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DINING DELIGHT

The Penshurst pub bottling some culinary magic

March 2019

THE INSTA INFLUENCERS

Meet the Tunbridge Wells bloggers making their mark

HOME FRONT

How to turn up the style dial on your interiors

r u o Y TYLE

S W E N O

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e l a B n a i t s i r h C

2 S E E T H E AWA R D - W I N N I N G A C TO R O N T H E

BIG SCREEN IN TUNBRIDGE WELLS THIS MONTH2

K I R K & K IRK STYLING DAY S a t u r d a y 6 th A p r i l 0 9 : 3 0 - 1 6 . 0 0 Eyewear legend Jason Kirk on hand to help style your perfect pair FULL KIRK & KIRK COLLECTION IN STORE

35 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells TN1 1LS 01892 517986

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The everyday lens with enhanced driving performance

Welcome

Editor’s LETTER

elcome to your new edition of SO magazine, which is now being distributed every month with your copy of the Times of Tunbridge Wells and Times of Tonbridge. The reason we’re doing this? Well, it’s simply because we want to ensure that SO reaches a much bigger audience in order to give more people the chance to read our quality offering of local lifestyle features. In its new guise SO will be seen by almost 45,000 people – one of the biggest publications in Kent and East Sussex. In this our March edition you’ll find a mix of fascinating reads, including one about Childrensalon’s CEO Michele Harrington-Smith (p8), who has kept her hugely successful children’s designer clothing business firmly anchored in Tunbridge Wells, and has therefore established it as one of the area’s biggest employers. It’s a great family success story which has put the town on the global business map. Then of course there’s all you need to know about the numerous live events, historic places of interest and cultural hot spots to enjoy over the coming month courtesy of our new Culture Hub section (p4-5). One of these is Trinity Theatre, which is running screenings of Vice starring Christian Bale, who bulks up to play former US Vice President Dick Cheney. You can catch Vice later this month. As it’s our new launch edition we thought we’d also celebrate some of the area’s interesting

4 7 personalities whether they’re social media influencers such as Jane Dumas AKA What Lulu Loves (p25), who has an impressive 24,000 followers on Instagram, or talented experts in their chosen field like successful foodie photographer Jason Wain (p35). Talking of food we have also upped our gastronomic offering in SO to bring you a wide variety of features which range from our traditional food reviews to interviews with some of food and drink scene’s most pioneering chefs and mixologists. And of course you’ll still find all our usual content on education, property, gardening and travel. So sit back, relax and enjoy reading your copy of the March issue – and do tell me if there’s someone or something you’d like to see us feature in the future. Editor Eileen Leahy

contents

SALES DIRECTOR Gemma Hak ghak@markerstudy.com

EDITORIAL Victoria Truman Charlie Bond Andy Tong

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Richard Moore rmoore@markerstudy.com

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY Jason Swift Joanna Turfitt Craig Matthews

PRINTED BY: Mortons Print PUBLISHED BY

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. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

Frampton’s head chef: Rob Theron takes the heat in the kitchen

Snap shot Jason Wain reveals his foodie pic tips p35 Mark Thomas see him at Trinity p4

8 10 14

Property expert: Georgina Burnett reveals how to make money

Insta influencer Jane Dumas on how to win at social media

Meet the local business CEO: who has attracted a global following Social scene: The launch of this year’s Crazy Jean’s Soapbox race Discover how: you can see Christian Bale at Trinity Theatre this month

All in the detail S/S19 interiors inspiration p36

Tel: 01892 779650 www.timeslocalnews.co.uk

HEAD OF DESIGN Lee Smith lsmith8@markerstudy.com

Your guide: to all the luxuries you need to enhance your life

SALOMONS ESTATE Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG

EDITOR Eileen Leahy info@somagazines.co.uk

March 2019

Culture vulture: our round-up of where to go and what to see this month

17 21 29 31

Life & Style: your essential guide to fashion, interiors and travel

49 55 62 66

Victoria Truman: says now is the time to spring into action in your garden The Judd School’s Jonathan Wood: on how teachers and pupils can benefit from the Prince’s Trust A rounded approach: we test-drive the new Volkswagen Polo Talk of the Town: illustrator Bonnita Moaby gets up close and personal with Tom Hardy

Georga Cottle: tells you how to keep your wellbeing in check – for life Moody blues: Charlie Bond on why denim never goes out of fashion Andy Tong: pays a visit to The Bottle House Inn in Penshurst

Red rocks get your travel fix for 2019 SO Magazine | March 2019 | 3

Calendar

CULTURE HUB Our edit of the most entertaining events happening this month...

DID YOU KNOW Anne Boleyn, whose childhood home was Hever Castle, was King Henry VIII’s second wife, and reigned as Queen of England for just 1,000 days

amateurs alike. Categories include the Beauty of Plants, Wildlife in the Garden and Wildflower Landscapes. Normal admission prices apply. To find out more visit www.nationaltrust.org.uk

CATCH THE CAT IN THE HAT: Dr Seuss, Assembly Hall from Tuesday March 12 to Saturday March 16

Audiences both young and old will love seeing Curve and Rose Theatre’s version of that Dr Seuss classic The Cat in the Hat. Zany feline fun abounds aplenty when the Cat shows up at the house of brother and sister, Conrad and Sally, while

DID YOU KNOW JUST FOR LAUGHS: Mark Thomas: Check Up, Trinity Theatre, March 29

Fans of the political satirist and journalist Mark Thomas will find the perfect remedy in his new show Check Up. It centres around the interviews he conducted with leading NHS, medical experts and patients during the month he spent shadowing at a West London NHS trust. As well as his engaging rhetoric on his findings he casts a reflective eye on his own mortality now he’s officially middle aged– he’s 54 – and it’s also Brexit night! So if you want to hear his musings on what’s going right, what’s wrong and how can things possibly get better with the NHS then make sure you make an appointment to go along. Tickets cost £17 from www.trinitytheatre.net 4 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

Trinity Theatre welcomed 90,000 people through its doors between 2017/2018

PICTURE PERFECT: International Garden Photographer of the Year competition, Sissinghurst Castle, until March 21

If you’re a lover of the great outdoors then you must pay a visit to the enchanting and ethereal Sissinghurst Castle. This is where you can see a stunning collection of images as part of the National Trust’s International Garden Photographer of the Year competition. From portraits of plants to panoramic plains there’s a visual feast of natural beauty to enjoy, from both professional photographers and

their mother is out. Of course the children’s pet fish objects to the Cat’s presence but that doesn’t stop all sorts of mayhem from happening with Thing 1 and Thing 2. With an original musical score by Tasha Taylor Johnson this is a fun production that’s perfect for all the family. Tickets cost from £19.25.To book or find out about group and family deals visit www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

BECAUSE SHE’S WORTH IT: Mother’s Day weekend at Hever Castle, March 30 and 31

Over the final weekend of March Hever Castle will be hosting a

special event for all mothers to enjoy with their families. As well as being able to wander around and discover the impressive history of the childhood home of Anne Boleyn, if the weather is fine there’ll be the chance to enjoy a leisurely stroll around the castle’s glorious grounds and see the wealth of spring flowers coming into bloom. Add to the mix a cup cake decorating workshop and fantastic adventure playground for children and this

Calendar

sounds like a perfect treat, not just for mothers but for all the family. But perhaps best of all is the deliciously decadent afternoon tea, which includes finger sandwiches and some very tempting homemade cakes – as well as a complementary flute of fizz for mummies. What could be better? Booking for the teas in the Pavilion restaurant

DID YOU KNOW Last year the Assembly Hall had 117,000 ticketed attendances – up from 99k the previous year

(£24.50 per adult) and Astor Wing (£35) is essential and can be done by visiting www.hevercastle.co.uk

LET’S DANCE: Ballet Central, EM Forster Theatre, March 30

There’s something quite magical about seeing a group of young dancers who are on the cusp of their professional careers performing up close and personal. And now is your chance to do this locally courtesy of Ballet Central, who are coming to the EM Forster theatre in Tonbridge at the end of this month. The hugely talented group will be showing their exquisite skills in an exciting and varied programme of both classical ballet and contemporary dance theatre. Highlights include Christopher Marney’s Carousel Dances, inspired by the 1945 musical Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein, a unique version of the Dying Swan Solo created by Calvin Richardson, and an extract from Frederick Ashton’s acclaimed Valses Nobles et Sentimentales performed to Maurice Ravel’s suite of waltzes. Tickets cost £16, £14 concessions (under 16 and over 65) £11 group rate for 10+ tickets and can be ordered via www.emtheatre.com

MAKE SOME FREE ME TIME: Free yoga class trial session, Friday March 29 at 9.15am

If you’ve been putting off starting that new fitness regime so far this year, then you really have no excuse for not to get started thanks to a new – and free – Aerial Fitness class that Bora Studio are hosting at the end of the month. Organiser Anissa says that this is ‘a yoga class to set your spirits soaring’, describing it as a ‘perfect combination to quieten the mind and focus on the body’. The Bora Studios can be found on Mount Pleasant Road. You’d better be quick to reserve your spot as spaces are limited. You can book through MindBody App or contact Anissa on 07402666847 or oranissa@borastudio.co.uk SO Magazine | March 2019 | 5

A different perspective.

We donâ€™t really view our stores as stores. Theyâ€™re places to make yourself at home. Neptune Canterbury, 01227 209300 Neptune Tonbridge, 01732 351866

retail therapy

LIFE’S LITTLE

LUXURIES Well travelled There’s regular holdalls and then there’s this utterly stylish one by the designer Tom Ford. Sporting a vibrant tangerine tone it’ll certainly stand out in any first class lounge and is perfectly sized to hold a weekend’s worth of essential sartorial and grooming kit. Made from supple suede that will flex and accommodate a full haul, it also has sleek leather trims and a canvas inner lining for durability. Tom Ford leather trimmed suede holdhall, £2,290, Mr Porter, mrporter.com

Scents and sensibility The Night Eau de Parfum by Fréderic Malle fragrance is an ‘ode to the Middle East’ thanks to its generous notes of natural oud, amber and aromatic Turkish rose which offers a spiced sweetness to this exquisite fragrance, created by Dominique Ropion. The prestigious ‘nose’ took his inspiration from ‘the sacred moment in the evening when dusk falls upon a hot climate’ and the olfactory result is a romantic and refined fragrance that is a true contemporary classic. £2,000 (250ml) available from libertylondon.com

Trunk call This luxurious Special Capri trunk, which is a bigger version of the Capri original, is a really unique piece of furniture which is ideal for the storage and preparation of fine wines and cocktails. It boasts a three-sided opening, door handles and classic locks. Its use of precious materials which include rare marble and wood species makes the product utterly decadent and desirable. Externally, the product, which is handmade in Italy is covered with the softest of high quality leather. Capri Trunk Special Edition, £28,020, artemest.com

Here’s our edit of this month’s covetable collectables which will enhance your life

Driving force The new Lamborghini Huracán EVO Spyder was launched last month at the Geneva Motor show. It boasts an engine derived from Huracán Performante which produces 640 hp and 600 Nm of torque. Its acceleration reaches 0-100 km/h in 3.1 seconds and its top speed goes to 325 km/h. Its electrohydraulic, lightweight soft top boasts aerodynamic superiority and the 5.2 litre naturally-aspirated Lamborghini V10 engine uprates for a higher power output. Lamborghini.com

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 7

SO Interview

‘

Childrensalon has grown out of a passion for what we do and the fact we also have fun

’

One of the biggest retail success stories in Tunbridge Wells is that of the Childrensalon empire. Here its CEO Michele Harriman-Smith (pictured left) tells us how her business has evolved

or those who may be unfamiliar with the Childrensalon brand, can you give us a brief history of it? It started with my mother Sybil and her passion for beautiful clothing. She was raised in a very creative family and learned to sew and design clothing at an early age. After the war, she started sewing circles in Vienna and then in Tunbridge Wells when she and my dad relocated here. Her sewing became so popular she started her own business creating beautiful hand-smocked dresses. The label was called ‘Joy Models’ after my eldest sister. With the success of this, she then opened up a shop, and in a nod to my father’s French heritage they called it The Children’s Salon. The business grew and soon they began stocking all of the best children’s labels of the day. How did you become involved in the business? In the 1980s, I took over running the shop and built on what my mother had started. My husband is an artist and an illustrator, and one day he came to me with the idea of putting The Children’s Salon online with a website. Initially, I did the coding, learning everything I could from books, however it soon got too complicated for me to do by myself. Within a few years the business grew very rapidly and we were emailing and chatting to people from all over the world, helping them dress their children beautifully, just as my mother had done in the shop. Our ethos was always to treat our customers the same special way we did in the shop. Very soon the majority of our business was online, and keeping up with it became our focus and passion. As the business grew so did our team, many of whom have been with us from the beginning. It’s been such an incredible journey, and we have learned so many things along the way. You are one of the area’s biggest employers, can you tell us how many people are on your staff? We now have over 370 members of the team, most of whom live locally or have relocated to Tunbridge Wells, but we are always on the hunt for talent. Given how rapidly we are growing, finding talent has been challenging at times, and as a result of this we started holding our own in-house careers fairs. We find meeting people in person is so much better than looking at CVs! We are very excited to announce we will be holding our fourth in-house careers fair on Saturday March 23, and are looking forward to it being just as successful as the others we have held. What are the benefits of working in a place like Tunbridge Wells? It is a lovely town to live in, with plenty of choices to have fun and spend quality time. It is our home and where Childrensalon was founded and we couldn’t 8 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

KEEPING UP WITH TRENDS ALL OVER THE WORLD We are a global company and our customers’ seasonal choices differ depending on which country they live in.

WHERE DO YOU SOURCE DESIGNS FROM? We carry brands from all over the world, and have a buying team of 20 who travel extensively to make sure we always have the most beautiful assortment of both upand-coming, traditional and more high-end designers

Can you tell us which awards you have won over the past few years? We have been incredibly proud to have been given a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade. To have been recognised at that level was amazing. Last year also saw us rank at No. 45 on the Sunday Times Best Companies to Work For list for 2018, and that was also special for us. We’ve always been a family business and our team is a huge part of this. We have very low staff turnover compared to many other businesses in our industry and I think it is down to our culture and making sure everyone feels valued. Another part of our ethos is paying people fairly so they can afford to live in the community they work in. We were very proud to have joined the Living Wage Foundation in 2015, and last year we were awarded the Living Wage Foundation Employee’s Choice Award, which is chosen based on feedback from the team.

imagine being anywhere else. Tunbridge Wells also has strong transport links to London, which has really helped with the running of the business. These links have also helped us find and retain the talent we need.

What keeps you so excited and passionate about your business? Being able to come to work and do something I love, plus work alongside people I care about – and then to have fun on top of it all is just amazing! We have always loved what we do. Giving our customers the best assortment of products, the best customer service, and the best online experience is a challenge, and we will always be passionate about making sure we continue to evolve.

Why do you think your business has been so successful, especially in a difficult retail climate? When people ask why Childrensalon has been successful, I always say it grew out of a passion and love for what we were doing, for our customers and the fact that we also have fun. Every day is different, and we have learned so many things from the mistakes we made. We also put our customers, our team, and the community we live in first, and our value of ‘People Before Profit’ says this best, really. We are privately owned and this has helped us to remain agile and to keep our culture and, in turn, stay on the same path that has brought us where we are.

Can you tell us how the plans to automate your warehouse will be a game-changer for you? The last few years represented a steady 40% growth year on year for Childrensalon. To continue our high levels of service, last year we started implementing Autostore, a warehouse automation system which will maximise efficiency and ensure we cope with the growth we will be experiencing over the next five years. The system is almost ready to be rolled out, and soon some of our customers’ orders will be processed automatically. And true to Childrensalon’s value of protecting the environment, the entire system will be 100% powered by solar energy.

How do you find designers to stock? We carry a very large assortment of British designers for all tastes and budgets, and our team of buyers do an amazing job finding them. We always try and attend the British trade shows, where we have always found special things.

What is the benefit of having a presence on the high street with the Childrensalon Outlet? Tunbridge Wells High Street is our heritage and the shop will always hold immense sentimental value to us. Keeping a visible presence on the high street is a part of this.

Social Scene

ALL REVVED UP Crazy Jean’s Soapbox Kart Race launch

After the success of last year’s inaugural Crazy Jean’s Soapbox Kart Race, which took place last summer at Dunorlan Park and raised money for local charities including Hospice in the Weald, the organisers recently threw a party to launch their 2019 extravaganza. Present on the night, which was hosted at the Tunbridge Wells Hotel, were Suzi Mitchell from Taylor Made Dreams, chef Rosemary Shrager, Tom Swift of Wicked Productions and Leeann Wilma representing the Hospice in the Weald. Representatives from West Kent Motorsport division, who are partnering the event, were also in attendance along with Nicole Piesse Turner from Crazy Jeans Events. This year the race will take place at Dunorlan on June 8 and more than 40 soapbox

10 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

karts have already been reserved by eager teams of racers looking to participate in this fun family event. Last year’s races raised tens of thousands of pounds for charity. “Entrants all get a basic soapbox, which they can personalise and modify to be as wacky and crazy as they like,” said Nicole Piesse Turner. Commenting on Rosemary Shrager’s involvement this year as the race’s ambassador Nicole continued: “She represents everything that’s good about the event: it is crazy, warm and lots of fun!” To find out more or book tickets visit crazyjeansevents. com. If you’d like to see your social event appear in SO magazine please email your pictures and words to info@ somagazines.co.uk

FRESHENING THE FACES OF TUNBRIDGE WELLS AND BEYOND...

Advertorial

People considering plastic surgery are taking more care over choosing a clinic and surgeon than ever before, so we asked local surgeon, Mr Amir Nakhdjevani, Founder and Consultant Plastic Surgeon at the Bella Vou clinic in The Pantiles, for his tips on making the right choice for you.

breast and facial surgery, as well as non-surgical treatments such as dermal fillers and anti-wrinkle injections. Particularly popular is the Concept™ Facelift.

AMIR, CAN YOU GIVE US A BIT OF BACKGROUND ABOUT YOU AND YOUR CLINIC? We set up Bella Vou in 2015 so we could look after patients seeking cosmetic procedures in a way that all too often isn’t achieved in other private hospitals. We believe that patients want a truly exceptional experience throughout their surgical journey, with attention to detail that rivals the very best in hospitality in addition to surgical excellence with state-of-the-art facilities that reflect the high standards of the Care Quality Commission. But, what really sets us apart, is that many of the procedures we offer can be carried out under local anaesthetic, with patients walking in, having their procedure and walking out the same day. WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT BEING A PLASTIC SURGEON? So many things! As a plastic surgeon, I deal with a wide range of people of all different ages, background and needs, covering cosmetics and reconstruction. I enjoy getting to know so many fine people each day, which inspires me as I come to understand their day to day struggles and hopes to resolve a concern that often may have affected them for many years. To see the change in these patients’ lives is just so rewarding. I also enjoy the challenge of very complex surgical cases and working out how to give the patient the very best outcome and to meet their expectations. Often, what is most apparent is a concern over a visual attribute, but it’s the psychological impact behind the physical alteration which improves their quality of life most. Helping people to feel more comfortable with themselves is a great feeling. WHAT ARE SOME OF THE POPULAR PROCEDURES IN YOUR CLINIC? We offer a range of cosmetic procedures covering body contouring,

THE CONCEPT™ FACELIFT WAS SOMETHING YOU PIONEERED, WASN’T IT? Having listened to patients’ concerns about the downsides of a traditional facelift and, wanting to offer the same outcome but with a drastically reduced recovery time, I pioneered the Concept™ Facelift in 2013. No one else in the world offers this technique and, as a result, we get patients flying in from all over the world due to the benefits it offers over a traditional facelift. I looked at ways of developing the technique so it can be performed under a local anaesthetic. Our patients leave the same day, without drains or bandages, no staples in the hairline or extensive bruising. It might sound too good to be true, but the results speak for themselves! WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE CONTEMPLATING A FACELIFT? Firstly, you need to find a surgeon who is very experienced, understands your needs, and takes the time to explain the risks and address any concerns you might have. Ask to see lots of past patients’ before and after photos and speak to past patients about their experience.

We spoke to Angie, who had a Concept™ Facelift, Neck Lift and Eyelid Surgery in June 2017, about her experience: “I had started to feel invisible and people shops had started to refer to me as ‘madam’ which made me even more aware of my age, so I wanted to do what I could to change that. I did a lot of research and during that came across Bella Vou, and Amir’s approach really appealed to me, particularly because of the use of local anaesthetic and the fast recovery. The day after the surgery, I looked in the mirror and thought “That’s me, that’s the me I wanted to see again”. I don’t look like someone I don’t recognise, which was really important to me. I love it, I tell everyone I had it done I’m so pleased!”

Choose a clinic that offers the best aftercare and doesn’t place limits on this, keeping you informed and confident at all stages of your journey. Having realistic expectations is key. With any facelift surgery, you’re not stopping the ageing process, you’re turning back the clock. A patient should expect to look healthier and fresher, but results should still look natural. The question of price comes up during consultations. Costs can vary considerably but, just because someone is more expensive, that doesn’t make them better. Try not to focus on the cost, make sure you’ve got the other areas above covered first before you make this potentially life changing decision. For more information about Bella Vou, its surgeons and the procedures they offer, and to see patient testimonials alongside before and after photos, please visit www.bellavou.co.uk

Before After

COVER Section FEATURE

In celebration of a true Hollywood heavyweight Christian Bale is riding high on the back of his latest celluloid success courtesy of his scintillating portrayal of former US Vice President Dick Cheney in the political satire Vice. If you haven’t already seen it, you can catch it at Trinity Theatre on March 12. Eileen Leahy gives the low-down on Christian and his cinematic career so far…

Christian Bale with wife Sibi Blazic

t’s fair to say that the British actor Christian Bale as distant as possible. Otherwise, I can’t do it.” Such dedication to his craft has earned Bale, who is no stranger to going to severe extremes when made his celluloid debut at the tender age of 13 in it comes to getting into character for his roles. From beefing up for Batman, gaining an incredible Stephen Spielberg’s Empire of the Sun in 1987, a number of coveted industry awards and two Oscars. 43 pounds to play bloated Irving Rosenfeld in The first was for his role in The Fighter (2011) and the American Hustle to dropping 60lb to near on most recent came just last month for his portrayal of emaciation in The Machinist and then going gaunt the controversial Cheney in the much acclaimed Vice. once again for The Fighter, 43-year-old Bale is Written and directed by Adam McKay, certainly one of Hollywood’s most canny whose previous film The Big Short brilliantly chameleons who certainly likes to take dramatised the 2008 global financial crisis, things to the max. Vice nervously prowls the corridors of “There is a much easier way, but I can’t power in Washington D.C. to satirise do it,” the Welshman recently told The another true story of malicious meddling Guardian when promoting his latest film and unabashed self-interest. “Or as true as Vice, which sees him portraying former it can be given that Dick Cheney is one of Vice President Dick Cheney – piling on a the most secretive leaders in history,” hefty 40lb to his physique and sporting a quips an opening title card, bald head into the bargain. which establishes the “I don’t know if it’s because irreverent tone of a I don’t have any training,” breakneck tour admitted the actor, who was through chapters of discovered as a child. “I see recent history actors who can just be including the Gulf themselves and then War and the switch and give these September 11 really incredible attacks. performances, and then For the opening switch back to being hour, Vice is a themselves. briskly paced and “I find I start engrossing laughing because I’m Christian Bale as portrait of too aware that it’s Dick Cheney in Vice ambition, still me. So I try to get 14 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

electrified by Bale’s solid performance. As well as piling on the pounds, the Haverfordwestborn actor completes his startling transformation with more than 100 pieces of prosthetic make-up to replicate the jowls, jawline and distinctive nose of his subject, who served as vice president to George W. Bush between 2001 and 2009. Once Cheney achieves his goals, McKay’s film leaches dramatic tension. Narrated by an everyman called Kurt (Jesse Plemons), whose importance becomes clear in the film’s final act, Vice opens in 1963 Wyoming where the young Cheney works on the power lines and drinks to excess. “Back then, they would have called a guy like him a ne’er-do-well. In today’s parlance, they would just call him a dirt bag,” explains Kurt. Cheney is a crushing disappointment to 21-year-old sweetheart Lynne (Amy Adams), whose father also lives by the bottle, and she won’t let history repeat. “I love you, Lynne,” he implores. “Then prove it!” she barks. In response Cheney secures an internment at the White House, where he assiduously aligns himself with Republican Congressman Donald Rumsfeld (Steve Carell). By playing the waiting game on Capitol Hill, Cheney manoeuvres himself into the position of running mate to George W. Bush (Sam Rockwell) during the 2000 US Presidential election. Haunted by his wife’s words: “When you have power, people will try to take it from you. Always”, Cheney positions allies such as Rumsfeld, Scooter Libby (Justin Kirk) and legal counsel David Addington (Don McManus) in key positions. Vice takes aim at a dizzying array ‘I see actors of easy targets and hits the majority. Like Gary Oldman’s tour-de-force theatrics who can just in Darkest Hour, Bale slips beneath the skin of be themselves his political puppetmaster with elan, staring and then defiantly at the camera as he persuades Bush to switch and expand the remit of a vice president so he can “handle the more mundane jobs... military, give these energy and foreign policy”. really Just another day at the office then for incredible Christian Bale, whose other key transformative performances, films over the years – from The Dark Knight trilogy to American Psycho – have ensured that and then after three decades he remains one of switch back Hollywood’s greatest heavyweights – in more to being ways than one.

themselves. I try to get as distant as possible. Otherwise, I can’t do it’

Vice (15, 132 mins) stars Christian Bale, Amy Adams, Steve Carell, Sam Rockwell, Justin Kirk, Jesse Plemons and is directed by Adam McKay. It will be showing at Trinity Theatre on March 12 at 11am, 2pm and 8pm. Tickets start from £9 and can be booked via www.trinitytheatre.net

COVER Section FEATURE

BALE IN BRIEF: Bale was born in 1974 in Haverfordwest, Wales to mother, Jenny, a circus performer and father, David, an entrepreneur and talent manager.

He broke into acting aged eight in a TV commercial and two years later in 1984 he appeared on stage in London’s West End playing opposite Rowan Atkinson in The Nerd. At 13, he landed the starring role in Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of JG Ballard’s memoir Empire of the Sun.

American Psycho n

His breakthrough role as an adult came in American Psycho (2000) when he was hand-picked by the film’s director/writer Mary Harron and the book’s author Bret Easton Ellis to star in it.

Bale won an Oscar for playing Dickie Eklund in The Fighter (2010), and has appeared in four films that were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar: The Fighter (2010), American Hustle (2013), The Big Short (2015) and Vice (2018).

He is also the third Batman to win an Oscar. Ben Affleck won Best Original Screeplay for Good Will Hunting (1997) and George Clooney won Best Supporting Actor for Syriana (2005).

He was considered for the role of James Bond in Casino Royale (2006), which eventually went to Daniel Craig.

Holds the records for the most weight lost – 63lb for The Machinist (2004) – and most weight gained – 80lb for Batman Begins (2005).

Bale was handpicked by Winona Ryder for the coveted role of Laurie (Theodore Laurence) in Little Women (1994) and also met his wife Sibi Blazic through Winona as she was her personal assistant. The couple married in 2000 and have two children, Emmeline and Joseph.

American Hustle

The Fighter

Batman Begins

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 15

SWEET SUCCESS TW foodie photographer Jason Wain serves his top tips on picture perfection p35

ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR Illustrator Bonnita Moaby on drawing Tom Hardy p66

BEHIND THE SCENES Meet some of the town’s successful social media influencers p21

Life Style &

From personal style inspiration and interior ideas for spring, to luxury travel destinations and where to eat well this month, you’ll find it all and so much more on the following pages…

GOING GLOBAL How to transform your home this spring p36

DO YOUR HOMEWORK Property expert Georgina Burnett reveals her insider secrets p37

BLUE SKY THINKING Where’s hot to travel to in the world in 2019 p57

JEAN GENIE Zip into some denim this spring p29

WHEELS IN MOTION Take the stylish new Polo for a spin p62

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 17

LIFE & STYLE

PEARLS OF WISDOM

Every month we’ll feature a locally based artisan making their mark on the world of design. Here, earring designer Catherine de Crèvecoeur tells us a little bit about her new Mother of Pearl Collection...

“I wanted to create something exclusive and so experimented with different shapes and forms that work beautifully around pearls. Each design in my new collection is named after a woman represented in Greek mythology. This ties in with the story behind the collection, which celebrates all the natural strengths that women have and use to help and provide for the world around them.” To find out more about Catherine’s collection visit her website at catherinedc.com

18 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

bloggers

MEET THE BLOGGERS who are creating their own social media success stories

Georga Cottle is founder of Wellness HQ, an online one-stop shop and directory for health and wellbeing. It offers tools to help educate, motivate and inspire with the ultimate aim of helping people to feel good. Since the site’s launch this year, Instagram has been key in establishing it. Eileen Leahy discovers how this influential social media platform has helped drive Wellness HQ’s success TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT WELLNESS HQ? Wellness HQ is a community of likeminded people who want to support each other in growing both personally and professionally. It is a unique offering with a focus on building the Tunbridge Wells community with monthly meetups and support for local businesses.

Tunbridge Wells is a true creative hub with a vast and varied amount of bloggers and influencers. Eileen Leahy chats to two key players in the world of fashion and wellbeing who are carving out a career courtesy of social media…

How to get the feel good factor – forever ‘We define wellness as a positive approach to living. Instead of just surviving’

HOW HAS SOCIAL MEDIA HELPED YOU ESTABLISH YOURSELF? I had a blog where I documented my life with my daughter as a single mother, which led me to start a business to encourage other people to do things that make them feel good. Through the social media channels on my blog, I was able to build up my business network, too, which has been incredibly supportive.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 22

HOW USEFUL HAS INSTAGRAM BEEN AS A TOOL TO CREATE YOUR WELLNESS HQ BUSINESS? It’s great for building relationships, on both a personal and professional level. A few years ago I was contacted by an ‘Instafriend’, who offered me a session of coaching. We had never met in real life, and to be completely honest I didn’t know how it would benefit me, but I was intrigued so I went along. It turns out that not only did I meet someone who ended up becoming one of my dearest friends (and now business partner), but the coaching she offered me changed my life.

Art Direction: Lee Smith | Photography: Craig Matthews

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bloggers

TOP TIP I think you have to maintain a realisation that Instagram is mainly edited highlights and therefore you should not compare yourself to others.

WHAT IS IT LIKE BEING PART OF THE LOCAL INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY? When you are part of a collaborative and supportive community it’s great. I have always been quite open about my life and have talked about some of my struggles. The main one being how challenging it has been starting a business from scratch whilst being a single mother. But my followers who have been there from the start have provided so much encouragement and positivity. I feel very lucky to be amongst such supportive and lovely people – even though I haven’t met a lot of them! HAVE YOU COLLABORATED WITH OTHER FELLOW BLOGGERS, OR DO YOU HAVE PLANS TO DO SO? Our Happy Hub is an online magazine for feel-good inspiration. We have previously worked with food writer Melissa Hemsley, Dame Kelly Holmes and ITV’s GP Dr Zoe Williams, and we are always looking to partner up with other bloggers and influencers in order to spread that feel-good factor and behaviour far and wide. WHAT’S IN STORE FOR 2019? We have a lot of exciting things in store which involve connecting our network of wellness professionals with consumers and corporates. We can’t say too much just yet, but Wellness HQ is your one-stop shop for all things wellness, at home and in the office. 22 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

HOW WELLNESS HQ CAN HELP YOU: At Wellness HQ we define wellness as a positive approach to living. Instead of just surviving, we become thriving by making active decisions to enable us to be the best versions of ourselves, focusing on six core and intrinsically linked pillars:

– ENVIRONMENTALLY: The space around you can influence your emotional wellbeing. A tidy home can lead to focus and inspiration; the colours of a room can affect your mood; decluttering removes distractions; and a wellordered space can give you a much tidier mind.

– SOCIALLY: Up to a fifth of all UK adults feel lonely in their day-to day lives. Creating supportive and meaningful relationships with those around you has many health benefits, including a healthier endocrine function, which means less stress.

– PHYSICALLY: Move your body and free your mind. When we exercise we release feelgood chemicals. Combine this with a healthy diet and our bodies reach optimal function.

– EMOTIONALLY: Looking after our mental health is crucial to effectively managing our thoughts and functions, allowing us to cope with challenges. When we can recognise our emotions and learn how to deal with them (stress, anger, sadness, etc.) we can apply a positive mindset to avoid being overwhelmed. – OCCUPATIONALLY: We spend most of our time at work. If we are not feeling fulfilled in our jobs then it is crucial to achieve job satisfaction, which leads to contentment, less stress and anxiety, and a healthier, happier life.

– SPIRITUALLY: The fast-paced modern world we live in is overwhelming. Having compassion, joy and fulfilment help you enjoy your spiritual health, and values, beliefs, and morals define your spirituality. Stopping to appreciate all of the different components that define spirituality can reduce overwhelm.

TO REGISTER YOUR INTEREST IN BEING PART OF WELLBEING HQ EMAIL INFO@WELLNESSHQ.CO.UK

DID YOU KNOW? Stress has been described as the health epidemic of the 21st century by the World Health Organisation. So Georga created a central hub to inspire others to take back control of their health through simple and sustainable changes.

LIFE & STYLE

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bloggers

‘For me the key thing is being real and keeping things true to myself’ It was entirely due to discovering Instagram that Jane Dumas was inspired to start a blog called whatlululoves.com – which centres on her interest in fashion, beauty and lifestyle. But she is now branching out into travel as well, so Instagram has literally opened up the world for her THE LOWDOWN: I started my personal Instagram account about three years ago because my children told me I should have one! It developed quite quickly into something more and I have been writing my blog (whatlululoves.com) for the past 12 months. I enjoy the contact I have with my followers and getting to know people. I mainly focus on fashion, lifestyle and beauty, but have started penning some travel blogs recently, too. THE BACKGROUND: After a brief career in publishing, I then spent over 15 years working in recruitment. I mainly worked with the IT and banking sector – so rather different from what I am doing now! It was highly rewarding but very competitive with very long hours. I much prefer focusing on clothes these days. THE SKINNY ON SOCIAL MEDIA SUCCESS: I think Instagram is such a powerful marketing tool, both for business and personal use. But it takes hard work and commitment to establish a loyal and genuine following if you want to establish a real career. Always remember that without your lovely followers you have nothing.

Art Direction: Lee Smith | Photography: Craig Matthews

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THE SECRET TO MAKING IT WORK: It really is what you make it. As a blogger you receive lots of lovely invitations to events, but I always pick the things I’m genuinely interested in and that would interest my followers. My recent brand

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bloggers

HOW TO BE SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY:

‘It is satisfying to know you have helped to grow a business or make sales’

n Understand your demographic and followers n Be consistent n Be relatable n Create clear and interesting images n Be true to yourself n Post every day to keep followers engaged n Always reply to messages and comments posted n Have a thick skin, as undoubtedly you’ll receive the odd negative comment

collaborations have been with The White Company, Marks & Spencer, The Arcadia Group and Barbour, but I particularly love championing many small independent or start-up businesses. THE BENEFITS OF THE LOCAL SOCIAL MEDIA SCENE: Tunbridge Wells has a number of fabulous sites which really bring people together. There are those aimed at promoting specific events and connecting locals – whether it’s businesses or new mums. And then there’s also lots on wellbeing, styling, and nutrition. I have a number of local followers and have collaborated with several local businesses including Hermosa London, and Bella Jane Jewellery. THE NEXT MOVE: I have lots of things in the pipeline for this year and I hope I will continue to grow and learn. I would love to continue to support small or start-up businesses as well as develop my relationships

WHY I LOVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS Jane Dumas

with larger brands. It is satisfying to know you have helped to grow a business or make sales. Photography is something I am looking to improve on, too, so I’ve been practising with my camera!

Follow LuluDumas at: Instagram: luludumas Blog: whatlululoves.com

Helps you find like-minded people and potential business opportunities n Provides you with advice and can support you in so many ways n Helps develop friendships and followers all over the UK – that’s honestly the best part of what I do n

THE ULTIMATE GOALS: For me the key thing is being real and keeping things true to myself. As a mum of two teenagers I can’t really be anything other than me! I appreciate every single follower and have made some great friends along the way.

I live very near The Pantiles and love the village feel there. We spend many hours both on sunny summer days and in the winter months walking the dog and stopping for a glass of rosé or a roast somewhere.

This is such a great event over the summer months and it can sometimes feel like you are in a bustling square in the South of France if the weather is good.



I love our High Street and the fact that we have so many independent shops and boutiques. My favourites include Kitch Clothing, Bod & Ted, Anna Poulsen and Le Petit Jardin – oh, and my husband loves Gray & Co!

The Beacon is great in the summer as well as the Chapel Place gin bar or Ragged Trousers.

 And how can I not mention the Jazz on The Pantiles?

BENEFITS OF USING SOCIAL MEDIA:



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LIFE & STYLE

28 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

Fashion

Charlie Bond

Follow Charlie @Girlaboutkent

Fashion Contributer

Venus

THE DENIM DROP: Style inspo from the current S/S19 collections from Marks & Spencer and Dorothy Perkins (below)

IN BLUE JEANS

There’s a reason classic blue denim never goes out of style – it’s just so versatile, says local fashion blogger Charlie Bond. This month she looks at the ways you can give your jeans a spring refresh by hitting the high street…

ith all the animal print and bold colours stacked on shelves for spring, it may come as a surprise that I’ve chosen to focus on something a little more basic for this month’s style feature. But, while snakeskin midi skirts and hot pink coats are great, if you’re going to invest in one thing this season, make it some really good denim. Jeans and a little white tee never go out of style. Grace Kelly, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor loved this classic combo as did the more contemporary screen icon Rachel in Friends as played by Jennifer Aniston. And we’re still doing

it to this day. Right now ‘mom’ jeans and skinny denims cropped at the ankles are where it’s at, but why stop there? Denim is so versatile it can work in jackets, dresses, jumpsuits, skirts and more. My most worn item at the moment is a pair of dungarees which I practically live in – they’re playful, can be dressed up or down and have plenty of pockets, which is always a necessity! Even double denim is now acceptable. The trick is to mix colours or shades – think less cowboy and more Victoria Beckham. And if you’re looking for sartorial inspiration then here are some of my favourite spring denim picks, all available locally...

1. White Stuff

Dreaming denim skirt, £55 www.whitestuff.com

2. Fat Face

Long-sleeve denim jumpsuit, £75 www.fatface.com

3. Citizens of Humanity

Avedon ultra skinny jeans, £250 www.citizensofhumanity.co.uk

4. Laura Ashley

Navy Jean Jacket, £70 www.lauraashley.com

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LIFE & STYLE

30 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

Food & Drink

DIS COV ER TH E COU NT RY PUB

with a lot of bott e... poor relation. He cooks it separately to reduce it before replacing. The result is stunning, the all-consuming richness feels almost guilty. And the cider and apple harmony simply sings.

The sweet spot

Custard cream cheesecake with biscuit crunch and vanilla ice cream (£6.50) sounds suitably lighthearted after all the finery. And sure enough it’s a delightful confection, lavishly sweet but not at all cloying. It’s gone before we can draw breath. I’m tempted to order another.

Liquid refreshment

Andy Tong pays a visit to The Bottle House in Penshurst and uncorks a vintage classic with a refreshing bouquet... The lowdown

The Bottle House Inn has been a favourite place to eat for generations of West Kent folk. But where once it was renowned for its generous portions and country pub charm, it has now transformed itself into a destination restaurant, more gourmet than gourmand. It’s a fascinating place, dating from 1492 and featuring a succession of little rooms poking out, which was once a parade of shops – the bakery next door was a going concern into the 1980s. Yet time moves on. The arrival of head chef Mark Harkins last year has led to an overhaul of the menu, as he makes The Bottle House stand out among a plethora of stunning pubs in the area. The process of change actually began ten years ago when the pub was taken over and refurbished. These days the lighting is muted and intimate, the furniture and decor all done in tasteful rural

The main event

chic, there is a calm assurance about the level of service. But not everything has changed. The Cubby and the Nook are still there where the old shops were, the magnificent pitted copper bar remains, and Paul Hammond stands behind it to welcome you as he has done for 34 years. And the plates are still very full.

For starters

I begin with an apricot and nut encrusted baby camembert with carrot chutney (£7.50). The fruit and nut combination gives body to the gooey cheese, offering up multiple layers of texture and flavour. The chutney is so light and uplifting, there’s no chance of those layers feeling too heavy. My guest opts for the chicken liver parfait with another chutney, this time apple, fig and chilli (£6.50). It starts gently and then fills the mouth with rich, deep sensations. The chilli offers a superbly subtle booster.

YOU’VE GOT TO TAKE RISKS AND RAISE YOUR GAME

I couldn’t wait to get stuck into my roast lamb rump with salsify, wild mushroom, spinach and peas (£18.50) and it was even better than I could ever have imagined. The thick slabs of meat were pink and succulent with a crispy skin, and melted away in the mouth. The salty salsify and nutty fungi were perfectly complementary. Paul tells me the chef wants the salsify to give a hint of salt marsh lamb alongside the pasture-raised brethren. This month there will be a wild garlic note to the dish. Then there’s the five-hour slow roast pork belly with creamed hispi cabbage and bacon, Dauphinoise potatoes and apple and cider jus. Here is a surprise. Rather than the customary slab of crackling that’s either blissful or teeth-wrecking, there is only a thin twist of it. Controversial? Absolutely. The chef is focusing instead on the fat beneath the crackling, which is usually the

The Bottle House may have moved on but it retains a pub feel and has two ales on the pump, both from Larkins’ Chiddingstone brewery just down the road. Their Traditional is a popular pint for driving diners with its low alcohol content, and it’s refreshing and characterful. But there’s also Larkins Best, a rare and special treat. You just don’t see it often these days, and it’s as good a pint of bitter as you will ever try. It’s complex but unassuming – until you catch yourself jabbering away. Get someone else to drive, is my advice. There’s an impressive array of wines by the glass. For the lamb I went for a glass (or two) of Barbera del Piemonte Ottone I San Silvestro (£4.50 for 125cl). It’s a smoky Italian red full of sultry passion that reverberates like a lingering kiss.

Ingredients for success

Paul says: “Mark has brought more breadth to our food. He wanted to come to a small independent trader to put his stamp on the menu. He wants it to be different to the pub classics on offer in five or six other places in the area. “If you don’t want to upset your existing clientele then you’d never change anything. You’ve got to take risks. Mark really wants to raise his game.”

What’s new?

Game has been one of the great successes of The Bottle House’s new Friday evening special menus alongside grill nights and steak events. It’s National Pie Week, so what this space. thebottlehouseinnpenshurst.co.uk SO Magazine | March 2019 | 31

Food & Drink

FOOD & DRINK

KITCHEN Framptons on The Pantiles is one of Tunbridge Wells’ most popular spots to socialise. We caught up with its head chef Rob Theron to find out his secret recipe for success

So Rob, please can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Can you let us know which dishes are your most popular and why?

I’ve been lucky enough to work in the top three restaurants in South Africa – one of these was in the world’s top 50. These were special and important formative years for me. I then made the move to the UK and settled in Tunbridge Wells. I started at Thackeray’s and then grabbed an opportunity to work at The Beacon and The Twenty Six. They’re all about using local and where possible foraged ingredients, and I work with the same ethos at Framptons where I’ve been for the past six months.

For brunch it’s The Pantiles Crumpet; a slow-roasted beef short rib with marmite hollandaise sauce and pickled shallots served on homemade crumpets. I think this has been particularly popular in the colder weather because it’s an indulgent treat of a brunch that is unlike anything else in Tunbridge Wells. In the evening our monkfish has proven particularly popular.

Are you big on sourcing ingredients as locally as you can?

What do you enjoy most about working there?

Absolutely. I like to support the local community and particularly small independent farmers and suppliers. Our asparagus will come straight from

We’re a family. I love it here, it’s a lot of fun and I want everyone who visits us to feel the same way.

the farm. Our brassicas (hispi cabbage, spring greens etc) will all come from a five-mile radius. Locally sourced lamb will feature on our evening menu and on the Sunday roasts. We’ve found a quality grass-feeding farm that delivers a really special and delicately sweet lamb.

What can customers expect from the spring menu at Framptons?

As always, we’ll showcase the best of Kent’s seasonal produce. Spring offers lots of exciting ingredients and some of the things Kent is famous for – asparagus, for example! The day menu will be available from opening time until 3pm Monday to Saturday. The evening menu is where we really get to have some fun and this changes regularly. Then there’s our Sunday

roast from 12-4pm, and we’re confident it’s the best around.

What positives does Framptons bring to The Pantiles?

I think we offer something a little different to a pub or café. There’s an edge and atmosphere about this place that complements The Pantiles. We’re situated at the northern entrance too, which encourages people to enter what we think is the best part of the town. The Pantiles has a great history and the building we’re in has plenty of that. It’s also important to look to the future and this area has some exciting things coming up….

What’s currently on the menu?

There’s the day menu with our signature and classic brunch dishes and also salads, sandwiches and a few lunch classics like our popular battered cod and hand-cut fries. On Tuesdays we have a really special offer: the Framptons signature beef burger (caramelised red onion, streaky bacon, blue or cheddar cheese) with fries and a drink for only £10. This is a great deal for lunch and dinner, and is getting more and more popular. Tuesdays are fun!

‘AS ALWAYS, WE’LL SHOWCASE THE BEST OF KENT’S SEASONAL PRODUCE’

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LIFE & STYLE

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Food & Drink

FOOD & DRINK

I picked up my first disposable camera when I was about eight and to be honest I’ve never really stopped taking pictures! I did my first paid gig almost 11 years ago and then started working as a full-time photographer in 2012.

In terms of how I got into the business, I just started poking my nose around really. I looked on job sites, talked to people, improved my portfolio and took any opportunity that came my way.

As for the key attributes to possess if you want to become a food photographer, I’d say love food and love photography. And love them enough to be patient and flexible enough to work towards the goal. Also get together a decent portfolio and remember that enthusiasm goes a long way.

minutes with Jason Wain, TW foodie photographer

Name three simple hacks for getting the best shots of food to post? 1. Use natural window light to light your dish (especially if shooting from a phone!) 2. In a similar vein, don’t use your camera flash 3. Come on my food photography workshop

Social media is a good point of contact and way of displaying my work, but in terms of actual resulting bill-paying shoots, word of mouth and meeting people has always paid off better for me.

I probably sound like I’m paid to say this as I shoot their food, but The Poet at Matfield is something special. Their Sunday lunch is a brilliant combination of fine dining meets generous, comforting portions.

For drinks it’s got to be Fuggles. I’m a stout man and they have a fantastic variety, coupled with a great ambience.

Jason is running a food photography workshop, and a general photography one too, for people who want to get to grips with the very basics of photography and use their camera off the ‘auto’ mode. If this sounds of interest drop him an email at jason@jasonwain.co.uk to find out more

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Interiors

bloggers INTERIORS

Ok coral

THINK PINK Try Pantone’s uplifting colour of the year, coral

Images courtesy of Marks & Spencer, all items are currently available from the S/S19 homes collection marksandspencer.com

This spring liven up your living room or dining space with the key colour of the season and Pantone’s shade for 2019: Coral. Whether you decide to splash out on a statement sofa in this deliciously pretty ice cream colour, or simply sprinkle it on the odd decorative detail, you’ll be pleased with the striking results. Coral works particularly well with similar pastel tones, such as citrus, and acts as a perfect foil to hits of black or metallic, too. So this spring make sure your home looks in the pink…

HIT REFRESH THIS SPRING

With the lighter, brighter days ahead there’s no excuse not to give your home a stylish reboot. Eileen Leahy picks her favourite key trends for Spring/Summer 2019, which can be sourced from all your favourite local interiors shops EXOTIC Go global with all sorts of interesting international additions

Image courtesy of Debenhams, all items are currently available from the S/S19 homes collection debenhams.com

BOLD This year it’s fine to still enjoy the drama of the deeper colours in spring!

Image courtesy of John Lewis, all items are currently available from the S/S19 homes collection johnlewis.com

Global power

Interiors inspired by afar are still very much a key look to go for this season, and they couldn’t be easier to achieve in your own home given the amount of eclectic ethnic pieces of furniture and accessories out there. The high street (and online) is a veritable treasure trove (or should that be a souk or brocante?) full of perfect globetrotting finds, including Berber rugs, hammered metal accessories and ethnic print cushions. Not to mention the now ubiquitous oversized pot 36 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

plants. Adding just a few of these to your existing interior will help to give it a more exotic feel.

Dark arts

The trend for moody jewel-coloured tones shows no sign of waning this season, despite it being spring, when traditionally a lighter tonal palette is applied. Using rich deep shades on soft furnishings and walls creates instant drama, but be careful not to go too overboard otherwise all you’ll achieve is overkill. So pick your statement

pieces wisely – perhaps an occasional chair upholstered in a rich royal blue, as illustrated in this picture. If you’re not brave enough to go too bold with this look then you can always invest in

some accent accessories to give a nod to it. Cushions, throws or a collection of ceramic objects in inkier tones will still help you to express your dark side nicely…

Property Expert

A design for life

Photography: Craig Matthews

Can you tell us a little bit about what you do, Georgina? Well, it feels like I do a lot of everything! I’ve been presenting the weather for the BBC for six years now, as a freelancer. Before that I was a freelance presenter, magazine journalist and life coach. For the past 10 years I have been renovating my homes, the most recent of which was a dilapidated seven-bedroom Victorian house in Sevenoaks – during which time I had a baby! I am currently in the middle of my first self-build. Why and when did you start working in property? My now husband and I were both renting in London and were moving in together. We couldn’t afford to buy in London, so after watching TV’s Location, Location, Location, we decided to look at Folkestone. We bought a one-bed basement flat there 10 years ago and did it up in the evenings and weekends. All the furniture was stuff from the roadside or from charity shops, which I upcycled. Noisy neighbours and early starts for me in London forced us to move elsewhere. We sold that place for a good price and the buyer also wanted to purchase everything I had upcycled. This made us think that we should repeat the same process as I seemed to have a knack for it.

Does that mean you also have an interest in interior design? Yes – interior design and styling is a passion for me, and has been since I was quite a young child, when I would take great care in styling every one of my bedrooms. When I went to university, I earned pocket money by helping friends to do the same. Even when I was renting in London and moved 12 times in eight years, I would put great care and effort into decorating, even though I was sometimes only there for a few months. Six years ago, I started merging interior design with life coaching to help my clients to improve their home environments to make them more effective, and this has been very successful. How do you juggle your workload with also being a BBC weather presenter? It can be pressing at times, particularly as for most shifts I have to get up at 2.45am. I then get home around 3.30pm and look after my toddler. Because I’m freelance, I have all the admin of a small business to look after, too. Then there are the demands of daily social media posts, writing my blog posts and filming and editing videos for my Home Genie pages at georginaburnett.com. Some days I wear so many hats it’s mentally and physically exhausting but I absolutely thrive on the excitement of it all and can’t bear to have an empty diary! What aspects of your diverse career do you enjoy most? It’s actually the sum of all the parts. Anything creative where I am working with other people is when I am most happy, probably. CONTINUED ON PAGE 39

When it comes to buying and selling homes, and decorating them, BBC South East weather girl Georgina Burnett certainly knows her stuff…

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Property Expert

Sitting in front of spreadsheets and invoicing are definitely my low moments, which I put off as long as I can! And in addition to all this, you’ve just published a new book? I was approached by my publisher to write a book at a time I didn’t think I could fit anything else in my life! It did feel like an opportunity I couldn’t say no to, though, and as I knew my subject well I decided to have a crack at it. Can you tell us about it? My book shares all my tips from my years of climbing the property ladder and has everything you need to know about buying, improving and selling your home. There are also some tricks as well as out-of-the-box thinking that will help people to do so in a savvy way,

WHY I LOVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS Georgina Burnett

‘Some days I wear so many hats it’s mentally and physically exhausting but I absolutely thrive on the excitement of it all’

which is very timely with all the uncertainty at the moment. It’s appropriate for first-time buyers (even those who think they may not be able to get on the property ladder), but also for current home owners wanting to move up the ladder or just improve their homes. So there are sections on how to accessorise and use colour psychology to make each room work for you, without affecting its selling potential further down the line. I absolutely love the

architecture around The Pantiles, and feel there’s nothing better than sitting outside one of the many restaurants and watching the world go by.

 There are also numerous interiors shops in Tunbridge Wells so I love to wander round them when I get the time.

The Street-Wise Guide to Buying, Improving and Selling Your Home is out at the end of March and available for pre-order at Amazon. If you would like a signed copy, you can contact Georgina at georginaburnett.com – she will also be at Ideal Home Show and Grand Designs Live. Georgina is an ambassador for April’s National Home Improvement Month. See nationalhomeimprovementmonth.com

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GARDENING Section

Spring comes with March, to the joy of many, and brings with it fresh beginnings in our gardens. We at Mary Mary Creates Gardens defy anyone not to marvel at the crisp bue sky of a late winter/early spring day and smile. Being outside pottering around in a garden has proven health benefits – not only in terms of the fresh air in your lungs and the exercise of your limbs; gardening is good for your soul. Plants do not judge you, robins do not betray confidences, an overgrown hedge won’t object to cathartic hacking and chopping, and the rhythm of sweeping and raking helps settle a whirling mind.

Spring into the garden

What not to do this month Do not dig over your beds. Instead, do some shallow hoeing and hand weeding (the horihori knife is perfect, as it least disturbs the soil) to remove perennial weeds, then a thick layer of organic matter – at least four inches – will reduce not only the compaction caused by feet but the number of dormant weed seeds brought to the surface. Slugs can’t hide beneath the clods caused by spades, soil organisms take down the mulch and fertilisers wash in by rain. Heavy soils benefit

‘You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt’ – Anon

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greatly from this method, which is especially useful around West Kent, where we have clay sub-soil. Plenty of organic matter such as green compost – readily available in bulk for low costat some places – will be willingly processed through the soil by our heroic worms, leaving you to enjoy a sunny spring day with a cup of something delicious and no aches or pains. What to do Leave a bit of grass long. With warmer weather and longer days, the grass soon starts to demand a mow, but leaving patches of it to grow long can be an attractive feature in the garden. Longer grass also supports myriad minuscule wildlife, which then attracts larger beasts and birds. We encourage many clients to shun the strimming in favour of a sea of waving sward. Whether a pasture with a few mown paths, or a perfect patch in an urban lawn, each one has increased wild visitors, both winged and footed. Wandering down a winding mown path, fingertips drifting through the feathery grass tips, is guaranteed to lift your heart. And even better, it is free of both cost and effort.

Connecting people & property, perfectly. Sandrock Road TN2 A well-presented attached former coach house which has been stylishly renovated.

• • •

Secluded position Approximately 0.5 miles to town centre Parking for several cars

Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you.

ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310285 Guide price £1,250,000

Cumberland Mews TN1 A modern mews house in the heart of the desirable 'village' area of the town.

• • •

Patio garden Integral tandem garage Parking

Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you.

ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310285 Guide price £550,000

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly. All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property. There will also be a £48 charge to register your deposit with the Tenancy Deposit Scheme if applicable. (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/tenantfees. Knight Frank is a member of the ARLA Client Money Protection Scheme and our redress scheme for consumers is Property Redress Scheme.

Connecting people & property, perfectly. Forest Road TN2 A substantial 1920s family house in a sought-after location with potential to enhance.

• • •

Many original features Panelled reception hall MLS approximately 1 mile

Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you.

ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310285 Guide price £1,250,000

Queens Road TN4 A Victorian ground floor apartment of approximately 1,300 sq ft with period features.

• • •

Private entrance Open plan to each of the reception rooms Private garden and parking

Your local expert, Ross Davies, looks forward to helping you.

ross.davies@knightfrank.com 01892 310285 Guide price £550,000

LIFE & STYLE

Transformations

After

This week we interviewed Lee Pacey about his business and what he thinks makes it stand out. Could you start by telling us a little about yourself? I was born and bred in Royal Tunbridge Wells, a pupil at both Sherwood park and then Tunbridge Wells boys grammar school. I have always had great enthusiasm for everything I’ve done, be it restoration of classic Italian scooters, music collecting. I also have a passion for Dj-ing, playing mainly Motown northern soul and disco. When did you start Chests and Drawers? I started up-cycling furniture at 102 London Road, Southborough , Kent, in 2011. What would you say are the challenges of running your business in the difficult retail climate, do you feel the pressure to trade online? The business has grown from strength to strength from since we opened. I don’t think we feel the pressure because we offer something you cannot get online. In 2013 I added a joinery to make high quality bespoke furniture for my clients and to offer brand new stock in a choice of colours. Then came the on- site preparation room and spray booth, an association with Farrow and Ball and the start of kitchen unit painting.

Before

What would you say makes Chests and Drawers a unique and successful company? Chests and Drawers now, as well as offering a fully stocked shop, offers a bespoke painting service for any furniture and kitchen units in a colour of choice to the highest possible standard. Our expertise and pride in what we do makes us different. Finally, what are your aims for 2019? I’m looking forward to the exciting new range of Homeware we will be introducing into the shop in the coming months. Chests and Drawers, 102 London Road, Southborough, Kent TN4 0PW 01892 458021 www.chestsanddrawers.co.uk

Before

After

Furniture and kitchen refurbishment, painted a colour of your choice! Collection & delivery available. Over 70 painted items available in store....

102 London Road Southborough, Kent TN4 0PW 01892 458021 www.chestsanddrawers.co.uk

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 47

Gardening

GARDENING

Victoria Truman Garden Designer

Creating outdoor spaces with edge – by royal appointment SO Magazine’s gardening guru Victoria Truman recently undertook a series of commissions to transform some of the gardens at the new Royal Wells housing development in the heart of Tunbridge Wells. Here, she tells us a little about herself, and the impressive results of her recent projects…

designed and built a garden for a client who had just bought a Royal Wells property in Tunbridge Wells in June 2016, and from that one being built other people contacted me. To date I have built six gardens on the estate. I like to use small trees within these gardens, as horticulturally on newbuild plots it’s good to involve trees, permeable paving, shrubs, climbers, and plants for insects and bees. The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) are very keen on greening up gardens in cities and towns. In terms of inspiration, I take it from my clients and their likes and

dislikes, and endeavour to exceed their expectations and give them a garden that delights them. I have had two show gardens built and won a silver medal for my first show in 2013 and a Gold medal and Best Garden in my category at Hampton Court in 2016. I went back to college in 2011 to The English Gardening School, graduating in 2012. I created my first show garden the following year and my business has grown year on year from there. Entering and winning an industry award for The Moroccan Garden design featured on these pages was

another exciting day. I love designing, I’m inspired by the simplest pattern or a shape of tree I see on my travels, which gets stored in my head for the right time. I’m keen on keeping up to date with everything in the world of horticulture, and attend regular lectures and study days at places such as Great Dixter with Fergus Garrett in order to broaden my planting knowledge. And as for future gardening goals, I’d love to do a Chelsea Flower Show garden…

KEY PROJECT AIMS:

Transforming the client’s shed into a Moroccan-inspired retreat

Raised borders rendered and painted in brick red to accentuate the Moroccan feel of the garden. The red used is a complement to the teal blue paint used on the cabin

The planting adds height, fullness and masses of summer colour

5 6

A large specimen olive tree with a gnarled trunk is the backdrop to the vibrant paint colours

The sound of the fountain adds tranquillity to the space

Lighting enhances the garden through the evening

MOROCCAN MOOD THE BRIEF: The clients have lived in Oman and travelled to Morocco on more than one occasion, and they wanted a garden that embodied the feel of Marrakesh. The Moorish garden is intended to provide calm, shade, perfume, beauty and pleasure. THE DESIGN: I have been fortunate enough to visit Morocco on several occasions and stay in a riad, which actually means ‘garden’ but is used to describe a townhouse built round a central courtyard garden. It’s an oasis of calm where you can get away

from the hustle of city life. With that in mind, I designed the garden to reflect this feeling with specific areas to divide up the space, making it more intriguing. The plot is small, so I included stopping places, incorporating a dining area, a bistro table with chairs and a bench hidden out of sight. This allows the clients to see the garden from different angles and provide multiple viewpoints, which also helps to visually enlarge the space. Plants were repeated, lending visual unity to the small garden. Raised, rendered and painted borders increase the visual interest and add to the perception that the space is larger than it really is. The bifold doors mean the garden is only a

few steps away, the outdoor space is framed by a row of pleached trees and jasmine, shutting out the boundaries and neighbours by focusing on the lush greenery.

This garden won the Prolandscaper Design and Build Award Small Project BIG IMPACT November 2018 SO Magazine | March 2019 | 49

GARDENING

TAKE A TRIP TO THE MEDITERRANEAN: THE BRIEF: The clients for this project wanted increased privacy as well as the wow factor, and were keen to use a pale, cool colour palette and high-spec finishes with rich, lush planting for all-year-round interest. So the sliding patio doors open from the kitchen/diner on to the garden, which makes this area an extension of the house with an extra dining area and a lounge area to the rear of the garden. THE DESIGN: Raised, rendered, painted white beds with slightly different heights add a rhythm and height to the garden, which is reminiscent of the kind you find in the Mediterranean. The fence was clad in horizontal timber and painted in a toning blue to match the kitchen, which helps tie in the garden and living space together, and makes the transition seamless from one area to the other.

Fragrant planting of lavender, rosemary and climbing jasmine fills the garden with scent in the summer months, making the clients feel like they are holidaying. The planting is low key and rhythmic with a rich green, cream and blue/purple palette. Large specimen olive trees take centre stage. These are rugged, more natural specimens with a sculptural trunk close to the terrace and a cloud form almost representing a living sculpture centre to the garden, which can be viewed from all sides as a piece of living art. The terrace is paved with encaustic, porcelain tiles – random patterned with tones of grey. Blue and white give a wow factor to the dining area with a contemporary and Mediterranean vibe. Artificial lawn has been used as the clients did not want any mowing. And a row of pleached trees screen and aid overall privacy.

MAX OUT THE MINIMALISM: THE BRIEF: This garden was designed for a gentleman who wanted to feel private and enclosed without feeling the garden was too small. He also wanted an extension of his living space to provide a focus from the house. THE DESIGN: This particular creation provides a seamless transition from the house to the garden, while the placement of the pleached trees provide an inner courtyard within a larger space. I planted four borders which ‘hold’ the inner courtyard in place, and filled them

Charred oak is a theme that runs through the design, with steps leading up to the upper terrace and raised planters made from it. The planters are filled with white agapanthus Artic Star, jasmine and hakonechloa macra.

50 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

with clipped topiary ilex crenata – four taxus baccata domes in each corner to add another dimension to the planting. Hakonechloa macra was planted on the edges to add a limey green colour and softness to the planting scheme. The borders were edged in charred oak. The pleached prunus lusitanica myrtifolia was decided on for this design, not only for its elegant form, but also for its hawthorn-scented white flowers in June. The colour scheme of the garden is green, white, grey and black. A strictly limited palette of plants were used to achieve this.

The entrance to the garden has a shed from The Posh Shed Company, together with a long border featuring two large acers, underplanted with pennisetum alopecuroides hameln – a charming perennial grass that forms a compact,

low mound and produces long-lasting, soft, pinkish, brush-like flowers in late summer.

The acers have lime green leaves in the spring, turning to crimson by autumn, adding a final splash of colour as winter beckons.

victoriatruman.com

LIFE & STYLE

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 51

LIFE & STYLE

52 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

GARDENING

As the weather warms up, it’s time to don coats and wellies and fire up the imagination to encourage your kids to get into the garden, with fun projects to stimulate their interest. Podcaster, former Blue Peter gardener and RHS social media host Lee Connelly, known as the ‘Skinny Jean Gardener’, is creating a children’s garden at this year’s Ideal Home Show (idealhomeshow.co.uk). “A study by the National Trust has found that our children nowadays

FUN WAYS TO GET YOUR KIDS INTO THE GARDEN THIS SPRING

Give them their own space

Let them have their own patch in your vegetable bed or allotment. If you have limited space, use an old washing-up bowl, putting holes in the base for drainage and then creating a miniallotment for them. Good crops to plant include salad leaves and other fast-growing vegetables, so they can see the results quickly. “If you have an allotment, give them their own space to do what they want,” says Connelly. “It gives them a sense of responsibility. Just be there for guidance.”

Encourage them to grow their own

“My daughter didn’t used to like eating vegetables much, until she started growing them,” says Connelly. “But start them off growing something they like eating, or they won’t care about it as much. “Tomatoes, lettuce and peppers are a good bet. My daughter loves going to our allotment and picking the tomatoes and the strawberries and eating them while we’re down there. Pumpkins and runner beans are also good to sow.”

are spending half the amount of time outdoors as we used to when we were younger,” says Connelly. “Getting outside is all about creating memories as a family. Just getting out there, playing games and stimulating the imagination is what it’s all about.” Fancy getting your youngsters outside for some green-fingered fun? Here, with help from his four-year-old daughter, Olive, Connelly offers five tips on how to encourage kids to get off their screens and into the great outdoors...

Lee Connelly, aka the ‘Skinny Jean Gardener’, says encouraging green fingers is all about making it fun...

Encourage wildlife

Children will be engaged when they see butterflies, beetles and other bugs. “We have a hedgehog home in our garden and we often see them in the evenings,” says Connelly. “Make your own hedgehog home – it’s cheap and easy and you can use things that you have around the house. Use a plastic box that you can cut holes out of and put up against a fence line. Cover the box with natural materials such as wood. Everything needs to be accessible and easy.”

Make wildflower seedballs

“If your kids like getting messy, this is a lot of fun,” he says. “You get clay, compost, water and wildflower seeds, mix them all together and you make these small wildflower seedballs. “Dry them on the windowsill and then find a spare area of the garden, throw the seedballs on there and lots of wildflowers will pop up in the summer, attracting bees and butterflies.” You can also make butterfly fizzy pop by mixing a sugary drink for them. Get a plastic bottle, put a water and

“GETTING OUTSIDE IS ALL ABOUT CREATING MEMORIES AS A FAMILY”

sugar mix in the bottle and give it a shake to dilute it, then stuff a sponge into the neck of the bottle and hang it upside down in the garden with string. The sugary mixture will seep through the sponge, creating a magnet for butterflies.

Make a runner bean teepee

Children love to make dens in the garden, but this one could have

added interest. Create a wigwam out of bamboo, leaving a space for the entrance. You can then dig a trench around where it needs to be placed, ready to plant runner beans at the end of May or in June. The beans will grow around the wigwam and provide shelter for the children, as well as some delicious beans. You can move it each year around the garden. Line the floor of the den with bark, gravel or matting for the kids to sit on. SO Magazine | March 2019 | 53

Education

Lessons in improving schools’ teaching and learning abilities The Judd School’s Head Teacher Jonathan Wood explains the benefits of being involved in one of the Prince of Wales’ education charity initiatives

he PTI is an education charity founded by HRH Prince Charles as part of his Prince’s Trust charitable group. Its School Leadership Residential course is a unique opportunity for school leaders to openly discuss important issues within a collaborative peer network and Jonathan Wood, Head Teacher at The Judd School attended the most recent course in Cambridge earlier this year. According to a spokesperson for the PTI, which recently secured £75,000 in funding courtesy of the People’s Postcode Lottery in order to support its teacher training work, participants on the courses consider how they can ‘enhance and improve their school’s standards and develop the quality of their teachers’. They went on to say that they can also ‘develop long-term strategies to raise standards in their school and meet a diverse community of school leaders from around the country to share leadership strategies that focus on improving teaching and learning, recruiting and developing passionate teachers, and conducting actionbased research’.

So Magazine asked Jonathan Wood about his recent experience and how it will benefit both teachers and pupils: How long has The Judd School been involved in the PTI’s teacher training programs? We have been working with the PTI through our History and Maths departments since 2014. It was initially from interested members of these two departments who wished to use it to support the development work of each department. Individual teachers have also benefited from the subject days, though we haven’t accessed these extensively. More recently, Science and Modern Foreign Languages (MFL) have also joined the team who regularly attend the PTI residentials. How have you and your teachers benefited from these programs? It has helped leaders and team members share ideas and talk through plans with other like-minded colleagues, as well as gaining advice from experts through the subject programmes. This has increased enthusiasm and helped maintain sustained focus on improvements in their work.

Would you encourage other schools in the area to access the PTI’s leadership and subject based training? I would encourage all my teaching colleagues to be involved. Any chance to share ideas and hear from experts in their field is to be welcomed and I think it is more effective than many of the external Continuing Professional Development options out there.

What other areas did you find beneficial by attending this course? The first session re-centred us on our principles, reminding us why we wanted to be school leaders, and there has been a real sense of going back to the ‘why’ as well as the ‘how’ as school leaders. The event has really helped me clarify what I want to do for the future of the school.

WHAT IS THE PTI?

ANY CHANCE TO SHARE IDEAS AND HEAR FROM EXPERTS IN THEIR FIELD IS TO BE WELCOMED

• The PTI inspires teachers and school leaders to become more effective, enthusiastic and influential by putting subjectcentred teaching at the heart of schools. • Their sustainable approach to professional development helps teachers to become experts in their subjects, and pass on a love of learning to their students. • As experienced teachers, the PTI supports other teachers to deliver the highest quality teaching by giving them access to unique and sustainable professional development opportunities.

• Working in primary and secondary schools in England and Wales, the PTI has activities for teachers of any level of experience, as well as school leaders. • In 2017/18 the PTI worked with 11% of the country’s secondary schools. More than two-thirds of teachers who had considered leaving the profession said they were less likely to because of their work with the PTI, and over 90% of teachers were more excited about teaching their subject after working with the PTI. For more information, visit www.ptieducation.org SO Magazine | March 2019 | 55

Travel

TRAVEL

Ratched

Where: Oregon, USA Based on the sadistic history of Nurse Ratched from the cult classic book One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey, this new Netflix show will follow her murderous progression through the US mental health system. Sinister thrill-seekers can visit Oregon, the home of her perverse past, and can escape to locations such as Crater Lake, Mount Hood, Multnomah Falls, Timberline Lodge and Haystack Rock.

JOIN

THE SET JET... These blockbuster locations are sure to inspire your travel plans for 2019

A trip to the cinema is pure escapism, with epic locations transporting us to many other worlds. Some scenes are so impactful, they even inspire viewers to visit the locations, giving rise to a tourism trend coined ‘set-jetting’. So which films and TV shows are likely to shape our travel plans in 2019?

The New Pope Where: Rome, Italy

Following on from the first series, The Young Pope, this offering sees Jude Law return to Italy’s Vatican City, where filming took place. You, too, can tour the Vatican and explore other Roman locations featured, such as the church Santi Luca e Martina, the 17th-century Villa Doria Pamphili, and Villa Medici – the French Academy in Rome.

Aladdin

Where: Jordan

Following on from the success of The Jungle Book, Disney have commissioned a live-action remake of Aladdin, which promises to be a Middle Eastern delight. Will Smith is playing the Genie, while Guy Ritchie directs. The story is set in the fictional land of Agrabah, and although much of the filming took place in England’s Surrey, some scenes were shot in Jordan’s Wadi Rum Desert.

The Handmaid’s Tale Where: Massachusetts, USA

The dystopian landscape of Gilead returns to our screens in 2019, and is set to inspire viewers to take a trip to the US state of Massachusetts, where the story is set. In reality, much of the filming was done in Toronto, but some scenes were shot in Boston’s Fenway Park, Charles River and Back Bay.

Game Of Thrones Where: Northern Ireland

The epic show, based on author George R. R. Martin’s A Song Of Ice And Fire series, returns to our screens for its eighth and final season on April 14. Venture along the path of the three-eyed raven by visiting one of the many age-old landscapes of the Seven Kingdoms in Northern Ireland. Eager fans can retrace previous filming locations by stopping off at The Dark Hedges, an avenue of beech trees along Bregagh Road between Armoy and Stranocum in County Antrim; Ballintoy Harbour, where the Iron Islands shots are filmed; and Cushendun Caves, where Melisandre had her shadow baby. SO Magazine | March 2019 | 57

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Travel

COSTA RICA A wildlife paradise

estling in Central America between Panama and Nicaragua is the spectacularly varied country of Costa Rica and its 800 miles of coastline. With the Caribbean on one side and the Pacific on the other, it is a tropical paradise that despite only taking up 0.03 per cent of the Earth’s landmass plays host to more than 5 per cent of the world’s biodiversity. There is not an inch of land here that doesn’t teem with wildlife or contribute to the beauty of a country that quite rightly is dubbed the ‘rich coast’. In an area smaller than Lake Michigan you can climb volcanoes that rise to a staggering 12,500 feet and also explore caves as deep as 790 feet below sea level. There is an abundance of rainforests, national parks, rivers and canals, plus, for the more adventurous, hanging bridges and ziplining that take you to the heart of a country that has so much to offer. Just taking even a moment in this paradise must be restorative as the Costa Ricans have one of the highest life expectancy rates in the world. The locals – known as ‘ticos’ (males) or ‘ticas’ (females) – speak Spanish, although many are bilingual and speak English due to the thriving and supportive tourism industry across the country. With all there is on offer, how can they possibly keep tourists away? Wildlife enthusiasts are guaranteed their fill in Costa Rica – even Sir David Attenborough could potentially come across something he has never seen before, as new species are being discovered here all of the time. Adorning the skies are 800 species of birds and 1,000 species of butterflies with their many colours, whilst scurrying about the undergrowth underneath 9,000 species of plants and an astonishing 1,200 varieties of orchids are a mesmerising 34,000 species of insects – the floor must literally move!

The birds of Costa Rica are legendary – 600 species call it home throughout the year and another 200 migrate there. Even novice bird watchers will find colourful toucans, pretty quetzals, 16 varieties of parrot, 300 types of hummingbirds and many other bird species. Your binoculars and your local guide will be your best friends as you scan the trees to see these beguiling beauties.

Here are five more reasons why colourful, rainforest-filled Costa Rica should be top of your wildlife wishlist for travel in 2019…

Ocelots

rainforest cat. If you happen to spot one in the forest, you’re very lucky indeed! (Pro Tip: Look up – ocelots are nocturnal and sleep in the trees during the day.)

The stunningly beautiful ocelot is a secretive and hard-to-find primary and secondary

White-faced capuchin monkeys

Right up there on the adorableness scale with sloths are the capuchin monkeys. The population is very healthy in Costa Rica, with Manuel Antonio National Park on the

Sloths

If there’s an animal that every visitor is hoping to see, it’s the sloth. They have become a symbol of Costa Rica, and it’s easy to see why. They’re adorable, snuggly and very relaxed. While sloths

Birds

are common in this country, they are more elusive than you might expect because their camouflage cleverly protects them from sight. But never fear, your tourist guide will help you spot these darling creatures as they lounge around high up in the trees.

If you don’t manage to spy one in the wilds, don’t worry. You can always see them at wildlife sanctuaries like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve.

Turtles

Some 10 million eggs can be laid by the Olive Ridley turtles as they come ashore for their ‘arribada’. Occurring roughly every two to four weeks between April and December on the isolated beaches of the Ostional National Wildlife Beach, it’s truly a sight to behold.

central Pacific coast being one of your best bets for a sighting of the lively and intelligent capuchins. They live in large social groups that can range from 10 to 40 members, so there’s a good chance that if you see one, you’ll see many.

Costa Rica really is a wildlife lover’s dream come true. You’ll see these and countless other animals and birds that previously only existed for you on film or in photos. They can now be just a short distance away from where you stand – so close you can almost touch them, not that you would, of course. Return home knowing that nature still thrives and paradise is real and you, too, may live just that little bit longer!

SO Magazine | March 2019 | 59

POLO R-LINE

WHAT IS IT?

Volkswagen’s Polo GTI sits at the top of the manufacturer’s second-smallest hatchback range, bringing with it plenty of performance and a good degree of charm, too. But what if you want the looks of the GTI but not the hike in insurance costs, or increased trips to the fuel pump? Enter the Polo R-Line. It’s got the stylish appearance of the performance Polo, but underneath the bonnet lies a turbocharged 1.0-litre engine in place of the GTI’s 2.0-litre four-cylinder. Could it be the best of both worlds?

WHAT’S NEW?

Underpinning the new Polo is VW’s latest MQB platform, which allows it to offer far more space than its proportions suggest. It’s no small car any more. Polo fans will likely be surprised by just how much the little Volkswagen has grown. Of course, all this does come at a price. You may need to sit down, but this is a £25,000 Polo – quite a sum for what is still meant to be a relatively ‘entry-level’ hatchback.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? As mentioned, this particular Polo uses a 1.0-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, with 113bhp and 230Nm of torque. It’s good for a 0-60mph time 62 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

of 9.3 seconds, and flat-out it’ll hit 124mph. Power was sent, in our test car’s case, through a seven-speed DSG automatic to the front wheels. It has good economy figures, too. Volkswagen claims 57.6mpg combined, while emissions are set at 110g/km CO2. It’s a refined unit, and one which suits the overall character of the car. Insurance-wise, it falls into group 12, putting it at the lower end of the spectrum. This should mean premiums won’t be sky-high – the standard Polo GTI is a group 26 car, in contrast.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE?

The overreaching feeling is simply how refined it is to drive. Much like the Audi A1, the Polo feels just as at home travelling at motorway speeds as it does darting about town. There’s a fair amount of road noise, but a quiet engine and predictable steering combine to make it a relatively relaxing long-distance cruiser, capable of swallowing up miles as effortlessly as cars twice its size. Want a quieter ride? We’d opt for smaller wheels. But that isn’t to say it isn’t fun when things get twisty. Decent body control matched with a peppy engine make corners enjoyable, and there’s a good amount of grip to be found, too. The DSG gearbox can be a little dim-

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Road Test

Section MOTORS

Model as tested: Volkswagen Polo R-Line Price as tested: £25,505 Engine: 1.0-litre turbocharged petrol Power: 113bhp Torque: 230Nm Max speed: 124mph 0-60mph: 9.3 sec MPG: 57.6 Emissions: 110g/km

It may look sporty, but can the new Volkswagen Polo R-Line deliver an invigorating drive? Jack Evans finds out…

witted when mooching about (sometimes taking an age to react from a dead stop), but it’s happier when up and running – and you can take control of the ’box via the steering wheel-mounted paddles.

HOW DOES IT LOOK?

The Polo’s design represents a decent evolution of the previous generation’s looks, while pumping up its premium credentials. It has a svelte appearance, and in R-Line specification it’s certainly a sportier one. Could it be a little more interesting? Perhaps. But the Polo has always managed to look pretty good without being overly dull. The optional 17-inch alloy wheels on our test car looked the part, too, and the overall impression was of a baby GTI – albeit without the trademark red highlights.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE?

Volkswagen has pushed hard to elevate the overall impression of quality inside the cabin of the Polo, and that effort has really paid dividends. It’s a high-end place to be, with all manner of solid-to-the-touch plastics meeting contrast finisher pieces to create a cabin which feels really well made – but then we do have to remember that this is a £25,000 Polo, and if the cabin wasn’t tip-top, that price would appear even more over the top. Rear seat legroom is decent enough, and there’s plenty of headroom to be found as well. When it comes to boot

space, the Polo does even better thanks to its 351-litre load area – that’s even bigger than the larger Ford Focus.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE?

The standard equipment levels on the R-Line are strong – again, something we’d expect given its price. The R-Line spec also boasts all manner of visual enhancements, including a full design pack, gloss-black air intakes and LED daytime running lights. In our test car, optional 17-inch alloy wheels were £450, and full LED headlights to complement the daytime running units came in at £850. The main infotainment system is VW’s composition media one – easily one of the most user-friendly in the business. As well as satellite navigation and media functions, it houses Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which work seamlessly on the 8.0-inch touchscreen.

VERDICT

The R-Line specification is there for those who want all the buttons, screens and additional equipment you could want from a Polo. It’s well-built, good to drive and practical to boot – but then so is the regular car, and that feels a touch more refined on the motorway as a result of its smaller wheels. At £25,000, the temptation to push up into a larger car – such as in the similarly-priced small SUV segment – may ultimately overwhelm its appeal.

LIFE & STYLE

64 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

LOVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Talk

the

town

This month we speak to artist Bonnita Moaby about getting up close and personal with actor Tom Hardy and why she loves where she lives

WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO MEET FRIENDS AND SOCIALISE? Any of the many coffee shops around town are a great place to meet and catch up. I love a good Costa and when my sister comes to see me we like to hit the one in Fountain Lodge retail park. ARE YOU A MACCHIATO OR MARTINI COCKTAIL TYPE? Neither! I’m a straight black coffee! Unless it’s a Chai tea latte, then we are truly in business.

CAN YOU TELL US THREE INTERESTING THINGS ABOUT YOUR JOB? n 99%

of my work is done with high quality, archival coloured pencils. n I get to draw some truly interesting items, the best so far being watches! n It can take over 20 hours to draw my pictures, depending on their size.

DO YOU THINK THE TOWN OFFERS A GOOD CULTURAL MIX? Tunbridge Wells has a great music culture and for years I did most of the graphic design work for Local & Live. I’ve had the pleasure of working for the council designing the Orchestra in the Park promotional posters a few years back, but my favourite thing to do is meander around the art shops and galleries.

‘I draw in a photo realistic manner, meaning photos that are not very good quality or pictures of loved ones can be replicated’

FIRSTLY, CAN YOU TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOURSELF? I am a realism and portrait artist and I also do some graphic design. I moved here around 1998 and am now married with two young children who keep me on my toes! I find days get very busy running my own business and fitting it all around them. I live just off the Pembury Road and love anything art or craft and love being creative. WHAT MAKES YOUR ARTWORK UNIQUE? I draw portraits of people and pets, as well as objects that people love, like watches and bikes. I draw in a photo realistic manner, meaning photos that are not very good quality or pictures of loved ones can be replicated to an extremely high standard which creates keepsakes for years to come. WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE SHOP LOCALLY AND WHY? Saltmarsh, the art shop of course! I love the look and feel when you walk in and the array of beautiful supplies they stock. WHAT, IF ANY, OTHER RETAIL OFFERING WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE IN THE TOWN AND WHY? Children’s clothing outlets that cater to all budget types. I would love to see H&M come back and even a Primark. I would also like to see more art shops and galleries that can cater for classes and hold more affordable art. 66 | March 2019 | SO Magazine

WHERE’S THE BEST PLACE TO GO FOR A SUNDAY STROLL WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY? We always take our stroll in Dunorlan Park, the kids love it there, it’s great fun rolling down the hill to the fountain and the café is a great stop for a late breakfast or ice cream. Broadwater Down is also an amazing place to wander around. WHAT WOULD YOU CITE AS THE TOP THREE REASONS TO MOVE HERE? Travel options from Tunbridge Wells are great and despite the recent losses of shops in the town, it still has masses of potential. I really think there will be a huge turnaround and very soon it will be the place to visit for shopping. The town has a lot to offer to new families moving to the area, with its parks and amenities, too. AND LASTLY WHAT ELEMENT MAKES OUR TOWN ‘SO’ TUNBRIDGE WELLS? Most definitely the amount of eateries and coffee bars! Oh, and the traffic!

bonnitadoodles.com

AND YOUR CAREER HIGHLIGHT SO FAR WHICH SAW YOU HOOK UP WITH MR TOM HARDY AND HIS POOCHES… You know those nights where you just can’t sleep and an idea just pops into your head? Well I had one of those nights! I have been a fan of Tom’s for a long time. He is an artist of acting and has honed his craft in the same way I have honed mine, through hard work and knockbacks. I wanted to gift him

something truly unique that no one had done for him before. I had the idea to merge each of his dogs that he has had over the years with his iconic characters he has played. Mr Delaney from Taboo, Bane from Batman and then his eponymous Venom. I was able to get the framed portrait to him via an acquaintance who sent me a lovely of picture of a very happy Tom and his new gift.

Royal Tunbridge Wells Tel. 01892 534018 | www.gcollinsandsons.com Royal Tunbridge Wells Tel. 01892 534018 | www.gcollinsandsons.com

SO Magazine March 2019