Luxe Issue 48 Sep/Oct 17

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ISSUE 48 SEP/OCT17

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk ISSUE 48 SEP/OCT17

S MA RT S A R A H M I L L ICAN. Aut umn art b eat . P ORTERH OUSE STEAK -OU T. Fa shi o n . SW I N TO N S PA. And re w Pern’s st ar-f i sh. S TUNNING HOMES. Party p e o p l e . GE O RGE F R I E ND . Di ggi ng d eep. INTERIOR INS P O. Luxe laps. HIP HOTE L S . Bi g n a me s . LUX E.

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WELCOME

contents 10>> Do This ISSUE 48 SEP/OCT17

Cheer the good folks Lucy Pittaway’s inspiration

26>> Fashion season Cosy up for cool days

46>> Chill out Bliss out in a sheepskin spa

My own summer even involved some snow and log fires in the cooler reaches of British Columbia so no surprise that it warms my heart to get back to the familiar seasonal territory of central heating, and scarves.

We ramp up the food love with a marvellous menu of our own - made up of some great food names as Andrew Pern talks seafood, Terry Laybourne gives the lowdown on all things meat - and super-foodie of the moment Joe Wicks warms our hearts with comfort food for autumn.

16>> Charity 20>> Art life

Sheepskin. Stews. Staycations. Yay, autumn is here and life regains a cosy focus. I make no apology for the preference of sweater over swimwear and a robust red rather than rosé in my glass.

It should come as no surprise that we’ve a bountiful autumn harvest in this edition of Luxe. We kick off with a charming and funny chat with the usually interview-averse Sarah Millican who has turned her wit to the pages of a new book which will raise a chuckle among those of us who endured the perm years as a teenager (yes, I ).

Culture-stop for autumn

52>> Sassy Sarah Ms Millican is in town

62>> Beardy & bold Lucy Pittway is a lovely, local artist putting pastels to paper and showcasing the beautiful landscapes of North Yorkshire.

Her luxe things in life include: snatching family time on the farm, days spent roaming the Dales and enjoying foodie treats at The Oak Tree Inn, Hutton Magna and The Coach House at Middleton Lodge.

Dr Rees is Generation Ageless

64>> Shellfish star In Whitby with Andrew Pern

67>> Meat the gang Porterhouse pleasures

76>> Kate Rose Autumn’s lovely stuff

84>> Luxe Local Time out in Northallerton

92>> George Friend

Add to the mix, cosy coats and cultural inspiration and you’re all set for a new season - but if your heart still aches for that sunlounger, we bring you rays in the form of our very sunny edition of Travel Essentials.

Time out with the Boro star

96>> Motors 102>> Social Diary

Don’t forget to visit us online at www.luxe-magazine.co.uk and sign up for our weekly LuxeLovesTheWeekend newsletter every Thursday 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

Tony Rees is our Generation Ageless superhero. Mad-keen cyclist, Ironman, academic and now – thanks to the beard – a model! His luxe things? My car definitely - a black Jaguar XF with cream leather interior, my double garage, devoted entirely to cycling and my bikes six ridiculously expensive carbonfibre beauties.

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, August 2017.

Sally Tremlett is happiest when she’s kitted out in cycling gear and heading for the hills near her home in Hutton Rudby.

Her luxe things in life include: bike rides which finish with coffee and cake, Russell&Bromley shoes – and skiing holidays.

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LUXE LIFE

STEPHEN KENNEDY Originally from London, and with a background in fine cabinet-making, Stephen established Oakstone Designs in 2004, to design and build luxurious hand-crafted kitchens for private customers. It’s a business which combines his passions in life; design, cabinet-making and food.

LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > Business is always pretty intense so I love spending a rare weekend off cruising with my family on my little boat at 4mph on some of the beautiful canals, lakes and rivers we have in this country.

A long holiday > The Canadian Rockies - stunning landscape, wonderful people and lots of amazing log houses, one of which would be my dream home!

LUXE RELAX >> Best Food > Really fresh seafood - mackerel caught off of the South West coast of Scotland, filleted on the boat and gently barbecued on the beach.

Best Wine > Any soft, uncomplicated, easy-drinking red.

Favourite restaurant > Es Pla at Fornells in Menorca, they cook the most amazing seafood - I had black cod with squid ink risotto there once, the thought of which still makes my mouth water today.

Perfect weekend > My perfect weekends are when we have friends over and I can spend the days in the kitchen chatting, drinking wine, relaxing and cooking nice slow roasts.

DOWNTIME MEANS >> Best telly > Great British Menu; as a perfectionist myself, I love watching some of the top chefs we have in this country really working at the top of their game to be the best.

Best Theatre > Having trained as an actor in the past, I used to go to the theatre a lot, the one performance that really stands out to me as the most stunning piece of theatre I have ever seen was called Acts and Revelations by Gary Carter.

Best book > The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula Le Guin.

Best sounds > My kids singing along to some of my old 80s favourites like Madness and Adam Ant.

LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Anywhere that has a food festival on at the time, I love trying all the different local produce and finding the real gems.

Favourite shop > Go Outdoors, it’s a guilty pleasure, I love the outdoor life and as soon as I walk through the doors I just want to buy everything!

Best Buy > My boat - not from Go Outdoors.

LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > Camping in France with friends, barbecue-baked Camembert, red wine, watching a meteor shower overhead.

Perfect party > The surprise 40th my wife threw for me.

Best outfit/favourite item of clothing > An Oakstone Designs shirt, I don’t wear one often but always feel very proud when I do.

Dinner date > Sue Perkins - don’t tell my wife!

YOUR LUXE THINGS IN LIFE >> Sundays.

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T H E P E R F E C T A L L - D A Y E AT E R Y F O R A TA N TA L I S I N G B R E A K F A S T , A S W I F T L U N C H T I M E B I T E O R A N I N D U L G E N T 3 - C O U R S E M E A L . A S D A Y T U R N S T O N I G H T O U R L AT E B A R C O M E S T O L I F E , B O A S T I N G A F A S C I N AT I N G R A N G E O F I N F U S E D C O N C O C T I O N S A N D O N E O F T H E M O S T D I S T I N C T I V E LY C R A F T E D C O C K TA I L L I N E U P S N E W C A S T L E H A S T O O F F E R .

HUDSONNEWCASTLE.CO.UK 0 1 9 1 2 4 7 4 0 4 4 | I N F O @ H U D S O N N E W C A S T L E . C O . U K | 5 -7 G R A I N G E R S T, N E W C A S T L E U P O N T Y N E N E 1 5 D Q

Aveika Restaurant & Late Bar is a modern Japanese establishment that takes its inspiration from the ‘Izakaya’, the Japanese concept of informal dining. Aveika is a sophisticated establishment nestled in the heart of the Newcastle’s iconic Quayside where the atmosphere is both stylish and vibrant.

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Taking time Be on message when the clocks take a turn. Flawless craftsmanship is a given with the Complications collection.

Patek Philippe Stainless Steel Men’s Complication £39,070. www.berrysjewellers.co.uk

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SEP/OCT17

ADVERTORIAL

THE MEWS, MARMADUKE PLACE, NORTON VILLAGE

Townhouse Glory Urban, contemporary living in a tranquil, village setting

Everything about The Mews, Marmaduke Place is elegant and charming.

From the bespoke, individually designed kitchens by Jonathan Brown of Stokesley Kitchens, to its perfectly peaceful and tranquil location in Norton Village - a vibrant and upcoming location in the North East of England.

This collection of five luxury, three-storey, high impact townhouses is understated and powerful, boasting handmade windows and doors by Keith Brown of Timbermate, offering detailed oak staircases and many other luxurious qualities in this very desirable village setting.

Each property in the Grade II listed development benefits from an outside/inside space, seamlessly connecting the open-plan kitchen/dining area with the tranquillity of the private and enclosed garden terrace.

With high walls and decking providing a private outdoor space for each property, it brings a contemporary concept and city-style living to a delightful, village location.

LOCATION, QUALITY AND DETAIL >> Not only is the pleasant position key to The Mews, Marmaduke Place, but the quality of the finish and the attention to detail throughout makes this a sophisticated base to relax, unwind and enjoy a bit of luxury living. With a focus on building

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Barker & Stonehouse bedroom interior

homes of the highest standard and with an aspirational reputation for quality, potential homeowners can be sure that Future ID Homes will live up to extraordinary expectations. Taking the stress out of purchasing property, buyers will get exactly what they see; everything here is detailed and finished to perfection, creating an exciting home and property that is setting new standards.

EXCITING, EXACTING AND ASPIRATIONAL >> To bring this vision of aspirational design to life, Future ID has teamed up with award- winning furniture retailer, Barker & Stonehouse, to deliver the highest quality on-trend furniture and accessories.

Barker & Stonehouse’s showhome furnishings reflect the latest looks in city-chic living, with marble, linens, velvets and richly hued woods all making an

appearance. While the mix of plush fabrics and bold colours make up the living room spaces, the kitchen/dining area is decked out with cosmopolitan metallic touches.

Maximising the proportions of the generous-sized bedrooms, Barker & Stonehouse have used a neutral colour palette. Cool blues, pretty pinks and gorgeous greys make up the core design to create a calming mood.

SEP/OCT17

ADVERTORIAL

Barker & Stonehouse dining area

Barker & Stonehouse kids bedroom

CUTTING EDGE, COSMOPOLITAN AND RELAXED LIVING >> Working with Jonathan Brown of Stokesley Kitchens to form the heart of the home, the kitchen designs are made with modern British, efficient living in mind – enabling homeowners to add a personal touch to the design intent. This is the perfect opportunity to create characteristic spaces that work for you and your lifestyle. Whilst the bespoke kitchens are simple and sleek and at the hub of the The Mews townhouses, they offer sociable, open-plan spaces, bringing the whole of the downstairs together as one enjoyable living space.

To continue and elaborate the sophistication and outstanding quality, Villery & Boch is the bathroom supplier, providing innovative

Inspirational & aspirational SEP/OCT17

design and outstanding quality since 1748.

With a sense of timeless elegance as the overarching theme, the sharp, subtle designs make for a smart space with everything you’d expect in a boutique hotel. From bespoke en-suites and wet rooms, to well-equipped family bathrooms, style and sophistication meets practicality with Villery & Boch. You’re getting sharp functional spaces that fit in with the style of your home.

The Mews, Marmaduke Place in Norton Village is a development bringing together the luxuries of contemporary

True elegance is timeless interior design to your home, by injecting stand-out qualities into every day life.

Working together with the Future ID team, you have complete control of every aspect of the design and build process, ensuring you get everything you desire and more from your new home. And with all that -

Barker & Stonehouse guest bedroom

location is key and of primary importance. The Mews, Marmaduke Place is perfectly placed.

Norton Village dates back to the AngloSaxon period and is now home to a wide, tree-lined high street with an array of cafes, eateries, shops, hairdressers, boutiques and studios - and the famed Blackwell Butcher. The potential educational facilities are great here too, with the prestigious and award-winning Red House School on the doorstep. Norton does indeed have the benefit of town-like facilities all encompassed in a thriving village environment.

Glorious green open spaces, good road, rail and air transport links and its proximity to the A19 and the A1 are desirable qualities linking Norton Village up as a prestigious and up-and-coming location for all types of buyers purchasing in the North East.

It’s a real gem and with new, city townhouse-style living available through Future ID, it really is one to keep an eye on.

www.futuredevelopments.org www.barkerandstonehouse.co.uk

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DO THIS

Stay in >> go out >> enjoy Chloé Laing keeps your autumn diary in check with cultural highlights to bring a little light into fall

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22 - 24 SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Stay put and let your tastebuds travel the globe. Sage Gateshead welcomes the world under one roof with the International Street Food Festival. Indulge in flavours, spices and tastes from our region and beyond inspired by global tastes. www.sagegateshead.com

Let Dance City take the strain. Hang stretch yoga involves using a hanging cocoon to help achieve traditional yoga positions. Don’t worry about being a beginner; the class will transform you from a caterpillar into a butterfly by the end, as it is open to all abilities. www.dancecity.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER

Artist Paul Nash is known as one of the of the most distinctive British artists of the 20th century and was a key figure in British Surrealism.

An exhibition of his iconic work arrives at the Laing Gallery in Newcastle from Tate Britain and will be one of the largest exhibitions Laing has hosted.

Nash’s work reflects his place as a key figure in British Surrealism. His art forged an important new connection between surreal and mystical ideas and the English landscape.

This significant exhibition spans Nash’s lifework, from his earliest drawings and the iconic war paintings to his powerfully emotional final landscapes.

Nash had a strong attachment to Britain’s countryside and coast, and was fascinated by its ancient history - though his shattered landscapes are some of the most striking pictures of the First and Second World Wars.

Pictures by Nash from this key moment in British modernism are on display alongside sculpture and paintings by fellow artists, including Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Edward Wadsworth.

The exhibition concludes with the evocative landscape paintings that Nash produced in the last decade of his life. www.laingartgallery.org.uk

Get a bird’s eye view of the Quayside by zipping right over it this autumn. This one is for the thrill seekers and daredevils who will jump 45m high out from the Baltic roof and zip right across to the Newcastle side of the river.

To see the sights at night a second zip lining experience will take place on the evening of 27 October (Halloween costumes encouraged). www.balticmill.com

CLASSICAL ROUND-UP

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SEPTEMBER

Sage Gateshead’s brand new Classical Season has something for classical fans and first-timers to get excited about. The season is made up of six different series – making the concerts easy to navigate.

16 SEPTEMBER Opening Night features Dvorák’s popular New World symphony as well as music by Copland, Haydn and the Barber Adagio.

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20 SEPTEMBER New this year is a series of solo piano recitals beginning with Lars Vogt’s (pictured) Goldberg Variations followed throughout the season with performances by Anna Fedorova, Peter Donohoe and Imogen Cooper.

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25 SEPTEMBER – 30 OCTOBER Ever wondered what the North East looked like hundreds of years ago? The Discovery Museum in Newcastle is takes you back in time with a tour of its ancient archives.

Travel back as far back as AD 1183 and with 12 miles of shelved archives there’s will be plenty to explore. www.discoverymuseum.org.uk

SEPTEMBER

Catch American musicians Laura Cortese and The Dance Cards’ as they bring their lyrical folk music to the Tyne at Live Theatre. Backed by grooves that alternately inspire Cajun two-stepping and rock ‘n’ roll swagger, they will have you out of your seats and dancing along with the music from start to finish. www.live.org.uk

SEPTEMBER

SEPTEMBER

Get to know Spandau Ballet’s silver fox in An Audience with Martin Kemp at Wynyard Hall this September. Martin wants the truth to be known; he will be dishing out the details on his life and his career in the spotlight.

If you ever wanted to ask the star a question, now’s your chance in an interactive session. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

2 -7 OCTOBER

19-23 SEPTEMBER The ‘funny and heart warming’ new musical, Son of a Preacher Man comes to the Sunderland Empire. It’s the journey of three lonely hearts who meet at Motown bar, The Preacher Man. Featuring the greatest hits of Dusty Springfield, and starring Diana Vickers and Debra Stephenson, this musical is bound to have audiences laughing, crying and singing their hearts out to soulful hits. www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

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28 SEPTEMBER Expect the unexpected as show Dance Edits takes to the stage with a variety of unique performances. Muse will depict elite athletes’ mental and physical capacity through movement, while “Them” draws inspiration from the movement and social patterns of carnivorous animals and fictional creatures. www.dancecity.co.uk

Dame Siân Phillips and Derek Griffiths will be pulling into the Theatre Royal this October with ‘Driving Miss Daisy’. Set in 1948 in Atlanta, Georgia, the story begins when a car accident deems 72-year-old Daisy Werthan too old to drive. An unlikely friendship blossoms between her and newly hired chauffeur, African American man, Hoke Colburn. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

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OCTOBER

A forbidden love affair between an American naval officer and his young Japanese bride ends in tragedy. Madama Butterfly is a beautiful and vibrant performance by the Russian State Opera, which features a live orchestra www.forumtheatrebillingham.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER

As part of a visiting orchestras series, Royal Liverpool Philharmonic takes to the stage as part of their UK premiere tour of Philip Glass’ Symphony No.11

4 NOVEMBER Classics 4 Kids is back this year with three children’s concerts designed to bring classical music to a new generation in a fun and engaging way. www.sagegateshead.com

SEP/OCT17

NEW SEASON NEW WORLD

RNS Halloween Spooktacular

Classical Season 2017/18

- OPENING NIGHT -

Saturday 28 October I 7.30pm I Sage One

SATURDAY 1 6 SEPTEM B E R 7. 3 0 P M | S A G E O N E

Lars Vogt conducts Dvořák Symphony No.9 ‘From the New World’ Plus music by Copland, Haydn and the Barber Adagio

T I C K E TS : £ 1 3 - £ 3 8

Sage One is about to get sinister!

An evening of horror-themed music with Royal Northern Sinfonia, from Hitchcock’s Psycho to creepy classics Night on the Bare Mountain and The Flying Dutchman.

Join us if you dare...

Tickets: £16.50 - £39.50 0191 443 4661 | classicalseason.com

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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DO THIS

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OCTOBER

Calling all Victoria fans. Dr Chris Ridway will be holding a talk at Castle Howard about the ITV award winning show and Queen Victoria herself. In the autumn of 2015, the show-stopping drama filmed scenes at Castle Howard, the same location where the real Queen Victoria spent the night in 1850. Book online to attend this free event and discover exclusive stories about the royal visit and behind the scenes stories from the ITV production. www.castlehoward.co.uk

It’s back, and there’s something for everyone at the Durham Book Festival.

The festival can be enjoyed across several venues in the city centre, hosted mainly at the Gala Theatre and Durham Town Hall. Prepare to see some famous faces and join in debates, family workshops and the celebration of the literature that is shaping our world.

Delve into Russian life in literature with Viv Groskop or cry with laughter and emotion in the company of comedian, Robert Webb as he talks about new book How Not to Be a Boy. www.durhambookfestival.com

11-28 OCTOBER

15 OCTOBER

A feel-good and hilarious Geordie Comedy, the Goth Weekend is at Live Theatre, Newcastle. Ella encourages her recently bereaved father to look for love, but instantly regrets it. Newly single singer Belle and her son Simon bring their Geordie Goth band into the family and uproot their usually normal lives with their Gothic madness. www.live.org.uk

Stock up with some local produce at Wynyard Hall this October at the monthly farmers’ market, located outside the Walled Gardens. Support local independent family businesses who make up all 20 of the stalls with fine food. Delicious produce ranging from free-range pork, freshly baked goods, chunky chutneys and creamy cheeses.

Plenty of gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian options available. www.wynyardhall.co.uk

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6-15 OCTOBER

OCTOBER

Scottish singer/songwriter Emeli Sandé is back at Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena to celebrate her second album ‘Long Live The Angels’. After a four-year break from the spotlight, Emeli will be sharing records with an excited North East audience – sharing the tragedies and triumphs of her life that caused the singer to take a time out. A wonderful comeback we’ve all been waiting for. www.metroradioarena.co.uk

OCTOBER

Team up with Rockliffe Hall to support breast cancer awareness month this October with their Wear it Pink Ladies’ Day golfing event.

Expect to be greeted with all things pink even the fizz and lemonade on arrival. Work up an appetite on the golf course with activities for all abilities followed by a traditional afternoon tea at the Clubhouse.

A fantastic range of prizes will be up for grabs at the afternoon raffle and there’s a goody bag to take away for all. www.rockliffehall.com

26 - 29 OCTOBER Oktoberfest returns to Newcastle’s Time Square. Once again, it will be celebrated in true Bavarian style, with dancing to live music, singing along and drinking of vast amounts of beer. Set up in a 1,700 person tent and decked out with long tables to dance on. Waiting staff will be dressed in traditional Dirndi and Lederhosen that will take you right back to 19th Century Germany. www.newcastle-oktoberfest.co.uk

31 OCTOBER 4 NOVEMBER

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OCTOBER

Katherine Ryan arrives back in Newcastle with her razor sharp and hilariously funny comedy show, Glitter Room. In demand, Katherine is the star of BBC’s Live at the Apollo, Comedy Central’s Your Face or Mine, Channel 4’s How’d You Get So Rich? and on Netflix with Katherine Ryan: In Trouble. Catch her show at the Tyne Theatre and Opera House this October. www.tynetheatreandoperahouse.uk

Northern Ballet are bringing their stunning new performance of The Little Mermaid to the Theatre Royal this October.

David Nixon will retell the classic Hans Christian Andersen fairy-tale, which will take you on a journey under the sea. It will be performed to an original score played live by Northern Ballet Sinfonia. www.theatreroyal.co.uk

SUNDERLAND EMPIRE HIGHLIGHTS 20 - 22 NOVEMBER Warm up this November with the sizzling Tango Moderno at the Sunderland Empire. The irresistible hot new stage performance features partners of over two decades and tango superstars, Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace. With a smouldering mix of ballroom, Latin and Argentine tango and classic steps, they have created a beautifully modern tango, which is unmissable. It’s so good you’ll be dancing in the aisles! www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

27 NOVEMBER - 2 DECEMBER The legendary Blood Brothers musical is set to hit the Sunderland Empire stage this November.

Willy Russell’s captivating story follows the lives of twin boys reunited after they were separated at birth many years before. Make sure you check in to one of the most highly anticipated and successful musicals this year that will take you through a journey of emotions. www.atgtickets.com

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HALLOWEEN

13 – 31 OCTOBER Fans of fear are invited to attend a chilling experience this Halloween at Beamish Hall’s Terror in the Trees.

The event stretches from Friday 13 to 31 October with live performers intent on terrifying. With only a headlight to guide the way, expect some shocking surprises along the spooky route. www.beamish-hall.co.uk

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OCTOBER

The North East is in for The Never-ending Nightmare on the 25 October as the Circus of Horrors takes to the Playhouse Whitley Bay. The company will be celebrating their 21st anniversary with a haunting burlesque performance, which promises to be brilliantly bizarre. The circus will display courageous and awe-inspiring acts woven into an ‘Alice in Horrorland’ style story. www.playhousewhitleybay.co.uk

27 OCTOBER Celebrate Halloween in style at Ramside Hall’s Party of the Living Dead on 27 October. Hosted in the clubhouse, guests will be invited to dress to impress in their most gruesome of costumes with a prize for the best dressed up for grabs and a raffle with all proceeds supporting cystic fibrosis research. www.ramsidehallhotel.co.uk

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OCTOBER

Carve some fun into October with Blackfriars’ Pumpkin Fun Workshop on 28 October. This exciting workshop invites both kids and ‘big kids’ to attend their fun fuelled pumpkin extravaganza, which is certain to prepare you for Halloween. Pumpkin carving, pumpkin soup and pumpkin pie and ice cream are all on the menu. www.blackfriarsrestaurant.co.uk

28 OCTOBER

8 DECEMBER

The multi-talented Rob Brydon will be filling the North East with laughter this winter at the Sunderland Empire. His new tour, I am STANDING UP, has been highly anticipated since his sell out national tour and West End run of 2009. The Gavin and Stacey star will be sure to have you giggling the night away. www.atgtickets.com/sunderland

Spooky sounds at Sage as Royal Northern Sinfonia performs a stirring Halloween special. www.sagegateshead.com

29 OCTOBER Find out what goes bump in the night, on a terrifying wander through the cobbled streets of Newcastle. Starting at Grey’s monument and finishing up at The Broad Chare restaurant, a ‘Walk on the Dark Side’ of haunting histories. www.shopnewcastlegateshead.com

SEP/OCT17

ADVERTORIAL

Virtually unreal progress Online divorce and ‘Open All Hours’ courts are coming our way as North East families in government experiment, as explained by Lewis Hulatt, consultant solicitor with Ponteland-based Major Family Law. Even if you are ‘happily married’ and do a good job of caring for your children, the chances are that somebody you care about will be affected by problems needing legal solutions. People do their best to handle legal problems themselves in a system that can never be stripped of complexity, no matter how big the typeface forms are printed in. Big fonts or small print, legal documents are complicated and change lives.

Add online divorce as complexity dressed up as simplicity.

Getting involved in court proceedings after a few clicks of the mouse might sound like ‘progress’ in a 24/7/365 digital culture, but so far algorithms cannot factor in your emotional wellbeing. All courts are moving over to online divorce after centralisation of family law work into regional hubs and the government clearly hopes that there will be further costs savings through technology and court closures. Once they changed the local family courts to being one national mega-court, merely ‘sitting at’ locations, I predicted that the agenda of court closures and property sell-offs was gaining momentum.

Newcastle has been selected as one of a handful of areas where ideas to ‘modernise’ the court system are being piloted at short notice. There was no complaint that the people of the North East were unhappy with courts only opening during the day, but it has struck the bean-counters that not using real estate for part of the day is inefficient.

With judges retiring at a rapid rate, court staff hiding from the public rather than facing their understandable annoyance with how the system treats them, and administrative backlogs that often stretch into weeks of

communications, one might think that opening courts in the evening might not be the solution.

In the original pilot scheme for extending court opening hours into the evening, there were considerable negatives which those controlling the project seem unwilling to recognise. Now they are imposing those negatives on the people served by the Newcastle courts. Judges working split-shifts or long hours may come to echo the problem with hospital doctors – too few being asked to do too much. We have seen how well successive governments have managed that problem.

In the programme of court closures, it was proposed that in future cases, it would be heard in any venue they could hire ‘on the cheap’ for the day. So much for taking justice seriously: the public and lawyers alike were not convinced that the seriousness of decision-making would be enhanced by hearings being held in an infant school hall or the function room of a Byker pub.

Around the country, closing court buildings was about as popular as expecting Newcastle United and Sunderland to both go and ground-share with Middlesbrough, or if there was a match already on, switching the venue to Gateshead Stadium or Wallsend Boys club. When you are worried about your future being decided by a judge, introducing ‘flexibility’ of venues increases anxiety.

At Major Family Law, we look ahead to anticipate developments, as well as dealing expertly with the law as it is. Newcastle being a pilot area for a scheme that was generally regarded as unpopular and ineffective elsewhere does not fill us with optimism.

When online divorce is rolled out, we expect to hear of people who went online ‘under the influence’ and started divorce proceedings, rather than simply bought 237 pairs of flip-flops on eBay. As taking time is considered a ‘delay’ rather than an opportunity for reflection, safeguards so that people

do what is best will probably remain lacking. Having the experience and skills to help you decide what is right instead of what is easiest/quickest will remain something that good family lawyers will endeavour to maintain.

If you have a family matter you wish to discuss, contact us at enquiries@majorfamilylaw.co.uk.

Lewis Hulatt is a Consultant 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

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13

CHARITY CHAMP

FIVE MINUTES WITH…

HANNAH LARKIN

21-year-old student Hannah Larkin from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, is the founder of North East teenage cancer charity, Butterfly Giving. The charity helps raise funds for young people fighting cancer across the region and is one of the beneficiaries of this year’s North East Ladies Day charity event at Hardwick Hall on September 20 One of my closest friends, George, inspired me to start up the charity when I was 15-years-old… he was diagnosed with cancer when he was young and unfortunately had to have his leg amputated - at the time, it was literally a case of ‘lose your leg, or your life’. And yet, he always had such a positive attitude, despite having faced so many obstacles already in his young life. His outlook inspired me to get out there and try and do something for other young people going through what he went through.

after the legal side of things. I then took over when I turned 18.

Raising money for young people in particular was, and still is, very important to me… as a teenager, you’re placed in a very distinct category - you’re not a child, but not quite an adult - and so the help and support you require can be very different to that of an older person or infant. I always thought to myself, if I was diagnosed with cancer tomorrow, what would I need? What kind of help would I want?

We did a lot of localised work in the beginning and still do now… by the time were registered we had made quite a few links with local hospitals through word of mouth. We recently gave a grant of around £1,000 to one of Newcastle’s big hospitals and another to help a young local woman, who suffered horrific side effects from her cancer treatment, go on holiday.

The charity’s name was inspired by the film The Butterfly Effect… it was a popular movie at the time, but the meaning still rings true today. It’s the idea of doing something small and it turning into something bigger. That’s what I wanted for the charity. I remember raising my first £10 from a cake sale and being ecstatic - now our events and work raise hundreds and thousands.

The money we’re making is never going to be enough to build a hospital ward, but it can go towards the small things that can make a big difference… like our ‘sunshine boxes’, which are sent to young people who have recently been diagnosed. Their parents, friends or even doctors can nominate them and we fill the boxes with some of their favourite things - which are then sent to either their home, hospital ward or even their hospice. We also make ‘bags of sunshine’, filled with toiletries and essentials, for those who may be admitted to hospital unexpectedly. Things you’d hope you’d have access to in hospital, like a toothbrush and toothpaste, flannels and notepads and pens for parents in case they need to write down any notes about their child’s condition or treatment. We also design ‘caterpillar boxes’ for patients’ siblings, filled with games, puzzles and arts and crafts for them to play with, perhaps while their brother or sister is receiving treatment or being seen by a doctor.

It can be tough juggling the charity and my university studies in Norwich, but I’m lucky to have a great group of people around me, who have taken it upon themselves to help me out when I’m away… people like Graham Wood, who holds an annual fundraising event in Billingham called the Barrel Push, the guys at Hays Travel in Billingham and, of course, the team behind North East Ladies Day, who take it upon themselves to set targets to help raise vital funds for people they’ve never met. Having the support of your local community is just amazing. My parents have also been instrumental in keeping the charity going when I’m away.

We still run it ourselves, but we hope to take on volunteers in the future, so that we can reach more young people in the region and beyond.

www.butterflygiving.org.uk

I never imagined Butterfly Giving would grow into what it has… it all started with a couple of cake sales, raising money for existing children’s and teenage cancer charities. I then, with the help of my mum and dad, organised my very first event - a Bugsy Malone - inspired charity night at Wynyard Hall - and the rest is history really. At the time I was too young to register the charity myself, so my dad stepped in and looked

Luxe is proud to be a sponsor of this year’s North East Ladies Day, which marks its 35th anniversary at Hardwick Hall, County Durham, on September 20. For more information, or to book tickets, visit www.northeastladiesday.co.uk

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MEANINGFUL MOMENTS

Sweet charity Doing good things in the North East, our charity round-up

Mark Robson, Lady Elsie and Dr Simon Bomken

HE’S A JOLLY GOOD… >> TRIO’S TASK >> Three members of the executive team at Rockliffe Hall take part in the Helvellyn Triathlon in September for a Motor Neurone Disease (MND) charity.

Rockliffe Hall’s Chief Executive, Eamonn Elliott, Executive Chef of The Orangery, Richard Allen, and Sales and Marketing Manager, Katie Scott, have signed up to what is said to be one of the toughest triathlons in the world.

The Helvellyn Triathlon features a swim in Ullswater, the cycle leg includes the infamous “struggle” to the top of Kirkstone Pass and the run is up and back down Helvellyn (3118ft).

Eamonn, Richard and Katie are taking part in the gruelling triathlon to raise money for deterMND, a charity established on behalf of Anto Finnegan, former Antrim Gaelic football captain, after he was diagnosed with MND in August 2012.

The Rockliffe triathlon team has launched a crowd fundraising page which is now live at www.justgiving. com/crowdfunding/rockliffe-hall-deterMND.

TEE-TIME >> The ITPS Cellular Solutions Masters, at Close House in Heddon-on-the-Wall raised £3,000 for The Percy Hedley Foundation and The Chronicle Sunshine Fund.

The golf day was hosted by Sunderland-based Cellular Solutions ITPS. a provider of IT consultancy, implementation, data centre services and unified communications, which has offices in Gateshead and London.

The two companies have collaborated on a number of major charity events for the two charities in the past, and co-host an annual race day at Newcastle Racecourse.

Funds for both charities were raised by donations from participants and the sale of Mulligan Balloons, with Barclays Bank matching the money raised on the day on a pound for pound basis.

New specialist research roles, funded through the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation, are helping find more effective treatments for children’s cancer in the North East.

The first of the four ‘Sir Bobby posts’, has been filled

by Dr Simon Bomken, who completed his clinical training at the Great North Children’s Hospital in September 2015 and is now a Sir Bobby Robson Clinical Fellow.

The new positions – two research fellows and two research nurses – will be based at The Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre in Newcastle, where clinical and research teams are advancing their understanding of how to treat childhood cancers and developing treatments that are more effective and less toxic.

The creation of the centre, which opened at Newcastle University in September, has brought paediatric cancer specialists together in a purpose-built facility, allowing them to work more effectively.

Rockliffe will also be hosting a golf day on 19 October for the charity. Entry is £280 per team. £80 from each team will be donated to DeterMND.

TODDLE-TASTIC >> Small people made big money for The Children’s Heart Unit Fund (CHUF). More than 400 children took part in the CHUF Toddle at Close House. All participants collected sponsorship in advance and were rewarded for their efforts with a medal, certificate and goody bag on the day.

Over 60 volunteers also gave up their time to help out on the day, from dressing up in costume to running various stalls. The event has so far raised over £10,000 with donations and sponsorship still flooding in. All funds raised will be used to provide lifesaving equipment and facilities for not only Freeman Hospital but six other Northern hospitals providing children’s cardiac care.

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CHARCOAL CHALLENGE >> Northumberland-based charity Lifespan raised an impressive £2,390 at an art and auction evening with artist Alexander Millar at Lord Crewe Arms in Blanchland.

Alexander Millar created an exclusive charcoal on the evening and the winning bid came from one of the charity’s supporters in Scotland, via a phone bid.

Lifespan, based near Hexham, supports people with life-limiting illnesses and Alexander Millar is its patron. The team worked with The Lord Crewe’s Head Chef Simon Hicks to organise the evening and expressed huge thanks to supporters and raffle prize donors. www.lifespan-charity.com

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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.

An Interview With John Hall, Managing Partner, Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm In the year that Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm is celebrating 175 years in business, we talk to the firm’s managing partner, John Hall, to find out how the firm continues to be successful in 2017.

32 Hill Street, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE45 5AA 01434 633302 www.saundersandpughe.com

John, tell us about Tilly Bailey & Irvine and how the business has changed in its 175 years?

Tilly Bailey & Irvine was founded by Edward Turnbull who set up the practice in Hartlepool in 1842. He was joined by Tobias Harry Tilly in 1870 and they formed a partnership in 1876 taking advantage of an increase in work as the town prospered from the growth in trade and shipping. The firm has since opened three more offices in Barnard Castle, Stockton and most recently in Wynyard to become one of the region’s largest law firms with over 160 staff.

We have seen the business change as it responds to the needs of our clients, most latterly building a significant corporate practice for our ever-growing business contacts.

You have worked at Tilly Bailey & Irvine since 1976. What is your career highlight?

I have spent over 30 years handling clinical negligence claims, specialising in complex high value ones involving catastrophic injuries. My career highlight was when I acted for the parent of a child in a wrongful birth claim. Her daughter had been born with Spina Bifida and the hospital had negligently failed to diagnose the condition.

The mother gave birth to a severely handicapped child when she would have opted for an abortion. I secured a settlement sum of £4m which at the time was the highest amount ever awarded in this type of claim.

Caring about the small things to make a big difference

We cover: Personal care • Memory impairment and dementia • Sitting service Chemotherapy aftercare • Palliative care • Respite care Post-operative care • Cooking meals • Days out • Overnight care

What is the most fulfilling part of your job?

Throughout my career I have had the privilege to work with many families as they go through life-changing events. I have acted for a number of children who

have suffered from cerebral palsy as a result of being negligently deprived of oxygen at birth. Most of them have come from poor families and when their parents have contacted me they have been struggling to cope. I have managed to secure life-changing sums of money that have transformed their lives and enabled them to enjoy a significantly enhanced quality of life.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine’s specialist clinical negligence team advises a wide range of clients, including those who have been affected by cerebral palsy. The firm is supporting World Cerebral Palsy Day on 6 October 2017 by helping to raise awareness and help improve the lives of adults and children with the condition.

John Hall is a Personal Injury & Litigation lawyer specialising in all aspects of personal injury cases especially complex high value cases. He is based at Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm’s headquarters in Hartlepool.

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Law Firm York Chambers, York Road, Hartlepool, TS26 9DP Tel: 0800 015 8960 www.tbilaw.co.uk Find us on Twitter @tbilaw

T: 0800 0158960 W: www.tbilaw.co.uk

Call us 01642 608070 or email hello@sallyandsarahcare.co.uk

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19

COUNTRY LIFE

Love and dedication go into every stroke of pastel on paper in Lucy Pittaway’s studio. It’s a family-run business that embraces everything we know and love about North Yorkshire. Elysia Agnew swings by the studio to catch up

Lucy Pittaway is a local, Yorkshire girl who celebrates her love for the area, keeps her finger on the cultural pulse and is constantly inspired by her home on a farm near Richmond.

Family is at the forefront of everything Lucy does. And after compiling a collection of artworks and establishing herself as an artist, her tight-knit family stepped forward to help her develop the brand and grow as a business. With her husband, her brother and her sister-in-law in situ, there’s a warm and friendly welcome as soon as you step through the door.

Smiling faces greet me in the gallery and a hive of activity meets me upstairs. A creative space above the ground floor gallery where Lucy’s family and staff team come together to put heart into the art. From the open-plan office space to the printing room and Lucy’s studio space, it’s got a fun and friendly vibe.

Everyone is happy to be here and I’m happy to meet such an enthusiastic and creative family.

“We all get on together really well – we all share the same goals,” smiles Lucy.

“What you see is what you get here – and that’s what I wanted to create from the very start. It’s important to me that people who come to our gallery feel comfortable, that they feel the positive vibes and that they don’t feel like they’re walking into a clinical place where you could hear a pin drop.”

For Lucy, despite finding her feet in art early on, being an artist is not something she actively set out to do. It’s a passion that comes from within - passed on from her innovative mother and her time spent creatively making in her family home as a child. The artist’s dad is the late Boro hero, Willie Maddren who sadly passed away in the year 2000 following a battle with Motor Neurone Disease.

“My love of art started from day one I guess,” says Lucy.

“I always liked to sketch and I used to spend a lot of time just sitting and sketching my pets at home. It goes way, way back – I’ve always enjoyed doing it.”

Admitting to being a bit of a hoarder, Lucy speaks about the difficultly of letting go of childhood memories and nostalgic pieces she’s created over the years.

“I’m a real hoarder,” she says.

“I’ve kept most of my sketchbooks and portfolios and even have some of my very first colouring books! I sometimes look back through them for inspiration and a few laughs - it’s quite clear that I was obviously always very concerned about going over the lines.”

Lucy attended school in Darlington and unsurprisingly, she was always top of t he class in the art department. She recalls a project mishap that has stayed

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Art from the heart

with her forever.

“Art was obviously a standout subject for me,” she explains.

“One thing I’ll never forget is my GCSE project. I decided that I would do batik for my exam piece. I had done plenty of practise and everything I’d done leading up to my exam was great. I was scheduled for straight As and it meant a lot to me with it being my key subject.

“I knew exactly what I was doing, but on the day of my exam, I was using an electric Tianting tool that melts the wax you are drawing with and is used like a pen. On this particular day, the school had a power cut which meant my tool of choice would not work. I was in a complete panic but my art teacher insisted I complete the piece in the science lab using a Bunsen burner to heat the wax, which wasn’t effective at all. My exam piece was a complete disaster and I cried buckets over it.

“I didn’t get my A and I was totally heartbroken.”

Lucy then went on to Darlington College where she achieved a BTEC National Diploma in art and design. Following this she headed further north to complete a graphic design degree at Northumbria University, where she picked up the skills to help focus on the technical side of the business.

But it’s her home comforts and her love affair with North Yorkshire that really brought things to light. From sketching farm animals as a kid at the family farm, to finishing award-winning pieces that hang in her local galleries, she really has brought things home.

“North Yorkshire is a beautiful place,” says Lucy.

“I feel so lucky to live in such a lovely area. It’s a constant inspiration for me.

“I’ve always been able to draw on my

personal experience and paint from the heart – so I tend to focus on places I’ve been, people I’ve met or my emotional state at the time of painting.

“I grew up on a small holding, so I was surrounded by dogs, cats, chickens, black sheep and Shetland ponies.

“It feels like I have always had a connection with animals, which on a subconscious level has obviously heavily influenced my ideas.

“My in-laws have a farm and we also live on a farm, so I’ve literally got sheep within 10 yards of the front door.

“So you could say they’re definitely an inspiration, but it’s not something I set out to do, it’s more just about the journey I’ve taken as a person and the way my life has been mapped out for me.”

Taking inspiration from her life, her feelings and her surroundings means when Lucy puts pastel to paper, it all comes from the heart.

Each piece means something to her, her

SEP/OCT17

COUNTRY LIFE family or her life in North Yorkshire. But we’re keen to find out just how her journey from idea to easel pans out.

“I have several sketchbooks full of ideas.

They’re constantly coming into my mind, so I just sketch them and refer back to them at a later date,” she explains.

“I’ve never been one of these people that has sat down and stared at a blank canvas, not knowing what to draw. I actually have far too many ideas to know what to do with.

“They come thick and fast and at the most inappropriate times. I’ll be trying to drop off to sleep and my mind is full, so I have an awful lot of ideas to draw from,” adds Lucy.

Lucy and her husband are the proud parents of two lovely, little people. The twins are her biggest fans and even have a say in what she produces.

“Sometimes I ask my kids for advice, but everything in their eyes is rosy isn’t it – they always say it’s brilliant,” she laughs.

In 2016, Lucy won a place as the official artist for one of the region’s largest sporting events, the Tour de Yorkshire. Following the Tour de France with her husband on several occasions, it seemed the perfect fit.

“Welcome to Yorkshire opened it up as a competition inviting artists to submit their ideas and a proposal on how you would go about marketing your work. So I created ten sketches, submitted them and weeks and weeks went by before I heard anything at all – so it came as quite a shock.

“This year I didn’t submit for it because I’d figured it as somebody else’s turn if you like. But they actually called and asked if I would be interested in doing it again.

“I just saw it as a huge challenge and too good an opportunity to miss.

“They liked the sketches and so it all happened again this year. It was brilliant.

Yarm School_open day 2017 221 x 157_final.indd 1

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The atmosphere is always electric and we love being involved.”

This year, Lucy was a finalist in the ‘Best Selling Published Artist’ competition and has won previous awards including the ‘Up and Coming Artist 2016’ and ‘Best in Show 2016’.

But now, she’s very much focusing on her new collections and exciting prospects for the New Year.

“There are a couple of irons in the fire,”

she says.

“I’ve got some new work coming out this autumn and I also plan to release new work in early 2018 that’s completely different to what I’ve done before. It’s always a bit of a gamble to try something new, but you’ve got to constantly re-invent yourself to grow. You can’t just be churning out the same stuff all the time.”

Being a family business, it can be difficult to switch off from working life. But she snatches every minute of downtime.

“We spend most of our time in the region. I love to go for a meal at The Oak Tree Inn at Hutton Magna. It’s a very unassuming little place - a real hidden gem and probably my favourite place to eat,” says Lucy.

“No one week is the same. I don’t always get my weekends off, so when we do grab our family time, we make the most of it.

“We love our days out in the Dales, fishing in the steam, taking the dogs out, going

for walks, days out at Newby Hall – that kind of thing.

“But similarly, we also love our time on the farm. We’re building a fairy garden and an ogre’s garden at the moment – it’s all very creative. There’s all sorts going on at our house. It’s like a little project in itself and it changes with each season!”

Lucy still gets excited to see her art dotted around the North East - in friends’ homes, in local businesses and even on the TV. “People have told me that they think they’ve seen my work on Emmerdale and a piece has been spotted on the Yorkshire Vet programme. It’s really nice actually, and some days I still can’t believe it. I pinch myself – sometimes I have to step back and think, oh my goodness – look at this, look at the journey that I’ve been on and look where we’ve got to in such a short space of time.” www.lucypittaway.co.uk

16/08/2017 10:31:57

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ADVERTORIAL

STEPHEN HALL Stephen Hall is the office senior partner at Deloitte in the North East. This year he is celebrating 25 years at Deloitte where he looks after private businesses and their shareholders. Stephen is also a trustee of the County Durham Community Foundation and is on the advisory boards for Northern Stage, the local Marie Curie hospice and Invest Newcastle. From Durham Stephen is proud to have spent all of his career in the North East.

I LOVE COUNTY DURHAM >> I do like Newcastle, and the riverscape is superb, but I’m Durham born and bred. I still live in the city, and every time I come home and see the cathedral it gives me a lift.

When people from outside the region talk about the beauty of the North East, they usually mean Northumberland, but to me there are parts of County Durham - around Barnard Castle, for example – that I think are as picturesque as anywhere in Northumberland. I love walking, and there are endless opportunities for walks in County Durham.

I also like to support local organisations and events, whether that’s as a trustee of County Durham Community Foundation or as a supporter of the Lumiere Durham festival.

MY DAY >> I don’t drive, so I take the train to work. A few times a week I meet with my personal trainer in Jesmond, and then head to the office.

As Office Senior Partner, my day is generally a mix of client and internal meetings. My speciality is strategic tax advice for private companies, entrepreneurs and their families, so I deal with some very interesting situations.

I don’t subscribe to the notion you have to stay late in the office, so most days I try to leave the office around 6-ish, although a couple of evenings a week I may have a client meeting or dinner, or a function to go to.

WORK IS FUN >> This is my 25th year at Deloitte, and in that time it’s changed a lot. Originally we were based at Grey’s

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Monument, before moving to Gainsborough House on Grey Street. We’re now at One Trinity Gardens on Newcastle Quayside and there’s a team of more than 200 people – and it’s growing all the time.

The office has a real energy about it. It’s a very collaborative ethos, and it’s fun. We’re all committed to the North East, whether we were born and bred here, moved here or stayed on after university. There’s a strong local culture.

from a broad range of backgrounds, and I think that should be fostered.

We have to encourage people to apply for the jobs they really want, and not think their background will hold them back.

In graduate interviews I’m always interested in the holiday or part-time jobs they’ve had. If someone’s worked in a restaurant or shop that often tells me more about them than their gap year in India.

I’M MOTIVATED BY PEOPLE >> I’m not materialistic. I’m motivated by meeting and helping people, whether that’s clients, colleagues or people outside of work.

I get a huge amount of satisfaction from seeing people develop and reach their potential.

I’m ambitious, but I’m not competitive. I like games to be fun, and close. I don’t see much point in playing a sport, or a game, where it’s completely one-sided. That’s no fun for anyone.

THEATRE IS MY PASSION >> People should have passions and interests outside of work.

My love of the theatre started at infants school and a trip to the Sunderland Empire to see a Pinocchio puppet show.

It’s grown to the point where I’ve become personally involved with theatres in the North East and I’ve also invested in local and West End productions. I love the sense of involvement it gives me, and seeing those productions come to life. Without that financial support, a lot of them simply wouldn’t get made.

Deloitte has developed a relationship with Northern Stage in Newcastle, and I’m really pleased with how we’re interacting with them. We don’t see it as a ‘corporate’ relationship where it’s just used for client entertaining. For example, we paid for 30 children from Cardinal Hume Catholic School to go to see their production of James & The Giant Peach last Christmas.

That’s a much more satisfying way to use the relationship.

BE HONEST >> I’ve always believed it’s best to talk straight with people and to be yourself. Don’t be afraid to tell them the truth – they can usually handle it. And any advice someone gives should be gratefully received. It’s up to us to decide how we apply it.

THE IMPORTANCE OF FAMILY >> Family, in its widest sense, is very important to me. I’m close to my extended family, but I also see the team at Deloitte as part of that ‘family’. I like to think we’re a big, close-knit group.

DON’T THINK YOU CAN’T ACHIEVE I didn’t grow up wanting to be an accountant. I had a history degree and I planned to train as a teacher.

One day I picked up a copy of the Chronicle and saw an ad for trainees at Touche Ross, which later became Deloitte.

On a whim, I decided to apply.

Maybe it takes a leap of faith to go from an arts degree to accountancy, but that doesn’t mean you can’t be successful.

In most sectors these days, people come

Deloitte, One Trinity Gardens, Broad Chare, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 2HF T: 0191 261 4111 www.deloitte.co.uk You can also follow Stephen on Twitter @sthall1

SEP/OCT17

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STATE OF MIND

LIVING IT UP with Varsha Sehgal Summer sight-seeing, charity challenges and trend-tracking THRILLED BY >> There is no doubt I have the itchiest feet on the planet and a deep desire to see and do everything in a single lifetime - the fact that I recently signed up with Marie Curie for their Costa Rica challenge has me thinking if I carry on like this, I may just get my wish.

I am thrilled to be a part of the organisation and help in the wonderful work they do. I began volunteering with them back in February and being in the company of such resilient, selfless and inspiring people who, despite their daily struggles conduct themselves with such dignity, has made me rethink many of my own choices and reactions. Currently the hospice is undertaking much needed refurbishment of their In-Patient Department with a big fund-raising effort.

If you can send a little support their way, please help at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/varshasehgalcostarica2018 TRAVELLED TO >> Over the summer my family and I did a marathon trip across the US which concluded on the dreamy shores of Los Cabos.

By the time we arrived we were well and truly ready to trade SoulCycle for sandy toes and margaritas!

Comprising of the towns of San Jose del Cabo and Cabo San Lucas, Los Cabos is often referred to as the Jewel of Baja and rightly so - year long sunshine, pristine beaches and endless miles of golden sands.

The One and Only Palmilla is without doubt the best location in Cabo and was our sanctuary of luxury and wellness.

Our days were made up of walks on the beach, pampering at the spa, sailing on the Pacific, delighting in the food and discovering new and unusual varieties of margaritas - all nicely dissolved in perfect sunrises and serene sunsets, leaving us thoroughly rejuvenated.

Scanning the earth below from my airplane window, Cabo appeared desolate and dry but on land it was anything but. Amongst the gems I discovered in the peninsula were these: Dining Suviche - we watched giant waves slap upon rocky shores through floor-to-ceiling windows as we sipped saki and polished off ingenious twists on the freshest sushi and ceviche. The “striped bass aguachile with cilantro” was a personal favourite.

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Flora Farms - a bit of a drive into the wild, this place took us completely by surprise.

Offering outdoor dining with a rustic vibe, the ranch serves only what it grows and breeds on its land. A live band playing soft rock, chilled cocktails, twinkling fairy lights, wholesome food and an old fashioned ice-cream stand are all part of the charm.

We were thrilled to spot bunches of olives, mangoes and papayas growing on the trees, and the little farm shop sold beautiful local handicrafts and organic soaps and creams. No visit to Cabo would be complete without a visit.

Seared - this restaurant really was the creme-de-la-creme of the crop. Fresh oysters, giant lobsters, finest truffle and Hamachi straight from the Pacific to add to the selective wine list, attentive staff and elegant ambience.

Nicksan - an award winning Japanese restaurant, it served the most delicious lobster sambal and salmon yuzu.

Activities Whale Watching - sadly we missed the season for whale watching which falls between December and March each year however, I am including it anyway as I know from friends who have done it before that it is an astoundingly beautiful and unmissable experience Sailing - the arch of Los Cabos, a natural rock formation, marks the start of Land’s End where the Pacific Ocean meets the Sea of Cortez and it is absolutely spectacular to behold. Snorkelling, fishing, spotting sea lions or just lying back and enjoying the salty air are all good reasons for a day on the sea. My son swears he saw all the characters from Nemo through his snorkel gear!

Surfing - this is a big sport in Cabo and it’s obvious why.

The surf was nothing like what I have seen before (and I have been to Surfer’s Paradise in Australia) and people are really into the sport here. We gave it a go which was fun but we mostly spent our time under rather than over the waves!

Golf - there are several golf courses across Cabo which would excite even the pros. The course at the One and Only had stellar views of the coastline.

Quad Biking - this is a great and fun way of exploring the beautiful landscape.

Cabo San Jose Art District - located behind the church in the main square, this is a colourful street made up of some really stunning art galleries selling works from local and international artists and sculptors. I especially loved all the creative art expressions on the walls.

TASTED >> Back on home shores I don’t profess to be a sommelier but it’s fair to say I have some knowledge of the different characteristics of wine.

To me, the wine list at a restaurant or bar is a good indication of the establishment’s aspirations. The wine needn’t be flashy, but some attention to the chemistry between the drink and food on offer can totally alter the experience. Carruthers & Kent on Gosforth High Street definitely get this philosophy. Their knowledge is sound and experience extensive. Their wine flights are delightful, nibbles delicious (especially the cheeses) and informal wine chatter very informative. I was impressed to find Tokaji and a 2007 vintage Amarone amongst the wines on sale and definitely recommend dropping by!

TEMPTED BY >> In fashion, Chinoiserie has always translated as maximalism. The Orient may no longer be the faraway land it once was but it still has a strong hold on the creative. The appearance of Mandarin collars, kimonos, Obi belts and delicate prints and embroidery are clear signs that this trend is here to stay.

The only way to do justice to Gucci’s latest evening coat is to refer to it as art. It made my heart skip more than a single beat but alas, despite being an investment piece which may well find its way into the V&A, I fear one could never get their wear out of it - still, it makes for perfect eye candy!

TRIED ON >> Since I have combination skin, which is prone to getting oilier as the day goes on, I try and avoid foundation as much as possible especially in warm weather. The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder, in a shade called Dim Light, is a silky powder in neutral beige which absorbs excess oil, covers imperfections and gives a luminous and flattering appearance without any of the heaviness of foundation.

It’s a perfect solution for day or night.

THINKING ABOUT >> I was a little surprised to receive an email from Mick Hucknall’s management team recently - forgetting that we’d bought tickets to the Simply Red show in Amsterdam at a charity auction! Which has me thinking, perhaps if they’re going to the trouble of flying us there for a show of our choosing we might just get to meet the man? Now that would be something to get me started!

SEP/OCT17

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MANOR BORN

E SCAPE TO THE CO UN T RY

MALE: GANT BAR STRIPED RUGBY SHIRT, £100 BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL SAND JACKET, £179 FEMALE: BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL CREAM JUMPER, £129 BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL BURGUNDY PUFFA COAT, £169 ALL BARKERS NORTHALLERTON

AUTUMN GOES BACK TO BASICS FOR 2017; ENTER A MIX OF BURNT ORANGE HUES AND DEEP BURGUNDIES, SNUG SWEATERS, COSY KNITS AND STATEMENT JACKETS TO FALL FOR. TIME TO WRAP UP AND WARM UP - PREFERABLY IN A QUAINT COUNTRYSIDE RETREAT… 26

SEP/OCT17

MANOR BORN

MALE: BOSS ORANGE CATTITUDE MULTI-PRINT SLIM FIT SHIRT, £85 BOSS ORANGE ALMORE STRUCTURE KNIT JUMPER, £119 BELSTAFF COGNAC JACKET, £1,350 FEMALE: VICTORIA BECKHAM FUNNEL NECK SWEATER, £375 CITIZENS OF HUMANITY ROCKET HIGH RISE JEANS, £240 ALEXANDER WANG BALL CHAIN PARKA, £1,405 ALEXANDER WANG LEATHER MINI ROCKIE BALL STUD HANDBAG, £684.99 ALL JULES B

SEP/OCT17

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MANOR BORN

MALE: BELSTAFF MENTMORE SHEARLING JACKET, £1,295 JOHN SMEDLEY LUNDY CREW JUMPER, £125 HACKETT MOLESKIN 5 POCKET TROUSER, £130

FEMALE: MAISON MARGIELA CABLE KNIT GAUGE 5 SWEATER, £299 MAISON MARGIELA FELT WOOL CROP TROUSERS, £285 MSGM WOOL FELT CROMBIE COAT, £499 MULBERRY SMALL ZIPPER BAYSWATER HANDBAG, £995 ALL FENWICK NEWCASTLE

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SEP/OCT17

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MANOR BORN

CHINTI & PARKER CREAM CHERRY BRETON SWEATER, £295 RAG & BONE BEDFORD BLUE SKINNY JEANS, £190, ARMANI CAPOTTA OVERSIZE JEANS, £399 ASH DAZED NAPPA BLADE SHOES, £149 MICHAEL KORS ADMIRAL LEG SADDLE BAG, £340 ALL JULES B

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SEP/OCT17

C E L E B R AT I N G 3 5 Y E A R S O F FA S H I O N

A stunning AW17 collection has arrived on the Ladieswear department at Psyche where you will discover all the style essential you’ll need for the new season. Staying on top of the Autumn/ Winter trends, our ladieswear collection offers autumnal shades of tan, olive, and oxblood.

Equip yourself with a gorgeous coat for the brisk weather. Performance label, Pyrenex, is new to Psyche - their lightweight duck-down puffa jackets are guaranteed to keep you warm whilst the Paul Smith wool and cashmere blend single breasted coat will up your style game this AW17.

For the ultimate outerwear, visit our Barbour department. Designed

especially

with

the

changeable and unpredictable British weather in mind, the enduring wax jackets and stylish quilted coats adds warmth and comfort. For an edgier look, Barbour International provides a modern, contemporary, relaxed casual style.

An outfit isn’t complete without accessories, so make room in your wardrobe for new shoes, boots, handbags, and winter woollies from luxurious designer labels including Michael Kors, Lulu Guinness, and Vivienne Westwood.

ONLINE

IN-STORE

LINTHORPE RD, MIDDLESBROUGH

MOBILE 01642 888333

SHOP ONLINE AT PSYCHE.CO.UK

G E T 1 0 % O F F YO U R O R D E R U S I N G C O D E ‘ LUX E 1 0 ’ W H E N YO U C H EC KO U T * T&Cs apply. Not applicable to sale items. Some brands may be excluded from this offer. Code may only be used once online. Not valid in-store.

MANOR BORN

CIRCOLO BLUE HERRINGBONE JACKET, £400 HUGO BOSS OPEN GREEN MAINE JEANS, £119 CIRCOLO JERSEY MELANGE SHIRT, £145 LOAKE BUCKINGHAM POLO SUEDE OX SHOES, £209 ALL JULES B

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SEP/OCT17

We’ve got

all your favourites Time to get in a flutter!

We’ve got exciting new stores including Boss, Flannels and Guess. Plus the world’s leading beauty brands in our flagship department stores; Debenhams, House of Fraser and Boots!

Do let us know if you need a hand with all those bags.

Search intu Metrocentre

© 2017 intu properties plc

Eldon Square, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 7SX & branches throughout the UK www.charlesclinkard.co.uk

Click & Collect Mobile

SEP/OCT17

Online

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MANOR BORN

MALE: HACKETT CHECK SHIRT, £105 HACKETT PADDED BLAZER, £350 HACKETT TRINITY 5 POCKET TROUSER, £99

FEMALE: BELSTAFF NAVY ROADMASTER JACKET, £595 JOSEPH BRETON NAVY T-SHIRT, £145 VICTORIA BECKHAM ANKLE SLIM JEANS, £215 MICHAEL KORS MESSENGER BAG, £225 ALL FENWICK NEWCASTLE

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SEP/OCT17

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

Featured:

TED BAKER

Selected colours available in store.

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MANOR BORN

MALE: GANT PALE GREY ZIP JUMPER, £75 HACKETT NAVY GILET, £187.50 BOSS ORANGE GREY JEANS, £66.50 ANATOMIC & CO NAVY BOOTS, £101.25 BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL NAVY TARTAN SCARF, £59.95 FEMALE: BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL PALE GREY JUMPER, £59.95 BARBOUR GREY TARTAN CAPE, £269 BARBOUR INTERNATIONAL BLACK JEANS, £89.95 CAPRICE BLACK LONG BOOTS, £94.99 ALL BARKERS NORTHALLERTON

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SEP/OCT17

PHOTOGRAPHY: KEVIN GIBSON, WWW.KGPHOTOGRAPHY.CO.UK MAKEUP: KATE PYMM, WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/KATEPYMMMAKEUP MODELS: CHRIS WILLIAMSON AND ALEXANDRA STOPPARD, WWW.TYNETEESMODELS.CO.UK ASSISTANT: HOLLIE SCORER STOCKISTS: FENWICK NEWCASTLE, WWW.FENWICK.CO.UK/STORES/NEWCASTLE BARKERS NORTHALLERTON, WWW.BARKERS-NORTHALLERTON.CO.UK JULES B, WWW.JULESB.CO.UK LOCATION: CRAB MANOR, DISHFORTH RD, THIRSK, YO7 3QL. WWW.CRABANDLOBSTER.CO.UK

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37

BIRTHDAY BASH

TREND-WATCHING The Psyche fashion empire celebrates 35 years in business.

Glad rags on for a party – and you’re invited!

Steve Cochrane is at his happiest on the shop floor of his designer empire, Psyche on Linthorpe Road, Middlesbrough.

Watching customers rave over new season stock, find the perfect outfit or be fitted for their made-to-measure suit for a special occasion. That’s what makes the man tick.

Steve’s enthusiasm for fashion has endured decades, trends and weathered a retail revolution – and has made the store as successful as ever as it celebrates its milestone 35-year anniversary.

The bold Middlesbrough store on Linthorpe Road has always been the flagship of the Psyche empire – and a design statement in itself over the years - though these days a huge proportion of sales are through its online business.

But the store remains the heartbeat of Psyche and has just had a £500,000 extension of its backroom facilities to match the business’s growth.

This is the new home to the e-commerce side of the business says Steve, but a bit more too.

“We had 35,000 square feet, but it was all retail space really; there was not enough storage space, the offices were tiny and cramped, and the staff room was quite often full and just not big enough.

“We have 89 members of staff now, about 50 of which are on the shop floors. We’ve now added an additional 5,000 square feet to the building. I wanted to invest in a nice staff room with a pool table to improve staff morale. We’ve also got great office space now and everything is brand new.”

Steve watches over his empire from a ‘huge office” – but he’s always swift to remember where it all started, from heartfelt origins.

Back in 1982 in Redcar, Steve opened a fashion store called Sliced Tomatoes which went on to become the Psyche we know now. Today he is still MD, along with his partner Alex who is a director of the company.

Laughingly, he recalls the idea of that first fashion store

38 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

being ‘a vehicle to pull girls - it was more of a fun thing’.

That first store catered for men at first and then went into ladieswear. Brands on board in the beginning were Fiorucci, Virtavala shirts, Naff Naff and Classic Nouveau.

Times change, trends change – and Steve has lived them all – but the passion for fashion never wanes.

Many of those first Psyche customers are now buying with and for their own children – and the buyers find labels for all, which is exactly what Psyche is about says Steve: “I’ve been doing this for 35 years now; it’s Psyche’s 35th anniversary this year, and I absolutely still love it. It isn’t work to me. I love buying, I love product and dealing with customers, and I love being on the shop floor, although I don’t get time to do it as much as I’d like.

“Although online buying is strong, I also think shops will come back stronger in a few years’ time, but in a slightly different format. Things will stabilise and settle down and, once they do, the novelty of going to shops will come back.

“Shops will have to improve and evolve, and they will need screens and to be interactive. Click and collect is growing at a massive rate, so you’ve got to come in to the shop to collect your purchase”, he says.

Psyche brands cover all bases in terms of menswear, womenswear, childrenswear, accessories and home furnishings.

Most coveted brands include Stone Island, Kenzo, Dries Van Noten, Polo Ralph Lauren, Barbour, Hugo Boss, Armani, YMC, Edwin, Paul&Shark, and Belstaff.

Favourite women’s brands include Ugg, Love Moschino, Coach, Paul Smith, Barbour and Ted Baker.

The store’s childrenswear department is enjoying soaring business too, thanks to its unrivalled designer collection.

All of which gives great reason to celebrate, says Steve.

“We’re going to have a great big week-long party in October – there’ll be a lot of stuff going on.

“The brilliant Orange Pip Market is on board for October 7th, bringing its suppliers along to showcase great local food and drink - it’s all about celebrating with local businesses and making it a great party for customers.”

Join the week-long celebration in-store including a DJ, giveaways, gift-with-purchase offers, appearances from Middlesbrough FC players, discounts, and social competitions with brands.

For more details see www.psyche.co.uk

www.psyche.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

FUN FASHION

STYLE SWIPE

The autumn season is here and I’m so excited about the fun, playful and innovative new collections that are arriving in store AW17 brings with it a sense of childlike whimsy and you’ll find that bright colours, unique materials and bold patterns have taken over at many of the most talked about fashion houses. Pink is a big hitter again and I absolutely adore Sportmax’s gorgeous flamingo-pink fluffy coat. The incredible texture of this beautiful alpaca and wool-blend design will keep you feeling warm and looking stylish as the weather cools. The oversized silhouette makes it perfect for layering over chunky knits and the high neckline with black lining adds a stylish finishing touch.

Overload on pink by pairing it with this super cute Lucky Rabbit Print T-Shirt by Paul Smith; graphic prints are huge this season and this is a really relaxed and fun way to work this trend into your wardrobe.

This pure cotton T-Shirt has a boxy fit that will work well when paired with skinny jeans.

To up the ante I have added one of my favourite new season items into the mix, an amazing glitter clutch by MM6, Maison Martin Margiela’s brilliant diffusion line. Fast becoming a fashion insider’s favourite, this cool and quirky label is well known for its off-beat designs that incorporate seemingly unfinished tailoring with innovative fabrics.

Complete your outfit with platform brogues by Spanish label Alpe; look out for their eye-catching cork soles and metallic-finish detailing.

These trends have traversed the world of tailoring and touched down in our Food Hall and Beauty Hall too. YSL’s iconic Touche Éclat comes in limited edition glitter packaging this season and Brooklyn-based Mast Chocolate’s beautiful bars feature designs that wouldn’t be lost in a contemporary art gallery. Be inspired by our full collection by visiting us in store on Northumberland Street.

Catherine Newton is Head of Womenswear at Fenwick Newcastle.

>> Paul Smith Lucky Rabbit Print T Shirt, £75 >> MM6 Clutch Bag, £130 >> Sportmax Coat, £799 >> Mast Chocolate Bar, £6.50 >> YSL Universal Balm Powder, £33 >> YSL Touche Éclat in limited edition packaging, £25.50 >> Alpe Brogues, £125

40 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

Live the Rockliffe life this autumn...

Enjoy a luxury break at award-winning Rockliffe Hall this autumn. Whether you choose to spa, dine, golf or just relax, you’ll experience a five star sanctuary at the heart of the North of England.

To book please call 01325 729999 or email enquiries@rockliffehall.com and quote ‘Luxe’ to enjoy a complimentary bottle of fizz in your room on arrival*. *Valid when you book our best available rate this September, October and November.

www.rockliffehall.com Hurworth-on-Tees Darlington County Durham DL2 2DU +44 (0)1325 729999 enquiries@rockliffehall.com

SEP/OCT17

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

41

ROSY GLOW

Softly softly Although pastel hair colours are by no means a new trend, it seems like some of our favorite celebrities continue to be in love with them - which leaves us wondering if life is in fact better lived in hues of pink?

While some, like Kylie Jenner and Gigi Hadid experiment with cool wigs, others have added a playful pink into their lives in a more permanent way, making it a definite trend to consider this year.

Pink hair used to be reserved for the more extrovert and outrageous types, but a few years ago we started seeing high end designers like Givenchy using the pastel tones in their campaigns, making them super cool!

Today the look has gone mainstream and with so many temporary options for

42 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

colorists to play with, clients have the ability to experiment with pink hues without worrying about commitment.

For those wondering how to rock the look, there are a few options to choose.

It’s fair to say that if you’re already blonde then achieving the look is going to be far easier, as the pink is placed on top of a light base colour.

However, if you’re a brunette then fear not as it’s still achievable, but the process is definitely more in-depth with the lightening process being permanent.

It’s important to understand that even the permanent pink options have the same longevity; richer colours hold and tend to fade pretty quickly meaning regular top ups are needed to keep colour looking fresh.

We suggest a temporary pastel spray like Schwarzkopf Blushes, which give fantastic results without commitment and can be topped up a frequently as you like.

Our model here has had the Strawberry Blushes spray applied on top of a pre-lightened base to give a strong pastel result, which we think is gorgeous!

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

SEP/OCT17

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LUXE LIFE

SALLY TREMLETT Sally Tremlett is one half of the care company Sally&Sarah. A nursing sister all her life, she set up the care service with nurse and friend Sarah McLain when they hit their fifties to provide ‘the kind of nursing we would choose for our own family and provide the nursing care we had both been trained in’.

Sally is married to anaesthetist Mike Tremlett who is heavily involved in charity work for Northern Cleft Foundation, a UK Charity providing free corrective surgery to children in India, born with cleft lip and palate deformities.

They live in Hutton Rudby and have four grown-up children.

LUXE PEOPLE >> The team at Sally&Sarah which is 15-strong now. My own family of course and Sarah, who I’ve known for 17 years – we met through our husbands working together in the NHS. LUXE PLACES >> For a weekend > London. I just love walking, looking, shopping, maybe a theatre visit or an exhibition at the Tate.

A long holiday > I’ve just come back from India. I met up with Mike who had been out there with the Northern Cleft Foundation. We went to some really remote places. In Satpuda we went to a WWF project that protect wild tigers. We caught a glimpse of Indian bears and birdlife. We visited a the beautiful Kasaranga Park in Assam in the north of the country where they are trying to breed one-horned rhino, went on elephant safari and to the tea plantations – all very memorable.

A treat > A spa – Rockliffe is a favourite LUXE RELAX >> Best food > Indian food anytime Best wine > Not a massive wine drinker but I love gin – we recently had a great day out at a gin festival in Leeds.

Favourite restaurant > The Crathorne Arms, lovely food and usually catch up with plenty of people we know!

Perfect weekend > Seeing all the children together in one place!

Downtime means > Getting on my bicycle and heading to the Moors for a cycle and a coffee and cake stop.

I like to go with friends but am also very happy on my own! I recently did the London to Brighton bike ride for the British Heart Foundation – 54 miles on the hottest day of the year! More than 14,000 people take part and getting to the end makes you feel like you’ve won the Tour de France!

Best telly > Bones, Happy Valley, The Bridge LUXE SHOP >> Best shopping city > Leeds or Tonbridge Wells – I buy a lot of stuff in the Jaeger sale!

Favourite shop > Hoopers, Fenwick. Russell and Bromley Luxe retail treat > Russell and Bromley shoes – if I find some that I like then I will happily buy five pairs!

Best buy > My road bike LUXE PARTY >> A memorable night out > We always enjoy the annual Northern Cleft Foundation dinner dance. Sarah usually comes along, it’s a nice event.

Perfect party > With family and friends, something like a ceilidh is always great fun Best dress > Cycling kit! Or sports gear – I should’ve got married in gym kit!

Dinner date > Mike or Pierce Brosnan YOUR LUXE THING IN LIFE >> Skiiing – I love the French Alps, being outside in the snow and sun – I’d like to go to Canada next.

44 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

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SNUGGLE

All is calm, all is right Spa-going with a touch of sheepskin makes for the ultimate in cosy and indulgent me-time, especially now the nights are closing in. Kathryn Armstrong snuggled up at the luxurious new Swinton Country Club & Spa in North Yorkshire Some 90 minutes after a signature Bamford body treatment I was struggling to walk in a straight line, let alone make a decision about whether I wanted to continue the zen-like experience on either a waterbed, beneath a twinkling canopy of stars or in a cloud-filled chill-out den.

I’m just warning you; be prepared for an altered state when you enter this pampering pleasure dome.

A sort of woozy-without-the-wine state.

Most pleasurable, not least because you have to give yourself plenty of time to come round – and the best way to do this is lying prone on an outdoor lounger hugged by a sheepskin rug in surroundings of a wildflower meadow with a birdsong soundtrack.

This blissed-out state is on prescription at the new Swinton Country Club & Spa, a stunningly lovely and very stylish addition to the Swinton Park estate in Masham, North Yorkshire.

The striking spa building has been cleverly designed to blend into the surroundings of the historic house – a listed cottage within the building even plays its part, with its walls incorporating a champagne manicure area and blow-dry bar.

There’s a charming blend of old and new – modern light-flooded spaces look out on to ancient walls and gnarly, generations-old trees in their stately woodland.

The spa has been a labour of love for the

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Cunliffe-Lister family who have revived the estate’s kitchen gardens over recent years to supply almost all the produce for the hotel – even to the detail of using flowers to make the delicious Secret Garden tea blend that relaxes you post-treatment.

There’s a deliberate marriage of estate produce and the spa’s ethos of well-being running throughout this feel-good space; herbs from the garden are used to fragrance the alfresco sauna, which has its own little loungey area complete with firepit.

We visited on a hot sunshiney August afternoon which was blissful beneath the Yorkshire-Med skies – but there’s the promise of an even more magical time when nights draw in and the chills come out – that’s when these cosy, ‘hygge’ spaces will really come into their own.

The outdoor loungers not only come with sheepskins but have heated lanterns above them, softy duvets and huggable hot water bottles. Talk about cocooning!

Quality is everywhere. No expense has been spared in making this a really indulgent destination – whether you’re a gym-bunny who wants to pound the treadmill facing a field of poppies or a fearless swimmer prepared to plunge into the natural filtered pool.

Alongside the reliable Elemis spa therapies, the Bamford treatment range is a real coup for the Swinton spa.

Bamford comes from the home of rustic, aspirational lifestyle – Daylesford in the Cotswolds. Daylesford is home to the

SEP/OCT17

SNUGGLE

sanctuary-like Bamford Spa which spawned a raft of organic treatments and products.

They approached the Swinton team to collaborate and this is the only place in the north where the Bamford treatments are available.

The Bamford range is organic and based on ayurvedic principles. A body signature treatment began with a choice of treatment oils, in my case chamomile, lavender and tea tree.

It is 90-minutes of bliss. Not always pain-free if you ask for meaningful massage for areas such as tight shoulders and a knotty neck. But that’s what a therapeutic massage should be about. The full-body treatment also incorporates reflexology on the legs and a Japanese shiatsu technique as well as hot stones as part of an abdominal massage.

It is incredibly thorough and, as I said, woozy-wonderful. Very necessary afterwards to head to your choice of relaxation chamber, be that the sunny lounge or waterbed retreat.

Within the spa’s spacious walls you’ll also find an 18m indoor pool and a hydrotherapy pool as well as an aroma steam room and a breath-easy salt steam room.

We also loved the Estate Shop - which sells everything you could want to allow the wellbeing to continue at home – from Bamford products to Yorkshire gin – a reviving combo if ever there was one.

In the shop you can also buy produce grown on the farm – we were there just as the

SEP/OCT17

Estate’s first grouse of the season was being prepared for sale – the day after the Glorious Twelfth – that’s what you call local produce.

Fittingly we were also able to taste some of the new-season grouse too in the Terrace restaurant.

This is a light and airy patio restaurant made all-weather appropriate thanks to outside heaters and an abundance of cosy blankets and throws.

The menu is quite simply sensational. Head chef Chris McFee and team work their magic with a daily delivery of whatever’s picked from the neighbouring kitchen garden.

They make up three daily salad specials which when we visited resulted in delicious and clever combinations using (among other things) spinach, pinenut, chill, fennel, aubergine.

These we tried alongside small plate dishes which included the swoon-worthy new-season heather-roasted grouse breast with charred sweetcorn (from the garden),

zatar yoghurt and chrorizo ragout, as well as some beautifully tender octopus cooked on the Josper grill served with chilli and dill couscous – and mention needs to be made of and the Swinton trout from the estate, oh and the grilled aubergine with tamarind yoghurt and toasted pistachios…

The dishes were all real stand-outs in terms of the flavours – they were cooked simply but the ingredients made them sing.

The food was such a part of the whole feel-good, well-being warmth that wrapped you up as soon as you set foot within the spa’s honey-hued stone walls.

This place is off the scale in terms of rustic luxe!

Spa days and packages are available at Swinton Country Club & Spa from £49 for a Sundown Spa to a personalised Time Well Spent day at £155 with a signature Bamford treatment. Full details www.spa.swintonestate.com

The Bamford treatment range is a real coup for the Swinton Spa - from that home of rustic, Cotswolds cool Daylesford www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 47

WHITE STUFF

MOUTH MATTERS

<< SET SAIL Sail into the season with good skin with the help of Elemis’ new Pro Collagen Marine Oil. The rejuvenating elixir combines a trio of seaweeds to hydrate the skin and give you a youthful, plumped-up glow. White poppy seed oil helps fight fine lines and wrinkles. £62, www.elemis.com

WITH ONKAR DHANOYA

<< LINE UP Christian Louboutin’s new liner adds curves in all the right places with immaculate precision using a fine pointed brush to line the eyes. Ever the innovators of a statement piece, there are three distinctive shades to choose from; with bold black ‘Khol’, signature red ‘Rouge Louboutin’ and inky navy ‘Lady Twist’. £58, www.selfridges.com

<< GIFT OF GORGEOUS SKIN 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).

BRIGHTEN YOUR SMILE WITH TEETH WHITENING >> As the children are now settling back into school routines after the summer holidays, could you benefit from a session of ‘me time’ to recharge your batteries and feel like the best version of you again?

If so, then this could be the ideal time for you to consider teeth whitening - an increasingly popular, highly effective anti ageing treatment, which can make a lasting difference to your smile.

However, it’s important to remember that anyone who carries out teeth whitening is legally required to be a dental professional registered with the General Dental Council. If they are not a dentist, or a dental hygienist, dental therapist or dental technician working under the supervision of a dentist, then it is simply illegal for them to carry out the procedure.

Practitioners in beauty businesses and hairdressing salons are not qualified to carry out teeth whitening, and there is no guarantee that it will be carried out safely. In fact, it could even lead to lasting damage to your teeth and gums.

At Honour Health, we offer a choice of in-surgery and at-home teeth whitening treatments, providing the perfect opportunity to spruce up your smile this autumn.

We thoroughly examine your teeth and gums to establish whether or not the treatment is suitable for you, before explaining your options and providing a written plan.

We use Zoom! For our in-surgery treatments – a bleaching process that lightens the discolouration of enamel and dentin.

The session begins with a preparation period followed by 45 minutes of bleaching - during which time you can relax and read or listen to music.

Alternatively, you can choose to whiten your teeth in your own time, in the comfort of your own home. We’ll manufacture bespoke bleaching trays to fit on your teeth and gums, apply your first treatment, and show you how to continue whitening independently.

To celebrate 25 years of natural beauty and inner calm, ESPA has revealed four Limited Edition Skincare Collections for all skin types. Pro Skin Wonder (£77) for long-lasting radiance, Balancing Act (£50) for restoring the balance of oily complexions, Art of Layering (£62) to rehydrate and plump skin and Ageless Beauty (£78) for a youthful glow. Pop on a party hat and celebrate with your newest home spa facial. www.espaskincare.com

beauty:update

Fire up the feel-good this season with warm tones, bold blushes and big lip hitters. Chloé Laing picks out autumn’s make-up must-haves << GOLDEN GLOW

<< ERASE EXHAUSTION Wake up tired eyes with Bobbi Brown’s fabulous new Full Cover Concealer range. The correcting concealer disguises dark circles with a single swipe, with zero settling, creasing or fading. £23 on counter.

<< OUT OF THIS WORLD Charcoal is having a bit of a moment in the world of beauty and BLAQ has reached new heights with an out-of-thisworld scrub - quite literally. Packed with fragments from real meteors, the Iridescent Meteor Shower Scrub works with activated charcoal, leaving skin shining brighter than the stars. £19.95, www.blaq.co

To book a free teeth whitening consultation, please visit www.honourhealth.co.uk where you can make an appointment online, or contact your chosen practice below:

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

48 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

Chanel’s new glow-on-the-go palette, Chanel Palette Essentielle, is a blush, concealer and highlighter winner, inspired by their Coco Crush fine jewellery collection. Blessed with warm golden undertones, it offers three unique colour combos to take you from day to night. £52 online or on counter.

<< AU NATUREL

<< HELPING HAND

Nourish your bod with Mauli’s new Hand and Body Lotion - a 90% organic cream that’s free of parabens, SLC, petroleum and sulphates. It smells just as good as the ingredients are to your skin, with an aroma of lime, sandalwood and jasmine.

It’s also packed with relaxing oils that soothe and bump up the feel-good factor as we step into autumn. £29, www.maulirituals.com.

Aveda’s new Hand Relief moisturising cream is our new best friend. Rich in moisture and in antioxidants including vitamins A and E, the silky balm diminishes the signs of ageing and provides optimal relief from chapping. Perfect to pop in your handbag for on-the-go replenishment. £20 for 125ml on counter.

SEP/OCT17

<< GET LIPPY

<< FRESH FIX Jo Malone welcomes two new fragrances this autumn - English Oak & Redcurrant and English Oak & Hazelnut. A delicious sensation of ripe redcurrant, warm hazelnut and mighty oak that will take you on a mystical journey through the forest.

Alluring, earthy and enchanting - and we can’t stop spritzing. £88 for 100ml cologne online or from Fenwick Newcastle.

Tom Ford revamps its wardrobe of lipsticks with over 40 new cream and matte shades added to its Lip Colour Collection.

Define your look with a powerful purple from The Burgundies range, or keep it natural with a shimmering rose shade from The Pinks. Whether you opt for a velvety matte or a nourishing cream, one thing’s for sure - you’ll have more reasons to smile this season. Get swatching. £40 on counter.

<< SKIN SAVIOURS Clarins is here to save your skin as the weather turns chilly. The brand’s new SOS masks blend (there are three), blend plant extracts with multi-sensorial textures to keep all skin types nourished and under control. We love the SOS Hydra Refreshing hydration mask - an all-rounder and it brightens and rehydrates all skin types, even oily skin, with a refreshing cream-gel texture. The collection also includes a rebalancing clay mask and a nourishing balm-like mask. £30 each on counter.

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www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 49

AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSING

MAKING

HEADLINES BRITISH HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR NOMINEE, NORTH EASTERN HAIRDRESSER OF THE YEAR FINALIST & ARTISTIC TEAM OF THE YEAR FINALIST 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

FALL FOR OUR POOCH

POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Agnew

Back to school

Tucker and A Dog’s Purpose

We’ve squeezed every inch out of summer and now it’s time to get back into routine and prepare for autumn. The leaves are starting to fall, and for some it means back to school, for others it means packing the suitcases away for the year - but for our posh pooches, it means nothing more than a change of scenery for walks and the chance to chill out by the fire as the nights draw in.

The air is crisp and the leaves crunch beneath us, and Alfie loves nothing more than a cool morning walk followed by an afternoon dip (weather permitting) and an evening mooch around the village.

He might be getting old when we take into account his doggy years, but Halloween is just around the corner and Alfie is as excited as his youthful self about getting dressed up to spook the neighbours. We’re seeking out the perfect attire - will he be a pumpkin, a ghost or a witchy retriever this year? Keep an eye out on our Instagram page for shopping updates.

We’re catching up with Penelope the beautiful blue whippet, and we’re getting the low-down from the author of new poochy movie, A Dog’s Purpose. Aren’t we lucky!

Keep shining bright as the days turn to night.

Alfie, your luxe pooch x

by author W. Bruce Cameron

W. Bruce Cameron is the author of A Dog’s Purpose, a 2010 novel turned screenplay in 2017.

The heart-warming tale of one devoted dog who finds the meaning of his own existence through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love.

“When I explain to my dog Tucker how our lives have changed since the publication of my novel, he listens very carefully, hoping I mention bacon. Tucker is about 24 pounds of scruffy DNA gone riot — a mix of Terrier, Beagle, Poodle and lazy. He lies at my feet while I write, sighing occasionally at my utter lack of value — all his Dad does is type.

That’s all I ever did, but for many years the net result was nothing but a waste of electrons — I wrote nine unpublished novels. I did finally have a string of hit humour books, most notably 8 Simple Rules for Dating my Teenage Daughter, but that was before Tucker and therefore, in his eyes, completely irrelevant. A Dog’s Purpose changed everything. A #1 NY Times Bestseller and a hit motion picture, it turned Tucker into The Dog of the Dog Book Guy. People send him gifts, all of which he sniffs and some of which he chews, both when appropriate and, in the case of a rather hideous dog sweater, when not. Overall Tucker’s not that impressed with me. How glamorous can my life be if I still pick up his poop in a little plastic bag? He doesn’t care about any movie that isn’t about him, and he refuses to read my books. When I find myself getting a little big-headed, I have to remember that to my best friends, I’m just the guy who types. The film is available on digital download, Blu-ray, and DVD courtesy of Entertainment One.”

With autumn comes a new routine.

It’s about getting organised and preparing our bodies for the colder months. It’s the key time for a wardrobe change. Let Alfie’s kit list help you…

Alfie loves:

Mungo & Maud, beetle dog coat coral, £139.50; mungoandmaud.com

Fetch & Follow, long leather dog lead, £70; www.store.styletails.com Chesterfield, the tetford in oxblood leather, from £420; lordsandlabradors.co.uk

The Natural Pet Toy Company, dog bone toy with aniseed - carnaby stripe, £9.95; petspyjamas.com

Luxe Pooch Q&A

got last Christmas, and I have a Paul Smith beach towel to dry on afterwards.

I like to think I’m not in the least bit high-maintenance.

Penelope is a beautiful blue Whippet who will turn three this October. Born in Derbyshire, she came to Newcastle at eight weeks old to be a family pet - and from the age of nine weeks she had promoted herself to head of the house and has since used her big eyes to get anything and everything she wants. Although built for speed and agility, she’s far more likely to be found snoozing on the sofa under a cosy blanket.

DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> This would be Granny. From when I was a little pup, Granny has always been there for me.

She takes me to the park when Mam and Dad do something called work, and she stays with me when they’re away on holiday. She always lets me sleep in the bed with her too - but don’t tell anyone, it’s a secret.

LUXE WALKS >> Everyone who I meet thinks I like to exercise. But in truth, I’m not a huge fan of walking. I do do it, I’ve been up Cat Bells and High Spy before, but it’s not my thing. I much prefer to run.

I’ll run on the beach, through the woods or even through the long grass - I do love the long grass on my belly.

POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> I have to say my perfect day out would be a trip to the beach. I’ve been to beaches all over the country, but Longsands in Tynemouth is my favourite. The day would start with me in the back of the travel machine, where I can snooze and store energy for

SEP/OCT17

playtime. At the beach, Mam and Dad will take turns throwing my ball with the ‘chucka’ - that makes it go further!

Sometimes I play with other dogs, sometimes I go into the sea for a dip, but mostly I just want to chase my ball.

After playing on the beach I often get an ice cream, no flake though - I’m not allowed them.

DOGGY DOWNTIME >> I can sleep for 18 hours a day, so I have a lot of downtime.

I have a Charley Chau Snuggle Bed - it’s a big fleece lined pocket that I can burrow into to make it dark and warm when no one’s around to tuck me in!

FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> Cuddling into my Mam’s neck the very first time I met her. I still do it even though I’m much bigger now.

PUPPY A-LISTER >> I’d say, Audrey Hepburn. I act, model and dance, just like she did, and we have the same eyes.

You could say I’m a British Icon too.

HOUND HABITS >> Shivering. I shiver all the time, so I often wear a coat. People say I shiver because I’m thin, but really, I just love shopping for clothes like every other girl.

PUPPY PAMPER >> Even though I don’t smell, I still get put in the bath once a week. Although I pull a face - and shiver - it’s not too bad. I get to go in the big roll-top, use my Aesop shampoo that I

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

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

51

OPEN BOOK

Sassy Sarah titters

52 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

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OPEN BOOK

on Tyne She’s carved herself a record-breaking stand up career, had her own TV and radio series, notched up more panel shows than Countdown’s Rachel Riley could calculate and has founded a smashing magazine and podcast for all the women. It was only a matter of time before Sarah Millican added an author cap to her busy hatstand. And that time is now, as she tells Sam Wonfor arah Millican’s willingness to share will come as no surprise to those familiar with her work.

Since kicking off her award-winning comedy career in 2004 by mining real life heartbreak for humour, South Shields-born Sarah has never shied away from giving her personal life a public airing on the stand up stage.

Her debut Edinburgh Fringe show, Sarah Millican’s Not Nice in 2008 focussed on the end of her first marriage and bagged her the if.comedy Award for Best Newcomer.

Ensuing sell-out tours such as Chatterbox, Thoroughly Modern Millican, Home Bird and Outsider have continued the trend - each offering a collection of funny stories delivered direct from her own, often very personal, experiences.

From bedroom antics and relationship quirks to hospital procedures and getting to grips with the heated poo bag realities of becoming a dog owner, Sarah’s everincreasing audiences have loved keeping up to date with what’s been happening - and making her laugh - since they saw her last.

And they’ll doubtless be front and centre in the queue at their local book shop (or their preferred online supplier) this autumn, when the 42-year-old’s book, How to Be Champion hits the shelves.

Blending autobiography with a collection of practical self help tips and - one can safely assume - loads more gut-troubling giggles than your standard celebrity tome, the book will be released on October 5. And its author is feeling pretty pleased with herself.

“It’s worked out really well. I’m really proud of it,” says Sarah, speaking from the North West countryside which is where she calls home these days.

“It’s a weird thing to do - writing a book in that, it feels proper. I don’t know why a comedy DVD doesn’t feel as proper, when it should. Maybe it’s because DVDs probably won’t be around quite soon and then I’ll be on little memory sticks or something…

“Whereas a book is a book, is a book.

It feels permanent.”

SEP/OCT17

There’ll also be an audiobook on offer, which will see Sarah, herself a former audiobook producer, (she spent three years doing this in between two stints at Job Centre Plus) take to the other side of the recording desk.

“I’ll be the one being shouted at to eat a banana. You always have bananas on stand by - the tiniest tummy rumble doesn’t half ruin a romantic scene.

“There were a lot more sex scenes in the books I used to produce than there is in my book, mind you. Plus, I won’t be doing any voices. Just mine.”

Having been winning at stand up and associated funniness for the best part of a decade - she was crowned Queen of Comedy at the British Comedy Awards in 2011, clocked up record-breaking DVD sales with Chatterbox Live the same year, and enjoyed Bafta-nominated success with three series of BBC2’s The Sarah Millican Television Programme - it’s fair to say 2017 wasn’t the first time publishers had come calling. So why now?

“Having some time I suppose is the main reason. I knew writing a book was a big undertaking and when fans and publishers talked about me doing one, I was always on tour or doing the TV series.

“Also, I felt as if I had more to say. When people who are 30 or 25 bring one out, you’re like ‘shut up! What have you got to say?’.

“Being 42 sounded about right.”

Having written a good chunk of her 2018 tour - more of that shortly - during the 170+ dates of her last one (Outsider), Sarah says she knew she’d have a bit of time during early 2017.

And while many of us may have opted to make use of the nearest foot stool and/or holiday brochure, this self-confessed work aficionado reckoned she could fit the writing of a book in. Once she’d done the maths.

“I gave myself a few months to write it.

I worked out how many words I needed; how many days that would take me and then wrote that amount every day… then redrafted it and redrafted it.”

Rather than taking the chronological

approach, Sarah decided to sort it by subject.

“There are chapters on divorce; body image; being bullied at school - that sort of thing.

“I decided to write a list of the things I was bullied for, because some of them were ridiculous. Like the fact that we had a microwave before anyone else,” she laughs.

“But it turned out there were a lot more than I thought. And while some of them were daft, some of them were quite hard to write about. So to combat that I wrote a list of things I liked about school, like the day I got to have a rabbit sitting on my knee for 20 minutes. Amazing.”

Although Sarah has been successfully using her life as stand up material since the off, I wondered whether putting it down on paper for people to read, rather than performing it for them in person, had required a different writing process.

“In stand up, I’ll talk about anything as long as it’s funny. I don’t really have a line.

Whereas with this, I had to work out, if it’s not really funny, why is it worth including?

With a book, you can go so much more in depth with things.

“There’s something about writing the words down which makes you feel like you can divulge a bit more. Like asking someone out at school by giving them a note. I felt like I could say more personal stuff.”

And now all of those well-honed words have been bound together at the printers together with around 40 photographs, which were begrudgingly handed over.

“I don’t really like what I look like, so I thought the best idea would be to just say, ‘we’re not having any pictures in it’. But they told me ‘no no no - you have to have pictures’. Sh**!”

So we’ll get to see perm-solution-drenched flashbacks from Sarah’s younger days at home with her mum Valerie, dad Philip and sister, Victoria, all the way through to her much less curly, but still very much bespectacled present day life, which she shares with husband and fellow stand up, Gary Delaney and their “fur babies” rescue dog Commander Tuvok and cats Chief Brody and Lieutenant Ripley.

“Oh my god there are so many pairs of glasses and perms from my childhood,” she laughs. “It’s basically like, if you’ve ever worn glasses or had a perm, this is the book for you.” >>

I felt as if I had more to say. When people who are 30 or 25 bring one out, you’re like ‘shut up!

What have you got to say?’ www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 53

OPEN BOOK

Sarah’s bookshelf recommendations

This will also be the book for you, if you fancy getting some properly practical tips from one of the UK’s most successful comedians, who remains utterly relatable to her fans, including more than two million twitter followers.

Blossoming post divorce, dealing with body image issues, the ‘excitement’ of IBS and being good at school but not good at friends are all covered. Sarah has even put her advice into easy-to-find lists at the end of the relevant chapter.

“I always try and share the things which have helped me. And I love a good list.

“So, if someone is getting divorced really quickly and hasn’t got time to read the book, they can just go straight to the tips!”

Sounds like an utterly common sense approach to time-saving self help.

And it’s not the only place this kind of impressive organisation can be observed.

I refer you to the aforementioned, almost military writing plan for the book, as well as the fact that an autumn filled with promotion events - Sarah will be doing a mixture of signings and In Conversation gatherings - will enable her to also draw people’s attention to her upcoming tour.

“So if people are like, ‘I find her funny, but I can’t bear going outside’ - then they can

Sara Pascoe’s Animal is incredible because I feel like it’s school, but brilliant.

I’m learning but also laughing so it doesn’t feel like I’m learning anything, but I actually am.

I love Bridget Christie’s A Book For Her.

It’s basically like, if you’ve ever worn glasses or had a perm, this is the book for you

buy the book; whereas if they hate reading, but like me, they can come and see a show.

Ideally, they’ll do both.”

Which brings us nicely onto the tour, Control Enthusiast. Sarah says the show’s title isn’t a surprise to anyone who knows her.

“It does get levelled at me every now and then that I’m a control freak. But I thought, ‘why is this said like it’s a negative?’ No-one

ever says ‘whoa, you’re in control’, which means the same thing.

“The thing with stand up is that you can be very controlling because everything I say, I choose to say.

“Mind you, I did also make my own magazine for women because I didn’t like any of the ones which already existed,” she laughs.

>> Clockwise; Brody, Standard Issue Gigcast, Tuvok, Ripley

The award-winning Standard Issue Magazine (www.standardissuemagazine.com is where you can find all the archived articles) ran for two-and-a-half years before morphing into a weekly podcast in June this year.

“I’m so proud of what we achieved with it and the podcast is going really well. I love doing the live events too. I get to have a cracking night on stage with great women like Alison Moyet and Dawn French. It’s brilliant fun.

“Anyway,” she says, bringing us back to the tour title, “I didn’t like the word ‘freak’ so I decided to change it to ‘enthusiast’ instead… which, as my friend Hayley (Ellis, fellow comedian) pointed out, means I am now trying to control my insults as well!”

Having currently booked 11 North East dates (one at the Customs House, South Shields; two at the Gala Durham; one at Whitley Bay Playhouse; one at ARC, Stockton; and six at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle), it’s a knocking bet there’ll be more added to the mammoth tour, which kicks off in January 2018 and runs through to December.

“Basically, we will keep adding Newcastle dates until no-one else wants to come,” she pledges. “The Tyne Theatre is certainly one of my favourite venues on the whole tour.

“You feel like you’re in a proper theatre and so to be swearing and talking about genitals feels as anarchic as I’ll ever be.”

Instagram credits: @TheSarahMillican

54 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

And the one I have re-read a few times is Caitlin Moran’s How To Be A Woman. It was the first time after reading something that I thought ‘Wow. A lot of this really applies to me’. I was used to reading things and picking out bits and bobs I could relate to, but I identified with so much of this, which I hadn’t read before.

For a list of Control Enthusiast tour dates and details of Standard Issue live events, visit www.sarahmillican.co.uk.

How to Be Champion, published by Orion, is out on October 5.

SEP/OCT17

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

BEAUTIFUL & STYLISH LIGHTING

01642 704104 The region’s largest lighting store with two floors of contemporary and traditional lighting.

SEP/OCT17

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

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 55

BREAK TIME!

WELCOME!

Time to spring in to a new term - new pencils, Yay!

with Nina Robinson

School’s a funny thing. I couldn’t wait to break up for the summer and my countdown to the last day seemed to begin at Christmas. Yet there’s something really exciting about going back! It’s great to see all of your friends again and hear what adventures and mischief they’ve been up to. Also I love the feeling of new uniform and shoes. Bright socks look so much better with nice tanned legs than the pasty white ones we left with when we shut the door last term! Also, back to school means new equipment.

Mmmmmmmm. Few things compare to the delights of choosing new stationery. I’ve been checking out some of the more unusual classroom essentials and here are a few of my faves.

Nina x

>> Yumbox lunchbox, £24.95, eatwell-uk.co.uk

>> Personalised graffiti water bottle, £12.50, meenymineymo.com

Get ready for a date with Disney

Nothing is quite as kawaii as my brand new baby cousin Rose Sophia! Just look at her tiny fingers!

My auntie Hannah and uncle Michael let me have a lovely long cuddle with her and take her for a spin in her pram. I cannot wait to start dressing her up like my own living doll – watch this space…! >> Personalised notepads, £13.50, xoxostationery.co.uk

T&C’s: Tickets for Tuesday 3rd October 2017 for the 6:30pm show and are nontransferable. Tickets are for two adults and two children or one adult and three children under 14’s must be accompanied by an adult at all times. No extras included. Closing date 25th September 2017. Additional T&C’s may apply available upon request.

>> Children’s bento boxes, £4.98, beckyandlolo.co.uk

>> Nutri Fill-It reusable smoothie pouches, £6 for 2 or £12 for 6, eatwell-uk.co.uk

>> Pastel power pencil jars, set of 3 £19.99, Pina Colada Crafts at Etsy PinaColadaCrafts.Etsy.com

>> Fish drawstring bag, £35, by MushyP at Etsy, etsy.com/uk/shop/MushyP

Getting there in style >>

>> Sophie Allport Back Packs, £22, sophieallport.com

56 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

>> Brick Bag Rucksack, £44.95, red5.co.uk

Best dressed desk >>

To enter visit www.luxe-magazine.co.uk or email your name and contact phone number to prizedraw@remembermedia.co.uk stating in the subject line the name of the prize draw you wish to enter.

N i n a : lo v e s

>> Pencil with swan eraser, Sisters Guild, £1.90 sistersguild.co.uk

Prize:draw

WIN a family pass to Disney On Ice at the Metro Radio Arena

Luxe lunch

>> Tin box lunch radio, £13.75, Kikkerland, kikkerlandeu.com

Celebrate the most memorable Disney tales with all your favourite characters in Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure at the Metro Radio Arena from 3-8 October.

Join Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald, Goofy and Daisy on a journey to the timeless worlds of Disney’s The Lion King, The Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, and Disney’s Frozen. You and your family will explore the African Pride Lands with Simba and friends, voyage to Ariel’s underwater kingdom and fly from London to Neverland with Peter Pan and Wendy to meet up with Tinker Bell. You’ll also travel to Arendelle for an extraordinary adventure with sisters Anna and Elsa, mountain man Kristoff and the huggable snowman Olaf. What’s more, don’t miss the pre-show party!

Enjoy every second of this sensational show – starting with the chance to warm up at the fabulously fun Fit to Dance pre-show featuring Zootropolis! Upbeat music, lovable characters and unforgettable moments make Disney On Ice presents Passport to Adventure an experience your family will cherish forever!

Tickets available at metroradioarena.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

ALL THE INGREDIENTS FOR YOUR PERFECT KITCHEN

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

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PONY PRACTICE

ON THE HOOF with Deborah Smith It’s been a summer of equestrian bling but now it’s time to wrap up warm in performance gear

September sees the last of the agricultural shows - Wolsingham Show celebrated its 238th show this year, which seems an incredible track record. These events are a great way of keeping country traditions alive as well as showcasing modern country living.

In the North East these centres include: Field House Equestrian Centre Howden-le-Wear Cote Hill Equestrian Witton Gilbert Stepney Bank Stables Stepney Bank, Byker

STANHOPE SHOW 2017 >> 9 SEPTEMBER Unthank Park, Stanhope, County Durham

Stainsby Grange Equestrian Centre Thornaby

BOWES SHOW 2017 >> 9 SEPTEMBER Gilmonby Nr. Bowes, County Durham

The Tilery Equestrian Centre Kirkley Mill, Ponteland

CASTLETON SHOW 2017 >> 9 SEPTEMBER Castleton, North Yorkshire

Roxloe Equestrian Centre Eaglescliffe, Stockton on Tees

BEAMISH AGRICULTURAL SHOW 2017 >> 14 SEPTEMBER Beamish Museum, Beamish, County Durham

The Unicorn Centre Hemlington

WESTMORLAND COUNTRY SHOW >> 14 SEPTEMBER Crooklands, Kendal, Cumbria STOKESLEY SHOW >> 23 SEPTEMBER Levenside, Stokesley The equestrian classes are as well supported as ever, from the leading rein pony classes through to the heavy horse classes, which always draw the crowds.

For non-horsey folk there can appear to be a huge amount of tradition about equestrianism which can be quite daunting so it’s good to see so many new ways of getting involved.

The Pony Club and the British Horse Society have both made huge efforts to make riding more accessible so children and adults alike can try out riding and develop their riding and horse care skills even if they don’t have a horse/pony themselves.

The Pony Club Centre Membership Scheme means you don’t need to have your own pony; you can join one of their linked riding schools where you can do Pony Club activities.

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Swinhoe Farm Riding Centre Belford Nenthorn Equestrian Centre Kelso You can find our more at www.pcuk.org One of the other evolving aspects of horse world is the modernising of riding and competition wear in common with many other sports.

Years ago, if you needed a show/competition jacket it was usually extremely heavy, made of thick wool felt.

Great for cold winter mornings but roasting in the summer and even worse in the wet!

Horse rugs were the same - heavy canvas and jute, awful to carry and impossible to dry. Those poor horses! Now technical fabrics and state-of-the-art research and design have made their way into the equestrian sector and clothes are a real delight to wear: stretchy; breathable; fashionable; and very marketable.

I did see a statistic somewhere that said for every £1 spent on their horse, an owner/ rider spends £4 on their clothing.

Having been to the Royal International Horse Show at Hickstead recently, I can vouch for that. Even in the pouring rain the clothes stands were busy and full of new Autumn/Winter apparel, and it was flying off the shelves.

It seems funny how we horsey lot put up with uncomfortable and heavy clothes for so long, maybe that’s why we all buy so much now!

As rider and horse wear becomes more fashionable, so the push continues for a broader range of colours to be allowed for competitions. Cricket and Tennis have been gradually breaking the mould and their colour rules have been relaxed.

Showjumping has been the fastest to embrace change; it will be interesting to see how riders will look in 10 years’ time and

what the other equestrian disciplines do.

My eventing friends still laugh at me in my white breeches for showjumping, but if we want to encourage a new generation of riders, we need to be ready to move with the times!

Companies like Musto have a clear and growing equestrian offer. In their case, being the world’s leading sailing clothing brand meant they already had the fabric technology established and highly talented designers - they just needed to apply it to the world of the horse rider.

As a sign of how successfully they have done this, in June, Musto were announced as the new kit suppliers for the senior British equestrian team - so looking forward to seeing all the new gear in due course.

So with bling, style and colour in mind, I spent a very glamorous day at the uber fashionable Longines Global Championship Tour at its new London venue of the Royal Chelsea Hospital, best known for hosting the Chelsea Flower Show.

It was stunning and reminded me of the 2012 Olympics where the equestrian events were in the glorious surroundings of Greenwich Park. The Chelsea Pensioners dressed in their famous scarlet coats were offering all the visitors a typically warm

welcome and the whole event had a truly international feel to it.

Jan Tops, Olympic Gold medalist is founder and president of the Longines Global Champions Tour and has created a modern sporting spectacular. It’s pitched at the top end of the market and brings together the top 30 riders in the FEI world rankings.

The London event on the calendar is the twelfth event on the 15-event circuit, coming at a key stage in the 2017 season as there are few sports as competitive as showjumping!

And the prize money in this series is in a league of its own as well.

With a €300,000 prize up for grabs, the course was a very big ask of horse and rider. The London-themed track had a range of iconic landscape jumps including Big Ben, the London Underground and Horseguards.

It was up to a maximum height of 1.60m. It’s only when you are at a competition like that you realise just how big the jumps are!

British rider Scott Brash won in superb style holding off off fellow 2012 Olympic gold medalist Ben Maher.

Riding Hello Forever, he was the last competitor to go in an 11 horse jump-off, beating Ben and MTF Madame X by just 0.08 seconds. Nail biting stuff!

SEP/OCT17

HIP HIDEAWAY

A drive along winding roads just off the A19, breezing through the lush greenery of North Yorkshire, Crab Manor will creep up on you - hidden atop a gravelled driveway and within beautifully kept grounds. A secret garden with water features, antique archways, palm trees and pretty blooms left, right and centre. It’s the perfect place for anyone who appreciates the finer things in life. It’s tasteful, it’s tranquil and it’s travel-inspired – so from the comfort of the peaceful North Yorkshire countryside, you feel like you’ve been whisked away on a whimsical journey across the globe.

When I say tasteful, it’s tasteful in a very different way to contemporary dwellings or even country-chic manor houses you might find in these parts. The place is packed with treasured trinkets – but they all have a story to tell. The interior design strategy here is ‘anything goes’ – and it really does, so long as it’s quirky. The main manor house holds a collective combination of ‘bits and pieces’

our home for the evening. The suite is a modern take on centuries of Chinese tradition with the perfect combination of artistic charm and modern architecture - with hand painted artwork and Hutong-inspired décor. I feel like I’ve been whisked away to another world where tranquillity meets urban living. Outside, I’m in the most remote Yorkshire location. Inside, I’m in a bustling Beijing boudoir.

The suite has everything you desire and more; elegance, style and perfection at every touch point. With panelled divisions splitting the room up into a luxurious lounge area, a bedroom, dressing room and bathroom, you’ll find a 70-inch television, a super king sized and super comfy bed that makes you feel like you’re floating on a cloud, a roll top bath for seriously swish soaking and a twin shower head. And if that’s not enough, take a trip down the staircase and you have a private hot tub for a bit more soaking splendour.

As tempting as switching off for the day and living it up in our Hutong hideaway is, we

An elegantly eccentric country house that takes you to exotic destinations from the comfort of its home in the heart of North Yorkshire. Elysia Agew checks in.

The Curious Crab – and there’s definitely an art to it.

A yeti greets you in the entrance hall and once inside, you can search for the hidden beer tap to top up your pint before relaxing in your room or suite. There’s a lot going on – but it’s not cluttered. It’s different. It’s a collector’s cave of quirky keepsakes. There’s an eclectic collection of decorative antiques from tropical animal and matryoshka dolls to copper kettles and grandfather clocks. It’s creative chaos at its very finest. A beautifully bizarre take on country house luxury.

There’s no formal check-in process, you simply step inside like you’re arriving at a friend’s house for the weekend. Your bags are picked up and you’re taken to your room. The rooms and suites all celebrate their own uniqueness – inspired by exotic destinations all over the world. So you can tick things off your travel bucket-list without venturing too far. From the South Pacific and Bora Bora to Mumbai and Beijing, each room is filled with authentic antiques and artefacts from its inspired destination.

Crab Manor boasts 20 rooms, spread across the Georgian manor, the tranquil thatched lodge, Scandinavian pine cabins, enchanting garden rooms and the luxury suites.

In an outbuilding across the gardens, after literally climbing a flight of stairs to paradise, we arrive at the Shangri La suite,

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pop our foodie heads on and make our way to the restaurant. The manor’s twinned establishment, the Crab & Lobster sits within the grounds. And after a short walk through the gardens, we’re ready for a hearty dinner.

The quirkiness doesn’t go amiss here. It’s a cosy space, adorned with curious collectables and obscure ornaments hanging from the ceiling. Some are inspired by the ocean, poking through fishing nets, but there’s the odd ice skate, drum and pot doll in there too. It’s a Tuesday evening and there’s a Saturday night vibe – every table is taken and guests chit-chatter as wine glasses clink and fresh fish aromas fly through the air.

Seated and wined, we order from the a la carte menu. Crispy fishcakes (£10.50) for my dinner date – filled with local codling, haddock and oak roast salmon, topped with seasonal greens, smoked bacon, poached egg and leek cream. A real sucker when it comes to anything cheesy, I opt for the twice baked cheese soufflé (£11). A fluffy formation of Wensleydale, Ribblesdale and spinach, finished off with a garnish of carrot, pickled blackberries, and roast pinenuts. A deliciously delicate and light dish, and the perfect compromise to a stodgy, creamcovered soufflé.

In keeping with the oceanic theme of the

Outside, I’m in the most remote Yorkshire location. Inside, I’m in a bustling Beijing boudoir

place, for mains I go for the ‘Crab’s’ fish pie (£22), bursting with scallops, prawns and mussels, topped with fortune kipper mash, fresh crab meat and a cheddar crust. With a handful of buttered greens thrown in there, it’s the perfect fishy dish and a hearty pub meal with added elegance.

It’s the grilled prime aged grand reserve sirloin steak (£27) for my companion. With a roast onion and chorizo crust, the flavours are impeccable and the meat is cooked perfectly pink. Hand cut chips and a baby leaf garnish finish it off. Getting a steak right can tell you a lot about a place – and although the seafood offering tops it for me, the Crab & Lobster’s local meat is a winner too.

The curious crab and the lavish lobster come together as one here, giving guests a hearty meal with the perfect balance between playful lust and luxury. The whole dining experience is something so unique; we leave pining for more – planning our next trip with the family. The portions are quite hefty, so unfortunately we can’t squeeze in a dessert on this occasion, but we’re eyeing up the ‘Crab’s’ assiette (£18) for next time – a plate packed with miniature desserts.

After a dip in the hot tub and a snooze on a cloud-like mattress, breakfast is served in the restaurant pavilion. Cheery breaky staff welcome us in for a relaxed affair, albeit quite surreal with buoys and scuba divers hanging over head. We opt for the Yorkshire breakfast, a plate packed with all your breakfast favourites. A delicious start to the day.

Crab Manor is an escape from routine – offering complete luxury, a unique, eccentric elegance and a quick getaway to some of the most exotic isles in the world. It’s a quirky bubble surrounded by its beautiful landscape. A curious destination that takes you on a journey. It’s a lavish break but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It’s fun and as far as we’re concerned, it’s fabulous. www.crabandlobster.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

HERO HOTEL

AND RELAX

Hip hotels with Debrah Dhugga September is all about the staycation so bat-girl Debrah goes west for some city bling in Manchester vintage-inspired cocktail menu with offerings such as The King of King Street and Bellboy Barry’s Bramble, as well as a selection of food from Honey restaurant below.

However, the best part of Club Brass has to be the rooftop terrace, with unparalleled panoramic views over the city’s skyline, complete with a vintage brass telescope to get a closer look. A great way to watch the sunset over the Manchester skyline or the world bustling by below.

FOOD >> In keeping with the style of the hotel, Hotel Gotham’s AA rosette awarded Honey restaurant provides delicious contemporary British cuisine in a glamourous dining room setting. I also enjoyed afternoon tea at Honey, with a selection of homemade cakes and treats, scones and seasonal fruit jam, and although there are a lot of other restaurants in Manchester to choose from, Honey was definitely worth a visit and the views make it extra special.

OUT AND ABOUT >> Manchester is the perfect place to enjoy a city break, with so much to visit and

HOTEL >> This summer I spent a lovely weekend visiting friends in Manchester, where I stayed at the fabulous five-star Hotel Gotham. It’s all a bit bling!

But sometimes a little bit of bling is just the thing and let’s face it, Manchester isn’t shy about flaunting its style.

You’ll find Hotel Gotham in the heart of midtown Manchester (yes, it has a ‘midtown’ just like NY).

The hotel is about 15 minutes’ walk from Manchester Piccadilly station and its location slap bang in the city’s heart makes it perfect for a weekend city break.

My four-legged girls, Lulu and Phoebe, came on this trip and my choice of Hotel

Once you step inside you’re enveloped by the glamour of Manhattan and a distinct Great Gatsby feel throughout, complete with an impeccably-dressed doorman to welcome guests.

ROOMS AND SUITES >> There are 60 opulent rooms and suites at Hotel Gotham, each with luxurious Art Deco-inspired interiors and lots of extra facilities to enjoy, such as espresso coffee machines, cosy waffle robes, and a mini bar.

If the urge for a martini hits then there’s a cocktail set to shake one up, although if that’s too much effort, a mixologist will come right to your bedroom door with a cocktail trolley!

If you’re looking to treat yourself, Hotel Gotham has several suites, including the

Factbox Nightly rates at Hotel Gotham start from around £150 on a bed and breakfast basis. Call 0161 413 0000 for further information and bookings, or visit www.bespokehotels.com/ hotelgotham

Gotham was largely because of its dog-friendliness.

Hotel Gotham is situated in one of Manchester’s grandest buildings, a former bank premises designed by Edwin Lutyens (who also designed the former Midland Bank that now houses hot London hotel, The Ned) and is dubbed the ‘King of King Street’.

SEP/OCT17

Bank Manager’s Suite, featuring a stunning copper roll-top bath as the centre-piece of the room, and an impressive emperorsized bed.

There are also cleverly designed Inner Sanctum Suites, created out of the former bank’s hollow core, which come complete with projector cinema screens - popcorn and a glass of wine optional but recommended.

Each of Hotel Gotham’s rooms offer a ‘swag bag’, whereby everything in the room is for sale. Simply fill the ‘swag bag’ with the items you would like to buy, from umbrellas and mugs to pillows and bed throws, and pay at reception upon departure.

RELAX >> After a long day of walking and sightseeing in the city, early evening spent in Hotel Gotham’s prohibition-style Brass Club was the perfect way to relax.

Exclusively available to private members and hotel guests, it offers up a tempting

experience. Hotel Gotham is right in the centre of Manchester’s most upmarket shopping district surrounded by boutiques such as Hermès, Emporio Armani, and Mulberry, while the unique Northern Quarter nearby offers a wealth of independent restaurants and coffee shops, alongside craft ale bars and vintage vinyl shops, many of which were dog-friendly. For culture, head to Manchester Cathedral or one of the city’s various museums and galleries, such as the Museum of Science and Industry or The Whitworth Gallery of British watercolours, textiles and fine art.

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LOVE LIFE XXXXXXXX

Generation ageless

So here we are in early autumn. The ‘back to school’ window – familiar feelings of ‘here we go again!’ - and a sense of life perhaps moving too quickly. Time to enjoy the now…

At this time of year we can find ourselves longing for the summer just gone, or wishing for the festive season yet to come; living life in the past, or the future… anywhere but here.

The constructs in our world encourage us to regularly think back or forward - we are always moving, growing, reaching for what’s next and checking where we’ve come from. We’ve somewhat forgotten what it’s like to ‘just’ be here, to be with what is, to live life in the moment.

What could life be like if you do just that? If you pause to look around more? If you look sideways sometimes, rather than just forward or back? How will you be?

Autumn is the perfect season to ponder this. The external world is slowing down, inviting us to do the same, calling us to pay attention to all that is happening right now.

Life comes more in to balance – day and night are of more equal length; we stay in and we go out. Everything is teed up for equality and presence, so why not tune in to the energy of this in your own world - get curious and see what you learn?

If you’re looking for practical inspiration, here are some tips to get you started:

Dr Tony Rees PhD Sports Sociologist, gained his title after graduating at Teesside University in July.

As well as being an ‘academic’, he is a racing cyclist and writes the blog www. theraceforthecafe.com He’s also in demand as a model and is dipping his toe into the world of acting...

Go on a walk with your senses - choose somewhere beautiful in nature, pick one of your senses and take your walk through that lens… you’ll be amazed at what you notice.

Tend the earth - harvest the things you’ve grown, till the soil, plant bulbs – you’ll get to celebrate and prepare through the very act of being present with what is.

Talk to the trees - or learn from them at least. How do they change, grow and bloom so much in stillness? How do they simultaneously reach up, root down and yet expand?

Eat seasonally - eating food that has been grown in the ground puts minerals back in to our body, which in turn enhances our sense of ‘inner centre’ at an energetic level. The more centred or ‘grounded’ we are, the more ‘present’ we are able to be. At this time of year many of these foods are in season – root vegetables, leeks, squash etc. Incorporate these in to your diet as much as you can.

Lastly, try journaling or musing on these prompts – • When I am ‘right here’ I am…

• To be still means…

• By my side is…

• Being present with myself will…

• At the edges of my life are…

I’d love to hear about how you’re enjoying the now - tweet me @space_with_in You can also still get your free Meditation on Stillness at spacewith-in.lpages.co/a-free-meditation-on-stillness.

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

Generation Ageless is about 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

I used to do this…

My former career was spent working shifts in the chemical industry on Teesside. My last job was on the huge Wilton complex near Redcar managing operations on a number of high hazard former ICI process plants.

like Ironman for my undergraduate degree which I began when I was 54. From that research I discovered a love of sociology and went straight in to a PhD (without fully realising what I was taking on). Four years and a lot of hard work later I am Dr Rees!

Family is all about...

Supporting and inspiring each other, I couldn’t do the things I do without the fantastic support (and Being more creative, writing, modelling and learning to seemingly limitless tolerance) that I get from my act. In September I begin an acting course at the Theatre wife Sue. I have a son Jack and a daughter Ellie Royal in Newcastle, who knows what it could lead to? who are both successful entrepreneurs. I would like to think that they get their work ethic from me, but in return they constantly inspire me with their willingness and ability to try new things and take Why/how I made a change... on fresh challenges.

I made the change to academia as an extension of my lifelong passion for sport. I was a triathlete for 28 years I’m lucky I can... and represented GB at age group World and European Basically do whatever I want. I am healthy and still very Championships. I also completed the Ironman triathlon fit so there is absolutely no reason to slow down and eight times. I researched why people undertook events do less – I want to do more!

Now life is about...

SEP/OCT17

SPOTLIGHT

I’ve got time for...

Travel. My wife Sue and I love to travel, and we have a long list of future destinations in mind.

Things are different because...

I grew a beard about a year ago and everything changed from then. It has allowed me to move in to a completely new world with so many fantastic opportunities and so much to learn. Without the beard I would never have got in to modelling – it gives me a very ‘current look’… apparently.

Day in the life of me...

If I don’t have a modelling or acting work I ride my bike. I still race regularly so I need to ride most days, but it’s not always training. Some days I just ride gently to my favourite café and drink coffee with my friends.

The people who are important...

Sue, my best friend for 45 years who is now retired but who works tirelessly as a volunteer for the Butterwick Hospice. Jack my son, my mate and my coach. Jack is an elite cyclist and professional coach for British Cycling, he has also created from scratch the most successful cycling race team in the country (Brother/NRG/DriverPlan).

My daughter Ellie, my partner in crime – the two of us have some exciting projects lined up for the future.

Ellie writes a fashion blog, and straight from university she has built up a great business as a social media consultant (Collab Media) Ellie has quickly become an influential member of the Teesside business community, representing some well-known local and national companies.

Work/life balance?

Most of the stuff I do doesn’t feel like work, it’s just great fun. I get to meet loads of cool people in great locations. In the last few weeks I have worked in Soho, Covent Garden and Spitalfields Market in London. As well as a wedding venue in Sunderland a cool record shop in Newcastle and on the deck of the ship PSS Wingfield Castle at Hartlepool’s Historic Quayside.

I thrive on…

Mid life means to me...

Opportunities for new careers, new experiences and new challenges – it’s never going to be dull that’s for sure.

Being busy and being challenged. What I like most about my modelling/acting work is that I never know what’s coming next and where the next job will be. I quickly realised that this type of work is very unpredictable and often organised at very short notice. This is a big part of the appeal for me as it regularly takes me outside my comfort zone – I love it.

STYLE for Autumn

Man You can’t go wrong with a sharp blazer - team navy with denim for a look to take you from bar to boardroom.

Add some sass with a forget-me-not statement of a waistcost. This neat Vivienne Westwod waistcoat and blazer is £920 at House of Fraser.

SEP/OCT17

Woman Remember supermodel Eva Herzigova? She was way less covered up as the face and body of those ‘hello boys’ Wonderbra ads. Now, at 44, she’s still sparkling in her laid-back luxe look for the Gerry Weber brand.

Today she’s a bit more demure in cool metallics and grey tones from the Gerry Weber AW17 collection which is all about lace, velvet, leather, and animal prints with some cashmere in between - head to Fenwick., Newcastle to see the range in full.

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COOL CATCH

Seaside star-fish Michelin star chef Andrew Pern is scattering his kitchen magic amongst the lobster pots in Whitby with his latest restaurant venture, the Star Inn the Harbour.

Kathryn Armstrong paid him a visit

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It is Whitby on a very hot summer’s day. The air hums with the sounds of gluttonous gulls and the intermittent flap of flip-flops.

In the breeze there’s simply no escaping the whiff of fish and chips. Every third person that passes seems to be clutching a polystyrene parcel of vinegar-soaked fresh-from-the-fryer pleasure.

Does this passion for a portion of cod and chips (scraps please), make it the best or worst spot to set up stall (or high class restaurant)?

The town’s newest eating place is the very upmarket Star Inn the Harbour and with Andrew Pern at the helm, there’s the promise of a sprinkling of the Rick Stein magic that made Padstow the nation’s go-to foodie destination for all things fish.

Pern is the man who has a Michelin star pedigree behind him with the whimsical and romantic gastro pub, Star Inn at Harome in North Yorkshire. More recently he has launched Star Inn the City in York and made a foray into tapas and cocktails with Mr P’s Curious Tavern, also in York city centre.

Launching a posh chippy in Whitby is something of a homecoming. He’s a Whitby lad (his parents still live in Sleights) who did his culinary training at Scarborough Tech.

The seaside restaurant is a dream realised, a stone’s throw from the harbour; so close that lobster pots from the fishing fleet find their resting place at the side of the restaurant, stacked up ready for another outing - once emptied of their luxurious gourmet catch.

Inside the restaurant – formerly the town’s tourist information centre with its grand conical roof – you get the chance to feast

on this ocean harvest.

And Pern can’t wait for it to happen – even though the opening of his seaside outpost has coincided with the birth of Margot Bluebell – the seventh child of his own haul, aged up to 18.

“Yeah, it’s been an interesting time”, he laughs.

“When they were developing the place as a restaurant it was the obvious choice to get me as a local boy to come and do it”, says Pern.

“We’ve added the seaside to everything here – shellfish platters, traditional fish and chips, fruits de mer – there is attention to detail but it’s not taking itself too seriously.

“We have an ice-cream parlour, we have octopus door handles, we have a captain’s table in a private dining room.

“Personally I am embedded in this area, I have been since I was 14 or 15. It’s a case of

SEP/OCT17

COOL CATCH giving something back now. I was born here and I’m back in my home town.

“I like to think we can offer great quality seafood that is all landed up and down the North East coast. Lobster, cod and haddock is processed by Hodgsons in Hartlepool.

Langoustines and oysters are landed just a bit farther away’, he says.

Pern laughs at the obvious comparisons with Rick Stein and the celebrity of Padstow in Cornwall but it wouldn’t be a bad thing to bring a sprinkle of that to Whitby, which he maintains ‘is nicer looking than Padstow.’

His menu certainly nods to the gourmet style hunter. As does the décor. The carpet is plaid, there is wood, there is rope and all manner of un-gimmicky maritime finery.

There are quirky touches with handmade pots and witty bits of décor.

And on the menu, yes, you will find cod or haddock and chips (beef dripping of course), a woof fish finger sandwich and

We’ve added the seaside to everything here – shellfish platters, traditional fish and chips, fruits de mer – there is attention to detail but it’s not taking itself too seriously dressed Whitby crab salad.

But you will also find daily specials – John Dory among them when we visited – and North Sea lobster for a blow-out. Not to mention the current best-seller, halibut T-bone served with potted shrimps and samphire – at a not bad £22.

If you’re not into seafood then Pern has plundered the countryside around to offer up a Yorkshire feast of meat – from the comfort of deer and juniper cottage pie to local butcher Radford’s ribeye steak.

But let’s face it – folks will come for the Star-meets-seafood pleasures of the place and Pern’s great reputation – in a town with famous names like Trenchers and the famous Magpie - currently back as takeaway-only following a serious fire earlier this year.

Pern believes there is space for all in this seaside go-to town: “I don’t see us as competition, we are offering something different, bringing like-minded chefs and producers together – we want local support and to look after the locals.

“I was brought up going to Trenchers – I still go there, it is nice to be involved – we’re all doing a dinner for the RNLI in autumn.

“Like the Star Inn the City, we want to burst the bubble of eating something different.”

So, with your bowl of Whitby woof soup (his famous Great British Menu 2012 creation and a hot-seller), you get a side dish of mini club sandwich of Fortune’s Whitby crab.

Diners are loving dressed Whitby crab with coastal vegtables and the sheer quirkiness of avocado ice-cream with scallop sand.

Only a Pern kitchen would get away with that!

But a menu classic is also one that is very close to Pern’s heart: “Sole Veronique is such a classic French old-school dish – I love that one!” www.starinntheharbour.co.uk

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Fish of the day So we ate our way through (some) of the Star’s seaside menu and the standout dish was definitely the starter called Rockpool of North Sea Shellfish, pictured left.

It was pretty-as-a-picture, looking indeed like a rockpool – albeit a cleaned-up-for-the-table version.

The dish it arrived in was one of the specially-commissioned pots made for the Star – a deep blue dish with little shells on the base so you felt you were foraging around in your very own rockpool of eating pleasure.

Couldn’t fault the abundance of seafood in there – hefty chunks of lovely sweet lobster, a big wallop of a juicy scallop, nicely cooked then nestling underneath were some fleshy mussels and cockles. What made it stand out was the gently balanced sauce – a play on the old ‘cockles and vinegar’ seaside favourite. In these hands it became a perky sauce with the slightest vinegar bite – a flavoured that mingled so well with the zesty samphire ‘seaweed’.

A great fun dish – and at £12 a come-again-for winner. I also had a monkfish ‘scampi’ ceasar salad (£19) – with hefty chunks of breaded monkfish piled on well-dressed salad leaves with bold anchovies and slithers of Botton cheese.

The John Dory ‘special’ was less amazing than we’d hoped for with its £27 price tag – but we’d definitely return – maybe to give that halibut T-bone a turn…

The Gatehouse is our brand spanking new foodie haven, with an open kitchen beating at its heart. Entertain and be entertained.

22nd September @ 11:00am Lunch & Demo: Perfect Pastry Let Chef teach you the techniques needed to create the perfect pastry for any occasion - £36.75 p.p.

30th September @ 6:30pm The Crewe Supper Club Celebrate late harvest vegetables, orchard fruits then tuck into a 3-course feast, with a glass of wine or two - £45.00 p.p.

5th October @ 6:30pm Dine & Demo: Butchery Skills Chef Simon demonstrates knife skills and his tricks of the trade. Aperitif on arrival, followed by dinner and a glass of wine - £36.75 p.p.

13th October @ 11:00am Sunday Lunch for Beginners Chef teaches you how to make sensational roasts, Yorkshire puds and all the trimmings.

Includes tea, coffee and lunch - £36.75 p.p.

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

Exclusive reader offer: 10% off any Gatehouse event (Quote Luxe when booking)

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CAN YOU DIG IT?

Off duty WITH DAVE COULSON

Allotments don’t have to be a dirty business…

Now I’ve always been one of those chefs more at home digging in my wellies at the allotment and eating off the land, so whenever I can, I take the opportunity to cook and forage with my good friend and my restaurant’s fresh vegetable provider, Hamish Dow. Don’t get me wrong, it’s hard graft and I can be as lazy as the next person, but there is something truly special about picking your own food, cleaning it up and eating it on the same day it is picked.

Nothing tastes better and when food is as fresh as a daisy, it needs hardly anything doing to it to taste absolutely fantastic.

The other side to this is that I’ve used Hamish and his allotment for three years so he knows what I like. He often picks an array of salad and vegetables and I often have no idea what it is he’s picked.

It means I have to research the ingredient which keeps me on my toes, as I have to

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be creative and combine what other fresh produce I have received to make the delicious dishes that Peace and Loaf has become renowned for.

Recently Hamish and I had a little dinner date of our own and we took our camping stove and a pan to his allotment and decided to cook whatever we could pick.

The result, well, was just perfect and a fantastic way to spend a lazy afternoon.

We picked the following ingredients: • Oyster leaf • Purple oxalis • Sea kale • Spring onions We simply rinsed off the salad leaves and pan fried the halibut for two minutes each side with a little olive oil, which was fresh from the sea that morning from Hodgson Fish suppliers.

Such a simple dish – but like I say, delicious, fresh produce, on the plate the same day it has been picked / caught – it doesn’t get better than that.

Until next month - Dave

SEP/OCT17

MAKE THE CUT

M E AT M O M E N TS Terry Laybourne is raising the steaks with his new Porterhouse

Meat is having a moment and boy are we glad about it. While the steak offering quite often forms its own section on a menu, now the steak-house concept is riding high as we rave about rump, faint over fillet or swoon at a sirloin.

The new Porterhouse Butcher & Grill within Fenwick, Newcastle is going flat out to satisfy meat-lovers baying for blood.

With Terry Laybourne at the helm, diners are not only guaranteed tasty plates, but a dynamic dining experience too. The hybrid retail/restaurant concept means eating here is engaging and exciting. Diners can eat what they see. The ‘cook what we sell, sell what we cook’ approach means everything is fresh - and a definite talking point as you slice in to your meat.

An open kitchen is always a nice, sociable space. Made even better when customers can interact with the chefs behind the counter. Porterhouse (itself a two-in-one steak) is embracing that concept by popping a dozen or so stools at the bar, meaning you can chat to the chefs as they cook your chosen steak before your very eyes.

It’s a cool, casual spot for steak-lovers or hungry shoppers - and if you’d prefer to sit down for dinner, you can book a table in the sleek restaurant area for a sit-down, slap-up feast. If eating out isn’t on the agenda and you fancy charring away at home, you can pop your head over the counter and order directly from the butcher.

This brand new butchery bar is as swish as it gets. Plush cream bar stools, shining

SEP/OCT17

marble tops, mahogany woodwork and mosaic-style floor tiles set the scene. We’re in for opening week to catch up with Terry.

“The concept is pretty straightforward really,” he says.

“A busy counter, a few stools and cooking in front of the customer. I always felt that it was a good concept.

“I’ve seen this sort of thing work incredibly well in food markets overseas, although not in such a polished environment as this. But we took a punt and shook hands on a deal for Saltwater Fish Company when the new Food Hall opened. The upshot was it was a huge success. Everybody loved it, everybody still loves it. I think it’s that dynamic of just being able to sit up on the stool and engage with the chef.

“We had a space that we were trading as Ko Sai, the Asian restaurant and it just made sense to roll Saltwater this way and embrace the butcher. The idea is to do the same thing that we do with the fish, but with a meat offering.”

Taking inspiration from buzzy European food markets where the local butcher will sizzle up a streak in front of you, Terry wanted to create a similar vibe in Newcastle.

“Those European markets are just the best,” says Terry.

“I think the best of all is the San Miguel in Madrid – it just buzzes from nine in the morning until twelve at night. I’ve always thought, if we can create even half of that anywhere in Newcastle it would be a dream.

And here we are now.”

It’s an of-the-moment foodie experience we’ve all been waiting for. We love the idea

that you can pop in for a porterhouse (or whatever your preferred cut - picanha is a South American favourite for example - a juicy top rump), and also take them away.

The steaks are cooked using a charcoal-fired Josper grill and one of the key suppliers is world-renowned meat supplier Peter Hannan, who runs Hannan Meats. The award-winning beef is dry-aged for up to 45 days in Himalayan salt chambers giving a unique flavour and tenderness.

Other specialities include Northumberland Wagyu beef from Steve Ramshaw and pork from Ravensworth Grange Farm.

“Our house beef comes from a friend of mine in Northern Ireland - someone I’ve worked with for five or six years. We buy

pork from a lady just over the river - in Ravensworth.

“We’re buying whole breed ducks and chickens from another old friend in Lancashire, we’re buying herb-fed chickens from North Yorkshire and we’re buying black pudding from the south west of France.

“It’s a chew trying to get it all to us, but I think the product is good enough and unique enough.”

When it comes to the menu, you’re looking at a selection of raw and cured plates and small plates (both work as starters), steaks (all native breeds, traditionally reared), Himalayan salt-chamber stand-outs, plus big cuts for sharing and a selection of other main courses such as grilled lamb chops with mint jelly, venison burger, spiced Italian sausages and ox cheek and brown ale pie, with or without oysters from next door neighbour Saltwater Fish Company.

“The big talking point for us is the porterhouse, because it’s in the name. It’s two steaks in one and this is two businesses in one - so there’s a bit of symmetry there.

“The porterhouse is unique in that there’s only one on any side of beef. It’s a sharer and even with the bone taken out, there’s a lot of meat there. The porterhouse is a cut off the T-bone that has the biggest proportion of fillet, so that’s the real talking point here.

“For me, I’d have the prime rib on the bone.

I prefer it, it’s got a bit more flavour - there’s a bit more to chew. If I’m on my own, I’d have the ribeye, which isn’t a sharer. They’re the prime cuts for me.”

With a bit of direction from the brains behind the butchery, it’s time to tuck in for a fillet-filled afternoon at the meat counter.

Starting with the small plates, I opt for the fried duck egg and Basque black pudding (£7.10), while my dinner dates choose the chicken liver pate and hot toast (£5.80) and the Saltwater sashimi (£9.20) from our friends at Saltwater Fish Company.

Next up is the steak course. Two chateau steak (250g, £28.20), a thick cut from the tenderloin fillet, and the fillet steak (200g, £26.40). All cooked rare and bursting with juicy flavours with a charred fringe providing a bit of bite. The steaks come with fries, a side garnish, mustards and béarnaise sauce.

Try the hipster chips (£3.20) with truffle oil and parmesan for something a little on-trend and punchy!

Desserts don’t disappoint, spicing things up with the grilled pineapple with chilli caramel and coconut ice cream (£5) and crème caramel (£4.80).

It takes a twist on the traditional marrying our love of steak with inspiration from the lively food markets of Europe. Chew on it.

Fenwick Food Hall porterhousencl.co.uk

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VINES&VOICES

Star trek

With chef James Close of The Raby Hunt, proud owner of two Michelin stars >> Left, Arborina Relais, below, Piazza Duomo and chef Enrico Crippa

Life has been crazy busy at Raby Hunt since we re-opened with our new chefs’ table area and extended kitchen. We have never been as busy and it has been stressful ‘bedding in’ to a new workspace – but all the better for it.

The hard work pays off and the summer saw us bag a few accolades; among them 25 (out of 100) in the Estrella Dam restaurant awards with a great event in Fulham to celebrate.

We reached the top 50 in the Good Food Guide at 37, which is up from last time.

I managed to get away for a bit of sunshine, food and wine in the summer though, flying to Turin to stay in the countryside best known for luscious Barolo wines.

(We flew the day after being helicoptered by a customer to the British Grand Prix at Silverstone with chefs Daniel Clifford, Tim Allan and Peter Sanchez-Iglesias – a memorable day!)

In Italy we went to a music and food festival – which is as good as it gets in my book in terms of events!

The Collisioni festival in Barolo marries culture, music, literature and food - and it works, because it’s Italy!

Mix Robbie Williams with a load of robust reds and the result is happy people. You check the banners listing each day’s events and hit the streets to listen, watch and eat.

Hungry guests feast on pizza, summer truffles, nougat and gelato. The wine-crowds savour the region’s Barolos, Barbarescos, and Barberas.

It’s a great event for your ‘to-do’ next year!

We stayed at the Arborino Relais which is

In Italy we went to a music and food festival – which is as good as it gets in my book in terms of events named after a Barolo wine cru called Arborina. This is the name of the hill near the hotel which the suites and terraces overlook.

It’s a stylish spot - the restaurant has a Michelin star and it’s well worth a visit. My reason for visiting the area was also to eat at Piazza Duomo in Alba.

Piazza Duomo is in the old town centre run by the Ceretto family, well-known Piedmontese wine entrepreneurs and ardent promoters of the local food and wine resources – they teamed with chef Enrico Crippa who was looking to start out on his own personal journey.

Piazza Duomo is now a cult address for gourmets while the area and associated

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eating places have become a major attraction for fans of the region’s cuisine.

We ate an outstanding, quite unbelievable meal – his take on anti-pasti with 30 small dishes at the chef’s table; standout ones being cured sea urchin and raw langoustine with burrata and bisque.

We’ve had TV cameras in the restaurant over the summer. That’s all I can say for now, much as it pains me, but keep an eye out!

As you know, I love travelling to restaurants, tasting dishes and being inspired by the world’s top chefs. I’ve got a few trips planned over coming months and so in the next columns will be sharing the food experiences in more detail and reviewing restaurants that you might want to visit yourselves.

SEP/OCT17

Open Open NOW

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!

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

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LBK.NCL

Fairytale shire of New York Christmas & New Year breaks 2017 Imagine an historic coaching inn, its cosy interiors aglow with crackling log fires, and bedecked with homemade evergreen decorations. Overlooking a traditional market place, with rows of higgledy-piggledy shops displaying their festive wares and pretty, starlit trees twinkling away... beyond this the ruins of a medieval castle and a beautiful country estate are waiting to be explored.

This wonderful, dream like Christmas is waiting for you and your loved ones to enjoy as guests of The Black Swan Hotel in Helmsley.

To find out more about our festive breaks 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

SEP/OCT17

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THAI LUXE

FISH COURSE WITH TERRY LAYBOURNE

Lobster Thai-Style Lobster Red Curry SERVES 4

Lobster is the epitome of a luxurious dish. The meat is both light and sweet and works well in this recipe which really brings some Thai sunshine to the plate.

We’ve all seen lobster pots piled up on the quay at the seaside, and fishing for lobsters still is part of the Northumberland fisherman’s season.

Native lobsters are incredibly fresh and are local to the UK. Pick them up at Saltwater and get them from sea to table within a couple of days.

Bigger isn’t always better. In fact, the smaller the lobster, the more tender the meat – plus it’s much easier than trying to split one larger lobster between two.

When choosing your lobster, it’s good to go by weight.

The lighter the lobster, the poorer the diet it has had.

Small and heavy is a winner. We advise picking up one lobster per person.

All of our lobster is pre-cooked at Saltwater, making it quick and easy to cook with.

Rustle up this curry and then sit back and relax with a glass of crisp white wine.

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Ingredients

Method

4 x 500g cooked and dressed lobsters – your fishmonger can do this for you 1 tbsp vegetable oil 1 tbsp ginger & garlic paste 6 tbsp Thai red curry paste 800mls coconut milk Small amount kaffir lime leaves 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce 1 tsp brown sugar 10 Thai basil leaves, torn 1 red chilli, sliced 1 green chilli, sliced 2 spring onions, sliced Few sprigs coriander Fragrant rice x4 300g jasmine rice 475mls boiling water 1 tbsp vegetable oil

Pre-heat the oven to 180°C To make Thai Red Curry: Heat a pan and add the vegetable oil and Thai curry paste, fry for 1 minute Add the ginger and garlic paste, cook for a further minute before pouring in the coconut milk and adding the kaffir lime leaves.

Bring to a boil, stir well and simmer for 5 minutes Season with the sugar and fish sauce. Add a touch of salt to taste.

Add the basil and remove from the heat.

Pour the warm curry sauce over the lobster and bake in the oven for 10 minutes Meanwhile, cook the rice. Heat the vegetable oil and stir in the rice, taking time to coat well.

Pour in the boiling water, stir well and cook over a very low heat with a tight fitting lid for 9 minutes.

Remove the rice from the heat and allow to stand, covered for a further 5 minutes before serving Finish the lobster with the sliced chilli, spring onions and coriander.

SEP/OCT17

STIRRING SPOT

Cocktail class Hudson is Newcastle’s newest city centre cocktail and dining palace. Glitzy with a very big G

The County Hotel holds a grand position in Newcastle. Just opposite the Central Station, it has long been a gateway to the city.

Now in the hands of the Gainford Group, it is stepping up to make the most of its unique location.

The hotel is being re-vamped by the people who bring after-hours gloss and glamour to Newcastle in the shape of Bar Livello, Aveika and The Vermont Hotel and Aparthotel.

This collection of slick venues now adds to its number Hudson, the all-day eatery and cocktail bar that is the glamorous opening shot in the Gainford Group’s £8 million

Expect on-point, inspiring cocktails, sleek good looks and some posh nosh. It comes into its own after dark, when the DJ gets going

redevelopment of The County Hotel.

The feel is that of a deeply luxurious New York-inspired bar and restaurant.

There’s an old-school glamour to the place reflecting the heritage of the grand building – which is named after the great railway pioneer, George Hudson, giving a nod to the hotel’s location.

You can expect on-point, inspiring cocktails, sleek good looks and some posh nosh. It comes into its own after dark, when it turns intimate and twinkly and the DJ gets going.

In the bar you’ll find a contemporary twist on the big city cocktail bar look. Lots of muted mauve, mink and dusty grey.

In the restaurant clock the abundance of luxey booths and their glassy, mirrored

walls. There’s also a hidden courtyard – who knew?

You can see your food being prepared in the kitchen which adds to the sense of occasion.

You really can’t say no to a cocktail here.

The team prides itself on making them look and taste amazing. Go off-menu for a classic margarita (perfection) or get playful with ‘show’-stoppers, such as ‘Peanut Butter Coladas’ and ‘Lady Fizz’ (gin, strawberries, kiwi, lemon and bubbles) or house favourites like passionfruit-spiked mojitos.

We eschewed a dessert in favour of a previously-recommended pistachio espresso martinis (£7.50 - do try).

In terms of food in the restaurant, the menu is a something-for-all affair. Casual or as blow-out as you like.

Road-testing the menu we started with pan-fried scallops (£12.95); three seared chunky scallops which retained a soft translucency, joined by vanilla-cured salmon, mellow and sweet, with a touch of creamy butternut squash puree and a pop of a pansy flower for decoration.

The ‘seafood money bag’ (£6.95) was a pleasure on the plate. A flaky filo pastry parcel, filled to the brim with juicy king prawns, salmon and tender haddock, sitting on a stock-rich lobster bisque.

For main courses, lobster thermidor (£24.95) delivered up half a lobster and its meat-filled claw. Grilled with a brandy, gruyere and bisque sauce, it was rich and indulgent with its sweet, in-season, chunky lobster meat and came served with a pot of fries and salad.

Lemon-infused seabass (£17.95) was served with a light lemon cream sauce and accompanied by coconut and coriander roasted potatoes, cute as anything. Two fillets of fish were expertly cooked, the hint of lemon just right.

As mentioned, we passed on the pud this time – in favour of the liquid dessert of pistachio espresso martinis - that cocktail bar makes for a great place to finish a city-glamorous evening. hudsonnewcastle.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

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LEAN ON ME

Chicken & leek gnocchi bake >> Prep 15 mins, cook 45 mins “Gnocchi is becoming my new favourite carb source. I can’t work out if it’s a potato or a pasta, but I don’t care because it tastes so good. The kids and adults will all enjoy this one.”

Social media star, fitness hero and bestselling foodie author, Joe Wicks (aka The Body Coach), has released his fourth cookbook.

Jessica Laing meets the man of the moment…

Ingredients

Fit food Joe Wicks continues to prove that he is so much more than just a curly-haired heartthrob with a Greek god bod. And good on him.

His stats are pretty impressive: creator of the UK’s biggest online tailored weight-loss programme (The Body Coach’s 90 day Shift, Shape & Sustain plan), over two million books sold in the UK, a number one fitness DVD that’s sold over 100,000 copies (and counting), the star of his own Channel 4 series, and the best-selling non-fiction author of 2016.

Oh, and he’s also also the fifth most influential fitness person in the world according to Forbes. Not bad for a guy who rose to fame on Instagram for posting 15-second videos of himself making ‘lean’, 15-minute meals at home.

Now, The Body Coach has only gone and unleashed another cracking culinary read on the world - which he showcased to flocks of swooning fans (yes I was one of them) at a meet-and-greet at WHSmith in intu Metrocentre.

I sat down with the culinary hunk - who is just as lean, lovely and ridiculously down-to-earth in person as he is on TV and Instagram - for a behind-the-scenes natter about the new read.

Unlike his previous ‘Lean in 15’ releases three chart-topping books centred around healthy, pre and post-gym grub and packed with no-nonsense nutrition advice and fat-busting workouts - Cooking For Family &

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Friends is a little more laid-back, this time focusing entirely on wholesome, good-forthe-soul food.

Illustrated with photos of Joe’s real family and friends, and blessed with one or two hand-me-down recipes, such as his Nanny Kath’s beef stew and his Italian grandmother’s much-loved spaghetti bolognese, it’s a fuss-free read that just gets tastier the more you dive in - perfect for home cooks.

The recipes (there are over 100 to try) lend themselves to all sorts of occasions and social gatherings, from barbeques and dinner parties to mid-week and weekend gettogethers, but, as you’d expect from Joe, won’t throw waistline-watchers off track.

You’ll discover that the meals are marked as either ‘reduced carb’ or ‘post-workout’, making it easy-peasy for dedicated gym-goers and healthyeaters to decide what to try and when. Things like grilled prawn and halloumi salad and real crowdpleasers like American-style blueberry pancakes and roast chicken and BBQ ribs with dirty corn.

For those I-just-need-sugar moments, there are a couple of ‘guilteeeee!’ (as Joe says) desserts thrown into the mix, too, like chocolate fondant and sticky toffee pudding.

Because, as Joe believes, it’s all about balance - and food is there to be enjoyed.

“The question I get asked the most from my followers is, ‘how can I can hang out with friends, or go to a party, and still stick to a healthy diet?’, so I decided to create a ton of tasty, easy-to-follow recipes that prove it can be done.”

“This book encourages people to eat and socialise with the people they love without the guilt; the meals are proof that you can still eat and enjoy delicious food while remaining lean and healthy.”

Another neat thing about the book is that it’s also divided into handy chapters, like starters and sides, mains, smoothies and sweet treats, providing home cooks with heaps of inspiration - ideal if you’re the one in charge of hosting a dinner party, cooking a three-courser for the other half, or cooking up brunch for your chums.

The only hard part, I’ve found, is deciding which recipes are your favourites.

There are many stand-outs, but the ones I’ve picked out are particular winners; comforting, warming and nutritious. Perfect for this time of year. Try them. www.thebodycoach.com Head online for Joe’s baked risotto with cod and sweet potato shakshuka recipes... www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

500g fresh gnocchi 100g kale, hard stalks removed 1 chicken stock cube 1/2 tbsp coconut oil 1 tbsp butter 1 onion, diced 2 leeks, cut into 5mm rounds 500g skinless chicken breast, cut into 3cm chunks 200g mushrooms, brushed clean and roughly sliced 25g plain flour 1/2 tsp English mustard powder 25g parmesan, grated 1/2 bunch of parsley, roughly chopped Salt and pepper 3 tbsp fresh breadcrumbs Steamed vegetables, to serve (optional)

Equipment 23 x 18cm baking dish

Method Bring a saucepan of water to the boil and preheat your oven to 190°C (fan 170°/gas mark 5).

When the water is boiling, drop in the gnocchi and cook for two minutes, then add the kale and cook for a further two minutes.

Use a mug to scoop out 300ml of the cooking liquid. Add the chicken stock cube into the mug, stir, and set aside. Drain the gnocchi and kale.

While the gnocchi is cooking, melt the coconut oil and butter in a large frying pan over a medium to high heat. When hot, add the chopped onion and leeks and fry for about three minutes, or until the vegetables begin to soften. Crank up the heat to maximum and add both the chicken and mushrooms to the pan. Stir-fry for a few minutes or until the meat takes on a little colour.

Reduce the heat to just below medium and stir in the flour.

Stir-fry for one minute, then gradually start adding the stock. Stir in a quarter of the liquid at a time to avoid lumps.

When all of the liquid has been added, bring to the boil, then take the pan off the heat and stir in the mustard powder, parmesan and chopped parsley. Season with salt and pepper.

Tip the drained gnocchi and kale into the pan and gently stir everything together. Tip the mixture into a baking dish, sprinkle the breadcrumbs all over the top and then slide it into the oven.

Bake for 20 minutes or until the breadcrumbs are golden.

Remove the dish from the oven and serve on its own or with a big bowl of steamed vegetables.

SEP/OCT17

WARMING UP

moments

Take to the woods for bonfire feasts and hallowe’en gatherings. Stay warm with spicy winter spirits, hearty pies and luscious harvest preserves

>> The Travelling Bee Company Sweet Chestnut Honey £7.99 >> Poetic License Fireside Gin £35 >> Rumbullion Spiced Rum £36 >> Smokehead Single Islay Malt Whisky £37 >> Pumpkin Jam £3.99 >> The Naked Marshmallow Co. - Espresso Martini £5.99 >> Yorkshire Huntsman Pie £4.60 >> Traditional Yorkshire Pork Pie £3.59 >> Yorkshire Scrumpy Pie £4.60 All items from The Food Hall, Fenwick, Newcastle

SEP/OCT17

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73

DES-RES

Veg patch WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

Five years ago we bought the dream, now Linnels Farm has become a happy reality our ‘blood, sweat and tears’ piece of paradise. Of course we celebrate with cake

RICH PICKINGS >> Blueberries: The two blueberry bushes bought in spring have turned out to be prolific producers - nothing nicer than walking past and grabbing a handful of blue fruits with their dusty bloom. Citrus & Blueberry Drizzle Cake with polenta is divine with a cup of coffee but, on colder mornings, porridge topped with hot blueberry and cinnamon compote is the order of the day.

Lettuce: Crisp lettuce just picked, washed well and spun dry, then seasoned with seasalt and pepper, drizzled with aged Balsamic Vinegar and Extra Virgin Olive Oil and topped with shaving of parmesan.

Potatoes: As soon as the nights draw in I can feel the urge for carbohydrates. Rösti anyone? Grated potato tossed in melted butter with thyme and garlic then popped in a hot oven until crisp. Crack an egg on top for the last two minutes then devour.

Two nifty uses for any leftover mashed potato: potato cakes (simply mix warmed mash with flour and then griddle for breakfast with scrambled eggs) and I often yearn for a batch of my mother’s doughnuts made with mashed potato.

Citrus & Blueberry Drizzle Cake >> Ingredients

Beans: For once beans doesn’t mean Heinz!

We have a plethora of beans. Wizard Field Beans provide a much larger crop of small broad beans than other varieties which can save time on skinning larger beans.

The dwarf French Beans ‘Ferrari’ have been grown up the fence of the veg plot – much to the happiness of the hungry sheep who have been leaning over and helping themselves! Many people despise Runner Beans, myself included until I discovered the recipe for our best-selling Runner Bean.

Relish: like piccalilli without the lumps!

Now I take all excess Runner Beans off friends since we can never grow enough and it is son and husband’s favourite in a ham sandwich. One tip though is to pick them before they form beans inside their pods since the sliced bean skins turn an unappetising grey on cooking, resembling rubber bands! The Borlotti beans have been poor this year due to the wet and colder weather but the ‘Ying and Yang’ panda beans are filling out nicely and will be dried and stored for winter stews and chillies.

225g unsalted butter 225g caster sugar 3 eggs 100g polenta 100g ground almonds 100g plain flour 2 tsp baking powder 1 lemon 1 lime 150g blueberries

Methos Cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time whilst beating. Fold in the dry ingredients along with the zest and juice of the lemon and lime. Gently fold in the blueberries taking care not crush them. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C. Grease and line 2 x 2lb loaf tins.

Divide the mixture between the two tins.

Bake for 35 minutes then cover with foil and bake for another 10 minutes or until a skewer comes cleanly out of the cake.

UPCOMING COURSES @LINNELS FARM

LINNELS FARM >> Five years ago, in late August, we inadvertently cycled by a ‘for sale’ sign and wondered what exactly existed down that long farm track. House details duly followed with ‘best and final offers’ to be submitted in two weeks’ time. Viewing days were ‘open’ with people arriving from Newcastle in shiny cars and Hunter wellies only to climb out the car and then get straight back in again! We immediately fell in love with ‘The Darling Buds of May’ feel of the farm, as if time had stood still, and promptly put our house on the market, submitted our offer and had it accepted. That was exactly five years ago; it took 18 months to get the water supply into the farm, another year to renovate the house and a further two years before we moved in. Nearly every weekend was spent working on the outbuildings/ fencing fields/veg plots/clearing paths down to the river, Devil’s Water, at the bottom of the meadow. A lot of blood (too much in fact since a trip to casualty with 14 stitches on husband’s wrist resulted), sweat and tears (all mine) were shed on Linnels Farm.

Recently some friends sat in the courtyard garden one balmy evening, akin to Southern France, and said: ‘Oh, now we see why you bought it!’ They were the same couple who had gone remarkably silent when we first showed them round and, when asked why, said: ‘there’s a hole in the roof!’

The weekends of work have paid off and husband Simon can now add fencer, master stone pointer, pond builder, tiler, plumber and kitchen fitter to his CV. Soon, when people ask me if I want to join them at the latest exercise fad, I may actually say ‘yes’ instead of being so bone-tired after a weekend of heavy labouring ‘down on the farm’.

The Dairy workshop has been reroofed with stone flags, the largest of which are 60 inches long. They were held in place by oak dowels hammered through a hole which after 100 plus years were occasionally starting to fail, dropping the equivalent of a paving slab from 2 storeys up. Dusty bottles of goodness knows what chemicals were removed from the upper window sills of the Dairy; most labels have perished but ‘Udder Ill’ and ‘Brown Draught’ survived to extol their virtues upon administration to cows.

Linnels Farm now has its very own purpose-built kitchen workshop, designed by a chef. We are capable of running hands-on cookery courses for up to 12 people, demonstrations for larger groups and also Corporate Days for companies searching for something different in an idyllic setting.

We work with experts in their field: chefs, florists, cake decorators, chocolatiers, ecologists, artists and photographers and are constantly looking for more inspiring people to help run new courses to meet the demand from returning customers. When I give gardening talks people often ask who is behind Linnels Farm and although I may be the sole employee, Linnels Farm is truly a family affair. Husband Simon is the keystone that turns the dreams into reality; 22 year old Lottie promotes the homemade preserves and is a dab hand when ‘styling’ is required for photos; and 20 year old Luc loves anything with a heartbeat that can be purchased at Hexham Auction Mart and then happily released on to the pond or made homely in The Bull Shed. Geese, all varieties of ducks and chickens have joined the two resident Labradors, Pi and Kruger, who readily welcome people on courses and now get brought treats and Christmas presents by customers.

THE TOWN GARDENER >> THURS 5TH OCTOBER

BULBS, GLORIOUS BULBS >> TBC OCTOBER

Small plot – big ideas! Don’t let the size of your plot limit your creativity. Choose plants that earn their keep and learn low maintenance ideas to create colour and impact in a small place. Discover the multitude of plants and methods of ringing the changes in even the smallest garden.

Time: 10am – 3.30pm. Including morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch £80

Pots of stripy parrot tulips, snowdrops in the depths of winter, geranium-scented daffs, deep blue camassia cut for the table, alliums exploding like fireworks, snakeshead frittilaries, shocking pink nerines – bulbs truly span the seasons. Bring along a favourite pot/container on this day workshop and you’ll depart with it fully planted ready for a stunning spring display.

Time: 10am – 3.30pm. Including morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch. £90

BREAD BASICS >> FRI 6TH OCTOBER This hands-on course discovers the pleasures of breadmaking from the simplest sourdough through to focaccia, via quick breads and the perfect baps for bacon and egg butties!

Depart with recipes and your own warm, hand-made breads.

Time: 8.30am - 3.30pm; includes breakfast and light lunch. £95

ANYONE FOR AFTERNOON TEA? >> TBC NOVEMBER Everyone loves to go out for afternoon tea but ever thought how little this meal costs to make? Join us on this one day workshop and you’ll discover how to make light and fluffy scones, melt in the mouth macaroons, buttery crumpets, perfect Swiss rolls and tiny-weeny curd tartlets.

Time: 10am – 3.30pm. Including morning coffee/cakes and a 2-course lunch. £90

>> For further details visit www.linnelsfarm.com

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BROWSING

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A very 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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SNUGGLE DOWN

TREND WATCH with Kate Rose The founder of lifestyle brand Tutti is inspired by a new seaason Getting ready for autumn!

Much as I love the summer months: family holidays, afternoons in the garden, strolls along the beach, once September arrives, and the kiddies are back at school, I like to get organised at home in preparation for the lead up to Christmas (my favourite time of the year).

I love to layer up and autumn is the perfect season for this…

Loving my Mahabis slippers...

These slippers, reinvented

by Mahabis are a must buy.

Designed in London and made in Europe, these slippers are a clever new concept as they have a removable silicone sole making them perfect for indoor to outdoor wear. So yes, you can hang the washing in the garden or pop to the corner shop in comfortable slippers that look stylish – finally!

The changeable soles also allow you to personalise your pair, adding a peppering of personality to the beautifully minimalist design. The Mahabis are beautifully packaged (and I’m a sucker for good packaging) making these slippers a great gift and a definite item on this year’s Christmas list.

Mediterranean influences...

We have had a family summer filled with travel. From Menorca to Sotogrande, Malaga to weekends camping at Robin Hood’s Bay. Each experience completely different from the last, but what it always brings is lots of inspiration: food, music, interiors and fashion.

Secret spa...

Home...

A recent addition to our family snug is a sheepskin rug (Fenwick, £110), it looks great layered with the leather sofa, wool cushions and knitted throws. The kids love the cosy feeling under foot, and I love the element of warmth and luxury it brings to the space. I choose a natural colour so it can be swapped between rooms; it works in the formal living room in front of the log fire and beside the bed too, a must for autumn styling.

I was lucky enough to spend a day at a private, exclusive spa, set in the basement of a beautiful Georgian house in the heart of Tynemouth. A little ‘me’’ time was needed, and this was the perfect way to unwind and relax, in stylish surroundings. My personalised day package included a facial; foot ritual, back massage, afternoon tea, unlimited herbal tea and infused water and a bottle of Prosecco, just perfect.

My favorite treatment was a ‘kiss from a rose facial’.

Real petals are used as your skin is soothed, hydrated and nourished as you breathe in the natural scents of the roses, providing an emotional sense of wellbeing.

There is nothing corporate about this exclusive spa. Its individuality, personal touches such as handwritten messages on your slippers, grey fluffy robes and a little selection of samples to take home, make a truly unique experience.

A sanctuary from the outside world.

Contact dianne@ thesnugspa.co.uk for a tailored bespoke package)

Food...

Fig & Gorgonzola pizza! I was excited to try out my new KitchenAid mixer and homemade pizzas were the perfect trial. Once a batch of dough has been made (I followed a Jamie Oliver recipe) you can freeze it for another day. The topping of fig, prosciutto, Gorgonzola, rocket leaves and balsamic glaze was truly scrumptious.

Music …..

Jehro – I Want Love. A French musician who uses his guitar skills to compose acoustic songs with a mixed Caribbean/reggae/folk/Latin sound.

Dreaming about...

Log burning fires, autumn walks, one-pot stews, and cosy nights with candles burning.

Inspired by...

Autumn wardrobe staples...

After a long summer break spent travelling with the family I like to get home, pack away the summer clothes and organise next season’s wardrobe.

I love an autumn wardrobe and my top 5 picks for the season are: Massimo Dutti: White open cut shirt Hudson: Suede shoe boots Madewell: Grey jumper All Saints: Jeans Tutti & Co: Grey print scarf

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Kinfolk: The Entrepreneur, The Kinfolk team brings an inspirational new book as they visit more than 40 creative entrepreneurs from around the world who are making business personal. An exploration into how visionary ideas ripen into careers, and the myriad ways in which the pursuit of meaning and passion, and the experiences of disappointment and defeat, can motivate both professional success and a balanced quality of life. Through insightful interviews with leaders in the worlds of publishing, architecture, fashion, design and beyond, The Kinfolk Entrepreneur captures the ambitions and realities of today’s creative class and offers tips, advice and inspiration for anyone looking to forge their own path in life. Pre-order a copy or pop on your Christmas list.

Tutti Styling...

My favorite Tutti product for the autumn has to be the graduated poncho. Perfect for layering over a simple white shirt, cashmere jumper or a leather jacket. Team it with skinny jeans and boots for the perfect autumnal look.

SEP/OCT17

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

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CRAFTY CREATURE in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

A scenic drive over Sutton Bank and through a handful of quaint, North Yorkshire villages brings us to Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe, home to a hidden hive of craftsmanship, as Elysia Agnew discovers

Beavering away Beaver Furniture’s cottage-comeshowroom is a cosy spot set back from the road, just steps from the family home.

Beaver Lodge defies everything about a typical showroom. There’s nothing formal about the place, it’s a home from home – a place to browse, relax with a cuppa and chat. I’m in to catch up with David Glegg, a once aspiring apprentice who now heads up the Beaver business.

The smell of fresh wood fills the air, taking me back to woodwork workshops at school.

In some ways it’s familiar – there are lots of creative minds working; but in others, it’s so very different. This place is the real deal.

There’s lots going on and it’s all done with exceptional character and quality.

The Beaver business was established in 1960 by David’s late father-in-law, Colin Almack. Colin’s carved ‘beaver’ trademark, which can be found on every piece of furniture, was inspired by watching wild beavers’ industriously building their dams and lodges. Colin soon became known as the ‘Beaverman’, so long lives the beaver.

“Incorporating the trademark beaver into everything we do, we make predominantly in English oak and we specialise in dyeing our own oak,” says David.

The unique thing about Beaver Furniture is that it’s bespoke, it’s handmade and it’s a friendly, family-run business; so buyers can get involved in the process from start to finish. They can also get hands-on in the workshop, seeing it all come together.

“People like to hear the provenance of the wood and we like to invite clients in to go on a journey with their new piece of furniture,” says David.

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“It’s all native oak - a lot of it being from Northumberland actually. Customers like to see that it’s being made uniquely for them and in a traditional way.”

David and his team have watched as the market place continues to change, trends alter rapidly and customers seek out good quality fitted furniture as well as freestanding pieces. And with open-plan living areas and entertainment spaces becoming more and more popular in homes, David’s team are seeing a surge in large, English oak tables.

“People can eat on them, read the Sunday paper on them, have a coffee on them or hold large dinner parties. We’re seeing a lot of briefs centred on socialising at the moment. So in that sense, dining furniture is always going to be very popular.”

Being a Beaver Furniture customer is as much about the experience as it is the product.

“We’re able to work round most budgets and strive to achieve what people want out of their new pieces, whether it’s a style alteration or a colour change for example.”

This Yorkshire-grown furniture business also works with local and national interior designers and architects to help create statement pieces.

“We’re very flexible. Sometimes it’s just a chance one-off - an interior designer looking for something specific. But quite often, we build close relationships with these people and help each other out along the way.”

One thing that’s sure to set the business aside from any other furniture designs is the beaver itself. You’ll find the trademark in every piece ever made here; it’s very much at the centre of the business.

“The beaver is very close to our hearts,” says David.

“And we’re a lot closer to it than some might think. It makes its living out of

huge part of that.”

Yorkshire is at the forefront of everything the guys do here at Beaver Lodge.

Everything is made as locally as possible and handmade using local produce.

The business is keen to promote the community; buying local timber, employing local staff and continuing to train apprentices with a genuine love for the area as well as for the art of furniture making.

Its roots might be firmly placed in Yorkshire, but Beaver Furniture is taking the world with overseas customers checking in through recommendations.

“We now have some regular customers overseas, but the majority of our products go out across the country. We’ve recently had stuff sent down to Berkshire, across to Otley and up to County Durham, Gosforth and Northumberland, it’s pretty spread out.”

After spending the morning wandering the workshop, getting to grips with the furniture and catching up over a cup of tea, I can confidently say that Beaver Furniture will soon have a place in my home.

It shares a love of Yorkshire and our excitement with luxe brands, Look out for Beaver Furniture’s online blog where you can find all the latest news, designs and more. www.beaverfurniture.co.uk

wood – just like we do!

“It’s the most industrious animal in the wood. And that’s where the inspiration came from.”

The illustrious beaver is something the team have become known for, not just locally, but nationally and also worldwide.

“There isn’t a continent we haven’t worked with,” says David.

“We’ve sent out to most big countries, but the home-grown market - the English market - is our primary market place; with Yorkshire and the North East being a

SEP/OCT17

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SCANDI STYLE in association with

www.greatlook.co.uk

W O W

H O U S E

Slick and sharp Danish design created a Pinterest-perfect property in a Sunderland home. Jessica Laing steps inside

Those clever Danes know a thing or two about living well and looking good.

They’re quite the dapper, blissed-out bunch, with talents that extend to innovative eyewear, stylish shoes and the art of living cosily - the ‘hygge’ way.

Is it any wonder we’re all raving about Danish design and inviting it to take over our homes?

Two people who have recently beautified their abode the Scandi way are social workers Peter and Lynsey Davison. The pair moved into their detached dream home in Rydale Park, near Seaham and knew the look they wanted for the sleek space.

Bringing the concept to life was that bit more tricky so they turned to the talents of the BoConcept team based in Fenwick, Newcastle.

The brand has been designing and manufacturing for over 60 years, helping to breathe new life into single rooms, small

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apartments, large houses and corporate spaces all over the globe - 60 countries to be exact.

Its team of skilled consultants are an urban-minded homeowners’ best pals, whether you’re looking to update a space corner by corner with luxury accessories, or revamp a room or two top to bottom.

“We first discovered the house when the builder, Johnson Homes, was about to begin adding the second floor,” says Peter. “We liked the quiet location and the price was right, but what we loved most was that we had the opportunity to make some of our own decisions design-wise.”

Working with their builder, Neil Johnson, the couple altered the interior plans, building a light and airy extension to the back of the property, creating a larger bedroom for their son and giving him his own bathroom, and putting their own stamp on the finer details - things like tiles, lighting and fixtures, flooring and even plug sockets.

They ventured into BoConcept Newcastle on

their hunt for the perfect living room sofa (a pain-staking task for any interiors addict) and, after falling for one of the brand’s navy numbers, a three-seater ‘Indivi’ sofa, a coffee table and a sideboard, enlisted the help of senior interior designer, Emma Dickinson, to assist them on styling their new open-plan kitchen and living area - a space that already showcased BoConcept furniture.

“We wanted our home to have a contemporary, ‘luxe’ feel - the ‘shabby chic’ look just wasn’t us,” says Lynsey. “We were really pleased with the sleek furniture we’d discovered at the BoConcept space in Fenwick - things like the gorgeous velvet dining room chairs, the grey mirror and the gold table centrepiece - and so it made sense to go back and look at accessories.

And that’s when Emma really got on board.”

“She got to know our house inside out; what kind of colours we’d chosen to run throughout the house - lots of grey, tan and oak - and other bits and pieces, such as the

gold and chrome accents you’ll find dotted about. From there, she was able to suggest throws, vases and lamps that would work - and we love them all.”

Taken by Emma’s choices when it came to the finishing touches, the trio soon began work on bringing the pair’s living room to life from scratch - a dream project for any interior designer, but a special treat for a passionate professional like Emma.

“It was a completely blank canvas when I walked in - all they knew was where they wanted the TV,” says Emma, who’s been at BoConcept Newcastle for three years.

“Luckily for me, because I’d built up such a good relationship with Peter and Lynsey, they trusted my vision and my understanding of theirs, and gave me the freedom to just roll with it and get stuck in.”

BoConcept’s free design service meant Emma was able to visit Peter and Lynsey at home one Saturday morning, armed with a sketchbook and a brain full of creative

SEP/OCT17

ideas, before any work began.

“It was a chance for us to get an idea of how the makeover might look and make sure we were happy with the choices that were put to us,” says Peter.

“Emma arrived with lots of fabric swatches, colour ideas, throws and potential accessories that could work. We agreed we wanted the space to remain in keeping with the rest of the house - very modern, but with a ‘lived in’ feel. It’s a family home at the end of the day - we didn’t want it to look like the stiff living rooms you see in show homes.”

“We headed to Fenwick the following weekend, where Emma presented us with her final design ideas in-store via the brand’s iMac program, enabling us to view a 3D model of the finished room.”

“The shape of our living room is a little unusual - and on the small side - so being able to see the finished designs in 3D proved to be an invaluable experience. It gave us peace of mind, knowing that the proportions of furniture worked with the space available.”

Bowled over with the designs Emma had come up with, the pair gave her the go ahead there and then and work soon began, centring around the TV, the room’s focal point, and the couple’s desire to create a luxury hub that they could spend quality time in as a family.

The result of Emma’s labour is an effortlessly good-looking space, decked out with unique and complementary accessories - things like industrial-style lamps, smoky glass candlesticks, a pink botanical throw and cut glass jars your grandmother used for her mint imperials. It’s made cosy, too, with deliciously moody colours and furniture that bridged the gap between fabulous and functional.

“Everything has a purpose,” explains Emma.

“For example, the sofa, single chair and foot stool - they’re not there just because they look good together. They’re there because they’re things a family of three need to be able to put their feet up and relax at the

end of the day.”

“For us, style is about looking good - but it was also important that the room was functional for every day living,” says Lynsey.

“We have a 10-year-old who loves Nutella sandwiches and a very lively West Highland Terrier Puppy. But Emma was confident that BoConcept’s furniture would continue to look great and withstand accidents - so far, she’s been right.”

The grey theme continues from the kitchen into the living room, however working with a small space, Emma advised that the pair paint the walls all one colour (you’ll find no fancy feature walls here) and to keep the shade on the darker side. In the end, they settled on a dark taupe shade that looks just as good after dark as it does during the day.

“People always seem to think that smaller rooms should be as light as possible, but I reminded Peter and Lynsey what they had originally envisioned for the space - a sumptuous sanctuary that they could retreat to for some family time each evening,” says Emma.

“Thankfully, they trusted my judgement and I feel that the colours only enhance that cosy feeling - especially when the candles are lit, or when one or two of the lamps are on, providing soft and gentle lighting.”

The Davison’s have been enjoying their luxey living room for almost a month now and have nothing but praise for Emma and the BoConcept way of working.

“BoConcept’s customer service is second-tonone; knowledgeable, inspirational, friendly, relaxed and informal,” says Peter.

“Lynsey described walking around the store as being ‘surrounded by lots of really lovely things’. Emma’s understanding of what we wanted, and her ability to combine the brand’s furniture and accessories, helped us to create a luxurious TV room and a cool kitchen and dining room that works for all of us. Spaces we know we’ll be enjoying for years to come.”

YORKSHIRE

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BeaverFurniture.co.uk

www.boconcept.com

We wanted our home to have a contemporary, ‘luxe’ feel - the ‘shabby chic’ look just wasn’t us

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HOMETIME

P O W E R P L O T

A cool social space of a kitchen is the centrepiece of a dream home in Northumberland. Jessica Laing paid a visit

Many say that the kitchen is the heart of any home. It’s the place where mums feed small tums, where chums and family gather for ‘how-was-your-day’ catch-ups, where busy professionals chug back their morning caffeine and where ravenous, partied-out teens congregate in the wee hours.

A kitchen can set the tone for an entire household. And for Richard and Gina Hogg, theirs is very much the stand-out space within their home - a property that’s been transformed from quaint cottage to modern day power plot, surrounded by acres of lush land and blessed with breathtaking views of the Northumberland countryside.

The couple, who have been married just shy of 10 years, swapped their Newcastle penthouse for a life in the country back in 2010, moving into what had been both

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Richard’s parents’ former home since the 60s.

“It’s been a family affair since day one really,” says Gina, who works as an executive account manager. “Richard’s grandmother, Jean, moved into the adjacent farmhouse in 1969, before handing down the land to his parents. His mum and dad then built a little annex before extending to create their own cottage.”

Years later, the pair moved in, living in the Morpeth home as it was for four years until their son, Michael, now five, arrived. It was then that the couple, who found themselves drowning in toys and longing for more space, decided to put their stamp on things.

Enlisting the help of a local architect technician and interior designer, they embarked on a period of ravishing renovation in 2014 with the aim of creating a hot property that offered more room to breathe, work and play.

“It was an opportunity to create our dream home,” says Richard, managing director of local recruitment business, Jackson Hogg Recruitment. “We did exactly what we wanted and turned the cottage into our ideal property.”

The results of the miraculous makeover means the Hoggs’ new-and-improved home is the stuff of any aspiring house builder’s dreams.

“Some of the biggest, and probably most challenging, changes were transforming the front and back of the house,” says Gina.

“We knocked down the roof and front of the property to make way for striking gable end design.”

“We also extended at the back, adding a bright and airy orangery so that we had somewhere to retreat to at the end of the day to really appreciate the views.”

All rooms are neutral, painted in white, soft cream, light tan and browns the colour of milky coffee, creating the illusion of yet more space. There are rustic wooden beams in the living room and original stone peeking out here and there - a nod to the property’s rustic past.

The most impressive of the changes is a state-of-the-art, open-plan kitchen Richard and Gina’s favourite space.

“It’s definitely the place in which we spend the most time,” Gina says. “It’s where we eat our meals and catch up, and where our son watches a lot of TV. We love that it’s a room of two halves; the kitchen, which is decked out with everything we need to cook and entertain, and the dining and relaxation area for kicking back.”

The pair joined forces with Raven Kitchen Design to bring their vision of a traditional style kitchen, with a glossy, contemporary twist, to life.

With father-and-daughter team, Tony and Hannah Raven, at the helm, the Blagdonbased business helps homeowners update their pads with fitted kitchens from cutting-edge German manufacturer SieMatic, as well as their own range of locally manufactured custom-made furniture - which is what they specified on this occasion.

Tony, already a pal of Richard’s, jumped at the chance of helping the pair create their perfect kitchen and, with the help of his daughter and a team of skilled builders, tilers and decorators, work soon began.

“Richard had always said he’d love one of

our kitchens once he got married and had settled down,” says Tony. “So we were delighted to hear about the amazing alterations he and Gina were making.”

The pair knew what kind of style they were after: full-framed, painted and traditional, but with modern accents and fixtures. A fun change, according to Tony, for Raven, as the company is largely known for creating slick, contemporary spaces.

“Richard and Gina were keen to keep their range cooker and American style fridge/ freezer, as well as incorporating a Belfast sink, and this largely influenced the design,” explains Tony.

“Initially, the idea was just to have the fridge/freezer free-standing on it’s own, but with some gentle encouragement Richard and Gina realised that by placing a tall storage unit either side and bridging across the top with another unit, it created a much more integrated look. That section almost reads as one piece of furniture now – a bit like a traditional press with a twist.”

“We also had to hide a large under-floor heating manifold, find space for an integrated microwave, a food mixer lift mechanism and space for a not inconsiderable quantity of wine bottles!”

“The soft colour scheme was very much their decision, but we encouraged them to use a contrasting granite on the large, central island - hence the beautiful river valley white surface supplied by Richard Hamblin of South Shields,” says Tony.

“The island dominates the space, but because of the pale granite, it doesn’t overpower and we loved how it turned out.”

At the request of Gina, all wall units have glass fronts with internal lighting, and the team also created a false chimney breast around the cooker, which serves as another of the kitchen’s real focal points.

The open plate rack, meanwhile, situated over the Belfast sink, adds some of that traditionalism that the couple longed for, while the use of plantation shutters either side of the windows, beaten metal handles and carefully-selected brick pattern tiles behind the range cooker all add a touch of luxury and modern edge.

“Overall, we couldn’t be happier with the outcome of the kitchen,” says Richard.

“Working with Tony and Hannah was a total pleasure from start to finish - they made the process so straightforward and enjoyable and there’s nothing we would change if we had the chance to do it all again.” www.ravenkitchendesign.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

LUXE LOCAL

Northallerton A solid and bustling North Yorkshire market town with a jewel in the crown called Betty PROPERTIES >> This is one of those ‘something for everyone’ kinds of places in terms of properties. You can snap up a commuter condo, a chi-chi cottage, a suburban between-the-wars semi or a vast and rambling Yorkshire estate.

This is the land of some really lovely barn conversions and land-laden farms.

CONNECTED >> Off the scale in terms of connected considering it’s a little market town! East coast rail services to London and Scotland stop at the the station here. Next stop is York which connects to the west. Also just a few miles from the A1 and A19 for an easy link in any direction – and Leeds Bradford airport is under an hour.

SHOP >> A market town with a capital M on Wednesdays and Saturdays when browseworthy stalls take over the town.

Wensleydale’s producers bring cheese, fruit and veg and meat. There’s a great fish stall with an abundance of east coast treats.

Plenty of non-food folk selling bits and pieces too.

In terms of shopping, make a beeline for Barkers, a family-run and much-loved department store which manages to bridge the gap between traditional and on-trend.

It’s just started opening up on Sundays too,

which is a bonus. In terms of womenswear they’ve recently upped their game with a contemporary fashion area selling Boss Orange, Lauren’s Denim&Supply as well as the lesser known (and all the better for it) designer brands, Ronen Chen and Bitte Kai Rand labels, which offer up sharp separates with a Scandi-style design edge.

The shoe department for men and women has some stylish Spanish brands – including Loake for the chaps and Fly for the girls.

You’ll also find a great range of Orla Kiely bags if you love her fashion pops of colour.

Menswear includes Hackett, Ralph Lauren Golf, Ted Baker, Brax and French & Hatton.

Also on the fashion beat in the High Street, find Fat Fat, Crew Clothing, Clinkards and Moda in Pelle shoes.

Also for gifts and treats check out Pandora store and Market Cross jewellers.

Northallerton is home to the loveliness that is Fired Earth – one of few stores in the

North and the place to find beautiful tiles and posh paint – as well as lust-after bathroom fittings, rugs and accessories for the home.

The quirky high street leads to some little alleyways which are home to specialist shops – The Optic Shop will fulfil your star-gazing dreams with telescopes and binoculars. In Zetland Street make a beeline for Better Daze record shop – it’s filled with juxeboxes and vinyl. Once in you might never escape! Next door is Cowley Cycles

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and just over the road the lovely Joe Cornish Gallery, a showcase for the photographer’s famous landscapes of coast and countryside, Yorkshire and beyond.

In Barkers Arcade, shop for furniture at Bay Tree Interiors. Another homes find is Joanna Marco Interiors near the town hall. Slightly out of town, is the Barkers Home store which is filled to the brim with furniture, a very impressive lighting department, smart designer bed linens and home treats.

There’s a welcoming Waterstones store in the main street – lots of books, obviously, but also nice cards and gifts.

FOOD & DRINK >> Bettys is the heroine of the high street when it comes to some classy lunching and perfect patisserie. Expect to queue for a table any time of the day – this is where Yorkshire folk take tea in some style, from morning coffee to the full afternoon cake trolley dilemma – in surroundings that are very ‘palm court’.

Cutesy, old-fashioned service and luscious lunches. Take a speciality fat rascal home to continue the experience.

Lewis & Cooper also on the High Street is a gourmet institution. You can smell it before you see it – the aroma of Wensleydale cheese seeps into the street. Real Yorkshire food treats live here – great hams, local sausages, pies and deli treats – with every Yorkshire cheese you could wish for. A wonderful wine shop – and great for hampers. A coffee shop upstairs too.

Northallerton has just been treated to spanking new and spacious M&S food store at the rear of the main street – with easy parking.

Local butchers are the pride of the main street, particularly Kitsons and Thompsons of Northallerton. There’s also a Pizza Express and Majestic Wine Warehouse.

When we visited there was a big queue waiting to go into the Friday morning craft and bakery event in the town hall – homemade cakes and bakes a speciality!

If you’re looking for a nice pub around these parts, the Buck Inn at Maunby is impressive.

The new kid on the block is The Potting Shed, Northallerton’s newest bar. Once was the Old Rutson Hospital, it has been restored to some of its former glory, complete with roof terrace, large garden featuring our iconic Potting Sheds. Serving homemade food from a theatre-style kitchen including wood fired pizza oven and a range of local craft ales and cocktails.

STROLL >> The town is more of high-street mooch place than country ramble but not so far from the town itself is Mount Grace Priory, an English Heritage property nestling beneath the Cleveland Hills. This unusual

monastery is the best preserved Carthusian priory in Britain. Discover how the monks lived 600 years ago in the reconstructed monk’s cell and herb plot. The crumbling masonry and open grassland have become home to a collection of wildlife that has taken advantage of what previous owners, including the monks, left behind. www.english-heritage.org.uk/visit/places/ mount-grace-priory/

SEP/OCT17

LUXE LOCAL

PROPERTY WATCH WITH JANET HOPKINSON

my local

WHAT’S GOOD FOR THE GOOSE

Jo Rose is curator at the Joe Cornish Gallery in Northallerton.

Three good things about living here >> • Shopping at Barkers • Walkable market town centre with lovely architecture • Good mixture of high street shops and independent retailers Three places to take visitors >> • Joe Cornish Gallery & Café!

• ‘Grande’ Brazilian restaurant & cafe • Applegarth Park just behind the High Street, great place for children to burn off energy An ‘In the know’ secret >> • There’s a huge redevelopment of the former prison site which will double the size of the town centre. www.joecornishgallery.co.uk

property: three to choose Hello, lovely Harewood House is a beautifully stylish countryside home with lashings of contemporary cool character – lovely muted paint colours, airy rooms and lovely communal kitchen and dining area. Move-in perfect! £750,000 www.robinjessop.co.uk

Ivy’s charm Pretty-as-a-picture Ivy House on the outskirts of Northallerton is a handsome home that has definite do-up potential thanks to grand rooms (and an Aga!).

Beautiful grounds and some characterful outbuildings add to the charm. £575,000 Robin Jessop www.robinjessop.co.uk

Time for a new way of thinking when it comes to selling property?

Microsoft co-founder, Bill Gates, thinks that we overestimate the amount of change which will happen over two years but underestimate the amount of change over ten. This certainly seems to be the case with housing. Our tastes move on hugely over a decade as new materials, technology, design, our experiences of staying in modern hotels and even watching reality home shows on the television increasingly influence us. Public opinion and governmental policy also have their effect. The Grenfell Tower disaster will prove to be another turning point.

But underlying all these developments are the changes we see in our own lives; the amount of space we need to occupy, running costs, convenience and the time that could be spent doing other things - sometimes at stages in life like parenthood or retirement when time is increasingly precious.

Retirees for example have much to consider. Do they want to continue living in large family houses when there is no large family living there anymore? And the desire to head off to the country or coast, once the dream of many, is being overtaken by the desire to live in an exciting urban environment where there is life, opportunity, convenience and grandchildren. Growing old gracefully is no longer an appealing prospect to many.

In the new homes sector this is a big challenge. Few of us live or want to live in the same way we used to. Developers must work out how people will want to live tomorrow and then create that model today. For some this might seem courageous speculation, but that doesn’t make it wrong.

In the pre-owned home sector there are different challenges. We are beginning to see a real trend in adapting dated, multi-zone living spaces that segregate people within the home into larger and more inclusive multi-functional areas. Eating, dining, entertaining and relaxing with family and friends are now desired in one large single-function area where the bi-fold door finally brings nature indoors and makes the garden an integral part of the house.

Therefore, buying a home has become akin to trading in an old car for a brand new one. When most people buy a new car today they expect plenty of innovative features, not the same outdated ones their old car possessed. A new car is a finely engineered and brilliantly designed machine for driving. Buyers of all ages now think that a home should be a finely engineered and brilliant machine for living.

Those who seek to leave their old homes behind and look forward to enjoying all the benefits that the next one should offer might spare a thought for the people they want to sell to. Don’t these buyers crave modern styles and fittings also? Home sellers should remember that and either make their home attractive to the modern buyer or accept that the price will have to reflect essential modernisation works.

After all, what’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

Barns & beams A bright, new and spacious barn conversion in the cosy village of Brompton, a couple of miles from Northallerton. Calm décor, timber |beams and a landscaped garden make it unique. £465,000 Stanton Mortimer www.stantonmortimer.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

Janet Hopkinson Operations Director Sanderson Young T: 0191 2130033 E: janet.hopkinson@sandersonyoung.co.uk

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk 85

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Pele House Middle Road, Shilbottle, Alnwick Pele House is a magnificent Grade II listed home comprising a stunning Medieval Pele Tower with former Vicarage of Georgian and Victorian architecture. The property occupies a mature elevated garden site with Artistsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Studio, hayloft and two bedroom attached cottage, currently a successful holiday let.

Price Guide: Offers in excess of ÂŁ999,500 Ashleigh Sundin ashleigh.sundin@sandersonyoung.co.uk rare! Office: 0191 223 3500 From Sanderson Young

www.sandersonyoung.co.uk

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Brokenheugh Lodge Haydon Bridge Brokenheugh Lodge is an impressive period house, circa 1896, with attached barn/annexe, secure gated entrance and beautiful part walled gardens of approximately just under three quarters of an acre.

Sympathetically refurbished and extended, the Lodge and Barn are successful 5* luxury holiday lets.

Price Guide: ÂŁ735,000 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

DEERNESS HEIGHTS, ELWICK

£550,000

Approached via an impressive driveway, this stylish four bedroom modern country farmhouse stands in a private setting with a large, enclosed garden. Beautifully presented throughout, rooms are all of tasteful design with luxury features.

THE ROOST, HARTLEPOOL

Contact: 0191 384 2277

£925,000

Standing on a generous plot in Hartlepool, The Roost has exceptional accommodation over three floors, with an indoor swimming pool, spa bath and sauna, and six double bedrooms, three with en suite facilities.

ROSEMOUNT, DURHAM

Contact: 0191 384 2277

£595,000

Three miles from the centre of Durham, occupying a substantial corner plot, this four double bedroom property is not overlooked and has beautiful gardens to three sides.

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

GUNNERS VALE, WYNYARD

£699,995

Standing on a sizeable plot this exceptional home offers four reception rooms and five double bedrooms, two with ensuite bathrooms, as well as a leisure suite with sauna, spa bath and shower room next to the cinema / games room.

Contact: 01740 644464

SWAINSTON CLOSE, WYNYARD

£635,000

Located in a quiet cul-de-sac Swainston Close has three reception rooms and four / five bedrooms. The garden is not overlooked and offers a great deal of space with large lawned areas, decking and established boarders.

HIGHWAYS, HIGH ETHERLEY

Offers in excess of

Highways currently has five bedrooms and four reception rooms over three floors and sits extremely private behind stone walls and double gates. It has stables and land with a picturesque paddock, along with a 60ft garage and workshops.

Lakes 01539 733 500

Northumberland 0845 459 6000

sales@fineandcountry-lakes.co.ul

info@durhamfineandcountry.co.uk

Contact: 01740 645444

£600,000

Contact: 0191 384 2277

www.fineandcountry.com Head office: 121 Park Lane, Mayfair, London WIK 7AG.

Dream home

Live the rural luxe dream in a unique country mansion Tranwell Woods is the location of this lavish 16,500 sq ft country mansion set in two acres of secluded mature gardens within an unrivalled private setting with an open aspect overlooking open countryside.

This outstanding property demands a viewing to fully appreciate the size, scale, quality and attention to detail both in terms of interiors and its stunning grounds.

IT REALLY IS THE ULTIMATE PROPERTY FEATURING > Ground floor > The ground floor boasts an entrance hallway and a formal dining room and living room.

Bespoke kitchen includes a circular central island unit with appliances - ideal for cooking while you have guests.

Appliances include; Britannia range cooker, Teppanyaki hot plate, wok burner, steak griddle, built-in coffee machine, steam oven, combination microwave and oven, American fridge freezer, two additional fridges and an instant hot water tap.

It has two breakfast bars, two sinks and a built-in dishwasher.

A breakfast area is large enough for a dining area and there is a separate sitting area with double doors to the rear garden.

The living space also includes a family room, wine cellar, cloakrooms, utility room and plant room.

On the first floor > Five bedrooms, five bathrooms with up to two waterproof televisions in each bathroom. Two outside patio areas, walk in wardrobes, a traditional wooden panelled study and desk and a staircase from master bedroom to leisure wing.

Cinema room with a built in fixed screen, overhead projector and surround sound, billiard and games area.

Second floor > A fully-contained apartment with bedroom, bathroom, including shower and separate bath, two waterproof televisions, separate WC and wash basins.

A kitchen area with fully integrated kitchen and appliances include (a teppanyaki hot plate, combination microwave and oven, fridge, dishwasher and washing machine.

Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a Living room and study.

The apartment is self contained and is accessed by its own staircase and door, fully separated from the house, creating a versatile space with many uses.

The house is fitted with Myson underfloor heating throughout all three floors. Thermostats are fitted in all rooms to control the temperature in the individual rooms.

Leisure suite ground floor > Pool water area 46ft x 20ft, six-person sauna, steam room, six-person spa.

Sitting area overlooking pool, double doors out onto patio area, staircase to master bedroom. Double showers and plant room. Controlled buy Heatstar unit to regulate water, air and humidity in pool hall.

The property also benefits from multiple CCTV cameras and front gates, two security alarms, sound systems throughout the house and pool hall and programmable dimming packs.

Two mezzanine floor areas in pool hall > Mezzanine floor bar area 18ft x 21ft.

Mezzanine floor air conditioned gym area 32ft x 13ft with WC and washbasin.

Durham 0191 383 9999

Reported running costs: electric and gas - including house and pool - ÂŁ3,000 per annum. Fibreoptic broadband available in the area.

Tranwell Woods is located just outside Morpeth town centre, direct access to the A1, close to Newcastle city centre and Newcastle Airport.

Newcastle 0191 232 8080

One of the finest properties to come on to the North East market in years a truly unique modern mansion

Gosforth 0191 284 2255

Price Guide Price on application Email matt.hoy@bradleyhall.co.uk Telephone 01670 518518

We highly recommend viewing this outstanding property

Alnwick 01665 605 605

Morpeth 01670 518 518

BH Mortgages 0191 260 2000

PLAYING OUT

EXTRA TIME with George Friend The Boro defender joins Luxe to share his downtime passions, from weekend lunchspots to style-savvy sunspecs The traditional Sunday roast is a quintessentially British pastime that many pubs and restaurants within our region have certainly mastered.

Understandably, families tend to frequent familiar haunts. However I hope by sharing my three favourite spots, you’ll be tempted to try somewhere new.

These venues don’t scrimp on the spuds so you’re left with that satisfied Sunday dinner feeling.

THREE TUNS OSMOTHERLEY Although set in more of a rural location, it’s certainly worth the drive down the A19. An ‘English Pub’ setting at its very best, with a roast to enjoy (again made from local produce). Not just an ideal location on a cold winter’s day, but equally enjoyable in the summer too, with adequate space in the colourful garden to savour your meal ‘al fresco’.

Post roast: While you’re already on the Moors, why not enjoy a stroll around Cod Beck Reservoir (the pub is dog friendly). www.threetunsrestaurant.co.uk

MUSE RESTAURANT, YARM Sitting on Yarm high street instantly creates a buzz, epitomised by this popular, vibrant restaurant. The roast is centered on good quality meat (locally sourced) and the portion size is moderate yet rich and tasty. Thankfully it doesn’t leave you popping buttons on the way out, the perfectly measured amount fits the bill like a glove.

CHADWICKS INN MALTBY This restaurant combines class and sophistication with fantastic, mouth-watering food.

The roast consists of succulent meats accompanied by well presented seasonal vegetables.

Delicious. Outside there is space for dining in the sun, in a tranquil village location.

Post roast: Looking through boutique shops accompanied by a walk along the River Tees makes for a lovely close to the weekend. www.museyarm.com

Post roast: Preston Park Museum and Grounds are close by, excellent for kids, who will also love the Butterfly World on site. www.chadwicksinnmaltby.co.uk

THOM BROWNE >> I first came across these glasses on holiday in Ibiza. While they follow the label’s subtle, understated design, the look oozes class, recognised by the trademark ‘red, white and blue’ tip on the end of each arm. >> Thom Brown Eyewear, Round frame sunglasses, £590; www.farfetch.com

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eye spy sharp style

Sunglasses are a year-round buy, rarely just bought for their intentional purpose - and fashion has definitely put them in the limelight. Here’s a selection to keep you UV protected, and ensure you’re not left in the dark when it comes to style << TOM FORD Always at the height of fashion, the glasses follow suit.

Whether you want gold plated wayfarers or slim line aviators, the collection is extensive and varied. This iconic brand never disappoints. >> Tom Ford, FT0447 Jacob aviator sunglasses, £203; www.selfridges.com

PERSOL >> The Italian label that has been making glasses for over 100 years. I love this brand because of their timeless style, tradition and classic sophistication.

Their versatile design can be worn comfortably with a suit or on the beach. >> Persol, PO31085 (Polarised), £235; www.sunglasshut.com

<< ACNE STUDIOS If you’re after something a bit more ‘out there’ then this could be the brand for you. Recommended to me by a former team-mate, the collection is bold and flamboyant with a Scandinavian influence. The designs are striking yet still stylish. >> Acne Studios, Frame metal matt - black/silver half mirror, £250; www.acnestudios.com

SEP/OCT17

C E L E B R AT I N G 3 5 Y E A R S O F FA S H I O N

Visit the exquisite tailoring department at Psyche where we offer a made-to-measure service with one of our top tailors. Whether it be a corporate event, a formal uniform for work, or an ensemble for a Christmas party - our team of experienced tailors are can provide you with the best-fitting suit you will ever own to wear to any event.

The sophisticated, design-led brands you’ll find this AW17 at Psyche include Remus Uomo, Gibson London, Hugo Boss and Paul Smith. With a range of fits, fabrics, colours, and premium accessories available, your unique suit will be customised to suit your every style-criteria.

For a more casual, relaxed style, visit the brand new Barbour department where we offer the classic, timeless styles we all know and love.

Psyche are proud to be the official suit sponsors for Middlesbrough Football Club.

ONLINE

IN-STORE

LINTHORPE RD, MIDDLESBROUGH

MOBILE 01642 888333

SHOP ONLINE AT PSYCHE.CO.UK

G E T 1 0 % O F F YO U R O R D E R U S I N G C O D E ‘ LUX E 1 0 ’ W H E N YO U C H EC KO U T * T&Cs apply. Not applicable to sale items. Some brands may be excluded from this offer. Code may only be used once online. Not valid in-store.

INIS MEÁIN Boatbuilder slim-fit merino wool & cashmere-blend half-zip sweater, £425; www.mrporter.com

ERMENEGILDO ZEGNA Burnished-leather cardholder, £280; www.mrporter.com

XXXXXXXX AUTUMN STRIDES

VALENTINO Black Studded leather Chelsea boots, £680; www.harveynichols.com

JEFFERY-WEST Suede mystery Harrison chukka boots, £259.99; www.julesb.co.uk

HUGO BY HUGO BOSS San Paolo crew neck merino knit, £109.99; www.psyche.co.uk

SIMON CARTER Chess piece cufflinks, silver, £35; www.johnlewis.com

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LEXON Fine Radio - burgundy, £49; www.amara.com

FRED PERRY Classic Oxford shirt, £69.99; www.julesb.co.uk

EIGHT & BOB Champs De Provence 100ml, £124.99; www.psyche.co.uk

THOM BROWNE Down-filled wool-twill coat, £2,730; www.selfridges.com

SAINT LAURENT Red Checked cotton shirt, £450; www.harveynichols.com

It’s autumn - from cosy knits and Chelsea boots to cool accessories and tech stuff, start your September shopping list here…

SEP/OCT17

INFINITI NEWCASTLE

MIDDLE ENGINE LANE, SILVERLINK BUSINESS PARK, NEWCASTLE, TYNE AND WEAR NE28 9NZ FOLLOW

03300 960866 | www.infinitinewcastle.com

US ON

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5 YEARS 0% FINANCE WITH NIL DEPOSIT BRAND NEW Q50 2.2D SPORT EXECUTIVE AUTO

OUR PRICE £23,995 SAVE £13,925

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FULL LEATHER ELECTRIC MEMORY SPORTS SEATS • SATELLITE NAVIGATION & BOSE HIFI • 18" ALLOY WHEELS AERO STYLED BUMPERS AND GRILLES • CRUISE CONTROL & DUAL ZONE CLIMATE CONTROL

REPRESENTATIVE FINANCE EXAMPLE: 17 REG INFINITI Q50 2.2D SPORT EXECUTIVE AUTO 60 MONTHLY PAYMENTS

ON THE ROAD CASH PRICE

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BRITAIN'S FASTEST GROWING CAR BRAND

Official fuel economy figures for the Infiniti Q50 2.2D Sport Executive 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. Offer valid until 30th September 2017 at participating dealers only and subject to vehicle availability. 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). *Winner of European Customer Experience Award.

Infiniti Newcastle Q50 Ad A4 010817 wk31.indd 1

01/08/2017 08:46

SO REFINED

Bob Arora takes a shine to the Beckhams’ car of choice

AT THE WHEEL

Sand by me Bentley’s new diesel version of the Bentayga comes with a sand-dune drive setting, probably not intended for a day out in Bamburgh!

You may remember me driving the Bentayga a while ago. At the time, I hinted that Bentley may bring out a diesel version.

Well the time has come.

This mammoth beast is the latest entry to the off-roader segment. With Lamborghini and Rolls Royce looking to enter this very lucrative market it was only a matter of time before Bentley launched a diesel version.

I don’t think the Bentley boys of yesteryear would be happy with a diesel version at all, I can only imagine they’ll be spinning in their graves! Despite this beast being powered by diesel, it still reaches a top speed of 187mph, which is no mean feat especially when you consider the car weighs nearly 2.4 tonnes.

The power this car has is just unbelievable, when you plant your right foot on the accelerator you feel as though you’re in a sassy, sleek Italian motor!

You distinguish the diesel from the petrol version by its black grill rather than the highly polished chrome grill.

I was in London recently and I saw a bright red Bentayga with black alloys - the owner had got rid of all the polished chrome and changed it to black. It looked amazing.

The front of the car is pure Bentley but the back reminds me of the Q7.

The rear lights reminded me of the Bentley logo, no really they do; I’m sure I’m not

96 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

imagining things.

The chassis is also going to be used by the forthcoming Porsche Cayenne. Now when that was originally launched it looked like a real ugly duckling. Thankfully Porsche have transformed this car into more of a looker now. Prior to the arrival of the Bentayga the Range Rover was always the king of the off-road.

I’m sure my shooting friends will all use their Range Rovers or Defenders to go off-road. The nearest I got to it was mounting a kerb but the car has all sorts of settings for off-roading.

From sand dunes, rocky trails or wet slippery grass slopes this car has a programme to tackle them all.

I think the very fact sand dunes are one of the off-road settings means Bentley expects to sell loads of them in the Middle East.

Bentley have given this car a 6lt W12 diesel engine, it’s available in the Q7 as it was in the Toureg.

To make it more suitable for a Bentley, the engineers have gone to town to make it not only more powerful but to make it much more responsive and quieter too. The engine bay has soundproofing all over the place and it also has the benefit of double glazing, which really helps to make this car a very refined and relaxing place to be.

Factor in the air suspension and this car is more comfortable than most people’s living rooms.

As with most Bentleys, the interior is a real work of art, from the beautiful leather to the deep pile carpets and the classy wood trim.

Potential owners can opt for Californian giant redwood or even stone!

The interior just screams pure luxury, this car beats all its competitors hands down, I’m sure Rolls Royce’s forthcoming off-roader will give the Bentayga a run for its money with its, no doubt equally opulent interior.

It’s easy to see why it takes Bentley so long to make their cars, the attention to detail is second-to-none and the general opulence makes driving the car feel like a special occasion every time you go for a drive. I supposed being priced at £160k the car really ought to feel very special indeed and that list price soon jumps when you start ticking the optional extras.

To help make the engine more efficient the engine will drop to 6-cylinders which helps with its fuel saving. The Diesel engine obviously helps make this car much more economical and most owners should get around 25mpg if not more, if they can resist

From sand dunes to rocky trails to wet, slippery grass slopes, this car has a programme to tackle them all

putting their right foot down. With all the attention paid to making the engine as quiet as possible, at 70mph the car has almost no noise at all. The optional Nain speakers are amazing and the sound quality is nothing short of breath-taking.

They cost £6,300 but you get 2000 watts of amplifier power plus the bass speakers are mounted in the seats, you’ve heard nothing like it. Analogue instruments are joined with a LCD display that can show the driver satellite navigation as well as computer trip information. With loads of manufacturers opting for digital dashes, it’s a rare treat to see analogue dials and a bit of technology.

My car had head up display, self-parking and night vision.

As you’d expect the buttons and switches have a real quality feel to them. The toggle switches for the air vents and the lashings of leather all over the place just ooze quality. An 8” touchscreen controls the infotainment system and the satellite navigation and the rear seats can either be three or two seats with massaging seats, if you go for the two-seat option.

The rear tunnel is also raised and you lose the ability to fold the rear seats down. My car had two rear seats which, albeit handy, were definitely ideal for young children. The boot isn’t massive but Bentley think most owners will be happy with the 431 litres of boot space! The Bentayga’s styling might not be for everyone, but I personally think with a set of big wheels and a dark exterior colour, it just looks quite special indeed.

I’m not surprised it’s the Beckhams’ car of choice in LA, I personally think the Range Rover finally has some real competition!

Car supplied by Bentley, Newcastle

SEP/OCT17

Being unique is the ultimate competitive advantage.

The new Panamera Sport Turismo.

The Panamera has always set the benchmark. As a Sport Turismo it is now in a class of its own.

With powerful engines delivering up to 550 hp and a design that sets new standards, it’s a car created for those who forge their own path. Discover more at www.porsche.co.uk/newcastle

Porsche Centre Newcastle Silverlink Park Wallsend Newcastle upon Tyne NE28 9ND 0191 295 1234 info@porschenewcastle.co.uk www.porschenewcastle.co.uk

Fuel consumption for the Panamera Turbo Sport Turismo in l/100 km (mpg): Urban 13.1 – 12.9 (21.6 – 21.9); Extra-urban 7.4 – 7.3 (38.2 – 38.7); Combined 9.5 – 9.4 (29.7 – 30.1); CO2 emissions in g/km 217 – 215. The mpg and CO2 figures quoted are sourced from official EU-regulated tests, are provided for comparability purposes and may not reflect your actual driving experience.

RETURN TRIP

I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Volvos and that stems from my very first car.

After passing my test, I think Dad was getting sick of me driving his Cavalier anywhere and everywhere. I can’t think why, but I suspect that maybe me not putting my hand in my pocket for petrol, insurance, road tax and servicing might have had something to do with it.

So to get me out of his pride and joy, my parents bought me my first car, which was a silver Volvo. It was bought from a customer who came in their shop and his dad worked at Nissan. My Volvo was extremely strong and reliable, thinking back its fuel economy wasn’t good at all, but it sure was a work horse.

One thing we have all become used to are LED running lights, all Volvo’s and Saab’s had these as standard, albeit not LED but they had running lights. I still remember fellow drivers flashing their lights at me as they assumed I’d left them on by mistake.

So it was good to climb inside Volvo’s new XC60 whihc has been the best-selling Volvo ever.

Not wishing to put a damper on the sales success but when it was launched it didn’t have many rivals at all. That has since changed and the market is a much strongly fought place now. Jaguar has entered the fray with the F Pace as have Mercedes with the GLC. As you would expect from Volvo, safety is paramount, and this car has an abundance of safety features.

The pilot assist will steer, accelerate and brake the car up to 80mph. The car won’t allow you to change lanes if something is in your blind spot, it will also apply the brakes if it thinks you’re going to have a head-on crash. As you can imagine air bags are all over the place in this car I’m surprised there isn’t an air bag in the boot for your Waitrose shopping!

The XC60 is available with two diesel engines and a petrol hybrid one, the best seller is likely to be the D4 which is the smaller diesel engine, even with the recent scaremongering about diesels. The D5 is also available in the XC90 and this engine is not only quicker but it is much more refined.

At motorway speeds, you can barely even hear the engine at all. The pick of the range for me has to be the Hybrid, the two-litre petrol engine and the electric motors make this a real pocket rocket. It gets to 62mph in a rapid 5.3-seconds and it produces 402bph and its real trump card is it only emits 49g/km co2.

All cars come with an 8” touchscreen as well as Apple Car Play and Android Auto.

Porsche on the other hand charge you for Apple Car Play but let’s not forget they also charge you for a rear windscreen wiper!! The car is available in 3-spec levels;

Momentum, R Design and Inscription!

Out of the three trim levels, the R Design is my favourite, the sportier body kit and sporty alloys just help give this car the real wow factor for me. The car is geared up for comfort, putting it into Dynamic mode helps stiffen and tighten up responses. Anyone looking for a car to drive quickly should go to their nearest Porsche or Jaguar garage.

The car’s interior really is a very calming and stunning place to be, with its lashings of leather all over the place to the very cool looking wood type finishes. All plastics are of excellent quality.

The car I drove was fitted with the optional Bowers & Wilkins speakers really did Calvin Harris’ new album some real justice.

Volvo have put cameras all over the place on this car, I’m used to the reverse sensors

but the rear camera was excellent quality. It was a bit strange at first, but I got used to them before I gave the car back.

Volvo have ditched analogue for digital dials, it also features a map in between the dials. The base XC60 costs from £47k for the basic D4 and the range topping Hybrid costs a cool £57k, the new car costs an extra £4K more than the outgoing model.

I think the car warrants the extra price for the interior alone, it has to be the best in its class! The Jaguar F Pace has the largest boot in its class but the Volvo’s isn’t far off at all, it can hold 505 litres which should be adequate for most families.

Between the passenger and driver there is a massive cubby hole for storage and there was plenty of room in the door pockets too! After spending a few days in this car, I really enjoyed my time back in a Volvo and I am happy to report that the fuel economy is much improved.

They are still extremely strong cars indeed and with the standard safety features, they help make this car a very safe place to be in any collision!

Car supplied by Mill Volvo, Newcastle

The good guy It’s been a while, but Bob Arora enjoys being back in Volvo’s driving seat

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The Ultimate Driving Machine

THE KEY TO A NEW BMW COULD BE IN YOUR POCKET. RECEIVE AN ADDITIONAL £2,000 OFF A NEW LOWER EMISSION BMW WHEN YOU TRADE IN YOUR OLDER DIESEL CAR OF ANY MAKE OR MODEL.* (That’s £2,000 on top of your trade-in price and our existing offers).

Find out more at: www.lloydmotorgroup.com/BMW-We-Want-Your-Diesel

Lloyd Newcastle BMW

Barrack Road, Newcastle Upon Tyne, Tyne & Wear NE2 4LE T: 0191 2617366 W: lloydmotorgroup/BMW

Scan me.

Official fuel economy figures for the BMW Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) range: Combined 83.1 – 148.7 mpg (3.4 – 2.0 l/100 km). CO2 emissions 294 – 44 g/km.

Figures are obtained in a standardised test cycle using a combination of battery power and petrol fuel after the battery had been fully charged. All figures are intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not be representative of what a user achieves under usual driving conditions. Plug-in Hybrid vehicles require mains electricity for charging. *£2,000 Lower Emission Allowance towards new BMW with CO2 emissions of 130 g/km (NEDC) or below. New vehicle must be registered by 31 December 2017 and in the same name and address as trade-in vehicle. Trade-in vehicle must be diesel, any brand, EU4 emission standard or older and owned for at least 12 months. Retail customers only. Participating retailers only. Can be used in conjunction with other offers. Terms and conditions apply.

LUXE LAPS

MARTIN MIDDLETON Martin Middleton is 43 and has a passion for classic motors. And tattoos. The dad-of-four was born and brought up in the North East and now his home is in Ebchester where he runs a tattoo studio. “Never had the urge to move away because in my opinion it’s a gateway to some of the best countryside in UK”, he concedes.

As a child his dad took him along to Croft racing circuit to watch one of his friends race Formula Ford.

“He wasn’t particularly great so inevitably my dad would have this little racing car in the garage for fibreglass repairs and paint.

“My passion is older vehicles as I think they provoke nostalgic feelings of a golden age of driving. I love the sense of achievement when a random stranger either takes pictures of your car or wants to know the back story behind it.”

MY DREAM CAR >> Probably a Jaguar D-type in British racing green or and AC Cobra

Lotus 7 replica, a1981 Suzuki GSX Cafe Racer a 1981 Suzuki GSX 650 Bobber and a 2016 AJS Cafe Racer.

IN THE GARAGE AT MOMENT >> I have a 1971 MGBGT GT, a Robin Hood

CAPTAIN SLOW OR JEREMY? >> Capt Slow definitely, but if I had to choose

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I’d rather be Steve McQueen or Jenson Button behind the wheel.

TRACKS OF MY TYRES >> Going fast Road House Blues by the Doors.

Just cruising, anything by Fleetwood Mac. BEST CAR MOMENT >> It has to be completing my first car restoration. It was a MGB roadster... previously I had no knowledge of car restoration, so just taught myself as I went along with a bit help from dad if I wasn’t sure. It was a complete nut and bolt restoration...i perhaps became a tad obsessive as it was almost to good to drive. I was only 24 when I completed in a garage not much bigger than a shoe

box. But I’ll never forget pulling it out of the garage for its first drive. The only thing that would have made it better was a bit dry ice when I slowly rolled out of the garage.

I keep the cars and bikes super well maintained as I enjoy working on them as much as driving them. But I’m not a believer in having a classic to sit in a garage and only come out for car shows. They are meant to be driven.

IN MY GLOVE BOX >> Retro ray bans SCARIEST MOMENT >> Earlier this year, thinking I’d have to sell them all after my divorce.

SEP/OCT17

LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES A wowie warmer Nothing like being cosy and colourful in a statement stay-cosy winter coat Astro Bomber by Hunter Original, £295 www.hunterboots.com

SEP/OCT17

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TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

In association with:

luxe:looks Hadrian School Ball, Hilton, NewcastleGateshead Below > Tanya Mason, David Mason

Below > Jenny Sandham, Guy Mackley

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!

JDR Ball for Zoeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place, Hardwick Hall, Sedgefield Below > Elaine Dunning, Rachel Willmore, Sue Fox, Christian Wain

Below > Patti Burt, Roy Merryweather, Michael Parker, Danni Young

Above > Peter Jennings, Lynne Grant, Ann Grant, Grant Mitchell

Above > Matthew Todd, Christian Melvin, Dan Heritage

Above > Sarah McGuiness, Jorson Wall, Emma Teasdale, Scott Ball

Above > Nelly Macintyre, Jack Stokle, Norma Dix

Below > Noreen Hussain, Mandy Hussain Marriner

Above > Abbey Patrick, Angie Jenkison Carol Patterson

Below > Marian Stockle, Patrick McWilliams, Angus Watson, Davina Beby

Below > David Scholes, Yvonne Scholes

Above > Mark Smith, Claire Smith

Above > Nicola Parker, Wayne Parker

Above > Angela Brown, Danielle Armstrong

NE1, Get Into Newcastle Magazine Launch Event, Colonel Porters, Newcastle Below > Phil Steele, Tania Vesty

Below > David Cook, Jess Laing, Daniel Hoey

Below > Tyler Hudson, Chris Lee

Above > Fabrice Malik, Kyrie Geach, Emma Branscombe Above > Helena Vesty, Jenny Dawson

say halo 102 www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

Above > Kate Montague, Ruth Greaves

(0191) 338 8188

halodrive.co.uk

SEP/OCT17

SOCIAL LIFE

Mad Hatters Afternoon Tea, Rockliffe Hall, Hurworth

Aston Martin Founders Celebration Party, Silverlink Showroom Below > Karen Warren, Thom Warneford

Above> Becky Pemberton, Karen Harrison

Above > Cynthia Bentley, Janice Long

Above > Mark Hurst, Kayleigh Hurst, David Kyle, Joanne Kyle Above > Grahame Craigs, Helen Craigs

Above > Pamela Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan, Lorely Yorke, Jacqui Robson Above > Raj Ayare, Mandy Bhanda

Above > Paul Thursby, Alison Herdman, Nigel Herdman

Above > Alison Russell, Alison Carling

Below > Richard Johnson, Joe Crewdson, Alan McGee

Above > Paul Thursby, Thom Warneford

Above > Jo Lowes, Louise Gilbey

Above > Paul Hyde, Tanya Hyde

Above > Rachel Dent, Audrey Rogerson, Connie Hewitson

Dine with Dior, Cafe 21, Fenwick, Newcastle

Butterwick Ladies Afternoon Tea, Rudby Hall near Stokesley

Above > Hazel Smith, Karen Johnson, Natalie Kiely Above > Kendra Joyce, Jackie Grosvenor

Above > Helen Pygall, Sue Browne, Paula Latz-Greener, Nichola Strasser

Above > Barbara Lithgo, Victoria Macdonald

Above> Eva McNeill, Maria Smailes, Elsie Mallinson

Above > Sue Harrison, Sonia Henman

Above > Pat Hindmarch, Judith Nellist, Christine Budds

Above > Joan Mitchie, Samantha Brittle

Above > Fiona McPherson, Julie Hailey

Above > Lorna Blair, Chris Thompson, Ann Spencer

Above > Elizabeth Morgan, Karyn Jones

Above > Nick Hall, Elle Chauda, Martin Aitken

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

get together with the girls SEP/OCT17

AIRPORT TRANSFERS SOCIAL OUTINGS BUSINESS TRAVEL

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SOCIAL LIFE

Lloyd Newcastle BMW Golf Day, Close House, Heddon-on-the-Wall

Above > Jonathan Lupton, Greg Peacock, Darren Nichol, Fred Howie

Above > Craig Wayman, Stefano Magnani, Nigel King, Tony Mordew

Below > Brian Weston, Dennis Greenslade

Children North East Sandcastle Summer Party, Marriot Hotel, Gosforth

Above > Sandra Hoy, Mark Robinson, Alison Carr

Above > Alex Short, Chris Haigh, Craig Higgins

Below > Kyle Clarkson, Jeff Dixon, Darren McPherson

Above > Katie Lowery, Carol Reay, Brian Steele, Liz Steele Above > Anthony Kenny, Peter Scholes, Terry Botto

Above > Paula Brydon, Derek Brydon

Above > Beverley Holmes, Jan Pallas

Below > John Warren, Elizabeth Warren, Carole Wilson, Yvonne Salmon

Above > Daljit Rangar, Rani Rangar, Aimee Hubbard, Kieran Rainey

Hudson Bar & Restaurant Launch, Newcastle

Above > Michael Vassallo, Samantha Davidson

Above > Katie Miller, Lee Hurst, Natasha Hurst, Rickiah Quinn

Above > Katie Lowery, Sarah Clare, Mandy Milbanke, Suzanne Thompson

Honour Health Jesmond, Summer Celebration

Above > Sally Huntley, Steve Coleman

Above > Suzanne Lucas, Bobbi Reay, Abby Barwick Above > Gulzar Dhauoya, Gulsham Dhauoya

Above > Carly Ivers, Paul Szomoru, Caroline Reed Above > Rachel Chambers, Sophiah Dearden

Above > Sophie Overton, Rebecca Eland

Above > Pritpal Dhanoya, Gulzar Dhauoya, Onkar Dhanoya

Above > Helen Steel, Tasha Steel Above > Marie Rackham, David Lawler, Lynne Brown Above > Anne Bromley, Kevin Lewins, Susan Lennon

Above > Paris Fardoust, Nicola Campbell, Paige Potts, Hayley Crichton, Jodie Morris

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

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AIRPORT TRANSFERS SOCIAL OUTINGS BUSINESS TRAVEL

SEP/OCT17

Tilly Bailey & Irvine Afternoon Tea for Alice House Hospice, Hardwicke Hall Manor Hotel, Hartlepool Below > Heather O’Driscoll, Tracy Woodall, Carolyn Tilly

Below > Janet Watkins, Karen Shadforth, Rachael Winter, Sara Henry

say halo AIRPORT TRANSFERS

Above > Natalie Thompson, Julie Hodgson

SOCIAL OUTINGS

Below > Lacey Bennett, Lorraine Mulgrew

BUSINESS TRAVEL Above > Jackie Sturrock Eleanor Lane, Elizabeth Thompson

Above > Andrea Bradford, Marion Weighill, Shirley Blackwood

Below > Louise Baker, Julie Morfitt, Theresa Carling, Gillian Lyons

Above > Carol Sennett, Joanna Gibson, Janice Forbes

RTS Tyne Tees & Borders Summer Social, The Studios, Wallsend Below > Katie Andrews, Jennifer Henry, Amani Ibrahimi, Will Fox

Above > Jordon Barratt, Fahima Chowdhury, Chris Beaven, Caden Elliott Below > Kerry McLauren, Joanna Makepeace Woods, Michael Birtley

Above > Carole Edwards, Tony Edwards

Above > Arthur Newton, Brenda Blethyn

TRAVEL FOR GROUPS

Above > Will Nicholson Graeme Thompson

Above> Rupert Lee, Kim Tserkezie, Steve Hunneysett

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

SEP/OCT17

(0191) 338 8188 halodrive.co.uk

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PARTING SHOT

Still moments>> All is calm: Kevin Gibson captures an atmospheric stillness at low tide on the sands at Holy Island www.kgphotography.co.uk

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SEP/OCT17

www.luxe-magazine.co.uk

AW17 COLLECTIONS NOW IN STORE Coat Sportmax

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