 Phone £64.95 Amara

Lantern £8 George Home

Cow Stool With Handle £135 Amara

Ashanti Lamp Base £110 John Lewis

Exclusive Purling Bold Checker Set £395 Selfridges

Abstract Teapot £25 Oliver Bonas

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Exceeding expectations, but never your budget

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TILES, HARDWOOD, STONE: i flooring is rig t or o

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WE HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE DIFFERENT FLOORING STYLES AVAILABLE TO HELP YOU DESCOVER WHAT YOU COULD BE USING IN YOUR HOME

t’s the one thing in the home that appears in every room.

Flooring can transform a space into a cosy cornucopia or a sleek and slender setting, and using our handy tips on how to pick the best flooring for your room, your home can be transformed. From tiles, to wood and everything in between, it might seem daunting to try and choose flooring options for your home. mmm understands that every home is individual, so we have provided you with a mix of contemporary flooring options and classic ones, as we celebrate design, function and performance in this flooring feature.

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CHOOSING THE RIGHT FLOORING FOR YOUR HOME Beautiful flooring brings a home to life. t adds texture and warmth, but choosing which flooring is right for your home can be tricky.

Firstly, it is important to understand the room that you are decorating, and the functionality of it. For example, the kitchen floor has a pretty tough ob, having to take muddy shoes and spilt milk in its stride while still looking fresh and stylish. So choosing the right material for your space and lifestyle is crucial. From classic stone and wood to practical porcelain to slightly more edgy resin and concrete, there’s a di ying array of options to choose from, all with advantages and disadvantages. The trick is to identify your key considerations. re you keen on a slick look or do you want a bit of flawed character xcuse the pun re you willing to take care of your floor or do you want to mop and go o you live in a big, busy household with lots of foot traf c or are there ust a couple of you padding around nd are you looking to wow or is subtle more your style ith these considerations in mind, flick through the next few pages and discover which flooring option would be best for your home.

TYPES OF FLOORING AVAILABLE

Lenleys Porcelain Tiles,

orway Range

ith its uni ue variation of grain and knots, wood flooring is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful options available. ach plank that is laid down has its own natural and textured appearence, and brings some of the outdoors inside your home. Some cheaper options such as inyl and aminate can replace the more dear wood flooring, and stone and tiles create an alltogether different yet expensive look. a

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SOLID WOOD

All the clever copies in the world can’t really match the beauty of real wood. Recreating the essence of luxury and comfort, hardwood flooring oo es luxury and comfort. uniform grain looks modern, while knots and irregularities t in nicely with a traditional scheme. Classic Oak introduces an exotic wood type to begin our flooring ourney. The classic and contemporary style features a wide variation in tone and colour, and this design will make either your contemporary or classic home vibrant. Oak is a favourate of modern homes due to its classic and contemporary twist, whilst still remaining uniform. Playing around with colour when choosing your wood floor is a great way of giving a room character.

Using darker Oak tones is a great way of introducing an understated glamour into your home. The elegant nature of this solid wood creates a striking focal point for a wide variety of rooms in the house. It’s dark tones create a beautiful contrast to contemporary white, clean chromes, whilst still supporting strong colours and textures. Similarly, even darker ak flooring with rich chocolate tones and textured surface adds strength and character to a room. Used with grey tones this darker Oak is sure to wow your guests time after time.

Some of the pros of using solid wood in your home is that wood is quite forgiving on your feet, as it has some give and is warm to the touch. It’s long-lasting, and can be sanded to look like new and stained in a vast array of colours. Some cons include that they do scratch and stain, and can be noisy under foot. Upon installation they will also need a subfloor, so keep this in mind when making a purchase. a

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VINYL AND LAMINATE

Many of us are unaware of the difference between inyl and aminate flooring, but one thing is for sure - they are a good budget friendly choice. inyl in particular can replace lots of surfaces, and can even be digitally printed onto to create patterns. t’s easy to clean and very water resistant. Spongy vinyl can dent and rip, but thin, hard vinyl is very robust. t’s also comfortable underfoot and can be laid over an existing floor. t’s fairly easily scratched, can fade in strong sunlight and has a relatively short lifespan. f damaged, it’s unrepairable. t can work with underfloor heating, but the temperature might need to be restricted. s with inyl, aminate flooring does not ust have to replicate wood flooring, it can in fact be used to resemble ceramic tiles or slate. They’re covered in a transparent ‘wear’ layer that’s pretty tough, so are scratch resistant. Beneath the wear layer is a high de nition image, which can be of anything from wood to marble. There are some very realistic, textured designs available, and Laminate is moisture resistant and can be installed over an existing floor. However, t needs an under layer, which is sometimes attached to the laminate and sometimes not – ask before you buy. f it’s scratched, it’s unrepairable.

Not all Laminates are suitable for underfloor heating, so you must check with your supplier before installation.

STONE

Stone covers everything from limestone, to granite and slate, and is a hugely popular flooring choice. The beauty of stone is in its natural, unique variations – no two slabs are completely alike and the subtle shifts in tone add depth. ith this in mind, the more irregular stones can be harder to t together neatly, so if you choose more rustic styles beware that there may be large gaps in the flooring which can get dirty. f you’re trying to achieve a more modern look, a matte surface will help with this, and the stones will t together with a clean seal. Stone is beautiful, timeless and classy. t’s robust, long-lasting and easy to care for, and it works with underfloor heating and is a good heat conductor.

However, it is cold without underfloor heating so bear this in mind if your home is usually on the chilly side. t is both unforgiving on your feet and when anything fragile is dropped on it. ith more rustic stone, any cracks can harbour dirt and be tricky to keep clean.

TILES Porcelain and ceramic tiles are quite possibly the two most popular choices when it comes to choosing flooring for your home. nlike stone, porcelain tiles are maintenance free, and if this is music to your ears then this could be ust the flooring you need in your kitchen. They don’t need sealing and they’re very hard wearing, and can now be used to mimic other surfaces such as wood. Porcelain is hygienic, hard to scratch or chip, and can be washed with anything. t’s also happy with underfloor heating. nlike stone there are narrow grout lines, meaning less dirt will gather.

Ceramic tiles are usually made from clay with a glaze on top. They come in a huge range of shapes, si es, textures and colours, and also mimic other materials such as wood. eramic tiles are typically cheaper than porcelain, as well as being hygienic and easy to clean.

They’re also suitable for underfloor heating, however they are not as hard-wearing as porcelain, and they can crack.

WHICH ROOMS should feature which floor?

SOME HANDY TIPS ON HOW TO PICK THE BEST TYPE OF FLOORING FOR EACH ROOM IN THE HOUSE

HALLWAY

The Hallway is much more than just an entrance to your home, it should perform like any other room in the house and it has a function. mmm suggests bringing the outside in with your hallway and using wood flooring or stone to create a statement entrace. Wood and stone can also be wiped clean should there be any muddy shoes that enter the hallway from the outside, and any scrapes or dents from shoes will not be easily seen due to the texture of these surfaces. If you want to use this idea of bringing the outside in but in a more dedicated way, try using rustic stone to achieve this. Alternatively, for a more polished entrance use a cleaner stone such as limestone.

LIVING SPACE

The key to creating a great living space is bringing together practicality, comfort, style and performance. our floor can bring together a design concept, marrying the rest of the room together perfectly. Wood flooring creates a beautiful and cosy living space, and using darker oak flooring will create a rich and sultury room. Include a large rug for that extra cosy element, and also to minimise noise especially if you live in a flat. This will also be a great space for children to play if you often have little ones running around, as a rug will not be uite so hard under foot. aminate flooring is also a great way to achieve this look.

DINING AREA

The dining area is the social hub of the home, and socialising at home is becoming increasingly popular. Dining with friends at home is a great way to relax and enjoy each other’s company in a comfortable space. For a more traditional dining area, mmm suggests using wood flooring. For a more modern feel to your dining area, try using tiles. The dining area may incur spills just like the kitchen, so using porcelain tiles means that this can be wiped up easily and quickly so you can get back to entertaining your guests. Adding underfloor heating to your dining area can add to the cosy aspect of it, and for guests who take their shoes off when entering your home, it will keep their feet nice and toasty.

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KITCHEN

In most homes, the kitchen serves as the family focus for everyday living, so keeping this space practical and hygienic is very important. Using stone in kitchens is an increasingly popular choice for many, and mmm suggests using clean stone rather than rustic to minimise the possibility of food getting caught in the flooring. ood flooring is also great for this, and vinyl and laminate flooring can provide a more budget friendly and clean alternative to wood. These floors are also easy to keep clean, however bear in mind that wood flooring will need more maintenance such as oiling and possibly sanding. nderfloor heating is also a great feature to include in your kitchen.

BATHROOM

Your bathroom should work in harmony with the rest of your design scheme in terms of appearence and functionality. mmm suggests you select products to either compliment or contrast with your sanitaryware, and choose flooring where spills and splashes are easily wiped away. Tiles are great for this, as spills can be easily managed and unlike many wood flooring options, these spills will not leave stains. Tiles also work well with underfloor heating, so you can keep your bathroom nice and toasty for those early morning showers. ak flooring is becoming increasingly popular in bathrooms, however beware that oak flooring will need a lot more upkeep than tiles, especially as it will be coming into contact with water frequently.

BEDROOM

Along with your treasured bedroom furniture and fabrics, the floor is essential in achieving a cohesive design scheme and to aid in rest and relaxation. Oak flooring is popular in bedrooms, creating a sultury and modern feel using darker oaks. For a more traditional look, go for oaks with more knots and grooves. Carpet is also a popular choice for bedroom flooring, and it creates a nice cosy space for you to relax in at the end of a long day. f hardwood flooring is more your choice though, mmm suggests including a rug in your bedroom space. This will break up the floor visually, and ensure that your floor space is used in the best way possible. nderfloor heating will also help you to achieve a warm and relaxing space.

UNDERFLOOR HEATING

nderfloor heating is the modern heating solution creating the perfect temperature, making you feel warm and comfortable from the moment you enter the room. Thanks to the availability of a wide range of products and systems, there is a solution for virtually any pro ect type whether new build, refurbishment, retro t, or renovation from a simple en suite upgrade to a whole house installation. Systems can be linked to any heat source, giving total flexibility while allowing for the best energy savings, now and in the future. nderfloor heating spreads warmth over the entire floor area using low temperature radiant heat, rather than the high temperature point heating associated with radiators. arming a large surface at a low temperature produces the most comfortable form of heating possible. ith no bulky radiators to take up valuable wall and floor space, underfloor systems are a designer’s dream. nderfloor heating enables you to use every s uare metre of your home in the way that you want to without radiators getting in the way.

Discover our stunning range of Contemporary & Bespoke designs

s Free no obligation consultation & design s All building work undertaken s Quality s Design s Imagination s Better and at the right price 3 www.hamiltonkitchens.co.uk Tel: 01622 844897 Visit our showroom at Warmlake Business Estate, Maidstone Road, Sutton Valence, Kent ME17 3LQ

A SELECTION OF flooring retailers NEED SOME EXTRA HELP TO FIND YOUR PERFECT FLOOR? LOOK NO FURTHER THAN OUR SPECIALLY SELECTED FLOORING RETAILERS

K2 FLOORING

45-47 High St., Swanley, Kent, BR8 8AE Tel: 01322 667315 14-16 High St., West Malling, Kent, ME19 6QR Tel: 01732 870900 Since their formation by Frederick Kemp back in , evin arpets has grown signi cantly, mirroring the rapid expansion of the home improvement market. The company became Flooring a token acknowledgement to its double ‘ ’ heritage. The use of Flooring in the title also encompasses the wider offer of a choice of materials including real wood and laminates, mtico and arndean, rather than merely the supply and tting of carpets.

Flooring are professional flooring specialists, offering high uality bespoke flooring services to customers across the South East. Visit their showroom in Swanley or est alling and en uire about their price promise.

NS FLOORING

20a Bow Road, Wateringbury, Kent, ME18 5DD Tel: 01622 813355 S Flooring are a aidstone based, family run flooring retailer with years experience in the flooring trade so you can be assured of the best advice when choosing your floor for the nal nish in your home. They cater for all budgets and strive to give the best service possible. They offer a variety of carpet, vinyl and laminate samples to choose from which you can take home to be sure you have the right colour to match your decor, after all flooring is an investment which you will live with for many years. nce you have chosen your flooring they will arrange a site visit to check measurements and give you a no obligation uote. Based in ateringbury, they cover the local towns of aidstone, Tonbridge, Tunbridge wells, Sevenoaks and all surrounding villages including alding, ast Peckham, ast alling, est alling, ings Hill, ereworth, oxheath, hart Sutton, Staplehurst, Tenterden, Biddenden and more. They only use good flooring suppliers who they know offer the best products out there see a list of their carpet, vinyl and lamintate suppliers on their website.

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VICTORIA FLOORING LTD College Road, Margate, CT9 4AT Tel: 01843 225855 Started in 1984 from a small corner shop, Victoria Flooring soon established itself as one of ast ent’s ma or carpet and flooring companies with a vast selection of carpet and vinyl from stock. Their reputation is built on supplying and tting on time, a keen price, quality product and an above average installation service. Most of their business is by recommendation and repeat trade from satis ed customers. Their aim is simple, they know that without you, their customers, they would not exist, so they promise to give you the best service possible to nd the right product to suit your needs within your budget. They have been in this trade a long time so they know what they are doing; their two estimators have over 70 years of experience between them to cater for all of your requirements.

THE STONE TILE WAREHOUSE

Unit 10, Integra ME, Bircholt Road, Parkwood, Maidstone, ME15 9GQ Tel: 01622 679157 If you are looking for tiles in Kent then a visit to The Stone Tile Warehouse is needed. They are your one stop shop for everything from stone tiles, slate tiles, mosaics, reclaimed orkshire stone flags, adhesives, grout and accessories.

Their business is at the forefront of bringing fashionable, top quality stone tiles to customers at very reasonable prices.

At The Stone Tile Warehouse their comprehensive range of products are specially sourced to offer excellent value.

CARPET MILLS

Unit E, Hart Street, Maidstone, ME16 8RF Tel: 01622 662770 At Carpet Mills, they take their customer’s flooring needs very seriously. fter years in Hart Street, and a long family history in the flooring industry, getting to know their customer’s flooring requirements to enable them to give the best advice is their rst priority. isit their 6,000 square foot showroom in Maidstone and experience their personal service rst hand. Browse, relax and enjoy a cup of coffee in their new luxury flooring area. lternatively, avoid the traf c and take advantage of their free shop at home service. They are always there to offer sound advice and pride themselves on their customer care.

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CARPET MILLS 25 years and still going strong

B

IN OCTOBER 2016, CARPET MILLS CELEBRATED 25 YEARS IN THE HEART OF MAIDSTONE

ased in Hart Street, Carpet Mills has become known for their individual customer service and advice-based sales approach and the majority of their custom is from recommendations and repeat business.

The store has been owned and run

by Darren Wyrill, who was part of the team that started the Maidstone store in 1991, since 2014 and he has developed a reputation for offering his customers the very best service and customer care built on personal relationships. He has built on the legacy of his father-inlaw, John, who built up the business

alongside his wife Moira. They retired in October 2014 and Darren is continuing to fly the flag in style. ohn, whose own parents were carpet tters, had been in the flooring trade since starting in the carpet department of London’s Harrods in , specialising in tted carpets, European and oriental rugs. He then went on, in , to open his rst store.

Now Darren runs the independent store in Maidstone alongside his wife – and John and Moira’s daughter – emima. She grew up in the flooring trade starting in her father’s stores as a Saturday girl at the age of 15. Alongside them are Andy, the senior sales

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estimator who has been in the carpet trade since 1981 and Sam their recently uali ed sales apprentice. Between them they have a wealth of knowledge and experience to assist customers with the ever growing choice available in both solid and soft flooring. complimentary shop at home service is available to those who are unable to make it into the store as well as a free measuring and quotation service, this is the ideal opportunity to see the colours and textures from the large range of samples that arren or ndy are able to bring to your home. Finally, for those who re uire it, an expert tting service is provided by the experienced team of flooring tters some of whom have been working for Carpet Mills for over 25 years and are requested personally time and time again. Their most established tter has now been working for the family for over years. The , s uare foot warehouse with showroom offers the added advantage of being able to stock high levels of carpets, vinyls and rugs and buying and stocking direct from quality

manufacturers such as ssociated eavers, ano, Regency arpets and bingdon Flooring. t means the roll stock is tried, tested and priced competitively. regular commercial client base such as housing associations, builders, pubs and clubs, property rental agents and retail stores take advantage of the flooring services offered at arpet ills. later edition to the store has been the bed department. n offer you will nd excellent value for money mattresses from Shakespeare Beds starting at just ÂŁ89 for the very popular end of line mattresses and basic divans up to luxury memory foam and , pocketed spring mattresses and a range of storage divans and headboards available in a variety of colours and fabrics. hether it be a hard wearing Polyflor re uired for a commercial space, luxury vinyl tile flooring or laminate to an area of your home, or a super soft sumptuous carpet to nish off a newly decorated room or revamp an existing one, the partners and staff at Carpet Mills are on hand to advise based on your personal re uirements.

Pop into their showroom: Unit E, Hart Street, Maidstone, Kent, ME16 8RF r give them a call 01622 662770 hy not visit their website: carpetmillsmaidstone. co.uk

GARDENING

Š RHS Jerry Harpu

BEAT THE WINTER BLUES THIS FEBRUARY AND GIVE YOUR GARDEN SOME LOVE

FLOWERS & GRASSES Cut down deciduous ornamental grasses left standing over winter, before fresh shoots appear.

Divide large clumps of snowdrops and winter aconites after flowering and replant to start new colonies.

Prune late summer flowering clematis, cutting stems back to healthy buds about 30cm from the base.

Divide congested clumps of herbaceous perennials and grasses to make vigorous new plants for free.

Transplant deciduous shrubs growing in the wrong place, while they are dormant.

PLANTING RHUBARB

Rhubarb crowns and budded pieces are best planted in the spring or autumn while the soil is warm and moist. Potted rhubarb plants can be planted out at any time of the year so long as the soil is not frozen, waterlogged or suffering from drought. These reliable perennials are undemanding, but they do resent disturbance so you will need to choose a permanent spot in the garden where your plants can grow without interruption, from year to year. a

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FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Finish winter pruning fruit trees and soft fruits, including apples, autumn raspberries and blackcurrants. hit rst early potato tubers, such as ‘Foremost’, by standing them in trays in a light, frost free place.

Prepare veg beds for sowing by weeding thoroughly, then cover with a thick layer of garden compost.

Feed fruit trees and bushes by sprinkling sulphate of potash fertiliser around the base to encourage fruiting.

Sow mustard and cress in a small seed tray on a warm windowsill for pickings in just a few weeks. a

© RHS

GARDENING S E C T I O N

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GARDEN MAINTENANCE

Install a nest box with a camera, so you can watch birds raising their broods this spring.

If snow falls, knock it off evergreen shrubs, hedges and conifers to prevent branches snapping under the weight.

Make or buy a cold frame to use when hardening off young plants this spring. heck fleece or other insulation is still in place around pots and borderline-tender plants.

Firm back down any plants that have been lifted by frost or loosened by wind-rock.

Make fat-ball feeders and hang them among roses to attract blue tits, which will also forage for overwintering pests.

Improve the soil by spreading garden compost or well-rotted manure over beds and forking in.

Sort out and clean up canes, plant supports and cloches, ready for use in spring.

Prune hybrid tea and floribunda roses, before growth restarts.

Clear away old plant debris from pond margins and scoop out any leaves that have fallen into the water.

Clean and service mowers and garden power tools, so they’re in good order for spring.

Coppice hazel, cutting to the base, to encourage a flush of new stems that you can use for plant supports in a few years.

Spread a layer of well-rotted manure around roses and shrubs.

Remove netting placed over ponds to prevent autumn leaves falling in the water.

GREENHOUSE

Sow sweet peas in deep pots and keep them frost free in a greenhouse or on a sunny windowsill.

Sow summer bedding and tender annuals, including cosmos, lobelia, dahlias, nasturtiums and snapdragons. Pot on and pinch out autumn-sown sweet peas to encourage sideshoots to form.

Sow tender crops such as tomatoes and chillies in a heated propagator or on a warm sunny windowsill.

Plant dahlia tubers in trays to encourage shoots to develop, which you can then use as cuttings.

Monitor greenhouse temperatures with a maxmin thermometer to ensure heaters are working ef ciently. Start planting summer bulbs in pots indoors, including liatris, begonias, gloxinias, lilies, eucomis and agapanthus. ut off hippeastrum amaryllis flowerheads once they fade, but leave the stalk to die down naturally.

Hand-pollinate the blossom of peaches and nectarines in the greenhouse using a soft paintbrush.

Cut back overwintered fuchsias and increase the frequency of watering to spur them into growth.

Remove any faded or yellowing leaves from overwintering plants to prevent fungal diseases.

Wash greenhouse glazing inside and out to let in as much light as possible.

GARDENING S E C T I O N

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National trust ©

ENJOY THE WINTER WEATHER

Get out and about this February

W

inter is the perfect time for playing in the snow, stargazing, bird watching, cooking on a camp re and lots more.

You’ll just need to wrap up warm and you can take it all on. How do you make this year the best yet? Find your rhythm in some of the most

amazing places in the country. Run, walk and og your way to tness, learn new skills, meet new people - and also make a difference along the way. So why not blow away the cobwebs and enjoy a refreshing walk in one of the many frosty winter gardens.

National trust©

t’s fty years since hartwell opened its doors to the public. To celebrate, artist Nova Marshall has enlisted the help of local school children to create a new exhibition about the surrounding area’s relationship with Sir Winston’s family home. Pupils have taken inspiration from their favourite features in the grounds. Runs daily until Friday 24 February, am to pm. Free event normal admission applies .

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National trust©

CHARTWELL

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SCOTNEY CASTLE

Crammed with paintings, textiles, furniture and books, the house feels like the last owner Betty has just popped out to the shops. Even her cat still wanders through the rooms looking for a warm place to sit. Scotney Castle’s garden is like a landscape painting with drama and romance. From traditional rose beds through to a stunning vista of the Old Castle glimpsed through a swathe of rhododendrons and azaleas. The Scotney Castle estate is ready for exploring. Their ancient parkland and Wealden woodlands are crisscrossed by way marked routes and fantastic views. Perfect for picnics, scenic walks and mini-adventures. Scotney Castle is a great place to visit as a family. With plenty of activities on offer and over 780 acres of parkland and woodland to explore as well as the house, garden and Old Castle, there’s so much there for all the family to enjoy.

Scotney Castle has a long history dating from 1137 and holds some interesting stories about the last inhabitants of the castle, the Hussey family, as well as a former Prime Minister.

National trust ©

IGHTHAM MOTE

Grab your walking boots, get some fresh air into your lungs and enjoy the outdoor gym.

Whether you want to stroll around the estate on one of our waymarked routes, or you fancy a more substantial walk, Ightham Mote has some lovely walks that will get you exploring the Kent countryside. Ightham Mote has always been a place where dogs can enjoy themselves. It is know that dogs lived here alongside the Palmers, and the Colyer Fergusson family, as well as with the head gardeners and General Manager. They want to continue the tradition of welcoming responsible dog owners, whilst ensuring that all of their visitors are able to enjoy the day out.

There are plenty of things for families to do at Ightham Mote throughout the seasons, whether you want an organised event in the school holidays or just to entertain the kids on a visit.

National trust ©

Historic, poetic, iconic; a refuge dedicated to beauty.

Vita Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson fell in love with Sissinghurst Castle and created a world renowned garden. With estate walks, lunches in the restaurant, exhibitions and the opening of south cottage there’s something for the whole family to enjoy. a

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SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

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BATEMAN’S

National trust ©

Bateman’s was the home of author and poet Rudyard Kipling. The 300 acres of countryside around the house influenced works such as Puck of Pook’s Hill, Rewards and Fairies and many of his poems. This winter there’s a great opportunity for families to explore the gardens at Bateman’s. Their ‘Rewards and Fairies’ winter event includes a winter garden trail. Hunt for fairy houses and tree spirits. Pick up their delightfully illustrated trail booklet at the visitor reception and head off into the gardens on your search. Start at Puck’s toadstool ring and then head off in search of hidden fairy homes and a wise old tree spirit.

The National Trust looks after more than 600,000 acres of countryside, 775 miles of coastline and hundreds of special places across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For more information and ideas for great value family days out go to: www. nationaltrust.org.uk For more information on National Trust events, please visit the website at www.nationaltrust. org.uk/events

National trust ©

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GADG & ETS

izmos

THE LATEST INNOVATION AND TECHNOLOGY FOR YOU TO GET YOUR HANDS ON

NZ9000 Chef Collection Induction Hob with Virtual Flame Technology™ Samsung’s new hef ollection is the product of a collaboration with three world renowned chefs. rawing on their expertise and experience, they have helped Samsung to revolutionise the kitchen experience and to come up with creative and innovative ways for you to prepare, store and serve your food.

Samsung’s innovative irtual Flame Technology visually tells you how hot each ring with lighting that glows in accordance with the temperature of each cooking one.

movable magnetic knob lets you control the temperature settings of the Samsung hef ollection ooktop with precision. nd because it can be completely detached, it also makes it easier to clean the entire surface.

The Samsung hef ollection ooktop features a large open area called the Wide Flex Zone, designed for cooking multiple dishes at once. t’s wide and spacious enough to t pots and pans of varying shapes and si es, including large cookware.

The eep arm button is handy for when you’re preparing several dishes, as it lets you keep your food at the perfect temperature without overcooking. our food will taste freshly prepared no matter when you serve it.

The Quick Start button reduces the steps and time it takes to start cooking by providing high heat instantly, which can then be gradually reduced. mmediately increase the power level from ‘0’ to ‘15’ without any delay.

The Pause button provides greater convenience by allowing you to switch all cooking ones to a low power setting with ust one touch. To resume, ust touch it again to return the heat to your original power levels instantly.

From £1,099.00 www.samsung.com

Beoplay M5 M5 is a powerful, wireless speaker with True360 omnidirectional sound, crafted aluminium top and exchangeable wool blend fabric cover from vadrat that ts your interior decoration.

Powerful True sound experience that lls your home with great sound while tting into your interior decoration. rafted aluminium top with volume and connection controls that feels mesmeri ing to touch. usic streaming the way you want it supports most standards. se as stand alone speaker or add more as you like. has True omnidirectional sound that lets you en oy good sound no matter where you are placed. Three evenly distributed tweeters, a front facing mid range driver and a powerful woofer that res its energy down towards a carefully designed disperser, provide a uniform dispersion of well balanced Bang lufsen Signature Sound all around. £529.00 www.beoplay.com

Amazon Echo Smart Speaker

The Oracle™

The Oracle™ has automatic grinding, dosing, tamping and milk texturing, automating the two most dif cult parts of manual espresso.

You can extract espresso and texture milk simultaneously, enabling you to go from beans to latte in under a minute.

The integrated conical burr grinder automatically grinds, doses and tamps 22 grams for a double shot, similar to the commercial machine in your favorite caf .

Dual stainless steel boilers and heated group head, both regulated by the digital temperature control (PID) automatically delivers the water at precisely the right temperature, extracting maximum flavor potential. The racle also features an ver Pressure alve P . This commercial feature limits the maximum pressure throughout the extraction, helping prevent bitter flavors in the shot. t also has true low pressure pre-infusion, which gradually increases the pressure to gently expand the grinds for an even extraction.

The automatic steam wand textures milk to your preferred taste and temperature, from silky smooth latte (less texture) to creamy cappuccino more texture . Powered by a dedicated boiler, the auto steam wand delivers barista quality micro foam that enhances the flavor of the coffee and is essential for creating latte art.

The innovative One Touch Americano feature delivers a double espresso, and then separately through a dedicated spout, lls the cup with hot water, the same way as any good commercial machine.

From £1,599.00 www.sageappliances.co.uk

Amazon Echo is a hands-free speaker which has been expertly tuned to ll any room with immersive sound. ou can control it with your voice, switch on the lights and even book a taxi with an evolving set of skills. nd what’s more, it can all be set up with the convenience of an app on your Smart device.

The speaker has been ne tuned to deliver crisp vocals with dynamic bass response. ts dual downward ring speakers produce omni directional audio to ll any room with immersive sound. ma on cho provides hands free voice control for Amazon Music, Prime Music, Spotify, and Tune n. Plus cho is Bluetooth enabled so you can stream music services such as iTunes from your phone or tablet.

Tucked under the light ring is an array of seven microphones that use beam-forming technology and enhanced noise cancellation. ith far eld voice recognition, Echo can hear you ask a question from any direction even while playing music.

Amazon Echo can switch on the lamp before getting out of bed, turn on the fan or space heater while reading in your favourite chair, or dim the lights from the sofa to watch a movie—all without lifting a nger. t works with devices such as lights, switches, thermostats, and more from from e o, Philips Hue, Hive, etatmo, tado and others.

Better still, cho has some impressive skills from ordering food to re uesting a ride from ber. By enabling skills, your Amazon Echo can play more than just music - discover and enable what you want to use in the lexa pp. ownload the free Alexa app onto your Fire OS, Android, iOS device or desktop browsers for easy set up and control. See what books are available to read from your Kindle and udible libraries. iew shopping and to do lists while on the go. ontrol your timers and set custom tones for your alarms, and much more. t is also a hub of skills which are being updated all the time.

You can also see ratings and reviews to get a feel for whether the skill is for you.

From £149.99 www.amazon.co.uk

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Demon FlexForce Pro Top

The Demon Flex Force Pro V2 snowboard/ski body armour offers high end upper body protection by using SAS-Tec. Perfect for snowboarders and skiers due to it’s lightweight, flexible materials.

The body armour features SAS-Tec padding on the ribcage, elbows, shoulders and back. The ribcage uses a honeycomb construction for added flexibility to form around your body shape. For back protection, Demon uses SAS-Tec’s level 1 back protector which is also removable.

SAS-Tec is made from a foam material that has the ability to harden up on impact to absorb the force.

The top is constructed primarily from a lightweight, breathable, athletic blend of lycra and mesh. It features a fully ventilated underarm and side to keep your body cool and comfortable. There is also support for tting a neck brace to the body armour.

All in all Demon’s Flex Force Pro V2 snowboard/ ski body armour top has been ne tuned to provide excellent upper body protection for any snowboarder or skier that wants to stay safe on the mountain. Using SAS-Tec you get great protection that’s lightweight and flexible to really keep you feeling comfortable and agile on the slopes, the top also works as a mid-layer for colder days.

From £129.99 www.demonsnow.com

Guess Ladies’ CONNECT Bluetooth Smartwatch

Nest Cam Indoor Security Camera

Nest Cam makes sure that your home is safe by enabling you to check in on your phone, even when you are out.

The home camera will stream Full HD, 1080p content to your phone, tablet or laptop. With the ability to get a 130° wide-angle view of the room, zoom in and enhance, you’ll be able to see every detail. This is the same day or night thanks to Night Vision LED sensors which let you see the whole room at night. If your Nest Cam detects motion or sound, you can receive an activity alert on your smart phone and even an email with a snapshot of what happened.

If you miss an activity alert, you can always see the last three hours in the Nest App. From £279.00 www.johnlewis.com

A 41mm polished silver case with sky blue top ring with crystals featuring white textured dial and sky blue textured leather strap. GUESS Connect Smartwatch features include call and voice command, ability to receive noti cations, camera and music control, as well as other features.

It is also iOS and Android compatible.

Features Include: Voice to Text Messaging Place & Receive Calls Set Appointments & Reminders Voice Command to all Apps Camera Control Music Control Find Phone From £289.00 www.guessconnect.com

Do Not Disturb pp oti cations Custom Vibrations Appointment & Reminder oti cations Digital Time Tap Glass 3-5 Day Battery Life Bluetooth Connectivity

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NEW GENERATION Hyundai i30 INTRODUCING THIS DYNAMIC, RE-VAMPED MODEL TO THE HYUNDAI RANGE

M O T O RS F E A T U R E

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yundai Motors UK has of cially announced the pricing and speci cation of the ew eneration i , which will go on sale in the on the st arch. ew eneration i offers a high level of standard safety e uipment, with ane eparture arning System, Forward ollision arning System, ane eep ssist, utonomous mergency Braking and Hill Start ssist ontrol featuring on all models.

Standard technology and connectivity e uipment also feature with all ew eneration i ’s bene tting from B and Bluetooth regardless of trim level.

Prices will start from , for the i S . T i PS speed manual, which offers alloy wheels, daytime running lights, B radio with SB and aux connections, Bluetooth with steering wheel controls, electric front and rear

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windows and driver seat height ad ustment. ew eneration i is available in a choice of colours, with a new colour ngine Red oining Polar hite as solid nish, no cost options. Starga ing Blue, emitasse Brown, ntense opper, Fiery Red, Platinum Silver, icron ray, Phantom Black, ra Blue and hite Sand are all metallic or pearl paint nishes, a option.

Tony hitehorn, President and Hyundai otor said The i has played a signi cant part in Hyundai’s transformation over the past decade with over , i ’s sold in the since the rst generation was launched in . The second generation i achieved nearly , sales and we have solid expectations for the ew eneration i .

The original i was the model that sowed the seeds of our growth and we are con dent that the ew eneration i will again bring new customers into the brand with its great looks, technology and con dent dynamic abilities.

Hyundai has sold vehicles in the since . n , Hyundai opened its own subsidiary, Hyundai otor td, based in High ycombe.

Since , the company has risen from st to one of the top car manufacturers in the and last year sold a record , vehicles. Hyundai otor employs more than , people through its operations and dealer network. Hyundai offers a full range of vehicles from the award winning ew eneration i city car through to the capable Santa Fe S and i oad . ll passenger cars come with Hyundai’s industry leading ear nlimited ileage arranty package. Further information about Hyundai and its products is available at www.hyundai.co.uk.

M O T O R S F EAT U RE

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BMW 4 SERIES range completely refurbished

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DYNAMIC PERFORMANCE AND HIGH QUALITY STYLE

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he BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé, continue to blend performance with exclusivity and elegance, while at the same time still managing to exude totally distinct characters.

The BMW 4 Series success story dates back to the launch of the original BMW 4 Series Coupé in June 2013. Since its debut, BMW has delivered nearly 400,000 units of the 4 Series to customers all over the world. The biggest single market, racking up approximately a third of all BMW 4 Series sales, is the USA, followed by Great Britain and Germany. About half of all BMW 4 Series models are sold in Europe. The Gran Coupé accounts for some 50 per cent of global BMW 4 Series sales, while the Coupé and Convertible make up around 25 per cent each.

Now in 2017 these three models have been refreshed.

Styling cues borrowed from the spectacular BMW

Concept 4 Series Coupé in 2012 are clearly visible in the design of the new BMW 4 Series, with the new models including elements such as a large air intake with eyecatching bars and LED headlights and rear lights. The restyled front end of the BMW 4 Series expresses the model range’s dynamic personality to great effect. Crisp contours alternate with expansive surfaces to create a broad contoured appearance. The de ning feature at the front of the new BMW 4 Series is an unbroken central air intake with an aperture that increases in size towards the outer edges, adding a more imposing presence and greater sense of width to the entire nose section. On the Sport version, the air intake is almost entirely bordered by an eye-catching, high-gloss black bar that is designed to accentuate the vehicle’s wide, powerful stance.

The BMW 4 Series Coupé, BMW 4 Series Convertible and BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé are now equipped with new twin LED headlights as standard. The headlights are composed of a familiar silhouette flat bottomed

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a headlight tubes encircled by daytime running light rings, along with a dynamic cropped look, produced by the characteristic ‘eyebrow’ design. The tubes’ dark-coloured holders give the interior of the headlight assemblies a clear, cool, but technical look. LED front fog lamps also form part of the standard speci cation. ll models in the new B Series are optionally available with new con daptive headlights, whose highly expressive light arrangement intensi es the front end’s dynamic and technically advanced appearance. The headlight units are cropped off slightly at the top by the LED indicators that form the headlights’ ‘eyebrows’. This has the effect of making the light arrangement seem wider still, which in turn gives the impression of an even more powerful stance on the road.

The rear of the BMW 4 Series has a low, sporty look that follows the lead of the front-end styling, with the bold horizontal lines and elongated design of the rear light clusters helping to make the muscular wheel arches stand out (the widest point of the BMW 4 Series body is at the rear wheels). Meanwhile, the new rear apron has been designed to further accentuate the general impression of power.

The driving experience in all B Series models is rooted in a nely honed blend of sharp sporting performance and superb ride comfort.

The BMW 4 Series has a lower centre of gravity than the BMW 3 Series (Coupé: -40 mm, Gran Coupé: -30 mm, Convertible: -20 mm), a wider track at the front (+14 mm) and rear (+22 mm), plus specially a

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con gured kinematics, giving it all the ingredients needed for even more agile handling.

B ’s engineers also have greatly enhanced the cars’ dynamic handling capabilities by revising the Series’ suspension, but without compromising on the cars’ impressive ride comfort.

The new B Series oup and new B Series ran oup both now come with stiffer suspension, featuring more advanced damping technology and an upgraded steering set up. These measures have resulted in a tangible improvement in both lateral and longitudinal handling properties, regardless of the load on board. The upshot is reduced roll, more

neutral responses when driving at the limit, even greater straight line stability and the wonderfully precise steering for which B is renowned. This applies to the standard suspension, as well as the Sport suspension and daptive suspension. The new B Series onvertible now also offers superior straight line stability and steering characteristics. The harmonious and extremely agile nature of the outgoing cars’ suspension tuning meant there was no need for more extensive performance enhancing modi cations.

High performance tyres can be optionally tted on all model variants. These have been specially designed to cater to the needs of drivers with extremely sporty inclinations.

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© Williewonker

LOCAL business news

TURNER CONTEMPORARY During its autumn exhibition programme, Turner Contemporary welcomed 106,656 visits; making it the most highly visited autumn show since the gallery’s rst year of operation. The gures show an increase of over . compared to autumn last year, and Turner ontemporary’s visit gures have now passed the . million mark. By bringing world class art to argate, Turner Contemporary is encouraging visits to the town outside of the traditional tourist season.

JMW Turner: Adventures in Colour brought together 149 artworks and objects that had travelled a combined , miles to argate, where they were displayed at

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From baby kookaburras to a royal visit, and record sales of bubble guns, it has been a fascinating year in the life of eeds astle, which has been open to the public for over years and currently employs staff. n the astle made , tickets available for raffles, which has so far helped raise , for charities from local schools and churches to community foodbanks and scout groups. n addition, the astle and its grounds have been used by other charities for fundraising events. uring ecember, eeds astle welcomed , day visitors, all experiencing the magic of the astle and its estate during the festive season. hilst this is a record number for ecember, am delighted that about half of this total were people making good use of their annual tickets and returning to experience the Christmas Market and the decorated Castle, in addition to the many things they may have seen and done throughout the year, all

the site where Turner lodged, famously hailing the skies the loveliest in all urope.

Reactions from members of the public populated social media platforms, championing the opportunity to see so many works of Turner in one space , not least that they should be exhibited with the added frisson of standing and seeing the same skies over the harbour of argate and out to sea that Turner himself painted. uring the exhibition, more than children and young people engaged with Turner Contemporary’s learning programmes.

In keeping with the gallery’s aim to bring contemporary and historical art together, John komfrah’s ertigo Sea was presented alongside Turner’s work. The three screen video installation, offered a meditation on our relationship with the sea, exploring the oceans, whaling and the environment across years of history. komfrah’s work spurred extensive engagement across social media. The capacity for art and creativity to transform lives was exempli ed by a teenager on Facebook t has made me look at life a different way, that there is more than just sitting at home eating or spending too much time on social media, feeling sorry for myself and ust being la y. t makes me feel like want to go travelling because every minute people do drugs or other bad things can be spent doing something ama ing instead, that’s why ’m not going to waste my time with people and just be independent and get my grades and do what want to. Because you only have one life and you have to make it count. For more informaion see www.turnercontemporary.org

based on one ticket purchase. ver , visitors were welcomed to the estate in , ensuring that the eeds astle Foundation can start a range of pro ects in which will enhance our visitor experience even further, commented Sir avid Steel, hief xecutive at eeds astle.

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ENGINEERING EDUCATION INITIATIVE BOOSTED BY STEM ENTHUSIAST A former science teacher has brought her skills to the Rochester Bridge Trust’s engineering education initiative.

Caroline Chisholm, who has her own business providing science education support and after-school clubs, joins the Trust as a part-time ducation f cer.

Caroline said: “I feel very strongly that we need children to be engaged in good, fun, science education from early on, to widen their experiences, broaden their horizons and improve their opportunities. “I left teaching to spend more time with my children, but I didn’t stop caring about education. My new role at the Trust is great because it’s very similar to the work I am already doing and I look forward to helping make a difference to even more children’s lives.” As well as providing free materials to support engineering education, the Rochester Bridge Trust hosts a range of activities throughout the year. orking alongside another ducation f cer, Aileen White, Caroline will continue to develop and promote this work. Bridge Clerk Sue Threader added: “Since the publication of Learning About Bridges – a book of lesson plans provided free to schools across ent and further a eld the Trust has gradually increased its efforts to inspire the next generation of bridge builders. Caroline’s experience of STEM education both in and out of schools makes her a good addition to the team.” ee www rochester ridgetr st org to find out more about the Trust’s engineering education initiatives.

ENJOY A WINTER NIGHT OUT WITH ARRIVA’S SAPPHIRE 101 SERVICE Revellers looking to banish the winter blues with a night out in Maidstone or the Medway Towns can take advantage of a special offer on Arriva’s Sapphire 101 service. Until February 13, two can travel for the price of one on evening services after 6pm when they buy an off peak day saver ticket on a 101 bus. The offer is available on journeys between Maidstone and Chatham Waterfront bus station.

“Taking the bus is a great way to make the most of a night out as it means no-one has to be the designated driver, and it’s cheaper than calling a cab when it’s time to head home,” said Craig Taylor of Arriva.

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BIDDENDEN VINEYARDS EXPLORE ENGLISH WINE IN AID OF DANDELION TIME New for 2017, Biddenden Vineyards is excited to invite visitors to join one of its Charity Tours for £1, in aid of Dandelion Time, which take place every Saturday morning, and Wednesdays June to September, at 10am at The Vineyards, Biddenden.

The Charity Tours are a perfect introduction to how English wines, ciders and juices are produced.

After arriving at the vineyard at 9.45am for a complimentary cup of tea or coffee, the tour will begin at 10am and will last around an hour. The guide will take the group around the vines, into the winery and then back into the vineyard shop for a selection of tastings.

All of Biddenden’s wines are estate grown and bottled so visitors will get to experience where the grape to glass processes takes place and can see the vines at different stages depending on the time of year they visit.

The Charity Tours are for individuals, families and friends, and pre-booking is essential. To book please call the vineyard on 01580 291726 to check availability.

For groups of 15 people or more or for further information please visit www.biddendenvineyards.com

“Our February two-for-one offer makes it even better value for money for groups of friends aiming to make the most of the nightlife in Maidstone or Medway.”

The offer is valid for off peak day saver tickets bought on board 101 services after 6pm, for use up to and including the last bus to leave Maidstone or Chatham Waterfront on the evening of purchase.

For details visit: www.arrivabus.co.uk/kent-and-surrey or download the Arriva Bus app, free for android and apple phones

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BLUEWATER AND MISSGUIDED ARE PERFECTLY MATCHED

© Paul Wilkinson

Land Securities has announced that Missguided, the forward-thinking fashion brand, is to open its second store at Bluewater, Europe’s leading retail and leisure destination. The 16,000 square foot statement store, situated on Bluewater’s Lower Rose Gallery, opens this summer and will also be the brand’s rst store outside of ondon.

Founded by Nitin Passi in 2009, Missguided has become an established women’s fashion brand with a single store in ondon’s est eld Stratford and two Selfridge’s concessions.

The new Bluewater store has been designed by Dalziel & Pow and will stock all of Missguided’s collections, including high fashion, lingerie and nightwear, activewear, maternity and bridal.

Russell Loveland, Portfolio Director at Land Securities, co-owner and asset manager of Bluewater, said: “Signing Missguided for the store that marks the brand’s move out of London is a major milestone for Bluewater, and a great way to begin 2017.

“Missguided’s commitment to fast fashion will appeal to Bluewater’s guests, with whom we are con dent the brand will be an immediate hit.

“Missguided is also the latest step in our strategy of continual evolution of Bluewater’s offer. Last year, more than twenty new brands opened, a number of whom created statement stores unique to Bluewater. Missguided joins an exciting line-up that differentiates Bluewater from any other location in the UK.” Nitin Passi, Founder of Missguided, added: “Bluewater is a great brand match for Missguided and we already have a strong following across the catchment via our e-commerce site. Combined with the work Land Securities has done to create the ideal store, we have the perfect opportunity from which to grow our brand and are looking forward to a very successful future at Bluewater.”

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LANDLORDS FOLLOW TENANTS OUT OF CAPITAL AS RENTAL DEMAND NOSEDIVES The central London rental market is beginning to show signs of topping out as tenant demand slides and landlords look to higher yielding investments in other areas of the UK. New research* shows that the number landlords reporting a rise in tenant demand over the past quarter has slipped almost 30 percentage points when compared to the same point last year - down to 17 per cent from per cent. The ndings also show that per cent of landlords in the South East report a rise in tenant demand over the past quarter – the highest reported across the UK – indicating that tenants are increasingly looking to move out of central London to more affordable suburbs. The perceived drop in rental demand in central London coincides with a more conservative approach from landlords to purchasing property in the capital in the coming months.

Just 5 per cent of landlords who operate in London say they plan to purchase more properties in the next quarter, the lowest across all regions and down from 15 per cent this time last year.

In contrast, the proportion of landlords operating in the North East who plan to buy in the next three months has almost doubled – up from 10 per cent this time last year to 19 per cent. The proportion of landlords in Yorkshire looking to buy has also umped signi cantly from per cent this time last year to 16 per cent this quarter.

All this comes as recent news from Countrywide shows that rents in the capital have fallen by 2.9 per cent over the past year.*Carolyn Uphill, Chairman of the NLA, said: “It looks like central London is simply becoming too expensive for most people, regardless of whether you want to buy, invest or rent. “For many tenants the practical solution of moving out of the city to more affordable suburbs with good transport links is becoming increasingly appealing. “In turn, it seems that landlords have been quick to respond, turning their backs on the capital and looking to other areas where the upfront cost of acquiring property is lower, and the potential yields to be had are higher”.

THE TICKLED TROUT PROVIDES A WARM WELCOME FROM THE TEAM AT HUSH HEATH ESTATE Hush Heath Estate in Kent, one of the top premium wine producers in England and a hospitality business born out of the winery in Staplehurst, is championing the best suppliers of food in the county at the company’s local pubs.

Located in West Farleigh, The Tickled Trout is the newest addition to the Hush Heath Estate group, having opened its doors in December 2015. With six boutique hotel rooms and a restaurant that champions local Kent producers, the dining area also features a fresh ‘Oysters on Ice’ bar where guests can eat or drink in a relaxed and sophisticated environment.

Most recently the modern and stylish pub celebrated its rst year with updated menus from chef Fabio Vinciguerra, highlighting that the business only works with local food suppliers who can offer an abundance of beautiful, wholesome produce. Based at The Tickled Trout, Fabio has refreshed the pub restaurant’s offering so that alongside traditional pub favourites and elegant classics, there is a focus on British seafood with Italian influences. The Tickled Trout is famous for its outdoor space, and in time for Spring Fabio and his team will ensure that the barbecue is a regular feature while putting the heated terrace to good use.

Like The Tickled Trout, the family-owned company’s other Kent establishment, The Goudhurst Inn, provides a warm welcome for guests who have worked up an appetite while touring Hush Heath Estate’s immaculate vineyards and state-of-the-art winery, and each venue L O C AL N E W S

provides the best in English hospitality for those seeking a staycation in Kent.

For bookings at The Tickled Trout: info@thetickledtrout.com or call 01622 814717

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MIRAMAR Care Home GREAT BRITISH CARE AWARD WINNERS, CONTINUALLY SETTING STANDARDS FOR CARE IN KENT

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he Miramar is an awardwinning care home who have recently won awards in the regional and national nals of the Great British Care wards. They are also two time nalists in the prestigious Laing Buisson Awards for Management Excellence in 2015 and 2016. The Miramar is recognised as a care home which is setting the standard within Kent. There can be nothing more important than ensuring our most vulnerable in society are cared for in a manner which is kind, compassionate and offers them a safe and trusting environment which meets all of their needs and wants. The role of the CQC is to inspect services to reassure the public that this is exactly the type of care which is being delivered. The Miramar’s overall ‘Good’ rating is a real testament to the hard work undertaken by the staff, and shows that they are providing just that type of service to their residents.

The Miramar is more than just a care home, whilst they provide skilled Nursing and Dementia care to many residents, they also have a large housekeeping and hospitality team to ensure they

are as comfortable and capable as any hotel. Located in Herne Bay with idyllic sea views, the Miramar offers industry leading care in a warm and comfortable environment. One of the keys to their success is that the residents have a say in how their care home is run and are able to let the Miramar know what they want. nother de ning feature is the ability for couples to be able to stay together. Darren Humby took over as General Manager of the Miramar in February of 2016 having been the Care Services Manager for over a year. With a varied and extensive nursing career to date, Darren says “I once upon a time could not have imagined working in a care home let alone feeling that this is the best job I have had in my career”. In March 2016, the Miramar was inspected by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) who undertook a thorough review of the services, looking at the quality, and importantly, the standard of care that the residents receive. Miramar achieved an overall ‘Good’ rating which was great news. Today, like every day, the goal is to be ‘outstanding’ in everything the Miramar does.

165 Reculver Road, Beltinge, Herne Bay, Kent. CT6 6PX | Accommodation: 01227 808142 | Other: 01227 374488 | signature-care-homes.co.uk ADV ERT O RIAL F E A T U R E

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but not forgotten IN THIS 21ST CENTURY OF TRAVEL AND COMMUTING, SEASON TICKETS ARE A NECESSARY EVIL. IT WAS HOWEVER AS FAR BACK AS 1843 WHEN THE FIRST SEASON TICKETS WERE PRINTED AND ISSUED. THEY WERE FOR USE ON A RAILWAY LINE THAT BECAME KNOWN AS ‘THE CRAB AND WINKLE LINE’. ROBIN J BROOKS EXPLAINS. Stirling class locomotive that was eventually used on the line

The Invicta Steam Engine now preserved in the Canterbury Museum

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he introduction of the railway in East Kent during 1843 brought a new and comfortable form of travel together with a faster carriage of freight. Until this time both had relied on the River Stour and boat transport for travel between Canterbury and the Thames Estuary ports via Whitstable. When the railway did arrive it proved an extra bonus due to the fact that the residents of the area could now travel in relative comfort to the Whitstable beaches during the summer.

Generally known as the dawn of the railway age, it was in June 1825 that a Royal Assent had been approved for a rail link to the Kent Coast. The forming of the Canterbury and Whitstable Railway Company allowed surveyors to begin work on deciding the best route for the railway. The chief engineer was George Stephenson and together with his assistants, John Dixon and Joseph Locke, two suggestions of the intended route

were put forward. The more direct route would be over undulating ground which in places rose to a height of 200ft above sea level making haulage of carriages and trucks dif cult or the longer more level route which would go through Sturry, Herne and Swalecliffe. Objections from the landowners of the second route to give up their land saw the rst option eventually chosen. With the completion of the legal formalities shortly after, work began in 1828 with large gangs of labourers employed on levelling ground, removing trees and fences and lling in dykes. The work was hard and weather conditions poor.

The direct route chosen was to be from Canterbury West with stations at Blean and Tyler Hill Halt, South Street Halt, Whitstable and Tankerton, Tankerton Halt and nally hitstable Harbour. t had many hazards in its way, one of the more dangerous being the excavation of the Tyler Hill Tunnel which ran for 828yds.

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A painting of the Crab and Winkle Line

Fifteen months after the initial cutting of the entrance just 400yds had been completed and it would be many months later that the nal six mile railway line would be nished. ne of the rst ten passenger railways to open in the world, the initial method of hauling was anything but conventional.

It used very strong cables pulled by stationary steam engines to pull the carriages and wagons over much of the undulating ground, only for a steam locomotive to take over on the level stretches.

The stationary George Stephenson, engines were the inventor situated at of Invicta Tyler Hill and Clowes Wood whilst the less steep stretch from Bogshole to Whitstable was to be operated by a steam engine.

The locomotive chosen by the company to work the level stretch was named ‘Invicta’ by its builder, Robert Stephenson, the son of George Stephenson. This was a inclined cylinder tender locomotive and was the 20th version produced and although not recommended for the task of hauling over even semi rough ground by its builder, the

company insisted that it was preferable to horses and would be the chosen locomotive.

With the completion of the Canterbury station just outside the city walls north of the Westgate Tower and the station at hitstable, the line of cially opened with flags and bunting on ay , . ater that evening a formal dinner was held in Canterbury where the main course was Turtle. The next day the bells of the Cathedral rang out and guns were red as the new railway line welcomed its rst passengers.

Sometime after it opened the rst season tickets were issued to people who regularly commuted between Canterbury and hitstable. ver the next few days the press got carried away with reports such as ‘this railway is going remarkably well without any mishaps’.

Unfortunately this was far from the truth as nvicta did not perform as expected.

The gradient from Whitstable was not without its problems, for apart from the a

Whitstable Harbour

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The original South East and Chatham Railway gates now at the entrance to Whitstable Harbour

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cost of building the line (which had run line was converted to allow conventional badly over budget), a new one emerged steam locomotives to haul the carriages when it was found that the locomotive and trucks. The width and height of the Invicta struggled to pull the carriages Tyler Hill tunnel was the only problem over its designated piece of track. A visit but South astern modi ed two Stirling

by Isambard Kingdom Brunel in 1835 to class locomotives by cutting down their see just how the tunnel and railway was chimneys allowing safe passage through working in relation to his proposals to the the tunnel.

Great Western Railway saw a disappointed This worked very well for a number of man return home. Meanwhile, years but with the rail network being built modi cations to nvicta did not improve its all over the country by this time, larger performance and the company was forced and better operators were offering a more to use horses pending the delivery of a direct and quicker service to people. Such third static engine. nvicta nally ended up was the case for South Eastern Railway in the Canterbury museum having never when in 1860, the London, Chatham ful lled its and Dover Railway ran true potential. a fast service direct The introduction of the With the demise of from Canterbury and railway in East Kent the locomotive, journey Whitstable to London. times were extended In 1923 the Crab and during 1843 bought a from 40 minutes to 1 line (as it had new and comfortable form Winkle hour each way. This become known) became of travel together with a part of the nationalised may have had an effect on the prosperity of the quicker carriage of freight. Southern Railway and line for from the start whilst it managed to nancial problems survive under its new were a frequent occurrence. In the end the owners, increased competition from company became bankrupt and the line bus and coach companies saw its usage was taken over by South Eastern Railway. gradually drop off. So much so that in For a time it looked as though the service 1931 passenger services were curtailed but had improved under its new owners with the line continued to be used for freight more season tickets being issued than and in 1939 was used to carry munitions under the previous regime. The other to and from Whitstable Harbour. plus factor was that the original system With the end of hostilities in 1945, of hauling was scrapped and instead the the line managed to struggle on until a

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General view of the harbour

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December 1 1952 when it closed. charity called ‘The Crab and Winkle Line ith a reprieve during the big floods in Trust’ was formed to secure a footpath February 1953 when it was used due to and cycle way along a section of the old the damage to the main line, very little line. This took until 1999 when a section remains to remind us of the service. The was opened between Canterbury and track was pulled up Whitstable with plans to immediately after the re-open further stretches The locomotive chosen closure with most of of the line. Several by the company to the land returning to years later many similar work the level stretch agriculture. There are little branch lines in vague reminders still Kent fell victim to the was named ‘Invicta’ visible such as the main Beeching Report but it by its builder, Robert gates to the harbour still was the 120 year reign of the ‘Crab and Winkle’ displaying the initials Stephenson, the son of ‘SE&CR’ and pieces of line and the rst issue George Stephenson concrete where once of season tickets that people still remember. stood the station. It has

By ROBIN J BROOKS not entirely been forgotten. In 1977 a

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The only remaining area of the station at Whitstable Harbour

The Tyler Tunnel

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AGE IS JUST a number

T

PROVIDING RESIDENTIAL DEMENTIA CARE AND OFFERING LONG AND SHORT-TERM STAYS

here can often be preconceptions about life in a care home. At Meadow View we support our residents to live happy and contented lives full of wonderful experiences. A large part of this is welcoming the community into our beautiful home to be part of our residents’ lives and maybe learn something along the way…

Jo Bellenie, Teacher of Health and Social Care at local school, Spires Academy explains the importance of such visits and how these can be mutually bene cial. s part of their Health and Social Care BTEC First uali cation, my students aged from 13-16 years are building positive relationships with residents while learning how to practice key care values.

For instance on every visit they see rst hand how the team at Meadow View deliver a person-centred approach to care and learn about dignity and respect.

The residents really en oy the visits, they

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always seem delighted to talk to the students and nd out about current school life in contrast to their own experiences from childhood. They also take part in many activities together from arts and crafts to en oying music and dancing, it is a oy to see relationships develop between the older and younger generations.

So far, this has been a truly positive experience as students are able to understand the needs of residents living with dementia and build relationships with people from different backgrounds.”

Meadow View’s caring team believes it is important that our residents spend their time as they choose so we have a dedicated activities person to support them to take part in interesting activities, rekindle old pastimes and try new things.

The team at Meadow View deliver a personcentred approach

”

For more information, call us on 01227 207117, or visit us at Blackthorn Road, Hersden, Canterbury, CT3 4GB.

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WHAT’S ON and when Jackson live in concert, The Woodville 12th March ackson ive in oncert has to be the most accurate and exciting tribute to the King of Pop to have ever toured UK theatres. Now in its eighth year of touring, this concert show sees long time fan and hugely talented Ben recreate the Michael ackson experience with his stunning rendition of all his favourite songs.

Ben’s portrayal of ackson perfectly captures the King of Pop at the height of his powers with his mesmerising, energetic and dynamic performance.

Ben’s charisma and professionalism really shines through as he sings live throughout the show and performs full signature Michael Jackson dance routines. ackson ive in oncert features all live vocals, superb musicians and dancers, fabulous costumes, and of course all the signature dance moves associated so fondly with the undisputed King of Pop. Packed with authentic touches and flair, ackson ive in oncert authentically captures the essence and magic of Michael Jackson live on stage. Tickets: £23.50, Booking Line: 08442 439480

Menopause The Musical, The Woodville 23 February Starring Cheryl Fergison (EastEnders), Maureen Nolan (The Nolans), Rebecca Wheatley (Casualty) and Ruth Berkeley (Penny Dreadful), Menopause the Musical is heading out on another UK wide tour. This hysterical show packed full of one-liners about night sweats, hot flushes and memory loss is backed by an instantly recognisable soundtrack of innuendo-laden versions of 60s, 70s and 80s pop classics. n all singing, all dancing comedy set in a department store, where four women with seemingly nothing in common, meet by chance and make fun of their woeful lives experiencing The hange . They soon bond as they realise that menopause is no longer The Silent Passage , but an unavoidable stage in every woman’s life. The hysterical and uplifting Menopause The Musical will have you laughing, and signing, all the way home. The show has played sold out tours across the world so call your girlfriends and book now for the ultimate girls night out.

Tickets: £24.00, book online at: woodville.seatlive.com

POP! A MAGICAL COMEDY SHOW 4th February ith his faithful teddy bear and magical basket Christian is set for a lovely day at the seaside, when the day takes a turn and things don’t uite work out as planned… nter a magical world of mayhem with award winning performer hristian ee, full of audience participation, massive bubbles, floating snowflakes and a giant balloon This is a show full of magical delight to keep both young, and young at heart, enthralled. Tickets: Full Price £6, Family of . Booking fee applies p per ticket holder in person phone, . per ticket holder online. Ages: 3+ Running time: 50 mins – no interval Theatre Royal Margate Addington Street Margate CT9 1PW Tel: 01843 292795

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Birds, Bugs & Beasts this February Half Term at Leeds castle February 11th - 19th This February half term, rely on Leeds Castle in Kent to keep your children entertained and enthralled with Birds, Bugs and Beasts. Visit the Castle to come face to face with owls and stroke their soft feathers, you can even get up close to a host of reptiles and learn more about the lives of creepy crawlies! Fun and educational workshops will be held, suitable for children of all ages and fun for all the family.

There are plenty of reasons to visit Leeds Castle again and again with your annual ticket during the February half term (11th to 19th February) from exploring the Yew Maze to conquering the Knight’s Realm and Squires’ Courtyard adventure playgrounds to daily free flying falconry displays.

A valid admission ticket to Leeds Castle is required for this event. Annual tickets cost £24.50 for adults; £21.50 for seniors and visitors with disabilities (carer goes free); £16.50 for children (under 4’s free). Annual tickets are valid for 12 months so you can pay once and visit all year round.

For more information on Leeds Castle attractions, activities and events during 2017 visit the website www.leeds-castle.com

Ballot dates announced for the 11th Kent Big Weekend Ballot opens February More than 100 Kent tourist attractions and related businesses will be opening their doors or offering special gifts to lucky ticket holders on 1st and 2nd April, as part of Visit Kent’s annual celebration of the county’s tourism industry. Some of the county’s biggest attractions have signed up to this year’s event, including Wingham Wildlife Park, Port Lympne Reserve and Howletts Wild Animal Park, Rochester Cathedral, Ashford Designer Outlet, Wildwood Trust, Tonbridge Castle, Betteshanger Country Park, Kent Life, Romney, Hythe and Dymchurch Railway, Canterbury Cathedral, Leeds Castle, Hever Castle, Dreamland Margate, Dover Castle, Hush Heath Estate & Winery, and several National Trust properties.

Experiences on offer include close encounters for animal lovers, brewery and vineyard tours and tastings, high speed boat rides, rounds of golf, greyhound racing,

Bugs and Grubs Weekend, Kent life 11th - 12th March Pull on your wellies and get up close to nature as you join the bug-hunters to discover all the minibeasts living at Kent Life. Take a visit to the creepy critter cuddle corner, chat to the beekeeper and make a mini-beast house to take home. There’s even a chance to meet ydia reen ngers author Joseph Hopkins. For further information call: 01622 763936, or visit: kentlife.org.uk L O C AL E V E N T S

family activities, river tours, railway adventures, and shopping experiences.

Visit Kent Marketing Director John Carmichael said: “Kent Big Weekend is the biggest party of the year for us as we get to see thousands of people out and about and falling in love with their county all over again. “Last year’s Big Weekend broke all previous records for participation, tickets offered and applications, but we’re hoping that this year will be even bigger and better than before. “We’re really looking forward to seeing what year 11 has in store for us. We have a brand new website platform and we’ve once again been overwhelmed by the support from tourism attractions across Kent and the range of visitor experiences on offer.”

“So please go to www.kentbigweekend.co.uk and take a look at the great range of attractions participating – you will e s r rised at what yo find

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Complete Madness, The Woodville Friday 24th February Re-live the madness of Madness! A sensational theatre extravaganza featuring the amazing talents of this 5-piece band who will take you on a musical journey through the story of one of Britain's most memorable, visual and fun bands.

Complete with crazy costumes, comedy and chirpy banter, Complete Madness invite you to their 'House of Fun'. Featuring all the favourites... Baggy Trousers, One step Beyond, It Must Be Love, Driving In My Car...This highly visual and energetic show is a riot from beginning to end.

Tickets: £19.00

The Big Cat Sanctuary Selected dates in February The perfect way to celebrate Valentines…

Why not book a romantic night away in these luxury African lodges? There is still availability on selected days: on both Sunday 12th and Sunday 19th February, as well on Valentine’s Day itself – Tuesday 14th February.

You will arrive at 2.30pm where your experience will start with afternoon tea and a glass of bubbly in their conservatory overlooking two of their awesome African lions, then straight out for a VIP tour getting up close to some of the fabulous cats. This is followed by a delicious three course meal, complimented by live entertainment (excluding Tuesday 14th Feb), then retire for a relaxing night’s sleep in your cozy lodge with their complimentary bottle of rose champagne and a box of chocolates.

The next day after waking to the sound of roaring lion, you will enjoy a full English breakfast.

Finally you complete your experience with second part of your VIP tour where you will even get to hand feed one of their amazing cats.

They have lodges still available on the Sundays, these are priced at £850 per couple.

For more information visit: whf.org.uk

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Nell Weatherley Embroidered water colours 1st February - 25th February An exhibition of artworks created through drawing multiple layers of watercolour pencil and ink onto fabric. The pieces are then embellished by ‘drawing’ with free-motion machine embroidery, layering thread colours in the same way as the watercolour process to produce an array of colourful textured pieces.

Maidstone Museum & Bentlif Art Gallery St. Faith’s Street Maidstone ME14 1LH Tel: 01622 602838

Free half term events, Hempstead Valley 13th - 19th February Bring the kids along this February half term and enjoy 7 days of free entertainment and activities from Monday 13th until Sunday 19th February.

Monday 13th & Tuesday 14th February: Valentine’s Day Treasure Hunts.

Wednesday 15th & Thursday 16th February: Street Magician.

Friday 17th – Sunday 19th February: Toria’s Balloon Modelling & Puppetry.

Activities will be held in the area adjacent to Pandora and Thomson, at intervals between 11am and 4pm every day.

Su Button, Marketing Manager said: “We have planned a range of free activities during the February half term for local children and families. Once again, all these events are free of charge, as we understand that keeping the kids entertained can be expensive for parents looking for good quality activities for their children. Hempstead Valley has become renowned for providing free entertainment bene ting thousands of children over the past 38 years.

Activities are suitable for all the family and customers can just turn up on the day, no pre-booking required.

L O C AL E V E N T S

Half-term Fun and Frolics, Kent Life 11-19 February A packed week of activities and trails. Come and watch the sheep lambing and meet the newborns.

There will also be a variety of shows in the Big Top, all included in the admission price. For more details please call: 01622 763936

Thrive, The Woodville Tuesday 21st February A visually stunning new production staged within a large set that surrounds the audience.

Created especially for teenage audiences, Thrive takes on the challenging subject of trauma and beautifully portrays the unsayable.

Delve into the lives and minds of three young people as their world gets turned upside down. Stand side by side with them as they recover, survive and maybe even Thrive in this exciting production for young audiences.

Developed in collaboration with psychologists and inspired by true stories of young people, Thrive is a beautiful and life af rming look at nding compassion, perseverance and hope in the face of adversity.

(Suitable for 14+ Contains strong language and emotional themes) Tickets: £24.00 Book online at: www.woodville.seatlive.com

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February 2017 2017 IS WELL AND TRULY UPON US, BUT WHAT DO THE STARS HAVE LINED UP FOR YOU THIS MONTH?

Gemini

Aries

21st Mar - 20th Apr

22nd May - 21st June

For people born under the sign of Aries, February 2017 will be a time of truly great achievements. You might have extremely good luck, especially in the area of personal relationships. The work sphere will not lag behind the “romantic front” in terms of prospects. At the same time, the emergence of dif cult situations is likely. rab every available opportunity! But don’t let your colleagues exert a direct influence on your decisions.

These must be precisely your decisions, or else success could be delayed, and very quickly you will understand why.

Harry Styles 1st February

During this time it is important to pay special attention to those who are dear to you.

Those who are outgoing will de nitely bene t more, whereas those who are more reserved will have to try twice as hard. Don’t make any contracts you are not certain about; don’t trust people you hardly know, especially if they are blatantly vying for your attention. The “romantic front” will please Geminis, not with new opportunities, but with dashing reversals of fate. In no event should you let your instincts get the better of you, otherwise the most happy ending will not be waiting for you.

Taurus

Cancer

21st Apr - 21st May For Taurus, February 2017 will be a progressive month, especially when it comes to work. The likelihood of the emergence of obstacles that you are not able to overcome is minimal. The “romantic front” for Taureans in February 2017 will not be as progressive or clear as the work sphere. It is worth mentioning that single Taureans will need to act wisely and with careful consideration. February will not put exceptional strain on your strength, but as usual, intensity will bene t you either way.

Just don’t be too extreme, as excess in any of its forms will prove to be disastrous for Taureans at this stage.

Sagittarius

22nd June - 22nd July In February 2017 Jupiter will be most favourable towards Cancer. Overall, the planetary combinations, indicate that February could be an extremely successful time for you, but you will have to make an effort, especially in the work sphere. The “romantic front” in February 2017 could prove to be an even more dynamic area of your life. But here it will depend much less on external circumstances, and much more on you yourself.

23rd Nov - 23rd Dec

In February, the combination of strong celestial benefactors provides the opportunity to realize the most audacious and unusual projects. Personal relationships are unlikely to cause you signi cant conflicts. n this sense, February will allow you to take a good rest, to gather your strength for new accomplishments. Don’t be guided by the victories of your competitors, because their path is their path, and you have your own road. Single Sagittarians can try to be as passive as they like, but circumstances will still give them quite a few opportunities to change the status quo.

Cristiano Ronaldo 5th February

Libra

Rihanna 20th February

23rd Sep - 23rd Oct

In February 2017 amidst the celestial objects of the solar system two incredibly powerful, and most importantly, versatile benefactors will be designated for ibras these are enus and upiter. The total energy of these planets guarantees that every negative situation will be overcome, but this will be with your active participation, of course. For Libras, personal relationships could unfold ambiguously in February, but in any event the result will be positive.

Leo

23rdJuly - 23rd Aug

Virgo

It is likely that at the very beginning of February you will suddenly be faced with a whole lot of problems and concerns, such that you will instinctively prepare yourself for dif culty.

It is likely that in February you will arrive at important conclusions relating to your future life.

By no means should you back down, or doubt your Vital energy will boil within you and, wanting to act rashly, own strength. The workcsphere in the lives of eos in it will seem that now the most important thing is to move February 2017 could be quite calm, or maybe extremely forward, without any breaks, without “pit-stops” and clear, ckle and, most importantly, productive. n unnecessary delays. In actual fact, everything will unfold in a general, February will de nitely bring you something slightly different way. When it comes to business, massive and bright. Leos who have their own family will in February 2017 those Virgos who have their be able to arrive at an important arrangement within the own businesses will bene t. Take into family, whereas single representatives of this consideration outside opinions, but rely sign are highly likely to begin on your own analysis. new relationships.

Capricorns will not be required to make any superhuman efforts in order to achieve what they want. In the work sphere, transition to a new position is likely, or at least an increase in nancial assets, perhaps by means of additional work on the side. The romantic front” will be pleasing, with quite a large number of prospects, especially for single Capricorns. In February 2017 you will meet new people and hear new confessions. Yes, there will be quite a lot that is new, but you will be required to act a little bit atypically. That’s the only way you will make positive new relationships, or substantially strengthen Saturn, the primary celestial benefactor of existing ones.

Scorpio will be unbelievably strong in February For Aquarius, February 2017 will be an 2017, and naturally this promises you good fortune in original month in many ways. Overall, this month your affairs. Incidentally, it is precisely the work sphere could be extremely successful for you, if you are prepared to oppose the circumstances. In February 2017, Aquarius is that it is logical to focus the lion’s share of your efforts unlikely to have any fundamentally new opportunities in the on. It is important to mention that in February 2017 work area, it is more likely that old positions will show up Scorpio will have to do many things. Most importantly, again in a new way. The sphere of feelings and emotions in don’t pay attention to what is already behind you. Just February will require a careful but rapid approach from don’t forget to control your emotions!

Aquarius. In the daytime, it is better to avoid radical expressions of your feelings.

And don’t be in a hurry to Pisces could endure a number of “jump into the deep end”, ambiguous situations in February, that will be

24th Aug-22nd Sep

Capricorn

24th D ec - 20th Jan

Scorpio

Aquarius

24th Oct- 22nd Nov

21st Jan - 18th Feb

Pisces

19th Feb -20th Mar

united by a common denominator: a positive ending.

Overall, we are dealing with quite a calm period, the dynamics of which will not be permanent. In this way, the “work front” in February will require from Pisces a high level of focus on the most important tasks. The sphere of personal relationships will become a real lifesaver. Spreading warmth and love, you will unite those who are dear to you, and you will help them to overcome every adversity. Apart from that, there are no limitations; just enjoy this successful stage of your life.

control yourself.

THREE GREAT HALF-TERM holidays and days out to entertain the family IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO ORGANISE AN AFFORDABLE HALF-TERM HOLIDAY FOR THE FAMILY TO ENJOY. EXPERIENCE AN OUTDOOR ADVENTURE PACKED WEEK IN THE NEW FOREST OR SOAK UP THE SUN IN COSTA BLANCA. FOR FUN FILLED DAYS OUT, EXPLORE LONDON’S MUSEUMS OR EXPERIENCE THE MAGIC OF DISNEYLAND PARIS.

DISNEYLAND PARIS 14th February 2017

ump on a coach in Folkestone or shford to en oy a full day of magic at isneyland Paris. The coach will travel by urotunnel to alais and arrive at isneyland Paris for opening time. The price is inclusive of the day Hopper Pass, which allows you access to the isneyland Park and the alt isney Studios Park.

Adult: £97 Child: £82

ONE ADVENTURE PACKED WEEK FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY IN THE NEW FOREST

LONDON MUSEUMS

Within its one hundred acres of delightful parkland, you can nd activities for the whole family to en oy as the resort is e uipped with indoor pools, sauna and tness center, shing lake, football pitch and tennis court and offers a variety of outdoor activities.

From £489 for seven nights, sleeps six people.

hatever your interest, a visit to one of the ondon museums makes a fascinating day out for the whole family to en oy. Picking up from various locations in ent, the rosskeys coach will drop you close to the atural History useum, Science useum and ictoria lbert useum. ou will have free time to spend at your leisure.

Adult: £10 Child: £10

11-18th February 2017

16th February 2017

For more information or to book your space on any of these holidays, contact Crosskeys on 01303 272 625 Prices and availability correct at the time of going to press.

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