Luxe Issue 69 May/Jun 2021

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luxe-magazine.co.uk ISSUE 69 MAY/JUN21

IN S PI R I N G VO I C E S. Creat i ve s o ul s. A NEWCAS TL E NES T. Wow interiors.

T IM E L E SS E L E G A N CE . Hi p happ eni ngs . FAS H ION F OCUS . Flower power.

DAD D AT E S . Go rge o u s get aw ays. S ET TING S AIL . Mi ght y motors. FINDING S PACE . Bi g n a m e s . LU X E.

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2042-1931 ISSN

ISSUE 69 MAY/JUN21

WELCOME

ISSUE 69 MAY/JUN21

contents 6>> Do this Diaries at the ready

14>> Our picks 10 things Luxe is loving this season

20>> Speaking up As I write this welcome letter I’m sitting in the sun with a cup of tea, reflecting on our first week of being able to shop, socialise some more and dine al fresco. Gardens are in full bloom, our diaries are filling up and we’re preparing for what we hope will be a summer to remember.

That being said, looking back on the slower pace of life that has been forced upon us this last year, we’re able to take away a thing or two.

Sometimes it’s ok to take it easy. It’s ok to rest and recharge when the time is right. And above all, we’re aware of what we need to ensure we live a happy, healthy and wholesome life.

So this issue of Luxe brings you just that - the perfect tonic to help us bring sunshine to the days ahead. An equal measure of happenings for our spring/summer diaries, delightful discoveries big and small, catching up with familiar faces, and also taking a leaf out the book of those who put wellness to the top of the to-do list.

Our columnists bring heaps of hope, positivity and inspiration, while we speak to a number of new creatives riding the wave of opportunity.

All of that, plus our very special Watches Edit, plenty of good-for-you food stories, super staycations and indulgent interiors.

Let Luxe take you on a sun-soaked, soul-searching journey through our optimistic life in the ‘new normal’ here in the North East.

We can’t wait to see your faces out and about in the coming weeks and months.

Remember to check in with us online at luxe-magazine.co.uk See us on social at: Twitter: @TheLuxeMagazine Instagram: @theluxemagazine Facebook: @luxemag

THE LUXE TEAM Christopher March publisher chris@allies-group.com EDITORIAL Elysia Fryer head of content elysia@allies-group.com Matthew Thomas matthew@allies-group.com Nicole Wood nicole@allies-group.com SALES Debi Coldwell director debi@allies-group.com Tanya Harper tanya@allies-group.com Claudia Robinson claudia@allies-group.com Chris Turner chris@allies-group.com

Inspiring stories with Vick Hope

24>> Blossoming business Getting to know Sabi Studio

30>> Fashion edit Rose Dexter makes beautiful interior products using sustainably-sourced materials from her studio in North Yorkshire. Taking years of inspiration from working on-the-road and living in a creative bubble in Brooklyn, New York, Repose Studio brings dreamy prints, sumptuous stripes and silky feels to the luxury market. Her luxe things in life include: Le Labo Santal 33 perfume, a vintage leather jacket and a mezcal margarita.

Spring style with Brunello Cucinelli

42>> Happy days A bright future with Accelerator Coaching

44>> Spa session Indulge in a day spa at The Devonshire Arms

52>> Well nested Introducing Newcastle’s new neighbourhood restaurant

58>> UK getaway A magical Middleton Lodge staycation

60>> House style Fun, fizz and fabulous interiors

62>> Chic cushions The road to Repose

66>> Little moments Positive memory making

70>> Clock this The watch world, a market update

76>> Watch out How to find a luxe timepiece

77>> Man kit Nautical notes for summer A Nigerian-Geordie with the drive and determination to change the world, Vick Hope is a trailblazer when it comes to writing, presenting, campaigning and podcasting. Her luxe things in life include: her headphones for enjoying music on the move, dancing in the sunshine at festivals, her mum’s okra soup at home in Newcastle, and her passport.

PHOTOGRAPHY Kevin Gibson info@kgphotography.co.uk Nicky Rogerson nicky@kgphotography.co.uk

78>> Super dad Father’s Day treats

81>> At the wheel BMW M3 test drive

Our partners

DESIGN David Stubbs creative director dave@allies-group.com If you wish to advertise with us please contact our sales team: Debi Coldwell: debi@remembermedia.co.uk / 07910 918366

Allies Group Ltd, Enterprise House, Kingsway, Team Valley Trading Estate, Gateshead, NE11 OSR allies-group.com All contents copyright ©2021 Allies Group 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, April 2021.

Stuart Coupland has grown his Teesside-born leather business in an incredibly challenging business landscape. What started as a hobby has quickly transcended into a flourishing business, taking the North East, the UK and beyond by storm. His luxe things in luxe include: clay pigeon shooting, his Mercedes C Class and his family partner Megan and Cavapoo Maggie.

luxe is published bi-monthly by Allies Group Ltd

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NEW YEAR G OAL S. Going stateside. LOV ED UP. Interior inspiration.

L IT TL E M OM ENTS. Real weddings. CREATURE COM FORTS. Fashion focus. SAVOURING THE SEASONS. Designer homes. G OL F. Luxe faces.

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W I NTER WAR MER S. Chari ty heroes. ROCK STAR CHEFS. Festi ve menus.

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I SL AND BR EAK S. Bi g names. LU XE.

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ISSUE 68 MAR/APR21

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If you don’t already get Luxe delivered to your door, we’re offering some seriously stylish goodies to new magazine subscribers.

Whether you’re treating yourself, or you’re giving the gift of Luxe, now is the perfect time to do so, with an added pick-me-up treat to take away.

Regional, relevant and entertaining is what makes us different. It’s also the reason why you need Luxe in your life.

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We’re thrilled to have teamed up with Molton Brown to gift new subscribers with a FREE goody bag worth £38.

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We hope this issue helps you navigate the spring/ summer season in true luxe style. As you start to plan ahead for the sunny months, we’d like to take this time to say a huge thank you for your continued support.

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BE INSPIRED

Luxe reads The Luxe Book Club >> Five reads for the sunny season...

A COMFORTING TALE >> The Split

By Laura Kay Ally’s relationship is over, and she’s taking the cat…

The Split is a brilliant, heartwarming and hilariously funny rom-com of love, heartache, friendship and family. It’s an easy-going read, perfect for those sun-soaked days in the garden. Ally finds herself homeless, friendless and jobless, all while battling a breakup. Wounded and betrayed, she takes off with the one thing she thinks might soothe the pain, her ex girlfriend’s cat, Malcolm.

This novel will have you laughing, weeping and questioning everything you thought you knew about destiny. quercusbooks.co.uk LIFE-AFFIRMING FICTION >> The Island Home

By Libby Page You’ll have to wait until June to get your hands on this one, but it’s certainly worth the wait. Libby Page, author of The Lido, has worked her magic once again to deliver one of 2021’s most joyful reads - the perfect escape from these strange and unsettling times. The Island Home tells the tale of Lorna and her daughter Ella, returning to a remote Scottish island where Lorna grew up. With two decades, hundreds of miles and a lifetime of secrets between Lorna and the island, can coming home mean starting again? orionbooks.co.uk CELEBRATING SISTERHOOD >> Sunset

By Jessie Cave This debut novel by Jessie Cave is a reflective comedy of sisterhood, loneliness and second chances. If an unconventional love story is your summer read of choice, check out Sunset - the story of Ruth and Hannah, sisters who have built each other up and tear each other back down. One summer holiday changes everything and Hannah finds herself entering a long period of self-imposed exile from the world.

A tale of love, grief and reconciliation, this book reminds us how, when all seems lost, we can find joy in the most unexpected places. welbeckpublishing.com

Stay in >> go out >> enjoy With venues and attractions gearing up to reopen in the coming weeks and months, Matt Carter shares some upcoming events for the diary...

Road to Recovery >> MUSEUM MOMENTS The Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums (TWAM) has secured funding in the second round of the Arts Council’s Culture Recovery Fund. The group has been awarded £190,910 from the fund to support cultural organisations as they transition back to a viable and sustainable operating model as lockdown measures are eased. The group is also set to welcome a new chair, three new trustees to the board of its charitable foundation and a new director, Keith Merrin.

TWAM’s nine venues, which include the Great North Museum: Hancock, the Laing Art Gallery, Shipley Art Gallery, Arbeia Roman Fort and Stephenson Steam Railway, are set to reopen from 17 May. twmuseums.org.uk

17 APRIL – 29 MAY

Join our friends at The Biscuit Factory for a Spring Flower Picking Workshop at Burnhopeside Hall near Durham. Caroline Beck will take you on a tour of the garden where you can pick out some floral fancies and arrange your very own bouquet to take home and enjoy. The perfect way to kickstart the spring/summer season. All workshops will be held on a Saturday from 17 April to 29 May inclusive, from 10:30am until 1:30pm.

Maximum of six people in each workshop.

After purchasing your place, book your time slot with Caroline at: verdeflowersbusiness@gmail.com thebiscuitfactory.com

UNTIL 16 MAY

WARM & WITTY >> All Adults Here

By Emma Straub If you’ve spent lockdown at home with the family, this one might just ring true for you. All Adults Here is a witty, warm and thoroughly entertaining novel navigating readers through the daily challenges of modern family life.

You can expect to find relatable characters and emotional storylines as the little absurdities of everyday life come together in an irresistible manner.

A must read from New York Times bestselling author, Emma Straub. penguin.co.uk A SUNSHINE STORY >> Three Summers

By Margarita Liberaki Pick this book up and you’ll feel sunshine no matter how the weather looks outside. Three Summers tells the tender tale of three sisters growing up in the countryside near Athens before the Second World War. Over three summers at home, the girls fall in and out of love, try to navigate the ever-complicated world of adulthood, share and keep secrets and try to figure out the life they want to lead as they grow older.

A dreamy escape into rural Greek life. Truly idyllic. penguin.co.uk

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Learn more about The Bowes Museum in a tour of the beautiful gardens and surrounding parkland.

Discover why John and Joséphine Bowes created the museum we know and love today, why it was the first building constructed using metric measurements and why John had a church built in the grounds for his wife. Uncover secret delights in the gardens during these socially distanced, guided outdoor tours. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment. thebowesmuseum.org.uk

FROM 17 MAY We’ve got our eyes set on Seaham Hall’s sparkling new Champagne & Seafood pop-up bar, due to open 17 May throughout the summer. You’re invited to sip Taittinger Champagne and dine on delicious locally-caught seafood as the sun sinks into the horizon under the hall’s new pergola. The bar comes in the shape of a restored 1972 vintage Citroen H Van, serving everything from Lindisfarne oysters to North Shields mackerel and hand-dived Isle of Mull scallops. seaham-hall.co.uk

MAY/JUN21

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BE INSPIRED

SPRING 2021 Think back to your school days. If you were lucky, there might be a teacher who really stood out - someone whose lessons you looked forward to, someone that inspired you and made you think differently about things. Now think about the first time your class encountered a teacher for the first time. That first moment with them in front of a class always set the tone for what was to come.

Kids can be merciless and if they decided a teacher wasn’t going to cut the mustard, then it was never going to be an easy journey. In some ways, that’s not dissimilar to what happens when a conductor walks out in front of an orchestra.

Except probably more scary for the conductor.

They’re not walking out in front of a bunch of kids, they’re in front of a group of professionals on top of their game. It can be love at first sight between orchestra and conductor, or… quite the opposite.

No matter how good the orchestra, they still want to be inspired, and be encouraged to think differently about something they might have

played many times. When Dinis Souza walked out in front of Royal Northern Sinfonia in January last year, everyone felt that connection between him and the orchestra. A feeling that between them, this combination of people could do great things. So strong was that feeling that just a year later, Dinis has been appointed the orchestra’s new Principal Conductor - taking charge of the North East’s only professional orchestra. This spring, Royal Northern Sinfonia takes to the stage with a series of live streams beamed direct into your homes from Sage Gateshead. With concerts every fortnight and tickets from £8, it’s a great way to sample one of our region’s greatest musical assets. New events are being announced every month. Keep your eyes peeled for a preview of Dinis and the orchestra in action before he formally takes up his new position in the autumn. sagegateshead.com

17 MAY - 27 JUNE If learning about the grounds of the Bowes Museum isn’t enough for you, get involved with North Country Quilts: In Celebration of New Acquisitions, the museum’s first exhibition following its closure during the lockdown. Celebrating the quilting traditions of northern England, this exhibition showcases historical and contemporary quilts that are amongst the finest examples of the craft acquired by the museum in the last 20 years. thebowesmuseum.org.uk

19 MAY

The BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art is set to open its doors to the public again, following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, starting with the BALTIC Open Submission. The venue is hosting a major open-call exhibition involving over 150 artists and makers based in the North East, selected by a panel of three local artists, Richard Bliss, Lady Kitt and Padma Rao. Celebrating a wide range of creatives working in an array of media, the exhibition is currently viewable as an online tour on the BALTIC’s website, though the opening to the public is something to look forward to this May. Stay tuned online for booking details and opening times. baltic.art

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12 - 17 JULY If you’ve ever wanted to see a pop-concert musical adaptation of the wives of Henry VIII, this is your chance. SIX!, a multi-award-winning theatre production, is coming to Newcastle’s Theatre Royal in July. From Tudor Queens to Pop Princesses, the six wives of Henry VIII take to the mic to tell their stories in an 80-minute celebration of 21st-century girl power, competing to see who suffered the most from their infamous husband and should, therefore, become the group’s lead singer. You won’t want to miss this one - make sure you book in advance. theatreroyal.co.uk

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SEPTEMBER

The North East’s very own Sarah Millican is taking to the road once again with her new show, Bobby Dazzler. In her sixth international tour, Sarah lets us know what happens when your mouth seals shut, about trying to lose weight but instead losing a bit of your finger, and the secret humour of a smear test. The local comic has spent the past year writing new jokes and can’t wait to get back on the road to make us all laugh. Join her at the Gala Theatre in Durham in September. Time to plan ahead! galadurham.co.uk

MAY/JUN21

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We are looking for people who can offer a child a loving home for life and provide them with the care and support they need to grow and flourish.

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GOOD STUFF

Sweet charity Good things going on in the North East, our luxe charity round-up…

THE GINGER SYRINGER >>

CHANGING OUR FUTURE >> Our team at Allies Group are working closely with Teesside University to launch The Power of Women campaign. With the aim of lifting and shifting the aspirations and ambitions of young women across the Tees Valley, the campaign gives girls a ‘voice’ by driving ‘dreamers’ to an interactive website which will feed into local schools. The Power of Women campaign is headed up by Professor Jane Turner OBE, Pro Vice Chancellor - Enterprise and Business Engagement at Teesside University. Supporting Jane is well-known social activist and business facilitator, Caroline Theobald CBE, as well as Chris March and Dave Allen, media business owners who have committed their resources and networks to provide the infrastructure and content management. Together the POW team believes that the campaign has the ability to capture the attention of today’s young women, encouraging them to reach for the stars. However, none of this can be achieved without financial support from the Tees Valley community. If you believe in the ‘power of women’, we need to hear from you. Through donations and a range of sponsorship opportunities, you can help today’s young females make their mark on the world. For more information and to donate, please visit our Go Fund Me page: gofundme.com/f/the-power-of-women-2021

READY, STEADY, GO! >>

North East artist, Sarah-Jane Szikora, has lived and worked in Tyneside for the last 20 years and is no stranger to St Oswald’s. She was one of the artists who painted a Great North Snowdog sculpture for the first art trail back in 2016. Fast forward a number of years, she has once again used her creative talents to help raise funds for the hospice - in a very topical way. Inspired by the international efforts of scientists who have fought hard to find a vaccine for coronavirus, Sarah has launched a limited-edition print to help raise funds.

‘The Ginger Syringer’ shows a gingerbread nurse giving a vaccination to a gingerbread person. It was excitedly received by collectors of her work and sold out in under 10 minutes. Sarah has very generously gifted all profits from the sales to St Oswalds.

She said: “I can’t quite put my finger on why gingerbread biscuits have so much appeal among an adult audience, but it’s a fun way of expressing myself or making a social comment. We sold 86 copies in under 10 minutes, raising £6,200 for the hospice. I was quite taken aback. What can I say? I have fabulous collectors.” stoswaldsuk.org

A WARM WELCOME >> We’d like to give a big warm, Luxe welcome to Sophie Milliken, the new Chair of Smart Works Newcastle. A multi-award winning businesswoman and proud mum from Jesmond, Sophie is also a supporter of Northern Power Women, co-founder of City Ladies Networking and sits on the board of Age UK Northumberland. She’s certainly making her mark when it comes to North East charity work and we’re delighted to hear about her new appointment at Smart Works. Sophie said: “I’ve been a long-time admirer of Smart Works as it is a charity which covers both of my passions employability and supporting women. I’m absolutely delighted to accept the role of Chair and look forward to continuing the great work that has been done already, as well as looking at future opportunities to grow the service throughout the North East.” smartworks.org.uk

A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS >> Looking for thrilling charity events to get involved in this summer? We’ve got just the fix with Daisy Chain’s annual Boat Race 2021. Held on Saturday 3 July at Tees Barrage International White Water Centre, participants are invited to register as teams to battle their way through the heats right the way through to the finals. It’s all to play for to become the 2021 Daisy Chain Boat Race champions. Entry is £25 with a minimum sponsorship of £400 per team of 8 (£50 sponsorship per head). Enter online and get ready to take to the water. daisychainproject.co.uk

A FOUNDATION FOR SUCCESS >> Young people from across the North East can look forward to a brighter future thanks to a partnership between the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and Newcastle United’s official charity, Newcastle United Foundation. The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation has donated a staggering £50k to a state-of-the-art community hub in Newcastle’s West End. NUCASTLE will be geared up to provide activities and skills training for those from 5-24 to improve their life and career prospects. The investment will be used to develop the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation Room - a dedicated learning facility on the first floor, which will also be the new home of Newcastle United Foundation. A keen Newcastle United fan, Sir Graham said Newcastle United Foundation’s aims: “Align with ours.

“Children love football - particularly here in the North East. And this new building has the potential to transform the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of young people, not just through football, but by educating and inspiring them to reach their potential and really make something marvellous of their lives.” sirgrahamwyliefoundation.org.uk

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Young people from across the North East can look forward to a brighter future thanks to a partnership between the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation and Newcastle United’s official charity, Newcastle United Foundation.

The Sir Graham Wylie Foundation has donated a staggering £50k to a state-of-theart community hub in Newcastle’s West End. NUCASTLE will be geared up to provide activities and skills training for those from 5-24 to improve their life and career prospects. The investment will be used to develop the Sir Graham Wylie Foundation Room - a dedicated learning facility on the first floor, which will also be the new home of Newcastle United Foundation.

A keen Newcastle United fan, Sir Graham said Newcastle United Foundation’s aims: “Align with ours.

“Children love football - particularly here in the North East. And this new building has the potential to transform the lives of hundreds, if not thousands of young people, not just through football, but by educating and inspiring them to reach their potential and really make something marvellous of their lives.” sirgrahamwyliefoundation.org.uk

TEE TIME >> If, like us, you’ve enjoyed getting back out on the golf course this spring, we’ve got just the charity event for you. Butterwick Hospice Care’s Annual Charity Golf Day is in the diary for Thursday 9 September at Rockliffe Hall.

Sponsored by Almark Limited, it’s a great way to get outdoors, take in the spectacular scenery and network with like-minded people and organisations, all while raising much-needed funds for a local hospice.

Four ball entries are just £480 and include: brunch on arrival, 18 holes of golf, a two-course evening meal and various team prizes. A fantastic sporting event after an incredibly challenging year. Don’t miss it. butterwick.org.uk

MAY/JUN21

SNAP HAPPY

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1. Becky Taylor: @beckytay26 2. Peter Richard: @peter_richard_photography 3. Luke Pattinson: @atlantxs 4. Matthew Scott @mattscottphoto 5. Kate Baxter @cirrus_skies 2

6. Philip Godfrey @philipgodfrey

LOVE NORTH EAST

Luxe is all about bigging up the beauty that surrounds us.

Here are some of your recent shots from days out in our region...

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TOP PICKS

10 things luxe loves

10 things luxe is loving this season…

Compiled by Nicole Wood Dreaming of >>

SUMMER STAYCATIONS As our wanderlust awakens, we’ve been looking back at some of our super staycations and it’s turned our thoughts to cosy log cabins, charming shepherd huts and luxury getaways just a stone’s throw from home. Our overseas travel plans may have been postponed for a little while longer, but we’re all for tracking down those Insta-worthy travel spots closer to home. The UK has some of the most magnificent towns, bustling cities and idyllic countryside locations and we can’t wait to explore them this summer. luxe-magazine.co.uk

Photo credit: Jonathan Wenk Freeform

Watching >> THE BOLD TYPE Inspiring, heartwarming and relatable. The Bold Type made its way on to our watch list this month and boy are we glad that it did. Set in the heart of New York City, at a women’s magazine, three millennials juggle their challenging careers, steamy romances, charming friendships and big-city life while finding their own voices. The show explores the challenges and triumphs of working in the publishing industry: from stressful deadlines, legal battles and writer’s block, to glamorous parties, powerful articles and a taste of success. While the show comes with a bundle of laughs, dream-chasing ambitions and blossoming friendships, it also tackles important issues including race, gender equality, sexual consent, body positivity and many more complex subjects. Pour yourself a glass of the good stuff, get comfy on the sofa and strap yourself in for a taste of the New York high life. netflix.com

Kitchen inspo >> MIDDLE EASTERN SWEETS BY SALMA HAGE Pick up this pretty-as-a-picture recipe book for a fine celebration of delights from the Middle East, from traditional recipes tweaked through generations, to inspired takes on baklava, halva and ways to use tahini. The book is filled with beautiful imagery featuring must-try delicacies from across the region. You’ll find everything from pancakes and pastries, to syrups, sweets, ice creams, cakes and drool-worthy drinks.

Salma Hage brings together inspiration from her childhood, stories and insights from the people she’s met along the way. Sweet food is not just for enjoyment, it is also for comforting, confiding, celebrating and showing love! £24.95. phaidon.com

Listening to >> RENEGADES: BORN IN THE USA Ever imagined being a fly on the wall? Well, now you can. President Barack Obama and music legend Bruce Springsteen have joined forces to bring you their brand-new podcast, Renegades: Born in the USA. Essentially, the podcast is a series of conversations between the pair discussing their lives, music, and love of America - despite all of its challenges. The eight-episode series explores topics of race, fatherhood, marriage, and the future of America - ideal for listeners who’d like to have an eavesdrop on their personal, intimate conversations.

A must-listen for commuting, travelling, walking the dog or simply soaking up the spring sunshine at home. spotify.com

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Pampering with >> WILD & WOOD UK Time for a moment of calm. We’re big lovers of all things self-care. Lighting some candles, running the hot tap and soaking away the stress of the day is something we all need to indulge in every once in a while. With that in mind, we’re swooning over Wild & Wood - a luxurious self-care brand known for its natural, no-nasties, vegan and cruelty-free beauty products. Handcrafted in Yorkshire, this independent businesses prides itself on providing its customers with high-quality, natural products that are suitable for all skin types. Their blends are known to uplift low moods, reduce irritation and leave the skin feeling nourished.

Not sure where to start? Their Wild & Wood experience set comes packed with all six of their luxury bath or shower milks - depending on your preference - and is ideal for those looking to test the waters. Think gorgeous aromas, pretty petals and soft skin. Once you’ve experienced a Wild & Wood bath, you’ll never go back. wildandwooduk.co.uk

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TOP PICKS

Perfect scent >> JO MALONE CANDLE As we begin to welcome warmer days, we transform many elements in our lives freshening up our makeup routines, switching out our boots for sandals and saying hello to fresh new scents. There’s nothing better than transforming your home with elements of luxury as the seasons change. The Jo Malone Grapefruit Home Candle is the perfect scent for warmer months. Think punchy notes of grapefruit combined with rosemary, peppermint and pimento. A truly refreshing scent sure to help lift your mood.

200g, £49, harveynichols.com

Reading >>

Living by >>

“You may not control all the events that happen to you, but you can decide not to be reduced by them.”

Maya Angelou

THE TWENTY-SEVEN CLUB You simply can’t beat getting lost in the pages of a good book - especially a meaningful, moving and powerful narrative which shines a light on real-life and tackles important issues including mental health. From published author and mental health campaigner, Lucy Nichol, The Twenty Seven Club explores the impact that the media can have on our mental health - throwing in nostalgia, humour and popular 90s punk rock and pop. The story follows Emma, a workingclass rock music fan, who is hurtling towards her 27th birthday, riddled with anxiety that her idols Joplin, Hendrix and Morrison all died aged 27, and now Kurt Cobain has gone too.

Will Emma be next to join The Twenty Seven Club? amazon.co.uk

Following >> @_campervirals Ever fancied converting an everyday van into a luxury motorhome? If the answer is yes, then you need to give this Instagram account a follow. Think cool transformations, travel inspo, wow interiors and a ton of small storage hacks you never knew you needed. This picture-perfect corner of Instagram is the go-to place for travelling types with a creative edge. Happy scrolling - and no doubt we’ll see you on the road! instagram.com/campervirals

In our basket >> GREY WEAVE COMPACT CORNER SET With sunshine moments fast approaching, it’s time to get our gardens summer-ready.

This stunning seating arrangement from Cox & Cox is patiently waiting in our basket, and we just had to share it with you. The elegantly-toned grey weave compact corner set includes a corner bench, two stools and an adjustable height table - perfect for al fresco dining, sunset sipping and all-day BBQs with loved ones. Crafted from a durable faux rattan, plaited detailing highlights the unique shaping of the set, and a high-backed design to each bench provides ample comfort. £2,200. coxandcox.co.uk

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GET TO KNOW

THE LUXE LOWDOWN:

YASMIN KHAN

Yasmin Khan is the founder and director of The Halo Project, a charity set up to provide cultural and emotional support so clients are protected and do not experience an indefensible abuse of human rights.

Yasmin has recently been involved in the launch of a supercomplaint, which is set to change the way police investigations are conducted in these instances. She is a female force in the Tees Valley and her organisation is here to ‘break the silence’.

We check in to get the lowdown and find out her luxe things in life...

GETTING TO KNOW YOU >> Name: Yasmin Khan Title: Director and founder of The Halo Project, National Adviser for the Welsh Government Where is home? Middlesbrough Three reasons you love where you live? Family, beautiful countryside and beaches, and a vibrant community spirit.

THE DAY JOB >> What do you do for a living? Provide victim support to those who experience forced marriages, honour-based abuse and female genital mutilation.

A day in the life of you? I wake up, go to the gym (which is essential for my mental health and wellbeing) - it provides clarity and focus for the day ahead. I pick up my coffee and head into the office ready for a full day’s work and all systems are go.

Any upcoming or ongoing projects we should know about? One of the most important pieces of work I have ever been involved in is investigating, through victims’ voices, their experiences of reporting sexual abuse to police forces in England and Wales. The Tees Valley Inclusion Project has been assessed by Her Majesty’s Chief Inspector of Constabulary and senior representatives from the IOPC and the College of Policing as being eligible for investigation. To this effect I have been involved in launching a super-complaint which will hopefully change the way policing investigations are conducted by providing equitable outcomes for all victims of sexual abuse irrespective of their background.

What does downtime mean to you? Watching as many reality and cooking shows as I can squeeze in.

LESSONS IN LIFE >> What did you want to be when you were growing up?

An ambassador.

What is the most important lesson life has taught you?

To have a strong purpose that benefits others, not just yourself.

What is your greatest fear? Running out of time.

Which living person do you most admire and why? Michelle Obama.

I admire her because of her strength and power, and the way she conducts herself, silently making a difference and wanting a change for the better. I think she would be a formidable US President.

LIVING LUXE >> What is top of your bucket list? I would love to swim with dolphins and to perform a spiritual pilgrimage to Mecca.

What is your most treasured possession? My family.

What does the weekend mean to you? It means recharge and relaxation.

A memorable holiday? Ras Al Khaimah - it’s one of the most beautiful islands I’ve ever visited.

Best dress? Asian outfits have to be one of the most beautiful coutures. The colours and embroideries are amazing.

Who would be your top three dinner guests? Angelina Jolie, Nelson Mandela, George Michael.

The last place you ate? Nobu.

The last book you read? The Prosecutor by Nazir Afzal.

The last thing you listened to? Shalamar - There It Is. The last thing you watched? The Queen’s Gambit on Netflix.

Three luxe things in life? Middle Eastern interior design, Asian jewellery and South Asian cuisine. haloproject.org.uk

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ADVERTORIAL

There is no doubt that most organisations have faced a year of challenges to keep operations moving and adapting business strategies to meet the ever-changing environment around us.

Investing in the future The pandemic has affected millions of the working population, causing a rift in the job market to the point that we saw redundancies, forced career moves and mass unemployment.

It is not all doom and gloom!

This year has also shown the resilience of people and businesses fighting back, using innovation and creativity to adapt to our environment.

As we reflect on this period and look for solutions to support future employment and economic growth, we speak with the higher and degree apprenticeship team at the University of Sunderland and discover how they are collaborating with employees and organisations to provide much-needed higher education solutions, enabling the growth of professional skills and knowledge in the workplace.

Higher and degree apprenticeships offer fantastic opportunities and a cost-effective way of attracting and developing fresh talent to a business or upskilling and motivating existing employees. For the apprentice it’s an inspiring and contemporary approach to work-based learning and a great way

MAY/JUN21

to extend your learning and skills whilst earning a salary.

The University of Sunderland is internationally recognised for quality teaching and research, and has been providing higher education since 1901.

They were one of the first universities to introduce higher and degree apprenticeships and have helped businesses grow high calibre staff through the development of skills and knowledge relevant to job roles.

One of the University’s main success factors is its links with employers; their engagement with key stakeholders from development to on-going meetings has helped transform the learning provision.

It has enabled them to provide purposeful learning experiences which meets industry demands in the region.

Hazel Rounthwaite, Head of Work Based Learning at the University of Sunderland says: “All of our higher and degree apprenticeships are designed in collaboration with employers to ensure that bespoke programmes are focussed on the needs and specific requirements of your business. Higher or degree apprenticeship graduates are at the top of their game and are well placed and

qualified to become the future leaders of your business.”

Businesses can also benefit from a variety of funding to assist with the employment and development of the apprentice. For levy-paying employers it’s an opportunity to attract talent to your business, train your staff and enjoy the ultimate return on investment from your levy payments, while for smaller businesses, the Government will fund up to 95% of apprenticeship course fees. Employers can also claim an incentive payment of £3,000 for employing a new apprentice of any age before 30 September 2021.

Higher and degree apprentices offer fantastic opportunities, adding value back into your business whilst bringing fresh new ideas to the workplace. They learn specific skills relevant to your business so they’re ready to hit the ground running as soon as they qualify. For existing employees, it gives them the opportunity to learn and progress whilst boosting the talent of your team.

Apprentices spend 80% of their time working in your business and the remaining 20% of their time is allocated for university directed study. Contact with the University of Sunderland allows apprentices to

access world-leading academics, research, facilities and more, and an additional benefit to the employer is that they will transfer these skills and knowledge back to your organisation.

They also benefit from the University’s support network which provides holistic and effective assistance throughout the apprenticeship and beyond.

Some of the most popular apprenticeships offered at the University of Sunderland include the MBA Senior Leader, Learning and Skills Teacher, BEng Engineering Practice, BSc Digital and Technology Professional and the MSc Digital and Technology Solutions Specialist.

A series of information events are taking place over the coming weeks. To find out more about these, or if you have any questions about higher and degree apprenticeships, here’s how to get in touch: sunderland.ac.uk 0191 515 3361 apprenticeships@sunderland.ac.uk

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GATHERING UP

Searching for an extra layer of happiness

Being a child of the 70s is one of the main reasons that Vicky Trainor finds herself where she is now, the owner of The Linen Garden, an online department store for creatives and gatherers

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GATHERING UP

Vicky remembers collecting all sorts.

Whether she went for walks, picking flowers to press, or hoarding stamps, she would while away the hours sketching, listening to music on her parents’ record player, organising, creating, filing and arranging.

Fast forward to the present day and she’s still doing a lot of that, but now it’s her profession. For Vicky, The Linen Garden is a place where she says she can easily lose hours, sometimes days.

Her ‘department store’ (a beautiful, ever-changing website) is set up with floors, departments and shelves where visitors often browse for hours, and revisit time and time again. Inside is a fabulous array of her hoardings, new discoveries and pretty, unique items she has made in her studio. There’s pottery, lace, artisan bags, plates, ribbons, styling boards, panels, cards; there’s even a shop window which Vicky updates every weekend. Her Instagram bio @thelinengarden describes the business as “searching for the details that deliver an extra layer of happiness”.

Her customers range from stylists based in London that work for interiors companies, to grandmas making cushions for their grandchildren’s new home.

“At school, art was the only subject I was hooked on,” Vicky says.

“I felt like I had a connection with it. It was something I felt I was good at.”

The next few years saw Vicky progress to Cleveland College of Art and Design (now the Northern School of Art), where in her second year she specialised in textiles.

She then took a degree in textile design, majoring in embroidery, at Loughborough College of Art and Design.

“In those five years of education, I was always stimulated by fashion and texture.

I had found my niche in textiles. I love that it’s a mixture of so many things; you’re not just focusing on pattern and surface design, but can constantly experiment with the media you use, colour, scale,

fabric, it’s so diverse.

“And that’s exactly what I love about the business I have now. It’s that styling element I have always loved, and it dates back to collecting and arranging things as a child.”

Vicky made some great connections from her degree show and for the next decade made a living from freelance textile work and teaching A level textile design at colleges in the Midlands and outside London. She also sold some of her drawings.

“Over that decade I decided I really wanted to work for myself at some point in the future, with my own business, so I was fully in control of what I was doing and for more security,” she explains.

“So, in the late 90s I took the plunge and moved back to the North East to be closer to my family. I’d saved up some money and secured a grant from the Prince’s Youth Business Trust.”

Vicky’s business soon took off, designing fabrics for interiors and creating handmade greeting cards, which was very much in fashion at the time and the largest part of her business. Her biggest order was about 58,000 and at her busiest time Vicky had 11 people working for her in her Redcar studio. She also returned to Cleveland College of Art and Design, to teach.

Vicky won an award at a big trade fair at the NEC in Birmingham, sponsored by Liberty of London, which acted as the ultimate springboard for her business. She was supplying big names like Liberty and John Lewis, received international orders and did freelance product development for M&S and The Pier.

She slowly reduced the business down to focus on having a family. Her daughters, Ava and Mia, are now 17 and 14 and it looks like creativity is definitely in the genes as Ava is studying photography at the Northern School of Art. Now that Vicky has developed her Linen Garden business, she says the most important thing for her is that she breathes new life into old pieces. She loves to take something beautiful, like an old floral painting, a vase or a piece of lace, and put it into a new context, such as a modern home.

“I’m continuing the life journey of these pieces,” she says.

“They were originally created by an artist, a practitioner or an amateur, beautifully handmade with a lot of thought. In this highly manufactured world, we can sometimes forget to appreciate the older things. Whether it’s a gorgeous piece of hand printed textile, or a pot, it’s fabulous that it’s survived until now and goes on to live in other people’s homes. A vase that is now central to a table in a suburban semi, might have come from an amazing manor house. It’s a privilege for us to help continue that piece’s journey.”

The Linen Garden’s website is all about a journey too. An awful lot of thought has clearly gone into Vicky’s website, photographs carefully taken to appreciate the exquisite detail of a piece of handmade lace, or the layers in a painting.

A large part of Vicky’s business involves visiting trade shows, auction houses, car boot sales and vintage fairs – so inevitably, for the last year or so, sourcing new items has been very difficult with none of these events taking place. This is where her penchant for hoarding has come into its own!

“It has been difficult not being able to travel around the country finding new pieces, but I had plenty of stuff hidden away,” says Vicky.

“My house is full to the brim with gorgeous things I’ve found over the years. The girls and my husband are used to every room containing items that will eventually be sold on the website - there’s even an old press in our hallway. Sometimes I find a piece that I love too much to sell straight away, so it might live in our house for us to enjoy, for a few months - or even years - before I feel I’m ready to sell it on.”

Nothing is wasted by Vicky either. Recycling is a big part of her business.

“If I make cushions or bags, all offcuts are resold or remade into ribbons. Everything is reinvented. I love to make botanical styling boards which are made from pages of old, damaged books and pieces of leftover lace. When customers buy these, I encourage them to add to the boards, to personalise them and tell their own story.”

Despite the challenges of sourcing new pieces for The Linen Garden during the pandemic, the department store has continued to go from strength to strength thanks to it being an online concept.

learn smarta

Vicky is looking forward to being able to get back out there to find new exciting pieces to add to the store, and she also hopes to indulge in spending time creating some more of her own pieces of art to sell on to her customers. thelinengarden.co.uk

is here to make things simple

with no-nonsense, jargon-free, confidence boosting business training.

Find out more and register for free at www.smarta.com/learn

MAY/JUN21

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LIVING IN HOPE

Speaking up Vick Hope is making waves in the media world. From a new podcast celebrating black voices and the power of music, to her judging role in the Women’s Prize For Fiction 2021, she’s a natural when it comes to speaking up for a generation. A 31-yearold Nigerian-Geordie with a Cambridge degree and the ability to light up any room she walks into, Luxe editor Elysia Fryer is delighted to check in for a virtual cuppa...

Vick Hope is ‘the girl next door’ with the power to speak up for a generation. She’s bright, bubbly and a bundle of fun, but she is also passionate about human rights and how we can all do our bit to make the world a better place.

She is a familiar face in the entertainment world, clocking up appearances live from the BAFTAs, Strictly Come Dancing, I’m A Celebrity… The Daily Drop and many, many more. Amongst various other projects, her day job is presenting, but she’s not one to hide behind the microphone. She is everywhere - and we’re loving seeing her flourish.

Her portfolio doesn’t stop in entertainment.

She is a tireless human rights activist and campaigner, an ambassador for Amnesty International and she also volunteers at a refugee charity local to her in Hackney, London.

She’s a trailblazer when it comes to all things innovative, relevant and meaningful.

She’s a natural when it comes to educating and inspiring. Described by Sunday Times Style as the ‘voice of a generation’, she’s certainly one to look up to.

Drive and determination are some of the words that instantly spring to mind when chatting to Vick. Having worked in the industry since she was 19-years-old, she knows a thing or two about finding a voice and using it as a tool to make a change.

A passionate, multi-skilled and multilingual individual, the power is in her hands.

She’s a generational leader in the media world, and as we see her popping up on a number of different platforms up and down the country, we were delighted to get some time to check in with the talent who quite proudly hails from Newcastle.

As her career reaches new heights with recent projects including a judging role in the Women’s Prize For Fiction 2021, an inspiring new podcast and the release of her second children’s books with Roman Kemp, we go back to where it all began...

“I grew up in Newcastle and went to Dame Allan’s School,” says Vick.

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“When I was starting to think about further education, I had my sights set on a languages degree at Cambridge. My school didn’t actually do Spanish, so I had to do extra night classes at Gosforth High.

“I was adamant I wanted to study languages. I’d read The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie, a foreign correspondent from the BBC, and I had imagined that I would do that job - in a hard hat and a bullet proof vest, reporting from a warzone. So I decided that I needed to do languages so it would open up the world to me.

“I went on to study languages at Cambridge and did my year abroad in Argentina. I got an internship at a newspaper called The Argentina Independent, covering everything from Latin American current affairs and politics, to news, arts and culture. I did lots of other odd jobs - I worked for a human rights film festival as an events organiser, I did some translating, I worked in cocktail bars, I worked for a taco company - handing out nachos followed by a mariachi band I even worked as an online dating assistant.

All sorts of jobs.”

Vick’s next venture came after meeting the team from MTV US while working out in Argentina.

“They were filming a pilot and needed a presenter, so I screen tested, and that was my first little taste of presenting,” explains Vick.

“It never went any further than that, but I really enjoyed it. I love communicating and telling stories, so it just clicked.

“When I came back to finish my degree, they put me in contact with MTV UK and I did some work experience with them. It was literally helping out around the office during the holidays. As soon as I graduated they offered me a paid internship and taught me everything from shooting and editing, to script writing and interviewing. It was such a brilliant training ground.

“I then moved over to ITN to work on the breakfast news. I was doing the full reporting 360, right from scripting and picking the footage, to editing and then presenting. I did that every night from

midnight to 8am - it was nuts, but it was great. From there, other television work followed, with the likes of 4Music, ITV2 and Channel 5. I was just doing lots of freelance work, building up my contacts.

“Every job is as important as the next one, so there was no real destination in mind.

The only thing in my whole career that I had on my dream ‘to do’ list was Life Hacks on Radio 1.

“When I was growing up, I religiously listened to the Sunday Surgery show on Radio 1. They talked about mental health, they talked about sex and they talked about relationships. I felt like they were my friends, there was a real sense of community. They talked about things that I felt, but I didn’t know that other people felt it as well. It was a really special place for me, and I knew that they helped me, so if I could help others in that same way, then that would be a really brilliant job.

“I’ve always loved radio and broadcasting as a whole, but this year I’ve realised just how important it is as an outlet. It’s a companion, a community, a comfort at a time when people need it most. I like to imagine that I’m talking to one person they could be in their car, sitting in the living room, cooking dinner - whatever it is that they’re going through, hopefully we can be there for them. Life Hacks is a show that has the power to do just that. I know that there’s other young people listening in the same way that I was in my bedroom all those years ago.”

Between her regular work for the BBC and many other presenting gigs, Vick uses her time to enlighten and educate, whether that’s through charity work, working with children, writing or using her voice as a platform.

One of her most recent projects, and something she is particularly proud of, is her new BBC Sounds podcast, Songs To Live By. “The podcast is a celebration of black voices, of black culture, of black history, but through the music that we love,” Vick explains.

“So, it is reggae, hip hop, R&B, soul, gospel, afrobeat - the tracks that really

mean something to people. My guests include sports people, artists, actors, activists, poets - the list is endless. We’ve had the likes of Benjamin Zephaniah and Doc Brown and Mica Paris.

“We have two guests of two different generations on each episode. The idea is that we talk about our history and where we’ve come from, but also learn from that and discover where we’re going. They pick two coming-of-age tracks - it could be the track that you remember dancing to with your parents on a Saturday night, it could be the track that you snuck out to go to hip hop clubs and listen to, it could be a song that sparked your activism.

“It’s basically a listening party. We find out the stories behind them, why that track means so much to them, what was going on in their lives at the time and how it made them feel. It’s like Desert Island Discs, but celebrating black voices. We talk about some pretty heavy issues like civil rights and Windrush and racism, but equally, it’s about joy and how magical music can be.”

Vick and I are catching up on 21 April 2021, the day following the George Floyd verdict - an incredibly significant moment in history.

“Songs To Live By feels more important than ever right now,” she says.

“The Tuesday after the death of George Floyd, I remember Clara Amfo speaking up on Radio 1 and it was probably one of the most powerful pieces of radio I’ve ever heard. She was so distraught and distressed, but also showed extreme passion. She said: ‘Look, you cannot enjoy the rhythm and ignore the blues.’ And that’s what this podcast is all about. It’s about acknowledging how far we’ve come, but also understanding that we’re not there yet.

There are obstacles that we’ve had to overcome, but let’s look to the future with optimism. Music has the power to tell that story, and that’s what we aim to do, in an uplifting, joyful way.”

Vick’s work as a human rights activist takes her way back to her school days. It’s something that is instilled in the way she lives and works. She is here to make a change, and that’s exactly what she has >>

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LIVING IN HOPE set out to do, since her teenage years.

“I’ve worked for Amnesty International for over 15 years now,” says Vick.

“I remember being in a religious studies class at school; we were learning about freedom fighters - people who had been detained, tortured and even killed - for peacefully standing up for what they believe in.

“When you’re a kid you actually have a more clean-cut sense of morality. You understand that one thing is right and one thing is wrong; it’s only as you get older that you start to realise that there’s a difference between the truth and remaining true (to a cause). At that age, I remember thinking, that doesn’t seem right, what can I do about it?

“I raised the question with my teacher and she introduced me to Amnesty International.

We got involved in a letter writing campaign where you write letters to governments who are wrongfully detaining people and put pressure on the media to report on it to bring publicity to these injustices.

“We’d get together weekly and write our letters. I carried that into uni - we had a little crew of us who would gather in my bedroom.

“When I went to live in Argentina I started reporting on the improper use of tasers by the metropolitan police in Buenos Aires. I was interviewing some people from Amnesty for that and started helping out with the campaign. I came back to London and worked on a few campaigns for Amnesty including the Women Breaking Barriers campaign and also led the women’s march.

“What they do is very tangible and practical.

I care deeply about human rights. I really can’t stand injustice and inequality, and it’s really as simple as that. Every single person on this planet deserves to enjoy the rights that are enshrined in The Universal Declaration of Human Rights. I was so honoured to be asked to be an ambassador last year.”

When she’s not presenting and campaigning, Vick spends time writing with friend and once co-presenter, Roman Kemp.

“Roman and I have worked on two books together. We’ve got Listen Up and we’ve got Shout Out - they lead on from one another and they’re all about Arthur and Grace, who are two kids that start a radio station in their school and they have rival radio shows, but they realise that they’re more powerful together.

“They’re books about using your voice, about speaking up for what you believe in and telling your own story. They’re about realising that we all have different talents and different things that we’re passionate about, but actually, if we work together and learn from one another, we can make positive changes.

“I was a very avid reader when I was younger and I just remember loving that feeling of getting to the end of a book.

Every kid deserves to feel that excitement, to have that escape, to see themselves represented on the pages of a book.

“Our books are full of all the different personalities we experienced growing up, because sometimes, if you don’t see yourself represented, you’re not sure where you belong. Kids just want to fit in, but the truth is, we should all be celebrating our differences. When you do see yourself represented, you get confidence, you belong and you find your voice.”

Vick’s love of literature doesn’t stop at children’s books. Not only does she use the Women’s Prize For Fiction as her own reading list, she has actually been involved in the judging process for 2021.

“I started working for the Women’s Prize For Fiction two years ago on their Young

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Adult Reading List campaign. It was a push to get as many kids reading as possible,” says Vick.

“Following that, I was asked if I would be interested in judging, which is such a massive honour - to be on a judging panel with Bernardine Evaristo - it’s insane.

“It starts with reading 144 books, choosing 16 for the longlist and finally narrowing it down to six. I’m so proud of the list because it covers so many different topics, genres and backgrounds.

“The list is out now, so go and check it out.

Every year, I go to Waterstones, buy every book on the long list and go from there, so to be involved in the decision making, is just a total pleasure. The list serves to uplift and champion women’s voices. It’s a wonderful thing to be involved in.”

Everything Vick does, in her working life and in her own time, serves a purpose.

From presenting and writing, to podcasts and charity work, much of what she does is about finding a voice - something so important in a world where it is proving more difficult to speak up and be heard.

“If we can do something to shine a light on those voices that aren’t being heard, we can really make a difference,” says Vick.

“Particularly when it comes to helping those who have not been given the same start in life. It’s our responsibility. Everyone deserves to tell their own story - to own their own story. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve been silenced or exploited. Everyone needs to be given a megaphone every so often I reckon!”

There are many ways in which we can find our voice, Vick tells me. Writing and telling stories - an outlet we share as fellow journalists - is certainly one of the ways; but for Vick, music plays a pivotal role.

Everyone deserves to tell their own story - to own their own story. There’s nothing worse than feeling like you’ve been silenced. Everyone needs to be given a megaphone “Music has just always been everything to me,” she smiles.

“I remember walking around Newcastle with my Walkman and just enjoying the moment. It was my chance to just ‘be’.

The best music is the music where you lose yourself, but you also find yourself.

“I grew up in a very musical house - not in terms of talent,” she laughs.

“They just loved it! My mum would make up dance routines to Diana Ross and The Supremes, I learnt about Nigerean history through afrobeat and highlife, it was so important in our household. We would have people round and my dad would just jam with his friends in the living room.

Everything had a soundtrack.

“I used to go to The People’s Theatre in Newcastle and I remember walking home listening to my favourite tracks, breathing in the city - I love my city, I love Newcastle.

I’d walk down the Quayside, I’d walk through Jesmond where my grandma lived, and I’d have a soundtrack that spoke to me.

At that time, it was The Coral and Athlete and Snow Patrol - I was really into indie.

“As soon as I could go to gigs when I was about 13, we’d go to the student unions.

My first gig was Athlete on my 13th birthday, but before that, I was literally breast-fed at festivals. My parents used to take us to WOMAD. All of my pocket money would go towards going to gigs, I just loved it so much.

“I can’t wait for live music to be back.

There’s nothing like that feeling of being pressed against people you don’t even know, and all of a sudden, the drop comes in and everyone feels that same thing at the same time. What a powerful thing.

I miss the drop!”

That is exactly what the Songs To Live By podcast is about. Whether it’s music that sparks activism, or a track that brings nostalgia, it’s fascinating how it can be radical, it can be political, and it can be educational. There’s so much to learn from it, and Vick is excited to take us on that journey.

Alongside music, Vick’s family heritage and culture has a lot to do with the way she has the power to, not only light up a room, but enlighten the people within it.

“I am grateful for my mum and dad in everything that I do,” she says, smiling.

“I’m always in awe of my mum’s resilience and her spirit. She has overcome so much and you wouldn’t be able to tell because she’s really happy all of the time. She lived through a very bloody civil war in Nigeria, she went through a famine, she was running from air raids and bombs. She came to this country when she was 11 and lived with her siblings on a street where there was a ‘get the darkies out’ petition. She didn’t speak a word of English. For me, it’s unimaginable, yet she’s so unbelievably happy and full of joy. It’s black joy - it’s radical - and it’s instilled in me. The importance of hard work, graft and kindness.

“I’ve got three brothers and I’m probably the

most neurotic out of all of us. I’m a worrier and I put a lot of pressure on myself. I don’t stop. I’ve got better at it, but there has been a lot of time where I’ve been letting things get on top of me rather than taking stock of the amazing things going on around me.”

When she does enjoy a well-deserved break, Vick likes to read, visit flower markets, watch the world go by from her flat in Hackney, walk, run and dance.

“Being able to put on a track that I love and dance in my living room is a real escape for me. For those three minutes, nothing else matters, and that is just magic.”

But real downtime comes when she returns to her home, her beloved Newcastle.

“Before the pandemic, I really upped the amount of time that I was going home,” says Vick.

“Fresh out of uni, I was sort of caught up in setting up my own life, but now, whenever I can, I like to get home and spend some time with my family.

“Admittedly, I don’t get out much when I’m back in the North East because my parents are now in Northumberland, near Hexham, so I just like to eat my mum’s home-cooked Nigerian food and take in the countryside.

“We go for walks around Derwent Reservoir and get together for a pub lunch out somewhere nice. One of my best friends lives in Stocksfield, so we’ll go to the Dr Syntax for a drink and a much-needed catch-up.

“Newcastle will always be home to me.

My heart is always going to be there. I wouldn’t be able to live there and do the job that I do currently, but I wouldn’t rule out moving back at some point in my life.”

Songs To Live By Is available now on BBC Sounds The Womens’ Prize for Fiction winner will be announced on 7 July

MAY/JUN21

FASHION FOCUS

Bloomin’ lovely

Sabi Studio is the Stokesley-based jewellery brand bringing beautiful bouquets to our ears. Elysia Fryer checks in with Jessica Hall, the creative brains behind this blossoming business…

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FASHION FOCUS

LUXE: What can you tell us about Sabi Studio?

SABI: The name Sabi is derived from the Japanese design aesthetic ‘Wabi-Sabi’, which celebrates beauty in ‘imperfection’ and in nature.

As Sabi earrings are hand-painted by me in my studio and are completely one of a kind, each pair is totally unique and they are ‘perfectly imperfect’. Sabi launches collections monthly, updating the website with over 200 bespoke designs which change seasonally with the colours and flowers in nature. Designs tend to sell rather quickly, so we also offer a specially curated, made to order service, also inspired by the seasons.

LUXE: You recently celebrated Sabi’s first birthday. What have you learnt about being a young female entrepreneur in the North East since your launch last year?

SABI: It’s so important to connect with other small businesses for support, encouragement, collaborations and building local trust through word of mouth and recommendations. Doing so has encouraged a huge rise in my local sales. Our region as a whole, and the smaller communities within it, are a very supportive place to own a small business, which I feel so grateful for every day.

LUXE: Can you tell us a little bit about you?

SABI: My creative journey started when I finished school with a real passion for art and design. Following my studies, I enrolled into The Northern School of Art, where I studied graphic design for a year, before specialising in illustration.

After college, I was accepted into Leeds Arts University where I studied printed textiles and surface pattern design for three years. After graduating, I was very lucky to land a dream print design job in Manchester for a renowned print studio. Working there enabled me to travel to trade shows in Germany and New York and sell my work to companies globally. Even now I will walk into well-known high street stores and see my bedding or curtain designs and the buzz never gets old.

When COVID hit, I was furloughed immediately. I made the move back to the North East and that’s when I set up Sabi.

I had no idea it would blow up the way it has and I am so grateful that my small business has enabled me to leave my job in Manchester to focus on Sabi full-time. I’ve gone from working in my Mum's garage to a studio space in beautiful Stokesley, with other fabulous small businesses and the River Leven on my doorstep.

LUXE: You’re based in glorious North Yorkshire. How has the natural landscape that surrounds you influenced your designs?

SABI: It's incredible to be able to step outside and be within a short distance of beautiful woodland, the coast and the hills. Nature has always been a massive inspiration to me,

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even in my print design career. I used to joke that my job was just to draw flowers all day, but to be honest, that’s exactly what I did! Now with Sabi, my designs are heavily influenced by flora and natural colour palettes as well as the journey through the seasons. I am constantly introducing new floral shapes and colour schemes into the monthly collections. Whenever I am feeling burnt out or uninspired, I can take a five minute drive to a beautiful scenic spot to recharge and gather inspiration.

LUXE: Can you walk us through a day in the life of you at Sabi Studio?

SABI: Being self-employed means I can enjoy living my days quite freely. Some days I have to remind myself that just because no one is going to tell me off, I can’t turn up late to the studio and wear tracksuit bottoms every day! I’m also still getting used to being my own boss, so self discipline is something I’ve really tried to focus on this year. So most days, I’ll wake up and take my old dog for a slow mooch around the neighbourhood before heading to my studio in Stokesley. I’ll start the day there with a big coffee and check my emails, responding to any customer queries or ordering any stock I may need. I’ll then start hand painting slabs of clay which are then cut, baked, glossed, sanded and assembled. I always try to film behind-the-scenes videos as my followers on Instagram really enjoy watching me paint and the process behind their earrings. I’ll then end my working day by packing any outstanding orders and taking them to the post office.

LUXE: What can we expect to see from Sabi this spring/ summer?

SABI: The summer collection will be filled with vibrant colours and lots of hand-painted florals and fruits. Last year the orange design featured in British Vogue and it's been a long-awaited comeback. I am aiming for new products to be released this summer too, so make sure to keep an eye out on our social channels.

LUXE: Where can we purchase your beautiful pieces?

SABI: Over on sabistudio.co.uk where you can browse the current collection or check out our archive for inspo.

LUXE: What’s next for Sabi?

SABI: After a year of building Sabi to be my full-time job, in the coming year I would like to combine my pattern design skills to create products such as stationery and homeware, along with new hand-painted products. I also plan to hold workshops with customers when restrictions ease. That will be a lot of fun and a great way to engage with the Sabi audience.

Why the North East is so important to Sabi Studio >> Your favourite places to unwind and enjoy downtime in the area?

My favourite place to eat locally is The Truffled Hog in Stokesley. It’s the perfect place for after-work drinks and nibbles. To get a bit of a change of scenery from the studio, I love to while away the hours here editing photos while sipping coffee and tucking into sweet treats.

I also love to get out in the great outdoors - two of my favourite fresh-air spots are Guisborough Woods and the beach at Saltburn.

I definitely enjoy a bit of self-care when I can squeeze it in. I love a good pamper at Convey Salons in Stokesley.

Three places you take visitors?

Saltburn beach, Roseberry Topping and Cod Beck Reservoir in Osmotherley.

A shout out to another local business doing well in the area?

Wedding caterer turned takeaway during the pandemic, Damon from Big D’s BBQ has shown true resilience with the transition. For the best BBQ food imaginable, check out: @big_ds_bbq.

And finally, your three luxe things in life?

Red lipstick for instant confidence, Barcelona - my dream city to live, and my Anthropologie Perasima mug - the perfect size for a big cup of coffee to start the day.

sabistudio.co.uk

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Marmalade merriment Jo Malone’s limited edition Marmalade Collection is the nostalgic summer treat we’ve all been waiting for. A happy memory in a bottle - these scents certainly take you back to your childhood. Thoughts of family gatherings, village fêtes and a gentle, warm breeze. From ‘Tangy Rhubarb’ to ‘Orange Peel’ and ‘Elderflower Cordial’ fragrances, you’re spoilt for choice this summer. Launching 1 May 2021. £55. jomalone.co.uk

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MAY/JUN21

ADVERTORIAL

Just because saving for retirement is difficult, it doesn’t mean you should give up; and the current reliefs and allowances on pension contributions should give cause for optimism

Are you planning on retiring?

If you expect to retire on a final-salary pension and with no mortgage, your perspective on retirement may well be rosy; if you are grappling with debt and worried about having insufficient pension savings, it may be a different picture.

For some, the question is not how to retire successfully, but how to retire at all, given that there may be precious little in the way of a state safety net to fall back on.

Research from the Financial Conduct Authority in 2017 revealed that around 15 million individuals were not saving anything towards their retirement and would have to rely entirely on the State Pension in their later years.1 The introduction of pension freedoms has helped somewhat: figures for 2018 show that nearly 80% of working-age employees were contributing to a pension.2 Of particular concern is the group of pre-retirees aged 55–64, only half of whom have given thought to how they will manage in retirement; and only a quarter know how much they have in their pension pot.3 These people may only have a few working years left to build their nest egg.

In the UK, 31% of adults have no private pension provision; and the State Pension is the main source of income in retirement for 44% of retirees.4 Why do so many people fail to plan their retirement? According to BlackRock’s latest

survey results, 57% of people aren’t currently investing. In the UK, 58% of non-investors say they don’t have enough money to start investing; and 42% are too worried about their financial situation today to think about the future.5 Those able to put some aside really should: people massively underestimate the amount of money they need to save. According to BlackRock, those who were asked to calculate how much they would need for their desired retirement income of £26,000 a year estimated they would require £233,000 in savings; and yet they would need a pot of £525,000 for this income, even including the State Pension.6 People also underestimate longevity and therefore how long retirement could last.

Only 7% of people aged 55–64 today expect to live to 90, but research indicates that half of them can expect to live that long.7 The obvious implication is that many retirement pots will run out too soon.

Many experts are warning that the end of final-salary pension schemes, chronic underfunding of defined contribution pensions, and increasing life expectancy are creating a perfect storm that threatens to destabilise the financial wellbeing of the coming generation of retirees.

The solution is to plan You have to ask yourself: how much will I need, and how much can I afford to put away? Then you need to factor in any other

sources of retirement income and you can see the size of the gap you are trying to fill.

Obviously, the younger you are, the longer the investment time horizon and the most you will have to gain when thinking ahead.

However, middle age is a time when incomes are at or near their peak, so there are significant opportunities to catch up.

Subject to limitations, people in the UK can make pension contributions of up to 100% of their earnings or £40,000, whichever is lower. While paying the maximum may seem a tall order, remember that the government rewards you for saving into a pension in the form of tax relief.

Worryingly, according to BlackRock’s research, 50% of people are unaware that the government boosts pension contributions; the research also showed that fewer than a third of people are aware of ‘pension freedoms’ changes and how these impact on their retirement prospects.8 This is further evidence that lack of awareness remains one of the key barriers to making adequate retirement provision.

It’s vital savers know and understand all their options for using their pension; but also that they make the most of the current tax breaks while building one.

Finally, 61% of non-investors recognise that their outlook would be better if they started investing now; and 76% of investors who use a financial adviser report having a sense of wellbeing.9

If you feel you would benefit from a financial review of your individual requirements, I offer a no obligation review to suit each individual needs.

This review could be via a zoom meeting, telephone call or face to face at a Covid-secure venue, at a time and location convenient to you.

Please contact Patrick McLaughlin Wealth Management on 0191 5482830 or email patrick.mclaughlin@sjpp.co.uk.

1,3, 7 Financial Conduct Authority, Financial Lives Survey 2017 2 Institute for Fiscal Studies, October 2020 4 Financial Conduct Authority, ‘The financial lives of consumers across the UK’, report 20 June 2018, updated January 2020 5, 9 BlackRock, 6th Annual Global Investor Pulse Survey, February 2019 6, 8 BlackRock, Global Investor Pulse Survey 2017

The Partner is an Appointed Representative of and represents only St. James’s Place Wealth Management plc (which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) for the purpose of advising solely on the group’s wealth management products and services, more details of which are set out on the group’s website www.SJP.co.uk/products. The ‘St. James’s Place Partnership’ and the title ‘Partner’ are marketing terms used to describe St. James’s Place representatives.

MAY/JUN21

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LUXE LEATHER >> Photo credit: MHG Photography

Crafting a future Stuart Coupland’s luxury leather business has flourished in difficult trading conditions as his personalised craftsmanship flies high across the North East, the UK and beyond.

Elysia Fryer finds out more…

Luxury leather goods create a legacy of their own. There’s something incredibly special about investing in a new handbag or wallet, particularly if you’re shopping in the high-end market.

And as we as a nation consciously steer away from the repercussions of ‘fast fashion’, there’s never been a better time to shop smart and invest in something that will truly stand the test of time.

Personally, as I’m sure many of you did, I spent many a lockdown weekend rearranging cupboards and wardrobes, ‘decluttering’ to make space. I was surprised to find that I was storing throw-away fashion pieces from years gone by, many of which definitely did not ‘stand the test of time’. It led me to think about my future purchases, to move away from quick fixes and really spend some time making my next move.

In the process of my wardrobe overhaul, I was delighted to come across Coupland Leather - a business with quality craftsmanship at its heart. And when I learned that Stuart, the brains behind the brand, was based here in the North East, I jumped at the opportunity to have a chat.

Like many, 28-year-old Stuart Coupland from Norton, has had an unusual couple of years in business. But out of weird situations come wonderful things and these turbulent times have allowed him to turn his passion into a reality.

“I’ve had multiple business ideas bubbling away for some time now,” explains Stuart.

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“But I either didn’t pursue them, they didn’t work out, or life just got in the way.

“So it’s definitely something I’ve always wanted to do, but I just needed to find the right business and the right moment.”

The pandemic has been a challenging time for everyone - for business, for our wellbeing, and for our social lives. But for some, it has given them the creative freedom to bring ideas to life. To take the plunge and trust that ‘everything happens for a reason’.

Coupland Leather is a business that Stuart has had in mind for some time now, taking him back to a 2018 summer holiday.

“My girlfriend and I were on holiday in Turkey; during our stay, a handmade watch strap from one of the shops in the hotel caught my eye. I spoke to the guy behind the counter and he told me that it wouldn’t fit my watch, but he went on to explain that he could cut it down and make it work.

“I wasn’t expecting such a service and it got me thinking about ‘the perfect watch strap’ for me. I asked him if he could change the buckle and before you knew it, I’d basically customised this strap for my own watch. I was really impressed.

“I went home, did a bit of YouTube research - as you do - and I collated a list of what I needed to be able to set this up as a business, or at the time, a ‘side hustle’.”

Before long, Stuart had taken the plunge, kitted himself out and started making leather goods. He knew he was passionate about it, but had to test out his skillset.

“I made my first wallet - it was horrendous,” he laughs.

“So I chucked it all in a box and forgot about it for a while. Was it going to be another great idea of mine that never really takes off?

“I had just got a new job as a sales manager for a marketing company. Before that, I worked in IT sales and at the same time, I was a retained fireman in Norton.

In my new role I found that I had a lot of spare time as I was no longer on call in the fire service, so on evenings and weekends I decided to pick up the leather thing again.”

What started as a hobby quickly turned into a small business for friends and family.

Stuart found himself making watch straps and card holders as gifts for loved ones.

“I was just getting my head around the craft really, but I was really enjoying it and I was determined I was going to make it work,” Stuart says.

“Because I already had a large business network around me, it spread quite fast and I ended up being quite busy. By the end of 2019, I’d sold about 80 products and had Rockliffe Hall as a reseller. Fast forward to

early 2020, in January I got called into the office and was told the marketing business was going into liquidation and that we no longer had a job.”

This career setback gave Stuart the space to sit back and really think about how he could put his creativity to the test.

“It gave me the motivation to pick my phone up, ring everyone in my contacts and pitch to them about my leather products. I gave myself 10 days to prove that the concept would work, and in that time, it really started to take off.”

“If I’m going to be totally honest, a lot of it was pity sales, but it was fine because it gave me the confidence to give it a go.

Six weeks later, we were put into a national lockdown and everything went out of the window.”

Or at least, it could have gone that way.

Determined to give Coupland Leather the chance it deserved, Stuart continued to lean on the people around him and put his all into spreading the word and crafting more luxurious leather products.

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LUXE LEATHER

“Bizarrely, in 2020 - amidst a global pandemic - we had about 670% growth on 2019, almost seven times the turnover from the previous year. It was nuts,” explains Stuart.

“So far this year, we’re almost halfway to hitting last year’s turnover. It’s really starting to get going and it’s a very exciting time. I just had an Italian leather magazine through the door this morning and we are featured in it - it was a bit of a ‘pinch me’ moment I’ve got to be honest.”

And as Stuart’s business continues to pick up momentum, he continues to launch new products and form partnerships with well-loved businesses across the region, the country and beyond.

“At the moment, we’re stocked at Rockliffe Hall, Alnwick Garden, Master Debonair, Owen Scott Bespoke Tailoring in Huddersfield and then we’ve got a couple of other tailors interested in Leeds and in London, so we’re definitely spreading our wings.

“80% of our business comes from outside of Teesside, so we’re very much a national business. I have sold into Australia and America too, which is great.”

Coupland Leather’s reach is far and wide, but its heart is firmly rooted in Teesside.

“I’m Teesside through and through,” Stuart smiles.

“The Tees Valley business community is incredibly strong, and I wouldn’t be in the position I’m in now if it wasn’t for the people surrounding me - from friends and family, to business networks.

“Everybody is more than happy to support and help each other, which is really special when it comes to setting up a new business.

We’ve all been navigating through tough times together, but being able to lean on one another has been so incredibly inspiring and uplifting.”

Stuart is a familiar face within the Tees Valley business community, and with that, he’s a big supporter of local charities.

MAY/JUN21

Coupland Leather does everything it can to give back to those in need, and to those who have supported him along the way.

“I started going to Business Network International (BNI) meetings when I was 18.

When I first attended there was a lady called Diane, who was in the BNI for Butterwick Hospice. From a very early stage, I was always attending corporate events and supporting Butterwick in any way I could.

I would see people getting certificates for the support they gave, and I always thought, ‘I want one of them’.

“So when we set up Coupland Leather, I got in touch with Butterwick and came on as a corporate supporter. I also support MAIN, which is a Middlesbrough-based autism charity. It’s great to give back, and to be able to do it in partnership with organisations close to my heart, is just wonderful.”

Coupland Leather’s North East homage goes beyond the charity and corporate worlds.

It’s a heritage business, and it’s history is found within Stuart’s own family.

“The Coupland crest was actually designed by my grandad - it’s been hung up in his house for around 45 years. I was having a cup of tea with him one day and I saw the crest as I was leaving, so I asked him if he would mind if I used it in my logo. In January I had a conversation with him and showed him some of my newspaper clippings. I told him that over 500 people were walking around with our family crest in their pocket, and he welled up, bless him - he was over the moon with it.

“Beyond that, we’ve named all of the wallets after family members, so it’s very personal to me and my loved ones, as well as the customers.

“When things are busy, like in the run up to Christmas when we produced around 150 products between October and December, I brought my mum on as temporary staff.

She loves to get involved, so does my

Stuart’s business has come at a great time for savvy shoppers who have an eye for design, sustainability and timeless luxuries partner Meg, a photographer and real creative genius, who helps with my imagery, branding and marketing.”

So, Stuart’s ‘lightbulb’ moment came during a holiday in Turkey, and business has somewhat boomed ever since, with a few hurdles and challenges thrown in between.

“Last year was all about the product itself - trying things out and getting the quality right. I had done all of my research into the world of leather. We use vegetable tan leather, this is what you find on things like a saddle or a chesterfield sofa. It’s 60-70 years old and it’s a ‘looks better than it did when you first bought it’ kind of leather.

“I buy that in the plain, uncovered version, then I dye it to the acquired specification.

It’s a very traditional, natural way of doing it, and the leather is much more hard-wearing.

“We launched our very first handbag in December. Our first sale was with a lady who got in touch to say she was looking at Gucci handbags but came across Coupland Leather and decided to put her trust in us.

“I thought, ‘Wow, someone has chosen me over a major brand’ - my head got a bit bigger, I couldn’t believe it! I know that when somebody buys from the likes of Gucci, Louis Vuitton and Mulberry, they get the full, luxury experience. So it got me thinking, ‘How can I make the Coupland Leather experience better?’

“And so that is what this year has been about. We’ve invested in some really nice boxes. When you buy a handbag, it comes in a black box with the Coupland Leather crest on the top of it. You open it up and

your name is engraved inside. It’s all very personalised, with a care sheet inside and the certificate of authenticity featuring a wax stamp of our crest. It’s the whole experience.

“These big brands have huge budgets - I don’t have that, but my unique selling point is making it as personal as possible and giving people the luxury of choosing exactly what they want when it comes to the leather and the design.

“With a recent bag, I’ve actually included the customer’s signature. I lazer engraved a digital image onto the inside pocket, so in a sense, they’ve signed their own handbag. How cool is that?”

Stuart’s business has come at a great time for savvy shoppers who have an eye for design, sustainability and timeless luxuries.

Shoppers are constantly on the lookout for something new and unique. Something they can invest in, go on a personalised journey through the manufacturing process, get to know the brains behind the business and really put their trust in the quality every step of the way.

It’s something you can find joy in purchasing, share with loved ones and pass on to future generations. It’s the direction many independent businesses are following, but it’s not easy to get it right.

The beauty of Coupland Leather is in its local, family heritage - and as it's our job to champion the North East and all it has to offer, we’re incredibly proud to say we’ve got another jewel in the crown.

A carefully-considered craftsman with his heart in Teesside. couplandleather.co.uk

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SWEET PLEASURES

Easy does it Brunello Cucinelli’s whimsical SS21 collection celebrates the sweet pleasures of dressing well. A relaxed spirit paired with discreet charm that blends elegance with modernity, formality with effortless style... brunellocucinelli.com

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Dazzling Cables Knit Sweater in Linen and Silk with Shiny Striped Neckline in White, £1,870 Dazzling Cables Knit Trousers in Cotton, Linen and Silk in White, £2,130

Linen Lamé Canvas Blazer with Monili in Rope, £2,900 Linen Lamé Canvas Wide Pleated Trousers in Rope, £1,080 Cotton and Silk Striped Poplin Shirt with Shiny Tab, £980

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Virgin Wool Houndstooth Twill Tuxedo with Peak Lapel Jacket in Anthracite, £3,620 Giza Cotton Twill Slim Fit Tuxedo Shirt with Pleated Bib, Spread Collar and French Cuffs, £720 Cotton and Silk Satin Bow Tie in Black, £190 Giza Cotton Pocket Square, £90

Linen Cover Outerwear Jacket with Shiny Tab Pockets and Feather Fringe in White, £2,950 Straw Hat with Precious Grosgrain Band, £650

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XXXXXXXX HIM: Comfort Virgin Wool and Cotton Gabardine Bomber Jacket in Brown, £2,170 Cotton English Rib Short Sleeve Polo-Style Sweater in Oat, £690 Cotton Jersey Round Neck Slim Fit T-shirt in White, £270 Comfort Cotton Striped Textured Fabric Leisure Fit Trousers with Drawstring and Pleat in Light Brown, £690 HER: Silk Shirt Dress in White, £5,550

Linen, Wool and Silk Diagonal Suit, £3,240 Striped Poplin Slim Fit Shirt with Button-down Collar, £390

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Silk Shirt Dress in White, £5,550

Dazzling Cables Sweater in Cashmere, Cotton and Alpaca in Desert, £3,470 Elasticated Waist Cotton Trousers in Tobacco, £1,130

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MAY/JUN21

Design Your Delcor.

Personal design with limitless possibilities.

Visit us online at delcor.co.uk 50 Year Guarantee* | 100% British Made | Made To Measure Northumberland Store, Delcor House, Double Row, Seaton Delaval, Northumberland, NE25 0PR *Visit our webite for full terms and conditions.

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GET THE LOOK

Flower power Let your wardrobe whisk you away to an enchanting secret garden as summer florals bring bundles of energy to our attire...

BOTTEGA VENETA >> Curve 90 Pink Raffia Mules, £780, harveynichols.com

DIANE VON FURSTENBERG >> Beverly Floral-print Midi Skirt, £290, harveynichols.com

SIR >> Ambroise Belted Floral Linen Shorts, £174, mytheresa.com

JULLIET >> Lennox Strapless Floral Swimsuit, £195, brownsfashion.com

GUCCI >> Floral Raffia and Leather Sandals, £525, mytheresa.com

DOLCE & GABBANA >> Printed Silk-twill Shirt, £1,200, harveynichols.com

RED VALENTINO Light Blue Leather Cross-body Bag, £460, harveynichols.com

BORGO DE NOR >> Constance Floral-print Broderie Anglaise Maxi Dress, £650, harveynichols.com

DOLCE & GABBANA >> Floral Print Silk Blouse, £745, brownsfashion.com

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RED VALENTINO >> Floral Crochet Minidress, £965, mytheresa.com

MONCLER >> Floral Silk Wide-leg Pants, £535, mytheresa.com

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AWARD WINNING HAIRDRESSING

Step into Summer

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 Instagram: hookerandyoung

TREND WATCH with Kate Rose, founder of lifestyle brand, Tutti & Co The nights are lighter, the days longer, and I have a spring in my step, looking forward to a summer filled with social events and a staycation or two…

Wearing…

Limited edition hooded top with pouch pocket from Massimo Dutti. I have definitely adopted a more casual wardrobe since lockdown - I love a more understated, comfortable look that can be dressed up or down, and this item will be the most worn item of clothing in my wardrobe over the coming months. It has a slightly oversized shape, with a dropped sleeveless detail, looks great with a pair of skinny jeans and kitten heels or worn on top of a t- shirt with mom jeans, and a pair of sneakers. The loose hood is a stylish feature and perfect if needed for that breezy coastal walk or late evening outdoor drinks. £149. massimodutti.com

Happenings...

I’m so looking forward to the Mouth of the Tyne Festival in Tynemouth, from 8 - 11 July 2021. Tickets are still available for Keane and the Lighthouse Family. I love packing a bag full of tasty food and setting up on King Edward’s Bay, listening to the music with family and friends. The perfect summer evening under the stars... mouthofthetynefestival.com

New in...

A carefully designed collection containing freshwater pearls. Our semi-precious freshwater pearl collection is a must have.

Including a gorgeous necklace, hoop earrings and an ear cuff, available in silver and gold.

Not only is this collection modern and stylish, the freshwater pearl has symbolic and purifying properties. Pearls have a great healing energy, reviving our brightness and fulfilment by giving the power to continue to make your goal into a reality. Our pieces are carefully designed to capture the beauty of our freshwater pearls by featuring modern chains, hoops, and textured details. Pearls represent serenity and strengthen valuable relationships, as well as conveying a sense of safety, the perfect antidote for the future, and a much-worn accessory in my summer wardrobe. £16 - £34. tuttiandco.com

Loving…

Bemz - a fashion-forward design company with a conscience, making it easy to create a unique look for your home that you can feel good about. They create innovative, custom designed covers, from a range of high-end fabrics so that you can update IKEA sofas, armchairs, and occasional seating. After searching for the perfect style and fabric for our new project, I ordered a selection of samples and found a perfect match to fit with the vision of our new home, (which I promise to show in more detail in the next issue of luxe) inexpensive, and looks like any other high-end designer sofa and most importantly super comfy. Prices start from £40. bemz.com

Summer staycation...

I’m always on the lookout for an unusual holiday hideaway, and after making the decision not to travel abroad this year, I have been searching for something a little different. I discovered Harlosh - two understated, stylish cabins created with a minimalist, modern approach, designed to connect to nature in a dramatic location on the Isle of Skye, Scotland. Offering home-from-home comfort, the oak clad retreats have a blend of antique and modern furnishings and all the necessities. Its generous double-height living space is open plan and the floor-to-ceiling window offers a widescreen view of the ever-changing coastline. All bedrooms have sea views, too. A wood-burning stove, oak floorboards and underfloor heating keep you warm and cosy even on the coldest of nights. So, whether you want to explore the island or get away from it all, you are bound to slow down, settle in and watch the world go by. harlosh.co

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BEAUTY BUYS

Blue sky beauty Spring/summer buys to give you that blue sky feeling…

BRIGHT IDEA >> Accessorise with your nail colour this season.

Bring those blue sky vibes to any outfit with this Yves Saint Laurent La Laque Couture Nail Polish in ‘Blue Majorelle’. It’s bright, it’s bold and it’s sure to help you make a statement during your summer staycation of garden barbecue. This long-lasting polish from YSL guarantees even, streak-free application with a shiny, chip-resistant finish. £22, fenwick.co.uk

LIGHT OF YOUR LIFE >> Jet off to the blue skies of the Med with the flicker of a wick, thanks to Acqua di Parma’s stunning Arancia di Capri candle from the Home Collection. As the sun sets over your garden and you retreat inside this season, light this candle and you’ll be whisked away to warmer climes. Inspired by the beauty of the island of Capri, this beautifully designed product releases relaxing notes of Capri’s orange, combined with sunny citrus fruits emblematic of the island’s irresistible mix of culture, history and natural beauty. £55, acquadiparma.com

AS GOOD AS NEW >> Step into the sunny season with skin that’s as good as new with this Augustinus Bader Rich Cream - the answer to all your beauty prayers. It works wonders in dry climates, meaning you’ve got protection from those big blue skies, without having to shy away from the sunshine.

This skincare saviour is sure to improve the complexion, promoting the skin’s natural process of rejuvenation.

Rich in omega 6 fatty acids and antioxidants, this cream features replenishing argan, avocado and evening primrose oils to help protect and radiate. £205 (30ml), spacenk.com

FLICKER OF MAGIC >> A candle is more than just a flicker of light. It is a wellbeing blend for the mind, body and soul. Light a candle and transform any space into a sweet, sweet sanctuary. If, like us, you’re never without a burning scent - be it during your at-home yoga practice, while you’re cooking the dinner, hard at work, or chilling in front of the TV, make sure you check out Sivana Interiors’ stunning range of soy candles. The Sivana Somnum Soy Candle offers a relaxing blend of lavender, ylang ylang and eucalyptus - the perfect blend to whisk you away to a dreamy destination of choice. £26, sivanainteriors.com

HEALTHY HAIR >> Virtue’s Restorative Treatment Mask is the ultimate hair care product for spring/summer. Enriched with Alpha Keratin 60ku, this protein-packed product instantly recognises dry hair and gives it the healthy, hydrating lift it needs to look luscious in the summer sun. This effortlessly moisturising treatment leaves locks looking bouncy, vibrant and truly beautiful. Described as a ‘hug for your hair’ this is an absolute must when it comes to giving your beauty kit list a spring overhaul. £64 (150ml), cultbeauty.co.uk

THE BEAUTY IN BLUE >>

SOOTHING SCENTS >> This new Jo Loves fragrance is a must for your spring/summer cosmetics bag.

Inspired by blue sky thinking and the notion that there are limitless opportunities, the eclectic and truly vibrant Cobalt Patchouli & Cedar radiates a powerful sense of calm. Spray this fragrance and get lost in the beauty as your imagination takes you on a journey through endless blue skies, or in deep blue waters. It’s fresh, uplifting and totally effortless - perfect for a summer’s day lapping up the sunshine in the garden. Powerful base notes give the scent a unique intensity, while classic notes of vetiver, patchouli and cedarwood add a lively twist to create a truly captivating perfume. £115 (100ml), joloves.com

WONDERS OF THE WATER >> Nothing better suits a blue sky than crystal clear waters beneath. Our favourite ever fragrance, Byredo’s Gypsy Water, is the fresh, citrusy scent we all need when the light nights roll back around. Paying homage to the beauty of Romani culture, this product is designed to evoke a whimsical, out-of-this-world experience. A true escape from the everyday, this fragrance is a real treat, and we’ll be wearing it with pride this summer. £78 (100ml), endclothing.com

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When looking into the psychology of colours, blue brings with it feelings of calm and serenity. If we think about the natural blue beauty that surrounds us - namely the sky and the ocean - it encourages thoughts of peace, tranquility and escape.

Some shades of blue, however, can come across as cold, icy and distant, but choosing the right palette and finding products that promote a positive mindset, can indeed have a huge impact on daily life.

Blue is generally a non-threatening colour. It is often a sign of stability and reliability. Although, like with the sky and the ocean, there are many unknowns beneath the face of what we see, it is a colour we are familiar with and it evokes happy, treasured memories.

So, when we say tracking down beautiful new beauty products can have a positive impact on our day-to-day lives, we really mean it. Products you can trust, products you can associate with freshness, and products that promise to whisk you away to brighter days and big, open spaces.

As our lives pick up again and we fill our summer diaries, surrounding ourselves with the colour blue can have a calming effect on a busy mind. The shade has been proven to slow down the heart rate, lower blood pressure and reduce anxiety, so picking a blue-inspired product really can give you that good-for-the-soul boost we all need as we switch on for summer.

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SADDLE READY

ON THE HOOF with Deborah Smith Practice makes perfect >> Without an arena at home, it’s been a struggle to keep the suppleness he had last year. We have done miles and miles of hacking and he is very fit, but we are now working on more gymnastic training to help him regain some bend, flex and stretch. Top of my list was a poletastic polework session at one of my favourite venues, High Plains Equestrian Centre near Riding Mill. We have been regular visitors to High Plains for years and the woodland ride and XC training field are perfect for all types and abilities of horse (and rider).

Julie Howard, who runs High Plains, has been involved with horses for many years and holds the British Horse Society Intermediate (Level 4) teaching certificate, coaching riders at grassroots level to those starting out in affiliated competition, whether it be dressage, show-jumping or eventing. The principles behind Julie's coaching philosophy are deeply rooted in improving partnerships, promoting willingness and harmony between horse and rider to maximise the partnership, rather than create an unwilling servant in the horse.

So under her watchful eye, myself, Oli and our fellow poletastic participants were soon showing all the harmony we could muster as we attempted the more technical exercises. Oli was in his element and loved the session, clearly eager to show off how far he has come in his own training and how much he can concentrate when he has to think hard.

We loved it and can’t wait to be back next month! high-plains.co.uk >> Photo credit: Simon Hogben

Food for thought >>

So, finally spring is here and with restrictions easing and competitions beckoning, it’s back to school and some boot camp training for me and the boys.

Strider is having a few weeks off, having picked up an injury - just as the snow had gone and we were able to ride out again - so Oli is the main focus for the summer and I think he secretly likes all the extra attention.

As well as the exercise, our feeding regime gets a review this time of year as the green shoots of sugary grass start to make an appearance. All the main feed companies have their own in-house nutritionists now, who can advise and guide horse owners - so it's fairly easy to get a good balance these days.

I like to back this up with regular weighing sessions with Horse Weighbridge North East. Kelly Thomas is so helpful and regularly pops in to get Oli and Strider on the portable horse weighbridge for a quick check. Since starting her business - which has got to be one of the simplest but most useful services Kelly has evolved her work to include nutritional advice and guidance on use of grazing muzzles for people with horses and ponies who need more active weight management. Fortunately for my two, they’re both an ideal weight, but at least this helps me check it easily. horseweighbridgenortheast.com

Looking dapper >> I’ve also spruced up the boys with the amazing help of Amelia Jay Sanderson from Prestige Equine.

Amelia is an experienced professional groom based in the North East. She won the Horse & Hound Groom of the Year in 2020 and her work is immaculate. She clips, trims, plaits and tidies; Oli and Strider have never looked so buff! You can find Prestige Equine on Facebook or call Amelia on: 07769 118465.

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So it’s a start, and with regional championships beckoning in June, plus plenty of training and test riding beforehand - and some show jumping to add in to the mix - I’m excited and keen to shake off the cobwebs and get out there.

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LUXE LOCKS

Summer fling Hoorah… summer is in sight!

Dare we say that life is starting to feel ‘normal’ again? There’s definitely a buzz of excitement in the air al fresco dining, days spent shopping and, of course new hair dos for everyone.

The last lockdown, which we hope was the last lockdown, is fast becoming a distant memory that we’d all like to put behind us and look to a brighter future where we can once again live life to the full and appreciate the simple things in life that we once took for granted.

Hairdressers up and down the country have had the mammoth task of restoring everyone back to their former glory, which has had its challenges - correcting some home hair disasters and restyling just about everyone who’s walked through the salon doors! We can only imagine how much hair has been cut off in the last few weeks since we reopened.

The new year is often the time that many people reinvent their look and change their style, but that was put on hold this time. The reopening of salons and the start of summer is definitely inspiring lots of people to

MAY/JUN21

change things up, dust off the lockdown blues and try something new.

There’s nothing like a new look and some gorgeous colour to rejuvenate your image and make you feel a million dollars. A change of style doesn’t need to be drastic - if you’re brunette, you don’t have to become blonde - but you can still change your colour enough to feel refreshed and renewed without a major shock to the system.

Take our beautiful model Alisha - she loves her dark locks, but still likes a colour that's striking and head-turning a combination of multi-tonal, light reflecting brunette shades create a sun-kissed look that is perfect for the summer season. Blow-dried with fullness and loosely waved to create a cool, undone look, then finished with a spritz of shine spray to sparkle in the sun.

Hopefully we’ll all get the chance to hit the beaches of exotic shores soon; but for now, we can most certainly get beach ready and live our best lives in the summer sun of the North East.

Now somebody get me a cocktail.

Michael x

Michael Young and Gary Hooker run Hooker & Young, with four salons across the North East. hookerandyoung.co.uk

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SPACE TO GROW

Finding clarity and focus for brighter days ahead with our luxe life coach, Teresa Peters...

Teresa Peters is our luxe life coach.

Her job as an EMCC accredited executive and life coach at senior practitioner level is to support and energise people with the tips and tools to help them feel more

fulfilled and find an ability to thrive both personally and professionally.

She lives with her husband and three children in Northumberland, where she loves nothing more than enjoying the great outdoors and the natural beauty on her doorstep.

Throughout the pandemic, Teresa has turned her hand to virtual coaching for individuals and businesses big and small. Sam Spoors is a recent client flourishing from the results of Accelerator Coaching... acceleratorcoaching.co.uk

Sunshine state of mind

On top of that, she had a beautiful COVID wedding and has moved to her forever home in Morpeth.

When she’s not working, her four energetic children and step-children like to keep her busy. With the launch of her new talent business, she turned to Teresa for performance and leadership coaching…

NAME: Sam Spoors JOB TITLE: Founder and Talent and Resourcing Director HOMETOWN: Morpeth

Sam is the owner and founder of Talentheads, a talent and resourcing business designed to work as an internal function for growing organisations to recruit and retain the very best people.

Like many, 2020 was a big year for Sam. She wound down a business and created a short-term business to help those affected by job uncertainty due to the pandemic.

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I decided to look into professional coaching because...

Being a business owner is challenging.

And to do it in a pandemic brings a completely different challenge. I wanted to work with someone who could help me find balance, provide me with perspective and ensure I was establishing the foundations of Talentheads based on my values, passions, successes and approach.

It has been key for my development because...

It has ensured that I have a well-thoughtout approach to business. It has helped me to review my strengths and share my ideas. Being able to go over my thoughts with a professional has

Some of the tools I have found most useful are...

Simply chatting things through and looking further into yourself and your approach. Being a leader, you naturally do that for others, however it is incredibly valuable to be able to review and understand your own needs. The DiSC and strengths profiling provided an evidence-based approach which was complemented by the fluidity of the coaching each week. I have used all of these findings when approaching new clients, hosting important meetings and when having to dig deep during the pandemic.

5 Reasons I would recommend to friends and peers…

- It’s an eye opener when you have concentrated on others for the majority of your career - A rewiring is sometimes needed: I now see ‘stressful’ meetings as ‘important’ meetings, which put things hugely into perspective - It’s empowering to know your strengths and approach - it gives you confidence and resilience knowing yourself - It gives you the time and space to stop and refocus. Our weekly meetings allowed me to work ‘on the business’ rather than ‘in the business’ - You have support. You need professionals around you when growing a business, and Teresa is definitely that!

Teresa’s bespoke approach meant that...

I felt 100% supported throughout. She is personable, full of energy and you can’t help leave every session with a spring in your step. She truly listens and challenges… then the answers come flooding in. Being a business owner can be lonely, but with a professional sounding-board, you feel like you have certainty as your ideas have been validated.

What’s next for my business...

Due to large contract wins, we are growing. We are working alongside managers and senior stakeholders who are looking to engage with experts who can come into their business and work shoulder to shoulder with them. We’re going to concentrate on the talent and resourcing service we provide, building partnerships along the way. I’m excited bring it on!

allowed me to gain perspective and weigh up all of my options when growing and moving forward.

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FIND YOUR FLOW

TEA BREAK

Tackling your summer sleep pattern Yoga & A Brew’s Rebecca Dale helps us drift off to dreamtime with postures and podcasts to help us sleep through the sunny seasons...

The longer days and lighter nights are something we all crave and look forward to as the sunny months set in. As we embrace the brighter and warmer way of living we become more open to what life has to offer. One of the downfalls though, is that many of us come to experience sleep problems. As melatonin - the sleep hormone that is triggered by darkness - reduces, it can make it more difficult than ever for us to switch off and get a good night’s sleep.

The greatest, and often neglected, natural reset and recuperate remedy that we all have access to is sleep. It is critical in the rehabilitation process of, well, everything!

The body, brain, mind, lungs, heart and all other organs - sleep heals and restores balance, it regulates the nervous system, hormones, blood pressure, mood, optimises organ function and reboots the immune system. We humans need it and as sleep scientist Matthew Walker says: “Sleep is Mother Nature’s best effort yet to counter death.” In other words, sleep is what keeps us living - and living well.

In my continued personal research around yoga and wellness, I have become obsessed with sleep and how I, as a teacher, can use this knowledge to guide people into a state that prepares the body and mind for sleep.

With that in mind, I’m going to share with you some yoga poses that will encourage you into a more restful, relaxed and peaceful state so that you can have the blissful night’s sleep you deserve. *Please note that if you are new to yoga, or you are ill, injured or pregnant, you should consult with your doctor before trying these poses. By choosing to do this you take full responsibility for any loss or injury incurred.

I recommend doing this after you have turned off screens for the night and are getting ready for sleep.

For that extra bit of sleep support you can also listen to my free guided sleep meditation on the Yoga & A Brew podcast. Search on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. If you would like to work with me more in-depth and find out how Yoga & A Brew can elevate your life then please get in touch via Instagram or Facebook @yogaandabrew or yogaandabrew@gmail.com.

need: What you will Js or Comfortable P loungewear Two pillows Night-time tea

Child’s pose >> - Bring your toes together and knees out wide - Place a pillow or two in front of you - Lie down onto the pillows and close your eyes - Breathe deeply in to the belly - Stay here for 2-5 minutes

Supported forward fold >> - Bring your legs straight out in front of you - Bend the knees and place a pillow underneath them - Take another pillow and rest it on top of your thighs - Allow the spine to naturally curve as you fold forward onto the pillow - Breath deeply into the belly - Stay here for 2-5 minutes

Waterfall / legs up the wall >> - Lie on your back - Bring your legs up into the air and place them onto a wall, sofa or bed, above your heart - Close your eyes - Breathe deeply into your belly - Stay here for 2-5 minutes

yogaandabrew.co.uk

MAY/JUN21

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RURAL RETREAT

Say yes to the Secret Spa

Elysia Fryer finds bliss inside the Devonshire Spa’s beautiful new bell tent Secret Spa experience

After a fairly drawn out, dark winter hibernating indoors, we’ve been craving the feeling of soaking up the sun from the comfort of a spa-like sanctuary that takes us beyond the bathroom and the garden.

As the spring/summer season blossoms and the world begins to gently wake up again, we’ve had our sights set on places to retreat, recharge and revel in a treatment or two. Cue the Devonshire Spa’s indulgent new Secret Spa experience - the perfect rural retreat for two, bundling up everything needed to truly enjoy the relaxing day we all deserve.

The idea is to take the spa experience we all know and love and put a personalised, socially-distanced twist on it, without compromising on the luxuries we associate with a day in paradise.

A sunny Sunday cruise through the Dales brings us to the Devonshire Arms, set within 30,000 acres of glorious countryside.

The perfect tonic for a bit of good-for-thesoul R&R. Once a humble traveller’s inn sitting on the southern edge of the Yorkshire Dales, the Devonshire Arms is now home to some of the finest, locally-grown and sourced produce in the county, beautifully designed rooms and communal areas, and a relaxing spa in the most idyllic location.

This charming country house hotel is a real escape to the country, and a place we’re lucky enough to find ourselves in as we start to work our way around our beautiful region as lockdown restrictions begin to ease.

The hidden village of sheltered spa sanctuaries are scattered across the grounds, meaning you can enjoy the

ultimate private spa experience, with first-class facilities and treatments at your fingertips. It has a campsite feel with an incredibly luxe charm.

The Secret Spa is the wellness experience we’ve all been waiting for. Greeted with a big, behind-the-mask smile and reassurance that we’re in a safe space, we’re guided to our base for the day - our beautiful bell tent in the gorgeous Devonshire grounds.

Just a stone’s throw from all that the Devonshire Spa has to offer, our bell tent hideaway is a place to switch off, soak up the spring sunshine and really let the surroundings do the talking.

Snowdrop, our private bell tent, is ours for the day. It's the perfect rural retreat for two, boasting breathtaking views across the rolling countryside that the estate sits within. The outside space is as inviting as the cosy interior. Think endless green fields,

It’s the perfect rural retreat for two, boasting breathtaking views across the rolling countryside that the estate sits within. the tranquility of the stream flowing below us, and lambs leaping through the fields in the distance. The perfect image of spring; so incredibly apt for what we feel is a new way of life. A moment in time to treasure.

Inside, you’ll find everything from fluffy robes and slippers, to beanbags surrounding a log burner, a tea and coffee station and DIY beauty products for self-pampering between treatments. Complete with hairdryer, hair straighteners and a mirror for changing, plus board games, face mask treatment menus and drinks menus for those marking the occasion with a tipple or two, the team has covered everything to ensure you have a relaxing and truly indulgent day in paradise.

We kick things off with a cup of Yorkshire

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MAY/JUN21

RURAL RETREAT

tea and fresh-out-the-oven pastries, enjoyed al fresco as we sink into our loungers, preparing for a morning of drifting and dozing in the spring sunshine.

You are very much left to your devices at the Devonshire Spa, but rest assured, the hard work is done for you. Hosts are on hand to help create a bespoke itinerary to ensure a visit is as socially-distanced and as stress-free as possible. First up, it’s a dip in the jacuzzi inside the spa building. There’s simply no better way to start a Sunday… bubbling away the worries of the week gone by.

We retreat back to our bell tent base for a little bit of R&R before we are called for our treatments. We’ve opted for the 45 Minute Signature Massage - a personalised treatment with a focus on the back, neck and shoulders. The therapist takes time to chat through the treatment and any problem areas to ensure the massage leaves us feeling refreshed and invigorated. A gentle yet nourishing treatment that welcomes us back to the massage table with ease. Using dreamy Temple Spa products, we leave feeling like a better version of ourselves.

Post-treatment, we return to our blissful hideaway to enjoy a refreshment or two,

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take in the scenery and the subtle sounds of nature that surround us.

After an afternoon sipping and smiling in the sunshine, our afternoon tea hamper arrives - a stunning selection of sweet and savoury treats in an adorable picnic-style wicker basket, complete with a refreshing G&T. Expect everything from ham hock, sourdough and piccalilli, to cured salmon profiteroles, fruit scones and carrot cake.

The indulgent afternoon tea experience can be swapped in for a brunch or champagne special, so whatever the occasion, there’s a Secret Spa day for you.

Our spa day comes to a close with a final bit of sunlounger sipping following our quintessential, al fresco feast.

The Secret Spa really is the answer to all of our prayers when it comes to getting back to the spa, without having to worry about socially-distancing. Think of it as a dreamy den to rest up and retreat in style, with your significant other.

We couldn’t recommend it enough, and can’t wait to return for more summer days in the hands of the smiling faces at the Secret Spa. devonshirehotels.co.uk/the-secret-spa

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Heydays ahead >> Spend summer evenings soaking up the sun in the garden thanks to Bridgman’s beautiful Hampstead Square Dining Table. Perfect for al fresco dining and unwinding with a glass of the good stuff. £1,579. bridgman.co.uk

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MAY/JUN21

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FOOD NOTES

HOME COMFORTS with chef Chris Baber Celebrating British produce, summer suppers and big foodie events!

MY WORLD >> I’ve been busy filming something for the TV so have been lucky enough to get out on a bit of a UK tour, which is just a real privilege after being stuck in the flat for a long period of time in the winter months. It’s been really great to get out and about, visiting some of the country’s greatest suppliers and farmers, learning more about seasonal British food.

I’ve been in Cornwall learning about cheese, I’ve been in the Scottish isles talking about salmon - it’s been such a nice experience to travel and meet the people producing the food, especially after the year we’ve had. Supporting Britain is so important at the moment, and if I can do that with my cooking and share that with others, then great.

Even though it’s been work, I’ve been really enjoying the focus and the change of pace - getting on a train and travelling somewhere and mixing with people has been a real treat. It’s made me realise how important human interaction is.

But above all, I just want to point out that eating food at its freshest really just brings home the message that if you’re eating seasonal ingredients, you don’t have to do that much with them to make them taste delicious.

MY FOOD DIARY >> This time of the year is all about the Jersey Royals. Simply boiling them and topping with mint and fresh butter, just works wonderfully with any meal as the weather warms up. At this time of the year, I find that it is less about the recipe and more about the ingredients used. For me, the transition into spring/summer brings lots of excitement when it comes to really fresh, good-for-you veg. Jersey Royals and asparagus are up there for me right now.

Between touring, filming and experimenting with seasonal ingredients for my live cook-a-longs, I’ve been enjoying a bit of nostalgic food. My first job was in a Chinese restaurant in Hexham called the Golden Dragon. The owner Will is still a good friend of mine; his dad, the chef, used to get us around the table after our shift - his food was just incredible. When I’m at home I always go and eat with them, but in lockdown he’s been sharing his recipes and I’ve been trying to recreate some really authentic Chinese cuisine. For me, food is nostalgia - my favourite dishes are the ones that take me back to happy memories. It never seems to be anything fancy - it’s always that comfort food where there’s a memory attached to it, and I’ve got great memories of sitting around the table at the Golden Dragon.

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ASK CHRIS >> If you’ve got any questions you want to ask Chris - whether it’s a recipe you’d like to see, information about his live cook-a-longs, or recommendations for restaurants in the North East or across the country - please get in touch via his Instagram page. Chris will select a handful of questions and answer them in the next column. #AskChris instagram.com/chrisbaber

INSPIRED BY THE SEASONS >> The change in cooking method is what excites me most as we head into the summer months. I’m really looking forward to getting outside and cooking on the BBQ. Picnics are really important at the moment too, with that being one of the only ways we can meet friends. There’s something special about packing up a load of your favourite things and eating outside

with loved ones. It’s just that change in mindset and thinking about what you can do when it comes to eating outdoors. My hero picnic dish is a homemade Moroccan sausage roll with lamb and harissa. Throw in some dried fruit, pine nuts and roll it up in puff pastry, chuck it in the oven, cut it up into big slices and enjoy it hot or cold on a picnic. That’s the one for me, I love a sausage roll!

Q: We’re getting ready to fire up the BBQs for the summer months ahead.

What are your staple al fresco at home dishes?

A: You can’t beat the classics burgers and sausages. I also love lamb on the BBQ - lamb and mint kebabs are a must. I use lamb mince with some cumin, fennel and mint - perfect with a yoghurt dipping sauce. A Butterfield leg of lamb is also a treat - marinade it in lemon, garlic, oil, rosemary and anchovies before you get it on a hot BBQ for 10-15 mins per side and it will be perfectly pink. I love fish on the BBQ too, local sardines are just perfect with salt and a squeeze of lemon.

TRY THIS >>

Harissa Lamb Sausage Rolls

Serves 4

My twist on the British classic, with spicy Moroccan-style harissa and a tzatziki dip.

Nobody will be able to resist these at a party.

Ingredients 1 tsp vegetable oil 1 large white onion 3 garlic gloves 45g rose harissa paste 400g 20% fat lamb mince 70g breadcrumbs 75g dried apricots 0.25 packs mint 15g flat leaf parsley 320g puff pastry 1 egg 1 pinch cinnamon 1 tub tzatziki Method Dice the white onion and garlic gloves, chop the mint and flat leaf parsley and beat the eggs in preparation.

Preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7. Heat the vegetable oil in a medium saucepan, then add onion and

garlic and cook for 8 minutes until soft.

Add the harissa paste and heat for a further 4 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, then set aside to cool. Stir in the lamb, breadcrumbs, apricots and fresh herbs.

Lay the pastry on a flat surface and cut it in half lengthways so you have two longer, thinner rectangles. Split the filling in half and place each portion on the top third section of each piece of pastry.

Fold the pastry over to cover the filling and crimp the edge at one side with a fork. Brush all over with egg and sprinkle over a pinch of cinnamon and sea salt.

Cut into four large sausage rolls (or 8-12 for a party). Bake on a baking tray for around 25 minutes, until the pastry turns golden and is cooked through.

Serve with tzatziki on the side and enjoy!

FOODIE HAPPENINGS >> All being well, there’s a festival called The Big Feastival, which will be happening across the August bank holiday. It is held on Alex James’s farm in the Cotswolds - it was cancelled last year, so I’m really looking forward to that.

In London, there’s events like Taste of London coming up in July, which is a great opportunity to get back out there and catch up with friends in the food world. There’s another fantastic festival called Pub in the Park, which was launched by Tom Kerridge in Marlow. That was cancelled last year too, so I’m really excited to get back to it.

Eating out and supporting restaurants is high up on my agenda this summer. I can’t wait to come back up to the North East and eat in some of my favourite places. Riley’s Fish Shack is a summer-must, as is Trenchers at Spanish City - seafood is certainly a seasonal stable for me back home. I also want to get to House of Tides in Newcastle and Restaurant Hjem just down the road from my hometown in Hexham - I've heard great things and really looking forward to trying it.

MAY/JUN21

TULIP TIME

Savouring the seasons WITH KAREN PHILLIPS

Tulips tucked into Turk’s turbans… and so began my love affair with tulips resulting in a business to fund ‘my addiction’. This year we’ll import 100,000 bulbs directly from Holland.

We send bulbs to customers all over the country and I love nothing more than the emails that follow, featuring photographs of the tulips beginning to flower. Giving a gift of tulips - or indeed any bulb - is like giving a present twice: you get thanked when you hand it over and you get thanked again when they flower in the garden.

A little bit of history…

It’s no great surprise that I fell in love with the flower that sparked Tulip Mania in 1637 - in that year a single bulb changed hands for the price of a smart townhouse in Amsterdam! But then the market spectacularly collapsed creating the first example of an economic bubble.

The most prized tulip bulbs were those which could suddenly ‘break’ to provide a flower boasting beautiful feathery or flame-like patterns, often referred to as ‘Rembrandt’ tulips. It took until 1930 (almost 300 years) to solve the mystery of the ‘breaking’ flower bulb; it was actually the result of a virus, the tulip breaking virus.

This must be one of the few instances where a diseased item became more prized than healthy ones. The Wakefield and North of England Tulip Society, established in 1836, is the only surviving tulip society - for a mere £10 you can become a member and get sent some breeder bulbs to look after and propagate and perhaps show at the society, who knows you may win first prize. tulipsociety.co.uk How to choose your tulips Depending on the tulip chosen you can have flowers from early March to late May. When the weather is cold the bulbs flower a little later, so up north our tulips last longer than down south. The tulips that flower in March generally have shorter stems (25-45cm)

compared to those that flower in May (50-70cm), so bear this in mind if you are choosing tulips to plant in a specific pot.

A small pot with overly tall tulips will look rather out of balance as will a large pot with very short stemmed tulips - I’ve made both these mistakes in the past.

Tulip flowers come in many forms from simple souls in every shade such as ‘Apricot Beauty’ and darkest purple ‘Queen of Night’, to buxom double, peony flowers like ‘Blue Diamond’.

Lily flowered tulips generally have longer stem lengths so look fabulous dotted within herbaceous borders; bright orange ‘Ballerina’ definitely adds some zing in spring.

There are fringed tulips that can look like the tips of the petals are covered in ice crystals or, in my mind, like the edge of a margarita glass. For those who yearn for drama in the garden there are exotic parrot tulips with their wavy, feathered edges.

I only truly understood this name when I visited a garden with our amazing tulip photographer, Sabina Rüber, and met a lady and her husband taking their two parrots for a day out - they were even sharing their sandwiches with them. It was only as we walked away and I looked back to see the back of this white and yellow parrot sitting on the lady’s shoulder that the feathers looked exactly like tulip ‘White Parrot’.

And finally, we’ll touch on those ‘broken’ tulips that sparked the frenzy - will it be ‘Rem’s Favourite’ that looks like a dish of blackcurrant ripple ice cream, or ‘Texas Flame’ a stunning yellow with red flames - now there is a talking point in the garden.

Where to plant Tulips are originally from the mountain slopes of Turkey, where they have cold winters, plenty of water in the spring, and then bake for the rest of the year. The closer they can get to that, the better they will do.

If you have good drainage and a reasonably sunny situation in July and August, your bulbs should do just fine. They need heat to ripen next year’s flower buds.

FAQ: Why does the tulip not come back for multiple years when so many other flower bulbs do?

Certain varieties are more persistent than others but generally we don’t have warm enough summers for them to flourish year after year. We have tulip meadows here that we plant in grass and each year we add about 3,000 tulips to keep the display going.

Should I lift my tulips after they have finished flowering?

I don’t - life’s too short! What I do is grab all the stems in a pot and pull the whole lot out, compost and all, and plant in a hole somewhere in the garden - some will come back next year but not all of them. You can separate the individual bulbs and dry them - any that measure more than 10cm around their widest part will flower the following year - smaller ones will just produce leaves so ditch those. But as a good customer will warn you, as he went to plant his carefully dried and stored bulbs only to find a pile of nibbled empty casings, beware of the mice.

How deep should I plant?

Ideally you should have two times the size of the bulb of soil above the bulb, but I never plant that deep. You don’t need a special bulb-planting tool, indeed I use my trusty ‘snake tongue trowel’ and a kneeler to plant 9,000 each year.

Can I keep them in a pot year after year?

Personally, I wouldn’t because you want your pots to be looking ‘tip top’ and what will happen in year two onwards is that you’ll get more leaves and fewer flowers.

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Tulips do well in any open, light location (in too much shade, they tend to diminish from year to year). They even do well in north-facing spots and simply provide longer stems and later flowers. That’s a top tip for any florists out there since generally the earlier tulips don’t provide the stem length that they are seeking.

When to plant A bulb is an underground stem surrounded by modified leaves called scales, much like

an onion, and is a storage organism of food to allow the bulb to survive in times of adversity; so when people say, ‘Oh, I forgot to plant my bulbs in autumn and just found them in the garage, so I threw them away...’, I scream! We have planted as late as March here and had exactly the same display, as long as you buy quality, large bulbs and store them in a cool, dark place they should do fine. The majority of the 9,000 bulbs we plant annually at the farm are planted between Christmas and New Year.

UPCOMING COURSES @LINNELS FARM Note: all events are subject to lockdowns/government restrictions. Stay tuned on the Linnels Farm website for further updates and announcements.

FOUNDATIONAL HAND CALLIGRAPHY >> 5 JUNE Join Angela Reed from Creative Calligraphy as she guides you through the process of using a broad-edged pen to form the foundational alphabet. All materials are provided and are yours to keep, so you can continue your calligraphy journey at home. Tea and cake provided to fuel your foundational hand.

CANDLE MAKING WITH BERNICIA CANDLES >> 8 JUNE Caroline will guide you through an informative practical course on hand pouring soy wax candles. You will get the opportunity to choose different fragrances and containers to produce and take away your hand poured products as candles for yourself or lovely gifts.

THE FRAGRANT GARDENER >> 9 JUNE Create a Perfumed Paradise in your garden. If you choose plants just for the way they look, then you’re missing out. Join Karen for this one-day scented garden workshop and you’ll depart with seeds sown, hand-made place settings and the confidence to create a perfumed paradise in any outdoor space.

SIMPLY SOURDOUGH >> 16 JUNE We’ll set you off on your sourdough journey with our ‘tried and tested’ starters and you’ll produce Lucy’s Luscious Loaf, along with a long-lasting Danish Rye Bread packed full of grains. You’ll learn recipes that use up leftover starter from indulgent chocolate brownies, to poppy seed crackers and scones along the way.

STREETFOOD – SE ASIAN >> 17 JUNE Join us for a foray into the world of South East Asian Street Food on this hands-on cookery course - it’s possibly the closest you’ll get to travelling there this year.

NATURAL PERFUMERY >> 1 JULY Join Michele, a Perfumer, on this hands-on course and you will learn about the magic of working with natural extracts and how to create your own signature fragrance using natural perfumery ingredients. Depart with your sense of smell re-awakened, along with your very own signature fragrance.

For further details and to book visit: linnelsfarm.com

luxe-magazine.co.uk 49

ADVERTORIAL

Summer sweets

Christopher Spence, owner and head chef of Undisclosed Sunderland, satisfies the sweet tooth with a summer favourite celebrating the flavours of one of our favourite fruits for the season ahead... restaurant-undisclosed.com

Rhubarb Tart

Rhubarb gel

Rhubarb crisp

Rhubarb compote

Ingredients 750g rhubarb juice 60g sugar 11g agar agar 250g grapefruit juice

Ingredients 500ml water 500g sugar 500g rhubarb

Ingredients 500g chopped rhubarb 100g sugar 50g red port wine 5g hibiscus 1 vanilla pod

Method Heat the rhubarb juice and sugar up to simmer. In a separate pan heat up the grapefruit juice, add agar agar and stir until dissolved. Remove from the heat and add the grapefruit juice. Mix together then pour into a lined tray and set in the fridge for 12 hours, until it becomes a jelly. Remove from mould, place into a blender and blitz until smooth, then pass through a fine sieve.

Ginger creme patisserie Serves 12

Ingredients 500g milk 6 egg yolks 100g caster sugar 20g cornflour 10g grated fresh ginger Method Bring the milk and ginger to a simmer and allow to infuse for 10 minutes. Beat the eggs and sugar together until it has doubled in volume and has gone pale. Pour milk through a fine sieve to remove the grated ginger. Pour a third of the milk into the eggs and stir, making sure to bring in the sides.

Pour the eggs and milk into the remaining milk and return to a low heat and continue to stir, making sure not to catch the pan.

Allow to thicken. It should coat the back of a spoon. Cover with cling film and allow to cool.

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Method Use a mandolin to slice the rhubarb as finely as possible. Bring the water and sugar to around 89°C, add the rhubarb and warm until it has become almost translucent. Add rhubarb to a lined baking tray and place in a dry oven at 50°C for 24 hours.

Method Add all ingredients to a pan and reduce.

Remove rhubarb from liquid and reduce liquid to a syrup consistency. Mix in rhubarb and leave to cool in a tub.

Italian meringue

Ginger tart cases

Ingredients 85g water 400g sugar 200g egg white 1tsp lemon juice

Ingredients 420g plain flour Pinch of salt 250g unsalted butter 2 egg yolks 1 tbsp ice water 15g grated stem ginger

Method Beat the egg whites in a mixer until it has stiff peaks. Add lemon juice as this will stop the over-beating of the whites. Bring the sugar and water to 121°C, keeping the egg whites mixing on a low speed. Add the sugar syrup slowly and in stages. Add to the piping bag when it is glossy and incorporated.

Method Mix flour and salt in a large bowl. Add the cubed butter and ginger. Use a pastry blender to break in the butter until the mixture has a crumbly, pebble-like texture about the size of peas. Mix the egg with two tablespoons of the water. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients and add the beaten egg mixture, mixing with a fork until the dough holds together. If it’s not coming together easily, add the additional tablespoon of ice water.

Place the compote into a tart case, pipe the meringue and bake for 20 minutes, or until the meringue is golden-brown.

Decorate with the gel, crisps and creme patisserie.

MAY/JUN21

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MAY/JUN21

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luxe-magazine.co.uk

51

WELL NESTED

Taking flight

While it’s tempting to fly the nest and explore some more as the country comes back to life, we’re honing in on what it means to be home, with Chris Wood and Jack Brown, the brains behind Heaton’s new neighbourhood restaurant

“The bird a nest, the spider a web, man friendship.”

William Blake

A genuine love for the North East, paired with a solid friendship formed through the foundations of working in food, is what brings Chris and Jack together for their new venture, Nest. A collaborative concept born from a shared understanding that great food and indulgent dining doesn’t need to be a daunting experience.

Nest is the new neighbourhood restaurant you need to know about, setting up sticks (quite literally) on Chillingham Road in Heaton. It’s a small, 33-cover site set within a mid-40s terrace, with big plans to become a home from home for food-lovers across the North East and from afar.

Luxe settles in for a virtual cuppa with Chris and Jack as plans progress and Nest starts to take shape.

I quickly discover that the pair are as passionate about pointing out all that our region has to offer as we are. An ethos instilled in both of them, having worked at numerous venues across the North East over a decade or so in the hospitality trade here.

It’s been quite the journey, navigating through a global pandemic and ensuring all decisions are made mindfully and cautiously

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to get the very best results ahead of opening, but it was perfect timing for a pair destined to work together.

“It’s a real love story isn’t it Jack?,” Chris laughs as we start from the beginning.

“Put it this way, his WhatsApp profile picture is a photograph of me and him, not his better half,” he adds.

Jack smiles: “We met in 2011 at Eshott Hall in Morpeth. Chris was already working there and I came in around two years later.

“Following that, we ended up going to the Apartment Group together and then we went on to open up the Crowne Plaza in Newcastle.

“So, unintentionally, we’ve kind of gone through these three stages of our career together with different companies. From our initial meeting at a luxury country house hotel in Northumberland, we went on to work at numerous Apartment Group venues, before setting up at the Crowne Plaza, which was a totally different beast. It was a big brand and a monster of a hotel.

“So I guess we’ve kind of been through it all together; and I don’t want to get too romantic about it, but it’s been quite the journey.”

“Fast forward to today and Jack has taken

me down this route to Nest, so I’ve got him to thank for that,” Chris adds.

We joke as I try hard not to over-romanticize the story. A chef and a front of house manager riding the wave of the food world, then settling down to take to their nest.

Nest is a concept - or a ‘brotherhood’ of a business - that has been bubbling away for some time now. Both well established in their roles within the hospitality industry in the region, it was about waiting for the right moment to really get their heads together and bring their ideas to life.

“After Crowne Plaza, I was made redundant and we kind of went our separate ways,” Jack starts.

“I started doing a bit of consultancy work for an interior designer company in the region. I refitted a town centre bar in Durham for Ramside Estates. When I left that project, Marc - owner of interior design business Space ID - and now one of our business partners, approached me and said, ‘I’ve got some clients who have this dream of opening a venue, but never know where to go with it, do you fancy coming along and steering them in the right direction?’

“So we evolved this hospitality consultancy business and I needed someone who could do the kitchen side of things and I thought, ‘I know just the man for the job!’.

“Before we knew it, we were back working together, consulting for a few different venues, but it got to the point where we kind of just thought, ‘Why don’t we do this for ourselves and really get the opportunity

to be creative?’

“I guess it’s an exhibition of our own talents,” Chris adds.

“We wanted our place to showcase our own talents and love of good food and wine.

“Between our associates and contacts, we’ve got everything covered to really make it work. Space to Operate is the consultancy business that owns Nest - we’re a one-stop-shop covering everything from marketing, brand design, interior design and planning, to health and safety, operational support, recruitment, menu development and legislation.”

Backed by their business partners, who have been working behind-the-scenes to help get things up and running ready for launch, Chris and Jack are confident that they’ve covered all bases with the birth of Nest.

“We have two partners, Marc and Nick; Marc is an interior designer and Nick is a builder - he’s a dentist by trade, but he has a building firm,” says Jack.

“They’ve helped us set the business up, but once it’s up and running, myself and Chris will take the reins and be fully operational.

We’ve got the formula to make it work, and we’ve got a great support network around us too.”

Nest takes everything the duo know and love about the industry to create something really special. Something that steers away from the formalities of ‘fine dining’ and quite literally invites customers in as a friend. A place to relax and feel comfortable, but equally, a place to enjoy honest, humble

MAY/JUN21

WELL NESTED dining with real creative flair.

“We want to offer a really special experience that isn’t one you can only afford once a year,” Chris explains.

“We want to give people an opportunity to eat a £200 meal, but because we’re in a small unit with small overheads, we’re able to offer that really indulgent experience for a very reasonable price.

“It’s approachable and it’s accessible. Maybe you’ll be able to come and see us once a month - or certainly three or four times a year. We want to create a community where people can come together to enjoy that luxury experience, but in a really casual way.”

“The reason we called the restaurant Nest is because it really hones in on everything that we want to be,” Jack adds.

“A nest is a form of home, a place where you gather yourself - and that’s what it’s all about. We want people to come in and know Chris and I, not necessarily when they walk through the door, but certainly will when they leave.

“We want to create a comfortable environment where you feel like you could be sitting in your own living room, or a friend’s kitchen. Quality food, wonderful wine and a laid-back, buzzy soundtrack to go with it. Our price point is £45 per head for a 7-9 course tasting menu. It’s very reasonable, but there’s no compromise on quality.”

I get a sneak peek of the menu as Chris talks us through each dish and the meaning behind it. There’s a real emphasis on nostalgia and familiarity, so you’re not only getting delicious, locally-sourced produce crafted in a really spectacular style, but you’ll be tucking into dishes that mean something to both the chef and the customer.

“The menu is built around pretty simple, nostalgic flavours that really take you back.

You’ve got rhubarb and custard, you’ve got lamb and peas - we’re trying not to alienate people - it’s stuff we all know and love,” says Chris.

“It’s in no way intimidating. It’s real, but it’s great quality.”

“We really want people to come to us and have a wonderful experience, but not feel like it’s a once in a lifetime event,” Jack adds.

“I’m not going to be walking around with a big chef’s hat on meeting and greeting everyone,” Chris starts.

“But I do want people to feel like they can come to the pass and have a chat and ask questions. If I’m busy, do you know what, give me your number and I’ll text you the recipe - I’ve got no secrets. I just want people to feel like it’s very, very approachable in all aspects; not just the food and the comfort of the interior, but also with Jack and I.” So, what can we expect to see on the menu?

“You’ll find things like the ‘Nesting Egg’, which is a Jerusalem artichoke, truffle and butternut squash dish,” Chris explains.

“Or our favourite dish - the scallops with pork belly, curried carrot, carrot bhaji and coriander. Anything from roasted celeriac mousse to a rhubarb and custard dessert to finish,” he adds.

The Nest offering is not just a collection of the best seasonal produce, the menu tells a story - it’s an exhibition of the things that make Chris tick in the kitchen.

“Each dish has a meaning behind it,” Jack says.

An incredibly well-thought-out wine flight will accompany the menu, featuring some of the finest wines and wine suppliers the duo have come across in their vast career.

“We’ve got seven drinks on the wine flight,

MAY/JUN21

including a little, tongue-in-cheek shot at the end - it just goes perfectly with the last dessert. We’re pitching that at around £38, which is a fantastic offering.

“We’re not going for the standard wines you’d expect to see, we’re trying to steer people away from their comfort zones, but at a price where they feel like they can try something new. We want people to trust us, experiment a little and be wowed by it.”

Nest will feature a really striking yet incredibly welcoming interior to match the food and hospitality. Think natural stone and woodwork, dark decor with flickering candles to create a laid-back and cosy, yet buzzy vibe.

“Once we’ve smashed the place to pieces and we find out what’s behind the plasterboard and what’s underneath the floorboards, we can then make some firm decisions on the design, but currently, the theme is very much focused around polished concrete features and natural, earthy materials,” Jack explains.

“There will be a lot of wood, naturally, to tie in with the name. Manipulated willow chasing around the windows, hand-crafted furniture, it will all feel very natural, yet very well thought out, with a contemporary, homely feel to it,” adds Chris.

“We’ve got an open kitchen with a chef’s table at the top. We want it to feel like people are coming to dine at our house.

We just want to spoil people. I’m obviously a bit of a feeder, and Jack more of a liquid feeder, but it’s all about familiarity and getting to know our customers. It’s not an ego thing, we just like to know people by name. It makes it enjoyable for us as much as it is for our diners.”

For Jack, Newcastle and Northumberland has always been home, so setting up a business in his personal and professional playground is a real bucket list moment.

Equally, for Chris, although he grew up and kick-started his career in Essex, the North East has very much become an adopted home where he has spent much of his professional adult life.

“I was born in Bristol but grew up in Essex,” Chris starts.

“My dad is still in the West Country, so I’ve got a big affiliation with the area and love any of the produce that comes from there.

I was in Colchester up until the age of 22 and then I moved to the North East with my now wife, who’s mum moved from Doncaster to retire in Seahouses of all places. During our second or third visit to the North East we just fell in love with the area. We put our notices in at work, upped sticks and moved here. We got married up here, had another child up here and my career really took off, so the North East is very much where it’s at.

“I know the pantry of ingredients that the North East has to offer better than any other area. Yes, I was in Essex for 22 years, but for 16 of those years I was just messing around and not really thinking about my career. I’m much more at home with the produce up here.

“My retirement dream is to set up a cider farm in Devon, but let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Now is time to do some nesting here in the North East.”

Chris and Jack assure me that we’re not going to be waiting too much longer for the opening of Nest.

“The launch date definitely begins with a J,” says Chris.

Alongside its tasting menu, Nest will also offer an indulgent Sunday lunch and daytime deli boards starting from £10.

We can’t wait to see you at this new neighbourhood restaurant. nestinthenorth.com

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DAYS OUT

LIVING LOCAL:

Low Newton-by-the-Sea Peaceful strolls, idyllic views and a whole load of history, Nicole Wood takes us on a tour along one of Northumberland’s most attractive coastlines....

Venturing outdoors and discovering the beauty surrounding us on our doorsteps has been something we’ve all enjoyed in recent months. The North East is home to some of the most incredible places, and for me, this quaint little spot sandwiched between Embleton and Seahouses is a hidden gem I’ve fallen in love with over the past year. Low Newton-by-the-Sea is

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considered by many to be one of the most attractive spots on the Northumberland Coast and although I may be a little biased, I have to agree.

If you’re looking to stretch your legs, admire gorgeous views and tuck into some seriously delicious comfort food, then a trip here should be on your summer agenda.

Think beautiful cream-washed cottages, quaint little pubs and a beach bursting with natural beauty.

STRETCH THOSE LEGS >> Dust off those fitness watches and get ready to knock your step goal out of the park.

The walk from Low Newton to Craster comes complete with stunning views and plenty of photo opportunities. Scenery aside,

depending on how far your feet take you, the walk is an average of 6-8km. Arguably, the beach here is one of the most beautiful locations in Northumberland. Not only is the aesthetic appealing to the eye, but in a time where we need to keep our distance, the area is so vast that even if the car park is full, the chances of feeling crowded is slim to none. Starting in Low Newton, make your way along the pooch-friendly beach and head for Dunstanburgh Castle - you’ll see it on the horizon immediately. Whether you’re geared up in your walking boots or taking the time to feel the sand between your toes, the route allows for ample opportunity to take in the lush landscape of the golden sands, mesmerising waves and rocky outcrops. Once you’ve reached Dunstanburgh Castle, the village of Craster

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DAYS OUT is approximately a mile further south along the coast. There, you can mooch around the village, take a pit stop at one of the local pubs or cafes and indulge in some much-needed refreshments before heading back. Exercise, food and pretty views, there’s simply no better way to spend a weekend by the sea.

WHERE TO VISIT >> Whether you’re building sandcastles with your little ones, taking your four-legged companion on an adventure, seeking out some local culture or looking to score yourself a hole in one, you’ll find something that guarantees smiles for all.

Dunstanburgh Castle Culture seekers should check out Dunstanburgh Castle - an iconic castle ruin, once one of the largest and grandest fortifications in northern England - standing magnificently on a remote headlined in Northumberland. Dunstanburgh Castle can be reached via a beautiful 1.3 mile walk along the coast from the nearby village of Craster. The site is steeped in history and is an ideal trip for those who are keen to learn about the local area. Discover the inhabitants of the many rock pools, enjoy the incredible walks surrounding the castle or watch out for the beautiful wildlife as birds soar above the shore. If you’re a National Trust member, then entry to Dunstanburgh Castle is free with a valid membership card. nationaltrust.org.uk/dunstanburgh-castle Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course Golf enthusiasts are in for a treat. A walk from Low Newton, across Embleton Bay and over the sand dunes will bring you to the impeccable greens of Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course. Sitting in the shadow of Dunstanburgh Castle, the course wraps around the magnificent Embleton Bay boasting spectacular views from every angle.

Designed by Open Championship winner and renowned course architect, James Braid, Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course offers an 18-hole layout, gorgeous greens, picturesque views and plenty of tests and challenges for all golfers courtesy of the testing sea winds. dunstanburgh.com Low Newton-by-the-Sea and Embleton Bay Ocean air and sandy strolls, there’s nothing quite like a day at the coast. Popular for water sports, avid walkers and bird watching, this gorgeous beach welcomes visitors all year round. Surfing is a popular motive for those who attend here. With the right weather conditions, the bay provides an excellent brake for surfers. Another popular reason many visit the area is for its spectacular wildlife. The area around Low Newton is well-known for its excellent bird watching opportunities. Set up camp on the beach or head up behind the sand dunes and get ready to witness the incredible wildlife, from seabirds, shorebirds and wildfowl, there’s much to be seen. Finally, many flock to this idyllic location to spend the day with their loved ones, playing in the sand and tiring those legs.

THE JOLLY FISHERMAN >> For tasty dishes that are fresh, local and seasonal, pay The Jolly Fisherman a visit.

Think stunning sea views, delicious home cooking and perfectly poured pints. Go here for a traditional pub experience steeped in character and charm - expect low beamed ceilings, charming decor and comfortable seating. Browse the menu and discover a wide selection of fresh catches including their famous crab soup, rib-eye steak, confit

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Dunstanburgh Castle and Dunstanburgh Castle Golf Course of duck and much more. The best part? They carefully source the best produce from local suppliers. Enjoy the perks of this country pub in their spectacular beer garden or head inside this May when the time allows. Dogs are welcome in the bar and outside area, but unfortunately not within the restaurant. thejollyfishermancraster.co.uk

Whether you’re geared up in your walking boots or taking the time to feel the sand between your toes, the route allows for ample opportunity to take in the lush landscape

SOMEWHERE TO STAY >> Newton Hall For being such a small place the Villages of Low Newton and High Newton have a variety of places for you to lay your head. From self-catering cottages to gorgeous hotels, there’s plenty of places to cosy up for an evening or two including the gorgeous Newton Hall. Located in one of the UK’s most beautiful places, Newton Hall is nestled in the heart of Northumberland, approximately a three-minute drive from Low Newton. The spectacular location of this charming venue offers guests the best of both worlds - tranquil countryside and breath-taking coastal views. The accommodation is individually designed to put the luxe into a luxury hotel, with irresistible charms including four-poster beds and private roof terraces, this stunning hall is kitted out for those who like to sleep in luxury. Think gorgeous boutique bedrooms, seriously sophisticated suites - whatever it is you’re looking for, it’s guaranteed you’ll find it here. newton-hall.com

WHERE TO SHOP >> Situated in a remote part of Northumberland's coast, Low Newton is a short journey away from any local shops.

There is a village shop in Embleton to the South and in Beadnell to the North, both of which are a couple of miles away. In Craster, there is a small village shop, but the nearest large supermarket or shopping amenities are located in Alnwick which is approximately 10 miles away.

WHERE TO EAT >> The Ship Inn When the mood for comfort food strikes, head for The Ship Inn. This cosy, whitewashed country pub has everything you need after a day at the coast. The independent business is renowned in the area for its local and fresh produce. The team here pride themselves on cooking fresh, simple food to an extremely high standard and boy do they do it well. Using only local ingredients, their menu is small and changes regularly, but one thing remains the same and that’s the incredible taste.

With a variety of vegetarian options, home-cooked dishes and the freshest seafood straight from Newton Bay, you’re in for a treat. Think fresh sandwiches and crisp salads on summer days, swallow fish smoked haddock in the evening and warm hearty soups after a long winter’s walk. shipinnnewton.co.uk

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A DOG’S LIFE

POSH POOCHES with Alfie, helped by Elysia Fryer

DOGCO Thoroughbred Blue Waterproof Car Boot Bed £89, dogco.uk

Summer daze The sun has got its hat on and our pooches are ready to play. Yes, that’s right, summer has rolled back around just like that. For our canine companions, not a lot changes when it comes to their ‘eat, sleep, walk, repeat’ schedule but as the weather gets warmer and the days get brighter, our pooches know they’re in for extra garden time, sandy paws and lots of weekend adventures.

As we prepare for what we hope is going to be a summer to remember, Alfie is leaping into summer with hopes of late night beach strolls, family outings in the countryside and plenty of paw-dipping moments. With that in mind, our Luxe pooch has picked out some cool kit for staycations, he’s enjoying a much-needed catch up with nephew, Henry, and he’s planning in some tailwagging action for your poochy diaries.

You don’t want to miss this.

Stay safe, have fun and enjoy your summer like never before paw-pals.

LISH LONDON Phillipp Grey Harris Tweed Pet Carrier £245, lishlondon.com

Alfie loves: Time to pack up for a perfect poochy getaway...

CHARLEY CHAU Charley Chau Deeply Dishy Luxury Dog Bed £140, charleychau.com RUFF AND TUMBLE Classic Dog Drying Coat £28.95 - £46.95, ruffandtumbledogcoats.com

Alfie, your Luxe pooch x

SOPHIE ALLPORT Sophie Allport Fetch Dog Toy £12, sophieallport.com

MADE.COM Kyali Pet Feeder & Storage in Natural Walnut £79, made.com

LISH LONDON Dixie Tartan Tweed Dog Collar £55, lishlondon.com

A date for your dog’s diary

have a good run around and say hello to other tail-wagging doggies.

Get ready for a tail-wagging weekend...

The North East Dog Festival will be returning in 2021 for humans and hounds alike with a spectacular outdoor weekend festival in the heart of the North East. Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 September are the dates for any dog lover’s calendar.

The festival will take place at Northumberland College’s Kirkley Hall Campus in Ponteland, a specialist animal and land-based training venue which is perfect for the scale of this poochy event.

Local business Durham Animal Feeds has jumped on board as a partner and Lee Hornsby, company director commented: “We are absolutely delighted to be sponsoring the 2021 North East Dog festival. After the year we’ve had, we think a huge celebration of the dogs that’ve been there to keep us all happy, healthy, active and accompanied throughout the crazy times we’ve all been through is a must!”

Thanks to the many local dog training clubs and in partnership with activity sponsor My Pet HQ, dogs will be able to try their paw at everything from agility to flyball, gundog scurries to hoopers. Tricks at the ready! There is also the chance to win prizes in games like Fastest Recall and Temptation Alley.

The Vets On The Meowve Wellness Tent will welcome expert speakers on topics ranging from dog behaviour to first aid and much more. Three charity dog shows will have classes in everything from Most Handsome Dog to the Best Biscuit Catcher, with lots of amazing prizes thanks to supporters Borthwicks Boarding, Grooms by Emily and Spotty Dog Design.

This festival is one not to be missed among the doggo community. Whether you’re looking to show off your pooches’ skills, gain some advice or simply enjoy the canine happenings, the whole weekend is guaranteed to put smiles on faces. Think tummy rubs, treats and lots of happy faces.

Tickets are available to buy now via: northeastdogfestival.com

DOGGY DOWNTIME >> Snuggled up on the sofa watching Dogs Behaving Badly (and taking notes!).

I love watching the TV - it’s been a lockdown saviour!

HOUND HABITS >> I was born in lockdown so I’m used to making sure I’m the centre of attention at all times. It works a treat. I also like to chew things I shouldn’t, like mum and dad’s curtains. Delicious.

Luxe Pooch Q&A My name is Henry. I’m a cheeky Working Cocker Spaniel pup that loves nothing more than chasing birds, snacking on apple and chicken and having snuggles with my family at home. I’m full of energy and my idea of a ‘luxe’ weekend is visiting my uncle Alfie in North Yorkshire.

LUXE WALKS >> Bolton Abbey, Roundhay Park and Eccup Reservoir are some of my favourite places to stretch my legs.

POOCH’S PERFECT DAY OUT >> I love to get the day underway with a puppuccino from our local cafe, followed by a nice long walk somewhere where I can

PUPPY PAMPER >> Belly rubs and a paw massage works a treat for me!

DOG’S BEST FRIEND >> Has to be my cousin Rupert and uncle Alfie.

I get so excited when we meet for puppy play dates in the garden.

FONDEST DOGGY MEMORY >> My first walk, what a hoot! I was a little bit nervous at first, but I had so much fun exploring and smelling everything. We went to the woods and there were lots of squirrels for me to chase. Puppy’s paradise.

PUPPY A-LISTER? Scrappy Doo!

Don’t forget to get in touch and send in pics of your pooch for our next issue via Facebook, Twitter and Instagram… facebook.com/luxemag

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@theluxemagazine

theluxemagazine

MAY/JUN21

SET SAIL

A superyacht staycation

Luxe uncovers the ultimate million pound staycation, cruising the stunning South Coast on board the Motor Yacht Chess As the summer approaches and we all start to think of our first holiday after what feels like forever, there’s no better time to really push the boat out - in more ways than one!

The staycation industry has been on the up for some time now, but what might usually make up mini breaks and city getaways between bigger, far-flung holidays, seems to be becoming our main vacations, right here on home turf.

This summer, we’re mixing it up a little.

We might not be jetting off on a long-haul adventure, but we’re leaving home ‘land’ to experience a beyond luxurious experience with West Nautical.

Rather than waiting for the rest of the world to reopen, we’re gaining exclusive access to some of the world’s best anchorages right here in the UK from the luxury of a

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superyacht. An exclusive charter takes you to beautiful locations along the South Coast including The Isle of Wight, Weymouth, Torquay, The Jurassic Coast, Cowes and Falmouth.

Chess is a luxury 25-metre Sunseeker Superyacht and will be available for all-inclusive charters starting in Portsmouth from 28 May 2021.

Why charter?

A Superyacht gives staycationers the luxury of privacy and exclusivity. You will be able to reach more remote areas, hidden coves and have once-in-a-lifetime experiences off the beaten track. You have the flexibility to design your own itinerary and embrace spontaneity - something we’re all craving as we gently ease out of lockdown restrictions.

You’re well-catered-for on board too. A personal chef will join you on the journey.

With over 10 years of professional experience, your chef will tailor all dining to your preferences, ensuring you have plenty of blow-out feasts during your break, taking everything into account, from local produce, to dietary requirements and seasonal flavours.

Chess is also equipped with world-class watersports including stand up paddle boards, kayaks and a tender to take you ashore or to visit hidden coves and beaches.

Refitted in 2021, Chess is a 25m Sunseeker 82, the largest model available for charter in UK waters. She is situated in the perfect location for charters of the spectacular South Coast and all it has to offer in the summer months. She is also available to cruise further afield in the UK, including Scotland, on longer charters.

Chess features a spacious interior and exterior, offering the perfect space to cruise in luxury and style. She can accommodate eight guests over one master, one VIP and two twins that have been refitted to convert into doubles, with up to 12 guests whilst sailing. The main salon has luxurious walnut veneer throughout, leather upholstery and also features a dining table that comfortably sits 12 guests.

Her generous exterior decks are made of teak and feature a large bar, sunbathing and seating areas alongside alfresco dining tables and a BBQ - the place to be for relaxing and making the most of the sun with a cold drink in hand. Bliss.

She is the yacht we’ve all been waiting for when it comes to exploring the UK’s many beautiful coastal towns and beyond.

westnautical.com

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GORGEOUS GETAWAYS

An enchanting escape awaits at Middleton Lodge Estate. Think chic interiors, gardengrown food and a warm Yorkshire welcome. Elysia Fryer checks into her ‘happy place’…

UK GETAWAY:

Middleton Lodge Estate Middleton Lodge Estate holds a special place in my heart as the place I tied the knot just a couple of years ago.

Heaps of happy memories come flooding back as soon as I set my eyes on that tree-lined lane leading up to the estate.

But wedding memories aside, this place really is something special. It has the ability to instantly draw you in, in everything from its food and its interiors, to its friendly faces and finer details that ensure you have a truly exquisite stay at this good-for-the-soul, North Yorkshire escape.

LOCATION Set in a stunning, rural estate in the glorious North Yorkshire countryside near Richmond, it has everything you can dream of when it comes to an away-from-it-all getaway with all the luxuries on hand to ensure it’s a five-star break. The beauty of unwinding for a night or two at Middleton Lodge is in the peace and tranquillity of its surroundings, among many other things.

It has a real private member’s estate feel.

During a socially-distanced stay you’re

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greeted at the entrance gatehouse and guided to your suite or cottage, along a winding, gravel road, bypassing fields, towering trees, walled gardens and the buzzy Coach House restaurant.

With the A1 nearby, Darlington railway station within reach in under 10 miles and Teesside International Airport just a 20-minute drive, it’s in the perfect location for those travelling both locally and from afar.

STYLE Effortless style springs to mind at Middleton Lodge. It’s refined, rustic interiors are made to ensure you feel at peace instantly.

Think French chateau decor with warm Yorkshire accents thrown in. Everything from the Coach House and Forge restaurants, to the Fig House and the stunning suites dotted around the estate, all effortlessly flow from one to the other, with unique touches setting them apart.

Muted beige tones and worn woodwork make up the mood board, with touches of natural stone and earthy greens to remind us of the whimsical woodland we find ourselves in.

There really is something enchanting about every space you find yourself in here from the treatment rooms to the lounge, the washrooms and everything in between.

It truly oozes style and sophistication, but it is in no way ‘out-there’ or intimidating.

It’s home.

HOTEL HIGHLIGHTS Too many to mention. We quite honestly love everything about this place. It really does have the power to instantly transport you to peace and tranquillity. Everything from the food to the finer details like the in-room toiletries, have been carefully considered to ensure a stay at Middleton Lodge is as comfortable and as memorable as possible.

It’s refined, rustic interiors are made to ensure you feel at peace instantly

What is so refreshing about the estate is that it really celebrates its sense of place.

The menu is formed using fresh, seasonal ingredients from the walled garden, beautiful, old-style farm buildings have been brought back to life in their original form and friendly faces greet you, often local and genuinely delighted to be sharing the experience. It’s a match made in heaven. It’s North Yorkshire at its very finest, but it also has the ability to give you that worlds-away feel. Lost in the countryside. Checking in to a chic chateau in the South of France. It’s an escape, but it’s not a million miles away from home. It feels like home, but it’s an opportunity to get away and retreat. To put it simply, it’s pure bliss and that’s why we love it here.

LAY YOUR HEAD There’s no doubt about it, you’ll drift off to dreamtime as soon as your head hits the pillow. Fresh, white linen awaits in your suite, and you’re surrounded by all the comforts you need to ensure you’re well rested in a truly ‘luxe’ environment. Our ‘Undercroft’ suite is hidden in the corner of The Dairy courtyard, a beautiful converted barn building near the Forge restaurant.

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GORGEOUS GETAWAYS

Looking out onto the field between The Dairy and the Coach House, we find ourselves in a silent sanctuary surrounded by the natural beauty of the estate. The courtyard garden shared by all ‘Dairy’ suites is effortlessly gorgeous - beautiful blooms and bistro tables against a backdrop of rustic stone buildings, whisking us away to a quiet, European square, sipping champagne and soaking up the sun.

The suite itself boasts a calming, contemporary interior, cleverly designed with a TV feature wall between the cloud-like bed and the comfortable lounge area with floor-to-ceiling doors opening out onto a private terrace overlooking the greenery. The bathroom is a real talking point with a steel, roll-top bath and a his-and-hers sink station. The room is bright, airy and equally cosy - the perfect place to treat yourself to some much needed R&R. FOOD & DRINK Middleton Lodge Estate is home to both the Coach House and Forge restaurant. During our stay, as lockdown restrictions begin to ease, the Coach House is welcoming back guests with its spectacular new stretch tent

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for al fresco dining in the courtyard.

We might not be jetting off abroad this summer, but we’re certainly feeling those chic, South of France chateau vibes at home.

A pretty-as-a-picture place to relax, unwind and indulge come rain or shine.

Effortlessly blending the outside and inside space, the tent creates a peaceful place to drink, dine and socialise as we watch the sun sink behind the trees and the stars light up the night sky. The structure, designed

by Estate owners, James and Rebecca Allison, has been created to complement the restaurant’s relaxed lighting and natural colour tones. It stretches from the main Coach House doors, right across the courtyard to the reception and shop. It’s simple, minimalistic and makes the most of the glorious green surroundings. Pair that with clinking glasses, buzzy background music, chatty dinners and twinkling fairy lights and we’re ticking all the boxes for a truly indulgent feast in good hands.

The menu is built around modern British dishes, taking inspiration from the gardens, veg patches and glorious grounds that flank Middleton Lodge Estate. Coach House chefs have been working hard behind the scenes to perfectly pair the courtyard

dining space with seasonal dishes formed using hand-picked produce from the walled garden, as well as some of the finest local suppliers. Dishes include: slow cooked aubergine, smoked Whitby mackerel crumpet, Nidderdale free range chicken, and chargrilled steak from Waterford Farm.

The Coach House ethos is all about fresh, seasonal produce, served in a luxe, laid-back environment. The perfect recipe for sunshine dining as the world wakes up again this spring/summer season.

For current, COVID-friendly stays, breakfast is also served in the courtyard stretch-tent.

Start the day with a refreshing cup of coffee, tuck into continental treats such as croissants, fruit and cereals, or fill up with cooked breakfasts including eggs benedict, homemade waffles, huevos rancheros and full Yorkshire breakfasts.

DO THIS Middleton Lodge Estate is home to two restaurants, treatment rooms, a boutique shop, the Fig House and walled garden and the spectacular main house residence, available for private hire. Between all of those you’ll find plenty of space to stretch those legs and take in the natural beauty

that surrounds the estate. Walk through the woodland areas, follow the winding pebble paths, or hop on a bike and explore a little further. A post-lockdown escape to Middleton Lodge means you can truly switch off and enjoy the luxuries of being looked after, while enjoying plenty of space and a slower pace of life – in style.

Middleton Tyas is a quaint North Yorkshire village with plenty of places to stroll and take in the countryside, while the market towns of Richmond and Darlington are just a short drive away. Restrictions aside, the estate hosts a number of on-site events and activities, including everything from outdoor cinema and theatre events, to shooting, creative workshops, yoga and wellness experiences and special, hosted dinners. Other local attractions include: The Bowes Museum, Aysgarth Falls and High Force Waterfall.

For those looking for more than just unwinding in the sanctuary that is the estate, its proximity to rail, road and air networks, as well as the wider North East region, means it’s a great spot to enjoy all that the region has to offer. middletonlodge.co.uk

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WOW HOUSE

Making a house a home

Fuelled by fizz and fabulous interior design, Elysia Fryer joins Kelly Shackleton and Sophie Harrison for HOUSE Live, a savvy new way of shopping in the virtual world

got, and we let them know if they got there first. There’s quite a bit of admin at the moment while we’re prepping our new website, but we honestly didn’t expect it to get this big. It gives us a bit of a buzz though.

Kelly: We just have fun with it. Some of our customers have been tuning in from day one and they’ve really got to know us.

Sophie: So then Christmas happened and we stopped for a little while as we reopened the shop, but people were desperate for us to carry on.

It has become a big event in some of our customers’ monthly calendars. Everyone just enjoys sitting down with a glass of fizz while we catch-up about what we’ve been up to as we talk through products and juggle a glass of wine - or two! I get told off for swearing all of the time; we are just being ourselves, two best friends having a bit of banter and swooning over interior products. It never feels like work.

Kelly: The following day we switch from virtual shopping hosts to delivery girls, but it’s all just so much fun and we love getting to know our customers. It’s even better now that shoppers can pop in and see us in the shop. We have created a real sense of community, and I think it’s exactly what we all need at the moment. People have even started paying a bit of extra cash into the account with a little note saying ‘Buy a bottle of fizz on us’. On Valentine’s Day, we had hundreds of flowers gifted from customers. It’s amazing!

You have created something really special.... an online shopping experience but with a personal touch - and a bit of fun thrown in for good measure. Is this what you intended?

Sophie: Definitely, but it happened very organically. The high street is massively changing, so I think people are getting used to shopping online, pandemic or no pandemic - but they’re missing that social interaction. HOUSE Live combines the two, and hopefully creates a really unique and entertaining experience for customers.

Kelly: We let people into our lives - we chat to them about our personal lives just as much as we talk through the products. It’s like getting together with all of your mates.

People are buying into us as well as the shop, which is great. It’s so important to have a face to the business, particularly during times like these - it’s got to have that human aspect.

Born from a love for lovely stuff, Kelly and Sophie pivoted during the pandemic to create the ultimate online shopping experience, where the good times come first.

Kelly and Sophie are the bubbly brains behind HOUSE Interiors, a much-loved homeware store in Thirsk, North Yorkshire.

When the pandemic hit and the pair were forced to pivot their business, they put their heads together to come up with something new and exciting. Cue HOUSE Live - a feel-good corner of the internet bringing beautiful interiors and community cheer.

As the pair get back to business in the Thirsk store, they continue to bring beautiful interiors to customers via their monthly Facebook live streams.

Luxe joins the party...

First of all, can you give us a bit of background about HOUSE? Kelly: Pre-COVID, Soph wasn’t involved in the business, it was just me. I was in my sixth year at our gorgeous interiors shop

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in Thirsk. Back in November, Soph decided to get on board and help out as we were tasked with coming up with new ways to share and promote our offering.

Sophie: I was on maternity leave last year, so I would always pop in and help out, but when Kel was forced to close because of the pandemic, we put our heads together to have a little think about how she could start to shift some stock.

Kelly: In November, when we went into the second national lockdown, I had a load of Christmas stock. Soph came on board to help us pivot a little bit.

Sophie: Traditionally, Kel would host a VIP Christmas Night in the run up to the festivities, but obviously that wasn’t possible because of the lockdown, so we decided we would try out going live on Facebook. This was the beginning of HOUSE Live. The first night we did it, we didn’t have a clue what we were doing, we were just totally winging it. We gathered all of our Christmas stock in the shop and just went live, chatting through the products.

We thought, at best, about 20 people would tune in, but 300 people turned up

and we couldn’t believe it!

Kelly: Since then, the numbers just skyrocketed and before we knew it we’d created an online community of our own.

We sold all of the Christmas stock within weeks. When we reopened just before Christmas, people were asking me, ‘How come the shop isn’t very festive?’ - and it was literally because we’d sold all of the stock in the live shopping streams.

Sophie: Suddenly, we were way, way over in terms of Christmas sales from previous years, and we were just having so much fun with it. It was bigger and better than ever before, and the shop was shut! It was just crazy. A lot of people used it as a bit of a night out - an excuse to sit down with a glass of wine and do a bit of festive shopping.

What is the format of HOUSE Live?

Sophie: We literally just go live on Facebook and talk through all of the products we currently have in stock. People post in the comment box if they want to buy something.

At the end of the virtual event, people send us a message with what they think they’ve

How does it feel to know you were able to flourish as a business in the midst of a pandemic, when you were forced to close the shop?

Sophie: We knew that we needed to do something to boost the community, not just because of the pandemic, high streets were really starting to struggle before that.

Kelly: Thirsk has a great sense of community. People knew us already, my kids go to school here, so people know me from the shop and from the playground. We’ve created a completely new online community, which has allowed us to spread our wings a little, but we also have backing from those people who visit us at the shop. It’s really lovely that we are able to balance between the two and offer something for everyone.

What would your advice be to any business owners having to push themselves out of their comfort zones?

Kelly: Keep it real, be yourself and do what feels right. We always do our hair and put our makeup on for the live streams, but it’s also important for us to share the ‘real’ us on social media. People understand that the two of us, alongside our amazing yet very

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WOW HOUSE

We have established a loved and trusted brand, but we try not to hide behind it. We are a huge part of it

small team, are the beating heart of the business. After a live, we’re up until the early hours packaging everything up and getting packages ready to post out.

Sophie: We like to be open and honest with our customers, and in turn, they respect what we do. We have established a loved and trusted brand, but we try not to hide behind it. We are a huge part of it.

How do you enjoy working together?

(It looks like a lot of fun!)

Sophie: We are very similar, aren’t we Kel? Kelly: Scarily!

Sophie: I met Kelly as a customer about seven years ago. I was at university in Liverpool and moved back to Thirsk with my partner.

Kelly: And I moved from York to Thirsk to set up the business because I’d worked in interiors in York and my contract stated that I couldn’t set up a competing business in the area. So I thought I’d move to Thirsk and start something new. Soph came into the shop one day and I asked her where she got her hair done, explaining that I was new to the area. We got chatting and then before we knew it we were off for a glass of wine. We just clicked, became really good friends and the rest is history.

Sophie: I did worry about our similarities and if it would make us clash in the workplace to be honest, but it’s not a problem at all. We are very open and honest and it just works.

Kelly: We’ve always said ‘friendship comes first’ in any disagreement or business conversation. We’d never want to jeopardise our friendship. Luckily, we are both very enthusiastic and share the same vision, so that helps when it comes to decisionmaking.

How do you stay positive and lean on each other at work - particularly during such challenging times?

Kelly: I think we are very headstrong as

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individuals, and I guess we’re very positive people. Having a friend alongside you during a challenging time is always a big help.

If we were focusing on the negatives and we were all doom and gloom, people wouldn’t invest in us.

Sophie: We’ve got a lot of great support around us. Loads of lovely friends and family, so that also helps.

Kelly: We know a lot of people in Thirsk too, which again creates that unique sense of community. Because some of our customers know that we’ve been up wrapping orders until daft o’clock, they will pop in with energy drinks and chocolate bars to give us a boost.

Sophie: So we’re getting fat as well!

Kelly: We like to give back to the community too. For Valentine’s Day we ordered four-hundred cake pots and biscuits from our friends at Where The Ribbon Ends.

We popped them in little envelopes with a card saying ‘sending love from one house to another’. We went out with the kids and posted them in random people’s letterboxes.

It’s just lovely to give back sometimes, especially when we are getting so much support. All of that helps to keep us going and remain positive.

men who appreciate the finer things in life. Stereotypically our customers are women, but there are plenty of men out there who really enjoy interior design and lovely things for the home.

Sophie: We’ve also just teamed up with our friends at the most gorgeous baby clothing and accessory brand, Zara Mae Rose. Now our shop is back up and running, we’re stocking some of their products and they’ve been so popular already. Go and check them out on Instagram: @zaramae.rose.

What’s next for HOUSE? Kelly: Going forward, once we get our website up and running and we’re back into the swing of things in the shop, we will continue with our monthly HOUSE Live streams, but we’ll be able to do a big stock drop online once we’ve talked through the products. It might mean we get to bed a tiny bit earlier!

Sophie: Currently, after a live, we have 600+ messages in our inbox and have to go through them individually to sort out payment and postage. It can sometimes take us until the next week to get through it all. It takes a lot of manpower.

Kelly: Once we get set-up online and find a bigger warehouse, we will have more space to grow and employ more staff.

Sophie: I have to rein Kel in a little bit sometimes. She has big plans - and we will

get there - it’s just hard to know when to take that next step.

Kelly: Hopefully, by the back end of the year, we will be in a bigger and more organised facility. But for now, we’re concentrating on getting the shop back up and running and catching up with customers in person. It’s so lovely.

A must-have HOUSE item for summer?

Kelly: The HOUSE Candle - let our signature scent fill your home with a fragrance that will take you to a luxurious beach resort.

With notes of almond and orange, it’s the ultimate summer scent.

Sophie: The Voyage Maison Linen Bench - absolutely perfect for spring/summer. The print is so striking - a real mood-booster, uplifting any boot room.

And finally, your three luxe things in life?

Kelly: Lush getaways with family and friends, spa days and concerts or festivals - there’s nothing better than being outdoors listening to live music with not a care in the world!

Sophie: Prosecco (magic liquid that gets me by), date nights in gorgeous restaurants and family vacays in the Lake District with the kids and the dog.

Instagram: @house_interiors_thirsk Facebook: @houseinteriorsthirsk

What can you tell us about your HOUSE Interiors and HOUSE Live products?

Sophie: We have lots of lovely home accessories - everything from cushions and throws, to vases and candles.

Kelly: We’ve got some nice, well-known brands such as Voyage Maison, NEOM, Emma Bridgewater and Garden Trading.

Sophie: We get really excited about everything that comes in. We recently launched our own candle range. We’ve got The HOUSE Candle, which smells unbelievable - and we’ve got one for men called Man of the HOUSE. We’ve pretty much sold out already - they’ve gone down so well.

Kelly: We wanted to offer something for

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COOL CREATIVE

For me, it’s all about the fabrics - they form the basis of my products. They’re all sourced from vintage, designer pieces. The sustainability factor is also huge for Repose

Homecoming

Dreamy prints, sumptuous stripes and silky feels await. Repose Studio brings swoon-worthy interior products that tell a story and stand the test of time. Elysia Fryer checks in with Rose Dexter, the creative brains behind the business

In early 2020, Rose Dexter was very much living in the fast lane, working in events in New York. Her final project in the big city was New York Fashion Week - a sparse contrast to her new creative venture back home in North Yorkshire.

Now, she spends much of her time between her home in Osmotherley and her studio space in Hutton Rudby. Her commute - a short, country road cruise from village to

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village, rather than a jostling train journey from her flat in Williamsburg to her high-rise office in SoHo. Like many, things have changed significantly for Rose in the last year and a half; but as we sit down and reflect on a turbulent time in history, there are many positives to take away from the situation - one being her ability to enjoy a bit of creative freedom and allow her new business to flourish on home turf.

“I was living in New York before the

pandemic hit,” Rose starts.

“I’d been there for two years, but I came back for the lockdown because it was quite scary over there. I worked in fashion and events and everything got cancelled quite suddenly. The whole city shut down. I was living in a tiny apartment with two other girls, and I just knew I needed some space.

“I came back thinking it would be a matter of weeks, but then, quite quickly, everyone at the company I was working for lost their jobs, so I kind of found myself stuck here.

But I knew I was in the right place at the right time and just had to think of it as a way of opening up new opportunities and letting my creative ideas come to life.

“I have only ever worked in events, so it has been a little strange as there has literally been no work in the industry. It’s been a bit of a long year, but the upside is that it’s allowed me to start up a creative business that I would have never found the time to set up and enjoy.”

Swapping big city life for the rolling hills and countryside has quite literally given Rose the space to create; to remove herself from the rush of moving from one meeting to the next, then on to events, to rush-hour commuting and everything in between. The slower pace of life is not something she had planned, but it has allowed her to hone in on what it means to be creative; to strip things back a little, start with a blank canvas and let her imagination do the talking.

With all of that in mind, we’re delighted to introduce Repose Studio, a luxury interior product business with a focus on slow production, sustainability and sourcing unique fabrics that tell a story.

“Repose was a business born out of lockdown, which is the case for a lot of people and new businesses this year,” says Rose.

“Judith Stephenson, a close family friend, has incredible taste in everything. She is always dropping round unusual but amazing gifts. In the first lockdown she gave me my first bit of fabric and it kind of just naturally evolved from there. I made some cushions from the fabric Judith gave me and I thought to myself, ‘I can make something of this’.

“I love sourcing fabric and I had always missed doing something hands-on creative, so it was great to get back on the tools.

“I studied fine art at the University of Arts in London and since then I have found myself in creative jobs, but I’ve always worked on the production side of things.

“I’ve had a pretty varied career up until this point. A lot of what I did at university was based around working on your own and I knew that wasn’t what I wanted to do; I wanted to do something that was more team-led.

“I ended up working for a company called Mad Ferret, which was a crazy few years.

Our job was to create sets for festivals.

My two bosses were only a few years older than me at the time, they were the founders of Parklife festival, so we expanded and started doing festivals across the UK, and also abroad. We would source and make everything decorative. I once had to make 16km of bunting in two weeks, or I’d have to create tents out of crazy fabrics - it was nuts! I look back and think, ‘Wow, that was a really bizarre time in my life’, but equally lots of fun!’

“I once had to drive across Europe to

MAY/JUN21

COOL CREATIVE

Croatia in a van, which I later found out I wasn’t even insured for!

“It was a bit of a ditzy lifestyle because we were all just young creatives moving from one job to the next. But it was a lot of fun.

“After that I ended up working on a project called Brixton Beach Boulevard, where we organised themed experiential events on a rooftop in Brixton - everything from live performances, to street food and DJ sets.

“Then I started working as the creative assistant for a set designer who worked on big live music events for the likes of Craig David. Between all of this, I would work for my mum, who has a catering business for bands on tour. I also did a couple of wardrobe jobs alongside that. I was just freelancing all over the place. It sort of just became my way of life.”

Following a stint of the ‘roadie’ lifestyle, Rose landed her dream job interning at a fashion events company in New York.

“I was just a bit sick of London,” explains Rose.

“So I found myself an internship over in the states, with a company that I’d always admired. They did set design for really big fashion brands for their Fashion Week shows.

“The plan was to go over there for three month to begin with, but then they asked me to work full-time and I ended up staying for two years. It was a really great experience; a very stressful, full-on role, but I really enjoyed it. We would do shows for people like Yves Saint Laurent and Gucci big names, so as you can imagine, there was a lot of pressure, but I learnt a lot.”

For a young, twenty-something arriving into JFK with two suitcases and no real indication of where this experience was going to take her, it was an incredibly exciting yet daunting experience. But for someone like Rose, who flourishes in a buzzy, collaborative approach to work, it was another match made in heaven.

MAY/JUN21

“It was a totally mad experience in New York,” Rose smiles.

“I went over on my own, I didn’t know anybody, I turned up to a flat that I found on SpareRoom - it was all very surreal, but it soon felt like home and I loved every minute of it. I miss it quite a lot actually; it’s a very liberal city - you can literally walk down the street with a tutu on and a bag over your head and nobody would bat an eyelid. It’s a very creative place.

“I lived in Williamsburg, just on the water when you go over Brooklyn Bridge. It’s a very cool neighborhood - there’s a lot going on, but it’s also very chilled.”

The creative communities are at the heart of hip neighbourhoods like Williamsburg, and it suited Rose to a T. That being said, you can take a creative anywhere in the world and if they have that flair, they’re able to flourish.

“The creative influence back home is a whole new ball game, but it’s definitely there,” explains Rose.

“When I first came back, I honestly felt like I was recuperating,” she adds.

“Life was just mad over there and the prospects of being stuck in a flat just didn’t sit well with me. We’d just finished Fashion Week and I’d just been non-stop, so I definitely felt like I was on a recovery holiday when I first came home at the start of the lockdown.

“I have found it quite difficult. On one side it’s lovely to have the space to do creative stuff, but on the other hand, I’ve been used to such a fast pace of life, so it’s definitely taking some getting used to.

“But I would never have been able to start this business in a city - you need a lot of space, time, headspace, and, of course, the money to be able to take the plunge and do it.

“I’ve always worked in really ‘hustly’ jobs where I’m constantly on-the-go, so it really has given me that breathing space.

“Also, I think that things are born out of

necessity and that’s when creativity can really come to life - when you’ve got that drive to do something else when there’s nothing else to do.

“I’m very grateful for it, it’s just a huge lifestyle change for me.”

As Repose grows and picks up momentum across the country, overseas and with some really influential interior designers, Rose is keeping a close eye on the market and expanding her offering to suit. With that, comes new fabrics, new products and the need for more space to create.

“I’ve recently just moved to a friend’s studio space in a nearby village,” says Rose.

“It’s actually a garden annexe where I spent much of my teenage years at parties,” she laughs.

“So it really has come full circle. There’s still graffiti on the walls and what have you, but it kind of works - it’s cool, it’s got a good vibe (and a lot of memories), I like it.”

After finding a gap in the market when it comes to creating high-end cushions using fabrics that tell a story, Rose is finding her place in other interior product markets, including hand-painted ceramic lamps and shades, bed heads and tote bags.

“For me, it’s all about the fabrics - they form the basis of my products. They’re all sourced from vintage, designer pieces. The sustainability factor is also huge for Repose - I’m upcycling fabrics that are not being used or have been sat in someone’s basement for 20 years.

“I like the idea that we can give fabrics a new life. Now is the time to capitalise on sustainability, for sure. It just isn’t such a big thing in the interiors world, but obviously people fill their homes with materials in everything from clothes to decor, and when you think about where it’s coming from and why it’s so cheap, it just isn’t doing the world any good.

“The fast fashion world gets a lot of press,

but for some reason, it isn’t highlighted so much in interiors, so I wanted to bring that side of it into my business because I’m quite an eco-conscious person.

“I work with a company called One Tree Planted - a wonderful non-profit organisation with a mission of global reforestation in the fight against climate change. For every sale through Repose, a tree is planted. Because fabric derives from the earth, I just thought it made sense to give back.”

Sustainability is key for Repose, but another element that really sets this brand apart is the quirky style. It’s a far cry from the high street products you’ll find on the shelves.

You know you’re getting something different.

“I just look for fabrics that are really interesting,” says Rose.

“Ultimately, influenced by that iconic British style, with many far reaching inspirations in between.

“I’m really attracted to narrative prints things that transport you to another time period or mystical land. Things that will be kept, treasured, and passed down the family. I don’t think there’s that much stuff out there like that.

“People want to find standout pieces that really stand the test of time and that nobody else has, and because that’s the way that I source the material - I can only get two or three metres of any one fabric, you know you’re going to get that something unique with Repose.

“I’ve always been attracted to an eclectic style, which I think was reflected in our family home growing up.”

For the curious and the conscious who wish to ‘slip into repose’ and bring luxe, limited edition items to the home, check out the Repose Studio Instagram page (@repose. studio) for inspiration, or shop online: studiorepose.co.uk

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NEW SEASON STYLE

HOME WITH HEART

with Kerry Lockwood, interior stylist, blogger and content creator Time to get outdoors. Prepare for a sun-soaked summer in the garden, featuring nifty patio heaters, brilliant barbecuing areas and plenty of space for planting pizza party produce My space Now the warmer weather is here I’m looking forward to opening the doors out onto the garden and having friends around for BBQs. I’ve been having way too much fun with the pressure washer - let’s just say that feeding the birds also has its disadvantages, so the pressure washer has been a godsend!

I try to view my garden as an extension of my living space, so I’ve been adding lots of texture to make it feel cosy.

Things like rugs and cushions work wonders. I’ve also got lots of indoor plants in my kitchen as they love the natural light in there and they create a seamless indoor/outdoor transition.

It’s a perfect way to embrace the great outdoors when those wet and windy days creep up.

Try this My two children and I had lots of fun planting and watching these pizza topping seed pods grow last year. You simply place the pods into a pot with compost, make sure you keep it moist and watch them grow. The pods are biodegradable and leave no waste. We loved using our home-grown peppers, basil, rocket and tomatoes to make our own pizzas. They also do veg, salad patch boxes and many, many more. seedcell.co.uk

Best buy Well, I don’t think we’re going to be holidaying any further than the garden this summer, so I’m thinking of investing in a Heatsail Dome Freestanding Electric patio heater. They’re not cheap but living in the North East means that, even in the height of summer, it can still be chilly in the evening. So, I think it’s something that we would get a lot of use out of and will soften the blow of not being able to get away somewhere more exotic. Not only does it heat up to five metres, it’s also a light and you have the option to add integrated Bluetooth speakers. It uses five times less energy than typical patio heaters and has zero emissions. What’s not to love? £3,459. cuckooland.com

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Question time Q: If you had to choose one shade of white to paint your whole house, what would it be?

A: That’s a real tough one as the same white will look different on every wall depending on how much natural light a room gets.

I really love Slaked Lime by The Little Greene Paint Company. I’ve used it in my living room and it’s such a lovely, warm, soft off-white. If you’re unsure which to go for, then you can’t go wrong with pure brilliant white as it doesn’t have any pigments and will reflect the light, brightening any space.

If you’d like me to answer your interior-related question in the next issue, please post them on Instagram, make sure you tag me @kerrylockwood and use the hashtag #KerryxLuxemag You can read more about Kerry and her home at: kerrylockwoodindetail.co.uk.

MAY/JUN21

INTERIOR INSPO

AUDENZA Leopard Pastel Framed Canvas Art, Set of 2, £180, audenza.com

Sweetpea & Willow Savanna Blue Lantern, £135, sweetpeaandwillow.com

Loaf Squishmeister Love Seat Chaise, £1,345, loaf.com

Cox & Cox Inga Sideboard - Blush, £1,375, coxandcox.co.uk

The pastel edit Never underestimate the power of pastels, perfect for bringing subtle colour to your living space - inside and out - this summer...

Besselink & Jones Denton Wall Light, £574, besselink.com

Lime Lace Blondie Neon Light Framed Artwork, £750, limelace.co.uk

Concrete & Wax Tealight Trio - Teal, £42, concreteandwax.com

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Cuckooland Vox Vintage Chest of Drawers, £355, cuckooland.com

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LUST FOR LIFE

Little moments The importance of positive memory making...

I love watching nature come alive in spring; the delicate buds, the emerging leaves and the lively birdsong. But it’s the smells that really energise me. The scent of freshly-cut grass always takes me back to my childhood, making me feel happy and content. When we moved into our home over a decade ago, I planted jasmine, lavender and lilac near the garden gate so when I walked by, I would literally stop and smell the flowers. These fragrances improve my mood, help me to press pause and be present.

But it’s not just me. There is a scientific reason why these miniscule scent particles can evoke powerful memories and feel-good reactions. Because we absorb so much sensory data on a daily basis, our other senses go through a filter so we don’t become overwhelmed. Our sense of smell however, is wired uniquely and it heads straight to the subconscious part of our mind. The processed information from the scent particles is carried to our emotional centre and then it settles in our memory zone. This is why, when we unexpectedly smell the familiar but long-forgotten scents of our past, we can almost relive those moments. Memories come flooding back.

In psychology, a distinction is made between

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the conscious mind and the subconscious mind. The conscious mind is basically our intellectual mind and it governs everything in our awareness. Your conscious mind is currently reading these printed words.

It then filters the information into your subconscious if it deems it valuable. As adults, we are quite used to dipping into our subconscious mind during the day, to help remember the date of an anniversary or to reminisce about a holiday abroad.

Our subconscious also helps us to do things we need to do automatically, such as drive a car. Without our subconscious, we would have to relearn how to drive every time we got behind the wheel!

Interestingly, children - for the first seven years of their lives - have pretty much direct access to their subconscious mind. They haven’t developed a filter yet, so anything they hear or see or experience goes directly into their subconscious. You can imagine that this can be truly overwhelming; hence babies crying when they are over-stimulated and toddlers having meltdowns when they have had a busy day. It’s completely natural. They sit and observe and absorb everything in their environment and I mean ‘everything’.

This is wonderful if children have a loving, nurturing upbringing. They will have soaked up empathetic words, exciting opportunities

anxious, angry, withdrawn or frustrated.

Do you know that the data collected in the subconscious in early childhood actually becomes the ‘programme’ our mind follows for life? It’s our auto-pilot. The first seven years mould us and we develop patterns of values, beliefs, morals and judgements. If you have a strong work ethic, it’s probably because growing up, you witnessed someone in your close family working hard.

The value of hard work was ingrained in your mind. Alternatively, you may have witnessed the complete opposite and so you have made a conscious effort to knuckle down. If we aren’t aware of our actions as an adult, we usually find that our current behaviour is rooted in our childhood.

The good news is that we now know, through advances in neuroscience and particularly in the field of neuroplasticity, that we can rewire our brain. We can rewire it to feel happier, calmer and more content.

But what about our children? If you’re sitting here thinking about the time you called your child ‘stupid’, worried that you have scarred them for life, then please don’t berate yourself. The power of the mind is phenomenal and to a certain extent, we can reverse some of the damage done. By committing to being mindful of our words and actions around our children, we can ensure that the experiences absorbed into their subconscious mind are appropriate, loving and encouraging. In fact, I have a brand-new programme called the Tranquil Transformation which does just that. It clears the mental clutter and helps children build self-esteem, confidence and resilience.

I give parents a specific process to follow to positively influence their child’s subconscious mind. It’s almost like ‘emotional insurance’. Through the programme, you prepare your child for a wonderful future by filling their mind with affectionate and affirming thoughts. One of the many incredible responsibilities we have as a parent is being the co-architects of our children’s minds.

So the next time there is a wonderful spring scent in the air, squeeze your child’s hand and give them a smile. This special memory will go straight into their subconscious and will be stored for life.

Nadia x

and experiences of hugs, kisses and affection. A child’s subconscious mind then attaches meaning to these experiences, in the form of thoughts, feelings, emotions and reactions. If a child is told that they are loved and are brave and kind, then they will believe it. They will have positive self-talk, they will feel good about themselves and they will be willing to take risks and succeed.

However, what about a child who has absorbed words such as lazy, disobedient or bad? What about a child who has been told to sit on the ‘naughty step’ or go to their room? What about a child who has been starved of attention and affection?

All of these memories will seep into their subconscious and stay there, becoming deep-rooted. I’m sure you can recall a time from your childhood when you felt embarrassed or lonely. It could be when you were left out of playground games, when your parents caught you lying or when a teacher reprimanded you in front of the class. Whatever it was, I’m sure it will also bring up negative emotions. If a child repeatedly has damaging experiences, the subconscious will attach negative thoughts, feelings and reactions to the memories. And how do these present themselves? Usually in the form of difficult or challenging behaviour. These children eventually become

Nadia McSheffrey is founder of The Tranquil Treehouse. Nadia works with parents to help them be the parent they want to be and find tranquility in their family lives.

She also works with children and teachers to support their own emotional wellbeing.

For more information and daily parenting support, follow her at: thetranquiltreehouse.com and on Facebook and Instagram @tranquiltreehouse

MAY/JUN21

TOP TEACHER

Our aim is to ensure that our girls flourish in a warm, nurturing environment where they are supported to take risks, step outside their comfort zones and develop their skills amazing individuals. Our girls talk openly about the sense of belonging they feel as part of the NHSG family and our school is the perfect size to ensure that each girl is known and valued as an individual.

Alongside an inspiring curriculum, which we regularly review to respond to a changing world, we offer an extensive co-curricular programme that challenges girls to develop their skills, independence and confidence. Plus, our membership of the Girls’ Day School Trust offers our girls so many additional opportunities beyond those available in our region.

Talking head Newcastle High School for Girls (NHSG), which has been under the transformational leadership of Head Michael Tippett since 2018, has now appointed its new Head of Junior School. We chat to Amanda Hardie who is broadening her existing responsibilities at NHSG by taking on the new role - and she can’t wait How do you feel about being appointed as the Head of Junior School at NHSG? I’m absolutely delighted! I have loved being able to spend more time in Junior School since taking up the role of Acting Head of Junior School at Christmas. My new role provides such an exciting opportunity to build further upon our whole school ethos and ensure that there is a completely joined up approach to curriculum development, teaching and learning and our extensive co-curricular provision across Junior and Senior School.

What can you tell us about your background before taking up this role?

Up until December 2020 I was Deputy Head Academic in Senior School and I’m so pleased that my new role allows me to retain that responsibility alongside the headship of Junior School, as it’s a role I really love. I have worked in girls’ education since 1997, initially at Church High School where I was Director of Studies until the merger with Central High School in 2014, when Newcastle High School for Girls was established.

Can you sum up what is so special about NHSG Junior School?

Where do I start? It would be easy to list our outstanding facilities, the excellent teaching, the stunning woodland grounds or the sporting opportunities on offer but it is so much more than that. NHSG Junior School is a warm, welcoming community made up of

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What can you tell us about your vision and aims for the Junior School?

My vision for Junior School is to build further on the current provision in place to engender a truly inspiring learning environment where academic excellence is a given. Junior School will provide an outstanding foundation for eventual progression into Senior School, and staff across Junior and Senior School will collaborate regularly to ensure that each stage builds effectively upon the previous one across the full range of subjects and co-curricular activities. This will ensure each individual girl can follow her passion.

Does happiness come before academic performance when children are at Junior School?

Happiness goes hand in hand with academic performance for girls in Junior School. Our aim is to ensure that our girls flourish in a warm, nurturing environment where they are supported to take risks, step outside

their comfort zone and develop their skills through a wide range of curricular and co-curricular opportunities. Our staff are experts in the education of girls and our curriculum is designed to encourage independence, creativity and enquiry. When girls feel safe and happy they are more likely to flourish academically, and when they flourish academically they get a sense of achievement that brings happiness.

It’s a winning formula.

NHSG seems to have an impressive co-curricular programme – can you tell us what’s on offer at the Junior School?

For September 2021 we have redesigned our co-curricular programme to ensure that all girls are given the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities. A number of music clubs will run each week, including choirs, a Junior Orchestra and Samba Band.

Alongside this, a programme of sport will be on offer and from Year 3 this will take place on our Senior School site so that our girls benefit from the facilities on offer there.

Girls from Year 2 to 6 will also have the opportunity to participate in a carousel of creative activities that will run throughout the year on a Wednesday evening and on Thursday evenings we will offer Year 2 to 6 an academic enrichment programme that will inspire curious young minds.

Children have had a tough time over the past year, what’s been the biggest issue and how do you plan to support them to get back on track?

This year has been incredibly tough on children, despite our best efforts to ensure that our girls were supported through a programme of lessons each day as part of our guided home learning provision. It was tough on parents, too, many of whom were trying to work from home alongside supporting their children with school work.

Some of our youngest children will not remember a time when social distancing didn’t exist. They’ve missed out on hugs with grandparents, family and friends. Our assessment programme has allowed us to identify any academic gaps resulting from the time spent working at home and we have clear plans in place across Junior School to address any concerns identified.

Well-being activities, pastoral support and opportunities for fun, laughter and happiness are also a priority for us.

How do you unwind away from work?

I get so much pleasure and fulfilment from my career and I have always been so grateful for the opportunity to work in such an amazing school. Outside of work, I enjoy spending time with family and friends. Under normal circumstances, that would include lots of travel, as I love exploring new places with my husband and two teenage daughters. Covid-19 has meant that hasn’t happened this year, but I’m hopeful that one day in the not too distant future I will need my passport again!

NHSG was named Sunday Times North East Independent Senior School of the Year in 2020. To find out more about what’s on offer for girls aged 3 - 18, visit: newcastlehigh.gdst.net

MAY/JUN21

STYLE GUIDE

MAN KIT

Nautical notes

Sailor-style statements and holiday hues for a summer staycation...

DIPTYQUE PARIS Orphéon Eau de Parfum, 75ml, £125, diptyqueparis.com

RAYMOND WEIL Maestro Men’s 40mm Automatic Moon-phase Calibre RW4280 Open Balance Wheel, Stainless Steel Case, Blue Leather Strap, £1,495, raymond-weil.co.uk

HUGS & CO Boat Loafers, £150, harveynichols.com

POLO RALPH LAUREN Grey Logoembroidered Twill Cap, £35, harveynichols.com

PRADA Camp-Collar Striped Cotton Shirt, £480, mrporter.com WIGWAM Balsam Fir Sock, £19, endclothing.com

BELSTAFF Blue Logo Hooded Cotton Sweatshirt, £160, harveynichols.com

RAY-BAN X Team Wang Gold-tone Aviator-style Sunglasses, £130, harveynichols.com

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HACKETT Cotton Linen Beach Shorts, £85, julesb.co.uk

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MARKET UPDATE

A watchful eye Luxury buying markets may have slowed down a little in recent months, but big things are happening in the world of watches, noted in new releases from some of the biggest names in the business. Josh Sims takes us on a timely market update

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With jewellery shops closed and trade shows cancelled, the watch world has been greatly diminished over recent months. It would be too much to see this as being behind a key trend of 2021 - after all, watch designs are often years in development - but that there’s a distinct down-scaling in case sizes perhaps suggests a reappraisal of the watch as a more personal, more intimate object than the outsized ostentatiousness that has dominated much of the last decade.

In a watch a matter of millimetres can make all the difference, and all those 45mm-plus models seem to be slinking away in favour of more modest proportions Rolex’s new take on its Explorer sees it drop to a positively dainty 36mm, for example. Panerai, the Italian Navy commando brand that prided itself on its serious proportions and in many respects drove the trend for thinking big, has downscaled its Submersible from 47mm to 42mm - much smaller, if not exactly small. Even IWC’s Big Pilot - a watch that referred to its heft in its very name - now drops from 46mm to 43mm.

This shift is likely a response to the inexorable rise of interest in and demand for vintage watches - always much, much smaller than contemporary pieces - a market many makers have long tried to tap through the launch of archive re-issues. Few makers, however, have had the nerve to actually replicate those vintage proportions, until now. But it also has the benefit of making many ostensibly macho

MAY/JUN21

MARKET UPDATE watches more proportionate to female wrists. In downsizing, many of 2021’s new releases are more akin to unisex styles.

Maybe the desire to make watches that much more accessible - more wearable, less gender-specific - also explains this year’s definite shift towards elegance. Of course, tool-like sports watches remain a staple style, and for this year’s there’s a definite emphasis on stainless steel-less as a practical, hardy choice, and more as an aesthetically-appealing material in its own right. Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak - designed by the legendary Gerald Genta - may have pioneered the idea that steel can be luxurious back in 1972, but now the likes of the Chopard Alpine Eagle, Baume & Mercier’s new Riviera collection and Piaget Polo all make a proper show of the steel bracelet too. It brings a dressy touch to sports models.

Indeed, this is in-keeping with a renewed attention for modern dress watches too - in part due to some birthdays to celebrate, but coming just as much out of the need for watches to again appeal visually rather than appeal primarily to the fulfilment of the fantasy that you are, in fact, a fighter pilot or deep sea diver. There’s the likes of Vacheron Constantin’s Historiques American 1921, launched to celebrate the model’s centenary this year, or Jaeger LeCoultre’s new green-dialled Reverso, marking the design’s 90th anniversary.

Colour, indeed, looks to be something of a trend too, and, boy, do we need some colour these days. Cartier’s relaunch of its Must de Cartier quartz collection from the late 1970s, now in blue, burgundy and green, is a stand-out example.

Green, certainly, is the shade of the moment - IWC uses it for its new Pilot’s Chronograph and Patek Philippe for its latest Nautilus - though A. Lange & Sohne prefers shades of salmon, notably with its graceful Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar; Oris releases its bronze Sixty-Five diver with dials in edible shades of ‘cotton candy’ - aqua, teal and proper bubblegum pink; Zenith its 21 Defy Spectrum - with an open work dial picking out certain parts of the mechanism in, say, orange or purple; and Hublot even has a ceramic model in yellow.

So sophisticated understatement isn’t entirely the order of the day. For all of the modesty and subtlety on show this >>

Colour, indeed, looks to be something of a trend too, and, boy, do we need some colour these days

Time Trader is one of the leading and fastest growing luxury watch dealers in the UK. Founded in 2017 by Arron Honzik, Time Trader quickly became the North East’s number one destination for Swiss timepieces.

Our boutique showroom in Teesside’s beautifully historic, Grade I Listed Acklam Hall, boasts an astonishing collection from brands such as Rolex, Patek Phillippe, Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille.

Acklam Hall Hall Drive Middlesbrough TS5 7DY 01642 268 343 | info@time-trader.co.uk www.time-trader.co.uk

MAY/JUN21

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71

MARKET UPDATE

The desire to make watches that much more accessible - more wearable, less gender-specific - also explain’s this year’s definite shift towards elegance

The experience behind the tailoring

For me, tailoring is more than just finding a suit. Tailoring is about quality, fit and experience. At Walton & Sutherland, we aim to provide all of this. High-quality tailoring, with a bespoke service, made just for you.

year, there’s the inevitable counter-reaction too. If the watch industry has rightly been criticised for its playing safe over recent years, 2021’s new batch not excepted all those re-issues, all of those brands depending on the most gentle of updates to their bread-and-butter watch icons, smaller budgets meaning an appeal to more cautious, conservative buyers - there does appear to be a glimmer of a push, at last, towards more radical design.

Watch industry stalwarts will tell you that the mechanical watch is, essentially, functionally redundant - a temperamental throwback long since outmoded by electronics, and above all by the ubiquity of the smartphone. Arguably that’s a tacit acknowledgement - even among those brands known for their classicism - that there’s a need for watches to impress less for their mechanics, less for their brand, and more for their distinctive design agenda, which is, after all, the first point of connection for most wearers. This is an idea independent brands have long grasped, but now more historic makers are too.

Such looks can be subtle to the point of invisibility, through a play on materials - Tudor’s Fifty-Eight 925, the latest take on its Black Bay, the model that relaunched the brand with such success, now comes with a case in warm, tarnish-resistant silver, a metal long overlooked by the watch industry. Likewise, Panerai has a take on its prototype, Submersible, made from 98.6% recycled materials, which is

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impressive when you know it, the point being, of course, that you can’t just on sight. Ulysse Nardin’s chiming Blast Hourstriker - winner, surely, of the best watch name for 2021 - is the product of a collaboration with audio tech company Devialet to create a titanium membrane that gives its chime an impressive, and certainly hard to ignore, 85dB. But they can be completely out there too - as with Zenith’s Defy Extreme, or Hublot’s Big Bang Sang Bleu II ceramic chronograph, which, all dark layers and jagged angles, looks like some alien artefact. IWC’s ultralight Big Pilot’s XPL automatic concept watch - from the brand’s new experimental division - is certainly innovative, with a pioneering spring suspension system said to handle impacts beyond 30,000G, but it looks incredible too. You can’t buy it - which is maybe just as well, because if the wearer were to experience anything like 30,000G, it would be fatal - but it’s a hint of what’s to come.

Somewhere in between these extremes are designs that just feel fresh without being too much for most. Enter then the likes of H. Moser & Cie’s Endeavour Tourbillon, complete with hard-stone dial, or Hermès modernistic H08, with its rounded square cushion-shaped case, made of lightweight titanium and the wonder material graphene.

Watches that don’t feel as though you’ve seen them a thousand times before are out there, but you have to keep on the lookout. May many more follow them next year.

The experience begins when you enter our Durham boutique, we begin with a by-appointmentonly consultation, to find out your exact needs and style. You will browse a library of over 1,200 fabrics, before having your measurements taken by our trained and experienced tailors. Each piece will be made-to-measure and bespoke to you. The epitome of luxury.

Following the consultation, you will visit the boutique for your initial fitting, where we can ensure that everything meets your needs. The journey is bespoke to you from there.

I learned my trade working for one of the world’s most reputable menswear brands, where I truly learned to appreciate strong tailoring and was able to develop my knowledge and skills of made-to-measure.

I believe a great suit acts as a canvas for the inner personality. Confidence, strength and success.

But I also believe that each suit should carry an experience, it should be a talking point - whether it’s designed for work, a wedding, or an event.

That is exactly what we aim to achieve.

Jack

Walton & Sutherland are now taking appointments. Visit waltonsutherland.com for more information.

Walton & Sutherland, Ushaw Historic House, Chapels & Gardens, Woodland Rd, Durham DH7 9RH

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LUXE LOVES

LUXE LOVES Purple rain This dazzling Selfwinding Chronograph adorned with a sunburst smoked purple lacquered dial and matching alligator strap is the perfect timepiece to make a style-conscious statement this season. audemarspiguet.com

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XXXXXXXX

Selecting a new watch should always be an event.

As a champion of design, style and quality, Berry’s Jewellers offers the ultimate watch-buying experience in the ultimate setting, and now is the perfect time to get your pick of the very latest models from the world-leading names in horology.

Taking place every spring, ‘Watches and Wonders’ is the premier luxury watch event where prestigious brands come together to reveal their latest releases for the year, and this year has seen a celebration of watchmaking excellence with everything from elegant Italian styling such as the sophisticated Panerai Lumino Chrono with a polished steel finish and a sunburst blue dial,

TAG Heuer Carrera Automatic Chronograph 44mm £4,695

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to re-imagined classics such as the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300. So, if you are looking for the very latest in watch technology or a quintessential timepiece that will withstand the test of time, our extensive range of luxury watches will be sure to deliver.

They say that a watch is an extension of your personality, so whatever your taste and whether it is functionality or aesthetics that is important to you, be individual and make a statement with our expert knowledge and assistance, there’s no better place to find that perfect watch.

Omega Constellation Co‑Axial Master Chronometer Small Seconds 34mm £9,360

Omega De Ville Trésor Co‑Axial Master Chronometer Power Reserve 40mm £14,970

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds £7,200

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ADVERTORIAL

Breitling Premier B25 Datora 42 £9,250

Chopard Happy Sport the First 33mm Automatic Limited Edition £8,630

IWC Big Pilot’s Watch 43 £7,200

Panerai Luminor Chrono £8,700

Panerai Luminor Marina 44mm £6,800

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 £3,500

122 Grey Street, Newcastle, NE1 6JG 0191 221 0152

52 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AS 01904 654104

1 Stonegate, York, YO1 8AN 01904 202405

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EXPERT ADVICE

Standing the test of time

Time Trader is one of the UK’s leading retailers of luxury watches and jewellery. Specialising in sourcing watches for discerning customers, it’s a family business built on quality and precision, and boasts a beautiful boutique at Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough. Luxe caught up with the founder, Arron Honzik Why is now a good time to invest in luxury watches?

For decades, luxury watches have been a passion and hobby that people have explored to great lengths and have, in the process, amassed sizeable collections that are now worth far more than what they paid.

Today, an increasing number of collectors and enthusiasts have taken an interest in the high-end watch business, making timepieces a great purchase whereby your money is stored in a safe, tangible and wearable asset. As more enthusiasts continue to take an interest, the luxury watch market will only continue to strengthen over time by simple virtue of the laws of supply and demand.

A great example of inflation is Patek Philippe’s decision to discontinue the 5711 Nautilus blue dial. In 2015, this was a watch valued at around £22,000. As collectors began increasingly appreciating the 5711’s history, design and quality of build, the value increased to around £27,000 in 2017 and then shot up to over £50,000 in 2019.

Following Patek Philippe’s decision to discontinue the 5711, prices skyrocketed to £75,000 and are continuing to climb given the hype surrounding the release of the 5711 with a green dial. Someone with the foresight to purchase a 5711 in 2015 would have experienced a return of around £50,000

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or roughly 240% over the last six years.

Comparing this to the lousy 2% interest rates offered at your high street banks, watches seem like the smarter and more obvious choice.

How do you help a customer find a timeless piece?

Being one of the biggest pre-owned watch dealers in the UK, we benefit from having built an extensive and exclusive network of traders who can provide us with the ability to source almost any watch a prospective client is looking for. Being a prominent dealer in the ever-evolving market also provides us with inside information that we can convey to clients to help make the most informed decision possible when buying an investment piece.

At Time Trader, we strive to go above and beyond for our customers by travelling as far as necessary and leveraging all of the tools we have at our disposal to source the exact watches our clients are looking for, however rare and exclusive they may be.

unfortunately fall prey to. Avoiding watches that are in poor condition or are over polished is very important. Both of these factors hinder the watch’s ability to be a worthwhile investment without spending a significant amount of time and money to restore the piece.

Another important aspect to consider is the contents. While vintage watches may not necessarily have their original box and papers, enthusiasts are looking to purchase modern watches that are full sets, meaning the watch comes with its original box, papers, tags and links - if it is a watch on a metal bracelet.

Thirdly, collectors should consider the seller from which they are buying. The expression ‘buy the seller’ is especially important in the watch world as some private sellers can unfortunately engage in rather unsavoury practices. Here at Time Trader we pride ourselves on our service before, during and after the sale is completed. We strive to provide consumers with the most accurate and up-to-date information while sourcing the watches they want, at the best available price and in the best possible condition.

At the end of the day, if you are spending your hard-earned money, we believe it is wise to have the most informed opinion possible. Given our extensive network and expertise, we have the ability to provide consumers with all the necessary information to make the most informed decision possible.

Now we are able to return to shops, would you advise customers to shop in-store rather than online. If so, why?

While we recommend purchasing watches both online or in-store, there are pros and cons to both. Buying online can be quick and easy - the location of the seller is no longer important, however you do lose the ability to see the watch in the flesh. Visiting a store can be a great experience in itself and you can handle the watch, try it on for size and make sure it looks exactly like it does in the photographs.

Whether you make the purchase in-store or online, we always recommend doing some research on the seller if possible beforehand.

Reading customer reviews and speaking to previous customers can be a great way to safeguard yourself.

Your top tips for anyone gifting a luxury watch?

Having a watch engraved with a special message or date to commemorate a moment in business or a more personal event such as a wedding anniversary or a birthday, adds to the sentimentality of the timepiece and allows for the gift recipient to appreciate it

even more. We believe this makes the perfect gift, and can help you make this a reality.

What can you tell us about current trends shaping the market?

Perhaps the most prominent trend in the market is the desire for steel watches, namely steel sports professional watches.

Watch brands such as Rolex, Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet have all witnessed incredible secondary price increases in their steel watch models.

The demand for steel sports watches is decades old and will continue to remain strong in the future. The main reason is that watches in steel are more durable, hard-wearing and less prone to wear and tear than watches in precious metals like gold or platinum. Therefore, collectors and investors alike have the ability to wear the watches and not have to worry as much about losing value.

Buying stainless steel watches from major watch brands are foolproof ways of being able to enjoy your money and generate a good return in the process.

Alternative materials for watches is another trend shaping the market at the moments, and has been a success for brands such as Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet, for example. Take Audemars Piguet’s decision to release a Royal Oak in a full ceramic case and bracelet, or Richard Mille’s work with exotic materials like NTPT Carbon. Such watches have become extremely collectable due to the difficult and rather laborious process required to create the case and bracelet out of such materials.

These are just a few examples of trends shaping the market and ones our clients have benefitted from financially by buying watches from us before the current watch market boom.

Your hero ‘luxe’ product?

The stunning Patek Phillipe 5980 in rose gold will always be a favourite of mine.

Everything about this watch is made to perfection. I’m a massive fan of its black gradient dial, a true chameleon it’s really more of a smoky brown or graphite grey. It’s rose gold applied markers with luminescent material along with the white accents of the monocounter chrono-register, provide the perfect contrast. The satin-brushed finish along with its contrasting highly polished areas around the bezel, crown, case back, bracelet and chamfers is perfect and make it one of the best looking watches in 18K rose gold. A life-long investment to say the least. time-trader.co.uk

What are the key factors when investing in a luxury watch?

When investing in luxury watches, there are a number of factors buyers should be aware of. The first is the condition of the watch.

While this may seem rather obvious, there are many pitfalls consumers can

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BUYER’S GUIDE

Where to shop for watches The North East is home to a number of boutiques stocking some of the biggest names in the luxury watch market. Here’s our luxe list...

Goldsmiths, Newcastle upon Tyne Goldsmiths’ Blackett Street store in Newcastle is home to a number of big name watch brands, with collections from the likes of Rolex, TAG Heuer, Jaeger LeCoultre, Panerai, Hublot and Bremont. Goldsmiths’ first showroom opened in Newcastle in 1778 and there are now 90+ showrooms in every major town and city from Scotland down to the south coast. With more than 230 years of tradition and experience in the trade, you’re certainly in good hands. goldsmiths.co.uk

Mappin & Webb, Newcastle upon Tyne Mappin & Webb is a true British icon in the world of silver and fine jewellery. Silversmiths to all of the United Kingdom’s sovereigns since 1897, they know a thing or two about sourcing the best of the best. The company’s long-standing royal connection was further cemented in 2017 when Mappin & Webb’s master craftsman was appointed the position of Crown Jeweller - the custodian of the Crown Jewels in the Tower of London. A real Royal icon, Mappin & Webb is a sure bet when it comes to investing in fine jewellery and watches. mappinandwebb.com

biggest brands in the business, a ROX visit is an opportunity to travel the world in search of the finest, ethically-sourced diamonds and luxury watches. Whether it’s the latest Swiss designs, limited edition collections or truly timeless pieces from the likes of Audemars Piguet, there’s plenty on offer to savvy watch shoppers of the North East and beyond. rox.co.uk

OMEGA Boutique, Metrocentre, Gateshead OMEGA’s Metrocentre boutique offers the ultimate luxury shopping experience for those looking to invest in a trusty timepiece. Friendly faces will greet you at the door, where you’ll be guided through a bespoke, personalised experience to help you find the perfect watch. omegawatches.com

Richard & Ryan, Yarm Richard & Ryan is a new arrival on the beautiful cobbled high street of Yarm. A luxury boutique stocking ethicallysourced diamonds, luxury watches and timeless, special occasion jewellery. With stock ranging from Rolex and Patek Philippe, to Cartier and Audemars Piguet, Richard & Ryan is a welcome edition to the North East’s prized watch market. richard-ryan.co.uk

ROX, Newcastle upon Tyne

Market Cross Jewellers, Guisborough

ROX is all about ‘diamonds and thrills’. It’s the go-to jeweller for timeless pieces that are sure to wow. Striking interior design, paired with a captivating charm and some of the

The North Yorkshire market town of Guisborough is home to Market Cross Jewellers, one of the largest independent jewellers in the North East, with branches now in

Berry’s Jewellers, Newcastle & York Founded in 1897 with shops in Scarborough and Southport, Berry’s has since gone on to open beautiful boutique stores in Leeds, Nottingham, Hull, Windsor and on our doorsteps in Newcastle and York. Now a stalwart when it comes to the luxury watch market in the North East, the business is brimming with history and heritage, home to a number of experts in innovative jewellery and some of the biggest names in the watch industry. Stocking everything from Omega and Cartier, to Breitling and Bremont, it’s the place to go for on-trend timepieces that stand the test of time. berrysjewellers.co.uk

Middlesbrough, Yarm, Hartlepool, Durham, Thirsk, the Metrocentre, Barnard Castle, Redcar, Peterlee and Skipton.

Stocking a number of premium watch brands from Breitling to Rado, the experts at Market Cross know a thing or two about the luxury watch market and how it continues to move with the times. marketcrossjewellers.com

Sharp & Sons Ltd., Darlington This independent family jewellers and workshop in Darlington was established in 1983 and continues to serve its discerning customers with an outstanding service, stunning jewellery and watches, and exquisite antique pieces. Offering a wide range of pre-owned watches, it’s a trusted boutique to get your hands on exclusive pieces from brands including Rolex, Omega, TAG Heuer, Breitling and Cartier. sharpsjewellers.co.uk

One to watch >> The British makers to look out for in 2021…

Watchmaking is a traditional British trade that is said to have started way back in the 1600s. But because of the handmade nature of English horology, the craft declined through the 1900s, after having made around half of the world’s watches in the 1800s. The Swiss and US markets boomed, being much more successful in adopting mass production methods.

Today, we’re seeing the watchmaking market revolutionise with eyes back on the British market post-Brexit. ‘Made in Britain’ is reclaiming its rightful crown in the timeless craft and some of the inspiring watchmakers listed below are the reason why.

Roger W Smith >> With his ethos for crafting watches to a peerless standard of horological excellence, Roger W Smith has spent the last decade exploring the future of mechanical watchmaking.

Discovering new ways of working and constantly pushing the boundaries, his studio applies next-generation science to what has always been regarded a traditional art form. rwsmithwatches.com Loomes & Co >> Dating back to the 1600s, Loomes & Co are a family firm of watchmakers based in Stamford. Their story takes us back to the life of Thomas Loomes who ran London’s largest firm of clock and watchmakers in the 1650s. Today, the business continues to craft bespoke wristwatches, as well as restoring and repairing antique and vintage clocks and watches. robertloomes.co.uk anOrdain >> From its HQ in Glasgow, anOrdain is all about fusing

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contemporary design with the traditional craft of watchmaking. The brand’s watchmaker, Christopher, hand-assembles every watch in-house, working closely with the design team to create something truly unique. anordain.com Bremont >> Creators of beautifully engineered chronometers from its brand new 35,000 sq ft HQ in Henley-on-Thames.

In 2002, the Bremont team embarked on a journey to craft pilot’s watches of exceptional quality. Inspired by a love of flying historic aircraft and of all things mechanical, these timepieces are immensely precise, reliable and durable. bremont.com

>> Bremont Edits - Alan Schaller - 26

Garrick >> Garrick are producers of true English time machines.

Expect to find British-made watches handcrafted using parts engineered in Norwich. Infused with high-quality finishing and delightful details, a Garrick piece is sure to turn heads and really stand the test of time. garrick.co.uk Harold Pinchbeck >> Harold Pinchbeck is the independent British watchmaker we should all add to our watchlist. The Pinchbeck name dates back to 1710 in the wonderful world of watchmaking, and today’s company is still managed by a family member. Shop here for luxuriously understated timepieces designed and built in an English workshop. haroldpinchbeck.co.uk

>> Garrick

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SUPER DAD

Four Supercar Driving Blast Any petrol-head dads will love this once-in-a-lifetime driving experience. He’ll head to a top UK track and get behind the wheel of four different cars, with a fleet of iconic models to choose from including Aston Martin, Ferrari and Lamborghini.

With a total of 12 miles and plenty of horsepower in his hands, you’re certain to win lots of brownie points!

Prices from £139. buyagift.co.uk

Father’s Day finds One of the many great things about us slowly coming out of lockdown is that there’ll be a lot more choice than this time last year, when it comes to finding a Father’s Day treat.

With hotels, restaurants and venues starting to open their doors again, there are plenty of gift ideas to add to all the brilliant stuff you can buy online Cookery school Whether your dad is an aspiring Heston Blumenthal or his kitchen skills need some serious improvement, Swinton Cookery School offers a range of courses for beginners to professionals. Perhaps he’d like to learn how to make the Ultimate Sunday Lunch or attend the Indian Masterclass? The cookery school is located on the Swinton Estate, near Masham on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Adjacent to the main hotel, it boasts a state-of-the-art demonstration kitchen with all the latest equipment and gadgets.

Maybe dad might like to enjoy a meal in one of the hotel’s restaurants in the evening or spend some time in the spa.

A full day cookery course costs £160 or a half day is from £85. swintonestate.com

Sunday Lunch There’s no better way to celebrate Father’s Day than going out for a perfect Sunday Dinner. The Broad Chare in Newcastle does an amazing Roast Beef as it’s Sunday dish of the day, which dad can wash down with a ‘proper’ hand-pulled beer. thebroadchare.co.uk The Impeccable Pig in Sedgefield offers a Sunday Pig Out menu which includes chicken, beef, pork, lamb or turkey, with all the trimmings, plus a great choice of starters and desserts.

Two courses £20 and three courses £23. impeccablepig.co.uk

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SUPER DAD

Gadget Discovery Club If your dad loves gadgets you could treat him to a subscription to The Gadget Discovery Club so that every month, he’ll receive something new and innovative, straight to his door. You can select from various options when you sign up, so they know whether your dad is tech-savvy or not. He’ll then receive a range of gadgets depending on his preference and you can choose from 3, 6 or 12 months. The gifts include smart home devices, new music tech, wearables, smartphone gadgets.

A 3-month subscription costs £32.99 per month. gadgetdiscoveryclub.com

Traditional treats Dad can be reminded how much you love him whenever he checks the time if you give him this classic Time to Trovalize watch from Swatch. With a combination of brass and antiqued gold, it’s classy and sophisticated – just like his favourite child! £157.

Or how about this stylish Bifold wallet from Polo Ralph Lauren so that dad’s never searching for his cards again? Showcasing classic, distinctive Polo style, it’s understated and compact enough to fit in his pocket. £55.

Both from fenwick.co.uk

Farm treats hamper Wilde Farm is a 12.5 acre smallholding in Northumberland which rears rare and native British breeds and produces organic fresh fruit, vegetables, herbs and hops. They’ve got a fabulous range of products available on their website including the Wilde Farm gift basket which would make a perfect gift for dads who love home-grown, fresh produce.

So, all of them really! The gift baskets are packed with fabulous free range rare breed produce including scotch eggs, streaky bacon, free range eggs and black pudding. Even better, the baskets are delivered for free to addresses in Newcastle and Northumberland.

Prices start from £20. wildefarm.co.uk

Gone fishing If your dad fancies trying fishing, or is a seasoned pro, Chasing Fins offer everything from a three-hour introduction to casting a fly rod (£80), to a full day flyfishing for salmon and seatrout on a private stretch of river in Northumberland or the Scottish (from £200). They also organise bespoke fishing holidays and guiding. chasingfins.co.uk

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Golfing at Matfen Hall If your dad is one of the thousands of golf fanatics whose been itching to get back on the green this is the perfect gift. He can enjoy an overnight stay in one of the individually decorated classic rooms, coffee and a bacon roll on arrival in The Keeper’s, 36 holes of golf, full Northumbrian breakfast and complimentary use of the Aqua Vitae Spa and leisure facilities.

Prices start from £170 per person in high season (May to September). matfenhall.co.uk

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GAME ON

GREAT BRITISH BREAKAWAY >>

GREEN DAYS

Now we’re geting to grips with life back on the course, our next milestone is getting back to the good old golf break.

Slaley Hall in Hexham is stepping up to the mark this spring with the golfing getaway we’ve all been waiting for. Introducing the ‘Great British Breakaway’ package.

This two-night, two-round package starts from just £195 per person and is bookable now for stays from 17 May until 3 October.

It’s the perfect break to help you make up for lost time on the course, while also socialising with friends and family at one of the region’s finest golf resorts. Complete with breakfasts, dinner, full access of the leisure facilities and a bucket of beer in the room on arrival, it guarantees good times for your return to golf.

For more information on the ‘Great British Breakaway’ package and further details on the reopening of Slaley Hall, head to the website below. slaleyhallhotel.com

Our luxe guide to the kit, the tech and the people driving the golf scene in the region and beyond...

FOR HER >> LACOSTE >> Adjustable Crocodile Covering Cotton Face Mask, £16.99, golfbase.co.uk

FOR HIM >> NIKE GOLF >> +Tiger Woods Nike AeroBill Heritage86 Perforated Tech-Jersey Baseball Cap, £32, mrporter.com

LULULEMON >> Tech Pima Cotton-Blend Piqué Golf Polo Shirt, £90, mrporter.com

RLX RALPH LAUREN >> Cotton-Blend Golf Shorts, £95, mrporter.com

KJUS GOLF >> Retention Quilted Shell and Jersey Golf Gilet, £170, mrporter.com

ECCO >> Womens Cool Pro Waterproof Breathable Golf Shoes, £149, golfbase.co.uk

FOR THE GOLF BAG >> TAYLORMADE >> Mens 2021 SIM 2 MAX D HiLaunch Lightweight RH Golf Driver, £399, golfbase.co.uk

GETTING READY FOR THE GREENS... >> We’re helping you get ready for your return to the greens with our pick of three golfing page-turners...

The Complete Golf Manual >>

By Steve Newell The ultimate self-improvement guide for every player getting back into the game - from the novice to the experienced club golfer. This golfing bible covers everything from swing and tee shots, to pitching, chipping and coping with bunkers. A systematic guide that promises to get your brain in gear when it comes to prepping for your first day on the greens.

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Golf is Not a Game of Perfect >>

By Dr. Bob Rotella It’s safe to say Dr. Bob Rotella knows a thing or two when it comes to performance in golf. In this book, he gives us the tools to create a positive mindset when it comes to all aspects of the game, from mental preparation to competition.

Filled with charming and insightful stories about some of the big name players he’s worked with in the past, this book is sure to inspire ahead of your return to the course.

Zen Putting: Mastering the Mental Game on the Greens >> By Dr. Joe Parent If you’re the kind of player who lets your mind play tricks on you when under pressure, this is the book for you.

Dr. Joe Parent will help you build a greater understanding of the process of putting, overcoming psychological obstacles along the way. Peak performance pending!

All three of these books are available to buy in hardback, Kindle and audiobook form on Amazon: amazon.co.uk

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TEST DRIVE

AT THE WHEEL with Bob Arora

Mighty motor Bob Arora sets off on a BMW roadtrip in the dazzling new M3...

My first memory of the M3 was when a family friend bought the original car that was launched 35 years ago.

Being a young teenager, this car was absolutely stunning. The fact it was actually left-hand drive only added to the appeal and the coolness of the car. I always wanted an M3 but it was always out of reach for me as they were just so expensive.

When my local BMW garage started renting certain cars out, the dream of driving the M3, even if only for a few days, became a reality.

An occasion in Birmingham was the perfect excuse to hire the M3, and the night before I went to collect the car I literally couldn’t get to sleep with the excitement.

I picked the car up and the drive to Birmingham was just as I expected; the car was an absolute dream to drive and the performance can only be described as mind-blowing. The next day I decided to go and get some petrol, to my absolute shock the car’s mirrors were gone, and where I had parked the car there were no cameras. The mirrors were so cool, M3 drivers often found their mirrors stolen and they would find their way onto some hot hatches instead.

This now brings me onto the latest generation M3. Whenever a new M3 is launched there’s always a lot of excitement around the car. The latest M3’s styling has

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been overshadowed by the massive grill.

Now, I have to admit it doesn’t look good in most of the pictures I’ve seen, but in the flesh, it looks really sporty and it actually suits the car’s latest styling.

It’s slightly heavier and larger than the outgoing version.

Currently the M3 is only available in competition pack and in rear-wheel-drive.

A touring version, along with a four-wheeldrive, will be here soon too. Once the roads are slightly damp, the rear end twitches like no one’s business. BMW have ditched the dual clutch automatic gearbox for an 8-speed ZF gearbox. I’m not sure if this is psychological, but I’m convinced the gear changes weren’t as quick as a dual clutch box.

The seats have an illuminated M3 sign which lights up when you unlock the car, I’d buy one for this feature alone!

The alloys suit the car but I’d be tempted to make them slightly larger just to fill the arches. Bucket seats with carbon inlays are also included in the additional £6,750 cost, ceramic brakes have gold callipers to distinguish them and they cost an eye-watering £8,000. My car was fitted with standard brakes which were more than adequate, in my humble opinion.

The car I drove had a seriously cool orange leather interior with splashes of carbon all over the place. The dash also had some lovely ambient lighting. Head up display,

Harman Kardon speakers, wireless phone charging, front and rear parking cameras, Apple CarPlay and Android CarPlay are all standard. BMW’s iDrive is as user-friendly as always; it is either operated via a rotary dial or touchscreen and it is still the easiest to use.

One feature I didn’t try was the M-drift analyser, which gives you a rating out of 5.

The car’s chassis is absolutely brilliant and the engineers at the M-division have excelled themselves. The steering wheel is a lovely thick rimmed wheel which has two paddles for manual gear changes and two small red buttons which allow you to pre-set braking, steering weight, engine set up and so on.

At low speeds the car’s engine sounds a

little bit tappety, but once it warms up a nd you get to the top of the rev range, i t sounds really meaty, with a great growl.

The car is fitted with a sports exhaust button which really makes a difference.

The car is priced from £74,000 without any additional options which is a lot of money, and it’s dangerously close to a base Porsche 911.

With this latest M3, BMW have once again beaten all of the car’s competitors - the Mercedes C63, Audi RS4 and the Alfa Giulia Quadrifoglio are all playing catch up, once again.

Car courtesy of Vertu BMW Boldon, branches also at Sunderland and Teesside: vertumotors.com/bmw

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PARTING SHOT

Stacks of style>> A space to create. Captured by Kevin Gibson at kgphotography.co.uk.

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MAY/JUN21

Ready to impress.

The All-New i20, fully equipped with smart tech and £1,500 towards your deposit†

Hyundai All-New i20 1.0T GDi 48V MHD SE Connect 5dr Representative Example: Customer Deposit

48 Monthly Payments

£226

£226

Optional Final Payment

£7,190

Finance Deposit Allowance†

Total Amount Payable

£19,764

£1,500

Cash Price

Amount of Credit

£17,534 £15,808

Duration of Agreement

49 Months

Fixed Rate of Interest

2.47%

Fees

NIL

Representative APR (Fixed)

4.8% APR

Based on 6,000 miles per annum, excess mileage charge 7.5 pence per mile

We’re open. There’s a Hyundai model and test drive waiting for you.

Hyundai Morpeth

Coopies Lane, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 6JN 0330 1787 355

Hyundai Peterlee

3 Mill Hill, North West Industrial Estate, Peterlee, County Durham, SR8 2HR 0330 1787 354

Hyundai Silverlink

Middle Engine Lane, Silverlink Business Park, Newcastle, Tyne & Wear, NE28 9NZ 0330 0960 866

bristolstreet.co.uk/hyundai

CO2 results for Hyundai All-New i20 1.0T GDi 48V MHD SE Connect 5dr: CO2 Emissions 115g/km. Combined 55mpg. Figures shown are for comparability purposes; only compare fuel consumption and CO2 figures with other cars tested to the same technical procedures. These figures may not reflect real life driving results, which will depend upon a number of factors including accessories fitted (post-registration), variations in weather, driving styles and vehicle load.

We act as credit brokers and we are not a lender. Finance is subject to status and finance company acceptance. We can introduce you to a limited number of lenders and their finance products. We will typically receive a commission from the lender, as either a fixed fee or a fixed percentage on the amount you borrow. The commission we earn does not change by the type of finance, or the lender we introduce you to. A guarantee may be required. The finance rate will vary dependent of customer personal circumstances for in dealership purchases. Offer only available on limited stock. †Paid by Manufacturer. Terms and conditions apply. Unless otherwise stated, metallic paint at extra cost. For full details please visit the dealership. Information and offer correct at time of going to print. Image for illustration purposes only. Bristol Street Motors Hyundai is a trading name of Bristol Street Fourth Investments Limited (Company registration number 00522856), and of Bristol Street First Investments Limited (Company registration number 00251237) which also trades as Bristol Street Motors Hyundai Morpeth. VAT Registration number 902737238.

Registered office: Vertu House, Fifth Avenue Business Park, Team Valley, Gateshead, NE11 0XA.

The north east’s first in bespoke affordable interiors 10TH AVENUE WEST | TEAM VALLEY | NE11 0HL | 0191 491 3836 OPPOSITE RETAIL WORLD G R E ATLOOK . C O. UK