SO Magazine December 2023

BUSINESS

CULTURE

Daniel Hatton on expanding his successful food and drink empire

We reveal the must-see fun festive events on over Christmas

Pastures new It’s showtime

SOCIAL

Festive spirit An invitation to see all the best parties happening this season

DESIGN FOR LIFE ENTREPRENEUR RIKKE MITCHELL, FOUNDER OF NORDHUS FURNITURE AND BALTIC STAR DESIGN & BUILD TELLS US ALL ABOUT HER UNIQUE APPROACH TO DOING BUSINESS

DECEMBER 2023

AUTUMN/WINTER AUTUMN/WINTER2023 2023

Book Booknow nowatathemstedpark.com hemstedpark.com

© Photograph by Jan Versweyveld

A Little Life 30th September The Jazz Sapiens

8 December

Oh What A Lovely War

Kidenza

7th October

15th October

Sleeping Beauty

Gary Delaney in Punderland Christmas with the 27th October 28th October Len Phillips Swing Orchestra 15 December

The Great Think Pink Show 20th October

A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings 3rd November

Angela Hewitt

Swinging at the Cotton Club

The Jazz Sapiens

19th November

25th November

8th December

Kinder 23rd/24th October

Trio Bohemo 16th November

Christmas with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra 15th December

WELCOME

4 7 8 12 15 17 19 21 23 25

Culture vulture: What’s on where this month Tune in: Paul Dunton reveals his top festive must-see gigs

contents December 2023

Design for life: Entrepreneur Rikke Mitchell on her design business

PHOTO KEY & QUILL

W

elcome to your December edition of SO magazine. We have an abundance of fantastic features to share with you. Our cover star this month is Rikke Mitchell who tells us all about her two businesses: Baltic Star Build & Design and Nordhus Furniture.

Turn to page 8 to find out why she started them and how they have evolved to become a powerhouse in the local building and design sectors.

We think you’ll agree that Rikke has a huge talent and wonderful artistic eye for creating incredible aesthetically pleasing spaces, whatever your budget happens to be.

In addition to this we have interviews with lots of different people who have great stories to tell. First up we meet actor Rita Simons who is starring in Beauty and the Beast, this year’s Assembly Hall Theatre panto.

We also talk to Trinity Theatre’s Artistic Director Nick Mowat about why the venue is putting on Cinderella, its first ever pantomime!

And, not to leave out our friends at Wicked Production, who are doing

Aladdin at the EM Forster, we also talk to the troupe’s founder and director Tom Swift.

Sign writer Steve Tabb, who is responsible for creating some of the town’s most iconic shop, restaurant and café signs – all meticulously by hand – tells us why his age-old craft is coming back into fashion, while another illustrator, Jessica Harrison, reveals the story behind her series of specially commissioned festive paintings for this year’s Joy to the Wells RTW BID Christmas campaign.

We also have plenty of other reads to get you into the yuletide spirit, including a chat with Kerrie Bridger from Rotherfield’s Highgate Florist and Flower School and a catch up with chef Daniel Hatton who tells us about his plans for December and beyond.

With all your regular favourite expert advice, lifestyle content and travel we think we’ve wrapped up the perfect read for you this December.

So all that’s left for me to say is Merry Christmas and a happy, peaceful and healthy New Year to you all…

Festive spirit: Christmas at Bewl Water officially opens its doors Birthday wishes: Kitch fashion boutique turns 19

Christmas is coming: The Big Reveal hosts its festive celebrations Cheers: Charlotte’s and the TN Card host a special drinks evening

Social network: enTWine networking group throw a Christmas party Legal eagles: Tunbridge Wells Law Society hosts its annual dinner

Fundraising fun: Taylor Made Dreams raise thousands at its Dragonfly Ball

EDITOR Eileen Leahy eileen.leahy@onemediauk.co.uk ISSUE 182

GET IN TOUCH Salomons Estate Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG Tel: 01892 779650 www.timeslocalnews.co.uk @somagazines SoMagazines @SoMagazines

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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 relating to advertising or editorial.The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered.

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family

Floral tribute: We meet Kerrie Bridger of Highgate Florist

Bowl of soul: Naomi Murray from Botanica Health on the healing powers of soup

Artist’s impression: Jessica Harrison tells us about her new festive illustrations

Cold comfort: Take a trip to the Abergavenny Arms in Frant with us

28 31 33 34 37 38

True gem: We take a tour around the workshops of jeweller G.Collins & Sons

67 71 73 76 83

Sparkle and shine: Kitch’s Charlotte Newman on shimmering this Christmas

Family affair: Daniel and Lisa Hatton on their plans for 2024

Eileen Leahy Editor SO magazine Don’t forget to follow us on Instagram @somagazines

THE TEAM

49 50 54 58 60 62

Glorious gifts: Don’t miss our last-minute present ideas for all the

Sweet dreams: We get a sneak peek at The Beacon’s beautiful new bedrooms

Stress less: Emma Sims on how to keep yourself – and kids - calmer

And breathe: We trial out the new wellbeing offering at Kingdom

garden

Plan ahead: Garden Proud’s Tim Sykes wants you to plan your 2024

Love where you live: Wicked Productions’ Tom Swift on shopping, strolling and socialising Chocs away: The TN Card’s Jess Gibson meets Atelier Chocolates

Beast

Starstruck: Rita Simons is coming to town as the baddie in Beauty & the

Cinderella

age-old art

Having a ball: Trinity Theatre tell us all about its produdtion of Sign language: Signwriter Steve Tabb on why he’s reviving an

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 3

CALENDAR

Ben Cornwell brings you the most entertaining events happening this December CHRISTMAS PRESENCE EVERY DAY UNTIL CHRISTMAS The holiday season is here, and many shoppers will now be hunting for perfect Christmas presents. Penshurst Place gift shop stocks a wide range of present ideas from homeware, greetings cards, and delectable treats to a large selection of Kentgrown Christmas trees, wreaths and mistletoe. Open daily (apart from Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and with free parking, plus the option of enjoying some seasonal refreshments in the adjoining Pantry café, a visit to the Penhurst Place Estate is a mustdo this festive period.

NATURAL SELECTION DECEMBER 6

DID YOU KNOW?

GLORIOUS GIFTS EVERY WEEKEND UNTIL CHRISTMAS EVE Still searching for inspiration for Christmas presents? Have a wander down the numerous stalls at The Pantiles Christmas Markets which are being held every weekend until December 25. From fantastic festive finds and heavenly homeware to tasty tipples and seasonal treats, there is plenty to explore. It’s the perfect opportunity to browse and buy some goodies for your home, your friends, your family and yourself.

The final Christmas market will be on December 24 and will finish at 2pm.

4 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

Santa hasn’t always dressed in red. Some people claim the modernday image of Santa Claus was created by Coca-Cola, but this isn’t strictly true. The original, red-suited Santa became popular in the US and Canada in the 19th century due to the influence of caricaturist and cartoonist Thomas Nast.

Coca-Cola commissioned their depiction of Santa in 1931. So, the Santa in the City run could have looked very different.

Get creative this Christmas with a natural wreath-making course at Curious House in Stonegate with Ticehurst Florist, Andrea Beach. Andrea will be bringing a wealth of gorgeous flowers and greenery from her flower shop,The Art Bunch.You will make and take home a wreath of great beauty that will be sure to impress your family and friends – and embellish your front door.This is an afternoon course from 2pm finishing at 4.30pm.The fee is £85 and includes lots of gorgeous materials and refreshments.Tickets are available at: curioushouse.net/ courses/p/gorgeous-christmas-wreathwith-andrea-beach-wednesday-6thdecember-2023.

EXPERIENCE A WHOLE NEW WORLD DECEMBER 8-31

It’s time to make all your wishes come true as the EM Forster Theatre invites you to their spectacular pantomime, Aladdin this Christmas. Brought to you by Wicked Productions – who are returning for their eighth year – this show features a stellar cast including Edward Turner as Aladdin, Etheria Chan as Jasmine and Amanda Swift as the villainous Abby Nazar.

Wicked’s founder Tom Swift stars as the hilarious Wishee Washee as well as the return of Rhys Whiteside as PC World and John Martin as the one and only Widow Twankey. Expect laughs, amazing costumes, all your favourite songs, great gags and magical special effects that will leave you in awe as you are taken on a magic flying carpet ride. And of course, no Aladdin pantomime is complete without a larger-than-life Genie, who will grant your every wish...Tickets are available at emftheatre.ticketsolve. com/ticketbooth/shows/.

A TALE AS OLD AS TIME DECEMBER 9-31 The Assembly Hall Theatre presents Beauty and the Beast as this year’s Christmas panto. It stars Rita Simons

CALENDAR

– best known for her role as former Eastenders icon, Roxy Mitchell.

She will soon be joining the cast of popular soap Hollyoaks, but before that, Rita will take to the Assembly Hall’s stage as the evil Enchantress.

She will star alongside returning CBBC star Stewart McCheyne who is the hilarious Idle Jacques and also award-winning dame James Peake as Betty Bon Bon. With fantastic sets, outrageous costumes, magic and mayhem, audiences are certainly in for a festive treat! Tickets can be bought at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/ whats-on/beauty-and-the-beast.html.

DID YOU KNOW? According to research conducted by the fitness tracking app Strava, nearly 80 per cent of resolutions made at the beginning of the year are forgotten by February. So don’t feel bad if you need to restart – you’re not alone!

HAVING A BALL DECEMBER 9-31 For the first time in its 40-year history,Trinity Theatre is putting on a traditional Christmas panto. And it’s gone for a classic: the magical Cinderella. With a stellar cast including Natasha Hoeberigs as the leading role, West End star Jenna Boyd as the fairy godmother and Tom Blackmore as Prince Charming, plus an array of popular songs from the charts and musical theatre, there’s plenty to look forward at the Trinity Theatre this Christmas.Tickets are available at: trinitytheatre.net/events/cinderella.

PHOTOGRAPHY BY PAUL BARSBY

DID YOU KNOW? It is traditional pantomime custom for the good character or hero to enter from the right of the stage and the baddie to appear from the left. So, keep your eyes peeled when you watch any of Tunbridge Wells’ fabulous pantos.

GET INTO THE CHRISTMAS SWING DECEMBER 15

Nothing says Christmas like Bing Crosby, Michael Bublé and the classic sound of a big band.This year, the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra is back to celebrate at Hemsted Park in style. Over the last thirty-five years this 16-piece big band has grown to become the most popular of its kind in Britain. Expect renditions of some of the best loved Christmas tunes of all time like Jingle Bells, Santa Claus Is Coming to Town, Rudolph The Red Nosed Reindeer and many more. Starting at 7.30pm, celebrate this holiday season with the Len Phillips Swing Orchestra.Tickets are

still available at ticketsource.co.uk/ hemstedpark/christmas-with-the-lenphillips-swing-orchestra/e-vmbeaz.

NEW YEAR CELEBRATIONS DECEMBER 31

The Pantiles is reviving its seasonal celebrations for New Year’s Eve for the first time in a few years.There’ll be live music, entertainment and plenty of food and drink to keep you in high spirits until the fireworks display lights up the night sky.Tickets are available on The Pantiles website, thepantiles.com/whats-on/new-yearseve-at-the-pantiles/ and there will also be limited ticket availability on the night.

A DASH FOR CHRISTMAS DECEMBER 9

Looking to stay active this Christmas?

Why not give the Santa in the City fun run a try? Starting at 2pm at Grosvenor & Hilbert Park, this event is the perfect way to get you into the festive spirit – and also keep you fit! Every runner that signs up is provided with a fivepiece Santa Suit (hat, beard, jacket, trousers & belt), runner number and medal. Children can run for free.To register for the race, visit santainthecity.co.uk/event-info-tw.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 5

TIMES ADVERT 264MMX340MM.pdf

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20/11/2023

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Your

Christmas Calendar Countdown!

Joy to the Wells

1, 12, 18, 19, 24, 25 Nov and 1-14 Dec Visit Santa in his magical grotto at Royal Victoria Place

8 Nov-13 Dec Donate presents for the Mayor's Annual Toy Appeal twmta.co.uk

17 Nov Mid-town Lights Switch On Meet Town Hall, procession through Mount Pleasant, High Street, Chapel Place thebigrevealrtw.co.uk

BookFatherChristmas.co.uk/RVP

12, 19 Nov and 17 Dec

Find perfect Christmas gifts at the popular indoor artisan market at One Warwick Park Hotel onewarwickpark.co.uk/ artisan-craft-gift-markets/

8-9 Dec Wrap up and enjoy a Folkal and Live Winter Music Festival on The Pantiles Bandstand, Sankeys Stage and the Sussex Arms https://bit.ly/wintermusicfestival

16 Nov Town Centre Light switch on Meet RVP Grotto, procession through Camden Road, Monson Road and Fiveways thebigrevealrtw.co.uk

17-19, 24-26, 30 Nov and 1-3, 7-10, 13-17, 20-23 Dec Ride the magical Polar Express at The Spa Valley Railway spavalleythepolarexpressride.com/

5-9 Dec Visit the beautifully decorated trees at King Charles the Martyr Church Tree Festival kcmtw.org

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16, 22 and 31 Dec Great music at The Forum with Back to 80's Christmas Edition, Suncharmer Christmas Show & Back to Forum NYE Celebration twforum.co.uk

23 Dec

9-31 Dec

Dunorlan Park Christmas Park Run fancy dress a must!

parkrun.org.uk/royaltunbridgewells/

13 8-24 Dec Families will enjoy the Little Owl & The Christmas Lights Show at The Amelia https://bit.ly/ owlchristmaslights

A new Christmas addition to the town, soak up the view over the rooftops & trees on the Ferris Wheel in Calverley Park assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/ whats-on

Enjoy the magic of the Skate Ice Rink in Calverley Park https://bit.ly/skateRTW

Tale as old as time - Beauty & The Beast Pantomime at The Assembly Hall Theatre https://bit.ly/AHTbeautybeast

18 Dec ROH Live - The Royal Ballet Nutcracker at Trinity Theatre is a Christmas classic https://bit.ly/ROHLivenutcracker

14, 16 and 24 Dec Festive Jazz Night & Breakfast with Santa at One Warwick Park onewarwickpark.co.uk/christmas -at-one-warwick-park-hotel/

18 Dec RVP Christmas Late Night Shopping - shop till late royalvictoriaplace.com

@Royal Tunbridge Wells Round Table

9-31 Dec The classic fairy tale Cinderella is this year's Pantomime at Trinity Theatre trinitytheatre.net/ events/cinderella

18, 19, 25, 26 Nov and 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 Dec Soak up the vibe at The Pantiles Special Christmas Markets with food, drink, jewellery, art, gifts, fashion & vintage thepantiles.com/whats-on/ pantiles-market-2023

1-31 Dec

1-31 Dec

10-17 Dec The Round Table's infamous sleigh will visit areas of Tunbridge Wells to spread Christmas cheer and collect donations for Nourish Foodbank

12-24 Dec The Princess & the Water Dragon is a festive tale of adventure with songs, stunning costumes & a magical, snow-breathing dragon puppet trinitytheatre.net/event-category/children

24 Dec King Charles the Martyr Scratch Nativity - all are welcome to this much-loved service, costumes optional kcmtw.org

1-24 Dec Take a seat in the sleigh for a magical virtual reality flight before meeting Father Christmas in person in his grotto assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/whats-on

18 Nov The Pantiles Big Reveal and Lights Switch On thebigrevealrtw.co.uk

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MUSIC

l a n o s a e S sounds

SO magazine’s resident music guru Paul Dunton shares his Christmas gig guide, packed full of festive concerts and alternative gigs from established musicians and emerging artists. You can expect to see a performance from acoustic folk-pop duo Red, Green & Blue on Christmas Eve at The Compasses and on December 9 a capella ensemble, Papagena, who will warm the chillier nights with outstanding vocals in ‘A Winter’s Dawn’…

D

ecember is here and it seems to have rolled around so quickly!

Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas have so many festive gigs and great acts to look forward to. Here are a few concerts I’m especially looking forward to this Christmas time…

The Grey Lady Sessions: David Migden & The Twisted Roots and Marie White

Smallwoodstock.

The second week of December will see the group that brought you Nu Metal Nights, Pop Punk Nights and Bowie Night deliver a mental health community event: Smallwoodstock.

In honour of the 10th anniversary of the passing of local musician and Forum regular Jonny Smallwood, a group of musicians from bands such as The Hurt Process, Unfounded, The Anti Nowhere League and many more will come together to play a range of his favourite music.

This is an event open to all rock, punk and metalheads to bring the community together and share in good tunes and even better times, all in the name of raising money for mental health charities West Kent Mind and Mind West Sussex.

Jonny sadly took his own life in December 2013 and on the fiveyear anniversary of his death, a group of local musician friends assembled as part of the first ‘Head Up’ event in 2018, which raised money for Sane and West Kent Mind. This (along with five other gigs across Tunbridge Wells covering rap/hip hop, blues, acoustic and live DJs) was a huge success and now at the decade mark the group are looking forward to reliving that night with

Ticket proceeds go towards Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club.

Date: Saturday December 16, 7pm.

Venue: Ridgemont Pavilion, Southborough Tickets: £22. Book online seetickets.com/event/chris-helme

many more of you.

Date: Friday December 8, 7:30pm Venue: Forum Basement at The Sussex Arms, Tunbridge Wells Tickets: £12. Book online twforum.co.uk

Papagena – ‘A Winter’s Dawn’

A capella ensemble Papagena bring Christmas carols, lullabies and songs of hope, accompanied by harp this December. The performance will also include winter folk ballads, baroque motets, seasonal songs, harp solos together with a capella carols and Advent pieces from around the world.

No props, microphones or gimmicks, just five stunning voices form Papagena, an a cappella group set up to explore the wealth of music from medieval times to the present day, written specifically for female voices. Joining the ensemble will be award-winning harpist Victoria Davies.

Date: Saturday December 9, 7.30pm Venue: Parish Church of St Peter & St Paul, Tonbridge Tickets: £20 adult/ £5 students & under 18s. Ticket available at tmc.org.uk

Tunbridge Wells Youth Football Club Presents: The Acoustic Sessions

One of the leading protagonists of the Brit Pop era, The Seahorses’ frontman Chris Helme will be headlining The Acoustic Sessions at Southborough’s The Ridgemont Pavilion in the lead up to Christmas. This is a venue which has played host to many established artists including the likes of Mark Morriss of The Bluetones and James Walsh of Starsailor. The great thing about these shows is that it gives local artists the opportunity to be on the same bill with world renowned acts.

Opening the night are two of the area’s most popular acts: The Varlies and The Ackerleys. This will be a fantastic gig and I highly recommend snapping up tickets right away!

The Grey Lady Music Lounge on The Pantiles will be hosting a candlelit concert with two of our local and most renowned original acts performing on the same bill for the first time.

David Migden & The Twisted Roots are a local five-piece band offering an electrifying blend of American Roots and Blues-laced inspired songs. Their level of musicianship, songwriting and vocal excellence is world class they are regarded on the local scene as one of the best live acts around. The band have many career highlights and have played all over the UK and beyond.

In 2013, they won the prestigious New Brunswick ‘Battle of the Blues’ competition and appeared at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival in Canada in 2013. Aside from headlining Local & Live and performing at other local festivals including Black Deer Festival, they love nothing more than returning to their home 50-seater venue at The Grey Lady.

Marie White is known for her incredible vocals and heartfelt

songs. A Tunbridge Wells resident and popular on the local scene, she has been compared to singersongwriters Tracey Chapman, Macey Gray and Eva Cassidy.

Marie has played The Pyramid stage at Glastonbury, The Royal Albert Hall, toured with Keane and Newton Faulkner. She also enjoys performing at Local and Live and The Grey Lady!

Date: Sunday December 17, 7.15pm Venue: The Grey Lady Music Lounge, The Pantiles Tickets: £15. Book online thegreylady.co.uk

Red, Green & Blue at The Compasses Pub

If you fancy venturing out on Christmas Eve, then I highly recommend popping along to The Compasses Inn situated on Little Mount Sion. Red, Green & Blue are a fantastic acoustic style duo who offer a beautiful and uplifting sound rich in folk and Americana sensibilities, reminiscent of The Civil Wars.

Their dual guitar sound is warm and expansive alongside their textured vocals which combine effortlessly to deliver spellbinding harmonies which adds a further string to their bow. Expect an array of popular covers, renowned Christmas songs and a great night of entertainment!

Date: Sunday December 24, 9pm Venue: The Compasses Pub, Tunbridge Wells Tickets: Free entry

Expect an array of popular covers, renowned Christmas songs and a great night of entertainment!

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 7

COVER FEATURE

Attention to detail Rikke Mitchell tells Eileen Leahy about the evolution of her two businesses, the construction company Baltic Star Design & Build and Nordhus Furniture, and how the two complement one another perfectly when it comes to creating beautiful, bespoke and unique creations for her clients…

T

he lovely leafy enclave of Langton Green is where you’ll find the headquarters of Rikke Mitchell’s successful construction company Baltic Star Design & Build and also that of her bespoke carpentry business Nordhus Furniture.

From the outside, the building in which they are both housed looks like it could pass as a charming period family home but as soon as you walk down towards its entrance and step over the threshold, you are suddenly in a busy workshop with machines grinding and carpenters deftly chiselling away to create the company’s trademark bespoke pieces.

“This is the hub of our two businesses,” explains Rikke as she welcomes me and SO magazine photographer David Bartholomew in.

“This is where all our hybrid kitchens and handmade furniture is created,” states Rikke before stepping through another door to show us a series of smaller rooms where the team can do additional practical things like staining oak boards and mixing and drying materials.

As our photographer David starts to gather together Rikke and her team for fun some group shots I’m afforded a candid snapshot of how this group work together.

The atmosphere between them is jovial yet respectful. It’s clear from being with them for only a matter of minutes this team all enjoy working together.

“We all get on and love what we do,” smiles Rikke as she follows David’s instructions to move slightly left in order to get the perfect group shot.

After the team have happily obliged with numerous photos, Rikke and I bid goodbye to David and the other staff members, who include Rikke’s assistant Kelly, and head towards the office for our chat.

As we scale the stairs, I spy a beautiful small showroom showcasing a small selection of the type of work done by both Baltic Star Design & Build and Nordhus Furniture.

As well as stunning cabinetry with reeded glass cupboards and a marble top kitchen island, there are also examples of handmade shelving units, funky tile samples

8 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

We don’t believe in pressure being applied and I think that is why clients come back to us time and time again because we give them good advice

DAVID BARTHOLOMEW PHOTOGRAPHY

and some statement lighting.

Just a quick glance at this setup proves just how much of a comprehensive service Rikke and her team of carpenters and builders can give their clients. “Yes, it’s very much a from-concept-tocompletion offering,” confirms Rikke.

This is all the more impressive when she goes on to tell me that she actually started off her career designing shopping centres.

“I am a building surveyor by trade, and so I spent many years working in shopping centre construction for big firms up in central London. A lot of my work took me to Europe too, which meant I travelled a lot, but when my children came along I stopped all of that.”

When she was six months pregnant with her son, friends of Rikke’s had an issue with their house build and they asked her if she could help out.

“I said, ‘Sure no problem.’ Then they told me they would pay me for it and I told them I didn’t want any money. After resolving their issue, they said, ‘Actually could you stay on and finish the job?’ So I agreed to it and it all went from there really.”

Rikke says that after finishing that particular job the couple then recommended her to a few more people and things started to evolve organically after that.

By 2012 she was starting to help more and more people: “My son was six months old by then and my daughter was a toddler so I wasn’t really thinking that far ahead about things. I just thought I was helping people out but then it just grew and grew.

“That’s when I started hiring construction staff from various trades, and suddenly Baltic Star

COVER FEATURE

took off. I’d started off as a sole trader just doing a few bits here and then suddenly I was running full-on projects.”

Eleven years later Rikke now employs a permanent team of 18 and instructs a band of freelance tradespeople as and when she needs them.

“What you see here in the workshop is only a few people – it is just the tip of the iceberg because everybody else is on site somewhere.”

Baltic Star Design & Build’s bread-and-butter projects are extensions, period renovations and conversions. Rikke adds they are mainly residential and are all based in the local area.

“Our USP is that most of the projects are done in stages – sometimes over several years – as that way people don’t have the expense of moving out and renting.

It’s so expensive to do that but also pretty much impossible to rent somewhere short-term for three to six months.

“We find that phasing projects like this gives our clients the chance to have a proper think about things, rather than being hit by a million decisions at once.

It is very common for people to make the mistake of not telling architects they haven’t necessarily got the funds to do what has been suggested.

“We often have people come to us who have already been through the process with an architect, and we end up redoing the plans for

TEAM WORK: Rikke with her Baltic Star and Nordhus Furniture colleagues. From left: Nick W, Rikke, Nick L and Rod

“We always say find out what your budget can do for you first before embarking on any grand designs ideas”

them because I think architects want to show you the most you can do with your house but that might not necessarily mean you have got the money to do it.”

Another one of the things Rikke and her team specialise in is helping people make the most of their house.

“With a design and build project people often become disillusioned and don’t know what to do.

Whereas we have a more realistic approach. We will always say ‘Find out what your budget can do for you first before embarking on the grand design ideas’. That way people are aware of where any budget limitations might be.

“If you’re realistic about your budget and what it can do, it actually gives you a lot more flexibility. We always tell people that it’s not always better to extend either. We will always look at the plans and if we don’t think an extension is needed then we will suggest remodelling internally by maybe knocking two or three rooms together. That will get you a fantastic kitchen diner for example – without the price tag of having to do a new build.

“That way you might just have enough budget left over to do the bathrooms up or change your windows or some other thing that SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 9

COVER FEATURE

would become unaffordable if you had built the extra space.”

The other thing Rikke and her team do when people come to them for the full design and build service – even if they haven’t seen an architect – is to run through options versus budget.

“Briefly this means we will look at how effectively we can use a client’s budget in order to get as much as they want. The key here is not to spend it on things that won’t add value later on. If you want a gold leaf wall for example you’d actually be better off buying a bespoke piece of art instead that you can take with you to your next home.

“All those things are there to be discussed and it’s our job to drill down into the details of what people’s desires are – as well as practical things like how storage needs to work for them.”

I tell Rikke that her approach seems a very different one from the norm. After all don’t builders have

“It’s all about listening to what a client wants and working out how we can achieve it. We try to design everything. I just think bespoke should be bespoke…”

a reputation of overpromising, underdelivering, blowing the budget and therefore creating a very stressful scenario?

“We don’t believe in that type of pressure being applied and I think that is why clients come back to us time and time again because we give them good advice in the first place.”

Another of Baltic Star’s USPs is offering clients feasibility services. This can be done on a property they are already living in where advice might be needed on whether a potential building project is worth doing or not. The company also offers pre-purchase feasibility services too.

“This means that when people are looking to buy a property we can come in and walk them through what they can do with the house and give an idea of how much things will cost. It means that when they’ve made their purchase, they’ve gone into it with eyes fully open.

What is the average lead time on a Baltic Star kitchen?

“A lot depends on the size, the design, the complications but If you took a mid-sized kitchen, as an example you are probably looking at about eight weeks to turn it around in the workshop. Then another two weeks or so on-site, ripping out the old kitchen out and redoing the wiring and whatever else. So from the start of the design process, you have got about three months.”

“We can put people’s minds at rest by visiting a property with them and using one of our experts who will be able to give an accurate survey determining whether or not drastic work has to be carried out. People find that very useful.”

Rikke adds that usually, if people have had a feasibility visit with them and have gone on to

10 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

COVER FEATURE

AT YOUR SERVICE Honest approach Baltic Star Design & Build’s quotations are always detailed and fully inclusive. Working in Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge and Sevenoaks, its residential projects include renovations, loft conversion, and extensions.

“Working on occupied and fully operational homes is never a problem here at Baltic Star Design & Build,” says Rikke.

Your build As experienced building contractors, Baltic Star Design & Build offer a complete end-to-end client experience from the inception of the design of your project, to the build and any additional items such as bespoke kitchens and bathrooms.

Client reassurance Baltic Star Design & Build carry all the necessary public liability insurances as well as professional indemnity insurance. It also offers a fully backed insurance scheme and 10-year warranty insurance certificate for your build. It also offers insurance-backed protection for any deposits paid.

“You can be assured you are in safe hands,” says Rikke.

purchase the house, they’ll get Baltic Star to do the work.

And they do that work with genuine integrity as Rikke tells me that both Baltic Star Design & Build and Nordhus Furniture have strong eco-credentials.

“We are members of Considerate Constructors and are also a zero landfill constructor.

Our commitment to the environment also extends to our workshop. We put a lot of work into sustainability, using timbers that have long lifespans and can cope with the British weather.”

How many projects would the team be working on at any one time? “We usually have around four or five on the go. And then in addition to this there is whatever we’re doing in the workshop.”

This, says Rikke, could be anything from making windows and doors, to kitchens and bespoke furniture. Commissions include everything from console tables and

chests of drawers to storage units, alcove units and wardrobes.

This is the Nordhus Furniture element of Rikke’s ever-expanding business and it too has naturally evolved.

“We started making pieces upon people’s requests after they couldn’t find what they were looking for.

Three years ago we took on this building in Langton Green as we were expanding so much. Now we can make windows, wardrobes, tables, external and internal doors.

And the added bonus means people aren’t waiting weeks or months for something from a different supplier.”

I ask Rikke if there’s anything her team don’t make and with that her right-hand man Nick pops his head into the office and answers for her: “Nothing at all. If somebody wants it, we can make it.”

What has been their most unusual commission to date I ask Nick.

“We recently did a display cabinet for a lady who had a

huge antique plate collection but couldn’t find anything to display it in. She wanted something quite contemporary because she was living in a fairly modern converted listed building. So we set to work: the shelves are glass and there’s a groove in them so the plates can sit in it perfectly. We also put lights into it so it can be illuminated at night.

“It’s all about listening to what a client wants and working out how we can achieve it,” adds Nick. “We try to design everything. I just think bespoke should be exactly that: bespoke.”

Rikke adds: “Everything we make, whether it’s a kitchen or a unique piece, is handmade by our talented craftsman. There are no limits to what a client can have. If we can help you imagine it, we can definitely create it.”

CONTACT: Baltic Star Design & Build The Workshop, Upper Birchetts, Langton Road, Langton Green, Tunbridge Wells, TN3 0EG 01732 671101 info@balticstarbuild.co.uk www.balticstarbuild.co.uk @balticstarbuild Nordhus Furniture: www.nordhus.co.uk @nordhus_furniture

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 11

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umerous local charities were recently invited to enjoy a fantastic new seasonal event at Bewl Water as a ‘thank you’ for all their hard work throughout the year.

Representatives from charities such as Young Lives Foundation, Gingerbread, the British Heart Foundation, ellenor and Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre were generously invited by Bewl, which is part of the ELC group, to spend the day enjoying the new fully immersive seasonal experience: Christmas at Bewl.

“I am so grateful for the generosity of the team here,” said Sue McGowan of the West Kent British Heart Foundation on being one of the chosen charities attending the special day.

“We have been blown away by the attention to detail and just how much the kids loved the crafts and storytelling. It really was a special event for us all.”

At check-in, children also receive a passport that is then stamped at various crafts and tasks on their journey to see Father Christmas.

As guests stroll through the specially built site, children can gaze up in wonder at giant-sized gingerbread men and oversized storybooks on their path to see Santa and also participate in a fun elves’ workshop.

Running until Christmas Eve, tickets are available from £40 per child and £15 per adult, which includes parking. Various special offers are running throughout the season so keep checking christmas.bewlwater. co.uk

l a n o s a e S

cheer ALEX TENTERS PHOTOGRAPHY

12 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

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She’s in

fashion

K

itch, a womenswear boutique located in Tunbridge Wells, recently celebrated its 19th anniversary with a special in-store shopping event for its loyal clients.

The fashion store’s founder and owner Charlotte Newman told SO magazine: “Customers were invited to shop the newest collections and as a token of appreciation for their loyalty, they received an exclusive discount and gift bag filled with goodies to complement their purchases.”

She added: “Guests perused the rails, sipping on complimentary drinks and nibbles, creating a delightful shopping experience.

“This anniversary celebration not only marked Kitch’s enduring presence in the retail landscape but also showcased our commitment to customer appreciation over the last nearly two decades.

“It was a memorable evening of joyful shopping and shared festivities.”

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 15

35 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS 01892 517986

w w w. e d n e y a n d e d n e y. c o m

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s a m t s i Chr

he end of last month saw the return of the annual Big Reveal with large crowds flocking to the streets of Tunbridge Wells for the occasion.

Organisers, RTW Together Business Improvement District (BID) announced that more than 3,000 people were in attendance across the threeday event.

There were also costumed character appearances, a visit from Santa and his elves the cast of Cinderella at Trinity, and further entertainment from Rock Choir, The Salvation Army Brass Band, The Talentz and the King Charles the Martyr Church Choir.

For the first time, the event ran on three consecutive afternoons from Thursday November 16 to Saturday November 18.

Kicking off at Royal Victoria Place Shopping Centre, the Big Reveal Christmas Window Trail sent visitors to windows along Camden Road, Monson Road and Five Ways on the first day, then on to Mount Pleasant, the High Street and Chapel Place on day two, with the final day’s event taking place in its original home on The Pantiles.

The fifty-plus retailers of Tunbridge Wells did not disappoint this year, with some very creative, seasonal plate glass window displays being revealed across the trail. After a public vote, the winner was named as Kumquat, the modern Asian restaurant on The Pantiles.

The magical Round Table Christmas Sleigh also made its annual appearance at the event, collecting gifts for the Mayor’s Toy Appeal and donations for Nourish Community Foodbank.

PHOTOS BY CHARLIE BATEMAN

n w o t o t s e com SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 17

Our heartfelt gratitude goes to our outstanding team, dedicated consultants and amazing clients. This year has been extraordinary, and we are truly grateful for your unwavering support. Thank you for being part of our community and for entrusting us with your architectural dreams.

Get in touch: E: hello@atelierdelinde.com T: 07973 628 095

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Mixing

things up

ast month, 60 TN card members braved the storms to cosy up at Charlotte’s In The Pantiles for an exclusive evening celebrating the launch of their seasonal Irish coffees.

As part of the TN card’s event series – which is exclusively for members – attendees enjoyed watching the venue’s Operations Director Adam Peters-Ennis showing how to make the perfect Irish coffee – which is no mean feat!

Guests also enjoyed Bellini cocktails, as well as Irish coffees, as well as taste of Charlotte’s new food menu.

On the night Adam was joined by his wife Vanessa who is Front of House Manager and Eddie, Charlotte’s General Manager,s who waxed lyrically about the hot boozy classic, and their painstaking journey in reinventing and perfecting it - Charlotte’s style.

Guests joining the Charlotte’s team and TN card founder Jess Gibson included Groombridge Farm Shop, Teise & Coffee, Carla Barber Photography, Caracol Camping and Tunbridge Wells Coffee Roastery, which supplies many of our local hospitality businesses, including Charlotte’s.

The TN card hosts regular events for its members, providing exclusive behind-thescenes access to favourite local independents and an opportunity to get to know the people behind them. thetncard.com/events

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 19

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local business forum for Tunbridge Wells held a festive-themed social event at the Old Auction House on The Pantiles on November 16.

More than 40 members of enTWine, who represent businesses from across the town, gathered to meet with established contacts and to also make new ones.

The enTWine group was created in 2020 by Lynne Gadsden from Grovewood Wealth Management, Pam Loch of Loch Associates Group and Victoria Sampson from CooperBurnett LLP. The three Tunbridge Wells-based women are business owners and also past presidents of West Kent Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Over the years, enTWine has welcomed guest speakers including local MP Greg Clark and William Benson, CEO of Tunbridge Wells Borough Council.

The group has also raised funds for local charities such as Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, Tree of Hope, Nourish, the 3H Foundation, Refugease and West Kent Mind.

“When it was launched, Pam Loch summed up enTWine’s philosophy as ‘we listen, we share, we benefit’ and this is still the basis of every event,” explained the enTWine spokesperson.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 21

Christmas & New Year are fast approaching, so now is the time to start thinking about where you will celebrate your Christmas and New Year with friends, colleagues and loved ones. With festive menus of 2 or more courses and a variety of spaces from intimate spaces for 6 up to our Oak Room for 60 we have the ideal area for all your festive celebrations.

Our Booking system takes all the hassle away from the organiser too.

Head over to www.ganddspeldhurst.com for more details or give us a call on 01892 338549

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Legal

aid

he Tunbridge Wells, Tonbridge & District Law Society (TWTDLS) annual dinner took place at The Spa Hotel in Tunbridge Wells on November 17. The evening was hosted by John Spence, a Property Litigation Partner at the Tunbridge Wells-based law firm CooperBurnett LLP, who is in his second year as President of TWTDLS. Guests included Georgie Warner, Deputy Lieutenant of Kent; Catherine Lloyd, Under Sheriff for Kent; the Mayor of Tunbridge Wells, Councillor Hugh Patterson; and the Mayoress, Sandra Patterson; Richard Atkinson, Vice President of The Law Society of England & Wales; and the President of the Sussex Law Society, Manjinder Nagra.

The guest speaker at the dinner was Rob Smith, who spent 25 years with the BBC, 11 of which as the main presenter of BBC South East. The event raised £1,650 for Demelza Hospice Care For Children.

“West Kent is home to many highly respected law firms and it was good to see so many represented at The Spa Hotel. The TWTDLS has been bringing the legal profession together as a community in our two towns for over 90 years and continues to go from strength to strength,” said John Spence.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 23

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l l a B y fl n Drago

ver 150 guests attended the biennial Taylor-Made Dreams (TMD) Dragonfly Ball at Salomons Estate on Friday November 24 helping to raise an incredible £65,000 for the charity which supports children with lifelimiting illness. The event, which was sponsored by Easyfairs, TWC Financial and Ven Morgan Interiors, is one of the biggest fundraisers this year for the charity.

The theme of the ball was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and, as with their previous Alice in Wonderland event in 2021, the décor did not disappoint. With the help of Ven Morgan Interiors and Sail & Peg Events, Salomons was transformed into the Wonka factory complete with golden tickets, inflatable lollipops, candy cane trees, jars of sweets and swirling psychedelic colours.

Guests were treated to a threecourse dinner and then speeches before a charity auction, hosted by comedian Tim Vine was held.

Lots included lunch with the charity’s Patron John Bishop, a weekend on a superyacht, ski holidays to The Alps, tickets to Jools Holland and Paul Weller music concerts and diamond earrings from De Beers.

Suzi Mitchell, CEO of Taylor-Made Dreams, said: “What an incredible evening, we are beyond grateful to our amazing sponsors, the events team and our wonderful guests for making it such a successful fundraiser. Thank you to all our supporters in the community, we simply couldn’t do what we do without them.”

To find out more visit taylormadedreams.org.uk

PHOTOGRAPHY BY EMILY BROWN

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 25

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With concern for health and wellness arguably higher than ever before, we’ve seen an increase in awareness of how our lifestyles and environment can influence our health.

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As technology continues to evolve, and we become more accustomed to the smart home way of life, we can all expect to have more fun with it, suggests Charlie: “Devices are becoming more human and interactions with them are more conversational, so we can enjoy the technology that a smart home has to offer – and the time it can free up for us – more inherently.

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Festive

flair

L

uxe Leopard hosted its first exclusive shopping and wellness event at One Warwick Park last month. The online premium fashion shopping portal, which sells a variety of contemporary lifestyle brands, which are curated by women, for women, partnered with local stylist Victoria Genevieve and fitness guru Sarah Gorman to provide a night of fashion inspiration, fitness education and indulgence.

While guests sipped on fizz and sampled delicious canapes, they had the chance to do some pre-Christmas shopping as Luxe Leopard offered a very generous 30% off some of their pieces which include brands such as Devotion Twins, Varley and Commando.

Both Victoria and Sarah took to the stage to give expert talks on fashion and fitness respectively and at the end of the evening guests were treated to a luxury goodie bag to take home.

“We really enjoyed hosting this evening which helped invitees explore our latest brands and seasonal trends as well as elevating their fitness and fashion game, and preparing for the festivities ahead,” a spokesperson told SO magazine.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 27

Josh pictured with his father Harry Collins

Exceptional expertise G. Collins & Sons is one of the world’s most famous fine jewellers, courtesy of its exceptional craftsmanship and affiliation with the late Queen, who awarded founder Harry Collins with the Royal Warrant. Since he retired, his son Josh has taken over running the business. Here he gives Eileen Leahy an exclusive behind the scenes tour of the impressive workshop where passionate and skilled artisans are fusing tradition and innovation to create exquisite pieces that will stand the test of time…

G

Collins & Sons Jewellers is one of the longest-established businesses here in Tunbridge Wells and its iconic shop on the High Street is one of the town’s most recognisable landmarks – especially at Christmas when the distinctive period building is beautifully festooned in festive decorations.

This year’s theme is The Nutcracker.

Inside, is a smart shop, where you’ll find antique display cabinets filled with precious gems and also a specialist watch area. Upstairs is a very chic, and recently launched, private dining room where the G. Collins & Sons team hosts many of its loyal clients on a regular basis.

Founded by Harry Collins in 1985, G. Collins & Sons has since become one of the world’s most reputable fine jewellers, boasting both myriad local clients as well as many from across the globe.

In 2000, Harry was first commissioned by the Royal Family for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, when he created

28 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

the Centenary Rose brooch.

In 2005 he then had the ultimate career highlight for any fine jeweller when he was appointed the Queen’s Personal Jeweller.

Then in 2007 he was given the additional honour of becoming the Crown Jeweller – which meant he was responsible for the care of the Crown Jewels in The Tower of London.

After a long and extremely successful career looking after his clients and designing pieces, Harry decided to retire in 2019, handing over the reigns of his treasured business to his son Josh who is continuing the legacy of this specialist jewellers. Harry’s daughter Zoe is also involved with the business.

“One of the first things I was very keen to do when taking over was to show off where we make all our jewellery, here on site,” explains G. Collins’ Director Josh when we meet for a chat.

“That’s our real USP: we make everything ourselves, and we make it here in Tunbridge Wells. There

“One of the first things I was very keen to do when taking over was to show off where we make all our jewellery, here on site”

is so much artistry happening here and I want to celebrate that with our clients.”

I have been invited by Josh for an exclusive behind the scenes tour of G. Collins & Sons, which I soon discover is the beating heart of this famous timber framed building.

“This is really where the magic happens,” he says as we navigate the warren-like collection of

workshops located at the back of the premises.

Our first port of call is the main atelier where four skilled jewellers are sitting at their workstations.

“We redid this workshop during lockdown,” reveals Josh who also designs jewellery – notably the Skyline and Nectar collections.

“The counter is carved out of one piece of solid oak and the enhanced lighting in here is now

BUSINESS

perfect for this intricate work.”

The talented artisans are busy making, restoring and remodelling pieces of jewellery including a precious rare yellow diamond ring which long-serving master jeweller Dave is currently working on.

“This is a flawless, perfectly-cut radiant diamond. It just dances in the light,” he smiles.

Dave proudly tells me that he’s worked at G. Collins and Sons for nearly 20 years so what does he love most about his job?

“I really like the fact that there is always something new to see.

You come across pieces you’ve never seen before. Every job is a challenge but that’s what appeals

to me. It’s bespoke and I just really like that.”

His colleague Bill tells me he is currently restoring a Victorian engagement ring. He shows me the carved seals and scrollwork he’s working on.

“It’s been completely worn away over time but once I have redone it you will get maybe another 50 to 60 years out of it.”

As we peer over their shoulders, Josh informs me that the two experienced craftsmens’ knowledge is essential in helping to train the next generation of jewellers. These currently include Alex and Eleanor who also work in the atelier.

“This is the ultimate training,” declares Josh. “You can’t just turn up here. You’ve got to have a fantastic eye for detail and be really committed to working very hard because it’s a long process to learn these skills. Our aim is that they never die out.”

Josh says that Alex has ‘a great work ethic and an excellent eye for detail.’ “He came to us when he was 16 and he is now 21. I would say he’s probably 15 years ahead of most people his age in terms of the training he has had here.

“And Eleanor is hugely talented too. She is 26 now and would probably beat any master jeweller in the world - she’s so skilled.”

One of the most popular pieces that G. Collins & Sons are commissioned to make is engagement rings.

“These tend to be timeless designs as you want to wear them every day for the rest of your life,” explains Josh.

Necklaces, earrings and bracelets are perennially popular but like his father before him, Josh also designs pieces which are just that little bit more unique. It’s something he has encouraged his wife Julia, who he says has a great aesthetic sense, to do too.

The result is the stunning Sienna collection, which was launched in 2022 and features exquisite yellow and rose gold star-shaped diamond earrings, necklaces and rings which are inspired by the night sky.

“She has created a really stunning collection that is doing very well with our clients and online,” Josh says. “Our website is actually an area of our business that is now growing too.”

In contrast to the artisan jewellers’ workshop G. Collins & Sons’ others are pretty hightech, boasting state-of-the-art equipment which further fuses the traditional side of this business with the contemporary technique.

First we head into the polishing room where new recruit Lewis is busy ensuring that every facet of each gemstone is polished to perfection via a microscope.

“The aim is to achieve a

A POTTED HISTORY OF G. COLLINS & SONS: Harry Collins opened his first shop in 1985 at no 78, the High Street, Tunbridge Wells. He named his business after his late father Gabriel, who passed away when Harry was just 16 years old.

In 1995 as the business grew so did its need for more premises so the company took over no 76 on the High Street.This immediately doubled the size of the shop.

polished mirror finish so it’s like you just see a diamond sitting in the air. We do this process with every single stone that passes through our doors,” explains Josh.

He then introduces me to Rick, G. Collins & Son’s head setter who has been with the company for ten years.

“We make things the right way here. If you want attention to detail then this is where it is happening. And to me this is the best area to invest in because this is what fine jewellery is all about.

“We want to keep all of these essential skill sets not just alive but thriving, showing people what it’s all about because that really is magical. We live in an age where people want everything quickly but training to be a jeweller takes time as it’s a proper art and that’s what we want to preserve and celebrate.”

In addition to the specialist workshops there is also a specialist Patek Philippe watch office located at G. Collins & Sons.

“Patek Philippe are the ultimate watch brand,” declares Josh.

“They’re family owned and really care about their products and so their values align with ours.”

In 2017 the company gifted G. Collins & Sons a Patek Philippe Calatrava Clock which hangs above the shop and represents the relationship between these two family-owned companies.

Josh goes on to say that over the road from the main G. Collins & Sons building is another smaller premises with a dedicated Cartier suite.

“Sadly I can’t show you our watches today as our watchmaker is on a training course in Geneva,” Josh tells me before showing me inside the adjoining engraving room which has been recently renovated.

“Being able to show clients what we do here has always been my dream and now it’s happening. You can’t do this type of thing anywhere else. Nowadays there are a lot of jewellers out there and so we have to really stand out. But for us, the irony is we do because we’re creating things the old-fashioned way.

It makes total sense to me to

know from start to finish where a precious piece of jewellery came from and how it was made. To be able to shake the hand of the jeweller that made you a ring or necklace is amazing.”

It must be a wonderful world to live in I say as our tour nears its end and I get ready to step back into everyday reality.

“It is, and I know I am really lucky. Pretty much everything we’re involved in here is for a happy occasion. Yes of course there are pressures and strains just like any other business but ultimately it is very positive.

People come in looking to make memories and that is very special.”

G. Collins & Sons 01892 534018 sales@gcollinsandsons.com

ROYAL WARRANT Harry Collins was first commissioned by the Royal Family in 2000 for the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday, when he created the Centenary Rose brooch.

In 2005, G. Collins & Sons received the Royal Warrant, becoming responsible for looking after the Queen’s personal collection. The role of Her Majesty the Queen’s Jeweller was to look after The Queen’s personal collection at Buckingham Palace.

In 2007, Harry was appointed Crown Jeweller, taking the title from Gerrard of Mayfair (appointed by Queen Victoria in 1843) for the first time in 164 years.

2012 Harry Collins was commissioned to recreate the Crown of King Henry VIII. The original Crown was destroyed

by Oliver Cromwell in 1649.

The reproduced Crown is bejewelled with 344 gems consisting of rubies, sapphires and pearls and is on permanent display at Hampton Court Palace.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 29

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30 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

COMMUNITY

St John’s Yard

“I have lived in Tunbridge Wells all my life. I really wouldn’t want to be anywhere else - well maybe a beach in Jamaica would be nice!”

Tom Swift of Wicked Productions, who are putting on their Aladdin pantomime at the EM Forster Theatre from December 8-31, tells us where he likes to stroll, shop and socialise...

Whereabouts do you live in the borough of Tunbridge Wells?

I live in High Brooms.

wouldn’t want to be anywhere else - well maybe a beach in Jamaica would be nice!

How long have you lived there and what made you decide to move to the area?

I have lived in High Brooms for seven years now and lived in Tunbridge Wells all my life. I really

Are there any nice views or walks near to your home?

We go to Dunorlan Park to feed the ducks and have a nice walk around the lake.

Dunorlan Park

Where’s your favourite place to go shopping?

I have to say I love Asda – it’s definitely the place I go to the most! And there are some great deals to be had this time of year!

Where do you like to grab a tea, coffee or a slice of cake?

Even Flow is my favourite place to shoot to for a cup of coffee, to listen to some live music or just to have a look through the records they sell there.

Do you have a preferred restaurant you like to dine in regularly?

The Shuffle House on St John’s Road is a lovely restaurant,

they do all kinds of tapas there and their pizzas are brilliant too!

Which places do you take people when they come to visit?

If people are coming to visit I’ll definitely take them to Cluecracker for an escape room experience or two.

It’s a fantastically immersive game.

Everyone I’ve ever taken there has had a whale of a time.

Where’s the best spot to go for a Sunday stroll in the area?

Again I’d have to say that Dunorlan Park is great to take the family for a nice stroll and just forget about all your worries…

If you’re looking to relax and unwind, where’s your favourite place to go?

I’d probably head to Saint Johns Yard for a drink and burger and just enjoy the day.

do things that are family orientated, quite often it would be soft play at Saint John’s Swimming Centre for example.

Why do you love where you live?

There’s so much to see and do in Tunbridge Wells. It’s a beautiful part of the country that always has something new going on. There are things to do for everyone - whether you are a family, on your own or meeting with friends.

Tom is starring in Aladdin at the EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge, which runs from December 8-31. To book tickets visit www.emftheatre. com The Shuffle House

Where do you like to meet friends and socialise?

I’d go to the Hollywood Bowl or Odeon Cinema in Knights Park. They are always a great choice for socialising, there’s loads of fun to be had there and lots of different activities to choose from.

What do you like to do when you spend a weekend or day off in the local area?

Having a young daughter we tend to SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 31

Celebrate in style at the Bottle House Inn in Penshurst where head chef Gary Jarvis has prepared this cracker of a menu full of the finest local and seasonal ingredients. Backed up by a wonderful wine list, great ales, log fires, a private room and stylish restaurant oozing Christmas charm, there’s no better place to be jolly this season.

Call now to book on 01892 870 306 or visit us on thebottlehouseinnpenshurst.co.uk

The Bottle House Inn, Coldharbour Road, Penshurst, Kent, TN11 8ET

COMMUNITY

the specificities of chocolate and the science behind success - and also why things go wrong!

Where do you find your inspiration for the flavours of the chocolates you create?

I am mostly inspired by the flavour combinations I remember really enjoying as a child, and the ones I have kept coming back to as an adult. Although there are quirky flavour profiles that can be experimented with, I think the one thing I always remember is, chocolate is to be enjoyed.

We recently made a toffee apple bonbon for autumn. A decadent toffee caramel paired with a tart and crisp apple pâte de fruits made using Kentish apples. It was a classic spin on a toffee apple you would find at the fair. Customers absolutely loved them.

Life is sweet

You also run workshops such as this month’s truffle one. Can you tell us about these?

Workshops are a great way to share the fun of chocolate In an interactive and social setting. They usually involve a combination of theory, with an introduction to chocolate to give a great basis to continue our class. I like to touch on the journey of chocolate from bean to bar so attendees take home some newfound knowledge.

A chocolate tasting and either chocolate bar or truffle-making experience is always the main feature of a workshop (and the part guests are the most excited about).

The TN card is the Tunbridge Wells loyalty scheme that rewards shoppers for supporting local. This month, as we head towards Christmas, founder Jess Gibson chats to Molly Davey, chocolatier and founder of Atelier Chocolates, about finding the sweet spot for her business.

Molly, your chocolates taste as good as they look. How would you describe the Atelier brand?

Atelier Chocolates is a premium artisan chocolate company that specialises in corporate, wedding and event chocolates. We aim to create that ‘wow’ moment. We combine the finest ingredients, local wherever possible, with a real passion and dedication to craftsmanship. My background in patisserie has led me to focus on exceptional taste being the first foundation of every chocolate, followed by our glossy stand out aesthetic. Our chocolates are an experience. A little bitesize moment of joy in our otherwise fast-paced and busy lives.

And what makes you unique?

I would say it is the level of client personalisation. From the packaging, to the flavours and final chocolate design. We have worked with English wineries, high-end jewellers, luxe hair salons, wellness spas and large corporates. What better way to make a memorable impression, than with something delicious and beautiful.

WHO: Atelier Chocolates WHERE: atelierchocolates.com WHAT: Hand-crafted artisan chocolates TN REWARD: 10% discount FOR ENQUIRIES EMAIL: info@atelierchocolates. com OR VISIT: atelierchocolates.com

How long have you been a chocolatier and how have you honed your craft?

My journey into the chocolate world started when I began training to be a pastry chef back when I was 15 years old. I spent the next 10 years working in various Michelin and high-end establishments around Kent and London whilst juggling becoming a mum. Like a lot of people, lockdown was a big wake-up call for me to finally invest in myself and take the jump into learning more about chocolate and starting my own business.

Generally, kitchens are often way too hot and humid to make chocolates in-house, and so there was a gap in my knowledge that I was curious to explore.

Did you take any courses?

Yes, I did a few in chocolate tempering and a lot of chocolate making at home, and as a result I fell in love with all things chocolate. I have only been running the business full-time since February, but I had two years prior to this getting to know

What products is Atelier offering this Christmas?

We are offering a limited-edition Christmas selection box which includes: Christmas pudding, Hot chocolate marshmallow and Sea salt caramel. A mixture of our best-selling flavour - sea salt caramel, and some festive favourites.

“I am mostly inspired by the flavour combinations I remember really enjoying as a child”

Jess Gibson

Founder, The TN card

Atelier Chocolates is in its infancy but is evolving at a phenomenal pace. Where would you like to be in a year’s time?

The biggest thing that will be revolutionary for us is our Atelier Chocolate studio, hopefully completed by Easter 2024.

This will allow me to have the capacity to take on more orders.

The chocolate studio will allow for production, packaging and teaching to all be in the same space, with some fantastic new chocolate offerings, workshops and experiences in the pipeline once this is completed.

Thank you for being a valued part of the TN community.

How do you thank members for supporting you?

TN members receive 10% off our online shop and workshops!

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 33

CULTURE

“We love knowing we are making memories for years to come...” comparison to stage and obviously if you make a mistake, you have the luxury of saying ‘CUT’!

What can the audience expect in terms of the visual spectacle in this production?

The costumes and sets are stunning with this production. I worked for Morgan [Brind] and Alan [Bowles] two years ago [on Sleeping Beauty at Derby Arena in 2021] and they put so much into the most beautiful and sparkly sets and costumes. You can expect the very high standard that these guys bring. I can say that with confidence...

What do you find most enjoyable about performing in a pantomime production?

I enjoy the interaction with the audience the most when I perform at panto. The exchange of energy between the stage and the audience makes it a very special thing to be a part of and to know that families have been doing this as a tradition for many years makes us feel very privileged. To be involved in their memory-making is special.

Star of stage and screen, Rita Simons, (pictured top left) who formerly played the Eastenders character Roxy Mitchell, will be appearing in Beauty and the Beast, this year’s pantomime at the Assembly Hall Theatre. Ben Cornwell spoke to Rita to find out about her character The Enchantress and what it is like to be spending Christmas in Tunbridge Wells this year…

Y

ou’ve previously appeared in various pantomime productions and West End shows like Everybody’s Talking about Jamie and Hairspray. Are you excited to be working on the stage again?

Yes. It’ll be lovely. I am working back on TV after panto so I’m seeing this as one last stage job for a little while.

What attracted you to doing this particular pantomime at the Assembly Hall Theatre?

I was actually really excited to come and stay in Tunbridge Wells as I know it’s a beautiful place and it’s probably the thing I love most about this particular job. That and of course being part of the spectacular show that Little Wolf Entertainment are so well known for putting on.

34 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

How does it feel to be a part of this vibrant cultural community through your involvement in the local theatre production?

I am absolutely loving Tunbridge

Wells. I feel very lucky to be spending my Christmas here.

What can you tell us about your villainous character, The Enchantress?

I’m always the baddie and I always like to bring a bit of crazy to her. This year’s baddie will be just as crazy as all the others I’ve played. She’s super evil - and off her rocker!

In what way does your preparation differ for a pantomime role compared to other types of performances?

Prep for panto is not massively different to doing a musical except you have a little more free rein to make the character your own in panto. You also laugh a whole lot more! Comparing it with TV is impossible as they’re two very different jobs. TV is very subtle in

“I enjoy the interaction with the audience the most when I perform at panto. The exchange of energy between the stage and the audience makes it a very special thing to be a part of”

What do you think makes pantos so enduring and beloved across generations?

I think it’s the experience as a whole. Knowing that children and parents are making memories for years to come. And I do believe that panto is something equally appealing to kids and adults alike.

Lastly, what advice do you have for any young aspiring actors, especially those interested in exploring the world of theatre and panto?

Get on the circuit…get some training in whether it be amateur or professional it doesn’t matter.

Experience is experience. Then hunt down an agent, hunt down auditions and be prepared to be told ‘no’ a lot before you’re told ‘yes’. It’s normal. Then when the hour comes, you’ll appreciate it even more!

Beauty and the Beast will be running at the Assembly Hall Theatre in Tunbridge Wells from December 9 – December 31. There will be two showings on each performance day.

For full details on timings and to book your tickets visit: assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk/ whats-on/beauty-and-thebeast.html.

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Wedding belle

If you’re recently engaged and looking to tie the knot then meet the experts at local wedding venue One Warwick Park Hotel, who have just claimed the title of ‘Boutique Venue of the Year’ at the prestigious Kent Wedding Awards...

I

deal for charity galas, lavish award ceremonies and the most stylish of weddings, the luxurious One Warwick Park Hotel sets quite the stage for an unforgettable celebration and last month scooped a top industry award.

Standing proud on the corner of Chapel Place, a stone’s throw from the famous Pantiles, the four-star hotel was shortlisted among seven other wellestablished venues across Kent, including The Barn in Royal Tunbridge Wells and The Bull Hotel in Sevenoaks.

The events team at One Warwick Park Hotel were independently judged by a panel of wedding experts and crowned ‘Boutique Venue of the Year’ on November 16 at the Mercure Hotel in Maidstone.

Judges noted that One Warwick Park Hotel helps couples build an unforgettable and intimate day ‘all wrapped in beautiful surroundings with wonderful wedding space and great testimonials.’

Event Manager Karen Emberson told SO magazine: “We are absolutely thrilled to win the award. Our committed and passionate team pour their heart and soul into making each wedding at One Warwick Park

Hotel unique and very special.”

She commented: “Seeing our collective hard work and dedication recognised by this award is a testament to the high standards and quality of service we always strive to achieve.”

The Kent Wedding Awards recognise the best in the industry across Kent which is one of the country’s most popular destinations for couples looking to tie the knot.

According to UK Weddings, there are approximately 278,599 nuptials that take place every year in Britain – with 41,273 happening in the South East. This year, One Warwick Park Hotel will host over 35 weddings in their beautiful Function Room – a modern, luxurious space and the perfect blank canvas for those who want to stamp their personality on such a special day.

Having undergone an extensive refurbishment in 2016, the Function Room combines modern interiors with original character.

With its bare brick walls, exposed timber beams and double-height vaulted ceilings, this venue is a sensationally stylish spot to tie the knot. Thanks to the 15-foot arched windows, the space is filled with natural light which seamlessly

with couples steering away from tradition more than ever, flexibility is key.”

One Warwick Park Hotel has bucked the norm, avoiding rigid packages that leave no room for freedom and instead plan weddings that solely focus on the dreams and desires of its couples.

“By listening to our guests’ thoughts and addressing their desires, our team can navigate through our options, tailoring elements and details no matter how small to help create their dream wedding – we work around our guests, so they don’t have to compromise,” Karen added.

To enquire about hosting your wedding at One Warwick Park Hotel, you can contact the team by emailing sales@ onewarwickpark.co.uk.

Photography by FayAndrea Wedding Photography transitions from day to night with the addition of twinkling fairy lights.

Selecting your wedding theme will undoubtedly be a delightful challenge too. The Function Room, with its simple yet elegant modern touches, offers an ideal backdrop for a variety of celebration styles.

Whether you picture an intimate, traditional gathering or a more elaborate, boho-inspired wedding, the pristine white walls and connecting marble bar establish a stylish setting while offering extra space for larger parties.

Up to 180 guests can dance the night away in the Function Room, with the choice to extend the celebration into the late hours available through an upgrade to a late license. This is just one of the personalised choices offered when you choose One Warwick Park Hotel for your wedding.

“The wedding landscape is changing,” Karen revealed. “And

ONE WARWICK PARK IS A PART OF THE ELITE LEISURE COMPANY WHICH ALSO OWNS SO MAGAZINE

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 35

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CULTURE

… s t fi e o h s e h If t Trinity Theatre’s Executive Director Nick Mowat, left, tells Eileen Leahy why the cultural arts centre is putting on a panto for the first time in its history…

well and secondly because the other local theatres had picked other titles. It isn’t a problem that there are other pantomimes, but two Cinderellas in the same town wouldn’t have been ideal – people want a choice.

Actually there’s a third reason and that is it’s one of my favourite titles. Obviously, it’s that traditional rags-to-riches tale, but it’s also a good story for Buttons in particular with pathos as well as humour.

Then of course there’s the wicked stepsisters who sit astride the typical dame and villain roles in pantomime – they will definitely be the characters everyone loves to hate!

So can you tell us how the idea of Trinity doing a panto for the first time came about?

I knew we had to produce a show for this year which would have wide populist appeal and provide the possibility of generating that all-important income. And I knew it had to be something that would be affordable for families and also be a good quality production full of humour, great singing, colourful sets and costumes, fantastic dancing and a thumping good story. At first, I wasn’t completely sold on the idea of doing a pantomime, but after a lot of consideration it seemed to be the best fit and Cinderella is a perennially popular title. I have written, directed and produced over twenty pantomimes and although I’m not directing this one, I know it will provide what audiences want at Christmas – two hours of family-friendly fun.

Why did you pick Cinderella?

For two reasons.

Firstly it’s one of the big titles that always does

“Obviously, Cinderella is a traditional rags-to-riches tale, but it’s also a good story with pathos as and humour.

The wicked stepsisters will be the characters everyone loves to hate!”

Have you enjoyed cowriting the script?

Very much. I’ve seen so many pantomimes, some in big theatres, where the story is of little consequence and I think that doesn’t serve the audience at all, particularly the children. Everybody loves a good story and for children I think it’s very important that they are carried along for a couple of hours wondering what will happen, rather than sitting there being bored.

What do you think audiences will enjoy most about Cinderella?

It is hard to pick one element as different things appeal to different people, but overall, I think the enjoyment will come mostly from leaving the theatre after the show and feeling like they’ve been thoroughly entertained with a super mix of music, dancing and acting. And I hope they will have laughed a lot too.

When Hywel and I have been finalising the script we’ve been making ourselves laugh which for me is a good indicator. We have a strong creative team with Hywel who has played

Dame many times, including three times in my shows, Darren John our Musical Director who has just finished working on the new Madagascar tour and Yamit Salazar who is one of the most exciting choreographers around right now.

“When the director and I have been finalising the script, we’ve been making ourselves laugh which for me is a good indicator”

You’re also putting on an additional children’s production. Why are you doing this?

This is a very important Christmas season for Trinity, and we are complementing our pantomime with the addition of a beautiful show for young children called The Princess and the Winter Dragon. This is the perfect show for little ones, particularly if it’s their first visit to a theatre. It runs just 40 minutes and we’re limiting the capacity for this, so it will feel especially sweet and cosy.

Tickets for Trinity’s pantomime Cinderella and The Princess and the Winter Dragon can be bought here trinitytheatre.net

What do you think you, director Hywel Dowsell and the team will do differently to other pantos around?

We have the huge advantage of it being at Trinity. It’s an intimate venue, so even if you’re sitting towards the back, you’ll still very much feel a part of what is happening on stage. I hope that everyone who comes along will feel that they are a part of the show. We have a fantastic cast with several West End performers, so our audiences are guaranteed a really high standard of performance. Also, whilst it is very much a traditional style show with all the elements that people will expect, there are some routines which they won’t have seen before to keep it fresh and entertaining.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 37

BUSINESS

A sign of the times

If you’ve been out and about in Tunbridge Wells lately you’ll probably have noticed the growing trend for beautiful hand-painted signs adorning some of the town’s most popular shops, restaurants and cafés.

The talented artist responsible for them is illustrator Steve Tabb, who tells Ben Cornwell why he is determined to revive this age-old art…

S

igns are something many of us see every day. Whether it’s a vinyl wrap over a hoarding, a digital illuminated style or 3D resin offering, they are everywhere we look.

But if you care to look just a little more closely you will also see that the art of traditional signwriting – which was eclipsed as signage became more sophisticated over

38 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

the years – is currently making a comeback here in Tunbridge Wells.

That’s thanks to the poise and pen of local illustrator Steve Tabbs who has created stunning hand-painted signs for the likes of Kumquat on The Pantiles, Haven, St Kilda’s and Cantuccio on Camden Road and Dylan Miles vintage car showroom on London Road.

And despite the detailed process involved for creating each individual sign – not to mention the huge amount of patience, perseverance, and precision required from conception to completion – Steve says that there is still a huge demand for this artform.

“In the signwriters’ community, we all say how we are being called upon more and more now for creating traditional hand-painted styles. There are so many more people now joining signwriting courses wanting to learn the trade,” he reveals.

“In the signwriters’ community, we all say how we are being called upon more and more now for creating traditional handpainted styles.

My passion is trying to keep an age-old skill alive”

“I feel business owners are now more in favour of having a traditional hand-painted sign to showcase what they do as it makes them look so much more unique and confident on the high street.”

Many locals will have seen Steve working across Tunbridge Wells on various different projects over the past couple of years. In addition to the aforementioned ones he has also painted signs for the newly opened Leaf & Bean café on St John’s Road and created the striking logo for Tunbridge Wells Together BID’s new offices on the High Street.

But Steve’s work isn’t just limited to the Tunbridge Wells area as he’s also been commissioned across Kent, Sussex, Essex, and London.

Brushing up on the industry Steve, who lives on the outskirts of Tunbridge Wells in Five Oak Green, first started out as a graphic designer in London, after leaving college in 1988.

“Unlike many graphic design firms today, all the design work I initially completed was in pen and ink as computer systems hadn’t really taken off at that stage,” he says.

But it was the inevitable technological transition over to computers that saw Steve decide to leave the industry as a result.

“Around that time my best friend was going to work for six months in Corfu and he asked if I wanted to go with him. I decided to resign from my first job in order to go

BUSINESS

travelling. After about three or four months working in bars and clubs in Corfu, my boss at the time, Spiros said to me: ‘Steve you’re an artist, paint me a sign for my bar!’

I thought ‘OK, sounds like fun’, so I bought some paints and designed a new sign for his bar.

“I absolutely loved it because it brought back the artistic and creative side of me that I missed and I was getting paid for it!”

Subsequently, Steve was approached by various other local business owners in Corfu who asked him to paint signs for them. And from there his career as signwriter started to take off.

After his time spent in Corfu, Steve then spent the next four years travelling to Australia, New Zealand and California, picking up cash-in-hand signwriting jobs, before eventually returning back to the UK in 1997 and setting up a signwriting business here.

After almost thirty years in the industry, the thing that Steve says he still enjoys the most about his job is getting a brief from a client and being told ‘I’ll leave it to you.’

This, Steve says, helps to bring out his creative passion as he can design and paint the sign in the way he wants it to look whilst also having the added challenge of capturing the essence of the company.

“My passion is trying to keep an age-old skill alive – which it deserves to be – and I feel is how it should be kept. There are so many high streets nowadays that all look

“I especially enjoy working in and around Tunbridge Wells. It’s such a beautiful town with stunning shopfronts and amazing independent shops. I feel it’s the perfect area for me to keep the high street looking as it should be”

so generic and plastic. So many shops have lost that individual identity,” he says.

“I think that’s one of the main reasons I especially enjoy working in and around Tunbridge Wells.

It’s such a beautiful town with stunning shopfronts and it’s full of amazing independent shops. I feel it is the perfect area for me to keep the high street shops where I can, looking how they should be.”

Steve has personal ambitions to one day do signwriting on a big film set as he admits it would be ‘pretty amazing’ to see his work appear in the background of a famous Hollywood movie. Until then Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas will have to suffice as his location – but we feel that won’t be for long…

Follow Steve Tabb on Instagram @tabbsigns

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 39

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ADVERTISING FEATURE

Remembering a loved one at Christmas

enjoyed or visiting somewhere with family or friends that has meaning for you all.

Share your memories with others If you are meeting up with family and friends at Christmas, it can be comforting to talk about your loved one and share memories of them – it may even help you remember them in ways you might have forgotten. And don’t forget to raise a glass to them during your Christmas dinner.

Coping with Christmas alone

The festive season can be a difficult time emotionally for people who have lost a loved one

Christmas is a major celebration in our annual calendar, but it can be a very difficult time if you are grieving the loss of a loved one, no matter how recent your loss. Simon and Rebecca Welham – the father and daughter team behind Welham Jones Funerals and Memorials – suggest ways to celebrate their memory, as well as highlighting ways that you can support someone who may be struggling with the festive season after losing a loved one…

We understand that the loss of a loved one can be a stark reminder at key times of the year, and none more so than at Christmas. The season can bring a lot of pressure to be jolly and spend it together with family and friends, yet grief can leave you feeling isolated and alone. So here are a few ways that can help make Christmas feel less painful for someone who is grieving – whether that’s you or a relative, friend or neighbour.

Light a candle

A candle near a photo of your loved one can be a lovely way to remember them. Lighting it every day for Advent and into the new year can help you to pause and think of them – be careful not to leave it burning for too long or unattended.

Visit their resting place or attend a remembrance service

Visiting their resting place – alone or with family or friends – can help you feel closer to them. You can talk to them and maybe take flowers or a festive wreath you have bought or made. Churches,

Watch a film, play music or a game that they liked

cemeteries and hospices often hold a remembrance service.

You might have had some firm favourite traditions at Christmas so why not continue those? If there was a favourite film or song that they liked at this time of year, then add it to your playlist and find time to watch it. A game that they loved might still be fun to play, whether with friends or family, to keep the tradition alive.

Choose a decoration for the home

Choose a special Christmas decoration to hang on the tree or place on the mantel to remember them throughout the season.

Children especially might like to craft a decoration in their memory to hang on the tree with a personal message, or go shopping for something to treasure both this year and at future Christmases.

Buy a gift for them or one for yourself they might have chosen for you

You might find it feels right to buy a present or to write a Christmas card to your loved one. There is no reason not to, and it might make you feel they are part of your day.

Buying yourself a gift that they might have bought you – such as jewellery or a book that you might have enjoyed discussing together – is also something that could give comfort, as you are special too.

Do something you know they would have enjoyed

“It can take courage to ask for help – but most people are only too willing to offer support “

It could be making their favourite dish for Christmas dinner, going out to a local event they always

Importantly, take time to look after yourself and take each day at a time. Reach out to others or to support groups and charities, such as Cruse Bereavement or Samaritans, if you are struggling.

Winston’s Wish is a charity that supports bereaved children.

It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, but often close friends and neighbours are all too willing to spend time with you and provide comfort in whatever way works best for you. Perhaps let a close friend know to spread the word or talk to your church pastor or vicar and let them know that you would like some support.

Supporting a bereaved friend or relative

Contact them and let them know you care. It might feel hard to find the right words that bring comfort, yet making a regular phone call or just being present can make all the difference.

Offering help with everyday chores or bringing cooked meals over to share together can be helpful, especially if they have children. Perhaps help with Christmas shopping, either trips out or with buying gifts online, and offer to help with wrapping.

Lastly, perhaps invite them to yours this Christmas – especially if they are alone – understanding that they might not be able to bring their all to the occasion, but that you have given them a wonderful gift of company this Christmas.

Support at an emotional time 01892 300330 | tunbridgewells@welhamjones.co.uk www.welhamjones.co.uk Tunbridge Wells ¦ Tonbridge ¦ Sevenoaks ¦ Chislehurst ¦ Borough Green ¦ Swanley ¦ Chelsfield

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 41

LET US BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME FOR 2024 Forest View, Maresfield Park, East Sussex, TN22 3ER A fantastic opportunity to acquire a custom build plot in Maresfield Park, East Sussex.

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Plot prices from £495,000 with build packages from £795,000

Lonsdale Gate Lonsdale Gardens High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1NU

01892 354091 07748056177 wg@abode.homes www.abode.homes

For all enquiries 07748056177

GRAYSTONE VILLAS

Southborough, Royal Tunbridge Wells, TN4 0NR

Graystone Villas harmoniously blends classic exteriors with stunning, luxury interiors. This beautiful home benefits from private parking, and beautifully designed landscaped gardens, within walking distance of many local independent boutique shops.

Graystone Villas in Southborough continues the tradition of fine period properties in the borough of Royal Tunbridge Wells, drawing inspiration from the area’s most cherished residential dwellings.

This collection of four, three/four-bedroom properties enjoys a central Southborough position, within walking distance of the town’s amenities, the common and several grammar schools.

Classic exteriors, crisp render, bay windows, and architectural plasterwork mouldings are blended with contemporary interiors. A mix of formal reception rooms, open-plan living and generous ceiling heights create a formal yet contemporary flow throughout.

An elevated specification is abundantly apparent throughout.

Bespoke kitchens with fabulous entertaining spaces that feature quartz worksurfaces, boiler taps and Bosch appliances, Bifold doors seamlessly guide you to beautifully landscaped courtyard gardens.

Prices From £795,000

Lonsdale Gate Lonsdale Gardens High Street Tunbridge Wells Kent TN1 1NU

01892 354091 07748056177 wg@abode.homes www.abode.homes

For all enquiries 07748056177

SECTION

UP TO

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Where quality a nd service cost less!

SECTION

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DURESTA TRAFALGAR We at Wells are delighted to be the Premier stockist for Duresta with the largest display of this beautiful furniture.

With over a dozen models in roomsets on display and having worked hand in hand with Duresta we have created a truly inspirational display with unique fabric choices and a beautiful oak parquet floor to really set the scene.

44 High Street Royal Tunbridge Wells 01892 535555 | sales@wellsinteriors.com

SO Magazine | SEPTEMBER 2023 | 45

Celebrate at Salomons Estate this Christmas!

The Michael Bublé Experience ESTABLISHED

Thursday 14th December 7.00pm – midnight £48 per person Have a Holly Jolly Christmas and join us for an evening of festive hits made famous by the one and only Michael Bublé! Enjoy an indulgent two course spread and live performance from our tribute singer!

Includes drink on arrival and a 2-course menu

Christmas Wreath Workshops Sunday 3rd December Morning session 10:00am – 12:00pm Workshop Only £65 per person Tickets include a glass of Buck’s fizz

Workshop and Festive Tea £90 per person

Tickets include a glass of Buck’s fizz followed by Festive Afternoon Tea

Join the fabulous Rare Nature Design at their festive workshops at Salomons Estate. Design your very own wreath and tablescapes using provided equipment, foliage, and beautiful decorations.

01892 515 152 salomons-estate.com reception@salomons-estate.com @salomons_estate

BOOK ONLINE salomons- esta

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GABRIELLA Loves Christmas

Gifting Made Easy No. 9 Chapel Place, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1YQ 01892 540216 | gabriellajewellery@outlook.com www.gabriellajewellery.co.uk Follow us @gabriellajewellery

SECTION

All we want for Christmas…

Looking for some last-minute festive gifts? We have ideas for all the family…

Festive Treat

Good enough to eat: Fotini Tikkou Mrs. Claus Christmas Dessert Plate Anthropologie, £14, available in store and online

Gem of a Gift

Treasure trove: Silver and gold love knot earrings Catherine Hills Jewellery, priced £70-98, available instore or online at www.catherinehillsjewellery.com

Signature Spritz

Scent of a man: Bleu de Chanel Eau de Toilette Fenwick’s, £119 (150ml), available in store and online

Jingle Bell Rock

Noteworthy gift: Kid’s Concept Wooden Guitar The White Company, £28, available in store and online

Soft Touch

Toy story: Selection of Jellycat Christmas Plush Toys Jeremey’s Home Store, from £10, available in store and online

Look Sharp

Make a Date

All in the detail: Paul Smith Silver-Tone Enamel Cufflinks Hoopers, £120, available in store and online

House rules: Rituals’ Premium Advent Calendar, includes full size products and lots of other pampering treats Rituals, £165 (RRP £295) www.rituals

Get cosy:

Men’s Knitted Eye Mask & Bed Socks Gift Set The White Company, £42, available in store and online

Twinkle Twinkle

Time to shine: Selection of Sparkle Season Christmas bracelets Catherine de Crevecoeur, priced from £34, www.catherinedc.com

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 49

CHRISTMAS

Deck the halls…

Christmas is award-winning florist Kerrie Bridger’s favourite time of year. It’s also one of her busiest, as she helps spread a touch of floral magic to homes all around Tunbridge Wells. Rachael Hale visited Highgate Florist and Flower School in Rotherfield to find out more…

buying from suppliers as close to home as possible is, for us, just instinctual. As for famous clients, well, I can tell you that I used to create weekly flower arrangements for Lisa Marie Presley when she lived in Rotherfield, and I’ve also made and delivered flowers to Cate Blanchett and Davina McCall.

What do you love most about your work?

I’m definitely not a fan of admin!

I enjoy making wedding and funeral arrangements but as I’ve gained experience and confidence, I’ve discovered a real passion for teaching. Floristry is an art, and I don’t believe there’s a right or wrong way to do it. I run several ‘Introduction to Floristry’ courses each year and really enjoy teaching people the techniques they need to create displays for themselves.

Handling flowers makes people relax, and seeing people go home happy makes me happy, too.

W

hy do you love Christmas so much, Kerrie?

I’ve always been a huge fan of Christmas. The whole season just feels so magical to me, and I still get that sense of wonder when I see a fantastic display of lights and ornaments. It’s also one of my favourite seasons in my shop as it’s filled with Christmas decorations and arrangements for sale as well as freshly cut foliage and dried fruit ornaments. It smells amazing!

How did you get into floristry?

My parents bought the land at Highgate about 40 years ago and turned it into a nursery. I grew up roaming the fields, watching my parents tend the plants and helping out in their flower shop. So once I left school, I just naturally fell into it. I used to have

50 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

crippling anxiety and being able to do something I loved while living close to my family helped me enormously. Over the years I’ve taken on a much bigger role and a few years ago, I founded the Highgate Flower School and shop and helped my parents set up their Blossom and Bean café. It’s a lot of work, but I love it.

“My parents bought the land at Highgate about 40 years ago and turned it into a nursery. I grew up roaming the fields, watching my parents tend the plants and helping out in their flower shop”

Have you won any awards or do you have any famous clients?

It was a few years ago but in 2014, we won the service and retail category in the My Country Business Awards run by Country Living Magazine. It was a spurof-the-moment entry and I never thought we had a chance and was a bit blown away by the win, to be honest. I think the fact that our business ethos was so environmentally friendly gave us the edge back then. But growing our own flowers and foliage and

Are there any downsides to your job?

I love how my home and work life are so intertwined that Blossom, my four-year-old daughter, can wander around the flower fields with me and play nearby while I’m working.

But it also means it’s really hard to switch off. My parents, my husband and I, live close by, which makes it far too easy to work late or pop in early. I definitely need to find a better balance.

Can you tell us about your new Home Floral Styling Consultation Service…

I love bringing a touch of nature into my home at Christmas and

CHRISTMAS

this service is for people who want to fill their homes with homemade displays and arrangements but don’t know where to start. My consultations cost £99, and for that, I go to a client’s home, listen to their ideas, and then offer advice about what sort of designs would look best and where. I also share tips on which flowers and materials to use, and when they should be bought so they last for the period needed. Following that, I email over a detailed plan of action. I’ve got 20 years of expertise and I’m happy to share all of it so my clients can confidently create the look they want for themselves.

“Christmas is one of my favourite seasons – the shop is filled with decorations, arrangements and freshly cut foliage for sale”

What about people who can’t or don’t want to create the displays themselves?

Funnily enough, I offer that service too! It doesn’t matter if it’s a front porch display, the decorating of a Christmas tree, a mantlepiece arrangement, table centrepiece or a bannister decoration; I can create and install them all for you using a mix of fresh and faux foliage or just fresh, depending upon how close it is to Christmas.

What makes your Christmas tree decoration service so special?

I’ve always enjoyed decorating Christmas trees with natural and

unexpected materials. Planning different looks fires up my creative side, and every year, the tree I’ve decorated for our café has received lots of lovely compliments. This year, I’ve used a mix of pampas grass, ribbon, dried oranges, gold foliage, pinecones, baubles and luxurious faux flowers and people keep saying they would love to copy the style at home but wouldn’t know how. So, I’ve set up a service to do it for them! My clients get their dream tree without the hassle of buying or decorating it and I get to create a bit of Christmas magic.

What are you most looking forward to in the New Year?

I’ve spent a lot of time restructuring the business so I can offer more floristry courses, workshops, and demonstrations next year. I also hope to grow my Facebook Flower School Membership and launch some new online tutorials. Oh, and I’ve also got some lovely wedding projects booked in, so it’s going to be all go!

Florist Kerrie Bridger’s Favourite places in Tunbridge Wells I love going to Charlotte’s on a Thursday morning to catch up with Jenny Cooper’s co-working group, but if I have Blossom and our dog, Bramble, in tow, we always head to Dunorlan Park for a walk around the lake. www.highgatefloristflowerschool.co.uk www.instagram.com/highgateflorist/ SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 51

STIGA SC100E BATTERY HAND PRUNER

The ergonomic design makes the new STIGA battery pruner both functional and comfortable to use allowing you to work efficiently and quickly without any muscle fatigue. Its high-quality carbon steel blades are extremely sharp, and capable of making a clean and precise cut through branches up to 30mm in diameter, with 2000 cuts per charge this is a great gift for professional and amateur gardeners alike. £149.

TRESPASS BLUSTERY PADDED JACKET.

Keep warm and stylish in the Blustery Trespass men’s padded casual jacket. It has long sleeves with elasticated cuffs, zip pockets, and an adjustable hem. Made with high-performance insulation and Coldheat fabric technologies. £49.99

CULVERWELLS HOGGS OF FIFE CALEDONIA WAXED HAT

Scottish made waxed fabric crafted into the classic country style wide brimmed hat makes for a beautiful combination!

Hard wearing, stylish and your own piece of Scotland, the water resistent qualities of waxed cotton are prefect for this style that has attributes for every season! £32.95

In the historic village of Robertsbridge you will find E O Culverwell Ltd, a Sussex based business that celebrated it’s 90th year of trading this year! Known for being a specialist dealer of Subaru and Isuzu vehicles, it also provides the local community with a wide variety of goods and services.

A visitor to the Country Store will find a wide array of products including garden and hand tools, DIY necessities, pet food, outdoor clothing and footwear. There is an extensive display of Garden Machinery from Lawn Mowers to Chainsaws and Strimmers.

A selection of toys and puzzles will catch younger eyes and maybe help with festive stocking filling!

STIHL HSA26 SHRUB & GRASS TRIMMER SHEARS

Cordless shears with shrub and grass trimmer attachments. Shrub trimmer with optimised Stihl cutter geometry for an optimum cutting experience when trimming and maintaining hedges and trees up to 8mm branch thickness. Grass trimmer attachment for edging around lawns, patios and flower beds. £119.

HOGGS OF FIFE LADIES JODHPUR DEALER BOOT

Clean lines and a small heel really give the Jodhpur boot a country/equestrian feel and the robust rubber sole and strong, full grain leather upper will make it a hard wearing, yet stylish look befitting to the Hoggs of Fife name. £74.95

Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5DG | 01580 880567

LIGHTHOUSE ELITE RECHARGEABLE LANTERN

The Spotlight that offers a variety of great features and functions; a 300 lumen output LED spotlight with 3 operating modes of High, Low and Flashing. On the side there is a COB LED floodlight providing 80 lumens of light.

The handle has a ratchet mechanism and fold-out tripod legs enabling it to be used as a stand to aim the light exactly where you need it. Fitted with durable impactproof rubber end caps for use in all weather conditions. It offers an impressive run time of up to 6 hours. £34.69

ADVERTISING FEATURE

s a m t s i r h C l a c i g a m A r e t a W at Bewl

Discover the enchantment of the festive season at Bewl Water, nestled in the picturesque village of Lamberhurst. Known as the largest reservoir in southeast England, the team is spreading a little extra holiday cheer this year with an exclusive 20% discount on children’s tickets for their brand-new attraction, ‘Christmas at Bewl Water’

S

ince its grand opening on November 19, this magical wonderland has become a hub of celebration, beginning with a heartwarming charity event.

Local organisations, including the Young Lives Foundation, Gingerbread, ellenor, and The Pickering Cancer Drop-In Centre, were honoured with complimentary tickets for their dedicated staff, volunteers, friends, and family, providing a sneak peek into the festive fun on offer.

Sue McGowan of West Kent British Heart Foundation expressed her gratitude to SO magazine, saying: “I am so grateful for the generosity of the team here at Bewl Water. We have been blown away by the attention to detail and just how much the kids loved the crafts and storytelling. It really was a special event for us all.”

In the spirit of giving, Bewl

“The adventure begins with a stroll through a frosted, starlit woodland, leading to a Narnia-inspired wardrobe.

Beyond that lies Fairytale Land, where towering storybooks and beanstalks come to life”

BEWL WATER IS A PART OF THE ELITE LEISURE COMPANY WHICH ALSO OWNS SO MAGAZINE

Water is extending the festive joy with a 20% discount on children’s tickets, valid for sessions until December 17. Parents can unlock these savings by entering the access code ‘XMAS20’ during the checkout process. Moreover, two special dates, December 14 and 15, offer tickets at half price.

To immerse yourself in the festive fun, book your sessions online at christmas. bewlwater.co.uk, ensuring your family arrives two hours before the scheduled slot to enjoy everything on offer.

The adventure begins with a stroll through a frosted, starlit woodland, leading to a Narniainspired wardrobe. Beyond its doors lies Fairytale Land, where towering storybooks and beanstalks come to life. Capture precious moments in Candy Land, where giant nutcrackers and lollypops await, filling little hearts with joy.

Interactive wonderlands aside, children can also explore themed play zones and take part in a variety of festive workshops – all included in the ticket price.

Mrs Claus’ bakery invites them to decorate scrumptious gingerbread, Santa’s post office allows them to write heartfelt letters, and the Elves’ workshop offers the chance to dive into Christmas crafts. Children can even mix a special recipe for

Rudolph and his dedicated crew and see a magical performance by the elves!

Despite being in its first year, Christmas at Bewl Water has seen overwhelming demand, with peak time slots nearly fully booked.

Sunisa Avery, Creative Manager, shared her excitement, saying: “The first two weeks since our opening have been brilliant, and the responses from charities, young visitors, and their families have been fantastic.

“We’ve received enquiries from older siblings, parents, and young couples too, all eager to join in the festive fun,” she continued.

“In response, we’ve introduced a

new ticket option at less than half the price, making it accessible for everyone.”

Recently released ‘day tickets’ for Christmas at Bewl Water are priced at £15 per person, providing access to all festive activities featured in general admission. Notably, these tickets exclude a visit to Santa’s Grotto, making them an ideal choice for parents, older siblings, or young couples looking for a fun and festive date night.

Grab your hats and scarves as whilst mostly under marquees, Christmas at Bewl Water is an outdoor event, where you’ll wander through a dazzling light tunnel, toast marshmallows, and indulge in festive treats from the traditional alpine-inspired village.

To secure your spot, visit christmas.bewlwater.co.uk.

Day tickets are available on Wednesdays from 10am to 4pm, Fridays from 10am to 6pm, and weekends from 9am to 7pm.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 53

CULTURE

s a m t s i r h C spirit Local illustrator Jessica Harrison is the talented artist behind this year’s official RTW Together Christmas posters. Eileen Leahy spoke to her about how the project came about and what she loved most about capturing the festive spirit in some of our town’s most famous landmarks…

C

ongratulations on your wonderful illustrations of Tunbridge Wells which feature as part of RTW’s Joy to the Wells this year. How did the commission come about?

Last year, I applied to be featured in the Tunbridge Wells Colouring Book – a wonderful free gift guide which Royal Tunbridge Wells Together launched during a special Art Week in the town. I did six black-and-white linear sketches and apparently my illustrations went down very well so I was asked back. This time the brief was to create some festive scenes in colour to depict the beauty of the town for Christmas 2023.

How many illustrations did you do in total and which places in Tunbridge Wells feature in the campaign?

I did four original watercolour and gouache paintings. The ones of the Pantiles and Chapel Place reflect the fun of the Big Reveal event when the town’s lights are switched on. I did bright and luminous for the Pantiles and a slightly more traditional A Christmas Carol style for Chapel Place. I then did two more illustrations for The Amelia and The Clock Tower at Fiveways.

For the Amelia I created a sunny, snowy day with carol singers a busy, happy afternoon skating around the clock tower.

Did you pick the various locations or were you guided by RTW Together?

The locations were suggested by RTW. They had a great vision of what they wanted the artwork to include and we were really on the same page. They gave me a lovely amount of artistic license to include a bit of storytelling in each of the paintings.

54 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

“Painting these scenes has certainly made me realise how spoilt we are for beautiful architecture in Tunbridge Wells”

Which was your favourite spot to paint?

All of them! They were all challenging in their own right and the results were quite exciting because of the use of colour. I think that I find the clock tower

painting the most charming because of the soft tones and that the figures look happy! The Amelia Scott was appealing because of the perspective while The Pantiles has great luminosity thanks to the lights festooned

CULTURE

along it. Chapel Place was great to paint as it has fantastic atmosphere.

It certainly makes you realise how spoilt we are for beautiful architecture in Tunbridge Wells.

RTW, but it might well be a possibility. I am always open to discuss future projects and I do have an absolute passion for Christmas!!

Is this the first time you have done something like this project?

It was definitely the first of its kind for me as an artist! Since working on this year’s RTW project I have illustrated for the TN Card app.

Have you always painted and what do you love most about it?

It has always been a part of my life, from a young age. My career before children and lockdown was actually in retail business – I was an area manager – so very different! I feel very lucky to be able to work in something that makes me so happy and that enables me to be present at home too.

What do you love about capturing Tunbridge Wells in your work?

The history, the feel of tradition and the ordinary busyness of a town. It’s a very sociable town. I have always admired the beauty of The Pantiles’ architecture and I love taking my small children to the Amelia Scott.

It’s a superb building and has an amazing children’s library.

Can you tell us what the reaction has been to your collaboration with RTW? It has been so positive. I feel very touched and very grateful. It was a great project to push my skills and expose myself !

Will your festive illustrations be possible to buy as postcards/posters at all?

The illustrations are owned by

What do you do now?

I am a children’s illustrator, also (@lalalu_letters is my instagram handle). I often think that this combined with building portraits and illustrations is interesting, because it maybe brings some more imagination and fun into the subject matter. I really love the way painting pushes me to explore details that I think we could pass by or take for granted.

I love working with colour. A lot of people say it’s relaxing…but I don’t, I think it’s challenging – in a really exciting way and the results are nearly always unexpected.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 55

ADVERTISING

The Hawk & Berry

BOTTOMLESS DRINKS 1 Hour 45 Minutes

£19.50 pp Prosecco Bloody Mary Porn Star Martini Christmas Margarita Available Weds to Sat this festive period

MUST BE PRE BOOKED www.thehawkandberry.com 01892 280 240 Valid with the purchase of a starter and a main from our a la carte menu or two courses from our festive menu The Hawk & Berry, 119 Forest Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5BT

The Hawk & Berry Bottomless Brunch ad 255x148mm.indd 1

30/11/2023 13:18

The Hawk & Berry

Festive Menu Two Courses £35 Three Courses £40

Starters

Mains

Salt & Pepper Squid

Coq Au Vin

Crispy Chilli Beef

Pan Fried Halibut

Moules Mariniere

Nut Roast

Smoked Mackerel Pate

Roast Turkey

Prawn Cocktail

Pork Tenderloin

Cauliflower & Truffle Velouté

West Country Rump of Beef

Desserts Christmas Pudding Ice Cream Treacle Tarte

Chocolate Brownie Dark Chocolate Delice Cheese Board (Supp £4)

BOOKINGS NOW BEING TAKEN www.thehawkandberry.com Tel: 01892 280 240 The Hawk & Berry, 119 Forest Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5BT

| &DECEMBER | SO Magazine 1 2023 The 56 Hawk Berry Xmas menu ad 255x148mm.indd

30/11/2023 13:17

‘

WINE

DID YOU KNOW? The UK’s fortified wine market, dating back to the 17th century, is worth £311million, with Port contributing £82million

is packed with pretty dark berry and rose petal characters. Ideal for walnuts and Stilton. Decant.

A toast to Christmas For December, SO’s Drinks Editor James Viner picks his top ten of finest festive tipples to get the party started…

‘T

is the season to be jolly and celebrate with family and friends. And now’s the time to get your wine rack sorted with these ten festive favourites...

Rest assured, I’ve taken on the task of tasting hundreds of bottles and selected 10 exceptional wines that are full of character and flavour.

Whether you fancy a walletfriendly sparkling wine for parties, a standout bottle for the jampacked cheeseboard or something to drink with the big Christmas feast/Boxing Day buffet, the holiday season is the perfect time to indulge. My hand-picked list of show-stopping wines has you covered.

The seasonal sips below are sure to help you get into the seasonal spirit and razzle-dazzle your guests. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

1. NV Castillo de Sierra Cava Brut, Spain (£6.00, Morrisons, 11.5%) It’s not Christmas without a stream of well-chilled bubbly. Nab this fun, crisp, light-bodied, Spanish sparkling crowd-pleaser with lots of light citrus, peachy and herbal pep. Drier than prosecco, it’s an easy-quaffing, £6 option for a Kir royale (Sainsbury’s Crème De Cassis de Dijon, £8 with Nectar, 35cl, is a blackcurranty winner).

Perfect to get the party going.

Merry Thriftmas!

generously discounted, red-fruited, pale, blush pink South Australian aperitif-style sparkling hit. It gives you a lot of bang for your buck and is good value even at the full price. A perfect celebratory foil for smoked salmon and turkey sandwiches.

3. 2020 Asda Extra Special North Canterbury Pinot Noir, New Zealand (£10.25, Asda, 13.5%) Low-tannin pinot is my top choice for turkey. Punching well above its weight, this energetic, bright, unoaked red from New Zealand’s South Island overflows with tangy red fruits and herbs. A wonderful addition to Asda’s expanded ‘Extra Special’ range.Fabulous served cool with roast turkey/pork/venison.

4. 2023 Steve Bird Pinot Gris, Marlborough, New Zealand (£12.99 mix 6, Majestic, 14.5%) Sensational gently perfumed, full-bodied, Kiwi pinot gris, with smoky richness, indications of spice, ripe orchard fruits and a dry,

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slightly waxy finish. An aromatic revelation with both Christmas dinner and Boxing Day leftovers, especially turkey and trimmings.

Yes please.

5. 2016 Chateau Beau-Site, St-Estèphe, Bordeaux, France (£23.50, Co-op, 13.5%) Extremely respectable, wellmelded, fragrant claret for current drinking. 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 25% Merlot, 3% Petit Verdot, 2% Cabernet Franc. Highpedigree wine here from estimable Bordeaux shipper, Borie-Manoux.

Leaves a lasting impression.

6. 2020 Bourgogne Hautes Côtes de Beaune, La Perrière, Domaine Denis Carré, Burgundy, France (£23.50, Berry Bros & Rudd, 12.5%) Snap up this stylish, savoury, succulent, fragrant, red berrystashed and slightly smoky 2020 red burgundy from a vineyard in the hills above the escarpment of the Côte d’Or, just above the prosperous village of Pommard.

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It’s a compelling medium-bodied, irresistibly silky, bargainous and downright delicious treat.

7. NV Langham Estate Culver Classic Cuvée Brut, Dorset, England (£28.50, Lea & Sandeman, 12%) Langham is one of just a few homegrown estates that can rival Champagne. Riveting from the word go, this vivid, rich and round sparkler has a creamy mousse and attractive aromas of toast, butter and red apple. A great way to start the festivities and toast His Majesty later in the day. Magnificently crafted. The hits keep coming from this Dorset winery.

8. Graham’s 2012 Single Quinta dos Malvedos Port, Portugal (£30, Tesco, 20%) If you plan on buying just one mature bottle for Christmas, this one should be your top pick.

Single-Quinta ports are made from one farm and from a single year (when a true vintage port wasn’t produced). This textbook example

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9. 2005 Hacienda López de Haro Classica Gran Reserva, Rioja, Spain (£36, The Wine Society, 14%) Quite a find! Exquisitely balanced, developed Rioja from a high-altitude vineyard in San Vicente de la Sonsierra with mushroomy, earthy/tobacco aromas and medium tannins — oodles of interest and class per penny.

10. NV Louis Roederer Collection 244 Champagne, France (£46.40-£54.99, Berry Bros & Rudd, Waitrose, 12.5%) The fourth edition of this unimpeachable champagne house’s new numbered, non-vintage, multiseries – the number refers to the youngest vintage in the blend, 2019, which was Roederer’s 244th harvest.

It’s the perfect aperitif to kick off your dinner party, especially when paired with canapés, like gougères, and seafood. Wonderful drinking – so expressive, moreish, creamy and persistent. The ultimate bottle to pop open when ringing in the new year.

Usefully available in halves, too.

INDIE POWER Don’t forget the independents when choosing your Christmas wine. Local quality indies like The Secret Cellar (TSC) stock many beautiful wines in the £15-£25 range that the supermarkets regard as too hard to sell. I recommend TSC’s zesty, citrusy whites (think Loire chenin blanc, Marlborough/Sancerre sauvignon blanc) for smoked salmon – hello Greywacke savvy b from exCloudy Bay winemaker Kevin Judd (£23.50, TSC)!

Follow James on Instagram @QuixoticWines

9

10

2. 2022 Bird in Hand Sparkling Pinot Noir, Australia (£10, down from £15.99, Waitrose, 12.5%) Nab this smart, appetising, SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 57

FOOD & DRINK

“Our passion is ” d o o f d n a e l p o e p Eileen Leahy catches up with Daniel and Lisa Hatton to chat about another successful year for their food and drink business, which has seen them open the Deer Park Café in Eridge and expand their offering in both Hattons on The Pantiles and their fine dining events company. They also exclusively reveal why they decided to call time on their other venture The Wine Rooms…

S

o Daniel, it’s been a while since we last had a proper chat…how have things been?

Gosh, yes it has been a while but we are happy to say that things are going really well!

Running your own business means there are always going to be challenges, however we believe it is about adapting to any changes that happen along the way. We are immensely proud that we are coming up to our eight-year anniversary of running Hattons on the beautiful Pantiles and we have, of course, been busy with launching our latest venture The Deer Park Café in Eridge back in May of this year and also have Hattons Events. We have finished a very successful summer season and the upcoming winter period is looking strong…

Photography by Saltwick Media

You recently sold The Wine Rooms on The Pantiles, why did you decide to do this?

It was a hard decision to sell our lovely bar back in October but to be honest it was the right time for us as a company. I always wanted multiple sites covering all aspects of the industry but I started to find it harder and harder and it was just starting to swallow me up. With four different limited companies, it was taking up every hour of my life just trying to keep everything

58 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

moving in the right direction and I had to remember why I came out of the high-end kitchens in the first place. So my wife Lisa and I sat down and had the conversation on how we were going to move forward in business but more importantly as a family. The Wine Rooms was the only business we had that operated fully in the evenings, so it was the one that was decided on to let go. It is never easy to walk away from something that you put so much effort and time into - and that’s been so successful and much loved by our customers – but it was the right thing to do.

The Hattons Group is going from strength to strength.

What do you enjoy most about working for yourself?

I have never been one to rest on my laurels and I also love the challenge! There’s no better feeling than when you walk into one of your sites and it is full of people enjoying what you offer. It gives you such a buzz and a sense of

“We have great customers, a fantastic team and we believe in our businesses.

We are part of a great community”

achievement. My passion is people and food but I also love working with our team, and seeing our customers, it’s as simple as that.

Having your own businesses is not a walk in the park but it does mean that I can have flexibility and be at home more with Lisa, our son Elliott and dog Dottie! Lisa and I are very hands-on owners and we don’t mind getting stuck in, whether that’s us working in one of the sites or driving around or popping in to see the team and customers which is something that is so important.

Can you tell us a little about The Hatton Group’s USP? Having such a strong team around us means that we can evolve and grow into different areas.

I love how we can showcase our signature dishes and sweet treats during the day - in both Hattons and The Deer Park - yet we can then transform both spaces at night so people can be part of the most intimate dining experience or come along to one our popular Supper

Clubs. Working here is never mundane and that is so important and what keeps that all-important spark alive!

How many are in Team Hatton now and are they spread across your two sites?

The summer months are always our busiest time so we have more staff during this period. At the moment we have 33 team members between both sites.

Obviously this can fluctuate depending on what outside events we have courtesy of our Hattons Events private dining arm of the company. The team around us are amazing, and we couldn’t do what we do without them. I think they love the fact that one day they can be at Hattons looking after our customers on The Pantiles, the next out in the countryside at The Deer Park and then at someone’s private house. They certainly never have time to get bored! We like to think we look after them well and that they like being part of Team Hattons. Harvey our Head Chef has been with us for six years, Henry our General Manager has been here for four years, as has Liam our Events Manager. So for a small café company we are extremely proud to have them around us.

FOOD & DRINK

sole focus in Tunbridge Wells.

We are always looking at our food offerings and are looking forward to launching more Supper clubs, wine dinners and events in 2024.

The Hattons business has been such a great success story – what’s the secret of your success?

I don’t know the answer to that to be honest! What I will say though is that we have great customers, a fantastic team and we believe in our businesses. We really couldn’t do it without the support of everyone. We have a huge and very loyal following of people from Tunbridge Wells and the surrounding areas who are really supportive of what we do. We still see many of the regular faces from when we opened the doors to Hattons back in 2016 which is so special and means we are doing something right!

And can you briefly tell us a little bit about Hattons Events which sees you catering for private parties?

This was our first company which I started out of demand from my following when I had the Michelin

HATS OFF TO HATTONS Hattons was created in 2016

by Lisa and Daniel Hatton, who wanted a change in direction and to focus on their love of food, coffee and homewares.

After many years within the hospitality industry, Daniel had achieved many accolades including a Michelin star in 2012.

He then wanted to simplify his food style, focusing on the food seasons in the area, using the very best produce available. Lisa brings a wealth of experience in design and management to the company.

“There’s no better feeling than when you walk into one of your sites and it is full of people enjoying what you offer. It gives you such a buzz and a sense of achievement”

And what are you planning to do when the weather gets warmer?

During the summer months we’d like to open on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings as ‘that local Bistro’ focusing on simple, flavoursome and seasonal dishes that we all love and at affordable prices. Because The Deer Park only opened in May, we are very much using this year as a learning curve. Doing so will enable us to see what works best for the business. We have had huge success with our music nights there, the barbecues, the food offering and we have big plans for the outside…. But we will tell you about that another time!

star back in 2012. We had many customers approach me to cook privately for them in their homes to help celebrate birthdays and other special occasions. I absolutely love our events side as it is so bespoke to every client. Every event is different - from private dinners, to four-day weddings, product launches, music festivals and school balls - there is never a dull moment. It also keeps my hand in the fine dining world which is where I started my career.

Your supper clubs at Hattons are really popular. Are there any plans to continue these at The Deer Park?

Yes, absolutely. We have now held three at The Deer Park and they have all been a huge success selling out every time. The Deer

Park lends itself to a perfect event destination, with its extensive outside area, cosy interiors, large car park and that it’s just short taxi ride from Tunbridge Wells and surrounding areas.

We have also held some live music events working with Paul Dunton from Local & Live and these have been wonderful. We have so such much planned for The Deer Park including a festive afternoon happening on December 9 where we will be colloborating with a few other local artisan companies. It will be a relaxed afternoon running into the early evening where people can enjoy some food, mulled wine, gifts, homewares - and maybe just a little bit of snow….

And finally do you have a message for your loyal clientele?

We would love to say a massive thank you to everyone! We are part of a great community, and as ever we really appreciate everyone that walks through our doors – we couldn’t continue without you! We wish you and your families a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and we very much look forward to sharing some exciting new things in 2024!

GET IN TOUCH: www.hattonsrtwstore.co.uk @hattons

Can you tell us about any plans you have going into 2024?

Over the past month Lisa and I and our management team having been bouncing ideas around the table and we have our eyes on some exciting new projects - but obviously that is all a bit hush hush at the moment! After the closure of The Wine Rooms, Hattons is now our SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 59

FOOD & DRINK

Escape to the country With a new publican and head chef at the helm of The Abergavenny Arms in Frant, Grace Corcoran pays it a visit to sample some of the new menu...

T

he Abergavenny Arms is the quintessential country pub.

It’s friendly and familiar, with plenty of conversations flowing between locals perched on bar stools and a good selection of pub classics on both its food and drink menus. Its recently refurbished cosy lounge area now makes this Frant pub an excellent spot for winter socialising thanks to the snuggly sheep skin throws strewn over its comfortable, cushioned seating. The dining area also has a roaring open fire crackling away

60 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

to keep punters warm on a chilly winter’s day – or evening.

Now under new ownership, landlord James Murphy tells me he is steering the pub back to a locals’ joint, with ‘more affordable’ pub classics featuring on the menu.

“We wanted to take the menu back to a more affordable selection which means that sandwiches are also back by popular demand for those wanting something lighter,” James explains.

That familiar feel you get stepping over a pub’s threshold is also important to James, who was previously the Arms’ manager before buying the pub in October this year.

“I’m here every day. All the locals and regulars know me, and I think they appreciate that.”

“The menu is unpretentious.

Starters include a selection of tapas style options including patatas bravas, breaded whitebait, crispy chilli beef and smoked salmon”

Along with the change of ownership comes a change in head chef, with the pub’s former sous chef James Watson now taking the culinary reins.

When I visited the pub on a Friday evening, the bar was busy with groups of people merrily chatting away. My brother Josh

FOOD & DRINK

and I were shown to our table right next to the charming aforementioned open fire – which was perfect for a cold winter’s evening.

The dining area of the 15th-century building has a real quirkiness to it thanks to its crooked walls, low ceilings, exposed beams, and little nooks which all add to its charming period character.

The menu is more modern yet unpretentious. Starters include a selection of tapas-style options including patatas bravas (£5), breaded whitebait (£7), crispy chilli beef (£8.95) and smoked salmon (£8.50).

Josh and I decide to try a couple of small plates to share opting for salt and pepper squid (£8) and crispy panko king prawns (£8) which hit the spot.

The main menu boasts all the classics you’d expect from a traditional pub including gammon egg and chips (£13.95), sausage and mash (£14.50) and fish and chips (£17.50). Still indecisive about what I wanted to eat next, James recommends the Thai curry with king prawns (£17.95). It is full of flavour and boasts a nice hum of heat. Josh meanwhile knew exactly what he was going to eat, choosing a 250g sirloin steak (£28) cooked medium-rare which

came perfectly chargrilled and pink on the inside.

Given the portions at the Abergavenny Arms are ample, we decided to forgo desserts on this particular occasion, however, the Sticky Toffee Pudding (£7) and Baked Banana Split (£7) looked very appealing as they were being delivered to our fellow diners nearby.

It’s worth noting that the pub hosts a variety of weekly food specials and deals to entice people in. On Wednesday, there is a ‘Steak Special’ – which is two steaks and a bottle of house wine priced at just £45. And there’s also ‘Chicken Sunday’ which

gives a pair of hungry diners a whole roast chicken with all the trimmings for just £32.

There is also an attractive private function room at the Abergavenny Arms that has recently been redecorated and is available for those wanting an exclusive, cosy dining experience.

With all the work that has gone into renovating this popular pub, James tells me he has already started to see the rewards and has a positive outlook for the new year.

“I’ve definitely seen a return of locals coming back since making a few changes. I’m excited for the future of the pub.”

Design I Build I Planting

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SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 61

INTERIORS

The look of luxe The Beacon has launched a collection of stunning new bedrooms, all of which have been designed by the talented local interior design business SGS Designs. SO magazine was invited along to the venue for an exclusive tour of its six new luxurious suites…

E

ver since the I’ll Be Mother Group took it over The Beacon on Tea Garden Lane in Tunbridge Wells, it has become one of the hottest goto destinations in the local area.

Whether you’re attending a wedding in its beautiful Grand Pavillion marquee, dining in one of its two stylish restaurants where the exceptional food offering is overseen by chef extraordinaire Scott Goss - or simply enjoying a chilled aperitif on its terrace, The Beacon is the place to go if you’re after a memorable high-end hospitality experience.

And now its owners and visionaries Pete and Viv Cornwell, founders of the I’ll Be Mother Group, have enhanced it even further by transforming their former family home’s bedrooms into six sumptuous suites which have been designed by the extremely talented Sophie Stevens and her SGS Designs team. They are responsible for the rest of the establishment’s chic interiors too.

The six new luxury rooms boast names like Yarrow, Burdock and Beechnut, reflecting the abundance of nature that surrounds them thanks to The Beacon’s charming country location.

Each room is individually decorated, giving it a unique and ultra-sophisticated character.

Yarrow overlooks the breathtaking views of Happy Valley, and features a round copper bathtub in the Princess Turret Window, while Blackthorn boasts a chic monochrome décor complete with a showstopping chandelier. Spindle

“Each room is individually decorated, giving it a unique and ultra-sophisticated character”

PHOTOGRAPHER LOTTIE TOPPING

62 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

INTERIORS

Berry has a scalloped kingsize bed and an antique writing bureau – just in case you’re inspired to write while you sojurn…The six new rooms means that The Beacon now offers seven bedrooms in total after it launched its Summer House Cabin earlier this year. This is located in the grounds of the venue and has proved to be enormously popular with both locals and visitors from further afield.

Pete and Viv told SO magazine: “Now is the perfect time to add to the dining experience of The Beacon by opening our former family home to our guests. We have always been asked about staying at our beautiful country house and now was the right time to do

this. So our guests can stay and relax in a beautiful country home environment.”

Sophie Stevens, interior designer of SGS Designs added: “The Beacon is an iconic Tunbridge Wells location and renowned for its views, so it was important our design for the rooms reflected the woodland and lakes in the grounds but also references the Arts & Crafts architectural style but interpreted with a playful twist.

“The rooms are an extension of the Garden Kitchen, main Restaurant and wedding venue so we wanted them to be an extension of the design work we had already undertaken in other areas of the building.”

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 63

ADVERTISING FEATURE

Beautifully renovated mews houses in sought after Hungershall Park, Tunbridge Wells Surrounded by countryside yet within walking distance of all that Tunbridge Wells has to offer, these three beautifully renovated mews houses in Hungershall Park are a hidden gem.

Originally built in the 1830s, Hungershall Mews was one of several former coach and stable blocks to be found on Cabbage Stalk Lane, which served the iconic Italianate villas of Hungershall Park.

Award-winning local property development company Beau Property has sympathetically updated and restored the properties while retaining their original charm.

The mews houses are arranged around a private shared courtyard and all have slightly different layouts; there are two, 2 bedroom houses and one 3 bedroom design, each with handsome Crittall- style doors, underfloor heating throughout,

beautifully appointed kitchen/dining rooms with shaker-style units, Quartz worktops and integrated Bosch appliances, and impressive principal bedroom suites. All of the properties benefit from an area of outdoor space and the semi-rural location affords views from some of the bedrooms over the neighbouring Wyevale plant nursery and countryside beyond.

The location of these properties is most impressive, conveniently located in this sought-after private park, with scenic footpaths via Cabbage Stalk Lane and the Common into central Tunbridge Wells. The High Street is just over one mile from Hungershall Mews, with shops, independent boutiques, the historic Pantiles and a superstore. There are numerous restaurants including The Ivy and The Warren, as well as so many choices for delicious cakes, fresh bread and coffee, including Juliet’s, Fine Grind,

Gails, Italian delicatessen Arte Bianca, and Sankey’s fishmongers providing fresh fish and seafood.

Designated as an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, the surrounding countryside boasts several places of historic interest and attractive walks, including the famous Ashdown Forest, with sailing and fishing at Bewl Water near Wadhurst. The award-winning Bedgebury National Pinetum and Forest is also nearby, offering woodland walks, cycling, riding and outdoor music concerts.

Chris Hammond of Beau Property says: “Hungershall Mews is a hidden gem everyone will wish they found first.

We specialise in creating, restoring and refurbishing original and heritage properties across the South East. We are committed to impeccable quality and design across every development and

we have a trusted track record, with our most recent project awarded an accolade by the town’s Civic Society and highly commended by a national award panel as well as featuring in the Sunday Times’ most ‘Lustworthy homes’. Quite simply, we love to reimagine, build and style beautiful, lasting homes just for you and Hungershall Mews is one of those special projects we have loved to see come to life.”

Natasha Selbie, director, Savills Tunbridge Wells, says: “Hungershall Park is a very special location; you feel as though you are in the middle of the countryside while being just on the edge of this thriving town. These stylish and unique properties all offer something slightly different and provide much flexibility as a luxurious full-time home or the perfect Tunbridge Wells pied-a-terre.”

Prices range from £675,000 - £825,000.

For more information, contact Savills Tunbridge Wells on 01892 507000.

53 High Street, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1XU 64 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

ASTON MARTIN SUPPLIED BY DYLAN MILES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS

BUSINESS

All in the detail…

This month, Jamie Edney, who runs designer eyewear boutique Edney & Edney with his optometrist wife Ayshah on Monson Road, discusses the value of independent entrepreneurship and how it beats mass production on every level When my wife and I opened Edney & Edney together seven years ago, we were proud to be a part of the booming independent business community here in Tunbridge Wells. We are often reminded just how much the local community appreciates the value of independent entrepreneurship, and we proudly extend this appreciation by supporting other independent businesses – including our frame suppliers.

This month, I would like to explain how independent frame manufacturers are fiercely competing with multinational, multimillion-pound corporations, often coming out on top in the eyes of consumers and stockists alike.

Most well-known designer spectacle frames, including many of the biggest sunglass brands, as well as some of the largest optical retailers and lens suppliers in the UK, are owned by a handful of huge companies. Often the European fashion house, whose logo is garishly stamped on the side of your ‘designer’ sunglasses, has been nowhere near the concept, design, production, or approval of these products.

Instead, the mass manufacturers buy the license for a designer name and then use it with almost free reign. Of course, many of these frames are stylish and popular but mass production for the fast-fashion market inevitably cuts corners and ultimately diminishes product quality. In addition, by sheer volume, somewhat reducing the cachet of the product itself.

It hasn’t always been like this.

GET IN CONTACT: www.edneyandedney.com @edneyandedney @edneyandedney

Previously, the companies that produced these frames would seek approval from the brand and use exciting new materials, pushing the boundaries of fashion to produce premium eyewear with its own identity, but without competition, behemoth corporations prioritise profits over products.

Enter independent eyewear. It would be remiss to pretend that independent eyewear producers are small operations rivalling our practice, but on the scale of the large eyewear conglomerates, manufacturers like Kirk and Kirk and Masahiro Maruyama are minute. The factors that fundamentally set our suppliers apart from the alternative are quality,

mutual respect and unique design.

For example, Jacques Marie Mage produce small batch, stunning, handmade spectacle frames in the most respected artisan production region in Japan.

Each piece is meticulously crafted with Takiron acetate or Japanese titanium, and proudly embellished with its unique number in each limited run batch. Every JMM frame is said to pass through over 100 hands throughout its often months-long production, and this becomes apparent when you hold one in your own hands.

We purchase most of our stock via sales representatives who value our account and therefore,

our customers. We are only able to offer exceptional aftercare to our clients through the dedicated after sales service provided by our suppliers who try their best to supply replacement frames and parts when needed. By contrast, larger companies frequently discontinue models, meaning you need to buy a new frame (and therefore, new lenses!) if any accidents happen with your spectacles.

Many of our collections are expertly conceived by a small group or a single eyewear designer.

French collection John Dalia frames are designed solely by their

“Many of our collections are expertly conceived by a small group or a single eyewear designer – none are mass produced”

founder and namesake. Because of this, he has complete control over what he puts his name to – his beautiful collection of precious metal-plated sunglasses, demonstrate a consistent style and character. Similarly, California based L.A. Eyeworks frames are still designed by the two founding opticians, who started producing contemporary and unique styles for their friends and families.

Finally, our lens supplier works only with independent opticians in the UK market. Although most people have heard of Nikon, their UK spectacle lens division is relatively small and works from a single manufacturing unit in Buckinghamshire.

If you would like to come and see for yourself how independent eyewear is rivalling the big brands, we would be delighted to welcome you to the practice in Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells. If you would like to know more, call us on 01892 517986 or email hello@edneyandedney.com

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 65

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66 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

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FASHION

Your time to shine

In her column for this month, Charlotte Newman of Kitch fashion boutique rings in the festive season with sparkle and style…

A

s the holiday season approaches, the air is filled with the anticipation of joyful gatherings, twinkling lights and the warmth of shared moments.

From intimate family dinners to glamorous holiday parties, the possibilities for showcasing your style are as endless as the magic of Christmas itself.

The key to a stunning festive look lies in the seamless blend of elegance and comfort. This season, we look to versatile pieces that can effortlessly transition from daytime to evening festivities. Luxurious velvet dresses capture the essence of winter, providing the necessary understated opulence – and a touch of cosiness. Paired with statement accessories and a pair of heeled ankle boots, this look exudes sophistication without compromising on comfort.

No festive wardrobe is complete without a touch of sparkle. And this season, it’s time to bring it out in order to shine – along with sequins,

metallics and luxurious fabrics.

Consider a sequin cocktail dress in rich metallic tones for a showstopping entrance at holiday parties. For those embracing a more understated vibe, tailored satin maxi dresses are stealing the spotlight. Complement the look with a statement clutch bag and heeled boots for an elevated finish.

For a cosy yet stylish Christmas dinner at home, consider a festive sweater paired with tailored trousers or a silky maxi skirt.

Festive dressing is not just about the clothes; it’s about expressing your personality and spreading joy through your style this holiday season. Accessorising plays a crucial role in elevating your festive looks.

Statement earrings, glittering clutches and bold heels can add the finishing touches to your look. Do not be afraid to experiment with textures and layering to create a visually stunning outfit that captures the essence of the season.

Now that you’ve perfected your festive wardrobe, it’s time to

“Whether you opt for the classic elegance of velvet or the contemporary allure of sequins, let your outfit reflect the warmth and celebrations that define Christmas” www.kitchclothing.co.uk @kitch_clothing

turn your attention to the art of giving – the true heartbeat of the season. Jewellery is a timeless and thoughtful gift. Consider a delicate cuff bracelet or cushion pendant or why not opt for pieces that can be worn every day but still hold sentimental value. A beautifully crafted knitted hat or gloves is always a practical yet stylish gift. Choose luxurious fabrics like wool or leather in timeless prints that complement the recipient’s wardrobe. Alternatively, keep the excitement of the holidays alive with a gift card to use in-store or online, across our selection of stylish clothing and accessories tailored to their preferences.

This holiday season, let your festive dressing and thoughtful gifts create memories that will be cherished for years to come. Whether you opt for the classic elegance of velvet or the contemporary allure of sequins, let your outfit reflect the warmth and celebrations that define the holidays. When it comes to

gift-giving, choose thoughtfully, embracing options that not only dazzle the recipient. After all, in the season of giving, the most precious gifts are those that come from the heart. Embrace the magic of the season and celebrate in style!

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 67

FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER IVANKA DOBROTA

Party girl Want to sparkle this season and be sustainable? Then we have the perfect sartorial solution…

Genevieve’s Wardrobe is the perfect place to hire your Christmas party outfit. Instead of spending a fortune on a new dress that you only wear a few times, why not consider hiring a party outfit that will make you feel fabulous during the Christmas party season?

It will cost you a snip of what a new dress would cost, let alone the wardrobe guilt, staring at you for years to come.

Dress brands include, La Vie Style House, LA Double J, Johanna Sands, Ganni, Victoria Beckham and many more.

Genevieve‘s Wardrobe is located at one Warwick Park Hotel, Tunbridge Wells.

The Dress Hire agency is owned

by Victoria Genevieve, a Personal Shopper and Stylist who works locally and in London. She opens her doors a few times each month for an opportunity to try on all the dresses for your next event or celebration.

To book an appointment please contact Victoria on 07894468490 @ genevieves_wardrobe

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All you need is love I

Qualified hypnotherapist Karen Martin, who is based at Salomons Estate, looks at the issue of how to live well for longer...

f Santa gave you the gift of eternal life, would you want it? Since the dawn of time, humans have been fascinated and sometimes obsessed with defying the natural order of things and cheating death. From ancient myths and legends to modern-day scientific breakthroughs, the quest for eternal life has captivated our imaginations.

With more centenarians alive than ever in human history, we’re gathering more information about the secrets of a long and happy life but immortality remains as elusive as ever.

From studying the telomeres at the ends of our chromosomes, which shorten our life expectancy when they shorten as we age, to experimenting with gene therapy, the field of anti-ageing research is booming. Stem cells hold incredible potential for repairing and rejuvenating our ageing bodies. Scientists are researching ways to grow new organs and regenerate damaged tissue.

Who wants to live forever?

Our bodies are not designed to last forever. We are born, we grow old, and we die. It’s a natural progression, a beautifully tragic dance in the circle of life. But one day we may be able to upload our

consciousness into a computer or create robotic bodies to house our minds. Living forever as a sentient AI or exploring distant galaxies in a cybernetic form could become science fact rather than fiction as technology takes over from Mother Nature.

According to the Office of National Statistics, the number of centenarians in England and Wales has risen from 110 to more than 15,000 in the last century.

During that time, healthcare and living conditions have improved dramatically. There are nearly five times more women than men reaching 100 years of age, though the gap is closing. Studies have shown that the oldest people in the UK generally have a high level of physical and cognitive function.

They often attribute their longevity to staying active, maintaining social connections and having a positive outlook on life.

Live life to the full

So, if you want to outsmart Mother Nature, savour every experience and cherish every relationship. Because in the end, it’s not about how long we live but how fully we live. Living a long and miserable life or being unhappy for eternity holds little appeal.

Just supposing we could live forever. Can you imagine the overpopulation crisis? The Earth

is already struggling to sustain its current population. Adding immortals into the mix would be a logistical nightmare. Not to mention the ethical dilemmas. Who gets to live forever and who doesn’t? Would immortality be a luxury reserved for the wealthy elite?

And let’s not forget about the psychological implications. How would immortality affect our sense of purpose and meaning in life?

Would we lose our drive to achieve and grow if we had an infinite amount of time at our disposal?

The knowledge that our time on this planet is limited gives us the motivation to make the most of every moment. Living longer does not necessarily mean living better.

Quality of life is just as important as longevity, if not more so.

“If you want to outsmart mother nature, savour every experience and cherish every relationship.

Because in the end, it’s not about how long we live but how fully we live”

Care enough to take care

Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is key to increasing life expectancy.

This includes regular exercise, a balanced diet and avoiding unhealthy habits such as smoking and excessive alcohol consumption.

Exercise has been shown to reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease and diabetes while a balanced diet can help maintain a healthy weight and provide the necessary nutrients for good health.

Regular health check-ups are important in detecting and treating health problems early on. Routine

Karen Martin Hypnotherapist

hypnotherapykent.co.uk

screenings for cancer, cholesterol levels, and blood pressure can be life savers. Early detection and treatment prevent health problems from worsening and potentially lead to a longer life.

Good social connections also improve both longevity and quality of life. Social isolation has been linked to a higher risk of depression, cognitive decline and even premature death.

Participating in social activities and maintaining relationships with family and friends provides emotional support and a sense of purpose.

Managing stress is crucial in maintaining good health. The biochemistry of stress and anxiety is inflammatory and has been linked to various health problems such as heart disease. Finding ways to manage stress such as meditation, yoga, or therapy can improve both physical and mental health.

Staying mentally active can also improve cognitive function and potentially delay the onset of dementia. This can include reading, puzzles, or learning a new skill. Keeping the mind active also provides a sense of purpose and fulfilment.

So, if you want to live for 100 happy Christmases or more, have regular health check-ups, nurture close friendships, minimise stress and stay mentally active.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 69

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WELL-BEING

Soul food As the winter wraps itself around us, this month, Naomi Murray from Botanica Health reveals the healing wonders of a good old bowl of homemade chicken soup and how it can satisfy not just your appetite but your soul too…

M

oving into the season of chills and fevers, few remedies stand as revered and cherished as the humble bowl of chicken soup, often affectionately referred to as Jewish Penicillin.

This age-old recipe has transcended cultural boundaries, finding its place as a universal remedy for colds and flu.

Beyond its delicious flavour and heartwarming appeal, chicken soup has earned its reputation for being a healing elixir with a myriad of health benefits.

It has a long-held tradition as a ‘cure’ for winter ills and while this may seem like an old wives tale, there is some science behind this.

A study in 2000 found that consuming chicken soup could help reduce upper respiratory inflammation in turn helping you recover from a cold or flu.

One of the lead researchers, Stephen Rennard, M.D., FCCP, said the outcomes of the study demonstrate that chicken soup inhibits neutrophil migration to standard stimuli.

As far back as the 12th Century the Egyptian Jewish physician and philosopher, Moshe ben Maimonides, recommended chicken soup for respiratory tract

symptoms. But I also think there is more to the healing benefits of chicken soup. When you feel cared for there is biological proof that the kindness you feel improves immunity. There is no doubt it has a positive impact on the person giving it out too.

Studies show that you reap benefits from being kind. And so the benefits of chicken soup are two-fold: the kind act of the cook and the goodness of the broth. A beautiful combination.

The Broth Benefits

The ideal chicken soup will be made by first boiling up the chicken bones to make the most of this nutritional flu-busting food.

Bone broth is packed with nutrients to improve overall health, with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and collagen.

When making bone broth (see below), the slow cooking process draws out collagen, marrow and other healing properties from the bones, which include proline, glutamine and glycine, the building blocks of protein, which reduce inflammation, assist metabolism and heal the gut.

These amino acids have a very broad range of cell-protective actions.

‘A hug in a bowl’ Chicken soup for the soul recipe “Beyond its delicious flavour and heartwarming appeal, chicken soup has earned its reputation for being a healing elixir with a myriad of health benefits”

Naomi Murray Co-founder of Botanica Health

botanicahealth.co.uk

For the broth use leftover chicken bones from a Sunday roast or two chicken carcasses (if I have time I roast the carcasses for half an hour first for added flavour) and two tablespoons of cider vinegar – but remember that adding cider vinegar to the water breaks down the collagen and draws minerals out of the bones.

To make the stock place the chicken bones into a stock pot, just cover with water (about two litres) and add the cider vinegar. Bring to a boil, place the lid on and turn down to a rolling simmer for about 3 hours until the stock has reduced to about a third. You may want to top up a little. Keep your eye on it. When it has reduced down you can strain out the liquid.

When the stock is ready you can now consume as it is, refrigerate or freeze when cool or make a soup.

Ingredients for the soup: 1 tablespoon of butter 1 tablespoon of olive oil A few sprigs of fresh thyme or rosemary 2 leeks, finely sliced 2 cloves of garlic crushed 3 carrots, roughly chopped 1 small turnip cut into tiny squares Two handfuls of frozen peas Large handful of basmati rice Any leftover chicken from a roast

How to make the soup:

In a large saucepan melt the butter and add the olive oil.

Add the leeks with the herbs and cook gently for 15 minutes.

Add the garlic and cook for a few minutes.

Then add the carrots and turnip and gently cook for 10 minutes.

Add the stock and simmer for half an hour, or until the turnip is cooked.

Then add the rice and cook for a further 10 minutes before finally adding the peas and any leftover chicken, cooking for another 5 minutes.

Sea salt and pepper to taste.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 71

SECTION

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belgravia@mail.com 72 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

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WELL-BEING

o t n o s a e s Tis the stress less

With Christmas comes a little chaos as we struggle to finish those to-do lists and ensure our children aren’t disappointed if they don’t get the present from Santa they wanted. But, says local Intuitive Healer, Reiki Master/Teacher and Crystal Therapist Emma Sims, by learning to curb stress levels or anxiety you can help to create a more harmonious home as a result…

C

hildren mirror your energy. If you feel angry, frustrated or overwhelmed this will be reflected back through your child’s behaviour.

When your patience is thin, for example, you may have noticed an increase in tantrums, anger outbursts and general upset. These are physical symptoms of a deepseated emotion that the child is finding it difficult to express.

When you understand the power of your own unique energy and how this affects everyone around you, life becomes much easier and situations that seem difficult to comprehend at the time become much clearer. Energy is linked to emotion.

Take for example the tantrum in the shop over not getting the toy they like, or their sibling is not listening to what they are saying. The internal urge is so strong that they cannot regulate this emotion and it builds up to a point where it needs to be released. If you can see the trigger through their energy before it happens, the emotion connected to the feeling can be diffused or redirected.

By learning to connect and redirect behaviour, parenting feels more intuitive because you are in touch with your

ABOUT EMMA SIMS

Emma Sims is an Intuitive Healer, Reiki Master/Teacher and Crystal Therapist with a practice in Tunbridge Wells helping people to transform their lives through energy work. Emma’s heart-centred approach with clients around the world both online and in person has allowed her to achieve life changing results.

To book your treatment, workshop or course please visit: emmajanesims.com Email: emma@emmajanesims.com

child’s feelings. You are aware of their emotional triggers which allow you to spot the signs before it becomes a much bigger problem.

Children are born with their intuition fully developed but sadly as they journey through life they quickly learn that the only way to validate their world is through either a logical or analytical approach. When children connect with their intuition by listening to their inner voice, observing the messages in their body and acting on this instinctive guidance they experience a deeper connection both internally and externally.

As a mother of three children I know from personal experience how anxiety can

“The results I have seen when children connect with their energy through Reiki and intuition, during and after a treatment, is lifechanging”

affect a family, not only is it distressing for the parent but it is debilitating for the child. By getting to the root cause of the problem I have helped children and parents to understand the triggers.

I can see where the energy is stored within the body through the use of crystals, Reiki energy and meditation and I share simple and effective practices with you so that you can begin to nurture intuition, build confidence and empower your child.

The results I have seen when children connect with their energy through Reiki and intuition, during and after a treatment, is life-changing.

As a society we are constantly distracted by the bombardment of technology and a current challenge for children is not feeling heard.

Mental health in children is at the highest it has been with recent statistics showing 1 in 6 children are showing signs of mental health problems.

Children shouldn’t have to wait for a crisis to happen, the more we can foster their genius, build confidence through inner guidance and nurture their intuition, the more empowered they will be.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 73

COMMUNITY

to the enchanting voice of Isla Shadwell, the air resonates with the spirit of Christmas. The Pickering Cancer Trust Choir and Crowborough Choir, along with other musical talents like Singing for Fun, Choir & Ko, Lindy Hop and the Southborough Singers, create a symphony that builds anticipation on the lead-up to the big day.

New Year’s Eve Party: Ringing in 2024 with Style

Winter wonders...

We take a look at the various activities happening on the Upper Pantiles over the Christmas

Festive Cheer at The Pantiles

Recently voted the third best high street in the UK for Independent Shops by American Express, The Pantiles is a beacon of festive cheer. It offers a spectacular blend of joy, lights and magical moments that weave a winter wonderland for the entire community. The historic streets offer you an enchanting journey until 24th December, inviting residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the warmth of Christmas spirit.

The Beckett from Elysian Residences

Christmas 2023 at The Pantiles is made possible by the generous sponsorship of The Beckett, an elegant new concept in retirement living in the heart of Tunbridge Wells from Elysian Residences.

Create Lasting Memories

Thanks to this sponsor and the collective efforts of all those involved in The Pantiles’ events, this Christmas and New Year promise to be the best yet.

Christmas Markets: A Weekend Extravaganza

Every weekend, from 10am to 4pm, The Pantiles transforms into a festive haven, hosting enchanting Christmas Markets that promise an array of delightful discoveries.

From unique gift ideas and exquisite homeware to delectable treats and seasonal fashion, these markets provide the perfect opportunity to uncover treasures that will fill your home and the hearts of your loved ones with joy. The air will be filled with the scent of mulled wine and moreish morsels as the historic colonnade comes alive with the hustle and bustle of merry shoppers.

“Studies now show that Isometric exercises - those that require engaging muscles without movement, such as wall sits and planks - provide some of the best results for bringing blood pressure down”

Christmas Trees for Sale: Bring Home the Magic

From 25th November to 17th December, The Pantiles extends an invitation to bring the magic of Christmas home with real Christmas trees. Elevate your Christmas decor with these symbols of the season, available for purchase every Saturday and Sunday. The joy of selecting and decorating your own tree becomes a cherished tradition, creating memories that last a lifetime.

Toe Tapping Tunes

The Pantiles’ historic bandstand becomes a stage for the sounds of the season, harmonising the festivities with various singers, bands and choirs. From the soulful melodies of Jack Leon Mackey 74 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

Bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the New Year in unparalleled style at The Pantiles’ New Year’s Eve Party on 31st December, starting at 7pm. Immerse yourself in the vibrant energy of live music with Dave Ital and friends, dance to the beats spun by talented DJs and savour gourmet delights from the array of food stalls. As the clock strikes midnight, gather under the starlit sky to witness a breathtaking fireworks display, illuminating the night and marking the beginning of a promising 2024.

Secure your advance tickets for this unforgettable celebration at £15 per person or opt for on-thenight tickets priced at £17.50 per person, with limited availability.

To ensure your spot at this dazzling celebration, visit pantilesevents.com to book your tickets.

As the historic colonnade of The Pantiles transforms into a festive utopia, don’t miss this chance to create lasting memories with family and friends. Let the spirit of Christmas and the excitement of New Year’s Eve come to life in a dazzling display of festivities and fun. The Pantiles invites everyone to join the community in celebrating the most wonderful time of the year, where magic happens, and joy knows no bounds.

May this Christmas and New Year help you create memories that will be cherished for years to come.

To find out more about events, offers and news at The Pantiles, visit: thepantiles.com. You can also follow The Pantiles on Facebook, Instagram and X.

FITNESS

Follow your heart

In her column for December, fitness expert Sarah Gorman looks at the importance of heart health Isometric exercises are better than other forms of exercise at lowering blood pressure. So with this in mind let’s take a look at how we can include isometric exercise into our lives and fitness.

ISOMETRIC EXERCISES TO TRY

Plank, bear, forearm plank, side plank, wall sit, wall bridge, TRX plank, stability ball plank…I could go on (and on). Incorporating isometric movement into workouts is easy and doesn’t have to take up a huge amount of time. A great way to start is to set a specific time, for example 30 seconds, and hold each position for that time moving between the holds.

Start with 5 positions:

between not losing control and giving up on everything but not being so rigid in your rules that you miss out. By making a decision to stick to a quick short routine a few days a week will really help to keep on top of your health and fitness over the festive period.

MOVE OF THE MONTH:

Plank in 5

(5 positions - 5 minutes) BEAR - 1 min PLANK - 1 min FOREARM PLANK - 1 min SIDE FOREARM PLANK RIGHT - 1 min SIDE FOREARM PLANK LEFT - 1 min If you struggle to stay in position between the moves modify by resting in between the positions. Progress by moving straight from move to move without dropping the knees to the floor.

Plank Forearm Plank Bear Side plank Right Side plank Left

T

here are many reasons to work out and include fitness and movement within our lives and heart health should certainly be high at the top of that list.

In the past when we talked of cardio it was all about going running, getting on a treadmill or cross trainer, and while these disciplines are great and you may enjoy these forms of training, they are most definitely not the only, or the best way to train to keep our hearts healthy.

Recently it has come to our attention that less impactful exercise can also be extremely beneficial too.

Aerobic exercise involves using your larger muscles, like those in your legs, glutes and upper body. The aim is to get your heart

Sarah Gorman Fitness professional and entrepreneur

@sarahgormanblendfit sarahgorman.fit

pumping more quickly, meaning you breathe harder and faster; hence the name cardiovascular exercise or cardio.

Your lungs and heart get used to this higher rate of activity and become stronger over time and this helps them work more efficiently overall. But it’s not only your heart and lungs that get the benefits of aerobic exercise. It can help you sleep better, support your immune system, boost your mental health and maintain your brainpower.

Aerobic exercise can also help you manage other factors like high blood pressure and high cholesterol that can contribute to your risk of heart disease.

However, studies now show that Isometric exercises – those that require engaging muscles without movement, such as wall sits and planks – provide some of the best results for bringing blood pressure down.

Resistance training and HIIT workouts were also beneficial, but it turns out you can’t beat staying still – who knew?!

The conclusion was that

“Studies now show that Isometric exercises - those that require engaging muscles without movement, such as wall sits and planks - provide some of the best results for bringing blood pressure down”

Immediately you have a twoand-a-half minute isometric hold sequence. From there you can either keep the sequence as it stands and simply increase the time in each hold, or start to add new positions into the sequence.

If you’re not sure what positions to add in, just think about putting your body into a position where you have to use all your muscles to hold you in that one position.

Another way to incorporate isometrics into your workouts is to punctuate your usual training with holds. I often do this in my Barre and strength classes. So in between exercises or rounds try to add in a wall sit or an elevated hold (great if you have a TRX or stability ball). If you have problems with planks and holding for long periods of time, initially lower the amount of time you hold for and think about decreasing the incline.

Using a chair to hold a plank can be incredibly helpful when you are just starting out. Your forearms or flats of the hands do on the seat of the chair and this makes the incline and the pressure less intense.

With Christmas approaching fast this is a great time to start thinking about these kinds of workouts.

It’s a busy season and often our fitness and nutrition goes out of the window. But these short sequences can be just enough to keep on top of your fitness goals or at least help you to stay feeling strong.

For me Christmas is all about balance. Finding a good halfway

Benefit from BlendFit I am about to launch a new challenge on my BlendFitApp https://blendfitapp.com/ gym/BlendFit which works specifically with isometric movements and exercises. The workouts are short 20 mins in length which means they are achievable to add into your busy daily life. I use a stability ball for the challenge which is a great piece of kit to have as there’s so much you can do with it.

Also look out for the Black Friday deal on instagram which gives you 40% off an annual subscription to the app.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 75

WELL-BEING

At one with nature Bringing people together in stunning woodland, Kingdom in Penshurst has a wealth of well-being activities that can be enjoyed every day of the week. Grace Corcoran headed to this picturesque ancient woodland to discover more…

S

et off the beaten track in stunning woodland, Kingdom in Penshurst provides a hub of nature, wellness and creativity just a few miles from Tunbridge Wells.

A destination spot for those wishing to unwind, you could easily spend a whole day here, with various walks, cycle routes, yoga classes, art exhibitions, a café and more on offer.

Created after the destruction of The Great Storm in 1987, the wooden clubhouse is at the heart of Kingdom and was built from the area’s fallen trees.

Bought and transformed in 2015 by the I’ll Be Mother group, who also own The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells and The Swan Chapel Down, ‘The Clubhouse’ – as it’s known – is a four-story timber and glass structure, hosting visitors for brunch, co-working, wellness activities and weddings.

76 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

As Pablo Picasso once said: “Every act of creation begins with an act of destruction.”

When I arrive at Kingdom one crisp November morning, there is a group of people pushing themselves in an outdoor fitness class, yogis in various poses in the purposebuilt studio and the café is full with friends catching up over coffees and enjoying the 360-degree views across the countryside.

A trip to the forest spa

My boyfriend Seb and I loop our way around the grounds, covered in vibrant auburn autumn leaves and find our way to the forest spa.

Tucked away in the 13-acre forest, The Hot Box Co’s sauna, cold water plunge and hot tub is yet another activity Kingdom offers to visitors seeking to unplug themselves from the busyness of life.

As it’s our first sauna-cold plunge experience, our host Jack first recommends the best course of action for feeling the full benefits of the session. He advises us to heat up in the sauna first before braving the ice bath and then repeat this process.

Said to boost energy, improve circulation, reduce inflammation and muscle soreness along with a whole host of mental health benefits, the cold plunge wellness trend has taken off in the last few years in the UK and we are game for trying it out.

We start in the sauna, which has a beautiful view out on to the forest.

We can hear Jack adding coals underneath and the heat begins to build. After 20 minutes we have both worked up a sweat, which

means it’s time to brave the dip.

At 14 degrees, the temperature of the water leaves me breathless after submerging my body and head under. The chill of the water never feels comfortable, but it certainly wakes you up – the perfect morning energiser.

We repeat the combination a few more times, and each cold plunge gets easier. Feeling invigorated, we head to the wooden hot tub to relax. As we come to the end of our 90-minute experience, we take in the spectacular woodland views as the wind blows through the trees.

The setting lends itself perfectly to a romantic woodland date, having fun with friends or meeting new people. The Hot Box Co offer community and private options, starting from £17. Seb reports his muscle pain has alleviated and I feel happy, energised and ready for a massage…

A moment to relax

Later I meet with Joleene Gonzales, founder of nature inspired wellbeing and events company, Find Your Wild, who offers a range of treatments along with a team of holistic experts.

Qualifying as a holistic massage therapist in June 2022, Joleene converted her family’s vintage caravan into a cosy, wood-lined therapy room and so the ‘Holistic Hut’ was born.

She welcomes me into the hut, which is nestled under the silver birch trees just a stone’s throw away from the Clubhouse. The cosiness and spa aromas provide some respite from the rain that has started to fall.

I was treated to The Blue Lotus

“The Blue Lotus Flower offers a deep sense of wellbeing and peace and most clients report feeling uplifted and peaceful after a treatment”

Flower Experience – a short meditation, full body massage with the Blue Lotus oil and followed by a cup of Blue Lotus tea.

Rumoured to be favoured by Cleopatra for its magical skin enhancement powers, The Blue Lotus Flower is reported to offer many transformative benefits, both physically and spiritually.

“The Blue Lotus Flower offers a deep sense of well-being and peace and most clients report feeling uplifted and peaceful after a treatment,” Joleene explains to me, before leading me through a meditation.

Feeling calm and ready to be pampered, Joleene wraps me in the heated blanket and begins the deeply relaxing massage treatment, working through the knots in my back and taking my mind off any immediate worries.

Previously working in events, Joleene has fused her experience with wellness to create a series of well-being events in Kingdom’s enchanting grounds.

“Starting from the beginning of February next year, we will be launching a series of nature infused, conscious events,” explains Joleene when we chat post my treatment.

She tells me these will include Menopause Awareness Fire Circles, Foraging for Plant Medicine, Drum Birthing workshops, Ecstatic Dance events and various Divine Feminine Empowerment experiences.

“We are also putting on a conscious micro-festival at Kingdom on Sunday March 24, 2024,” adds Joleene.

Finishing with a cup of Blue Lotus tea, my massage experience exceeded all expectations – my aches healed and my mind clear, I feel well rested after the perfect day spent at Kingdom.

Find The Hot Box Co, the Holistic Hut and more at thiskingdom.co.uk.

Take time out

This month, Lucy Parker, from FLOW asks, are you exhausted? If so, why not try these soothing ways to recharge your batteries before Santa goes on overdrive!

experience, the effects of a Sound Bath can be felt almost instantly as the body relaxes into a deep sense of rest and receptivity; the brainwave state is altered from our waking (beta) to a relaxed state (alpha), dreamlike state (theta), and even restorative/ sleep state (delta).

As the mind and body relax, the heart rate and blood pressure decrease, and our breathing becomes more expansive and free.

A highly effective form of meditation, Sound Baths are an excellent way of soothing stress or worries and releasing unconscious emotions or tension.

In surrendered stillness, the resonant waves and vibrations wash over and through you as you’re fully immersed in sound.

They are appealing compared to other meditative practices because the sound takes you there, with nothing required of you but to lay down and listen, drifting between dimensions of rest and receiving.

Verity hosts monthly Moonattuned Sound Baths at Flow, offering a peaceful parcel of time, bathing in sounds and the luminous glow of the Full Moon.

Don’t miss her Sounds of Solstice event at 6 pm on December 22nd - https://flowtunbridgewells.com/ yoga-workshops/

Yin Yoga with Charlotte

R

est is hugely undervalued as a pathway towards well-being and optimal health, and it’s even more important as we approach a chaotic festive season. Maybe it’s part of Maggie Thatcher’s legacy, as she proudly announced she could run the country on a mere 4 hours of sleep a night. Perhaps as a result, rest is often considered a little indulgent, lazy, or boring. Meanwhile, we’re a country of insomniacs, dragging ourselves through our days and flopping onto the sofa of an evening only to binge-watch whatever will best help us switch off. The problem is that switching off is just that, downing tools, and disconnecting from our screens. The welldeserved, and much-needed rest, we all should be inviting in does not involve watching TV into the night or pouring another glass of wine.

It’s probably worth taking a moment to look at what exactly makes us tired. The reasons can be varied and unique to everyone.

There are also some common themes, the first and most obvious being the lack of ZZZ’s. The Iron Lady aside, the average person needs around 7 - 9 hours of uninterrupted sleep per night.

The kind of sleep you might have

Lucy Parker

Flow Tunbridge Wells

lucy@flowtunbridgewells.com

had in your youth when your room was pitch black and silent, the troubles of the world were a world away, and you didn’t need a wee at 3 am.

Poor sleep however is not the only factor. You’ve heard the statement, “I wore myself out with worry”. We expend a huge amount of energy fretting in anxiety, stress, and pain. It’s a worrying world we live in right now with war, financial constraints and environmental changes keeping us in a state of high alert. No wonder we’re collectively exhausted and in need of a bedtime story and a cosy blanket.

So how about taking rest seriously and giving yourself the recharge that our iPhones get daily? Let me introduce these two fabulous burnout remedies to

supercharge your rest and reset this December…

Crystal Sound Bath with Verity

Sound Therapy may seem like the latest New Age trend, but it’s been used as a healing modality for thousands of years. Our ancestors embraced sound as sacred, opening pathways of connection in ceremony and rituals, from Celtic drumming to Native American flute, the Aboriginal didgeridoo and Tibetan singing bowls. Sound Baths are a modern medium of sound healing, an all-encompassing full-body experience that soothes body and mind.

Verity says “A Sound Bath brings us home to pure vibration to remember who we are, ancient particles and elements from the stars.”

A subtle yet multi-dimensional

“Sound Therapy may seem like the latest New Age trend, but it’s been used as a healing modality for thousands of years”

Physically in Yin Yoga, the poses are held for longer than most classes (between 2-5 minutes) with the use of props such as bolsters, blocks, and blankets for support.

The studio will be toasty warm and the connective tissues beyond the surface muscles are targeted to increase circulation in the joints, improving the range of motion and increasing flexibility while developing breath awareness and mindfulness. It’s not only the best practice for the busiest minds but also the perfect complement to any faster-paced yoga, fitness, and workout routines.

Charlotte says “With one’s ever-increasing and demanding schedules, a yin practice is the best antidote to busy lives. It gives us the chance to slow down, dive inwards and welcome an introspective practice with no end goal. We’re allowed to press the pause button and fully recharge. It’s certainly been a game-changer for me! “

Charlotte hosts weekly Wednesday morning Yin classes, 9.30 – 10.30 am at Flow - https://flowtunbridgewells. com/yoga-tunbridge-wells/

GIFT CARDS If you’re stuck for something unique to give your loved one this Christmas how about a Flow Gift Card? https://flowtunbridgewells. com/gift-cards/

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 77

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Cold comfort

In their December column, the team at Helios on Camden Road recommend some top remedies for winter ailments…

W

inter can be a season of contrasts, bright chilly days with beautiful blue skies or dark, grey and very wet! It can be the time of year for coughs, colds and flu, but also a time for celebration and joy.

At Helios our friendly team of homeopaths are busy helping customers beat those winter bugs and offering suggestions to keep you healthy over the festive period.

Here are our top 5 remedies that would be a great addition to the first aid cabinet at home.

Alongside the remedies, we have a wide range of immune system boosters, vitamin and mineral

supplements, natural cough linctus’ and throat sprays to support you through the winter.

Top remedies for winter ailments are: Aconite for colds, coughs or earache that come on suddenly after exposure to cold, especially cold winds.

Belladonna for bright red sore throats or tonsillitis, with rapid onset, often accompanied by a fever.

Bryonia for those irritating, dry and painful coughs Gelsemium for typical symptoms of a heavy cold or flu with a headache, sore throat, temperature, aching bones and shivering.

Kali bich/Hydrastis/Pulsatilla is a great combination for catarrh both in the sinuses or on the chest.

Why not consider one of our homeopathic remedy kits for all the family. Lightweight and compact, our 18 or 36 remedy kits are a convenient and economical way

of having a selection of remedies covering a wide range of ailments and first aid situations to hand when you need them.

Christmas is a time of celebration and joy, however for some it can also be quite stressful, nerves can get frazzled, or we can just become exhausted with the amount of preparation involved. Try our Kali phos Tissue Salt to support the nervous system or for exhaustion and, if you are having problems sleeping, it’s good for that too.

Helios Stress Relief is an excellent combination remedy to support anticipatory anxiety and Helios Sleep brings relief to all manner of sleep disturbances from getting off to sleep to frequent waking during the night, both these remedies can be used along with Helios Kali phos.

Whatever the issue our friendly homeopaths are here to help you with their expert knowledge and advice, pop in and see us or give us a call.

If you are looking for some

“At Helios our friendly team of homeopaths are busy helping customers beat those winter bugs”

last-minute inspiration for Christmas gifts then we have some lovely natural and organic skincare ranges, beautiful bath and shower products, essential oils, flower essences and so much more.

Our extensive book department has some excellent books on homeopathy, flower essences and natural health and well-being for all the family, including your pets.

The Helios team would like to take this opportunity to wish all our customers peace, happiness and good health over the festive period and thank you for your support and custom. We look forward to being of service to you in 2024.

Helios Homeopathy Ltd Tel: 01892 537254 www.helios.co.uk 97 Camden Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 2WR

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We truly value the support of our wonderful customers and local community, and we are proud to say that they consistently award us 5 star reviews on Facebook and Google!

PETS FAYRE 92 London Road, Southborough, Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN4 0PP

Shop online or book at www.petsfayre.co.uk

07784 787986

Like us on Facebook Follow us on Instagram

01892 457081

Give the gift of cherished memories this Christmas with a portrait beautifully rendered in stunning detail by Sophie Wootton Borruso, an artist who brings faces to life on paper. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for capturing the essence of your loved ones and pets, she transforms moments into timeless works of art that will be treasured for generations. www.sophiewbart.com | @sophiewbart

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 79

ADVERTISING FEATURE

volunteering, I have spent time researching and doing online courses to further my knowledge.

Another is the relationship with customers and their pets, whether they be our boarding customers or those who pop in-store with their dogs, who love a good fuss.

Your windows are always very creative – what made you decide to do them in such an inspiring manner?

When I was younger, I used to love driving around Southborough with my parents around Halloween and Christmas, looking at the decorated houses and shops along the high street. I want to be able to bring the same joy to the people of Southborough with our range of window displays.

That is one of the reasons that I like to get the children of Southborough involved in our displays when I can. The Year 1’s at Southborough Primary School helped with our Remembrance Window this year.

Animal instinct

Independent pet and boarding shop, Pets Fayre, has been a stalwart of Southborough High Street for over 50 years. Last year, when the opportunity arose to buy the outlet, Rachel Hook put a business plan together to buy her dream store. Here, she chats to SO magazine about her successful first year in business...

R

achel, let’s start with you telling us about how you came to run Pets Fayre?

I used to volunteer at Pets Fayre from the age of 14. This led to a part-time position, before studying Animal Management at college and volunteering at Drusillas Park.

This provided me with handson experience in the care and husbandry of over 200 species of domestic, livestock and exotic animals.

18 months ago, I found out the business was up for sale and immediately my heart was set on owning it, so I came up with a

80 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

What else does your store offer?

Pets Fayre also offers a Small Animal Boarding Service where we look after a range of domesticated pets including rodents, ferrets, small birds, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs, and reptiles.

Our boarding service is available all year round. These facilities have seen the biggest investment and growth in my first year of owning the business and we even have customers travelling from different counties to board their pets.

business plan to enable my dream.

Have you always wanted to do this and if so, why?

For as long as I can remember, I have always wanted to work with animals. I used to come home after volunteering/working at Pets Fayre when I was younger and tell my parents that I was going to own it one day. Little did we know at the time that a few years later that would become a reality.

How long have you been running the shop and have you been welcomed into the local community I have owned the shop since October 2022, and although it has been a sharp learning curve, I have thoroughly enjoyed discovering the aspects of running a successful business.

The local community have been great – we have a loyal customer base and welcome new people and their pets regularly.

I was born and raised in Southborough, and being involved in the community is something I grew up around, thanks to my late grandfather, Colin Bothwell, who was part

And can you tell us about your online offering?

Our online store offers everything we sell in-store and more including click-and-collect and delivery services on all stock. We offer a bespoke service to all our customers - if there is something they have seen or tried and want to order we will endeavour to get it into our store, which I believe sets us apart from other pet stores.

And what are the challenges?

With the challenging economic climate, we endeavour to keep prices down and avoid passing on additional costs to customers whilst maintaining an offering that is of good quality and value.

of the Southborough Council and Mayor of Southborough.

What would you say Pets Fayre’s USP is?

First is the knowledge we can offer. Alongside studying and

What do you love most about your job?

I love being able to spend so much time surrounded by the animals in our care, as well as meeting the dogs (and the occasional ferret) that come in. I love getting to know my customers more with every visit and I enjoy nurturing children’s love for animals too. Earlier this year, we organised a couple of visits with a local pre-school to meet some boarding animals.

FOOD & DRINK

The flight club…

The Claremont on Grove Hill Road has recently undergone an impressive and extensive refurbishment making it one of the coolest bars in town right now. Add in its augmented reality darts to the mix and you really have something very special to enjoy right in the heart of Tunbridge Wells says one of the pub’s owners, James Savage…

CONTACT:

You’ve done an extensive refurb job at The Claremont.

Can you tell us about it?

We have been working hard on how the pub looks and what it can offer for a while now. Having created a cosy ambience in the main bar area courtesy of sumptuous sofas and a real fire – and greatly enhanced our alfresco offering, too – we’ve now turned our attention to the upstairs.

Over the past few months we’ve totally transformed it – courtesy of the talented designer Merissa Patrick – to create a club-style ambience, which we’ve named One Eight Zero.

How would you describe the interiors scheme that has been put together?

Quite simply it is just amazing!

Merissa has created a striking look that is so vibrant and exotic – it also includes a circus-themed room

“Over the past few months we’ve totally transformed The Claremont – courtesy of the talented designer Merissa Patrick – to create a clubstyle ambience, which we’ve named One Eight Zero”

which is perfect for Instagram opportunities!

There’s also a funky lounge area – with another coming soon – that allows us to cater for corporate groups or larger bookings. Then we have the One Eight Zero room where we have the augmented reality darts. There are two lanes, which can cater for up to 12 people each, so up to 24 can be playing at one time!

So what exactly is augmented reality darts?

The system we use is the world’s first and only autoscoring darts system that projects all targets and scores directly onto the board itself. You still use a real dartboard and real darts, but the augmented reality system takes the game to a new level, guiding you through 10 interesting games that are different to regular darts. We project the

The Claremont 18 Grove Hill Rd, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1RZ 01892 726457 theclaremontpub.co.uk @theclaremonttw @oneeightzerortw

game by playing graphics and targets directly over the top of the board. This allows us to manipulate the appearance of the board to more clearly display the objectives of the game being played. Oh, and we project some pretty cool graphics around the board, too!

When did you decide to install this at The Claremont and why?

We knew we had a great space upstairs that was only occasionally used for functions and we were looking for ways of increasing the revenue of the area. Various ideas were discussed but after experiencing the system our minds were made up. We started the investment about six months ago and the installation and the design of the event space has been ongoing for a few months. It’s taken slightly longer than we had expected but we are thrilled with the result!

Is it proving to be popular and have you done away with the more traditional pub games?

We feel there is still a space for traditional pub activities – we have some board games in the library area of the pub – but people are

now looking for something with more interaction.

They are looking for something a little different and something more inclusive and exciting for people of all ages and skill sets. The feedback we have had to date has been so positive, and we are delighted.

Are there any differences to this digital version compared to regular darts?

In a word, YES! The screens light up, the board talks to you, there’s a variety of games already loaded up and the best bit is the screen tells you what to do. If you need to hit 20, then 20 on the board will be lit up to tell you. You can also preload the games to your skill level.

Better players are given smaller targets to hit, while lesser players the opposite.

Is there anything similar to this around Tunbridge Wells or are you the only ones offering this?

Well as you’d expect we are starting to see a rise in new ideas being rolled out in pubs and bars but there is nothing like One Eight Zero in Tunbridge Wells – or the surrounding areas. We are so excited to be the first on the scene with this type of interactive experience and can’t wait for people from near or far to come and visit us…

What else can visitors to The Claremont enjoy when paying a visit?

The Claremont has seen many changes over the past few years but it’s still a great pub that caters for all seasons, and all age ranges. You enter into a warm, cosy traditionallooking pub and are met by a roaring log fire with staff serving a wide variety of drinks and food.

There’s some nice sofa seating around the fire, a new lounge at the back of the pub which is a nice spot for those who want a quieter experience or to catch up with friends. In the finer weather you can head out to what we – and many of our clients – call the best pub garden in Tunbridge Wells!

We have an outside bar, beautiful decking area and our heated outdoor canopy area with huts that can accommodate over 100 people.

Combined with One Eight Zero we believe we cater for large or small groups, young or old.

And you’re starting to offer exclusive hire of The Claremont now, too aren’t you?

Yes we are starting to welcome larger groups who are booking the entire venue. Some are for corporate team building events and some are for Christmas parties.

Please call for details and let us cater for your party – and why not have a few games of augmented reality darts while you’re here?

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 81

Wishing all our customers, old and new,

A Merry Christmas & Happy New Year, E O Culverwell Ltd, Robertsbridge

Gold, Frankincense & Mower Visit Culverwells for all of your Winter Garden Tool needs.

Stihl, Husqvarna and Mountfield essentials in stock to help you with your seasonal garden chores!

Don’t forget to ask us about servicing your lawn mowers and tools ready for next spring!

Station Road, Robertsbridge, East Sussex TN32 5DG | 01580 880567

Think ahead

Although you might be in full festive swing right now, Tim Sykes of Gardenproud says that December is actually a great time to think about what improvements you might want to make in your garden come spring…

A

s we approach Christmas and the New Year, what better time to lay down plans for improving your garden?

You may be thinking of some planting improvements, or have plans to extend your house that will impact the garden? Or you may be looking to refurbish or redesign your terrace? Create a kitchen herb and veg garden, or even an outdoor kitchen?

Whatever you are contemplating I recommend engaging the services of a good local garden designer.

The added value and creative insight they will bring to any solution is worth every penny.

When you are planning on embarking on a new project, think about the timing. Be realistic about timescales, consider when you want the work completed and then work back through the likely process. You’ll need to allow enough time to compile a brief, fix a budget, select a designer, and landscaper so they can carry out the works. For a small project this cycle might be achieved in the space of a month, but for a large project you could be looking to start the process at least six months prior to that.

Setting a budget is a critical part of the process. Getting this right can avoid a lot of wasted time and energy.

Typically designers charge between £1500 + VAT, equalling around 10% of the project value

“When you are planning on embarking on a new project, think about the timing. Be realistic about timescales, consider when you want the work completed and then work back through the likely process”

Tim Sykes

Gardenproud

(much like an architect). That’s not surprising when you consider they not only have to come up with the concept, but also how it’s going to be executed. Then they need to create working drawings and planting plans, and oversee the whole process to make sure the finished rendition remains faithful to the vision.

If your garden has a challenging landscape then the designer may request a full survey and topographical study prior to preparing plans. There may be structural aspects to garden walls and features that also require expert input. So be prepared for this in your budgeting.

If your garden requires structural walls and terracing then these will need to comply with planning and building regulations and so would be estimated accordingly.

Getting the design of your garden right can add real

kerb appeal to your house and transform the enjoyment of your property as a whole. Increasingly it is also seen as a great investment.

Renowned designer Andy Stedman believes that a well-designed and landscaped garden can add up to 15-20% extra value to a property.

When compiling your brief think about these factors and how you want to use your garden? Draw up a wish list of the main features you would like to incorporate.

Think about the style of gardens and planting you have seen and you like. Maybe compile your own mood board.

Consider when you are likely to make the most use of the garden?

Will you for example look and admire the garden during daylight hours, but make the most use of it in the twilight hours? So here a creative lighting approach could be critical. Also think about the style of your house and its footprint in relation to the garden.

Other factors that may impact include where you are situated, or whether your property is listed. If you live in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, or Conservation

Area, certain aspects of your design may require approvals. If your property is listed then you may require Listing and Planning approval for any major alteration, even a new terrace! If your garden is sloping and you require walls, or surfaces that sit higher than 300mm then these will also require approvals. If you are at all uncertain about any of these aspects then talk to your designer, or a planning consultant. Or even seek an informal audience with a local conservation, or planning officer and they will be happy to guide you.

Remember the end result is always worth it and brings so much joy! So whatever your plans a conversation now with a garden designer could be the first step to realising a garden transformation that will flourish and you will enjoy for many years to come.

Why not make it your New Year’s resolution?

Contact Tim Sykes on 07725 173820 at Gardenproud for further information and guidance on your plans for 2024.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 83

TRAVEL

Get into the true Christmas spirit visiting

I

There’s no need to cross over to the continent for mulled wine and handmade gifts, says Sarah Marshall...

In the past, Europe was the go-to destination for Christmas markets. Wooden cabins in Germany overflowed with gluhwein, towers of panettonefilled Italian Alpine chalets and French traders were the kings of handmade crafts.

But savvy stallholders in the UK and Ireland now offer just as many great treats. In fact, our markets are now so good, many sellers from overseas have chosen to temporarily set up shop on our soils for the festive season.

Choosing to Christmas shop closer to home is smart, sustainable and it’ll save you money. And with a number of great value lodges and holiday homes still available, it’s possible to transform the experience into a joyous mini-break without having to be a Scrooge.

Best for… historic surroundings ST NICHOLAS FAIR, YORK Runs until December 22

Expect a double dose of festive cheer at York’s St Nicholas Fair, which celebrates its 30th edition this season. Weave through more than 75 Alpine chalets selling handmade crafts and street food in Parliament Street and St Sampson’s Square, or hop online to make purchases if you can’t make it to the event. Travel back in time at York Mansion House, the official residence of the Lord Mayor of York, where children can meet a Santa from the 1800s, while parents play parlour games. Visit visityork.org/christmas.

STAY: Crabtree & Crabtree offer a three-night stay at six-person holiday home Number 109, in the

Padstow Christmas Festival, Cornwall

84 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

St Nicholas Fair, York

centre of the historic city, from £410. Visit crabtreeandcrabree.com.

Gunwharf Quays Christmas Village, Portsmouth

Best for… foodies

PADSTOW CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL, CORNWALL December 7-10

“Our markets are now so good, many sellers from overseas have chosen to temporarily set up shop on our soils for the festive season.

Choosing to Christmas shop closer to home is smart, sustainable and it’ll save you money”

What do you give the person who has everything? An edible present is a guaranteed hit – after all, you can never have enough food (even at Christmas). Few places offer up as many tasty treats as the West Country’s top culinary town, Padstow, where more than 100 artisans will be

selling their products as part of a weekend festival, featuring cooking demonstrations and taster sessions.

The line-up for this year’s not-forprofit event includes appearances from Cornish food heroes Rick Stein, Paul Ainsworth and Emily

Scott, along with national chef A-listers such as Valentine Warner, Matt Tebbutt and Michael Caines.

At Sharp’s Solar Wave Silent Bistro, 60 guests are invited to pop on a pair of headphones to hear a selection of specially

TRAVEL

one of these magical festive experiences selected sounds and watch chefs cook bitesize dishes, while Sharp’s expert beer sommelier Ed Hughes pairs the dishes with the brewery’s award-winning portfolio of beers.

Visit padstowchristmasfestival. co.uk.

Belfast Christmas Market, Northern Ireland

STAY: Lovat Parks offers a fournight break in a two-bedroom holiday home (sleeping six) at Padstow Holiday Village, a 20-minute walk from the town centre, from £324. Visit lovatparks. com.

Best for… a night out GUNWHARF QUAYS CHRISTMAS VILLAGE, PORTSMOUTH Runs until December 31

Watch twinkling lights reflected in the waterfront at one of the south coast’s top seasonal attractions.

Gunwharf Quays shopping plaza in Portsmouth will be transformed into a gifting wonderland with stalls, games and themed bars. New for this year are two Bavarian-style curling lanes, giving first-timers a chance to dabble in the popular Winter Olympic sport. Snack on sizzling German bratwursts while snaking through chalets and take a spin on a 22 metre-high observation wheel illuminated at night. When temperatures drop, snuggle into an igloo-inspired seating area to sip on mulled wine or sample a variety of imported beers at the Alpine Lodge Bar. STAY: Holiday Inn Express at the heart of Gunwharf Quays, or at luxury serviced apartments Gunwharf Quays Apartments.

Doubles from £90 with breakfast.

Visit hiexpress.com.

Best for… local

Waterford Winterval, Republic of Ireland

TONBRIDGE CHRISTMAS MARKET, Runs until December 24

Tonbridge Christmas market in partnership with the TN card opened its doors at the end of last month, welcoming thousands to the grounds of Tonbridge Castle.

The market will see up to 30 different traders each day offering a selection of fantastic products perfect for Christmas presents.

The market is designed to showcase the best of local with small businesses from across the TN postcodes showcasing handcrafted makes and produce.

The TN card has been a driving force behind the community-based market, bringing in hundreds of traders across the four weeks.

The market is open from 4pm to 10pm Monday to Friday and from 12pm to 10pm at weekends, until Christmas Eve. While at the market, explore the Alpine Village; enjoy warm churros, crumbles, savoury food and hot chocolates or warm up with a mulled wine or two in the Alpine Bar.

traditional Irish bar.

STAY: Opened in October, eco hometel room2 Belfast is a sevenminute walk from the market and has doubles from £130 per night with breakfast. Visit room2.com/ belfast.

Best for… entertainment

WATERFORD WINTERVAL, REPUBLIC OF IRELAND Runs until December 23

Tonbridge Christmas Market

Best for… family fun BELFAST CHRISTMAS MARKET, NORTHERN IRELAND Runs until December 22

Held within the grounds of Belfast City Hall at Donegall Square, one of Ireland’s longest Christmas markets is now in its 18th year.

Although rooted in Irish tradition, the atmosphere is international,

with more than 100 stallholders representing over 30 countries.

Tuck into Belgian chocolates, hog roasts, crepes and a ‘hug in a mug’ mulled wine from Germany’s award-winning Kochem vineyard.

Between shopping and snacking, ride a vintage helter-skelter, jump aboard a Santa train and zoom down a large snow-slide.

After a trip to Santa’s grotto, finish the day with live music at Lavery’s

Taking over the streets of Ireland’s oldest city, Waterford Winterval festival is an extravaganza of light shows, circus acts, immersive theatre performances and magical happenings.

To sample the many shopping and food stalls, either explore by foot or take a ride on the Winterval Express train, which weaves through all the festive destinations in the city.

A stand-out show for this year is an adaptation of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe

by CS Lewis, featuring fire, aerial and acrobatic performances (€14 adults, €12 children).

Follow a band of merry elves to find Santa’s Gingerbread House decorated in candy canes, where every child receives a gift (children €25). Visit winterval.ie.

STAY: The family-run Granville Hotel, a 10-minute walk from the Winterval site, has doubles from £96 with breakfast. Visit granvillehotel.ie/en.

SO Magazine | DECEMBER 2023 | 85

MOTORS

FIRST DRIVE: Volvo EX30 Volvo is aiming to capture a huge slice of EV sales in Britain with its new baby electric SUV. Is it a winner?

WHAT IS IT?

Probably the thing we’ll most remember about 2023 is the influx of Chinese electric cars that have made EVs from the established European brands look expensive.

And, to be fair, they are pricey with carmakers tending to favour larger models that generate juicier profits.

But that could change with the Volvo EX30 because, on the surface at least, it’s a high-quality EV with a decent electric range and has a low starting price of just under £34,000.

The EX30 could be the EV Brits have been waiting for.

WHAT’S NEW?

Up until now, Volvo’s electric cars have been good but a little compromised by having to share their underpinnings with petrol and diesel models. That changes with EX30 because it’s been designed and engineered to be an EV from the very outset.

Volvo is making some big claims about its new baby SUV, saying that it’s not only the quickest accelerating car it has ever built, but also the greenest. The EX30 will be the entry point to Volvo’s line-up, with the recently revealed seven-seat EX90 topping the model range.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET?

There’s the choice of two battery options. The entry-level Single Motor model gets – forgive us for getting scientific here – a 51kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery, which uses fewer expensive materials, is less resource-intensive, and is less degrading over time. It’s cheaper, overall, but that also means

the driving range is limited – Volvo claims 214 miles, which will likely be well under 200 in normal driving, and even lower in colder conditions.

Then there’s the ‘NMC’ battery, which is of the type used in many electric cars, and uses lithium, nickel manganese and cobalt – precious metals, in other words. This 69kWh battery is reserved for the Single Motor Extended Range and the Twin Motor Performance models; it’s more expensive but it unlocks more range. You get up to 298 miles in the Single Motor, while the Twin Motor travels a little less at 286 miles.

Both the Single Motor and Single Motor Extended Range models have a 270bhp electric motor on the back axle, while the Twin Motor Performance gets an additional motor on the front axle and has a total output of 424bhp. It races from 0-60mph in 3.4 seconds, making it the quickest accelerating Volvo ever.

The Extended and Twin Motor models get a heat pump as standard, while the changing capacities are 135kW for the Single Motor and 154kW for the Extended and Twin Motor cars.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The Twin Motor Performance may well be the quickest car Volvo has ever made, but it’s a bit of a mixed bag to drive. There’s no denying it’s quick, but the car feels a little overwhelmed by the power deployed from the two motors, and it’s a feeling that’s exacerbated by a fidgety ride from the standard-fit 20-inch wheels, and twitchy reactions from the overly light steering.

Things improve considerably with

the Single Motor Extended Range, which gets a more supple ride from its smaller 19-inch rims, and the steering feels far more fluid. Its softer, slightly more easy-going nature makes for a more enjoyable driving experience.

Drivers can tweak how firm they want the steering with three different options (soft, medium and firm) but there’s very little difference between either of them, while the level of brake regeneration can be altered and there’s a one-pedal driving mode. The latter is good around the city, but it’s not as finely tuned as systems from Nissan and BMW. Speaking of systems, the EX30 gets a suite of driver assistance features that, in our pre-production test cars at least, were highly intrusive and either nibbled the steering to keep the car in-lane, or constantly bonged and beeped – this was despite these systems being switched off.

We’re told these will be tweaked on customer cars.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The EX30 is one of those cars where pictures don’t do it justice. It’s a very handsome car that takes those classic Volvo design cues – ‘Thor’s Hammer’ headlights, strong shoulder line, and tall rear lights – and neatly updates them; in some ways it makes the XC40 look a little dated.

There’s no need for a ‘grille’ as it’s an EV, but unlike some carmakers which give their electric cars a bland looking appearance, Volvo has succeeded in giving its car an identity. The design is topped off with some chunky rear arches, squat roofline and the rear lights are split with the upper units appearing to integrate into the rear screen. It’s a simple but really good looking piece of design.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? Volvo has tried hard to ‘declutter’ things, so the central touchscreen takes pride of place and elegantly appears to be perched on the dashboard like a picture frame. It runs a new infotainment system that is fairly easy to use, but we miss the small row of buttons that you find on other older Volvos, such as the chunky volume knob.

TORQUE: 343Nm

Speaking of buttons, there are just two switches to control the front electric windows; they’re mounted on the centre console and to operate the rear windows requires the pressing of a button marked ‘rear’. Much like it is on a VW ID.3, however, it’s a fiddly thing to do.

Another annoyance is the speedo being only positioned on the central screen and there being no secondary display in front of the driver, such as a head-up display. Volvo says there’s no ‘HUD’ because it would get in the way of the Harman Kardon soundbar that runs the full width of the bottom edge of the windscreen; it does deliver a great sound, though, and it takes the place of the door speakers and consequently the door bins are huge.

The real metal door handles are a delight, and there’s a choice of different colours and trims – the ‘flax’ dash trim is nice, but another uses broken up pieces of uPVC windows looks, similar to the type of flooring you find in a hospital.

0-60MPH: 5.1 seconds

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

FACTS AT A GLANCE MODEL: Volvo EX30 Single Motor Extended Range Ultra PRICE AS TESTED: £42,045 ENGINE: Single electric motor with 69kWh battery POWER: 270bhp

MAX SPEED: 112mph EMISSIONS: 0g/km RANGE: 298 miles MAXIMUM CHARGE RATE: 154kW

For now, the EX30 starts at £33,795 for the Single Motor in Plus trim which makes it very competitive – for comparison, the cheapest Vauxhall Mokka Electric is some £5,000 dearer – and there’s promise of an ever cheaper ‘Core’ model coming in at around £32,000. Most will opt for the Extended Range, though, which starts at £38,545, which means the EX30 isn’t quite the bargain you might initially be led to believe.

That said, in this guise, the EX30 is still on pricing terms with a Kia Niro EV, and there’s no doubting the Volvo badge has greater cache.

The Twin Motor Performance cars, meanwhile, start at £40,995 and rise to £44,495.

In terms of those trims, ‘Plus’ is very well equipped and gets heated front seats and steering wheel, ambient lighting, the Harman Kardon sound bar, wireless phone charging, an 11kW on-board charging, and a heat pump (for the larger battery versions). ‘Ultra’ adds extra tech, along with a glass roof, larger wheels, electric seats and a 22kW on-board charger.

VERDICT

On paper, the Volvo EX30 is a hugely tempting and much needed competitively priced offering in the burgeoning electric car market.

While that low headline price is for a version that most buyers will likely find too compromised in terms of range, the EX30 is still a very desirable small electric SUV that makes many EVs from supposedly more value-for-many brands look unnecessarily overpriced.

Factor in stylish good looks, a very comfortable and tasteful interior, and the cache of that Volvo badge, and you’re left in no doubt that the EX30 will easily be a star car of 2024.

And, more likely than not, a hugely popular car on British roads.

86 | DECEMBER 2023 | SO Magazine

H-E

H ENGINEERING PROUDLY UNDERTAKE THE RESTORATION OF CLASSIC & VINTAGE VEHICLES.

WWW.H-ENGINEERING.COM

H Engineering Ltd, Little Cacketts Farm, Haymans Hill, Horsmonden, Kent, TN12 8BX info@h-engineering.com | 01892 549042