Luxe issue 47 Jul/Aug 17

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LE E WE ST WO O D T E E S OFF. Beac h c hi c . B ORO’S G EORG E FRIEND. Summer f un . M I D L I F E M U N CH . Creat i ve c l asses. L AID -B ACK L IV ING. Social snaps.

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contents 10>> Do This ISSUE 47 JUL/AUG17 Luxe brings you a virtual artisan market in this edition with pages packed with curated, lovingly-made and deeply desirable things.

We’re all about luscious summer living, but we take the effort out of a trawl around a real-life market with the sit-back pleasures of leafing through Luxe with a glass of something chilled to hand.

Pages are overflowing with seasonal goodness: create light and lovely summer dishes with inspiring recipes from our lovely chefs – using just-picked ingredients.

Learn the art of summer sketching and get back to nature with artisans who are inspired by the rugged coastline and wonderous woodland on our doorstep.

We welcome new columnist Kate Rose, founder of homewares business Tutti. She’s the perfect person to inspire you to pack a picnic, or grab that cossie and dip your toes in the sand.

On the sporting front we’ve had a bit of time out with golfer Lee Westwood who’s getting ready to host the British Masters at Close House.

And we make a pal of Middlesbrough defender George Friend who talks about his life in his adopted North East.

It’s been a pleasure putting it all together for you. Hope it gets your summer off to a great start!

A cultured summer

16>> Charity Feel-good events

20>> Still Life Mindful creativity

24>> Splashdown Hot summer fashion

42>> OMG facial Shock and awe beauty

46>> Lee Westwood Golf’s glory boy on the Masters

56>> Generation Ageless the spotlight will be well and truly on our cover star Lee Westwood in September when he hosts the British Masters at Close House.

Outside of golfing, Lee is a mad keen shopper, especially at Harvey Nics in Edinburgh - and his luxe things reflect this: his phone, trainers and Audemars Piguet watch.

Scooter-savvy Anna

60>> Midlife munch Do-you-good recipes

66>> Chop chop!

Bonkers for butchery

72>> Trendwatch Tutti’s Kate Rose on summer inspo

80>> Luxe local Off to Whitley Bay

86>> George Friend Boro’s charity hero

88>> Motors

Make a friend of the Luxe website www.luxe-magazine.co.uk which is full of new things bright and beautiful - and every Thursday prep for your weekend with our lively Luxe Loves The Weekend email bulletin.

Luxe laps

94>> Social Diary

Sign up free at www.luxe-magazine.co.uk/theweekend

THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@remembermedia.co.uk EDITORIAL Kathryn Armstrong editorial director kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk Jessica Laing jessica@remembermedia.co.uk Elysia Agnew elysia@remembermedia.co.uk SALES Lisa Anderson director lisa@remembermedia.co.uk Debi Coldwell director debi@remembermedia.co.uk Heather Spacey project manager heather@remembermedia.co.uk PHOTOGRAPHY Chris Auld chris@chrisauldphotography.co.uk Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson nicky@kgphotography.co.uk

Susannah Mead was inspired by the seaside to set up her artisan lifestyle store, &Mead. The coast plays a huge part in all she does and her luxe things in life reflect this: Travel, perfect for topping up on culture and inspiration.

An early morning seashore walk and fresh flowers - home is not complete without them.

DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@remembermedia.co.uk If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Lisa Anderson: lisa@remembermedia.co.uk / 07734 560565 or Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366 Heather Spacey: heather@remembermedia.co.uk / 07846 073584

Remember Media Ltd, e.volve Business Centre, Cygnet Way, Rainton Bridge South, DH4 5QY remembermedia.co.uk All contents copyright ©2016 RememberMedia Ltd. All rights reserved. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, no responsibility can be accepted for inaccuracies, howsoever caused. No liability can be accepted for illustrations, photographs, artwork or advertising materials while in transmission or with the publisher or their agents. All information is correct at time of going to print, June 2017.

Middlesbrough footballer George Friend talks to us about making his home on Teesside and the charms of the North East.

He’s a generous family guy who loves his adopted North East home.

His luxe things are: family time, playing sport and country music.

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Beachy chic Pack up some stylish seating space and watch the sun go down in sandy style.

Folding mango wood tables, £269.50 each and metal chairs £59.95 each. www.ovohome.com

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LUXE LIFE

MARIANNE SAUNDERS Marianne Saunders is a director of Saunders and Pughe, a designer jewellery shop and goldsmiths based in a beautiful 17th century Grade ll listed cottage in the heart of Corbridge, which she runs with her husband Robert Pughe.

She is a trained silversmith and designer, and also holds the internationally recognised Gem-A Diamond Diploma, specialising in assessing and grading diamonds as well as having an extensive knowledge of precious coloured gem-stones and pearls. Marianne and Rob have two grown-up sons and Alfie the whippet completes the family.

LUXE PEOPLE >> My two sons surprise me every day with their humour, hard work and generosity. My lovely staff at Saunders and Pughe are experts in all things luxe in the jewellery department so they would have to feature here too.

LUXE PLACES >> A long weekend > Mallorca, Fornalutx is my little slice of heaven, walking through the orange and olive groves from Soller, stopping off for a lazy lunch at Es Turo, getting the tram back to Port Soller for a dip in the sea followed by dinner at Sa Barca watching the sun go down.

A long holiday > We do an annual trade trip in January after our busy Christmas period to the Tuscon Rock and Gem trade fair in Arizona, it’s an amazing international week-long event with gem traders from all over the world. We spend a week painstakingly choosing our coloured gemstones, sapphires, rubies, rare garnets and amazing coloured diamonds, which will all be set into beautiful jewellery. To wind down we have a week of hiking and mountain biking in the incredible red rocks of Sedona, picking up amazing trinkets and fascinating Native American kachina dolls.

LUXE RELAX >> Best restaurant > We always have a great time with Pam and Manuel at Il Piccolo in Corbridge, and I love the vegan pub grub at The Ship at the Ouseburn in Newcastle. I love Walwick Hall too.

Best wine > We recently had a lovely wine tasting at the Chateaux Meursault in Burgundy and enjoyed beautiful champagne in Ammbonay, needless to say, a few bottles came home with us…

Perfect weekend > A bracing early morning swim at Wentworth with my OneLife Triathlon Club pals before work. I’ve worked Saturdays since I was 16, such is the nature of retail. A great, buzzing day in the shop selling gorgeous jewellery. I love it when the guys come in looking for an engagement ring, we always give them lots of help, making sure they get something truly gorgeous to fit their budget. I do love my job! One of Rob’s famous curries with the family for dinner, relaxing and listening to records.

Up early on Sunday morning for the Allen Valley Velo cycling club run on my road bike, lots of hills and a nice coffee stop, we have such a laugh.

I’ll be exhausted when I get home, ready to curl up on the sofa with a nice glass of red wine and the high octane thrills of The Antiques Road Show.

Downtime means > A large cup of tea/gin and tonic, depending on the time of day, in the garden, with sunshine on my head and birdsong in my ears with Alfie the whippet by my feet, gives me the ahhhhh feeling.

Best telly > I LOVE telly, Game of Thrones, Versailles, Girls, and anything with David Attenborough, I enjoy a good drama, but quite often fall asleep in the middle. No soaps for me, I haven’t got the patience.

Best book > The World According To Garp, or anything else by John Irving, I find myself laughing and crying my way through his books.

Best sounds > The songs which remind you of a time in your life; Bowie’s Lady Stardust, ELO - Mr Blue Sky, Beyonce - Crazy in Love, Dire Straits Brothers in Arms, The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary.

BEST SHOPPING CITY >> Newcastle, as I know where all the shops are, I love the buzz lots of small independents, big stores and great places to eat.

Favourite shop > I love The Corbridge Cookshop for bits and bobs, Zara for clothes and Cycle Art in Prudhoe to drool over the beautiful bikes.

Best buy > My Carbon Cervelo S3 road bike with DI2 electronic shifters, its given me miles of smiles, everyone still beats me up the hills, but It makes me feel like the Queen of The Road!

LUXE PARTY >> We threw 18th birthday parties for both of our boys, danced the night away with a cheesy DJ and saw how they and all their ‘little friends’ had grown up into the most amazing young adults.

A memorable night out > Rob and I recently went to see Professor Brian Cox at Metro arena, so thought provoking, when you see pictures of our little blue planet from outer space it makes you want to treasure and protect it, the fighting between countries just seems crazy.

Dinner date > My lovely husband Rob, eating homemade spaghetti bolognaise and drinking champagne in our VW camper van. We’ve been married for 20 years and worked alongside each other almost every day, he still makes me laugh my head off.

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DO THIS

Stay in >> go out >> enjoy Elysia Agnew reveals some of this summer’s most sizzling events 3 - 8 JULY The classic tale of the trailblazing Jane is set to arrive on Tyneside this July.

Following a critically-acclaimed season at the National Theatre, this masterpiece, based on the novel by Charlotte Brontë, is as inspiring as ever; a bold and dynamic production that uncovers one woman’s fight for freedom.

Directed by Sally Cookson, the classic adaptation with a contemporary twist is a collaboration between the National Theatre and the Bristol Old Vic. Following the story of the beloved Jane Eyre, who journeys through life’s obstacles head-on, surviving as an orphan who falls into a life of poverty, injustice and the bitter betrayal of a loved one. With themes of love, determination, strength and sanity, it’s a heartfelt production that will wow in all aspects from the vocals to the stage direction and more. Don’t miss out on this classic tale told in cool, contemporary style at the Theatre Royal this summer. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

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JULY

Matthew Bourne’s spectacular work returns to the North East with The Car Man this July. The Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Yarm will be screening this sensational dance show based on Bizet’s popular opera (CARMEN) and has one of the most thrilling scores in classical music, brilliantly arranged by Terry Davies.

To set the scene: swap the 19th Century Spanish cigarette factory for a greasy 1960s American diner, where the dreams of a small-town are shattered by the arrival of a handsome stranger. It’s a tale of desire, greed, lust, betrayal and revenge. www.thepaaonline.org

6 - 9 JULY The Mouth of the Tyne Festival hits the North East coast this July.

Round up for a wealth of well-known rock bands, sensational singer-songwriters and stunning, cliffside views of the medieval Tynemouth Priory and Castle. The festival brings a marvellous mix of music, performing arts, food and crafts. The jazz stage at the top of Front Street is the go-to place for street performers and parades, while the Playhouse offers child-friendly activities, storytelling, music and creative making. This year’s headliners include Elbow, Laura Marling and Tom Odell. www.visitnorthtyneside.com

THROUGHOUT JULY & AUGUST

JULY

Combine a random mix of American frat culture with martial arts, death metal, rodeos and Greek mythology - and you’ve got Theseus Beefcake, a journey into the dark labyrinth of masculinity. Book your tickets now to witness this unforgettable duet exploring masculine excess, friendship, fantasy and competition. Dance City will be holding a free pre-show talk where artistic directors will discuss the exciting themes and ideas behind the scenes of Theseus Beefcake. www.dancecity.co.uk

7 JULY Sample the very best of the region’s real ales at Blackfriars Restaurant this summer. Whey Ale Man is a tasty event for local beer-lovers who wish to learn the secrets of the trade.

The workshop will include eight beer samples and snacks to pick at throughout. www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

7 JULY

GIN FESTIVAL Calling all gin lovers… head to Wynyard Hall this summer for the ultimate Gin Festival. A celebration of the nation’s favourite spirit, the festival will include gin demonstrations, over 50 different samples to try throughout the day, a cool combination of Fever-tree tonics, vodka and rum cocktails and great garnishes selected by Wynyard Hall’s mixologist and taken from the site’s Edible Garden.

A fun, gin-fuelled event that will have gin lovers smiling from ear to ear. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

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JULY

Golfers - gear up for an exciting season of events at Rockliffe Hall, starting with July’s Summer Open Pairs Golf Competition. Golfers are invited to play in this prestigious competition with prizes for first, second and third place teams. There’ll be breakfast butties available on arrival, as well as a cup of tea or coffee before you tee off. It’s set to be a great day out on the greens. www.rockliffehall.com

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8 & 9 JULY The NE1 Newcastle Motor Show returns this July and is set to be the biggest and the best show yet. It’s a spectacular event for car enthusiasts as Grey Street is turned into a playground for the motor industry. Visitors can get up close and personal with dream cars as luxury motors line the street.

There are also trade stands, scheduled entertainment and world-renowned exhibits to browse.

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Check in at the Live Theatre this July for An Evening with Nashville Songwriter, Will Hoge as he explores deeper into his country and rock-and-roll roots. Will Hoge has spent countless hours penning songs that he now wishes to share with a North East audience.

Inspired by his travels, Hoge is an extremely prolific songwriter who shows passion and pure dedication in his music. He invites audiences to come together and feel the lyrics live this summer. www.live.org.uk

12 JULY Celebrate this year’s Durham BRASS Festival with an evening of jazz in the Undercroft Restaurant. The jazz-fuelled evening will come complete with a tapas-style threecourse meal and drinks reception and will include music from BBC Big Band Quartet: Martin Shaw on the trumpet, Robin Aspland on the piano, Jeremy Brown on the bass and Tom Gordon on the drums. A musical spectacular not to be missed! durhamcathedral.co.uk/whatson/jazz

14 JUL - 6 AUG The North East’s premier comedy festival returns this summer. Jesterval will hold an exciting schedule of events as part of the Q Festival - a collaboration with Gateshead Council. The fab festival will run from Friday 15 July until Saturday 6 August.

Visitors are invited to wind down with a bit of comedy on Baltic Square.

The Spielgeltent will play host to a vibrant mix of entertainers and activities for the little ones and grown ups alike.

Jesterval will include a delicious gin festival with burlesque, immersive cinema, an electrifying family carnival day, crafts, storytelling, performances and DJs. But best of all, Jesterval will host some of the finest comedians, from household names to our very own local talents. Make sure you check in for some belly-laughing fun with the whole family this summer. www.jesterval.com

If a trip to the seaside isn’t on the cards this summer, then look no further than the Quayside Seaside. The nights are getting lighter and the sun is getting warmer, so pack up a picnic and head to the pop-up beach on the banks of the Tyne for some sun-soaked fun. You’ll get that toes-in-the-sand feeling in the heart of the city with deck chairs, palm trees, fresh food and a volleyball court and climbing wall to entertain activity-seekers.

25 JULY - 4 SEPTEMBER Film-fanatics don’t have to miss out on the sunshine days this summer as NE1’s Screen On The Green returns to the heart of the city this summer. From 25 July to 4 September, film buffs can look forward to a full programme of free film screenings, including a whole host of family favourites, new movies and old classics. An outdoor cinema will be set up at Old Eldon Square for the entire school holidays. So, whether you’re making the trip to catch your favourite film, or you fancy a bit of downtime, mid shopping trip, don’t forget to check in at the Screen on the Green. Tweet your fab, film-loving pics to @newcastlene1 using the hashtag #NE1ScreenOnTheGreen.

THROUGHOUT AUGUST Loosen the buckle on your belt - it’s that time of year again. Time for NE1 Newcastle Restaurant Week! As the city’s foodie scene expands, the incredibly popular restaurant event returns with over 100 participants offering top deals on some of Newcastle’s finest flavours.

This tasty week is tremendously popular, so book up your favourite restaurant fast to avoid disappointment. Visit: www. getintonewcastle.co.uk/ne1-events/ restaurant-week for the full list of participating restaurants and offers. www.getintonewcastle.co.uk JUL/AUG17

TOURING FROM

PAUL NASH THE GUARDIAN

THE TIMES

TIMEOUT LONDON

9 September 2017 – 14 January 2018

www.laingartgallery.org.uk Admission charges apply. Free entry for children 12 and under.

The Bowes Museum,Barnard Castle, County Durham, DL12 8NP www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk

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The exhibition is organised by Tate Britain in association with the Laing Art Gallery and the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts.

Laing Art Gallery, New Bridge Street, Newcastle, NE1 8AG Tel: (0191) 278 1611 Textphone: 18001 0191 278 1611

Landscape from a Dream by Paul Nash © Tate, London 2015

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JULY

A great, outdoor theatre event for the whole family. Pull up on The Main Lawn at Alnwick Garden this July as the iconic outdoor theatre venue hosts Billionaire Boy. It tells the tale of Joe, who becomes the richest boy in the world after a garage sale with his father, Mr Spud.

So bring your picnics, blankets and fold up chairs to hear the story of how Mr Spud made his billions and lost it all… and how his son, Joe became the ‘billionaire boy’. www.alnwickgarden.com

25 JULY Fly to the North East coast this July for the renowned Sunderland International Airshow. The free, seafront show kicks off on Friday evening and continues all day Saturday and Sunday, with a whole host of exciting flying displays for spectators to see. There will be a marvellous military presence both on and off the ground - with RAF, Army and Navy military villages as well as the usual crafts and trade stands.

This year’s airshow will see the return of the RAF Typhoon Team who will join many display teams including The Battle of Britain Memorial Flight and The Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team - The Red Arrows. www.britishairshows.com/sunderland-international-airshow

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- 23 JULY Sunderland International Airshow

22 JULY - 12 AUGUST

21 - 23 JULY

Get creative this summer at The Biscuit Factory with a fabulous line up of inspiring workshops. Visitors and creative makers can get crafty with raku ceramics, marbling and bookbinding among many other hands-on activities. Local artists will be on hand to guide you through these fun and interactive experiences. The Biscuit Factory creative workshops are suitable for all abilities and are the perfect gift for a loved one looking to spark their innovative ideas. www.thebiscuitfactory.com

All aboard the Scarborough Seafest Maritime Festival!

Join in the fun at this fabulous seaside festival this summer, celebrating the Yorkshire Coast’s amazing Maritime Heritage on the West Pier, South Bay Scarborough.

Visitors can expect mouthwatering street food stalls, live cookery demonstrations by renowned Yorkshire chefs, live music and locally brewed ales from The Great Yorkshire Brewery Ale tent.

This year’s exciting guest chef line-up includes Debbie Raw, Steph Moon, Rob Green and Martin Hyde, as well as the Michelin-Starred chef from the award-winning Star Inn at Harome, Andrew Pern, alongside the new head chef from the Star in the Harbour, Wayne Gildroy, and the Director of Operations from the Star in the City, Matt Hunter.

For a little retail therapy, there will be a range of stalls selling the region’s finest hand crafted jewellery, artworks and artisan food and drink.

Being a family-friendly event, there’s plenty for the kids to get involved in too, with storytelling, drop-in workshops and a full schedule of activities.

It’s a key summer diary date for the whole family - AHOY! www.discoveryorkshirecoast.com

22 JULY - 30 AUGUST Enjoy a Summer of Fun at the Beamish Museum this July and August. Keeping kids and adults alike entertained throughout the summer holidays, these fun-filled events include creative activities, demonstrations, shows, competitions and live music. Why not get to know the animals or relax in the summer sunshine to watch the colliery cricket matches? There’s something for everyone to enjoy - just head to Beamish Museum for your fix of family fun in the sun! www.beamish.org.uk

Russell Brand is set to take the Middlesbrough Town Hall stage this July.

Re:Birth wrestles with the matrix of modern media, politics, sex, fatherhood and death.

Comedy fans of Teesside are invited to join one of the industry’s fiercest talents as he tries to make sense of life having just made a new one.

The comedian is also a successful broadcaster, author, columnist, actor, political commentator and a mental health and drug rehabilitation activist. A real talent, picking out of-the-moment subjects and sharing them in true, comedic style. www.middlesbroughtownhallonline.co.uk

FROM 29 JULY 23 JULY The Sage Gateshead plays host to the SummerTyne Americana Festival 2017 this July, at which visitors can look forward to a brilliant double bill of two of the finest female blues voices from both sides of the Atlantic.

Jo Harman is a British-born soul and gospel singer who found success with her debut album, Dirt on My Tongue.

Lisa Mills takes her audiences on a humorous and emotional musical journey: expect blues, gospel, country and soul influences.

Two talented individuals together, it’s set to be a fabulous evening of soulful music and summer fun. www.sagegateshead.com

25-29

Flying in from outer space, a strange mechanical seed has landed in the exhibition area at The Bowes Museum.

It needs to learn the secrets behind making a garden full of joy, colour and natural beauty, so it can take inspiration back to its own planet with no gardens of its own. The Clockwork Garden exhibition is an interactive installation full of glimmering animations and sounds. Inside it, visitors will invent garden stories, make colourful paper flowers and creative mechanical artwork. Interactive exhibition-goers can follow a curious, illustrated map to explore the grounds, completing tasks and solving clues left by the wondrous characters of the Bowes’ founders, both historical and fictional. thebowesmuseum.org.uk

JULY

Follow the yellow brick road… to the Theatre Royal this July.

The Wizard of Oz returns, taking a Newcastle audience on a dazzling and energetic journey from Kansas City to the enchanting Emerald City. A sweet Kansas girl, a tin man, scarecrow, cowardly lion and a bunch of cheeky munchkins - it’s a story we all know and love, and this production is set to raise the bar yet again. Round up the troops - it’s one for the whole family! www.theatreroyal.co.uk

BEACH PARTY AT THE SOUTH TYNESIDE FESTIVAL 2017 16 JULY Highlights… A guide to the South Tyneside Sunday Busted fans don’t have to wait until the ‘Year 3000’ to see their heroes back concerts at Bents Park together again. The boyband will be

30 JULY The legendary singing sisters, Sister Sledge, will be headlining the last event in this year’s Sunday concerts series. Famed for hits such as He’s The Greatest Dancer, Lost in Music and We are Family, they’ll be paying tribute to their late sister, Joni. www.visitsouthtyneside.co.uk

headlining the outdoor concert on 16 July and are set to perform some of their classics, including What I Go To School For, Crashed the Wedding and Air Hostess.

The brit-winning pop-rock trio are still as fabulous as ever - don’t miss out on their live show on Tyneside!

9 JULY Scottish musician KT Tunstall will kick things off at this year’s South Tyneside Festival’s Sunday concerts with her indie-inspired tunes including favourites, Suddenly I See, Black Horse and Cherry Tree.

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22 JULY A trio of X Factor stars are set to take the stage on 23 July. 2015 winner, Louise Johnson, the quirky Edward and the fab 5 After Midnight will all perform for North East audiences with a combination of upbeat and acoustic covers and solo records.

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Challenging Wills & Inheritance Claims

‘Contentious Probate’ disputes are on the rise. However, what exactly does Contentious Probate mean and what scenarios does it cover? I often get asked a number of common queries which I set out below What is Contentious Probate?

The term generally covers any disagreement after someone has passed away about how their estate should be distributed.

There are particular rules which must be adhered to when investigating the merits of, or pursuing these types of claim.

What happens if I have been left out of a will, or receive substantially less than expected?

You may have grounds to challenge the will.

If the most recent will is successfully overturned, the fall back position is to the last valid will if there is one. If not, the Intestacy Rules would be applied.

What are the Intestacy Rules?

If someone dies without having a valid will, their estate is distributed to family members in a certain order and in accordance with rules set down by law.

If you wish to challenge a will, on what grounds can you challenge it?

• Invalid Execution - the will should be signed by the testator, in the presence of two witnesses, who also sign to confirm they have witnessed the testator signing the will. If these requirements are not met, the validity of the will may be open to challenge.

• Lack of testamentary capacity- if the testator was suffering from a condition or injury at the time of the will being prepared and/or executed, which raises a concern as to whether the testator understood what he was doing. Examples would include dementia or a brain injury. This is becoming a more frequently relied upon ground due to the ageing population. Although, you should be aware that the presence of a particular condition or injury does not automatically mean that the testator lacks capacity, as the will may have been prepared and executed during periods of lucidity.

• Want of Knowledge and Approval- a

testator must have knowledge and approval of the contents of their will. If someone who is set to benefit substantially from the will is also involved in its execution, this tends to ‘excite the suspicion of the court’ and may warrant challenge. However, the individual circumstances have to be considered very carefully.

• Undue Influence- if someone has been forced or coerced into making a will by another, who then sets to substantially benefit, then there may be grounds to set aside the will. However, this tends to be a very high threshold.

• Fraud- if a will has been forged or otherwise made in a fraudulent manner, then it is possible to overturn it. However, again an allegation of fraud is very serious and one which will need strong evidence to prove.

What happens if a will does not make sufficient provision for me?

Provided there is a valid will, a testator can leave their estate to whomever they choose.

However, certain categories of people can claim under the Inheritance Act 1975 (Provision for Family and Dependants) if they consider a will has not made reasonable financial provision for them.

Who can claim?

A claim must be brought within 6 months of issue of a grant of probate. Only certain people can claim including spouses and civil partners (and ex-spouses and civil partners), children and those who can prove they were dependent on and have been ‘maintained’ by the deceased.

What factors are relevant?

The court looks at a range of factors, including the financial needs of those making a claim, those who benefit under the will and the size of the estate.

If you consider that you have a possible claim in relation to a will, or if someone is challenging a will and claiming against an estate with which you are dealing then you should seek expert legal advice.

Gemma Smith is a Commercial Litigation lawyer specialising in business disputes , breach of contracts and contentious probate cases. She is based at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm’s Commercial office at Wynyard Business Park just off the A19 in Teesside.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm 12 Evolution, Wynyard Park, TS22 5TB T: 0800 052 6824 www.tbilaw.co.uk Find us on Twitter @tbilaw

T: 0800 0526824 W: www.tbilaw.co.uk

B AT H R O O M S T H AT M A K E YO U G O WOW !

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29 JULY Firmly established as the highlight of the North East social calendar, the Collingwood Insurance Beeswing Ladies Day returns to Newcastle Racecourse this summer. It’s the perfect setting to sip champagne and enjoy a fizzy, fashion-forward day out with friends.

The most glamorous race day of the season get your hats at the ready and don’t miss out! www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk

1 - 5 AUGUST A spectacularly stunning and hilariously funny new production comes to the Sunderland Empire this August.

La Cage Aux Folles follows the sparkling extravaganza of Georges and the dazzling drag artiste Albin. The duo live an idyllic existence in the heart of St Tropez, but behind the curtains things are about to change. A hilarious series of events follow after the meeting of the parents forces them to cover up their vibrant lifestyle.

La Cage Aux Folles’ show-stopping score includes With You on My Arm, I Am What I Am and The Best of Times.

A sensational music spectacular with brilliant dance routines, side-splitting comedic scenes and big name stars. www.atgtickets.com

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THROUGHOUT JULY & AUGUST

Shakespeare’s bloodiest play arrives in Stockton this August.

Titus Andronicus follows the story of a ruler exhausted by war and loss. He relinquishes power but leaves Rome in disorder. This revenge tragedy presents themes of murder, class, family, the nature of sexuality, rape and cannibalism. It’s bloody and it’s violent, but incredibly thought provoking and one of Shakespeare’s classic tragedies. A must-see! www.arconline.co.uk

The Stockton International Riverside Festival returns to the banks of the Tees this summer - bringing you more must-see music, dynamic dancing, street-theatre and circus performances than ever before!

Celebrating 30 years of the SIRF, the programme promises to be packed with exciting goings-on, offering something for the whole family to enjoy from start to finish. The SIRF Community Carnival will bring colour, carnival rhythms and creative flair to the town centre.

Be sure to catch the festival finale show by Cirque Bijou the Fire-Wire Spectacle will wow! www.sirf.co.uk

Celebrate summer vibes in true, Yorkshire style at Bettys Tea Rooms Summer Jazz Dinner. The Harrogate tea rooms are set to play host to The Karen Lake Trio who will perform songs made famous by Ella Fitzgerald, Nina Simone and Billie Holiday.

The music will be accompanied by a delicious three-course set dinner, followed by tea or coffee with handmade chocolates. Classic jazz meets a fabulous foodie feast in this elegant summer event at the much-loved Bettys. www.bettys.co.uk

Is history your chosen subject?

Do you enjoy learning about the past?

Are you a little bit nosey? Ever fancied taking a peek in the Discovery Museum’s trove of historical documents? Now is your chance…

Visitors are invited to come in and explore the archives with the experts with the oldest records dating back to AD 1183. You’ll learn about the history of Bladford House and will get the opportunity to sneak inside one of the conservation studios. An exclusive look at the museum’s marvellous history.

It’s all very exciting. Head to the Discovery Museum this August to find something fascinating. www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

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AUGUST

Our very own platinum selling artist, Joe McElderry returns to the North East for a spectacular one night concert at the Sunderland Empire. Celebrating the launch of his new album Saturday Night at the Movies, the star is set to perform his fresh tracks to audiences nationwide. Joe will be joined live on stage by X Factor’s Lloyd Daniels and Any Dream Will Do runners up Keith Jack and Ben James-Ellis. An evening of new tunes and songs you’ll be toe tapping away to - lets give our Joe a big welcome home! www.atgtickets.com

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23 SEPTEMBER

Jimmy Carr: The Best Of, Ultimate, Gold, Greatest Hits Tour is set to land in Sunderland this September.

The comedy-favourite has pieced together his best jokes along with brand new material in the ultimate live comedy show.

This new tour will distil everything we love to laugh at and be shocked by - an unparalleled night of pure entertainment.

Book your tickets now for a side-splitting evening! www.atgtickets.com

The annual Ocean Film Festival World Tour returns to the Princess Alexandra Auditorium in Yarm this September. Showcasing a brand new selection of the world’s most amazing ocean films, the Banff Film Festival presents the exhilarating journey of many divers, paddlers, surfers and oceanographers who live for the sea’s salt spray. It’s an experience like no other: from the comfort of your theatre seat, you’ll be guided across the globe and wowed by the mind blowing marine life. www.thepaaonline.org

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8 AUGUST Head to Durham’s Full Moon Market this summer to sample some of the region’s finest street food and local suppliers.

Soak up the vibrant atmosphere at the open air market offering a whole host of foodie goodies as well as live music throughout the summer evening.

The market runs from 4pm to 9pm in Durham Market Place. www.durhammarkets.co.uk

Willy Wonka has got you covered in a school holiday special at Beamish Hall Hotel this summer. Chocolate-loving guests are invited to join the Willy Wonka Afternoon Tea at the Movies event on 24 August. Enjoy a screening of the classic children’s film, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, alongside a delicious afternoon tea including some super special, Wonka-style goodies. A tasty treat for the whole family - and one that the kids will remember forever! www.beamish-hall.co.uk

10 AUGUST

1 SEPTEMBER

Straight from his sell-out stage run in London, Derren Brown is set to grace the stage of Newcastle’s Theatre Royal this August for three nights only!

The show is an utterly spell-binding experience that will stay with audience members forever. Derren Brown: Underground showcases the impressive work of the much-loved, multi-award winning master of psychological illusion.

It’s a truly unique experience - book your tickets now and prepare to be wowed! www.theatreroyal.co.uk

7 AUGUST

3 - 6 AUGUST

18 AUGUST

AUGUST

7 - 9 AUGUST

American artist Adam Pendleton’s exciting exhibition, Shot Him in the Face will occupy the Ground Floor gallery at the Baltic throughout the summer months until 10 September. With various 3D arrangements, sculptural objects, poetry quotes and wall displays, it’s set to spark interest among many visitors - with something to wow everyone. Pendleton’s extensive material incorporates images from various sources - but maintains the consistency of a black-and-white aesthetic. www.balticmill.com

Set on the stunning grounds atop the sweeping North Lawn, guests are invited to the Castle Howard Proms this August.

Get your gladrags ready for a classical concert and an evening to remember for the whole family. Confirmed guestsinclude Brit Award winners Blake and rising classical star soprano Joanna Forest, who will be joined on stage by the London Gala Orchestra.

The musical programme will include both popular songs and Proms favourites such as Jerusalem and Rule Britannia. It’s set to be a spine-tinglingly good - book your tickets now for this magical, musical and family-friendly event! www.castlehoward.co.uk

<< BOOK IT NOW >> 6 OCTOBER Having established themselves across the UK as the leading tribute act to The Beautiful South and the Housemartins, the Teesside born South Martins return to the North East for their biggest show in the area for many years.

Fun, energetic and fabulously feel-good, the band will play hits such as: Happy Hour, Rotterdam, A Little Time, Old Red Eyes is Back and many more. www.arconline.co.uk

26 AUGUST

Find out everything you need to know about The Northern Lights at the Kielder Observatory this summer. They have influenced fairy tales for years - but what exactly are they? And how to we see them? The experts at the Observatory will reveal all - exploring how science has discovered the processes that create the Northern Lights. You’ll learn about the energy, the atmosphere and how they connect to create a light like no other.

Visitors will also enjoy a tour of the site where you’ll see the telescopes and meet the talented team of astronomers.

To top off the day, gather on the observation deck to gaze at the glittering stars of the Milky Way from one of Europe’s darkest locations… www.kielderobservatory.org

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24-28 OCTOBER

Calling all Motown fans… book your tickets now for the biggest party of the year at Newcastle City Hall this October. The Magic of Motown will wow audiences with back-to-back Motown hits, glittering costume changes and dazzling dance moves.

This fabulously glitzy evening will celebrate the music of Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Diana Ross, The Supremes, The Temptations, Martha Reeves, Jackson 5, Lionel Richie, The Four Tops and Smokey Robinson. Reach out for The Magic of Motown - book your tickets now and don’t miss out! www.theatreroyal.co.uk

BalletLORENT are bringing the world premiere of Rumpelstiltskin to the Northern Stage this October.

The story is retold by Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy and Director Liv Lorent, with a score by Murray Gold and narration by actor Ben Crompton. This brilliant production will feature a local community cast of children aged 5-9 and over 60s alongside a whole host of professional dancers. It’s a bold, colourful performance for the whole family to enjoy - premiering in Newcastle ahead of the national tour. www.northernstage.co.uk

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Limited Edition Fine Art Prints, Canvases, Greetings cards, Mugs and more from the UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Up and Coming Artist of the Year 2016. All available in the Lucy Pittaway Art galleries in Richmond and Brompton-on-Swale, North Yorkshire, or at www.lucypittaway.co.uk

Lucy Pittaway Art Gallery, Brompton-on-Swale, DL10 7SN Tel:01748 810965

www.lucypittaway.co.uk

/lucypittawayart

Lucy Pittaway Art Gallery, Richmond, DL10 4QB Tel:01748 824688

embracing new challenges together

TH

R EI

FU T UR E

AN IN YO UR H

D S

Book a visit: 0191

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212 8968

Newcastle Royal Grammar School

www.rgs.newcastle.sch.uk

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GOOD STUFF

Sweet charity Doing good things in the North East, our charity round-up SWAG >> The inaugural Hearts & Handbags afternoon tea event organised by The Children’s Heart Unit Fund, saw 250 people turn out at Gateshead’s Hilton Hotel, raising in excess of £10,000. Sponsored by intu Metrocentre and intu Eldon Square, the afternoon kicked off with a sparkling drinks reception, courtesy of Bidfood, and entertainment from local X Factor star Melissa Pedro.

Of the money raised, over £2,000 came from the eagerly anticipated designer handbag auction, which saw a beautiful Aspinal of London number sold for an outstanding £780, amongst many other sought-after brands.

The highlight of the afternoon came as CHUF’s Heart Heroes took to the catwalk.

CHUF’s Chief Executive Chris Gray, said: “We have been overwhelmed by the support and feedback received for our very first Hearts & Handbags event. We were delighted to be joined by our Heart Heroes and their families demonstrating first-hand how funds raised at events such as Hearts & Handbags can really make a difference. “

SPEED >>

STARRY >> Punk princess Toyah heads up the fun at this year’s North East Ladies’ Day at Hardwick Hall on September 20.

The flamboyant performer, who shook up the music world in the eighties with hits like It’s A Mystery and I Want to be Free, is guest speaker for the 35th Anniversary Luncheon.

She will talk about her amazing life in music and in performance – she has starred in acclaimed TV series, films and documentaries which have run parallel to her music career.

It promises to be entertaining – Toyah is a charismatic, outspoken and iconic woman, especially to those who grew up with her.

Her career is impressive – she has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty albums, written two books, appeared in over 40 stage plays, acted in fifteen feature films and presented such diverse television programmes as The Good Sex Guide Late, Watchdog and Songs Of Praise.

Tickets for the North East Ladies’ Day 35th Annual Anniversary Luncheon are available now. The day-long event features lunch, shopping, networking and friendship – all with a charity aim. NELD has raised more than £285,000 since the first event in 1983, and this year’s recipients will be teenage cancer charity Butterfly Giving and Family Help Darlington CIO. Tickets are available now: see www.northeastladiesday.co.uk

IN THE POT >> Lobster love led to a smashing £35,933 raised for North East autism charity Daisy Chain. The 12th annual Lobster Ball, supported by Ramside estates, was held at Hardwick Hall Hotel in County Durham. The glittering event was sponsored by Great Annual Saving Group and Aston Martin, attended by hundreds of guests who enjoyed an evening of fine food and drink as well as a special performance by 1980s soul stars Shalamar.

The Lobster Ball is held annually to raise much-needed cash for the region’s good causes, and has raised £300,000 since its launch in 2006. It has supported Daisy Chain since 2013.

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F1 hero Rob Smedley will be guest speaker at the Network Now breakfast business meeting at Wynyard Golf Club, supporting the children’s hospice Zoe’s Place.

Hear Rob talk about the thrills and spills of his life as head of vehicle performance with the F1 Williams Martini team.

The event is on 9 August, 8.30-10am. Tickets are £20 from info@zoes-place.org.uk or call 01642 457985. www.zoes-place.org.uk

HEARTFELT >> Paralympic thrower Stephen Miller has presented a portable defibrillator to Heel & Toe, a charity providing support services to children with cerebral palsy in County Durham.

Money came from fundraising carried out by local business JS Parker Ltd (JSP). The team, based in Stocksfield, raised £1,332 for North East Hearts with Goals, a local charity who work to place lifesaving defibrillators into public places.

Over the past year, the team organised and took part in a variety of activities from cake sales to competing in the Great North Run. JSP’s fundraising also bought two more defibrillators, donated to Hexham Priory School and the Darlington & District branch of national charity Headway.

Architect, Andrew Grounsell (from Newcastle)

CHALLENGE >> Colleagues of Newcastle architect Andrew Grounsell are taking on a gruelling challenge to raise money in his memory.

After losing their friend and colleague to cancer last year, Darren Purvis and Luke Westoe have decided to tackle the ‘three peaks,’ Snowdon, Scafell Pike and Ben Nevis – and also cycle to and from them all.

They will be raising funds for two cancer charities - Maggie’s and the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation.

They will cycle over 1,000 miles, ascending over 40,000ft by bike, and climbing a further 10,000ft on foot over the three peaks.

Says Darren: “Luke and I worked alongside Andrew for ten years at Space Architects in Newcastle.

“We know this challenge will be very tough, physically and mentally, but it will be nothing compared to what Andrew went through. We picked the two charities because of the connection Andrew had to both. Maggie’s was a place that he and his wife Jo used to go to seek advice and to take time out during treatments. It was also where Andrew and I walked to on the day he told me of his illness.”

Alan Shearer, a Patron of the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, recently met with the pair to find out more about their fundraising, saying: “Having done a bit of cycling myself, I know how tough it can be. The idea of having to climb the three peaks on top of all those miles does not sound like fun at all. I take my hat off to them.

As an architect, Andrew designed many outstanding buildings throughout his career including Cramlington Learning Village and Durham Gateway for Durham University.

There are also what his colleagues describe as ‘small masterpieces’ such as the Key in Science Central, a stone’s throw from St. James’ Park, the Graham Sports Centre at Maiden Castle and 19 Close House at Heddon-on-the-Wall.

To make a donation visit: www.uk.virginmoneygiving.com/agchallenge

JUL/AUG17

New Ranges!

Cutting Edge Design With a Traditional Twist At Tecaz we love to give the opportunity for you to see and touch a range of bathrooms or kitchens before you decide to purchase. Our showrooms feature over 200 bathrooms, 100 showers and 50 kitchen displays, you're sure to nd what you are looking for.

With fantastic deals from some of the biggest brands in bathrooms and kitchens. Save up to 60% off RRP on Heritage, Merlyn, Roman, Rak, Roca, Simpsons, Second Nature and Laura Ashley. Plus we have brand new Alchemy and Unity kitchen ranges now available.

FREE computer planning and design are available, for larger projects, we offer installation support. We are conndent you'll achieve your dream space.

FREE granite or Silestone worktops available on selected kitchen ranges.

Tecaz www.tecaz.com

Norham Road, North Shields, NE29 7TN • Tel : 0191 257 6511 Portrack Lane, Stockton-on-Tees, TS18 2HG • Tel: 01642 610 100 Tecaz Echo House, Pennywell Ind Est, SR4 9EN • Tel : 0191 534 7733 Opening hours Monday - Friday : 9am - 6pm • Saturday : 9am - 5pm •Sunday 10am - 4pm

LUXE LIFE

LINDA MILLER Linda Miller is admin director of Kymel Trading Ltd, the owners of award-winning Crab & Lobster restaurant and Crab Manor hotel, near Thirsk and Trenchers restaurant, Whitby.

Now in her 20th year in the business, she is delighted to have been part of the growing business over the years and excited for new developments ahead.

LUXE PEOPLE >> My family are the most important, my husband Ray is amazing, always offering support and encouragement, we have been married for 35 years, that is a lot of love! We are both very proud of our son Steven and daughter Joanne who have done really well in their own careers, as well as keeping me very grounded.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > My step-daughter Helen and her family live in St Albans, so we regularly go there for the weekend; it is always great fun spending time with the grandchildren Evan and Alex.

Hertfordshire has become a second home.

A long holiday > We love Italy, especially Sorrento and beautiful Amalfi coast; we have also been a couple of times to Lake Garda and love the beautiful lake and its surroundings, not forgetting the lovely food and wine.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Italian is my favourite, but as I am a food lover, a simple cheese scone or fish and chips at Trenchers is always a pleasure.

Best wine > I’m not really a wine connoisseur but I do enjoy a chilled glass of prosecco by a hot tub.

Favourite restaurant > Being part of a great team here at Kymel, my first choice has to be the Crab & Lobster, I may be biased but I’m included in the many who say the staff are very welcoming and friendly and the quality of food is exceptional – and the assiette of desserts is a great way to try a bit of everything sweet.

Perfect weekend > A journey to St Alban’s and having quality time with all of the family together.

Downtime means > Being a simple girl, there is nothing better than a cup of tea, with my feet up in front of the TV. Best telly > A good drama series is favourite. Sunday at 10pm is not the same without Line of Duty’s cliff hanger, which always left me on the edge of my seat wondering who was Balaclava man. I can’t wait for the next series!

Best theatre > I recently went to see Stepping Out in London starring Amanda Holden, I loved it, it was so funny and the tap dancing was brilliant to watch.

Best book > I don’t have much time for reading but recently I bought a Kindle so I have read a few books lately, The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins was a favourite and kept me awake at night as I could not put it down.

Best sounds > Tamla Motown always gets me singing out loud, this must be an age giveaway.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > I have shopped in many cities, but as a shopaholic being at home in Newcastle is my favourite.

Favourite shop > Anything from Mint Velvet makes me happy.

Luxe retail treat > It has to be my Cartier watch as this was an unexpected treat for my long service and big birthday.

Best buy > A Bugaboo pram for my daughter’s first child due in July, we are so excited.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Joanne, Steven and I arranged a surprise 60th party for my husband Ray. When he walked into the room and saw all his friends and family, the look on his face was priceless.

Perfect party > We love to celebrate New Year’s Eve with friends Linda & Paul, this usually includes dinner and an overnight stay.

Best dress/favourite item of clothing > My all-time favourite was a red evening dress from Karen Millen, one day I will fit into it again!

Dinner date > I love to meet up with the ‘girls’ I used to work with years ago at Fenwick Newcastle, we usually have a good catch up at Jamdani, Whickham where the curries are amazing.

YOUR LUXE THINGS IN LIFE >> One word > Food, it helps to me to work, rest and play.

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JUL/AUG17

ADVERTORIAL

Arbitration – the privatisation of the Court system?

The hope for any divorcing couple is that the division of their marital estate can be dealt with by agreement, following a degree of negotiation between themselves or their respective lawyers. In the majority of cases, this is fortunately the reality and at Major Family Law we pride ourselves on using our expertise to negotiate rather than litigate.

Sadly, not all cases can be agreed in this way. The very nature of our family law legislation allows for a broad discretion to be applied when determining the division of a marital estate and this can inevitably lead to a difference of opinion in approach or principle. In such cases parties often apply to the family courts to have their case determined by a Judge.

The process of litigation is not entirely straightforward and usually involves up to three Court hearings before an eventual decision is reached by a Judge at a Final Hearing.

The process can be very frustrating for those involved in it, particularly in view of current Court delays. For cases that must proceed to a contested Final Hearing the process can take over a year to reach a conclusion. This also assumes that the hearings proceed as planned. We have had experience of the Court cancelling hearings at the eleventh hour, due to lack of judicial availability. By that stage, the cases were fully prepared and Counsel had been instructed to represent the clients, incurring costs which could not be reimbursed.

In view of these issues, some are losing confidence in the Court system as a means of resolving matrimonial disputes and are turning to arbitration as an alternative method of dispute resolution.

The process of arbitration is similar to the Court process in that a binding and enforceable final decision is ultimately placed in the hands of an independent third party – the “Arbitrator” – although there can be a number of advantages to arbitration as opposed to litigation.

Arbitration allows for a greater degree of flexibility. Court litigation is controlled by procedural rules, whereas arbitration can be tailored to suit the parties’ particular needs and allows for parties to set their own timetable and agenda. As a result, the process is often much quicker than court proceedings, with a final decision usually being reached within 3 to 6 months. The consequence of this quicker process is that arbitration is frequently less costly than litigation, primarily due to the compressed schedule, and the fact that once a hearing date is agreed it rarely does not proceed. The privatisation of the process is a significant advantage as parties can have confidence that once a hearing date is fixed, their case will be determined on that date.

Another significant benefit to arbitration is that parties are able to choose the Arbitrator who determines their case.

Arbitrators are selected from a pool of professionals, with experience in the field of family law, meaning parties can be assured they have the necessary expertise. By contrast, at Court, no individual judge is assigned to a case and therefore multiple judges may be involved throughout the process. Although all judges must complete training, some may have a background in civil law as opposed to a family law which some may find disconcerting. Thus, arbitration affords the parties the ability to select the decider, whereas Court litigation does not.

For some cases, arbitration can be the solution to the problems faced by the Courts and a system which is

being placed under increasing pressure with ever mounting case lists and a lack of judicial availability.

Arbitration is effectively the privatisation of the Court process and offers significant benefits to those who wish to be afforded more control over the process governing the outcome of their legal dispute.

Please contact our office to speak to one of our team about whether your case is suitable for arbitration.

Rebecca Savage is a Solicitor at Major Family Law, the Divorce and Family Law Specialists, 12 West Road, Ponteland, Newcastle upon Tyne. T: 01661 82 45 82 www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk.

Twitter: @majorfamilylaw

Specialist divorce and family lawyers 01661 82 45 82 enquiries@majorfamilylaw.co.uk www.majorfamilylaw.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

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FULL OF FLOURISH

Sunday school goes slow Creative pleasures and bygone pastimes come to life in a North Yorkshire village Once a month inside The Reading Room in the sweet village of Crathorne near Yarm the clock stops.

The pace slows as a gathering of creatives leaves the 21st Century behind for a few hours and turn their thoughts – and paintbrushes – to gentle pursuits.

It’s a world where you could imagine a painterly Beatrix Potter or Jane Austen and her sisters gently sketching and painting, passing the time in a mix of quiet and conversation.

The Reading Room is where florist Kirsty Johnson and artist Vicky Trainor run A Still Life workshops. They mix traditional skills, such as watercolour painting with the modern – such as instant photography.

The Sunday Art School was born out a desire by Kirsty and Vicky to nurture a creative community in the North.

“So much happens further South and we knew through our own individual businesses that there were so many ‘hidden gems’ of talent and creative life in the area”, says Kirsty. “We wanted to establish and be part

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of a nurturing, collaborative and creative community. Our intention is to support people to learn new skills, make wonderful connections and to realise their latent creativity. We put real value on helping people take moments for themselves, to feel great by allowing themselves to do things they love”, she adds.

The ethos envelops food, flowers, art, photography, foraging and walking in countryside nearby. And it is all about taking a moment and doing simple things.

Kirsty adds: “We felt increasingly that there was a need for people to indulge creatively rather than just consume; to take pleasure doing simple things, together.

“Life particularly at the moment is stressful and full-on for most of us. Rather than offering more we suggest less... slowing down, taking notice, spending time in nature, connecting with like minded souls.

“As life whizzes by, creativity often falls down the list of priorities and people forget not only how calming it can be, but also how uplifting it is and how much confidence it can bring. A little creative self indulgence is good for the soul!”

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FULL OF FLOURISH

All the A Still Life workshops have a nature or botanical theme or focus.

“We spend a lot of time outdoors, we find it calming and it has become the essence of all we do. Connecting with nature grounds us and sets our daily rhythm”, she adds.

“Our regular Sunday Art School has been one of our favourite so far. It is an opportunity to rediscover skills and engage with your creative side - simple indulgence of experimentation and expression. There is a beautifully relaxed feel to everything, Vicky introduces techniques and encourages experimentation but there is no wrong answer, no pace to stick to. It really is a

few hours just for you”, says Kirsty.

Workshops include photography with in-house photographer Charlotte Eve of Eve Wanders, floral design, printing, flower growing, inspiring creative walks (at Cod Beck in Osmotherly), styling days, and instagram gatherings.

They also plan some tasty slow food get-togethers. Slow Food Social works in conjunction with Kate Burton who has started a beautiful new business, ‘Cardamom & Dill’.

At each small gathering Kate will curate and introduce a bespoke menu based on her Mediterranean travels.

Each plant-based dish is delicately layered with spices and herbs.

Kirsty and Vicky spent more than a year researching exactly what A Still Life should be.

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“Long nights were spent discussing our ethos, what our customers absolutely HAD to feel when they left one of our workshops.

It is a brand lived from the heart with true and authentic intentions that we hope will evolve and grow over the years”, adds Kirsty.

Alongside workshops, Kirsty and Vicky run seasonal markets from Crathorne with a group of Northern suppliers including an artisan bakery, lifestyle ateliers, local grown flowers and natural botanical skincare.

In addition to workshops and seasonal markets, they can offer bespoke workshops to businesses for staff development.

For details of forthcoming workshops see www.astill-life.co.uk Photography: Charlotte Eve of Eve Wanders (www.evewanders.com)

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Wine time The pleasure palace for your stash of Chablis and Champagne is here. The Multi-Matic storage system for kitchen cabinets is one of the unique features in the stunning range from German kitchen manufacturer, SieMatic.

Available exclusively in the region from Raven Kitchen Design.

Furniture prices from ÂŁ15,000. www.ravenkitchendesign.co.uk

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JUL/AUG17

ADVERTORIAL

Take a break – we can step in It’s important to make sure that carers get some respite – Sally&Sarah can step in to take the pressure off when the holiday season comes around

The holiday season is upon us and while the prospect of a break away is exciting – it can be a worry if you have family care commitments.

It’s vital that carers get some time off themselves. Caring for a loved one of any age and with any condition – be it an adult with a chronic illness or an elderly relative with dementia – is tough.

Often carers also hold down jobs of their own, so their own time off is spent looking after the needs of others,

sometimes neglecting their own well-being.

At Sally&Sarah we can step in when it’s time for the carers to take a break. We have a very flexible approach which means that we can come at short notice and be able to offer short-term visits to cover whilst a relative is on holiday.

We can organise daily visits which cover dressing, meals and bedtimes and we can act as a non-urgent point of contact for someone if a carer is a out of immediate contact.

We can also organise trips out and take clients to hospital appointments where needed.

As a small and dedicated care business, we put the needs of client and family first so that care is provided where and when you want it – we aim to fit in with you.

We can offer care services to clients across Tees Valley, parts of County Durham, North Yorkshire and the towns and villages in between.

Whatever your needs, even if it is just cover for a day or two over the summer, please give us a call. We usually have a way to help.

3 Innovation Court, Yarm, Road, Stockton TS18 3DA Offices open Monday to Friday, 9:00 to 17:00 01642 608070 hello@sallyandsarahcare.co.uk

BEAUTIFUL & STYLISH LIGHTING

01642 704104 Southside Retail Park, Portrack Lane, Stockton, TS18 2TA

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SPLASHDOWN

TIME TO DIG OUT THE BEACHWEAR AND THIS SEASON IT’S ALL ABOUT STATEMENT SWIMSUITS, CHIC COVER UPS WITH KAFTANS AND PRETTY PLAYSUITS A-PLENTY. PERFECT FOR HAZY DAYS AND SUN-DRENCHED SUMMER NIGHTS…

Tommy Hilfiger Kiara Bathing Suit, £70, Fenwick Newcastle

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Seafolly Casablanca Tie Front Playsuit, £75, Fenwick Newcastle

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Amenapih Boheme Dress, £79, Fenwick Newcastle

SPLASHDOWN

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BARBOUR | POLO RALPH LAUREN | JOSEPH RIBKOFF | PHASE EIGHT | BOSS ORANGE | JOULES | FRENCH CONNECTION | TED BAKER | MASAI | SCOTCH & SODA | FIORELLI | RADLEY | COCCINELLE

BARKERS NORTHALLERTON

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SPLASHDOWN

Seafolly Shibori Playsuit, £95, Fenwick Newcastle

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Sandwich Kaftan, £39, Barkers Northallerton

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Sahara Multicoloured Kaftan, £160, Barkers Northallerton

SPLASHDOWN

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www.ravenkitchendesign.co.uk T: 01670 785722 E: info@ravenkitchendesign.co.uk SHOWROOM: New Kennels, Blagdon Estate, Northumberland NE13 6DB

SPLASHDOWN

Hugo Boss Nablock shawl, £85 Hugo Boss Tafamous top, £29 Bitte Kai Rand linen trousers, £149 All Barkers Northallerton

PHOTOGRAPHY: Kevin Gibson, www.kgphotography.co.uk MAKEUP: Charlotte Tilbury, Fenwick Newcastle MODELS: Beth Harris and Hannah Hailes, www.tyneteesmodels.co.uk ASSISTANT: Hollie Scorer STOCKISTS: Fenwick Newcastle, www.fenwick.co.uk/stores/Newcastle. Barkers Northallerton, www.barkers-northallerton.co.uk LOCATION: King Edward’s Bay and Tynemouth Sailing Club beach,Tynemouth

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SATURDAY 14TH OCTOBER 2017

The Orbit range consists of individual handmade rings which can be worn independently or stacked together in countless variations of colour shape and texture in silver, gold and platinum, there are plain spacer rings and wonderful gemstone and diamond set variations.

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LUXE LOVES A pastel parlour The sweetest summer hideaway. Make an amazing space of a retro caravan. This one’s brought to life with Little Greene paints and wallpaper. Reverie Wallpaper, Jardin, £74 per roll. Paint: interior wall Normandy Grey. Caravan exterior in Shirting and Secret Shell.

Chair painted in Carmine, stool, Marigold. Paint from £21. www.littlegreene.com

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SOFAS | BEDS | MATTRESSES Visit our Seaton Delaval showroom at Delcor House, Double Row, NE25 0PR Only 20 minutes from Newcastle city centre 0191 237 1303 WWW.DELCOR.CO.UK

AND RELAX

STYLE SWIPE

It’s finally time to start packing for your holiday and whether you’re off to a chic spa hotel or a sandy beach, we’ve got everything you’ll need to ensure you’re looking stylish this summer From swimwear and cover-ups to the perfect pair of shades or slides, getting your pool-side looks sorted can now take as much effort as assembling an eveningwear wardrobe. At Fenwick our specialist swimwear area pulls together all of the best labels. You’ll also find sunglasses, sandals and slides in our accessories department and an unrivalled selection of summer-inspired products in our Beauty Hall.

I’ve styled a beautiful Heidi Klein one-piece with this year’s must-have pool accessory, an embroidered hat. This ‘Do Not Disturb’ design is just

what you’ll need when you’ve finally turned your ‘out of office’ on.

Complete the look with a gorgeous tote, and don’t forget to pack a bottle of Tom Ford’s iconic ‘Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil’. For summer ’17 sunglasses have been supersized and labels like Gucci, Céline and Fendi are the go-to finishing touch. Finally, for an extra splash of fun, Sunnylife’s collection of amazing inflatables is proving to be this summer’s biggest hit. From melon slice pool floats to giant pink flamingos, this cute Australian brand will keep you in the pool from dawn until dusk!

Catherine Newton is Head of Womenswear at Fenwick Newcastle.

>> Heidi Klein Swimsuit, £195 >> ‘Do Not Disturb’ Hat, £20 >> Gucci Sunglasses, £240 >> Longchamp Tote Bag, £280 >> Havaianas Flip flops, £24 >> Swell Bottle, £30 >> Sunnylife Beach Ball, £12 >> Tom Ford Soleil Shimmering Body Oil, £70 36 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSING

Stepinto Summer Darlington 01325 468 994

Gosforth 0191 217 0217

Jesmond 0191 281 6714

Ponteland 01661 821 004

Wynyard 01740 644 690

www.hookerandyoung.co.uk Facebook/hooker&young Twitter @hookerandyoung

DAZZLING

Let it shine Summer is here and we’re loving it!

Who needs Saint Tropez or Marbs when we can bask in the glorious North East sunshine?

When the sun is out our beaches take some beating. We must have some of the best coastline in the UK - when you’re sat with a long cold drink in your hand why would you want to be anywhere else?

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Our faves include Warkworth which has the most stunning unspoilt coast - and a beach that feels every bit tropical when temperatures soar.

A little closer to home for us is hip little Tynemouth with gorgeous Longsands beach.

Let’s not forget the delicious fish & chips or, in the cove itself, Riley’s Fish Shack; be warned, this place is as popular as it gets so prepare to queue!

And while you’re standing there, think about your hair!

One thing that always intrigues me about us Brits is that we don’t seem to think the sun gets as hot in the UK as it does elsewhere!

I’ve seen so many sun-reddened people walking around who clearly haven’t bothered with sun factor - and they can’t understand why it happened! Erm… This brings me nicely on to your hair when the sun shines.

Generally, in the summer months we see a lot of hair colour shifting tone, this is down to the sun on a daily basis.

You don’t need to be sitting in the garden for the sun to affect your hair; it can be just as powerful when you’re out

for the day shopping or having a spot of lunch alfresco-style.

It definitely pays to use a sun protection which will not only help prevent against colour fade but will also protect you from the harmful drying effects.

You should also look at your home care hair products over the summer months and consider changing what you would normally use to give your hair a little more TLC. Kerastase does a full range of dedicated sun protection products in the form of the Soleil range, which are pretty fantastic and best of all are super light to use, making them almost invisible, so you can use them on a daily basis.

A popular product is the micro-voile protecter, an ultra-light mist spray that is so easy to use, lightweight and non greasy which can also be used with your other ‘must haves’ to perfect your look.

Let’s hope there’s more of this glorious sunshine to come – just don’t let your hair take the heat!

Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with five salons regionwide. www.hookerandyoung.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

Swinton Country Club and Spa

It’s Arrived

The multi-million pound Swinton Country Club & Spa, due to launch summer 2017, is a new concept for UK spas. Spacious, contemporary and reflecting every bit of its’ 20,000 acre environment and Yorkshire heritage.

Relaxing spaces, stunning facilities, inspired dining, outdoor activities and spa treatment expertise will ensure a memorable experience for spa days, spa breaks and country club activities.

01765 680900 enquiries@swintonpark.com www.swintonestate.com

Swinton Park, Masham, Ripon, North Yorks, HG4 4JH

Located within 885 acres of fabulous parkland, we have reserved a number of exclusive pockets of land to become communities of self-build homes.

A different vision for living Made up of between 12 and 30 spacious plots, each of these developments has its own gated entrance and is landscaped to take advantage of the rolling, natural setting.

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JUL/AUG17

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 39

DAZZLE!

AU NATUREL >>

<< PEEPER PROTECTOR

Bring your locks back to life this season with Kerastase’s Aura Botanica range. The products are sulphate, silicone and paraben-free and packed with natural ingredients (98 per cent to be exact), for a gentle, yet effective, cleanse, restoring hair back to its former glory and leaving it soft to the touch. There’s also hand-pressed Samoan coconut and argan oils in there - so they smell like summer. From £21.20. www.kerastase.co.uk

Origins add to its A Perfect World range with a protective new eye cream, created to shield the delicate skin around your peepers from the sun.

It’s an area many neglect when it comes to sun protection, but a few pats of the Age-Defense Eye Cream every morning feels like a mini treatment you can look forward to. Apply gently with your ring finger and you’ll look like you’ve had 10 hours of sleep. £30 each on counter.

beauty:update Lightweight summer shades, sun protectors and feel-good spritzy fragrance... << SKIN DRINK Chanel jumps on the cushion foundation bandwagon with a new gel-touch number that makes skin look as though it’s been bathed in soft-focus light and plumped with moisture. Part of its popular Les Beiges range, its a super comfortable, water-based formula for a ‘no makeup, makeup’ kind of look that’s £43 on counter.

<< NARS NEWNESS NARS extends its famous Orgasm collection for summer 2017. The iconic and cheeky-named blusher, created back in 1999, has earned the brand countless awards over the years and continues to fly off the shelves worldwide. Its sister products, a liquid blush (£23) and lipstick (£21) boast the cult-classic pink colour and do a grand job of perking up the face for summer.

BRONZE IT UP >>

By Terry releases two new summer editions of its dreamy Sun Designer Palette, packed with six solar-inspired tints, influenced by the many gradations of sunlight on a hazy summer’s day, to bronze you up, add some glow and make your tan pop.

Swept on all over or just on the high points of the face, the buttery powders sculpt and enhance effortlessly. The bronze shade doubles up as a flattering eyeshadow too, making it an all-in-one winner for travel. £65 each online.

GLOW GETTER >>

AND BREATHE >>

Flood your skin with luminous moisture with the help of Marc Jacobs’ Dew Drops Coconut Gel Highlighter. Infused with coconut water and vitamins to hydrate and nourish, the gel-cream elixir instantly lights up the face - whether you choose to pat it on the cheekbones, or mix it in with your primer or foundation. Delivering a subtle sheen and gentle warmth to the complexion. £32 online or from John Lewis.

Diptyque launches a diffuser with a difference.

The new Hourglass Diffuser, £120, acts a bit like a designer egg-timer of calm.

Fragrant oils, determined by your own preference from the Diptyque range, are added to one section of the diffuser. You’ve then got an hour to sit back, take a breath and relax in the moment(s).

After an hour it’s time to turn the diffuser once again – so it’s your choice of staying put, skipping off super-energised or heading to bed, feeling all calm and collected.

This ‘fragrance journey’ is set in motion at the Diptyque counter in Fenwick, Newcastle where you can indulge your passion for potions. www.diptyqueparis.co.uk

<< SCRUB UP

<< LUX IT UP SHOW Beauty has revealed a new haircare duo, created to give hair plenty of va-va-voom for summer soirees. The lightweight gel formula gently lathers to give lift to the roots, while the decadent formula, infused with pro-vitamin B5, caviar extract and white truffle softens and improves manageability. £30 each on counter at House of Fraser, intu Metrocentre

Jo Malone’s new range of Exfoliating Shower Gels make uncovering summer skin and daily cleansing a luxurious experience. Available in three classic scents, Lime Basil & Mandarin, Pomegranate Noir and Geranium & Walnut, they give a creamy lather and foam, £30 each, available on counter.

SUN SAFE >> Murad’s latest sun protector is a real winner - a facial SPF that packs a punch when it comes to skin-shielding ingredients. What’s neat about the new City Skin Broad Spectrum is that it also tackles environmental aggressors such as blue light and infrared radiation from digital devices, computer screens and TV, phones. £45 on counter at House of Fraser, intu Metrocentre.

JUL/AUG17

<< CHIC SPRITZ Fans of Dolce & Gabbana’s Light Blue rejoice - the iconic brand is reinventing the cult scent for summer 2017. Sixteen years after the fragrance’s launch, fans are treated to a new version, that’s more intense and long-lasting on the skin.

A summery muddle of jasmine petals, Sicilian cedar and lemon, green apple and woody amber, Light Blue Eau Intense boasts a fresh and sparkling makeover that we can’t get enough of. £57 for 50ml from House of Fraser.

RADIANCE BOOST >> If you haven’t heard of VOYA before, give them a Google and discover a whole new range of skincare loveliness, heralding from the west coast of Ireland. The brand’s been going strong for 10 years and specialises in using hand-picked wild Irish seaweed in its products to help improve skin health and wellbeing. There’s something for all skin types, but we’re loving the Luminosity Refining Radiance Exfoliator (€45) right now for its brightening magic. It gives dull skin a new lease of life, sweeping away dead skin cells and minimising pores in minutes. Available at www.voya.ie

JUL/AUG17

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SMILE!

MOUTH MATTERS WITH ONKAR DHANOYA

Shock and awe

Hot from Spain, a new anti-ageing treatment genuinely delivers results. Kathryn Armstrong gives it a go at Wynyard Hall

Onkar Dhanoya is clinical lead and principal dentist at Honour Health, providing dental treatments and facial aesthetics at three sites across the North East (Jesmond, Stanley and Ponteland).

Onkar, who has more than 30 years of dentistry experience, sits on the board of the Faculty of General Dental Practice and holds a fellowship from the Royal College of Surgeons (London).

SMILE WITH CONFIDENCE ON YOUR WEDDING DAY >> Wedding season is well and truly upon us, so it’s the final countdown for many brides and grooms-to-be across the North East. If you’re about to tie the knot, then you’ll want to feel confident about the way you look when you walk down the aisle in front of your family and friends.

Perhaps you’re the mother of the bride or groom, a bridesmaid or a best man – in which case you’ll want to look good in the spotlight too, especially for those wedding photos!

At Honour Health, we provide a range of advanced aesthetic dental and skin treatments in Jesmond, Ponteland and Stanley, to help you look and feel your best on the big day.

We offer whitening, orthodontics, veneers, crowns, bridges, dental implants and mouth hygiene treatments, as well as a wide range of skin treatments including dermal fillers, muscle relaxants, laser hair removal, near infrared skin tightening, eDermastamp, chemical peels and bespoke skincare advice.

We are also very excited about the launch of our three signature Honour Health treatment packages. The first is the Honour Pout and Smile package, which will help reveal your brightest smile, perfectly framed by soft, full lips. There are three steps to this treatment: the Honour Diamond Airflow – a hygiene treatment, which will ensure a wonderfully clean, fresh mouth, followed by a teeth whitening treatment and lip fillers.

Our second signature treatment is the Honour Power Brow – a brow-lifting treatment using muscle relaxants to create a beautiful arch, lifting the upper part of the face. The third treatment is the Honour Plasma Facial – a revolutionary system which stimulates repair, increases volume and rejuvenates the skin.

If you’d like to find out more about any of our treatments, please visit us for a free, no obligation consultation, where we’ll answer any questions you may have.

Members of our Honour Health Club receive up to 20% off dental treatments and 10% off skin treatments, as well as a range of other benefits including worldwide dental insurance and emergency appointments. If you’d like further information about our membership plans, just ask our reception team.

Honour Health Jesmond (formerly Osborne Dental) Tel: 0191 281 3913 Email: jesmond@honourhealth.co.uk Honour Health Ponteland (formerly Ponteland Dental) Tel: 01661 821 412 Email: ponteland@honourhealth.co.uk

www.honourhealth.co.uk

Honour Health Stanley (formerly Stanley Dental) Tel: 01207 232 725 Email: stanley@honourhealth.co.uk

42 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

When your face hits a certain age there’s no point in beating around the bush: a facial has to do the business. It has to muster some taut, tight, see-a-difference results.

And OMG (as the young people say), the 3D Collagen Shock does that to the max. Wynyard Hall, be prepared for a pilgrimage.

This beauty of a beauty treatment comes from a company you might not have heard of – the Spanish skincare house, Natura Bisse.

But word is out to the likes of Beyonce and Miley Cyrus who are devotees of the brand - we'll have a bit of what they're on.

I’ll talk results first. I’ve never had a facial that made my skin look so good afterwards – I have never felt as comfortable leaving a salon make-up free as I did after this one – even went shopping bare-faced – pretty much a first. My skin looked lifted, plumped and so healthy.

So there's the ‘shock’ in its name.

As a treatment it is so relaxing and, unexpectedly, fun.

It’s a sweetshop of a treatment. Here’s how.

You begin with an uncomplicated cleanse and tone before the start of the three step exfoliation. If you’ve ever had a glycolic peel then you’ll know the feeling; there’s a prickly sensation as the exfoliation happens.

There’s the dabbing of another collagen compound on to the skin and then the utterly fabulous sensation of a frothing, fizzing mask tickling the skin – it feels amazing!

You move on to a warming mask – with a silicon mask over the face – surely there are few things as satisfying as the peeling off of a face mask?

But then it gets better still as two thick brushes are used to ‘spread’ an intense plumping mask over the face – by this time I am feeling like a sponge cake in Bake Off being covered in unctuous Nutella.

While this works its magic, a soothing hand and arm massage is happening and I’m in the half-dozed state of complete relax.

It really is an action-packed session with lots of youth-giving elements to the treatment.

Plenty of research suggests that the combination

of the treatment products combined with intense facial massage work together for maximum and lasting effect.

No doubt about it – this is something that really does reap results. Deep lines are ‘ironed out’ eyes are lifted, in fact everything seems to move up a notch – and the results do stay afterwards.

It’s one of a number of more high-tech treatments that are new to the beauty rooms in Wynyard Hall itself, rather than as part of the spa area.

They are definitely treatments that will appeal to people with skin concerns such as ageing – and rightly so, because they work. The 3D Collagen Shock is brilliant for people preparing for a special occasion and wanting to look as good as they can. It’s a wonder-drug!

3D Collagen Shock is from £90. The new salon services include results-driven treatments such as CACI, as well as microdermabrasion and body sculpting, There is also a menu of treatment which target well-being concerns, such as insomnia and stress. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

Two thick brushes are used to ‘spread’ an intense plumping mask over the face, it feels amazing

JUL/AUG17

Winner of the

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Luxe Half Page_Layout 1 07/05/2017 15:31 Page 1

THE NORTH EAST’S PREMIER SPA

The Spa at Ramside is one of the North East’s premier Spa and health clubs, so whether it is fitness, relaxation or pure pampering you seek, you can be assured of the highest level of service and facilities.

OUR SPA EXPERIENCES FULL DAY SPA EXPERIENCES MAKE MY DAY

Personalise and design your very own spa day totally the way you want it.

TWO PEAS IN A POD

Designed for couples who want to catch up, all in the most stunning surroundings.

HALF DAY SPA EXPERIENCES WAKE UP & SPA

A great ‘pick me up’ which fits nicely into anyone’s busy morning!

MINI SPA

Short on time but BIG on relaxation!

EVERYTHING STOPS FOR TEA

The perfect combination of relaxation and tempting afternoon tea with a twist.

TWILIGHT SPA EXPERIENCES TWILIGHT CATCH UP

Great for celebrating birthdays, winding down after work with colleagues or catching up with good friends or loved ones.

WEEKEND TWILIGHT

Wind down after the strain of a long working week with colleagues or catching up with good friends or loved ones at the weekend.

www.ramsidespa.co.uk | Tel: 0191 375 3088 | enquiries@ramsidespa.co.uk | The Spa at Ramside Hall Hotel Carrville Durham DH1 1TD JUL/AUG17

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 43

CIAO!

LIVING IT UP with Varsha Sehgal Gelato, art, history and shopping in Italy THRILLED BY >> On 31 July Newcastle Film Festival will launch here in the city and I was very privileged to be invited to be a part of it.

The brainchild of Jacqui Miller-Charlton MBE and Kirsty Bell, its aspiration is to become a platform to raise awareness of the talent and business potential in the North East on a global scale. Working on incorporating regional, national and international films and stars, the organisation hopes to bring some of the magic of the French Riviera to our shores and give the city a much needed economic boost.

However, as thrilling as the idea may be that come Easter weekend next year we could be a city studded with stars, the enterprise does need people to get behind it so that Newcastle can finally earn the global recognition it truly deserves.

TRAVELLED TO >> The Renaissance was a cultural manifestation of change in art, politics, architecture and science that swept across Europe in the Late Medieval period, with Florence at its epicentre. Drawn by the generous patronage on offer by the Medici family, the intellectual and artistic flocked to this city to give form to their passions. Galileo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Botticelli and Alberti were just a few of the illustrious stars that walked the streets of Florence once.

My love for this great city saw me return last month and in an attempt to relive its rapture, I discovered the past is ever present in Florence and its magnetism remains undimmed.

Here are some of my must dos.

Sights Piazza Del Duomo here stands the Florence Baptistery dwarfed by the Duomo di Firenze.

Though the frontage of the cathedral is stupefyingly impressive, for me the surprise lies on either sides of the building - the dome that dominates the panorama of Florence and Giotto’s Bell Tower.

Inside, the church is quite austere and houses a crypt. An arduous climb of 463 steps inside the dome is rewarded by a closer view of Vasari’s frescoes that decorate the cupola and excellent views of the city.

Piazza della Signoria - this is a lively square complete with a gallery of statues, shops, restaurants, street performers and the city’s most prominent ancient palace and museum - Palazzo Vecchio and the Uffizi. I would highly recommend pre-booking entry to the Uffizi and allowing ample time to enjoy the works on display which include the venerated statue of Venus de’ Medici. Built to serve as offices, the Uffizi is now in use as a museum and is a perfect example of the detailed and advanced skill of Florentine architecture.

Galleria dell’Accademia - famed for its star resident, Michelangelo’s statue of David, this is another prominent art gallery.

Ponte Vecchio - once a medieval fruit and vegetable market, this was the only bridge to be spared wartime destruction. Today it is a relic bustling with life and a flurry of activity filled with shops selling Florentine trinkets.

Piazzale Michelangelo - a terraced square up in the

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hills offering a bird’s eye view of all of Florence below.

Santa Croce - this is the burial place of some very eminent Italians like Galileo, Michelangelo and Rossini.

Basilica di Santa Trinita - the frescoes that adorn the Sassetti Chapel within this church are considered to be one of the only frescoes still intact despite restoration.

Dining Trattorias - regarded as the best Florence has to offer, the food at 13 Gobbi and Antico Fattore has a hearty feel, it’s simple and yet heavenly.

Trendy - Locale and Lungarno Bistrot have the surprise element of an unassuming appearance and yet are anything but. Places to be seen where the food is an artform.

Fine Dining - recommended by the Michelin, Ora D’Aria and Enoteca Pinchiorri both resonate excellence and a passion for food.

Best Vantage Point - the food at the Golden View is satisfying but it is the cocktails at sunset overlooking Ponte Vecchio that make this place a special gem in the city.

Exceptional - a never-tried-before experience for me was to be invited by a celebrated chef, food writer and restaurateur to her home in the hills where she had prepared a home-cooked feast, matched perfectly with a wine for each course. It was truly memorable to dine under a clear sky, decked with twinkling stars and share a table with a remarkable Fiorentini.

Gelato - the birthplace of gelato, in Florence Gelateria Santa Trinita is favoured even by the locals. The portions are generous and flavours decadent hence, narrowing one’s choice down to a flavour or two is a difficult decision indeed!

Vineyards - a trip to the vineyards in Tuscany should not be missed as it is only an hour-long drive and extremely picturesque.

Poggio Amorelli produces some of the finest Chianti in the region. The wines are a single grape (Sangiovese) produce with all the emphasis being on creating something special.

Here it is possible to take a Vespa through the vineyards the quintessential Italian thing to do - and watch the grapevines bake under the hot sun. I would highly recommend taking home their twenty year aged balsamic vinegar and a sparkling white wine called Poggio Barbone Vermentino Spumante.

Sant Appiano is very proud to have been producing wine for the Pope for centuries and offers some very exceptional vintages. The owners had arranged a home-cooked lunch for us and it is no exaggeration when I say, I had the pleasure of sampling the best lasagne ever which washed

down beautifully with the robust Toscana Dincanto or 100% Merlot.

Shopping If you wish to burn a hole in your pocket there is no dearth of shops and attentive assistants to help you achieve that in Florence!

The Momoni boutique was a real find for some exquisite Italian tailoring and chic styling.

Enoteca Alessi had everything to offer a budding chef hoping to make a foray into Italian cooking, as well as fine local wines.

TASTED >> Two shipping containers in the Ouseburn, a talented chef, her kitchen and delicious nosh - that is the Cookhouse.

A quirky concept, it offers a menu that changes daily with everything homemade and an option to bring your own drink. Sat under the sun in a little make-shift courtyard at the back, I thoroughly relished what I believe to have been the best roast pork bun I’ve ever had and tucking into the dark chocolate and almond cake was the perfect ending to a very chilled out and pleasurable visit.

TEMPTED BY >> Every summer Dolce & Gabbana launches its capsule collection with key essentials in vibrant prints - the Sicilian influence is obvious and the outcome always bold.

However, this year they’ve gone for an English-inspired pretty Hydrangea print in delicate hues of blue, green and lavender. My eyes are on a floaty kaftan which will make a dreamy coverage for a beachside lunch in St. Tropez come August Bank Holiday!

TRIED ON >> Eye creams and makeup aren’t always the best of companions and the hot weather only seems to add to the horror of a melting face and huge panda eyes; however, a good skincare regime dictates we should look after the delicate skin around this area vigilantly. Only two months ago I switched to Environ Vita Peptide Eye Gel and am pleased to say my eyes definitely feel fresher and brighter and it isn’t tampering with my eyeliner.

THINKING ABOUT >> After a twenty year sabbatical from fictional writing, Arundhati Roy’s much awaited novel, ‘The Ministry of Utmost Happiness’ has finally arrived. Her debut novel, ‘The God Of Small Things’ won her the Man Booker Prize so the expectations are high and I’m pretty sure the book will not disappoint.

JUL/AUG17

ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR PERFECT KITCHEN

“Luxurious hand-crafted kitchens designed with you in mind.”

www.oakstonedesigns.co.uk

01325 366 948

Follow us on Pinterest and Instagram @OakstoneDesigns

ALL TO PLAY FOR

These days a game of golf might mean nerves but it doesn’t mean stress for golfer Lee Westwood. Nevertheless, all eyes will be turned to the adopted local boy when he hosts the British Masters in Northumberland in September.

Kathryn Armstrong joined him for breakfast to talk about the big event

MASTER STROKE At the grand old age of 44, Lee Westwood’s biggest golf games see him pitted against ‘kids’ these days. He’s out to stay fit and strong but has other weapons in his armour that the youngsters might not, be it a spa day massage or a session of reflexology.

You could say his game has risen to a more spiritual level after 24 years padding the greens - and hosting the British Masters on home ground at Close House this year will be the icing on a cake worthy of the Bake-off winner.

Naturally he plans to win it on home turf. Which would be brilliant for the many thousands of golf enthusiasts who are already booked in to add support at the biggest sporting event the region has seen for some time.

Westwood is settled and savvy at Close House in Northumberland these days, a place which is very much home in terms of work and time-off. His partner, Helen Storey is sister-in-law of Close House owner Graham Wylie and her mum lives in a house in the grounds.

Helen and Lee live in Jesmond but are never far from the home comforts of Close House: “We got back from Stockholm last night and there was nothing in the fridge – so it’s round to mam’s for Sunday dinner – there’s always food”, laughs Lee. We meet up with Lee and Helen at breakfast time in the Close House clubhouse. Lee orders a bacon and egg buttie only to find a far healthier plate of scrambled eggs, brown toast and salmon is put before him.

Helen is a personal trainer so she keeps and eye on him: “I am known as the food police”, she says. They train together and the gym has to play a big part in their lives.

“I’m a constant pain in the ass. He tells me to bugger off – we train together but he doesn’t take any instruction”, she laughs.

For Lee times have changed within the golf tour: “The early nineties when I first came on tour, there were very few people who used the gym and now I would say nearly everybody’s in there. That’s why people’s careers are going on a bit longer. I’m 44 now and I like to stay strong and fit. There’s no reason why you can’t stay healthy and compete into your mid-forties.”

Experience means a lot in the game of golf and maturity adds a confidence. The Westwood practise routine these days easily contains a spa treat for a massage or a session of reflexology.

“For sure, playing golf is easier when you’re not thinking of anything, when your mind’s completely clear. And physically, when you spend all day on your feet it’s nice to have reflexology.

“I don’t get stressed, 24 years doing it, you’re used to it; obviously you get nervous, but I wouldn’t say golf stresses me any more. I go out and play and do as good as I can do.

“Reaching world number one was obviously the highlight so far and that’s certainly something you want to tick off. The other side is you know how good you want to be so you strive to get back to that – or as high up the world rankings as possible”, he admits. >>

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ALL TO PLAY FOR

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 47

ALL TO PLAY FOR >> Helen Storey caddies for Lee in Abu Dhabi

His regular caddy Billy Foster had to return to the UK following the death of his father, so Helen stepped up to the tee.

“It was excellent, really good. I didn’t help technically but I wanted a physical challenge”, she says.

Lee chuckles: “I said to Helen, ‘can you carry that bag all round?’ Which was obviously like a red rag to a bull. We both really enjoyed it, I was very relaxed out there.”

Less relaxing for Helen: “I’m used to wandering around the outside as a spectator – but as caddy I really had to concentrate on keeping out of the way and cope with rules about the flag, etiquette about cleaning the ball. The longest day was 5 and 3/4 hours. It was so hot – I started the day looking glam and ended up looking like a drowned rat! Hair a mess, makeup melted”, says Helen.

Sporting life

My plan is to win in September, yes whether it goes right, who knows?

“I should know the golf course better than anyone else!

In terms of the forthcoming British Masters, naturally he’s in it to win it.

“I’m feeling quite confident, I’ve played well the last few weeks; the game is starting to come right for the right time of year – it’s always nice to play well in summer because of so many big tournaments, I’m quite positive.”

As Luxe went to press Lee had just competed in his 18th US Open finishing with a four-over 76 to end on seven over.

He is close friends with professionals on the tour – he and Helen will be at Sergio Garcia’s wedding in Austin, Texas this summer with the Willets, Danny and Nicole.

For the Close House competition in September, Lee has collected an impressive field of adversaries, so how is it shaping up?

“I’m very excited. When they said a few years back you’ll be hosting the Masters, where would you like it, I said I wanted to take it to Close House and the North of England.

“It’s great for the area – you know how people are for sport here!

“We’re going to get a world class field: Sergio Garcia, Danny Willet – the last two Masters champions.

“Hopefully there will be a bit of breeze to make the Colt Course a bit trickier; the course will have had all summer to mature.

“It’s a fantastic event for the area, ten thousand free tickets went in 26 minutes.”

The big hitters will be out in force, so who does Lee rate this season?

“I think Sergio is going to have a good rest of the year. I think he is going to play

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well in the majors because for so long he didn’t win a major then he won the Masters in Augusta in April - that’s taken a weight off his shoulders and he’ll play well in most of the majors now.

“I think Rory’s [McIlroy] going to have a good summer once he gets fit again – there are so many good players now. I think Ricky Fowler is going to have a good summer.

“My plan is to win in September, yes whether it goes right, who knows?

“I should know the golf course better than anyone else; but the trouble is that with being an ambassador for it and getting as good a field as possible, I’m bringing all the good players here – I should probably try and keep them away!

“I just hope everyone comes and they enjoy the golf course, they enjoy playing a tournament in Newcastle, I know the fans are all looking forward to it and the club is looking forward to hosting it.

“It’s supporting a great charity too – the Graham Wylie Foundation – so there’s nothing but positives to come from it. I’m a patron of the foundation and help out whenever I can, keep tabs on what they are doing, lend support whenever I can.

“There will be a celebrity pro-am tournament with Alan Shearer, Ant & Dec [we spoke just before Ant McPartlin was revealed to be in rehab], Jeremy Kyle, plenty of faces.

Lee has been associated with Close House for six years now, he became the attached Pro and opened the course when he was world number one.

“For such a young course it has done phenomenally well, the Masters is fantastic in the evolution of the golf course.”

Lee is from Worksop in the Midlands; “I’ve got a rough Midlands miner’s accent – but now some Geordie-isms come out I’m told.”

Helen frequently joins him on tour and earlier this year took centre stage with him acting as caddy for Lee at the HSBC Championships in Abu Dhabi.

“First time a caddy has ever said ‘this course is wrecking my make-up!”, laughs Lee. Lee splits his time between the North East, his global travels on the tour and Edinburgh, where his son, Sam, 16 and Poppy 13, live and go to school.

It’s a city he loves and where he can indulge his passion for shopping and designer labels.

Harvey Nichols in Edinburgh is a second home, says Helen.

“He’s a top shopper – very good at it!

He’ll send me pictures as he shops – knows his way round the MAC and Tom Ford counters! He could even have a sideline as a personal shopper.”

Lee confesses to a trainer fetish, his brand of choice being Giuseppe Zanotti – today’s pair croc-effect white leather.

His carefully chosen outfit for our shoot consists of an Orlebar Brown polo, Cerruti cardigan, Jacob Cohen jeans, “I feel like eight-years-old” he quips as Helen checks the label.

“Free socks and pants! Happy Socks that were in a goodie bag for players at the Nordea Masters in Sweden!”

He’ll be well turned out at Close House for the Masters in September and is urging the people of the North East to get behind the exciting tournament.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm – it’s known as the people’s tournament and one which we encourage people to come to especially if they haven’t been to a golf tournament before.”

British Masters is at Close House 28 September-1 October. www.closehouse.com/british-masters 25% of all ticket sales made via Close House will go to the Graham Wylie Foundation. www.grahamwyliefoundation.org.uk

LEE’S FAVOURITE FIXTURES >> Cheltenham Races – a must-do annual fixture. He’s got a few horses – flat and jumps.

Magic Weekend rugby league in Newcastle.

Rugby internationals – watching Scotland or England.

Nottingham Forest games – his team – and a bit of NUFC these days.

Couple of days at Ascot.

Wimbledon on the second Monday, always lovely great craic in the royal box: “everyone turns up prim and proper; by the end of the day, you can see everyone wanting to fall asleep!”, says Helen.

Skiing – just started this year.

LEE’S TOP THREE COURSES >> Augusta, Pebble Beach, Muirfield.

LUXE PEOPLE >> Family & close friends.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > South of France.

A long holiday > Sydney.

A treat > Florence.

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Pea & ham soup – liver, onions & chips.

Best wine > Sassicaia, Tuscan red.

Favourite restaurant > Scotts in Mayfair.

Perfect weekend > Doing nothing watching sport - relaxing.

Best telly > horseracing and rugby.

Best book > Chimp Mind ManagementSteve Peters.

Best sounds > Champagne corks popping!

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > New York.

Favourite shop > Flannels.

Luxe retail treat > A new pair of trainers or a new suit.

Best Buy > Lululemon clothing for travelling.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > New York in City Winery - watching Prince do an impromptu set lasting 2 1/2 hours.

Perfect party > intimate with friends.

Best dress > A nice suit - local designer Duke Ata is creating my morning suit for Ascot.

Dinner date > Chèvre D’Or in Eze, in the South of France - but not the food from tasting menu as it’s huge!

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BROWSING

live it luxe all day every day

A very and stylish corner of the Internet, filled with the best bits from the North Eastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most celebrated lifestyle magazines. Browse our website at:

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 49

HOUND HOLS

POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Agnew

Soaking up the summer sun…

The great British summer is upon us. And with the sunshine days comes light night BBQs, doggy holidays, stylish summer buys and beachy catch-ups with our little Luxe mascot, Jefferson.

Alfie is already embracing the great outdoors this season. Flouncing through the freshly cut fields, roaming the garden and snooping for some serious summer fun.

Does your pup deserve a doggy holiday?

We’ve packed your poochy suitcase for you - with everything you might need for a trip away with the whole family and your furry friend.

As a region of dog lovers, we’re feeling super proud this summer in the North East. Local charity WECare Worldwide has been working around the clock to send a shipping container filled with treats and medical supplies to aid street dogs overseas. We can’t wait to see the smiles on the faces of our four-legged friends in Sri Lanka. Stay tuned on www.luxe-magazine.co.uk for updates.

Enjoy the sunshine!

Alfie loves:

Alfie’s packed his suitcase for a hound holiday. Here’s what you’ll need if you’re vacationing with your furry friend…

For the diva dog The perfect accessory if you’re off to a glitzy event this summer.

Simply slide the elastic loop onto your dog’s collar and hey presto - one super dapper pooch!

Bow Tie £7; www.puptart.co.uk

✰ For the camping canine Take your canine camping this summer - and give them their own little hideout. Handmade tipi is easy to pack and pops up as a snug little den! £54; www.notonthehighstreet.com

For the weekend away wag This stylish dog travel bag is perfect for dog-friendly weekends away or days out - giving every member of the family their own bag to carry their necessities.

Dog Tote Travel Bag £120; www.store.styletails.com

Alfie, your luxe pooch x

Luxe Pooch Q&A do anything for treats, especially cheese!

LUXE WALKS >> I love my walks. A nice leisurely stroll through the park, on the beach or running around the woods.

Anything goes really… unless it’s raining - you won’t catch me out in the wet stuff.

No way am I wandering around with soggy little paws.

A sunny stroll would be my choice, hopefully getting to chase some unsuspecting cyclists and finishing off with an ice cream with the old folks.

Jefferson is a rather cheeky 8-month-old Miniature Dachshund. He has the puppy eyes to manipulate and get his own way and is an extremely inquisitive attentionseeking pup with a talent for mischief.

The little sausage might be small in stature, but this doesn’t stop him laying claim to being man of the house. He’ll also

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POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> My perfect day out would be a ride out to King Edward’s Bay in Tynemouth to meet up with my brother, Robson.

It’s such great fun. We never get bored of lapping the beach, chasing the waves.

We have a lovely hipster lunch at Riley’s Fish Shack before leaping back on the beach for more cheeky antics. When I get home I’m ready for a long snooze. I’m always tired the next day too - my version of what you lot call a ‘hangover’ I guess.

DOGGY DOWNTIME >> Downtime for me has to be cuddles with mam and dad.

I’ll work my way onto the couch then

find the most awkward position possible and then it’s doggy dream time. Some say I snore a little but I don’t believe them.

I’m too cute.

HOUND HABITS >> Looking cute. Is that a habit?

I do also have a habit of stealing socks and I’m really good at hide and seek too.

I will sneak upstairs (I’m not allowed upstairs) and find an odd sock to steal then go hide. Simple really. Due to this habit I seem to have acquired the nickname of Dobby - whoever that is.

PUPPY PAMPER >> I do very little pampering. I look this cute when I wake up. However, I find a bath with some doggy shampoo with a little aftershave on special occasions works a treat.

DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> My brother Robson.

As soon as we see each other we have a little wrestle then we run around after each other like crazy hounds. We often take a break and stop for a snuggle and a power nap then playtime resumes.

Ahh, a dog’s life!

Shipping supplies to our Sri Lankan friends A local veterinary charity has sent a shipment container to aid street dogs in Sri Lanka.

WECare Worldwide is a registered North East charity set up by UK vets to help the stray dogs of Sri Lanka in desperate need of care.

The charity provides neutering, vaccinations, treatments and toys for furry friends overseas.

The container is packed full of medical equipment and pet suppliers, donated by both North East and nationwide supporters.

Gosforth vet Janey Lowes set up the charity after raising concerns about a plight of injured animals while on holiday in Sri Lanka in 2014.

The charity has since treated thousands of animals in need, whilst also helping to tackle the spread of disease on the island.

Janey has received a prestigious ‘Point of Light’ award in recognition of her volunteer work and also won ‘Vet of the Year 2017’ at the Daily Mirror’s Animal Hero Awards.

She said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to finally be able to send this urgently needed equipment to Sri Lanka where it can be put to good use.

“We put out an appeal over a year ago to colleagues, reps, clients and animal lovers.

We are now lucky enough to have a container full to the brim of goodies that will make a huge difference to what we can achieve on the ground in Sri Lanka.

Keep up to date with the arrival of the shipment on the charity’s Facebook page: www.facebook.com/WECareWorldwide

Robson

and

Jeffer

son

FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> My fondest memory would have to be snuggling with my favourite ted as a pup. I loved him so much his stuffing came out. Then I loved his arms off. And eventually his head. Oh I miss my ted…

PUPPY A-LISTER >> If I was to be likened to a celebrity it would have to be Prince Harry. A handsome redhead who is a huge hit with the ladies. And the fact that he is royalty just makes this the perfect suit.

Don’t forget to send in pics of your pooch for our next issue via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram…

www.facebook.com/luxemag theluxemagazine

@TheLuxeMagazine or @LuxeyPooch

JUL/AUG17

XXXXXXXX JUMP JOY

ON THE HOOF Deborah Smith looks forward to a sunny summer season Sunday afternoon and other times by prior arrangement. Mary Ann also holds regular events throughout the year, so it’s well worth checking what’s coming up. As well as originals and prints, her artwork makes it onto iPad and kindle covers, scarves, cushions and much, much more. For further information see www.marogers.com With summer now in full swing there is so much on and we are all making the most of every opportunity to be out doing something with our horses. I had a great time at two of the spring ‘camps’ at Park End and like all the other ‘campers’ left feeling full of confidence thanks to the

excellent and supportive coaching from Charlotte Ridley, John Hill and Karen Dixon.

Being based in the North East it’s a straightforward trip up to East Ayrshire in Scotland and some of the excellent venues there, so Oli and I have had a couple of road trips: north showjumping to Muirmill near Kilmarnock and also south to Sykehouse near Doncaster. Eventing wise we had a great first competition at Warwick Hall and have just completed Belsay Horse Trials – a fabulous venue and stunning back-drop. Looking forward to Kirkley Hall Horse Trials near Ponteland which is always a favourite.

Event diary County and local shows The summer is the season for agricultural shows and although these aren’t solely equestrian – you can get your fill of horses, food, rural crafts and countryside pursuits and much more at: THE GREAT YORKSHIRE SHOW >> 11-13 JULY 2017 Great Yorkshire Showground, Wetherby Road Harrogate, North Yorkshire HG2 8NZ One of the largest events of its kind attracting around 130,000 visitors over three days at its extensive showground on the edge of Harrogate.

2017 will be the 159th show. Attractions include show animals, country demonstrations, have-a-go activities and the Great Yorkshire Cheese & Dairy Show.

Lots of fashion, rural crafts and shopping. www.greatyorkshireshow.co.uk

Horses, hounds and High Plains make for a happy collaboration bringing joy to the jumps Animals feature through the history of art from the Chauvet cave paintings in France, the Parthenon sculptures to the Bayeux tapestry and now courtesy of Northumberland-based artist, Mary Ann Rogers, they have made it on to show jumping fences in Riding Mill.

Mary Ann, whose highly collectable work featuring British and African wildlife, flowers and birds is exhibited throughout the UK, teamed up with her long-term friend Julie Howard, who runs High Plains Equestrian Centre, to design a Fox and Hounds themed show jump ‘filler’ which now has pride of place at the High Plains show jumping competitions.

“It just started as a bit of banter” explains Julie, who claims the credit for coming up with the idea.

“We’ve known each other for years and we are both very competitive, especially when it comes to ‘off the wall’ ideas.”

Never one to turn down a challenge and being an enthusiastic equestrian herself, competing in British Eventing horse trials, Mary Ann enlisted the help of TopSigns of Hexham to bring the design to life and make the filler. The result is, like all of Mary Ann’s artwork, bright and lively, full of energy and unique.

Julie is delighted with the result.

“We run show jumping throughout the year here and riders like to be able to jump a

JUL/AUG17

full, well-built course of bright jumps and it’s fantastic to have something unique that no other venue will have.”

If you’d like to try your horse or pony over the High Plains Fox and Hounds filler, then their showjumping events start at 45cm and then range up to 95cm and are qualifiers for the UK Riders national amateur series.

I go to High Plains every couple of weeks with Oli and Strider and we hack around the Woodland Ride and use the XC schooling field; definitely worth a visit and suitable for all ages and abilities. Julie and her team are so friendly and helpful and the facilities are immaculate. High Plains is a BHS Approved Livery yard offering a high standard of livery services and coaching from Julie who holds the BHS Intermediate Teaching Test.

This year Julie is also running ‘Take Back the Reins’: a series of workshops which offer riders the opportunity to improve their partnership with their horse and have lots of fun doing it. Each workshop has a different theme and promises to put a whole new perspective on your riding, without the pressure of competition or having to get dressed up. The workshops are for horses and riders of ages and abilities - sessions are in groups of four over two hours.

For more information: contact Julie on ride@high-plains.co.uk or visit www.high-plains.co.uk Mary Ann Rogers’s superb gallery, overlooking the River Rede at West Woodburn near Hexham, is open every

CLEVELAND SHOW >> 22 JULY 2017 Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR Cleveland Show features the Sheep Show, the Dog and Duck show, a free children’s fun zone plus craft and trade stands, army assault course, live music, fun fair, show jumping and much more. Also, all the usual classes for horses, cattle, sheep, goats, show jumping, vintage machinery, dogs, rabbits, ferrets, pigeons and poultry, horticulture and honey.

BORROWBY SHOW >> 26 JULY 2017 Hillside Rural Activities Park, Oaktree Bank South, Knayton, Thirsk, YO7 4AX The Borrowby Show highlights include field classes covering most farm animals, tent classes & exhibits for cattle, sheep, farm produce, vegetables, flowers, cookery, wine, arts & crafts and children’s competitions. There are show jumping events, a gymkhana and a fancy dress parade.

STANHOPE SHOW >> 9-10 SEPTEMBER 2017 Unthank Park, Stanhope, County Durham, DL13 2PQ The 176th Stanhope Show showcases agriculture, local industries and activities to the public. It’s a day of entertainment, information, fun, competitions and traditional values and memories.

Horse racing York’s flagship race meeting, The Welcome to Yorkshire Ebor Festival, offers four spectacular days of racing action from Wednesday 23 to Saturday 26 August. This is one of the premier race meetings with some of the richest, fastest, oldest and most famous races of the season. Thursday 24 August features the Darley Yorkshire Oaks & Ladies Day: home to the highest rated mare and fillies race in Europe 2014-16, the Group 1 Darley Yorkshire Oaks.

The social highlight of the fourdays race meeting is when racegoers can ‘dress to impress’ for fabulous prizes on the Ebor Fashion Lawn including a luxury trip courtesy of Marriott Hotels.

Heavy Horses The Dapple Clydesdale stud is just down the road from me at High Stoop near Tow Law. With their own successes at the recent Northumberland show the stud organises its own Clydesdale show on Sunday 2 July with both in-hand classes and ridden classes. A family day out not to be missed and an opportunity to see these gentle giants close up. This is the time of year to see the foals as well, so an added bonus as they are gorgeous! For more information telephone Gary on 07971 987913 or James 07710 429312

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NICE AT NINE

WELCOME!

High days and holiday for our growing girl

Nina’s NINE! That’s right, I’m very proud to announce that I am a whole year older than my last column (well not really, but you know what I mean!) In fact I wonder whether I’m growing out of my own page.

Little Luxe seems too small a name now that I have my big teeth and I’m in Year 4 (that translates to second year juniors to old skoolers like my mum and dad). Maybe we should have a renaming ceremony for Tween Luxe or Not So Little Now Luxe. Hmmmm, I’m not sure – I think there are too many good reasons to stay little for as long as possible, don’t you?!

with Nina Robinson

Nina x

N i n a : lo v e s Could there be a more glamorous reason to put down your iPad and get out into the garden this summer than this gorgeous gypsy caravan?! Sitting on static wheels and featuring a charming stable door, it’s the perfect prop for endless adventures. Whether a cowboy wagon rolling through the prairie, or a shepherdess tending her flock on a Scottish island, little luxes can travel to lands afar, all from the safety of the back garden.

Herefordshire-based The Playhouse Company is a specialist in designing and hand building wooden playhouses, as well as producing one-off bespoke creations. Price, £1,925, www.theplayhousecompany.co.uk

Postcard from Rome

One on one with Peter Pan This is very exciting. I’m actually in Never Land to talk to the one-and-only Peter Pan. In fact, there he is! Peter Pan! Over here!

Well, hi there. Who are you?

Oh, I’m Nina. I’m visiting from the U.K. Aw, I go there all the time. Mostly to London. It’s easy to fly here from there, huh? Just follow the second star to the right and straight on till morning.

That’s exactly how I did it. Is your family from London?

Gee, I don’t know. I can’t remember. But I’ve got a swell family here. There’s the Lost Boys and Tinker Bell, and Wendy and John and Michael just came to visit. Come to think of it, Wendy kinda acts like a mother. She tells neat stories and always wants us to wash our hands.

Do you all live in a house here on the island?

I can’t tell you that. That old codfish, Captain Hook, might be listening. We can’t let him find our secret hideout.

Oh, right. About Captain Hook, why are you two such enemies?

‘Cause he’s a no-good pirate, that’s why! He’s always trying to hurt my friends. Serves him right if that crocodile catches him.

I know it frustrates him that you can fly and he can’t. What’s your secret?

Aw, anybody can fly if they really want to. It’s easy. You just think of a wonderful thought, and if you’ve got faith and trust and a little bit of pixie dust, you’ll be in the air in no time.

Pixie dust?

Yep. The pixies use it to fly. And since my friend Tink is a pixie, she lets me borrow some. Tink is the best! Except when she gets jealous. She can be real mean to Wendy and the mermaids. I don’t get it.

You mean the mermaids from Mermaid Lagoon? I’d love to see that part of the island.

Sure, I’ll take ya there. Then we can go to Marooner’s Rock and Crocodile Creek. There’s lots of swell places to visit on Never Land. I bet you’ll never want to leave!

That does sound like fun. Well, shall we start the tour?

Sure, just follow me!

Join Peter Pan and a host of favourite Disney stars at Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle for Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure, 3 - 8 October 2017.

Tickets www.metroradioarena.co.uk

Birthday bridge climbing!

I passed on the chance to have a party for my birthday this year and instead decided to mark my maturity with a white-knuckle adventure with my friend Ruby! We chose to try the high wire challenges of Air Trail at the Tees Barrage in Stockton – and I’m so glad we did because this place is awesome! It’s basically a giant climbing frame set over four levels and containing 38 unique challenges including wobbly rope bridges, troublesome tight ropes, crazy cargo nets, swinging stepping stones and full length zip wires – all floating high above the River Tees! It’s all very safe, with a harness attaching you to an overhead wire so you can’t fall but the sense of stepping out – so high above the ground – is amazing! After unleashing our inner Tarzan, we had a birthday picnic in the sunshine and even spotted a few cute seals exploring the entrance to the Tees Barrage. What a day!

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Ciao bella! I’m just back from a lovely adventure roaming around in Rome. Considering I am often powered by pasta, pizza, ice cream and cuddles from my mum’s Italian godmother Auntie Audrey (said with an Italian flourish!)

Italy is something of a spiritual home for me!

The fresh pasta was so eggy! The pizzas were so big! And the ice cream was so, well, creamy!

We scared ourselves with stories of gladiators at the Colosseum, threw pennies into the Trevi Fountain, bathed in the ocean at Ostia and tried to spot the Pope at the Vatican City. Bellicima!

Fresh air, art and architecture!

Head off the beaten track to enjoy some fresh air, art and architecture with a series of special guided tours at Kielder Water & Forest Park this summer.

Each three-hour minibus tour gives families the chance to learn about the stories and inspiration behind some of Kielder’s most iconic pieces hidden in the depths of the forest.

Tours take place on Sunday, July 30, Sunday, August 13 and Wednesday, August 16. All run from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

Booking is essential and prices are £10 per person, or £25 for a family ticket covering two adults and two children. For more information, www.visit kielderartandarchitecture.com

JUL/AUG17

Independent day school for boys and girls aged 3-18

open morning: saturday 23rd september, 9am to 12noon

HILLTOP HAVEN

AND RELAX Hip hotels with Debrah Dhugga Roads less travelled Debrah has a moment of calm in magical Mallorca

HOTEL >> Recently, I spent a wonderful few days at the Park Hyatt Mallorca, and returned feeling thoroughly relaxed and re-energised.

The hotel only opened last summer and transports you to an authentic Mallorcan hilltop village; it’s so very pretty with amazing views over the sea on this quiet, less explored east coast of Mallorca.

The hotel is about an hour’s drive from the airport and a taxi would set you back about €150. Alternatively, you can take the train and the bus from the airport to the resort and this would only cost about €15, otherwise car hire is a good option.

ROOMS >> Check in to one of the 142 individually designed guest rooms overlooking the Canyamel Valley. All the rooms are modern and elegant but have hints of the surrounding area as they incorporate timeless regional touches into their design.

The rooms, as I’d hoped, were large and luxurious - all the rooms have lavish open-plan bathrooms with oversized stand-alone bath tub, dedicated rain-shower, mirror integrated TV and separate WC. Each room also has a private terrace perfect for an afternoon snooze If you’re looking for that extra bit of luxury there are 16 suites. The Presidential Suite is the largest available - a palatial 150sqm and includes a bedroom, bathroom, study, dining room and sitting room!

RELAX >> There are three swimming pools, including one specially for children and a stunning seven-room spa.

SPA >> The Serenitias Spa uses the ESPA product line and offers a host of luscious treatments – to energise or relax – whatever you’re up for!

If you choose to go as a couple, I’d recommend trying one of the two couple’s rooms for a relaxing spa experience together, the Serenitas couples’ escape lasts 110mins and costs €480/£408pc.

OUT & ABOUT >> Mallorca is a dream of a place for cyclists a fantastic way to see the island; I’d recommend you pack a picnic, cycle along the coast and find a secluded spot to spend the day in the sun - we went cycling every morning after breakfast and found some

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Factbox My stay at Park Hyatt Mallorca was a wonderful escape from daily life in the most beautiful part of Mallorca. I’d really recommend it to anyone who wants a truly relaxing holiday, with an easy quick flight but where there are luxurious facilities and things to see and do.

Nightly rates at Park Hyatt Mallorca start from €500/£425* in a Park King Room, including breakfast & VAT. To make a booking email mallorca.park@hyatt.com or visit www.mallorca.park.hyatt.com Flights: Various options from Newcastle airport direct to Palma

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Treat yourself THIS SUMMER

SUMMER SLEEPOVER

At the Award Winning Cleveland Tontine fabulous little hidden spots.

There are four golf courses within 15 minutes’ of the hotel and bikes are also available.

When I wanted to do something that wasn’t lying by the pool or treating myself in the spa I found there were plenty of other activities and places to visit to keep me entertained. This is a particularly beautiful and cultural corner of Mallorca.

The Caves of Arta are a very impressive natural wonder close to the hotel and well worth a visit if you need some shade from the sun. Capdepera Castle, a 14th Century fortress is also great for a day out, the castle stands proudly above the town of Capdepera, which also hosts weekly markets, giving you a flavour of life as a local.

FOOD GLORIOUS FOOD >> One of the best things about going on holiday is, of course, the food. Park Hyatt Mallorca serves up a wonderful selection of dishes in the range of restaurants.

In keeping with the village style of the hotel, all the restaurants surround the central Plaza de la Torre, which becomes a bustling centre in the evenings for guests to explore. The hotel has four restaurants; Balearic, Tapas Bar, Asia, and Café sa Plaça which showcase executive chef Felix Petrucco’s passion for using local produce and organic ingredients.

From the natural honey at breakfast to the freshly barbecued pork and seafood, as much as possible is sourced on the island.

Dinner, Bed & Breakfast with a complimentary glass of Pimms on arrival

Cleveland Tontine is brought to you by

7 beautiful en-suite bedrooms... cocktail bar, bistro & private dining open 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner

£149 per room

T&C’s: Available Sunday to Friday until 31st August 2017. Subject to availability, based on 2 people sharing.

1 glass of Pimms per person. When booking please quote ‘Summer Sleepover’

01609 882671 | Staddlebridge, Northallerton, DL6 3JB enquiries@theclevelandtontine.com | www.theclevelandtontine.com

The Suite Life...

Retreat, escape and relax in the luxurious comforts of Seaham Hall. Retreat to your deluxe suite and dine on the finest food in the North East. You may even have time to take a dip in our award winning spa during your stay. Seaham Hall is just a short drive from the City of Durham and sits on a striking cliff top overlooking the Durham Heritage Coastline.

Sounds pretty good, doesn’t it?

Suites from £195 based on two people sharing.

Seaham Hall Hotel, Lord Byron’s Walk, County Durham, Sr7 7Ag Tel: 0191 516 1400 Email: reservations@Seaham-Hall.com www.seahamhall.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

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LOVE LIFE XXXXXXXX

Generation ageless Beware of the summer burnout says Laura Beckingham Long days, light nights, warm air.

Summer is here.

Ironically, the season of chilling-out, coasting and going with the flow can often be anything but. It’s easy to think you want to be out, socialising, partying and ‘joining in’.

Holidays, birthday parties, barbecues, beer gardens… the social scene can take over, and lovely though this is, it can be too much. Sometimes you want to say no; stay in, have quiet time, be still. The tension between the two choices can be exhausting in itself and that can lead towards burnout, which often hits come September in the midst of the ‘back to school’ window.

So how do you avoid burnout from summer social overload?

The key is to tune in to what kind of summer you want to have, to get clear on what you want and need. Once you do that, you can make decisions about what you do that are in line with that. You can choose what brings you the most joy and the most peace.

So, absolutely enjoy your ‘yeses!’ Here are some frames on why it’s OK to say no when everyone around you wants you to say yes: It’s OK to say no… because you’re too tired and want to listen to your body and stay still.

Its OK to say no… because tired or not, you just want some time alone.

It’s OK to say no… because you just don’t do ‘that kind of thing’ anymore. Life moves on and our decisions and choices do too.

It’s OK to say no… because you don’t quite fancy what’s on offer; somehow though your rational mind would say yes, you’re just not feeling the vibe this time.

It’s OK to say no… because you don’t know yet.

It’s OK to say no… because the people you’d be spending time with just aren’t ‘your people’.

It’s OK to say no… because you have other plans.

It’s OK to say no… after you’ve said yes…for avoidance of doubt it is OK to change your mind.

In short, it’s just OK to say no, if the answer is no.

This summer is the time for you to start worrying less about being seen as unreliable, unsociable or indecisive. The time for you to care less about saving face, pleasing people and playing it safe. This summer is the time for you to start getting courageous about making the right decisions for you and taking care of what you need. So choose wisely.

If you sense you’ll need a reset once summer is over, then come and join me at the Instant Pause one day retreat in Newcastle on 21 September. Get in touch with me to know more.

Follow Laura on social media or get in touch for one-to-one coaching sessions and group retreats. @space_with_in

@space.with_i

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@spacewithindevelopment

We’re talking to people who have made interesting life/work changes and have a positive attitude to mid-life, doing things differently, changing their pace of life, their priorities, reflecting on what’s gone before and the new opportunities and challenges to come.

Northumberland-based Anna Gibson is the co-founder of Micro Scooters. She runs the business with husband Ben and her co-founder Philippa Gogarty. Anna is 50 and has three sons I used to do this…

Why/how I made a change…

Work as a maritime lawyer. I enjoyed the problem solving and the negotiation but ultimately got no satisfaction from litigating with the sole purpose of moving money from one insurance company to another - I decided that there must be more to life than that.

I trusted my gut. As soon as my son hopped on a Mini Micro scooter and I experienced the positive impact it had on his life and mine I knew other parents and families would benefit from experiencing the same. I had to convince the Swiss manufacturer (Micro Mobility) to trust me to sell the Micro scooter in the UK. My job was then to convince families in the UK of the benefits of the Mini Micro. My belief in the product never wavered and I think that helped enormously.

Now life is about…

Running Micro Scooters and dealing with all of the challenges that that involves. There are now millions of children and an increasing number of adults all over the UK who are using scooters as part of their daily routine. Life is about seeing the change that scooters can make to everyday life and the positive impact that our company has had on family life experiences, and having made many friends.

Family is all about…

Time. Spending time with my husband and three boys. It’s about doing stuff together whether it’s sailing, camping, biking, swimming, eating, laughing or playing football (badly in my case).

JUL/AUG17

LOVE LIFE

I’m lucky I can…

Work with my husband and run an organisation that employs and supports parents. They are the heartbeat of our company and we do everything we can to help them from providing flexible working days and patterns, meetings that happen post and pre school run, to childcare vouchers, free scooters for employees’ children, training and advice and above all a positive and happy working environment. We have just had a company away day part of which was to have a crabbing competition.

I’ve got time for…

Ideas, people and helping people to achieve their potential. I have also got time for walking the dogs and exploring Northumberland on a bike.

Things are different because…

The people who are important…

My husband (who is our MD) and our three boys, my family, friends and our team at Micro - and of course Kevin Costner.

Work/life balance?

Its tough, I never seem to get it right and I should learn to turn off my phone.

I thrive on…

A challenge no matter how big or small. I love the process of brainstorming with our team and finding solutions.

Mid life means to me…

I love my work, I have grown as a business person and learned so much along the way.

Realising that there are still lots more things I want to do. Realising that getting the right life work balance is crucial to enjoying life and all it has to offer. Realising that being on a diet doesn’t work. Realising An early morning swim, time in the office or in London working on that helping others is something to do with the business be it product development, cashflow, more satisfying than stock issues, pricing, marketing, personnel, strategy or business planning… helping yourself. Realising no one day is the same and that is one of the things I love about my job. that you achieve much There are also the days when I travel to Switzerland to catch up with Micro more as a team than on Mobility or to a location for a photoshoot. Then of course there is time your own. Realising that spent being a parent – making supper, helping with homework, doing the you need to make time for school run or watching a match. what is important in life.

Day in the life of me…

STYLE

On your travels.

City break sorted: Scarf, £30, blouse, £100, knitwear, £75, trousers, £110, all Betty Barclay.

Close to home: Peak jacket, £149, Barbour

JUL/AUG17

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LUXE LIFE

ANDY DRAPE Andy is the owner of River Beat restaurant on the River Tyne. He brings a love of Asian and fusion food to the table – from his travels in the Far East. He’s a familiar face to North East food lovers from his days at restaurants such as Barn Asia, Blackfriars and Sohe. He’s married to Steph and they live in Heaton.

LUXE PEOPLE >> In terms of food, Alistair Little – and closer to home, Brian James now at Arlo, was a great guiding chef. Music-wise, Prince. Not forgetting Steph, and my mum, obviously.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > We’re just back from a weekend in Manchester – ate very good tapas at El Gato Negro sitting at the chef’s table. Stayed at the Abode hotel – great staff.

A long holiday > Singapore and the Malaysian islands – also our honeymoon in Hong Kong and Japan. Went to a great restaurant in Kyoto called Giro Giro where no English was spoken, great atmosphere.

A treat > The Park Hyatt in Tokyo – outstanding!

LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Curries and Asian food because there are so many flavours to go at. Love the textures, and blends – had a very memorable Malaysian penang curry which was the best ever – made your eyes go curly!

Best wine > Champagne – a nice chilled LPR. Favourite restaurant > Giro Giro as mentioned – in Newcastle the Earl of Pitt Street up

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by the football ground. I like Nobu in London and Hong Kong.

Perfect weekend > I’d go to Spain, to Valencia for great food and good art.

Downtime means > It would have to be social – I love music so I would go and see bands. I’m usually stuck in the kitchen – but there’s always music!

Best telly > Ray Donovan or Billions.

Best theatre > More of a gig guy than a theatre man.

Best book > One of my favourites is the autobiography of Tony Cascarino – he talks about the Marseille relegation scandal – compelling stuff.

Best sounds > I’ve got a massive collection of music – from De la Soul to Omar, Massive Attack, the Avalanches, Zero 7. The work playlist has about 15,000 tracks.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > The internet! Failing that, I like a trip to Leeds – and Japan is brilliant.

Favourite shop > Paul Smith.

Luxe retail treat > Speakers.

Best buy > Four Loewe speakers.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Our first birthday at River Beat was pretty special.

Perfect party > The ones you don’t plan. Out in the sticks with loads of friends and a band.

Best dress > My wedding suit from Vivienne Westwood – with embossed Paul Smith shoes.

Dinner date > My wife – she will say Will Smith.

YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> It’s got to be happiness – the key to everything. And food.

JUL/AUG17

ESCAPE THE CITY THIS SUMMER AND TREAT YOURSELF TO AFTERNOON TEA ON OUR TERRACE. INDULGENT? PERHAPS. BUT WORTH EVERY BITE. CHOOSE FROM OUR OUTSTANDINGLY GOOD LIST OF INFUSIONS, OR, AS INDULGENCE IS ON THE MENU, A SUMMER COCKTAIL MIGHT BE BETTER SUITED? FOR MORE INFORMATION PLEASE SEE OUR WEBSITE FOR DETAILS.

EAT WELL

Midlife

munch Monkfish and fennel with herbs, tomatoes and anchovies >> SERVES 2 Why we love it “We’re forever on the hunt for speedy suppers that are just a bit special – and this fits the bill perfectly. It’s one of those dishes that tastes as though it’s been hours in the making, but in fact the prep couldn’t be easier, and most of the ingredients (bar the fish) are probably already lurking in your fridge. Simply add a sturdy white fish – we’ve used monkfish here, but halibut would be equally delicious – or calamari and king prawns, and eat with a warm wholemeal pitta to mop up the densely savoury juices.”

What you’ll need

Method

2 tsp olive oil 1 /2 a fennel bulb, trimmed and thinly sliced 4 ripe tomatoes, quartered 4 anchovy fillets, chopped sea salt and freshly ground black pepper 250g monkfish fillet or tail, membrane removed and cut into 3cm-thick medallions A handful of Greek olives, pitted and chopped A handful of coriander leaves, chopped A handful of basil leaves A handful of dill, chopped

Heat the olive oil in a medium frying pan, add the fennel and sauté for several minutes until softened, then add the tomatoes and anchovies.

Season and simmer for 10–15 minutes until the tomatoes start to soften.

Add the monkfish medallions and olives, cover with a lid and simmer for a further 5–10 minutes until the fish is cooked through. Stir through the herbs and serve.

Friends Mimi Spencer and Sam Rice have released a new cookbook to help midlifers get healthy and creative in the kitchen. Jessica Laing lifts the lid on their restorative recipes and their own revival story…

Middle age has had a makeover.

What was once deemed a downhill dip a grey point in life in more ways than one - is now considered a golden opportunity for men and women everywhere to re-boot their lifestyle and refresh their outlook as they nudge towards their 40s, 50s and beyond.

For pals Mimi Spencer and Sam Rice, approaching ‘the second half of life’ is an exciting time. As far as they’re concerned, modern midlife isn’t the burden it once was.

Instead, the pair see it more as a time of opportunity than loss. A chance to grab life by the horns and reinvent yourself in whichever way you like.

For them, getting healthy the mid-life way starts in the kitchen - and if you’re in the same frame of mind, or fancy kicking off middle age by sorting out your middle, then you’d be wise to pick up a copy of their new and colourful cookbook, The Midlife Kitchen.

Serving up more than 150 easy-to-follow recipes, showcasing wholesome, healthgiving ingredients used and combined in the most mouthwatering of ways, it’s something

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of a culinary bible - a real life-saver for any hapless home cook looking to get on the path to mindful, sin-free eating.

The idea is that the food is simple and sustaining; meals that can be prepared with minimal fuss, cater to a more mature palette and give the body what it needs to function efficiently.

Because, as the pair say, midlife is not the time to be concerned with food fads - but rather a glorious opportunity to wrest back control of your eating in the interests of health, happiness and a long life.

“We knew that there were many mid-lifers out there who, just like us, wanted to improve their diet,” the chums say.

“We’d both cruised through the drinking years and the party decades without much of a thought for nutrition; we ate - like so many of us - as if the future would never come.

“As we worked through our twenties and thirties, skipping breakfast, eating lunch on the run, relying on white carbs and fast food to get us by, nutrition barely registered, and if it did, it was only because we wanted to lose weight for summer.”

It wasn’t until the pair had kids (four

between them) that their energies, particularly in the kitchen, were soon devoted to them. But now, as their sproggs have become more independent, they’ve found they have more time to invest in themselves.

And so, while on a trip to Bali (where Sam now lives), the idea of creating a wholesome cookbook, aimed at guiding fellow mid-lifers through the foodie maze on the road to a healthier way of life, was born.

Of course, you don’t need to be in your 40s or 50s to appreciate the book’s deliciousness. Offering a great variety of easy-going, good-for-you recipes (everything from brekkie and brunch, to lunch and sides, mains, drinks and gut-friendly sweet stuff ) and plenty of nifty nutrition facts and handy health tips dolloped throughout, it’s a tasty read for foodies of all ages.

All recipes follow ‘The Midlife Manifesto’ a basic set of guiding principles that the women applied during the creation process.

They wanted them to be speedy and practical - so they are, made with accessible, non-fancy ingredients. They wanted taste to come first, too, so they tested and experimented with each one until they

made mouths around them drool.

And knowing that a diet rich in fresh produce and low in processed and refined foods seems to be the most effective long-term health insurance, they wanted the meals to be as balanced and as kind to your insides as possible - and so they are.

All embrace ‘good’ carbs, wholegrains and slow-burn cereals (things like brown and black rice, quinoa and oats - no porridge sachets!), ‘better’ fat (the likes of avocado, coconut oil and good quality olive oil) and only fruit-sourced sugars, such as honey and date syrup, to keep your energy and cholesterol levels in check.

Health nuts will no doubt also love the pair’s clever colour-coded system which flows throughout the book, showing which areas of health each recipe benefits.

There are eight, including digestive, heart, bone and joint health, and blood sugar and hormone balance, and each are represented by a colour. Simply check which shade the recipe corresponds with and there you have it - you know exactly what to rustle up to help with your area(s) of concern.

And if you’re interested in finding out about the benefits individual ingredients bring,

JUL/AUG17

Raw Pad Thai >> SERVES 2 Why we love it “One of our Midlife mantras is to embrace variety – and the sheer abundance of flavour, texture and colour here will clearly do wonders for you. It’s a rainbow of raw excellence, brought together with a terrific tangy dressing guaranteed to transport you to a Koh Samui beach. Add cubes of tofu or cooked prawns for a more substantial meal.”

What you’ll need

To serve

1 small carrot, peeled and cut into thin strips, shaved or shredded 1 small courgette, finely sliced or cut into thin strips 50g red cabbage, very thinly sliced 50g sugar snap peas, sliced 1 /2 a pepper (orange, yellow or red), deseeded and thinly sliced 2 spring onions, sliced diagonally 1 mild red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced handful of bean sprouts handful of coriander leaves handful of mint leaves, plus sprigs to serve

20g peanuts, crushed 2 tsp sesame seeds or Midlife Sesame Seasoning - see below

For the dressing 2 tbsp coconut milk finely grated zest and juice of 1 lime 1 tbsp crunchy peanut butter (100 per cent peanuts, no sugar) 2 tsp soy sauce 2 tsp tahini 1 tsp Thai fish sauce (nam pla) 1 tsp sesame oil 1 tsp maple syrup 1cm piece of fresh root ginger, peeled and finely grated 1 garlic clove, crushed 1 lemon grass stalk, tough outer layers removed, finely chopped

there’s a handy guide in there on the best foods to start introducing into your life, giving you the basis for a vibrant diet, full of variety and vitality.

The book also helps you shop; flick to page 14 and you’ll discover ‘The Midlife Larder’ - a concise list of ingredients needed to create the recipes that take your fancy.

Once stocked up, there isn’t much from the book you can’t make, without the addition of a few fresh finds, such as chicken or fish.

You’ll also be able to create the pair’s ‘midlife must-haves’ - things that can be made ahead of time and used to enhance and bring life to other recipes elsewhere in the book.

Think staple spice rubs and seed mixes,

JUL/AUG17

Method Place all the vegetables and herbs in a large bowl and mix well.

Place all the dressing ingredients in a jar, seal with the lid and shake well until combined.

Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well, then arrange on a serving plate.

Top with the peanuts, seeds and extra mint sprigs and serve.

Midlife Sesame Seasoning MAKES 4 TABLESPOONS What you’ll need 10 tsp black (or white) sesame seeds 1 tsp sea salt flakes

Method Using a pestle and mortar, pound the sesame seeds until lightly crushed (alternatively, whizz in a blender), then combine with the salt. Transfer the mixture to a jar and use as an alternative to salt.

go-to meals with a sophisticated edge and that can be prepared in mere moments, like their ‘grown-up granola’ and ‘power porridge’, as well as fool-proof salad dressings, curry pastes, salsas and even yogurt recipes. Have a go at making a few of them, practice ’til you make perfect, and you’ll never reach for the shop-bought stuff again.

It’s safe to say, there’s plenty to salivate over, but just to give you a little taster of what to expect, we’ve picked a few of what, we think, are some of Mimi and Sam’s best recipes. Check them out, be inspired, and begin cooking the midlife way today.

A medieval abbot's lodge where vibrant flavours dance the tango. And a brand spanking new foodie haven, The Gatehouse, for gathering, cooking demos, dining and entertaining.

The Square • Blanchland • Northumberland • DH8 9SP • T: 01434 677 100 E: enquiries@lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk • W: lordcrewearmsblanchland.co.uk t: Lord_Crewe_Arms • f: LordCreweArmsBlanchland

www.midlifekitchen.com

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61

FROM THE LAND

Off duty WITH DAVE COULSON

This is a light supper dish of lamb rump as the main player with a luscious salad of summery, colourful, sweet tomatoes.

Goats’ cheese soil adds sharp bite and texture while the delicious, sweet tomato jam is moreish with everything!

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Lamb rump with tomato jam & goats’ cheese ‘soil’ SERVES 2 Ingredients

Method

2 x 300g lamb rump 100g goats’ cheese (50 dried) 50g blanched almonds 50g plum tomatoes 50g cherry tomatoes 50g basil 200ml vegetable oil 20g parsley assorted tomatoes for garnish Olive oil Balsamic vinegar

Brush the lamb rump with oil and season with salt.

Sear in a hot pan and pop in the oven for 8 mins on 190c. Remove from the oven and let it rest for 5 mins.

To make the tomato jam, take the plum and cherry tomatoes, drizzle with olive oil and balsamic and roast for 30 mins on 190c. Once cooked, remove and blitz with 50g goats’ cheese.

To make goats’ cheese soil, take 50g dried goats’ cheese and blitz with almonds.

To make the dressing (green oil), blitz parsley, basil and oil for 10 mins.

Pass through a fine sieve. Assemble alongside a salad of mixed tomatoes, as shown.

JUL/AUG17

Summer’s lazy lunch

SUNSHINE SNACKS

No excuse other than a ray of sunshine needed to pick up the picnic hamper, find a grassy spot and pop a cork...

Cheese >> Neals Yard cheeses: Dorstone goats’ cheese £8.99 each, Kirkham’s mature Lancashire £2.95/100g, Colston Bassett Shropshire Blue £2.75/100g, The Fine Cheese Company fig crackers, £2.99. Sweet >> British Summer honeycomb £7.99, macarons £9.50/box, strawberries £1.69/punnet. Savoury >> Handmade soft centre smoked bacon scotch egg £3.25 each, spicy cider chorizo poker, £1.99 each, Grignotons (two-types – chorizo, parmesan coated) £3.40/100g, black pepper saucisson £4.95 each. Bread >> Large sourdough £3.95, Torres black truffle crisps £3.50. Fizz >> Hattingley Valley Rosé, £35. Large picnic hamper basket with dinnerware set, £60.

All items from The Food Hall, Fenwick, Newcastle

From

£ 2 per c 55 oup le

What’s it going to be? Are you completely ginnocent or feeling a little gindulgent? Book your stay this summer at the beautiful Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley. With an overnight stay and Tasting Menu dinner in our three rosette restaurant, you’ll want for nothing except maybe to try our range of Yorkshire gins.

Book your gintastic stay at The Black Swan Hotel, Helmsley and we will enter you into a free prize draw to win a hamper of Yorkshire gins plus a return visit to the hotel.

Call us on 01439 770466, or book online at www.blackswan-helmsley.co.uk The Black Swan Hotel, Market Place, Helmsley, North Yorkshire, YO62 5BJ

JUL/AUG17

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SALAD DAYS

FISH COURSE

North Sea squid Summer salad of North Sea squid, guacamole, citrus & chilli WITH TERRY LAYBOURNE

SERVES 4 Ingredients

Squid is available ready to cook on our fish counter so there’s no need to prep. This makes it a simple and fresh salad to rustle up on a hot summer’s day. It’s unashamedly uncomplicated and pristine. One bite and you could be sat on the Mediterranean coast, drinking a crisp, chilled white as the sun shines on you.

When cooked right, squid is incredibly tender and sweet.

Although most people have it battered or stuffed, I prefer it at its simplest; when it’s grilled. This salad is a really tasty way to enjoy it and the smoky flavour works well with the fresh citrus, the chilli providing a bit of a kick.

The trick to cooking squid is to grill them correctly. First of all, make sure you pat your squid dry. Squid tends to be very wet, with a high water content, so the surface needs to be dry in order for it to brown. Secondly, get your grill as hot as possible. It’s all about intense direct heat. It only needs a few minutes – too long and it’ll end up rubbery and tough.

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480g small local squid - cleaned and prepared 2tsp olive oil Sea salt 1 lemon - for juicing Guacamole 2 green chillis - finely chopped 2 spring onions - thinly sliced Handful of fresh coriander - roughly chopped 3 ripe avocados 1 ripe medium tomato - cut into 3mm dice Juice of 1 lime Salt

Method Salad 2 baby gem lettuce - washed & sliced 12 cherry tomatoes halved 2 oranges - segmented 2 ruby graperfruit - segmented 2 red chilli - deseeded and thinly sliced 1 small red onion - thinly sliced 12 sprigs fresh coriander Dressing 150mls extra virgin olive oil 40mls cabernet sauvignon vinegar Salt Milled black pepper

Make the guacamole by mashing all of the ingredients together, leaving it quite coarse - it should taste creamy, spicy and a little sour from the lime juice.

Quickly grill the squid over a very hot grill with a tiny amount of olive oil, tip onto a plate and season with a little lemon juice and salt.

Combine the dressing ingredients and set aside.

Combine the salad ingredients with 2 tbls of the dressing and a pinch of salt. Build the salad on four salad plates - place a spoonful of guacamole off-centre and pile the remaining elements, including the grilled squid, around. Finish with a little additional dressing and fresh coriander sprigs.

JUL/AUG17

LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Bonas time!

Excited for the arrival of the quirky treatsville store that is Oliver Bonas in Jesmond this summer? Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re saying cheers to their imminent arrival on Acorn Road with a clink of these chic champagne glasses, ÂŁ32 for four. www.oliverbonas.com

JUL/AUG17

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CHOP CHOP

Book up and butcher: where to learn the butcher’s craft.

Image credit: Amos Menin

Meat the gang

The (steak) knives are out. The art of butchery is having a food moment, taking a twist on the traditional, as Kathryn Armstrong discovers

In our no-waste times, meat is all about nose-to-tail and making every morsel matter – whatever your animal.

A new breed of chefs and young artisans are giving the tradition of butchery a twist – and at the same time, food enthusiasts are flocking to learn some DIY tricks themselves on cookery days and food courses.

Among them is young North East chef Tom Robertshaw, 29,

Know-how: Tom Robertshaw’s tips for using lesser-known cuts of meat.

Chuck tender, chuck eye and salmon cut all make excellent pastrami.

This involves brining the meat for a couple of weeks, rolling in spices such as coriander seed, star anise and black pepper and hot smoking it.

Use the same cuts to make Bresaola which is an air-dried beef rubbed in a dry cure mix including salt, sugar and spices and then hung in the charcuterie fridge until the meat loses the required amount of moisture. 30% moisture loss.

My favourite lesser-known cut is the spider steak which comes from the hind of the cow, the fat has a lovely buttery flavour and once you try it you won’t go back, although they are very hard to get hold of.

It is cooked in the same way as any other steak.

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who turned down a promising career in the art world, swapping his palette knife for a butcher’s knife.

Tom studied fine art at Northumbria University and after graduating turned butchery into an art of his own.

He is now one of only a handful of UK chefs skilled at whole animal butchery.

As a head chef at Fresh Element, he not only sources the animals he uses, but also butchers them – before devising menus which ensure no cut of meat is wasted.

And the resulting dishes are served to diners at Six at BALTIC; Baltic Kitchen, Gateshead; the Garden Kitchen at Newcastle’s Eldon Square; and at privately catered events throughout the North East.

“It’s the most sustainable and environmentally responsible route to take and it enables us to serve the best quality meat in the best way,” said Tom, who is virtually entirely self-taught after starting his catering career as a dishwasher and working his way up.

“All our animals are organic, grass fed and rare breed, from Northumbrian farms,” he added.

“They have been cared for by farmers who make animal welfare a priority and, after they leave the farm, I try to take just as much care of them.

Tom butchers whole animals at Fresh Element’s River Terrace development kitchen, at BALTIC, dry ageing, curing and preserving some cuts and devising menus that utilise every portion of the animal.

“By using cuts of meat normally ignored by chefs we are not only minimising the environmental impact, we are also offering our diners something truly unique.

“We don’t just know which farm our meat comes from, we know which animal – and that means our diners know they are being served the very best quality meat, cooked by our expert chefs.”

Tom also shares his skills, through public masterclasses and by training Fresh Element’s other chefs in butchery.

“It’s how I learned,” he said. “I learned what I know now because other people showed me and it’s important those skills are passed on.

“Funnily enough, both my grandfather and great grandfather were butchers – I think they would be quite proud of me.”

Elsewhere, the combination of beer and butcher combine in an unusual way at Block and Bottle in Gateshead.

Here craft beer and charcuterie hit the mark when it comes to current foodie favourites – the shop sells a vast array of beers and is also a traditional butcher’s shop.

Taste the Wild, North Yorkshire A Deer in a Day Butchery Course with Colin and Alan (From Huttons of Knaresborough) demonstrates the skills involved in butchering a Roe deer from the whole gutted carcass into the main joints and cuts. You will be able to get hands-on experience skinning, cutting, jointing, deboning etc. There will be the chance to make some venison sausages and instruction on curing and preserving meat.

The course runs in Taste the Wild’s woodland kitchen where participants will cook up samples of meat during the day. It costs £110.

You will have a pack of sausages and a joint of venison to take home.

Courses 8 & 22 October, 2017. www.tastethewild.co.uk Blackfriars, Newcastle Ever wondered how to fillet a fiddly fish, perfectly portion a chicken or properly prepare a rack of lamb or pork? Learn how to make the most of your fish and meat and how best to cook each bit. £125pp including masterclass, lunch, wine and coffee as well as your apron and filleting knife to take home!

Courses 26 August & 26 November, 2017 www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk/events Roots Farm Shop, North Yorkshire On Tuesday evenings you can book in for butchery classes with the team at Roots Farm Shop in North Yorkshire. Classes last two hours and cost £75 per person, which includes a hands-on butchery lesson and the joint or sausages you have prepared in your class to take home. You can book a class for yourself directly or buy a gift voucher as a present for someone else.

For more information contact Roots butchery department on 0160 988 2480. www.rootsfarmshop.co.uk

You can buy your steak and enjoy a beer whilst you ponder how you’re going to cook it!

Katie Cullen runs the beer side of the business while partner Steven Warren has his hand on the cleaver.

He has learned his trade from his family butchery business – and now the couple have added a very current twist to their passions.

The shop looks the business with an eye-watering array of meat, all rare breed or locally-reared. You’ll find dry aged beef – Aberdeen Angus, Dexter and Longhorn.

Says Steven: “We hand pick all our beef to get the perfect amount of fat covering and marbling throughout. We also know that the flavour is what makes a delicious steak.

Although beef only needs to dry-age for 10 days for it to become tender, all our beef is dry-aged on the bone for a minimum of 28 days to allow the flavours to develop.

This is essential to ensure all the excess moisture has evaporated and so the enzymes have a chance to break down in the muscles.

“For everyone who loves steak as much as we do, or those who are interested in trying something a bit different, we will sometimes be dry-ageing certain cuts for a longer period of time, including some aged to a whopping 70 days!

This is for the real steak aficionados who want that extremely beefy and almost game-like flavour.”

Go online to www.luxe-magazine.co.uk for the Block & Bottle guide to summer barbecue food and drink.

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Summer Summer OPENING 2017

PRIVATE DINING THAT’S LIKE NO OTHER

Got a special occasion or celebration coming up this summer?

Our artistically designed private dining space can cater up to 22 guests.

We're not just a showroom for some of the most innovative & exciting bar and tableware in the food & drink industry...we're also a meeting place for the industry's finest to grab a coffee, chat with friends and practise their skills on our unique copper bar. We're open to the public too!

WWW.ARTISANNEWCASTLE.COM LBK_NCL

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JUL/AUG17

Image: Sean Elliott

To enquire, call 0191 260 5411

5 Queen Street Quayside Newcastle NE1 3UG London Bar & Kitchen, Newcastle

Our head chef can also work with you to craft a bespoke tasting menu featuring your favourite flavours and ingredients.

LBK.NCL

⌀瀀攀愀挀攀愀渀搀氀漀愀昀

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POSSET POWER

Eat seasonal WITH ANDREW WILKINSON OF ARTISAN

A ‘best of British’ summer dream of a dessert, perfect for outdoor dining

Summer has arrived at last which means it’s time to indulge in some of this season’s finest fruity flavours.

For something truly sublime, you can’t go wrong with this simple posset recipe which brings together the luscious taste of lemon and sweet strawberry with fragrant elderflower.

A decorative almond tuile adds a little crunch to the plate and beautifully offsets against the smooth yoghurt sorbet.

For more summer foodie inspiration, look out for our wild and foraged, and greenhouse themed tasting menus – available to pre-book all month long in July and August respectively.

Artisan, The Biscuit Factory, Stoddart Street, Newcastle, NE2 1AN. Tel 0191 260 5411. www.artisannewcastle.com.

Twitter.com/Artisan_NE

Lemon and elderflower posset, yoghurt sorbet and almond tuile SERVES 8 Ingredients Lemon and elderflower posset 900ml double cream 220g caster sugar Juice and zest of 3 lemons (150g juice) 4 elderflower heads (washed and dried) Yoghurt sorbet 150g sugar 150ml water 100ml lime juice 320g yoghurt

Almond tuile 30g flaked almonds 115g soft butter 140g icing sugar (sifted) 3 egg whites 115g plain flour Strawberries 400g ripe strawberries

Method Posset Bring the cream and sugar to a simmer, then add lemon juice and simmer for a further minute. Take off the heat and add the elderflower. Infuse for 15 minutes and then pass through a fine sieve. Pour into glasses and set in the fridge.

Yoghurt sorbet Combine water and sugar in a pan and bring to the boil. Boil for five minutes. Take off the heat and leave to cool.

Add the yoghurt and lime juice. Mix and pass through a sieve. Churn in an ice cream machine.

Almond tuile Cream the butter and sugar in a bowl with a wooden spoon. Add egg whites followed by the sifted flour. Mix and rest in the fridge for 30 minutes. Pre-heat oven to 170C. Spread tuile mix in a tray with parchment paper using a round stencil. Sprinkle on almonds and bake for seven to eight minutes.

Strawberries Cut the strawberries in half, squeeze on a drop of lemon juice and sprinkle a teaspoon of icing sugar. Leave for five minutes.

To serve Arrange as shown.

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JUL/AUG17

CHIN CHIN

The Cocktail Hour

Whether your tipple’s a Cosmo, classic Martini or a cool and creative Margarita, we’ve tracked down the best places and smartest mixologists in the North East. Sit back and sip the ultimate cocktail >> Whisky River

>> Poetic License

Offering guests live music sessions and an inventive cocktails menu, Whisky River has become one of the most popular bars in Durham.

Found on Durham riverside, next to the iconic Browns Boathouse and River Cruiser, Whisky River is a hidden gem,

serving up refined drinks conjured up by expert mixologists, using fresh, homegrown ingredients.

Stocked with over 50 different whiskies and with its own Whisky Club, it’s a must visit for any whisky enthusiasts and cocktail connoisseurs.

Poetic License Distillery Bar, based within the Roker Hotel and situated on the beautiful coastline, crafts artisan spirits on 500L pot still, Gracie. Their

Elvet Riverside Durham DH1 3UJ 0191 384 9511 www.whiskyriver.co.uk

Roker Terrace Sunderland SR6 9ND 0191 567 1786 www.poeticlicensebar.co.uk

>> George’s Great British Kitchen

>> Chapters Deli

Brought to you by two chaps who grew up together, this place is all about being different. From the beach huts to the gin bar, it is all part of the journey to bring good & proper British

dishes with a unique twist to the heart of Newcastle!

George’s have become equally well known for their delicious cocktails, and have just launched their sweet shop inspired cocktails! With flavours such as Fab & Parma Violet you’ll instantly think of your childhood memories of days past! George’s Sweet Shop inspired cocktails are 2 for £8 and run every day from 2pm-8pm!

Open until late every night, so why not book your next lunch, birthday celebration or date night over at George’s.

You can book online at www.georgesgreatbritishkitchen.co.uk or call 0191 230 4229.

INTU Eldon Square Newcastle NE1 7JB 0191 230 4229 www.georgesgreatbritishkitchen.co.uk

Chapters Deli Bistro & Wine bar is one of Stokesley’s most popular cocktail venues, home to a innovative and intoxicating drinks menu that showcases modern classics, from

ethos: break tradition and be bold.

Expect the unexpected with each of their spirits - perfect for the Wild Spirits amongst you!

Poetic License Bar use their own gin to create cocktail concoctions for all tastes! Their Picnic Gin, with flavours of strawberries and cream, works well during the summer season. With its fruity flavours, it offers a summer take on many a gin cocktail! One of their favourites, Summer Fruit Cup; a mix of strawberries and cream gin with lemonade, mixed fruit and a sprig of mint. A simple yet tasty tipple - one for the warmer months!

Each of their spirits are available to buy from Roker Hotel reception, located a few steps away, so you can try their craft spirits from the comfort of your own home!

Daiquiris and Mojitos to Porn Star Martinis and Pina Coladas, beautifullyblended and made from scratch using the freshest fruit and finest spirits.

Order your favourite and receive another for free between 6-10pm Monday to Saturday.

It also offers a comprehensive wine list and an extensive gin menu, featuring gins from all over the world, partnered with high-quality tonics and garnishes.

Gin lovers can buy one get one free every Friday between 5-6pm.

The venue is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and diners are welcome to stop by to indulge in a spot of Afternoon Tea or even the restaurant’s signature sharing dessert should they fancy a sweet treat with friends or loved ones.

Market Place Stokesley TS9 5DG (next to the police station, Stokesley)

01642 714 692 www.chaptersbistro.co.uk

If you wish to advertise with us please contact Heather Spacey: heather@remembermedia.co.uk / 07846 073584

JUL/AUG17

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MAKEOVER

Star trek

With chef James Close of The Raby Hunt, proud owner of two Michelin stars

Life’s been running at a pace in sleepy little Summerhouse…

Michelin restaurants are destinations and the time was right to make Raby Hunt live up to the expectation We’re kicking summer off with a transformation for the Raby Hunt which is a real culmination of dreams and achievements.

Our building has always been a humble one – an old coaching inn with little more than a shipping container for a kitchen – yet what we achieved in it has been the stuff of dreams.

The aim, with our £400,000 spend was to really give a bit of wow to make Raby Hunt look the part when people had made the journey to come here; especially important since the second Michelin star. The fact is that Michelin restaurants are destination restaurants and the time was right to make Raby Hunt live up to the expectation and do our bit for those people travelling North for our food.

The footprint of the restaurant was pretty small but we’ve been able to really increase it, especially and importantly, the kitchen; the heart of the place.

But the outside of the building also offers up something different – we didn’t want to just build an extension on the back of the building – we wanted to add some drama to coming here.

The new entrance and kitchen areas are clad in natural zinc

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with a patina that will change and weather with age. When you approach there’s a dark, moody façade with a bit of mystery – I like the sense of otherness of Japanese culture and there are hints of it with the black charred wood cladding and the new planting and sculptures near the entranceway.

As soon as you walk in on the left you see a chef’s bench area and the entire kitchen – there is the impact of the effort of the kitchen straight away. The chef’s bench overlooks the cooking area and people can book in for a single place or two or more – you can just rock up, sit there and eat lunch if that’s your thing – chefs will bring dishes to you and you can watch the entire tasting menu in action.

This is a really cool space – I love it.

The design of the kitchen and the chef’s bench incorporate huge windows which almost act as picture frames as you’re viewing all that’s going on. The vast window in the main kitchen brings in loads of light and makes it a nice place to work. We’ve got seven chefs in there every service – the kitchen has to stay immaculate and be really precise.

Black book Design & build: Create Architecture of Newton Aycliffe Artwork and sculptures: Gallerina, Darlington Kitchen supplies & equipment: Crosbys, Newcastle Cooking suite: tailor-made from French company Athanor, a world leader in its field. This is a stunning piece of bespoke kit that is the focus of a modern, light and airy state-of-the-art kitchen that is now semi-open, allowing diners to see what is happening without being right next to it.

What’s great is that now when diners want to come and see the kitchen we are proud to show them – the tiny kitchen we had before made that virtually impossible.

It was important to me to use North East-based suppliers and builders. I wanted to ensure as much of the work as possible stayed in the region.

Architectural designer Craig Kipling: “This is a reworking that is “honest and simple so it doesn’t detract from the history of the original building. James was inspired

by Japanese culture but this isn’t ‘themed’ in any way.

“We used charred hardwood for feature areas - and concrete tiles which look cool and clincial, so there is a simplicity about what is happening everywhere.

“When you walk into the restaurant there is an immediate welcome experience of actually seeing the chefs working.

“We have tried to convey an honesty of experience - the matt grey of the zinc against the exisitng form of the building.

When you arrive the experience starts: you know you are somewhere that’s not just an old country pub.

“Then there was the pressure of getting the work finished to a deadline - we were on site four weeks.”

More reason to celebrate; Great to be recognised among the top 25 best eating places in the UK in the at the annual Estrella Damm National Restaurant Awards held in London.

We were the region’s only restaurant to make the list, voted for by a panel of the hospitality industry’s top experts, including chefs, restaurateurs, food writers and critics.

Thirty of the top 50 spots went to London-based restaurants, with the Michelin-starred gastropub, The Sportsman, in Seasalter, Kent, being named winner for the second year in a row.

We found ourselves above big hitters like of Michel Roux Junior’s La Gavroche (38), Raymond Blanc’s Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons (55) and Dinner by Heston Blumenthal (60).

It’s always great to receive accolades, but it means so much more when it’s your peers and the country’s top food critics and writers, who have voted for you. It means we are getting things right.

JUL/AUG17

JUICY FRUITS

Veg patch WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

If I had to name a summer lipstick ‘Berry-liscious’ comes to mind. The fruit bushes and canes are laden with juicy jewels of sweetness, just ripe for the picking of brioche galette topped with raspberries, blueberries and gooseberries and a crumble topping is a piece of heaven on a plate, or as the recipe states: like eating air!

Gooseberries: Gooseberry and elderflower jam gets used on our scones and the alchemy of even green gooseberries turning amber when cooked results in most people saying they ‘really like our strawberry jam’.

I need to plant some new bushes at the farm since there is only one hybrid growing in the hedgerow which has the smallest little black, sour jewels that freeze really well and make the best topping for gooseberry crumble cake. Gooseberries can be afflicted by two problems: Gooseberry sawfly where black and grey caterpillars will strip the leaves overnight leaving only the lacework of veins and midribs; and American gooseberry mildew which cover both leaves and fruit in unappetising white down. The caterpillars are easily picked off and disposed of (fed to the nosy geese!) but for the latter affliction I shall simply select a resistant variety such as ‘Invicta’.

Gooseberries come in two varieties: green cooking gooseberries and dessert varieties where the fruits turn crimson and are sweet enough to be eaten straight from the bush.

will cause the pH to raise over time. It is important to plant two different types for cross-pollination and larger crops.

‘Dixi’: produces mid to late season sweet tasting berries and has highly fragrant flowers. ‘Northland’: one of the hardiest cultivars with high yields of small juicy fruits. Both bushes are decorative having pretty white bell flowers and leaves which colour well in autumn.

LOOKING AHEAD >> Next time we’ll be bouncing with beans: runners, dwarf French, yin-yang, borlotti and wizard field.

JOBS OUTSIDE >>

RICH PICKINGS >> Peas: Is it part of getting older that you start shouting at the TV? Someone was berating the fact that you can’t buy fresh peas in their pods from the supermarket; there is a very good reason for this. Peas (and other sweet tasting crops such as sweetcorn) cannot store sugar once picked; within half an hour the sugar has been converted into starch which can be stored; hence why frozen peas are ‘frozen in the field’ within 15 minutes of picking. For a speedy, healthy supper bright green pea soup can be ready in eight minutes and is delicious topped with crispy bacon lardons.

Strawberries: I refuse to buy Spanish strawberries because they just don’t have the taste of English strawberries. Grow your own and you can have early crops of ‘Honeoye’ in the greenhouse, followed by ‘Elsanta’ in the veg plot and yellow alpine strawberries tumbling over the edges of the raised beds to add a dash of colour.

Strawberry plants needs to be planted very firmly; at agricultural college the lecturers used to give the plants a hefty yank and if they departed from the soil the student

JUL/AUG17

failed! In the first year after planting you can use the runners that emerge from the plants to increase your strawberry bed but after that strawberries start to become virused, the crop reduces and fruits get smaller. After four years the plants should be replaced completely. If you are struggling to get your strawberry jam to set then adding a few alpine strawberries may help since they have a higher pectin content.

Raspberries: I used to grow early, midseason and autumn varieties but now I only grow ‘Autumn Bliss’ since I worked out that by only pruning half the canes in late winter I could have crops right through from July to the end of September and wouldn’t need to stake the canes either. You can even grow a good crop of Autumn Bliss in 35ltr plant pots. Raspberries are my favourite soft fruit since they can be frozen on baking trays and then stored in large tubs to use throughout winter. But Ottolenghi’s recipe

Two types of crops need to be sown now: Overwintering crops since they need to have formed large enough plants to overwinter and flower the following year.

Purple Sprouting Broccoli: Buy a packet of seeds containing early/mid/late varieties and you’ll have a staggered crop throughout the year. Avoid all F1 seeds since they crop at the same time resulting in a glut.

Sutherland Kale: This super hardy variety will keep us in kale salads throughout even the coldest of winters.

Those crops that bolt if they are sown too early before mid-summer’s day.

Fennel: The bulb forming variety of fennel simply flowers and fails to bulk up if sown too early.

Spinach: A crop sown now will take you right through winter without any hint of flowering.

Water potato plants when flowering: We’re having much lower rainfall than expected and this will have a detrimental effect on the crop. Water from below when the potato plants are flowering and crops will be much larger. Try not to water onto the leaves since potato blight is fungal and water on the leaves could allow dormant spores to sporulate on the leaves.

PLANTING BLUEBERRY BUSHES >> Blueberries require damp, acid soil of pH 5.5 which is not often found in gardens so plant in large pots with ericaceous compost.

I’m using old Belfast sinks (we seem to have a plethora of them lurking at the farm) since they will appreciate the poor drainage.

Water plants with rainwater since tap water

For a speedy, healthy supper bright green pea soup can be ready in eight minutes and is delicious topped with crispy bacon lardons

UPCOMING COURSES @LINNELS FARM GROW YOUR OWN CUT FLOWERS >> WED 16 AUGUST Tubs of tulips, goblets of gladioli and buckets full of blooms - this course provides all the info needed to start growing your own cut flowers. The course culminates in a demonstration by florist, Hannah Price of ‘Wildflower’, of practical ways to showcase your wonderful harvest.

10am – 3.30pm, including morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch. £90

DESIGN YOUR OWN FLOWER BORDER >> THURS 17 AUGUST On this intensive one day workshop you’ll learn the art of border design: drawing/planning to scale; soil and site analysis; choosing plants suited to the site and for year-long interest; and budgeting for the project.

Depart with a scale drawing of your border plan and the confidence to implement the scheme once home.

10am - 4pm including morning coffee/ cakes and a 2-course lunch. £150

PUSHING THE BOUNDARIES VEG ALL YEAR ROUND >> FRI 18 AUGUST Want to expand your repertoire and have vegetables to harvest over a longer season? This course covers different growing methods and utilises new varieties of seeds and plants to prolong the short growing season in Northumberland.

10am – 3.30pm. Including morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch £90

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f SUMMER BREEZE

TREND WATCH with Kate Rose The founder of lifestyle brand Tutti joins Luxe with an inspiring new column Drinking...

The perfect summer cocktail... the Hugo, a blend of champagne, elderflower liquor, soda, crushed mint, a slice of lime and lots of ice. Make big jugs for a BBQ, or pop into Fuego in Fenwick Newcastle and enjoy with sharing plates and Mediterranean tapas.

Inspired by...

Portola paints and glazes. A Californian paint company.

Check out their Instagram page for inspiring colour combinations, laid-back styling with a beachy vibe.

Spent some time at...

As a family, we have holidayed in Dubai every May half term for the past five years. We always stay at the Mina a Salam on Jumeriah Beach. A beautiful Arabian boutique hotel, which is surrounded by tranquil waterways, an abundance of restaurants and activities for the kids. We call it our second home as from the minute we arrive we feel relaxed, and peaceful. Maybe it’s the beautiful scents that waft through the the hotel - think fresh summer breeze with a hint of citrus fruit - or maybe it’s the lemon-scented chilled towels on arrival, or the freshly-pressed glass of chilled lemon and mint juice you’re handed on check in.

I try to soak up all the elements, to create the same feelings at home and on this trip I brought back a few lovely bits of inspiration...

Listening to...

I always have the Shazam app at the ready, to grab any new music I can play at home. Over cocktails at the Gold Bar in the Burj al Arab, I captured a great album by John Newman called Tribute, a soul singer with a raspy edge, my favourite song being ‘Losing Sleep’. The second capture, at a lazy beach bar, was an album called Akaliko by Paqua, an instrumental collection of sun-kissed, low-slung Balearic tunes, perfect background music to play around the house.

Eating...

The month of May brought a trip to India for business, designing new products for Spring/Summer 18. I stayed with an Indian family for the week, the owners of the factory, and what a wonderful and memorable experience this was. They were fantastic hosts, cooked the most mouthwatering traditional Indian food, and I couldn’t help myself but bring back a little cooking inspiration for the family. My favourite meal was yoghurt-coated chicken. The chicken is marinated overnight in yoghurt, turmeric, and lemon juice, it can be chargrilled or cooked on the BBQ, and is absolutely delicious. I’ve made this a few times for the family with flat breads and salad, a perfect summer dish - yummy.

Reading...

As a busy working mum I get very little time to read, so when I travel on business, whether a train journey to London or a long haul flight to China, I make sure I have a new book to read. My latest pick was WE: A Manifesto for Women Everywhere, this is based on nine principles for a more meaningful happier life.

An uplifting and inspirational read, showing how putting these nine principles at the centre of our lives allows us to be freer and happier with a more positive, peaceful and rewarding way of living. A nice holiday read if you’re travelling this summer.

Three things I’m loving at the moment...

Chanel washed denim nail polish The perfect sludgy blue colour for summer, particularly for someone like me who only ever wears grey.

Himalayan charcoal purifying glow mask from the Body Shop An absolute must for glowing, healthy summer skin.

Vince Camuto Ridal studded sandal A little treat in Dubai, the perfect summer sandal to take you from day to night.

Dreaming about...

Summer days in the garden with family and friends. Chillout tunes playing, delicious food cooked on the BBQ, chilled long fruity cocktails, the garden table set with candles, and vases filled with flowers from the garden....all adds up to perfect weekends.

Tutti summer styling…

My favourite TUTTI summer piece has to be the hanging glass. Handmade from recycled glass, they look amazing grouped together, styled with flowers picked from the garden. Hang from your parasol, or use in the bathroom to store lovely handmade soaps, sponges or bath salts.

Loving the interiors at...

Rockfish restaurant - Al Nassem. A must to visit in Dubai, set back from the beach with views of the ocean, this Mediterranean fish restaurant is simply stunning. Natural decor with touches of sea foam, black and white oversized sketched prints adorn the walls and textured accessories are perfectly placed.

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The perfect summer trainer...

Loving my new All Saints sandy sneakers. The perfect summer trainer to pair with white jeans, shorts or a denim dress. An essential for a working mum’s wardrobe.

JUL/AUG17

Beautiful and affordable KI T C H ENS

BE DROOMS

BAT H R OOM S O R A N G ERIE S

GUA RDIA N

DOORS

R O O F S

B I- F OL D

R E P L A CE M E NT

ROO F S

WI N D O WS

D O O R S R AD I AT O R S

10th Avenue West, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0HL 0191 491 3836 www.greatlook.co.uk Opposite Retail World

SIT BACK in association with

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From royalty to rockstars, a North East furniture company is taking sofa style to the stars

A-lister room service

Think back to Oscars night this year. Best actress winner Emma Stone was photographed for the world to see, clutching her prized statue as she lounged on a ‘Brewster’ chair – made in Cramlington.

She’s part of an A-lister super-sofa crowd who have had their lounging moments on craftsmen-built pieces from George Smith.

This is furniture at its finest, with prices around £12k for a hand-built sofa upholstered in the finest mohair.

The company is well-known within the

interior design community – Northumberland designer Fiona Barratt-Campbell who has an interiors studio in Westminster, frequently commissions furniture from George Smith for her wealthy and style-conscious customers.

The company also carries out work for the Soho House and Firmdale boutique hotel groups. Most recently they were commissioned to make a bold 15m long sofa for the hottest new hotel opening, The Ned, in London.

Clients number among them a coveted list of cool restaurants and boutique getaways; Sexy Fish, The Hoxton Grill, The Pig, Bath, Lime Wood Hotel, The Goring, Soho Beach, Miami... the list goes on, from a castle in Scotland to a celebrity home in Los Angeles.

Designer Tommy Hilfiger is a customer, and there are royal connections too - George Smith created upholstery for the Gloriana barge for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

There are few requests that can’t be met says Jim Athey, factory manager at the Cramlington base.

“What we are seeing is people liking classic shapes but then making them more contemporary.”

The factory is more workmanlike than Hollywood gloss, as it should be – but there is hawk-like attention to detail in every process.

A large chesterfield sofa might take 100 hours to make. The wooden frame will be handbuilt by one person, with a little

The intricacy of the hand-springing process means the sofas look as beautiful on the inside as they do in-situ – and means they are made to last 74

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

plaque of authentication on each piece.

Frames are made with seasoned beech or birch, hand-jointed to exacting standards.

Next heavy steel coiled springs are tied into wide bands of interwoven jute webbing to provide balanced weight distribution for maximum comfort.

Horse hair is the primary stuffing material, enveloping and cushioning the coil springs, followed by a cotton-feather mixture to provide thick padding and comfort. Seat cushions are hand stuffed with a mixture of duck down and feathers.

The intricacy of the hand-springing process means the sofas look as beautiful on the inside as they do in-situ – and means they are made to last and last, says Jim. “The sofas are very popular in America – you find they stay in families for generations

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SIT BACK

– they can be reupholstered and become a piece of history. “ Exquisite fabrics and an expert upholstery team make a great combination. Soft velvet mohair, real zebra skins or ostrich-skin effect on leather create unique pieces – it might take as many as five cowhides to make one sofa, says Jim. The factory has just opened its own new showroom and design studio on site in Cramlington. The company has showrooms in LA (that Oscars chair was sourced from

JUL/AUG17

the Santa Barbara studio) as well as London, Chicago and New York – but they also ship furniture across the globe – with local craftsmen sometimes sent out to re-upholster on-site.

Though furniture designs are steeped in history, collaborations reflect a more contemporary approach – such as a range with Scandinavian designer Ilse Crawford and her ‘room within a room sofa’ called the Ilse sofa and reflecting a calm, comforting ‘hygge’ approach.

George Smith’s own collection features classic designs such as chesterfields and scroll-arm sofas, alongside distinctive contemporary styles.

At the new furniture design studio customers will be able to commission their own piece which will be made entirely in-house, from frame to finish.

Not only can you choose your own fabric or leather finish but also the size, cushion filling, wood finish and any other details (such as adding fringe, castors or nail

heads). All of their hardwood frames are hand-jointed and made to last, designed to be passed down through the generations.

The furniture design studio can also build something completely bespoke and provide detailed drawings and prototypes for any project, whether it’s banquette seating, bar stools, 15m chesterfields, deep-buttoned beds or a client’s own special design.

Interior designers and retail clients can visit the studio Monday–Friday from 9am–5pm. www.georgesmith.com

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WITH THE FLOW in association with

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New

wave

Susannah Mead does love to be beside the seaside – and she’s made surf, sand and pebbles the inspiration for an online store of cool collectables

A milestone birthday can be all about the key to the door. For Susannah Mead it unlocked a new passion for curating gorgeous things for people and their homes.

Susannah had spent much of her 50 years travelling. She worked as cabin crew and relished seeing the world, and getting under the skin of new places and discovering new things.

As her family grew, her job shifted and her expertise saw her running a degree in airport and airline management at Teesside University.

The love of travel never diminished, nor the lure of the seashore, which is a just a few minutes’ walk from her home on the North Yorkshire coast.

It’s where she spends a great deal of time, rain or shine, summer or winter and was a natural inspiration for a life change at 50.

Susannah launched an online interiors business called &Mead, a curated collection of finds from craftspeople and artisans across the world.

Ceramics, linens, scarves, throws, artworks and even the ultimate in kitchen cool – a designer pan-scourer. Little and lovely things that make everything from a kitchen chore to a beach walk that little bit brighter.

Susannah explains: “I got to 50 and that is a time when you get into your own skin and realise that life is about your own experience. It is a time of focus.”

She cut the university job down to two days a week and has spent the past 18 months curating the collection of products for &Mead.

Susannah has travelled the globe seeking out and meeting artists and makers whose work she sells on &Mead.

Interestingly, they have predominantly been women who now form an informal collective of artisans with Susannah the central point.

Susannah’s Inspiring Places: Nine Streets, Amsterdam Chelsea Markets and the Highline, New York A stay in Rye or Whitstable The café on the roof at Musee D’Orsay, Paris Salts Mill, near Bradford Reykjavik

and Linen Works then you might find something to appeal within &Mead. And probably at a surprising price.

On the room called Thistledown & Mustard Seed there are some stunning scarves that show off the luxe end of the &Mead collection.

They are made by British designer Beshlie McKelvie and a real favourite of Susannah’s.

“I fell hopelessly in love the instant I touched them, it’s impossible not to. Each scarf has a joyful exuberance, something of the fairy tale about them. They are lovely to wear – my friends love them and there is a quiet thrill when you wear one. They have a gentle drape and they always get an admiring glance.

“I like things that are really lovely but have hidden labels.

Some of my other scarves are cotton and silk, made by a community of women in India with beautiful craftsmanship – every little tassel made by hand.

“I want people to come to &Mead and love the things here, the story surrounding them and enjoy the simplicity of surrounding yourself with these little treasures.” www.andmead.co.uk

apron that will take you from potting shed to rolling pin.

“I think of the things as ‘forever treasures’, says Susannah.

“Not things that are intended to reinvent you but things with hidden labels that make you feel good using them in whatever setting that might be. They are ethically-sourced and sustainable where possible. Candles in earthenware pots can be then used as little cups and have another life.

“I have tried to find the finest things of their type – the beautiful and Lithuanian linen is the best there is and enamelware from Germany is strong, practical but also beautiful in its own way.

“I love the idea of texture – like picking up a pebble on the beach and really looking at it, feeling its shape and looking at its colour, how that fits into its place. I love the light, sound and smell of the beach, the textures and shapes, I love things like my ceramic coffee cups to echo the shade and texture of the beach when you clasp them”, says Susannah.

Predominantly &Mead is all about the things that Susannah loves and that people she knows will love too.

If you’ve got a thing for stores like Toast, Anthropologie,

Close to home: Walking to Cowbar Nab near Staithes with a picnic Dotty’s Vintage tearoom in Staithes Whitby Deli The Bistro at Sandsend Fish and Chips at Seaview, Saltburn

The online store is home to a series of rooms, each with a different theme. Enter into Laundry for example and inject a bit of joy into washing the pots with posh pan scourer – these are sourced from, and hand knit by, women working in home industries in and around Cape Town. The scourers are created using the waste product from cotton production.

On a more luxurious level, head to a stormy beach, light a fire and wrap yourself in lovely soft wool blankets made by Finnish weavers incorporating cool Scandi designs – or get to grips with lovely Latvian linen in the form of an artist’s

76 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

Introducing

tory

OAKLAND PARK Morpeth

OMES

B E AU T I F U L SH OW H O ME N OW O P E N Our impressive 4-bedroom detached Sandhills show home is now open at Oakland Park. Visit us to discover our luxurious Signature Range specification from world renowed brands.

Let us tell you more Call us on 01670 518428 Fulbeck Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 3JY Marketing Suite open Thursday to Monday 11.00am - 5.00pm Any promoted Story Homes offer is subject to terms and conditions. Offers are available on selected plots only, are subject to availability and cannot be used in conjunction with any other offer. Prices and details are correct at time of being released for advertisement. All images are representative of a typical Story Homes interior/exterior and are for illustrative purposes only. Story Homes reserve the right to withdraw or alter these offers at any time. For further information please speak to a Sales Executive.

storyhomes.co.uk

BUILDING HI GH QUALI T Y

HOMES SINCE

1987

SURFACE APPEAL in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

Bake-off to the max Old properties and super-modern kitchens do mix.

See how space-age style came to a Tyne Valley hideaway

Creative kitchen planning needs a fool-proof recipe when the homeowner is a dedicated cook.

Storage for every gadget and utensil, an easy-access home for frequently used appliances, smooth surfaces for easy prep – and clutter-free spaces to show off the culinary handiwork.

Not to mention making the kitchen a space for family gatherings, a social space for sharing a convivial glass of wine or a cup of coffee. In other words, a functional, fabulous heart of the home.

This was the challenge for kitchen designer Ian Mason, of Great Look Design Studio at Team Valley, from a Tyne Valley couple who wanted to overhaul their dated kitchen.

They live in a quirky stone architectdesigned character property, which they were looking to revamp.

They were directed to the Great Look Design Studio where initially they were attracted to traditional painted Shaker-style furniture – not a million miles from the dated limed oak units in their existing kitchen.

“After a long chat with them it became clear that this was the kitchen of a big cook”, recalls Ian. “It was crucial that it was designed to work

78 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

with the family – we talked about how they spent time in the kitchen, when and how it was used in terms of appliances and tasks.

“What became clear was that a great deal of time was spent in this room and it was a lifestyle geared to a modern style of kitchen – that was the starting point.”

Ian took a look at the room itself and

immediately saw that walls could be removed to open up the space.

It is a high-ceilinged room but felt dark and enclosed because of an open-shelved unit with a plate rack which dominated the space – as well as lots of wall cupbards.

The space was opened up and the plan that was devised centred on storage,

storage and more storage.

“In essence we created two kitchens within one”, says Ian. In terms of colours and texture, tones of taupe and stone were used - the surfaces are Silestone and the ‘furniture’ made from high pressure laminates in a grey fabric-effect weave. Soft white walls

JUL/AUG17

ShowerHeaven from Hansgrohe

10 Stirling Court, Eleventh Avenue North, Team Valley, NE11 0JF

www.h2obdc.co.uk

YORKSHIRE

What became clear was that a great deal of time was spent in this room - it was a lifestyle geared to a modern style of kitchen create a calm and airy space.

In the room there is one area of the kitchen which is very much a workspace and preparation area. There’s an island with inventive storage beneath and an induction hob on top. Utensils, pans, tins and trays live mostly in drawers rather than cupboards. Open shelves are home to more decorative pots and bowls at easy reach.

The clutter of wall cupboards has mostly disappeared from the kitchen so it feels light and uncluttered.

It is perfect for someone who loves to cook. There is a console pantry with a fridge either side which opens out to reveal an area for the plug-in appliances such as coffee maker and food processor, so they are always to hand.

Says Ian: “If you pay attention to the needs of the client then people shouldn’t be frightened of the design process, even though there are many decisions to be made. The end result should always be

JUL/AUG17

entirely sympathetic to peoples’ needs, their tastes and their lifestyle.

“This is a streamlined storage-centred kitchen and really addresses the needs of the client. It is a contemporary design which really reflects lifestyle.”

A clever touch was to create a mini kitchen alongside the dining table. This makes breakfast the best meal of the day – a fridge, bread drawer, cutlery and crockery drawers are situated right by the table for easy access – a simple idea that makes a lot of sense!

“In the UK we really neglect breakfast but it’s a time when everyone gathers and usually it has to be at speed”, says Ian. “There is a well defined cooking, prepping and eating area in this kitchen then the ‘mini kitchen’ where people gather.

Functionality definitely led the design and it just works.”

01845 597420 BeaverFurniture.co.uk

www.greatlook.co.uk

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 79

LUXE LOCAL

Whitley Bay

Tynemouth’s seaside neighbour is a laidback town known for its seamless merging of old and new - historic and rugged round the edges with modern luxury elsewhere. Home to boutique shopping, posh pads, easy-breezy strolls and a growing foodie scene

PROPERTIES >> Hot property here is snapped up quicker than you can say fish and chips - but with many family homes around the town centre offering soothing sea views in spades, grand coastal character and those all-important original features, who’s surprised? The outskirts is where you’ll find the big guns; lust-after streets like Marine Avenue, Holywell Avenue and Queens Road boast the biggest, mansion-like abodes and are considered the wealthiest around these parts. Head to the seafront to view a handful of white-washed power plots, with dreamy interiors. Discover tucked-awayterraces, or travel inland for plenty of detached boltholes, brimming with character and enough space for large broods. In the market for a cosy cottage? Head for Earsdon Village - just two miles from Whitley’s town centre - where a lot of older locals retire to for some peace and quiet and pubs a-plenty.

is your passion, there’s a bunch of independent retailers here to check out, including Mitchell’s Menswear and Hamiedog Menswear for the gents - our picks for hipster finds, fab footwear and cool, surfer-inspired tees and shirts. Escape Boutique for smart occasion-wear and stylish, lesser-known brands for the ladies.

For art prints, chic postcards, cards and gifts, Elsee Crafts is a must-visit - her handmade creations perk up any coastal home. If you like your diamonds and arm

CONNECTED >> The town is served by the good old Metro system - a lifesaver, despite its delays and glitches now and again, that allows leisurely shoppers and day-trippers to jump on and off from buzzy Newcastle all the way through to Sunderland and South Shields.

A visit from the Toon will take you around 25 minutes on the tracks, while a trip from Sunderland is a gentle hour. Travelling from further afield? It’s an easy car ride from the south via the A19 - zip through the Tyne Tunnel and make your way down the Coast Road. Head for the A1 if you’re coming from Northumberland. A bus ride can get you to the village’s nearby besties, Tynemouth, Cullercoats and Monkseaton in minutes.

SHOP >> Park View is the place to be for all your shopping needs. Home to the best-loved boutiques, some of the most popular foodie knock-outs and a few well-established, family businesses, you’re nearly always guaranteed to find a treat or two. If fashion

Splinters Hair Team will show your locks some love - they’ve been transforming tresses here for twenty-something years.

candy, Clusters Bespoke Jewellery can help you pick out some sparkly things. For pampering, look no further than the always-cosy Sammy Anne’s Beauty & Holistic Therapies, run by local beauty therapist and master masseur, Sammy Byrne, on Whitley Road, or Taizen Skin Therapy Centre on Claremont Road for a red-carpet facial.

FOOD >> Whitley Bay’s food offering is tastier than ever these days. Packed with independent restaurants plating up flavours inspired by Italy, China and Spain, tasteful bars, cool, kitchen-style cafes, scrumptious bakeries and spots to grab a good-for-you bowl of something nutritious. Purchase your meat from C.Nicholson & Son - the town’s last remaining independent family butcher with over 100 years’ experience and a name so respected that locals are known to queue outside the door to get their hands on its marvellous, high-quality meats. Sweettoothed wanderers should stop by Lottie McPhees Cupcakes - a pretty parlour known for its dainty, fabulously-frosted morsels - and Pure Knead bakery for fresh-from-the-

my local 23-year-old Eve Jones is co-owner of and head chef at new coffee and kitchen-style cafe, Kith & Kin, on Park View.

Three good things about living here >> The beach! I was lucky enough to have called it my office for five summers as a lifeguard. The heritage too - from the iconic Spanish City dome to the kitsch ice cream parlours dotted along the coastline.

Then there’s the people - Whitley Bay folk are truly the salt of the earth!

Three places you take visitors >> Omni in nearby Monkseaton - it does the best Vietnamese food and it’s only a few minutes from Whitley Bay town centre. I also love the vibe at Left Luggage in the old parcel and luggage room in Monkseaton Metro station - they do great craft beers and gins. Elder and Wolf is the place to be for a posh kebab!

An ‘in the know’ secret >> There’s a bottle shop opening soon on Park View.

One more reason to visit Whitley Bay for amazing food and drink!

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JUL/AUG17

LUXE LOCAL

PROPERTY WATCH WITH DUNCAN YOUNG

oven finds. Pick out a loaf of their homemade, artisan bread for tomorrow’s brekkie and drool over the pastry and towering celebration cakes. There’s Di Meo’s Delaval Ices, too, near the seafront, for frozen treats (Ferraro Rocher ice cream anyone?) and endless scoops of authentic gelato. You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to brunch, but our top pick right now is the newly-opened Kith & Kin on Park View - a cool and effortlessly stylish cafe that wouldn’t look out of place in the streets of London or LA. Run by a local father-anddaughter duo, it serves up the most perfect, sophisticated plates; everything from spicy shakshuka with feta and minted yogurt, to oozy, gooey steak and grilled cheese sandwiches, lots of smashed avo and hummus on sourdough, homemade granola and trendy ‘Buddha bowls’. Book a table at Elder & Wolf for the best wood-fired pizzas and Latin-inspired tacos in town, Pulp Fiction Future Food (pictured bottom left) if you prefer a healthier hang-out (it’s the coast’s answer to The Naked Deli - famed for its vibrant, good-for-you grub and ‘clean’

treats) and Hinnies for rustic, Geordieinfluenced cuisine and by-the-sea views.

Noir serves surprisingly-good tapas, Shikara does Indian food oh-so well (nothing like the kind you’ll find out of a takeout box) and Sambuca is something of a town centre institution, serving up the cheapest, but faultless, Italian food around. Olives at the Station is tucked away and lesser-known but is definitely worth a visit if all you’re in the mood for is a good old bacon bap, fish finger sarnie or hearty fry-up.

STROLL >> A blustery stroll along the prom will blow away the cobwebs like nothing else - and the same goes for a plod about St Mary’s Lighthouse, which lies just north of the town. Take the pooch for a ramble around the rock pools and the caves, or enjoy a leisurely stroll with the other half and watch as the wind whips up the waves. Technically, this seaside town doesn’t own a beach, but Cullercoats Bay - a sheltered haven on a sunny day - and Tynemouth’s famous Longsands are only moments away.

property: three to choose Dreamy detached An ideal family home, situated in one of the town’s most popular residential areas. For £770,000, you’ll bag yourselves four large bedrooms, preened gardens to the front and rear (south-facing), gorgeous hardwood floorings, original Tudor features, woodburning stoves, a big conservatory and stairs to a substantial loft area with potential for further development. www.cooke-and.co.uk

Terrific terrace Found in the heart of Whitley Bay, this quirky mid-terraced house is quite the charmer. Living here means you’d have four levels of fabulousness, including a cool basement kitchen/diner, two top-floor bedrooms, a large family bathroom and lounge and a good-sized yard for entertaining. A fenced town garden gives curb appeal. Yours for £210,000. www.janforsterestates.com

Seaside stunner A Pinterest-perfect pad priced at £495,000, boasting dreamy interior-designed features and furnishings and panoramic sea views out to St Mary’s Lighthouse, Whitley Bay cove and beyond. It’s set over three floors and immaculately decorated - think pristine white-wash walls, chic industrial-style lighting, exposed brickwork and a stylish monochrome colour scheme throughout. www.rightmove.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

SELLING THE SMART WAY Can a computer sell a house?

I, like many estate agents who still continue to trade successfully from the high street, have found the emergence online agents, to be somewhat baffling.

New services proflierate: the high street office disappears and the appeal is for buyers to sell their home ‘online’. The removal of a physical office, the reduction of staffing to basic levels and allowing computers to run your house sale, is an interesting concept.

I regard this as being very much a backward step.

I’ve watched with interest how estate agents working in corporate life have suddenly left to launch their own online estate agency.

It appears there are many things in this country which now come down to a reduced level of service, with the excuse that a computer can take over from a human being who has been well trained and successful in their selling skills.

The opportunity for people to cut corners, reduce costs and offer a cheaper service seems popular with the public in a time of austerity.

This is understandable; however, you have to remember that selling your home is probably the most expensive single item you will ever sell.

If you believe that estate agents are all the same and it makes no difference who you use, and that they all offer the same service, then you are right to use the cheapest online agent you can find. Prices from a set figure of £495 plus VAT strike the homeowner as very attractive.

The reality, however, is very different.

Throughout my 32 years of practicing estate agency, I truly believe that individual houses can vary by at least 5% if not 10% of their value, depending on how well they are marketed and how well they are sold.

There are many factors involved in a good quality service. These including maximum awareness, both from the a high street premises, as well as the internet, high quality production photography, walk-throughs and virtual reality images.

Then, most importantly, the way the viewing is made and how the the offer is taken to ensure that the purchaser fully understands all the opportunities that are being made available.

There are many times when looking into somebody’s eyes or listening to their voice and tone, that you can assess their need and requirement to buy a property in a way you can’t online, by email or a text.

The truth is a personal service will always enable you to achieve the best price.

Once a sale is agreed we have to check all of the financial backgrounds to ensure that everyone is telling the truth and that the purchase can proceed smoothly.

We then format and arrange surveys with comparable data and any minor defects that the house may have can be quickly remedied or reassured by surveyor’s comments, to keep the sale together.

There is a great deal of time spent between different characters in our estate agency when looking to selling a property well.

From the valuer to the sales negotiator, from the pipeline coordinator to the mortgage adviser, with the overseeing of the branch manager, we can ensure a maximum price is reached.

Then it is purely a matter of choice as to whether you want to gamble 5% or 10% of your property value with an online agent or a traditional high street agent.

Happy house hunting!

Duncan G Young Dip.Est.Man.FNAEA, Managing Director, Sanderson Young duncan.young@sandersonyoung.co.uk 0191 223 3500

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

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7

Adderstone Crescent Jesmond

5

This highly individual and unique, period detached house represents one of Newcastleâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s finest luxury city homes. The property offers extensive accommodation over three floors and has beautiful gardens, a double garage and former old stables/garage which currently provide a gymnasium.

Price Guide ÂŁ4.95 Million Ashleigh Sundin ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk rare! Office: 0191 223 3500 From Sanderson Young

www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

6

D

5

Lindisfarne Road Jesmond

5

This impressive, large detached house was constructed circa 1928 and enjoys a magnificent garden site, certainly one of the largest within Lindisfarne Road. The property has extensive living space and the top floor has been newly converted to provide fabulous guest accommodation.

Price Guide ÂŁ2.95 Million Ashleigh Sundin ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk rare! Office: 0191 223 3500 From Sanderson Young

www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

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local, regional, national and international specialists in property marketing

ABBEY VIEW, DURHAM CITY

£950,000

With fabulous views over Durham Cathedral, this six bedroom grade II property has a Jacobean revival exterior.

It has attractive, heritage features inside the property including stone flagged floors, period fireplaces and oak beams.

TOWER HOUSE, HIGH CONISCLIFFE

Contact: 01740 645 444

£625,000

Tower House is a beautiful stone built property with unique features including a dramatic tower, its interiors combines character with both luxury and style. The property overlooks open countryside and offers generous living accommodation.

DOWNLAND FARM, BISHOPTON

Contact: 0191 384 2277

£875,000

Downland Farm is set in a beautiful location, it has its own four-acre paddock overlooking the Cleveland Hills.

The five-bedroom property offers stunning family spaces, luxury bathrooms and a kitchen complete with Aga.

Durham 0191 384 2277

Darlington 01325 488 619

Wynyard 01740 645 444

Tyne Valley 0845 459 6000

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

info@wynyardfineandcountry.co.uk residing@fineandcountry.com

Contact: 0191 384 2277

Cumbria 0845 872 5453 cumbria@fineandcountry.com

creative and intelligent marketing of individual and country property

...300 offices worldwide

THE GARDEN HOUSE

£2,350,000

A spectacular five-bedroom home that is truly unique with a detached two-bedroom, two reception room, Reading Room Cottage . The whole property stands in three acres of listed parkland and beautiful formal gardens.

THE PLANTATIONS, WYNYARD

£775,000

This exceptional home has four reception rooms, five bedrooms, four ensuite bathrooms, a magnificent conservatory and extensive gardens. It offers space for outdoor dining, the private garden is a superb play space.

BLACKWOOD, WYNYARD

Northumberland 0845 459 6000

sales@fineandcountry-lakes.co.ul

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

Contact: 01740 645444

£845,000

A modern mansion of palatial proportions, Blackwood is only three years old with every luxury and contemporary feature. It offers four areas of reception space, five bedrooms and four bathrooms, the interior is extensive.

Lakes 01539 733 500

Contact: 01740 645444

Contact: 01740 645444

www.fineandcountry.com Head office: 121 Park Lane, Mayfair, London WIK 7AG.

TEAM TALK

Friend indeed

A trusty team player on and off the field, Boro defender George Friend is a footballing favourite, darling dad, charity hero - and new Luxe columnist.

Elysia Agnew checks in…

School’s out for summer.

The football season has come to an end for George Friend.

Over a coffee at Chadwicks Inn, Maltby he reflects on a disappointing season, which has seen his team relegated to the Championship.

It’s been a tough time. If you’re fighting for your club; your adopted home.

You’ve got to get the balance right when you’re a team player on and off the field.

George is exactly that.

It’s more than just turning up and putting in a good performance on a match day. It’s a game filled with highs and lows. And it can be quite a lonely game; particularly when it means upping sticks and moving across country to bed down in a new town or city for what could be weeks, months or years. It’s the unknown – but that’s just the way the game goes.

The industry is so fast paced; a player could sign for a club in the summer and

86 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

be moving on come winter. And with loan spells too, it really is difficult to pin down an area that becomes ‘home’. But George has found his place.

“I love it on Teesside,” says George.

“For lots of reasons – obviously the football, but also our love for the area. It has kept us here for so long, and hopefully there will be many more years to come.”

“Home for us is Yarm. My daughter is three and she doesn’t know any different. She was born in North Tees Hospital – if you ask her where she’s from, she’ll say Yarm.

That’s what she knows and we’re really happy about that.”

The loyal defender’s career journey has been a climb in all respects; in terms of location and in league progression. Working his way up from the then non-league club, Exeter City – with a spell in the Midlands – and finally reaching top-flight football with Middlesbrough last season.

It’s a journey that began on a farm by the South West coast - pretty much the opposite of urban Teesside.

“I grew up on a farm in North Devon, near Barnstaple,” says George.

“I wasn’t great on the farm. I did my bit, but I was always more into sport. I grew up wanting to be a rugby player until I was about 16, then I went for football and haven’t looked back since.

“I started my football career at Exeter, then I went to Wolves, worked my way up the country and now I’m in Middlesbrough.

I’m really settled here – it’s been almost five years now.

“When we made the move up here I said to my wife, ‘don’t worry, I won’t be playing in Scotland’, we’re not going to keep going North,” he laughs.

A successful career is about setting

targets and achieving them.

“My first target was to play 100 games for one club. I have achieved that with Middlesbrough and now I’ve reached over 200, so now my aim is to reach 300,” he smiles.

A somewhat unusual route into the game, George started out as an aspiring rugby player.

“I think I’d get beaten up a little bit now,” he laughs.

“I haven’t turned out quite as big as a rugby player, but some people might say I’ve taken part of my rugby game into football.

“Obviously we can’t tackle in the same ways, but I do like the physicality of defending,” he explains.

George gives thanks to his agricultural upbringing for his sportsmanship. Growing up on the farm has shaped him as a person, as a partner and as a player.

“The farm is a very creative environment,” he says.

“It’s a practical job and it taught me to try my hand at physical work as well as picking up some entrepreneurial skills from my dad.

“Weekends, of course, were always for sport. I played rugby on a Saturday and football on a Sunday.”

As exams passed and college progressed, it meant choosing between his beloved sports and a life at university. But then came the big break…

“I was signed by Exeter in 2006. I actually treated my first contract as a gap year, because I still wanted to go off to university.

“So I guess you can say I’ve been on a ‘gap year’ since I was 18,” he laughs.

The rest is history. Six years later he landed on Teesside where he has since won a PFA Player in the Community accolade, a trip to Wembley and a promotion to the Premier League. And despite their recent relegation battle, George remains positive.

“There’s always that unsettling feeling in football because you just don’t know what’s around the corner. But everything about this place has made me feel at home.”

For George, it’s the people that make him feel so welcome in the North East. Friendly faces, favourite food spots and family fun days.

“Without sounding too cheesy, I just love the people here.

“I’ve lived in Essex, the Midlands, central London and in South Yorkshire. And I’m not trying to get the whole rivalry thing going,” he laughs.

“But for me, even the Yorkshire counties are so different when it comes to the people. North Yorkshire every time!

“We really love the area and it definitely helps when you’re in a good place of work as well.”

George, his wife Kerri and his daughter Isobel live in Yarm, where they enjoy spending quality family time away from the football field.

“Muse is probably my favourite restaurant in Yarm. We’ve got a bit of a breakfast club going there with the lads from football.

“But Kerri and I like to have a ride out of town to the likes of The Cleveland Tontine, The Crab and Lobster and The Crathorne Arms,” he adds.

We like your style, George. Perhaps you should keep a North East food diary...

“It’s funny you should say that actually,” he jokes.

“When I first signed back in 2012, Jonathan

There’s always that unsettling feeling in football because you just don’t know what’s around the corner. But everything about this place has made me feel at home JUL/AUG17

APPAREL

Get summer-ready and pack your cases with bold colours and jazzy patterns

Case closed:, Choose python or croc luxey leather. Liberty case collection includes monogramming, £65-70. www.liberty.co.uk

Paul Smith, Signature stripe large towel £48.75; johnlewis.com Aspinal of London, Leather passport cover £50; johnlewis.com

Reiss, Mccawly palm-print cotton and linen-blend shirt £85; selfridges.com

Tom Ford Beauty, Neroli Portofino Acqua Eau De Parfum - Neroli, bergamot & lemon £95; mrporter.com

B&O, BeoPlay A1 £199; petertyson.co.uk

Alexander McQueen, Nylon camouflage backpack £795; selfridges.com

JUL/AUG17

to anyone. I found it very beneficial.”

After a tough season, the Boro favourite remains confident that the team will pull together and go again; with the aim of winning the Championship title and returning to the Promised Land – the Premier League.

“We found it hard but we were always going to. I think we’d be very naïve to think that we would breeze our way through the Premier League.

“It’s not just the players who get relegated, it’s the staff, it’s the fans, and it’s everybody on Teesside. So we’ll do everything we can to get back. Back where we belong!”

Luxe have found a friend in George. He will be putting his journalistic skills to good use with us from September – writing a regular column with fashion-forward advice, North East must-dos and much more.

Look out for his first column in the next issue.

www.mfcfoundation.co.uk

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area, but I knew enough about it to know that it was going to affect our fans and some of the families of the local lads. So it had to be a quick idea, and it was something I’d done before at Doncaster.

“We had a lot of help from the MFC Foundation who made it all possible. And of course, the lads getting involved – I don’t think anyone feels comfortable taking their kit off in front of the cameras, but it was something we knew would work to raise money.

“I think it was the spirit of Teesside that really kept people together during that hard time,” he adds.

As a consequence of the calendar, MFC Foundation has set up a charity called Team Talk. Providing a place where people who lost their jobs can exercise, socialise and talk about how they can get back into employment.

George tells us of the many success stories that fill him with joy, but remains modest about his community efforts.

“What the guys at the MFC Foundation do

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is just incredible. I only do a tiny bit of that and if I get the plaudits it’s not fair because those guys work tirelessly to help.”

George continues to work closely with the MFC Foundation.

“We’re always talking about different ideas and ways in which we can raise money, but I have to say it’s not about giving myself the praise, because I do a tiny amount.

“A lot of the lads get involved too. The club is very good at that. Steve Gibson wants to maintain that local feel at the club – and we do that by getting involved in events and charities.

“There’s a family feel here, which is very important for the club and for everyone involved. It’s unique.”

Still very much at the peak of his career, with another important promotion push ahead, Boro’s number 3 is set to play a big part.

But for George, it’s important to keep looking forward for the sake of his family and his footballing future.

“It’ll be incredible if I’m still in football in ten years’ time,” George laughs.

“But I guess the ten year plan is to play for as long as I can. I hope that can be at Middlesbrough, but we’ll see what the future holds.

“After I hang up by boots I’d like to stay in football, but in what capacity I don’t know.

“I’m doing my coaching badges now and I’ve also done a degree in journalism, so that’s something I’m interested in too.”

Quite literally writing his future. A keen writer with a journalism qualification and coaching badges under his belt, George is certainly keeping his options open.

“I did my degree through the PFA. It was a long distance course but I’ve got a full honours degree from it. I’d recommend it

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Woodgate would give me a different recommendation each weekend. I’d never heard of any of these little places before, I would never have found little gems like Osmotherley – it’s lovely – we love the Golden Lion.

“So from then on, every week I’d just be like ‘hey Woody where’s the best place for a nice Sunday roast’ and bang - he’d give me a list straight away.”

The Riverside is familiar territory for the Friends on a Saturday afternoon. But away from the football scene, they have really embraced the area as a family – whether that’s a day at the coast, a mooch around museums or an afternoon at the farm.

“Monk Park Farm down the A19 is Isobel’s favourite. Mine too,” he jokes.

“Going back to my roots!

“We spend quite a bit of time at Preston Park and we’ve exhausted most of the museums in the area – but again, they’re all good fun.

“I have to say we haven’t explored much of Northumberland.

Everyone tells me how beautiful it is.

So that’s next on the list.”

George is also heavily involved in local charity work. He’s a team player both on and off the field – representing not only the club, but the community too.

Teesside hit the headlines in 2015 when thousands of workers lost their jobs after the closure of the SSI Steelworks in Redcar.

A bunch of Boro players stripped down and posed for a topless charity calendar, pledging their desire to raise funds for a community project to help men over 40 get back into work.

“It was a really tough time on Teesside,” explains George.

“Obviously I’m not originally from the

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 87

WILD ROVER

AT THE WHEEL

Bob Arora takes to the road in the nippiest Land Rover Discovery yet; it’s tow-tastic!

Go go, Disco Land Rover’s latest Discovery gets the vote when it comes to strong and stable motoring

The Discovery was a child of the nineties. Launched in 1998 it was ‘strong and stable’ way before Theresa May. This bold vehicle was initially dubbed a ‘lifestyle’ motor, whatever that means - today’s SUV I’m thinking.

The car’s interior was designed by the Conrad group and initially many of the designer’s ideas were deemed a bit too wacky and they weren’t incorporated into the final design.

The basic structure was basically a Range Rover but the interior featured parts from the Montego and Maestro, which sounds a bit like a coalition of chaos all its own.

Exterior parts came courtesy of the Maestro van, Freight Rover van and the Morris Marina; it wasn’t really the best

I just presumed it would be slow and unresponsive especially mated to the standard 8 speed auto box.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as it was really good 88 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

of starts for the car!

Initially the Disco was going to take on Japanese rivals and because of its lower pricing it was a success. This was helped by the car’s incredible off-roading ability.

Fast forward to the fifth generation Discovery and thankfully there isn’t a hint of the old Rover.

The latest Disco has the family genes running through it with the familiar headlights and the curvy sexy body shape.

The rear end is a real talking point and it’s definitely a love or hate design. Personally for me it’s a grower, but I do think this car is very colour dependent. In black or grey it looks amazing but in white it’s far too much like a van!

To help reduce weight the car has been fitted with an aluminium monocoque but it still weighs over two tonnes.

The car features air suspension across the range and it just glides along the road, I love hearing the hissing and various noises the car makes when you park up and get out (I know, it’s really sad).

The car has four spec levels; all cars are fitted with Bluetooth, DAB radio, cruise control and autonomous braking.

I drove the new 2lt diesel and I’ll be honest with you, I just presumed it would be slow and unresponsive especially mated to the standard 8 speed auto box. I have to say I was pleasantly surprised as it was really good; it managed to get to 60mph in eight seconds with a top speed of 121mph but the best bit was the economy and it managed

to return about 40mpg even with my heavy right foot!

The 3lt V6 diesel obviously sounds great with its sportier engine note, it gets to 60mph slightly quicker at 7.7 seconds and its top speed is only 10mph more than the smaller engine. As you would expect the petrol V6 is the sportiest of the range, you’ll pay for this not only at the petrol station but when you come to sell the car as it will depreciate the most. The two diesels should retain nearly 59% after three years.

The interior is very classy indeed and nothing like the first generation Disco. The switchgear and materials are excellent, there is a real abundance of storage space in the door pockets and the storage area underneath the arm rest is huge and it can be refrigerated. The panel housing the ventilation controls opens up to reveal storage for phones, keys or even sunglasses. The infotainment system is much more than just sat-nav, if it’s used in conjunction with the app it allows you to fold seats down, lock doors and the fuel level can be checked via the app.

With all seven seats up the boot has 285 litres of luggage space, with the rearmost seats down it increases to 1,137 litres and with all the seats down this increases to a mammoth 2,106 litres or nearly as much as a small van.

The rear two seats actually accommodate two adults unlike its competitors; they aren’t just for teenagers or small children.

The Discovery has just been named ‘tow car of the decade’, I’m sure you’ll see plenty pulling along horse boxes or caravans this summer! The Disco’s lack of rear tailgate has led the designers to come up with a clever solution.

A one-piece boot opens to reveal an electrically operated flip down ledge that can actually support 300kg.

With all of the car’s safety technology from air bags all over the place to its autonomous braking and lane departure warning I’m sure this car will achieve a 5 star Ncap rating. Land Rover has introduced a service pack for five years or 50,000 miles, a three year unlimited mileage warranty also gives owners peace of mind.

Looking at some of the last shape Discovery’s on the forecourt the latest model looks a million times better and with its weight saving use of aluminium it is a much better car to drive as well.

I think Land Rover will be on to another sales winner with this car and it’s great to see another British success story.

Car supplied by Stratsone Land Rover Houghton Le Spring.

JUL/AUG17

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This technical tour de force now comes with BMW Professional Multimedia Navigation, including Real Time Traffic Information, as standard. This ensures that you always know whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on the road ahead, whilst innovative driver assistance systems enable semi-autonomous driving, offering a safe, comfortable and less stressful drive.

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Official fuel economy figures for the new BMW 5 Series Touring: Urban 57.6-29.1mpg (4.9-9.7 l/100km). Extra Urban 70.6-45.5mpg (4-6.2 l/100km). Combined 65.6-37.6mpg (4.3-7.5 l/100km). CO2 emissions 114-172 g/km.

Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle. They are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. *Test drive subject to applicant status and availability.

COUPE COUP

n i m i c e p s e r a Ar

ith ed superstar w n li m a e tr s a Infiniti’s Q30pis says Bob Arora l, a e p a g in rn head-tu

I remember travelling to New York for the first time years ago and seeing all manner of new car manufacturers. I’d obviously seen most of the American brands courtesy of American TV and films, but I was blown away by the Japanese luxury brands.

Seeing Lexus, Acura and Infiniti for the first time was a real eye-opener – a revelation. These stylish motors were finding homes with many contented American buyers.

The first brand to test the UK market was Lexus and they did well by delivering a very good product with exceptional reliability and engineering. The next one to come over was Infiniti; they didn’t sell huge numbers, but they were certainly great cars.

Fast forward a few years and we’ve actually got our own local Infiniti dealership on the Silverlink park.

I had the pleasure of driving the new Q30 which is not only a very stylish looking, locally-built car but it was also great value. Having driven the 2-litre petrol version earlier this year I couldn’t wait to drive the 3-litre engine version. This 405bhp mean machine had to be much quicker and more of a drivers’ car compared to the underpowered smaller engine version.

This engine is also going to be finding its way into the 2018 Nissan 370Z. The 3-litre engine car, being petrol, is very quiet, but when you had to put your foot down it sounded amazing. I found myself dropping gears and blipping the throttle all the time. Very childish, i know, but the engine just sounds great and, well, i love the buzz i got from it.

The engine produces 405bhp and it gets to 62mph in a respectable five seconds with the top speed being limited to 155mph. It handled as well as its German rivals and with its four-wheel drive system, corners can

90 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

be taken at crazy, but legal speeds.

The car’s all-wheel drive system really inspires total confidence and it makes a very average driver look and feel much better than he or she actually is. It’s hard to believe this car actually weighs nearly two tonnes and with the size of the engine, the car actually becomes a real wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Infiniti have fitted a new improved version of the Direct Assisted Steering, which has been recalibrated to improve the feel and it delivers very tactile response which makes life easier and less tiring. Over bumpy roads you won’t find the wheel tugging to the left or right. It feels very strange at first but it does grow on you after a while and I’m sure it’s going to be a sign of things to come.

Another Infiniti first is Adaptive Suspension. The settings felt very similar indeed and I found myself driving the car in Sport+ mode. In this mode, the engine and gearbox liven up and the steering weight increases to help make a much more driver-focused experience.

The 7-speed auto is a bit of a let-down compared to the latest 7-speed dual clutch gearboxes though. Keen drivers will find themselves having to use the gears manually as the box is a little bit on the lethargic side.

The car’s trump card, though, is the amazing specification from the 130-speaker Bose system to smart cruise control, smarter high beam assist, LED headlights and traffic sign recognition. On its German rivals, this specification would be extremely expensive indeed.

The active noise-cancelling helps minimise unwanted road noise and the technology works by neutralising distracting sounds with acoustically opposite signals. This leads to a much quieter cabin and conversation, even at high speeds, is not an issue as you don’t need to raise your voice at all. The acoustic glass also helps make the cabin a very quiet place indeed; the sound absorbing material

between the glass layers so it significantly reduces noise.

With Infiniti’s In Touch Service App you can remotely control your vehicle. You can see how much fuel is in the car or lock it or even sound the alarm if you feel the need. The cars In Touch system allows you to voice text, email or use your calendar along with navigation and streaming music.

The car’s interior is a very nice place to be too, the standard of the plastics and switchgear is up there with its more expensive German rivals.

I found myself dropping gears and blipping the throttle all the time. Very childish, i know, but the engine just sounds great and, well, i love the buzz i got from it The car I drove was priced from £46,690 which I know isn’t cheap at all; it will be quite a rare sight on the roads, unlike its more popular rivals. So if you are looking for a very sporty car with stylish design, then this has to be the car for you.

I really hope the Red Bull F1 team get involved to design a sportier version to take on the M4, RS5 and the C63.

That will be one hell of a car that I would certainly love to drive!

Car courtesy of Infinity Newcastle.

JUL/AUG17

INFINITI NEWCASTLE

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Britain’s Fastest Growing Car Brand Official fuel economy figures for the Q30 range shown in mpg (l/100 km): Urban 32.5 (8.7) to 60.1 (4.7), Extra-urban 51.4 (5.5) to 74.3 (3.8) combined 42.2 (6.7) to 68.9 (4.1). CO2 emission: 156 to 108 g/km. Official fuel economy figures for the Infiniti Q50 2.2 CDi SE in mpg (l/100 km): urban 51.4 (82.72), extra urban 76.3 (122.79), combined 65.7 (105.7). CO2 emission: 114 (g/km).

We are a credit broker, and we are not a lender. Finance provided by Infiniti Financial Services, Eagle House, 78 St Albans Road, Watford, Hertfordshire WD17 1AF. Subject to status. Guarantees and indemnities may be required. You must be at least 18 and a UK resident (excluding the Isle of Man and Channel Islands). Models shown for illustration purposes. Metallic paint available at extra cost. Terms and conditions apply, please visit your local dealer for full details. Offers correct at time of going to press 31/05/2017 and are subject to change. Offer based on 8,000 miles per annum, excess mileage 8p per mile. Offers not available in conjunction with any schemes or other offers. Vehicle price includes first registration fee and 12 months’ road fund licence and delivery costs. Infiniti Europe Division of Nissan International SA, Zone d’Activités La Pièce 12, 1180 Rolle, Switzerland. Terms and conditions apply. Finance subject to status. CO2/MPG figures based on EU regulated laboratory testing, and may not represent real-life driving results (which vary depending on driving behaviour, conditions and other factors).

KEY TASKS

>> Andrew North, right, with Alexander Brimelow.

ANDREW NORTH

NEED FOR SPEED

Every day is a sweetshop moment for motors MD Andrew, a man with the keys to a very enviable car collection CHILDHOOD CAR CRUSH >> A white Lamborghini Countach – it was probably the first ever ‘supercar’.

WHAT’S IN THE GARAGE NOW >> I have a Range Rover SVR as my daily driver (I love the way the noise makes my son giggle), a Porsche GT3 RS for fun and the family car is a Land Rover Discovery.

IF YOU COULD OWN ANY CAR >> I’m very lucky that I probably already have the best every day car in the Range Rover SVR, although a Maserati GranCabrio MC is an incredible convertible family car with four seats.

I’d struggle to choose just one car.

Cars are my passion. It’d be like asking a handbag fan to only own one bag. For trips without the kids a Ferrari 488 Spider would be hard to beat and it’d be rather nice to go into my garage and see a McLaren F1, a Ferrari F40 and that white Countach parked up.

92 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

CAPTAIN SLOW OR JEREMY? >> Jeremy

WHO WITH >> My wife, Lisa.

WHO SHOULD PRESENT TOP GEAR? >> It’s a tough gig. It’s not the show it once was but I think Chris Harris is doing a great job.

We recently held an event in the showroom hosted by Richard Porter who was the script editor for Clarkson, Hammond and May for many years.

He had some incredible stories to tell and while I think he’s happier behind the camera he’s very articulate, funny and knowledgeable.

MEMORABLE CAR MOMENTS >> A group of friends and I went on a road trip to Germany in a great selection of super cars. I doubt any of us will forget taking to the derestricted autobahns.

TRACKS OF YOUR TYRES >> I usually listen to whatever Apple Music selects at random. That’s less embarrassing than admitting I’m a Robbie Williams fan.

DREAM ROAD TRIP >> Along Italy’s Amalfi Coast in a Ferrari 488 Spider.

WHAT’S IN THE GLOVE BOX? >> Wet wipes for the kids!

HOW CLEAN IS YOUR CAR >> My cars are always immaculate – it’s a perk of the job having a team of fastidious valeters working for you.

Don’t get me started on my wife’s Discovery though.

SCARY MOMENTS? >> Going round the Ascari race track in Spain in a brand new BMW M5 with my business partner, Alex. It’s a long story but he suffers terribly from lack of concentration and on this occasion he was behind the wheel!

The day job is the stuff of dreams for petrolheads Andrew North and Alexander Brimelow of car dealership Alexanders Prestige in Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire.

Motors to dream about and aspire to line their shiny showroom, offering a showcase of names to make an enthusiast quake: McLaren, Bentley, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls Royce and models to bring a tear of joy to the eye - like the 1962 E-type Jaguar Roadster RHD. From a young age, Andrew has lived, breathed and worked with cars.

His life in the motoring world started when, aged 16, he joined a local BMW dealership as an apprentice, working his way up to senior management.

Alexander has always been an entrepreneur. His first deal came aged 13, when he and his father sold a boat engine to a fellow boy and his father – the boy happened to be Andrew North.

Alex worked for a number of leading car manufacturers but knew he wanted to create something better, and in 2005, Alexanders was born, co-founded with Andrew. It was during a drive home with childhood friend Alexander, through the Lake District, that Andrew decided to join Alexanders Prestige.

Now, Andrew leads Prestige and jointly spearheads the rest of the Alexanders Group, including Alexanders Horseboxes, Lehel by Alexanders, and Harvey Cooper Cars.

JUL/AUG17

The sporting gene is dominant.

The 718 Boxster range advances a Porsche bloodline 59 years in development.

With powerful mid-mounted boxer engines, intelligent lightweight design and impressive efficiency, the heritage is proven. The road ahead belongs to you. Discover the 718 Boxster range at porsche.co.uk/718 or call us on 0191 295 1234.

Porsche Centre Newcastle Silverlink Park Wallsend Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 9ND info@porschenewcastle.co.uk www.porschenewcastle.co.uk

Official fuel economy figures for the 718 Boxster S in l/100km (mpg): Urban 10.7-9.5 (26.4-29.7); Extra Urban 6.5-6.0 (43.5-47.1); Combined 8.1-7.3 (34.9-38.7).

CO2 emissions in g/km 184-167. The fuel economy and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated test results, are provided for comparability purposes only and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

In association with:

luxe:looks

Break out the fizz. Time to get down to some people-spotting as we bring you our social snapshot of happenings across the North East. Eyes and teeth time!

Hooker & Young Magazine Launch, Pitcher & Piano, Newcastle

Below > Carol Wright, Val Quadrini

Jeff Winn & Kaajal Kohli Summer Bollywood Party, Jesmond Below > Kaajal Kohli, Jeff Winn

Below > Robyn Milburn, Marcus King, Tracey Dykes, Paul Furgeson

Above > Njdhi Handa, Arun Puri, Kamni Puri, Kaajal Kohli, Jeff Winn, Mike Bowers Right > Kirk Hooker, Margaret Wade, Gary Hooker

Above > Gary Hooker and Michael Young

Above > Joe Maughan, Michael Veitch, Bevan Spearman Clark

Above > Pauline Carr, Alison Owden, Adele Price, Lesley Walker

Below > Rebecca Shellhorn, Georgia Mucklin, Lesley Charles, Hannah DeVasey

Below > Mike Bowers, Peter Bowers, Mark Joynson, Mark Bryce, Helen a Walsater

Below > Rahul Kohli, Bharat Marken, Joe Harms, Dan Marr, Amy Syropoulo

Above > Neeraj Jerath, Vishal Jerath, Puneet Vedhera, Ricky Handa

Above > Kirk Hooker, Stuart Graham, Joe Parrish

Above > Roopika Jerath, Vineh Jerath

Above > Dell Graham,

Margaret Wade

Newcastle High School For Girls, May Ball, Crown Plaza, Newcastle Below > Rod Urquhart, Claire Urquhart

Below > Claire Salmon, Caroline Hartley-Haydon,Terri Baron-Bell, Claire Bruce, Victoria Backett

Above > Jamie Mableson, Jane Mableson, Rachel Byrce, Steve Byrce, Debbie Breen, Adrian Breen

Above > Robert Flint, Mary Jane Flint, Claire Scott, Toby Scott Above > Rasmos Henriksen, Azareth Henriksen

Above > Tracey Mahon, Stephen Mahon

say halo 94 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

(0191) 338 8188

halodrive.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

SOCIAL LIFE

Graham Wylie Foundation - Heather Small at Rockliffe Hall Below > David Gibson, Michelle Gibson

Lobster Ball, Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield Below > Leanne Parkinson, Tom Salisbury

Below > Jackie Boylan, Andrea Wylie, Heather Small, Ian Thompson, Scott Fleming

Above > Claire Forgan, Jayne Mohan, Elaine Rudgard

Above > Megan Chambers, Joseph Gibson Below > Lindsay Pickles, Gordon Gibb

Above > Vincent Wray, Angela Thomas, Delia Losava and Helen Kilkenny

Above > Graham Wylie, Heather Small Below > Gary Lane, Neil Bauser, Heather Small, Ray Branch, Lisa Bausor

Below > Brian Robson, Dawn Robson

Below > Bryan Bunn, Elaine Bunn

Below > Dave Hayden, Juliet Holliday

Above > Lisa Jones, Tim Jones

Above > Holly Cussen, Katie Gibson, Heather Small, Steve Gibson

Above > Dom Matteo, Jessica Frakes

Above > Debra Hayden, Steve Hayden

Above > Darren Pickering, Bev Liddle, Natasha Pickering, Keith Hughes

Above > Natalie Toole, Mark Atkinson

CHUF Hearts & Handbags Afternoon Tea - Hilton, NewcastleGateshead Below > Lynn Wilson, Katherine Buckland, Louise Nugent, Claire Barnaby

Below > Kate Pullman, Jo Powell, Debbie McCordall

Below > Sam Moralee, Charlotte Chambers

Above > Lynn Auld, Dave Auld, Nikki Wilkins, Above> Carol Pattinson, Anna Foster

Above > Clare Harper, Catherine Harper, Theresa Harper

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

get together with the girls JUL/AUG17

AIRPORT TRANSFERS SOCIAL OUTINGS BUSINESS TRAVEL

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 95

SOCIAL LIFE

Nicky Asbury Memorial Ball, Marriott Hotel, Gosforth

Gus Robinson Foundation Ball, Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield Below > Rachel Owens, Sam Hunter

Above > Faye Robinson, Rachel Ewart, Rachel Amos Below > Adrian Pitches, Pauline Holt

Above > Lisa Elliott, Ruth Gordon, Laura Mackenzie

Below > Matt Thompson, Emma Watson

Above > Julie Backhouse, Bryan Backhouse Below > Diane Rutledge, Veronica Holland, Mark Welfare, Trish Taws, Judith Pike

Above > Tessa Payne, Ian Payne, Barbara Robinson

Above > Kathryn Armstrong, Rachel Scott, Helen Hogben, Gail Davison Below > Reagan Clarke, Danielle Wilkinson, Jane Bell Above > Ryan Beddie, Caroline Pierce Below > Adrienne Robinson, Suzanne Charnock, Jill Hall, Katrina Hutchinson, Elaine Hutchinson

Above > Shelley Piper, Amanda Magwa, Steven Johnson Below > Jake Asbury, Hannah Parker

Above > Sheila Jackson, Maria Seymour Above > Irving Cobden, Carolyn Cobden, Lorraine Cuncliffe, Bill Cuncliffe

My Sisters Place Hollywood Ball, Gisborough Hall, Guisbrough Below > Ruby Mofazil, Marie Kelleher, Jenny Davidson, Michelle Hudson

Below > Nicola Eeles, Val Mather, Helen Mather, Ian Mather

Below > Debbie Bezance, Joanne Heminsley, Sarah Hudson

Above > Karen Eve, Emma McInnes, Kate Watson, Mellissa Baxter Above > Ted Boynton, Andrea Boynton

Above > Victoria Patton, Helen White

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

get together with the boys 96 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

AIRPORT TRANSFERS SOCIAL OUTINGS BUSINESS TRAVEL

JUL/AUG17

say halo

St Cuthbert’s Hospice Gentlemen’s Dinner, Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham Below > Jeff Ball, Paul Mariott

Above > Giles McCourt, Peter Bartley

AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Below > Willie Miller

Above > David Farrel, Andy Smedley, John Tulip

SOCIAL OUTINGS

Below > Peter Cartwright, David Pattison, Michael Hope, Dale Binns

BUSINESS TRAVEL

Above > Stephen White, Mark Perry, Simon Joyce, Ian Morgan, Joseph Madden, Paul Walter, Alan Brown, David Brown, Gary Clark, Kevin Brown

Berrys Golf Day, Close House, Heddon-on-the-Wall Below > Margaret Mills, Marion Lowden, Andrea Thompson, Cath Jenkins

Above > Kevin Wrankmore, James Atkinson, Craig Wright, David Nicholson

Above > Kevin Woodrow, John Armstrong, Andy Maher, Mic Roseberry

Below > Andrew Barratt, Chris March, Ian Morrison, Dale Mason

Below > Peter Davidson, Colin Wilson, Alan Thompson, Alan Shearer

Below > Joe Walters, Peter Scholfield, Nigel Brown, Phil Bennison

Above > Oliver Morgan, Grag Hall, Adam Woodhouse, Joe Olabode

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

Above > Mel Wanless, Steve Stone, John Taylor, Kevin Maddison

(0191) 338 8188 Let’s see you! If you would like your event featured on our Luxe:Looks pages please supply images with full captions (We Transfer or Dropbox is best) to: kathryn@remembermedia.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

halodrive.co.uk

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 97

PARTING SHOT

Summer blues >> Powderpuff pretty Alliums stand tall in a country garden; By Nicky Rogerson www.nrphotography.co.uk

98 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

JUL/AUG17

You’re looking at the next innovation in TV. See the benefits for yourself with an in-store demonstration and £500 reward by upgrading your old TV.*

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Offer runs 21st May – 15th August 2017. **By redemption within 90 days of purchase. T&Cs apply. Offer runs from 1st May 2017 – 30th November 2018.

Northumberland Street, Newcastle upon Tyne fenwick.co.uk JUL/AUG17

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£599 £7,798.75

£619 £7,798.50

APR Representative

5.9%

5.9%

On the road price Amount of credit Interest charges Total amount payable Optional Final Payment Duration of agreement (months) Fixed rate of interest p.a.

Mileage per annum Excess mileage charge

£49,355 £42,541 £6,270.66 £55,625.66 £27,967.50 37 3.04% 10,000 14.9p per mile

£52,555 £44,756.25 £6,631.47 £59,186.47 £29,823.75 37 3.04% 10,000 14.9p per mile

5.9%

£53,505 £45,706.50 £6,747.69 £60,252.69 £30,170.25 37 3.04% 10,000 14.9p per mile

VOLVO CARS NORTH EAST Mill Newcastle Scotswood Road, Newcastle NE15 6BZ Tel: 0191 274 8200

Mill Sunderland Wessington Way, Sunderland SR5 3HR Tel: 0191 516 8778

Mill Stockton Preston Farm Business Park, Stockton TS18 3SG Tel: 01642 966 719

Mill Harrogate St James Retail Park, Knaresborough HG5 8PY Tel: 01423 798 600

www.millnortheast.co.uk

*Finance subject to status. Retail sales only. Subject to availability at participating dealers only on vehicles registered by 30th June 2017. At the end of the agreement there are 3 options: (i) Renew: Part exchange the vehicle. (ii) Retain: Pay the Optional Final Payment to own the vehicle or (iii) Return the vehicle. Further charges may be made subject to the condition or mileage of the vehicle. Terms and conditions apply. Applicants must be 18 or over.

Guarantee/Indemnity may be required. Volvo Car Credit RH1 1SR. The complementary servicing offer is only available when purchasing on Volvo Advantage Personal Contract Purchase at participating dealers, on vehicles ordered between 01/04/2017 and 30/06/2017. Services must be carried out at a Volvo Authorised Repairer. Retail offer only. Excludes fleet operators and business users.