Mmm full edition march 2017

Issue 62, March 2017 Complimentary

DAME JUDI DENCH

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Afternoon tea at MARRIOTT TUDOR PARK HOTEL

Timeless Talent

Mother’s Day IDEAS

THE PERFECT

Spring Garden

HOMES HISTORY TRAVEL AND MUCH, MUCH MORE

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TYLER'S TYLER'S KILN KILN 01227 471 912 www.thetylerskiln.co.uk 01227471 471912 912 || www.thetylerskiln.co.uk | www.thetylerskiln.co.uk 01227

Hackington Road, Tyler Hill, Canterbury, CT2 9NE HackingtonRoad, Road,Tyler TylerHill, Hill,Canterbury, Canterbury,CT2 CT29NE 9NE Hackington

Heated Heated and and covered 100+ seated beer garden

Bar Restaurant Museum Bar --- Restaurant Restaurant --- Museum Bar Local Produce Shop Local Produce Produce Shop Shop Local Private Function Room Private Function Function Room Private Snug Live Music Snug --- Live Live Music Music Snug Heated Beer Garden Heated Beer Beer Garden Garden Heated On-site Car Parking On-site Car Car Parking Parking On-site Instant Online Booking Instant Online Online Booking Booking Instant

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W E BELIEV E That change is as good as a rest

W E BELIEV E

Believe it or not, our Henley oak kitchen used to be seen as our most traditional, our most classic, and our most refined collection.

Thatit change is as good as aSorest But we knew had hidden depths. we took it apart and looked at all of the pieces from the inside-out and from the outside-in. Then we added new ones. To those of you who knew it before, it might look Believe it or not, our Henley oak kitchen used to be seen as our most butand it’s our an most entirely new era of design. traditional, ourfamiliar, most classic, refined collection.

But we knew it had hidden depths.Now So we available took it apartinand looked at and painted.

It’s Henley, redefined. both oak all of the pieces from the inside-out and from the outside-in. Then we added new ones. To those of you who knew it before, it might look familiar, but it’s an entirely new era of design.

It’s Henley, redefined. Now available in both oak and painted.

neptune.com

neptune.com

Neptune Canterbury, Wincheap, CT1 3TY

Neptune Canterbury, Wincheap, CT1 3TY 01227 209300, info@neptunecanterbury.com 01227 209300, info@neptunecanterbury.com Neptune Tonbridge, 1-2 Tannery TN9 Road, 1RF Neptune Tonbridge, 1-2 Road, Tannery TN9 01732 351866, info@neptunetonbridge.com 01732 351866, info@neptunetonbridge.com

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Welcome

egardless of your political persuasion, we certainly live in some interesting and challenging times right now – but you haven’t picked up your favourite lifestyle magazine to hear us talk of Trump and Brexit!

To lighten the atmosphere and remind you of how good life can be, we at mmm have put a lot of thought into how to entertain you in a different way.

It is, after all, now March, and we’re looking on the bright side of life and there’s no month better to do just that.

March 20th marks the official start of spring – daffodils, lambs, and, hopefully, a little more sunshine (well, we can but hope). The evenings start to get lighter and the temperatures begin to climb – if that isn’t something to celebrate, we don’t know what is...

We’ve got Mother’s Day this month too – the perfect chance to celebrate that special woman in your life, or to enjoy the attentions of your children. And what better way to do that than having a day out in this wonderful county of ours? There’s so much to see and do we’re truly spoilt for choice; from a meal out to a walk along the beach, a stroll through the countryside, or a visit to an historic house, castle or maybe even a trip to the theatre? Or perhaps take afternoon tea in a hotel or restaurant?

We’re sure you’ll find lots of inspiration inside this edition.

And while we’re celebrating special women, who better to feature in our history section than Edith Cavell? The nurse served in Maidstone and is famed for saving hundreds of soldiers’ lives during World War One. It’s a fascinating read written by our regular contributor Robin Brooks, who certainly knows his stuff.

But if your sights are set a little further afield, then why not explore our travel section for some great ideas for your next trip?

There are so many things to look forward to and take heart from – so join us to inject a little sunshine into all our lives to lighten the gloom.

Enjoy this edition – and we look forward to welcoming you again in the April issue.

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CONTENT DAME JUDI DENCH Her wonderful life and links to Kent

MOTHER’S DAY How to make your mum feel special

FITNESS Stay fit and active

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TRAVEL Cruise into March with an alternative holiday plan

AFTERNOON TEA The perfect treat to see you into spring

MADNESS

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A truly remarkable band

NATIONAL TRUST Spring is almost upon us, get out and enjoy!

GARDENING Pruning, fencing and much more

GADGETS The latest in technology

For the car fanatics among us

BUSINESS Business news in our area

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HISTORY Robin Brooks brings us more timeless tales

Your guide to March

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MOTORS

HOROSCOPES

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MMM Media Ltd GHL House, 1st Floor, 12-14 Albion Place Maidstone, Kent ME14 5DZ Tel: 01622 299035 sales@mmm-media.com www.mmm-media.com Publisher: Rasa Dregva Editorial: Tom White, Robin J Brooks, Tricia Lester, Sarah Vince Design: Becky Appleton, Hannah Royer Sales: Sue Houghton Further Contribution: Vilte Dregvaite 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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Eamonn McCormack ©

THE ULTIMATE English rose

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DAME JUDI DENCH IS AS BIG A STAR IN HER 80S AS SHE’S EVER BEEN IN A CAREER THAT STRETCHES BACK A REMARKABLE 60 YEARS

F

or the traditionalists, a fine actor only really earns their stripes after years of treading the boards – not for them the flash, bang, wallop of a TV role elevating them immediately to legendary status.

As a consequence, Dame Judi Dench has the respect of the nation for a career that stretches back to the 1950s and seemingly shows no sign of reaching an end, despite the passing of the years.

Now 82, she has perhaps the highest profile of her long career, helped much by  CELEBRITY STORY

sky movies © sky movies ©

CELEBRITY STORY

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“

Her role as M – first in Goldeneye – won her global fame and she admits shedding a tear in 2012 when her role came to an end in dramatic fashion in Skyfall

”

some finely selected movie roles for which she has been perfectly suited.

From portraying M – the head of MI6 and superior of ultimate super hero James Bond – in a spell which stretched 20 years, encompassing spells as 007 of both Pierce Brosnan and Daniel Craig, to The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel in 2011, the surprise smash hit comedy drama in which she starred alongside the likes of Maggie Smith and Penelope Wilton.

It was a case of adopting roles which suited her age and in which she dazzled as much as she has over the rest of a career that has seen her nominated for an Academy Award on seven occasions – winning once in the best supporting actress category for her role as Elizabeth I in Shakespeare in Love.

But then this is a woman for whom theatre has been the backbone of her world. She only made her debut on the big screen when she was 61 in Mrs Brown.

Legend has it she was once told her face didn’t suit the silver screen.

“It did hurt not being seen as suitable for the cinema,” she admits, “but as I didn’t want to do films – I only ever wanted to be on the stage – the hurt was not so powerful. But my pride was hurt, as you can imagine. I’m always rather selfconscious about how I look as a consequence.”

Born in Yorkshire in December 1934, there was a strong family link to the world of theatre. Her father was GP to the York Theatre and her mother its wardrobe mistress.

Initially training as a set designer, she fell in love with acting and attended drama school, eventually emerging from the Central School of Speech and Drama in London – which she attended alongside Vanessa Redgrave – as a star pupil with top grades. By 1957 she had joined the Old Vic Company and performed in a string of performances, her reputation growing with each role.

“I know more about things now,” she reflects, “but I don’t think I’ve got any more sensible or any more grown-up, than I was when I was at the Old Vic. I found a card the other day that said, ‘Don’t grow up, it’s against the rules,’ and I thought ‘how wonderful’.”

She went on to join the Royal Shakespeare Company and started to make appearances on TV drama too – winning a Bafta for best actress for her role in Talking To A Stranger in 1966.

In 1968 she was given a lead role in  CELEBRITY STORY

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musical Cabaret for which she won critical acclaim, before returning to the RSC. In love she was happy as well, marrying in 1971 the actor Michael Williams. They would enjoy a long and happy marriage until his death in 2001, aged 65, from cancer.

But after years of winning applause for her stage work, it was only as she entered what many actresses would consider the winter of their careers that she experienced the brightest of summers.

Her role as M – first in Goldeneye – won her global fame and she admits shedding a tear in 2012 when her role came to an end in dramatic fashion in Skyfall, a Bond movie hailed by many as one of the long -running franchise’s best ever.

It was during filming of the movie she visited Hever Castle to launch the historic site’s Hever Castle Rose. An enduring bloom which better suits Dame Judi than perhaps all others.

It was not an unfamiliar trip for the star either. She lives in nearby Reigate, in Surrey, and admitted to frequently making the 20 minute journey to tour the castle grounds and admire its gardens. “I’ve lived near Hever for more than 20 years,” she reveals, “it’s a lovely place. It was one of the first places we came to for a picnic when we moved down here.

“I love taking my grandchildren there.

There’s something about Hever – it’s just so very English isn’t it?”

Nor is she any stranger to the county.

She recently appeared in an episode of the BBC’s long-running Countryside show alongside John Craven where they visited a house in Fordwich, near Canterbury, where Shakespeare toured – acting out

sky movies ©

Picture by Stevan Kragujevic Laurence Olivier, Judi Dench, John Neville and Joseph O’Conor in Belgrade

a famous scene with the presenter from Romeo and Juliet.

The presenter commenting afterwards, “She was a delightful companion as we traced the Bard’s journey by foot and boat through rural Kent and her life-long passion for Shakespeare’s work really shone through. She’s great fun, too.

“In my long career few things have topped the experience of standing in a 16th century hall where Shakespeare’s touring company once played and doing a bit of the balcony scene from Romeo and Juliet with Dame Judi Dench.”

In 2011 she was back for the funeral service of Tenterden’s famous resident, Sir Donald Sinden, which took place in nearby Wittersham. And her name lives on through the Dame Judi Dench Theatre in Pembury’s Kent College.

What’s more, roles such as the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel are inspiring her generation as well as the younger ones in James Bond.

She says of the movie which spawned a well-received sequel: “The first film just seemed to gather momentum.

“I think because it was about people of a certain age wanting to defy their age and get on with doing something and not sit back and be retired” “I don’t want to be told I can’t do something. I’ll just have a go at it and I may make a terrible mess of it but I’d sooner make a mess than not have a go at all. I don’t think age matters at all. What matters is your determination not to give up and not to stop learning new things, which I absolutely applaud.”

You do, however, have to be rather brave about the idea of retirement – she a

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I don’t want to be told I can’t do something.

I’ll just have a go at it and I may make a terrible mess of it but I’d sooner make a mess than not have a go at all. I don’t think age matters at all

“ CELEBRITY STORY

Continued from page 17

dismisses the idea saying simply she has no intention of stopping climbing the ladder “while she still can”.

She’s enjoying a new lease on love too. Having spent years mourning the loss of her husband, she has in recent years found romance with a near neighbour. David Mills runs the British Wildlife Centre close to her Reigate home and lives “just a few fields away” from her.

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They started seeing one another in 2010 after she agreed to open the red squirrel enclosure at his animal park.

“He is so lovely,” she says of the farmer, “and has a great sense of humour. It’s wonderful because I have someone who makes me laugh and that’s a great thing isn’t it?”

And as Dame Judi has so often proved, it’s hard to disagree with her. mmm

MOTHER’S DAY SPECIAL TREAT YOUR MUM WITH THESE FABULOUS FASHION AND GIFT IDEAS, AND TAKE HER SOMEWHERE SPECIAL TO SHOW IT ALL OFF!

A SELECTION OF gifts for a special woman Marble Frame £25.00 Jasper Conran

Valentino Donna 100ml £97.00 House of Fraser

Cocktail Kisses Fizz & Bubbles Lip Balm £3.50 M&S

Vanity Case £35.00 Laura Ashley

Scarf £19.50 M&S

Moments Sterling Silver Bangle with Heart Clasp £65.00 Pandora

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Flowers and Butterfly Earrings £40.00-£45.00 Kaizen

Odell Handbag £139.00 Radley

Park House Cosmetic Bag £15.00 Laura Ashley 77 Diamonds £550.00 Amore Earrings

Florenyina Soap Roses £5.00 M&S

White Floral Embroidered Bag £49.00 Miss Selfridge

Spring Trio of Candles £22.50 Oliver Bonas MOTHER’S DAY

MOTHER’S DAY PLACES TO GO CELIBRATE YOUR MOTHER BY TAKING HER FOR A DAY OUT AT ONE OF THESE SPECIALLY SELECTED VENUES

WEEKEND AT HEVER CASTLE

Hever, Edenbridge, TN8 7NG Show your mum just how much you love her with a wonderful family day out on Mother’s Day Weekend, 25th and 26th March. Treat her to a delicious meal or simply enjoy quality family time together..Children can decorate a flower pot to give mum on her special day in a free craft workshop and can also join a biscuit decorating workshop. For an extra special day celebrate with a delicious lunch or afternoon tea (pre-booking is essential) in the elegant Guthrie Pavilion Restaurant situated in the Italian Garden overlooking the Lake. From the Lunch Menu choose from a selection of starters followed by a tasty Sunday roast from the Carvery Table or vegetarian meal.And if you’ve still room to indulge in dessert, there’s a choice of delicious sweets. An Afternoon Tea Menu is available, offering freshly prepared sandwiches served to the table and a mouth-watering variety of cakes. These are followed by hot and cold beverages including fruit infusions and homemade raspberry lemonade. Add to this a complimentary glass of Prosecco or a non-alcoholic option for all mothers and you’ll enjoy a family meal to remember. Biscuit decorating workshop - £1.75; pre-booked lunch-Adult £29.50, Child £12.00; pre-booked afternoon tea-Adult £19.50, Child £10.00; Children up to 12 years.

All costs are in addition to admission price.

MOTHER'S DAY SPECIAL AT KENT & EAST SUSSEX RAILWAY

Town Station, Tenterden, TN30 6HE The Railway offers the perfect day out for all the family where everyone can enjoy the service and style from a more gentle time. A time when attentive staff made our railways the envy of the world!

Choose from two tasty options: a traditional Ploughman's Lunch or a delicious Cream Tea both options are served with tea and coffee. These delicious treats are available on either the 1.15 or 3.35 departures from Tenterden.

MOTHER’S DAY

This special Mothers’ Day treat includes a twohour return journey on one of the railway's restored steam trains, a reserved table and a souvenir gift for every Mum to take home. Relax on board as you take in the beautiful scenery of the surrounding countryside, interrupted only by the gentle chug of the steam engine. With a journey of 10½ miles between Tenterden and Bodiam stations, visitors of all ages will love the excitement of travelling on one of the country's finest rural light railways. At Bodiam station, the magnificent medieval castle is only a short walk and visitors can step back in history as they explore the impressive battlements and towers, which offer breath taking views across the countryside. Visitors presenting a valid Kent & East Sussex Railway ticket will be treated to discounted castle admission.

For anybody not wishing to take a train ride, Afternoon Tea will also be available in the Station Refreshment Rooms at Tenterden Station. These can be pre-booked from £15 per person at 2pm or 4pm.

Due to the event's popularity, pre booking is essential – please telephone 01580 765155

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MOTHERING SUNDAY

Hempstead House Hotel and Spa, London Road, Bapchild, Sittingbourne, ME9 9PP Treat your mother on this special day to a Mothering Sunday Lunch or a Champage Afternoon Tea. Mothering Sunday Lunch: £35 per person in Lakes Restaurant, The Oakly and Maple Rooms. £29.50 per person in The Heritage Suite. £15.50 for children under 12 years.

Champagne Afternoon Tea: £28 per person, £21.50 per person without Champagne.

To book or for more information please call 01795 428020

THE SWAN

35 Swan Street, West Malling, ME19 6JU The Swan is an independent leading Kent restaurant bringing modern dining to the lively market town of West Malling. The restaurant and bar combines stylish design and bespoke furnishings, creating a relaxed yet vibrant atmosphere. Along with the sleek cocktail bar and restaurant, upstairs there is a lounge bar and three private dining rooms, perfectly suited for both social and business gatherings. In the warmer months, the elegant garden is open for diners, drinkers and events. Open all day The Swan offers imaginative dining seven days a week. The brunch is one of the best served in the area; healthy options such as granola, caramelised grapefruit, fresh juices or classic dishes including eggs benedict, salt beef hash and a full English. The a la carte menu comprises robust and creative flavours, with a selection of grills and seasonal favourites. To book please call 01732 521910

RARE BREEDS CENTRE Highlands Farm, Woodchurch, Ashford, TN26 3RJ It’s best to pre-book for the lovely Mother’s Day idea at the South of England Rare Breeds Centre near Ashford. Bring mum along for the two-course lunch at this favourite family attraction on Sunday, March 26, and she will receive free admission to the centre. There are lots of animals to meet and pet and the 100-acre centre is home to lots of

rare breeds. Enjoy woodland walks or hang out with the little ones among two play parks, a tube maze and indoor soft play barn.

The two-course lunch is £9.95 to include mum’s free entry to the centre. All other tickets to the centre cost £5.45. The centre is open from10.30am to 4.30pm.

For lunch bookings please call 01233 861507, or for general information call 01233 861493 www.rarebreeds.org.uk MOTHER’S DAY

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THE ART OF PRUNING AT GODINTON HOUSE AND GARDENS Godinton Lane, Ashford TN23 3BP Practical demonstrations and advice on pruning and maintaining shrubs, trees and climbers.

Learn some of the basic rules to understand when and how to care for and manipulate your plants for the best display.

Booking is essential, £55.00 including homemade lunch and refreshments

SPOIL YOUR MOTHER

Kimberley Walk, Ashford TN24 0SD Whether you’re looking for the perfect Mother’s Day gift to surprise your mum or want to treat her to a shopping trip you’ll want to check out Ashford Designer Outlet. The shopping centre has special offers on accessories, beauty and the perfect evening outfits. Alternatively, head to Bluewater in Dartford with 300 stores and 60 restaurants to choose from.

See page 20 for more gift ideas.

LONDON BEACH HOTEL, SPA & COUNTRY CLUB

London Beach Hotel & Spa, Ashford Road, Tenterden TN30 6HX The London Beach is situated just outside the historic town of Tenterden and is surrounded by beautiful countryside with stunning views across the parkland golf course and beyond.

The hotel has a superb restaurant with mouth-watering starters, delicious

SPOIL YOUR MOTHER WITH SPARKLING ENGLISH WINE

Biddenden Vineyards, Gribble Bridge Lane, Biddenden TN27 8DF With soil similar to that of the Champagne region in France, Kent vineyards produce an array of sparkling wines. Try the Hush Heath Balfour Brut Rose, Chapel Down’s Sparkling English Rose or Biddenden’s Pinot Reserve.

And if wine isn’t her tipple of choice – how about a Kentish vodka or gin from Copper Rivet Distillery, or Biddenden’s Red Love apple juice for the non-drinkers.

MOTHER’S DAY

main courses and sinful desserts.

The extensive wine list includes wines from famous local vineyards. The restaurant menu changes regularly and can be viewed on their website. There is a large conservatory and terrace with wonderful views across the golf course where you can relax and enjoy your meal and perhaps watch a magnificent sunset.

Please call 01580 766279, or visit www.londonbeach.com

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VISIT HERNE BAY

Herne Bay is the quintessential British seaside resort. It has everything from the shingle on the beach to the colourful beach huts, all topped off with a wonderful selection of fish and chip shops.

With a backdrop of grand Victorian architecture and a pier to boot, this is the perfect place to prop up the deck chair and pop on your knotted hanky. The beach at Herne Bay is also great for families. There is sheltered bathing behind the breakwater and everything you need close at hand.

HAVE A ROARING GOOD TIME

If you’d prefer to take a walk on the wild side, how about taking your Mother to Port Lympne Wild Animal Reserve near Hythe?

Treat your mum to a unique glamping experience, and stay in a pod in the great outdoors with prices from £99-£199 per pod per night.

For more information and booking please visit www.aspinallfoundation.org

EXPLORE STONEACRE

Take a tour and see 15thcentury architecture, 17th-century furniture and furnishings, medieval sculpture and then explore the fine garden or go for a walk.

Restore yourself with a cup of tea in the library tearoom.

Take a look at the National Trust website for more details, www.nationaltrust.org.uk

MOTHER’S DAY

MOTHER’S DAY FASHION stylish and sophisticated Long Ribbed Cardigan £329.00 Jigsaw

Floral Print Dress £227.00 Jager

Round Neck Cable Cardigan £30.00 Edinburgh Woolen Mill

Panel check shirt £28.00 Edinburgh Woolen Mill

Yellow Gold Heart Pendant with 0.04ct Diamond £140.00 Design on Diamonds

Rust Peep Toe Ankle Boot £55.00 M&S

MOTHER’S DAY

Top £210.00 House of Fraser

Tropical Cut Away Shoulder Dress £38.00 House of Fraser

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Bag £40.00 Max Mara

10ct Diamond Hoop Earrings £145.00 Design on Diamonds

Double Flap Foldover Across Body Bag £19.00 Accessorise

Hummingbird Silk Classic Scarf £14.00 Accessorise

Tassel Pijama Style Top £79.00 House of Fraser

1.07ct Fancy Colour Pear Shaped Diamond Ring £2,599.00 Design on Diamonds

Bea Dress £59.00 Monsoon

3D Floral Embroiderd Shirt £220.00 House of Fraser MOTHER’S DAY

STAND THE TEST OF TIME this Mother’s Day TRADITION DAME 7038

The Tradition collection from Breguet belongs to the select circle of Haute Horlogerie icons. First introduced in 2005, it now welcomes a rose gold Tradition Dame.

With this self-winding timepiece, Breguet has succeeded in feminising a model whose aesthetic essence lies in mechanical horology, a field that many tend to reserve for men. Clearly visible front and centre of the watch, the barrel is decorated with a rosette motif and overlapped at 12 o’clock, by a mother-of-pearl dial adorned with hand-crafted engine-turned “Clou de Paris” hobnailing. The sandblasted mainplate and bridges are rhodium-plated to create a pleasing contrast with the rose gold case set with 68 diamonds.

SELLERIA STRAP YOU

Inspired by the Fendi Strap You collection of shoulder straps, the Selleria Strap You watch brings a fanciful touch to feminine wrists.

This playful and sophisticated model is fitted with a double tour calfskin leather strap embellished by various ornaments ranging from multi-coloured lucite studs to leather flowers featuring a central stud. Available in seven versions, this strap can be easily changed to suit the present mood simply by rotating the caseback, thanks to an ingenious patented interchangeable strap system. The mother-of-pearl dial takes its Astuccio motif from a sketch made by Karl Lagerfeld in 1971 for the iconic fur bearing the same name. The Roman numerals and hour-markers appear like topstitching on the dial, further accentuating the intensely Fendi spirit of this new Selleria Strap You.

BARONCELLI CALIBER 80 CHRONOMETER SILICON

The new Baroncelli Caliber 80 Chronometer Silicon from Mido matches the inexhaustible charm of a refined timepiece with chronometric performance. For inside the elegant case, crowned with a bezel in noble pink gold, beats a COSC-certified chronometer movement complete with silicon balance-spring. As well as ensuring greater resistance to shocks and to magnetism, this silicon balance-spring delivers significantly greater precision than an ordinary balance-spring. And with its blued screws and Côtes de Genève motif on the oscillating weight, the movement is remarkable not just for its performance but for the harmony of its finishing too, there to admire through the sapphire back.

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AROUND THE WORLD

From Paris to Beijing, to New York to Cairo, Bijoumontre takes us on an unforgettable journey to the world’s most desirable destinations. The Around the World watch conjures up ten iconic landmarks as “world charms”, and transforms them into enchanting compositions for the wrist. Motherof-pearl, or perhaps howlite or amazonite, blend with sparkling diamonds for a touch of eternity. Whether a dream of faraway horizons or the memory of a romantic getaway, the Around the World watch transforms to reflect the place nearest to its wearer’s heart. Thanks to an ingenious system of interchangeable elements, the ten world charms alternate on the dial as the starting point for a journey to remember, right there on the wrist.

RE-BELLE

Cvstos opens up to a world of dreams and wonderment with its Re-Belle collection dedicated to women and harmoniously mingling watchmaking, jewellery and artistic crafts. Framed by an extremely elegant snow-set tonneau-shaped case, the Sakura interpretation gives life to a bed of flowers on a mother-of-pearl background, lit up by diamonds, sapphires and tsavorites. Hand-painted and applied or set with vividly coloured gems, dainty butterflies settle gently on the Re-Belle Papillon model, a precious interpretation of this authentic hymn to nature and beauty. Crafted in pink gold or steel, these exceptional models beat the rhythm of a mechanical movement visible through the sapphire crystal caseback. They are fitted with an alligator strap available in soft shades to make a perfect match with the various dial compositions and the precious stones adorning the case.

Check prices online as prices may vary from different retailers.

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BEAUTY brighteners NEW SEASON, NEW PRODUCTS. WE’VE GOT THE LOW DOWN ON WHAT YOU NEED IN YOUR COSMETICS BAG

Anti-Stress Cream £16 Marks & Spencer

Flash Gel Nails - Bare £7.50 Marks & Spencer Autograph

LAURA MERCIER CLASSIC SMOKY EYE PALETTE

Laura Mercier’s Classic Smoky Eye Palette Collection consists of carefully hand-selected shades and tools to allow you to perfect the classic look of smoldering, smoky eyes with naturally nude lip in a matter of minutes.

Classic Smoky Eye Palette features tightline Cake Eye Liner in black ebony, four eye colours in sparkling noir, granite, sable and vanilla, travel eye colour brush, double-ended smudge/crease brush, double-ended flat eye liner/pointed eye liner brush, full-size faux lash mascara intense exaggeration in black, full-size lip glacé in bare nectar and a step-by-step instructional insert.

Escalator Mascara £19.00 Too Cool For School

The Scent for Her £84.00 Hugo Boss

Smoky Eye Palette £75.00 Laura Mercier

mmm 35 Dinoplatz U.F.O £34.00 Too Cool For School

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL

Artistic cosmetic brand Too Cool For School is a Korean beauty brand which celebrates creative experimentation and contemporary culture beauty that breaks the rules.

Created and developed in Korea, this unique brand launched in the UK in 2016, exclusive to Selfridges.

PETER THOMAS ROTH

Mask Collection £34-38.00 Peter Thomas Roth

The mask collection targets a range of concerns, from detoxifying to hydrating, there is a jar suitable for all skin types. All formulated with a unique core ingredient: Rose Stem Cell, Pumpkin Enzyme; Irish Moor Mud; Cucumber; Blue Marine Algae. This is set to be a popular brand for beauty customers who are seeking new skincare to elevate their existing regiment.

Micro-Peel £40.00 Kiehl’s

KIEHL’S

NANNETTE DE GASPE

Nannette de Gaspe offers a line of soft, luxury, waterless ‘techstileTM’ masques to gently wrap around the eyes, mouth, neck, hands and face.

These masques aim to smooth wrinkles and reduce signs of aging so that beautiful, youthful skin is revealed underneath. Ultimately, Nannette de Gaspe face and body masques give the consumer the power to have an advanced skincare experience in the comfort of their own home.

Masques £60-300.00 Nannette de Gaspe

For the first time, a facial skincare product containing quinoa husk extract has been formulated into an anti-aging overnight treatment. The all new Kiehl’s Dermatologist Solutions Nightly Refining Micro-Peel Concentrate offers accelerated cell turnover, refined texture, improved skin tone evenness, and softer, more radiant skin.

TIPS FOR WOMEN working out at home

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Try and make sure you haven’t just eaten a meal before you work out. But by the same token, make sure you’re not starving! If you’re really hungry, you could become light headed or dizzy when you work out.

If you’re using a chair when you do exercises, make sure it’s on a carpet that won’t slide around. If you don’t have carpet, put the chair against the wall so it stays stable.

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If you have problems with your back, you’ll need to be careful when you’re carrying your free weights around. Take a few trips to carry things if you have to move them in or out of a storage area. And make sure you lift them properly by bending your knees and moving slowly.

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If you’re using leg weights, don’t walk around with them on. It could affect your balance.

And if you trip on something, you are more likely to injure yourself than normal.

7

When using weights, try doing them in front of a mirror so you can check your posture. You’ll get more out of the exercise, and work the right muscles.

Sometimes our posture becomes so habitual we don’t realize it’s not quite right until we see it.

When using weights, do the lifts slowly. This really works the muscles instead of letting the motion do the work for you.

6

A good posture when using weights means you’re chin is down slightly, so that it’s aligned with your neck. Your neck is in line with your spine, shoulders are straight and not stiff, back is straight, and your knees are not locked or bent. Your pelvis should be tucked under a little.

mmm 37

108mmm

“

People who are physically active are at lower risk of CHD

” WALKING

to improve your health and fitness THERE’S NO DOUBT THAT KEEPING ACTIVE IS GOOD FOR OUR HEALTH BUT THAT DOESN’T MEAN THAT YOU HAVE TO START SPENDING EVERY DAY AT THE GYM. YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED BY THE NUMBER OF HEALTH BENEFITS THAT ARE ASSOCIATED WITH GETTING OUT FOR A BRISK WALK.

WALKING HELPS WITH WEIGHT LOSS

Taking regular exercise is especially important as we get older and our metabolism slows down, making us more likely to put on weight. The only way to lose weight is to use up more energy that we take in, and a daily walk can help to burn off some of those calories. The number of people who are overweight or obese

is rising. The latest Health Survey for England (2014) showed the following groups as overweight or obese: 78% of men aged 65 to 74, 80% of men aged 75 to 84, and over 70% of women aged 65 to 84.

BRISK WALKING KEEPS THE HEART STRONG According to the British Heart Foundation, over 1 in 7 men and

“

Walking will improve your mood and mental wellbeing

”

National Trust ©

nearly 1 in 10 women die from coronary heart disease (CHD) in the UK. However, people who are physically active are at lower risk of CHD. Brisk walking can help to keep your heart strong by increasing your heart rate. It can also reduce your risk of heart disease and high blood pressure in the long-term.

High blood pressure is also a key risk factor for stroke, which usually affects people over the age of 65. Some communities are also at higher risk from heart disease.

PHYSICAL EXERCISE REDUCES YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING CANCER

According to Cancer Research UK, cancer causes more than 1 in 4 of all deaths in the UK. Physical activity can reduce your risk of developing some cancers, including breast, bowel and womb cancer.

WALKING ALSO REDUCES YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING TYPE-2 DIABETES

There were 3.9 million people living with diabetes in the UK in 2015. Most of these cases were Type 2 diabetes, which is more likely to affect adults and those who are overweight or obese. People in some communities are more likely to have diabetes than others. For example, people of south Asian descent can be up to 6 times more likely to have diabetes than the general population. African-Caribbean, Black African and Chinese people are also more at risk. However, you can reduce

your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes with regular exercise and a healthy diet.

WALKING CAN HELP STRENGTHEN YOUR BONES Walking can help to strengthen bones, helping to prevent the onset of osteoporosis, which makes bones brittle and more likely to break. According to the National Osteoporosis Society, 1 in 2 women and 1 in 5 men over the age of 50 will break a bone largely due to osteoporosis during their lifetime.

WALKING WILL IMPROVE YOUR MOOD AND MENTAL WELLBEING

Regular exercise will improve your mood and increase feelings of wellbeing - and it can even help to relieve depression. Being outside in the fresh air has been linked to better mental wellbeing and reduced stress. Walking can also be a social activity when done in a group or with friends, so it can help to tackle feelings of isolation or loneliness.

BEING PHYSICALLY ACTIVE CAN REDUCE YOUR RISK OF DEVELOPING DEMENTIA

It is now thought that being physically active and leading a healthy lifestyle could reduce the risk of developing dementia.

Exercise is also beneficial for the wellbeing of people with dementia. It can lead to improved strength and flexibility, better sleep, and some studies suggest it may improve memory and slow mental decline.

40 mmm

THE TOP 5 REASONS TO CHOOSE a River Cruise RIVER CRUISING IS A RELAXING WAY TO TRAVEL

A river cruise ship is essentially a luxury boutique hotel that floats along the river, providing what is arguably the gentlest way to see the world. You will not encounter turbulent waves and the shoreline is almost always in view. Many travellers prefer this calmer experience as they can rest assured that there is no worry of seasickness.

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

Moreover, river cruising is also a very convenient way to travel. You can avoid the hassle of arranging transportation to and from each city, village or town, plus the stress of finding and paying for parking. The ships are small enough to make their way into even the narrow parts of the rivers and canals, and often berth right in the heart of the city. This way you can sit back and start enjoying your trip straight away, knowing that you can start sightseeing without a

mmm 41

lengthy coach journey ahead. Spend less time travelling and more time exploring.

With river cruises, there is no switching of hotels and carrying luggage around with you every day. You can unpack once and rest assured that your belongings are safe, and that you do not have to re-pack again until the end of the cruise. In addition to this, the ratio of crew to passengers is very high on a river cruise, as the vessels are small. This ensures that everyone can relax with the knowledge that everything will be taken care of for them, and the personal, attentive service they will receive will be of an exceptional standard.

Although river cruise ships are much smaller than large ocean cruise liners, they deďŹ nitely do not lose any of their charm.

River cruise vessels are built with luxury in mind, offering the most comfortable

of amenities. From the intimate bars and lounges to the comfortable cabins and suites, the highest standards of design and creativity come together to create a boutique haven of relaxation.

Few things are as relaxing as sitting in a luxurious, hotel-style suite, enjoying a glass of wine on the sun deck and just watching the world go by.

The ever-changing views are a highlight of the experience, as you wake up to different scenery most days without having to take a long drive. River cruises are thoughtfully planned, so you get to enjoy beautiful scenery during the daytime, whilst at night the ship makes its journey to the next port. The ship remains moored at the most interesting destinations, allowing you to come and go as you please for further exploration. ď Ą TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

42 mmm

Continued from page 41

RIVER CRUISING IS THE IDEAL INTRODUCTION TO CRUISING

River cruising is an increasingly popular option amongst cruise novices. River cruise vessels are not overwhelmingly large, so it is easy to navigate inside.

They are small and intimate, with the average ship carrying approximately 160 passengers only.

What’s more, you will get to know how a cruise itinerary works. A portion of each day and night (most cruising occurs at night time and is dependent TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

on the route) is spent cruising and admiring the view, and then at least one on-shore walking tour or excursion is planned for everyone. Unlike other types of cruising, such as on ocean liners, you do not spend long periods of time on the water, yet you will still experience the luxury of staying on board a world-class vessel.

River cruising offers the opportunity to get up-close and personal with your surroundings. You will spend a large proportion of your time on land where you can thoroughly immerse yourself in the fairy-tale towns and medieval cities

mmm 43

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel Š

that Europe so proudly boasts. Throughout most of the cruise, you will be able to enjoy scenic views from the comfort and privacy of your suite. You really do get the best of both worlds, with plenty of time to relax in your cabin or enjoy some five-star dining on board.

Tours and excursions are usually included with a river cruise, so you will spend time sight-seeing, exploring and learning about the destinations along the ship’s route. The ship is usually moored for a period of time to allow for more time to explore. River cruising in Europe is perfect for those who want a relaxed tour of the finest European towns and cities but have no experience of any kind of cruising. For many travellers this is a fantastic stepping-stone into the world of cruising, as it gives them a great taster of what is possible on a cruise. a TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

44 mmm

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

mmm 45

LIMITLESS VARIETY IS AVAILABLE ON THE RIVERS

Offering 21 different itineraries along the Rhine, Main, Moselle, Danube (including the Danube Delta), Rhone and Saone, as well as the Dutch and Belgian Waterways, there truly is a wealth to explore with Amadeus.

From UNESCO-listed cites and fields of endless tulips, to stunning river valleys lined with fairy tale castles, you can experience the rich heritage of Europe through its art, architecture and culture on board their 4* luxury ships.

Their highly-praised fleet offers elegant comforts and exceptional service derived from Austrian hospitality and their dedicated staff are devoted to satisfying passengers’ every need:

•MS Amadeus Rhapsody •MS Amadeus Symphony •MS Amadeus Royal •MS Amadeus Princess •MS Amadeus Diamond •MS Amadeus Elegant •MS Amadeus Brilliant •MS Amadeus Silver (River Cruise Vessel of the Year) •MS Amadeus Silver II •MS Amadeus Silver III •Amadeus Provence (New for 2017!)

You can chose from 3 to 15 night sailings and also have the opportunity to enrich your holiday experience with a choice of fascinating excursions, all of which can be booked in advance at a special discount.

These are all lead by local experts and range from city tours, to wine tasting excursions and boat safaris. a

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel ©

Continued from page 43

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

46 mmm Continued from page 45

AMAZING VISTAS AT EVERY TURN

A room with a view on a Rhine river cruise. More than any other type of holiday, river cruising really steps up to the plate when views to die for are on your list of travel ‘must haves’.

An array of endlessly-changing scenery from rolling valleys to dramatic cliffs mark your journey, punctuated by picturesque ports and the beating heart of vibrant cities.

And a cruise on the mighty Rhine delivers like no other. Steeped in folklore and charm, the Rhine’s ripe banks burst with story-book castles and verdant vineyards, all waiting to be enjoyed from the comfort of your floating five-star hotel.

On a Scenic river cruise, views take centre stage throughout.

Whether soaked in from the comfort of your luxurious balcony suite or admired with new friends over cocktails through the floor-to-ceiling windows of the Panorama Lounge, something new waits round every bend of the river.

Take the breath-taking Rhine Gorge, for example. This awesome 65km stretch marks your route between Koblenz and Mannheim in some style. UNESCO World Heritage-listed for its unique combination of geological, historical and cultural gems, a journey along

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

this fabled waterway is something to remember for a very long time.

Scenic ensures you get the very most from the ride too; which is where its unique Tailormade device comes in.

This handy piece of kit is given to each guest at the beginning of a cruise, and besides providing a wealth of independent guided touring options in every port it also pings when you pass a point of interest while cruising – sure to start many a conversation.

Amazing vistas abound ashore too where you’ll enjoy a flexible choice of excursions in every destination, ensuring you spend your holiday exactly the way you want to.

From Strasbourg, why not journey to the awe-inspiring Black Forest and take in the spectacular scenery on a guided hike?

And in Mannheim, views come no more five-star than on an unforgettable Enrich event at the Baroque Palace of Rastatt. Surrounded by spectacular gardens, this formidable venue will be the backdrop to a private classical music concert, exclusively for you and fellow Scenic guests.

As the sun sets on another day of discovery, so it does on that day’s port. So step out onto your Scenic Sunlounge, have your butler deliver you a tipple of your choice, and raise a toast to a truly once-in-alifetime experience. a

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel ©

mmm 47

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

48 mmm

Images used in conjunction with Riviera Travel ©

FABULOUS FOOD COMPLEMENTS YOUR JOURNEY

Begin with a sophisticated and stylish setting. Toss in a cheerful atmosphere.

Add this sumptuous cuisine, wonderful regional wines and attentive service; then sprinkle in gorgeous views.

The result - an outstanding dining experience. Expert chefs create culinary masterpieces that highlight regional cultures and traditions across all of their ships in Europe, rated the top 10 in the Berlitz Guide to River Cruising.

Every AmaWaterways vessel cruising in Europe is an official member of Chaîne des Rôtisseurs, one of the world’s most prestigious gastronomic organisations founded in 1950 in

TRAVEL INSPIRATIONS

Paris. Membership is considered an achievement of world-class culinary acumen and as we continue to design new ships, we develop our unique dining experiences. Guests may choose from multiple dining venues, including a Main Restaurant and an intimate Chef’s Table restaurant with its own tasting menu. Every lunch and dinner on board includes free-flowing regional wines perfectly paired to complement each meal. Immerse yourself further with their unique Wine Cruises, a wonderful way to uncork the traditions of the local culture and learn about the region you’re visiting. You’ll taste local cuisine, discover how wine is made and, of course, partake in tastings - all at no additional cost.

BON APPÉTIT

WHERE TO GO FOR AFTERNOON TEA FRUIT AND VEG THIS SEASON CHOCOLATE TEA POT MAKE YOUR OWN AFTERNOON TEA

Afternoon Tea DINE OUT IN FASHION AT THESE SELECTED VENUES

Tudor Park Marriott Hotel

From

£22.50

Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 5NQ

P

op in to Tudor Park, maybe after a walk around the nearby Wildlife Trust in Bearsted and order the beautifully-crafted cream tea. It comes with scones that defy gravity and lashings of cream. If you are an afternoon tea connoisseur, you won’t be disappointed, Tudor Park has recently brought in British tea specialist Simpsons Tea and has also teamed up with Kent’s leading wine producer Chapel Down to offer its sparkling wine as part of a royal afternoon tea package. www.marriotttudorpark.co.uk

per person

Book now on: 01622 859 803

Chilston Park Hotel Sandway, Lenham, ME17 2BE

From

£15.00 per person

Book now on: 01622 734334

A

t Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham, guests are delighted with afternoon tea, and there is no finer place to enjoy this tradition than in the Marble Lounge with its beautiful chandeliers. This great country house was built for pleasure and it is in the Marble Lounge where this spirit is most prevalent – here you can allow yourself to be outrageously indulgent as you devour the selection of carefully prepared pastries, sandwiches and the finest leaf tea. For that extra special occasion, you can also choose to take afternoon tea in one of their private dining rooms. www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/chilstonpark

mmm 51

The Secret Garden

Mersham-le-hatch Business Village, Hythe Road, Ashford, TN25 6NH

W

hether you desire a quick coffee and cake, or would like to enjoy an afternoon tea, cream tea or a delicious lunch, The Secret Garden is the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends and family. www.secretgardenkent.co.uk

From

ÂŁ21.95 per person

Book now on: 01233 501586

From

ÂŁ19.50 per person

Book now on: 01622 859 803

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa Brands Hatch Road, Fawkham, DA3 8NQ

V

isit Brandshatch Place for the ultimate in champagne afternoon tea. Speciality teas from Twining, a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, a selection of traditional cakes and pastries and freshly baked scones are all on the menu at Brandshatch Place. Better still, it is all hand-prepared using only the freshest ingredients and changes with the seasons.

For those extra special occasions there is a champagne afternoon tea, serving you a glass of Bruno Paillard, which uses a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to achieve its unique structure and fresh, dry and vibrant taste. www.handpickedhotelshotels.co.uk/brandshatchplace

AFTERNOON TEA

52 mmm Continued from page 51

Rowhill Grange Hotel Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7QH

A From

ÂŁ10.50 per person

The London Beach Hotel

Book now on: 01580 766279

Ashford Road, Tenterden, ME17 6HX

T

he London Beach is situated just outside the historic town of Tenterden and is surrounded by beautiful countryside with stunning views across the parkland golf course and beyond. There is a magnificent conservatory and terrace where you can relax and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. www.londonbeach.com

AFTERNOON TEA

charming 18th century country house hotel, snugly surrounded by acres of gorgeous gardens, tended grounds, a picturesque lake, deep in the heart of Kent - the Garden of England. This welcoming country house hotel is perfectly placed to enjoy Afternoon Tea either out on the terraces and grounds or snuggly in one of the comfy lounges. Enjoy a decadent selection of home baked treats and pastries, sandwiches and, of course, freshly made scones with thick clotted cream and jam. To add to the proceedings why not add a glass of champagne for the perfect indulgence. www.alexanderhotels.co.uk

From

ÂŁ21.95 per person

Book now on: 01322 615136

Create your own

mmm 55

Eastwell Manor Hotel Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, TN25 4HR

W

hat a fabulous way to spend an afternoon – sitting by a crackling log fire in beautiful Eastwell Manor or, during the summer months, relaxing on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Queen Victoria was a frequent visitor and much is still as described by Princess Marie, the future queen of Romania, who was born here in 1875.

Whether you choose the classic Eastwell Manor, Pimms, Champagne or Celebration Tea, all are served from elegant, silver teapots and silver cake stands. The scones with preserves and clotted cream, a delicious assortment of sandwiches and cakes are all sublime. There is a large selection of leaf teas or a cafetière of coffee if you prefer.

Perfect whether indulging yourself or treating that someone special, Eastwell Manor is five star in every way imaginable. www.eastwellmanor.co.uk.

ABode Hotel 30-33 High Street, Canterbury, CT1 2RX

S

From

£23.50 per person

Book now on: 01233 213000/020

Fable Accent Plates £24.00 Royal Doulton

Cake Stand £42.00 Laura Ashley

From

£17.50

Ashdown Rose Teapot £28.00 Cath Kidston

ituated in the heart per person of Canterbury, within Book now on: ancient city walls, 01227 766266 ABode Canterbury offers the perfect place to enjoy Afternoon Tea after a busy day enjoying the shops, historic sites and traditional architecture.

Afternoon Tea is served in the elegant County Restaurant, which takes its name from the original name established for the hotel in 1892. You can enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea which includes a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones, accompanied by a hot beverage of your choice. www.abodecanterbury.co.uk

Royal Pip Espresso Cup & Saucer £10.00 Pip Studio

Friendship Teacup & Saucer £25.00 Miranda Kerr

Medaillon Meandre d’Or Teacup & Saucer £109.00 Versace AFTERNOON TEA

56 mmm

Make your own SIMPLE AND QUICK MINI DIY AFTERNOON TEA

Coffee & walnut flapjacks

Lemony cucumber & prawn

Ingerdients Ingerdients For the Icing 280g butter 75g butter 85g dark brown soft sugar 3 tbsp hot strong 100g golden syrup coffee or espresso 100ml espresso or 350g golden icing sugar strong coffee 20 walnut halves, 100g walnut pieces plus 2 tbsp finely 175g whole porridge oats chopped walnuts 175g rolled porridge oats 100g plain flour

6 slices wholemeal bread ½ cucumber, thinly sliced 4 tbsp mayonnaise zest of 1 lemon 6 large cooked prawns

Method

• Heat oven to 190C (170C for gas oven) and line a 20 x 30cm cake tin with baking parchment.

• Melt butter in a pan with sugar, syrup and coffee.

• Stir in the walnuts, porridge oats and flour with a pinch of salt. Press evenly into the tin and bake for 25 minutes, then leave to cool.

• Meanwhile, make the icing. Melt the butter into the coffee, then stir into the icing sugar to make a smooth icing.

• Once the flapjacks have cooled to room temperature, spread over the icing.

• Carefully space out your walnut halves, then scatter over the finely chopped walnuts to finish.

Leave until the icing is set and firm – you can pop them in the fridge to speed up this bit if you like.

They will keep in an airtight container for a week.

Recipes From BBC GoodFood www.bbcgoodfood.com

AFTERNOON TEA

Wedgwood Cuckoo Teapot £70.00 John Lewis

Method

• Lightly spread the slices of wholemeal bread with butter.

• Cover with a layer of thinly sliced cucumber, then use a 5-6cm round cutter to stamp out 12 circles.

• Mix together 4 tbsp of mayonnaise with zest of one lemon.

• Top each circle with one halved large cooked prawn and a dollop of the lemony mayonnaise.

54 mmm Continued from page 52

The Marquis Alkham Alkham Valley Road, Alkham, Dover, CT15 7DF

A

selection of desserts and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream accompanied by a pot of tea or coffee from our extensive list.

Available in the bar, terrace or in your room from 3pm – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday, 3.30pm – 5pm Sunday – Monday. A selection of From finger sandwiches are available. www.themarquisatalkham.co.uk

£14.95 per person

Book now on: 01304 873410

Where Memories Meet 188 Tonbridge Rd, Wateringbury, ME18 5NS

T

reat yourself and your loved ones to a celebration of traditional English Pomp & Ceremony.

For Afternoon Tea, they require a booking at least 48 hours in advance to prepare the necessary refinements. www.wherememoriesmeet.com

From

£13.50 per person

Book now on: 01622 299017

Mercure Great Danes Hotel Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, ME17 1RE

M

ercure Maidstone provides a quiet and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy afternoon tea.

On sunny afternoons, the summer terrace is perfect for appreciating the stunning views of the grounds.

This venue is located next to Leeds Castle in Kent, and is the ideal place for those who wish to stop for afternoon tea while visiting the Castle. www.mercuremaidstone.co.uk

From

£30 afternoon tea for two for two glasses £40 of prosecco Book now on: 0844 815 9045

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

Afternoon Tea DINE OUT IN FASHION AT THESE SELECTED VENUES

Tudor Park Marriott Hotel

From

£22.50

Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 5NQ

P

op in to Tudor Park, maybe after a walk around the nearby Wildlife Trust in Bearsted and order the beautifully-crafted cream tea. It comes with scones that defy gravity and lashings of cream. If you are an afternoon tea connoisseur, you won’t be disappointed, Tudor Park has recently brought in British tea specialist Simpsons Tea and has also teamed up with Kent’s leading wine producer Chapel Down to offer its sparkling wine as part of a royal afternoon tea package. www.marriotttudorpark.co.uk

per person

Book now on: 01622 859 803

Chilston Park Hotel Sandway, Lenham, ME17 2BE

From

£15.00 per person

Book now on: 01622 734334

A

t Chilston Park Hotel, Lenham, guests are delighted with afternoon tea, and there is no finer place to enjoy this tradition than in the Marble Lounge with its beautiful chandeliers. This great country house was built for pleasure and it is in the Marble Lounge where this spirit is most prevalent – here you can allow yourself to be outrageously indulgent as you devour the selection of carefully prepared pastries, sandwiches and the finest leaf tea. For that extra special occasion, you can also choose to take afternoon tea in one of their private dining rooms. www.handpickedhotels.co.uk/chilstonpark

mmm 51

The Secret Garden

Mersham-le-hatch Business Village, Hythe Road, Ashford, TN25 6NH

W

hether you desire a quick coffee and cake, or would like to enjoy an afternoon tea, cream tea or a delicious lunch, The Secret Garden is the perfect place to relax and unwind with friends and family. www.secretgardenkent.co.uk

From

ÂŁ21.95 per person

Book now on: 01233 501586

From

ÂŁ19.50 per person

Book now on: 01622 859 803

Brandshatch Place Hotel & Spa Brands Hatch Road, Fawkham, DA3 8NQ

V

isit Brandshatch Place for the ultimate in champagne afternoon tea. Speciality teas from Twining, a variety of delicate finger sandwiches, a selection of traditional cakes and pastries and freshly baked scones are all on the menu at Brandshatch Place. Better still, it is all hand-prepared using only the freshest ingredients and changes with the seasons.

For those extra special occasions there is a champagne afternoon tea, serving you a glass of Bruno Paillard, which uses a unique blend of Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Meunier to achieve its unique structure and fresh, dry and vibrant taste. www.handpickedhotelshotels.co.uk/brandshatchplace

AFTERNOON TEA

52 mmm Continued from page 51

Rowhill Grange Hotel Wilmington, Dartford, DA2 7QH

A From

ÂŁ10.50 per person

The London Beach Hotel

Book now on: 01580 766279

Ashford Road, Tenterden, ME17 6HX

T

he London Beach is situated just outside the historic town of Tenterden and is surrounded by beautiful countryside with stunning views across the parkland golf course and beyond. There is a magnificent conservatory and terrace where you can relax and enjoy a delicious afternoon tea. www.londonbeach.com

AFTERNOON TEA

charming 18th century country house hotel, snugly surrounded by acres of gorgeous gardens, tended grounds, a picturesque lake, deep in the heart of Kent - the Garden of England. This welcoming country house hotel is perfectly placed to enjoy Afternoon Tea either out on the terraces and grounds or snuggly in one of the comfy lounges. Enjoy a decadent selection of home baked treats and pastries, sandwiches and, of course, freshly made scones with thick clotted cream and jam. To add to the proceedings why not add a glass of champagne for the perfect indulgence. www.alexanderhotels.co.uk

From

ÂŁ21.95 per person

Book now on: 01322 615136

mmm 53

54 mmm Continued from page 52

The Marquis Alkham Alkham Valley Road, Alkham, Dover, CT15 7DF

A

selection of desserts and fruit scones with jam and clotted cream accompanied by a pot of tea or coffee from our extensive list.

Available in the bar, terrace or in your room from 3pm – 5pm Tuesday – Saturday, 3.30pm – 5pm Sunday – Monday. A selection of From finger sandwiches are available. www.themarquisatalkham.co.uk

£14.95 per person

Book now on: 01304 873410

Where Memories Meet 188 Tonbridge Rd, Wateringbury, ME18 5NS

T

reat yourself and your loved ones to a celebration of traditional English Pomp & Ceremony.

For Afternoon Tea, they require a booking at least 48 hours in advance to prepare the necessary refinements. www.wherememoriesmeet.com

From

£13.50 per person

Book now on: 01622 299017

Mercure Great Danes Hotel Ashford Road, Hollingbourne, Maidstone, ME17 1RE

M

ercure Maidstone provides a quiet and relaxed atmosphere to enjoy afternoon tea.

On sunny afternoons, the summer terrace is perfect for appreciating the stunning views of the grounds.

This venue is located next to Leeds Castle in Kent, and is the ideal place for those who wish to stop for afternoon tea while visiting the Castle. www.mercuremaidstone.co.uk

From

£30 afternoon tea for two for two glasses £40 of prosecco Book now on: 0844 815 9045

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

Create your own

mmm 55

Eastwell Manor Hotel Eastwell Park, Boughton Lees, Ashford, TN25 4HR

W

hat a fabulous way to spend an afternoon – sitting by a crackling log fire in beautiful Eastwell Manor or, during the summer months, relaxing on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Queen Victoria was a frequent visitor and much is still as described by Princess Marie, the future queen of Romania, who was born here in 1875.

Whether you choose the classic Eastwell Manor, Pimms, Champagne or Celebration Tea, all are served from elegant, silver teapots and silver cake stands. The scones with preserves and clotted cream, a delicious assortment of sandwiches and cakes are all sublime. There is a large selection of leaf teas or a cafetière of coffee if you prefer.

Perfect whether indulging yourself or treating that someone special, Eastwell Manor is five star in every way imaginable. www.eastwellmanor.co.uk.

ABode Hotel 30-33 High Street, Canterbury, CT1 2RX

S

From

£23.50 per person

Book now on: 01233 213000/020

Fable Accent Plates £24.00 Royal Doulton

Cake Stand £42.00 Laura Ashley

From

£17.50

Ashdown Rose Teapot £28.00 Cath Kidston

ituated in the heart per person of Canterbury, within Book now on: ancient city walls, 01227 766266 ABode Canterbury offers the perfect place to enjoy Afternoon Tea after a busy day enjoying the shops, historic sites and traditional architecture.

Afternoon Tea is served in the elegant County Restaurant, which takes its name from the original name established for the hotel in 1892. You can enjoy a traditional Afternoon Tea which includes a selection of finger sandwiches, cakes and scones, accompanied by a hot beverage of your choice. www.abodecanterbury.co.uk

Royal Pip Espresso Cup & Saucer £10.00 Pip Studio

Friendship Teacup & Saucer £25.00 Miranda Kerr

Medaillon Meandre d’Or Teacup & Saucer £109.00 Versace AFTERNOON TEA

56 mmm

Make your own SIMPLE AND QUICK MINI DIY AFTERNOON TEA

Coffee & walnut flapjacks

Lemony cucumber & prawn

Ingerdients Ingerdients For the Icing 280g butter 75g butter 85g dark brown soft sugar 3 tbsp hot strong 100g golden syrup coffee or espresso 100ml espresso or 350g golden icing sugar strong coffee 20 walnut halves, 100g walnut pieces plus 2 tbsp finely 175g whole porridge oats chopped walnuts 175g rolled porridge oats 100g plain flour

6 slices wholemeal bread ½ cucumber, thinly sliced 4 tbsp mayonnaise zest of 1 lemon 6 large cooked prawns

Method

• Heat oven to 190C (170C for gas oven) and line a 20 x 30cm cake tin with baking parchment.

• Melt butter in a pan with sugar, syrup and coffee.

• Stir in the walnuts, porridge oats and flour with a pinch of salt. Press evenly into the tin and bake for 25 minutes, then leave to cool.

• Meanwhile, make the icing. Melt the butter into the coffee, then stir into the icing sugar to make a smooth icing.

• Once the flapjacks have cooled to room temperature, spread over the icing.

• Carefully space out your walnut halves, then scatter over the finely chopped walnuts to finish.

Leave until the icing is set and firm – you can pop them in the fridge to speed up this bit if you like.

They will keep in an airtight container for a week.

Recipes From BBC GoodFood www.bbcgoodfood.com

AFTERNOON TEA

Wedgwood Cuckoo Teapot £70.00 John Lewis

Method

• Lightly spread the slices of wholemeal bread with butter.

• Cover with a layer of thinly sliced cucumber, then use a 5-6cm round cutter to stamp out 12 circles.

• Mix together 4 tbsp of mayonnaise with zest of one lemon.

• Top each circle with one halved large cooked prawn and a dollop of the lemony mayonnaise.

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.

NOW taking bookings for MOTHER’S DAY 26th March 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

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CHOCOLATE TEAPOT ANYONE?

I

MOST OF US LOVE TO INDULGE ON A GOOD CHOCOLATE BAR, BUT WHAT IF YOU COULD HAVE SOMETHING MUCH MORE FUN WITH THE SAME GREAT TASTE?

ntroducing the Chocolate Teapot from The Fowndry. “As much use as a chocolate teapot” is usually a negative phrase, but not this time! This tasty creation will definitely cure those chocolate cravings, and once you’ve had one, you’ll be back for more!

Novelty chocolate usually doesn’t live up to the delicious goodness you expect, however this chocolate teapot is made from 600 grams of the finest Belgium chocolate, and we all know how good that tastes!

Apart from being able to eat the entire teapot, you can also use this to create the ultimate hot chocolate or fondue.

To create a rich, smooth hot chocolate, simply add a few spoonfuls of your favourite drinking chocolate and fill the pot 2/3 with hot water. Stir the contents and pour to experience the most mouthwatering hot chocolate you’ve ever tried!

Not into hot drinks? Have a go at creating some chocolate fondue magic. To get started all you

need to do is add a few teaspoons of boiling water and shake the teapot gently. The chocolate will start to melt, so you can dip your favourite treats and cover them in delicious Belgium chocolate. To get the most from your fondue, place strawberries, marshmallows, or whatever takes your fancy into a wooden stick, then dip, it’s as easy as that!

This life sized teapot has so many delightful uses and is handmade in the UK. It’s also gluten free and has a shelf life of 18 months, not that you will be able to resist for that long! Easter is just around the corner, why not switch it up and try this magical teapot instead of the same old egg? Treat your favourite chocoholic, or just indulge by yourself!

The Chocolate Teapot

is £24.99 and available online from The Fowndry

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4 TREATS YOUR MUM WILL LOVE THE HOMEMADE GIN KIT

If your mum enjoys Gin, but just buying a bottle doesn’t look so great, give this homemade kit a try. It supplies all the tools needed to great a unique blend, all you need to do is add Vodka and in 36 hours you have a delicious Gin you can be proud of. £44.99 from The Fowndry

CITRUS ZINGER GIFT PACK

Don’t worry if your mum isn’t much of a drinker, you can always give her a fruity treat with this Citrus Zinger Gift Pack. Turn the bottle upside down and chose your attachment, whether you want to add lemon, orange, kiwi or cucumber, simply add your fruit to the bottom and fill the top with water. It’s a perfectly healthy infusion of zesty fruit. £20 from Root7

DROP RAINBOW BATH LIGHT

Looking for something a bit more relaxing? This cute little mood light is perfect for a pamper evening. It radiates a calming glow that changes to colours, to create the ultimate relaxing atmosphere. It fits in perfectly with your bathroom and automatically switches on when the bottom comes in contact with water. £14.99 from The Fowndry

KLHIP NAIL FILE

This unique nail file is the perfect gift for mums on the go, mums always breaking their nails or mums who just love to have good looking nails. The Klhip nail file is made from Pyrenees mountain stone and will genuinely last a lifetime. It leaves your nails super smooth and comes in a handy leather sleeve, so it fits nicely in any handbag! £29.99 from The Fowndry

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SIGNATURE DISH Super Food Salad

THE VILLAGE LEISURE CLUB’S SUPER TASTY AND HEALTHY DISH

INGREDIENTS

Recipe From The Village Hotel Castle View, Forstal Road Maidstone, ME14 3AQ www.villagehotels.co.uk

80g broccoli 30g choice peas ½ avocado 30g cucumber, diced 60g quinoa 40g greek feta, diced 5g mint, picked 5g parsley, picked 5g alfalfa shoots 1g sesame seeds 1g black sesame seeds 10ml olive oil

METHOD

Pre cook your broccoli in some seasoned water, and also blanch the peas in the sauce pan after your broccoli. Allow to cool.

Pre cook your quinoa with ½ pint of boiling water with a vegetable stock cube in it. Put to one side and allow to cool.

Add all of your ingredients with the exception of the sesame seeds in to a clean bowl, toss them together adding

a pinch of salt and cracked black pepper.

Grab a clean pasta bowl, place the tossed ingredients in your pasta bowl, sprinkle your sesame seeds over the top and finish off by a drizzle of the olive oil. Now you have your super food salad, why not add a grilled chicken breast for extra protein. You could also finish off with a garnish of pea shoots or some peppery watercress for that added flavour.

NEW MENU at The Village Hotel Club Maidstone MENU OPTIONS THAT THE VILLAGE HOTEL CLUB HAS TO OFFER

MOTHER’S DAY SUNDAY LUNCH

With unlimited selections of tasty salads, starters, roast meats, veggies and desserts, their Sunday carvery is the place to be. Open from 12:30pm, now taking bookings for Mother’s Day and Easter Sunday. Adults £19.95, Kids £8.95, plus a free glass of fizz for Mum! To book please call 01622 235170

THE PUBLIC HOUSE

Serving proper pub grub including their famous ‘proper burgers, rings and wings’. Or go for the healthy option of their ‘Superfood salad’, all washed down with local ales - Whitstable Bay or from further a field Goose IPA, among the many other well-known drinks served. With big screens showing all the top sports, the Public House has a friendly, buzzing atmosphere ready to welcome you. Coming soon - Hot, Cool & Juicy every Thursday at the Village Pub – five hot wings, a cool pint and a juicy burger for £10.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS Village Hotel Club Maidstone is the perfect venue for all events with its newly refurbished Inspiration Suite and amazing menus to suit all occasions. Why not try their Hog Roast with the most or the showstopper buffet for your birthday party. Wedding menus for your day to remember include Smoked Garlic & Rosemary Rump of Lamb or Lemon & Thyme Chicken Buffet.

To book a visit please call 01622 656915

THE VILLAGE GRILL

Come and dine in the Village Grill to sample their new menu, launched in February. With its relaxed atmosphere and exciting dishes, including Chicken & Pork Rustic Pate and Tandoori Spiced Prawns, the Village Grill is a great place for family and friends.

Back by popular demand - Girls at the Grill every Thursday - 2 courses for £29 with a glass of fizz each.

To book a table please call 01622 235170 Conveniently located at Junction 6 on M20. Free parking and free wifi.

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MEET THE CHEF

M

y choice to go into catering comes from my passion for food and foraging.

Starting my career at Canterbury College studying Catering and Hotel Management was the foundation of my career.

After leaving college I was lucky enough to spend a year in France expanding my culinary expertise in a Rosette awarded restaurant.

Over the years, I have added to my passion for food and flavour whilst working at some of Kent’s top restaurants.

Recently, I started to hear rumour of exciting happenings at Village Hotel Club Maidstone.

It was great to hear not only of their £3 million refurbishment programme but also their exciting plans for the catering side of the business.

I now look after a team of 12 chefs, producing great food from our new menu which we launched in February.

The new menu concentrates on fresh, vibrant and tasty food with dishes such as Baked Salmon with Lemon & Coriander Couscous, Wild Mushroom & Roasted Root Vegetable Risotto and Char Grilled Rump Steak.

The brigade look forward to bringing this menu to the taste buds of Kent.

SEASONAL FRUITS ripe for March DISCOVER THE SOURCES OF NATURAL VITAMINS, FIBRE AND ANTIOXIDANTS

ARTICHOKES

One steamed artichoke has around 65 calories and a large 10 grams of fibre, and an excellent source of vitamin C, folate, and potassium. Plus, artichokes contain the antioxidant silymarin, which helps protect from heart disease as well as helping your liver do its job.

Known as “Ankinara” in Greek, its use as a vegetable is well known to the ancient Greeks and Romans who advocated it for its medicinal and health benefiting qualities.

Each artichoke globe measures about 6-10 cm in diameter and weighs about 150 g. Fuzzy, immature florets at the centre of the bud constitute its “choke”. These are inedible in older, and larger flowers. The edible portion of the buds consists primarily of the fleshy lower portions of the involucre bracts and the base, known as the “heart”.

CARA CARA ORANGES

Originally discovered in 1976 at Hacienda Cara Cara in Venezuela, this orange has reddishpink flesh and a sweet, tangy flavour similar to strawberries and cranberries. Because they’re seedless, many people prefer using them in recipes like fruit salad, salsa, or dipped in dark chocolate.

It imparts a range of nutritional value, including vitamin C, folate, vitamin A and potassium. The nutrition in these fruits help you meet your daily needs for several vitamins and minerals.

SWEET POTATO

The sweet potato is treated in a similar way to butternut squash, parsnips, swede and turnips.

Unlike potatoes, these vegetables do count towards your 5-a-day because they are lower in starch than other carbohydrates and are usually eaten in addition to the starchy part of the meal. The most prominent nutrient in sweet potatoes is vitamin C; one large sweet potato contains more than 70% of our reference intake, more than double that of white

AND VEGETABLES CAULIFLOWER

It can take on so many flavors, and goes especially great with bright, vibrant ingredients like lemon and capers. There is more to create with cauliflower than just a cauliflower cheese. A few other options include lightly steaming or roasting a cauliflower. If you enjoy Indian food, try adding cumin, turmeric, chilli or ginger to bring out the flavour, or prepare a creamy soup. You can do this by pureeing cooked cauliflower with vegetable stock and milk and stirring in crumbles of your favourite blue cheese.

Most cauliflowers are white, but it’s also possible to find green and purple varieties, as well as the sweeter Romanesco cauliflower, with its distinctive pointed florets. Like all brassicas, cauliflower smells very unpleasant if overcooked, so brief cooking is essential.

ASPARAGUS

The end of March is peak season for this early spring favourite. Asparagus is a young tender stem vegetable, erupting from its underground root-system. Its flavourful spears were well recognized by ancient Greeks and Romans as a prized delicacy. One of the oldest recorded vegetables, it’s thought to have originated along the eastern Mediterranean coast and Asia Minor regions.

One cup of chopped asparagus has 30 calories, and is a rich source of folate and thiamin, it is also a good source of fibre, iron, vitamin C, and betacarotene. For best results when cooking this vegetable, make sure the spears are all the same thickness so they cook evenly.

RADISHES

This member of the mustard family has a slight peppery flavour. The vegetable is thought to have originated in the mainland China centuries ago and today, it is one of the most widely cultivated crops throughout the world.

Radishes can be found in a variety of colours, ranging from red to purple to white to black, and this low-calorie superstar has 20 calories per cup and is brimming with vitamin C, folate and potassium. Munch on them for a snack, or sauté, braise, glaze, or pickle them. And don’t forget about the leaves - they can be added raw to salads or cooked like spinach. You can also find black radishes, popular in eastern Europe, which are more strongly flavoured, as well as large white mooli or diakon radishes, which are shaped like carrots. They are popular in Asian cookery and have a very mild flavour. a

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GRAPEFRUITS

This sweet and tangy member of the citrus family is now in season!

One medium grapefruit has about 100 calories and is an excellent source of vitamins A and C, providing 70 percent and 24 percent of your daily recommended amount, respectively.

The fruit is known as a “fruit from the paradise” for its unique health-promoting as well as disease preventing properties, especially among the health-conscious, fitness enthusiasts.

Toss grapefruit segments over a spinach salad, or use in a seafood marinade or homemade vinaigrette.

For best results, store grapefruit wrapped in a plastic bag in the refrigerator drawer for up to two weeks.

LEMONS

People use lemons to make lemonade by mixing lemon juice and water. Many people also use lemon as a washing agent, because of its ability to remove stains. The scent of lemons can also repel mosquitoes, while drinking lemon juice with olive oil helps to get rid of gall stones.

Lemon is well known for its medicinal power and is used in many different ways. As per the results reported in a study by the Annals of the Rheumatic Diseases, lemon provides protection against inflammatory polyarthritis and arthritis. The health benefits of lemon include treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, and fever, internal bleeding, rheumatism, burns, obesity, respiratory disorders, cholera and high blood pressure, while it also benefits hair and skin care. Known for its therapeutic property since generations, lemons help to strengthen your immune system, cleanse your stomach, and is also considered a blood purifier.

KUMQUAT

Delicious, sweet yet tangy, kumquat fruit is a winter/spring seasonal citrus fruit. Unlike other citrus fruits, kimquats have a pale orange rind that you can eat - it’s the sweetest part of the fruit!

Inside, the flesh and juice is sour.

Kumquats also have seeds that are super bitter and that you shouldn’t eat—spit them out or remove when cooking. One kumquat has only 14 calories and 14 percent of your daily recommended dose of vitamin C, so snack on them while fresh, mix in cocktails, or bake into muffins, breads, or cakes.

HEALTHY EATING

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UNDER A BLANKET OF BLUE DISCOVER THE BEST PLACES TO SPOT BLUEBELLS THIS YEAR WITH THE NATIONAL TRUST IN KENT AND EAST SUSSEX

S

pring has arrived and what better way to delight your senses than with the sight and scent of a sea of bluebells. The National Trust has revealed the best places to enjoy bluebells in Kent and East Sussex this season.

With over half the global population of bluebells blossoming on UK shores, Britain’s beautiful blue spring is a quintessential part of our native landscape. The National Trust is

EMMETTS GARDEN

Emmetts is renowned for its marvellous spring colour each year. The team has planted 3,500 daffodil bulbs in preparation for the new season.

From approximately mid-April to mid-May, the floors of the woodland will be turned into a carpet of blue as the bluebells come into bloom. The woods are an SSSI, Site of Special Scientific Interest, due to the English native bluebells that grow in them, giving the bluebells a special protected status. Pop into their discovery cabin to uncover bluebell themed activities including colouring in and making your own bluebell. You can hang your bluebells up for others to enjoy or take them home with you.

Adult £11 / Child £5.50 / Family £27.50 National Trust members receive free entry.

one of the most important organisations in the UK for bluebell conservation - a quarter of the Trust’s woodland is ancient or semi-natural; the ideal habitat for bluebells to flourish.

The blooming date for bluebells varies depending on the weather, but you can usually expect to see them in April and May. The top National Trust places in Kent and East Sussex where you can enjoy bluebells in all their glory include:

BATEMAN’S

One of the best things about bluebells is the smell - there are around 26 different smells that make up the aroma of a bluebell, including scents of lychee and lemon.

This intoxicating scent can be enjoyed throughout the estate in spring at Bateman’s, family home of author Rudyard Kipling. Kipling was inspired by the magic and myth of the East Sussex countryside, and it is easy to see why when the woodland floor turns into an ocean of bright blue from mid-April onwards.

Bluebell and Wildflower Walk, Friday 28 April, 10.30am to 12.30pm. Explore the estate with their Ranger at this most beautiful time of year. Discover the magic of spring as you follow the trails and fields through Rudyard Kipling’s little bit of England. £5 per person, booking essential on 01435 882302

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All images ©National Trust

IGHTHAM MOTE

Swathes of bluebells can be found in Scathes Wood, running alongside the driveway. The ancient woodland is home to around 15 acres carpeted in the distinctive blue colour of spring.

Scathes Wood is a well-known location locally for the best bluebell walk due to the sheer scale of the flowers and their amazing scent. Pick up

an estate walks leaflet for suggested self-guided routes along the springtime trails. Spring Walk, Sunday 9 April, 10.30am-12.30pm.Join a free spring walk around the estate of Ightham Mote, spotting bluebells as you go. The walk sets off from the visitor reception. Free event, normal admission charges apply. Booking essential on 01732 810378, extension 100

SISSINGHURST CASTLE GARDEN

Venture into the woodland and be rewarded with around 126million individual bluebell flowers. Spot them extending outwards from the earth beneath the trees, also bursting with other wild flowers from Wood Anemones to Cuckoo Flower, Red Campion and Greater Stitchwort - all trying to establish themselves before the tree canopy closes. In the garden, made world famous by its creators Vita

KNOLE

Knole is the perfect place from which to set off to One Tree Hill, where the heavy scent of English Bluebells fills the woodland. One Tree Hill consists of a varied mosaic of habitats, with woodland and open glades, providing homes for some rare wildlife species too.

Most of the area lies within an SSSI, Site of Special Scientific Interest, and it is also within the Kent’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

This means the beautiful woodland protects the precious flora and

fauna – including the bluebells – for all to enjoy.

Spring and Bluebells Walk Saturday 6 May and Sunday 7 May, 2pm to 5pm.

This six-mile guided walk will take you along a pre-historic riverbed through Knole’s 1,000 acre ancient deer park to One Tree Hill, with its profusion of bluebells. Weather permitting, there will be some great views over the Weald. You will then return through bluebell woods and rural communities to Knole Park.

Free event, suggested donation £2.

Sackville-West and Harold Nicolson, the wall flowers, tulips and narcissus are ablaze in the cottage garden and along lime walk (garden entry not included in ticket price).

Bluebell and Wildflower Walks Monday 24 and Saturday 29 April, 2pm.

Take a guided tour of the estate with our ranger team and enjoy the sight and high scent of this colourful season.

Cream tea is included. £15 per person, booking essential on 08442491895

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SANITY BEYOND the Madness

SUGGS HAS LED THE GROUP FROM ITS EIGHTIES HEYDAY TO THEIR STATUS AS ONE OF THE NATION’S BEST-LOVED BANDS

W

hen Graham McPherson decided, 40 years ago, to join a ska band in Camden, he would scarcely be able to believe that his decision as a young 16 year old would still be making him a comfortable wage all these years later.

But McPherson – or Suggs as he is better known – must rarely regret that decision to

join Madness – today one of the nation’s best-loved bands who have spanned generations and continue to perform to sell-out shows.

During the early 1980s they enjoyed a string of massive hits which remain as popular today as they did then – House of Fun, Our House, Baggy Trousers – classic songs which have lasted the test of time a CELEBRITY FEATURE

Continued from page 71

while being reminiscent of an era.

By 1986 they had decided to call it a day as sales started to decline, but a greatest hits album proved a huge success, rising to the top of the charts in 1992, and the public’s re-discovered love for the Nutty Boys, as they’re known to fans, saw them reunite for a series of massive sellout shows at London’s Finsbury Park.

Despite being billed as one-offs, the live shows kept coming and since then they’ve toured extensively – including shows at Quex Park in Birchington in 2010, Kent’s cricket ground in Canterbury in 2015 and, in August this summer, they headline a show at the County

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Showground at Detling.

Live they continue to deliver a remarkably energetic show which excites a mixed audience and defies anyone not to enjoy it.

Our appetite for Madness shows no sign of being sated it would appear. To coin one of their biggest hits, It Must Be Love.

And for lead singer Suggs, Kent holds a very special place in his heart – and has done for 30 years.

Because it was there, just prior to the band’s major commercial breakthrough he started dating his to-be-wife.

Anne Martin – better known as her stage name Bette Bright, lead singer of Seventies rock band Deaf School – had been born and grew up in a

CELEBRITY FEATURE

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“

Mum was a single parent, which was a big stigma back in those days. She was a jazz singer who made ends meet by working as a barmaid and she took me round to pubs and clubs in Soho

CELEBRITY FEATURE

“

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Continued from page 73

the seaside town.

Suggs explains: “I met Anne in 1979 when I was 18 and we spent much of our courting time in Whitstable.”

It would initiate a love affair not only with Anne – the two remain in married bliss with two grown-up daughters – but with Whitstable and Kent.

“My wife’s family are from Whitstable and I’ve been going there for 30 years,” he explains.

“I love the way the seascapes are always changing and I love the coast’s amazing sunsets. In fact, I love Whitstable any time of the year, even in winter, when the waves are crashing in.

“As I’m a Londoner, the seaside has always had a special allure, and as it’s only about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from where I live, it’s a perfect weekend destination.”

He admits one of his favourite places to escape to is the family beach hut on the coast.

“There’s something about being able to look out at the sea that I find so relaxing. Perhaps it’s because I was born in Hastings – or the fact that living in London means you never really get to see the horizon?

“Watching the sun go down at our beach hut in Whitstable – even though it’s the size of a phone box – is far better than being on a big yacht in Saint Tropez.”

Suggs was born in Hastings in January 1961, son of William McPherson and jazz singer Edith Gower.

His father left when he was just three.

Suggs had spent years trying to track down his father.

Only when a friend told him to check out his own Wikipedia page did he learn his father had passed away.

“It said my father had died in 1975, aged just 40,” he recalls. “My dad had died in Birmingham, so I contacted the records office and a nice man there pieced things together for me.”

He discovered his father had been a heroin addict and, shortly before his death, had been sectioned under the mental health act.

“He had remarried so there was a glimmer of hope that he had turned his life around,” he explains, “but it was all a bit of a mess.

“He didn’t have any kids, which put paid to the chance that I might have stepbrothers or stepsisters. When his death certificate arrived it was a real shock.

“The shame was that he died when I was 15, when I was just starting in the band. If he been around a couple more years then my profile might have led him to get in touch and we could have met up but it wasn’t to be.” He admits his childhood was somewhat ‘chaotic’ and that he found himself moving around the country.

“We moved around a lot,” he explains. “Mum was a single parent, which was a big stigma back in those days.

She was a jazz singer who made ends meet by working as a barmaid and she took me round to pubs and clubs in Soho.

My earliest memory of that time is of the legs of bar stools, and an occasional hand reaching down through a cloud of smoke to ruffle my hair.

What’s important is that my childhood made me stronger.”

It meant his value on family has always been powerful. And he has been able to serve them well. Madness’ long-running success saw them enjoy a longer career since they reformed than their original incarnation.

Now the band continue to record new material as well as touring their hits-heavy stage show – which last year, coincidentally, saw Suggs return to the town of his birth on the south coast to perform to mark the opening of Hastings’ pier. Madness, it seems, is a group which have died, been reborn and continue to preach to the converted and new disciples year-on-year. mmm CELEBRITY FEATURE

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ENJOY NATIONAL TRUST with your loved ones CHARTWELL

Enjoy wide-open views across the lakes, garden and Weald of Kent, Churchill’s kitchen garden and the rose walk. The garden at Chartwell is a feast for the eyes, whatever the season. Starting at the Marlborough pavilion the 2pm tour visits each aspect of the Chartwell garden highlighting some fascinating features all handled by a team of dedicated volunteers. Check at the visitor centre for availability or find one of their blackboards throughout the garden. The rock garden feature caught Lady Churchill’s eye at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1948.

She liked it so much the designer Gavin Jones gave it to her as a gift and she only paid for the transport.

The design is a semi-circular wall comprising massive lumps of Forest of Dean sandstone with the stream cascading over the rock face and into a pool below to represent a natural stone outcrop. a

IS

us id T ith o N w av E k t o TM IN oo B O W PO N AP

D

MOTHERING LUNCH served all day

Three courses petits fours & coffee £39.95 adults £18.95 children under 12

Sunday: OPEN ALL DAY

The Vineyard Restaurant Set in the picturesque village of Wrotham Heath, The Vineyard is one of the finest restaurants in the region, where your dining experience will almost certainly exceed your expectations.

The Vineyard offers fine dining for an affordable price, and warmly welcomes couples, groups, parties and families for an enjoyable meal. It can also be booked for wedding receptions and other special functions.

Arriving there is hassle-free as they have a large car park, and the atmosphere is relaxed, warm and friendly.

If you are in the area, why not try this rather special venue?

The Vineyard Restaurant, A20 London Road, Wrotham, Heath TN15 7RU u 01732 882330 dine@thevineyardrestaurant.co.uk u www.thevineyardrestaurant.co.uk

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KNOLE

between 2pm and 2.45pm. Learn about the history of the ancient parkland, its wild deer and other inhabitants with their knowledgeable park walk team. Pick up a map from the Visitor Centre and set off on a self-guided walk around the parkland. Choose from three walks: the 5km Wheels Walk, which follows surfaced tracks and is suitable for wheelchairs and buggies; the 2.5km Woodland Ramble, which is well-suited to families; and the 5km Seven Oaks Walk, which follows the perimeter of the park with stunning views over the surrounding countryside.

SOUTH FORELAND LIGHTHOUSE

Michael Faraday and his electricity and Guglielmo Marconi and radio.

The necessity for a light at South Foreland is due to the Goodwin Sands, three miles off shore a 10 mile long sandbank also known as the Great Ship Swallower. The sands have a quick sand-like consistency during high tide and are constantly moving, but when the tide is out they are exposed to view and become more solid. The constant movement of the Sands made them highly dangerous to ships with over 2,000 recorded wrecks.

The notoriously dangerous nature of the Goodwin Sands is clear as Shakespeare mentions them in The Merchant of Venice. a

The cosy Brewhouse CafÊ is the perfect place to stop for a post-stroll treat and is open all winter for snacks, hot lunches and delicious afternoon teas. Or browse the Brewhouse’s shop for delicious goodies and gifts or relax in thier cosy bookshop with its roaring log fire.

The courtyards and Gatehouse Tower are also open daily throughout the winter for you to explore and enjoy. Their regular programme of guided park walks will continue over the winter, on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons

A landmark of the White Cliffs, the Victorian lighthouse was built to warn mariners of shifting sands and guide them through the Strait of Dover. A place of innovation and science, discover South Foreland Lighthouse.

Discover the rotating optic installed in 1904, which still turns easily and incredibly smoothly, and the simple yet sophisticated clockwork mechanism used to turn the lens and make the lighthouse flash. On one of the fascinating guided tours you will also learn how South Foreland was a place of innovation and firsts, with the works of

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QUEBEC HOUSE

Get hands on at Quebec House and immerse yourself in the Georgian history with some of their monthly re-enactment events. They also have a handling collection so you can really feel what it was like to live at Quebec House and how it felt to serve in the campaign.

Immerse yourself in history. At Quebec House you have the chance to get really hands on. Whilst visiting the house step in to the Bicentenary room and have a feel of some of

the weapons that would have been used in the Quebec campaign. Also in the handling collection, replica uniforms that soldiers like General Wolfe would have worn as well as some equipment. Upstairs you can relax next to the fire in the drawing room or have a go at some of the parlour games and toys. There’s also a writing desk so you can see how you would have faired with a quill and ink as well as an eighteenth century broadwood square piano for those who know how to play.

TOYS HILL

Toys Hill is not just for walkers. There are bridlepaths and way marked running routes for you to follow as you take in the beautiful views and scenery. Fancy yourself as the next Bradley Wiggins? Toys Hill is the highest point in Kent and has some fantastic bike trails, both on and off road, which are popular with mountain bikers and road riders alike. For those who prefer a more traditional form of horsepower, there is an extensive network of bridleways around Toys Hill. They are just perfect for hacking out with your horse. Download National Trust’s map of Toys Hill to follow the bridleways from their website.

Fancy a challenge? Then try the 6km Run England route that takes you through Toys Hill and past Emmetts Garden, another local National Trust property. The route is winding, circular and undulating on woodland pathways. Red arrows and Run England markers clearly point you in the right direction so you can enjoy the magnificent views of the South Downs without getting lost.

All images supplied from National trust ©

DYFFRYN GARDENS

Discover Dyffryn Gardens’ enchanting series of intimate outdoor rooms. Wander through the arboretum past bright red holly berries and discover the winter roses on a winding walk down the paths. Warm up in the glasshouses where you’ll find a bright and airy vinery, a cacti house and a tropical-feeling rainforest blooming with orchids and banana trees.

HOMES AND GARDENS

GARDENING TIPS FOR SPRING LOOKING AFTER YOUR FENCING FIND YOUR IDEAL BEDDING GRADE II LISTED PROPERTY FOR SALE

HOME accessories

BRIGHTEN UP YOU HOME WITH A SELECTION OF THESE GREAT HOMEWARE PRODUCTS

Apple Scented Candle £16.00 Laura Ashley

Serving Bowl £95.00 Wedgewood

Metallic Splatter Cushion £28.00 Oliver Bonas

Amber Chair £599.00 Marks & Spencer Sheepskin Cusions £50.00 each Oliver Bonas

Jasper Complete Lamp £160.00 Laura Ashley

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Luxe Wine Rack Table £250.00 Oliver Bonas

Woven Throw £50.00 House of Fraser

Tripple Geo Mirror £149.00 Marks & Spencer

Oversized Vase £78.00 House of Fraser

Barclay Console Table £599.00 Marks & Spencer

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LUXURY

bedding

E

MAKE YOUR BEDTIME THAT LITTLE BIT MORE SPECIAL WITH THESE FABULOUS BEDDING OPTIONS veryone should own a high-quality set of bed sheets; they look great, they feel even better, and they can genuinely offer you a better night’s sleep for the third of your life you spend doing just that. There

Broadsheets Luxury Bedding £220.00 Designist

Florence Double Bed Frame £799.00 Harvey Norman

is arguably no better feeling than getting into bed with a fresh set of sheets, but choosing which linen to purchase can be tricky. There’s a whole host of different types to choose from, and we at mmm have given you some of our favourite options here.

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Double Bed Frame £699.00 Harvey Norman

Artichokes Blue Bedding Set £59.00 Secret Linen Store

Twill Rose Bedding Detail £59.00 Secret Linen Store

88 mmm

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GARDENING

get your outdoor space ready for spring THIS IS THE TIME TO PLANT YOUR SUMMER-FLOWERING BULBS AND SEEDS, SUCH AS GLADIOLUS AND FREESIAS, TO ENSURE YOUR GARDEN IS IN FULL BLOOM BY SUMMER. TRICK FRIENDS AND FAMILY INTO THINKING YOU HAVE A NEW PATIO BY JET-WASHING AND CLEANING AWAY THE MOSS FROM BETWEEN YOUR PAVING STONES AT THE START OF SPRING.

SITE AND SOIL

Choose an open, sunny site and well-drained soil. High humidity around the foliage and wet soils make the crop more prone to disease attack. For instance, onions do not thrive on acid soils. Reduce acidity by applying lime in autumn and winter.

Onions have a limited root system therefore improving the soil with plentiful organic matter is invaluable. Apply two bucketfuls of well-rotted manure or other organic matter such as garden compost every square metre.

This will help add nutrients, improve the soil structure and hold moisture. Avoid using fresh manure.

A little fertiliser is required at planting, apply 135g per sq m of Growmore or twice as much organic fertiliser such as dried poultry manure pellets. If you cannot apply organic matter – use more fertiliser, up to twice as much if the soil is poor. 

90 mmm

Continued from page 89

REPOTTING

Plant roots eventually fill containers and this reduces growth. This is not necessarily a bad thing as slightly stressed plants are often attractive and the slower growth reduces the maintenance needed. However, eventually the plant will need to be moved to a bigger container or the compost refreshed in the same pot. Shrubs and trees that stay in a pot for years are especially vulnerable unless re-potted. Follow these steps to ensure success when repotting into a larger container: • When moving plants to a larger container, one size larger at each

stage, repot in early spring as soon as they show signs of growth.

• Remove a little of the old compost, slide the plant out and tease out roots, cutting them if necessary.

• When it is no longer convenient to repot them every year into a bigger pot, they should be repotted in the same pot at least every other year. Replace onethird of the existing compost and roots with fresh compost.

• In years when repotting is not carried out, top dress by removing 5cm of old compost from the top of the pot and replacing it with fresh compost.

PRUNE BUSH AND CLIMBING ROSES

These general tips for rose pruning will help you improve the health and lifespan of your roses.

Late winter, February or March, is often a good time for pruning roses. When pruning roses bear the following in mind: • Cuts should be no more than 5mm above a bud and should slope away from it, so that water does not collect on the bud. This applies to all cuts, whether removing dead wood, deadheading or annual pruning.

• Cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage an open-centred shape.

• Cut to the appropriate height, if a dormant bud is not visible.

• Cuts must be clean, so keep your secateurs sharp.

For larger stems, use loppers or a pruning saw.

• Prune dieback to healthy white pith.

• Cut out dead and diseased stems as well as spindly and crossing stems.

• Aim for well-spaced stems that allow free air flow.

• On established roses, cut out poorly flowering old wood and saw away old stubs that have failed to produce new shoots.

• With the exception of climbing roses and shrub roses, prune all newly planted roses hard to encourage vigorous shoots.

• Trace suckers back to the roots from which they grow and pull them away. a

mmm 91

92 mmm Continued from page 90

PRUNING AN UNKNOWN ROSE

Perhaps if you’ve inherited a rose or lost the label - you may not know what type of rose you have. In which case, follow our basic tips below to get you started.

If your rose has long arching stems, is very tall or needs some sort of support to hold it up then it is most likely a climber or rambler.

Where there is only one thick old stem going down to ground level, go easy as it may not regenerate if cut hard back. Instead, shorten by between a third and a half. For multi-stemmed roses, aim to take out one or two of the oldest looking stems (i.e. grey, flaky bark) to as near to the base as you can. If the response the next season is for the rose to send out a lot of strong but barren (non-flowering) shoots, chances are it is a rambler. A rose that responds with less vigorous, flowering growth is probably a climber.

Larger roses might be any number of types, from hybrid tea and floribunda to species and shrub roses. If in doubt, take out one or two stems as close to ground level as you can or younger looking (green barked) side stems low down.

Shorten the remaining stems by between a third and a half.

If the response the next season is lots of vigorous regrowth that flowers well, chances are it is a floribunda or hybrid tea. Otherwise, it is more likely to be a type of shrub rose.

Feed all pruned roses with a general purpose or rose fertiliser in spring. Mulch with garden compost or manure.

GUIDE TO PAINTING AND UPKEEPING A WOODEN FENCE

Many people who have wooden fencing simply don’t take on board the need to maintain it and as a result that 20 year guarantee ends up halved or worse, through your own neglect.

So what do you need to do to keep it looking in good condition and most importantly protect the timber? Well the UK climate can be harsh, so it is important we take a few basic steps to help protect our fences from the elements. For example, your fence will

need protection from the sun’s UV rays in the summer, whilst winter brings freezing and snow.

In fact let’s face it, we can get all weather in one season, so a protective coat of paint, sealer or stainer will stop any damage to the timber. And this is something we really need to be doing every year, in order to protect your fence against things like discolouration or from damp or rot taking hold. We wanted to use this gardening feature to share a few of mmm’s tips on how often you should stain or seal your fence panels, as well as how to protect it from the elements.

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BASIC DIY FENCE REPAIRS

The most important part of maintaining a wood fence is to make sure you repair any damage to the panels. A wood fence can be damaged in any number of ways from rotting to splitting, so it is important that you try and keep on top of things.

And if it is damaged beyond repair, then get it replaced. That’s the big advantage of wooden panel fencing - you can repair or replace individual pieces rather than the entire fence if needed.

Repairs that anybody with any basic DIY skills can perform include re-painting/re-staining and replacing a fence panel. Both are simple jobs that you can get done in a few hours.

Fence posts are the tricky part, so if they need replacing and you don’t feel you can do the job correctly, and by that we mean fitted securely into the ground, then do call a professional.

If on the other hand your fence is looking a little grubby from mould, then get a pressure washer and a little Ronseal Deck Cleaner will get it clean. Don’t set the pressure too high though, as you can strip the timber.

STAINING AND SEALING

If you haven’t painted your wooden fence panels, then you have to seal them to protect from the elements. Staining will give your fence panels a hint of colour while maintaining that natural look.

As a general rule, when water no longer beads up on the surface of fencing, then you need to re-stain it. Staining will preserve and freshen up the wood on your fence, and our advice to doing it yourself is as follows: • Choose an outdoor wood stain that contains UV inhibitors and is designed to stand up to the elements. Ronseal would be our choice.

• Always make sure the wood is clean, dry and free of grease before you stain.

• Before you apply the stain, always strip off any existing finish and completely sand the wood.

• Apply the stain with a good quality 4 inch paintbrush or painting pad – cheap paintbrushes will loose their bristles!

• Always work with the grain and never paint the stain across it.

• Use a smaller 2 inch paintbrush to get the stain into all cracks and crevices, between boards and around screws.

• Blend the edges of each application to prevent any streaking.

• Work quickly and don’t stop in the middle of a board to take a break.

• And finally, always apply at least two coats.

It’s easier on you if you don’t work in direct sunlight or during the heat of the day in mid-summer. Direct sun will dry the paint too fast and it won’t be able to soak into the timber and provide the proper protection.

The small rollers are also a good option for painting the face of the fence boards.

Some people find it’s easier on their wrists and shoulders than dragging a brush up and down. You could also go down the sprayer route, but this route can cause quite a bit of mess.

94 mmm

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mmm 95

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Let your fence be one thing you don’t have to worry about when the weather is at its worst. Colourfence your fence be one thing you don’t have to worry your fence be one thing you don’t have to worry about when thetested weather at its worst.rated Colourfence is scientifi cally andiscyclonically to about when the weather is at its worst.

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96 mmm Hanging Pots £20.00 National Trust

Lemons Watering Can £15.00 Paperchase

Eden Suction Planter £17.00 Designist

GARDENING essentials

Gardening Gloves £15.00 Laura Ashley

Lemons Gardening Tools £15.00 Paperchase

Concrete Plant Pot £15.00 National Trust

Orla Kiely Secateurs with Flower Stem Pouch £24.95 Amara

Nordic Non Slip Boots £37.00 Cuckooland

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MUST VISIT

garden places THE KENT GARDEN SHOW Kent Showground, Detling, ME14 3JF 27th, 28th & 29th May 2017 Telephone: 01795 474660

This show will feature over 300 exhibitors with a wide variety of goods on display and for sale.

The features of the show include the floral marquees with their stunning floral displays including medal winners from Chelsea. The garden exhibitors have all manner of gardening goods for sale and include over sixty nurseies.

There is a craft pavilion, food hall, brass band and children’s rides.

DOBBIES ASHFORD

Rutherford Road, Eureka Leisure Park, Ashford, TN25 4BN Telephone: 01233 619360

DOBBIES GILLINGHAM

Courteney Road, Gillingham, ME8 0FB Telephone: 01634 224630 For 150 years, the Dobbies name has stood for quality horticulture. During this time we’ve been proud to provide the very best products and expert advice to gardeners throughout the UK. Today Dobbies is one of the UK’s largest Garden Centre retailers. We have 34 Stores across Scotland, England and Northern Ireland. Naturally, we have one of the biggest and best ranges of quality plants and gardening equipment around.

You don’t have to be an avid gardener to enjoy Dobbies because, as well as having everything to make your garden grow, we have everything you need to simply relax and enjoy your garden – and much more.

JOHNSONS GARDEN CENTRE Old Thanet Way, Chestfield, CT5 3JD Telephone: 01227 793763

Johnsons employ over 40 staff and have extended their operations into many new sectors, still in keeping with the outdoor leisure theme.

With decades of experience serving the public and trade alike with Outdoor leisure goods Johnsons staff are as to be expected brimming with knowledge and keen to provide excellent customer service at their main Whitstable branch where they would welcome you and cherish you as they do all of their loyal customers.

NOTCUTTS GARDEN CENTRE

Newnham Court Shopping Village, Bearsted Road, Maidstone, ME14 5LH Telephone: 01622 739944 Proud to be family-owned and independent, their core values of quality and customer care remain the same as when they first started. They thrive on helping you find the inspiration you need to create an outside space you love.

The garden centre is run by a dedicated team of horticultural experts and gardening enthusiasts.

Whether you are working from a blank canvass or are a seasoned gardener, you can always be sure of a friendly welcome and expert helping hand. Whether you’re visiting their Maidstone centre or browsing their website, they’re always working hard to offer great choice, fantastic value and expert advice. From plants and sheds, to outdoor furniture and indoor accessories, there’s something for every garden and home at Notcutts.

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Recommended garden retailers ALL LOADS

www.allloads.co.uk All Loads is a family run business. Managing Directors, Ryan and James Latham have gained valuable experience within a family run haulage business, which has been operating for over 40 years. They can supply aggregates, decorative aggregates, building materials, and recycled building and landscaping materials.

They now also offer GRAB Loaders.

They will be more than happy to answer any queries you may have with regard to their products and services.

Telephone: 01622 873231

THE RUSTIC COMPANY www.therusticcompany.com

THE POTTED GARDEN NURSERY The Potted Garden Nursery, Ashford Road, Bearsted, Maidstone, ME14 4NH Telephone: 01622 739944 The Potted Garden are an independent, family run nursery and garden centre with the emphasis on and a passion for plants. Their ranges include shrubs, fruit, climbers, roses, trees, conifers, ferns, grasses and bamboos but they also seasonally sell things like herbs, bedding plants, vegetables. A large percentage of the plants they sell are grown at The Nursery.

The Rustic Company presents a large range of intriguing, unique and durable wooden outdoor retreats to suit all accasions.

With the showroom Wildlife Heritage Foundation, Smarden, TN27 8PJ and Village Hotel (J6 on M20) Rustic Company offers unique summerhouses, garden furnitute and accessories. Telephone: 01622 299035

COLOURFENCE KENT www.colourfence.co.uk

Colourfence is one of the best high quality fencing products on the market today.

Myriam Prosser heads the Kent franchise of the company. She offers Colourfence, a superior decorative fencing for gardens and yards. The services offered include site survey, quotation and fitting. Colorbond metal fence panels are made from top notch materials. They come in many styles, including Colourail, Colourfence and gates.

Available in heights up to 2.1m, these panels provide security and privacy.

Telephone: 01622 233322

THE RUSTIC COMPANY

Stunning summerhouses and garden furniture.

Built to be the heart of your garden. mail@therusticcompany.com www.therusticcompany.com

Y

Make sure you call us on

07946 135441 01622 299035

102mmm

mmm103

104mmm

ÂŁ1,350,000 Freehold

LENHAM COURT hidden gem

A

resplendent Grade II* Listed c.15th century manor house with attached cottage offering accommodation approaching 9,000 sq ft and set in 16 acres of parkland style grounds in a rural position within striking distance of the historic village of Lenham.

Lenham Court is listed Grade II* of architectural and historical interest and is believed to date from the 15th century. The property boasts an abundance of character of its period with a wealth of exposed heavy timbers and feature Dragon Beam to the Drawing Room.

The extensive and very flexible accommodation to the main house comprises an entrance hallway, six reception rooms, kitchen, utility PROPERTY FEATURE

room, larder room, plant room, six cloakrooms, seven bedrooms and four bathrooms. The entire second floor has sufficient accommodation to be used as a self contained flat.

The attached cottage enjoys an entrance hall, sitting room, kitchen dining room, study, cloakroom, three bedrooms and a family bathroom, along with an attached barn currently used for storage, but which would suit conversion to a studio apartment or home office/ workshop, subject to the necessary listed building consent.

Outside, the property is approached along an impressive gated driveway passing through the gardens to the front of the house. Sixteen acres of grounds including formal lawned gardens and rolling paddocks and lake,

mmm105

in addition to a disused outdoor swimming pool that has lapsed planning permission for the erection of a new building to enclose the pool. Located in a small country lane to the west of Lenham, the property is surrounded by countryside providing an abundance natural beauty and a plethora of walks, cycling and horse riding routes.

Lenham is a historic market village situated some 9 miles east of the county town of Maidstone. The village enjoys an interesting mix of local shops, restaurants, pubs, church, doctor’s surgery and benefits from a monthly Country Market held in The Square.

Public transport is well catered for with

a main line railway station in the village providing access to London Victoria and Ashford International station which benefits from the High Speed 37 minute service to London St Pancras, whilst excellent road links to London and the Kent coast are accessible at junction 8 of the M20, some 5 miles distant. Properties of this calibre, situated close to such a sought after semi-rural village, are rarely seen on the open market and a high level of interest is anticipated in this particular property.

Viewing is highly recommended, for more information please call 01233 713127, or visit www.saddlersresidential.co.uk

PROPERTY FEATURE

106mmm

LET’S HEAR IT FOR THE BOYS

LOOK SHARP THIS SPRING THE LATEST IN TECHNOLOGY DRIVE IN STYLE STYLISH WRISTWARE

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Philips Friends of Hue LivingColors Iris Colour Changing LED Mood Light

Light your room to set the mood with the unique Friends of Hue LivingColors Iris, from Philips.

Designed to work with Philips Hue systems, this wireless-enabled mood light connects to your Wi-Fi to allow you to control the atmosphere in your room through the Philips Hue app for iOS and Android. Hue lamps and light bulbs can be grouped together so you can set the mood in a room in one go, with up to 50 lights on one network.

With 16 million colour variations to choose from, you can set Iris to the mood that suits you, so you can wash your walls with a blue ocean glow or illuminate a favourite feature. ‘Concentrate’ will help you stay alert when working, while ‘Energise’ bathes you in vibrant lights to revitalise you.

Iris works as more than just a colourful lamp. It can be tailored to your life, with alarms, timers and alerts, so you can set Hue to wake you up with a soft sunrise glow, or to turn all of your Hue lights off at bedtime. Hue lights can flash at you to let you know when your food is ready to come out of the oven, or to let you know when your favourite TV show is starting. You can set your lights to come on when you’re away, to deter thieves, or control them remotely via the portal, from anywhere in the world. Geofencing technology can be used to turn your Hue lights on as you enter the door. Hue can even be linked to data feeds via the IFTTT (If This Then That) service, to give you a visual alert when you get an important email or when the weather changes.

With additional iOS and Android apps, you can get even more out of your Hue. Ambilight+hue for both iOS and Android works with Philips Ambilight TVs to match the mood in your living room to the scenes on TV, creating a more immersive experience. Ambify for iOS and hue Disco for Android make Hue react to music, providing you with an instant dance floor. £69.99 www.currys.co.uk

TILE KEYFINDER Gen 2 Bluetooth Tracker

Cut down on stress and find your missing items with the Tile Gen 2 Bluetooth Tracker - whether it's your phone, your keys or your luggage, it makes it easier to find your stuff.

The Tile Gen 2 features a tiny speaker which produces a 90 decibel melody when prompted by your smart device. The 100 ft Bluetooth range means it is ideal for use almost anywhere.

Locate the object easily, even if it is hidden under other objects or in another room.

You can also use the Tile to find your phone - simply use the Tile's buttons to make your phone ring, even if you've left it on silent mode.

You can use the in-app map to discover missing items as it automatically records the last time and place it saw the item, allowing you to review this information later to help to find it quickly.

Should you still not be able to locate the item, you can use the "Last Place Seen" button to put all other Tile apps on the lookout for your item.

You will receive an anonymous alert when it is found, without ever revealing that you are looking for a lost item, allowing you to maintain your privacy.

The Gen 2 features non-rechargeable batteries which will last a year, after which you can replace your old Tiles with new ones for a special community member price.

With a sealed, water-resistant case, the Tile can also stand up to the rigours and stresses of daily life. The battery is sealed away from children and pets, while the Tile cannot be disabled if it falls into the wrong hands. This gives you added peace of mind, knowing that you can use the gadget confidently and continuously. £19.99 www.currys.co.uk

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Turtle Shell 3.0

Now in its third edition, the Turtle Shell is a whopping 20% louder than its predecessor—which was at least that much louder than the original—and a lot more efficient to boot. It plays louder, for longer, from further away. They've even improved the waterproofing, so you can literally take this rugged Bluetooth boombox into the water with you. It floats. No lie.

The Turtle Shell has 360-degree sound from an IPX7 rated polygonal housing that wouldn't look out of place in an interior design magazine—an avantgarde appearance that belies its rugged, dust- shock- and waterproof capabilities.

A built-in microphone lets you take and make calls and ask your digital assistant to find out just how deep is the deepest lake in the world while you float off in tubular,

tunular bliss.

The upgraded capacity of the Turtle Shell 3.0 gives you an outstanding 20 hours of playful playtime, with the ability to act as a portable power bank for your phone or music player as well. If your source isn't Bluetooth-ready, you want to save some battery time, or wires are just your thing, that's cool—the included 3.5-to-3.5mm cable lets you keep listening… but you won't be able to use the impressive 32-foot mobility that makes the Turtle Shell so liberating.

The Turtle Shell 3.0 can get even louder thanks to its true wireless daisy-chain function—linking up to another Turtle Shell up to 15 feet away, to create a wall of well-designed, louder-thanloud sound that extends 45 feet away from your source.

From £80.99 www.amazon.com

Playstation VR

Olloclip

From £349.00 www.playstation.com

From £99.00 www.olloclip.com

Immerse yourself in extraordinary new worlds, put yourself at the centre of an incredible gaming universe and experience a new way to play with PlayStation VR. See hyper-real 3D environments come to life with a custom OLED screen. Whichever way you turn the 360 degree immersion of PS VR makes you part of a living, breathing world with a seamless field of view.

Smooth visuals and super low latency combine to create an incredibly immersive gaming world.

Discover a new dimension in sound with cutting-edge 3D audio that lets you accurately perceive the direction and distance of sounds that are coming from above, below and all around you.

Chat to your online friends, discuss in-game tactics and strengthen your immersion in the virtual world with the headset’s integrated microphone. With dual lenses and 3D depth sensors, the PlayStation Camera tracks the position of the headset, PlayStation Move controller and Dualshock 4 light bar wherever you are.

The all-new Core Lens Set delivers unmatched image quality, user experience and versatility with new improved optics!

Fisheye, Super-Wide and Macro 15xlenses are combined to offer a diverse range of options for capturing what you want, when you want. Shoot, edit and share unique perspectives instantly and easily.

This new advanced lens system maintains all the best features of its award-winning predecessor and is now equipped to quickly configure with other iPhone 7 Connect™ lenses. For the first time, there is a lens system that can be instantly adapted to your environment.

Want to double down on the iPhone 7 Plus telephoto camera? The Connect™ system can do it. Olloclip is committed to an obsession of continually enhancing the photography experience while giving full respect to mobility. That means no oversized, heavy lenses and paying strict attention to delivering beautiful photography in the smallest, simplest, quickest and most versatile user experience ever created.

LOOK SHARP with these selected watches

ORIS ARTELIER CALIBRE 113

With more than a century of innovation and expertise to its name, Oris continues to write its history and introduces the Oris Artelier Calibre 113. At its heart beats a new mechanical movement that was fully developed in-house by the brand’s Centre of Excellence. Like its illustrious predecessors, the Oris Artelier Calibre 113 benefits from an impressive 10 days of power reserve, a patented non-linear power-reserve indicator, and small seconds. The addition of a business calendar – day, date, week and month – makes a unique combination of complications, as no other watch offers all these functions together. Designed for the stylish executive, this new watch appeals as much for its technical performance as for its unmistakably modern aesthetic.

PREDATOR 2.0 REGULATOR TOURBILLON

Remarkable in its complexity, the Predator 2.0 Regulator Tourbillon fuses racing cars and exceptional timepieces in a 30-piece limited series, where design rivals with an impressive command of watchmaking expertise. Beneath the sleek exterior of a modular and customisable case, this new Predator 2.0 showcases two complications that are symbols of timekeeping precision and centuries of tradition: the regulator and the tourbillon. The latter rotates inside its carriage at 6 o’clock, a mechanical choreography version 2.0, to compensate variations in rate due to Earth’s gravity. The regulator-type hours and minute subdials at 10 o’clock and 2 o’clock are set out like the instrument cluster on a racing car, while the centre hand counts precious seconds to the finish line. The powerful engine that drives these functions is an automatic movement with 65-hour power reserve. a

ONES TO WATCH

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SUPERLATIVE COSC

Heir to over 150 years of expertise, the legacy of a long line of watchmakers, Grand Prix puts its stamp on Swiss watchmaking tradition. Bringing mechanical excellence together with fine craftsmanship, the new Superlative COSC beats to the tempo of an extra-thin, COSCcertified chronometer calibre. Its elegantly slim silhouette reveals a wealth of perfectly executed finishes which can be contemplated through the sapphire back. The dial deploys a sophisticated composition of contrasting circles around an intricately skeletonised central rosette, creating subtle textures against the elegant beauty of gold tones. Mirroring the applied hour-markers, mesmerising diamonds prolong this composition that culminates in a magnificently architectured two-tone bracelet.

T-RACE MOTOGP™ AUTOMATIC LIMITED EDITION 2017

A symbol of the winning partnership between Tissot and MotoGPTM, this 2,017-piece limited edition has a champion’s mindset. Each detail has been carefully chosen to bring the exciting world of motorcycle racing to the wrist. The steel case with black and pink gold toned PVD incorporates pushers in the shape of foot-rests; the attachments recreate the form of a rear suspension bar. The crown-guard partly covers the rotating bezel to suggest the brake disc moving under the caliper. A tyre-tread pattern can be seen on the oscillating weight through the transparent wheel-rim case back. The dial counters take their cue from motorcycle gauges against a carbon-like material. The tyre-tread pattern is repeated on the strap for a sensation of speed and performance. Each watch in this limited edition is presented in a specially designed, helmet-shaped box.

FIFTY FATHOMS BATHYSCAPHE

The vintage-inspired Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe first presented in 2013 is extending its range by offering a 38 mm watch attired in an abyss blue recalling the depths of the ocean. Water-resistant to 30 bar, meaning around 30 metres, it is equipped with a unidirectional bezel rotating counter-clockwise in small notches, while the luminescent marker is an ideal point of reference for divers that lines up with the minutes hand to define the start of a given dive time. The watch beats to the rhythm of Calibre 1150, an authentic technical feat notably comprising two series-coupled barrels delivering a 100-hour autonomy. The movement is also equipped with a balance-spring in silicon, a light, shock-resistant and innovative material that is impervious to magnetic fields. These properties serve to improve the isochronism and thus the precision of the watch.

ONES TO WATCH

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MEN’S FASHION Superb Spring Style

ADD A LITTLE SPRING TO YOUR STEP THIS SEASON WITH THESE MUST-HAVES

Long Sleave Oxford Shirt £19.50 M&S

Chainmail Jumper £99.00 Jaeger

Chevron Sweater £35.00 Next Suede Baseball Jacket £129.00 M&S Limited Edition

Striped Belt £25.00 Debenhams

Linen Overcoat £279.00 Jaeger

Blue Cord Trousers £35.00 Debenhams County Square

Henri Lloyd Hayton Weekender £110.00 House of Fraser T-shirt £26.00 Trousers £40.00 Watch £70.00 Loafers £155.00 Next

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

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GLOBAL BEST SELLING Kia Rio MORE SIZE, MORE SPACE, AND GREATER STYLE AND EQUIPMENT

T

he fourth-generation Kia Rio, previewed at the Paris Motor Show last autumn, is now on sale in the UK priced from just £11,995.

With high-tech new engines, improved fuel efficiency and emissions, a more mature driving experience, greater space and style and the introduction of state-of-theart connectivity and driver assistance systems for the first time, the latest Rio is the small car grown up.

In line with customer demand, the Rio will now be sold as a five-door model only. There are 10 versions in three trim grades – badged

1, 2 and 3 for simplicity, in familiar Kia style – with a limited-run First Edition model as the pinnacle of the range, priced at £17,445.

All are extensively equipped, rising to truly luxurious. Even grade 1 is fitted as standard with air conditioning, front electric windows with an automatic function on the driver’s side, remote locking, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors, a 3.8-inch display screen, Bluetooth, automatic light control, bi-function projection headlamps and cornering lights and LED daytime running lights.

Grade 2, priced from £13,745, a MOTORS FEATURE

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Continued from page 119

supplements all this with 15-inch alloy wheels in place of similar-sized steel wheels, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter, electric windows at the rear as well as the front, electric folding mirrors with LED indicator lights, a digital DAB radio, a 5-inch colour display screen, a six-speaker audio system, a reversing camera and rear parking sensors, a 3.5-inch premium supervision cluster, rear as well as front USB charging ports, cruise control with a speed limiter and Autonomous Emergency Braking and Lane Departure Warning systems. There is chrome trim around the black radiator grille, premium black cloth upholstery and a centre storage box. Additional features on Grade 3, which starts at £16,295, include 16-inch alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning with a defogging system, black faux leather upholstery, a 7-inch display screen, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, rain-sensing front wipers, privacy glass on the rear side windows and tailgate, satellite navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay connectivity and Bluetooth with voice recognition. Finally, the First Edition version adds 17inch alloys, a smart key entry system and engine start/ stop button, stainless steel pedals, black and red faux leather upholstery and LED rear lights. Depending on model, the new Rio is available in a choice of seven exterior colours.

The new Rio is the first car in its class with Autonomous Emergency Braking as part of Kia’s advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). It also features a Lane Departure Warning system.

Autonomous Emergency Braking with pedestrian recognition takes data from radar and a camera to detect sudden and potentially dangerous braking by a vehicle ahead, and activates the brakes. At speeds between 5mph and 50mph the Rio will come to a complete stop, avoiding many potential collisions.

MOTORS FEATURE

It is also able to detect pedestrians who wander into its path and apply the brakes in the same way. A new feature – Straight Line Stability – senses any difference in applied brake pressure between the right and left of the car and intervenes to keep it straight, while another first for the Rio, Cornering Brake Control, delivers asymmetrical brake pressure when slowing in tight curves to counter loss of traction. Both are standard across the range.

Kia Connected Services with TomTom are accessed through a 7-inch touchscreen navigation system. The information available to drivers includes live traffic updates, weather reports, speed camera locations and local point-of-interest searches. The new Rio is the largest and most spacious to date, and has new suspension and steering for a more grown-up feel on the road, while the acclaimed styling has a more mature and polished appearance.

The new Rio has more rigid front suspension struts than its predecessor and a raised torsion beam to improve stability; revised springs and shock absorbers to improve compliance and comfort; vertical rear shock absorbers and front shock absorbers with advanced new valve technology for more consistent responses; and a repositioned power steering gearbox which results in improved feel when the steering wheel is in the straight-ahead position. The overall effect is more immediate handling responses and greater confidence for the driver. a For more information: Visit Whitistable and Canterbury KIA. Find them at: Tower Parade, Whitstable CT5 2BJ. Vauxhall Road, Canterbury CT1 1QY. Tel: 01227 671003 (Whitistable) 01227 208920 (Canterbury)

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THE NEW MINI countryman THE BIGGEST AND MOST VERSATILE MODEL TO BE LAUNCHED IN THE HISTORY OF MINI

T

he new MINI Countryman is the biggest and most versatile model to be launched in the brand’s 57-year history. With its larger external dimensions, and increases in space throughout the cabin and luggage area, it offers occupants even greater comfort and a genuinely premium ambience. Useful new features such as electric tailgate control with touch-free opening and unique options, including a fold down picnic bench at the rear, add to the ownership experience.

The Countryman’s on- and off-road ability is readily apparent throughout its design, which fuses familiar MINI styling with the tough look of a crossover thanks to the extended ground clearance, large wheel arches and short overhangs.

For the first time MINI is offering a plug-in hybrid model with the new MINI Cooper S E Countryman ALL4. Drawing from expertise gleaned from across the BMW Group, this new hybrid features a turbocharged petrol engine and an electric motor, reducing fuel consumption to 134.5 mpg yet also enabling a 0-62 mph time of just 6.9 seconds.

The rest of the new MINI Countryman line-up is powered by an all-new range of engines sourced from the latest MINI TwinPower Turbo generation, offering outstanding performance and efficiency. With between 136 - 192 hp and 220 - 400 Nm of torque, the new

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MINI Countryman can sprint from 0-62mph in as little as 7.2 seconds, while fuel consumption reaches 64.2mpg and C02 emissions drop as low as 113g/km.

The new MINI Countryman is available with both manual and Steptronic gearboxes and with front- and all-wheel drive. The latter, MINI’s ALL4 system, has been further refined for increased driving agility and efficiency. Reflecting customer demand for high-end features, equipment levels on the new MINI Countryman have been bolstered versus the outgoing model.

Additions to the standard equipment list include MINI’s acclaimed Satellite Navigation System, Bluetooth, Cruise Control, Emergency E-call and Active Guard among others.

Naturally, being a MINI, there is broad scope for owners to personalise their new Countryman, with extensive colour and trim options, advanced technology features and a range of option packs that offer carefully selected items with significant cost savings for the customer. One such option is a new 8.8” inch touchscreen display as part of the MINI Navigation System XL, offering touchscreen multimedia and navigation control for the first time in a MINI. The new MINI Countryman is available to order at MINI retailers nationwide, with prices starting at £22,465 for the Cooper Countryman.

First UK deliveries started in February. Prices for the plug-in hybrid model will be announced in due course. a

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The 2-litre diesel engines in the MINI Cooper D Countryman and MINI Cooper SD Countryman both also feature MINI TwinPower Turbo technology, with high pressure common rail injection

“

“

Continued from page 123

The new MINI Countryman is some 20 centimetres longer than its predecessor and three centimetres wider, while its wheelbase has been extended by 7.5 centimetres. These enlarged proportions – making it the largest of any MINI on sale - form the basis of a new design that has both the unmistakable MINI aura and the additional presence borne from an extended ground clearance and specific off-road design details.

For example, the standard-fit roof rails in satin-finished aluminium are combined with silver-coloured side sill tops, thereby lending greater visual emphasis to the car’s height.

The familiar ‘floating roof’, large headlamps and hexagonal radiator grille are all present, albeit having

undergone careful evolution. From the front, the headlamp units differ from other MINI models by having an asymmetric shape, with LED lighting now an option.

And at the rear, the vertically arranged light units help create the family ‘look’. Both driver and front passenger benefit from extended head and shoulder space, while the adjustment range of the seats has also been extended. Electrical adjustment of the driver and front passenger seats is now an option, including a memory function on the driver’s side.

The folding rear backrest offers a 40 : 20 : 40 split and also provides a variable tilt angle so as to also offer either increased seating comfort or additional storage space at the rear.

MOTORS FEATURE

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LOCAL business news

MCARTHURGLEN DESIGNER OUTLET

the collection box during the festive season were given a dove to hang on The Pilgrims Hospices illuminated ‘Trees of Love’ in memory of their loved ones.

Keen to continue its philanthropic activity in 2017, McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford will be supporting Kent Challenger Games this year. Led by disabled military servicemen and servicewomen, the aim of Kent Challenger Games is to inspire a generation of young people dealing with adversity through fun activities and sport. The centre plans to support the local charity with fundraising activities and promotion throughout the year ahead, including collection boxes across the stores, gift card fundraising initiatives and one-off centre events, featuring athletics and rowing machines that customers can engage and interact with.

The fun and games will kick start on Friday 14th July 2017 at the Julie Rose Stadium, Ashford. It is expected that around 500 children from across the schools in Ashford and surrounding areas will participate, including disabled and disengaged young people.

McArthurGlen Designer Outlet Ashford announced that it has raised a total of £51,976.51 for its 2016 charity partner, The Pilgrims Hospices, providers of specialist end of life care for the terminally ill in East Kent.

The designer outlet hosted a series of fundraising initiatives throughout the year to support the local charity, including a Valentine’s ‘Love Lock’ installation, which encouraged couples to donate to The Pilgrims Hospices by purchasing and personalising a heartshaped padlock for the installation as a symbol of their love, a 10km Pyjama Walk and a ‘Christmas Tree of Love’ collection box. Those who made a donation to

THE NATWEST BUSINESS BUS WILL BE VISITING MAIDSTONE As part of its nationwide tour to encourage budding entrepreneurs to start up a business, the Natwest Business Bus will be visiting Jubilee Square in Maidstone on April 27th.

The tour will feature the NatWest Mobile Business School, a 1966 Routemaster Bus, offering free, impartial advice, celebrating entrepreneurial communities to connect and inspire individuals to turn their business ideas into a reality.

NatWest is working closely with its tour partner StartUp Britain as well as the borough council and local business and enterprise support organisations, who will have representatives on-board to provide support and advice.

The bus will feature business advisors and entrepreneurs who have gone through it all themselves to help guide and advise visitors.

LOCAL NEWS

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bEanstalK KEnt and MEdWay passport to lEarninG Beanstalk Kent and Medway – a local branch of the national literacy charity - is now a validated ‘restricted learning Destination’ for Kent Children’s University™.

This means that Beanstalk’s volunteer reading helpers can now issue learning credits in participating children’s ‘passports to learning’ for every hour of reading completed with their Beanstalk reading helper.

The scheme will initially be rolled out in North and West Kent to Children in Care through Virtual School Kent, which exists to support the education and health of children that have been taken into care. Eventually, once rolled out across the county, it will benefit more than 100 children in care who currently meet with a Beanstalk Reading Helper twice a week. once children achieve a fixed number of learning credits, they will have the opportunity to have their successes celebrated at a very special Graduation Ceremony at either Canterbury Christ Church University, The University of Greenwich or The University of Kent.

“We are so proud of this partnership as it shows the positive impact that our volunteer reading helpers have on children’s learning in schools across Kent and Medway,” explains Malou Bengtsson-Wheeler, Area

Manager at Beanstalk Kent and Medway. “It’s also a wonderful recognition of the efforts that our volunteers go to to inspire confidence in struggling and reluctant readers, and that this is shown to meet with the quality assurance process of National Children’s University Trust.” “the learning passports will be such a great scheme for the children in care that our volunteer reading helpers currently support in Kent and Medway schools.

Each participating child could potentially collect 30 credits through their work with their Beanstalk reading helper throughout the year, which would allow them to graduate with a bronze award! It is a fantastic scheme to be part of that really aspires to our key Beanstalk values, which are to support children to read, succeed and grow,” adds Malou. Volunteering as a Beanstalk reading helper is extremely rewarding, makes a lasting difference to children’s lives and is a great way to give something back to your local community. Beanstalk currently has volunteer reading helper vacancies across Kent.

If you can spare three hours a week to help a child with their reading please contact the Maidstone office on 01622 662026 or apply via the website: www.beanstalkcharity.org.uk

WorK bEGins on £18M hospital Following completion of a new £1.5m access road, Cygnet Health Care, one of the UK’s largest independent providers of mental health, is set to begin the construction on its £18m investment. Kent Medical Campus will officially become an Enterprise Zone in April 2017 after it was granted the status by the Government. With the status offering financial incentives for businesses moving to the site, the team responsible for promoting it to would-be-tenants have seen a considerable rise in interest. The work on the second access road was completed in less than 6 months and it now runs from Newnham Court Way to the far side of the Kent Medical Campus site. The road links from the existing road which serves KIMS Hospital, the independent hospital employing more than 300 clinicians, nursing staff and management, and which LOCAL NEWS

was the first phase of Kent Medical Campus.

When complete, the 30 acre Kent Medical Campus site will provide 98,000sq.m. of accommodation for medical and life-science companies, specialist residential and rehabilitation care, with the aspiration for higher education level training facilities for the medical and healthcare professions.

As well as major healthcare organisations, Kent Medical Campus has also attracted interest from biotech and medtech start-up businesses, academic institutions, as well as other health and social care providers. When these health-related businesses are clustered together, Kent Medical Campus will become an important centre for the provision of primary, secondary and tertiary care in Kent, alongside science-based businesses and education-related organisations.

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SAVE THE CHILDREN’S ‘DEN DAY’ RETURNS FOR 2017 Save the Children’s Den Day, an educational interactive fundraising event for schools, youth groups and families is returning for a third year on Friday 16th June 2017. Den Day calls on children to join in with a creative and fun adventure as they build dens together and raise money to ensure more children around the world have a safe place to sleep and play. In 2016, 600,000 children signed up to take part, helping to raise funds to support Save the Children’s work with vulnerable children across the world.

Schools, youth groups and families can sign up now at DenDay.org to receive fundraising kits containing everything they need to hold a fun-filled day. The kit includes posters, stickers, den ideas and great teaching resources to easily link Den Day into the curriculum and schools plans. Teaching resources are designed to fit with the KS1 and KS2 curriculum, encouraging creativity and teamwork, while pupils learn about the challenges that some children face around the world, and how their fundraising will help.

Groups taking part can raise money however they like – helping children get sponsored for their den-building or simply asking all children to make a donation for getting involved – there are lots of ideas in the free fundraising kit.

Right now, millions of children do not have a safe place to sleep or play. Many have been forced to flee their homes by natural disasters or war. Others end up living rough on the streets because of poverty, abuse or neglect. Save the Children does whatever it takes to reach children caught up in conflict, fleeing war or persecution, or living rough on the street.

Save the Children UK’s Interim Head of Community Giving, Vicky Fallon said: “We were amazed at the incredible response from children who took part in Den Day 2016 to raise money for Save the Children. We hope to make 2017 even bigger and better with more children taking part across the UK. By designing their dream den and raising money in their own unique way, school children taking part in Save the Children’s Den Day can help transform children’s lives.”

LOCAL NEWS

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ITALIAn CHeF OPENS BRAND NEW RESTAURANT IN MAIDSTONE Italy has arrived in a very English-sounding street in Maidstone. Independent restaurant La Villetta opened a few weeks ago on Pudding Lane, offering a taste of the Mediterranean for food lovers in Kent.

It’s been a long-held ambition for partners Angelo Napoleone, who is Italian and has worked in kitchens in Soho, Australia, New York and Spain, and Isabelle Decuypere, who is French. They met while working at Simply Italian in Rochester High Street, where Angelo was head chef.

Angelo said: “We have had this passion about opening a restaurant for about five years. We were just looking for the right place – not too big and not too small – just right for us.”

It took around six months to secure their current base – helped partly by the fact that Isabelle fell in love with the name, Pudding Lane.

Previously home to La Dolce Vita coffee shop, which

had been closed for five months, they have refurbished it into a stylish but relaxed space, with help from family, complete with a small feature bar area, stocking good quality wines.

It’s hard work for the pair, who are also parents to young children, and are running the 44-cover restaurant themselves, although they hope to take on staff in the coming months. They also plan to expand to the first floor for bigger parties and hope to move their family from Rochester to Maidstone.

ROYAL BRITISH LEGION IndusTRIes seARCH FOR VETERANS TO FILL HOMES A charity that works in Kent to help reintegrate war veterans back into society is on the hunt for people to fill its new specialised apartments.

Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) offers homes to vulnerable veterans as well as training and employment opportunities in Aylesford, including the manufacturing of road signs used across the country.

The apartments, due to open in the spring, are situated on Hermitage Lane near Maidstone, and will be individually adapted for ex-service personnel who are homeless, at risk of homelessness or have specific requirements due to health issues. As the construction nears completion, RBLI is looking to find veterans who can make the apartments their home.

The project started in late 2015 when RBLI was awarded £1.95m from the Armed Forces Covenant LIBOR Fund. The charity then matched that figure through their own funds, bringing the project’s total funding to almost £4 million.

In 2013, it was discovered that one in ten of the homeless population have a service connection.

RBLI’s head of estates development, James Mulroy, said the 24 apartments are an exciting new opportunity to support veterans on the verge of homelessness, many of whom suffer with a disability or health condition, back to “independent living”.

He added: “RBLI already provides specialised nursing and care accommodation in the village to those who need it.

“However these apartments will provide LOCAL NEWS

accommodation to veterans who, although not in need of care, may need specialised facilities to help them lead productive, mobile and active lives following the end of their service.

“The apartments will be specially adapted for wounded, injured and sick ex-service personnel.

Specialist welfare support will also be available along with potential employment opportunities.

“We want to really make a difference to the lives of veterans who are struggling to find a home.”

The apartments are located alongside RBLI’s original cottages which were built to house First World War veterans and their families. Residents will become part of the wider village community, where a range of amenities are available including RBLI’s community hub and café, Base Camp.

Anyone wishing to find out more about RBLI’s specialised apartments is asked to contact head of RBLI housing, Geoff Humphreys, on 01622 795971, or via email: geoff.humphreys@rbli.co.uk

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A BLAST! BUSINESS NETWORKING EVENT IN KENT A Blast! Business Networking is a one of a kind, energetic and dynamic annual event brought to you by business support charity The Kent Foundation to celebrate business in Kent.

This year the event will be held in the stunning

Maidstone TV Studios on 14th March. This once a year event is not one to miss, so book your place to meet new people, network, start a conversation and collaborate. They guarantee you will be leaving the evening with a buzz and new found motivation.

Young entrepreneurs, business startups, Kent businesses, professionals, Kent Foundation business mentors, local authorities and business support organisations will all be there.

So you’ve got your ticket, now it’s time to spread the word. Invite a colleague, bring a friend, share it on social media or send it to your networks. With your help they can make this event the biggest and best one yet.

The Kent Foundation is a charity specifically set up to provide business advice and support to Kent’s young people and has been running for over 30 years.

They regularly carry out research to ensure they are in tune with the needs of young people, and delivering the relevant support to Kent’s budding young entrepreneurs. The Kent Foundation prides itself on their personal service and provides access to a wide network of support. This includes their prestigious trained Volunteer Business Mentors and the opportunity to meet with other young Kent businesses.

If you are a young business owner from Kent, you are welcome to attend this event and exhibit your business for free. It’s a tremendous way to meet other young business owners and build your business networks. Just register for a ‘Young Exhibitor’ ticket.

LOCAL BUSINESS LAUNCHES KICKSTARTER CAMPAIGN Bearsted based homewares business Lund Londonhas launched a project on the crowd-funding website Kickstarter.com to help get its newest collection off the ground in the new year.

The ‘Lund Luxe’ keepsake and jewellery box range is an evolution of the popular ‘Chocolate Box’ collection and introduces two new finishes, a dark silver-grey ‘gunmetal’ and the irridescent, multi-tonal ‘oil slick’ in four new sizes.

The Kickstarter campaign went live on 29th December 2016, offering backers the chance to pledge cash investment in exchange for big discounts on the Lund Luxe collection.

To get involved and help a young business launch an exciting new collection take a look at the Kickstarter project. You could be one of the first to get your hands on these beautiful jewellery boxes and play an important part in a local business’s success story.

LOCAL NEWS

A MAIDSTONE

Heroine - Edith Cavell BEFORE SHE WAS EXECUTED AT THE HANDS OF THE GERMANS IN 1915, NURSE EDITH CAVELL WORKED IN MAIDSTONE DURING A NATIONAL CRISIS. ROBIN J BROOKS LOOKS AT THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF THIS CHRISTIAN HEROINE.

A picture of a nurse (not Cavell) caring for a Typhoid patment

I Edith Cavell

t was the South East Gazette newspaper of Tuesday September 21, 1897 that reported the news of a violent Typhoid outbreak. A common bacterial disease easily spread by means of food and water, it was the latter that was found to be responsible for the Maidstone epidemic. After various samples had been sent to London for analysis, it was found that a water spring at Farleigh used by hop pickers from the East End was contaminated causing the Typhoid to spread so rapidly.

The Maidstone outbreak was considered to be the worst the UK had ever experienced. It affected 1,700 people of which 132 died with a further 111 dying outside of the hospital. With so many people succumbing to the disease, the local West Kent hospital was in-undated and requests went out for buildings to be given over to the sick. Led by the Salvation Army, local mission premises were also used as temporary hospitals together with the Barming Mental Hospital. Several schools within the area were requisitioned

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The Blue Plaque in her memory alongside the congregational church in Week St. Maidstone

Arrangements had been made for her and and fitted with beds and medical facilities, another nurse, Caroline Bell, to lodge with all of which demanded more nurses to Mrs Josiah Baker at her house at No. 72 care for the sick. A call went out to all Bank Street in Maidstone. the London hospitals asking for volunteer In addition to the Padsole School, Edith nurses to come to Maidstone. There were also worked at Hedley Street School, the many who answered the call, amongst Congregational School and St. Michaels them a young nurse named Edith Cavell.

School. The response to fight the disease Born at Swardeston near Norwich, her and bring it under control in under a year father was the local vicar who had hopes was due mainly to the dedication and of his daughter entering the ministry. This expertise of the nurses. was not to be and The Maidstone outbreak was It was later recorded instead she turned to nursing doing considered to be the worst the in the hospital newspaper that her initial training UK had ever experienced. It ‘Edith did good work at the Royal London Hospital. When the affected 1,700 people of which during the Typhoid epidemic in Maidstone call was received 132 died with a further 111 relating it to similar from Maidstone dying outside of the hospital. nursing care as that asking for help with offered by Florence the epidemic, Edith Nightingale during the Crimea War of and around 100 other nurses from the Corporation of London came to the town 1856’. Eventually the cases of Typhoid began to dwindle and the end of 1898 saw to aid and comfort the sick.

Edith leave Maidstone. Upon her return to With over 200 cases reported within London she was awarded the Maidstone the first few days, eleven buildings were Medal given by the people of the town used to accommodate the affected people. who raised £208 to pay for them. The Although still under-going training, medal given to Edith was the only medal Edith was sent to Padsole School from the heroine ever received from Britain.  the Fountain Fever Hospital in London.

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Graves of many of the Typhoid victims in the Sutton Road Cemetery

LOCAL HISTORY

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Before she left Maidstone she witnessed donating money was Queen Victoria who the burial of many Typhoid victims at presented a cheque for £50 and sent her the municipal cemetery along the Sutton sympathy for all those affected by the Road. The funeral cars bearing the dead outbreak. drove slowly in a convoy through the The later life of Edith Cavell is well streets of Maidstone to the cemetery. documented though somewhat sad. After In one weekend 30 Maidstone she moved to victims were buried Belgium to teach nursing.

Edith did good work whilst at the end of When the First World during the Typhoid War broke out in 1914, the epidemic there she worked in a Red were 130 fresh graves epidemic in Maidstone Cross Hospital where she in the cemetery. The relating it to similar treated injured men from local paper, the Kent nursing care as that both sides of the conflict.

Messenger, recorded Whilst there she joined an that ‘all Sunday offered by Florence underground movement afternoon Stone Street Nightingale during the engaged in helping allied witnessed a long soldiers to escape from irregular procession Crimea War of 1856 their captors. In her of people bound for the Belgian underground had found an ‘God’s Acre’’. Such was the impact of the efficient and compassionate person who outbreak on the rest of the country that it was decided to set up a relief fund for played a large part in helping more than 200 French, Belgian and English soldiers  the families of the victims. Among those

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LOCAL HISTORY

The Maidstone Medal in the custody of Maidstone Museum

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STANDARD QUAY Faversham

FOR A TOTALLY UNIQUE SHOPPING AND LEISURE EXPERIENCE RICH IN HISTORY! HISTORIC STANDARD QUAY One of Faversham’s hidden gems! Sitting alongsidethe Creek at the far end of Abbey Street and in easy walking distance from the town centre, it gives thevisitor a truly unique experience. Offering Creek side walking, shopping, eating and a chance to see Faversham’s living history. It’s home to several classic ships and boats including barges such as Cambria and Greta as well as traditional fi shing boats, classic tugs and overnight moorings of all sorts! One of Standard Quay’s classic ‘barn’ buildings, that dates back to the seventeen hundreds, is the temporary home of the Cambria Thames Barge Exhibition.

THE HISTORIC MONKS GRANARY This was constructed using timbers from Faversham Abbey, built by King Stephen & his wife Queen Matilda in 1148, it was also their burial place. The Abbey was then torn down as part of King Henry V111’s plans to sweep the monasteries from England.

delicious home-made food, so you can treat yourself to a snack, a meal or maybe a piece of home-made cake, all created on the premises!

ALADDIN’S LOFT Just above the Tea Room is Aladdin’s Loft indoor market, the name speaks for itself!

Definitely worth a browse as it has 22 different retailers selling antiques and collectables, perfect is you’re looking for something unusual or “not on the high street”. In addition to all this, there are 5 outlets selling antiques & used furniture, with traditional, nautical and retro themes; the infamous Creekside Clocks, a friendly local business offering sales & repairs of rare time-pieces; Old English Tools, which attracts visitors who come to see and buy the classic & rare wood & metal work tools from yesteryear!

And if this wasn’t enough, there is also The Inner Goddess offering hair, beauty & holistic treatments, and a gallery on site.

THE TEA ROOM AND SECRET GARDEN So while you’re here , visit the lovely garden and admire the many speciality plants & shrubs and the large selection of glazed and terracotta pots. When you’ve finished here, visit the Tea Room & Coffee House, they serve

To make your visit more convenient, there is plenty of free on-site parking; you can even have your car washed and your tyres checked while you browse or visit the Tea Room!

So next time you’re looking for somewhere different to visit, try Standard Quay.

You won’t be disappointed!

Standard Quay, Faversham – OPEN 7 DAYS A WEEK Faversham ME13 7BS (SatNav) | Tel 01795 597616 | www.standardquay.co.uk ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

Many unique shops & outlets at Standard Qu Historic Standard Quay is one of Faversham’s hidden Jewels. Sitting alongside the creek at the far end of Abbey St with many exciting outlets to browse.

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The flat above a shop in Bank Street when Edith lived whilst in Maidstone

to find their way to freedom. Unfortunately she was betrayed and arrested by the Germans. Taken to a prisoner of war camp she was interrogated and charged with treason. During her first court appearance when asked why she joined the underground movement her answer was “I did simply what I thought was my duty in saving the lives of men whom I knew were in danger of death. That is all”. Despite an international outcry she was sentenced to death and executed by a firing squad on October 12, 1915.

Her bullet riddled body was cut down from the wooden post, placed into a cheap coffin and hastily put in the ground without any Christian service. For three years the Germans refused to release her body for burial in England and it was not until the armistice that Nurse Edith Cavell returned home with her coffin draped in a Union Jack flag and guarded by four armed soldiers. As HMS Rowena steamed into Dover Harbour the ships all lowered their flags in tribute to a heroine. In London huge crowds lined the streets as a Royal Navy gun carriage bore her body to a

memorial service in Westminster Abbey.

Attended by Queen Mary and government ministers her body was later taken by train to Norwich Cathedral where she was laid to rest among her own people. In London her famous words are inscribed on a statue of her near Trafalgar Square. ‘Patriotism is not enough’.

Edith Cavell was a hero of her time and her connection with Maidstone can still be seen in various ways. The Maidstone Museum holds a Maidstone Medal (though not hers) and a blue plaque in the United Reform Church in Week Street also records the words, ‘Patriotism is not enough. Edith Cavell 1865-1915. Executed by a German firing squad October 12, 1915. During the summer of 1897 Edith Cavell tended Typhoid victims in the Maidstone Typhoid Epidemic. Out of 1,700 who contacted the disease 132 died. For her service to the community she was awarded the Maidstone Typhoid Medal. No hatred or bitterness toward anyone’. It was only too tragic that she should suffer and die under Nazi idealism before fulfilling a life of caring. By ROBIN J BROOKS LOCAL HISTORY

AVANTE care and support BRIDGE HAVEN CARE HOME - DEMENTIA CARE SPECIALISTS

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s a specialist in dementia care, Avante care homes provide a wealth of support services for people living with dementia. Their philosophy is not just to provide care and comfort, but using their “Golden Thread” approach to weave new, positive and more engaging

experiences into each person’s plan of care, enriching this stage in the lives of their residents.

Avante Care and Support has 9 homes located across Kent and London, each providing specialist dementia care. Care services available in their care homes differ, but include short term respite care, day care and also nursing care at Puddingstone Grange, Greenwich.

At Bridge Haven they pride themselves on providing the best care, tailored to each person’s individual needs, personality, hobbies and interests. This all comes together to create a unique care plan that supports residents with care and compassion.

The home provides a safe and welcoming environment for residents living with dementia or using their respite care services. Bridge Haven boasts the use of a micro pub, tea room and landscaped gardens for residents and family members to use.

Their experienced and skilled staff make sure that each resident is cared for and helped to overcome the daily challenges of living with dementia.

They understand that finding a care home is not a simple task. You may already have found yourself considering a number of issues that will face you. For example, what type of care are you looking for? What do you feel would suit your loved one best? Who will or how will the care be funded? Avante Care & Support has an open door policy across all of their homes. Visitors are welcome to visit at any time and see what care they have to offer. Their staff will also be able to assist with any questions or discuss any worries you may have.

My Mother enjoyed her time at Bridge Haven and we have the greatest respect for the staff there. They worked in a lovely, friendly but extremely professional way and we could not have found a better place for mum to stay.

ADVERTORIAL FEATURE

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WHAT’S ON and when Heritage Transport Show 1st April The Heritage Transport Show, now in its eighth year, will take place on Saturday 1st April at the Kent Showground, Detling, 10am - 4pm. The event may be falling on April Fools Day, but it’s no joke. Kent County Agricultural Society, the organisers, believe that this year will see the show welcome high numbers of entries. The Heritage Transport Show has examples of vehicles from early steam through to classic cars, commercial vehicles, motorcycles and bikes, and not forgetting the large bus and coach section. The show also has a vast display of agricultural machinery and stationary engines. Hopfields Live Steam Model Railway, Maidstone Model Engineering Society and the Veteran Cycle Club Display will form part of the extensive demonstrations and displays at the show.

The Heritage Transport Show is a great opportunity to discover the history and the future of the transport world. Throughout the day, owners will remain with their vehicles and will be more than pleased to answer any questions you might have.

The gate price for the Heritage Transport Show & South East Bus Festival (combined ticket) is £10.00 per person with car parking and under 14’s free. Tickets can be purchased in advance at a cost of £7.00 for an adult ticket, under 14’s free. www.kentshowground.co.uk

Baldwins Holiday Inspirations Day 1st April If you are undecided on where to take your next holiday, tour or cruise then why not look to the experts for inspiration. Award winning travel agent Baldwins Travel Group is holding a company wide #HolidayInspirations Day on Saturday1st April in all of their 8 branches in Kent and East Sussex and everyone is welcome. Come and speak to the experts in store and tap into their knowledge of a diverse range of destinations from Italy to India and the Antarctic

to Zante. They have cruises, river cruises, touring holidays, summer holidays, skiing holidays, adventure holidays, Disney holidays and just take a break from the everyday holidays. They are full of inspiration to suit you and your travelling companions.

To see which operators are in which branch and make appointment requests online for a more in depth chat. The event will run from 10am – 4pm and there will be plenty of treats in store. So, don’t be an April Fool, come and speak to your local, independent travel agent about your next travel adventure.

Visit www.baldwinstravel.co.uk

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Call the Midwife Location Tours, The Historic Dockyard Chatham 25th March - 22nd October Led by your very own ‘midwife’, this guided tour visits areas of the dockyard that have been used as locations for the popular television drama series, ‘Call the Midwife’.

This incredible tour offers fans of the show a chance to explore areas familiar to more than 10 million viewers. Please see dates and times throughout the year on: www. thedockyard.co.uk To book, call on: 01634 823815 *The Booking Line is open Monday to Friday, 9am – 5pm Pricing Information: Tour Only - Adult £16.00, Child £12.50. Tour & Afternoon Tea Adult £33.00, Child £32.00

The First Hippo on the Moon, The Woodville 12th April From Number One bestselling children’s author David Walliams comes an explosively funny space adventure for children of 3 and up. Two big hippos, one enormous dream. Who can make it to the moon first? 3... 2…1...

Blast off! David Walliams has taken the literary world by storm and his brilliantly funny stories are adored by children all over the world! He has achieved unprecedented critical acclaim and quickly developed a reputation as a natural successor to Roald Dahl. His books have been translated into over 45 languages and

sold over 9.5 million copies in the UK alone. Adapted for the stage by acclaimed award winning Theatre company Les Petits and hot off the heals of their hugely successful Captain Flinn and the Pirate Dinosaurs tour and immersive hit Adventures in Wonderland, comes a fantastical adventure featuring puppetry, music, mayhem and a giant space race to the moon! The creative team have worked on hit shows such as Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, The Nationals’ Elephantom, Warhorse and Raymond Briggs’ The Bear. Les Petits was set up as the sister company to Les Enfants Terribles whose work includes The Trench, The Vaudevillains and Alice’s Adventures Underground. Price: £14.50 - £18.50

Only Fools and Courses, Mercure Maidstone 4th March Join Mercure Maidstone for the dinner event of the year, which combines fine food and comedy action, served up ‘Only Fools and Horses’ style. Boycie and Marlene are hosting a Gala Dinner, but will things go to plan with Del, Rodney and Uncle Albert on the guest list? Professional actors provide an evening of chaos and mayhem with an extra large portion of comedy. Minimum age: 18, Price: £38. For more information, call: 0844 815 9045 LOCAL EVENTS

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Legend the Music of Bob Marley, Hazlitt Theatre 16th March Combining his superb, distinctive vocals with flawless musicianship, timeless, millionselling hits Could You Be Loved; Is This Love; One Love; No Woman, No Cry; Three Little Birds; Jamming; Buffalo Soldier and scores more reggae classics come to life. Enjoy the authentic taste of Jamaican Sunshine in a compelling two-hour treat, filled with the magic of Marley’s music topped with a truly talented cast that have performed all over the world. Legend – The Music of Bob Marley, really does capture the charisma and culture of an icon, gone too soon.

To book call: 01622 758611

Circus of Horrors, Hazlitt Theatre 7th March The Circus of Horrors celebrates its 21st anniversary as it takes to the road with its latest incarnation “The Never-ending Nightmare”. The spectacular show features an amazing amalgamation of bizarre, brave & beautiful acts all woven into a Alice in Horrorland type story driven by a mainly original soundscape and performed with a forked tongue firmly in each cheek!

Annually the Circus of Horrors plays over 100 UK theatres and this tour has expanded to take in festivals throughout the world including The Fuji Rock Festival in Japan, the Wacken Festival in Germany plus shows in Chile, Uruguay, Holland, Belgium, Argentina, France, Italy, Ireland, Finland, Hong Kong and Moscow where it became the first UK Circus ever to perform in Russia. The show also played an astounding ten nights at London’s O2.

Tickets: £24.50 and £20.50 concessions

Easter Quest, Leeds Castle 1st - 17th April Seek out Easter clues hidden around the Leeds Castle grounds on a fun Easter quest for all the family. Answer all the questions and receive a chocolatey treat at the end (£1 charge per trail card).

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Kent Big Weekend 1st - 2nd April More than 22,000 pairs of FREE tickets for a host of attractions and activities across the county are up for grabs in the Kent Big Weekend ballot. Registration for the 11th Big Weekend is now open, with 112 attractions offering amazing tickets. Lucky Kent residents won’t have to pay a penny to get up close to exotic animals at some of Kent’s top wildlife parks, jump aboard a high-speed boat, enjoy tours and tastings at some of the country’s top vineyards or head off on a railway adventure on the first weekend of April 2017.

The Big Weekend is designed to get local people out and about exploring the amazing destinations on their doorstep during one ‘big weekend’, on 1st and 2nd April.

To be in with a chance of winning a pair of free tickets, residents must register at www.kentbigweekend.co.uk by 3rd March.

Some of the county’s biggest attractions 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. These include 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, Dover Castle, Hush Heath

Estate & Winery, and several National Trust properties.

The event is also part of English Tourism Week, which highlights tourism as one of the fastest growing sectors in the national economy.

Two tickets per household will be allocated to winners by random ballot (some family tickets are available).

Last year, more than 120,000 people applied for tickets to the big event, so make sure you bid for as many tickets as possible to be in with a chance of winning!

Attractions have also donated extra tickets to the Family Holiday Association charity, which helps struggling families to enjoy a day out for free.

To register and to see the full list of attractions taking part, visit https://www.kentbigweekend.co.uk/.

For more information about Kent, please visit www.visitkent.co.uk

Mike Gunn, The Old Brewery Store Comedy Club 2nd March The night will be hosted by Sam Wyatt, with performances from Ian Lane, Winter Foenander, Lucas Jolson and headliner Mike Gunn!

Early in his career Mike Gunn was supporting the likes of Jo Brand and Alan Davies. He now headlines at all the top comedy venues in the UK and is rapidly reaching cult status on the circuit. Mike has also taken two solo shows to the Edinburgh Festival.

His TV credits include: Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow, Celebrity Deal or no Deal, Harry Hill’s TV Burp, Al Murray’s sit-com ‘Time Gentlemen Please’, Soccer AM, The Comedy Store, Live At Jongleurs, and The Gas. He is a regular on the Sky Poker channel. He has also been a contributor for The Guardian.

For more information, call: 01795 542285

Resolution Run Maidstone 5th March Join in for this fantastic 5k/10k at Bearsted Woodland Trust in Maidstone on Sunday 5 March. The run will begin at 10.30am. Whether it’s your first time running or if you’re planning to increase your distance, LOCAL EVENTS

the Resolution Run aims to help you achieve your personal goals. Each run is designed to be fun for all ages and abilities and they’ll support you every step of the way. By training and taking part in the runs, you’re helping to reduce your own risk of stroke whilst raising awareness and money to support those already affected.

For more information, visit: www.stroke.org.uk

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The Crucible, The Orchard Theatre 14th - 18th March One of the twentieth century’s landmark plays, Arthur Miller’s ‘The Crucible’ stands as both a historical record and a political parable for our times.

This bold new production of The Crucible starring Charlie Condou (Coronation Street), as the witch hunter, Reverend Hale and Victoria Yeates (Call the Midwife), the falsely accused Elizabeth Proctor, is

directed by Douglas Rintoul, Artistic Director of the Queen’s Theatre, Hornchurch, and brings together music and movement through a strong and everpresent cast. This atmospheric staging of a theatre classic is co-produced with Sell A Door Theatre Company, in association with Les Théâtres de la Ville de Luxembourg, and is a chilling reminder of the frailty of reason in the face of hysteria.

For more information, call: 01322 220000 or visit: www.orchardtheatre.co.uk

Laughing Boy Comedy Club, The Woodville 16th March Kevin McCarthy Once seen, never forgotten, Kevin McCarthy is one of the biggest acts on the UK comedy circuit. With an ever changing act, and the ability to find humour in any subject, Kevin’s cuddly personality and utterly relaxed stage persona puts the audience instantly at ease. An accomplished stand-up comedian, and burgeoning talent as a comic actor, he’s a real coup for any comedy club.

Phil Jerrod The first thing you notice about Phil Jerrod is the quite alarming amount of face-foliage that clings to his chin. Jerrod’s humour is straightforwardly observational, dealing in stories about his middle-class background, his working life and, yes, his beard; stories that are immediately relatable, concerning subjects that are familiar go-tos for many young comics.

Mike Wilmot Mike has won numerous awards such as the Barry Award in Melbourne and the Time Out Comedy Award. Being funny for Uncle Mike isn’t a job, it’s a condition. Mike has appeared several times at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival in Montreal, as well comedy festivals in Ireland, Scandinavia, Paris, Amsterdam, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Australia and South Africa.

Tickets: £10 - £14.50

Cilla & the Shades of the 60s, Hazlitt Theatre 22nd March This stunning and elegant review of the life of Cilla Black soars its way through the 60s.

Victoria and the gorgeous Shades trio rediscover one of music’s most defining eras.

They follow the life and career of the iconic Cilla Black, while their stories reflect on some of the biggest 60s stars. Featuring brand new arrangements of music from artists including the Beatles and Dusty Springfield, comes an unforgettable show that journeys its way through Cilla’s life and brings audiences to their feet in celebration.

Tickets: £19.50 - £17.50

March 2017

WILL YOU COME INTO GOOD FORTUNE THIS MONTH, OR FIND LOVE PERHAPS? FIND OUT WHAT’S IN STORE FOR YOU HERE.

Gemini

Aries

21st Mar - 20th Apr During this month, especially when it comes to the second ten-day period, your opportunities will grow significantly. Don’t give in to provocation, don’t borrow money, however difficult it is, because this will lead to even greater financial losses. For those who have already possessed a “better half” for a long time, there will be quite a few opportunities to enlarge the list of their “romantic victories”. If secrets come out into the open, it will not be soon, and this is a fact. They could simply provoke you, and a new acquaintance could easily turn into a “trap”.

22nd May - 21st June

Daniel Craig 2nd March

In March, Geminis could get really lucky. Those born under this sign will experience quite a balanced stage, devoid of clear negativity. It will be necessary to make an effort, to work by the sweat of your brow, as they say, but you will be able to achieve what you want many times faster than you planned. Everything will not necessarily be subject to rational analysis, but don’t lose your head, otherwise you risk being in an awkward position.

Taurus

Cancer

21st Apr - 21st May For people born under the Zodiac sign of Taurus, March will be a month of new achievements and surprising, unforeseen situations. At the current stage of life you should trust your intuition more often, having minimal information. Rely on allies only in the most extreme cases, otherwise you will not implement the resources that need to be developed right now, because they will lose their real value. Don’t forget about safety, don’t take risks for the sake of your instincts, otherwise you could cause yourself significant harm.

22nd June - 22nd July

Sagittarius

23rd Nov - 23rd Dec

In March, make an effort to give the “romantic front” a slight advantage over the sphere of career and work. You will need this foundation in the very near future, and thus important decisions taken at the beginning of the month will get a real embodiment by the middle of the period. Don’t engage in conflict without a real reason; hold back, even if you are a hundred percent right. Resolve problems diplomatically, otherwise you risk losing contact with someone close to you.

In the work sphere there is quite a high likelihood of an increase in profits or of receiving a new position. In the sphere of feelings and emotions, single Sagittarians and those with families can both count on the realization of their most cherished desires. Don’t borrow money even from those who are closest to you, don’t take part in any risky ventures, or else you will lose not only money but friends too.

Libra

Justin Bieber 1st March

23rd Sep - 23rd Oct

Eva Mendes 5th March

Leo

23rdJuly - 23rd Aug

In March, it is not only necessary to resolve immediate problems, but also possible. Overall, the first spring month will be promising and quite successful, especially when it comes to the implementation of old, possibly already forgotten initiatives. The “romantic front” for Libras in March will be much more intense. Don’t rush to earn the respect and trust of new friends or even new relatives.

For Leos, March will be a clear and positive time, oriented towards complex development in all spheres of life. It is important to note that your attention will be divided fairly evenly between the sphere of work and that of personal matters. The “romantic front” for Leos will be just as positive, but here in contrast to the work sphere, you must spend much more time specifically on communication.

Virgo

24th Aug-22nd Sep

Capricorn

In March, Virgos will not encounter situations which they will be unable to resolve. At the current stage of life, victory will be the natural outcome of competent and timely work. At the dawn of the spring phase, it is highly likely that Virgo will gain the attention of a person on whom they have focused their emotional orientation for a long time. That is to say, single Virgos will have a good chance of a bright and successful romance with the next, and possibly the most recent, object of their adoration.

24th D ec - 20th Jan

In March, Capricorns will fight against circumstances and win systematically, carrying a surge of positivity into their surroundings. New acquaintances are awaiting you, but old friends will also surprise you in some way. If you value your friendships, give way. All the same, this is not a vital point.

Scorpio

Aquarius

24th Oct- 22nd Nov

21st Jan - 18th Feb

March will be quite successful, especially when it comes to the work sphere. The situation could unfold quite dynamically, that is, you will encounter new circumstances literally every day. In the sphere of personal relationships in March, Scorpio will require self-restraint and diplomacy. But don’t go overboard, otherwise you will just add fuel to the fire.

Pisces

19th Feb -20th Mar

Pisces who have their own business will encounter a multitude of opportunities and events in March, which could succeed each other quite quickly along the course of your life.

In the sphere of personal relationships, Pisces will “come out”, so to speak.

For many this will be a kind of “finest hour”, and it is actually good that this will involve a time when the stars guarantee advantages for you. Don’t give way to your competitors under any circumstances!

In March, there are unlikely to be situations that Aquarius will not be able to get out of.

On the “romantic front” such warnings will be unnecessary. Aquarius can tell his loved ones and friends everything he is thinking, they will perceive him positively in any case. However, the negativity of the sun, which is weak, supported by the energy of Mars, could destroy all your plans, if you are inattentive and unfocused.

GALA Ball

CHARITY GALA BALL AT QHOTELS’ ASHFORD INTERNATIONAL HOTEL RAISES OVER £2,000 FOR NSPCC

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shford International Hotel, has raised over £2,000 for the NSPCC, following a charity Gala Ball which took place at the hotel on Thursday 16th February 2017. The glittering evening featured a welcome drinks reception, a four-course gala meal and entertainment, sponsored by The Comedy Club, with comedian Junior Simpson and vocalists The Stereoettes. Further fundraising on the evening involved a silent auction, raffle and ‘heads or tails’ game.

In addition to the many fundraising activities held by the team at Ashford International Hotel, the Gala Ball was organised following QHotels partnership with NSPCC which began back in May 2016 with the pledge to raise £300,000 over the next three years.

Since May 2016, the hotel has raised a grand total of £7,684 for the charity, making it the top fundraising hotel in the QHotels group. Veronica Kingham, Cluster

General Manager for Ashford International Hotel and Bridgewood Manor, said: “The NSPCC is a fantastic charity and we’re proud to be able to support the work it does. The whole team has really got behind this initiative showing great enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved. We hope that our continued efforts are able to positively contribute towards to this fantastic charity’s work”.

NSPCC senior partnership manager Caroline Brennan said: “Since QHotels announced we would be their partner charity the Ashford International Hotel has been 100 per cent on board with all their fundraising.

The charity ball is one of their many fundraising efforts in helping us raise money and awareness for the NSPCC and we are delighted to be working with all the team at the Ashford International Hotel. Last night will have answered 500 calls to Childline which is an amazing achievement”.

Images supplied from Shutterfingers ©

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