SO Magazine October 2019

FOOD & DRINK

ARTS & CULTURE

Experience the culinary delights of Chapter One

Why illustrator Elaine Gill’s work is being put on the map

A taste of fine dining

Art lessons

EVENTS

With strings attached

Tunbridge Wells welcomes its third puppetry festival

STYLE ICON

WE MEET THE TALENTED JEWELLERY DESIGNER CATHERINE DE CRÈVECOEUR

October 2019

Designed to stand the test of time The difference is in the detail

Please call for a brochure or visit our showrooms Unit 9, Chart Farm, Seal Chart Sevenoaks, Kent TN15 0ES Tel: 01732 762682 www.rencraft.co.uk

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Welcome

Editor’s LETTER

W

elcome to your October edition of SO Magazine. There’s plenty to pique your interest in this month’s edition from a local illustrator who’s making big waves in the national art scene (p21), to an interview with a Tunbridge WellsEileen with Catherine De Crèvecoeur based TV producer who helped launch Ant and Dec’s great fun on the shoot with her presenting career into the earlier this month, where she told stratosphere courtesy of SM:TV us all about what inspires her work and who’s now producing the visual – and gave us a sneak peek of her version of Radio 1’s popular Live gorgeous new autumn/winter 19 Lounge sessions for the BBC (p12). range. Turn to p17 to read her We also have the lowdown on a motivating story. new arts festival coming to We always aim to bring you the Penshurst this month (p11) and an best in local food and drink in SO engaging article on a professional Magazine and this month I think we hypnotherapist who took a career may have our best culinary offering change not once but twice, going yet. Not only do we savour a taste from being part of a high-flying of the delicious and innovative food cabin crew to then retraining as a being served at Chapter One in midwife before finding her calling as Locksbottom (p35), we also enjoy a a hypnotherapist (p31). It just goes trip to Galapagos, an Ecuadorian to prove that you don’t have to be inspired restaurant found at The pigeon holed your whole life into Old Vine in Cousley Wood (p41). one particular job.

We’ve also been on a foraging trip Talking of which, that’s exactly with The Small Holding’s Will what our cover star Catherine De Devlin to discover a slew of natural Crèvecoeur has learnt. The former ingredients that are ripe for the advertising account director turned picking (p37) and will enhance your fashion stylist is now enjoying huge autumnal dishes. Enjoy the issue. success as a jewellery designer.

Having only launched her first collection 18 months ago she now boasts a loyal following, not just here in Tunbridge Wells but all over the country and beyond Editor thanks to her trademark light-as-aEileen Leahy feather colourful creations that are PS Check out our page @somagazines a real style statement. We had for all our latest Instagram updates

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contents October 2019

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

21

Artistic Approach Illustrator Elaine Gill reveals some of her creative inspiration

Life’s Little Luxuries The luxuries in life you can’t live without

31 41

Anne Bayati Discusses the power of hypnotherapy

Social Scene Guests raise thousands for charity

Patagonian Pleasures Take your tastebuds on a trip to South America courtesy of Galapagos

Festival Fever New literary event comes to Penshurst

TV Star We speak to Steve Wynne about his profile and working on Radio 1 Worry Dolls Paul Dunton talks to the folk duo

Catherine De Crèvecoeur On her new jewellery collection

47 49

Join the green party Why Tranquil Dawn is the colour of 2020

Will Devlin from The Small Holding takes us on a foraging adventure Pg37

Dark Arts How to successfully decorate with a rich palette of inky tones

51

Design Inspiration How becoming an interior designer changed Justine HodgsonBarker’s life

65 68

Clare Balding Pays an inspiring visit to Benenden School Book a table: We sample the culinary delights at Chapter One Pg35

Issue 139 SALOMONS ESTATE Tunbridge Wells Kent TN3 0TG

Sri Lanka Discover the many hidden gems of this stunning country

EDITOR Eileen Leahy info@somagazines.co.uk

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SALES DIRECTOR Gemma Hak ghak@markerstudy.com

EDITORIAL Victoria Truman Andy Tong Charlie Bond

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Richard Moore rmoore@markerstudy.com

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Wood Craig Matthews

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It’s a wrap: Charlie Bond picks her top knits Pg27 Sowing the seeds of success: We meet Hever Castle’s head gardener Neil Miller Pg61

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 3

CULTURE HUB

Photo: Jeff Oliver

OCTOBER CALENDAR

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

BE ENVIRONMENTALLY AWARE Tonbridge Talks is a new annual festival which aims to ‘inspire, challenge and entertain’ according to its organisers at the EM Forster Theatre and Tonbridge School. For its inaugural year Tonbridge Talks focused on the centenary of the suffragettes and now for 2019 the theme is the environment. The three-day event, which runs from Friday October 4 to Sunday October 6, will showcase a range of speakers, performances, writers, producers and workshops including BAFTA-winning English naturalist, author and television presenter Steve Backshall, poet Anthony Wilson and Arctic explorer Pen Hadow. There will also be a new international film festival called Wilderland. For more details see www.tonbridgetalks.com

DINE IN STYLE

BY ROYAL APPOINTMENT

Westerham winery Squerryes launches its new eaterie The Dining Room on October 4. Its menu will feature mainly British fish and seafood complemented with a slew of seasonal ingredients from the vineyard’s estate as well as from local and artisan producers. Dining delicacies include a Cornish monkfish skewer, spider crab with garlic butter, pickled Jersey rock oysters and line-caught John Dory.

The menu also includes vegetarian and vegan options including roast golden and choggia beetroot, goat’s cheese, radishes and shallots.

You can check out more at www.squerryes.co.uk

In celebration of National Poetry Day on October 4 Penshurst Place will be hosting a special event where actors will bring to life King Henry VIII and his six wives in order to tell their stories. The event will also coincide with the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII’s first visit to Penshurst Place. The period costume group from Tudor Legacies will perform its ‘Six Wives’ presentation in the Baron’s Hall at 12.30pm and 3pm and will also wander the house and grounds in character to talk with visitors about what life was like as wife to Henry VIII. This special event is included in the price of a standard house and gardens entry ticket. To find out more information about opening times and tickets visit www.penshurstplace.com

WEDDING FEVER AT HEVER

HISTORY LESSONS The enormously popular CBBC show Horrible Histories is once again on tour and will be stopping off at the Assembly Hall with its Terrible Tudors production, which boasts both live action and clever 3D imagery to tell the tale of this particular period of British history.

The time-travelling team will be in residence from Thursday October 3 until Sunday October 6 and tickets cost from £16.25 for children and £20.25 for adults.

For further information see www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk 4 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

DID YOU KNOW? Horrible Histories is based on a series of books by writer Terry Deary and before it was made for CBBC it appeared in cartoon form on CITV in 2002.

If you’re getting married soon and are looking for lots of inspiring venue ideas then you won’t want to miss Hever Castle’s Wedding Showcase on Sunday October 13.

Running from 12-4pm guests can see how this beautiful historic castle can be dressed for a formal day or a more relaxed one courtesy of the many tours around the house and gardens including the Astor Wing and the stunning lakeside location of the Guthrie Pavilion. There will also be the chance to meet a number of the specialist staff who will help you create your dream wedding day.

Cocktails, fizz and hot refreshments will be served throughout the event. If you wish to attend, please pre-register by emailing weddings@ hevercastle.co.uk

OCTOBER CALENDAR

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On October 30 The Forum welcomes actor Lucy Stevens in her one-woman show entitled Kathleen Ferrier Whattalife! This new play, which also boasts music, tells the story of Kathleen Ferrier, the great English contralto who died from cancer at the height of her career in 1953. The fun and engaging piece is written in Kathleen’s own words, taken from her letters and diaries. There will also be some of the music from Miss Ferrier’s repertoire featured which made her so famous. Not only was the Lancashire born singer gifted in the classical genre, she sang lots of folk and popular ballads too and was also a talented pianist. The seated performance starts at 6pm and tickets cost £15 on the door or £12.50 per person in advance. Go to www.twforum.co.uk

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DID YOU KNOW? Ben Elton is a third cousin of Olivia Newton-John and the grandson of scholar Victor Ehrenberg

FLOWER POWER Over the weekend of Saturday October 12 and Sunday October 13 Great Comp Garden in St Mary’s Platt will hold its annual Autumn Extravaganza, which will see some of the area’s best plant nurseries showing off their collections. There will be plenty of flowers, shrubs and bulbs to browse and buy and some tasty artisan food and drink to sample and enjoy. For more details visit www. greatcompgarden.co.uk

LIFE IS SWEET Chocolate fans will want to indulge in Temper Temper’s special series of workshops this month. The Southborough-based chocolatier is running a number of fun and informative events, including a three-hour truffle workshop aimed at older teenagers and adults on October 20. The session, run

by Temper Temper owner Alison Hazell, will show chocolate lovers how to make and decorate their own sweet confections.

Visit www.tempertemperchocolate.co.uk

ARTISTIC APPROACH The Tonbridge creative collective 4art are hosting a special exhibition at Tonbridge Castle from October 19-24. The four artists will show paintings, drawings and sculpture reflecting a contemporary view on life and each artist’s surroundings. It’s free to attend, with artists on hand to talk about their work.

For more information visit www.4artkent.wordpress.com

COMEDY VALUE Legendary stand-up veteran Ben Elton is back on the road after a 15-year absence. The political comedian first found fame on Channel 4’s Saturday Live more than 30 years ago and has decided that after co-writing TV series such as The Young Ones and Blackadder, plus penning the musicals We Will Rock You and Love Never Dies, it’s time to go back on the road. Ben says he promises to try and make sense of a world which appears to have gone ‘stark raving mad’, adding: “The last time I toured I was still smarter than my phone. Things have definitely taken a funny turn.” Tickets cost £32.25 from www.assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk

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SPOOKY COOKS This Halloween keen young chefs are invited to a special cookery event at Chiddingstone Castle. On from 4-7pm, it’s run by Jo Banks from Alive with Flavour, who will help children to create a spooky dinner menu followed by a torchlit tour of the castle. It’s an event that’s bound to be a sell-out so make sure you book your tickets soon. Ideal for children aged between 8 and 13. Tickets cost £28. For more details email jobanks@ alivewithflavour.com

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Shutter Specialists SO Magazine | October 2019 | 5 19/09/2019 08:22

RETAIL THERAPY

Light fantastic We all know that getting a good night’s sleep is essential and the way your bedroom is illuminated during the time you are preparing to send up the Zzzzs has an impact on your sleep. So forget harsh main lights and opt for this beautifully designed stirking Soap Pendant light instead.

Not only does it look absolutely stunning, it also emits a soft and soothing low level hue to help you drift off.

Soap Pendant Light £2,667, The Sofa & Chair Company, www.thesofaandchair.co.uk

Prints charming This hand-tufted rug made by skilled craftspeople from botanical silk is simply divine and will certainly enhance any living area thanks to its beautiful design. Super soft underfoot and available in a variety of different sizes, this has definitely floored us!

Just be careful not to let anyone walk on it in their shoes otherwise you’ll have a pretty pricey cleaning bill to foot. Terrazzo Rug, £5,760, Rug Society, www.luxdeco.com

Making scents

LIFE’S LITTLE

LUXURIES Here’s our edit of this month’s covetable collectables to enhance your life

Tom Daxon spent the autumn of 2017 in Monemvasia, Greece, a trip which inspired him to create this seriously citrusy Laconia scent. With a heart of water mint, green violet leaf and jasmine, the light floral scent is injected with zesty punches of lemon, orange and mandarin top notes. A base of sea salt, vetiver and cardamom culminates in a rich aquatic scent that lingers on skin. Addictively wearable, Laconia is elegant and fresh – the perfect fragrance for spring and summer. Laconia Eau de Parfum 100ml RRP £155, Tom Daxon, www.tomdaxon.com

Perfect timing If you’re after a tasteful timepiece look no further than Asprey’s Clic-Clac clock. Sleek and chic it is expertly made from stainless steel and has an engine-turned case which hides the easy-to-read dial when you don’t want to keep an eye on the time. Satisfyingly weighty, it doubles up as an elegant paperweight and can also be taken on your travels.

Clic-Clac stainless steel clock, £725, Asprey, www.asprey.com

In the pink

Surround sound

Who said that pretty can’t be practical? This beautiful Burberry bag is just that as it can be worn three different ways: as a shoulder bag, across the body, and as a clutch.

The baby pink shade will add a dash of colour to the dark winter days while the design offers both an interior and an exterior pocket, allowing you to carry all of your essentials. Small leather TB Bag, in rose beige, £1,490, Burberry, www.uk.burberry.com

Offering superior sound, beautiful design in exclusive materials and intuitive touch control on the earphones that gives you total control over music, calls and voice commands, Bang & Olufsen’s first true wireless earphones Beoplay E8 were designed for people who don’t want to compromise sound and design for true wireless freedom.

The premium leather charging case comes with wireless charging to make Beoplay E8 2.0 truly wireless. It holds three full charges, giving up to 16 hours’ playing time. Available in a variety of colours.

Beoplay earphones £300, Bang & Olufsen, www.bang-olufsen.com

Sitting comfortably There’s nothing like a little plush velvet to add a dash of luxury to a space. We particularly love this cool and contemporary Titania cube as it looks gorgeous but also multitasks well. It can be used as a comfortable footstool, additional seating when you have guests or an area where you can display your favourite coffee books or collection of aromatic candles.

A perfect purchase for any stylish dwelling. Titania Cube, from £2,684, The Sofa & Chair Company, www.thesofaandchair.co.uk 6 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

Social Scene

GUESTS GO BACK IN TIME TO RAISE THOUSANDS FOR CHARITY Estate agents Wood & Pilcher held a glamorous World War Two themed party at Salomons Estate last month in order to fundraise for a local children’s charity.

Steve Bovis and Jackie Morris, Director and Managing Director at Wood & Pilcher in Tunbridge Wells, organised it to raise money for Taylor Made Dreams, a Crowborough charity that fulfils wishes for life-limited children.

“We have held black tie events for charity before, but this year we wanted to do something different,” said Mr Bovis.

“We wanted to put on something that hadn’t been done before in Tunbridge Wells, and thought we would give this 40s themed dance a try.”

More than 170 people attended the wartime event which raised over £10,000 for Taylor Made Dreams.

Suzi Mitchell, founder of the children’s charity, said: “Being such a small local charity, we rely hugely on the generosity of the local community and corporate sector to support our work, Wood & Pilcher have truly raised the bar with their phenomenal donation.”

IMAGES: John Knight

8 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

Culture

s t’ rs u sh n e P e rc fo in re to t n a w “We e th f o e m o h a s a n o ti ta u p re ” re tu ra te li d n a s rt a e v ti a re c

The first weekend of October sees the first Penshurst Arts Festival which will see the likes of writers Daisy Goodwin and Loyd Grossman descending on the village to talk about their love of literature. There’s also live music and stand-up comedy. Eileen Leahy finds out more from its organising committee Please can you give us a brief overview of what the Penshurst Festival is all about?

It is about bringing talent across the arts to Penshurst as the evenings draw in, to entertain in an informal and intimate setting. We want to draw visitors to Penshurst, to give them fun, to persuade them to return next year and tell their friends about it.

Who came up with the idea?

The Friends of Penshurst Church group is the main organiser. It’s a charity that helps look after the wonderful Grade One listed church in the middle of the village and boost its usage. But there are several other organisations involved too, particularly Penshurst Place & Gardens, the historic estate at the village’s heart. In the future, though, we hope the festival will be run by a community company reflecting all these contributors.

Can you tell us why you decided upon the festival’s theme of Crossing Boundaries?

David Lough is the festival’s artistic director – he is an author who lives

in Penshurst and was a banker before writing about history, so he’s interested in others who have switched art forms or careers or physical boundaries such as Loyd Grossman who, as well as writing, has been a TV presenter, most famously on Masterchef. He’s also performed at Glastonbury, is a food entrepreneur and also chairman of various arts and heritage organisations.

Why do you think the festival is something that will benefit the people of Penshurst and the local area?

We want to reinforce Penshurst’s reputation as a home of the creative arts and literature – it’s something which it has been known as for centuries, since Sir Philip Sidney was penning his famous poetry here almost 500 years ago.

We believe that this recognition of our literary heritage will turn into more people visiting Penshurst, with a view to putting on more interesting events for residents and these new visitors spending more time in the village, thus helping to safeguard the historic buildings that it has at its core.

What have been the challenges in setting it up?

First time round there have been many including attracting performers, building a website, establishing ticketing systems and attracting funding. But the biggest challenge for any new event is getting its audience through the doors. You have to do this firstly by building awareness in the local area, then persuading people to give it a try – i.e. buying tickets!

Tell us a little bit about how the festival will be run and why you’ve chosen a number of different venues?

The festival starts on Friday evening,

October 4 and runs until lunchtime on Sunday October 6. We have 12 events, spanning literature, jazz, classical music, stand-up comedy and poetry. We’re using the wonderful Baron’s Hall of Penshurst Place for our opening party and an author event. The church (which now boasts new facilities after its renovation) hosts more authors and a classical concert. Penshurst Village Hall will host some stand-up comedy and the Leicester Arms Hotel will be putting on a special jazz supper plus Loyd Grossman’s literary lunch. All the venues are very close together and parking will be easy thanks to space provided

by Penshurst Place. And there will

be plenty of village eateries, coffee kiosks and pubs open all day.

What do you hope to achieve with your first festival and will you put on another one?

We’re aiming to put it on the cultural map and lay foundations for an event that grows each year in stature, programming and audience.

There’s a small village in Cornwall called St Endellion which started a festival 70 years ago. Today it packs out three weeks of events across the year by attracting top musicians and writers and putting them on in relaxed and intimate surroundings.

That’s what we would like to reach.

What will visitors benefit from going along and supporting the festival?

They will enjoy meeting and listening to top and rising talent in intimate settings. For example we have just signed up Kelly Convey for our late Comedy Nightcap on Saturday evening – she’s fresh from the Edinburgh Fringe and the British Comedy Guide calls her ‘one of the most rapidly rising new comics on the circuit’. You can take in the concert and then see her with Marlon Davis for just £5 – a steal because it includes cheese and cake!

And there’s a bar of course. Visitors this year can also help shape next year’s festival by telling us who or what they would like to hear.

The festival is supporting the charity Prison Reading Groups – why did you choose it?

Prison Reading Groups supports nearly 50 voluntary book groups in 30 prisons across the country.

These groups meet monthly, choose their books and a Prison Reading Group volunteer leads the discussion of them. Reading connects prisoners with other prisoners, with their families and with themselves. It’s a wonderfully simple, civilised scheme and we thought it deserved to become better known through a partnership with the Penshurst Festival.

PICK OF PENSHURST FESTIVAL Daisy Goodwin

Author and film producer (Victoria); Friday October 4, Penshurst Place Baron’s Hall.

“Penshurst is famous in the film world for its Tudor settings. I’m looking forward to bringing a perspective from Victoria’s world to its opening night on 4th October.”

Loyd Grossman

Television presenter, gastronomer, musician, writer, arts and heritage

expert; Saturday 11.45am (plus optional lunch), Penshurst church and Leicester Arms Hotel.

“Penshurst has long played a proud part in the country’s literary and artistic history. It’s great that a new festival will celebrate that and I’m looking forward to joining in.”

Sonia Purnell

Author and biographer; Saturday 2.45pm, Penshurst church.

“Penshurst’s new festival programme sounds different and fun. Leadership is in the news and I’m really looking forward to talking about two contrasting leaders about whom I have written: the notorious Boris Johnson and the lesser known Virginia Hall. Who would you rather have?”

Tickets for all Penshurst Festival’s events can be bought online at www.penshurstfestival.co.uk

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 11

Profile

Steve Wynne and his production team; (below) Dave News filming in Edinburgh

Blond ambition TV producer Steve Wynne has worked with the likes of Ant and Dec, Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus during his impressive career. As his latest project, Radio 1’s Live Lounge TV series, airs on the BBC Eileen Leahy caught up with the seriously talented – and very funny – Tunbridge Wells-based creative to see what makes him tick

Radio 1’s Live Lounge presenter Clara Amfo and (below) CBBC’s The Playlist team

12 | OCTOBER 2019 | SO Magazine

I

t’s fair to say that Steve Wynne is a very, very busy man. As well as running his BAFTA nominated independent TV production company Strawberry Blond, which makes lots of fast-paced, engaging shows for Channel 4, the BBC, UKTV and YouTube, the father of three is over at Radio 1 every week filming its Live Lounge music specials with DJ Clara Amfo. He also records his own popular podcast Disgusted of Tunbridge Wells and makes others too for the likes of singer/songwriter Becky Hill. Yet despite such a hectic schedule, Steve still finds the time to take all of his Strawberry Blond team, who are based in London’s Shoreditch, to a weekly yoga class. Phew, I’m exhausted at just the thought of such a frenetic existence, never mind living it, but it would seem that this is what Steve and his team thrive on.

“They are unbelievably talented, and almost all of

them are under 30,” he explains. “We pride ourselves on not taking things too seriously. Without the team I would be nothing.”

Getting into – let alone succeeding in – the world of TV is notoriously difficult so how did Steve manage to do it? “I was the world’s worst hospital radio presenter at the age of 15 and I’m sure made people more ill,” he laughs. “I then worked at my local radio station and did a Media Studies degree at uni. I applied for every single job in the Media Guardian every Monday.

“I’m from the North and had no contacts in the media world but some fools took a punt on me just before my 21st birthday and I ended up in Rome working for a digital satellite network owned by the Saudi royal family. I wish I was making this up, but I’m not!”

Since that rather unconventional start Steve has gone on to work on some very famous TV shows including SM:TV, the hugely entertaining Saturday morning kids’ show which first aired in 1998 and was pretty much

PROFILE

I started in radio and so it’s a dream to work at Radio 1

the launch pad for its presenters Ant and Dec and Cat Deeley.

“Being involved with SM:TV really was incredible. I got to fly around the world to interview Billie Piper and Westlife in Mexico, Britney Spears and Sabrina the Teenage Witch in the US – oh, and Five and Steps in er . . . Uxbridge. I was the voice of Chums – SM:TV’s rip-off of the Friends sitcom – but I don’t like to talk about it,” Steve jokes, tongue firmly in cheek.

“We were the underdogs as Live & Kicking was on the other side, but we ended up beating the BBC in the ratings on a Saturday morning for the first time since Tiswas. It was a lot of fun and I never stopped laughing.”

Steve then went on to become an Executive Producer at Disney, where he stayed for seven years, running the UK studio arm of the American corporate giant and working on shows such as Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus’s alter ego. After that he defected to Disney’s rivals, Warner Brothers, where he got to travel the world and was tasked with, amongst other things, making 80s style sitcoms in Russia and international versions of The Bachelor.

But such a smorgasbord of TV experience didn’t quite mean that it would all be plain sailing once Steve started thinking about going it alone.

“Having been at Disney and Warner Brothers, I thought it would be so easy to set up an ‘indie’ and make thousands of shows. I hadn’t reckoned that there’s far more talented people than me out there with better contacts.

“It’s often famine and feast in TV, and difficult to predict where the next big thing is going to come from. But I realised everyone is making it up in telly. So we’re all in the same boat.”

After working for a couple of independents, Rival and Pretzel, Steve launched Strawberry Blond in 2017 with a show called The Playlist, a children’s entertainment and music series for CBBC. It’s now in its third series and has allowed Steve to build up his ‘incredible team’ who are currently working on a Channel 4 archaeology pilot, producing content for the Stand Up 2 Cancer campaign later this month and have just delivered the Dave News for UKTV from the Edinburgh Festival.

Their Radio 1 Live Lounge shows are about to air weekly

STEVE’S TOP TIPS ON HOW TO GET INTO TV:

MY MEMORABLE MOMENTS:

■ Focus on the two or three companies you want to work for. Find out the name of the person who might be able to help you, and make a connection with them

■ Producing the Disney Kids Awards at the Royal Albert Hall

■ Be persistent. The worst thing people can do is ignore you so you’ve got nothing to lose ■ Get experience anywhere you can find it.

And be passionate. I cannot tell you how many people email and it’s a cut and paste with no excitement at all

■ Asking Justin Timberlake on an open-top London bus what happens when *NSYNC split ■ Thinking the head of Russia’s main TV channel was going to kill me ■ Asking Mister Maker to be our daughter’s godfather

from October 7 and will feature some of the music scene’s biggest names.

“I started in radio and so it’s a dream to work at Radio 1 each week and get the type of access we have to the artists,” adds Steve. “Lewis Capaldi is hilarious, The 1975 are incredible and Craig David always brings chocolate! No one has been terrible – yet!”

Given the success it has achieved in such a short period of time, it’s no surprise to hear that Strawberry Blond will be opening a second office in Bristol soon. The team are also working hard on developing even more new ideas.

Steve admits: “I have no idea whether they might work or not but we’re having the best time doing it all.” Somehow I bet they are!

SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 13

Arts

Folk duo the Worry Dolls headline The Forum on October 25. For Tunbridge Wells born Zoe Nichol it’ll be a pretty special moment having performed there as a solo artist in her teens. Paul Dunton talks to her and bandmate Rosie Jones about their influences and why Nashville has played such a pivotal part in their musical journey so far... in Nashville we’ve got to know a huge amount of artists and the songwriters behind the songs too.

Nashville was a real turning point for us... it made us realise we could live our musical dream It’s been a very successful and busy year for Worry Dolls, could you share your favourite moments so far?

A real highlight was performing at the Black Deer festival in Eridge Park back in June. We were very privileged to play for the likes of Bob Harris, Billy Bragg, Larkin Poe and Paul Cauthen. When we sang our last song, The River, the crowd started to sing and clap along and it was an incredible feeling seeing them and hearing them supporting us. The reception was amazing! We were also very grateful to receive a Drake Yolanda Award, which has led to us recording a five-track EP in the studio.

You’ll be able to purchase our new EP on our upcoming tour, which starts this month and runs into November.

How does it feel to be returning to Tunbridge Wells for your headline show at The Forum?

It has always been on our bucket list to headline The Forum. I (Zoe) performed there at about 15 years old when I was part of a rock band, and a good few times in my teens. I remember the night I was finishing a shift in Safeway and members of Get Cape Wear Cape Fly came to the checkout saying they were performing at The Forum. It was funny because I was actually supporting them that night! A local artist and good friend of mine, Ian Knapp, used to let me support him when I was starting out. I met him at The Grey Lady and things went on from there. Worry Dolls then went on to support Keston Cobblers 14 | OCTOBER 2019 | SO Magazine

Club at The Forum in 2016 and now, three years later, we are headlining for the first time!

Your following continues to flourish, can you put that down to anything in particular?

We met at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts, which has always been a great hub for contacts, but we also have the Folkroom records music community to thank too. When we started out in London back in 2011 we were alongside artists like David Gerard, Sophie Jamieson and Patch and the Giant and it was great. A few years later we became part of the Americana scene, meeting the very talented Rob Vincent and Robbie Cavanagh who will both be joining us for several dates on our upcoming tour. Being a part of these communities of musicians has really helped us feel supported, and part of something that is more than just us. Having the chance to perform at the UK Americana Awards last year, alongside the likes of Robert Plant, Mumford and Sons and Ethan Johns, was a huge opportunity for us as was having the chance to showcase our music at the Americana Fest and Folk Alliance in the States courtesy of PRS Foundation Funding.

What are the influences that have inspired your style and sound?

There are so many! They range from old time country, to 90s pop to Americana, roots, Irish folk and punk rock. We’re both inspired by songwriters and having spent lots of time out

You’ve performed, written and recorded several times in Nashville, what have been your most memorable experiences there?

We’ve been extremely lucky to have had the chance to visit Nashville five times over the last four years and there have been so many wonderful times. We actually moved out there for three months to write and record our debut album Go Get Gone. We spent months organising the whole trip and sub-let our rooms and left our jobs in order to go there and live the dream every day.

Whilst there we wrote over 30 songs with some incredible artists and performed with some of the most talented people. As a result we’ve built some really strong bonds thanks to the special times we’ve all shared.

Can you give us a little insight into the new material inspired by your visits to Nashville?

One of the songs from our upcoming EP is called Firefly. It was inspired by seeing fireflies for the first time after doing a video shoot in Hendersonville, Tennessee. It’s just outside of Nashville and it has a huge, beautiful lake where Johnny Cash and June Carter lived from the 1960s for the rest of their lives. Not only does it have this undeniable natural beauty, it also has a powerful musical history too. After the shoot,

Paul Dunton Music Editor

Follow Paul @PaulDuntonmusic

we were walking back through the woodland at dusk and all these fireflies appeared. They were so magical, it’s something we’ll always remember.

Do you feel it has played an integral part in the development of your career?

Nashville was a real turning point for us.

We’d been working together for six years prior to our first visit and we pretty much packed everything in and just took this massive leap of faith and got on a plane. The first year we visited made us realise that we could live our dream, even just for a period of time. It’s a city where musicians from all over the world go to make it and we got to be a part of that scene. Watching and learning from the very best performers and writers from all over the world. We wrote two songs from our upcoming EP there with our good friend Jeff Cohen, and we would love to keep going back.

The chemistry between you both onstage is nothing short of magical, would you say this bond stems from your history and friendship?

We’ve been friends for 12 years and are like sisters – we know each other inside out.

We’ve lived together for many years in London and have grown up together through our 20s. We’ve also shared some of the most brilliant experiences together on our touring adventures and in the US and are always ourselves on stage. We joke around and make fun of each other: that’s just us.

Worry Dolls play The Tunbridge Wells Forum on October 25. Tickets and more details can be found at www.twforum.co.uk Doors open 7.30pm. You can discover more about the Worry Dolls at www.worrydollsmusic.com TO TENNESSEE AND BACK...

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“My inspiration comes from a continued love affair with colour and self-expression...”

Accomplished accessory designer Catherine De Crèvecoeur has just celebrated her first year in business and is just about to launch her new Autumn/ Winter 19 collection. Eileen Leahy caught up with the French-born jewellery maker to find out the secrets of her success

Art Direction: Lee Smith | Photography: Craig Matthews

U

p until 18 months ago Catherine de Crèvecoeur was working as a freelance fashion editor penning a monthly column and running her own personal styling business. Her eye for detail, trends and colour was her calling card which ensured she consulted some of most powerful women – and men – in the corporate world on their wardrobes and attended all the important shows at London Fashion Week. But French born Catherine had always harboured a desire to push the envelope just a little bit further in terms of her creative vision, as she explains: “Part of my job when dressing people was to finish off their outfits with accessories. I often attended trade shows and two years ago I discovered an amazing leather company and something just clicked: I thought to myself I could do something with this.”

After visiting the company’s warehouse in London, which she describes as an ‘Alibaba’s cave’, the germination of a jewellery-making business began to form. Catherine put the hours in, teaching herself how to expertly cut leathers. At first she toyed with the idea of making cuff style bracelets but says she wasn’t happy with the finished results so switched to earrings as she wore a lot herself.

Fast forward to May 2018 and the former advertising account director was launching her first collection of beautiful earrings.

Entitled Les Midinettes, each pair was named after a special female in her life and boasted Catherine’s now trademark mix of super lightweight, ethically sourced leathers in glimmering metallic and eye-catching colourful printed suedes. They were an instant hit with her friends and word started spreading pretty quickly about them – mainly via Instagram, which Catherine credits as being a major part of her swift success.

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 17

Cover Feature

“People have really shown their support for my small start-up business.

And that has been the biggest joy,” she smiles. “I have to pinch myself because I didn’t expect it to be so well received.

I’ve been so overwhelmed by what has happened this past year since I launched my business and I’m just very grateful for all the people who’ve followed me on this journey.”

But if you’re not one of those many women who’ve invested in a pair or three of her stunning supple leather and suede creations which come in all manner of hot hues and cool monochromes then now’s your chance to discover a little bit more about Catherine as she exclusively reveals to SO magazine all about her new collection which for the first time will include a necklace line too…

IDEAS, INSPIRATION

and Creation: What inspires your designs in general?

Inspiration comes from my continued love affair with colour and selfexpression. Growing up, I always dressed differently to others and this was my way of making my mark. As a child I was already drawn to bright, bold colours, unusual patterns and textures. I once begged my mum to buy me a top and a pair of shorts which had bright fluorescent mini palm trees and flamingos on them! In my early teens, my first pair of Converse was in a rich raspberry pink when everyone else was keeping it cool with white or black ones.

So from this love of colour and self-expression came a desire to help women make a statement and give them confidence through something as simple as a beautiful accessory.

What inspired the designs for your Autumn/Winter 2019 collection?

I wanted to continue to create statement pieces by evolving my designs with the use of beautiful prints, colours and shapes that had more of a luxe feel

18 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

about them. I definitely wanted to go back to using animal prints as my last leopard print collection completely sold out and my lovely customers kept asking me for more! I also thought about designs that would be perfect for the festive season and took my moons and stars design a step further with a combination of mixed metallics and bold colours. I will be introducing a few exclusive designs in the run-up to Christmas so watch this space...

When and why do you decide to create a few limited edition collections?

To be honest, some of them aren’t planned in advance which is why I think they are so successful, as they’re spontaneous and unexpected. I love to explore different colour and shape combinations. The beauty of that creative process is that the possibilities are endless and when I eventually create something that feels right, that I love and feel that my customers would enjoy, then that’s the moment I decide to launch it as a limited edition. Some of these ‘one-offs’ have now made it into

the current collection because the response has been so positive.

I am really excited about this collection as, like my earrings, I’ve made something super easy to wear that also adds a beautiful finish to many outfits

Do you have any favourite prints, colours or shapes that you come back to time and time again?

Yes, absolutely, and since the launch of my very first collection, there are a definite few favourites which I keep re-inventing as they are so easy to wear and I guess have become a bit of a staple. You’ll recognise some of those ‘classic’ designs in my new collection...

You also provide a bespoke design service now. How did that come about?

I started getting more and more requests to make either tweaks to existing designs or create something completely new, so I decided to introduce a bespoke service. It’s a flat fee that doesn’t cost more than my usual pieces and the fee varies according to the amount of work to be done. It’s been an absolute treat as I love working with people who come to me with an idea and then make that vision come to life. It’s a lot of fun and very inspiring.

When you design on your own all the time, it can be refreshing to get someone else’s perspective and working together with customers feels very rewarding.

Do you have a favourite pair out of all the collections you’ve designed so far?

‘Rebecca’ style from this summer’s Women’s Tribe collection, closely followed by the ‘Victoria’, from my debut range. I also love the ‘Athena’ design from my recent Mother of Pearl collection. But there are lots of designs I haven’t worn simply because I have made them with other women, with different tastes and styles, in mind.

How did you know the time is right to launch a new necklace line?

I spent ages thinking about necklaces. I tried lots of different ideas but was never quite happy with my finish so I parked them for a while until I eventually found exactly what direction I wanted to take with them. I am really excited about this collection as, like my earrings, I’ve made something super easy to wear that also adds a beautiful finish to many outfits. I hope people like them as much as they do my earrings.

Are you looking to expand your jewellery designs?

Yes, I always have new ideas but I never quite know when exactly I’ll be ready to go along with them. I think 2020 will see some new products join the Catherine de Crèvecoeur family...

Cover Feature

Emmeline: £30.00

Ada: £30.00

Rosa : £30.00

Mary: £25.00

Wangari: £30.00

Angela: £25.00

CATHERINE DE CRÈVECOEUR’S NEW EARRING COLLECTION Reailtin: £30.00

Martha: £30.00

Holly: £30.00

Bellatrix: £30.00

Florence: £30.00

HOW TO BE SOCIAL MEDIA SAVVY Like many modern day start-ups social media has helped Catherine De Crèvecoeur in establishing and promoting her business.

What are her top tips for using influential apps like Instagram? n Only launch yourself onto social

media once you have a very clear idea of what it is you are offering, what your brand is about and what you want to say. Be consistent with your messaging and what you want to share with your audience. Be yourself: make it clear what it is that differentiates you from the others

n Social media is one of the most

overwhelming giant bubbles we can get lost in so make sure you give yourself time to get it right, stay away from it when you need to take a breather and try not to feel the pressure of comparing yourself to what everyone

WHY I LOVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS Catherine De Crèvecoeur Where’s your favourite place to shop?

The Spa Gallery: a small independent art gallery run by Philip Brett-Day on The Pantiles....pop in and be prepared to get lost in his world, he will quite

else is doing. And most importantly, believe in yourself n Asking influencers to promote my

brand was something that was a little bit out of my comfort zone but it just so happened that these amazing women came across my jewellery, having either bought it or received it as a gift. When my phone started pinging with orders because they’d posted about my earrings, I was completely overwhelmed.

As a small business, this is a big deal.

These women continue to support me and I feel like it it’s a lovely, organic way for women to support women and share with their followers something they genuinely love. I created The Women’s Tribe collection in their honour to thank them for supporting my business

n There’s a good local support

network of influencers here in

happily share with you his incredible knowledge of art and stories of local artists and beyond. I have collected quite a few pieces from him already, including a few original Vogue covers from the 1920s!

And to eat out?

That’s a tricky one as we have so many great places now!

Coco Retro does a mean Duck confit and is perfect for a date night. The Mount Edgcumbe is always a winner for a pub lunch and Zorba’s is usually where I end up for a late dinner with friends.

Web: www.catherinedc.com Instagram: @catherinedecrevecoeur

NEW ADDITION Catherine is launching a new necklace line

Tunbridge Wells but to me they’re more than influencers, they are tremendously talented, kind, inspiring women who have a story to share and the ability to help lots of other women.

I have been lucky enough to meet some of them and I love the fact that I have created new friendships beyond those little Instagram squares n Another thing I enjoy about being

part of the social media community is that I can engage with my followers on two different levels. I can showcase my designs but I can also give them a little bit of insight into who I am, and show them that I’m also only human. This makes the whole experience more personal with my customers. And that’s the same for the people I follow. If you get it right in terms of what content you share and also remain authentic then it’s a great place for your business to flourish

And for coffee or cocktails?

The Black Dog café is a favourite for coffee and it has to be The Ivy for drinks. I love to sit at its beautiful bar and it feels like you’re entering a different world when you arrive. The service is pretty impeccable too.

And to get away from it all?

Without a doubt, a walk through Ashdown Forest.

It’s a place I go to religiously with my two boys and my husband at the weekend. We all hold hands, chat about everything and nothing, breathe in the fresh air and take in the beautiful views around us.

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 19

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He said: “When my eye started going odd, I went to my optician and he said the cataract was ripe for surgery so I then went to my doctor.

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Art Direction: Lee Smith | Photography: Craig Matthews

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EVERY PICTURE

TELLS A STORY Elaine Gill is a talented artist who has illustrated the new map for Tunbridge Wells and is in the Kent Painters exhibition at the end of this month

I

am an artist and illustrator, born and bred in Kent. I live in Tunbridge Wells and have a wonderfully supportive family, a very patient husband, three not-solittle children and a Border Collie called Bowline, who usually finds her way into my Christmas cards and maps!

From the earliest age I have always loved drawing, painting and generally just creating. By far my most favourite style is pen and watercolour, although I am always looking at and trying different ways to compose an illustration or a piece of artwork. I really love drawing buildings, especially those that have a story behind them.

My childhood helped inspire me to paint as I loved watching programmes such as Take Hart with Tony Hart and making ragdolls out of scraps of my grandma’s materials. As a non-reader, images have always been very important to me, from the beautiful Paddington Bear line-drawn animation to the illustrations of classic books such as the Water Babies. The images told me the story, not the words. I’m dyslexic but I don’t see it as a hindrance, more as the gift of seeing the world from a very different perspective.

At the age of 12 I was given my first set of oil paints, an easel and canvas. I would paint for family and friends and so decided to take O level art. I went on to study childcare at

college and after graduating I worked in a private day nursery. While there I painted murals, drew publicity leaflets and provided general art and crafts for the children. We moved to Tunbridge Wells in 2008, and soon after that I became a Learning Support Assistant supporting a wonderful boy with Downs Syndrome at St Augustine’s Primary School. Using illustration alongside Makaton to help with communication has definitely defined my drawing.

For my grandma’s 90th birthday we visited all the places she had lived and for a special gift I drew the buildings and little details that made her story special.

From that moment via word of mouth I began drawing other people’s stories and it began to snowball. I then had to make the tough decision whether to stay in education or to follow my dream. With amazing support from family and friends I decided to pursue my passion for art. My grandma is now 97 and still loves her painting!

I love line, architecture and beautiful buildings that tell a story. I’m fascinated by cities and their history and eclectic mix of buildings! Time permitting it is important to explore other disciplines of art, and I do love to paint landscapes. It’s good to step out of your comfort zone and try something new. I attend life drawing and portrait classes with

Andrew James. He’s an amazing teacher and life drawing is an excellent way of brushing up your observation skills.

Despite being super busy I still take on private commissions. It’s a great way to meet new people and avoid artist’s block. Everyone has a unique story and it’s wonderful to be able to translate it into a treasured and personal piece of art.

The best thing about my job is you just don’t know what’s next on the drawing board, there’s never a dull day! The Illustrated stories take up a lot of my time but I do work with authors, charities and magazines and collaborate with designers and artists. One project people might know is the one I did with local cartoonist Chris Burke and the Platform 2 Project at Tunbridge Wells Station which depicts a historical timeline of the town’s most famous characters. In June this year one of my pieces was selected to be shown at the Mall Galleries in London as part of the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours.

I’m currently working with the National Trust at Scotney Castle and have a few exciting and interesting opportunities happening such as an exhibition at Adrian Hill Fine Art in Holt, Norfolk which asked for a piece of my work after seeing it in the Mall. The exhibition is running until the end of November.

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 21

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Everyone has a unique story and it’s wonderful to be able to translate into a treasured and personal peice of art

MAPPING OUT A FUTURE: Whilst I was working at St Augustine’s Primary School, we were invited to become part of Royal Victoria Place’s (RVP) Victoria 21 project and celebrations, which is where I first met

the manager of RVP, Nicky Blanchard, and her team. We spoke about the possibility of me doing an illustrated map and soon after Royal Tunbridge Wells Together was formed the map was commissioned. I saw it as a fantastic opportunity to illustrate and celebrate beautiful Tunbridge Wells. And now when I see a visitor with one, it just makes me smile.

ART FOR ART’S SAKE: Which other artists are you inspired by and why?

Definitely Michelangelo and Canaletto for their line, attention to detail, dedication to art and storytelling. To stand in the Sistine Chapel or close up to an original painting is just awesome. I’ve recently discovered the work by the late Jamil Naqsh, which is stunning, moving and heartfelt.

What do you think of the local art scene?

There is definitely something in the water!

Both Tonbridge and Tunbridge Wells have a diverse and exciting community of artists and makers, often supported by local businesses who exhibit or commission local artists. It is always lovely to recommend an artist friend to someone and to share the love of art.

How would you sum up your work?

‘Your story Illustrated’ is a very special style of my work, illustrating important, memorable and special places to create a treasured, unique and original commissioned piece of personalised art.

Elaine’s work can be seen at the Adrian Hill Fine Art in Holt, Norfolk until November 30 (www.adrianhillfineart.com).

She will also be exhibiting with The Kent Painters Group, which is open to the public from October 25-27 at Sevenoaks School and supports three local charities: Sevenoaks Mencap, Rethink and MacIntyre. For more details visit www.kentpaintersgroup.co.uk

www.elainegill.co.uk @elainejgill Tunbridge Wells Town Map Mar2019 P5.indd 1

27/03/2019 08:46

WHY I LOVE TUNBRIDGE WELLS Elaine Gill

Where’s your favourite place to shop? Saltmarsh in Monson Road. Sue

and her team are so welcoming and have excellent knowledge of artist materials, techniques and will gladly research and recommend products.

I can definitely say their mount cutting and framing service is excellent and all the team have a great eye and understanding to help make the perfect match of frame to painting.

And to eat out? There are lots of places to choose from here in Tunbridge Wells, all in walking distance, so we are spoilt. I much prefer to be creating at the drawing board rather than in the kitchen so at times it’s very convenient!

And for coffee? We are fortunate to have many coffee shops here in Tunbridge Wells. I tend to meet clients in Basil, Woods in The Pantiles and for the best breakfast bacon sandwich and coffee it has to be Hatton’s. They’re always very friendly, offer great service, fab coffee and of course cake!

Finally, where’s the best place to go locally in order to get away from it all? It’s great to walk out of the door and find a number of beautifully looked after green spaces in and around Tunbridge Wells. A few minutes in the car and you’re in Ashdown Forest, or a short drive to the coast. I just love where we live.

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 23

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Before

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Even though the procedure meant serious business, Stephanie didn”t feel like she was undertaking something to be feared. During the operation she and the team were having banter and chatting away which was a good

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Despite her initial fears about having cosmetic surgery, Stephanie expressed that “It was worth it. My life was good before surgery. But now I look better when I look in the mirror!” Being happy with your physical appearance makes such a difference to day to day living. “I was a confident person anyway but I’m enjoying looking better; I really believe it’s important to look the best that you can. When you go out looking good you feel good.” Looking and feeling great provides a person with power and allows them to be free of insecurity.

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After

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To book your complimentary consultation or for more information call 01892 257357 or email hello@bellavou.co.uk www.bellavou.co.uk Bella Vou, Pantiles Clinic, Market House, 45-47 The Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TE

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www.bellavou.co.uk 25 | OCTOBER 2019 | SO Magazine

SO Magazine | September 2019 | 25

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Y

ou may remember a time when jackets, coats, jumpers and cardigans were the nuisance items you needed but didn’t want.

When that autumn chill crept in and it was time to finally accept the need for layers, it felt as though these items were just adding bulk rather than actually accentuating your outfit.

Thankfully, those times have changed.

Fashion houses and clothing brands now understand the need for practicality and style simultaneously. They want their winter wear to be seen and heard, rather than being the items you remove at the first opportunity because they don’t quite go with the look you were trying to achieve.

The first tip to making your knitwear a wardrobe staple is selecting pieces that enhance items you already have. Chunky knits look great with satin midi skirts, skinny jeans, tapered trousers and over mini dresses, while fine knits work well with A-line mini skirts, mom jeans, culottes and under items like pinafore style dresses.

Don’t be afraid to be bold with colours either. Muted, neutral tones are great (I own more camel and grey jumpers than I’d care to admit) but bright, opulent hues should be encouraged too.

If you’re worrying that your jumper adds too much bulk, then try tucking it in just a tiny bit at the front of your trousers or skirt (about the width of two hands) but leave the back untucked , or try a cropped style – they work especially well with anything high-waisted.

The great thing about knitwear is it continues to work hard for a long time. New styles come and go, but invest in chunky roll necks, cable knits and long cardigans and you’ll be wearing them year after year. Knitwear is a chance to be both playful and practical with your look. Embrace it – and stay warm and stylish!

SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 27

Beauty

THINKING PINK October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, so we’ve rounded up the best beauty buys supporting this worthy cause

E

ach October, thousands of organisations come together with one common goal: to raise awareness of breast cancer.

Throughout this month, as well as lots of fundraising missions and awareness campaigns taking place, there’s also a movement in the health and beauty industry.

Supporting a multitude of different breast cancer charities, different brands launch limited edition releases to raise funds and pledge to donate money from their products to help these causes.

Breast cancer is now the most common cancer in the UK, with one person diagnosed every 10 minutes – during this Breast Cancer Awareness Month alone, around 5,000 people will be diagnosed.

It sounds like scary stuff, and it is – but that’s exactly why this awareness month exists, and you can do your part too. If you fancy running a marathon then great – but you can also help by updating the contents of your make-up bag. New lipstick in the name of a good cause is the kind of beauty maths we can get on board with…

ELEMIS Limited edition pro-collagen marine cream in 100ml (£110 www.elemis.com) This supersized edition of Elemis’s best-selling moisturiser isn’t only a great deal (100ml of this cream would usually set you back £170), it’s also for a good cause too. Regardless of how many are sold, £25,000 will go to Breast Cancer Care to aid the work they do in supporting those with breast cancer.

There’s a reason this cream is Elemis’s most loved; it’s clinically proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles in 14 days and improve hydration.

WE’RE FALLING FOR THESE AUTUMN BEAUTY LOOKS JO MALONE Red roses cologne (£98 www.jomalone.co.uk) Throughout October, Jo Malone will be donating £20 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation from every sale of their Red Roses 100ml Cologne.

This romantic scent is inspired by a blend of seven of the world’s most exquisite roses. With crushed violet leaves and a hint of lemon, it smells gorgeous, like a bouquet of freshly cut flowers.

GHD GHD gold ink on pink styler (£139 www.ghdhair.com) This year, GHD has launched a new pink collection in support of Breast Cancer Now, and has also partnered with Chicago-based celebrity mastectomy tattoo artist David Allen, who uses his signature floral tattoo creations to transform and build back self-esteem for women affected by breast cancer. Each of the stylers has been adorned with a floral design, and, £10 from every sale in the UK goes to Breast Cancer Now.

Charlie Bond Lifestyle Contributer Follow Charlie @Girlaboutkent

SENSATIONAIL Original gel polish in precious peony (£12.50 www.sensationail.com) Helping to raise vital funds for breast cancer awareness, SensatioNail will be donating 10 per cent of the purchase price of two of their gorgeous pink polishes.

We love Precious Peony – the vibrant hot pink gel polish is perfect for a pop of colour in autumn.

MII Nourishing lip sheen (£14.95 www.miicosmetics.com) Packed with passion fruit oil, pistachio butter and organic shea butter, Mii’s Nourishing Lip Sheen cares for more than just your lips. £2 from every retail product sold will be donated to Future Dreams, a charity working towards a future free of breast cancer. This sheen conditions and restores your lips, adding a subtle touch of colour. Wear alone or over your usual lipstick.

MATTE RED LIPS Gloss is out for the season, and velvety, rich texture is in.

SMOKY NEUTRAL EYES Ditch greys and blacks this season and opt for more muted, golden hues.

ROSY GLOW That flush you get when there’s a chill in the air?

Wear it with pride – it’s one of this season’s best beauty looks.

SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 29

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HYPNOTHERAPY

uite by q is s o n p y h o t Having fallen in t how s ju e s li a e r e m ade m s a h it t n e id c ac ind is… m e h t l u f r e w o p therapist qualified hypno a is i at ay B e tely in n An S and also priva H N e th r fo th o er practising b lks to the form ta y h ea L en ile ls. E wife to Tunbridge Wel ember and mid m ew cr in b ca d how British Airways careers twice an ch it sw er h e ad see what m n help you her sessions ca

A

nne Bayati is a mum to three teenage children, with a husband and two dogs. She lives in Penshurst, where she enjoys walking her dogs and spending time with her family. So far, so normal you may think, but Anne has quite a story to tell.

“I began my career in the travel industry, as cabin crew, within a tour operator and BA ground staff, which is so far removed from where I am now,” she laughs.

“I left BA to start a family and then decided to train to become a midwife.”

She qualified in 2010 and went on to work predominantly within hospital settings before she was introduced to hynobirthing in 2016.

Anne completed further training in hypnobirthing and birth trauma resolution therapy as she wanted to learn more techniques in order to help more people with other personal issues, not just those expecting a baby. She qualified in 2017.

“I love what I do and gain great satisfaction from seeing children and adults resolve issues which have been affecting their lives in some way. I have moved away from clinical practice and my main role now is as the lead midwife for hypnobirthing within the local NHS Trust, where I teach couples and also midwives.”

In tandem with this Anne has been seeing clients on a one-to-one basis, initially at her home, and now at her own therapy room, based at Salomons Estate in Tunbridge Wells.

“I never thought for one moment I would be working now as a hypnotherapist but I have recognised that throughout all the careers I have done, it is always with people and in a supportive role. So helping people to feel better about themselves and their lives seemed like a natural progression for me.

“Having fallen into hypnosis quite by accident, supporting a couple who were hypnobirthing at the local hospital, it made me realise how powerful the mind was and how, when it was in the right place, the body and the mind worked so well together.

“This ignited an interest in me to learn more about the mind and hypnosis, having seen its benefits during birth, and what could be achieved when using it to resolve other issues such as anxieties, fears and phobias.”

In terms of what clients usually want to achieve from a course of Anne’s sessions she responds: “They normally want a solution to their personal, emotional or habitual issues which are affecting their life in some way so that they can feel better about themselves, their school life, work life and home life.

“Avoidance is commonplace when exposure to the trigger causes negative emotions in a person so for a client to be able to face their fears and to feel how they want to feel is the ultimate aim.”

Anne is trained in both hypno analysis and solution-focused hypnotherapy. This means she is able to encourage the release of negative thoughts and emotions related to past events or memories before she starts to introduce more positive thoughts and feelings moving forward.

“I feel that you often have to release the emotions and feelings surrounding

events which have happened in the past before you can begin to introduce how that person truly wants to think, feel and act.

“This is not necessary for every issue a client presents with as quite often I work with just the here and now and the future. For example, through my work with children I take a solutionfocused approach, introducing positive suggestions to bring about change. Trust and rapport are extremely important to me, especially with a younger person, so to make the session as relaxed and comfortable as possible is crucial.”

For a client to be able to face their fears and to feel how they want to feel is the ultimate aim SO Magazine | October 2019 | 31

J10495-174 NH Tunbridge Wells Hospital_So Magazine October Edition_375hx340wmm_v2.indd 1

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Spaces are limited, for more information or to book call 01892 882430 Spaces are limited, for more information or tu_custenq@nuffieldhealth.com to book call 01892 882430 or email visit nuffieldhealth.com/book nuffieldhealth.com/book or email tu_custenq@nuffieldhealth.com visit Spaces are limited, for more information or to book call 01892 882430 visit nuffieldhealth.com/book or email tu_custenq@nuffieldhealth.com J10495-174 NH Tunbridge Wells Hospital_So Magazine October Edition_375hx340wmm_v2.indd 1

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HYPNOTHERAPY

“I often do not spend the time She says hypnosis and hypnotherapy reflecting on my achievements as I am have many misconceptions and myths always busy focusing on the people I attached to them. “Many think it is help, but this has made me stop, take mind control and that I would be able notice and acknowledge that I do make to tap into a person’s deepest, darkest a difference. I feel honoured to have secrets. This is not the case. The client won it.” has all the control; I only offer suggestions and if the mind does not But this prestigious win does not want to go there, it won’t.” mean Anne will be resting on her laurels any time soon. In fact she feels She goes on to say that another she has lots more to achieve: “It misconception is that many saddens me when I hear people think they are about the increase in asleep during a session. children and teenagers “This is incorrect.

I have struggling with poor You feel very recognised that mental health. I would drowsy and in a like them to be able daydreamy state throughout all the to access support in but your order to feel better subconscious mind careers I have done, it is about themselves is actually very always with people and and their lives. alert and therefore is very open to “I believe hypnosis in a supportive role what I am suggesting, and hypnotherapy can which is why it works be very beneficial for so well.” young people and so my Anne recently won a gold focus and commitment is to award at the Kent Health and connect with schools, colleges and Beauty Awards for her work. She says universities in order to provide hypnosis that she is over the moon with her win. workshops during times of high anxiety “The award has given me such a such as the exam period or during the personal boost and a recognition of the transition from primary to secondary positive work I do with children, teens school or onto university. I would like to and those struggling with birth trauma. do regular talks focusing on emotional

Anne Bayati has a therapy room at Salomons Estate

wellbeing and to educate more people in understanding and recognising that hypnosis and hypnotherapy is a valid therapy and why it works so well.

“When a client comes to see me, I am actually de-hypnotising them. Their limiting beliefs have hypnotised them to believe certain things because of everything they have been exposed to

throughout their life, from something a parent may have said, to something they have read or watched on TV. The memories remain intact but the emotions attached to them have gone and their limiting beliefs are challenged so they start to create new beliefs, a new way of thinking and feeling.” www.annebayatihypnotherapy.co.uk

WHAT IS HYPNOTHERAPY?

n Hypnosis is a naturally occurring state of

mind. We enter a trance-like state regularly such as when we daydream, when absorbed in a book or film or when we deeply relax.

Hypnotherapy is the use of various techniques to enable change in a person.

Deep relaxation slows down the busy conscious mind to allow the subconscious mind to come through. Here is where we hold all our limiting beliefs which can affect our thoughts, our feelings and our behaviours. n

By using various hypnotherapy techniques, a person can begin to release the negative, limiting beliefs and introduce a new way of thinking, feeling and behaving. Through repetition, the mind trains itself to think and believe differently. n

Hypnotherapy can resolve many issues in a relatively short space of time. It seeks out the root cause of a problem, which may involve the release of many layers of limiting beliefs. It is gentle and often uses the imagination, making it an ideal therapy for children. n

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 33

ADVERTISING

SPARKLE & SHINE

RAISE A GLASS AND FEAST WITH FAMILY & FRIENDS THIS FESTIVE SEASON Celebrate in style at Chapter One. Dine in the Restaurant, Brasserie or Private Dining Room with a choice of festive menus including sophisticated dishes and traditional favourites.

Festive menu available in the Private Dining Room Seasonal Set Meu, available for lunch and dinner in the Restaurant. £29.95 for 4 courses* Special menus for Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve & New Year’s Day *excluding Saturday evening and Sunday lunch

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Chapter One, Farnborough Common, Orpington BR6 8NF www.chapteronerestaurant.co.uk

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34 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

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Food & Drink

Food & Drink

IT’S TIME TO SPREAD THE WORD ABOUT…

W

Chapter One

hen I was growing up my parents used to dine out on very special occasions at The Fantail restaurant in Locksbottom, Farnborough. It was the place to go if you wanted exceptional food, a decent wine list and excellent service this side of the capital during the 1970s and 80s.

Fast forward a few decades to the mid-90s and The Fantail became Chapter One. In 2000 Andrew McLeish arrived as head chef in its kitchen and in that time managed to gain the establishment a Michelin star, only to lose it in 2015.

Two years after that Andrew and his business partner Marcel Faulstich decided to buy the business themselves, determined to put Chapter One back on the map, not just for its culinary offering but also for that glamorous wow factor that was so innate in The Fantail’s heyday.

On arriving there one windswept Wednesday evening, any trace of the horribly wet weather we’ve battled through on the A21 to get to Chapter One

Eileen Leahy dines out at Locksbottom’s Chapter One and discovers why it’s well worth making the journey up the A21 to it

immediately trickles away. Inside it’s absolutely beautiful with a décor reminiscent of the decadent 1920s – think glimmering glass, plush leather and velvet banquettes, statement geometric floor tiles and a colour scheme of inky navy, rich teal and sea green offset by gilt finishes – all of which is not too unlike a peacock’s fantail. It sort of feels like you’re stepping into the glamorous setting for an F Scott Fitzgerald novel.

Venison My dinner guest is my carpaccio with sister and we are greeted Wiltshire

by Marcel, who tells us truffles, that the restaurant has parmesan recently undergone a flakes and thorough refurbishment truffle and that yes, the peacock dressing references are indeed a nod to its days as The Fantail.

But reminiscing aside, Marcel says that he, Andrew and their team are firmly focused on the future of Chapter One, stating that providing inspiring, impressive and frequently changing menus courtesy of the area’s best quality seasonal ingredients in both its chic and cosy brasserie and fine dining restaurant is a key aim.

We have opted to put this to the test in the latter,

Valrhona dark chocolate marquise, Girotine cherries and cherry sorbet

which boasts an à la carte menu at the fixed price of £42.95 for three courses. One glance at what’s on offer and Chapter One’s gastro vision seems to be on track. A lot of the meat is from nearby Chart Farm in Sevenoaks and drinks are sourced from Westerham Brewery and Chapel Down. There’s also a specialist game tasting menu at the moment too, priced at £64.95.

INTENSELY FLAVOURSOME From the main à la carte I choose the smoked haddock kedgeree served with curry mayonnaise, haddock arancini, crispy squid and raisin purée for my starter as I’m intrigued to see how this combination of flavours and textures will work. Thankfully it’s a perfect partnership that achieves the right balance of silky, smoky fish with crunchy, citrusy seafood morsels, further enhanced by the dabs of piquant mayo. My sister’s choice of ballotine of foie gras and grouse confit served with crumbs of pain d’épice and damson jam is a sweet, soft and rich confection that’s gone all too soon.

We order two glasses of 2018 Andeluna 1300 Mendoza Malbec (£8.95) to accompany our next course as we’ve both chosen meat: pressed and roasted lamb shoulder with roast rump, aubergine, braised baby gem and tahini yoghurt for me; and the roasted roebuck venison haunch with girolles, cavolo nero and venison pithivier – AKA pastry – for my sister.

We also order a couple of sides, tenderstem broccoli with olive oil and lemon and Pink Fir potatoes grilled on Chapter One’s American Josper Grill. The meat is moist and intensely flavoursome but if I have one criticism it’s that there’s just a little bit too much oil anointed on the sides. A little less and it would have been outstanding.

Dessert is also included in the prix fixe menu and although we’re both full to the brim by now we decide to share a serving of the passion fruit millefeuille served with poached Kentish blackberries and a quenelle of blackberry sorbet. Like all our dishes the presentation is exquisite. The pastry is crisp and light and the berries are tangy and a great palate-cleanser. Despite saying we were full we find our forks duelling for the final morsel.

We’ve been very well looked after and enjoyed some really interesting, tasty food that’s very reasonably priced and generously served. If the team continue to deliver to this high standard then it’s fair to say that Chapter One will become a long-term best seller. www.chapteronerestaurant.co.uk SO Magazine | October 2019 | 35

ADVERTISING

CHRISTMAS MENU 2 Course £23.00 | 3 Course £30.00

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• Roast turkey with carrot & parsnip, pig in blanket, stuffing, brussel sprouts • Oven baked maple glazed salmon with oriental stir-fry vegetable in sesame soy sauce with pak- choi • Roast butternut squash & spinach risotto, rocket • Pan fried duck breast, mash potato, braised red cabbage, madeira sauce ( SUP £2.00) • Grilled 8 oz sirloin steak, grilled tomato, chips, hollandaise sauce (SUP £3.00) • Nut roast, roast carrot & Brussel sprouts

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• Christmas pudding, Brandy sauce • Hot chocolate fondant with vanilla ice-cream • Apple Strudle, custard • Sticky toffee pudding, honeycomb ice-cream • Trio of English cheese, spicy plum chutney, biscuits (SUP £3.00)

01892 546089 | www.bulltunbridgewells.co.uk 79 Frant Road, Tunbridge Wells, TN2 5LH All tables 5 or more will be subject to a 10% service charge. Please speak to your server if you have any food allergies or intolerances before ordering even of you think the dish may not contain your allergen.

36 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

Food & Drink

FOOD & DRINK

A foraging feast...

’Tis the season of mists and mellow fruitfulness so we pay a visit to The Small Holding in Kilndown and discover the delights of foraging for natural ingredients with chef Will Devlin

W

ith shortening days and cooler nights, October brings a gentle but undeniable shift in the working year at The Small Holding kitchen and one-acre farm in Kilndown. The prolific gluts of summer are over, and now chef owner Will Devlin and his team are busy preserving, pickling and laying down stores for the winter months.

The 26-cover AA rosette awarded restaurant has been named one of the best in Kent at the Taste of Kent Awards and is set in one acre of land, permitting a unique connection between farm

and table. Growing, foraging and cooking the best ingredients is at the core of The Small Holding, with daily changing menus, using homereared and home-grown ingredients from the farm, which is less than 10ft from the kitchen.

“We are now preparing for squash and gourds in all shapes and sizes to harvest, new season onions and shallots and wild mushrooms in the woods,” says Will. “And of course, the brambles all along the lanes in Kilndown near the restaurant are teeming with ripe and plump little blackberries. The berry that launched numerous crumbles, pies and puddings can SO Magazine | October 2019 | 37

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“Experience the great food”

For Booking and Telephone Orders TEL: 01732 358056 19A Avebury Avenue, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1TN 38 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

FOOD & DRINK

also be used in a savoury context.

These recipes aren’t quite wintry and they don’t demand hours of prep, but we do start to see our menus at the restaurant move towards the cosy and comforting around about now.”

Autumn is the start of the British game season but Will says people are often put off it if they have had tough and overly strong meat.

“We need to forget that. Game birds such as pheasant, grouse, partridge and mallard live off the land in the countryside, all eating naturally, meaning they are more ethical and have superior flavour.

For this recipe I’ve partnered the tender and mildly gamey pheasant with fruity wild blackberries, which the hedgerows near The Small Holding are teeming with. I hope you enjoy it!”

ROAST PHEASANT AND BLACKBERRY SAUCE Serves 2 Prepare 10 minutes plus resting Cook 20 minutes • 1whole, oven ready pheasant • Few sprigs of thyme • Splash of rapeseed or olive oil • 50g unsalted butter • 1 80g of blackberries, preferably wild • 100ml ruby port or fruity red wine • 2 tablespoons blackberry jelly or jam • 100ml fresh chicken stock 1. Pre-heat the oven to 200C/gas mark 6. Remove the pheasant from the fridge at least 30 minutes before you plan to cook, rub all over with the oil and season well inside and out with salt and pepper.

2. Heat a heavy bottomed pan suitable for the oven and brown the pheasant all over, turning often, concentrating on the legs, so not to dry out the breast.

3. Put the butter and thyme inside the bird and roast in the oven for 16-18 minutes until just cooked through. Baste with the melted butter in the pan and remove to a shallow bowl to rest, breast side down, covered loosely with foil.

4. While the pheasant is resting, return the same pan to the heat and deglaze with the port and stock. Add the blackberry jelly and simmer over a high heat until syrupy. Stir in the wild blackberries to warm through.

5. Slice the whole breasts and legs from the pheasant and serve with mashed celeriac, blackberry sauce and wilted greens.

SQUASH The ubiquitous butternut squash, grown worldwide and exported, means we’ve grown used to squash as a year-round staple, but autumn is when British squash is at its best. Seek out farm shops, such as Eggs to Apples and Cherry Garden Organic Farm, who grow and sell different varieties. Right now, there are the little cricket ball sized acorn squash (bake like potatoes and pour in melted butter and fried sage leaves), the mottled green kabocha and the beautiful silver-blue skinned Crown Prince which has a firm texture and a fantastic nutty flavour. All squashes partner beautifully with other earthy flavours such as sage, nutmeg and blue cheese. My favourite is Kentish Blue from Kingcott Dairy, which will work well with some crunch from walnuts or pine nuts.

We’re lucky to have a couple of walnut trees in Kilndown, but you could use Kentish cobnuts or hazelnuts instead.

SQUASH SALAD WITH KENTISH BLUE, WALNUTS AND SAGE Serves 4 as a starter or 2 for a light main course. Delicious served with honey roast ham.

•H alf a squash or pumpkin, peeled and diced, approximately 500g (save the seeds to roast) • 1 teaspoon fennel seeds • 1 orange, zest and juice • 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive or rapeseed oil • 100g of Kentish Blue • Handful of large sage leaves • 50g toasted walnuts 1. Mix the squash pieces together with a little olive oil, fennel seeds and the orange zest and arrange in a flat layer on a baking tray. Season well and roast at 160C for 30-40 minutes until the squash has just softened and is slightly catching on the edges.

2. Whilst the squash is cooking, make a quick vinaigrette, whisking together the extra virgin olive oil and juice from the orange with a little crunchy salt.

3. Shallow fry the sage leaves and drain on kitchen paper. Toast the walnuts and roughly chop.

4. When the squash is cooked, remove and arrange on a serving platter and dress with the orange vinaigrette. Crumble over the blue cheese, walnuts and sage leaves and serve immediately.

QUINCE CHUTNEY This is a lovely chutney we serve in the autumn at The Small Holding with local Kent and Sussex cheeses such as Burwash Rose and Kentish Blue.

Makes 4 large jars Prepare 30 minutes Cook 2 hours • 6 large quince • 500g sugar • 500ml white wine vinegar • Juice and zest of 2 lemons • Juice and zest of 2 oranges • Half a teaspoon cayenne pepper • 1 teaspoon ground ginger • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon • 3 bay leaves 1 onion, finely chopped 1. Put all the ingredients, except the quince, in a pan and simmer to reduce by two thirds.

2. Peel, core and chop the quince into bite size pieces and add to the vinegar pan and cook until soft.

3. While still hot, spoon into sterilised Kilner or jam jars with lids and store. The chutney will mature as it ages so try to leave for a few months and eat within a year.

A NATURAL APPROACH Autumn is a prime time to go foraging for wild food. Will Devlin, chef owner of The Small Holding in Kilndown, takes small groups out on its Farm and Forage experiences to explore the woods and hedgerows near the restaurant.

The day starts with coffee and homemade pastries before pulling on wellies for a walk around the farm to learn more about the 200 varieties of fruit and vegetables being grown on site for the restaurant. After feeding the pigs and chickens, guests venture down the lane to the woods and fields to go foraging with Will to find what’s in season including blackberries, crab apples, sloes, damsons, mushrooms and cobnuts and maybe even a truffle or two, if you’re lucky.

Returning to The Small Holding, the guests will be greeted with a glass of awardwinning Squerryes’ English sparkling wine before being seated for a five-course Half Acre tasting menu.

The Farm and Forage days are available on Wednesdays and Thursdays throughout the year priced £145 per person, including a five-course lunch and arrival drink and a goody bag with seasonal treats to take home. Bookings can be made direct via www.thesmallholding. restaurant or by calling the restaurant on 01892 890 105.

GUIDELINES FOR RESPONSIBLE FORAGING FROM THE WOODLAND TRUST SEEK PERMISSION From the landowner and avoid sites which are important for conservation, or are habitats for rare or vulnerable species, or where there are problems with over-picking. These sites can be identified through signage on site, but please always check before setting out.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE PICKING Never consume a wild plant or fungus unless you are absolutely certain of its identification. It could be rare and protected, inedible or even deadly poisonous. Use reference books to identify. Fungi can be notoriously difficult to identify, so if you’re unsure it’s best to leave alone.

ONLY COLLECT FROM PLENTIFUL POPULATIONS Pick flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds where they are in abundance.

For fungi, only take mushrooms that have opened their caps (so are likely to have dropped their spores). Do not collect small ‘button’ mushrooms.

LEAVE PLENTY BEHIND FOR OTHER FORAGERS AND FOR WILDLIFE Wild food is vital for the survival of the UK’s wildlife and it is important to forage sustainably to ensure there is enough left for birds and others, and to allow the plant or fungus itself to produce seeds and spores that grow into the next generation.

BEWARE POISONOUS SPECIES Make sure you know what you are collecting before setting out.

DO NOT COLLECT RARE SPECIES Only take plants and fungi where you are certain you know what they are. Take a good field guide to confirm species in the field and avoid confusion. Some species are protected by law, so know what not to collect. Ancient woodlands in particular can contain many rare species so take special care.

INIMISE THE DAMAGE TO THE NEARBY HABITAT M AND SPECIES Do not just collect everything you see and sort it out later, and take care not to trample down areas you are collecting from.

TAKE NO MORE THAN THOSE YOU PLAN TO EAT Uprooting plants is harmful so pick leaves or berries with care and moderation and avoid damaging the plant’s roots.

For further information from The Woodland Trust visit www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 39

AWARD WINNI NG

RESTA

URANT

All our spices, masalas and sauces are skilfully prepared, everything is cooked to order from fresh primary ingredients which naturally yield flavours that are distinct in taste and quality. Awarded by the BCA, winning best restaurant in the south east region in 2016, and previously in 2014, we feel confident that you will realise an unparalleled appreciation of the dining experience offered at The Cinnamon Square

NOW TAKING BOOKINGS FOR CHRISTMAS

For the True Taste of Indian Cuisine R ings H ill, Hi l d e n b o ro u g h TN11 8 L X

t: 0 1 7 3 2 8 3 2 9 4 4

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w w w. t h e c i n n a m o n s q u a r e . c o . u k (Take away service available 10% Discount)

Food & Drink

DINING OUT

SAVOUR A TASTE OF SOUTH AMERICA

on your doorstep Richard Williams pays Ecuadorian restaurant Galapagos a visit and feasts on some of its exotic epicurean dishes...

THE LOWDOWN A 20-minute drive out of town, Galapagos is attached to the Old Vine in Cousley Wood, Wadhurst. As soon as you step inside the pub’s pretty white weatherboard building, pass through its cosy main bar area and into the authentic South American inspired restaurant, you know the short drive was worth it.

FIRST IMPRESSION Thanks to the warm welcome from owner Kate Edom you’ll soon feel at ease, especially with one of the many fine ales on offer in your hand, or a glass of one of the many South American wines available. It’s a warm, relaxed and friendly place that mixes old school rustic charm – think ageing oak beams running across the ceiling – with a bright and airy dining room helped by colourful artwork all painted

by Ecuadorean Alyvar Villamuga, the father of head chef, Andres.

When I visited with my guest it was busy – few town centre restaurants would have boasted as many diners early on a drizzly Thursday evening, but it seems that Galapagos is a popular local secret.

UNDER STARTERS ORDERS Head chef Andres provides not only an array of dishes from his home country of Ecuador on the menu, but draws inspiration from across Patagonia, with dishes from Peru, Argentina and Brazil.

Two starters immediately caught our attention: the Empanada de Carne [£5], a traditional Argentinian baked pastry which was filled with a pleasantly seasoned minced beef in a velvety rich sauce. The other was Pulpo al Olivo [£9.50], a Peruvian dish made with grilled octopus doused in olive oil that really has to be tasted to be

believed. Rather cleverly, the smoky flavours are created without a barbecue or piece of charcoal in sight – it is all down to the chef ’s perfect seasoning. Even if you’re a fan of eating octopus, I doubt you will have tasted or seen it presented anywhere as good as this before. It was a truly standout dish for us.

THE MAIN EVENT In terms of main courses you can choose, like my guest did, to go for one of Galapagos’s genuine Argentinian steaks which are just mouth-watering and grilled to perfection. Prices range from £34.50 for a fillet to £15/£28.50 for sirloin or ribeye, and rump for £11.50/£20.50. All are served with fries.

Or if you are more adventurous, go for one of the exotic South American dishes which feature a tantalising range of fish and meat. I opted for Seco de Chivo [£14.50], a traditional Ecuadorian dish of stewed lamb with naranjilla [a small citrus fruit] that is served with rice. It tasted very much like a hearty, sweetened curry, crammed full of flavour, which made it the perfect autumnal dinner.

Fish is a popular choice on the menu too, with dishes such as Corvina Marinara [£17.50], a poached fillet of seabass with prawns and squid in a langoustine bisque, and the Encocado de Pescado [£14.50], a slow-cooked white fish with coconut, fresh tomatoes and bell peppers, both looking very tempting as they were carried out to fellow diners.

GROUP EFFORT Andres Villamuga [pictured right] and his passionate team

GALAPAGOS’S USP The most impressive thing about Galapagos, though, is the extra mile they go to. Head chef Andres is clearly a man who is passionate about what he does. He explained how twice a week he gets up at 3am to go to London and buy fresh fish from Billingsgate Market and imported Argentinian beef at Smithfield. It’s fair to say that there are very few restaurateurs outside the M25 who would go to that sort of effort.

All in all it is hard to fault Galapagos.

Yes, it is a 20-minute drive from Tunbridge Wells, but with dishes which taste so delicious and are so passionately created, it is certainly worth the trip out. www.galapagos-restaurant.co.uk SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 41

A Big Thank You To All Our Customers For Standing By Us In Loyal Tunbridge Wells!

Zorba Meze Grill

20% OFF

Monday to Friday 11am till 5pm Until October 31st

Large groups welcome

Please call for Christmas Bookings

01892 52 00 51

01892 530051 | www.zorbamezegrill.com | 4 Upper Grosvenor Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2EN

ADVERTISING

Christmas Fayre Menu

Christmas Day

Available 2 December - 31st December 2019*

Lunch £20 Evening £25

£59.50 adults £20 children

*Not available Saturday evenings

Starter

Starter

Soup of the day (v)

Soup of the day (v)

Fresh salmon cocktail served with mayonnaise and black caviar

King prawns served with garlic butter sauce

Camembert cheese breaded deep fried served with homemade cranberry sauce

Insalata Ela Bella - mozzarella tomato and avocado served with fresh basil oil sauce

Pan fried garlic mushrooms

Pan fried garlic mushrooms

Bruschetta with tomato and fresh basil

Goose liver pate - served on toasted bread

Prawn cocktail

Main

Main

Roast turkey - served with chipolate, stuffing and roast potatoes

Roast turkey -chipolate, stuffing and roast potatoes

Fillet sea bass - served plain grilled or with lemon and parsley or garlic sauce

Fillet sea bass - served plain grilled or with lemon and parsley or garlic sauce

Roast duck - sliced breast of duck served in a honey sauce

Chicken Tuscany - breast of chicken in a white wine and wild mushroom cream sauce

Chicken vegetable - breast of chicken stuffed with vegetables

Beef bourguignon- strips of beef in a red wine sauce with baby onion, bacon and mushrooms

Rib eye steak - served grilled, or with peppercorn or wild mushroom sauce

Risotto - a rice dish cooked with mixed vegetables and a touch of cream sauce OR mixed

Tagliatelle mamma Mia - served in a mushroom and white wine sauce with truffle oil and a

seafood in a creamy tomato sauce

touch of chilli

* all served with a selection of seasonal vegetables and potatoes

* all served with seasonal vegetables and roast potatoes

Desserts

Desserts

Selection from our dessert menu

Selection of homemade desserts

Filtered coffee

2193-Hever-Christmas-Daytime-2019-SO-125x148-AW2.indd 1

Coffee

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SO Magazine | October 2019 | 43

Panto Guide

Try something Try something different... different...

Panto come curling &

love it! come curling & love it! guide EM FORSTER THEATRE

Staff outings B clients Staff outings Entertaining

ack for a fourth spellbinding year, Wicked Productions return to the EM Forster Theatre, Tonbridge, with a laugh-out-loud spectacular family pantomime, the high-flying Peter Pan. Watch as Peter Pan (David Young), Wendy (Lauren Brindley) and the children head for the second star to the right and straight on ‘til morning to beat the vicious Captain Hook (Chris Ellison) and provide a loving home to the Lost Boys. But ever lurking in the water is the nasty croc, waiting to get the ‘upper hand’ of anyone who dare come too close…

Entertaining clients Birthday parties BirthdayChristmas parties Parties

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a bit of audience participation, so here’s our guide to the best shows around...

Try

Christmas Parties Stag & Hen Parties Stag & Hen Parties Social Events something different...

Back by popular demand is the hilarious Tom Swift as Smee and TV legend Michael Fenton Stevens as Sea Dog Sally.

Packed full of fabulous scenery, costumes, special effects, crazy jokes, audience participation and lashings of panto magic, set spirits flying in Tonbridge this Christmas on the adventure of the child who never grew up!

Friday December 13 to Sunday January 5.

Times and ticket prices vary, see www.emftheatre.com or call our Box Office on 01732 304241 for full details.

F U N FFUN U N o n i c e! on ice! on

Social Events

come curling & love it Staff outings Entertaining clients Birthday parties Christmas parties Stag & Hen parties Social Events

ice!

F ind us on Facebook & Twitter

F ind us on Facebook & Twitter

Dundale Farm, Dundale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9AQ

01892 826004 | info@curlinginkent.co.uk

Dundale Farm, Dundale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9AQ www.curlinginkent.co.uk 01892 826004 • info@curlinginkent.co.uk • www.curlinginkent.co.uk

Dundale Farm, Dundale Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN3 9AQ

44 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

01892 826004 • info@curlinginkent.co.uk • www.curlinginkent.co.uk

Panto Guide

ASSEMBLY HALL THEATRE

TRINITY THEATRE

J

oin a magical family Christmas adventure as The Snow Queen comes to Trinity Theatre.

When Kai meets the Snow Queen, she persuades him to leave his home, his grandmother and his best friend, Gerda, to live with her in far away Lapland. So Gerda sets off all alone, determined to find her dear friend – even if she has to search the whole wide world for him…

This Christmas, Trinity Theatre presents a

tale of adventure, friendship and bravery. Hans Christian Andersen’s classic children’s favourite is reimagined for the stage by Theresa Heskins to create a performance full of enchanting characters, original music, and breathtaking onstage magic, and is directed by Trinity Theatre’s new Artistic Director, Kezia Cole.

Thursday December 12 to Sunday January 5.

For tickets and event information, visit trinitytheatre.net, or call our Box Office on 01892 678678

T

he Assembly Hall Theatre is proud to announce that Peter Pan will be this year’s Panto for Christmas 2019.

Meet Peter and the Lost Boys, Tiger Lily and Tinker Bell and get ready for a family show full of fun, fairy dust and pirates galore. Set sail for Neverland and prepare for out-of-this-world flying effects, galleons of laughter and the hungriest of crocodiles…

Tunbridge Wells is guaranteed yet another year of spectacular sets, dazzling costumes and side-splitting comedy, directed by the

Assembly Hall’s own JJ Almond and produced

by Martin Dodd for UK Productions.

Suitable for young ones (and those who never want to grow up), this festive extravaganza is on sale now, so hook your seats today for Tunbridge Wells’ must-see Christmas show.

Saturday December 7 to Sunday January 5.

All performances are listed on the Peter Pan booking page of our website at assemblyhalltheatre.co.uk, or call our Box Office at 01892 530613

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 45

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Halliwell is one of a select group of care homes operated by Elizabeth Finn Homes and offers a home from home for discerning guests who appreciate comfort, quality and exceptional care.

We offer personal or nursing care on a permanent or short stay basis, as well as end of life care, all to the same exceptional standard.

Call Eileen Allison, our General Manager on Tel: 01892 525909 or enquiries.halliwell@efhl.co.uk 46 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

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Interiors

CLEVER WAYS TO GO

Dulux’s colour of the year Tranquil Dawn

GREENER

Gramps armchair £845 Loaf www.loaf.com

Tranquil Dawn has been named by Dulux as its Colour of the Year for 2020. So with that in mind Eileen Leahy looks at how including accents of green – both light and dark – can enhance and elevate a stylish scheme.

F

or a good while the green tones that have been favoured in stylish homes have been on the richer end of the scale – think jade, forest and jungle hues – and it’s easy to see why as they add a strong statement of colour and opulence into any scheme. But with the news that Dulux has named its shade for 2020 as Tranquil Dawn, a soft and light pale green, then it won’t be too long before we start to see pops of it creeping into spaces.

It’s a given that using the lighter end of the green colour spectrum is a super easy

way to create freshness and light. And the good news is Tranquil Dawn is incredibly versatile as you can use it in a living area, a bedroom and even a bathroom, such is its chameleon-like nature.

Daub it on a feature wall or on soft furnishings and you’ll see how it can make a statement without being too much of a ‘look at me’ colour. Or why not go for it on kitchen crockery, glassware or napkins?

Introducing a glimmer of metallic such as brass or gold or indeed a neutral ecru or shell pink will give it a contemporary lift and create complementary contrasts.

The Lover sofa in pistachio www.willowandhall.co.uk Willow & Hall £1,085 Bergamo bed £349.99 Furniture Choice www.furniturechoice.co.uk (far right) SO Magazine | October 2019 | 47

Interiors

r u o y e c Embra dark side

With the nights drawing in and a crisp chill in the air it’s time to consider cosying up your home. And the on trend way to do that right now is by going for key hero pieces in a moody, dark palate with the odd glimmer of gold says Eileen Leahy

George sofa in Harris Tweed Bilbury £2,760, Amelia armchair in Isla Swallow £735, Keswick coffee table £785, Keswick console £950, all Nepture, www.neptune.com / 01793 427427

2.

1. SHINE A SPOTLIGHT ON STYLE Lana tripod floor lamp, brass, £79, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

4.

1.

2. SOFT TOUCH Eave Embroidered Cushion, £25, John Lewis & Partners, www.johnlewis.com 3. DO YOUR HOMEWORK Molander home office desk in ash wood, black and gold, £299, Cult Furniture, www.cultfurniture.com

3.

5.

4. LIGHT UP YOUR LIFE Star base golden candle holder, £10, Next, www.next.co.uk 5. TOP TABLE Glass and gold coffee table £175, Lipsy London, www.very.co.uk 6. SOFA, SO GOOD Winston studded Chesterfield sofa, £2,049, Swoon, www.swoon.co.uk

6.

7.

7. SITTING PRETTY Fritz Hansen Sammen Armchair Black Legs, £895, Nest, www.nest.co.uk

SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 49

ADVERTORIAL

The Modular Kitchen by Rencraft

S

evenoaks-based kitchen designers and manufacturers, Rencraft, are known for their highquality, bespoke kitchen designs.

Earlier this year the company also introduced The Modular Kitchen.

A carefully considered range of hand-painted cabinets in predetermined sizes, each one still handmade to order to the same high standards.The idea was to

50 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

provide potential clients with a competitively priced alternative to a tailor-made design, without any compromise on quality or style.

The range is inspired by The Wooden Kitchen, one of the first kitchens Rencraft manufactured over 35 years ago. John Stephens, Managing Director, explains “Back then, our ethos was simple: to design and produce a quality product at a competitive price, using materials and techniques that would stand the test of time.

Production processes have evolved since those early days, but with all these changes we still hold true to our founding principles: to manufacture a quality kitchen that is designed to last in excess of 20 years.”

John continues, “We believe The Modular Kitchen is the perfect solution for those seeking a well-made, British kitchen with a more competitive price tag than a bespoke design.The straightforward approach makes it a great choice for those wanting to get their project off the ground quickly, without compromising on quality or style.”

After a successful launch period in Sevenoaks,The Modular Kitchen has now arrived at Rencraft’s Tunbridge Wells showroom.This means that clients visiting the recently revamped Calverley Road store have an impressive choice of options available to them, including Rencraft Bespoke,The Modular Kitchen and SieMatic by Rencraft, all within the one showroom.

To find out more visit 81 Calverley Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 2UY. Tel: 01892 520730.

Browse www.rencraft.co.uk or email info@rencraft.co.uk to request a brochure.

Please mention So Magazine when you enquire.

WELL-BEING

A DESIGN FOR LIFE Every month we invite a guest expert from Wellness HQ’s specialist directory to talk about their particular field. For October we talk to design professional Justine Hodgson-Barker who reveals how she found her happiness courtesy of a career change

DESIGNER INSIDER

How to create a successful scheme

“I

way through my childhood ’m a mum of two years. Life was never dull as we girls aged five and were constantly on the move and ten and took the my father was forever knocking decision to change careers before I had down walls to reveal open-plan spaces, a long time before it my first child. I figured the became a thing!

International travel involved in my I find the most common former job as a project problem that I come manager wasn’t across time and time compatible with again is under-utilised being a new mum Our lives are in space. Sometimes so I retrained at a constant process before deciding Chelsea College of of change – design whether to extend Art and Design for should create your home a my Diploma in a framework restructure within Spatial Planning for that your existing space can and Interior Design. actually suffice – and But before becoming completely change the way a fully fledged design you live. Then there’s putting to professional I embarked on long good use all that hidden space stint of work experience in that can be used for essential London and completed many storage. I always advocate that projects for friends and family to sufficient storage makes for a build up my portfolio. happy home!

I inherited a keen eye for design A lot of clients comment how from my mother, who bought, they’ve made expensive mistakes reconfigured and refurbished her in the past; this can be a matter of confidence or giving way to impulse decisions due to being time-poor. I hear a lot of comments like ‘nothing goes together, or ‘I don’t like spending time in here’ or ‘we keep changing our minds’.

Considered planning is essential, although this takes time, it’s well worth it in the long run and will avoid any costly mistakes.

The thread of a good design comes down to identifying who your client is, their story and the story of the building they inhabit, then creating a seamless cohesive design which flows through. Our lives are in a constant process of

change – design should create a framework for that, one that not only reflects the individual’s personality but also possesses a timeless quality which enables us to pass the baton on when the time comes.

Other challenges are deciding whether to use an interior designer in the first place. But a

designer should be able to save money on project costs through careful planning, savvy sourcing and trade discounts.

Ultimately, we spend so much of our time on the inside, by putting the client central to the process, good design can also have a significant effect on well-being – and that is priceless.

I recommend starting with an initial concept. I work collaboratively with my clients to create a ‘Style Direction’, which provides the basis on which all decisions are made.

Pinterest is full of ideas and inspirational spaces, so create a page per room and populate it with ideas. Once you’ve collated a few, a common thread will start to form.

Drill down from structural elements and initial drawings to see if your space can be reconfigured, where you can squeeze additional storage and plan your furniture layout (being mindful of how you will ergonomically navigate round the space). Then look at lighting, this is hugely important on how a space looks and feels. Next come fixtures and fittings, colour palette for the whole house, texture and fabrics. Hence when you come to make all your purchases and plan in your trades you’ve got a clear plan!

Interiors is a sum of all its parts so don’t choose items in isolation, as they all have to work together! And lastly, based on your initial concept, mix it up as much as possible, choose items from different eras and go for pieces you love, have a history and tell a story about you! www.barker-design.com

Good design can also have a significant effect on well-being – and that is priceless

Interiors is a sum of all its parts so don’t choose items in isolation

For more information on Wellness HQ visit www.wellnesshq.co.uk

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 51

ADVERTORIAL

Artistic Endeavours This month we speak to Iaysha Salih about her brand new project – The Art Hub Gallery, which opens in October…

What inspired you to open a new gallery in Tunbridge Wells?

Art Hub Gallery was created from the realisation that there is a gap in the market for good artists to exhibit their work. I have seen a great deal of co-operatives and collectives, some of which have been a great success and some that have not. The inspiration came about because I was approached by a number of artists looking to show their work. Recognising the need for something innovative and creative, I decided to open a gallery that was more artist friendly - where the artist can hire the gallery and manage their own show, keeping 100% of the revenue, whilst being supported on their journey by the our team, who have an understanding from both the artists perspective as well as that of the gallery owner.

How will the Art Hub Gallery be different from other galleries?

It’s a great way to bring new talent to the fore, and with new exhibitions on a regular basis, it will remain current and exciting for the enjoyment of the client. Art Hub Gallery will curate a Summer and Christmas exhibition, where a wall space can be hired per meter to showcase a variety of stunning artworks.

Tell us a little about your background in the art world…

Since selling Bluemoon Gallery, I have continued to consult privately for clients, building potential investment art portfolios, which has been, and continues to be, a great success. Sourcing artworks from all around the world, from many other new and established artists, we have enjoyed finding rare and unique editions of Warhols and Litchensteins, as well as peices by British artists such as Banksy, William Scott and David Hockney.

I will continue to run the consultancy from the Art Hub Gallery, so clients old and new can pop in and see me at any time to discuss their own personal art requirements.

Will you be having an opening event?

Our first exhibition opens on October 8th. We are proud, delighted and excited to have highly acclaimed artist Christian Furr opening the show.

Christian won recognition of his enormous talent early in his career. At just 28 he was the youngest artist commissioned to paint an official portrait of Queen Elizabeth II, having been selected from among dozens of other painters. As is typical of Christian, he approached the project with a unique point of view, showing both the regal and human qualities of Her Majesty.

Christian Furr has been working on his Cheese Paintings for over a decade. “The cheese has become his metaphor for simplicity, tradition and artisan dedication; all of which are attributes many critics have associated with the artist’s own oil painting practice” - Artlyst Christian will be giving a talk about his life as an artist on October 25th.

Tickets cost £10 and we will of course be serving cheese and wine. Email us for further details Can you tell us about some of the artists you will be featuring?

We’ve got a very eclectic mix of established artists. Alongside Christian Furr, we will be exhibiting the talented wildlife artist Louise McNaught, contemporary artist Sara Pope, Mark Godwin and a few of my own pieces for good measure.

Finally on the last note, what will Art Hub Gallery bring to Tunbridge Wells?

It is our intention to hold various events, ranging from artists talks, meditation classes, and art demonstrations and workshops. I would like the space to be more than simply a gallery, I want it to be somewhere to organise events that are mindful and uplifting. Art Hub Gallery is available to hire for corporate events, so please do get in touch.

To register for our mailing list and receive an invite for the opening reception, please email us. info@arthubgallery.co.uk www.arthubgallery.co.uk _arthubgallery | _arthubgallery Art Hub Gallery, 43 Mount Ephraim, Tunbridge Wells, TN4 8AA 52 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

A UNIQUE COLLECTION OF STUNNING NEW APARTMENTS

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• • • •

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

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Stephens Road TN4 A semi-detached Victorian house on a sought-after road in the town.

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Period features Secluded garden Convenient for local amenities and schools Mainline station approximately 0.9 of a mile

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All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/ tenantfees.

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Frant TN3 A unique new home, built to a high specification, situated in this popular village.

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Tenterden TN30 An impressive Grade II listed Queen Anne house with elegant and classic proportions.

• • • •

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Double and single garages Well stocked walled gardens Potential for ancillary accommodation Town centre approximately 0.25 of a mile

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simon.biddulph@knightfrank.com 01892 310700 Guide price £1,395,000 Freehold

knightfrank.co.uk Connecting people & property, perfectly.

All potential tenants should be advised that, as well as rent and the deposit, an administration fee of £288 and referencing fees of £48 per person will apply when renting a property (if not an AST). (All fees shown are inclusive of VAT.) If the landlord agrees to you having a pet, you may be required to pay a higher deposit (if not an AST) or higher weekly rent (if an AST). Please ask us for more information about other fees that will apply or visit www.knightfrank.co.uk/ tenantfees.

hamptons.co.uk

Tunbridge Wells | ÂŁ1,495,000 Situated along a sought after road in an extremely convenient position for access to the town and numerous schools, an exceptionally spacious detached family house with substantial and versatile accommodation and secluded mature gardens. Energy Rating: C.

Langton Green | ÂŁ1,295,000 Occupying a privileged position at the end of a small private road close to the village green, shops and schools, a beautifully appointed light and spacious detached family house with secluded established gardens. Energy Rating: D. Tunbridge Wells Office Sales. 01892 640374 | tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com

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Tunbridge Wells | ÂŁ1,395,000 Occupying a privileged position at the end of a small private road close to the village green, shops and schools, a beautifully appointed light and spacious detached family house with secluded established gardens. Energy Rating: D. Tunbridge Wells Office Sales. 01892 597607 | tunbridgewells@hamptons-int.com

Gardening

Outside Edge

GETTING back to This month our resident gardening guru Victoria Truman talks about the power of plants and how they can inject plenty of visual and textural interest into any outdoor scheme no matter how big, small or urban

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Victoria Truman Garden Designer

y designs are heavily plant based, I love plants and the atmosphere and drama they can create along with their scents and visual impact, so it’s been quite disappointing to see the number of new housing developments that are eschewing the idea of planting up a gorgeous garden to complement their houses and instead opting for small and sterile spaces with barely a patch of lawn, never mind any visible plants.

And with councils under pressure to release green spaces for more new homes I fear it is a trend that will continue as swathes of outside space become bricked up. One such development is on the fringes of Tonbridge, where a proposal for 480 houses to be built on the fields which lead to Lower Haysden is now under consideration. Currently this is an area of greenery, wildlife and trees but how much longer will it be like that?

Part of my job as a designer and horticulturist is to think about the impact of what I design has on the environment and to create beautiful spaces which still entice bees, insects and birds as these all play a massive part in keeping our planet alive.

Globally there are more honey bees than other types of bee and pollinating insects, so they are the world’s most important pollinators of food crops. It is estimated that one third of the food that we consume each day relies on pollination – mainly by bees, but also by other insects, birds and bats. Simply put, bees keep our plants and crops alive.

So with this thought in mind, when I talk to clients I always think how best to maximise their space whilst minimising the use of too much hard

58 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

nature...

landscaping. This not only benefits the design and the clients’ new-found love of their useable and interesting gardens but the small trees, climbers, flowers and evergreen shrubs I use in my planting schemes also help to soften the hard features of paving and structural elements. This results in a far more cohesive and relaxing outdoor entertaining space – while doing the best for the planet and the clients’ health and well-being!

In the design and build world we are in a great position to help make a positive change and

influence the end result. After all, a garden is not a garden without the atmosphere of plants and trees, is it?

Particular plants I love to use for urban gardens include agapanthus ‘Queen Mum’, olive trees, thyme, rosemary, lavender, salvia Caradonna, echinacea ‘White Swan’ and ‘Magnus’, as I find them the most reliable. But I also like to weave in some verbena Bonariensis and euphorbia ‘Portuguese Velvet’ too.

Once you discover just how powerful plants can be – in myriad ways – you’ll be hooked by them too!

Outside Edge

GARDEN JOBS FOR OCTOBER: 1. Care for your lawn by raking or brushing leaves off the grass. Try collecting them in a leaf bag, which will turn them into useful leaf mould.

You can also cut the grass for one last time this year but cut slightly higher to protect the lawn from winter frost.

2. Trim hedges so they are crisp and tidy for the

winter. This will also ensure they grow back well at the start of spring.

3. October’s the time for clearing up.

Greenhouses, ponds, gutters and water butts may all need cleaning out, wooden garden furniture will need covering or storing for the winter and terracotta pots will need bringing inside.

4. Divide herbaceous perennials. Plant some back in the ground; take others to pot up and give away to friends in the spring.

5. In the vegetable patch plant garlic cloves with their pointed ends up and spaced 10cm apart. You can also plant bulbs for a colourful spring display. Try grouping together clumps of five or seven of the same variety through a border to create a really effective display.

6. Plant out spring bedding and biennials, such as wallflowers, for spring displays. Pots and hanging baskets can be planted with spring bedding, and teamed with bulbs, grasses, cyclamen and violas for a colourful and textural display.

7. ‘Plant’ prepared hyacinths in vases to create winter scent and colour in the house. www.victoriatruman.com

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 59

Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden in Sussex, is home to over 500 acres of diverse landscape, featuring rare plants from around the world.

Run and managed by the Royal Botanic gardens, Kew, Wakehurst is brimming with colourful foliage as it enters autumn, with stunning woodlands and hedgerows teeming with jewel-like berries.

Autumn in the garden is a delight for all the senses, as the leaves turn to vibrant hues of red, orange and golden yellows. Picture perfect vistas can be seen throughout the gardens and woodlands, with a favourite being Westwood Lake for the reflections on the water on a still day.

Home to the Millennium Seed Bank, step inside to spy on scientists at work as they strive to conserve seeds from around the globe. Scramble over our daring log trail, Tree Trunk Trek, hire an Explorer Rucksack and head to the Children’s Heritage Garden to get cooking in our mud kitchen (open until 3 November).

Wakehurst is open daily from 10am. Adults £13.95, children 16 and under free. National Trust members can enjoy free entry to Wakehurst, however car parking charges apply.

To find out more about Wakehurst and upcoming events visit kew.org/wakehurst

Upcoming events Bountiful Botanics 12 – 13 October A fun-filled weekend celebrating nature’s bounty, with an exciting programme of family activities.

October Half-term fun 26 October – 3 November Plenty of fun for all the family during October half-term with a range of activities and workshops.

Glow Wild 21 November – 22 December The winter lantern trail returns, bringing the landscape alive with lanterns, soundscapes and torches of fire.

SEED SPECIAL

As we approach autumn we meet Neil Miller, head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens, to ask him about his special seed masterclasses taking place this month

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or the past 17 years Neil Miller has been head gardener at Hever Castle & Gardens. During that time he has overseen the creation of fantastic garden spaces like the newly created ‘Faith’s Garden’ on Diana’s Walk which contains 1,200 square metres of perennial plants.

The gardens at Hever are substantial and diverse, ranging from the ornate Italian Garden complete with an impressive Loggia and Pompeiian Wall created by William Waldorf Astor at the turn of the 20th century, to the Rose Garden, Tudor Garden, Blue Corner, Two Sisters

Lawn with its impressive long border, and Lake Walk.

There’s something to enjoy every season at Hever starting with February’s pretty snowdrops, the Dazzling Daffodil festival in March, April’s special Tulip Celebration and then the glorious roses of Hever in Bloom during the summer months.

Autumn, however, is a unique time at Hever thanks to the fact it’s ablaze with rich colour pretty much everywhere you look. The castle itself is bedecked with red Boston Ivy leaves while the grounds’ numerous tree species boast leaves turning into a riot of gold and red. The mighty oak

trees are dropping their acorns in the woods and the numerous themed gardens are full of jewel-like seeds, ready for collecting.

With this in mind Neil Miller is planning to take visitors on a tour of Faith’s Garden to show the perennials in all their glory and to give an informal instruction in seed collecting.

Children will also be encouraged to take a Leaf & Seed Collecting Challenge and to take a bulb home to plant.

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 61

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SEED SPECIAL

NEIL MILLER’S GUIDE TO COLLECTING AND STORING SEEDS “Growing from seed may have been on the wane for many years but it remains the best way to increase the number of plants you have in your garden for free.

Seeds can be collected and saved from trees, shrubs, perennials, alpines, vegetables and herbs, at different times in the year, but as the head gardener of a site that holds thousands of garden-worthy hardy perennials, I’ll be concentrating my seed-collecting efforts during this month and camping out in Faith’s Garden – Hever’s fantastic perennial border.

Unsurprisingly, like their plant parents, seeds come in all shapes and sizes and need careful handling during the sorting and drying process. Some, like grasses, are fluffy and a simple pinch works. Others such as peonies are so big they are easy to count individually and put into an envelope.

You don’t need many tools to collect seeds effectively, just dry hands and a dry bowl. You’ll need paper bags, or envelopes (you can recycle your old ones) to pack the seeds and it’s a good idea to use a spare refrigerator or a cool place to store them.

It’s an obvious thing to say, but it’s hugely important that all seed

envelopes are labelled properly. If you’re anything like me and find it hard to remember what you were up to six months ago, then labelling will save you from getting yourself in a pickle come spring!

I’ll be leading visitors on tours of Faith's Garden on Tuesdays and Wednesdays during the month of October as part of Hever Castle's Autumn Colour event.

I hope to be able to point out good, viable parent plants, and will take my bowl along so we can collect seeds and take them to the Garden Exhibition on site to dry them.”

HOW TO

collect seeds

• Pick a healthy and vigorous plant to collect from • Don’t collect too soon – immature seeds will not germinate • Collect on a dry day • Look for seed pods which have changed colour from green to brown • Cut or pick the seed heads and lay them out to dry somewhere warm • If the pods aren’t fully open, then wait until they have dried, then gently crush the pods/capsules to release the seeds • Some seed heads explode and need to be checked every day. You can place them in a brown paper bag and wait for them to explode, or shake them.

• Once the seed is free, make sure you clean off the chaff to prevent the seeds from rotting.

HOW TO

store seeds

• Most seeds can be kept to sow in the spring (hellebores are an exception and prefer to be sowed immediately).

• Use paper packets (or spent envelopes) and label them correctly.

• Keep them in a Tupperware or airtight container with silica gel to absorb excess moisture.

• It’s good to store seeds at 5C as they can remain viable for long periods if refrigerated.

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SO Magazine | October 2019 | 63

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Education

EDUCATION

“Make a noise about women’s sport” Clare Balding visits Benenden School and tells pupils to do all they can in getting more coverage and support for female sports stars

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lare Balding urged Benenden pupils last night to ‘keep making a noise’ to ensure women’s sport receives the attention it deserves.

The broadcaster and author said the amount of coverage of women’s sport was increasing but added that she found it frustrating to see it reduce when the men’s football season begins.

She told girls at Benenden School – which is renowned for its sporting prowess – to be part of the clamour for permanent change, saying: “I think we are making massive progress and then it comes to a shuddering halt and we need to keep making a noise about it.

“We need to be creating the demand all the time and taking old-fashioned media to task for not doing it.”

Ms Balding argued that outdated perceptions of women’s sport – and of women more generally – were slowly being changed.

She said: “Women’s sport is a very visual representation of women’s strength. Every type of woman and every type of girl is represented in making up a sport team and that’s really important to show that we are all different, that we don’t all come as one unit.

“It shows women being competitive and ambitious and strong, which are all adjectives I know have been used about me in a pejorative way. These should be used in a positive way.”

Ms Balding, one of the UK’s best-loved broadcasters, spoke at Benenden School in a special evening in which she answered questions from pupils and from the event host, Benenden’s Director of Sport Katy Hudson.

The event covered her career highlights and explored her views on everything from her favourite interviewees to the struggle for equal pay in sport.

She told girls she does not look at social media if she is covering an event she knows has more than a million viewers, saying: “I don’t need to look to social media for approval or disapproval. I can’t control what other people think of me, I can only control the kind of person I am.”

She said: “Don’t look at it [social media] for the thing that’s missing inside you, find the thing that’s missing inside you and put it right yourself.”

Ms Balding cited several sportspeople she considered inspirational, including sprinter Dina Asher-Smith, swimmer Adam Peaty and tennis player Roger Federer, whom she referred to as ‘a god’.

In an inspiring message about the importance of determination, she gave the example of Andy Murray.

She said: “Somebody asked him what he does every day and he said ‘I fail’. Essentially his life is about dealing with failure. At a tennis tournament only one person walks away having had a perfect week. Mentally it’s so demanding and he’s a really good lesson in

resilience and patience and coping with failure.”

She added: “It’s an amazing thing to be scared and to have self-doubt but still do it. I try to make sure I’m scaring myself with some of the things I say ‘yes’ to.”

During her visit Ms Balding dined with Sixth Formers and posed for pictures with our sports scholars while doing ‘the Mobot’ – the iconic celebration used by Mo Farah – which she is credited with having invented.

Ms Balding is one of the nation’s best-known broadcasters, with highlights including presenting the Olympic Games, Paralympic Games, Wimbledon and major events including the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

She is a keen advocate of greater coverage for women’s sport and presented the European Women’s Football Championships.

Benenden Headmistress Samantha Price said: “Clare Balding is an exceptional role model for our pupils.

Not only is she one of the best-known personalities on British television but she has the natural ability to make everyone around her feel at ease, at the same time as never being afraid to speak out for what she believes.

“It was an absolute delight to welcome Clare to Benenden and our girls learnt an enormous amount from her.”

SO Magazine | October 2019 | 65

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Travel

Paradise found ...where to savour Sri Lanka’s exotic must-see highlights The Indian Ocean island is a glorious landscape of views and brews, says Melissa Jones

ST J U LI ANS HPH ADVER T

68 | OCTOBER 2019 | SO Magazine

Travel

How to plan your trip

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t’s a source of constant debate and disagreement, but the secret to a perfect cup of tea lies in the preparation. First, you need the appropriate tools – china cups with dainty handles and a bulbous pot with enough room for satisfactory swirling; then the tea itself – fresh leaves rather than dusty tea bags; and lastly, a heavy dose of patience – because good things come to those who wait.

Sat in the flower-filled gardens of Camellia Hills, where emerald tea plantations roll into the horizon, I’m watching the experts at work. Brits may account for some of the world’s most enthusiastic brewers, but when it comes to the art of tea-time excellence, Sri Lankans are true masters.

Although originating in China, tea quickly became part of the Indian Ocean island’s national psyche when commercial crops were introduced in the heady days of 19th century colonial Ceylon. The British Empire inevitably faded, but the tea industry only continued to grow, and today it’s one of the many special bonds connecting English travellers to this part of the world.

Earlier this year, when Sri Lanka was rocked by terrorist blasts on Easter Sunday, there were outpourings of sadness and sympathy from the British public; it was a situation made even more heart-breaking when the Foreign and

profession practised for decades.

Watch women pluck the freshest leaves and pack them into baskets strapped to their backs.

Cox & Kings (020 3642 0861; coxandkings.co.uk) offers a six-night trip to Sri Lanka, costing £2,395pp (two sharing).

Includes the following Teardrop Hotels properties; two nights at Camellia Hills, one night at Goatfell and two nights at Nine Skies on an all-inclusive basis, plus one night B&B at Kumu Beach.

Enjoy the views at Nine Skies, Ella

The trip also includes international return flights with SriLankan Airlines, transfers, excursions and guides.

Reset you rhythm at Kumu Beach

Laidback hill-town Ella swings to its own woozy beat, with ethnic cafés and hippy hang-outs creating a traveller vibe.

Every spot makes the most of the superb views, and it’s easy to lose hours gazing at tumbling valleys and blue skies.

But the best panoramas are reserved for guests of Nine Skies, a fivebedroom property set within several acres of private gardens; play croquet, go swimming or laze on a sun deck.

Watch trains chug along the Demodera loop, or hike to Mini Adams Peak and zipline over the Ella valley.

Exploring Sri Lanka’s tea country is relaxing, but who can resist ending a holiday with a trip to the coast? The 10-bedroom Kumu Beach is located on a secluded stretch of sand between fort town Galle and Colombo, on the west coast of Balapitiya.

Sri Lankan interior designer Annika Fernando wanted to create a sense of calm in the sea-facing hotel, where guests can set their rhythm to the rise and fall of the ocean’s swell.

Along with windsurfing and jet-skiing, days can be spent gliding through mangroves on the Madu Ganga estuary or visiting a local turtle hatchery.

was originally founded by Englishman Commonwealth Office implemented a L Kelly in 1875, although now it operates travel ban. as a five-bedroom boutique hotel.

So when the green light was finally Days start early with a sunrise boat given to travel again in June we were ride on the Castlereagh Lake, right at the front of the accompanied by local queue, making amends fishermen, but the pace picks the only way we know Brits may up with a white-water rafting how – by putting the ride in Kitulgala. There’s also a kettle on and making a account for chance to visit the Tea Leaf good cup of tea. some of the Vision School, a non-profit If you want to savour great brews flavoured world’s most organisation offering free skills and training with the glories of enthusiastic employment to the local community.

Ceylon’s colonial past and Sri Lanka’s colourful brewers, but Get a warmhearted present, take a tour of when it comes welcome at Goatfell, these high-grade tea country boutique hotels. to the art of

Meet tea-time masterminds at Camellia Hills, Dickoya

tea-time excellence, Sri Lankans are true masters

A four-hour drive inland from capital city Colombo, Castlereigh Reservoir is an idyllic scene of gloriously green valleys gushing with waterfalls, where colonial-era churches sit comfortably alongside brightly painted Hindu temples.

Perched on one of the best viewpoints, the Camellia Hills bungalow

Nuwara Eliya

Open fires roar in this fourbedroom house, which once belonged to the superintendent of a tea estate – a welcoming warmth on cool evenings at a high elevation.

Snuggle up with a hot water bottle and slip into a deep, peaceful sleep, waking up to a sherbet-orange sunrise as mist rises above cloud-kissing city Nuwara Eliya in Sri Lanka’s Central Province.

A trip to the Pedro Tea Factory provides an education on the production of classic blends, while a walk through the plantations offers a snapshot of a SO Magazine | OCTOBER 2019 | 69

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Road Test

Motors

FIRST DRIVE:

AUDI Q3 SPORTBACK Audi’s sleek Q3 Sportback packs style without compromise.

Ryan Hirons heads to the Black Forest to try it out

WHAT IS IT? With the SUV market seeing ever more niche segments, it’s no surprise that the coupe-esque crossover market is beginning to boom. BMW was first to the game with its X6, while Mercedes joined in with a number of variants.

Audi has been noticeably absent from this seemingly lucrative market until recently, though that changed with its A8 – and now the Q3 Sportback.

This compact machine is effectively a Q3 that signed up for a gym membership and looks leaner, sleeker and more aggressive than before.

WHAT’S NEW? It’s mechanically near enough identical to the regular Q3 but the Sportback has seen a comprehensive overhaul to its bodywork. It’s been cut down 6mm in width and 29mm in height, while growing in length by 16mm.

Changes elsewhere are minimal, the only major introduction being Amazon’s Alexa assistant integrated into the MMI infotainment system. This allows for control of the vehicle’s media functions and Alexa-enabled devices elsewhere.

WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? Our Audi Q3 Sportback is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 227bhp and 350Nm

72 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

of torque, sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed automatic gearbox. The result is 0-60mph in 6.3 seconds, with a 144mph top speed. In terms of efficiency, Audi says it can return up to 31.7mpg on the combined cycle.

The way the engine goes about its business is fairly unassuming. It doesn’t feel as punchy as the numbers would suggest, though it’s no real slouch, and remaining quiet and refined at a cruise.

However, the package is let down by a poor gearbox that’s too slow to respond to throttle input in comfort driving mode. It means manoeuvres require more time to judge, while switching to dynamic mode sees it hold on to gears for long periods of time.

WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? It’s far from the last word in driver engagement, though the chassis is quite interesting thanks to a strong sense of control in the car, largely because of the adaptive damper system fitted to our test machine. Standard springs do result in a little more body roll.

Judging how comfort on smooth roads around the Black Forest translates to rougher UK asphalt is difficult, but it seems refined in all driving scenarios.

Well-judged steering and a respectable turning circle mean it’s easy to navigate around towns too.

HOW DOES IT LOOK? Undoubtedly the largest selling point of the Q3 Sportback over its boxier stablemate is its styling, with a sharper, more aggressive look. Its more imposing front end has a presence on the road, while the sloping rear could easily fool a few people into thinking this car hides more performance than it really offers.

WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? There’s very little inside to differentiate from its regular sibling – or any recent Audi really. This isn’t a bad thing, with an abundance of premium materials and the fit-and-finish of the cabin at a very high standard. There’s little to be found in the way of cheaper feel items.

Practicality hasn’t been compromised with the new sloping design either.

Headroom in the rear is still at a good level while boot space comes in at 530 litres, identical to the regular car.

WHAT’S THE SPEC LIKE? Full pricing hasn’t been finalised for the Q3 Sportback just yet, so we can’t make a final judgement on value for money, though Audi UK expects things to kick off around £32,240.

Standard exterior additions across the range include 18-inch alloy wheels, electrically folding door mirrors and LED head and rear lights, while inside

FACTS AT A GLANCE Model: Audi Q3 Sportback 45 TSFI Edition 1 Price: £44,870 (estimated) Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol Power (bhp): 227 Torque (Nm): 350 Max speed (mph): 144 0-60mph: 6.3 seconds MPG: 31.7-31.4 Emissions (g/km): 174g/km

the car Audi’s Virtual Cockpit system replaces traditional dials and gauges and is flanked by a 10.1-inch infotainment display. Assistance technology thrown into the package includes cruise control and Audi’s pre-sense safety package.

For our range-topping Edition 1 package, Audi throws in 20-inch matte black wheels, Matrix LED headlights, a black styling pack, Virtual Cockpit Plus (taking the display up to 12.3-inch), front sports seats, an extended ambient lighting package and Audi Beam, which projects the firm’s logo onto the floor when exiting the vehicle. Edition 1 is expected to be available from £38,235.

VERDICT Bringing a sleeker look to the Audi Q3 has proven a good move with the Sportback, with no drawbacks on the practicality front yet all the benefits of a better-looking car.

It’s an overall decent package, with a good and easy driving experience with bags of tech – albeit a car that’s never going to set the pulse racing while behind the wheel.

It is, however, let down by a powertrain that’s uninspiring despite boasting fairly big numbers for a car of this size, and a gearbox bordering on dreadful in terms of response in all but Dynamic mode.

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THE LAST WORD

Talk From Friday October 11 to Sunday October 13 Tunbridge Wells welcomes its third Puppetry Festival. Organiser Linda Lewis tells SO Magazine what highlights are in store for 2019

of

the

town

“This year’s Puppetry Festival is full of funny, touching and thought-provoking shows” From a 17ft walking, talking tree to a lovely mini tabletop show there’s ticketed and free shows, talks, an exhibition, workshops and some amazing free street theatre

What is the Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival all about?

Taking place every two years at venues across town, it’s a celebration of the art of puppetry in its many forms – object theatre, marionettes, shadow play and kites.

Since the first festival in 2015, our aim has been to bring world-class puppetry to the Kent community and to make it accessible to everyone. For this year’s festival we’ve got an even bigger and more varied line-up of funny, touching and thought-provoking puppetry suitable for all ages.

Tell us a bit about what we can expect to see From a 17ft walking, talking tree to a lovely mini tabletop show for an audience of just eight, there’s ticketed and free shows, talks, an exhibition, workshops and some amazing free street theatre. The really exciting thing is that for the first time we have international companies performing alongside local and national artists, many of whom haven’t performed in the UK before.

What gave you the idea to launch it in the first place?

Having travelled to see and scout for shows in the UK and overseas for festivals I was producing in Brighton and London, I was inspired to bring these exciting and extremely imaginative shows to my home town of Tunbridge Wells.

Can you give us a little bit of background about yourself?

I trained as an actor and a teacher at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama. My first job was with a touring children’s theatre company called Theatre Centre, which still exists to this day in London. I worked in Repertory Theatre in Scarborough and York, and my first taste of Arts Management was when I went to

74 | October 2019 | SO Magazine

work as a volunteer at Trinity Theatre to help set up the Youth Theatre. I enrolled at City University to take my MA in Arts Management and found a position as Drama Officer at The Arts Council. After eight years, I became the Theatre Manager of the De La Warr Pavilion and then of the Puppet Centre in London.

Which Tunbridge Wells venues are opening their doors to host productions?

Our base and partner venue is Trinity Theatre, but we work with all the venues in town. A new show called Little Monster for young children will be performed at the Assembly Hall and there’s a charming show called Mischief and Mysteries in Moominvalley that’s booked for the intimate surroundings of The Lounge at the Camden Centre. We are also delighted to have The Forum as our second home, where we will be presenting shows on Saturday and Sunday [October 12-13]. And, of course, there will be plenty of free events on The Pantiles and by the Millennium Clock.

What do you think visitors will enjoy most about the Puppetry Festival event?

There is a brilliant and surprising Spanish show called Lost Dog that will take place in a large shanty doghouse created from recycled materials. Remo and Rhoda from Italy are bringing their astonishing marionettes to the UK for the very first time in a wordless performance – Hanging By A Thread – that will charm the whole family. A free, shorter version will be performed on The Pantiles and by the Millennium Clock, with the show performed in full at The Forum on Sunday evening to close the festival, followed by a traditional Italian supper that is included in the ticket price.

And what’s happening on The Pantiles this time round?

Our big show there is Look Up by Hikapee, which

takes place on a five-metre high aerial rig and explores the relationship between circus performer, puppet and audience, accompanied by an original soundtrack. Also look out for walkabout theatre from artist Judith Hope and her beautiful Cloud Travellers. Thingumajig bring us their big rolling mule puppet, which will reveal stories and songs of remarkable journeys. Sussex-based Rust and Stardust will present a beautifully crafted show with live music for young children called Tweethearts on the bandstand. And for puppetry on a grand scale, our 17ft Arbor on a mission to save our green spaces and giant puppet Don Quixote are not to be missed.

Why do you think puppets have such power of expression?

Much has been written about this and each puppet and show has its own unique presence. Audiences quickly accept the puppet characters and conventions and are unfettered by human traits. Puppets can also be very effective at engaging audiences when it comes to communicating more serious or sensitive subjects.

How do you keep people’s interest in the festival going given that it only happens every two years?

We’ve been busy with a successful outreach programme that has helped to keep the festival message alive in the town. In 2018, puppetry company Smoking Apples collaborated with Tunbridge Wells Puppetry Festival and Age UK Tunbridge Wells to create the short film Shadow Play. Puppet theatre company Rust & Stardust also collaborated with us, Age UK Tunbridge Wells and St Barnabas Primary School on Sea of Stories. The intergenerational project aimed to reveal what the young and old can learn from each other through the sharing of stories and experiences.

To find out more visit www.twpuppetryfestival.org

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