SO Brighton & Hove Feb11

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HATHAWAY TALKS THE OSCARS, ACTING NUDE AND HER GOLDEN GIRL REPUTATION FEBRUARY 2011 SOBRIGHTONANDHOVE.CO.UK

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+HOOR This month’s magazine is certainly a winning combination… in more ways than one. Not only do we have the usual mix of local and national features but we’re also giving away what we consider to be one of our greatest competitions yet; a £4,000 romantic break for two at an amazing hotel in Sicily. And it’s so simple to enter! Someone who no doubt enjoys such luxuries on a regular basis is the American actress Anne Hathaway. She tells us all about her feelings on co-hosting the Oscars and her new film with Jake Gyllenhaal – turns out it’s called Love and Other Drugs. Love is a particularly apt word this month with a number of pages dedicated to our Wedding Extra. This is where you can find the right dress along with everything else you’ll need to make it a perfect day. Of course, those who do end up tying the knot will be after a place to live. The selection of properties in our new Beautiful Sussex Homes section should be able to help. There’s something for all tastes including a stunning £5million mansion. One company that’s used to catering for those with plenty of taste and style is hunting attire designer Purdey, which features across our fashion pages. This Great British brand has been providing clothing for the countryside for decades; we showcase the latest. Brighton in Business is another new section in what has, hopefully, become your favourite local magazine. And here’s a tip on how to transform your company – enter it for the Brighton and Hove Business Awards. We also catch up with the East Sussex people making tree house retreats costing up to £300,000, visit the local Indian restaurant that’s set to become a legend, hear the tale of two very different runners in the Brighton Marathon and find out about some charitable moves from celebrity chef Marco Pierre White. It’s another winner!

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THIS MONTH‌

THE LETTERS

Books, boots and Bowers & Wilkins, all things to enjoy.

A ‘thank you’ with a difference from a young man stranded in town.

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THE NEWS Brighton is named as a top alternative destination – in the Winter.

WIN! A £4,000 holiday of a lifetime in one of the world’s most romantic spots.

FEBRUARY 2011

This month she’ll be co-hosting the Oscars, which is just one of the reasons Ms Hathaway is currently top of the Hollywood pile.

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ENGLISH HERITAGE

THE SECRET We track down the only local brew pub left standing. Cheers!

As Stephen K Amos heads for Brighton we hear his thoughts on serious acting.

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TALE OF TWO RUNNERS We follow the progress of a pair of Brighton marathon hopefuls.

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BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX HOMES This exciting new section of our magazine takes you through the keyholes of some of the finest properties on the market.

Now’s the time to think about ďŹ lling your wardrobe with whites and lights.

We look behind one of the most respected hunting attire brands in the country – Purdey.

Take a different approach to getting in shape – and see dramatic results.

BRANCHING OUT The most amazing tree house retreats that can cost ÂŁ300,000.

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MAKING WAVES Turn your bathroom into a stunning haven of tranquillity with our pick of the best.

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How winning a BAHBA can boost your company – and now’s the time to enter!

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FOOD FOR THOUGHT Celebrity Chef Marco Pierre White weighs-in to support local hospices.

RECIPE FOR A LEGEND We check out an Indian bistro that people rave about. But is it too good to be true?

BRIGHTON AND HOVE BUSINESS AWARDS

Catering for the media and creative industries.

THE ULTIMATE ELEGANCE How to ensure the bride looks as good as she can on her big day.

WEDDING INSIDER Ideas, venues and services to help make your wedding run smoothly.

SAY IT WITH FLOWERS It’s the small things that make all the difference, such as those oral decorations.

FLIGHTS OF FANCY More people are getting married abroad. We have the low-down on how to make it happen.

THE WHEEL THING Transport choices; from the deeply traditional to the truly whacky.

LITTLE BLACK BOOK Essential contacts to help you make it a most memorable occasion.

BEYOND THE MOON The man behind Moon Pig tells us how a detailed business plan is the key to success.

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Take a look at the new uber stylish baby Range Rover. It’s called the Evoque.

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ON STAGE From comedy to dance, there’s plenty to keep all tastes amused this month.

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Suite 7, Brighton Media Centre 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL Tel: 01273 201329 sobrightonandhove.co.uk Publishing Director Nick Moore nmoore@onemediauk.co.uk Editorial Director Richard Moore FRSA rmoore@onemediauk.co.uk Publication Manager Matthew Fox mfox@onemediauk.co.uk Deputy Editor Nancy Cremore ncremore@onemediauk.co.uk Senior Writer Dan Smith dsmith@onemediauk.co.uk Account Manager Claire Goulding cgoulding@onemediauk.co.uk Account Manager Adrian Brandish abrandish@onemediauk.co.uk Head of Design Jodie Hulse jhulse@onemediauk.co.uk Designer Erica Price eprice@onemediauk.co.uk Publishing Assistant Phil Glover pglover@onemediauk.co.uk Contributors Valerie Thacker Damian Cotton Rachael Woolston Jonathan Crouch Debbie Attwood Lorna Stricklan Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/SoBrightonHove

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All rights reserved. The views expressed in this publication are not necessarily those of the publisher. The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions relating to advertising or editorial. The publisher reserves the right to change or amend any competitions or prizes offered. No part of this publication may be reproduced without prior written consent from the publisher. No responsibility is taken for unsolicited materials or the return of these materials whilst in transit.

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Apparently the Regency period marked the beginning of modern fashion for men and women. You can judge that for yourself by heading down to the Royal Pavilion for the Dress for Excess exhibition. Starting on February 5, this year-long rummage through the wardrobes of late 18th century England features the coronation gown worn by Brighton’s very own eccentric royal, King George IV. Plus there will be other garments from the era and caricatures of the King acquired by Brighton Pavilion museum from the Baker Collection. See brighton-hove-rpml.org.uk/RoyalPavilion

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If you’re looking for romance this Valentine’s Day, champagne and oyster bar Riddle and Finns is quite the place. This elegant establishment in the heart of the Lanes serves fantastic fresh fish and seafood along with top class bubbly. With glowing reviews from Gordon Ramsay, Jay Rayner in the Observer and just about everyone in between, this is a really classy date. Even better, they operate a nobooking policy (even on Valentine’s Day), and if they can’t seat you straight away they’ll send you off to the nearest bar until your table is ready. See riddleandfinns.co.uk

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You’ll never want to go to a ‘normal’ cinema again once you’ve been to the Duke of York’s at Preston Circus, Brighton. With its comfy seats and intimate theatre-like atmosphere, watching films here is a real treat. Showing from Friday February 4 to Thursday 10 is Rowan Joffe’s Brighton Rock. Based on the 1938 British noir classic by Graham Greene, Joffe’s re-make is set in the mods and rockers era of the 60s. See picturehouses.co.uk for more details.

FEBRUARY 2011

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It’s official, the start of British summertime is in sight (well, sort of…), however, there may be a fair few wet and windy days to endure before the balmy weather really starts. These leather and beige linen Mia Tan boots by Hudson are more than up to the job of seeing you through to the sunny months. They’re sturdy enough to stand up to wintry spells and April showers, plus that chunky heal really elongates the leg and the flip-up/down collar makes them super versatile. See hudsonshoes.com

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It’s not often we get to feel smug about a visit to the pub, but in the name of supporting our local real ales, we’ll be visiting the Sussex Beer and Cider Festival at the Hove Centre next month. CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale) are hosting the event from Thursday March 10 to Saturday March 12. There’ll be over 220 real ales to try, plus a selection of ciders, perries and country wines. Look out for ales from Brighton’s only brewery - the Kemptown Brewery (see also page 98). For details of ticket selling venues, see sussexbeerfestival.co.uk

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Kiss Each Other Clean is the third album from velvet-voiced Iron and Wine. It’s clear even from the psychedelic artwork that this record is a departure from Sam Beam’s more stripped down acoustic work to a fuller, more colourful style of music. With the introduction of saxophones, scratching and 70s style grooves it’s a big step for the man who made a name for himself essentially whispering into the mic. But some of Iron and Wine’s classic sound is still here and it’s worth regarding Kiss as a progressive piece rather than a complete change of tack. Around £10 from Ape, Brighton.

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Change the shape of your body in just two 30 minute sessions a week. Vibration plate training is a fast and fun full body workout. Using state of the art equipment, vibration plate training at Vibrofit means you can see results in just 4-6 weeks. By holding the body in different exercise positions for up to 60 seconds per set, multiple muscle groups are activated resulting in accelerated muscle strength, tone and flexibility. Lose weight, bust cellulite, improve strength and feel amazing in just 30 minutes. Vibrofit Hove, 01273 411 807

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If exercise isn’t really your thing, how about limbering up the old grey cells instead? On Thursday February 17 local author Peter Brandon is on hand for a genteel afternoon talk as part of Hove Civic Society’s winter lecture series. Peter will show us how the South Downs have been used by man for thousands of years, and eulogised by writers, painters and photographers in more recent times. See hovecivicsociety.org for more details. Image copyright South Downs Joint Committee 2010

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Bower & Wilkins are famous for chic design and exquisite sound quality and these P5 headphones tick both those boxes. Less ‘show-off’ than some other contemporary headsets out there, B&W has opted to make a more traditional set with the P5 focusing on simplicity. Comfortable leather earpieces hug your ear and a brushed metal pods ensure you looks the part. Designed to be used on the move, the P5s are light and fold flat plus come with Apple’s microphone for use with iPhone. See bowers-wilkins.co.uk

6XS« A hot chocolate, a latte, even an Earl Grey. It’s grim outside so what could be better than clutching a mug of something hot and steaming whilst munching on something sweet and calorific? Brighton is awash with fine independent coffee houses, from Toast on Trafalgar Street to the Red Roaster Coffee House on St James’s Street and Marwood on Ship Street (pictured). Which is your favourite?

6KRRW« If you fancy yourself as the next Spielberg, or maybe you got a new camera for Christmas, the Brighton Film workshops can help. Set up by Alex and Toni of Alto Films, these workshops are highly practical and often use the City itself as subject matter and backdrop. On Saturday February 5 is Practical Documentary 1: How To Shoot Yourself! a crash course introduction to self-shooting documentary film-making. And on Sunday February 6 is Practical Documentary 2: Shoot & Edit A Documentary In One Day. There are more workshops in March and April. See brightonfilmworkshops.co.uk for details.

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Susan Hill has once again proven herself to be a quite amazing storyteller with A Kind Man, her most recent novel. This bittersweet story of love and loss follows Eve and Tommy Carr, the ‘kind man’ of the title as they encounter a biblical turn of events. Painfully sad in parts and yet hugely uplifting with the turn of a single page, Hill shows us the true rollercoaster nature of life. Hardback £8.79 from Waterstones, Brighton.

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LETTERS

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LETTER OF THE MONTH Sir, I have just read your article (January) on Matthew Worswick and your review of the Gallery Bistro in Hove. It showed your commitment to Sussex life and businesses and the sort of things us Brightonians want to read about. On this note I just thought you ought to know that the current Tilda Chef of the Year 2010, Dean Heselden, has just opened a new restaurant in Kemp Town Brighton with his chef-business partner, Jamie Everton-Jones. This prestigious industry competition has given Dean Sir, With all this talk about council cutbacks, and with some people asking for volunteers to replace lollipop people and library attendants, how about this for an idea? We make all councillors redundant and ask for volunteers to do their jobs. This would save probably hundreds of thousands of pounds. Jean Williamson

and Jamie the courage and confidence to leave their employment and open a restaurant of their own despite the recession. Hopefully it will become a favourite with the local residents. Ted Thibaut Via email

Ed: Lots of luck to them. We look forward to reviewing the place.

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Sir, I would like to congratulate you on the property pages in the January issue, in particular the interview with the affable Phil Spencer and your ‘through the keyhole’ style feature. For a nosey person like me, this is a great chance to poke through other people’s (very glamorous) homes. If only I could actually afford to live in a place like this! Michelle Read

Brighton

Brighton whom I met during this time in November and December for showing their care and concern. In particular the fab people I met in Kemp Town, especially in St James’ district, Spinelli Coffee (thanks for ‘kissing’ my loyalty card every day), and not forgetting the North Laines and another coffee shop, Cafe Nero plus, indeed, friends at Costa in Churchill Square. Despite virtually living out of a bag, what got me through this tough period was the relaxed vibe and helpful and friendly people. Thank you to all those concerned. Nicky Grant

Via email

Ed: Being nosey is all part of our character – thank goodness.

Ed: That’s what Brighton is all about!

Sir, I frequently visit Brighton, and in particular the Lanes, with my mum. Recently though we found ourselves here for a longer stay as my mum had to go into hospital. I would like to thank all the lovely people of

We accept Letters to the Editor by e-mail: rmoore@onemediauk.co.uk or post to So Brighton & Hove, Suite 7, Brighton Media Centre, 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL. Letters must carry full names and contact details. Letters may be edited for publication. F E B R U A R Y 2 0 1 1

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NEWS

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7+( 1(:6« OUR MONTHLY LOOK AT SOME OF THE STORIES MAKING THE HEADLINES BRIGHT-ON KIDS

COLD LOVE

Forget whisking your sweetheart off to Paris, Rome or Venice this Valentine’s Day. World Travel Guide. net has named Brighton as one of their top five alternative romantic destinations.

League table results for the City’s schools have been published, and there are some familiar names amongst the top spots. Blatchington Mill School is Brighton and Hove’s top state school for its GCSE pass rate in the 2010 exams. This is the second year in a row that the school has received this accolade. At the school, in Nevill Avenue, Hove, 65% of pupils achieved five A* to C grades including English and maths. A City Council spokesman says: “We’re very pleased with these results… We’re determined to work with our schools to drive up standards.” The independent Brighton College came out on top overall, with 99% of their pupils achieving five A* to C grades including English and maths.

SPORTING CHANCE

Brighton and Hove City Council have spent almost half a million with the aim of creating the best sports centre in the City. Cabinet Councillor for recreation David Smith says: “This will become the biggest and best public leisure centre in the City,” and he hopes it will encourage local people to get or stay fit as “the nation turns its attention to sports and the London Olympics”.

“Cuddling up on the pier to eat hot chips straight from the paper as the winter waves crash onto the pebbly beach beneath - what could be more romantic than that?” they ask, without even a hint of sarcasm. Our beloved Brighton’s charms were praised alongside Damascus, the Northern Lights, Quebec city and the Mediterranean.

TRAIN DRAIN

If you’re one of the residents of Brighton and Hove who commute daily to the capital, you’ve probably noticed that your wallet is feeling a little lighter than usual. £276 pounds lighter, to be precise, if you’re a Hove to London season ticket holder. On this route fares have increased by 7.8% since January 2010 from £3,556 to £3,832. Caroline Lucas, the Green MP for Brighton Pavilion, asked the Government about the effect these increases might have on commuter numbers. The Government appeared to think it would have no effect, as Conservative Transport Minister Theresa Villiers said: “… the resumption of economic growth has seen passenger numbers increasing and we expect this trend to continue”. But take heart, fares on some routes such as Tonbridge and Hastings to London have gone up by as much as 12.7%.

ON LOCATION

This month sees the release of a new adaptation of Graham Greene’s classic novel, Brighton Rock. Out on February 4, the re-make which stars Helen Mirren, Sam Riley, and Andrea Riseborough was filmed on location in Brighton and Hove and Eastbourne in 2009. In the early 1990s the council received around 20 filming requests a year, this has now increased to between 200 and 300 a year. Brighton Rock's producer, Paul Webster, says: "Shooting in Brighton was a pleasure from beginning to end." Other notable films shot in Brighton & Hove are Quadrophenia; Run, Fat Boy, Run; Wimbledon and The End of the Affair. Locations used for Brighton Rock include Madeira Drive, the beach huts at Hove, Ship Street, Duke Street, Prince Albert Street, Blaker Street, Carlton Hill and White Street. For a movie-themed trip around the city see visitbrighton.com

New equipment at this seafront gym includes Life Fitness cardiovascular and resistance training equipment, a dedicated spinning studio, treadmills, cross trainers and bikes. The male and female changing rooms, toilets and showers have also been revamped, and a modern audiovisual system installed.

GAY - FRIENDLY

According to a survey by the campaign group Stonewall the City council is among the most gay-friendly employers in the country. In compiling its annual index the group looked at feedback from more than 9,000 people working for 378 employers in 25 different industries. It found that the top ranked local authority was East Sussex County Council in seventh spot with Brighton and Hove one place lower at number eight. Top employer was the Home office which was found to have the best inclusive policies for lesbian, gay and bisexual staff with senior officials “providing committed leadership on diversity.” Students are now said to be using the gay-friendly guide to choose their future employer. FEBRUARY 2011

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1R ODXJKLQJ STEPHEN K AMOS

STEPHEN K AMOS IS HEADING FOR BRIGHTON AFTER FINISHING HIS BBC TV DEBUT SERIES. WE CAUGHT UP WITH HIM ON THE ROAD TO FIND OUT HIS THOUGHTS ON SERIOUS ACTING AND HIS ASPIRATIONS TO BECOME THE NEXT FRESH PRINCE OF BEL AIR We’ve noticed you’ve got seven warm-up shows, is that to test out material? Basically, it’s going to be a continuation of the show I did in Edinburgh in 2010, and obviously lots has happened since then, I’ve got lots of new ideas and I just want to keep it fresh and exciting. And also, I haven’t done it since Edinburgh, so I’ve got to check that my timing’s still there and that I can still work the room.

Compared to your shows, do you find that on TV like Michael McIntyre’s Roadshow or Live at the Apollo, you water down the act? Not particularly no, to be honest. The first one I did was the second series of Live at the Apollo that was very much kind of edgy and a bit late night, after the watershed and just what you wanted. But the series I’ve just done for Live at the Apollo, you know, a few new bits of compliance regulations were in place because sometimes people rang up and were getting a bit upset. They just wanted to make sure that everything was above board, so that was a bit weird. But I don’t really do that kind of stuff anyway, so it was fine. You came out in 2006, do you think that’s impacted your career? Well, to be honest, I never saw it as a big coming out thing. I just happened to mention it in a show – one sentence – and

the press took it as though I was saying ‘hey, look at me’, but I wasn’t. It was just in response to something I was talking about in the show. The response I’ve had has been very positive, it’s not something I was worried about in particular and I haven’t seen any adverse reactions in terms of my career. My tour was very well received – the only thing is I keep getting asked to do all these discussion type panel shows. You’ve toured in Brighton before, do you like the City? Brighton is just such a kind of mellow, cosmopolitan place. It’s got that mixture of the student population and the kind of… well, can I say lefty? And the older brigade, it’s a really nice melting pot. Whenever I go to Brighton, they have the comedy festival down there, the comedy club that’s been running for many many years and they get it – they get it and the audiences there are very polite and listen to what you’ve got to say. So what does the future hold for Stephen K Amos? Well, we’ve had a really good reaction to the TV series. I’m very pleased and happy that the BBC gave us an opportunity to try something and do something in terms of characters and sketches that aren’t straight stand-up. So we’re going on tour and will hopefully get another series and who knows, maybe Hollywood will come knocking on my door… I’ve been over there many times to meet people and stuff, but I don’t think they’re planning on making a re-make of Fresh Prince of Bel Air yet.

Who makes you laugh? My nephews and nieces make me laugh because they’re just so innocent and say the most funny things, as any parent or older sibling will attest to. People in general, I like to people watch and I walk around with a pad and pen and I look like a stalky, weird fellow but I do get some comedic gems from those. You’ve done serious acting in the past. Would you give that another look? I would absolutely give that another look. You know, the comedy thing has happened and it’s very lovely, but it’d be very lovely to stretch oneself and play a mean big baddie in some detective series on the BBC or something. You can see Stephen K Amos at the Theatre Royal Brighton on Sunday March 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £19.50. FEBRUARY 2011

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SINCE IT WAS ANNOUNCED THAT SHE’S TO CO-HOST THIS MONTH’S 2011 OSCARS, ANNE HATHAWAY HAS BEEN RIDING HIGH IN HOLYWOOD. EVEN SO THE ACTRESS FOUND TIME TO TALK TO US ABOUT FEAR, LOVE AND LOATHING – AND WHY SHE CHOSE TO BARE ALL FOR HER LATEST FILM LOVE AND OTHER DRUGS

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f you were in any doubt as to the identity of the current golden girl of Hollywood, then the news that Anne Hathaway, already Golden Globe-nominated for her latest film, is to co-host the 2011 Oscars should serve as a neon sign.

This positive approach to life may explain how she’s managed to achieve more before the age of 30 than many of us will in an entire lifetime.

“I think that’s going to make it more fun than terrifying,” says Hathaway with a wide smile.

It’s a quantum leap that countless others have failed to make but Hathaway describes it as “a natural extension”.

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At 28, the American actress is the youngest person to be bestowed with the honour, but neither the prospect of being watched by more than a billion people nor the fact she could commit career suicide if she’s critically panned, appears to daunt the actress. Hathaway’s simply pleased she has co-presenter and fellow Golden Globe nominee James Franco, 32, star of 127 Hours, along for the ride.

She first came to prominence as a ditzy Disney princess in The Princess Diaries (2001), broke through in The Devil Wears Prada, and more recently appeared alongside Johnny Depp in the global box office hit Alice in Wonderland. But Anne Hathaway has also proved her mettle and versatility in critically-acclaimed films such as Brokeback Mountain, Becoming Jane and Rachel Getting Married, which also earned her a Golden Globe nomination in 2009 and - perhaps a sign of things to come - a Best Actress Oscar nomination too.

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Anne Hathaway with Jake Gyllenhaal in Love and Other Drugs

“I think my relationship with directors, and my ability to trust them, is in no small part responsible for the success that I’ve had and that began with the role of a Disney princess with the wonderful Garry Marshall,” she says. This is the same director who launched Julia Roberts’ career by casting her in Pretty Woman but while Marshall has been influential, Hathaway is being a little too modest about her considerable talents. Aside from the acting, she’s a trained soprano who’s performed at Carnegie Hall, a former English student at one of New York’s most prestigious colleges and she’s the go-to girl for hosting events as diverse as US comedy showcase Saturday Night Live and the Nobel Peace Prize Concert. She also enjoys delving into Newtonian physics in her spare time

“I think I’ve actually been the recipient of a lot of positive attention and I’m very grateful to the press,” says Hathaway, who’s been dating the actor Adam Shulman for the last two years. “In terms of my love life, people have always been as respectful as they could be while also trying to do their job. It’s a give and a take.” And so to Love and Other Drugs, a film in which Hathaway stars as Maggie, a young artist with early onset Parkinson’s Disease. One critic wrote “Miss Hathaway gives a warm, sexy performance that’s her most attractive since The Devil Wears Prada”. “I wish I had some of Maggie’s toughness and temper,” sighs Hathaway. “I wish I was a more confrontational person like her. I had a lot of fun playing that, but I’m pretty diplomatic.” She pauses for effect. “Although I am a Scorpio, so don’t cross me.”

Today she’s in rock ‘n’ roll mode, dressed head to toe in black, with red lips and loose wavy hair and appears happy to chat about an array of topics, regularly bursting into loud laughter. But there’s little reason for Hathaway to be wary of the press. The only scandal to remotely involve her was in 2008 when her then recent ex, Raffaello Follieri, was arrested for fraud.

The film reunites her with her Brokeback Mountain co-star, Jake Gyllenhaal, playing a charismatic pharmaceutical salesman called Jamie. Aside from their strong performances (he’s been nominated for a Golden Globe too) it’s the pair’s nudity and sex scenes that have been creating a stir. “Here’s the thing, I’ve had a chip on my shoulders ever since my nude FEBRUARY 2011

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Really, it’s enough to make you resent Ms Hathaway on sight, so it’s a shame to find her so likeable.

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scenes got cut from The Princess Diaries,” Hathaway deadpans. But apparently she really can’t understand the fuss. “It made sense to their story and shows the intimacy that Jamie and Maggie feel together and how their relationship shifts from sex into love” she says. “It’s only having to deconstruct it in the press that it seems like such a big deal,”. “We worked very intensively with Ed [the director, Edward Zwick] to make sure it was never just a shot of nudity and that each time the story was advancing, something about the characters was being revealed, so the audience had no reason to become disengaged and distracted.” While she concedes that shooting nude scenes “is somewhat out of the norm”, what truly terrified her was the pressure of giving a realistic portrayal of early onset Parkinson’s. “I’d have these little panics before we shot the close-ups and I would become terrified that I wasn’t being truthful enough and Ed had to really sit there with me and hold my hand and be very patient and talk me through it,” says Hathaway. “I hate being that kind of needy actor. I love just showing up and doing my job and it wasn’t like that this time. But just like my character, I learned an awful lot about what it’s like to need people around you and what it’s like on the days where you can’t get there yourself.” As part of her preparation, Hathaway spoke to people in a similar position to Maggie, and everyone asked her the same question: “Has she accepted her diagnosis yet?” “It led me to believe that there’s a whole world of anxiety before you come to that moment,” says Hathaway and references Back To The Future star Michael J Fox, who was diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 1991. “He very eloquently and gracefully describes his relationship with Parkinson’s as having evolved to a place where he thinks of it as a gift but that it was quite a journey to get there. I think one of the strengths of the film and what drew me to the character was the articulation of that journey.” And it was a journey that induced many tearful nights. “I didn’t know how not to take Maggie home with me,” she says. “But I’m still learning a lot about how to do my job on camera and off.” Born in Brooklyn, it was her actress mother who encouraged the young Hathaway to take to the stage, and she took part in school productions, one of which earned her a nomination for the Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Award. At the age of 16 she won a role in the TV series Get Real, then two years later she got the call from Marshall. “I don’t always know why I choose to do a film until after I’ve actually made it,” she says of her career choices. Then, with a knowing nod to that golden girl reputation, she adds with a smile: “But I guess maybe it’s time I play a badass!”

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STYLE WRITER DEBBIE ATTWOOD ON ALL THE LATEST NEWS AND VIEWS FROM THE WORLD OF FASHION

Open Heart To make an impression for the woman who wears her heart on her sleeve, we have the perfect gift for Valentine’s Day. Shaun Leane’s Hook my Heart, crafted in silver with a passion-red topaz studded heart, works for the everyday jewellery lover and those who like to sparkle on special occasions. Available burrellsjewellers.co.uk Price: £560.

Tailor Made

Winter White Step ahead to next season’s style early and start filling your wardrobe with whites and lights. And with one-shoulder dresses here to stay, this Vionnet cream piece is a must-have for Spring. Pair it with a statement clutch and some black heels for the perfect night out. Available at matchesfashion.com for £1,338.

Vintage stuff

In the Bag

Buying Vintage just became even easier! Love is Boutique, which opened its first shop in Tunbridge Wells last year, has expanded its customer base by joining the ASOS online marketplace .Check out some of the great pieces available at asos.com

In these gloomy early months of the year nearly all your stylish new buys are likely to be hidden under a big coat. One item, though, that will add glamour to any outfit is a statement bag. The man bag is no exception and with this handmade calfskin Soho bag, your statement is clear… style! You can buy it at aspinaloflondon.com for £450.

Gentlemen, time to smarten up for Valentines and the rest of the season. This Camel cashmere coat from A Suit That Fits might be just the answer and it’s your for £381. Available at their new store at 3rd Floor, Queensberry House, 106 Queens Road, Brighton or visit asuitthatfits.com

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+HULWDJH THE CROP OF ENGLAND’S FINEST FASHION HOUSES HAVE LONG THRIVED ON OFFERING UP CLOTHES THAT LOOK LIKE HUNTING APPAREL. BUT WHERE DO YOU GO WHEN YOU WANT THE REAL DEAL FOR A DAY OUT IN THE KENT OR EAST SUSSEX COUNTRYSIDE? LORNA STRICKLAND LOOKS AT ENGLISH HUNTING CLOTHIER PURDEY

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hose who want the cream of the crop in hunting apparel need look no further than gun and rie maker Purdey. The long-established company has a history big enough to ďŹ ll a book. In fact, it has just published its own DeďŹ nitive History, which shows its development from gun maker to highend ďŹ eld clothier. Operating from over thirty partner stores worldwide, Purdey’s one and only agship store sits in the heart of Mayfair, London from where it sells to a range of celebrities. Chairman Nigel Beaumont reveals that the celebrity clientele list is endless. “We have a very high proďŹ le list of clients. They rely on us for all their hunting apparel

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but we have to remain discreet and so we make a promise to all our clients not to disclose them.â€? So what is it about the heritage brand Purdey that drives celebrities from across the world to its London emporium? The brand has a history to be proud of and a service ethic to outshine even the ďŹ nest of establishments. Much like most of its competitors Purdey was born from the rise of shooting parties in the early 19th century. Far from being a fashion outlet, Purdey started life as a rie and gun maker and continues the tradition of hand making high quality guns and ries to this day. Thanks in part to the patronage of the British Royal Family the business has risen high among its peers. Purdey was established in London in 1814, the year before the battle of Waterloo. The founder, James Purdey, had previously worked as head stocker for Joseph Manton, the foremost gun maker of his time. Purdey set up his gun making business in Princes Street and soon moved

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to Oxford Street in 1826. As early as 1838, Queen Victoria is recorded as having bought a pair of Purdey pistols. James Purdey the Younger took over the running of the company from his father in 1858. Over his lifetime there was rapid change and development in the design of guns and rifles, essentially moving from muzzle loading flintlocks in the 1820s to breech loading hammerless ejectors by the 1880s. James was always at the forefront of advances in the design and building of his guns and rifles, and took out several patents for technical innovations over the years, many of which were craftily adopted by other gun makers. The company was granted its first Royal Warrant in 1868 by The Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, an honour that has been bestowed on the Managing Director of James Purdey & Sons by each succeeding Monarch. Today Nigel Beaumont holds the Warrants of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, HRH Prince Philip The Duke of Edinburgh and HRH The Prince of Wales. In 1882 the company moved from Oxford Street to the new premises on South Audley Street (left) and it is from here that new ideas in fashion and guns are married together.

Jumping Fences The New Moneyed among us can rest assured they will receive as warm a welcome as the Old Money, if not more. “The New Moneyed are now our largest group of customers and have become very loyal to the Purdey brand,” Beaumont says. Coping with the demand from international travellers is something Purdey prides itself on. With over thirty store locations around the world – ranging from traditional European hotspots to Russia, Japan and the USA, shoppers can be assured if they are stuck for hunting gear, Purdey can get it to you. This ethos is backed up by a recent online clothing site, purdeyclothing.co.uk, which has invested heavily in ensuring orders placed around the world are well served by the company. Beaumont reveals that developing its international scope is high on its list of priorities. “We have been looking very closely at the Middle East. It’s a location with great potential and I feel we need to be there.” Vying for competition isn’t a necessity for Purdey. There may be a wealth of rival hunting apparel houses for customers to choose from but when you want exclusive outfits for a range of pursuits Purdey believes it has the ability to offer you absolutely everything you could ever want for any type of hunting activity.

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Its most successful lines spring from traditional English pursuits such as grouse shooting, but interestingly the company is keen to equip customers for big game hunting as well as for the milder pursuit of safari in African climes. Beaumont reveals that a full shooting outfit will set you back a modest £1,000. However a handmade hunting gun or rifle

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will set you back anything from £47,000100,000. Beaumont explains: “We are considerably cheaper than our nearest competition for outfits but we offer quality. We aren’t aiming to be the biggest brand or to focus entirely on the fashion market. This isn’t our overriding concern. Our outfits speak for themselves in terms of durability and quality. We make them so you can jump a fence,” he says. Over the past ten years the company has been steadily consolidating its collections and enhancing designs. While the designs may vary from year to year, the colours remain consistently traditional. Women can expect the same high level of service and outfit quality as men and Purdey is also offering casual wear for country weekends.

A close eye on time Although Purdey was bought by the Seely family in 1946 it was to remain a familyowned business until 1994. The Hon Richard Beaumont, a family member and Chairman since 1970, decided to retire and the company was acquired by the Richemont Group. This well-established parent company also houses brands in its stable such as Chloe, Montblanc and Van Cleef & Arpels amongst many other well-known brands in fashion. Thanks to the patronage of its parent company Purdey has struck an agreement with another Richemont brand, Panerai. This high-end timepiece maker is supplying exclusive designs to Purdey to furnish the gun maker’s fashion portfolio. An exclusive Panerai For Purdey design will set you back a cool £14,000. Not only is the design exclusive to Purdey, but the range is now in its fourth generation. The limited edition watches grow in age and distinction. In addition, the high-class gun maker has been steadily developing its range of accessories and gift items. High end, traditional wares include cufflinks, ties, shepherd’s crooks and horn sticks, dog leads, whistles, shooting glasses, scarves, cigar cases, photo frames, leather belts and hip flasks among many others. In its rather lengthy history, this famed gun company has gone from strength to strength. If it is good enough to be appointed outfitters to Queen Elizabeth II, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales and every monarch from Queen Victoria onwards, it’s got to be doing something right. 62

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BORED OF YOUR WORKOUT AND NO LONGER SEEING RESULTS? THIS VALENTINE’S MONTH SWITCH FITNESS ROUTINES WITH YOUR PARTNER FOR FIGURE SHAPING CHANGES...FITBITCH FOUNDER RACHAEL WOOLSTON EXPLAINS

And although a generalisation, it is broadly the case that men focus on exercises such as lifting weights or on sports such as football which involve short, sharp bursts of speed. Women meanwhile gravitate towards yoga, Pilates and aerobics (although that is obviously not the case with FitBitch graduates). This means that both you and your partner could be missing a vital component from your fitness tool box, whether that is flexibility, agility or strength. Add this and you could see your fitness, figure and sports performance radically improve.

FIT SWAPS FOR HIM He thinks: Yoga is for hippies Many men dismiss yoga as a lazy aerobics class, or are just put off at the thought of wearing Lycra. They are missing a trick. Yoga has come on a long way in the last decade and is no longer the sole preserve of hippies who have spent years in India. It is now used as part of a comprehensive training programme by the Welsh Rugby team, as well as players from America’s NFL. Why? Because it provides a systematic approach to improving flexibility. It opens up joints that can be inhibited by tight muscles, so helping to improve range of movement in sports, as well as stretching and strengthening muscles to improve posture and prevent injury. Plus yogic breathing can massively benefit cardiovascular health as well as focusing the mind. What can it do for me? Improve flexibility and range of movement and relieve stress. W

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nce you’ve stopped laughing at the thought of him or her trying to balance on one leg chanting “Ommm…” while you grunt your way through a weights workout, let’s look at this objectively. It is widely established that in order to continue to see changes in your fitness and shape, you need to switch your work out. every six to eight weeks. Throwing something new into the mix challenges the body so it is forced to recruit more muscle fibres, ergo transformation. What better way of achieving this than swapping fitness workouts with your partner?

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Where to do it: FitBitch Boot Camp run regular Yoga for Sports & Runners workshops. Email fbfitness@aim.com for more details. Alternatively yogahaven.co.uk offer a range of different yoga classes. He thinks: Skipping is for girls. Anyone fancy calling heavy weight champion David Haye a girl? There is a reason skipping is used by boxers. It is a great all round body workout, which helps boost cardiovascular fitness as well as developing strength through the use of plyometric training, where a muscle is loaded and then contracted in rapid sequence. This can be of particular benefit as a cross training method for runners. And if you think skipping sounds boring try a skip interval set, including speed skipping, skipping on one leg, moving laterally, and double unders, where the rope goes under the feet twice in one jump. What can it do for me? Improve strength, Plyometric conditioning, and cardiovascular system. Where to do it: If not in camp, try Brighton & Hove Boxing Team brightonandhoveabc.com He thinks: I don’t even know what Pilates is. Pilates is a system of exercises which focuses first and foremost on engaging the core muscles. Why is this important? The core is the powerhouse of the body and if this isn’t working properly, you are compromising the body which can be seen in poor biomechanics which will eventually result in injury. If you want to experience Pilates at its most effective I always recommend clients try studio work as opposed to mat. This involves using equipment which can challenge the body further and is typically limited to a maximum of four people for individual attention. What can it do for me: Strengthen weaknesses and improve core activation and posture. Where to do it: Purely Pilates, purelypilates.co.uk. Studio classes, £20.

FIT SWAPS FOR HER She thinks: Pumping iron will make me look like Arnie. Using weights terrifies most women who imagine they’ll end up looking like a body builder. In reality this is impossible as we don’t have the same amount of testosterone as men. Besides, it requires serious dietary changes (think protein shakes and boiled chicken) along with intensive strength training for bulking. In reality, women should think of weights as their friend in the battle against the bulge. Lean muscle tissue burns more calories and helps ramp up your metabolism, as well as strengthening and shaping. It is even more important for women aged thirty and over who can lose between half to one pound of muscle a year. Forget the weights workout and you can say hello to middle aged spread. What can it do for me? Strengthen, shape and improve

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your metabolism. Where to do it: We use weighted kettlebells within camp and run one-off workshops. What she thinks: Football is aggressive and muddy. Well, it can be but it is also lots of fun and is fantastic for getting you aerobically and anaerobically fit. And with England now boasting some of the best women’s football teams in the world it is no longer as intimidating as it may once have been. Sports like football, basketball and rugby all require sudden bursts of speed. This is akin to interval training which has been shown to burn more calories after you have finished your work out compared to long, slow runs. And the sudden change of directions and lunges, twists and turns is fantastic for agility. What can it do for me? Build speed and agility as well as burning approx 550 calories per hour. Where to do it: Contact yellowave.co.uk for mixed beach soccer leagues or Brighton & Hove Albion have a community team for all levels. Contact Loraine Perrin on 01273 643 198 or email bhawfc_sec@hotmail.co.uk She thinks: Boxing is for hard nuts. If you find getting fit boring then I’ve got one word: boxing. I’ve taught countless boot camps and personally trained lots of women and the one thing that they love more than anything else? Putting on the gloves. Aside from the fact that going at it on a punch bag is a great way of venting steam, it works all areas of the body. We are not talking boxercise here though. This is a boxing style of training with someone holding the pads and punch set combinations so you are also working on developing the mind body connection. you sweat, laugh and have fun. Why let men have all the fun? What it can do: Burns from 500 calories per hour upwards, strengthens the core and builds fun into your fitness. Where to do it: at FitBitch Boot Camp of course! For more details about FitBitch Boot Camp visit fitbitchbootcamp.com or email fbfitness@aim.com.

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7KH WDOH RI WZR BRIGHTON & HOVE

THE SECOND BRIGHTON MARATHON TAKES PLACE IN APRIL. WE FIND OUT HOW TWO VERY DIFFERENT PARTICIPANTS HAVE PREPARED THEMSELVES FOR THE GRUELLING 26 MILER Dawn Paul “From the first mile I was hooked,” says Dawn, who is running her first ever marathon in Brighton this year.

Like so many of today’s marathon runners, Dawn caught the running bug relatively late in life. She was helping out at the Brighton Marathon six months before her 50th birthday and suddenly had an urge to be on the other side of the trestle tables. “I thought: ‘I want to do that. Why can’t I run a marathon?’” Now she’s in serious training for the 26-mile Brighton marathon on April 10th. On a recent training run, she covered 11 miles in an hour and a half. Eighteen months ago she could barely manage a mile. Before her first run Dawn weighed just over 15st. Though her weight has risen slightly after Christmas , she is still almost two stone lighter than in her pre-running days. Dawn also smoked 30 cigarettes a day for 35 years although she says: “I didn’t give up smoking to run exactly, the running just came first. “I’ve struggled with the addiction for 35 years but now running has become the drug,” adds this cheerful mother of four from Peacehaven. But the craving hasn’t disappeared completely and her advice for coping is to substitute it with healthier alternatives: “Now if I feel stressy I eat a piece of fruit.” Dawn does a lot of her training on The Tye above Peacehaven, which is where she took her initial breathless

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steps: “At first I cycled there and then ran. But I remember the first time I ran there and back as well. I was ecstatic. It was such an achievement. “I started off running for one minute and walking two minutes and built it up from there.” If anyone wants a sensible approach to the problem of how to be a late starter at the running game, this is it. Understandably, from time to time she struggled and could end up exhausted. She sensibly realised that she had to add something to compensate for all the pounding her legs were taking.

So, she included two gym sessions a week: “I read books on what I should do, but I was lucky because I am a kiddies’ gym coach so I had easy access to the gym at the local leisure centre.” As she talks you can hear the slight lilt of a Welsh accent. Her ambition after the Brighton Marathon is to run one of her favourite walks from Cwmfelin to Newport, a distance of 16 miles: “It is a reconditioned railway track that is bliss to walk in Summer. It’s my ambition to run that one day.” From the tone of her voice we have no doubt that she will, too.

How often do you run? Four days a week Any other exercise? One yoga session and two gym sessions a week How long do you run? Anything from 30mins to 90mins When? Around nine o’clock when I’ve taken the children to school Where? The Tye above Peacehaven Nutritional tips? Salad and pastas, but bread is my weakness Favourite running song? Girls by the Sugababes

B R I G H T O N M A R AT H O N

Dan Robinson Top UK marathon runner Dan Robinson, from Gloucester, has chosen to kick-start his 2012 London Olympic campaign on the south coast. “I look forward to a competitive race,” says Dan. “It’s really exciting to be part of the Brighton marathon in its early stages. The race will be an important part in my build up to qualify for the Olympics.” Dan’s best time stands at 2 hours 12 minutes in Amsterdam in 2009. Renowned for his steady starts and fast finishing, the highlight of the Stroud man’s career is Commonwealth bronze from Melbourne 2006. He has also had impressive outings in two world championships, finishing 12th in Helsinki 2005, before improving to 11th in Osaka 2007. But two of the most striking facts about Robinson are that he got into athletics late compared to most – 23 – and that he did all of his early training on a treadmill.

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Dan (35) started his sporting career kicking a football: “I was playing football to a Sunday League standard and decided to join a gym to improve my fitness. Pretty quickly I found I could keep going on the treadmill quite well and at a decent pace. “A gym instructor persuaded me to enter a local 10k race and I ended up having a real tussle with a county standard runner, eventually finishing a close second in around 32 - 33 minutes.” This performance off the back of treadmill training clearly indicates a talented athlete. But Dan took it much further. In 1999 he entered the London marathon having done no outdoor training at all. “I finished in 2 hours 38 minutes, and at this stage was doing all my training on a treadmill. I was running five to six times a week for 45 minutes as fast as I could. Not exactly training from a coaching manual” At the turn of the millennium, Dan had started to take some steps out of doors although the treadmills at the Henley on Thames leisure centre where he was working were bearing the brunt of his schedule. But he was making great strides. Over 10km he had improved to 31 minutes and for a marathon achieved 2 hours 24 minutes. He was ready for the next stage. “In 2001 my wife Jess and I moved back to Gloucestershire where I took up a part-time position at a local school teaching sport as well as a few hours a week at the family property development company,” explains Dan. “This allowed me flexibility in my training, as well as the time to get enough rest and eat right.” The rest is history. With his experience, Dan’s advice for the budding marathon runner is sound: “Listen to your body and know when to back off. Understanding what works for you is also important. Just because one person swears by a certain session doesn’t mean that it will work for everyone.”

How often do you train? 13 times a week. Twice a day and once on Sunday. Where? Around the countryside in Gloucestershire - mainly a cycle track and canal tow path. Also on a treadmill. How long? Around 2hrs daily. Sunday up to 2hrs 45min. Special dietary tips? I don’t eat anything special, just try to maintain a generally healthy diet. Plenty of carbs. What do you listen to when running? I don’t listen to music. I try to let my mind wander on easy/recovery runs, but think about my splits and how I’m feeling when doing faster sessions.

Pictures .Skye Brackpool Photography

brightonmarathon.co.uk

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PROPERTY

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Montpelier Villas priced at £1,750,000: Hamptons International

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OUR PART OF THE WORLD IS RICH WITH STUNNING HOMES AND GORGEOUS COUNTRYSIDE WHICH IS WHAT WE SET OUT TO CAPTURE IN THIS EXCITING NEW SUPPLEMENT APTLY CALLED BEAUTIFUL SUSSEX HOMES WHICH EACH MONTH WILL FEATURE SOME OF THE FINEST PROPERTIES ON THE MARKET. PRESENTING HIS VIEW ON THE LOCAL MARKET IN THIS OPENING ISSUE IS PAUL TAGGART, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT HAMPTONS INTERNATIONAL ESTATE AGENTS IN HOVE

2010 was one of Hamptons best ever years despite an election, hung parliament, austerity budgets and snow interruptions, and on top of this we had the media constantly beating the drum of doom and uncertainty! There seems to have been a real back log of applicants wishing to see properties as viewings for the first two weeks of this year have been through the roof. This in turn leads to increased offers and at this moment in time we are busy attempting to tie up sales ranging between £525,000 and £1,500,000. Historically January is always a busy month for us, followed by the Spring market of late March/April/May. On the horizon for buyers of properties in excess of £1,000,000, is the increase in stamp duty of 5% being introduced on the 6th April which means there is an added

incentive to complete before that date. We strongly recommend all sellers of these properties to make their move whilst there is a flurry of buyers.

As we head into 2011, we have reasons to be optimistic about our prospects with a continuing backdrop of low interest rates, favourable exchange rates, a resilient stock market at a three year high, and impending City bonuses. Also, whilst mortgage lending remains tight, the buyers in our sector have an average loan to value requirement of just 50% and we are therefore much less vulnerable to the lending squeeze than others in the UK market. January, as we said, kicked off with a busy first week for Instructions, up 20% on last year, whilst applicant registrations were up 25%.

By the way, it’s official. We are among the best in the business. We have just received the ultimate industry accolade, winning a 2010 Estate Agency Award. These awards are the longest-running and most prestigious in the industry, sponsored by The Sunday Times. Our win provides recognition of the exceptional service we provide and standards we achieve. It means you can trust us when we say we deliver the best when you are buying or selling a home through us. So call into our office today and find out how our market-leading approach can help you. hamptons.co.uk FEBRUARY 2011

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THIS THREE FLOOR HOME IN HOVE IS A UNIQUE PROPERTY. SET INTO THE HILLSIDE, IT’S BEEN DESIGNED AS A MEDITERRANEAN RETREAT WITH CHIC CONTEMPORARY INTERIORS AND INTERESTING ARCHITECTURE

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PROPERTY

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DW KRPH Property: Tongdean Avenue, Mediterranean detached ‘villa’ Location: Hove Price: £1.75million Bedrooms:5 Bathrooms: 4

Extras: Jacuzzi, extensive balconies, gym space

Best bit: Set out over three floors, this home is spacious and open plan, emulating its inspiration – the typical bolt hole in the sun. Summary: The villa has been designed with an interesting layout; the reception rooms on the ground floor are set between the lower ground floor bedrooms and the accommodation on the first floor. When you enter on the ground floor you find all the usual areas, like an attractive entrance hall, study and kitchen with breakfast space. There are also attractive views of the garden and distant sea views from the dining room and living room that both open out on a rear-facing balcony. Below, at the rear, are three garden facing rooms, each with French doors opening onto the lawns. Two family bathrooms and a further bedroom occupy this lower ground floor space. Up top you’ll find the luxurious master bedroom with a wall of built-in storage, dressing room and en suite. There’s also the generously proportioned fourth and fifth bedrooms. A double garage on the ground floor has a large basement on the lower level. Linked by a spiral staircase, the open plan area is perfect as a gym or office space. Elsewhere in the well-looked after gardens you’ll find a Jacuzzi for when the local coastline just isn’t quite appealing enough. Contact: Hamptons International 01273 230 230 hamptons.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2011

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WE’VE ALL DREAMT OF THAT PERFECT COUNTRY HOUSE – STUNNING GROUNDS, BEAUTIFUL ARCHITECTURE AND PERIOD INTERIORS. BUT MANY ARE FAR FLUNG AND MILES FROM ANYWHERE. THANKFULLY, THAT’S NOT THE CASE WITH LITTLE DENE, JUST OUTSIDE LEWES Property: Little Dene, three-storey country house Location: Glynde, East Sussex Price: £2.3million Bedrooms: 8 Bathrooms: 4 Land: 10 acres

Continue and you’ll be in the main hall with doors leading to the stately drawing room, dining room, large kitchen/ breakfast room and two studies. In the pantry, just off the kitchen, a small set of stairs leads below to a spacious cellar with two store rooms, plus wine cellar.

Best bit: From the outside, Little Dene certainly looks the part, with its impressive scale and attractive architecture. What’s even better, though, is that the interior of this stunning house more than lives up to its exterior.

In general the house benefits from a glorious sense of space, with high ceilings and some beautifully finished period styling. These touches make Little Dean the ideal place for entertaining – particularly in the Summer when the sun streams though the large sash windows.

Summary: This stunning country home was built in 1868 by Henry Bouverie William Brand MP, Speaker of the House of Commons, for his son. The property remained in family hands until the 1950s and the initials ‘HBWB’ plus the year of completion are inscribed on the western façade of the house.

Above, the principal suite, plus four bedrooms occupy the first floor – along with a pair of bathrooms. On the second floor a games room is flanked by bedrooms six, seven and eight, plus a family bathroom.

Constructed of flint with brick dressing, Little Dene enjoys vast proportions and picturesque appearances, set in over 10 acres of gardens and paddocks. Enter the property through the entrance vestibule and you’ll find an attractive library with full height French doors leading out onto the immaculate gardens.

FEBRUARY 2011

Attached, but with access via an external door, is the garage with storage room and boiler room. All in all a fantastic country home, just down the road on the South Downs. Contact: Strutt & Parker 01273 475 411 struttandparker.com

PROPERTY

FEBRUARY 2011

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ALTHOUGH AT FIRST GLANCE A RATHER MODEST-LOOKING PROPERTY, IT’S ONLY WHEN YOU GET CLOSER THAT YOU REALISE THERE’S ACTUALLY A LOT MORE TO IT THAN MEETS THE EYE...

FEBRUARY 2011

PROPERTY

Property: Detached open-plan new build Location: Shirley Drive, Hove Price: £495,000 Bedrooms: 3 Bathrooms: 2

Extras: Underfloor heating En-suite dressing room Wine cooler

Best bit: This modern property has a fantastic suspended chrome, wood and glazed walkway with inset LED lighting leading to front door. Summary: A light and breezy modern home with space and comfort as a priority. To get to the front door of this contemporary two-storey property, you must walk across a little bridge with glass panels on either side. And if you look over the glass panels, you’ll notice that half of the building is below ground. This interesting three-bedroom house was constructed in 2008 with modern open-plan living in mind. Located on the desirable Shirley Drive in Hove, the ground level provides the living and dining spaces, whereas the lower level houses the three bedrooms.

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With plenty of space and natural light, the entrance hall leads on to the large sitting room/kitchen area. Here you’ll find a vaulted ceiling with two remote control velux windows. Large double-glazed sliding patio doors lead out onto the front area. Recessed downlights, track spot lighting and dark wooden flooring completes the look. In the kitchen area you’ll find the luxury of dark wood-fronted drawer and base units with Corian work surfaces and built-in basin and drainer unit. AEG integral appliances include an electric oven with 4-ring hob and stainless steel extractor, dishwasher, fridge, freezer, washing machine with built-in dryer and wine cooler. In the master bedroom there are large double-glazed sliding patio doors which lead out onto the decked rear garden. There’s also an en suite shower room furnished in contemporary white and with all the modern fittings you’d expect. Outside is a practical timber-decked rear garden with rendered and painted surrounding walls and slate cappings. Contact: Nash Watson 01273 733 500 nashwatson.com

FEBRUARY 2011

New Church Road £825,000 Seven bedroom detached family house offering large southerly garden overlooking A spacious detached 6 bedroom versatile family house situated in one of Hove’s most sought after locations, South aspect garden, 2 South aspect sun terraces with sea views. Wish Park, Hove

Tongdean Avenue £1,750,000

Roedean Crescent £1,650,000

Dyke Road Avenue £975,000 Beautiful six bedroom detached farmhouse style property with sea and coastal views in A detached 4/5 bedroom house situated on Dyke Road benefitting from having plenty Roedean. Two separate annexes, front and rear gardens. of off road parking, spacious living accommodation and vacant possession.

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82 Church Road | Hove | East Sussex BN3 2EB Sales 01273 230230 hove@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations ZZZ KDPSWRQV FR XN

Newly refurbished, this elegant home benefits from underfloor heating throughout. So every day will give you a warm welcome. With Winter well and truly here there’s never been a better time to think about moving to warmer climes. You needn’t look far though. From underfloor heating and open fireplaces to homely Agas, at Hamptons International, we’ve properties with everything you could ask for.

Goldstone Crescent £895,000

Shirley Drive £699,950

A detached four bedroom family house directly overlooking Hove park, south aspect gardens, driveway, det garage. with large ent hall, 2 receps, kit/family room, 4 beds 2 baths.

Four bedroom detached chalet bungalow with private drive, parking for several cars, south facing rear garden, rear terrace, integral garage.

Westmeston £1,895 PCM Beautiful property available within stunning grounds. This property forms part of a wing of a late Regency Manor House and has a wealth of charm and character.

Hove £1,895 PCM

Brighton £1,800 PCM Fantastic opportunity to rent this delightful property situated within a private barn development in the highly sought after Church Hill location.

Eastbourne £2,200 PCM

A lovely four bedroom family home with two bathrooms, roof terrace and decked garden, located just off Hove seafront.

Substantial detached four bedroom house with double garage, mature gardens in beautiful rural setting with fantastic country views. Spacious throughout, great location. %ULJKWRQ

Estate Agent of the Year Hamptons International has taken home the Best for Innovation award at the 2010 Estate Agency of the Year Awards in associationwith The Sunday Times and The Times, recognising the importanceof the Hamptons International app for iPhone and iPad. Call us to find out how our innovative marketing can help you

82 Church Road | Hove | East Sussex BN3 2EB Lettings 01273 737777 brightonandhovelettings@hamptons-int.com Beyond your expectations ZZZ KDPSWRQV FR XN

Arundel £3,500 PCM

Brighton £2,775 PCM

A superbly presented, individually architect designed, contemporary detached lodge with five bedrooms and four bathrooms and swimming pool.

A beautiful well presented Penthouse Apartment located within renowned seafront hotel, offered fully furnished to a high standard. Seaviews & balcony.

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THIS QUITE EXQUISITE 18TH CENTURY PROPERTY, WITH BEAUTIFUL VIEWS OVER THE SOUTH DOWNS, IS LOOKING BETTER THAN IT EVER HAS. AND WE THINK YOU’LL AGREE THE RESULTS ARE STAGGERING

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FEBRUARY 2011

PROPERTY

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Property: Laughton Manor, stately home Location: Laughton, East Sussex Price: POA Bedrooms: 10 Bathrooms: 10 Land: 12 acres

Extras: Heli-pad Tower room Additional

cottage Gym Cinema room Library

Best bit: Laughton Manor is truly breathtaking with similar properties selling for around £5 million. It’s the kind of place that makes every day seem like a royal holiday on the Italian coast, with its painted brick exterior, Italianate tower and mosaic floor in the entrance vestibule. Summary: Originally the house at Laughton was built in the 1760s, however, it really became a notable property under the ownership of Sir James Duke Bart. in the 1840s, a chap who was known to be close to Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. From the 1930s the house came under government ownership and remained so until the 90s when private owners bought the place. Carrying out extensive refurbishment on almost all areas of the property Laughton Manor is now in perhaps its best condition ever. The main reception rooms of the manor are all hugely spacious and brimming with natural light. The ground floor comprises a grand entrance hall, an even more impressive inner hall, a quite stunning drawing room, large sitting room, traditional kitchen, dining room, pantry, inner hall and a formal dining room with atrium light above. Upstairs the master suite is impeccable, with his ‘n’ hers dressing rooms and an amazing en suite with stand alone bath, shower, WC and his ‘n’ hers basins. Three further double bedrooms, each with en suite, finish the first floor. A second floor houses a further four bedrooms, two of which have en suite. Plus there’s an interesting tower room with quad-perspective views of the grounds. A lower ground floor can be used as a selfcontained flat with sitting room, gymnasium, bedroom, sitting room, kitchen and various storage areas. Add to this a detached cottage called Pump House with kitchen, bathroom and en suite and you’re essentially getting three properties for one. Externally, the grounds are phenomenal with heli-pad, formal gardens and a lake with Italian carp. Bellisimo. Contact: Winkworth 01273 471 471 winkworth.co.uk

FEBRUARY 2011

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WORDS DAN SMITH

WHEN YOU THINK OF TREE HOUSES, LUXURY LIVING ISN’T THE FIRST THING THAT SPRINGS TO MIND – MORE OFTEN YOU IMAGINE RICKETY STRUCTURES PRECARIOUSLY BALANCED AMONG SAGGING BRANCHES. ONE EAST SUSSEX COMPANY, HOWEVER, IS TURNING THAT KIND OF THINKING ON ITS HEAD

FEBRUARY 2011

TREEHOUSE

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t only takes a brief glance at the creations of Blue Forest to realise that their tree-top buildings are vastly different to the kind of canopy construction you might be used to seeing. These are luxury hideaways that start at around £15,000 and can go up to £300,000. They’re designed to rekindle the sense of joy and adventure we all felt as children.

“Our tree houses afford customers a completely new perspective on our surroundings,” says founder and MD Andy Payne, “allowing them to rise above the stresses of everyday life and enjoy more time with their family.” Andy and his brother Simon (Executive Director) grew up in Kenya and benefited from a childhood in the African savannah, climbing trees and building dens. Years later, equipped with a business degree, he spent time in the Japanese city of Aomori (meaning Blue Forest) which inspired the innovative use of wood in construction. His background has also led him to have a strong focus on sustainability. “Each building is constructed using natural materials from sustainable sources,” continues Andy whose company is based in Eridge. “The choice of materials helps them blend in with their environment and perfectly complement already beautiful surroundings.” Today each Blue Forest design is different, taking into consideration the location and surrounding countryside, as well as, of course, the materials and style desired by clients. You only have to look over these pages to see the innovation and freedom of design available, including rope bridges, ladders, slides, swings, walkways and fireman’s poles. And perhaps the best thing is that you can power your building with green energy using solar-powered lighting, rain collection tanks and even fuel cells. Oh, and don’t worry if your trees are less than mature, stilts and supports mean that you can build them almost anywhere! blueforest.com FEBRUARY 2011

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TURN YOUR BATHROOM INTO A STUNNING HAVEN OF TRANQUILITY WITH OUR PICK OF THE BEST ON THE LOCAL MARKET RIGHT NOW

CLIVE CHRISTIAN

This Regency-style ensuite bathroom has been designed with a central island, including twin vanity basins. The furniture is hand painted in classic cream which is complemented by the delicately coloured marble worktop. The mirrored bathing enclosure is a trademark piece from Clive Christian and when combined with the sparkling chandelier it offers the ultimate luxury experience.

While this Victorian-style master bathroom in warm antique honey oak has a shelved entrance which leads seamlessly through to the master dressing room. The walls are dressed in Portrait No. 1 in deep red from Clive Christian’s fabric and wallpaper collection. Available from Clive Christian Handcross 01444 401 277 clive.com FEBRUARY 2011

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BRIGHTON & HOVE

HBC BATHROOMS From Danish company Vola comes this freestanding stainless steel shower. Vola specialise in taps and showers and focus on designing and manufacturing their products to the highest level. A favourite among architects and interior designers, you will often see Vola products in designer buildings and hotels. Available from hbc for bathrooms (Hove Bathroom Centre Ltd.) 01273 730 149 hbcforbathrooms.com

The walk-in shower continues to be a very popular choice. It’s a quicker, more invigorating alternative to a bath, and as a result, shower designs are getting more and more intricate. Large rain-shower heads with multi-function jets and specialist features such as illuminated light curtains and aromatherapy functions are now available. Tall shower columns can be totally versatile and can occupy almost any space, great if open-plan living is your thing. In this wet room, the pink and purple colour scheme of the mosaic tiles creates a really decadent feel. The reflective properties of the mirrors, tiles and the glass partition enhances the light and underfloor heating adds extra luxury and warmth.

RIPPLES

American dark walnut is used here to add warmth and richness to the room against the natural stone tiles (Antalya limestone) and travertine basins. In this openplan bedroom / bathroom, half-height walls were added to separate the bathing area from the sleeping area. The walk- in shower is screened from the hydrotherapy bath with a frameless glass panel. And his and hers travertine basins with wall set spouts and a mirrored backdrop create the illusion of space in the vanity area.

FEBRUARY 2011

Available from Ripples, Hassocks 01273 841 228 ripples.ltd.uk

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$ ZRUOG RI THE ANCIENT TOWN OF TAORMINA ON THE MEDITERRANEAN ISLAND OF SICILY HAS LONG BEEN REGARDED AS ONE OF THE MOST ROMANTIC DESTINATIONS IN THE WORLD. SO, IT ONLY SEEMS RIGHT THAT AS WE CELEBRATE ST VALENTINE’S DAY THIS MONTH WE SHOULD OFFER YOU THE CHANCE TO WIN THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME IN THIS FAMOUS ITALIAN RESORT FOR YOU AND YOUR PARTNER. AND IT’S WORTH OVER £4,000!

-

im Kerr is the lead singer in the Scottish rock band Simple Minds and has seen most things in life. He is not, shall we say, someone who is easily impressed.

But the co-founder of the group that has sold 40million albums since 1979 was left almost speechless the ďŹ rst time he visited Taormina in July 1982. (The other co-founder is Charlie Burchill on guitar and keyboard.)

“The view from the hotel still leaves me grasping for words some three decades after I ďŹ rst stood on the spot where it was eventually built. You can see everything from the waters of the Ionian Sea, which are crystal clear, all the way to the foot of the spectacular Mount Etna volcano. “If you had told me all those years ago that I would one day have the good fortune to call this place my ‘home-fromhome’ I would have said that either you were mad or that I was dreaming.â€?

“I was smitten from the off,â€? conďŹ des Jim Kerr. “They told me it was the most romantic place and that it belonged to another world. Above all they told me it was absolutely for me and that I would fall in love at ďŹ rst sight. They were right.â€?

The hotel

Indeed, so smitten was he with Taormina and with the warmth and passion-for-life of the Sicilian people, that the singer later set about creating his own dream destination in the town... the Hotel Villa Angela. And he wants two lucky So readers to be his guests on an all-expenses paid holiday they’ll never forget.

Local stone has been used as the main building material and blended with wrought iron work and traditional chestnut wood elements to produce a brilliant example of regional craftsmanship. The interior includes the famous ceramics of Caltagirone in a range of shapes and colours. They create a combination of

FEBRUARY 2011

Villa Angela is a 27 bed hotel that has been built to capture the “ambience that would beďŹ t its unique position in Taormina by transmitting only the real essence of Sicilian life.â€?

COMPETITION

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the coast from Cape Pelorus. It’s almost like an isolated rock about 200 metres above the sea with a Saracen castle a further 150 metres above. To say the place is steeped in history would be a bit of an understatement. Around 395 BC it became home for Greeks fleeing the tyranny of Dionysius the Elder who eventually conquered the town anyway three years later. In the time of Julius Caesar the town flourished only to fall foul of Octavian who made the inhabitants pay for their support of Pompey by expelling most of them and giving their homes to Roman soldiers. More recent times have seen Taormina become the nineteenth century haunt of the English aristocracy and later the home of a colony of expatriate artists, writers and intellectuals. It was here in the early 1920s that the selfexiled D.H. Lawrence was inspired to pen one of the most controversial, erotic love stories of its era... Lady Chatterly’s Lover. Thirty years later Truman Capote wrote of his stay in the town in the essay Fontana Vecchia. Taormina has endlessly winding medieval streets and tiny passages hiding many little treasures including ice cream bars, cafes and marvellous restaurants offering seafood and other local cuisine. Some are in secluded gardens hidden by stone walls while others can be found on terraces overlooking the coast or in pleasant public squares. The illuminated main streets are crammed with places to buy craft items, especially fashion, jewellery, ceramics, mosaics, puppets and even porcelain dolls. As one visitor wrote of the views: “There’s the spectacle of Mt Etna’s nocturnal fires as lava flows along the snow-covered slopes of Europe’s greatest natural wonder, leaving a stream of steam and light in its wake.” effects that successfully reflect the villa’s warm and luxurious atmosphere alongside old aristocratic Sicilian style. The upmarket hotel, which is near the old city centre of Taormina, boasts spacious terraces and large windows that make every room special and allow guests to enjoy the spectacular setting with its lush plants, olive trees, citrus fruit and the lemon trees which are famous around the world for their unique scent. You can savour the hotel’s delicious Sicilian breakfast before relaxing by the swimming pool or simply sit on the terrace of the 70 seater restaurant and enjoy the sun going down over Mt Etna. The restaurant, by the way, serves regional and national cuisine and has the most impressive wine list. There’s a roof top garden, bar, 24-hour front desk and impeccable service to make any stay just perfect.

The area Taormina occupies an ancient site on a lofty hill which comes at the end of a mountain ridge that extends along

Without doubt the most famous view is the one overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre, among Sicily’s largest, with Mt Etna in the background. Mt Etna, by the way, is an easy excursion away. And if you fancy sitting on a beach for a change of scenery there are several close by. The beach at Giardini-Naxos is a few kilometres distance and a funicular cableway connects the old town to coast Mazzaro below. As Jim Kerr tells us: “For most of my life I have been a traveller and have been fortunate to visit some wonderful places. Nothing though, I have to tell you, quite compares with Taormina... as you’ll discover if you join us at the Hotel Villa Angela.”

The prize We’ve teamed up with Hotel Villa Angela to offer one reader the chance to win a 7 night luxury break for two people worth over £4,000. For all the details of what’s involved and how to enter see the next page... hotelvillaangela.com

FEBRUARY 2011

WIN

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BRIGHTON & HOVE

THE HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME – IN ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST ROMANTIC LOCATIONS – WORTH MORE THAN £4,000

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his being the month we celebrate St Valentine’s Day we had to make our competition that little bit special. And we’ve done just that with a fantastic seven day holiday for two in a famous Italian resort.

Taormina on the Mediterranean island of Sicily is considered a truly romantic destination with its winding medieval streets, marvellous restaurants, intriguing shops and its famous view overlooking the Greco-Roman amphitheatre with Mount Etna in the background. It doesn’t get much better and you could soon be enjoying it together with your partner simply by sending us your name and address. We’ve teamed up with one of the leading hotels on the island, Villa Angela, to offer So readers the chance to win a seven night luxury break for two people worth more than £4,000. It includes:

Q Return flights from Gatwick Q Transfers from and to the airport in Sicily Q Complimentary pool lunches every day with drinks Q Accommodation in one of the Hotel Villa Angela’s prestigious suites For your chance to win simply send a postcard with your name, address and contact number to: Hotel Competition, One Media UK Ltd, Suite 7, Brighton Media Centre 15-17 Middle Street, Brighton BN1 1AL Alternatively, email us on win@onemediauk.co.uk with the subject ‘Hotel’. Closing date 28th February 2011 after which the winner will be drawn at random. For further information on Hotel Villa Angela and Taormina please see previous pages and visit hotelvillaangela.com Flights are economy class; pool lunches and drinks are for two people to a value set by the hotel and the seven day break must be taken by the end of 2011. Restrictions might apply on dates subject to the availability of flights and rooms. The winners may be required to be featured in future promotional material for the hotel. All standard competition Terms & Conditions of One Media UK apply. Only one entry per person per household. Entrants must be over 18. Editor’s decision is final.

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FEBRUARY 2011

FUNDRAISING

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)RRG IRUH >Dv=>H CELEBRITY CHEF MARCO PIERRE WHITE HAS THROWN HIS WEIGHT BEHIND AN INNOVATIVE FUNDRAISING SCHEME TO HELP HOSPICES ACROSS THE REGION

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lunch with a difference took place the other day. It was hosted by Marco Pierre White at one of his East Sussex restaurants. But the intention was not to promote the establishment. Far from it. Between the dishes the star chef helped launch a new charity campaign. The Friends of East Sussex Hospices (FESH) have cooked up a novel approach to raise much needed funds for local hospices. It’s called NOSHCHEZNOUS and the idea is that people ask friends, family, schoolmates or work colleagues to a food event of any kind and invite a discretionary donation to FESH for their hospices. The campaign is aimed at helping the nine hospices supported by FESH to raise some of the £35.7m needed to continue their work in 2011 helping terminally ill men, women and children. FESH hopes that not only foodies will answer the call and come up with innovative ideas - absolutely anything goes! From jeans and jam butties to posh frocks and poached salmon and from curry to cupcakes, those wishing to host an event can find ideas and inspiration on the FESH website (fesh.org.uk). Or they can call Patti Whitaker on 01825 890075. Hostess packs, which include a NOSHCHEZNOUS apron and

invitation cards will be sent to anyone wishing to hold an event.

Marco Pierre White, the first British chef to receive three Michelin Stars, tells us: “This is a wonderful way to enjoy the pleasurable experience of cooking for family and friends while supporting local hospices which help so many of our families and friends.” FESH Chairman Kathy Gore says : “I hope that people will take NOSHCHEZNOUS into their homes and hearts to help our hospices continue to deliver their care when it is most needed. Our hospices survive thanks to local support. Sussex hospices are the most poorly funded group of hospices in the UK, receiving only 22% state funding compared to the 32% national average.” The Friends of East Sussex Hospices is a registered charity run by volunteers. Formed in 1995, FESH has distributed over £720,000 to date to the nine hospices serving the people of East Sussex. A combined total of £35.7million must be raised by their hospices in order to continue their valuable work this year. The hospices supported by FESH are Chestnut Tree House Children’s Hospice, Demelza Hospice Care for Children, Hospice in the Weald, Leo House at Home, St. Catherine’s Hospice, St. Michael’s Hospice, St. Peter & St. James Hospice, St Wilfrid’s Hospice and The Martlets Hospice. 62 FEBRUARY 2011

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THERE’S AN INDIAN BISTRO IN BRIGHTON THAT PEOPLE KEEP RAVING ABOUT. BUT CAN THE PLACE REALLY BE THAT GOOD? WE BOOKED A TABLE FOR OUR RESIDENT FOODIE DAMIAN COTTON

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R E S TA U R A N T

And I have an equally strong ennui when faced with another matrix menu (lamb or chicken or prawns or king prawns versus Bhuna or Pathia or Madras or Vindaloo or Dopiaza) and waiting staff benumbed and demoralised from serving a parade of poppadum guzzling drunks. I know that I won’t eat very well, and will feel vaguely guilty for the abusive behaviour of my fellow man. Now, actual Indian food is marvellous. Britons have centuries of historical devotion to spicy food, and restaurants that can deliver an experience that is outside the post-pub canon of onion bhaji, pilau rice, “chicken” tikka masala, a garlic naan and 3 Kingfishers are very, very welcome. Chefs such as the Cyrus Todiwala, Atul Kochhar and Vineet Bhatia have gained critical (and more importantly, customer) plaudits, Michelin stars and television careers. There are a goodly number of small, regional cuisine based restaurants around the country producing decent food – a critics recommendation would be to stick to vegetarian dishes – although many have to run a parallel “curry house” menu to survive.

entirely different tone, a real restaurant feel. As well as a calm and genuine tableside manner, Akelese knows his stuff with matching food and drink, even in this tricky environment. The opposing wall has a giant blackboard of beers – exotic Belgians, Bavarian reinheitsgebot lagers, British beers from Bath to Greenwich, and some of the finest wheat beers known to humanity. There are bars and pubs with mere fractions of this selection. And the menu, oh, the menu! I would gladly eat everything on it. Every dish is interesting and inspiring - familiar ingredients plus a few new ones, presented in novel and enticing ways. After a scholarly chat with Akelese, we agree on the greedy man’s double starter; first Pani Puri (£4.50), based on Mumbai’s favourite street snack - thin whole-wheat pancakes deep-fried to a crisp sphere, opened at the top and filled with a dice of potatoes and chickpeas, dressed with a sour tamarind chutney and a mint puree, and in a novel twist, accompanied by a glass of “pepper water”, a spicy shot of fiery and herby liquid that is to be sipped before... crunching the entire puri in one piece. (The other name for pani puri is Golgappa, which means “sphere consumed whole”). These are fantastic - an explosion of flavour, with a great texture combination of the crisp puri, smooth potato and creamy channa. They are served on a banana leaf on a silver salver - the visuals are spot on as well as taste and texture.

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ancy a curry? Well, not really – I’m done with that mode of eating, have been for years. Don’t get me wrong, I have a deep and abiding love of the many cuisines of the India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Afghanistan and Nepal region (which we may write as Indian cuisine from now on for the sake of brevity).

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But since Bhatia moved on from his small Hammersmith eponymous restaurant for the bright lights of the West End, I’ve not found a truly satisfying Indian restaurant – there are places with great food that I love; some with decent décor and ambience; some with real service – but few with all three. And then there is the issue of authenticity. The matrix menu lists real dishes by name, but serves incoherent stews that bear no relation to their titles. Should we look for actual Indian ingredients? Is it the techniques and understanding of spicing that matter? (Gets my vote). So, prejudices and opinions to hand, I visit Chilli Pickle Bistro full of hope. It sounds good – adventurous, peripatetic Brit chef Alun Sperring cooks around the world, falls in love with Indian cuisine, recruits a small brigade of experts from regions with iconic styles of food, and returns home with the keenly honed vision and uncompromising will to create a unique bistro that marries the skills of his team with imagination and meticulous sourcing. And along the way has the immense good fortune to marry a fine lady who happens to be an expert in beer who has created a drinks list that should be the envy of every top Indian restaurant in the world. No flock wallpaper here – Chilli Pickle is every inch a comfortable modern bistro – the main wall has some text (I forgot to ask, and then decided not to in the juvenile hope that it is composed of appallingly rude words in Urdu, but it probably comprises a blessing or grace, or a poem or wise food quote); there are kilner jars of spices, a few photos and dressers of teas, about which more later. On entry, one is greeted by the charming and magisterial Akelese (which is Mauritian for Achilles, although I detected no fatal flaw). This is a vital first step – the front-of-house manager is an experienced and expert professional, not someone’s cousin – and it sets an FEBRUARY 2011

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Second starter comprises Darjeeling Momos (£6.80), the traditional stuffed dumplings of Nepal. Served in a glazed earthenware bowl, the pastry is shiny and pleasantly doughy, and filled with very lean, fully flavoured mutton, accented simply with ginger and onion - they have a good heft and just the right degree of chewiness, and the sauce of roasted tomatoes is powerful, rich and sweet, with an initial tickle of Sichuan pepper and chilli that builds to a pleasurable tingle and lingers gently for a few minutes. The spicing throughout is adept and sophisticated. These are superb - what ravioli can only dream of being. Sipping from a branded snifter of Meantime IPA (at £11.95, the star beer of the Old Greenwich Brewery, which comes in a champagne bottle and at a punchy 7.5%) which has adequate fruit and hops to stand up to the strong flavours served here, I have a nose at the other customers. I should say that it’s raining tonight. Really badly. It’s grim. This afternoon, half of Cornwall was washed into the sea. On my way here I passed many pubs and restaurants, including several of Brighton’s most renowned - they were all empty. Chilli Pickle however is full and even having to turn away walk-ins. The crowd is cultured and well clad, mostly female (including two ladies both dining happily alone), and there is a fair bit of educated conversation going on, with a deal of knowledge about food displayed in unpretentious appreciation. I like it - it’s as far from a trad curry house as you could wish. Mains going to other tables do look interesting - the tandoori platter smells incredible, and Goan sea bass in red spice paste is also popular. However, I’ve won hands down. Oxtail Madras (£13.50) - slow braised Sussex beef, with a cumin pilau and

saffron raita is the best single dish I’ve eaten in 2010. A big platter of stacked on-the-bone oxtail smothered in a russet gravy with a scatter of microherbs and deep-fried shallots. It gives off a deep scent of beef and onion in a visceral, essential, manly way that food hardly ever attains. And tastes even better - the sauce is proper hot, uncompromising fierce spicing with almost endless nuances and layers of flavour, while the meat retains its own taste and falls off the bone so easily. After an all too brief period of utter absorption in eating, there is just a pile of bones; even the soft cartilage is all gone. Rice and raita are as good as can be, the tasted cumin seeds flavour the rice without dominating and the raita has zingy scallions in a yogurt so rich as to be buttery. The side of Elephant Yam curry (£3.50) surprises with its delicacy - a relative of manioc (aka tapioca aka cassava) it is less astringent and floury than expected, but with enough bite to cut through the rich oxtail. I could have eaten the whole thing again straight away, and I’d gladly eat it again right now. Absolutely marvellous. Talking to Chef Alun later, it comes as no great shock to learn that this is his signature dish and has won awards. It should be compulsory eating for all non-vegetarians. Feeling as exalted as a meal can make me, I choose the Indian sweets selection (£5.50) for dessert (based on happy memories of barfi and pera and jalebi bought in Southall after gorging on tandoori), and eschew the proffered (and classy) selection of whisky and brandy for a tea. Chilli Pickle have a range of teas from Jing, a top end importer who source from China, Japan, India, Taiwan and Sri Lanka, and have created bespoke blends just for the bistro. Tea is at least as complex and rewarding as wine, and this would be a good place to learn for a beginner. As an intermediate, I sip a pot of Greenwood Estate White Assam, short brewed, and clean flavoured with an almost narcotic calming effect. My old friend Mr Rahman, the now- retired Harrods Tea Buyer would love this. The sweets are nothing short of miraculous. Instead of the traditional emphasis on size and sickly sweetness, these are neat little parcels of wonder - rose ladoo, jaggery cashew brittle, carrot halwa, date stuffed with crystallised ginger, creamy fudge, silver barfi. I could have written a full article just on these. So, I’m happy. This is a restaurant that will go down in legend. I was asked by a lady at the next table why I was taking notes - she was concerned that I give a good report of her favourite spot. Well, Madame, I hope you are satisfied. Chilli Pickle is the best Indian restaurant I have ever been to. According to Alun, he loves his job and is still learning every day, so I’d say it can only get better. Pick up the phone, make a booking and treat yourself to a very special meal. I’ll be the very tall bloke in the corner with a big smile and a plate of oxtail. 62 The Chilli Pickle, 42 Meeting House Lane, Brighton BN1 1HB 01273 323 824 thechillipicklebistro.co.uk Prices from: Starters: £3.95, Mains: £8.95 Sides: £1.95, Desserts:£5.95 Wine by the glass: £3.95 Wine by the bottle: £13.95

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Delicious authentic Japanese cuisine all made to order from sushi to noodles, right in the heart of Brighton, next to the Theatre Royal. Pre-theatre menu at ÂŁ9.95 for 2 courses. Also offering a private dining room and cocktail bar for Christmas parties or any other special occasions.

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FEBRUARY 2011

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FEBRUARY 2011

MOTORS

WORDS JONATHAN CROUCH

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nveiled at a party thrown to celebrate the Range Rover’s 40th birthday, the Evoque is more than just a new model, it’s key to the brand’s evolution. Although it will have the smallest footprint of any Range Rover (both physical and carbon) and compete in a much lower price sector, it won’t scrimp on the traditional luxuries. The aim is to hook up people who may never have considered a Range Rover before and there seems little doubt the funky design will hold more appeal for a younger clientele than even the Sport versions of the regular vehicle. The Evoque is a long-awaited three-door ‘baby’ Range Rover derived from the striking LRX concept first shown at the 2008 Detroit Show and the big shock is, it looks almost exactly the same. It will be available in two and four-wheel drive and joined, later, by five-door versions. Conceived as a ‘global’ car, the plan is to sell it in 160 countries. Launched in 1970 the original Range Rover was, to put it mildly, a sensation. It made a connection between go-anywhere off-road ability (hitherto the preserve of utilitarian Land Rovers, Jeeps and the like) and the necessities of a smart urban lifestyle that, over time, has seeded the remarkable profusion of SUVs, SAVs, ‘soft roaders’, crossovers available today. It was a great drive on-road, more comfortable than many saloons and looked sharp and contemporary. ‘Iconic’ is almost too small a word. It’s probably true that there’s still nothing quite like a full size Range Rover when it comes to marrying awesome mud-plugging ability with limo-like comfort and luxury, but the market trend has veered strongly towards servicing on-road duties, with muddy field jaunts relegated to the periphery. So it’s perhaps understandable that, despite sharing underpinning with the Land Rover Freelander, the Evoque is basically a tarmac deal with the lifestyle image.

Breathing commercial life into the LRX concept and making it the smallest, lightest and most fuel-efficient, low emissions Range Rover ever, should ensure a long queue forms when it goes on sale next Summer. Although based on the Freelander (and to be built in the same plant at Halewood on Merseyside), the Evoque should provide a much more dynamic driving experience. Its track is 20mm wider and numerous components, including suspension knuckles and control arms, are made of aluminium, lowering unsprung weight to the benefit of agility. The car, which will also be offered with front-wheel drive, is chasing sporty hatch standards of handling and ride and the BMW 1-series was among the cars used as a benchmark when developing the chassis. Front-drive will also help the Evoque’s eco credentials, giving a headline consumption figure of 58mpg and CO2 emissions of below

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LLY LAND ROVER HAS FINA BROUGHT US A SMALL G ITS IN G IN R B , R E V O R E G N A R T TO STUNNING LRX CONCEP UE. LIFE AS THE NEW EVOQ BUT DOES ITS SMALLER ATE PROPORTIONS TRANSL TO A LESSER LANDY?

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130 g/km from a modified version of the Freelander’s 2.2-litre turbodiesel engine, though the 4x4 models should be good for around 50mpg, too. And no, these aren’t misprints. Stop/start is standard and extensive use of aluminium and plastic in the body make the Evoque up to 150 kg lighter than the Freelander. There are two versions of the 2.2-litre diesel engine, in 148bhp and 187bhp tune. They are available with manual or automatic transmissions, both six-speeders. The only petrol engine is sourced from Ford - a direct injection four-cylinder 2.0-litre turbo with twin variable valve timing from the new ‘Ecoboost’ family - and it will come mated to a paddle shift auto with no manual option. It should be brisk with a claimed 0-62mph time of 7.1s. There’s little to no chance that the Evoque’s SUV-cum-coupe styling won’t go down well with its intended customers. Reaction to the LRX concept shown at the Detroit Show in 2008 was extremely positive and remarkably little has changed for production. In making the journey from show stand to showroom, the bonnet line has been raised by 20mm to improve pedestrian safety. The roofline is taller by the same amount, the body marginally narrower and conventional door handles have been added. Otherwise the LRX’s strikingly crisp lines and athletic stance are perfectly preserved. A precise pricing structure has yet to be announced by Land Rover but the Company has said that the Evoque range will start at around £30,000 for the 148bhp front-wheel drive model with the most basic ‘Pure’ trim pack. Further up the range hierarchy are the ‘Prestige’ and ‘Dynamic’, the latter toting 20-inch wheels and a full body colour exterior rather than the dark trim lower section of the other models. In keeping with the exclusive image of the Range Rover brand, standard equipment levels are high and there’ll be plenty on the options list for those who really want to go for broke, including a full-length glass roof and a premium 17-speaker sound system. Cost of ownership is where the Evoque will turn the idea of Range Rover ownership on its head. There’s only so far you can trim the bulk, weight and feeding habits of a full-fat Range Rover. Incremental efficiency gains are all very well but it is what it is: big, thirsty and expensive to run. The Evoque, on the other hand, should be kinder on the wallet than the Land Rover Freelander on which it’s based. And if the idea of a front-wheel drive Range Rover raises the hackles of Land Rover purists, there’s no doubting its contribution towards re-writing the SUV rule book: It wasn’t so long ago that 50mpg and 130 g/km of CO2 was the preserve of eco-tuned city cars. Commensurately low taxes, sub-prestige servicing costs and the promise of robust Range Rover residuals will help make the Evoque a compelling ownership proposition. Finding the right mix of ingredients in the right proportions to make a convincing baby Range Rover was never going to be an easy task, but the LRX concept seems to have been an excellent starting point and shrewdly adapting Freelander running gear to hit price, economy and emissions targets a clever, if obvious, ploy. Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the Evoque is the unique blend of qualities it brings to the small SUV sector: high style, low fuel consumption, emissions and running costs and the kudos of the Range Rover brand. It will be a surprise if the company doesn’t have a major hit on its hands. 62

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Facts at a glance: Model: Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Engine: 2.2 litre diesel Power: 187bhp 0-62mph: 7.1s Price: From around £30,000

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7+( $*(1'$ Welcome 2011! Last year was a tough one for Brighton. Thankfully, we have some exceptional talent and brains in Sussex to see us through such times. We enjoy a thriving and vibrant business support structure - and that’s one of the reasons I’m pleased to support the new Business Section of So Brighton & Hove magazine. The recession has hit most people and should prompt us to revisit our objectives and their viability. Business owners need to look at financial arrangements such as banking, employee remuneration and overall costs. An excellent way of undertaking this business review – and killing two birds with one stone – is to enter your company for a business award. Working your way through the criteria which are set for the various award categories encourages self-reflection on what has already been achieved and the tools you require to move to the next stage. In times of recession, winning an award can really make a difference. A study conducted by the British Quality Foundation found that large award-winning companies enjoyed a 48% increase in operating income and a 37% growth in sales when compared to non-award winners. Smaller award winning companies were also shown to have experienced a 63% increase in operating income, and a 39% growth in sales when compared to non-winners. Midnight will be running two regional award schemes this year – the Brighton and Hove Business Awards and the Sussex Business Awards. It is hard to believe that the very first Brighton and Hove Business Awards took place at the Brighton Racecourse back in 2004. Many of the winners that year are still around and have gone on to even bigger things. For example, the Brighton Institute of Modern Music, winner of the Education in Community Award, most recently won The Creative Industries Award at the 2010 Sussex Business Awards. Other winners that year included the Royal Pavilion (Best Place to Visit), Pride was the Event of the Year and Gresham Blake was named New Kid on the Block. Two awards were made for Brighton ambassador Norman Cook and Brighton & Hove Albion FC. The Amex Stadium was just a twinkle in the eye back in 2004. We are now gearing up for the 2011 Brighton and Hove Business Awards and we need sponsors. If you want to be involved right from the beginning and help make the 2011 the best awards ever – just get in touch!

Guest Editor of the Business Section is Caraline Brown of Midnight Communications in Brighton

FEBRUARY 2011

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FORGET THE RECESSION. IN THESE TIMES OF DOOM AND GLOOM WE NEED SOMETHING TO PUT A SMILE ON OUR FACES. AND WINNING A BAHBA CAN CERTAINLY DO THAT AS YOU CAN SEE...

FEBRUARY 2011

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esigned to raise awareness and celebrate the uniqueness of our growing 21st century City, the seventh BAHBA awards celebrate those companies, organisations and individuals who build the Brighton brand.

Many of Brighton’s best known names have been the proud recipients of a BAHBA trophy - including The Treatment Rooms, Dockerills, Brighton Pier, Brighton Festival, Hotel du Vin, Gresham Blake, Sussex Cricket Club, Brighton Dome & Festival Ltd, Brighton Pier, Duke of Yorks Picturehouse and many many more! Previous winner, Infinity Foods, commented: “We were delighted to win the BAHBAs last year - especially as it was a joint award for the Infinity Foods Warehouse and Shop. We have been working really hard this year to ensure that our business continues to act responsibly and ethically.” The judges are looking for companies and organisations that capture the spirit of Brighton & Hove. Innovation and leadership are considered more important than size or revenue. Companies such as Acumen Business Law, for example, who said: “Winning the BAHBA has helped transform Acumen Business Law from a small local law firm to a serious player punching above its weight.” “Due to the fantastic reputation of the BAHBAs, being one of the winners was equivalent to being awarded an official authoritative quality mark. It is all very well for businesses to say how good they are, but if the BAHBAs say it then it becomes fact!” The win enabled Acumen Business Law to get new clients, recruit high caliber solicitors and have a fantastic story to tell. The organisers are currently looking for sponsors to support the scheme which, in the past, has been supported by some of the City’s leading companies including RedSeven, Wired Sussex, Veolia Environmental Services, QED, Neilson Active Holidays, University of Brighton, Hilton Brighton Metropole, MDhub, Brighton Primary Care Trust, Royal Mail, Nixon McInnes and Domestic & General. There will be 16 awards up for grabs including Business In the Community, Innovation in Business, Best Place to Visit, Best Customer Service, Most Awesome use of Digital Media, Best Place to Work, Best Independent Retailer and Best Place to Entertain your Clients. An award will also be made for the Outstanding Brightonian – the person who has done most to raise the visibility of Brighton on the UK map. Sponsor benefits include a table of ten at the event, your company name on a trophy which you will present at the awards night, the opportunity to sit on the judging panel and branding on all promotional and marketing materials. If you would like to find out more then please get in touch with the BAHBA Team at bahba@midnight.co.uk FEBRUARY 2011

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THE MEDIA AND CREATIVE INDUSTRIES ARE AMONG THE LARGEST BUSINESS SECTORS IN THE CITY. SO, WE TALK TO DARYN TURNER, SALES MANAGER OF BRIGHTON MEDIA CENTRE (BMC) ABOUT HOW THEY CATER FOR THE DEMANDS OF THIS TYPE OF BUSINESS

What can you offer? A highly flexible workspace with all the necessary facilities to be successful and creative in Brighton city centre, an all-inclusive package with just one monthly bill for easy budgeting and pain-free accounting. How do you differ from others? Not only are we the longest-established new media centre in Brighton, we are probably the first on the planet! So we understand the way life is for companies in the digital age and have the experience and expertise to facilitate that. Furthermore, we actively encourage a truly creative approach by our client companies, and have everything in place to give the flexibility that the creative industries require. Why did the BMC come about? We set up in 1992, shortly after the internet came into being. We wanted to provide a supportive physical base for companies and individuals who were aiming to take advantage of the opportunities offered by this somewhat magical ability to connect with others across the planet instantly, sharing information and doing business using the digital medium. Who uses the BMC? Intelligent Positioning take space for their SEO team, and apart from the nice light office, they require a high level of broadband connection, and appreciate our technical department being on site. Intelligent Positioning have grown rapidly since coming to BMC, which is something we make very simple for our clients.

Lambent are a film production company who take a whole suite of offices. They appreciate our flexibility and, because they are really busy people, like not having to worry about anything but getting their work done. Of course being in the city centre for the shops, cafes and easy access from home makes staff retention easy. Brandwatch gather Twitter and other social networking information for their high profile clients. They need our dedicated and reliable connectivity to carry out their operation and are now so successful that they are leaving soon for their own premises as they are doubling in size! What’s the take-up been like on your daily desk space? This aspect of the BMC range of business support has been steadily growing. If you’re working from home it can feel a bit isolated so we make it really easy for freelancers, students and home workers to come and hire a desk for an hour or two and take advantage of the business community we have here. In fact many of the companies here started out just hiring desk space, and this facility is so popular we are now opening a fourth office to cope with the demand. Why do you like working in Brighton? It is really obvious that Brighton is “the place to be”, isn’t it? This has to be the most creatively amazing, joyfully friendly, all-embracing and unorthodox city in Britain! What five words would describe the typical BMC worker? Friendly, fun-loving , approachable, unique, professional. Brighton Media Centre (BMC) mediacentre.org FEBRUARY 2011

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THE MOON BY CREATING A GOOD WORKING ENVIRONMENT, BEING DECISIVE AND HAVING A DETAILED BUSINESS PLAN SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS WILL INCREASE THEIR CHANCES OF SUCCEEDING

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ick Jenkins established Moonpig in 2000 and the online greeting card company has gone from strength to strength. The company has amassed over 90% of the online card market, has expanded into different countries and has over three million customers with an annual turnover of ÂŁ30m. Moonpig founder Nick Jenkins offers us his top ten business tips: Prepare a detailed business plan Before I developed Moonpig I wrote detailed business plans for four other ideas. In the course of writing the plans I realised why the ideas wouldn’t work. That saved me a fortune. Don’t give away equity unnecessarily at the beginning. Very often businesses start with a conversation in a pub between two friends. One has an idea and after a beer-fuelled discussion they decide to go into partnership. Partnerships can sometimes work but you need to be convinced that each partner adds something unique otherwise you have simply given away half of your business on day one. Similarly start ups often try to pay for things with equity. “ If you design my website I will give you ten per cent of the businessâ€?. If you really believe your business will grow this will prove to be very expensive. Leave plenty of time to raise money You need to think about raising money well before you need it and you need to aim to have more than one source. If an investor knows that you will run out of money next month and he is the only funder, you have no leverage left and the price will fall. Be decisive It isn’t necessary to be right all of the time, but it is critical to keep taking decisions to move the business on. Provided you are right more than half the time it is better than analysis paralysis.

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BUSINESS

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Hire good people and let them get on with the job The salary difference between hiring a good person and a mediocre person is quite small. Aim to hire people whom you trust to take decisions. Some people cripple their businesses by insisting on signing off on every major decision, which limits the growth of the business to the number of decisions one person can make in a day. Cultivate a great working environment I have always preferred working in a friendly, happy environment. In your own company you have the opportunity to create the environment of your choice by choosing the right people and cultivating the environment. Before we hire a manager we explain how we prefer to work and emphasise that we don’t tolerate heavy-handed management styles. I have sometimes heard managers in other companies, usually men, taking pride in being difficult to work for. To me that is like taking pride in struggling to hang onto friends! It helps to think about creating a cheerful comfortable place to work. After all we spend half of our waking hours in the office. We spend a long time training people, and most people take a few months to become useful. The happier they are, the longer they stay, the more we benefit from the build of knowledge in the company. Help people learn from their mistakes Mistakes happen in any business. It is important that staff don’t cover up mistakes for fear of being found out. This will happen if there is a culture of fear in the office. A conscientious employee will beat himself up over a mistake far more than a few harsh words from a manager. It is usually far better to be understanding and helpful. Of course if they keep repeating the same mistake again and again you need to find them something less demanding to do, preferably in another company. Use your management accounts as you would the dashboard of a car There are many entrepreneurs who have a blind spot when it comes to accounts. They just want to see the number at the bottom of the page. Learn how to read and use accounts and establish a discipline of issuing monthly management accounts, including all the key performance indicators for the business and then ensure that all key managers understand the part of the accounts that measure their performance. Keep a business plan up to date Every year we re-write our business plan taking into account everything that has happened over the year. It keeps us on track and makes us review and question what we are doing. Use your own time sensibly Many people have the impression that running your own business is about working all hours of the day. It doesn’t have to be that way. Once the business is profitable it isn’t necessary to do anything yourself that could be easily delegated to someone else. Work out what it is that you, and only you, can contribute to the business and focus on doing that. For more information visit www.moonpig.com FEBRUARY 2011

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IT SEEMS THE LOCAL THEATRES ARE KICKING OFF THE NEW YEAR WITH STYLE AND THERE’S MORE THAN ENOUGH TO KEEP YOU ENTERTAINED ON THE BRIGHTON STAGES IN THE COMING WEEKS

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The Well Set in Victorian Brighton, this is the story of Jack, a man desperate to uncover the truth about his mother, a prostitute who was found dead under the pier when he was a child. Where? New Venture Theatre, Brighton When? Saturday March 5 to Saturday 12 Web? newventure.org.uk

Scotland’s youngest comic prodigy started doing stand-up when he was just 16. He’s written for Frankie Boyle on Mock the Week and soldout his ďŹ rst solo Edinburgh Fringe. Recently on Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and The Rob Brydon Show, see him in Brighton while you can. Where? Komedia, Brighton When? Wednesday February 16 Web? komedia.co.uk

Ailey 2 Formed in 1958 by the legendary African-American dancer and choreographer Alvin Ailey, New York’s outstanding young company Alvin Ailey 2 brings an exhilarating dance programme to Brighton. Where? Brighton Dome When? Tuesday March 1 to Wednesday 2 Web? brightondome.org

Lenny Henry - Cradle to Rave UK comedy institution Lenny Henry brings us his new show focussing on his true love – music. Where? Theatre Royal Brighton When? Thursday February 13 Web? ambassadortickets.com

London Philharmonic Orchestra Led by Danail Rachev, this internationally renowned orchestra weave through Schubert, Rachmaninov’s Slavic Third Piano Concerto and Beethoven’s rugged Symphony No. 7. Where? Brighton Dome When? Saturday February 26 Web? brightondome.org

FEBRUARY 2011

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WEDDINGS

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THE FIRST SO BRIGHTON & HOVE WEDDING EXTRA, IS CRAMMED WITH TOP TIPS FOR PICKING THE PERFECT DRESS, ADVICE ON FLORAL ARRANGEMENTS, A GUIDE TO SOME OF THE BEST LOCAL WEDDING BUSINESSES, PLUS SOME GREAT IDEAS IF YOU’RE THINKING OF GETTING MARRIED ABROAD The Bridal Gown Of course, we all know how important the bridal gown is to the big day; it’s the difference between the ceremony beginning with swoons of admiration or gasps of despair. But with so many styles and fabrics available, plus the erosion of out-dated traditions, how can the bride-to-be choose a style that’s perfect for her and the style of celebrations? Firstly, the most important thing to remember is that for the perfect ďŹ nal result – and to ensure nail-biting is kept to a minimum – it’s essential that the bride takes plenty of time. Also important is to visit a number of bridal outlets and ďŹ nd one that feels right, where not only the dresses look the part, but you also feel comfortable with the staff. Remember that good bridal outlets usually prefer you make an appointment with a consultant, which can take up to two hours. Busiest times are Fridays and weekends, so perhaps opt to visit on a weekday so you can take your time and aren’t ustered into make rash decisions. Once the consultant is aware of your theme, timing and venue options you can start to take your own opinions into

FEBRUARY 2011

consideration. Begin trying on dresses, even if you’re unsure of them on the rail, and narrow down the search! Make sure you’re clear about your budget and feel free to try out new ideas; leave any preconceptions about what suits you at the door. Many brides ďŹ nd their wedding gown is something they would never have considered when they ďŹ rst started looking. These days, the colour is an important decision. With icy blue-whites and warm ivories, hues of just off white continue to offer a variety of choice and brides are even more bucking tradition and getting married in coloured dresses. As traditional etiquette loses its grip, the white dress has increasing competition with soft pinks, glimmering golds, and even dramatic reds. And in the world of white there is a wonderland of shades to choose from – remember that the white most attering to the skin is not necessarily the crisp and cold variety we associate with a traditional wedding. Whatever style you choose for your big day, if you remember just two things, you’ll be ďŹ ne: leave yourself plenty of time to ďŹ nd that perfect dress and remember to remain openminded. 62

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The Bridal Gown Of course, we all know how important the bridal gown is to the big day; it’s the difference between the ceremony beginning with swoons of admiration or gasps of despair. But with so many styles and fabrics available, plus the erosion of out-dated traditions, how can the bride to be choose a style that’s perfect for her and the style of celebrations. Firstly, the most important thing to remember is that for the perfect ďŹ nal result – and to ensure nail-biting is kept to a minimum – it’s essential that the bride takes plenty of time. Also important is to visit a number of bridal outlets and ďŹ nd one that feels right, where not only the dresses look the part, but you also feel comfortable with the staff. Remember that good bridal outlets usually prefer you make an appointment with a consultant which can take up to two hours. Busiest times are Fridays and weekends, so perhaps opt to visit on a weekday so you can take your time and aren’t ustered into make rash decisions. Once the consultant is aware of your theme, timing and venue options you can start to take your own opinions into consideration. Begin trying on dresses, even if you’re unsure of them on the rail, and narrow down the search! Make sure you’re clear about your budget and feel free to try out new ideas; leave any preconceptions about what suits you at the door. Many brides ďŹ nd their wedding gown is something they would never have considered when they ďŹ rst started looking. These days, the colour is an important decision. With icy blue-whites and warm ivories, hues of just off white continue to offer a variety of choice and brides are even more bucking tradition and getting married in coloured dresses.

All bridal gowns courtesy of Charlotte Balbier

As traditional etiquette loses its grip, the white dress has increasing competition with soft pinks, glimmering golds, and even dramatic reds. And in the world of white there is a wonderland of shades to choose from – remember that the white most attering to the skin is not necessarily the crisp and cold variety we associate with a traditional wedding.

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YOUR BIG DAY R O F T S E B E H T OUR PICK OF

Graze If you are looking for somewhere a little different to celebrate your wedding or civil partnership Graze restaurant offers glamour, fine cuisine, charming service and affordability. Graze is an intimate venue where you will enjoy professional, personal service throughout the planning stages as well as on your big day. Rather than being restricted by formula ‘wedding packages’ and fixed policies, at Graze you and your guests will enjoy bespoke menus in comfortable, regal surroundings. Relax in the knowledge that at Graze, your day will be arranged with you and not packaged up for you. The two floor layout of the restaurant lends itself to flexibility. You may wish to welcome your guests with champagne and canapĂŠs in The Regency Room, then enjoy your wedding breakfast in the main restaurant. After your meal, you are welcome to return to The Regency Room until late to make the most of the bar and to mingle with your guests. Graze is ideally situated just a short walk into Hove and just a pebbles throw away from the sea and central Brighton. Named because diners ‘graze’ the tasting menus, now in its fifth year it holds 2 AA rosettes and is rated as one of the top restaurants in East Sussex by the Which? Good Food Guide 2011. Graze seats up to 35 guests in the main restaurant and a further 24 in The Regency Room. To discuss your specific requirements, contact Kate on info@grazerestaurant.co.uk or by phone (see below). graze-restaurant.co.uk 01273 823 707

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Hilton Brighton Metropole At Hilton Brighton Metropole every wedding begins as you might expect – with a proposal. You tell us exactly what you want, ask a question whenever it occurs to you, and our experienced Wedding and Civil Partnership Co-ordinators will do the rest, and plan your day to perfection. It’s our job to help you relax, enjoy your special day, and remember it for all the right reasons. With a range of venues to choose from within our elegant seafront hotel, you can be sure we’ll provide the perfect atmosphere for your celebration. We have two spectacular banqueting suites licensed to host civil weddings and partnerships. The Ambassador Suite, just off the main foyer of the hotel, boasts an impressive art deco domed ceiling, and can accommodate up to 120 guests for a stylish celebration. For larger weddings, the stunning Clarence Suite – once a chapel in the hotel’s grounds – can hold up to 250 people for a truly unique ceremony and reception. And when you’re looking for photo opportunities, our grand Victorian architecture gives you plenty of choice for romantic backdrops. For those wishing to stay the night, the hotel offers a choice of 340 bedrooms to suit each guest. They can also enjoy our LivingWell Health Club, with its swimming pool, gym, Jacuzzi, steam room and sauna. Ask your Event Planner about our great value wedding packages. hilton.co.uk/brightonmet 01273 775 432

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Jeremy Hoye

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Choosing your engagement and wedding rings can be the hardest shopping decision you’ll have to make. In a world of throwaway fashion, an investment piece with so much sentiment can create a challenge for even the most knowledgeable fashionista. Jeremy Hoye is one of the UK’s leading contemporary jewellery designers and is renowned for his modern bridal pieces. Jeremy has created bespoke designs for thousands of brides-to-be, and their husbands. He’s an expert on how to make those all-important decisions, as well as the hottest trends. Jeremy is well known for designing pieces with an eclectic twist, for those looking for distinct jewellery that stands out from the crowd. The diverse range of Jeremy Hoye engagement and wedding rings are timeless. Ranging from solitaires to flush and pave set stones set in 18ct rose, white gold, yellow gold and platinum. All his ethical diamond set rings are individually made in his workshops. Jeremy has led the way in incorporating more unusual stones in engagement and wedding rings, to create beautiful designs that are truly unique. Black diamonds are in huge demand at the moment. A prime example of this is in his Triffid collection, one of his most popular engagement collections for the customer who wants that slightly ‘leftfield’ feel, with this beautiful surreal collection. The Tulip collection is extremely popular; a contemporary classic, delicate tulip petals hold the diamond in this simple yet perfect design. Easy to wear, fitting snugly with a made to measure wedding band that comes in several different styles to suit all tastes and hand shapes. jeremy-hoye.com 01273 777 207

Ross Rolls-Royce Ross Rolls-Royce is a small family business based on the old English values of service. One of the most important days in anyone’s life is their wedding day so why leave to chance something so valuable? We provide a totally personal and professional service to ensure that, most importantly, the bride arrives at the church on time (or fashionably late)!

Hotel du Vin Sublime. One word to express the greatest of all days. Hotel du Vin Brighton is situated in the Lanes conservations area, a pebble’s throw from the seafront. Its 49 bedrooms are housed in a collection of eccentric gothic revival and mock Tudor buildings. These were erected, appropriately, by a wine merchant on the site of an old inn. Among many interesting features are a heavily carved staircase and bizarre gargoyles, while the original double-height hall now houses the wine bar and recently added Laroche tasting room. Other new additions include the impressively large and airy Dome room Pub du Vin, a traditional pub with a du Vin twist. With exquisite private rooms, gorgeous suites, a tranquil courtyard, heavenly dining and your own dedicated events organiser, there can be no more fitting a stage as you glide elegantly from ceremony to wedding breakfast and beyond. Hotel du Vin Brighton is the perfect venue for weddings and civil partnerships. For your Big Day. Think du Vin. hotelduvin.com 0845 365 4438

Babs, our stunning 1934 Rolls-Royce 20/25 was named after Barbara Windsor because they’ve both got lovely big hooters. She’s got a fascinating history having been originally built (these cars were all built to order for the very wealthy) for Lieutenant Colonel Boyde of Cranleigh in Surrey. The price that Boyde finally paid for Babs was the equivalent of a nice house in Kensington, far from the reach of the average man. Babs is always kept in tip top condition and makes every bride feel like a Princess, she has plenty of room for the most extravagant of dresses and offers enough privacy to give a little sense of mystery. Your chauffeur will always be wearing a contemporary twist on a period uniform so there’s never any question about who’s the passenger. Ross Rolls-Royce is based in Hove and we cover an area between Hastings to the East, Chichester to the West and up to Gatwick, all within our standard tariffs, however, no distance is too far and can be quoted on an individual basis. Ross Rolls-Royce 07785 580 056

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Elegant and Wild Elegant and Wild wedding photography are skilled at capturing real emotion on film. Victoria Dawe aims to capture all the key moments of your wedding day as they happen naturally. Her style is mainly observational but she will arrange your group shots and portraits effortlessly. Victoria was selected from hundreds of photographers to be published in the Debretts wedding guide. “Victoria’s exceptional photography tells the unique story of the wedding day. Her style and attention to detail captures every moment in an unexpected and beautiful way.� Jo Bryant, Editor, Debrett’s Wedding Guide. See Debretts.com for more details. Then comes the wild side, colourful party pictures and fun photobooth shots will finish off any wedding album perfectly. Vicky offers a top quality and affordable service. You can choose from a wide range of albums and packages all with online portfolio and DVD. For a 10% discount please quote So Brighton and Hove for all bookings made in February 2011. elegantandwild.co.uk 07740 462 750

Terraces Terraces is one of Brighton’s premier wedding venues offering the very best views of the glorious Brighton coast. Licensed for wedding ceremonies and civil partnerships and with a flexible approach to your requirements, Terraces really know how to make your perfect day... perfect! Terraces are very pleased to announce the 2011 Spring Wedding Show which will take place on Sunday 27th February. Featuring some of the best wedding suppliers in the area, this really is a fantastic opportunity to meet a number of local wedding professionals. Don’t spend hours on the internet or on the phone looking for the best deals for your wedding. Find them all under one roof at the Terraces Wedding Fair. You will have a chance to sample the cakes, admire the beautiful dresses, have a spin on the roulette, but more importantly be able to meet the suppliers on a one to one basis and discuss your requirements. A VIP tour of the venue is available on the day with our Wedding Co-Ordinator and is bookable on the day. There will be canapÊs and bubbly for all on arrival, plus a goody bag for all registered couples. Entry is £2 and they are offering free entry for all couples that have booked their wedding with Terraces already and for those who have registered online at www.the-terraces.co.uk. Events: February 11 - 14 Valentines Menu Sunday 27th February - Spring Wedding Fair the-terraces.co.uk 01273 570 526

Floral Flair Floral Flair is an independent Brighton and Hove florist specialising in weddings and special events. We pride ourselves on giving a personal service to all our clients, making sure that we listen to their requirements and always aiming to inspire and guide them in seasonal trends and style. Floral Flair is owned by Linda Brayne who creates all the commissions herself. As a trained window dresser creativity has always been a part of her soul and this is now channeled into floral creations to make memorable events even more memorable. Whether you wish to create an elegant country feel or a sophisticated romantic ambiance to your special day, the choice of floral design will make a memorable day even more memorable. From hand-tied bouquets to buttonholes and long table sprays, Linda can arrange your flowers especially for you. Fabulous flowers, the magic of colour and heaven scent fragrances all combine to set the scene. The choice is yours. Just call Linda to view our portfolio and to discuss your wish list. For more details or to book a consultation contact Linda. floralflair.biz 01273 327 906

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WEDDING FLOWERS CAN BE A CREATIVE TOOL OF SELF-EXPRESSION AS WELL AS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE BEAUTY AND SYMBOLISM OF THE RITUAL

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hether your wedding is shabby chic (think converted barns and rambling roses), or the epitome of unadulterated urban style, your choice of flowers should reflect the whole theme and feel of your special day – injecting it with colour, aroma and sensual beauty.

From the smallest buttonholes to table arrangements of unbridled extravagance, there is no point in seeking out the help of a florist until you have decided upon colour, cost and theme. Establish your budget and consider your concept. Are you a minimalist couple, for example, or are you longing for an uber-romantic Gatsby-style affair? Consider the season also. Although many flowers are now available all year round (such as roses, lilies, orchids and gerberas), for quality and a little cost-consciousness, it always pays to look at blooms that are in their normal flowering season. Amaryllis, for example, in shades of green, white and pink, make lovely long and slender arm bouquets (as well as table decorations), for winter weddings; and Marilyn Monroe chose a stunning posy of white cymbidium orchids for her January wedding to Joe DiMaggio in 1954. You might also like to weave a little sentimentality into your floral choices and consider their actual meaning. Apart from the classic red roses (that symbolise love), there is ambrosia for love returned and forget-menot for true love. Apple blossom represents hope, freesias innocence, and lily of the valley happiness.

BRIDES IN BLOOM But when it comes to deciding upon blooms, first thoughts inevitably go to the bride – and quite rightly so – because the choice of flowers she carries can make or break her total look.

It doesn’t matter how designer that show-stopping dress may be, a bad bouquet will undermine even the most tasteful gown. A concept favoured by a great deal of English brides is to match the head piece and details on the gown to the bouquet but, as a general rule, the more elaborate the dress, then the more simple the bouquet should be.

Colour is key when it comes to choosing a bouquet. If you are wearing white, it’s a good idea to select colours that coordinate with the bridesmaids’ dresses. If your dress is coloured you could pick flowers in toning shades (for a complementary effect), or in strongly contrasting colours for a bolder statement. Or why not opt for white? There’s almost nothing quite as stunning as a bouquet of smooth, white tulips held against a coloured dress. The types of bouquets to choose from can in themselves be overwhelming and this is where a good and experienced florist will be happy to assist. Handtied posies of roses, tulips and peonies can be just right for more informal ceremonies, but you might prefer a graceful, chic wrist corsage, a pinned corsage (incredibly flattering on high-necked and off-the-shoulder gowns), or a statement bouquet that’s artistic, flamboyant and that really puts your florist’s creativity to the test. 62

CONTACTS: Floral Flair 45 Portland Road, Hove 01273 327 906 floralflair.biz FEBRUARY 2011

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Elegant & Wild Victoria Dawe Photography

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MORE PEOPLE ARE CHOOSING TO GET AWAY TO DREAM DESTINATIONS FOR THEIR WEDDING CEREMONY. FROM PERFECT BEACH BREAKS TO CITY-BASED TRIPS TRACY PEARCY OF THE TRAVEL CONCEPT IN EAST SUSSEX TELLS US HOW TO PLAN YOUR WEDDING ON FOREIGN SHORES

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wedding abroad can be the perfect way to get away from it all and, of course, up your chances of enjoying sunny skies for your big day. From beach weddings to city breaks, incorporating some travelling into your marriage will ensure that the most memorable of days will stay with you forever.

Arranging a wedding is stressful at the best of times, so curating one on foreign shores can be a daunting task. At The Travel Concept we know the locations where you can truly have an exclusive wedding day and we can also organise a wedding co-ordinator so that your day goes without a hitch. We can also organise your family and friends to join you wherever you choose to celebrate because our aim is to give you your dream wedding wherever it may be. The Caribbean offers stunning tropical locations, gorgeous beaches and with many hotels offering complimentary weddings there is plenty of choice for everyone’s tastes and budgets. With some 7,000 islands the hardest thing will be to actually choose which one you want to visit.

With 300 days of sunshine a year Cyprus is a little closer to home, but still offers the promise of hot, sunny weather and a huge variety of settings. From crumbling forts to modern hotels, Cyprus, and to a similar degree Greece, offers so much just a few hours away. Asia is another great destination for marriages. If you’re considering Thailand, the paperwork is easy and there are so many paradise islands to choose from. This, coupled with the exceptional Thai hospitality and high standard of accommodation on the larger islands, means it also offers fantastic value for money. Malaysia is also a great choice, but thanks to its lesser popularity, once you are there you can expect the entire beach to yourselves! Finally, a city break to somewhere like New York could be the perfect trip for your wedding. Especially those of you who want something a bit different, with alternative locations from Brooklyn Bridge to Central Park the feel is relaxed and casual. Plus, there’s no language barrier! If you can’t get away for the big day itself, make sure you book a fantastic honeymoon you’ll remember forever. We’re also experts in creating bespoke honeymoon trips, so you’re in good hands.

Top tips for a winning wedding abroad: Q Get a realistic budget in mind before you meet with an advisor, this will ensure you don’t start planning something that’s out of your price bracket Q Make sure you start planning well in advance, especially if you want to tie the knot on a specific day Q Weddings are complicated with lots of paperwork and legalities – wedding planners can help steer you through Q Make sure your clothing, especially the dress, is cared for when travelling. Companies like The Travel Concept can assist in this The Travel Concept 01435 866 555 thetravelconcept.co.uk

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SELECTING THE RIGHT WEDDING TRANSPORT IS NOT AN EASY DECISION WHEN THERE ARE SO MANY ALTERNATIVES AVAILABLE, FROM THE DEEPLY TRADITIONAL TO THE TRULY WHACKY

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ou might be lusting after a landau or have a predilection for a princess-style coach. You could dare to be different in a fleet of classic Beetle cabriolets or stretch out in style in a modern Bentley.

Whatever your choice, be it eccentric or elegant, you’ll want it to bring on broad smiles and everlasting memories. But there are practical considerations to make too! The first thing to bear in mind is that your transport will be featured in photos and DVDs for generations to peruse so it’s important that it’s photogenic as well as being complementary to your personal wedding style. Also think about the practicalities of the day and, whenever possible, view the vehicle beforehand. Is there enough room for the bride to get in and out of it easily when she is wearing her gown? Though beautifully sporty and streamlined, some classic cars are so low that making an elegant appearance requires an intensive course in deportment. Conversely, a vintage Rolls Royce may have running boards and wide opening doors for easy entry.

Always book with a reputable company and discuss what services are included. Will a smartly dressed chauffeur, with ribbons and a red carpet all be part of the deal? Find out if there are replacement vehicles (in case of an emergency) or what the owner would do in the event of a breakdown. No matter how small, a reputable company should have back-up. Discuss exactly how long the hire period is for and what the additional cost will be if extra hours are required. It might be that the vehicle you’ve got your heart set on is a one-off model, but that you will need it to collect the mother of the bride and bridesmaids before coming back for the bride. Ask if the car will be attending other weddings on the same day. Will it be whisked away after a certain time and, if it’s at a wedding before yours, will it be fully valeted again before arriving for you? If you find two cars that are very similar from equally reputable firms but at different prices, always view them both – the difference in refinements and service might be worth that little extra in order to help you feel and look a million dollars! 62

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Some places have great locations, others amazing food and some offer excellent service but few can boast all three - Alfresco can. With its unparalleled location on Brighton promenade Alfresco has an allure of its own - Art deco building, panoramic sea views, discreet facilities, exceptional cuisine and impeccable service.

4 Floral Flair 01273 732 28 739 649 Flowers unlimited 01273 978 Clair Lythgoe 07766 189

Whether you require meetings, themed evenings, motivational days, corporate entertainment or business dinners we can assist you. Alfresco can accommodate up to 300 guests and can provide audiovisual equipment.

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DELVING THROUGH THE ARCHIVES THIS MONTH WE CAME ACROSS A FEW INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT SOMETHING PRETTY CLOSE TO OUR HEARTS – ALE!

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here are 22 breweries in Sussex, of which the most recognisable has to be Harveys of Lewes, but did you know that Brighton is home to its very own brew-pub?

Thought to be one of the smallest brew-pubs in the UK and the only one in the City, the Kemptown Brewery lies behind and above the Hand in Hand on Upper St James Street. The pub part of the place has been called the Hand in Hand since the mid 18th century, and had its ďŹ rst landlord in 1835. Whereas the brewery part was formerly based in Lavender Street but was demolished in the 50s when the Malthouse ats were built on the site. Back in the 18th century, the Kemptown Brewery was not alone in the City. Other brewers such as Tamplins and Rock were ourishing. Tamplins in particular had several sites and a large number of tied houses. The main part of the brewery was based in Albion Street and there was a pub at the entrance called the Free Butt, which is still in existence today.

The Rock brewery stood at the corner of Mount Street with premises also in Warwick FEBRUARY 2011

Street and St Mary’s Place. It was established in about 1809 and continued brewing until around 1928. More recently of course (in 1994) brewers Dark Star were born in the cellar of The Evening Star Pub in Brighton. Such is their success that in January 2010 they moved for the third time to a bigger site in Partridge Green. But back to the Kemptown brew-pub: In 1989 Bev Robbins took over the Hand in Hand, just after the previous owners had installed a brewery in the tower tradition. Tower breweries were a product of Victorian invention; the movement of liquids through the brewing vessels was much easier to achieve if the main ingredients, malt and water, were winched and pumped to the top of a tower so that gravity could perform all the transfers needed during the brewing process. Bev’s aim was to revive brewing and the brew-pub was a great success throughout the 90s with their ale sold in pubs all over Brighton. Sadly Bev passed away in 2006. Employee Matt Davies stepped in to run the brew pub for Bev’s wife Brenda. “I want to put the focus back on brewing now,â€? says Matt. “We’re back in the Good Beer and Good Pub Guide and are getting a lot of younger interest. We used to be a bit of an old man’s pub, I want to change this image.â€? Matt, who is himself not a brewer, says he is having to learn as he goes. “I’d like to get a freelance brewer in to help and hope to sell our beers across Brighton again eventually.â€? Ales such as the Kemptown Ale, which Matt describes as“light refreshing session aleâ€?, an old fashioned term to mean you can drink four or ďŹ ve and not feel drunkâ€?. Well, we don’t know about that but we wish Matt every success in restoring the brew-pub to its former glory. 62

Coming Febr uar y 2011

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